Stitch woke us up again this morning. What happened to Mickey's friendly voice? Today is a big day, and I am actually concerned that I have planned too much. We pack up, not that we had really unpacked a lot knowing that we would only be here for 3 nights, we left the bags by the window as instructed so that they luggage services will transfer them to the Wilderness Lodge, or so Dave thinks. Dave went to have his last mug refill and I drove the car over the Classic hall to meet him.
I drive to the Magic Kingdom for the beginning of Dave's surprise. We are running a little late, but when we walk into the Main Street Bakery I see 3 pixies! Dave doesnt notice a thing.
We choose breakfast:
Dave has a cinnamon bun $2.89
Coffee $1.69
I have French toast loaf $3.99
Water $2.00
Tax .56
Total $11.13 (cash).
We are creatures of habit; we ate the same thing last year!
While I am paying Dave goes to get napkins, cutlery etc, and a pixie intercepts him, Dave, my name is xxxx and we have a day of surprises planned for you, you need to come with me. The pixie shows us to empty tables outside, which is a good thing because the bakery was full and we would have stood for ages with our tray waiting for an empty seat. The pixie sits with us while we eat and explains to Dave that there is a surprise waiting for him, but that he has to solve clues and complete tasks to earn the surprise! I don't know if Dave is excited, embarrassed or horrified, but at least he is playing along on his first clue. He solves it and the pixie gives him fast passes to our first ride and then leaves us to enjoy our breakfast, and begin our day.
We head to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, our favourite ride; we see Susan and Debbie in the line up. Susan had remembered my last name and was able to look up my results on the internet. I finished in 3:29 for my official time. Susan and Debbie finished but after the mats were shut down so they did not have an official time. Mary-Liz and Nancy finished with official times. Susan also mentioned that she had her husband post the results for Team Canada on the disboards. We ride the buggy behind Susan, and Dave beats me. I dont think I broke 1000.
One clue tells him to ride the Wedway people mover and complete another task while on the ride. I thought we were going to be in serious trouble here as he had no clue what that was, but being the smarty that he is he worked it out.
Another clue said to find fast passes to our next ride in a store under the plush stitches. There are hundreds of Stitches. We start lifting up each and every Stitch; we are going to be here all day. Then a pixie caught my attention and pointed to the appropriate Stitch, good thing too otherwise we'd have been there all day, who knows how long she had been trying to catch my eye though.
We ride Space Mountain and I remember to look up and see the Chips Ahoy cookies, but I forget to tell Dave, and trying to explain it after is a lost cause.
At Sleeping Beautys Story Place, it is story time and full of people. I am not sure how we are going to find a clue with all these people here. Just as we are about to give up and call the hot phone number the next clue magically appears.
We see Mickeys PhilharMagic with fast passes. I loved this show last year, and so did Dave, but he doesnt really remember it until we are inside, watching again and smelling that apple pie.
We are searching in the bushes for a clue, when a pixie springs from nowhere (well not really, I had seen her sitting on the bench opposite, but Dave hadnt), and tells Dave that he is thinking like a tall person (hes 63 and was looking in the trees) and he needs to think like a normal person. He started looking at ankle height (from one extreme to the other), I am a normal person and I am taller than his ankles so why look that low? But obviously it works because he finds the clue at toe level.
At the Haunted Mansion Dave is looking round for someone, anyone who would give it away. In the stretching room someone slips a clue round his neck, but he didnt see who and it makes him jump! Good thing we have been on this ride before because we miss the first bit trying to read the clue. Then Dave wants to know why we havent walked through the ballroom and seen the costumes. He is thinking of the Haunted Mansion Exhibit we saw at MGM last year, I am surprised and impressed that he remembers it.
We have to hunt for the next clue and it seems Dave remembers his lessons well, this time he immediately thinks like his idea of a short person, and he looks on the ground and under benches. I find the clue above his head height remember I am 5'4" and he's 6'3". This clue is harder and takes him awhile to work out. It mentions being hairy like Baloo, so Dave wants to go do the Jungle Cruise. Luckily I know where he is supposed to be going; after all it was me who set this up.
We are running behind, so a pixie asks if we want to skip this bit. Dave decided no, he will wait. Our wait is about 30 minutes; Dave sits in the chair and asks for #1 on top, #0 for side and back with a Mickey shaved into the back. I didnt know he was going to do that, thats cool. But then the CM says they are not allowed to do that, they can only do a glitter Mickey, thats disappointing. So he just gets #1 on top and #0 for the rest. Afterwards Dave tells me he wouldnt have waited if he had know he couldnt get a Mickey shaved in, but he wanted to surprise me and the pixie, because we wouldnt have thought he would have done that.
The next clue is quite long and it takes Dave awhile to work it out. In fact the pixie had told me how to work it out in advance, and I have to tell Dave.
We have now left the Magic Kingdom and are in Epcot, a pixie finds us, and issues a food challenge Survivor/Amazing Race style to Dave. He must eat the food that she has to earn his next clue. Wasabi peas and seaweed rice crackers, luckily Dave loves both, so this challenge is easy, and he gets to keep the rest of the bag. The pixie presents Dave with a prize for completing the challenge, a Nemo Christmas decoration and his clue.
The clue says to leave Epcot and think of sand, sun, tans, shells and go where that reminds him. The sand, sun, tans and shells throw him completely and we almost walk past a sign for the resort before it finally clicks. We walk into the Lobby and see our pixie relaxing in a chair. We sit and chat, and then I get up to go to the bathroom. I actually head over to the front desk to check in. The same pixie from the gift shops waits with me, and takes the keys and the room number when I am done. I go back to the pixie and Dave, and she has given him the plush pilot Mickey for completing all the tasks. She gives us both the Mickey and Minnie Pilot pins, and then tells Dave he has one last task. He gets it right on the second attempt, Congratulations, this is your final surprise, that is your room number! The look on Daves face is priceless. He is surprised and excited. Then the other pixie hands over the room keys etc. We say our goodbyes to both pixies, Dave cannot wait to see the room. As we are walking up the room, Dave tells me that as we were approaching the resort he was thinking, "I wish we had stayed here instead of POP Century."
The room is great, on the 5th floor, balcony looking toward the Beach Club Villas and Space Ship at Epcot, twin sinks, fridge, and lots of drawer space. We call for our bags, which are delivered promptly. Hunger strikes, after all it is after 3.00pm, and we are breakfast at 9.30am. The Disboards say that Beaches and Cream is good value for the Q&C vouchers so we try it out. We use one voucher and split lunch:
Roast beef sandwich 8.99
Onion rings 3.99
Coke 1.89
No Way Jose Peanut Butter Sundae 7.99
Tax $1.49
Tip $3.43
Total $25.18
Savings $13.68
Another table orders the Kitchen Sink and Dave thinks its cool. He says we will have to order one when we come back with Andrea, thats in 2008, and he thinks I plan ahead. I am not actually planning meals yet.
We explore the Beach and Yacht Club, Stormalong Bay etc to the bridge at the entrance to the Boardwalk and near the Swan and the Dolphin.
Back at the hotel and the gift basket from Feralpeg has been delivered. Its sitting on the dresser and its full of Disney chocolate coins, chocolate stars, starburst candies, sours, lifesaver gummies, Mickey dollar chocolate bars, a rice crispy Mickey head and a US Mickey antenna head ball. It is excellent. I am so sad that Feralpeg has decided to go out of business. It was worth every penny.
We relax and enjoy the room. Then we have our first experience of the Disney buses. We ride the bus to the Magic Kingdom, and switch to the monorail to the Grand Floridian. This resort is gorgeous. Dave says we can stay here, until he discovers the prices. We find the dock, but its the dock for the boats to the Magic Kingdom, we want the dock for the specialty cruises. Karebear had organized a Wishes cruise for the wish walkers, unfortunately Karebear is unable to attend but we are still a boat full. There is Debbie- CDoobee, Marsha Debbies friend, Jackie- Ibouncetoo, Diane- Jackie's Sister, Cheryl- CherylINWI, Cindy- Cheryl's friend, Joe- Cheryl's friends' son, NC Redding- Jane, Rachael and Dave. We head out just as the Electric Water Pageant starts, so we stop to watch. I love it the turtle, and the whale are my favourites.
We continue on a tour of Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, River Country, the shoe tree and then we see the Wishes fireworks from Magic Kingdom have already started. The driver tells us they are early, but according to my watch they are right on time, so he races the pontoon to position. As he stops he comments that we havent missed much, the best part is just beginning. I think it was Ibouncetoo that summed it up, We know better. Dont mess with the Disboarders! Still its spectacular. Well worth it.
We ride the monorail back to the Ticket and Transportation centre and pick up our car that we had left there much earlier today. Finally we get home, go for a hot tub at the quiet pool and check our email. Before we go to bed I give Dave his last surprise, his coupon for the Segway tour at Epcot in the morning.
Overall I think Daves surprise has gone well. He seems to be enjoying it.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
***I edited the post, because I realised I had posted the entire Scavenger Hunt that was intended for my scrapbook, I wanted to post a shorter version so as to not give everything away for any future GOAL guests***
I drive to the Magic Kingdom for the beginning of Dave's surprise. We are running a little late, but when we walk into the Main Street Bakery I see 3 pixies! Dave doesnt notice a thing.
We choose breakfast:
Dave has a cinnamon bun $2.89
Coffee $1.69
I have French toast loaf $3.99
Water $2.00
Tax .56
Total $11.13 (cash).
We are creatures of habit; we ate the same thing last year!
While I am paying Dave goes to get napkins, cutlery etc, and a pixie intercepts him, Dave, my name is xxxx and we have a day of surprises planned for you, you need to come with me. The pixie shows us to empty tables outside, which is a good thing because the bakery was full and we would have stood for ages with our tray waiting for an empty seat. The pixie sits with us while we eat and explains to Dave that there is a surprise waiting for him, but that he has to solve clues and complete tasks to earn the surprise! I don't know if Dave is excited, embarrassed or horrified, but at least he is playing along on his first clue. He solves it and the pixie gives him fast passes to our first ride and then leaves us to enjoy our breakfast, and begin our day.
We head to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, our favourite ride; we see Susan and Debbie in the line up. Susan had remembered my last name and was able to look up my results on the internet. I finished in 3:29 for my official time. Susan and Debbie finished but after the mats were shut down so they did not have an official time. Mary-Liz and Nancy finished with official times. Susan also mentioned that she had her husband post the results for Team Canada on the disboards. We ride the buggy behind Susan, and Dave beats me. I dont think I broke 1000.
One clue tells him to ride the Wedway people mover and complete another task while on the ride. I thought we were going to be in serious trouble here as he had no clue what that was, but being the smarty that he is he worked it out.
Another clue said to find fast passes to our next ride in a store under the plush stitches. There are hundreds of Stitches. We start lifting up each and every Stitch; we are going to be here all day. Then a pixie caught my attention and pointed to the appropriate Stitch, good thing too otherwise we'd have been there all day, who knows how long she had been trying to catch my eye though.
We ride Space Mountain and I remember to look up and see the Chips Ahoy cookies, but I forget to tell Dave, and trying to explain it after is a lost cause.
At Sleeping Beautys Story Place, it is story time and full of people. I am not sure how we are going to find a clue with all these people here. Just as we are about to give up and call the hot phone number the next clue magically appears.
We see Mickeys PhilharMagic with fast passes. I loved this show last year, and so did Dave, but he doesnt really remember it until we are inside, watching again and smelling that apple pie.
We are searching in the bushes for a clue, when a pixie springs from nowhere (well not really, I had seen her sitting on the bench opposite, but Dave hadnt), and tells Dave that he is thinking like a tall person (hes 63 and was looking in the trees) and he needs to think like a normal person. He started looking at ankle height (from one extreme to the other), I am a normal person and I am taller than his ankles so why look that low? But obviously it works because he finds the clue at toe level.
At the Haunted Mansion Dave is looking round for someone, anyone who would give it away. In the stretching room someone slips a clue round his neck, but he didnt see who and it makes him jump! Good thing we have been on this ride before because we miss the first bit trying to read the clue. Then Dave wants to know why we havent walked through the ballroom and seen the costumes. He is thinking of the Haunted Mansion Exhibit we saw at MGM last year, I am surprised and impressed that he remembers it.
We have to hunt for the next clue and it seems Dave remembers his lessons well, this time he immediately thinks like his idea of a short person, and he looks on the ground and under benches. I find the clue above his head height remember I am 5'4" and he's 6'3". This clue is harder and takes him awhile to work out. It mentions being hairy like Baloo, so Dave wants to go do the Jungle Cruise. Luckily I know where he is supposed to be going; after all it was me who set this up.
We are running behind, so a pixie asks if we want to skip this bit. Dave decided no, he will wait. Our wait is about 30 minutes; Dave sits in the chair and asks for #1 on top, #0 for side and back with a Mickey shaved into the back. I didnt know he was going to do that, thats cool. But then the CM says they are not allowed to do that, they can only do a glitter Mickey, thats disappointing. So he just gets #1 on top and #0 for the rest. Afterwards Dave tells me he wouldnt have waited if he had know he couldnt get a Mickey shaved in, but he wanted to surprise me and the pixie, because we wouldnt have thought he would have done that.
The next clue is quite long and it takes Dave awhile to work it out. In fact the pixie had told me how to work it out in advance, and I have to tell Dave.
We have now left the Magic Kingdom and are in Epcot, a pixie finds us, and issues a food challenge Survivor/Amazing Race style to Dave. He must eat the food that she has to earn his next clue. Wasabi peas and seaweed rice crackers, luckily Dave loves both, so this challenge is easy, and he gets to keep the rest of the bag. The pixie presents Dave with a prize for completing the challenge, a Nemo Christmas decoration and his clue.
The clue says to leave Epcot and think of sand, sun, tans, shells and go where that reminds him. The sand, sun, tans and shells throw him completely and we almost walk past a sign for the resort before it finally clicks. We walk into the Lobby and see our pixie relaxing in a chair. We sit and chat, and then I get up to go to the bathroom. I actually head over to the front desk to check in. The same pixie from the gift shops waits with me, and takes the keys and the room number when I am done. I go back to the pixie and Dave, and she has given him the plush pilot Mickey for completing all the tasks. She gives us both the Mickey and Minnie Pilot pins, and then tells Dave he has one last task. He gets it right on the second attempt, Congratulations, this is your final surprise, that is your room number! The look on Daves face is priceless. He is surprised and excited. Then the other pixie hands over the room keys etc. We say our goodbyes to both pixies, Dave cannot wait to see the room. As we are walking up the room, Dave tells me that as we were approaching the resort he was thinking, "I wish we had stayed here instead of POP Century."
The room is great, on the 5th floor, balcony looking toward the Beach Club Villas and Space Ship at Epcot, twin sinks, fridge, and lots of drawer space. We call for our bags, which are delivered promptly. Hunger strikes, after all it is after 3.00pm, and we are breakfast at 9.30am. The Disboards say that Beaches and Cream is good value for the Q&C vouchers so we try it out. We use one voucher and split lunch:
Roast beef sandwich 8.99
Onion rings 3.99
Coke 1.89
No Way Jose Peanut Butter Sundae 7.99
Tax $1.49
Tip $3.43
Total $25.18
Savings $13.68
Another table orders the Kitchen Sink and Dave thinks its cool. He says we will have to order one when we come back with Andrea, thats in 2008, and he thinks I plan ahead. I am not actually planning meals yet.
We explore the Beach and Yacht Club, Stormalong Bay etc to the bridge at the entrance to the Boardwalk and near the Swan and the Dolphin.
Back at the hotel and the gift basket from Feralpeg has been delivered. Its sitting on the dresser and its full of Disney chocolate coins, chocolate stars, starburst candies, sours, lifesaver gummies, Mickey dollar chocolate bars, a rice crispy Mickey head and a US Mickey antenna head ball. It is excellent. I am so sad that Feralpeg has decided to go out of business. It was worth every penny.
We relax and enjoy the room. Then we have our first experience of the Disney buses. We ride the bus to the Magic Kingdom, and switch to the monorail to the Grand Floridian. This resort is gorgeous. Dave says we can stay here, until he discovers the prices. We find the dock, but its the dock for the boats to the Magic Kingdom, we want the dock for the specialty cruises. Karebear had organized a Wishes cruise for the wish walkers, unfortunately Karebear is unable to attend but we are still a boat full. There is Debbie- CDoobee, Marsha Debbies friend, Jackie- Ibouncetoo, Diane- Jackie's Sister, Cheryl- CherylINWI, Cindy- Cheryl's friend, Joe- Cheryl's friends' son, NC Redding- Jane, Rachael and Dave. We head out just as the Electric Water Pageant starts, so we stop to watch. I love it the turtle, and the whale are my favourites.
We continue on a tour of Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, River Country, the shoe tree and then we see the Wishes fireworks from Magic Kingdom have already started. The driver tells us they are early, but according to my watch they are right on time, so he races the pontoon to position. As he stops he comments that we havent missed much, the best part is just beginning. I think it was Ibouncetoo that summed it up, We know better. Dont mess with the Disboarders! Still its spectacular. Well worth it.
We ride the monorail back to the Ticket and Transportation centre and pick up our car that we had left there much earlier today. Finally we get home, go for a hot tub at the quiet pool and check our email. Before we go to bed I give Dave his last surprise, his coupon for the Segway tour at Epcot in the morning.
Overall I think Daves surprise has gone well. He seems to be enjoying it.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
***I edited the post, because I realised I had posted the entire Scavenger Hunt that was intended for my scrapbook, I wanted to post a shorter version so as to not give everything away for any future GOAL guests***
