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Our 19 hour Disney Day - The Letdown

Thursday, March 10th – Sarasota to Disney and Back, Florida – Day 31 Part 1 

The morning started at 6:45am with a mission in mind. The mission was Disney. We got dressed and into the car at 7:45 with a two-hour drive ahead of us. We brought Brinley along for the ride because she is now inseparable from Aisling and Charlotte. With a car filled with children and a quick stop for McDonald’s breakfast we were ready to roll (a little later than planned but with no worries). 


We arrived at our parking spot (Simba 121) at around 10am. The only reason I mentioned Simba 121 is because last time we didn’t pay close attention and we paid for it that night. A quick tram ride (5-minute wait), security (5-minute wait), mono rail ride (5 minute wait), ticket check, wagon exchange for a $31 double stroller rental (I know, Disney craziness) and we were in the park. We then quickly stopped to have a washroom break. As the washroom break was extended, the parade route was being set up around us. To put this in context, John has watched the Disney parade from Mary’s computer about a million times and now was his moment to see the fire breathing dragon in real life. Technically he’s already seen it but he might remember it more this time. The kids were in love. They waved to all the princesses and the dragon let go a massive flaming breathe right in front of us. The first taste of Disney magic. 



 We decided to head right into the park to Tomorrowland this visit. Gen had done her research and we had a plan. We stopped at Monsters Inc Laugh Floor (20-minute wait). It was a comedy show to fill up a laugh canister and it was entertaining. The kids LOL’d. From there, we split up temporarily. John and I went to get the stroller with a plan to meet at Space Mountain. We got the stroller and went to Space Mountain to find out that everyone else had gone for a 20 minute “ride” called Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (3-minute wait). John had to go pee so I got a ride switch so that when Gen came out, I could leave John and take the express lane to the ride. After a quick pee, John and I went on the Carousel of Progress. The presentation was interesting; a narrator led you through technology from the early 1900’s to present day. Gen’s critique was that the man was sitting around chatting, but the women were always working or trying to look pretty. John was fascinated but probably missed the point. 

 At this point, Gen, Mary and the girls were in line for Space Mountain (1 hour wait), John and I were stuck. We wandered around but greatly underappreciated the length of the line so we kept waiting and waiting. We finally decided to go on another ride. When we got there the forecasted thunderstorm hit and outside rides were closed. We went back to waiting and charging my phone. Gen, Mary, and the girls finally came out and were in love with Space Mountain. I dumped John like a hot potato and went to the express lane. Personally, I expected more. It was fun but after the coasters of Wonderland, I thought it would be crazy. 


Gen had gone to see if we could have a meal in the castle, but it was all booked up. We had gone for the meal last time we went (the day before Covid struck) and found a cancellation. If you have a chance, it’s pretty epic. A really nice meal at the top of the castle and all the characters walk around to your table to say hello. The fireworks started to go off outside of the window while we were there but this time no luck. Instead, we went on the carousel (10-minute wait). 


 Overall, the first half of the day was a bit below expectations. I was feeling pretty down about the $700 expense to buy tickets. We had booked a meal at Disney which was probably a mistake (it definitely added to the $700) but at this point of the day everyone was hungry (despite a snack of sandwiches earlier) so it turned into a nice chance to escape the weather and sit inside for a little bit. John was such a tired little meatball, he ate three bites of his dinner and started to fall asleep sitting on his seat. We arranged a bed under the table and put John there for the remainder of the meal. After an appetizer of unlimited bread and salad, we enjoyed pot roast, turkey and pork served with stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. Followed by a dessert of ice cream on a chocolate chip cake. The restaurant had a western theme and there was a self-playing piano on stage which played western jingles throughout the meal. 


To be continued...

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