Knucklehead and Bo Bo's Return to WDW (AKL, SOG & CSR) - Day 6

[Stitch Inside]

Wednesday, May 4, Pirates! Knucklehead was scheduled to take part in the Pirate Adventures at the Grand Floridian. The rest of us also headed to the Grand Floridian Cafe for a late breakfast. We were anxious for Knucklehead because it had been raining, and the forecast was for more. We didn't know whether his pirate ship would set sail. It didn't, but the pirates decided to pillage the Grand Floridian instead. Knucklehead had a ball, and made some new friends.

Arrrgh!

Breakfast was very good and relaxing. We had the best waiter of the trip so far. Even the coffee didn't taste so bad. Bo Bo enjoyed it once he was given a little present from the hostess.

Bo Bo learned a new word this trip, "MINE!"

Oh yeah, here's a tip if you ever decide to drive over to the Grand Floridian, VALET PARK. Otherwise bring your hiking shoes. The self parking lot is practically over at the Poly.

After a nice relaxing morning, we decided to tackle the Magic Kingdom again. We were prepared for rain. Grandma purchased some ponchos from the gift shop at SOG. We weren't the only ones who decided to visit the MK that day. I caught a couple of exec.s walking down Main Street with us.

Robert "Bob" Iger and James "Jay" Rasulo Photo Op. Anyone know who the third guy (the one on the left) is? For those of you (like most of us) unfamiliar with Corporate Disney, Robert Iger is currently in the process of taking over for Michael Eisner as Disney's CEO, and James Rasulo is the current President of the Theme Parks and Resorts.

Would have loved to stay and chat, but we had things to do. First, BTMRR between the rain drops.

Then Splash Mountain and then over to the Haunted Mansion. DW volunteered to sit out with Bo Bo. She loves the pickles over at the Liberty Square Market.

When we came out of the Haunted Mansion it was raining and the afternoon parade was in progress. We joined DW and Bo Bo hanging out under cover at the Liberty Square Market and we all watched the end of the parade. As the last float passed, the rain started coming down harder. Since we were where we were, and it was raining, we all entered the Hall of Presidents. This is something I had always wanted to do, "but just not right now." Well, the right time finally came. I was impressed, and Knucklehead was enthralled. Sometimes I am shocked by the attention span of this 6 year old.

 

[Stitch Inside]

When we came out of the Hall, the sun also came out, and we decided to split up. The ladies took Bo Bo over to Mickey's Toon Town Fair, and we guys decided to ride Space Mountain. We were to meet back up at Crystal Palace for dinner at 5:00. Since Space Mountain was experiencing technical difficulties, Knucklehead convinced us to do Splash Mountain instead. After our pre-dinner bath, we hiked back over to CP.

We were early, so Knucklehead showed Grandpa where they could watch Goofy play baseball. They sat in Casey's and enjoyed the cartoons while I stood outside and kept an eye out for the others.

Once we were seated over at Crystal Palace, Knucklehead decided to make sure he still had all his Pirate swag.

After ordering drinks, and getting food for the kids, we started getting visitors.

Bo Bo got a kick out of Pooh

Knucklehead had more in common with Tigger.

Dinner was excellent. I could peel and eat shrimp all night long. The prime rib was good as were the roasted red potatoes. The boys enjoyed the colorful PB&Js, and Knucklehead had some shrimp too.

After dinner, the ladies returned to the SOG to get Bo Bo bathed, and ready for a late night. They also wanted to put on some warmer clothes and get some jeans for Knucklehead. While the ladies were doing their thing, we finally did Space Mountain and took it easy. We strolled back to the Castle and then down Main Street killing time. I let Knucklehead fill up his own "Pixie Stick" at the candy store.

We thought we had to meet the ladies up front because we had their resort IDs. SOG room keys do not have anything on them identifying them as such. So, they give out paper resort IDs when you check in. And in order to get their EMH wrist bands, the ladies needed these little pieces of paper that were with us boys.

Once everyone received their bands, we headed back to Tomorrowland. We rode Buzz Lightyear and Astro Orbitor, and were on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority ("Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow") when Wishes started.

Since we had never done the Speedway, it has always had a line longer than I was willing to wait in, we headed over there as soon as the fireworks ended. I rode with Knucklehead. The kid is in serious need of driving lessons. Bo Bo rode with Grandpa, and the ladies had their own car.

From the Speedway we headed into Fantasyland and rode Pooh and Peter Pan. The ladies, Bo Bo and Grandpa wanted to stay there while Knucklehead and I did Splash Mountain one or two more times. We stepped right on, rode it, and when we came back around, there was no one in line. I asked if we could stay on, and the CM running the ride, smiled a sinister smile and said, "Sure."
I was still pondering what the smile was about as we floated out to where you get to watch the logs come down the big drop. Then it hit me, or rather us. A cannon load of water shot at us as we watched a log go down the hill. We were drenched. Knucklehead was ecstatic. He got his wish. He wanted to get wet on Splash Mountain at midnight.

 

[Stitch Inside]

Just want to mention that there is wildlife at the SOG to rival the AKL. Of course, there were rabbits, and a family of ducks was on our downstair neghbors' porch one morning. We had a stare down with a doe, a deer, a female deer one eveningon the edge of the woods near the golf course. And on two occasions we spied an alligator in and out of the pond along the walkway to the Poly.
So, on the night of the 4th, Knucklehead was walking out in front of us searching the water for the reptile. If you want to make a 6 year old cry at 12:45 in the morning, here's what you do. My loving, caring DW decided to sneak up behind Knucklehead, grab him and yell "Boo!"
Luckily, we were able to calm him down before we entered the resort.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

The other guy in the picture is Al Weiss, President of WDW

 

[Yardbird]

I'm enjoying your report! Did Knucklehead like the Pirate Cruise? How much in advance did you have to reserve a space for him? We're going to WDW in less than two weeks and my grandson would love the pirate loot!

PS Your family looks like they were having so much fun on BTMR!

 

[Stitch Inside]

Thank you Debbie.
Knucklehead loved the Pirate Adventure even though they didn't get to "cruise". I highly recommend it. The CMs running it at the Grand Floridian were wonderful. I want to say that we didn't reserve a space for Knucklehead until a couple of weeks out. But we weren't there during the busy season.
And my family had a ball all week. My parents got to be kids again.

 

[DebIreland]

Hey Stitch

I loved your trip report. Sounds like you had a great holiday. In particular, I love your laid back attitude to each day - going with the flow, the way a holiday should be! And the photos are excellent - that one with Bo Bo and Pooh Bear - you don't get much cuter than that!!! Both your boys are very handsome. Well done on a great report

 

[Stitch Inside]

Thanks Deb.
I bet y'all are getting pretty excited about your upcoming Holiday. I hope you, your boys and that beautiful little girl are doing well?

 

[DebIreland]

Thanks Deb.
I bet y'all are getting pretty excited about your upcoming Holiday. I hope you, your boys and that beautiful little girl are doing well?

Thanks Stitch. We're really excited now. Just trying to balance the books as it were and gather some cash for the U.S. All that money! Thank goodness the euro is stronger than the dollar, that's all I can say

The boys can't contain themselves with excitement! And our girl, oh my my, she looks so innocent in that pic - she's older now, 14 months and is just starting to get very demanding - stubborn little so-and-so. All these new tantrums and fits *just* in time for a 9 hour transatlantic flight! Help!!!!!!