TRAPPED-PARENT
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2002
- Messages
- 550
Day Eight (Wed, April 2) Recreation
Both my DH and I wake up just after 7:00 and get the coffee going. It looks like the weather is going to be great with the highs in the mid-70s. We plan to spend the first part of the day at the pool so I take some towels over to stake out some lounge chairs. At about 10:00 we are all about ready to head over and get some sun. Unfortunately there are some young kids doing cannonballs at the deep end right about where we are sitting. Were not getting drenched but just wet enough that it gets to be a bit annoying. I try to ignore it, but eventually have to say something Is there anyway you can move over toward the middle a bit, as you are getting us wet. Amazingly, they were quite polite and apologized and moved their jumping area over 4-5 feet. Wonderful.
Some of you may wonder what we do all the time while at the pool, as we dont spend that much time in the water. All four of us like to read, so we always make sure we have enough magazines and books before leaving home. I will usually get some paperbacks from Goodwill (50 cents each), so dont have to worry about them getting wreaked in the beach bag.
Anyway, sometime around 1:30, we decide weve had enough and go back to the campsite for lunch. After that my DH drops us off at Pioneer Hall before departing for his 3:05 tee time at Eagle Pines. This was the first time he has ever golfed at WDW and the first round of golf hes had in 1-1/2 years, as he had back surgery last spring and was restricted from golfing last summer. He was able to hit a bucket of balls to warm up and then got paired with three other younger guys. Two of them were hackers with expensive equipment and the other was just trying to get in a little more golf after finishing 18 holes earlier. It was tricky getting in 18 holes before dark (they were on the Twilight rate so couldnt tee off until after 3:00 it was $70 with the 15% DC discount), but they just managed to do it. My DH shot an 82 which I think is not too bad for the first time golfing in a while. He absolutely LOVED the course and hopes to be able to bring his clubs again next time.
While DH was busy with golf, I rented two water mice for the kids. I knew that we were suppose to get 15% off with our DC card, but the cashier acted like he didnt know about it, but would be nice and give us the 10% that DVC members got. Anyway, my kids LOVED the water mice and wanted to know if they could go again before we left for home. I said well see. Total for 2 water mice for 1 hour was $58.
Back to the campsite to get cleaned up. We promised my DH that we would meet back there at 7:30 and then go to the River Roost Lounge at POR. We had lots of time so I proposed that we go over to POR and find out where the lounge was and check out the water transport to DTD. DS was in the middle of a book so declined to go. DH and I headed off for the marina where we took the boat to MK. From there we caught a bus to POR. The lounge was right next to the lobby and the bartender said that it shouldnt be crowded that evening because they didnt have that many people staying at the Resort. We found the boat docks and just managed to get the last seats on the boat to DTD. After stopping at POFQ, we were off to DTD where we docked near RFC. It could have been a lot of fun, except for the family that had a screaming kid. He must have been just over a year old instead of just putting him down, they kept a stranglehold on him and he screamed the entire way!!!! Overlooking that, we went by some of the Home Away From Home condos and a golf course (LBV??).
Once at DTD, we decided to see what was in the RFC gift shop as my DD LOVES frogs. Sure enough, there was a hooded sweatshirt on sale. It was exactly what she had been looking for so we purchased it and got a 15% discount with our DC card total $18.
We had to wait about 10 min for a bus and then got back to Ft. Wilderness just before 7:00.
As soon as DH showed up, we all hustled into the van and drove to POR we were hungry!!! They waved us through at the guardhouse by showing our resort parking pass (we were expecting to get a 3-hr pass), and had lots of parking spaces to choose from close to the POR lobby. Once inside, however, we found that the lounge was packed. Apparently this is where people wait with their pagers to get into Boatwrights restaurant. Well, we spotted a table up near the small stage so went ahead and seated ourselves (not sure if this was okay, but we didnt see a sign). Soon the waitress came over and took our drink orders, apologizing for it being busy. Since we were planning to eat dinner there, we got menus to look over too.
The main reason for choosing this lounge was that I had heard all about Bob Jackson, the entertainer that played piano. My DH and I have both enjoyed piano bars in the past, so were anxious to check it out.
We were almost done eating (excellent food) when Bobs show started. This guys energy was unbelievable!!! It was non-stop! We kept expecting him to take a break after 30 min but he went on for 1-1/2 hrs before taking a break (then spent the break giving autographs and talking to the kids)!!! Since we were near the stage, he called out to ask our names and where we were from. He did this to others as well and then referred back to us throughout the show what a memory!!! Throughout all of this, he had us singing, clapping, jumping up and down, kids on the stage, various people leading the lounge signing to songs, a conga line, etc. What a riot and all free!!! We put a tip on the piano for Bob and then paid our bill ($85). What a great evening!!
Day Nine (Thu, April 3) Typhoon Lagoon
Weve had such a wonderful time it is hard to believe that we only have 2 days left . Well, lets not think about that now.
We are up again shortly after 7:00 and I discover that we need more milk, so send the kids over to the Meadowlands Trading Post they also get some bread and the Snow White/Dopey salt-and-pepper shakers I want (Total $19).
I convince my DH that we just HAVE to hurry up and be at TL at 9:45 even though it doesnt open until 10:00. I knew that BB was still closed and with us just coming off some cool weather, TL would be packed. Temps today were supposed to be high 70s.
Sure enough, we get there and busses were unloading and the front entrance was jammed with people. We use our 3-day PHP passes for the last time and join the crowd. Our cooler gets checked and were okay to proceed. What? They are letting us in early!! Oh, just in far enough to get the crowd out of the entrance, we still have to stand behind this rope until 10:00 no not 9:58, not 9:59 not until 10:00 exactly!!! The rope is dropped and then off we go to try to secure our favorite spot. Wait a minute, is this right? No, other there! Well, we settle in just past the bar at the right side of the park. We have quite a bit of shade right now, but that will decrease later in the day.
We decide wed better do the slides before the lines build, so off to the storm slides we go. We do each one once (3 in all) and then do Castaway Creek. I cannot tell you how many times I heard people calling it the Lazy River!!!! My DD and I eventually do the two tube rides and then I do Castaway Creek on my own while the rest of the family does the wave pool. The rest of the day was split between the creek, wave pool and the lounge chairs.
As is the family tradition, sometime after our picnic lunch, we head over to get the Garbage Pail at the ice cream shack. This is the FIRST time that my DH decides to join in. We ordered two for the four of us and had no problem putting them away (total $16). They come in plastic sand pails, so I rinse these out in the restroom, so I can take them home. I only have about 10 of them now, so am not sure why I think I have to keep hauling them home but I do anyway.
Even though they announced that TL would stay open an extra hour (til 6:00), we decide we are ready to leave by 4:00. Since we are in the car and near the off-site shopping anyway, I announce that this will be a good time to stop at the new Winn-Dixie grocery and maybe pick up some fast food for dinner. We turn left at the Crossings Shopping Center and are starting to think maybe I didnt have my facts straight, when my DH spots the Winn-Dixie. We pull in and I go into the store, while DD gets some Chinese take-out and DS gets pizza at Papa Johns. I manage to collect all of my supplies (beer, water, pop, chips, etc.) and proceed to the check-out line where I fill out a Winn-Dixie discount card. Yes! Another $7 saved!! Total $40 for groceries and $32 for take-out.
After dinner, we decided to use our mini-golf passes at the Fantasia Gardens. This was really quite nice and a lot of fun. We chose the traditional course, but the other one (looked like a really golf course) looked interesting too. We all ended up with pretty respectable scores.
Since we were near the Boardwalk, we decided to leave the car where it was and walk over past the Dolphin and the Swan Resorts. We had a nice time at the Boardwalk just looking around, until my family played a trick on me by leaving me watching the street performer do rope tricks while they snuck away to the arcade (DHs idea)!!! I can tell you that I wasnt happy about that and they all had to suck up to me to reassure me that they still loved me!!! (The snots!) I should have snuck by them and took off in the car but, of course, Im too mature for those kind of games!
Another good day (except for their naughty tricks) tomorrow is our last at WDW boo hoo.
Both my DH and I wake up just after 7:00 and get the coffee going. It looks like the weather is going to be great with the highs in the mid-70s. We plan to spend the first part of the day at the pool so I take some towels over to stake out some lounge chairs. At about 10:00 we are all about ready to head over and get some sun. Unfortunately there are some young kids doing cannonballs at the deep end right about where we are sitting. Were not getting drenched but just wet enough that it gets to be a bit annoying. I try to ignore it, but eventually have to say something Is there anyway you can move over toward the middle a bit, as you are getting us wet. Amazingly, they were quite polite and apologized and moved their jumping area over 4-5 feet. Wonderful.
Some of you may wonder what we do all the time while at the pool, as we dont spend that much time in the water. All four of us like to read, so we always make sure we have enough magazines and books before leaving home. I will usually get some paperbacks from Goodwill (50 cents each), so dont have to worry about them getting wreaked in the beach bag.
Anyway, sometime around 1:30, we decide weve had enough and go back to the campsite for lunch. After that my DH drops us off at Pioneer Hall before departing for his 3:05 tee time at Eagle Pines. This was the first time he has ever golfed at WDW and the first round of golf hes had in 1-1/2 years, as he had back surgery last spring and was restricted from golfing last summer. He was able to hit a bucket of balls to warm up and then got paired with three other younger guys. Two of them were hackers with expensive equipment and the other was just trying to get in a little more golf after finishing 18 holes earlier. It was tricky getting in 18 holes before dark (they were on the Twilight rate so couldnt tee off until after 3:00 it was $70 with the 15% DC discount), but they just managed to do it. My DH shot an 82 which I think is not too bad for the first time golfing in a while. He absolutely LOVED the course and hopes to be able to bring his clubs again next time.
While DH was busy with golf, I rented two water mice for the kids. I knew that we were suppose to get 15% off with our DC card, but the cashier acted like he didnt know about it, but would be nice and give us the 10% that DVC members got. Anyway, my kids LOVED the water mice and wanted to know if they could go again before we left for home. I said well see. Total for 2 water mice for 1 hour was $58.
Back to the campsite to get cleaned up. We promised my DH that we would meet back there at 7:30 and then go to the River Roost Lounge at POR. We had lots of time so I proposed that we go over to POR and find out where the lounge was and check out the water transport to DTD. DS was in the middle of a book so declined to go. DH and I headed off for the marina where we took the boat to MK. From there we caught a bus to POR. The lounge was right next to the lobby and the bartender said that it shouldnt be crowded that evening because they didnt have that many people staying at the Resort. We found the boat docks and just managed to get the last seats on the boat to DTD. After stopping at POFQ, we were off to DTD where we docked near RFC. It could have been a lot of fun, except for the family that had a screaming kid. He must have been just over a year old instead of just putting him down, they kept a stranglehold on him and he screamed the entire way!!!! Overlooking that, we went by some of the Home Away From Home condos and a golf course (LBV??).
Once at DTD, we decided to see what was in the RFC gift shop as my DD LOVES frogs. Sure enough, there was a hooded sweatshirt on sale. It was exactly what she had been looking for so we purchased it and got a 15% discount with our DC card total $18.
We had to wait about 10 min for a bus and then got back to Ft. Wilderness just before 7:00.
As soon as DH showed up, we all hustled into the van and drove to POR we were hungry!!! They waved us through at the guardhouse by showing our resort parking pass (we were expecting to get a 3-hr pass), and had lots of parking spaces to choose from close to the POR lobby. Once inside, however, we found that the lounge was packed. Apparently this is where people wait with their pagers to get into Boatwrights restaurant. Well, we spotted a table up near the small stage so went ahead and seated ourselves (not sure if this was okay, but we didnt see a sign). Soon the waitress came over and took our drink orders, apologizing for it being busy. Since we were planning to eat dinner there, we got menus to look over too.
The main reason for choosing this lounge was that I had heard all about Bob Jackson, the entertainer that played piano. My DH and I have both enjoyed piano bars in the past, so were anxious to check it out.
We were almost done eating (excellent food) when Bobs show started. This guys energy was unbelievable!!! It was non-stop! We kept expecting him to take a break after 30 min but he went on for 1-1/2 hrs before taking a break (then spent the break giving autographs and talking to the kids)!!! Since we were near the stage, he called out to ask our names and where we were from. He did this to others as well and then referred back to us throughout the show what a memory!!! Throughout all of this, he had us singing, clapping, jumping up and down, kids on the stage, various people leading the lounge signing to songs, a conga line, etc. What a riot and all free!!! We put a tip on the piano for Bob and then paid our bill ($85). What a great evening!!
Day Nine (Thu, April 3) Typhoon Lagoon
Weve had such a wonderful time it is hard to believe that we only have 2 days left . Well, lets not think about that now.
We are up again shortly after 7:00 and I discover that we need more milk, so send the kids over to the Meadowlands Trading Post they also get some bread and the Snow White/Dopey salt-and-pepper shakers I want (Total $19).
I convince my DH that we just HAVE to hurry up and be at TL at 9:45 even though it doesnt open until 10:00. I knew that BB was still closed and with us just coming off some cool weather, TL would be packed. Temps today were supposed to be high 70s.
Sure enough, we get there and busses were unloading and the front entrance was jammed with people. We use our 3-day PHP passes for the last time and join the crowd. Our cooler gets checked and were okay to proceed. What? They are letting us in early!! Oh, just in far enough to get the crowd out of the entrance, we still have to stand behind this rope until 10:00 no not 9:58, not 9:59 not until 10:00 exactly!!! The rope is dropped and then off we go to try to secure our favorite spot. Wait a minute, is this right? No, other there! Well, we settle in just past the bar at the right side of the park. We have quite a bit of shade right now, but that will decrease later in the day.
We decide wed better do the slides before the lines build, so off to the storm slides we go. We do each one once (3 in all) and then do Castaway Creek. I cannot tell you how many times I heard people calling it the Lazy River!!!! My DD and I eventually do the two tube rides and then I do Castaway Creek on my own while the rest of the family does the wave pool. The rest of the day was split between the creek, wave pool and the lounge chairs.
As is the family tradition, sometime after our picnic lunch, we head over to get the Garbage Pail at the ice cream shack. This is the FIRST time that my DH decides to join in. We ordered two for the four of us and had no problem putting them away (total $16). They come in plastic sand pails, so I rinse these out in the restroom, so I can take them home. I only have about 10 of them now, so am not sure why I think I have to keep hauling them home but I do anyway.
Even though they announced that TL would stay open an extra hour (til 6:00), we decide we are ready to leave by 4:00. Since we are in the car and near the off-site shopping anyway, I announce that this will be a good time to stop at the new Winn-Dixie grocery and maybe pick up some fast food for dinner. We turn left at the Crossings Shopping Center and are starting to think maybe I didnt have my facts straight, when my DH spots the Winn-Dixie. We pull in and I go into the store, while DD gets some Chinese take-out and DS gets pizza at Papa Johns. I manage to collect all of my supplies (beer, water, pop, chips, etc.) and proceed to the check-out line where I fill out a Winn-Dixie discount card. Yes! Another $7 saved!! Total $40 for groceries and $32 for take-out.
After dinner, we decided to use our mini-golf passes at the Fantasia Gardens. This was really quite nice and a lot of fun. We chose the traditional course, but the other one (looked like a really golf course) looked interesting too. We all ended up with pretty respectable scores.
Since we were near the Boardwalk, we decided to leave the car where it was and walk over past the Dolphin and the Swan Resorts. We had a nice time at the Boardwalk just looking around, until my family played a trick on me by leaving me watching the street performer do rope tricks while they snuck away to the arcade (DHs idea)!!! I can tell you that I wasnt happy about that and they all had to suck up to me to reassure me that they still loved me!!! (The snots!) I should have snuck by them and took off in the car but, of course, Im too mature for those kind of games!
Another good day (except for their naughty tricks) tomorrow is our last at WDW boo hoo.
