Here’s a hint where we went for dinner.
Okay so it’s a big hint. I will admit to loving the Crystal Palace. It is without a doubt my favorite Disney restaurant and once again it didn’t disappoint. I still say the characters don’t give adult only groups as much attention but I can’t really blame that on the Crystal Palace. It’s an overall Disney thing.
I thought I took pictures at this meal but I can't find them. It's unlike me not to have taken photos of the meal. I know I wasn't too concerned about pics with the characters as we had seen some of them that morning but I could have sworn I took pics of our meal. Oh well, maybe they will show up later.
Oh I should mention that when we checked in, we were given a buzzer. The buzzer said “If found return to the crystal palace for a complimentary dessert” Dh thought that was funny as the restaurant is a buffet. How would they monitor people going in to get dessert and not a full meal? Regardless, I thought it was a good idea. I’m sure people “take” restaurant buzzers all the time. Not me of course.
Here is there info on their celebration packages.
After dinner, we did the carpets and saw Captain Hook.
Then we hightailed it to the Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride was a run-on. There was no line up. Again we must have just hit it at the right time.
Here is my sad attempt to take some pictures.
We went through our first Candy trick or treat lineup outside of Pirates. Nothing was chocolate. I was disappointed. But I knew this was just the first of many. There had to be some chocolate out there somewhere.
Here is a dark and fuzzy picture of the trick or treat walk entrance.
Then we made our way over to tomorrowland where we did Buzz. The lineup was pretty negligible for this ride. Here is one score on Buzz. I can't remember whose it was. I just know that Dh beat me this time.
Pretty sad score I know.
Here is my red necked photo of us.
We did another candy walk and once again no chocolate. I decided not to bother with them anymore. Dh couldn’t pass them up though. The thought of something “free” was too good for him to pass up. So I went with him. But often I didn’t even give the CM’s my bags to fill up.
Here is the entrance sign for the treat walk. This one was long and crowded.
There was a themed show in the theatre by COP. We stopped to watch for a couple of minutes.
We decided to do Astro Orbiter.
I’ve never been on this ride before. We had to wait for 4 elevators before it was our turn. Which I think is pretty good for this ride. It was starting to get cold. Once we got out of the elevator I really noticed the wind. I started thinking about that hoodie I hadn’t got yet.
I didn’t enjoy the ride. I was too afraid that something would fall out of my spaceship. I was cold from the wind and too full from dinner. It’s just as well the trick or treating didn’t have any chocolate otherwise I may have had another regurgitation story to tell. I wasn’t feeling very well on that ride. I have some vertigo issues. Too many ear infections from all those years of teaching swimming lessons when I was younger. So I’m afraid I can’t endorse Astro. I’m glad I finally went on it but I probably won’t do it again.
About this time we stalked out a spot for Halloween Wishes. We decided to stake out a spot on the tomorrowland bridge. We wanted to lean against the bridge but people with large hats decided to stand right in front of us. Then they brought in the rest of their family. Then they decided to hoist some of the kids up on their shoulders. This is why I don’t usually go to the fireworks and the parades. I can’t take the rudeness. So we gave up our leaning spot and moved away from the big hat-ed family.
I don’t have a fancy camera and what I do have, I don’t understand. I have a nighttime setting and a setting that I think is supposed to do fireworks. But I’m a point and shoot girl. So that’s what I did. While I love ogling all the fabulous pictures on these boards, I don’t have any inclination to attempt that type of photography. But I really admire others who do.
After the fireworks, which were lovely, but I was still cold and a bit too aware of too many bodies too close to me, we went on Buzz again. This time I blew Dh away. I got a perfect score. Here is my proof.
Yet another rednecked photo. Plus it proves whose score belongs to whom.
We decided to watch the parade from where liberty square morphs into the castle. Once again we staked out our spots. We got there at least 25 minutes early. That being said there were still lots of people there. I entertained myself watching two CM’s flirting with each other. Oh to be young again. Sigh.
I took a pretty castle picture. I was trying to figure out my nightime settings.
I got bored watching them and took off to get me some popcorn.
“Why don’t you just have some candy?”
“
Even if it was chocolate I would still want popcorn. I’m going to use one of our snack credits so it won’t cost anything.”
As soon as I said that you could see Dh’s eyebrows unfurl. This is why I love the meal plan. Of course we were getting free dinning so I loved it even more. If I had to of paid for that popcorn Dh would have been in a funk the rest of the night.
Just minutes before the parade started a family squeezed in behind us. They had two strollers. I knew they were there by the nip I felt on my calves. Their 2 year old was kicking me.
“Don’t kick the nice lady” says the mom.
I look back and notice they actually have three kids. Two in strollers and one just out of a stroller. Maybe 6ish, while the others looked around 4 and 2 years of age.
The guilt started to sink in.
How could I let these poor kids watch the parade through my legs?
Ow. The kid kicked me again.
“Didn’t I tell you not to kick the nice lady?”
On the flip side how could I put up with being kicked in the calves the whole parade?
I couldn’t take it. I gave the family our front row seats. Dh and I stood behind them. The guilt (and the pain) wouldn’t have let me enjoy the parade. And enjoy the parade I intended to do. Here are my horrible parade pics.
This is Jack Sparrow.
I thought the starting song “Boo to you” was very catchy. I wanted to get the soundtrack but since it wasn’t on the meal plan Dh talked me out of it. Anyhow, I really liked the parade. I’m glad we attempted to watch it, and will try to make an effort to get past my hatred of crowds to watch some others. The fireworks I think I like better in pictures than in person.
After the parade passed, Dh and I decided to make a run for it and try to beat it to take the bus home. We just missed it. So we were stuck watching the parade again beside the barbershop. I was still in hot pursuit of a hoodie so I wandered the shops for a bit. I didn’t feel I had enough time to wander (who ever does?) so when the parade was over Dh decided to head back to the resort but I decided to stay. He wasn’t thrilled with that idea, but he was Done. With a capital “D”. There was no more Disney love in him. Let’s be honest, there isn’t that much in there anyway. I decided to risk him being mad at me and stay by myself for a bit. I didn’t know for sure when I would get back and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet.
So we parted. Dh told me later that there were 9 people on his bus. There were too many to count on mine. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I wandered through the stores. I almost bought many things but in the end bought nothing.
I looked at my watch and noticed it was time for the villains show at the castle. I decided to brave it and head out. The show was cute. It wasn’t too crowded and yet there were enough people there to block the wind.
After the show I contemplated going on another ride. But even I was tired. I sat on a bench and did some people watching for a bit. I wondered when I’d make it back again. I knew the kids might be coming to Disney for a dance competition in July but nothing was confirmed yet. I had yet to even tell Dh of that possibility.
Finally when I could stand the cold no longer, I made my way towards the exit. In my head I said a final goodbye as I passed through. Goodbye castle, Goodbye Casey’s. Goodbye bakery. Goodbye hat shop. Goodbye Tony’s. Goodbye statues. Goodbye train station. Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye.
Dh was sound asleep when I returned back. Although I was weary, I wasn’t ready to sleep. I ran myself a nice hot bath and read a book to wind down before joining Dh.
Up next our departure day and how does Dh take the news of a potential Dance Competition trip next July? Click here to find out.
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