There is plenty of drama for a couple tween boys for this day. Yesterday, was too super a day to end my journaling with notes about how Kurt ended the day a little sick to his stomach, and head-achey. We all went to bed pretty early but we decided that he should sleep in the next day. Therefore, Jason and I went to the Magic Kingdom, alone, to collect a few fast passes and enjoy a few rides.
We arrived a little later this morning, probably about 7:20, and headed for Adventureland. We went on the Swiss Family Treehouse alone. In fact, no one else was in sight. Jungle Cruise was not open yet. So, we headed for Pirates of the Carribean. Funny how the cannon battle doesn't seem nearly as intimidating as I remembered it as a child. I guess I didn't notice on our last visit with so many other details preoccupying my mind, (like how my, then, four year old, was handling everything).
Jason and I decided to ride Big Thunder Mountain and collect fast passes for the evening for this ride, (but I would only be able to get two). We were hoping Kurt would feel well for my big surprise this evening, and that we would all make it back to this park.
After the wooden coaster ride, we went to the Haunted Mansion and realized that the Jungle Cruise would be open by now. We headed back for our zany cruise. Our guide was fresh and ready for the day, and I just might have enjoyed the ride even better than my first time.
I asked Jason what his favorite ride was from our previous Magic Kingdom Day, to ride this morning. (I was secretly hoping that it was Mickey's Philharmonic.) He chose Peter Pan. This was, especially, unfortunate because it had a horrible wait. Furthermore, I wanted to save all of our fast passes for the evening, and Peter Pan was not going to fit in that itinerary. Therfore, at around 9:00 AM, we waited about 25 minutes to board our magical flight through Never Land.
Since Jason loves to spin, we rode the tea cups next, and headed for Tomorrowland afterward. En route, I spoke with Jeff. Kurt was doing well, and they were taking it easy. Jason & I were okay to catch a few more rides. Jason & I stopped for my only photopass shoot the whole vacation. Fortunately, I was able to upload all my photographs to use for the discounted CD and photobook that I already ordered. The pictures should arrive soon and I will add one to the write up then.
Upon arrival to Tomorrowland, I collected Buzz Lightyear fastpasses. Since I wanted four of them, I would collect two more at the allowable time frame. The fast pass machine gave us fast passes for Carousel of Progress as a bonus. Awesome. I wanted to ride this at some point. This way, we all could in the evening.
Jason & I rode Carousel of Progress, saw Monster's Inc., went on the PeopleMover and collected the other two 'Buzz' fastpasses as we left. I guess 10 attractions in about 3 hours isn't too bad for Disney.
What is Real and What is Not Real?
When it came down to planning on how to celebrate Easter in Disney World, Jeff and I were having a tough time with the solution. Furthermore, our older son was reaching an age and time where many of his peers were beginning to know the truth about Santa Claus and/or the Easter Bunny. A whirlwind of questions about when and who and how the truths should come out were forming. Furthermore, this window of opportunity was going to have a limited life. And yet, we were in a place where fantasy danced with reality. Add to these factors the complexities of how to have Easter baskets appear in our resort room in a traditional fashion, and you might understand how our thoughts brought us to a heavy discussion on this Disney day.
For us, this discussion needed to include The Word. I know that as our boys mature and are exposed to more worldly thinking, the questions of what is real and what is not, will pose questions, as it does for most of us from time to time.
This is a difficult topic to approach with potential readers of so many different beliefs. Our belief is that the written Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is the only total truth as revealed to us through the Lord and His prophets. The God who created the universe, gave His Son to live a holy life on earth and revealed His eternal plans to His satisfaction through this historically accurate book, and asks us to trust in this through faith. He is real and not to be confused with Santa or the Easter Bunny, or with characters seen in Disney like Mickey or Donald.
Jason was ready for this discussion. Kurt responded okay initially; but, he seemed a little hurt about it later. I think he still wishes that he could believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny. Hopefully, we can help him find other ways to feel special about the holidays.
The Surprise
We had dinner reservations at the Yachtsman. We all loved our meals and desserts. The steaks were delicious, "aged", tender and cooked perfectly. The boys had pasta. For dessert, Dad had something chocolate. I had creme brulee. Kurt had a trio of ice cream. Jason was thrilled with his white chocolate Mickey puzzle to put together and paint with icing.
We went back and changed into some more comfortable clothing as this was going to be our late night. I had made some plans with which I was pretty excited to reveal soon. We headed to Magic Kingdom and went on Carousel of Progress and the Buzz Lightyear ride. It was fun; and, we were very efficient getting into the park, on the rides and out to the Magic Kingdom docking area before....
The boys, and Jeff, now knew that I had something planned. However, they were puzzled as we waited with no one else around. And then it pulled up to the dock......
