My 24 hours with the Legendary Disney Imagineers! part 3

My son is feeling a bit better and I've got a moment to share a little more of our story.....

I find myself walking to the Haunted Mansion with X Atencio on my arm. It was a slow walk for which I was very grateful. I wanted to savor this moment forever. As we walk thru the gates, we see a blueish glow emanating from behind the large crowd gathered at the steps of the mansion. As we peer thru bodies, we see the 3 Hitchhiking Ghosts standing in front of the hearse, thumbs up in their iconic pose taking pictures with the fans. What an amazing thing to see.

Next to me I hear a soft voice start singing.
"When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake.
Spooks come out for a swinging wake."

I look over and see X, who has spotted the Hitchhiking Ghosts, singing the song he wrote nearly 40 years ago.  Staying true to my dorky self, I started singing along.  It was only after we were done singing that I realized that all this time we were sitting on our video camera and maybe now is a good time to use it.  I gave my husband the look, you know, the unspoken language between a husband and wife, where the wife glares at the husband to get what she wants?  Yeah, that look.  We did manage to get X singing a few verses of Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirates Life For Me.  Of course, that also means video of yours truly, in my darkest, I mean dorkiest hour!  

We stopped to take let X take a picture with the HitchHiking Ghosts and, of course, we had to jump in!  Again, I have to say thanks to Steve, doombug extraordinaire, for offering to take our picture together with X.  Prior to that, Sam and I had been swapping cameras to get pictures of each of us with X and it was awkward.  

The next thing I remember, I was in the stretching room, or The Gallery, of the Haunted Mansion.  There was a number of Doombugs sprawled out on the floor, which is always fun to see.  Yes, I have seen that before... actually, I have done that before.. *giggles*  The last ride of the night can be a lot of fun.  As the Ghost Host begins his spiel, I do what I always do, which is to quietly join in.  That's when it hits me, and hits me hard.  I'm standing next to the man that wrote these words, these words that I know by heart, these words that I say every time I get on the ride.  I'm overwhelmed with emotion, and I'm feeling extremely blessed and grateful.  As the doors open to long hallway, I realize that I've left my camera bag, with our other Nikon camera on the ground outside with the Hitchhiking ghosts!  

Oh, crap.

Do I run out now and leave X, or hope my camera is still there when I get off the ride?  Luckily, at that very moment, a CM walks by, and I share with her my dilemma.   She graciously offers to recover my camera so I may continue with X, who has made his way to the loading belt and the Doombuggy.  As I help him and Mrs. X on the Doombuggy, another CM slows the ride to allow me to capture a picture of  them on the ride.  Thanks to Brandon of Ghost Relations Dept. with his mad photoshop skills for making this my dream picture!

As I get in the following doombuggy with my husband, under the cover of darkness, my tears of joy and gratitude begin to fall.  

  

The evening ends with all 4 Disney Legends standing outside the Mansion.  What a great moment, a great evening, and a dream come true!

We had every intention of capturing tons of pics and every moment on video.  But as the evening continued, I either forgot all about my camera, or just didn't care to live the moment thru a viewfinder.  We did manage a few meager shots which I put together in this little compilation.  The song I chose is an early rendition of the mansion music, which I dearly love, but it is rather fuzzy.  I know this.  I don't need to get a dozen email telling me how bad it is.

:)  

I still have more to share.. the trip home with Harriet and Blaine, along with the X's was quite amazing.  But I'm feeling a little yucky in my tummy, so I will continue the final chapter on another day.  In the meantime, thanks so much for reading and enjoy the video!