After rolling myself out of the restaurant, I looked over the touring plan and saw that there were only a few must-dos left on my agenda for today. And look, the plans actually tell you to check out the bathrooms at Rafikis Planet Watch. But Im not going there today. In fact, I decide to have a teeny tiny detour to
the Singles line for Expedition Everest. This time sans tour groups. The line wasnt bad. I waited about ten minutes before I got to the front of the line, but I have to say that those ten minutes were very entertaining.
Meet Amanda, EE Ride Queue Genius. I have never seen a cast member more perfectly suited for a job before. She cranks out the folks in line like this is a job she was born to do. How many? Two, Row 4. How many? Three, Row 5 and 6. Single Rider? Row 6. How many? Four? Rows 7 and 8
She is incredible to watch in action.
Bam, bam, bam! She has people flying in rows all over the place, and she runs her queue like clockwork. Shes brilliant. If she wasnt so focused on her job, I would have complimented her when I got to the end of the line. Instead, I just silently and obediently go where she sends me, like any good guest would.
There is something about Expedition Everest that, as soon as you get off the ride, youre eager to get right back on. And thats what I do. I get right back into Single Land. And Amanda is still there, directing folks flawlessly and effortlessly, like the graceful dance of a ballerina. In a ride queue sort of way.
I really want to compliment her skills, but when I get up to her, she is simply too busy. I dont want to interrupt her flow
it could be disastrous. And then the blood would be on my hands.
After my close encounter with the large furry creature, the Kilimanjaro Safari FastPass was calling me back to Africa. Not the real Africa, that would be a long walk.
So I do the Safari: check. I hit Tough To Be a Bug: check. Whats left?
The only thing left that I want to do is Finding Nemo. I havent seen it yet, so its on my must-do list. But the next show doesnt start for another hour, so
you guessed it. Expedition Everest. One. More. Time.
Going solo has its privileges. Single lines are the BEST (do you hear me, Mission Space?). This time the Singles are a little more plentiful, but its still shorter than earlier today when I ran into the entire Brazilian soccer team. A young woman gets in line behind me. I forget what kicks off a conversation between us, but soon we get to chatting. Shes an off-duty cast member, enjoying a few hours in the park. She says that she works in an off-stage shop for cast members. She tell me that she enjoys her job and working for The Mouse. But I guess you have to say that when youre on property. You never know when Mickey is listening.
She sees my badge and asks if Im a cast member too. It really does amaze me that this thing is fooling cast members. Its this time I notice that Amanda, the EE Ride Queue Genius, has been replaced. Some inferior barking Ride Nazi has taken her place. And this new woman isnt just yelling at people in line, shes incompetent too. She was like Amandas evil twin sister. The trains are coming faster than she can fill them. Clearly shes no Amanda.
I turn to my cast member partner and mention the brilliancy that was Amanda. And how the Head Ride Nazi resides at the Flights of Wonder attraction. The cast member lady (I have no idea what her name is) mentions to me that, no matter how many times she comes to Animal Kingdom, she still needs a map. She gets as lost as the rest of us. So it wasnt just me. This was nice to know.
This was to be my last trip through Abominable Snowman country. Sad, I know. But six times in one day isnt too bad, especially for July. I was pretty happy about that.
The other thing that pleased me was that I hit every attraction that I wanted to today. The only thing left was Nemo, so I waltzed over to the old Tarzan ROCKS! building and waited with the rest of the masses. About thirty minutes before show time we are allowed inside. Holy cow, this theatre is huge. And the funny thing is
it completely fills up. This is a very popular show, to put it mildly.
The whole time I wait, the little girl behind me kicks my seat. Man, that drives me crazy. Batty, even. But, Im not the Queen of Confrontation, so I keep my mouth shut and I endure endless jabs to my backside. To keep my mind off of choking her, I turn to chat with the woman and her son next to me.
Oh wise and powerful Hidden Mickey, please give me the strength to not strangle the little girl who keeps kicking my chair.
Nemo doesnt disappoint. That show is spectacular! My favorite scene was when the stork comes to visit Nemo and the gang. That guy is HUGE. I cant imagine what it is like to create such enormous stage sets.
Coming up: Part 4. Looking the fool -- taking pictures of yourself and your food
Heretic!
THANK GOODNESS you're back! I needed a hucifix and just yesterday finally got around to finishing reading "The Trip Before The Peanut" (since it appeared that this one was being abandoned like Pal Mickey on a waterpark day).
I'm torn.........
