MajorWoody
The View From My Office
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2002
- Messages
- 294
Who :
Bill, age 44, NYSP Investigator, AP holder and numerous WDW trips
Jenn, daughter, age 19, AP holder, last trip 12/00
Joseph, son, age 17, AP holder, last trip 12/00
Where:
All Star Sports - 5 nights
Coronado Springs - 5 nights
When :
12/7 thru 12/17/02
We awoke Thursday morn, once again after a lousy nights sleep. I also
received a wakeup call at about 4:30am, and assumed it was Sean pranking me,
setting up the call, because we had discussed doing this to each other
before the trip. I had answered the call on the first ring, and I don't
think the kids even heard it. It really didn't help after the late night,
and the rampaging teens all night. Anyway, we hit the foodcourt for another
generic pancakes and sausage breakfast. After that was finished, I went to
the desk area, and asked for a manager. They went to the office, and a woman
named Sabine came out. I explained to her about our problems the last two
nights, in a very nice tone of voice. I told her I wanted to change resorts,
and I didn't mind paying a different price, as long as I received a similar
discount, as the AP rate I had at All Stars. I did not want to go to a
moderate or deluxe and pay full rate. She asked if I would like to go to
Coronado, and when I said yes, she made a quick call there. She then told me
that I was all set, and that my $49 rate would carry over to Coronado. I was
very pleased with this, and let her know that. This all took about 5
minutes. When she asked me how long it would take us to get ready to pack
and move, I assured her for $49 a night at Coronado we would be packed,
moved, and re-settled within minutes. We then went back to the room, did the
world's quickest packing, and headed over to Coronado, after a quick stop on
192 for gas for the van. We checked in and our room, in Casitas 3316, was
ready. It was 1:30pm at that time, and things were looking up. The room and
resort are very nice, and it was very close to the main building, and had a
nice courtyard view. The lake was right around the corner, and it seemed all
was well at WDW that day. I made a vow to myself that I would never be
seduced by a cheap rate at the All Stars again, sticking with moderates or
deluxes for future. The difference is too great to quibble over a few bucks,
and thats the point of vacation. I had stayed at Coronado a year earlier,
and enjoyed it then, so it was not my first time there. I have stayed at all
the moderates except for Caribbean Beach, which I'll hit someday, in
addition to several stays at deluxe resorts. We had stayed at All Stars once
before, getting two connecting rooms, but this trip I just never felt
comfortable there, I don't know if it's from being spoiled with better
resorts, or just the crowds from the football teams. After putting our
luggage away, we toured the grounds, checking out the main building, the
Pepper Market, the Dig Site, the lake, etc. It was starting to rain lightly,
and we decided to hit MGM. We rode the bus, and were there in a few minutes.
We went on RnRC, and got the front seat again with a minimal wait. Jenn & I
then did TOT, Joe didn't want to go on it. We found they had the new effects
working on the drops, and it was a nice addition to the ride. We then walked
down Sunset Blvd, and stopped at the sweet shop, because Jenn wanted a MM
Rice Krispie thing. That cost $2.50, and looked delicious. We then walked
back to the backlot tour area. We were picked to be the volunteers for the
pre-show ship thing. We were taken to the prep area, and dressed in rain
gear and boots. It was fun doing the boat show, Joe was in the engine room,
and Jenn & I were deck swabbies, while some other kid was the skipper on
deck. We got a bit wet, but nothing too bad. I wish we had someone take our
pictures, but the CM's said they couldn't do it. Reminds me of the time I
got a pie in the face in the 3 Stooges set during Superstar TV a few years
back, and thought my wife was taping it. Unfortunately, she was told to stop
taping by a CM, so I took a pie in the face for nothing. After the tour, we
hit Pizza Planet for a quick break, splitting a meal deal, which consists of
a small pizza, a salad, and soda. This cost $9.50, and was enough to tide us
over. After Pizza Planet, we browsed some of the local shops, and then
caught Muppet Vision 3D. The theater was about a third full, so we had no
trouble getting great seats. After 3D, it was just in time for the Osborne
Spectacle of Lights to start. They did away with the pre show stuff, and
just did a recorded announcement, then hit the lights. The glasses this year
showed a dove on the lights, which was a nice touch. The crowds weren't too
bad, probably due to the weather. We made a lap around the block, ooohed and
aahhed like everyone else, and then headed towards the park exit as the rain
started to pick up. We then caught a bus back to Coronado, which was a much
nicer feeling than going back to All Stars. Jenn wasn't hungry, so she hit
the room. Joe & I hit the Pepper Market for chow, I got the tuna steak, and
he got the bourbon chicken. We had already bought a refillable mug when we
checked in, so the dinner only came to $26 for the two of us. This is not
your typical food court, you have several different stations, ranging from a
grill for steaks, burgers, chicken; to a Chinese station; to a Mexican
station; to an Italian station; a bakery, etc. There are some very good
choices available, and daily specials. You are given a card when you are
seated, you go to the stations, make your choice, and your card is marked.
You pay as you exit, with a 10% service charge, which was not onerous at
all considering the beverage service, which was very attentive. After
dinner, Jenn & Joey wanted to stay in the room and hang out, so I went to
Pleasure Island once more.
By the time I hit PI, it was raining pretty hard. I got in for the 8:15pm CW
show, as the doors were already open. The cast for this show was Brian,
Jake , Krista, Mary, and Christine, a good cast all around. They opened with
a phone call to Sharon from Pontiac, and the appropriate song to follow.
They then did an improv based on a suggested topic, which was Brown Cow,
done by Jake & Krista, two excellent performers. Next up was Mary singing a
song about a camera. They followed this with Torture the Actor, where a
saying is done out of earshot of the actor, who has to guess the saying. The
saying was "She's a D Cup, in B Cup Clothing", and Brian was the performer.
I took a while, but he finally got it, and it was very funny all along. They
did a final song called Quiet Down to end the show, which was a very good
show. I exited the club, hit AC for a few minutes to escape the rain, and
then came back for the 9:15pm show. This time the cast was Jake, Mary,
Christine, Carl, & Matt. They made a phone call, and the guy who answered,
Barry from Maine, was a totally arrogant jerk. He was arguing with
Christine, and being very sarcastic, like this was all beneath him. I'm
surprised his wife didn't slug him, and I'm really surprised that the cast
was able to keep their cool. He was just a total , well, since this a family
type newsgroup I won't say, but he really was a total, and I do mean total,
jerk. If through some stroke of luck he reads this, I want to emphasize
again, Barry from Maine, you are a total jerk devoid of a sense of humor.
Don't go to a comedy club if you are going to harass the cast. May a lobster
pinch him where it hurts next time he is in the water in Maine. Anyway, the
cast still managed to come through, despite Barry's efforts to derail them,
and they did a nice song putting him in his place, but much nicer than I
and most of the audience) would have preferred. They followed this up with
the conducted story, with Mary as the host. The topic was Choirmaster, and
Matt ended up the winner. It lasted quite some time, and in fact took up
almost the whole show, leaving just enough time for the finale, a bluesy
style song about squeezing the toothpaste tube, called "Not There" The show
was actually very good, although I think Barry should have been either cut
off on the phone or ejected. Perhaps some food would have calmed him down, a
nice knuckle sandwich is what he needed. The sad thing is he wasn't drunk,
he was just arrogant and obnoxious. Sorry to keep pushing the point, but if
you get stuck answering the phone, and it's not your cup of tea, don't take
it out on the cast, either hang it up, or pass it to someone else.Christine
would ask the usual questions of him, as they do of anyone who answers the
phone, such as where are you from, what do you do, who are you with. This
idiot would respond with things like " What the hell business is it of
yours?", or 'It's none of your GD business", or " I make more than you
people ever will". Those were the nicer things he said, like I said before,
Barry from Maine you are a total loser!!!!
And he proved one thing, while he might make more money than the CM's, it
just shows money can't buy class, which those CM's have in abundance over
him.
After the show, I did another lap of the shops, and came back for the
10:30pm show, but since I was pretty wet, and it was late, I didn't take
any notes. So sorry about that, but I will let you know that the loser
Barry, from Maine, was nowhere to be found in that show!!!
I headed back to the hotel after that show, and called it a night.
Stay tuned for Day 7......
Bill, age 44, NYSP Investigator, AP holder and numerous WDW trips
Jenn, daughter, age 19, AP holder, last trip 12/00
Joseph, son, age 17, AP holder, last trip 12/00
Where:
All Star Sports - 5 nights
Coronado Springs - 5 nights
When :
12/7 thru 12/17/02
We awoke Thursday morn, once again after a lousy nights sleep. I also
received a wakeup call at about 4:30am, and assumed it was Sean pranking me,
setting up the call, because we had discussed doing this to each other
before the trip. I had answered the call on the first ring, and I don't
think the kids even heard it. It really didn't help after the late night,
and the rampaging teens all night. Anyway, we hit the foodcourt for another
generic pancakes and sausage breakfast. After that was finished, I went to
the desk area, and asked for a manager. They went to the office, and a woman
named Sabine came out. I explained to her about our problems the last two
nights, in a very nice tone of voice. I told her I wanted to change resorts,
and I didn't mind paying a different price, as long as I received a similar
discount, as the AP rate I had at All Stars. I did not want to go to a
moderate or deluxe and pay full rate. She asked if I would like to go to
Coronado, and when I said yes, she made a quick call there. She then told me
that I was all set, and that my $49 rate would carry over to Coronado. I was
very pleased with this, and let her know that. This all took about 5
minutes. When she asked me how long it would take us to get ready to pack
and move, I assured her for $49 a night at Coronado we would be packed,
moved, and re-settled within minutes. We then went back to the room, did the
world's quickest packing, and headed over to Coronado, after a quick stop on
192 for gas for the van. We checked in and our room, in Casitas 3316, was
ready. It was 1:30pm at that time, and things were looking up. The room and
resort are very nice, and it was very close to the main building, and had a
nice courtyard view. The lake was right around the corner, and it seemed all
was well at WDW that day. I made a vow to myself that I would never be
seduced by a cheap rate at the All Stars again, sticking with moderates or
deluxes for future. The difference is too great to quibble over a few bucks,
and thats the point of vacation. I had stayed at Coronado a year earlier,
and enjoyed it then, so it was not my first time there. I have stayed at all
the moderates except for Caribbean Beach, which I'll hit someday, in
addition to several stays at deluxe resorts. We had stayed at All Stars once
before, getting two connecting rooms, but this trip I just never felt
comfortable there, I don't know if it's from being spoiled with better
resorts, or just the crowds from the football teams. After putting our
luggage away, we toured the grounds, checking out the main building, the
Pepper Market, the Dig Site, the lake, etc. It was starting to rain lightly,
and we decided to hit MGM. We rode the bus, and were there in a few minutes.
We went on RnRC, and got the front seat again with a minimal wait. Jenn & I
then did TOT, Joe didn't want to go on it. We found they had the new effects
working on the drops, and it was a nice addition to the ride. We then walked
down Sunset Blvd, and stopped at the sweet shop, because Jenn wanted a MM
Rice Krispie thing. That cost $2.50, and looked delicious. We then walked
back to the backlot tour area. We were picked to be the volunteers for the
pre-show ship thing. We were taken to the prep area, and dressed in rain
gear and boots. It was fun doing the boat show, Joe was in the engine room,
and Jenn & I were deck swabbies, while some other kid was the skipper on
deck. We got a bit wet, but nothing too bad. I wish we had someone take our
pictures, but the CM's said they couldn't do it. Reminds me of the time I
got a pie in the face in the 3 Stooges set during Superstar TV a few years
back, and thought my wife was taping it. Unfortunately, she was told to stop
taping by a CM, so I took a pie in the face for nothing. After the tour, we
hit Pizza Planet for a quick break, splitting a meal deal, which consists of
a small pizza, a salad, and soda. This cost $9.50, and was enough to tide us
over. After Pizza Planet, we browsed some of the local shops, and then
caught Muppet Vision 3D. The theater was about a third full, so we had no
trouble getting great seats. After 3D, it was just in time for the Osborne
Spectacle of Lights to start. They did away with the pre show stuff, and
just did a recorded announcement, then hit the lights. The glasses this year
showed a dove on the lights, which was a nice touch. The crowds weren't too
bad, probably due to the weather. We made a lap around the block, ooohed and
aahhed like everyone else, and then headed towards the park exit as the rain
started to pick up. We then caught a bus back to Coronado, which was a much
nicer feeling than going back to All Stars. Jenn wasn't hungry, so she hit
the room. Joe & I hit the Pepper Market for chow, I got the tuna steak, and
he got the bourbon chicken. We had already bought a refillable mug when we
checked in, so the dinner only came to $26 for the two of us. This is not
your typical food court, you have several different stations, ranging from a
grill for steaks, burgers, chicken; to a Chinese station; to a Mexican
station; to an Italian station; a bakery, etc. There are some very good
choices available, and daily specials. You are given a card when you are
seated, you go to the stations, make your choice, and your card is marked.
You pay as you exit, with a 10% service charge, which was not onerous at
all considering the beverage service, which was very attentive. After
dinner, Jenn & Joey wanted to stay in the room and hang out, so I went to
Pleasure Island once more.
By the time I hit PI, it was raining pretty hard. I got in for the 8:15pm CW
show, as the doors were already open. The cast for this show was Brian,
Jake , Krista, Mary, and Christine, a good cast all around. They opened with
a phone call to Sharon from Pontiac, and the appropriate song to follow.
They then did an improv based on a suggested topic, which was Brown Cow,
done by Jake & Krista, two excellent performers. Next up was Mary singing a
song about a camera. They followed this with Torture the Actor, where a
saying is done out of earshot of the actor, who has to guess the saying. The
saying was "She's a D Cup, in B Cup Clothing", and Brian was the performer.
I took a while, but he finally got it, and it was very funny all along. They
did a final song called Quiet Down to end the show, which was a very good
show. I exited the club, hit AC for a few minutes to escape the rain, and
then came back for the 9:15pm show. This time the cast was Jake, Mary,
Christine, Carl, & Matt. They made a phone call, and the guy who answered,
Barry from Maine, was a totally arrogant jerk. He was arguing with
Christine, and being very sarcastic, like this was all beneath him. I'm
surprised his wife didn't slug him, and I'm really surprised that the cast
was able to keep their cool. He was just a total , well, since this a family
type newsgroup I won't say, but he really was a total, and I do mean total,
jerk. If through some stroke of luck he reads this, I want to emphasize
again, Barry from Maine, you are a total jerk devoid of a sense of humor.
Don't go to a comedy club if you are going to harass the cast. May a lobster
pinch him where it hurts next time he is in the water in Maine. Anyway, the
cast still managed to come through, despite Barry's efforts to derail them,
and they did a nice song putting him in his place, but much nicer than I
and most of the audience) would have preferred. They followed this up with
the conducted story, with Mary as the host. The topic was Choirmaster, and
Matt ended up the winner. It lasted quite some time, and in fact took up
almost the whole show, leaving just enough time for the finale, a bluesy
style song about squeezing the toothpaste tube, called "Not There" The show
was actually very good, although I think Barry should have been either cut
off on the phone or ejected. Perhaps some food would have calmed him down, a
nice knuckle sandwich is what he needed. The sad thing is he wasn't drunk,
he was just arrogant and obnoxious. Sorry to keep pushing the point, but if
you get stuck answering the phone, and it's not your cup of tea, don't take
it out on the cast, either hang it up, or pass it to someone else.Christine
would ask the usual questions of him, as they do of anyone who answers the
phone, such as where are you from, what do you do, who are you with. This
idiot would respond with things like " What the hell business is it of
yours?", or 'It's none of your GD business", or " I make more than you
people ever will". Those were the nicer things he said, like I said before,
Barry from Maine you are a total loser!!!!
And he proved one thing, while he might make more money than the CM's, it
just shows money can't buy class, which those CM's have in abundance over
him.
After the show, I did another lap of the shops, and came back for the
10:30pm show, but since I was pretty wet, and it was late, I didn't take
any notes. So sorry about that, but I will let you know that the loser
Barry, from Maine, was nowhere to be found in that show!!!
I headed back to the hotel after that show, and called it a night.
Stay tuned for Day 7......
