JULY 7TH PART THREE: Our Last Night
After dinner, we drove back to Coronado Springs and hopped on a bus to the most magical of all kingdoms, The Magic Kingdom (in case you didnt get that). We could have just driven there, I guess, but parking at MK is a pain.
A wet train station.
The rain slowed down to a drizzle, but it was still rather annoying. I hate being wet. I mean, lets face it, even with a poncho you still get kinda damp. Which is yucky. Plus, since the ground is wet, youre constantly kicking up water/dirt all over your legs. And, really, who wants dirty water dripping down the backs of their legs?
So, basically, we all walk around smelling like new shower curtains for nothing. Woohoo.
Walking around in the rain is worth it though, because the parks clear out quite a bit. It isnt empty by any stretch of the imagination, but it is an improvement over the usual July crowds.
As you can see in this picture, instead of staying for evening rides/entertainment, people were flooding through Main Street and right out of the park.
Immediately after I took this, Mom dragged us over to the Town Square Theater to meet Mickey Mouse. I was not happy about it. I was wet and uncomfortable. The last thing I wanted was to have that documented forever on film, er, digital pixel thingamabobs. But Mom pulled the Mom Card and demanded that we go because the wait was only ten minutes and we were wearing our matching shirts. Ugh fine.
So we got in line, waited the ten minutes, and were led backstage to meet the two greatest mice in the world. Many hugs were shared. I might have squeezed Minnie so hard she stopped breathing for a bit, but I really needed the hug. Plus, its not like she passed out or anything. She went right back to being her bubbly, excitedly-jumping-up-and-down self when I told her I loved her. No mouth-to-mouse resuscitation necessary. *rimshot*
We all posed and in typical We cant take a decent group picture to save our lives fashion, this happened:
Its terrible. Were all looking at different cameras. We all have stupid looks on our faces. SIGH.
But we did unintentionally line up in rainbow order, so I guess thats something to be proud of.
Because its Disney World, the M&G dumps you into a gift shop. The merchandise was nothing special, but the décor was really cute. The whole M&G is themed as if Mickey is preparing to put on a magic show and that theme continues into the gift shop.
The Saw of Destiny! Oooooh! Aaaaaah!
Instead of rabbits, backscratchers were ready to be pulled out of that hat.
After browsing a bit, the ponchos went back on and we split up. Katie and Wade went off to do something and the rents and I headed for the Haunted Mansion.
Big mistake.
I dont know what it is about me and the Haunted Mansion, but it seems like, lately, whenever I ride, we get stuck. Its never a serious stuck where they have to walk us off the ride or anything, rather, its just enough of a stuck to make me uncomfortable.
Mom knows this about me, so when our doombuggy came to a halt and the playful spooks have interrupted our tour breakdown spiel began, she tried to distract me. I was already well on my way to Freak Out Town, though. This is going to sound ridiculous, but, in my panic, I convinced myself that there was no way Id come off the ride alive. I was going to become the 1000th Happy Haunt. Save me a spot on the chandelier, guys!
I know its totally irrational, but I had death on the brain. I had just lost my dog with no warning. It sent me into a really dark place. I couldnt properly grieve and deal with everything when I was so far away from home. Logic flew out the window and OMG IM TOTALLY GOING TO DIE ON A THEME PARK RIDE ABOUT DEATH LIKE SOMETHING STRAIGHT OUT OF AN ALANIS MORISSETTE SONG flew right in. It was awful.
After a few minutes, the ride started moving again and I tried my hardest to think about anything other than floating candelabras, dancing ghosts, crazy stuff popping up in a graveyard, and my imminent death. When we made it to unload, I hopped outta the doombuggy and, had it not been a moving sidewalk, I would have dropped to my knees and shared some sweet, sweet kisses with the ground.
Even though I was extremely thankful my weird, panic-driven death premonition didnt come true, I was really shaken up. I have a feeling Im not going to be able to go back on the Haunted Mansion for quite some time. I will gladly sit with the little five-year-olds who are afraid of the ghosts. I totally understand their fear now. That place can be terrifying. Well,
self-inflicted terrifying, but terrifying nonetheless.
Anyway, we headed to Fantasyland next, hoping that the happy rides would cheer me up, but I wasnt in the mood. It was still raining and I was just ready for the trip to be over with. The rest of the gang wanted to stay for the fireworks, though, so I sucked it up.
To kill time, we found a place to sit near the Mad Tea Party and just talked. This cheered me up. Its funny that, in a place filled with magic and wonderfulness, talking with my parents is what did the trick.
We took some poncho pics to remember the rainy night:
GLASSES GLARE. UGH.
We figured it was time to find a spot for the evening entertainment, so we headed toward Main Street. Katie and Wade found a spot on the curb in the hub, and there were so few people around that we were able to walk right up and join em. Ive never had that happen in July. RAIN IS MAGIC, PEOPLE.
The Main Street Electrical Parade was delayed a bit while they tried to mop up some of the water on the street. This wound up being awesome, though, because we got to see it, Magic, Memories, and You, and Wishes in rapid-fire succession. No waiting! And no crowds! AMAZING.
Im not a huge MSEP fan (I much prefer SpectroMagic) but the rain made this performance memorable. Some of the characters had umbrellas! It was adorable.
Here are some Magic, Memories, and You photos:
This was my first time seeing it and I was completely blown away. It was amazing. I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps covering my entire body. If you havent yet seen it, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? RUN TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM AND OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND LET THE MEMORIES BEGIN!
I put my camera away during Wishes because it started raining kinda hard, but weve all seen it/thousands of pictures/video already, right? It was as magical as ever. Actually, it was even more magical than normal because I wasnt sardined in with a bajillion other people. Wishes really do come true!
After Wishes, we headed up Main Street and out to the bus stop. Main Street is just so perfect when its all lit up at night. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. Thankfully, I will be home soon. PHEW.
We walked right onto a waiting bus and got seats at the very back. They were super warm which was amazing after a night of rainy wetness. When we got back to Coronado, I, again, rode the bus around to El Centro and got some more gelato. What can I say? I likes me some frozen desserts. I opted for cookies and cream this time. The woman even stuck two oreo mouse ears in it, just for me. It was perfect. I tried to take a picture as I was walking back to our room, but it turned out all weird and blurry. Boo. Youll just have to use your imaginations.
When I got back to the room, I finished my gelato and collapsed into bed. Because it was our last night, I made sure to watch a few loops of Stacey before falling asleep. Leaving her is just so sad! I wish shed show up on my TV at home to give me my daily must-dos or something. Laundry isnt as fun as the TRIPLE.MOUNTAIN.WHAMMY but she might be able to make me a little more excited about doing it.
UP NEXT: Our last morning in WDW/Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
Love the report so far!
the picture you posted early in the report was really sweet.
)
LOVE.
They're so cute! I was afraid they'd be a letdown because everyone RAVES about them, but they were quite yummy. 
That's almost sinful. I take that back. It IS sinful. Gelato is SO GOOD.
I'm really tired.
for July birthday trips!!
And yeah, we need a CHAMPIONSHIP like nobody's business. I'm still hurting over not making it to the World Series in 2007 (and, let's be honest, 1995 and 1997)...you know, the usual Cleveland sports fan sadness. 
I can understand how a recent loss would make that ride not so fun. 
) and I'm still excited! The season is still young! This year is our year! etc. etc...
Although the thought of the characters holding umbrellas does give me the warm fuzzies. 
