What an expensive day! We were woken at 5am when David sneezed and Elizabeth exclaimed "Daddy!". She then got into bed with us for a while. I then made the fatal mistake of going to the loo and giving her enough light to look at books with, as a result she made so much noise that Alex grouched and grumbled at her. Turning off the bathroom light fixed that one! We then all managed to doze until about 7:30, 11 hours sleep, not bad. First job of the day was sorting out the bags a little. David then bathed the girls whilst I went and put on the first load of washing of the trip. A little sooner than expected! I came back upstairs and helped David dress the girls. Alex then came downstairs and helped me check on how the washing was doing. I thought David and I agreed to meet for breakfast, David was expecting me back upstairs and then we would do breakfast - whoops! The net result was Alex had two breakfasts. Breakfast was basic but fine and wiled away the time we were waiting for the laundry to finish. During first breakfast I met a grandmother travelling with her two grandchildren, who were apparently cranky. During second breakfast I checked on the laundry to find it was done so sorted and folded it up. I then went to the car and assembled the pushchair. David came along partway through and I gratefully handed the job over.

At the crack of 10 we were ready to leave, basted babies and adults in factor 50 suncream and a working pushchair. We needed the suncream, as it was so hot, I dread to think what the summer is like. We had a quick check of the best way to get to Disney, to find an entrance was almost opposite the hotel. Taking a transfer would have been a sensible option as everywhere was within walking distance and there were pavements all over.

Walking into the park, Alex was immediately taken by everything and I think was overwhelmed by it. We spent most of the morning in Fantasyland where Alex spent most of the time scared.

Sleeping Beauty - too scary
Peter Pan - too scary
Carousel - too noisy

However, Dumbo was the biz. Despite the rocky start she loved it!

Alex would appear to be afraid of any ride which goes into the dark. Dumbo gave her control and she loved it! While Alex was on Dumbo, Elizabeth and I went on the Toad Car ride which was loud and full of surprises and Elizabeth loved it! We then all went on the Circus ride which both girls enjoyed and the teacups.

Lunch for the girls was at 12 and the Mac 'n' cheese went down like a lead balloon and to be fair having tasted it I am not surprised. Alex's comment was ' I only like Warwick orange cheese, I don't like 'merican orange cheese'. After lunch we went to Toontown and the girls played in Goofy's house. After playtime David and I had our lunch. We then moved through to Tomorrowland and Elizabeth fell asleep.

I took Alex on Autopia which she really enjoyed even though the car kept stalling. David then attempted to take Alex on Buzz Lightyear. I had agreed to meet David at some seats but it was so hot I stood in the air conditioned exit of the ride. I then got bored and wandered out to find them sitting on the benches and had been for some time. I then took Alex on the Space Rockets which, were pretty similar to Dumbo and again she loved it. I was not so keen as it was a little too high for my liking. Weird child can do heights and spinning round.

Walked through to Frontierland and went on the Steamboat as Elizabeth woke up just in time to go on it. Both girls enjoyed the trip and waving at everyone around them. We stood on the almost deserted middle deck, as the upper deck was far too crowded. We then went on the Winnie the Pooh ride and Alex was scared of it. Time was ticking on so we decided to do the 'Meet the Princess' thing but after a while in the queue it was obvious that both girls were fading fast and were not going to enjoy it. Alex really enjoyed Disney day 1 and was disappointed not to meet Mickey or Minnie Mouse.

As this was our first proper night we went to Downtown Disney and ate at the Mexican restaurant there. It was a long wait for the table so David ran back for warm clothes and ID. We were seated a while before his return. We had a nice meal and the band were good but Elizabeth was very unsure and pulled a classic face whenever they started to play. We then took a walk home, Alex fell asleep in the pushchair and Elizabeth chuntered her way home. We put the girls to bed and both had a beer and watched the fireworks, a good plan.

In other thoughts there definitely is a cult of Disney. We saw a large number of personalised ear hats which you can only really wear at Disney unless you are a kid. The number of pin collectors is also amazing. There is little sign of there being a credit crunch here as a lot of $s are being spent. The merchandising is such that children will want, want, want. Fortunately we either don't have children like that or more likely, they are too young.