e. gilbert photography » e. gilbert photography >> orlando, florida portraits & events

this past sunday (yes, super bowl sunday, or as i like to call it when the steelers aren’t playing – PUPPY BOWL DAY!!!) was dapper day at the magic kingdom parks around the world. dapper day was started last year at disneyland, and this was the first time it was brought over to florida.  if you haven’t heard of dapper day, here’s what the creators have to say about it on their website: “The original Disneyland designers frequently populated their renderings with guests who appeared dressed for a day of sophisticated entertainment, men in sharp suits, toddlers working two-pieces, and ladies looking like a page from Dior’s sketchbook – all as if a visit to Disneyland were on par with a night at the opera. And why shouldn’t it be? That’s what Dapper Day is about, realizing those designer’s dreams that Disneyland be experienced as the upscale escape that it is, filled with fashionable guests ready for fun.”

dapper day is not associated with the walt disney world resort or the disney company, and is not a private ticketed event. it happens bi-annually, and it was so much fun! i can’t wait for september so we can dress up and head out to meet new friends, surprise and awe the other park guests, and take tons of fun photos again. next time, though, i’ll be wearing saddle shoes. i wasn’t the only dapper dame who was silly enough to brave the park in heels, and while we looked fashionable, we were all feeling not-so-awesome by the end of the night. lesson learned!

we started the day off at the polynesian, and then a short monorail ride to the magic kingdom. we found samantha (my best friend from home – we’ve known each other since first grade! – who finally lives here) and her friends, and after a walk along the parade route behind the floats, we made our way to tom sawyer’s island to start looking for the other dapper guys & dolls.

of course we had to take a quick stop for a dole whip first!

we picked up a few more dapper folks on the island, and got some really fun photos and had a blast exploring.

a quick raft ride back to the mainland and it was time to meet up with the rest of the dapper attendees at prince charming’s carousel for a group ride (and some photos, of course!)

after we finished up at the carousel, a group vote had us heading to tomorrowland to ride the peoplemover (or the tomorrowland transit authority, for you non-dapper folks out there) and the carousel of progress, two classic attractions. there may have even been a group sing-a-long at the carousel of progress.

as the fireworks started, we all decided to make a break for it to beat the crowds leaving the park (and the rain that was starting). another monorail ride took us all to the polynesian to end the night at the tambu lounge for classy tiki drinks. luckily, despite there being quite a crowd gathered to watch the superbowl, we found a corner for ourselves to hang out and wind down from the day.

all in all, dapper day was amazing, and hopefully september’s event will be even more well attended. if you’re interested in learning more, check out the website. also, if you want to see even more photos from all the parks, a quick search for dapper day on facebook will bring up hundreds of photos people took that day. some of the outfits in california were so fabulous!

also, i just had to end the post with my favorite photo of channing & me from dapper day. i wish i could wear that green crinoline every day!