Peepster
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2005
- Messages
- 827
Sunday was to be our (I have to teach myself not so say MGM anymore) Disney Hollywood Studios day but we cheated and slept in. We both visited our excellent gym, Sturdy Branches…although we agreed that perhaps we had waited a little too long to get in shape for this trip. We got to the Studios just in time for the parade. Which, believe it or not, was a first viewing adventure for both of us. Usually we’re in the parks early and napping by mid-afternoon. As we waited for the parade to reach us, Mary tapped me on the arm and said she’d be back. I had no idea where she was going. As the parade was going by, she suddenly reappeared and thrust a Fast Pass into my hand for…I must exclaim here!!!!!!...my very favorite Tower of Terror! I had pretty much given up hope of there being any fast passes left! Wahoo! Score one for the Mare-ster!
When the parade was done we headed for our ressies at Mama Melrose’s. Usually we enjoy the Brown Derby with the Fantasmic package but, once again, decided to try something new. The food was just okay, nothing I’d return for, the service kind of mediocre. The gentleman sitting at the table next to us had a full glass of ice water accidentally dumped down his back with barely an apology from the wait person or the manager. I’d say the management at this location should be very grateful the gentleman was so laid back because he was soaked! The high point of the meal, however, had to be Mary’s new awareness of the bright blue “Glowtini”. The woman is amazing…she went directly from being a non-drinker to martinis on this trip. (Ah, sweet mystery of life at last I’ve found you!)
From the restaurant we had just enough time to get to Oscar’s and our seats. A particularly beautiful full moon lit the Florida sky as all 10,000 of us waited for the show to start. And, of course, it can’t be Fantasmic without “the wave”. I swear, if all 10,000 of us were ASKED to do the wave, we’d revolt. But put 10,000 bored people together and we, inevitably, think of it themselves. We not only accomplish it, but applaud ourselves as well. Well, once again you can see why we fit right it…easily amused. The performance was flawless (okay, a couple of torches were out, big deal), Mickey and his imagination once again prevailed and we all left the venue to live (at least for a few days) happily ever after.
My antenna was aimed for the Tower of Terror…….My aunt holds the distinction of riding TOT at 84 years young. Someday (and getting much closer) I’m determined to beat that family record. I’ll have to be dead before they can make me stop riding this. The theming on this attraction is spectacular, in my opinion. Fast pass in hand I scurry through the line to quickly reach the library…only to listen to one of my “fellow” guests ringing cell phone. I’m not complaining here, I’m just incredulous! It not only rang, he answered it and continued a loud conversation all the way through the pre-show and beyond. Yikes! And, trust me, this was no call requesting a brain surgeon! People, people, people…sometimes it’s good to just disconnect from technology. Have we forgotten how to enjoy the moment? (Sorry, there seemed to be a soapbox unoccupied…I’m better now.)
The ride was great, as usual, and as I exited I glanced at our car’s picture. Yup, once again I’m grinning like a ten year old in the midst of others angst. Mary awaited and we headed for the Osbourne lights or whatever they call them now. The lights were amazing and synchronization to the music made the experience even better. The Disney snow was falling, the crowd was extremely good natured and an impromptu dance even broke out among the guests. We all cheered and applauded as we watched them dance! The dancers blushed and bowed…boy, they were good! We hopped the bus back to the Lodge hoping to be soon asleep with dreams of Disney’s electric bills dancing in our heads.
The bus was quite full and Mary found a seat while I stood at the very front. Everything seemed fine initially until I looked at the computer next to the driver and saw that it said “Off Route”. I didn’t say anything but soon others on the bus realized that we were not heading to the Wilderness Lodge. It was quite an eerie trip. The normal chatter was silent. Mary was close by and made a few gestures like “what’s happening?” and all I could do was shake my head and shrug. The driver was driving abnormally slowly and braking so frequently that I had to hang on with two hands. Because I was at the front, I confess the thought of having to jump in a grab the wheel crossed my mind. Suddenly we turned into Fort Wilderness and I could actually hear sighs of relief as we all decided in unison that he just reversed the route. Wrong again, Bertha, as Mom used to say! In another moment, the driver was turning the bus around in, suffice to say, an area covering the size of a postage stamp! After some collective breath holding as we were off roading and groans from the Fort Wilderness passengers we made out was to the Lodge…only a forty-five minute trip by Mickey’s hands on my watch. We were grateful to get off. I don’t know the driver’s problem and I certainly wish him no ill will, but I do not believe he should have been driving. I think the rest of the passengers would agree. Needless to say, it took very little time to fall asleep (with visions of buses dancing in our heads.)
When the parade was done we headed for our ressies at Mama Melrose’s. Usually we enjoy the Brown Derby with the Fantasmic package but, once again, decided to try something new. The food was just okay, nothing I’d return for, the service kind of mediocre. The gentleman sitting at the table next to us had a full glass of ice water accidentally dumped down his back with barely an apology from the wait person or the manager. I’d say the management at this location should be very grateful the gentleman was so laid back because he was soaked! The high point of the meal, however, had to be Mary’s new awareness of the bright blue “Glowtini”. The woman is amazing…she went directly from being a non-drinker to martinis on this trip. (Ah, sweet mystery of life at last I’ve found you!)
From the restaurant we had just enough time to get to Oscar’s and our seats. A particularly beautiful full moon lit the Florida sky as all 10,000 of us waited for the show to start. And, of course, it can’t be Fantasmic without “the wave”. I swear, if all 10,000 of us were ASKED to do the wave, we’d revolt. But put 10,000 bored people together and we, inevitably, think of it themselves. We not only accomplish it, but applaud ourselves as well. Well, once again you can see why we fit right it…easily amused. The performance was flawless (okay, a couple of torches were out, big deal), Mickey and his imagination once again prevailed and we all left the venue to live (at least for a few days) happily ever after.
My antenna was aimed for the Tower of Terror…….My aunt holds the distinction of riding TOT at 84 years young. Someday (and getting much closer) I’m determined to beat that family record. I’ll have to be dead before they can make me stop riding this. The theming on this attraction is spectacular, in my opinion. Fast pass in hand I scurry through the line to quickly reach the library…only to listen to one of my “fellow” guests ringing cell phone. I’m not complaining here, I’m just incredulous! It not only rang, he answered it and continued a loud conversation all the way through the pre-show and beyond. Yikes! And, trust me, this was no call requesting a brain surgeon! People, people, people…sometimes it’s good to just disconnect from technology. Have we forgotten how to enjoy the moment? (Sorry, there seemed to be a soapbox unoccupied…I’m better now.)
The ride was great, as usual, and as I exited I glanced at our car’s picture. Yup, once again I’m grinning like a ten year old in the midst of others angst. Mary awaited and we headed for the Osbourne lights or whatever they call them now. The lights were amazing and synchronization to the music made the experience even better. The Disney snow was falling, the crowd was extremely good natured and an impromptu dance even broke out among the guests. We all cheered and applauded as we watched them dance! The dancers blushed and bowed…boy, they were good! We hopped the bus back to the Lodge hoping to be soon asleep with dreams of Disney’s electric bills dancing in our heads.
The bus was quite full and Mary found a seat while I stood at the very front. Everything seemed fine initially until I looked at the computer next to the driver and saw that it said “Off Route”. I didn’t say anything but soon others on the bus realized that we were not heading to the Wilderness Lodge. It was quite an eerie trip. The normal chatter was silent. Mary was close by and made a few gestures like “what’s happening?” and all I could do was shake my head and shrug. The driver was driving abnormally slowly and braking so frequently that I had to hang on with two hands. Because I was at the front, I confess the thought of having to jump in a grab the wheel crossed my mind. Suddenly we turned into Fort Wilderness and I could actually hear sighs of relief as we all decided in unison that he just reversed the route. Wrong again, Bertha, as Mom used to say! In another moment, the driver was turning the bus around in, suffice to say, an area covering the size of a postage stamp! After some collective breath holding as we were off roading and groans from the Fort Wilderness passengers we made out was to the Lodge…only a forty-five minute trip by Mickey’s hands on my watch. We were grateful to get off. I don’t know the driver’s problem and I certainly wish him no ill will, but I do not believe he should have been driving. I think the rest of the passengers would agree. Needless to say, it took very little time to fall asleep (with visions of buses dancing in our heads.)
