After changing the kids into long pants and loading them up in the car (with a cup of chocolate milk for the Shrimp. Don't leave home without it . . .), we headed off in the direction of the Beach and Yacht clubs. Which we had found earlier, during our tour of Disney property.
Strangely. While I had the map showing where to go, I think I SKIPPED the first street (that takes you under the water bridge) and entered the circle from the other side. You know. The long way around.
We stopped first at the Yacht club. The nice gentleman there stated that the lot was full (funny, I wonder what all those empty spaces are then?) and that we would need to go to the Beach club. And he gave us directions. (Turn right, look for the sign).
We almost got lost again, but pulled it out at the last second. Only to encounter at the Beach club a very harried attendant who rolled her eyes when we told her what the Yacht club had said. It somewhat confirmed our suspicions that somehow the guy at the Yacht club could look at us and TELL that I used plastic grocery store bags as luggage. And we were rejected. On sight.
But the Beach club was far more accommodating. And let us park. So that we could hike the 2 ½ miles to the entrance. I learned my lesson. Valet is well worth the money. Although I do feel sorry for them having to drive the disaster area that is my van.
I had remembered to give the kids dollar store glow stuff, too. That might have been another clue that the Yacht club attendant picked up on. So the kids were happily bouncing along (no stroller, as we were supposed to be getting on a boat. That might have been a mistake) and Boost and I were trying to ignore our tummies.
The beach club is very nice. Classy even.
I walked quickly through and to the outside, looking for the dock. I didn't want to miss our boat and it was 7:30 by then, at least. Then I realized that Boost had been distracted by the smell of food. Coming from Cape May. Where he thought we might be able to catch a bite. I informed him that sadly, NO, we would not be eating there. Then I dragged him outside, too.
We found Hurricane Hanna's and I abandoned Boost with the kids to locate the proper boat launch location. And told him where to meet me. I thought.
This would be the first instance wherein I wished that Boost and I had discussed the need for BOTH of us to carry cell phones on this trip. I really need to have that talk with him before our next vacation.
After locating the proper dock, I headed back, expecting a grilled chicken sandwich to be waiting on me. Instead, I found Boost and the kids walking towards me. Empty handed. After walking the LONG pier, that they didn't need to walk.
The Bob Evans lunch was a distant memory at this point. And Hurricane Hanna's stops serving food at around 5:30 p.m. (What's up with that?) Boost was getting a teensy bit irate.
So they sent us inside to the general store. That also had some pre-made sandwiches and such. and some soup. for Boost.
The sandwiches were fine. Good even. We scarfed food and headed back to the docks. To check in. And meet up with the person who had REALLY reserved the fireworks cruise.
Okay. I know that, especially on this board, many people "find" each other to share these excursions. I actually met the other family with whom we were to share this cruise through a different Disney chat board. And I was looking forward to meeting them in person. Really I was.
We arrived at the dock to check in and there was NO group of people that matched the description of the other family. I was flummoxed. And the cast members could see my confusion. So, they asked if we needed help. I told them I was there to meet another family, but didn't see them. They were very helpful.
End result: the family with whom I had made arrangements had reservations for the NEXT night. (I have checked since we got home, and I was given the wrong date, it was their mistake, not mine, which vindicated me a bit. After the fact.) But at that point, I REALLY REALLY wanted to meet them. To give them a piece of my mind. or maybe a little somethin' somethin' special. Too.
I really do not know what expression crossed my face when the error was discovered. I know with whom I was speaking. And he quickly guessed that we had made the arrangements through a chat board. I do know that the kids were in the background, being as good as a two and four year old that had been cooped up in a car and who had been told they were going on a boat to see fireworks could be. While they were standing right next to any number of boats. Meaning: slightly hyper, but not overly loud or running around.
But Captain Jason, with whom I was speaking, told me the reservation was for the next night. And, as I am want to do, just like with the nice man who checked us in at OKW, I started babbling. About how it wasn't Disney's problem that there had been an error in communication. How I really appreciated their help. How it was just going to be too bad for the other family, because we couldn't go the next night, etc.
And he was genuinely concerned. After a brief conversation, he asked me what we were doing that night.
I explained that we just got into town, this was our plan for the night, so I guessed we would be going back to our room. And I wasn't crying. Yet.
And then, Tinkerbell flew by (I'm certain I saw something glimmering, more than the glow necklaces) and sprinkled pixie dust on us.
Because Captain Jason said that he was going to make sure we saw the fireworks. To just hang around, that there was another family that was supposed to come, but that he would personally take us to see the fireworks.
I almost started crying. I'm sure that tears pooled in my eyes. And I started thanking him profusely.
Because he made sure I wasn't going to have to tell my kids that we weren't going to see fireworks that night after all.
How to Turn a Frown Upside Down (Page 12, Post 167)
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