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Day 6 - 1/30/2003 - (Thursday)
Today we are checking out, going to MGM for a little while, then going home - so I wake up less than cheerful. We frantically throw everything back into the luggage (no, we had not done this last night like we were supposed to...I think it was the early beginnings of my
separation from reality) we scoffed down a quick breakfast and Hector loaded the van. Then we said goodbye to our room and headed to the front desk to check out.
The lady at the front assured us all was in order and asked me if everything was okay with our stay. I struggled hard to restrain myself from hugging her and gushing about how wonderful it was. It is starting to feel like you are saying goodbye to close relatives you've been visiting. (And just as a side note...I've never seen this woman before in my life.)
After we check out, (I can barely say the words) we head out to the bus stop to go to MGM. I have promised Hector that this would be a quick tour, just hitting the highlights...and that we would be out of there by lunch time. (He has to work the next day! Granted, he doesn't have to be there until 3pm...hmmmmm) Maya and I have already begged him to call and get just ONE more day off, when that didn't work I asked him how he felt about picking me and the girls up at the airport in a couple of days...but he wasn't very keen on that
idea either.
Once we arrived at MGM, Maya wanted to ride the Great Movie Ride first...we usually do Tower of Terror and Rock-n-Roller Coaster first, but Maya wanted to get right down to business and that business didn't involve waiting for mommy. Kyra did great on this ride...even through the gangster scene and the alien scene. She started to cry however, as we entered the FANTASIA scene. What a weirdo. I pointed out that it was Mickey and everything was okay...but she didn't like the fact that it was dark or the swirly cartoony things on the opposite wall. ????? Go figure.
After we came out we saw characters everywhere...especially villains. Kyra immediately wanted the safe comfort of her stroller and I tried to coax Maya into going to meet some of them, but she was having no part of that. So we traveled on...about 5 more feet until a survey taker stopped us. I love to do anything Disney so I happily agreed to do a survey. These seemed a little detailed and much longer than the average survey...but hey...that's okay-it's all for the greater cause. LOL.
In no particular order we continued to do Star Tours twice (one of Maya's faves) the Backlot tour, the Muppet-Vision 3-D movie (I love the muppets) and we just missed the Playhouse Disney show. This was the main thing Kyra was looking forward to in WDW besides It's a Small World. Right when we walked up they were closing the doors and there wasn't another show until 4pm. Well, we planned to be LONG gone by then so we told her how sorry we were and decided to grab a quick lunch before we left. (We are already running later than planned...it was around 1:30ish by this time.)
While we were standing in line at the ABC commissary, I said "it's a shame we didn't eat the the Prime Time Cafe this trip...it sure was good last time." (We've eaten there almost every trip and my husband loves the food there.) So...my manipulative plot worked (said while laughing maniacally) and we got out of line and went over to the Prime Time Cafe.
We were seated within 5 minutes and had a great (and for some reason LONG lunch.) Maya mentioned to our server - ummm - I mean "sister" that she didn't want to go home and at some point in their conversation it came up that this had been Maya's birthday trip. So after our meal she brought out a cupcake and a card and then led Maya to the front of the restaurant and had everyone sing Happy Birthday to Maya. Very magical moment for my little one.
After lunch we seem to have lost all concept of time. I am stopped by another survey taker who asks all about MGM and my knowledge of the Disney Cruise Line. No problemo...ask me anything and I will share my limited knowledge with you.
Me and Maya have another turn on Star Tours when I remember that I still haven't done "One Man's Dream". AAAGGGHH!! I can't leave without doing that...I promised myself when I missed it in September that I would get to see it in January. So my wonderful husband agrees to keep the kids outside and find something to entertain them while I enjoy this all by myself.
Okay...I have to remind you that my sister (and pretty much everyone else who knows me) thinks that I am just way too involved in Disney stuff. I had talked to my sister many, MANY times during this trip as she called me all the time wanting the play by play of our trip. (Hmmm, guess I'm not the only one in love with the place) Anyway, during one of our conversations I was telling her that I wanted to stay there and work and just have magic and make magic for others all the time. She said she was concerned that I was delusional and that I probably needed to come home right away. Well...this all has a point...just give me a minute.
As I am sitting there watching the actual movie about Walt...I am just
thoroughly content. I am slouched down in my seat watching my hero...when suddenly right there on the big giant screen in front of me is MY NAME. Now, for those of you with common names...I am sure you see your name quite often on the silver screen. There are actors and actresses that share your name. You might even share your name with a hero of your own. Heck...some of you are even named WALT. Being named Kaycee...with that exact spelling...you just
don't see it in print or on tv that much...like NEVER to be exact. I think
(keep in mind I was in shock) it was the first animation studio he went to work in - but I might be making that part up. Anyway it was called "Kaycee Studios" and it said so right there on the door he was standing next to.
Okay...when I saw this I shot up in my seat and started looking around to see if anyone else had seen that...or if I was in fact becoming delusional. Of course, being that no one else in the theater knew me...they were all sitting there calmly and had no idea that it was MY NAME that Walt was standing next to.
Sigh...I knew we were connected. Let the delusions begin!!!!
When it was all over I came out and started chattering away to my husband - trying to sum up Walt's entire life in about 4 minutes of an endless stream of babbling. THEN I hear the music and the ommotion and realize that the parade is starting...
After we watch the parade, we are talking and laughing and then I realize "wait a minute...what time do they usually do the afternoon parade?" My ever-patient dh just smiles and nods his head and says "yes...it IS that late".
Time to go...but wait another survey taker has just approached us...
Goodbye MGM...goodbye Tower of Terror and Rock-n-Roller Coaster...I will catch you next time.
Goodbye good friend Walt...until we meet again...
After taking a bus back to the ASMu, I really must browse the gift shop AGAIN and get that keychain I had been thinking about. And another pin. And maybe a few more postcards.
Now, dh is pretty much dragging me out of the place and I feel like a child on the inside. On the outside of course, I am composed and setting a perfect example for my children of how to deal with disappointment and re-entry to the real world. Yeah, right. I start imagining as we pass the pool to go back to where our car is parked what my family might do if I just run and jump in while yelling "I'm not going home hahahahahahaha!!!!!"
After contemplating the drive home in soggy wet clothes, I decide against my aquatic adventure and look longingly at our room as we pass by to go to the car. I wonder if it's considered stalking when former guests stand staring in the window of their old room and decide I'd better scoot along to the van.
As we are heading out of town I realize I really must stop by the outlet stores one more time...and they're on the way home for goodness sakes! It's not like it's out of the way or anything. After all is said and done we don't get out of the Orlando area until 6:30pm. So much for our early start. Driving down that looooong highway I start to return slowly back to reality.
We stopped at a McDonald's on the way home for dinner and Maya was in the restroom (which was moderately clean by McD's standards...but totally grossed Maya out after being in WDW) and went to wash her hands. I got really tickled when she just stuck her hands under the faucet and then looked confused when nothing happened. I had to remind her to turn on the water.
I am going to lobby Disney for a re-entry program where you can bring one housekeeper, one cook, and the character of your choice home with you for a week. Just to ease the transition a little and not just throw you back into the real world where people expect you to do things for yourself and your family, (what's that all about?) and no one ever just hugs me quietly like Mickey does...unless of course they want something. And since I've been home not one person...NOT ONE has asked "If there was something else they could do for me..."
Thank you for sharing this trip with me and my family...I know this report was long...but just like my trip - I didn't want it to end! It is fun re-living these memories with people who know what I am talking about.
High points - One Man's Dream, Prime Time Cafe, Great Movie Ride
Low points - Checking out, LEAVING
Tomorrow - start planning the trip of a lifetime in September!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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