Sunday, July 27th, 2003
Wake up to a beautiful day, wonderful view. Cannot lay in bed one more minute. Have to jump up
and pinch myself. DD14 is trying to contain herself behind her closed eyelids. I can't wait so I head over to the CL to meet the incomparable Mama T and Thabo. As we enter, we are first greeted by Thabo and after just a few moments a gracious woman comes up and introduces herself as Mama T. I had imagined her older for some reason and would have never guessed who she was! In my mind she must be like a grandmother since she was so kind... Before I know it we are hugging and acting like old friends... that is the MAGIC she has for us. When I send greetings from the DIS, she is full of stories about everyone and returns greetings
to all her old friends on the DIS. She calls us "You Kids!
I DID it... I had a chocolate croissant and it IS all that! You cannot have more than one, they are so rich and tasty with a cup of that fresh brewed coffee. It was divine. The morning offerings included anything you could think of for a breakfast buffet, just short of hot items (like eggs, bacon, etc..). There were regular croissants, assorted danish (Cheese, apple, cherry, pecan), pecan sticky buns, fresh baked muffins (bluebery, bran, apple), english muffins, bagels, cinnamon toast, assorted cereals, and yogurts, all types of milk, (chocolate, skim, 2%), real honest-to-goodness fresh squeezed orange juice, apple juice, fresh fruit trays, hot tea, hot coffee (with flavored syrups like irish cream and hazel nut you can add if desired). Whew! And in the center of the table, a beautiful fresh flower arrangement, redolant with the fragrance of lilies! I enjoy watching the dew dry off the outside of the CL windows while chatting with Mama T and Thabo and munching my pastries!
(Side note: OzzieWags~ Did you know, Thabo wants to become a photographer one day? Cool, huh! I hope he gets good so we can ask him stuff!
DD14 wanders in for a quick bite and I hurry her along because we have places to go and "deliveries" to make!
We are headed for the WL and VWL to drop off 3 silk flower arrangements and a giant bottle (I'm talking 2 to 3 ft high) of "Moosehead Beer" filled with popcorn and topped with a Tigger mylar ballon-on-a-stick that I have pushed through the top to make it look like he is standing on the bottle cap... He has a real feather hanging from his ear and is holding a "Welcome" banner!
The arrangements are real-looking pastel silk and match the wildflowers found around the WL and are situated in a light blue pail with painted ladybugs and butterflies all around. In the center is a totem pole with the WL logo on it, and at the top of the totem pole is a Mickey Head antenna ball. Pine sprigs and pine cone rosettes are added for that final "outdoorsy" feel. They turned out really nice. When I get to the WL, the CM's at the Front Desk ask if I would sell these and I say "No, they are gifts for family who will be checking in today..." But, I express my thanks for their kind words and promise to give it some thought!
(*Keep in mind Mouseteacher, I am running around with a lime green mickey mouse head nametag similar to yours which says "DISBUG" on it, hoping I'll run into you and other fellow DISers!)
We head out before I remember I'm supposed to find out something about the WL marina. So, I make a "UE" and smile sheepishly at the Gate Guard who laughs and waves me through. I grab all the literature I need, ask a few questions and we're off to Lunch!
(Side Note: The Family Plan at the Marinas is a really good deal for 5 people. $199 for length of stay. Check it out! We LOVED it!)
I'm in the mood for Beaches and Cream and so is my ever-patient DD14 who cannot believe I am doing all this! We are in luck... although groups are still waiting to be seated inside, there is room for 2 at the counter and we are seated right away. I have my Connections Voucher ready and we order: a grilled chicken sandwich on a whole grain bun, home-made onion rings on the side, a coke, and the piece-de-resistance.... a banana split! If you have not had one from Beaches and Cream, GO! Order one! It will not disappoint!
At this point I see a fly hovering and I am determined not to share my banana split with him, so I pick up a menu to give him the quick one handed salute, when my DD14 gasps, "What are you doing?"
She proceeds to pick up a menu and swat me several times on the head saying all the while, "How does that feel? A fly has life. Doesn't he deserve to live?" I reply, "NOT, if he lands on my banana split!" Lucky for the fly, we are able to finish our dessert before I could do him in! (I wonder how she is dealing with her Biology labs??)
Everyone has the Disney Charm and Magic here and while we are finishing up my cell phone rings! It is DH, he is here! I say "Great! Pick up the room key from the desk. We'll be over in a few minutes... finishing up lunch!" Phone rings again... "Hi, They won't let me have a room key. My name is not on the reservation and there are no notes about a key.
Here is the number you need to call to talk to the Front Desk." The third time the phone rings I am RFLOL and our server (who is also LOL!) says, "Am I going to have to take that away from you so you can eat?" It was funny because it would ring every time I hung up! All was resolved and we paid the bill. One voucher for the entire meal = $11.25 + an extra tip for our lively server.
Met up with Disney Family back at the Swan and we decide to go to the Grotto pool for a little swim (and some water volleyball with the other "kids") and then over to the Boardwalk to tootle around. We go past the Surrey Bike Rental counter and YES, WE MUST! Imagine if you will, DD8 and I in the front and DD2 sandwiched between DH and DD14 in the back. Riding along the BoardWalk singing, "Flintstones, Meet the Flintstones, We're the modern stone-age family...!" Once we crossed the bridge to YC/BC side we would chant the theme song to "Sponge Bob Square Pants" (I didn't know the words but was able to repeat the refrains!) And NO...we could NOT make it up the BIG HILL! We had to get out and push (well, everyone except the driver and the baby!)
This is our last day of goofing off before the serious fun starts tomorrow... we'd better get back and get rested up! See you then!
Had a GREAT time in North Truro!
