[Ears42]

Day 2: December 8, 2002: Moving to the Lodge, Epcot and The Candlelight Processional

The one thing my child did not inherit from me was the ability to sleep past 6:30 am on any given day. She has not learned that weekends are for sleeping in and we don’t have to get up early when we are on vacation (most of the time). I have a difficult time adjusting to hotel beds so I was awake at 5:30 even though I had a very long day the day before but I tried to shower quietly. Katie was “up and at them” around 6:30 am. Since we were both awake well before our scheduled Mickey Wake Up call and several hours before our PS at The Princess Storybook Breakfast in Epcot, I decided to run down to Gasparilla’s and grab an early breakfast. We made it back to our room before our Mickey call. I let Katie pick up the phone then quickly put The Mouse on speaker so we could both hear his call. Since it was now only 8:00 am I decided to take the monorail to MK, catch the boat to WL, and check in before heading to Epcot. No problems checking out of the GF. We called for bell services, they were there within minutes and our bags were on their way. One last walk through the lobby, ahhhhh, and off to the monorail station.

We made it to the WL by 8:30 and the check in nightmare began. We have stayed at the WL on our last two trips to Disney (as paying cash guests) and always found it to be wonderful. We really wanted our home DVC resort to be VWL but waited too long and ended up at the Beach Club. This was our first trip to VWL as DVC members. I was not impressed! I went to check in, went to the CM, whose name I unfortunately cannot remember, and said very politely that I wanted to check in. She immediately took an attitude with me. “You do realize that check in at the Vilas’s is not until 4:00 pm.” I politely explained that we were on our way to Epcot, our bags were coming later today from GF and I merely wanted to check in now because we weren’t coming back until after The Candlelight Processional. Again with the attitude, “Well then I suppose you don’t want your paperwork now.” I politely declined, was given a key and went to catch the bus. I have been a customer service manager for years. I have studied the Disney Model both as an undergraduate and a graduate student and all I have to say is how did this woman get past the first day? How rude. I try to shake it off and head for the bus stop.

After a quick wait for the bus we are off, in plenty of time to make our 10:00 am PS at the Princess Storybook Breakfast. Plenty of time that is until we get in line to activate our annual passes at the Epcot gates. You know the family that can’t make a decision to save their lives; I’m the person standing in line behind them! Two parents, two teenagers(older teenagers I might add) all go to the window together, make the CM go over all the pass choices with them, then they have a dicussion about it, I wanted to scream “Get a Passporter and plan ahead” but instead I practice my Lamaze breathing, in through the nose, out through the month (didn’t help much in labor but have found it to be a good life tool). [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Finally, they make their decision and it’s my turn. I’m so excited to be an annual pass holder, I feel so important.

We get our passes and off to the security lines. I make it through the line with my backpack packed for a day at the park with a four year old (I’m sure other moms can relate) and my fanny pack, but now I have to power walk to get to Norway on time. I have a big thing about time and schedules. We get to Norway people from the first seating are leaving and we have a few minutes to wait. We run into the shop in Norway and buy Katie a passport then our little buzzer thing goes off. One thing I did discover on this trip is that if you are a party of two in a restaurant, you probably have the worst seat in the house. We sat in corners, in front of doors, behind plants, and near the kitchen. Another lesson learned was even though I mentioned to CR for every PS I made that it was Katie’s birthday, if I did not mention it when I checked in at the podium it was not noted.

When we got to the table there was pastry and fruit on the table. The CM was at our table quickly to take our drink orders and told us the hot food would be out soon. This is a rather large restaurant, I had never eaten there before, and every table was full. We quickly saw Princesses visiting tables, Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, Mulan, and Mary Poppins . It was fun to see Jasmine and Mulan although I will say that the CMs need some practice on these two characters. The CM who was Belle at this particular seating was marvelous. She engaged Katie in conversation. Katie told her that she was her favorite princess because she likes books, just like Katie. Belle then asked Katie what her favorite book was, Katie said Alice in Wonderland and then they discussed the plot of the story. She was wonderful. Katie was thrilled.

The food here was plentiful, but not very tasty. The pastries were stale, the hot food was cold, but the character interaction was excellent. I would probably do this breakfast again but definitely not for the food.

After breakfast we headed back to Future World and Guest Services to get Katie’s birthday pin. Its cool. It has happy birthday in all the languages of the world showcase countries on it. She had a great time wearing it. Katie loves the Epcot Kid stops we headed back to World Showcase and started in Canada. We caught Papa Noel telling the story of Christmas in Canada. He was in the garden outside Le Cellier. The costuming is great on the storytellers and they are very personable. We went up the stairs in Canada and found the Kid Stop in the store that sells the Anne of Green Gables merchandise. Katie started her mask. It was very warm in the store so we didn’t stay long. Katie made her first pin trade before we left with a very nice young CM.

Next off to UK. The Kid stop here was in the back of the Toy Solider. Rachel was the CM at the table and she is form Chesterfield, England. She was great with the kids. Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger were also in the back of the store in Christmas attire posing for pictures! Rachel noticed Katie’s pin, made everyone in the store sing Happy Birthday to her, then told her she had a phone call. She took her to the front of the store, gave her the phone, where she had a birthday call from Goofy. Katie was thrilled.

We finished up our passport in UK, thanked Rachel and went outside to watch the players do a very funny rendition of A Christmas Carol. Then we walked to the little garden in the back and heard about Christmas in the UK from Father Christmas. Again, great costume and very personalable CM.

Next stop France. Pere Noel was telling stories about Christmas in France. Katie was getting a rumbly in her tummy so we went to the little bakeshop and got some chocolate mouse. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] Yummy. As we were coming out of France I noticed a small line outside the perfume store. Being the wife of a police investigator I had to check it out. YEAH! It’s Belle and THE BEAST!

I have always wanted to meet the Beast (I’m just a ten year old at heart). Belle was the same young woman from breakfast and she remembered Katie. I even had my picture take with Beast. I was so excited. This made my trip. I loved it. I must say Beast was very taken with me also. He kissed the top of my head and I wanted to take him home but Belle protested and Katie thought her daddy might get mad so we left him in France. [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] I can go home now (NOT) but I defiantly have had my moment on this trip.

Next stop Morocco. The kid stop here is just inside the shop and it was very crowded. Katie likes to sit down and color at each stop then get her passport and mask stamped. Again we encountered some really rude people. I must say that in about 15-20 years there are going to be some very rude adults out there because parents do not make their children have manners. Several families cut in front of Katie in line, finally another woman made a comment to me about how rude this one particular family was and I should have said something and I told her ( in a voice loud enough for the rude mother to hear) that I was raising my child to be polite and have manners and I would not stoop to their level. We were in no hurry and if they wanted to be rude they could but I was waiting patiently for our turn. Rude Mother grabbed her kids and left in a huff. Mission accomplished.

Off to Japan. The Japanese drummers were performing when we got to Japan, they are amazing. I love watching this show. We watched for a few minutes then off to find the Kids stop. Its now way in the back in a crowded little hallway. We encounter more rude families but it doesn’t bother Katie so I try not to let it bother me. She’s happy, she gets a purple bow for her mask. We get her passport stamped and were on the move again.

When we get to the American Pavilion what a surprise. Santa and Mrs. Clause posing for pictures. YEAH, now I don’t have to go to the mall for the Santa picture. We wait in line and both have our picture taken with Santa. This is the first of many (too many) of the professional photos I will buy over the next few days but it’s too cute. And how often does a little girl from the northeast have her picture taken with Santa in shorts! We work on her mask and check out the theater for later tonight and head off to Italy.

Oh, I’m just having the best time. Finally, after 4 previous trips I get to see the living statues. There is one performing outside Italy. Katie thinks this is hysterical and we watch for 20 minutes or so. I ask her if she wants to have her picture taken, she says yes, we try, the statue moves, Katie screams, and no picture. She thinks its funny when the statues move on someone else but not her. I feel redeemed here, as everyone is very polite taking turns for pictures. There are nice people on vacation.

The musical group Sergio is performing in the plaza. If you haven’t seen them before they are the carnival-costumed characters that wonder the crowd accompanied by beautiful classical music. Katie loves them. So we have to have lots of pictures taken. We watch their performance then head towards Germany.

Next Installment: How will I explain this purchase to your dad?