We're Soarin', Flyin', There's not a Star in Heaven that We Can't Reach

Greetings, friends!

Preface: I am ok and everyone I know is ok. All of Orlando's tragedies ought to be done for the time being. Thank you for your concern.

Yesterday, Canada celebrated Micayla's birthday the Disney Springs way - Earl of Sandwich and a new Disney/Pixar movie. Maybe you've heard of this one long awaited sequel called Finding Dory? It's wonderful. 12/12 crying adults recommend it. We also dominated the photo op after the show. Happy birthday, Micayla. I hope you weren't terribly embarrassed.

I found Nemo (Katrina) and Dory (Laura)!
My appropriate shirt says "Just Keep Swimming."

Yesterday after work, I was lucky enough to be added to Laura's FastPass for the brand new and fully reimagined Soarin' around the World. It used to be just Soarin' (over California), and after a brief reopening of the classic show, it's now brand new and shiny. And actually beautiful. My party was thrilled. Also thrilled by the FastPasses presented to us by a Soarin' cast member. Thanks, friend!

New attraction? New friends. 

On Friday, I somehow got up before dawn (remember when that was what I normally did?) to get myself and a handful of other fortunate merchandise cast members to Animal Kingdom, as we had been selected for a backstage tour of Dinosaur! We were actually given a full rundown of Dinoland USA, a formerly very confusing area, as well as a walking tour of the Dinosaur attraction. We were allowed to ride the ride with the lights on, as well as three bonus times with the lights off. Honestly, I probably couldn't have done more than four consecutive time rover rides anyway.

One of very few reasons to be an early riser.
Aladar the iguanadon photobomb. 

We are the Dinosaur princesses.

After a solid nap and some leftover Oliver Garden lunch, Rachel and I had an adventure to The Loop, wherein we visited our favourite place, Ulta, as well as had frozen yogurt lunch and did some necessary summer shopping. It's unreasonably hot already.

Thursday (my Saturday), Laura and I had some errands to run... at Magic Kingdom, which was celebrating the grand opening of the newest Disney resort in Shanghai. I had my hair cut at Harmony Barbershop. I'm sure I said this four years ago, but it's not just for little kids. I was beside a grown man who was having his hair did. However, he did not opt for the high ponytail, pixie dust and pirate treasure that made me extra magical until an inevitable shampoo. We booked a tour for next month (after Laura's last day), then took off for a lunch reso at Sanaa at Kidani Village. Bread service is my new beau. So is anywhere that offers me 40% off of steak. We watched giraffes from our table... and we watched them get briefly rained on. Sorry, giraffes.

This may be my most magical hair picture ever.
It's not even a selfie. 

Excellent lighting at Sanaa from savannah windows.

My dessert came with a side of wise words.

In the evening, Rachel and I rejoiced in painting our nails for the first time since the installation of the wine bar in our store. It has since departed, so we are Disney look manicuring.... followed by the happiest carbloading at Olive Garden. I shouldn't mention it but this week Rachel and I have also visited Steak 'n Shake and IHOP. It's fine.

I visited Magic Kingdom with a different Rachael (from the UK) on Sunday, as it is the most magical place on Earth, and the rest of the Earth was a bit scary that day. We had the most amazing Jungle Cruise Skipper, and we had a different skipper photobomb a selfie that evening. One of our roles as cast members is to help people forget temporarily what exists outside the Disney bubble, so thank you to the CMs who helped us do that Sunday evening.

I know it's a short one, but this is what happens when I stay on the ball.

See you real soon!

Magical Moment: I believe I mentioned the Soarin' FastPasses and the Skipper photobomb.

Pixie Dust to: Our Dinosaur tour guide, Christopher, who actually visits the Canada cart frequently, and our leader, Mike, for giving us a reason to get up before 10am. I don't get out of bed for less than backstage tours.

Think of a Wonderful Thought, Any Merry Little Thought

Oh my goodness I've nearly fallen a month behind. Is it too late now to say sorry?

Before my family vacation I really should have posted something, so here's the highlights: Princess Breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall on May the 12th to celebrate the birthdays of both Princess Katrina and Princess Laura, of Canada Attractions land:

Laura, me and Katrina are a pretty princess sandwich. 

Canada merchandise bowling at Splitsville in Disney Springs on May the 13th. Congratulations to the new champion, Micayla.

We moose go bowling? Moose pun of some kind. 

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom with Laura Brown on May the 14th. We wore ears and watched Festival of Fantasy with Kimberley, and it was very warm. In the evening, I found dinner at the food trucks at Disney Springs with Matt and we failed to find any remaining Disney Dollars. RIP Disney Dollars.

Laura is all about helping Merlin.
You're welcome, wizard friend. 

Jungle Cruise selfie is just mandatory. 

When dinner comes from a food truck,
there's a lot of room for dessert...

On May 18th, well before my family was scheduled to arrive, I woke up at the crack of dawn (that's an exaggeration) to be at the pav before the Guests arrived. All thirteen merchies plus one Lindsay Wilson were finally all in the same place at the same time. So we may have had a few pictures taken. Thanks, Patrick!

Thirteen gorgeous Canadians. I am fifth from the left. 

Shellby and I demonstrating just how full
these glorious skirts are. 

Although my family was travelling on May 18th, I'm going to say our vacation didn't really start until the 19th. Mom and Steph arrived well after midnight and our entire first sleep in our pirate ship beds was after midnight, so... this just makes sense.
After a lovely resort breakfast of probably something Mickey-shaped, we went to Hollywood Studios. I had FastPasses booked for us for Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania (my first time this program I think) and the Frozen Sing-Along. We also met Olaf, since no one knows he's there and the wait time is tiny, Steph rode Tower of Terror while Mom and I bailed on a normal elevator, we did Muppet Vision 3D because we are Muppet fans for life, and we ate a lot due to being on a Dining Plan. In the evening, I dragged them to Skipper Canteen for dinner, since there was a spot available, and had them ignore all the stimuli that is Magic Kingdom, since our MK day wasn't until the next day. When you enter the park at the beginning of Main Street Electrical Parade, it's pretty hard to ignore.

Do you want to meet a snowman? 

How impressed am I by the Sing Along snow?

We started our Magic Kingdom day with a (delayed) breakfast at Ohana. So we ate all the waffles and biscuits we could handle, while visiting with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. We saw Pluto delicately smush a cupcake into a toddler's hair. Best puppy ever. We monorailed it over to Magic Kingdom and stayed all day and most of the night because my family members are champions of course. We boarded Big Thunder Mountain in high winds, and by the time we actually got on our train, it was of course bucketing down rain. Good thing Lindsey is prepared and brought ponchos. Obviously in the rain you also have to do Splash Mountain, in which we definitely got wet. We caught both FoF and Main Street Electrical with great viewing spots and got a lot more in than I ever would have imagined. We accidentally stayed for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes, and definitely got caught in the large surge leaving, but it's all part of the park experience, am I right?

Bringing the family to meet the boss.

The view from a very rainy Big Thundy.  

Advantage Lindsey: I know where the best selfie spots are. 

...See?

The next day was our Animal Kingdom day, and it was unfortunately also a work day for me. We were all able to have breakfast together at Tusker House (with Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy) before I went to make magical vacation memories for other families at my park while my family enjoyed their day at Animal Kingdom. I wasn't there, so I'm not 100% sure what was accomplished, but I know Mom and Steph enjoyed their FastPasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur and Festival of the Lion King. We met after my work day at the much needed Caribbean Beach pool and hot tub.

Two breakfasts with the boss in as many days.
I'm probably a favourite now.  

I LOVE THIS. 

My last day with my family was our Epcot day. We didn't have a character breakfast for the first time in days (hard Disney life), but rest assured the Disney Dining Plan kept us very full. Naturally, I started our Epcot day with Spaceship Earth, and moved onto the rest of Future World - Test Track, Mission Space (Green training obviously), Universe of Energy (I had to), and the Seas. We explored the aquarium and the air conditioning before moving along to World Showcase. Sorry Canada, I started in Mexico. They have a ride. We had dinner at Biergarten in Germany and it was wonderful! The surprise band was just delightful. Same with grapefruit beer. If you don't like making small talk with strangers, this might not be for you. I was able to get a visit in with every pavilion, with the exception of Norway. It'll be a crazy commotion in a few weeks anyway. We were able to get great spots for IllumiNations, although I admit everyone was slowing down a tad. Some last minute shopping was accomplished while MouseGear remained open, and we returned to our ships for one last night.

This vacation isn't entirely selfies. It just mostly is.  

It's a Sealfie. SEAlfie. 

Gorgeous lighting in the France pav.

Mom and Steph's Magical Express was boarding as I had to go to work. I'll admit I was grateful for work as a distraction, as well as the company of Kristin and Micayla for dinner that night at the Polynesian. Our reso nicely coincided with Wishes at Magic Kingdom, and the music was piped into the dining room for our enjoyment.

Me with two of the loveliest people you'll ever meet.

You'd think I'd have to take it easy after a family vacation. But nope.

The blockout date for the waterparks is quickly approaching, so in the last two weeks I had the joy of visiting both water parks again - Blizzard Beach on May 26th with Sarah, and Typhoon Lagoon a week later on June 2nd with Sarah again, as well as Shellby, Heloise and Patrick. With the exception of the lazy river, I feel prepared to hand over the water parks to Guests for a few months.

On Friday, the 3rd, Nicole and I had a chill afternoon exploring the newly opened Town Center (not Centre) of Disney Springs. We explored until we found the Daily Poutine kiosk. It may or hard to believe, but I've actually never had poutine because I'm not a fan of gravy. Luckily, there were options that did not involve gravy. We also visited the newly opened Sprinkles cupcakes for dessert, after exploring the new shops, and then we went to Cast Connection in hopes of finding nothing in particular. I had an evening of (slightly) off-property time with Matt, Mike and Rachael, wherein I lost in Monopoly again but I was full of Steak & Shake so I suppose that was a win enough.

We found a shady spot for our yummy lunch. 

On June 1st, we said "See You Real Soon!" to Kathleen, fellow merchandise CRP alum. When World Showcase opens, the leaders and coordinators gather us together to present the departing cast member a certificate of completion, we cry, we take many group pictures, it's sad, but then we have an entire work day to contend with after. Between goodbyes and work, I went on the newly reopened but still old Soarin' with Shane, Kevin and Shellby. The new version of Soarin' opens later this month. I expect to start giving directions again any day now.
The vast majority of the merch cast was able to gather at Magic Kingdom after close for the mandatory sad final viewing of Wishes (or Celebrate the Magic, for people closing). We also got a bonus last round of Big Thundy.

Kathleen keeping it together like a champion.  

Kathleen's last work day posse.
We are a good herd. 

This Wednesday, we had to do it all over again with beloved merch CM Morgan. Before work that day, Shane, Shellby, Rachel and I made our first appearance in the new Disney Vacation Club Lounge over the Imagination pavilion. There was free Coke Freestyle pop, snacks, iPads for borrowing purposes, and probably the best air conditioning on property. New tradition? New tradition. We had lunch at Sunshine Seasons, rode Living with the Land, and visited Starbucks before returning to work for the afternoon.

You must wear sunglasses in Living with the Land.

Morgan didn't celebrate her last Wishes until Thursday, so I was able to join her much earlier than Epcot closing time. We got pixie-dusted at Castle Couture, rode the Walt Disney World Railroad, unevenly crammed ten people into three cars on the People Mover (don't try it), watched Celebrate the Magic twice, the Main Street Electrical parade, and sadly, Wishes. Luckily, we were able to stay late enough to get some magical Main Street pictures. I'm sure Photopass will edit out mascara tracks?

Happy last day, Morgan! I hope it was as magical as you!

Yes, yes you can fit six people in a People Mover car. 

Today Laura and I had a day of exploring Hollywood Studios. Laura had some autographs to gather (these are the errands we have to do), and we were able to get a Toy Story FastPass, so good times were guaranteed. We met Olaf, Bolt, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, as well as Minnie and Sorcerer Mickey in their new meet & greet location, Red Carpet Dreams. We also attended the Frozen Sing Along, for the second time this blog post, and got the cowboy scene in Great Movie Ride. We departed just as the daily downpour was beginning. The theme of the day was "we have great timing." And so do I. Because I'm more or less done this post. LOL finally.

We met this movie star today! 

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: A Starbucks CM wrote "Sheriff Lindsey" on my iced coffee cup. I was in fact wearing a Sheriff's badge, so it was totally appropriate. And properly spelled.

Pixie Dust to: Departing merchandise CMs Kathleen and Morgan (keep being magical), my family for coming to visit me, and every CM with whom we interacted for making our vacation magical. It's nice to be reminded of why I do what I do.

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. 

Good Things are Sure to Come your Way

Hello friends. It's been awhile. Right into it, shall we?

It's my Sunday night which means it's Friday for real people. I started my day with a breakfast of champions at Bob Evans, where I had not eaten on this program yet. Biscuits all the way. I needed the energy to return to Cast Connection, as I had not been given a shirt I paid for, when I discovered ridiculous sales on all the RunDisney merchandise. So if you see me in a RunDisney shirt thats many sizes too large... it was very cheap and you never know. I probably have walked that distance in a day. I made a routine trip to Walmart before heading home for the afternoon to relax. Nicole and I *gasp* LEFT the Disney bubble in the evening for a performance at the Dr. Phillips Center (not Centre) for the Performing Arts by the newly rebranded Opera Orlando. Nicole is a talented opera singer in real life, so it was her idea, but as I rarely see theatre I don't already know, I enjoyed it as well. Also I felt super classy because now I can say "Oh, I was at the Opera you see...".

Even the ceiling of the theatre (theatER)
is interesting.

Nicole where she belongs... 

...And me just enjoying being there.

On Thursday I started my day with a round at Cast Connection for no particular reason other than it had been awhile and I just got paid. Let's just say I acquired enough Disney trading pins to keep me afloat for the rest of my program (... hopefully...). I made a quick trip to Florida Mall to acquire a Baloo tsum tsum (he's so cute, it was worth the trip) and chilled (literally) at home until I rewatched Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Matt and Mike (they have a fancy projector. It's fancy). I may have swooned a bit for Kylo Ren, renewing my motivation to get myself to Hollywood Studios to encounter him again.
On Tuesday at work I had surprise visitors in the form of my friend Anna and her friend, and my new friend, Tina, who extended an invitation for hangouts and dinner later in the evening at Epcot. I miraculously had a short day so obviously this was going to happen. We rode Journey Into Imagination and Living with the Land before having a mini hair-braiding party in what used the be the waiting area for Soarin'. We then checked into our dinner at Garden Grill, which was legitimately on my bucket list of things to accomplish on this program. It's a slowly rotating restaurant in The Land which serves a feast consisting of a lot of things you'd have at Thanksgiving. Oh, and you meet Chip, Dale, Pluto AND Farmer Mickey Mouse. Basically it's great. Plus the scenery changes while you're not looking (because you're spinning!). We were obscenely full but so happy by the end of the meal, as we had had the most magical server ever and we rotated twice around the restaurant. Oh, and Dale proposed to me during dinner. Chip had previously proposed to Anna at another meal at Garden Grill so basically we're having a double wedding. Clear your calendars.

Permanent Residency, here I come. 

So happy together.

Here's where I switch up my days to make things a little more understandable. On April 14, Laura and I had a big American breakfast at Perkins before a delightful round of mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens. This was also on my list of things to do this program, as I somehow never got around to it last time. I'll also get around to Winter Summerland, near Blizzard Beach. Fantasia is a wonderful 18-hole course all super Fantasia-themed, with all the music and various well-themed obstacles. Honestly, Laura and I did pretty well (or pretty well at not counting properly, whatever) and it was just unbelievably warm.

You get satyr music when you get a hole-in-one. 

Laura lamenting the adorable but annoying Hop Lo mushroom.

Have you ever seen a golf course like this? Have you? 

I'm not quite as good at golf as the hippo is at ballet. 

After golf and some packing, I went to Port Orleans French Quarter to make the most out of the time I got in this glorious resort, while keeping busy before picking up magical friend and CRP alumna Alison at the airport. We took a boat to Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney, if you'll recall) and spent the evening catching up over drinks and shareable appetizers at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. Jock Lindsey was Indiana Jones' sidekick and pilot, so there's more artifacts and memorabilia in this bar than a standard fan could handle or would notice. Theming for days. Two thumbs way up for the bar and the spelling. We tried to squeeze in some shopping but couldn't get much done in the time we had left, having missed our last boat and getting to experience the bus back to Port Orleans instead.

Well-themed and under-photographed.
My phone died. Sad face. 

Six giant beignets, s'il vous plait. 

The next morning we had a hearty Disney resort breakfast of Mickey waffles (thanks, Alison!) before packing up and moving out of the lovely Port Orleans. Alison was continuing her vacation at the Walt Disney World Dolphin resort, which is not all the way owned by Disney (you can tell cuz they charge for parking and wifi), and I was continuing my day at Epcot. I met Matt at MouseGears and we got our own private boat on the Gran Fiesta tour in Mexico. Basically, guests think we're famous now. We checked out Norway for any apparent progress on the new Frozen attraction (maybe there's a new mountain?) before heading back to Canada, where I had a schedule bid appointment and where I had to check out our newly installed wine bar. We snagged a Fast Pass for Test Track, and I snagged my preferred days off, and we explored Innoventions East and found a previously unexplored exhibit called Colortopia. Basically you learn about how colour makes people feel before getting to paint a wall with coloured lights, all narrated by Ty Burrell. It was super! Afterwards, Mike and I were slaughtered in Monopoly but we generally fine with it.

Painting with colour and light! MAGICAL!

I've had a bit of a social lull this month but it's sure to pick up now that I'm over my second cold of my program. There isn't enough vitamin C and hand sanitizer on the planet to keep me healthy in this state. Between this post and the last, my only other social activity was attending Typhoon Lagoon waterpark on April 8 with seldom seen but much loved Sarah. I had doubt about how my impending cold would affect my ability to tackle giant waves, but with some gentle enouragement I did very well and split a sand pail (all the soft serve one can handle served in a plastic sand pail) with Sarah as a reward. We also thoroughly enjoyed the lazy river on more than one occasion and defeated the Crush'n Gusher. It was wonderful times, made even more wonderful by dinner at Sweet Tomatoes with Matt and Mike.

So excited for the sunshine and the company!

We are all caught up friends. Looking forward to my next round.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: Our server Patrick at Garden Grill, singing our table a Sweet 16 song he had written to the tune of You'll Be in my Heart. I asked him to sing it twice, since I'll be 32 this year.

Pixie Dust to: My mom! For sending me a fantastic Canada shirt.