9 Chapter 9: a Day in the Sun, Part 2

First off the boat, we dashed our way to the entry gates and made our way through the train tunnel.Out on the other side, we entered another world filled with music, the smell of freshly popped popcorn, and gooey chocolate chip cookies.I had a map but you seemed to know exactly where you were headed.Your gram, grandad, father and I could hardly keep up!I knew then that it wasn't a good idea to break in new shoes and boy did I pay for it later.

We made our way down the main street, edging closer to the castle, weaving in and out of strollers and workers holding handfuls of red, blue, green and pink balloons, so many in fact, you asked if they were going to lift the people high into the sky.

We stopped in front of the castle for a family photo.We were already drenched in sweat, regardless that it was only nine o'clock in the morning.That's central Florida for you.

After a quick announcement and a blast of fireworks in the air, the crowd rushed off into different directions like spokes reaching out toward the edges of a bicycle tire.We made our way through the castle and you were so excited to see the drawbridge.The inside hallway of the castle was lined with mosaic tiles that displayed a story of a fairytale princess.Back out into the sun, you found yourself face to face with a carousel, spinning with the most beautiful horses you had ever seen.

The Spider-Man watch beeped and Max looked down toward his wrist, taking his eyes briefly off the fantasy world around him.

We rode the carousel and then it was time for your first roller coaster.The attraction was really built for little children in mind so it didn't have loops or big drops or anything.Your father called it a beginner coaster, and he couldn't wait for you to get older to take you on the big roller coasters at Magic Falls.

Max's mom wiped her cheeks.

The breeze on the ride felt really nice.The turns were easy but at a good pace, not too fast and we loved how it had the seven little dwarves singing their song in the middle of it.

From there, we blasted off to the future and you got to ride on a race car track with your grandad.We knew you would be in good hands with him.For one, he never drove fast and two, your car was on a track.You couldn't go anywhere but forward.Worst case, you'd just bump the car in front of you.We got a great picture of the two of you in your red race car.You said it looked like Spider-Man's car.Your grandad loved you so much and he had that picture of the two of you on his nightstand.

From the racetrack, it was off to battle aliens and an evil emperor on a fun arcade shooting ride and after a pit stop to buy the first of many bottles of water for the day, we got in line to secure an autograph from your favorite space ranger.You were to the moon and beyond when you got to meet the ranger, second only to the web slinger.He gave you a high five and together you called his command center in search of bad guys.Another photo and then gram had to get off her feet.We boarded a train that circled the park and got off after two stops.

Many of the rides in the Wild West section of the park were too big for you but we were able to catch a breather from the Florida air by watching a show sung by robotic bears.We clapped along to the finale and you giggled the loudest in the room when the little raccoon popped out of the grey bear's hat.We waved goodbye to the moose, buffalo and deer heads that sung us out of the show and we headed toward what looked like old time colonial America.

We got in line to visit a beautiful mansion and luckily, you weren't afraid of the dark yet.The mansion was a ghost ride but just for fun.Regardless of how many ghosts were in that house, we were just looking forward to another enclosed attraction with air conditioning.We had to wait quite a few minutes to get in but at least the green awning covered everyone and kept us out of the direct sun.

Max heard the beeping again and looked down toward his watch.

The ride was fun but one time was enough for you we thought.Before heading to lunch, it was our time to fly over the streets of London following a magical fairy and children on their way to a land where they never grow up.We took so many pictures in that ride.You wanted to go again and again but it had one of the longest lines in the whole park and we said we would try again after lunch.Max's mom wiped her cheek again.We never did get to go back on that ride that day.The line just grew longer and longer.How people will stand in line for anything for seventy-five minutes is beyond me.

We did so many other fun rides that day.We cruised through a jungle and survived a giant plastic snake, snuck past a hungry family of lions and even saw both sides of water.We went on another boat ride with pirates, flew on magic carpets, sat back and listened to singing tropical birds and even saw a 3-D show with some of your other favorite characters.

The afternoon parade was fun and the performers and characters on the floats waved to you.

We then went back to our resort and your grandparents took a nap while we swam in the big pool.The water felt so nice and you even went on the pool slide a few times by yourself.