We got up Monday morning at 5:30am. Went over to the Food & Fun to grab a quick breakfast. We were originally supposed to be at the Magic Kingdom by 7:15 am for the Steam Train Tour, but with the late openings it was changed to 7:45. We allowed plenty of time and started walking over to the park. It was a looong walk for us but beautiful and we made it with time to spare. Our C.M. guide was there checking everyone in. We ended up with a small group of 17. There were other groups there waiting for character breakfasts and other tours. As we waited our guide discussed how long he had been there and how much he enjoyed his job. The Roger Broggie was up in front of the station and they waved to us as they took a run around the park. This was a test run, which is done daily, to check everything out before they would let us on the train. They have so many checks they go through every morning to make sure the trains are working properly. We went through security and up to the train station where we boarded and went over to Toontown. We backed into the Round house where all the other trains are kept. This is an area where very few get to see. Due to OSHA we could not get off the train until he pulled back out.All this time he was telling us where and how Walt acquired the trains, had to completely restore them and how they worked. There was actually a 5th train but it was too far deteriorated to restore. We were able to climb on to the Lilly Belle and look around. They explained all the workings of the cab gages and controls. I have a neat picture of my playing engineer looking out of the cab. From here we went back to the train station where we learned more history behind Walt and his trains. At the end of the tour we all were presented with a neat very heavy Railroad Spike as a souvenir of our tour. He was very amusing explaining to everyone that we should be sure to inform the airlines that a spike was packed in our luggage so it would not create any problems with security cause panic. I really enjoyed the tour, as well as my wife, but she said it got a little too technical for her when it came to explaining how the steam engines work.
From here we stayed in the park and went on Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion. We only used the Fast Pass for the Haunted Mansion as the other lines were only around 10 minutes. Went to see one of my favorites, the Country Bears. Big Al has always been my favorite. We found a spot up next to the railing at the Train Station where we could watch the new afternoon parade and take lots of pictures. We had priority seating at Chef Mickey=s at 5pm., so we headed back. Can you imagine with our 25 trips we had never been there before and it was a nice change for us. The food was great and I can see why everyone speaks so highly of it. They seated us in the small upper area right up next to the window. Had a great view while we ate. And of course, like all the other kids, we had to have our pictures taken with all the characters. Decided we would call it a day and went back to our room and waited for the Electric Water Pageant again. We found that we had a message and when we retrieved it the message was there would be a private party having fireworks and that they hoped it would not disturb us. We went out in the parking lot and saw the most spectacular fireworks display. I will never forget it. It lasted for at least 20 minutes and has spectacular patterns. We found out later it was for Regis & Kelly who broadcast from WDW all week. Tomorrow, Tuesday, we are off to Epcot.
From here we stayed in the park and went on Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion. We only used the Fast Pass for the Haunted Mansion as the other lines were only around 10 minutes. Went to see one of my favorites, the Country Bears. Big Al has always been my favorite. We found a spot up next to the railing at the Train Station where we could watch the new afternoon parade and take lots of pictures. We had priority seating at Chef Mickey=s at 5pm., so we headed back. Can you imagine with our 25 trips we had never been there before and it was a nice change for us. The food was great and I can see why everyone speaks so highly of it. They seated us in the small upper area right up next to the window. Had a great view while we ate. And of course, like all the other kids, we had to have our pictures taken with all the characters. Decided we would call it a day and went back to our room and waited for the Electric Water Pageant again. We found that we had a message and when we retrieved it the message was there would be a private party having fireworks and that they hoped it would not disturb us. We went out in the parking lot and saw the most spectacular fireworks display. I will never forget it. It lasted for at least 20 minutes and has spectacular patterns. We found out later it was for Regis & Kelly who broadcast from WDW all week. Tomorrow, Tuesday, we are off to Epcot.
