Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

I clawed my way out of bed after the heroic driving effort the day before. The wife hadn't been feeling too good throughout the whole trip and so far I had driven every mile. I wasn't complaining though, I was enjoying every minute of this adventure.

Day 8 started off with a finishing drive of about 2 and a half hours into Orlando. I wish we had gotten closer the day before so we could get there earlier, but it just wasn't meant to be.

After some minor turnoffs and general confusion in the downtown Orlando area we arrived at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

This was by far the most expensive portion of our 12-day journey across America. Originally, when I was drawing up our trip plan I wasn't sure if I was going to add this detour or just cut across the south, but I decided since we were so close we might as well do it.

We took the monorail from the parking area to the main gate. Lines, lines and more lines.

The kids bought these autograph books to get characters in the park to sign. We ended up standing in line for signatures with Pinocchio and Goofy and other characters. I'd say we wasted a good hour and a half right off the bat in lines for autographs. Finally we got around to some rides. We went in the Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion and then checked out the parade which was very well done.

Mickey		Evil Characters	Minnie and Others
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After the parade there was thunder and lightning and it started drizzling. My wife was a little pissed at paying so much for tickets and having all the rides close. Me? I just went and grabbed a turkey leg and started chowing down.

It stopped raining and we ended up getting on a few more rides including Splash Mountain which my oldest loved.

It was getting late by then and we stopped to watch the nighttime parade, which was pretty dazzling with all the lights. It wasn't so dazzling for my camera though which seems to really suck at shooting moving lights.

Cinderella	Demon	A Fish	A Peacock
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The kids got on a few of the smaller rides after the parade, but still had to wait in lines. Soon the night was wrapping up and the fireworks were about to start. We got in a fairly good position.

I can honestly say that this was the most incredible fireworks display I've ever seen in my life and I've seen quite a bit, D.C. on new years and fourth of July for instance. My pictures don't do it justice and they also don't catch the most amazing event which was in the beginning when Tinkerbell flew, yes flew, out of the very top of the castle and over the crowd. You should have heard everyone oohing and ahhing throughout this display.

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The fireworks alone finished the day off with a bang and actually cooled our heads a little about the money spent, but still it was a considerable amount for such a short day.

We decided to take the ferry back to the parking lot since we had taken the monorail in. The guy on the tram taking us from the ferry to our car was hilarious and we ended the day on a laugh as we drove out of Orlando just a little and found a cheap motel.

Everyone was out immediately after all the walking and the long trip we'd already been on.

This ended day 8 of our amazing journey across the great USA.