Unexpected Trip up to the World

[EJKorvette]

Could not think of a good name for this trip, so called it this. I didn't know I was even going up until about two weeks ago.

Background: I have been unemployed from my weekday job since October tenth. My mom took advantage of my "time off" to schedule a trip so I could come along and help her. She can't get around too well anymore.

We started yesterday. Her helper drove her up from Palm Beach Gardens; I drove up from Fort Lauderdale. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter.

The last time I stayed here was during the first Clinton administration. I thought I had remembered how to get here. I didn't. The signage up here on property is terrible; trying to get from Osceola Parkway to a resort without getting lost is impossible. I was at the hotels east of Downtown Disney when I called Mom on my cel; her helper was also lost, but while I was on the phone he found it, and told me how to get there.

Check in was smooth. I noticed that the front desk decorations were musical notes, and wondered if it was an actual song. Now it has been years since I actually played a musical instrument, and looked to see if it was an actual piece of music. It was, but I wasn't sure. I asked a cast member; turns out it was the song I thought it was!

The rooms were okay. She needs a walk-in shower, but my room had it instead. We swapped rooms, and later went back to the desk, and swapped keys, and added an extra day to our stay!

The rooms were in decent shape, but one or two pieces of furniture are showing some signs of wear.

Finally we were ready to go to dinner. We had an ADR for Morocco. The bus to EPCOT already had someone with a scooter on it, so there wasn't room for Mom's. Luckily her helper hadn't driven back down yet, so we broke down the scooter, put it in the trunk of her car, and her helper drove us over to EPCOT so we could get over to Morocco in time.

We did, and had a good dinner there. It got busy after we started dining, so our waiter couldn't get back to us as quickly as we needed him. My mom wanted warm couscous; because it was busy, it took a while for our waiter to bring it. We both had the feast. The lamb was good, but the chicken was dry once I got beyond the very flavorful skin. Youssef was a good waiter even though he was very busy and we had to wait a while for the hot mint tea to have with our dessert of a baklava assortment.

My mom thought the belly dancer was too thin, and also inexperienced.

After that we went back to the hotel. It is pretty cold up here this week by South Florida standards (good thing I brought my jacket!) and we didn't want to wait for Illuminations.

So back to the rooms and to bed. We did get to see the fireworks from near our room though.

This morning I got up and went to get beignets and coffee to bring back while Mom was getting ready. Luckily no one was in line so I was in and out. I was saddened to see that the reuseable $12.79 each coffee mugs are generic now; that is, they don't say the name of the resort on them. I should have brought my Port Orleans mug with me (the one I bought about ten years ago before they joined Port Orleans with Dixie Landings!).

We will probably go to Hollywood Studios now since we are eating at Hollywood and Vine tonight.

More later.

One word about this in-room Internet connection: It works fine except when I want to connect to IRC channels or send outgoing mail. Any suggestions?

EJKorvette

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
We stayed at POR.

Sorry, can't help you with the internet problems. We gave up and used my dh's Verizon phone. It moved a lot faster too. It sounds like a firewall was up that it wouldn't send out your e-mails.

We thought our room was a little run down too. POR was just refurbished about 5 years ago, and sadly it needs it again.

 

[EJKorvette]

Yesterday started with me going to get beignets for breakfast. These were the yeast kind (as opposed to the choux pastry kind they used to serve at the real restaurant they had here years ago), and were made to order. Could feel my arteries hardening, but were soooo good.

Off to the parks, we had an ADR for Hollywood and Vine so we spent the day at the Studios.

A little confusion with the buses, but the bus coordinator called another bus for us so we could get to Hollywood Studios.

Once there we did a lot of walking around. First thing we got FastPasses for Toy Story Mania. We got there about eleven o'clock; our return times were six thirty to seven thirty. That worked for us since our ADR was for five fifty.

Then we did: the Beauty and the Beast show, the Indiana Jones show, Mom rode the Star Wars ride (I wasn't feeling well plus I have gone on that several hundred times), the Backstage tour, the Muppet 4D show (still funny after several hundred viewings), the Movie ride, dinner, and then finally Toy Story Mania. (Did I miss anything?) Then back to the room because we were cold and tired (the weather report for up here actually calls for frost tonight!). Buses kept coming; almost no wait! Luckily the loud Brazilian tour group was going to another resort.

The buffet at Hollywood and Vine was great. Saw dishes on the buffet that I haven't seen even at buffets in Vegas. Our waiter Cory was exceptional (remind me to email that address where you mention great service by exceptional CMs).

Other things to mention: I took a trip up here last July or August with my girlfriend and got a score of 98,000 on Toy Story Mania. Last night I only got 88,000. Thought my score would improve!

Also, are people ruder or stupider than they used to be? Seems they either couldn't or wouldn't get out of the way when my mom was using her scooter. Maybe it is a perception thing on my part; my girlfriend and I don't use scooters so I am usually on the other end.

Finally I want to mention that the room here at the French Quarter has great lighting. I have a problem with low lighting. Our room at the Yacht Club last trip up, I couldn't see well even with all the lights on.

Also, am I the only one that has to put Stacy's countdown thing on the TV when I am in the room? Doesn't feel like a Disney trip without hearing her voice!

Almost time to start another Disney day. More later.

Evan aka EJKorvette

 

[Skyw]

[Q
Also, are people ruder or stupider than they used to be? Seems they either couldn't or wouldn't get out of the way when my mom was using her scooter. Maybe it is a perception thing on my part; my girlfriend and I don't use scooters so I am usually on the other end.
Q]


I hate when I go and people are pushing a shoving to get to places. I am sorry that you mom isn't getting a little yield from others. When it gets that crowded...we go back to the resort. We make regular trips to WDW so it isn't that important if we miss stuff.

 

[EJKorvette]

I couldn't sleep well again; got up twice and couldn't get back to sleep the second time without some medication, so got up late and have to make this quick.

We had a leisurely lunch at the food court. Was great with almost no one there. Most people got up and out early so we had the place almost to ourselves. Loved the Muffaleta, with beignets of course!

Yesterday we had an ADR at Tusker House at six, so we did Animal Kingdom.

Was strange being cold at AK; most times I am there it is hot and humid and all that vegetation makes it feel like I really am trekking through the jungle.

We did: Flights of Wonder (think I recognized the actor who played the tour guide from a group I used to be in [SCA]), the safari, the train to the Conservation Station, and the Bug movie (amazing how entertaining eight minutes can be!).

I loved the buffet at Tusker House. I actually enjoyed the vegetarian stuff more that the meat stuff. Loved all the couscouses and rice dishes! Actually some were spicy! They were very helpful wiht Mom's scooter; they let her park it inside in the school room while we got a table in the Safari room.

Finally back to the room and eventually to bed.

Not sure what we will do today. Almost done with our food plan; today is a bonus day for us since we didn't plan on being up here another night.

One more note on my room - the shower/bath fixture leaks; that is why I found it jammed shut the first time I used it.

Now it is Thursday morning. We just got back from breakfast at the Float Factory. Sorry to say, IMHO breakfast sucked. I do realize that we got over there at a quarter to eleven in the morning, right before the end of breakfast. BUT: the foreign CMs could barely speak English; could barely understand them. If Disney wants to save money by hiring foreigners, fine with me, but PLEASE make sure they can speak English! Just don't give them a three day class or whatever and throw them out on stage!

Also, why is it impossible to get a platter with both sausage AND bacon? Is that only available on the King Creole Breakfast for $8.09? And if I am paying eight dollars and nine cents for breakfast, why can't I get honest-to-goodness butter? Sorry, "buttery spread" doesn't cut it.

I got the platter with the Mickey "waffle", potatoes, eggs, bacon, and biscuit. The girl was reluctant to give me sausage gravy with it, had to ask twice. She was also stingy with the bacon. More Disney corner-shaving? At least the potatoes were flavorful (I was impressed), and the eggs were actually cooked (vice being reconstituted powdered eggs familiar to campers and servicemen).

Back to the rooms once more. I had done something stupid - left the chain on my door when I back Mom's scooter out of her room, and she forgot her key. So of course when we came back we couldn't get in. Luckily a Housekeeping guy was taking out some garbage. I stopped him and asked him if he could open the door or call someone. He could barely speak English aside from saying "NO" and he seemed put out that we interrupted him. But we got him to find a housekeeper. Luckily she was an American(!) so he finally told her, and then she cheerfully let us in.

Note to Disney management: more training needed. The time and money does pay off in Guest satisfaction, which, if I remember correctly, is what sets Disney apart from the competition.

Did I mention that the holiday flora was out when we came back last night, and the holiday cups are also out (the foamy cups for coffee) at the Float Factory and in the rooms?

More later.

Evan aka EJKorvette

 

[EJKorvette]

Today was EPCOT again. We got going, were the only ones on the bus on the way from all five Port Orlean stops going to EPCOT at about noon.

Right away we got into words with one guy who thought we were complaining about his kids not moving out of my mom's way. He thought my mom should have watched out for his kids. I don't know what Mom said to him, but I had made a comment about someone else's kid running not into me.

We soon forgot about that though, after getting FastPasses for Soarin', then going on The Land boats. Right after we got off we signed up and took the Behind the Seeds tour. Very interesting stuff going on there!

After that it was time for Soarin'. What can I say, Patrick Warburton makes an amazing ride even better. We lucked out and were in Row 1, so didn't have feet hanging down over our heads.

Then over to see Figment. We decided it was then time to make our way all the way over to Kimono's at the Swan for dinner.

The scooter was losing its charge, so we got an emergency charge at the scooter and stroller rental near the International Gateway. We relaxed for about ten minutes after a bathroom break, then on to the boat and over to the Swan.

This was my very first time in the Swan. Very nice; much different vibe over there than I am used to on property. Crowded though, loads of people!

Kimonos was great. We had really good sushi, tempura, edamame, and soup. Afterwards I checked out the Dolphin. Loads of foreigners helping our balance of trade! Must have been at least three tour groups there plus a convention going on as well. Maybe for a change I will stay over there one day.

So back on the boat, and back to the bus. The arches were now set up, but no lights yet. I thought we had lucked out again and Mom would get to see all the lights. Now back in the hotel. Noticed more holiday flora on the grounds tonight. Mom mentioned getting a drink at the hotel bar, but she is too tired. Think I will do that though. Maybe I won't wake during my last here if I do that.

Evan aka EJKorvette

 

[EJKorvette]

But last night I did go to the bar and had two double Jack Daniel's on the rocks. I wanted just a single, but I was offered a double for only a dollar and a half more! Best deal in the forty-seven square miles of the World!

The guy playing music in Scat Cats was good, playing songs like Mustang Sally and old Ray Charles songs. Meanwhile on the TV the Miami Hurricanes were getting destroyed by Georgia Tech. Fun anyway.

Then I bought a hamburger and a soda, then some snacks in the store. Both were still open at eleven at night.

I actually slept through the whole night!

Got up and had time to pack, and do my George thing with my dollar bills, and download new iTunes and new iTouch software.

Went and got breakfast. To my surprise, no one was ordering beignets. In fact the woman behind me online asked me what they were while the CM was frying them. Oh well.

I will post a wrap-up later today after I get home.

Evan

Now it is about time to load the car and go back to my unemployed reality back down in Fort Lauderdale. Mom is still packing.

 

[EJKorvette]

My mom's helper showed up a little after eleven. I had already packed, put my stuff in the car, and had even brought back beignets for me and a muffin for Mom. He was here now to take care of her, and get her out of the room. We were already past check-out time, but they didn't rush us out of there (like some other hotels I have stayed in).

Got back to my place about four or so, was an uneventful drive home aside from having absolutely perfect weather.

Usually the drive home down the Turnpike after a Disney trip is kind of sad, but I held off the after trip depression by listening to my favorite Disney podcast that comes out on Tuesday and Wednesday!

My mom had fun (in spite of my complaining) and I had fun (in spite of me getting frustrated with the cart).

Unfortunately with my unemployment situation I can't see another trip on the horizon for a long time, but one never knows what will happen.

Evan