Tuesday, October 11, 2005

need some soothing tea after tis trip...

We are back!!!Who went: Mrs. Pots(me) and Potsie(my bday gal)
When: Sept. 23 to Oct 1, 2005

Sept. 23: Got to Florida late Friday. Did not get the requested room we have but still OK where she (CM = not to happy, maybe because it’s almost time for her to go home and all she can see is a sea of happy Disney fanatics… sometimes that can give anybody a headache you know!) had put us. At the Jazz Inn close to the parking lot, ground floor. Another quiet corner of ASMu since everybody was at the Calypso or Broadway, so cannot complain about that. We have Brenda for our Mousekeeper. Really young mousekeeper, no towel artwork BUT keeps the room clean and clean towels were overflowing (that was great!). After we rested we got ready to take the bus to DTD for a bite to eat at Earl of Sandwich. Bus ride was a bit crazy but we survived! Potsie and I had a different order of sandwich so we can split half and get to taste everything. The Dining Plan was AWESOME = a lot of food! After our scrumptious dinner we hop skip to the Gherardelli store for some sweet treats. I had to refrain in going in the marketplace since it is only our 1st night!

Sept. 24: Yes we did get the Mickey Shampoo Bottles this time in our room, I was expecting a dispenser at the tiled bathroom wall since thats what we had last April at the Rockin Inn Bldg. Took our shower got dress and called Enterprise for our rental (economy size for $133 for the whole week a good value I can say). After picking up the car we went back to DTD for more sandwiches and then off to see Flight Plan at AMC P.I. (sound crazy but only when I am on vacation I get to go to see a movie in the theater). A lot of action, story line is not that mind bugling! After the movies off to our 1st table service at the Whispering Canyon. Everything you read about it were true. If you ask for ketchup they bring one to many bottles, if you ask for refill for your drink they bring you a bucket. Food was great and the never-ending milkshakes was awesome. Only thing we encounter that stuck in our mind was the family next to us consisting of a mother a father and 3 kids. Parents were enjoying their meal while kids run around like crazy; even the server was starting to have a distorted face in trying to accommodate those kids without loosing their job. Tip was included in the plan but MYSTERY MAN our server was great, the same one who was very patient to our next table family, they get 15% and we just add a little more to make it 25%. Also stopped by at the Pop Century for my 1st fairy Drop off (nothing special nor expensive just a simple token of happiness)

Sept.25: Sunday, late morning for us. Since we were a day early from our original plan we were a bit discombobulated. Finally after dilly-dallying we decided to see AKL. Before anything else we have to eat. Ate at the Flame Tree ( I agree one counter service is good enough for 2 guest), had the BBQ pulled beef sandwich and salad a bottle of water, an order of soda with cake and frozen lemonade. Then off to see Tarzan Rocks for the last time since by the time we go back they might be gone. After dancing with Turk off to see the Bugs Life again and again and again. Saw Mickey, Minnie, Pooh , Eeyore and Tigger. After all our paparazzi instinct were satisfied we go back to DTD we walk some more to scout for more postcards to mail. It was almost 6:00PM time to go back to the hotel to freshen up since we are due at O hana at 7:45PM to see cousin Lipoa and cousin Carlos ( another great server). No complains with the food, almost the same menu the shrimp is now cooked with teriyaki sauce delicious! At 8:00PM the lights were dimmed since the Wishes fireworks started and yes the music is still piped in. after dinner we walked around and then we went back to the Hotel to catch some zzz.

P.S. Brief Encounter with Cousin Lipoa. It was nice to know they still remember you even after a couple of months had passed by.

Sept. 26: Monday, the day we save for MK. Woke up and checked the weather channel to see if we need to bring our PONCHOS. From previous trips I carry the heavy-duty ponchos and golf umbrellas but hey this time I wing it with a small one and thank goodness we did not need to use it at all. Got coffee with our free refill at the food court and grab some ice for my timmy tummy cup and off we go. After grabbing the map to locate where the counter services are we headed straight to Noodle Station. We never pay any attention to this corner since back then we are so focused to go to the Cool Station. We were one of the few 1st one who took advantage of their specialties. I had the Lo Mien, Choco Cake, a bottle of water and pot stickers for appetizer. My sister had the Noodle Soup ( sorry I forgot the name but it was good too since we share our food), fried rice for appetizer, ginger crème Brule and a big and I mean they gave her B I G cup of soda. So now lunch is out of the day off to see Philharmagic, Dumbo, Small World, the Three Great mountains, Haunted Mansion, a picture here a picture there. Then back to main street to check out the shops. Temperature was a lil high that we needed a scoop of Vanilla ice cream each. After all this activities it was only about 2:00PM. Can you tell ? We did not have a long wait at all in any of the rides. The most was at Astro Orbiter for about 15 minutes. But it was not bad since I was busy chit chatting with a girl named Kaileen. Apparently it was her 1st time to be in this ride and was a bit concern. We assure her that there is nothing to worry and grab my magic wand (bubble Minnie wands that I give out to any kid) and told her that if she ever feel anything to just blow her fear away. Well at the end she did not need to blow anything out. She did great! So, after we realize that we have a couple of hours before dinner we decided to go back to the hotel and take a nap for an hour which was a very long hour. A couple of hours later we finally got back to MK to have dinner at the CP around 7:00PM. By the time we are done it was just in time for the Wishes Fireworks and we got the best sit in the house. My sister did enjoy our chosen spot for this was the 1st time we tried it close and personal. But in my case I was busy playing with my new friends. I grab lighted fan and hand it out to my little friends who were already restless after their long day. That kept them happy and so with there parents I think. One mother even offered her kid for me to take home, which I know she was just kidding. Very magical way to end our night at MK.

P.S. We saw Abdella aka Abe aka LaLa again at the CP and he seems happy to see us also! Yes, he remembered us from April, where sat and ate! Awesome!

Sept. 27: Tuesday. Today was supposed to be our AK day again. Instead we hit Blizzard Beach. This was our 1st time here. It was not to busy which was great. We did the lazy river pool (I don’t have my list of names please excuse my ignorance) and the wave pool. No water slides for me since prior to our trip I was in a mild car accident and afraid that I might aggravate my neck. When we turned prunie it was our cue to go home and relax before we go have our dinner at Boma and then to see Cirque Du Soliel. This was a new experience for me. After seeing the commercial of Alegria ( touring Cirque Du Soliel who was ones in Philadelphia) I was a bit leery in seeing any show. But Anne had longed to see it so I finally gave in and I was glad that I did. It was a great show (except for the part where I fell asleep when they are running back in forth in the window of a bldg). After the show we walk a bit more and window-shopped. Somewhere in all this schedule we did our lunch at the Earl of Sandwich again.

Sept.28: Wednesday is a good day. We started our day heading straight to Soarin. We were a bit curious and did not know how to act by the time we got to the end of our line. We were lucky enough to get to row number 1. It was so real, you can smell the ocean when we pass trough it, oranges when we pass the orange groves and felt like touching the clouds when we were soaring! We wanted to do it again but the line got a bit longer so off to the innovations to have our picture taken with Mickey courtesy of Bank One Visa. A great one on one, I know we get met and have our picture taken anywhere at the park but this time you get to really take your time, practice your smile with no pressure and hug Mickey and Goofy or whoever was there as much as you want! Thanks Bank One! Off to lunch at the world showcase, Dessert in Japan kakigori of course and some Milky bar in UK. Since there is nothing else we can think to do here at EPCOT we hop skip to Typhoon Lagoon! This was my favorite between 2 water parks. More shades while your floating your time away. And a bigger wave pool. Potsie even tried the snorkeling thing and she enjoyed it so much she did it 3x. In my case I do not know how to swim so I just watched patiently and scout some lifeguards!!! By the time we are both toasted we went back to ASMu took a quick shower and off to dinner at the 1900 Park Fare. We met the fairy Godmother and sad to say I was not able to bribe her with some candy to turn Anne into a pumpkin! Food was great, I whispered to Percy that it was Potsie's bday on Friday can she turn her into a pretty princess even for one day but instead she gave her a delicious cup cake, a signed place mat by all of the character there and a C R O W N !! Her own crown!!! Mind you Potsie is not the girlie girl but she was so excited to wear that crown! Thanks Percy and Pearl!!! OK we have some minutes to kill till we head back to EPCOT for our Illumination Dessert Party. This was very stressful for me since the weather turned UGLY on us. I have 23 other Diser who are joining us for this gathering and the Mother Nature decided to PMS arrgggg…. After a series of calls to our rep for the party I marched myself to the entrance of UK at the World Showcase. After praying to all the gods I know and have heard off.... the fireworks went of with out a hitch. But since there was gusty winds we were not able to have our dessert the same time as the fireworks but instead was directed to the lounge of Spaceship Earth! Kinda neat since I was never inside of any of this bldg other than last April when we did the Segway tour. After meeting each and everyone and thank god they were nice enough not to kill me I can say that the night did end well. Went back to the hotel and finally got a very peaceful couple of zzz.

Sept. 29: Thursday, Woke up a bit late since after we got back from EPCOT Wednesday night, got back at the hotel and have to prepare my goody bags for Friday. And also I have a couple of drop off this day for my little friends who were arriving this day. I have 3 stop Pop, CR tower and ASMo. By the time I left the Front Desk of Several Disney Resorts/Hotel they are on first name basis relationship with me already. After brunch we went to DTD finally to shop this time. I have restrained myself for almost a week now I cannot stay away any longer. I also got my free Kelloggs pin and bought more pins and also got my 1st OWN cup of Sundae at Gherardelli! After satisfying myself with souvenir shopping we decided to go back to Typhoon lagoon one last time. Spent the rest of the afternoon floating away. After a couple of hours just sitting at the edge of the wave pool we then got ready to go home and Potsie had her own drop off goody bags. Tinker bell must have known that it was her bday that she sent her a bouquet of balloons and I think she really liked it. Dinner was served at the food court. And also this was laundry night. And after washing all our sorrows away (since we are contemplating already about our trip back home) off to bed we went.

Sept: 30 Friday! Today is the Official Bday and we are celebrating it at the opening of Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. We had an early start. We started from Mexico to UK (pictures to follow to all the countries we have stopped by. It was one feastful day from Mexican Chicken wrap, Sa Cha in China,Kakigori and Tuna roll in Japan, Cranberry salad somewhere, some creamy pastry in another corner and to make it more crazy we had lunch ADR at Tepanyaki where Potsie got a delicious bday cake and a chefs hat! They were great (picture to follow)! There was nobody at the World Showcase that we finished it by 2:00PM which was fine since the temperature was starting to rise! We just headed back to the hotel to prep up our costumes and goody bags for my 20 little pals! I was Mrs. Pots and Potsie had this big Jack S. hat with her - I am your worst nightmare - shirt, and yes she can be your worst nightmare sometimes! Time has come to go get some candy. It was maddening, MK decided to just run one ferry from the ticketing station to MK and it took us 20 minutes before we got on one. My apologies to those that I was supposed to meet at 7:30PM, by the time we got to the park the parade(and met alot of Diser Mom and Kids )was setting up and to many obstacle to get to the front of the Castle (but I did stay in front of the castle till 10:30PM). And then we went trick or treating and had our pictures taken. It was a bit crowded than last year (I think), which we also attended the 1st day. And less candy this time. After a series of pictures we then realize that we are now tired and to not experience again the stampede of guest we took flight at 11:30PM.By the time we got back at the hotel it was marathon packing since we are checking out Saturday AM.

Oct. 1 Saturday. I would skip this part. This is were the magical express became UNmagical and I had to make my own magic costing me an arm and a leg to get my Magical Checker cab Express . .
~ The End ~


P.S. now we start from scratch again... Scouting for PIN Codes, bargains and more Discounts till we re set to go back again. Thank you for taking the time to read. Pictures to follow.