6 am…a flying Alaska incites a fear induced wake up. Crikey little Loo, where has this morning energy come from? To be fair, my body clock hasn’t quite adjusted yet. I’ve been up since 3:30, but hey, I’m glad Alaska understood the Disney assignment…sleep is for the weak, and rope drop is non negotiable.
Cheetos for brekkie? Why the hell not Alaska, you’ve earned it…’MERICA!! Grayson opted for a more traditional Coca Cola Oreo breakfast…where have these kids come from? I’ll just stick to coffee…and maybe a cheeky Oreo.
Yes yes, we were ready. Ready before the sun was, and we planned to hit Hollywood Studios for early park entry…ROPE DROP TIME BITCHES!!! We had a date with the Slinkiest Dog in the country!!
Quick pit stop for a cheeky refreshment, Fanta chaser for the Oreo and Cheeto breakfast, and then hot tail it to the Skyliner. Quick Skyliner trip (literally), to Hollywood Studios. Jordan managed to bundle herself and a stacked stroller into the Skyliner just as the doors closed and trapped her in the purgatory between the Skyliner doors and a swamp full of hungry Alligators below (or that’s what we tell the kids to keep them away from the waters edge; can’t be too careful).
Studios was rammed even before Early entry began, with a line snaking back to the car parks longer than slinky could reach. 3.2.1…ROPE DROP. Jordan uses the stroller as a battering ram, and the kids rip their shirts off and cause general havoc akin to a Mad Max film. Even so…the Slinky Dog Dash line was still well beyond the start of Toy Story Land. At least we had Woody to keep us company…but I do kinda feel bad for the trail of bodies we left behind in our wake. You don’t stand between the kids and Slinky…when will people learn?!
Finally, 8:30 arrived and the line begins to move. By this time though the kids had already had a titful of each other, and Alaska had taken to battering Gray as some sort of in line entertainment…‘He’s winding me up!!’. To be fair, he likely deserved it…sneaky little bugger he is. Excellent coaster, Grayson takes pride in not making a sound the whole way round (he sees it as a badge of manliness…umm, yeah ok), and Alaska screamed so much in excitement. Photo…yeah, the less said the better; all we got was a cracking view of Jordan’s armpit. Delightful thanks love, one for the album.
Next up…’Top W**nker’…no, sorry it’s called Midway Mania I believe…though, let’s be honest 🙄. Needless to say, I hammered them…please don’t read too much into it 😂. Not really something to be proud of I guess.
Away from the pride/shame conundrum of Midway Mania glory, we headed to Galaxy’s Edge, and straight to Rise of the Resistance. Height check…just tall enough…JUST. Darth Nij the Sith Lord was looking like we’d have to try smuggle her aboard. Shame there’s a second safety height check…damn, sorry Alaska, looks like you won’t be meeting your hero Kylo Ren, or helping thwart this pesky Rebels…and she’d have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for this damn Disney staff. In honesty though, we are certain the first and second height checks are marginally different, and destined to disappoint children. Either that or Alaska loses the will half way through the queue and ends up slumping just to stop queuing. Can’t fault her logic, I’m not a fan of waiting in line either.
Anyways, Gray and Jo board the doomed Rebel vessel, whilst Alaska and I snap a quick pick in front of an X Wing…at least make it subtle guys, and then browse the market for some exotic pets. Missing home, Me and little Loo browse the weirdest creatures unknown to man and end up with some creepy new pet. Can’t remember what it was called, it’s some sort of cat/armadillo thing with millions of teeth…or as it’s soon became known…Lucy. Don’t ask why, Alaska must have her reasons, but we dare not question it. She absolutely loves this thing though, everyone who would listen would hear about Lucy, and how her and Alaska were best buds, helping the First Order silence the Rebel scum. There’s evil behind though beautiful strawberry blonde curls…beware.
Obviously the sight of a new toy sent Gray into a worse meltdown than was last seen in Versuviois, prompting him to attempt purchase of any old rubbish just to get even with Alaska. “I want one of those cool creatures”, which one Gray? “I don’t know, any of them”. Cool head kid, chill, we are here for ages yet. Anyways, shut up and get us back on Rise, we have an special Lightening Lane. Great riding with Captain Spoiler, intent of ensuring I don’t miss an ounce of plot line, and slinging over confident abuse at the First Order. “You’re not going to get away with this!”…”Dad we actually do win”…cheers Gray, I was afraid I was about to suffer imaginable torture. Oh wait, no that will be in the form of the midday Orlando sun.
Right, he was correct, we escaped and totally buggered up Kylo’s plans. So, deciding a change of career, we headed to Smugglers run, where we were smuggling Lucy across the galaxy, without a cross galaxy pet passport. Great fun little simulator that even knows not to trust Jordan to drive…or even be a gunner. Sit there and push your button engineer…you have value to the mission…honest.
Meet and greet with Chewy, whom Alaska made sure knew how cute he was, and then a quick catch up with Goofy and Max, and their father son shenanigans. Bloody Goofy trying the seduce Jordan too…bloody take her mate, you’d soon give her back 🙄
“After food we’re going on tower of terror because I wanna get over it”. Shit Billy Big Balls, where did that come from?!. In an immense show of courage, Grayson decided today was the day to fight his fear of the supernatural. Like a wish version of Scooby Doo, we later headed to face his fears.
First though, a stop off at Baseline Tap house for some much needed sustenance and a little drinky poos. 1 overpriced pretzel and Charcuterie board please…and a side of ale. Yep, make have been a little expensive for what it was, but everyone raves about it, and to be fair, for a light lunch, it was bloody lovely. Beers was nice too…Grayson thoroughly enjoyed, and didn’t even get ID’d.
On the build up to Grayson’s courage tour 2024, we made our way to the Runaway Railroad to see what sort of menace Mickey, Minnie and Goofy can impose on today’s guests. Quick stop at the photopass for a lovely family pic in front of the Chinese Theatre, and a perfect opportunity for Alaska to practice her blatant lying. “Today is my birthday”…wait what? No it isn’t, what angle are you working Alaska? If you’re going to make up lies, make sure it’s somewhere that people can give you a freebie…appreciate the effort, but executed poorly. Maybe next time…
MMRRR fun as always, Mickey and Minnie to bugger up the day, send us into turmoil and then act as though shit was ok at the end of the day. Yeah it’s all good and fun until someone gets injured. Stereotypical god complex for Mr Mouse right there.
Honestly, by now we were circling the drain, in the cusp of a heat induced death…maybe rope dropping this place wasn’t such a bright idea…could have done with an extra hour in bed too. We tried everything to cool down…even the Kitchen sink. Yep, Minnie’s Kitchen sink icecream to the rescue. Well…Grays rescue anyways. Little bugger was shovelling that ice faster than Kristoff could. Honestly would have thought that he’d been given the challenge to clear the sink in 19 seconds or the world would end. Thanks Gray, had the world’s best interests at heart. Top kid.
Ok ok, so maybe all that ice cream was a bad idea, Alaska now looked like she had committed a mass homicide with all the red food colouring adorning her hands and arms, and Grayson now had to tackle the tower with a belly full of ice cream, which would soon be churned into butter. Chancing Alaskas height once more, we make it through checkpoint 1…through all the scary shit, Alaska questioned our chances of survival, before being denied again. Guess your odds are 100% then Loo…me and Grayson, maybe half that. She did get graced with a height card this time though…come back when you are tall enough and jump the queue. A great little service by Disney there fair play…we won’t remember the card next time mind, and will end up venturing the good old peasant route.
Still dying of thirst we hit up old reliable Starbucks for a few ice waters and a few more iced coffees…life saver, I genuinely started heading towards the light. Heat exhaustion is no joke. Half hour chill before Touring the Stars, and watching C3PO play pilot and drag a group of civilians into a war zone just for shits and giggles…poor form C3PO, stick to harassing Luke and being R2’s hype man.
This did incite a not so little tantrum from Gray too, as he had reached boiling point, and picked out perhaps the shittest present known to man…some static star wards figures. Tears and everything, we complete purchase of said pile of rubbish to his great delight…and I once again lose the battle to be an assertive adult.
Muppets 3D rounded out the day, with a visit to Muppet industries, and an attraction that I fear has its days numbered. I do like the show, but it’s old, outdated and a little bit shit. Nostalgia carries it mind, but it’s not long for this world.
And finally…finally, it was time for our reservation at Rodeo Roundup BBQ. Been desperate to try this, but heard mixed reviews. I must say though…atmosphere was great. Andy and Sid both turned up and most of the restaurant understood the assignment. Our served was great, and didn’t break character. The kids (and Jordan) rode horses to the table, the food was endless (and bloody delicious) and we had a damn great time. Would 100% go back again, just for the cheese biscuits, but also for some great BBQ, and even better atmosphere. I kind of wish I was still a big eater, as I would have demolished the lot way back when, but we didn’t even manage to finish one round. Full, and feeling disgusted with ourselves, it was finally time to call it a day. Quick trip to Walmart in vein (I messed up a toll road and need to sort payment), and quicker trip to Disney Springs to pick up some free money and it was time to retire for the night.
Topolinos for brekkie tomorrow and a quick few hours in EPCOT…we have a guest joining tomorrow and need to collect from MCO…who could it be? Find out tomorrow on…The Fletchers Misadventures 😂
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