It took me a minute to completely wake up on this first morning at Disney, and for a quick second, I wondered why I felt anxious at home in my own bed. And then I remembered.
Oh yeah. I’m not in my own bed. We’re at Disney. And it’s Thanksgiving Day.
I was excited, of course. I mean, the joy you feel on your first full Disney day is practically cliché. But this was different. I was excited
and anxious. Really anxious. Was this going to be a complete waste of time? Would the crowds turn the usual happy-as-all-get-out-because-we’re-at-Disney NM’s to the arguing I-told-you-it-would-be-crowded-and-miserable NM’s? Would my kids be whiny when we couldn’t do everything they wanted to do today?
Or worse.
Would I be the first Disser in DIS history to think that a good day at home is
better than a bad day at Disney?
I couldn’t wait to find out. I got up to get my shower while DH went to fill our mugs. We had a quick cup of coffee together, discussed the Plan of the Day (POD), and got the kids up and ready. We didn’t have to worry about breakfast, because we were eating with Donald and the Gang at the Animal Kingdom. We just had to worry about getting there on time. Our ADR was for 8:00.
With everyone dressed and ready, and The Back Pack filled up and strapped on, we stepped out of the room and looked over into the lobby for a crowd check. Wow. People were everywhere! My anxiety was reaching Xanax levels. Not that I’ve ever taken a Xanax. But I’ve heard about it. And I’ve often thought it might be a good thing to have in The Back Pack. Anyway, these crowds might be worse than I had prepared myself and my family for.
But I didn’t let my concern show, and we happily headed off for the bus stop. Once there, I did a quick survey of the bus stop dynamics, and I determined Tour Guide Mike to be worth four times his subscription rate. He knows of what he speaks and I saw it right there with my own two eyes.
A bus for Magic Kingdom was pulled up as we arrived. It was filled to capacity with AKL guests, and left this many folks at the stop waiting on the next one.
I lightened the pic a little so you can see all the folks milling around.
And this is what it looked like at our stop. For Animal Kingdom.
Yep. Just us. The NM’s had the place to ourselves.
As we watched family after family come down the walk to the bus stops – then pass us by and go to the MK stop – my anxiety began to lessen. We might be OK. And Tour Guide Mike might just be Da Man. Sorry ZZUB.
After a short wait, the bus for Animal Kingdom arrived. Two for two on positive bus experiences if you’re counting. We hopped on, spread out among the empty seats, and gloated a little at how much smarter we obviously were than the rest of the Thanksgiving Day travelers.
Yes Siree Bob. I love me some Tour Guide Mike.
We arrived at the Animal Kingdom with time to spare, so of course I whipped out my camera for some shots of the Christmas decorations.
Then we made our way to the turnstiles where they were checking ADR’s for the Donald Breakfast. Not to be confused with breakfast with The Donald. Or even Rosie O’Donnell.
The line was moving a little slow, so we stood there for a minute just waiting. I was in front of my family, with DH behind me settling the kids into the stroller. The stroller is key at Animal Kingdom. My sweets babies could never keep up with the pace if we couldn’t push them at breakneck speed in the stroller. Sorry if that offends you. Or if I’ve severed your Achilles’ in the process.
Anyway, I turn to DH to say something, and as I did, I saw a sight that made my heart skip a beat. And though my man can still have this effect on me after fourteen years, it wasn’t him that I saw.
It was a member of The Dream Team coming right toward the NM’s. I may be a dumb redneck, but at least I’m a Disney informed dumb redneck. And I knew what this character had in his magic bag. So in my mind, our day was all of a sudden gettin’ really good.
I didn’t even have time to prep DH for what was happening before the nice man was making conversation with us. I had read on the DIS that the prizes awarded are not random. That there is a method to the madness. So I wondered if we fit the criteria this guy was going for. I made a quick mental checklist of things he might be looking for.
Wearing Disney logos? No.
Disney rookies? Clearly no.
Adorable children in love with The Mouse and worthy of the Dream Fastpass? Of course.
The Dream Team member was a precious older man with white hair. His countenance was sweet and he sidled up to our family and said “Good morning! How are you all doing today?”
I used my fake non-redneck accent and tried to look as Disneyfied as I could without the help of a fanny pack and Walt Disney World 2006 T-shirt. “We’re great!” I said. “We’re looking forward to our day – especially getting to ride Expedition Everest.”
Which we could really use a Dream Fastpass for, I said with my eyes.
The nice man said “Ooooh. You’re gonna have a great time. Is this your first visit to Walt Disney World?”
My hope faded faster than a summer tan because I knew that was probably my magic criteria. It would have to be our first visit to get the Fastpasses. Snap. We are far from first-timers.
My Dream Fastpass was gonna be awarded to some rookie who wouldn’t appreciate it. Who would mumble an insincere “thanks” for something they couldn’t realize the value of.
But we’re so deserving! We just bought Annual Passes! We just committed every vacation dollar we spend for the next year to The World! GIVE ME THE FREAKIN’ FASTPASSES!!!!!
The sweet man knew nothing of the monologue in my head, especially when I smiled at him and responded “Oh no, it isn’t our first time. In fact, it’s our third. In just one year. We’ve been to Disney many times. We love it.”
My daughter piped in that she had just had her birthday and that she’s spent her birthday at Disney World three times.
Oh yeah, baybee!! That’s my girl! Certainly cute little blonde girls with beautiful blue eyes and great conversation skills can score the Dream Fastpass!
“Well, I’ll tell you what,” he said. “I may have a little something in my bag for you.”
My hope sprang forth again. The Fast Pass!! We’re getting the Fast Pass!!
He dug around in his messenger bag and pulled something out.
“Here you go. Happy Birthday!”
It was a Birthday button. A freakin’ birthday button. My daughter, not realizing what had just slipped through our Disney-lovin’ fingers, was truly gracious and excited. And she felt really special when he handed her a Sharpie and told her to write her name on the button so everyone would know who the Birthday Girl was.
Not to exclude the rest of the family, the Dream Team member dug around in his bag some more and gave DH and I “Honorary Citizen” buttons and my son an Incredibles button that was for Magical Gatherings. I’m not sure when a family of four became a “Magical Gathering”, but my son can’t read so he was thrilled.
By this time, we were at the turnstiles and we bid our new friend goodbye. We checked in with the host and made our way to Dinoland for breakfast.
We’ve had the breakfast here before, and while breakfast food in buffet style brings me great joy, this character meal was booked for one reason only.
Strategic placement for the Power Walk to Expedition Everest. Which is my girl and I’s favorite ride in the entire World. Or the entire world even. It’s AWESOME. And we wanted to ride stand-by and score some Fastpasses in one fell swoop that Thanksgiving morning.
Because of the child-swap, this strategy would ensure my daughter of at least three rides on this incredible coaster. And five rides if the Fastpasses weren’t gone by the time our next FP availability time came around.
As stressful as this whole commando approach to the first ten minutes of our day at Animal Kingdom may seem to you, it’s actually a lot of fun for the NM’s. We love to formulate a good battle plan. And we love it even more when it works with great success. Which at that point in our Disney history, it always had.
So breakfast was good, and we were parked at the rope in Dinoland by 8:50. Chatting it up with the CM’s that held all The Power. The CM’s that carry the rope to Everest. With a herd of wild Disney commandos power walking behind them. Competing to beat the herd of wild Disney commandos behind the OTHER rope that comes from the park entrance. Both herds headed to the most coveted destination in the Animal Kingdom. If the adrenaline involved in that race could be used in my everyday running, I’d be the next Flo Jo.
So 9:00 finally arrived. And the CM’s started walking and carrying the rope. And reminding everyone that we HAD to walk. Jovial protests came from the crowd. “But the crowd at the park entrance will beat us!” The CM’s responded “You’ll be seconds ahead of them!” Not good enough. We all wanted to be first by a long shot! I had a feeling we weren’t the only ones who used the Donald Breakfast as a battle strategy.
I wish I had taken a picture of the madness. That’s really the only way to describe it. But it was happy madness. Everyone was having fun. In fact, I enjoy running in road races here and there, and this whole scene reminded me of the energy and excitement that proceeds the gun going off before a race. But to take a picture would have possibly cost me some time, so I’ll just have to use what I have.
Picture our group coming over the bridge on the right, as the other group approaches the ride from the left. Who would win?
We would. But only by seconds.
BOOYAH!!!
DH and Little Man went to the Fastpass machine, while my daughter and I hopped in line. And guess what? The dadgum rollercoaster was having some problems. But I was certain it would be up and running shortly, and when it was, we were gonna be some of the first ones on the train. After the boys secured the Fastpasses, they came around to stand with us until the CM could see that we qualified for the child swap. We got the blessed child swap pass, and the guys went to Dinoland.
While the girls waited. And waited. And waited. My daughter was so excited she could hardly contain herself.
Finally they made the announcement. The coaster was ready to go. And we started into the queue. It’s so well themed in there, but we didn’t have time to look. We had a train to catch.
We boarded the train and I looked at my daughter and grabbed her hand. We grinned from ear to ear and squealed like only girls can do. As we pulled out of the station, I knew that no matter what else we were able to do that Thanksgiving day, we’d already done enough. We'd done what we came to do.
And it was worth every minute of the effort.
[post=16989571] Next Chapter [/post]
Way to go! Southern charm DOES work! But you knew that. 
Love it NM and I am glad we are only on the first day and we have lots more to go!!!! 
Evidently, reports of your wimp out were greatly exaggerated. Either that or you are even more charming than you let on......
I am sooooo sorry it was just a dang button. But a Happy Birthday button at Disney is better than a birthday cake at home!
At least you guys got something! We talked with about a half dozen of those dream bagged people and didn't get a d*mn thing! Sheesh!
