Bob & Larry's Excellent WDW Adventure About This Page:

[Bob's sister]

Well, Larry, one of your intrepid travelling buddies is checking in. I'm am thoroughly enjoying your report, and am breathlessly awaiting my arrival! Let's see, you're up to the morning of Feb. 13th. I'm in Daytona Beach, with my husband & father-in-law, spending time with our college-age son (he's at Embry Riddle) & checking out the practice sessions for the Daytona 500. I'll see you when we arrive at Carribean Beach tonight!

[UncleBob]

Ok, ok. Larry's traveling companion does really exist. Honest, I do.

Yes, I enjoyed the eating, good meals are one of the pleasures of vacation for me too. Unfortunately I enjoyed the eating a little less than usual for a couple of days after I was sick Friday night and Saturday.

For me the meal at Flying Fish was one of the highlights of the trip, I think it has moved up to be my favorite WDW restaurant. As usual I enjoyed Artist Point. Their salmon is always outstanding and the berry cobler... wonderful.

All in all I was pleased that we were able to enjoy some good meals and some treats without ending up feeling that we overdid it.

[arielsmom]

Hi Uncle Bob!!! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[LLaffinPlace]

Well, Inky, you did it! You got Bob to speak! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] I really appreciate your comments.

And it's nice to hear from you, too, Marti! [She's been waiting patiently to arrive and I'll have to make sure it happens soon! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ]

[LLaffinPlace]

Day 8, Part 1 - February 13, 2002: Raising the Flag and Waving Goodbye to the WL

The day started with the alarm clock alarming at 6:45 AM. Ouch. We got up and after the usual routine went to Roaring Fork for breakfast. I decided to get the special--ham and cheese omelet with hash browns, banana, OJ and coffee (no cut fruit this morning [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ). Bob got OJ and a cheese danish (no cherry this morning [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ). We stopped at Guest Services to inquire about not getting any notice about the flag raising. We had been overlooked! But Jimmy, Head of Bell Services, went up to the roof and caught Stan while I went to our room and retrieved my camera. Jimmy then graciously escorted us to the roof by way of the 7th Floor--the concierge floor, I might add--where we met Stan. For those of you who do not know, Stan is something of a fixture at the Lodge. He is often seen greeting guests as they enter, and he frequently conducts the Lodge tours, which is where we had seen him previously.

So we did not miss out on anything, Stan ran the Stars and Stripes down and took a picture of us holding it. Bob raised the flag while I took a picture. We then said the Pledge of Allegiance with Stan. [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img] [You know, if someone had described this to me ahead of time, I might have dreaded that I would feel self-conscious or something, but as it was it seemed perfectly natural and "fittin'".] Stan then took a picture of Bob and me with Cinderella's Castle in the background. The day was a bit gray and the visibility was not perfect, but you could still see a great deal: the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resorts, the WL Villas (of course), the Tree of Life in the Animal Kingdom, Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom, the Tower of Terror in Disney-MGM Studios, and off in the distance, Sea World (I think). Wow. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Stan was, as always, very gracious and we talked for a while, but it was soon over because he was due to give the Lodge Tour. He had pointed out why it was necessary to restrict the number of people up there at a time as there are projections and places to be careful of. All in all it was a wonderful experience! I encourage you to ask about being the "flag family" if you stay at the WL. Oh, by the way, if you are in the WL lobby, stand with your back to Registration and look up to your right. Way up on the far side toward the ceiling you will see a stairway going up. That's how we got up there. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

When we came back down we finished packing and called Bell Services. Bob went to fetch his car (this is the first time we've used it since arriving) while I stayed with the bags. Bob and Bell Services and I arrived simultaneously at the WL entrance, and we were quickly loaded and off to the Caribbean Beach Resort (CBR), our home for the rest of the trip.

We headed in to the Custom House at CBR to see about checking in; at the gate Bob (the driver) had to show photo ID. And here's what really blew us away: even though it was only 10:15 AM, our room was ready, we checked in and got keys, etc., and were able to go over immediately, so we were in the room and unpacking by 10:30! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Woohoo! For those keeping track, we are in Room 2354 in Martinique. The room faces the courtyard (as opposed to the parking lot). Nice.

As we had planned, Bob and I then threw some clothes in bags and made our way over to the nearby pool, where the Guest Laundry is located. From our previous stay we knew that the local pools had these where there was only the single (crowded, in our experience) laundry at the Wilderness Lodge. But, whoa! $2 to wash and the same to dry?! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Fortunately, Bob had a load of $1 bills that we could feed into the change machine (we found out it also took $5 bills). While we were doing laundry we talked to a Dad who was folding his family's, and made a couple of trips to Old Port Royale (OPR) for sodas and a snack, which we ate in our room when we returned--a bag of Mickey pretzels and a cookie each.

We then set out on a little trip of exploration to see what had changed at Dixie Landings--now Port Orleans Riverside.

Next: Rollin' on the River and Then Our First Visit to the Animal Kingdom Lodge!

[ 03-15-2002, 11:56 PM: Message edited by: LLaffinPlace ]

[inkydinkydoo]

Welcome Uncle Bob and Bob's Sister (Marti?)! Nice to see you guys really do exist! *wink wink*

How lucky you were, Bob and Larry, to get into your room by 10:30. I've never had that kind of luck. And, I always thought it would be fun to be part of a "flag family." I guess I'll have to stay at the Wilderness Lodge, though, for that to happen. Unfortunately, the Contemporary, Old Key West, and Boardwalk Villas (the only places I've stayed) don't have flag raisin's.

So-o-o-o-o-o, when are we eating again, guys? And, what's on the menu?

Inky

[LLaffinPlace]

Bob and Marti do exist, they do exist! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

We realized at the time that we were lucky to get into our room at CBR so early--we were not expecting it at all. When we transferred resorts the previous time (DxL --> WL), we did not have a car, so we called Bell Services and had them pick up the bags and told them we were transferring to the Lodge. Then off we went to the parks, care free. After we saw Marti and Bob's nephew off (this was in 2000), we took Disney Transport to the WL and checked in, and they delivered the bags to the room. No fuss, no muss.

The next meal, Inky, is Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and it's coming up "today". [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] Thanks for hanging in there!

[UncleBob]

This was the second time we had changed resorts during a WDW vacation.
This time we had a car (through no fault of our own) so we drove ourselves from the Wilderness Lodge to the Caribbean Beach. The plan was to drive over and check in, I really didn't expect to get in the room at 10:30, but we can always go to the park or visit a resort while we waited. But since the room was ready we were able to sort our all the dirty laundry and get that taken care of right away.
As soon as we finished the up we had the rest of the day for more fun vacation activities.

[ 03-16-2002, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: UncleBob ]

[LLaffinPlace]

Day 8, Part 3 - February 13, 2002: Boma Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

I have really been looking forward to Boma because of the wonderful things that people have said about it. While I have a suspicion that Bob may not be quite as excited (strange food), we know that it is an "all-you-care-to-eat" buffet with a large number of offerings, so we're pretty certain he'll find things he'll eat and not go hungry. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

What a wonderful place and wonderful food! We were seated over by the windows and had a view out to the outside walkway that wends around to the pool and food court. Extra special items [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] included: the barbecued ribs, the sweet corn with fried plantains, the mahi-mahi with peppercorn sauce, the potato salad, and mashed sweet potatoes. With the meal I sampled the South African Merlot and Cabernet house wines--both Cape Indaba--which I found to be adequate if not exciting.

The desserts were nice, if not quite as thrilling as others we have had on this trip. The Pumpkin Cheesecake with its overtones of lemon zest, and the Coconut Tiramisu were standouts.

I had taken my cell phone with me and we got a call from Marti as we were looking for the server to order decaf for me to go with dessert, so we knew that she and her husband and father-in-law would be in soon [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ; as Marti has noted, they were making their way to WDW from Daytona.

We paid the bill and made our way to the AKL bus stop after a brief stop outside to check out the AKL at night. No wildlife in evidence, but the lobby from outside was gorgeous. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Next: And Now We are Three!

[ 03-17-2002, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: LLaffinPlace ]

[LLaffinPlace]

Day 8, Part 4 - February 13, 2002: Marti Arrives!

At the AKL bus stop there were two women and two girls from Mobile, Alabama trying to make their way to the CBR! We were all trying to get to Epcot (it was before 8:00 PM) to transfer, but while many buses arrived, there was no Epcot bus. [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img] So... we took the Downtown Disney (DD) bus and there was a CBR bus almost immediately. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

When we got off at the CBR Martinique bus stop, we saw Marti immediately. We showed her and Bob's brother-in-law and his Dad how to find the Food Court. I ran up to our room and got our souvenir mugs and an old CBR mug that Bob had from 1995 for someone else to use. We talked for a while and made some plans for tomorrow, and then headed to our rooms. Marti is nearby, which is handy--we had requested the same building for her room when we checked in this morning. I gave my Mom a call and brought her up to date on my friend Larry's condition, and then took some time to journalize before retiring.

[Thanks for waiting patiently for your arrival, Marti! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ]

Coming Up: Our Intrepid Travelers Score the Fastest Finger Seats!

[ 03-17-2002, 09:11 PM: Message edited by: LLaffinPlace ]

[Bob's sister]

I'M HERE! After a wonderful visit with our son, we arrived at CBR at 7:45 PM. A long line at the Custom House made our check-in take 40 minutes - my husband was having his "Why would I ever want to go to Disney?" attitude reinforced, much to my regret! We headed over to Martinique, dropped off our bags, & decided to head to the food court. On our way, we bumped into Larry & Bob...

I must explain that the reason we were in FL (in addition to visiting our son) was for my husband to play in a softball tournament in Lakeland. Since softball is his "that's what I do with the guys" thing, he suggested that I talk Larry & Bob into making this trip, so that I could go with them to Disney while he & his Dad went on to the tournament. So, I guess you can thank me for Larry's wonderful trip report!

Bob's sister, Marti

[Elliot'sDragon]

Again, a great report or should I say reports!
I appreciate all the detail that you are putting into this report. Thanks!

[LLaffinPlace]

Day 9, Part 1 - February 14, 2002: We Wants to Be a Millionaire!

We met Marti at 8:30 AM to head for the bus stop and Disney-MGM Studios. We arrived at D/MGM about 10 minutes or so before to the rope drop. Once the park opened, we headed down Sunset Blvd (with everyone else [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (ToT), which we proceeded to ride twice. Moving over to Rock N' Roller Coaster (RnRC) we got a FASTPASS (FP) and then stood in line and got the front row again! Woohoo! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Marti refused to ride in front, so she was in row 2. We ended up near the back on the second go-round.

Having gotten our adrenaline fix, we headed over to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (WWTBAM) and got a FP for the 11:50 AM show, then on to Starring Rolls Bakery for a little nosh: almond bear claws and coffee for Marti and me (ahh, another coffee drinker [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ) and OJ and a cherry danish for Bob. We arrived at WWTBAM and presented our FP's, whereupon we were asked if we would like to sit in the Fastest Finger seats down on the floor! Marti and Bob got #9 and #10, respectively, and I ended up across from them in #1. What fun! It was interesting to see the show from the level of the Hot Seat and to have my own little monitor. [That's it, though; these seats aren't "privileged" in any other way. Tip: If you are interested in sitting there, you need to make sure you are in the FP line, and I would arrive kinda early for the show. Also, if you do enter via the FP line, check out the display window in the lobby that shows the different prizes--that's the only way I got to see that 32,000 point polo shirt! [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img] ]

From WWTBAM, we checked on the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (IJSS), but it was too long to the next show, so we went on the Backlot Tour and then Drew Carey's Sounds Dangerous. Sounds Dangerous was a lot of fun--I had forgotten just how funny it is and it's an interesting illustration of just how much sound and sound effects add to a show.

At this point we were a few minutes away from our 2:35 PM PS (made earlier today) at 50's Prime Time Cafe, a sentimental favorite and also a favorite for the milkshakes! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

Next: Luuuuucy! Where's My Shake?

[ 03-17-2002, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: LLaffinPlace ]

[LLaffinPlace]

Day 9, Part 2 - February 14, 2002: 50's Prime Time Cafe at Disney-MGM Studios

We were seated promptly, and our server/CM was Nancy, who did a great job. For anyone who isn't familiar with this venue, here's a quick overview: it is done up to look like your kitchen in the 1950's, and every table has a old style B&W TV showing clips from the shows of the era. [At this point, I guess I should add that not only do your Intrepid Travelers remember this era, we also remember having very similar furnishings in our kitchens growing up! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ] The hook is that you are family and the server is your brother or sister or somesuch, and has you set your own place, watch your manners--elbows on the table, not tattling on your siblings--and eating all your vegetables in order to qualify for dessert. It's in essence a live role-playing game that can be as fun as you make it. And it's also fun to watch the other tables to see how they are getting into it. They even have "Clean Plate Club" stickers for those who finish everything. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[B,L] Chocolate Milkshakes
[M] PB&J Milkshake [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[Bob] Mom's Meatloaf
[M] Chicken Pot Pie
[L] Pot Roast

Yes, yes, it's comfort food all the way, and despite what some critics have said, I think it's good, too--especially the shakes! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

With all that food and the shakes, none of us could eat dessert! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.]

Coming Up: Frustration at WWTBAM, and Then On to Epcot

[ 03-17-2002, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: LLaffinPlace ]

[LLaffinPlace]

Elliot'sDragon, I'm glad you are enjoying the report. I worried a bit about the level of detail, but at least I left out most of the bathroom stops. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Marti, Thanks for jumping in and adding to the report! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Bob, do you remember any more of the good things we had to eat at Boma? I know you ate things I did not. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Stay tuned, Gentle Readers! [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

[ 03-17-2002, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: LLaffinPlace ]