We got back to the room at about 3:30 or so, I think. The van for the DVC pitch was coming at about 4:45. I immediately got a bag of ice ready, and rested on the bed with my foot elevated and under ice for as long as I could stand it. I probably flipped through every crappy channel on the television during that time, as well. There was nothing on. In fact, there was NEVER anything on...whenever we had a spare moment to look. Of course, we could be entertained by Stacy, the-most-annoying-person-in-the-world-even-if-she-is-talking-about-Disney. Or we could listen to a DVC sales pitch on TV before going for the live version. But, I think we decided to just keep flipping through with the remote control to see if a miracle occurred in the form of Friends or Seinfeld rerun, or even something lame, like Home Improvement. Im not picky. No dice. So, after a too brief period of rest and relaxation (i.e., boredom), I washed up a little and we headed downstairs to catch our ride. He was waiting for us....an older gentleman with a name that I cant remember who was very friendly and chatty. Told us his whole life story while taking us over to Saratoga Springs. And he told us all about what a great life he has, living in Florida and working for Disney. Jay and I both agreed that it might be worth considering when the time comes. Sounds like a nice way to retire.
Eventually, we made it to the DVC sales office and checked in. As I think back on this, although it was a pretty nice visit, I cant think of anything interesting or funny to say about it. We were there for about 90 minutes or so. Our rep, Patti, was pleased to learn that not only had we been referred by our good friends and current DVC owners Kim and Doug (yes, THAT Kim and Doug), but that we were pretty familiar with the whole system. Wed had a pleasant experience renting points last April (Boardwalk 1-bedroom), and I am savvy enough to understand most of the nuances of the whole DVC system. We toured the model units (wow, that 3 bedroom villa is AWESOME), and came back to go over more details in Pattis office. As I had heard from Kim, the whole spiel is pretty low key. Never did we feel pressured or even that we were expected to make any kind of decision right away. We were told about the special promotion deal that we could get if we committed by the end of the week (4 days after returning home, I think it was). This deal was being offered to us because we were referred by a current owner. Otherwise, we would not have had the chance at this incentivized price. Yeah, right. But, bottom line, it was obvious that if we wanted to do this, Saratoga Springs was the better deal than my original plan of looking into a re-sale at Boardwalk or Beach Club. The extra 12 years you get at Saratoga, combined with the great discount, provided a convincing argument for sticking with Saratoga. IF we were going to do this. We left no more or less sold, but feeling like we had (okay, Jay had) gained a better understanding of the whole deal. Wed talk about it some more on the trip home.
After a little bit of ice cream at the DVC office, we got ourselves a ride back to WL so we could get ready for our big night. Showers, dressing, and primping ensued, followed by the do you think I can survive in heels with this ankle discussion. I was surprise to find that, at least at first, the heels felt more comfortable than my flat shoes. I wasnt sure that would last, but it gave me the push to go ahead with my original footwear plans.
I made it clear to Jay that I had no intention of taking the boat over to the Cali Grill. I know, there is a boat that takes you right to the Contemporary, and its enclosed. But that boat to the Contemporary was the scene of my ankle incident this morning. Plus, even though the boat is enclosed, the docks arent. And I wasnt about to get my hair all blown in the wind before I even got to dinner. I have very fine, limp hair. It doesnt take much at all to completely flatten it, and its not a pretty sight. (Think of the earlier Splash pic. Of course, THAT was even better, if youre looking for un-pretty, since all my makeup had sweated off, too!) At any rate, that meant we were catching a cab. Now, if youve ever stayed in a WDW resort and decided to get a cab, you may have actually done it. Not us. Everytime we asked for a cab, a CM would offer to drive us over. Of course, because they were so nice to do that, we probably tipped them more than a cab would cost, but it still makes you feel special. And to think to yourself how wonderful those Disney CMs are. (Which, of course, they are!)
We were heading toward the CMs van when a cute family of four (mom, dad, girl, boy) came up and requested a cab. They, too, were heading to the Contemporary. Okay, heres another embarrassing moment. We were overdressed a bit. I knew that. The girls and I had had many a discussion about little black dresses at the Cali. I felt funny getting that dressed up at Disney, and knew that it wasnt necessary. But it was a special night, and we all felt like dressing up! This family was dressed in shorts, polos, etc. Very neat and nice. Not at all inappropriate for the Cali. But for some stupid reason, probably the kids being with them, and the vast differences in our outfits, I asked them if they were going to Chef Mickeys. They werent, and the mom kind of seemed embarrassed, like I was implying they were underdressed. She said, No, believe it or not, we are going to the California Grill, too. I just hope we dont get seated next to you. I felt like such a jerk. And immediately tried to recover with a Oh, no, we are way overdressed, I know it.....yada, yada. And all was well. I hope. Either that or they thought I was a colossal jerk. Whatever.
We ended up settled at the Cali bar in no time. We were, I was surprised to learn, the first to arrive, although it was getting pretty close to 8:00 p.m., I think. Maybe 7:30. Kim and Doug showed up pretty quickly, though, followed shortly thereafter by Jami, #1 & #7, and Grammy (Grampy decided to skip this meal). Sher and B showed up next. We knew that Horsey would be a little later, as she wanted to catch Spectro beforehand. I thought she was crazy to do all that running around, but (no flames please!!) Im not that big of a Spectro fan, so who am I to judge.
Now, during all the planning of this dinner, I had heard that the Cali said any group bigger than 10 would have to be split up into two tables. I was kind of bummed about that. Imagine my joy when Jami informed me that she had managed to snag a table for all 11 of us together. THEN, they seated us, and put us in the back room over past the open kitchen area. It was going to be a long walk to the observation deck, but what a great set up! There were a few other people in that room, but it was so removed from the hustle and bustle, it really felt like we had our own private dining room!! Here is a picture of our table. I think this is from Jamis camera, but it could be Shers.
Dont we all look purty all dolled up?! I think Doug and Jay enjoyed being surrounded by such beautiful women!
Speaking of beautiful women, check out #1, #4 & #7:
Love that picture!! (Courtesy of Jami, me thinks.)
We met our wonderful waiter Kevin, who was just perfect. He was around when we needed him, without being overbearing, and he seemed to enjoy the slightly raucous group that we were. Really great service. I was very impressed. We got a round of drinks (the BEST lemon drop Ive ever had...thanks for the tip, Jami!), and then it was time to head out to the observation deck. Someone, I think it was Horsey, gave us the inside scoop that there is a second deck over past the elevator bank and rest rooms that doesnt get nearly as crowded. She was right, and it was great. We posed for some more pics. I believe these are from Kims camera.
Jay and me (why is it so small??):
And one like Jamis siggie, but Kims eyes are open!:
It was such a beautiful night, if a bit windy, and we had so much fun, hugging, crying (some of us, anyway) and watching Wishes together with our wonderful DIS friends. When we headed back in, we proceeded to enjoy a fabulous meal. I dont remember a lot of specifics, but I know that the food was plentiful and delicious, and we had LOTS of laughs. We all shared appetizers, and #1, #4 and #7 shared two meals between the three of them. Of course, tonight their numbers were different, but we paid no mind. They will be 1, 4, & 7 forever, no matter WHERE theyre sitting! We all had dessert, too. Dining plan, yknow!! Doug ordered an after dinner glass of scotch. The good stuff. And Sher proceeded to steal it. Photographic evidence from Kims camera:
Sher will deny it. But the little sip she asked for led to another, then a little bit to add to her coffee, and when all was said and done, I dont think Doug got much of it to himself. So, whether he offered or she stole, thats the bottom line. She had a lot more of it than he did. But, Ill give her credit. She has promised to buy him a glass (or maybe a bottle?) to make up for it when we next get together. Which will be very soon, TFI.
Now, during dinner, we discovered that Horsey still hadnt fully recovered from the Splash picture washing away from that morning. Turns out, she went back to chat with the Splash people, and managed to snag a Splash fastpass for 11. Or something like that. And she thought we should go use it. Tonight. As we were. All dressed up and SOMEPLACE to go, evidently. It was EMH night at MK. They were open until midnight. And it was approximately 11:45 p.m. when we explained to Kevin what we wanted to do, and he performed math miracles to get everyones bills settled up, including the shared meals, the dining plan people, the NON-dining plan, but DDE people, and anything else that had to be calculated (like the drinks, which are not part of the dining plan, for example), in RECORD time. We paid up and flew out. Mad dash to MK. In our cocktail dresses (well, not the guys, but you know...). No time for the monorail (remember, its a long trek from the Contemporary). So we walked to MK. Yes, we walked. In fact, we kinda ran. Some of us faster than others. Some of us who thought to bring a change of shoes. Some of us who hadnt sprained an ankle that morning. I moved as fast as I could. Jamis friends went to go get their car, and planned to meet up with us someplace. I wasnt clear on that. At some point, we lost Horsey and Sher. But not Shers purse. Which she had given to Jay to carry. Yes, he walked the whole way carrying Shers purse. What a guy, huh?!
Anyway, we got to the MK. At about 11:50 or 11:55. The park was closing in 5 minutes. The CMs, can I just say?? How great they were? Think about it, you are working at a park. Probably for most of the day. The park is open late. Youre tired. You want to go home. And a bunch of maniacs come up to the gate, running & limping, expecting to be let in so they can ride Splash, which is on the OTHER end of the park. 5 minutes before closing. I expected a Sorry, guys, its too late. Instead we got Hurry, hurry, heres an EMH bracelet! You can do it! Have fun!!! How many places would you get that kind of a reaction? I just love these people. Talk about having the right attitude! THEN they told me to take a wheelchair. Actually, they told us all to use wheelchairs, strollers, whatever we wanted, to help us get to Splash on time. My ankle was in tough shape. I felt like a fool sitting in a wheelchair (NOT because Id look disabled, but, to the contrary, because I felt like I wasnt REALLY disabled, and people would think I was playing with a wheelchair, which is wrong). But I did it, because time was of the essence. Here is photographic evidence (from Jamis camera):
(Notice the bag on the arm of the chair? Nope, not mine. Yep...Shers.)
Horsey and Sher were on a mission. They did not wait for us. Evidently, Sher trusts us with all her worldly possessions, because she left the purse with us. OR, maybe she just didnt want to be weighed down (more likely). Jami, the sweet thing, stayed behind with us...the disabled and/or slow contingent. And Grammy and Kim and Doug ended up with us, as well. When we got to Splash, the next group of great CMs allowed us on the ride. Even though, technically, I think the park was closed. They had already sent Horsey & Sher along without us. BUT, just as we were racing to be the LAST riders of the night, a mystery man came out of nowhere and got into the front row of our log. It was rather surreal. I didnt even notice him until we were climbing in. Grammy and Jami sat in row 2 (see the cute head-to-head picture in their siggies...sorry, I dont have a copy), Kim and Doug in row 3,
and Jay and I in the back.
We were riding along, having a ball, all giving each other puzzled looks about Mr. Stranger in row 1, when Kimmie leaned back and whispered to me: I think thats ZZUB!!! Now, maybe it was the lemon drops. Or maybe it was the giddiness of the evening. Whatever the reason, we all thought that this was the funniest thing ever. I dont think I laughed harder the whole weekend. Jami decided to capture the moment. Here is the picture she took from her camera:
And, the official piece de resistance:
Is that the funniest thing you have ever seen??!! Well, we certainly thought it was that night. As Jami said, we just about fell out of the boat, we were laughing so hard. What a blast!!
Jay was all confused as we were disembarking. I dont get it. I thought you all LIKED ZZUB... he said. I explained that, of course, we do. We love him. But the timing of it all. And the balding man. And Z and his mysteries. And, certainly, the lemon drops. It all combined to make this just about the funniest thing on the planet at that particular moment. And it really, really, was (NOZ)!
UP NEXT: Closing down MK, and the Monday Maelstrom Meet!!
Yeah. Not really. You think you are very funny, dontcha?! (It's not nice to make fun of klutzes. Just sayin'.)
(a Glamour Magazine "DONT"!)
No kidding.... that thing looks industrial strength! Great photo, Horsey! 
I'm still lovin' this great read. So much I want to comment about and so many LOL's! So sorry about your ankle! You are a trooper, girl!
a little bump for you
Then running to the MK and to splash and everything along the way. I have never been so happy that I participated in the Maelstrom 
We had a ball. And I love you all 
Note that ZZUB held on the whole time. 
