DAY NINE (Magic Kingdom):
-Okay it's taken me like three months to get all this out, lol. But here's the last day! And... I kinda forget what happened between the previous one and this one. My big memory of this one was that it rained CONSTANTLY. I think we missed both parades in the afternoon, and only got the Adventure Cavalcade I already showed pictures for. We also missed most of the Magical Friendship Faire. This is the kind of thing that makes me glad I booked a REALLY long vacation, because you can have a "rotten day" of cancelled stuff like this and it doesn't really matter. Especially since you already did the stuff (vs. if your first day was rained out) so you don't spend your day worrying if you're EVER gonna see the stuff.
This day I was like "ah, screw it" about getting up super-early, so I headed to the park right at normal opening instead of "Extra Magic Mornings" (four days of that was enough!), so I was way too late for all the big rides. Just messed around instead, maybe doing Small World at opening. I was one of the first people in Haunted Mansion, though. I rode... stuff. Oddly I didn't check out Splash Mountain one final time, but the ride's in poor repair and I was wet enough, lol.
One particularly strong memory of this day was sitting in the crowd waiting for the MFF to start and someone came up to talk about my "Wicked" t-shirt (see? CONVERSATION STARTER!) and we discussed that, plus the "Frozen" connection, and then she went on about how she used to work for Disney World as a cultural representation for Latina America. She talked about being at the MFF for its last day "before everyone got fired" and how everyone watching it was a Disney staffer, and EVERYONE was crying. So she was happy to finally be back. Then the rain hit halfway through the show- sprinkling at first but then pretty bad- then she boasted/scolded about how "See, I used to live here, so *I* know how to prepare!" and promptly dropped her sneakers and jacket for a hidden poncho and flip-flops and put her shoes in her bag, lol. Alas I think all the other shows were rained out so after saying our goodbyes I didn't see her again, but it's always fun talking to staffers and ex-staffers, especially as everyone's good and cynical after a few years with the Mouse.
This time around I was in line at the Fairytale Hall and some Torontonians got all "Oh I'M SORRY" when I said I was from Edmonton- those butts. Also some lady with a busted leg was being pushed by a younger relative and she kept blathering to anyone who would listen "I'M SORRY! She's AUTISTIC!" despite nothing going wrong- like yeah she got pushed a little close sometimes ("Oh, you picked WRONG getting in line right ahead of us!" she shouted) but like... nothing was going wrong, lady. Relax. Everyone in line and the Cast Members didn't need to know about the poor kid's thing.
On this, my last night, I FINALLY went into the Winnie the Pooh ride, which has a monstrous line all the time. This time it was short... so of course it broke down, lol. But I naturally found some Disney Adults because that's my superpower now I guess, and I talked to a guy and his sister about what WDW used to be like- he remembered the Submarines and such (bringing up how they had to go- it was a huge chunk of real estate devoted to a ride that seated 12 people per thing and had no disabled access) and went yearly for ages. Thankfully the ride finally came back and I got in. I caught the scene where Mr. Toad gives the deed to Toad Hall to Owl, as well!
The incredible decor of Gaston's Tavern.
Thankfully the rain let up when it got dark, so I was able to see the Cavalcade a couple of times, figuring out the best angles for pictures. The last time I went into the Fairytale Hall I found a NEW Elena this time- she looked all of 12 years old, lol. I asked her to say goodbye to all my friends (as I was thinking I wouldn't be back for at least a year and a bit). I finally bought one of the Designer Collection Dolls- Belle, as she is Best Girl, of course. I hadn't bought one of these since the Disney Store had closed down, and I wanted some form of grand souvenir of this trip- not just the usual pins.
I got some last-minute pictures- one of me with Cinderella's magic slipper, one at the Beast's castle, and one behind the castle and the carousel. I honestly never saw these photographers on past trips- usually I'm busting past people getting their photos taken, but as this was now my FIFTH DAY in the park (!), I had run out of desire to do all the other stuff, lol.
Late at night, things were running down and I was pretty much out of things to do, so I spent an hour looking at Main Street shop stuff (I bought a few souvenirs that were last on my list- such as the doll and some princess pins). I went to the PhotoPass place on Main Street just as the day was dying down- there, I had a long conversation with the clerk at the stand as she cycled through my PP photos. Unfortunately, there was a micommunication- I had intended to pay for my PP privileges there, but SHE must have thought I was seeking to have a photo printed! So we cycled through the pics and I barely paid attention to them, and when I was finally like "man, when is she gonna ask me to pay?" I asked about it, and she was like "Oh, you don't do that HERE! Just online!" D'oh! So I wasted a bunch of hers and my time I guess... but it's not like they had anything else going on that late at night.
At least we had a good conversation about stuff- I talked about how I try to keep a respectful distance with characters, especially female ones ("I'm sure they appreciate that!" she said)- I mentioned never going in for hugs, and she ASSURED me they were cool with that, but man I dunno- if I was a girl (especially one in a job where I'm required to smile and be polite) I wouldn't want random dudes coming up and asking for hugs when I'm not in a position to say no. Finally I was like "Yeah but they have to watch out for guys getting grabby" or something like that, and she said "Yeah, but that's every job". So I think interally "Oh right- being a woman sucks. I forgot".
Aaaaaaaaaaaand that's about it! I had to hit the bus right after that (though I've learned they don't stop running those until the park is EMPTY) and headed back to the hotel. Next morning, I hit the bus and was on my way back to the airport.
Next Up: Character Meet & Greets (summing up the various ones through the parks)
