wilma-bride
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
- Messages
- 22,681
Cast:
If you've read the previous reports then you know who we all are.
If you haven’t GO AND READ THEM!
If you’ve read them and you still can’t remember who we are then you shouldn't be on this site, you should be on this one
Despite the long day and late-ish night, I was still wide awake at 4:30 am. Why is it that WDW is the only place where I don’t mind getting up in the morning? I sat on the balcony (did I mention we had a balcony?) reading my book (the Devil Wears Prada – brilliantly funny book) until 6, then decided to get dressed and go for a wander along the Boardwalk.
As I wander along, I am struck by a few things:
1. There are people out jogging – at this time of the morning AND while they’re on vacation! Madness, sheer madness.
2. There are people in the fitness centre – see (1) above – these people are mad, I tell ya!
3. For some strange, unknown reason I am singing ‘Under the Boardwalk’ to myself.
4. It’s raining – the rain is not unpleasant although not as warm as the lovely September rain we have experienced here before.
5. Oh My God, I’m in Disney World. How fantastic is this, it’s 6 in the morning and I’m walking down the Boardwalk, just yards away from Epcot. It is so surreal.
I stopped at the Boardwalk Bakery (people were queuing outside at 6 o’clock, I can’t believe it) on the way back to the room and got a cup of tea for His Royal Highness, a diet coke for me and 2 yummy cinnamon rolls.
Back in the room, I tiptoe around for a bit until a voice from the corner of the room said ‘You can stop creeping around now, I’m awake’. So, on went the telly and every light in the room and I got in the shower. Showered and dressed (in shorts and t-shirt – I’m feeling optimistic), I venture out onto the balcony and peer across the divider to see if there’s any sign of life next door. I am surprised to find Christine sat on the balcony, fully dressed, reading her book and obviously having a really bad hair day. She looks up ‘I can’t get my straighteners to work’. ‘You don’t say’ I reply. I go and get mine to lend to her, remind her we’re off to the Contemporary for Gary’s parasailing and ask if they want to come. Apparently, they’ve just ordered tea and toast from room service so we agree to meet them back here around lunchtime, before deciding what to do for the rest of the day. For a moment I feel very strange – I cannot believe I (super-obsessive-compulsive-planner extraordinaire) am going to wait until lunchtime to decide what to do later today. So this is what it’s like to live on the edge. Gary glances sideways at me ‘This is killing you’ he says.
We leave at 9 am and manage to find the Contemporary resort straight away – hooray for female navigational skills. We tell the CM on the gate that we are going to Sammy Duvall’s – he raises his eyes towards the sky, which is filled with ominous black clouds, mutters something about ‘English fools’ (no, he doesn’t really but he ought to – it is absolutely freezing, has been raining on and off all morning and here we are dressed in shorts and t-shirts about to be lifted 600 feet into the air) – and then waves us through. The parasailing trip is Gary’s birthday present from his Mum and Step-Dad (as if looking after our 3 brats for the week wasn’t gift enough). His Mum had asked if we wanted to do the tandem one but I’m not good with heights so I declined. Looking at the weather now, I’m glad I did. It’s going to be freezing up there.
We park up, then head into the Contemporary. As we’re early we have a nosey around and it’s lovely. It is so cool to see the Monorail passing through the middle of the hotel – Daniel would love it here.
At 9:40, we head out to Sammy Duvall’s – needless to say, we are the only fools out here in this weather. You can see for yourself how miserable it was in this picture I took of the Contemporary from the marina.
The guy at Sammy’s told us we needed to wait a few minutes to see what the weather was going to do as they may not be able to go up today. After getting a cup of tea from the Food & Fun Center, we went back at 10, only to be told that Gary wouldn’t get his ‘flight’ today after all. We arranged to come back again on Thursday afternoon and also made a further provisional booking for Saturday ‘just in case’. To be honest, Gary wasn’t too disappointed at not going up as it was raining pretty heavily and quite cold too.
We drive back to the Boardwalk (for some reason we ended up going via Fort Wilderness but we meant to go that way – honestly). Mark and Christine were raring to go. Although Gary didn’t know it yet, we were off to Epcot the next day for a Segway tour. I had told Mark and Christine and they’d decided that they’d quite like to visit Epcot too so they had been to the concierge desk earlier and bought tickets. I was quite surprised as they had both said they weren’t bothered about going to Disney parks – it just goes to show, the draw of the Disney Magic is too hard to resist. Anyway, off we went off to Walmart, where we bought the necessities – cheesecake, chips, diet coke and beer! From there we went to Downtown Disney, where the first stop was Cirque du Soleil to book tickets for Thursday night. Mark and Christine paid for us as a birthday gift for Gary and a thank you to me for organising the trip – bless them, aren’t they just the best friends in the whole world!
We walked through DTD, stopping at Raglan Road to make an ADR for dinner after La Nouba on Thursday night as Gary and I had already agreed we wanted to take them there for dinner – our treat! Then it was on through to the Marketplace and lunch at Earl of Sandwich. There was a huge queue but I’d heard the line moved pretty fast – and it did. 20 minutes later, we were seated outside with our sandwiches:-
Christine – The Original (8 out of 10)
Mark – Hawaiian BBQ (7 out of 10 – a bit too sweet)
Gary – Chinese Chicken Salad Wrap (5 out of 10 – dressing left an aftertaste!)
Me – Earl’s Club with no tomato (9 out of 10)
The sandwiches were really nice, except Gary was convinced the dressing on the chicken salad one was mayonnaise-based, even though they said it wasn’t. The bread was the nicest bit – really fresh and crispy, I’m a sucker for bread anyway.
After lunch, we left Mark and Christine to wander round the shops while we went to try and arrange a DVC tour. With a little help from my friends (you know who you are), Gary was teetering on the edge of a commitment to Disney’s Best Kept Secret and I was convinced the tour (and the sight of the Grand Villa at SSR) would tip him over. He had agreed to do the tour but stated categorically that we would not be buying while we were here (famous last words). Off we went to SSR, where we were introduced to our allocated guide Bobby Corsello (apparently due to the fact that we gave the DVC guy Deb and Matt’s names as having recommended us and he is their guide too – or so we were told). We took the tour and agreed that Saratoga Springs looked absolutely wonderful. And then, before I knew it or could even try and stop him, Gary agreed that we would come back on Thursday morning to sign the paperwork. How did that happen? No pouting, no sulking, no pleading or whining – it was too easy, there had to be a catch. But, no, apparently he had decided it was too good an offer to pass up. We left there feeling very happy, with our DVC book and a lovely £30 Disney gift card too.
By this time we were almost an hour late to meet Christine and Mark so we raced back to the Lego Store and apologised profusely. We had to buy them an ice-cream sundae at Ghirardelli’s by way of apology – but it meant we got one ourselves so it wasn’t any great hardship. Mark and Christine shared a Caramel Dream (which, apparently, was a bit sickly) and Gary and I got the Mint Bliss. A definite 10 out of 10 for the mint one!
We wandered back towards the car, stopping at Virgin Megastores, where I bought a couple of CDs and a book light (to save me keeping Gary awake at night and stop me straining my eyes trying to read on the balcony at 4:30 am). Back at the car, we all piled in and managed to find our way back to BWV with no problems (OK, OK, so it’s just round the corner). I sat on the balcony and wrote up my notes while Gary had a power snooze. While I was out on the balcony, I saw this little fellow wandering around down below.
At 7:30, Gary decided we ought to go out and at least get some dinner or he would be tempted to stay in bed all night too. Christine and Mark weren’t that hungry so they stayed behind and we went off to Beaches and Cream. We were seated at the counter straight away and ordered hot dog and fries for Gary and chicken sandwich (with bacon) and fries for me. The food was nice (sorry no pictures – my batteries died). The check came to $26 inc tip. We took a slow walk round the full circuit of the lake, stopping to watch the street entertainers. There was a magician who did a fantastic trick with a $100 note and a lemon – I still haven’t worked out how it’s done. There was also this guy, who balanced the most amazing things on the end of a dagger which he held in his mouth – fantastic!
We met up with Christine and Mark on the bridge across to Epcot just before 9 and we all stood and watched Illuminations together. Wandering back to the hotel, Christine and I realised we were both singing ‘Under the Boardwalk’. This continued for the rest of our stay – every time we left the villas and saw the sign for the Boardwalk, we would both burst into song.
Obviously, we had to pop into the bar for a couple of drinks. And, obviously, as it was Gary’s birthday the next day, it was only sensible to stay until gone midnight so we could wish him Happy Birthday. So, at 11:30 I went off to the room to fetch his pressies and cards and bring them back to the bar. At midnight, we all wished him a very Happy Birthday and he opened all his cards and presents. He had a poem from me, which was a hint to his surprise Segway tour, written with a little help from Matt and Sue on the DIS (thanks guys). He also got clothes, a Ducti wallet (way cool), several badges and some money.
We sat for a while longer, chatting about the day, our plans for tomorrow and the kids. I was telling Christine and Mark about being woken up at 5:30 every morning to Daniel shouting ‘Will someone wipe my bottom please’. Quick as a flash, Mark says ‘That’ll be Gary in a few years time’.
As the bar was now closed and it was EMH at Epcot the next day (yay, back into my comfort zone), we called it a night and went off to bed having had a really great first day - very different from our normal ‘commando park touring’ days but excellent just the same.
If you've read the previous reports then you know who we all are.
If you haven’t GO AND READ THEM!
If you’ve read them and you still can’t remember who we are then you shouldn't be on this site, you should be on this one
Despite the long day and late-ish night, I was still wide awake at 4:30 am. Why is it that WDW is the only place where I don’t mind getting up in the morning? I sat on the balcony (did I mention we had a balcony?) reading my book (the Devil Wears Prada – brilliantly funny book) until 6, then decided to get dressed and go for a wander along the Boardwalk.
As I wander along, I am struck by a few things:
1. There are people out jogging – at this time of the morning AND while they’re on vacation! Madness, sheer madness.
2. There are people in the fitness centre – see (1) above – these people are mad, I tell ya!
3. For some strange, unknown reason I am singing ‘Under the Boardwalk’ to myself.
4. It’s raining – the rain is not unpleasant although not as warm as the lovely September rain we have experienced here before.
5. Oh My God, I’m in Disney World. How fantastic is this, it’s 6 in the morning and I’m walking down the Boardwalk, just yards away from Epcot. It is so surreal.
I stopped at the Boardwalk Bakery (people were queuing outside at 6 o’clock, I can’t believe it) on the way back to the room and got a cup of tea for His Royal Highness, a diet coke for me and 2 yummy cinnamon rolls.
Back in the room, I tiptoe around for a bit until a voice from the corner of the room said ‘You can stop creeping around now, I’m awake’. So, on went the telly and every light in the room and I got in the shower. Showered and dressed (in shorts and t-shirt – I’m feeling optimistic), I venture out onto the balcony and peer across the divider to see if there’s any sign of life next door. I am surprised to find Christine sat on the balcony, fully dressed, reading her book and obviously having a really bad hair day. She looks up ‘I can’t get my straighteners to work’. ‘You don’t say’ I reply. I go and get mine to lend to her, remind her we’re off to the Contemporary for Gary’s parasailing and ask if they want to come. Apparently, they’ve just ordered tea and toast from room service so we agree to meet them back here around lunchtime, before deciding what to do for the rest of the day. For a moment I feel very strange – I cannot believe I (super-obsessive-compulsive-planner extraordinaire) am going to wait until lunchtime to decide what to do later today. So this is what it’s like to live on the edge. Gary glances sideways at me ‘This is killing you’ he says.
We leave at 9 am and manage to find the Contemporary resort straight away – hooray for female navigational skills. We tell the CM on the gate that we are going to Sammy Duvall’s – he raises his eyes towards the sky, which is filled with ominous black clouds, mutters something about ‘English fools’ (no, he doesn’t really but he ought to – it is absolutely freezing, has been raining on and off all morning and here we are dressed in shorts and t-shirts about to be lifted 600 feet into the air) – and then waves us through. The parasailing trip is Gary’s birthday present from his Mum and Step-Dad (as if looking after our 3 brats for the week wasn’t gift enough). His Mum had asked if we wanted to do the tandem one but I’m not good with heights so I declined. Looking at the weather now, I’m glad I did. It’s going to be freezing up there.
We park up, then head into the Contemporary. As we’re early we have a nosey around and it’s lovely. It is so cool to see the Monorail passing through the middle of the hotel – Daniel would love it here.
At 9:40, we head out to Sammy Duvall’s – needless to say, we are the only fools out here in this weather. You can see for yourself how miserable it was in this picture I took of the Contemporary from the marina.
The guy at Sammy’s told us we needed to wait a few minutes to see what the weather was going to do as they may not be able to go up today. After getting a cup of tea from the Food & Fun Center, we went back at 10, only to be told that Gary wouldn’t get his ‘flight’ today after all. We arranged to come back again on Thursday afternoon and also made a further provisional booking for Saturday ‘just in case’. To be honest, Gary wasn’t too disappointed at not going up as it was raining pretty heavily and quite cold too.
We drive back to the Boardwalk (for some reason we ended up going via Fort Wilderness but we meant to go that way – honestly). Mark and Christine were raring to go. Although Gary didn’t know it yet, we were off to Epcot the next day for a Segway tour. I had told Mark and Christine and they’d decided that they’d quite like to visit Epcot too so they had been to the concierge desk earlier and bought tickets. I was quite surprised as they had both said they weren’t bothered about going to Disney parks – it just goes to show, the draw of the Disney Magic is too hard to resist. Anyway, off we went off to Walmart, where we bought the necessities – cheesecake, chips, diet coke and beer! From there we went to Downtown Disney, where the first stop was Cirque du Soleil to book tickets for Thursday night. Mark and Christine paid for us as a birthday gift for Gary and a thank you to me for organising the trip – bless them, aren’t they just the best friends in the whole world!
We walked through DTD, stopping at Raglan Road to make an ADR for dinner after La Nouba on Thursday night as Gary and I had already agreed we wanted to take them there for dinner – our treat! Then it was on through to the Marketplace and lunch at Earl of Sandwich. There was a huge queue but I’d heard the line moved pretty fast – and it did. 20 minutes later, we were seated outside with our sandwiches:-
Christine – The Original (8 out of 10)
Mark – Hawaiian BBQ (7 out of 10 – a bit too sweet)
Gary – Chinese Chicken Salad Wrap (5 out of 10 – dressing left an aftertaste!)
Me – Earl’s Club with no tomato (9 out of 10)
The sandwiches were really nice, except Gary was convinced the dressing on the chicken salad one was mayonnaise-based, even though they said it wasn’t. The bread was the nicest bit – really fresh and crispy, I’m a sucker for bread anyway.
After lunch, we left Mark and Christine to wander round the shops while we went to try and arrange a DVC tour. With a little help from my friends (you know who you are), Gary was teetering on the edge of a commitment to Disney’s Best Kept Secret and I was convinced the tour (and the sight of the Grand Villa at SSR) would tip him over. He had agreed to do the tour but stated categorically that we would not be buying while we were here (famous last words). Off we went to SSR, where we were introduced to our allocated guide Bobby Corsello (apparently due to the fact that we gave the DVC guy Deb and Matt’s names as having recommended us and he is their guide too – or so we were told). We took the tour and agreed that Saratoga Springs looked absolutely wonderful. And then, before I knew it or could even try and stop him, Gary agreed that we would come back on Thursday morning to sign the paperwork. How did that happen? No pouting, no sulking, no pleading or whining – it was too easy, there had to be a catch. But, no, apparently he had decided it was too good an offer to pass up. We left there feeling very happy, with our DVC book and a lovely £30 Disney gift card too.
By this time we were almost an hour late to meet Christine and Mark so we raced back to the Lego Store and apologised profusely. We had to buy them an ice-cream sundae at Ghirardelli’s by way of apology – but it meant we got one ourselves so it wasn’t any great hardship. Mark and Christine shared a Caramel Dream (which, apparently, was a bit sickly) and Gary and I got the Mint Bliss. A definite 10 out of 10 for the mint one!
We wandered back towards the car, stopping at Virgin Megastores, where I bought a couple of CDs and a book light (to save me keeping Gary awake at night and stop me straining my eyes trying to read on the balcony at 4:30 am). Back at the car, we all piled in and managed to find our way back to BWV with no problems (OK, OK, so it’s just round the corner). I sat on the balcony and wrote up my notes while Gary had a power snooze. While I was out on the balcony, I saw this little fellow wandering around down below.
At 7:30, Gary decided we ought to go out and at least get some dinner or he would be tempted to stay in bed all night too. Christine and Mark weren’t that hungry so they stayed behind and we went off to Beaches and Cream. We were seated at the counter straight away and ordered hot dog and fries for Gary and chicken sandwich (with bacon) and fries for me. The food was nice (sorry no pictures – my batteries died). The check came to $26 inc tip. We took a slow walk round the full circuit of the lake, stopping to watch the street entertainers. There was a magician who did a fantastic trick with a $100 note and a lemon – I still haven’t worked out how it’s done. There was also this guy, who balanced the most amazing things on the end of a dagger which he held in his mouth – fantastic!
We met up with Christine and Mark on the bridge across to Epcot just before 9 and we all stood and watched Illuminations together. Wandering back to the hotel, Christine and I realised we were both singing ‘Under the Boardwalk’. This continued for the rest of our stay – every time we left the villas and saw the sign for the Boardwalk, we would both burst into song.
Obviously, we had to pop into the bar for a couple of drinks. And, obviously, as it was Gary’s birthday the next day, it was only sensible to stay until gone midnight so we could wish him Happy Birthday. So, at 11:30 I went off to the room to fetch his pressies and cards and bring them back to the bar. At midnight, we all wished him a very Happy Birthday and he opened all his cards and presents. He had a poem from me, which was a hint to his surprise Segway tour, written with a little help from Matt and Sue on the DIS (thanks guys). He also got clothes, a Ducti wallet (way cool), several badges and some money.
We sat for a while longer, chatting about the day, our plans for tomorrow and the kids. I was telling Christine and Mark about being woken up at 5:30 every morning to Daniel shouting ‘Will someone wipe my bottom please’. Quick as a flash, Mark says ‘That’ll be Gary in a few years time’.
As the bar was now closed and it was EMH at Epcot the next day (yay, back into my comfort zone), we called it a night and went off to bed having had a really great first day - very different from our normal ‘commando park touring’ days but excellent just the same.
Honest - just ask him!!
your slipping girl.
from start to finish.
