DAY SEVEN: 12/25/2010 CHRISTMAS DAY! CHECK OUT DAY… 
The Plan: MK! ADR at Crystal Palace for 9:20. Stay at the park for as long as we could until our DME bus arrives.
Actual:
Mk was having morning EMH starting at 7 (!) and when I mentioned that to my wife her exact response was, “That’s not happening.” OK…
We had packed most of our stuff up the night before, so we were quite prepared and made a hasty exit. Luggage in hand we made the sad crossing of the bridge over the Sassagoula River one last time. Life can take you so many places; you just never know how and when you’ll be back to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” I made a wish that it was sooner rather than later.
I took a picture of my Son standing in front of the time and date on the front of the bus (and looking thrilled to be there, I must say). 12/25/2010 it proudly reads in digital orange. Nice!!
We arrived to the MK about 7:45, which isn’t that bad considering what a long week it had been. I was glad to get them moving that soon to be honest. It really wasn’t that crowded.
I still had yet to ride Peter Pan due to lines, so I asked that we hit that first—everyone was OK with that. The kids wanted to go straight through the Castle (as opposed to around it, I guess) so we did that. There was no one in sight. There were a few people milling around taking pictures, but not the huge amount I’d expected. I guess everyone was opening presents somewhere…meanwhile I was living mine!
We walked right on to PP and I mentally checked another box. Then it was the kids turn—they wanted to go to the Indy Speedway or whatever that abomination is called. To each, his own I guess—I can’t stand it. So the wife and I decided while we were waiting to check out the standby line on SM. It was her idea actually. 10 mins—yes! (It was more like 5)
We were just in the “green screen” portion when the kids called, “Where are you?” We said, “Meet us at the front of SM and we will ride that together.” Tee-hee, we didn’t lie, we just never mentioned that we were about to exit that ride.
We got right back on, but on the other side and for some reason they fuzzed out my in-ride picture. I made a funny face, but nothing rude. I was with two young girls that were dressed in full-on mid-eastern garb. To be sure, they didn’t do anything inappropriate…who knows. The world will never know just how funny of a face I made.
As we exited that, my wife spotted Chip and Dale all alone, so she shrieked and ran over to them. She had a few silly pictures with them. They were wearing some sort of “space” outfit. It looked pretty weird to be honest.
It was getting close to our ADR time, so we wandered that way. I had planned this ADR way before any of this trip was solidified. My older son (14) got a Pooh-Bear when he was born from a friend of mine and he slept with that bear every night up until about 2 years ago (maybe 3). He loved that bear—almost could not sleep without it. So I thought it would be cute to get a picture of him with a life-sized Pooh-Bear.
Waiting for our name…
Our name was called and we had an excellent table off to the side, almost in front of an exit. It was out of the way of the buffet stampede and it almost gave us a private meeting area for the creatures of Hundred Acre Wood. Very nice.
Our lovely waitress (sorry, no name) was excited to tell us that all the characters were there for meet and greets. I guess sometimes they aren’t all there??? Anyway, right after we sat down and before we even ate, Piglet came over and “hammed” it up. (Get it?) Then Eeyore and then Tigger. Then they all left. Uh-oh…shift change? No Pooh, he was the whole reason for this ADR.
He came out about 10mins later when we had eaten all manner of breakfast items to stall for time. (We’re usually very quick eaters) My wife announced that we were not leaving until we met Pooh himself and she posted a sentry (Son #2) by the buffet to see where he was. He was coming our way!!!!!
He came over and gave my son a big hug and obliged us in a Son #1-only picture. I wondered aloud that maybe seeing Pooh would make him sleepy—he didn’t like that too much. Mission accomplished, we ventured out for a few last minute attractions.
(PS : I changed his FB profile pic to this one day when he left it on the computer—boy was he mad!)
We walked by iasw with no wait, so we hopped on there and my kid’s spotted what they deemed as “Frodo’s Ring” in the bottom of iasw. I sure hope that isn’t someone’s wedding band!
I steered the family towards Aloha Isle—they knew what was coming because they started stalling with bathroom breaks and food stops along the way.
So I did it—Snack #5: my 4th Dole Whip Pineapple Soft Serve. Mmmmmmmmmm
We still had 5 snacks to burn through—Dang you, DDP!!!!
My kids had never been subjected to, errr seen, the Tiki Room so I convinced them it was worth seeing. They kept grumbling that if it was so good, why have you never taken us to see it before? Ha! They were onto me.
Even my wife told me that it was painful. I tried to explain that it was better before Iago took over as manager, but they wouldn’t hear it.
A little fuzzy, but it was our last character picture…
Well, we all knew the self-imposed deadline of 12:30 was rapidly approaching and we did our best to try and grab some more of the magic. Mine was in the form of a bag of Goofy Sour Gummies. We used 4 of our snack credits on Main St and saved one for a milkshake at POR for Son #1.
One last pass through the Emporium for some gifts and we swam against the current toward the busses (begrudgingly). I gave one last wave to the MK and we hit the busses…alone.
The last picture I took at any of the parks…
Next, we…
Nevermind…The rest of the trip is all inconsequential. isn’t it? We got home without a hitch and that night it snowed 8 inches or so at the house. I guess its good we left when we did, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
We plan on going back next January tentatively and Son #1 has already announced he is not going. … And a little part of me died when he said that
I knew it was only a matter of time before my kids “outgrew” Disney, but I know they will be back, just like their dear, old Dad.
Thanks for reading along…
HIGHLIGHTS:
-Evenings at Epcot with the Missus.
-A super duper family vacation.
-Lots of Disney Magic
LOWLIGHTS:
-Protein spills.
-My crash during dinner at The Wave.
Henry’s ADR Ratings: (1-10)
Mama Melrose: 7 Slow svc, but the food was decent.
The picture looks better bigger...trust me.
Rose and Crown: 10 with Illuminations, 7 without.
The Wave: It would be unfair to rate this as I don’t have much memory of it. My son gives it an 8.
Cape May Café (via my wife): 9 She told me that they were the best crab legs she has ever had! Wow!
Le Cellier: 9, but see my earlier comments.
My dessert--sorry it's so dark...
Boatwrights: 8 Good, solid meal. Great svc.
Crystal Palace: 6 Pooh-Bear was the highlight of the meal, let’s just say that.
DOLE WHIP SCOREBOARD:
6 snacks: 4 Dole Whips 1 Pretzel 1 bag Goofy Candy. Not too bad, but I know I am capable of better. Next time, oh yes…next time!!
Until next time…I need to go--there's something in my eye...
Henry
