mkingdon
Obsessed...and admits it!!
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2002
- Messages
- 408
Cast
Me - Craig, only just 33. Rucksack carrier and stroller pusher.
Louise - Wife, 34, slowly becoming addicted to WDW.
Emily - Aged 8. Moody, full of attitude and daddys girl.
Rebecca - Aged 6. Comedian, Olympic eater and worrier.
The Williams tour of Florida restrooms, sponsored by VISA.
Day Eleven Sunday 24th August No room at the Cove
As we had a free second day at Sea World, and its Louises favourite park, the plan today was to spend the morning there doing the bits we missed, and then head over to a Disney park to end the day.
Ryan is sorted out as ever, by me. This morning, as every morning, I stuff him full of
Camcorder
Camera
Two twirly fan spray things (full of water)
Autograph books
Two sweatshirts (purchased from MGM for when kids are cold indoors)
Suncream
Bobbles
Ponchos with that nice musty smell
PLUS
Hairbrush
Change of clothes for the girls
Towel
Due to the lack of Dennys so far this trip we all vote to have breakfast there this morning. To play it safe we head for the one on the 27, just after the I4 turn about ten minutes from our house. We arrive at around 9.00 and its very busy but we are seated straight away.
We all cast our eyes over the very large selection from the menu, and find it hard to choose. Apart from the kids that is, who of course opt for the smiley face option yet again.
Louise settles for her usual of the Chicken Skillet thing, and I order the Farmers Slam on the basis that it looks like the biggest breakfast on the menu.
Everyone digs in and soon we have clean plates, and bulging stomachs. My choice was immense. It didnt measure up to the amount I ate at Golden Corral, but nevertheless, it had to come on two plates!!
We arrive at Sea World at around 10.30, and head straight for the first Shamu show of the day. We had astounded ourselves by thinking ahead, and dressing the girls in their swimsuits with a pair of shorts each. This meant they could get wet with Shamu, and then play in the squirty play thing, which they love.
The girls love the Shamu show. I always think the chap in the pre show video is the US equivalent of Alan Partridge, but maybe thats just me. We get absolutely soaked as we sit in the Splash zone at the request of the girls. Every time we do this I am always surprised at how cold the water is when it hits you. Emily makes the fatal mistake of having her mouth open at the wrong moment and swallows about three pints of whale poo and fish guts mixed with salt water.
She seems happy enough though.
We then walk round to the kids play area. A bit of an understatement that really. In this country that phrase means two swings, and a ball pool 3ft by 3ft and a slide which isnt very slidey.
At Sea World, it is a whole different ball game. The girls spend about half an hour getting wet on the wet play thing, and then go on the massive climbing frame. The grown ups take the opportunity to sit in the sun, and have a drink.
At around 12.30 I decide its time to leave. Half an hour later we manage to retrieve the kids from the top of the climbing frame. Im convinced they just wanted to see me climb all the way up, as when I do they suddenly appear.
We slowly walk towards the entrance, and as we do, we pass the Pearl kiosk. Louise wanders over as she is now starting to think of presents for everyone back home. Her Mum is fond of pearls so we take a look.
The very clever sales woman talks only to the kids and convinces them that the most exciting thing in the world would be to choose an oyster from the bucket for Grandma. So Rebecca does the honours (its only $12 says Louise), and amazingly the oyster she picks contains a pearl which is the best I have seen for a long time according to the woman whose job it is to sell them!!
It must be worth $80 at least she says. Result. Now then, youll just need an attachment thing so you can put it on a necklace, and maybe a necklace as well. After a lot of fast talking we leave with a pearl, attachment and no necklace. A bargain at $40!!!
We seem to be taking forever to leave the park, and now the kids want to go and see the dolphins. We wander over, and it is just before feeding time, so the dolphins are coming really close to the wall, and the queue at the dead fish counter is massive. So we watch the dolphins for a while. Many people think that dolphins have a superior intelligence to us, and some think they have mystical powers.
Well, Im not sure, but whilst watching them swim around, whilst we were being baked in the mid day heat, I came over all peculiar. Rebecca is whinging as she wants to feed them, and I wont go and join the queue. Emily wants to touch one, and is getting upset because a dolphin wont come over and let her tickle its belly like a dog!!!
I think the dolphins are trained to do exactly this to make unsuspecting guests want to get up close and personal at DC.
All of a sudden something happens that I cant explain. I get the sudden urge to spend $900 to swim with a dolphin. Prior to the trip we had been really torn whether to book DC or not. In the end, sense (and the overdraft) won and we didnt. Stood here now, two feet from the creatures, with two frustrated kids, and a whole load of credit card in my bum bag all sense leaves me.
Right, off we go I say. We march at top speed to the car (I still havent told the others what Im thinking) and I take the Jeep across the road to DC. Louise sort of gets the idea, but Im out of the car before she can ask how we are going to pay for it. I run into reception and approach the desk.
Please, relieve me of $900 before I change my mind, my young American friend.
Sorry Sir, we have no dolphin swim vacancies until September.
He gives me a number to call for cancellations, but the moment has passed. I head back to the car, tail between my legs, with my credit card audibly sighing from its little compartment.
We tell the girls we were looking into it for next time and they seem OK with that. I was gutted and slightly relieved all at the same time.
We are now back on plan, and heading for MGM, with a plan to see Fantasmic, second time lucky.
On arriving, to be safe, we head for Hollywood & Vine to see if we can book a FDP for that evening. Surprisingly they have a 4.40 slot and we book that. We, of course get a FP for Ariel before doing anything else, and then look for something to do to fill the half hour until it becomes active.
The animation tour is too long at 40 minutes, so we wander the other way and enter One Mans Dream. I could have spent hours in here, but I get dragged through at kids pace. I enjoy it nonetheless, and find the film at the end really interesting. Even the kids seem to find it not too boring.
It was now time for Ariel, in fact we were slightly late, so we rush round, and just get in. Somehow we manage to find ourselves on the front row, and I take the opportunity to video the show (with no external lighting of course) as I dont have anyones head in front of me.
As ever, one of our favourite shows doesnt disappoint. This particular Ariel seemed to fill her role much more than other Ariels I have seen. Ill let you work out what that means!! Lets just say being on the front row was a stroke of luck indeed.
It was now 4.30 so we made our way to H&V. After a five minute wait we are seated, and we inflict some major damage to the buffet. This place is really noisy and busy, but we really enjoy it. A fantastic choice of food, and we eat so much Im ashamed to write down the detail.
When its over the table looks like a scene from a war film, and we leave a hefty tip to make up for it. Just for a change we are stuffed. Why is it I feel the need to have multiple desserts at a buffet!!!!
As we left the H&V, it started to rain. I wonder if Disney has a deal with God which says, when that Williams bloke books a FDP make it rain, so that hell book another a few days later.
Trying to look on the bright side, we head for Star Tours, and this is a walk on. The girls love this ride. Next it was the Muppets. Emily wouldnt wear her glasses again, but Rebecca really liked this one. I enjoyed it more than I remembered doing from last time. We were sat right at the back if that makes a difference. It was drizzling still as we left the Muppets, and we wandered back towards Fantasmic via New York. It seemed the rule was, the closer we got to Oscars, the harder the rain fell.
Just for a laugh, it started to thunder and then the lightning started. This time we make into the theatre, and I spend twenty minutes watching every CMs face for a sign that the show might be cancelled. They dont crack, and still go through the motions of getting everyone seated.
At around 8.10, an announcement is made that in certain weather conditions, the show may be delayed or cancelled. I take this as first sign of a cancellation and I want to leave. The girls dont want to, but the rain is getting worse and the sky is just one big black thing.
At 8.20 I make an executive decision and we leave. The kids are gutted and obviously hate me and will be scarred for life by the experience. We get half way down the exit road to leave via Oscars and we turn around to see everyone else leaving too. Great, we have a head start. We turn the corner to exit, and see a CM pointing us in the opposite direction through a gate which takes us out onto Sunset Boulevard.
I am not happy. We now spill out in the masses leaving from the main entrance, and lose any advantage we had. Thats it, Im never coming to Disney ever again. Yeah right!!
We make it onto a tram, (there are 4 of us remember) and a young girl jumps onto our row at the last minute almost sitting on Louises lap. The CM is going through his 5 to a row mantra, and then a woman aged about 127 also tried to join our row. They are Hispanic and it appears they dont speak English. The young girl shoves Louise with her full body weight to allow her ancient relative on as well.
We all try to explain that it is 5 to a row, not six, but they are having none of it. Louise almost loses it at this point. They dont want to make her angry, they wouldnt like her when shes angry.
So we drive off, 6 to a row, but Louise has shoved back and our two guests occupy about a 6 inch space between them. They glare at us the entire ride and I give them my best disgusted stare, mixed with smugness that we have enough room and they dont. Louise talks very loudly throughout the ride about people with no manners, and the whole tram is looking at our row.
We get off at the first stop, and they have to leave the tram to let us off. Louise lets the kids walk off with me out of ear shot, and gives them a mouthful that I really cant repeat here. If they didnt speak English beforehand, they learnt some new words that evening.
The storm gets worse, and again I drive home in a storm, in the dark, being tired. I know, they dont know how lucky they are, despite me telling them all the time. The kids fall asleep before we got off MGM car park, and we are home and in bed within 40 minutes.
Tomorrow Epcot again
Me - Craig, only just 33. Rucksack carrier and stroller pusher.
Louise - Wife, 34, slowly becoming addicted to WDW.
Emily - Aged 8. Moody, full of attitude and daddys girl.
Rebecca - Aged 6. Comedian, Olympic eater and worrier.
The Williams tour of Florida restrooms, sponsored by VISA.
Day Eleven Sunday 24th August No room at the Cove
As we had a free second day at Sea World, and its Louises favourite park, the plan today was to spend the morning there doing the bits we missed, and then head over to a Disney park to end the day.
Ryan is sorted out as ever, by me. This morning, as every morning, I stuff him full of
Camcorder
Camera
Two twirly fan spray things (full of water)
Autograph books
Two sweatshirts (purchased from MGM for when kids are cold indoors)
Suncream
Bobbles
Ponchos with that nice musty smell
PLUS
Hairbrush
Change of clothes for the girls
Towel
Due to the lack of Dennys so far this trip we all vote to have breakfast there this morning. To play it safe we head for the one on the 27, just after the I4 turn about ten minutes from our house. We arrive at around 9.00 and its very busy but we are seated straight away.
We all cast our eyes over the very large selection from the menu, and find it hard to choose. Apart from the kids that is, who of course opt for the smiley face option yet again.
Louise settles for her usual of the Chicken Skillet thing, and I order the Farmers Slam on the basis that it looks like the biggest breakfast on the menu.
Everyone digs in and soon we have clean plates, and bulging stomachs. My choice was immense. It didnt measure up to the amount I ate at Golden Corral, but nevertheless, it had to come on two plates!!
We arrive at Sea World at around 10.30, and head straight for the first Shamu show of the day. We had astounded ourselves by thinking ahead, and dressing the girls in their swimsuits with a pair of shorts each. This meant they could get wet with Shamu, and then play in the squirty play thing, which they love.
The girls love the Shamu show. I always think the chap in the pre show video is the US equivalent of Alan Partridge, but maybe thats just me. We get absolutely soaked as we sit in the Splash zone at the request of the girls. Every time we do this I am always surprised at how cold the water is when it hits you. Emily makes the fatal mistake of having her mouth open at the wrong moment and swallows about three pints of whale poo and fish guts mixed with salt water.
She seems happy enough though.
We then walk round to the kids play area. A bit of an understatement that really. In this country that phrase means two swings, and a ball pool 3ft by 3ft and a slide which isnt very slidey.
At Sea World, it is a whole different ball game. The girls spend about half an hour getting wet on the wet play thing, and then go on the massive climbing frame. The grown ups take the opportunity to sit in the sun, and have a drink.
At around 12.30 I decide its time to leave. Half an hour later we manage to retrieve the kids from the top of the climbing frame. Im convinced they just wanted to see me climb all the way up, as when I do they suddenly appear.
We slowly walk towards the entrance, and as we do, we pass the Pearl kiosk. Louise wanders over as she is now starting to think of presents for everyone back home. Her Mum is fond of pearls so we take a look.
The very clever sales woman talks only to the kids and convinces them that the most exciting thing in the world would be to choose an oyster from the bucket for Grandma. So Rebecca does the honours (its only $12 says Louise), and amazingly the oyster she picks contains a pearl which is the best I have seen for a long time according to the woman whose job it is to sell them!!
It must be worth $80 at least she says. Result. Now then, youll just need an attachment thing so you can put it on a necklace, and maybe a necklace as well. After a lot of fast talking we leave with a pearl, attachment and no necklace. A bargain at $40!!!
We seem to be taking forever to leave the park, and now the kids want to go and see the dolphins. We wander over, and it is just before feeding time, so the dolphins are coming really close to the wall, and the queue at the dead fish counter is massive. So we watch the dolphins for a while. Many people think that dolphins have a superior intelligence to us, and some think they have mystical powers.
Well, Im not sure, but whilst watching them swim around, whilst we were being baked in the mid day heat, I came over all peculiar. Rebecca is whinging as she wants to feed them, and I wont go and join the queue. Emily wants to touch one, and is getting upset because a dolphin wont come over and let her tickle its belly like a dog!!!
I think the dolphins are trained to do exactly this to make unsuspecting guests want to get up close and personal at DC.
All of a sudden something happens that I cant explain. I get the sudden urge to spend $900 to swim with a dolphin. Prior to the trip we had been really torn whether to book DC or not. In the end, sense (and the overdraft) won and we didnt. Stood here now, two feet from the creatures, with two frustrated kids, and a whole load of credit card in my bum bag all sense leaves me.
Right, off we go I say. We march at top speed to the car (I still havent told the others what Im thinking) and I take the Jeep across the road to DC. Louise sort of gets the idea, but Im out of the car before she can ask how we are going to pay for it. I run into reception and approach the desk.
Please, relieve me of $900 before I change my mind, my young American friend.
Sorry Sir, we have no dolphin swim vacancies until September.
He gives me a number to call for cancellations, but the moment has passed. I head back to the car, tail between my legs, with my credit card audibly sighing from its little compartment.
We tell the girls we were looking into it for next time and they seem OK with that. I was gutted and slightly relieved all at the same time.
We are now back on plan, and heading for MGM, with a plan to see Fantasmic, second time lucky.
On arriving, to be safe, we head for Hollywood & Vine to see if we can book a FDP for that evening. Surprisingly they have a 4.40 slot and we book that. We, of course get a FP for Ariel before doing anything else, and then look for something to do to fill the half hour until it becomes active.
The animation tour is too long at 40 minutes, so we wander the other way and enter One Mans Dream. I could have spent hours in here, but I get dragged through at kids pace. I enjoy it nonetheless, and find the film at the end really interesting. Even the kids seem to find it not too boring.
It was now time for Ariel, in fact we were slightly late, so we rush round, and just get in. Somehow we manage to find ourselves on the front row, and I take the opportunity to video the show (with no external lighting of course) as I dont have anyones head in front of me.
As ever, one of our favourite shows doesnt disappoint. This particular Ariel seemed to fill her role much more than other Ariels I have seen. Ill let you work out what that means!! Lets just say being on the front row was a stroke of luck indeed.
It was now 4.30 so we made our way to H&V. After a five minute wait we are seated, and we inflict some major damage to the buffet. This place is really noisy and busy, but we really enjoy it. A fantastic choice of food, and we eat so much Im ashamed to write down the detail.
When its over the table looks like a scene from a war film, and we leave a hefty tip to make up for it. Just for a change we are stuffed. Why is it I feel the need to have multiple desserts at a buffet!!!!
As we left the H&V, it started to rain. I wonder if Disney has a deal with God which says, when that Williams bloke books a FDP make it rain, so that hell book another a few days later.
Trying to look on the bright side, we head for Star Tours, and this is a walk on. The girls love this ride. Next it was the Muppets. Emily wouldnt wear her glasses again, but Rebecca really liked this one. I enjoyed it more than I remembered doing from last time. We were sat right at the back if that makes a difference. It was drizzling still as we left the Muppets, and we wandered back towards Fantasmic via New York. It seemed the rule was, the closer we got to Oscars, the harder the rain fell.
Just for a laugh, it started to thunder and then the lightning started. This time we make into the theatre, and I spend twenty minutes watching every CMs face for a sign that the show might be cancelled. They dont crack, and still go through the motions of getting everyone seated.
At around 8.10, an announcement is made that in certain weather conditions, the show may be delayed or cancelled. I take this as first sign of a cancellation and I want to leave. The girls dont want to, but the rain is getting worse and the sky is just one big black thing.
At 8.20 I make an executive decision and we leave. The kids are gutted and obviously hate me and will be scarred for life by the experience. We get half way down the exit road to leave via Oscars and we turn around to see everyone else leaving too. Great, we have a head start. We turn the corner to exit, and see a CM pointing us in the opposite direction through a gate which takes us out onto Sunset Boulevard.
I am not happy. We now spill out in the masses leaving from the main entrance, and lose any advantage we had. Thats it, Im never coming to Disney ever again. Yeah right!!
We make it onto a tram, (there are 4 of us remember) and a young girl jumps onto our row at the last minute almost sitting on Louises lap. The CM is going through his 5 to a row mantra, and then a woman aged about 127 also tried to join our row. They are Hispanic and it appears they dont speak English. The young girl shoves Louise with her full body weight to allow her ancient relative on as well.
We all try to explain that it is 5 to a row, not six, but they are having none of it. Louise almost loses it at this point. They dont want to make her angry, they wouldnt like her when shes angry.
So we drive off, 6 to a row, but Louise has shoved back and our two guests occupy about a 6 inch space between them. They glare at us the entire ride and I give them my best disgusted stare, mixed with smugness that we have enough room and they dont. Louise talks very loudly throughout the ride about people with no manners, and the whole tram is looking at our row.
We get off at the first stop, and they have to leave the tram to let us off. Louise lets the kids walk off with me out of ear shot, and gives them a mouthful that I really cant repeat here. If they didnt speak English beforehand, they learnt some new words that evening.
The storm gets worse, and again I drive home in a storm, in the dark, being tired. I know, they dont know how lucky they are, despite me telling them all the time. The kids fall asleep before we got off MGM car park, and we are home and in bed within 40 minutes.
Tomorrow Epcot again
.
