We found Pal Mickey and everything was good in the world again!
We made a quick stop at Cool Club and I tricked both Michael and Elsa into tasting the Beverly.
I know...I am a cruel, cruel mom.
I wanted to capture true reactions with my camera but our battery was still charging in our room. After trying to wash out the taste with Israel's soda we headed off to Mission: Space.
They have a green side (no spinning) and an orange side (WOO HOO!!). When we came 18 months ago, Peepa and Michael rode the green side. Peepa can't do the simulated rides...so this worked out well! 6 months ago Meema, Elsa, and I talked Michael into doing the orange side with us. He said he felt like his face was going to explode. So here we are the three of us...and Michael is not buying our orange side sales pitch. We hatched a plan with the cast member at the entrance...we would stay together and split at the "green go this way" and "orange go this way" junction. She assured us that we could see each other the whole way...and that we could time our rides for the same time and exit at the same time. I was apprehensive but Elsa and I really didn't want to ride the wimpy green side. But all our planning didn't matter as there was no one in the green side and the orange side was full. There was no way we were going to be able to see each other through these lines, so Elsa and I bit the bullet and rode with Michael. It actually wasn't that bad. The orange side still rules, but safety comes first.
Test Track was a quick ride and I have to say of the 4 times I have ridden it, this was my favorite. The first time I rode it 18 months ago, I thought "What was the big hype about?" I thought the idea of it was great, but the execution wasn't spectacular...but this time I sat back and just enjoyed it. Maybe it's seeing the delight on your kids faces that evens it all out.
We chose not to do the 3-D Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Nemo. I guess I don't have a reason other than this was day 5, we have already done them, we were taking it easy, and no one pushed to do it. I am happy to report that we survived even without these rides.
We moved on to the countries. I am so thankful that my kids enjoy each and every one of them. So we took our time going through and still haven't seen all they have to offer.
We started with Mexico and rode the Gran Fiesta Tour. The kids get such a kick out of this one and I love the "fireworks" that appear on the ceiling in the last scene.
Next up was Norway with the fun Maelstrom ride. Last time we skipped the movie...this time Michael insisted we stay. I am happy we did. We can confidently tell you now that the spirit of Norway lives in its people!
We peeked around China and finally saw the Reflections of China 360* movie. This was enjoyed by all. It was perfect timing as we exited to see the acrobatic side show being offered here. This is a favorite of Elsa's and we got front row seats...this pleased Elsa greatly!
We browsed Germany and did some serious pin trading as we were seeking out a match to a "Year of a Million Dreams" pin for Meema. I knew it was a long shot but I searched for it none-the-less. I really enjoy pin trading for the kids because it saves on having to buy them little trinkets every where we go...each cast member who trades pins is like a mini trading market. I think the kids get something new so often (albeit it's only a pin) that they loose that "I need all of this stuff" attitude. OH...and we found Meema's pin! So of course we had to call her!
Off to Italy we traveled and not much exciting happened here.
This was our first time stopping at the American Adventure and the hall was spectacular! We sat down right in the middle of the floor just outside of the red ring to wait for the Voices of Liberty. We looked a bit silly as we appeared to be in the way, but I knew they were going to call everyone to move in and stand/sit right under the domed ceiling behind that red ring for the best listening. We weren't the only ones...there was an elderly couple sitting next to us on the floor before the Voices of Liberty came out and I still chuckle when I think of how odd the 5 of us looked sitting in the middle of the hall. This group was by FAR the best singing experience Disney has to offer. I was blown away! The lead soprano had skills I could only dream about...and we didn't want it to end! All too soon they exited and we got in line for the American Adventure only to find out it was the last show of the evening...and it was cancelled due to technical difficulties.
Next on the agenda was a return to Japan. I loved the idea of getting my own pearl and then Elsa and I could have matching souvies from this trip. On our way into the market we saw the Candy Lady was out and making candy! She called on Elsa and Elsa chose a yellow cat. This lady was amazing! We were in a trance watching her. She takes a lump of 200 degree corn syrup and with in about a minute and a half makes an animal. She makes 3 a show and they are free gifts. Elsa was tickled with her cat!
We went into Japan and I picked out my oyster. Actually Michael and Elsa had definite ideas of which one I should pick...they narrowed it down and I picked the ugliest of the two. Mine was a beautiful champagne color and was 7.5 mm!!! It was a big one so they rang the gong and I felt special.
Michael was sure he needed one to give as a gift to someone
so I shelled out the $14.99 for another one and he got a brilliant white 7.5 mm too!
Opening the oyster:
Measuring the pearl:
Michael quickly decided he didn't want to give it as a gift, but he would keep it. Now what does an 11 year old boy need with a pearl?! He totally duped me.
I chose my ring setting and we decided to come back later for the finished product. So off we went to France. We saw a juggling mime. I was bored...the kids were enthralled...so I was happy to sit and rejuvenate!
England was up next and neither of the kids wanted to sit and watch the band in the courtyard...don't they know I just suffered through some whistling juggling mime for them? I guess I didn't push the issue because it was crowded and I was getting tired.
Canada was the end of the road on this country tour and I had promised we would see the O Canada! film. We waited in the cabin-like structure and Elsa decided to eat her candy cat.
I wanted to save it but I figured it was her cat. Just a note to all of you...it tasted like NOTHING! Save it...don't eat it. Consider yourself lucky to get chosen and when do you really get free stuff at Disney?
While waiting in the open room, Elsa started dancing...ballet style...to music in her own head. It was beautiful. I know what you are thinking...I am her mom and so I am biased. Well, that might be true, but there was a family who video taped all of her dancing. It went on for about 8 minutes...I could have watched her forever!
We enjoyed the humor of Martin Short in the movie. I admit I preferred the China one, Michael voted for Canada, and Elsa decided it was a tie. I guess we are a mismatch of opinions.
We quickly traveled back to Japan to pick up my ring and as we were exiting the Candy Lady was opening up her show. We got front row "seats" (yay for Elsa!) and she picked Michael this time. He chose a bald eagle. It was beautiful!
Our rings:
We agreed to skip Illuminations since we had seen it our first day and head back to the resort, order a pizza, get in our jammies, and eat the pizza in bed while watching those classic Disney sing-a-longs.
That is what we did. It was a magical feeling. I don't know why that time was so special, but I get the shivers whenever I think about it.
Soon it was time for bed. I had lost one of my earbuds on my headphones and thought maybe it had rolled under the bed. So as the kids snuggled into bed I peeked under my bed. Nope. Not there. There were some scraps under my bed and I thought that was odd seeing as we were getting the "VIP cleaning" treatment (I still didn't know if that even meant anything)...but I rationalized that it must be hard to get a vacuum under those beds. Maybe it rolled under the kids bed. So I peeked there. Under their bed was disgusting...the worst part was the partially full beer bottle. YUCK! I grabbed for it and it was stuck to the carpet...when it came free it sloshed on my hand and on Michael beloved Pokemon DarkCry.
So now there is spilled beer under the kids bed and it stinks!
I feel like I must explain myself. I don't drink...never have, probably never will...it just isn't my thing...so I was not happy about this being under my kids bed. Had it just been this maybe I would have laughed it off...but after the toilet situation I was less than pleased!
I called the front desk and asked for a manager to come to my room. I really didn't care that it was 11:30 at night. I wanted him to see it in my room. I didn't want it to be glossed over by a good cleaning. This was gross.
Around 12:15am a cleaning man showed up. We had a hard time communicating seeing as English was not his first language. I politely told him I had asked for the manager. He understood and went outside to call someone. I called the front desk again and asked again for the manager on duty to come. Finally at 12:45 he showed up. I felt horrible to find out that the cleaning man had spent all that time waiting outside of my room.
The manager was sympathetic as I took him step by step through the toilet stories (I even showed him the picture) and then showed him under the bed. He said the VIP cleaning treatment involves pulling the beds out and more. Obviously that didn't happen. He was most upset that the kids had seen the beer before they fell asleep. He apologized and promised to refund one nights stay. I told him that wasn't necessary and that I didn't want anything...just a decently cleaned room. He insisted on the refund (although I haven't seen it
) and he picked up the beer bottle and left.
I ate another piece of pizza and went to sleep.
Up Next: Last day? Can it really be our last day? 
Michael carries Pal Mickey through all the parks...it keeps his hands occupied, his brain occupied, and supplies him with random park tips. Pal Mickey seems to help Michael focus enough to block out the majority of the Disney "noise" and really enjoy the parks...and when he needs to go into his own world, he and PM go there. I would buy Pal Mickey a plane seat if that was the only way he could come...and now he was gone. Best yet, Michael doesn't know where he left him. This happened once 6 months ago and Meems and I kept traveling back and forth from Snow White and Peter Pan...everyone giving us different directions on where to find him...how to locate lost items...what our best shot at getting him back was. Meema even planned to shell out the $75 to replace him...but in the end he came back to us...in one piece and a close eye was kept on him from that moment on.
when I read about your MK to DTD troubles. We had the same experience trying to get to DTD from MK! EXACTLY! Something had happened to Goofy's Barnstormer that morning and they didn't open it. This WRECKED our day. DS was MOST excited to ride Goofy's. A major intervention was needed. So we hopped onto the train in Toontown and headed out of the parks. (I thought a trip to DQ was in order). A nice CM told us to go to TTC to get a bus to DTD. At TTC, we were told to go back to the Poly, and at the bus stop there were NO PEOPLE!
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