Saturday, August 02, 2002
After our refreshing nap, I take advantage of having the bathroom all to myself (Wow! What's that like??) and am dressed for Hoop De Doo by the time rest of fam starts coming in. DD8 is next while I get my hair dry, then it's time for my littlest cowgirl! Have to put some pigtails in her hair for that "look". She is a doll. Will finish her costume when we get to the Pioneer Hall. Just when things are going good disaster tends to strike and tonight is no different! DD8 can't find anything clean to wear! (What! Even with laundry being done??) Apparently I have packed some things she has outgrown giving me a false sense of how many outfits she has. Inspiration strikes and I call SIL. After explaining the situation she says, "Got it! Meet me halfway!" So, I run down the halls, hoping I am heading the right direction and meet her after rounding several corners...! "Thanks so much!" "Not a problem!" and we run back to our respective rooms. DD8 is happy as the dress we borrowed from DNiece9 fits great and matches her cowgirl hat! Whew! Happiness returns...
At this point I have some confusing thoughts as to whether we should get there early to make sure our table is up front (I had heard stories on some of the boards that tables are assigned not by when you make them... up to 2 years in advance... but by when you check in, so I wanted to cover all my bases!) I call all the rooms and say Let's Meet at the Dock by 6:15 PM. Everyone scrambles and we're out the door, ponchos in hand! At this time, I pass out everyones gifts for this evening and they include, real brass metal "sheriff's badges" with personalized names. (Mine was Dodge City Denise! Others included: Wild Mike Hiccock, Stacey Ingalls Wilder, Hop Along Kurt, Tyler the Kid, Calamity Kelcey...) I am also wearing my denim pin vest and a bandana with my denim shorts.
Our group gets separated because one of the boats won't let DD2 ride in her wheelchair/stroller... so we have to wait for a different style boat. Luckily, SIL on the 1st boat is "with the program" and has gotten in line at the check-in window so the wait isn't bad at all! (Thanks, Stace!) We get our assigned seating and wait to be let in with everyone else! The kids have run over to the petting farm for a few minutes. In the meanwhile, I put the finishing touches to DD2's costume. She is now dressed in black embroidered cowgirl boots and a black and white cow girl outfit complete with fur vest and fringe! Adorable! (Will be listing it back on EBAY where I found it if anyone is interested!)
When we are finally let in for the 7:15 PM show we have a great table. Actually 2 tables, one for 10 people and right beside us, one for 5. I must say that rumor was false, based on when we checked in, we should have been upstairs in the back somewhere... we were right up front had a great view. We LOVED IT! When the waiters started bringing out the food we were a little startled as they "plop" the pail of salad down on a pewter plate and it makes a loud clang... which is intended to be a part of the show, but unexpectedly makes us all jump (especially poor little DD2!) I'm glad she didn't start wailing..Woh!
The meal includes all you can eat and drink and when we ordered our wine, were we ever surprised to get a mason jar full of merlot. (Chardonnay and sangria were also available, as well as beer!) Let's just say I didn't ask for a refill! The fried chicken is my favorite, but it also comes with some pretty tasty BBQ ribs. Sides include, baked beans and corn. The bread is very tasty with a honey butter spread. Strawberry shortcake comes at the end of the meal...
The show is pretty funny and the singers have very good voices and (darned cute to boot!) But, they seem to be a little green as a "troupe" and I find they were not as funny as the show I had seen 2 years ago, where I could hardly eat for laughing so hard! Not that the show didn't have its moments, mind you... just wasn't quite the same as I remembered. My family proclaimed it hysterical and enjoyed it immensely... At the end of the show, the cute "ditzy" blond kissed DNeph13 on the cheek and called him handsome on her way by his table! A highlight to be sure (that cheek is probably not getting washed!) We all proclaim it was worth doing.
We head back for the marina to catch a boat back to the WL. Here is where we meet some Disney Magic! The boat that arrives is not going to WL but the MK and Contemporary... thanks to the CM on the dock calling them in advance, they make special arrangements to drop us off first! (Is that not sweet!) Thank you CM Ray and your wonderful crew who helped make us feel special that night! Pixie dust to you! Walking back up the wooden dock to the WL in the semi-moonlight, we are all walking slower to reminisce over our magical evening and share with others who had never been to the Hoop de Doo... This is our last night at WL and it has been a magical night indeed!
Thank you for sharing your *drum roll* GRAND ADVENTURES with us!
Hopping up and down for your "Easter Week" vacation!
