Penultimate Day - Puffed French Toast Ahead!
Because I was headed for early morning entry to the Magic Kingdom with breakfast at the Crystal Palace, I didnt have to allow time to eat before leaving my room to walk to the Monorail. I did make a fabulous cup of strong coffee and drank it as I got ready to go. Ill drink the coffee at the Crystal Palace because coffee and breakfast go together, but I needed an actual blast of caffeine to get the day started properly. The light gently grew brighter as I prepped to go while Stacy pumped up the energy on the flat screen. I spent a few moments out on my balcony, appreciating the view of the gardens and water.
Instead of going the short way to the GCH, I walked to the beach end of my building and stepped out into a pristine and softly beautiful day. I dont know if there was some Im sad to go home so everything looks even more wonderful than usual" effect at work, or if the morning was really so much more beautiful than the others, but I enjoyed this sunny walk the most of all my amblings down the beach during my stay.
I walked through the gardens in the lobby, stopping to take a picture of a cel I had been admiring. I have a t-shirt with this image so was tickled to find the inspiration art here.
I had a lovely Monorail glide to the Magic Kingdom and spent some time enjoying the quiet streets and taking pictures of the early morning park before heading over to breakfast.
There were some special seasonal statues in the hub of the characters in Halloween wear:
The Crystal Palace beckoned...
There is always a hubbub and a wait at the CP, so after I checked in at the podium I walked around the area and took some pictures while waiting for
my table to be ready. It was just a few minutes before I was heading in to breakfast deliciousness.
I have my favorite foods at the CP, and always hit up the Mickey Waffle station (I eat the ears first), the puffed French Toast (oh delightful sugar-cinnamon coated puffy tenderness), bacon, sausages, fruit and cheesy potatoes along with the smoked salmon, biscuits and pastries. It was only sad that I could fit in only so much even with careful pacing and planning.
Pluto was super excited about the food and decorations...
I waddled out of the CP and took the long way around the hub to the Tomorrowland rope drop. Mickey and Minnie, the welcoming hosts as usual:
I was planning on starting the day zooming through space, but SM was down so I picked up a fast pass for later and rode Buzz a few times instead. I rode Winnie the Pooh as had become my 10:30 tradition (ever since winning two dream FPs at that precise time there) and then headed over to BTM.
It was significantly more crowded today and lines were already building up past my willingness to wait so I decided to use my FP for Space Mountain, pick up another one and then head back to the resort for pool time. I had a fireworks timed reservation at California Grill for the evening, so figured I could come back in the late afternoon to finish up my time at the MK before dinner to bid farewell to favorites like the TTA and Splash Mountain.
I walked through Fantasyland to get back to Tomorrowland.
After spacing out, I went back down Main Street to the exit, taking pictures of the pumpkins lining the storefronts along the way.
Whenever I left the MK I always had a little debate with myself about which form of transportation I wished to use to return to the Poly. If the launch was in sight or at the dock, I'd usually take the water route, but today I wanted to enjoy the Monorail a little bit more and have a few more times of standing clear of the doors. I only wish that we had as many public transportation options a short walk from my front door at home!
I'm glad you liked the Pigs in Space reference! It is one of my all time favorite running bits. I am currently trying to decide whether I have time to volunteer at the EMP when the Muppets exhibit that was just in Orlando comes here in May. There is a cool interactive part of the program and they are looking for volunteers to staff it. Take a look here: http://www.empsfm.org/education/index.asp?categoryID=64 under Mudgarden Muppets Interactive Volunteer. What do you think? I'm a little worried about the puppet security duties - imagine having a puppet injured or abducted on my watch! 
