To be honest, I dont remember exactly what we did after the post-poopy-pool showers. I do remember something about soft-serve ice cream at Roaring Forks (YUM!). We also checked in with our boys, I think, and got ready for dinner. We had planned to fit in a DVC pitch at some point this weekend, so we wanted to stop at the constantly-manned desk in the WL lobby to chat with the guy there and make an appointment to be pitched. We went down to the lobby, and Surprise! The constantly-manned desk was un-manned. It was about 4:00/4:30 p.m, I think. We decided to take the opportunity to find some comfy chairs and relax and read while waiting for someone to show up. The WL has a great lobby for that, TFI. Unfortunately, most of the comfy chairs did not have a view of the DVC desk. So we ended up in a couple of wooden rockers. Okay, but not super comfy. We read. And glanced over to the desk every couple of minutes. Then I got a text message from Pongoperdigirl (Pongo). Poor baby was stuck at work, and checking in. I texted her back that wed try to call from the meet that night. I have never texted before. It took too long. Probably because I was trying to type it all out, like an e-mail. As a text message virgin, I didnt know how to do the appropriate abbreviations and such. So, when she responded to my msg (ha!), I decided to just call her. We chatted briefly while Jay and I walked to the boat dock. Because DVC guy never showed up. Our ADRs were for 6:30, but we decided we might as well head over a little early, as the bar meet was at 7:30 and we didnt want to feel rushed.
We boated over to MK, and grabbed the Monorail to the Poly. Not a bad trip, even though we (once again) stopped at the campground en route. As we exited the monorail and entered the Poly, Jay said, Theres Grammy. Sure enough, there she was, waiting for Jami and her crew. They, too had a pre-meet ADR at Kona. The girls (and Grampy) showed up shortly thereafter, and we were invited to eat with them. Of course, loving these people as we do, we jumped at the chance to do just that. What a great meal! Honestly, the company was fabulous, and Jay and I both agreed that, food-wise, this was the best meal weve EVER had at WDW. And weve eaten at quite a few places. Our waitress was named Ashley. Or Ashleigh. Jay and I disagree on the spelling. Regardless, she greeted us with an Aloha. Someone, I believe it was my lovely husband, then proceeded to question how Hawaiian she could actually be with a name like Ashley (Im using his spelling because its easier). At any rate, Ashley was friendly and bubbly enough. At one point early on, Jami and her friends explained that they would be splitting some meals. Or a meal. Something like that. To make things easier at billing time, Ashley informed them that they were to be known henceforth as #1, #4, and #7, based on their seating positions at the table. This kinda stuck. For the rest of the weekend. Even when the numbers changed at the Cali Grill. #1 was S, #4 was Jami, and #7 was M. S was very happy, BTW, that she was #1. Sher-like arm raising and Im #1" declarations ensued. In keeping with this story, please note that Jamis friends will now be referred to as #1 and #7. Because even though the first initials work, Im very afraid of referring to them as S&M, instead of M&S, and I dont want to give anyone any improper and/or incorrect ideas. About them or us. Soooo, digression over, back to our meal. Which was yummy. (Filet and asparagus and AWESOME mashed potatoes.) And the company, which was also yummy. And fun. We had a really nice time getting to know each other. And getting to know more than we ever needed to know about Grammy and her tattoos. TMI? Oh....you dont know the half of it!!!
Anywho, suffice it to say that Grampy is very funny. And all of our dining companions are wonderful, humorous, beautiful people.
As we were finishing up, we realized that it was getting close to meet time. We knew, at that point, that the venue had been moved to the pool bar (
sound familiar?). We also knew that Kimmie and her DH were going to be showing up at the OTHER, inside bar, any minute, so we had to go find them so they wouldnt think that
THEY had been ditched the way that
WE were ditched on OUR first night. Several of us (a couple of the # girls and me, I think) headed to the ladies room, then I did a sweep of the bar. Then another sweep. And I saw Kimmie!! (Quick aside: Kimmie was the only DISer I had ever met prior to this meet. We had a little, mini-New England-meet over the summer at a nice little park in New Hampshire. My family met her and her sweet kids for a brief, relaxing chat. I hadnt met Mr. kpk89, however. Doug is his name. I think its okay to call him that here, as Kim has already posted his name in her trippie.) So, Kim took me over to meet Doug, who was babysitting the drinks, I think, and then I grabbed Jami and introduced her to them both. It was so fun to have a new couple to add to our crew!! We went back to the table, with the kpks in tow, and everyone got introduced and greeted and hugged. We paid the bill, and exited Kona, and stumbled across the Lactos looking for us at the inside bar too! I dont think I realized that they were coming, so it was a nice surprise! Of course, I had already done the big goodbye with them at AK, because they were leaving the next day, but no harm no foul. We were very happy to see them. And the boys...well....they were VERY happy to see Jay. Either that or they were having some kind of dimple malfunction. Big smiles. Happy faces. So cute.
Jami found Sher and/or Horsey via batphone, and confirmed that they were just now getting their bill and finishing dessert at Coral Reef. We agreed to meet at the Volcano Pool downstairs, and all headed down there to get settled. En route, I stopped at the DVC desk in the lobby and made an appointment. For Jay and I to get picked up the next day at about 5:00 p.m. or so and taken to the DVC sales office at Saratoga Springs. We were trying to squeeze this in between the MK and the Cali Grill dinner. I was still mulling over how we wanted that to work, but I knew we could figure it out tomorrow.
I must say, I cant remember a whole lot about this portion of the evening. I know that Sher and Horsey and Haley and YAK all joined us at some point. Was this the first time Id met Haley and YAK? I think it mightve been. That was cool. Haley is the wonderful, sweet, funny girl who was the organizer of this whole dork-fest from the beginning. And YAK just always cracks me up, with her dry wit and skaters change directions stories. So I was a happy girl to meet them both! Here is a little candid pic from the Lacto camera. I think it captures well all the fun we were having:
I remember Sher finding out that you couldnt get drinks in a PINEAPPLE at the pool bar (whats with that?), and having to go upstairs to get them. For her and Haley, maybe? Its tough to tell because, in all the pictures, Sher is holding BOTH of the pineapple drinks. Often in front of Grammys face. Exhibit A (from Grams camera):
There must have been lots of Boy, you are tall kind of conversations, too. That shot of Sher on the chair with Jay was taken this night. Also, here is the pic (courtesy of Jami) that shows Jays foot vs. Horseys! She is tiny, TFI.
I also remember us talking to poor Pongo-at-work. When I called her, we were just getting settled. By the time she hung up, it was really crazy and we felt bad. There is a really good group shot of Kimmies that includes Pongo, from work. (On the phone. With Horsey). But I cant get it to be big enough. Im working on it. So stay tuned for a Volcano Bar group shot. Later. (Unfortunately, most of the ones Im seeing look like you can see my underwear. TFI, you cant. Im wearing a skort. (Yes, Mel, a SKORT! And I ironed it!!) But it still looks kinda weird, so Im holding out for a less revealing photo!)
At some point, I remember Horsey calling Frickles and getting her to come on over to join us. I was so excited to get to meet her! Horsey had spent the afternoon with her and the other Fricks at her hotel pool, and was just raving about how beautiful and wonderful she was. And I already knew how funny and sweet she was, just from M2. So that was a highlight. (She lived up to all of Horseys raves, and more, BTW. What a cutie!! And she called Jay a Tall Drink of Water, which won her points in his book, too.)
I also remember going on to the beach to watch Wishes. Jay going to get everyone chairs. Which no one really wanted or needed, but he just likes to keep busy, I think
The beach and Wishes were fun. Lots of people took pictures. Not me, of course. Because I didnt have a camera. Im sure someone else (Kim? Sher? Haley?) will post some on their TRs. Sorry. It was pretty, but no music. Which SOME people apparently like better. Not me.
I recall the Lacto boys being absolute angels. Playing on the beach. Stopping me on our way back from the fireworks to ask when we would be done playing with Jay, as they were waiting to play with him after us.
I Dont have a picture of them at the beach, but I just found one from Lacto that is of them with Jay at AK that morning:
In other Lacto-related news, we managed to fit in a head rub, which was promised to Lacto by Horsey many many weeks before this trip. Evidently, Horsey has a thing for rubbing bald heads. I dont get it, but, hey, Im always up for some fun! This one is also from Lactos camera:
It was a fun night. (Obviously!) Some of the girls (Horsey, Sher, Haley, Frick) were heading off to Pleasure Island next. Im sure youll hear more about that in the others trippies. Personally, I cant wait. Its the inspiration for Fricks TR title, in fact. Good Times, Im sure.
WE, however, were ready to settle in for the night. We headed out, with the Lacto clan, to catch the boat to the WL. Actually, that would be the monorail to the Contemporary (I think), then the boat to the WL. It was a fun little trip home. Jay and the boys had some giggles. I could not believe how great these little guys were being. It was midnight-ish. They had had a busy day. There is NO way my kids wouldve been this un-cranky. And they are a lot older! We got back, said our goodbyes (for, like, the 4th time!), and headed back to our rooms. Sleep came very quickly. Another big day tomorrow at the MK..............
UP NEXT: Vikings pillage the Magic Kingdom! (Despite a potential disaster)
Horsey
Thanks Todd. If you all must know I couldn't watch the poor lady in the front. She was terrified. It had nothing to do with being dropped 80 feet below. She was screaming "I am going to die! My son wants the estate!" And please note moi in the first picture of the "decent". 
I love the Poly. Who wouldn't?
Can't wait to hear more. 
