JULY 3RD PART TWO: Trains and Trains and Boats and Boats
When I last left off 800 years ago (Im really hoping English is still the language of choice here), we were jam-packed onto a bus headed for the Magic Kingdom.
Yay - Magic Kingdom! Boo - feeling like a sardine!
I must say, taking a bus to the Magic Kingdom felt very,
very strange. Until this trip, I had only ever stayed at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts. Yes, I am one of those MK resort snobs. Not in an I WILL NEVER STAY ANYWHERE ELSE kind of way (They are so darn expensive!) but the MK resorts are the best. Always. So, after arriving via boat or monorail countless times, buses seem so lame. I mean, the first big, grand entrance to the MK should be majestic
And not quite so public transportation-y.
Anyway, we
disembarked our
motor coach (I love how Disney tries to make it seem a heck of a lot more glamorous than it really is), and we joined the masses headed toward the entrance. It was crazy. There were people pouring in from everywhere. The buses, the monorails, the ferries
.Im pretty sure I saw a family emerge from the Seven Seas Lagoon in scuba gear.
OK, I didnt see that. But I wouldnt have been surprised if I did. Thats how crowded it was.
Mom and I were the only ones with bags, so we waited at bag check while everyone else went in. It took forever because, as per usual, my bag was thoroughly searched. OK, Disney, I get it. Clearly there has been a bit of a misunderstanding and you think Im a terrorist. Its cool. Common mistake. But dont worry, Im not trying to smuggle anything in. Theres no need to open my glasses case, sniff my sunscreen, or thoroughly inspect that tube of chapstick. Youre not gonna find anything in there, guys.
After almost stripping down (for the second time that morning) to prove that I was safe to let in the park, security waved me through, and we were off. Well,
off to the turnstiles where we were forced to wait in yet another line. Ugh. I really hate crowds. Especially 4th of July weekend crowds.
Once we finally made it through the turnstiles and into the promise land, it was time for a big group photo in front of the train station. This was a terrible idea because the sun was shining right into our eyes and we all look ridiculous. Those pictures have since been deleted. Both from the camera and from memory.
We had decided while waiting for the bus that our first order of business was to head back to Frontierland and see what the Splash/BTMRR waits were like. It was only a little after 11:00, so we were hoping that they wouldnt be too crazy. Though, the ridiculous influx of people into the Magic Kingdom was beginning to lead me to believe otherwise.
Instead of walking all the way back to Frontierland, we figured wed just jump on the train. Why get all hot and sweaty when you dont have to? Actually, let me rephrase that
Why get MORE hot and sweaty when you dont have to?
The view out over the Seven Seas Lagoon from the platform:
You can see the top of my precious Polynesian. I miss it so!
We only had to wait a minute or two before our train arrived.
Are the trains always decorated so patriotically? I cant remember.
Because it took quite a while for it to set in that we had to adjust our usual touring style to make room for the extra member in our party, we all crammed into one row. Bad idea. We were squished. And (lucky us!) forced to sit there forever. Dad decided to occupy the time by taking a group shot.
Moms not paying attention and I have my Gosh, Dad, this is the 5oth shot! Just take the stupid picture already fake smile on. There is also gum hanging out of my mouth. Attractive.
Immediately after that photo was taken, a little boy who had been picked by the CMs called out ALL ABOARD! He was adorable. Then, our train headed deep into the jungles of Adventureland. I had a momentary lapse of Disney fandom and forgot that the narration had been changed, so when the new one started, I was kinda bummed. I miss the old one! The new one is too dull.
We made it to Frontierland and we were all
very glad to uncram ourselves from the train. We quickly headed downstairs and sent Dad to get Splash Mountain FPs. I snapped a few photos.
Our FPs were for 12:30, which was a little over an hour away. To pass the time, we decided to ride Big Thunder Mt. The posted wait time was 30 minutes, but we figured it would be faster than that. I was a little meh about waiting, but, as we would soon find out, just about every ride in the Magic Kingdom had a wait over 30 minutes, so it wasnt really that bad. Just hot and sweaty.
Here are some pictures from the queue:
While we were winding through the switchbacks, a lovely gentleman noticed my birthday button and wished me a happy birthday. I thought it was really sweet. I love when regular old park guests go out of their way to make others feel special. It gets even better though. Every single time we passed by each other (which was often), he feigned surprise and excitedly said, Oh my gosh, happy birthday! again. It cracked me up. By the time we headed down into the load area, I was crying with laughter. It definitely made the wait seem a lot quicker. Thanks, Happy Birthday Guy!
BTMRR was just as fun as ever. Its one of my favorites. I could ride that runaway train all day. Someday, when Im rich, Im going to rent out the MK for a day so I can do just that. Youre all invited, of course!
Here are Mom and I before our train left the station:
And here are Katie and Wade:
After the wildest ride in the wilderness, we decided to head over to Adventureland.
It was time to get our pirate on. Pillaging and plundering ahoy!
I love the Pirates queue. Its so dark and cool and wonderful. Plus, who doesnt want to feel like a pirate for a little while? I mean, I dont know that Id enjoy the full pirate lifestyle (it seems a little dirty and Id probably get seasick) but a little dash of cannons, dungeons, and darkness every once in a while is quite enjoyable.
After YoHo-ing to our hearts content, it was time to head back to Frontierland to take a trip down into the Briar Patch.
Hooray for the Smart People Line!
Again, we were stupid and decided that Katie, Wade, and I would cram into one row. It was alright at first, but when we made the dip down Slippin Falls, I took an elbow to the chest. Brer Rabbits story isnt quite as cute and entertaining when youre gasping for breath. LOL. OK, thats a lie. Its still really dang cute. Everything just looked a little weird because I was lightheaded from a lack of oxygen. No biggie.
I took this (awful) photo of one of my favorite signs near the exit:
The glare is in the way, but it says When you cant open up your mouth without a song poppin right out of it, thats a zip-a-dee-doo-dah day. This is incredibly applicable to my own life as Im almost always singing something. Even when I feel absolutely miserable, I still find myself singing/humming/making up songs as I do mundane things like blow my nose.
For instance (to the tune of Heigh-Ho):
My nose, my nose, Im blo-o-wing my nose
Who has two thumbs and is a complete and total weirdo?
Anyway, we headed off towards Fantasyland for some more Magic Kingdom fun. But first, I snapped one last shot of Splash Mt:
It is most definitely both splashy and mountainy.
UP NEXT: I've always said this would make an excellent drinking game.
It's gorgeous!!!
But yay to your newly booked trip! (Hahaha)
that's terrible. But I am looking forward to the next update!
You guys definitely deserve a do-over!
I'm such a dork.
Have you ever stayed there before?
but I remember everything being so incredibly beautiful!!! 
You are too funny. 
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the bus ride over. I can't believe you've managed to stay at the MK and Monorail resorts for most of your Disney trips. I'm so jealous. Hopefully I'll be staying at one on my next trip 
