Mickey - September 2001

We got up yesterday at a leisurely pace. We wanted to go but not being in the best of moods slowed us down. By 9:30 we were on the road, and we drove through the purple temple gates at about 11.

The first cool thing- we still had our temporary pass from AKL in the window. We had gotten it when we went to supper at Boma with Pam Forrester and the newlyweds and all. The man at the parking toll booth waived us through saying resort guests don't have to pay for parking. We said-" we aren't guests- that was a temporary pass that is expired"- he smiled and said- "go on in"- so we did. The first sign that the Gods wanted us to "do" Disney today- free parking.

Next, we drive into the lot. Now it is Saturday- MK's busiest day- and it is near noon- we parked ALL THE WAY UP FRONT! We were just steps from the Flags at the entrance to the TTC. We were so close they didn't even offer a tram! We walked right in and didn't even have to queue up for the monorail. It was like they were just waiting for us. Out of the car- walk to the monorail and board with no waiting. AMAZING!

The first real sign of the recent atrocity (beside the extremely ample parking) was at the gate. There was a security checkpoint set up and EVERYBODY had to stop and have every bag,pack, and purse searched before they could go through the gate. Not a soul was complaining-at least not within my earshot! I cheerfully put my hip pack on the table and shot the breeze with the policeman for a few minutes while he looked through. "WOW" he said to his fellows behind the table-"She travels light!" My pack contains wipes, money, passes, a small brush (for my daughter not me- once my hair gets it's ponytail, it's done) some motrin (my DH and I both have arthritis in the hips and knees and need a dose at least once while walking around the park) and my camera. Oh yes- and breath mints. DH and DD had nothing to carry at all. Apparently we were not the norm as most of that day's visitors had been resort guests from out of town and had strollers, baby bags, and backpacks full of supplies. Being local has it's advantages. ;-)

Successfully passing the security inspection, we went into nirvana, eager for a big dose of magic to heal the week's pain. We got it- in spades. It was overcast, cool and breezy. The scent of rain was on the air- probably keeping out many of the locals who would otherwise have come. But it never rained. It was just cool and comfortable all day.

The first thing we did was catch the Jitney to the Castle. Jessie rode up with the driver and we were the only passengers. DD is anything but shy and led the driver in a lively conversation about WDW and his own DD who was also in the 5th grade. DH and I just enjoyed the ride- and listening in. When we got to the end, the driver offered to take us back, we declined, and he said "are you sure? " and winked at Jessie- she made a favorable impression on him. We were sure, though and disembarked. He waved at us on our way to Tommorrowland until he finally got a new passenger. Jessie walked backwards waving back.

Alas, Timekeeper was gone, but here on Saturday at noon, was Buzz Lightyear- a complete walk-on! On we walked. I have decided never to ride this with DH again as he kept turning the car just when I had something in my sights. Naturally, he denies being the cause of my dismal performance but I stand by my claim.

Next a slow ride on the "People Mover" was in order. I refuse to call it the TTA- that is a boring name. Since the crowds were so low, they had the long route open. It was fun, especially when DH sneaked a smooch and DD decided that was "disgusting". We found this hilarious, so of course, disgusted her as often as possible through out the day.

After the people mover, DD got a snack of a turkey leg and a slush- there was NO ONE in line ahead of her, in fact, the CM's eagerly poked their heads out the glass and talked to DD while she perused the menu. I have NEVER seen the Lunching Pad not be busy- NEVER.

DD was seated on a bench to have her snack while DH and I got terrorized by the Alien in AE. DD doesn't like it. We sat way down on the front row this time- the alien is much more menacing from that angle.

Next, we went to Space Mountain. Again a complete walk-on. We went on the left track- a rarity. When we got off, we turned around and went on again. On a SATURDAY!! I swear, folks, it was more crowded on the last E-night I attended!

Next, DD and DH went to ride the Raceway. I sat that one out. This was the longest wait for a ride in our entire day- about 25 minutes. While they rode, I went into Cosmic Ray's and got some chicken soup and a big glass of water. I had planned to get some fries and dress them up on the toppings bar, but they have changed the toppings. Many of you use this as a way to save money, but that is not going to be near as much fun now- there are no more sautéed mushrooms and no more cheese sauce on the bar- not at Peco's Bill's either. There are only cold items now- lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, sour kraut, and the obligatory ketchup, etc. What a bummer. Still- there were no or very short lines- at 1PM on Saturday. It was just unreal!

Next we took a spin on the Teacups. Once again a walk on. There were lines at Pooh and Peter Pan and we would have gotten passes for those, but DD didn't want to ride them. We walked on Snow White, and the Carousel, then headed to Liberty Square. Here my DH decided to go into the Yankee Kitchen Shop and I ended up with the only souvenir bought this day- an Ursula Oven Mitt. I just love her and she now hangs in a place of honor on my kitchen wall. The CM told me there was a matching apron that says "witch in the kitchen" but they were out of stock at that moment. I WILL be on the lookout for that. ;-)

We walked on the Haunted Mansion, then headed for FrontierLand. We stopped for Ice Cream (everyone but little old diabetic me, that is) at the Diamond Horse Shoe and DD tickled the dancing girls by trying to do the Can Can high kick and leg twirl while watching from the back of the room where she thought no one could see her. She takes dance and thought that Can Can was pretty cool. Maybe some day she'll be a dancer in a show at WDW- I would be SO PROUD!!

Next we went to the Country Bear Jamboree. I heard a rumor this was closing but find that silly since they are about to come out with the country bear movie. They were definitely advertising that , too. Any way- this was another walk on. A lovely little family with a little 1.5 year old girl was seated next to me. The little girl took a shine to me and we had a big time pointing out the various bears and singing the songs with them, then looking for the baby to go "toot, toot". She decided she wanted to sit on my lap so I obliged, and bounced her on my knee while we sang. Getting in some grandma practice, I reckon. ;-) When the show was over, she climbed back into her mother's arms and waved byby to me over her shoulder. It was so sweet and just the kind of magic I was after that day.

Our next stop was supposed to be Tom Sawyer's island, but it was closed due to threatening weather, so we checked out Splash Mountain. Another walk-on and again we went twice. I must let you all know, I believe they have reworked this so that you get even wetter now. When the new boat makes that round around the splash ramp, instead of going into the mountain right off, the boat sits right at the entrance until a boat comes down the ramp- you get a BIG splash. I got wetter here than I did on the rest of the ride! Then, in the "Laughing place where the jumping fountains are, one of them now just shoots uninterrupted across the boat, low enough to require you to duck if you don't want a face full. DH stuck his hand in it and diverted it straight into DD's face. I ducked. I thought both of these might have been coincidences or glitches. but it happened on both our trips, so I think it is by design.

Next, we started to get a fast pass for Big Thunder Mountain railroad, but the CM assured us that the wait was really only 5 minutes, not the 25 that was advertised so we got in line. He was wrong- it was 7.5 minutes. ;-)

After this, we decided on the spur of the moment to see if we could get ressies at the Crystal Palace for Supper. It was about 430 PM. We broke out the cell phone and called. We got a 640 seating! On a Saturday!! We went into the Pirates of the Carribean, shopped,then rode the Jungle cruise, climbed the Tree House,and finally checked into the restaurant at about 630.

We were seated at 645- and had a leisurely supper. We left at 740- no one rushed us at all. We decided to stay for the Spectromagic Parade and the Fireworks. MK was open until 10 but we had ridden everything we wanted to and were tired. We found a spot and had a nice conversation with some British Visitors who had been grounded and took advantage of Disney's offer to extend the grounded folk's stays until they could leave. They got 3 free night's lodging and were quite pleased. This was their last night.

They have changed Spectromagic a bit but I still love it. After the parade, we made our way down the now crowded street to the exit. We got seats on a bench outside the gate to watch the fireworks. You can't see Tinkerbell from here, but the sight of the fireworks over the train station is wonderful, and the bench is comfy. There is no crowd either- which I prefer. When they were over , we headed to the monorail. This was our second wait of the day- about 10 minutes. It was also our last piece of magic- DD asked if we could sit up front and we did! The ride up front is waaaay cool, but even better at night.

Back to the TTC- and our car. We got home about 1130. It was just the thing and we feel better. Hope you all do, too-

Blessings to all-

Slainte~
Mickeyºoº