THE COLONEL
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2002
- Messages
- 74
DAY 7
Decide to do MGM today. Arrive early little disappointed that park opens bang on time.
When we were here last we both agreed MGM was far better than Universal which we have decided to miss this time as we thought Caitlin would derive more pleasure from MGM.
Immediate photocall with Baloo and the Anglo/ American special relationship is tested as Caitlin is bundled aside by an adolescent American lad trying to impress a couple of girls with him. Just as I am about to deposit him in the direction of the top of the giant Mickey hat he is sent away with a flea in his year and suitably chastised by the cast member who is shadowing Baloo. So thats what they do. Grateful for his assistance (as should be the lout in question).
Head off for Muppets in 4D which is great fun, pause in shop to buy Caitlin a shirt and have an argument with staff over travellers cheque. My dear wife had filled in some of hers with the date as 4/2/03. I did point out that this could be construed in the USA as being the 2nd of April but the deed was done. Nobody queried it until MGM where the assistant refused to take the cheque. Had to summon a supervisor and eventually it was accepted. Bear it in mind folks when dating your travellers cheques (write the month in words).
This little set to had a silver lining as when we emerged Woody Buzz and Jessie had arrived outside and we were able to see them without queuing. Photo of Me with Buzz and Woody now sits proudly on my desk at work. Caitlin loves Jessie and says that if Mary Poppins can be a Princess why cant Jessie.
Disppointed that Aerials adventure is shut for refurbishment but Who wants to be a millionaire is wonderful. Caitlin and wife really caught up in the excitement and phone a complete stranger is a really nice touch.Glad we fast passed this one. Caitlin drags mum off to see Bear in the Big Blue House while I head off for my fast pass slot on Aerowhatsit roller coaster. Now I am not a coward as far as rides go but I thought I was going to die on this one as all the air was sucked out of my body. Emerge shaken and stirred and glad that DW and DD are elsewhere.
We all do Star Tours and enjoy but it is really another version of EPCOTS body wars.
Head off for Beauty and the Beast where Caitlin is moved to tears by the show. I am seen by DW to be rubbing my eye but protest that I have a piece of grit in it.
Very impressed by the Disney animation tour and again the grit returns to my eye as we view the montage of Disneys most famous scenes.
Convince DW that we need to be at Fantasmic about 90 minutes before start time cos it says so in the Bible! Very glad we did so. Wow what a Fantastic show. Victor Moment shortly before start as latecomers expect to move aside. We turned up 90 minutes early for a good seat so why should we move to accommodate those who cant be bothered to do the same. Encounter a lot of agreement from people around us who are also irked by the antics of latecomers.
DAY 8
Another Typhoon Lagoon day but this time very crowded indeed. Glad we arrived early to nab a sheltered spot and sun beds. Paradise again as I spend several hours drifting along Castaway Creek. Not much else to report but soooooooooo relaxing.
That night Victor rears his head in all its majesty as we are awakened at 11pm by sound of fire alarm ringing in hotel. I get everyone up and head off for the fire escape. Absolutely gob smacked that people are attempting to get in the lift. We arrive in reception where a totally non concerned receptionist tells us it must be a false alarm and to return to our room (4th floor) I am not at all impressed. At work we are trained only to return to the building when the Fire Brigade give the all clear. Farcical scenes ensue as she sends people back upstairs while I tell them to remain outside. DW cringing at my antics but I am deadly serious. How on earth can a receptionist assume its a false alarm. Eventually resolved by Engineer who has traced a fault and I am led off muttering to my room.
DAY 9
Last full day and time to pay second visit to Parks of Caitlins Choice. She chooses Animal Kingdom for morning and Magic Kingdom for afternoon. Great time again and Caitlin is chosen to help with Pocohontas show. After nice afternoon in MK where Cinderellas Surprise is just as good second time around we head off to Chef Mickeys for dinner. Greatly impressed even though we had previously read negative reports. Food excellent, character interaction brilliant. DW can now tell her mates she has a photo of her in a clinch with the Chippendales (or at least Chip and Dale). Beware the offer of the family photo before you take your seat. It costs $26 and is difficult to refuse when results are brought to your table later.
Arrive back at hotel and start packing. Relieved we brought another spare holdall.
DAY 10.
Brief visit to Florida Mall and off to airport early. Flight on time, uneventful flight. Exhausted but very happy to be met by my Dad at airport. We head off to bed but Caitlin insists on fully briefing grandpa first. Dad informs us we missed the hand grenade incident on day our departure by just 1 hour. Phewww. Could have seen a major victor moment if we had been caught up in it all.
CONCLUSION
Our best holiday ever. Sheer delight to see Caitlin experience Disney at first hand. People had told us they thought she was a tad too young at 6 and a half. We both agree that this is an ideal age to fully capture the magic before any semblance of cynicsm sets in. Really glad I took our video camera. It really was a last minute decision but the 3 hours or so of tape are worth their weight in gold as are the photos. Cant wait to go back. Aside from their insularity and ignorance of Wales I really like Americans. To my mind there is no comparison between DLP and Disney USA. The people make the difference. They genuinely do want to you to "have a nice day". DW was a sceptic beforehand and was irritated by the depth of my pre holiday planning but was won over enough to buy me a new watch in the duty free shop as a thank you from her and Caitlin!!!
Decide to do MGM today. Arrive early little disappointed that park opens bang on time.
When we were here last we both agreed MGM was far better than Universal which we have decided to miss this time as we thought Caitlin would derive more pleasure from MGM.
Immediate photocall with Baloo and the Anglo/ American special relationship is tested as Caitlin is bundled aside by an adolescent American lad trying to impress a couple of girls with him. Just as I am about to deposit him in the direction of the top of the giant Mickey hat he is sent away with a flea in his year and suitably chastised by the cast member who is shadowing Baloo. So thats what they do. Grateful for his assistance (as should be the lout in question).
Head off for Muppets in 4D which is great fun, pause in shop to buy Caitlin a shirt and have an argument with staff over travellers cheque. My dear wife had filled in some of hers with the date as 4/2/03. I did point out that this could be construed in the USA as being the 2nd of April but the deed was done. Nobody queried it until MGM where the assistant refused to take the cheque. Had to summon a supervisor and eventually it was accepted. Bear it in mind folks when dating your travellers cheques (write the month in words).
This little set to had a silver lining as when we emerged Woody Buzz and Jessie had arrived outside and we were able to see them without queuing. Photo of Me with Buzz and Woody now sits proudly on my desk at work. Caitlin loves Jessie and says that if Mary Poppins can be a Princess why cant Jessie.
Disppointed that Aerials adventure is shut for refurbishment but Who wants to be a millionaire is wonderful. Caitlin and wife really caught up in the excitement and phone a complete stranger is a really nice touch.Glad we fast passed this one. Caitlin drags mum off to see Bear in the Big Blue House while I head off for my fast pass slot on Aerowhatsit roller coaster. Now I am not a coward as far as rides go but I thought I was going to die on this one as all the air was sucked out of my body. Emerge shaken and stirred and glad that DW and DD are elsewhere.
We all do Star Tours and enjoy but it is really another version of EPCOTS body wars.
Head off for Beauty and the Beast where Caitlin is moved to tears by the show. I am seen by DW to be rubbing my eye but protest that I have a piece of grit in it.
Very impressed by the Disney animation tour and again the grit returns to my eye as we view the montage of Disneys most famous scenes.
Convince DW that we need to be at Fantasmic about 90 minutes before start time cos it says so in the Bible! Very glad we did so. Wow what a Fantastic show. Victor Moment shortly before start as latecomers expect to move aside. We turned up 90 minutes early for a good seat so why should we move to accommodate those who cant be bothered to do the same. Encounter a lot of agreement from people around us who are also irked by the antics of latecomers.
DAY 8
Another Typhoon Lagoon day but this time very crowded indeed. Glad we arrived early to nab a sheltered spot and sun beds. Paradise again as I spend several hours drifting along Castaway Creek. Not much else to report but soooooooooo relaxing.
That night Victor rears his head in all its majesty as we are awakened at 11pm by sound of fire alarm ringing in hotel. I get everyone up and head off for the fire escape. Absolutely gob smacked that people are attempting to get in the lift. We arrive in reception where a totally non concerned receptionist tells us it must be a false alarm and to return to our room (4th floor) I am not at all impressed. At work we are trained only to return to the building when the Fire Brigade give the all clear. Farcical scenes ensue as she sends people back upstairs while I tell them to remain outside. DW cringing at my antics but I am deadly serious. How on earth can a receptionist assume its a false alarm. Eventually resolved by Engineer who has traced a fault and I am led off muttering to my room.
DAY 9
Last full day and time to pay second visit to Parks of Caitlins Choice. She chooses Animal Kingdom for morning and Magic Kingdom for afternoon. Great time again and Caitlin is chosen to help with Pocohontas show. After nice afternoon in MK where Cinderellas Surprise is just as good second time around we head off to Chef Mickeys for dinner. Greatly impressed even though we had previously read negative reports. Food excellent, character interaction brilliant. DW can now tell her mates she has a photo of her in a clinch with the Chippendales (or at least Chip and Dale). Beware the offer of the family photo before you take your seat. It costs $26 and is difficult to refuse when results are brought to your table later.
Arrive back at hotel and start packing. Relieved we brought another spare holdall.
DAY 10.
Brief visit to Florida Mall and off to airport early. Flight on time, uneventful flight. Exhausted but very happy to be met by my Dad at airport. We head off to bed but Caitlin insists on fully briefing grandpa first. Dad informs us we missed the hand grenade incident on day our departure by just 1 hour. Phewww. Could have seen a major victor moment if we had been caught up in it all.
CONCLUSION
Our best holiday ever. Sheer delight to see Caitlin experience Disney at first hand. People had told us they thought she was a tad too young at 6 and a half. We both agree that this is an ideal age to fully capture the magic before any semblance of cynicsm sets in. Really glad I took our video camera. It really was a last minute decision but the 3 hours or so of tape are worth their weight in gold as are the photos. Cant wait to go back. Aside from their insularity and ignorance of Wales I really like Americans. To my mind there is no comparison between DLP and Disney USA. The people make the difference. They genuinely do want to you to "have a nice day". DW was a sceptic beforehand and was irritated by the depth of my pre holiday planning but was won over enough to buy me a new watch in the duty free shop as a thank you from her and Caitlin!!!
You're absolutely right about your daughter being the right age to get all the magic of seeing Princesses and so forth. 
