The Cast: Marie, my wife, 50 ish
Sarah, my daughter, 21
Domenica, Sarah's friend, 21
Me, all round good guy, 52
Our Priors: 1980 - Off - Site
1982 - Contemporary
1987 - Polynesian
1989 - Grand Floridian
1992 - Beach Club
1994 - Beach Club
1995 - Dixie Landings / Beach Club / Vero Beach
1996 - Boardwalk
1997 - Wilderness Lodge / Beach Club
1999 - Disney Paris
2000 - Boardwalk
2003 - Polynesian / Boardwalk
2004 - Boardwalk
2005 - Yacht Club
Day 2 dawned as hot and humid as Day 1 had been. Nothing like Florida in June. I went down to the lounge in the lobby and got coffee,cereal and croissants for breakfast. The girls had planned some quality time in the sun for the day, which was why they remained sober at the bachelorette party the night before; no sense wasting a day in Disney nursing a hangover. Marie wanted to do some laundry. So after breakfast the girls went to Stormalong Bay and Marie and I went to the laundry by the quiet pool. Laundry isn't that bad a chore when you have a pool and hot tub at your disposal. When we finished there we joined the girls and enjoyed a lazy, relaxing morning.
Lunch was burgers and fries at Beaches & Cream. I can remember when you could walk in there just about any time and get a seat. Now there's always a line. The food was good as usual.
After some more pool time the girls had to get ready for the rehearsal and the dinner that followed. Dom wasn't in the wedding party but just went to watch and hang out with Sarah. All the invited guests were also asked to attend the dinner so after allowing time for the girls to shower, we went up to get ready.
The dinner was at Ariel's in the Beach Club where we finally got to meet some of the other guests. We knew the bride and groom, the bride's mother, sister and father (who is a good friend ) and that was about it. I think about 150 people were invited and it looked like most had showed up.
After dinner we just had time to go over to EPCOT and catch Illuminations again, the girls went to the dance hall on the Boardwalk with some of the wedding party. They told us later that it was totally dead, like no one was there.
Back at the room, Marie's shoulders are a nice lobster red ( I told her to use sun screen, "Why, I don't burn". I've heard that before ) and the girls both feel like they're coming down with colds. Those plane rides will get you every time. After dispensing aloe and sudafed, it's bed time.
Day 3 started with breakfast from the lounge again. Sarah was going to be tied up much of the day with wedding stuff, make-up and hair and whatever else goes on. The rest of us decided it was a good day to shop since the park hopping would begin tomorrow. After more aloe and sudafed, Sarah went her way and we went downtown. We got some gifts, I tried to find some pins for a friend who collects them only to find out they're only available in Disneyland. Had some lunch at RainForest, where they dumped part of my lunch on the table then brought out an entire second plate that I couldn't possibly eat. Headed back to the Yacht Club to rest up for the big night ahead. Dom took her book and went to the pool, don't have to worry about her getting burnt, the girl is dark. I was thinking about going to the pool a little later but the skies opened up so I had another beer instead
A bus was coming to pick us up at 6:40 so we were in the lobby at 6:30. We were the last stop so we went right to the wedding pavilion. The castle is framed in the window behind the altar, nice touch. The wedding party all looked great, the bride looked like she had stepped out of a magazine, the service was short and sweet. The bride choked up and we didn't think she was going to get her vows out but she pulled it together. It was a nice ceremony.
Outside we formed a line for the bride and groom to pass through then they went back for pictures and we were loaded back on the bus. We entered EPCOT through a back gate and were let off right behind the American Adventure in World Showcase. We were led in through a gate there and into the building. The tables were set up in the rotunda right inside the front doors, very nicely decorated, centerpieces, nice lighting, quite striking. We,however, were led to the escalator as the drinks and hors d'oeuvre were being served on the second floor. After about 20 minutes or so those who were interested were led outside to view the fireworks from a roped off area in front of Italy.
If I may rant for just a moment. All the times we've been to Disney we've watched Illuminations practically every night, at least when we were in an EPCOT hotel. That spot right in front of Italy, over the bridge, was always our favorite viewing area. I can remember sitting there an hour to an hour and a half before the show to get that spot. ( Thankfully, I'm not that crazy anymore ). I remember how angry I was the first time I saw it roped off and a private little party standing out there. I ranted and raved about the unfairness of it all, how Disney would sell their soul for a dollar. Well, let me just say now that it was nice to be part of that private little party after all these years.
After the fireworks we were led back to the American Adventure and the party started. You had all the usual wedding stuff. ( very articulate, I know)
The bridal party marched in, the bride and groom, the first dances. The music was provided by a DJ. The food was very good. First was a salad, then for the second course the lights dimmed and the waiters came out with trays that had ice sculpture glass slippers with a blue,I guess, fiber optic light under each one. In the "toe" of each was a scoop of sorbet. Really looked sharp. The entree was chicken and filet mignon with vegetables and, of course, cake for dessert. Open bar all night long. The party rocked until 1:30 when we were bussed back to our hotels. I really wanted to walk back through EPCOT when it was empty but that was not allowed. Sleep came easy...........
More to come..........
Sarah, my daughter, 21
Domenica, Sarah's friend, 21
Me, all round good guy, 52
Our Priors: 1980 - Off - Site
1982 - Contemporary
1987 - Polynesian
1989 - Grand Floridian
1992 - Beach Club
1994 - Beach Club
1995 - Dixie Landings / Beach Club / Vero Beach
1996 - Boardwalk
1997 - Wilderness Lodge / Beach Club
1999 - Disney Paris
2000 - Boardwalk
2003 - Polynesian / Boardwalk
2004 - Boardwalk
2005 - Yacht Club
Day 2 dawned as hot and humid as Day 1 had been. Nothing like Florida in June. I went down to the lounge in the lobby and got coffee,cereal and croissants for breakfast. The girls had planned some quality time in the sun for the day, which was why they remained sober at the bachelorette party the night before; no sense wasting a day in Disney nursing a hangover. Marie wanted to do some laundry. So after breakfast the girls went to Stormalong Bay and Marie and I went to the laundry by the quiet pool. Laundry isn't that bad a chore when you have a pool and hot tub at your disposal. When we finished there we joined the girls and enjoyed a lazy, relaxing morning.
Lunch was burgers and fries at Beaches & Cream. I can remember when you could walk in there just about any time and get a seat. Now there's always a line. The food was good as usual.
After some more pool time the girls had to get ready for the rehearsal and the dinner that followed. Dom wasn't in the wedding party but just went to watch and hang out with Sarah. All the invited guests were also asked to attend the dinner so after allowing time for the girls to shower, we went up to get ready.
The dinner was at Ariel's in the Beach Club where we finally got to meet some of the other guests. We knew the bride and groom, the bride's mother, sister and father (who is a good friend ) and that was about it. I think about 150 people were invited and it looked like most had showed up.
After dinner we just had time to go over to EPCOT and catch Illuminations again, the girls went to the dance hall on the Boardwalk with some of the wedding party. They told us later that it was totally dead, like no one was there.
Back at the room, Marie's shoulders are a nice lobster red ( I told her to use sun screen, "Why, I don't burn". I've heard that before ) and the girls both feel like they're coming down with colds. Those plane rides will get you every time. After dispensing aloe and sudafed, it's bed time.
Day 3 started with breakfast from the lounge again. Sarah was going to be tied up much of the day with wedding stuff, make-up and hair and whatever else goes on. The rest of us decided it was a good day to shop since the park hopping would begin tomorrow. After more aloe and sudafed, Sarah went her way and we went downtown. We got some gifts, I tried to find some pins for a friend who collects them only to find out they're only available in Disneyland. Had some lunch at RainForest, where they dumped part of my lunch on the table then brought out an entire second plate that I couldn't possibly eat. Headed back to the Yacht Club to rest up for the big night ahead. Dom took her book and went to the pool, don't have to worry about her getting burnt, the girl is dark. I was thinking about going to the pool a little later but the skies opened up so I had another beer instead
A bus was coming to pick us up at 6:40 so we were in the lobby at 6:30. We were the last stop so we went right to the wedding pavilion. The castle is framed in the window behind the altar, nice touch. The wedding party all looked great, the bride looked like she had stepped out of a magazine, the service was short and sweet. The bride choked up and we didn't think she was going to get her vows out but she pulled it together. It was a nice ceremony.
Outside we formed a line for the bride and groom to pass through then they went back for pictures and we were loaded back on the bus. We entered EPCOT through a back gate and were let off right behind the American Adventure in World Showcase. We were led in through a gate there and into the building. The tables were set up in the rotunda right inside the front doors, very nicely decorated, centerpieces, nice lighting, quite striking. We,however, were led to the escalator as the drinks and hors d'oeuvre were being served on the second floor. After about 20 minutes or so those who were interested were led outside to view the fireworks from a roped off area in front of Italy.
If I may rant for just a moment. All the times we've been to Disney we've watched Illuminations practically every night, at least when we were in an EPCOT hotel. That spot right in front of Italy, over the bridge, was always our favorite viewing area. I can remember sitting there an hour to an hour and a half before the show to get that spot. ( Thankfully, I'm not that crazy anymore ). I remember how angry I was the first time I saw it roped off and a private little party standing out there. I ranted and raved about the unfairness of it all, how Disney would sell their soul for a dollar. Well, let me just say now that it was nice to be part of that private little party after all these years.
After the fireworks we were led back to the American Adventure and the party started. You had all the usual wedding stuff. ( very articulate, I know)
The bridal party marched in, the bride and groom, the first dances. The music was provided by a DJ. The food was very good. First was a salad, then for the second course the lights dimmed and the waiters came out with trays that had ice sculpture glass slippers with a blue,I guess, fiber optic light under each one. In the "toe" of each was a scoop of sorbet. Really looked sharp. The entree was chicken and filet mignon with vegetables and, of course, cake for dessert. Open bar all night long. The party rocked until 1:30 when we were bussed back to our hotels. I really wanted to walk back through EPCOT when it was empty but that was not allowed. Sleep came easy...........
More to come..........
