Mousekechick Trip May 4-8, 2008

[mousekechick]

MOUSE-KE-CHICKS
WALT DISNEY WORLD
“YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS”
May 4-8, 2008

Once upon a time in “The Year of a Million Dreams” (May 2008), a group of friends and co-workers set out on a fun adventure to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

We wanted our group to be unique. Our name would be “Mouse-Ke-Chicks”, and each of us would have the name of one of the “Seven Dwarfs”.

Mouse-Ke-Chick – Rose became “Doc”
Mouse-Ke-Chick – Amy became “Grumpy”
Mouse-Ke-Chick – Pat became “Happy”
Mouse-Ke-Chick – Nadean became “Bashful”
Mouse-Ke-Chick – Linda became “Sneezy”
Mouse-Ke-Chick – Carolyn became “Sleepy”
Mouse-Ke-Chick – Margaret became “Dopey”


Our matching T-Shirts were white with the name “Mouse-Ke-Chicks” outlined in red, white and blue, on the back. Above that, the silhouette of a mouse’s head; “somewhat similar to the Mouse who owns the park in Florida”. Ha! Ha! Our individual “Dwarf” names were on the left front side of the shirt.

As each member of the group arrived at the airport, you could feel the excitement building. Head Mouse-Ke-Chick “Grumpy” went over the check list once more, Luggage, Photo I.D., boarding passes, etc. WAIT! one more thing. Mouse-Ke-Chick “Dopey” has been assigned the task of giving chewing gum to each Mouse-Ke-Chick should they choose this method to relieve pressure on their ears during the flight.
Going through security, a guard noticed the names of our T-Shirts.
I thought “FAME AT LAST”. We boarded our flight and were on our way.

It was a beautiful, sunny day upon our arrival in Florida. The weather had been cool and damp when we left Indianapolis. This was the beginning of a wonderful trip. Our spirits were high and smiles were abundant. The Disney Magical Express Bus picked us up at the airport and they also took care of our luggage.

We would be staying at the Disney Beach Club Resort – Villa. The surroundings were beautiful. Our rooms were gorgeous with enough room for all to enjoy comfortably including queen and king size beds. We had two balconies and most important of all, two bathrooms.


During our stay at Disney we would be taking advantage of all modes of transportation, Bus, Monorail and Boat. On our first evening at Disney, we took the bus from the Resort to Magic Kingdom and then took the Monorail to the Grand Floridian Resort for a most delicious dinner at the Grand Floridian Café. At the end of the main course, we were offered a multitude of dessert choices which we all devoured with much delight. As usual someone came up with some funny stories and comments, which had all of us roaring with laughter. At first, our waiter thought we were laughing at him but then realized we were just enjoying ourselves and having a good time. He soon was laughing along with us. He even recommended a certain entrée to the people at the next table, because as he put it “The Mouse-Ke-Chicks are enjoying the same thing”. After our delicious dinner, we headed over to the Magic Kingdom on the Boat. Grumpy and Doc decided to ride Space Mountain and then joined us later for the parade. We found what we thought was a good spot for watching the parade. The only problem is you have to watch for “POACHERS”. They will squeeze into the smallest opening and try to take your spot away from you. “The Spectromagic Parade” takes place after dark. All the floats and characters are covered in flashing lights of different colors accompanied by the appropriate music. It is really a beautiful sight. Our favorite group of course was the “Seven Dwarfs”. They were at the end of the parade. As they went by we gave a very loud cheer. If we could have gotten through the crowd, we were going to march with the “Dwarfs” claiming to be their long lost relatives. The next stop was “Cinderella’s Castle” where the fireworks would take place. It was a wonderful way to end the evening. However, there were a few more things to do. We rode “Pirates of the Caribbean” (LOOK OUT FOR THE HILL). The next ride was “Jungle Cruise”. While standing in line, I heard a little voice behind me pronouncing “MOUSE-KE-CHICKS” very slowly. I thought again “FAME AT LAST”. The captain of the Jungle Cruise told jokes all through the ride. His first statement was “the animals only attack people in matching T-Shirts”.—We went back to our hotel rooms and settled in for some much needed sleep.


On Monday, we got up very early to take a “Behind the Scenes” tour of Animal Kingdom “Backstage Safari Tour”. Before the tour began our guide equipped us with an ear-piece, and receiver we could carry in our pocket. The volume could be adjusted as needed. This enabled us to hear her speech no matter where we were in the group.

The animals are trained by bribing them with food. This makes it easier for the Vet to examine them or treat them when they are ill. They are trained to stand a certain way therefore making them feel more at ease while being examined. Their food is carefully prepared and inspected just like all restaurants. We saw elephants and rhinos. The rhino called “Sampson” was their oldest. Some of the group pet him and fed him grass. At one point, he turned his back to the group and everyone knew it was time to step back and you guessed it, about that time he relieved himself, that would have been some shower.

Walt Disney it turns out was one of the first conservationists. Everything at Disney is recycled. They have acreage set aside for growing food for the animals.

Just before the next part of our tour we took a short break snacking on energy bars, crackers and ice cold water. After the break, we boarded a van to the “Kilamajaro Safari”. This is an open air vehicle that you can view the scenery and animals more easily. We saw a large variety of animals including 3 baby elephants.

We were told a few of their secrets, including how their drivers are trained and illusion of the trees and other things you see in Africa. (a telephone pole that looks like a tree. An ancient tree which grew only in Africa was made of cement. At the end of the tour we were given a Disney Collector Pin that said “Backstage Safari Tour” It shows a picture of three elephants with their “Backstage” (behinds) turned toward you. Ha! Ha!

After our Safari, Doc (Rose) and Grumpy (Amy) rode Expedition Everest. Dopey, Bashful and Sneezy decided not to Climb Mt. Everest.

We then went back to the Beach Club. Some of the group decided to spend a little bit of pool time at Stormalong Bay. This is a fantastic pool that has a sand bottom. It also has a lazy river, water falls and a beach area for the kids to build sand castles.


That evening we took a boat from the Beach Club to “Hollywood Studios”. Our dinner reservation was at the “50s Prime Time Café”. The restaurant was decorated with furniture from the 50s. We ate on kitchen tables with Formica tops. The first present I gave my mother when I started working was kitchen furniture just like this. They had small screened TVs showing old TV shows. It was good to see them again.

Our waitress announced her name was “Auntie Janice”. She began by telling us the rules we should follow, no elbows on the table, no talking back, no whining, etc. First of all she set a tray of silverware on the table and announced we were to set the table. One of our group by the name of “Happy” made the mistake of disobeying and had to stand with her nose against the door frame. We were harassed all through the meal by Auntie Janice, but the food was good. A sense of humor is a must. I’m sure Auntie Janice was hoarse by the end of the evening. We definitely heard everything she said. After our meal was finished we had our picture taken with Janice and she thanked us for being good sports.

Later that evening part of our group rode the “Tower of Terror”. The other part of the group went to the “Great Movie Ride”. We also went to a live show featuring action scenes from “Indiana Jones”. The “Walt Disney Museum” displayed events in his life as a young man and his creation of “Disney World”. “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” The special effects made you feel as if you were under the sea including a shower of bubbles. “Beauty and the Beast” costumes, music, dancing was one of the most enjoyable shows we saw. (Our seats were right up front). The performances were excellent.

We could walk to “EPCOT” from our hotel. It was very pleasant with beautiful scenery all the way. I did have a little trouble with the sloping walkway. Wouldn’t you know on our last day we discovered a walk way that was ground level, parallel to the other sloping walk way. The joke was on me.
EPCOT was really beautiful. It was time for the “EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival”. Every type of flower and plant was represented, arranged in the most attractive way possible. The colors were spectacular. Bushes and trees were formed into the shape of all Disney characters. Mickey Mouse, etc. The theme was “Fun in the Sun”.

We rode several attractions. One of my favorite was “Spaceship Earth”. They have remodeled it and made it more enjoyable. The narrator is now “Dame Judi Dench”, you know, the new “M” from the “James Bond” movies. At the beginning of the ride they take your picture. Each car has a computer screen. Near the end of the ride, you are asked to touch the screen answering questions about yourself such as your likes, dislikes, lifestyles, etc. Your face appears superimposed on characters and situations that correspond to your answers. It was so funny. Everyone really enjoyed it.

Bashful, Grumpy and Doc rode the “Test Track”. Bashful insisted this was a must ride. Another favorite ride for the group was “Soarin”. This gave you the feeling you were hang gliding over the countryside of California. We went on “Ellen’s Energy Adventure” and “Living with the Land”.


Our dinner reservations for the evening were at the “Biergarten – Germany”. This was a buffet style dinner with a variety of dishes. You were allowed to fill your plate as many times as you wanted (each time getting a new plate). Their desserts were out of this world. They looked very rich but were actually very light and not overly sweet. We were entertained with German folk music and you could dance if you wanted. It was a family activity with lots of audience hand-clapping and singing. They let a little boy about 5 years old lead the band. He did a good job.

I almost forgot to mention the “Off Kilter” band in England still sounds very good playing rock and roll music on the bag pipes. The band is wearing kilts while they are playing.

The highlight of the evening was the fireworks/laser show “Illuminations”. We had a very good viewing area. The show was well worth waiting for.

Wednesday was mostly free time for each person to spend as they preferred. That evening we ate at the “Captain’s Grille” at the Yacht Club Resort. This turned out to be another excellent dinner. Our waitress was very nice and took our group picture. After dinner we took the bus to “Downtown Disney”, we were going to the “Comedy Warehouse” comedy club. There were 6 comedians, 3 men and 3 women. They had to make up their routines as they went along after talking to people in the audience. They made up songs and performed skits. It was funny. Our next stop was the “Adventurer’s Club” This again was audience participation. The surroundings were those of an old mansion with a variety of characters. You never knew what type of event was going to take place or when. Some of our group went shopping and then we took the bus back to the Resort.

Alas Thursday arrived all too soon. Our first item of the day was to check our luggage and get boarding passes. We decided to spend our day at “EPCOT” come back around 5:00 p.m. and catch the “Disney Magical Express” to the airport. Our plane did not leave for Indy until 8:25 p.m. After walking around EPCOT we decided to go to the “Polynesian Resort” for lunch. It was delicious. I had Polynesian salad with chicken and for dessert was the famous “Dole Whip” which is a soft serve pineapple ice cream. Yummy!! As the clock ticked down we went back to the hotel lobby to wait for our bus. Doc and Grumpy decided to take one last swim at Stormalong Bay. Our bus arrived at the hotel, got to the airport, went through security, sat in the lounge for about 1 hour, and then boarded our plane for home. As darkness, fell, I looked out the window, it was a pretty view but kind of sad at the same time. Our wonderful trip was over, but we have a lot of good memories to think about in days to come.


OBSERVATIONS AND AFTER THOUGHTS


While dining at Cantina de San Angel in Mexico for lunch, we noticed several large white birds. I believe they were Ibis congregating around the table next to us. They must have been very well mannered birds because the young lady was feeding them with a fork. They waited as she placed the food on the fork and then fed them.

After watching a parade there are always large crowds trying to leave the area. One of the dangers lurking in the dark are people pushing baby strollers. They will actually bump you to make you move and think nothing of it. BEWARE of the oncoming baby stroller.

The incident I can’t forget was the little boy left sleeping on the bus. The mother and father got off with one child and the stroller. Suddenly, the father rushed back on the bus smiling. I thought maybe he had forgotten a toy or a hat. When he picked up the sleeping boy everyone on the bus gave out a loud gasp at the same time. I guess they will have something to tell their grandchildren.

I have been wondering what kind of stock to invest in . . . . . . . . . . . .
I think it will be “Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin”, since most of our group were using it on their feet to make walking less painful.