Sunday, March 9 2003
Good morning and welcome to Day
2 of the 9th Annual Spring Training Trek 2003!
After
yesterday's marathon 44 hours of consciousness, I decided to
sleep in a bit, waking up about 10 am. The sun was shining
although there were plenty of clouds in the sky.
The Braves played away today, and this is what happened.
From the Atlanta Braves web site: Gary Sheffield's two home
runs helped the Braves claim a 6-1 win over the Cardinals at
Roger Dean Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Sheffield, who now
has three homers on the spring, hit both of his solo homers
off Cardinals starting pitcher Garrett Stephenson. Joe
Dawley, who was starting in place of the injured Paul Byrd,
allowed just one hit in two scoreless innings. Trey Hodges,
who is battling for the fifth spot in the rotation, tossed
two perfect innings and has not allowed a run in six spring
innings. Darren Bragg's two-run single highlighted the
Braves' three-run sixth inning. Sheffield was the only
Braves player to produce a multiple-hit afternoon.
Meanwhile, back at Disney World:
Feeling magical, I took the bus over to the Magic Kingdom.
Feeling frisky, I decided to check out Cinderella. I mean
her castle. Priority Seating for lunch at Cinderella's Royal
Table, to be exact. Introduced as Lord Deitch of the Royal
Deitch family, I waited in Cindy's foyer until taken up the
turret stairs to the 3rd floor restaurant overlooking
Fantasyland. I had a window seat looking down at
Tinkerbell's Treasures and Cinderella's Golden Carrousel.
Lunch started with Her Majesty's Bouquet, a light salad with
a vinaigrette dressing. The entree was Major Domo's Favorite
Pie made with prime rib topped with fresh vegetables on top
of a puff pastry filled with mashed potatoes swimming in a
red wine sauce. The meal fit for a king (or at least a
Prince) was completed with a vanilla sundae covered in
chocolate sauce and Mickey sprinkles, and topped off with a
chocolate crown. Not a bad way to start the day.
Outside the castle, Merlin was looking for volunteers to
pull the sword from the stone. It seems King Arthur was on
vacation and a temporary ruler was needed. Merlin first
picked out a big, strong looking man who tugged and tugged,
and in embarrassment proved that strength alone was not
enough to pull the sword from the stone. Next Merlin found a
young lady who, with Mom's permission and much fanfare,
pulled the stone. Just as she was about to make her first
proclamation, however, Arthur returned and her era of rule
was over.
During my Spring Training Trek, I always try to do something
new and it occurred to me I had never been on Snow White's
Scary Adventure. The wait was short, and so was the ride.
Nothing to write home about (which is what I am doing now,
actually). The characters are mostly stationary with little
of the animatronics that make Disney attractions so special.
Undaunted, I made my way back through the Castle to the hub
of the Magic Kingdom (the point from which you can access
all 4 lands plus Main Street USA) where I set up to watch
the Share a Dream Come True parade. This parade, created for
the 100 Years of Magic celebration last year, features lead
Disney characters in side globes with virtually every
supporting character dancing on the ground. Besides the
catchy music, there are two things with which to come away
from the parade. It all started with a mouse, and a dream
shared can come true.
Pumped up with all that feel good emotional energy, I
decided to go on an adventure, and where better to find the
unexpected than in Adventureland. After picking up a
fastpass ticket for the Jungle Cruise, I walked down into
the dungeons of the Pirates of the Caribbean where there was
plenty of rum and gold for everyone as long as you were
willing to risk incarceration and a dog with a wicked sense
of humor. I had such a Yo Ho Fun time I circled around and
took the ride again, cheering on the woman chasing the
pirate with a broom and encouraging the mayor to take a
breath before being dunked in the well again.
Realizing that Pirates, the last attraction completed by
Walt Disney before his passing, was not for the birds, I
decided to chase a little bird tail at the Enchanted Tikki
room where stars from Aladdin and the Lion King prove that
birds of a feature can manage a night club together.
Next it was on to the Jungle Cruise when the rain drops
began falling on my head. Prepared, I whipped out my Braves
wind breaker and settled in for a pun time on the untamed
rivers of the world. Our boat captain would not say much
about his previous passengers, except to keep mumbling that
it was not his fault.
After escaping safely with most fingers and limbs intact, I
decided to get a birds eye view of the Magic Kingdom by
climbing to the top of the Swiss Family Robinson tree house.
As I walked around their home, it seemed big enough for a
couple of families to survive in, but they were alone; it
was just a Robinson's affair. Once reaching the pinnacle of
the tour, there was no where else to go but down.
Fortunately, a soft root caught my fall and as I returned
from that adventure, the heavens opened up.
I mean big time. The wind breaker was insufficient and I had
inexplicably left my poncho at the Port Orleans Riverside
resort. I took shelter in Aladdin's gift shop. Jafar and the
Genie were signing autographs, but I do not think they were
for real. I mean, if he is such a good Genie, why couldn't
he make the downpour disappear?
Running from awning to awning I made my way to Liberty
Square and the Hall of Presidents. Apparently the previous
show had been cut short due to unplanned lighting effects,
but our show was a patriotic success, featuring a speech by
current President George W Bush. I was half expecting him to
stump for the war against Iraq.
Next I through caution to the wind (where it was carried
away in a sudden gust) and sought refuge at the Haunted
Mansion, only to be turned away as the mansion apparently
was suffering from flooding. Feeling a little dejected, I
needed a pick-me-up, a dose of no nonsense, pure emotionally
uplifting feel good fantasy. So I returned to Fantasyland.
Seeing a 65 minute wait for Peter Pan's Flight, I chose
instead to partake in the mind numbing tradition of It's a
Small World which for some reason had a less than 5 minute
wait. The first time through, the song was so ingratiated in
my head that I never got out of the boat and went though a
second time.
Finally I came to my senses. By now the rain had finally
slowed down to a drizzle but I was mad as a hatter with the
weather so I did what everyone does for anger management. I
went to tea party. Staggering out of my tea cup, I walked in
circles until I found myself pointing toward Tomorrowland. I
did not stop, however, because I had a calling. It was the
1/4lb beef hot dog at Casey's Corner on Main Street. I
loaded by wiener and made my way across the street to the
Plaza Restaurant Plaza for my VIP viewing of the Fantasy in
the Sky fireworks. Due to the weather, Tinkerbell took the
night off but the show went on although somewhat subdued in
the low fog.
I made my way back to the resort and changed my soggy
clothes for some dry ones and then made my way down the
Sassacoula River to Downtown Disney's Marketplace where I
went shopping at the Art of Disney and the World of Disney.
Returning to my room, I wrung the rain water out of my socks
and placed my shoes on the air conditioner to dry out.
Today's Totals:
14604 steps (100 steps per minute), 6.9 miles (2.83 mph),
608.6 Kcal (4.17 avg.)
Fatigued and soaked,
Fuskie
