Another Rope Drop at the Magic Kingdom
After that, we headed over to the Speedway. This attraction can get backlogged very quickly, so it is always a good idea to hit it as early as possible. Even shortly after park opening, there were a fair bit of people ahead of us in line and we probably had to wait at least 10 minutes to get on.
While this ride gets a lot of flak, both the kids and I love it. Chris - not so much! I expect the 2mph speed limit probably bores him!
By the time we arrived at the Toontown entrance around 9:40am, there were already quite a few people gathered around. I had a couple of ideas for what we could do here once it opened. First - if Goofy was out, I thought it would be fun to try to get on the 1st Barnstormer to ride along with Goofy in the same "plane".
However, I thought that both kids would enjoy meeting Mickey and Minnie in the Judge's Tent, so that was to be our destination of choice if we didn't see Goofy at rope drop.
Unfortunately, I hadn't started to realize at that point just how little patience Chris has for lines. There were probably about 20-30 people gathered around the Toontown Rope Drop entrance, and we were about 10 or so people from the front. Chris started saying something to the effect of "All we ever do is wait in lines here", but I was kinda too busy to pay much attention between zipping up this bag or that, putting away tickets, taking out the camcorderer, ect., ect.
After a couple minutes standing there in line, while I had my head burried deep in the underneath compartment of the double jogging stroller trying to dig sunscreen for the kids out of the backpack, I heard Chris mutter something and finally looked up to see him walking away.
I called out to him as I had no idea where he was going, but it was very noisy and he was already a good distance away and couldn't hear me.
I then asked the kids what he had said, and they hadn't heard him either. I have a vague recollection that they may have been fighting over elbow room in the stroller at the time.
So now what was I supposed to do? It was 9:45am and Rope Drop would be happening any minute. I had no idea where Chris was going, or when he would be back. Neither of us had any cell phones. If I left the line to try and find him, we would lose our spots, and neither the ride on the Barnstormer with Goofy or the photos in the Judges Tent would happen as we would not be able to wait in the 45 minute line ups that form later in the day.
I thought of the possibilities. He may have left for the washroom. He may have gone to buy a drink. He may have had enough of the line and went to sit down. He may have had enough of the Park and went to catch a bus back to the Resort. Unlikely...but I couldn't completely rule it out.
I looked around at other families around us in line, most of whom all seemed excited and happy with the Rope Drop moment that was about to occur and wished for the countless time on this trip that my family could share a love of the parks like that.
Ultimately I decided to stick it out in the line. I had everything I needed - room key, park tickets, cameras, stroller, park backpack, ect. Hopefully Chris would be back, but if he wasn't, we would stick around until our Lunch ADR at the Plaza as planned and then make our way back to the Beach Club.
I kept looking over my shoulder and trying to scan the crowd for Chris right up until Rope Drop. Finally, the CMs came and the final rope drop countdown began. Then, we were off.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of Goofy at Rope Drop, like we have seen on past trips. So it wasn't looking good for a Goofy ride-along opportunity.
As we got up to the stroller parking outside the Barnstromer and Mickey and Minnie's House, Chris showed up. I knew at this point that making our way into the Judges' Tent to wait in a line for photos with Mickey and Minnie was not going to be something he would want to do. So although there was no Goofy in sight, we still set out for the Barnstormer and managed to be the first ones in line to ride. Although the kids had already tackled the 3 Mountains, they still enjoyed the more modest Barnstormer ride. So much so that we did it 2 times in a row.
That is an absolutely beautiful print....what a talented lady! BTW, I love your living room, it's so bright a cheery!!!
Great updates. I am glad your Hubby likes the AG stuff. Mine does too. Yay for another good meal at CP. Thanks for posting where the Randy P tribute is. I will have to take a pic on our next trip. Such an inspiring man he was. I continue to be a litte sad for you as you tell about the "less magical" parts of the trip. I am glad you were able to have fun anyway.
Beautiful! Did she always do or enjoy art, or was the course completely on a whim? She's obviously talented!!!
I absolutely love your white furniture!!!! Where did you get it? Is it easy to keep clean (slipcovers?)
First off let me say that you have the patience of a Saint!!! It must feel frustrating for you when Chris loses his patience with any lines at WDW because, let's face it, that is all part of the experience at WDW Hopefully, on your next trip, he'll find more enjoyment and have more patience since your friends will be around you. I loved the picture that your MIL painted and the colors look absolutely perfect in your living room! You really have an eye for decorating because your living room looks so inviting. Looking forward to hearing about your lunch at The Plaza. I hope you didn't have too long of a wait to get in though.
That is a beautiful painting and I'm actually an art history teacher so I speak with authority It fits perfectly in that space and matches the walls as well. Did you have to repaint or was that just lucky?
What a beautiful painting! Your living room is so fresh and uncluttered-- the painting matches it perfectly!
I LOVE your living room!
What a beautiful relaxing living room! and your mother-in-law's painting is beautiful She did a great job
I,too, love the blue & white of the room. It looks so coastal, which to me is a good thing. Anything that reminds me of a beach is a winner!
I just discovered your TR and spent the weekend reading it - you do such a fantastic job writing it! Also, that painting is beautiful. What a wonderful MIL you have. However, just how do you keep your furniture white with 2 kiddos?! You must tell us your secret.
Amy
Beautiful painting by your MIL! I thought, before I read your words, that I was looking at a magazine photo you had posted -- what a great room!
I love the painting your MIL did, and it looks gorgeous in your living room!
Hey girl, all caught up here again. First off, the picture your MIL painted is gorgeous! And so is your living room.
Too funny about Chris in the American Girl store. Sam and I visited our first one in Atlanta this summer. She was in girl heaven and I loved seeing her in such awe of the place. I know she'd love to visit one of the bigger stores someday.
Love your pictures with the characters at Crystal Palace. Space Mountain is a great way to start your day! We also love the speedway even though it gets a lot of complaints.
So, where did Chris go when you were in line? He just didn't want to battle the crowds and decided to meet back up with you?
Thanks for the reminder of The Last Lecture. I've been wanting to read that and totally forgot about it. Just added to my list of books to read.
What a beautiful painting! I want one!
Great painting!
Your living room is so pretty
Your MIL did a great job on the painting - what a family treasure
I feel your pain over your husband's behavior in the line. My husband has pulled this stunt before - walking away & not saying a word. You're going to have to train him to stop doing that
I love your living room! Actually, I love your house as every photo you have posted of it, I am in love with.
Sorry to hear about Chris' little detour at MK. We had a similar experience with my BIL one trip. My niece and nephew were bickering and fighting with each other for a while and I guess he just got fed up with the two of them and stormed off right as we got seated for a lunch ADR. I guess sometimes Disney doesn't make everything magical for everyone.
about AG! That is just a riot. And too cute for words.
Jeff shares Chris's pain on this one, we checked the wait time several times on the trip but it was never first on our list of things when we did arrive early and as a result, we never made it on it. It really should be a FP ride.
Ok that would have stressed me out. We always carry our cell phones which helps my blood pressure a lot! I'm glad they got to enjoy Barnstormer twice, that helps make it worth it.
what a lovely painting! I love the colors of your LR, makes me feel like I'm on vacation looking at it! The art is perfect in there, lovely contrast.
OMG! Gorgeous painting and living room overall. Love it!!!!!