We got free passes for a whole day at all the 4 Disney themeparks thanks to Christy (Jay's daughter) because she worked there.
We spend 12 hours on foot, running around to the different attractions and queuing up waiting our turn. Each wait was at least 10 - 30mins, and the rides took 1 min each and then we were out running about again.
We did our best to catch all the coasters, however halfway through the day it showered, and we bought $7 PONCHOS. $7. For plastic. And the rides were closed because they couldn't operate in the rain. So we ended up on a Nemo ride.
It was, cute.
Stepping into DisneyLand after 20 years was really quite something. As I saw the castle again after such a long time, i felt something inside stirring, like a little kid who couldn't get her eyes off it. Then there was the Dumbo ride, and Peter Pen, and Its A Small World, and the Spinning Tea Cups, and the car ride my little brother sat! It felt so weird walking through all that, with a slight sickening feeling of mortality creeping up from behind :/ I nearly cried watching the fireworks over Cinderella's castle. One of those weird spaces where you feel nothing at all has changed (the eternity of magic and dreams), and yet everything has and will. I almost feel sick thinking that the next time I'll be there it'll be with my kids. And i'll be 10 years older. Sigh.
We ended up having Fish and Chips there, from Harry Ramsden! After the fireworks, it started pouring again, and everyone was soaked, and tired. But I totally loved my experience there again, and I'm glad I had a chance to go there. One thing that was so valuable, was taking in how they ran such a bloody darn big park (in fact, 4), and their amazing ability to keep the logistics in place, the systems running, and the magical service and experience. That's definitely something to learn from.
We arrived yesterday night after a grueling 24 hour flight that was probably the worst flight experience of my life. But that's over, and all made better by the beautiful storm clouds and thunderbolts that shot through the gloomy Orlando sky.
Sexy.
Highlight #1: We rented a Maxima and installed a GPRS system. Cool shit. My first ever, and probably not my last. Its so effective, only it makes you dumb at reading maps. But that's ok. When I'm old a GPRS would make easy maneuvering with my wheelchair compared to fumbling around with a map for directions to the nearest restroom.
Highlight #2: All-you-can-eat CRAB LEGS for only $20 at our very own Best Western restaurant!
Only... they ran out.
So we made a trip to CHICK-FIL-A and I tell you, I met paradise on earth. Juicy chicken, waffle-fries, free helping to 30989857 different sauces and milkshake. Oh heavens, the milkshake....simply o-r-g-a-z-m-e-e-kk
Highlight #3: Speaking of orgasmic, and although I'm NOT a porn maniac I must say, the porn documentary channel sure was eye-opening, with girls and apes, girls and old men, floury fat girl and man, man and girl who is still a man, gay straight man, and all other flora and fauna you can imagine - you know, 253 difference species in a single rain forest type variety.
Highlight #4: Meeting Jay and Jeannie Conrad Lavinson. They are the cutest pair. He's crinkly, with gentle eyes and bad-boy remnants, and she's a big girl, with 8 kids and the energy level of a lightening bolt. Goofy memory tests, singing and guitar, ribs and majito and the killer highlight: Pot with Jay. I'm so going to engrave that on my tombstone. "Here lies Lin, who SMOKED POT WITH JAY YO MA'FUCKER TAKE THAT!!! Rest in peace."
Highlight #5: We got free tix to a day pass to ALL THE DISNEY ATTRACTIONS. That saved us a jolly good $500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring on the roller coasters!!!!
We'll have pictures 2moro!, Til then.
Over and out.
