A Goofy Roadtrip to the Mouse Part 7.

[Goofmeister]

Hello,

After a long absence I pick up where I left off.

A few notes:

These are long.
The trip was December 2002.

If you like, you can find the others here. Well, even if you don't, they're still here:

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6.

Cast:
Sam (30) - the Planner, (1985,1987,2000) Trip # 4
Angie (30) - Eeyore nut and researcher, (2000) Trip # 2
Samantha (3.75) (2000) Trip # 2

Day 4, Monday, December 2nd, 2002
Pirate’s Princess
Weather: Sunshine and 70’s
Plan: CRT breakfast and the MK, Rainforest lunch, Fantasmic

We had a pre-opening PS for CRT. We took the bus from ASMo to the MK. When we arrived they were letting people in but keeping them from going under the bridge onto Main Street. Naturally, we choose the closest entrance, expecting to encounter a CM at a rope who would let us through for our PS. Nope, we found out that we had to be on the list. But the list wasn’t here. It was at the far entrance, and we couldn’t get there from here. Ok, we’ll just exit and enter over there. Not so fast, Goofmeisters, we can’t let you do that either. Why didn’t we read the teeny-tiny sign obscured behind fencing and other people? It would’ve been so simple if you’d just followed directions. My perfect plan was failing, and to top it off we might miss our hard-won CRT PS! The CM was too busy preventing people from entering early to help us, but a security guard did. After some proof of identity, he escorted us to the check-in CM, and everything was good.

I love being on Main Street without any other guests. We were invited to ride on the buggy to the castle. Main Street was decorated for Christmas, complete with carols playing softly in the background. We shot some great video, took several pictures of the castle, and of Walt and Mickey before we went to breakfast.

Just a side note, there were garlands strung across the street between the buildings. It made for a very festive atmosphere, but it obscured the view of the castle. It lessened the impact of arriving on Main Street USA. Oh well, it was minor.

The castle at the MK in WDW is an icon recognized worldwide. Tourists flock to it each year by the millions. Disney faithful honor it as a shrine to all that is magical about WDW. It is difficult to describe the experience of dining here. Sunlight streams in through the stained glass in the morning, and you can see the early morning activity in Fantasyland. Shields, standards, and regal trappings decorate the dining room upstairs. Guests are greeted as my Lord or my Lady and are seated in high-backed chairs. The atmosphere is lively and a bit harried. Princesses (and sometimes Aladdin) make the rounds of the tables. The food comes quickly and it seems that there is some pressure to get ‘em in and get ‘em out by the servers.

The princesses were fun for my daughter, but no better than at the Storybook breakfast. The food is good, but it seemed a little inconvenient for the server to get refills and seconds. This is a traditional meal for us, if we can get it, even though it isn’t as relaxed as I’d like. We’ve talked about having lunch or dinner here, and that may be an option if we can’t get the breakfast. Samantha posed with Cinderella (her favorite character), Sleeping Beauty (Bad Wig), Snow White (great voice), Mary Poppins (a princess??), and Belle. She posed with the Fairy Godmother downstairs after we finished our meal.

The park had just opened, and we were in Fantasyland, and it was empty just like I planned. (Rubbing hands with glee) What do you do in a deserted Fantasyland? Ride the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh of course! On our way, we spent about five minutes with Bert and he asked us if we had seen Mary Poppins at breakfast! Samantha and he chatted and joked, and I didn’t get any of it on film. I was having so much fun watching them that I forgot my solemn duties as Captain Camcorder. I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t always like being Captain Camcorder. I feel like an outsider. No adult wants to be on video, and I can’t enjoy what I’m filming because I worry about what and how I’m filming. But I don’t want to be on video. And if I have the camera, I have the power. Except, I shouldn’t talk while shooting. I always end up saying something Goofy. Oh well…

(At this point I’ve decided to embellish about pirates. My wife pointed out to me that we weren’t really looking for pirates. But you have to admit that it must have been subconscious because, well you’ll see…)

Pooh was a bouncing good time, and whetted our appetites for pirates. After our flight with Pan we grabbed FP for later, and headed to Adventureland and the Magic Carpets. The Genie was riding and hamming it up when we walked up. Wouldn’t it be fun to ride with Genie, we thought as we jealously eyed the lucky family? He started to leave, but when he saw Samantha he decided to ride with us! Or should I say me. She was terrified of the big blue guy. She and Mom rode in the back, while I tired to make small talk with the eight-foot Genie up front. That was great, but we wished Samantha wasn’t so scared of him. She never did warm up to Aladdin’s magical friend.

She liked the ride, but we still wanted pirates! Nothing to do but say hello to the PoTC. This is one of my favorite rides in the MK. I was worried that it might be too dark for Samantha, but she did fine with her Cinderella necklace to brighten things up. A pirate’s life is thirsty work. No ale afoot, we headed to Pinocchio’s for some downtime and soda.

Our mortal thirst quenched, we still needed some FP raucous pirate action. Peter Pan again saved Wendy and left poor Hook stranded with the hungry croc. Aarrhh! A celebration is at hand! We crashed Cinderella’s Surprise Celebration where the Beast got the biggest applause from the smallest Goofmeister.

Our appetite for pirates satisfied, Samantha and I took a tour around the “small small world afterall” while Angie snagged FP’s for Pooh. Samantha needed pink Mickey Ears, and a bag of polished rocks from the Snow White shop. Luckily, our purchases didn’t blow away on the windy Pooh ride. Gotta love those FP’s.

Needing a boost of Goof, we headed to Toon Town and rode the Barnstormer for the first and second times. I don’t know how Goofy does it because it was a tight squeeze for Samantha and 6’2” me. Mom rode the second time whilst I filmed them. Samantha screamed through both rides. The wait was very short, like the ride. It was a lot of fun. While Samantha and I were riding, Angie bought Samantha a few surprises: Piglet necklace (because of 1900 Park Fare), Cinderella T-shirt, and magnet footed Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, and Donald.

We toured Minnie’s house, which was a little crowded. I thought it was a little strange since Minnie was not at home. I guess she’s better than I am. I wouldn’t let a bunch of strangers wander through my house unattended. We took the train to Main Street and grabbed our favorite spot for the parade.

We had hot dogs and sodas from Casey’s while sitting on the curb. It was dry and shady when the memory in the camera decided to die. We lost many pictures. Luckily, (?) I was able to purchase more memory from the Town Hall after two tries. I bought the wrong kind and had to return it. They were very understanding. Kudos to the CMs, they saved the moment for me. When I returned to Angie and Samantha, some mysterious drainage had appeared, and the street right at our feet was wet. This would’ve been tolerable if the boy next to me didn’t keep jumping in it. His parents tried lamely to stop him. I think it was a deliberate strategy to squeeze in on our turf.

Samantha was pulled into the parade twice. The first time, Bashful and Snow White invited her to dance. Splashy, the puddle stomping kid, asked his Mom how come all the cute blonde girls always got to be in the parade. Of course, now I felt a little better about being splashed, and a little sorry for him because he wanted to be in the parade, and didn’t get to. Next Cinderella’s maids in waiting pulled Samantha out to wave at all the princesses (but especially Cinderella). The girl took my child around the back of the float. I was starting to get worried when they didn’t come right back. I had decided to go for a look when they finally came around the far side of the float. Whew. I really like that kid. I don’t want to lose her. Angie thought I was over reacting. Well, so! Robin Hood shook her hand, and she hid from the villains.

After the parade we headed to Tomorrowland for dessert. Apparently, Samantha had a major meltdown. I vaguely remember some ugliness, but I can’t remember about what or why. Angie reminded me that we bought her the ice cream we had promised her. She didn’t want it. We ended up calling it a day at that point. If you’re upset about eating ice cream at Disney World, its time to go. Awful parents, buying ice cream, how could we? We snapped some pictures on the way to the bus back to ASMo.

Samantha fell asleep on the bus and slept till 7pm. We had dinner at the food court (Philly Steak, spicy chicken, supreme pizza, and a chocolate chip cookie.)

We check out of ASMo tomorrow. Wilderness Lodge here we come! One day left till the Birthday Surprise.

Highs: Buggy down deserted Main Street, CRT, Genie, and Samantha in the Parade, Barnstormer, Pirates, Robin Hood and Bert.
Lows: Splashy, camera memory failure, and last night at ASMo

Tips Learned: Be careful with your digital camera memory, Fast Passes save time, Crying over ice cream means we’ve had enough.

Part 8.

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[KaityBsMom]

I loved your trip report (all parts)! Isn't it so much fun to experience the Disney Magic with your little one? Your DD reminds me of my daughter. They are about the same age, too.
Thanks for sharing your great memories!

 

[Goofmeister]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. It is very encouraging. It keeps me going. Still have several days to go.

 

[jennymouse]

You can do it, just keep pumping them out...