joedisney
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2000
- Messages
- 70
Heres Episode 9. Its taking me way too long to finish these reports. With only two days left, Episode 10 may end up being my last one. I will do my best to get it out quicker. As a reminder: I'm Joe, the Dad and 38. Kathy, the Mom is 34. Christopher is 8, Connor is 5 and the famous "Octopus" from Episode 1 is 18 month old Alex and how could I forget the precious Caley Elisabeth who at the time was negative 4 months.
Wednesday, January 17th: It is somehow fitting that our last morning at the Grand Floridian begins with that all too familiar odor wafting over from the crib across the room. As I lie still, postponing the inevitable, I formulate my game plan. Being an experienced Dad, I learned long ago that there are two key elements in the art of changing diapers. Both are equally important and each relies on the other. Getting better at one may allow you to ease up on the other, but maximizing both skills provides the greatest room for error. Skill number one is something you can practice anytime. In fact, I have even begun training Christopher. Totally unaware, Christopher has practiced skill number one over and over during our vacation. Holding his breath as he learns to swim under water. Although he will need to gain at least another minute on his current best time, he has many years before he will need to apply this skill to the art of changing diapers. Skill number two is equally important. Perfecting skill number two is essential for those with limited lung capacity. Skill number two is simply the ability to change the diaper before you run out of air. For the average newborn, this is pretty easy. Pull out two to three wipes, get the diaper ready and go. Hold your breath, open the diaper, wipe up the mustard, used wipes in the diaper, close it all up, turn and breath. Simple, one or two practice runs and your on your way. Changing the Octopus is a whole different ball game. Here, you need to account for several possible counter attacks. The full twist, the foot splat, the fire hose or the hand probe are just a few of the many added challenges associated with changing the Octopus. On a good day, with the planets properly aligned, I can change the babe with one breath. In his current condition, I have no chance. This little guy, and his "problem", has humbled even the master changer of the house. Not even Mom can handle the Octopus alone. This morning will be no different. This is no longer a one-person job. I nudge Kathy awake and we soon spring into action.
With the babe cleaned up, I notice the bill has been slid under the door. I immediately flip to the last page of the bill so that I can assess the damage. It does not take me long to determine that total is too high. I begin to scan down the itemized charges. Gasparilla Grill $25.08, Grand Floridian Café $74.77, Chef Mickeys 82.67, GR FL Private Dining $839.88. Stop! "Kath did anyone order room service?" I quickly sort through the possibilities. This definitely could have been Alex, but he doesnt speak. Rock solid alibi. Christopher? Too Skinny. Connor? Uh uhh. Kathy? Clothing, maybe, food, no way. It appears we have been miss-charged. Im thinking, theres a woman with missing underwear that had something to do with this. I quickly run down to the front desk to resolve this disturbing discrepancy. I wont go in to much detail on how this obvious (at least to me) error was handled, but I will say that my last memories of the Grand Floridian will not my fondest. On second thought, maybe I will go into a little more detail. What bothered me most was not the fact that they didnt instantly believe me. This I can understand, it makes sense that they would want to be sure I wasnt trying to get away without paying an eight hundred-dollar room charge. What bothered me was that even after they realized it was a mistake, they still made me feel as though I was trying to get away with something. I didnt even get an apology. This was not a big deal, but from Disney, I expect more.
Switching hotels at Disney is a breeze. Packing up all of our stuff was a bit of a chore, but our luggage was picked up and transferred directly to the Yacht without a hitch. Upon arrival at the Yacht Club, we were immediately struck by the difference in atmosphere. The Yacht Club, while most certainly upscale, feels more casual than the regal Grand Floridian. As we pass through the lobby and out the back door, we know almost instantly that this is a special place.. I feel at home surrounded by this replica of a picturesque New England seaside resort. Jutting out before us extends the long pier complete with its own lighthouse. As the ferries scurry across Crescent Lake, my eyes are drawn to the wonderful Boardwalk Hotel across the water. The only thing missing is the smell of the salty sea air. As we stroll over to Beaches and Cream for breakfast, the boys are amazed by Storm Along bay. With its impressive water slide, giant whirlpool, long winding river and shallow sandy sections, this is certainly the best resort pool we have ever seen. After breakfast, we check in an are brought to our room over looking the quit pool on the fourth floor.
With our new room secured, we set out for the MGM Studios. Christopher grabs a map and immediately begins his search. In seconds he spots what he is looking for and is soon leading us to the Rockn Roller Coaster. One of the small problems associated with going to Disney in January is that the lines move so quickly, it is impossible to capture all of the incredible detail that gets packed into each ride. The music studio that poses before Disneys first serious coaster is no exception. As we zip through the hallways filled with rock memorabilia, I struggle with the urge to stop and slowly take in my surroundings. Stopping, however, is not an option for two reasons. First, Christopher is a big coaster fan and wants to climb aboard as soon as possible. Second, this is Disney and only a fool would not take full advantage of no lines at one of MGMs most popular rides. We move along briskly and are soon overlooking the band Aerosmith as they prepare to leave the studio on their way to perform a concert. Just about to leave, Steven Tyler looks up and demands that his friends be taken care of. Our high speed "limo" awaits in the alley out back. As Christopher and I watch the group in front of us prepare to take off (and I mean that quite literally), I turn away for a second to scan the back alley décor. When I turn back to watch them go, they have already disappeared. It was almost as if they had vaporized. Hmm, this ride could be interesting. Soon were hopping aboard. Christopher is devoured by the shoulder harness as I pull it into position over his head. Soon we are buckled and ready to go. In milliseconds, we are sucked into the lights, sound and shear adrenaline rush of the Rockn Roller Coaster. WOW. This ride is total thrill. Going from 0 to 60 in about three seconds is really cool. Doing it with Aerosmith blasting in your ears as you loop and twist through the darkness is, as Christopher would say, "totally awesome". The pregnant girl gets a reprieve from this ride this time, this wont be the case when we return next year.
Still riding the rush of the Rockn Roller Coaster, we head right over to the Tower of Terror. In true Disney style, this ride pulls you into another dimension as Rod Sterling sets the stage for what lies ahead. Within the old hotels library, Rod appears from above on a black and white television, welcoming us into the twilight zone. Soon we are buckled in aboard the rickety old elevator climbing upwards toward the 13th floor. The free fall of this ride is unlike anything I have experienced before. What is especially cool is when the doors open momentarily at the top of the ride providing a glimpse of the park from above. For a brief moment, time stands still, just before the bottom falls out. Delivering that Wiley Coyote frozen moment like only Disney can. The Rockn Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror are great rides when measured strictly by their thrill factor alone. Adding the classic Disney attention to detail and interesting story lines places these rides a cut above any other ride I have been on. Christopher agrees and cant decide which he likes better. As of today, he gives a slight nod to the Tower of Terror.
Meeting back up with Mom and the little ones, we stop for a quick lunch before taking in the Magic of Disney Animation. We all enjoy this walking tour of a real Disney animation studio. The highlight for me was the 10-minute introduction to animation demonstrated by one of Disneys fine young artists. Watching him bring a simple character to life on a flip pad was quite a treat. The question and answer period, while way to short, was most interesting. After the Animation tour, we do the Great Movie Ride, the Backlot Tour and the Muppet movie. These attractions are fun and the kids enjoy them all. After the Backlot Tour we are drawn to the Honey I shrunk the Kids Playground like a group of ants to a picnic. The boys love this place. The octopus thinks hes one of the big boys and sets off in at least three directions simultaneously. The boys are not happy when I announce it is time to go. We let them play for as long as possible before heading over to Hollywood and Vine where we have reservations for the Fantasmic Dinner package. Hollywood and Vine is good, but we were a bit disappointed to discover it was not a character meal as we had expected. We have plenty to eat and we all enjoy the make your own sundaes for desert. After dinner, we are given our passes to Fantasmic. The passes allow us to enter through a side door and sit in a reserved section of the huge outdoor stadium. The reserved section is off to the right, but we can still see the show perfectly. I really enjoy the show, but Kathy gives it a thumbs-down. She thinks its a bit dark with too many scary scenes for the kids. We all, however, enjoy the pre-show entertainment. The boys love doing several variations of the wave and the babe really rocks to "Who let the dogs out".
After the show we take the boat back to the Boardwalk and spend a little time checking out the stores. We stop at the arcade and the boys get a few more pressed pennies before we head back to our hotel. We are all exhausted after yet another wonderful day at Disney. Although we have spent little time at our new hotel, we are already feeling right at home. The Yacht Club is now our favorite Disney hotel. The atmosphere, the pool and the location combine to make the Yacht Club a very special place. The boys drift off to sleep dreaming of tomorrow and the new adventures that lie ahead. We are all looking forward to spending most of our day enjoying Storm Along Bay.
Coming next, Episode 10: Magic
Wednesday, January 17th: It is somehow fitting that our last morning at the Grand Floridian begins with that all too familiar odor wafting over from the crib across the room. As I lie still, postponing the inevitable, I formulate my game plan. Being an experienced Dad, I learned long ago that there are two key elements in the art of changing diapers. Both are equally important and each relies on the other. Getting better at one may allow you to ease up on the other, but maximizing both skills provides the greatest room for error. Skill number one is something you can practice anytime. In fact, I have even begun training Christopher. Totally unaware, Christopher has practiced skill number one over and over during our vacation. Holding his breath as he learns to swim under water. Although he will need to gain at least another minute on his current best time, he has many years before he will need to apply this skill to the art of changing diapers. Skill number two is equally important. Perfecting skill number two is essential for those with limited lung capacity. Skill number two is simply the ability to change the diaper before you run out of air. For the average newborn, this is pretty easy. Pull out two to three wipes, get the diaper ready and go. Hold your breath, open the diaper, wipe up the mustard, used wipes in the diaper, close it all up, turn and breath. Simple, one or two practice runs and your on your way. Changing the Octopus is a whole different ball game. Here, you need to account for several possible counter attacks. The full twist, the foot splat, the fire hose or the hand probe are just a few of the many added challenges associated with changing the Octopus. On a good day, with the planets properly aligned, I can change the babe with one breath. In his current condition, I have no chance. This little guy, and his "problem", has humbled even the master changer of the house. Not even Mom can handle the Octopus alone. This morning will be no different. This is no longer a one-person job. I nudge Kathy awake and we soon spring into action.
With the babe cleaned up, I notice the bill has been slid under the door. I immediately flip to the last page of the bill so that I can assess the damage. It does not take me long to determine that total is too high. I begin to scan down the itemized charges. Gasparilla Grill $25.08, Grand Floridian Café $74.77, Chef Mickeys 82.67, GR FL Private Dining $839.88. Stop! "Kath did anyone order room service?" I quickly sort through the possibilities. This definitely could have been Alex, but he doesnt speak. Rock solid alibi. Christopher? Too Skinny. Connor? Uh uhh. Kathy? Clothing, maybe, food, no way. It appears we have been miss-charged. Im thinking, theres a woman with missing underwear that had something to do with this. I quickly run down to the front desk to resolve this disturbing discrepancy. I wont go in to much detail on how this obvious (at least to me) error was handled, but I will say that my last memories of the Grand Floridian will not my fondest. On second thought, maybe I will go into a little more detail. What bothered me most was not the fact that they didnt instantly believe me. This I can understand, it makes sense that they would want to be sure I wasnt trying to get away without paying an eight hundred-dollar room charge. What bothered me was that even after they realized it was a mistake, they still made me feel as though I was trying to get away with something. I didnt even get an apology. This was not a big deal, but from Disney, I expect more.
Switching hotels at Disney is a breeze. Packing up all of our stuff was a bit of a chore, but our luggage was picked up and transferred directly to the Yacht without a hitch. Upon arrival at the Yacht Club, we were immediately struck by the difference in atmosphere. The Yacht Club, while most certainly upscale, feels more casual than the regal Grand Floridian. As we pass through the lobby and out the back door, we know almost instantly that this is a special place.. I feel at home surrounded by this replica of a picturesque New England seaside resort. Jutting out before us extends the long pier complete with its own lighthouse. As the ferries scurry across Crescent Lake, my eyes are drawn to the wonderful Boardwalk Hotel across the water. The only thing missing is the smell of the salty sea air. As we stroll over to Beaches and Cream for breakfast, the boys are amazed by Storm Along bay. With its impressive water slide, giant whirlpool, long winding river and shallow sandy sections, this is certainly the best resort pool we have ever seen. After breakfast, we check in an are brought to our room over looking the quit pool on the fourth floor.
With our new room secured, we set out for the MGM Studios. Christopher grabs a map and immediately begins his search. In seconds he spots what he is looking for and is soon leading us to the Rockn Roller Coaster. One of the small problems associated with going to Disney in January is that the lines move so quickly, it is impossible to capture all of the incredible detail that gets packed into each ride. The music studio that poses before Disneys first serious coaster is no exception. As we zip through the hallways filled with rock memorabilia, I struggle with the urge to stop and slowly take in my surroundings. Stopping, however, is not an option for two reasons. First, Christopher is a big coaster fan and wants to climb aboard as soon as possible. Second, this is Disney and only a fool would not take full advantage of no lines at one of MGMs most popular rides. We move along briskly and are soon overlooking the band Aerosmith as they prepare to leave the studio on their way to perform a concert. Just about to leave, Steven Tyler looks up and demands that his friends be taken care of. Our high speed "limo" awaits in the alley out back. As Christopher and I watch the group in front of us prepare to take off (and I mean that quite literally), I turn away for a second to scan the back alley décor. When I turn back to watch them go, they have already disappeared. It was almost as if they had vaporized. Hmm, this ride could be interesting. Soon were hopping aboard. Christopher is devoured by the shoulder harness as I pull it into position over his head. Soon we are buckled and ready to go. In milliseconds, we are sucked into the lights, sound and shear adrenaline rush of the Rockn Roller Coaster. WOW. This ride is total thrill. Going from 0 to 60 in about three seconds is really cool. Doing it with Aerosmith blasting in your ears as you loop and twist through the darkness is, as Christopher would say, "totally awesome". The pregnant girl gets a reprieve from this ride this time, this wont be the case when we return next year.
Still riding the rush of the Rockn Roller Coaster, we head right over to the Tower of Terror. In true Disney style, this ride pulls you into another dimension as Rod Sterling sets the stage for what lies ahead. Within the old hotels library, Rod appears from above on a black and white television, welcoming us into the twilight zone. Soon we are buckled in aboard the rickety old elevator climbing upwards toward the 13th floor. The free fall of this ride is unlike anything I have experienced before. What is especially cool is when the doors open momentarily at the top of the ride providing a glimpse of the park from above. For a brief moment, time stands still, just before the bottom falls out. Delivering that Wiley Coyote frozen moment like only Disney can. The Rockn Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror are great rides when measured strictly by their thrill factor alone. Adding the classic Disney attention to detail and interesting story lines places these rides a cut above any other ride I have been on. Christopher agrees and cant decide which he likes better. As of today, he gives a slight nod to the Tower of Terror.
Meeting back up with Mom and the little ones, we stop for a quick lunch before taking in the Magic of Disney Animation. We all enjoy this walking tour of a real Disney animation studio. The highlight for me was the 10-minute introduction to animation demonstrated by one of Disneys fine young artists. Watching him bring a simple character to life on a flip pad was quite a treat. The question and answer period, while way to short, was most interesting. After the Animation tour, we do the Great Movie Ride, the Backlot Tour and the Muppet movie. These attractions are fun and the kids enjoy them all. After the Backlot Tour we are drawn to the Honey I shrunk the Kids Playground like a group of ants to a picnic. The boys love this place. The octopus thinks hes one of the big boys and sets off in at least three directions simultaneously. The boys are not happy when I announce it is time to go. We let them play for as long as possible before heading over to Hollywood and Vine where we have reservations for the Fantasmic Dinner package. Hollywood and Vine is good, but we were a bit disappointed to discover it was not a character meal as we had expected. We have plenty to eat and we all enjoy the make your own sundaes for desert. After dinner, we are given our passes to Fantasmic. The passes allow us to enter through a side door and sit in a reserved section of the huge outdoor stadium. The reserved section is off to the right, but we can still see the show perfectly. I really enjoy the show, but Kathy gives it a thumbs-down. She thinks its a bit dark with too many scary scenes for the kids. We all, however, enjoy the pre-show entertainment. The boys love doing several variations of the wave and the babe really rocks to "Who let the dogs out".
After the show we take the boat back to the Boardwalk and spend a little time checking out the stores. We stop at the arcade and the boys get a few more pressed pennies before we head back to our hotel. We are all exhausted after yet another wonderful day at Disney. Although we have spent little time at our new hotel, we are already feeling right at home. The Yacht Club is now our favorite Disney hotel. The atmosphere, the pool and the location combine to make the Yacht Club a very special place. The boys drift off to sleep dreaming of tomorrow and the new adventures that lie ahead. We are all looking forward to spending most of our day enjoying Storm Along Bay.
Coming next, Episode 10: Magic
