Day 3 - continued...
Right this way please...
We left the HM one happy haunt shy of capacity and headed to the Riverboat. I had talked with the CM who was helping me figure out our tickets when we were figuring out the hotel problems on our first day ~ did I lose anyone yet?! ~ and he told me how that was
his riverboat. Evidently he was the last of the original CMs to have worked on the riverboat. I asked him if they allowed guests to ride in the wheelhouse like they do in DL. He said it depended on who was working but generally yes, they did allow people up there. He also told me to look for his picture in the Captain's quarters. Anyhow, long story longer, I checked with several CMs, finally found out who the captain of this particular journey would be (evidently they change jobs each trip around the river) and got the green light to ride up top with Captain Dave
He gave me lots of information and told me quite a lot about his different roles with the company. He also knew of our very own packwingfan, and had just eaten lunch with someone I am a friend with on facebook that works primarily in the HM. Unfortunately that is the closest I got to seeing either packwingfan or Ashley in person on this trip
Lots of people in the park today!
So, what did I learn on my trip around the Rivers of America? The Riverboat is running on it's second backup generator and that is why it is shut down at dusk. If the generator would happen to go out while the boat was out on the rivers, it would have power to return to the dock, but no lights. And no lights + 100's of frightened guests evidently doesn't = something Disney wants to take on
The hull is going to be fixed in January and BTMRR is going down for a complete refurb (pretty much of a total rebuilding of the attraction and queue) once the new Fantasyland is up and running. He said the riverboat and treehouse are both on the chopping block if the park needs to save money. The riverboat uses 1000 gallons of diesel a day to generate the steam and the parts are very hard to find replacements for anymore. Those are two of the reasons it is at the top of attractions that would go if necessary. Dave said one of the rumors floating around is an expansion of the Jungle Cruise if the treehouse gets axed. I wouldn't think that would happen anytime in the near future since they just finished the refurb on the treehouse. I had told Captain Dave about the picture I was supposed to look for and he helped me find it on the way out.
It was up on a really high shelf, and I am not all that tall so forgive the slightly blurry, reflectiony photo...
I picked up F1gment on the bottom deck and we headed off to Cosmic Rays for lunch. We had to skirt the parade crowds along the way.
Hi Mickey!
Now I had quite the frustrating time at Cosmic Ray's last year when we were there. Mom wanted one sort of food, I wanted another, tables were scarce and lines were long. I had to stand in one line forever, get her food, battle the crowds with a tray of precariously balanced food and a drink, deliver it to her at the table, then stand in another horrendously long line and repeat the process all over. This time around we ended up parking her ECV outside and walked in with more or less the same plan this year, find a table, set her down and I would go to find food. But this time we were going to share something so I didn't have to stand in line twice. Evidently Disney must have been hearing about the problems of finding tables and had CMs standing outside the inner dining room, the one with Cosmic Ray, who would help you find a table. The only problem is, you have to have your food first before they will seat you
So, same problem exists, I would still have to battle the crowds while balancing food and drinks, but this time, F1gment was not already perched comfortably at a table. And she had nowhere to sit while I stood in the horribly long food line. No good. We actually lucked out as we were heading toward the exit, we snagged a table right by one of the food counter lines. Those tables in the upper seating area are first come first served. I saw it the same time as another lady and proud or not, I beat her to it!
We ate our lunch and then snuck in the exit door in order to get a photo of Cosmic Ray. There was no other way to get to see him! You can't go in that room, at least not while we were there, unless you. have. food.
We weren't seen sneaking in, we were in stealth mode
although once we entered their field of vision, the two CMs looked like they were going to say something to us, but they wisely kept their distance while I snapped a few shots. I figured they decided we were no threat and didn't have any food so we weren't going to take up any valuable table real estate. It might have been the expression on my face though
In any case, it just wasn't the same as being able to sit and take in the corny show...sigh. And I didn't get any really good pictures darn it all
Hi Sonny! Maybe next time we can manage to catch your show...
After lunch we got a fastpass for Buzz Lightyear and took in the sights of Tomorrowland on the TTA. It was far too busy to go around twice
We had to take a photo of F1gment with her favorite Pixie's balloon self...
We had to wait 15 minutes for our Buzz FP time. F1gment kept up her tradition of letting me win
98,100 to 25,200. Not my best score by a long shot...eh.
Concentration faces ~ check!
I went to Stitch while she waited outside. She never liked Alien Encounter and has never had the inclination to see Stitch since. It was sort of drizzly anyhow so she was happy sitting under the overhang staying dry and watching the poncho parade begin
After Stitch we decided to head back to the room to get a quick drink and snack from the food court and get ready to meet up with NaCler and his Momma later that evening. Yay!
Saw this on the resort tv while we were eating our quick snack. I never did get a chance to see the Duffy bedtime story
Or more importantly, tape it so I could share it with Subsonic
The couple I was hunting with also told me about the all white angel and razorback hog in honor of Jennings Osborne's passing this year. The lights went off promptly at 9 pm after a last dance. I suppose that is the only way to get people out of there. No one will leave if the lights are on and there is something to look at 
