Thursday, May 7th: part 3
After our character meet in Seuss Landing, it was back to the Lost Continent to take in Poseidon’s Fury. I was very much looking forward to experiencing this attraction…..or would it be a “show”? We weren’t entirely sure.
I knew that water was involved in this production to at least a moderate degree, so I inquired to one of the TM’s if I should be stowing my camera in a safe (read: dry) location for the duration of the show. She indicated that yes, it’s definitely recommended as it was a walk-through attraction and there was a chance that the camera could get wet at various points. She reassured me that I would have lots of time to put the camera in its case, and then into my sling bag, once we were in the queue.
Once inside the building, we waited in the queue for entrance into the initial theater. It was darkish in there, but light enough to see. Once we had advanced forward as far as we could go in the queue and the movement of the line had settled, I kneeled down to secure the camera per the TM’s directions. I had no more than unzipped the camera bag when a half dozen young people from about 10 feet in front of us started yelling to people somewhere further back in the line, and began pushing their way in the opposite direction…..and as one of them passed by where I was kneeling, his foot kicked my camera so hard it left my hands and landed on the pavement
. Now, if there was some sort of emergency I could have allowed for their hasty, boisterous retreat but no…apparently, they just couldn’t bear to be apart from their other raucous friends while they waited for entry to the theater to be permitted. No stop to say hey, I’m sorry lady…no nothing. I was furious, and quite expected that my camera would be busted to at least some degree, though I was woe to figure it out while we were in that queue considering the muted light. I finished stowing the camera and then we were ushered inside.
The show itself was really quite entertaining. The actor was high-energy and the special effects were very cool (or very hot, as the case may be…..spectacular displays of fire and water). I will admit…my enjoyment of the attraction was marred somewhat by the fact that I was seething about my camera assault, and wondering if the lens may have suffered irreparable damage. But even amidst those concerns, we really enjoyed Poseidon’s Fury. We look forward to repeating this attraction again in October….without the equipment drama
.
As we emerged from Poseidon’s Fury (note that I was on the outside of the group as we walked through the 360 degree tunnel of rushing water, and my sandals were so wet I was squooshing as I took each step…..I was thankful I was not in closed toe shoes and socks!) we found a rock to sit on while we inspected the camera. I am sure Steve held his breath for a while, knowing I would be devastated if it was seriously harmed….because when I finally declared it to be okay, he heaved a HUGE sigh of relief.
Crisis averted
.
Steve wanted to eventually head over to Marvel Superhero Island in the hopes of catching some of the characters out and about, so we opted to walk around the lagoon back through Hogsmeade rather than heading through Seuss Landing and around the front of the park.
On our way into Hogmeade, we notice a little fellow who was having a wonderfully animated chat with the Singing Fountain. We stopped to watch and listen for a few moments, and were rewarded with a spectacular show of water spray in which the young man took complete delight. It was so cute
.
Entering the Wizarding World, we noted that crowds had picked up substantially in Hogsmeade and we patted ourselves on the back for having the gumption to get our bums out of bed and get to the park in time to take advance of early entry. Sleep? Who needs sleep?
We ambled through Jurassic Park (I was secretly hoping Steve-o would offer to try and win me one of the dinosaurs at the carnival game, but without a strong man game, he just kept going….boo!
), and took notice that the River Adventure was showing only a 10 minute wait. I said to Steve….heck, we’re here, why not?....and he was happy to oblige.
After watching his big splash down, I was enjoying some browsing in the gift shop while I waited for him to exit the ride. I went over to the Photoconnect kiosk and had a nice chat with the lady who was manning the computers, and asked if she could put my husband’s photo on our Star Card. I told her it should be one of the more recent pics that came through, as his raft would be just coming back to unload. She looks at me, with a lopsided grin and a raised eyebrow, and says….is your man the “Sexy Bald Guy”?
Why yes, yes he is
.
We shared a good laugh while she did some fancy edits to the photo and scanned it to our card.
The “regular” pic:
And the “edited” version:
Then we were on our way to Marvel…..Steve was hoping to make the acquaintance of at least a couple of his favourite super heroes.
Our timing was
spectacular 
. A few of the characters were out and small groups were gathered around each, waiting their turn for photos and autographs. He first had the opportunity to meet Wolverine:
…..and then Rogue:
But the most exciting meet-and-greet (and the longest wait) was reserved for Captain America. The TM closed the line right after Steve, so we would be the last family to meet him until he returned for another session later that afternoon. Let me tell you, we were first hand witnesses to some totally unnecessary abuse of that wonderful young TM as she kindly explained to people that Captain America would be taking a short break after Steve and I, but that he would be returning again several times that afternoon. I seriously question what is wrong with the human race sometimes….that kind of a verbal attack and nasty attitude over a theme park character? To her credit, she handled it like a pro…..and we complimented her sincerely on her unwavering professionalism.
We enjoyed a lovely chat with her as we made our way closer and closer to Captain America. Then, Steve had his moment of glory:
For the record, I totally “get” it. For me it’s the Minions. For Steve, it’s the super heros. And I was so happy that he, too, got to experience the kind of childlike fun that spoke directly to his heart on this trip as well.
As soon as Captain America finished up with Steve, he and the rest of the super heros (who were waiting patiently on their ATV’s) drove off in an engine-revving, horn-honking, hand-waving flourish.
That awesome young TM who had been corralling the Captain America line stopped us to ask which characters we didn’t yet have a chance to meet, so we told her that we thought we were only missing Cyclops and Storm (we had already met Dr. Doom and Wolverine earlier in the week). She gave us the times to return for their next sessions, we thanked her immensely, and off she went.
Whew! What a morning!
It was time for some lunch.
On our way to the front of the park, one of the Photoconnect TM’s stopped us for a quick photo…..which turned out to be one of my favourites of the whole trip. I framed an 8 x 10 (edited to have it portrait rather than landscape, and with a lot of the background people removed) and currently have it hanging in my living room:
Lunch at Confisco’s is next!
My husband is the same way, he can go on anything, but spinning is his enemy. They did turn down the spinning though, almost to zero. It's much better now.
.
What were they thinking??
. We were seriously spoiled. The Christmas crowds around Orlando are going to KILL us! 
. I knew Dr. Doom and Spiderman, but the rest were a learning experience for me!
. It always impresses me how they are able to keep up genuine interest and chitchat among so many guests from so many cultures and backgrounds. And be so "in character" through it all. It must be an exhausting job! (especially for those poor people in the heavy costumes in the Florida heat 
. He left us to review the menu (so many choices! What to have, what to have?) and returned a short time later to take our orders.
