We had a similar experience with Tinkerbell. My daughter was 5 years old and when Tinkerbell flew out of the castle my daughter turned to me and exclaimed "She's real, Mommy, Tinkerbell is real!"

I of course agreed that she must be real. My daughter brought her Aurora costume from home (she was really into Princess mode that year) and wore it the 3 days we were there. The castmembers (what they call their staff) all addressed her by Princess and would go out of their way to open doors, give her little trinkets like toy rings and stickers and she ate it up. I took her to the Bippity-Boppity Boutique (reservations a must) and had the works - hair, nails and makeup and it was the best $45 I have ever spent. She loved going to the salon and they put so much goo in her hair to do the Cinderella-do that it stayed good for the entire vacation. Just a little spritz of water to smooth it out in the morning and she was good for the day.

My husband hated the heat (we went in August - not recommended), the regemented dinner plan (reservations are a must for the sit down meals) and the crowds, but my daughter and I took it all in stride.

Just an FYI: WDW also has an Armed Forces Recreation Center called the Shades of Green which is for active-duty and retired service members. You can't use the Magic Express from the airport for free, but you can use the bus to the parks for free once you are there.

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