The Finished at Last Trip Report - Day 6 – The dreaded F-word raises its ugly head!

[Poohshoney]

The Cast:
Roland (37, German) – World’s best husband.
Carol (42, British) – Trying to live up to him.

Friday, 4 December. Day 6 – The dreaded F-word raises its ugly head!

Let’s see, what’s my favourite park? Oh yes, Magic Kingdom. And which is Roland’s? Yep, Epcot. And which park have we been to every day so far? And which park have we spent one short afternoon in and walked through once? I hung my head in shame. Roland was overjoyed when I said I thought we ought to go to Epcot. “Really?” “Yes, dear. I can’t be the evil one all the time.”

So I'm not sure how we came to the decision that we ought to visit the MK resorts first. I do think I promised we wouldn’t go in the park itself!

We had a very sticky moment before we left. Talk about tears before bedtime! Roland told me I shouldn’t wear what I was going to wear, the baggy trousers just didn’t look right with the tight top. That’s easily translated, isn’t it?
“What you mean is, my bum looks big in this. You mean I look FAT!” We’d had a late night the night before, I was not in the mood for any F-word comment, however tactfully phrased, so all my carefully applied mascara transferred itself to Disney tissues. I think I may even have decided never to set foot outside again. Well, not without a bag over my head at the very least. Did they make bags big enough to cover all of me? Once I'd calmed down (insert rolling-eyes!) and reapplied the war paint, I put the blouse over the top that I'd been going to wear all along anyway. “That's much better,” Roland said. “That looks really nice.” Shame I hadn’t put it on earlier…

I set the gang up before we left. I had Ghostie pulling my new hat off Moosey’s head and Mickey combing Jennifer’s hair. That Mouse definitely has a future as a crimper!

We caught the bus to MK and then went up to the monorail. I apologise profusely to the ECV driver I cut up – and I really mean that. I'm very good at worming my way through crowds. Bet you thought Roland only holds my hand because he loves me! Noooo, the other reason is that once let go of, I tend to disappear into the distance. And he wasn’t holding my hand as we went over to the monorail. And I spottted a gap so…whoosh, I was through it. I heard the shouting behind me without realising why. I felt really bad when I turned round and realised I'd cut in front of an ECV (one track mind, I didn’t even see it). I wanted to apologise but the whole family, who had rightly shouted at me, suddenly started looking up into the sky. I felt terribly embarrassed and didn’t know what to do. So I kept on going. Baad Carol, I should have apologised. And I did exactly the same thing to a stroller last year. I really must learn to slow down, smell the roses and WATCH where I'm going.

I'd been a VERY unhappy little bunny last year when I hadn’t got to ride in the front of the monorail. Roland was very careful to ask whether I wanted to wait for it this time. I didn’t. I was freezing! I think it was 10°F colder than they’d said on the precipitation-programme and I'd trusted them – what a fool! I was shivering fit to bust, it was awful. The second the monorail doors opened, I was on like a shot!

My apologies to everyone who loves the Contemporary, it’s nothing personal, but we don’t. We weren’t convinced we’d like it any more at Christmas so our plan was to peer at it when we drew in and if we couldn't see anything new that knocked our socks off, to just stay put. We stayed put until the Poly.

I don't know what we’d been expecting as, on retrospect, there isn’t mch room for anything much in the lobby because of the water thingy, but we thought the Poly would be more Christmassy. Roland was particularly disappointed. Even though we like the water thingy, we’ve neither of us taken much to the Poly. Though I would stay there, definitely. When there was talk of Riverside being closed, I hoped we’d get an upgrade. My main hope was that Riverside would be open but failing that, an upgrade to the Poly was closest to my heart. But it still doesn’t grab me all that much.

However, I did meet a very nice CM there. I was looking for a postbox, very unsuccessfully. The Riverside one is next to the cash desk in the shop so that was where I started looking. The lady saw me looking lost, came over to find out why, then took me all the way over to it, outside the shop and down the corridor a bit. Thankyou very much, that was very nice of you!

Roland persuaded me that it would be a nice idea to have a stroll through the grounds. He was lulling me into a false sense of security. His idea of `the grounds´ turned out to be further than I'd thought. We ended up walking all the way to the Grand Floridian. I must admit, it was a beautiful walk. I'd have enjoyed it more if I'd felt warmer and it was a little harrowing that nobody else was there – I was convinced we’d gone the wrong way somewhere, were trespassing on some forbidden place and would be getting into some serious trouble. We weren’t and we didn’t, you’ll be pleased to hear. And cold as it was (it was!) both resorts looked splendid in the (weak!) sunshine.

The Grand Floridian was a completely different kettle of fish to the other two hotels; it was Christmas personified! Roland wasn't keen on the GF last year and said he never wanted to stay there. He warmed a bit to it this year but I don't think it’ll ever get on his short list. The lobby looked very resplendant in it’s Christmas clothes. The gingerbread house was even bigger than I'd anticipated and a real credit to whoever designed and/or made it. Just delightful! We had a little look at how much the things were that they were selling. I can't remember how much they were but I do know it was a lot more than we’d pay here. I seem to remember us saying it would be just as cheap to fly here to buy one! I suppose if you can afford to stay at the GF, that doesn't really matter much… I do know I wanted a photo of it without any customers and gave up after a long wait. It was very popular.

We strolled round the grounds a bit more, then went to catch the monorail. Roland wanted to walk round the rest of the lake but I didn’t think you could. When we were on, Roland spotted a path after all but he said it wasn’t much of one. I was delighted to be on the monorail, I was so cold, I was even beginning to entertain the idea of buying a Disney sweatshirt, however much it cost!

Back at the TTC, Roland again asked if I wanted to wait for the front of the monorail but my teeth were chattering too much for me to get a reply out. Ok, I'm exaggerating – but only a little! We got on the first train that came and I snuggled up good and close. Joy of joy when we got to Epcot, it was warmer!

We thought we’d start with the ball. I like Spaceship Earth a lot but Roland had felt very dizzy last time. He has low blood pressure and we’d rideen it early in the day – he didn’t have fond memories of it! This time he enjoyed it a lot more and I enjoyed it just as much. And I do have a soft spot for Jeremy Irons – such a beautiful voice. I could listen to him read the phone book and still enjoy it!

I very much wanted to go in Ice Station Cool (is that right? It doesn't look right but I can’t see it on the map). It wasn’t to be but it did give us one of the day’s biggest laughs. As we headed towards the entrance, we saw these women running out at top speed. Intriguing! Why were they running and why out of the entrance and not the exit? We soon found out – somebody tell coca cola that snow machines are NOT a good idea in December! The CMs were dressed in big thick parkas and still looked perished. We got one foot over the threshold, recognised the problem and dashed for the sunshine! We joined the other women, giggling at the CMs who were laughing right back at us!

We had a wander over towards Mission:Space but decided now was not a good time to ride it, being that we were a trifle peckish. Sooo, where to eat? I'd memorised all the restaurants we’d liked the sound of (important things I might forget but food I have NO problem remembering) so where to go? The Land was on my list but Roland still wasn’t won over to eating anywhere with characters. Considering he has an aversion to characters, he has a remarkably good time at Disney.

Mexico was on Roland’s list so we went and had a look there next. Hmmm… I still didn’t like the idea. There wasn’t much I could eat and I was a bit wary about what I'd be getting and not being able to see it. How about Norway? We ADORE Akershus, we’re just its biggest fans. Only not that day. We weren't feeling hungry enough to do justice to an eat-all-you-want buffet. We plodded on.

Did we fancy Chinese? We looked at the menu, we looked in the window, we walked on. No way would Roland even consider eating at Germany – he doesn’t like German food all that much when we’re here so he’s never going to eat it on holiday! Well, we were nearly halfway round the World Showcase and not a morsel had passed our lips. I was beginning to feel very peckish and Roland was beginning to get annoyed. Italy was out for various reasons. Not eating cheese or tomatoes makes it unpopular with me and I'd read too many bad things about the food and price for what you get.
What about America? Well, what about America – why has it only got a fast food place? I still can’t believe that Disney hasn’t got anything decent for its own country. There IS more to American food than burgers and fries!

And then we arrived in Japan. I SO wanted to try Tempura Kiku. I'd read such great things about it and I love sushi, I wanted to try tempura too. Roland hadn’t been convinced when I'd shown him the menu – chiefly because we wouldn’t get a private table, just sit at a counter. However, we’d walked all that way without finding anything we wanted, that was a definite point in its favour! And I was pleading its case and quotng the reviews I'd read. He agreed! Best agreement of the holiday.

We went up the stairs (aren't they steep!) a little worried that it would be full. There were two young women, dressed sooo prettily, taking people’s reservations. I tentatively asked how long we’d have to wait for the Tempura and they just pointed at this teeny tiny elderly Japanese lady in a kimono. So I walked over and asked her how long we’d have to wait. Now we’ve met some lovely CMs but this lady was in a class of her own. She exuded sweetness! She asked us if we wanted the Tempura and we said yes, then she asked us where we came from and was so thrilled when we told her. I might be wrong but I think she got a kick out of us ignoring our own `lands´ and going there. With lots of bowing, which I wish I had a video of, she took us through the doorway to our seats.

It was much better than we’d anticipated. Ok, so you were sat at a three-sided counter, with the cooks in the middle, but the lighting made it very cosy and you didn’t feel your privacy was intruded upon. I, of course, still eavesdropped so I'm sure people did with us, too (but your German and hearing have got to be good to eavesdrop on us!). But it still felt cosy, not too public.

My favourite eavesdropping was a group of American teenagers. The boys were all being typical teenagers, devouring large amounts of food at high speed. The girl just sat there, looking miserable. When they looked as if they were nearly done, she started the whining. why didn’t they hurry up, she was hungry! They pointed out that she was in a good place to be hungry – no deal. “I never eat foreign food!” she said with great distaste. We have to get to America NOW! I joined the boys in rolling my eyes. I wasn’t brave enough to ask her why. But I hope she grows out of it, whatever it is.

All that food-hunting had changed us into ravenous beasts. We ordered loads. I had the combination tempura and Roland had a selection of raw fish – both were to die for! We were in seventh heaven. When the waitress (who was sooo nice and sooo pretty) asked if everything was ok, we practically fainted with delight. (My mouth’s watering just typing this, I wanna go back!) I don't think they’ve ever had such enthusiastic customers. We raved about it so much that when we left, everyone said goodbye and waved to us. Even the cooks in the middle and they hadn’t done that with anyone else. See, wifey’s can make good choices too! Trust in me, just in me…

We’d picked up an entertainment guide at the entrance and I was very pleased to see that we were going to time it just right to see Father Christmas and the British Invasion, so neither Morocco nor France got much attention from us as we sped onwards. Father Christmas was very impressive. Wonderful resounding voice and all dressed in dark green. Now I know all about how Coca Cola came up with the red and white garb but I'd never given much thought to how Father Christmas looked prior to that. All I can say is, very noble! I hope it crops up on Trivial Pursuit one day.

There were a lot of people in the square and I was beginning to worry that we’d have to stand for the performance. However, once Father Christmas was on his photo opportunity, a lot of people left. I spied a bench with just one man and a few bags so I asked in my best Mary Poppins voice if there was room for us. He looked a little doubtful at first, saying his wife was going to be coming back, so I asked how big she was. That made him laugh! Apparently she wasn't very big at all and there turned out to be plenty of room for the four of us. By the time the `Beatles´ reappeared, the place was packed again.

When the wife returned, they got out their Pal Mickey and played with him. Did you know that if you haven’t returned to Disney after a couple of months, he starts making comments about it being time to go back again? Or so the gentleman said his friends had told him. As he said, “Disney never misses a trick.”

The British Invasion were every bit as good as their reputation and we and everyone else thoroughly enjoyed them. There were obviously some real stalwarts in the sudience as there were quite a few waves of recognition going on from the BI. Some ladies who were obviously old enough to remember the original Fab Four were practically swooning at the front. But the highlight for me was the one member of the audience who very obviously wasn’t enjoying it. He was there with his mum, who swayed and beamed and totally ignored him. He was about ten-years-old and he sat bang slap in the middle of the square, facing away from the stage, with a scowl on his face and his fingers in his ears. Priceless!

We decided we ought to do a little of Futureworld next. World Showcase is our favourite but we feel obliged to look round the rest, being as we’ve paid for it! I was very keen on trying Imagination. I'd been so upset last year, when it was closed so I was determined to see it this year. I mean, that Figment is sooo cute! Ever built your hopes up too high? I was so disappointed. I didn’t like it at all. Roland thought it was pretty boring. And as for Eric Idle… I love the man in Monty Python – I love Monty Python (pause whilst I remember all my favourite sketches – ok, thanks for waiting!). So how come he aggrevates me so much in all his Disney stuff? Is he the split personality, or am I? (Don’t go there, Carol). By the time we left Imagination I was in no mood to watch him again in Honey I Shrunk the Audience, so that was out.

I was excited when we came out though, I'd been looking forward to sending emails to people. Course, I'd forgotten to bring any email addresses with me, which wasn’t much help! But I thought I could remember a couple and anyway, I could remember ours – if I sent one to us, I could forward it to everyone else when we got home.

All the email thingies (don't you love it when I get technical!) were being used, so we wandered round a bit, trying to see if anyone looked as if they were nearly finished. We tried very hard not to make anyone feel we were hovering – you shouldn’t be hovered over on holiday. Our patience and wandering paid off. Course, vanity stepped in then. We neither of us ever like photos of ourselves so we had to keep redoing it until we were both halfway happy. Playing with all the buttons was great fun but then came the awkward moment. If I sent this, would I be inundated with spam? We get very little spam – I like that! Did I want to risk it? And, more appropriately, did I want to risk doing it to my friends? I decided no, I didn’t, so we walked away. Roland was a happy man – no photo of him winging its way round the earth? Great!

How about the Living Seas next, that’s nice and peaceful? It was very peaceful, there was hardly anyone there. We loved watching the manatees and spent some time watching the mini-sharks as well. A Sealife opened near us last year and I must admit, now that we’ve been there, the Living Seas seemed a little tired. But as our Sealife doesn’t have beautiful serene manatees, we’re always going to call in at the Living Seas.

We strolled down to the fountains next, they were dancing so prettily. Roland had said he wanted to do Universe of Energy but once there he decided against it – 45 mins of sunshine appealed more! I wasn’t bothered about it. I like Jamie Lee Curtis but am not too keen on Ellen. It’s her voice I don't really like. I don't suppose there’s any chance of them swapping roles for the next time we go? Thought not.

We had a bit of a talk next, about what we wanted to do with the rest of the day. We definitely wanted to see the tree lighting ceremony – did we want to stay for Illuminations as well? We do both really like it. We thought we’d try. Which led to me panicking a bit. Ok, I wan’t cold now, but I would be by 9:30. And I hadn’t brought my fleece. Roland didn't fancy going back to the hotel, just for warmer clothing, so we went to Mouse Gear next, looking for a sweatshirt for me. I couldn't see any I really wanted (I'm a fussy so and so!) so we moved on to the little shops by the lake. Again, nothing wowed me but I did earmark a couple I'd settle for if the goosebumps appeared.

Mexico after that, at a brisk pace as I realised Los Tres Reyes Magos, the Mexican storytellers were on. Unfortunately we only caught a very little of their story, I was very disappointed. What we caught looked good, I wish we’d been able to get back to see the rest but we never did. We went in the pyramid and had a proper look round. There was nothing either of us wanted to buy. Much as I enjoy looking at all the brightly coloured things in their Disney setting, they aren’t really us. I would, however, really like to see the thing I can’t remember the name of in action though – where they hit a hollow papier-mâché animal and sweets fall out.

Norway next, for the troll ride. We like this ride and enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than last year. We sat and watched the film at the end as well, good guests. We’d both very much like to go to Norway one day. If only it wasn’t so expensive. So beautiful though, so very beautiful. We moseyed through the Norwegian shops. I saw a learn to knit kit and thought of Jennifer – who doesn't need to learn how to knit, but you know what I mean! I don't know what they were doing in the Norwegian shop, they weren’t Norwegian. I suppose it was because of the gorgeous sweaters they sell. A sort of `you could eventually knit one of these if you start with this´. Right, sure!

I thought we should head back to the arches next, I wanted to be able to see well. It’s a good job we went a little early as it took us some time to decide just where from we thought we’d see everything best of all. We decided on a spot about 2/3 of the way down the arches. It worked well. The tree-lighting was cute, we liked the idea of involving all the countries in it. But what we REALLY liked were the dancing arches. Ok, the arches didn’t move, they just flashed in time to the music – sooo pretty!

Remember the long food trek at lunchtime? Had we learnt anything from it? Not a thing! Having decided it was time for another smackerel, we repeated the whole sorry performance. I wasn't keen on Mexico, I'd heard bad things. We didn’t fancy the sweet suff in the Norwegian bakery. Germany was out for the same reasons as at lunchtime. And Italy. Roland didn’t fancy chicken strips or burgers or anything with fries. We’d eaten Japanese at lunchtime. I wanted to do Morocco (both the fast food and restaurant were on my short-list) but Roland didn’t like the sound of it much and was convinced there’d be something in it I'd be allergic to. The French bakery was packed and, again, we didn’t want sweet. I'd been desperate for fish and chips (I miss them so much!) but didn’t fancy them when faced with them. They didn’t look like Harry Ramsden’s to me. And Roland still didn’t fancy fries. They were also very busy. Having got to the end of the showcase, we retraced our steps. So where did we end up? How about Japanese twice in one day?! Only at the fast-food place this time. We wished we’d gone back to Tempura Kiku. We thought the fast-food a much poorer quality with not enough rice. But it filled the spot.

We were surprised when we’d finished eating, to find that Epcot was the busiest it had been all day. We assumed the lack of much evening entertainment in the other parks made everyone made a beeline for Epcot in the evenings. We wandered back along the lake, drinking in the lights and prettiness of it all. I was thrilled when we got to America and caught a little of the Candlelight Processional. Now if you’re a CP fan or a huge Rita Moreno fan, please don’t flame me. It’s only an opinion and everyone’s allowed them. We didn’t like CP. It wasn’t that we thought it was awful, it just wasn’t our cup of tea. We prefer male voice choirs and couldn’t quite love the female ones at CP. They were giving stellar performances, we just didn’t care for the lightness. And as for RM… She was dreadful. Pure Danish. I have never heard words enunciated so badly in my life! She treated them as if they were made of chewing gum, stretching them out well past their limit. My but I was relieved I hadn’t booked the AP meal arrangement. We’d most probably have got her and I would have been running for the exit – yes, I really did dislike her that much! And Roland couldn’t understand her – the man’s English is excellent but everyone has their limits.

It was decision time again. Were we going to stay for Illuminations. Nope we weren’t, we’d had enough. We fancied a gentle stroll up to the exit and a gentle stroll round the resort. We’d be back another day for Illuminations – we still had plenty of time.

We struck lucky in Italy, arriving mere minutes before La Befana began her lovely storytelling. The lady who did this was a real gem. She had such warmth in her voice and such power of expression. Marvellous! I don't know who chose the storytellers but they obviously knew their job. Each one we saw was perfect for the role.

After that, we just repeated our gentle amble up through the other lands to the exit. We stood at the Christmas tree again and again looked across the lake. So pretty. I can see why it’s Roland’s favourite park.

The trip back was painless. We watched the non-Disney buses whilst waiting for ours. We were glad we didn’t have to go over to the middle of the car park. There were times where, particularly in the dark, it didn’t look too safe. Back at the ranch we settled into the comfortable routine we’d missed out on the night before. Collect the mugs, fill them, stroll round the ersort. We’d thought last year that the crickets were a Disney tape. Being as there were none that trip, we wondered if we’d been wrong. Though it could have just been that they’d turned the tape off!

I think Roland was asleep just before his head hit the pillow. I managed a little look at the weather channel. Tomorrow was an important day – we were meeting people! The forecast was for the coldest day of the holiday. Low 60s, brrrrr. I did a quick search for another programme I like but could only find Fran doing commercials. So I drifted off to sleep dreaming of gloves and fleeces and would I look an idiot if I turned up in my hat? And was that important? Because I could make myself look an idiot with or without a hat. But I definitely wouldn’t be wearing baggy trousers and a tight top. Yawn, zzzzzzz……

 

[KayleeUK]

Hope it warms up for you

 

[SusanEllen]

Carol,
Thanks for the laughs. You are writing wonderful reports. I have a suggestion for the next time you're at EPCOT and undecided about a place to eat--stroll through the International Gateway, over to the Boardwalk and treat yourself to Spoodles. Again thanks for sharing. Susan

 

[Poohshoney]

It did eventually, Kaylee, but even Roland was cold on the Saturday!
Thanks, Susan! I'll remember your tip!

 

[WDWfan uk]

What a great day at Epcot ......... and as so often happens with trip reports, yours has given me bad withdrawal symptoms!