Note this portion of the report will only have one photo. I also must note, that my times were off from the last post. We had a 7:15 Oga’s reservation, not 7:45.
This trip report left off with us traveling back to the resort via the Skyliner. This would be our last trip on the Skyliner, and honestly I was good with that. After what happened the night before, I would be happy never to use it again. LOL The plan was for Ella and I to head to the car, and pick Mom and Lorelai up outside of the Lobby. It was around 8:00 by the time we got to the Riviera. I remember this as we could hear the faint explosions of fireworks in the direction of MK. Mom said the shoe store was a 10 minute drive away, so I was hoping to be back to the resort by 9:30 at the latest. I did not ask specifics, but I was hoping it wasn’t Disney Springs. My feet were killing me and I just wanted to get the shoes, and get back to the resort. As we made it to the resort exit, the navigation said to turn right. “Crap, is this shoe store in Disney Springs?” I ask my wife. She shrugs and says “Google maps says this is the closest shoe store.” Sure enough, I’m parking in the lime parking garage a few minutes later. Exactly where I DIDN’T want to shop for shoes.
I put on a smile, and we head down to level 2, go through security and head towards our destination. We pass what looks to be the “main” Christmas tree and a show begins. Some music starts playing and then we get to see the only “snope” of the entire trip. The family loves it and we take a couple photos of the girls in front of the tree. Its pushing 8:40 by then, and my feet are screaming in pain. Oh yea, forgot to mention, Lorelai took off my shoes and threw on some slides for this portion of the trip. Why didn’t she bring me back my shoes? That was the biggest question running though my head. Oh yea, its because she is 14……
Okay, shoes, that’s what we are here for right? We make it to the store, and she does a little shopping as I find a bench to give my feet a rest. While Lorelai is shopping, my wife is texting with her brother about a gift for his oldest. Little did I know, we would be heading towards Marketplace Co-Op before we leave. She ended up picking out a new pair of shoes, threw them on, and we were headed back towards the other end of Disney Springs. It was packed tonight, so we had to weave through the sea of people to make it to Co-Op. The girls shopped for awhile, but nothing was purchased. What we were looking for was no longer in stock. On the way back towards the parking garage we stopped inside the World of Disney to do a bit more shopping. A bit more torture to my feet is what I called it. A few t-shirts, and pins were purchased, and finally we were headed to the car. It was 9:30 by the time we got to the car. What happens next is a domino effect for the rest of the night.
When my wife opens her door, she finds a deceased cockroach on the floor board. She was a bit grossed out, I took care of it, and off we went. It was in her head, “where did that come from? Were there more? Are they on me?” Those were phrases going through her head, I know this, because she said it over and over for the next 30 minutes. 30 minutes you say? Isn’t Riviera just down the street from Springs? Yes you are correct, but the kids were hungry, and most specifically, they were hungry for Arby’s chicken. So we were looking for Arby’s and when we found Arby’s, it was closed.
So we found a Chick-fil-a nearby, but Ella doesn’t like their chicken. :Fist bump: That’s my girl! So we get Lorelai some food, and while we were waiting, my wife finds a KFC. This KFC is right next to Fun Spot, just to give you an idea how far away we were from Disney property. We pick up the much needed food at KFC, and head back to the resort. The whole time I’m thinking, “I’m going to eat, take a LOOOONG shower, and get to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day at the MK, and I want us to all get a proper amount of rest.” We listen to chrismas music the drive back, and we are all in great spirits. A decent day in the park, new shoes, and food for our bellies. Oh would I love for that to all have happened…
Grab that popcorn.
We pull into our Resort and park in spot 219 at 10:20 PM. I remember this specifically, because of what happens in the next few moments. You know that little silicone insert for cup holders on some cars? Well this rental had that, and we had drinks in that cup holder between the front seats. My wife pulls out one drink and hands it to Lorelai, and then pulls out the second cup, and this silicone insert pulls out with the cup. At that moment we realize that the deceased cockroach wasn’t random. As roaches fall off the bottom of this insert into my wife’s lap, and the entire cavity in the console underneath said insert is full of roaches. Large ones, small ones, babies. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! She throws the cup and insert down on the pavement, the girls get out of the car in a hurry, and I get out of the car with a few on my legs. I stomped out their lives of on number 219. The first thing that crossed my mind was when Oogie Boogie’s stitches came undone and you see that he is all bugs underneath the canvas.
My wife says “I am not getting back in that car, you need to do something!” She is visibly upset, the girls are too as well. Rightly so! We check everyone in the lot, and they head up to the room, I stay with the car and get on the phone immediately. The phone rings, and rings, and then someone picks up. I explain what is going on and they transfer me to the front desk at the airport. Except the call immediately goes dead…. Okay the anger is rising. Next call was to roadside assistance, and he says there isn’t anything he can do, to call the front desk again.
Oh boy, turning blood red mad by this point, and that’s a lot for me. It was 30 minutes before I was actually speaking to someone who might be able to help. Nope, they wont bring me a replacement, there is nothing they can do until 10 AM the next morning. BS I say, I’m not going to let this effect my final day in the parks, especially MK! I ask how long they are open till, and he says Midnight. So what do I do? Yep, off to MCO I go!
I wasn’t even to Sea World before I felt them crawling on my legs again. Turn up the tunes, roll down the windows, and try not to focus on that. For those asking, the new Between You & Me album (Goldfish is a great tune) was what I was listening too. LOL I’m on a mission, and nothing is going to stop me! Oh crap do I have enough for tolls? $2.75?!?! yep I’m covered, a cockroach handed me a quarter to make correct change. So I make it to MCO around 11:15, grab my wallet and sunglasses and leave the roach mobile behind me. I’m still wearing Lorelai’s shoes, and almost bust my **** on the escalator down to the main level. Finally make it to the desk, and not a soul there. Put me out of my misery please…. Down the way is
Avis, which are partners with our rental company. He is on the phone, but I slide on down. It’s quite, very few people in this area at this time of night, and I can hear he is talking to his girlfriend or wife. The are talking about personal things,
very personal things.
I’m starring daggers into this man…. He says something in Spanish, hangs up the phone, and with a huge fake smile asks “how can I help you?” I ask if he know if anyone from our rental company is around. He tells me that they left an hour ago. Explains why I couldn’t get anyone to answer. He asks if he can help me again and I tell him the predicament I am currently in, and he says I quote, “oh hell no! Let me get ahold of Wilbur for you my man!” He picks up the phone, says a few things in Spanish, and then tells me to head back out to the area where I dropped the car off. So back to the garage I go, I’m so happy I didn’t rent off of airport property. Wilbur is waiting for me in the Preferred kiosk, and I once again explain what is going on. He was sympathetic, and asked for my paperwork. Oh sugar honey iced tea, my paperwork…… My inner Jiminy Cricket takes over.
I take a deep breath and with a smile I say “I have no idea where that is Wilbur, can I give you my details to find it in your system?” He shakes his head no, but says to grab the keys out of the car and he might be able to pull it up that way. I run to the car, my lard butt RUNS to the car and grabs the keys. My feet hurt, and I just want this nightmare to be over with. He pulls up the details, we go back to the car to look for roaches, he witnesses said roaches, and back to the kiosk we go. Wilbur and I become good friends, it was a real bonding moment. He calls the night manager to come speak to me. She is very sympathetic, even after what Wilbur says he witnessed, and she gives me a hefty discount. Also says she will give us a new rental, but I was informed by my wife that was not something she wanted. However we called her and both of us spoke with her. I was given the choice of three vehicles and was told I could inspect them until I was satisfied with their cleanliness. A car was chosen, new paperwork filed, and I was leaving the garage at 11:55 PM.
Pull up the Bluetooth, pair my phone, and crank those tunes again. I was back to the Riviera by 12:20, but had to chill in the car for a few minutes as the sprinklers were running at this time. I specifically chose not to park in 219 as well. LOL Remember how I mentioned earlier the layout of our room and how close we were to the elevator shafts? Well when I returned my wife asked me to take off all of my clothes, except my pants of course, on the balcony. It’s 12:35, and as I’m pulling off my shirt I notice a man and his child watching me through said window. I just had to laugh and wave. If they only knew what I had just went through. HOT SHOWER #10 was next, then cold chicken, and then bed. I was wiped out, and in 6 short hours I needed to be up to make our first
Genie+ reservation…..
Would we make it to MK by rope drop? Would we sleep in and make the best of the next day? Well that will all have to wait until the next post.
.
