Disney World 2025 Day 3 – Tuesday, May 20

 A Salute To All Future World, But Mostly Imagination

Putting on The Robocop led to a giant fight with my shoe. While contrary to the instructions, I realized perhaps I should try putting the hiking boot on first, then the brace over it.
(Foreshadowing- A combination of the methods worked. Yay!)
 Hey, remember when I was in Disneyland and had that weird muscle pull over my ribs that knocked the air out of me?
Rosa got one on this trip.
We really share everything!
 

Rosa went a bit ahead of us across the resort to heat her tea, while I took Anabelle’s requisite Dewey photo. We met up at the Good bus stop and the EPCOT Bus was already there! YAAAAY! Surely, we would make rope drop with no issues.
(Foreshadowing- We did not… and don’t call me Shirley.)
For the only time on this trip, and the only time EVER first thing in the morning, in our experience, the bus decided to go get folks at one of the other All Star Resorts before going to the Park. There was a mob there. Our bus packed them in, called for back up, and then took us to EPCOT.
 
Anabelle used her inhaler to survive the trip. Why people think they need perfume for a day at a Theme Park is beyond me. On the ride over we heard some Guests, who may have been a bit less seasoned than we are at Disneying, having a deep philosophical discussion. They were working on trying to ascertain why Disney chose a Golf Ball as the symbol of the Park that was the key focus of our trip.
 
It was Rosa’s turn to get selected for the baggage check line. We were not sure why.
(Foreshadowing- We were NEVER sure why.)

I was excited to see the EPCOT maps returned to being "Right Side Up" with the entrance at the bottom, even though that is the northernmost part of the Park.

(Foreshadowing- I noticed this when Anabelle was scrapbooking with maps about a year after the trip. However, she noted that I stated this in the Park as well. I'll take her word over mine.)
 
Though we were a bit past Extra Magic Hour Half Hour Rope Drop, we stuck with the original plan of hurrying to the Frozen ride first thing as that is the only time the line is manageable.
 
The Robocop demonstrated it would hold up well on its second day of use as I mostly kept pace with my family all the way to Norway. (clomp clomp clomp) YAY! 

The ride wasn’t a walk on, but it wasn’t too bad. It was about the wait time of the post Extra Magic Hour Half Hour Avatar Boat the previous morning. It gave Rosa and Anabelle time to keep their Duolingo streaks alive, and me a chance to recover from the “Eight Hundred Meter Hobble” while continuing to suck at languages. Due to the extended time on that line, we were in one spot long enough that I scored a picture of Wandering Oaken peeking out of the Sauna. YOO HOOO!

 
Elsa looked a bit hung over when we reached her featured section of the Frozen ride. High end animatronics need lots of high end maintenance. The Magic Band lit up appropriately for that “Let it Go” scene and did a little sparkle at the exit. It may have lit up other times, but since I was looking at the ride and not my wrist, there is no way to know.
(Foreshadowing- Sense a pattern?)

 
Hey, guess what is right next to Norway! Mexico and the Grand Fiesta Tour! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!
 

The Cast Member was trying to give us directions to the ride in careful English, until Anabelle called Rosa back to us with a very Latin sounding, “MaMA’.” Then the Cast Member said “Ah,” Switched to Spanish and provided much more fluid directions. We were alone in our own boat!!! YAAAAY!!!
 
As we came around to the combination exit and entrance, the line looked like it had grown.
(Foreshadowing- It had not.)
A single family was wandering aimlessly in the queue. (Maybe they were wondering about the Golf Ball too?) Rosa waved at the Cast Member, inquired “Otra Vez?” and blamed me by pointing to The Robocop. We went again! YAAAAAAAAAY!!!
 
With no PhotoPass, it was up to Anabelle, Master of the Point Five, to capture us on our ride. I did confirm the skeleton marionettes had eyes in their pelvises on the second pass through as well, which isn’t disturbing at all.

 
Out of the ride, in the marketplace, Anabelle’s excitement over a new Three Caballeros shirt was visible. The fact that it had extra details including the Aracuan bird augmented the excitement. This was good as Awesome Happy Cast Member Esteban saw her, and immediately rushed over. He was hugely helpful, finding the right size and bringing us to a register. He, like everyone else there commented on the intense heat and reminded us to stay hydrated. He asked how long we had been in The World and where we went in the even greater extreme heat of yesterday. When we told him Animal Kingdom, his Awesome Happy shell cracked a little as he exclaimed, “Oh my God!”
 
On our way to one new EPCOT character experience, we encountered another, because Disney Life is like that. YAAY! In the Gazebo near the edge of World Showcase was Asha from Wish. YAAY! By the end of the trip, I had it down, but for the majority of our travels, I could not prevent myself from calling her Aiesha.
(Foreshadowing- Thanks to parenthood being the gift that keeps on giving, I will never live this down.)
 

Anabelle, a big Wish fan, had a detailed conversation with her that bounced around on topics and spent a while concerning Valentino. The meeting finished and Anabelle looked at us stating, “I volunteered to Goat Sit.” As we left a little girl tore into the Gazebo screaming, “ASHA!!!!!”
Anabelle said, “Me.”
 
The original plan, given we were coming from that direction, was to enter the Imageworks directly for the Figment meet and greet. However, we changed that plan because Anabelle said, “But I want to ride Figment.”  YAAY!  Who can argue with that logic?
The Magic Band flashed a bit at the stink lab and the final hall.
(Foreshadowing- And other places… but I was busy watching the ride.)
 
In the Imageworks THERE WAS FIGMENT! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! The wait was several orders of magnitude less than the four hours when he first appeared. This is good, because as much as I love Figment (A LOT!) I wouldn’t wait four hours for him to come home with me. His meeting area had a Dreamfinder silhouette in the background! And next to him was a screen showing the old animations from the original Journey Into Imagination! SQUEEEEE!!!

 
The Internet Port Ralph and Vanellope used before they got fired was now “The Dream Port.” Figment had to go back through it to get a “figgy snack.” A bunch of people on the short line left. I bet they were from California. Naturally, this being our home Disney, Figment came back out after almost no time.
 
While we waited that little bit, we noticed the abandoned and roped off Island of Imagination where Joy used to meet people. (“Boo, Hiss” – Anabelle)
 

Then, we met Figment!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!  He was very excited. So were we. YAAAY!! I got extra hugs because he was on my Magic Band Plus. YAAAAY!! That was the best use of the thing I found on the whole trip. He was equally excited to see himself on Anabelle’s ears, along with the Dreamfinder. The Handler thanked us for our support and told Anabelle Figment will say, “Hi!” to Dreamfinder for her. YAAAAAAAAAY!!!
 
Two other cast members handed out the Autograph cards. I told them I had been waiting for this meeting since I was twelve. They thought that was sweet. (Or pretended to, to avoid upsetting the crazy old man.) As I left, I realized that the Lone Ranger shirt I habitually wear to EPCOT and had on was also around that long.
 
Moana had a meeting area near her new attraction, but in the blistering heat, (and knowing we’d have two other days in two locations to meet her) standing there and sweltering was not in the cards. 

Instead, we went through the new Journey of Water to cool off.
The attraction was a great deal like the interactive Imageworks… but wet! It was SO FUN! YAAAAAAY!!

There were many ways the guests’ motions interacted with various water features and fountains. Plus, there was a cool Te Fiti PhotoPass opportunity in the middle. (With the Big Ball in the background) 

Anabelle tried to be helpful telling me which way the “dry path” was to protect my boot. When I said I would forgo that route, she asked why. “Because it is a billion degrees,” got an accepting response. “This is true.” (clomp squish clomp)

 
This was supposed to be the World Showcase Day, saving Future World for the weekend. I gazed longingly back at my beloved fish as we headed toward the first 

(Foreshadowing- BUT NOT THE LAST)

EPCOT Death March. (clomp clomp clomp)
 
On the way, water bottles were filled, and snacks were exchanged for PowerAde… so we didn’t die.
 

It was time to start really taking in the gorgeous topiaries and gardens of the Flower and Garden Festival, the main (non Muppet farewell *sniff*) reason this accidental trip happened.
 

Anabelle bought the circular bingo card that would allow her to trade it in for a character watering can after identifying all the flowers Spike the Bee was next to at the various gardens all around EPCOT for the festival. Her infatuation with Spike the Bee, a character she had never heard of before planning this trip, was borderline disturbing. She spent hours researching which watering can she felt was the cutest to help her selection once this quest was completed.
(Foreshadowing- She didn’t get that one.)
 

Because we’d already seen Norway and Mexico that morning and had a scheduled lunch on the other side of World Showcase, we started the EPCOT Death March in Canada. Yes… I know. We can only beg forgiveness from the EPCOT gods.

(Foreshadowing- Who am I kidding? I'm pretty sure we've done so many EPCOT Death Marches that the starting side comes out about even.)
 
The record setting heat was having some extra effects, and the waterfalls in the backyard of Canada were turned off. Perhaps they had to divert all the water to the new Moana attraction. However, Anabelle’s initiation of the Spike the Bee hunt was off and running. (clomp clomp clomp)
 

Over in England, the Shakespeare and tea inspired gardens were on theme for our family. There were sent photos of the tea for Uncle Dave. We did a quick Rabbit check in the back of the pavilion in Christopher Robin’s room, but sadly, only Pooh was meeting folks. Alas.

 
France was next. 

(Foreshadowing- This is abridged, but I feel saying, “We wandered around, enjoying looking at pretty flowers and character shaped bushes,” in every pavilion would make me seem less manly. As if the fairy and princess backpacks hadn’t taken care of that years ago.)

 
We tried out the single rider line on Ratatouille and breezed past the fifty-minute wait. Not only that, but we all ended up in the same set of rats, and Rosa and I were sitting in front of and behind each other in the same one. YAAAY! Clearly, this was the way to go.
(Foreshadowing- Many times.)
 
Rosa made some Instant Disney Friends from Ohio. Anabelle shared the rest of her car with an entertainingly fun Australian family. I found my usual luck in these situations and sat next to a woman on a business call that lasted until we dropped into the restaurant part of the adventure.
 
The ride was as fantastic and immersive as we remembered. That single rider line was a HUGE game changer. YAAAAAY!!
 

Anabelle had multiple side quests on this trip. While checking for Spike the Bee, we also crossed to near the water where Belle was due to come out for her “I must meet all the princesses to repair the emotional damage of Disneyland’s lack of scheduling” quest. (“The struggle is real.” – Anabelle) On line was a young Portuguese speaking Donald fan who wanted to know where Anabelle got her Tiny Donald. Between Rosa having a fair amount of knowledge of the language, and Anabelle’s love of Donald (and knowledge of related languages) they got an answer across to her. 

I was also there.
 
There is a new paradigm for characters that works much better. Guests must remain in their spot at the front of the line and the character comes to get you. This guarantees a more personal introduction, and prevents the over enthusiastic, interrupting run ins.
 
Belle was Belle. And in her blue dress. YAAAAAY!!!
She did notice the rose on Anabelle’s “Flowers of Princesses” shirt, which landed in a runner up position on SO MANY previous trips, before the Flower and Garden festival pushed it into the spotlight this time. YAAY! Belle even realized the rose was on there specifically tied to her name… eventually. Rosa wearing her “Enchanted Rose” shirt as well probably helped. See, the magic of the Shirt Grid is real.
 
The Princess Quest continued back in the France Pavilion proper with Aurora. The line was longish but moving. However, we had a one o’clock lunch reservation looming. It was too late to change it on the App and I hurried over (clompclompclomp) to the entrance of Chef’s de France to check if I could push out the time a bit. The MASSIVE size of the place was made apparent when the French cast member assured me we’d be fine if we came back, “by three.”
 

I returned to my family in time to meet Aurora, and it was truly Aurora. This is how Anabelle differentiates between the two types of that Princess after years of meeting them both with cousins named after her film. Aurora recognizes all of their names immediately. Sleeping Beauty always has a look on her face like, “Who’s Phillip?”
 
They had a great meeting. Aurora asked about the princess themed flowers on Anabelle’s shirt, and also asked her favorite colors. The kids before her had talked about Pink and Blue, leading to Flora and Merriweather references. Anabelle’s answer, (her first favorites are pink and blue, but she wanted to avoid that route) “purple,” got Aurora talking about Flora and Merriweather anyway, because it is a mix of pink and blue. Plus, her flower shirt earned another Flora reference. Anabelle reached her limit and blurted out, “I’ve always been a fan of Fauna and think she’s underrated.” Aurora suggested maybe she could get a green dress and all pretense was dropped,
“I’VE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR YEARS!”
Once Aurora recovered, after taking a step back, they talked about getting matching green dresses. Anabelle’s green platform Converse sneakers turned out to be the perfect choice for the day. (Instead of the pink and blue custom heart ones… whew.) YAAAAAY!!
 
Filled with princess magic, we went over (a smidge late) for our first time meal in France. We were seated without a wait. YAY!
 
Anabelle decided the place was so swanky she should take off her Minnie Ears. I decided the deformation of my calf was so great, I should put my foot across underneath the table, while resting it on the opposing chair and loosen The Robocop.
 
There was menu confusion, even after I printed them all out, and the three of us particularly studied for this new experience. This was because the “Price Fixe Menu” listed online as “definitely not part of the Meal Plan” was, in fact, part of the meal plan.
 
That meant there were two choices.
1) Normal Meal Plan- Choose ANY entrée, ANY Drink and ANY dessert.
2) Price Fix- Choose from a SUBSET of entrées, a SUBSET of drinks, ANY dessert. But also get ANY appetizer.
 
This led to a larger pile of confusion for a while. We finally figured it all out, at the expense of Rosa being able to have cranberry juice. I feel like if I had time to spreadsheet the whole thing, we could have gotten her juice as well.
(Foreshadowing- Perhaps I should seek professional help.)
 
Anabelle was convinced our waiter was really Chat Noir. Not only was his name Adrian, but instead of saying “You’re Welcome,” he would wink. He winked A LOT. He also helped her confidence by telling her the French pronunciation she used while ordering my salad, (as there was no way I was attempting the pronunciation) was very good. I refused to try, given my innate sucking at languages. However, springing it on her at the table, while referring to her bits of Duolingo acquired knowledge as, “You speak French,” was likely bad form on my part.
(“YA THINK!!!?!?!?!?!” – Anabelle.)
 
The meal was fantastic, Rosa ended up with a Sprite, I ended up with a house Chardonnay that my lame taste buds couldn’t distinguish from the better wines.
 
Rosa got gluten free rolls, and Anabelle and I shared a baguette that had the exact sound of the one in Ratatouille. YAAY! 

None of the appetizers were gluten free. I had what was officially Rosa’s salad with goat cheese, and Anabelle had escargot. The irony of remembering when she was little getting off the bus at Pop Century and terrified of all the snails on the side walk in the rain was not lost on me.
(“BUT I DIDN’T HAVE TO EAT THOSE!!”- Anabelle)
 

Rosa’s salmon with rice and vegetables, Anabelle’s ratatouille and my shrimp and scallops were all phenomenal. Anabelle, who hates tomatoes normally, ate them with gusto in her dish. It was all very “Remy” like experiences. I usually eat everything in my dish separately. (I know, “What color of the spectrum is that?”)  Although, I learned that didn’t work here. I was at first disappointed with how bitter the spinach was. However, mixing it with the central puff pastry of the dish and the sauce (basically a seafood bisque) was amazing. The goat cheese in the salad worked the same way, and Rosa and Anabelle had similar experiences with their entrées.  YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!
 
We made a few observations while having the astonishing culinary adventure. Anabelle pointed out, “This is a WHOLE lot quieter than Germany.” Though later on when proclaiming it what we all thought- “The best meal I’ve ever eaten in a Park,” Anabelle added, “The only thing that would make it better is an Oom Pah band.”
 
She then added a sentiment we agreed with, “Lowkey, except for Aurora, the rest of our family would hate this.”
 
Adrian returned to clear the dishes and picked up every single plate (entrée, appetizer and bread) on the whole table in a series of fluid motions without dropping a single crumb. He left while Anabelle noted, “That was crazy.”
 

Rosa and Anabelle had delicious sorbet selections in various flavors. I had a crème brulee, which I always forget how much I like, and this one was well beyond that. YAAAAY!
 
Anabelle was worried about one of the three side quests of this trip that had a focus today:
1) Encounter Every Princess
2) Spike the Bee Bingo Card
3) Point Five Photos in each country.
 
She was concerned we’d not make it to Jasmine in time. When I said she was next door, as we waited longer and longer for the sorbet, she said that didn’t help. There was also more confusion when Adrian explained we could charge the tip to the room and I didn’t understand what I needed to do for that after I wrote the number.
(Foreshadowing- Nothing.)
 
There was a stop at the rest room on the way out with far too many “Oui Oui” “Wee Wee” jokes for such a classy joint.
 
As we left, we heard an individual who had clearly been out in the sun too long as he lost the word for humidity and stated it was “moisty.” This also may have been on the way in as occasionally the chronological nature of the notes gets messed up. He was not the only person clearly out in the sun too long.

Over in Morocco, after the Point Five Picture of course, we found our way through the pretty country back to Lamps of Wonder. The line extended way out into the maze like passages of Morocco. However, that was because Jasmine hadn’t showed up yet. During some moments in the shade back there, it is entirely possible that Rosa and I both fell asleep standing up.
 

Jasmine was one of the better visits, out of many “better” visits. Anabelle initially declined a flying carpet trip, but Jasmine promised to fly low. She said the Genie really likes the song because he knows he can see the “Whole New World” in two minutes and thirty-eight seconds. HA!! Anabelle almost forgot about her first time making the trip “Princess flowers shirt” again, but did show Jasmine the Lotus. Jasmine had a shiny one on her pants and it was an epic moment. YAAAY!!
 
I knew the Japan arch with the Big Ball in the background was the proper place to document The Robocop. Rosa took the photo because if I tried it as a selfie, I’d still be standing there. Or more likely, falling over there. 

(Foreshadowing- The photo is on the index page, as my injury and EPCOT seemed the best representations of this trip. And, yes, this is also very much not foreshadowing.)
 

Anabelle got a Boba Grape Juice from the festival stand in Japan, but it was Rosa who found Spike the Bee in the garden. Our whole family gets into the side quests. We’re big on checklists. (Yes, MANY colors of the spectrum.)
 

We passed through the Kawaii Museum, but Anabelle said it was less fun without Aurora… and much less fun without tormenting Veronica. The giant Mitsukoshi store is always tempting. They had a Final Wars Gigan which I’ve been wanting to add to the Godzilla shelf for an age, and Rosa handed it to me. While I was waiting to pay, I noticed a Kiryu (millennium Mechagodzilla), which my shelf also lacked, high up against the wall, and Rosa ran to get that as well, before I finished explaining who it was.

Yes, I am an addict, but it helps being married to an enabler. Anabelle found a plush Kuromi (Hello Kitty friend) keychain that is now a permanent fixture on her Disney Park backpack. 

She was so focused on the Spike the Bee hunt, that she forgot to hide the Graduation button and got her first congratulations while purchasing. Perhaps the Kuromi find in this store also blurred her focus a tad. As we left, the Awesome Happy Disney Sales Clerk ran out of the shop behind us to hand Anabelle her Spike The Bee Bingo Card.

 
Back out in the inferno, kids were breaking down into hysterics everywhere. The PhotoPass person had a “Japan” sign, so we stopped for the obligatory pictures. China had one as well. Perhaps there is a reason only the Asian countries had them.
(Foreshadowing- I have no idea what that reason could be. Maybe it is their way of apologizing for the days when they were the only ones with no penny pressing machines.)

On the way to the next land, Anabelle heard some frat guys say something about someone else concerning, “Tap those cheeks.” At least they had a smidge of class to be mortified that she heard them.
 

In the America Pavilion, Spike the Bee was hanging out with the impressive Tiana topiary. With the show starting soon, I asked, “Anyone need a nap?” Rosa answered in the affirmative. Anabelle said she wasn’t sleepy, and maybe she would see the whole show this time.
(Foreshadowing- She did not.)
 
Rosa slept almost immediately. Anabelle didn’t make it anywhere near the “Two Brothers” song I usually pass out on. She had a quick shift and “fluffed up” my arm later but didn’t regain consciousness. I was all set to hibernate on that song; however, I had elevated my foot in The Robocop on the seat in front of me. Half way through “Two Brothers” it slipped off and crashed to the ground, brining me to a dazzling level of alertness. It was the first time I’ve seen the whole shebang since I was in Middle School. It is an impressive and inspiring show. I’ve always been a fan of Will Rogers. It was nice to be awake for him.

 
Honestly, it was a good thing I was awake and not groggy going in or out. I had mastered stairs in the boot at work, due to the elevator being at the back of our enormous building and my desk being right next to the front stairwell. Ramps, however, were a problem. Both entering and exiting this theater was all incline based and I came close to toppling and taking out scads of other guest on both ends. (clomp clomp whoah!)
 
In Italy, Spike the Bee was technically in Germany. Also, Anabelle’s dancing stage was covered in flowers. Alas. Heading towards Spike, we realized we missed the last two Point Five Photos, and reversed course. We were hot and tired; therefore, we only reversed course to a spot mid way between Italy and America and Anabelle took back to back Point Fives.

Getting to Germany was critical, as Italy had no bathrooms. As most Italians I know pee a lot, this is an oversight. When I asked, “Do we care about the Tiny Village?” they both yelled “NO!” and rushed to the rest rooms.
(Foreshadowing- For my own personal “rushing to rest rooms” moments, assume it happened on every lull or pause. Also, aging sucks.)

We took the Point Five in China, explored the Shanghai Disney exhibit a bit, and went into the movie. Even as fried, dehydrated and sunburned as we were...
(Foreshadowing- A lot!)

That one is gorgeous, and restful, allowing some regeneration. In the store, Anabelle thought she finally found a personalized item with her name spelled right.
(Foreshadowing- It wasn’t.)
The chop sticks package spelled it “Anabelle” but the chop sticks themselves had “ANNabelle” etched on them. Alas.
 

We’d done Norway in the morning, meaning we only took the picture and explored the Stave Church with the Norse Mythology exhibit. The Mead story was playing while in there, ensuring a text to Aurora.
(Doesn’t your family have a favorite Norse Myth?
And why not?)
Anabelle had to wait to get a picture of Freya, because a group of twenty somethings was planning their entire vacation standing in front of, and ignoring, the goddess. 

Philistines.

Anna and Elsa had a forty minute wait fifteen minutes before they left, and the ride was broken. On to Mexico it was.

Anabelle took the Point Five with the pyramid, and the ride had a posted sixteen minute wait.
(Foreshadowing- Sometimes my notes are clearly wrong, and yet I do not care.)
This meant we had to navigate some gaps through the market, but it was still far shorter than the listed time. (Whatever it really was.) YAAAAY! As we approached the ride, the volcano belched out a cloud of smoke. Rosa pronounced, “They picked a new Pope!”
A reminder that Rosa is hilarious.

We all hunted furiously outside for Spike the Bee. Considering the gardens were tiny there, it was odd none of us could find him. We eventually concluded he was in the “closed for construction” area, and Anabelle ruled “identification via elimination” (and / or a Google Search) was allowed.
 
Finishing the EPCOT Death March we returned to Future World. (clomp clomp clomp) There was a Figment Golden statue, but as I approached it to wave the Magic Band, a young girl in front of me activated it with hers without breaking stride. Anabelle was supportive as always. “You snooze, you lose.”
Parenthood, the gift that keeps on giving.
 
She documented a Spike the Bee sighting near the Pluto topiary in the Mickey area crossing Lands before riding Soarin’. That ride is always completely immersive and inspiring. YAAAY! And they updated the end to match the current configuration of EPCOT. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!
 

We hadn’t done the Big Ball yet and it was time. With the new layout we weren’t sure if we went the right way. That should provide an idea of how tired we were given our target was THE BIG BALL! Alas, the little animatronic boy selling papers had fallen down. Additionally, the camera was not working. Double alas.
 
The sun was too much, even for Rosa, who is genetically disposed to it. That plus the Villanova Commencement Infection sent her home an hour early. Incorrect directions sent her the wrong way to the bus, a common affliction of McGinley mothers.
(Foreshadowing- She wasn’t the only one with the Villanova Commencement Infection.)
 

Anabelle and I stayed to find the last couple of Spike the Bees. The final flower she found Spike the Bee next to, completing the entire search in one day, even though we’d be back two other times, was an impatience. WHAT A COINCIDENCE. (Anabelle- “Shut up.”)
 

Based on her early research, she planned on the Orange Bird watering can because he was the cutest, and the water came out of Spike the Bee’s nose. (I found this to be a benefit.) However, after seeing them in person, and her deep connection formed with him all day, Anabelle chose Spike the Bee. YAAY!

 
There was a new structure in the middle of Future World that lit up and played music. (Foreshadowing-By the new Walt statue, we forgot to look at, guess we have to go back. YAAAY!) 

The Magic Band changed colors along with it. Big whoop.
 

We decided to try the Journey of Water at dusk as it got darker. There were lights adding color to the various water features.

We found it kind of “meh,” but that’s likely because we were exhausted and dehydrated.
 

Hey, a random Captain Hook sighting passing through the Park. Rosa saw him too.
(Foreshadowing- I have no idea.)
 
Harmonious was cancelled, for no visible reason, blowing our plan of ducking out before the fireworks’ crowd. Alas.
 
Anabelle made a Teeny (one year old) Instant Disney Friend in the rest room before leaving. She saw Anabelle and yelled, “HELLoooOOOOO!!!!” from her spot seated on the changing table.
Anabelle asked if she had a good day:
“YEEEeeeeeEEEEEESS!!!”
 

Hey, the Magic Band lights up to match the Park exit area colors as well.
Whatever.
(Foreshadowing- We were completely burned out and dehydrated.)
 
With the end of day show cancelled, the bus was completely packed and we had to stand. Anabelle, who hadn't had any food or water since France, felt dizzy and nauseous and spent most of the ride home squatting down. I was able to empty our souvenir bag into my pockets and hands to give to her. To the woman who was horrified by this, after saying in Spanish (not thinking anyone would understand) that her grandkid was going to pee all over the bus adding significantly to Anabelle’s queasiness:
Up yours.
 
Back at the hotel, I was reminded of another superior part of our home Disney Parks: customizable Quick Service meals. Me and my gimpy foot picked up impossible burgers, with modified (me) or absent (Anabelle) toppings for dinner. Rosa had some gluten free leftovers she had stashed in the backpack. You can imagine what state Rosa and Anabelle were in if I was the one chosen to stagger for food. (clomp clomp clomp) I’m used to being constantly sunburned and dehydrated while ill in Disney World. It was a new experience for them.
 
While I was cleaning up and going on the mug run, they watched Anabelle’s favorite Doc McStuffins episode. “Bella Ballerina.” Anabelle also updated her “Must Do” list, modifying the some of the choices to leave out MGM, "Because it is a hole.”
 
She also added “Throw up on the bus” to her “Must Do” list, in order to check it off. She is a completist.
 
During this night’s mug run (or mug hobble, clomp clomp clomp) I passed a family carrying a tiny, half asleep girl who revived just long enough to point towards the statue and yell, “MICKEY MOUSE!” I complimented them on excellent parenting.
 
Once we were all cleaned up, and I was icing my ankle, we watched Bambi before passing out. (There was a pause in the middle for the previously mentioned mug run.) I’m not sure why but, it seemed appropriate.
 
49718/2= 24,859 steps
18.4/2= 9.2 miles

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