Eat, Run and Celebrate- Day 7- Last Day and New Orleans

[momof2TNboys]

Great updates! I have been absent for the last few days. Busy with my family, Christmas preparation and work. Love all your pictures. The Pixar parade looks so fun. I am going to have to take time to see it this trip. Hope you found your card!

 

[Poolrat]

Great updates! I have been absent for the last few days. Busy with my family, Christmas preparation and work. Love all your pictures. The Pixar parade looks so fun. I am going to have to take time to see it this trip. Hope you found your card!

This time of year has been insane for everyone. I hope yours calms down a bit since I think it is too busy right now for you.

Take time to see that parade before it goes away. No word on when but I have a feeling it is a "filler" for the next big thing.

 

[MeMom]

You finally got your picture! Yay!

My future involved being underwater too but since I was wearing that helmet, I figured I would spare MeMom the shock and feeling of suffocation.

And I thank you so very much.

 

[Poolrat]

You finally got your picture! Yay!

I finally. Not quite sure if the whole ordeal afterward was actually worth it but i am leaning towards yes because the whole ordeal actual had nothing to do with getting the picture. Stopping to shop did!!

And I thank you so very much.

I figured after Jackie posted the elves trapped, I could cut you a break.

As I was insertring pictures I saw it and went " Oh No, Memom would freak" and I could do without it.

 

[punkin413]

What do we have here??? A Cranberry Bog

I thought this was sooooo cool! Every time we passed it I had to stop and just stare at it in awe. I'm easily impressed, I guess.

While you were riding Soarin' I was in a car on I-75 somewhere in southern Georgia on my way to Disney World.

I realllllly hope you find your card. And if not, I really hope you were able to call and cancel it in time before someone with bad intentions found it.

 

[Poolrat]

I thought this was sooooo cool! Every time we passed it I had to stop and just stare at it in awe. I'm easily impressed, I guess.

It was interesting but everytime I was going by it seemed like I always had to be somewhere or something so I never really lingered.

While you were riding Soarin' I was in a car on I-75 somewhere in southern Georgia on my way to Disney World.

You speeding down the hwy, me soarin over Cali.

I realllllly hope you find your card. And if not, I really hope you were able to call and cancel it in time before someone with bad intentions found it.

Stay tuned....

 

[Poolrat]

When I got my fiesta Margarita from Mexico I realized my credit card was not given back to me from Boutiki- I hope. It was close to Illuminations time so I stayed for my do -over and would go back to the Poly afterward.

I managed to enjoy my drink and next to me were a couple of couples. Older couples.

One of the ladies had had plenty of wine. Plenty. She was sitting on the ground by the bridge. Her husband was still standing and the conversation of how she was going to get back up was going on. He eventually walked off but at least called back – “ Do you want another glass of wine?” She giggled but then said only if he was going to carry her back.

They were interesting, not sloppy and annoying drunk but kind of funny. There were some interesting comments made to both men by this woman and they were borderline inappropriate but hysterical.

Finally it was time....

A horrible picture but one of the crowds leaving

My first stop while I was trying to get out of EPCOT was to Guest relations. I had to explain to them that I wanted to contact the Poly Boutiki to verify my card was there before I made the effort to go there. I waited and then I got to use the Mickey Phone to call.

I was on for quite a while because I took this picture while I was on the phone. While I was waiting a couple came in looking for a lost camera. As the couple was waiting and the CM looked around, another couple brought in the camera. That was actually fun to watch.

Finally I was able to ask someone and they were able to tell me the credit card was at the front desk at the Poly. Cool. I said goodbye to Mickey about 9:30pm…

Hopped aboard a monorail and then made my way back to the Poly and over to the front desk. I waited for a wonderful CM to get access to the “back” and the safe I presume. Here a man was inquired about a lost necklace. The CM was able to find that too as well as return my card.

It was annoying but what was funny was that several times by several different people the comment “you forgot your card” was made. I did not forget it, it was not returned to me.

Now I have to get back to ASSp. It was 10:23 and the monorail stopped service an hour after parks closed. Being it was party night- Monorail stopped either at 8 or 10 pm. Boats stopped at 10 or so.

So now what? A guy came in to the lobby and as I was about to ask if the boats were running so I could get to MK, he confirmed boats were done. I already knew the monorail was already down. I couldn’t walk.

So this guy – a CM – with his reflective vest- told another CM in the lobby to send everybody out to the busses.

Ok I figured my only option was DTD and then to ASSP. Ugh. But like I said earlier, I was wondering what my evening activities would be. This wasn't quite what I had in mind.


I made my way to the busses. The CM, Nick. asked where I needed to go. He told me to sit tight and busses would be around to take me there. I made the mistake of questioning him on whether I should just go to DTD and transfer there. He told me it would take over an hour that way. He was rather direct, not rude, just that he had been directing the busses for umpteen years and to trust him.

I sat and relaxed. I could think of worse places to be stuck. I looked up.

I watched people arrive and be told the same thing. At first it was a trickle of people, I figure those coming from Kona and O’Hana. Then a huge amount of people. The late Luau.
Holy cow there were a lot of people.
Nick was running around asking people where they needed to go. Scooters, families with tired children, strollers, everyone needed to get back to their resort.

Nick was doing triage. He was setting people to go stand in certain places based on where they needed to go. He was on the walkie talkie finding out which bus was next so they could be ready to board when it arrived. He was driving scooters, helping the confused, positioning the busses, by himself.

There was no other CM out there. Now I understood. At that point I just watched and stayed out of the way until called.

The busses were now broken up into Zones, much like ME is. A bus would come for a certain zone and hit 4 or 5 resorts. The monorail resorts and WL were one zone, Epcot resorts another and DTD resorts another. I would be lumped in with AKL and CSR and maybe CBR.

This in no way represents the crowd or the organized chaos that was going on.

Here is my buddy Nick

Looking back it probably would have been faster for me to go to DTD- I see a bus early on – and transfer from there but this actually was interesting to watch.

Now if had small tired children and other equally cranky family members with me I would have been at my wits end. But I was alone with nowhere to be and no plans.

This situation must go on every night at the Poly. Especially with the Luau and now that the boats and monorail stop service earlier, this must be a nightly event. Unless you are staying at the Poly, I would not ordinarily recommend you go just to experience it, but if you are caught late at the Poly, you can find a way home. Or you can get a cab.

Good news Nick is there to make it as smooth as it can be. Don’t get me wrong, organized chaos is the right word for it but he has it. He was making sure everyone was getting on a bus as fast as possible. He would hunt you down on the crowded sidewalk to catch your bus. He remembered who needed to go where and if you listened to him you were fine. I was impressed. I have always said Disney knows how to move people.
I finally made my way back to ASSp via CSR about 11pm.

I probably actually got back to the room around 11:30. Here I thought I would be bored after all the parks closed at 9.

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Pat. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Tiki picture.

I'm so glad your card was found and they held it for you at the Poly. This thing with no monorails sounds like a nightmare. I'm glad we usually rent a car and drive everywhere...so much better for my peace of mind.

 

[Poolrat]

Great update, Pat. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Tiki picture.

I'm so glad your card was found and they held it for you at the Poly. This thing with no monorails sounds like a nightmare. I'm glad we usually rent a car and drive everywhere...so much better for my peace of mind.

I love the Poly and all the special things there.

I had faith the card was there and since the CM at Boutiki had it last it would be at the store or in the safe.

The CM said there is a stack every day. The first thing that popped in my head was " Yeah, if that CM keeps holding on to them I bet there are a stack".

That scene was a bit nutty. If I didn't know better or had cranky family members It might have been a meltdown. Of course now I know I can get a cab if needed.

 

[englishrose47]

Great Update Pat !!Glad you found your card that you did not looseand that Nick got you back to AllStars

 

[MeMom]

I figured after Jackie posted the elves trapped, I could cut you a break.

As I was insertring pictures I saw it and went " Oh No, Memom would freak" and I could do without it.

I must say, the elves thing traumatized me this week. I have had to take some deep breaths a time or two thinking about it.

I have had the temptation to break elves free from Hallmark Stores all over the city.

And all this time I thought Jackie was my friend.

 

[punkin413]

So glad they had your credit card! It's amazing to me how often people are able to recover lost things at Disney. It's magic!

Thank you for the lesson in the after-hours bus system at the Poly. I really do feel like I've learned something this morning! And it's nice to know that Disney won't leave you stranded....even if it is a bit chaotic.

I really hope Nick gets a bonus for doing that every night. Geez.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Nice job finding Peeky Tiki! Sounds like a mess with the credit card, but at least it was safe and sound and not being used to fund somebody's unlimited Dole Whips.

Mmm...unlimited Dole Whips...

Sorry, I got distracted there. I sure hope Disney figures out what they're doing with the monorails and boats shutting down earlier. It sounds like it's making things a lot tougher on the guests, and poor Nick is the guy who will have to take the abuse.

 

[Poolrat]

Great Update Pat !!Glad you found your card that you did not looseand that Nick got you back to AllStars

I had faith in Disney. Nick was amazing!!!!

I must say, the elves thing traumatized me this week. I have had to take some deep breaths a time or two thinking about it.

I have had the temptation to break elves free from Hallmark Stores all over the city.

And all this time I thought Jackie was my friend.

I have been watching those elves. I just couldn't subject you to any more trauma.

So glad they had your credit card! It's amazing to me how often people are able to recover lost things at Disney. It's magic!

When they said they get a stack every day !! I guess that is possible but still!!

Thank you for the lesson in the after-hours bus system at the Poly. I really do feel like I've learned something this morning! And it's nice to know that Disney won't leave you stranded....even if it is a bit chaotic.

I really hope Nick gets a bonus for doing that every night. Geez.

Nick has it down to a science. That was one time I really just had to trust him. Outside of Disney I never would have.

Nice job finding Peeky Tiki! Sounds like a mess with the credit card, but at least it was safe and sound and not being used to fund somebody's unlimited Dole Whips.

Mmm...unlimited Dole Whips...

Great way to stick a Homer in there. I had faith my card was safe and sound. I ove the crazy Tikis in the Poly.

Sorry, I got distracted there. I sure hope Disney figures out what they're doing with the monorails and boats shutting down earlier. It sounds like it's making things a lot tougher on the guests, and poor Nick is the guy who will have to take the abuse.

Not sure why the boats shut down too but I think it is so dark it can be hard to navigate and such. Also the EWP being all lights out on the waterway between the CSR and WL and FW might have something to do with it.
The monorails are in need of some maintenance and taking them down at night is the only way. I do hope it is a short term thing, I would have been happy just to ride over to MK and catch a bus from there or the TTC where there is a bus lot to better organize the masses.

 

[glennbo123]

Oh, what a bummer that you forgot your card. (Just giving you a hard time. )

I'm glad there are pros like Nick out there managing the chaos. The transportation runs a little later during the summertime, right? 'Cause we may be at the Poly for the late luau this summer and you've got me wondering about how to return to our resort.

 

[Poolrat]

Oh, what a bummer that you forgot your card. (Just giving you a hard time. )

I'm glad there are pros like Nick out there managing the chaos. The transportation runs a little later during the summertime, right? 'Cause we may be at the Poly for the late luau this summer and you've got me wondering about how to return to our resort.

The monorail were slated to run 1 hour past regular park closing time. So yes in the summertime Mk usually has later hours, until 11 uaually, so you should be fine.

This night was odd and when I travel in Oct it happens usually once during my trip where Ak closes at 5, DHS will close at 8:30, EPCOT will close at 9 and a party will "close" MK at 7. Shorter park hours makes transportation creative and planning more important if you are at resort at night. Summer time presents more options.


A cab is always an option but since I was in no rush and alone, I passed on that option.

 

[Poolrat]

Friday Sept 30th

My morning started with a tour of the property, again.

The pavement near the pool.

Do you think I am obsessed with this?

Continued next post...

 

[Poolrat]

How’s this for product placement?

What is the best is that was all done before 8 am. Not as early as MeMom but that is my version of an early morning walk.

Plenty of time to get here for the opening show.

Close up of the newest campaign slogan.

Let the show begin.

Family of the day

Mickey looks like last night was rough for him.

Start walking down Main street, I will catch up with you.

 

[glennbo123]

Mickey needs a cup 'a joe.

 

[Poolrat]

Mickey needs a cup 'a joe.

Maybe was at the late luau too and got all caught up in the bus madness.