Super Summer Softball Extravaganza-Complete w/ final thoughts About This Page:

[TroianRae]

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I make my way into the lobby, find the Garden View Lounge, and check in at the podium. I’m then directed to Jana and Tenya who are waiting for me. They fill me in on Annabel’s status, and while I’m sad that I don’t get to meet her, I’m glad she’s safe. After we’re seated, we discuss what to order, and we’re all a bit stumped. We NEED our British friend. We had a delicious snack that was more like a meal, and I would love to go there again. Chatting with Jana and Tenya was just like meeting an old friend. It was a terrific first meet experience. Thanks for including me ladies. I loved it!



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I had an awesome time!! We all ordered the Buckingham Palace (? I need to doublecheck) and it was A LOT!! I'm so glad we met up; it was just the break from the kids for much needed "adult" time.

[lauren-roxy]

Great update!! We love the water parks too, glad you had such a good time!! Yout tea sounds very nice!! Can't wait for more!!

[Joy J]

Great update - sounds like you're having a wonderful time!

Joy

[Tink and co.]

Day 3---July 11



Our wake up call came at 6:00 today. Wow, is that early! I get up and get ready, and then get the kids ready to go to the ballpark. We’re ready pretty easily, and we bring pb&j, power bars, and cereal bars and juice and milk in the car for breakfast. We wake dad up about 6:30 or so so he can make it to the golf course on time. He’s taking advantage of the free taxi ride to and from the course if you stay at a Disney resort. Pretty cool!

I consult my map and directions, and we get to Ocoee with no problems except that we were half an hour early! I’d left us an hour, and we didn’t need it apparently. The rest of the team was staying in vacation homes and had to contend with some gnarly (love that word!) traffic, but it was smooth sailing for us. Basically, Hallie’s team played a game at 9 and another at 10:45, and lost both, one really bad, something like 13-0. So, amidst the heat, the bugs, and the team drama from the other families, I was ready to high-tail it out of there.

We were back at the Pop around noon, Dad called on our way home to say he was done and would meet us shortly. Hal changed out of her uniform, I repacked the backpack for park touring, and as soon as Rob was ready we made our way to Everything Pop where we had lunch. Rob had the meatball sub, I had nachos, and the kids had fluffanutter on tie-dye bread. I also purchased a refillable mug, so I could have as much caffeine free diet coke as I wished. On my way to the beverage station I am sucked in by the frozen coke machine. I decide, I’m on vacation why not?! In that meal alone we downed four frozen cokes….so refreshing…ummm, oh, back to the report, just daydreaming.

We decide to drive to MK because we can! After we park and ride the tram, I activate my AP, and we are on our way! But the monorail is down, so we board a huge boat with about a million other sweaty, crazy people. They say it will take us too the MK! Hallie nearly faints from the heat on the boat, so I pump her full of Gatorade that I brought along, and we finally see the gates. Actually, the boat ride was very quick; it just felt really long and HOT. We’re in quickly and make our way directly to the barbershop for Jack’s haircut. He’s been growing his hair for months for this day! While lining up, we notice that the parade ropes are set up, and it’s about to start. So, Hal and I watch the parade from the shady side of the street, and Rob and Jack wait for the haircut. I feel kind of bad that their missing the parade, as it’s quite good. Not bad enough to go wait in line for them, but it would have been nice to see it all together.

After the last float, Hallie and I take our sweaty, hot selves into the Barbershop, and AHHH…that AC sure is nice. I consider spending the rest of the afternoon visiting with the barber. And I find out that Jack sat on a stool and watched the whole parade in air conditioned comfort while I was sweating my *** off outside. Smart kid! Jack chooses green hair gel, and he looks great! Right as he’s finishing up, a familiar looking man pops his head into the barber shop to ask how late they’re open. It takes me a minute, and then I realize its Dave Marx of Passporter fame! You know! The guy who wrote the book! OMG!! I think I introduced myself and my family, but I felt like I’d just met a rock star! I may have just opened my mouth and stared. Turns out, Alexander needed a haircut, and Jennifer and Allie were at Columbia Harbour House feeding him at the moment. He gave me a passporter pin off his hat, and we said goodbye. Wow!

We finally set off for some rides and make our way to the Stitch ride to try it out. We missed it on our last trip. It has a 90 minute wait, and fastpasses are for 10:00pm. We have dinner at Boma at 7, so we’ll catch this ride later in the week. We decide to ride the TTA, and then try the Carousel of Progress, which Jack really liked. He sings the song every day since we’ve seen it! I liked America Sings at Disneyland better, but it was a classic with lots of Disney feel. We decided on Toontown next, and stopped to buy water and ice cream on the way over. Three separate locations were out of water! So we got in line for the Barnstormer. It had about a 25 minute wait which wasn’t too bad. It was fun, and the breeze cooled us off. All of the trash cans in were stuffed to overflowing, and there was trash all over the ground. I’ve never seen anything like it at Disney. I wonder if someone called in sick or something. A guy came pushing a cart full of ice and water, and people clamored all over lining up to buy some. We joined the line and bought several bottles in case we didn’t see it again for a while. Weird! We decided to ride the train around to Main Street and catch a bus to AKL for our dinner.

We got on the third train that came by and had a nice ride around. We found the bus for AKL with ease, and waited about 15 minutes for pick up. We got to the lodge, and made our way inside, and all I can say is WOW! It was totally magical. It was exquisite in every detail. We wandered around for a bit, and then made our way to Boma to check in. We waited about five minutes for our table, and had a wonderful meal. I really liked the Prime Rib and the flat bread and Hummus. I didn’t try anything I didn’t like. The kids liked it too and ate well. We left feeling like stuffed toads, but happier. We wandered outside to view the animals, and were treated to some zebras riding piggy back (try explaining that one to the kids…), wildebeests, and several giraffes. I could have stayed there all day. It was so peaceful. There were two CMs there to answer questions about the animals and generally be helpful. Very nice. I can’t wait until we stay there next year! We decided to check out the gift shop (of course), and the kids were invited to march in a parade through the lobby. They chose an African musical instrument from the table and joined in. Afterwards, they received a certificate. I was so impressed with the whole AKL experience. The kids (grown ups too) enjoyed this part of the day much more than MK. I think I could have forgone park tickets if we’d stayed here!

After loading up on souvenirs, we made our way back to the bus to MK. Then we rode the monorail to the TTC, and then a monorail to the tram and then the tram to our car. It took at least an hour. We decide not to drive to MK again. It would have been easier to just return to Pop. Oh, well, live and learn. We hit the sack, as we have to arrive at the softball fields early again tomorrow. We try our first evening EMH, and guess who we meet this time?

[Joy J]

Another wonderful update! Sorry though that it took you so long to retrieve your car from the MK parking lot after visiting AKL. We usually opt to use Disney transportation anyways because we prefer to let Disney chauffeur us around while on vacation but even for folks who like to use their cars at WDW, MK is one theme park where it's usually far more convenient to use Disney transportation.

Joy

[RobDVC]

Good day. Sorry about the softball team's lack of success.

[zacksmom_1993]

I just had a chance to catch up with your report, and I'm enjoying every word! How to get to meet Dave Marx. I admit that my reaction to him would be much the same. I laughed out loud when I read this...

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We wandered outside to view the animals, and were treated to some zebras riding piggy back (try explaining that one to the kids…)

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Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

Karen

[lauren-roxy]

Great update!! We were at MK that very same day and it was VERY hot!!!! I couldn't believe that the monorails were not working!! Can't wait for more!!

[TroianRae]

Wow, Becki, you write so well. Can you do my TR for me????

[Tink and co.]

Day 4, July 12

Today our wake-up call comes in at 7, and when I pick up the phone to hear Mickey, instead I get “Hi Mom!” It’s Zoie from Australia checking to see if we made it to Florida with the hurricane and all. And, of course, she needs to tell us about snorkeling in the fabulous Great Barrier Reef. We pass the phone all around, as my initial squeal woke everyone up. I sure did miss that kid, and she sounds great, having the time of her life, and that makes me happy. So, on with our day!
Zoie in Sydney.

We are dressed and ready pretty quickly, and bring breakfast from the room to eat in the car. We arrive at the softball field with little fuss, and everyone’s happy to see Rob today, as he’s the official score keeper for the team. The team plays two more back to back games, and loses the first (they were skunked again) and ties the second. While the games are going on I order Jack an airbrushed penguin shirt that says “I’m so cute” on it. Dad just shakes his head at us, but he IS so cute! Everyone makes a fuss over Jack’s hair-do from the barbershop yesterday (we only washed his body, not hair so he could show it off!). Also, I try boiled peanuts for the first and last time. I’m not sure what I expected, but they appear to be peanuts boiled in water, and they taste like boiled white beans. Certainly not my idea of a tasty treat. I can’t get anyone else to even try them, so I wind up throwing them away.

Hallie and her friend Shannon in the dugout. Hallie is the one without braids.

Jack at the softball field.

We leave the ball park and are back at the Pop by noon. We are all hungry and decide to eat lunch at the food court before we head out. Rob had a double cheeseburger, the kids had penne and meatball with no sauce, and I had a cheese steak wrap. It was okay, but the kids really liked theirs. And of course I had several frozen cokes…It’s hot and I need the liquid!

We find our car (we actually always had trouble finding the car, even though we painted softball stuff on the windows. We were always looking for our minivan in the parking lot. D-OH!), and drove to AK. We decided to focus on things we missed on our last trip. So, I check the schedule for the parade and the Pocahontas show, and it looks like we’ll be able to do both. We make a bee-line for Dinosaur, but what do we see, but Pooh and friend’s character greeting, so we stop. We must stop for Piglet! The kids visited with and got autographs from Piglet, Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore. We continue on to Dinosaur afterwards, and Jack decides to ride. When we rode this last time, the girls went on first with Dad, and then a second time with me. They got me so freaked out in line, that I was absolutely terrified during the entire ride. They still laugh about it. So, I’m looking forward to riding it and enjoying it this time. Indiana Jones is my favorite ride at DL, and this uses the same technology, so I SHOULD love it. But it turns out that this ride is just too scary. I screamed, closed my eyes, and I may have even wet myself (it was so hot and sweaty I couldn’t tell! &#61514. Meanwhile, Jack rode it like a trouper, although I doubt he ever opened his eyes. He would have been laughing at me if he had! We gift-shopped on the way out, and got some cool Dinosaur play sets…not for me of course!

Next, we check out the Boneyard, which was a big hit, and we stay there until it’s time to find a parade spot. We stumble right into a perfect spot on the way out of Dinoland, and Dad saves our spot while we double back for some ice cream! When we return, who do I see Rob chatting with?! Why, it’s Dave Marx again, and this time the whole family is with him. Jennifer makes me pose for a picture (why I didn’t get one with them is beyond me!), and Alexander is just as cute as his pictures. Allie looked as hot as I felt (did I mention how hot it was?). We visited for a little while and then they were off to investigate the construction of Expedition Everest. Right as the parade started our little spot became the home of a family we refer to as the big sweaty guy and his pushy kids. This man pushed up behind us and alternately touched (as in pressed himself against our backs) Rob and I and pushed his two strollers full of children into the backs of my children who were sitting on the ground. It was too much closeness for me. My own sweat was quite enough; I didn’t need to be soaking up someone else’s. Mercifully, the parade was short, and pretty good.

We were feeling a little “wilted” after that experience, but headed over to the Pocahontas show. Rob stopped off for some PowerAde and water, and we were soon re-hydrated. We enjoyed the show, and decided to check and see what characters were available on the character greeting trails. We spent a lot of time here. It was perhaps the coolest place in all of WDW. There were giant fans blowing mist, and lots of shade. It was just beautiful. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale, and Koda and Kenai from Brother Bear. Hallie was in heaven. Characters are her favorite part of WDW.

Next, it’s off to Africa where we hop aboard the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I just love the theming in AK It just seems very authentic. We really enjoyed this attraction. First, it was air conditioned. AHHH…second, there were two characters for greeting, Stanley, and Pocahontas. Hal was hitting the jackpot today! We spent about an hour and a half wandering through the exhibits. Our favorite was the mealworm-eating CM at the food exhibit. He was great! By the way, he says they have a bitter flavor, a little like lemon…He tried to get Jack to try one, and for a minute I thought he would! The kids insisted on petting the goats on the way out, so Rob took them while I bought some postcards and a shirt for myself. Then, we were back on the train and got our wristbands for EMH that night.

We were hungry, and wanted to try Tusker House for dinner, but it was closed. I was bummed, but we walked over to Flame Tree BBQ, and had a great meal, just like last time. I had the BBQ sandwich, Rob had the chicken, and the kids had hot dogs. After dinner, we head back to Dinoland for a spin on the Primeval Whirl. I sat that one out. Spinning and I do not agree. Jack got a kick out of it and wanted to go again until he saw the Boneyard, so we went back to play some more. It was dark by this time, and everything looked cool all lit up! We decided to make the trek to Asia for a splash on Kali River Rapids. We had about a 40 minute wait, but it was an awesome ride in the dark. Rob agreed with me that it’s awfully tame and way too short, but the theming is incredible. We stopped to check out the construction progress on Expedition Everest. It looks like one awesome ride! It should be open on our next trip in November 2006.

After that we gift-shopped on the way out, where I purchased golden Mickey ears. I have a pair from Disneyland, and now I have the WDW ones too. And I exchanged the T-shirt I bought earlier for one I liked better. Then we made our way to the tram, and our car, and back to Pop where the kids begged for swimming. Since we didn’t have any games scheduled for the next day, and we could sleep in, why not?

So we donned our suits and voted to try the fifty’s bowling pin pool, since it was closest. It was very, very crowded. We couldn’t move through the pool without touching others. I’d had enough of that for one day, so I relaxed on a lounge chair. There was a very large family with an old lady guarding a cooler there that evening. Every so often, the family members would come over to the cooler and take a large whiskey bottle out and take a swig. Nice. So before long we head back to the room…when we get near our room, we smell the unmistakable smell of smoke, not regular cigarettes mind you, or even pipes, or cigars. Someone was getting stoned, right there in the wooded area beneath our room. Not hiding or anything, just standing there puffing away. Hey, are you related to the folks down at the pool? Double nice. We push the kids into the room quickly, and commence to showering and preparing for the next day.

Rob and I discussed using it as an object lesson for the kids, but decide against it. It’s about like talking to the kids about sex, painful for everyone. They’re young enough yet, they don’t have a clue. We decided not to report the guy unless it happened again, which thankfully it didn’t. I did speak to a cast member about the “party” down at the pool, and they acted like that happens all the time, and no big deal. Certainly didn’t feel very family-friendly at that point. Still don’t know how I feel about it.

Next up, shopping, shuttle launching (not!), and gator huntin’…

[DrDolphin]

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zebras riding piggy back (try explaining that one to the kids…)

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[Grammy Grumpy]

Great update, you are STILL ahead of me!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great updates How cool that you got to meet Dave

More please

[DawnDenise]

Great update!!! More please!

[RobDVC]

Sounds like you had fun, and you got to meet Dave and Jennifer too!