Annual Talent Show

Alec turned on the charm at the this year`s talent show. Check it out!

Magic Kingdom - The Summary

I've already posted some photos from our visit to the magic kingdom, but I'm pleased to give you two more, as well as a synopsis, for the record. The day after we arrived in Florida we got up early, had a bit of breakfast in our hotel room and headed for the gates. We elected to take the train instead of the ferry and arrived while the welcome song was in process. No doubt the welcome song comes with a spectacular show, but we couldn't see much from our position. When they opened the gates, we rushed in and headed for Fantasy Land. I had understood that the trick at the magic kingdom was to get to the things you want to do the most right off the bat, before killer wait times kick in. Flight of Peter Pan was our first priority, and it didn't disappoint, we rode twice. Then we hopped right over to It's a Small World, which was also spectacular. We ran into Peter Pan and Alec took great delight in meeting him. That which I've just described was the most "magical" part of our day. After this, Alec needed to be politicked into participation. While it was only about 10 a.m., we had seen and done a lot, and the hotel pool was calling him. We rode the tea cups (thanks to the time an ice cream bought us for lining up) and Winnie the Pooh's Windy Day (at my absolute insistance as Alec protested he was much to be old to be cavorting around with Winnie the Pooh). We caught sight of a souvenier (pirate pistol) that motivated Alec to walk to Adventureland and there we purchased a few things and rode Pirates of the Caribbean - which was well worth doing, despite that I had originally dismissed it as too old. On the way to Adventureland, we ran into Donald (see above). Next up, the hunt for Mickey Mouse, and Pluto (we shared a joke that Pluto would think Alec was a big hot dog because he had spilled so much ketchup on his shirt during his lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe). When we found out Pluto's location, we judged it too far a hike, and we headed to Splash Mountain, where we heard Mickey was to be seen. The fact that we got some face time with Mickey himself was all down to Alec's perserverance. We had to join a line up and stand in the sun, and not for a short time. But, as Alec said, "I didn't come all this way not to meet him". So meet him we did (and Minnie as well), as the picture shows. We capped it off with a cold drink, followed by the parade, then back to the hotel for a swim that was cut short by lightening. It was a good day. :-)

Hollywood Studios - That's A Wrap

I think I've posted fully the goings-on at Hollywood Studios in March. Just want to mention, for the record, that we also saw a muppet show, an Ariel (Little Mermaid) show and went to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. That's a wrap!

The Big Event

Let the Games Begin!

In planning a Disney vacation, I grappled with how many days we should spend at which parks. I really did not want to overdo it with Alec (the primary purpose of the trip being his enjoyment and, generally, he is happy to chill). The kicker that took us to Hollywood Studios was all the Star Wars action to be had. I understand they have a good Star Wars ride there (but it was under renovation when we were there). Mainly, though, I was excited by the idea that Alec could became a bonafide jedi padawan learner as part of a show put on multiple times each day at Hollywood Studios. It used to be that children were selected from the audience to participate, which (I understand) led to as much disappointment as joy. The current method of selecting participants is summarized as follow (based on our experience):

- Get to Hollywood Studios before they open. A good 20 minutes before they open is best so you can feel the place out and ask a cast member for directions to the spot.
- Once in position, be prepared to protect your spot and your space (with your body, or that of your child). Those other mothers are just as serious as you are.
- Once the "gates" open, run like darth vader is chasing you to the spot where you can see the cast member weilding a lightsaber (and leading a crowd). Follow him at all costs. He represents the only chance you have.
- Where that cast member stops, a line will form. Based on your place in the line and your child's ability to answer a few simple questions, you will be given a ticket to participate in one of the shows that day. The time will be specified.
- Put that ticket in the safest spot you can think of, and return at the designated time.
- Be careful not to snigger at the disheavled parents of boys running full out to join the line as you leave it (with your ticket). Remember, pride cometh before the fall.

Then came the big event, Alec was put in a holding pen with other like-minded boys and (a few) girls. He was dressed in a jedi robe, and provided a weapon. When the time came, a jedi master invited him and his peers up on to the stage to train as jedi padawan. A fighting sequence was taught and just as all were showing progress - the air changed, fog emerged, and a wall popped open. Two clone troopers, followed by Darth Vader entered the stage. Darth Vader encouraged the padawan to join the dark side. None took him up on the offer, each electing to fight him individually instead. Alec faced him bravely, then collected a certificate acknowledging his great accomplishment from none other than the Jedi master (Devon Hollywood, as named by me after the fact).

When Alec was returned to me from the stage, he handed me his certificate and said, proudly, "Mom, you might want to think about keeping that". Indeed.