When in doubt, feed the bear....but not that!!!Day 6- Last day blues

[MEK]

Found this and it is recent.


We will be upgrading to some new servers over the next 10 days or so
There will be some occasional periods of downtime as we get ready to migrate
Like now
We should be back up in an hour or so

Thanks for your patience
Alex

The DIS does seem to be running a bit faster today!

 

[Poolrat]

The DIS does seem to be running a bit faster today!

I am even saying WOW with how fast it loads.

 

[Poolrat]

Chris had a mission in China. So we went back towards the store.

This is what my son had his eye on.

This boy rarely asks for anything, but when he does it always seems to be an odd choice. I humor him and the hat is his.

Somehow a wooden practice sword also makes it back to the resort. Wonder how we are going to get that home.

As we leave China I see this.

We are approaching Norway when I hear a certain Norwegian gnome. Lucky again , we stop for Julenissen.

As the Story goes on Julenissen get to the part where everyone is asked to moo. A rather loud group of guys goes past. It looks like a bachelor party of sorts. I think there was a groom with groom ears on.

In any event, they were the loudest moo-ers. It actually interrupted the storytelling, but in a good way. Julenissen is pointing to them.

You can see the backs of them here.

This would not be the last time we see them.

As we listened, there was a meltdown going on nearby.

When the story ended, it was time to move on again. Chris had another mission. He said his Spanish teacher had a dolphin and he wanted to get a sombrero for it.

On the way we passed the mariachi band.

Decorations in Mexico

We looked around and found a small sombrero. That was also sent back to the resort. I wanted to go look in the glass shop but we had to cross a line first.

I was looking for a glass giraffe but did not find one. As we exited I realized the boat ride in Mexico had this unbelievable line.

Up the side of the marketplace.

Out into the lobby area where the artist painting the wood animals are.

Once outside in the daylight, we saw our loud boys. They are the ones trying to climb the pyramid.

Some flowers long the way.

We approach the EPCOT tree and I make Chris stop for a picture.

Continued next post...

 

[Poolrat]

Continued from last post

We slowly make our way out.

I guess we went through Innoventions

I think we had some time to kill but it was packed. How packed??

It was starting to get dark and while I had my sweatshirt, the ever warm boy had left his in the room. Now he decided he may need it later.
We should have enough time to get back to the room and then over to dinner.

It was about 5:30pm.

By 5:35 we were at the SSR bus stop.
We see this.

I was a bit confused as to how a guy with luggage was at the EPCOT busses.

We had good luck in EPCOT with storytellers so it was time for all the that good luck to even out.

30 minutes later we have a bus.

We make it back to the room and drop off the hat and grab the sweatshirt.
We now choose to wait for a DTD bus. I figure it is close and then we can hop a resort bus. The other option would have been to either grab a Magic Kingdom bus and then monorail it. I am guessing the DTD bus came first.
By 6:43 we were here.

We opted for Pleasure Island instead of the marketplace and luck was on our side. A GF/ Contemporary bus was right behind us.

We boarded at 6:47. After some conversation, Chris made the comment that there is a path between the GF and the Poly. Why Boy, you have been listening. He was right.

We get off at the GF and walk over to the Poly. We arrive right at 7:30. Yikes. Here I thought we had plenty of time.

We were meeting Memom, Jill and Crew and Anita and big crew for dinner at O’Hana.

I have only a few pictures from dinner.

The boys waiting.

We were all able to get seated together and the food was plentiful. Brooklynn and Bella both fell asleep on Jill’s lap and Anita’s DGD Harper slept through dinner.

The only food picture I got.

We ate, we laughed and we were stuffed. As the lights dimmed for the fireworks, dessert came. I had turned around in my chair to watch the fireworks and when the fireworks were done, there was some bread pudding left. I did have room for a bite.

The bill came. We had a good laugh over that. Our “cousin Patty” never did ask how we were settling the bill so it was all on one big tab.
Go ahead guess how much that bill was.

Now to be fair, the bill says 21 adults. We counted and didn’t have that many. I cannot recall an exact count but maybe 17? Three of the six kids were asleep and did not eat. That took some time and by the time we were all settled it was 11pm. Chris was going back to the room since we were up early. I stayed to settle the bill and went to MK with Anita and Mark to catch our respective busses back. I did not go over to Mk. I was just too full and tired.

On a bus by 11:40 and back at SSR by midnight.

Chris left around 10:30 and he opted to go to DTD to transfer. He got back to the room around 11:30. I left the poly a little after 11 and got back at 12am. Two different ways but about the same amount of time.
Of course when we arrived back at the room, I still had to make up the sofa bed.

I neglected to mention that when we arrived at the studio, I found a basket full of linens and things outside our door. It had towels and coffee and shampoo and stuff. We just checked in so I shouldn’t have a towel and trash service. Since this was my first visit as a DVC owner I had no idea what it was. I thought it might be for the unit next to us but it was by our door. Before we left for EPCOT I snagged it.

I pulled out what I thought were the sofa linens but it was just pillowcases.
Then I went to the closet to find the real linens and pillows. By the time we figured out how to get the bed set up we were wide awake.
It was probably 1 am before we settled down to sleep.

Next time- Our first Full day.

 

[nowellsl]

Great pictures! You know it's packed when the Mexico ride has a line

 

[KatMark]

WOW -- look at those wait times!!!!!!!! I don't think I could ever go at that time and deal with those type of wait times.

The guys with the mooing are cute....love the hat.

How in the world did they end up giving you 21 adults? I would have passed out seeing that bill.

I think what they do with the "laundry basket" is put it out for the rooms that they have to do that day and come back later; I've noticed this twice now at OKW.

 

[Poolrat]

That's what we did!!! It was put face down between Anita and me and Marc dared to pick it up and look. Once we got over the shock , we just laughed.

Great pictures! You know it's packed when the Mexico ride has a line

At first, I saw the rope and then looked around to see why and what was going on. I could not believe it stretched all the way to the entrance.

 

[Poolrat]

WOW -- look at those wait times!!!!!!!! I don't think I could ever go at that time and deal with those type of wait times.

That Wed and Thursday were some of the most crowded days. If you plan right you can zag when the crowd zigs. This trip, I had some trouble doing that but the last trip I was better prepared and had no trouble at all.

The guys with the mooing are cute....love the hat.

It was pretty funny.

How in the world did they end up giving you 21 adults? I would have passed out seeing that bill.

Anita had her whole clan at dinner so all but 7 were hers. MemOm had 5 Adults in her group and then Chris and I .
Quite a few of us were on the DDP so that helped when we saw the bill.

I think what they do with the "laundry basket" is put it out for the rooms that they have to do that day and come back later; I've noticed this twice now at OKW.

I did look around for housekeeping and I could not see or hear anyone. Since our room was ready, I figured housekeeping had already been around this end so I just swiped it. We had plenty of towels for our stay.

It was an odd assortment of items, towles and pillowcases but no sheets. Pack n play sheet and then detergent, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, bowls and plasticware. It did not seem complete to change over a room but it seemed more than trash and towel.
I was a little worried we were going to get charged for the extra items but we didn't.

 

[Poolrat]

Some of the photpass pictures

 

[KatMark]

Great photopass pictures, Pat!

 

[glennbo123]

Very, very nice photopass pictures Pat!

So, has the boy worn that hat since he got back home?

Are you sure Julenissen wasn't pointing at Marv? Kinda looks like it the way he's using that wooden spoon.

Wow, what a dinner bill.

 

[BMC423]

Great pictures! I can never get enough of Disney all decked out for the Holidays. Your son looks just like you! Did he find the sombero for the dolphin?!
Your PP pics are beautiful!

 

[MEK]

to the 250 minute wait at soarin (or was it 240?)

to the line in Mexico out the door.

to the Ohana bill. WTH? Did she think you were all drunk and didn't know how many people ate dinner? That's insane! Plus why the heck wouldn't she ask if you wanted separate bills?

Lots of traveling around you did. But it sounds like you had a very fun dinner DIS meet.

Great pictures of you and Chris.

I didn't realize this was your first DVC stay. Anxious to hear what you thought of SSR (its one of my home resorts)

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Well, here's the deal with dinner.
We had ressies for 28.....
I don't think we knew how many for sure were going to show up.
Everyone that was there was on the dining plan so that was a giant relief.
Still an ouch on the tip!

 

[eandesmom]

I can't believe that was the line for DONALD! Wow.

Those are some gorgeous pics of you Pat, the boy doesn't look too shabby either, I love the one of the 2 of you in front of the tree. You are having an exceptionally photogenic trip...you look so happy in your pics, they are just lovely.

Weird about the towel and trash, I thought they actually came in and did that for you every whatever number of days it is. It was funny last spring though, we had 3 linked ressies for 5 nights and even though they were linked, they changed our stuff out pretty much every day. I have another linked ressie coming up this summer, it will be interesting to see if they see it as 5 nights for towel and trash, or as 2 separate stays.

21 adults thank heavens you were all on the DDP, that does make it a lot easier but to have to get them to adjust it like that, what a pita. And how can you be THAT off? Out of curiosity, did they make you guys pay for the sleeping kids that didn't eat?

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I would love to see the parks Christmas decor, but I don't ever want to be there with that many people!

I've got to say the boy is a very cute young man. I bet the girls are after him.

Nice photopass pics, they'd make great Christmas cards.

 

[Poolrat]

Great photopass pictures, Pat!

Very, very nice photopass pictures Pat!

Thank you both.

So, has the boy worn that hat since he got back home?

Not out in public as far as I can tell. His reasoning was he needed something for summer lifeguarding. I tried telling him a baseball hat might be more practical but ....

Now he does get home from school before me so I cannot be 100% sure it never has been worn.

Are you sure Julenissen wasn't pointing at Marv? Kinda looks like it the way he's using that wooden spoon.

I tried getting a picture with him afterwards when I saw the spoon but they cut the line off.

Wow, what a dinner bill.

It was.

Great pictures! I can never get enough of Disney all decked out for the Holidays. Your son looks just like you! Did he find the sombero for the dolphin?!
Your PP pics are beautiful!

EPCOT at Christmas is great. He did find a small sombreo for the Spanish teachers dolphin. I never did get a picture since we sent it right to the room and he took it to school when we got back.
Thanks about the pictures.

to the 250 minute wait at soarin (or was it 240?)

to the line in Mexico out the door.

That day was pretty crowded.

to the Ohana bill. WTH? Did she think you were all drunk and didn't know how many people ate dinner? That's insane! Plus why the heck wouldn't she ask if you wanted separate bills?

Anita said it best but I am surprised she didn't ask. She may have asked the other side of the table (Mostly Anita's crew) and maybe they did not know what to tell her.

What made it more fun was some of the boys- Trent John, Jarvis and Baylor and maybe more guys left after the meal to go to MK. Cousin Patty made it all right in the end but luckily we did not have drinks or it might have taken longer. We were joking that we were going to sleep there and we were already picking out spots.

Lots of traveling around you did. But it sounds like you had a very fun dinner DIS meet.

It was fun. I look forward to doing it again this summer.

Great pictures of you and Chris.

I didn't realize this was your first DVC stay. Anxious to hear what you thought of SSR (its one of my home resorts)

Thanks- he was pretty cooperative with the pictures.

This was the first one with my points. We were in the Grandstand section so the first bus stop was great. I wish I really had to totally explore the resort but sadly I did not. We did find our way around pretty easily ... after we found the room the first time. I requested close to transporation and we were so there were oly a few time we wandered.

 

[Poolrat]

Well, here's the deal with dinner.
We had ressies for 28.....
I don't think we knew how many for sure were going to show up.
Everyone that was there was on the dining plan so that was a giant relief.
Still an ouch on the tip!

What she said.... It sure took a while and if she would have asked we might have shaved enough time to actually shop downstairs, but it was all good. A great time.

I can't believe that was the line for DONALD! Wow.

Me either. I had to take a picture of that. I don't think I ever , I mean ever- when EPCOT first opened or even 2 years ago during the same time, have seen a line that long.

Now the did have the stanchions in the floor so I assume at one time the line spilled out into the marketplace but not up the ramp and into the first lobby area.

Those are some gorgeous pics of you Pat, the boy doesn't look too shabby either, I love the one of the 2 of you in front of the tree. You are having an exceptionally photogenic trip...you look so happy in your pics, they are just lovely.

Thank you. If the boy would keep his hair under control I would like it better but I don't fuss as long as it is clean.
I am happy and I guess divorce agrees with me. I am happy and more relaxed and enjoying what life will bring me.

Weird about the towel and trash, I thought they actually came in and did that for you every whatever number of days it is. It was funny last spring though, we had 3 linked ressies for 5 nights and even though they were linked, they changed our stuff out pretty much every day. I have another linked ressie coming up this summer, it will be interesting to see if they see it as 5 nights for towel and trash, or as 2 separate stays.

It threw me and being a DVC newbie I had no idea what to do. I asked Anita at dinner but by then I had grabbed the basket. I never saw housekeeping as we were only there 3 nights, but I made full use of the some of the extra supplies and put what I didn't use in the cabinets.

21 adults thank heavens you were all on the DDP, that does make it a lot easier but to have to get them to adjust it like that, what a pita. And how can you be THAT off? Out of curiosity, did they make you guys pay for the sleeping kids that didn't eat?

Memom and crew paid for their meals but some of Anitas crew ( or all ) were on the DDP and I added the DDP for Chris and I since he wanted to eat at WWC and O'Hana it made sense. For the 3 days of the plan, it was fine. I think I barely ate the last 3 days.

Cousin Patty did credit us for the sleeping kids meals. We went over with her who was there and she fixed it. I don't thik she asked in the beginning about the bill but were all at one big table.

I would love to see the parks Christmas decor, but I don't ever want to be there with that many people!

If you can get there after Thanksgiving and before school gets out you will have lower crowds. If you can't do that then up early and out when it gets nuts and then back for EMH.

I've got to say the boy is a very cute young man. I bet the girls are after him.

Nice photopass pics, they'd make great Christmas cards.

Thank you. He has an old soul so he does not go for the "typical " high school girls. Or I should say they won't go for him.
I may use some of them for a card next year.

 

[MeMom]

What made it more fun was some of the boys- Trent John, Jarvis and Baylor and maybe more guys left after the meal to go to MK. Cousin Patty made it all right in the end but luckily we did not have drinks or it might have taken longer. We were joking that we were going to sleep there and we were already picking out spots.

We could have marked Poly off of our list of resorts we have spent the night at without even paying if it had gone much longer.

We ate, we laughed and we were stuffed. As the lights dimmed for the fireworks, dessert came. I had turned around in my chair to watch the fireworks and when the fireworks were done, there was some bread pudding left. I did have room for a bite.

More, please.

The bread pudding - I think I dream of that stuff! Yummmmm! I am surprised to hear that there was a bite left. Was that the same pan that Marc, Anita, Jill, and I were eating from?

When we go in July, I plan to go down to Captain Cook's and get Brooklynn's food, since she won't eat the 'Ohana food. I hope they will be okay with her taking up a chair at no charge again, and we will be sure to get the bill straightened out when we first order.

 

[Poolrat]

We could have marked Poly off of our list of resorts we have spent the night at without even paying if it had gone much longer.

No joke. We were the last ones out the door.

More, please.

WE so need to bring the ziplock bags next time.

The bread pudding - I think I dream of that stuff! Yummmmm! I am surprised to hear that there was a bite left. Was that the same pan that Marc, Anita, Jill, and I were eating from?

I believe so. While I was watching Wishes, you were all digging in to that wonderful dessert. They lowered the lights so nobody noticed you left me a bite.

When we go in July, I plan to go down to Captain Cook's and get Brooklynn's food, since she won't eat the 'Ohana food. I hope they will be okay with her taking up a chair at no charge again, and we will be sure to get the bill straightened out when we first order.

I think we learned a bit on that last trip and hopefully we can make it go more smoothly this time.
We may need to adjust the reservation as we get closer because I think that is one of the resturants that will charge for no shows.