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

[luvnwdwgal]

Tikibird, so glad to hear that your bites are better! Oh, and the T-shirt...I love it!! My DS (19) would love it too!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Hurry with more please!

[nanajoyx2]

Tikibird, love your report. My best friend and I were just at WDW for 6 days at Wilderness Lodge Villas(my husband and I are members) celebrating 50 years of friendship. I memtioned this to the CM when we were checking in on Sunday, and when we returned to our room on Monday night we found 5 Wilderness Lodge balloons and 2 autographed pictures of Mickey and Minnie thanking us for celebrating our 50 years of friendship with them. Needless to say, we were thrilled. I guess it depends on who the CM is at the reception desk. Ours was Gail. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Also my friend was bitten by something too, but not like you. Usually I'm the one who gets bitten. She's from CA and she says there are no bugs that bite in her area, but I'm from MA, and there are lots of them around here, especially after a wet spring. I guess I was just lucky this time.

I have a question for you. Where did you but the photo cube with your sons pictures? I didn't see them when I was there. I did this for my son and daughter with their wedding pictures when I was in Las Vegas in May, but I've never seen this at Disney. Of course I'm not surprised that they have them there. Don't they have everything at Disney World? It is truly a magical place. It was my friends first visit, but my fourteenth. I'll be back in December with my DH, and again in March with him. Looking forward to the rest of your report.

[tikibird]

nanajoy,

First of all - welcome to Passporter - so glad to have you with us!!!

Now, the response you got for your celebration (and how cool [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] was that - celebrating 50 years of friendship - love it!) was more along the lines of what I was expecting - glad you had such a magical time!

We purchased the cube in the Imagination building (I believe that's what it's called - had never been there before)in Epcot's Future World - it is directy connected to the Journey Into Your Imagination ride. Hope this helps!

[PS - I LUV WDW]

Sandy - thanks for the newest installment! Glad to hear the bug bites were getting better. Anxiously awaiting more please [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ProChristo]

Ooooh, just got caught up on your report. I totally feel for you on the bites. So glad to hear they started getting better. I think the CMs as a whole could have done a lot better in their efforts to enhance your birthday celebration. If they only knew how their actions would be getting around on this board, perhaps they would have done better. It sounds like your family did a great job of celebrating with you, though, and in the end, its your family that counts. I looked for Dole Whips while we were in the MK, but when I couldn't find them, had to settle for a Mickey Bar [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] - it was just awful, really, I'm still in therapy over it. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Can't wait to hear more,
Amy

[AKLRULZ]

Originally posted by tikibird:
Based on Steve’s recommendation, I tell Andy to let them know I am celebrating my birthday...

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">OMIGOSH, it sounds like an "off day" there! I'm telling you, that we just had a fabulous experience there! They really treated Brittany very special on her birthday. I am so sorry you didn't get a free dessert!

But I am really enjoying the trip report and the photos!

[travlin gal]

Tiki, [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] I could not get your trip report to print after Irenaroo's post on 8-2-2002. Do you know what is wrong?? I printed 14 pages of section 4. I am enjoying it and print them so it is easier to read. HELP HELP. THANKS AHEAD OF TIME.

Travlin Gal, Colorado Jan [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

Hi Jan,

I'm not a technical wizard, but I'm thinking that it may have to do with your printer. Either it doesn't have enough memory, or you may have to go into your printer settings and see if there is anything you can change there.

Were you able to print all of the other three pages okay?

[travlin gal]

Tikibird,

I went into my printer settings and clicked on print all linked documents and your wonderful report came out fine. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Thanks for your help [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I read your Dad's post, I am so glad that he is doing better. I hope his recovery continues at a good rate. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Travlin Gal, Colorado Jan [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]

[Fortissimo]

tikibird, we may have been eating in the Pepper Market at the same time! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I had the chicken sandwich too.

There was a dance competition going on in the convention center at the CSR so taht is why Chris and Craig noticed all of the girls.

[tikibird]

Omigosh Forti, I can't believe we missed each other again! You and Gonzo were probably ordering Chicken sandwiches at the same time! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Day Seven – Thursday, July 4, 2002, The Fourth of July – Water Mice, DisneyQuest, Cirque du soleil, The Virgin Megastore, and the Virgin Megastore, oh, and yes, a surprise ending by the Food Police!

The long, hot, busy week had caught up with us. It was the Fourth of July, and we had planned this day away from the mass crowds of folks at the parks, and really needed some time to relax a bit, but not too much – we were in WDW!

I got up at 7:30 a.m. and got dressed in my Mickey/American Flag shirt to celebrate the day. Got my picture with Uncle Sam Mickey, whom I had bought a while back at the DS to be the mascot of this trip for us.



Breakfast for me was at RF, where I just HAD to try the cheese Danish that Sean had been raving about in his reports (you really find the best tips reading trip reports, don’t you!). He was so right – ummmm! Also had a fruit cup, and relaxed with a cup of coffee in my refillable mug. Andy was busy doing laundry (he loves to do laundry – I don’t understand it, but certainly don’t complain, either! I have volunteered many times to do it, at least once in a while, but he is obstinate that I won’t do it right (did it for 20 years with no problems, but like I said, he can go for it!).

Chris has been chomping at the bit to drive a water mouse, so we head down to the rental area about 10:00 a.m. We look at the prices, and toy with getting one pontoon, so we can all go out on the lake for $38, but since Chris doesn’t have a driver’s license yet, he can only drive a water mouse. So, we get one for each Craig and Chris at $22 each for a half hour, and they gleefully take off without us. BARGAIN ALERT – we learned, much to late, this morning, that for $199 you can have unlimited rentals of all boats, water mice and bikes for everyone in your party for your entire length of stay. Would do this next time, as it would be a nice thing to do to relax during afternoon breaks.

While the guys are out of the lake, I take a video of the lodge grounds and lobby. Come to think of it, I need to watch that again – it makes me happy just seeing everything there – what a wonderful, magical place to stay!

When Craig and Chris return, and Andy is done with the laundry, we leave at 11:45 a.m. for our noon ressie at the DD Rainforest Café. We had never eaten at this one before. It is big, but for some reason that I can’t put my finger on, I like the one at AK better. We were seated right away in the Elephant room. Craig had a BBQ CHICKEN wrap, Andy a Cobb Salad, Chris a Pepperoni Pizza and fries, and I got talked into the Seafood special by the server, as I had always wanted to try the coconut shrimp, and was really wanting a crab cake for some reason. Not a good move. RC is NOT a seafood restaurant, for sure, and I have much more enjoyed the sandwiches I’ve had there in the past. Total for lunch, with the DC discount, was $64 plus tip.



We wander through the gift shop a bit, and I take some pics of the awesome real, live tiki birds outside! Next we stop in the World of Disney to pic up some coffee and a mug for the woman watching our cat. Craig picks up some things he had been eying up, as well.

We then get sucked into the Virgin Megastore, and this time, I’m as enthralled as the boys! Andy has given me a $4 off any CD coupon he got when he dropped mega bucks there several nights before, so I head straight to the Disney section. I find a BARGAIN ALERT – 5-CD import of Disney Classics for $26.99, and which is $22.99 after using the coupon. What a deal! These CDs retail for $16 each! If you love Disney music, make sure to stop at the VMS and pick one of these up! The guys pick up some more things, and by this time, it is pouring rain again. They run to the car to put the purchases away, and I go to the Cirque du Soleil box office to pick up our tickets.

We meet at Disney Quest and present our tickets. I don’t like that you have to wait to go on the Robin Williams elevator (it was cool the first time, but got old quick) to get in here. I’m starting to feel very run down again, with the congestion and tiredness from the medication, and we step out into a very PACKED Disney Quest. At first, I just want to go crawl into a corner, as it is so crowded, and I am feeling so bad. The boys, on the other hand, are enthralled by all of the high tech wizardry, so we split up.

Andy and I go on the Jungle Cruise raft. I’m thinking CHEESE here. It’s okay, but that’s it. Craig and Chris, on the other hand, are having a grand time. Craig even buys his “Create-A-Toy” I knew I had read that Pirates was the best thing in DQ, so I convince them to wait in line with me, even though it takes over a half our. Now this is COOL!!!! I love shooting at the Pirate ships, and Andy is our captain. We defeat the ghost guy and I could play this all day! This rejuvenates me, and we go to get some dinner, and more importantly, some cheesecake at the Cheesecake factory.

Andy has decided to become the evil food police at this point and declares there is nothing but junk at DQ, and he is not eating anything (I think the cheesecake did it), and finds a seat in the internet café portion (which I am very jealous of, as I am dying to check Passporter - did finally get to log on, but got timed out before I could post). The boys and I decide to each get a piece of pizza and BARGAIN ALERT – a YUMMY set of 6 garlic rolls sprinkled with fresh parmesean with some great marinara sauce – the rolls were only $2.00 – a real Disney deal! Craig and I each have a piece of Oreo cheesecake, which was good, but not even close to the piece of turtle cheesecake I had had at the CF in Las Vegas. Total for dinner $33.00.



The Food Police glared at us throughout dinner, and while the boys went on Ride the comics afterward. There’s no way I could put that headgear on – first person 3d games make me ill, but here they are having a grand time of it!




It is soon time to go over to Cirque for the 6:00 p.m. performance. The boys were not sure they would like this but WOW!!! It was incredible!!! We liked it even more than Quidam, which we saw here in Pittsburgh in the spring. The guys liked the little yoyo girls the best, and I loved the men on the trampoline that ran up the walls sideways – what incredible coordination! If you haven’t seen this show – GO – you will not regret spending the money! We got two seats with the AP discount (had to show it at the box office) and two with the DQ discount.

After Cirque, the guys want to go back to DQ. We are pleasantly surprised that it is much less crowded, so we do Pirates again, try Alien Encounter twice, and then the guys do Ride the Comics again. We all do Jungle Cruise again, but are getting weary. Not too weary for another stop at the VMS, though! I have another $4 off coupon I got when I bought my set, so I get “Beauty and the Beat” for $11.99 – calypso versions of Disney favorites I have been wanting for a while. VMS Orlando has a great selection of Disney CDs, including imports, but more about that tomorrow!

We get back to the Lodge at 10:14 p.m., too late to see the fireworks. The Food Police, who at this point, has not eaten yet, disappears, and returns to the room with four Mickey bars, one for each of us! We are overwhelmed, but also stuffed, so try as we may, Chris and I can only nibble the two ears, and give him the rest to finish. Wonder what in the world got into him that night! Eating Mickey Bars, not at mealtime, and at NIGHT? Woah!!!

This is our last night at the WL. I want to immortalize my stay here, so I take a self-portrait in the mirror (okay, so I admit I have Pooh pajamas and bee slippers!). Check out the wallpaper!


Start to pack a few things, and then we hit the hay.

We had a great fourth, and a nice diversion from the parks.

Next up – Day Eight – Epcot, the airport, and back to the Burg

[ 08-11-2002, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: tikibird ]

[*Pixie*Dust*]

Great trip report and great pix, Tiki. I really loved your self portrait. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[luvnwdwgal]

Tikibird, loving your trip report!!
Looking forward to DQ as we have never been there before.
I'll be sure to get a piece of cheesecake too!! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[travlin gal]

Tiki,

I printed out the last of your report while I am waiting to change the water, we are on restrictions here in Colorado Springs, its a pain but I guess I should be glad I can water some parts of the state cannot. I had no problem printing this part of your great report. Your pictures are just great, [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I do not have a scanner as yet [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] . I had lemon cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory in Las Vegas at Caesars, it was great. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] I am a lemon addict. I also had it in San Francisco when I went there in April. Your Food Police sounds like the way my Dad was. It sounds like you had a real good time anyway. Sorry your birthday wasn't more special. I am sorry to see your trip report end [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] but all good things must come to an end.

Travlin Gal, Colorado Jan [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]

[ProChristo]

I'm lovin' this! Your CD set sounds way cool. I bought the Disney Collection when I was in college and I still listen to it all the time. I don't think I could ever get tired of the Genie elevator, maybe because we just don't get to go to WDW often. I agree that Pirates is the best, but I think CyberSpace Mountain is a close second. Reading your TR makes me even more sad thet the Cheesecake Factory was closed when we were there. I heard that St. Louis is getting one in 2003, so maybe I'll have a chance before too long. Can't wait for more, but sorry to see it all end.