Disney Retrospective: Day 1

On our way

Here’s Elaina, happily riding the bus over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

We’ve just checked in to the Polynesian, where she got her lei and learned to greet everyone with “Aloha”.

 

Elaina’s first, and perhaps most graceful encounter with all the waiting that’s involved in navigating around Disney properties. 

She’s excited because we’re on our way to a character lunch with Special Agent Oso and Handy Manny.

Character Lunch

We had lunch at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with Special Agent Oso (my personal favorite), Handy Manny, and Leo and June from Little Einsteins.

It was nice that all the characters came around to the tables of all the kids, so there were no lines and no crush of kids vying for their attention.

Elaina wasn’t shy or scared at all.  She got autographs and hugs from all of them—just like she said she would when we first broached the topic of going to Disney.  I’d wondered if she was all talk, but no, she was happy to interact with the characters.  She didn’t need any prompting or what me to go with her or anything like that.  She met all the characters on her own terms.

I was especially glad she got to meet Special Agent Oso (above), because when we first started talking about Disney, she said, “I want to give Oso a hug.”

Here are Handy Manny and the June and Leo from Little Einsteins.

Character Dinner

As if getting hugs and autographs from Oso and the rest of the crew at lunch weren’t enough, we were lucky enough to have a character dinner as well! 

My friend from high school, Greg, was able to join us for dinner and meet Elaina for the first time.  Like every other character, Elaina got Greg’s autograph and hugged him.  I wonder if Elaina’s wondering what show he’s on.

Elaina and Greg got along like old friends, bonding over some joke telling. 

Elaina pulled out all her old standbys for Greg—the classic “watermelon goes on the potty”, for instance—and invented several new…um…“jokes” on the spot.

 

Wrapping Up Day 1

Back at the hotel, Elaina poses with Minnie.

Then, Minnie and the tired princess head to the elevator, signaling the end of our first night at Disney World.