I got changed out of my sundress and into some jeans before heading over to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop Dee Doo Review. The night was getting colder and I didn't want to be freezing all night. Changed and ready to go we headed down to the bus stop and caught a bus over to the Magic Kingdom, and from there caught a boat over to Fort Wilderness. As usual we were running a bit late so we really didn't have the time to explore anything once we got there.
Once we arrived at Pioneer Hall we checked in with a CM wandering around with a clipboard and were directed to a line where they took a photographer of us with a big sign that said something about pioneer hall. Later during dinner they came around trying to sell us the photos for some really crazy price. Ours was horrible so we passed on it. After taking our picture we were directed to a specific line depending on where our seats were located.
We had bought the cheapest tier 3 seats. I'd seen the show back in 1997 from those seats and they had been fine so I had no qualms about booking them again. Unfortunately they've changed the seating setup in tier 3 and I wasn't happy at all about how they were now. The tier 3 seats are the ones on the right and left of the upper level balcony. Previously, the tables were placed around the edge so that you could sit and talk to your table mates, and then just turn your seat a bit to watch the show.
Now, all the seating was arranged in long rows facing the outer wall with your back to the stage. If you were with a group of people, you could no longer sit across from each other and chat because your all sitting in one long row. It's very awkward. I was sitting next to a family with two kids who didn't want to be there at all. They cried and carried on through most of the show. The girl who was sitting next to me had a cold and was coughing and sneezing all over the place without covering her mouth. I was convinced that the respiratory infection I had been battling before I left for vacation was going to be back the next day. It might have been slightly better if at least the tables faced the show, but they face the wall to make it easier for the wait staff to serve the food. To watch the show you had to physically move your chair/stool because the stools didn't swivel.
In addition my chair had a large beam directly in the path of the stage making it difficult to see. I couldn't lean to far to my right, or I'd be blocking the sneezing little girl, and if I went to the left I'd block my friend's view.
It was obvious that the change had been made so they could cram more seating into the theater, but it really made for an uncomfortable viewing experience. I wouldn't recommend a tier 3 seat to anyone any longer. The set up of the tables was horrible, and if I had really young kids I wouldn't have felt comfortable with them sitting on the stools even if they did have backs. Tiers 1 and 2 were fine. Tier 1 is the lower level right in front of the stage, and tier 2 is the sides of the lower level and the center area of the second level. Both tiers 1 and 2 have normal tables and not the weird row seating they have on tier 3. The upper level of tier 2 would probably be my choice if I had to do it again. The upper level gives you a wonderful view.
The show however was still fantastic. Sadly, I forgot to take any pictures. The jokes are a bit corny, but there is something in the show for everyone. There is something I like about a show everyone can enjoy. They actually had added in a few Christmas songs, and each performance gets tweaked a bit depending on the audience. I've seen it about 4 times or so, and I still love it. It never gets old to me - lots of fun for everyone. The food wasn't bad either. Since it was included in the price I had beer with my meal. Everything is served family style, for you and your party. We were given a big pan of cornbread with fresh butter, salad, bbq ribs and fried chicken, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Nothing fancy, but really tasty. I really loved the cornbread, and we had to get seconds on our chicken and salad. Everything is served in old-fashioned cast iron style pails.
After the show they offer dedicated busses back to the resorts, but I had no clue where to go (wasn't really listening) so we just headed back to the boat dock. We were in no rush. It ended up being a good decision. When we were nearly there we had to come to a stop in the middle of the lake so the water parade floats could cross in front of us and get docked for the night. (The parade was over unfortunately, all the floats were dark). The fireworks were just starting though, so we got to watch them from the boat. It was a wonderful view, and we were able to pick up a little of the music coming out of the park.
The original plan had been to head over to Jellyrolls when we got back, but my friend was nearly falling asleep on the boat. Since we wanted to be at rope drop for TSM in the morning we chose to just call it a night and get some rest instead. Even in Disney a little sleep is necessary.
(Occasionally).
When we got back to the room we went over the plan for the next day. My BFF asked where we were eating dinner the next day. When I told her the restaurant in Mexico, she gave me a funny look and told be that she didn't really like that place when we ate there the last time. My wonderfully relaxing, stress free day was erroding quickly. The waiting around comment had been the first ding in my day, the seating issues at dinner had compounded it, and this news was nearly enough to make me lose it.
I dont know how many times I had asked my BFF about where she wanted to eat on this trip and where she didn't. I know that I had asked if there was any place we had eaten on our first trip that she didn't like. I had emailed her copies of all the menus for the places I had made ADRS for before hand and asked for her thoughts. I had never heard one word in response to any of that. Until now.
That night, I smiled and told her I'd talk to the concierge in the morning and see if he could change us to another restaurant. It's my personality, keep the peace and move on. I'll admit now, far away from the event that I was annoyed. Really, really annoyed. I was annoyed that after all the work I had done on this trip, all the changes I had made from my original solo plan to make sure my friend had a great birthday celebration trip, she couldn't even have put enough interest into the planning to read the few menus I had sent her. We've been friends for long enough that I knew she had no interest in planning, and accepted that, but honestly is it that difficult to read a menu and tell me if you can find things on there that you like? Was I really asking that for that much?
For me it was almost a turning point in the trip. I had a good time after this point for the most part, but things started grating on me much faster. Normally that's not like me at all. I'm usually very true to my Libra sign. I feel the need to keep the peace at any cost. The thought alone of conflict is enough to turn my stomach into a mess of knots, and I'll do anything to avoid confrontation. I'm the person who caves in on her own wishes and desires to make everyone else happy. Usually I do that and just let it go, but I couldn't on this trip. I don't know if I was just more irritated than I usually am, or if it's old age starting to set in, but it ate away at me for the rest of the trip. I felt horrible for feeling the way I did as the week wore on, but felt helpless to stop it.
That comment about the restaurant would have gotten to me, too. I know what you mean about not speaking up about what you want to do just to make everyone else happy. That's SO funny that we do the same thing! For that reason in particular, I wanted to be sure that I get enough time alone in October to do everything I want to do! I seriously can't wait. 
