Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida -

Used to be Disneyworld but now known as the Magic Kingdom.

We saved the best for last and this park was where we spent Christmas day. We didn't tell the kids we were going so it was a surprise when we woke them up at 7.00 a.m on Christmas morning. The park was open from 8.00 a.m until midnight and Christmas Day is one of their busiest days of the year. Disneyland in California would fit into the carpark at the Magic Kingdom to give you some idea of the size. You have to get a shuttle from the carpark to the transportation centre where you then choose between the Monorail or ferry to take you to the main entrance. All bags are searched and adults' fingerprints taken for security purposes.

It certainly was crowded but with good systems in place and usual Disney efficiency with such things as the 'Fast Pass' where you get a later time to do a ride and are then put to the front of the queue/line it was bearable and we all enjoyed the day very much. Unfortunately the rain that was forecast finally caught up with us and it was torrential for about 4 hours so we did get soaked. The biggest seller at the park that day was undoubtedly their plastic rain ponchos with Mickey on. We used our umbrellas purchased from the $1 shop earlier and resisted the urge to buy the ponchos at $7 US ($12 NZ) each.

We saw a Christmas parade, Electrical Light parade and a fireworks display as well as doing all the rides we wanted to prior to leaving just before midnight - a very long day. We got to have our photos taken with 'the main man' (Mickey Mouse) and our favourite rides were Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.

It is interesting to us non Americans some of the 'customs'. One thing we saw a lot of was families at the theme parks all wearing lurid coloured matching t-shirts saying 'Smith Family vacation, Disney World 2006' or 'Klein Family Channukah party 2006'. A uniquely American thing I think. Also the amount of people while at the park that wear their Disney clothing from this year or previous (you will see Kennedy and I joined them on this occasion). The other popular item at Christmas is any sort of Christmas clothing. Stores sell Christmas sweaters, waistcoats, t-shirts, nightwear, underwear, socks etc for adults and children with snowmen, santas, bells, candy canes etc etc. I quite like the idea but as this Christmas clothing is usually wooly and warm for the winter here it wouldn't work with our 'reversed' season in New Zealand but I think it's kinda cute and did buy a Christmas nightie with snowmen even though we don't have them where I come from!