Disney really do know how to make a dime don't they? For sixteen years we have managed to steer our children clear of Disney Trading Pins and all that collectors stuff. Not because we were being miserable or strict but because we knew how much it was all likely to cost before being cast into a toy box on returning home, never to see daylight again. That was until this morning.
I blame hubby. Had we not rushed off to Epcot at the crack of dawn only to find that we had a 30 minute wait before the place opened we wouldn't have been standing beside one of the stalls selling all sorts of items, including starter trading pin sets. It's like having sweets next to the tills in a supermarket!
The set contained a lanyard thing, two identical pins (one to keep, one to trade), and a plastic card with trading instructions. Apparently you can trade with any Disney 'cast' member in the parks. You just saunter over to them, ask nicely if they would like to trade with you and then they smile sweetly and ask which of their prized pins you would like. None of the " bugger off I'm not trading my limited edition, gold plated, animated Chip n Dale pin for a lousy ten a penny Tinkerbell" business.
Anyway, the morning at Epcot passed nicely although much of it being spent either at pin trading stations (of which there are many) or eyeing up possible trades with cast members. I have to say that I did encourage Alexander a little by buying him a set of Star Wars pins to kick off his collection, although Darth Vader kept coming loose and ending up on the floor a lot.
Lunch at the Coral Reef amongst the fishes reminded me of our aquarium at home and I hoped they were coping with electronic feeding and were swimming around as happily as the five foot long blue fish in the tank here.
Tomorrow apparently we are on the hunt for more pins to trade at Disney studios. He spotted a skateboard pin and is on a mission. What are you betting that by lunchtime tomorrow he will either have traded for one or been bought one from the shop? The latter more likely.
We had a gloriously sunny but hot as hell afternoon without the kids this time, walking around Downtown Disney while they ran around Disney Quest like crazed loonies. This place is a gamers heaven. Five floors of nothing but games of all kinds, from Hungry Hippo to interactive racing. Conveniently, The House of Blues is right opposite the doors so we were forced to sit out in the sun, with a cold Bud Lite and wait for them to come out.
One of our waiting games is probably very common and called 'spot the Brit'. It used to be much easier but now that we have become more americanised it's sometimes tricky. No longer can you rely on the obvious football top/striped shorts, socks and sandals combo. I got caught out with that one last year. Women are easier, and especially if they are of the 'our usual holiday is in Torremolinos' clan. They are extremely obvious of a night time as they have had a siesta, shower and change of clothing into night out attire.
Regulars to Florida know that you don't take night out clothing, just more day out stuff. No-one dresses up much, unless it's for a special occasion, Just like make up. What's the point? It lasts all of five minutes in the heat and humidity. Which is why I tint my eyelashes before I go. Aha, now you see......!
The easiest way to spot them is to look out for red bits, we still have to get the hang of decent sun cream, and not lying in it all day.
Our lotion of choice is P10/20 you put it on in the morning and it really does last all day - even here. It seems expensive but worth it, trust me and you only have to fight with the kids once to get them to put it on.
I'm rambling on now aren't I? Yes I know, you should have stopped me a while back. So if you are still with me at this point, thanks for reading.
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