Episode 25- the update in which Everett ruins a magical moment
After we left the speedway I figured it was time to make good on those Jungle Cruise fastpasses. It wasnt dark yet, but it was getting on towards dusk and I figured it was now or never.
On the way over to Adventureland, I spied a Photopass photographer near the bridge to Tomorrowland and just had to stop. I wanted to make sure I made the most of our photopass share, so I kept a look out for any and all photographers. They got some pretty cute shots of all of us near the Castle, and even a magic shot that DS was totally unimpressed with!
Everett's caption: "Whatever, Tinkerbell isn't all that impressive"
Once we left that Photopass guy, I saw another, right inside the entrance to the rose garden. Not wanting to neglect even one single photopass opportunity, we headed over in that direction. Unfortunately a group of teenagers beat us to the punch. They looked like they were going to be a while, wanting to take all sorts of photos, alone, in groups, with just one or two of them, basically in unending combinations.
Instead of getting antsy (like typical commando Marissa) I decided to embrace the serendipity of the moment, and let DS blow off some steam running around the rose garden. We were pretty much the only people down there, and I knew that he would appreciate some free range time, so I just let him go. He was having a wonderful time, stretching his legs, and looking at the flaw-wos.
At some point during this time a couple entered the rose garden, and was standing against the railing looking out toward Tomorrowland. They werent really on my radar, because Everett wasnt getting too close or bothering them, and I figured as long as he kept a decent distance, he wouldnt disrupt them.
I should have put the camera on sports setting, he is one fast little dude!
his little outfit has a tail, if you're wondering what is on his butt!
At that point I noticed Everett beginning to exhibit some strange behavior, or what we affectionately call in our house- the poop dance. The choreography of the poop dance goes something like this: Everett begins running around (even more crazily than normal), and then spends some time stamping his feet, and then he squats down, gets all red in the face and has an intense look of concentration, and then you move on to the next act- the diaper change tango.
Well, DH and I were watching and laughing, because the poop dance is actually pretty funny in person, and I wasnt paying any attention to the couple. Well, Everett reached the cumulation of the poop dance (the whole squatting and concentrating part), and I happened to glace over at the couple, and low and behold the guy was standing there holding an engagement ring and my son was POOPING NOT TEN FEET FROM HIS PROPOSAL!
When I realized what was going on I was mortified. I grabbed DS and hightailed it out of there, followed by DH (who was laughing even harder). I felt really bad, but DH said it was OK, and just gave them a glimpse into their lives will look like in a few years. If nothing else it will make for a good story- right!
Well, after getting Everett all cleaned up, we never made it back to the photopass photographer, and I had an important decision to make. By this point it was getting later, and the crowds were starting to build on Main Street. I had to decide whether I wanted to ride Jungle Cruise and risk not getting a good spot for Wishes, or skip the Jungle Cruise this trip and stake out my favorite spot in front of Caseys.
Well I decided to postpone my trip down the rivers of the world, and hold my favorite firework spot. I was a little disappointed, Jungle Cruise is a favorite of mine, after all, but I knew there would be more trips, and I just make sure to ride it first next time.
I initially wasnt sure if Everett was going to make it to Wishes, but being the anti-cupid must have given him a second wind, because he was all smiles and laughter while we waited for the show to start. We broke out his spinny glow toy (courtesy of Grammy) and some glow sticks brought from home and he was in heaven. He happily waited in his stroller until it began to get dark.
It began to get more and more crowded and the CM began to appear to direct traffic with their glow wands. At this point another family decided to mush their way into our space and practically stood on top of DH and I, which I was not thrilled with. I had carefully chosen and waited in this spot, skipping one of my favorite rides, I did not appreciate having my personal space violated by latecomers.
Happily, they moved up a little, (crowding someone else that had been waiting) but at least they were out of my hair!
Right before the new castle show was supposed to start, I got DS out of the stroller and held him so he would have a better view.
I didnt know what hed think of the show, but to my amazement, he was entranced. He was utterly spellbound, and I have to say that I was really impressed too! I saw the show on
youtube, but it is much, much more impressive in person. The effects were really cool, and it was so sweet seeing all those happy families up on the castle. I thought it would feature more photopass photos from that actual day, so that was a little bit of a disappointment, but it was very good overall.
When the show was over, people were clapping, and after it had gotten (relatively) quiet, DS let out a big YAY at the top of his lungs. It was enough of a delay to be really funny, and the people around us got a good chuckle out of it. I guess he knows what he likes!
Next up were the fireworks, and truthfully I was a little afraid of what his reaction would be. He hadnt seen fireworks since the previous June, when he was 6 months old, and even though he liked them then, there was no telling what he would think this time around.
Well, the show started and I was holding my breath, but soon enough, as the first firework went off, Everett burst into a huge smile, held his hands up in the air and yelled BOOM. Knowing Everett, I should have known that loud noises would be right up his alley! We watched the show together, with him BOOMing the whole time. It was one of those precious Disney moments, and the reason we all return again and again. Just thinking about it brings a big smile to my face.
Once the fireworks were over, I decided not to push my luck with the Main Street Electrical Parade, and we joined the throngs of people leaving the MK. The lights, the sounds, everything was working together to make it one enchanted evening. I wish I could be there right now!
Once out of the park, we had one decidedly unmagical hurdle to conquer, our first Disney bus ride with a stroller. On all of our previous trips we had rented cars, but this time around DH wanted to save some money, and our rental car went back to the airport with my mom.
I was truthfully a little daunted by this task (and secretly hoped it would be a disaster, ensuring us car rentals for the remainder of our stroller days). We headed over to our POR bus stop, and got in a relatively short line. We got DS out of the stroller (who was still awake by some miracle of God!) and DH folded up the stroller. I took DS and the diaper bag, DH took the stroller and the extra bag, and before long a bus pulled right up to our stop.
Embarking was pretty painless, as was debarking, so I have to say that our first bus stroller experience was a success. The bus was pretty crowded, but DH managed to stand near the second door, so he could hold the stroller out of the way. DS and I got a seat, and it was very nice. I think it helps that our stroller folds easily and fairly compactly (for a full size) and is relatively lightweight. I think once we hit a double stroller, DH might change his mind, but he says that it is totally doable for the future with our single.
Disembarking was equally easy and our walk back was nice, except for the family in front of us who were smoking. Smoking outside of designated smoking areas is one of my Disney pet peeves, and so I very politely said Excuse me, smoking is prohibited in this resort outside of the designated areas. You can consult your resort map for the smoking areas. The parents looked a little surprised, but they did put out their cigarettes.
DH was cringing, he is sure that one of these days Im going to get punched for getting involved in other peoples business, and then hell have to get involved. I tell him that I grew up with two brothers (a wrestler and football player) and I can hold my own, thank you very much.
Im a real stickler for the rules, especially at Disney, and I dont shy away from letting people know (in a polite way) when they are doing something they shouldnt. Maybe they didnt know that they shouldnt be smoking outside of the designated areas, and I helpfully clued them in on the rules!
After all that we headed off to bed. I was hoping we could sleep in a little, since the next day was our off day- would I get that chance?
and yeah for now knowing that Meadow can drive in Sept.
And I will beat DH this next trip. I really will.
I'm loving your trip so far! Looking forward to reading more!
I nicely said basically the same thing you did, and they started yelling at me!!!! "Who died and made you the queen of Disney?!?" 
sorry you had to skip your jungle cruise.
