Last time we were at Walt Disney World, Raymond and I took a break from the parks and went back to the Contemporary – he had a massage scheduled at the Olympiad Fitness Center (a birthday gift from ME!) and I, as usual, was starving. So we had a few minutes before Raymond’s appointment to grab a bite at The Wave (excellent!) – then he went his way and I was, for the first time in my life, on my own at Disney World.
I walked straight to the Magic Kingdom. The day (end of May) had been a bit rainy and, while the rain had stopped, it was kind of cool out. I remember I was wearing my favorite Donald Duck sweatshirt (and received lots of random compliments on it from strangers) as I made my way toward the as yet mostly unfinished Fantasyland expansion. The park was unusually un-crowded.
I was curious – nosy even (shocker that!) and wanted to see the new Circus area since I’d heard a 
LOT about the animal footprints and peanut shell marks in the concrete. I wanted to check out what little I could see over the construction walls…I wanted to ride Goofy’s Barnstormer.
A strange thing happened on the way to the Circus – I, all alone at the Magic Kingdom, picked up (unknowingly) what would be one of the last paper fastpasses I would ever obtain. For The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Don’t ask me what prompted that – I was on a mission to see the Storybook Circus. There was just something about the look of Winnie the Pooh – I had never ever ridden it. I was on my own and feeling like I could do anything I wanted…I wanted to ride Winnie the Pooh. Go figure.
Walking on, fastpass in hand, I had time to see the ground in the Storybook Circus area with the footprints and peanut-marks in the cement. I had time to ride Barnstormer – seriously? TIME? The ride lasts literally less than a minute! – Great first coaster for little ones, by the way. You only need to be 35″ tall to ride. Mission accomplished – time for Pooh!
At the time, I had no idea that the original queue for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was supposed to be much cooler than the final version. I thought it looked pretty neat! Rabbit’s garden, honey everywhere, interactive parts, highly detailed, well-themed. I was pretty impressed.
No waiting – I played that fastpass – and suddenly, I found myself waiting to board my pot-o-
honey! I think that’s when it hit me that I was alone in Magic Kingdom, but didn’t feel weird or uncomfortable. Heck! I felt adventurous. For many years, I’d been MAD at Pooh for booting Mr. Toad to the curb and was ready to let bygones be bygones and give it a try!
Annnnnd. It was cute! Sweet (ha! pun intended) and the characters were adorable. For 3 whole minutes, I rode along solo in my little honey pot and remembered how much I used to love those Winnie the Pooh stories. Piglet was always my favorite character – the 
blustery day story particularly. Here it was! All lovingly recreated by those clever Disney Imagineers – All the gang, even Heffalumps and Woozles were there. It hit me when I saw the small tribute to Mr. Toad himself, that I shouldn’t have been mad at Pooh to begin with. I’m normally the least-adverse-to-change person I know – why I’d been holding a grudge for years and years against the very existence of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh without even giving it a chance – I have no idea!
This ride is great for all ages, but particularly the very young. As a beginner dark ride, it’s perfect. If you grew up with Pooh 
and friends, you’ll enjoy the different scenes. The little kiddos will like the queue, the ride vehicles, and the colorful characters along the journey. Who would love Disney’s Winnie the Pooh Ride? I would! You will! And so will your children.
Pingback: Winnie the Pooh Bank - Flea Market Treasure - Living a Disney Life
These pic look so cute! And I love Winnie the Pooh the book 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
Thanks for stopping by, Delia. I am really enjoying Blog Formatting’s FB page and love the opportunities you come up with to connect bloggers and promote blogs.
Lisa, I have to say I love your style of writing. You’ve made me chuckle along as I felt I was with you in the park. You’re a great writer. Every time I’ve had a few precious moments alone in the parks it’s been magical. It’s amazing when you have nothing to distract you what you will stumble upon~ simply magic.
Thanks for the kind words, Amy. I bet the next time (if ever) I find myself on my own, loose in the World, I’m gonna shake things up a bit more! Thanks for stopping by.
Personally I actually love this ride. I kind of love any ride where the animatronics are good and the decor is fun – it doesn’t matter who it’s aimed at. 😉 That said, I think this ride is a kid’s ride I enjoy more than Journey Into Imagination with Figment… I *like* that one, but I think Pooh is more successful. It’s so innovative! They don’t just show the characters, they really find neat ways to immerse you in it! Like bouncing along with Tigger, which I’d have to say is the high point of the ride. 😀
I’ve never been COMPLETELY alone at Magic Kingdom, but I know that sense of freedom regardless. I have always felt really special and jazzed on the few occasions I’ve been on my own in the parks! I love it!
Hey Rebecca! I’m, well, my age and it completely shocked me how giddy I was out on my own in Magic Kingdom! All the things I could have done and I chose Barnstormer and Winnie the Pooh. What was THAT about? I did buy an Earhat while I was there – for a coworker who always wears a Mickey Mouse watch but has never had an Earhat. If I ever get another chance I’m going to be more of a rebel…might even go all “single rider” on the place!
I love single rider lines. I haven’t ever used them in MK because I’ve never been on my own, but I’ve pretty much walked onto Rock & Roller Coaster and Test Track multiple times in the single rider line!
So it sounds like the Magic Kingdom got to you! LOL! I don’t know, if I were there I might be tempted to jump right into Fantasyland myself. 😀 Actually, it’s weird but it was on my (one and only) solo trip that I discovered how much I love meeting characters. Prior to that I hadn’t done it other than a couple of meals with my husband! I never thought I’d wait in line but my first day I was waiting to hug Mickey at Hollywood Studios. It’s funny how being there alone, focusing on yourself, brings out priorities you might not have realized you had… 😉
Oh, I would so totally wait in line to meet characters! That’s one of the best things about DCL – the characters are pretty accessable on a ship!
Great post! It’s just the cutest ride and I enjoyed it on my solo trip too. I had a week to do whatever I wanted and it had been forever since I had ridden it and I wondered if the magic was still there. It was! I still miss Mr. Toads:(
Hi Deb! Thanks for stopping by. For some reason I had an impossible time attempting to comment on your blog for the hop. Made me sad when nothing I did made a comment stick. I cannot believe how many years/visits it finally took for me to get over my Mr. Toad-induced grudge against poor Pooh. Next time I’m alone, though – I’m going to make a lot better use of my time!