S
SpottyDog
Guest
Four Go Wild In Florida
Previous drivel
1.The Plan and The Flight
2.We get off the plane
3.Discovery Cove
4."Walk this w..a...yyy!" MGM & Reflections
5.An unusually quiet day- Universal & Jungle Jims
6.Where's the Plan? !! (EPCOT)
7.The safe key incident
7 ½ .MGM
7 ¾ . Reflections With Janice
8. SeaWorld
9 . "Oh, what a Circus!"
10. Another day ; another early entry
11. Mother's Day - Parades, Pet Lips and Pageants
PLAN MGM, Ponderosa, MK (3pm MMP) OHannas and FiTS & WP from Poly Beach
CHANGES TO PLAN Dad and Gaz to MGM for early entry then all to Epcot 10ish. MK for 3pm MMP Poly for 6.30.
MISSED FROM PLAN TO DATE - Pleasure Island , Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney, Fantasmic,ToN, IoA, Seaworld (Clyde & Seamore, Pets on Stage).
So Stranger, after an ordinary day yesterday, the game plan for today was for me and Gaz to hit MGM early entry to do RnR and ToT while the girls could laze about doin laundry and such. Then we would all saunter down to Epcot to finish Js passport and our tour of World Showcase, finish with Off Kilter and the British Invasion before hopping on the monorail to get to Mk for the 3pm parade. Back to ASMu for a quick dip and a drink (as appropriate) and then off to OHannas for Vs Mothers Day treat finishing off with Fantasy in the Sky and The Water Pageant from Poly Beach (thanks Kev). Think you can keep up? Easy isnt it? Well, read on
Im up at 5.50 and even Vs awake. The kids are looking soo peaceful its a shame to wake them. I put me new Walkie Talkie beside Js ear and called her she wasnt impressed and I was lucky to save it from smashing against the wall! But, noticing that Playhouse Disney was on, she sat up and was awake sort of. I used the nauseatingly loud and tinny musical Mothers Day card Id brought for V from home to announce the morning to Gary but he just slept no matter how many times or how close to his ear I put it. Now this is a sign that the boy is tired so we let him sleep. V took the opportunity to catch a few more winks and was soon back to Dreamsville too. So Julie sat watching Disney and I pottered around checking me notes to date and stuff.
I was impressed that most of the plan was working. Wed only missed Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island so far although we still had some shows at Seaworld to see. Tapestry of Nations and Fantasmic were still to see but we had 5 nights left. We were over the half way mark and still had half our Travellers Cheques left (I forgot J was in charging heaven). I had 12 hours of video footage so far and was happy the holiday was panning out so well and we could look forward to a lifetime of memories. It dont get much better than this.
Gary woke at 10am and I was pleased hed been able to get his sleep out. One thing about our Gaz, he knows when hes hit his wall and if you dont let him sleep therell be trouble. Perhaps I should have seen the cause of his migraines earlier bad Dad. Concerned for his well being, I told him to take his time and ease his way into the day we were goin for the bus in 15 minutes, with or without him!
We gave V her present a dangly Sorcerer Mickey for her car and played her card many times in the hope the battery would give up!
V had written some postcards while we waited for Gaz to wake so I volunteered to pop to the shop to get the stamps. Now we could have done this on the way to the bus stop but I thought it might be better for me to keep busy while I wait for the others to get back on plan. Besides all that time Id had thinking this morning had given me an idea. Maybe it was the relaxed mood, the confirmation that things were goin well or the mistake that I had more money left than I actually did but I detoured to Customer Services.
Is there any chance of four tickets for Cirque on Wednesday or Thursday night, please? Ill sit in the aisle if I have to.
The CM checked and we could have very nice seats on the Wednesday at 9pm I was over the moon. Hang on. Julie and me go to sleep around 9.30!
What about the 6pm show and do you have seats for the Thursday coz its our last night?
We looked at the seat plan and there were a few options. The ones too near the front might be too close for the highwire stuff and the ones at the back might be too far back. There were four right to one side but only three rows up from the walkway perfect theres not a bad seat in the tent anyway. $254.40 charged our Julie would be proud of me and I skipped to the stamp shop with tears of joy welling up. What a way to finish me holiday. I dont like circuses but I LOVE Cirque Du Soleil ! From there well rush over to Epcot just in time to take in Reflections of Earth itll be a perfect end to a perfect trip.
(Oh, BTW in case anyone has any misconceptions, were not rich I just have no fear of debt or regard for money where Disney is concerned- irresponsible, I know, but I figure I can worry about it back home when its raining.)
Back at the room, I couldnt contain me excitement and gave the ticket book to V Happy Mothers Day, Pet She then shared the moment with Julie who was totally under whelmed But it looked boring.
So with brownie points to last me till Christmas banked, we set of for Epcot.
The bus journey gave us one of those Disney moments. We had a singing bus driver! He was leading the singing of classic Disney songs over his PA and it is a memory we treasure. Surely nothing can spoil this feelgood mood today?
(You can sense it, cant you Stranger?)
Entering Epcot at 11.05, we felt like off-siters. No time to do Spaceship Earth today, we headed for Test Track. Me and Gaz had decided to give the single rider line a go and Julie was coming too! You see, Stranger, me little girl is quite brave once shes done something and was quite excited at the prospect of riding TT again or was that the prospect of collecting the Kimono Minnie Id promised her for doin it? We were on after only a 15 minute wait and they both loved it. Wed agreed J should go in the middle working the basis that shed either end up in car with one of us or at least be in the middle car if on her own. G&J wanted to ride again and I went back to find V in case she started wandering. The kids came straight back as the line was past the point wed agreed would be too long to make waiting worthwhile.
Julie reminded me we should go and buy her Kimono Minnie in case it sold out and V had to get Caballero Donald coz hes at the ASMu pool and it was Mothers Day and I was in an awfully good mood.
We headed into World Showcase and set off for France. We had to complete Js passport and had every other country to visit. The plan was to be back to Canada to catch at least part of Off Kilters set and then take in the 2 o clock British Invasion before moving on to MK for the 3pm parade.
We wandered round Frances shops but didnt dwell. We didnt have time to take in the street players either, which was a shame but we had a lot to get in if we were to get back to Canada before 1.50ish.
It all started to go wrong in Japan. What a beautiful place. So tranquil and serene. I could have stayed there all day. And the smells coming from the restaurant! We wandered round the Mitsukoshi Department Store and I was seriously impressed. The troops were lagging behind and I was getting a little tetchy as I kept looking at me watch. (Well, I wasnt getting as much sleep as them and me feet did hurt, you know.)
They were hungry but we didnt have time to stop to eat. Those smells were nice, mind. I decided we could afford to stop at the Yakitori house as long as we hurried to the other countries and just got Julies passport stamped then moved on. Not ideal, but I didnt want to miss Off Kilter again.
I would heartily recommend the Yakitori house to anyone who likes oriental food. Me and the boy had Beef Curry with fried onions and carrots ,Julie had Shogun Combo (chicken and beef in teriyaki sauce) while V had Kushi-Yaki (beef, chicken and shrimp on skewers with teriyaki sauce). Coke, Sprite and two Japanese beers (one and a half for Dave and half for V) and the bill was only $40. A defo will do again, lovely.
We rushed Norway and Mexico to try to catch up the time but got to Canada too late for Off Kilter. The troops were left in no doubt who I blamed for this disaster I could have gone without the lovely Japanese meal, after all. And if they moved themselves a little faster in and out of all the bloomin tourists blocking me path , wed have got round just that little bit faster.
Oh, and Julie had swapped another three pins so that was nice.
We headed for UK to watch the British Invasion, at least we were back on track time wise.
Wot, no audience? No band? It was unusually quiet in UK. V ventured maybe theyre not on every day surely not! Yep, they dont do Sundays.
Well that was it. The only two things I wanted to do were ruined just coz V cant walk faster than a geriatric with one wheel off her trolley.
I was off. Lost it completely. Me happy holiday head replaced by this tired shell of a little fat lad that had had hardly any sleep for 10 days and blisters on his blisters.
Its just not fair. All me planning and its the stuff I want to do we miss!
I set off for the Monorail. Me pet lip quivering. I shouted back to Julie to look after her Mam and if they missed the monorail to see us back at the resort after the 3pm parade. The boy, who can keep up, ran alongside me coz he knows whos side to be on when Dads lost it.
We hurried to the station and got to the bottom of the ramps just as the monorail came in. I could sense Gaz willing the train to wait till his Dad got on coz to miss it might start an international incident. Wed agreed on the way to ask to ride up front but there was no CM in evidence to ask as we entered the platform and we just got on before the Stand clear of the doors, please Oh, shut up you foreigner!
We rode to Mk in silence- me with me motor running and recounting every wasted second that had ruined me day so far and Gaz just sittin waiting for the storm to pass.
I was feelin a little calmer as we exited the monorail and we agreed to get the ferry to MK to add to our video footage.
We just missed it! The two ferries pass in the middle of the lake. The one comin to us took forever to dock and drop the gate for those in me way to disembark so we could get on and claim the best spot at the front. Wed planned our attack while waiting forever etc. The boy was to scamper up the stairs (bein the first there, we held our position at the front of the queue so Gaz would be first on board) and claim our video position to the left of the wheelhouse so we could have an unrestricted view of Mk over the lake as we approached calming now, thats one of me favourite views. The holiday spirit starts to return.
With military precision, the boy stakes his claim. I take me time, smug in the knowledge I have my place secured. I let the tourists push and shove their way past me as they scamper for the restricted views that are left amateurs. We stand beside the wheelhouse and wait for the Captain to take his place to reverse us out. The ferry starts to move but is doin it itself no Captain. The ferry has two wheelhouses and were at the back of it not the front! So Ive got some atmospheric footage of tourists heads craning to see the Castle as we approach MK over the lake.
The walkie talkie buzzed. I gave it to Gaz to talk to his mother coz I wasnt ! They want to know where we are? They caught the monorail after us and took another one to MK and are on Main Street waiting for the parade. As you can imagine, I was delighted that the slowcoach had beaten me to MK! They were in our favoured spot outside Main Street Vehicles and couldnt figure why the parade hadnt started as it was 3.05 now. Of course V, having no sense of direction, has no concept of the parade coming from any direction other than the one she saw last. The parade will not be in Main Street till around 3.25 Im not that far gone!
Knowing we can muscle in on their spot, me and Gary try a hunch that the Railway Station Veranda Wings might be a good vantage point. We were right. Two blokes were making a poor, but obvious, attempt to keep the whole corner for their party tables pushed up against the parapet. Well I was in no mood for saving prime spots. I just dragged the table away from the balustrade and eased me and the boy in not interfering with the two blokes (there was loads of room). I sent him to get a couple of bottles of pop and told him to go give the girls one as we could see them sitting on the kerb.
(Note we arrived late and got perfect positions its a perk of low season)
Not goin soft, I just thought I might need to call for friendly reinforcements on the walkies when I found out just how many peoples places Id repatriated. I was soon to find out as about four ladies arrived and started pulling table and chairs out of their way so they could join the blokes. There was enough room for us all and I got some really good angles for the Magical Moments Parade. How can anyone stay grumpy with that tune? well until you hear it the seventh time, anyway! We joined the girls and V slapped me shoulder in the playful way she does when Ive had a strop on and have decided to give in coz she just doesnt care. We walked out of MK for the bus hand in hand and all was well with the world again.
Back to ASMu, the kids went for a swim and I went for a beer and the Sunday Mail.
We left the resort at 5 and got the bus to MK to join the monorail for the Poly. We asked the CM if we could ride up front and waited to see if there was anyone already there when it came in. (Wed agreed to let it go if the front cabin was taken and wait for the next one.) It was free and we felt very special as the CM led us to the front door. We expected to stand behind the driver , ala footplate on a loco, and were astounded at the front viewing cabin. If you havent contemplated doing this DO! It took a while to get to Poly but we loved the whole experience. We only found later that we should have asked for a co-drivers licence for the kids and was a little disappointed the CM didnt offer it without being asked.
We checked in at OHannas 5 minutes late and asked for a main room table even if we had to wait longer (thanks again, Kev). The kids took charge of the beeper and I wandered round the upper building videoing all that we cant afford. We were paged in ten minutes and were soon seated. Lovely window table, overlooking the pool and the lake beyond, just to the side of the main barbeque fires. We didnt know quite what to expect but our Cousin Marge soon explained and put us at our ease. The starters arrived and we dug into Island Slaw, Salad with Honey and Lime Dressing, Sweet and Sour Pork Dumplings, Honey Coriander Chicken Wings and Stir Fried rice. It was lovely. The kids got a souvenir refillable mug of coke each and me and V splashed out on the cocktails well, Id had a stressful day and a little alcohol makes her more pleasant! V chose Lapu Lapu Myers rum and bacardi mixed with tropical juices and served in a pineapple. I got a Back Scratcher coz it had Jack Daniels in it with light and dark rum mixed with passion fruit and Cuz Marge said I could keep the backscratcher that it was stirred with.
We were very happy with the starters then Marge brought the first skewer- they must be three feet long. Marinated Pork Loin followed by Turkey Breast then Sirloin Steak and Grilled Jumbo Shrimp. The food was wonderful and Marge just kept coming back with more. The steak was very pink and we werent too keen apart from our Julie who loved it. When we couldnt eat any more (after two rounds) J asked for more steak! She devoured it. We only do meat well at home and J isnt that bothered seems its coz shes a vampire!
Marge came back to see how we were doin and I told her we couldnt eat another thing. She went away and brought us hot towels to refresh ourselves with and boats of scored pineapple in a caramel sauce. J looked perturbed.
You dont want more steak do you?
No. But are we not having cake?
We asked Marge for the desert menu and agreed shed like the Chocolate Chantilly chocolate cake with butterscotch icing and chocolate sauce. Gaz piped in
If shes having cake so am I. So we ordered two. They were the biggest slices of gateaux Ive ever seen. We all took turns and still nearly didnt finish them.
We thanked Marge in the time honoured fashion and left very full, very happy and $125 lighter. It was well worth it and we cant thank Kev enough for the recommendation that put us onto this evening.
But it doesnt end there.
We made our way down to the beach passed the sumptuous pool and marvelled at how the other half lives. I really do like ASMu and the carefree cheap and cheerful ambience it gives but this is real living in style. There were a few people already gathered and we staked our spot on beach beds and watched the castle changing colour in the distance. The Fantasy in the Sky show was seen in a different light from that distance. We never appreciated just how high and huge the cloudbursts are over the castle till then. Its a shame we couldnt hear the music as its such an integral part of the show. We could just faintly hear the soundtrack coming from one of the residents lounges and assume they pipe it in like they do at the Contemporary. (Ill take a walkman with mini speakers next year and play our own accompaniment.)
After a brief wait the Water Pageant began. Not what I expected and a bit twee perhaps, but V and the kids enjoyed it. Like a cheaper and shorter version of MstEP.
It finished the night well and taking the FiTS and WP into account made the $125 seem like money well spent for a special night out.
We got a launch over the lake to the MK bus stops and were home by 10.15. Gaz is complaining about blisters now so mine have to get worse to compete! They are so tender I cant bear to lie them flat on the bed. 2 cans of bud and I lose feeling in them so can sleep.
Alarm call 7am tomorrow Stranger were finally off to Busch.
Cant wait but youll have to.
Night night.
Previous drivel
1.The Plan and The Flight
2.We get off the plane
3.Discovery Cove
4."Walk this w..a...yyy!" MGM & Reflections
5.An unusually quiet day- Universal & Jungle Jims
6.Where's the Plan? !! (EPCOT)
7.The safe key incident
7 ½ .MGM
7 ¾ . Reflections With Janice
8. SeaWorld
9 . "Oh, what a Circus!"
10. Another day ; another early entry
11. Mother's Day - Parades, Pet Lips and Pageants
PLAN MGM, Ponderosa, MK (3pm MMP) OHannas and FiTS & WP from Poly Beach
CHANGES TO PLAN Dad and Gaz to MGM for early entry then all to Epcot 10ish. MK for 3pm MMP Poly for 6.30.
MISSED FROM PLAN TO DATE - Pleasure Island , Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney, Fantasmic,ToN, IoA, Seaworld (Clyde & Seamore, Pets on Stage).
So Stranger, after an ordinary day yesterday, the game plan for today was for me and Gaz to hit MGM early entry to do RnR and ToT while the girls could laze about doin laundry and such. Then we would all saunter down to Epcot to finish Js passport and our tour of World Showcase, finish with Off Kilter and the British Invasion before hopping on the monorail to get to Mk for the 3pm parade. Back to ASMu for a quick dip and a drink (as appropriate) and then off to OHannas for Vs Mothers Day treat finishing off with Fantasy in the Sky and The Water Pageant from Poly Beach (thanks Kev). Think you can keep up? Easy isnt it? Well, read on
Im up at 5.50 and even Vs awake. The kids are looking soo peaceful its a shame to wake them. I put me new Walkie Talkie beside Js ear and called her she wasnt impressed and I was lucky to save it from smashing against the wall! But, noticing that Playhouse Disney was on, she sat up and was awake sort of. I used the nauseatingly loud and tinny musical Mothers Day card Id brought for V from home to announce the morning to Gary but he just slept no matter how many times or how close to his ear I put it. Now this is a sign that the boy is tired so we let him sleep. V took the opportunity to catch a few more winks and was soon back to Dreamsville too. So Julie sat watching Disney and I pottered around checking me notes to date and stuff.
I was impressed that most of the plan was working. Wed only missed Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island so far although we still had some shows at Seaworld to see. Tapestry of Nations and Fantasmic were still to see but we had 5 nights left. We were over the half way mark and still had half our Travellers Cheques left (I forgot J was in charging heaven). I had 12 hours of video footage so far and was happy the holiday was panning out so well and we could look forward to a lifetime of memories. It dont get much better than this.
Gary woke at 10am and I was pleased hed been able to get his sleep out. One thing about our Gaz, he knows when hes hit his wall and if you dont let him sleep therell be trouble. Perhaps I should have seen the cause of his migraines earlier bad Dad. Concerned for his well being, I told him to take his time and ease his way into the day we were goin for the bus in 15 minutes, with or without him!
We gave V her present a dangly Sorcerer Mickey for her car and played her card many times in the hope the battery would give up!
V had written some postcards while we waited for Gaz to wake so I volunteered to pop to the shop to get the stamps. Now we could have done this on the way to the bus stop but I thought it might be better for me to keep busy while I wait for the others to get back on plan. Besides all that time Id had thinking this morning had given me an idea. Maybe it was the relaxed mood, the confirmation that things were goin well or the mistake that I had more money left than I actually did but I detoured to Customer Services.
Is there any chance of four tickets for Cirque on Wednesday or Thursday night, please? Ill sit in the aisle if I have to.
The CM checked and we could have very nice seats on the Wednesday at 9pm I was over the moon. Hang on. Julie and me go to sleep around 9.30!
What about the 6pm show and do you have seats for the Thursday coz its our last night?
We looked at the seat plan and there were a few options. The ones too near the front might be too close for the highwire stuff and the ones at the back might be too far back. There were four right to one side but only three rows up from the walkway perfect theres not a bad seat in the tent anyway. $254.40 charged our Julie would be proud of me and I skipped to the stamp shop with tears of joy welling up. What a way to finish me holiday. I dont like circuses but I LOVE Cirque Du Soleil ! From there well rush over to Epcot just in time to take in Reflections of Earth itll be a perfect end to a perfect trip.
(Oh, BTW in case anyone has any misconceptions, were not rich I just have no fear of debt or regard for money where Disney is concerned- irresponsible, I know, but I figure I can worry about it back home when its raining.)
Back at the room, I couldnt contain me excitement and gave the ticket book to V Happy Mothers Day, Pet She then shared the moment with Julie who was totally under whelmed But it looked boring.
So with brownie points to last me till Christmas banked, we set of for Epcot.
The bus journey gave us one of those Disney moments. We had a singing bus driver! He was leading the singing of classic Disney songs over his PA and it is a memory we treasure. Surely nothing can spoil this feelgood mood today?
(You can sense it, cant you Stranger?)
Entering Epcot at 11.05, we felt like off-siters. No time to do Spaceship Earth today, we headed for Test Track. Me and Gaz had decided to give the single rider line a go and Julie was coming too! You see, Stranger, me little girl is quite brave once shes done something and was quite excited at the prospect of riding TT again or was that the prospect of collecting the Kimono Minnie Id promised her for doin it? We were on after only a 15 minute wait and they both loved it. Wed agreed J should go in the middle working the basis that shed either end up in car with one of us or at least be in the middle car if on her own. G&J wanted to ride again and I went back to find V in case she started wandering. The kids came straight back as the line was past the point wed agreed would be too long to make waiting worthwhile.
Julie reminded me we should go and buy her Kimono Minnie in case it sold out and V had to get Caballero Donald coz hes at the ASMu pool and it was Mothers Day and I was in an awfully good mood.
We headed into World Showcase and set off for France. We had to complete Js passport and had every other country to visit. The plan was to be back to Canada to catch at least part of Off Kilters set and then take in the 2 o clock British Invasion before moving on to MK for the 3pm parade.
We wandered round Frances shops but didnt dwell. We didnt have time to take in the street players either, which was a shame but we had a lot to get in if we were to get back to Canada before 1.50ish.
It all started to go wrong in Japan. What a beautiful place. So tranquil and serene. I could have stayed there all day. And the smells coming from the restaurant! We wandered round the Mitsukoshi Department Store and I was seriously impressed. The troops were lagging behind and I was getting a little tetchy as I kept looking at me watch. (Well, I wasnt getting as much sleep as them and me feet did hurt, you know.)
They were hungry but we didnt have time to stop to eat. Those smells were nice, mind. I decided we could afford to stop at the Yakitori house as long as we hurried to the other countries and just got Julies passport stamped then moved on. Not ideal, but I didnt want to miss Off Kilter again.
I would heartily recommend the Yakitori house to anyone who likes oriental food. Me and the boy had Beef Curry with fried onions and carrots ,Julie had Shogun Combo (chicken and beef in teriyaki sauce) while V had Kushi-Yaki (beef, chicken and shrimp on skewers with teriyaki sauce). Coke, Sprite and two Japanese beers (one and a half for Dave and half for V) and the bill was only $40. A defo will do again, lovely.
We rushed Norway and Mexico to try to catch up the time but got to Canada too late for Off Kilter. The troops were left in no doubt who I blamed for this disaster I could have gone without the lovely Japanese meal, after all. And if they moved themselves a little faster in and out of all the bloomin tourists blocking me path , wed have got round just that little bit faster.
Oh, and Julie had swapped another three pins so that was nice.
We headed for UK to watch the British Invasion, at least we were back on track time wise.
Wot, no audience? No band? It was unusually quiet in UK. V ventured maybe theyre not on every day surely not! Yep, they dont do Sundays.
Well that was it. The only two things I wanted to do were ruined just coz V cant walk faster than a geriatric with one wheel off her trolley.
I was off. Lost it completely. Me happy holiday head replaced by this tired shell of a little fat lad that had had hardly any sleep for 10 days and blisters on his blisters.
Its just not fair. All me planning and its the stuff I want to do we miss!
I set off for the Monorail. Me pet lip quivering. I shouted back to Julie to look after her Mam and if they missed the monorail to see us back at the resort after the 3pm parade. The boy, who can keep up, ran alongside me coz he knows whos side to be on when Dads lost it.
We hurried to the station and got to the bottom of the ramps just as the monorail came in. I could sense Gaz willing the train to wait till his Dad got on coz to miss it might start an international incident. Wed agreed on the way to ask to ride up front but there was no CM in evidence to ask as we entered the platform and we just got on before the Stand clear of the doors, please Oh, shut up you foreigner!
We rode to Mk in silence- me with me motor running and recounting every wasted second that had ruined me day so far and Gaz just sittin waiting for the storm to pass.
I was feelin a little calmer as we exited the monorail and we agreed to get the ferry to MK to add to our video footage.
We just missed it! The two ferries pass in the middle of the lake. The one comin to us took forever to dock and drop the gate for those in me way to disembark so we could get on and claim the best spot at the front. Wed planned our attack while waiting forever etc. The boy was to scamper up the stairs (bein the first there, we held our position at the front of the queue so Gaz would be first on board) and claim our video position to the left of the wheelhouse so we could have an unrestricted view of Mk over the lake as we approached calming now, thats one of me favourite views. The holiday spirit starts to return.
With military precision, the boy stakes his claim. I take me time, smug in the knowledge I have my place secured. I let the tourists push and shove their way past me as they scamper for the restricted views that are left amateurs. We stand beside the wheelhouse and wait for the Captain to take his place to reverse us out. The ferry starts to move but is doin it itself no Captain. The ferry has two wheelhouses and were at the back of it not the front! So Ive got some atmospheric footage of tourists heads craning to see the Castle as we approach MK over the lake.
The walkie talkie buzzed. I gave it to Gaz to talk to his mother coz I wasnt ! They want to know where we are? They caught the monorail after us and took another one to MK and are on Main Street waiting for the parade. As you can imagine, I was delighted that the slowcoach had beaten me to MK! They were in our favoured spot outside Main Street Vehicles and couldnt figure why the parade hadnt started as it was 3.05 now. Of course V, having no sense of direction, has no concept of the parade coming from any direction other than the one she saw last. The parade will not be in Main Street till around 3.25 Im not that far gone!
Knowing we can muscle in on their spot, me and Gary try a hunch that the Railway Station Veranda Wings might be a good vantage point. We were right. Two blokes were making a poor, but obvious, attempt to keep the whole corner for their party tables pushed up against the parapet. Well I was in no mood for saving prime spots. I just dragged the table away from the balustrade and eased me and the boy in not interfering with the two blokes (there was loads of room). I sent him to get a couple of bottles of pop and told him to go give the girls one as we could see them sitting on the kerb.
(Note we arrived late and got perfect positions its a perk of low season)
Not goin soft, I just thought I might need to call for friendly reinforcements on the walkies when I found out just how many peoples places Id repatriated. I was soon to find out as about four ladies arrived and started pulling table and chairs out of their way so they could join the blokes. There was enough room for us all and I got some really good angles for the Magical Moments Parade. How can anyone stay grumpy with that tune? well until you hear it the seventh time, anyway! We joined the girls and V slapped me shoulder in the playful way she does when Ive had a strop on and have decided to give in coz she just doesnt care. We walked out of MK for the bus hand in hand and all was well with the world again.
Back to ASMu, the kids went for a swim and I went for a beer and the Sunday Mail.
We left the resort at 5 and got the bus to MK to join the monorail for the Poly. We asked the CM if we could ride up front and waited to see if there was anyone already there when it came in. (Wed agreed to let it go if the front cabin was taken and wait for the next one.) It was free and we felt very special as the CM led us to the front door. We expected to stand behind the driver , ala footplate on a loco, and were astounded at the front viewing cabin. If you havent contemplated doing this DO! It took a while to get to Poly but we loved the whole experience. We only found later that we should have asked for a co-drivers licence for the kids and was a little disappointed the CM didnt offer it without being asked.
We checked in at OHannas 5 minutes late and asked for a main room table even if we had to wait longer (thanks again, Kev). The kids took charge of the beeper and I wandered round the upper building videoing all that we cant afford. We were paged in ten minutes and were soon seated. Lovely window table, overlooking the pool and the lake beyond, just to the side of the main barbeque fires. We didnt know quite what to expect but our Cousin Marge soon explained and put us at our ease. The starters arrived and we dug into Island Slaw, Salad with Honey and Lime Dressing, Sweet and Sour Pork Dumplings, Honey Coriander Chicken Wings and Stir Fried rice. It was lovely. The kids got a souvenir refillable mug of coke each and me and V splashed out on the cocktails well, Id had a stressful day and a little alcohol makes her more pleasant! V chose Lapu Lapu Myers rum and bacardi mixed with tropical juices and served in a pineapple. I got a Back Scratcher coz it had Jack Daniels in it with light and dark rum mixed with passion fruit and Cuz Marge said I could keep the backscratcher that it was stirred with.
We were very happy with the starters then Marge brought the first skewer- they must be three feet long. Marinated Pork Loin followed by Turkey Breast then Sirloin Steak and Grilled Jumbo Shrimp. The food was wonderful and Marge just kept coming back with more. The steak was very pink and we werent too keen apart from our Julie who loved it. When we couldnt eat any more (after two rounds) J asked for more steak! She devoured it. We only do meat well at home and J isnt that bothered seems its coz shes a vampire!
Marge came back to see how we were doin and I told her we couldnt eat another thing. She went away and brought us hot towels to refresh ourselves with and boats of scored pineapple in a caramel sauce. J looked perturbed.
You dont want more steak do you?
No. But are we not having cake?
We asked Marge for the desert menu and agreed shed like the Chocolate Chantilly chocolate cake with butterscotch icing and chocolate sauce. Gaz piped in
If shes having cake so am I. So we ordered two. They were the biggest slices of gateaux Ive ever seen. We all took turns and still nearly didnt finish them.
We thanked Marge in the time honoured fashion and left very full, very happy and $125 lighter. It was well worth it and we cant thank Kev enough for the recommendation that put us onto this evening.
But it doesnt end there.
We made our way down to the beach passed the sumptuous pool and marvelled at how the other half lives. I really do like ASMu and the carefree cheap and cheerful ambience it gives but this is real living in style. There were a few people already gathered and we staked our spot on beach beds and watched the castle changing colour in the distance. The Fantasy in the Sky show was seen in a different light from that distance. We never appreciated just how high and huge the cloudbursts are over the castle till then. Its a shame we couldnt hear the music as its such an integral part of the show. We could just faintly hear the soundtrack coming from one of the residents lounges and assume they pipe it in like they do at the Contemporary. (Ill take a walkman with mini speakers next year and play our own accompaniment.)
After a brief wait the Water Pageant began. Not what I expected and a bit twee perhaps, but V and the kids enjoyed it. Like a cheaper and shorter version of MstEP.
It finished the night well and taking the FiTS and WP into account made the $125 seem like money well spent for a special night out.
We got a launch over the lake to the MK bus stops and were home by 10.15. Gaz is complaining about blisters now so mine have to get worse to compete! They are so tender I cant bear to lie them flat on the bed. 2 cans of bud and I lose feeling in them so can sleep.
Alarm call 7am tomorrow Stranger were finally off to Busch.
Cant wait but youll have to.
Night night.
