Tarheel Tink
Cosmos mariner-destination unknown
- Joined
- Aug 21, 1999
- Messages
- 1,766
21st Anniversary Trip- Day 2 Monday 4/30/01 Magic Kingdom, Fort Wilderness and Illuminations
I had requested a 6:30 a.m. wakeup call from Mickey Mouse himself (cheerful little fellow first thing in the
morning, isnt he?) along with early housekeeping so our nap would not be disturbed. It turns out the call was not
necessary since apparently eating Mojo Bones right before bedtime was NOT a good idea. I awakened in a cold
sweat from a horrible nightmare that involved tornadoes- one had passed over my place of work about 10 days
before as I gaped like Gomer Pyle at the sight through our large windows (not the most intelligent place to choose
to stand I may add). It apparently traumatized me enough for my subconscious to yank it out for my nightmare
when my body was assaulted with jungle barbecue sauce right before bedtime (so there, you ignorant human! What
do you expect when you do this to your body!?).
Unable to rest anymore, I lay there in a sweat and calmed myself down by going over The Plan for the day (eat in
the room, early entry Magic Kingdom, boat to Fort Wilderness to look around and have lunch, nap, Epcot for
Illuminations). I try to see the night shows/fireworks early in the trip in case of bad weather or any snafus.
That way we have time to try again rather than be disappointed on a final night.
The plan worked out pretty well- it was overcast and comfortable. We had a goal of seeing Carousel of Progress
after it opened at 11:00 a.m. (missed on our last trip) so until that time we rode Tomorrowland Transit Authority,
Small World, fastpass to the Winnie the Pooh ride, Splash Mountain, fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
(which helped to blow dry us after the drenching we both got on Splash Mountain), Pirates of the Caribbean and
a rest stop where Adventureland and Frontierland meet near the railroad. A baby bunny was eaten grass a mere 3
feet from me fearlessly- so adorable- a little Thumper!
We then took the train for a full loop and a half to finish drying my hair and got off in Toontown for the quiet walk
on the side pathway to Tomorrowland to see Carousel of Progress (love it, hope it stays forever!). We exited by
Main Street before noon, people watching along the way to the boat launch to Fort Wilderness. It was a lovely ride
with a great view of Wilderness Lodge (see you again in December, Wilderness Lodge!). We have never been to
Fort Wilderness and this is our 7th trip to Disney World! We really enjoyed looking around and had a great lunch
at Trails End Buffet - we really tore into it, will we ever learn? We really enjoyed it and it is a great bargain. Our
server, Donnell, was a show all by himself and took great care of us. We got unending drinks and the days all you
can eat menu included beef barley soup, cornbread, chili, rolls, nice salad section with spring greens (no brown
iceberg lettuce here), fruits, deli sandwiches, wraps, beans, slaw, rice, nacho mix with chips, corn, cherry and
apple cobblers, etc. Whew!
We left very happy and determined to come back. We walked through the stables and saw the Belgian and
Percherons- the stall doors had their names, breed, age and the amount of hay and feed they got twice daily. The
lovely Welsh ponies were being harnessed and hooves being dressed for the Magical Moments parade (I assumed
anyway)- what lovely ponies they are; all are white or gray and the black harness looks very sharp on them. We
passed the petting zoo where the famous Minnie Moo is (Holstein cow with a natural hidden mickey on her side)
and a number of peacocks are about and in the trees surrounding the area. We walked under an archway of
gardenias by a tower of blooming confederate jasmine- the scent was intoxicating!
We checked out the trading post and I purchased some thick soled socks. A little sidebar here- I had chosen some
well broken-in shoes to wear that day that had sadly passed that stage into rotten sneaker stage. Add into
the mix some socks that were too worn also and I had some major discomfort starting up. A decent thick-soled pair
of socks, some moleskin and a change of shoes at the room later saved the day. It may sound like I dressed like a
hobo, but I swear I wasnt that bad to look at (well, no one tossed coins at me when I stood still anyway!). Learn by
my mistake and wear great socks! Nuff said!
Anyhoo, we took the boat back to Magic Kingdom and went right to a waiting resort bus to take us to Riverside for
a nap for a couple of hours (alright, alright! We shared a Mickey ice cream bar!). I called housekeeping for more
pillows which arrived quickly at our door followed shortly by our previous days purchases. Our housekeeper had
left us scads of moisturizer, shampoo, and soaps per my request by note with her daily tip (held in an Eeyore
beanies hooves, no less!).
We left for Epcot prepared for showers with some ponchos and small umbrellas in our backpack- if it rained it
would not be the first time we had watched Illuminations in the rain. We started out riding on Spaceship Earth (a
tradition with us upon entering Epcot the first time each trip) and then got a paper cone of cinnamon glazed pecans
as we walked towards Mexico for our Illuminations viewing spot.
At about 6:45 we got a lagoon side table at Cantina de San Angel that from the looks of things should be a great
spot. I spent the time before the 9:00 show writing notes and drinking lime margaritas Earl brought me as he
wandered about, finding the smoking area and watching some of Tapestry of Nations. The initial layered margarita
was not my favorite, the lime turned into an addiction. We shared a combination meal that had a cheese quesadilla,
beans, taco al cabon, and burrito and had another margarita, then another, well, you get the drift. The time did go
fast and the people watching was fascinating. The last minute people started gathering and jockeying around us,
but I was determined to hold our little spot of turf.
It was the best view we have ever had of Illuminations; we have done the cruise, the secret garden, UK bench
and the Rose and Crown patio, but this was by far the best view ever. Wind conditions favored us, so I can see if
the wind blew our way I would not have been as happy. The crowd around us didnt get too bad, only one childs
tennis shoe kicking me in the back as his mother held him while trying to lean over me!
Afterwards, we let the initial wave of people exit and then slowly walked out by way of the walkway by the Odyssey
restaurant which wasnt as crowded. Instead of the usual bus melee, we hopped right into a cab and did a Test
Track caliber race to our resort- we were there in less time that it would have taken to have gotten on a bus (from
our past experience) for the amount of $7.50 plus tip, well worth it to us. Still in our own little Margarita World,
we stopped at the lounge for, you guessed it, another margarita each!
We took the longer route back to our room by way of the main pool which is lovely, down to the leaf imprints in
the concrete around it. Back at the room, we turned in for some much needed sleep.
Tomorrow- Epcot, Marrakesh Restaurant, E-ride Night at Magic Kindgom
I had requested a 6:30 a.m. wakeup call from Mickey Mouse himself (cheerful little fellow first thing in the
morning, isnt he?) along with early housekeeping so our nap would not be disturbed. It turns out the call was not
necessary since apparently eating Mojo Bones right before bedtime was NOT a good idea. I awakened in a cold
sweat from a horrible nightmare that involved tornadoes- one had passed over my place of work about 10 days
before as I gaped like Gomer Pyle at the sight through our large windows (not the most intelligent place to choose
to stand I may add). It apparently traumatized me enough for my subconscious to yank it out for my nightmare
when my body was assaulted with jungle barbecue sauce right before bedtime (so there, you ignorant human! What
do you expect when you do this to your body!?).
Unable to rest anymore, I lay there in a sweat and calmed myself down by going over The Plan for the day (eat in
the room, early entry Magic Kingdom, boat to Fort Wilderness to look around and have lunch, nap, Epcot for
Illuminations). I try to see the night shows/fireworks early in the trip in case of bad weather or any snafus.
That way we have time to try again rather than be disappointed on a final night.
The plan worked out pretty well- it was overcast and comfortable. We had a goal of seeing Carousel of Progress
after it opened at 11:00 a.m. (missed on our last trip) so until that time we rode Tomorrowland Transit Authority,
Small World, fastpass to the Winnie the Pooh ride, Splash Mountain, fastpass for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
(which helped to blow dry us after the drenching we both got on Splash Mountain), Pirates of the Caribbean and
a rest stop where Adventureland and Frontierland meet near the railroad. A baby bunny was eaten grass a mere 3
feet from me fearlessly- so adorable- a little Thumper!
We then took the train for a full loop and a half to finish drying my hair and got off in Toontown for the quiet walk
on the side pathway to Tomorrowland to see Carousel of Progress (love it, hope it stays forever!). We exited by
Main Street before noon, people watching along the way to the boat launch to Fort Wilderness. It was a lovely ride
with a great view of Wilderness Lodge (see you again in December, Wilderness Lodge!). We have never been to
Fort Wilderness and this is our 7th trip to Disney World! We really enjoyed looking around and had a great lunch
at Trails End Buffet - we really tore into it, will we ever learn? We really enjoyed it and it is a great bargain. Our
server, Donnell, was a show all by himself and took great care of us. We got unending drinks and the days all you
can eat menu included beef barley soup, cornbread, chili, rolls, nice salad section with spring greens (no brown
iceberg lettuce here), fruits, deli sandwiches, wraps, beans, slaw, rice, nacho mix with chips, corn, cherry and
apple cobblers, etc. Whew!
We left very happy and determined to come back. We walked through the stables and saw the Belgian and
Percherons- the stall doors had their names, breed, age and the amount of hay and feed they got twice daily. The
lovely Welsh ponies were being harnessed and hooves being dressed for the Magical Moments parade (I assumed
anyway)- what lovely ponies they are; all are white or gray and the black harness looks very sharp on them. We
passed the petting zoo where the famous Minnie Moo is (Holstein cow with a natural hidden mickey on her side)
and a number of peacocks are about and in the trees surrounding the area. We walked under an archway of
gardenias by a tower of blooming confederate jasmine- the scent was intoxicating!
We checked out the trading post and I purchased some thick soled socks. A little sidebar here- I had chosen some
well broken-in shoes to wear that day that had sadly passed that stage into rotten sneaker stage. Add into
the mix some socks that were too worn also and I had some major discomfort starting up. A decent thick-soled pair
of socks, some moleskin and a change of shoes at the room later saved the day. It may sound like I dressed like a
hobo, but I swear I wasnt that bad to look at (well, no one tossed coins at me when I stood still anyway!). Learn by
my mistake and wear great socks! Nuff said!
Anyhoo, we took the boat back to Magic Kingdom and went right to a waiting resort bus to take us to Riverside for
a nap for a couple of hours (alright, alright! We shared a Mickey ice cream bar!). I called housekeeping for more
pillows which arrived quickly at our door followed shortly by our previous days purchases. Our housekeeper had
left us scads of moisturizer, shampoo, and soaps per my request by note with her daily tip (held in an Eeyore
beanies hooves, no less!).
We left for Epcot prepared for showers with some ponchos and small umbrellas in our backpack- if it rained it
would not be the first time we had watched Illuminations in the rain. We started out riding on Spaceship Earth (a
tradition with us upon entering Epcot the first time each trip) and then got a paper cone of cinnamon glazed pecans
as we walked towards Mexico for our Illuminations viewing spot.
At about 6:45 we got a lagoon side table at Cantina de San Angel that from the looks of things should be a great
spot. I spent the time before the 9:00 show writing notes and drinking lime margaritas Earl brought me as he
wandered about, finding the smoking area and watching some of Tapestry of Nations. The initial layered margarita
was not my favorite, the lime turned into an addiction. We shared a combination meal that had a cheese quesadilla,
beans, taco al cabon, and burrito and had another margarita, then another, well, you get the drift. The time did go
fast and the people watching was fascinating. The last minute people started gathering and jockeying around us,
but I was determined to hold our little spot of turf.
It was the best view we have ever had of Illuminations; we have done the cruise, the secret garden, UK bench
and the Rose and Crown patio, but this was by far the best view ever. Wind conditions favored us, so I can see if
the wind blew our way I would not have been as happy. The crowd around us didnt get too bad, only one childs
tennis shoe kicking me in the back as his mother held him while trying to lean over me!
Afterwards, we let the initial wave of people exit and then slowly walked out by way of the walkway by the Odyssey
restaurant which wasnt as crowded. Instead of the usual bus melee, we hopped right into a cab and did a Test
Track caliber race to our resort- we were there in less time that it would have taken to have gotten on a bus (from
our past experience) for the amount of $7.50 plus tip, well worth it to us. Still in our own little Margarita World,
we stopped at the lounge for, you guessed it, another margarita each!
We took the longer route back to our room by way of the main pool which is lovely, down to the leaf imprints in
the concrete around it. Back at the room, we turned in for some much needed sleep.
Tomorrow- Epcot, Marrakesh Restaurant, E-ride Night at Magic Kindgom
Just kidding, those margaritas from Mexico are AWESOME!! 
