crcormier
<font color=green>We laughed, as it was quite appr
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,862
I apologize if I ramble at all, I've been up since 4:45 this morning, and just got home from MVMCP with only a 30 minute nap this afternoon.
(For those looking for the short report, read this paragraph, for those who are bored and looking to kill time by reading my ramblings, skip to the next paragraph for the long version. I'm at POR, river view, great room, great beds, nice setup. The weather is clear, but cool, only got to 61 today and is down in the 40s now. MVMCP was mildly crowded, never waited longer than 15 minutes for anything though.)
Well, my first week long solo adventure has begun. My dad woke me up this morning at 4:45 so they could take me to the airport. (I stayed at my folks last night so I could be spared the $90 for park and fly. I love my folks. Especially considering the last time I used park and fly I spent half an hour driving in circles and making primal screams until I saw one of their shuttles and stalked them back to the lot.)
We decided to take the Mass Pike into Logan since it's the easiest way to the airport now, and my parents had never tried it yet. Of course, this morning their was a detour. So after some quick turns and my dad making a few primal grunts of his own, we got back to the Pike and to the airport.
Dropped off, breezed through check in, (gotta love those kiosks.) Waited around for my flight since it was pushed back half an hour to 8:15AM. No big deal. Got off on time and curled up to nap, but they were showing "Elf" on the flight, and I am one of the 18 people in the country who have yet to see it. Cute movie, really sweet, got teary at the end. I love those "see, Santa is real" movies.
Despite the late departure we still got in on time. Looks like they've finally fixed the last of the damage from the hurricanes earlier this year. Got my bags and headed to the curb to wait for the shuttle to EZ Rent-a-car. And waited. And waited. 30 minutes and I finally went in and used the courtesy phone. "Oh, wait at A9, they'll be right there." 20 minutes later they finally were. Grrrrr.... But once we got there, they were nice enough and I got a nice new Nissan Sentra for the week for only $104 so I guess I can't complain that much.
Hmmm, McCoy road, I think I need to go that way? Oh, hey the Florida Mall. Hmmm, where the heck am I? Look kids, Big Ben... Parliament... Hey, McDonald's, I'm hungry. "Gourmet McDonald's"? What? Whatever, just give me a Quarter Pounder meal. Seriously, gourmet McDonald's? Only in Orlando. Oh, and maybe Vegas.
Okay, hey, there's I-4, now I know where to go. On the right track. All right, I'm at Disney. Hey, I see signs for every resort except Port Orleans, what gives? Where am I going? Look kids, Big Ben... Parliament... (Deja vu...) Okay, I know it's near Downtown Disney, let's head that way. Oh, there it is. Funny that they don't have one of those signs for DD resorts at the main entrance like they do for the Epcot and MK resorts. Get myself checked in, get a room key, and into the room about 2PM.
Wow, the room is really nice. Tall beds! Why is that? I had that option buying a bed back home, but I didn't want to be embarassed at having to hop up into my bed. Hey, there's no soap! Or shampoo! What can I steal??? Well, this will be a smelly vacation. No problem, called housekeeping, had 'em two minutes later.
Walked around a little, really nice grounds here, I like the architecture. Now it's time for a nap. Though I'm not that sleepy. But I should lay down for a little, it'll be a late night. Okay, I'll just lay down and check the weather channel. Oh hey, when did that hour go by? It's 3:30, time to head over to the MK for MVMCP.
Hopped in the car and headed over to the TTC. Didn't feel like waiting for the bus. Happy 86. Don't forget it, or you will be very UNhappy. Those tram drivers... They crack me up. Oh look, Big Ben... Parliament....
Movin' in, got my lovely green wristband. Wow, it's crowded. But the weather is nice, somewhere in the low 60s, though I have a sweatshirt and my jacket on since I know it will get cooler later. Let's see, where to... I think I'll just wander around a little... Hmmm, what's on the board? The Flag Retreat ceremony? What is that? Oh, and tree lighting at 5:30. I think I'll check it out. (Keep in mind this is my fourth trip in 12 months, hence me not steamrolling to the rides.) Think I'll head back to Town Square.
Oh, hey a photographer, I want to get a photo with the new system. Okay, she's done with that family. Excuse me, can I have my photo taken? (After looking around, wondering where the rest of my party is, she looks at me oddly, realizing I'm alone, and says, "Oh, uh sure." Hmph. Naughty list for you, miss photographer. I'll have to check it out tomorrow.
Headed back to the Town Square. It turns out the Flag retreat ceremony, for those who don't know (I didn't) involves a 'Veteran of the day' who is invited to go with the security color guard to take down the flag with the marching band playing behind, afterwhich the veteran gets to take the flag home with him. Today was a Navy veteran. What a nice little way to say thank you to our servicemen and women.
Since I'm in Town Square I decide to just hang out and wait for the tree lighting ceremony. Oh, there's the mayor, and some carolers, and Mickey and Minnie. Hey, those carolers sound pretty good, where's the orchestra? Hey, that one caroler forgot to move her lips... Is that Ashley Simpson? Just kidding, it's a really fun little show to light the tree, and I'm feeling very festive now. Though it's starting to get a little chilly now that the sun has set.
Time to head to Tomorrowland where we MVMCPers are herded while they try and kick the non MVMCPers out. Hey, let's try Stitch. It's cute, though the segment in the middle for the 40 second blackout could use a little tweaking. Overall, I enjoyed it though, but then again, I just think Stitch is the cutest little bugger. I love that movie. Oh, and make sure to read the sign in the pre-show area regarding rules about prisoners. It's pretty humorous.
Okay, what next? Wow, long line for Xmas photos, I'll wait until later. I think it's time for a ride on the TTA. Whee! I actually love this ride. I hope they never take it out. It's so relaxing, and is just a nice view of Tomorrowland.
Now approaching... The cartaroid artery... With a Galactic Gobbler... (Turkey leg, for those not in the know...) A MUST eat when at Disney. Well, a must for my mouth, though my body always disagrees... I thought turkey was healthy, how can it drip grease that way???
Hey, a brass holiday band. Let's listen while we gnaw like a cromagnon. They are EXCELLENT. Right near the speedway, around 7PM, check 'em out. (It's not the Lake Howell Holiday Brass, this is a Disney group, though those kids are fantastic too, I saw them later.)
Let's head over to the Columbia House where I had plans to meet another DISer, somewhere between 7:30 and 8. Guess we should have firmed better. Had hot chocolate and a cookie. And another cookie. And one more. Who invented cookies? It must have been someone who didn't get a lot of hugs as a child and decided they needed to eat them instead. I love cookies.
Well, no luck on the DISer meet, sorry! Let's head back to Tomorrowland, wanna catch the Holiday Brass. Hey, there's Donald taking photos. Okay, I'll get in line with all the kids, I don't care, I want my picture taken with Donald. Hey, there's only 3 kids in this line, the rest of it are adults who want their picture taken with Donald!
I'll have to post it tomorrow. Oh, and he liked my sweatshirt, the appropriate Donald's Attitude Academy.
As I already stated, Holiday Brass was great. Headed over to the Tomorrowland bridge to watch Wishes. (My favorite spot for watching it, good view, and you get Tinkerbell flying right over your head!) Wishes was great, I really love the compliation of music they came up with. Amazes me how they synchronize fireworks and music nowadays.
Let's see, it's 10 o'clock, it's down to 51 degrees, what should we do now? How about Splash Mountain! That might be a good idea. Hey, there's only a 5 minute wait for it! Hey, there is no wait, the 5 minutes is just how long it takes to walk inside. Hey, there's no one on this ride. Take any seat? All right, I'll take the front and sit in the middle. To which the operator looks at me and says "You're in the front? What are you thinking?!? Oh well, you're gonna pay for it..." Har har har, I'm sure it will be fine, I've been in the front before and not gotten that wet. Of course, the only other people in the log are the last seat. Off to the laughing place. Dramatic music... Okay, so I paid. And yes, he laughed at me when I got back to unload. Oh well, it was mostly my head, so a quick trip to the men's room and a few old growth forests' worth of paper towels later, and I'm good to go.
Time to head to Main Street for the parade. Oh, hey, there's Belle, oh, she's leaving, no picture with her this time. But I think I'm in love.
Slyly taking the way through the stores I avoid the crowds and find a lightpost. The parade is great, of course, with snow and all. (And with the temperature now down in the 40s, it feels like it could be real!) Hey, look, there's Belle! Did I tell you I am in love with her?
You know, I just realized where all those brass players from the college marching bands go after they graduate. They all work at Disney. Army men brass players. Toy soldier brass players. Dixieland brass players. This could be Mickey's Brass parade. Quite all right though, they're all great. Hey, there's Santa! Hey Santa, can you bring me Belle for Christmas?
All right, time to herd back to the TTC and back to the car. Holy moses, this ferry is cold. I mean, I can see my breath. Seriously. I'm from Massachusetts, I came here to avoid seeing my breath. But a great day, and now it's time to get some sleep, until tomorrow...
Read on to day two!!!
(For those looking for the short report, read this paragraph, for those who are bored and looking to kill time by reading my ramblings, skip to the next paragraph for the long version. I'm at POR, river view, great room, great beds, nice setup. The weather is clear, but cool, only got to 61 today and is down in the 40s now. MVMCP was mildly crowded, never waited longer than 15 minutes for anything though.)
Well, my first week long solo adventure has begun. My dad woke me up this morning at 4:45 so they could take me to the airport. (I stayed at my folks last night so I could be spared the $90 for park and fly. I love my folks. Especially considering the last time I used park and fly I spent half an hour driving in circles and making primal screams until I saw one of their shuttles and stalked them back to the lot.)
We decided to take the Mass Pike into Logan since it's the easiest way to the airport now, and my parents had never tried it yet. Of course, this morning their was a detour. So after some quick turns and my dad making a few primal grunts of his own, we got back to the Pike and to the airport.
Dropped off, breezed through check in, (gotta love those kiosks.) Waited around for my flight since it was pushed back half an hour to 8:15AM. No big deal. Got off on time and curled up to nap, but they were showing "Elf" on the flight, and I am one of the 18 people in the country who have yet to see it. Cute movie, really sweet, got teary at the end. I love those "see, Santa is real" movies.
Despite the late departure we still got in on time. Looks like they've finally fixed the last of the damage from the hurricanes earlier this year. Got my bags and headed to the curb to wait for the shuttle to EZ Rent-a-car. And waited. And waited. 30 minutes and I finally went in and used the courtesy phone. "Oh, wait at A9, they'll be right there." 20 minutes later they finally were. Grrrrr.... But once we got there, they were nice enough and I got a nice new Nissan Sentra for the week for only $104 so I guess I can't complain that much.
Hmmm, McCoy road, I think I need to go that way? Oh, hey the Florida Mall. Hmmm, where the heck am I? Look kids, Big Ben... Parliament... Hey, McDonald's, I'm hungry. "Gourmet McDonald's"? What? Whatever, just give me a Quarter Pounder meal. Seriously, gourmet McDonald's? Only in Orlando. Oh, and maybe Vegas.
Okay, hey, there's I-4, now I know where to go. On the right track. All right, I'm at Disney. Hey, I see signs for every resort except Port Orleans, what gives? Where am I going? Look kids, Big Ben... Parliament... (Deja vu...) Okay, I know it's near Downtown Disney, let's head that way. Oh, there it is. Funny that they don't have one of those signs for DD resorts at the main entrance like they do for the Epcot and MK resorts. Get myself checked in, get a room key, and into the room about 2PM.
Wow, the room is really nice. Tall beds! Why is that? I had that option buying a bed back home, but I didn't want to be embarassed at having to hop up into my bed. Hey, there's no soap! Or shampoo! What can I steal??? Well, this will be a smelly vacation. No problem, called housekeeping, had 'em two minutes later.
Walked around a little, really nice grounds here, I like the architecture. Now it's time for a nap. Though I'm not that sleepy. But I should lay down for a little, it'll be a late night. Okay, I'll just lay down and check the weather channel. Oh hey, when did that hour go by? It's 3:30, time to head over to the MK for MVMCP.
Hopped in the car and headed over to the TTC. Didn't feel like waiting for the bus. Happy 86. Don't forget it, or you will be very UNhappy. Those tram drivers... They crack me up. Oh look, Big Ben... Parliament....
Movin' in, got my lovely green wristband. Wow, it's crowded. But the weather is nice, somewhere in the low 60s, though I have a sweatshirt and my jacket on since I know it will get cooler later. Let's see, where to... I think I'll just wander around a little... Hmmm, what's on the board? The Flag Retreat ceremony? What is that? Oh, and tree lighting at 5:30. I think I'll check it out. (Keep in mind this is my fourth trip in 12 months, hence me not steamrolling to the rides.) Think I'll head back to Town Square.
Oh, hey a photographer, I want to get a photo with the new system. Okay, she's done with that family. Excuse me, can I have my photo taken? (After looking around, wondering where the rest of my party is, she looks at me oddly, realizing I'm alone, and says, "Oh, uh sure." Hmph. Naughty list for you, miss photographer. I'll have to check it out tomorrow.
Headed back to the Town Square. It turns out the Flag retreat ceremony, for those who don't know (I didn't) involves a 'Veteran of the day' who is invited to go with the security color guard to take down the flag with the marching band playing behind, afterwhich the veteran gets to take the flag home with him. Today was a Navy veteran. What a nice little way to say thank you to our servicemen and women.
Since I'm in Town Square I decide to just hang out and wait for the tree lighting ceremony. Oh, there's the mayor, and some carolers, and Mickey and Minnie. Hey, those carolers sound pretty good, where's the orchestra? Hey, that one caroler forgot to move her lips... Is that Ashley Simpson? Just kidding, it's a really fun little show to light the tree, and I'm feeling very festive now. Though it's starting to get a little chilly now that the sun has set.
Time to head to Tomorrowland where we MVMCPers are herded while they try and kick the non MVMCPers out. Hey, let's try Stitch. It's cute, though the segment in the middle for the 40 second blackout could use a little tweaking. Overall, I enjoyed it though, but then again, I just think Stitch is the cutest little bugger. I love that movie. Oh, and make sure to read the sign in the pre-show area regarding rules about prisoners. It's pretty humorous.
Okay, what next? Wow, long line for Xmas photos, I'll wait until later. I think it's time for a ride on the TTA. Whee! I actually love this ride. I hope they never take it out. It's so relaxing, and is just a nice view of Tomorrowland.
Now approaching... The cartaroid artery... With a Galactic Gobbler... (Turkey leg, for those not in the know...) A MUST eat when at Disney. Well, a must for my mouth, though my body always disagrees... I thought turkey was healthy, how can it drip grease that way???
Hey, a brass holiday band. Let's listen while we gnaw like a cromagnon. They are EXCELLENT. Right near the speedway, around 7PM, check 'em out. (It's not the Lake Howell Holiday Brass, this is a Disney group, though those kids are fantastic too, I saw them later.)
Let's head over to the Columbia House where I had plans to meet another DISer, somewhere between 7:30 and 8. Guess we should have firmed better. Had hot chocolate and a cookie. And another cookie. And one more. Who invented cookies? It must have been someone who didn't get a lot of hugs as a child and decided they needed to eat them instead. I love cookies.
Well, no luck on the DISer meet, sorry! Let's head back to Tomorrowland, wanna catch the Holiday Brass. Hey, there's Donald taking photos. Okay, I'll get in line with all the kids, I don't care, I want my picture taken with Donald. Hey, there's only 3 kids in this line, the rest of it are adults who want their picture taken with Donald!
I'll have to post it tomorrow. Oh, and he liked my sweatshirt, the appropriate Donald's Attitude Academy.As I already stated, Holiday Brass was great. Headed over to the Tomorrowland bridge to watch Wishes. (My favorite spot for watching it, good view, and you get Tinkerbell flying right over your head!) Wishes was great, I really love the compliation of music they came up with. Amazes me how they synchronize fireworks and music nowadays.
Let's see, it's 10 o'clock, it's down to 51 degrees, what should we do now? How about Splash Mountain! That might be a good idea. Hey, there's only a 5 minute wait for it! Hey, there is no wait, the 5 minutes is just how long it takes to walk inside. Hey, there's no one on this ride. Take any seat? All right, I'll take the front and sit in the middle. To which the operator looks at me and says "You're in the front? What are you thinking?!? Oh well, you're gonna pay for it..." Har har har, I'm sure it will be fine, I've been in the front before and not gotten that wet. Of course, the only other people in the log are the last seat. Off to the laughing place. Dramatic music... Okay, so I paid. And yes, he laughed at me when I got back to unload. Oh well, it was mostly my head, so a quick trip to the men's room and a few old growth forests' worth of paper towels later, and I'm good to go.
Time to head to Main Street for the parade. Oh, hey, there's Belle, oh, she's leaving, no picture with her this time. But I think I'm in love.
Slyly taking the way through the stores I avoid the crowds and find a lightpost. The parade is great, of course, with snow and all. (And with the temperature now down in the 40s, it feels like it could be real!) Hey, look, there's Belle! Did I tell you I am in love with her?
You know, I just realized where all those brass players from the college marching bands go after they graduate. They all work at Disney. Army men brass players. Toy soldier brass players. Dixieland brass players. This could be Mickey's Brass parade. Quite all right though, they're all great. Hey, there's Santa! Hey Santa, can you bring me Belle for Christmas?
All right, time to herd back to the TTC and back to the car. Holy moses, this ferry is cold. I mean, I can see my breath. Seriously. I'm from Massachusetts, I came here to avoid seeing my breath. But a great day, and now it's time to get some sleep, until tomorrow...
Read on to day two!!!
