Using My Powers for Good - 4/29-5/7 - Thread 1 - thru Day 4 About This Page:

[GATechGal]

OK, I've got to ask. I know it's a British expression, but define "Jonesing" please. I'm LOVING your report as usual. Keep it coming Eileen.

[BabieeMelly]

Great update, Eileen! How funny to run into everyone at Epcot! I can't wait to hear all about the Wishes cruise... it would make sense to have more infomration about each event available

[MAria R]

It was great catching up, can't wait for more.

[Cinderbrella]

Awesome report, Eileen. It's great that you were able to meet some more Passporters! Your pictures are wonderful; I have never noticed the Giant in Sir Mickey's or the HM on the WL boat. Your meal at Teppanyaki sounded very good; I'm hoping my young kiddos might enjoy it. Looking forward to your next installment.

[Annabel]

A wonderful update - and lovely photos off the Off Kilter guys, gotta them Looking forward to reading all about your Wishes cruise!

[luvnwdwgal]

More, more!!!

[Mouseketeer]

Eileen, your trip report and pictures are great! You can see how much fun you and your family are having in WDW. I was so glad we got to say hi to you and chat on the bus back to POR - too bad we didn't run into each other again, it was great meeting you.

Lynda

[Jennifer2003]

Another great update. The picture of the boys with the chef is excellent!

More Please!

Jennifer

[Caldercup]

[ QUOTE ]
OK, I've got to ask. I know it's a British expression, but define "Jonesing" please.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yikes, Mary Ann, I'm not even sure where it comes from -- it means to crave something the way a junkie craves drugs... My Dutch girlfriend uses it all the time when we haven't been in the garden with our hands up to the wrists in dirt. "I'm jonesing for more perennials!"

Thanks for the nice comments. I'll work on the next installment about our Grand Gathering "Magical Fireworks Voyage" tonight.

Eileen

[Steph A]

Sounds like you had another wonderful day.

Thanks for sharing,
Steph A

[Luv4My4]

Ok I just finally caught up! I didn't know that there was a special AP holder Photopass, if we had gotten that one we would have gotten more than just the one picture (my sig pic) thanks for the info I will have to remember that for November. Do you have to ask the photographer for a special card or is it something you do online when you get home? Great trip report! I can't wait to read more! It's really making me long for my next trip so much more!! Great pictures and I have never seen the giant in that store either, I will have to look for it! More please!

[Cheriemek]

Great Report!! Can't wait to read more!!!!

[Caldercup]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok I just finally caught up! I didn't know that there was a special AP holder Photopass, if we had gotten that one we would have gotten more than just the one picture (my sig pic) thanks for the info I will have to remember that for November. Do you have to ask the photographer for a special card or is it something you do online when you get home?

[/ QUOTE ]

It came in my last Mickey Monitor. The one we got for May said that we'd be getting another one in September. I bet you could email Disney and ask that a back issue of MM be sent to you -- or that you get the special PhotoPass -- it's pink.

You just hand this to the photographer and he swipes it instead of giving you a new one. When you get home, the identifying code (for the PhotoPass card) on the back of the card is used as a "coupon code" when you order your pictures.

Works great!
Eileen

[zacksmom_1993]

[ QUOTE ]
Then he pulled out a basket of flowers and pretended to decide which of us to give the flowers to – first he’d lean towards her and then he’d lean towards me. Being the shy, quiet type that I am, I lifted up my sunglasses and gave him a BROAD wink!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Good for you Eileen! Having met you, I'd expect nothing less. Lovin' the trip report as always. I'm so glad that you had a good lunch at Teppanyaki, Zack and I it there. And that picture with the chef? Whadda bunch of cutie-patooties! Can't wait to hear about the Wishes cruise!

Karen

[Caldercup]

May 1st - Day 3, part 3

We rejoin our band of pirates as they prepare to sail the seven seas -- or at least the Seven Seas Lagoon!

When I got back from meeting Elaine and Lynda on the bus, I found Bob and Calder resting in the room. The Esterles were all crashed in their room and we decided to chill out, rather than go to the pool. We knew we’d need rest for our Magical Fireworks Voyage!!

Our Grand Gathering information was a little sketchy (my one major complaint about the GG events), but we had been told to be at the Contemporary Marina by 7:15. Bob was working on his computer and Calder wanted to watch cartoons. I napped. Eventually, everyone went to the food court to grab a bite to eat – well, everyone except Donna and me, who were gathering things up and straightening our respective rooms!

So, at 6:30, we all met up at the buses and hopped the first one for the Magic Kingdom. From there, we hiked up the ramp to the monorail and, after unsuccessfully trying to get the front cab, we heard the famous “Por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas” for the first time this trip. We arrived above Chef Mickey’s in a matter of moments.

I took the time to point out the 5-legged goat to the kids (who had this as an item on their “Hidden Things at WDW” *laminated* card... ...Yes, I took a great deal of $#*& from my DH about the lamination, but the kids thought they were terrific!) I then walked the kids down the way a bit so they could see Chef Mickey’s and the main man in his red-jacketed splendor. Oh… I was looking forward to our character breakfast there in a few days!

We went down the escalator to the main level and had everyone do a quick potty stop. Then, the confusion started. I asked the first cast member I saw how to find the Marina. She said that she didn’t know and apologized before walking on. So, I figured it was down a floor, so we headed that way. Stephen stepped onto the escalator ahead of me and… dropped like a stone. (I’m so used to my 9 yo that I didn’t even think to assist him!! Bad Auntie!!) I managed to grab his arm and help him stand, but he got a little scraped before he regained his feet. After that debacle, we reached the lower level and saw a BIG sign that said that the Fireworks Voyage reception would be in the main concourse (which we had just left!!) I asked someone at the California Grill check-in desk (wow, I didn’t know you went “down” to go “up”…) and they told me to go to the Concourse level in front of the big window facing the MK. Okay… up we went….

We saw that they had some signage at the end of the area in front of the shops and we headed that way. Sure enough, this was the check-in area and who should be standing there, but the cast member I had first asked about the marina!! (Why, oh why, hadn’t I asked about the fireworks cruise rather than the marina? It would’ve saved so much shoe-leather!!)

Anyway, it was just 7:15, but we were told that the reception would not begin until 7:30. (Hmmm, the Grand Gatherings people need to get their stories straight!) So, we checked out the shops and did a few more potty stops until 7:30 rolled around. Once checked in, we got our boat assignment – yay!! We were on Captain Hook’s boat! – and our Magical Fireworks Celebration pins.


[Pic of Pin]

I approached one of the CMs to ask where the best place to seat the kids on the boat and he told me that we would be assigned “benches” but to put the kids on the left side of the boat, if possible. That detail taken care of, I devoted myself to enjoying the desserts. Man, were these things delicious.

They had big urns of REAL coffee (Frank was totally thrilled!) and another urn of hot water for tea and hot chocolate (which the kids all went for.) They also had some juices and bottled water. There was one big table with a vast display of the artistry of the pastry chefs and that’s where most people were congregating. Frank was particularly taken with the cookies and said that the oatmeal raisin were the best he’d ever tasted. Donna really liked the canolis and commented that they were made with ricotta cheese instead of icing so she was in heaven. I was enthralled by all the chocolate “finger-type” desserts – little shells of heavenly goodness. Some of them had centers of mousse; some had cherry cordial; some had white chocolate ganache… they were all just terrific. There were also brownies and a chocolate fudge cake-like thing that was too intense to finish, although some of us made valiant attempts at cleaning our plates.

Right near where we sat, a door opened and out walked Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. Wow, is CH dashing! I greatly admired his coat and shoes (former costumer here!) and loved how his hair was made. He was also a riot and very playful. He came right up to me and gave me a hard stare – not sure if he was flirting or trying to be scary. I asked him if there would be any crocodiles on our cruise and he quickly leaned back and waggled his finger in my face. (It got a big laugh from our kids.) They both signed books and posed for pictures. (I don’t know why, but we don’t seem to have any pictures – I guess Bob was concentrating on the desserts!)

I overheard one comment that totally left me bemused. As soon as the characters came out, a grandmother ran up to Captain Hook and said, “Don’t come to the other side of the room. Our little ones are terrified of the characters.” Hmmm… why would you bring them to an event at which the characters are prominent?! Or, why not take your kids out of the reception area and allow the non-afraid kids on the “other side of the room” to enjoy the interaction? Anyway, I just shook my head and enjoyed how well the characters worked the room.

We were to be on our boats at 8:15 (Wishes was at 9PM), so they were recommending that we all take one last potty break at 8:05. Soon after that, these two “pirates” showed up. A short, stout one and a tall, thin one introduced themselves… but the microphone didn’t help clear up the bad acoustics in the concourse area so I have no idea what they said other than “AAARRRGGGHHH!” We did manage to hear that the stout one was on Captain Hook's boat so we knew to follow him out to the marina. All the kids excitedly followed the pirates and navigated the escalator (this time, Stephen grabbed for my hand!) and made their way out to the boats.



[Our pirate]

The boats were very similar to the pontoon-type boats that ply the canal between the Port Orleans resorts and Downtown Disney. I did ask a Cast Member and was told that these boats used to be used on the river at Animal Kingdom. They were open with a canopy top and several rows of fiberglass benches that all faced forward. I was glad to see that two of our three benches were on the left side of the boat and I had the kids sit there – Brian, Michael and Calder in one row, with Donna and Stephen and me right behind them. Frank and Bob sat across from us and had their cameras at the ready.

Once everyone was seated the pirate got us all charged up with a couple of good “Aaaarrgggghs” and some “yo ho ho’s” as we motored our way out from the marina and into the Seven Seas Lagoon. He made sure that we were good and noisy for all the other boats and pleasure vehicles that passed us – we waved our arms and cheered loudly with several “aaaarrrrghs” thrown in for good measure.

He had us sing the Pirates of the Caribbean song and even *he* mumbled some of the words:

(Loudly) Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
(Mumbly) We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack,
(Loudly) Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

It wasn’t pretty, but it had its own charm! I was glad that it was now fully dark because Bob wouldn’t be able to tease me about how little I knew the mumbly parts!

He asked if we had any birthdays to celebrate and I made sure that Frank was included – his birthday had been the night of our kick-off dinner. Then it was time to celebrate wedding anniversaries and Donna volunteered to me that their’s was only three weeks away. So I yelled that to the pirate and they were one of two couples to stand up and dance for us as we all sang “Kiss the Girl” from The Little Mermaid. What cracked me up the most is that, when the pirate told the dancers that they were to finish with a big kiss, I caught Donna licking her lips! Then Frank dipped Donna and planted a big one on her. Bob caught this picture just as they “came back up…”


[Smooch!]

Just as the song finished, we came to an island and dropped anchor. Our captain must’ve gotten the notice that the Electric Water Pageant was about to start because he dimmed the boat’s interior lights. Having never seen this spectacle before, I was mesmerized by the EWP! What a charming and silly and beautiful thing this is. We cheered each float as it lit up and really cheered when it all turned to flags. I think I still remember the order of the floats: Sea serpent, whale, turtle, octopus, brontosaurus, crocodile, leaping fish (dolphins?) and King Triton.

When the boat’s lights came back up, our pirate asked if we were ready for some trivia. All youthful Esterle and Lloyd eyes turned to me. Yikes – what pressure! The question: When did the EWP first debut at WDW? I had a moment’s doubt, but remembered suddenly that it premiered when the MK first opened. I whispered “1971” to the row in front and Calder shot his hand into the air. The pirate was impressed and checked his treasure box for the prize. A few minutes later and Calder was decked out in an eye patch and a “real fake gold” earring.


[Oh so proud pirate]

He asked a lot of pirate-related trivia that I didn’t know, but Brian managed to win himself a hook for his hand. (I promised Mike and Stephen patches like Calder’s when we got back to the Contemporary!) He also told tons of pirate jokes – most of which had “aaaargh” as the punchline – and we sang more songs. He also made sure to pose for pictures with each GG group.


[The boys with our pirate]

He was handing out stickers while getting us all to sing songs. Suddenly the cabin lights dimmed again and the opening music to Wishes began. Well, from that moment forward, I don’t think I paid attention to a single thing other than the spectacle above the castle. Oooooh, it was lovely from here. Not as immediate and all-encompassing as from Main Street, but it had such a broad scope from the lake that it had its own charm and wonder. I, of course, had tears running down my cheeks and the experience was greatly enhanced by the fact that I’ve pretty much memorized the score for Wishes from the CD I purchased in November. I knew what was coming and when to wipe away the tears to see my favorite bits (which was pretty much any time those big white plumes streaked in unison behind the castle). Calder kept checking on me to see if I was crying. He cries a little too, I know… but he has to play the manly man role and pretend I’m silly!

When the show was over, I caught the look on Donna’s face and she was filled with wonder! I think this event was a big hit with her and with everybody!

Our pirate got us singing some more and there were more bad pirate jokes and pictures as we headed quickly back to the Contemporary, which looked lovely twinkling in the darkness above the water.

When we were still a hundred yards out from the dock, the pirate asked everybody to close their eyes. He then asked if we believed in wishes and pixie dust. “We do,” we all yelled. He made us yell it louder! Then he said that we’d need to wish for Peter Pan to appear so he had us chant “I wish to see Peter Pan!” several times, getting louder and louder each time. (I peeked under my lashes to see the earnest look on Stephen’s little face. My heart swelled – he was so absolutely convinced that getting to see Peter Pan depended on the strength of his best wishing!) Then the lights on the dock flicked on and there was Peter Pan – standing there arms akimbo and legs spread wide. Even I screamed in surprise – and I knew that he was going to be there!

We docked and I thanked our pirate as we got off and hurried after the boys to where Peter Pan told us to meet him for pictures and signatures. He got all our boys to crow like him and then posed our group for a great picture. I think Brian got a little confused with how he was to stand, but I loved the picture!


[The Lost Boys]

Just as we were walking away, the two pirates came behind us and headed into the Contemporary. Being the jokesters we are, we told them we were following them to their next ship. They got into the prank and started walking faster and faster as we race-walked behind them. When we got to the escalators, they ran up them and got away from us. Then, just as we got to the top of the escalator, they both jumped up from behind the wall and scared the beejeezus out of the kids. It was very cute! We all saluted them and they saluted back before disappearing into a “cast members only” door. We then went up to the concourse level and I bought the required patches so all the kids could be pirates!

At this point, the “Big Boys” wanted to go to MGM for Extra Magic Hours and they headed out to the buses. Donna and I took Calder and Michael and Stephen back up to the monorail. Here, we encountered the most laconic CM ever – he basically had a “whatever… like I care…” attitude. He slowly walked up the walkway away from us. Then he slowly walked back down to us. Then he slowly opened the gate so we could prepare for the monorail that was heading into the building.

We tried to get the front cab, but it was filled again. We pulled up to the TTC and the vast majority of people got off – I guess they were all leaving the MK for the night. Calder kept an eagle eye on the front cab and never saw the riders get off. <sigh>

At the Grand Floridian, a pair of elegantly dressed ladies got on and chattered about their terrific meal. I didn’t hear the restaurant – maybe it was Victoria and Alberts.

Once at the MK station, we headed out to the buses to PORiverside. As we got into the fairly long line, they were loading a bus for Riverside and ...it filled up about 20 people before us and pulled away. We waited only a few minutes for the next bus to pull up and the bus driver motioned to the people waiting in the POFQ corral to join our line to board the bus. For some reason, the POFQ people completely by-passed our line and headed straight onto the bus – I guess that was fair since they had been waiting for quite a while. But, who should show up at that moment but the two ladies from the Grand Floridian. They walked behind the POFQ people and started onto the bus! A gentleman in front of us put his arm out and stopped them. “I’ve been waiting quite a long time and you just walked up. Now it’s your turn to wait.” The well-dressed woman snapped back, “What’s the difference, we’re all going to the same place.” Well, the man was having none of this. He replied, “Yes, but I’ve been waiting and I’m going to sit. You can get in line and hope for a seat.”

I know it wasn’t the best example of courtesy or chivalry on either side of the exchange, but boy was it funny. I couldn’t see much on the bus, but Donna said she witnessed several deeply dark looks pass between the two ladies and this man. <shrug>

We managed to herd our very tired kids back to the rooms and said our goodnights. I got Calder to hop into jammies and climb into the trundle bed. He was snoring in moments.

I spent a few minutes jotting down some notes before putting together stuff for Bob to grab on their way to Blizzard Beach the next day – Calder’s AP, flipflops, sunscreen and some treats – and put them into a canvas bag I brought for that purpose.

I then set the alarm clock and scheduled a wake-up call for the next morning. I wasn’t going to miss my Keys to the Kingdom tour for anything!!

Bob crawled into bed around 12:30 after a big night at MGM. Apparently, they rode Rock'n'Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror continuously for several hours! He felt a little green, but Frank and Brian felt up to having some treats at one point.


[Boys and their treats]


The weather was 82 degrees and very, very humid.
Today we walked 12.25 miles!!!
The best thing today was Off Kilter, Chef Nagatoshi and getting to be in an Epcot show
The worst thing today was not knowing where to go for the GG fireworks voyage
The funniest thing today was seeing Donna lick her lips in anticipation of a smooch
Today we tried Tepannyaki
And the result was an absolutely fabulous meal and a terrific spectacle!
The most magical moment today was catching Stephen wishing to see Peter Pan! (but meeting two Passporters on a completely random bus came a very, very close second!


Next up: the third best day of my life...