RocklandRVers Christmas: Read About 12/20 w/Chezp&Statelady01 About This Page:

[statelady01]

A great installment- it was great meeting your family and sharing the evening with you all!!

[jakenjess]

Great report! It sounds very romantic to snuggle up in a blanket at the campfire, even though it did embarrass your DS! We always tell our kids that embarrassing them is part of our job as parents, and that we do our job well! Looking forward to hearing more!

[RocklandRVers]

DAY 5 (Wednesday, December 22) MK & MGM

We are up early and grab quick Breakfast & Showers. We get to the TTC at about 8:15 and head for the monorail to MK. We get right on one waiting at the platform and are whisked off. I mouth the Spanish warning “Por Favor Mantangese Alejado De Las Puertas” (Please stay clear of the doors) and my son smirks at me and rolls his eyes. I love playing like a kid with him to lighten him up a bit from trying to pretend he is so serious.

In no time we arrive and make our way through the security check point and line up for the ticket gates. There was a bit of a crowd but not too bad this morning. We note that it’s a bit warmer in the sun today but still just a little chilly.

As it nears time for the opening ceremony, one of the security CMs comes over to us as we are lined up and shouts out to get everyone’s attention. He asks everyone to look down. At first we all figure its to admire the legacy bricks or something. Then he says that if we see any space in front of us to please move forward until there isn’t any. DS again rolled his eyes which made DW and I laugh again.

Then came the moment we all waited for we are allowed through the ticket gate and line up behind a rope. In a few minutes the Mayor came out to greet us as the players sang and danced then joined us in listening for the steam train’s whistle to announce the arrival of Mickey and the gang as well as the family chosen to throw out the pixie dust to officially open the park. It was a young family and 2 toddlers shared the honors of letting the glittery flakes go. The ropes drop and we flood on to Main Street. DS notes that there is nobody at the Harmony Barber Shop, but we had all gotten haircuts just before we left so I decided we would skip it.

We made our way down the street and turned left at Casey’s to head for Adventureland while most everyone else headed for Tomorrowland. (Another tip we learned from Passporter). This meant we had that area all to ourselves. We knew our plan of attack was to go on Pirates first so while others went to the Swiss Family tree house, Jungle Cruise, and Aladdin, we went straight for it and were among the first ones on. This was the first time for DS and he loved it. I had been on it at Disneyland when I was a kid and at least twice when DW and I had gone to WDW pre-son back in the mid-1980s. Still love that tune Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me. Of course I was singing along and got shooshed more than once by DS. I respected that. He wanted to experience it all for himself so I shut up and snuggled up with DW.

From Pirates we went around to Splash Mountain. DW had said she would listen to the advice of lots of Passporters who had written encouragement for her to try it that it wasn’t that bad. However, as we stopped to watch a couple of logs slide down the flume, she began chickening out. DS and I kept telling her that it would be OK and that this was just designed to make it worse than it was. We made our way to the queue to find no wait at all and wound our way to the logs. We got a log all to ourselves. DS sat in front and DW and I sat together behind.

I am a big guy and let me tell you that I didn’t realize how snug it was inside the log so much so that I was wondering if I could get out of it after the ride. Too late now, nothing to do but just enjoy the ride. It was fun inside with the Song of the South theming. The little rapids inside gave us a bit of a thrill and added to the excitement of what to expect the big one to feel like. DS loves thrill rides and roller coasters so he was asking if we were going to raise our hands as we went over. DW just grabbed my arm and put her head on my shoulder and said she was just going to hold on and close her eyes.

Then the worst thing that could have happened, happened. The ride stops momentarily right before the log was about to go up the long ramp to the final drop and that deep voice telling us that Brer Bear must be holding us up. As we sat there waiting with a log in front of us, DW sees the escape stairs and says “honey maybe I should get out here and walk out.” I asked her how she expected to do that. Nobody was there to assist her and she might end up getting lost or something. Before she had time to argue, we felt a couple of bumps and the log in front headed up and out and we could hear the screams just as they left. Now was our turn as we headed up closer to the daylight. At the peak we got a great view of the whole park, but in a split second gravity took over and down we went. WHOOSH! I felt my new WDW hat fly off. OH NO! I caught it in mid air! WHEW! Then SPLASH we get wet with the spray as we plunge into the water! YAHOO! I look over at DW who is now laughing and chattering a mile a minute. DS says “see Mom, I told you it wasn’t going to be that bad!”. She agreed and then turned her attention to how wet we had gotten. I was only worried about how do I get out of this thing without making a big show or holding up the ride. As we floated back to the end, I let DW get out first and wiggled my way up and out. It was much easier than I thought.

Once outside we found a nice open sunny place to let the rays dry us off a bit before heading on. The adrenaline was still flowing as we relived the ride and shared how we felt at the last moments. DS said “lets do it again! The line is still short” DW said she had had enough for today but vowed to try it again another time when it was warmer.

We head on around toward Haunted Mansion. Again DW was objecting, but we said if she could survive SM, that HM would be nothing in comparison. Once we get there she relents and again we go right inside with no wait. Inside we are welcomed (welcome foolish mortals) and our “elevator” ride begins. DW now begins to remember that we had done HM before in the 80s. Then we are led to our DOOM BUGGIES. DS chooses to ride ahead of us by himself and DW and I ride behind him. In the darkness we take the opportunity to kiss and then the show begins. DW agrees that this is nothing and we settle back to laugh and enjoy all the “scary” details along the ride.

Once outside again we are still a little wet. We actually had accomplished what we had for this morning already by doing the rides we had missed from previous trips. We took out the guide and asked DS if he wanted to see anything else. Not really. We did want to try a Dole Whip so we made our way back around toward Adventureland. We stop momentarily and consider take the Liberty Belle Riverboat ride, but decide not to since the boat had just left and it was a half hour wait until the next ride. We cut through back to Adventureland by the Tiki Birds and DW said she wished DS was still small so he would go on Aladdin. I told DS to go on with her anyway since several grownups and even teens rode it. At first he said NO WAY, but I reminded him that Mom had been good sport and gone on Splash and HM after we twisted her arm. It was only fair for him to do something she wanted. He gave in and went on with her. I watched from down below and could see them both laughing and having a blast moving their magic carpet up and down and back and forth as they ducked the camel who was spitting water at them. I was glad that DS decided to go on a kiddie ride too. He needs to remember, like we all do, that there is and will always be some little kid in all of us forever.

As we head back for Main Street we are disappointed that Aloha Isle is still closed. We so wanted to try the famous Dole Whip to see what all the hoopla was about. Maybe later. We made our way back to Casey’s. Its about 11:30 and DW says she would like a hot dog. DS chimes in for some fries. I said why not and get the corn dog bites. While they get our food and drinks, I go save us a table. Unfortunately the sunny tables are all taken so I settle for the shade. We sit and watch the now huge throng of people coming down Main Street and decide that maybe its time to duck out. As we head out, we hit the shops on both sides of the street and pick up some gifts for friends. I saw this cute infant’s Minnie Mouse pajama in pink that I just had to get for a friend who is expecting a baby girl in March. (she loved it by the way when I gave it to her) as well as a couple of boxes of Mickey candy for DW’s office to share (rather than the usual key chains or pens) and a couple of souvenirs. As we headed for the exit we couldn’t believe the heavy flow of people coming in under City Hall and since we didn’t feel like playing football and pushing through, we ducked upstairs to look around and decided to take a quick lap on the Steam Train. The last time we had taken it in July, the weather was a bit overcast. This time with the bright sun we got to see a lot of the behind the scenes detail including the Indian village at the back of Toontown. As we got to each station we saw the whole kingdom was getting quite crowded and were glad we got in early and got to walk on to the rides we wanted. It made us feel special somehow. Back at City Hall we got off and found that the influx was a bit lighter and headed for the ferry boat back to TTC. WOW! The boat was overflowing on this trip. We wondered if all these folks could fit. After a bit of a wait for them to disembark we joined 10 or so people for the trip across the SSL.

As is our usual strategy, it was time to give the dog a walk and rest a bit. DS decided it was warm enough to swim so he changed and headed off for a swim. We agreed we would leave for MGM by 2:30 so we could get there in time for the motor cars parade. I surfed the channels and decided I would catch a nap. After DW returned from walking the dog she joined me and got some rest. Luckily DS was keeping track of time because we were out for the count and didn’t wake up until he got back from swimming after about an hour. He grabbed his stuff and headed to the shower to rid himself of the chlorine smell and of course fix his hair just so with gel. LOL

We got up and got ready. We gave Shamrock one last call to his comfort station in back of our site and made sure he was set for a few hours. As soon as DS got back we headed off to MGM.

Once inside, DS and DW wanted a little snack and to stick around near the front of the park for the parade as we had last year. It was barely 3:00 and already folks were lining up along the street. We grabbed a spot near the end of the parade route where the cars head behind the scenes. In seconds we were joined by lots of others wanting a good view. The parade was great as usual. DS was a little disappointed that none of the pretty girls in their bright red short skirts trimmed in white fur stopped and gave him attention the way they did last year. I made sure I waved at everyone and got eye contact with several performers again to the embarrassment of DS. Such a teenager!!

Although I felt well rested, I could tell the rest of my team was not getting into the MGM visit. We headed down to WWTBAM, but missed getting inside. Nothing else appealed to them but they relented on doing the GMR. For some reason there was a long line waiting to get in, so we kept going. As we trekked onward, it became apparent that the popcorn had not put a dent in their appetites and I heard that familiar “we’re hungry!” As we walked back toward Hollywood Blvd, the idea hit me that we might as well try Brown Derby even though we had not made a PS. As luck would have it we had about a 20 minute wait and were given a beeper. Although I had never been in the “real” Brown Derby in Hollywood, it looked as I had imagined it to be with the dark wood and hand drawn caricatures that adorned the walls. We enjoyed a good meal. DW had roast pork, I had seared tuna and DS had filet of beef. Our server was fantastic and although I now forgot her name, was able to dazzle us with her memory by taking our entire order without writing down anything. Best yet she got it right! Add to it she kept DS’s soda full without us having to say a word, and we were happy campers. The meals served here are not huge portions. You get a very ornately decorated plate and smaller, but very tasty portions than we have experienced in other Disney restaurants. Overall the food was good and as I will say again the service was the best yet.

As we sat and shared some grapefruit cake for dessert, we discussed what to do next. DS said he was tired from getting up so early. DW was kind of in the mood to take things easy, so we made it a early night and just stopped in a few shops on Hollywood Blvd on the way out.

The good thing was that it was a warmer night than previous had been so we headed over to see our friend Sundee at the Campfire show and watched a bit of the MOVIE for the night Snowball Express. While we sat in the bleachers I overheard a couple a few years our junior, whose kids were at the fire burning some marshmallows, talking about this old Dean Jones movie. They were trying to remember where they had seen the actor who played Dean’s son, Johnny Whitaker and being somewhat a trivia buff offered up “Jody” and the wife said “YEAH JODY! AND HIS SISTER WAS BUFFY! AND THE BUTLER…” I chimed in “MR FRENCH”. She asked what the show was. I told her the name.

Let me stop and insert a couple of trivia questions.
What is the name of the 1960s TV show whose characters included Mr. French, Buffy and Jody?
What were the names of the other starring characters?
Who played Mr. French?
Mr. French did not refer to himself as a butler, but as something else….what was it?


Anyway our trivial pursuit session led into a long and fun discussion on growing up with TV in the 60s and 70s and how kids today don’t realize how good they have it. UH OH we are sounding like our parents. DS laughed at us as we spent a half hour reminiscing about the good old days as his cell phone rang and we said “SEE! We never had cell phones or video games!” Too funny. Anyway our fun chat had to be cut off as they rounded up their kids who were now on a sugar high and sword fighting with the marshmallow sticks. Oh geez I hope they don’t poke an eye out! WHEW! DS came back from his cell call and reminded us he was tired so we called it a night. Will we ever sit through an entire movie?

[Jillybean]

What is the name of the 1960s TV show whose characters included Mr. French, Buffy and Jody?

That would be Family Affair

What were the names of the other starring characters?

Sissy and Uncle Bill

Who played Mr. French?

Sebastian Cabot

Mr. French did not refer to himself as a butler, but as something else….what was it?

Can't remember - - was it a gentleman's gentleman?

I could do this all day! Love this stuff!

Anyway, your trip report was great! I loved the line "Then the worst thing that could possibly happen, happened."

Jill

[RocklandRVers]

Jillybean!!! WOOHOO! You got 'em all!

Oh and the worst thing that could happen in that particular moment was the best way to describe it. Seriously if Brer Bear didn't stop holding us up, DW would have bolted for the stairs. She might have made her own exit.

[Jillybean]

All right!!! That last question scared me!!! It was one of my favorite shows growing up!

I am a bit like your wife because SM does scare me a bit - - the straight drop kills me! I've only ridden it once and I try to hurry by it with my family! I'll venture back on one day (heck, I just conquered RnRC!)but I hope and pray that it doesn't stall like it did with you guys!

Come back with more soon! I am so enjoying your tr!

Jill

[kimdisneynut]

Great Report

Kim

[LizardCop]

Great Update.....

[luvnwdwgal]

Loved your Splash Mountain Adventure....so glad your DW experienced it with you.....and that you caught your hat!! I loved Family Affair!! I wish they would air reruns of it!!

[Tara O'Hara]

Awesome update!! I d family Affair and had a Mrs. Beasley doll when I was little! I'm so glad your DW was brave enough to go on Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion with you guys!! She would've missed out on a lot of fun!! Hurry back with more!!

[LoveWL]

I just have to tell you how much I enjoy reading all of your trip reports. I can so identify with your DW. Every time we go down to WDW I swear that this time I will try Splash Mountain, then I get a look at the drop and chicken out! And the way she was hanging on to your arm with her head on your shoulder -- that's the way I spent my entire ride on BTMRR!! Yes, I'm the world's biggest ride chicken.

Looking forward to reading my of your adventures.

[RocklandRVers]

Just last night we were talking about Disney (again!) and realized it was exactly a week since we returned. Splash Mountain was the highlight of our conversation and I loved the way it got a big grin from DW. She admitted it was a total blast and said she was sorry for being a big chicken. I leveled with her that I too am a little chicken about Mission Space, R&RRC, and Tower of Terror. I am sure in future visits we will try them all.

[kimdisneynut]

Great report ....

Kim

[rebecca c.]

Hurry back with more of your trip report!!

[RocklandRVers]

Day 6 (Thursday, December 23) A Day To Enjoy Fort Wilderness

We had left this day open on the schedule to hang out and do nothing as far as theme parks. One of our must do non theme park things was to spend some time enjoying boating on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. DS and I rented a pontoon boat for a half hour’s quick trip in July on our last day of that vacation and loved it. We knew it was something DW would enjoy as well. DS wanted so much to take out a small wave racer, but I am too big to go on with him and he needed an adult supervising him in order to drive, so DW agreed she would go as long as he maintained some sense of sanity.

We slept in late and had brunch before heading up to the marina. It was sort of overcast and the wind made it a bit chilly even for midday, but it was still OK for fun on the lake. I had budgeted for the family plan which is the most cost effective plan if you really spend a lot of time out in a boat. A Pontoon boat is $70 an hour and a wave racer about half that. The unlimited plan was a little more than the cost to rent a pontoon boat and wave racer for about 2 ½ hours so we decided to go for it.

After paying for the FP, we went to the dock and got life jackets and then met the CM who gave DW and DS a once over about the operation of the wave racer along with the rules about driving and restricted and speed limited areas. They emphasized that the much faster Disney transport watercraft had the right of way at all times. He got them in their boat and shoved them off. I stood on the dock and waved as I said to DS “Take it EASY!” My once over was easy. I have driven boats quite a bit being an avid fisherman (even though our Disney vacations have cut back on our fishing adventures in recent years) so I basically took the helm and was off.

Out on the lake, I felt in control. I could go where I wanted except restricted areas and really explore. One of the fascinating things was Discovery Island. Unless you are out on a boat like this you miss lots of details on the island including some of the very beautiful species of birds. Oh how I wished I could tie up to one of the docks and really explore the island. It sort of reminds me of one of my favorite books / movies as a kid (and still today) “Treasure Island”. Of course your never fully on your own. Each lake has a couple of patrol boats called “Boston Whalers” that can get to you within a few seconds so sneaking onto the island was not happening.

From time to time, DS and DW would zip up to see how I was doing in my much slower pontoon boat and ask where I was headed next. After about an hour and half, DW was tired of getting wet while squeezed in the tiny boat so I suggested they turn in their boat and join me on the pontoon. The CM had no problem with that and helped them back on with me and we took off once again.

Since I had taken a much slower trip around some areas of interest, I acted as narrator and showed them some cool stuff. Just past the FtW dock as we headed toward WL and MK there are two cypress trees out in the water. They have sneakers nailed to their trunks and some tied in the branches. Right in that area the nature boardwalk is its farthest point into Bay Lake and has a gazebo with telescopes. In the roof barely visible unless you really go slow are some satellite dishes. Wonder if they were for some security cameras or some kind of communication?

We made our way over to River Country. Wow this would have been a cool place to visit back in the day. Sure hope Disney Imagineers do something with such a nice piece of property. We kept going and I noted lots of areas I bet some nice bass were just waiting to be caught. Oh how I wished I could fish off the boat rather than only going on a guided excursion. Wilderness Lodge was next. We stopped hoping to catch a glimpse of the geyser going off. No such luck. Onward to the Contemporary. What a striking hotel. As we pass through that narrow water bridge that connects Bay Lake to SSL all boats have to slow to “no wake” speed meaning just fast enough not to make waves with the boat. Since we were forced to go so slow we hoped a monorail would pass over head. One did come by as we got passed the area. It is amazing how quiet they are.

SSL is much more active. Lots of wave racers are out. Combine that with the huge ferry boats that go back and forth to the MK from TTC and the smaller shuttles from the Poly and GF and the Bay Lake resorts Contemporary, WL and FtW and it gets pretty busy in front of the MK. This is where the patrol boats are very busy keeping folks out of the right of way of the Disney boats. I saw more than one get stopped and cautioned for invading their space. People don’t realize that boats that big don’t stop on a dime and can’t steer quickly enough to avoid hitting them, but they still cut it short and try playing chicken.

Anyway it is very peaceful out on the water somehow as you watch the huge crowds heading in and out of MK. It must be packed by the looks of the gates and the full boats of guests heading over and returning practically empty. As we got closer to TTC we could see lots of folks waiting there to come over. We spent about another hour or so on the water and finally headed for the FtW dock. I let DS drive us back from SSL. We had been out over 3 hours and had a great time. The cost for today alone was worth the price of the FP and we had 6 more days to enjoy.

Once back at the dock, we had to lose our sea legs as we get used to walking on dry land again. We climb into our yellow limo and head for the campsite. Shamrock would definitely need a nice walk today. DS took his bike out for a ride (and to make the usual private call to NY) while DW and I drove Sham over to the canal pet walk in the 1800 loop. Walking him all that way would be a disaster if he encountered another dog or any animal for that matter. He really thinks of himself as a tough guy and attacks anything bigger or smaller. Once at the pet walk we check it out real quick. Nobody else in sight thank goodness. After walking and sniffing the bushes along the ½ mile canal walk and back we figured he had had enough and headed back for the site. There DS had returned and was sitting outside at the picnic table on his cell. He ended the call as we drove up and informed me he was starving. Big surprise! He wanted to go to Las Vegas Buffet in Kissimmee. It has a little of everything that he likes to sample, from sushi and Chinese cuisine to Italian dishes to more standards like prime rib, ham and leg of lamb at the carving station. All for the early bird price of $10.95! We just made the deadline and well needless to say we ate way too much!

DW and I wanted to forego the campfire program tonight and just take a ride around to see the decorations which by now were in full “bloom”. DS wanted to see the program and see the Muppets Christmas Carol which he never remembered seeing even though I recall it very well.

As usual the decorations were awesome. Some of the “fulltimers” had really super displays that they seemed to add to each day. This is definitely a fantastic time to stay at FtW. After a quick trip around the loops we called it a night and headed for the motorhome and just chill out with some TV. I took the opportunity to take some notes for our trip report. DS joined us around 9:00 saying I was right that he had seen it before. While I had out my passporter and my planning stuff, we looked over my outline for tomorrow, Christmas Eve and made some adjustments. Our big fear was the weather. The forecast was for scattered showers and chilly temperatures again. YUCK! We were ready for it (or so I thought).

Stay tuned for our first Christmas Eve at WDW!