gtrist4life
Choose wisely
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2003
- Messages
- 787
THE CAST
Our Group - Disney nuts and recently new DVC members
Me (The planner of all this, Age 39)
DW (Co-planner and voice of reason Age 39)
DD (Age 15 at start of trip, Age 16 at end of trip)
DS (Age 8 and overall good sport)
The Outlaws - Last time at WDW in 1996 with Our Group
MIL (Mother in Law Age 65)
FIL (Father in Law Age 74)
The Sisters Group - (Mom and Aunt M went with us last year, Aunt D and Rhon havent been since early 70s)
Mom (My mom Age 65)
Aunt M (My moms sister Age 69)
Aunt D (My moms sister Age 62)
Rhon (Aunt Ds daughter Age 42, has MS, but you wouldnt know it from seeing her)
SILs group (Never been)
SIL (DWs sister age 40 Did visit MK once in the early 70s)
BIL (age 38, self proclaimed Not a Park-er)
Niece (age 18 months)
Nephew (age 3)
M&J Brother and Sister in law from NYC (Have been a couple times over the last 10 years)
M (DWs brother age 36)
J - (Ms wife age 41)
Day 3 Rain-Trouble-Priceless Memories at MGM-Epcot
I still cant believe that as Im writing this it was a week ago we were at CSR waking up to a steady rain and the amazing news that Sadaam had been captured. Saw that news, then turned the TV off and said wed read about it when we get back.
So anyway, the forecasted thunderstorms turned out to be a very steady sometimes heavy rain. We called all our crews rooms and said were getting ponchos and heading out to MGM and that wed meet them at 50s Prime Time Café at about 12:00 for our 12:15 PS. After purchasing 4 ponchos and one Mickey umbrella, its off to Bus Stop 1.
I guess we arrived about 10:15? Or there abouts. The rain is really coming down so we duck into the shops and make our way towards TOT. DW and DD promised theyd ride this and me and DS are keeping them to their word. By the time we get in line and through the first part of the pre-ride show, DD is shaking. She has a fear of falling and didnt know if she would make the ride. She kept her word and all agreed it was a great ride. I love the theming and lead up to the drops. After the ride, DS said Is that all? but it was just enough for us. The rain then started to lighten up and we went to see The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. It had been quite awhile since wed seen this and we all really liked the Under the Sea puppets and the bubbles too!
After the show we start to head over to the restaurant and notice that the rain is really lightening up About time! Get checked in and all 16 of the crew shows up for lunch. We sit at two tables of eight and both tables are as close as possible. Our waitress was okay, not as good as last years but we did have fun with one of the other waiters Hassan, Aunt D decided to play trouble a little too much and had to stick her nose to the wall. When she kept looking, Hassan gave her a sugar packet to hold to the wall with her nose. When she still kept looking Hassan led her away to sing Im a little tea pot for a group of British tourists who thought this was very funny! Rhon went to get a picture and had to do the song too as she did not ask permission to leave the table. When they both got back, Rhon was actually upset and not to thrilled with the experience! Oh well, thats what you get for being a trouble maker .
On to the food. I got the meatloaf, DS got a hot dog (what else?) and a chocolate shake. DD got the fried chicken, DW got a salad and helped DD with here chicken. All the food was very tasty and the shake was extremely good. Aunt D and Rhon split the meatloaf and had to send it back as it arrived cold. They did say it was very good. We had a couple orders that were split between two people and it was nice that the servers did the splitting and served them on two separate plates. Looked like a bit more food than a single serving too.
After lunch, everyone but the Sisters group take the little ones to see Playhouse Disney. This was one of the highlights of the trip and created memories that are priceless. To see niece and nephew jumping, dancing, and having such a great time was worth the whole trip.
Upon exiting the show, all 16 head towards the backlot tour for the second memorable event that was worth the whole trip. After taking a couple character pics along the way we get to the tour. When the CM finds out theres 16 of us, he asks for 4 adult volunteers!! I nominate The Outlaws and M&J and off they go. A couple minutes later, J comes back and is too scared to do whats asked. Rhon is nominated and eagerly goes with the CM. This is so fun as some of us know whats going to happen and some dont The rest of our crew get lead to the center front for the best viewing and then on to the Harbor Patrol stage come our 4! FIL gets the lucky post inside the cabin phone room. MIL is captain and Rhon and M are the deck swabbies. Watching them ham it up and get into it had us all just about rolling on the floor. At one point Rhon started to pretend pumping Ms chest for CPR. He said he took a few bullets for for her. This is a memory that all of us will have forever. Its a shame the 4 actors didnt get to see the replay. As much as Disney likes to sell stuff, this would be a sure thing. Rest of the tour is okay, as the rain has started to return ever so lightly.
Its about time for the parade so we head toward the entrance as we found right by Mickeys of Hollywood, around the corner where the parade ends, is a great spot for viewing. Parade gets delayed a few minutes for the rain, but eventually starts. This is a Christmas version of the parade and I was glad we got to see it. Niece and Nephew really got into seeing the characters, especially the Toy Story and Monster Inc. ones. When the Villans crew came by and Cruella DeVille walked up to us, I gave her a big raspberry. She says to DW referring to me How olds this one, he needs to be put on a leash! LOL. After the parade, everyone splits up and our group of four head towards the Epcot boat. DS and DD received and early Christmas present of Disney Dollars from M&J and he wanted to go to the Japan pavillion in search of Yu-Gi-Oh cards.
Didnt realize the boat ride was as long as it was, probably 40 minutes? But it was nice to see the resorts along the way. When we stopped at BW, we noticed that our roof was looking like a replacement will be needed soon. DW was worried about dues increase, but I assured her that this is in the budget.
On to Epcot and to Japan, with a quick stop for an order of Chocolate crepes outside France. Many Yu-Gi-Oh cards and Disney dollars later, we go to the back of the Japan store in search of a Christmas card for our neighbors who are from Japan. The CM was very helpful and actually printed in Japanese our holiday wishes on the card. We also got them some Japanese candy to remind them of home.
Were getting a bit hungry by now, guessing its about 6:00 and decide to try Chefs De France without a PS. We had eaten here when DS was 18 months and DW didnt get to enjoy it much as DS acted up a bit then.
Were able to get seated in about 10 minutes and order. I get the Vegetable Lasagna, DS gets a hamburger (no hot dog on the menu ) and DD and DW split a seafood skewer with rice and brussell sprouts. DD also orders lobster bisque. All the food is tasty, but not spectacular. Decide were too full for desert and head out towards the front entrance thru the decorated gateway to Future World. Hop right on a bus and back to CSR. Get to bed fairly early and dream about MK tomorrow!
Peace
G4L
Our Group - Disney nuts and recently new DVC members
Me (The planner of all this, Age 39)
DW (Co-planner and voice of reason Age 39)
DD (Age 15 at start of trip, Age 16 at end of trip)
DS (Age 8 and overall good sport)
The Outlaws - Last time at WDW in 1996 with Our Group
MIL (Mother in Law Age 65)
FIL (Father in Law Age 74)
The Sisters Group - (Mom and Aunt M went with us last year, Aunt D and Rhon havent been since early 70s)
Mom (My mom Age 65)
Aunt M (My moms sister Age 69)
Aunt D (My moms sister Age 62)
Rhon (Aunt Ds daughter Age 42, has MS, but you wouldnt know it from seeing her)
SILs group (Never been)
SIL (DWs sister age 40 Did visit MK once in the early 70s)
BIL (age 38, self proclaimed Not a Park-er)
Niece (age 18 months)
Nephew (age 3)
M&J Brother and Sister in law from NYC (Have been a couple times over the last 10 years)
M (DWs brother age 36)
J - (Ms wife age 41)
Day 3 Rain-Trouble-Priceless Memories at MGM-Epcot
I still cant believe that as Im writing this it was a week ago we were at CSR waking up to a steady rain and the amazing news that Sadaam had been captured. Saw that news, then turned the TV off and said wed read about it when we get back.
So anyway, the forecasted thunderstorms turned out to be a very steady sometimes heavy rain. We called all our crews rooms and said were getting ponchos and heading out to MGM and that wed meet them at 50s Prime Time Café at about 12:00 for our 12:15 PS. After purchasing 4 ponchos and one Mickey umbrella, its off to Bus Stop 1.
I guess we arrived about 10:15? Or there abouts. The rain is really coming down so we duck into the shops and make our way towards TOT. DW and DD promised theyd ride this and me and DS are keeping them to their word. By the time we get in line and through the first part of the pre-ride show, DD is shaking. She has a fear of falling and didnt know if she would make the ride. She kept her word and all agreed it was a great ride. I love the theming and lead up to the drops. After the ride, DS said Is that all? but it was just enough for us. The rain then started to lighten up and we went to see The Voyage of the Little Mermaid. It had been quite awhile since wed seen this and we all really liked the Under the Sea puppets and the bubbles too!
After the show we start to head over to the restaurant and notice that the rain is really lightening up About time! Get checked in and all 16 of the crew shows up for lunch. We sit at two tables of eight and both tables are as close as possible. Our waitress was okay, not as good as last years but we did have fun with one of the other waiters Hassan, Aunt D decided to play trouble a little too much and had to stick her nose to the wall. When she kept looking, Hassan gave her a sugar packet to hold to the wall with her nose. When she still kept looking Hassan led her away to sing Im a little tea pot for a group of British tourists who thought this was very funny! Rhon went to get a picture and had to do the song too as she did not ask permission to leave the table. When they both got back, Rhon was actually upset and not to thrilled with the experience! Oh well, thats what you get for being a trouble maker .
On to the food. I got the meatloaf, DS got a hot dog (what else?) and a chocolate shake. DD got the fried chicken, DW got a salad and helped DD with here chicken. All the food was very tasty and the shake was extremely good. Aunt D and Rhon split the meatloaf and had to send it back as it arrived cold. They did say it was very good. We had a couple orders that were split between two people and it was nice that the servers did the splitting and served them on two separate plates. Looked like a bit more food than a single serving too.
After lunch, everyone but the Sisters group take the little ones to see Playhouse Disney. This was one of the highlights of the trip and created memories that are priceless. To see niece and nephew jumping, dancing, and having such a great time was worth the whole trip.
Upon exiting the show, all 16 head towards the backlot tour for the second memorable event that was worth the whole trip. After taking a couple character pics along the way we get to the tour. When the CM finds out theres 16 of us, he asks for 4 adult volunteers!! I nominate The Outlaws and M&J and off they go. A couple minutes later, J comes back and is too scared to do whats asked. Rhon is nominated and eagerly goes with the CM. This is so fun as some of us know whats going to happen and some dont The rest of our crew get lead to the center front for the best viewing and then on to the Harbor Patrol stage come our 4! FIL gets the lucky post inside the cabin phone room. MIL is captain and Rhon and M are the deck swabbies. Watching them ham it up and get into it had us all just about rolling on the floor. At one point Rhon started to pretend pumping Ms chest for CPR. He said he took a few bullets for for her. This is a memory that all of us will have forever. Its a shame the 4 actors didnt get to see the replay. As much as Disney likes to sell stuff, this would be a sure thing. Rest of the tour is okay, as the rain has started to return ever so lightly.
Its about time for the parade so we head toward the entrance as we found right by Mickeys of Hollywood, around the corner where the parade ends, is a great spot for viewing. Parade gets delayed a few minutes for the rain, but eventually starts. This is a Christmas version of the parade and I was glad we got to see it. Niece and Nephew really got into seeing the characters, especially the Toy Story and Monster Inc. ones. When the Villans crew came by and Cruella DeVille walked up to us, I gave her a big raspberry. She says to DW referring to me How olds this one, he needs to be put on a leash! LOL. After the parade, everyone splits up and our group of four head towards the Epcot boat. DS and DD received and early Christmas present of Disney Dollars from M&J and he wanted to go to the Japan pavillion in search of Yu-Gi-Oh cards.
Didnt realize the boat ride was as long as it was, probably 40 minutes? But it was nice to see the resorts along the way. When we stopped at BW, we noticed that our roof was looking like a replacement will be needed soon. DW was worried about dues increase, but I assured her that this is in the budget.
On to Epcot and to Japan, with a quick stop for an order of Chocolate crepes outside France. Many Yu-Gi-Oh cards and Disney dollars later, we go to the back of the Japan store in search of a Christmas card for our neighbors who are from Japan. The CM was very helpful and actually printed in Japanese our holiday wishes on the card. We also got them some Japanese candy to remind them of home.
Were getting a bit hungry by now, guessing its about 6:00 and decide to try Chefs De France without a PS. We had eaten here when DS was 18 months and DW didnt get to enjoy it much as DS acted up a bit then.
Were able to get seated in about 10 minutes and order. I get the Vegetable Lasagna, DS gets a hamburger (no hot dog on the menu ) and DD and DW split a seafood skewer with rice and brussell sprouts. DD also orders lobster bisque. All the food is tasty, but not spectacular. Decide were too full for desert and head out towards the front entrance thru the decorated gateway to Future World. Hop right on a bus and back to CSR. Get to bed fairly early and dream about MK tomorrow!
Peace
G4L
