Miss Universal

    It was a day of highs and lows at Universal Studios on January 18.

  

    The lowest point was shortly after our arrival at the Harry Potter ride. I was pumped to experience the awesomeness, and the ride was pretty awesome. Unfortunately my accio spell to retrieve my belongings from the locker malfunctioned and I was forced to actually open the locker. I fear my new New York City Ballet drink bottle had been cursed. It may have even been an additional horcrux. As soon as I opened the locker, the water bottle flew at my face, giving me a bloody, fat lip, before proceeding to fall to the ground and break. My sister, Alicia, and I then had to search for some ice, which we found at the Three Broomsticks, along with some Butterbeer.

    Alicia and I had been at the park ourselves and were to meet Carlos for lunch and to join in the fun for the rest of the day. Carlos greeted us wearing the low point of his wardrobe.

   Lunch was neither a high or low point; it was more of a moo point. I ordered a Philly Cheesesteak. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the name revealed all that was to be offered - cheese and steak.

    The Minion ride was a highlight. It's so awesome I'm gonna die! I was a little devastated I wouldn't be able to ride with my little yellow friends again. (Flash forward to the present: I now know I'll be back there in about two weeks.)

    The Mummy ride was genuinely terrifying. I don't remember exactly what it was that freaked me out, but I remember fearful screams from Alicia and I. Looks like I'll have to go back on it to determine the source of the fear.

    I had a police escort to take me around the parks. It proved useless; remaining stationary.

    The Rip, Ride, Rock It Rollercoaster had the most intense physical highs and lows of the day. As part of the terrifying experience you are given the option of selecting which music you will listen to while you fear for your life. Alicia, Carlos and I listened to the same musical selection chosen by Carlos. It was "I Will Survive". His reason? "And I Will." And we did.

    There was of course time and room for dessert upon our arrival back at the resort. 

Days of Disney

    The time has arrived to start condensing the last of my January 2014 Disney days into just a few posts. If you make it all the way to the end of this post through either reading (or simply scrolling) you'll find the special announcement I wrote about in the previous post.

January 13:

    This was the day of our Disney performances. We had two on the Downtown stage. Not only did we have two performances, but we also had two legit audiences. There was more than the usual rent-a-crowd. I felt a bit like a member of Hi-5 or some other popular children's group when there were two small children dancing in front of the stage and calling out.

   Following the performances Ashlea, Gemma, Anni, Brooke and I went to dinner at Planet Hollywood. It was a "Party in the USA" when Miley's song came on. Naturally we all started dancing, which bought us all fifteen seconds of fame on the Planet Hollywood television screen. After dinner I got to live out a dream... we did the splits at Splitsville.

January 14:

    I spent much of this day sick in bed with my friends Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey. At the end of the day I was still sick, but decided I would visit Leesh in her hotel room. When I got there her and Haylee were watching tv. Then I heard what I thought was people chanting my name on the television. I quickly realised there were people chanting my name, but not on the tv. It was the pre-seniors in the adjoining room and they were actually chanting my name. I'm not entirely sure who started it or why, but the chanting has continued through the year and made me feel like a rock star.

January 15:

    It was time to venture back to Hollywood Studios. This day at the studios saw owner of SKD, Sally, participate in an Indiana Jones stunt show. Mainly thanks to this hat she was wearing.

    I also went for a spin in Toy Story Midway Mania

and met a Green Army man before heading back to the hotel for an early night to hopefully recover.

Upon editing this post I am also remembering this was the night the roomies and I went to the Prime Time Diner. I chose to forgo Fantastmic. Instead? I ate my dessert literally sitting in a gutter of Hollywood Studios before heading back early. I potentially experienced the least classy moment of.mu life. 

January 16:

    Today I set a mission, so obviously I chose to accept it. It was time to acquire autographs from as many characters as possible. I headed to Hollywood Studios where I got a sleuth of signatures. When I met Buzz I made a comment about Spanish mode, which then caused him to lead us in some sort of strange salsa followed by him taking selfies with my camera.

    I then park hopped to Animal Kingdom where I had the most amazing cupcake from the Kusafari Bakery. 

It was packed full of so much awesome deliciousness that I couldn't finish it. I too was shocked and confused by my sudden lack of ability to consume all the crumbs. I paused for a moment of silence before the cupcake met its fate with all the other rubbish.

    I then continued walking and heard people chanting my name. It was of course some of the lovely pre-seniors. They were about to go on Expedition Everest and had a spare fast pass, so on the great mountain trek we all went. After this Meg, Chloe and I decided our Animal Kingdom adventure would not be complete without a spin on Primeval Whirl. The sideways slopes meant it was like playing a game of corners with Meg somehow consistently being on the wrong side. We also took a trip on Triceratops.

On this type of ride I tend to wave and blow kisses after just a couple of rotations of waving a spotted a kid in the crowd and he was doing the Hunger Games salute and it was amazing. I think I discovered District 14 - the district that specialises in Disney. 

We saw our #1 friend Don.

He's a big fan of the old group hug. I'm in there somewhere... See if you can spot my hand. 

It was then time for a fairly average meal at Rainforest Cafe before a spot of hotel room hopping and tucking myself in for the night.

January 17:

    Once again, it was time to enter the Magic Kingdom. Today's adventures included a cruise on the People Mover with my homie, Leesh. (And my hair, which seemed to take up half our seat.)

We witnessed a proposal. 

Wasn't it neat? 

Wouldn't you think her ring collection's nearly complete?

I sussed out Gaston's biceps. No one flirts like Gaston, flexes arms like Gaston.

    The roomies, Leesh, the Saunders and I were invited to be guests at a formal sit down with the beast. And, certain as the sun rising in the east, I ate my dessert and had room for several others.

Jess and I had to stay until the park closed, of course including a spot of fireworks viewing. 

And then joining the Poiriers for Tales with Belle. Here is the youngest member of our tribe that night. 

Announcement:

    Much like an episode of "How I Met Your Mother", I'm about to flash forward and will then be flashing back in the next blog post and possibly flashing a little forward. It seems there will be quite a lot of flashing. I have been offered a position in quick service food and beverage at Disney World. Or as it says on my documentation I will be a food and beverage hostess. More information will follow as I continue flashing in my upcoming posts.

A Mock Audition Workshop and Adventures at Epcot

    The day began by preparing for a mock audition workshop with Disney. I can't remember if this was one of the few days I had enough time for a meal in the resort's dining area. It was most likely one of the many mornings I shoved my hand into a box of cereal as dry as my sense of humour, pulled out a few handfuls and called it breakfast. 

    Once at the workshop we were all given name tags and met Erin and Iris. Erin was like the great overseer of the whole thing while Iris introduced us to some very special Disney dance moves. There were body rolls and jazz hands all over the place. Half the group received a "call back". We had made it through to the next round, which included lip syncing to Disney classics, such as Zippity Doo Dah, while still performing choreography. The call back may have been fake, but my enthusiasm was real. Towards the end of the workshop we were told about a performance opportunity the entire group could be part of. Erin and Iris spun a web of lies about people from a conference wanting to see a dance performance, which included something about the mirrors we were dancing in front of being two-way mirrors. The group then got ready to dance for the last time. Just as we were beginning the dance in came an unidentified animal. I think he went by the name of Goofy. (Writing this post has got me wondering about exactly what Goofy is. For a moment I thought he was a dog, but Pluto's a dog and he can't do nearly as much as Goofy. Maybe Goofy is an intelligent dog, which would be a bit strange considering his name is Goofy.). My oh my, it was a wonderful workshop.

    There was plenty of sunshine heading our way when we exited the workshop at an unrecalled location in the Epcot World Showcase. Most of the group had a lunch reservation at the Coral Reef restaurant and I tagged along on the walk. There was a marathon travelling in the opposite direction, so I became a self-appointed cheerleader. Someone had to encourage the runners.

   Today's (I use that term loosely) task was to complete my tour of the World Showcase and visit a few more locations in Future World. It started with lunch in Mexico with my amigo, Haylee. Some churros made their way onto our table briefly before I devoured their deliciousness.

    Haylee and I then headed over to Mission Space because apparently I like to go on space themed rides just after I've eaten. As someone who gets automatic shot gun for the front seat on long trips due to motion sickness I wasn't entirely sure if it was a good idea. I decided to ignore my better judgment and the excessive warnings against riding if suffering from motion sickness. All I remember is feeling like I had been tossed around in a washing machine, while looking at spacey things. I also recall having an awesome time and... my food... did not pop up to say hello.

    After not tossing my guts up Haylee and I went our separate ways. I think this was the day Haylee went on a worldwide eating rampage expedition and it was imperative I explore the second half of the World Showcase. (FLASHBACK: Just "a few days ago" I adventured from Canada to America. You can read my tales here.)

    Mexico beckoned me back after our brief lunch encounter. I knew there was more to see and do, such as riding on a boat with all my buddies...

...and visiting a sun safe Don.

    I visited Norway before I saw Frozen, so there was Norway I was even going to consider lining up for two hours to see the sister princesses, but I did make a new friend. For some unknown reason the line to see him was very short. On a scale from one to his nose, the line was to the start of his nostril. 

    China served some acrobatic entertainment...

... and a door knocker that reminded me of the one that looked suspiciously like the one that was on my front door and scarred me as a child.

    Germany presented itself as a land full of Werther caramel...

... offered a photo op with the fairest of them all and Snow White...

... and some strange Christmas decorations.

Whatever tickles your pickle, I suppose.

    I caught up with Leesh at The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The volume of friends was certainly a change from the Mexican boating experience.

    In the evening I headed over to the UK, which is where I would be meeting the roomies for a meal and fireworks. Prior to meeting the roomies a rock band caught my attention. Then I did a spot of window shopping with the roomies and discovered a new perfume scent.

    Dinner at the Rose and Crown Pub included fish and chips and a sign I think both Walt and Ms Poppins would be ashamed of.

The tuppence I'd brought remained buried in my pocket that night. 

    I also saw the nations illuminated by fireworks once again.

    The cold always bothered me, so I put an extra pair of pants on. The Canadian tourists in shorts found it mildly hilarious.

   I don't know how many more of these blog posts I can be bothered typing, but I know Future World me will appreciate my holiday being recorded. So I just keep typing, just keep typing. Just keep typing, typing, typing. What do I do? I type, type, type.

**UPDATE: This post has been sitting patiently in my drafts since July, waiting for its finishing touches. Since I began typing this post there have been further developments in the American adventure aspect of my life, which will be revealed in my next post (or the one after that). Let's just say there will be even more posts about America than previously anticipated. I can not guarantee they will be any more timely though.**

    

    

Animal Kingdom & FAD Party

    Sometimes I think there isn't much worth blogging about, but then my posts generally exceed my lack of content expectations. I genuinely think there is not much to say in this post, so let's make it snappy. Mainly because I'm truly entrenched in holiday mode. And not the good kind of holiday mode that means you're venturing around Disney World. This is the kind of holiday mode that has been induced by finishing uni and spending countless hours in comfortable attire (aka pyjamas).

   Both Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom were lucky enough to host me on this day.

    The day began with a pleasant ride through Expedition Everest with Haylee and Leesh. It was so pleasant I kept my eyes closed a lot and screamed profusely, especially when we unexpectedly *SPOILER ALERT* discovered our carriage travelling backwards in the dark. Nobody told me it wasn't an exclusively forward moving ride.

    The three of us then moved onto the Kali River Rapids. Leesh and I won the "sit in the seats that will get the most drenched" award. Leesh was the overall winner for being most drenched. My poncho prevented me claiming that title.

    Haylee, Leesh, Jess and I ate lunch at the Yak & Yeti. It became known to us as Yuck & Yeti, but I can't remember exactly why. Was it because we had to wait for ages? Was it because the food wasn't tasty? Looks like I'll be forced to go back to Disney World to discover the reason for the nickname.

    Next on the Animal Kingdom agenda was Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Expeditions. It was a bit Disney, a bit jungle and a bit fun.

    We then went on a Safari, making our way through the crowds the only way we knew how.... we danced, of course. What else do you do when you're travelling long distances and you can hear parade music? Don't actually tell me what you do because you probably just walk like a normal person.

    By now you may have guessed this is not exactly a "quick post", but if you keep reading there will be a prize at the end.

    Before heading over to the Magic Kingdom Jess and I caught up with Pocahontas. We had a quick chat. There wasn't enough time to ask exactly how one might successfully paint with all the colours of the wind.

    When Jess and Queen Claryse returned to the Magic Kingdom they saw part of a show that starred Mickey and the gang and a few other royal friends. For this next statement pretend we've travelled back in time to the Animal Kingdom/FAD Party day... I hope I get to see the entire show.

    Jess and I decided to check out Monsters of Comedy. After sitting down we weren't quite sure what to expect. Then images of audience members appeared on screen along with statements. Jess was wearing a hat and the monsters predicted she was hiding a third eye under it. She is yet to confirm or deny the rumour. The rest of the show continued with monsters making more jokes.

    After the comedy show Jess and I popped in to Tinkerbell's, hoping she'd be home. Not only was Tink there, but her friend Periwinkle was visiting too. I walked over to Tink first, but it was Peri who first noticed my jumper that features Tink donning some cool spectacles. Perhaps Tink should've gone to Spec Savers.

    It was then time to meet the rest of the seniors (senior dancers, we're not senior citizens quite yet) for the Fireworks and Dessert Party, which I decided to refer to as the FAD party. That name didn't exactly catch on. I guess it was just a passing craze. For my first magic trick at the party I made three plates of dessert disappear. My dining experiences leading up to that moment were really just training for that main event. Following the delicious fireworks and explosive desserts some of us decided a ride on Space Mountain would be ideal. A rough roller coaster in the dark is apparently the best way to let your dessert settle.

    And now for your prize...
...
It's a picture from that time Jess and I were scuba divers at Animal Kingdom.

You're welcome.