My sister's princess
<font color=green>These boards have grimmer police
- Joined
- May 29, 2008
This is me at work 
looking for an update.
looking for an update.
The Day the Mickey Died - In memoriam: Pal Mickey
- Thread starter Peter Panic Attack
- Start date
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
Chpt 35 - What have we done!
Ok....so we were high-tailing it over to 50's Prime Time because we were late for our dinner ADR. On our last vacation, we had eaten at Hollywood & Vine for our sit-down meal at MGM....and hadn’t exactly been blown away. Why? A bunch of things really. For one, it had been raining cats and dogs and H&V didn’t have a covered area where you could wait for your table...so we had to huddle outside under an umbrella. That's not really a great first impression. Now you may ask....should I really hold H&V responsible for inclement weather? Probably not....but somebody's got to take the blame.....and it wasn't going to be me. Also, the place had been packed to the rafters. In fact, after we had been seated, a couple of waiters came over and crammed an extra table-for-two in between us and the family seated next to us. Was there room for another table? Technically yes....but our kids chose to crawl under our table to get to the buffet rather than squeeze in between the tables.....so you be the judge....but judge fairly....because you've been given a tremendous responsibility.
Anyway, 50's PT had a cozy little lounge where you could sit and wait for your table....so it was already kicking H&V's booty. Plus, it was furnished with stuff that made you feel like you were on the set of Leave it to Beaver...which was pretty cool. Caught up in the moment, I settled into a vacant barcalounger and asked Tinkershell if she'd grab me my pipe and a dry martini. Tinkershell apparently wasn't quite as caught up in the 50's spirit....because she gave me a suggestion for my pipe that I'm not even sure was legal in the state of Florida....but she did head off to the bar to grab us a couple brewskys...because sometimes I drive her to drink. Meanwhile, the kids settled in over by the little black-and-white t.v. and tried to make sense of a world before Sponge Bob. Pal Mickey was......actually, where was Pal Mickey? Hmmmm......well, the hostess was a redhead....so maybe he was off trying to score her phone number. I just hope he doesn't break her heart.....because of his unreasonable fear of commitment.
Just as Tinkershell was returning from the bar....50's PT announced that our table was ready. We were instructed to follow a hostess who had apparently attended college on a track scholarship....because that little filly took off like greased lightning....or thanksgiving dinner through a goose if you prefer. By the time we arrived at our table....I was sucking wind. Plus I had no idea where we were at...because when the hostess really hit her stride....the restaurant had stretched into those long white lines like in Star Wars when they made the jump to hyperspeed.
Once we were seated, DD Woobie didn’t even need to see a menu....because she is a fried chicken junkie. Tinkershell ordered the meatloaf...and then I ordered the pot roast....which then became the thing that Tinkershell wished she would have ordered. That’s how it works in our family. Whatever I order is suddenly and magically transformed into the thing that Tinkershell wishes she had ordered. Trust me...it happens every time. I don’t remember what DS Buddy ordered.....but let's be honest.... he was just passing the time until he got his after-dinner s’mores anyway. Pal Mickey ordered.......actually, what did Pal Mickey order? Hmmmmm......I'm not sure.....maybe he was in the restroom...or lavatory if you prefer.
I guess I could have just shown a picture of the dream fastpass...instead of describing it in detail. Notice how heavy it hangs around DD Woobies neck.
I have no idea what our waiter’s name was....but I can tell you that he was a guy.....and that he was pretty funny. I am always amazed by people in their trip reports who can retell their server's life story. Their name.....where they grew up.....how they got their job. I mean....how is all this information gathered? “Welcome to 50's PT...I’ll be your server....can I start you out folks out with an appetizer. Why yes....an appetizer sounds lovely....but do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your childhood first?” or “So, did anyone leave room for dessert? We sure did.......you know what else we left room for ....the end of that fascinating story you were telling us earlier about why your second marriage failed.” Anyway, I’m sure our waiter mentioned his name.....but with me it was in one ear and out the other. I was probably already calling him generic names like “pardner” or “buckaroo” before he had even filled our water glasses. At the end of our meal, Ole whats-his-face got on Tinkershell pretty good because she didn’t eat her green beans. I was hoping he'd make her get up and sing “I’m a little teapot”.....but I guess they only do that with the really hard cases.
Anyway, we had made our 50's PT ADR extra early so that we would have time afterwards to get a good spot for Fantasmic....which at that time of year was showing once nightly at 6:45 pm. We were just walking out the front door of 50's PT when Tinkershell asked “who’s got Pal Mickey?” That question in itself was not unusual......in fact, I’d already heard it a hundred times on this trip because Pal Mickey tended to bounce around from person to person. What made my blood run cold was the dead silence that followed the question.....because the answer was nobody. Nobody had Pal Mickey. Tinkershell was off like a shot back to our table to retrieve our little lost boy. I wasn’t overly concerned....I figured Pal Mickey was probably just back at our table catching the end of Father Knows Best. When he gets involved in a t.v. show....he's like a zombie. However, a short time later, Tinkershell returned with a panicked look in her eye.....but no Pal Mickey.
Now I was concerned. Ok...Ok.....let’s not panic here. A situation like this calls for a cool head. Alright.....take a deep breath. There, that’s better. Now....concentrate hard on a single happy thought. Wait a second, isn't that what Harry Potter needed to do to summon his patronus in Prisoner of Azkaban? How is that even relevant? We're trying to find Pal Mickey....not drive off dementors. C'mon....we need to focus here. You've got to admit....that was a pretty cool movie though....although the werewolf at the end was just weird....nothing like I pictured it in the book.....and didn't you just want to punch the guy that plays Draco Malfoy right in the face. I know....he's totally obnoxious.
Ok....so after Tinkershell had slapped me soundly across the face to regain my focus, we were able to establish that no one had seen Pal Mickey during dinner. Good....bad but good. Bad because Pal Mickey could very well be lost forever....but good because we’re at least making some progress. Ok...so not only had no one seen him at dinner....nobody had seen him in the lobby before dinner either. Oh my gosh, what are we....morons? How long has he been missing? Did we even bring him to the park? What kind of a society sells Pal Mickeys to people like us in the first place?
After Tinkershell smacked me a second time, we were finally able to determine that the last place anyone remembered seeing Pal Mickey was outside RnR. Of course! He hadn't wanted to go on the ride so he had decided to wait outside. Blast his natural born immunity to my chicken taunt! If I just could have shamed him into going..... we wouldn’t be in this pickle. Now that we knew where to look...we all burst out the front door of 50's PT and dashed back down Sunset Blvd in the direction of RnR. This was no time for the patented quick walk which is not a run because that’s a Disney no-no. This was an emergency. If we got pulled over by a CM.....we’d just have to explain the situation and ask for a CM escort.
When we arrived at RnR, we went directly to the low wall where the kids had been attacked by the lizards....because that was the last place anybody had seen Pal Mickey. Nothing. We spread out and started searching the area.....thinking that maybe he had fled from the poisonous lizards...and sought shelter somewhere in the vicinity. Bupkus. Maybe there would be a short line at RnR and Pal Mickey would get one of his spooky messages from the great beyond and we’d be able to hear his squeaky voice from his secret hiding place. Are you kidding me? That will never work. Everybody knows there's never a short line at RnR. Why couldn’t we have lost Pal Mickey at a ride that stinks.....like Sounds Dangerous.
Finally, in a brief moment of clarity, Tinkershell suggested we should ask a CM. Brilliant idea.....why hadn't I thought of it sooner? Somebody had probably found poor Pal Mickey wandering lost....and turned him into the nearest CM. All we had to do is figure out where they had stashed him. That little scamp.....when we get him back....he's going to be in so much trouble for scaring us like this. In fact, I had half a mind to paddle his little behind...except that's where his battery compartment is....and it hurts me more than it hurts him....literally.
Next up: Chpt 36 - Lost (but not the "Lost" with the polar bears on the tropical island...because that's just silly)
Ok....so we were high-tailing it over to 50's Prime Time because we were late for our dinner ADR. On our last vacation, we had eaten at Hollywood & Vine for our sit-down meal at MGM....and hadn’t exactly been blown away. Why? A bunch of things really. For one, it had been raining cats and dogs and H&V didn’t have a covered area where you could wait for your table...so we had to huddle outside under an umbrella. That's not really a great first impression. Now you may ask....should I really hold H&V responsible for inclement weather? Probably not....but somebody's got to take the blame.....and it wasn't going to be me. Also, the place had been packed to the rafters. In fact, after we had been seated, a couple of waiters came over and crammed an extra table-for-two in between us and the family seated next to us. Was there room for another table? Technically yes....but our kids chose to crawl under our table to get to the buffet rather than squeeze in between the tables.....so you be the judge....but judge fairly....because you've been given a tremendous responsibility.
Anyway, 50's PT had a cozy little lounge where you could sit and wait for your table....so it was already kicking H&V's booty. Plus, it was furnished with stuff that made you feel like you were on the set of Leave it to Beaver...which was pretty cool. Caught up in the moment, I settled into a vacant barcalounger and asked Tinkershell if she'd grab me my pipe and a dry martini. Tinkershell apparently wasn't quite as caught up in the 50's spirit....because she gave me a suggestion for my pipe that I'm not even sure was legal in the state of Florida....but she did head off to the bar to grab us a couple brewskys...because sometimes I drive her to drink. Meanwhile, the kids settled in over by the little black-and-white t.v. and tried to make sense of a world before Sponge Bob. Pal Mickey was......actually, where was Pal Mickey? Hmmmm......well, the hostess was a redhead....so maybe he was off trying to score her phone number. I just hope he doesn't break her heart.....because of his unreasonable fear of commitment.
Just as Tinkershell was returning from the bar....50's PT announced that our table was ready. We were instructed to follow a hostess who had apparently attended college on a track scholarship....because that little filly took off like greased lightning....or thanksgiving dinner through a goose if you prefer. By the time we arrived at our table....I was sucking wind. Plus I had no idea where we were at...because when the hostess really hit her stride....the restaurant had stretched into those long white lines like in Star Wars when they made the jump to hyperspeed.
Once we were seated, DD Woobie didn’t even need to see a menu....because she is a fried chicken junkie. Tinkershell ordered the meatloaf...and then I ordered the pot roast....which then became the thing that Tinkershell wished she would have ordered. That’s how it works in our family. Whatever I order is suddenly and magically transformed into the thing that Tinkershell wishes she had ordered. Trust me...it happens every time. I don’t remember what DS Buddy ordered.....but let's be honest.... he was just passing the time until he got his after-dinner s’mores anyway. Pal Mickey ordered.......actually, what did Pal Mickey order? Hmmmmm......I'm not sure.....maybe he was in the restroom...or lavatory if you prefer.
I guess I could have just shown a picture of the dream fastpass...instead of describing it in detail. Notice how heavy it hangs around DD Woobies neck.
I have no idea what our waiter’s name was....but I can tell you that he was a guy.....and that he was pretty funny. I am always amazed by people in their trip reports who can retell their server's life story. Their name.....where they grew up.....how they got their job. I mean....how is all this information gathered? “Welcome to 50's PT...I’ll be your server....can I start you out folks out with an appetizer. Why yes....an appetizer sounds lovely....but do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your childhood first?” or “So, did anyone leave room for dessert? We sure did.......you know what else we left room for ....the end of that fascinating story you were telling us earlier about why your second marriage failed.” Anyway, I’m sure our waiter mentioned his name.....but with me it was in one ear and out the other. I was probably already calling him generic names like “pardner” or “buckaroo” before he had even filled our water glasses. At the end of our meal, Ole whats-his-face got on Tinkershell pretty good because she didn’t eat her green beans. I was hoping he'd make her get up and sing “I’m a little teapot”.....but I guess they only do that with the really hard cases.
Anyway, we had made our 50's PT ADR extra early so that we would have time afterwards to get a good spot for Fantasmic....which at that time of year was showing once nightly at 6:45 pm. We were just walking out the front door of 50's PT when Tinkershell asked “who’s got Pal Mickey?” That question in itself was not unusual......in fact, I’d already heard it a hundred times on this trip because Pal Mickey tended to bounce around from person to person. What made my blood run cold was the dead silence that followed the question.....because the answer was nobody. Nobody had Pal Mickey. Tinkershell was off like a shot back to our table to retrieve our little lost boy. I wasn’t overly concerned....I figured Pal Mickey was probably just back at our table catching the end of Father Knows Best. When he gets involved in a t.v. show....he's like a zombie. However, a short time later, Tinkershell returned with a panicked look in her eye.....but no Pal Mickey.
Now I was concerned. Ok...Ok.....let’s not panic here. A situation like this calls for a cool head. Alright.....take a deep breath. There, that’s better. Now....concentrate hard on a single happy thought. Wait a second, isn't that what Harry Potter needed to do to summon his patronus in Prisoner of Azkaban? How is that even relevant? We're trying to find Pal Mickey....not drive off dementors. C'mon....we need to focus here. You've got to admit....that was a pretty cool movie though....although the werewolf at the end was just weird....nothing like I pictured it in the book.....and didn't you just want to punch the guy that plays Draco Malfoy right in the face. I know....he's totally obnoxious.
Ok....so after Tinkershell had slapped me soundly across the face to regain my focus, we were able to establish that no one had seen Pal Mickey during dinner. Good....bad but good. Bad because Pal Mickey could very well be lost forever....but good because we’re at least making some progress. Ok...so not only had no one seen him at dinner....nobody had seen him in the lobby before dinner either. Oh my gosh, what are we....morons? How long has he been missing? Did we even bring him to the park? What kind of a society sells Pal Mickeys to people like us in the first place?
After Tinkershell smacked me a second time, we were finally able to determine that the last place anyone remembered seeing Pal Mickey was outside RnR. Of course! He hadn't wanted to go on the ride so he had decided to wait outside. Blast his natural born immunity to my chicken taunt! If I just could have shamed him into going..... we wouldn’t be in this pickle. Now that we knew where to look...we all burst out the front door of 50's PT and dashed back down Sunset Blvd in the direction of RnR. This was no time for the patented quick walk which is not a run because that’s a Disney no-no. This was an emergency. If we got pulled over by a CM.....we’d just have to explain the situation and ask for a CM escort.
When we arrived at RnR, we went directly to the low wall where the kids had been attacked by the lizards....because that was the last place anybody had seen Pal Mickey. Nothing. We spread out and started searching the area.....thinking that maybe he had fled from the poisonous lizards...and sought shelter somewhere in the vicinity. Bupkus. Maybe there would be a short line at RnR and Pal Mickey would get one of his spooky messages from the great beyond and we’d be able to hear his squeaky voice from his secret hiding place. Are you kidding me? That will never work. Everybody knows there's never a short line at RnR. Why couldn’t we have lost Pal Mickey at a ride that stinks.....like Sounds Dangerous.
Finally, in a brief moment of clarity, Tinkershell suggested we should ask a CM. Brilliant idea.....why hadn't I thought of it sooner? Somebody had probably found poor Pal Mickey wandering lost....and turned him into the nearest CM. All we had to do is figure out where they had stashed him. That little scamp.....when we get him back....he's going to be in so much trouble for scaring us like this. In fact, I had half a mind to paddle his little behind...except that's where his battery compartment is....and it hurts me more than it hurts him....literally.
Next up: Chpt 36 - Lost (but not the "Lost" with the polar bears on the tropical island...because that's just silly)
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
Still loving your awesome TR!!
Thanks...I thought your brother might have posted last week....but it was a different guy whose sister thought he had the same sense of humor as me....if that even makes any sense.
You might want to go with your gut on this one.
...that I LOVE the Muppets!!! Always have, always will.
Have I watched the Muppets 3-D show twice in a row? Ummm..l don't think so. I have watched it twice in one week, if that counts for anything.
Maybe during our next trip in December, if I can somehow convince my kids that the Muppets are relevant, we'll watch it twice in a row. Hmm...perhaps I'll tell my daughter that Miss Piggy and Miley Cyrus are BFF's and I'll tell my son that the entire Muppet clan are Transformers.
Gotta Get To Disney!
See....even people that love the Muppets don't go twice in a row.
I like your ideas for making the muppets relevant....genius.
Hoping for an update today?!
Ask and you shall receive. Granted....you probably meant earlier in the day....which it would have been if I hadn't run into some stinking computer gremlins.
But would you go see the Muppets twice in a row? That's the real question.
This is me at work
Oooops....seeing as you're in Maine.....I bet you're not at work anymore.
Sorry about that.....but now you can read it over the weekend. How's that for looking on the bright side of things.
This is me at work
Ditto
tlenzendorf
Always Dreaming of Disney!
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
MISSING!!! OH NO!!!Wish_I_Was_At_WDW
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2006
Ahhh! I think I remember reading about this in your first TR. The unfinished one. Unlike this one which will be finished or 19,000 DISers will come after you!
I hope Woobie feels like she made the right choice. 50's PTC has the best fried chicken on EARTH! Our family eats there every trip . . . except for last time when we ate at Sci-Fi (a mistake we shall not make again).
PTC actually has really good green beans. Shoulda tried them Tinkershell! (Love that name by the way!)
5 more days till the next Harry Potter movie!
Wouldn't it be awesome if Pal Mickey had a walk-on role?! 
Poor Pal Mickey. I hope he's not still walking the streets looking for the Panic Attack family! Thanks for another great update!!!
mom3sonstt
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2008
I'm going to be gone all week-end, so won't get the next 5 chapters until Monday.
You know....the chapters that make us think some terrible fate befell our friend Pal Mickey, then at the end of chapter 4, or actually about 44, you hear a knock on your door late at night during a torrential downpour - you open the door and see.......nothing. Then in Chapter 45 the knocking is more insistent, so you open it again....only this time you look down and there he is....soaking wet, mad as heck, but there - and he runs into the room where he is engulfed in a big, soggy, Panic Attack family hug! 
And you all live happily ever after. 
Those chapters....I won't see them until Monday
akayek31
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2008
I like this ending and hopefully that is what happens.
I loved eating at PTC it was great. DD refuses to go again next trip. She got upset last trip.
TK Brown
Disney Jedi Master
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2003
"Now that we knew where to look...we all burst out the front door of 50's PT and dashed back down Sunset Blvd in the direction of RnR. This was no time for the patented quick walk which is not a run because thats a Disney no-no. This was an emergency. If we got pulled over by a CM.....wed just have to explain the situation and ask for a CM escort."
So if you got pulled over by an uncaring CM.....would you go to Disney Jail? Or get a Disney Citation? And if you did....could you pay your fine with Disney Dollars???
So if you got pulled over by an uncaring CM.....would you go to Disney Jail? Or get a Disney Citation? And if you did....could you pay your fine with Disney Dollars???
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
I know......scary huh.
Thank you. That was the worst part.....picturing Pal Mickey lost and alone.
"Now that we knew where to look...we all burst out the front door of 50's PT and dashed back down Sunset Blvd in the direction of RnR. This was no time for the patented quick walk which is not a run because thats a Disney no-no. This was an emergency. If we got pulled over by a CM.....wed just have to explain the situation and ask for a CM escort."
So if you got pulled over by an uncaring CM.....would you go to Disney Jail? Or get a Disney Citation? And if you did....could you pay your fine with Disney Dollars???
Thankfully, we didn't have to find out. I kind of imagine it would be like the scene from Elf where the Central Park Rangers chased Santa.
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
Ahhh! I think I remember reading about this in your first TR. The unfinished one. Unlike this one which will be finished or 19,000 DISers will come after you!
There's no stopping this TR now....we're going to have to see it through to the end.
Woob loved the fried chicken.....I"m talking totally loved it. She looking forward to eating there again.
Tinkershell actually likes green beans.....I think she just ran out of room. When the waiter told her she had to finish her veggies....she tried to hide them in amongst the tails from her shrimp cocktail appetizer.
5 more days till the next Harry Potter movie!
I'm certain Pal Mickey would have loved that......if only he had gotten the chance.....
Poor Pal Mickey. I hope he's not still walking the streets looking for the Panic Attack family! Thanks for another great update!!!
Your welcome....stayed tuned.
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
Your comments are so full of hope. Which only makes what's about to follow that much harder.
I just have to tell you that I took a two month break from the DIS and I LOVE that your trip report is still in progress. I also love that I'm reading about a Christmas trip in July. It makes me giggle. A Lot. As if I wasn't already doing that from your writing.
erinch
Parsing the same ee cummings poem for 20 years
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2001
What you now have going is a giant collective panic attack among 25,000 readers.
We have to haul our 13 year old princess and visiting princess friend today to see "Beth Cooper was stale before they even filmed her" (60 miles to nearest mall) wondering why Harry Potter isn't out NOW, and during the entire endurance exercise I shall be contemplating poor Pal Mickey's foreshadowed fate, and grieving every loss I have ever endured.
When our Bella Wannabe was 2, she had her Orange Bunny blankie, which was no longer orange, nor had identifiable bunnies on it, with her when DH hauled her to stand in line to see Santa so I could get some shopping done. 15 minutes after they returned, she was ready to wrap Orange Bunny and her familiar germs around her face and take a nap -- Orange Bunny was GONE! A race back to the mall Santa revealed that Santa was gone, the Elf was on break, and Orange Bunny was never seen again. Santa STOLE orange bunny. Bella Wannabe is still in grief therapy, and NOW I have to relive the trauma. Thanks, Pal Mickey.
The once and only time we went to the Hollywood Vine Place (NOT deVine!) was when they had just as many tables, and also Minnie and others circulating. Our DS has major food allergies, so the chef wannabe was out sullenly explaining everything he couldn't eat (which was everything) and what he could eat (the glass of water), which meant that Minnie skipped us and wouldn't come back, until Bella started bellowing, (the Acute Orange Bunny Post Traumatic stage) at which point Minnie could be heard to mutter "Oh S@#$", proving they can talk, and came flouncing back, and her dress caught on that table for two crammed in there, and knocked over the milk on their table, which got on my milk-allergic Ds, who immediately broke out in hives....
We now second mortgage the house and eat at the Brown Derby.
Don't leave us in pre-figured suspense long, Peter.
We have to haul our 13 year old princess and visiting princess friend today to see "Beth Cooper was stale before they even filmed her" (60 miles to nearest mall) wondering why Harry Potter isn't out NOW, and during the entire endurance exercise I shall be contemplating poor Pal Mickey's foreshadowed fate, and grieving every loss I have ever endured.
When our Bella Wannabe was 2, she had her Orange Bunny blankie, which was no longer orange, nor had identifiable bunnies on it, with her when DH hauled her to stand in line to see Santa so I could get some shopping done. 15 minutes after they returned, she was ready to wrap Orange Bunny and her familiar germs around her face and take a nap -- Orange Bunny was GONE! A race back to the mall Santa revealed that Santa was gone, the Elf was on break, and Orange Bunny was never seen again. Santa STOLE orange bunny. Bella Wannabe is still in grief therapy, and NOW I have to relive the trauma. Thanks, Pal Mickey.
The once and only time we went to the Hollywood Vine Place (NOT deVine!) was when they had just as many tables, and also Minnie and others circulating. Our DS has major food allergies, so the chef wannabe was out sullenly explaining everything he couldn't eat (which was everything) and what he could eat (the glass of water), which meant that Minnie skipped us and wouldn't come back, until Bella started bellowing, (the Acute Orange Bunny Post Traumatic stage) at which point Minnie could be heard to mutter "Oh S@#$", proving they can talk, and came flouncing back, and her dress caught on that table for two crammed in there, and knocked over the milk on their table, which got on my milk-allergic Ds, who immediately broke out in hives....
We now second mortgage the house and eat at the Brown Derby.
Don't leave us in pre-figured suspense long, Peter.
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
I'm so slow it's ridiculous.....but there is nothing I can do about it. It is what it is.
Why do bad things keep happening to good people? You know it's getting bad when you can't even trust Santa anymore.
Apparently, Hollywood & Vine has got a lot of work to do. Actually, I think adding DeVine would be a good start....at least I'd know where to look for her.
Hopefully (or sadly), the suspense is about to end.
Peter Panic Attack
periods of anxiety combined w/ refusal to grow up
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
Chpt 36 - Lost
It was like a wave of relief rolled over me as we searched for the nearest CM. I'll tell you one thing, as soon as we got Pal Mickey back....there were going to be a few changes made...that’s for sure. I realized he was growing up....and was searching for some independence.....but the bottom line was he was only two. Even in Pal Mickey years, that’s still pretty young. Nope....after this little near disaster......Pal Mickey was going to have to toe the line.
We spotted a photopass girl standing at the entrance to RnR.....so we hurried over and told her our story. She assured us that this type of thing happens all day long.....and pointed us in the direction of a little blue building off to the left that served as a temporary lost-and-found for this part of the park. In my mind I could just picture Pal Mickey....sitting in the middle of a big pile of misplaced cameras, sunglasses and grandchildren....trying to comfort them with his silly jokes... while he waited patiently to be recovered.
However, as we approached the little building....my new-found relief started to slip away...replaced by a growing apprehension. Because, it occurred to me that if Pal Mickey wasn’t there then .....well, I didn’t even want to think about it. We explained our situation to the girl at the lost-and-found....who then disappeared to the back of the building to check her inventory. I repeated “please have Pal Mickey when you come back....please have Pal Mickey when you come back” over and over in my head as I nervously waited for her return. A couple minutes later she did indeed return......empty handed.
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. She said that we should check at the official lost-and-found by the main gate....but suggested waiting a couple of hours because sometimes CM’s find things but don’t turn them in until the end or their shift. Whatever lady......we all knew she was just telling us what we wanted to hear....because statistics have shown that plush interactive toys that are missing for more than an hour are seldom recovered. We had to accept that fact that some wretched person.....or possibly a rogue gang of poisonous lizards....had taken our Pal Mickey.
It was with heavy hearts that we trudged up the hill to Fantasmic. DD Woobie was nearly inconsolable. We found our seats in the lower left-hand side of the stadium.....because the place was already filling up quickly. Then the show started....and all around us.....happy faces reflected the dancing lights and colorful fireworks of Fantasmic.....totally unaware of the four hearts that were silently breaking in their midst. Was that just the spray from the fountains on that quiet family's cheeks? Who's to say.
After the show, we waited patiently for the stadium to empty....and then headed for the lost and found at the main gate. They did a quick check for Pal Mickey....but again came back empty-handed. It didn’t really matter.....in our hearts we already knew the truth. Since we just couldn’t bear the thought of that lonely bus ride back to POFQ without our Pal Mickey....we wandered off in the direction of the Streets of America where they had the Osborne Lights. Kind of funny really, Pal Mickey had always loved Christmas lights.
As we stood among the lights....and listened to the beautiful music....it was like a sense of peace came over us. There was so much joy in the air.....it was kind of like it started to smother our grief. There was magic in the air....and that’s what Pal Mickey was....magic. Standing in the middle of the street... surrounded by all those Christmas lights that one special family had lovingly collected over a life time....I kind of felt Pal Mickey slip his little hand into mine.....and that’s when I knew he would never really be gone.
Next up: Chpt 37 - What Pal Mickey would have wanted
It was like a wave of relief rolled over me as we searched for the nearest CM. I'll tell you one thing, as soon as we got Pal Mickey back....there were going to be a few changes made...that’s for sure. I realized he was growing up....and was searching for some independence.....but the bottom line was he was only two. Even in Pal Mickey years, that’s still pretty young. Nope....after this little near disaster......Pal Mickey was going to have to toe the line.
We spotted a photopass girl standing at the entrance to RnR.....so we hurried over and told her our story. She assured us that this type of thing happens all day long.....and pointed us in the direction of a little blue building off to the left that served as a temporary lost-and-found for this part of the park. In my mind I could just picture Pal Mickey....sitting in the middle of a big pile of misplaced cameras, sunglasses and grandchildren....trying to comfort them with his silly jokes... while he waited patiently to be recovered.
However, as we approached the little building....my new-found relief started to slip away...replaced by a growing apprehension. Because, it occurred to me that if Pal Mickey wasn’t there then .....well, I didn’t even want to think about it. We explained our situation to the girl at the lost-and-found....who then disappeared to the back of the building to check her inventory. I repeated “please have Pal Mickey when you come back....please have Pal Mickey when you come back” over and over in my head as I nervously waited for her return. A couple minutes later she did indeed return......empty handed.
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. She said that we should check at the official lost-and-found by the main gate....but suggested waiting a couple of hours because sometimes CM’s find things but don’t turn them in until the end or their shift. Whatever lady......we all knew she was just telling us what we wanted to hear....because statistics have shown that plush interactive toys that are missing for more than an hour are seldom recovered. We had to accept that fact that some wretched person.....or possibly a rogue gang of poisonous lizards....had taken our Pal Mickey.
It was with heavy hearts that we trudged up the hill to Fantasmic. DD Woobie was nearly inconsolable. We found our seats in the lower left-hand side of the stadium.....because the place was already filling up quickly. Then the show started....and all around us.....happy faces reflected the dancing lights and colorful fireworks of Fantasmic.....totally unaware of the four hearts that were silently breaking in their midst. Was that just the spray from the fountains on that quiet family's cheeks? Who's to say.
After the show, we waited patiently for the stadium to empty....and then headed for the lost and found at the main gate. They did a quick check for Pal Mickey....but again came back empty-handed. It didn’t really matter.....in our hearts we already knew the truth. Since we just couldn’t bear the thought of that lonely bus ride back to POFQ without our Pal Mickey....we wandered off in the direction of the Streets of America where they had the Osborne Lights. Kind of funny really, Pal Mickey had always loved Christmas lights.
As we stood among the lights....and listened to the beautiful music....it was like a sense of peace came over us. There was so much joy in the air.....it was kind of like it started to smother our grief. There was magic in the air....and that’s what Pal Mickey was....magic. Standing in the middle of the street... surrounded by all those Christmas lights that one special family had lovingly collected over a life time....I kind of felt Pal Mickey slip his little hand into mine.....and that’s when I knew he would never really be gone.
Next up: Chpt 37 - What Pal Mickey would have wanted
tinkerbell3747
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2006
Wow I wanted to post a comment but I don't know what to say.
I am sorry for you, and your family's loss.
My worst fears confirmed.....he's living with another family now
I am sorry for you, and your family's loss.My worst fears confirmed.....he's living with another family now
Wish_I_Was_At_WDW
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2006
I'm sorry for the loss of a beloved family member. 
I hope some little girl didn't find him, change him into a dress and now calls him "Pal Minnie".
Do they still sell Pal Mickeys? Not that you can ever replace a family member. Whoever found him and didn't turn him in should be ashamed!
I hope some little girl didn't find him, change him into a dress and now calls him "Pal Minnie".
Do they still sell Pal Mickeys? Not that you can ever replace a family member. Whoever found him and didn't turn him in should be ashamed!
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