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.
Monday, 8 December. Day 9 Hes learning!
When I looked out of the window this morning, the sky was a beautiful sunny colour so I put some thought into what we could do today, bearing in mind what we still wanted to do before we left. And made Roland a suggestion - how about we catch a bus to MGM, then the boat to the Epcot resorts, explored them, then made our way over to Epcot? Roland loved the idea, especially when I showed him the sky!
You know, when I planned our other Disney trips, I put a lot of thought into making sure we got plenty of each park and covered all the things we wanted to do. And it worked very well and we came away feeling that, though there were still things we wanted to do, wed fully maximised the time wed had. As you know, this trip had no plan. It wasnt till I wrote this trippie that I realised just how MUCH time we spent at Epcot. I knew wed done MK a lot (yey!!!) but not just how much Epcoting wed done. I think that says a lot. See, if I'd done my usual aganda, I think wed have ended up doing a lot less of the things Roland enjoys best. And, most importantly, it would have been a lot less relaxing. Playing it by ear meant we did what we felt happiest doing. And we still came away feeling wed done just about everything wed wanted to. You know, I think I may never make a plan again.
Encouraged by Lisa Mousekeeper, I started scrounging round for additional props. And struck lucky Mickey and Little Twinnie playing travel backgammon, supported by Moose and Ghostie was just SO cute!
There was just us and another couple on the bus to MGM. Unbelievable as we werent that late setting off. Nine-something-or-other. When we arrived, I decided I needed the loos, which turned out to be through security. Oh well, never mind, at least it was nice and sunny for Roland to hang about in. The loos were absolutely spotless MGM loos definitely were the best all holiday.
By the time I emerged, there was no longer a queue for the boats. Roland wasnt best pleased as that was because wed just missed one. But the Disney gods smiled on me. As he was telling me, I glanced across the lake and there was another boat coming! I was quite excited at the idea of being the only ones on it so when it arrived, I kept willing them to set off again, quick. To my delight, they did and we had our own private cruise! We sat at the back of the boat, which was very breezy I might add, but it was the open bit and Roland adored it. And I adore Roland so I froze in semi-silence. But for all the room on that boat, I huddled up good and close!
We got off at the Swolphin. Wed so disliked these hotels last year. Weve since looked at photos of the room and agree that they look much nicer than the lobbies and we didnt dislike the lobbies quite so much as last year. But theyre still not on our must-stay-at list. Unless, of course, somebody gave us them for free! Although I loathe and detest those fish so much, I think I might even turn down free if it meant being faced with them every morning. Maybe I could just get a crane for free and remove them when nobodys looking
Wed definitely stay at the Yacht club for free. Actually, what I'd really really like is to stay in the Commodore Suite. I've seen it on WDWIG and just adore it! I suspect I'd feel like that about a lot of the Disney suites but as this is the one I've seen, this is the one that looms large in my winning the lottery Disney fantasies. But, as nobody rushed up to us and offered us the suite, we just wandered round the lobby instead. The gingerbread village was very reminiscent of the one wed seen at the Boardwalk. I loved the tree. I know sailing ships arent what youd call Christmassy but I thought they looked so elegant.
We wandered round the back of Stormalong Bay to get to the Beach Club. We hadnt thought it lived up to its reputation much when wed seen it from the front last year. Seen from the back, it was easier to see why people love it. I was a bit worried that all the different areas made it difficult for the lifeguard to see everywhere properly. There were two littlies messing around and I was sure he couldn't see them. As the boy was playing a bit too rough for my liking, I was pleased when the little girl swam out to where she could be better seen. And speaking of the lifeguard what a hunk! I took some pictures for the Yayas he was definitely cabana boy material. Roland looked at me as if I'd lost my mind but I knew the ladies on the board would be pleased with him!
We got to peer in at the Cape May Café whilst we strolled. The dinner here was absolutely top of my wanna-eat-at list and I'd managed to convince Roland it should be on his. We never got there. Its now top of my list for when we go again!
Oh my, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we went in the Beach Club. I think my jaw hit the floor. I'd thought the Grand Floridian gingerbread house was going to be the best Christmas decoration, and it was marvellous, but I LOVED the Beach Clubs! It was a gingerbread and chocolate carousel and chocolate snowmen. It was just amazing!!!!! And there was a little chocolate chef Mickey on the carousel. He was just too cute! I think this is absolutely and definitely my favourite Christmas decoration ever, anywhere. I want one! And when I showed my FIL, a chocoaholic, the photos and told him what it was made of, his eyes nearly fell out of his head he wants one too! I think somehow, mine would live longer
Eventually, I managed to drag my eyes away from it all and we ambled up to the International Gateway. We had the worst security guard experience of the trip here. A very strange man (strange attitude) who insisted on half-pulling literally everything out of my bag. He asked me to open my camera case, then half pulled my camera out, then dumped it precariously on top of the mess hed made. Then he just wandered off. The table was covered in my things, all higgledy piggledy, it was such a mess. I had to rescue things to make sure they didnt fall off (particularly my camera!), refold it all and repack it completely. He didn't even reclose my glasses case. I wouldnt have minded if it had been done with any efficiency I know what good bag searches are like but this wasnt. It was just a mess.
Getting into Epcot put the smile back on my face. And the fact that we decided the munchies were big enough to try Akershus again. We love Akershus! We went there for lunch and dinner last year. As we were wandering round the countires, I saw a lady in beige trousers who really shouldnt have bought them. They were so tight, you could have played join the dots with her cellulite. I was just thinking that when I glanced down at my legs. And saw how beige they were. And started to panic. Nobodyd been with me when I bought them, what if, shock-horror-perish-the-thought, my cellulite was that obvious, too? Aaaargh! Frantically I turned to Roland and asked him if you could see my cellulite through my trousers. What cellulite, my knight in shining armour asked incredulously. Aaaah, isnt he wonderful! I gave him a huge hug and a smooch and told him he was the best. I'm learning! he beamed. Still didnt take the smile off my face!
There was no wait at Akershus another thing we like about it. Strangely enough, we were taken to the same table we sat at for lunch last year. And wed eaten dinner at the table next to it. When the CM asked if we knew our way around, we could honestly say we did! The buffet had changed, of course. They now serve the hot food to your table. This had its good and its bad points. it was very nice that the food was fresh and hot. It wasnt so good that they serve so little of the hot veggies with it. Our plate for two had just 2 potatoes and a spoonful of each veg. Now, as Rolands favourite part of the meal is the cold buffet, he didnt mind. In fact, he was a little put out that I'd ordered my hot stuff so early as he was still wading happily through the cold stuff. It made him feel he should order the warm stuff as well, before he was actually ready for it. Unfortunately, we didnt find all that out till it was too late.
Back to the veggies it wasnt enough per serving. So I ordered some more rutebega straight away, telling our waiter how much I loved them. So he brought me a double portion. Which I obligingly finished. Did I want some more? Well Yep! So he brought me a triple portion! I couldnt manage it but trying to was heaven! Strangely enough, I didnt have room for dessert
Once out again, we thought a good stroll would help. Well, we werent so much strolling as rolling. So we went up past Mexico and across the top of the lake to the central path and then up to in front of the fountains. Christos, an acrobatic act were putting on a show. They were good but we didnt really stop. I'm not sure why but I didnt like their silver costumes. I found them spooky. A bit like robotic crash test dummies. We considered doing Test Track and I was glad when we decided against it. Weve never done it, I dont mind that and I was sure it was a bad time for my stomach to find out how it felt about it!
Roland briefly considered Universe of Energy again but it was just too long to be out of the sunshine. Mission:Space got the stomach thumbs down as well. Hmmm guess we werent into rides much that day! Thats the beauty of going for longer and the beauty of repeat visits. You can just stroll around, squandering your time on the beauty of just strolling!
We eventually decided we ought to do something how about Honey I Shrunk the Audience? We peeked in and it was only five mins to letting in time so we went for it. We didnt do this at all last time we were. We did it in California, in 1998 and I'd only liked the mice. Maybe I'd misjudged it and would like it more this time? Maybe not. I couldnt wait for it to finish. I enjoyed the mice enormously Rolands didnt work, he was most put out. We both felt as lukewarm as we had last time, with the added bonus of feeling it was really dated as well. Time for something new! And how about, just to please me, something without Eric Idle in it
We just continued with the strolling and people watching afterwards. We were lucky and caught the World Showcase players just as they started A Christmas Carol. Thoroughly enjoyable! Made me feel quite homesick. We still like the Muppet version best though!
One of my biggest disappointments this trip was not seeing the candy lady in Japan. I should have asked where she sat and what times she was there but I never did. I just kept thinking `maybe next time ´ but that time never came. I've read so much about her, I would have loved to have seen her work.
There was some confusion on my part when we got to the U.S. Santa Claus came out so I rushed up to watch but he was just a photo opportunity. I was so sad. I suppose the U.S. doesn't really have its own history of Christmas, its inherited bits from other nations. But maybe they could have had something. Anything!
The living statue was out in Italy. He wasnt as good as the lady wed seen doing it last year. But that might just have been because ladies can sometimes get away with taking more liberties than men. A woman stroking a child/woman doesnt get half as much thought about as a man doing it can. Sometimes, it really is sad to be a man.
When we passed China, the Monkey King was telling his story again. We were pleased to see he had quite a crowd this time I bet he was too! We decided wed seen enough last time and went to watch the new version of the film instead. We werent disappointed. Wed enjoyed it a lot last time round but we enjoyed the new version even more. We both watch all the films we can of Chinese countryside and culture, its so amazing.
By the time we got round to Norway again, the rutebega was a fast-fading memory. Yep, we managed a rice cream each! The very first time we got one, we only got one and split it. We never made that mistake again. Rice cream is tooo yummy to be split! We ate it at the back of the café this time, where it was nice and quiet. Just a mellow moment in a mellow day
Once stuffed completely to the gills, we had a serious discussion about what to do next. We only had three evenings left, maybe we ought to force ourselves to actually DO something that evening other than strolling round Riverside, that is. We weighed things up, Fantasmic won!
We already knew from Jodie and Marilyn that it could get mighty nippy up in those seats, so warm clothing was going to be a must. That involved going back to our room to collect things. I particularly wanted my hat I couldnt see there being many chances for wearing it once I got back to Germany so I wasnt going to miss one in WDW. Back at the ranch the stuffies were still playing backgammon. Maybe the mousekeeper hadnt wanted to break their concentration?
When we got to MGM, there were more people entering the park than leaving. Wed waited an hour and a half to see it last year, in the heat, on uncomfortable benches. By the time we left, most of Rolands anatomy had gone to sleep. He was adamant that he wasnt going to sit that long again. We entered the arena 25 mins before it was due to start and the place was absolutely heaving. It was FAR busier than it had been the year before. The CMs were very vigilant about making sure there werent any gaps and squashing people into any they found; they hadnt been bothered last year.
As it was, we were ushered over to the very far left of the arena. My heart sank. Fantasmic and me are jinxed it seems. I couldnt see it for the crowds in California three times. It got rained off the first time we wanted to watch it in WDW (the ONLY rain of the trip!). I'd only really seen it once and I hadnt been able to concentrate on it properly. I was tired, there were fidgety littlies in front of me and I had to dodge about to see everything (a perennial problem when youre 5' 2). Sooo it was with a sinking heart that I followed Roland and got the best view ever! Now it might not have been the best view there, but it was the best view for me. Because they put me right at the end of the seats there wasn't a soul in front of me, just the gangway! I got to see absolutely everything, my heart was just overflowing. I enjoyed it sooo much. I held Rolands hand and got quite misty at some of the bits, especially the Sorceror Mickey bits, hes my favourite! I dont think that, wherever I see Fantasmic from again, the sheer joy of my first unobstructed view will ever be surpassed!
We got out of the stadium amazingly quickly. And we got a bus amazingly quickly, too. In fact, we got back to Riverside early enough to have a nice relaxing supper. Roland had a taco salad and I had a bagel! We finished it off with milk and chocolate chip cookies in our room. Notice how, as the trip slowly concludes, the calories consumed slowly rises? Well, if your time left is limited, there has to be some compensation! Only two days left of magic left? Noooo two WHOLE days of magic left!!!!!
Roland (37, German) Worlds best husband.
Carol (42, British) Trying to live up to him.
Monday, 8 December. Day 9 Hes learning!
When I looked out of the window this morning, the sky was a beautiful sunny colour so I put some thought into what we could do today, bearing in mind what we still wanted to do before we left. And made Roland a suggestion - how about we catch a bus to MGM, then the boat to the Epcot resorts, explored them, then made our way over to Epcot? Roland loved the idea, especially when I showed him the sky!
You know, when I planned our other Disney trips, I put a lot of thought into making sure we got plenty of each park and covered all the things we wanted to do. And it worked very well and we came away feeling that, though there were still things we wanted to do, wed fully maximised the time wed had. As you know, this trip had no plan. It wasnt till I wrote this trippie that I realised just how MUCH time we spent at Epcot. I knew wed done MK a lot (yey!!!) but not just how much Epcoting wed done. I think that says a lot. See, if I'd done my usual aganda, I think wed have ended up doing a lot less of the things Roland enjoys best. And, most importantly, it would have been a lot less relaxing. Playing it by ear meant we did what we felt happiest doing. And we still came away feeling wed done just about everything wed wanted to. You know, I think I may never make a plan again.
Encouraged by Lisa Mousekeeper, I started scrounging round for additional props. And struck lucky Mickey and Little Twinnie playing travel backgammon, supported by Moose and Ghostie was just SO cute!
There was just us and another couple on the bus to MGM. Unbelievable as we werent that late setting off. Nine-something-or-other. When we arrived, I decided I needed the loos, which turned out to be through security. Oh well, never mind, at least it was nice and sunny for Roland to hang about in. The loos were absolutely spotless MGM loos definitely were the best all holiday.
By the time I emerged, there was no longer a queue for the boats. Roland wasnt best pleased as that was because wed just missed one. But the Disney gods smiled on me. As he was telling me, I glanced across the lake and there was another boat coming! I was quite excited at the idea of being the only ones on it so when it arrived, I kept willing them to set off again, quick. To my delight, they did and we had our own private cruise! We sat at the back of the boat, which was very breezy I might add, but it was the open bit and Roland adored it. And I adore Roland so I froze in semi-silence. But for all the room on that boat, I huddled up good and close!
We got off at the Swolphin. Wed so disliked these hotels last year. Weve since looked at photos of the room and agree that they look much nicer than the lobbies and we didnt dislike the lobbies quite so much as last year. But theyre still not on our must-stay-at list. Unless, of course, somebody gave us them for free! Although I loathe and detest those fish so much, I think I might even turn down free if it meant being faced with them every morning. Maybe I could just get a crane for free and remove them when nobodys looking
Wed definitely stay at the Yacht club for free. Actually, what I'd really really like is to stay in the Commodore Suite. I've seen it on WDWIG and just adore it! I suspect I'd feel like that about a lot of the Disney suites but as this is the one I've seen, this is the one that looms large in my winning the lottery Disney fantasies. But, as nobody rushed up to us and offered us the suite, we just wandered round the lobby instead. The gingerbread village was very reminiscent of the one wed seen at the Boardwalk. I loved the tree. I know sailing ships arent what youd call Christmassy but I thought they looked so elegant.
We wandered round the back of Stormalong Bay to get to the Beach Club. We hadnt thought it lived up to its reputation much when wed seen it from the front last year. Seen from the back, it was easier to see why people love it. I was a bit worried that all the different areas made it difficult for the lifeguard to see everywhere properly. There were two littlies messing around and I was sure he couldn't see them. As the boy was playing a bit too rough for my liking, I was pleased when the little girl swam out to where she could be better seen. And speaking of the lifeguard what a hunk! I took some pictures for the Yayas he was definitely cabana boy material. Roland looked at me as if I'd lost my mind but I knew the ladies on the board would be pleased with him!
We got to peer in at the Cape May Café whilst we strolled. The dinner here was absolutely top of my wanna-eat-at list and I'd managed to convince Roland it should be on his. We never got there. Its now top of my list for when we go again!
Oh my, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when we went in the Beach Club. I think my jaw hit the floor. I'd thought the Grand Floridian gingerbread house was going to be the best Christmas decoration, and it was marvellous, but I LOVED the Beach Clubs! It was a gingerbread and chocolate carousel and chocolate snowmen. It was just amazing!!!!! And there was a little chocolate chef Mickey on the carousel. He was just too cute! I think this is absolutely and definitely my favourite Christmas decoration ever, anywhere. I want one! And when I showed my FIL, a chocoaholic, the photos and told him what it was made of, his eyes nearly fell out of his head he wants one too! I think somehow, mine would live longer
Eventually, I managed to drag my eyes away from it all and we ambled up to the International Gateway. We had the worst security guard experience of the trip here. A very strange man (strange attitude) who insisted on half-pulling literally everything out of my bag. He asked me to open my camera case, then half pulled my camera out, then dumped it precariously on top of the mess hed made. Then he just wandered off. The table was covered in my things, all higgledy piggledy, it was such a mess. I had to rescue things to make sure they didnt fall off (particularly my camera!), refold it all and repack it completely. He didn't even reclose my glasses case. I wouldnt have minded if it had been done with any efficiency I know what good bag searches are like but this wasnt. It was just a mess.
Getting into Epcot put the smile back on my face. And the fact that we decided the munchies were big enough to try Akershus again. We love Akershus! We went there for lunch and dinner last year. As we were wandering round the countires, I saw a lady in beige trousers who really shouldnt have bought them. They were so tight, you could have played join the dots with her cellulite. I was just thinking that when I glanced down at my legs. And saw how beige they were. And started to panic. Nobodyd been with me when I bought them, what if, shock-horror-perish-the-thought, my cellulite was that obvious, too? Aaaargh! Frantically I turned to Roland and asked him if you could see my cellulite through my trousers. What cellulite, my knight in shining armour asked incredulously. Aaaah, isnt he wonderful! I gave him a huge hug and a smooch and told him he was the best. I'm learning! he beamed. Still didnt take the smile off my face!
There was no wait at Akershus another thing we like about it. Strangely enough, we were taken to the same table we sat at for lunch last year. And wed eaten dinner at the table next to it. When the CM asked if we knew our way around, we could honestly say we did! The buffet had changed, of course. They now serve the hot food to your table. This had its good and its bad points. it was very nice that the food was fresh and hot. It wasnt so good that they serve so little of the hot veggies with it. Our plate for two had just 2 potatoes and a spoonful of each veg. Now, as Rolands favourite part of the meal is the cold buffet, he didnt mind. In fact, he was a little put out that I'd ordered my hot stuff so early as he was still wading happily through the cold stuff. It made him feel he should order the warm stuff as well, before he was actually ready for it. Unfortunately, we didnt find all that out till it was too late.
Back to the veggies it wasnt enough per serving. So I ordered some more rutebega straight away, telling our waiter how much I loved them. So he brought me a double portion. Which I obligingly finished. Did I want some more? Well Yep! So he brought me a triple portion! I couldnt manage it but trying to was heaven! Strangely enough, I didnt have room for dessert
Once out again, we thought a good stroll would help. Well, we werent so much strolling as rolling. So we went up past Mexico and across the top of the lake to the central path and then up to in front of the fountains. Christos, an acrobatic act were putting on a show. They were good but we didnt really stop. I'm not sure why but I didnt like their silver costumes. I found them spooky. A bit like robotic crash test dummies. We considered doing Test Track and I was glad when we decided against it. Weve never done it, I dont mind that and I was sure it was a bad time for my stomach to find out how it felt about it!
Roland briefly considered Universe of Energy again but it was just too long to be out of the sunshine. Mission:Space got the stomach thumbs down as well. Hmmm guess we werent into rides much that day! Thats the beauty of going for longer and the beauty of repeat visits. You can just stroll around, squandering your time on the beauty of just strolling!
We eventually decided we ought to do something how about Honey I Shrunk the Audience? We peeked in and it was only five mins to letting in time so we went for it. We didnt do this at all last time we were. We did it in California, in 1998 and I'd only liked the mice. Maybe I'd misjudged it and would like it more this time? Maybe not. I couldnt wait for it to finish. I enjoyed the mice enormously Rolands didnt work, he was most put out. We both felt as lukewarm as we had last time, with the added bonus of feeling it was really dated as well. Time for something new! And how about, just to please me, something without Eric Idle in it
We just continued with the strolling and people watching afterwards. We were lucky and caught the World Showcase players just as they started A Christmas Carol. Thoroughly enjoyable! Made me feel quite homesick. We still like the Muppet version best though!
One of my biggest disappointments this trip was not seeing the candy lady in Japan. I should have asked where she sat and what times she was there but I never did. I just kept thinking `maybe next time ´ but that time never came. I've read so much about her, I would have loved to have seen her work.
There was some confusion on my part when we got to the U.S. Santa Claus came out so I rushed up to watch but he was just a photo opportunity. I was so sad. I suppose the U.S. doesn't really have its own history of Christmas, its inherited bits from other nations. But maybe they could have had something. Anything!
The living statue was out in Italy. He wasnt as good as the lady wed seen doing it last year. But that might just have been because ladies can sometimes get away with taking more liberties than men. A woman stroking a child/woman doesnt get half as much thought about as a man doing it can. Sometimes, it really is sad to be a man.
When we passed China, the Monkey King was telling his story again. We were pleased to see he had quite a crowd this time I bet he was too! We decided wed seen enough last time and went to watch the new version of the film instead. We werent disappointed. Wed enjoyed it a lot last time round but we enjoyed the new version even more. We both watch all the films we can of Chinese countryside and culture, its so amazing.
By the time we got round to Norway again, the rutebega was a fast-fading memory. Yep, we managed a rice cream each! The very first time we got one, we only got one and split it. We never made that mistake again. Rice cream is tooo yummy to be split! We ate it at the back of the café this time, where it was nice and quiet. Just a mellow moment in a mellow day
Once stuffed completely to the gills, we had a serious discussion about what to do next. We only had three evenings left, maybe we ought to force ourselves to actually DO something that evening other than strolling round Riverside, that is. We weighed things up, Fantasmic won!
We already knew from Jodie and Marilyn that it could get mighty nippy up in those seats, so warm clothing was going to be a must. That involved going back to our room to collect things. I particularly wanted my hat I couldnt see there being many chances for wearing it once I got back to Germany so I wasnt going to miss one in WDW. Back at the ranch the stuffies were still playing backgammon. Maybe the mousekeeper hadnt wanted to break their concentration?
When we got to MGM, there were more people entering the park than leaving. Wed waited an hour and a half to see it last year, in the heat, on uncomfortable benches. By the time we left, most of Rolands anatomy had gone to sleep. He was adamant that he wasnt going to sit that long again. We entered the arena 25 mins before it was due to start and the place was absolutely heaving. It was FAR busier than it had been the year before. The CMs were very vigilant about making sure there werent any gaps and squashing people into any they found; they hadnt been bothered last year.
As it was, we were ushered over to the very far left of the arena. My heart sank. Fantasmic and me are jinxed it seems. I couldnt see it for the crowds in California three times. It got rained off the first time we wanted to watch it in WDW (the ONLY rain of the trip!). I'd only really seen it once and I hadnt been able to concentrate on it properly. I was tired, there were fidgety littlies in front of me and I had to dodge about to see everything (a perennial problem when youre 5' 2). Sooo it was with a sinking heart that I followed Roland and got the best view ever! Now it might not have been the best view there, but it was the best view for me. Because they put me right at the end of the seats there wasn't a soul in front of me, just the gangway! I got to see absolutely everything, my heart was just overflowing. I enjoyed it sooo much. I held Rolands hand and got quite misty at some of the bits, especially the Sorceror Mickey bits, hes my favourite! I dont think that, wherever I see Fantasmic from again, the sheer joy of my first unobstructed view will ever be surpassed!
We got out of the stadium amazingly quickly. And we got a bus amazingly quickly, too. In fact, we got back to Riverside early enough to have a nice relaxing supper. Roland had a taco salad and I had a bagel! We finished it off with milk and chocolate chip cookies in our room. Notice how, as the trip slowly concludes, the calories consumed slowly rises? Well, if your time left is limited, there has to be some compensation! Only two days left of magic left? Noooo two WHOLE days of magic left!!!!!
I think it's time for you to visit WDW so that you'll have more trip reports to write
)
