.:Critter Country:.

Happy: "This is Dopey, he don't talk none."

Snow White: "You mean he can't talk?"

Happy: "He don't know, he never tried."

The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes were closed due to the weather. It wasn't scheduled to rain, but, as long as you weren't Alice, you never knew, and the cast members didn't want their guests paddling away in the middle of a river during an unexpected downpour. So the Cullens went deeper into Critter Country to see what else they could find. Edward offered they should go on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh since it was in the far back corner. They could then make their way from ride to ride in a nice line until they reached Sleeping Beauty's Castle again.

They were just about to get in line when Bella stopped and started looking around. She remembered a certain attraction and knew it was in this part of the park; yet, it was gone. Replaced, she realized.

"What are you looking for?" Jacob asked her.

"The Country Bear Jamboree. They must have taken it out and put Winnie the Pooh in its place."

"What's the Country Bear...whatever?" Jacob wasn't all that interested, really, but decided to question it anyway because Bella looked genuinely upset that it wasn't here.

"It was a show. There were mechanical bears and other animals that all sang and danced. It was fun. Charlie and I loved it."

Emmett shrugged at her. "Well, now they've put in a different bear. Let's go."

Bella sighed, saddened that one of her favorite shows was taken out. She had wanted to take a picture of it to show Charlie, as it was a fond memory they both shared. It was just her luck that they'd changed it. Edward rubber her shoulders.

"I really liked that show," she told him. "It's too bad they closed it. I never thought I'd have something against Winnie the Pooh, until now."

"I know you must be upset to see it go but, you know, Renesmee doesn't enjoy the Country Bears as much as she does Winnie the Pooh."

Bella didn't understand what he was trying to say. "So?"

"So," he said, "are you saying the termination of one of your favorite attractions wasn't worth the invention of one of hers? Is it not worth that?" She followed his pointed finger to see their daughter excitedly pulling her grandmother and pushing her Aunt Rosalie through the line, her lips stretched into a white smile, eager to see some of her most favorite characters brought to life. Nessie was positively glowing. "Times change, Bella. I've seen it firsthand, and you're experiencing it now. We can only hope that they change for the better; or, at least, for something equally as good for the next generation. It's sort of a bittersweet cycle."

Bella didn't answer as she and Edward caught up with the rest of the family. She couldn't deny that she loved that happiness emanating off Renesmee.

After going through the line, the Cullens climbed into a beehive that took them through a journey into the Hundred Acre Woods. Along the way, they encountered Heffalumps and Woozles, blustery thunderstorms (because it was supposedly Windsday), and much, much more. It all ended with the celebration of Pooh's birthday. And who didn't like birthday parties? Well, there was one person; but even she rather enjoyed it. In fact, when the ride was over and they had their pictures taken with Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and the rest of the gang, Bella realized that she couldn't hate anything that made her daughter happy. And Nessie had simply adored the experience. Much more than she would have the Country Bears, Bella admitted. She guessed Edward had been right - this change was worth it...

Leaving the Hundred Acre Woods behind, it was time for the Cullens to head over to Splash Mountain to find their laughin' place.

OoOoOoO

"Do you get wet on this ride?" Jacob questioned just as the Cullens watched a boat plunge down the flume of water into the Briar Patch.

"Hmm, let's think. Why would you get wet on a ride called Splash Mountain?" Rosalie sarcastically wondered. "That must be obviously ridiculous to assume, for, clearly, all those people plunging down a waterfall should remain absolutely dry."

Jacob glared at the blonde vampire with a sarcastic 'ha-ha' expression, which she studiously ignored.

"Hey, if you don't want dumb answers, don't ask dumb questions," Emmett told the werewolf, giving him a brotherly pat on the shoulder as he passed him, following Rosalie into the line.

"One day you'll learn to think before you speak," Alice assured the Quileute with a cheerful smile as she and Jasper joined their siblings.

"Well, we hope so anyway," Edward chuckled, walking by with Bella, who looked like she was trying not to smile.

Jacob scowled after them. The thing was, he really couldn't blame them; he'd thrown himself into their jokes this time.

Esme put a hand on his arm and smiled. "Jacob..."

He rolled his eyes. "I know, I know. Don't mind them, blah, blah, blah." It was always the same when someone was getting ganged up on by the others.

"Actually," Esme grinned slightly wider, "I was going to say you may want to learn to read first, as well."

She pointed to a sign as her and Carlisle passed. Jacob looked at the notice and saw that it read:

Attention! Fifty foot plunge ahead! You may get wet!

He groaned at his own moment of stupidity. "Perfect."

Nessie skipped up to him and patted his giant arm, saying, "Don't worry, we love you anyway." Then she took his hand and lead him into the line. After zig-zagging through the mountain scenery and entering an old shack, they slowed down to read the signs that were hanging on the walls.

"You can't run from trouble," Jasper recited, "there ain't no place that far."

"Yeah, we learned that the hard way," Emmett chuckled lightheartedly. Jasper then read the next sign, and continued narrating the tale they were being informed of throughout the queue.

"It was one of those Zip-a-dee-doo-dah days—the kind of day where you can't open your mouth without a song jumpin' right out." The southern accent of his voice brought a strange authenticity to the words, and Jasper needed no help from his empathic abilities to enchant, not only his niece, but the family as a whole as he read. "Now, this tale didn't happen just yesterday—not your time, nor yet my time... but one time. It was a time when the critters were closer to the folks, the folks were closer to the critters...and you might even say things were better all around."

"And you know what this is leading to, don't you?" Jasper asked Nessie, who was now clinging to his arm, enraptured. She shook her head, mind reeling with intrigue. In response, her uncle read the next quote hanging on the wall: "Everybody's got a laughin' place—trouble is most folks won't take the time to go look for it."

"And where it is for one," Rosalie finished softly, "mightn't be for another."

OoOoOoO

Before they knew it, they were being loaded onto their log boats. It fit six people, so they split up into two groups of five. Nessie (up front), Alice, Bella, Esme, and Rosalie were in the first boat. Directly behind them sat Edward, Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, and Jacob in their own. It was Alice's idea that the girls and guys split up; Nessie really liked that plan.

The two boats floated neck-in-neck until the girls' boat was lifted up the first chain hill, parting ways with the boys, who were kept at the bottom for a minute longer. They drifted peacefully along the waterway, which made a bridge over another section of the ride; it was perfectly timed so they could watch the boat in front of them fall down the first drop. Nessie waved at the family in that boat until they had gone. It looked like so much fun, and Nessie couldn't wait until it was their turn.

Soon after, they encountered the houses of Br'er Fox, Br'er Bear, and Br'er Rabbit (the stars of the attraction). The girls were too busy looking at the houses that they didn't realize the first drop was already upon them. It wasn't until they heard Emmett—his boat now crossing the bridge—shouting at them to "look out below" that they all simultaneously turned to see what he was talking about. Their log was just starting to tip. There were surprised gasps among the boat, but the ladies welcomed it with happy squeals.

The splash wasn't very big. Nessie only got lightly sprayed. She looked over her shoulder and asked, "You get wet?"

Bella looked down at her pants. "Nope, nothing yet."

Alice, however, pointed out a large water spot on her knee. "Speak for yourself - I've been hit!"

"That's why I sat in the back," Rosalie said, smug.

Their log rounded another corner—they giggled when they heard Emmett scream like Goofy down the drop they just went down—and they entered the land Uncle Remus so vividly described in Disney's Song of the South. Nessie was amazed at all the animal audio-animatronics. She kept looking back and forth quickly, trying to take everything in. She pointed out things to her aunts, mother, and grandma; they all oo'ed and aaww'ed at the same things. They were having just as much fun as the little girl and they weren't hiding it. Plus, the music was very catchy.

"Why is the rabbit laughing?" Nessie questioned as their log glided around a corner only to find Br'er Rabbit rolling on the floor in a giggle fit.

Esme pointed out what was ahead of them. "Look. Br'er Bear got stuck in a hole," she chuckled. "That must be what's so funny—"

Her words suddenly cut off when—while they were all focused on the bear above them and hadn't realized their track was disappearing into blackness—their boat tipped and plummeted down a dark tunnel at full speed.

All five screamed at the top of their lungs.

Their boat smoothly bounced over waves at the bottom. Recorded voices eerily echoed around them, emphasizing the fright of the drop. The sheer speed and surprise the steep dip had, had them all laughing hysterically when the ride gentled again.

"Woah!," Nessie giggled.

"Holy crow!"

"I'm surprised I didn't even accidentally see that one coming ahead of time—what a shock."

Esme laughed, as well. "That was quite cleverly placed."

"Hardly any splash on that one, but it was exciting, I have to admit," Rosalie said, smiling in amusement.

"Oh no," Nessie said, looking around for the first time since they dropped. "We've landed in a mess of bees!"

Sure enough, above their heads bumblebees were buzzing and swarming in circles around their honey. Everything glowed with neon lights, water spouts spitting up every color of the rainbow. Further in, Br'er Fox finally managed to trap Br'er Rabbit, capturing him in a sticky beehive. The mood of the ride made a sudden transition to dark and ominous. Mothers were singing to their children, warning them of the danger the poor rabbit got himself into. At the end, Vultures wearing top hats grinned wickedly down at the Cullen ladies, finishing each others' eery sentences.

"Everybody's got a Laughing Place..."

"...Maybe this one is yours."

"If you finally found your Laughing Place..."

"...How come you aren't laughing?"

"Time to be turnin' around..."

"...If only you could!"

The log then began to make its final ascent. To the left, a projection of Br'er Rabbit tied up, begging for his life, asking the fox not to eat him, showed on the wall. Nessie gulped, nervous. She could see the daylight in front of her now; she knew the big drop was coming. She gripped the handles on either side. She could not decide if she had the guts to let go and put her hands up on this one. She had discovered that she liked roller coasters, but this was different than the others. This one had a steeper drop, and there were no seatbelts.

The log arrived at the top of the mountain and Nessie was momentarily distracted, amazed that she could see across the park. But that amazement quickly turned to terror. Her eyes grew big, and Alice's voice rose two octaves as she shrieked, "It sprays you!" when they began to make their plunge.

Alice was right, of course. This wasn't like any of the other drops they'd encountered so far. Water was spraying off the rocks along side the waterfall, aimed to give riders a good shower as they went down—nobody was getting off dry.

At the last minute, Nessie suddenly found the courage to put her hands up. (Really, she noticed the camera that was waiting to take their picture, and she didn't want Uncle Emmett teasing her that she was too scared.) She forced herself to keep her arms up, squealing through the mist of water as they fell. When they hit the bottom, a large wave came crashing over the front of the log, completely drenching Nessie and Alice (and Alice had tried to duck and cover).

"Oh my gosh, that is cold!" Nessie giggled as she looked over herself. The only response she got were various laughs.

Alice was scowling at her clothes, wet and clinging to her body. "Aww... I tried to save them," she pouted.

This made Bella and Rosalie burst out laughing.

"Is that why you were scrunched in a ball?" Bella asked, amused.

"Trying to hide behind little Renesmee, Alice?" Rosalie guffawed.

Alice was about to respond when they heard booming laughter behind them; the boys obviously finished their final drop.

"HAHAHA! WOO!" Emmett bellowed.

Jacob added, "I can't wait to see our picture!"

The girls laughed in anticipation, but before they could think anything more on it they were once again entering Doo-Dah Landing, where all the animals were happy and dancing again. This time, Esme started singing along, and the others happily joined in.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
Zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my what a wonderful day.
Plenty of sunshine headed my way.
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
Zip-a-dee-ay!

Bella pointed out the open space above their heads; the Disneyland train was traveling through at just that moment, making its trip around the Magic Kingdom. They smiled and waved to the passengers on board.

Seconds later, they passed Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear trying not to be eaten by an alligator.

"That's what they get," Nessie muttered, sticking her tongue at them.

Further down the end of their journey, they found Br'er Rabbit safe in his own home.

"And he's probably learned his lesson, too," Nessie told Alice, who said she doubted it since he was still wearing the same tasteless outfit.

They then had to wait a few minutes for the log in front of them to change passengers, resulting in the boys running into them, shoving their boat slightly forward.

"Hey, mind yourselves," Rosalie accused.

"So sorry, ma'am," Edward humored her. "Blame the buffoons in the back."

"I beg your pardon!" cried the buffoons in the back.

When they got out of their logs, they finally were able to see just how wet everyone really was.

"Wow!"

"I told you. I am soaked!"

"Look at you guys!"

"Haha, Daddy!"

Edward was just as drenched as Nessie and Alice, his bronze hair heavy and sticking to his face. Carlisle wasn't much better.

"Wow, Alice," Jasper chuckled as he joined her side.

"Don't you dare laugh at me," she told him. His lips thinned as he tried to hold it back.

"Nice hair, Rose," Emmett teased.

"You want some of this, Emmett Cullen?" she said with narrowed eyes. He was pretty wet himself—having a heavier boat which resulted in bigger waves—but he didn't have the hair to soak up the water. Rosalie, after backing her husband into a wall so he couldn't escape, proceeded to wring her hair out over his chest.

"Aww, c'mon!" he groaned. On-lookers chuckled at their antics.

"Jake, you hardly got wet," Bella noticed.

"I was in the back and was able to duck behind Emmett." He grinned triumphantly.

"Yeah... Auntie Alice wasn't so lucky with that," Nessie said.

At the reminder, Bella and Rosalie began to snicker again. Alice growled playfully at them.

"What do you mean?" Carlisle asked, curious as to what was so funny.

Nessie hopped over to the screens where it showed their pictures, and giggled as she pointed to theirs. "See?"

Everyone did see. All of them were laughing now, and not just at Alice.

Nessie had her hands up in the shot, seemingly fearless; but the expression on her face looked like she thought she was about to die. Alice was curled down, arms covering her head; they could barely see her. Bella had her hands up too, but she was preoccupied with Alice's unusual position and therefore had a confused look on her face. Esme looked completely at ease as she stared directly at the camera with her tongue sticking out. And Rosalie was posing regally in her seat, looking absolutely unruffled by the fact she was descending a rushing waterfall, her golden hair flailing beautifully behind her.

On the other screen, however, there appeared to be chaos from front to end. In the back, Jacob was flexing one arm, while the other arm was extended toward Emmett, who was being punched in the head by him. However, Emmett was also positioned as far from Jacob's reach as the little seats allowed, and so he was grabbing Jasper in a death grip in the process, forcing the blonde's back to arch over the back of his seat. Jasper looked like he was snarling, trying to get Emmett off him, his leg sticking up and out of the boat. Carlisle was trying to avoid being kicked and assaulted. And then there was Edward, his hands up and a giant smile on his face... only he looked more like he was determined to ignore the insanity behind him and enjoy the ride like a normal person, and failing to do so because of his hilariously concentrated expression.

"OK, we just have to buy these," Jacob chortled.

"That's a good idea. Our first adventure on Splash Mountain as a family," Carlisle said. "...It makes you wonder, doesn't it?" he muttered to Esme.

She laughed and said to her daughters, "Maybe the boys shouldn't ride by themselves anymore."

The family made their way outside to the booth where they could purchase the pictures, making fun of themselves the whole way.

While Carlisle and Esme were buying the photos, Jacob and Bella forced the wettest of the Cullens to stand by the Splash Mountain sign and strike a pose. The victims being Nessie, Alice, Edward, and Emmett (thanks to Rosalie's stunt with her hair). Then Nessie wanted to take a picture of Jacob, Jasper, Rosalie, and Bella with their backs to the camera, because, as they were the driest, it was easy to distinguish the wet spots on their butts from sitting on the seats. Nessie found it funny that it made them look as if they wet themselves.

Carlisle and Esme joined them by the sign.

"We had the cast members send the photos to our hotel room, so we don't have to carry them around all day," Carlisle told Nessie when she asked to see them.

Nessie didn't seem to mind. "That's smart, actually," she thought, and, with no pause at all, she started pulling her grandparents along the path through Critter Country, toward New Orleans Square, eager and ready for another exciting trip. She thought of everything they'd done and seen so far, and was picturing another fascinating, cheerful, bright, colorful ride filled with singing creatures and fun tunes!

That's when they stopped in front of the Haunted Mansion.

OoOoOoO

"There's no use in grumbling when raindrops come tumbling. Remember, you're the one who can fill the world with sunshine."

~ Snow White

Anyone else have terrible luck on water rides? Where you just get constantly drenched and nobody ever wants to sit by you anymore? :/ lol

Thank you so much for your reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.