So it's a sad day. We are going home today, but unlike last year, we have time to go to a park before going to the airport. Hooray! We slept in again and then got up to pack our stuff . We left our Mousekeeping envelope & tip just like we've been doing every day since we got here (forgot to mention it before this!). We were packed and checked out by 10 A.M. Since we were heading to MK for the day, we put all of our luggage in the car, then just left it in the Wilderness Lodge parking lot until we got back from the park.
We took the boat to the MK and got there around 11 A.M. It was a glorious, sunny day and we were just glad to be back, even though Andrew wanted to know why we had to go back to the MK since it's always so packed every day. Seeing the crowds from the boat made me instantly agree with him. Another lesson learned. The boys wanted to be able to try out Space Mountain so we headed up Main Street, hung a right and went to Tomorrowland. We grabbed fast passes for Space Mtn. and then had some time to kill. We went on the Buzz Lightyear right *again* and then the Tomorrowland Transit Authority ride again. We definitely enjoy both of those rides. We still needed to waste some time and since we had skipped breakfast, we went into Cosmic Rays for a bite to eat. It was about 11:45 at this point. We enjoyed our casual lunch and then headed back out to the rides.
Time to use our fastpasses, so we headed up the fastpass lane for SM. Unfortunately, we were about 8 people away from the the castmember who takes our fast passes when the ride broke down and they said it would be 30-40 minutes before it was back up again. I was a *little* panicked since we had to catch a plane. Ack. We went back out of the ride (since we still had our fastpasses) and decided to kill more time, then try it again later. We walked towards the Indy Speedway and I saw a woman castmember near a small racetrack that was painted on the ground. I scooted the boys over to her quickly and they were able to get in on a "CARS" car race that she was going to officiate. It was very fun and both of the boys had Mater trucks. After the "races" they both got official Driver's Licenses from the Indy Speedway. So we were able to go from a huge disappointment from a ride breaking down to another magical moment. You have to love Disney. Even though the line was long, the boys opted to go on the Indy Speedway next since we hadn't ridden on it yet. It took about a half hour, but we were able to get on. Andrew & I drove in a blue car and Jim drove with Matthew in a red car. The boys wanted to try to push the pedals this year, but they are still just a little too short. I took pictures from the car as we were going around the track since Andrew was doing the steering. I always go camera crazy on the last day!
We'd successfully killed enough time and walked back over towards Space Mountain. The boys were thrilled to find that it was back up and running again. Jim waited for us outside since he tried this ride out on our honeymoon ('96) and did not like it. Can't convince him to go back on, so just mom takes the boys on. Well that might have been my last time, too. It's a great ride on many levels, but the T bar kept slamming into my stomach, which hurts my scar. Oh well. The boys thought it was a fantastic ride and that was all that mattered. Seeing their faces and hearing their excitement has been a huge highlight of this trip. Next, we strolled through Fantasyland, but couldn't find a ride with a short enough time to go on it, so we kept on going until we got back to the Haunted Mansion. The boys wanted to go on it again, so we got in line. It took about 20 minutes to get into the Mansion and we all enjoyed it. After HM, we walked through Frontierland bypassing Big Thunder Mtn. RR and Splash Mtn due to huge wait times and not having enough time to grab fastpasses. We only had about an hour to go before we had to leave the park.
We walked over towards Pirates of the Caribbean and we were let down to see the huge line yet again. MK on a Sunday isn't a great idea or it was just packed, I don't know. Matthew still needed to get another souvenier and so we went into the gift shop that's next to the Pirate Ride. Matthew picked out a skull (later named Fred - story to come) that had a hatch in the bottom, so he could stuff it with all sorts of little toys. He was thrilled with this! Andrew picked out a Pirates of the Caribbean toy set that included a light up sword, an eye patch and even a parrot that attaches to your arm. Jim bought himself a Pirates T-shirt and he bought me a Mickey throw (blanket). Near this store, I noticed a Photopass Photographer, but I couldn't figure out exactly what he was taking pictures of, so I asked him. He said they pose your child with a sword and then they "stick in" Captain Hook when you get your pics. Very cool! I got the boys and they both had their pictures taken. They had fun sword fighting with another cast member who helped "set them up" for the picture. Meanwhile, the photographer sees the toy skull, puts it on his shoulder and names it Fred. I, of course, have to take the photographer's picture with Fred to add him to the many memories we'll have of this trip! It was all very fun and a great way to spend the time without being able to go on the Pirates ride!
After that, we sat on a bench and all had a Disney ice cream or pop. Andrew loves the Mickey head vanilla ice cream with the chocolate coating and Matthew loves the Strawberry Minnie bars. They each had the same thing numerous times during the week and it was funny that they never strayed from their favorites. We started to walk out of Adventureland and the boys stopped to get wet by the totem poles. We were not leaving quickly, even though we had to go. We got to main street where they were setting up for the parade and the boys were able to hula hoop in the street. Another fun way to end the trip, that's for sure. Near the end of Main Street, I had the boys look over their shoulder and wave goodbye to the Magic Kingdom. Awww, the trip is almost over! Sniff! We then got on the boat back to the Lodge and I snapped quite a few pictures of the MK and the surrounding hotels from the boat. I was prolonging the agony, that's for sure. We got to the Lodge, walked back thru the lobby and out the front doors. We were all very sad, but I think I take it the hardest. I even took a picture of an exit sign and one of the rental car. Too funny! It was not easy to drive away and go to the airport.
Thankfully, our plane ride home was uneventful, even ahead of time. We were home, in our house, by 9:30 P.M. and the boys needed to get some shut eye since they had to go to school the next day. I had even volunteered to chaperone Andrew's field trip the next day, so I had to get some sleep myself. Amazing to wake up in Disney, but go to sleep in your own bed. I always say it seems so surreal.
Until next time, which seems like it will be in December of 2008. Can't wait! See you real soon Mickey!
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