Winston's 2nd (hopefully) LIVE trip report from WDW About This Page:

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Thanks so much for the live reports. I just caught up on the weekend reports. You do a great job at making the reader feel like they are right there with you. Especially love the restaurant details.

BTW....

Get a room, kids!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">That is one of my favorite lines to use!

Pam

[LilMarcieMouse]

More more!! Enjoying this greatly!

[Heidi]

I think Winston and Mom must have had a great fun filled day as I can't seem to find today's installment. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Looking forward (hopefully) to reading about it when I get up tomorrow (or today - as the postings are Eastern time. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) Think it's time for me to call it a night...

[Ursunique2001]

Winston your live reports are just awesome. I particulary love the food reports, I know I can always count on mouth watering details from you. Thank you for sharing.

[luvnwdwgal]

Hey Winston! What'cha doin'? I am really enjoying your trip report! Can't wait to read more! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Jsbalcio1]

Winston, Great report. Can't wait to read more! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Winston]

Dates: July 12 through July 18, 2002

Travelers: Winston Chapman (27) and his mom (66), both WDW veterans who were back for the first time in many years this past February

Resort: Disney's Polynesian Resort

Celebration: Summer vacation, and a surprise trip for my mom!

Day 4 - 07/15/2002 - No parks, but lots of fun

Ok, I know I've gotten a little behind with my "live" trip report, but I'm still at WDW (with less than 24 hours left *sob*), and keep in mind that laying by the pool and hanging with Mickey and friends takes a lot out of a guy! Sorry for the delay, but here we go.

Today was a very different day at WDW. We didn't visit Epcot, MK, MGM, AK, or any of the water parks. There were no character greetings, no rides, no lines, no buses, and no shows. "What on earth did you do?" is what you're probably asking. Well, we got up early and drove over to Fort Wilderness for an 8:30am guided trail ride at the Tri Circle D Ranch. We were running a little late, so I parked and dashed for the kennel office to check in and get our tickets. At the stable, two guys from the ranch helped mom and me onto our noble steeds (mom had Oreo and I had Apollo). There were three other riders (all kids) plus the two of us, so it was a nice, small group. Once everyone was ready to go, we left for our 45 minute ride through the woods around Fort Wilderness. Since it was the earliest ride of the day, things hadn't heated up too much, so we were able to enjoy a cool, comfortable, and leisurely ride. The ground was very muddy, and I'm glad I wasn't walking on foot, but the horses seemed not to notice or care. There is a small amount of theming along the trail, but not too much. Almost everything along the path has been left to grow and develop naturally, and it was a real treat to be able to see and experience what this area was probably like before WDW came in and developed it. We even saw a few does grazing in a clearing, and they were either very tame or comfortable with our being on horseback since they didn't make any moves to run away. If you have a day (or even part of day) that you want to spend away from the parks, a trail ride is a great way to fill it. I highly recommend this experience to anyone, whether you're a "horse person" or not. The cost for both of us (including tax) was $64.00.

After our ride, we drove back to the Poly, changed clothes, and hopped a monorail over to the GF for a 10:30am breakfast PS at the Grand Floridian Cafe. We were seated immediately and enjoyed a nice meal with good service. Mom had coffee and eggs benedict, and I ordered hot tea and the "Grand American Breakfast" of orange juice, biscuits, bacon, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. The food was very good, although our server did vanish for a short time before she brought our food. I had never eaten in this restaurant before, and it seems to be a good spot for simple and reasonably priced meals. Our bill came to $32.60 with tax and tip.

We walked back to the Poly from the GF and discussed what to do next. Since the weather was holding up beautifully, I suggested that we rent a pontoon boat and take a cruise of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. We stopped at the Poly's marina and had the CM put us down for a 12:30pm reservation. After a stop by the room and a refill on Coke from Captain Cook's, we headed back to the marina and were on the water (after some brief but helpful instructions from a CM) within a few minutes. We spent an hour cruising around the monorail resorts, Riles Island (a.k.a. the original Discovery Island), the WL, and the MK. Dad and I would always rent water mice anytime we came here, so the boating was always a father/son activity, and I think mom really enjoyed the experience. It's really great to be able to view the hotels and the MK from the perspective of the lakes - just remember to bring your camera! When we docked at the marina an hour later, I discovered that we had been charged for only 30 minutes of time (even though we were gone for an hour). I thought about telling someone, and maybe I should have, but I decided to view it as a small discount in the midst of an otherwise expensive trip. The cost was $35.00 including tax, even though it should have been $70.00. Was I bad/wrong/immoral not to say anything? What do y'all think?

The rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the grounds and pools at the Poly. We both took a nap and felt well rested when it was time to drive to the BoardWalk for dinner at Flying Fish Cafe. This place lives up to its reputation. We were seated immediately for our 7:00pm PS, although I don't think they were ever actually able to find me in the computer system. Our server (Russ) was very good, and I think that the food here is on par with California Grill, though the view isn't as good. Mom ordered a white wine spritzer, coconut and corn soup, and a lobster salad. I had a Sprite, Peeky Toe crab cakes, and pan seared black grouper. The portions were manageable (unlike a lot of WDW restaurants where you get mounds of food), and I have to say that this was some of the best seafood I've had in a long time. The crab cakes were perfect: just enough crab, crispy, a little remoulade sauce - yum! My grouper was served in a light sauce made with black olives and lots of other good stuff I can't remember! It was firm and delicious and tasted like a good piece of fish should. The bill came to $87.59 with tax and tip.

After dinner, we walked around the BoardWalk and the Yacht/Beach Club resorts. Both seem like very nice hotels, and I'd consider staying at either one (as soon as they have monorail service - LOL). Mom wanted to ride the boat back across to BoardWalk where we stopped for some ice cream before getting the car and heading back to the Poly for a Coke refill and a good night's sleep.

Overall, today was a very nice day. There really is so much to see and do at WDW besides the theme parks, and I feel like we hit a couple of fun things that many folks don't get to experience. We were lucky with the weather: sunny, warm, and no rain or even dark clouds. Let's hope it stays this way for the rest of the trip.

Next Post: Day 5 - 07/16/2002

[AKLRULZ]

Originally posted by Winston:
Ok, I know I've gotten a little behind with my "live" trip report, but I'm still at WDW (with less than 24 hours left *sob*), and keep in mind that laying by the pool and hanging with Mickey and friends takes a lot out of a guy!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Okay, felt sorry for you for a sec and then the sitting by the pool comment made THAT go away! LOL!

What a relaxing day it sounds like - you need those at WDW!

Hey - I thought of you when we heard the news about Epcot today...hope that didn't affect ya'll!

[ 07-17-2002, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Dadtojbj ]

[wdwlovers]

Originally posted by Winston:
[b]When we docked at the marina an hour later, I discovered that we had been charged for only 30 minutes of time (even though we were gone for an hour). I thought about telling someone, and maybe I should have, but I decided to view it as a small discount in the midst of an otherwise expensive trip. The cost was $35.00 including tax, even though it should have been $70.00. Was I bad/wrong/immoral not to say anything? What do y'all think?

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I think you were given a bit of disney magic with that one! Thanks for the installment Winston. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ 07-17-2002, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: wdwlovers ]

[Winston]

We had no plans for Epcot today, so its closing didn't affect us. I'm sure there were plenty of disappointed folks, though.

[ 07-17-2002, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: Winston ]

[Winston]

Dates: July 12 through July 18, 2002

Travelers: Winston Chapman (27) and his mom (66), both WDW veterans who were back for the first time in many years this past February

Resort: Disney's Polynesian Resort

Celebration: Summer vacation, and a surprise trip for my mom!

Day 5 - 07/16/2002 - Epcot

This morning, we got up early and caught the monorail to Epcot for a day of food and fun in my second favorite park. We were lucky enough to get a coveted cab ride from the TTC to Epcot, although our driver was a bit eccentric! My mom can also be a bit eccentric, so they got along quite well and chatted while I enjoyed the view from the best seat in the house.

Upon arrival at the park, I snagged us Fastpasses for Test Track, and we visited Universe of Energy and Ice Station Cool in the interim. Mom really likes Ice Station Cool, and we both enjoyed Universe of Energy. Even my mom had to agree that Ellen Degenerate (did I spell that right?) does a good job. I just wish Michael Richards had a bigger role. We also grabbed a snack at Fountainview Bakery (this consisted of a fruit tart and a chocolate croissant, both of which defy description - so good). By this time, our Fastpasses were ripe and it was off to Test Track (which my mom had never ridden). I guess we waited about ten minutes or so before boarding our vehicle. What a ride; even mom enjoyed it and she shies away from the wilder attractions as a rule!

We were a little late for your 11:45am PS at the San Angel Inn, but they seated us quickly and we enjoyed an excellent meal. The service was a bit sketchy (Fernando spilled a good bit of water every time he refilled our glasses, and he also disappeared a couple of times), but we enjoyed ourselves anyway. The food was great, and the atmosphere is awesome. We split an order of the queso fundido, and mom ordered the ensalada mexicana while I had the plato mexicano. The portions here are, not surprisingly, quite large, and you get chips and fresh salsa, so I'll skip the appetizer next time. The tab was $37.52 with tax and tip. After lunch, we headed for Journey into Imagination (growing on me, but won't ever be as good as the original) and The Living Seas (love that pre-show movie about the oceans' formation). At this point, we were hot and ready for a break, so we took the monorail back to the Poly for a mid-day break. On the way, I decided that I'd let mom head to the hotel while I made a quick stop in the MK. She got on the resort monorail while I took the express. Well, this wasn't a great idea since MK was crowded big-time Long waits for a lot of things I wanted to see, and even the parade route was crammed. I watched a little of it and then made for the exit and back to the Poly via boat launch.

Mom and I relaxed (and I got Coke refills) until it was time for dinner at Le Cellier. Back on the monorail (hooray!) and back to Epcot. We were late for our PS, but they seated us within 15 minutes and we enjoyed a really good meal. I had a Sprite, cheddar cheese soup (as good as you said, Tikibird!), and the surf & turf. Mom had a bowl of the beef barley soup and the spicy crab rolls. Our meal cost $65.20 with tax and tip, and the service was excellent (ask for Sara G. - she's great!). My steak (a 4 oz. filet) wasn't on par with Shula's, but it was a good, solid steak all the same. And we couldn't have picked a more comfortable restaurant to enjoy after a got day at Epcot.

We finished dinner and paid the bill with about 20 minutes to spare before IllumiNations and found a good spot to watch. Can anyone relate to how inspired and in awe I feel after that show? I can't imagine a trip to WDW without seeing it. After it was over, we made a quick dash to the monorail station for a return to the Poly and a peaceful night's rest.

Next Post: Day 6 - 07/17/2002 - Last full day at WDW

[tikibird]

Hey, glad to hear you enjoyed the cheese soup!

I agree your discount on the pontoon boat was a bit of magic! Sounds like it was great fun - I'll have to try that next time!

Hope you are enjoying your last full day, and your time tomorrow!

Thanks again for posting this live for us! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[AKLRULZ]

I'm glad you went to Epcot yesterday instead of today!!

[Winston]

Dates: July 12 through July 18, 2002

Travelers: Winston Chapman (27) and his mom (66), both WDW veterans who were back for the first time in many years this past February

Resort: Disney's Polynesian Resort

Celebration: Summer vacation, and a surprise trip for my mom!

Day 6 - 07/17/2002 - Animal Kingdom

Well, my friends, this will be my final post from WDW. Tomorrow night, we'll be at a motel in Tallahassee and on our way home to Birmingham. As usual, the "Disney blues" are already beginning to creep up on me, and I can feel the depression setting in. But before I go into a complete decline, I have to write this trip report, spend one last night at the Poly (ahhhhhh...), and take advantage of one last morning at the MK.

I was up around 8:00am this morning and had showered and gotten dressed before my mom ever got out of bed! Once she was up and moving, I went down to Captain Cook's for a Coke and a quick breakfast. Mom joined me a few minutes later. We both had a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant, and I had an order of hash browns. Nothing to write home about, but a heck of a lot better than typical fast food. We waited an unusually long time for the bus to AK and overheard some folks talking about Epcot's being closed. My mom is can be a pessimist at times, so she immediately began speculating that there was a terrorist threat or attempt. I tried to suggest more reasonable and less depressing alternatives, but she persisted. This kept me entertained until the bus finally arrived to ferry us to AK via the GF and Blizzard Beach. We got off the bus, passed through security and the main gate, and paused at the Oasis's animal exhibits before heading toward the Tree of Life. Can't you see it right now as you turn the corner and it comes into full view?

My first priority was to get Fastpasses for Dinosaur (my fave AK ride) and get in line for Primeval Whirl. We accomplished both of these goals in short order. The posted wait for PW was 60 minutes, but it took less than 30 to reach the loading area and we were on our way. This ride is a far cry from RnRC, Space Mountain, and BTMRR, but it's fun anyway. There are a few dips and lots of fast turns and spins, and I'd do it again if there was a short wait or Fastpass. After PW, we made a pit stop and I found myself in need of a Toll House cookie ice cream sandwich. I found a cart, paid my $3, and devoured the treat, thinking of Tikibird's food police as I did it!

We had managed to kill enough time for our Fastpasses to ripen, so it was off to Dinosaur. I loooooove this ride. Just scary and dark and bumpy enough to be totally awesome! And I think it's hilarious that the scientist is flipping out (along with all of your fellow passengers) and that dinosaurs are trying to eat you, while the female computer voice is calmly and plainly calling out the name of each dinosaur that the rover encounters. "Carnatorous." "Raptor." "Pterodactyl." Meanwhile, some kid in the back seat is turned into dino lunch. Just strikes me as amusing.

After Dinosaur, we did the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Despite the heat, most of the animals were in plain view and even moving around. The bats, though asleep, were all fanning themselves with their wings to keep cool. The tigers were quiet but still near enough to be easily seen. As we finished our trek, I could tell mom was getting a little overheated (it has been very hot down here this week). I encouraged her to head back to the Poly to take a break, and she agreed. I walked her to a waiting bus bound for the MK hotels and then headed back into AK. On the way to the bus with mom, I had picked up a Fastpass for Kali, but I had over an hour and a half to kill before the pass became active. What to do? Dinosaur! I walked back to Dinoland and got in the standby line. This was a sloooow line (took almost 40 minutes), but it was worth it to ride this one just once more!

The standby line for Kali was posted as a 60 minute wait, but my Fastpass got me there in less than 10. When I rode this in February, I stayed very dry. Well, folks, lightning doesn't strike twice in the same spot, and apparently you only get one dry ride on Kali. I got soaked. Not wet, not damp, and not moist - SOAKED. Don't get me wrong: this was a great way to beat the heat and the ride is a fun one. Anyway, I dripped and sloshed my way back to the exit and caught a bus back to the Poly where I changed clothes and relaxed for the remainder of the afternoon. Did I mention I got wet on Kali?

Around 7:00pm, mom and I got dressed and caught the monorail over to the GF for our 7:30pm dinner PS at Narcoossee's. It had been many years since we last ate there, and I didn't remember much about the place. We were seated within 10 minutes of arrival, and our server was super. Mom and I split the platter of Prince Edward Island mussels (some of the best I've ever eaten). She ordered the fried oyster appetizer as her entree, and I had the pan-seared striped sea bass. Dessert for her was a banana split while I had the tiramisu. We agreed that the food was excellent and that this restaurant offers great views of the MK and the Seven Seas Lagoon (not to mention the monorail resorts). All in all, a great meal to end a great trip. We even got to watch the 9:15pm electrical water pageant from the deck.

A quick and pleasant walk had us back to the Poly in no time, and that's where I am now: propped up in bed and lamenting tomorrow's departure! Thanks so much to all of you who've been reading this report and taking such interest in it. Your comments and encouragement are truly appreciated, and I've been happy to share our experiences with you. I'll post again tomorrow night, and you can look for an epilogue sometime over the weekend or early next week. Until then, good night (one last time) from WDW.

Next Post: Day 7 - 07/18/2002

[ 07-18-2002, 12:37 AM: Message edited by: Winston ]

[maggy_1]

Winston, I really enjoy your live TR from the Magic and can't wait to read more [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Chantal [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]