We headed out of 1900 Fare, up the stairs, and over to the monorail station.
We be ready for adventure!
Someone had already taken the helm of our transport so Mom would miss out again on getting her front view.
Shortly we arrived at Magic Kingdom and noticed fellows taking portraits at the gates.
Aye, we could use a memory of the plundering, says I!
Then we stormed through the gates and up Main Street.
We quickly banked hard to port through the arch to Adventureland.
The torches were already lit and the whole place has an eerie glow to it at night.
The tikis were spitting and a fog was rolling in it was a perfect night for plunderin!
We arrived at Caribbean Plaza and descended into the depths below.
Quickly boarding our vessel, we toured the Pirates of ol Caribbean.
It may have just been me but it definitely seemed like it was darker and cooler at night which makes no sense because its inside.
So I asked the CM at the exit if they lowered the lights at night.
Without missing a beat, she declared, What do you mean? It *is* night.
(I love it when the CMs stay in character to make the experience better.)
It was time for us to move on and find the Iron Horse.
We headed towards Frontierland and banked portside once again.
Since we are not veterans of Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain, weve never actually ventured this direction before.
But we finally found our target the Frontierland Station and there be a train about to leave!
We ran up the ramp (apparently an exit ramp) and got into trouble.
It was close to 7 and I was afraid we missed the last train before Spectromagic when they close for the night.
The CM stopped scolding us for entering the exit and told us there was still another to go
So we heaved a sigh of relief and took some photos.
First, the pirates ready for action:
Mom was raring to go as well with our eldest:
And I with the Pink Pirate:
Lastly, X was all of a sudden a happy camper once he realized we were going on a train ride (he LOOOOVES trains):
He went beserk when he saw it coming into the station:
We departed in Toontown and I quickly checked the line for the Fairies.
I didnt expect to be able to see them this trip but I figured, it couldnt hurt to check.
It was 7:15 and there was no line because it just closed at 7.
So I led our band of buccaneers down the "secret path" from Toontown to Tomorrowland.
This was a first as well and it was a clever little shortcut to get to our destination.
The little tikes were having a blast wandering "Daddys Secret Path."
At every turn, they stopped to ask which way to go and were amazed that I knew.
They thought I was going to get them lost and that they shouldnt be here.
I told them to trust Captain Daddy and we would arrive just fine!
Finally, we rounded a last bend and entered Tomorrowland.
The kids were astonished.
I kept us moving towards the attractions near the Castle Hub.
It was getting late and we had time for one before Wishes at 8:00.
We decided on Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor instead of Buzz due to the wait times.
We had done Buzz Lightyear last time (one of DS favorites) but Monsters Inc was new.
We watched the pre-show and as the pre-show neared conclusion, I heard those horrible words
Dad, I
really have to go potty
Can you hold it?
I dont think so.
ARRRRRGH!
I grabbed DDs arm and ran to the CM up front.
The closest restroom was in the Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant.
He said we had about 5 minutes and he would try to get me in if he could but no guarantees.
He let us out a CM exit and I assumed Id have to catch the next show.
Nevertheless, we headed out the exit and ran.
DD was on the verge of tears as I explained that we would miss the show since she didnt go when she was supposed to back at 1900 Fare.
She had claimed then that she didn't have to.
After the bathroom break, we ran back to Monsters Inc. but had to go around the front.
As we neared, I scooped her up and ran around the corner holding her.
And I mean ran. She was fast in the restroom so I figured we had a shot so I went all out.
I was entirely out of breath upon arrival and barely mumbled to the CM that we needed to get in.
She said no problem and pointed to the group gathering in the pre-show waiting area.
I had to explain that we needed to bypass the pre-show and go into the one starting NOW.
She finally understood and said shed check.
She said if the doors were closed, she couldnt do anything.
She took us to the front and opened the secret door between the pre-show waiting area and the pre-show area and looked down the room.
Sure enough, there were some last stragglers just making their way into the show and the doors hadnt closed.
The stragglers, of course, were our band of buccaneers.
Mom had stalled tying the kids shoes, gathering her belongings, and everything else she could think of.
We ran to catch up and took our seats.
At that point I almost passed out.
I was in a pool of sweat and could hardly breathe.
Not only was I running at a good clip, but I was running with DD in my arms as fast as I could.
I think I finally stopped heaving when the show ended.
DD was ecstatic that she made it and Mom was annoyed because all X wanted to do was run around the aisle.
The show was fun and very interactive.
There were several acts each making of fun of random audience members.
Then Mike Wazowski's nephew read some jokes that were texted to him during the pre-show.
In the end, our laughter filled up the tank and we had enough energy to open the doors.
It was a great show and the kids had a blast very funny.
Afterwards we headed to find our traditional Wishes spot down the path past the Fairytale Garden.
With 5 minutes to spare, it was still there waiting for us.
We like the little corner with almost an alcove just for us.
We parked and plopped down.
Mom suggested a treat run. I wasnt moving after that mad dash at Monsters Inc.
Mom grabbed X for a pic:
I leaned in close to the others who decided to sit in the stroller.
Wishes! started and was awesome as usual.
This year, I handed the camera to Mom as I wanted to watch the fireworks myself.
Mom took these shots of X and me as he stared in awe:
And then he wanted to sit by himself and got even more excited:
After the show, we headed back with the crowds.
More scallywags were armed with portrait-takers.
Aye, says I! The more, the merrier!
First the pirate princess
And then the whole crew:
On the way down Main Street we decided to wait out the crowds and grab a treat.
DS grabbed a cookie and we got some ice cream sandwiches.
I really wanted a Mickey Bar but apparently they stop selling them once Wishes starts.
We changed X into his PJ's and grabbed one more picture.
We finished up and headed out for the night.
On the way out, we were pleasantly surprised when the Kiss Goodnight started.
For those who don't know, about an hour after the park closes, an announcement basically tells you to go home.
The castle lights up with lip prints symbolizing Disney's "Kiss Goodnight".
Here's some pics but they didn't come out very good:
We finally caught the bus and headed back to Pop Century for the night - we were exhausted.
But tomorrow was another day and this time we'd be under the Hollywood lights!
Lights! Camera! Action! See you Then!
(her dis name is PrincessCaitlin) It was nice to meet you. The funny thing was I did not recognize you until I saw the picture you took of yourself show up on the computer screen.
It was fun to meet a disser. We didn't see any lime green mickey heads all week so you were our one and only dismeet. Looking forward to reading more!
and grocery shopping done.
