We ate the World, but did we get to ride Soaring?? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

heavenleigh412

12-18-2007, 04:38 PM

We got up at 4:30 AM or should I say I got up at 4:30 AM... (DD got up with enough time to slide into a sweatsuit and throw her hair in a ponytail.)
I checked the suitcase one last time because I was still positive I was forgetting something... I didn't forget a thing actually!

The car I had ordered to take us to the airport was picking up DM and DF at 5:30 and then would be here at 5:40 (DD and I are NOT morning people... she is barely civilized before 10 AM)

We arrived at the airport in plenty of time... I was informed I had been chosen for a special security check (I was not real thrilled about this... I have an implantable device and can not go through metal detectors, so every time I fly, I have to be molested first, always by a woman who says nothing but "Back of my hands, back of my hands, back of my hands" so what else could they do to me? A cavity check??:scared1: )

Needless to say, I did NOT run right over to go through security...

DM finally told me I had prolonged it long enough, let's go... (she wanted coffee which was located on the other side of security in Dunkin Donuts)

My security check was the same as it always is... back of the hands and all... and I still got through security before DD, DM and DF.
I was relaxing on a bench when they finished.

We sped off to Dunkin Donuts, where DM and DD got cappucinos... DF and I sat on a bench and waited for them to get through the line ( I don't do lines... and no it is not because I am stuck up, it is because I pass out if I stand still for too long... more about this later)

Then we headed off to find breakfast. The restaurant I always remembered being at JFK was nowhere to be found (:rolleyes1 oops I forgot we used to fly Delta Song and now were flying Jet Blue)
So we ate in a sports bar... the eggs were fake, the coffee was... ummm ... not good, but the bacon and potatoes were passable.
DD did not touch her food, she hates to fly and works herself up to hysterics by the time we take off.

The flight itself was pretty uneventful... everyone enjoyed the satellite TV and DM loved tracking the flight.
The four of us sat across row 8... we had drinks and a snack ... the airline snacks were better than the restaurant food!
DD again ate nothing...

I only passed out once during the flight (yes that is unusual for me! The change in altitude also drops my blood pressure)

Once we landed, DD was just about the first person off the plane...

next up... the quest to find Magic Express or as DF likes to call it The Magic Bus

LittleBlue22

12-18-2007, 07:58 PM

:goodvibes can't wait to read more

gnbuggy

12-18-2007, 09:44 PM

Reading, and waitin for more.;)

lucas

12-18-2007, 10:00 PM

Subscribing.... popcorn::

OregonDisneyFanatic

12-18-2007, 10:55 PM

Can't wait to read more :goodvibes

GIOny

12-18-2007, 11:33 PM

So far so good, now lets get to the good stuff http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r87/GIOny_photos/Amusements/Amusementride.gif;)

What do you mean that security kept saying "back of my hands"????:confused:

heavenleigh412

12-19-2007, 05:10 AM

Because of my implantable device, I can't go through the metal detector, so I have to be patted down ... they always say "back of my hands" because they pat down your sensitive areas (chest, crotch area and butt) with the back of their hands so no one can claim they were molested by security... it still feels invasive, but I guess it is better than having all the settings on my implantable be reset by the metal detector!

heavenleigh412

12-19-2007, 05:11 AM

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

Yay!! My smilie friends are here!!

heavenleigh412

12-19-2007, 06:00 AM

OK, so our plane has landed and DD has thrown various people out of her way to get the heck outta there...

The rest of us exit much more calmly (I was groggy)

First we must determine whether we landed on Side A or Side B of MCO...
This starts the first argument of our Disney vacation...

Before you worry... I won

Our Magic Express packet says ME is on the B side... I determine we landed on the A side and must take the "monorail" to the B side... DM disagrees

DD cuts this short and runs into Hudson News to ask them where we are...

We are on the A side... we proceed to "monorail" to get to the B side... DM is shooting me daggers with her eyeballs :lmao:

DM does not travel well and thinks Magic Express should instantly transfer you from your living room to your hotel room... now that is Magical! pixiedust:

We stand on the "monorail"... but it is a short trip...

Now we proceed to level 1...

There is a HUGE line for ME... DM shoots more daggers at me (Honestly, I have no control over the line :rolleyes1 )

DM is cranky and does not want to wait in line... but I can not check us both in and DF is looking confuzzled at this point.

Luckily for me, the line moves quickly...

We are directed to the line for the Polynesian... yes, more daggers! http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/smilies/madeyes.gif

We were the only people in the line!!

This is what DF thinks we are taking to Poly: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/magicbus.gif

We are quickly loaded and find out our ME stops at Wilderness lodge first, then Polynesian then on to Grand Floridian.

I do NOT look at DM...

ME gets moving... DM relaxes (a little)
DF looks bored... I think he was expecting a rock band on the Magic Bus.

Finally we see...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/firstglimpse.jpg

DD and I start jumping around...
(This first Glimpse means NOTHING to DM and DF)

We soon stop at Wilderness Lodge... DM can not get over how beautiful it is (:cheer2: yay!! maybe she will stop trying to kill me with her eyeballs)

Next stop... POLY!!!!!!!!!!

heavenleigh412

12-19-2007, 08:27 AM

So not DM has seen Wilderness Lodge and was impressed... DF was impressed too...
Would they also be impressed by Poly??
This was our first view:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6889.jpg

They were impressed!!

We get off the Magic Bus (:lmao: that still kills me)

and see:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6890.jpg

I just LOVE Poly!!!!!

The greeters say "Aloha"
We say "Aloha"

We are staying concierge, so they check our carry-ons and coats (blech)
and get us all in a golf cart for the ride to Hawaii...

We are dropped off right in front of Hawaii. We say "mahalo" to our driver and head in for check in...:cheer2:

One room is ready (we had 2) it is DM and DF's room... We head upstairs to look at it.
We had 2 requests for our room:
1) connecting so we could go back and forth in our jammies
2) third floor so we had a balcony

We got both!! :cheer2:

The view from our rooms: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07012.jpg

and what is not to love about THAT????

next up: Walking through Poly, lunch at Kona and surprises in store...

heavenleigh412

12-19-2007, 10:06 AM

Well, DM and DF had their room, DD and I had the concierge lounge:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6898.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6896.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6901.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6900.jpg

DD was in love :love: and I was pretty happy myself!! Go orange passionfruit guava juice (especially when Chef Dick mixed it with some sort of alcohol!)

DD got goldfish crackers and juice, I got juice and cappucino (I just couldn't decide, and well I did pay for it, so why bother??)

We grabbed DM and DF from their room... and headed off to Kona cafe for lunch...

The view in the back of the Great Ceremonial House:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07026.jpg

and the view upon entering :

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07016.jpg

DM and DF are just looking around wide eyed... remember this is their first EVER trip to Disney!
I have been 9 times and DD has been 4.
I think they had a hard time equating all this with Mickey Mouse... :lmao:

We check in at the podium of Kona Cafe and are told the wait will only be a few minutes... (I should hope so, the tables were mostly empty!)

We were called within a few minutes, and the hostess says to DM and DF "Happy Anniversary! How many years are you celebrating?"
Their faces dropped!
(They didn't know that all of our reservations said it was their anniversary, as a matter fact they didn't know that I booked this trip for this particular week so they could have a magical anniversary... I think they thought I forgot it)

Well, they are celebrating 30 years together, and DM was VERY pleased that I remembered, and even more pleased that we were making a big deal out of it!

DD was less than pleased when our server thought we were sisters... and this happens a lot... DH and I have already put away money for the therapy she will undoubtedly need for the agony this causes her in her life :rolleyes1

DM and DF are SHOCKED by the amount of food that comes with our meal plan... (we did a premium plan because the extra perks were VERY nice!)

For appetizers we ordered:
3 orders of crab cakes (YUMMY) and 1 order of potstickers (again YUMMY)

For Lunch:
DD ordered a noodle bowl (she liked it but it was sweet and sour sauce and her nerves still hadn't settled down from being forced to fly to Disney)
I had peanut chicken (delicious)
DM had a burger (which she proclaimed very tasty)
and DF had a chicken sandwich (he didn't say anything, but he did finish it)

No one could eat desert, but we did order banana creme brulee to go...

Then DM and DF were presented with:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6902.jpg

They couldn't eat much, but they both loved the touch!

up next: does our luggage come? do DD and I ever get a room?

OregonDisneyFanatic

12-19-2007, 01:49 PM

Great so far! More , more I NEED more:thumbsup2 :rotfl2: I really want to go back to WDW now.;)

gnbuggy

12-19-2007, 09:12 PM

Great so far. The Poly looks beautiful!!popcorn::

heavenleigh412

12-19-2007, 09:59 PM

Great so far! More , more I NEED more:thumbsup2 :rotfl2: I really want to go back to WDW now.;)

me too!! :lmao:

Great so far. The Poly looks beautiful!!popcorn::

Poly was incredibly beautiful, and the CMs there were wonderful as were the CMs almost everywhere (well except for that one in Epcot that I will get to later!!!)

Seriously thank you for reading! :goodvibes

I will be Christmas shopping in the morning, but hopefully I will have the next installment up tomorrow afternoon

LittleBlue22

12-19-2007, 10:08 PM

My tired eyes are just gushin with :love: with your report. :woohoo:

One day, so help me god, I'll stay on site!

mishy

12-20-2007, 01:13 PM

Can't wait to read more :surfweb:
What a view from your room at thr Poly :yay:

heavenleigh412

12-20-2007, 01:30 PM

My tired eyes are just gushin with :love: with your report. :woohoo:

One day, so help me god, I'll stay on site!

LB staying on site is incredible, and we love it... but staying offsite, you are still at Disney!! BTW isn't someone leaving in a few hours??

Hope you have a fantastic time!!

heavenleigh412

12-20-2007, 01:32 PM

Can't wait to read more :surfweb:
What a view from your room at thr Poly :yay:

That is a zoomed picture... but we did see the castle change colors all night from bed (which I miss :sad2: )

LittleBlue22

12-21-2007, 01:23 AM

LB staying on site is incredible, and we love it... but staying offsite, you are still at Disney!! BTW isn't someone leaving in a few hours??

Hope you have a fantastic time!!

So true, so true. :goodvibes

cue song: Its the Final Countdown :hyper:

heavenleigh412

12-21-2007, 08:28 AM

:banana: LB... I am so excited for you!! :banana:
I never get much sleep before a vacation either... I also don't sleep the night before school starts! :confused3

Are you done packing?? :lmao:

heavenleigh412

12-21-2007, 08:56 AM

Ok... after a day of no trip report, I had to refresh my own memory as to where I was!
You will be happy to know I am finally done Christmas shopping and everything is wrapped and under the tree... DH usually likes to wait until the last possible second (it drives me insane :crazy2: )

I did his shopping at Raglan Road (he is EXTREMELY Irish... I hope you will understand when I say that... he is 100% Irish and loves everything Irish, anything to do with Ireland, and always says he is going home to see the Motherland... we'll see if he makes it, he hates to travel) But I am getting ahead of myself.

We leave Kona Cafe with DM and DF beaming and absolutely LOVING Disney.

We see the waterfall from above:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07018.jpg

and the Poly Christmas tree:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07019.jpg

We head back to Hawaii, scoping out the smoking sections as we go.
(There is one right behind the GCH by the small volcano, one in a separate area by the volcano pool, and one next to the small building located at the quiet pool... I mention where they are so you can find them or avoid them as needed, they aren't always clear on the Poly map)

Volcano Pool:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07027.jpg

Quiet Pool:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_7161.jpg

Hawaii Building:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07028.jpg

We are very happy to find out our room is ready!! :woohoo:
DD and I head upstairs to find that our luggage is also delivered (GO ME!:cheer2: )

DM comes through the connecting door and finds me unpacking, DD has changed and is already at the volcano pool (she could not wait to try out that slide!)
DM is shooting daggers with those eyeballs again! (uh-oh)

She wants me to call downstairs immediately and find out where her luggage is.
I want to relax and enjoy my vacation (and it has only been 2 hours!!)
I yes her to death and continue to unpack...:rotfl2:

There is a knock on my door and yes, it was DM's luggage... :woohoo:
I tip the bellhop, and turn around... DM is standing there.
She wants to know if I have called yet.
I tell her of course I called... see here is your luggage *elaborate hand flourish* :rolleyes1

up next: the run for Cirque

heavenleigh412

12-21-2007, 09:02 AM

While DM is unpacking and DD is at the pool (DF is on the beach sunning, he is like a cat)
I take this opportunity to take some view pictures from our balcony...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07010.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07013.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07015.jpg

mishy

12-21-2007, 12:18 PM

Can't wait to read more :goodvibes
and see if DM has more daggers :rotfl2:

heavenleigh412

12-21-2007, 12:29 PM

DD returns from the pool and DF returns from the beach
Now starts the process of trying to get them to realize that we can not take the bus to Downtown Disney later... it is not around the corner and we need 30 minutes on the bus and we need to be there by 5 to get our tickets... therefore, we must leave by no later than 4:10 (I lose this battle)

DD gets dressed up, because after Cirque we are going to The California Grill :

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07040.jpg

There are almost no pictures of me on this vacation, yet I am positive I was there! :lmao:
For some reason I have no picture of DM and DF our first night either...

We get the bus at 4:30 (and yes we are going to be late to get our tickets... I think to myself it would be my luck if this performance is sold out and our tickets would be gone... I do not voice this thought because DM is standing dangerously close)
Actually DM is the only one in our party sitting, and only because I made her instead of taking the seat for myself like she wanted me to... DM watched me very carefully our entire vacation because I have this annoying habit of dropping my blood pressure and falling over unconscious which makes it interesting to be out in public with me!

I did almost fall on her once when the bus made a turn I wasn't expecting and
she gave me the evil eye (I am sure you know that mother evil eye, the one that makes you feel like you are 3 and just broke her favorite knick knack ... I know I have it perfected with my daughter!)

We got off the bus at The Marketplace because I couldn't stand standing still anymore and we walked to Cirque. We got there about 5:18 (not that I was watch checking or anything)
I left DM and DF at the smoking section in front and went up to the box office to hopefully retrieve my tickets... and...
They had not been given away... the family gets to live! :woohoo:

There is no photography allowed in Cirque so I have no pictures :sad2:

We went inside to get in our seats and DF looked bored... he still wasn't into Disney.

We had popcorn and drinks and I got a LARGE pretzel with lots of salt to keep my blood pressure up while I was sitting still for 90 minutes.

The show started the same way it always does with the 2 clowns wandering around the audience playing practical jokes. DF laughed a few times but still looked bored.
Then the show started and his whole face lit up... there is just something incredible about taking someone to Disney for the first time and watching the magic grab them!

I won't bore anyone with a blow by blow description of the show, suffice it to say, those little Asian girls are still the best in my opinion!

After Cirque, we walked through DTD stopping in stores and leisurely strolling about.

DTD Christmas tree:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07048.jpg

Lego family:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07047.jpg

DD with Sleeping Beauty Statue:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07049.jpg

After looking through every store in DTD (okay, I am exaggerating a bit) I finally impress upon my leisurely family that we do have dinner reservations at 9:30... I yet again get the evil eye...

up next: do we make dinner?

LittleBlue22

12-21-2007, 12:43 PM

:3dglasses

LittleBlue22

12-21-2007, 12:47 PM

:banana: LB... I am so excited for you!! :banana:
I never get much sleep before a vacation either... I also don't sleep the night before school starts! :confused3

Are you done packing?? :lmao:

ready as I'll ever be. I'm still running around the house like a chicken with its head cut off. I can't wait to read your latest installments below/above (ykwim -lol). :goodvibes

OregonDisneyFanatic

12-21-2007, 09:10 PM

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 06:05 AM

:love:ing the report. I can't wait for more. I showed DH the Poly pictures and told him I wanted to go there. He actually said OK. I don't think he heard me correctly :rotfl2::lmao: I better go pack quick! Keep it coming!

:banana: Run don't walk to Poly immediately!!
(They moved the smilies on me, I think they do that periodically to confuse me)

ODF, We loved Poly so much, my only regret is there it was such a short trip and we didn't get to spend more time soaking up the atmosphere there... we did plan pool time and a night to watch MK fireworks and the Water parade though!

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 06:11 AM

Can't wait to read more :goodvibes
and see if DM has more daggers :rotfl2:

DM has that dagger thing DOWN... I watch myself carefully around DM.
She is a wonderful, loving and caring mother, but she likes things a certain way.
If things are not going well, the daggers are not just reserved for me! Only DD is safe...

:lmao:

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 07:04 AM

I finally get the family moving towards the bus stop at DTD to take a bus to the Contemporary for our dinner at the California Grill.
(This involved much whining, cajoling and begging on my part. There were many more daggers from DM... she was SHOPPING, and how dare I interrupt! Might I add she was looking for EARS and having a hard time deciding:rotfl: I think DM was HOOKED!)

So, we get to bus stop only to find 1.3 million people also there... I didn't count exactly but if the rush for the bus was any indication, I was correct in this assumption.
We send DD ahead,she is the slimmest and fits through crowds well, also she knows how bad it is if Mommy doesn't get a seat... and let me explain this now. I look perfectly healthy, no one wants to hear that I need a seat. People can not SEE my heart rate or my blood pressure. However after a day oftraveling,standing on the bus to DTD, sitting for 90 minutes at Cirque with not enough leg room (I accidentally kicked the poor man sitting next to me no less than 5 times trying to keep my legs moving) and standing around looking at EARS, There was no way I was making it through standing on the bus for 30 minutes. (I quick explanation of my condition is: the things that your body normally controls unconsciously, my body does not... My doctor says perfect blood pressure is 110/70, mine is 80/50. A normal heart rate is about 80 bpm, mine is 42 bpm... now I do have the implantable to help with this, but the drops happen so fast it doesn't catch them BEFORE they happen, it just brings them back to my normal levels after the fact. Anyway, I have more problems than this, but these are the ones that have to do with this moment in time.)

I know I will probably get some feedback on the next thing I say, but I am going to say it anyway...
One of our biggest problems on the bus were families with a couple of small children. Now let me explain this...
When DD was little and I took her to Disney, she sat on my lap on the bus so as many people as possible could have seats. It is Disney, we have all been running around like crazy, we are ALL tired.
I saw 2 parents with 2 small children taking up 4 seats while elderly people stood. My opinion... put those little ones in your lap and let the older people sit down! (This happened every time we rode the bus, not just this trip from DTD)
If the bus stop was crowded, DM and I sat (when we could get seats) and DF and DD stood. (DD is 13 and weighs 20 pounds less than I do, she wasn't sitting in my lap no matter how much begging she did!)

Anyway, I am hopping off my soapbox...

The end result was we all sat this trip (my calculations must have been off...actually there were a few buses for that stop and thankfully they weren't all getting on ours)
DD gave up her seat when she noticed an elderly woman standing.
The bus ride to The Contemporary is about 25 minutes or so...

The tree in front of The Contemporary:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07051.jpg

We jump off the bus and I race to check-in (we were about 15 minutes late for our ADR, it was approximately 9:45 PM and I was semi delirious)

We are taken up to the California Grill, and given a pager.
We stop for a bathroom break and DM is shooting daggers at me again.

Now you may ask yourself what I did... I was asking myself this question...

Well, DM was HUNGRY (maybe we shouldn't have spent so much time looking for EARS)

I looked around for something to save me, and noticed my pager was all lit up... :woohoo: (someone loves me)

In case you didn't notice, I don't sit here for that long... it is one of the compensations I make...

Up next: The worst server ever??

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 08:19 AM

We were escorted to a beautiful table by the window overlooking the Christmas tree...

It was decorated for DM and DF's anniversary:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07050.jpg

We were told Jenny B would be our server... normally I don't remember names very well, but you will see why hers stuck!

Our server took about 10 minutes to get to us (yes DM was giving me evil looks... now really, I had no idea who our server was, the restaurant was NOT crowded, it was 10 PM and I was too tired to get up and go hunt her down and threaten her with bodily harm if DM did not get food)

Finally Jenny B comes walking over and introduces herself. She was a very pretty woman but seemed a bit "off"
I put this down to the fact that I was tired, maybe I was the one who was a bit "off"

She asked if we had a dining plan, and we answered yes... and it was on the card they leave on the table too...

She then took drink orders...

DF ordered a glass of wine.
DD ordered a coke.
DM ordered sparking water
I ordered bottled water.

Sounds easy enough... correct?

Not even!

DF got his wine... DD got her coke... DM got sparkling water... I got sparkling water.
She then dissappeared...
I HATE sparkling water, and I hadn't been paying attention when she poured!
She had walked over with a tray and it had regular bottled water and sparkling water on it... I had been looking at the tree and talking to DD.

Sparkling water is nasty, it tastes like metal... blech

I wait another 10 minutes or so for her to show up again... I explain that I did not want sparkling water, she apologizes and brings me a glass of Florida tap water ... can you say sulpher?

I give up, but now I don't like her...

We inquire about appetizers and the meal plan... she tells us they are included.
OK... we order.

DD orders a california roll
DF and DM order the fresh maine lobster
I order "snake in the grass" (remember this it becomes important) which is a sushi roll

We also order our dinners:
DD orders rainbow trout and so does DF
DM and I order pork tenderloin

Our appetizers come and they are delicious.

I then take my parents out on walkway to see the Magic Kingdom:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07053.jpg

Our dinner comes and it is also delicious...
Everyone agrees it has been a fantastic meal.

We order coffee (which Jenny B informs us we will have to pay for separately)
and dessert.
DM was too full for dessert
DF and I ordered Valrhona Chocolate and Coffee (we loved it)
DD ordered Honey Crunch Cake, which was inspired by the year of a million dreams. (she hated it and said it tasted like plain yellow cake, no pineapple, no honey)

DM was brought:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07054.jpg
sorry it's blurry DM yelled at for food pictures and I took this one quick when she wasn't looking!!

The check comes for three hundred fifty some odd dollars...:scared1:

We tell her again that we are on a dining plan (premium so this was supposed to count as one credit)
She then looks directly at me and tells me my appetizer was not included in the dining plan :scared1:
I did ask her before we ordered!!

She takes our cards, and brings us a bill for 60 some odd dollars... (that was for 1 appetizer, 4 coffees and a glass of wine)

We pay the bill and I tell DF that if he wants to tip her extra, he is free to, but there is 18% gratuity included in the plan, and I don't think she should get that much!
We never saw the woman except when she was mixing something up, I had to hunt her down to pay the check, she forgot to give us our cards back...

The food was wonderful, and I would always go back, but if I get her as my server again... I will be requesting a new server!!

Plus dinner took 3+ hours!!!!

up next: Do we get back to the hotel??

Montana Disney Fan

12-22-2007, 01:22 PM

Montana Disney Fan

12-22-2007, 01:24 PM

She takes our cards, and brings us a bill for 60 some odd dollars... (that was for 1 appetizer, 4 coffees and a glass of wine)

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Makes NY City look cheap!! :scared:

The food was wonderful, and I would always go back, but if I get her as my server again... I will be requesting a new server!!

Plus dinner took 3+ hours!!!!

I don't blame you! 3 hours? That's outta control long! :mad:

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 02:16 PM

Boy oh Boy that Poly is a great hotel!

Also, that MK castle looks spectacular!! :thumbsup2

I saw the tree in front of the Contemporary. We went to dine at Cal Grill two weeks ago (Sis and I). I love Christmas at WDW.

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Makes NY City look cheap!! :scared:

I don't blame you! 3 hours? That's outta control long! :mad:

I love Poly, it is gorgeous and relaxing and has 24 hour a day Dole Whips... that is the definition of perfection!

This was my first Christmas ever at Disney... it was all I expected and more... don't even get me started about those Dancing Lights (no really don't because that puts me 2 days ahead of myself on this trip report!)
Disney does everything in a big way, and Christmas was no exception.

Only Disney could make NYC look cheap :lmao:

Yeah we weren't too happy when we realized it was almost 1 AM... especially since we had all gotten up at 4:30 AM (well except for the princess, I mean DD)

Montana Disney Fan

12-22-2007, 02:29 PM

I love Poly, it is gorgeous and relaxing and has 24 hour a day Dole Whips... that is the definition of perfection!

This was my first Christmas ever at Disney... it was all I expected and more... don't even get me started about those Dancing Lights (no really don't because that puts me 2 days ahead of myself on this trip report!)
Disney does everything in a big way, and Christmas was no exception.

Only Disney could make NYC look cheap :lmao:

Yeah we weren't too happy when we realized it was almost 1 AM... especially since we had all gotten up at 4:30 AM (well except for the princess, I mean DD)

Uff da! That is a looonnnggg day! :sad2:

I spent $275 on dinner for two at Bistro De Paris and we have the DDE card which gives us 20% off!!! :scared:

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 03:02 PM

Uff da! That is a looonnnggg day! :sad2:

I spent $275 on dinner for two at Bistro De Paris and we have the DDE card which gives us 20% off!!! :scared:

Yeah... it was looooooong, and it was our first day!

Web couldn't make up our mind between Bistro and Chefs... we chose chefs because it looked like there would be more there for DD to eat, but I think next time I want to try Bistro...

Buzz, I hope that dinner was GOOD!

The first time we went to River Cafe (non-Disney... it is a restaurant here in NYC overlooking the Manhattan skyline, very exclusive, very expensive)
We were celebrating Mother's Day and DD making the honor society for the second year in a row (I love that kid, even though I pick on her unmercifully)
We were seated right near the window, the sun was setting, the atmosphere was incredible, the food was incredible.
Then... the check came.
There were 5 of us... the check was $675... DD almost keeled over...
How's that for a lesson in how much things cost?

The whole time we were in Disney, DD kept asking me "How much would that have been if we weren't on the dining plan?"

My answer was always " a lot, honey... it would have been a lot... but don't worry we can eat like animals because we already paid for it"

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 03:20 PM

Well the original plan was to take the monorail 2 stops to Poly... but because of Jenny B and her various disappearing acts (who knew there was a magic show at California Grill?) when we headed down to the 4th floor, everything was gated off and there was no monorail! :scared1:

Yes, I am sure you can picture the look from DM by now...

Well, what was I to do?

The answer was simple, I am a New Yorker... I hailed a taxi...
This is considerably easier in Disney than it is in New York.
Within seconds of exiting the Contemporary we were on our way back to Poly! :woohoo:

DF insisted on paying the driver (which annoyed me... but since he jumped out and shoved the money at the guy, I had to deal with it... plus I was too darn tired to argue about it)

We walked through the GCH and out the back door and then past the volcano pool to Hawaii.
One key to the kingdom card swipe later we were strolling up the lounge stairs to our rooms.

Sorry folks no pictures of this walk at night yet... I was exhaustapated (if you do not know this word, it is because it is mine... the definition is simple: it is when you are so tired, your tongue hangs out of the side of your mouth and you drool all over yourself and don't notice)

We had turn down service which would have been wonderful if I wasn't too exhaustapated every night to eat the chocolate (it is here at home in my candy bowl though)
I did appreciate the fact that I did not have to pull down my own covers because I would have just slept on top of them...

We did have presents, and I did take a picture:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07055-1.jpg

These were DM's.
We got the Polynesian chocolate bar in our own room, which is too beautiful to eat and resides in my fridge right now.

up next: our first park day... Epcot

tinawv

12-22-2007, 03:38 PM

I am hooked. ;) What a compliment to be mistaken for your 13 year old daughter's sister. I wish I had that problem. :lmao: Looking forward to more.

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 03:56 PM

I am hooked. ;) What a compliment to be mistaken for your 13 year old daughter's sister. I wish I had that problem. :lmao: Looking forward to more.

why thank you! I am glad you decided to come and even more glad you decided to stay!

Yeah that whole sister thing, DD hates that ... me not so much :lmao:

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 05:26 PM

I was too exhausted to take any pictures of the castle the night before... the bed reached out and grabbed me :guilty:

One thing I forgot to mention... DM and DF had a list going of things I was to complain about (this was all done in jest and we all added to the list our whole vacation)
So the list to this point was:
1) The iron in DM and DF's room did not work
2) The iron in my room did not work (I do not iron but DF asked for my iron after he couldn't iron with his)
3) The alarm clock in DM and DF's room did not work (mine did, and I think they were just doing it wrong)
4) Jenny B the server
5) the buses

This list will be added to periodically throughout this TR

Back to Thursday December 13...

I had my alarm clock set for 6:45 :eek: ... yes I know not enough sleep... anyway...

DM and DF were already up. DM and I head out to a DSA grabbing coffee along the way at the lounge (I absolutely LOVE that lounge!!)

We had company at the DSA:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6916.jpg
He was there all the time, and he was friendly too... there were a lot of bunnies at Poly!

We head back upstairs to wake DD (I have always said you could set off explosives in her jammies and she wouldn't even roll over)
She was her usual charming morning self (this does not change even in Disney... I have learned the art of poke and roll to wake her, if you don't move fast enough you risk her kicking you in the head)

I dress while she moans about how unfair it is that she has to wake up...
give it a rest kid, you are in Disney... GET OUT OF THAT BED!!

She finally creeps out of bed and starts tearing around the room getting ready. DD is like a tornado once she gets moving!

This is her when she is ready to go:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6917.jpg

This is her with DF:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6921.jpg

This is me (and yes I had to take it myself!):
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6967.jpg

We were off!!
We (well not really, it was more like I) decided to walk to the TTC, because we (well yeah, I) were told that it was a short walk.
It was...
We walked there in probably 7 minutes, and hopped directly on the monorail for Epcot, because it was early, we got to ride with the conductor (his name was Jay, and he was fab)

Here are some pics:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6927.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6929.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6932.jpg

We even got co-pilot licenses! All in all it was a great introduction to the monorail for DM and DF,and the views were incredible!!

We get off at Epcot and walk quickly to the security check (which is a joke... because they don't check your person, just your bag... I had cameras in my camera bag and had no problem getting through, DM had a fanny pack :lmao:
sorry, but I still can't believe she bought a fanny pack just for this trip! Next trip she will probably have a baggalini!!

DF and DD are pacing by the turnstiles...

We all insert our cards... DM and DF are thrown by the finger thing... but we work it out.

Finally we are in a PARK!!!!

I immediately take out the camera... DM gives me a murderous look ... I don't know what her issue is with pictures, but I quickly pretend I don't see her and start shooting away.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07056.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07057.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07058.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07059.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07061.jpg

up next: Breakfast with Princesses

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 05:46 PM

We head past Epcot's Christmas tree and head towards Norway.
Passing Mexico:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07063.jpg

DM gave me such an evil look when I took that last shot, that I actually put the camera away :sad2:

I check in at the Podium, and run across to an open store to buy DD an autograph book.
As we walk in we are put in line to take a picture with Belle... only DD opted to do this. This package cost $31 and I did buy it during breakfast. However, I am too lazy to scan it right now, just trust me DD looked stunning and outshone Belle.

Breakfast here was a bit different than last time we came, now there was a buffet. We walked the buffet and I got a biscuit, lox some cream cheese, red onions ...now where are those bagels?... no bagels in Norway... I make myself a sandwich on a biscuit.
DF used a croissant... now why are there croissants in Norway but no bagels? Anyone?

The rest of breakfast was served family style and was as I remembered yummy.

DD with some characters:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07067.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07068.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07069.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6933.jpg

After proclaiming ourselves stuffed, we present our dining cards and sign our receipts.
DD says she is so full she doesn't think she can walk...
This lasts until we get outside Askershus, and she remembers she wanted to try Rice Cream... too bad for her, the bakery isn't open yet! :rotfl:

up next: our first attempt to Soar

heavenleigh412

12-22-2007, 10:20 PM

6) World Showcase doesn't open until 11 AM

heavenleigh412

12-23-2007, 07:48 AM

This is a pre-post to the next installment. I thought about how to make sense of the next part of our story to people who don't know us, and I just decided it would be easier if I went a little more in depth about me, because I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea when I tell the next part of our vacation.

I am 36, I was born with a genetic condition. I usually explain it as a heart condition because that is easier. However, that is not exactly what I have.
My condition is called dysautonomia (don't worry if you never heard of it, many DOCTORS have never heard of it... it is rare)
I explained about my heart rate and blood pressure, but that is not the whole picture. You see my normal heart rate may be 42, but it drops from there to as low as 19 beats per minute, but it can high as well (it has been as high as 245 beats per minute)... my blood pressure drops as well.

People with my condition do not get sick with "bugs" often but when we do it is bad... I get 1 or 2 colds a year, but they almost always go from a cold, to bronchitis to pneumonia, no matter what I do. Each bug makes my condition a little worse because my body attacks itself when it is fighting a bug. (yes, my condition is degenerative)

I had a stroke when I was 30 and spent months in physical therapy.

I am a cancer survivor twice over.

I spent part of the summer hospitalized with coronary artery spasms (you might know this better as angina)

And even all this really doesn't cover it.

The doctors say all of this related, because my condition is not a heart condition, it is a condition of the autonomic nervous system.

I am pretty matter of fact about my condition, and if people ask questions, I answer them with no problems.

I rarely bring up my medical history because this is not about pity... and I really dislike when people feel bad for me. I have a great life, even if it is not the one I originally planned for myself.
I have a daughter who at 13, still loves me best.
I have a wonderful husband, who loves me for who I am, and tries very hard not to see me as a medical condition.
I have friends all over the world who also have my condition.
I have incredible parents.
I also have full disability from the federal government, that I had to fight in court to get.

Anyway, back to the point... the next part of the story is about how I tried to get the same Guest Assistance Card I always get when I go to Disney. The card that allows me to enjoy Disney just like everyone else.
It is NOT a front of the line pass, I do not bypass crowds. It allows me to have a place to sit and wait instead of standing in line... sometimes it allows me to wait in the fastpass line because it is often shorter (but this is only if there is nowhere to sit and wait) It also allows me a shaded place to wait, because I dehydrate faster than a normal person would.

heavenleigh412

12-23-2007, 08:25 AM

I had thought about bypassing getting a GAC this trip... crowd levels were supposed to be low, and I can stand for short periods of time in a line.
I had also thought of renting an ECV. Two things stopped me from doing so...

1) I have never driven an ECV... and after being run over repeatedly at Disney in our past vacations by people who apparently also had never driven an ECV, I thought it best to NOT learn how to maneuver one in a crowd!
2) I had already spent $5600 on this vacation, and it was almost Christmas!

I also thought about a wheelchair, but wheeling myself would exhaust me faster than walking would... DD is only 13 and I didn't want to make her push me her whole vacation... DM has her own medical problems and DF was helping DM!

Anyway, we left Norway and headed for The Land to ride Soaring... It was about 10 AM... stand by time was 75 minutes. (BTW this is DD favorite ride, and she doesn't ride many!)
Seventy five minutes was not manageable for me... we looked at the fastpasses... return time was mid-afternoon... we wouldn't be here for it.

We noticed Epcot in general being VERY crowded.

I decided I might need a card after all...

I head off to get one with my family following. I leave them outside, and head in.
The CM I dealt with was a pretty girl from Brazil (and that is the only nice thing I can say)
She was not particularly helpful...
I explained to her my problems, and she handed me a card (not the one I needed) I then told her this was not the card I needed.
She then got an attitude with me... very un-Disney-like
I had explained what my card usually said, and she told me I couldn't have that card.
I told her I always have that card!
She asked to see that card, and I explained that my old one was at the hotel.
She told me if I went and got that card, and she saw it, she would give me a new one that said the same thing.
WHAT???????
I stood there with my mouth hanging open...
I said, "so you are telling me that I can't have that card based on what I need, but I can have it if I leave Epcot and travel back to the hotel and get the old one? Is that the way you treat all disabled people?"

She then walked away from me... and called the next person in line.

I walked out with my useless card in hand and went to wait in the Soaring line... it is DD favorite ride after all.

The wait was still 75 minutes.

I passed out in line after about 10 minutes and had to leave.
DD was crying, she hates when I pass out.

I headed back to the CM's... I got the same one!
I hand her the card and tell her it isn't going to help me, that I passed out in the line waiting.
She tells me that I should rent an ECV.
WHAT?????
I ask her if she is paying for it?
She tells me I am not entitled to a front of the line pass...
I respond... WHO ASKED FOR ONE?
She tells me there is nothing she can do for me based on the information I provided.
I quote the ADA... she is not allowed to ask about my medical condition, only what kind of assistance I need. I do not have to provide a doctor's letter, and she is not allowed to ask for one.
She walks away from me again...
This time I follow her and tell her to get her supervisor.
I wait for the supervisor sitting on the floor in the corner.
I wait 10 minutes before he comes out (he could have been busy)
He stamps my card with something about a wheelchair entrance... (almost everything in Disney has wheelchair entrance the same as the main line, and I do not have a wheelchair)
He also tells me if I go back to Poly and get my old card they can then provide the same one for me for this trip.

I leave... we have an ADR for lunch and then we are going back to the hotel.
I tell him I will be back in a few hours.

up next: Teppan Edo, Poly volcano pool

Montana Disney Fan

12-23-2007, 12:26 PM

mishy

12-23-2007, 04:32 PM

Wow, so sorry for what happened. That's terrible. I agree with Buzz, the head hanchos should know how some cm's are treating people:furious:

Taking a break from baking:stir:, so I thought I'd check the thread out.
Love all your pictures. Great looking family.
Where did your DD get her ears? I want some when I go :yay:
Looking foward to reading more:)

heavenleigh412

12-23-2007, 05:23 PM

Oh my gosh that's horrible! :mad: I would be talking to managers, managers of managers, then managers of managers of managers.

I'll bet your DD was frightened when you passed out. That's so scary.

75 min stand by at 10am? What the frig! :scared: That's incredible!

That dinner I had at Bistro was great and most of the expense was an older bottle of Bordeaux we ordered.

I talked to everyone's manager, and sent e-mails and snail mails when I got home, but it kind of put a damper on our first day at the parks!
DD deals well with my passing out at home, but in public she kind of freaks :scared1:

The line for Soaring stayed that long until our last day at Disney... it dropped to 30 minutes when we had to leave to catch ME!

Wow, so sorry for what happened. That's terrible. I agree with Buzz, the head hanchos should know how some cm's are treating people:furious:

Taking a break from baking:stir:, so I thought I'd check the thread out.
Love all your pictures. Great looking family.
Where did your DD get her ears? I want some when I go :yay:
Looking foward to reading more:)

Thank you so much!! ... I wish they had been a little more sorry!
Maybe they will be, but I have not heard good things about Disney's responses to problems like this.

I am also taking a break from the baking :rolleyes1 of course the dog is giving me dirty looks because her cookies are NEXT, and I am sitting here typing instead of stirring and mixing and rolling!

I will pass on your compliment as soon as I find a pin to pop DD swelled head!
(she isn't really like that, but she does LOVE her some compliments)

Funny story about those ears. I bought those ears for her when she was 8.
She faithfully carried them back and forth to Disney and was very careful with them. We went to dinner at the Garden Grill and Pluto took her ears off and put them on his snout, we heard the crack when the band broke. :sad1:
Pluto put both paws together and pleaded with DD to not be mad... then our server came over and told us to go to any store on Disney property and explain to them what happened and they would be replaced.

We replaced them at the little cart across from The Crystal Palace, but I saw them in Mouse Gears this trip and also in DTD (I never used to see them anywhere!)

mishy

12-23-2007, 06:23 PM

heavenleigh412

12-23-2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks so much for the info on the ears. I just love them!!! She looks alot better in them than I will:laughing:

Pluto, Pluto, Pluto pluto: guess he didn't realize how big his snout was:rotfl:

Hope we get to see your dm in some pictures. ( If not, I certainly do understand , I don't like my picture taken either :) )

no problem... glad to share the info (most adults won't wear ears at Disney and stare at my family strangely when we do!)

That Pluto is quite the character! He had us in stiches...

Here is a pic of the ears on his snout:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/118870455205_0_ALB.jpg

There are more pictures of DM coming, they are all sneak attacks :lmao:

pjstevens

12-23-2007, 09:41 PM

Just found your TR. Can't wait to read more. Your daughter is beautiful. Sorry to hear about all the trouble you had getting your card. Hope you had a better experience later.

heavenleigh412

12-24-2007, 06:57 AM

Just found your TR. Can't wait to read more. Your daughter is beautiful. Sorry to hear about all the trouble you had getting your card. Hope you had a better experience later.

Thank you and thank you again!

mishy

12-24-2007, 08:11 AM

People will be staring at me, cause I'm wearing those ears!! :lmao: Love em'

Great picture with pluto:

Can't wait to read more

OregonDisneyFanatic

12-24-2007, 12:05 PM

:banana: Run don't walk to Poly immediately!!
(They moved the smilies on me, I think they do that periodically to confuse me)

ODF, We loved Poly so much, my only regret is there it was such a short trip and we didn't get to spend more time soaking up the atmosphere there... we did plan pool time and a night to watch MK fireworks and the Water parade though!

We ate at Ohana's so I have seen the Poly. I :love: ed it! I really want to stay there. It is beautiful. I am glad that you liked it. That is horrible about the way that the CMs treated you! I would have complained also :thumbsup2 Can't wait for more!

OregonDisneyFanatic

12-31-2007, 12:05 AM

Heavenleigh, I was hoping for more on the trip report:lmao: Hope you had a great Christmas :goodvibes

Montana Disney Fan

01-02-2008, 12:25 PM

Waiting...

popcorn::

heavenleigh412

04-27-2008, 03:11 PM

Heavenleigh, I was hoping for more on the trip report:lmao: Hope you had a great Christmas :goodvibes

HI there... don't know if anyone will even see this so long after I originally started this... I have been on strict bedrest for what seems like forever, but actually started New Years Day.

I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure (I put on 15 pounds of fluid around my heart and lungs over night, which was a LITTLE bit scary)

DH was VERY strict about the bedrest, and when he was at work if I got up DD would follow me around asking " Do you WANT to DIE??"
So yeah... bedrest it was!

Thankfully I am feeling so much better now and have to take it easy even more than I was.

I would be happy to continue my trip report if anyone is even still interested :rotfl:

Gymfan15

04-27-2008, 10:05 PM

heavenleigh412

04-28-2008, 06:13 AM

I'm interested! I just found this today but I've been enjoying reading about your trip to Disney. :) I love frequenting the Trip board because it's so fun to read about different people's experiences.

So sorry to hear about your health problems...that's got to be tough to deal with. My prayers for your continued good health will be heading your way!

I am so happy to see someone is interested!
I will continue with the trip report a little later today...
For now, I will fill you in on what happened as a result of my problems getting a guest assistance card.

As I mentioned before, I sent e-mails and snail mails to Disney when I got home explaining the horrible way I was treated by Guest Services in Epcot.
I included the name of the person who "helped me"
I received an e-mail in return asking me to fax some information including a copy of the front and back of my tickets so they could finish investigating the incident.
Within a few days of doing this, I received a phone call from Disney.
The woman who called apologized repeatedly about the poor treatment I had received, and then told me Disney was sending my whole family 4 day park hoppers (so 4 park hoppers with 4 days each... and they do not expire)
They also started a file for me, so that I will always get the assistance card I need, and will not have to explain repeatedly what is wrong with me... I just give them my file number and all the information is there approved by corporate, including the stamps that will assist me!

All in all it was more than I had even hoped for!!
My original thoughts in reporting the situation were that I might save someone else the trouble of going through the same thing (including myself at a later date!)

heavenleigh412

04-28-2008, 06:54 AM

Okay, so let me see if I can get my trip report groove back...

When I last reported I was talking about our lack of Soaring, and the troubles I had with a CM...

DM was hating me because I was annoyed and kind of stomping around... ok, maybe I had a full fledged temper tantrum brought on by being treated like a child by someone younger than me!

This didn't last long, I was in Disney... after a few choice words muttered under my breath... we headed off to show DM and DF the World Showcase!!
Mexico:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07064.jpg

Norway:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07065.jpg

Then I was dirty looked into putting the camera away :confused3
We took the boat across the lake... DM was cranky and I didn't want to chance making her walk all that way until later!

Japan:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07074.jpg

View from the top of the stairs at Teppan Edo:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07078.jpg

We had hoped for nice weather, but it was December, so who knew what we would get? Well... we got 80+ degrees everyday we were there!

It was wonderfully air conditioned inside! :cool1:
The CM's were wonderful, friendly and cheerful... if I hadn't already been in a better mood, they would have fixed everything!

We were escorted to a waiting area with comfortable chairs and within a few minutes, our table was ready!
The family( yes, DM really is on this vacation with us!):

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6937-1.jpg

Just DD:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6936.jpg

DM and DF were already pros with the dining plan... ordering was done quickly.
Appetizers: I had assorted tempura, DD had california roll, DM and DF had shrimp cocktail.
All were delicious!
Then came soup and salad... also very good.

Our habachi chef than came to our table, I don't remember his name, but I do have a picture that I risked my life to take :rotfl2: :
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6938.jpg

I had chicken and steak, DD had chicken and shrimp, DF had steak and shrimp, and DM had chicken.
The dipping sauces were explained to us... and we then proceeded to torment DF about using the wrong sauce repeatedly. (Not that we really cared, he is just fun to pick on!)

DD had ice cream for desert, the rest of us sat there are stared at her... it never ceases to amaze me how much that skinny child can EAT!

Our checks came showed our cards and signed, We then rolled out of Teppan Edo in search of a DSA...

We found one conveniently located between Japan and Morocco, in the shade with a bench! :cheer2:

Then we hopped on the boat, crossed the lake and headed out of Epcot for a few hours so DD could swim!!

Next up: Getting lost on our way to Hawaii... will we ever be in the volcano pool?

AlienBrain

04-28-2008, 07:25 AM

heavenleigh412

04-28-2008, 09:00 AM

I just saw your TR today... it's great! It's a shame what happened to you with that unhospitable CM.

I am so sorry to hear about the congestive heart failure ... I hope your health improves.

You have another reader on board, so keep it up!!

Well thank you! Glad to have you aboard!
Luckily whatever they did to that inhospitable CM, she will not be there anymore when I go back :goodvibes ;Epcot people are only here for 1 year!
My health is slowly improving, as long as I don't overdo... which is hard because I like to DO things, but I am trying! Luckily I get to start planning our next vacation... I need to change my countdown, we are not going for Christmas this year, instead we are doing a cruise!! 4 days in Disney and 4 days on The Wonder... the ship leaves on DD's birthday, April 12, 2009. Which is how we talked DH into letting us go! (he will of course be staying home with "his" dog)

I see from your countdown that you are having a Disneymoon... congratulations! I hope it is fantastic (and I expect a trip report :lmao: )

heavenleigh412

04-28-2008, 02:25 PM

I usually pride myself on my sense of direction. I am a New Yorker and can come out of a subway train anywhere and not take more than a few steps in the wrong direction. It's almost like I can SMELL it!

Well... I guess my nose was full of the smell of rice cream or funnel cakes or popcorn... because this part of the trip I really screwed up! :lmao:
I had found my way to the T&TC with no problem in the morning, so we decided to leave Epcot on the monorail and walk back to Hawaii from there.
I made one little teensy wrong turn somewhere on the grounds of the Polynesian and bam... DM goes into melt down... DD starts whining about how she will NEVER get to swim at this rate... DF walked with his head down pretending his family had not all lost their minds at one time.

We ended up walking up the beach... one would think this was easy... it wasn't. DM's leg was bothering her and walking on the sand was making her more irritable by the second.
Except...
I couldn't find a way off the beach and there was no way in this world I was backtracking!!

Then...
The beach ended...
WHAT??
Exactly...
It completely cut off and Hawaii was nowhere in sight!
I could feel the death-rays boring into the back of my head...
What was I going to do?
I made my own path... I told DD to be quiet, this was an adventure and whining wasn't letting her enjoy it... and I refused to turn around to look at DM... she didn't raise any fools!!
The walk was beautiful, but I wasn't stupid enough to take out the camera.:lmao:

:worship: There was the quiet pool!!
Hawaii was right around that little bend!
DD ripped out her KTTW card and raced up the stairs of the lounge, she was in our room, and in her bathing suit before I made it there.
Actually she raced past me to the pool, in the hallway, almost yelling " Meet me down there with the camera"

I went into the room, put down the camera case, and headed off to the lounge for a cappucino and some fresh fruit. I also got some goldfish crackers and a few cokes for DD.

I went back to the room and out on the balcony to stare at the incredible view while drinking my cappucino.
DF went out on the beach for some sun.
DM was in her room doing something...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07033-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6945.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6949.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_6950.jpg

After I relaxed a little, I headed down to the pool with the camera.
I caught this little beauty:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07082.jpg

DD came down the slide at the Volcano pool, and I caught her upside down!

Up next: Return to the room and dinner at Le Cellier...

heavenleigh412

04-30-2008, 08:06 AM

We had 6PM ADR for Le Cellier, so after snapping a few pictures of DD, I ripped her out of the pool (that would have been an interesting picture!) grabbed DF from the beach and dragged them into Hawaii.
After they showered, we were off!
This was DM and DF's trip so all the restaurants were new to them. DD and I had never eaten here because we always went with either a large group of people who for some reason wanted to eat at Denny's (we still had meals on property without them) or my cousin who is a vegetarian (and somehow taking him to a steakhouse seemed inappropriate!)

DM's leg was bothering her quite a bit, so we went into the Great Ceremonial House, to get Christmas ears and catch the monorail.
DF, who didn't want to come on this vacation, could not pick out which ears he wanted because they were all so cool!
Dm and I got the striped santa Mickey ears that light up around the band, DD got a Goofy Santa Hat that lights up through the long Goofy ears, DF got a Mad hatter like hat (and it was a rough choice for him between that and the Rastafarian ears and the pirate ears!)

Here is them wearing their ears:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07128.jpg

and one with me in it (that of course I had to take myself!):

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/IMG_7013.jpg

Then we all hopped on the monorail and headed for the ticket and transportation center (from here on referred to as T&TC because that is a lot to type out!)

We checked in at the podium and were told there was a bit of a wait. So we headed for the DSA outside of Canada overlooking the lake.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07109.jpg

On a side note, we found most of the DSA's to be in beautiful spots away from the main traffic on the walkways.

Here is a pic of DD I took while at that DSA:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07105.jpg

Then we headed back to Canada, and checked the podium again. After about a 5 minute wait, we were called.

Inside Le Cellier:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07110.jpg

Sorry that it is angled more at the ceiling, I liked the decorations and I was really trying not to bother anyone eating with my camera!

For appetizers, DF had the Prince Edward Island Mussels, DM had Steakhouse Shrimp Cocktail, DD had the Tomato Stack and I had Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. I had to order the soup after hearing people rave about it for so long... I didn't like it :rotfl: Everyone else enjoyed their appetizers a lot.

Ok, so I didn't like the soup... but I couldn't wait to try the filet mignon!
I raved about it so much, DM, DF and I ordered it for dinner. (DF does not like filet mignon, but he said he had to see what all the hoopla was about)
DD does not eat beef, so no steak for her! She ordered Seared King Salmon ... which she said was ok, but she would have liked with a little more flavor.

We all LOVED :love: the filet mignon!! So if you have raved about it on the DIS boards, thank you!! You helped my family enjoy their dinner immensely!
(well except for DD)

Then came dessert... I had to order the chocolate moose (otherwise known as mousse) and so did DF, DM and DD ordered creme brulee (I have somehow NEVER had creme brulee, and I tasted theirs... it became an obsession of mine ... how in the world have I missed this all my life?? Ben and Jerry's makes a creme brulee ice cream that is heavenly, that I found when we got home, and DH keeps a pint or 3 in the freezer at all times for us!)

My moose:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07111.jpg

Isn't he cute?? It was almost hard to eat him, he was so cute... but I managed to devour him in about 4 seconds! yummmmmmm!

DF thought our waiter, who by the way was from the same region of Canada as my mother's side of the family was a bit strange... I found him amusing, but I have my sense of humor from my mother's side of the family...

We got our check, handed over our cards, signed our receipts and rolled out Le Cellier.
I was actually surprised how quickly DF got this down pat... I bought him an MP3 player last Christmas (the year before this trip) and he has yet to remember what it is called... he calls it his thingie... yes, he really does... so imagine the sheer embarrassment I experience when he says he needs me to look at his thingie in front of people in, let's say, a STORE.

Some shots of the Epcot tree at night:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07121.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07116.jpg

DD in front of Christmas decorations at Epcot:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07125.jpg

We now had to leave Epcot because we had tickets for MVMCP!!!

So I leave you with a shot of the monorail we took to get there:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07129.jpg

Up Next: Why yes, those are my toes!!

heavenleigh412

04-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Okay, remember the list that started back on page 3?
So the list to this point was:
1) The iron in DM and DF's room did not work
2) The iron in my room did not work (I do not iron but DF asked for my iron after he couldn't iron with his)
3) The alarm clock in DM and DF's room did not work (mine did, and I think they were just doing it wrong)
4) Jenny B the server
5) the buses
6) World Showcase doesn't open until 11 AM
well then they added:
7) The strange Canadian waiter
8) people who must take pictures of everything they see (wonder who they were referring to?)
9) People who crowd together for a tree lighting ceremony and block the ENTIRE walkway because EVERYONE must be up FRONT! (we got crushed and almost knocked off our feet)
10) People who stop short right in the middle of a path and then get mad when you walk into them/ trip over them
11) Baby carriages running into the back of your ankles

* disclaimer* please remember that this list was our joke throughout our vacation, no one is picking on anyone!

AlienBrain

04-30-2008, 05:40 PM

heavenleigh412

04-30-2008, 09:35 PM

Great update ... I am going to Le Cellier this August ... I definitely have to try the filet mignon.

LOL on #10 and #11 on your list. You can also add ECVs to #11 on that list. Oh yeah, and I would also add another things to my "list" ... when I went this past New Years, I had a few encounters where people would cut in front of us in line and then play the whole "no speak english" card.

I can drool just thinking of Le Cellier's filet mignon... you could cut it with a spoon!
Also the bread is out of this world... eat the pretzel bread... eat it ALL... beg for more...
It is on my list for next April :woohoo:

Oh the whole ECV and wheelchair thing is coming... and no I would never pick on the disabled, my mother was in a wheelchair for most of her childhood and I am listed as permanently disabled, but they even had her using some colorful language!:scared1:

Don't you love the convenient language barrier? Like other countries don't have lines so if you can't speak English, you don't have to follow the rules!
Again, not picking on people, but hey c'mon... a line is a line no matter what language you speak!

LEXAVE

04-30-2008, 10:41 PM

Still interested!:yay: Still interested!:yay:

Keep 'em coming, but DON'T over do-it. We will be here. Great report. Thanks for sharing.

gnbuggy

05-02-2008, 09:16 PM

Glad to see you back HL. Hope you continue to get better.:hug:

heavenleigh412

05-03-2008, 06:38 AM

Still interested!:yay: Still interested!:yay:

Keep 'em coming, but DON'T over do-it. We will be here. Great report. Thanks for sharing.

I am taking it slow... should have more a little later today.
Glad to see you are interested :goodvibes

Glad to see you back HL. Hope you continue to get better.:hug:

Thank you!
Long time no talk!!! I am glad to BE back... bedrest was BORING and long, it feels incredible to be able to get up without someone yelling at me ! :lmao:

BTW your bug drove me crazy for a minute! He is very realistic... ewwww!! :rotfl:

RachelTori

05-03-2008, 07:23 AM

heavenleigh412

05-03-2008, 07:33 AM

Great report! Love the pictures! :goodvibes

I have to laugh when I see the pictures of you, which YOU have to take!! (been there too!) Next trip, ask one of the CMs (the character handlers do this all the time) to take a picture of YOU! That's what I finally started doing and it's nice to have a photo of ALL OF ME @ WDW! :rotfl2:

Thank you! :goodvibes
I always say I am going to ask the CMs to take pictures, but I never do... So I end up looking like I went to Disney from the belly button up!! :lmao:
Next trip we are taking DD's best friend so I will make her take some pics of DD and I together.
When we went with DM and DF... DF is electronically challenged, my camera would have flipped him out completely, and well you saw how anti-camera DM is!!
Now I have to laugh because DM calls me every few days and wants to know if she can come over to see the pics to see which ones she wants printed! So I told her " If it was up to you, there wouldn't be any pics!!! Maybe next trip you can not give me the eyeball of death every time I take the camera out!!":lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao:

heavenleigh412

05-10-2008, 02:52 PM

Well... when last I posted, we were taking the monorail to MVMCP. :yay:

Magic Kingdom looked so pretty, and I got so excited, my pictures blurred... sorry :rotfl:

We walked in and DM and DF looked completely awe-struck...
It was the end of the first parade and this was what we saw:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07137.jpg

The MK tree:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07139.jpg

THEN...

The Castle:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07142.jpg

... and it was SNOWING!!

I absolutely LOVE :love: Disney!!

DD decided she needed a ride on the teacups before the fireworks show:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07145.jpg

I don't do teacups, they make me queasy.

We picked up an ornament from the party along with the party hat on our way to view the fireworks.

I really wanted these:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07147.jpg

but we couldn't find them ANYWHERE!!!

A few pictures from the castle show:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07155.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07157.jpg

We found the perfect spot to view the fireworks...
I don't think I have any pictures because I think it was all video... but I will see if I can pull some nice stills from that tonight.

It was not crowded in our spot and we were all standing there looking up, when all of a sudden I heard "Why yes... those ARE my toes!!!!"
:scared1: and it sounded like DM!

A woman in an ECV had parked on my mother's bad foot...

DM was almost in tears... and that woman NEVER cries in public!

At the end of the fireworks she turned to me and asked how she could get back to the hotel... yes DM and DF missed almost ALL of MVMCP because she was run over! :mad:

DD and I walked them back down Main Street, and offered to leave with them... DM wouldn't even discuss the option, so I explained where the monorail was and they went back to Poly so DM could ice her foot (which stayed swollen the rest of the vacation)

Up next: The argument over POTC

Leonsmom

05-23-2008, 08:12 AM

Fellow New Yorker here, I am in too!!!
I hope you are doing well!
I love all your pics! This is getting me exited for my Dec trip!!

I am so happy to see someone is interested!
I will continue with the trip report a little later today...
For now, I will fill you in on what happened as a result of my problems getting a guest assistance card.

As I mentioned before, I sent e-mails and snail mails to Disney when I got home explaining the horrible way I was treated by Guest Services in Epcot.
I included the name of the person who "helped me"
I received an e-mail in return asking me to fax some information including a copy of the front and back of my tickets so they could finish investigating the incident.
Within a few days of doing this, I received a phone call from Disney.
The woman who called apologized repeatedly about the poor treatment I had received, and then told me Disney was sending my whole family 4 day park hoppers (so 4 park hoppers with 4 days each... and they do not expire)
They also started a file for me, so that I will always get the assistance card I need, and will not have to explain repeatedly what is wrong with me... I just give them my file number and all the information is there approved by corporate, including the stamps that will assist me!

All in all it was more than I had even hoped for!!
My original thoughts in reporting the situation were that I might save someone else the trouble of going through the same thing (including myself at a later date!)

I am so glad they did something for you! Now if onlty they would add a stay in the castle:rolleyes1
I will need a GAC too. I'll be sure to get mine in MK and NOT Epcot.
I also have an invisible disability.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/heavenleigh412/Disney%2012%2007/DisneyWorld07082.jpg

DD came down the slide at the Volcano pool, and I caught her upside down!
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:laughing: What a great shot!!!!!!

[QUOTE=heavenleigh412;24771020]
It was not crowded in our spot and we were all standing there looking up, when all of a sudden I heard "Why yes... those ARE my toes!!!!"
:scared1: and it sounded like DM!

A woman in an ECV had parked on my mother's bad foot...

DM was almost in tears... and that woman NEVER cries in public!

At the end of the fireworks she turned to me and asked how she could get back to the hotel... yes DM and DF missed almost ALL of MVMCP because she was run over! :mad:

DD and I walked them back down Main Street, and offered to leave with them... DM wouldn't even discuss the option, so I explained where the monorail was and they went back to Poly so DM could ice her foot (which stayed swollen the rest of the vacation)

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Up next: The argument over POTC

Oh no poor mom!!