Trip Reports

Time of Year: Spring
Travel Method: Plane, Rental Car
Resort: WL, YCR
Accommodations: Suite, Standard Room
Ages Represented in Group: Adult
WDW Experience Represented in Group: Frequent, Infrequent
Comments: Jane and her husband were joined on this trip by their two sons and a daughter-in-law: David, a Lieutenant in the Air Force, and Geoffrey and his new wife, Debbie. The group had a wonderful, relaxing kind of trip...just the way I like it!

My dearest Czarina, Princess Royal, Esteemed TDC Members, and Fellow R.A.D.P.er's:

I hereby humbly request TDC membership with the title of "TDC Bench Warmer and Magic Monitor" for reasons that will soon become apparent.

Since I found this newsgroup in December, it has given me many, many hours of enjoyment as well as new information about our favorite place. It is wonderful to know that, no matter how bad the day has been, I can come home, sign on, and find some of that Disney Magic on the screen in front of me. Thanks to all of you for that. We proudly wore our r.a.d.p. buttons on this trip and enthusiastically answered the questions we got from the CM's about them.

Therefore, I submit this trip report for your approval, enjoyment, amusement, criticism, or whatever.........................

Background:

The participants are: Jane (me) late 40 something RN, husband Wayne (just 50 something, computer guru), son David 24 (USAF Lt.) and, later on, son Geoffrey 28 (also a computer geek) and his new wife, Debbie.

Wayne and I made our first visit to WDW in 1973 and made many trips thereafter with the boys but stopped going when they were in their mid-late teens for the usual reasons: They didn't much want to go on vacation with us, were off at college, had summer jobs, etc, etc. The two of us went back in Nov. 1995 and fell in love with the place all over again, as well as with Florida in general. This is the third trip since that one and the guys joined us (after hearing "I can't believe you're going to see Mickey without me" for the other trips). It was the first vacation for ALL of us together in 10 years and we had a marvelous time.

Sunday May 4 - Monday May 5

Up very early, Geoff arrived and took us to Dulles for 9:30 flight to Fort Lauderdale. We had gotten a great deal from Avis...$9.99/day with unlimited mileage for a Chrysler Sebring convertible with a drop off at Dulles so we were flying down and driving back. We either drive or rent a car if we fly, so this worked out perfectly. Geoff and Debbie would be joining us in a week(more on that later). Flight arrived on time, got the bags, stepped outside,.......it's Florida!!!!!!, warm sunshine and just great. Even though we had a fairly mild winter, we really needed that sunshine. Got the car, put the top down and headed for A1A to see the beach. Of course, by the time we got there, it had started to rain but we didn't care.

Spent that day and Monday driving around in the sun, stuffing ourselves with grouper and stone crabs, looking at the beaches and getting sunburned. Wonderful, relaxing couple of days.

Tuesday May 6...Mickey!!!!!

Quick trip after breakfast for me to find an Eckerd's and some 30 spf sunblock(15 was NOT enough). I had now started referring to Wayne as "tomato man" and I was looking rather "rosy" myself. (People at home were going to be very jealous of the tans, heh, heh).

In the car, top down, for a leisurely drive along the beach until I insisted that we cut over to the turnpike because I want to see Mickey..........NOW. Not much traffic but gee, it looks like it's raining up ahead...........no, it's not rain, it's BUGS.........millions and billions of love bugs. Plastered all over the car......good thing we had put the top up in time. Spent two hours in Kissimmee finding and then waiting in line for a car wash so we could see.

Finally, car clean, top down and off to our favorite place to stay....the Wilderness Lodge. We've stayed there twice before ( most recently in December) and absolutely adore the place. Pull up in front and are greeted like long lost friends by all of the bell persons and feel like we've come home. Inside, check in without any problem and walk to our room. We've reserved a Junior suite this time and find that it is on the first floor and only 20 steps from Trout Pass. Lovely room, king size bed as I requested, and much larger than I expected. I unpack quickly while Wayne turns on the WDW channel on the TV and then off to Trout Pass (we decided that having the room so close was a hint) for a strawberry dacquiri and pina colada. Both were delicious and we toast each other saying "Welcome back to Mickey's.........happy vacation!!!!"

700PM...Off to the MK to get our annual passes(decided to do this if we are going to be coming down every six months like we have been). Down to the dock and decide to take the scenic route...WL to Fort Wilderness to the Contemporary and then take the Monorail from there. Thoroughly enjoy the boat ride and realize that we haven't been on the part of Bay Lake over by FW since we took the boys in Water Sprites many years ago :-). Lovely ride, wandered through the Contemporary to get to the Monorail, waved to Goofy at Chef Mickey's and on to the MK. Get our passes (even though I had misplaced my MKC card, I had the # and got the discount anyway.) We feel very special with AP's for some reason and even manage the finger scanners with no problem. Onto Main Street and SpectroMagic is just about to start. Wayne wants new honored guest badges so he gets those while I people watch(my favorite thing to do). It's great just seeing the looks of anticipation on the faces of the kids. Then, the lights dimmed, the music started, the parade comes out and I'm surrounded by hundreds of smiling, laughing people, swaying to the music. I realize that the best part of WDW is not the rides, the entertainment, etc. .................. it is just BEING there. Wayne comes out, I'm sniffling and wiping tears from my eyes, and we realize that we haven't eaten since that morning. Back to the boat for the WL, lovely trip back. Did you know that the center part of the WL when viewed from the water at night looks like a bear's face??? Get a sandwich from Roaring Forks and get back to the room in time to see the Water Parade from our terrace. Off to bed.....gee, we're so happy to be here.

Wednesday May 7...The Lieutenant Arrives

David arrives this morning. He's a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force, currently stationed in Pensacola and has gotten his Navigator Wings and has been through EWO school. For the last month he's been in Survival School at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Wash. and is flying in on the red-eye with stops in Seattle and Atlanta. From what I hear, after survival school, he needs Mickey BAAAADDD.

I'm up at 5:00am. I'm used to getting up early and have to pick up David at the airport at 8:00am. However, I am not at my *best* at that hour. My favorite character is Mad Madam Mim (from Sword in the Stone) because we are both on the "fluffy" side and have bad hair. At 5:00am, I am a dead ringer for her. Anyway, Wayne is still asleep, I throw on some clothes, no shoes(can't find them in the dark), grab my mug and stumble over to Roaring Forks. The place is deserted(of course), the CM on duty looks at me, tries very hard not to laugh, and leads me by the elbow to the coffee saying "Here ma'am.....let me help you." I thank him very much, and we have a nice little chat and he tells me the quickest way to the airport and how long it will take. I head out to the lake, grab a chair and do what I will do every morning....watch the sunrise, watch all of the gorgeous egrets, ibis, spend some quality time with a blue heron (they aren't great conversationalists but are terrific listeners), feed the ducks and the lodge bunnies(who will eat out of your hand). It is just lovely......so beautiful and peaceful. I have occasional little chats with the maintenance people and the gardeners and just enjoy watching the *world* wake up.

Get Wayne up, give him his coffee, "really" get dressed and off to MCO. David's plane is right on time.......he's tired but was able to get a few hours sleep between Seattle and Atlanta and is VERY GLAD to be back in Florida and very anxious to see Mickey. We take him on a quick driving tour of the World (he hasn't been there since he was 15) and show him all the new stuff that you can see from the road. He is *very* impressed with the WL ........we do a quick tour, get him a Hidden Mickey's list, and get him some breakfast at Roaring Forks. He says he wants to go to the MK and if he gets too tired, he'll come back and take a nap. He likes the suite, even though he'll be sleeping on the sofa bed(after survival school anything is just fine) and off we go to the dock. Again we take the scenic route, but this time we stop off at the Polynesian.....we used to stay here when the guys were kids and the Lt. had to visit the lobby. (It's funny, the most vivid memory of both of the boys is "the smell of the lobby at the Polynesian" . How do you describe the aroma of a jungle??) Anyway, the Lt. decided that all was well with the world after seeing the Poly Lobby although he was a bit distressed that there were no cockatiels........only macaws. We had named the Poly cockatiel "Joe" many years ago, and since then ALL cockatiels are *Joe*s to us. Down to the Poly dock, and off to the MK. He gets a Fla. Resident Seasonal Pass and off we go to explore.

Now here is when my memory gets a little foggy. I know we went on the WEDway because that was David's favorite ride when he was little.......he used to get on and stay on. He disapproved of the cakesle(as do we, the idea isn't bad but we don't care for the execution; although I see it in a different light now after reading Barb's interpretation........thanks, Barb) and basically we wandered. Or rather, they wandered and I sat down alot. Now here is the reason for the title request: I spent most of April dealing with a bout of pneumonia and the fact that I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that definitely affects my stamina. I find it necessary to rest a lot more often than I used to and, as a result, I am well acquainted with almost every bench in WDW. This is not an altogether bad thing, though, as I now have more opportunity to watch the reactions of the people around me. I love watching adults turn into 6 year olds again, and I love seeing the kids. The effect that Disney "Magic" has on people is truly amazing and delightful to observe........especially in people who do not expect it. I find that I enjoy the time spent watching more than actually doing. And I am happy to report that, on this trip, anyway, the magic is alive and well.

Anyway, after a few hours, the Lt. was pooped and went back to take a nap. Wayne and I wandered, went to see the Country Bears(which we haven't done in years and loved it) and then went on the River Boat which we had NEVER done. Had a great time watching the teenage and 20ish girls flock to get their pictures take with John Smith and the adult men flock to get their pictures taken with Pocahontas :-) on the deck below and then played with Governor Radcliffe and Meeko. A very pleasant experience. Watched the Remember the Magic Parade and then went back to the WL to collect the Lt. for dinner. Back to the MK.

I had made ressies for dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table but was only able to get one for 4:50. Guest Services was able to change it that morning for 6:10.........much better. David had mentioned to me that we had never eaten in the castle and this was a surprise for him.....sort of a welcome home dinner. I didn't expect much in the way of food based on what I had read but we were very pleasantly surprised. The dinner we had was *very* good......I wish I could remember everything that we had. I can't compare our experience to King Stephen's but I know that can recommend CRT to everyone......the food, the service and the ambiance. Very enjoyable.

Off to catch Alien Encounter.......no line!!!! One bad note.......a family in front of us had a very small girl (maybe 4yo) who clearly did not meet the height requirement on the sign. We kept saying that we couldn't believe they we taking her on AE......and sure enough, when we exited we saw the same little girl who was now white as a sheet, clinging to her mother's neck with a death grip and sobbing hysterically. It was all I could do to keep the Lt. from telling the mother what he thought of her and he's convinced that the little girl's been traumatized for life. Do you ever wonder just what some people THINK??????????? Anyway, we enjoyed it although I admit that I don't really care for the chewing sounds right behind my head (eeewwww). Found a spot for SpectroMagic in Liberty Square with only 1 row in front of us(we are all tall) and then went to watch Tinkerbell and went in the courtyard near the carousel for the fireworks. We love the MK fireworks.......it's just a great way to end the day.

As you can see, we are not Disney Commandos. We find that we enjoy wandering, watching, and if we go past an attraction with no line we will do it. There are some things that are *must do's* for us but if the line is long we'll try again later. If you want suggestions on how to do everything in the shortest amount of time...........this "ain't" the place....<grin>

Thursday May 8...Disney/MGM Studios (I become a Princess)

Another beautiful day....up and into the car and drive to the Studios. No parking problems......into the park and head for the Soundstage for the character breakfast. Wayne & I have been to these but this was the Lt.'s first. I don't think he knew what to expect. Food was fine, had a nice visit with Aladdin and the Genie and got some good pictures of David with Esmeralda. Enjoyed seeing the kids dance with Quasi and watching Meeko do Meeko stuff.

One of my must-do's on this trip was seeing the HoND show....we'd never seen it and after seeing all the glowing reviews on r.a.d.p., I had it as #1 on the list. I herded the guys in that direction after breakfast hoping that we could make the first show. Now, for a word about crowds....we thought it was quite crowded on our last visit in Dec. and found the crowds to be much lighter this time. Actually we did everything at the Studios as a walk-on which surprised all of us. Example: we left the Soundstage around 10:20, went on Star Tours and STILL made the 10:45 HoND show. The Lt. liked Star Tours but said that he'd rather be flying the simulator and we all loved HoND........what a talented group of people with some beautiful voices. I made sure to show the guys that the confetti was bell-shaped....Off to see the Backstage Tour/Catastrophe Canyon(our only wait but our timing was bad--5 minutes sooner and we would have walked in) then on to the Great Movie Ride. Got the Western Side and I do love the Wicked Witch of the West. All of us tried to name all of the films......David is a movie trivia buff. Grabbed a snack and a drink and headed off to find a spot to see the parade.

Why is it that the crowds waiting for the parade at the Studios seem "cranky" compared to those at the MK?? Lots of pushing and shoving and then there were the "Video Terrorists." Maybe since it was the Studios they figured it was an audition to be a cinematographer or something. Anyway, there was a whole "nest" of them where I was standing (15 or 20) and all of them were completely ignoring their children. I felt especially sorry for one little guy who could see nothing but legs and was tugging on his Daddy's leg saying "Daddy, I can't see!!" *Daddy* told him to stop it and said "I have to get this on tape, you can watch it at home." I could NOT believe it!!!!!!! I tried to get over to him to pick him up so could see a little bit (I couldn't see much) but got pushed back by the rest of the *terrorists*. Made me very sad.......why'd this guy bring his kid in the first place???

After my blood pressure reached a sensible level, we headed off for the Muppets, the Animation Tour (I like being able to watch the Walter Cronkite/Robin Williams film in a theater. I always missed parts when it was on the small screens and loved the film montage at the end). Wayne got spit on by a camel in the courtyard :-) and we watched the characters for a while. On to BatB (good but we liked HoND better) and then off to the TZToT........Walked right in and actually dawdled for a while in the lobby looking at all the neat stuff the Imagineers put in there. Then into the Library and off to the boiler room.....this is a terrific attraction....we all agree. And the CM's working that day definitely added to the atmosphere!

Dinnertime and off to the 50's Primetime.....the guys knew that it had a 1950's atmosphere (duh) but neither one of them had listened to me when I tried to explain what it was like. Fine, don't pay attention to me. I told the CM when we checked in that I wanted a server who really like to get into the act. We were seated in 5 minutes and met our *big* sister. She immediately stuck a napkin under Wayne's chin and made him spit out his gum. He looked at me and said "What kind of place is this??" ......well, *I* like to get into the act, too. Before we were finished with dinner, Wayne had been moved to a table by himself and was wearing a bib, the "rough and tough, too cool military officer" had been made to serve dinner to that section of the restaurant with a sign on his back that said "I pick my nose" (we got pictures) and I was given a hat that said *Princess* on it because I was such a good girl (even though I did all the bad stuff......they guts thought that I had completely snapped my twig). We had a great time .........other neat stuff went on (HINT: do no try to hide your green beans under your potatoes---big mistake)....I would have really liked to have gotten in on the choruses of "I'm a Little Teapot" that were coming from another room. The food is OK, but the entertainment is first rate. Even "Spanky", the guy in the bib, wants to go back in September...if you like to play, don't miss it!!!

Back to the WL to wander, relax and then off to bed.......

Friday May 9...in which we incur the "Wrath of Tigger"

You have to understand that Wayne's idol and role model is Eeyore. He *loves* Eeyore...his r.a.d.p. button says Mr. Eeyore and I must admit that his demeanor is very much like Eeyore's most of the time. His only request on this trip was to have breakfast with Eeyore and today is the day. Unfortunately, I severely underestimated the time needed for the males in my party to get ready and I ended up going to the MK alone to try and salvage our priority seating at the Crystal Palace. Arrived at the gate at 8:25 and told the CM at the head of one of the lines that I have a PS and I'm already late. He looks at me and says "Well, you'll just have to wait in line like everyone else." Excuse me??? I figured the gates would open in a couple of minutes, anyway, and I don't argue with anyone when at WDW (home is a different story). This is the only time we have ever had a *difficult* time with a CM. I should have gotten his name and said something at City Hall but I was more concerned with getting to the CP. Arrived at the CP and they said they'd seat us as soon as everyone is there........spend time admiring the gardenia hedge along the railing and the guys arrive. We are seated and see that Eeyore is on the opposite side. Food is the best we have ever had at a character breakfast.........I love the puffed French toast (yummy). Wayne, pen in hand, is wearing his Eeyore hat, and waiting patiently for him when Tigger arrives on his rounds. HINT: If you do not want to get into serious trouble with Tigger, DO NOT wear an Eeyore hat anywhere in his vicinity. He took the hat, let Wayne know in no uncertain terms that he was very displeased with him, and finally sat down in the chair opposite him and just GLARED...............then wrote *Tigger #1* all over his hat. I was laughing so hard I could hardly sit up straight. This Tigger could honestly change his facial expressions........yeah, I know, that impossible..........but honest, this one COULD!!!! He got up, gave Wayne another utterly disgusted look, took his pen and gave it to a woman two tables down. By this time, the whole section of the restaurant was laughing. This kind of thing is Disney at its best.............

Unfortunately, we couldn't wait for Eeyore because we had ressies for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and had to be at City Hall.........I consoled Mr. Eeyore and told him we'd come back.....Met up with a co-worker of Wayne's and his family; they were staying at the GF and he is also an Eeyore admirer. When we found out that we were going to be at WDW at the same time, we thought the tour would be a good way to meet. The tour was new for them and for David (we have done it before) and we all enjoyed it. Highly recommended if you want to learn more about the operational side of the World. We always enjoy talking to the CM guide.......interesting to find out about their backgrounds and swapping stories.

I'm pretty tired after the Tour, so the Lt. heads off to *do the mountains* and Wayne & I head over to the GF for a drink and some R&R. Pick up a photo album and an M&M bride/groom for Geoff and Debbie and then head back to the Lodge.

Dinner that night at Cape May Cafe for the clambake. First time we've done this and we are delighted............we love steamed clams, they are very pricey at home(we never could figure out why) , and all you can eat for $20 struck us as a very good deal indeed (we can eat A LOT of them). The key lime pie was also excellent.

After dinner-Boardwalk............it was very quiet there in Dec. but not this time. Had a great time watching the magician, the Boardwalk Buskers, even the CM's at the ball toss game were a show in themselves. We found that we would be here every evening from now until the end of our stay for at least a little while.

Saturday May 10...Epcot and the Newlyweds Arrive

Up and drive over to the Boardwalk, park there and take the boat to Epcot (lazy, I know, but there is LOTS of walking at Epcot and I'm trying to pace myself. Besides, we *like* the boats. Wayne has decided that he wants a job driving one of the smaller launches over on Bay Lake or the Seven Seas Lagoons. He likes the hats the captains wear).

In through the International Gateway and make our way to Imagination for HISTA. This is one of our favorites and David has never seen it. Walk in-no line. Great show .......... and I find that the effects are enhanced if you are wearing shorts. The Lt. jumps just as high as I had hoped he would ;-). We then worked our way through Future World from back to front and had no lines anywhere. We agree that Energy is much improved in its new version and I make it a point to go to the Fountainview to watch the fountain...........thanks to Barb and this group for making us aware of it. What a delightful way to spend some time (and the iced cappuccino is good, too.)!! See the Epbots and Future Corps and various school groups performing, pick up a Hidden Mickeys list at the Discovery Center and then head for World Showcase.

We spend the entire afternoon in World Showcase but only make it halfway around --- counterclockwise from the entrance to the American Adventure. The topiaries for the Flower and Garden Festival are wonderful..........we're looking at all of the displays and just don't get very far. Discover "beaver tails" in Canada and will return for more later......the guys watch the Canada movie and I warm more benches. Notice that one booth set up for the festival is about butterfly gardens........it is closed now but there are at least a dozen Monarch butterflies flitting among the flowers around it :-).

To the UK to see guess who...............and there he is, back in the garden along with Mary Poppins, Pooh, and Tigger. Wayne is delighted but he forgot to bring his hat AND the camera. David takes pictures with his. All the kids are lined up to see the other characters and poor Eeyore is all alone. He just sits down on the sidewalk and leans against the fence looking very morose. We cheer him up and get big hugs...........Tigger is very lively and is doing his Gene Kelly imitation by swinging around on one of the lamp posts and just generally doing what Tiggers do best. I have a delightful time watching a very little girl (less than 2) who is scared of Eeyore but ends up giving him a big hug and kiss and then just resting her head on his nose.........too cute. I think her Mom and I were BOTH teary-eyed. The characters leave with Tigger bounding off into the bushes and out comes the British Invasion. We missed this group in Dec. and were very glad to see them now. I look around while they are playing and all the 40 plus somethings in the crowd are dancing around and singing along just like me...........we look at each other and smile..........we know ALL the words. The offspring of the 40 plus somethings are all looking rather embarrassed but we don't care........this is our music!!!!

Decide that we are hungry and want an early dinner (Wayne just wants more beaver tails but I think we should have something a *little* more substantial). Off to France and are seated immediately at Au Petit Cafe. No ressies...........just proper timing........ten minutes later there is a line. Nice dinner and the Living Statues appear..........what fun!!!!! Part of the Disney magic is seeing people line up to do something that they KNOW will make them look silly and loving every minute of it. Bubble Nicholas also makes an appearance. Off for dessert (beaver tails, what else.....) and the Cirikli birds come by. I love these guys but can't imagine walking all around World Showcase on stilts. Enjoy their antics with the crowd ..........especially the ones that don't notice them until it is too late.. :-)

Back to the Lodge, the Lt. takes off for Pleasure Island and we see the animal show in the lobby and have a nice talk with Missy from Discovery Island.

Sunday May 11...Mother's Day

Since the Lt. rolled in some time after 2AM, we let him sleep and head off to the MK to look for Eeyore stuff. I'm given a carnation for Mother's day at the entrance and notice that the CM's are making it a point of asking *every* woman if she is a mother even if there are no kids around...........nice. We decide to ride the train to Frontierland to go to the Briar Patch and enjoy it so much we stay on and get off on the second time around. Get a small pewter Eeyore pin for Wayne. Wander for a while and watch and then back to the WL for the Lt.

The guys drop me off at the GF to wait for Geoff and Debbie ( they were married in April and are having a belated honeymoon at the GF) and they head off the Village Marketplace. The newlyweds arrive just as the guys arrive and we go off to see their room.............they have been upgraded to a waterview room with a lovely view of the Poly. Very nice.......they are thrilled with the room. We all pile into the car (my boys are 6'5'' and 6'7" , so it's a good thing the top goes down) and head for Epcot. Go to HISTA and the Lt. tells us he will wait outside................seems that the "rough & tough" Lt. didn't particularly care for the mice ;-). Geoff & Debbie agree it's a great show, we ride JII and then they go off to ride Body Wars while we go to the Fountainview. Spend the next few hours wandering, taking pictures,etc and then have a nice dinner at the Bistro de Paris..........all of us watch Illuminations and head for the International Gateway. I wait outside while everyone else looks through the shop.............I'm watching the boats go up and down the canal with the France pavilion in background and think that this was a pretty nice way to spend Mother's Day. Wayne comes back and we decide to see if Hawaiian customs work at WDW and toss my mother's day carnation into the canal with a fervent wish that we'll return many times. The kids come back, we spend some time at the Boardwalk, and G&D say that they'd like to see the Lodge. We give them the tour, and when we get to the room I find a big basket of beautiful flowers from G&D for Mother's Day. A perfect ending to a lovely day.

Monday May 12...But I don't want to go home!!!

David is due to fly back to Pensacola today......he's moving to Offutt AFB in Omaha at the end of the week. It's raining and we decide to take the morning WL tour with Ranger John. If you haven't taken the Lodge tour, I highly recommend it if you have time. We have done it before but we learn something new each time........especially about the artworks and artifacts around the WL that you normally wouldn't pay too attention to. The rain lets up by the end of the tour and we are able to go up on the roof; even with the bad weather the view is still spectacular.

Check out and Wayne & I both say we are not ready to go home. While the guys are in the Mercantile buying totem poles, I get on the phone to CRO and get us an AP discount at the Yacht Club for the next two nights. Pick up the bags and go over to Bonnet Creek to look for golf stuff---we all play, just not on this trip. I hope that G&D aren't drowning at the Studios. Have an "excellent" lunch at The Sand Trap which is very reasonably priced........we will definitely do this again. Then for a spin around Orlando, take David to Bay Hill (Mr. Palmer is the *family* idol) and then take him to the airport. He's going to be spending a lot of time overseas and we're not sure when we're going to see him again...............We're very glad we had this vacation together. Between this and the weather, we are rather depressed and I'm glad we didn't have to start for home and make things even worse.

Check in at the Yacht Club and have a nice room........it overlooks the entrance, just above the portico, and opens, along with 3 or 4 other rooms, onto a VERY large covered balcony. No one was in the other rooms so we had this thing all to ourselves. This set-up might be ideal for a large group traveling together.....something to keep in mind. The weather is clearing up by now and we decide that dinner tonight will be "snack around World Showcase" which we did. This also gave us the opportunity to see the topiaries that we had missed before....I loved the ones from The Lion King and also the Chinese versions of bonsai (they have a name but I can't remember it). We decided that the rice creme from the bakery in Norway is one of the tastier things we have found and had other snacks and goodies along the way including McVities HobNobs in one of the shops in the UK..........these are my alltime favorite cookies and I've never gotten them outside of England.

Tuesday May 13

Back to the MK this morning and this time we did meet Eeyore for breakfast.......Wayne had his hat and Eeyore book signed, I took pictures of them and everyone is happy........and breakfast is good again. Watch the characters in Adventureland and have great time watching Baloo the Bear.......a definite Tigger rival.

We are trying to get a transfer to Florida and spent the afternoon looking at houses and generally acclimating ourselves to the area. Talked to various builders and liked what we saw.........

Decide to stuff ourselves with clams at Cape May again for dinner and wander around the Boardwalk that evening. Watch Illuminations from the bridge.

Wednesday May 14

Check out of the Yacht Club and go back to the WL for a final visit. The Yacht Club was very nice but we found that we vastly prefer the Lodge. I never felt as comfortable at the YC and we both wondered why Hurricane Hanna's wasn't open during our stay. Beaches and Cream was always packed and there really wasn't anywhere else to get a snack....the Boardwalk was too far. Stormalong Bay is a great attraction though........I can understand how that can be a big draw.

Down to Roaring Forks for coffee and to get the smaller size refillable mugs that are now sized for auto cup holders......I need this for my long commute to work in the morning. Went up to the fourth floor to the windows overlooking Artists Point and watched the antics at the character breakfast........Pocahontas, Meeko, Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear. Spent at least 20 minutes watching Br'er Bear lead the conga line, Br'er Fox chase Meeko, etc. We decide that all is right with World and we can go home now to work on that transfer!!!!

If you're still with me after this LONG report, thanks for reading. If we can answer any questions, please e-mail us.

Jane

TDC Bench Warmer and Magic Monitor

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