Day 9 - Part 1 Raspberries Are Best Eaten One Seed at a Time

[CJK]

The Cast:

Goofy Gal (me) - Obsessive Disney Planner
Goofy Guy (my husband) - Tolerant of the Obsessive Disney Planner
Dapper Dad (my dad) - A fellow Disney lover!
Fanlover (my mom) - Fan of Disney, not fan of the heat
ToT Sis (my sister ) - Likes Disney, but Tower of Terror? Not so much...
Cocoa Bil (my bro-in-law) Likes Disney, especially their hot chocolate
Splashboy (my nephew) age 6 Never been to Disney, excited and nervous to try the big rides
Boomer (my nephew) age 4 Never been to Disney, age 4 going on 14

Dining Report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=901786
Introductory Report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=903652
Day 1 Peter Pan PLEASE teach me to fly!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=904193
Day 2 - Part 1 Prison or Disney?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=904890
Day 2 - Part 2 The broom kissed the balloon
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=905052
Day 2 - Part 3 Conquering the Magic Kingdom
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=905863
Day 2 - Part 4 Splash Mountain vs. The Boy
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=906053
Day 3 - Part 1 Tower of Terror: Enter With Caution
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=907362
Day 3 - Part 2 Sittin' on Stranger's laps
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=908266
Day 3 - Part 3 Thank goodness for Dinosaurs!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=908703
Day 4 - Part 1 Beware: Crush 'n' Gusher has a 48-inch height restriction
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=910433
Day 4 - Part 2 My Heroes: The Lifeguards
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=910561
Day 4 - Part 3 Move Over Tom Hanks - There's a New Man in Town!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=911269
Day 5 - Part 1 Newsflash: Disney Waterslides Reveal Hidden Talents
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=912197
Day 5 - Part 2 Ghiradelli Sundaes and 4yr old Boys
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=913168
Day 5 - Part 3 Who Says Disney Isn't For Adults?!?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=913984
Day 6 - Part 1 Becoming Famous in the Magic Kingdom!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=914878
Day 6 - Part 2 Ballet Dancing Never Looked So Good!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=915472
Day 7 - Part 1 Gorillas & Giraffes & Rhinos - Oh My!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=916191
Day 7 - Part 2 Flyin' to Mars, Soarin' Over California - All in a Day's Work
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=917232
Day 7 - Part 3 & Day 8 - Part 1 Anything But the Dreaded Good-bye!!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=921037
Day 8 - Part 2 Forget Alligators: Frogs Can be VERY Dangerous!!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=921731

Day 9 - Part 1 Raspberries Are Best Eaten One Seed at a Time

I could actually feel ourselves starting to slow down. The early mornings and late nights were getting even to the most of Disney enthusiasts. We slept in until 8:30am today, which is a marvel in and of itself. While we were still snoozing, Dapper dad was checking out. He also had some left over snack credits, so he went to the food court to load up on cracker jacks and rice crispy treats. There were NO crackerjacks and they only had rice crispy treats WITHOUT the dipped chocolate ears. Why even bother!! I may as well eat dirt. The chocolate is the best part. They had to make do with some fruit. I made a note to myself making sure we bought some cracker jacks and Mickey ears to bring home for them.

Before we knew it, we all gathered in their van one last time to go have breakfast at the Yacht Club. I was already beginning to feel that familiar knot in my stomach at the very thought of having to say another good-bye. I was willing myself to maintain control but I realized that I needed some help.

So I had another cherry coke and Excedrin.

I forgot it was only 9:30am. My stomach didn’t appreciate all that carbonation. We arrived at the parking gate where the CM manning the booth made sure we knew the buffet breakfast was NOT a character breakfast. Without missing a beat, Dapper dad said he knew that and was glad because we had enough characters in the van.

The CM looked at me, then looked back at Dapper dad sympathetically.

I saw that.

Before breakfast, we decided to walk around the pool area. It’s like a mini water park isn’t it? I hope we can use this pool someday. Although, considering the price, it may be easier just to wrestle the security guard in order to get him to give us one of the required wristbands. Maybe next time. I had just gotten a manicure anyway.

We had made advanced dining reservations the night before for the Yacht Club Galley, but we learned this morning that it wasn’t necessary. We were practically the only table in the entire restaurant.

Maybe I should bring my deodorant with me next year.

The buffet was pretty good. The guys really enjoyed the fruit selection since there were enormous raspberries and other fruit not normally served at buffets. Our waitress brought us some Mickey waffles to top off the meal. We all enjoyed the breakfast, reminiscing about the trip and trying to forget that this was marking the end of the trip for Dapper dad and Fanlover.

I tried to prolong the meal by eating my raspberries one seed at a time, but Goofy guy caught on to what I was doing and called me on it.

Sleep with one eye open tonight honey.

Despite my efforts, the meal came to an end. We visited the restrooms in the lobby and then the dreaded good-bye had arrived. I actually thought I might make it this time. I was fairly good when I said good-bye to ToT sis and family and I was even better when I said good-bye to my former roommate in Cocoa Beach. Maybe I was getting better? Perhaps I was turning over a new leaf?

Just then the waterworks started. It was what Oprah refers to as, “the UGLY cry”. Naturally I couldn’t have cried the silent, almost romantic tears you see in movies. No - I had to sob with that ugly expression on my face, while hiccupping and swallowing at the same time. It wasn’t pretty. My apologies to anyone who was standing nearby. The funny thing is – Dapper dad seemed rather sympathetic. Usually I think he just humours us Drama Queens whenever we get like this, but it was almost as if he understood and even appreciated I didn’t want them to leave.

Or at least that’s what I was telling myself.

After some hugs all around, Dapper dad and Fanlover sailed away into the sunset. Well, they drove off in their van, but that’s anti-climactic wouldn’t you say? This truly marked the end of our family Disney vacation…not to mention the end of our being chauffeured around Disney. The bus was going to be our new mode of transportation. Good-bye diamond lot parking and hello bus stop. I usually don’t mind using Disney transportation, but for this trip, it meant that my family had all gone home. sniff

I put on my sunglasses even though we were still inside the hotel. Like I was really fooling anybody! I was still hiccupping and really, who wears sunglasses in hotels?

Hysterical Drama Queens – that’s who.

We slowly walked out to the boardwalk and made our way to Epcot. Goofy guy was really great. He was comfortable having a little quiet time and just walking companionably along the boardwalk while I gained some composure. I was telling myself that I shouldn’t be so sad. It had been a trip of a lifetime and everyone had been so happy. And now, I should enjoy some alone time with my hubby. Life was wonderful so start acting like it!

We arrived at the International Gateway, and I was starting to feel much better. It was a beautiful morning and we were about to go on Soarin’. We walked directly there to pick up fast passes. We wanted to go on the Land ride, but there was a long line again today and we couldn’t get a fast pass. We realized that this was going to become a problem. On past trips, we always fast passed the Land ride since it was the only fast pass attraction in the building. Now, there were 2 fast pass attractions in the same building. What’s a girl to do?

How about start planning the next trip?

As I daydreamed about a possible future trip, we decided to check out the Circle of Life show instead. It may be a little simplistic, but its message is received loud and clear. I wished Splashboy and Boomer had gotten the chance to see it. It was educational and fun.

And there wasn’t even a height requirement.

We walked out of the Land building and watched a little bit of the Cyber Groove show. We had never seen them before. I was amazed how much they jumped around considering the temperature now had to be around 140F. I was now wishing Fanlover had left us her beloved fan. We’d have to buy more batteries, but it would have been worth it. We decided that air conditioning was in order so we went to Spaceship Earth. I noticed that there are no interactive games at the ride’s exit anymore. Is that due to change in sponsorship?

We still had a fair bit of time before Soarin’, so we went to Mexico. That’s part of the fun about Epcot isn’t it? How many other places can you say you’re going for a boat ride in Mexico, followed by lunch in Japan and dessert in France?

The boat ride was relaxing and we reminisced about our fabulous Mexican trip a few years ago. I debated about getting a margarita, but I remembered we were having dinner at Jiko tonight and we were planning on trying some African wine. Between that and my Excedrin/cherry coke habit, I figured I should be careful or a 12 step program would be in my future…

And anyway, Goofy guy didn’t feel like carrying me home tonight.

Next stop was the Stave Church in Norway. Truth be told – I never knew until this year that you could actually go inside. There’s a nice little exhibit there. When we left the church, I noticed that I startled a few people. At first I thought they were gawking at my red puffy eyes, but then I realized they didn’t know you could go inside the church either. At least I’m not the only one. We went on the Norway ride next with a bunch of screamers. Believe it or not, I was the calm one…

No, really, I was

We bypassed the movie and went directly to the American Adventure to see the Liberty Singers. This is one of my very few regrets of the trip. Dapper dad LOVES the Liberty Singers and though I tried to fit it into our schedule, I failed miserably. He never did get to see the Liberty Singers this trip, but, he did get to sing with the Dapper Dans. I figured we broke even. The Liberty Singers had a great new soprano this year. She wasn’t quite as good as the infamous redhead, but give her time and I think she’ll become quite spectacular. She had an amazing quality to her voice.

I’m a professional singer myself you understand; just ask my kindergarten teacher.

We stayed for the American Adventure before heading back towards Soarin’. This time, we managed to get front row seats. Amazing!!! I really liked the added bonus of not seeing dangling feet in front of me. The ride was just as fantastic the second time. I see a trip to California in our future. Maybe we could drop by California on our way home from Europe next year, but before returning “home” to Disney World. Who needs food between now and then, right?

This was our last time in Epcot this trip, so I talked Goofy guy into letting me go on Mission: Space one more time. Goofy guy said that he was going to remain on earth right where he belongs. As I walked towards Mission: Space, I’m pretty sure I heard him mutter something about my head always being up in the clouds anyway…but I may have just imagined it.

It was a walk-on yet again today. That was a little eerie to me. Are people scared to ride now? I boarded our aircraft and went to pick up my motion sickness bag (it had become my good luck charm I think), but they were GONE.

I immediately apologized to the young girl beside me. I wasn’t responsible for what might happen.

After a silent prayer, we arrived at Mars without incident. We were all actually laughing and giggling the whole time. Sign me up for the real thing. That “sleep mode” button could really come in handy.

It was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. This time, instead of heading towards the handy dandy diamond lot parking, we had to gasp, take the bus. Oh how I was missing the van already! It felt like we waited at the bus stop for an hour, but it was probably only 15 minutes.

Luxurious vans not only spoil you, they also make you forget how to tell time.

We arrived at the hotel and quickly changed for our highly anticipated meal at Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Little did we know, we were about to find out what happens when you combine 1&1/2 bottles of African red wine and Space Mountain. Oy! Stay tuned!!

 

[VanniGirl]

Another great installment - I can't wait for the next.

 

[PratersloveDW]

I'm lovin' it so far! Thanks for another great report...

 

[CJK]

Thank you!!

Sorry for the delay in the next installment. It's coming today. I hope to have the report completely finished in the next couple days. Thanks for reading!