So... now we're about to get stuck. In Frontierland. Again.
We begin The Great Debate.
Otherwise known as: Which To Do First... Splash Mountain or BTMR.
Now, straight up, there are some so-called hacks... errrr... Trip Reporters out there who mistakenly believe that BTMR... SUCKS.
They are dead wrong. Of course. TFI.
Because it's a great Lil' Coaster. For everyone. Not just the kiddies. It's not about the coaster itself. Because that is, admittedly, LAME(ish). But the theming of the coaster itself is WONDERFUL. Just super! I say.
There are many small details which are just amazing. To see. As you are whizzing by. At about 3 miles per hour. The bones, the Hidden Mickey, the part where you honestly believe your head will be torn off your shoulders.
All good.
So... as a group we decided to do BTMR first aka it was closest to the exit from TSI.
No need to use our "prize" to get to the front of the line. There was no line, really, so to speak of.
We boarded our train. We were at the very back. Because you HAVE to be. If you can swing it. For a better ride.
As we began the ride and creaked slowly up through the cave part, I decided to thrust my arms in the air and scream, "WE'RE GONNA DIE! I THINK!"
Into the silence.
Mellyman looked back at me and said, " Mel! You're gonna scare the kids!".
So I screamed, "We're ALL gonna BE HORRIBLY MAIMED!"
Heh heh.
He looked back again, "Great. Much better, honey."
Thanks!
I continued to scream throughout the ride. But just in the parts where we were going UP the hills. Not down.
That freaked out the kids. A little. But did not, actually, scare them.
Embarrassed them, yes. But didn't scare them.
I love the part where I think my head is going to be ripped off when the train turns a little and goes down the little dip. Underneath the bones and rocks.
That part makes me duck down. Everytime. I can't control it. Even when I know it's coming.
We spied the Hidden Mickey towards the end. And celebrated with more screams. Me and Calvin. This time.
'Cause we're the 2/5 ths of the family who don't really give a half of a crap.
Anyhow... it was a good ride.
So we did it again. Walked right on.
Screamed some more.
Ducked my head.
When we got off, again, Mellyman looked at me and said, "You are a freak, Mel!"
Yeah. The Freak that he married. Willingly. With NO regrets. I think.
Heh heh.
And, I'll be the freak that he marries... again. On our 20th Anniversary. In The World. Because that's what I'm planning. Cross my heart and hope to die...errr... be horribly maimed. I mean. Shhhhh... don't tell DH. It would just exhaust him.
Then we decided to hit Splash Mountain aka Zipply Doo Dah. Which is what Tommy calls it.
Here's a picture:
I was trying to capture the Hidden Mickey part. Just before the drop. But you can't see it very well from the outside. In fact, I can't see it at all. From this picture.
Oh well.
We headed in and didn't have to use our "prize" certificate here, either. Basically it was at walk-on status.
We got in our log. And I reminded everyone that this was it. The time for The General's picture. Everytime we go and are lucky enough to get a log for ourselves we sit in the very same seats and after the ride is over, we buy the picture for my Mother. To put in her big Splash Mountain frame. The trick is to get a good one. Where we all looked terrified. To death. Now... this is a pretty long ride. And a GREAT one! At that. So I figured that I'd have to remind them all about the picture just before the drop.
But I didn't. This time. Because Calvin and Beth began to engage in their Bi-Annual Splash Mountain Bicker. Right away. They began to argue about which face to make. For the photo. Beth believing Calvin was going to "copy" her face. On purpose. Just because. It's Beth. And that is her way. They bickered and argued while Mellyman, Tommy and I tried to enjoy the ride. And ignore them. We were nearly successful. But then Calvin decide to screech, "ENNNOOLLLLLA!" at the top of his lungs. At his sister.
Who then yelled, "DADDY! He's doing The Koala, again! You said he wasn't allowed to!".
Then Mellyman had to lay down the law, "Calvin! Any more koala noises out of you and your mother will put you in a Fairy Timeout! Hear?"
Now... let's all sit back and enjoy the wonder and magic of Disney.
We did.
For the last portion of the ride.
At the top of the drop I yelled, "Picture! And... SURF'S UP, DUDE!"
We dropped.
And splashed down. Funny that. The splash part. Who would have imagined that?
Got wet. Wet faces and bums. Especially bums. In this ride. Mostly, though, you don't notice the wet bums until you get out of the log to make your exit. That's when you notice everyone and their brother tugging at their shorts. To release the dreaded Splash Mountain Wedge.
More Disney Magic. For ya.
We went and looked at the photo. It was funny. We all made great faces. Calvin's was the best though. It was full-on horror. With a open mouth and big eyes. Much better than the last time when he actually ducked DOWN and could not be seen in the photo. And we had to ride it again for a re-take. Sheeesh.
Anywho... we rode it again. Then one more time.
Because, at the end of the day, we are the thrifty, competitive, ride-redoing happyhaunts who are always... stuck in Frontierland.
Time to get unstuck.
It was lunchtime. We walked towards The Liberty Tree Tavern, because we had an early(ish) lunch ADR there, pausing briefly to take a few pictures.
Of this:
And this:
And then we went in to get some chow.
We waited for a little bit until they called us for our table:
"The Costanza Family. From New York City!"
Heh heh.
But... I digress. Again.
I'm a great digressor. I come from a long line of digressors. I was raised to digress.
Not being allowed to digress... would be killing independant Mel.
Enough.
Moving on. Towards our table.
We sit down and can order IMMEDIATELY. Thanks to me. I know what we all want.
Mellyman wants the Tri-Corner with fries. I want the Declaration Salad on the appy menu. Creamy garlic dressing. On the side. A side order of fries. And two Pluto's Pilgrim's Feasts. For the kids.
We also had Cokes. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
We got our food quickly and immediately I was slightly bummed out. 'Cause the Tri-Corner Sandwich looked different. It was on focaccia bread. Instead of the dark rye it used to be served on. It looked BIG and DRY.
And it was. Both.
I only had a bite. Mellyman ended up dipping it in my salad dressing just to choke it down. And... lamenting the changing of the bread. Heh heh. My salad was good. The dressing is great. I like to dip the fries into the dressing. On the side. It's not pretty. It just tastes that way.
The kids split up the two dinners and took most of the fries from the side of fries.
Beth was in HEAVEN. Proclaiming this the BEST BEST BEST turkey ever. That she's EVER EATEN. And convincing me to try and fit The Liberty Tree Tavern into our schedule, again, for this trip.
I tried. Went up to the podium and tried to switch one or two other ADRs. To come back here. For Beth's turkey.
No luck.
Went back to our table and let the kids order one dessert to split.
They had the Poundcake Dippers:
Which became know as: The Messiest Dessert They Have Ever Dueled Over.
It was GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS. Just like that crappy movie was out of the theatres. FYI.
To be continued. Up next: The Mansion of Dreams. Mine. All mine!
