68 new photos in private album at:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/576296790wrjPfp?vhost=travel
11 January 2010
Got up at 7 [Monday] morning- ridiculous time of day for civilized people... looked out and the thermometer outside my window showed about 12 degrees... (when I left it was up to about 18) took a shower, but ran out of hot water real quickly... had to rinse my hair and back with cold... that was fun!
Started the car about 15 minutes early hoping to make that layer of what looks suspiciously like ice go away.
Raced out the door and dove into the heated vehicle and headed on down the highway to Walt Disney World where I was to join fellow Disney fan Paula from Boston and her daughter at Disney's Flagship resort, The Grand Floridian for the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Breakfast Buffet!
Made very good time and arrived at the GF at about 10:10. Parked, stopped for pictures of the old beauty out front of the main entrance, and entered. Inside, several Cast Members dressed for the arctic smiled while two manned a table serving complimentary hot cider.
Tried to call Paula, but got answering service, so asked a Cast Member for the location of the breakfast and was directed to 1900 Park Faire, where the check in desk told me she had already been seated. Was led to table 40.
Greeted Paula and her daughter, sat down, waitress came over and I told her OJ and hot tea. Later I got her attention again and told her "gluten!" and she said she would send the chef out. Paula and I talked incessantly, her daughter was mostly silent. Chef came and I told him I would like some GF Mickey Waffles (like I had discovered at Cape May) and he said no... didn't have a 'clean' waffle-maker- but he said (almost pleading) that he could make me some pancakes? I agreed, with little hope- GF pancakes- heck, most restaurant pancakes- are rather poor things.
Our talking was frequently interrupted by characters dropping by, and though Paula had declared no pictures of her or DD, I jumped up for each appearance and she shot me.
I realized it was time to stop yapping and get some breakfast, so Paula and I headed up. They had Mickey-Head plates, so I went for those just for the theme of it, and was happy to see an omelet chef. Ordered mine with ham and cheese and bacon. Meanwhile I discovered that the really crispy stuff was at the bottom of the bacon tray, so had to dig a little for that and munched happily on that while awaiting my omelet.
Shortly after I cam back to the table, the chef appeared with a gravy boat of warm syrup and a plate of pancakes and the top one was a Mickey! I thanked him, and he again thanked me, seeming very grateful that I had let him off the hook on the waffles. I used the butter that fortunately had been sitting on the table the whole time- and thus was not a block of ice- to thoroughly butter the pancakes and poured on some syrup and tried a bite- and they were great: not great GF pancakes, but flat-out great pancakes!
As we neared the end of our meal, Mary Poppins stopped by, and seemed pleased and commented on me having a proper cup of tea... and a bit later, Pooh was next to us as another family was leaving via the same pathway- and their little baby who was clearly new to walking, just went all happy at this giant stuffie! She looked up at Pooh, and her eyes got big, and she smiled and looked back at her mommy, and than at Pooh and started that bobbing baby walk toward him reaching, and Pooh reached for her, and just as she got in reach, she turned around and headed back for Mommy- and then turned around and headed back for Pooh... then she squeezed her way between Pooh and my table and I put my hand on the corner which was just the right height for her head to hit- and then she saw Tigger... and the big eyes, big smile again- clearly baby heaven. So now she is in the aisle, between Pooh and Tigger and she heads for Tigger and just as she gets to him, turns and heads back to Pooh. And just as she gets to Pooh, she turns and heads to Tigger... By this point everyone in the place, guests, waitresses, bus boys, handlers, are all rapt watching this exciting moment in baby's life. I hear the parent saying she is out of pictures, so I get up to grab some shots, and I notice in one of those, that Tigger had reached out to put his paw to replace my hand on the corner of the table! What a move! Kudo's to Tigger!
Well, this finally draws to a close, and Pooh heads off and the family thinks it is going to head off. Grandma writes down my email addy so I can send her what I got (nothing too great- digital is difficult with a fast moving child) and Tigger starts away- and baby isn't done yet! She gives chase! Tigger notices she is at the back of his leg and takes care- and then 'runs' away from her, and she follows as they go up one aisle around the corner and down the next! Now that side of the restaurant is in on it, and finally Tigger kneels down and hugs her and then the Mad Hatter appears behind him and screams out something and everything wraps up. It was quite a show!
Paula and her daughter headed over to the Magic Kingdom via the monorail and I headed for my car, and did the same. I was just as ready to go home, but figured I would give it a quick hit, and I wanted to check out the renovations of Space Mountain.
Had some problems with the ECV, but got it going, but I suspect something isn't right in the rebuilt transmission as it was putting a very big strain on the batteries, which- fully charged at start up- showed as half-drained as soon as I hit the throttle, so am going to have to open that up again.
Headed in and then over to Space Mountain, went through the usual dance trying to go in with my little scooter- with the usual results- after the Supervisor gets there, I am cleared to go- and told it is all for my own protection.
The line queue has added several video game sections, similar to what they did in Soarin, only individual, and then at the end, there is now a railing and gates at the boarding area. It is also much darker, and the moon has been replaced by a space station similar to that seen on the way to the moon in '2001: a space odyssey'. The ride itself is now very dark and you cannot even see a hint of track anymore, which is most effective on the first drop where it starts and now you have no idea what is going to happen.
The girl in the seat behind me, (same ride vehicles and lap bars), kept crying out, "Faster! Faster!" and after a bit, I did realize that it never does really get going- that the spiral on Big Thunder is much more intense than anything this has- and maybe they should have done something about that- the track is the same as always.
The exit ramp scenes have changed a bit, and the TV's at the end are gone- though that is covered over so maybe something is going to happen there. [Like maybe picture previews, for that new flash of light as one starts the ride is not to blind you, but turns out it is the flash of a ride photo being taken!]
Exited and took the back path over to Toon Town, shot the train a bit, noted there was a line for Minnie's House that was out the door and back up the street for quite a ways!
This is all being done in the cold, and between that and my early rising, I had about had it, but was trying to press on a bit, so headed toward FantasyLand. Passing Pooh's Playground, I decided to check it out- and immediately, am happy with that idea- the ground rubber of the playground ground feels so good underfoot- and also warm! I wander about and check out the various play areas and am delighted- and notice these are the happiest guests/children I have seen in the park. Kids want to play, not stand in line or sit a ride vehicle and have stuff shown to them that they can't even touch or climb on or through!
I leave there and head to the back of the Castle to pass through and out down Main Street but one side is blocked with construction barriers surrounding a huge crane being used to hoist a man to remove the lights from the castle. This makes the area look really lousy- and I am thinking this never used to happen before- this was done at night? and cleared during open hours? Crystal Palace likewise is 'under cover' as is the back path from Main Street to TomorrowLand: too much.
I head down Main Street as the lines for the afternoon parade are being marked out and catch a final shot of the marching band at the head of it. I scoot on through, back to my car and load up.
Came home to find a lake under the house, a small river running from it, and the sound of the water pump running on and on and on: meant to kill the power to it before I left in case of a pipe burst, and there was a major one. I went to the box and shut off the breaker.
Now I have a very complex bit of joinery to redo- tomorrow: no point doing it now: another big freeze tonight...
[... Tuesday, fixed the pipe using what I had at hand and some salvaged bits from dead lines. All good now.]
[NB: According to Touring Plans.com. Monday was a 7 with MK the best park to be at! It was crowded.]
Jud
http://travel.webshots.com/album/576296790wrjPfp?vhost=travel
11 January 2010
Got up at 7 [Monday] morning- ridiculous time of day for civilized people... looked out and the thermometer outside my window showed about 12 degrees... (when I left it was up to about 18) took a shower, but ran out of hot water real quickly... had to rinse my hair and back with cold... that was fun!
Started the car about 15 minutes early hoping to make that layer of what looks suspiciously like ice go away.
Raced out the door and dove into the heated vehicle and headed on down the highway to Walt Disney World where I was to join fellow Disney fan Paula from Boston and her daughter at Disney's Flagship resort, The Grand Floridian for the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Breakfast Buffet!
Made very good time and arrived at the GF at about 10:10. Parked, stopped for pictures of the old beauty out front of the main entrance, and entered. Inside, several Cast Members dressed for the arctic smiled while two manned a table serving complimentary hot cider.
Tried to call Paula, but got answering service, so asked a Cast Member for the location of the breakfast and was directed to 1900 Park Faire, where the check in desk told me she had already been seated. Was led to table 40.
Greeted Paula and her daughter, sat down, waitress came over and I told her OJ and hot tea. Later I got her attention again and told her "gluten!" and she said she would send the chef out. Paula and I talked incessantly, her daughter was mostly silent. Chef came and I told him I would like some GF Mickey Waffles (like I had discovered at Cape May) and he said no... didn't have a 'clean' waffle-maker- but he said (almost pleading) that he could make me some pancakes? I agreed, with little hope- GF pancakes- heck, most restaurant pancakes- are rather poor things.
Our talking was frequently interrupted by characters dropping by, and though Paula had declared no pictures of her or DD, I jumped up for each appearance and she shot me.
I realized it was time to stop yapping and get some breakfast, so Paula and I headed up. They had Mickey-Head plates, so I went for those just for the theme of it, and was happy to see an omelet chef. Ordered mine with ham and cheese and bacon. Meanwhile I discovered that the really crispy stuff was at the bottom of the bacon tray, so had to dig a little for that and munched happily on that while awaiting my omelet.
Shortly after I cam back to the table, the chef appeared with a gravy boat of warm syrup and a plate of pancakes and the top one was a Mickey! I thanked him, and he again thanked me, seeming very grateful that I had let him off the hook on the waffles. I used the butter that fortunately had been sitting on the table the whole time- and thus was not a block of ice- to thoroughly butter the pancakes and poured on some syrup and tried a bite- and they were great: not great GF pancakes, but flat-out great pancakes!
As we neared the end of our meal, Mary Poppins stopped by, and seemed pleased and commented on me having a proper cup of tea... and a bit later, Pooh was next to us as another family was leaving via the same pathway- and their little baby who was clearly new to walking, just went all happy at this giant stuffie! She looked up at Pooh, and her eyes got big, and she smiled and looked back at her mommy, and than at Pooh and started that bobbing baby walk toward him reaching, and Pooh reached for her, and just as she got in reach, she turned around and headed back for Mommy- and then turned around and headed back for Pooh... then she squeezed her way between Pooh and my table and I put my hand on the corner which was just the right height for her head to hit- and then she saw Tigger... and the big eyes, big smile again- clearly baby heaven. So now she is in the aisle, between Pooh and Tigger and she heads for Tigger and just as she gets to him, turns and heads back to Pooh. And just as she gets to Pooh, she turns and heads to Tigger... By this point everyone in the place, guests, waitresses, bus boys, handlers, are all rapt watching this exciting moment in baby's life. I hear the parent saying she is out of pictures, so I get up to grab some shots, and I notice in one of those, that Tigger had reached out to put his paw to replace my hand on the corner of the table! What a move! Kudo's to Tigger!
Well, this finally draws to a close, and Pooh heads off and the family thinks it is going to head off. Grandma writes down my email addy so I can send her what I got (nothing too great- digital is difficult with a fast moving child) and Tigger starts away- and baby isn't done yet! She gives chase! Tigger notices she is at the back of his leg and takes care- and then 'runs' away from her, and she follows as they go up one aisle around the corner and down the next! Now that side of the restaurant is in on it, and finally Tigger kneels down and hugs her and then the Mad Hatter appears behind him and screams out something and everything wraps up. It was quite a show!
Paula and her daughter headed over to the Magic Kingdom via the monorail and I headed for my car, and did the same. I was just as ready to go home, but figured I would give it a quick hit, and I wanted to check out the renovations of Space Mountain.
Had some problems with the ECV, but got it going, but I suspect something isn't right in the rebuilt transmission as it was putting a very big strain on the batteries, which- fully charged at start up- showed as half-drained as soon as I hit the throttle, so am going to have to open that up again.
Headed in and then over to Space Mountain, went through the usual dance trying to go in with my little scooter- with the usual results- after the Supervisor gets there, I am cleared to go- and told it is all for my own protection.
The line queue has added several video game sections, similar to what they did in Soarin, only individual, and then at the end, there is now a railing and gates at the boarding area. It is also much darker, and the moon has been replaced by a space station similar to that seen on the way to the moon in '2001: a space odyssey'. The ride itself is now very dark and you cannot even see a hint of track anymore, which is most effective on the first drop where it starts and now you have no idea what is going to happen.
The girl in the seat behind me, (same ride vehicles and lap bars), kept crying out, "Faster! Faster!" and after a bit, I did realize that it never does really get going- that the spiral on Big Thunder is much more intense than anything this has- and maybe they should have done something about that- the track is the same as always.
The exit ramp scenes have changed a bit, and the TV's at the end are gone- though that is covered over so maybe something is going to happen there. [Like maybe picture previews, for that new flash of light as one starts the ride is not to blind you, but turns out it is the flash of a ride photo being taken!]
Exited and took the back path over to Toon Town, shot the train a bit, noted there was a line for Minnie's House that was out the door and back up the street for quite a ways!
This is all being done in the cold, and between that and my early rising, I had about had it, but was trying to press on a bit, so headed toward FantasyLand. Passing Pooh's Playground, I decided to check it out- and immediately, am happy with that idea- the ground rubber of the playground ground feels so good underfoot- and also warm! I wander about and check out the various play areas and am delighted- and notice these are the happiest guests/children I have seen in the park. Kids want to play, not stand in line or sit a ride vehicle and have stuff shown to them that they can't even touch or climb on or through!
I leave there and head to the back of the Castle to pass through and out down Main Street but one side is blocked with construction barriers surrounding a huge crane being used to hoist a man to remove the lights from the castle. This makes the area look really lousy- and I am thinking this never used to happen before- this was done at night? and cleared during open hours? Crystal Palace likewise is 'under cover' as is the back path from Main Street to TomorrowLand: too much.
I head down Main Street as the lines for the afternoon parade are being marked out and catch a final shot of the marching band at the head of it. I scoot on through, back to my car and load up.
Came home to find a lake under the house, a small river running from it, and the sound of the water pump running on and on and on: meant to kill the power to it before I left in case of a pipe burst, and there was a major one. I went to the box and shut off the breaker.
Now I have a very complex bit of joinery to redo- tomorrow: no point doing it now: another big freeze tonight...
[... Tuesday, fixed the pipe using what I had at hand and some salvaged bits from dead lines. All good now.]
[NB: According to Touring Plans.com. Monday was a 7 with MK the best park to be at! It was crowded.]
Jud
