Day 6 Wednesday, June 28
Well do what we like, cause
that suits us.
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post the rest of my TR. I spent the past week chaperoning the aforementioned band camp, trying to keep 150 kids hydrated enough to ward off heat exhaustion. Camp was a resounding success, so now its back to the important things in life, like the Disboards. I must admit its a lot of fun to come back to my notes and relive a vacation that happened over a month ago. And Id be curious what kinds of other notes TR writers take. For me, its a 5-minute shorthand scribble that I would write each night, probably indecipherable to anyone but me. But even returning to it weeks later, every detail comes flooding back. Its as if I was in the World again. Yeah, I wish. But anyway, here we go!
The last day of a WDW trip is always so bittersweet. The drudgery of real life is looming just around the corner, but at the same time it is so much fun to ponder what to do the last day, to revisit favorites and savor the last hours in the parks. The sadness was tempered for us this trip by the excitement of anticipating our three days at Universal coming up, but we still felt it. In the end, Universal would turn out to be amazing and great fun, and well do it again next time, but there will always be something about WDW for us that we dont feel
anywhere else.
Family tradition in the past has dictated being at a rope drop somewhere on the last day, but there was not any attraction we had missed or that we wanted to revisit that would be greatly optimized by arriving early, so we decided to allow the kids another lazy morning (two in one trip were getting soft!!). We had a noon ADR at the Kona Café, so Bruce and I had a quiet buffet breakfast at the Garden Gallery at SoG. It was actually pretty good. The eggs werent great, but they had waffle irons (non-Mickey
sigh) to make fresh waffles, and good muffins and fruit. For $7.50, it was a great deal.
We took another relaxing early morning swim, and the kids joined us as they got up. Claire and I chatted with a family down by the pool who had two girls, one 11 and one 13. They were very nice, and Claire was happy to have a dose of female teen companionship for at least a little while. She loves her brothers, she really does, but they never seem to be interested in hair straightening or junior high stories or clothes or shoes or purses for some reason.
Soon it was time to rotate through the shower and get ready for lunch. Yes, of course that is shower singular, no s at the end. I will admit this was the first trip we felt a bit inconvenienced at times by having only one bathroom. Were all pretty low maintenance people, but even (low maintenance) x 5 = (some waiting around for your turn). It was not a huge deal, and I would not have done it differently this time, but if we do end up all traveling together next trip, well have to bite the bullet and get two rooms. I know, I know, the kids would be simply
heartbroken to have to split up and sacrifice all that family togetherness, but theyll just have to deal with it. Theyre pretty resilient; I think theyll muddle through, dont you?
It was hot this morning, and by the time all those aforementioned showers were completed, it was close to 11:50. Yes, we could easily have walked to the Poly in 10 minutes, but did I mention it was hot? So when we exited the lobby, I dared to dream that the Shady Shuttle would be there
and my dream came true. There wasnt even anyone else around to make us feel guilty for taking it despite being obviously able-bodied. I forgot to mention, when we first arrived at the resort and were leaving our bags with bell services because the room was not ready, I asked about a phone number to call if we wanted the Shady Shuttle to meet us at the end of the property. I had read somewhere on a message board about it, of course. Well, the bellhop just shook his head and told me they dont have a number for that. In fact, he said several people had asked him about it, so he asked where I had heard about it. I couldnt remember the exact source, and Im not sure what he would have done anyway, but Im here to dispel that rumor once and for all.
We got to the Poly right before noon and waited for Kona to open. We had never tried this restaurant before, but I had read several good reviews, and the menu looked appealing, so here we were. There were a couple other parties waiting to be seated, and at least 6 waitresses and/or hostesses milling about the sign-in desk. Instead of improving the efficiency of the situation, this actually contributed to a bit of a chaotic start to our meal. The staff seemed quite confused as to who was supposed to sit which party where. We were led over to one side of the restaurant, then kind of abandoned, then finally rescued and taken to the opposite side, right beside the entrance. After this little Keystone Cops episode, our waitress was okay, but she certainly did not go out of her way to make our meal special. As Ive mentioned before, Pete is a very committed vegetarian. There is a veggie noodle dish vegan, even on the menu at Kona (one of the reasons I picked the restaurant), but it sounded much like some of the meals he had had already during the week, so he asked (very politely, I might add) if there were any other vegetarian options available from the kitchen today. Pete has done this in the past, at WDW and elsewhere, and chefs are often more than happy to make something special or at least modify a dish to meet a diners request. Well, maybe the chef was willing, but our waitress was very reluctant to ask him!! She hemmed and hawed and mentioned the noodle dish and told Pete the chef
might have something different, but shed have to go
ask him (God forbid)
and then she just stood there. He didnt want to cause a stir, so he just ordered the noodles. Hes his mothers son.
I got the Kona Club sandwich, which I absolutely loved. Put avocado on a sandwich for me, and Im a happy camper. I think Tim got the burger, and Bruce tried the Polynesian plate lunch. Claire, well, you know my girl by now. By the way, there was never a problem with her ordering her chicken strips off the kids menu, where they usually resided, even though she is 14. She would sometimes add a side salad to the kids meal, for which we would just pay extra. Oh, that youngun. So overall Id give Kona a C+ for service and a B+ for food. After lunch it was a unanimous decision to head to Epcot. We had lads in kilts to visit!!
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!
A lovely stroll through the Polynesian grounds over to the TTC was followed by one more pleasant monorail trip to our favorite park. Even when our kids were younger, Epcot was everyones favorite, even WS. But then, were one of those weird families who have always had museum memberships. We would travel with the list of reciprocal museums in the glove compartment, and wherever we stopped, wed find some obscure museum to pop into and spend a few hours exploring. I miss the hours wed spend in the kids sections of those museums, building towers, playing store or old-fashioned days or whatever, getting soaked at water tables making dams out of sand
wow, that just brought back a flood of memories. My apologies for the detour down memory lane back to Epcot!!
First stop, Spaceship Earth. Its hot out, the line is short in the afternoon, and its tradition. Besides, Jeremy Irons is way cool. After SE, the kids wanted to see what was new in Innoventions, so I went to get Soarin FPs and then rejoined them there. We all found a few diversions in Innoventions and got a quick splash of Kinley at Club Cool before heading to the Living Seas. The Turtle Talk line was at least 45 minutes, so I asked if the line died down later in the evening. The CM assured me that after about 7:00 it was usually pretty short, so we just toured around the aquariums for a while and planned to return later. We actually spent quite a bit of time fish-watching; the tanks here are very impressive.
Before long it was time to head to WS for the slightly off kilter boys of Off Kilter. We headed over a little early so that Claire and I could take an extra jaunt over to Norway to get every Disers favorite FP. The standby line was a full 30 minutes, so it was even quite useful, but I still feel obliged to write
Maelstrom is a FASTPASS???
Off Kilter was awesome as always. Well be devastated if they ever decide to take their act elsewhere theyre just so much a part of the WS experience for us. We have pictures of Tim with Jamie on a couple of our trips, and we have all of their CDs. We even converted a good portion of Tims marching band into OK fans on our last school trip. So much energy and fun heres a pic.
After the show we walked back over toward Mexico. Ill never forget overhearing one man walking along talking on his cell phone, telling someone, Im about a hundred yards from Mexico
No, he wasnt doing anything especially funny or annoying or anything, it just stuck us all as the most hilarious thing, like he was approaching the border at the Rio Grande. Ive warned you were a little weird at times. Hey, those who are easily amused are often
amused. We like it that way.
You might recall waaaayyyyy back in the planning paragraph that Bruce had been considering a trip to China, something he has always wanted to do, but he gave that idea up for now to take this vacation with all of us instead. What a guy. So it was the least we could do to watch the movie and the acrobats at China in the WS. Claire liked it as well as she liked all the travelogue movies, which was not at all, but she
does love the acrobats, so the teeter-totter balanced once again. I really enjoyed the display about the new Hong Kong park. Maybe Ill go with Bruce on his eventual China trip if hell take me to a Disney park there.
Time for Maelstrom.
Did you know its a fastpass attraction??? We skipped the movie like most of the rest of the crowd. Hey, at least we
have seen it, its just that once was enough. I love the gift shop here, though. Trolls rock. As we left the shop, Spelmans Gledje was starting their show. Now, especially after the high energy level of Off Kilter, these folks may not be the most dynamic performers, but there is no denying their talents. The boys enjoyed watching because Tim plays the accordion and Pete the fiddle, two instruments included in this little troupe. Besides, their name is so much fun to say, especially using a really bad Scandinavian accent! Try it Spelmans Gledje. See?
Gosh, its late afternoon, early evening even, and it hasnt rained yet. No worries, it was coming. We were all hungry, so a couple of us got some food from the Cantina at Mexico to go, and we all headed to the Land pavilion just ahead of the storm. Everyone else got something from Sunshine Seasons, so there is to be no whining that we were taking up a table without buying food there. There actually seems to be plenty of tables and space here, or it could be that we just timed things right. We relaxed over dinner to wait for our Soarin FP time, especially since it was pouring outside, at least judging from the dripping wet ponchoed people coming in.
Once again the Soarin standby line was something ridiculous like 70 or 80 minutes, so our FPs were crucial. We probably could have sold them to the highest bidder. Not that we would do such a thing. But I bet its been done. Nope, we wanted one last glide. I pulled my camera out as we were entering the hangar, with the intent of taking a picture of the kids in their seats before putting the camera back in my backpack and putting it under the seat like a good girl. My kids are rule-followers. Id like to think that is because they have highly-developed consciences, but to be honest, its more likely they just dont want to get caught. Well, youd have thought I put my arms and legs outside the vehicle, cut in line, and stood up before the ride came to a complete stop. They all
hissed at me that I couldnt have a camera out during the ride. Jeez, chill, kids. Of course, the CM came right then and nicely told me I couldnt take pictures during the ride, so the kids felt vindicated (even though I
never planned to do that, ever!!). And they were embarrassed (check off that box for the day) when I told him I would be happy to put it away if he would take a picture of us first! He looked a little taken aback, but he did it heres proof:
I would have preferred a shot of all of us and more of the ride apparatus, but I didnt want to impose any more than I already had, and to prolong the situation further I'm certain would have led to the boys literally passing out from embarrassment. I thanked him, tucked the camera and my backpack in their rightful places, and enjoyed one last ride.
Our stellar timing for the day continued, as we walked out of the Land to not only a cessation of the rain, but a beautiful arching rainbow:
How appropriate for our last day. It was turning out to be one of those truly magical days relaxed, happy, full of laughter and fun and everyone having a good time together.
We headed into the Living Seas, and sure enough, the line was much shorter for Turtle Talk than it had been earlier, so we hopped in it and only had to wait until the next show started. The boys were a bit reluctant to go to a little kids show, but I had read enough about it that I thought wed all enjoy it. Oh my gosh, we laughed
so hard. The technology is amazing, and the humor, much like in the movie, appeals to all ages. If you do not have young children and are tempted because of that to skip Turtle Talk,
change your plans. Id put it right up there as a must see.
It was time to meander over to WS to stake out an Illuminations spot. It would be tough to beat our Saturday view, from the Breathless under the bridge, but we were up for the challenge. We enjoyed a churro and a drink along the way. I just love this little stand:
You dont find those at your neighborhood amusement park, no siree.
It turned out to be an amazing evening. We staked out a spot in front of Italy, even though it was sprinkling a little. Heres Bruce relaxing:
And Tim returning from a kaki gori run. Mmmmm
We had noticed several young adults around Epcot with graduation Mickey ears, and one was taking pictures near where we were sitting, so we asked what the ears were for. He was a wonderful young man from Paris, France, who had just graduated that day from training to be a CM in the WS. He was absolutely loving his time in Orlando so far, enjoying the camaraderie of the apartments where they were living and looking forward to working at Epcot. We wished him well and thanked him for taking the time to chat.
The storms, in fact, provided a little night time spectacular of their own. It never did rain hard on us again all night, but we saw lightning in the distance, and the clouds made for a beautiful sunset:
We gathered along the wall as the torches were fired up:
I love love love it when the narration begins, the torches are snuffed, and that first firework arches across the sky. I cant even put into words how watching Illuminations with my husband and children makes me feel. And thats saying a lot, as anyone who has been reading this tome can attest. Heres a pic of the last flurry of pyrotechnics:
We always take our time at Epcot after Illuminations is over, lingering at our spot, then wandering opposite the crowd around the WS, listening to the Tapestry music as we stroll, and making a few last purchases at MouseGears. By the time we make our way to the monorail, the crowds have dissipated and we can have a relaxed trip back to the resort. Well never forget our very first trip, when we stayed at Dixie Landings and were extremely clueless. We fought shoulder to shoulder with the crowds to get to the bus stop, and then when we got there, they were using these huge cattle car type transports. Does anyone else remember those? Is my memory of them faulty, or were they really, literally, like cattle cars?? Lets just say its nice to be more relaxed.
We decided one more walk from the TTC to SoG would do us good. Claire continued her alligator-repellant noise strategy by the ponds, and we did a little packing when we returned to the room before turning in. Roger from Sunray would be at our doorstep (well, the resort, anyway) at 9 am for the transfer over to Hard Rock. It had been a wonderful six days, everything I hoped for and more. For those of you with younger kids, we are living proof that not every teen turns cynical about Disney and wants to stay home. So hang in there and hope for the best!!
I will continue my TR for our Universal days, but Ill post it down on the Uni boards. Ill try to remember to come back and post a link!
I think if we let her, she would!!! She does eat salads and other fruits and vegetables, as well as the food I cook at home, it's just that she's not very adventurous (to say the least) when we eat out! We're working on her to expand her range of acceptable restaurant choices!
