Tikibird Flies Over the Hill in the World: June/July 2002 WL - Completed w/photos About This Page:

[tikibird]

Amy, You can learn more about the Connections Vouchers here - Mousesavers Connections Vouchers Info

Ann, The Mickey is 3d but the pics of the guys are not.

Okay - bear with me here - first time using Shutterfly for posting the pics - may have to edit a few times to get it right!

Day Four – Monday, July 1st - Islands of Adventure, Shopping at the Outlets, and a NASTY reaction to those bug bites!!

The previous night, the males of the family had their turn to say stupid things and laugh hysterically as we all lay in bed. They tried to engage me, but I was so tired, I soon was out.

I woke the next morning not feeling well. I was congested, my nose was running, and I felt nauseated. To make matters worse, I wasn’t going to a Disney park today. Now, I appreciate what Universal has done at their parks, and even enjoy them somewhat, but when I am in Orlando, I want to be at Disney, so I always get in a bit of a funk when it’s time for the Universal parks.

To make myself feel a bit better, I decide on breakfast at Whispering Canyon. BTW – the guys are not big at all about breakfast, so they always insist on eating in the hotel room when we go on vacation (peanut butter bagels and cowtails (long caramels w/cream inside) for Craig, poptarts or cowtails for Chris, and of course, a protein bar and fruit for the Food Police. No problem for me, as I enjoy getting out on my own for a bit each morning to enjoy breakfast.

I was seated right away at WC. The skillet looked like way too much food, so I got an plate that had eggs, bacon and sausage and breakfast potatoes – still too much food – but the augratin potatoes were very yummy! I feel a bit better after eating and devotions (I finally figured out the balcony of our room was the perfect place for this!), but the runny nose and now headache are annoying.

We leave WL and head to IOA. After a couple of wrong turns, we arrive at the parking lot – I feel a need to complain about the parking – think it was $8, and why do they charge more than Disney - ah oh – on a roll already!

We had purchased the annual passes ($99 with some weekend and holiday blackout dates) online, and after we went through the main gate, were directed to a small office to get our ID cards. What a horrible set up! It took 45 minutes of prime riding time – as only two fairly incompetent employees were working (there were stations for four). The woman that finally took us was NOT happy. She didn’t even tell us when she was taking our pictures – Chris and Andy look like they escaped from somewhere on theirs! The male employee tells us that the computer system is incorrectly showing today as a blackout, so we won’t be able to get any Express Passes unless we ask an employee for one. Sigh! I’m fiending Disney about now.

On to Spiderman, which I will admit, is one of the best rides ever.



There was already an hour wait – but we see the single rider line is open – oh happy day! Single rider works so well for us, since the kids are adults now – no need to worry about them! We walk right onto the ride. Now it isn’t as good as the first time you see it, when it is fabulous, but still pretty darn incredible! Unfortunately, I don’t get the front seat, which is the best view IMHO, either this ride, or the next, when we turn around and walk right back on as single riders.

The theming in IOA is incredible. I don’t care for toon lagoon too much, but the other “lands” are very well done. We walk out of the comic books and into Seuss landing – where you truly feel you are in a Seuss book. No sharp edges or straight lines anywhere – like Toontown in Disneyland. We ride Cat in the Hat, which is much like Pooh. I would say it is even better done, except for the fact that you get spun around too much. Yuck – now I’m feely pukey again. Craig and I have always wanted to go on the Caroseussel, so we get on that next, with no wait. This is very well done – the characters are quite cool looking!




We decide to go to the Jurassic Park River Adventure next, as the line is short (20 min as compared to 45 last trip when I got an anxiety attack in line and bailed). This is a cool ride, as well, but when we are done, a CHEESE employee is trying to almost bully people over to the area to buy pictures.

Overall, the JP area really feels like the movie. The Discovery Center, which we go in later, looks like the lobby in the building at the end of the first film.


Everyone but me is hungy now, so we head to Mythos for lunch (below).



This is one of my favorite restaurants. Based on Steve’s recommendation, I tell Andy to let them know I am celebrating my birthday (well, I was celebrating, even though it was really the next day), so he did, and I was anticipating a free dessert! So, I order the appetizer pizza which, BTW – BARGAIN ALERT – was very filling and good for $7.00 – if you just want to try the place out – go in and get out of the heat for $7.00 – cheaper than a lot of stuff at the counter places! Craig had a CHICKEN club, Chris a steak, and Andy the Chinese chicken salad. Everyone enjoyed their food and I drank a ton of pop, as I felt dehydrated (it was hot), hot and still did not feel well. The waiter came by and asked if we wanted dessert. Uh oh. Not good. Never mentioned the birthday. Check came, nothing. I’m very sad. I was really looking forward to that dessert – not that I needed it or anything. Craig harasses me and says I was trying to cheat anyway, as it really wasn’t my birthday till the next day. Total tab for lunch $59. I am really in a funk now. No Disney, no free dessert.

But, we head off to Poseidon’s Fury, which is well done, but the actress we had really got on my nerves. (Sure it had a lot to do with my lack of a free dessert!). After the PF, I am really getting cranky. The boys are also tired, and Andy wants to ride a roller coaster. I’m sure I’ll puke if I do, so we tell him to meet us at the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. We wait 40 minutes, and I finally call him and ask what’s up. “I can’t decide which one to ride” he says. Now I’m furious! He finally shows up, and we walk through toon lagoon, and back to the Marvel area, as Craig wants to hit the shops there.



I tell them I will meet them at Port of Entry, as I am scheming to get that dessert! I get a (surprise!) Oatmeal Raisin cookie at the bakery, but it is very disappointing. Too cake-like.

The boys and I have had enough IOA fun for one day (didn’t even hit Hulk, my favorite coaster, but was still feeling just bad overall). Craig had spied Moose juice and Goose juice in Seuss landing and had to have some, so Craig got a frozen Moose Juice (tangerine slushie), Chris got a regular Moose Juice (watered down Koolaid) and I had a really yummy frozen Goose Juice (bright green sour apple slushie). Then it started to rain, and there was no way we wanted to get drenched like the day before, so we high tailed it to the parking garage.

Once we get in the car, the Food Police starts moping that he wanted to stay longer, and we should have asked him if he wanted to stay longer. He and Craig get into an argument about this. (The family togetherness 24x7 is wearing a bit thin at this point). But, we leave Universal and head for the Belz Outlets. I hit the two Disney stores and pick up a couple of things – the best bargain is a zip up hooded sweatshirt for $15.99 – regularly $40 in the parks. I also pick up a grad Mickey for Chris that plays Pomp and Circumstance (he just graduated from high school) for $4.99. While in the outlets, I bruise my arm on a rounder at the character outlet and cut my finger on the lock on the door in the ladies’ room in the bathroom (OOOh – run to a store for disinfectant and bandages).

Andy is still brooding about IOA, so stops at the Timberland store, as we wait in the car. He is in there over a half an hour because he is mad, which makes us madder. We are all ready for dinner by now, and I notice an IHOP. Remembering that Ursula enjoyed eating there, and got chicken strips for Matt, we stopped. Although it was a bit of a wait for the food – we all really enjoyed this meal. I had a breakfast plate, Andy had a garden omelet, Chris had a turkey melt, and Craig CHICKEN fingers! Both boys had cheese sticks for appetizers, and the bill was only $39. A pleasant break from Disney prices!

We also had to stop at this stupid tent Andy always spends way too much time in and never buys anything. They have tennis shoes, basketball jerseys, etc., and REALLY loud rap music which annoys me, so I go to a small shop nearby that has a wooden tiki-type bird in the window. It is handpainted, about 2 feet tall, and only $10, so I have to have it!

When we get back to the WL, my leg is really itchy. The boys go down to the game room to play air hockey, and Andy says “Oooh, look at your leg!” I look in the mirror, and the back of my leg has a huge red area, approx. 6 inches in diameter that is bright red, hot and itchy. This scares me a bit. Then Andy says “Oooh, look at your arm” Same deal on my left forearm. Now I’m really scared. And I’m upset, because the next day is my birthday, and I want everything to be perfect. This was not in the plans!

I go down to the lobby and ask if there is a nurse onsight to look at this bites. (the other four appear to be normal reactions). The manager of the front desks looks at my arm and says that they do not have a nurse onsite, but given the looks of my arm, suggests I go to Centra Care to have them looked at. Apparently Centra Care contracts with Disney to provide healthcare both on site, or they provide free transportation to/from the Disney resorts, so I ask her to schedule a van for me to go there. I’m not sure Andy is going to be enthused about taking me, so this seems like the best option (he felt I was overreacting by even asking anyone about it). I have 20 minutes to wait, so I go in the gift shop and fortunately, they have benedryl, so I get some and take that while I wait. I go back to the room and Andy agrees to go with me in the van, so we go to the front of the lodge and wait.

A very nice driver arrives shortly afterward and we are on our way. I engage him in conversation when he mentions that he and his wife moved to the area five years ago, as Andy and I have given some thought to relocating to Orlando. He said that he loves the area, and the cost of living is great, as there is no state income tax, no local wage tax, and he pays $180 a month for electric, water and sewage together, including energy spent on air conditioning. He paid 70K for a three bedroom home in Kissimee, and is very happy there.

When we arrive at Centra Care (by the Crossroads shopping center), one patient is ahead of me. We wait about 15 minutes before I am seen. The doctor makes her “ooooh!” comment when she sees the bites, and says that they normally don’t see such drastic reactions that quickly (it had been about 24 hours at that point). She also mentioned that it was good I came in, as she had just had a patient rushed to the hospital with a similar problem. She feels I was either bit by fire ants or noseeums – which I had never heard of before. Fortunately, I was not running a fever, but she still felt that there was an infection, so she prescribed Cipro (I’m thinking great – at least we’re covered if there’s an anthrax attack or something!). I am told to stay out of the sun (yeah, right, we’re in Florida), and if the bites are no better in two days, go directly to the emergency room). I’m pretending I didn’t hear that!

As we are waiting for the prescription (the drug store is down the hall), I notice some magnets that are fashioned after the “God” billboards, such as “Don’t make me come down there” – God. One catches my eye, and tugs at my heart. It says “Tell the kids I love them.” – God. I bought it – it is now on my fridge and is a daily reminder of my call to youth ministry. The Rx took another 15 minutes or so – total tab $111 for the visit - $120 for the cipro – YIKES! Hoping our insurance will pick up at least some of that.

We get the same driver on the way home – talk some more about the area, and get back to the WL around 11:30 p.m. Not the best day of the vacation, but a full one, for sure!

Next up – The big day and oh, um, excuse me,hello, it’s my birthday!

Okay, and does anyone know how to get rid of the white borders on the shutterfly pics - I'm running out of room on my website! Thanks!

[ 08-03-2002, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: tikibird ]

[Shell_of_the_South]

Tikibird, I'm sorry you guys didn't have a "Disney" day at IOA. I used to feel like you about Disney. I thought I couldn't be happy anywhere else. But I really loved Universal.

Oh, we also got the annual passes. But instead of getting our pictures taken first, we waited until we were done for the day. I knew we would lose that early morning riding before all the crowds got there. Of course we all look sweaty in our pictures, LOL!

Waiting for another installment of your report!

[maggy_1]

Tiki love the report [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I feel so sorry to hear you have to go at the care center to your bites hope you don't have to go to the emergency [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Chantal [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[coffeechef]

tikibird... love your trip report, keep it coming. waiting for more,more, more.

[luvnwdwgal]

Oh Tiki, I am so sorry that your day wasn't what you had imagined it was going to be like. I too have occasional anxiety attacks. Once last year Christmas shopping, I had been standing in line to check out and was finally one person away and all of a sudden I had to leave! I had to get out of that line, now!
Luckily my SIL was nearby, I threw my stuff at her and told her I had to go sit down! Hate that when that happens! I very concerned about the bug bites, as usually I am a buffet for bugs! They just love to bite me! Do you think that bug-repellant will keep them away? Hoping that your Birthday goes much better and you get that free dessert! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[GoofyMom]

Wow, those were some expensive bug bites! This is a good head's up for us - DH is so allergic to some bugs that he has to carry an epipen just in case. Note to self: make sure I buy some super duper health insurance when we go!

Sandy, I sure hope you get a birthday dessert (free, of course) for your birthday!! After all how many times do you get to "Fly Over the Hill", especially in WDW? If all goes according to plan, DH will also turn 40 in The World. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's installment and am definitely looking for any tips for 40 year old celebrations!

[Suzie]

Tiki, my oldest son was bitten by those bugs, or a similar type, several years ago. They weren't fire ants but he got several huge welts on him and they didn't itch as much as feel hot. They took forever to go away too. Never happened after that one time, even when we stayed at the trailers in the campgrounds.
We are not a Universal family. Everytime we have gone, we ended up leaving early. I have three boys who you would think would love the wild rides but they just prefer Disney. I think Universal looks great but just doesn't feel magic like Disney.

[Tara O'Hara]

Ouch about the bugs, Tiki! I hope the Cipro worked-that is truly a bug bomb antibiotic(no pun intended!) I'm sorry the day didn't turn out fabulous for you guys, but it sounded great before this and I'm sure it will pick up again! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Tara

[tikibird]

Day Five, Tuesday, July 2nd – The Big Day – Turning the Big 4-0!

Well, this was it! The big day! I woke up with the continually runny nose, congestion, and still huge, red and hot bug bites. But I was not going to let these small matters get me down! It was my milestone birthday, the day I flew over the hill, never to return again! But then again, I am never going to grow up, so it really doesn’t matter much, does it?

I get up at 6:30 a.m., as we have breakfast ressies at the Crystal Palace. We leave for the Magic Kingdom at 7:30 a.m., and drive over. There is a really NASTY family getting on the monorail, and unfortunately, they are in the same cab as we are. A woman with a major attitude is carrying on that they are late for their Cindy’s ressie, and the little girl isn’t dressed properly, and the grandmother, that is obviously this woman’s mother is chiming in, too. The poor dad is just sitting there taking it all in. They made the cheesy family on the boat the other morning pale in comparison!

We get through the gate with no wait, and I happily go into City Hall for my birthday button. The CMs wish me a happy birthday and we are on our way to breakfast with Pooh. Once again Main Street is quiet and basically deserted. What a great way to start the day! We wait a few minutes to be seated. Our waiter tells us about the buffet and no mention of the birthday, even though I told the CM when I made the PS (this was an omen of things to come). But, I do get my cupcakes when the napkins are flying, and Tigger was great fun in coming over to the table to celebrate with me!



We’ve determined spending much money on breakfasts are not a good deal for our family, as no one except me actually wants to eat breakfast. I did get my Pooh waffle (below), though, so it was all good,



and got our waiter to sign my autograph book, as did the characters! I got a cool birthday card signed by Pooh and the gang, as well. We get our other character pictures, skipping Eeoyre to get in some prime riding time.

Since it’s my birthday, I get to pick the first ride, so I go for Winnie the Pooh! We miss riding with Eeorye and Tigger by one hunny pot, but there is no line when we’re done, so we walk right back on again. Next up is Peter Pan, where the CM wishes me a happy birthday, which I think is cool. We also ride this twice. Snow White and Small World are next.

We then decide to head over the Adventureland to catch the Jungle Cruise before it gets too crowded, as we missed this last trip. The sign says “10 minutes” NOT it was more like 25! I do notice a sign that I point out to Craig by the boarding area that lists the “lunches” everyday. They are all poultry-related, so I think the Jungle would be a good place for him to work!

And next, and next, my very favorite – the TIKI ROOM!



I still prefer the old version, but am starting to enjoy this one, as well. Prior to leaving on this trip, Craig had made us this great CD with the various attractions on it, and he noticed in the Tiki Room, that there is a good deal of dialogue that goes on after everyone is supposed to have left, so we stay to hear it. The CM is looking a bit perturbed at this point, but it is cool to finally hear the whole show!
One of my favorite pics - the boys and I by the Tiki Room on my birthday!



Next is Pirates, and then on to Tomorrowland to catch the Carousel of Progress. Craig is overjoyed that this is open, as it was closed in December. This is a good, classic show. I hope that WDW keeps it open for a long time to come! Keeping in the reopened attractions, we see Timekeeper. This is a good show, as well. Chris and Andy had never seen it before, and Craig and I had only seen in once previously.

It was now time for lunch, and we had decided to try Pecos Bill, as we had heard good reviews about it. First off, my new contacts (which I did NOT care for at all) were not right, and I couldn’t even read the menu, so I just went with the first thing I could make out, which was a hot dog. Craig has this as well, and uses the voucher Andy didn’t use in Epcot, but did not get much of a savings, just a few cents on this one, as they didn’t allow an additional side. Andy had a salad he disliked, and Chris got the chicken wrap, which he said was basically not much but salad in a tortilla. To top it off, I got a nosebleed while looking for a table – this place was PACKED, and we got stuck in the very back corner, where there was no light over our table. Overall, a big thumbs DOWN on this experience – back to Cosmic Rays for us next trip! To be fair, the fixing table looked good for hamburgers, so it probably would have been better had we ordered those.

After lunch, we finally get to see George W. in the Hall of Presidents, as we encountered technical difficulties during the show we saw in December and had to vacate the theater. I think that Disney has done a good job with this, and we enjoyed the show.

Next up, what every girl wants more than anything else on her birthday – a DOLE WHIP!!! Ahh, this is heavenly! A tasty, cool, refreshing pineapple delight!

We’re starting to get tired and cranky by this time (I’m battling dosing off between the benedryl and the cipro effects), so I beg for some free time to see the Tiki Room one more time, as Craig wants to ride the train before we go back to the WL to crash. The Food Police finally gives in, and I get to see my favorite birds one more time, after I browse the Adventureland shops. I go through a few shops on Main St. A CM looks at me and says “Is it REALLY your birthday?” I thought it was rude that she assumed that it was not! I told her it was, and headed off to the candy store for 2 Mickey Pecan turtles to take home with me. I ate one already, but am saving the other for when I finish this report.

The guys have already returned when I get back to our room, and I look, and I look. No card for me. I am sad! I told 3 different CMs (one when I confirmed the ressie, one when I checked in, and one when I was relaying the bug bite info at the front desk) that I was celebrating my 40th birthday. Andy leaves – I know to go tell them at the front desk. About an hour later a CM appears at the door with a WL balloon and card from Pooh and friends, which was nice, but it would have been a whole lot nicer if they had remembered to begin with!

Andy also took this time to do some laundry (the man is obsessed with doing laundry!), and then he and the boys gave me my gifts – the WL t shirt I had been admiring, as well as the WL frame (with the totem pole on it) that I had been drooling over! I am very pleased with their choices!

We get ready for our dinner at O’Hana. The guys are impressed as we walk into the Poly lobby, as they had never been in this resort previously.



As we arrive, I tell them we have a PS seating. No mention of the birthday (had told the CM this when I made the ressies), so I tell them it is my birthday, and I would like to order the small cake. O’Hana is a wonderful restaurant.



The atmosphere is fun, with the coconut races and hula hoop contests, and the food is very good. We all enjoyed the appetizers – rice, wings, wontons, veggies and the best salad dressing on a tasty salad. Then come the skewers of shrimp, pork, steak and turkey, the latter two being our favorites. We eat until we are stuffed – yummy! And then comes the awesome fresh pineapple with caramel dipping sauce. As I must always have a picture of me extending my mouth to the furthest corners of the earth to stuff it full of food, here is this trip’s shot:


The waitress, from France is very nice, and brings us our check. I ask about the birthday cake – she has no mention of it on our tab. Oh well, didn’t surprise me by this point. But, I do finally get the cake, and it was very nice, and tasty, although we can just eat a small bit of it by that point!


Overall, Ohana was a great place, and I highly recommend it.

After dinner, we go back to the WL for a bit, and then head back to the MK for E Ride night around 9:30 a.m. Now, I have been fighting off feeling absolutely awful all day, but am about ready to drop at this point. While the guys go on Pirates, I just sit in the gift shop, and Craig and Andy go on Splash, while Chris and I sit and watch some of the fireworks. I do manage to drag myself on Big Thunder, and Haunted Mansion, but then decide it would be best if I go back to the hotel. Chris wants to go with me, so we ride TTA before we leave, and stop at the candy store to get the guys some fudge and a Reeses pieces pretzel for me. I say goodbye to the MK, as this will be my last visit this trip.

As the boat was no longer running, Chris and I go through three CMs before we are given proper directions on how to get back to the WL. We finally get on the monorail, and get to ride upfront, which I think is a very cool way to end my birthday, and catch the bus at the TTC. We arrive back at the WL around midnight, and Craig and Andy return about a half hour later.

Overall, even though it was not quite as magical as I had imagined, I had a wonderful birthday. What better place to celebrate than at the MK? I consider myself very fortunate to have spent my special day with the Mouse!

Next up – Day Six - Universal Studios, The Pepper Market and a Surprise Ending by the Food Police!

[ 08-07-2002, 09:45 PM: Message edited by: tikibird ]

[Janet 46]

I just figured out what the title of your TR means!! (Okay, I'm a little slow [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) But I thought 'over the hill' meant 50!! This coming from a 45 year old! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

Originally posted by Janet 45:
But I thought 'over the hill' meant 50!!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Okay, I am taking those 10 years back RIGHT NOW!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

And, I forgot - even though I didn't have a card waiting when I went back to the hotel room, I did have a Passporter call, complete with the birthday song - so THANK YOU - it was much appreciated!

Sorry - couldn't make out the SQOTD after that - it was garbled, and the one from the day before - seeing how long I could do a handstand in the WL pool - didn't get near a bathing suit after the bug bites - so failed on that one, too. Just got the tiki birds in the tiki room - 102 - thanks for the calls everyone - they were great! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[luvnwdwgal]

Tiki, sorry your birthday wasn't as magical as you had dreamt it would be. But any day that you can share with The Mouse is special! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] So glad you got that Dole Whip and the pecan goodies! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[GoofyMom]

Sounds like you were determined regardless of the situation to have a good time! Good for you. I'm glad you had a pretty good bird-day (get it - Tikibird's birthday - [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] - sorry I've been up since 3 a.m.) all things considered. Bummer that you had to ask for your own birthday cake a couple of times [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

[Suzie]

Tikibird-I know how you feel about not having your birthday acknowledged as much as you would have liked. We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at WDW and had much the same experience. We had mentioned that we were there to celebrate when we made the ressies, when we checked in and even wore matching Mickey and Minnie t-shirts that said "Suzie and Steve" 25th Anniversary but no one even noticed. BUT, as others have said, we celebrated at WDW so that was magic enough.
By the way, my charming husband says that 36 is middle aged since average life expectancy is something like 72, but I plan to live to be 108 like my great-aunt Nellie, so I have lots of time yet!!

[tikibird]

Day Six – Wednesday, July 3rd, Universal Studios and the Pepper Market

Stitch wakes me up at 7:30 a.m., and I head down to Roaring Forks for a Sticky Bun and some fresh fruit – now THIS is my kind of breakfast! Afterwards, its devotions on the balcony (now why didn’t I think of this before – it is perfect!). The guys get up a bit later than I do, and we leave at 9:00 a.m. for Universal. Andy thinks the bites are looking better, but I’m not convinced and a bit anxious that I might have to go to the hospital.

This time we don’t get lost, and get to Universal with no problems. I’m still irritated that we have to pay $8 to park, but have promised myself that I will behave and enjoy the day, even though I’m not at Disney. (In silent protest, however, I wear my Mickey heads shirt!) [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

We go on ET first, which has a 20 minute wait. Boy it is hot today, but at least there are no rain clouds for once! ET is a great ride – a tripped out Small World/Peter Pan! For the very first time, ET gets our names right at the end of the ride – I’m impressed!



We hit the single rider line for MIB next. This is my favorite ride in this park. We walk right on as single riders. I can’t shoot that well, but sure have fun trying to get those nasty aliens! The little boy next to me is nervous, but I assure him that he will get to shoot all the bad guys and they won’t be able to get him at all. This seems to appease him, and he has a blast! We decide to go right back on, again a walk on as single riders.

Next up is Jaws. Now the first time I was on it I thought it was CHEESE!!!! What a difference a good host makes – our guy was excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed the ride.



We want to go on Kong, but it is shut down due to technical difficulties, so we go to the Monster Café for lunch. We always eat lunch here. Every time I want to try something new, but there is something about that pizza and pudding parfaits that keep drawing my guys back, and then back again. At least Craig didn’t have chicken! I had ravoli that was very good, and Andy had a salad, and a pretzel from a stand outside the restaurant. Total $50 for the four of us.

After lunch we go on Twister. We are in the front row, and too close, as I can see the lines holding everything up. Ruined it a bit, but still impressive. Kong is back up, but the line is huge. I make it half way through and have my panic attack of the trip – literally climbed over rails to get out of there. Can’t stand not seeing a beginning or end to where I’m going surrounded by a wall of people. I used to get attacks in traffic, but fortunately that is no longer the case. Just once or twice a year at the Universal parks – go figure!

I wander around the gift shops waiting for the guys, but nothing in these parks even tempts me. Stick a Mouse on something, and then we’ll talk!

Craig decides he must try some caramel M&Ms, and notices a store that is selling them for something like 1.99 for a quarter pound. He loads up a bag with those and the peanut butter ones and get to the register - $10.83!!!! He is dying, I know it (Mister Cheap, he is normally!), but he buys them anyway.

Isn't Craig's shirt cool?

We do MIB one more time with Express passes we picked up earlier, and then Chris, Andy and I see Terminator, while Craig goes off in search of a hockey jersey at City Walk. Terminator has great special effects, but I can’t help but think it is way too intense for little kids.

We catch up with Craig, and he hasn't found any jerseys. We're all ready to go and get some dinner.



On the way back, I talk the guys into stopping at Coronado Springs for dinner, as I want to use the Connections Vouchers at the Pepper Market. The resort is nice, but now I am SO spoiled with WL! Craig and Chris, however, notice how many more lovely young ladies are at this resort than at WL (which is mostly young families with elementary aged kids and older folks). They think perhaps we should stay there some time, simply for this aspect of the surroundings!

I see on Mousesavers that the PepperMarket quit accepting Connnections vouchers the week of June 20th, but they did take ours. Another great meal for the price - $44 for the vouchers. There was a huge selection, and many different areas from which to select food.

We consumed the following:

Chris
KungPao Chicken and Rice
Egg Roll
Cookie
Drink

Craig
CHICKEN sandwich and fries
Bagel
Cookie
Drink

Andy
Taco Salad
Fruit Bowl
Apple Pie ala mode
Drink

Sandy
Chicken Enchilladas (yummy!)
Bowl of fresh pineapple (excellent!)
Drink
Some kind of chocolate, coconut cake w/chocolate syrup (scrumptious)!

Andy and I really enjoyed this meal, although the boys were not impressed. Total would have been $80 without the vouchers. So, it was very good, but if you don’t have or can’t use the vouchers, can be very pricey for counter service.

When we get back to the Lodge, I want to walk through the Mercantile to see if they have this Mickey wrap I saw a woman wearing on the monorail the day before. They do, so I have to have it, and I overhear another woman asking for the list of songs for the Lodge Soundtrack, so I ask for one, as well, Have to have Craig download them and make a CD for me one of these days! The list can now be found on Deb Willis’ site as well, I noticed.

When I’m done shopping, Andy is sound asleep in a chair in the lobby! When we get back to the room, YES!!! Definite progress is being made with the bites!!!! This is a good thing, and we had a good day – no rain even!

Next up – The Fourth of July – Water Mice, DisneyQuest, Cirque du soleil, The Virgin Megastore, the Virgin Megastore, and the Virgin Megastore