Part 12, Day 6, Tuesday, March 28
Day six had me a bit concerned throughout the trip-planning season. Our family had agreed to take a break-from-the-parks day. Weve never done this before, so I worried wed long for the Castle turrets or end up restless after too much resting. I was wrong. While the Gatelatches had a full MGM day ahead of them (for their next to the last day in the World
stop talking about it! I get sad thinking about it on this day!), the Fixers had some rest on the horizon.
So we slept in. For me, that meant rolling out of my cozy bed at around 7:30. I tried to s-n-e-a-k up to the Concierge lounge with my trip report notes and USA Today, but E can smell breakfast time a mile away and wasnt about to let me go alone. He found me in the bathroom: Mommy, is breakfast open? He started asking this when he was about three and began the practice of eating three or four courses every day for breakfast. I finally started announcing Breakfast is closed. So now, he often wakes me by whispering in my ear: is breakfast open? Thats usually followed by tales of waiting forever and starving to death. I told him to wait one quiet minute and he could go with me. Guess what? He fell back asleep, proving miracles DO happen at Disney.
I went into the lounge at 8:15 and was stunned! STUNNED, I tell you! They (for TGM fans) were there in droves. What were all those people doing in there getting their first cup of coffee as lines were forming at the park gates? For the second time this trip, (see post #39) I was flummoxed. Not only was the lounge full, I had my first sighting of a bathrobe on another guest. A lady (?) walked in, got her coffee, perused the pastry section, grabbed a few plates, found a service tray, filled it, and strolled back to her room! I sooo wanted to Fix this wayward soul but was in no mood for an uphill battle. Besides, as the CookMaster says, she wouldnt receive me. Thats the truth. But if I
had spoken to her, I would have said: Excuse me. There are over 100 rooms in this building. Do you honestly think this lounge would have the same community, good morning, were on vacation, restaurant-ish feel if every person in here wore their pajamas or robes in here? This is not a ladies spa where we await our facials. Nor is it your kitchen counter. Do you think that robe was provided for you to wear to breakfast? Is it that difficult to pull on a t-shirt and shorts? Because the rest of us may not look like Cinderella at the ball here, but we are wearing public clothing. Except you, because you are special. Honestly, Id rather see a room full of bathing suits than bed-and-bath-wear.
OK, theres my rant. That felt so good. Especially since I have a potentially huge cyber-audience.
I finally found a seat on the third floor. I settled in with my paper and breakfast. The Early Show was on the TV, so I halfway watched the news. Within five minutes, I saw a girlabout age 7enter the lounge. I didnt make eye contact with her but she came over to the couch and sat RIGHT next to me on the floor. She and her three boxes of Fruit Loops were in my space. I mean, you couldnt have slipped a piece of paper between us. I gave her a look and went on with my coffee and paper. I hoped she wasnt interested in a lasting relationship. About that time her brother sat down next to her with his five boxes of Fruit Loops. We were very cozy. DH later said she must have needed attention; I did feel sorry for her. Finally their dad walked in, went straight to the TV, and searched for the remote to change the channel! What am I, glass? His wife entered, saw the scene, and said, This lady was watching that. Clueless Dolt Dad said, Oh, I thought she was reading the paper. Apparently I was still glass at this point. Voiceless glass. I spoke, since they had sort of addressed (?) me, Its OK. Change it. He didnt, though, because his wife was shooting him daggers. Wife said, Lets go downstairs so the kids can watch TV. Because, of course, they could never eat all those Fruit Loops without TV. They were almost finished eating and had not said a word about TV. I just kept my mouth shut (stop laughing, CookMaster!) and slurped my coffee
About 9:15 DH and the boys joined me in the lounge. I was so glad we had slept in this mid-trip day! Apparently everyone needed it.
With our tanks full, it was time to consider our options. Actually, I was the only one with options because the boys had a fishing excursion planned! Should I go?
DH had heard about the fishing excursions about a week before our trip.
He called me from the office one day: Hey, did you know we could get a private fishing trip on the lake by the Polynesian?
Me: Hey yourself. Of course I knew that. Why did you hire me as trip planner?
DH: Wellllll, um, the boys love to fish and you know Ive been promising E wed go soon and, well, can we, um, think about it and see how much it costs?
I love it when hes humble and begs and recognizes my authority in trip-planning.
Me: OK, Ill call right now.
Of course I booked it. You should consider it, too. For around $200 (yes, more $$$) a B.A.S.S. (stands for We Will Make Sure You Catch A Lot Of Fish If You Pay Us To Take You On Our Boats) guide picks up your party at the Poly (or other watered resort). The guides have rods, bait, snacks (Es favorite part) drinks (As favorite part), a boat, and knowledge to make you an expert in no time. They have excursions at 7:00, 10:30, and 1:30 most days, but you do have to reserve it ahead of time.
My family acted like they really wanted me to join them. It was a beautiful day on Seven Seas Lagoon so I sunscreened and headed to the dock. Our guide, Dave, picked us up right on time. He said his morning outing had been very successful so he knew just where to find the fish. He had rods, shiners (I think thats what he called the little bait fish E liked to watch swim), and a net. He was so friendly and helpful, too! He told us he had been doing this for 11 years. He said he first applied to be a lifeguard at Disney and listed fishing as a hobby. Well, they hired him as a guide and hes been there ever since. Hes certain its the hardest job in the world to quit and still enjoys meeting guests and giving them a successful fishing experience. I highly recommend him!
We anchored just off the Wedding Pavilion and Dave cast our lines. Ninety seconds later I felt a tug and brought in the first fish! Since its a catch-and-release experience, we snapped some pictures, looked the fish over, and set him back in his habitat. After that, I was the One-Fish- Expert. I proceeded to coach on casting, reeling, bait, and anything else I had learned in my vast success. They were so glad they had encouraged me to join them. When everyone but dismal A had caught at least one fish (about 30 minutes!), Dave suggested we move to Bay Lake behind the Contemporary.
We had even more success there with everyone catching at least three fish.
The lake levels were low as they have been for months in the extended Florida drought. Dave said if they got much lower, Disney would begin pumping water in. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds expensive.
It was fun to view the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge from a new vantage point. We were back in that no-ferry area past Discovery Island. DH and I remembered touring Discovery Island on our honeymoon 18 looooong years ago. We also watched a few parasailors overhead; this interrupted As favorite pastime of emptying his three Gatorade byproducts off the back of the boat. How dare they?
Dave also had stories (because of course I asked) of celebrities hes guided. He told us Larry Bird (NBA for our basketball-clueless readers) has the biggest hands hes ever seen. You dont end a handshake with LB; you back away from it. He couldnt get over that one! He had just guided Peyton and Eli Manning (NFL quarterback brothers for our football-challenged readers) in a celebrity sports competition. He said both were great guys, excellent QBs, and l-o-u-s-y fishermen. Hmmm. This means I have talent over two NFL quarterbacks, doesnt it?
All in all, the 3 hours with Dave were well worth our time.
For a day of rest, this was a very relaxing activity that kept us together, showed us some Disney finest, and gave us some Florida sunshine. We were, of course, ready for naps when it ended. We also missed the Gatelatches and wondered if they were back from MGM. We thanked Dave and wished him well on his 1:30 outing. Hes a fine man and does fishing and Disney proud.
Up Next: Whispering Canyon, Day 7, and another Cast Member meeting.
I have a little block painted with the words "Be kind." It's hard for me sometimes. But I keep that little block on my kitchen windowsill where I see it all the time, and it helps. 
jk, of course. Great installment as usual Jamal.
