Day 6: Bonus day one: Back to "The Loaf", Studios, Chefs de France...
Cast: Princesses, pirates, honorary members of the crew of the Black Pearl under command of Captain Jack Sparrow *Patttooeeyyyyy!* (If you see the Rusty Cutlass perform in Adventureland, you'll understand the 'patooey'!)
Okay, so when last we left our intrepid band, we were happily awating our move back to Sugar Loaf (which my husband simply refers to now as "the Loaf", which the staff think is a hoot and several of them have adopted the nickname for it LOL).
I was up reeeally early this morning, before seven, and quietly gathered up a varied lot of everyone's dirty clothes (I "pulled a Millie" on my dad, *seven brides for seven brothers reference* taking his clothes from his suitcase while he was sleeping, figured he'd have to stay at the room till I returned if he wanted clean clothes! LOL)
I looked in the resort information and found out that the only washer and dryer for guests in the entire main building was on the mythical Clarendon level. I laughed cause that was the name of the street where DH lived in a room of a drafty, ancient, overpriced rental house while at school in Syracuse.
I took a shopping bag full of clothes and left my sleeping brood to scope out laundry possibilities.
It was just now seven so I decided to stop by the concierge desk to check on something that was missing from our bill when they put the check-out envelope under the door (I wanted to be sure they got paid for our room service). I spoke with the very kind and helpful Diane who checked to be sure it was on the room account (it was, was added after they printed out our copy) and I asked her if we were cleared for late check out until our room at SL was ready.
As it turned out, our room was already ready and she was able to give me my new keys and my room number so we'd know right where we were going when we got there! I was very happy about that. I also asked her if I could get quarters for the laundry and she said she didn't have any but would go get some. She did so, saving me the trek to Garparillas, which I was grateful for (this is before coffee after all!)
As we were talking, I saw a lady in a black blazer walk up to the other concierge and say something to him. What she said changed my mind about what I was considering: it made it definite. The person who had treated us badly the other night was going to be, get this, training some new cm's. I couldn't stand it anymore, I had to say something.
As she headed toward the stairs, I turned to her and asked if I could have a moment of her time. She said "Certainly how can I assist you?" and I said "Privately, please?" wanting to step out of earshot of anyone else.
She looked alarmed immediately, and nodded. We stepped to the side of the room and I told her that I just wanted her to be aware of what had occurred two nights before. I didn't embellish, I didn't exaggerate. I told her just what happened, as it happened, and the look on her face was one of pure shock. She was mortified. When I asked if I should expect that kind of situation, she made it clear that it wasn't right in her eyes.
First thing she said was "They're not to start clearing until 10pm, ever, and if a guest is taking food, they are supposed to wait to do so," then she added "We have soda and juice and lemonade available to our guests, he should have offered your daughter all three and then brought her the one she wanted."
I told her that my biggest upset came after speaking to the 'concierge manager,' and again, she apologized profusely. She said that she was sorry our experience had been like that, she asked if my daughter had a favorite disney character, (she wanted to 'apologize' to her for the way she'd been treated and said she'd send something to the room.)
I explained to her that we'd extended our stay and that we were moving back to SL. She didn't want us to have to bother with that, so she said "I'd be more than happy to have you stay in the room you're in now and to honor the rate for the room at Sugar Loaf."
"I appreciate that offer so much, thank you." I said "But if it is okay, I would really rather go back over there."
She was just astounded, I could tell, that I turned down a free upgrade to go back. She wanted so badly to make it up to us, it seemed, that I had another idea.
"I will tell you what would make me very happy." I said. She perked up.
"I would be thrilled if you would, and I'm just asking you to consider it, please take the upgrade charge from the price we paid at Sugar Loaf for the night that went so badly off of our bill."
"I will certainly be happy to do that." She responded. I told her that I appreciated it very much, but most of all, I appreciated her listening, and caring about my concerns. I told her that she, and most of the concierge staff, had been very helpful.
With satisfaction that I'd finally been heard, I had a spring back in my step as I headed down to the laundry room on Clarendon.
Let me echo what others have said that I think they need to reevaluate the laundry situation at the GF. I've heard others say there is only one washer and dryer per lodge, and that's just not enough. I was amazed there was only one each for the entire main building as well! I guess most of their guests just send their laundry out to get cleaned if they stay there, but at 2.00 for a pair of panties or bra, and 5.00 each for shorts, 6.00 for t-shirts or pants...well lets say I wasn't in a hurry to do it that way.
I lucked out bigtime, when I got there, both machines were empty! I happily bought my little boxes of Biz, got my wash started, waited for it to finish, and then I put it in the dryer and the second load in the washer. Then, it was time for coffee! I figured if anyone wealthy enough to be staying on Clarendon needed my capri pants that badly, well more power to 'em.
So up to the lounge I went, and breakfast tasted much sweeter this morning I had my favorite apple danish and a cup of coffee, then headed back to check the wash. The dryer was just about to stop when I got there, so I folded it up and then put the second load in the dryer and headed back to the room with the clean laundry (hard to carry it, hold my crutch and operate the keyed elevator, lemme tell you!)
Got to the room to find Dad was awake and looking for his daywear LOL I gave him what I'd washed and then Dh and DD started to stir. I told them that our room was ready at the Loaf and we started packing up our ever growing pile of purchases. I have to admit I was getting nervous about how we were going to get it all home and I hadn't even done all the shopping I wanted to do yet!
We bagged it all up so it was ready to go and by the time that I showered and got DD all gussied up, (she got to wear the dress her great-grandma had made her again with the princesses on it) it was pretty late.
Dad went with me to go get the rest of our clothes from the dryer (I was so lucky, again just beat the buzzer on the dryer going off, and someone had put their clothes in the washer. At the same time dad and I wondered aloud if we should go ahead and just toss the clothes in the dryer for the people and slug in some quarters, but we didn't because A) we didn't want to freak them out LOL and B) I didn't want to accidentily shrink their clothes!
So we fluffed and folded and headed back to the room. DD was raring to go. We decided since our room was ready to call bell services, and not to delay our return to Sugar Loaf another moment!
Just before we left, there was another envelope under our door. It was from the manager, it was a new room total statement.
She deducted the upgrade cost for BOTH nights we had been in the main building instead of just the one I asked for! I was thrilled. My faith in the desire of GF management to make the guest happy was restored. I decided from that moment on that I wasn't going to let the rude behaviour of two people on the staff color my impression of the many who went out of their way to make our stay magical.
That being said, I still maintain that I prefer Sugar Loaf and have no desire to stay in the main building again. Pretty as it was, it just wasn't the same to us. SL has such an intimate feel with the private lobby, the small amount of rooms, just the spirit of the whole place. It was a perfect fit for us
When we arrived at the Loaf, our bellman told us something wonderful, that the concierge desk could provide me with boxes in which to pack up and then they would ship our purchases home for us and add the shipping to the room charge! I was thrilled, that solved my problem with carry on luggage right there!
We marched into Sugar Loaf and I went to the concierge desk and said "Hi Honeys, we're home!" and everyone laughed. We actually got a few squeals and a little happy applause from the staff. Our favorite Norma was there and she kept saying she was so glad we were back!
Our room this time was my favorite of the whole trip: 6219. It was just far enough away from the lounge to be a little quieter, it was a corner room with a GREAT marina view.
We were all excited now and raring to have fun on our first bonus day, so we had a quick snack in the lounge and off we went to the bus stop to catch the Studios bus!
When we got to the bus stop, a newer style bus pulled up than we're used to. It looked lower to the ground, so I hoped that maybe it'd be easier to load my wheelchair onto it. I had no idea how much easier it was going to be!
Not only did this bus have a ramp that extended out from the steps like the others, but it literally bowed toward the curb on some kind of hydraulic system, and lowered that side of the bus to make it easier to get on! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. My husband, an engineer, was floored by it.
Once safely strapped onto the bus, the driver hit a button which raised the bus back up slowly, tilting it back until it was level again! INCREDIBLE! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.
I can only hope that when they bring in the next evolution in monorails they do something with an automatically retractable ramp: I felt so sorry and was so apologetic every time the poor monorail drivers had to haul that heavy ramp to get me on the train.
On another side side note (this has more 'sides' than a combination meal from KFC, I apologize! But I may as well throw this in here!) the monorail ramps are MUCH better this year than last. I know the drivers hate them because they're heavier, but I love them, because they're heavier. And wider. On the old ramps, I literally was driven over the side on two occaisions making for a terrifying experience. They also didn't seem to want to hold much weight and bowed. Not the new ones! They have wheels on the sides which lock them in like a puzzle piece with the train so that it can't move while you're being loaded. A much better thing for us, even if not for them.
Amazed still by the state of the art bus, we were on our way to the Studios! We had missed the Mermaid show the other day, so we promised that to DD. The lines were really long, so we decided to take in Millionaire and see if they thinned a little later on.
This time, DH and I were ready. I told the cm's that I wanted to transfer out of my chair, but they didn't appear to listen and pointed me to a wheelchair space, handed me a keypad, and that was it. The show was starting soon, so I stayed there and let me tell you, those keypads with the 2 miles of extra cable to allow those in a chair to play do NOT register as fast as the ones in the seats do. I know that I was answering really fast and I didn't make the top ten in the first segment (I'll tell you later how I know I was answering fast).
By the second segment, DH and I realized we'd totally tanked this time round and had no chance of getting anywhere near the top ten. We really got into cheering on the contestants, it is such a fun show.
When it ended we moved over to Mermaid where there was about 15 minutes till the next show, and we waited. DD was very patient and we enjoyed the show (I swear it seemed faster than last time). I was so angry at people who were taking flash pictures in the audience, the performers could be injured if they get distracted in that dark environment. People just don't think!
For some reason, the way it was lit we got to see exactly how Ariel changes from mermaid to 'human' at the end, my dd shouted "Mom! I saw it! I saw when they..." and I quickly shushed her, I didn't want her to spoil it for the other kids. "It was so cool!" she continued. I really think this kid is gonna work in theater one day. She's a triple threat
After Ariel, I asked DH if he wanted to give Millionaire one more try just for fun. We'd really enjoyed it, and besides it was getting really hot out, and it was a nice cool place to sit for awhile.
I wanted to stop by the ladies room but we saw they were just about to close the doors for the next show. I decided to skip it and told DH to park my chair, I'd walk a few feet to get into the studio to get in a regular chair for sure this time.
We sat down in seats 582 (dad), 583 (Dh), 584 (dd), and 585 (me).
The music started, the lights came up, and the game was on! The first person (I forget if it was a man or lady!) got to 1,000 and they showed the top ten.
We looked up at the monitor: and in second place, seat 583, in first place 585! DH and I were giggling maniacly, we were having a blast and the questions seemed a breeze this time round.
We each had our own system for how we hit the keypad, and kept playing along as the contestant continued. When she (I think it was a she! LOL) got to 16,000, she missed an answer. They were going to select the next player from the audience. I looked at DH and said "It's going to be you, I know it."
They showed the list of the top ten, in third place, 583, in second place, somebody in the 140's, and the top scorer was...
"The person sitting in seat number 585."
I looked at my husband with glee...yayyyyy! He'd done it! He'd done it...
...I'd done it?
The spotlight came and landed on me, and my DH said "Go! It's you! You did it!" and I was like, "No way!"
"Go for it, Sugar!" my dad said with a laugh. His grin was huge. Even though I was only playing for points, we didn't care. It was exciting!
I squealed really loud, which made everybody laugh LOL and I tried to get up from my seat without falling down the two steps to the stage. Soon as the audience saw my crutch, there was an audible, collective gasp from the crowd: someone said "She's handicapped!" (as if that meant I couldn't possibly have a brain LOL) really loudly and I heard the rumble of whispers all around.
I just smiled, this was going to be a heck of a good time. And maybe I'd get some pins out of the deal!
When I got to the stage, a stagehand asked me my name and where I was from so they could tell the host. He congratulated me on getting to play, adjusted the height of my chair (which felt like being at the hairdresser lol) and told me to speak in a loud, clear voice and just have fun! I was having fun already!
It was all very surreal and for just a moment when I looked at the screen before me which was blank, so went my mind. I couldn't remember how to play! But I knew that I'd be okay if I just looked at the host and DIDN'T look at myself on the jumbo screens that were all around. Boy, was I glad I put on eye makeup that morning!
The host said hello and shook my hand, and we settled in. Soon as the screen lit up and I saw the lifeline pictures, I was okay, I remembered what I was supposed to do.
"Everyone say hello to Kristin from Michigan!" The host said with a smile.
I almost burst out laughing cause my name isn't Kristin, it's close but not it. I found it funny cause one of my favorite bosses used to call me Kristin, even after I'd worked there for months, but I didn't care. She was nice to me, she could call me whatever she wanted. So could this guy.
Then he paused, he touched his earpiece, wait, was someone in the control room telling him something? "Oh, I'm sorry, is it XXX?" he said, saying it right that time.
"Yep! That's okay!"
"Who did you bring with you today?"
"My dad, my wonderful husband, and my great daughter!" I said, and then suddenly my family was on the big screen LOL. Everyone giggled when they saw DD, she was disney-fied to the max and looked as tourist-y as you can get. What a cutie
He asked if it was my first time to WDW and I said no, this was our family's 43rd trip and that got a round of applause. He asked if we had any traditions we always do after so many trips, and I thought about saying something sentimental, but then decided to go for the laugh.
"Well," I said, cocking my head to the side "We tend to eat. A lot." the audience roared and applauded. "And shop!" I added. The host laughed and asked if I'd been to the show before. I told him we tried earlier to get on but missed cause time ran out, and he said "Persistance paid off cause here we are, you ready to play?" and I said "woo hoo!" and off we went.
da da da da da da dummmmmmmmm *music for dramatic effect*
"For a hundred points, tell me which animal is considered man's best friend."
"Dog, final answer."
"For two hundred points, which of these disney characters is a pirate?"
"Captain Hook, Final Answer."
Up we went, he asked me which board game was supposed to be able to contact spirits, (Ouija board, final answer) what part of the nose was effected by Rhinitis (the nose) then he asked me what I thought was a trick question.
Which of the following names was the name of the Bachelorette on the first season of the show?
Now, I knew there was a chick named Trista on that show, but I thought there had been more than one season, and so I thought it was a trick. To be sure, I asked the audience. They concurred it was Trista, and I got that one. Looking back I realize the host asked me what my first intuition was, I didn't say because I didn't want to influence the audience: but I see that he was trying to save me a lifeline.
Oh well, onward! I get to this one: Which of these books was written by J. Heller? I was debating between Farenheit 451 and Catch 22. I did the 50/50, and it removed Farenheit, so I knew it was 22. Got it! One lifeline left, and I was now suddenly at 32,000! I had my 10 pin set, the lanyard, baseball cap and oooooooooo ahhhhhhh the matching polo shirt! I was psyched!
Then came the 64,000 question.
"In the comic book Mandrake the Magician, what is the name of Mandrake's partner in adventure?"
Excuse me, are you speaking swahili? I thought. I have no idea what this guy is talking about! Boy do I wish I could ask my Dad, but all I can do is "phone a complete stranger"!
So I do, and man, this guy has no idea why he's on the phone, let alone the answer to my question. I figure it can't hurt to take a guess, so I do.
Of course I'm wrong LOL.
I doubt any of the other lifelines could've helped me anyway, cause no one I asked later when people saw my Play It pins had any idea of the answer! To my surprise, even my dad, who was a voracious comic reader as a kid, hadn't any idea.
I was just glad I didn't lose on like an easy geography or math question that flew out of my MS brain LOL. I couldn't be faulted for missing on Mandrake's friend "Lothar"! (think I'll ever forget it now? Not likely!) LOL
So the stage guy came to take me away, he reminded me to shake hands with the host LOL I said thank you, then I was taken backstage to fill out the paperwork.
"So sorry you didn't win the cruise!" the nice lady taking my info said. It was then that I said what I would say to everyone who expressed that..."Actually, I'm terrified of cruise ships!"
I was so parched that I had practically no voice, and the lady went into the host's dressing area and came back with a bottle of water for me! LOL She was so sweet to do that. Everyone there was so nice.
I honestly didn't feel bad about not winning the cruise. I have such balance/vertigo issues there's no way I could take a cruise. The rest of the pins would've been nice lol and if the prize had been a WDW vacation for four..well that would've been different! But as it was I was thrilled, had fun talking to people for the rest of our stay about my lanyard full of pins (met so many cool people that way!) and best of all, for reasons I still can't fathom, my family was proud of me LOL.
The very best part of the whole thing was the small voice I heard above all the noise coming from the audience whenever I got an answer right.
It was the tiny little voice shouting...
"Go, Mom!"
Making my daughter proud was the best prize of all.
After leaving Millionaire, we had celebratory ice cream bars (like we need an excuse lol) then DD wanted to go on Star Tours again, so Dad and I got a table with an umbrella and got us some fries to munch on.
Just as they were coming out, we realized Stars and Motorcars was about to start. Now, I had no idea this parade was SO COOL! DD and I found an empty spot near the front when a CM came and took her by the hand and led her up to the curb. She got to sit down and I watched a few feet behind her. The wicked queen from Snow White was hilarious, she came up to DD (who was wearing her one of a kind princess dress) and said "I make all the beautiful princesses bow to me!" I said "Don't do it!" to my dd, laughing, and dd was already mid-bow LOL. Queen said "See, she knows what is right!" and gave me those big, staring eyes before she danced away LOL.
Mary Poppins blew dd several kisses and told her she liked her dress all the way from up on the float! Thanks to that kind CM, dd had a front row seat with the rest of the kiddies.
We saw Mulan in her float and called to her and she shouted "Hey, hi there guys!" I'm sure she remembered DD from breakfast because we fussed over her so two days before. Our favorite cars were Mulan (of course) Star Wars (dd swooned when Luke gave her a salute and a smirk as he passed by LOL) and Aladdin.
After the parade we decided to take a leisurely stroll through the shops, stopped in Cahuengas and found a perfect gift for my MIL, and then we decided to head over to Epcot. It's so nice how it lets off right by France at the world gateway, cause that's where our dinner ressie was!
Okay, let me pause to ask here what the h-e-double hockey sticks is the matter with some parents? I spent the whole boat ride involuntarily lurching forward in my wheelchair as we watched this "father" allow his very small child (under two) dangle out the window of the Friendship Seven! The kid barely had his feet left in the boat, and I was panicking. Even DD was horrified, she couldn't believe anyone would let their baby do that. What got me even more was the kid's mother sat there in the next row of the boat with another kid pretending nothing was going on! Oy. If that kid lives to be of the age of majority it'll be a miracle. Don't people know there could be critters in those murky waters? If you dropped a child in, how could you ever hope to find them? Especially one that small.
I also must thank the crew of the USS "Too lazy to get the ramp" for the sore hips I had the next day: the woman skipper came and said to my husband "take her on backward, you don't need the ramp." NOT! She said that the bump "Wasn't that big." Well, I wonder when the last time was that SHE went over it in a wheelchair, cause it HURT! I should have asked DH to get the ramp himself, but I didn't know how bad it would be on the way in and I didn't want to complain on the way out. Never again. That was the only time the crew didn't get the ramp out for us to board the boat and I will never put up with that again. My hips hurt a long time after that, not to mention the ol' posterior.
I was very relieved when the dangling baby family got off the boat at a stop prior to Epcot, I could finally relax a little. I chatted with a lady and her sons who asked about my pins, and the time went quickly.
Soon, we were at the International Gateway. After a leisurely walk past the fountain, we arrived at Chefs de France! And boy, was I starving!
We sat in a different part of the restaurant than I ever had before (we could see them making the desserts, laalglglalalga *homer noise*) and our young waiter came to the table and introduced himself. His name was...Regis LOL. Quite amusing considering the millionaire game earlier in the day!
I just have to tell you, I cannot say enough about the food at Chefs de France. I have eaten there before and been impressed, but this time, it truly was the finest meal I had on the entire vacation, bar none. My dad said Narcoosees still narrowly edged it out (I don't know why, I think he liked the view) but in my opinion, I tasted no food finer than what we were served at Chefs. It was simply perfect.
I started with the potato leek soup, and it was divine. DH had the lobster bisque and was in love from first taste. Main course, Dad and I had the beef filet, the marinade on that is incredible. It was so tender it put the filet I had at the Cali Grill this trip to shame! Closest to it was the beef at O'Hana, but still France was better.
It is served with potato gratin and green beans and julianned carrots. DH had the chicken (he begged me to remind him next time to have the steak, after tasting mine LOL) he said it was delicious but he did regret not having the beef.
I forget what dd had, I think it was chicken, all those kids meals blur together lol I just know she was happy.
For dessert, I just HAD to have my favorite, the little creme puffs with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and almonds. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Better than I remembered it! Dad swore he had no room for dessert, DH tried a brand new dessert they were premiering that night, a puff pastry thing that I swear had to be ten inches tall! I couldn't believe he could eat it all but it was light as air and so he managed to do it justice.
With a cup of coffee in my hand, I looked out the window at the twinking lights outside in World Showcase and knew this was one of the best days I could remember having, ever.
I also have to tip my mouse ears to the entire staff at Chefs: the service was impeccable from the moment we arrived until we left, no glass went unfilled, no request forgotten, simply smashing!
We were so stuffed after dinner and people were already filing in for Illuminations which didn't start for almost 2 hours, that we decided we were too tired to stick it out. We stopped at the shops near the entrance of WS for some more loot (Since I was shipping so much home anyway...)
Now the rest of the night pretty much becomes a blur, I was having trouble remembering what we did (DH said we called it a night early and I'm inclined to believe him LOL) I know that I packed up everything I could in the suitcases so as not to have to fool with it later, and also packed purchases up to ship with the help of boxes, tape and scissors on loan from the concierge.
I took those down to the desk and left them in the care of the very helpful, fun and capable Barbara and Robert. (Speaking of Robert, he's had so many cool jobs at WDW in the past, he and I talked so long that he actually called me round the side to the door to the back of the concierge desk and showed me pictures from his personal photo album..but don't tell anyone! What a fun guy!
Oh! I did neglect to mention that when we got back to the room, we found a brand new Jasmine doll and a note to DD from Aladdin and Jasmine, addressed to her by name and signed by them both!
The lovely GF manager sure did "leave something in the room for" dd! You should've seen the look on her face when she saw that doll! I don't know what happened but somewhere along the line on this trip, she decided that (at least for now) Jasmine is her favorite princess.
I believe if I remember correctly that we went to Gasparillas to get some chips for DD and then by the time I got dd and myself all ready for bed, we were ready to turn in. I think that was the earliest night we went to sleep: had to have been just about 11 when I turned the last light out.
A very full, fun day! And I have to tell you I had also been feeling the cumulative effects of pushing myself so hard on this trip physically (even though in a chair, the rest of the getting up and all did catch up to me) I had a sore throat and hoped I wasn't getting sick, I drank lots of tea and thought that a good nights sleep would help, which it did, at least the throat. At least enough to get me through one more full day!
The next day, we planned yet another return to the studios (to see B&B stage show, which we'd never done) and a trip to the boardwalk to shop at ESPN for darling DH!
Coming soon, Days seven and a half: wrapping up in the MK and happy endings all around...
Cast: Princesses, pirates, honorary members of the crew of the Black Pearl under command of Captain Jack Sparrow *Patttooeeyyyyy!* (If you see the Rusty Cutlass perform in Adventureland, you'll understand the 'patooey'!)
Okay, so when last we left our intrepid band, we were happily awating our move back to Sugar Loaf (which my husband simply refers to now as "the Loaf", which the staff think is a hoot and several of them have adopted the nickname for it LOL).
I was up reeeally early this morning, before seven, and quietly gathered up a varied lot of everyone's dirty clothes (I "pulled a Millie" on my dad, *seven brides for seven brothers reference* taking his clothes from his suitcase while he was sleeping, figured he'd have to stay at the room till I returned if he wanted clean clothes! LOL)
I looked in the resort information and found out that the only washer and dryer for guests in the entire main building was on the mythical Clarendon level. I laughed cause that was the name of the street where DH lived in a room of a drafty, ancient, overpriced rental house while at school in Syracuse.
I took a shopping bag full of clothes and left my sleeping brood to scope out laundry possibilities.
It was just now seven so I decided to stop by the concierge desk to check on something that was missing from our bill when they put the check-out envelope under the door (I wanted to be sure they got paid for our room service). I spoke with the very kind and helpful Diane who checked to be sure it was on the room account (it was, was added after they printed out our copy) and I asked her if we were cleared for late check out until our room at SL was ready.
As it turned out, our room was already ready and she was able to give me my new keys and my room number so we'd know right where we were going when we got there! I was very happy about that. I also asked her if I could get quarters for the laundry and she said she didn't have any but would go get some. She did so, saving me the trek to Garparillas, which I was grateful for (this is before coffee after all!)
As we were talking, I saw a lady in a black blazer walk up to the other concierge and say something to him. What she said changed my mind about what I was considering: it made it definite. The person who had treated us badly the other night was going to be, get this, training some new cm's. I couldn't stand it anymore, I had to say something.
As she headed toward the stairs, I turned to her and asked if I could have a moment of her time. She said "Certainly how can I assist you?" and I said "Privately, please?" wanting to step out of earshot of anyone else.
She looked alarmed immediately, and nodded. We stepped to the side of the room and I told her that I just wanted her to be aware of what had occurred two nights before. I didn't embellish, I didn't exaggerate. I told her just what happened, as it happened, and the look on her face was one of pure shock. She was mortified. When I asked if I should expect that kind of situation, she made it clear that it wasn't right in her eyes.
First thing she said was "They're not to start clearing until 10pm, ever, and if a guest is taking food, they are supposed to wait to do so," then she added "We have soda and juice and lemonade available to our guests, he should have offered your daughter all three and then brought her the one she wanted."
I told her that my biggest upset came after speaking to the 'concierge manager,' and again, she apologized profusely. She said that she was sorry our experience had been like that, she asked if my daughter had a favorite disney character, (she wanted to 'apologize' to her for the way she'd been treated and said she'd send something to the room.)
I explained to her that we'd extended our stay and that we were moving back to SL. She didn't want us to have to bother with that, so she said "I'd be more than happy to have you stay in the room you're in now and to honor the rate for the room at Sugar Loaf."
"I appreciate that offer so much, thank you." I said "But if it is okay, I would really rather go back over there."
She was just astounded, I could tell, that I turned down a free upgrade to go back. She wanted so badly to make it up to us, it seemed, that I had another idea.
"I will tell you what would make me very happy." I said. She perked up.
"I would be thrilled if you would, and I'm just asking you to consider it, please take the upgrade charge from the price we paid at Sugar Loaf for the night that went so badly off of our bill."
"I will certainly be happy to do that." She responded. I told her that I appreciated it very much, but most of all, I appreciated her listening, and caring about my concerns. I told her that she, and most of the concierge staff, had been very helpful.
With satisfaction that I'd finally been heard, I had a spring back in my step as I headed down to the laundry room on Clarendon.
Let me echo what others have said that I think they need to reevaluate the laundry situation at the GF. I've heard others say there is only one washer and dryer per lodge, and that's just not enough. I was amazed there was only one each for the entire main building as well! I guess most of their guests just send their laundry out to get cleaned if they stay there, but at 2.00 for a pair of panties or bra, and 5.00 each for shorts, 6.00 for t-shirts or pants...well lets say I wasn't in a hurry to do it that way.
I lucked out bigtime, when I got there, both machines were empty! I happily bought my little boxes of Biz, got my wash started, waited for it to finish, and then I put it in the dryer and the second load in the washer. Then, it was time for coffee! I figured if anyone wealthy enough to be staying on Clarendon needed my capri pants that badly, well more power to 'em.
So up to the lounge I went, and breakfast tasted much sweeter this morning I had my favorite apple danish and a cup of coffee, then headed back to check the wash. The dryer was just about to stop when I got there, so I folded it up and then put the second load in the dryer and headed back to the room with the clean laundry (hard to carry it, hold my crutch and operate the keyed elevator, lemme tell you!)
Got to the room to find Dad was awake and looking for his daywear LOL I gave him what I'd washed and then Dh and DD started to stir. I told them that our room was ready at the Loaf and we started packing up our ever growing pile of purchases. I have to admit I was getting nervous about how we were going to get it all home and I hadn't even done all the shopping I wanted to do yet!
We bagged it all up so it was ready to go and by the time that I showered and got DD all gussied up, (she got to wear the dress her great-grandma had made her again with the princesses on it) it was pretty late.
Dad went with me to go get the rest of our clothes from the dryer (I was so lucky, again just beat the buzzer on the dryer going off, and someone had put their clothes in the washer. At the same time dad and I wondered aloud if we should go ahead and just toss the clothes in the dryer for the people and slug in some quarters, but we didn't because A) we didn't want to freak them out LOL and B) I didn't want to accidentily shrink their clothes!
So we fluffed and folded and headed back to the room. DD was raring to go. We decided since our room was ready to call bell services, and not to delay our return to Sugar Loaf another moment!
Just before we left, there was another envelope under our door. It was from the manager, it was a new room total statement.
She deducted the upgrade cost for BOTH nights we had been in the main building instead of just the one I asked for! I was thrilled. My faith in the desire of GF management to make the guest happy was restored. I decided from that moment on that I wasn't going to let the rude behaviour of two people on the staff color my impression of the many who went out of their way to make our stay magical.
That being said, I still maintain that I prefer Sugar Loaf and have no desire to stay in the main building again. Pretty as it was, it just wasn't the same to us. SL has such an intimate feel with the private lobby, the small amount of rooms, just the spirit of the whole place. It was a perfect fit for us
When we arrived at the Loaf, our bellman told us something wonderful, that the concierge desk could provide me with boxes in which to pack up and then they would ship our purchases home for us and add the shipping to the room charge! I was thrilled, that solved my problem with carry on luggage right there!
We marched into Sugar Loaf and I went to the concierge desk and said "Hi Honeys, we're home!" and everyone laughed. We actually got a few squeals and a little happy applause from the staff. Our favorite Norma was there and she kept saying she was so glad we were back!
Our room this time was my favorite of the whole trip: 6219. It was just far enough away from the lounge to be a little quieter, it was a corner room with a GREAT marina view.
We were all excited now and raring to have fun on our first bonus day, so we had a quick snack in the lounge and off we went to the bus stop to catch the Studios bus!
When we got to the bus stop, a newer style bus pulled up than we're used to. It looked lower to the ground, so I hoped that maybe it'd be easier to load my wheelchair onto it. I had no idea how much easier it was going to be!
Not only did this bus have a ramp that extended out from the steps like the others, but it literally bowed toward the curb on some kind of hydraulic system, and lowered that side of the bus to make it easier to get on! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. My husband, an engineer, was floored by it.
Once safely strapped onto the bus, the driver hit a button which raised the bus back up slowly, tilting it back until it was level again! INCREDIBLE! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.
I can only hope that when they bring in the next evolution in monorails they do something with an automatically retractable ramp: I felt so sorry and was so apologetic every time the poor monorail drivers had to haul that heavy ramp to get me on the train.
On another side side note (this has more 'sides' than a combination meal from KFC, I apologize! But I may as well throw this in here!) the monorail ramps are MUCH better this year than last. I know the drivers hate them because they're heavier, but I love them, because they're heavier. And wider. On the old ramps, I literally was driven over the side on two occaisions making for a terrifying experience. They also didn't seem to want to hold much weight and bowed. Not the new ones! They have wheels on the sides which lock them in like a puzzle piece with the train so that it can't move while you're being loaded. A much better thing for us, even if not for them.
Amazed still by the state of the art bus, we were on our way to the Studios! We had missed the Mermaid show the other day, so we promised that to DD. The lines were really long, so we decided to take in Millionaire and see if they thinned a little later on.
This time, DH and I were ready. I told the cm's that I wanted to transfer out of my chair, but they didn't appear to listen and pointed me to a wheelchair space, handed me a keypad, and that was it. The show was starting soon, so I stayed there and let me tell you, those keypads with the 2 miles of extra cable to allow those in a chair to play do NOT register as fast as the ones in the seats do. I know that I was answering really fast and I didn't make the top ten in the first segment (I'll tell you later how I know I was answering fast).
By the second segment, DH and I realized we'd totally tanked this time round and had no chance of getting anywhere near the top ten. We really got into cheering on the contestants, it is such a fun show.
When it ended we moved over to Mermaid where there was about 15 minutes till the next show, and we waited. DD was very patient and we enjoyed the show (I swear it seemed faster than last time). I was so angry at people who were taking flash pictures in the audience, the performers could be injured if they get distracted in that dark environment. People just don't think!
For some reason, the way it was lit we got to see exactly how Ariel changes from mermaid to 'human' at the end, my dd shouted "Mom! I saw it! I saw when they..." and I quickly shushed her, I didn't want her to spoil it for the other kids. "It was so cool!" she continued. I really think this kid is gonna work in theater one day. She's a triple threat
After Ariel, I asked DH if he wanted to give Millionaire one more try just for fun. We'd really enjoyed it, and besides it was getting really hot out, and it was a nice cool place to sit for awhile.
I wanted to stop by the ladies room but we saw they were just about to close the doors for the next show. I decided to skip it and told DH to park my chair, I'd walk a few feet to get into the studio to get in a regular chair for sure this time.
We sat down in seats 582 (dad), 583 (Dh), 584 (dd), and 585 (me).
The music started, the lights came up, and the game was on! The first person (I forget if it was a man or lady!) got to 1,000 and they showed the top ten.
We looked up at the monitor: and in second place, seat 583, in first place 585! DH and I were giggling maniacly, we were having a blast and the questions seemed a breeze this time round.
We each had our own system for how we hit the keypad, and kept playing along as the contestant continued. When she (I think it was a she! LOL) got to 16,000, she missed an answer. They were going to select the next player from the audience. I looked at DH and said "It's going to be you, I know it."
They showed the list of the top ten, in third place, 583, in second place, somebody in the 140's, and the top scorer was...
"The person sitting in seat number 585."
I looked at my husband with glee...yayyyyy! He'd done it! He'd done it...
...I'd done it?
The spotlight came and landed on me, and my DH said "Go! It's you! You did it!" and I was like, "No way!"
"Go for it, Sugar!" my dad said with a laugh. His grin was huge. Even though I was only playing for points, we didn't care. It was exciting!
I squealed really loud, which made everybody laugh LOL and I tried to get up from my seat without falling down the two steps to the stage. Soon as the audience saw my crutch, there was an audible, collective gasp from the crowd: someone said "She's handicapped!" (as if that meant I couldn't possibly have a brain LOL) really loudly and I heard the rumble of whispers all around.
I just smiled, this was going to be a heck of a good time. And maybe I'd get some pins out of the deal!
When I got to the stage, a stagehand asked me my name and where I was from so they could tell the host. He congratulated me on getting to play, adjusted the height of my chair (which felt like being at the hairdresser lol) and told me to speak in a loud, clear voice and just have fun! I was having fun already!
It was all very surreal and for just a moment when I looked at the screen before me which was blank, so went my mind. I couldn't remember how to play! But I knew that I'd be okay if I just looked at the host and DIDN'T look at myself on the jumbo screens that were all around. Boy, was I glad I put on eye makeup that morning!
The host said hello and shook my hand, and we settled in. Soon as the screen lit up and I saw the lifeline pictures, I was okay, I remembered what I was supposed to do.
"Everyone say hello to Kristin from Michigan!" The host said with a smile.
I almost burst out laughing cause my name isn't Kristin, it's close but not it. I found it funny cause one of my favorite bosses used to call me Kristin, even after I'd worked there for months, but I didn't care. She was nice to me, she could call me whatever she wanted. So could this guy.
Then he paused, he touched his earpiece, wait, was someone in the control room telling him something? "Oh, I'm sorry, is it XXX?" he said, saying it right that time.
"Yep! That's okay!"
"Who did you bring with you today?"
"My dad, my wonderful husband, and my great daughter!" I said, and then suddenly my family was on the big screen LOL. Everyone giggled when they saw DD, she was disney-fied to the max and looked as tourist-y as you can get. What a cutie
He asked if it was my first time to WDW and I said no, this was our family's 43rd trip and that got a round of applause. He asked if we had any traditions we always do after so many trips, and I thought about saying something sentimental, but then decided to go for the laugh.
"Well," I said, cocking my head to the side "We tend to eat. A lot." the audience roared and applauded. "And shop!" I added. The host laughed and asked if I'd been to the show before. I told him we tried earlier to get on but missed cause time ran out, and he said "Persistance paid off cause here we are, you ready to play?" and I said "woo hoo!" and off we went.
da da da da da da dummmmmmmmm *music for dramatic effect*
"For a hundred points, tell me which animal is considered man's best friend."
"Dog, final answer."
"For two hundred points, which of these disney characters is a pirate?"
"Captain Hook, Final Answer."
Up we went, he asked me which board game was supposed to be able to contact spirits, (Ouija board, final answer) what part of the nose was effected by Rhinitis (the nose) then he asked me what I thought was a trick question.
Which of the following names was the name of the Bachelorette on the first season of the show?
Now, I knew there was a chick named Trista on that show, but I thought there had been more than one season, and so I thought it was a trick. To be sure, I asked the audience. They concurred it was Trista, and I got that one. Looking back I realize the host asked me what my first intuition was, I didn't say because I didn't want to influence the audience: but I see that he was trying to save me a lifeline.
Oh well, onward! I get to this one: Which of these books was written by J. Heller? I was debating between Farenheit 451 and Catch 22. I did the 50/50, and it removed Farenheit, so I knew it was 22. Got it! One lifeline left, and I was now suddenly at 32,000! I had my 10 pin set, the lanyard, baseball cap and oooooooooo ahhhhhhh the matching polo shirt! I was psyched!
Then came the 64,000 question.
"In the comic book Mandrake the Magician, what is the name of Mandrake's partner in adventure?"
Excuse me, are you speaking swahili? I thought. I have no idea what this guy is talking about! Boy do I wish I could ask my Dad, but all I can do is "phone a complete stranger"!
So I do, and man, this guy has no idea why he's on the phone, let alone the answer to my question. I figure it can't hurt to take a guess, so I do.
Of course I'm wrong LOL.
I doubt any of the other lifelines could've helped me anyway, cause no one I asked later when people saw my Play It pins had any idea of the answer! To my surprise, even my dad, who was a voracious comic reader as a kid, hadn't any idea.
I was just glad I didn't lose on like an easy geography or math question that flew out of my MS brain LOL. I couldn't be faulted for missing on Mandrake's friend "Lothar"! (think I'll ever forget it now? Not likely!) LOL
So the stage guy came to take me away, he reminded me to shake hands with the host LOL I said thank you, then I was taken backstage to fill out the paperwork.
"So sorry you didn't win the cruise!" the nice lady taking my info said. It was then that I said what I would say to everyone who expressed that..."Actually, I'm terrified of cruise ships!"
I was so parched that I had practically no voice, and the lady went into the host's dressing area and came back with a bottle of water for me! LOL She was so sweet to do that. Everyone there was so nice.
I honestly didn't feel bad about not winning the cruise. I have such balance/vertigo issues there's no way I could take a cruise. The rest of the pins would've been nice lol and if the prize had been a WDW vacation for four..well that would've been different! But as it was I was thrilled, had fun talking to people for the rest of our stay about my lanyard full of pins (met so many cool people that way!) and best of all, for reasons I still can't fathom, my family was proud of me LOL.
The very best part of the whole thing was the small voice I heard above all the noise coming from the audience whenever I got an answer right.
It was the tiny little voice shouting...
"Go, Mom!"
Making my daughter proud was the best prize of all.
After leaving Millionaire, we had celebratory ice cream bars (like we need an excuse lol) then DD wanted to go on Star Tours again, so Dad and I got a table with an umbrella and got us some fries to munch on.
Just as they were coming out, we realized Stars and Motorcars was about to start. Now, I had no idea this parade was SO COOL! DD and I found an empty spot near the front when a CM came and took her by the hand and led her up to the curb. She got to sit down and I watched a few feet behind her. The wicked queen from Snow White was hilarious, she came up to DD (who was wearing her one of a kind princess dress) and said "I make all the beautiful princesses bow to me!" I said "Don't do it!" to my dd, laughing, and dd was already mid-bow LOL. Queen said "See, she knows what is right!" and gave me those big, staring eyes before she danced away LOL.
Mary Poppins blew dd several kisses and told her she liked her dress all the way from up on the float! Thanks to that kind CM, dd had a front row seat with the rest of the kiddies.
We saw Mulan in her float and called to her and she shouted "Hey, hi there guys!" I'm sure she remembered DD from breakfast because we fussed over her so two days before. Our favorite cars were Mulan (of course) Star Wars (dd swooned when Luke gave her a salute and a smirk as he passed by LOL) and Aladdin.
After the parade we decided to take a leisurely stroll through the shops, stopped in Cahuengas and found a perfect gift for my MIL, and then we decided to head over to Epcot. It's so nice how it lets off right by France at the world gateway, cause that's where our dinner ressie was!
Okay, let me pause to ask here what the h-e-double hockey sticks is the matter with some parents? I spent the whole boat ride involuntarily lurching forward in my wheelchair as we watched this "father" allow his very small child (under two) dangle out the window of the Friendship Seven! The kid barely had his feet left in the boat, and I was panicking. Even DD was horrified, she couldn't believe anyone would let their baby do that. What got me even more was the kid's mother sat there in the next row of the boat with another kid pretending nothing was going on! Oy. If that kid lives to be of the age of majority it'll be a miracle. Don't people know there could be critters in those murky waters? If you dropped a child in, how could you ever hope to find them? Especially one that small.
I also must thank the crew of the USS "Too lazy to get the ramp" for the sore hips I had the next day: the woman skipper came and said to my husband "take her on backward, you don't need the ramp." NOT! She said that the bump "Wasn't that big." Well, I wonder when the last time was that SHE went over it in a wheelchair, cause it HURT! I should have asked DH to get the ramp himself, but I didn't know how bad it would be on the way in and I didn't want to complain on the way out. Never again. That was the only time the crew didn't get the ramp out for us to board the boat and I will never put up with that again. My hips hurt a long time after that, not to mention the ol' posterior.
I was very relieved when the dangling baby family got off the boat at a stop prior to Epcot, I could finally relax a little. I chatted with a lady and her sons who asked about my pins, and the time went quickly.
Soon, we were at the International Gateway. After a leisurely walk past the fountain, we arrived at Chefs de France! And boy, was I starving!
We sat in a different part of the restaurant than I ever had before (we could see them making the desserts, laalglglalalga *homer noise*) and our young waiter came to the table and introduced himself. His name was...Regis LOL. Quite amusing considering the millionaire game earlier in the day!
I just have to tell you, I cannot say enough about the food at Chefs de France. I have eaten there before and been impressed, but this time, it truly was the finest meal I had on the entire vacation, bar none. My dad said Narcoosees still narrowly edged it out (I don't know why, I think he liked the view) but in my opinion, I tasted no food finer than what we were served at Chefs. It was simply perfect.
I started with the potato leek soup, and it was divine. DH had the lobster bisque and was in love from first taste. Main course, Dad and I had the beef filet, the marinade on that is incredible. It was so tender it put the filet I had at the Cali Grill this trip to shame! Closest to it was the beef at O'Hana, but still France was better.
It is served with potato gratin and green beans and julianned carrots. DH had the chicken (he begged me to remind him next time to have the steak, after tasting mine LOL) he said it was delicious but he did regret not having the beef.
I forget what dd had, I think it was chicken, all those kids meals blur together lol I just know she was happy.
For dessert, I just HAD to have my favorite, the little creme puffs with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, and almonds. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Better than I remembered it! Dad swore he had no room for dessert, DH tried a brand new dessert they were premiering that night, a puff pastry thing that I swear had to be ten inches tall! I couldn't believe he could eat it all but it was light as air and so he managed to do it justice.
With a cup of coffee in my hand, I looked out the window at the twinking lights outside in World Showcase and knew this was one of the best days I could remember having, ever.
I also have to tip my mouse ears to the entire staff at Chefs: the service was impeccable from the moment we arrived until we left, no glass went unfilled, no request forgotten, simply smashing!
We were so stuffed after dinner and people were already filing in for Illuminations which didn't start for almost 2 hours, that we decided we were too tired to stick it out. We stopped at the shops near the entrance of WS for some more loot (Since I was shipping so much home anyway...)
Now the rest of the night pretty much becomes a blur, I was having trouble remembering what we did (DH said we called it a night early and I'm inclined to believe him LOL) I know that I packed up everything I could in the suitcases so as not to have to fool with it later, and also packed purchases up to ship with the help of boxes, tape and scissors on loan from the concierge.
I took those down to the desk and left them in the care of the very helpful, fun and capable Barbara and Robert. (Speaking of Robert, he's had so many cool jobs at WDW in the past, he and I talked so long that he actually called me round the side to the door to the back of the concierge desk and showed me pictures from his personal photo album..but don't tell anyone! What a fun guy!
Oh! I did neglect to mention that when we got back to the room, we found a brand new Jasmine doll and a note to DD from Aladdin and Jasmine, addressed to her by name and signed by them both!
The lovely GF manager sure did "leave something in the room for" dd! You should've seen the look on her face when she saw that doll! I don't know what happened but somewhere along the line on this trip, she decided that (at least for now) Jasmine is her favorite princess.
I believe if I remember correctly that we went to Gasparillas to get some chips for DD and then by the time I got dd and myself all ready for bed, we were ready to turn in. I think that was the earliest night we went to sleep: had to have been just about 11 when I turned the last light out.
A very full, fun day! And I have to tell you I had also been feeling the cumulative effects of pushing myself so hard on this trip physically (even though in a chair, the rest of the getting up and all did catch up to me) I had a sore throat and hoped I wasn't getting sick, I drank lots of tea and thought that a good nights sleep would help, which it did, at least the throat. At least enough to get me through one more full day!
The next day, we planned yet another return to the studios (to see B&B stage show, which we'd never done) and a trip to the boardwalk to shop at ESPN for darling DH!
Coming soon, Days seven and a half: wrapping up in the MK and happy endings all around...
