An Emotional Trip to Florida

Throughout the week I seemed to be either laughing or crying, irritated or overjoyed, thrilled or fearful, panicked or totally at ease. I found myself in situations that were completely unexpected and with one or two exceptions, a wonderful surprise. Most importantly, this trip was full of unforgettable memories and, my favorite, mini moments.

My favorite memories consist of what I like to call mini moments, those seemingly insignificant yet completely spontaneous or random moments that reveal themselves, and their importance, in a quick but powerful image that instantly identifies it as being significant and moving. Florida always seems to provide me with powerful memories and wonderful moments.

It didn't start out that way.

Days Inn has seen its last dollar from me. Their rating system, which I have used to protect myself from their worst properties (and in turn protect myself from the wrath of Cindy), has failed me for the last time. Initially allured by the $29 a night rate, and reassured by the 3 (out of 5) sunburst rating, I felt confident booking a room at the Days Inn East of Universal Studios. The clincher was the motel's claim to be located only a quarter mile from Universal Studios and within easy walking distance to the park.

I walked into a dump. Way too far to walk, only one ice machine in the entire compound, outside entry and the deadbolt on my door was completely stripped, with no other locks installed. My bathroom light did not work, and I wondered how many times the maids had cleaned the room without reporting it. When I saw the floor I had my answer. A pinkish sludge covered a large part of the corner. The final straw occured when I awoke the next morning. My air conditioner had leaked into the room, soaking the entire carpet. When I put my feet on the floor I stepped into a puddle. That's it, I'm getting out of here!

I spent all of Thursday morning cleaning my things that had been damaged from being left on the floor, then I went online and found a room at the Rodeway Inn on International Drive. By booking it online I was able to get a room for only $35 a night! I have stayed there before and it was a perfectly nice place to begin with, but it has improved a great deal since the last time I stayed there. My room came with a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker, and the convenience store has changed from a token snack bar to a full fleged mini-mart! I also received a complimentary morning paper at my door each morning. From now on I will only stay at the Rodeway Inn!

I decided to head for MGM Studios. Dave Hamburger and Jeff Cook were supposed to be there sometime in the afternoon so I figured I might run into them. It was nearly 4:30 by the time I arrived at the parking gate, and as I dug into my wallet to pay the fee, the attendant said "You know what? Don't worry about it. Have a good time and enjoy your day!"

I pull into my parking spot and get out of my car when who do I see waiting for the tram? Sean and Phyllis Flaharty! Barry Short, who could easily pass for Jeff Tolotti's big brother, was with them, too, and at this point all memories of the earlier day's trials vanished.

Our time at MGM was limited, but we managed to get two rides each on Rock and Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. In fact we never even left this section of the park, which is unfortunate since Phyllis said MGM was the park she was most looking forward to. Personally I'm glad the two rides are so close together. There aren't a lot of attractions at MGM that I would care to repeat, and anything to avoid a Montu-Kumba style trek is okay by me!

Rock n Roller Coaster is still a great ride. Like Disney's only other speedy coaster, Space Mountain, it isn't going to break the the thrill-o-meter, but it is action packed and a whole lot of fun. I could ride RnRC over and over and have a fantastic time! If only there were a reride route that avoided the preshow!

Tower of Terror's preshow I would never want to miss. This is hands down Disney's best effort when it comes to thrill rides. Sean was smart to wait until dark before we got on. Since we couldn't see where we were, it was a total surprise for all of us when we dropped! I love the effect where the electrical charge splits in half and opens up like a curtain. Our attendant was also very funny - an elderly man who was quite serious in his delivery when he said "Thank you for coming to the Hollywood Tower Hotel, enjoy your ride.................good.....bye."

My main purpose for coming to MGM on this day was to see Fantasmic, and after our Tower of Terror rides I suggested we get in line as we had less than an hour before showtime. Neither Sean nor Phyllis seemed particularly excited about spending our final hour in the park this way, but they are both so easygoing and didn't object, and Barry encouraged them by saying it was worth seeing on their first visit.

Unfortunately we didn't arrive soon enough and had to wait in the standing room only line. While we were waiting Barry told us that this is a regular, nightly occurance at MGM and that Disney severely underestimated the popularity of Fantasmic. When I saw the stadium I could not believe it. It must seat 10,000 people! And they're turning people away every night? Incredible!

Finally we were allowed in. As we headed for the standing room only platforms I heard someone yell "Mark!" I turned around and it was David Hamburger! Somehow in a crowd of 10,000 people he managed to spot me! He and Jeff had saved me a seat so I dropped Sean, Phyllis and Barry like a bad habit and watched the show with Dave and Jeff. Actually I had an ulterior motive. My plan to was to leave MGM as quickly as possible and head over to Epcot to end the evening, and since no one else was going, Dave's seat provided a quick getaway!

But first, Fantasmic! This show is truly amazing! In a way it is a Best of Disney revue, and it helps to have seen all of the recent Disney movies, from The Little Mermaid through Fantasia 2000. It is so incredibly rich with effects and memorable movie moments, and the ending just keeps building and getting better and better. Just when you think the show is over yet another effect makes you go "Ahhh!" Fantasmic moved me to tears. It is spectacular!

After the show ended, we bolted out of the park. On our way out I told Dave and Jeff that I planned to return to MGM later in the week. I wanted very much to see the Mulan parade and, now that I'd seen it, watch Fantasmic again! It was at this time that Dave disgusted and horrified me by saying his favorite parade was Disney's Magic Moments at the Magic Kingdom. I almost broke my foot off in his ass but instead tried to remind him that Solid Gold ended in the 80's!

Dave's strategic exit maneuvering worked like a charm on this night (thanks, Dave!) as I left MGM by 7:39 and found myself in Epcot's World Showcase by 7:57!

My first visit to Epcot last year was mixed. I was really turned off by the crass commercialism and blatant corporate advertising located throughout Future World. And yet I was mesmerized by the spectacle of Illuminations. I really didn't "get" Epcot. So I wanted to give it another try. I decided to avoid Future World altogether and concentrate solely on World Showcase.

Now I get it!

Epcot, and in particular World Showcase, is like a Festival of Nations. It is a World's Fair. What it is *not* is a park. There are cultural exhibits, shops and various attractions hosted by each nation. But let's be honest here. Epcot is all about food.

In the short time I had, I only managed to walk through Mexico, Norway and China, but in that short time I realized Epcot is actually quite interesting and very fun. It's like going to a fair. You don't go expecting the same things you expect from an amusement park. And at Epcot, nothing comes close to resembling an amusement park.

I came to this place at a good time because an International Food and Wine Tasting Festival was being held in World Showcase and lots of kiosks were set up along the walkways. The different countries offered "tastes" of various food items found within their culture, and on this particular night I had Beijing Lou Bing, which was like a Chinese version of a quesadilla. Basically it was wheat dough filled with beef, spices and scallions. It came in two pizza shaped slices and was *delicious* - just greasy enough for me to lick my fingers after every bite.

Then I sat down down and watched the Tapestry of Nations parade. Now, before I go on, I should admit that I am an unabashed parade person. As Ethel Merman herself once sang, "I..........LOVE A PARADE!" And Epcot has created an incredibly unique and moving parade, a celebration so original it would not be appropriate at any other park. The use of costumes, lighting, interaction with the audience and powerfully moving music are perfectly intertwined. It is the perfect compliment to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

As much as I loved Fantasmic, I think Illuminations is even better. It tries, and succeeds, to reach deep down and touch your emotions in a sincere and honest way. To me, it is much more than a brilliant orchestration of synchronized fire, water, lights and music. It tries to say something positive about the triumph of the human spirit. At one point in the show, a series of sepia-toned faces appears on the globe, one person's face fading into the other. I simply cannot watch this moment without getting choked up. It's very hard, I think, for any kind of theatrical experience to be deep without seeming pretentious. Iluminations is joyful and deep, and the most emotionally moving twenty minutes I have ever experienced.

I will come back three times for this moment.

Up Next: Busch Gardens Tampa