The Animal Kingdom

As far as Ben is concerned, today was an unqualified success. He bounced out of bed, took his morning bath, and was ready to go out on a new adventure. The bus ride to the Animal Kingdom was uneventful, and we arrived in short order. It really is a fabulous park. It doesn't feel like a theme park at all, but it doesn't quite feel like a zoo either. It's hard to describe. The park is filled with interesting little nooks and paths to wander down, and everywhere you look there are different animals and plants to see. We headed over to Africa first and went on the safari, which was very well done. Ben had a good time riding along and looking out at the scenery, and he was definitely watching the different animals out on the plains. Aside from the safari we also took a stroll through the preserve and saw things ranging from apes to meerkats. The entire feel was very calm and inviting, and Ben was clearly enjoying himself.

After a quick lunch we moved on to Asia where we saw several tigers ("Shere Khan!" exclaimed Ben), and a variety of other animals. We wisely chose to skip the Kali River Rapids. Since we got to the park well after noon and the park closes at 5, we were running short on time. We spent the last hour or so over in Dinoland U.S.A., which Ben absolutely loved. Sara took him on the Triceratop Spin, which is pretty much just like the Dumbo ride at Fantasyland only with big, friendly green triceratops to ride in. I was a little unsure how Ben would respond, but he loved it. I even managed to get at least one decent picture of them going by. Time was running out and both Sara and I wanted to go on Dinosaur, but we also knew that Ben would be traumatized if we tried to take him on it. Fortunately they let us do a kid swap, so I rode it first and then as soon as I got off Sara walked on while I sat with Ben. Great ride, but very dark and loud with big scary dinosaurs leaping out at you to eat you. Definitely my kind of thing.

By the time we finished that the park was closing, so we went back to the hotel and grabbed some dinner at the dining hall. After that we went out to Downtown Disney. There were several places I wanted to go, but everytime I tried to go off on my own Ben would panic looking for me. I got pretty damn cranky when I had followed Sara around like a pack mule through all the boring crappy homey kind of stores, and if I tried to set foot in a store that was interested in Sara immediately moved on to someplace else. She was continually just walking off to wherever the hell she wanted to go without ever looking back and just assuming I would follow, but if I ever went my own way she would radio me right away. I finally gave up and went back to the car and took a nap for an hour, because I swear to God I will slit my wrists if I have to look at one more nice ceramic figure or themed t-shirt. I am seriously considering going back there on my own tomorrow night so I can spend some real time in the movie memorabilia store and the Art of Disney store. I would also like to at least look at the inside of the Virgin Megastore, just to see how it compares to San Francisco and Vancouver. We'll see.

The Magic Kingdom, Part II

Originally our plan for Wednesday was to go to the Animal Kingdom during the day, and then Downtown Disney in the evening. Sara had been pondering Ben's responses to the bus rides in the mornining, and she wondered if maybe the reason he was getting upset on the bus was that he wanted to go back to the Magic Kingdom and was frustrated when he realized the bus wasn't going there. We decided to forego the second day planned at Epcot on Thursday and instead go again to the Magic Kinddom Wednesday, go to the Animal Kingdom on Thursday, and then spend a third day at the Magic Kingdom on Friday.

In the morning before Sara and Ben woke up, Mandy and I went out to look at some apartments - this time in the other direction. Heading west on 192 the area seemed much nicer, and less tourist-y. The first place we looked at was pretty nice, but it was another income restricted property. It might work well for Sara if her salary gets cut when we move here, but otherwise we are both over threshold for the income cap. The second place was great. It's on 192 just a little east of Disney World, but set back from the road. The leasing office and cabana are accessible from the raod, but to get to the apartment buildings you have to go through a security gate. The apartment I looked at was beautiful with high ceilings, build in bookcases, and a really nice layout. The property also has intrusion alarms. I really really liked it, and although it is a little more expensive than what I am paying now it is within my budget. The last place we looked at was for Mandy, a one bedroom down closer to Kissimme. It had all the things she needed, sitting right on a bus route and close to a grocery store and other shopping. She seemed to like it alright, and we headed back to the hotel.

When we got back, Ben was taking his bath and Sara hopped in the shower while I got Ben out of the tub and dressed for the day. We loaded up and headed off for the Magic Kingdom, with Ben smiling and happy. He stayed happy on the bus for the entire trip, and was grinning and pulling Sara onward when we arrived at the main gate. Looks like Sara's guess was right.

When we had come on Sunday it was overcast and rainy, so we had pretty much skipped Main Street and went directly to Cinderella's Castle. This time it was sunny and we took the time to wander up the avenue. Mandy went off on her own for the day, with plans to meet up with us again at 5:00. Ben was very clear on which direction he wanted to go, heading straight for Fantasyland. I had started taking pictures of the entryways to attractions on Tuesday, and continued on in the same vein here so that we can create a PECS book for Ben. This is a tool that uses pictures so that an autistic person can point out what they want when they don't have any words for it.

We swung by Pooh first to get fastpasses, and then Ben took us straight to Snow White. He was bouncing and happy and obviously exactly where he wanted to be. After Snow White came passes through Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pooh, and then over to Tomorrowland to ride the Tommorrowland Transit Authority before sitting down for some lunch. Ben was in a great mood, very calm and focused. He had gotten a little upset on Haunted Mansion, but only because the cars stopped twice (this happens occasionally); once the cars were moving again he was happy.

After lunch we went off to Adventureland to ride Pirates of the Carribean. This was the one disaster of the day. He has definitely become phobic of water rides, even ones he has ridden before and loved. He was miserable during the entire ride. Walking away from that, he didn't want anything to do with the Jungle Cruise which he has always loved before. I don't know what we are going to do about this water ride phobia. It seems like something about Splash Mountain this year has really shaken him, and I hate to see him not want to go on other peaceful water rides because of it.

To calm him down a bit, we went back to Fantasyland where he rode Peter Pan and returned to his normal bouncy self. By that point it was time to meet up with Mandy. We were sitting in the Columbia Harbor House waiting for her, and I was showing Ben the pictures of the ride entrances I had taken. As I went through them I asked him what each one was. He could name them all, with just a little bit of prompting for Haunted Mansion. When I showed him the picture of the entrance for Snow White he immediately lit up with a huge smile and grabbed the camera from me to get a closer look. It was around then that Mandy arrived, and we walked out the door intending to go to the bus terminals. Ben had other plans, though. He grabbed my hand (a first for the day, he has been mostly clinging to Sara all week), held out my camera almost like a divining rod, and made a bee line for Snow White.

This last time through I actually videotaped the whole ride. I didn't tape Ben, I just pointed the camera forward and captured the entire ride from standing in line all the way through to exiting the ride cart.

We took the bus back to the hotel, and Ben was happy and talkative the whole way. Our plan had been to go back to the room, drop off a few things, and then drive over to Downtown Disney, but Mandy was completely exhausted. She decided to stay behind and go to bed. Sara and I decided to take Ben somewhere for dinner off property, and then hit Downtown Disney on the way back. Dinner was very nice, and Ben surrounded himself with comfort items. To his right was his CD player, with headphones on and listening to Disney tunes. In the center was a plate of fries which he devoured. To his left was my camera with video screen turned on and showing the picture of the Snow White ride entrance. You have never seen a happier kid. After dinnner we spent about an hour at Downtown Disney, and Ben seemed to be enjoying himself there as well.

Returning to the hotel, Mandy was sound asleep. Ben was beginning to wind down, so he got into his pajamas. He laid on my bed listening to music and looking at the Snow White picture. After a while Sara got ready for bed and went over to her room to lay down. Ben actually stayed in my bed with me and drifted off to sleep listening to music. Here it is the next morning, and he has slept soundly all night. He just woke up briefly a few minutes ago to drink some juice, and then rolled right back over to sleep. I see him rolling around a little bit now, so I suppose it will be bathtime any minute. So the current scorecard is that *everybody* got a good night's sleep last night, and today is a brand new park for all of us - the Animal Kingdom!