The cast:
Me: 34, 2nd trip to WDW (last time was 2001 but we only did MK 1 day does that count?)
DW: 36 also her 2nd / 1st real trip
DS: 5, ditto for him;
DWs best friend: 36, 1st trip, hereafter known as Auntie K
Tuesday December 9, 2003
MVMCP
Weve got our new double stroller thanks to the knuckleheads who took our single stroller from the Emporium, and weve completed shopping on Main Street for now. Its 5 oclock and were primed for the Christmas Party!
We havent seen anything really of crowds in the parks during the day this week so far, thanks to EMH, but we know that will change tonight. Im fairly certain a Tuesday MVMCP will not sell out, but there will definitely be 10,000 or more people in the park, a drastic increase from what weve seen. Ive done some planning to help minimize the crowds, thanks to Tour Guide Mike and his firsthand knowledge of these nights and the typical familys itinerary; know what they do, then do the opposite!
So to that end, were stopping for a moment to familiarize ourselves with what we hope to see and do tonight remember this is our 3rd time in three days of being at MK, so were here to experience things we havent yet seen, and those we really liked the first time(s). And dont forget the snow on Main Street, hot cocoa and cookies, and our souvenir photo!
We grab a table around the corner towards the Plaza Pavilion, and DW and Auntie K retreat to the Plaza Ice Cream parlor for our daily dose of ice cream treats. They share an Oreo sundae, DS has a Mickey cone , and I have a mint chocolate chip cone. Mmmmm.
Refreshed and energized, we enter Tomorrowland we havent been here yet and walk on to Buzz. Fantastic! Our first time riding this one! I think I could live on this ride! DS and I ride ahead of Mom and Auntie K, Im taking the odd picture when I can remember! cuz Im having too much fun!! DS has a perma-smile on his face. He loves the Toy Story movies (we left WDW last trip with Woody and Buzz toys) they were an enormous hit Puppy even got set down when DS spied those two!
Now I know what Im supposed to be doing in this ride and Im trying to hit as many targets as I can, but DS is just having fun, holding his lazer trigger down and shooting aimlessly. Somehow he walks away with 411,100 points!!! I was actually trying and only got 295,000! Needless to say we had a proud little space ace with us after that!
Auntie K had decided before she left home that she was going to ride Space Mountain. I had similar thoughts but after Splash Mountain and its little drops in the dark that left me uncomfortable, I declined her invitation to tag along. She walked right in, and we took a stoll around the area. She loved it! She claims not to have screamed (which she has been known to do) but woo-hooed throughout the ride!
The line up for the Astro Orbiter was minimal, and since we have a Magic Carpet / Triceratops Spin / Dumbo fan in our crew, we get in line and take the elevator up to the 2nd floor. DW did not like this version of the tamer-feeling rides. Too high for her liking, and again she was chosen by DS to be his partner. Im positive now he knows she doesnt like the heights and gets some perverse enjoyment from that! I felt more centrifugal force on this ride than the others. Its clockwise rotation was different too. But Id go again in a heartbeat! Especially with DS!!
We had to do the Tea Cups again! And once again DW and DS teamed up. This time he spun her silly, and when he wanted to ride again immediately after the first time, she sat the second one out. No matter, Ill spin with him! Whee!
Its just about 6 oclock, official closing time for day guests so we stopped at Cosmic Rays for supper. Good burgers and fries. We wanted to catch the first showing of Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas at 7:15 so we walked over to the Galaxy Palace Theatre for 6:45 only to find an early performance in progress!
Wow! What a great show! Again Auntie K was amazed by the costumes and sets! The singing and dancing and Disney humor was very entertaining! Very well done.
We plan on watching the 10:30 parade, so weve plenty of time for rides, goodies, and photos! What to do first? Hmmm. I know! Tea Cups!! TWICE MORE!!
Do you think he likes this ride?
Mom and Auntie just sit in their cup no spinning allowed! BAH! HUMBUG!
Into Fantasyland we go, and we spy Chuck and Dave! (My family didnt get it. DS thought it was really funny though ) Get his picture taken with them we pass up Pluto, as we saw him at breakfast yesterday.
Dumbo doesnt have a huge line, since the early parade is on now, so So we go for a spin! A different experience to see the surrounding area in the darkness, with the Christmas lights!
The line for photos at IASW isnt too bad, so DW, DS and I get in line Auntie doesnt think she should be in the photo, and goes to find a washroom (these women and their washrooms ) and says she will get in line for Peter Pan and wait for us, as it looks like about a 10 15 minutes wait for Peter.
Well, photos move more slowly than we thought and Auntie has been moving toward the front of Peter Pan fairly steadily. She ends up waiting right at the front of the line people are looking at her strangely; Its not that scary lady! - as she explains that she is waiting for friends.
We finally make our way through the line maybe 5 minutes and hook up with her. Another first for us tonight. Excellent ride! The change from ride to flying ship is well done! It feels like youre really flying! DS really liked that! I loved the detail in the flight over the city!
Time for cocoa and cookies at Columbia Harbour House. We make our way to the bridge by the Crystal Palace for a spot to see Wishes. Great show again, and a little different than last night! More fireworks, and longer too!
We walked over to the hub to catch some of the Celebrate the Season Castle show another sample of the excellent live entertainment Disney is known for! Many of the same characters as Mickeys Twas The Night Before Christmas show, and the castle was bathed in constantly changing colour images of snowflakes!
At about this point our youngest member of the group had fallen asleep, and it was almost time for us to stake out a spot for the second parade (10:30) We walked through Adventureland, and stumbled across Auntie Ks two most favorite characters, together, King Louie and Baloo! Gotta get that picture!
Around to Frontierland, where we found ample room across the street from the Shootin Arcade. Mom and Auntie again got popcorn and drinks, and DS slept. It took awhile for him to wake up, and although he tried to keep watching the parade, he kept falling asleep. Another great parade! We were able to watch some of this one on Sunday during Regis and Kellys filming, but again its a different line up for the evening version. Here's Mickey! The parade is a classic! Great photos and videos again too! Here's Santa!
After the parade, we lingered awhile, soaking up the atmosphere. We cut through Fantasyland to avoid the now dwindling crowd, shopped in the Merchant of Venus, and Mickeys Star Traders and made our way back to Main Street. Its almost 11:30. Auntie K has finally decided on a sweatshirt and DW wants to look in the Jewellery store. Ive got DS asleep in the stroller, and follow DW into the shop, while Auntie K heads into the Emporium.
DW spies Belle through the side windows of the Jewellery store, and would like to get a picture taken with her. So we exit out the side entrance, and wait in a very small line. Smile! Were getting tired, so we agree to call it a night, and cross over the sidewalk and across Main Street to find Auntie K. DS and I wait on the sidewalk and take pictures, while mom goes in to find her. Its almost midnight! This will make 4 days in a row that weve been at MK! (technically)
Reunited, we stroll down Main Street, still chuckling at the fake snow were glad weve left the real stuff behind in Winnipeg! Out of the tunnels to return the stroller, we unwrap DS from his cocoon, and...
DW cant find Puppy!
What?
I cant find Puppy!
DW is on the verge of a nervous breakdown!
(Auntie K will later say that the looks on our faces were that of absolute disbelief, and shock.)
Imagine, if you will, the stuffed animal that your child has grown up with for every single day of his or her life, suddenly vanishing. Now picture that loss in Disney World. At night. At Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. Not very merry.
DS is still not totally awake. Thankfully.
Were in controlled panic mode now.
"Are you sure hes not in there?" I ask, hoping by some remote chance that weve overlooked him.
No, hes not. Ive checked. DWs heart has stopped, Im sure. Ive never seen her like this. She feels powerless, hopeless, that she cant make this alright. Shes his mother, shes got to be able to!
Im halfway there, my mind racing, still in disbelief, trying to figure this all out.
Ill go check lost and found at City Hall, you guys sit with him, and Ill be right back.
I dont remember walking to City Hall. I only remember inquiring about Puppy, and getting a genuinely sorry CMs assurance that theyll call if hes turned in. I can feel my heart starting to break. Puppy and DS go back to the beginning. Inseparable. Best friends. Gone.
Im back outside, and Ive dashed their hopes. DS is groggily awake. Puppys lost! He cries. Mom asks him where. He thinks Puppys been left in the stroller
Dont break his heart. Hes too young. Please let him forget this moment in time
DWs face is ashen. Shes lost all hope. Its only Tuesday, but this trip may as well be over. The magic is gone.
I tell them to take DS home. Ill go back and search and grab a later bus. They look at me like Im from Mars.
Look where? Weve been here since 4:00.
I dont know. I know he had him when we rode Peter Pan (that was only, what, 4 ½ hours ago?) Ill backtrack, retrace our steps.
Reluctantly, they pack up and with DS in her arms, DW wishes me luck and asks how long I think Ill be.
As long as it takes
I dont know what Im doing. Ive got the entire Magic Kingdom to cover, and no guarantee Ill find Puppy. Im overwhelmed, but its not logic that is driving me. Back into the Party I go.
Here Puppy! God I wish he WERE real we all treat him as if he were then maybe Id have a fighting chance.
Im prepared to spend the entire night in this park if I have to. Theyll have to drag me out, kicking and screaming! I wont rest until Ive found that dog! Ive got seven lands to search, 50 or so rides, a million steps worth of chances to find him, or not
Im starting up Main Street.
Okay, lets think. Where have we been? Main Street, shopping, then before that it was Tomorrowland, more shopping, and then Fantasyland, Frontierland and the Parade, around to Adventureland and the fireworks
Hey! The jewellery store. We were all in there.
I look in the front entrance and see nothing, anywhere, on the floor. Nope
A quick glance across the street to where we waited for mom and Auntie nothing.
What if somebody took him? What if somebody found him but threw him out? What would I do if I found someones Puppy?
Look to the right we saw Belle, then over the curb to cross DW had to help lift the stroller and then
PUPPY!! PUPPY! I FOUND PUPPY!!
There on Main Street, sitting on top of a garbage can, just past the corner where we had seen Belle. Somebody found Puppy! And then put him on top of this can! So I could find him!
Im running now! Out of the park! Down the long stretch of red pavement towards the bus lanes.
Thank You! Whoever you are! Thank You!
Running, all the way to the end; the last stop.
No ones in line! Theyve left already. God I hope hes okay
I step onto the waiting bus its full and glance to find a seat. My heart is pounding! Then I see my crew! The first seats behind the driver, facing the aisle. Sitting quietly, DS is on moms lap, half-asleep, cuddled in, and looking very sad. Mom's face is vacant; shes gone very far away. Auntie K, a row behind, is staring out the window, off into the distance. Theyre finished. Nothing left.
I drop Puppy into DSs arms. He looks up. DW looks up. Their eyes widen in amazement! Tears are forming in DWs. DS hugs Puppy as tightly as he can hell never let go! There are no words. The smile on his face says it all.
I slump into the seat, I dont know how far or fast I was going, but Im drained. But its okay. Its over. Lets go home
Link to Part 10
Me: 34, 2nd trip to WDW (last time was 2001 but we only did MK 1 day does that count?)
DW: 36 also her 2nd / 1st real trip
DS: 5, ditto for him;
DWs best friend: 36, 1st trip, hereafter known as Auntie K
Tuesday December 9, 2003
MVMCP
Weve got our new double stroller thanks to the knuckleheads who took our single stroller from the Emporium, and weve completed shopping on Main Street for now. Its 5 oclock and were primed for the Christmas Party!
We havent seen anything really of crowds in the parks during the day this week so far, thanks to EMH, but we know that will change tonight. Im fairly certain a Tuesday MVMCP will not sell out, but there will definitely be 10,000 or more people in the park, a drastic increase from what weve seen. Ive done some planning to help minimize the crowds, thanks to Tour Guide Mike and his firsthand knowledge of these nights and the typical familys itinerary; know what they do, then do the opposite!
So to that end, were stopping for a moment to familiarize ourselves with what we hope to see and do tonight remember this is our 3rd time in three days of being at MK, so were here to experience things we havent yet seen, and those we really liked the first time(s). And dont forget the snow on Main Street, hot cocoa and cookies, and our souvenir photo!
We grab a table around the corner towards the Plaza Pavilion, and DW and Auntie K retreat to the Plaza Ice Cream parlor for our daily dose of ice cream treats. They share an Oreo sundae, DS has a Mickey cone , and I have a mint chocolate chip cone. Mmmmm.
Refreshed and energized, we enter Tomorrowland we havent been here yet and walk on to Buzz. Fantastic! Our first time riding this one! I think I could live on this ride! DS and I ride ahead of Mom and Auntie K, Im taking the odd picture when I can remember! cuz Im having too much fun!! DS has a perma-smile on his face. He loves the Toy Story movies (we left WDW last trip with Woody and Buzz toys) they were an enormous hit Puppy even got set down when DS spied those two!
Now I know what Im supposed to be doing in this ride and Im trying to hit as many targets as I can, but DS is just having fun, holding his lazer trigger down and shooting aimlessly. Somehow he walks away with 411,100 points!!! I was actually trying and only got 295,000! Needless to say we had a proud little space ace with us after that!
Auntie K had decided before she left home that she was going to ride Space Mountain. I had similar thoughts but after Splash Mountain and its little drops in the dark that left me uncomfortable, I declined her invitation to tag along. She walked right in, and we took a stoll around the area. She loved it! She claims not to have screamed (which she has been known to do) but woo-hooed throughout the ride!
The line up for the Astro Orbiter was minimal, and since we have a Magic Carpet / Triceratops Spin / Dumbo fan in our crew, we get in line and take the elevator up to the 2nd floor. DW did not like this version of the tamer-feeling rides. Too high for her liking, and again she was chosen by DS to be his partner. Im positive now he knows she doesnt like the heights and gets some perverse enjoyment from that! I felt more centrifugal force on this ride than the others. Its clockwise rotation was different too. But Id go again in a heartbeat! Especially with DS!!
We had to do the Tea Cups again! And once again DW and DS teamed up. This time he spun her silly, and when he wanted to ride again immediately after the first time, she sat the second one out. No matter, Ill spin with him! Whee!
Its just about 6 oclock, official closing time for day guests so we stopped at Cosmic Rays for supper. Good burgers and fries. We wanted to catch the first showing of Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas at 7:15 so we walked over to the Galaxy Palace Theatre for 6:45 only to find an early performance in progress!
Wow! What a great show! Again Auntie K was amazed by the costumes and sets! The singing and dancing and Disney humor was very entertaining! Very well done.
We plan on watching the 10:30 parade, so weve plenty of time for rides, goodies, and photos! What to do first? Hmmm. I know! Tea Cups!! TWICE MORE!!
Do you think he likes this ride?
Mom and Auntie just sit in their cup no spinning allowed! BAH! HUMBUG!
Into Fantasyland we go, and we spy Chuck and Dave! (My family didnt get it. DS thought it was really funny though ) Get his picture taken with them we pass up Pluto, as we saw him at breakfast yesterday.
Dumbo doesnt have a huge line, since the early parade is on now, so So we go for a spin! A different experience to see the surrounding area in the darkness, with the Christmas lights!
The line for photos at IASW isnt too bad, so DW, DS and I get in line Auntie doesnt think she should be in the photo, and goes to find a washroom (these women and their washrooms ) and says she will get in line for Peter Pan and wait for us, as it looks like about a 10 15 minutes wait for Peter.
Well, photos move more slowly than we thought and Auntie has been moving toward the front of Peter Pan fairly steadily. She ends up waiting right at the front of the line people are looking at her strangely; Its not that scary lady! - as she explains that she is waiting for friends.
We finally make our way through the line maybe 5 minutes and hook up with her. Another first for us tonight. Excellent ride! The change from ride to flying ship is well done! It feels like youre really flying! DS really liked that! I loved the detail in the flight over the city!
Time for cocoa and cookies at Columbia Harbour House. We make our way to the bridge by the Crystal Palace for a spot to see Wishes. Great show again, and a little different than last night! More fireworks, and longer too!
We walked over to the hub to catch some of the Celebrate the Season Castle show another sample of the excellent live entertainment Disney is known for! Many of the same characters as Mickeys Twas The Night Before Christmas show, and the castle was bathed in constantly changing colour images of snowflakes!
At about this point our youngest member of the group had fallen asleep, and it was almost time for us to stake out a spot for the second parade (10:30) We walked through Adventureland, and stumbled across Auntie Ks two most favorite characters, together, King Louie and Baloo! Gotta get that picture!
Around to Frontierland, where we found ample room across the street from the Shootin Arcade. Mom and Auntie again got popcorn and drinks, and DS slept. It took awhile for him to wake up, and although he tried to keep watching the parade, he kept falling asleep. Another great parade! We were able to watch some of this one on Sunday during Regis and Kellys filming, but again its a different line up for the evening version. Here's Mickey! The parade is a classic! Great photos and videos again too! Here's Santa!
After the parade, we lingered awhile, soaking up the atmosphere. We cut through Fantasyland to avoid the now dwindling crowd, shopped in the Merchant of Venus, and Mickeys Star Traders and made our way back to Main Street. Its almost 11:30. Auntie K has finally decided on a sweatshirt and DW wants to look in the Jewellery store. Ive got DS asleep in the stroller, and follow DW into the shop, while Auntie K heads into the Emporium.
DW spies Belle through the side windows of the Jewellery store, and would like to get a picture taken with her. So we exit out the side entrance, and wait in a very small line. Smile! Were getting tired, so we agree to call it a night, and cross over the sidewalk and across Main Street to find Auntie K. DS and I wait on the sidewalk and take pictures, while mom goes in to find her. Its almost midnight! This will make 4 days in a row that weve been at MK! (technically)
Reunited, we stroll down Main Street, still chuckling at the fake snow were glad weve left the real stuff behind in Winnipeg! Out of the tunnels to return the stroller, we unwrap DS from his cocoon, and...
DW cant find Puppy!
What?
I cant find Puppy!
DW is on the verge of a nervous breakdown!
(Auntie K will later say that the looks on our faces were that of absolute disbelief, and shock.)
Imagine, if you will, the stuffed animal that your child has grown up with for every single day of his or her life, suddenly vanishing. Now picture that loss in Disney World. At night. At Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. Not very merry.
DS is still not totally awake. Thankfully.
Were in controlled panic mode now.
"Are you sure hes not in there?" I ask, hoping by some remote chance that weve overlooked him.
No, hes not. Ive checked. DWs heart has stopped, Im sure. Ive never seen her like this. She feels powerless, hopeless, that she cant make this alright. Shes his mother, shes got to be able to!
Im halfway there, my mind racing, still in disbelief, trying to figure this all out.
Ill go check lost and found at City Hall, you guys sit with him, and Ill be right back.
I dont remember walking to City Hall. I only remember inquiring about Puppy, and getting a genuinely sorry CMs assurance that theyll call if hes turned in. I can feel my heart starting to break. Puppy and DS go back to the beginning. Inseparable. Best friends. Gone.
Im back outside, and Ive dashed their hopes. DS is groggily awake. Puppys lost! He cries. Mom asks him where. He thinks Puppys been left in the stroller
Dont break his heart. Hes too young. Please let him forget this moment in time
DWs face is ashen. Shes lost all hope. Its only Tuesday, but this trip may as well be over. The magic is gone.
I tell them to take DS home. Ill go back and search and grab a later bus. They look at me like Im from Mars.
Look where? Weve been here since 4:00.
I dont know. I know he had him when we rode Peter Pan (that was only, what, 4 ½ hours ago?) Ill backtrack, retrace our steps.
Reluctantly, they pack up and with DS in her arms, DW wishes me luck and asks how long I think Ill be.
As long as it takes
I dont know what Im doing. Ive got the entire Magic Kingdom to cover, and no guarantee Ill find Puppy. Im overwhelmed, but its not logic that is driving me. Back into the Party I go.
Here Puppy! God I wish he WERE real we all treat him as if he were then maybe Id have a fighting chance.
Im prepared to spend the entire night in this park if I have to. Theyll have to drag me out, kicking and screaming! I wont rest until Ive found that dog! Ive got seven lands to search, 50 or so rides, a million steps worth of chances to find him, or not
Im starting up Main Street.
Okay, lets think. Where have we been? Main Street, shopping, then before that it was Tomorrowland, more shopping, and then Fantasyland, Frontierland and the Parade, around to Adventureland and the fireworks
Hey! The jewellery store. We were all in there.
I look in the front entrance and see nothing, anywhere, on the floor. Nope
A quick glance across the street to where we waited for mom and Auntie nothing.
What if somebody took him? What if somebody found him but threw him out? What would I do if I found someones Puppy?
Look to the right we saw Belle, then over the curb to cross DW had to help lift the stroller and then
PUPPY!! PUPPY! I FOUND PUPPY!!
There on Main Street, sitting on top of a garbage can, just past the corner where we had seen Belle. Somebody found Puppy! And then put him on top of this can! So I could find him!
Im running now! Out of the park! Down the long stretch of red pavement towards the bus lanes.
Thank You! Whoever you are! Thank You!
Running, all the way to the end; the last stop.
No ones in line! Theyve left already. God I hope hes okay
I step onto the waiting bus its full and glance to find a seat. My heart is pounding! Then I see my crew! The first seats behind the driver, facing the aisle. Sitting quietly, DS is on moms lap, half-asleep, cuddled in, and looking very sad. Mom's face is vacant; shes gone very far away. Auntie K, a row behind, is staring out the window, off into the distance. Theyre finished. Nothing left.
I drop Puppy into DSs arms. He looks up. DW looks up. Their eyes widen in amazement! Tears are forming in DWs. DS hugs Puppy as tightly as he can hell never let go! There are no words. The smile on his face says it all.
I slump into the seat, I dont know how far or fast I was going, but Im drained. But its okay. Its over. Lets go home
Link to Part 10
I think they have brought tears to my eyes more than 3 times now. Kepp them coming! 
