Animal Kingdom was probably my favorite park that we went to. We really enjoyed the safari adventure ride, the Lion King show, and the fantastic music and food in the African side of the park. Elayna, always on the look out for more autographs, got to meet Pocahontas and Pluto (and Goofy again).

The best part of this day for me was probably the dancing that Elayna did with a little boy while a band played African music. They never really spoke. He got there after she was already dancing and they just realized they were kindred dancing souls, I suppose, and stepped in as each other’s partners. It was amazing to watch and actually went on for quite a long while. They would twirl each other, join hands, jump together. They were experiencing a special moment of their own joy there, and it was beautiful. At the end Elayna went over and thanked him for the dance and blew him a kiss. Another stranger-turned-friend who brought light to her life. We’ve had a lot of those. 🙂






After Animal Kingdom, we headed back to Magic Kingdom one more time to try to make it until fireworks time. Elayna was able to see her BFF Mickey Mouse again, as well as meet Aladdin and Jasmine, see shows at the Tiki Room and Bear Country Jamboree, meet Merida, and ride on the Small World ride. She loved the Small World ride, which made me happy because that is my personal favorite from when I was little.







We did make it until the Electrical Parade and the fireworks show, and it was beautiful. I didn’t photograph that, but take my word for it. It was fantastic. Since it was a cold night we were all snuggled up (E under a blanket) and we patiently waited with the crowds to see the magic fill the sky. Elayna was in awe.