Astrid
<font color=9933CC>Shoot for the moon. Even if you
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2000
- Messages
- 1,232
MINUTES OF ASTRID'S WDW MEETING
Held Between Monday 11th and Wednesday 27th March 2002
Location: All Star Music, Walt Disney World
Previous Reports: Preliminary Notes
Travel & Arrival Statement
Hotel & Lost Property Report
MGM
Chairmans Report (5):
1. Present: Astrid - Chairman and Treasurer
Bryn (9) - Junior Partner
Carys (6) - Trainee (but learning fast!)
Animal Kingdom and Sea World
Animal Kingdom
1. Pre-Meeting Notes
The visit to Animal Kingdom was the one thing on the Plan that was fixed as a sub-committee lunchtime meeting was diaried for this day with Bev (Bovril). (Most other arrangements on the Plan changed each day much to the dismay of share-holders). Animal Kingdom, sad to say, has never been our favourite Park, however, that said it is always one that we visit in the hope that opinions will change.
Saturday 17th March dawned and turned into one of those drainingly hot days, where even putting one step in front of the other by Midday was a chore, not the best of days to visit our least favourite Park. However, the Minutes had to be written and the Meeting was due for 11.30 so we set off, taking the car as shopping was planned for later that day a fix of Walmart always cheered the hottest of days!
2. The Park
Arrival at the Park was shortly after it opened and we wandered (no, power walking today it was far too hot!) past the Tree of Life to Africa to get fastpasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris.
We saw Turk signing autographs on the way I had no idea who this large grey furry animal was with a very strange hairdo, however, I was confidently informed by my more senior employee that this monkey (?!!) was from Tarzan. Carys decided to assert her rights and refused point blank to queue or have anything to do with this creature so Bryn alone had the honour of a monkey hug and photo opportunity, he returned smiling and Carys (well, she is female!) changed her mind and decided this was the one character she had always wanted to meet dont you just love these younger untrained members of staff! By now the queue had grown to astronomical lengths (well, ok, it was a bit long, and I was hot!) so she was dragged away with promises of other characters being nearby (with fingers crossed at the same time!). The CM with Turk gave me a sympathetic look and smiled as if to say yep, I see this happen the whole day!
The plan was to get fastpasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris that hopefully would just fit in with our Bovril Meeting time and luck was with us distribution was 11am to 12pm perfect (you see, I know how to run a Meeting!).
As Carys had been promised characters we headed back down to Safari Village to see the Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends Show. On the way we passed Turk yet again who was coming to the end of his stint, Carys looked at me appealingly and the CM noticed us and beckoned us to come forward for the last autograph and photo. Thank you CM, much appreciated, and your kind actions saved the Company a bonus having to be paid in the form of yet another cuddly animal!
The Pocahontas Show was just about to start as we arrived and the two employees were seated in the middle section (under canvas) whilst I was sat with the other adults to the side in the steaming heat with no cover at all! It wasnt the most exciting show in the world I have to say, the animal appearances were short, however, the singing was enjoyable and most of the men in the audience seemed to appreciate Miss Pocahontas for some reason!! I was most taken by the woman who was signing for the deaf lady in front of me she was amazing, a gentleman joined her for some of the show and they were both so animated I was transfixed. I wondered if signing was a universal language, note made to ask my friend who signs for a living. All too soon (NOT!) the Show ended and I peeled my hot and sweaty body (yeuk!) off the seat (how ghastly is that feeling when you walk away with red benchmarks all over the back of your thighs?!) and we headed for Festival of the Lion King, which, due to my master planning, was just about to begin.
Being one of the last to enter we were (as usual!) in the giraffe section. I really am not convinced that giraffes make that strange noise, but who am I to argue with the Disney powers that be! It was, as previously experienced, a fabulous show (and, we were in the cool!) which we all enjoyed, however, the exiting from the pavillion was a complete shambles and Im not sure why AK dont improve matters here.
Perfect timing continued as we walked back to Africa and boarded our safari at 11am. We had in the past only been on the Safari first thing in the morning as all the guidebooks say that is the best time to see the animals, however, its good to ring the changes (and anyways, this time fitted in with my plan better!). Well, the guidebooks got it wrong today thats for sure! We saw loads of different animals and Bryn snapped away happily with his camera the whole journey.
The Meeting
Off the Safari just after 11.30 and we made our way to the pre-arranged meeting point to see Bev: Harambe, by the bridge back to Safari Village, and there she was!! We all recognised each other instantly even though we hadnt seen photos obviously us Dis people have some sort of invisible aura about us!! We said our hellos and we were introduced to Bevs lovely daughter, Vicky. We made a unanimous decision to have our meeting in the Tusker House, my employees deciding only to eat fries (Financial Director - please take note). Ah, bliss, we found a table in the cool and chatted away non-stop, like old friends, a very pleasant hour or so - thank you Bev! Having taken over the tables for far too long we headed back outside where photos were taken and e-mails promised. As I said to Bev, I have yet to meet a Dis person I didnt get on with, and us two certainly hit it off.
Back into the sweltering heat and I made a Chairpersons decision that it was time to leave. We had only visited a small section of the Park this time, and didnt even see the new area, but we were all wilting, so it was back to the air-conditioned car and, goodbye Animal Kingdom.
Sea World
1. Pre-Meeting Notes
The Company loves Sea World, it seems to be a perfect balance for us all. A thrill ride to keep Chair and Trainee happy, shows for Junior and the sea creatures are enjoyed by all, so it always has to be on the agenda. Two visits were planned for this trip, tickets purchased before departure from the Sea World web site where there was a 10% discount plus they were printed out at home! As in the past we also had the bonus of 2nd day free if taken within 7 days.
The first time we visited was late afternoon when obviously all car park attendants had left early so parking was free! So, to make up for that on our second visit Chairperson took a unilateral decision to pay $3 more for priority parking - so no long hike or bus ride - thoroughly recommended!
2. The Sea and The Ride
First stop is always the sting-rays. Younger employees love these and always insist on feeding them even though it is so difficult to get your hand flat with the fish under their mouths which are facing the ground. This is a procedure fraught with imminent disaster for Carys as she is too small to even touch the water so has to be hoisted up dangling over the side leaning precariously close to the wet stuff!! Luckily another trip passed without her joining the sting-ray!
On to the dolphins where (perfect timing once again!) the public were just about to be allowed their feeding time. Chairperson joined the, ever growing, queue for food and immerged with two (very expensive!) cups of 4 fish for each employee. Because I am every watchful of the pennies (sorry, cents!) and knew that 4 fish would last, oooh, all of 1 minute, I then gave myself the distasteful tasking of breaking each fish in half - yeuch, very fishy fingers and decapitated fish, but, surprisingly Bryn (who has to be the most squeamish 9 year old in the land) was quite happy to watch me do this!
Two very happy youngsters then had a very enjoyable 10 minutes being up close and personal with the dolphins, though Carys had to do the precarious balancing act once again!
On to the alligators and turtles then to Penguin Encounter which fascinates us all, I am a big penguin fan and could watch their antics for hours! Terrors of the Deep and a walk through all the sharks was next then it was off to Caryss favourite, Journey to Atlantis.
Bryn refused to even contemplate this, even though he rode it last year, so the walkies talkies came in useful once more as he browsed the shop and watched all the hapless Atlantis riders whilst we queued. The queue said 40 minutes, but I reckon we only were there for about 25 until it was our turn to board. I gave a full description of this ride in my report last year so wont bore you with it once again, however, a discovery was made this time .. dont sit in the back row of the boat and put either your feet or bags on the floor!! All the water swilling around on the bottom of the boat rushes to the back as you go up the slope and you end up to your ankles in water!!
Like last year we were drenched leaving so soon, I think not!!! how those words strike terror in me!!
When at the park with the Robinsons I stared at Kraken for a very long time, contemplating every turn and loop intensely. Dave and Gary went on and came off unscathed having appeared to enjoy the leg dangling ride so I was persuaded to join them for a second go. With severe trepidation I followed them up the slope, just typical, no queue. The coaster drew up, everyone got on and I ...... walked straight over the seats to the other side. Nope, sorry guys I just haven't got the bottle!! Maybe next time!
3. The Shows
Top of the list this time was Shamu Rocks America which we had never seen. We met up with Dave, Val, Gary and Julie late afternoon and the four younger ones went off to see Clyde & Seamore whilst us 3 adults (sorry Gary!) had the anticipation of free beer at the Hospitality Centre. In all my visits to Sea World I never knew about this little perk - how stupid was I and I can only thank Dave for re-educating me! We basked in the sun for a while and waited for the others to come out of the show which they all seemed to enjoy, I know my two find the warm up act hysterical.
The timing was all askew for any more shows so we wended (or should that be wound!) our way to the Shamu Stadium for Shamu Rocks America at 8pm. Dave knowledgeably informed me that sitting in the centre right at the back was the best place to be and who am I to argue with one who obviously know better, so that is where we sat. What a brilliant show!! The music, the dark, the lights, oh, and the whales of course, were all fabulous, and Im so glad we finally had a chance to see this.
We didnt see anywhere near as much of Sea World as we usually do but it was lovely wandering around slowly just taking in the atmosphere and enjoying all there is to see, its still up there in my top five Parks.
Addendum Omission from Lost Property Report - Bryn left his (just bought!) sunglasses in a food outlet at Sea World, as luck would have it this oversight was discovered before we left the Park and he was saved a written warning as they were retrieved intact!
Signed: Astrid (Chairperson)
Held Between Monday 11th and Wednesday 27th March 2002
Location: All Star Music, Walt Disney World
Previous Reports: Preliminary Notes
Travel & Arrival Statement
Hotel & Lost Property Report
MGM
Chairmans Report (5):
1. Present: Astrid - Chairman and Treasurer
Bryn (9) - Junior Partner
Carys (6) - Trainee (but learning fast!)
Animal Kingdom and Sea World
Animal Kingdom
1. Pre-Meeting Notes
The visit to Animal Kingdom was the one thing on the Plan that was fixed as a sub-committee lunchtime meeting was diaried for this day with Bev (Bovril). (Most other arrangements on the Plan changed each day much to the dismay of share-holders). Animal Kingdom, sad to say, has never been our favourite Park, however, that said it is always one that we visit in the hope that opinions will change.
Saturday 17th March dawned and turned into one of those drainingly hot days, where even putting one step in front of the other by Midday was a chore, not the best of days to visit our least favourite Park. However, the Minutes had to be written and the Meeting was due for 11.30 so we set off, taking the car as shopping was planned for later that day a fix of Walmart always cheered the hottest of days!
2. The Park
Arrival at the Park was shortly after it opened and we wandered (no, power walking today it was far too hot!) past the Tree of Life to Africa to get fastpasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris.
We saw Turk signing autographs on the way I had no idea who this large grey furry animal was with a very strange hairdo, however, I was confidently informed by my more senior employee that this monkey (?!!) was from Tarzan. Carys decided to assert her rights and refused point blank to queue or have anything to do with this creature so Bryn alone had the honour of a monkey hug and photo opportunity, he returned smiling and Carys (well, she is female!) changed her mind and decided this was the one character she had always wanted to meet dont you just love these younger untrained members of staff! By now the queue had grown to astronomical lengths (well, ok, it was a bit long, and I was hot!) so she was dragged away with promises of other characters being nearby (with fingers crossed at the same time!). The CM with Turk gave me a sympathetic look and smiled as if to say yep, I see this happen the whole day!
The plan was to get fastpasses for Kilimanjaro Safaris that hopefully would just fit in with our Bovril Meeting time and luck was with us distribution was 11am to 12pm perfect (you see, I know how to run a Meeting!).
As Carys had been promised characters we headed back down to Safari Village to see the Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends Show. On the way we passed Turk yet again who was coming to the end of his stint, Carys looked at me appealingly and the CM noticed us and beckoned us to come forward for the last autograph and photo. Thank you CM, much appreciated, and your kind actions saved the Company a bonus having to be paid in the form of yet another cuddly animal!
The Pocahontas Show was just about to start as we arrived and the two employees were seated in the middle section (under canvas) whilst I was sat with the other adults to the side in the steaming heat with no cover at all! It wasnt the most exciting show in the world I have to say, the animal appearances were short, however, the singing was enjoyable and most of the men in the audience seemed to appreciate Miss Pocahontas for some reason!! I was most taken by the woman who was signing for the deaf lady in front of me she was amazing, a gentleman joined her for some of the show and they were both so animated I was transfixed. I wondered if signing was a universal language, note made to ask my friend who signs for a living. All too soon (NOT!) the Show ended and I peeled my hot and sweaty body (yeuk!) off the seat (how ghastly is that feeling when you walk away with red benchmarks all over the back of your thighs?!) and we headed for Festival of the Lion King, which, due to my master planning, was just about to begin.
Being one of the last to enter we were (as usual!) in the giraffe section. I really am not convinced that giraffes make that strange noise, but who am I to argue with the Disney powers that be! It was, as previously experienced, a fabulous show (and, we were in the cool!) which we all enjoyed, however, the exiting from the pavillion was a complete shambles and Im not sure why AK dont improve matters here.
Perfect timing continued as we walked back to Africa and boarded our safari at 11am. We had in the past only been on the Safari first thing in the morning as all the guidebooks say that is the best time to see the animals, however, its good to ring the changes (and anyways, this time fitted in with my plan better!). Well, the guidebooks got it wrong today thats for sure! We saw loads of different animals and Bryn snapped away happily with his camera the whole journey.
The Meeting
Off the Safari just after 11.30 and we made our way to the pre-arranged meeting point to see Bev: Harambe, by the bridge back to Safari Village, and there she was!! We all recognised each other instantly even though we hadnt seen photos obviously us Dis people have some sort of invisible aura about us!! We said our hellos and we were introduced to Bevs lovely daughter, Vicky. We made a unanimous decision to have our meeting in the Tusker House, my employees deciding only to eat fries (Financial Director - please take note). Ah, bliss, we found a table in the cool and chatted away non-stop, like old friends, a very pleasant hour or so - thank you Bev! Having taken over the tables for far too long we headed back outside where photos were taken and e-mails promised. As I said to Bev, I have yet to meet a Dis person I didnt get on with, and us two certainly hit it off.
Back into the sweltering heat and I made a Chairpersons decision that it was time to leave. We had only visited a small section of the Park this time, and didnt even see the new area, but we were all wilting, so it was back to the air-conditioned car and, goodbye Animal Kingdom.
Sea World
1. Pre-Meeting Notes
The Company loves Sea World, it seems to be a perfect balance for us all. A thrill ride to keep Chair and Trainee happy, shows for Junior and the sea creatures are enjoyed by all, so it always has to be on the agenda. Two visits were planned for this trip, tickets purchased before departure from the Sea World web site where there was a 10% discount plus they were printed out at home! As in the past we also had the bonus of 2nd day free if taken within 7 days.
The first time we visited was late afternoon when obviously all car park attendants had left early so parking was free! So, to make up for that on our second visit Chairperson took a unilateral decision to pay $3 more for priority parking - so no long hike or bus ride - thoroughly recommended!
2. The Sea and The Ride
First stop is always the sting-rays. Younger employees love these and always insist on feeding them even though it is so difficult to get your hand flat with the fish under their mouths which are facing the ground. This is a procedure fraught with imminent disaster for Carys as she is too small to even touch the water so has to be hoisted up dangling over the side leaning precariously close to the wet stuff!! Luckily another trip passed without her joining the sting-ray!
On to the dolphins where (perfect timing once again!) the public were just about to be allowed their feeding time. Chairperson joined the, ever growing, queue for food and immerged with two (very expensive!) cups of 4 fish for each employee. Because I am every watchful of the pennies (sorry, cents!) and knew that 4 fish would last, oooh, all of 1 minute, I then gave myself the distasteful tasking of breaking each fish in half - yeuch, very fishy fingers and decapitated fish, but, surprisingly Bryn (who has to be the most squeamish 9 year old in the land) was quite happy to watch me do this!
Two very happy youngsters then had a very enjoyable 10 minutes being up close and personal with the dolphins, though Carys had to do the precarious balancing act once again!
On to the alligators and turtles then to Penguin Encounter which fascinates us all, I am a big penguin fan and could watch their antics for hours! Terrors of the Deep and a walk through all the sharks was next then it was off to Caryss favourite, Journey to Atlantis.
Bryn refused to even contemplate this, even though he rode it last year, so the walkies talkies came in useful once more as he browsed the shop and watched all the hapless Atlantis riders whilst we queued. The queue said 40 minutes, but I reckon we only were there for about 25 until it was our turn to board. I gave a full description of this ride in my report last year so wont bore you with it once again, however, a discovery was made this time .. dont sit in the back row of the boat and put either your feet or bags on the floor!! All the water swilling around on the bottom of the boat rushes to the back as you go up the slope and you end up to your ankles in water!!
Like last year we were drenched leaving so soon, I think not!!! how those words strike terror in me!!
When at the park with the Robinsons I stared at Kraken for a very long time, contemplating every turn and loop intensely. Dave and Gary went on and came off unscathed having appeared to enjoy the leg dangling ride so I was persuaded to join them for a second go. With severe trepidation I followed them up the slope, just typical, no queue. The coaster drew up, everyone got on and I ...... walked straight over the seats to the other side. Nope, sorry guys I just haven't got the bottle!! Maybe next time!
3. The Shows
Top of the list this time was Shamu Rocks America which we had never seen. We met up with Dave, Val, Gary and Julie late afternoon and the four younger ones went off to see Clyde & Seamore whilst us 3 adults (sorry Gary!) had the anticipation of free beer at the Hospitality Centre. In all my visits to Sea World I never knew about this little perk - how stupid was I and I can only thank Dave for re-educating me! We basked in the sun for a while and waited for the others to come out of the show which they all seemed to enjoy, I know my two find the warm up act hysterical.
The timing was all askew for any more shows so we wended (or should that be wound!) our way to the Shamu Stadium for Shamu Rocks America at 8pm. Dave knowledgeably informed me that sitting in the centre right at the back was the best place to be and who am I to argue with one who obviously know better, so that is where we sat. What a brilliant show!! The music, the dark, the lights, oh, and the whales of course, were all fabulous, and Im so glad we finally had a chance to see this.
We didnt see anywhere near as much of Sea World as we usually do but it was lovely wandering around slowly just taking in the atmosphere and enjoying all there is to see, its still up there in my top five Parks.
Addendum Omission from Lost Property Report - Bryn left his (just bought!) sunglasses in a food outlet at Sea World, as luck would have it this oversight was discovered before we left the Park and he was saved a written warning as they were retrieved intact!
Signed: Astrid (Chairperson)
