Miranda and Matthew's Place: Disney Vacation - Day 6, Blizard Beach, Movies and Elliott

Disney Day Three:

As you can imagine, day 3 did not get off to a very early start. Surprisingly we were up by noon and finished with our breakfast, ready to head over to blizzard beach for the day. Mom, still not up to water rides took a personal day and headed back to the Magic Kingdom. Knowing we were going to spend the day getting wet, I decided best to not bring the camera and stowed it in the room.

The day at Blizzard Beach started off with the same slow leisurely pace as Tycoon Laggon, casually drifting down the Cross Country Creek. At some point we decided it would be nice to take the slow scenic ride to the top of Mount Gushmore on the ski lift. From atop the mountain, a view of Magic Kingdom’s Thunder Mountain, home of Runaway Train was bestowed before us. We also enjoyed from this vantage point the top of the Epcott’s, Spaceship Earth, and a panoramic view of Blizzard Beach and the beautiful Melt-Away bay. Fulfilled with experiencing one of Florida’s highest elevations, and most majestic views, we now contemplated our dissent down the mountain. We were presented with three options: The Slush Gusher, Summit Plummet, or Teamboat Springs. After carefully evaluating each, Matthew deducted that Teamboat Springs would be the most prudent based on the number families with small children taken that route. With a bit of apprehension, he crawled into the six-person tube and prepared for the 1200 foot descent to the bottom. With a gentle push from the Disney cast member, we were cascading over waterfalls, downing the slope, and in no time, were at the bottom. “NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT” erupted from Matthew and his thrill for amusement rides was born.

Over the course of the day we trucked up Mount Gushmore and the surrounding mountains to explored the 90 foot plunge of Slush Gusher, tobogganed down the six lane Tobogganed Racers and raced the 350 foot Snow Stormer. We ended our day at the beach with a long wade down the Cross County Creek and a stop at the Avalunch for some hot dogs and hamburgers before boarding the bus back to our resort.

With the sun sinking lower in the sky, the kids only had an hour before their main attraction, a Disney movie at the resort courtyard green, outside and under the stars. While Angela watched the kids watch the movie, I took the opportunity to take the ferryboat to Downtown Disney and capture some pictures from the water just after the sun went down.

When I got back, I headed over to the hotel bar, “ The Scat Cat’s Club” to be entertained by “the man” Elliot Dyson. Let me tell you, Elliot is one very talented dude. He is surrounded on stage by keyboards, guitars, saxophones, flutes, steel drums, and a personality that could fill Carnegie Hall. As he addresses the audience, a subtle click on his Korg keyboard kicks off the midi orchestra that perfectly accompanies his slightly raspy southern voice. After a verse or two, maybe even a chorus, Elliot picks up one of the numerous instruments and plays an incredible solo be it sax, flute or even the steel drums. This single man on stage has more energy than some ten-piece bands I’ve seen.

After enjoying listening to Elliot and having some fun with him and my camera, I dropped a five spot in his hat and headed back to the room, turned up the AC and went to sleep.