Okay, I admit it... I forget what we did the morning of the 23rd. Ohanas was the night before. I was very off that night. I even forgot to bring our TIW card, so we paid 20% more than we should have!!!!
That KILLS me! But, will not ruin our vacation.
Oh, yeah, the 23rd we checked out of AKV. We had called the night before to have bell hop plan on picking up our luggage & bring it to the BWV. We were told to call about 1/2 hr before we were ready to leave the resort. So, I called about 9am. I told the boys the same thing, BUT my son decided to go to the front desk to advise them they would need their luggage moved the next day. Apparently the CM asked him what time they would like BH services to show up. DS advised them 10:30. That was that. DD#1 and DDF (darling daughters fiance
) went on their own to one of the parks this day. DH, myself & DD decided to go to IHOP. This has become a tradition, and frankly I was surprised neither of our older kids wanted to join us. K & E wanted to hit AK early, and DS wanted to sleep in a little.
Slight interruption to give a small report on IHOP. For those of you that don't know it is at the crossroads area. We drove there. Easy enough. NO wait, which was wonderful. However, unlike past visits we were seated in the opposite area we usually are. I am now thinking this is an older section of the restaurant. I sat, and promptly stuck to the seat. As in gross! I had shorts on, and I literally felt my skin stick to the seat. URGH! I kept smelling a unsettling smell. I couldn't quite identify it. But, it was not a smell I associate with happiness. We thought about leaving, but DH loves IHOP, so we could deal with it. The food was wonderful. But.... and I fear I will be flamed, but must say this.... there was a group directly across from us. That were loud & rude. No flames for that I expect, but here goes. They had a dog with them. No service dog. He just sat under the table. I keep thinking he MUST be some type of service dog, but didn't have the harness with the words service pet/animal. We only noticed the dog because, when the waitress returned to their table, the dog made a deep growling, noise, and went for her leg. The people settled him down instantly, but the waitress was obviously shaken. She left to get them their bill and when she returned the same thing happened. I felt bad for her. When we noticed the dog, that is when it hit me, I now remembered the smell. Our old dog. She had throat cancer that caused an odor of ...rotting flesh. I'm sorry, I know that is gross. I got emotional. All in all, it was not a nice start to our day. However, a nice note, (because there always should be one in any story IMO), our waiter made a slight error. When we pointed it out (he forgot DD's juice or something small), he apologized and said he is a little off his wife & he had just had a baby a couple days previous.
He pulled out the picture and shared his joy with us! He was such a proud Dad, that put things a little more into perspective. Sticky seat was fine, stinky dog, no big deal.... Life goes on, and there is joy.
So, onward. After IHOP we bounce into the little gift shop across the parking lot. We were able to get K & E tshirts that say I'm with him/her with the Mickey hand pointing to the other person. We also got the boys tshirts. And Miss M. picked out something for herself. I also got each one of my great niece/nephews that are going to Disney on Christmas a little back sac with a mickey/minnie/princess on them. And of course the FLA souvenir for DMIL. An ash tray. Next off to pick up DS to head to AK.
We called DS to tell him we were on our way. He informed us to pick him up at the main lobby. Since that is NO where near his room, we asked why. He said they never picked up his luggage. It becomes confusing for me here. All I know is he got a ride with his luggage to the main lobby area. This is where we pulled up & saw him sitting on his luggage, as 2 bell hops and what appeared to be a manager were standing talking. DS looked rather pathetic. Somewhat like Woody, or Buzz sitting on Andys luggage, wondering if they were going off to college with him. DS had been told he needed to bring it to another area, right down the road. DH was NOT happy. He called over the manager and explained the situation. She apologized and said of course we can transfer that for him. She called over one of the bell hops. DH thanked her & tipped the bell hop. DS was happy & we got into our car & drove off.
Next stop Animal Kingdom!