S&S Varney's Best Trip Ever!!! About This Page:

[All Ears]

I am really enjoying your report...
Keep it coming!
Isn't WL amazing?!?! We stayed there in '97 and LOVED it!
All Ears

Cirque du Soleil

8:30 pm - After purchasing the program in the gift shop Shawn and I climb the stairs to wait for them to open the theater. I thought we had second row seats, turns out we have first row seats. Well, actually they are the first row of the second section behind the aisle. We could have touched the performers and clowns. Personally, I think I prefer these seats to any on the first section beacuse so much action takes place in the air. The front section spends a lot of the time craning their necks. It's like sitting in the front row at the movies- it's just too close. This was our second time seeing La Nouba and I will go every time as far as I am concerned. I love the music, the staging, the artistry, everything about it. Even though I have seen the show before and three of the other shows (Allegria, Quidam and Saltimbanco) on video, I cannot keep from gasping aloud and crying. They are very strict about not allowing photography of any kind so I was extremely annoyed when the guy behind me whipped out his camera and started taking pictures. Now, they mention this three seperate times and the usher that seated this guy specifically warned this guy when she sat him. Needless to say, I whipped around and said, "There is no photography and don't think I won't get up and go tell someone." Why should this guy get free pictures when the rest of us pay for them (and rightly so?)! Well, he stopped taking photos but his wife called me some really choice names which I ignored because I went right back to watching the show. It was absolutely not worth it to reply. (Although tempting, I'll admit. I know some really big words too! ) Not even these 2 could spoil this show. It is impossible to describe but my best shot is the best parts of the circus meets the best part of ballet meets the best part of Broadway. It is life changing.

After the show, which is 1hour 40 minutes long with no intermission, we decided to stop by Pleasure Island. We had the Unlimited Magic Pass so it did not cost anything. Good thing too because we were there for about 5 minutes. If you are young and single I guess this is fun but neither Shawn nor I really drink and Shawn doesn't dance so we were out of there quick. It is a big meat market. We took the bus back to the Lodge and fell asleep very quickly. We were not meeting Dennis and Judy until 3:00 the next day so we didn't set a wake up call.

Tomorrow...Epcot!!

[This message has been edited by savarney (edited 11-15-2000).]

Slight delay...Now on with the show!

The next morning we slept in a little and decided to take the boat to the Cont and the Monorail to Epcot. Once at Epcot we headed directly for Test Track. As it was not open yet we got FP's. Now, it is only 11:00 in the morning and the FP time is already 2:30!! We went over to Journey to Imagination and there was no line at all, you walked right on. Well, now I know why! I was really disappointed with this ride. I did catch a glimpse of Figment towards the end buut he does not play a major role. The best part was e-mailing people pictures afterwards. From there we took some pictures by the Jumping Fountains (I love those! ) and decided to skip HISTA. (Snakes. 'Nuf said. ) We decided to have an early lunch at Coral Reef. I think this was rather brave on our part since we had had a terrible experience back in '97 but I knew much had been done since then. I'm so glad we did because it was wonderful!!!!!! We got a table right next to the tank and had a lovely server. I got to see the turtle close up, what a magnificent creature! We both ordered the cream of lobster soup. We call it Lobster Bisque here! Now, I am from New England where we pride ourselves on our lobster and anything having to do with it but this was the best lobster soup I have ever had. Hands down. We each also had a salad thinking that would be a light lunch. Nothing light about that soup though!

After lunch, we went into the Living Seas. You know how everyone has a place where they feel truly happy? Well I am lucky enough to have 2: the ocean (my parents live on the Ocean here in CT) and WDW. Combining the 2 is almost too much happiness for me!!! When I go in November I am definitely doing the Dolphin Encounter. We were lucky enough to watch a research project involving the dolphins and how they learn. It was fascinating!! '

We started to meander towards the World Showcase since that was where we were meeting Dennis and Judy. On the way we stooped at the Coke station. I liked just about everything (well, I didn't try the Beverly. Shawn wouldn't listen to me on that. Don't say I didn't warn him! )But my favorites were the apple and the ginger ale. Shawn loved the German beer flavor. Right outside was a CM taking photos in front of the fountain. She was amazing!! We spent about 10 minutes with her until she got just the right shot. This turned out to be the best photos of the trip and we bought a few.

Dennis and Judy were waiting for us in Mexico. Shawn and I had to go ride TestTrack so we decided to split up again for a half hour and meet near the Wonders of Life Pavilion. We had to wait about 20 minutes for TT even in the FP line but it was worth it! We must have been having particularly photogenic days because this picture turned out great too and it is the first "ride" photo we've ever bought. (Plus you can see our PassPorter Waist Pack and our Pins quite clearly! )

We found Dennis and Judy at WOL. Dennis, Shawn and I wanted to go on Body Wars. Judy decided to go into Cranium Command. This was the first ride I had been on with my FIL so it was fun to see his reactions. Now I think I mentioned this earlier but if your feet don;t touch the ground on these rides, you really need to buckle up tightly. I think my FIL's favorite part of the ride was watching his 5'7.5", 200 lb DIL get thrown around like a 4 year old and love it!!

We met up with Judy and decided to walk over to the Millenium Village. On the way we ran into the Character Caravan just as it was pulling up!! Now I am incredibly blessed in my in-laws, I love them both dearly. But seeing the how excited they were (no matter how Dennis tried to conceal it) was wonderful!! Not too mention the fact that our 5 year old niece loves Pooh and we were about to earn major cool points by getting our picture with him.

That done, we entered MV....

(Pulling up Soapbox)
Okay, here we go!
I was really disappointed with this whole exhibit. I felt that the countries represented glossed over some real issues. For example - Mohammed in Saudi Arabia kept telling us how we should come and live there because the was no income tax. Let's ignore the fact that I would not be allowed to have my own income so how could I pay tax on it but...I just really feel that this was a great opportunity for some of these countries to focus on the progress they have made in human rights but no one took it. Also, I felt it was entirely too commercial!!! The stores were larger than the exhibits!!!

(Putting soap box away)

That said, I did enjoy Sweden's exhibit with the different seasons.

All right, we had 7:20 pm Rose and Crown reservations and I used this opportunity to stop by the booth and pull out my big cheesy Mickey Grin to ask for outdoor seating. The woman said they would do their best but she couldn't guarantee anything. I asked if it would be okay to check back in early and she said yes. That done, we settled in to watch Tapestry of Nations. I don;t like parades but this was lovely. The Music was fabulous!! After the parade I checked us in and got our beeper. We took a seat and played a few rounds of Gin Rummy. (My husband had the brilliant idea to bring cards with us in case we had to wait for anything.) After a few rounds, the beeper started to buzz. Off we go.. We get to the restaurant and are escorted to an outdoor table. (Big Cheesy Mickey Grin worked like a charm). We were seated on the upper level along the railing. Below us were more dining tables. Our waitress assured us that the table was ours for the night and to take our time. Dennis and I both got the Bangers and Mash, Shawn got the Fish and Chips and the beer sampler and Judy got the Pie Sampler. Mine was okay, Judy's was wonderful and Shawn's was to die for!! (Shawn here: If you get the Fish and Chips, you MUST try it with vinegar, the way it's meant to be eaten) On to dessert. Shawn got the Millenium Dessert and the rest of us got the Lemon Posset. Very light and refreshing. The MD was anything but light but boy was it good! A milk chocolate replica of Spaceship Earth filled with Guiness White Chocolate Mousse. Now I didn't like the Mousee but man, oh, man, the chocholate!! As we were finishing Illuminations began. It was amazing. Now Dennis is a fireman so he was a bit concerned when everything burst into flames but once he realized that it was supposed to happen, he was okay. (Thank goodness he was there! Had something been wrong he was ready! ) This was an incredible show and again the music was amazing. My MIL and I both vowed to buy the CD. I was crying towards the end. After the show, we left Dennis and Judy and went through the International Gateway to the boat for the Boardwalk. We played on the Boardwalk for a while, got my fortune told, had a couple Martini's at Atlantic Dance and hopped a bus for home. (After 2 Silk Martini's I was ready for bed!) This was our last night and we wanted to get a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow...The Disney Marketplace and Florida Towncar does it again!

Last Day!!

We woke up this morning with heavy hearts. Packed up our stuff and brought it to the bell stand to be stored until we left. Then we hopped the bus for DD. When we transferred at the TTC, who should we bump into but Dennis and Judy?? There's just no gettint rid of them! (Just kidding) At DD we split up, Shawn and I starting at Disney at Home. We cruised the shops for a while, I was determined to find somehting that just called to me as I was only buying one thing. While waiting for Shawn to buy some jelly beans I started crying in the middle of the store and had to go outside! How pathetic but I REALLY didn't want to go home.

That done, we went to World of Disney, and there in the sleep section were THEM. My Mickey Feet! They are big yellow slippers that look like...well you get the idea. And right behind them were Big Cheese pj's. I am wearing the slippers right now. My only complaint about the Disney Stores at WDW is the lack of plus size clothing. I can wear the XL or L in some things but frankly I just think they should carry more sizes. The catalog does and it's great. But it's not the same as buying it there.

We had a very disappointing lunch at Cap'N Jack's, although Shawn was happy that they had Cape Cod Chips and endless refills of lemonade. Then back on the bus and back to WL. I started to cry again as I pulled up for the last time! We spent the next hour exploring the Lodge for Hidden Mickeys and fireplaces and such. There are some great nooks and crannies if you look.

When we exited to find our towncar, it was a little confusing as there was 2 towncars and a huge stretch limo out there. Plus, Shawn spotted our driver just as another man came up saying my name! Turned out it was J.C., the owner of Florida Town Car there to do anothr pick up and to let us know the Limo was for us!!!!! Too cool!!! No good reason, just that we are return customers and are picking up Dennis and Judy at Shades of Green. We love these guys!

We sped off to SOG with me cackling and dying to see the look on my IL's faces when we pulled up in this! Sure enough, they had an initial look of "Awww, look a wedding." And then we popped out!! Priceless! They crawled in and Mark(the driver) made sure we helped ourselves to soda's and off we went.
At MCO, we tipped MArk (handsomely) and did curbside check-in. They even rearranged our seats so we were all closer together. Judy and I veered off to the Gift shop to check again for the Millenium Celebratrion CD's which were sold out in WDW and found 'em! Yay! When we boarded the plane not much later, this poor girl cut herself quite badly and had to go to the hospital. Turned out she was all by herself and it was her first time on a plane at about 22! I felt so bad. I hope she tries again!

After an uneventful flight, we landed in chilly, dark, CT only to discover that D+J had even parked in the same lot as us!! One last trip together on the shuttle to the lot and we said our good byes. (Not like they live more than a half hour away but still...)

The End!!!! (At least until November 13, 2001 when we return again!)

(P.S. Did everyone notice that I changed formats like, 3 times during the course of writing this thing?! Snaps to people like Nate and mattjs who are consistently funny throughout. This was tiring!)
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We can touch tomorrow, today.


[This message has been edited by savarney (edited 01-15-2001).]

[whoSEZ]

Great report! Thanks for posting.

Sandy

[Belle*]

I'm bumping this so a friend can find it easily!