Id set the alarm the previous night for 6am no idea why I felt I had to get up at silly oclock, but I was duly woken up by Goofy on the telephone. It took me a few minutes to remember where I was and I thought I was having an obscene phone call at first. I got myself up, washed and dressed the kettle on and cuppa in hand by 6:30. My breakfast pass was for 8:30 but I decided to wander down and see if I could get in a little earlier. I was hungry enough to have gnawed off my own leg! No one raised and eyebrow at my early appearance but they seemed completely nonplussed that I was on my own. The restaurant was almost empty, just a few diehards up and about, slumped over croissants and coffee. Im useless in the mornings unless Ive had at least two cups of tea so I was grateful that no one kept tabs on the number of times I trotted up to the tea point.Having fed my face I decided to walk some of it off around Lake Disney and set off to have a closer look at that hot air balloon. Close up it was even bigger than Id imagined although it was too early for it to be operating. Id promised myself a ride on it if I saw it flying it was top of my to-do list. I wandered through the Village which always feels weird first thing in the morning when theres no one about. Rather eerie I always think. I took the opportunity to take a couple of pics of Panoramagique and then set off to the park itself only to find that I was way, way too early. Several other hardy souls were perched on the edge of the flower beds watching as cast members hurried out of the train station on their way in to work.
Just as a sidebar, a sad new development at the parks is the inevitable bag search before they allow you to approach the gates. Last time I visited the only bag search was at the entrance to the Village at night but now sadly we have to submit to a bag search before we are allowed into the park itself. Its necessary I realise but I cant help thinking its a sad reflection of our time.
We were finally allowed in to the Fantasia Gardens at nine although the park itself didnt open until 9:30 so we all collected at the gates, peering in optimistically. Unfortunately it was here that I hit a snag that plagued me all weekend. My Park entry ticket was rejected every time by the turnstiles at both parks. I found myself apologising every time I tried to enter the parks.
My first view was disappointing though. I expected to see the castle in the distance but the view was blocked by an enormous green hoarding which, I later discovered, surrounded the entire central plaza and the town square which was hugely disappointing. One of the great hooray Ive arrived moments for me involves a clear view of the castle as you come through the gates.
It was the first time Ive managed to be at the Park in time for rope drop so it was all a bit new to me. Most of the rides I wanted to start with were in Fantasyland so I made my way to the Castle along Main Street. It was a lovely morning fortunately and very few folk were about so I was able to enjoy a slow walk up to the castle drawbridge until I reached the ropes guarding the entrance.
As usual the castle looked breathtaking. Ive tried without success to put my finger on exactly what it is about the Castle that is so gorgeous. Is it the colour against the sky? The height of the thing? Ive no idea but it always gives me such a buzz.
Normally I make the castle my first stop but this time I decided to tackle things differently. There were several rides I didnt manage to do last visit so they were first on the list. Once rope drop was over I headed for Peter Pans Flight and managed to walk on straight away. I was really looking forward to seeing this one as everyone seems to rate it so highly. On my last visit the queue even for Fast Pass tickets was immense and as there was so much else to do I gave it a miss so I was quite keen to see what it was like. I have to confess however that I was a little disappointed with the ride although the sensation of flying was not unpleasant so perhaps it was worth it for that alone. I wondered if some of the lighted tableaux werent working properly so I went back and rode a second time just in case but came away feeling slightly disappointed. It was a pleasant ride but I wouldnt have waited in a long queue for it as I did for some other rides.
I then hurried across to Its a Small World, another ride Id managed somehow to miss on previous visits. This one I did enjoy, especially since I had a little boat all to myself. Very colourful and although very tame it was quite a beautiful display. Alighting from this one, I headed back towards the centre of FantasyLand which is where I took my second ride on Peter Pans Flight and then wandered towards Alices Labyrinth. The plan was to have a look at the Labyrinth, and then head for the Storybook Ride which Id heard was open and running. The maze kept me amused for a time, I tottered up the stairs to the top of the Queen of Hearts castle and saw the giant book for the Storybook Ride in the distance and what I think was The Beasts Castle and hurried out of the maze. To my dismay the Storybook Ride was not running at all. I was really disappointed by this. It was a real shame.
However I was not downhearted for long and decided to head for Pirates of the Caribbean another favourite. There were no queues for this one and I got on straight away. It was brilliant as usual. Never a chore, PotC, is it? I really enjoy the theming in the caves towards the ride and Im always impressed with the brisk way the cast members get people on and off to cause minimum delays.
Coming out of that one I decided to head through Adventureland and found myself climbing the rope bridges and through the caves of Adventure Isle quite disconcerting how the paths lead you in all kinds of odd directions. Mind you, the rope bridge was something of an experience for someone with wobbly legs and a walking stick! The theming in this land is spectacular even if its not that accessible for those of us with unstable legs [and that was without a drop of drink I might add!] We were all amused to see a little flotilla of seagulls busily doing their ablutions by one of the bridges. They looked like a group of synchronised swimmers.
Ive always steered clear of the big Coasters in the park due to my having Arthritis but I was determined that this holiday, possibly being my last chance, I was going to tackle at least one of them. I stood twittering by the side of BTM trying to psyche myself up for it, and then felt a complete idiot as I watched several small children dragging their parents on to the ride. I grabbed my courage in both hands and made my way on. Yes, Friends and Neighbours, Nervous Nikki finally rode Big Thunder Mountain.
It was hugely exhilarating if a bit scary. I tottered off, feeling ridiculously proud of myself and glad that I had bitten the bullet and gone on the ride. Although I didnt manage to get back on BTM again this visit if I ever do get back it will certainly find its way onto my to do list again. Unlike a lot of the bigger coasters it doesnt do a 360 loop which would make it a definite no-no. I really found it exciting. That being said I felt in need of something gentler to follow and managed to get straight on to the Mark Twain for a chug round the lake. [Much more my speed, Im embarrassed to say]. Not the most exciting attraction on the plot but still a very restful 15 minutes in a hectic day. It was as we were chugging gently around BTM that I heard one of the recorded announcements advising that the ride had suffered a slight breakdown dont panic everyone! I was greatly relieved that it hadnt happened when I was riding it.
One ride Ive never tackled is Phantom Manor and I gave it a wide berth this time. Ive never been keen on ghost trains but I did wander round Boot Hill Cemetery, listening for the graves with the lively occupants. Im always amazed each time at how completely the Disney Imagineers have managed to incorporate every tiny detail to create each land. I dont think Ill ever hear the music for The Big Country again without thinking of Fort Comstock which is where I went next. Yet more stairs unfortunately but I heaved myself up and enjoyed the view across Frontierland.
I decided then that I would have an early snack and go out to see if I could get a ride on Panoramagique. Ive always been a bit reluctant to go outside of the parks once inside just in case I miss something or someone comes along and moves it whilst Im elsewhere. However Id made up my mind I wanted to go on the balloon and I am so glad that I didnt delay until the following day when it didnt go up at all. I grabbed a hot dog and a hot chocolate at Caseys Corner where once again they seemed to have a little difficulty with the concept of a lone traveller. It was warm enough to sit outside and do a bit of people watching which is always fascinating but never more so than in DLRP. Where else in the world, I wonder, could you spot a grown man, 6ft 4 with the build of a rugby playe , brazenly walking in public wearing a pair of Mickey Mouse Ears?
The Village was all but deserted as I went through and although I expected to find queues for the balloon, I managed to get straight on. I did wonder if it was going to be a solo flight but one or two other folks appeared to share the flight. I think it was one of the high points of my trip, I have to say. So quiet it was eerie but the views over the hotels and over the parks was unbelievable. The silence was only broken by the sound of cameras going as we all sought to get the best pictures. It came down rather too quickly for our liking but it was a memorable ride nonetheless. Definitely a must do if you are going. Dont delay if you see it flying, go for it.
Back into the park again I made my way back to Adventureland and had a look at Aladdin display. This one has been closed on my previous visits so I was quite interested to see what it was all about. Some nice tableaux but nothing spectacular. Still, it was one I hadnt seen before so that was a plus point. It was slightly spoiled for me by one family who preceded me into the display. With two buggies between them, they continually blocked the passageway for me and others who had followed me in. It was a little thoughtless and they seemed oblivious to the grumbles of other visitors.
I headed for the Castle and the Dragon, always a favourite attraction for me. I really think that Dragon is fantastic and I never miss paying her a visit Im a big dragon fan, I hasten to add. I went then up into the castle and strolled around looking at the tapestries and windows. Id never before noticed the snoring suit of armour on previous visits but he was causing hilarity in some small children who had just discovered him. Having seen some spectacular pictures on this site and elsewhere I had a better idea of what to look out for as I made my way around. I managed to get some nice pictures of the stained glass windows I love the colours of stained glass and Id taken some advice on the best way of photographing them with the simple camera that I own. Theyve come out well I think.
I then went for my second trip on PoTC, and I think my second on IASW as well as a maiden voyage on the Pinocchio ride [just to say Id done it] I wasnt sure what to expect from this one, never having gone on it before. It was fairly straightforward with some nice tableaux from the film and an appearance from Monstero that caused the youngster in the car behind me to squeal. Im not sure who amongst her little party was enjoying the ride more Maman seemed totally entranced with it all which gave me a bit of a giggle.
By that time it was getting on towards time for the parade so I made my way down to my favourite spot at the corner of Main Street near City Hall. The usual pushing and shoving went on as latecomers realised they werent going to get a good view and tried to barge into the ranks of those whod staked out a spot early. Why on earth folk leave it so late to get a spot Ive no idea.
Unfortunately it was here that we had the first of several incidents surrounding parades this visit and it was something Id never really encountered before. I was standing beside a British couple, one of whom was waving a large camcorder around. He had words with a young man who tried to push in front of him and for a moment or two I thought it was actually going to come to blows. As soon as the parade floats started to appear he began to jump up and down blocking several of us from even seeing the floats much less getting off a decent photo ourselves. Fortunately his wife realised that he was annoying several people and made him settle down.
As for the parade well, what can you say? I had already heard Chante Ce Noel several times and had decided it wasnt my favourite parade song but hearing it in the parks with the parade going on gave it a whole new appeal. The dancers were fantastic as always, beautiful costumes and floats. I have made a note to myself for the future though, to stand on the opposite side of the road in future to get a better picture of the Beast as his float sails by.
The parade over, I realised that I was absolutely perished with cold and headed back to Caseys Corner for another hot chocolate to thaw me out. My plan had been to head into the Studios Park after the parade because I knew there wasnt a great deal of interest to me there and I felt that I could do what I needed in a couple of brief visits. However, by the time Id finished my hot chocolate I realised that there wouldnt be time because I was booked in to the early evening performance at Buffalo Bills. I opted for a walk down Liberty Arcade which was at least warm, and a quick look at the shops in there. Theres one little stall about half way down that I usually have a look at to buy a gift for Mum who Id left at home looking after my parrot. Id made a promise to myself that I would only window shop the first day because Ive a tendency to go mad shopping then unearth something more suitable when Ive already done my spending. I made a mental note of a couple of items I would go back for the next day but then realised that I would be late for the Buffalo Bill show if I dithered any longer.
I arrived at the arena and was greeted by a friendly CM who spotted my stick and asked if I was ok to climb stairs she was the only one the whole weekend to show any sort of disability awareness which amazed me. She gave me directions to the lift then pointed me to where I could get my hat. Lovely!
Into the bar area for a drink and the pre show entertainment which was umm entertaining, and then we were steered to our seats. To my disappointment I was sitting in the very top rank of seats, so far back I was nearly in the car park. Id been warned previously that the food at this show wasnt anything to write home about so I wont waste a lot of time on it. I had a bowl of chilli thrust in front of me in a manner reminiscent of a school dinner lady I used to know. It smelled pretty foul to be honest so it didnt get eaten but the main meal was okay, if a bit uninspiring. However I have to say I really enjoyed the Wild West Show itself. I was particularly keen to see the buffalo stampede that Id heard a fair bit about. They were amazing creatures but it was a little bit short and sweet. Still, it was worth seeing and I would recommend it for the show if not for the meal. I cant imagine any youngsters or Dads for that matter who wouldnt enjoy the chance to watch this one. Having been to see the Stunt Show Spectacular on a previous visit I had found the necessarily multi lingual presentation made things a little cumbersome. I had a few concerns about the Wild West Show but I neednt have worried. They coped much better than the stunt show, I felt, which was somewhat strange considering the obviously American flavour to the evening. I would definitely visit this one again if only in hopes of getting a seat a bit closer to the front and hopefully a better view.
I had expected that I would miss the fireworks which were due to go off over Lake Disney that evening but as luck would have it they were delayed and I made my way back through the Village to try and find a vantage point. Unfortunately most of the best spots had been taken but I did manage to find a spot that allowed me to see most of the fireworks. I hadnt been that fussed about missing the fireworks whats a firework display more or less but I would have been sorry to have missed these. They were pretty spectacular, going off to classical music. By the time they were finished though we were all frozen to the bone and made our way back to the Village en masse. I tried to take a look around the shops but they were chock a block.
What annoys me and not just in places like Disneyland is how some people use pushchairs to bulldoze their way through. Sorry guys if you are a pushchair user, but some people seem to lose all sense of good manners behind the wheel of a kiddie car. They come at you without giving you half a chance to move aside or pile into the back of your legs without warning and send you flying. As one who isnt that steady on her legs at the best of times it takes very little to knock me off balance and even when Im obviously using a stick I seem to be a target. Personally I was raised to old fashioned standards when it comes to manners so I always am prepared to move aside for someone who is more encumbered than I but Im beginning to think that Im in the minority certainly it seemed so in DLRP.
Rant over!
Having looked over the shops as far as I was able and bought a hot chocolate to take off the chill I was feeling decidedly jaded. I decided that with another full day of sheer indulgence on day 3 that I would trot back to the hotel. I felt like a real lightweight though as the Village was still heaving when I left to find the bus home at around 11pm.
