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. 

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.

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.