Judging by the title, you know where this one is headed.
Last time we spoke, about six years ago it seems, we had just finished an awesome late morning/early afternoon at the Animal Kingdom. The plan for Tuesday night was La Nouba at Downtown Disney.
La Nouba is one of those shows, or experiences really, that I had always wanted to do, but just didn't think the money was worth it. Well, lacking my little brother this trip and actually taking an adult made it seem worthwhile.
So a few weeks before we left, I dialed up the La Nouba box office, or in this case signed on to the Internet. From various reviews of the show, I knew that I didnt have to buy to the most ridiculously expensive tickets, and instead could spring for the Category 2, or just really expensive tickets. As least compared to the rest of Disney that is. Expensive. Sort of? Actually, I was just a little gun shy.
We debated before leaving the room about two things. The first was whether to keep our ADR for Raglan Road, which I was extremely interested in checking out, but didnt exactly have the appetite for. And two, whether to dress up or not. Eventually we decided to slum it, jeans and a shirt for me. Now, I wasnt exactly slumming it, but you get the point, no tie or anything. A wise decision I would find out later. (Please note, as I re-read this, there is no foreshadowing here. I just was more comfortable in jeans.)
As we left the room for Downtown Disney, I glanced at the clock and realized that we couldve attended the 6 p.m. show and had a quiet evening afterward. Tucked it away until the next trip.
The ride to Downtown Disney is a boring one. No way around it. There really isnt any, Im heading to theme park, anticipation, it is more of a Im going to the mall feeling, I suppose. When we pulled into the parking lot I was sure to park directly behind the La Nouba building. The most frustrating thing for me about Downtown Disney is parking on one end, getting to the other end, and not wanting to walk back. Itll kill ya. Especially with nothing extraordinary like a 5-foot chipmunk to stare at.
First stop out of the car was to the box office to pick up our tickets.
Hello there, I need to pick up two tickets to the 9 p.m. show.
Last name.
Fonzy13.
Three minute wait.
Where did you order the tickets?
Off of your website, a few weeks ago?
And your last name is?
FONZY13!
Is your first name Jason?
No.
Gordon?
Nope.
Jose?
Do I look like a Jose?
That last part I made up. But you knew that.
Hmm
Two more minutes.
Oh, I found them. You were suppose to be at the 6 p.m. show.
Huh?
You ordered tickets for the 6 p.m. show.
Trying to stay calm. Breath. Deep breath.
I cant believe that I would do that, I specifically wanted to see the late show.
Hold on a second.
90 seconds of holding.
120 seconds of holding.
By this point Im looking at FT and just stunned. Im so Type A, if you havent figured it out. There is no way I could have possibly ordered 6 p.m. tickets. Just not something I would have done.
Well, Mr. Fonzy13 and FT, I have good news. We have a few seats near where your others were that I can switch to the 9 p.m.
I did not expect it to go that easy. Disney is awesome.
Thank you so much.
With tickets firmly in hand, a sigh of relief when over Downtown Disney. Thats right, my sigh of relief is that big. That could have been disastrous.
Now, normally my trip report chapters offer tedious insights into the little things. I dont remember much of this night, at least not the first part. But what I do remember, went like this
We walked through Downtown Disney over to Raglan Road, which is rather inviting building. Come to think of it, so is Pleasure Island as a whole. And if someone gets a chance, what exactly is the Adventurers Club? I am very curious.
Now, Im not the type of guy who makes ADRs and does not keep them- I think it is rather rude. But after taking a look at the menu, neither of us wanted to spend the money or the time on a big meal at that point. So we kept on walking. I thought about telling them at the stand that I was not going to use the reservation, but there was no one there. They would live.
So off we went through Pleasure Island and the Marketplace. Now we had arrived on Friday, and this was Tuesday, so we had gone a few days before coming here, a calculated move on my behalf. FT is a shop-a-holic and I knew she would love it. And I can take it or leave it. At least up until this trip. (Now THAT is some foreshadowing, but not until a few chapters. Is it foreshadowing if I point it out. Probably not.)
We did a little browsing, as I noted to her that we were staying at SSR for our final two days, and would be much easier to shop then. Finally we made our way to what has to be the best Counter Service in the World. Not Disney World, but the actual earth. Or E-Arth if you like Stitch. The Earl of Sandwich. Mmmmmmm
Now, I am sure that everything here is fantastic, but I have to admit now, I have only had one of the tasty morsels. Thats right- one/ Heres a little glimpse into my psyche- if there is pineapple on something, Im ordering it. So BBQ pineapple ham sandwich it is. Every time. Which is to say at least once a trip. I need an Earl of Sandwich next door to where I work. It only makes sense.
As for FT, I cant for the life of me remember what she got, but it looked pretty good, and she enjoyed it enough to fill her up. Dinner was about $18, or the price for one at Raglan Road. Battle for the wallet? No. I just wanted a pineapple sandwich.
After dinner, we did a little more browsing, though I did visit the pin kiosk outside of the Earl and actually make a purchase. The pins were not for me, but instead for the little brother, who began collecting them on our very first trip. It was one of those giveaways you get for booking a package that got him started.
Lets just say that 60-something pins later, Disney made out on that deal.
Picked up a Pirates Pin that glows in the dark (awesome), and Thunder Mountain Pin, which is important because BTMRR was the first ride he ever did by himself. Last summer, we had only one fast pass for Thunder Mountain, and I let him ride alone. He is only 9, so he thought it was the coolest thing ever. Dont worry, I waited right outside the exit for him. Irresponsible brother, I know. My mother would kill me if she knew.
After the pins we headed back towards La Nouba, though it was not yet 8 p.m. When we got back, it looked as if it would be a few minutes before they opened up, so drinks at the House of Blues should be had. It wasnt chilly out, but not yet warm enough to thoroughly relax and enjoy a drink outside either. Still we tried. While listening to a guy tear through songs from the 70s and 80s. It was relaxing and very un-Disney to what I am accustomed to.
I guess seeing as I am a DVC owner and will likely be spending some time at SSR in the future, this is what I have to look forward to at some point. It was not horrible, but not quite Wishes. If you know what I mean. I can do that at home, so why do it here has always been my mentality for DTD.
Around 8:15 p.m. we went into the show, and our seats were stupendous. No seriously. If you are planning on visiting the show anytime soon, grab some Category 2 seats. Just a terrific bargain. We were in the center of the theater, four rows back in the upper level. Just perfect seats. And please, get there early, the pre-show was great entertainment.
Ive debated how much detail I should throw into this report about La Nouba. A few of the problems I have.
1) The show is beyond fantastic. My words will not do it justice. This is not me being lazy, just honest. It is fantastic. There are several acts where you just laugh to yourself. Others where you are laughing out loud, not from the humor, but from pure astonishment. And still there are other acts that leave your mouth agape. Impossible to describe.
2) Maybe not impossible to describe, but I just do not want to. If you have not seen the show, take my word for it, it is more than worth it. And better for you to go in having no idea of what you will see. It is amazing. Why should I ruin the fun. Thats for others to do.
They dont get briefer than this chapter. Sorry for such a long, and annoying delay. Work has been busy for a few weeks. Glad I could get this one done. Im in the process of moving, but hopefully I can accomplish another chapter this week. Specifically because it will be so much fun to do. Why?
Up next: Chapter 12: FT Statement Leads To Dropping Jaws at MGM. No one injured, thankfully.