Last day of our trip arrived, but with a late flight we had almost a full day.
Toni started off with some coffee...
And YiaYia was raring to go! The CM lady at the bus stop was great. We saw her there that day and at least 2 other. She got to know my Mom and started some great interaction with us. Thumbs up to her!
Once again Mia joined us for the morning.
I didn't take many photos that day as I was distracted with some serious issues at work that were not going my way. Frankly it was more stressful than enjoyable and numerous times I had to peel off from the rest to take and make calls.
We entered Animal Kingdom and after getting my Mom a wheelchair, headed straight away to Africa.
Toni kept her cell phone camera busy.
The swinging apes were out and chattering about.
Then we made our way to another tour up the Forbidden Mountain.
I parked my Mom in front of Expedition Everest - just like we did the last two times - and told her we would be back soon.
Team Marina minus Mia hit the parks earlier and happened to also be at EE on their 2nd (or 3rd) turn around. Our team had a
Lightning Lane thru genie + and strolled through the line with little drama. As we made it to the loading platform I noticed Courtney in the single rider line and we said hello to her. I was going to be riding with Toni as Sterg was paired with Mia and we were instructed to go in Row 7 or 8? We stepped up awaiting the next train. Soon after I heard some commotion then Courtney yelling toward me for my attention.
"Theo (uncle in Greek) Chris, Theo Chris! YiaYia is coming through the line!"
I turned around and saw to my surprise and embarrassment my 86 year old mother charging her way through the Lightning Lane line like Derrick Henry blasting his way through the Steelers front seven. She then charged onto the platform like a woman scorned! She spotted Courtney who was calling for her to end her rampage. She waved her open hand at her.
"Why did you all leave me there alone!" She shouted.
Spotting me next she came up to me as if I was 14 again and just walked in the house 2 hours after my curfew.
"Christo! Why did you just leave me there!"
The next train had arrived and was boarding. Luckily there was a single rider behind me and I waived her on to go with Toni. I then grabbed my Mother's arm, gave her a look and seeked the nearest CM who was also seeking me and my Mother.
"I'm so sorry." I started.
"I think she got confused after we left her." I said not expected what was coming next and not really knowing what to do at that point.
"Alright" the CM responded.
"So do you want to ride with her?"
I looked down at my Mom in a somewhat cross way. What was she thinking? I thought. We had done this before. Terribly I thought a good punishment for her was to ride the rollercoaster.
"Do you want to ride this?" I asked forcefully.
"Yes." She answered quickly.
"Up to the front!" The CM responded while grabbing my arm and pointing to the CM to my right.
A few moments later YiaYia and I were climbing into the front row of the newly arrived train.
After getting settled in and seatbelts secured I turn to her in a stern way.
"Mom! What were you thinking? We left you there like we did the last time because this is a really fast ride!"
"You left me there alone!" She said as I began to realize that she didn't have a LL pass.
"How did you even get in the line? You didn't have a pass?" I asked.
"They tried to stop me but I told them my son left me and was up front."
"Oh, how nice. Well you're on now and get ready because this ride is crazy!"
"What kind of ride is it?"
"It's a rollercoaster."
"A rollercoaster. Oh my God!"
"Yeah, it may be your last ride but it's a good way to go." I said half joking.
I then took a selfie as she was literally doing her cross.
The steam engine then bellowed and my mom and I started up the Forbidden Mountain in the front row and in search of the Abominable Yeti.