Mike Jones
<font color=993300>....nothing clever to say... ju
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,372
The Cast: Mike (39/40) & Scott (43), temporary escapees from their respective families.
Day 3 Monday 14th June 2004 - MY 40TH BIRTHDAY!! Broken Egg Breakfast, Back to Epcot, Jellyrolls
Weather: Clear skies to start, soon hot & sunny. Started raining on & off mid pm, with a couple of heavy downpours, but no repeat of the endless storms of earlier.
Option A: The pocket-size version!
Up at 6:15, left Scott to sleep off his hangover, walked the beach to watch the sunrise, breakfast at the Broken Egg, checked out, back to Hotel, bus to TTC and monorail to Epcot, stayed until illuminations, jellyrolls until 1200, taxi back to BW, LBV.
Option B : Encyclopaedia Britannica in hardback!
After my early hours encounter with Scott trying to commune with aliens hiding in the toilet bowl (unsuccessful, but his language skills sound very authentic!) I wake to my alarm at 0615 and get quickly dressed. It's already on the hot side of warm as I walk the short distance across the street to the beach access.
There are very few people around this morning, and I make my way to the hard packed sand at the edge of the waves, and head south towards the public beach area. The local fauna are putting on a good show today, and I enjoy the sight of small, crane-like birds and 3 pelicans looking for their breakfast. To complete the display, a flypast is organised by what looks like a flock of green parrots/parakeets!
In December I walked this way at sunrise, and the sun was almost due south first thing. Now, 6 months later, it rises in the true east, away to my left, above the centre of the island. I take plenty of photos, aware that many of them may not turn out due to the low light levels.
Arriving at the Public Beach area after about a mile, I use the one of lifeguards' huts as a tripod to take some self portraits - doing my best 'Billy-no-mates' impression to the few power-walkers and joggers passing by!
It truly is a lovely morning and I have a beaming smile stuck on my face -I must have looked slightly deranged as I make my way back towards the village for breakfast!
I cut off the beach a little early, about 1/2 mile from the centre, pausing to photograph a beach house Id love to own next to the access point we used at Christmas, & have a nostalgic look at (& photograph) our Christmas 03 apartment. 10 minutes later, at 07:35, I arrive at The Broken Egg (http://www.thebrokenegg.com ) just north of the village bars in a quiet side street.
Unlike Christmas, when there were typically 12-15 people outside at opening time, the place is quiet. I stick my head indoors and one of the owners invites me to select any table I want, inside or out. Patio for me - it's not uncomfortably warm yet, and I like the greenery of the garden setting outside. You can nosey at newcomers, too!
I order a large OJ, coffee, and a 'Broken Egg Breakfast' - ham, bacon or sausage (ham please), eggs (over-easy), toast (white) and their scrummy hash browns (made with cream!)
It is superb, and I resist the temptation to linger by ordering Danish or cakes, as I am still slightly delicate from last night's merry-making (although, as Scott will confirm, I never miss breakfast!) and anyway, I really should pop back and make sure buddy-boy hasn't swallowed his tongue or anything! The check is $11 and I leave 15.
Walking back from breakfast, I remember the missing brolly saga from last night. I know that the Daiquiri Deck doesn't open until 11:00am, and I am convinced my high-tech, carbon-fibre and fibre-glass, Jack Wolfskin, lightweight, storm proof, vented umbrella (alright, enough already - they get the picture! You like the brolly, yeah?!) will be gracing some scum-bag's lobby, but I cross the road to see if anyone is up and about, maybe cleaning up. I am delighted to see my precious leaning casually against the steps at the side of the bar, where I presumably placed it last night! Oops! It is in full view of the street, which although quiet, is by no means empty, and I am ashamed of my presumptions! I sling it happily over my shoulder and walk on.
I wander back to our accommodation, which is set just off 'Calle Miramar', coincidentally the address of our house next Easter.
Curious to see if it looks as good as the landlords' web pics, I follow the street less than 200 yards before I find it. It looks great, and I can hardly wait to return next year. I take a couple of pics and return to the room by about 8:15. Scott's not in any distress, and snoring well, so I leave him to dream while I sit outside by the pool to catch up on my notes. Back inside, I dig out the 'do not open til Monday 14th' pack from my case and open my birthday cards. I must admit to a tear or two as I open the ones from Heather and especially the kids. They suddenly feel a very long way away! I line them up on the bed, facing Scott, so he won't forget what day it is when he finally surfaces, and take a shower. I dress, pin one of my 40 today! badges from the cards onto my T-shirt and then pack my things noisily enough that he wakes up, and, surprisingly, he's in pretty good shape! He would certainly not have enjoyed breakfast, but I reckon he'll be near 100% by the afternoon, and all we need do before then is drive back to Orlando. I'll drive, so he can cat-nap!
Although a bit early to catch the kids (still at school) I phone home to talk to Heather and then ring my mum and dad who have only just returned from Croatia today.
We recover the rest of Kens beer from the fridge, check out, and are on the road home by 09:30. Its already hot, 92 degrees, but we set off with the roof off! As predicted, I drive and Scott snoozes intermittently hes very discreet, sitting bolt upright, and, as hes wearing shades, I can only tell when I point something out to him and he doesnt respond! The journey passes without event it stays hot, ranging from 92 97 degrees, but no threat of cloud or rain this early. We take the I75 North 45-50 miles or so to the I4 East, where, to be honest, I expect some delays, as we saw some long tailbacks as we passed the other way yesterday. The gods are smiling on us though, and we proceed at normal speed, although, perversely, we see jams on the opposite side going towards Tampa! Oh well, it is my birthday! We land back at the LBV hotel at 11:50, and cart our surplus gear up to the 10th floor. We both phone our kids, before going back downstairs at 12:15 . although not for the last time, we could have been down a little earlier .Ill explain . Have you heard of Pavlovs dogs? They were conditioned to respond to stimuli, most notably the ringing of a bell before their food was served. After a while, they would start to salivate at the sound of a bell, whether food was presented or not. Well, Scott and I have a Pavlovian response in elevators! Every time a lift door opens, we exit. And I mean every time! Typically, we climb aboard on the 10th floor, hit L for Lobby, and, when someone elses page stops us at, say level 6, or even 9, we climb out! AARRGGHH!! Occasionally we dive back in again, muttering apologies to the puzzled, new occupants. Most often we linger purposefully, pretending we meant to exit, until the doors close and we can call another lift. You have to be careful though, because if you hit the button too quickly, the same lift doors open and then the occupants really think youre a pair of lunatics! They generally retreat into the farthest corner and stare at us, while we grin inanely, trying to look harmless (have you seen Scott in a bandana and shades? Check out the bottom left of the Indiana show shot yesterday!) until we reach the relative safety of the lobby!
If we did this trick once we did it 6 or 7 times at the Best Western, LBV the only reason we didnt do it at Siesta Key was the absence of lifts! And, later in the week, we do matinees at the Royal Pacific! (Bit harder there, as we only have 5 floors to **** it up, but, like true professionals, we rise to the challenge!)
However, I digress. We sort ourselves out and wait under the canopy in front of the lobby for one of the courtesy buses the plan today calls for a potentially late night at the Boardwalk after a few drinks around the World Showcase, so we elect not to drive. The Best Western is not a true Disney Hotel, but a Disney Good Neighbour Hotel. There are 5 or 6 I think, in the Downtown Disney/Lake Buena Vista area, and they provide a pretty good alternative to the Dis buses, with a regular fleet of coaches running between the hotels and the various parks. For info, they are every 20-30 minutes during the day, and, for the return trip, they presently operate from the number 26 stop at the park bus stations.
As we are waiting, a family of four appear from the lobby, obviously having checked out, accompanied by a bellhop pushing a trolley of perhaps 8 cases and large parcels. A valet rolls up in their car a Chrysler Neon! Scott looks at the pile of cases, mentally measures the capacity of the trunk and says, deadpan but not too quietly: This I must see! We are royally entertained for 5 minutes or so before the bus arrives! We left them trying to thread their camel and climbed aboard.
Actually, the first bus to arrive, about 1230, is headed to the TTC, for Magic Kingdom visitors, and as the driver isnt sure how long the Epcot bus will be, we jump on so that we can transfer to Epcot via the Monorail.
The driver takes a new (to me) and fairly convoluted route to the Ticket & Transportation Centre, although it seems efficient and doesnt take long at all. Several buses have just offloaded their passengers at the TTC, and there is a steady stream of newly parked car users flowing in. However, 95% of them are headed for the Magic Kingdom, and the Epcot Monorail ramp is virtually empty we walk briskly up, as there appears to be a train in station, and jump straight on.
We enter Epcots hallowed portals about 1:15pm after the usual, but still exciting loop through Future World on the Monorail. The female security guard spots my 40th badge as she checks our bags and asks me to confirm that it is my birthday. Whats your name, honey? Mike I reply. She then bellows to the CMs and guests in adjacent lines: Hey, everybody, we have a birthday boy here! Everyone say Happy Birthday to Mike! Everyone yells back: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! Then the guard says: Here, Mike, I have a little gift for you, and presents me with an Epcot Birthday Pin, which I attach proudly to my shirt!
For the rest of the day I am wished a happy birthday by a majority of the Cast members we encounter! Just a little thing, and easily done, but what a fantastic bit of Disney magic!
We walk directly to TestTrack to see if there are any FPs left, and yes, there are. We pick two up, with a return time of 5:45 6:45pm and find that they also include surprise FPs for Honey I Shrunk The Audience for 2:15 2:30 pm.
Were hungry now, and make our way via the left-hand pathways from the rear of TestTrack to the World showcase in search of lunch. (Happy Birthday! from a couple of CMs along the way!) Scott says he wants to try something other than a burger, so we have a look at the Mexico menu, but nothing tempts. We move on to China, and have a look at the Lotus Blossom Café menu seems good, and we order 2 Shanghai Chicken dishes, plus a strawberry smoothie for Scott and a Chinese beer for moi. $22.07 total. The dish comes with a spring roll apiece and is very good. The drinks are finished in the gardens, where we hear the first sounds of distant rumbling. As it is about 2:00pm now, we decide to use the extra FPs for HISTA and walk back through Norway and Mexico, along the central avenue and left to the theatre. Large, ominous drops of rain are beginning to splat around us, but we make it inside before anything serious develops.
We didnt really need the FastPasses, as there is plenty of room in the pre-show theatre. Im looking forward to True Colours but theyve updated the show. Poo! In we go for the main event, and, even though Ive seen it 5 or 6 times, it still amuses partly, I suppose, because my accomplice has not witnessed it before. We both enjoy it (Id forgotten the escaping mice!) and exit happy. Against expectations, it isnt raining, but hot and sunny, although the humidity seems to be more oppressive than earlier. We bear right and enter the WS at Canada a quick check of the guide confirms that Off Kilter are not playing today, so we have a boy-browse of the Canadian pavilion and shops (smell that, look at that, listen to that, lets go!) before progressing to the United Kingdom. The shops here hold our attention for a little longer, as we compare and convert the dollar price tags to sterling HOW much?
Its 3:00pm now and we see from the timetable that the British Invasion are on soon. Taking seats to the far side of the square we enjoy the boys 3 numbers, which end (perhaps prematurely?) as the heavens open and significant rain starts to fall. It stops within minutes, however guess its going to tease us like this all day and we head anti-clockwise to Japan for the 3:40pm Matsuriza Drummers. At the front of the pavilion is a Japanese Warhorse with suitably garbed warrior rider. People are lining up to have their photo taken when its bladder lets loose people leap for cover as a couple of gallons hit the floor!
We walk over to the temple to see the CMs in huddled discussion, looking across the lake to Spaceship earth, obviously concerned that rain may stop play. Its certainly very breezy now like being inside a large hairdryer! They do eventually start at 3:45, and are as stunning as ever!
Well, it had to come at 3:55 we witness the weird phenomenon of sheets of rain lashing the other side of the lake, almost obscuring the geosphere, while we stand (temporarily) in hot sunshine. It lasts only a minute though, and soon the deluge expands to cover the whole park. We dash into the Japan store for 5 minutes before donning our ponchos (I use a new one, but Scotts heritage forces him to recycle yesterdays! And I paid for them!) and paddling through the body temperature puddles to the US Pavilion, intending to see the 4:15 Voices of Liberty show. We enter the delightfully cool interior of the building, shedding water all over, and catch the end of a South American school band playing superb melodies on an extensive range of hand bells. We sit on the floor under the dome (as recommended by the singers last year, to get the full effect of the acoustics) and watch the bands roadies (3 middle-aged, headmaster types!) efficiently pack up the groups equipment and tables, pushing the laden carts to the rear wall. VOL soon appear, to much applause, performing three, a cappella numbers, competing at times with natures percussion outside - ending with Star Spangled Banner. Wow!
We leave the theatre (most of the crowd inside are heading upstairs to experience the American Adventure but Im worried well fall asleep - again! No reflection on the quality of the production (although it seems just a little sanitized?), its the dark and the air-con that gets me! Too much like a womb!) and discover that the storm has diminished to a light drizzle. We stroll through lightly populated avenues to Italy and Germany where we do a speed browse of the shops. We have more fun at the Outpost, trying on all the daft hats! As we walk away, I am exhorting Scott to drink more water, as he must be dehydrated from last night and I dont remember him going to a restroom in hours. He starts acting the goat, pretending to drink but tipping it over his far shoulder, letting the liquid pour down his poncho whilst gargling that he is drinking! This insolence cant be ignored, so I pour the rest of my bottle over his bare head and we play nice for a couple of minutes!
We arrive at China at 5:10pm, intending to see the Dragon Legend Acrobats again at 5:15, hoping to video their performance this time. We get decent seats on the wide, wooden benches inside the temple theatre and enjoy another outstanding performance the girls repeat their bendy, contortionist stuff and the lads give an excellent reprise of the hat juggling! Unbelievable! See it! I insist!
We wander outside still dry-ish and continue on to Norway, where a quick check reveals a standby time of 15 minutes for Maelstrom, or FP return of 6:10-7:10 pm. We grab the FastPasses and carry on out of WS to TestTrack, hoping to use our existing FPs. Im concerned as we approach the attraction, though its too quiet! We arrive to find that the ride has been down since 4:00pm, due to the extreme weather, and as everyone then in line received a complimentary return-anytime pass, the lines are horrendous! We enter the shop instead, and go through to the GM Motors showroom to have a look at the cars, and it seems surreal we are the only people in there! I dont think anyone who hasnt already ridden TT actually knows how to access this store, and we have the cars to ourselves! My stunning GMC ultimate people carrier from last year has been replaced by a white Hummer all yours for just shy of $50,000! ( a bit of a snip really, as they are around £60,000 imported into the UK!)
We return to the shop and browse I get Heather a Hummer keyring she wanted and a TestTrack cap for Adam.
Its now 5:55. We walk back to Mexico and enter the village store. I havent really appreciated how clever this pavilion is before when you stand at either end and take in the detail, it really does appear to be a night time village scene! A lively band is playing (Los Carnales) in front of the railings separating the restaurant from the shops, fronted by two attractive vocalists. They encourage a succession of young visitors to dance with them we waited ages but they dont ask us! I am greeted by various cast members who wish me a Happy Birthday I am impressed that they can see the badge in this gloom! We watch the volcano erupting beyond the San Angel, which appears busy it seems like a lovely restaurant, but I have an aversion to eating in places where I cant see my food, and here Im not sure Id find the plate!
We set off back to Norway, arriving as our FastPass opens at 6:10. A good move, as the Standby line is now 25 minutes. We are loaded without delay and enjoy our cruise through history and oil rigs. As we dock, we see the doors to the theatre (and exit!) just closing and have to wait in the mock harbour village for 5 minutes or so until the show has finished. (For those who dont know, there is a Norwegian tourist information film shown after the boat-ride. Its probably worth seeing once, but you wont want to do it on subsequent visits). As the doors open, the majority of the crowd, including us, pass straight through to the shop, ignoring the pleas from the CM to stay for the presentation is it only me who feels guilty here?
I like the store at Norway full of expensive Helly Hensen gear and scarily priced knitwear. We experiment with different headgear before leaving!
We go back to TestTrack for another assault it is still chocker, with a 75 minute standby and lines out the door for FastPass. We join the line, but, ominously, the Track is silent again, and the CM on duty confirms she has not heard a car for a few minutes. If they are running, she estimates a 20 minute or so wait from here, so we hand in our tickets. However, after 10 minutes and a few photos of the queuing area, we have moved about 10 feet inside the door, so we request our tickets back (return anytime passes now!) and leave. Were both hungry, so we discuss where wed like to eat dinner. Scott fancies a steak, and although its probably a hopeless cause, I suggest we try a walk-in at Le Cellier in Canada to see if our charm, the fact that there are only two of us, or my birthday pin can swing a table. Not a prayer! The miserable CM (only one weve met) on the door advises that they are completely full for the night and she never wished me a Happy Birthday! We carry on round to Morocco where a quick look at the menu in the tangerine Café looks promising. Scott orders the combo chicken and lamb salad + fries for $12.68 (he didnt really need the fries, and I finished his salad!) and I have the lamb wrap + extra fries (I did need mine!) for $11.61. We sit I the main courtyard, near the archway into the soukh, under a table brolly, as it is still just drizzling, but pleasantly warm.
The food is first class, and we people watch for a while as we eat. The crowds are low medium today, IMO, and the weather has been quite acceptable not oven hot, with the rain refreshing rather than drenching for most of the time. Its about 7:30 now and we walk along the lagoon to Japan, climbing the stairs above the store to admire the view and check if suitable for Illuminations later. We take a few piccies and, as the rain starts to fall a bit more heavily, we don our ponchos once more and head off in search of caffeine. The vendor cart past USA provides Scott has an espresso and I partake of a Depth Charge (tall black coffee with a double espresso added for luck!) By the time we finish this, we seek sanctuary from the rain inside Mexico again (sadly, Los Carnales have gone!) and we ride El Rio Del Tiempo the river of time. Ok, ok, I know, its a bit cheesy, but, if you have to suffer a boat ride with singing, animatronic characters, its far preferable to Its A Small World! And the views back across the San Angel into the village are worth the effort alone!
We exit to find steady rain falling, but its warm. We return to TestTrack for the last time, but its definitely down, so we give it up! We wander into the Plaza to watch the fountain display, and I wish it were dark, because its twice as good then.
Times passing now, its got to 8:45, so we return to the World Showcase to pick a spot for Illuminations. We decide upon the stretch of railings just beyond the Ring Carver at Mexico its an unobstructed view of the lake, the fireworks and gas barges, and there are no overhanging trees. Its also pretty close to the Globe. We chat to a family of four (mum, dad, teen daughters) next to us dad keeps making remarks about how stupid everyone is, standing around in the rain and the dark, so I ask why hes here then? Theyve already said they saw the show last week. He shrugs and points a finger at DD2 ask her! DD smiles, sheepishly, and I know Im in company with a kindred spirit. Poor girl all her future holidays will have to begin or end at this spot!
We pass the 10 and 5 minute countdowns and then, for the second time this trip BOOM . BOOM BOOM .. BOOM . BOOM BOOM.. BOOM. BOOM..WHEEEEE!!! in many ways, this one event is the trip the whole focus of the break was to be here, on my birthday, watching Illuminations. I am complete.
I dont know whether its the viewing position, the louder music or my state of mind, but this is without doubt the best Illuminations display I have ever seen.
All too soon we are walking out to the gentle sound of Promise. We head back towards Canada, passing through the UK and right, before the bridge, to International Gateway. We just miss a boat, and Scott, imagining another lengthy walk wants to wait for the next one. I manage to persuade him that our destinations only a few minutes away, and we carry on, left at the next bridge, towards the Boardwalk. The lights at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts look lovely, reflecting off the lagoon. As we come round the bend, the Boardwalk lights dominate the view its one of my favourite WDW views a little brash, a bit loud, but perfect in this setting.
The decking starts proper just before the ESPN club, which is reasonably busy, although the Boardwalk itself seems very quiet, due no doubt to the weather, which is still damp. We amble beyond the Bakery, Spoodles & the Flying Fish to the gardens in front of the Lobby. I want to show Scott some pieces in the Wyland Gallery, assuming the stock is similar to last Easter and Christmas.
Wyland is a marine artist and sculpture. Some of his stuff is a bit wacky for me, but a lot of it is superb! Have a look at the website: http://www.wylandgalleries.com/
We enter the gallery again, empty we are the only customers (and were not really customers in a heres money, I want to buy things from you! sort of way, but they dont know that!) and the sophisticated looking salesman pounces. The pieces I want to see are the ones with pewter dolphins swimming in clear, Lucite blocks sounds a bit tacky, I know, but if youve seen these beauties youll know exactly what I mean! They are stunning! Anyhow, there are a couple of different ones in the store, but the one that I am most drawn to is called Dolphin Wonder. The salesman thinks we may be live ones, and, anyway, hes nothing else to do, so he displays the piece for us in a side room with subtle top lighting. We actually get to talking $$$ and he ends up knocking me 10% off the gallery price of $4200 Ive got a bargain at just $3780! AND I only need to put half down now! A bit more haggling and hes seeing if he can include shipping and insurance!!
Fun over, as were thirsty now! We take his business card and promise to call back when weve had a think about it! Its about 9:45pm as we carry on to the far right hand end of the Boardwalk, our final destination Jellyrolls!
Ive heard about this bar from many sources and have always wanted to spend a night here. Heather and I stuck our heads in the door last Easter, but it seemed dead and we didnt go in chances are they were just in a bit of a lull before the Illuminations crowd landed!
Cover charge is seven bucks each and we walk into a very pleasant room, about half full, with the pianos going full belt. For those who dont know the venue, it is one, large room on two levels, with two wings, each housing a bar and raised seating area, to either side of the sunken floor in front of a stage. The stage is just large enough for the two grand (mini-grand?) style pianos that look like theyve taken a few knocks and a large, tilted mirror behind, allowing a good view of the pianists from most parts of the room. The floor in front holds perhaps 15 tables plus a line of stools around the edges.
We take one of the few remaining tables on the floor and Scott goes up to the bar (after a few drinks we let the servers come to the table). We both have a draft beer, the bill being $8.50 for which we leave $10 each round.
The boys are in full flow! As we enter they are knocking out Safety Dance before launching into My Girl. More people come in and by 1030 the place is buzzing. The songs just flow we are treated to Brown Eyed Girl, Glory Days, Maggie May . Of course it would be rude not to sing along, and by the following morning I have no voice left at all!
The pianists change, in pairs, on the hour. The second guys comprise an older, aging hippy type with a long grey ponytail, and his younger sidekick. Punters write requests on napkins before handing them up on to the stage, or occasionally throwing them! The chances of being selected seem to increase in direct proportion to the number of dollar bills accompanying your napkin! The pianists are fantastic! They not only produce an authentic rendition of all these popular tunes, they do it while performing vocals, percussion (slamming the hinged top, sometimes with a tambourine, or tapping their mikes! . think We Will Rock You tapmike, tapmike, slamtop, (and repeat!) . Buddy youre a boy make a big noise playing in the streets gonna be a big man some day, ) AND at the same time sorting the requests with one hand and passing them between themselves! Brilliant!
All of a sudden ponytail shouts What time is it? the old hands in the audience yell back: I dont know what time is it? He explains the ritual and asks again, until everyone is paying attention. Apparently, its time for a little audience participation, and we all end up standing, trying to do the Hand Jive ok slow, but at the end .? not a cats!! (A little later he has us doing The Tree!)
A party gets up to go at one point, leaving a table vacant right in front of the stage. Ponytail sets up a ploy whenever anyone sits at that table, in 5 minutes, or an hours time, whatevers going on, the whole audience has to jump to their feet and applaud/scream wildly!
The list of songs grows Roxanne, Paradise by the Dashboard Light (Superb! even the baseball commentary in the middle!!) Then some new arrivals think its their lucky day they take their places at the table! The crowd goes wild! Their faces are a picture!
More songs Country Roads, Great Balls of Fire, 8 Mile by Eminem Unbelievable!! a bit more audience participation, (the Beer song! Every time he sings beer we scream BEER! only he keeps chucking gear etc in to trip us up!) and then the ritual humiliation of a lady whos celebrating her birthday they get her up on stage performing all sorts of daft stunts! I whip my pins off in a flash!
I Wish(those days) (Stevie Wonder), Walking in Memphis Yellow Submarine theres another change of performers and a couple more victims found to exploit Casey and Christa, a pair of honeymooners (who quite frankly didnt look a day over 16, but I suppose they must have had ID to prove 21+!) they get them both on stage, before standing Casey on the piano (eek!) and making him perform the teapot song to us all! Whoops of joy!
Were having a fantastic time, but are both exhausted now. At 12:05 we reluctantly take our leave and head back to the hotel lobby to order a cab. Theres actually one on stand outside, so we hop in and direct him to LBV.
Anyone seen Peter Kay? Bolton comedian? We cant resist I ask Have you been busy then? (muffled sounds of Scott choking in the back!)..oh yeah, he replies, quite a day hes had. What time you on til? (Scott sounds like hes dying, but discretely!) The cabbie clearly forms the opinion that we are lunatics, but probably harmless, relieves us of $11 and deposits us outside our hotel. Its 12:20am. We ascend to our room and have a final beer on the balcony in our underpants before climbing exhausted into our beds at 1:00am. What a birthday!
Mike
Tomorrow: Boma Breakfast, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Planet Hollywood & Jellyrolls again!
Day 3 Monday 14th June 2004 - MY 40TH BIRTHDAY!! Broken Egg Breakfast, Back to Epcot, Jellyrolls
Weather: Clear skies to start, soon hot & sunny. Started raining on & off mid pm, with a couple of heavy downpours, but no repeat of the endless storms of earlier.
Option A: The pocket-size version!
Up at 6:15, left Scott to sleep off his hangover, walked the beach to watch the sunrise, breakfast at the Broken Egg, checked out, back to Hotel, bus to TTC and monorail to Epcot, stayed until illuminations, jellyrolls until 1200, taxi back to BW, LBV.
Option B : Encyclopaedia Britannica in hardback!
After my early hours encounter with Scott trying to commune with aliens hiding in the toilet bowl (unsuccessful, but his language skills sound very authentic!) I wake to my alarm at 0615 and get quickly dressed. It's already on the hot side of warm as I walk the short distance across the street to the beach access.
There are very few people around this morning, and I make my way to the hard packed sand at the edge of the waves, and head south towards the public beach area. The local fauna are putting on a good show today, and I enjoy the sight of small, crane-like birds and 3 pelicans looking for their breakfast. To complete the display, a flypast is organised by what looks like a flock of green parrots/parakeets!
In December I walked this way at sunrise, and the sun was almost due south first thing. Now, 6 months later, it rises in the true east, away to my left, above the centre of the island. I take plenty of photos, aware that many of them may not turn out due to the low light levels.
Arriving at the Public Beach area after about a mile, I use the one of lifeguards' huts as a tripod to take some self portraits - doing my best 'Billy-no-mates' impression to the few power-walkers and joggers passing by!
It truly is a lovely morning and I have a beaming smile stuck on my face -I must have looked slightly deranged as I make my way back towards the village for breakfast!
I cut off the beach a little early, about 1/2 mile from the centre, pausing to photograph a beach house Id love to own next to the access point we used at Christmas, & have a nostalgic look at (& photograph) our Christmas 03 apartment. 10 minutes later, at 07:35, I arrive at The Broken Egg (http://www.thebrokenegg.com ) just north of the village bars in a quiet side street.
Unlike Christmas, when there were typically 12-15 people outside at opening time, the place is quiet. I stick my head indoors and one of the owners invites me to select any table I want, inside or out. Patio for me - it's not uncomfortably warm yet, and I like the greenery of the garden setting outside. You can nosey at newcomers, too!
I order a large OJ, coffee, and a 'Broken Egg Breakfast' - ham, bacon or sausage (ham please), eggs (over-easy), toast (white) and their scrummy hash browns (made with cream!)
It is superb, and I resist the temptation to linger by ordering Danish or cakes, as I am still slightly delicate from last night's merry-making (although, as Scott will confirm, I never miss breakfast!) and anyway, I really should pop back and make sure buddy-boy hasn't swallowed his tongue or anything! The check is $11 and I leave 15.
Walking back from breakfast, I remember the missing brolly saga from last night. I know that the Daiquiri Deck doesn't open until 11:00am, and I am convinced my high-tech, carbon-fibre and fibre-glass, Jack Wolfskin, lightweight, storm proof, vented umbrella (alright, enough already - they get the picture! You like the brolly, yeah?!) will be gracing some scum-bag's lobby, but I cross the road to see if anyone is up and about, maybe cleaning up. I am delighted to see my precious leaning casually against the steps at the side of the bar, where I presumably placed it last night! Oops! It is in full view of the street, which although quiet, is by no means empty, and I am ashamed of my presumptions! I sling it happily over my shoulder and walk on.
I wander back to our accommodation, which is set just off 'Calle Miramar', coincidentally the address of our house next Easter.
Curious to see if it looks as good as the landlords' web pics, I follow the street less than 200 yards before I find it. It looks great, and I can hardly wait to return next year. I take a couple of pics and return to the room by about 8:15. Scott's not in any distress, and snoring well, so I leave him to dream while I sit outside by the pool to catch up on my notes. Back inside, I dig out the 'do not open til Monday 14th' pack from my case and open my birthday cards. I must admit to a tear or two as I open the ones from Heather and especially the kids. They suddenly feel a very long way away! I line them up on the bed, facing Scott, so he won't forget what day it is when he finally surfaces, and take a shower. I dress, pin one of my 40 today! badges from the cards onto my T-shirt and then pack my things noisily enough that he wakes up, and, surprisingly, he's in pretty good shape! He would certainly not have enjoyed breakfast, but I reckon he'll be near 100% by the afternoon, and all we need do before then is drive back to Orlando. I'll drive, so he can cat-nap!
Although a bit early to catch the kids (still at school) I phone home to talk to Heather and then ring my mum and dad who have only just returned from Croatia today.
We recover the rest of Kens beer from the fridge, check out, and are on the road home by 09:30. Its already hot, 92 degrees, but we set off with the roof off! As predicted, I drive and Scott snoozes intermittently hes very discreet, sitting bolt upright, and, as hes wearing shades, I can only tell when I point something out to him and he doesnt respond! The journey passes without event it stays hot, ranging from 92 97 degrees, but no threat of cloud or rain this early. We take the I75 North 45-50 miles or so to the I4 East, where, to be honest, I expect some delays, as we saw some long tailbacks as we passed the other way yesterday. The gods are smiling on us though, and we proceed at normal speed, although, perversely, we see jams on the opposite side going towards Tampa! Oh well, it is my birthday! We land back at the LBV hotel at 11:50, and cart our surplus gear up to the 10th floor. We both phone our kids, before going back downstairs at 12:15 . although not for the last time, we could have been down a little earlier .Ill explain . Have you heard of Pavlovs dogs? They were conditioned to respond to stimuli, most notably the ringing of a bell before their food was served. After a while, they would start to salivate at the sound of a bell, whether food was presented or not. Well, Scott and I have a Pavlovian response in elevators! Every time a lift door opens, we exit. And I mean every time! Typically, we climb aboard on the 10th floor, hit L for Lobby, and, when someone elses page stops us at, say level 6, or even 9, we climb out! AARRGGHH!! Occasionally we dive back in again, muttering apologies to the puzzled, new occupants. Most often we linger purposefully, pretending we meant to exit, until the doors close and we can call another lift. You have to be careful though, because if you hit the button too quickly, the same lift doors open and then the occupants really think youre a pair of lunatics! They generally retreat into the farthest corner and stare at us, while we grin inanely, trying to look harmless (have you seen Scott in a bandana and shades? Check out the bottom left of the Indiana show shot yesterday!) until we reach the relative safety of the lobby!
If we did this trick once we did it 6 or 7 times at the Best Western, LBV the only reason we didnt do it at Siesta Key was the absence of lifts! And, later in the week, we do matinees at the Royal Pacific! (Bit harder there, as we only have 5 floors to **** it up, but, like true professionals, we rise to the challenge!)
However, I digress. We sort ourselves out and wait under the canopy in front of the lobby for one of the courtesy buses the plan today calls for a potentially late night at the Boardwalk after a few drinks around the World Showcase, so we elect not to drive. The Best Western is not a true Disney Hotel, but a Disney Good Neighbour Hotel. There are 5 or 6 I think, in the Downtown Disney/Lake Buena Vista area, and they provide a pretty good alternative to the Dis buses, with a regular fleet of coaches running between the hotels and the various parks. For info, they are every 20-30 minutes during the day, and, for the return trip, they presently operate from the number 26 stop at the park bus stations.
As we are waiting, a family of four appear from the lobby, obviously having checked out, accompanied by a bellhop pushing a trolley of perhaps 8 cases and large parcels. A valet rolls up in their car a Chrysler Neon! Scott looks at the pile of cases, mentally measures the capacity of the trunk and says, deadpan but not too quietly: This I must see! We are royally entertained for 5 minutes or so before the bus arrives! We left them trying to thread their camel and climbed aboard.
Actually, the first bus to arrive, about 1230, is headed to the TTC, for Magic Kingdom visitors, and as the driver isnt sure how long the Epcot bus will be, we jump on so that we can transfer to Epcot via the Monorail.
The driver takes a new (to me) and fairly convoluted route to the Ticket & Transportation Centre, although it seems efficient and doesnt take long at all. Several buses have just offloaded their passengers at the TTC, and there is a steady stream of newly parked car users flowing in. However, 95% of them are headed for the Magic Kingdom, and the Epcot Monorail ramp is virtually empty we walk briskly up, as there appears to be a train in station, and jump straight on.
We enter Epcots hallowed portals about 1:15pm after the usual, but still exciting loop through Future World on the Monorail. The female security guard spots my 40th badge as she checks our bags and asks me to confirm that it is my birthday. Whats your name, honey? Mike I reply. She then bellows to the CMs and guests in adjacent lines: Hey, everybody, we have a birthday boy here! Everyone say Happy Birthday to Mike! Everyone yells back: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! Then the guard says: Here, Mike, I have a little gift for you, and presents me with an Epcot Birthday Pin, which I attach proudly to my shirt!
For the rest of the day I am wished a happy birthday by a majority of the Cast members we encounter! Just a little thing, and easily done, but what a fantastic bit of Disney magic!
We walk directly to TestTrack to see if there are any FPs left, and yes, there are. We pick two up, with a return time of 5:45 6:45pm and find that they also include surprise FPs for Honey I Shrunk The Audience for 2:15 2:30 pm.
Were hungry now, and make our way via the left-hand pathways from the rear of TestTrack to the World showcase in search of lunch. (Happy Birthday! from a couple of CMs along the way!) Scott says he wants to try something other than a burger, so we have a look at the Mexico menu, but nothing tempts. We move on to China, and have a look at the Lotus Blossom Café menu seems good, and we order 2 Shanghai Chicken dishes, plus a strawberry smoothie for Scott and a Chinese beer for moi. $22.07 total. The dish comes with a spring roll apiece and is very good. The drinks are finished in the gardens, where we hear the first sounds of distant rumbling. As it is about 2:00pm now, we decide to use the extra FPs for HISTA and walk back through Norway and Mexico, along the central avenue and left to the theatre. Large, ominous drops of rain are beginning to splat around us, but we make it inside before anything serious develops.
We didnt really need the FastPasses, as there is plenty of room in the pre-show theatre. Im looking forward to True Colours but theyve updated the show. Poo! In we go for the main event, and, even though Ive seen it 5 or 6 times, it still amuses partly, I suppose, because my accomplice has not witnessed it before. We both enjoy it (Id forgotten the escaping mice!) and exit happy. Against expectations, it isnt raining, but hot and sunny, although the humidity seems to be more oppressive than earlier. We bear right and enter the WS at Canada a quick check of the guide confirms that Off Kilter are not playing today, so we have a boy-browse of the Canadian pavilion and shops (smell that, look at that, listen to that, lets go!) before progressing to the United Kingdom. The shops here hold our attention for a little longer, as we compare and convert the dollar price tags to sterling HOW much?
Its 3:00pm now and we see from the timetable that the British Invasion are on soon. Taking seats to the far side of the square we enjoy the boys 3 numbers, which end (perhaps prematurely?) as the heavens open and significant rain starts to fall. It stops within minutes, however guess its going to tease us like this all day and we head anti-clockwise to Japan for the 3:40pm Matsuriza Drummers. At the front of the pavilion is a Japanese Warhorse with suitably garbed warrior rider. People are lining up to have their photo taken when its bladder lets loose people leap for cover as a couple of gallons hit the floor!
We walk over to the temple to see the CMs in huddled discussion, looking across the lake to Spaceship earth, obviously concerned that rain may stop play. Its certainly very breezy now like being inside a large hairdryer! They do eventually start at 3:45, and are as stunning as ever!
Well, it had to come at 3:55 we witness the weird phenomenon of sheets of rain lashing the other side of the lake, almost obscuring the geosphere, while we stand (temporarily) in hot sunshine. It lasts only a minute though, and soon the deluge expands to cover the whole park. We dash into the Japan store for 5 minutes before donning our ponchos (I use a new one, but Scotts heritage forces him to recycle yesterdays! And I paid for them!) and paddling through the body temperature puddles to the US Pavilion, intending to see the 4:15 Voices of Liberty show. We enter the delightfully cool interior of the building, shedding water all over, and catch the end of a South American school band playing superb melodies on an extensive range of hand bells. We sit on the floor under the dome (as recommended by the singers last year, to get the full effect of the acoustics) and watch the bands roadies (3 middle-aged, headmaster types!) efficiently pack up the groups equipment and tables, pushing the laden carts to the rear wall. VOL soon appear, to much applause, performing three, a cappella numbers, competing at times with natures percussion outside - ending with Star Spangled Banner. Wow!
We leave the theatre (most of the crowd inside are heading upstairs to experience the American Adventure but Im worried well fall asleep - again! No reflection on the quality of the production (although it seems just a little sanitized?), its the dark and the air-con that gets me! Too much like a womb!) and discover that the storm has diminished to a light drizzle. We stroll through lightly populated avenues to Italy and Germany where we do a speed browse of the shops. We have more fun at the Outpost, trying on all the daft hats! As we walk away, I am exhorting Scott to drink more water, as he must be dehydrated from last night and I dont remember him going to a restroom in hours. He starts acting the goat, pretending to drink but tipping it over his far shoulder, letting the liquid pour down his poncho whilst gargling that he is drinking! This insolence cant be ignored, so I pour the rest of my bottle over his bare head and we play nice for a couple of minutes!
We arrive at China at 5:10pm, intending to see the Dragon Legend Acrobats again at 5:15, hoping to video their performance this time. We get decent seats on the wide, wooden benches inside the temple theatre and enjoy another outstanding performance the girls repeat their bendy, contortionist stuff and the lads give an excellent reprise of the hat juggling! Unbelievable! See it! I insist!
We wander outside still dry-ish and continue on to Norway, where a quick check reveals a standby time of 15 minutes for Maelstrom, or FP return of 6:10-7:10 pm. We grab the FastPasses and carry on out of WS to TestTrack, hoping to use our existing FPs. Im concerned as we approach the attraction, though its too quiet! We arrive to find that the ride has been down since 4:00pm, due to the extreme weather, and as everyone then in line received a complimentary return-anytime pass, the lines are horrendous! We enter the shop instead, and go through to the GM Motors showroom to have a look at the cars, and it seems surreal we are the only people in there! I dont think anyone who hasnt already ridden TT actually knows how to access this store, and we have the cars to ourselves! My stunning GMC ultimate people carrier from last year has been replaced by a white Hummer all yours for just shy of $50,000! ( a bit of a snip really, as they are around £60,000 imported into the UK!)
We return to the shop and browse I get Heather a Hummer keyring she wanted and a TestTrack cap for Adam.
Its now 5:55. We walk back to Mexico and enter the village store. I havent really appreciated how clever this pavilion is before when you stand at either end and take in the detail, it really does appear to be a night time village scene! A lively band is playing (Los Carnales) in front of the railings separating the restaurant from the shops, fronted by two attractive vocalists. They encourage a succession of young visitors to dance with them we waited ages but they dont ask us! I am greeted by various cast members who wish me a Happy Birthday I am impressed that they can see the badge in this gloom! We watch the volcano erupting beyond the San Angel, which appears busy it seems like a lovely restaurant, but I have an aversion to eating in places where I cant see my food, and here Im not sure Id find the plate!
We set off back to Norway, arriving as our FastPass opens at 6:10. A good move, as the Standby line is now 25 minutes. We are loaded without delay and enjoy our cruise through history and oil rigs. As we dock, we see the doors to the theatre (and exit!) just closing and have to wait in the mock harbour village for 5 minutes or so until the show has finished. (For those who dont know, there is a Norwegian tourist information film shown after the boat-ride. Its probably worth seeing once, but you wont want to do it on subsequent visits). As the doors open, the majority of the crowd, including us, pass straight through to the shop, ignoring the pleas from the CM to stay for the presentation is it only me who feels guilty here?
I like the store at Norway full of expensive Helly Hensen gear and scarily priced knitwear. We experiment with different headgear before leaving!
We go back to TestTrack for another assault it is still chocker, with a 75 minute standby and lines out the door for FastPass. We join the line, but, ominously, the Track is silent again, and the CM on duty confirms she has not heard a car for a few minutes. If they are running, she estimates a 20 minute or so wait from here, so we hand in our tickets. However, after 10 minutes and a few photos of the queuing area, we have moved about 10 feet inside the door, so we request our tickets back (return anytime passes now!) and leave. Were both hungry, so we discuss where wed like to eat dinner. Scott fancies a steak, and although its probably a hopeless cause, I suggest we try a walk-in at Le Cellier in Canada to see if our charm, the fact that there are only two of us, or my birthday pin can swing a table. Not a prayer! The miserable CM (only one weve met) on the door advises that they are completely full for the night and she never wished me a Happy Birthday! We carry on round to Morocco where a quick look at the menu in the tangerine Café looks promising. Scott orders the combo chicken and lamb salad + fries for $12.68 (he didnt really need the fries, and I finished his salad!) and I have the lamb wrap + extra fries (I did need mine!) for $11.61. We sit I the main courtyard, near the archway into the soukh, under a table brolly, as it is still just drizzling, but pleasantly warm.
The food is first class, and we people watch for a while as we eat. The crowds are low medium today, IMO, and the weather has been quite acceptable not oven hot, with the rain refreshing rather than drenching for most of the time. Its about 7:30 now and we walk along the lagoon to Japan, climbing the stairs above the store to admire the view and check if suitable for Illuminations later. We take a few piccies and, as the rain starts to fall a bit more heavily, we don our ponchos once more and head off in search of caffeine. The vendor cart past USA provides Scott has an espresso and I partake of a Depth Charge (tall black coffee with a double espresso added for luck!) By the time we finish this, we seek sanctuary from the rain inside Mexico again (sadly, Los Carnales have gone!) and we ride El Rio Del Tiempo the river of time. Ok, ok, I know, its a bit cheesy, but, if you have to suffer a boat ride with singing, animatronic characters, its far preferable to Its A Small World! And the views back across the San Angel into the village are worth the effort alone!
We exit to find steady rain falling, but its warm. We return to TestTrack for the last time, but its definitely down, so we give it up! We wander into the Plaza to watch the fountain display, and I wish it were dark, because its twice as good then.
Times passing now, its got to 8:45, so we return to the World Showcase to pick a spot for Illuminations. We decide upon the stretch of railings just beyond the Ring Carver at Mexico its an unobstructed view of the lake, the fireworks and gas barges, and there are no overhanging trees. Its also pretty close to the Globe. We chat to a family of four (mum, dad, teen daughters) next to us dad keeps making remarks about how stupid everyone is, standing around in the rain and the dark, so I ask why hes here then? Theyve already said they saw the show last week. He shrugs and points a finger at DD2 ask her! DD smiles, sheepishly, and I know Im in company with a kindred spirit. Poor girl all her future holidays will have to begin or end at this spot!
We pass the 10 and 5 minute countdowns and then, for the second time this trip BOOM . BOOM BOOM .. BOOM . BOOM BOOM.. BOOM. BOOM..WHEEEEE!!! in many ways, this one event is the trip the whole focus of the break was to be here, on my birthday, watching Illuminations. I am complete.
I dont know whether its the viewing position, the louder music or my state of mind, but this is without doubt the best Illuminations display I have ever seen.
All too soon we are walking out to the gentle sound of Promise. We head back towards Canada, passing through the UK and right, before the bridge, to International Gateway. We just miss a boat, and Scott, imagining another lengthy walk wants to wait for the next one. I manage to persuade him that our destinations only a few minutes away, and we carry on, left at the next bridge, towards the Boardwalk. The lights at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts look lovely, reflecting off the lagoon. As we come round the bend, the Boardwalk lights dominate the view its one of my favourite WDW views a little brash, a bit loud, but perfect in this setting.
The decking starts proper just before the ESPN club, which is reasonably busy, although the Boardwalk itself seems very quiet, due no doubt to the weather, which is still damp. We amble beyond the Bakery, Spoodles & the Flying Fish to the gardens in front of the Lobby. I want to show Scott some pieces in the Wyland Gallery, assuming the stock is similar to last Easter and Christmas.
Wyland is a marine artist and sculpture. Some of his stuff is a bit wacky for me, but a lot of it is superb! Have a look at the website: http://www.wylandgalleries.com/
We enter the gallery again, empty we are the only customers (and were not really customers in a heres money, I want to buy things from you! sort of way, but they dont know that!) and the sophisticated looking salesman pounces. The pieces I want to see are the ones with pewter dolphins swimming in clear, Lucite blocks sounds a bit tacky, I know, but if youve seen these beauties youll know exactly what I mean! They are stunning! Anyhow, there are a couple of different ones in the store, but the one that I am most drawn to is called Dolphin Wonder. The salesman thinks we may be live ones, and, anyway, hes nothing else to do, so he displays the piece for us in a side room with subtle top lighting. We actually get to talking $$$ and he ends up knocking me 10% off the gallery price of $4200 Ive got a bargain at just $3780! AND I only need to put half down now! A bit more haggling and hes seeing if he can include shipping and insurance!!
Fun over, as were thirsty now! We take his business card and promise to call back when weve had a think about it! Its about 9:45pm as we carry on to the far right hand end of the Boardwalk, our final destination Jellyrolls!
Ive heard about this bar from many sources and have always wanted to spend a night here. Heather and I stuck our heads in the door last Easter, but it seemed dead and we didnt go in chances are they were just in a bit of a lull before the Illuminations crowd landed!
Cover charge is seven bucks each and we walk into a very pleasant room, about half full, with the pianos going full belt. For those who dont know the venue, it is one, large room on two levels, with two wings, each housing a bar and raised seating area, to either side of the sunken floor in front of a stage. The stage is just large enough for the two grand (mini-grand?) style pianos that look like theyve taken a few knocks and a large, tilted mirror behind, allowing a good view of the pianists from most parts of the room. The floor in front holds perhaps 15 tables plus a line of stools around the edges.
We take one of the few remaining tables on the floor and Scott goes up to the bar (after a few drinks we let the servers come to the table). We both have a draft beer, the bill being $8.50 for which we leave $10 each round.
The boys are in full flow! As we enter they are knocking out Safety Dance before launching into My Girl. More people come in and by 1030 the place is buzzing. The songs just flow we are treated to Brown Eyed Girl, Glory Days, Maggie May . Of course it would be rude not to sing along, and by the following morning I have no voice left at all!
The pianists change, in pairs, on the hour. The second guys comprise an older, aging hippy type with a long grey ponytail, and his younger sidekick. Punters write requests on napkins before handing them up on to the stage, or occasionally throwing them! The chances of being selected seem to increase in direct proportion to the number of dollar bills accompanying your napkin! The pianists are fantastic! They not only produce an authentic rendition of all these popular tunes, they do it while performing vocals, percussion (slamming the hinged top, sometimes with a tambourine, or tapping their mikes! . think We Will Rock You tapmike, tapmike, slamtop, (and repeat!) . Buddy youre a boy make a big noise playing in the streets gonna be a big man some day, ) AND at the same time sorting the requests with one hand and passing them between themselves! Brilliant!
All of a sudden ponytail shouts What time is it? the old hands in the audience yell back: I dont know what time is it? He explains the ritual and asks again, until everyone is paying attention. Apparently, its time for a little audience participation, and we all end up standing, trying to do the Hand Jive ok slow, but at the end .? not a cats!! (A little later he has us doing The Tree!)
A party gets up to go at one point, leaving a table vacant right in front of the stage. Ponytail sets up a ploy whenever anyone sits at that table, in 5 minutes, or an hours time, whatevers going on, the whole audience has to jump to their feet and applaud/scream wildly!
The list of songs grows Roxanne, Paradise by the Dashboard Light (Superb! even the baseball commentary in the middle!!) Then some new arrivals think its their lucky day they take their places at the table! The crowd goes wild! Their faces are a picture!
More songs Country Roads, Great Balls of Fire, 8 Mile by Eminem Unbelievable!! a bit more audience participation, (the Beer song! Every time he sings beer we scream BEER! only he keeps chucking gear etc in to trip us up!) and then the ritual humiliation of a lady whos celebrating her birthday they get her up on stage performing all sorts of daft stunts! I whip my pins off in a flash!
I Wish(those days) (Stevie Wonder), Walking in Memphis Yellow Submarine theres another change of performers and a couple more victims found to exploit Casey and Christa, a pair of honeymooners (who quite frankly didnt look a day over 16, but I suppose they must have had ID to prove 21+!) they get them both on stage, before standing Casey on the piano (eek!) and making him perform the teapot song to us all! Whoops of joy!
Were having a fantastic time, but are both exhausted now. At 12:05 we reluctantly take our leave and head back to the hotel lobby to order a cab. Theres actually one on stand outside, so we hop in and direct him to LBV.
Anyone seen Peter Kay? Bolton comedian? We cant resist I ask Have you been busy then? (muffled sounds of Scott choking in the back!)..oh yeah, he replies, quite a day hes had. What time you on til? (Scott sounds like hes dying, but discretely!) The cabbie clearly forms the opinion that we are lunatics, but probably harmless, relieves us of $11 and deposits us outside our hotel. Its 12:20am. We ascend to our room and have a final beer on the balcony in our underpants before climbing exhausted into our beds at 1:00am. What a birthday!
Mike
Tomorrow: Boma Breakfast, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Planet Hollywood & Jellyrolls again!
I want to go there now!!!
)
Jellyrolls sounds great, we'll be paying a visit in September.
