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 Fourteen Wednesday 27th August Fourth Time Lucky
Dont worry, the pain is nearly over. Here we are with only a few days left to go of our trip, so only two or three more ramblings to work through for you.
We were all very tired this morning, so it was a relaxing morning in the house. The kids hit the pool after breakfast, and I watched about four hours of adverts interspersed with about ten minutes of real programmes on the TV.
We dragged two prunes out of the pool at around 12.30 and got them showered and ready to go. We left the house at 1.00, and did the usual trek, up the US27, passed all the usual landmarks (we had memorised them by now). Look, theres the Red Carpet Inn again, theres the 7 Eleven, theres the Central Florida Heart Care Centre, and there is the Central Florida Cancer Centre, (our house must have been in an area renowned for good health), and here comes the I4 turning.
Off onto the I4 (dont worry Ill stop this soon) and after about five minutes there is the exit for The World.
We got to MGM at 1.30. It was HOT. No, I mean HOT!!!!! Really, I dont think you are quite getting it it was H O T.
We had purchased two Squeeze Breezes (finally I remember the proper name for these things) on day One from the Magic Kingdom, forgetting all the posts on DIS that said buy them from Walmart, and throughout the entire trip so far I had about two squirts, and a quick blow. (My mind reels with sarcastic comments, but the family nature of this board prevent me from elaborating).
The kids launch themselves into their stroller (we get a double one as they are sort of compartmentalised at MGM, so are OK for our two lumps). They then moan for about twenty minutes about being hot. I do point out that they sat in the shade, with a fan two inches from their face, not actually doing anything, whereas I am pushing ten stones of children in a stroller with the handling of an ASDA trolley (Wal-Mart cart for our US readers), with half the contents of our holiday luggage strapped to my back.
They respond in a sympathetic manner by telling me they want a drink.
By the way, Ryan contains all the usual today, but I have removed the stinky ponchos now and shoved them in the back of the stroller.
It wont surprise you to learn that the first job was to secure a FP for the Ariel show, as today will be the last chance to see it. As usual there is time to kill until the show, so we have a wander and decide to try WWTBAM, as we have never done this before, and also it is air-conditioned.
We join the queue as they start to admit it, and we are told that they cannot guarantee seats for this show for those just joining the queue. Now, we all look at each other, knowing for certain that everyone will get in, until we roll up, and then they will tell us it is full. We wander up and down the queue thing, certain of our fate.
Surprisingly we get in, and get seats together which was good. The show was very good, and even the kids got into it. I obviously had a faulty set of buttons as I failed to appear on the leader-board.
The host (Kevin I think) was incredible. He was OK at his job, but the incredible bit was his appearance. He was a walking stereotype of a quiz show host. He was all teeth and tan, with perfect hair and a sharp suit.
When he smiled, those of use having removed our sunglasses suffered retina burn!!!
As I said though we really enjoyed this.
It was then time to see Ariel for the last time. Emily attempted to sulk for the first few minutes as we were not on the front row this time, but she soon got over it. A very good performance, and our third different Ariel of the trip.
We then move on to the Animation tour, and after a ten minute wait, we get in. The Robin Williams bits keep the girls amused, and I enjoy the part with the real life artist and he tells us about a new film he has been working on about a bear, but the name escapes me now. One fact I do remember. He said that for every job at Disney Animation they get 1500 applications!!!! Wow.
The latter stages of the tour seemed a little rushed to me, and we didnt really get to see the offices of the artists.
Right then, time to eat. Just for a nice change Id though wed get a FDP!!! We had booked Mama Melrose weeks ago from home, thinking this would be our second viewing of Fantasmic. How wrong can you be. For those joining us late in this report, we have tried three times to see this show and failed miserably due to rain and too many people.
It also wont surprise you to know that as we made our way over to Mama Melrose it started to rain!!! My mood was blacker than the clouds at this point. That God bloke has a lot to answer for. World hunger, poverty never mind that, just stop it raining for a few hours over MGM and Im happy.
As we enter the restaurant the rain gets heavier. We do a restroom stop, which can only have been about our third today which was some sort of record, and then we are seated.
The set meal for FDP was pretty good. You start with a family salad, (the kids dont DO salad though but the grown ups enjoyed it) and a family pizza, which the kids definitely do DO.
We also got some warm bread. I had most of that of course. We then chose our entrees from the menu. I had a pasta dish, as did Louise and they were both OK. The kids no doubt had their usual.
Louise had a red wine, I had a beer (I needed it as I was adding up how much wed spent on FDP this trip for zero return) and the girls had chocolate milk. Louise then spotted sangria on the menu, and decided shed try that. A half caraffe!!!
Now I know we had more alcohol than usual, but still at $110 plus tip, this was a dear do, which was, to be honest, average food. The service was also poor. Well, the server was fine, but the kitchen was busy we were told, and we had long waits between courses, and the server spent more time apologising than serving.
As we left the rain was a little better and Rebecca wanted to see Beauty and the Beast again. We arrive early, and get seats quite near the front. We enjoy Four for a Dollar, and wish they were on longer as they only did three songs.
We enjoy the show much more for being so close to the front, and I get some great video footage to bore the relatives with later.
Then we walked round to the R&RC, as Louise wanted one last go. I take the kids for an ice cream, and twenty minutes later Louise is back with a huge smile on her face. I hope that was the R&RC!!!
Again, for the sake of the family I decline to ride, as the kids are bored, and the pressure to get into Fantasmic is now enormous even though it is only 7.30. We walk round to Oscars and the gate is open, we show our magic blue ticket (similar to Wonkas golden one) and we begin the long walk up the hill.
I half expect an earthquake, tornado or similar act of God to prevent the show going ahead, but so far so good.
We take our seats, the rain has stopped, and I finally start to believe we are going to see this show. After ten minutes, my backside is totally numb, (it finally caught up with my head then go on say it, I know you want to), so we are pleased to take part in the Mexican waves that are moving across the crowd.
As it gets darker, all the light up toys come out, and then, the woman, yes woman, not child, but woman directly in front of me, puts on her illuminous, lighty up Mickey Ears. Hilarious they were!!! Now Im not one to poop anyones party, but Ive spent about $350 on food to be sat here tonight, and now this muppet sticks two big green light up ears on her head. Right in my line of vision.
I tell myself shell take them off when the show starts. She doesnt. I toy with the idea of swapping places with one of the kids, after all who had paid for this trip, but I dont. Instead, I move a little to one side, and get a half decent view.
Despite this, the show of course is great.
As it ended the crush began, and once again we were directed out onto Sunset Boulevard rather then out by Oscars. Despite that, and a restroom stop near the entrance, we are amazed at how quickly we get out and on to a tram. As we arrive at the tram stop, a tram leaves, and immediately another arrives and we are straight on. As we pull away, there are three more trams waiting to pull in to the pick up point. Very impressive.
We are now at the stage of the holiday where we are doing things for the last time, so its lump in the throat time for me, as Im sad like that. I know we wont be going to MGM again this trip, and that makes me really upset. I get all quiet and reflective when we leave parks for the last time on a trip, and Louise knows just to leave me alone for a bit until I get over it.
After our 2001 trip, it took me about 2 years, in fact I got over it the day we left for this trip funnily enough.
We are off, with two sleeping children before we get off the car park!! We throw them in bed, and then watch some adverts for a while, before calling it a day, and a good day at that.
Tomorrow MK and our last full day
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 Fourteen Wednesday 27th August Fourth Time Lucky
Dont worry, the pain is nearly over. Here we are with only a few days left to go of our trip, so only two or three more ramblings to work through for you.
We were all very tired this morning, so it was a relaxing morning in the house. The kids hit the pool after breakfast, and I watched about four hours of adverts interspersed with about ten minutes of real programmes on the TV.
We dragged two prunes out of the pool at around 12.30 and got them showered and ready to go. We left the house at 1.00, and did the usual trek, up the US27, passed all the usual landmarks (we had memorised them by now). Look, theres the Red Carpet Inn again, theres the 7 Eleven, theres the Central Florida Heart Care Centre, and there is the Central Florida Cancer Centre, (our house must have been in an area renowned for good health), and here comes the I4 turning.
Off onto the I4 (dont worry Ill stop this soon) and after about five minutes there is the exit for The World.
We got to MGM at 1.30. It was HOT. No, I mean HOT!!!!! Really, I dont think you are quite getting it it was H O T.
We had purchased two Squeeze Breezes (finally I remember the proper name for these things) on day One from the Magic Kingdom, forgetting all the posts on DIS that said buy them from Walmart, and throughout the entire trip so far I had about two squirts, and a quick blow. (My mind reels with sarcastic comments, but the family nature of this board prevent me from elaborating).
The kids launch themselves into their stroller (we get a double one as they are sort of compartmentalised at MGM, so are OK for our two lumps). They then moan for about twenty minutes about being hot. I do point out that they sat in the shade, with a fan two inches from their face, not actually doing anything, whereas I am pushing ten stones of children in a stroller with the handling of an ASDA trolley (Wal-Mart cart for our US readers), with half the contents of our holiday luggage strapped to my back.
They respond in a sympathetic manner by telling me they want a drink.
By the way, Ryan contains all the usual today, but I have removed the stinky ponchos now and shoved them in the back of the stroller.
It wont surprise you to learn that the first job was to secure a FP for the Ariel show, as today will be the last chance to see it. As usual there is time to kill until the show, so we have a wander and decide to try WWTBAM, as we have never done this before, and also it is air-conditioned.
We join the queue as they start to admit it, and we are told that they cannot guarantee seats for this show for those just joining the queue. Now, we all look at each other, knowing for certain that everyone will get in, until we roll up, and then they will tell us it is full. We wander up and down the queue thing, certain of our fate.
Surprisingly we get in, and get seats together which was good. The show was very good, and even the kids got into it. I obviously had a faulty set of buttons as I failed to appear on the leader-board.
The host (Kevin I think) was incredible. He was OK at his job, but the incredible bit was his appearance. He was a walking stereotype of a quiz show host. He was all teeth and tan, with perfect hair and a sharp suit.
When he smiled, those of use having removed our sunglasses suffered retina burn!!!
As I said though we really enjoyed this.
It was then time to see Ariel for the last time. Emily attempted to sulk for the first few minutes as we were not on the front row this time, but she soon got over it. A very good performance, and our third different Ariel of the trip.
We then move on to the Animation tour, and after a ten minute wait, we get in. The Robin Williams bits keep the girls amused, and I enjoy the part with the real life artist and he tells us about a new film he has been working on about a bear, but the name escapes me now. One fact I do remember. He said that for every job at Disney Animation they get 1500 applications!!!! Wow.
The latter stages of the tour seemed a little rushed to me, and we didnt really get to see the offices of the artists.
Right then, time to eat. Just for a nice change Id though wed get a FDP!!! We had booked Mama Melrose weeks ago from home, thinking this would be our second viewing of Fantasmic. How wrong can you be. For those joining us late in this report, we have tried three times to see this show and failed miserably due to rain and too many people.
It also wont surprise you to know that as we made our way over to Mama Melrose it started to rain!!! My mood was blacker than the clouds at this point. That God bloke has a lot to answer for. World hunger, poverty never mind that, just stop it raining for a few hours over MGM and Im happy.
As we enter the restaurant the rain gets heavier. We do a restroom stop, which can only have been about our third today which was some sort of record, and then we are seated.
The set meal for FDP was pretty good. You start with a family salad, (the kids dont DO salad though but the grown ups enjoyed it) and a family pizza, which the kids definitely do DO.
We also got some warm bread. I had most of that of course. We then chose our entrees from the menu. I had a pasta dish, as did Louise and they were both OK. The kids no doubt had their usual.
Louise had a red wine, I had a beer (I needed it as I was adding up how much wed spent on FDP this trip for zero return) and the girls had chocolate milk. Louise then spotted sangria on the menu, and decided shed try that. A half caraffe!!!
Now I know we had more alcohol than usual, but still at $110 plus tip, this was a dear do, which was, to be honest, average food. The service was also poor. Well, the server was fine, but the kitchen was busy we were told, and we had long waits between courses, and the server spent more time apologising than serving.
As we left the rain was a little better and Rebecca wanted to see Beauty and the Beast again. We arrive early, and get seats quite near the front. We enjoy Four for a Dollar, and wish they were on longer as they only did three songs.
We enjoy the show much more for being so close to the front, and I get some great video footage to bore the relatives with later.
Then we walked round to the R&RC, as Louise wanted one last go. I take the kids for an ice cream, and twenty minutes later Louise is back with a huge smile on her face. I hope that was the R&RC!!!
Again, for the sake of the family I decline to ride, as the kids are bored, and the pressure to get into Fantasmic is now enormous even though it is only 7.30. We walk round to Oscars and the gate is open, we show our magic blue ticket (similar to Wonkas golden one) and we begin the long walk up the hill.
I half expect an earthquake, tornado or similar act of God to prevent the show going ahead, but so far so good.
We take our seats, the rain has stopped, and I finally start to believe we are going to see this show. After ten minutes, my backside is totally numb, (it finally caught up with my head then go on say it, I know you want to), so we are pleased to take part in the Mexican waves that are moving across the crowd.
As it gets darker, all the light up toys come out, and then, the woman, yes woman, not child, but woman directly in front of me, puts on her illuminous, lighty up Mickey Ears. Hilarious they were!!! Now Im not one to poop anyones party, but Ive spent about $350 on food to be sat here tonight, and now this muppet sticks two big green light up ears on her head. Right in my line of vision.
I tell myself shell take them off when the show starts. She doesnt. I toy with the idea of swapping places with one of the kids, after all who had paid for this trip, but I dont. Instead, I move a little to one side, and get a half decent view.
Despite this, the show of course is great.
As it ended the crush began, and once again we were directed out onto Sunset Boulevard rather then out by Oscars. Despite that, and a restroom stop near the entrance, we are amazed at how quickly we get out and on to a tram. As we arrive at the tram stop, a tram leaves, and immediately another arrives and we are straight on. As we pull away, there are three more trams waiting to pull in to the pick up point. Very impressive.
We are now at the stage of the holiday where we are doing things for the last time, so its lump in the throat time for me, as Im sad like that. I know we wont be going to MGM again this trip, and that makes me really upset. I get all quiet and reflective when we leave parks for the last time on a trip, and Louise knows just to leave me alone for a bit until I get over it.
After our 2001 trip, it took me about 2 years, in fact I got over it the day we left for this trip funnily enough.
We are off, with two sleeping children before we get off the car park!! We throw them in bed, and then watch some adverts for a while, before calling it a day, and a good day at that.
Tomorrow MK and our last full day
Oh dear, the end of your holiday is coming and that means not many more of your excellent trippies.
