Day seven, a half-day, and our last. We're as sad as Eyore.
After checking out of our hotel--which we had hardly seen the whole
week--it was breakfast at Tony's Town Square. Rumors here that they had
changed their menu proved unfounded, the fritattas are still on the
breakfast menu, the complimentary sticky buns are still hot, and the
service as good as the MK gets. Yum!
                >>> SPOILER ALERT (1 paragraph) <<<
A quick check of the tip board showed "Alien Encounter" to have but a
five minute wait, so we jumped on it. Hard to describe our reaction.
Marta and I both thought it was a lot more funny than scary, and that
the big warning signs outside and during the preshow announcements were
just (unfulfilled) hype. None of the dozen or so children in our group
came out screaming or crying--the general reaction was, "Did they have a
licence to write those puns?" I thought the effects were pretty good,
Marta thought that "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" and "Muppet Vision 3D"
both did the same things better. To go, or not to go? I'd say try it,
but don't wait more than 15 minutes. Marta says she won't go again--only
other ride to earn that is Space Mountain, for entirely different
reasons.
                >>> END SPOILER ALERT <<<
Advice picked up from r.a.d.p: Sit up very straight when the head bars
come down--if you slouch then you'll be forced to slouch throughout the
performance. Very good advice, IMHO.
We then went to the monorail station to look for "Stan the Monorail
Man". Stan came by the hotel were Marta and I work last month and gave
us a very cheerful hard time. He invited us to come visit, and we
promised to do so. We not only sat up front and heckled, we demanded
monorail co-pilots licences! Stan is one of those cuckus who wouldn't be
happy working anywhere but the happiest place on earth. No only did
every member of the monorail team know just who we meant by "Stan the
Monorail Man", he was wearing a pin for five years of safe piloting. Ask
where he's working next trip, and give him our regards--he's well worth
waiting for the next train for.
A Character Lunch at the Crystal Palace with Pooh, Eyore, and Tigger
polished off our visit (and the third roll of film). We had never been
in the CP before (nor it's counterpart at Disneyland), and were
pleasantly surprised by the decor, the variety and quality of the food,
and the noise level. We had avoided the place, thinking it one of the
"bulk loaders" full of screaming children, but it is probably the most
pleasant atmosphere in the MK--King Stephan's Banquet Hall included. Be
sure to check out both buffet lines, especially the deserts, as they do
differ! (Character greeting hint: wipe a tear from Eyore's eye and get a
free kiss.)
As bad as the Illuminations March 'O Death is, the quiet and uncrowded
trip by monorail and tram back to the car after lunch on the last day is
always worse. You are wearing your least favorite Disney shirt; you've
spilled ice cream on every pair of pants you brought; your tough,
park-wise feet have finally grown a blister despite double-socking; and
the thermometer on the inside of your car is pointing to "August". Then
you can't find the map to your next hotel, and it isn't in the Auto Club
book, and they don't have freeway signs, and your family is all doing
character imitations--Grumpy and Sleepy, mostly. Ah yes, it will feel
good to get back to work tomorrow so you can get some badly needed rest!
()_()
 (_)  Bruce (Park til you drop) Metcalf
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 þ OLX 2.1 TD þ o/~ Now it's time to say goodbye, to all our company. o/~
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