If You Aren't Shaking, There's Something Very Wrong

Greetings friends!

Pardon the rather hastily written post, but tonight I am off on an adventure, and I felt some reading material for my fans might be necessary until my return. Sarah and I are off to the original Happiest Place on Earth, and we leave very soon, that's right Disneyland, we are coming for you! Anyway.

After the hurricane passed, Shane and I decided it was in good taste to attend the only Disney park that's allowed to mock natural disasters, Typhoon Lagoon. It was obviously still completely intact post-hurricane, and perfectly sunny for October. We were there for the tanning but unfortunately it's getting a little cold to spend the whole day in a lazy river. So in the evening we went to Magic Kingdom to buy matching shirts and watch the very last Main Street Electrical Parade with Sabrina and Eric. It's supposed to be going to Disneyland but it won't have started by the time I visit.

Shane is watching the sun set on good
weather for water parks.

I've never camped out for the Main Street Electrical before.
I guess I never will again?

On the 14th, I was reunited briefly with my favourite Fairy from the Disney Fantasy, Alex! She returned from her homeland of the UK to go back for another contract on the Disney Fantasy, so Matt, Mike and I fetched her from the airport, brought her to Chick Fil-A (not generally available onboard a ship) and brought her to the Polynesian resort, where we found other crew members, to watch HalloWishes from the beach. No pictures, but I'm sure no one wants to by photographed after so many consecutive hours of flight. More of Alex to come though!

On the 15th, I brought Nicole and Patrick to Sanaa for their first time. We obviously ordered the overwhelmingly incredible bread service, which totally won over Nicole and Patrick, as did the constant outdoor bonfire and animals. Nicole actually went back less than a week later, so it must be love.

On the 16th, I attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party for the second time, courtesy of Kara but with her sister Devyn, Mandy, and Louise. We took many picture with the infamous purple wall of Magic Kingdom, so this was definitely an event that was well-documented. We took in the Boo to You Parade twice, and had front row to the final Hocus Pocus Spelltacular show of the evening. We also looked totally gorgeous obviously.

So... can you guess my costume?

OH HEY BOSS we're not partying it's fine.

The most spooktacular crew around.

On the 23rd, I attended my only round of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal for the season. I didn't even have to drive, since I attended with fellow driver Mandy and Devyn. We met Nick Kush there, and he's kind of an expert and enthusiast on Horror Nights, so collectively we got through five houses I think, American Horror Story was absolutely the best. When we weren't being jump-scared to death, mine was the group screaming "YAS GAGA" in admiration of the well-done "Hotel" sequence.

Who's ready to get spoopy at HHN?

October 26th, as friends, family and fans know, was my 32nd birthday! I didn't really have much of a plan, so I gathered up some of my favourite people to do a Four Parks Challenge. Well, less of a "challenge" and more of a "things Lindsey likes at all four parks". We started at Animal Kingdom and did Festival of the Lion King and Kilimanjaro Safaris (and two Starbucks stops), then went to Epcot for lunch at Sunshine Seasons, a ride on Soarin and Living with the Land, then a quick detour to Norway to ride Frozen TWICE (which I haven't ridden since its first week), before stopping by Canada and then to Hollywood Studios. Sorry Studios, we kind of short-changed you with only riding Toy Story Midway Mania and visiting Starbucks before leaving you for Magic Kingdom, but... we were running out of time. We got to Magic Kingdom in time to experience the Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree, have dinner at Pecos Bill's and ride Peter Pan's Flight (as well as pose for birthday posse pictures to be seen soon!) before heading home, because I'm 32 now and I just wanted to go to bed. It was still over twelve hours, and it was one of my most magical birthdays ever. Thanks for your company, support, and friendship, crew.

My amazing birthday crew at Animal Kingdom.

My slightly different crew at Hollywood Studios

At midnight after my birthday, it was suddenly Sabrina's birthday! She celebrated by going to work and we met her later for my third round of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I believe Sabrina's sole objective was to have front row viewing for all four Hocus Pocus shows, and she definitely accomplished it. Jen and I broke off for much trick or treating and some hub grass relaxing, but we were all reunited for the last Hocus Pocus show of the evening. It was my third time celebrating Halloween since September 2nd, so by the time actual Halloween came around, I was ready for the next thing.

The frightful friends, absolutely on point.

On Saturday, October 29th, Matt and I made our glorious return to the Disney Fantasy while it was parked (docked?) at Cape Canaveral, and this time Mike was able to come to. We were again, visiting the fabulous Alex, who was covered in (figurative) pixie dust as usual. The atrium was totally decked out for Halloween, featuring a giant spooky Halloween tree. Alex said that when Guests come on board, then get to plant a seed on the Halloween tree, and then by the end of the cruise, their seeds will have blossomed. Into what, I don't know, but the tree was dead-looking and naked when we arrived. There were also Mickey pumpkins everywhere along the railings of the atrium, and many portholes had either cobwebs or Jack-O-Lantern faces. I appreciated it, as an October baby and Halloween fan. This time, we were able to see the Royal Court restaurant a little more than last time, and we spent a little lazy time dipping our feet in the Satellite Falls pool on the uppermost deck, which was still very warm for the end of October (even for Florida, I promise). A beautiful day in a decadent environment, it was glorious.

Alex and I with the Fantasy's Halloween Tree!

The entrance to the Royal Court restaurant.

Me and fairies Alex and Laura

Although I'm excited to go to Disneyland very soon, I'm sad to end this post on a sad note. Yesterday was Shane's last day of his CRP. I think he was more excited to dye his hair finally than anything else, but our favourite leaders showed up at our cart to say some very nice/very sarcastic things and present Shane with both his certificate of completion and his trainer certificate. We took a lot of pictures, had a lot of laughs, and shed a few tears (ok mostly me), and we saw him again that night for his throw out with bright blond hair. See you at Christmas, Shane! Bring me a job? Thanks.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: So I was at the cart alone yesterday and someone called out my full name. It turns out it was a lovely former cast member named Laura who had started her program two weeks after mine had ended, and she had read my blog. Is this what celebrities feel like? Cuz that's how I'm feeling. 

Pixie Dust to: Mom, Grandma, Kim and Kristin especially for the birthday mail. I love mail. 

I Could Go Running and Racing and Dancing and Chasing

I apologize for the delayed (and therefore likely long) post. The truth is I've had some issues with housing which I am still handling and I generally try to not be at "home" as much as possible. Which means lots of time for activities but not a lot of time for computering. Keep my in your thoughts, and possibly your strongly worded emails.

ANYWAY.

Today, Leap Day the 29th, I met Katie (the last merchandise Cast Member to arrive on my last program) at Hollywood Studios for lunch. She had a Fast Pass for the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show (which will be closing in the near future to make room for either more Toy Story or Star Wars fun), so she had to take off. I had a Fast Pass (which we can book up to a week in advance as Cast Members) for the Great Movie Ride, which has changed just a tad since my last vacation. I also had time to visit my favourite baddie and love of my life (in terms of fictional characters), Kylo Ren, from Star Wars episode VII. I had this whole plan where I was going to be sassy and ask him for hair care tips (have you SEEN his hair?!) but they he was really tall and I was intimidated. Hence the awkward awkward pictures. I'll try again.

Fangirl Lindsey is awkward, 

I had to take off for work shortly thereafter, but work is still play here at Disney World. I saw Katie again that evening and she brought me a croissant donut, and I saw Daniel, my only trainee from my last program. Needless to say, I felt very popular today.

Daniel, you're in my blog... again!

Saturday the 27th Magic Kingdom had extended late hours, which were not Extra Magic Hours, so a handful of brave bundled up merchies went over to play after work. Shellby, Micayla (whom you may remember as my trainer), Kimberly, Kristin and I got corndog nuggets and snagged rides on Big Thunder Mountain (so cold), Splash Mountain (wet and cold) and Peter Pan's Flight (so magical) before waiting for the park to empty out. Peter Pan's Flight has a new interactive queue which I had never seen before, so that was super cool. We wanted pictures on Main Street USA with minimal background crowds, and our wishes were granted.

Shellby, Kimberly and I waiting to not get kicked out of MK. 

Shellby, Micayla, Kristin, Kimberly, Cinderella castle, and I.

Friday the 26th, I took on the Four Parks, One Day challenge. It's exactly what it sounds like. There are versions of the challenge with certain necessary criteria, but I chose to ignore them, at least for round 1. I was with my friend and CRP alumni Dan, who also maintained a (useful) blog. We started at Magic Kingdom, likely to get crowded first. We accomplished Carousel of Progress, the People Mover and Haunted Mansion, I got pixie-dusted (it's my jam), and we moved along to Animal Kingdom (by bus, my car stayed in Simba row 15 at the Ticket & Transportation Centre all day).

I forgot to take real picture but Snapchat ones are fine. 

Due to the amount of construction at DAK, it gets packed quickly as well. We recaffeinated at the Starbucks, went on Dinosaur, refueled at Flame Tree BBQ and moved on to Epcot (by bus).

It says "#dinoselfie".

At Epcot we were moderately more productive. We did Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Journey into Imagination, The Seas with Nemo and friends, stopped by the UK, met Rapunzel randomly, and finally boarded a FriendShip to Hollywood Studios.

Talking adventures with Rapunzel. No big deal.

We are so cute though.

CM photobomb on Imagination!

We intended to end the day with the Symphony in the Stars fireworks (a Star Wars tribute), so to kill some time we got in the single ride queue for Rockn Roller Coaster. I got the front row and had the best time ever. My hair looked amazing at the end (bobby pins everywhere). We did Star Tours and got the back row (where no one's feet touch the ground, so it's the best row). We had dinner at I got a warm beverage, cuz it gets cold in Florida in February after sundown, and we got prime spots for the fireworks. They really were spectacular. Dan called it a night after that, but I did not. I settled in for the evening's showing of Fantasmic, wherein I met a stellar family who gave me a churro. Then I bussed back to Magic Kingdom for a bit of the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and finally another round of Haunted Mansion. Me and two Jungle Cruise Skippers were the only ones waiting, so we were allowed to lay down on the Stretching Room floor. It's super cool but generally frowned upon. Also super dirty. A hair wash was imminent anyway. I ran into Canada attractions CMs Laura and Colin on my way out of the park through the Emporium, so we retrieved my car from its spot at the TTC and went back to Vista Way altogether.

Wednesday the 24th was the birthday party of a new friend of mine. You may remember me mentioning that during Traditions, me and two others snuck off for pixie dust? Yes, the lovely Sarah the sparkly was celebrating and invited her international friends Nicole, Sarah (UK Sarah), Justine and I. We went to Splitsville with a collection of Sarah's friends. Splitsville is the relatively new bowling alley in Disney Springs, offering inexpensive bowling, pizza and drinks (not for always-drives-everywhere Lindsey) for Cast after 10pm. I remain an unimpressive bowler but good times were had by all.

Me, Justine, and Sarah the birthday girl with the crew.

On Tuesday the 23rd, I met the lovely and talented Shelby Bruxer (from my last program, not to be mistaken with the lovely and talented Shellby Sy, from my current program) for lunch at ESPN Club on the Boardwalk before work. They have a burger with bacon and peanut butter, which is dangerously close to my favourite burger from the Works (not a thing in the US of A. Sad). Shelby and I had spotted each other on the promenade on Sunday. She and her mom were in town for the Princess Half Marathon weekend. Congrats on your mega accomplishment, Shelby!

CRP Alumni love!

On Saturday the 20th, I saw "How to be Single" with Justine and Sarah (we are already experts hardy har har), and we monopolized the promo material for Zootopia.

What I imagine a Cast bus is like.

My beautiful wing ladies.

On Friday the 19th, I breakfasted at IHOP then celebrated having regained access to the parks by spending the entire afternoon and evening at Magic Kingdom, Han-style (...Solo). I visited the Enchanted Tiki Room before meeting up with instagram stars and former CMs Katt and Kara, with whom I watched the Festival of Fantasy parade for the first time this year. I met Cinderella and Rapunzel after, and watched the Main Street Electrical Parade, and watched Wishes, and took a ride on the Jungle Cruise. It was a great day for park fanatic Lindsey.

Despite the lighting, I do not have a tan yet.

Princesses chill together.

I keep running into this one blond girl...

I can't promise I won't fall behind again. But I can promise that I'll catch up.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: That couple I mentioned in my last post? They came back a few days later. The new wife and I twirled together and I made the couple buttons for their next visit this summer.

Pixie Dust to: My dear Disney friend Kim for the magical care package, and anyone who's listened to me moan and groan about housing. Thank you.