Things that will make you YAK - A Trip Report **TWO NEW 01/25 Pg 11**

[lexmelinda]

Why does that Murphy guy always hang around Disney World? We had a similar experience with an ADR but we made it. Hope you got the keys.......

 

[kpk89]

I know the answer ....

But I won't tell!

Good going, YAK. Way to ruin your friend's day.

Sheesh.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Shameless bump.

Sorry everyone who is following, I had a busy week.

More up tomorrow.

I promise!

 

[monymony3471]

Ok, if you say so. I can wait a little more.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Today is Saturday September 30th and it’s going to be a great day.

In about 30 minutes.

Because when we left off the last time, we were late for our “5 hour walking tour” of the Magic Kingdom, that we’ve already paid for. A long time ago. By credit card.

The room beside City Hall was empty when we arrived. Except for two name badges……”Newbie” and “YAK”!!

K and I waited for a moment and soon a very happy CM walked up to the counter. We told him of the problem, and by the way we are pro’s at making excuses for being late because of traffic. We are from Toronto. Very bad traffic. Much like many US cities and then some! In Toronto everyone is 1 hour late, and it’s no big deal!

But at Disney, I’m not so sure.

The pixie dust was with the Oldie and Newbie today.

CM said, “no problem we have room on the next tour”

Whew!

He took our lunch orders as the tour included “free-food” (ha-ha!) at Columbia Harbor (or Harbour for us Canadians) House. He then offered us “free” coffee and drinks” (I needed a Happy Coke by then, but alas the MK is dry!!) He then gave us our little microphone-listening device and told us to have a look around and come back in about 20 minutes.

So out to the square we went and it dawned on me that this was the very very first time K was in the Happiest Place on Earth! I’ve read so many descriptions about walking through those gates, the joy, the tears, the memories.

I asked K what she thought and her reply was,

“I didn’t realize you couldn’t just walk up to the castle at the Magic Kingdom, but had to park, tram, then either monorail or boat”

Out of the mouths of Newbies!!

But she was right. Walt planned it that way. On purpose.

Back at City Hall we met our guide, Abby and we were off to explore the wonders of the Magic Kingdom. I’m not going to tell you about the “Keys to the Kingdom” tour so you can maybe one day experience it yourself.

It was a fantastic tour. Especially if you are a Disney-geek like myself. Abby told us a lot of interesting facts about the MK, how it was built and quite a bit about Walt and his vision.

We got many “backstage” peeks at how the MK works. Very cool stuff!!

But we weren't allowed to take pictures of the cool stuff. So we took pictures of this:

And the windows above Main Street, named for people who had an important role in making WDW:

Next time look up and read the names on the windows. Google them if you don't know who they are, and you'll be surprised!

We got to VIP ride Haunted Mansion, and Abby told us all about the story of the HM. Master Gracie, his bride and Madam Leoda

Lunch at Columbia was very good and very timely. I figured we would tour, then get lunch. We walked and toured for about 2 ½ hours, then had lunch, then continued the tour. Lunch was a very nice break.

Abby was very knowledgeable, but stuck a little too close to her “script”. She really didn’t answer all of our questions and left us wanting more. And as some of you know I can be a little YAKey at times (but not overly to the point of being obnoxious, I hope ). I was a tour guide once. I liked lots of questions. And I like to ask them! Abby had a little trouble with deviations, and therefore the “I’ll get back to that” were never gotten back to. Maybe she was leaving things opened for a repeat some day.

All and all it was excellent and K really enjoyed getting backstage perspective before doing any rides or shows.

We finished our tour back at city hall, and because it was a bit hot, K and I decided to head back to the POP after the tour.

But first K's "real" ride on the Monorail! (I didn't count the morning because it was packed and stressful!)

Upfront. K got to be monorail blue's co-pilot!

(She's checking with the Imaginers to see that it's safe to drive the monorail! )

Up next: YAK and K go their separate ways....

 

[mebrm]

soo enjoying your trip thanks for sharing so what's next....

 

[kpk89]

Yay!

YAK and K made it on the tour! Probably if you had been on time, you would've had a really spectacular guide who would've answered your every question with aplomb.

 

[lexmelinda]

Thank goodness you made it! I'd love to do the tour sometime. What....You and K are splitting up?

 

[awesomepinktink]

oh I am loving your report.Can't wait for more!

 

[Grammyof2]

Face it you Yaked the ears off the tour guide. Actually K is still on the phone asking questions as you waited to board the monrail

 

[jamal]

YAK!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe you left Town Hall with your camera. They made us check them before we left with the guide (Claire. She was excellent. AND a strict taskmaster.) I was afraid to reach into my bag for anything for fear her stick would rap my hand.

I loved the tour, though, and I am so glad you and K made it.

I also love reading how you made sure K caught as much pixie dust as possible on her maiden voyage to The New World. You are an excellent wing-woman.

And this??(

She's checking with the Imaginers to see that it's safe to drive the monorail! )

I'd take a Key to the Kingdom with you anytime.

Get crackin' on the next chapter.

 

[pumba]

we did the tour last year and we enjoyed it except there was no shade for a 90 degree day......hotter then a firecracker.......my favorite part was the utilidors ....my kind of place....
Thanks for the memories..

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

More YAKity-YAK with my Maelstrom Friends.

Upon arrival back at POP there was only time to watch a little “Stacey”, have a “Happy Coke” and freshen up because K and I had plans for Saturday Night!!! And I had to put together my little Viking presents.

A few months ago there was much talk on the Maelstrom thread about having to provide “loot” bags at children’s parties. This discussion went on for a few days. Most thought they were a necessary evil, but didn’t like them. I’m not sure who started the discussion – I think it was Javamom. As a result of this long cyber discussion, I thought I’d add to it by providing my soon to be not so ICF’s (imaginary cyber friends) with “loot” bags at our Girls Night out at the Poly.

They had a pen and pad for note taking (no excuses for not doing a TR) and a few other assorted “G” rated goodies.

Anyway, I packed the big red backpack and off I went with this huge bag.

(I pilfered this pic from Lacto's TR. Thanks Lacto! To show you the big red backpack. I usually carry a fanny-pack, but my peep's treats wouldn't fit in that little thing! )

I was having dinner with a few of my new not-so ICF’s at Coral Reef and K was off to see La Nouba!

K is a Cirque du Sole expert. She has seen all the shows (except the new one in Las Vegas – Love) but she’s planning on it. When I told her Disney has their own exclusive Cirque show she was thrilled. I had seen it during “Sizzlefest” in July so she told me not to feel as if I had to go with her. This is what I like about good friends. No pressure to be together all the time. Do you thing and I’ll do mine!

She was planning on spending the time after Cirque at DTD and meet up with M, her friend from the Brown Derby. I was meeting Sheridac, B and Horsey for dinner then on to the Poly for another mini-Viking meet!!!

I called Sheridac (from Canada/Siberia) and she thought it better that I try to make my way to the 70’s and we could walk to the bus together. In case I get lost. And end up Back to the Future, or something! She kind of knew that I really wasn't sure what decade I was in!!!

Boogie nights
Aint no doubt we are here to party
Boogie nights
Come on now got to get it started
Dance with the boogie, get down
'Cos boogie nights are always the best in town

We met Horsey in the lobby of the POP, and off we went to Epcot and the Coral Reef.

We arrived right on time for Sher’s ADR. While waiting for a table, we saw the Silly’s and were happy to see they were dining at Coral Reef as well. We YAKed for a while, and YAKed some more. Holy YAK, my YAKer was getting tired!

I had heard mixed reviews about Coral Reef and if the check in process is any indication, some of the reviews might be correct. But hey, I was with my new friends. And we know how to have a great time!!

We were finally seated. Way in the back at a table for 8!!!! We were 4.

We politely refused the table, mostly because I’m sure there was a party of 8 anxiously waiting on a large table and there were many empty 4’s around.

Sher and her mad skillz strike again, as we were given a window side table!!!

It was a great dinner. I can’t remember what I had…..it was seafood.

I do remember Kevin our waiter. From New Zealand. (hahahaa) He was really from Ireland and a great waiter! And wine steward. Actually that was Sher. The wine steward. Sher and I ordered the same brand of wine. Kevin poured from the bottle. There was just about 2 ½ regular glasses left in the bottle. She pointed out to Kev that it would be pointless to keep that ½ glass, so she filled them up. To the top!!! Kevin wasn’t too pleased at first. But no one can ever be displeased with Sher. She’s too nice. Too Sweet. Too much fun!

Plus Kevin was so good he was able to purchase a case of wine with what we left him.

For a tip.

The service was a little slow that night. But it wasn't Kev's fault. It was OK with us. We were getting to know each other…..and enjoying the view

We were YAKing away over desert. And YAKing. And YAKing. Until Sher’s phone rang. It was the “girls+” at the Poly. Waiting for us!

Aside: I sure would hate to have to come home to that phone bill, eh Sher?

Haley said goodbye to her family (The Silly's) and headed over to the Poly with us.

But first a brief pit stop.

In the ladies.

Where I heard the most interesting conversation about sitting or not sitting in the ladies. A discussion about the fact that the men’s is usually much cleaner because some ladies who try not to sit, miss and make it all the worse for the next visitor.

I thought, wow, first the hand washing tips by Sparkle……and now public service announcements in the Ladies on hygiene! Disney thinks of everything.

It wasn’t Disney’s doing. It was our own Sher. Describing a pet peeve of hers. Because she picked a stall and experienced it firsthand!

You go girl!!!

We got on the monorail and unfortunately for the driver another group was already sitting up front. Too bad. For the CM. As you all know, we are an entertaining bunch of Vikings!

Sher lead us down the path to the Poly Pool.

To meet new and already met (GRAM.....) Maelstromers!

Up next: Kia Ora’s, Kia Orana, Aloha’s and Pineapples all around!

 

[jamal]

YAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​

I'm first so let me be the first to compliment the v. amusing author. This was great!! I love reading the thoughts you were having before, during, and after our Viking encounters.

Let me tell the rest of you about those goody bags: they rocked!! Can you believe our Canadian friend carefully counted and shopped, crossed the border, found her room, assembled our treats, transported them from POP to Canada all the way to Polynesia to make us feel special?
Well, I can cause this YAKker is a KEEPer.

My bag contained a lovely yellow notepad with Cinderella stickers on the cover. It makes me think of Cinderella when I see it, which is every day. She also included a curly straw just cause those are fun! Don't you just love this gal??

I'm glad you liked Coral Reef. Something tells me (maybe the fact that you can't remember what you ate but clearly recall the wine and company) the food was not the highlight of dinnertime.

I forgot to ask K what she thought of La Nouba. How did it rate on her Cirque scale? We LOVED it.

Reading about you calling the Poly then making your way to us reminds me of that FUN night.

Can't wait to read more!
Your #1 (American) fan

 

[lexmelinda]

Great installment! Sounds like a fun evening. We really needed Sher's mad skillz at the Coral Reef. We were in the very backy-back and sadly lacking skillz to get us to the front. So exciting to finally meet your ICF. Fun friends+Disney World are the best combination I can think of....so....I'm already plotting my girls only trip for next year....don't tell DH!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Yak, another great installment!!!!!!! Thanks.

 

[drebert]

The infamous goody bags! Sure glad I got one!

The pilfered picture. That will be 19.95 plus shipping and handling. American money please!

 

[Minnie_Moo]

YAK!!!!! Lovin' your report.

I'm going to pilfer your goody bag idea for my New Year's trip with the girls.

Hope we don't end up in Siberia at POP.

K sounds like a really good sport and brave to head off to see Cirque on her own!

 

[Grammyof2]

Why didn't I know that K was going to Cirque before? Grampy would have killed to be her escort. He loves that show and we have been everywhere to see it. And they got along so well

And I have already stated the obvious - If the person before you hovers, what is your choice

Are we back to the goodie bags?? I have 3 sitting on my desk. One belongs to Sheri and one is Horsey's. THEY ASKED ME TO TAKE THEM I did not pilfer. And I am very slow to mail stuff. It is a disease shared by many Vikings. Just ask them. And Kimmie I don't have yours. I am sorry Yak did not see you. You were invisible

I wished YAK had let me use the empty back pack for the taxi ride home. I was carrying 3 pairs of shoes, 3 goodie bags and assorted other sundries

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Thanks for reading everyone!

Dre -

The pilfered picture. That will be 19.95 plus shipping and handling. American money please

Would you like that in "loonies" or "twoonies"???

GRAM -

I wished YAK had let me use the empty back pack for the taxi ride home. I was carrying 3 pairs of shoes, 3 goodie bags and assorted other sundries

Sorry GRAM - I think I stuffed it into my little fanny pack.

Next chapter to follow...