At 6:15 am I woke up. And I was instantly fully awake. I was at Disney World. And because I was awake I wanted everyone to be awake as we needed to be eating breakfast by 7:15 & in the vehicles by 8:00 for the 9:00 rope drop. And we had to pack up the vans since we were moving to the Disneylicious house this day.
You can call me evil, if you'd like. You can even call me an evil stepmother. Some people have. But at 6:15 am my one goal was to insist that everyone was awake.
So I threw open all the curtains to let the sunshine in. And not a soul moved. I then I made a bunch of noise. Packed. Flushed the toilet. Packed away the fingernail polish bin which is very loud. And no one budged.
I then did the only thing I could do. I told them they all had to get up as they only had 30 minutes to get ready. And I, while she was still sleeping, dressed Boo and did her hair with her new hair tyes I had bought at DTD.
Shockingly, we were dressed and at breakfast by 7:15. And we looked pretty put together. And to congratulate us for a job well done were these little guys:
That's right! Mickey waffles at the hotel. Which, by the way, since I was telling you how awesome it was, I really should tell you that it was actually the Homewood Suites. Not Doubletree. That's right. I'm gonna edited it above but for those of you reading these as I write them, mentally correct that. (thanks Suzy) The Homewood Suites on Marbella Palm Court had large apartment sized suite rooms with full sized fridges, free parking, close to the entrance to WDW AND we discovered at the free included breakfast: Mickey waffles. Not too shabby.
Boo arranged the sausage in the Mickey. Ever since the Mickey empanadas, she has been all over arranging things in Mickey shapes.
I only had a yogurt as I'm not really a waffle person. I know, I should make an exception since these waffles were in the shape of my beloved Mickey, but waffles and syrup first thing in the morning are not a good idea for my tummy and I like to be on my A game day one of Disney.
As I was watching Suzy make McQueen a waffle (not sure why this was a big event, but I wrote it down and with their hotel free breakfast history, I'm sure it was a big thing) and eating my yogurt a family came in in matching Disney shirts. A big family. In cool matching shirts. And they, too, were going to MK. Darn it. I kept an eye out for my single, WDW-clueless mom with her 4 kids. But they, naturally, were not up & eating breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
By 8:00 am we were back in our rooms getting our bags and by 8:15 we were at the vans applying sunblock. We did much better at the sunblock this trip than in March and as far as I know there were no mishaps. No red eyes, no sunblock meltdowns. In this parking lot there was a sunblock spraying zone and we moms took one kid at a time and sprayed 'em down, eyes shielded, wind blowing the proper way. Suzy and I can be taught.
By 8:20 we were on Disney property. WHY did we have to hit every red light at DTD? We parked and hopped a tram.
It was 8:41. Perfect.
But then we hit a little snag. The monorail is closed. NO!!!! I don't want to take the boat. And not because I don't like the boat. I do. And if the monorail is running I sometimes enjoy starting my WDW week with a peaceful boat ride facing the castle.
But when the monorail is closed than you are forced to be on that ferry with all the clueless people and I just feel like cattle. Moooooo!!!!!! Where is the Mickey ear cow smilie? And it slows you down big time. And though we had 20 minutes, I pretty much knew that thanks to the boat, bag check, and turnstyles, I wouldn't be seeing MK show on this trip.
To add insult to injury, the monorail started running as we were being herded onto the boat. So people who arrived AFTER us got there first and didn't miss the show. Grrrr....
I could hear the train coming as I waited at the boat dock with the other 1,000 cows. I actually think cows are more orderly and better at merging than this group of people were. Jostling and pushing were rampant.
Finally, we were marching to the bag check and I followed Suzy. Thank goodness as she picked an awesome line where the guy was practically waving us through. I unzipped my first bag and he just waved me on. SCORE Suzy! Good choice. We had sent the men with no bags to see the show with the non-stroller kids so they were already in there.
I had a BIG problem at this turnstyle. Boo was in her stroller and I pushed her to the little gate and put my ticket through. The lady told me to go through and then she put Boo's ticket through. At this point, I should have been given Boo. But the CM wouldn't let me. I was in MK. But Boo was not. I walked up to open the gate myself and the CM says, "In a minute." So I stepped back. And seriously, I was not allowed to have my kid. I finally just opened the gate and got her with the CM yelling at me and then finally caving in and getting out of my way. I've never had that happen before and it kind of freaked me out. It was like Boo was in jail. The rest of the week I was conscious of staying with the stroller no matter what at the ticketing area.
By the time Boo was allowed out of turnstyle jail the show was ending and we were allowed in. It was my job to get FP's while the rest headed to Dumbo. So I handed her off and headed down Main St. The same slow mooooooving cattle were ahead of me, but I was now free of the stroller and could book it. It didn't take me long to be ahead of the pack. As I came to where Main St meets the Castle forecourt, Aladdin and Jasmine and Prince Naveen and Tiana were holding hands and slowly walking to their spots. Jasmine towards Adventureland, Tiana towards her little gazebo.
It is seared in my mind as beautiful moment with the castle and the beautiful couples slowly walking. Blissful sigh. Made me tear up and be happy to be at WDW.
But, I had had enough of moseying and people and merging. I saw free and clear asphalt in front of me and so I picked up the pace. And, I must admit, I passed Prince Naveen and Tiana. It surprised them, I'll tell you that. I don't think that happens very often. One crazy woman on a mission ruining their opening of the park.
As I rounded about Liberty Square into deserted Frontierland there was a CM dancing a hoedown all by herself in the middle of the street. She wasn't a performer, she was a sales-CM and was entertaining herself while waiting on customers. I'd say she was 60? Anyway, I loved her hoedown and was really feeling happy to be in my happy place so I hooted out a loud, "YeeeeeHaaaa!" and boot scooted myself for a quick moment. And she said, "Hey, howdy, hey!" Awesome!
First one to get Splash FP, they were for 9:45. As I was leaving another FP runner was also finishing up and joined me on my mad dash to Fantasyland. He said, "Nothing like a mile jog at 9am, is there? But at least we're done for the day. Now we can relax."
Smile and wave, boys, smile and wave. Done? Seriously? I am just beginning my crazy FP collection. And now you all just wait till the FP return times are enforced. We used to follow those return windows and I know a little something about being a nutso FP runner. Done jogging a mile in the summer Florida heat? Hardly.
When I got to Dumbo my family was 2 groups back from riding Dumbo. I sat in the shade near the giant wall currently separating FL from new FL trying to get cool and Pinnochio casually walked by. What time was it? 9:15 am. Dumbo being ridden, Splash FP's collected, 5 characters interacted with, hoedown done. 15 minutes of magic really is a lot of magic. Delightful.
Once Dumbo was done, we headed to Pooh. But Emmy couldn't find her sunglasses and instead of our normal family unit moving quickly and smoothly from ride to ride we came to a screeching halt and looked for sunglasses on Dumbo. Oh no!!! Is this was travelling with Emmy is going to be like? It was shocking how hot it was at 9:30 a.m.
We let the little ones play in the interactive Pooh area while she searched some more. There were tiny pockets of a/c that would reach us from time to time. Sweet, cool air.
We got off Winnie, it was even more enjoyable as a cooling off spot than it normally is, and it was 9:38.
And at 9:39 while Donald and Boo were just extracting themselves from that honey pot, I was already heading back to Frontierland. And it surely was 95 degrees? Maybe 90. With 95% humidity. It was hot.
I hit BTMRR at exactly 9:45. I think I had to wait about 30 seconds and then I had my next set of FP with a 10:25 return.
It was so stinkin' hot that despite it being 9:45 am I decided I needed a Diet Coke. So I stopped at the place with the hoe down lady but I didn't get her window. Instead I got this cute little nerdy guy. I mention the nerdiness, not based on looks, though I do think he was nerdy looking as well, but because when I ordered the diet coke (so wonderfully cold!) he said, "Why are you ordering a Diet Coke?" And I said, "Because I want caffeine and it's hot." And he said, "Actually, coffee, which we sell here, is better at cooling you down than a cold drink." And launched into a scientific explanation on why I should order a coffee. When he was done I saidm "I think I'll still take that Diet Coke."
He gave it to me, but with judgement in his heart, I tell you, with judgement in his heart.
When I arrived back, sweating profusely, the family was done with the TeaCups and were starting their Carousel rotation. I know this isn't our normal "time saving" strategy but for this June trip we were not only riding things that would have lines later, we were also trying to pick off rides that would be dreadfully hot later.
What do you think McQueen is telling Emmy in this photo?
McQueen loved having Emmy about. He is a font of Disney information, a true movie history buff. Unlike Buzz who kind of quizzes you on the Disney information, McQueen has inherited his father's natural teaching ability. He doesn't have the skills yet as they are more than likely taught, but the natural ability of taking history and making it live is clearly already there.
Nonetheless, whatever it is he's saying in the above photo, I don't think Emmy is buying it as factual.
Our plan was to ride Snow White for the last time before it was to be destroyed. But it had a 20 minute line and we don't actually like the ride. So we decided to simply skip it. And instead opted for IASW. I didn't care. Just get me into A/C. It takes a lot of activity and a lot of heat for me to sweat. But this morning did it. I was slimy.
Small World was lovely as usual. Cooled me down perfectly.
And we headed to HM. Donald said he'd stay off with Boo so I could ride since in March I'd made the sacrifice.
I leave you there....
with the city and each other, all over again.
. I could SEE it. And it was a short boat ride away. And we had a couple hours before the fireworks. So I had to go. I know some of the kids were torn (sorry Mulan), but honestly, I would have gone by myself. 
(and yes I'm aware I may need therapy for my Disney problem). So, after a little discussion, Buzz, McQueen, Ariel, and I were on our way. I can not explain the excitement we all had walking down mainstreet that evening. It was like a stolen moment at MK 
Even for a child who is able to control their own body and not intrude in other's space, it would be challenging to sit on that chair.
So glad you are back to finish your TR.
Spain sounds wonderful.
