I still had about 45 minutes until my first Fastpass+ reservation of the day, which was for Space Mountain. I decided that I may as well head in that general direction and took the path from Storybook Circus to Tomorrowland. As I still had plenty of time, I decided to head for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. This was part of the Ride-A-Thon by virtue of being included in Photopass+, but this is a ride that I actually rather enjoy. I enjoy it even more at
Disneyland and Disneyland Paris where the laser guns can be removed from their holsters, but I always make sure to ride this on every Walt Disney World trip. The line looked a bit longer than I would have liked, but I decided to give it a go anyway. As I was approaching the standby entrance, I overheard that this had broken down. So I decided to check out the Fastpass situation. The Fastpass return time was only 30 minutes later and meant that I would be able to ride as soon as I had done Space Mountain.
That left me at a bit of a loose end. I decided to have a wander around. I was delighted when I saw Stitch out near the Rockettower Plaza Stage. Unfortunately I was told that his line is closed, as he had to get ready for the parade. I was not that bothered as I was going to see Stitch at breakfast the next day. His escort still gave me one of his autograph cards. I stayed behind for a bit to watch him from the distance, but then I realized that I was thirsty. I went in search of a counter service restaurant to get a free cup of ice water and I did not have to go very far. I sat down in the shade to take the weight off my feet for a bit and enjoyed my water. Once I had finished, I walked past Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin to see if it was up and running again. It appeared to be. By then my Fastpass window had opened and the Fastpass return time had not changed much so I decided to get another Fastpass before heading over to Space Mountain.
I was still a little bit too early for my Fastpass for Space Mountain. I stayed nearby and soon it was my turn. True to form, the Mickey head turned blue and the cast member told me that I had a Fastpass reservation for Splash Mountain at 17:30. I told him that I knew this, but that I also had a 15:30 Fastpass for Space Mountain. I got my phone out to show him and he granted me access. I had only ever done this once at Walt Disney World during our honeymoon and thinking of that experience still gives me goose bumps and not in a good way. Even though the ride vehicles had lap bars, I kept sliding backwards and forwards and was thoroughly traumatized. I have done Space Mountain since at Disneyland Paris and Disneyland, but they are very different rides. I could not really remember the ride vehicles at Walt Disney World, but I remembered only too well how they made me feel. Well, they must have switched out the ride vehicles at some stage. They now have molded seats and lap bars that positively bolt you into place. I actually rather enjoyed this. A cast member at Disneyland described their Space Mountain as a cross between Big Thunder Mountain and Matterhorn, which are both rides I enjoy. The more I think about this, the more I realize that Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom is very much like Matterhorn, just in the dark. People have asked me after I completed the challenge if there are any rides I would do again. My answer at the time was Test Track and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin definitely and Space Mountain maybe. Well, now that I had time to think about this, I have come to the conclusion that Space Mountain is a definite, too.
The layout of the ride is a little confusing and I got thoroughly lost trying to find the exit. Eventually I did find my way out and headed to the shop to add the photo to my Photopass card. They did this a bit different there and I rather liked this. There was still a counter where you could go to get your photos, but they also had a cast member with an iPad who was able to add the photo to Photopass cards. I had initially got in line for the counter, but she intercepted me and this was taken care off and I was on my way very quickly. I headed over to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin to use my two Fastpasses back to back. I enjoyed the ride, but my scores were nothing to write home about. Still, I had a great time and this is the main thing. After each ride I had the photo added to my Photopass card.
By then it had just turned 16:00, which meant that I could get my wristband for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. I had found out that the location to pick up the wristbands for people who were already inside the Magic Kingdom was the Rose Garden. So I decided to head there next. The line was insane. This was the longest line I had seen all trip. So I gave up on this. I still had three hours to pick up my wristband before the party was due to start and I was hoping the crowd would die down. Instead I had some more photos taken. There was a photographer near the Rose Garden and I got some great castle shots and while I was in the area, I also got some photos in front of the Partners statue.
I still had not collected my spell cards for The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom for that day even though I could have done so as soon as I played the first portal that day. I had heard that there is somewhere near Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe where you can pick up the cards. So I headed in that direction. It is a little hidden away, but eventually I found it. The two cast members there seemed to be engaged in a lively debate. When I approached they told me that they had been discussing that Disney should have retirement homes for cast members. I told them that they would not need to as cast members never age. I got the biggest smiles I have seen in a long time. I got my spell cards for the day and asked if they would be open during the party and would be giving out the special cards for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. They told me they would and asked if I already had my wristband. I told them that I hadn't and how long the line had been at the Rose Garden and that I would go back once I had used my Fastpasses. They asked me where I was heading and I told them. They then let me know that there was another wristband pick up point near Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland and that this may be quieter. I decided to head that way. I thanked them and said goodbye.
By then, my Fastpass window for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was about to open. I was in no rush as my Fastpass reservations for Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain were back to back and I did not want to end up with a lot of spare time between the two. As my next mission for The Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom was in Adventureland, I decided to go and defeat another villain. This time round I was up against Scar. Before I found out about my mission, I ended up at the wrong portal though. I found the right one soon enough and I was on my way. My last portal was actually inside Tortuga Tavern. So once I had defeated Scar, I decided to check out the wristband situation. That line looked impressive, too, and snaked past Pirates of the Caribbean and into Frontierland. Again I came to the conclusion that this could wait.
I headed over to Big Thunder Mountain. Again, the Mickey head turned blue and I was told that I had a later Fastpass for Splash Mountain. I was ready with my iPhone and I was let in. I got very quickly to the staircase leading to the loading dock and then things seemed to just stop. In the end it was probably about 20 minutes until I was on the ride. It was worth the wait though and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Once I had finished at Big Thunder Mountain, I still had 30 minutes until my Fastpass window for Splash Mountain opened. I decided to walk in that general direction and saw that posted waiting time was only 10 minutes. That was a no brainer. I just wanted it over and done with. In the end it was closer to 20 minutes, but I was still ahead of the game. I had only ever done this ride once in 1998 and remembered very little about this. I did know that it had elements of a dark ride and one thing that I definitely remembered is how much the drop freaked me out. The irony is that I have done and enjoyed the Jurassic Park River Adventure, but I felt safer in those ride vehicles. So I knew there was a drop, but I could not remember at what point it happened. This meant that even though there are parts of this that I would normally have enjoyed immensely, I did not as I was too worried about the drop. In the end, this was the ride I found hardest of all of them. With the others, I was pretty resigned to my fate and most of them were over before I had time to think too much. The fact that this was the longest of the rides may have something to do with it. At a couple of points, if I could have jumped off I would have done. Still, nothing beats the feeling after I touched down after the final drop. I had done it. Not just the ride, but also the whole challenge. This was it and from here on in, it was just about enjoying myself for the rest of the trip. I would never have chickened out as people had trusted me and sponsored me, but I equally never quite believed that I could actually do it. I had tears streaming down my face when our boat went through the final scenes and they were definitely tears of joy.
Once I got off the ride, I went to have the photo added to my Photopass card and then I found somewhere to sit down to post the last update about the Ride-A-Thon on Facebook. I was also going to cancel my Fastpass reservation for Splash Mountain as this was no longer needed, but then decided I would see if I could change this instead. I was surprised how many options were still open considering it was only about 90 minutes until the park was due to close for day guests. I was even more surprised that Peter Pan's Flight was one of the options. This showed a standby waiting time of 45 minutes, but when my Fastpass was confirmed, my window opened 25 minutes later. I was very happy with this. I had no plans to ride this on this trip as this always has some crazy waiting times, so this was a definite bonus.
I went back to Tortuga Tavern to get my wristband and the line looked still huge. It did end up moving quite quickly though and at the end of the line where plenty of cast members with modified iPads that scanned the party tickets and issued the wristbands. In the end, it took me about 10 minutes to get my wristband. I pushed on to Aloha Isle. I had promised myself to celebrate my successful completion of the Ride-A-Thon challenge with a Dole Whip Float. The Dole Whip Float consists of Pineapple Soft Serve Ice Cream with Pineapple Juice and is one of my favourite treats at Walt Disney World. It usually involves a bit of a line to get one and this was no exception either. It was so worth it though. It is delicious and refreshing.
While I enjoyed my Dole Whip, I walked through Adventureland and Liberty Square to Fantasyland. My Fastpass window for Peter Pan's Flight had opened while I was in line for my Dole Whip Float. When I got there, I was essentially able to walk straight on. I could not believe that the Mickey head turned green and did not need a manual override. I did enjoy the ride immensely and it was great to do something so gentle after so many thrill rides.