So, today should have been our last day as we were meant to be leaving at 7.30am tomorrow to head to Tampa for our flight home. However, I knew that Idalia could cause issues and had my social media alerts set for anything airport related.
The day started exactly as the girls had planned. We got to the park in time to grab a Starbucks and watch the welcome show. We then rode the carousel and had a wander around Fantasyland before heading back to the castle to watch Mickey’s Friendship Fare. I love this show but hate how hot you get watching it! I was half hoping it would be the shortened version again!
Afterwards we headed straight for Monsters Inc to cool down. Steve got chosen as Mike, which the girls thought was hilarious. We then stopped off for a drink and while we were waiting saw one of the water artists had drawn an alien. Winnie was looking and as she was dressed as Donald he asked if she’d like him to draw one for her. It’s always great to watch, but even more so when it’s a special picture for you.
By this time we decided we’d head to get a space for the parade, as shady spots are hard to come by. It was definitely much busier today, but we got a spot in our usual place and sat down to wait for it to start. It was then that I got the notification that Tampa airport was closing! Winnie started to panic so we tried to play it down and decided to stay and watch the parade and sort it after that as we didn’t want to ruin it for them, and keeping the girls calm was more important than anything.
It was another lovely parade with more Wendy hugs and a huge Daisy hug, which was very much needed. As soon as the parade finished, we sat near the Old Christmas Shop and rang Virgin. Timing wasn’t ideal as with the air traffic problems in the UK the lines were very busy, but we were only on hold around 10 minutes which wasn’t as bad as I expected. It’s a good job we have Polly’s phone though as neither mine nor Steve’s will work to call the UK. At this point we’d not received a notification that our flight had been cancelled, so we’re hopeful we were ahead of the game. However, as it was an indirect flight with an internal Delta flight for the first leg, every time the man went to book something the flight disappeared as it had already been taken by a Delta customer. After trying numerous flights he found one on Friday, which is obviously much later than we’d have liked, but after a few years from the girls who at this point just wanted to get home, we all decided it was for the best as if we’d booked earlier it could have gotten cancelled again, and Winnie especially is much better when she knows what is happening and when.
We then decided to head back to the hotel to try and sort somewhere to stay (somehow, the girls managed to get new toys out of the situation) and after searching online for options and talking to hotel staff to explain the situation we decided to stay put as we were offered a special hurricane discount rate, and could stay in the same room which we hoped would be better for the girls than moving somewhere new tomorrow. We’re hoping that we get something back from our insurance as we have hurricane cover, so paid cash rather than using DVC points, but if not we will all be safe and together, which is more important.
We rang the transfer company and the car park and then realised it was 2.30pm and we hadn’t eaten, so nipped to the quick service before heading back to the park because Winnie needed a Donald hug. However, as we got to the front of the queue we were told Donald had an emergency with his snakes (!!) and they didn’t know when he’d be back. Winnie was a bit sad but enjoyed meeting Goofy and then said she’d have a Mickey hug instead, so off we went. We didn’t queue long, and the girls got their snuggles, but knew it was a Donald hug she really wanted, so decided to head back to Storybook Circus again. On the way we caught the adventure cavalcade and watched the glass blower again! Luckily, Donald was back from his snake crisis, and even though the queue was quite long it moved quite quickly. We met Goofy again (who did remember the girls!) and then moved onto Donald, who was waiting excitedly for the girls (because he couldn’t hug them in the parade, obviously). He was so lovely and gave Winnie lots of hugs, but as the queue was building up we thought that would be it. Except it wasn’t. He went over and made everyone shout Daisy to show her their costumes, then tried to leave with them, then fussed over them again, gave them more hugs, kisses…you name it. I was so conscious of the queue building up and tried to get the girls to say goodbye, but he told me to go away! Goofy even came over to chat to me as he couldn’t meet anyone else as there was no room due to the queue for Donald! We must have been with him about 15 minutes. When we finally got to leave I daren’t make eye contact with anyone stood waiting in the queue! But, it made my anxious little one feel so much more settled, and she said Donald knew that and that’s why he spent so long with them, and who am I to argue with that?
After an emotionally exhausting day, we all decided we were ready to head back to the hotel. We watched a bit of The Magic of Disneys Animal Kingdom before heading off to bed. I’ve no idea what the next few days will bring but I’ll probably just do a round up when we’re finally on our way home, unless something exciting happens!
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 