Final day at Disney and only 1 park to go. The 'Magic Kingdom'. This is the original park and we got there early to see the opening and to take the ferry across to the park. We got all the rides out of the way early, which in truth didn't take long. 'Splash Mountain' and 'Space Mountain' were poo and the 'Big Thunder Mountain Railroad' was closed. In fairness if you're coming to Disney to be thrilled by big rides then you'll be disappointed.
There was only one thing left for us to do and that was go around and meet the characters and enjoy the magic. We stayed on to watch the 'Share a Dream' parade and then the 'SpectroMagic' parade which was followed by the most superb firework display I've ever witnessed.
So I've spent 4 full days in Disney and I've only really scratched the surface. I'd love to come back and stay at one of the resorts and have time to explore the other Disney resorts and downtown Disney. The scale of the place is unbelievable. There are loads of people who come back here year on year, particularly Americans. They must have huge disposable incomes. I think they should get a life and a passport. This place is full of Americans and English. The Americans all wearing the stars and stripes and the English in their England tops. They make me feel so proud. You also witness the whole family wearing the same matching T shirt phenomenom. Seriously, there was a family of about about 30 people wearing bright yellow T shirts, saying which generation of the family they are from. I also saw my first batch of really fat Americans and lots of them. I haven't seen many on my travels so far, so I've figured that fat americans don't work or shop, but they do go on vacation.
The best thing about Disneyworld are the shows and parades. We would have liked to have seen the Epcot show, but it was on at 21.00 and the last bus runs at 21.30. The staff are also tremendous and really enter into the spirit of it. I think it must be a dream job for them. The number of staff is truly astounding when you stop to consider it, but they keep the parks clean and keep you fed and entertained. They also never miss a chance to sell you something. The Americans have got that art down to a tee. All the museums, shows and rides in America all exit through the gift shop. They're buggers for that. The staff on all the rides are uniformed according to the theme and help build up the tension. All the rides and shows are sponsored by GM or brought to you by Kodak, the Americans have that sussed too. Our English parks have a lot to learn.
It would have been good to have done the parks with no kids, strollers or wheelchairs about, but I guess that shows I'm not ready for kids. Some people would say that it's the only child in me.
I'd have liked to have stayed for a few more days in Kissimmee and done the Universal Studios parks and Sea World, but I feel a bit drained and my wallet needs a rest. I can always do Universal in Los Angeles and Sea World in San Diego.
It's been good going to the park with someone else because you feel like a bit of a plum when the ride attendant says "How many in your party?" and you say "Um, 1!". I'm hoping to meet up with Kev in Miami next week. He's staying here for a few more days to do the other parks. We've had a right laugh. We laughed when I walked into the wall in the middle of the night. We laughed when I stole a drink from KFC (I did ask for a meal). We laughed when we were taking the mick out of people who can't work the money machines on the bus and then I tried to put my quarter in the wrong slot. I laughed when Kev tried to explain to our Korean room mate that West Ham had been in the Premiership, but the Korean had never heard of them. He laughed when he told me his joke.
"Have you heard any news about that actress who got stabbed in New York?"
"No"
"Oh, What was her surname now. Reece ..............?"
"Witherspoon"
"No, with a knife you fool"
