Thanks to jet lag, we were all fast asleep by 9:30 last night. Maybe it was 10… Bill and I listened to the booming of the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom. Kaitlyn was already fast asleep by then. We were up around midnight when someone popped a cork of champagne or shot someone in the hallway. I dont care which, I was just satisfied that they took all that racket into their room and it was quiet again. We were up again around 4:30. I got up to go to the bathroom and never could fall back asleep. Around 5:30 when we established we were all in the same boat, we got up and ordered room service and got ready to go to the park.
Today was one of our days to get into Tomorrowland and Fantasyland an hour early. A hotel guest perk. Not quite the same as the silver pass perks, but it has to do. We got there around 7:30 (pitiful, for people whod been up since 4:30). Before the park even opened to the rest of the world, we rode Peter Pan, Snow White, Mr Toad, Dumbo, the Teacups and the Matterhorn (twice).
On the Autopia, we got stuck in a traffic jam. So typical for LA. And as a typical LA driver, Kaitlyn got mad, tried honking her horn and threw up her arms in frustration. Literally. The car three ahead of us stopped in the middle of the track. Wouldnt re-start. What do you do when your car breaks down in the middle of the Autopia? Theres no AAA to call. The woman in the car got out and started walking back the track to tell someone. After a while, a cast member showed up from the other direction… apparently when our group of cars failed to show up back at the start when we should have. So now I know what to do if your car stops on the Autopia. Sit there and wait.
I skipped Star Tours and waited for Bill and Kaitlyn to enjoy the ride. It seemed to take them forever when finally Bill called me to say the ride dumps you into a store. Naturally. So I went in, and found them building their own light saber. Im not 100% sure that this purchase was entirely Kaitlyns idea but it was happening and being deducted from her total of Disney Dollars. (Shes been doing chores and earning Disney dollars. She arrived with 89, earned one extra, and is now down to 50. And its day one.)
After a scare over losing the light saber (Bill found it inside the Carousel of Progress), we headed over to see the Jedi training session. If youve never seen it, its well worth it. The same guy has been playing the part of the jedi master for the years weve been coming to Disney. Hes hysterical. Kids line up and wait for the chance to don an ugly brown cloak, learn some light saber fighting techniques, and then take on Darth Vader while the jedi master cracks jokes that mostly go over the kids heads. (Like today: one kid just stood there while battling Darth Vader. The Jedi said you were so fast I didnt even see you move.) We stood at the back where the Stormtroopers make their exit. At one point, Darth Maul walked right up to Kaitlyn and stared at her. That scared her. Then as they were leaving, one of the Stormtroopers stared at her and pointed his (fake) gun her way. She hid behind Bill… shaking. The Stormtrooper glared at me, too, and I admit it was really kind of intimidating. But youd expect a light-saber toting 6 year old to stand up to the guy and try to hit him or something. Or not, I guess.
Kaitlyn found lots scary today. Snow White. Mr Toad (I forgot, it ends with you getting hit by a train). Haunted Mansion (theyve updated it). Matterhorn (Mommy, theres a monster hiding in there). We had to talk her into going on Pirates of the Caribbean, then as we got to the front of the line there was some problem and they shut it down.
On our way out, we stopped to watch the newest parade. It was a dance party in Main Street. The dancers kept pulling kids into the street to dance with them. Kaitlyn was adorable. She apparently wasnt scared of that.
Today was a really long day. And theres so much we didnt even get to do. Sure, we got to paddle a canoe. Ive been to Disneyland countless times and never once did it even cross my mind to paddle a canoe. But Kaitlyn saw it and had to do it. Tom Sawyer Island (or whatever it is now) was another must-do. She and Bill also dragged me on Splash Mountain. Itll have to wait till we get home to the scanner, but Im sure Bill will be sharing the photo of me screaming like Im plunging to my certain death. At least he got soaking wet. ha!
8pm. Better turn in for the night. Its gonna be another early day tomorrow.