We promised the boys a Haunted Hay Ride. Earlier in the week, Tig had called and got the info on it. Show up day of show at the kennel and purchase tickets before the ride – no pre-orders available. When we arrived at Fort Wilderness Kennels, where we were supposed to be able to just walk in and purchase tickets day of (no pre-order available, mind you) the real horror began. We found out the hay ride had been sold out since at least 1pm. Now what? We have 3 ADHD boys itching for something to do.
We were told we could head
over to the hay ride and begin the "stand by"
wait. With each wagon that pulled out of the boarding
station headed for “Old Woods Road” we saw
our haunted carriage ride chances quickly dissipating.
We held our breath and crossed our fingers with each (empty)
returning wagon… but each time we were left behind
at the station to wait for the next one. As the night
wore on the boys got more restless and the benches got
less comfortable. But we stood strong in our resolve to
board the Vineland Express and held hope that we would
at last deliver that lock box to the settlement.
Our station attendant, Rachel, kept us entertained and endured our impatience with grace and true Disney style. Three hours after we began our wait the last wagon of the night pulled into the station and alas there was no room for any extras.
ISo, with the departure of the last (sold out) wagon, our night appeared to be a bust. Right before we threw in the towel (and after a bit of polite begging), a very busy CM Robin worked her magic and arranged for one more wagon.
It was worth the wait...
The Trents’ are a colorful family and made us feel as unwelcome on their land as the many other groups before us had felt. What was quickly turning into a miserable evening ended up in great memories.
SORRY Trent's - we weren't allowed to take a 'real' picture of you... Please realize the memory of your ghostly family waiting on the edge of the haunted woods has been burned permanently into our subconscious.
That’s the Disney difference.. the entire cast was willing to stay, to deliver one more show. They had been there all day, were tired and ready to go home but stayed to make our dreams come true. For all the "magic" we see there are so many unsung heroes behind the scenes and they all played an enormous part in making our evening magical. So here’s to Laurie for the ride, Ma Trent for allowing us to cross, Pa and Tobias for a hair tingling escort through the woods and the "Sheriff" for sharing his treasure with us all!
