FEBRUARY 1ST PART TWO

After I exited the train station, I checked the time and realized that the 3 o’clock parade was about to commence. (A common question for Cast Members consists of what time does the 3 o’clock parade start? Of course, the guest is trying to ask what the best location for viewing is). I plopped myself down on the bench with the Goofy statue. My seat gave me a straight away screenshot view of the Roy Disney and Minnie statue. Sadly, most guests are not aware of Roy’s contributions to the company. If Walt was a creative wizard, then Roy was a financial wizard. Walt had many talents, but the handling of money was not a skill he possessed. If not for Roy, Walt would have gone bankrupt and worked for others. Walt died in 1966, five years before Walt Disney World opened. The park opened thanks to Roy who delayed his retirement to make sure it was built. Roy changed the proposed name of Disneyworld to Walt Disney World because it was Walt’s dream. Roy eight years older than Walt had spent his life looking after his younger brother and had always encouraged him. Their story is a true testament of brotherly love.

There is a cool story about the statue. Roy, as a true gentleman does, sits down at the end of the bench. This action is done in case a lady would wish to sit down. By positioning himself at the end of the bench, the lady would not have to sit down next to a stranger. However, Minnie is daintily planted right next to Roy signifying her trust of him. It is another one of those Disney details that plusses the plus, a Walt Disney trademark.

Main Street is at the end of the parade route, thus the 3 o’clock parade typically doesn’t reach Main Street USA until 3:25. This edition of the daily parade is the Festival of Fantasy which is accomplished by a catchy theme song and traditional Disney songs. The floats as usual are magnificent and one float in particular is Maleficent! Yes, there is a fire breathing dragon. The guests are both amazed and shocked. Prince Phillip leads the way in front of the float and makes fighting gestures towards his foe. Several princesses share a float including Anna and Elsa! However, my favorite princess Rapunzel has her own mode of transportation and her beau Flynn Rider makes an appearance! That was a pleasant surprise. The Lost Princess>others. The parade finished up with Mickey and Minnie in a hot air balloon! Of course, Mickey is saved for last, he is the star.

After the parade ended, I exited the Magic Kingdom for Disney Hollywood Studios so I could catch Fantasmic! The bus was extremely crowded so I gave up my seat for a lady as all men should, but unfortunately don't. My generation is extremely poor in this regard. Needless to say, the journey to the Studios was not that long; the hardest part is weaving through Magic Kingdom traffic. The bus driver made good time and I entered into the Studios.

Tragically, Hollywood Studios removed the giant Sorcerer Mickey hat from the middle of the park. I put away my grief and entered a clothing shop. There, I found this awesome Galloping Gaucho t-shirt. The store did not have any Steamboat Willie shirts in my size and I did not care for the Plane Crazy design, Plus, Gaucho is the forgotten short of the original trilogy and I am born to be the outcast. Immediately, I raced to find Sorcerer Mickey. In Hollywood Studios, Mickey appears in his outfit from Fantasia his sorcerer incarnation is my favorite Mickey.

Since the Art of Animation was closed to make room for the Star Wars Launch Bay (spoiler alert!), Mickey was placed in a soundstage. I think he deserves better. The line was relatively short, but I planned on waiting anyways. I was ushered in to see the boss before his daily showdown in Fantasmic! I hugged him and held out my new purchased t-shirt for him to autograph. I try to have Mickey autograph all my Mickey memorabilia. I told him that he was my favorite Mickey and hugged him. Seeing the characters is possibly the best portion of Disney for me.

I exited the soundstage to see the poster for the new animated movie coming out and I made a silent vow that someday my movie would be up there. Then I headed to the Great Movie Ride. This ride is my dad’s favorite mainly because John Wayne makes an appearance. The waiting area has a great movie screen showing previews for classic movies and my arrival was timed perfectly for Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood picture. Love Errol Flynn. I won’t spoil any of the action, but the ride is still awe-inspiring and feels like you are placed in a real film.

The Great Movie Ride takes up a fair chuck of time so I needed to grab some grub before I went to get a seat for Fantasmic! I decided upon the ABC Commissary mainly due to its convenient location. My family had never eaten before at Hollywood Studios so this was a new experience. I ordered a steak, green beans and fries combo for only $11.99! A bargain. The steak was a good cut and the sides were plentiful. I ate quickly and hoofed to Fantasmic!

The gateway to Fantasmic! is lined with impressive posters and banners of the characters. I snapped a few photos but I was in a hustle to get a great seat. Providence was with me as I managed to grab a second row seat in the middle of the amphitheater. I had to wait about 45 minutes for the show to start but it is worth it and the DJ played some good tunes to pass the time. A fellow guest got the whole crowd to do the wave which was extremely impressive.

I am not going to spoil any of Fantasmic! Mere words cannot do the show justice. It is a spell-binding combo of magic, special effects, imagination and music starring Mickey Mouse as he battles Disney’s fiercest villains in his dreams. I have the show memorized and I will forever get chills and be bought to tears by the performance. It is Mickey’s tour de force. Walt would love it.

When Fantasmic! ends, there is a mad rush to get to the exits, I carefully planned my exit route and I got to the exit without dying. I immediately headed to the Star Wars Launch Bay to meet Chewbacca and Darth Vader. They do not sign autographs, but holy cow who cares?! It is Chewy and Vader! Chewbacca was his friendly self and I made the mistake of asking his character attendants if Vader signed autographs. They, in perfect character, asked if I was an Imperialist. I had to do some quick taking to assure them I pull for the Rebel Alliance. The Vader character attendants are extremely cold and impersonal. You must have your cameras ready and dump your backpacks in a corner. Vader himself is not friendly. He pointed at one place and I hastily obeyed. Then he pulls me away from that spot! Scary stuff.

I explored the props present and left for the exit. However, I forgot about the fireworks and was completely surprised by the resulting booms. The bursts of pyrotechnics were accompanied by Star Wars music and it was completely memorizing. I enjoyed the show and then basically ran to the EPCOT bus stop to sneak in 20 minutes worth of rides before that park closed.

After going through an advanced screening (for the second time that day), I dashed to Test Track. Normally, I would enjoy the beauty of EPCOT at night but I was in a hurry. The single ride line was only 5 minutes and thus I quickly was seated in a car. The ride is still awesome and fast but I prefer the old Test Track to the new version. I finished up my EPCOT journey by buying an Indiana Jones Mickey Mouse. Then, the park closed. A lengthy bus trip later and I was back in my dorm.