Tuesday, 3/27 Chapter 11: MORE of the Best Day EVER!
Full from a yummy lunch, Alex and I went to Splash Mountain to use our regular old paper fast passes. We climbed aboard and Alex, bless his heart, got splashed as another log made the big plunge. Luckily, he caught all the splash so my hair was still normal sized.
He's so good to me.
As we were climbing the first hill, we ended up getting stuck. I dont think Ive ever been on Splash Mountain without getting stuck SOMEWHERE. This was rather uncomfortable since we were on an angle and made my neck ache. We were stuck for about 10 minutes while we heard announcements about Brer Fox and Brer Bear causing trouble downstream somewhere.
Once we were moving, we had no more delays. Alex, again, got totally soaked on the final plunge. I covered my head with my arms and the only thing that got wet was my arms. I could deal with that.
As we were exiting, a CM started handing out fast passes good for any ride in the MK due to our delay. Woo hoo! I told Alex we were just Fast Pass MAGNETS today! That meant we could ride one of the mountains with the girls.
We checked out our shiny dream fast passes to see what else was available. Hmm
Jungle Cruise. Theres another one I havent done in years. I know some people love it but it seems like the line is always too long to justify riding it. We had a very enthusiastic guide who did a great job.
Get it?
Next we were off to see Stitch. And his Great Escape. Id never done this before but, hey, we have a fast pass to burn. We still had a bit of a line and I passed the time explaining my BEEYOUTEEFULL Dream Fast Pass to people. I was still showing off. Not reallyI told one lady who asked me that Id just been lucky and I hoped she was lucky some time during her stay, too.
As we were waiting for Stitch, I got a call from the girls. They had officially arrived and would meet us after the ride.
Hmm
Stitch. I wanted to like it. It wasnt BAD. Just not as good as it could be. Oh, and the restraints that come down, crushed my shoulder bones. I had to scooch down in my chair so it wasnt painful. One girl sitting next to Alex asked him if the ride moved.
I can understand thinking that when you're lassoed in. So, my verdict on Stitch? It was okayI wouldnt wait in a long line for it.
The girls were waiting as we exited. Theyd decided that maybe getting up early wasnt such a bad idea after all. Not that that actually happened--they were still on New Mexico time so early for them wasn't early for those of us on Eastern Standard Time.
Caitlin has been enjoying having charging privileges on her room key. At the Dolphin, the only place she could charge to the room key was at the restaurants there. I have to admit, I told a little lie and told her the only place she could charge to with her room key at the WL was at Roaring Forks. Bless her heart, though, she was VERY good with this privilege and asked me before she did it and told me the total afterward. Since they were able to do this, theyd had breakfast/lunch at Roaring Forks and came back with one of our funniest overheard comments.
Seems as they were eating, two young kids were getting their meals. The little boy said to the little girl, Chicken nuggets? Oh, you think youre SO grown up! Cait went on to explain that the chicken nuggets had come in a Mickey Mouse head plate along with apple sauce and milk. How grown up is that? This led to a discussion each time we ordered a meal for the rest of the trip: Youre having salmon? You think youre SO grown up!
After giggling about this, I forlornly handed over our Dream fast passes with dire warnings that they needed to keep them safe and I wanted them back at the end of the day for the scrapbook. I was a bit emphatic, I think, and I repeated this MANY times throughout the day.
The plan was for the girls to do Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear while Alex and I went on Carousel of Progress. Cue Mal singing Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow! I was thinking of you when I was on it, pal.
But, why, oh, why do people feel the need to bolt before the show is over thereby making everybody in the theatre sit through whatever decade we happened to be in TWICE? Okay, the first one I can understand, the woman had a screaming kid. Just dont take that kid on Stitch, lady. If the CoP freaks them out, I wouldnt want to see them after being locked down and forced to breathe chili dog breath.
But, then you had the people who apparently just got bored and decided to make a break for it. I think we sat through each section twice. Its very annoying.
It ended up taking so long that the girls were able to ride both Space Mountain and Buzz while we were in there. I think Cait thought we ditched them but she knew while I might ditch her, I'd never ditch the dream fast pass.
We decided to ride Big Thunder Mountain together. Cait and Jen were firmly against Splash Mountain so early in the day because they didnt want to get their hair wet. Oh, jeez.
I had nothing on the girls when it came to showing off those Dream fast passes. They were totally obnoxious, waving them around as they walked through the line and saying, Jen, do you have your DREAM FAST PASS? Why, yes, Caitlin, I have my DREAM FAST PASS right here. Here they are, showing off:
I believe I made some comment about lazy sleep all day girls pretending like they had actually won something and YOURE not early birds! NO worms for you!
We had a great ride. Those girls can scream. I think they have a successful career awaiting them in horror movies some day.
At this point, it was getting hot and crowded that Alex and I decided to end our perfectly totally wonderful day at the MK. I left the girls with STRICT instructions not to lose my Dream fast passes and we headed down to Main Street.
This was about the time that I stopped at the Emporium on the off chance that they might have a frosty mug. I did find some souvenirs to take back home but no mug! Sorry, MM.
As we were exiting the park, the boat was standing there waiting. Just for us. Because it was our perfect day.
Once we arrived, I was getting kind of hungry so we stopped at Roaring Forks. I ran up to the room to get the mug and realized that the girls had forgotten to take the Privacy sign off the door when they left. I had 3 frantic voicemails from Lodgekeeping about getting into our room to clean.
I called and apologized and explained what had happened. I told them Id be getting something to eat but they could stop by any time now.
Back at Roaring Forks, I got a half pan of brownies. It was enormous and supposed to be just one serving. I ate about a third of it, then handed it over to Alex. Hed been all healthy and gotten a fruit and yogurt parfait. For some reason, were backwards on vacation. Im usually the healthy eater. On vacation, I go crazy. If Im walking 30 miles a day, I can have a half a pan of brownies.
I stopped and bought a Wilderness Lodge t-shirt at the Mercantile. Oddly, we were not doing much shopping on this trip and I hadnt brought enough shirts figuring Id buy some. On our way back upstairs, I noticed some hidden Mickeys in the carpeting. Isnt that cute?
We thought wed go the room and grab our books and find a little nook in which to read while we waited. When we went in to get our books we found out our totally fabulous mousekeeper had whisked in, cleaned up, made the beds, AND left us towel animals. Well, one animal (a bunny) and shed wrapped a washcloth around the glass we were using as a toothbrush holder. She rocked!
The girls came back while we were napping and they were exhausted. Theyd hit everything but Mickeys Philharmagic and Splash Mountain. Because you know, theyd get their hair wet. Sheesh. They were exhausted so we all hung out and watched Gilmore Girls and Seventh Heaven and chatted. Of course, they werent hungry, so we went down to Roaring Forks (again). Alex had a burger and fries and I had a yummy chicken salad with apple vinaigrette (because Im SO grown up!) By the time wed gotten back to the room, the girls had gotten a second wind and wanted to go back to the MK to use those last two FPs. We decided we were too tired to brave the crowd. It had been such a perfect day, we needed to relax from it. We watched TV and waited for the Electrical Parade.
About 15 minutes before the parade was due to arrive, we refilled my mug at Roaring Forks and headed down to the beach. I was a bit concerned that we were in the wrong place because there was only one other family there when we arrived but a few more showed up just before the show started. We were able to sit in beach chairs just relaxingit was a beautiful night, chilly enough for me to wear jeans and a sweatshirt but not uncomfortable at all.
Suddenly, with no fanfare, we saw some green lights approaching. The music began and the floats suddenly lit up one at a time.
Sorry the pictures arent the best but the parade is kind of far away and at night so I just did the best I could. The music is very reminiscent of the Electric Lights Parade at
Disneyland which I just adore. That was Caits very first Disney parade and I just remember the look of awe on her face when she was little.
Then, the grand finale! Patriotic music came on and we saw this:
I cracked Alex up by quoting Sam Eagle from Muppet Vision 3D, A 3 hour salute to all nations but mostly AMERICA!
This was really the perfect day for us and I loved the low-key, no crowds ending. We all cheered when it was over and then headed back to the WL.
I took this picture on the way in. Um
I never noticed this at the time but doesnt the WL look a bit like the Amityville Horror House at night? Those top windows look like EYES.
We watched tv in the room while we waited for the girls to come back. They had a good time on Splash Mountain since they didnt have to worry about their hair looking bad in the dark.
When they arrived, I asked Cait for the Dream Fast Passes. She looked at Jen and just burst out laughing.
Me: What?
Cait: When we were on the boat coming back, I told Jen, You know, this boat could sink and all my mom would ask when she found out would bedid you find our Dream Fast Passes? Theyre plastic, you know, Im sure they can be recovered just fine."
Okay, so maybe I was a bit obsessive about the darn things. But they were my first and probably only dream from the YOAMD. Im a bit sentimental about such things. Especially since they played such a big part in our most perfect day ever.
Next Up: Moving Day (AGAIN) and MGM
and they complain because of course being boys they are not fond of princesses, I will NEVER bring them to Disney AGAIN! So I'm right there with you on the hissing!:laughing:
Anxiously awaiting more
........
I just love MK don't you? It's my absolute favorite! You rock, girl!
You will be featured in the next episode, though!
I bet he will carry that name home with him. The Swiss Family Treehouse is one of Lowell's favorites. Boys never grow up, you know, and he loves Tom Sawyer's Island, too. I am delighted that you had such a special day, and it's only half over.
I'm glad you're enjoying this! 
YAY! I am in the trip report! 
