Bye Bye Bye

My last Disney day called for not one, but two table service meals. Our first meal was at Animal Kingdom. 

It was breakfast at Tusker House with Kyra. 

We saw the boss

and his pals. 

Kyra finally met her match. Height wise, I mean. She's definitely, absolutely not ever clumsy at all. 

And I ate a waffle shaped like the boss because that's what you do at Disney. 

Then after we danced around the dining room with Daisy it was time to meet up with Kyra's family and my second adopted American family. We took a family portrait in front of the tree of life. 

The Festival of The Lion King was our next stop. 

The amazing production and a stirring rendition of Circle of Life induced a few tears. 

Then Kyra and I went back to our hotel, Pop Century, to pick up our things and say goodbye to our favourite resort. 

As I was walking back to my apartment I noticed my roommate, Dani, sitting on the bench. She had everything packed and was ready to leave. We had a bit of a chat and said goodbye. 

I miss hanging out in the apartment with her. I was unexpectedly blessed to have such great roommates during my entire program. 

As a cast member we had access to Mickey's Retreat, which is a recreational facility about a 5 minute walk away. 

It was so convenient that I'd never been, so on the last day Kyra and I went. 

Then we had to run for the bus, or wait about 40 minutes for the next one. We had a lot of plans, so we ran. 

We arrived at Hollywood Studios then ran into another roommate, Nicole. She normally works at Epcot, but just loves being sent to other locations. 

We got a photo, but saved the teary farewell for later. I never really hung out with Dani or Nicole outside the apartment, except one time. The three of us, plus our other roommates, Samantha and Marissa decided to go to the Atlantic Dance Hall. We got dressed up, got on a Transtar bus, made it all the way there to realise it was closed. Then we caught an Uber back. You know what, it was still fun. Maybe we should've done more things together, but it's so difficult when everyone has different schedules. I'm just glad they were such great roommates. More importantly, we passed every single inspection, avoiding a $25 per person fine. 

Back to Hollywood Studios though, Kyra and I farewelled Arendelle royalty with a singalong. 

It seemed fitting after all we'd endured through the biggest oxymoron, the Frozen Summer. 

Then it was time to head to Magic Kingdom. Yes, that was our third park of the day. Could we do all four? 

We met Mickey for the second time that day. 

This time he was talking to us. We'll call it an interesting experience. After asking where we were from, Mickey enquired, "How did you get here? Did you fly or did you drive?"

I responded, "I swam."

Mickey stared and paused...

Then stared and paused some more while the character attendant laughed...

"That's great!" squeaked the mouse. 

Kyra made sure our big boss knew the day before was our last day working for him and we didn't get termed! Mickey told us he was so proud. 

After the shenanigans with Mickey we were running a little late for our dinner reservation. If we got the next monorail to the Grand Floridian we would be fine. We didn't and we weren't. We were some of the first to line up, but apparently there was no room for us. We showed up to the Grand Floridian Cafe kind of late, but we thought there would still be time to farewell the fourth park, Epcot, after our meals. 

We ate where we had our first weekly date. The best part was the company. 

The restaurant wasn't as great as I remembered, and the cocktail was much stronger. 

It took so long for us to be able to pay that we missed Epcot and the fireworks show, IllumiNations. We were ok with that because we were going to see the Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios. 

Before returning to Hollywood Studios we explored the hotel. 

I found a new home just in time for my move out date the following day. 

It was delicious. 

Then we rode up and down the elevator because that's what you do in fancy hotels. 

After arriving at Hollywood Studios we joined a dance party. 

Then it was time to farewell the Spectacle of Dancing Lights. After 20 years the lights would be going dark forever in just a few days. We turned the corner. Expecting to be wowed for the final time.

The lights were already dark. Switched off an hour earlier than the past few weeks. Maybe I should've looked up the times for the lights. 

Kyra and I were leaving. Disappointed. But then we decided one last ride on the Rock N Roller Coaster was a better idea. 

Then came the Star Wars fireworks. 

I'm sure the force will remain with us. 

I left the Disney parks after a whole years of being able to ride a roller coaster after work or see a show on a whim. 

Once home I packed, Kyra napped and we said the first of our teary farewells ahead of my month long adventure around America.