Turning 30 with the Mouse - 05/12/09 update

[Dolce27]

The show over, we waited for the amphitheater to clear out before my mother walked over to the wall and grabbed the wheelchair that was exactly where the CM said it would be. My grandmother climbed in and I offered to drive. It was crazy trying to push the wheelchair out of there. Everything was clogged around Tower of Terror, as it usually is. I hoped there would be better flow once we passed the TOT crowd but it wasn’t much better. There isn’t a normal flow in a Disney theme park. That doesn’t exist. At all. People move in about twelve different directions at once which made it really hard on me, the newbie wheelchair driver. I apologized profusely to those that I accidently ran over. I just rolled my eyes when someone moved in front of me and got hit. Not that I want them hurt, but sometimes you can’t help but laugh … especially at the girl that was cutting sideways, cutting an entire flow of people off. Not only was she cutting us off, she was looking in the opposite direction from the people she was cutting off. I couldn’t stop in time and I did almost laugh at her expression and yelp of pain as I accidently ran into her. I think she began paying more attention to her surroundings after that.

We finally reached the front of the park, turned it the wheelchair and Tamera and I saw my mother and grandmother off. Tam and I headed straight back to Sunset Blvd, down Sunset Blvd and onto the Rock n’ Rollercoaster. Woo-Hoo! There was a 100 minute stand-by line but it only took us 5? minutes with the fast passes.

We rode. Tamera screamed. I laughed. (I’m mean like that ) We got off. Tamera seemed to have had fun. Woo-Hoo!

“Want to go on it again tomorrow?”
“No”
“But you liked it!”
“No.”
“One more time?”
“No.”

*sigh*

She wasn’t ready to go back to the hotel yet so we wondered over to The Great Movie Ride. OK, listen up and I’ll tell you a secret:

There are two, yes two shows to the Great Movie Ride but not everyone knows about them. They will only run both shows during the busy parts of the day during the busiest times of the year. There’s an ‘A’ show (the Cowboy show) and a ‘B’ show (The gangster show). Most people only see the ‘B’ show as that is the show they always run. There’s some pyrotechnics in the ‘A’ show that costs a little money so that’s why the ‘A’ show is only run when they need to expedite crowd flow.

Now say you go to The Great Movie Ride (GMR) during a busy time and are certain both shows are running and you want to be certain that you get a particular show. Here’s how: When you come into the main waiting room (the room with the big movie screen playing clips of old MGM movies) there are actually two queues in that room; not one. It’s hard to tell with crowds so most people don’t realize this. When entering the room you can move to your right or your left and there is a metal divider that separates the two sides. If you enter the room moving to your right when you see that metal divider, you’ll be in the ‘A’ show – or the ‘cowboy’ show. If you move to your left you’ll be in the ‘B’ show or the ‘gangster’ show. It’s as easy as that. When it’s slow I’ve seen them do either of the following: rope off the 'A' queue so you’re forced to enter the ‘B’ (left) queue or allow both lines and then take people from both lines to fill the one car for the ‘B’ show.

When Tamera and I entered, they were only running the ‘B’ show and I was happy as I prefer the gangster over the cowboy. We had a pretty good tour guide. We were up on the front row, I think. I was still wearing a birthday button that I was given at 50’s Prime Time Café so the tour guide wished me a Happy Birthday.

After our tour through Hollywood movies, we begin to make our way out of the park

(gotta love the crowd levels - huh? )

We exit the park and Tamera gives a longing look towards the ferry dock.

“No.”

Her next look is directed at me and it wasn’t very nice.

We begin the walk back, which I thought was nice…. .except for having to listen to the following from Tamera:

“This isn’t safe.”
“It’s dark out here, no one is around”
“This isn’t safe.”
“Don’t mention to Guy (my uncle) that we did this.”

Alllllllllllllllllll the way back. I was told how dangerous that walk was. How stupid (ok, I don’t recall her actually saying that I was stupid – but it was heavily implied) I was to walk this.

“Tamera, it’s fine. We passed a family a few minutes ago. There some people up ahead of us. I did this walk by myself the other night and I was fine.”

And it started allllllll over.

*sigh*

I still, today, hear about how unsafe that walk is at night.

We finally arrive back at the hotel and quickly get ready and go to bed, which was nice. She couldn’t gripe about “dangerous paths” to me if she was asleep.

 

[Dolce27]

Yay, an update! I am so loving your TR, Dolce

Thanks!

Yay! An update!!!!

You are woman, here you roar! I can't imagine skinny little you pushing a wheelchair through AK - you go, girl! You definitely needed that chocolate cake, Dolce. And it needed you .

And, like, I want to get to parks early but before daylight - you are hardcore. I'm with Tamera on the breakfast thing, too - that's why I always take granola bars with me, just in case [although I rarely get up that early, not even for AK!].

Hey, pushing a wheelchair is a good workout. I honestly didn't mind it. And, sadly no, I didn't need that chocolate cake. I gained 10lbs from this trip.

Oh, and you'd get up that early also if you went during the busiest week of the year. Crowd levels were insane at times. You go early when everyone else wants to sleep and get things done. Then you take an afternoon break - unless you really are hardcore like me. I could stay in the parks from 7am - 1am with no breaks and be fine.

Disclaimer: doesn’t mean that it will be posted tonight

Stupid disclaimer.....and all the loopholes it creates!

loopholes are my friend.

Yay! An update!

Yup.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Perfect timing on the updates! I was at work and hopped online (not really supposed to) and went to my subscriptions and what do ya know, no updates. I click on the link to say something smart and WHAT DO YA KNOW THERE's AN UPDATE! Just wanted to say thanks and keep it up!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Great, long update! I like 'em that way. I'm sorry your grandmother had such a hard time walking at MGM. How nice of the CM to go get her a wheelchair though. And how cool about the two different Great Movie Ride shows. I've only seen the gangster side. Do you take all of your Disney pictures with no flash? My Wishes photos turned out horribly last time so I'm trying to figure out how to make them look better.

 

[Dolce27]

Perfect timing on the updates! I was at work and hopped online (not really supposed to) and went to my subscriptions and what do ya know, no updates. I click on the link to say something smart and WHAT DO YA KNOW THERE's AN UPDATE! Just wanted to say thanks and keep it up!

Smart or smart aleck...

I'm all

Great, long update! I like 'em that way. I'm sorry your grandmother had such a hard time walking at MGM. How nice of the CM to go get her a wheelchair though. And how cool about the two different Great Movie Ride shows. I've only seen the gangster side. Do you take all of your Disney pictures with no flash? My Wishes photos turned out horribly last time so I'm trying to figure out how to make them look better.

About the pictures, yup. 99% of the pictures were with no flash. I just set my 2 sec timer. I did use a flash for a couple of things, but my pictures usually come out better without the flash. I didn't take any photos of Wishes but in my next update there will be photos of Illuminations w/o flash. It depends on your camera and what your camera can do. Now, had I had my DSLR with me, I could have had some niiiice pictures. But I'm happy enough with the quality that turns out on my little point and shoot to not want to lug the DSLR with me in a theme park. Maybe if I had the opportunity to travel to Disney more often I'd take the DSLR with me, but right now I just want to enjoy myself while there and not try to set up shots or destroy my expensive camera on a rough ride.

Edited: Wait! I forgot, I have pictures of the MK's NYE fireworks w/o flash. Oh, and DHS NYE fireworks. So, I'll have example of fireworks taken from a p&s camera w/o flash... once I make it that far in the trip report..

(No, NateNLogansDad, that wasn't your que to say something smart aleck)

 

[NateNLogansDad]

stupid disclaimers.....

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I have really enjoyed your report so far. I am taking a lazy day here at work and have done almost nothing productive (except sign off on some overtime so my staff will be happy) and read through what you've written so far.

Really great- and I love your pictures of the Osbourne Lights - Wow! Mine didn't come out that well so I am super impressed with the ones you took.

Can't wait for you to write more.

 

[wonderlanne]

 

[NateNLogansDad]

What's the proper length of time that needs to pass before I can say something smart aleckish?

 

[Carol17]

On your mark, get set...you may begin!

 

[TeresaNJ]

Keep em coming!

 

[Dolce27]

stupid disclaimers.....

I have really enjoyed your report so far. I am taking a lazy day here at work and have done almost nothing productive (except sign off on some overtime so my staff will be happy) and read through what you've written so far.

Really great- and I love your pictures of the Osbourne Lights - Wow! Mine didn't come out that well so I am super impressed with the ones you took.

Can't wait for you to write more.

Welcome!

Hey, Wonder! I didn't know you were around.

.... that's not a hint there, now is it....

Well, sit back. Get comfortable, find a drink I'm having red wine tonight, but anything will do.

What's the proper length of time that needs to pass before I can say something smart aleckish?

Disclaimer: Anyone with a screen name that begins with the letter 'N' is not allowed smart aleck retorts on this trip report.

On your mark, get set...you may begin!

Keep em coming!

Yes ma'am's!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

If I keep the comments to myself, will that help the updates to happen faster? Cause me not making smart a comments is just not me being me!

 

[debbieandroo]

Hey --

Lovin' the TR as usual...

I ate the same thing you did at 50s PT Cafe...only in the opposite order. I snarfed down that pot roast [pretty good but with an unusual flavor - couldn't quite identify it]. Then I made myself ill trying to conquer the pb&j milkshake. Boy was it good but it definitely was the one doing the conquering. I didn't eat again until 10 that night!

And I just tried that 2 second thing -- it works! I took pictures of our 'blizzard' - with the 2 second delay, the pictures turned out well. With the flash, all I got were the snowflakes right in front of the camera. Hope I actually remember to do this when I need to remember to do this. [I had wondered why my camera had a 2 second timer - I mean, that would be some serious running you'd have to do to get anywhere ]

 

[Dolce27]

6:30 am and it is breakfast time. Tamera refused to have a repeat of the day before so the night before, sometime between yelling at me about the ‘unsafe path’ and going to bed, managed to call and schedule room service for this morning.

No complaints here.

The guy brought in the food and I enjoyed the best tomato and mushroom omelet and blueberry muffin I’ve ever eaten.

I still crave that omelet. I think it was the cheese. Soooo good.

We make it to the Studios around 7:20 and meet up with Mom and Granny who, once again, arrived before us.

Yup, Studios still my favorite park to be in.

My grandmother finally accepted the fact that she was going to need wheels for the parks but she refused to have me and Tamera pushing her around the parks. She felt guilty for that. Honestly? I hadn’t minded at all. It was good exercise. But if she was going to have wheels forced on her – they were going to be motorized ones.

Great.

*sigh*

My grandmother didn’t know how to drive a motorized scooter. This should be fun.

Tamera takes care of renting an electric scooter for my grandmother after we enter the turnstiles. We move up for rope drop and have our first picture of the day taken.

Rope drop and we make the race down Sunset Blvd. I previously decided Toy Story Mania would be a no-go. I didn’t enjoy it enough to deal with the masses there, I knew that Mom and Granny wouldn’t care for it much and I wasn’t certain about Tamera.

Tower of Terror it was! We parked Granny’s scooter outside and made our way through the queue. Mom and Granny couldn’t ride this attraction, for health reasons, but I wanted them to go through the queue and the pre-show. This has to be my favorite themed attraction at Disney. I love the detail put into this.

We enter the boiler room after the library and quickly make our way through the non-existent line to the front. Mom and Granny head over, with the help of a CM, to the ‘chicken exit’ (which is a normal elevator) while me and Tamera take our assigned spots for the attraction elevator. Mom calls over to us, taunting us about making it back from the 3rd dimension safely.

No, Tamera, you stay with me. No ‘chicken exit’ for you.

No, I’m not a mean niece although I’m certain she goes around telling everyone that I am and how I dragged her out of bed at ungodly hours, refused to let her eat breakfast and forced her on rollercoasters and haunted hotels that took you to the Twilight Zone.

We hop in the elevator and make our way through the 3rd dimension, plummet several stories and then arrive in gift shop.

Go figure.

Tamera liked it.

“Want to do it again later?”

“No.”

“But you liked it.”

“No.”

*sigh*

I’m really beginning to see a pattern here…..

I’d told Mom and Granny to head over to the Great Movie Ride and we’d meet up there. My memory is foggy here but I do recall stopping in a candy shop, with Tamera, on the way up Sunset Bld to buy a package of nuts for my mother. She’s a diabetic and I think she must not have eaten anything that morning and I attempted to find her something to eat along the way of meeting back up with them.

Food in hand, we meet-up at GMR.

You know Disney has its own lingo – right? GMR = Great Movie Ride; Coaster = is RnR, Tower = Tower of Terror, TOTS = Theater of the Stars (aka: Beauty and the Beast), EPIC = Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, ect…

I recall one time, when I was working there in ’99, I was standing over by Doug (which is now the new American Idol attraction), I was really upset over something and not thinking clearly and was confiding in a co-worker. A woman approached us, asking for directions to somewhere (I can’t recall where) I quickly run off directions to her; she looks at me in utter confusion and then just kind of walks away. I turn back to my co-worker and then stop as I realize I’d listed off all attractions by Disney lingo instead of saying out the actual attraction name. Oops. I hope she had figured out her way.

But, back to GMR, we quickly make our way through the queue, ‘B’ attraction queue as that was the only line open, and onto a tram. It was the exact same tour guide from the night before. With my grandmother’s scooter, we were directed to the last seat in the tram – we left the scooter at dock but the last row of the tram is designed to be ADA accessible. Even though we were in the very back, I took off my b-day button that Tamera had forced me to wear that morning. I hadn’t planned to wear the button except for the actual birthday – hence why the button that I received upon check-in still sat in my hotel room untouched. This was the button that I received the night before at 50’s Prime Time Café.

But, in my embarrassment over wearing a b-day button two days in a row when neither day was my actual b-day (yes, I was embarrassed over that) I took it off and hid it for the ride. Not only was the tour guide the same one Tamera and I had the night before, but the gangster as well.

GMR finished, we make our way over to Muppets 3-D vision. I know this is a very outdated 3-D show but I love it. I grew up on Muppets. I even recall my mother waking me up early one Saturday morning in the early 1980’s (I was around 5 or so) to tell me that Muppet Babies was on television; they’d created an animated morning cartoon of when the Muppets were babies. It was great!

We walk up to the entrance and stop just outside of the turnstile; the CM asks us to wait.

I have to show my family the key under the mat. For those of you that don’t know; upon entering the building, there is a door and a sign that says something about being back in 5 (?) minutes. Key under the mat. Look down and you’ll see a mat. Look under the mat and there is a key on the floor. It’s right there as you’re entering the turnstiles.

The gags in this place are great, there’s so much to read and see.

The guy had told us that he’d be back in two seconds and then took off, leaving us there. Of course, when he came back into sight a couple of minutes later, my Mom, being my Mom, called out that his two seconds were about up and started counting out. The guy played along, making a big production of running back up to his stand and collapsing, from exhaustion, on top of it.

He finally let us through the turnstile and we made our way into the pre-show. I love this pre-show. Almost as much as the show itself. I point out the net full of jello and snap a pic or two

We’re finally let in for the seating to the main show. Come on, you gotta love these guys:

Show over, funny as usual – gotta love those Muppets! They must always keep a Muppets show in there but I’m not opposed to them updating the show.

We work our way back over to the Disney Animation studio. I know, I know, I’m all over this park right now. Along the way we run into the Power Rangers. My mother decides that she must have a picture with one of them to show her students. My mother is a school teacher, she teaches ESL to elementary school kids and she thought they’d think it cool that she had a pic with a Power Ranger

That done, onward to the Animation Tour/show/whatever. I actually love this little show.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a Disney animator. When I worked at the park, back in 1999, that was before Michael Eisner laid-off the animators there and the Studios was still a working studios. I’ve been on the Animation tour back in ‘the day’ when the animators worked there and gave the tours. As a CP I attended a lecture – only offered to the CP’s – by one of the Disney animators. The guy whose lecture I attended had been one of the main animators for the character Mushu. 90% of Mulan was drawn at the Studios in FL.

But, honestly, I kind of like this new little version of the Animation tour – the one they had to create after all of the animators left. However, I do miss the movie that you watched at the end of the old Animation Tour. It had always been very inspirational to me. We watched the cute lecture with the CM and Mushu and then made our way over to the drawing academy (or whatever it is called). In today’s class we learned how to draw one of the new characters: Bolt.

That’s my drawing of the little guy. We compared drawings, gathered our stuff and worked our way out the building and into a very crowded Studios. It took some cleaver maneuvering to get out of the Animation Courtyard. Next up on the list was Indiana Jones. My mother has always liked this one and I was pretty certain that my grandmother would love it. I wasn’t too certain about my aunt – but, eh, her purpose there was to be drug on rollercoasters.

(Just kidding Tamera!!! If you ever get around to reading this TR but I know you’re still trying to finish my 2006 one … so not too worried over here…)

Unfortunately, despite arriving about 10 –15 minutes early it is packed and we are unable to get in. I was really disappointed in that as I was actually looking forward to seeing it again. I hadn’t seen the show since 2002.

Oh well, lunch sounds good – right? We make our way next door to the Backlot Express and I figure out how to A) get inside and B) how to get my grandmother, in her motorized scooter, inside. Finally in and in line are we. (I’m currently standing a little too close to Star Tours and having the sudden urge to speak Yoda. Please forgive me.)

I’m standing up at the counter, waiting for my food. I can’t remember what I ordered. I think that it was a single hamburger with french fries. So, I’m waiting and a hamburger appears on my tray. Then the fries. Then a cheesecake.

A cheesecake?

The CM looks at me and says that it’s magic and Happy Birthday! (I knew this pin was good for something – even if my b-day wasn’t until the next day!)

We quickly eat and then walk back up to the front of the park to return the scooter so that Mom and Granny could leave and go back to their hotel for a rest. The line for the scooter was huge and there wasn’t a scooter in sight. The CM’s loved us when we informed them that we were there to return one that they could, in turn, give out to someone in that impatient and long line.

Mom and Granny left and I was on a mission:

I’m on the hunt for Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc. I’d decided months before that I wanted a picture with them. I also planned to stand in front of Mike to cover him up – like how he was always blocked by something in photos in the movie? Yes, I’m quite aware that this idea isn’t at all original. I’m sure that lots of people do this to him.

But now it’s my turn.

I can’t figure out how to enter the line. I’m walking around. And around. I find the back of the meet and greet area. That didn’t help. Where’s the front? Finally a CM is able to explain to me how to enter the line. I entered and was surprised to find as many people there as I did; it was a hard line to find! Or maybe it was just me…

No Photopass photographer, I noticed that right off. I ask Tamera to be in the photo with me. Nope, not happening. She’ll have to stand in plenty of character lines and be in plenty of character photos once her kids arrive and she’s not going to do it while she’s on a kid-free vacation.

Humph.

Well, fine then. Hold the camera. Make yourself useful, take my picture.

(Don’t worry, I wasn’t demanding to my aunt. I politely asked her to “please” take my picture since she wasn’t going to be in the photo. I promise! I’m a very polite person. Now, what I’m actually thinking in my head…. )

My turn, I walk up to Mike and Sully. Sully ignores me completely. He’s just this big thing standing there facing the camera. I don’t think that he looks at me at all. Mike turns and makes a big deal of looking me up and down.

And then he moves in front of me to block me from the picture.

The monster stole my idea! How dare him! He won’t let me stand beside him. I move to my left, he moves to his left. I move to my right, he moves to his right.

Monsters!

*sigh*


Picture taken, Tamera and I work our way out of the extremely crowded park and Tam decides that she wants to go to EPCOT. I look over at the ferry dock and sigh. It would be cruel of me to make her walk from the Studios to EPCOT wouldn’t it? And despite what you all think of me, I’m a nice niece – really I am. I promise!

I veer off to the ferry dock.

“Ok, Tamera. We can take the ferry.”

This is her “I’m finally allowed to ride the ferry” happy look. Really, it is. She was quite happy that I wasn’t going to continue with my torture of making her walk on the ‘unsafe’ path.

(Random picture taken of the Beach Club beach from the ferry)

The Friendship boat finally docks at the International Gateway to EPCOT.

Finally!

I could have walked that in half the time – seriously, I could. But I don’t complain. Tam is happy that she finally didn’t have to walk somewhere so I zip it. I had informed her, back at the Studios, that this was her time. We could do whatever she wanted. She didn’t have a husband or kids (that would be arriving later that afternoon) to demand her time. Whatever she wanted to do, I was game.

We grabbed a smoothie and sat on the rail by the train station in Germany soaking up the beautiful day in EPCOT’s World Showcase. We then caught the end of the French guys, Serveur Amusant, routine in the French Pavilion.

That was all she wanted to do and I was fine with that. Smoothies finished, we exited the way we came. She wanted another nap and I decided to rent out the sea raycers at the Yacht Club.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

It worked!

 

[Dolce27]

We part, her veering off left back to the Boardwalk and me straight past the Beach Club and on to the Yacht Club dock.

I pass by Randy Chapman and a Disney Bride and Groom on my way. From prior lurking on the Weddings forum I’m aware of who Randy is as he’s one of the most popular photographers the DIS Disney Brides book to do their weddings. I saw this particular bride and groom wrapping up their wedding ceremony over at Sea Breeze Point (at the Boardwalk) from the Friendship boat on my way to EPCOT several minutes prior. Now they were having a photo shoot over at the Yacht Club.

I pass on and rent out a boat. After my wonderful time at the Polynesian – I was really looking forward to this.

Until I got into the boat, that is. First I had to find a boat. The first two the CM put me into refused to start. Third time the charm – right? Finally in a boat that will move – I find that it will not move fast. Seriously. Fast for these boats is snail pace. Actually, if a snail could crawl on water it would beat me in a race.

I think that I've heard that the Yacht Club Sea Raycers were set to go a max of 7 (?) miles per hour? Next time, I’m sticking with the Poly boats – they travel much faster. I explore the waters around the Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach Club

And on to the Swan and Dolphin

And finally down the canal, towards the Studios, where I have to fight for patches of water with ducks. The ducks were everywhere! And it was hard to steer. They would move as you drew close, but sometimes they’d move directly in your path. I guess that it was a good thing that the boats moved so slowly otherwise there might have been a lot of dead ducks!

I finally reach the Studios

(The back of Tower of Terror. That is designed to blend in as part of the Moroccan Pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase as you can see the back of Tower from the Moroccan Pavilion.)

I drive around in circles and then chat with one of the lake patrol CM’s out in his boat. He was parked over by Tower watching, through the trees, glimpses of them doing a dress rehearsal of Fantasmic! in preparation for that night. He seems happy to chat with me for a bit as he admits that his job can be quite boring at times.

Finally I leave and do a few more laps everywhere and use up my hour. I return the sea raycer to the dock and walk over to the Dolphin Hotel on my way back to the Boardwalk. I had two reasons for stopping by here, well, I guess three.

1) With my background in architecture I wanted to check out this hotel closer; it was designed by Michael Graves.

2) There was a CM that worked in one of the hotel’s gift shop that is on one of my threads. I wanted to stop by to see if she was working – or even if I could figure out if that was her or not. She has an open invitation for any of us to stop by and say hi to her.

3) This:

I saw a picture of this tree and had to see it in person. This tree is amazing. By far, it is the most impressive tree that I have ever seen.

The Dolphin Hotel was beautiful; I noted Blue Zoo – where I plan to eat at on a future trip – and looked around a bit. I found the gift shop but I couldn’t find my fellow DISer. Oh well. I probably should have PM’d her first to find out her schedule but I honestly didn’t know when I’d have an opportunity to stop by.

I leave and return to the Boardwalk. Tamera is in the process of cramming her stuff into her suitcase and preparing for her move to the Grand Floridian that night. She hadn’t heard from my uncle yet. Guy is my mother’s younger brother, so Tamera is actually my aunt by marriage.

I inform Tam that I’m running downstairs to the Boardwalk gift shop/store to pick-up Julie’s gift that I had shipped over from the Studios the night before. I’m in line and the girl in front of me (looked college age) had a charm bracelet lying out on the counter in front of her to purchase. It caught my eye because it had a Boardwalk charm on it and I was looking for something ‘Boardwalk’ to buy to commemorate my first stay here, since I’ve always wanted to stay here. I’m not much into charm bracelets but I tapped her on the shoulder and asked where she got it. She pointed over to a make your own charm bracelet stand (like you see everywhere at Disney) and I wondered over and happily began picking out charms for my bracelet.

While I was making my selection, I heard someone come in. The person was speaking a bit loud and was trying to have a CM help them find something. I really wasn’t paying any attention. I finished my selection of charms and made my way back over to the cash wrap. I walked right up and requested my package from the Studios. As I stood there, waiting, I suddenly felt the sting of a punch on my arm.

I turn and Tamera is standing there, giving me an exasperated look.

“What are you doing here?” She demanded. “I thought you would have left by now.”

Baffled, I point to my charm bracelet. She shakes her head at me and turns back to the CM that was helping her – informing the CM that I was why she was down there. Apparently she had left my b-day card at home and was in search for another one.

I quickly pay for my charm bracelet and grab my stuff.

“I’m leaving, I’m leaving!” I exclaim to my aunt. “Continue on!”

She informed me that my uncle, the kids and the nanny, Mary, were on their way over to the Boardwalk from the Grand Floridian. She’d come downstairs to wait for them. I tell her that I’ll go and I rush off to the front of the hotel to wait for them. It’s not long before I see my uncle pull up to valet. I race over to the SUV. My little 5 yr old cousin, Rachel, is one of the first ones out of the car and as soon as she spots me she rushes over and jumps in my arms; excited to see me. Guy waves a ‘hi’ to me as he takes care of valet and Mary is trying to get 4 year old Katherine out of the back seat. Katherine’s not so thrilled to see me. It’s a hit or miss with her. Rachel and I have a bond and are pretty close. I was around her a lot during a pivotal time in her life but I wasn’t with Katherine. Sometimes Katherine seems happy enough to see me and other times the girl won’t have anything to do with me. I don’t take it personally.

We all go in and find Tamera in the lobby and we make our way out back to the courtyard. Guy and Tamer take a seat while Mary, the girls and I go down. The kids have some serious steam to run off – and off they run. Mary and I are attempting to hold a conversation and keep up with the kids at the same time. They had a flight delay (I think mechanical) and, if I recall correctly, they did allow some people to deboard but they showed a movie on the plane during the wait so I think Guy, Mary and the kids stayed onboard.

I had dinner reservations for Spoodles this night and we were waiting for my Mother and Granny to arrive. I had told them to take a bus back to DHS and then grab the ferry to the Boardwalk from there.

I managed to snag a pic of Guy, Tamera and the kids

Mom and Granny finally arrive and we meet them on the dock and walk over to Spoodles.

Rachel demands to sit next to me and is on my left

She’s in a pretty good mood despite her long travel day.

I order a picture of the Sangria for anyone who wants it while everyone pours over the menu.

I ordered the Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Linguine and it was pretty good. Rachel kept begging me for shrimp – the girl love shrimp.

 

[Dolce27]

I had ordered a birthday cake - for me – for this night. It was the only meal that all of us would be sharing. I have no problem ordering a birthday cake for myself. None at all. I love cake. Love it. Love it. Love it.

I didn’t do anything at all for my b-day the year before but I wound up spending the night at Guy and Tamera’s the night before. Tamera, the girls and I went out for breakfast that next morning for my b-day. Rachel became upset towards the end of the meal. She had made certain that when we were sat the wait staff knew it was my b-day. By the end of the meal she was becoming agitated and Tamera and I finally figured out why: there wasn’t cake. Rachel wanted cake. It was my b-day. There should be cake. She thought that by telling everyone at the restaurant that it was my birthday, they’d bring out cake for me and then she’d get cake.

I promised her that there would be cake this year… and there was. I scoured over the cake thread on the food forum, figured out what I wanted and called the Boardwalk Private Dining two weeks out – they then, eventually, transferred me to the Boardwalk Bakery to speak to the pastry chef.

I confirmed with my server when we were sat that the cake had been delivered from the bakery; it had.

Our meal wrapped up, they cleared our plates and then lowered the lights and brought out my cake while singing Happy Birthday. The cake was placed before me and Rachel was out of her chair and attempting to climb into my lap.

There was a single lit candle on my cake and I had an idea of what would happen. I covered Rach’s mouth with my hand and then thought ‘eh’, and let her be. Sure enough, as soon as the last word of Happy Birthday was uttered she blew out my candle to some light hearted scolding from her parents.

I also ordered chocolate covered strawberries to go with it

The cake was quite good but we only managed to finish off half of it. I ate a tad bit more of it later that night but then tossed it. It wouldn’t fit in my fridge in my room.

This little guy was pure white chocolate. I wished I had him right now. I never ate him either; he fit in my fridge but the food is so rich at Disney that I could never find room in my stomach to fit him. I really wanted to take him home but there wasn’t any room in my suitcase (seriously, I paid 50.00 at the airport to get my suitcase home) so I just ate an ear that last morning and tossed him too.

The food at Spoodles was great. Our server very nice. However, service was beyond slow. I was becoming a bit frantic; we had to be at the Yacht Club dock at a certain time. I think the problem was that each server was assigned too large of a station for such a busy night. I’ve waited more than my fair share of tables to understand what that is like. I didn’t blame my server for the slow service; the girl was doing the best that she could. But I was beginning to feel anxious as I needed a box for the cake and our checks. Everyone was on the Dining Plan (even Tamera now that she had a room key for the Grand Floridian and on that booking) with the exception of me. I sent everyone on. The kids were becoming restless at the table. Mary took off with Katherine, Guy and Tamera had to get my aunts suitcase and Rach wanted to go up to the room with them. Mom and Granny began the trek over to the Yacht Club as it was going to take my grandmother a bit of time to walk it.

I finally wrap up everything, rush up to my room to drop off the cake, and find Mary and Tam back downstairs. Guy and the kids had left to go to bed. The three of us quickly catch up with my Mother and grandmother and we reach the Yacht Club dock.

I had booked a Illuminations Cruise for them. Esp. my aunt. I knew that she’d love this. It is hard for me to do anything for my aunt and uncle. If I’m with them anywhere, say dinner, they insist on paying. I really wanted to be able to do something for them for once – or I guess Tamera as Guy had left.

I believe that I had mentioned, earlier in the trip report, that I originally wanted one of the larger boats. When I first booked I assumed that Guy and the kids would be on the boat with us – I never considered that it would be too late for the kids; esp. on their arrival day. I also was upset at the seating arrangements on this small speed boat. I had wanted to be able to sit in groups in order to interact – but on the speedboat you couldn’t.

Now? I’m glad that I had the Breathless! It was awesome!!! And I know that all of the people on the larger boats were giving us jealous looks.

Tam took the front with the driver.

Mom and Granny took the front bench, directly behind the driver. Mary and I climbed into the back bench.

And we were off, speeding around the waters by the hotels

(that’s how much distance is between the back bench and the front bench behind the driver)

I have no idea about what the conversation was like up front, but in the back Mary and I were having a blast. We were talking, eating chips (they have free snacks on board) and attempting to take pictures as we raced by.

(There’s my room!)


The driver made his way over to the canal (whatever) that lead towards the Studios. At one moment Mary and I were chatting about her wedding plans as she was recently engaged, the next moment we’re almost flat on our backs and staring up (yes, up) at the boat. Water was spraying everywhere.

I found out later that the driver had turned to my family and asked if we (me and Mary) knew how fast the boat could go. My Mom, being my Mom, was like ‘Sure they do!’ with a big grin on her face.

Evil Mom.

Don’t forget that your birthday is soon approaching.

So, the driver let her rip and we were flying through the water, racing towards the Studios. It was great fun, I must admit. And, hey, while I’m spilling all… I will admit that my grandmother will sometimes wear a wig in public so that she doesn’t have to bother with fixing her hair. She was wearing her wig this night. I still laugh as I recall both her and my mother frantically grabbing a hold of her head as we took off. It was so funny!

We flew by the Studios

Yup. That is Disney Hollywood Studios.

That’s how fast we were flying by it. Finally the driver took some pity on me and would occasionally slow down enough for me to snap a couple of pictures before he’d pick back up on the speed.

The fireworks for one of the Fantasmic! showings when off while we were there

It was finally time to head over to EPCOT. We pulled in and docked under the bridge leading from the UK pavilion to the French pavilion. The driver actually swung the boat out so that we were sitting out, just in front of the bridge.

Tam and I had fun taking pictures of each other

 

[Dolce27]

The larger boats pulled in and the lagoon was full with people above us as Illuminations prepared to begin. Finally, the lights went out and everything began. At first I attempted to record the show. Remember, I just have a camera – not a video recorder. I ate up my memory fast attempting to do that. Well, forget that then. I quickly erase the video and began snapping photos instead:

That show is awesome! It was awesome to be sitting on the water with the show. I love it and I’m totally impressed by the extra Holiday ending. They go all out for that extra ending.

Show over, the larger boats back up and leave. Not us, no backing up for us. We’re driving forward, out into the lagoon

We loop around and head back out via the International Gateway. All too soon we are docking at the Yacht Club. I was sad it was over; I wasn’t ready for the night to end.

Before I realize what is happening, Tamera is handling the tip.

*sigh*

This was my treat to her … but, like I said, it is hard to do stuff for her. She is a person who does things for everyone else. I worried a bit if she was tipping the driver enough. Earlier that day, in the hotel room, I had discussed tips with her. I never said how much the cruise cost but she was aware on how much I was thinking about giving for tip.

We leave the dock and walk into the Yacht Club

I had never been in this hotel before and found it to be quite nice. If I was ever in the position to where the Beach Club and the Yacht Club were my only two hotel choices, I’d choose the Yacht Club I think.

Tamera went to the front desk and requested a cab. We verified park times for the following morning and then Mom, Granny, Tamera and Mary cabbed it to their respective hotels.

I began the solo walk back around to the Boardwalk. I stopped off and grabbed some milk from the general store and made my way back upstairs. I had the room to myself once again. I sat down and attempted to work on the cake a bit more but it was a futile attempt. My stomach simply couldn’t hold much more. With a sigh, I dump the cake and climb in bed.


Disclaimer: I can at any time make additional disclaimers in regards to anything pertaining to this trip report including, but not limited to, the next update.

 

[Dolce27]

Hey --

Lovin' the TR as usual...

I ate the same thing you did at 50s PT Cafe...only in the opposite order. I snarfed down that pot roast [pretty good but with an unusual flavor - couldn't quite identify it]. Then I made myself ill trying to conquer the pb&j milkshake. Boy was it good but it definitely was the one doing the conquering. I didn't eat again until 10 that night!

And I just tried that 2 second thing -- it works! I took pictures of our 'blizzard' - with the 2 second delay, the pictures turned out well. With the flash, all I got were the snowflakes right in front of the camera. Hope I actually remember to do this when I need to remember to do this. [I had wondered why my camera had a 2 second timer - I mean, that would be some serious running you'd have to do to get anywhere ]

Yay! I'm glad that using the timer worked out for you.

That pb&j shake was good. I want another one. I'm glad that I had mine first, before the meal. It was better than the pot roast.