NMAmy
Can speak food in German
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2000
- Messages
- 15,229
Day 5 3/2
Cast:
AlexDH and stepfather to:
Caitlin, 13
and me, Amy, official trip planner
We were feeling lazy and got a late start today. Caitlin has been so affectionateits a wonderful thing to see in a 13 year old. Shes been staying with her dad since the Christmas break due to some problems at school. The only good part of this situation is that she appreciates me SO much when were together. She constantly wants hugs & kisses and links arms with me as we walk. I miss this kid so much and the good thing is that she misses her mommy, too. If youve ever watched the TV show Gilmore Girls, one of Caitlins favorite expressions is Were freakishly linked. Now, we do have our spats, but we are well, freakishly linked.
Cait and I cuddled and recreated one of her favorite childhood games: Lump. She gets under the covers and I walk over and say, Wow, I really did a bad job on making the bed this morningtheres a huge lump in it! Then, I tickle her and have to wrestle the covers off her. Now that shes the same size I am, its gotten a lot more difficult than when we started this at age 2.
We get ready to go to Epcot today. Caitlin and Alex also have a favorite game (along with the new carpet/beach towel hallway game). Its called race to push the button on the elevators. They barrel down the hallway (luckily we havent seen a whole lot of other people here) and wait to see which elevator will show upjockeying for the best position. Then they race onto the elevator and fight to see who can push the button first. Its easy when were going up because its always the 9th floor. Going down they have to decide if were taking the boat or the bus. They almost always push the wrong button. They have a good time though.
This is the first time weve been to Epcot on the boat. We got a seat in the backits a beautiful day. Now it feels like were in Florida! The boat stops at the Yacht and Beach Club first, then across the lake to the Boardwalk. Once we load up at the Boardwalk, I sit back to enjoy the ride. And boomwere already here? Shoot, we couldve walked that in half the time. I had no idea it was so close. We enter through the International Gateway. Ive never been back that way before. Caitlin, of course, has to check out the gift shop. I drag her out and we wander through England taking some great pictures with no one around. I love this! We stopped in Canada and took pics as well.
We head to Test Track because Cait loves this ride. I tend to think that its always a lot of waiting for not very much excitement, but there you have it. The nice thing about only having one kid is that there are no arguments about who gets to do what first. Cait always gets to go firstI get a turn but Alex could care less as long as we find him a smoking spot from time to time.
Well, much to Caits disappointment, Test Track was not running this morning. Another reason Im not fond of this oneit seems like you wait forever, then it breaks just as you get to the front of the line!
I talked her into going on Spaceship Earth. She really hates the part where you go backwards. Actually, Im not a big fan of that part, either, but I think the beginning of the ride makes up for it. The grade just seems so steepit hurts my back. When we went through the section where Rome was burning, Caitlin turned to me and whispered, It smells just like hot dogs. Umm ok.
We stopped at Ice Station Cool. Cait tried every kind, including Beverly. Her report: Tastes ok to begin with, then it tastes like feet. I skipped that one but she got Alex to try it. He agreed with her analysis. I was particularly fond of the German ginger ale.
Somehow we had always missed Journey into Imagination so I steered everyone over that way. Cait was immediately suspicious that I was herding her onto something scarey. We had a really hard time finding the entrance to this because there were no other guests in that area. We finally made it in and Cait and I both fell in love with Figment. I love Eric Idle. We stopped in the gift shop and I got a Figment T-shirt and Cait got a small stuffed Figment dressed like a skunk. Oh and we found out where everyone was on our way out. I had wanted to try some of the exhibitsbut that place was just packed with people!
We had a bit of time before lunch so we headed over to the Living Seas so we could check out the Finding Nemo display Id read about here. It was cute but Cait was still not feeling so hot and refused to pose for pictures with them. I waited till some of the kids had cleared out and got some nice pictures of just the display. Especially Dory since she speaks whale like Caitlin.
Our PS was for 12:00, so we headed over to England to hit the Rose & Crown at 11:50. There was a hostess at the podium so I walked up to check in. She told me very snottily in her poshest accent, Well, we dont open until 12:00, do we? Why dont you pop back around then. Well, la di da. I dont know what time you open and youre standing right there at the front counter. If you cant help me till then, fine, but dont be nasty about it. I had a secret weapon she was unaware of, though. At the dot of 12, I sent Alex over to check in. He has an English accent and can be way more sarcastic than she can. Anyway, we got in without her even checking our PS, and were given a choice of sitting inside or outside. It was such a beautiful day that we chose outside.
Our waitress more than made up for Snotty Hostessshe was just so darn perky and cute. She was training a new server and he was very nice as well. She said that since we were such nice people, she was going to let him practice on us. Thats fine with me. I ordered a fruit and cheese plate to start. Cait and Alex helped with the fruit and the cheddar, but all that lovely Stilton was just for me. Once again, they think it tastes like feet. How many feet have these two been tasting?
Cait and I ordered fish and chips; Alex got bangers and mash. Theyve changed the fish there into one big piece and frankly, I just didnt enjoy it as much as I have on previous occasions. I thought it was a little bland. Cait enjoyed hers, though. Alex loved the bangers and mash so much that when our waitress returned, she asked if hed licked the plate! I was allowed to have a bite and the gravy WAS yummy!
All stuffed from that delicious lunch, we headed to Mexico. We were on a mission. Part of Caits homework for Spanish class was to bring something back from the Mexico pavilion. Wed never been in this pavilion before. Last time we went to WDW, we were all living in New Mexico and since we were short on time, figured we could skip this one and just go to the real thing from home. It was really very lovely. I was most impressed. Cait found some candy to take to the class and a little ceramic owl. We took a ride on Rio del TiempoCait was sure that it was scarey again. The child just doesnt trust me at all. I was a little disappointed in this rideMexico has such a rich history that was skipped over in favor of videos of people drinking and swimming.
We wandered over to Norway but Maelstrom was closed. This is another attraction I keep missing. Maybe next time. On to China, but Caitlin was just not feeling up to snuff again. We wandered around for awhile and bought her one of those flamingo marionette things. For $5, this was a heck of a deal. We stopped at Germany to pick up some of my favorite wafer cookies. I had made a PS to eat dinner at the Biergarten. We ate here on a previous trip and I adore this place. I used to live in Germany and this is much cheaper than going all the way back. Unfortunately, Caitlin was still feeling bad so we decided to just pack it up and head on back to the Dolphin.
We hopped a boat to Canada and then out the International Gateway for a boat back to the hotel. We spent a very quiet evening watching TV and trying to get Cait feeling well enough for more fun tomorrow. It was a short day at the park, but very enjoyable. Alex got sunburnt, my nose got a little pink, and Cait, of course, just got a little tanner. The kid has a tan in the dead of winter.
Cast:
AlexDH and stepfather to:
Caitlin, 13
and me, Amy, official trip planner
We were feeling lazy and got a late start today. Caitlin has been so affectionateits a wonderful thing to see in a 13 year old. Shes been staying with her dad since the Christmas break due to some problems at school. The only good part of this situation is that she appreciates me SO much when were together. She constantly wants hugs & kisses and links arms with me as we walk. I miss this kid so much and the good thing is that she misses her mommy, too. If youve ever watched the TV show Gilmore Girls, one of Caitlins favorite expressions is Were freakishly linked. Now, we do have our spats, but we are well, freakishly linked.
Cait and I cuddled and recreated one of her favorite childhood games: Lump. She gets under the covers and I walk over and say, Wow, I really did a bad job on making the bed this morningtheres a huge lump in it! Then, I tickle her and have to wrestle the covers off her. Now that shes the same size I am, its gotten a lot more difficult than when we started this at age 2.
We get ready to go to Epcot today. Caitlin and Alex also have a favorite game (along with the new carpet/beach towel hallway game). Its called race to push the button on the elevators. They barrel down the hallway (luckily we havent seen a whole lot of other people here) and wait to see which elevator will show upjockeying for the best position. Then they race onto the elevator and fight to see who can push the button first. Its easy when were going up because its always the 9th floor. Going down they have to decide if were taking the boat or the bus. They almost always push the wrong button. They have a good time though.
This is the first time weve been to Epcot on the boat. We got a seat in the backits a beautiful day. Now it feels like were in Florida! The boat stops at the Yacht and Beach Club first, then across the lake to the Boardwalk. Once we load up at the Boardwalk, I sit back to enjoy the ride. And boomwere already here? Shoot, we couldve walked that in half the time. I had no idea it was so close. We enter through the International Gateway. Ive never been back that way before. Caitlin, of course, has to check out the gift shop. I drag her out and we wander through England taking some great pictures with no one around. I love this! We stopped in Canada and took pics as well.
We head to Test Track because Cait loves this ride. I tend to think that its always a lot of waiting for not very much excitement, but there you have it. The nice thing about only having one kid is that there are no arguments about who gets to do what first. Cait always gets to go firstI get a turn but Alex could care less as long as we find him a smoking spot from time to time.
Well, much to Caits disappointment, Test Track was not running this morning. Another reason Im not fond of this oneit seems like you wait forever, then it breaks just as you get to the front of the line!
I talked her into going on Spaceship Earth. She really hates the part where you go backwards. Actually, Im not a big fan of that part, either, but I think the beginning of the ride makes up for it. The grade just seems so steepit hurts my back. When we went through the section where Rome was burning, Caitlin turned to me and whispered, It smells just like hot dogs. Umm ok.
We stopped at Ice Station Cool. Cait tried every kind, including Beverly. Her report: Tastes ok to begin with, then it tastes like feet. I skipped that one but she got Alex to try it. He agreed with her analysis. I was particularly fond of the German ginger ale.
Somehow we had always missed Journey into Imagination so I steered everyone over that way. Cait was immediately suspicious that I was herding her onto something scarey. We had a really hard time finding the entrance to this because there were no other guests in that area. We finally made it in and Cait and I both fell in love with Figment. I love Eric Idle. We stopped in the gift shop and I got a Figment T-shirt and Cait got a small stuffed Figment dressed like a skunk. Oh and we found out where everyone was on our way out. I had wanted to try some of the exhibitsbut that place was just packed with people!
We had a bit of time before lunch so we headed over to the Living Seas so we could check out the Finding Nemo display Id read about here. It was cute but Cait was still not feeling so hot and refused to pose for pictures with them. I waited till some of the kids had cleared out and got some nice pictures of just the display. Especially Dory since she speaks whale like Caitlin.
Our PS was for 12:00, so we headed over to England to hit the Rose & Crown at 11:50. There was a hostess at the podium so I walked up to check in. She told me very snottily in her poshest accent, Well, we dont open until 12:00, do we? Why dont you pop back around then. Well, la di da. I dont know what time you open and youre standing right there at the front counter. If you cant help me till then, fine, but dont be nasty about it. I had a secret weapon she was unaware of, though. At the dot of 12, I sent Alex over to check in. He has an English accent and can be way more sarcastic than she can. Anyway, we got in without her even checking our PS, and were given a choice of sitting inside or outside. It was such a beautiful day that we chose outside.
Our waitress more than made up for Snotty Hostessshe was just so darn perky and cute. She was training a new server and he was very nice as well. She said that since we were such nice people, she was going to let him practice on us. Thats fine with me. I ordered a fruit and cheese plate to start. Cait and Alex helped with the fruit and the cheddar, but all that lovely Stilton was just for me. Once again, they think it tastes like feet. How many feet have these two been tasting?
Cait and I ordered fish and chips; Alex got bangers and mash. Theyve changed the fish there into one big piece and frankly, I just didnt enjoy it as much as I have on previous occasions. I thought it was a little bland. Cait enjoyed hers, though. Alex loved the bangers and mash so much that when our waitress returned, she asked if hed licked the plate! I was allowed to have a bite and the gravy WAS yummy!
All stuffed from that delicious lunch, we headed to Mexico. We were on a mission. Part of Caits homework for Spanish class was to bring something back from the Mexico pavilion. Wed never been in this pavilion before. Last time we went to WDW, we were all living in New Mexico and since we were short on time, figured we could skip this one and just go to the real thing from home. It was really very lovely. I was most impressed. Cait found some candy to take to the class and a little ceramic owl. We took a ride on Rio del TiempoCait was sure that it was scarey again. The child just doesnt trust me at all. I was a little disappointed in this rideMexico has such a rich history that was skipped over in favor of videos of people drinking and swimming.
We wandered over to Norway but Maelstrom was closed. This is another attraction I keep missing. Maybe next time. On to China, but Caitlin was just not feeling up to snuff again. We wandered around for awhile and bought her one of those flamingo marionette things. For $5, this was a heck of a deal. We stopped at Germany to pick up some of my favorite wafer cookies. I had made a PS to eat dinner at the Biergarten. We ate here on a previous trip and I adore this place. I used to live in Germany and this is much cheaper than going all the way back. Unfortunately, Caitlin was still feeling bad so we decided to just pack it up and head on back to the Dolphin.
We hopped a boat to Canada and then out the International Gateway for a boat back to the hotel. We spent a very quiet evening watching TV and trying to get Cait feeling well enough for more fun tomorrow. It was a short day at the park, but very enjoyable. Alex got sunburnt, my nose got a little pink, and Cait, of course, just got a little tanner. The kid has a tan in the dead of winter.
