I was exhausted this day, I could not wake up and because of that we didn't make it out the door until almost 10:00am. I was looking forward to Epcot, like I had said earlier in this TR, I had been to Epcot once whenI was 16, I knew there were some changes, like they no longer had Michael Jackson as the 3-D movie event. I was super excited to see the change.
we made it through bag search with no problems, but at the finger scan is where things got a little bleh. Kent had had enough, and was vocalizing to who ever would listen about the whole "Big Brother trying to control me conspiracy theory." I don't want you to think that Kent does not love or appreciate this great country, he loves what America allows us, we have freedoms that other countries can only dream about, and he knows that because this country was founded on freedom and rights he is able to voice his opinion with out the threat of death, but he is angry that alot of our freedoms and rights are being threatened now under the guise of "protection"
He is against alot of things now and feels lied to. He says that finger scans and cashless societies are just some of the things that are pushing us towards a new world order. I can see where he is coming from, but c'mon dude, this is Disney, let it go for a day.
The first ride we went on was spaceship earth, it was nice, cool and relaxing, we all enjoyed that. I was expecting a huge lecture from Kent when it was over, but he surprised us all and kept quiet. We then went into innoventions, Jim played the game "think-a-ma-jig" He won both times he played, I could say yeah, he's a genius, but really, how does the kid know what kind of ship to build and what he needs to make it faster, bettter? and to collect all those jewels, to me it's useless knowledge, and obviously he is full of that.
We played around and sent postcards via internet to those at home, even though we didn't have a computer at that time I knew to get friends e-mail addresses. After a bit Kent who had transformed into Mr. Grumpy McGrumperson by then, anounced he couldn't stand the B.S. and would wait outside. normally, me being the peace keeper would have followed him out, but I honestly thought he was being stupid, there is not a conspiracy behind every bush dear, realize that and we'll all be happier. The kids and I hung out longer than I normally would have, I even walked slower than ususal just to make him sit in the heat longer. HA! Outside Kent pointed up to the sign that said road to tomorrow and said they spelled tomorrow wrong, I looked and didn't see it, it looked right to me, then he said it should be spelled T-Y-R-A-N-N_Y, cause they really mean "the road to Tyranny" By now I am getting angry, I was so angry I could have spit a banchee. I am speaking to him through clenched teeth, "Just take it for what it is and stop trying to preach the end of the world to me. I am at freakin Disney, I don't care if I am being programmed to follow the crowd and not ask questions, I don't care if they scan my fingers, they can scan my *ss if they want to, this is my dream to be here, when we get home you can go back to your soap box on the corner and listen to your "leader" Alex Jones, but I didn't pay for him to come on this trip so leave him out of it, and word to the wise... If Mr. Jones offers you Koolaid at his next convention...Don't drink it." I stormed away muttering under my breath, "don't tell me Disney is a cult." Kent looked hurt, I didn't mean to hurt him, but I listen to him all the time, I even watch the videos that he orders. All I want is a trip that doesn't include nonsense. We can't even watch a movie with out hearing him complain about us being "conditioned" so needless to say, it was not a good morning.
We walked in silence to HISTA,
(See his T-shirt? that is my handydandy silkscreen work, and KTB concrete is Kents business, KTB stands for Kents The Boss.)
Grumpy stayed with us for quite some time, the 15 minute kodak commercial before HISTA didn't help matters much either, he kept mumbling, money racket under his breath. I never refuse a good argument. "What about Nascar dear?, they have their sponsor painted on their car, and all the commercials are from their sponsors, why is that not called a money racket?
His answer, That's different. Looking back I kind of understand where he was coming from, is it really necessary to have a commercial before a ride?
Anyway, on to happier moments, we went in and took our seats, By then Kent and I were much calmer, and we were able to agree to disagree, he won't bash Disney and I won't call him an idiot. I loved the show, I ended up sitting on my feet for most of it, I knew it was an illusion but they had me convinced that mice were chewing at my shoe laces.
we weren't sure what to do when we came out we just hung around and took pictures of the water sculptures, then bam, Reese got nailed with a jet of water
I knew it was coming, I had seen enough people on Americas funniest home videos get hit with that, so I told her to stand there for a surprise, I don't know what she was expecting but it certainly wasn't that.
We then went to mission space, I had read the stories, the in-laws warned me not to ride, but I thought if I'm gonna die, Disney is a great place to meet God. There was no line, we walked right on. I was nervous about the barf bags being included on the ride, I practiced grabbing one, yes, I can reach it Phew! The ride started and all I could do was stomp my feet, i loved it but it was also painful on my guts, Jim came out of his shell on this ride, he was laughing, screaming and pushing buttons, it was great seeing him that way, I wish I could fully describe it to you, and the funny thing is... I'm pretty sure that is how he would behave if he were really being launched into space.
I had a blast on that ride, I can't wait to go again. We spent alot of time playing around and sending virtual postcards to all our friends again, there favorite was when we acted like we were getting sick in space. Kent, who had gone out for a cigarette came running in to get me, "Mickey and Goofy are outside in space suits." I took off at light speed, I should have taken off at ludicrous speed cause when I got there, they were gone.
We had fast passes for Test Track, we still waited 20 minutes to ride, I always worry before getting on rides, will we be safe, I do my intitial prayer upon entering the park, then my individual ride prayer accordingly, I prayed for God to spare our lives on MS, I know we are not to tempt God, does going on a ride even though it's been known to kill constitute tempting God? The family knows that my whispering as I buckle into any ride is me praying, "Lord, even though we are going to be hurling around this track at nascar speed and no helmets, please keep us safe, and please please, don't let a bee fly into Reeses face and if one does, then please hold onto me as I crawl out of my seat and into the back seat next to her to administer her shot." I feel no reason to be vague in my prayers.
I never feel dumb about my prayers even if the ride does turn out to be not so dangerous, and when we choose to ride again, I say "dear God, ditto" He knows what I mean.
by then it was close to our ADR time at Coral Reef, I was really looking forward to this one, we are seafood lovers. Outside of CR are lots of photo opps and we took advantage of them, but since Reese decided to be "funny" and act like she was picking her nose in most of them I have been instructed not to post them. We didn't have to wait long to be seated, we were in a booth on the first level by the tanks.
I was wishing I had brought my good camera that can capture anything in any kind of lighting, but I am always afraid to bring it on rides, so I bring my so so camera and end up with so so pictures.
Our server was great, he talked with Jim about music, Jim loved that since music is his life. We ordered, Reese and I got chicken, kent and Jim got steak, I was expecting more of a seafood choice but there wasn't much of one. Our food was good, very good really, I wish I could have finished it all, but there was still dessert to be had. I had the chocolate wave, and it is on my list of things I have to eat again before I die. That meal was most expensive, it alone made up for one persons
DDP for the week, by that time anyway the DDP had paid for itself plus some, it is worth the money, can I get an Amen here?
After we ate we went to look at the aquariums and see if we could get into turtle Talk with crush, it was over packed so we didn't do that, we just had fun walking around looking at the fish, Reese spent a long time watching the dolphins. I had fun with all the photo opps from finding nemo.
I was getting so tired by then and there was still so much more to see and do, but my feet were being held on by band-aids (I should have worn my slippers) everyone was just so tired so we decided to head back to Pop for a dip in the pool.
on the bus I was feeling so guilty for not sticking to the itinerary, we hadn't even seen world showcase, I said this to Kent, he said he didn't care, but I really wanted the kids to get a small taste of what Germany is like, I miss Germany, and If I were rich instead of beautiful I would take my kids for a visit, but in the mean time world showcase was going to have to suffice, and we didn't make it there. I was rearranging the schedule in my head to find a time when we could go back.
As we got off the bus it dawned on me, that was our third park and I have yet to see Mickey.