Previously on Biscuits Grand Adventure II, ferryboats were boarded, wait times reported, and a honeypot was ridden with glee.
Our journey to the Hundred Acre Wood being wholly complete, Tahli and I headed back into the morning frenzy of Fantasyland. The line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had actually grown during our brief absence, ensuring that even more park guests would be funneled away from the other attractions to which we were headed.
Once we made it past the end of the queue overflow, the area beyond was virtually deserted. Rounding the corner, we pressed on towards Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid.
This was another new one for us, and Touring Plans seemed to think hitting it early was a nifty thing to do. Trusting in their knowledge, we began winding our way through the queue, which we discovered to be completely empty.
Casually strolling through the caves, we eventually found ourselves at the loading dock and got straight into a clamshell. After settling in and preparing ourselves to become part of her world, we began scooting around a plethora of Ariel inspired aquatic animatronics.
I kept waiting for something to happen.
And yet it never did.
Pity.
After returning for our journey deep under the sea, I was done playing around. It was time we found us some big boy rides. Bubba wanted him something with a little more meat on it.
Thankfully I knew where to get it.
Exiting the soggy bowels of Eric’s castle, we turn left and headed towards the greatest of Magic Kingdom destinations.
Oh yes friends, the time had finally come.
After over 20 years of separation, I was going back to my first Magic Kingdom love.
I speak of course of Space Mountain.
If you read my last report, you know I have a history with this ride. When I was 12 years old I rode it for the first time with my dad. He and I spent several hours alone together one afternoon at the Magic Kingdom while my mom and aunt took the little kids on other rides.
To this day that moment remains one of the greatest childhood memories I have of spending time with my father. That I was now here, walking with my own 12 year old to do the exact same thing, was a fact not lost on me.
On our last trip, Tahlia didn’t like coasters, but in the five years since, she has come to love them. I couldn’t wait to see what she thought of my old favorite.
We chugged through Tomorrowland at a fairly brisk pace and found that it too was empty. When arrived at the entrance, I stopped to pull the camera out, but Tahlia was so eager to ride, she was literally pulling me by the arm into the building like Theodore Tugboat trying to shove an oversized barge into a dry dock. Admiring her tenacity, I acquiesced and snapped the case back shut.
We entered the building and enjoyed the cooling blast of glorious Disney air conditioning. Yes, it was morning, but it was morning in Florida.
In July.
There were no folks standing around in the entranceway, so we headed down the stairs in to the Star Tunnel. I managed to grab a pic on my phone with minimal success.
The gaming area was empty when we passed it, and we didn’t encounter another person until we made it all the way into the loading area. We decided to head left, and joined the half dozen or so guests in line. We never actually stopped walking until we were standing in our boarding area, waiting for the next car to arrive.
Within a couple of minute we were seated, buckled, and mentally prepared for the upcoming launch. (So note to self, anytime a new attraction opens at the Magic Kingdom, got to EMH and ride EVERYTHING else.)
I was beyond excited to be able to ride Space Mountain again. On our Honeymoon from Hades, we never made it over there, and on our 2009 trip, it was down for rehab. (Both trips were covered in my last TR.) The last time I actually rode this thing was the summer of 1991. I was 17. SEVENTEEN! Bush senior was still in office. Super Nintendo was about to be released. The Rocketeer was still in theaters and Beauty and the Beast hadn’t been released yet. I’m pretty sure there were still hitching posts in the parking lot.
That strikes me as crazy. Not a happy crazy like dropping your keys while walking, kicking them with your shoe, and then sending them flying into a molded Jello dessert. I mean bad crazy, like forgetting to pack clean underbritches for a week long camp or something. (Not that I’ve ever done either of those two things…I’m just sayin.)
Now, some 23 years later, I was finally back to take another spin on my old favorite. I hoped it would live up to my memories, and that the ride rehab would not combine with my increased age to conspire against me.
As I was pondering all of this, our rocket was readied for launch and with a thumbs up, our cast member sent us hurtling around the corner and into the first tunnel. We were in the front car, and Tahlia was in front of me. As soon as we passed the tunnel and hit the chain to start our climb, she turned back and yelled “THIS IS SO COOL!”
I couldn’t help but smile. I wasn’t sure what she would think of the thing. After all it IS an older ride. Up to this point, her only real knowledge of the place was that it’s where the Overtakers held Maybeck captive in
Disney After Dark. As to the actual ride itself, she knew it was a coaster, but I hadn’t told her much else about it.
As soon as we reached the top of the hill and the chain let us go, my daughter started to squeal, laugh, and holler all the way through it. To see her loving the ride and hear her laughing and yelling was the best part of the morning.
Forget the characters, the theming, the music, the food, the attractions, the fireworks, and the pressed pennies. To me, THAT is the magic of the Magic Kingdom; that rare moment when my own childhood converged with that of my daughter.
For the next few moments we zoomed, dipped and slung our way around the darkened track, fully enjoying the mess out of it. I was happy to know that it hadn’t lost its charm and once again claimed its spot as my favorite Magic Kingdom attraction.
After a few brief moments, we hit the second light tunnel and slowed before arriving at the unloading area. Exiting the rocket, I asked Tahlia what she thought of it. She declared it to be “Awesome!” and in that moment, all was right in my world.
Next Time On Biscuit’s Grand Adventure – Bibbidi Bobbidi Breakfast
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