CheshireMelanie
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2004
- Messages
- 70
Well, hello Mousekateers!
We have sold a house, bought a house, packed and moved and about a million other things since I last posted. I am still SURROUNDED by brown boxes of every size, but I decided to distract myself from all this mess and finally finish my DEC 04 trip report. Enjoy.
Hugs,
Melanie
Cast
Melvis (a.k.a Melanie) Me (39 dangerously close to 40th birthday, which may have something to do with buying the Mazda Miata convertible and convincing all immediate family that we needed to spend an early holiday with The Mouse.)
Dr. D my dear, DH (54); purports to be Grumpy by wearing considerable items of clothing bearing said image, however, by nature, much more like Doc.
Deanster DSis (34) total princess with an amazing, creative brain secretly wishes to be Ariel if only to find her Prince Eric. Professional independent photographer.
Big Cal DFather (64) absolute salt of the earth. Would go anywhere, do anything just to please his wife and daughters (and to get them to be quiet!). Big Cal is 6 5.
Mini Maureen DMother (NOT 64!) I have acquired my best queenly skills by watching her all my life. Best thing she makes for dinner is reservations. She is 5 1.
News from The Dolphin Tank and the OEFYO Syndrome
12/16/04
Predawn thoughts
Yesterday was bone chilling, exhausting, a little overwhelming, but it was nevertheless great fun. It is true, this is the happiest place on earth and it is contagious.
Temperature today not expected to be much warmer, but winds should be less than blue northern strength. (At least that is what The Weather Channel is saying at 4:15 a.m.). That should be a help.
At 10:30 a.m. I am going to put on a shorty wet suit and get into a TANK of WATER!!! (Ok, Ive read the Passporter Guidebook and all information available about The Living Seas says that the tank is kept at about 72 degrees.)
This TANK of WATER is 26 feet deep.
Have I mentioned that I dont swim?
Well, I sorta swim can definitely do the dead mans float wait, I dont think that is a good thing.
Its just that I havent been in water over my head in hmmm, about 30 years. Not since that throwing me off the diving board incident at swimming lessons. One that I have not let Mini Maureen ever forget.
(Obviously I have been somewhat scarred by that.)
I am a bit trepidacious.
Do I really want to get in the water? If I get in, will I be able to get out? Am I going to freeze? Ive still got this stupid cold will I cough all over the Dolphins? Will they even let me near them if they suspect Im ill? Am I really going to do this?
YOU BET I AM!!!
Im so excited, I cant even sleep. I try to relax and I drift in and out for the next few hours, with periodic checks of the weather channel and an occasional Disney cartoon.
Dr. D has decided to accompany me to Epcot and do some touring in the World Showcase while I am on my solo adventure. We have an en suite breakfast and check in with the rest of the family. They are going to the Magic Kingdom today and will meet up with us around 5 for our big dinner at Le Cellier in Canada and then on to the CandleLight Processional.
We get to Epcot early simply because I cant sit still. We see the opening of the park with, surprisingly, a lot of other guests and I send Doc off to explore.
Good Morning!
I walk back to guest services to await my tour guides. After about 15 minutes a couple joins me. They are celebrating their anniversary and have been doing a lot of the special tours. Today is their wet-day and they are starting with the Dolphin encounter and then in the afternoon doing the scuba dive.
(Yes, scuba dive in on of the tanks at The Living Seas unbelievable all the wonderful things WDW has to offer these days.)
Sounds fascinating, but I just cant seem to get up the nerve to scuba. (It requires the water over-my-head scenario play very scary minor chords here!) Im a bit claustrophobic also, and all that stuff on my face just doesnt appeal to me.
We are met by our guides and joined by one other guest. There is never allowed more than eight on an encounter, but I am excited that there are only four today. I really dont know quiet what to expect but I know it will be a great morning.
Outside Living Seas
We begin by signing a release form. No surprise. Pretty basic if you do something stupid, were not responsible kinda thing. We then enter the exhibit through the back entrance and are given a quick orientation to the area where we will be and some really groovy lab coats to wear. (I get into the whole role playing thing, but Im sure the most important reason we are asked to wear these is to identify us in the back areas. It is really hard to lose a guest in a big WHITE lab coat with the encounter logo on the back!) We get keys and go to the locker rooms to stash our gear. After that, were handed off to one of the education instructors and taken to the top of the tanks.
This is where I first see the Dolphins. Two adolescent males, Calvin and Raenier. They swim up and check us out as we walk to a platform over the tanks. They associate visitors like us with fun time and food, so they are anxious to get started. They are also in a breeding cycle, so they are pretty rambunctious.
My first impression is how big they are I dont recall ever seeing a live dolphin and how beautiful.
We get a somewhat talking to the lowest denominator canned informational speech about how they are trained. I realize that our guide (who works at the facility and is a very educated man) has to stick to a script, but it is rather elementary. Once we started a dialog with him though, he loosens up and we get a really good overview of the methods used it positive reinforcement training.
Next stop The Living Seas Exhibit. We go to the Dolphin viewing windows where one of the trainers is doing a demonstration and small lecture for park guests. They march us right up to the velvet rope and sit us down on the floor in front of everybody else. (We are in our official lab coats, remember?) The trainer communicates via hand signals with the Dolphins so that they stay in front of the windows. She then explains different aspects of their behavior, physicality and personality. All this with a bit a Disney humor thrown in, and these animals just have loads of personality very, very entertaining. I highly recommend if you are ever in the exhibit when this is going on to stop for 15 minutes to watch and listen.
Then we go downstairs to a lovely lounge area. It is decorated in a beachy theme and we have refreshments while our female guide talks to us about the conservation efforts and research that are supported by the programs at the Living Seas. A good percentage of your tour monies goes to this program and they want to be sure you understand the difficulties that this species, along with many other aquatic animals, are facing. We play a little question and answer game with all of us getting into the spirit and having a good time.
She also debriefs us on getting into the tank with the dolphins.
Make no mistake; these are wild animals that weigh right at about 500 lbs. No one can MAKE them do anything. If they are in the mood to participate and interact with the guests, great. If not, well, there is not too much one can do about it. No one is ever guaranteed interaction with these animals. She says I wouldnt send you into a tiger cage without a few instructions, so pay close attention
Ahem do Dolphins have fangs?
Okay, just checking.
They again remind us that they are in a breeding cycle and being boys, are a bit on the aggressive side at the moment. We will stand on a 15 foot lip that juts out over the tank and the Dolphins will swim to us. Because of their behavior (they were really roughhousing with each other and jumping around a lot) the tank is going to be really choppy.
Ok information is power. I feel sufficiently awed (and more than a bit cautious, which I am sure is exactly the point). They send us down to the locker rooms where towels, wet suits and booties have been left for us.
We are all excited. The locker rooms by the way are very nice, almost spa like, with showers, shampoo, hairdryers, etc. I throw on my swim suit and examine the wet suit.
Let me just clarify here a little more.
Remember;
I'm a land-locked, marine-biologist wanna be.
I don't have much opportunity to get in anything bigger than a backyard pool.
I don't dive or snorkel. Mostly I float on a big yellow blow up thing.
I am an educator by trade.
Now
I will not be outsmarted by a piece of rubber.
After doing some rather interesting dance moves that I hadnt even thought about since the late 80s, I slither into the suit; Im zipped up and ready to go.
We get to the tank and are introduced to two more trainers. They divide us into 2 groups with 2 of us in each group with one of the trainers. It is so thrilling to be able to have this much individual time with these animals. Each group gets a Dolphin for about twenty minutes and then we switch.
As we are getting into the water and adjusting to the chill (it was chilly, but I was too blown away by the moment to care) they remind us again about the rough water and tell us that if we lose our balance to grab onto them or our partner NOT the Dolphin.
The Dolphin will assume that we want to go out into the tank and will TAKE OFF with us.
They tell us to walk out on the lip until we are about chest deep.
Our trainer also reminded us that there is a 20 foot window right under us that allows guest to see into the tank in the exhibit.
He says, and I quote, if you step off the lip, be sure and smile and wave at the folks in the exhibit on the way down Ill be down there to get you in a sec.
I get this mental picture of Goofy sinking to the bottom of the tank in that awful swim suit of his with his ears floating up beside his head except I have transposed my face onto his!
I say my little mantra to myself
What makes the Hottentot so hot?
What puts the "ape" in apricot?
What have they got that I ain't got?
(I take 3 giant steps backwards)
Courage!
We get Calvin first, the younger of the two. He is all teenage bratty boy and quite the show off. He purposely does the behaviors that are his favorites, and not what the trainer is asking him to do. She always just does the signal again (and tries not to laugh and encourage his antics) and only rewards him when he does as he is asked.
The best description that I can give of what these incredible animals feel like is a peeled hardboiled egg on steroids. They are so muscular and strong! And love to be petted!
I will admit to being hesitant with Calvin. I stay about a shoulder width behind my partner and let her do most of the interaction.
Then we get Raenier. He came to us and nosed in between, gently moving my partner over and positioning himself lengthwise across me. Then he edges me up the lip a bit, so that Im not quite so far out. I laugh kinda nervously (it is pretty impressive being maneuvered by a creature this big, with what you know is overwhelming intelligence) and the trainer just shruggs and says he knows youre nervous.
A MAZ ING!!!
(And I thought I was a good actress!)
Well, we examine each of the Dolphins, them having been trained to present behaviors that would benefit veterinarians or other researchers who might work with them, then we learn some hand signals so that we can communicate with them to ask them to do some really spectacular behaviors out in the tank they can jump 15 feet out of the water!
THEN
We had our picture taken.
Do I look THRILLED or what?
The whole encounter is about 3 hrs long. You are in the tank with the animals for about 45 mins. This facility is a research area, not an entertainment venue. I felt like I had the experience I wanted, which was a lot of information, some real quality time interacting with the dolphins and access to trained researchers to ask questions of. I didn't so much want to swim with them; I wanted to interact with them.
And I did, very much so. Truly, one of the most incredible events of my life.
It was well worth my money and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Well, Im on cloud nine and bounce out of the Living Seas to find Doc. Its lunch time and Im STARVING, so we decide to park hop and run over to MK to maybe get in a couple of rides before we meet up with the folks.
It takes longer to get over there than we anticipate, (we decided to take the ferry) but we still get to ride Pirates
Dr. D contemplating a stay at the Grand Floridian
Now I must interject at this point that Doc has discovered HIDDEN MICKEYS. In fact he has purchased a guide book on the very subject.
For those of my friends reading this who are not Disney Freaks like we are, a definition follows.
Hidden Mickeys started out as inside jokes among the Walt Disney Imagineers. A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney attraction (ride, resort, etc...). Originally, it took the shape of a head and ears silhouette,
, i.e. one large circle with two smaller circled on top in the appropriate place, but Hidden Mickeys can take on many forms.
Special thanks to www.hiddenmickeys.org
I must say that he is a bit miffed that I hadnt shared this information with him sooner so that he could have been on this rarified scavenger hunt from the beginning.
(Who knew that a 50+ University Professor [who is a bona fide curmudgeon by his own definition] would get this much into Disney?)
He had great fun finding them on Pirates... We were even stopped in the jail scene sequence for several minutes so he could get a really good look at some.
We decide we want something snacky as we are going to have a hugenormous meal for dinner. Doc is a somewhat of a sabermetrician, so is immediately drawn to Caseys Corner. We grab an order of corndog nuggets, get a seat on the patio and watch the unwashed throngs go by. Doc is waxing poetic about the memorabilia on the walls inside the restaurant and Im just enjoying the view of the castle. Nothing better that a little baseball talk, some ballpark food and a sunny afternoon with my honey.
BarberShop Quartet on Main St. USA
We finish up and make our way back to the world showcase. It isnt too long until the motorized mafia show up with Deanster. Theyve had a great day at MK and we are all ready to sit down and relax for a bit.
Mom and Dad at the Castle - No Crowds!
Deanster by the Canadian Totem
We check in, are seated within minutes and order. We did the CandleLight Processional Package so everything was taken care of in advance.
Fabulous bread sticks, cheese soup, anticipation of a perfectly cooked filet.
What a lovely restaurant. So relaxing.
Then it happens. I get that tickle in the back of my throat. The coughing fit arrives.
You know the kind.
The one that doesnt respond to water or a throat lozenge, that makes you sweat and your eyes water, that embarrasses you because everyone around you cant help but think you have some old world communicable disease.
I excuse myself get a little air. Ive coughed so hard, now Im nauseous.
I return to the table executing my new mantras which are the breathing exercises I learned from listening to Bill Cosbys Natural Childbirth.
Dr. D raises his eyebrow You okay?
I give a weak nod, get the rest of my food boxed up and try and relax while my family finishes their dinner.
I have some serious issues about gastronomical distress such as this. I HATE to be nauseous and the thought of actually hurling (or horking as Deanster refers to it) is almost more than I can handle. Deanster and I are both sympathy hurlers, so she is eyeing me warily.
Deanster has also arranged for a special dessert for Dr. D and I. We decided to celebrate our 14th anniversary a little early and Dean thought this would be a good time for all of us to celebrate together.
Happy 14th - Please don't let me puke!
Well, I make it through dinner, manage to smile through dessert. Get yet another to-go box for my part of the chocolate cake.
As we are walking out, it is starting to sprinkle a bit and the temperature is much cooler than when we went in. Mini Mo comments that I dont look so good and I make the suggestion to skip the CandleLight Processional. All in tow say no problem were all pretty tired anyway.
Okay one bus ride and long walk across a parking lot to go. This could be tricky.
Breathe and take reconnaissance of any trashcan that could be used as horking receptacle within visual range.
Deanster stays a safe distance away, but I have the sneaky suspicion that she has her camera ever at the ready, primed for that once in a lifetime shot of me upside down in a trashcan.
Trip is uneventful, but once back to the resort, things go from bad to worse. Mini Mo and Deanster are hanging out in our room downloading photos from the big camera and Im hurling in the bathroom. Deanster is trying her best to hand me things that might make me more comfortable, but to also stay a safe distance away so as not to become too empathetic.
Dr. D starts for the door, at which point Dean panics because she doesnt want to be left alone with me. (Mini Mo is thoroughly engrossed in the computer.) Dr. D tells her not to worry that hes just going to the Pepper Market to get me a sprite and some crackers. Then he says you know, shes not really ill shes had a big day and its just that over-excited-four-year-old syndrome.
Well, I overhear this and start to laugh. Hes lived with me long enough to know how things affect me and he is probably right on the money. Running around on not much sleep, big exciting day, not to mention corndog nuggets for lunch and rich food at dinner all spells trouble for this sensitive magnolia.
Well, at least my malady now has a medical term; OEFYO Syndrome. Thus begins a new running joke in my family.
I start to feel better after the crackers and we all turn in early.
Another big day tomorrow Lunch with an Imagineer at the Brown Derby at MGM.
More rich food .
New mantra
Ah can't think about that right now. If ah do, ah'll go crazy. Ah'll think about that tomorrow.
magnolias ..zzzzzzz.
[thread=706844]Chapter 1 - The Prequel[/thread]
[thread=707410]Chapter 2 - T minus 48 Hours[/thread]
[thread=707456]Chapter 3 - 3,2,1 - We have Ignition[/thread]
[thread=708708]Chapter 4 - Together at Last[/thread]
[thread=709177]Chapter 5 - The Call of the Wild[/thread]
[thread=711162]Chapter 5.1 With Apologies to Rudyard Kipling[/thread]
[thread=713380]Chapter 6 Winter in the World Showcase[/thread]
[thread=717514]Chapter 7 MGM - The day of the Ugly Pictures[/thread]
[thread=741726]Chapter 7.1 Subzero MGM Adventure [/thread]
Chapter 8 - YOU ARE HERE
[thread=925117]Chpt. 9.1 Lunch with an Imagineer & The Final and Mad Dash[/thread]
We have sold a house, bought a house, packed and moved and about a million other things since I last posted. I am still SURROUNDED by brown boxes of every size, but I decided to distract myself from all this mess and finally finish my DEC 04 trip report. Enjoy.
Hugs,
Melanie
Cast
Melvis (a.k.a Melanie) Me (39 dangerously close to 40th birthday, which may have something to do with buying the Mazda Miata convertible and convincing all immediate family that we needed to spend an early holiday with The Mouse.)
Dr. D my dear, DH (54); purports to be Grumpy by wearing considerable items of clothing bearing said image, however, by nature, much more like Doc.
Deanster DSis (34) total princess with an amazing, creative brain secretly wishes to be Ariel if only to find her Prince Eric. Professional independent photographer.
Big Cal DFather (64) absolute salt of the earth. Would go anywhere, do anything just to please his wife and daughters (and to get them to be quiet!). Big Cal is 6 5.
Mini Maureen DMother (NOT 64!) I have acquired my best queenly skills by watching her all my life. Best thing she makes for dinner is reservations. She is 5 1.
News from The Dolphin Tank and the OEFYO Syndrome
12/16/04
Predawn thoughts
Yesterday was bone chilling, exhausting, a little overwhelming, but it was nevertheless great fun. It is true, this is the happiest place on earth and it is contagious.
Temperature today not expected to be much warmer, but winds should be less than blue northern strength. (At least that is what The Weather Channel is saying at 4:15 a.m.). That should be a help.
At 10:30 a.m. I am going to put on a shorty wet suit and get into a TANK of WATER!!! (Ok, Ive read the Passporter Guidebook and all information available about The Living Seas says that the tank is kept at about 72 degrees.)
This TANK of WATER is 26 feet deep.
Have I mentioned that I dont swim?
Well, I sorta swim can definitely do the dead mans float wait, I dont think that is a good thing.
Its just that I havent been in water over my head in hmmm, about 30 years. Not since that throwing me off the diving board incident at swimming lessons. One that I have not let Mini Maureen ever forget.
(Obviously I have been somewhat scarred by that.)
I am a bit trepidacious.
Do I really want to get in the water? If I get in, will I be able to get out? Am I going to freeze? Ive still got this stupid cold will I cough all over the Dolphins? Will they even let me near them if they suspect Im ill? Am I really going to do this?
YOU BET I AM!!!
Im so excited, I cant even sleep. I try to relax and I drift in and out for the next few hours, with periodic checks of the weather channel and an occasional Disney cartoon.
Dr. D has decided to accompany me to Epcot and do some touring in the World Showcase while I am on my solo adventure. We have an en suite breakfast and check in with the rest of the family. They are going to the Magic Kingdom today and will meet up with us around 5 for our big dinner at Le Cellier in Canada and then on to the CandleLight Processional.
We get to Epcot early simply because I cant sit still. We see the opening of the park with, surprisingly, a lot of other guests and I send Doc off to explore.
Good Morning!
I walk back to guest services to await my tour guides. After about 15 minutes a couple joins me. They are celebrating their anniversary and have been doing a lot of the special tours. Today is their wet-day and they are starting with the Dolphin encounter and then in the afternoon doing the scuba dive.
(Yes, scuba dive in on of the tanks at The Living Seas unbelievable all the wonderful things WDW has to offer these days.)
Sounds fascinating, but I just cant seem to get up the nerve to scuba. (It requires the water over-my-head scenario play very scary minor chords here!) Im a bit claustrophobic also, and all that stuff on my face just doesnt appeal to me.
We are met by our guides and joined by one other guest. There is never allowed more than eight on an encounter, but I am excited that there are only four today. I really dont know quiet what to expect but I know it will be a great morning.
Outside Living Seas
We begin by signing a release form. No surprise. Pretty basic if you do something stupid, were not responsible kinda thing. We then enter the exhibit through the back entrance and are given a quick orientation to the area where we will be and some really groovy lab coats to wear. (I get into the whole role playing thing, but Im sure the most important reason we are asked to wear these is to identify us in the back areas. It is really hard to lose a guest in a big WHITE lab coat with the encounter logo on the back!) We get keys and go to the locker rooms to stash our gear. After that, were handed off to one of the education instructors and taken to the top of the tanks.
This is where I first see the Dolphins. Two adolescent males, Calvin and Raenier. They swim up and check us out as we walk to a platform over the tanks. They associate visitors like us with fun time and food, so they are anxious to get started. They are also in a breeding cycle, so they are pretty rambunctious.
My first impression is how big they are I dont recall ever seeing a live dolphin and how beautiful.
We get a somewhat talking to the lowest denominator canned informational speech about how they are trained. I realize that our guide (who works at the facility and is a very educated man) has to stick to a script, but it is rather elementary. Once we started a dialog with him though, he loosens up and we get a really good overview of the methods used it positive reinforcement training.
Next stop The Living Seas Exhibit. We go to the Dolphin viewing windows where one of the trainers is doing a demonstration and small lecture for park guests. They march us right up to the velvet rope and sit us down on the floor in front of everybody else. (We are in our official lab coats, remember?) The trainer communicates via hand signals with the Dolphins so that they stay in front of the windows. She then explains different aspects of their behavior, physicality and personality. All this with a bit a Disney humor thrown in, and these animals just have loads of personality very, very entertaining. I highly recommend if you are ever in the exhibit when this is going on to stop for 15 minutes to watch and listen.
Then we go downstairs to a lovely lounge area. It is decorated in a beachy theme and we have refreshments while our female guide talks to us about the conservation efforts and research that are supported by the programs at the Living Seas. A good percentage of your tour monies goes to this program and they want to be sure you understand the difficulties that this species, along with many other aquatic animals, are facing. We play a little question and answer game with all of us getting into the spirit and having a good time.
She also debriefs us on getting into the tank with the dolphins.
Make no mistake; these are wild animals that weigh right at about 500 lbs. No one can MAKE them do anything. If they are in the mood to participate and interact with the guests, great. If not, well, there is not too much one can do about it. No one is ever guaranteed interaction with these animals. She says I wouldnt send you into a tiger cage without a few instructions, so pay close attention
Ahem do Dolphins have fangs?
Okay, just checking.
They again remind us that they are in a breeding cycle and being boys, are a bit on the aggressive side at the moment. We will stand on a 15 foot lip that juts out over the tank and the Dolphins will swim to us. Because of their behavior (they were really roughhousing with each other and jumping around a lot) the tank is going to be really choppy.
Ok information is power. I feel sufficiently awed (and more than a bit cautious, which I am sure is exactly the point). They send us down to the locker rooms where towels, wet suits and booties have been left for us.
We are all excited. The locker rooms by the way are very nice, almost spa like, with showers, shampoo, hairdryers, etc. I throw on my swim suit and examine the wet suit.
Let me just clarify here a little more.
Remember;
I'm a land-locked, marine-biologist wanna be.
I don't have much opportunity to get in anything bigger than a backyard pool.
I don't dive or snorkel. Mostly I float on a big yellow blow up thing.
I am an educator by trade.
Now
I will not be outsmarted by a piece of rubber.
After doing some rather interesting dance moves that I hadnt even thought about since the late 80s, I slither into the suit; Im zipped up and ready to go.
We get to the tank and are introduced to two more trainers. They divide us into 2 groups with 2 of us in each group with one of the trainers. It is so thrilling to be able to have this much individual time with these animals. Each group gets a Dolphin for about twenty minutes and then we switch.
As we are getting into the water and adjusting to the chill (it was chilly, but I was too blown away by the moment to care) they remind us again about the rough water and tell us that if we lose our balance to grab onto them or our partner NOT the Dolphin.
The Dolphin will assume that we want to go out into the tank and will TAKE OFF with us.
They tell us to walk out on the lip until we are about chest deep.
Our trainer also reminded us that there is a 20 foot window right under us that allows guest to see into the tank in the exhibit.
He says, and I quote, if you step off the lip, be sure and smile and wave at the folks in the exhibit on the way down Ill be down there to get you in a sec.
I get this mental picture of Goofy sinking to the bottom of the tank in that awful swim suit of his with his ears floating up beside his head except I have transposed my face onto his!
I say my little mantra to myself
What makes the Hottentot so hot?
What puts the "ape" in apricot?
What have they got that I ain't got?
(I take 3 giant steps backwards)
Courage!
We get Calvin first, the younger of the two. He is all teenage bratty boy and quite the show off. He purposely does the behaviors that are his favorites, and not what the trainer is asking him to do. She always just does the signal again (and tries not to laugh and encourage his antics) and only rewards him when he does as he is asked.
The best description that I can give of what these incredible animals feel like is a peeled hardboiled egg on steroids. They are so muscular and strong! And love to be petted!
I will admit to being hesitant with Calvin. I stay about a shoulder width behind my partner and let her do most of the interaction.
Then we get Raenier. He came to us and nosed in between, gently moving my partner over and positioning himself lengthwise across me. Then he edges me up the lip a bit, so that Im not quite so far out. I laugh kinda nervously (it is pretty impressive being maneuvered by a creature this big, with what you know is overwhelming intelligence) and the trainer just shruggs and says he knows youre nervous.
A MAZ ING!!!
(And I thought I was a good actress!)
Well, we examine each of the Dolphins, them having been trained to present behaviors that would benefit veterinarians or other researchers who might work with them, then we learn some hand signals so that we can communicate with them to ask them to do some really spectacular behaviors out in the tank they can jump 15 feet out of the water!
THEN
We had our picture taken.
Do I look THRILLED or what?
The whole encounter is about 3 hrs long. You are in the tank with the animals for about 45 mins. This facility is a research area, not an entertainment venue. I felt like I had the experience I wanted, which was a lot of information, some real quality time interacting with the dolphins and access to trained researchers to ask questions of. I didn't so much want to swim with them; I wanted to interact with them.
And I did, very much so. Truly, one of the most incredible events of my life.
It was well worth my money and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Well, Im on cloud nine and bounce out of the Living Seas to find Doc. Its lunch time and Im STARVING, so we decide to park hop and run over to MK to maybe get in a couple of rides before we meet up with the folks.
It takes longer to get over there than we anticipate, (we decided to take the ferry) but we still get to ride Pirates
Dr. D contemplating a stay at the Grand Floridian
Now I must interject at this point that Doc has discovered HIDDEN MICKEYS. In fact he has purchased a guide book on the very subject.
For those of my friends reading this who are not Disney Freaks like we are, a definition follows.
Hidden Mickeys started out as inside jokes among the Walt Disney Imagineers. A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney attraction (ride, resort, etc...). Originally, it took the shape of a head and ears silhouette,
, i.e. one large circle with two smaller circled on top in the appropriate place, but Hidden Mickeys can take on many forms.Special thanks to www.hiddenmickeys.org
I must say that he is a bit miffed that I hadnt shared this information with him sooner so that he could have been on this rarified scavenger hunt from the beginning.
(Who knew that a 50+ University Professor [who is a bona fide curmudgeon by his own definition] would get this much into Disney?)
He had great fun finding them on Pirates... We were even stopped in the jail scene sequence for several minutes so he could get a really good look at some.
We decide we want something snacky as we are going to have a hugenormous meal for dinner. Doc is a somewhat of a sabermetrician, so is immediately drawn to Caseys Corner. We grab an order of corndog nuggets, get a seat on the patio and watch the unwashed throngs go by. Doc is waxing poetic about the memorabilia on the walls inside the restaurant and Im just enjoying the view of the castle. Nothing better that a little baseball talk, some ballpark food and a sunny afternoon with my honey.
BarberShop Quartet on Main St. USA
We finish up and make our way back to the world showcase. It isnt too long until the motorized mafia show up with Deanster. Theyve had a great day at MK and we are all ready to sit down and relax for a bit.
Mom and Dad at the Castle - No Crowds!
Deanster by the Canadian Totem
We check in, are seated within minutes and order. We did the CandleLight Processional Package so everything was taken care of in advance.
Fabulous bread sticks, cheese soup, anticipation of a perfectly cooked filet.
What a lovely restaurant. So relaxing.
Then it happens. I get that tickle in the back of my throat. The coughing fit arrives.
You know the kind.
The one that doesnt respond to water or a throat lozenge, that makes you sweat and your eyes water, that embarrasses you because everyone around you cant help but think you have some old world communicable disease.
I excuse myself get a little air. Ive coughed so hard, now Im nauseous.
I return to the table executing my new mantras which are the breathing exercises I learned from listening to Bill Cosbys Natural Childbirth.
Dr. D raises his eyebrow You okay?
I give a weak nod, get the rest of my food boxed up and try and relax while my family finishes their dinner.
I have some serious issues about gastronomical distress such as this. I HATE to be nauseous and the thought of actually hurling (or horking as Deanster refers to it) is almost more than I can handle. Deanster and I are both sympathy hurlers, so she is eyeing me warily.
Deanster has also arranged for a special dessert for Dr. D and I. We decided to celebrate our 14th anniversary a little early and Dean thought this would be a good time for all of us to celebrate together.
Happy 14th - Please don't let me puke!
Well, I make it through dinner, manage to smile through dessert. Get yet another to-go box for my part of the chocolate cake.
As we are walking out, it is starting to sprinkle a bit and the temperature is much cooler than when we went in. Mini Mo comments that I dont look so good and I make the suggestion to skip the CandleLight Processional. All in tow say no problem were all pretty tired anyway.
Okay one bus ride and long walk across a parking lot to go. This could be tricky.
Breathe and take reconnaissance of any trashcan that could be used as horking receptacle within visual range.
Deanster stays a safe distance away, but I have the sneaky suspicion that she has her camera ever at the ready, primed for that once in a lifetime shot of me upside down in a trashcan.
Trip is uneventful, but once back to the resort, things go from bad to worse. Mini Mo and Deanster are hanging out in our room downloading photos from the big camera and Im hurling in the bathroom. Deanster is trying her best to hand me things that might make me more comfortable, but to also stay a safe distance away so as not to become too empathetic.
Dr. D starts for the door, at which point Dean panics because she doesnt want to be left alone with me. (Mini Mo is thoroughly engrossed in the computer.) Dr. D tells her not to worry that hes just going to the Pepper Market to get me a sprite and some crackers. Then he says you know, shes not really ill shes had a big day and its just that over-excited-four-year-old syndrome.
Well, I overhear this and start to laugh. Hes lived with me long enough to know how things affect me and he is probably right on the money. Running around on not much sleep, big exciting day, not to mention corndog nuggets for lunch and rich food at dinner all spells trouble for this sensitive magnolia.
Well, at least my malady now has a medical term; OEFYO Syndrome. Thus begins a new running joke in my family.
I start to feel better after the crackers and we all turn in early.
Another big day tomorrow Lunch with an Imagineer at the Brown Derby at MGM.
More rich food .
New mantra
Ah can't think about that right now. If ah do, ah'll go crazy. Ah'll think about that tomorrow.
magnolias ..zzzzzzz.
[thread=706844]Chapter 1 - The Prequel[/thread]
[thread=707410]Chapter 2 - T minus 48 Hours[/thread]
[thread=707456]Chapter 3 - 3,2,1 - We have Ignition[/thread]
[thread=708708]Chapter 4 - Together at Last[/thread]
[thread=709177]Chapter 5 - The Call of the Wild[/thread]
[thread=711162]Chapter 5.1 With Apologies to Rudyard Kipling[/thread]
[thread=713380]Chapter 6 Winter in the World Showcase[/thread]
[thread=717514]Chapter 7 MGM - The day of the Ugly Pictures[/thread]
[thread=741726]Chapter 7.1 Subzero MGM Adventure [/thread]
Chapter 8 - YOU ARE HERE
[thread=925117]Chpt. 9.1 Lunch with an Imagineer & The Final and Mad Dash[/thread]
We did that tour less than a month before you, and your report really brought back memories!
It's good to know that I'm not the only overly sensitive person in the universe. I'm just gonna have to learn to calm down and maybe take one pepto chew each morning.
