The Greenest State in the Land of the Free

Wingapo, friends, let us catch up.

Since it's officially summer now, although it's been summer in Orlando for months, this means lots of new things are happening at Disney World. On June 21st, Hollywood Studios got new Star Wars themed fireworks, entitled Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, so a bunch of us wandered over to check them out (it's for product knowledge). While we were waiting, obviously we had to go do Toy Story Midway Mania. The fireworks really were spectacular. So much more than just fireworks. Oh we went to Magic Kingdom after, since Studios closed at 10 and that wasn't enough park for us. 

When a cast member saves you from yet another selfie.

 Another brand new thing to Disney World is the Frozen Ever After attraction in the Norway pavilion in Epcot. It replaced the Maelstrom boat ride, rest in peace. It also opened the 21st, and I through the wonders of technology snagged FastPasses for the 23rd. I brought Frozen fan Katrina and fellow merchie Eric, who was so new when FastPasses became available, he didn't even have his maingate yet. We were running early for the first time in forever (see what I did there) so we snuck in the Royal Summerhaus, also new, to meet Elsa and Anna before checking out their new boat ride. I suppose this would be an ideal time to reveal that World Showcase cast had been pulled from their work locations all week to help test the new ride. I was definitely one of the lucky ones who not only got to test the actual boat ride (instead of just the queue) but got to do several rounds before heading back to Canada.

Princess Anna and Princess Anna love
a queue with a couch. 

Official Summer Snow Day!

Animatronic sisters unlike any others. 

 Eric and I left Katrina in Norway so she could attempt to ride again, while we scampered off to Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club resort for lunch with Sarah. It was 40% off so we thought it was necessary. Also we felt very fancy. We slowly wandered back to Epcot with very full bellies, and decided ice cream from France was in order, and then we ran into a princess on our way back to Canada.

Sometimes us and Rapunzel have the best day
ever at International Gateway.

 Our purpose in hanging out at work while not actually working was the finally check out the new entertainment in Canada. They're an acrobat troup from Montreal called Les Parfaits Inconnus. We may have judged them a bit fast, since they start their act with paper bags over their heads while playing instruments and yeah that sounds totally weird. But we stayed for the whole performance this time, so we would know for our Guests what to expect. We could not have been more wrong. These guys are phenomenally athletic and talented and good-looking. We ended up returning for a second show, as we spoke with them after the first and they told us there's a different featured soloist each show.

This guy flipped backwards off an unsupported ladder.
The other guy just caught the ladder as it was pushed away.  

An All Canadian selfie! Basically I'm a fan for life.

Same day, post-laundry, almost every single merchie gathered on the Boardwalk to try another recent new thing, the Ample Hills Creamery (aka very fancy ice cream). Obviously we had to take shifts going inside and guarding our table, so I don't have a selfie with everyone. A proper group photo exists and I'll acquire it. With more ice cream. Because no regrets about that.

Me, Louise, Kara and Shane taking on Ample Hills
and their complicated flow charts.

On June 28th, we were summoned to the pavilion extra early before work (ok, so at 1030) so we could take a special early group shot of Canada, with a Walt Disney World Ambassador, to be used to promote Canada Day. While we were waiting for said ambassador in the store/air conditioning, we had a very special pavilion-wide goodbye for Micayla, who's extension and program had come to an end. Most of us, including Micayla, had to work that day, but Rachel and I didn't work til much later, so what were we to do but entertain ourselves at work for the morning. We went to the Land, rode the new Soarin' Around the World, and had early lunch at Garden Grill with Chip, Dale, Pluto and farmer Mickey. Dale was totally in his element and his antics were worth the price of Garden Grill. We were uncomfortably full of food and fun for the rest of the day. Oh I'm pretty sure the next time we ate was much much later at Steak n' Shake.

Dale and I are darling.
Remember we got engaged last time?

I think Pluto was distracting us while
secretly trying to steal turkey.

Dale notices that I've been all paparazzi on him...

...And has to check out our photos from the day. 

On June 30th, Laura and I had a chill yet very warm afternoon at Epcot, in which we attempted to complete a passport, but only got a third done, as we kept getting distracted around the World Showcase West area.
First there were acrobats again...

Can you do this in Florida in June? Can you?

 Then there was Laura's favourite princess hanging at IG again...

No one told us to pose like this. It just happened.

 And then the acrobats AGAIN...

His entire body weight in on his one arm. WHAT. 

 Until we decided to move on to greater things. Like dinner at Wilderness Lodge. We had a reservation at the very fancy Artist Point. Laura had a dining coupon left over from Christmas so we may have gone all out. We were very smart in wearing dresses so nothing would have to stretch. We chilled like none other in the lobby of Wilderness Lodge and darn near dozed off on the comfiest couches of life. We wanted to take a boat tour to Magic Kingdom but there was lightning, as there frequently is this time of year. So we took a bus instead. While on the bus, we decided the actual best course of action would be to go to Trader Sam's, the Jungle Cruise themed bar located in the Polynesian Resort. Who would have thought that there would be a bar that was so up my alley. It's delightfully themed to my favourite attraction of all time, it's small and cozy, and the drinks come with both the option of purchasing a clean, dry, signature cup and some magical moments. Enough said. It was amazing and I shall return.

Here's the part where I confess that I'm the bad Canadian who did not visit her pavilion on Canada Day. My bad. Justification - Amanda and her friend Merran were due in from British Columbia that day. I brought them to Target upon there arrival for snacks, healthy foods, and general fun American shopping. After they napped and unpacked, it was absolutely bucketing down rain but we went to Magic Kingdom anyway because, guess what, it buckets down rain every day now. The parks belong to those with ponchos and high spirits.

We don't need you, Photopass.
What you cannot see is my LOVE CANADA tee. 

On the 2nd, Merran and Amanda had an early start to their day, as vacationers do, at Epcot, so I met them in the early afternoon at Hollywood Studios. As is my habit, we got in a quick visit with out favourite snowman...

We are all meting because it's so hot!

Before heading to the Frozen Sing Along. Good times were had by all.

I don't even know how many times I've done this show. 

We left for the resort as the ominous storm clouds were rolling over Studios, and boarded the bus to Art of Animation (for lunch) as the daily rain hit. We were prepared, don't you worry. After lunching, snacking and resting (back at Pop Century where the girls are actually staying), we returned to Magic Kingdom for more magic and less rain.

Our girl Ariel in her grotto.
See my appropriate necklace?

 On the 3rd, Kara and I grabbed ERs from work and left for Art of Animation. I was using the pool while the others had paid for a room. It was so so hot but that pool is gorgeous. I braided four princesses' worth of hair before we went to Magic Kingdom. The 4th of July fireworks are also performed on the 3rd. I guess it's so Guests can see both MK's and Epcot's fireworks. It was very busy but we were very early so we were very comfortable waiting on Hub grass for the salute to all nations (but mostly America) to begin.

Even the castle is Star Spangled. 

We had to stay still for awhile after, since there was a mass exodus of the park, but we were able to snag a FastPass for Haunted Mansion. There was some screaming. It most definitely was not me.

If a ghost followed us home, he didn't show
up for the picture.

On the actual 4th of July, I worked but not all evening. I met Merran and Amanda for dinner at the Electric Umbrella before we found a very uncrowded spot in Canada for the special Independence Day edition of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. The fireworks and noise were an epic of epic epicness, plus there was a bonus of watching a fireworks tech control the show from on top of Canada the whole time. Not that anything was on fire... cuz it wasn't.

On the fifth, I met Amanda and Merran at Animal Kingdom in the evening. As part of the new summer offerings (called "Summer Awakens"... good job with that, Disney), Animal Kingdom stays open later into the night with its new fun things to do: A nighttime Kilimanjaro Safari, which is magical on its own and totally doesn't need to fake sunset or hippo noises, thank you very much, as well as the Tree of Life Awakens, which is a projection show on the Tree of Life and is actually amazing, and Jungle Book: Alive with Magic, DAK's nighttime spectacular along the lines of Fantasmic. There's few fireworks, but it really is gorgeous and beautiful and so catchy, due to Jungle Book songs. I'm sure Rivers of Light, the originally conceived but for now delayed nighttime spectacular, will eventually come to be.

I am both shiny and excited for a nighttime Safari. 

Unless you want to hear about my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, then I do believe we're all caught up.

See you real soon!

Lindsey

Magical Moment: I got a selfie with the WDW Ambassador. He liked and commented on the picture on Instagram. IT WAS MAGICAL TO ME. Also I want to be an ambassador.

Pixie Dust to: This one Epcot Cast Services Cast Member. She was handing out Mickey ice cream sandwiches on Independence Day, and when she saw my costume, she wished me a happy belated Canada Day. Thanks for knowing and caring! And also for the ice cream.

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.