We all know the morning drill, by heart, so that is what we did. No need to rehash the routine. Except to say, the thing that bothers me most about staying at a value is breakfast. There is no way you can get everyone through the line, seated and it is still hot, kwim. Plus, breakfast isnt my favorite meal of the day, so I am thinking we need to go to a sit down breakfast. We had a vote, it was a tie, so they grabbed breakfast at ASSports and I ate a banana. I wanted someone to wait on me, this is vacation. Rant over. Just reading the notes made me hate the cafeteria line in the AM.
So where were we? Heading over to Epcot because I believe in a democracy and that is what they wanted to do. Slight detour to say that the bus service at ASSports is outstanding. We never waited, coming or going, for those that are worried about these things.
So it was bus, bag check, finger in finger reader, photo pass and yippee, hardly a crowd to be seen. Spaceship Earth was a walk on so we did. Then we went left with determination to ride Test Track. Grampy and I, in all the trips weve taken, have never done more than stand in line for this. Without fail, it was broke down, or broke down as we stood in line, and once broke down when we were next to get on. We had decided if it didnt pan out this trip we were just going to pretend it didnt exist. Low and behold, we walked on (no wait) got in the car, took off, completed the ride, and this is the picture
Wow that was worth the wait. Actually it was fine, but after waiting in line about 20 times, it was kind of a let down. Never fear, we will do it again. Why not, I have been on Spaceship Earth about 100 times, and I love all the loops and twists in that.
We all know Jkay had a written list and I had the REAL list in my head and I wanted to mentally check a little sumpin off. There had been some changes over at Mission Space and I was going to give this a whirl. Remember I am a weenie and have a definite fear of the unknown, but I figured they had this down to a kiddies ride. So we skipped to a loo over and Jkay, R and I got in the weenie line and Grampy, who had done this many times, got in the big boy line. Let me preface this with
WTH was I thinking!!!!
I hate, despise, and am terrified, shudder at the thought; my worst nightmare is an enclosed space. At no point did the neon sign flash, Grammy do not do this, under any circumstance. I willingly took my place. Dont ask me what my job was, I have no clue. I had one mission, to continue to breath and live through the 3 minutes or so that this ride lasted.
Actually, it was fine for a half a second, when the door closed until the harness comes down, the panel moves in and is 2 millimeters from your face. Then panic of a level I cannot even begin to describe comes into play. Except everything you know, says dont panic but still you panic. I tried to inhale but my lungs are feeling like they are crushed under the pressure of being buried alive. Gary is talking, and I think I might pass out. Jkay is screaming push the button. My head is spinning, I frantically search for the barf bag, not to barf, but to stop the hyperventilation, the blood is pumping in my temples, I am using extra oxygen trying to break free from the harness that has me pinned down, holding firm. Realizations that not only are you in a tiny space, but you are locked in, and basically can not move. I tried to scream, nothing came out. Every pore on my body is dripping sweat; my eyes are burning from the sweat. I pray the doors will open before I scrape my way out with only my fingernails. If there is hell on Earth, I am fully immersed in it. I start to pray that I will black out, to stop the terror. Then something even more unimaginable happens, my mind races to Grampy, experiencing this and spinning, and it is more than I can deal with. And with every ounce of energy I could muster I force my lungs to inhale and let out a blood curdling scream. And as I finally manage air in my lungs the harness lifts and the doors open.
That was the mild and edited version. Let me say that if you are even slightly apprehensive at doing this, DONT.
I stumbled out of there. I could not walk straight, I was gasping for breath, a total basket case. Jkay and R seemed totally unaware that I just had 25 years of my life wiped out. I might collapse before we reach the exit. When I saw Grampy I literally fell into his arms. He was like wasnt that great. I still couldnt speak. I sat down on the 1st bench I saw. I had to keep reminding myself to inhale and exhale. Grampy realized all was not well and asked Jkay to get a bottle of water. I sat there for about 10 minutes, in total silence. Finally I said I wont be doing that again. Not for a million dollars, not for world peace, not to feed all the poor. If those things depend on me, I would like to choose my poison, and I would rather face a firing squad without a final smoke.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. Facing your fears is not everything it is cracked up to be. In fact, I need to go lie down now and recoup.
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I hope there are no mistakes in those couple of paragraphs. I cannot even reread them. Two days have passed since I wrote that and I am still a little nervous. Forward motion.
After regaining my composure something calm was on the agenda. Lets visit Ellen over at the Universe of Energy. I have no fear of huge, extinct, raw flesh eating dinosaurs so that is how we killed 45 minutes till my hands stopped shaking.
By now, my legs were less jelly like and I suggested heading to the World Showcase for a drink. Those of you that know me will find humor in that. I rarely indulge, like twice a year and I had 2 drinks in 2 days. The yearly average just doubled. No one objected so we went straight to Mexico, and Grampy ordered a Margarita (we shared because I cant hold my liquor at all, btw) A couple of sips and I was really beginning to feel better. There is nothing like booze to calm the nerves of a non drinker. Anywho
Mexico was still the same as I remembered it. Nothing much had changed since October.
Traveling round the world led us directly to the home of the Vikings. It is predetermined by an act of Congress that we get some fastpasses (even if stand by is 5 minutes) for the Maelstrom. Photo op on every trip is also a requirement.
Continued touring the globe until we arrived at the American Adventure. Jkay pulled out her list and crossed it off before we even went in. Christmas Carolers doing a fantastic job were in the lobby and then we followed about 35 people through the hall of Flags and took center seats to enjoy the presentation. The crowd was as thin today as I have honestly ever seen it. Unbelievable. If you havent made time to catch everything the American Adventure has to offer, put it on your short list. The show is wonderful and a great rest for weary feet in comfy chairs.
We had big plans for this evening and decided a little mid day break would be a good idea. We had accomplished tons today and it was only around 2ish. Since the boat launch was right there and a boat was sitting and waiting for us, we took the cruise to the front of the World Showcase and headed back to the hotel for some down time.
Up next Rose & Crown and Illuminations
I'm finally caught up! 
....no more lighty-uppy
We didn't get to see Four for a Dollar either. We were there on a Sunday and I guess that's their day off.
Thank goodness for alcohol! 
and this 
But we had a great experience 
