It turns out, I didn't mis-read everything about my family for this trip. Originally I had a hard to get 8pm Reservation at Cali-Grill booked for this evening, but despite really wanting to go, figured we would be too wiped out to enjoy it, even if we did drag ourselves over there. So, begrudgingly, I had let that one go, with the intent to relax at the resort and have dinner at Mangino's. I figured we wouldn't be at the resort all that much this trip anyway, so it was a chance to soak it up at least once. Well, I was wrong about that, and for all those people that only 'sleep' at a Disney resort, my DW and DD are not those kind of people.
It was still pretty early in the day when we made it into the resort. I was expecting to have to check our bags with Bell Services while we had lunch, but our room was ready early. I couldn't get both of our key cards to work though, and after multiple trips back and forth, eventually put that on hold so we could go have lunch at Kona Cafe. (See my award winning dining Report to see how that went). My plan was to take the Shady Shuttle (A golf cart thing) to the Poly so we wouldn't have to walk. Well, Bell services was slammed and said it would be a minimum of 30 minutes. My DW and DD wanted to eat NOW and you can see the Poly from the resort, so how bad could the walk be? I asked if they wanted to change, given they were in Pacific Northwest attire that included pants and long sleeves and I was looked at like I was crazy. We get about halfway, they are baking, and turning an unhealthy pink color. My DW despite coming from a hot climate does not do well with heat. She just starts to get extremely warm, she doesn't really sweat, and 85 is probably her hottest heat tolerance. I thought late Sept/Early Oct we would get those kind of temps. I was wrong. It did cool down to 83...the day after we left. So we stop to look at a bird and mention that you shouldn't get too close to the water. I'm getting hate stares from my DW aren't I? She may have mentioned murdering me at some point along the way.
Yeah....wildlife is neat...
So we get across the street and the ironic sign that says it is state law to stop for pedestrians crossing because we were nearly run over three different times...As we approach the Poly, I can't figure out how to actually get inside from that part of the resort. I am frankly in danger for my life at this point, when I spot a sign. That sign probably saved my life. We double time it into the building and make our way upstairs to our lunch reservation, where I drank probably 5 glasses of iced tea.
After lunch, my DW asks me in a somewhat terrified voice if we have to walk back to the resort. Now, I am actually prepared for this (even though my original plan was, to in fact, walk back). I have never used a ride share service in my life, but had downloaded both Lyft and Uber apps a few months prior thinking they might come in handy at some point on this trip. Lyft had been sending me a coupon for 25% off my first 10 rides for a few months, and so that was the winner. I told my DW that no, I would arrange a ride (why didn't I do that on the way to the Poly?)
You know, the Lyft App would have worked for both directions...
But because I was suspicious of said app having any of my information, I hadn't linked a form of payment to my account. Well, looks Like I better do that now, So I grab a seat in the closed area near the gift shop (I am guessing it opens in the evening) and proceed to link payment to the App and hope that I am not setting myself up for fraudulent charges, because, again, never used this sort of thing before. I then select a ride back to the resort. Our ride would be there in less than 5 min and cost less than $5. WOW...ok, that is pretty convenient. I rush into the gift shop where my DW is buying a Hei Hei T-shirt (how did you find it so fast?) I inform her our ride back would be outside...well, now it turns out. We pay and make it out of the resort in time to get a ride basically back across the street. But in the Air Conditioned comforts of a Toyota Prius.
So we made it back to the resort and back inside, and thankfully, whatever construction project that tarp represented was not being carried over inside. So at this point, I arranged for Bell Services to deliver our Grocery Delivery from Dizzy Dolphin, and made three seperate trips to reception to get a second working room key card that I am not sure we even used. I have to say, Dizzy Dolphin were excellent at locating all the myriad of things I had ordered, and it was all top notch quality. They even included a little thank you package. So after tipping the Bell services guy, we go about putting things away. Wait...Didn't I order XYZ...My sleep deprived brain was starting to struggle at this point. I go through the bags and find a delivery order, and, yes, we were in fact missing a bag. So I head through the maze that is the inside of Shades of Green out to Bell Services, and a guy pops up from behind something with my missing bag of groceries. I'lltakethatthankyouverymuch and back to the room, with all our essentials. I think I just walked this route about 10 times at that point for various things, Bell Services, Key Card, ATM, and once to go get a bus schedule. Oh yea, that reminds me, I didn't even bother with the ATM's at Shades of Green because they all had a $200 limit. WTH?...
One of the nice things I had arranged for was for my DW to have multiple massage appointments at the Salon (Magnolia Spa) at Shades of Green. I knew next to nothing about this, and, frankly, was just hoping it would be acceptable. My DW has all sorts of muscle pain, and I figured that would have been exacerbated by the flight. I was right about that as she was in knots by the time we arrived. It was also incredibly difficult to find. This was appointment 1 of 5, and we had to stop several people along the way to ask for directions. Some of whom spoke no English and looked a little frightened that we were trying to talk with them. Eventually after turning left at the PX, walking down the long corridor, turning right, left, right, left, right and going down the elevator, we found it. Now, my DW can't go to the store 2 blocks from home without a GPS, I figured there was no possible way she was going to find this on her own.
Originally I thought me and my DD would go out to the playground while my DW enjoyed her massage, but we were instructed to 'stay put'. So I handed Lil Mav my phone and I may or may not have dozed off with her using up my lives/money and power ups on Simon's cat while I hopefully didn't snore. I might have snored. I woke up after 10-15 minutes or so (ok, maybe 20 minutes tops...) to the receptionist staring daggers at me. I checked the time and was hoping for the best with my DW massage.
Gee...looks like fun...
I tried getting my phone back from Lil Mav at this point, who then proceeded to make the argument that she should have her own phone, and she wouldn't have to keep borrowing mine and Momma's if she just had her own. I should point out that she is 7. She continued to build her case, and I am wondering just who this pint sized attorney is that is sitting on my lap?
The phone struggle continues, I lose, and can feel myself starting to drift off again, ignoring the pained and frightened look on the receptionists face when to everyone's relief my DW shows back up. I should mention that this is probably the first time in 24 hours she isn't glaring at me with a look of hate. The receptionist is happy to see us go.
We go outside to check out the playground, yep, still blisteringly hot, and to everyone's delight, we spot several miniature dinosaurs which may or may not in fact be salamanders. I notice for the first time that my DW and DD are enjoying themselves. Great, we go across the country and everyone is delighted by the Salamanders. We make a quick stop at the playground, it is pretty well done actually, note how cool the pool looks, then tell my DD that we will in fact be back (yeah right i'm thinking), and retreat back into the blessed A/C all while I look over my shoulder at that pool.
Now, I love to swim. I also love a good water slide. My DW hates public pools, and we can't even get my DD to take a bath, so I figure it will be up to me to strategize when I will make my getaway's to enjoy some pool time. That slide has my name on it.
How many runs will I make it down this trip?
One of the things I had mentioned to my DW and DD was that Shades of Green has a PX. Well, they took this to mean an actual PX like we have back on the base. A quick stop in here to look at the glorified gift shop and they were not impressed. The entire way back and into the room I am hearing about this so called PX. Though that didn't stop them from getting coffee and Ice Cream from Java on the way, while continuing to give me the business about the...PX. I am not really sure why they thought a full sized PX would be in the resort to begin with, but it would redeem itself as the trip went on.
So we make it back to the room with ice cream in tow. Now, at this point of the day, things were starting to become a blur. Those two finish up their treats and it looks like they may lie down, yes, yes, just as I figured would be the case! I decided to have a shower, getting ready to sneak errr head out to the pool for a bit, and may or may not have put on my swimming attire. I was slightly shocked to re-emerge to the two of them bouncing around the room. Just what was in that Ice Cream anyway? Realizing my pool run would have to be put on hold, I'm asked what our dinner plans are. I laid down purposely on one of those decorative pillows that are pretty much useless to discuss the rest of the day and our upcoming itinerary and promptly fall asleep. Not just a light doze either. Full on passed out sleep.
It turns out Lil' Mav also picked that moment to want a nap, and snuggled up next to me. My DW captured the moment for all posterity. I woke up several hours later and it was dark. My DW was asleep, and I wasn't sure what to do. The restaurant would be closing soon, we hadn't had dinner, and so I went and sat on the couch, where I once again, fell asleep. Oh well, I had wanted to try Mangino's, but didn't really see how we would be going there now. The next day was a biggee, as we had a full schedule at Animal Kingdom and a Breakfast at Tusker House, so this wasn't a terrible development, but, boy were they going to be hungry! Little did I know that during the various points I was passed out, they had busted into my Donut King Delivery, made sandwiches, and for all I know, threw a party. Turns out the only one that didn't eat was me, and somehow the worry about pulling everything together for the day, the stress over our travel, worry about the heat, trying to pull everything together on top of a hectic work week and travel had completely exhausted me. I did at some point, relocate back to the bed, and when the morning rolled around, we all realized we had slept for something crazy like 16 hours. Feeling refreshed, it was time to get ready for probably the most important day I had planned, Animal Kingdom, where I had two meals planned, a Festival of the Lion King package with Dinner booked at Tiffins and a character Breakfast. Ok Disney time to shine! Lets go have Breakfast at Tusker House and have some fun!
So how did we go from the brink of disaster, weather the disappointments and somehow come away with the notion that we want to do it again? Read on, and it will all be revealed!
(No were not buying that cat and that Apron are we?)
Looking forward to reading about your first park day!
