Poohshoney
<font color=6666CC>Ya-ya sister!<br><font color=gr
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2001
- Messages
- 1,155
The Cast:
Roland (37, German) Worlds best husband.
Carol (42, British) Trying to live up to him.
Wednesday, 3 December. Day 4 but darling, thats what I'm here for!
We decided on a down day today. I think down days are good, if youre there long enough. You can miss so much if youre suffering from park-overload. So we had a nice breakfast at the food court. You can guess what I had. I know Roland had something else but I can't remember what, sorry. He was suffering from bagel-overload. I'm immune.
We decided on Downtown Disney. As the first boat last year hadnt been till 4:30, I said we had to catch the bus. We were actually at DD when I found out they started at 9:30. Oh well, never mind. (That isnt what I really said. I felt like a complete failure for not knowing!)
DD was a ghost town. Unbelievable. Even Roland enjoys shopping under those conditions. Roland was supposedly at WDW with a plan. He gets little time for Christmas shopping, so the plan was to keep an eye on what I looked at, then sneak back and buy anything he thought was a good idea. I fall for this con twice a year. It was three times but weve stopped buying anniversary presents. I drop enormous hints, which Roland either doesnt notice or immediately forgets. The man has a PhD in chemistry, one of the hardest subjects there is, yet cant remember a single thing I say I like. He managed to take this to a new level at DD.
His plan was to follow me round. He was going to dog my heels and make his life easier by getting all my presents at Disney. It lasted all of ten seconds in every single shop. I spent all my time looking for him to show him things I liked. The toy store was the worst a completely empty shop and it still took me five minutes to find him! In the end, I figured if I actually physically took the things with me and showed him them, that would help him remember them. Nope. Why do I do this? Because I so want to help him find things. I know how hard he finds it getting presents for me. And hes always so grateful for my help he just can't remember them. One day, well get this system to work!
Anyway, back to the beginning. Like I said, DD was a ghost town. We got off at the first stop and were very surprised by the leaping fountains. They hadnt been on last time, (there was a water shortage), and we loved them. Seemed funny though that when it was hot, there were no fountains, but in the pale December sun, there were. Logical, but strange!
We did all the shops, each and every one of them. I made a special effort to find a Harmony Kingdom box in Art of Disney but no such luck. An awful lot of pictures I'd really like to have bought, but no boxes. I felt a fraud in this shop. I knew there was absolutely no way I was ever going to buy anything. I like a crowd to mingle in when I'm in that sort of shop but the place was empty. I tried to look inconspicuous but it didnt work. Every time I peered at anything, a CM would start telling me all about it. I nodded and smiled a lot and eventually fled. Roland was pleased. He was worried I was going to buy something wed have difficulty getting home. Me, do a thing like that? I dont know where he gets the idea from! Oh, every holiday weve ever been on. Ok, nuff said
I was a bit worried when we went into Pooh Corner. I've already got two Pooh nighties, I was afraid I'd get another one for Christmas. Not that I don't like Pooh nighties, but a girl likes a little diversity in life! I very pointedly said that I definitely wouldnt want another one. Luckily, Roland picks up on a `dont´ much better than he does a `do´.
Disney at Home was as frustrating as ever. I want a Mickey waffle-iron and a Mickey toaster. Only it would die here, the voltage is different. Its probably a good thing, though. As Roland said, how many toasters and waffle-irons do you need? Weeelll it all depends if they have Mickey on them or not!
I loved the Christmas Store. I hadnt been able to go in either the DD one or the MK one last year as thered been a strong cinnamon perfume in them. I did better this time. Except for the Christmas tree. I'm still puzzling over why someone would spray an obviously artificial tree with pine perfume. It wasnt very Carol-friendly. However, much as I loved almost everything, I never did buy anything. As is the tradition here, we have a real tree and the things I liked best would have been too heavy for the branches. But I adored looking! One thing I liked that you wouldnt have to hang on a tree was the Christmas hats. More on those later
I peered in the door of Eurospain. I stayed there because there was an awful lot of crystal in there. Frightened me to death! I didnt want to be the proverbial bull in a crystal shop.
Ghiradellis was more like it. Funny, we took absolutely no notice of the one in San Francisco. But then that was before I knew the one at DD gives out free samples. I eat very little chocolate normally, but if its part of the Its Free experiment And the sample that morning was to die for. Peppermint on dark chocolate darks my favourite! It was SO heavenly, I immediately looked for some to buy. Errrmmm so where is it? All you could buy were little sleighs containing a selection of chocolate squares. And two of the squares were peppermint. Huh?! I even asked and yes, that was the only way they were available. Strange marketing idea, giving you a chocolate they only sell like that. So I didnt buy any. Sigh. To add insult to injury, Roland hadnt really liked his, but had eaten it anyway. But darling, thats what I'm here for to eat all the free chocolate you dont like!
I made an interesting discovery at my favourite shop World of Disney. If I find something I want to buy that Roland hates, hell buy me anything to stop me getting it. It had never happened before, (or since, mores the pity!) but when I said how much I liked the springy turquoise things on a headband and wouldnt it be perfect at MVMCP, Roland turned deathly white. Its ugly. Its the ugliest thing on the planet. Choose anything you want, any hat, it doesnt matter what it costs, I'll buy it. Just dont get THAT! I tested him, I tried on the Christmas tree hat with the flashing bulbs for $45. He was serious. Trouble was, I couldnt make up my mind then which I liked best. This is why I fail miserably at shopping. Too much choice and I just crumble. So how come Wof D with its infinite choice is my favourite? Its just SO pretty!!! But I dont buy much. I decided I'd think about the hat, like I always do, and exited with nothing except a determination to buy a hat sometime!
We were a bit disappointed that the Earl of Sandwich hadnt opened yet. Not that we were hungry, we were just curious. Wed seen a documentary about the company on BBCWorld it was SO chaotic! We wanted to see what the actual sandwiches looked like. Alas, it wasnt to be.
Wed done all we wanted to at the Marketplace so we thought wed trot round to the West Side next. Why cant they make this more interesting? The total lack of imagineering thats gone into getting from the one to the other now is really bad. Surely they can do something about it? I vote for reopen Pleasure Island but then thats because I've never seen it and I'm curious!
Were not that keen on the West Side. It just doesnt do it for us sorry to all the fans. We think the magnet shops tacky and like Ghiradellis better than the sweetie shop I could never work there, it smells tooo sweet. Its yucky.
I had a good look at the cinema. I really wanted to go see a film (undubbed! Original voices!) so I was quite excited to see that the Haunted Mansion film was on. We briefly considered seeing it that afternoon but decided we didnt want to miss any sunshine. We could always come back and see it one evening. Course, we never did. We considered it every day but always decided we were either too tired or wed see something in the parks instead. Oh well, its out on DVD now. I'm waiting a bit though. It wasnt much of a hit here, which means the price should drop like a bomb some time soon!
One place we do like is Cirque. We saw the show last time so decided against it this. Course, if someone had handed us free tickets, wed have been in like a shot. But nobody did and although there was an offer on, we didnt fancy those seats so we didnt go. Something to look forward to next time! I wish Cirque would tour round our way. Were fed up of telling all our German friends how unbelievably good it is nobody quite believes us. Its difficult to describe Cirque. These men run up walls, theyre synchronised, its amazing!
Right .
I also like the Cirque shop, even though its over-priced in my opinion. I had a look at the expensive hats, safe in the knowledge that they were mine if I wanted them!!! Nah, didnt fancy them. I was enjoying hat-browsing too much to end it all so quickly!
We did buy some wonderful little pewter candleholders, complete with candles for friends for Christmas. I liked them a lot. And we had a dose of reality when we paid for them. The very nice cashier reminded us that our room keys need signing on the back as theyre just like credit cards. We both felt very ill at the thought of what could have happened. When we checked in last year, the CM wouldnt let us leave the desk until wed signed them. We do think Amanda might have given us a gentle reminder. She never even mentioned it.
Wed planned on eating at the House of Blues. It was one of the places that we both had on our lists. We had a look at the menu and Roland decided he didnt fancy it all that much after all. What had looked like a nice selection on the internet turned into `how much for a sandwich?!´ when he was actually looking at the menu. And there was some very loud music emanating from it, that didnt help.
We also had a look at Bongos, which was on Rolands list but not mine. That had even louder music! I still didnt fancy it and Roland went off it, too. And Wolfgang Pucks was out of the question as Roland had hated the one we went to in Los Angeles. He never forgets or forgives a bad meal! So what to do? That turned out to be an easy decision. On closer consultation (isnt talking to each other a good idea?!) we discovered that neither of us was particularly hungry anyway. Wed both thought the other one was. So we didnt bother eating anywhere! Well, I did sneak another sample at Ghiradellis (chocolate has no calories when its free a well known fact). But it was only caramel. Roland refused to get one and give it to me, he refused to even go inside. He said the smell made him feel sick. As hes the chocaholic in the family, I began to wonder if hed been replaced by an alien!
By mutual consent, we caught the boat back. Even though it meant re-tracing our steps back (yawn) to the Marketplace. I hate boats. Well, I wouldnt mind them so much if people didnt insist on putting them in water. Its the wet stuff I really loathe. But occasionally I grit my teeth and pretend I don't really mind. (I swear the high dentists bills come from all that gritting). The trip back to Riverside isnt too bad. Knowing how Disney is keen on avoiding lawsuits always makes me feel safer.
We passed the new DVC place, I think its called Sarratoga Springs but with my talent for names I wouldnt swear to it. We thought it looked like it was going to be a nice place. Weve never seen any DVC up close, just photos, so we dont know what theyre like but we did think it was a bit strange that they seemed to have external corridors. We associate that with the moderates and values. We thought the posh places always had internal corridors for extra safety. On of us would very much like DVC, (guess who!), but even if we ever did go for it, (a girl has to have her dreams), we wouldnt go for this place. Too close to Pleasure Island. We both said the same thing at the same time wont it be really loud at night?
The other place of interest we passed was the old Port Orleans. I tried very hard to see as much as poss when we did. Wed planned on staying there for our first trip they closed it. We were very much looking forward to strolling round it this time they closed it again. Hmmmm . Oh well, at least they reopened Riverside for us. I was heartbroken when they said they were closing it for renovations. Re-opening it was the only pity Disney had taken on me on the run-up to this holiday!
By the time we got off the boat, we were a bit peckish after all. I wanted to go straight in and eat but Roland wanted to go get the refillable mugs first. We sure did get our moneys worth with them! So back we went to the room, me full of happy anticipation. But I was mightily disappointed the stuffies were right where we left them. Boo, hiss, much misery. (No, I'm not exaggerating!) I think it was just that we had a different mousekeeper that day though.
Back at the food court, (did you know theres no word for that in German? We didnt, till we showed people our photos. We had to explain the entire concept and still nobody could translate it), we went to the Mexicany bit. Roland had chicken quesadilla instead of his usual nacho supreme and I had the nachos for the first time. I don't like tomatoes or cheese, which puts you off that sort of food, really. Only Roland had said the cheese tasted of nothing so I tried it and he was right not a trace of cheese in there! And I asked for it without tomatoes, which they did for me, and it was just delicious. Made a pleasant change from chicken strips. Roland had to finish it for me though it was huge! He said the quesidilla was ok but the nachos were better.
When we came out, the quayside was filled with suits. Male and female. Carrying clipboards and looking incredibly lost. We decided they were either there for an interview or some kind of induction course. They looked too nervous to be anything else. I mean REALLY nervous. I was just trying to work out the best way to slate my curiosity when Roland caught my eye, recognised the symptoms and whisked me away. If anyone knows what they were doing there I'm still curious! We went for a nice walk round the resort to walk off the calories (ha ha), marvelling at the prettiness of the place. We really do like Riverside. We prefer the mansion area but we enjoy walking round it all. We like the look of some of the other resorts but our hearts belong to Riverside.
When we got back to the room, we had a thunk about where to go next. It just so happened that Spectromagic and Wishes were on in the MK that night. Would Roland mind going there again? Strangely enough, no! I thought he might but the lure of Spectromagic was enough to get him enthusiastic about the idea. Hed really enjoyed it last year. I still prefer the Electrical Light Parade. I play the music if I ever feel down how could anyone stay down with that music tapping your toes for you?!
MK was defintely busier than it had been the other two days. We wandered round a bit. We did Peter Pan and Buzz (same photo, I'm beginning to think I'm an animatronic) and Pirates again. We didnt have much of a wait for anything but the pathways were definitely fuller.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly it gets dark in Florida. This evening, however, it got darker even faster. The dreaded wet stuff was threatening. Wed just got out of the Christmas shop when the first drops began to fall, very hesitatingly at first. Wed already decided we ought to get a little smackerel and had decided on Pecos Bills. I, of course, had chosen that day NOT to bring the ponchos. The only day I took them out had to be the only day it rained, stands to reason. But as we were going to be out after dark, I'd needed the space for half my wardrobe. Something had had to go.
PBs was fairly busy, we thought. We could hardly get in the door. But it turned out to be just the doorways that were busy people were sheltering from the rain. Once inside, it was fine. We didnt fancy much, so ended up with fries each. We felt a bit guilty going over to the toppings bar with just them, but went anyway too good to miss! A very kind CM not only didnt stop us loading up the fries with onions and stuff, she even gave us paper trays so that we could make a better job of it. I thought that was so kind. She had the sweetest smile, a real credit to Disney.
As all this happened just ten minutes before Spectro was due to start, we were more than a little worried it would be rained off. So instead of finding a table, we joined the heaving masses in the doorway. I know, we shouldnt have helped the congestion like that, but we were too anxious about it to sit down in peace. Apart from the following Wednesday, our last evening, this was our only chance to see Spectro.
The heavens took pity on us and the Disney Gods did the same. Not only did the rain stop and Spectro happen, but we got a perfect viewing spot. We wondered over the road to Big Thunder Mountain, just as they closed one of the walk-throughs to it we got spots right at the front, magic! I couldnt believe our luck and felt quite teary about it.
I enjoyed Spectro so much more this year. I dont know what it was that was different, maybe I just wasnt over-expecting. But I enjoyed it sooo much more. And so did Roland, even though hed enjoyed it last year. His theory was that not sitting in the heat for an hour and a quarter, waiting for it to start, was a huge plus point. He may just be right! Still, wondering if it would happen at all, however briefly, was no fun either.
Wishes was next I wasnt sure how I was going to find Wishes. I'd adored Fantasy in the Sky so much, I was sad that it had gone. But oh boy, I neednt have worried. We both thought it was the absolute bees knees! I thought it was the best firework display I'd ever seen, Roland said the Lord Mayors fireworks in London had been as good. But then, being a foot shorter, surrounded by tall people, I hadnt seen much of those So I was thrilled to my little toes by Wishes. My hat off to whoever designed it, you done good!
We watched them from the hub in front of the castle. We had a good spot, up against a flower bed with no obstructions. I was surprised how many people exited after Spectro without waiting for Wishes. I still am puzzled by it. Of course, after Wishes, everyone made for home. We hung around a bit, trying to take photos of the castle as it was kissing us goodbye. None too easy when the cameras still new and youve never taken night photos before. But we managed one reasonable photo, so I was happy. I do love that photo!
By the time we got back to the depot, a lot of people had already left. But we still didn't have to wait long. Wed heard tales of bus cuts but can honestly say we had less waiting this time than we had the year before. I think the buses, more than anything else, made me realise that Disney can be the luck of the draw. Last time, wed had more bus problems at CBR than either POR or AKL. But I read of people who were there when we were and had no touble at CBR or loads of trouble at the other two resorts. So if youre going to Disney for the first time and are worried about anything like buses, mousekeeping, room allocation, restaurant service anything along those lines - relax. You may get pure Disney magic or you may be a little unlucky. Its all in the hands of the Disney gods. Its easier said than done but try not to think about it and go with the flow. It makes all the difference, really!
I turned the telly on again but I was with Roland that night. Too tired to watch it. We watched the weather forecast and that was it. We took to watching it all the time after our cloudburst that evening. Even after wed worked out they had no idea! We were a litle worried as there was snow up north. Jennifer lives up north. We knew people who were supposedly flying down in it. Would they make it? (Yes, they did!) And Roland started worrying about the return flight. I drifted off to sleep, dreaming about the snow forcing us to stay at Disney. Happy dreams!
Roland (37, German) Worlds best husband.
Carol (42, British) Trying to live up to him.
Wednesday, 3 December. Day 4 but darling, thats what I'm here for!
We decided on a down day today. I think down days are good, if youre there long enough. You can miss so much if youre suffering from park-overload. So we had a nice breakfast at the food court. You can guess what I had. I know Roland had something else but I can't remember what, sorry. He was suffering from bagel-overload. I'm immune.
We decided on Downtown Disney. As the first boat last year hadnt been till 4:30, I said we had to catch the bus. We were actually at DD when I found out they started at 9:30. Oh well, never mind. (That isnt what I really said. I felt like a complete failure for not knowing!)
DD was a ghost town. Unbelievable. Even Roland enjoys shopping under those conditions. Roland was supposedly at WDW with a plan. He gets little time for Christmas shopping, so the plan was to keep an eye on what I looked at, then sneak back and buy anything he thought was a good idea. I fall for this con twice a year. It was three times but weve stopped buying anniversary presents. I drop enormous hints, which Roland either doesnt notice or immediately forgets. The man has a PhD in chemistry, one of the hardest subjects there is, yet cant remember a single thing I say I like. He managed to take this to a new level at DD.
His plan was to follow me round. He was going to dog my heels and make his life easier by getting all my presents at Disney. It lasted all of ten seconds in every single shop. I spent all my time looking for him to show him things I liked. The toy store was the worst a completely empty shop and it still took me five minutes to find him! In the end, I figured if I actually physically took the things with me and showed him them, that would help him remember them. Nope. Why do I do this? Because I so want to help him find things. I know how hard he finds it getting presents for me. And hes always so grateful for my help he just can't remember them. One day, well get this system to work!
Anyway, back to the beginning. Like I said, DD was a ghost town. We got off at the first stop and were very surprised by the leaping fountains. They hadnt been on last time, (there was a water shortage), and we loved them. Seemed funny though that when it was hot, there were no fountains, but in the pale December sun, there were. Logical, but strange!
We did all the shops, each and every one of them. I made a special effort to find a Harmony Kingdom box in Art of Disney but no such luck. An awful lot of pictures I'd really like to have bought, but no boxes. I felt a fraud in this shop. I knew there was absolutely no way I was ever going to buy anything. I like a crowd to mingle in when I'm in that sort of shop but the place was empty. I tried to look inconspicuous but it didnt work. Every time I peered at anything, a CM would start telling me all about it. I nodded and smiled a lot and eventually fled. Roland was pleased. He was worried I was going to buy something wed have difficulty getting home. Me, do a thing like that? I dont know where he gets the idea from! Oh, every holiday weve ever been on. Ok, nuff said
I was a bit worried when we went into Pooh Corner. I've already got two Pooh nighties, I was afraid I'd get another one for Christmas. Not that I don't like Pooh nighties, but a girl likes a little diversity in life! I very pointedly said that I definitely wouldnt want another one. Luckily, Roland picks up on a `dont´ much better than he does a `do´.
Disney at Home was as frustrating as ever. I want a Mickey waffle-iron and a Mickey toaster. Only it would die here, the voltage is different. Its probably a good thing, though. As Roland said, how many toasters and waffle-irons do you need? Weeelll it all depends if they have Mickey on them or not!
I loved the Christmas Store. I hadnt been able to go in either the DD one or the MK one last year as thered been a strong cinnamon perfume in them. I did better this time. Except for the Christmas tree. I'm still puzzling over why someone would spray an obviously artificial tree with pine perfume. It wasnt very Carol-friendly. However, much as I loved almost everything, I never did buy anything. As is the tradition here, we have a real tree and the things I liked best would have been too heavy for the branches. But I adored looking! One thing I liked that you wouldnt have to hang on a tree was the Christmas hats. More on those later
I peered in the door of Eurospain. I stayed there because there was an awful lot of crystal in there. Frightened me to death! I didnt want to be the proverbial bull in a crystal shop.
Ghiradellis was more like it. Funny, we took absolutely no notice of the one in San Francisco. But then that was before I knew the one at DD gives out free samples. I eat very little chocolate normally, but if its part of the Its Free experiment And the sample that morning was to die for. Peppermint on dark chocolate darks my favourite! It was SO heavenly, I immediately looked for some to buy. Errrmmm so where is it? All you could buy were little sleighs containing a selection of chocolate squares. And two of the squares were peppermint. Huh?! I even asked and yes, that was the only way they were available. Strange marketing idea, giving you a chocolate they only sell like that. So I didnt buy any. Sigh. To add insult to injury, Roland hadnt really liked his, but had eaten it anyway. But darling, thats what I'm here for to eat all the free chocolate you dont like!
I made an interesting discovery at my favourite shop World of Disney. If I find something I want to buy that Roland hates, hell buy me anything to stop me getting it. It had never happened before, (or since, mores the pity!) but when I said how much I liked the springy turquoise things on a headband and wouldnt it be perfect at MVMCP, Roland turned deathly white. Its ugly. Its the ugliest thing on the planet. Choose anything you want, any hat, it doesnt matter what it costs, I'll buy it. Just dont get THAT! I tested him, I tried on the Christmas tree hat with the flashing bulbs for $45. He was serious. Trouble was, I couldnt make up my mind then which I liked best. This is why I fail miserably at shopping. Too much choice and I just crumble. So how come Wof D with its infinite choice is my favourite? Its just SO pretty!!! But I dont buy much. I decided I'd think about the hat, like I always do, and exited with nothing except a determination to buy a hat sometime!
We were a bit disappointed that the Earl of Sandwich hadnt opened yet. Not that we were hungry, we were just curious. Wed seen a documentary about the company on BBCWorld it was SO chaotic! We wanted to see what the actual sandwiches looked like. Alas, it wasnt to be.
Wed done all we wanted to at the Marketplace so we thought wed trot round to the West Side next. Why cant they make this more interesting? The total lack of imagineering thats gone into getting from the one to the other now is really bad. Surely they can do something about it? I vote for reopen Pleasure Island but then thats because I've never seen it and I'm curious!
Were not that keen on the West Side. It just doesnt do it for us sorry to all the fans. We think the magnet shops tacky and like Ghiradellis better than the sweetie shop I could never work there, it smells tooo sweet. Its yucky.
I had a good look at the cinema. I really wanted to go see a film (undubbed! Original voices!) so I was quite excited to see that the Haunted Mansion film was on. We briefly considered seeing it that afternoon but decided we didnt want to miss any sunshine. We could always come back and see it one evening. Course, we never did. We considered it every day but always decided we were either too tired or wed see something in the parks instead. Oh well, its out on DVD now. I'm waiting a bit though. It wasnt much of a hit here, which means the price should drop like a bomb some time soon!
One place we do like is Cirque. We saw the show last time so decided against it this. Course, if someone had handed us free tickets, wed have been in like a shot. But nobody did and although there was an offer on, we didnt fancy those seats so we didnt go. Something to look forward to next time! I wish Cirque would tour round our way. Were fed up of telling all our German friends how unbelievably good it is nobody quite believes us. Its difficult to describe Cirque. These men run up walls, theyre synchronised, its amazing!
Right .
I also like the Cirque shop, even though its over-priced in my opinion. I had a look at the expensive hats, safe in the knowledge that they were mine if I wanted them!!! Nah, didnt fancy them. I was enjoying hat-browsing too much to end it all so quickly!
We did buy some wonderful little pewter candleholders, complete with candles for friends for Christmas. I liked them a lot. And we had a dose of reality when we paid for them. The very nice cashier reminded us that our room keys need signing on the back as theyre just like credit cards. We both felt very ill at the thought of what could have happened. When we checked in last year, the CM wouldnt let us leave the desk until wed signed them. We do think Amanda might have given us a gentle reminder. She never even mentioned it.
Wed planned on eating at the House of Blues. It was one of the places that we both had on our lists. We had a look at the menu and Roland decided he didnt fancy it all that much after all. What had looked like a nice selection on the internet turned into `how much for a sandwich?!´ when he was actually looking at the menu. And there was some very loud music emanating from it, that didnt help.
We also had a look at Bongos, which was on Rolands list but not mine. That had even louder music! I still didnt fancy it and Roland went off it, too. And Wolfgang Pucks was out of the question as Roland had hated the one we went to in Los Angeles. He never forgets or forgives a bad meal! So what to do? That turned out to be an easy decision. On closer consultation (isnt talking to each other a good idea?!) we discovered that neither of us was particularly hungry anyway. Wed both thought the other one was. So we didnt bother eating anywhere! Well, I did sneak another sample at Ghiradellis (chocolate has no calories when its free a well known fact). But it was only caramel. Roland refused to get one and give it to me, he refused to even go inside. He said the smell made him feel sick. As hes the chocaholic in the family, I began to wonder if hed been replaced by an alien!
By mutual consent, we caught the boat back. Even though it meant re-tracing our steps back (yawn) to the Marketplace. I hate boats. Well, I wouldnt mind them so much if people didnt insist on putting them in water. Its the wet stuff I really loathe. But occasionally I grit my teeth and pretend I don't really mind. (I swear the high dentists bills come from all that gritting). The trip back to Riverside isnt too bad. Knowing how Disney is keen on avoiding lawsuits always makes me feel safer.
We passed the new DVC place, I think its called Sarratoga Springs but with my talent for names I wouldnt swear to it. We thought it looked like it was going to be a nice place. Weve never seen any DVC up close, just photos, so we dont know what theyre like but we did think it was a bit strange that they seemed to have external corridors. We associate that with the moderates and values. We thought the posh places always had internal corridors for extra safety. On of us would very much like DVC, (guess who!), but even if we ever did go for it, (a girl has to have her dreams), we wouldnt go for this place. Too close to Pleasure Island. We both said the same thing at the same time wont it be really loud at night?
The other place of interest we passed was the old Port Orleans. I tried very hard to see as much as poss when we did. Wed planned on staying there for our first trip they closed it. We were very much looking forward to strolling round it this time they closed it again. Hmmmm . Oh well, at least they reopened Riverside for us. I was heartbroken when they said they were closing it for renovations. Re-opening it was the only pity Disney had taken on me on the run-up to this holiday!
By the time we got off the boat, we were a bit peckish after all. I wanted to go straight in and eat but Roland wanted to go get the refillable mugs first. We sure did get our moneys worth with them! So back we went to the room, me full of happy anticipation. But I was mightily disappointed the stuffies were right where we left them. Boo, hiss, much misery. (No, I'm not exaggerating!) I think it was just that we had a different mousekeeper that day though.
Back at the food court, (did you know theres no word for that in German? We didnt, till we showed people our photos. We had to explain the entire concept and still nobody could translate it), we went to the Mexicany bit. Roland had chicken quesadilla instead of his usual nacho supreme and I had the nachos for the first time. I don't like tomatoes or cheese, which puts you off that sort of food, really. Only Roland had said the cheese tasted of nothing so I tried it and he was right not a trace of cheese in there! And I asked for it without tomatoes, which they did for me, and it was just delicious. Made a pleasant change from chicken strips. Roland had to finish it for me though it was huge! He said the quesidilla was ok but the nachos were better.
When we came out, the quayside was filled with suits. Male and female. Carrying clipboards and looking incredibly lost. We decided they were either there for an interview or some kind of induction course. They looked too nervous to be anything else. I mean REALLY nervous. I was just trying to work out the best way to slate my curiosity when Roland caught my eye, recognised the symptoms and whisked me away. If anyone knows what they were doing there I'm still curious! We went for a nice walk round the resort to walk off the calories (ha ha), marvelling at the prettiness of the place. We really do like Riverside. We prefer the mansion area but we enjoy walking round it all. We like the look of some of the other resorts but our hearts belong to Riverside.
When we got back to the room, we had a thunk about where to go next. It just so happened that Spectromagic and Wishes were on in the MK that night. Would Roland mind going there again? Strangely enough, no! I thought he might but the lure of Spectromagic was enough to get him enthusiastic about the idea. Hed really enjoyed it last year. I still prefer the Electrical Light Parade. I play the music if I ever feel down how could anyone stay down with that music tapping your toes for you?!
MK was defintely busier than it had been the other two days. We wandered round a bit. We did Peter Pan and Buzz (same photo, I'm beginning to think I'm an animatronic) and Pirates again. We didnt have much of a wait for anything but the pathways were definitely fuller.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly it gets dark in Florida. This evening, however, it got darker even faster. The dreaded wet stuff was threatening. Wed just got out of the Christmas shop when the first drops began to fall, very hesitatingly at first. Wed already decided we ought to get a little smackerel and had decided on Pecos Bills. I, of course, had chosen that day NOT to bring the ponchos. The only day I took them out had to be the only day it rained, stands to reason. But as we were going to be out after dark, I'd needed the space for half my wardrobe. Something had had to go.
PBs was fairly busy, we thought. We could hardly get in the door. But it turned out to be just the doorways that were busy people were sheltering from the rain. Once inside, it was fine. We didnt fancy much, so ended up with fries each. We felt a bit guilty going over to the toppings bar with just them, but went anyway too good to miss! A very kind CM not only didnt stop us loading up the fries with onions and stuff, she even gave us paper trays so that we could make a better job of it. I thought that was so kind. She had the sweetest smile, a real credit to Disney.
As all this happened just ten minutes before Spectro was due to start, we were more than a little worried it would be rained off. So instead of finding a table, we joined the heaving masses in the doorway. I know, we shouldnt have helped the congestion like that, but we were too anxious about it to sit down in peace. Apart from the following Wednesday, our last evening, this was our only chance to see Spectro.
The heavens took pity on us and the Disney Gods did the same. Not only did the rain stop and Spectro happen, but we got a perfect viewing spot. We wondered over the road to Big Thunder Mountain, just as they closed one of the walk-throughs to it we got spots right at the front, magic! I couldnt believe our luck and felt quite teary about it.
I enjoyed Spectro so much more this year. I dont know what it was that was different, maybe I just wasnt over-expecting. But I enjoyed it sooo much more. And so did Roland, even though hed enjoyed it last year. His theory was that not sitting in the heat for an hour and a quarter, waiting for it to start, was a huge plus point. He may just be right! Still, wondering if it would happen at all, however briefly, was no fun either.
Wishes was next I wasnt sure how I was going to find Wishes. I'd adored Fantasy in the Sky so much, I was sad that it had gone. But oh boy, I neednt have worried. We both thought it was the absolute bees knees! I thought it was the best firework display I'd ever seen, Roland said the Lord Mayors fireworks in London had been as good. But then, being a foot shorter, surrounded by tall people, I hadnt seen much of those So I was thrilled to my little toes by Wishes. My hat off to whoever designed it, you done good!
We watched them from the hub in front of the castle. We had a good spot, up against a flower bed with no obstructions. I was surprised how many people exited after Spectro without waiting for Wishes. I still am puzzled by it. Of course, after Wishes, everyone made for home. We hung around a bit, trying to take photos of the castle as it was kissing us goodbye. None too easy when the cameras still new and youve never taken night photos before. But we managed one reasonable photo, so I was happy. I do love that photo!
By the time we got back to the depot, a lot of people had already left. But we still didn't have to wait long. Wed heard tales of bus cuts but can honestly say we had less waiting this time than we had the year before. I think the buses, more than anything else, made me realise that Disney can be the luck of the draw. Last time, wed had more bus problems at CBR than either POR or AKL. But I read of people who were there when we were and had no touble at CBR or loads of trouble at the other two resorts. So if youre going to Disney for the first time and are worried about anything like buses, mousekeeping, room allocation, restaurant service anything along those lines - relax. You may get pure Disney magic or you may be a little unlucky. Its all in the hands of the Disney gods. Its easier said than done but try not to think about it and go with the flow. It makes all the difference, really!
I turned the telly on again but I was with Roland that night. Too tired to watch it. We watched the weather forecast and that was it. We took to watching it all the time after our cloudburst that evening. Even after wed worked out they had no idea! We were a litle worried as there was snow up north. Jennifer lives up north. We knew people who were supposedly flying down in it. Would they make it? (Yes, they did!) And Roland started worrying about the return flight. I drifted off to sleep, dreaming about the snow forcing us to stay at Disney. Happy dreams!
Great reports.
