December 20, 2008
A little late on the update.
I spent that Saturday at three different Disney parks. We started the day out in the Animal Kingdom. That was where we met the lady that was getting us in. The lady was part of the Dream Team, the people that get to give away dreams all day long (what a sweet job)! My aunt was insistent that she knew what we needed to stop and see and do. So I let her lead the way! We went through the Safari ride. Of course all the animals that were close ended up being on the opposite side of where I was sitting, so four people away from me. We watched the Lion King play in the Mickey and Minnie Camp. Then headed over to EPCOT.
We got to EPCOT only to head to the Magical Kingdom by the monorail. I got to feel like a kid that day! My first trip to Cinderella's Castle, every little girl's dream! I was determined I would meet Mickey Mouse as well! So that was the next thing we just had to do! We went back and found Mickey's house and as we wondered through it, we found where Mickey was hiding and the line that went with it. I got to meet both Minnie and Mickey. It was so awesome! I so felt like a little girl who's dreams were finally coming true.
I went and rode Space Mountain. It was pretty awesome. I love roller coasters, but I also like to know which way I will get jerked on them too, and it was impossible on that one. But it would be the only roller coaster I would ride there since I hated waiting in a line for an hour by myself. I have to take someone my own age next time! We did go on the Small World ride (which was a bit different). I wanted to go on the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean rides as well. So we did wait through those lines as well. I just felt like I was being pushed through all these things ....
We took the ferry back across the man-made lake. It was pretty neat! I did enjoy the time eating my popcorn on the top dock alone. It was just a quiet moment with a beautiful sunset beginning. We went back to EPCOT to ride a couple of rides and end the night with fireworks. We rode the ride inside of the big sphere. We ate dinner at a little diner thing. I convinced my aunt that I wanted to check out this one ride that was space related. I found it, and the wait was like 15 minutes. I already had a headache and I chose the more intense side of the ride. you were put in this little module and you were part of the crew flying to Mars. The director was Gary Sinise. I did love him in the movie Mission to Mars. Lets just say, I had the same thought that the astronauts have when they come back to Earth. "Just don't fall over" because my head hurt so bad and I was a bit dizzy when I got off. It was a better real-life experience than the ride at Kennedy Space Center. That was the last ride of the day.
We walked through some of the countries. I loved some of the imported things in the Germany area. Far too expensive for me though. I loved the beautiful (pewter?) mug I ran into. I wanted it but I couldn't find a price tag. So I picked up the same thing in a smaller shot-glass form and looked at that price tag. $22! Whoa, my only thought was "If someone ever put alcohol in that I would kill them!" lol .... I wouldn't but it better get a good cleaning. I stepped out of the store with a bit of a sticker shock face. But I also found "Das Boot" out side of the German area. A mini Das Boot was about $17. It was heavy glass. I would have gotten one but I decided, not right now. It can wait.
The fireworks weren't too bad, but my feet hurt so damn bad after that day. I barely made it to the van, and had a hard time getting out of the van when we got back to the house. What a crazy quick and packed day! I was so thankful my aunt took me though. I have to say, it was great to just be a big kid for the day! I would do it again sometime. I also know why my parents never took us a children. Expensive and kids forget everything they learned about manners there.
I caught a movie in the Planetarium as well. It was neat to learn what stars would be out tonight. And then a bit about the universe in this full use planetarium. I also learned about an actual observatory, I think, North of the city that you can visit on a clear Saturday night to just gaze or even do amateur astronomy looking.
I went through the main exhibits. I couldn't tell which of the dinosaurs or fossils were actually real. There were a few that you could tell were definitely either models or remakes. Which was a little disappointing. The Mammoth skeleton was amazing! And I don't know why, but the one skeleton reminded me of the bones you might have found inside of one of the large creatures the Orcs used in Lord of the Rings as a riding animal. The gem gallery and vault were really amazing. But I always did enjoy geology as a child. So, of course, I found it all very intriguing.
The stuffed skinned animals kind of made me gag a bit. Some of them were well done, but the thought went through my head of "I wonder if they were old or sick animals and not just killed for their skins." That would be horrible. But then again, I'm not one to enjoy a stuffed animal mount either. Its just not in my favor. Deer heads are interesting but not in my own house.
