jubileegirl
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
- Messages
- 211
So, after our day in the Animal Kingdom we returned to our hotel for a short break!
Let me just tell you a bit about the Clarion Maingate. Its a medium-sized hotel on the 192, just west of World Drive. Theres a lake in front of the hotel (which is actually much smaller than all the photos wed seen! I think a pond would be a more appropriate description!) Sometimes there are fountains working in the middle of the pond but often not. However, we didnt come to Orlando to admire the hotel landscaping!
We paid $36 plus tax for our room, booking through the Choice chain direct and we got a bargain!! Our room was the biggest of our whole holiday, as well as being the cheapest by far! We had two big double beds, a fridge, TV, etc. The hotel had all the usual facilities, although we didnt use any of them so cant comment restaurant, pool, tikki-bar, laundry etc. And in lots of ways we knew we were staying at a Disney good neighbour hotel. Our maid left our towels in origami animal shapes, there was a big TV in Reception showing non-stop Disney cartoons. In fact we were very pleased with the Clarion and didnt regret staying off site. Also, the car-park at the back of the hotel exits onto Sherberth Road which directly links with the Disney road network, so if the 192 was busy we could by-pass it and be at any of the parks in minutes.
So we all had a short nap and then off we went to Epcot for the evening.
We originally planned to ignore Future World and concentrate on World Showcase tonight, but as we entered through the main gates and had to walk through FW we did a quick detour to have a look at Mission Space. Stand-by time 15 mins. How could we pass that offer up? So in we went! It was soon clear that the lines inside were moving very slowly and we very much doubted if 15 minutes was the truth, the whole truth Perhaps someone had ignored the motion sickness warnings and there was a protein spill! Anyway, we could do nothing but wait and I began to understand all the grumbles about the way MS almost convinces you that you WILL throw up and you WILL have a panic attack! That huge wheel thing in the waiting area was making me feel ill turning, and it must have been slower than a snail! Also felt very silly when I was looking at the astronaut photos along the wall and commented that I didnt know a family and a dog had been sent into space! Look at the date, idiot! Its pretend!!
Chloe and I were very apprehensive when we finally got to our mission instructions because we just didnt know what to expect. John was more concerned about whether it would be like the teacups at the MK and make him ill. Well, what can I say? Ive never felt anything like it. My eyes felt as though they were going to pop out, although it wasnt uncomfortable (honestly!) and that G-force feeling in your face is downright weird! But it was such good fun!! I just loved my job, being the engineer, putting the crew into Hypersleep and I did it without saying a word for a change!!
John was Pilot and Chloe was Commander! Altogether a blast (off!). We loved it!
After MS we hurried over to World Showcase. On the way John looked a bit green MS had got to him a bit Im afraid. Take lots of gulps of fresh air, John. Good, it seemed to do the trick, along with some stops at those cool-off dry ice type things you stand under.
We decided to have a snack in Mexico, so got a nachos plate to share and I had a frozen margarita mmmmmm! Very nice!! And very strong!!!
We sat for a while enjoying our food, then wandered through the next countries, finally ending up in Japan.
Our older daughter, Amy, is learning Japanese and our son, Pete, has loved Japanese cartoons since he discovered Pokemon years ago. So we wanted to get some presents in the shop there. Far too much to choose from especially after that margarita (I wanted to buy everything!) so instead of shopping we got a Shogun combination plate from the counter service restaurant and wandered on to find a good spot for Illuminations.
My margarita had got the better of me (well, it was the tiredness and the heat really!) so I decided I needed to sit down on the ground and close my eyes for a few minutes, which I did in a kind of inconspicuous way of course, by the railings overlooking the lagoon. I ended up actually lying down having 40 winks.
Chloe and John are used to me running out of steam like this so they were happy to stand and wait for Illuminations ignoring my body at their feet. Actually it was very pleasant just lying there relaxing with my eyes shut, but eventually the area filled up with other people waiting for the fireworks, so I felt a bit daft and decided to get up.
I then got into a long conversation with a lady who drove articulated trucks, looked like her hobbies might include shooting large furry animals, but apparently never failed to cry when she heard the start of the Reflections of Earth music!
When it began she kept grasping my arm during her favourite bits one of those rare Disney bonding moments!! For a second or two I felt we would be friends for life, but when it was all over she kind of pulled herself together and acted like shed never seen me before!! Anyway, it certainly helped me to enjoy the display!
We just followed the crowds after Illuminations. It was interesting watching the CMs gradually roping off certain paths so everyone was eventually herded en masse towards the gates. Id love to know who thinks up the logistics of things like this as Disney have it worked out so well! John was especially interested with his background in rounding up sheep and with that hat on it was all I could do to stop him joining in with a yee-haa!
We got back to the Clarion, watched Graham Norton (just as rude in the USA and just as funny ) and crashed by 11 pm! What lightweights!
Tomorrow the Magic Kingdom and we become featherweights (if thats lighter than lightweights!)
Let me just tell you a bit about the Clarion Maingate. Its a medium-sized hotel on the 192, just west of World Drive. Theres a lake in front of the hotel (which is actually much smaller than all the photos wed seen! I think a pond would be a more appropriate description!) Sometimes there are fountains working in the middle of the pond but often not. However, we didnt come to Orlando to admire the hotel landscaping!
We paid $36 plus tax for our room, booking through the Choice chain direct and we got a bargain!! Our room was the biggest of our whole holiday, as well as being the cheapest by far! We had two big double beds, a fridge, TV, etc. The hotel had all the usual facilities, although we didnt use any of them so cant comment restaurant, pool, tikki-bar, laundry etc. And in lots of ways we knew we were staying at a Disney good neighbour hotel. Our maid left our towels in origami animal shapes, there was a big TV in Reception showing non-stop Disney cartoons. In fact we were very pleased with the Clarion and didnt regret staying off site. Also, the car-park at the back of the hotel exits onto Sherberth Road which directly links with the Disney road network, so if the 192 was busy we could by-pass it and be at any of the parks in minutes.
So we all had a short nap and then off we went to Epcot for the evening.
We originally planned to ignore Future World and concentrate on World Showcase tonight, but as we entered through the main gates and had to walk through FW we did a quick detour to have a look at Mission Space. Stand-by time 15 mins. How could we pass that offer up? So in we went! It was soon clear that the lines inside were moving very slowly and we very much doubted if 15 minutes was the truth, the whole truth Perhaps someone had ignored the motion sickness warnings and there was a protein spill! Anyway, we could do nothing but wait and I began to understand all the grumbles about the way MS almost convinces you that you WILL throw up and you WILL have a panic attack! That huge wheel thing in the waiting area was making me feel ill turning, and it must have been slower than a snail! Also felt very silly when I was looking at the astronaut photos along the wall and commented that I didnt know a family and a dog had been sent into space! Look at the date, idiot! Its pretend!!
Chloe and I were very apprehensive when we finally got to our mission instructions because we just didnt know what to expect. John was more concerned about whether it would be like the teacups at the MK and make him ill. Well, what can I say? Ive never felt anything like it. My eyes felt as though they were going to pop out, although it wasnt uncomfortable (honestly!) and that G-force feeling in your face is downright weird! But it was such good fun!! I just loved my job, being the engineer, putting the crew into Hypersleep and I did it without saying a word for a change!!
John was Pilot and Chloe was Commander! Altogether a blast (off!). We loved it!
After MS we hurried over to World Showcase. On the way John looked a bit green MS had got to him a bit Im afraid. Take lots of gulps of fresh air, John. Good, it seemed to do the trick, along with some stops at those cool-off dry ice type things you stand under.
We decided to have a snack in Mexico, so got a nachos plate to share and I had a frozen margarita mmmmmm! Very nice!! And very strong!!!
We sat for a while enjoying our food, then wandered through the next countries, finally ending up in Japan.
Our older daughter, Amy, is learning Japanese and our son, Pete, has loved Japanese cartoons since he discovered Pokemon years ago. So we wanted to get some presents in the shop there. Far too much to choose from especially after that margarita (I wanted to buy everything!) so instead of shopping we got a Shogun combination plate from the counter service restaurant and wandered on to find a good spot for Illuminations.
My margarita had got the better of me (well, it was the tiredness and the heat really!) so I decided I needed to sit down on the ground and close my eyes for a few minutes, which I did in a kind of inconspicuous way of course, by the railings overlooking the lagoon. I ended up actually lying down having 40 winks.
Chloe and John are used to me running out of steam like this so they were happy to stand and wait for Illuminations ignoring my body at their feet. Actually it was very pleasant just lying there relaxing with my eyes shut, but eventually the area filled up with other people waiting for the fireworks, so I felt a bit daft and decided to get up.
I then got into a long conversation with a lady who drove articulated trucks, looked like her hobbies might include shooting large furry animals, but apparently never failed to cry when she heard the start of the Reflections of Earth music!
When it began she kept grasping my arm during her favourite bits one of those rare Disney bonding moments!! For a second or two I felt we would be friends for life, but when it was all over she kind of pulled herself together and acted like shed never seen me before!! Anyway, it certainly helped me to enjoy the display!
We just followed the crowds after Illuminations. It was interesting watching the CMs gradually roping off certain paths so everyone was eventually herded en masse towards the gates. Id love to know who thinks up the logistics of things like this as Disney have it worked out so well! John was especially interested with his background in rounding up sheep and with that hat on it was all I could do to stop him joining in with a yee-haa!
We got back to the Clarion, watched Graham Norton (just as rude in the USA and just as funny ) and crashed by 11 pm! What lightweights!
Tomorrow the Magic Kingdom and we become featherweights (if thats lighter than lightweights!)
