Steve & Sue take the Convertible to Disney: Day 6 is started! About This Page:

[katspjs]

Things certainly do happen for a reason. Glad to hear that your SIL wasn't seriously hurt.

Looking forward to your next installment!

[rescuesk]

Who: Steve, 46, and Sue, 44, 11th trip to WDW

When: 9/30 till 10/10

Where: Old Key West/Hilton Head

Why: We own the perfect Florida car now, so LET'S GO!

Day 5....

Day 5, Wednesday, dawned...you guessed it! Bright and sunny, but not as hot today! Today was going to be a very special day, we had alot planned, alot to do and alot of memories to make.

First on agenda this morning was the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour. We woke up early, hopped in the convertible and cruised over to the MK. (You never drive in a convertible, you always cruise! ) We parked at the CR, which we had been told to do, and they put us in the outer parking lot, which was fine. We walked the short distance to MK, and went to the CM with "the list" . Yes! We are on it! Into the park before it opens for us!!!! I wish we would have had more time to enjoy the empty Main Street, but we had to meet up with our tour guide at City Hall. We signed in, put down our lunch selections, got coffee and pastries (don't ask me what kind...it was a long time ago but I know they were good! ). Soon our tour guide came out and we were on our way! We had little name tags, and green wrist bands. We started walking down Main Street, where our very knowledgable guide, Joe, explained alot of the little details about MK and Walt's dream. Now, I am not going to tell you these secrets, I would never spoil the surprise. We did a ride on the Jungle cruise, and on POTC. Joe pointed out quite a few details, some of which I already knew from Passporter! But my absolute favorite part was going backstage. They took us behind the scenes to where the parade floats were, and into a rather secret area. I will not divulge the details, but if you ever get a chance to take this tour, do so! We ate at the Coulumbia Harbor House, where we shared our table with a very nice young couple who were on their honeymoon. Awww... After lunch, Joe took us down to the Utilidors. I had seen these on my Backstage Magic tour in 1998, but they never cease to amaze me. It's like a park underneath a park! Amazing! Soon, however, it was time to go. The only thing I was disappointed in was that we didn't get to go behind the scenes at the HM, something I would have loved to do. But all in all, it was a very fun tour!

After the tour, we headed over to the Plaza for....drumroll please....a Passporter meet! Ann (disneyknut) and her family were going to be in the MK the same day we were, so lets meet! We headed toward the Plaza when Steve got sidetracked by a young girl having a nose bleed. He went over and assisted, had her sit down, and she seemed to be fine. I kind of watched him..I was on vacation after all, and since he is also a paramedic, she was in good hands. And then there was Ann! We hugged, I met her DH Jim and her children, we sat and had ice cream and chatted like we had known each other forever! They had arrived that morning, and Jim had left the frozen Northeast in his tank top and shorts, ready for the 90 degree Florida weather! We also had fun watching Jim figure out his new camera! Steve was sitting there, but he seemed suddenly distracted. I followed his gaze, and lo and behold, the nose bleed girl had started to really hemorrhage this time! Steve went back and assisted her, and then had Park Security call for their EMS team. The EMS crew came sauntering out from....somewhere...we had just learned a few of the secrets in the tour including some of the hidden entrances but we never saw them come in. They were very professional, but IMHO they took a bit long to get there. I mean, if someone is calling for an EMS team in the park, it's probably an emergency right? Oh, well, I'm probably too critical since it's what I do , but they did show up and treated her appropriately and kindly and then took her off to first aid. Steve said they actually had her laughing, and putting a patient at ease is one of the biggies in my assessment of other EMS professionals, so they earned top grades on that! Ann and I finished talking and then it was off to one more happy meet for the day...

The summer of 2004, as you all know, was a devastating hurricane season for Florida. So many people were hurt by Mother Nature's fury last year, including Kelly (goofy4goofy) one of our very own Passporters. Kelly had lost a good portion of her home and belongings to the hurricanes of 2004. Sandy (whoSEZ) and Vicki (stretch2864) began a campaign to help. When I found out, I called Sandy and asked if she would like a personal delivery person! A few days before we left, a beautiful package arrived in the mail. That got tucked into our car with all the other items to head south.

I knew Kelly's schedule (I had emailed her prior to our arrival) but efforts to contact her had not worked..I had her cell phone number, but her phone was dead! I knew she was at CBR on Wednesday, so, here goes nothing. We drove over to CBR after leaving the MK that day, and parked out front. I walked in to the lobby with Steve, and realized two things: 1) It was close to check in time and crowded, and 2) I didn't know what Kelly looked like! So I went to guest services and asked if she was there. They told me yes and went and got her. I presented her the package, and I honestly don't remember exactly what I said. I think it was something like "On behalf of all your friends at Passporter, I would like to give you this." (I'm getting teary just writing this.) Kelly opened the package, and I think she was a little shocked. She came around and hugged me and Steve got some pictures. After that, we left, as I knew she had to get back to work. This is her post to all members of Passporter on that magical day:
Kelly's Post

I can honestly say that the delivery of that package stands as not only one of the highlights of our trip, but one of the highlights of all my trips to WDW. I knew that we (not just Steve and I, I mean "we", the whole Passporter community) had done a very special thing that day, and it was an honor to be a part of it. If there was ever a moment in time that defined what a wonderful, caring and magical place Passporter.com is, that was it.


Next...Hoop De Doo, "The Beer Song" and another resort lounge!!

[chezp]

Oh my goodness Sue, I'm tearing up reading about your special package delivery - what a wonderful memory that is.

I'm glad to hear the girl with the nose bleed was OK - you guys did have an adventurous time that day.

[disneymom9092]

Ok Sue-I am crying like a baby now. I had no idea how many of us actually sent things to be included in the package. I remember that helping out Kelly made me feel like a "REAL PASSPORTER". What a special moment for all of you.
It's a good thing you and Steve were there to help out that poor girl with the nosebleed. I guess your work follows you whever you go, doesn't it?
I am so enjoying this-more please

[Colexis Mom]

What a great update Sue, and a special moment! I remember meeting up with Kelly again in December, and she was still thanking us (Passporters) for all that stuff

More please

[katspjs]

Oh, I'm all teary now! Great update!

[luvnwdwgal]

Wonderful updates Sue! This truly is a special place!

[rescuesk]

Who: Steve, 46, and Sue, 44, 11th trip to WDW

When: 9/30 till 10/10

Where: Old Key West/Hilton Head

Why: We own the perfect Florida car now, so LET'S GO!


Day 5, Part 2....

After our delivery, we headed back to our resort for a little R & R before our night out. We had tickets for Hoop-De-Doo-Revue that night...one of our favorite shows!

We decided to drive, since it was a nice night. The top came down and off we went to FW. We parked in the main parking lot and took the internal bus to Pioneer Hall. We arrived in enough time to have our picture taken and then wait for our dinner. While we were waiting, I called Sandy to tell her the package delivery had been a success!! Soon they were letting us in. They rang the loud dinner bell and in we filed. We were led down the hall, around the bend, through the woods, over the river to...OMG! The perfect table! It was a cute table for 2 right down in the front, but a little off to the side. We had a great view of the show, but we were not right in the middle to get TOO harrassed! Soon our beer and sangria was arriving, followed by the delicious food. We just love this show and all the food. The show went on, we were only picked on once (Steve always manages to get one of the pretty girls to come over and say hello ) and we had a great time. If you have seen this show, you know how it ends, with audience participation in the final scene. (No, Steve did not get picked for this.) But, they found the perfect player for Davy's angel. This was a rather large gentleman who could have done stand up comedy as his second job. He really got into his performance as the angel (complete with wings and halo), piroutting and doing all sorts of ballet steps (none too gracefully, I might add) while waving his angel wand. He stole the show, and boy did he get applause at the end! I love when when the people that are chosen really get into what they are doing, and this guy was perfect!

After the show, we walked around FW for awhile. I always drag Steve to the petting zoo, and we went to see the stables. I love to visit the horses, they are so well kept, friendly and beautiful! We stayed there awhile, Steve took some pictures of me with the horses, and then we headed back to our car. We decided to head down to DD and PI. The night was young! We walked through DD and window-shopped.

At around 8:30, we headed over to PI. Our first (and only) club that night was The Adventurer's Club. We had intended to club hop, but...well...we got to AC and there we stayed! We started out in the Mask room, and of course, we had a Kungaloosh! We had another drink, and soon it was time for a show in the Library. We were entertained by the explorer Samantha, who not only enthralled us with her adventures in foreign lands, but travelled to the back of the room, so that everyone who hid in the rear of the room attempting to not get picked on were the first to get Samantha's attention. She told tales, flirted with the men, and sang the Adventurer's song with her fellow Adventurers! After the library, we headed out into the main room, where we were greeted by the dashing young aviator and the French Maid. They left...together... and then it was up to the Colonel to entertain us. First, he inducted us all into the Adventurer's Club. Then he let Fletcher Hodges (the curator) tell us what our duties and responsibilities as members were. Then, finally, the Colonel decided that we needed to have a sing-a-long, so he taught us "The Beer Song": (sung to the tune of Do, Re, Mi)

"Dough, with which I buy my beer,
Ray, the guy I buy beer from.
Me, the guy I buy beer for.
Far, the distance to the store.
So, I think I'll have a beer!
La, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Tea? No thanks, I'll have a beer!
And that brings us back to Dough..."

Needless to say, we sang this song in the car loudly and badly for the rest of the trip!

After a trip to the Trophy room and another round of drinks, it was off on another adventure. I had switched to an alcohol-free Kungaloosh, so I became the designated driver. We decided that we weren't really tired yet (where were we getting this energy from?) so we drove over to WL. We always love visiting our home resort, and, hey, there's a bar there, isn't there? We explored the resort, including all the levels right up to concierge. We walked around like tourists instead of Disney addicts, discussing the ins and outs of DVC ownership like we had just taken the tour and had no clue how it worked. (Keep in mind how much we had to drink so far... ) We strolled the lobby discussing the fact that $14,000 seemed like an awful lot to pay for a yearly vacation, you must get alot of perks for that money, and couldn't you stay somewhere cheaper than $14,000 a year? I think you had to be there, but it was pretty funny at the time, especially for the 2 of us who sing DVC praises to anyone and everyone who will listen.

After our tour of WL, we headed toward Territory Lounge. Another lounge, another one to check off the list! We each had a specialty drink, but I can't for the life of me remember what mine was called, and I didn't write it down. But it was good! I was feeling a little hungry, and so was Steve, so I had the cheese platter and he had wings. We sat in the comfy chairs and relaxed after a long and wonderful day. If you get to the Territory Lounge, look up! There is a really cool Hidden Mickey in the ceiling! Actually, the WL has a plethora of Hidden Mickeys, including another awesome one in the fireplace.

We finished our snacks and drinks, and decided to head back. I drove (someone has to be the designated driver! ) and soon we were back at OKW. Steve watched some Disney TV and I went to sleep. Soon it would be Day 6, another day of fun!

Next....A mean security guard, breakfast with Mickey, and "the stalkers"!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great night Sue

[Caldercup]

Oh, how happy I was to see you writing on this TR again. I just caught up and it's wonderful. I can't wait for more!
Eileen

[PrincessSharon]

I just discovered your terrific report. Your trip definitely had a few ups and downs, but what fun the two of you are having! Can't wait for more!

[debsta922]

Great update Sue!

[LisaJ]

I'm still laughing over "misplaced" and "lost". . I'm definitely going to have to use that one!

[dsnytina]

Sue:
What a wonderful night you had!
What in the world could "the stalkers" be???
Frightfully awaiting your next installment...
Tina

[Leah's Dad]

Hey sue,

Wondering if this was the trip that we shared an Illumation Cruise? Just wondering.

Leah's Dad