Fall Apart in my Backyard

Less than three weeks between posts? I know. Craziness.

On Wednesday, April 27th, the early-rising merchies (myself included) gathered outside at the cart to say "See you real soon!" to our friend Eva, whose program has come to an end. Basically all the positions were covered by leaders and coordinators so we could all be together to watch the leaders say nice things about Eva and give her certificates for having been a trainer and having completed the program. Then we posed for pictures and we were all moose. We had our reasons. Shellby and I didn't work til later that afternoon, and Kristin and Micayla didn't work at all, so we went around to the attractions to see Colin, Terrie and Mel on their last days as well. We also accidentally got into a moose picture for the departing Le Cellier cast members. It was a big group leaving us this week.

The moose of merchandise.

Food & Bev Moose featuring merchandise.

On Thursday the 28th, I took a record-breaking FOUR modes of transportation to get to Magic Kingdom. I drove to the parking lot. I took a tram to the Ticket & Transportation Center. I took the resort monorail to the Grand Floridian. Where I was evacuated and had to take a bus. Magical? Anyway, believe it or not but I hadn't been to the Magic Kingdom since my trip with the Shank family two blog posts ago, so I was happy to be back. I had to send some mail (some of you will be getting MK mail!) and do a few other errand-y type things (yes, errands at Magic Kingdom are a thing), then I met my friend Patrick for random fun times at the most magical park in the most magical place on Earth. We were able to secure some pretty solid Fast Passes for Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain, and to be honest the park wasn't busy. We also visited Tom Sawyer Island, a part of the park I just never got around to exploring. It's (you guessed it) an island in the middle of the Rivers of America full of paths and bridges and forts and fun. It was also probably 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the park. That was probably the abundance of stairs though. We didn't stick around for Wishes, but we did go see Keanu at Disney Springs. I always enjoy movies with kittens.

Go away Guests, this is my island now. 

On Friday the 29th, I had my first Universal Studios adventure of this program. I acquired my annual pass and I'm ready to go until I leave (and after, my pass will be good til April 2017). I went with Matt, who was celebrating starting a new big kid job on Monday. We started in the Universal Studios half, under Matt's guidance (I haven't been in four years, I forgot everything), at the new Transformers ride, then onto the Mummy and Men In Black before heading to the (recently?) expanded Springfield area for lunch at Krusty Burger. I had a ribwich, and it was like a dream come true.

Universal Studios or Duff Gardens? 

After taking all the pictures of all the new things, we went through London to Diagon Alley to visit Gringott's, in which the new(ish) ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott's is located. It was gooooooood. The whole new area is maaaaaaagical. After exploring, we considered taking the Knight Bus to Hogsmeade but ultimately took the Hogwarts Express with all the other Muggles, taking us over to the Islands of Adventure side of the park.

# 12 Grimmauld Place, London.
Read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. 

Diagon Alley, featuring fire-breathing
dragon atop Gringott's bank. 

Making new friends with the Knight Bus driver. 

We rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and I had Butterbeer to settle my stomach. Rides are getting hard, you guys. Aging isn't as easy as I make it look. We also got moderately damp on the Jurassic Park River Adventure before getting totally soaked on Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges. Like eyeliner everywhere soaked. It was like 39 out though so we needed it.

Goodbye real life, I'm going to Hogwarts now. 

Hello, beautiful Hogwarts Express.  

Standard Queen-of-the-Castle picture. 

We finished the day off with the Spiderman ride, since the line was short and cool, then headed out... when we changed and went to Steak and Shake, Do all my adventures end with Steak and Shake? Probably.
And finally, last night, my squad and I reunited for a late night viewing of the new live-action Jungle Book. It was just stunning. I highly recommend. Maybe not for small children who think tigers are big kitties.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Pixie Dust to: My merchandise coworkers on Saturday. They have hearts of gold, if I haven't already mentioned it.

Magical Moment: I'm happy to be in a place where people leave me Thank You cards just for talking to them. It's really rough being the face of Courtesy in World Showcase West Merchandise for the week, but someone has to do it.

Courtesy begins with me.