Joan's Big Trip Surprise - updated 7/21 with both Parts I and II About This Page:

[kimdisneynut]

Another great update.


Kim

[JoanW]

Friday, June 17 Part II, Surprise Evening


We checked in at the Biergarten right on time and were seated within minutes. Our server was Angelika from Munich. We placed our drink orders. Neil ordered the Bier Sampler, six different beers.



All our soft drinks came in little kegs, which we loved.



Then we hit the buffet. It was great to try a lot of different stuff, like the sauerbraten and the wursts. Pat’s mother was German, so she cooked these things when he was growing up. I love sauerkraut and ate a plate of that with potatoes. Elastic Waistbands All Around! Grace discovered the pretzel breads. The roast pork and roast chicken were very yum. I did see some spaetzel on a few plates. I did not recall eating very many vegetables. Definitely a meat and potatoes meal.



A Joan Side Note: my best friend and I took three years of German during high school and her grandparents spoke it fluently. We used to go with her grandparents to their German Club functions in Baltimore with the oompah bands and German foods. I polka’d with her Opa (and Oma, all the women dance together at the polkas) and learned all the beer drinking songs (and a few non drinking songs. too).

The Oktoberfest Musikanten came out and started playing.


And I knew the words! I sang out loud! I embarrassed my kids (well, just a little). Secretly, I know they wanted to know the words too! They are just lucky I didn’t make Pat get up and polka with me. I did give a little Ya-Ha-Ha yodel.

One guy from the band did a bell ringing number and then a different one played that Tyrolean horn (from the Ricola cough drop commercial, you know, Riiicolaaaa).

We all linked arms and did the swaying thing at the table with our drinks in our hands like they do at Oktoberfest. Wunderbar! Marco really liked Angelika, and got his photo taken with her. I hope Cinderella doesn’t find out.



The Musikanten finished their set and our time for Test Track was approaching. I just hoped no one felt like hurling his or her spaetzle. We pulled up our Elastic Waistband Lederhosen and volkmarched through the World Showcase towards Test Track. I mentioned to Pat that he should have brought the t-shirt he bought at the real Oktoberfest in Munich. It has fake me out lederhosen on it with strings. And he bought a hat. I found the photo from 2002 -


We walked in and I got to be the holder of the white card for timing the line. We got through fairly quickly. The kids all went in one car and Pat and I rode in another. I could hear Neil screaming like a little girl. Everyone loved this ride. Marco said it was good, but the RPDE beats everything. Okay NASCAR Boy.






We went through the gift shop area and the new car area. Definitely Male Magic Kingdom. There was large drooling over the car show and sniffing of the new car smells.



Rachel made herself one of those fake drivers licenses. Her Very Best Friend Mary Claire got one back in November, so now she has one too. You just can’t start 8th grade without matching everything!



Time was flying by, and we needed to leave Epcot for the last of the surprises. I booked us on a Wishes Cruise, but did not tell them what we were doing. We hopped in the car and drove to the Poly. Pat dropped us off at the entrance and parked the car. I told him to meet us at the marina. We wandered through the lobby and sat in the big chairs for a bit, waiting for Pat.



We all wandered down to the marina and I informed all what we were doing. We checked in around 9:00, and were boarded our pontoon boat by 9:15.



I forgot the bug spray, so we were starting to freak at the amount of mosquitoes that attacked us.



Grace said it was because of all those pretzel rolls we ate. Rachel said it was the sauerkraut.

I can’t remember our captain, but she was from the Virgin Islands, and it was only her second time doing it. It would have been nice to have a more experienced captain, but it was still wonderful anyway. She did find a few insect repellant wipes for us to share. I was the in the back of the boat, so by the time they got to me, I got a corner of one. Oh that really helped.

We toured around the lake and saw the resorts from a different angle. The Electric Water Pagent was almost finished, but we got to see some of it over by the Grand Floridian.



We went to see the Wilderness Lodge, which is on my list of resorts to try. Okay, they all are, having only stayed at the Beach Club, but I am going to broaden my horizons. Pat just has to get over it that I will be back many more times. He sees the Disney magic, he feels the Disney magic, but he doesn’t get the need for Disney magic. Yet. Perhaps he needs some subliminal therapy.

We pulled up to where we could see the castle to get into position for the fireworks. One of the Pirate Cruises went by, and we could hear the music from it, so we all sang the Pirates Life for Me song along with their boat. We also sang the theme from Gilligan’s Island when we boarded. It’s amazing how we all know the words to shows that were on almost 40 years ago.

The fireworks started and I have to say that doing a Wishes Cruise is really special. It was well worth the money, and it was very relaxing to watch without the crush of the audience trying to get their strollers and kids a spot.




After the show, our captain put the boat into gear and we went at warp speed back to the Poly. We wandered around the gift shops and thought about a snack.

We headed out to the parking lot.

We loaded up the truck and we moved to Beverly. Oops. Wrong show. We piled into the Windstar and headed down 192. Pat mentioned to everyone he had a hunger. We saw IHOP and Perkins, so we pulled into Perkins. It was close to 11:00 pm, so it was not too crowded. Pat felt the need for whipped cream with a side of pecan pie and ice cream. Camille wanted pancakes and a bowl of soup. Neil got something cheesy Mexican. Marco needed the ice cream sundae with a large chocolate chip cookie. Grace, Rachel and I felt we were in need of Vitamin G (Greasy French fry nourishment). I got my favorite Reuben Melt (hey, sauerkraut twice in one day!), Rachel got her fav Patty Melt, and Grace got Fish n Chips. Each one came with fries, and all were hot and delicious. Grace announced “Grace is not sharing”. I ate about half of my Reuben and half the fries. I already knew this was going to be breakfast for me the next day and Rachel and Grace too. The nutritious Oreo-o’s and Reese Puffs were gone anyway, so it worked out.

We pulled into the driveway around 12:30. I couldn’t wait to get my Elastic Waistband Lederhosen off. I took a quick dip in the pool to cool off my feet, which were sore, but I the blisters were still closed. Rachel pointed out her quarter size bug bites, and mentioned the Chinese parasol would make her forget the trauma of the mosquito attack. Grace labeled her leftover fish and chips as “Hot Dogs”, so no one would eat her stuff. Marco and Neil played Stuntman. Pat just went to bed. I knew there was no way we were going to be early at Epcot tomorrow.

[DrDolphin]

Great update Joan - your suprises sound like they were very successful!!!! Can't wait to read more - much more!!!

[FanOfMickey]

Another great update Joan!! Can't wait to read more!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great update Joan what a fun dinner that was

Glad you all had a great time on the cruise More please

[luv2sail]

Another great update! Can't wait for more!!!

[Mitzi&Kevin]

Great update. I have laughed out loud on so many occassions....Can't wait to hear more.

Mitzi

[disneymom9092]

You keep me in stitches Joan! More please!

[lauren-roxy]

Another wonderful update Joan! A Wishes Cruise is the best way to see the fireworks, it's such a blast! Can't wait to read more of this fun trip!!

[katspjs]

Joan, you are absolutely hilarious! I am so enjoying your TR! More please!

[DawnDenise]

[ QUOTE ]
I was the in the back of the boat, so by the time they got to me, I got a corner of one. Oh that really helped.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK...for some reason this had me laughing the hardest. Must be the lack of caffeine this morning! Another great update!! It sounds like all the surprises were big hits!! More please!!!

[krisk11]

Great update. I can't wait to read more.

[Jillybean]

Joan,

What an absolutely fantastic day! You are such a sweetheart to plan so many wonderful surprises for your family!

Jill

[debsta922]

Good thing my boss is away today Joan...because laughing outloud while goofing around on the computer is not really tolerated here too much... and also talking with your lips above your teeth...not very smart when your suppose to be making sales calls!!! Hurry back with more, your trip report is fab.. oh can you actually believe that Gilligan was on almost 40 years ago!!!! YIKES

[Cinderbrella]

I your update, Joan. My DBiL and DH would love to do the RPDE. I can actually envision him drooling over having the chance to drive. I think that's the only way I could ever get my DSis and her family to go on a vacay with us. More snaps for your wonderful surprises, Joan.