Leeds Utd Fan
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2001
- Messages
- 63
CAST
Valerie40 Today
ChrisNot 40 today [sorry but I am enjoying this]
Scott 14-- Year old waiting for money to be spent on him
Glenn9 Year old looking forward to his mums birthday
Saturday 22nd February 2003
I woke up today at 5.45am, so much for the late night. I made a coffee and went outside and just chilled for a few minutes. It was humid, well to a brit anyway, I was determined that Val would have a good day [The boys had been warned], Val had experienced a difficult year, everything had been left to her i.e. arranging our move and looking after the boys while I am working away as well as working night shift 3 times a week, and she was so looking forward to today.
We had brought all her Birthday cards and some presents with us, at 6.30 Val is opening them up and placing them around the room. We all get ready for our PS at the Crystal Palace for 8.30, apparently I held everyone up, well it takes me ages to look half decent even at my young age lol! And of course we had to let our boys argue and have a fight. So much for their promises, but to be honest they were so good today, or should I say how normal children behave!!
Eventually, we are driving towards the MK, ok and this is a theme for us we are late. We arrive at the parking lot about 8.20, and after riding the tram decide to get the ferry over. As we get on the captain says happy birthday, as Val is wearing the Disney Birthday badge, at this point a big thank-you to all the cms at the MK who said happy birthday to her today it made it so special for her.
We eventually arrive at the CP about 15 minutes late and only have to wait 10 minutes before we are allowed in. Everyone has a good breakfast; even Val who is a vegetarian finds something to eat. Scott manages to have three large helpings [where does he put it?]. All the characters from the CP visit and Val has her picture taken with each one only Tigger did not arrive. After eating a CM took a family picture of us with Pooh [although I did pretend they were not with me], at which point it was time to leave, apparently not!! The birthday girl is not budging until Tigger comes round as it is her favourite. Ok your day do what you want, eventually about 15 minutes later tigger comes and goes and Val gets her picture.
Finally we escape the CP and head over to Liberty Square as there is a shop that Val wants to go too. [surprise]. While there I sneak off behind the Christmas shop to the smoking area, but to no avail Glenn finds me!!
While sitting there a CM that is emptying the bins speaks to Glenn. Today Glenn is wearing a Leeds top which has Strongbow emblazoned across it, that is a local cider company from the west of England and this CM was stationed with the US air force 4 miles from where we come from. He was a really nice guy and spoke to us for 20 minutes. Then it was time to find Val, no problem really as she was inside the Christmas shop, another favourite shop. I must admit we love all the Christmas decorations so no hardship here. Then off to the liberty belle [is that what the ship/boat is called?], we missed this in November so wanted to ride it early. Really enjoyed it, it is a nice rest from walking. After riding we decided to get the monorail to Epcot, so we gently strolled down Main Street, Val obviously could not walk past the emporium, so we waited for her outside.
We eventually made the Epcot monorail at 12.45; we have not ridden this in years so it was nice to ride it. You get a fantastic view of Epcot and Spaceship earth and some of future world from it. Now there is no guessing what we are going to ride first yes SE, we ended riding this 10+ times this vacation, it is a favourite. We then decided to head for test track as it is one of Glenns favourite rides, on the way over I had to listen to Scott moaning about how hungry he was and how he would collapse if he did not have lunch lol. [My reply was you ate at 8.50 you had three very large helpings, you cannot be hungry so soon. If you are going to collapse let us have your pass so we can get an extra fast pass for TT. And then I offered him a paramedic] this did the trick, no mention of food from him for at least 30 minutes.
We got fast passes for TT, then walked around world showcase, stopped at China to let the boys play with the Chinese sticks and for me to finish my Bud ok my second Bud. Then it started to rain, this was the rain promised on the weather channel, so we sheltered in the Japanese area for 20 minutes.
When the rain stopped we headed off to the other side of world showcase, quickly bypassing the UK, as it is the most boring country set up, imho. Past Canada well I stopped to get a large Canadian beer, having worked in Toronto [Mississauga] I am quite a fan. I finished it off while Val was in the shops [surprised].
It was time for the FP at TT, we rode TT [I really like this ride, it has grown on me]
We then got the monorail back to the MK and drove back to the CRB. Arrived back at 5.45pm, which is a problem as we have PS for 6.30 at RFC, I called them to try and move it. I apologised about missing the PS and explained it was Vals birthday but they actually were most unhelpful, too busy to move it 20 minutes in fact they were actually saying tough. Tried reservations for other Disney places but nowhere we liked were available, so I needed a backup, how about TGI Fridays at crossroads? Ok I know what was going through Vals mind shops at DD!! So off we drove in the heavy rain and thunder, I cannot see a thing!! Glenn is really scared, Val trying to comfort him says at least there is no lightening, and you guessed it at that point the largest thunderbolt I have ever seen is in front of me.
No problem in finding TGIs as we ate here at least 6 times in November, I kindly drop everyone off right in front and then go off to try and park. Took about 10 minutes eventually parked around the back and then ran through the rain. The wait at TGIs was 30 minutes, I tried to head off to the bar but Val reminded me I was driving, ok good point, I will have a small bottle, ok apparently not I have a coke.
We had a good meal; Scott and I had ribs [not as nice as in November] but still quite good. Val had some veggie thing and Glenn had a Childs meal that he did not touch. $80 dollars later we are ready to leave, I then asked a stupid question where now?
So we are now shopping in DD, we looked in a few shops then I decided that Val should enjoy some shopping alone. [Look if it was Sandra Bullock or Cameron Diaz I might of held out] So Glenn and I went to Girrendellas I had a coffee and he had a hot chocolate with marshmallows. We took them back to the car and listened to the radio. Scott was either looking around the shops or having a Big Mac, but we gave him 30 minutes. To chill out. About 45 minutes later Val and Scott came back to the car, ok I was asleep!! We got back to the CRB about 11.30pm time to get a drink from the vending machine for the boys, and then sleep. I read my book [Michael J Fox auto biography] had a drink watched the round by round summery on ESPN on the Roy Jones fight and then finally off to sleep.
A really good day and hopefully one that Val will never forget!!
Tomorrow
MGM/Pool at CRB/Boardwalk and ESPN
Valerie40 Today
ChrisNot 40 today [sorry but I am enjoying this]
Scott 14-- Year old waiting for money to be spent on him
Glenn9 Year old looking forward to his mums birthday
Saturday 22nd February 2003
I woke up today at 5.45am, so much for the late night. I made a coffee and went outside and just chilled for a few minutes. It was humid, well to a brit anyway, I was determined that Val would have a good day [The boys had been warned], Val had experienced a difficult year, everything had been left to her i.e. arranging our move and looking after the boys while I am working away as well as working night shift 3 times a week, and she was so looking forward to today.
We had brought all her Birthday cards and some presents with us, at 6.30 Val is opening them up and placing them around the room. We all get ready for our PS at the Crystal Palace for 8.30, apparently I held everyone up, well it takes me ages to look half decent even at my young age lol! And of course we had to let our boys argue and have a fight. So much for their promises, but to be honest they were so good today, or should I say how normal children behave!!
Eventually, we are driving towards the MK, ok and this is a theme for us we are late. We arrive at the parking lot about 8.20, and after riding the tram decide to get the ferry over. As we get on the captain says happy birthday, as Val is wearing the Disney Birthday badge, at this point a big thank-you to all the cms at the MK who said happy birthday to her today it made it so special for her.
We eventually arrive at the CP about 15 minutes late and only have to wait 10 minutes before we are allowed in. Everyone has a good breakfast; even Val who is a vegetarian finds something to eat. Scott manages to have three large helpings [where does he put it?]. All the characters from the CP visit and Val has her picture taken with each one only Tigger did not arrive. After eating a CM took a family picture of us with Pooh [although I did pretend they were not with me], at which point it was time to leave, apparently not!! The birthday girl is not budging until Tigger comes round as it is her favourite. Ok your day do what you want, eventually about 15 minutes later tigger comes and goes and Val gets her picture.
Finally we escape the CP and head over to Liberty Square as there is a shop that Val wants to go too. [surprise]. While there I sneak off behind the Christmas shop to the smoking area, but to no avail Glenn finds me!!
While sitting there a CM that is emptying the bins speaks to Glenn. Today Glenn is wearing a Leeds top which has Strongbow emblazoned across it, that is a local cider company from the west of England and this CM was stationed with the US air force 4 miles from where we come from. He was a really nice guy and spoke to us for 20 minutes. Then it was time to find Val, no problem really as she was inside the Christmas shop, another favourite shop. I must admit we love all the Christmas decorations so no hardship here. Then off to the liberty belle [is that what the ship/boat is called?], we missed this in November so wanted to ride it early. Really enjoyed it, it is a nice rest from walking. After riding we decided to get the monorail to Epcot, so we gently strolled down Main Street, Val obviously could not walk past the emporium, so we waited for her outside.
We eventually made the Epcot monorail at 12.45; we have not ridden this in years so it was nice to ride it. You get a fantastic view of Epcot and Spaceship earth and some of future world from it. Now there is no guessing what we are going to ride first yes SE, we ended riding this 10+ times this vacation, it is a favourite. We then decided to head for test track as it is one of Glenns favourite rides, on the way over I had to listen to Scott moaning about how hungry he was and how he would collapse if he did not have lunch lol. [My reply was you ate at 8.50 you had three very large helpings, you cannot be hungry so soon. If you are going to collapse let us have your pass so we can get an extra fast pass for TT. And then I offered him a paramedic] this did the trick, no mention of food from him for at least 30 minutes.
We got fast passes for TT, then walked around world showcase, stopped at China to let the boys play with the Chinese sticks and for me to finish my Bud ok my second Bud. Then it started to rain, this was the rain promised on the weather channel, so we sheltered in the Japanese area for 20 minutes.
When the rain stopped we headed off to the other side of world showcase, quickly bypassing the UK, as it is the most boring country set up, imho. Past Canada well I stopped to get a large Canadian beer, having worked in Toronto [Mississauga] I am quite a fan. I finished it off while Val was in the shops [surprised].
It was time for the FP at TT, we rode TT [I really like this ride, it has grown on me]
We then got the monorail back to the MK and drove back to the CRB. Arrived back at 5.45pm, which is a problem as we have PS for 6.30 at RFC, I called them to try and move it. I apologised about missing the PS and explained it was Vals birthday but they actually were most unhelpful, too busy to move it 20 minutes in fact they were actually saying tough. Tried reservations for other Disney places but nowhere we liked were available, so I needed a backup, how about TGI Fridays at crossroads? Ok I know what was going through Vals mind shops at DD!! So off we drove in the heavy rain and thunder, I cannot see a thing!! Glenn is really scared, Val trying to comfort him says at least there is no lightening, and you guessed it at that point the largest thunderbolt I have ever seen is in front of me.
No problem in finding TGIs as we ate here at least 6 times in November, I kindly drop everyone off right in front and then go off to try and park. Took about 10 minutes eventually parked around the back and then ran through the rain. The wait at TGIs was 30 minutes, I tried to head off to the bar but Val reminded me I was driving, ok good point, I will have a small bottle, ok apparently not I have a coke.
We had a good meal; Scott and I had ribs [not as nice as in November] but still quite good. Val had some veggie thing and Glenn had a Childs meal that he did not touch. $80 dollars later we are ready to leave, I then asked a stupid question where now?
So we are now shopping in DD, we looked in a few shops then I decided that Val should enjoy some shopping alone. [Look if it was Sandra Bullock or Cameron Diaz I might of held out] So Glenn and I went to Girrendellas I had a coffee and he had a hot chocolate with marshmallows. We took them back to the car and listened to the radio. Scott was either looking around the shops or having a Big Mac, but we gave him 30 minutes. To chill out. About 45 minutes later Val and Scott came back to the car, ok I was asleep!! We got back to the CRB about 11.30pm time to get a drink from the vending machine for the boys, and then sleep. I read my book [Michael J Fox auto biography] had a drink watched the round by round summery on ESPN on the Roy Jones fight and then finally off to sleep.
A really good day and hopefully one that Val will never forget!!
Tomorrow
MGM/Pool at CRB/Boardwalk and ESPN
Sounds like a great birthday! I am enjoying your trip report and am looking forward to the rest.
! I know my DH will enjoy my happiness as much as you obviously enjoyed your DW's (he also loves the fact that he has many years before turning 50!!)
