A Day at Disney - Aug 10, 2006

Fifteen minutes waiting for the tram, 10 minutes in line for the privilege to give away $120, and finally 20 minutes in line just to have someone scan us into the park. But seeing the smiling faces made it all worth it – OK almost.
We met outside of It’s a Small World.
Everyone seems so happy here. They really don’t know what Walt has in store for them.
As always, Joe is the embodiment of a positive attitude. But will it be enough. Here we are taking the train tour of the park; just another way to stay out of the sun.
Momo is in the getting used to the new people stage. At least it is air-conditioned.
Colleen relaxes at Mickey’s house.
That’s two thumbs up.
Finally we found Mickey. A photographer was holding him hostage in his own house.
Forced to pose with any stranger walking through, this is going to come back to haunt him when he runs for office.
On to Gadget’s Go Coaster.
Colleen seems to take too much pleasure in seeing us scream like a couple of girls.
Bridget and Momo are down there somewhere. Nate is screaming like a girl.
Momo convinced us food was a good idea
Joe pulls double duty as we make our way to Downtown Disney for lunch.
Colleen decides to help out her dad. We spent too much on too little at lunch. I don’t have pictures for what transpired next. Colleen and I negotiated a deal. I would go on the Matterhorn (and scream like a girl) if she would go on the Pirates of the Caribbean. Well, Nate and I screamed like girls, so it was off to the Pirates.

We knew the line for Pirates would be long, but seeing Capt Jack and crew would be worth it. What we didn’t know is that we would wait 90 minutes, forty-five of which was spent breathing the stench of raw sewage, only to find out the ride had broken down. Not only did no park employee bother to announce the ride was down, no one would confirm if it would be back up today.

We left StinkLand for Adventureland and the Jungle Cruise. It was here that I noticed a change in Colleen. She asked Bridget, “Is anything real here?”. Bridget’s response, “Only the money that is being sucked out of our pockets.”
Putting up with the crowds, the cost and the stink is still worth it to see Momo smile.
When I imagine seeing the world through her eyes, the kingdom is still magical. I fear that I may be becoming jaded and cynical. I hope not.
We met up with Ann, Sheila and Eddie in Downtown Disney for dinner. We ate at a Mexican restaurant. We made up for the high cost by over eating the free chips. That really showed them.
We went back to the park for a few rides and the fireworks.
After another go on “It’s a Small World” and Autopia, we ended our rides with the Matterhorn. As we left Fantasyland, we noticed that it was already 10:15 but no fireworks. We asked a park employee about the fireworks. She said that they were cancelled but did not know why. Again, no announcement, no refund, no satisfaction.

Time slows down as you walk down Main Street Disney at 10:30 at night after 12 hours of hot sweaty Disney fun. The storefronts seem to multiply; the ground becomes harder, the exit further.

Joe stopped at a popcorn vendor to get a bottle water. Naturally it was another ten-minute line. When he got to the front, he was informed that they were sold out. We continued down Main Street. Joe spotted another vendor who we could see selling waters. Joe got in line only to be informed that the stand was closing after the customer in front of him.

At this point, I am convinced Joe has become Walt Disney’s bitch.

As we approached the next vendor, I could not bear to watch it happen again. I bought Joe a water and lemon aid.