nebo
<font color=red>sharkbait<br><font color=teal>Uh o
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2006
- Messages
- 2,524
Following our delightful meal at Cosmic Ray's, we weren't really sure what we wanted to do and just ended up heading back into Tomorrowland.
Then through it.
And into Main St.
And through it too until we were at the exits.
"I guess we're going back to the resort for a while, huh?" Diane said.
"Guess so."
Some decisions present themselves anyway if you fail to make up your mind.
In our defense, we were a little preoccupied.
I started with taking a picture of the castle:
Then we we got to Main St there was a lot of action and commotion goin on. By the time we hit the Town Square section almost everything was roped off with people lining the sides as if a parade was going to start, which there wasn't.
It was all we could do to squeeze past in front of Tony"s, filming crew were everywhere setting up stages and scaffolding. Apparently Disney wanted to get a jump on the Christmas Day parade filming, possibly because of the cold so they wouldn't have all the performers at one time trying to keep them all warm somewhere.
Back at the resort we just laid around the room for a few hours, I read, Diane watched tv. I might have even dozed for a while, this napping thing is getting out of hand with me, I NEVER take naps.
Soon it was time to get ready to head on back to the Arctic Kingdom for a while, then head over to WL for dinner.
I have to admit, I wasn't any too thrilled about spending more time in the cold but there was no choice now.
I need to get in the mood somehow.
I NEED to get in the mood somehow.
But how?
How to get in the mood?
How indeed!
I have enough liquor in here to satisfy 20 Navy crewmen on leave, plus my own small pharmaceutical supply shop.
Better living through chemicals, that's my motto today.
As I put on my pants again, sure enough, in the pocket is the 3 pills I had brought with me this morning, I never touched them.
I must be slipping.
Since they were supposed to be gone by now anyway,,,,,I can either wait till we get there, or, I can try to alter my mood sooner. I chose sooner.
As I was washing them down with a whiskey and Sprite, Diane saw me.
"What are you doing?"
"I am raising my plane of consciousness to a higher level of appreciation for all the magical wonders that Disney presides over."
"Huh?"
"Gettin' drunk."
Actually this is a line I can get away with, it's been a long time since I have gotten drunk, I'll use the phrase and joke about it a lot but it never really happens.
While Diane made up a couple of Sunny D's for the trip, I went outside to the smoking section with my highball.
Damn it was still cold.
But I don't care, this is the new and soon to be improved Nebo, a guy who laughs in the face of cold. Ha HA, ha ha,,,cough, cough.
By the time I got to the smoking section my hand was already numb from holding the drink with ice in the plastic cup. After putting it on top of the garbage can next to the ashtray two women walked up.
"Sorry, this drink is spoken for", I told them.
Before they sat down, one of them looked at me strangely and finally said, "Boy, you look familiar."
I smiled my best smile, finally, I'm going to get some recognition for all the hard work I've put in writing these chapters, obviously they've read my trip reports.
"I look familiar, huh?" "And who you calling Boy?"
They both laughed at that, so I asked if they ever got on the DIS.
"Oh yes, all the time." the one said. They also said they were from New Jersey.
Ok, not sure what one has to do with the other;
"Well if you've been on the DIS, you've probably read one of my trip reports."
"No, that's not it for sure, I never bother with reading that crap from complete strangers having fun at Disney when I can do it myself."
WOW! Talk about your shoot down!
And "Crap"?
And what is it with New Jersey people? In July it was that stuck up moron at Vero Beach.
I considered giving them my straightforward response and clever put down when I run into a couple of morons,,,,"Oh YEAH?" but I dind't.
Then they asked me where I was from and I said "Nassau", just to make them think.
I don't know why either, it's what came out.
Then the world famous trip report writer slunked back to his room.
Diane was coming out just then to joing me, and I pointed at the two women and said, "Sic 'em!"
Back at the Magic Kingdom we came really close to having a repeat performance of the "Getting Busted" chapter in the July report.
Only this time it was me and not Smidgy.
As she was going through the fanny pack and backpack checkpoint, I did what I always do and just walked through the middle of the two tables to get past.
Ah, but there was another security guy standing in the front.
"Excuse me sir, could you show me what you have in your pocket?"
So much for the "new and improved Nebo", he was taking a beating so far.
"Why certainly," and I whisked my camera out of my left pocket for him.
"No sir, your other pocket."
"Right".
This pocket contains my Sunny D, along with two little bottles of vodka.
I quickly pulled out the Sunny D:
"Sunny D, keeps you hydrated and made from genuine Florida oranges. Don't leave home without it!"
and I offered it to him.
"Ok, thank you, you can go."
Wow, for a second there I almost started sweating, the "new and improved Nebo" was back!
First thing we did was go see Laugh Floor.
It was already time for a needed warm up.
For a change though, I wasn't singled out for anything during the show, it's not often I get through this without having those bright lights suddenly blaze at me.
Then we used our fastpass for Buzz, Diane hit something right away that gave her 25000 points so that ended my fun right quickly. I beat her about 10 percent of the time.
It was coming up to close to six now, and she wanted to see the castle lighting ceremony so we walked over and found a place on the Tomorrowland bridge.
Ok, this next picture was taken that night, but to be honest, I'm not sure what I'm looking at, so fill in your own captions for this one:
Then, they lit the castle, a piece at a time:
Very pretty.
Totally frozen by now, we had enough time to get over to the Casserole of Progresso and it didn't let us down, very warm inside. There I dumped a little bottle into what was left of my Sunny D, but it needed to be drunk fast cuz even if it's freezing outside, a warm "screwdriver" type of drink is still not an appetizing or appealing thing.
When COP was over, (and Smidgy is still trying to figure out what happened to the missing daughter) they were ready to start kicking out all the day guests so the Mickey's Very Frozen Christmas Party could start at 7.
Boy, was I glad we didn't buy into that, I felt sorry for those that had tickets.
But now I'm also feeling sorry for myself:
We have to take a boat ride across the lake to WL for dinner.
On the open water!
I had thrown the empty Sunny D bottle out, and figured I'd be sipping straight from the little bottle itself on the way across.
But first, one more parting picture of the castle:
Didn't have to wait too long for a boat, and made sure to get a seat inside, which wasn't any warmer but at least it was out of the wind.
Arriving at the Lodge, no, there was no going over to watch the geyser erupt, no going and watching the hot springs bubble there way into the pool from the lobby, no haveing a drink at the Trout Pass pool bar which was closed due to frost on the stools, it was more like "Let's get inside as quickly as we can before my ears fall off."
This resort is magnificent to visit, the problem with staying here is similar to Animal Kingdom Lodge:
You just don't find enough reasons to have to go down or into the lobby to take use of the "magnifecense".
You will find the shortest way to the pools, the bus stop, boat dock, whatever, you have to make a reason to go into the lobby to be able to absorb it all in again.
Right now we were just happy it was heated.
Smidgy told me to take a picture of the incredible Christmas Tree inside so I looked, shrugged my shoulders and moved her over a bit to be in it.
At first she gave me that look like "what's wrong with you?" but I got her to smile anyway. Then I took the picture she wanted.
After checking in and getting a buzzer we went our front to have a smoke. It's incredible how little I have smoked this trip, the cold had a lot to do with it. Even out there we only did a half way smoke, I got good at flicking off the lit end and sticking the remainder back in the pack.
About ten minutes later the buzzer went off and we were led to a table.
A great table, right in the main room but over in a corner.
We could watch all the shenanigans and goofy stuff going on without even having to really turn our heads.
But here was the problem:
There wasn't any really goofy stuff or funny antics going on, the customers just weren't into it tonight.
Oh, the cast members tried, but I could just feel the overall feeling and rowdiness of everybody was at a low ebb.
And I blame the cold.
I'm sorry, I do.
This is not what anybody was expecting when they made there plans many months ago, it was supposed to be all swimming, water rides and pixie dust, not this biting wind hitting you in the face.
I'm sure Lapu Lapu's now were being traded in for hot chocolate, Pina Coladas for coffee.
There is nothing in the world better than to wake up in DisneyWorld , with the excitement of a days' adventures just waiting for you, everything so bright and clear in the amazing Florida sunshine.
It's like waking up in a poppy field and seeing the Emerald City standing majestically off in the distance over the green, rolling hills.
Nothing, no where, no how can compare.
Until you open you room door up to have the Ontario Clipper hit you in the face.
I can see how Wilderness Lodge could be appealing in January, it's got great theming for cold weather with the pine trees and all, but if you come then, you're half expecting it to be cold at nights, no surprises there.
But this is Dec. 2nd, for God's sake we still have 3 weeks before winter even starts!
And you could tell that many of these people here were pretty down about it, some things you can't hide.
And with the temperatures plummeting while we are sitting in there eating, I wondered how many of them are from othre resorts like us, and dreading the boat ride back when dinner is over.
Thunderstorms can have a short lived, mini effect like this, but they are just that; short lived.
You see people grumble, leave the parks,,, but the best times are 45 minutes later when the storm is over and the sun comes back out.
The steam rises from the puddles, the sun tries to burn off the mist in the air and the people that remained are running from one ride to the other now, laughing.
No, I don't like the cold.
You can't put flip flops over socks, no, don't even try.
You can't put a tank top over a Led Zepplin sweatshirt, (yes, I did try)
And you can't wear Speedos over LongJohns,,,,
wait, scratch that last one, let's not give the Speedo wearers any ideas.
"New and improved Nebo decided he doesn't like it either.
We both decided to get the rib eye for dinner, didn't want to fill up on too many of the other stuff that comes with the skillet meal.
I was even able to substitute an ear of corn for the "Seasonal" green beans.
Both our steaks were very good, everything was as a matter of fact, you could even get a milk shake with your meal which we both did. The dining plan covered it.
I wish I could tell you what we had for dessert but I can't, I 'd have to go and look at the menus again.
Then it was time for the long voyage back.
As I expected, this was not fun, neither was the long walk all the way to the end of the bus stops to get to the Pop Century stop. This bus stop is just about right in front of the Contemporay and Bay Lake Towers door.
But at least there wasn't any "Henry" on the way to the bus stop.
Huh? you say?
Yes, Henry, he makes an appearance later in the trip.
Tomorrow, Epcot
Then through it.
And into Main St.
And through it too until we were at the exits.
"I guess we're going back to the resort for a while, huh?" Diane said.
"Guess so."
Some decisions present themselves anyway if you fail to make up your mind.
In our defense, we were a little preoccupied.
I started with taking a picture of the castle:
Then we we got to Main St there was a lot of action and commotion goin on. By the time we hit the Town Square section almost everything was roped off with people lining the sides as if a parade was going to start, which there wasn't.
It was all we could do to squeeze past in front of Tony"s, filming crew were everywhere setting up stages and scaffolding. Apparently Disney wanted to get a jump on the Christmas Day parade filming, possibly because of the cold so they wouldn't have all the performers at one time trying to keep them all warm somewhere.
Back at the resort we just laid around the room for a few hours, I read, Diane watched tv. I might have even dozed for a while, this napping thing is getting out of hand with me, I NEVER take naps.
Soon it was time to get ready to head on back to the Arctic Kingdom for a while, then head over to WL for dinner.
I have to admit, I wasn't any too thrilled about spending more time in the cold but there was no choice now.
I need to get in the mood somehow.
I NEED to get in the mood somehow.
But how?
How to get in the mood?
How indeed!
I have enough liquor in here to satisfy 20 Navy crewmen on leave, plus my own small pharmaceutical supply shop.
Better living through chemicals, that's my motto today.
As I put on my pants again, sure enough, in the pocket is the 3 pills I had brought with me this morning, I never touched them.
I must be slipping.
Since they were supposed to be gone by now anyway,,,,,I can either wait till we get there, or, I can try to alter my mood sooner. I chose sooner.
As I was washing them down with a whiskey and Sprite, Diane saw me.
"What are you doing?"
"I am raising my plane of consciousness to a higher level of appreciation for all the magical wonders that Disney presides over."
"Huh?"
"Gettin' drunk."
Actually this is a line I can get away with, it's been a long time since I have gotten drunk, I'll use the phrase and joke about it a lot but it never really happens.
While Diane made up a couple of Sunny D's for the trip, I went outside to the smoking section with my highball.
Damn it was still cold.
But I don't care, this is the new and soon to be improved Nebo, a guy who laughs in the face of cold. Ha HA, ha ha,,,cough, cough.
By the time I got to the smoking section my hand was already numb from holding the drink with ice in the plastic cup. After putting it on top of the garbage can next to the ashtray two women walked up.
"Sorry, this drink is spoken for", I told them.
Before they sat down, one of them looked at me strangely and finally said, "Boy, you look familiar."
I smiled my best smile, finally, I'm going to get some recognition for all the hard work I've put in writing these chapters, obviously they've read my trip reports.
"I look familiar, huh?" "And who you calling Boy?"
They both laughed at that, so I asked if they ever got on the DIS.
"Oh yes, all the time." the one said. They also said they were from New Jersey.
Ok, not sure what one has to do with the other;
"Well if you've been on the DIS, you've probably read one of my trip reports."
"No, that's not it for sure, I never bother with reading that crap from complete strangers having fun at Disney when I can do it myself."
WOW! Talk about your shoot down!
And "Crap"?
And what is it with New Jersey people? In July it was that stuck up moron at Vero Beach.
I considered giving them my straightforward response and clever put down when I run into a couple of morons,,,,"Oh YEAH?" but I dind't.
Then they asked me where I was from and I said "Nassau", just to make them think.
I don't know why either, it's what came out.
Then the world famous trip report writer slunked back to his room.
Diane was coming out just then to joing me, and I pointed at the two women and said, "Sic 'em!"
Back at the Magic Kingdom we came really close to having a repeat performance of the "Getting Busted" chapter in the July report.
Only this time it was me and not Smidgy.
As she was going through the fanny pack and backpack checkpoint, I did what I always do and just walked through the middle of the two tables to get past.
Ah, but there was another security guy standing in the front.
"Excuse me sir, could you show me what you have in your pocket?"
So much for the "new and improved Nebo", he was taking a beating so far.
"Why certainly," and I whisked my camera out of my left pocket for him.
"No sir, your other pocket."
"Right".
This pocket contains my Sunny D, along with two little bottles of vodka.
I quickly pulled out the Sunny D:
"Sunny D, keeps you hydrated and made from genuine Florida oranges. Don't leave home without it!"
and I offered it to him.
"Ok, thank you, you can go."
Wow, for a second there I almost started sweating, the "new and improved Nebo" was back!
First thing we did was go see Laugh Floor.
It was already time for a needed warm up.
For a change though, I wasn't singled out for anything during the show, it's not often I get through this without having those bright lights suddenly blaze at me.
Then we used our fastpass for Buzz, Diane hit something right away that gave her 25000 points so that ended my fun right quickly. I beat her about 10 percent of the time.
It was coming up to close to six now, and she wanted to see the castle lighting ceremony so we walked over and found a place on the Tomorrowland bridge.
Ok, this next picture was taken that night, but to be honest, I'm not sure what I'm looking at, so fill in your own captions for this one:
Then, they lit the castle, a piece at a time:
Very pretty.
Totally frozen by now, we had enough time to get over to the Casserole of Progresso and it didn't let us down, very warm inside. There I dumped a little bottle into what was left of my Sunny D, but it needed to be drunk fast cuz even if it's freezing outside, a warm "screwdriver" type of drink is still not an appetizing or appealing thing.
When COP was over, (and Smidgy is still trying to figure out what happened to the missing daughter) they were ready to start kicking out all the day guests so the Mickey's Very Frozen Christmas Party could start at 7.
Boy, was I glad we didn't buy into that, I felt sorry for those that had tickets.
But now I'm also feeling sorry for myself:
We have to take a boat ride across the lake to WL for dinner.
On the open water!
I had thrown the empty Sunny D bottle out, and figured I'd be sipping straight from the little bottle itself on the way across.
But first, one more parting picture of the castle:
Didn't have to wait too long for a boat, and made sure to get a seat inside, which wasn't any warmer but at least it was out of the wind.
Arriving at the Lodge, no, there was no going over to watch the geyser erupt, no going and watching the hot springs bubble there way into the pool from the lobby, no haveing a drink at the Trout Pass pool bar which was closed due to frost on the stools, it was more like "Let's get inside as quickly as we can before my ears fall off."
This resort is magnificent to visit, the problem with staying here is similar to Animal Kingdom Lodge:
You just don't find enough reasons to have to go down or into the lobby to take use of the "magnifecense".
You will find the shortest way to the pools, the bus stop, boat dock, whatever, you have to make a reason to go into the lobby to be able to absorb it all in again.
Right now we were just happy it was heated.
Smidgy told me to take a picture of the incredible Christmas Tree inside so I looked, shrugged my shoulders and moved her over a bit to be in it.
At first she gave me that look like "what's wrong with you?" but I got her to smile anyway. Then I took the picture she wanted.
After checking in and getting a buzzer we went our front to have a smoke. It's incredible how little I have smoked this trip, the cold had a lot to do with it. Even out there we only did a half way smoke, I got good at flicking off the lit end and sticking the remainder back in the pack.
About ten minutes later the buzzer went off and we were led to a table.
A great table, right in the main room but over in a corner.
We could watch all the shenanigans and goofy stuff going on without even having to really turn our heads.
But here was the problem:
There wasn't any really goofy stuff or funny antics going on, the customers just weren't into it tonight.
Oh, the cast members tried, but I could just feel the overall feeling and rowdiness of everybody was at a low ebb.
And I blame the cold.
I'm sorry, I do.
This is not what anybody was expecting when they made there plans many months ago, it was supposed to be all swimming, water rides and pixie dust, not this biting wind hitting you in the face.
I'm sure Lapu Lapu's now were being traded in for hot chocolate, Pina Coladas for coffee.
There is nothing in the world better than to wake up in DisneyWorld , with the excitement of a days' adventures just waiting for you, everything so bright and clear in the amazing Florida sunshine.
It's like waking up in a poppy field and seeing the Emerald City standing majestically off in the distance over the green, rolling hills.
Nothing, no where, no how can compare.
Until you open you room door up to have the Ontario Clipper hit you in the face.
I can see how Wilderness Lodge could be appealing in January, it's got great theming for cold weather with the pine trees and all, but if you come then, you're half expecting it to be cold at nights, no surprises there.
But this is Dec. 2nd, for God's sake we still have 3 weeks before winter even starts!
And you could tell that many of these people here were pretty down about it, some things you can't hide.
And with the temperatures plummeting while we are sitting in there eating, I wondered how many of them are from othre resorts like us, and dreading the boat ride back when dinner is over.
Thunderstorms can have a short lived, mini effect like this, but they are just that; short lived.
You see people grumble, leave the parks,,, but the best times are 45 minutes later when the storm is over and the sun comes back out.
The steam rises from the puddles, the sun tries to burn off the mist in the air and the people that remained are running from one ride to the other now, laughing.
No, I don't like the cold.
You can't put flip flops over socks, no, don't even try.
You can't put a tank top over a Led Zepplin sweatshirt, (yes, I did try)
And you can't wear Speedos over LongJohns,,,,
wait, scratch that last one, let's not give the Speedo wearers any ideas.
"New and improved Nebo decided he doesn't like it either.
We both decided to get the rib eye for dinner, didn't want to fill up on too many of the other stuff that comes with the skillet meal.
I was even able to substitute an ear of corn for the "Seasonal" green beans.
Both our steaks were very good, everything was as a matter of fact, you could even get a milk shake with your meal which we both did. The dining plan covered it.
I wish I could tell you what we had for dessert but I can't, I 'd have to go and look at the menus again.
Then it was time for the long voyage back.
As I expected, this was not fun, neither was the long walk all the way to the end of the bus stops to get to the Pop Century stop. This bus stop is just about right in front of the Contemporay and Bay Lake Towers door.
But at least there wasn't any "Henry" on the way to the bus stop.
Huh? you say?
Yes, Henry, he makes an appearance later in the trip.
Tomorrow, Epcot
I saw plenty without horns, but then again; I wouldn't want to lose everything I own for breaking the law. So no defenseless critters were harmed in the posting of this post. :rotfl
. 
But then again, I'm not a doctor, and it's a good thing since I don't like needles, or blood, or doctors for that matter. 
I don't know who had more fun; them with the ketchup or us watching them.
