Yes, that's a crane - the wand is coming down...
We went to the International Gateway to get our Annual Passes, and also get our Anniversary pins. Although they don't provide you with any benefits, cast members seem to be trained to at least recognize the pins and make you feel extra special. We got many "Happy Anniversary" and "How Long?" comments from CMs, and they do seem to do a little extra when possible.
Upon entering, we stopped up in France for the Grey Goose and Grand Marnier Slushies as recommended on the Disboards. We got one of each. I liked the GM, DW liked the GG, so it worked out well for both of us. The GG tasted like a frozen lemonade, and the GM much like a orange creamsicle.
Then we came back down through England with a stop at the Fish and Chips shop next to the Rose and Crown for, of course, Fish and Chips, since we hadn't eaten anything except a snack on the plane since early that morning.
Then one last thing - Spaceship Earth. Today was the last day before the long rehab, so we decided one more run of the "old" version. There was no wait. Outside there is a huge crane that is going to take down the "wand" that sits next to Spaceship Earth.Yes, that's a crane - the wand is coming down...
Then we hoofed it over to the monorail and took off for the Magic Kingdom.
We switched monorails at the Ticket and Transportation Center for the Magic Kingdom Express, and managed to sit up front with the driver and another couple. I've done it once before on our last trip with DD#1, but DW had not. We had a conversation with the other couple about the closure for refurbishment of Haunted Mansion, and I mentioned Spaceship Earth closing the next day - apparently when they were by there it was more like an hour wait, so they didn't go on - not realizing it was closing.
We got to see the dirt piles that may one day become a DVC resort, but soon enough we were at the Magic Kingdom.
Over in MK, I saw the reason why Heelys aren't allow in the parks, although the cast members tend to be lax about enforcing it. A woman and her two kids were walking in front of us up Main Street. The son kicks out his Heelys and starts to skate - right into the trolley tracks. He goes down face first - and he was holding a digital camera in front of him, which is now in pieces scattered on Main Street. He was fine, but the camera wasn't. I found the memory card by my feet and let them know where it was. The memory card appeared to be the old SmartMedia format, so perhaps it wasn't that old a camera.Cinderella's Castle
We wanted to just basically hit certain attractions that DW and I could ride together that we haven't been able to on our last couple trips due to the kids.
We headed into Tomorrowland. Although we weren't planning to do the Laugh Floor until December with the kids, the wait was only 5 minutes so we decided to check it out. They've worked a lot on this since it opened, and although still a bit rough around the edges, parts of it were quite funny, including a couple of the jokes sent in by texting from mobile phones.
From there we got Fastpasses for Space Mountain, and decided to head back over to Adventureland next.
The first thing we had to find - Dole Whips. Everyone raves about these, and we love pineapple. We decided to split a float (Dole Whip on top of pineapple juice). I have to say that everyone was right. It is delicious, and amazingly refreshing. I can't think of anything better on a hot humid day.
From there, it was a quick hop onto Pirates of the Carribean with a 10 minute wait, and then over to Splash Mountain. It was listed as a 80 minute wait! Apparently it was broken down, with people still on the ride. We can't get another Fastpass yet, so we decide to check out (our first real "first") Tom Sawyer's Island for a bit. It's basically a walkthrough attraction with a Huck Finn theme, but really there is very little to do there except waste some time. We headed back across on the next boat, and rode Big Thunder Mountain instead with about a 30 minute wait. We can then get a FP for Splash Mountain, and head back to Tomorrowland and grab a bite at Cosmic Rays.Chess is a pretty slow game
After that, we entered the Space Mountain FP queue, and got about 2/3rd of the way there and stopped. Apparently there were "computer issues", and a CM came down the line and said it could be between 15 minutes and 2 hours (which I think is a fairly standard answer for "no idea"), and that the computers needed to be reset. Fortunately it was "sooner" rather than "later" and everything got moving again.
After this we picked up our EMH bracelets in case we decided to stay late. Oddly, they did not scan the room keys, only visually inspected them this time, unlike last year.
Then we took a quick spin around in the Carousel of Progress. Yes, it really is open. Has been nearly daily for years. It just never looks open. It's an important part of Disney history and everyone should view it at least once.
Then we hit our second "first" - Astro Orbiter. Because the ride is a slow loading rotary ride much like Dumbo, Flying Carpets, etc., and aggravating that is the elevators up to the loading level, the line always looks intimidating. But the difference its its high up in comparison to the others, and to add to it - it is pretty dark now, so we ride.
I found it somewhat uncomfortable - it is a straddle bench seat (think like a waverunner) with the only back support at the very back, and the control yoke to raise and lower the rocket is way up front, and being a somewhat big guy DW and I rode separate rockets, so it was a long reach to control it. Going up high was cool, and it tilts you inward as you go around - but go low, and you are tilted outward - and the forces push you uncomfortably to the outside - I had to go back up just to be comfortable. Soon enough it was over, but it was cool being up high seeing the bright lights whipping around. We could see the Spectromagic parade starting from up there.
Now it was time to head back to Splash Mountain - except SpectroMagic was in the way. So we had to wind our way all the way around via Fantasyland to get there. By this time my feet were getting sore (see my story about my feet in the Introduction), so the extra mileage wasn't appreciated. We get back to Splash Mountain, which now has a 10 minute standby time. Why? It was broken down again. They weren't letting anyone in the lines, and they have no idea how long it will be, and would only say that you could come back anytime with a Fastpass - except its getting late, and those without EMH privileges don't have much longer. We stick it out for a few, and shortly after some confusion where the standby CM started letting people on while the FP CM didn't, they opened the FP line. The problem was that there was no organization - everyone pushed forward at once. After some pleadings (including from me) things start to calm down, except for one group of about three people who locked hands and forced their way through. They were stopped and yelled at by one guest for pushing him, but they just pressed on. I told them at least to go through individually and regroup on the other side, but they ignored everything and pushed all the way through, while the CM did nothing about it. Everyone else was far more calm about it at that stage, and we all made it through without further incident.
Ironically, with the delays, we happened to be right at the top of Splash Mountain when the Wishes fireworks began, which was quite beautiful. However, we were also sitting right up front. Which means we are getting very wet. It was nice and cool though...we got to see some more of Wishes after we wiped our eyes clear, and also as we left the area.
We decide not to stick around late, but figured a little drying time was in order, so on our way back to the entrance we go for our third "first" - the Jungle Cruise. And true to the stories, our Jungle Cruise Guide, Tyler, filled the ride with plenty of bad jokes, making fun of the ride, himself, and the fact that we were getting off the ride in a few minutes, but he was stuck on it for another FIVE hours. We will definitely be bringing the kids on this one.
We stop at Casey's for a large soda and catch a Yacht/Beach Club bus just about to depart, and end our first day, for which my feet were eternally grateful, as I was already developing blisters.
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