It is always hard for me to write about a day at a theme park (not that we visit them all that often), because the inherent design of theme parks is to give a uniform experience. One day is very much like another in a theme park: same sights, same sounds, same surprises, same friendly staff as the previous visit.

It’s not a bad thing at all, but it is very different from what we encounter in the “real world.” Out there, somewhere beyond the boundaries of Disney property, are people who don’t smile when they see you. Some of them have visible tattoos, beards, and opinions. They are the diverse group who make our daily experiences so interesting, and they make good blog fodder for a guy looking for something to write at 11 o’clock at night.

Hence my writing challenge. I could write about the personal impressions I have of this particular theme park, but I was having too much fun splashing around to make many notes, and besides, where would I keep my pen? It was hard enough keeping my sunglasses and sandals on (in fact, I lost the sunglasses twice despite Croakies and was lucky to retrieve them both times).

I could tell you about the very interesting display of bikinis and other assorted swimwear that we spotted, on a widely varied set of bodies, but you wouldn’t be interested in that, I’m sure. Suffice to say that you can’t appreciate the diversity of human beings until you see a few thousand of them parading by virtually naked. The people-watching at a water park rivals The Strip in Las Vegas.

A day in Typhoon Lagoon, like we spent today, is designed to be within a very narrow set of specifications. The water is always warm in the slides of Humunga Kowabunga, and the waves in the Lagoon are always six feet high. So our day today was just like the last time we visited that park (three years ago?) except last time we didn’t have an 8-year-old with us.

Which, as it turns out, makes a small difference. The child shrieks with joy after every ride: “That was AWESOME!” And she begs to go on a ride again, thus saving us from admitting ourselves that we’d like to as well. “Oh, you want to go again? Well … OK.”

Fortunately the park was lightly attended today and there were no lines. We rode every water slide two or three times, even the dreaded Humunga Kowabunga, the feared Crushin’ Gusher, the terrifying Keelhaul Creek, and … well, you get the picture. All of the rides were fearsome to Emma before we rode them the first time, then they were old favorites.

In the photo above you’ll note my calm, cool expression, while the two females of the party are engaged in full-blown panic. Emma has frozen with terror, clenching her teeth almost as tightly as the grip on her mother’s legs. Eleanor is screaming (“WHOOOOOOOOA!!!”) either because of Emma’s death grip on her or because we are entering the final chute, preparatory to splash-down in a 84 degree pool. It’s a good thing they have me to Captain the ship and steer it safely to the pool.

Our friends Brett, Lori, Adam and Susan were all elsewhere today. We last saw them at the bus transfer station at Ft Wilderness, and since then I think they’ve been park-hopping. At 5:30 they called and said they were about to watch Arlo Guthrie performing somewhere. I’m sure they will drag themselves in later tonight, completely wiped out and looking forward to tomorrow. I know we are.

Back at the Airstream this evening, we were treated to a visit by new friends Krista and Frank Stanley, who arrived in Ft Wilderness today. Like us, they are traveling in a 30-foot Airstream Safari “bunkhouse” with their daughter Maya. They are two weeks out on their first big trip, and already they’ve figured out that this is the way to go.

Frank is obliged to work at various locations as they travel, so their route is somewhat confusing, but they are making the best of the opportunity and enjoying themselves hugely. We gave them some tips on Airstreams and traveling, and then they went off to the Princess and Pirate Party at the Magic Kingdom. We may see them again before we leave. I hope so. The theme parks are great fun but still the lasting reward — and the part we remember the longest — is the friends we meet along the way.

An “Elfstream” at the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf at Blizzard Beach. Photo by Alice Wymer.