So, when I left off we had just had a cigarette and were making our way down to the ME. It took me a minute to figure out where to go even though I had checked in advance, I just couldnt see the signs. It was basically two choices, follow the crowds to ME or follow the crowds to the rental car places.
So we got down there and got in line to head to the Wilderness Lodge
We probably waited about 5 minutes and then we got on the bus. We were practically at the end of our line and the bus left as soon as we were all on although it wasnt full. It was about half to 2/3 full maybe. This must have been around 10:30 am.
Donna and I settled in right in front of a TV because we were both excited to see the ME video, since neither of us had ridden the magical express before. You know how it is, its your first day and you just want to see/get to Disney! Well when we got on the televisions were off, the driver got on, reported in over the walkie-talkie that he was leaving the airport, but didnt say anything to us at all - no welcome aboard, no how long it would take. Okay, whatever. Then he puts in a DVD and starts to drive....
And Donna and I both look at each other, back at the video, back at each other and just start laughing. This was NOT the magical express Disney video. Nope, this was This is It, that Michael Jackson movie.
She and I had seen it so I know thats what it was. I dont even know if it is out on DVD yet or if it was a bootleg copy. I kept thinking eventually he would switch it, but he never did and never said a word!
I wondered what some of the parents thought of it (I mean its not dirty, but there is some provocative dancing) and the funniest thing is no one in our immediate vicinity seemed to be paying any attention to it one way or the other. I was so bummed not to get the ME video, not even to get any kind of Disney video, and worst of all it was a movie I had already seen!
We get to WDW,
This was actually taken when we went in July
through the gates, and WL is the first stop so here we are!
I didnt take any pictures out front, so I borrowed this one from photobucket! No offense intended to the original photographer....
We had gone back and forth about whether or not to do online check in, and finally decided we would because it might be busy that time of day on the Saturday of Presidents Day weekend. I had already called in the room request anyway (high floor on MK side, we wanted to be able to see the fireworks if possible). I think four families got off with us, we all walked in and they went up to the regular check-in while we smartly went over to the online check in desk.
One problem - there were no PEOPLE at the online check in desk. After the third family from the bus had been checked in (we came in first, so we would have been first if we hadnt done online check in), I asked one of the men at the club-level check in if he could get someone to come help us. He did, and they came right over after checking in the fourth family from our bus.
So online check in was a total waste of time.
Our room wasnt ready which was not surprising so I gave them my number to text us. The CM gave Donna Sue her birthday button which she just loved.
Now Im tired and a little irritated from the wait, and we dont really know what to do with ourselves, so we go have lunch. We were hoping our room would be ready before we took off for the afternoon. We both wanted to unpack, have our groceries delivered, etc. So we went to Whispering Canyon Café where we both chose a margarita and bacon cheeseburgers. I ordered some chips and queso/salsa to go with the margaritas which I do not recommend. First of all, the queso was brownish. Queso should be the color of velveeta. Second, pico de gallo is not salsa! Anyway, the margaritas and burgers were good, and while we were waiting I gave Donna part of her birthday present - a princess lanyard/starter pin set with a pouch (I got myself the tinkerbell one). This was also when Donna got her first free birthday dessert. It was cool, a few CMs came over to sing and present her with her cupcake, and all the people in our section sang along! She was really happy, except with the cupcake. See, she was full, and were nice southern women (okay, she is) and dont want to hurt anyones feelings who gives us free food. I cant believe she didnt know this trick, but I showed her how to mush something up and make it look like you ate part of it even when you didnt. (The cupcake was strawberry - if it had been chocolate I would have eaten it myself!)
Our room still wasnt ready so we took our carry-on bags to the valet, went and had a smoke (just in time for either the 1 or 2 pm geyser). This picture was taken from the smoking section next to the pool bar (Trout Pass). It was a really nice smoking area. There was another one up front close to the buses, and they were both tucked back where no one needed to walk right by you for any reason if they werent smoking.
and then we headed to the dock to take the boat over to MK.
Next: Were off to the Magic Kingdom! Or are we?
I support both teams....equally.
I love your user name and avatar.
