Day 5: One Last Trip to the Laughin' Place

Day 5: One Last Trip to the Laughin' Place

We took our time getting up and ready for our last day, Friday. We had a 10:15 breakfast ADR for Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary. We assembled the troops and hopped the bus for Magic Kingdom. We figured we’d just catch the monorail over to Contemporary.
Actually, on Monday when we’d gone to MK, there were only a handful of guests on the bus, and the driver actually stopped and dropped some folks off right in front of the resort first. We considered asking if we could do the same, but this bus was packed to the gills. So we got to MK and since it was actually a nice morning and we noticed quite a line waiting to board the monorails, we opted to simply hoof it.

The CM’s hovering around the bus stops were very friendly and one actually stopped a bus to let us “jay-walk” across the street to the right sidewalk. It is a pretty easy walk, even with two strollers and didn’t take but a few minutes. And I got a pretty good look at Bay Lake Tower. As we passed the crowds waiting to board shuttles at Contemporary, for some reason I felt a little self-conscious.
In my mind I created an air of higher-class and sophistication about them (i.e. money.) After all, we were a sweaty band of nomads who were staying at a value resort. These folks were in a deluxe monolith of a hotel. Stupid. I know. It continued as we entered the lobby, until the suited gentleman greeting us smiled and asked if he could assist us as he immediately offered Sean a sleeve of Mickey stickers. I explained we were there for breakfast and he enthusiastically said “Chef Mickey’s? Wonderful. Just take the elevator right on up to the 4th floor.”

I know, that’s his job, but still. He did it very well. It reminded me that Walt intended a place where rich or not, you were treated like a true guest.

Anyway, I really liked the Contemporary (I’d never actually been in it – only through it on the ‘rail.) And we all had a great breakfast at Chef Mickey’s. I actually thought the food in this buffet was even better than the Crystal Palace breakfast. A lot of the same stuff, but a couple surprises too.
My favorite thing, besides the breakfast pizza that’s supposed to be for the kids, was the corned beef hash. They also had hash at the CP which of course was good. In fact, Joe and I discussed how it was really a higher quality, with big hunks of meat and potatoes, etc, but good as it was what we really wanted was that good ol’ Hormel right outta the can style. The hash at Chef Mickey’s was much more akin to that. I think I had 3 helpings. I know; no accounting for taste I guess.

There’s nothing better before attacking one of the parks than loading up on a good breakfast. Really that’s a good strategy prior to a lot of activities, other than sitting in a cubicle staring at a computer all day!

And the character interaction was great. The kids were so used to seeing characters at this point there was no fear. They loved them all, especially the main Mouse, who came right up to our table and played around with the little ones!

In our planning stages, we’d thought we’d go back to the hotel after breakfast, but once you’re that close to the castle, it’s kind of hard to just leave again. So in we went. We got wise and as soon as we were through the gates, Ashley said they wanted to hit something in Fantasyland but we’d already discussed heading straight to Adventureland for Pirates. So, we split up.
Best decision of the trip! Just kidding!

But I will say it was nice just spending the day as the 3 of us, our little family. On our way to Pirates, Sean caught sight of the Flying Carpets so we stopped to take a quick flight. Sean even got to control the stick. I don’t know that I’d say I like the carpets more than Dumbo, but there is something about them that I just get a kick out of. Maybe I’m just such a fan of Aladdin. As well as of Adventureland in general. I don't know quite how to explain it, but Adventureland is Disney World to me. As opposed to many who say it is Fanatasyland that best represents WDW in their minds, or maybe Tomorrowland. When I sit and think about the Magic Kingdom, my mind immediately conjures images of the Jungle Cruise, Pirates, and that whole side of the park. I guess we all have our own vision of WDW and what we love most.

Afterward, we took a little cruise to the Caribbean. I hate to say this, but after riding Pirates in Disneyland, there’s something slightly disappointing about the WDW version. It really is missing so much. I wish when they did the refurb a few years ago they’d have added those extra scenes that our California brethren get to enjoy. But still, it’s Pirates and it’s the one I knew as a boy so it’s still special and fun.

When we came out of PoTC the mid-day sun was high and we decided to try Splash Mountain again. The stand-by said 20 minutes, but it seemed to take a lot longer. Due in no small part to the fact that Sean was not behaving. He wasn’t happy about having to wait to get on the “boat ride” and the heat wasn’t helping his demeanor.
Plus, no offense to my European WDW-fans as all are welcome, but when in line and you discover a group of rival soccer team . . . sorry, football club fans, do you really need to engage in a team chant competition?
There were two groups ahead of us in line, and I don’t know where exactly they were from or who they were each rooting for, but they began to shout out these sing-songy chants at each other, back and forth. It was cute the first five times, but . . .

I know, I sound like I should be wearing black socks with sandals shouting “get off my lawn!” I admit, I was grumpy at the moment. I suppose if it were 75 degrees with a light breeze and my son was behaving like the Cherub he usually is, I might have been more inclined to find it charming.

There’s never been a better feeling then stepping into that inner catacomb of the mountain near Brer Frog’s house. That’s when you get that first blast of sweet, sweet air conditioning after being in that Florida heat. Oh, and the ride was fun too!

After the Mountain, I got the sense Wendy might want to head back. I’ll be honest; I can’t even remember for the life of me what we did for lunch that day. I know we filled up Sean’s popcorn bucket at some point that day. And as we made our way through Liberty Square with the intention of leaving, I decided to try again.
“How about we check the wait for the Mansion?”

It was broad daylight after all. Less chance of emotionally scarring our child, I reasoned. Wendy acquiesced and on we went. Got to see Leota’s grave stone in action which was cool. Ok, so admittedly it’s about as high-tech as the Halloween decorations for sale at Walgreens right now, but still, it’s something new.
I admit, I was a bit worried about how Sean would react to the Mansion. We rode the one in DL, and during its Nightmare Before Christmas incarnation, and that opening in the parlor really freaked him out. However I’d say it’s safe to say it was the volume of Jack Skellington shrieking that got him. This time around, Sean didn’t flinch. Admittedly I was kind of whispering into his ear when I knew the loud noise was coming.

He was great throughout the whole ride. In fact he laughed and looked all around at everything. The new scenes are very much an improvement. Especially the bride’s scene. That was awesome. And the Escher-like staircases are much better than the giant spider web. Overall they did a good job of “plussing it” without completely changing or throwing something distracting into it. It all works. Overall, I’m just thankful that Haunted Mansion movie was a flop; otherwise we might see an animatronic Eddie Murphy in every third or fourth scene!

We decided to head back to Pop and relax for a bit. Wendy said she was exhausted and was going to lay down with Sean. I decided to head down to the pool one last time. I threw my book (Heaven & Hell: My Life with the Eagles by Don Felder – I recommend it), my iPod, and the remaining Bud Lights (thank you Aunt Renee) into my backpack.

Sidebar: I’m a big fan of backpacks still, even at 34 and not really being an outdoorsman. My wife got me the one I use now 10 years ago. It’s a yellow and green Timberland and holds all my personal stuff. I’ve always said that if it came down to it, every material thing in the world I need would fit in that pack. And since I’m not a fan of wearing a lanyard, the handful of Disney pins I’ve collected throughout the years are stuck on the outside of it. Gives it a little character (no pun intended) but also can draw attention and funny looks. Which, it seemed to do that day.

I took a dip in the pool (60’s pool) and then got out to catch some rays and read, but I was having a hard time concentrating. I tried to listen to my iPod but that wasn’t working either. Then I got a picture mail from my 2 managers that read “You’re missing the meeting!” Of course it was a picture of them sitting in the bar of a local Mexican restaurant sipping margaritas at 3:00 in the afternoon. I sent them a picture of the pool as I saw it, then turned my phone on myself hoisting a beer to the camera eye and sent them my rebuttal. “I still win.”

What I didn’t know is the lady a couple loungers down from me was watching my strange antics. After her third or fourth trip to the bar she stopped by my chair and asked how my book was. I told her I was having a hard time sticking with it and she confessed she been watching me open it and close it. Then inevitably she asked about my bag. Actually we had a nice conversation. She was a schoolteacher from Nebraska who came down with her entire family and extended family. Anyway, Kris from Nebraska, I’ll hoist one to you again next time. And for the record, the book is actually really good once you get past the first couple chapters.

Around 5:30 I headed back to the room and the wife and kid were still sleeping. I fought the urge to sneak back down to Petals bar and took a shower instead. We got back to MK around 7, figuring we’d grab dinner there. Instead we cut over to Fantasyland (oh, p.s. we somehow split up from Ashley and Joe again) because Sean had seen the Tomorrowland Speedway and flipped out earlier.
So we figured we better let him drive a car. Which he got to do. He and Wendy got into one with Sean at the wheel (scary thought) and I followed behind them. I actually hadn’t ridden on the Speedway since I was probably 9 years old. It’s one of those things I just kind of skip. It was fun. Nothing super exciting but Sean loved it. On a few of the turns I was able to see his face as the breeze whipped through his hair and he was grinning, tongue hanging out the corner of his mouth, having the time of his life. That’s what it’s all about.
Sidebar: I'm really jealous that DL/CA is going to have a Cars land. Since they're really going to do a major overhaul on Fantasyland anyway, why not turn the the Speedway into a mini-Radiator Springs? Or even half-Springs and half-Piston Cup? Just puttin' it out there for any Imagineers lurking on the threads!

I did find one negative about the Speedway though. The designated smoking area in Tomorrowland is just under the exit walkway from the Speedway. So as you’re heading across the walk to the steps, the smoke everyone below is exhaling is billowing up at you. At least it was at that particular moment as we were leaving. It was too much to take. Even for someone who still sneaks one now and then.

We decided afterwards to take another spin on Goofy’s Barnstormer, this time with mommy. The line was surprisingly longer than usual, given such a short (but still fun) ride.
Sean was beside himself when we said we didn’t want to wait in line for a third trip. Instead we headed off to Big Thunder Mountain for a real ride, which we got to do twice in a row.

By this point we figured we really should get him something to eat. Since it was close, and we only had 2 counter service meals left, we chose Pecos Bill’s. I ordered and waited while Wendy got Sean chicken tenders from the cart right outside. The one thing I remember about Pecos Bills even from when I was kid, and the reason I’ve passed right by it the last few times I’ve been, is that it took forever to get your food.
Sadly, not much has changed since the late 80’s I’m afraid. I ordered two burgers. I must have waited at least 15 minutes, as did those around me. I didn’t hear anyone order Surf & Turf but you’d have thought we were waiting for them to trap and boil a lobster.

As we waited, however, I was privy to something I've never seen in a Disney park. A CM was having a loud and very angry meltdown in the kitchen. A girl was hooting and hollering about something she didn’t like and cursing like a sailor. The supervisor was trying to calm her down, or at least shut her up till they were in private. The gist. as I understood it. was ironically that she was mad at another CM who was taking too long getting the orders up. Go figure.
Something tells me you wouldn't have seen that particular CM working there the next day.

By the time we ate, it was getting late. I felt that twinge of despair that our last night was drawing to its imminent close. We decided on one more trip down Splash Mountain for good measure. I can’t help but feel a surge of pride that my kid loves these “big boy” rides already!

It was about 9:30 when we walked out of Pecos Bill’s and the Spectromagic parade was just winding through Liberty Square.
This by the way might be a good tip for those of you in that area when it starts. If its 9:00 o’clock and you want a drink or need to pee, have someone save your spot and go. Take your time. The parade may start at 9:00 o’clock, but it won’t hit Frontierland before 9:30. We decided to grab a spot on the bridge and watch it once more. This time Chernabog even spread his wings in all his demonic glory (is that an oxymoron?)
Spectromagic is so great (since writing this report, they have since taken Spectro out and brought back the famed Mainstreet Electrical Parade, at least for the summer.)
As soon as the last float was rolling by, we dashed over to Splash Mountain for one last cruise. I like to ride this one at night when Wishes is going on because you get an amazing view of the castle as you come around the top of the mountain. If you time it right, you also get an amazing view of the castle with the fireworks going off all around it. It’s pretty spectacular.

But wasn’t to be this trip. We were too early. Oh well. It’s not like it spoiled the ride. It was still a great time. The only disappointment, if you can call it that, about our multiple rides on Splash Mountain (and really any of the rides that offer this) is that we never had a good picture turn out of the three of us. Sean is still such a little guy that in most of them he was completely blocked from view (oft times by his Sasquatch of a father!)

We exited Splash just as Wishes started up so we found a nice spot to watch. That didn’t last long as Sean was not a fan of the thunderous booms of the fireworks, which, being so close can be felt in your chest. He didn’t dig it at all and made it known by clapping his hands over his ears and looking up at me with tears welling up and lip quivering, like “What are you doing to me here?!?!”

So I kicked the stroller in gear and we made our way out, through the masses that were gathered around the castle, toward the exits. Right before we were about to duck out under the tracks, Wendy said she wanted to stop into the photo shop because we had a coupon for a FREE 5 X 10 Photopass picture. And she wanted to order a few others.

So Sean and I just sort of browsed. I debated buying myself the bright green 2009 shirt (anyone who has been this year knows it well, I’m sure.) In the end I just decided it was a little too bright for me, especially back in Chicago. It was just one of those impulses where it’s like “we’re about to leave and it’s going to be a while before we get back. Buy! Buy! Buy!”

Instead Sean and I crossed over to the bathrooms by the Firehouse for a pitstop before heading out. I then wheeled him into the Emporium but it became immediately apparent that was a really bad idea. 10:15 P.M. is about the worst time you could possibly pick to try a quick browsing excursion in the Emporium. Unless maybe its extra-magic hours and people are still out on the rides. Otherwise, everybody else exiting the park is inside the Emporium undergoing their own “Buy! Buy! Buy!” frenzy!

When we got the bus stop the line for Pop Century was insane! To be expected of course at the end of the night. We just hunkered down and waited with the rest of the herd. After a good 30 minute wait, we were finally on the bus.

Our plan for Friday was to simply lay low. Our flight out was a little before 4:00 and the DMX was picking us up at 1:15. So not a lot of time to do too much anyway. We figured we’d just check our stuff with the bellmen and hang out at the pool or something.
Until we got to the room that night and realized we still had yet another coupon for a FREE 5 X 10 Photopass picture. It pays to look in that little voucher booklet Disney sends you when you book your trip. I had kind of just breezed through the coupons as I had no plans to go to Planet Hollywood or play mini-golf. I did however use the 30 minutes of free game play one of the afternoons, even though I’m not a video game guy. I actually attempted to play Guitar Hero since there was nobody else in there. Of course just as I began to butcher Slow Ride, a huge crowd of kids came in and I know made fun of me without mercy.

At any rate, Wendy did not want that free pic going to waste, and it wasn’t valid for online orders so she decided she wanted to hit one of the Photopass shops the next day. I played it cool because I didn’t want to be too enthusiastic and pay for it on the plane because she was exhausted from hitting another park before rushing to the airport. This fear is not unfounded, by the way. It’s rooted firmly in reality from a previous trip!
The question was, would we just head back to Downtown Disney or go to a park? And if the latter, which park would it be . . . ???