Bounding Through the Unexpected

There are times when even the best laid bounding plans fall short, and what you envisioned does not happen. This is especially true for those of us who travel to theme parks and plan bounds to match events or meet characters. Here are three times when my bounds did not work out as planned. 

1. Luigi was Nowhere to be Seen

Earlier this year, I had my first trip to California, and I was SO excited to create a Super Mario Bros. bound.  Buttoning on my trusty overalls and some pops of green, it was time to visit Super Nintendo World.

Luigi Bound:

• Green bucket hat
• White sunglasses
• Green t-shirt
• Blue jean overalls
• White wristbands
  &
• White shoes (switched out to grey rain boots due to intense rainstorms)

I envisioned spending hours soaking up the sun in Super Nintendo World, eating all the food options, playing the games, riding the rides, and, of course, meeting Mario and Luigi.  While it's not common for Los Angeles to have many rainy days, it just so happened that on the two days we were visiting the park, it rained for 1.5 of them, which meant the characters weren't out to meet guests. Having characters out and/or walking in torrential downpours is not a good idea, so I understand why they couldn't be out; nevertheless, my plans for the perfect chance to meet Luigi while bounding as Luigi fell short.

Now, did this ruin my day? Of course not! It was my first time visiting Super Nintendo World, and the rain wasn't going to dampen my enthusiasm.  

We swapped out our running shoes for waterproof boots, grabbed an umbrella, and splashed our way through the rain.  BONUS: With the rain being so heavy, the crowd levels were extremely low, and we got to walk on and ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge back-to-back times without having to get out of the ride vehicle.  

2. Too Stormy for Daisy

In 2024, Disney Cruise Line opened its second private island retreat in the Bahamas - Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

With this new destination came new experiencers and new outfits for our classic Disney friends. Once I booked a cruise, the next decision I had was deciding which character's outfit I would take inspiration from.  I chose Daisy and wanted to tap into the high energy and confidence she exudes while I explored Lookout Cay.  

Lookout Cay Daisy Bound:

• Tan sunhat with blue trim and blue bow
• Royal blue swimsuit with white piping
• Electric blue shrug
• Coral skirt
• Yellow, coral, orange, and sky-blue fabric bracelets
  &
• White sunglasses

Similar to my experience in California, Mother Nature had other plans than I had hoped for.  Soon after the boat docked, clouds rolled in. As we walked along the dock to the island, the wind picked up, and the rain began. I want to say it was a refreshing drizzle, yet that wouldn't be honest.  What started as a drizzle intensified with stronger winds and ultimately prompted Cast Members to issue a "shelter in place" warning for all guests on the island.

With the storm that rolled in, it was clear that meeting Daisy was not an option. So, I took a page out of Daisy's book of being positive, rocking the bound I was wearing, and making the best of a rainy day.  We were "sheltering in place" at one of the island bars, met some great fellow cruisers, as well as fantastic Cast Members, and spent time sampling some island beverages.

Once the storm passed, the clouds rolled out, the sun returned, and we got to continue exploring the island.  Later that afternoon, most of the characters arrived in their new outfits, everyone except Daisy.  We heard that with the earlier storm, she chose to stay on the ship, and we think that she may have been caught in the morning rain and needed time to let her feathers dry. While I never got to snap a photo with Daisy, and the day didn't pan out how I had planned, it was still a good day.  We met new people, we had a lot of laughs, and we made great memories.  

3. Bing Bong Had Vanished

As mentioned above, this year was my first time in California, and the trip wouldn't be complete without visiting the Happiest Place on Earth – Disneyland! I wanted to be a rare character you don't usually see at Walt Disney World, so I chose Bing Bong.

Bing Bong Bound:

• Brown flat cap
• Pink dress
• Purple bow
• Brown suit jacket
• Multi-color flower brooch
• Yellow leggings
• Pink socks
  &
• White shoes

Pixar Place Hotel has a variety of characters who greet guests in the lobby throughout the day. My goal was to meet Bing Bong; I had envisioned snapping a photo with him next to the giant Pixar Lamp, and this would be a new core memory for me. But as we know, things don't always work out as planned.  As I walked into the lobby, I saw the giant lamp and looked around for a Bing Bong, and he wasn't there. In fact, a Cast Member let us know that Bing Bong hadn’t been seen that day and hopefully he’d return tomorrow. As these character sightings don't have an official schedule, we're not guaranteed to see a specific character.

Now what happened next created one of the best memories I have from the entire trip! Dug from Disney's Up came out, and he recognized my Bing Bong bound. His energy and enthusiasm made it the cutest character interaction I've ever had! Dug also asked me if I'd go on a walk, and he led me to an Up photo spot where we snapped pictures, and he gave me a Valentine's card. Dug was absolutely adorable!

So, while bounding and meeting the characters who inspire them don't always work out as planned, the memories we make can turn out even better than we imagined. Keep bounding through the surprises and even rain storms won’t stop you from finding unexpected joy.

Happy Bounding!

~Kelly