Flat Brody takes a Pick-A-Number DISUnplugged Podcast Trip!! Update 7/15-Day 5 Finale

[Tonya2426]

Ummmmm......... well, I think I'm quite afraid of Princesszilla......... I'm honestly trying to decide what to do about a TR. We will go to WDW a grand total of 5 times this year (2008) plus, we were at Hilton Head for Spring Break. I'm wondering if I should just have a year-long saga. I'm thinking "2008: The Year of a Million Trips"

(sigh) I dunno ........

Don't worry, I have Princesszilla under control this week. (Next week I can't guarantee anything.)

I got a very intimidated trying to start the TR not knowing where to begin. This may be why this is my 1st TR and not my 6th. So, I just started writing and then went back and filled in the holes and moved a bunch of stuff around. The introduction to the TR was the hardest part. Once you get going it is lots of fun.

I would recommend that your first step be to upload your pictures to photobucket. Then you can at least say you are in the TR preparation mode.

I wish I had known you were on Hilton Head for Spring Break - we could have had a mini DIS meet!!! (It's where I live and I haven't been to the beach in years so I need a good excuse to find my bathing suit cover up. )

Next installment should be up late tonight - Flat Brody sees the castle/Mom needs her coffee.

Until then a little advise to everyone - avoid any and all mirrors when you are naked!! It helps cut down on the Xanax prescriptions.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Yeah - we have a FULL LENGTH mirror in our bathroom. Wouldn't you know that darn thing is head on when you step out of the shower!!! It is NOT a pretty sight in the mornings ........ talk about a reason to grab a robe - QUICK!!!

I would have to do some redecorating or remodeling in there....

 

[Tonya2426]

I am just soooo excited I had to share!!!

I just got to my parents house and went to put my purse down next to the phone area. And what do I see? A registration form for a conference at the Grand Floridian next month which has been faxed. And the total number of guests is 3!!!

Well my friends that can only mean that my parents are taking me to Disney World - AGAIN!!! (I confirmed it with Dad so they aren't taking a stranger who happens to love Disney.)

Mom and I had talked about going next month but it was just chitter chatter.

I have so much to do - I need to call to get some ADRs. (It is actually Mom and Dad's 46th anniversary the day before we leave so I am going to try to book Victoria & Albert's for them one night.) I am just giddy with delight!!!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Hooray! You'll have to start a new pre-trip! What kind of conference?

 

[Tonya2426]

Hooray! You'll have to start a new pre-trip! What kind of conference?

I'll maybe start taking notes but no pretrippie until Flat Brody gets to have ice cream at Beaches and Cream on Day 3!!!

It is a medical conference on treating headaches - Dad needs some continuing education. I have to do continuing education but I can't even imagine 5 days of discussing headaches - especially when the MK is just a monorail stop away.

I checked the conference schedule and it looks like I will be making some rope drops on the trip because the meetings start at 7:30 a.m. each day and we will be in the same room. No sleeping late for me.

 

[Tonya2426]

Day 2, Part 2 – Adventures with Coffee

As we entered the walkway under the train station there was a buzz in the air. There was music playing and the trolley with the entertainers was passing by. It was just like you would imagine the MK in the morning should be.

And there isn’t much better in this world than walking down Main Street U.S.A when everyone is walking in the same direction.

Flat Brody stopped to get a picture of the Castle.

Usually we stop and get a Photopass picture taken but there wasn’t a Photopass photographer to be seen. Hmmmmmm.

Come to think of it our last few Photopass pictures have been so awful it wasn’t that upsetting to me. Who are they hiring for these jobs because they certainly aren’t photographers anymore? Most of them are just CM's with a camera. We had one picture that was so off center you totally missed me except for part of my hair.

As we walked down Main Street I could tell that Mom was still a bit groggy so I suggested we stop at the Main Street Bakery so she could get some coffee. The cinnamon smell they pipe into the street should be illegal – it makes you want to knock down small children to get to the bakery.

When we entered the bakery there was a small line but I have seen worse. Since we were almost up to the counter and we were only getting coffee I suggested that we just go directly to the coffee guy. (I guess technically he was a barrista but I don’t think pouring Nescafe qualifies as such in my book.)

Mom is a rules girl so she questioned whether skipping to the coffee guy was okay to do. I told her I thought so since there was a hold up in the line at the fruit and no one was actually waiting for coffee so it should be okay.

I don’t know what is worse – a hold up in the line at the Main Street Bakery for fruit or that we didn’t stop to get a gigantic utterly tempting cinnamon roll – and these were the biggest cinnamon rolls I have ever seen at the Main Street Bakery so it was very tempting. Next trip we are having breakfast in the MK – weight watchers or not.!!! (And as luck would have it, I only have to wait 5 more weeks. See the posts right before this one for more info. But back to our regularly scheduled TR.)

Coffee in hand, Mom and I walked directly to the Castle on our way to Fantasyland. We didn’t even stop to enjoy the mosaics in the Castle – which are beautiful if you have never noticed them. We were on a mission – get to Fantasyland!!! (My inner Disney Commando was still tying to make an appearance but I held fast and mostly repressed it.)

We skipped most of Fantasyland on our last trip so it was high time to enjoy some dark rides. My plan was to start on the far side of Fantasyland and work our way over to Tomorrowland. Peter Pan’s Flight here we come.

The line to board our flying ship over London and Neverland was less than 10 minutes. I guess a few other people had the same idea that I had so it wasn’t a walk on like I had hoped. Not a bad wait though. But it was too fast for Mom to drink her coffee – I guess it was very hot and she had to sip slowly. And the boarding area was approaching quickly.

What to do?!?!? There weren’t any signs saying no food and beverages allowed but I just couldn’t imagine that the CM would allow a cup of coffee on the attraction.

[Insert dramatic Indian Jones music – I am listening to DIS Radio and that is what is playing as I type.]

Quick Tonya!! Think!!! My mind was racing.

I leapt in to action and unzipped my backpack and grabbed the cup of coffee. Mom looked at me funny but I said to just go with it.

I cradled my bag in front of me with one arm while holding the coffee cup inside the bag with my other hand. The CM didn’t seem to notice so I got on the ride. And as soon as our ship lifted off to fly I handed Mom her coffee so she could sip and enjoy her Nescafe while looking at London from a flying ship on Peter Pan’s Flight.

When we got off the ride, Mom was emboldened at this point and didn’t even try to hide the cup. She just waltzed right past the CM like she hadn’t a care or concern in the world. (It must have been all the caffeine in her system.)

Here is Mom with her infamous coffee cup of Nescafe.

We were on a roll so our next stop was Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

Flat Brody didn’t seem very scared but I think he might have been trembling on the inside since Snow White’s Scary Adventures is the most frightening ride in the MK.

The line to Snow White’s Scary Adventures didn’t take any time at all but it was just enough time for Mom to finish her coffee so I didn’t have to sneak it in this time. We had Happy’s mine car, which suited us perfectly. And I’m not afraid to admit, there are some very scary parts to the attraction. We heard a little boy crying in the car behind us - but come to think of it he was swinging on the railings in line so he might have deserved it. (Just kidding.)

By the time we made it to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh it was about a 15 minute wait but considering it was not even 9 o’clock we were okay with that. Pooh is a cute ride but I would hate to wait in line for forever to see it - I always feel so awful for those parents who have to wait in line over an hour on an August afternoon to see certain rides. See it is a good thing I don’t have children.

Mom isn’t fond of twirling rides so we skipped the Mad Tea Party – although I love it. I can get her on it sometimes but I didn’t want to ruin our day by giving her vertigo this early in the trip.

One of the best parts of having an AP is how relaxed you can be when it comes to riding attractions. You know you will be back in a few months so you don’t feel any pressure to have to ride everything on one trip. It has definitely helped keep my inner Disney commando in check – which is a good thing.

Having finished our Fantasyland adventures, we make our way to Tomorrowland for a “futuristic” shootout.

Next installment – How Did You Beat Me?!?!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Tonya! Sorry I haven't been around - I kind of lost track of who I was reading this week. I'm really enjoying your TR! Your comments about your DM are so funny! My DM is getting kind of funny, too - gotta love 'em! How fun you can have this trip together.
**Sorry "She who has no name" gave you the wrong room - at least you didn't actually open the door like some have done

What's with the Nescafe at WDW? Don't they know it's not really coffee?

Oh, and enough about sagging body parts - we're on vacation!

 

[whogirl'smom]

You have more willpower than I do! I quit counting WW points the minute we hit the Florida state line! For some reason, I thought the bakery had real coffee....I am currently hooked on McDonald's iced coffee.

 

[mouseaddicts]

Holy Cow Batman ..... Page 4 already!

Okay - I'm impressed that you were able to resist the temptation at Main St. Bakery! Me ....... not so much

CONGRATS on your upcoming trip to WDW ..... and at the Grand Floridian! Way to go! When will you be there? I wondered if our dates overlap. We'll be there 7/3/08 - 7/13/08

 

[Tonya2426]

Hi Tonya! Sorry I haven't been around - I kind of lost track of who I was reading this week. I'm really enjoying your TR! Your comments about your DM are so funny! My DM is getting kind of funny, too - gotta love 'em! How fun you can have this trip together.
**Sorry "She who has no name" gave you the wrong room - at least you didn't actually open the door like some have done

What's with the Nescafe at WDW? Don't they know it's not really coffee?

Oh, and enough about sagging body parts - we're on vacation!

So glad you caught up. Sometimes life gets in the way of TR's. I know!!! How shocking is it that people have real lives outside of the DIS. Oh the horror of it.

Thankfully for me, I don't drink coffee so I have never had to experience the whole WDW Nescafe debate. Mom and Dad drink coffee all the time - they will say "do you want a cup of coffee before we go to bed?" I don't understand how they can sleep after that but I digress - Mom doesn't love the WDW Nescafe but she says it isn't that bad. Go figure.

Wouldn't it be nice if sagging body parts took a vacation when we did? I just got back from seeing SATC and it was great but now I am depressed that I am not 40 and fabulously thin like they are - but at least I ****s and they don't.

 

[Tonya2426]

You have more willpower than I do! I quit counting WW points the minute we hit the Florida state line! For some reason, I thought the bakery had real coffee....I am currently hooked on McDonald's iced coffee.

Points smoints - just wait for the food porn of french fries and ice cream.

Not sure about the coffee at the Bakery but Mom and I will do an investigative report next month to check it out. And I think a giant cinnamon roll and french toast loaf are musts also - can't be an investigative reporter on just yogurt alone.

 

[Tonya2426]

Holy Cow Batman ..... Page 4 already!

Okay - I'm impressed that you were able to resist the temptation at Main St. Bakery! Me ....... not so much

CONGRATS on your upcoming trip to WDW ..... and at the Grand Floridian! Way to go! When will you be there? I wondered if our dates overlap. We'll be there 7/3/08 - 7/13/08

Oh no!!! we are going to miss each other by a day. We don't get there until the 14th.

And I am so thrilled we are staying at the Grand Floridian. It has been on the Mom and Me Trip wish list - but you know Mom and her hotel prices and I don't blame her one bit on the GF prices. Luckily though, when Dad is involved hotel price isn't such a big deal - although the conference room rate is only $235/night. I know, I know - I was shocked too.

And since it is a business trip, it can be deducted from their taxes!!!! OMG, I have died and gone to heaven - Disney World and a tax deduction in the same sentence. (Let me just tell you, it doesn't get any better than that for a Disney loving tax attorney.)

 

[Tonya2426]

Sorry for the delay in getting this posted – every time I thought I would be able to work on the TR I got called away or the movies called (SATC & Prince Caspian).

Now back to our regularly scheduled TR.

Day 2, Part 3 – To Infinity and Beyond!!!

When I left you last we were on our way to Tomorrowland – actually to be exact we were on our way to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Mom and I discovered our love for Buzz on our first Mom and Me Trip several years ago so it is a must do on every trip. We just love shooting the laser guns and twirling around – although we totally stink at it. I think my highest score is around 240,000 and that was after the ride had stopped several times for unseen reasons. Mom is even worse than I am.

It was still early when we arrived at Buzz so the wait time was minimal – basically a walk on. This was ride # 4 at the MK and it is just after 9 o’clock - it is this type of thing I need to remember the next time I want to sleep late while at WDW.

Flat Brody was very excited for his first attempt at catching the evil Emperor Zurg.

We got in our ride vehicle in no time flat. As is our habit, I get in the soon to be twirling vehicle first. (This is only important in that all of the pictures Mom and I have from this ride we are always in the same positions – me on the right side of the picture and Mom on the left. And we always have the same expression on our faces – after all of the times we have ridden Buzz, we never remember to pose for the picture. We know it is coming but we get so involved with shooting the Z targets we just forget to smile. )

Have I mentioned that I love to be in control of the joy stick that twirls the Buzz cars? Well, I do. And I am sure it irritates my Mom but she has never said anything - unlike my best friend who fussed at me for twirling when she didn’t want to twirl. Tsk, tsk, tsk - bad best friend.

Now, I’ve read all of the tips on how to score big on Buzz . . . shoot the moving targets, shoot the targets furthest away, remember the targets as you leave the rooms. We never seem to do very well.

But today the planets must have been aligned and the moons must have been in retrograde because as we left the first room I looked over and Mom had a score of 999,999. She hadn’t noticed yet so as I twirled the car I said "LOOK AT YOUR SCORE!!!! What did you hit.?!?!!?!".

She had no idea what targets she had hit but it was very exciting. It was like winning the Buzz Lightyear lottery. And we saved the world is from the dastardly Zurg.

The winning score – although with the camera flash on you can’t see any score but trust me that it was 999,999.

Here is our latest Buzz picture – although this is the poor man’s version . . . a picture of the picture. We have enough of the "same" picture at home already so we didn’t feel the need to buy it again.

Next up was Astro Orbiter. Mom had never done the ride and it had been almost 20 years since I had ridden it, which makes it the perfect time to give it a whirl. I think I often avoid this ride because it is such a slow loading ride and the whole elevator thing just makes it slower. And having to sit back to front against someone has its disadvantages when it is a family member or someone you don’t want to be that intimate with. But it does provide a great view of the MK and flying around in a space rocket 4 stories above the MK is sort of thrill seekerish.

***Disclaimer*** Although now known as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, for purposes of this TR that attraction will be referred to as the People Mover. When it comes to the WEDway People Mover I am a purist and will never force myself to change the name of this ride in my head. Some things are sacred and shouldn’t be messed with and the People Mover’s name is one of those things. Just humor me.

The People Mover is one of my favorite rides and a must do on every trip. It is 10 minutes of relaxation that is well deserved when you are touring WDW. It is the solution for sensory overload. You get to sit down and put up your feet. There is a gentle breeze as you move around Tomorrowland that cools you off. And there is almost never a line. It is perfect. And I love seeing the future city model and imagine what EPCOT would have looked like had Walt Disney lived longer.

Relaxation over, we moved on to Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. This wasn’t a must see for us so we played the Fates Game. (The Fates Game is when you say if the wait for this is ___ minutes of less then we will go to it but if it is more than ___ minutes we’ll skip it. Basically you let the fates decide what attraction you see next.)

And as the fates would have it, the next Laugh Floor show start in about 5 minutes so we went on in.

Here is dilemma for you. When we entered the pre-show area the designated queue lines were full but the far right line was for wheelchairs but almost empty so Mom and I just sort of hung out by the wall on the right side of the bull pen area behind the designated lines. We could tell people wanted us to move into the wheelchair line because the CM kept saying move forward into all the available areas but we didn’t because we knew there may be another wheelchair show up just before the show and the wheelchair door opens first for them to get to their designated seating areas. But as soon as the wheelchair door opened we got in the far right line thereby bypassing all of the people who were already in the designated lines and who got in line before us. In my head it didn’t’ really matter since it is theater seating for the show and there is no way to get ahead of someone to see the show since we all see the show at once. And although no one in the designated lines got upset that we, and the hundreds behind us who followed us, did this maneuver, I could see how it might get someone riled up. Hmmmm. Hard to know what to do? Just another dilemma about line etiquette that only an obsessed DISer would even think about.

I like the Laugh Floor show. I don’t love it but it is cute and a good way to get out of the heat and sun, especially if you were going to WDW in say July. I do like the whole comedy club seating theme with the little ledge on the bench before you like you will be served a cocktail. There were a few cute texted jokes from our audience group and the people the monsters picked on played along so everyone enjoyed the show.

What to do next? I suggested the Haunted Mansion. Mom said she didn’t care so I spoke up and said "let’s do the Haunted Mansion then" and off to Liberty Square we went.

But look who we saw when we were leaving Tomorrowland . . . Push (the talking trash can.)

I wonder what that little boy was saying to Push? It makes me laugh to see his arm around Push like he is a person.

And on the way to Liberty Square, Flat Brody wanted to pose with my favorite Disney canine . . . Pluto.

Next installment – You want us to sit where?!?!

 

[Tonya2426]

Day 2, Part 4 - May We Have Another Table, Please?


After taking pictures of Flat Brody with Bronze Pluto we made it to the Haunted Mansion. The posted wait time was 20 minutes which seemed reasonable.


Did I mention that it was still Spring Break for many schools - mainly New York? And that the Parks were crowded. With Easter so early this year, Spring Breaks were spread throughout all of April and it was hard to plan around the crowds.


The line was moving quickly but Flat Brody had time to take a picture of the Haunted Mansion.

We waited in line behind four flamboyant men. I don’t remember what they were talking about exactly but there were lots of big arm gestures, hands on hips, and it kept me entertained during the wait in line. I love to eavesdrop on queue conversations. (I like to eavesdrop in restaurants also. It is a guilty pleasure of mine.)


I love the new and improved Haunted Mansion. The dustyness got dusted and spruced up without any of the charm being removed. The ride even stopped at my favorite part - the ballroom scene. Although it is a bunch of ghost waltzing around it is still a happy event in a spooky kind of way. And I love the ghost who is passed our under the table - I’ve been to a few formal events where that would have been an improvement to the evening.


After having a ghost host join us in our doom buggy I had planned on popping over the it’s a small world since we had missed it earlier in the morning but it was getting close to 11 a.m. and we wanted to try to be at the Plaza Restaurant right when it opened.


In the 36 years since the Magic Kingdom has been open, neither of us has ever been to the Plaza Restaurant. And since this was a trip of firsts, Mom and I thought it was time to check it out. Of course, we didn’t make a reservation which is why I wanted to be there right at the start of lunch time.

We made it to the check-in stand and were that they could seat us in about 10 minutes. Mom found us an outside table with shade to wait while we perused the menu. We were getting rather hungry since we ate really early - and yogurt only lasts so long. Of course from these tables you can smell the piped in smells from the bakery which only made me want a great big cinnamon roll more than I did this morning.


Flat Brody got a picture of Tomorrowland from the tables outside the Plaza Restaurant.

In about 5 minutes a turn-of-the-century costumed hostess called our name. We hopped up and walked past all of the waiting minions into the quaint restaurant. When you enter, you walk in and see lots of cute marble top tables and these charming swinging doors to the kitchen. It is like an old fashioned ice cream parlor without the ice cream.


But wouldn’t you know that our Disney bubble was quickly burst when the hostess tried to sit us at the little table right next to those charming swinging doors leading to the kitchen. This is the table you see in a sitcom where the person gets a head injury from the swinging doors and has soup spilled on them and then they get a head rush from eating ice cream for dessert.


I quickly spoke up and asked if we could have a different table. The hostess looked like a deer in headlights. She was totally perplexed - like no one had ever asked for a different table. She told us to wait just a minute and she walked back outside to the check-in stand in her confused state.


So, Mom and I are waiting by the highly undesirable table when in a matter of a minute not one, not two, but three CM’s told us not to stand where we were - in a rather condescending way I might add. It wasn’t obviously condescending but I am from the South so I know how to do subtle condescension pretty good and these CM’s were definitely condescending. You know, like you are really irritated but you say it politely through clenched teeth all the while smiling.


And of course they never once suggested where we should stand as an alternative. I think they thought we had just walked in to the restaurant without a reservation and were looking for a table to sit at - as if we would be so stupid to just stand next to such an undesirable table when there were about 20 open tables.


I do have to admit that my inner Princesszilla emerge a little when the third CM told us to move. I replied in a slightly snotty tone that we were waiting for the hostess to find another table for us since I did not want to sit there - as I pointed to the highly undesirable table. Everyone acted like the restaurant was really busy and no one had ever refused to sit at the world’s worst table.


We finally got seated in the glass conservatory section and I do have to say it was much quieter in there since we weren't near the kitchen or the entrance.

We had already looked at the menu so we already knew what we wanted. But it took about 10 minutes for our server to finally come take our order. He kept telling us he was on his way but never really got around to stopping. (And the restaurant wasn’t full - it was still really early and only about 1/4th of the tables had been seated.) We weren’t in a big hurry so it wasn’t that big of a deal. When our server did attend to us, he was very pleasant and efficient.


I ordered the Angus Chuck Burger with fries and Mom ordered the Plaza Club with German potato salad.


Flat Brody seems to be enjoying the cheeseburger.

If truth be told, the cheeseburger was disappointing. It was a machine pressed patty that was very dry. It looked pretty though.


A cheeseburger is just about my favorite food in the world and I am not all that picky. So it takes quite a bit for me to say a cheeseburger isn’t very good.

But the fries were fantabulous!!!! And the club sandwich was very good. Mom loved the bread and the German potato salad.


We had to wait what seemed forever to get our check and then we did have to wait for forever to have our server pick it up. Very frustrating for someone who wants to get back in to the Parks.


Am I the only person who has noticed that Disney restaurants don’t have any idea how to turn tables? I’m not suggesting they rush people through their meals but to have to wait almost a half an hour to pay the check is a little ridiculous in my book.


Wouldn’t you know that when we walked out of the restaurant the infamous undesirable table by the swinging kitchen doors was the only empty table in the restaurant. Hmmmm, a coincidence? I think not!!


All in all, our Plaza Restaurant experience wasn’t all that great. Next time I think we will just stick to Columbia Harbour House or Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe - not a swinging door to be found.


Next installment - Shopping with the Main Street Philharmonic.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I am one that doesn't hesitate to ask for a better table, also. That's just ridiculous trying to seat somebody there when the restaurant is almost empty! I have been a waitress and a hostess and we had sense enough to not seat people in the worst seats just b/c "that station was open". Sheesh! Sorry the CB was disappointing, but your review helps me as I am in the middle of trying to decide where we might eat in Dec. I find myself just wanting snacks all day, but I don't think dh and dd will go for that!

So, I'm guessing Brody got to finishing the offending cheeseburger!?

 

[mouseaddicts]

Hmmmm ....... we too have not experienced the Plaza Restaurant - yet. We have a ressie there for lunch on July 4th. I made the ressie b/c I was thinking it was fairly close to CS (price & selection), but w/o the HORRIBLY LONG holiday lines the CS locations have on July 4th! Been there - done that! I figured Plaza would be a new restaurant for us to check out and have a place to "sit down" for lunch on the 4th ............ however, I have since seen a couple of less-than-favorable reviews --- yours included! I guess we'll chance it & see what happens. I've scouted the menu online & have my eye on the reuben

 

[Tonya2426]

I am one that doesn't hesitate to ask for a better table, also. That's just ridiculous trying to seat somebody there when the restaurant is almost empty! I have been a waitress and a hostess and we had sense enough to not seat people in the worst seats just b/c "that station was open". Sheesh! Sorry the CB was disappointing, but your review helps me as I am in the middle of trying to decide where we might eat in Dec. I find myself just wanting snacks all day, but I don't think dh and dd will go for that!

So, I'm guessing Brody got to finishing the offending cheeseburger!?

Actually when you put enough mayo and ketchup on a dry cheeseburger it makes it quite edible. So Flat Brody only got to drool - but if Real Brody had been there he would have gotten his fair share.

 

[Tonya2426]

Hmmmm ....... we too have not experienced the Plaza Restaurant - yet. We have a ressie there for lunch on July 4th. I made the ressie b/c I was thinking it was fairly close to CS (price & selection), but w/o the HORRIBLY LONG holiday lines the CS locations have on July 4th! Been there - done that! I figured Plaza would be a new restaurant for us to check out and have a place to "sit down" for lunch on the 4th ............ however, I have since seen a couple of less-than-favorable reviews --- yours included! I guess we'll chance it & see what happens. I've scouted the menu online & have my eye on the reuben

I would probably keep the ADR for the 4th. Any Counter Service restaurant will be mobbed that day and a having a nice respite in the A/C will be helpful and a much needed break from the crowds. Just don't order the cheeseburger and you should be good - everything else we got served was excellent.

 

[Tonya2426]

Day 2, Part 5 - Is That Music I Hear?

After feeling vindicated that the highly undesirable table by the swinging doors was still vacant, it was time to leave the Magic Kingdom and venture on to Epcot. But not before we shopped our way down Main Street. There is a reason that the Emporium is the length of Main Street and we intended to take full advantage of it. Besides, we still needed one more postcard.


Other than the postcard, we didn’t need anything. But shopping at Disney World isn’t usually about need, is it? One disadvantage to having an Annual Pass is that after a few visits you don’t really buy anything . . . and I like to buy stuff. I consider it a hobby - sort of like Dad’s stamp collecting.


As we moved through the store sections, I heard happy music starting. Always one to take advantage of an opportunity, I put the Cinderella snow globe I had been looking at back on the shelf and went to see what was going on. Sure enough, it was the Magic Kingdom Philharmonic entertaining the crowds.

Have a listen



I just love when we happen upon fun things like that at Disney World. It just seems so spontaneous - like a musical when everyone just breaks out in song and dance in the middle of the street for no reason. It’s just magical.


After the band moved on, we returned to our shopping adventure but reminding ourselves that we really only needed a postcard. And we eventually found the postcards and found a wider selection than the World of Disney. Thankfully, postcard sending isn’t a totally dead gesture.


A benefit of shopping in the middle of the day is that it is easier to find someone to ring up your purchase - unlike shopping at park closing time. So our shopping adventure was over and uneventful - my wallet thanked me but my desire to shop was yearning to be quenched. . (Being practical is no fun at all.)


I have learned a few things in my slightly older age and that is to always tinkle before you go on a journey because you never know when you will get another chance. And this is exactly what we did - took a trip to the ladies room next to Town Hall before we ventured to Epcot. It is a busy bathroom but luckily a large one so there is never a wait.


But we also took the time to finish the last postcard to my youngest nephew. Or should I say that Mom finished the last postcard. Originally the postcards were going to be from both of us. But Mom wrote the other two postcards and even signed my name. Fine. I am a big girl. But this last postcard she said "do you want to sign your name?" I promptly told her" no . . . too little, too late." I was joking of course but next time I am sending my own postcards, darn it!!! If I wanted someone to sign my name I would just get married.


With postcardgate over, we hopped on the Monorail to the TTC (Transportation & Ticket Center) so we could transfer to the Monorail to Epcot. And you know, since they took out the carpet the Monorails almost smell pleasant - much better than the barnyard sweat smell of trips gone by.


Flat Brody was very excited for his first Monorail ride.

After our short Monorail trip to the TTC, we made our way to the line for the Epcot Monorail. But there was no line. The Monorail must have just left and we were the first people to arrive at the platform. The gears in my mind snapped to attention and before I even knew what was happening I did the only thing a devoted DISer could do - I asked if we could ride in the front of the Monorail.


~~~Hallelujah~~~


Of course the Cast Member said yes and pointed us to the first holding pen. (Don’t you sort of feel like a cow being led to market when they put you in the waiting corrals for the Monorail? Hmmmm, maybe it is just me?)


We only waited a few minutes for the next Monorail to arrive. Mom had never ridden in the front car of the Monorail and the trip to Epcot is a great way to check that off the list. It is longer than most Monorail trips and you get a great view of Future World as you enter the Epcot station.


Flat Brody was delighted with his duties as Monorail Pilot.

Mom enjoying the view

We even played chicken with another Monorail.



The best part of the trip.


And we even got our special Co-Pilot License.

Next installment - Are you sure this isn’t Little Italy?

 

[whogirl'smom]

I love the monorail trip into Epcot! I've actually been trying to figure out how we can do that again next time (b/c we're not doing park hoppers). I'm thinking about Kona for breakfast and then go, but then that would leave the car at the Poly....

That was a great picture of the philharmonic band, by the way.