Today was Sunday, and we had a 10:30 ressie for the Gospel Brunch at House of Blues, which I really looked forward to. But first, I had a 9:30 meeting with Mad4themouse to pass along the Pal Mickey. We agreed to meet at the BC lobby.
So we dressed in casual Sundayish clothes for the brunch, and I bussed to BC, while my family continued to get ready and agreed to meet at HOB. I walked to MK and got on the BC resort bus. It was so hot already that morning (this was back on July 11), and I was grateful I packed shorts and a tank in my daybag so I would be able to change after the brunch. I got to the BC, went in, and looked around. I'd seen Mad4themouse in her posted pic, so I knew what she looked like. And suddenly, there she was! What a nice young lady! We were thrilled to meet, and we talked for quite a while there in the lobby. I'm proud of her for prominently wearing her Home Depot Mickey head LOL! I hadn't seen any at all before this.
I met her handsome son and sweet little niece, too. It was a very pleasant meet, and it goes to show the kind of people here on the Dis...decent wonderful families. I would have loved to have stayed longer, but I had to get going to HOB. Mad4themouse signed my autograph book and wrote how lovely it was meeting me, how sweet is that! See you back on the Dis, and then I was off to Downtown Disney.
I called my sons on my cell, and they were just getting on the bus from the CR----without my mom! Well, it seems that mom was taking a little too long getting ready, and Chad complained about not wanting to be late for the brunch. I can't blame him, considering how we totally missed the Princess Breakfast, through no one's fault. Mom didn't appreciate being rushed, she definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed because she is usually an easy traveler, but not this morning LOL! She told them to go ahead if they wanted, that she would catch up, so they left. This was mom's first time at WDW, but now she was a pro at getting around and didn't need escorts! I'm being sarcastic, but she really was a nudge that day!
I got to DD, got on the HOB line, and was glad I dressed for a Sunday, because most of the people there were dressed very nicely. After a few minutes, Chad and Jesse came along, and a few minutes after that, here comes mom. She must have been right behind them. She was in good spirits, proud of herself for getting there on her own, and everything was back to normal.
The door opened at 10:15, and we all went in. Wow, what a place House of Blues is. I'd never been in one, but it was a sight to see. The doorway was like a church, with a New Orleans flair, very cool. It was darkish inside, and it was smaller than I thought. There were buffett tables set up parallel to the bar, and the food was extremely varied and abundant. From shrimp to pancakes to roast beef to plain ole bagels, it was a feast. OUr tickets had our table number/seat #, and we were at a large round table right up against the stage. There was another family of 3 that came shortky after we got there, and it was awkward at first because after I said hello, they didn't say a word to us AT ALL. I wasn't used to eating at a table with strangers, so i didn't know the protocol, but I assumed small talk was common. But then I saw the mother take out an 5X7 frame with a young girl's photo in it. She put it on the table, and I thought Oh God, that must be a child she lost, because she then started weeping.
The singers came out on stage and tried to get the crowd going, singing worship and praise songs. It was very moving. Some people stood up and clapped along to the singing. Many people were going back to the buffett for seconds and thirds, and I ate so much that my pants felt tight on my tummy. I took my day bag and achenged into my comfy park shorts, and no one gave me a glance. I was starting to feel the mood, and I was moved to stand and clap. And to my surprise, Chad did, also! This was so unlike him, but hey, when the spirit moves you, boy, you got to move...as the song says!
The breakfast/entertainment was about 90 minutes long. Some Disers have asked me if being too close to the stage was too noisy, but it was just fine, in my opinion.
When the singers wished us all a blessed day and said goodbye, people started to leave, and I tried to make eye contact with the family seated with us, but I couldn't because they just would not even look at us. I just wanted to say have a nice day or something, but I guess they were in their private world and needed to be left alone. I hope they felt some peace after the very spiritual messages of the singing.
We then headed out of DD and browsed in some of the stores, not buying anything. There's a magnet store with hundreds of magnets, and mom couldn't find even one that she liked and she's a magnet collecter! LOL! WE went over to MK to be there for the Share A Dream Come True parade. We took our time because we were so full. We all highly recommend this brunch. Mom isn't into churchy things and/or Gospel music (my kids and I are bigtime), but she enjoyed it very much. And the food was excellent.
At MK, we were disappointed that IASW was down for refurb. I know it's a nightmare to many folks, but c'mon it's a tradition! And I wanted to see the puppet that holds the "help" sign! Scary!
We did lots of rides, strolled a lot, saw many characters walking around, I got to call Captain Hook a codfish again, and he looked like he was going to come after me! Fun fun fun!
When we were at WDW 2 years ago, we found a great spot in back of the Kodak store with a dark theater showing old old Disney cartoons, and it was empty. We sat there for more than an hour, cooling off, napping, watching the movies, and it was a great secret place. I really wanted to go there again, not too many people know it even exists, but it just didn't work out. No matter how many times we go to WDW, there's just no time to do everything we want. One other thing I was looking for was the hand-dipped ice cream place. If I remember correctly, on a previuos visit, I got an ice cream cone which the CM dipped in fudge sauce right there in front of me, and it was delicious. I just could not remember where it was in the MK. It must have been on Main Street, but no luck. If anyone knows, please let me know!
This was our last park day, as the next night we were leaving for home and planned on spending the day at DQ. We saw the parade, but it was so so crowded. It was great anyway. We went to gepetto's to eat a small bite. Then we left MK for a rest. We wanted to go back out later and close one of the parks, probably MGM, we thought. We still hadn't been to AK, which was a major disappointment for us. The days just went by too fast and we couldn't seem to squeeze it in. Next time, for sure! Gotta get my Tarzan fix, yeah baby!
We monorailed back to the CR and rode in the front again! I noticed people looking at us like we were special or something, and I realized that they didn't know anyone could ride in the front just by waiting their turn. We had driver Kyle again, and asked him if he knew Tyler. He said he didn't. The Disney busses are good transport, but the monorail is fun. It was nice to just get off and be right there in the CR, without having to walk up a hill to a resort. It always seems like the bus stops and downhill, and after a long day, walking uphill to the resort hurts! So we just got off the monorail, and zipped up to our room. We spent time lounging on the balcony, enjoying the view, and we could actually see the Tree of Life to the left at AK all theway in the distance. Then it got very cloudy, suddenly, and a big rain strom hit. It was fierce! The wind was awesome, and we left the balcony door open for as long as we could just to feel the effect of the wind blowing like crazy into the room. Below, we saw things blowing around, and people sitting in their cars waiting it out. The rain started not as drops, but bang, intense. We closed the sliding glass door, and just relaxed as mother nature did her thing. After 30 minutes, it stopped, and after an hour, the clouds parted enough to see the sun beginning to go down. It was getting late, so we freshened up and left for MGM.
We had no more PSs, so we were free do go wherever we wanted at whatever time we wanted. One thing I'd do differently is plan my PSs better. This is one of the reasons we didn't get to AK, because my PS times and days blocked AK out.
We ended up hopping from MGM to Epcot, savoring the last time we'd be there for a while. We love Epcot, and reminisced again about Tapestry
It was a laid back night. My son Chad is a very patriotic American, and in the American Pavillion, he was in his element. He loved the Mark Twain/Ben Franklin show, we all did. These characters, as well as the Presidents at MK, look so real. There were singers in the atrium, singing classic American folk songs from revolutionary times, and it was nice.
In China, during the 360 movie, I laid down on the floor and watched it like that. There were hardly any people there, so I felt comfortable enough that I wouldn't be raising eyebrows. In France, we got Belle's autograph and she signed for the Beast, too. I bought a bottle of wine in Italy, but only because a nice Italian CM told me I was bella. Ok, I'm easy!
We stayed for Illuminations, and we were so glad we had seen it earlier in the week from the cruise. No matter how you see it, it's a spectacle. The evening was over, and we monorailed back to CR, where the evening was beginning again!
The gift shops were still open, and people were roaming around, reminding me of my city that never sleeps. People were in the Outer Rim lounge conversing and having drinks, and mom and I went ovet to a sitting area near there and had a little something to drink, while Chad and Jesse went to the arcade which is open 24 hours. I can't say enough how I love the energy of the Contemporary. The seats were so comfy, plunge-like, and it was going to be difficult leaving to go back to our room. I could have fallen asleep right there, by the big window, with people walking around, with the monorail whooshing, with the scent of food coming from the restaurants. We still hadn't used the pool here, but I'm determined to stay at CR again . We were only there for 2 nights, but it felt like longer. It really seeped into us. Can you tell I love CR?
We went back to the room, and Chad and Jesse came in for our mugs. They wanted one last refill for the night. They really just wanted to roam around some more!
We put Crissa on the TV. Oh, the turndown mousekeeper did a lovely job, leaving chocolates, and another towel animal on the bed. She arranged our little stuffed animals in cute poses on the bed. We had a plush Stitch with us, representing DH who wasn't with us this trip, and we found Stitch holding 2 Disney DVD movies. We showered, and noticed a towel shaped like an octopus in the bathroom! The CR bathrooms are very large, I have to add.
Morning wake up to be at 7, our last day at WDW. I packed us up, and we sat up for a long time on the bed talking and reliving our magical vacation, dreading tomorrow when we had to go back to NY.
So we dressed in casual Sundayish clothes for the brunch, and I bussed to BC, while my family continued to get ready and agreed to meet at HOB. I walked to MK and got on the BC resort bus. It was so hot already that morning (this was back on July 11), and I was grateful I packed shorts and a tank in my daybag so I would be able to change after the brunch. I got to the BC, went in, and looked around. I'd seen Mad4themouse in her posted pic, so I knew what she looked like. And suddenly, there she was! What a nice young lady! We were thrilled to meet, and we talked for quite a while there in the lobby. I'm proud of her for prominently wearing her Home Depot Mickey head LOL! I hadn't seen any at all before this.
I met her handsome son and sweet little niece, too. It was a very pleasant meet, and it goes to show the kind of people here on the Dis...decent wonderful families. I would have loved to have stayed longer, but I had to get going to HOB. Mad4themouse signed my autograph book and wrote how lovely it was meeting me, how sweet is that! See you back on the Dis, and then I was off to Downtown Disney.
I called my sons on my cell, and they were just getting on the bus from the CR----without my mom! Well, it seems that mom was taking a little too long getting ready, and Chad complained about not wanting to be late for the brunch. I can't blame him, considering how we totally missed the Princess Breakfast, through no one's fault. Mom didn't appreciate being rushed, she definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed because she is usually an easy traveler, but not this morning LOL! She told them to go ahead if they wanted, that she would catch up, so they left. This was mom's first time at WDW, but now she was a pro at getting around and didn't need escorts! I'm being sarcastic, but she really was a nudge that day!
I got to DD, got on the HOB line, and was glad I dressed for a Sunday, because most of the people there were dressed very nicely. After a few minutes, Chad and Jesse came along, and a few minutes after that, here comes mom. She must have been right behind them. She was in good spirits, proud of herself for getting there on her own, and everything was back to normal.
The door opened at 10:15, and we all went in. Wow, what a place House of Blues is. I'd never been in one, but it was a sight to see. The doorway was like a church, with a New Orleans flair, very cool. It was darkish inside, and it was smaller than I thought. There were buffett tables set up parallel to the bar, and the food was extremely varied and abundant. From shrimp to pancakes to roast beef to plain ole bagels, it was a feast. OUr tickets had our table number/seat #, and we were at a large round table right up against the stage. There was another family of 3 that came shortky after we got there, and it was awkward at first because after I said hello, they didn't say a word to us AT ALL. I wasn't used to eating at a table with strangers, so i didn't know the protocol, but I assumed small talk was common. But then I saw the mother take out an 5X7 frame with a young girl's photo in it. She put it on the table, and I thought Oh God, that must be a child she lost, because she then started weeping.
The singers came out on stage and tried to get the crowd going, singing worship and praise songs. It was very moving. Some people stood up and clapped along to the singing. Many people were going back to the buffett for seconds and thirds, and I ate so much that my pants felt tight on my tummy. I took my day bag and achenged into my comfy park shorts, and no one gave me a glance. I was starting to feel the mood, and I was moved to stand and clap. And to my surprise, Chad did, also! This was so unlike him, but hey, when the spirit moves you, boy, you got to move...as the song says!
The breakfast/entertainment was about 90 minutes long. Some Disers have asked me if being too close to the stage was too noisy, but it was just fine, in my opinion.
When the singers wished us all a blessed day and said goodbye, people started to leave, and I tried to make eye contact with the family seated with us, but I couldn't because they just would not even look at us. I just wanted to say have a nice day or something, but I guess they were in their private world and needed to be left alone. I hope they felt some peace after the very spiritual messages of the singing.
We then headed out of DD and browsed in some of the stores, not buying anything. There's a magnet store with hundreds of magnets, and mom couldn't find even one that she liked and she's a magnet collecter! LOL! WE went over to MK to be there for the Share A Dream Come True parade. We took our time because we were so full. We all highly recommend this brunch. Mom isn't into churchy things and/or Gospel music (my kids and I are bigtime), but she enjoyed it very much. And the food was excellent.
At MK, we were disappointed that IASW was down for refurb. I know it's a nightmare to many folks, but c'mon it's a tradition! And I wanted to see the puppet that holds the "help" sign! Scary!
We did lots of rides, strolled a lot, saw many characters walking around, I got to call Captain Hook a codfish again, and he looked like he was going to come after me! Fun fun fun!
When we were at WDW 2 years ago, we found a great spot in back of the Kodak store with a dark theater showing old old Disney cartoons, and it was empty. We sat there for more than an hour, cooling off, napping, watching the movies, and it was a great secret place. I really wanted to go there again, not too many people know it even exists, but it just didn't work out. No matter how many times we go to WDW, there's just no time to do everything we want. One other thing I was looking for was the hand-dipped ice cream place. If I remember correctly, on a previuos visit, I got an ice cream cone which the CM dipped in fudge sauce right there in front of me, and it was delicious. I just could not remember where it was in the MK. It must have been on Main Street, but no luck. If anyone knows, please let me know!
This was our last park day, as the next night we were leaving for home and planned on spending the day at DQ. We saw the parade, but it was so so crowded. It was great anyway. We went to gepetto's to eat a small bite. Then we left MK for a rest. We wanted to go back out later and close one of the parks, probably MGM, we thought. We still hadn't been to AK, which was a major disappointment for us. The days just went by too fast and we couldn't seem to squeeze it in. Next time, for sure! Gotta get my Tarzan fix, yeah baby!
We monorailed back to the CR and rode in the front again! I noticed people looking at us like we were special or something, and I realized that they didn't know anyone could ride in the front just by waiting their turn. We had driver Kyle again, and asked him if he knew Tyler. He said he didn't. The Disney busses are good transport, but the monorail is fun. It was nice to just get off and be right there in the CR, without having to walk up a hill to a resort. It always seems like the bus stops and downhill, and after a long day, walking uphill to the resort hurts! So we just got off the monorail, and zipped up to our room. We spent time lounging on the balcony, enjoying the view, and we could actually see the Tree of Life to the left at AK all theway in the distance. Then it got very cloudy, suddenly, and a big rain strom hit. It was fierce! The wind was awesome, and we left the balcony door open for as long as we could just to feel the effect of the wind blowing like crazy into the room. Below, we saw things blowing around, and people sitting in their cars waiting it out. The rain started not as drops, but bang, intense. We closed the sliding glass door, and just relaxed as mother nature did her thing. After 30 minutes, it stopped, and after an hour, the clouds parted enough to see the sun beginning to go down. It was getting late, so we freshened up and left for MGM.
We had no more PSs, so we were free do go wherever we wanted at whatever time we wanted. One thing I'd do differently is plan my PSs better. This is one of the reasons we didn't get to AK, because my PS times and days blocked AK out.
We ended up hopping from MGM to Epcot, savoring the last time we'd be there for a while. We love Epcot, and reminisced again about Tapestry
It was a laid back night. My son Chad is a very patriotic American, and in the American Pavillion, he was in his element. He loved the Mark Twain/Ben Franklin show, we all did. These characters, as well as the Presidents at MK, look so real. There were singers in the atrium, singing classic American folk songs from revolutionary times, and it was nice. In China, during the 360 movie, I laid down on the floor and watched it like that. There were hardly any people there, so I felt comfortable enough that I wouldn't be raising eyebrows. In France, we got Belle's autograph and she signed for the Beast, too. I bought a bottle of wine in Italy, but only because a nice Italian CM told me I was bella. Ok, I'm easy!
We stayed for Illuminations, and we were so glad we had seen it earlier in the week from the cruise. No matter how you see it, it's a spectacle. The evening was over, and we monorailed back to CR, where the evening was beginning again!
The gift shops were still open, and people were roaming around, reminding me of my city that never sleeps. People were in the Outer Rim lounge conversing and having drinks, and mom and I went ovet to a sitting area near there and had a little something to drink, while Chad and Jesse went to the arcade which is open 24 hours. I can't say enough how I love the energy of the Contemporary. The seats were so comfy, plunge-like, and it was going to be difficult leaving to go back to our room. I could have fallen asleep right there, by the big window, with people walking around, with the monorail whooshing, with the scent of food coming from the restaurants. We still hadn't used the pool here, but I'm determined to stay at CR again . We were only there for 2 nights, but it felt like longer. It really seeped into us. Can you tell I love CR?
We went back to the room, and Chad and Jesse came in for our mugs. They wanted one last refill for the night. They really just wanted to roam around some more!
We put Crissa on the TV. Oh, the turndown mousekeeper did a lovely job, leaving chocolates, and another towel animal on the bed. She arranged our little stuffed animals in cute poses on the bed. We had a plush Stitch with us, representing DH who wasn't with us this trip, and we found Stitch holding 2 Disney DVD movies. We showered, and noticed a towel shaped like an octopus in the bathroom! The CR bathrooms are very large, I have to add.
Morning wake up to be at 7, our last day at WDW. I packed us up, and we sat up for a long time on the bed talking and reliving our magical vacation, dreading tomorrow when we had to go back to NY.
