Reliving Fond Memories
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Drip Drip Drop the Sky is Falling
The sky is heavy, the rain falls lightly. The guests, in their blue ponchos, hunch over their baby strollers, trot towards the exits. Though it's late afternoon, the skies are so dark that it seems like dusk. The lights of Main Street are glittering in the puddles.
The soaked people are ducking out of the emporium for one last peek before braving the weather back to the trams. They still want to squeeze in some Disney time before heading back to the hotels. After all, they just spent allot of money to get through the gates of the Magic Kingdom. The princess balloons, weighted down with water, are dragged along by the kids. The weather had turned this Disney Day into a somber exodus. The smell of popcorn and candy mixes with the smell of pool plastic and clothing.
The forlorn guests crowd the exits. CMs stand by, hand stamps hovering, waiting vainly for a hand to be stamped.
But over at the empty entrance, I enter confidently. dressed warmly in leather jacket, cap and poncho, I swim upstream against the shuffling umbrellas and colorful rain plastic. The train whistle greets me.
I love the rain in Disneyland. I could say the rain makes everything clean and bright . But the real reason is I enjoy the park without the crowds and strollers. If you don’t mind the wet, then this is a good way to go. When most people hear of rain, they put off their plans. For me, I reach into my closet for the rain poncho I bought years ago. The rain brings me out to the resort.
One rainy February I walked through a deserted Indiana Jones, past the bored CMs and right into an empty jeep. As the ride concluded, there was no one in the queue. I asked to send us through again. The CM laughed and pressed the button. Off we went again.
It is funny because it seems the park is open just for us. Getting off Indy, we saunter to Bengal BBQ and pick up a skewer, then glance through some of the shops, then walk through the tree house. From there we walk onto pirates, then mansion. Once the manic rush is removed, I can really sit and enjoy the dripping ambience. An empty colorful city sitting beneath heavy black skies.
And there is no problem riding Splash or GRR!
By the Hungry Bear Restaurant, by the river I the rain fall on the water. It is meditative and serene. Tossing popcorn to the ducks. The softness of the rain falls on the wood beams overhead. Or be at ease within the Riverbelle Terrace, sipping green tea and watching the River through rain-streaked windows. Finishing the tea, I walk the few steps to the Pirates entrance.
I like walking down the wet twinkling Main Street and duck into a warm doorway. Looking through some of the merchandise is very relaxing while I dry out. I’ll buy a cherry coke and see if Rod Miller is playing. Or kick back with Mr. Lincoln and Mathew Brady. The schedule is relaxed. There is nothing but time. No need for fastpasses, the place is mine for a few hours.
And I like it like that.
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-- David Mink
Reliving Fond Memories is normally posted the third Wednesday of each month.
The opinions expressed by our David Mink, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted May 21, 2003