*I'm confused at this point....I think I actually skipped a day somewhere *I KNEW I should have written this stuff down!* so, I think I'm just going to go to the last day, for I CAN remember that!*
Day 8 New Years Eve
This is it, folks the huge day. We had been told by CM's to pick a park and stay there all day, so we chose MGM. We had all our bags packed by the time we left the hotel room, for we were leaving at around 4 the next morning! We got to the park around 11-12 ish and rode ToT a couple times, and did Millionaire a couple times (leaderboard both!) We basically just mosied around the park until 6 when hats and whistles were being passed out. We got in the HUGE line for these free things (just attach the word free and see how many people line up! I could have probably been through the ToT line TWICE by the time we got them....but it was free, so I wasn't going to complain! By this time, Frankie and the West End Boys were switching out sets with another group (Dance Machine, or something to that effect) We watched a set then headed over to Great Movie Ride. Afterwards, we tried millionaire one more time (yes, it's addictive, and I still got leaderboard) We watched some more music, then went to Muppet*Vision. By the time Jed and I were dragged out of the store with Muppet Merchandise afterwards, it was getting near midnight. We inched our way back towards the stage (I was amazed at how many people there really were) and got as close as we thought necessary. At midnight, we watched Sorcery in the Sky (which call me insane, but I liked it more than Fantasmic!) Then, we were faced with the enormous task of getting out of the park. Even though it had another 30 minutes or so until closing, we decided it would be smart to get in line for a bus. It was a smart move. The line was huge, and the busses couldn't come fast enough! One bus came quickly, but the driver took quite a long time loading wheelchairs (something about new straps) another bus pulled up beside that one while it was still loading people, but that barely made a dent in the line of people. Apparently by this time, the park was closing, for I lost sight of the end of the line. I admit it, at this point, I was cranky and would have loved nothing more than to have a 3-year-old screaming temper tantrum. Finally, another bus came and we were able to get on. Unfortunately, there were only 2 seats left, and mom and dad got those, so I stood, which I thought was no big deal since we were a mere hop skip and jump from the hotel. I was wrong. The roads were so clogged we had to go the long way (which really was just that, a long way) FINALLY we got back to the hotel. Everything Pop was supposed to stay open until 2 for package pickups, but when we got there shy of 1:30, they were already closed. Afraid, sleepy, and mad, we asked at the front desk what to do about package pickups, since we would be leaving before Everything Pop opened back up. The lady at the desk told us they shouldn't be closed, and went to get the manager. He came out and told us that he would go in and get the package for us. He did (and I don't think he was too happy, for he got on to the employees who decided to close it) Apparenty, when people weren't coming in at around 1, they closed it. The must not have known that we were all stuck in traffic we finally got back to the room, where I showered, and slept for about an hour before we had to go (I think I was the only one, mom and dad were afraid that if they went to sleep, they would sleep throught their alarms.) Mom and dad dragged me out of the bed around 4, and we met our driver right outside the hotel. After the driver dropped us four sleep-deprived zombies off at the airport, we checked in our bags (which took longer than it ever has, curse travelling on holidays!) went through security, and had a bite to eat. We caught the plane with no problem. There was a really cute kid behind me, and usually, I would have taken time to listen and laugh at his cute sayings (he was talking about Pirates bringing him milk) but I was tired as all get out, and was rather annoyed. I did get to sleep though, and the flight was over quickly. We drove home and slept forever (or at least half the day and all night!)