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| Christa Grant's
Trip Report August / September 05 |
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Day 9 – Part 1 Raspberries are
Best Eaten One Seed at a Time
We
could actually feel ourselves starting to slow down. The early mornings and late nights were
getting even to the most of Disney enthusiasts. We
slept in until 8:30am today, which is a marvel in and of itself. While we were still snoozing, Dapper
Dad was checking out. He
also had some left over snack credits, so he went to the food
court to load up on cracker jacks and rice crispy treats. There
were NO crackerjacks and they only had rice crispy treats WITHOUT
the dipped chocolate ears. Why
even bother!! I may as well eat dirt. The chocolate is the best part. They had to make do with some fruit. I made a note to myself making sure we
bought some cracker jacks and Mickey ears to bring home for them.
Before we knew it, we all gathered in their van one last
time to go have breakfast at the Yacht Club. I
was already beginning to feel that familiar knot in my stomach
at the very thought of having to say another good-bye. I
was willing myself to maintain control but I realized that I
needed some help.
So
I had another cherry coke and Excedrin.
I
forgot it was only 9:30am. My
stomach didn’t appreciate all that carbonation. We
arrived at the parking gate where the CM manning the booth made
sure we knew the buffet breakfast was NOT a character breakfast. Without missing a beat, Dapper Dad said
he knew that and was glad because we had enough characters in
the van.
The
CM looked at me, then looked back at Dapper Dad sympathetically.
I
saw that.
Before breakfast, we decided to walk around the pool area. It’s
like a mini water park isn’t it? I
hope we can use this pool someday. Although,
considering the price, it may be easier just to wrestle the security
guard in order to get him to give us one of the required wristbands. Maybe
next time. I had
just gotten a manicure anyway.
We
had made advanced dining reservations the night before for the
Yacht Club Galley, but we learned this morning that it wasn’t
necessary. We were practically the only table in
the entire restaurant.
Maybe I should bring my deodorant with me next year.
The buffet
was pretty good. The
guys really enjoyed the fruit selection since there were enormous
raspberries and other fruit not normally served at buffets. Our
waitress brought us some Mickey waffles to top off the meal. We all enjoyed the breakfast, reminiscing
about the trip and trying to forget that this was marking the
end of the trip for Dapper Dad and Fanlover.
I
tried to prolong the meal by eating my raspberries one seed at
a time, but Goofy Guy caught on to what I was doing and called
me on it.
Sleep with one eye open tonight honey.
Despite my efforts, the meal came to an end. We visited the restrooms in the lobby
and then the dreaded good-bye had arrived. I
actually thought I might make it this time. I
was fairly good when I said good-bye to ToT sis and family and
I was even better when I said good-bye to my former roommate
in Cocoa Beach. Maybe I was getting better? Perhaps I was turning over a new leaf?
Just
then the waterworks started. It
was what Oprah refers to as, “the UGLY cry”. Naturally
I couldn’t have cried the silent, almost romantic tears
you see in movies. No
- I had to sob with that ugly expression on my face, while hiccupping
and swallowing at the same time. It
wasn’t pretty. My apologies to anyone who was standing
nearby. The funny
thing is – Dapper Dad seemed rather sympathetic. Usually
I think he just humours us Drama Queens whenever we get like
this, but it was almost as if he understood and even appreciated
I didn’t want them to leave.
Or
at least that’s what I was telling myself.
After some hugs all around, Dapper Dad and Fanlover sailed
away into the sunset. Well,
they drove off in their van, but that’s anti-climactic
wouldn’t you say? This truly marked the end of our family
Disney vacation…not to mention the end of our being chauffeured
around Disney. The
bus was going to be our new mode of transportation. Good-bye
diamond lot parking and hello bus stop. I
usually don’t mind using Disney transportation, but for
this trip, it meant that my family had all gone home. sniff
I
put on my sunglasses even though we were still inside the hotel. Like I was really fooling anybody! I was still hiccupping and really, who
wears sunglasses in hotels?
Hysterical Drama Queens – that’s
who.
We
slowly walked out to the boardwalk and made our way to Epcot. Goofy Guy was really great. He was comfortable having a little quiet
time and just walking companionably along the boardwalk while
I gained some composure. I
was telling myself that I shouldn’t be so sad. It
had been a trip of a lifetime and everyone had been so happy. And
now, I should enjoy some alone time with my hubby. Life was wonderful so start acting like
it!
We
arrived at the International Gateway, and I was starting to feel
much better. It
was a beautiful morning and we were about to go on Soarin’. We
walked directly there to pick up fast passes. We
wanted to go on the Land ride, but there was a long line again
today and we couldn’t get a fast pass. We
realized that this was going to become a problem. On past trips, we always fast passed
the Land ride since it was the only fast pass attraction in the
building. Now, there were 2 fast pass attractions
in the same building. What’s
a girl to do?
How
about start planning the next trip?
As
I daydreamed about a possible future trip, we decided to check
out the Circle of Life show instead. It
may be a little simplistic, but its message is received loud
and clear. I wished Splashboy and Boomer had gotten
the chance to see it. It
was educational and fun.
And
there wasn’t even a height requirement.
We
walked out of the Land building and watched a little bit of the
Cyber Groove show. We
had never seen them before. I
was amazed how much they jumped around considering the temperature
now had to be around 140F. I was now wishing Fanlover had left us
her beloved fan. We’d
have to buy more batteries, but it would have been worth it. We decided that air conditioning was in
order so we went to Spaceship Earth. I
noticed that there are no interactive games at the ride’s
exit anymore. Is that due to change in sponsorship?
We
still had a fair bit of time before Soarin’, so we went
to Mexico. That’s part of the fun about Epcot
isn’t it? How
many other places can you say you’re going for a boat ride
in Mexico, followed by lunch in Japan and dessert in France?
:p
Eating around the world has new meaning here.
The
boat ride was relaxing and we reminisced about our fabulous Mexican
trip a few years ago. I
debated about getting a margarita, but I remembered we were having
dinner at Jiko tonight and we were planning on trying some African
wine. Between that
and my Excedrin/cherry coke habit, I figured I should be careful
or a 12-step program would be in my future… ;)
And
anyway, Goofy Guy didn’t feel like carrying me home tonight.
Next
stop was the Stave Church in Norway. Truth
be told – I never knew until this year that you could actually
go inside. There’s
a nice little exhibit there. When
we left the church, I noticed that I startled a few people. At
first I thought they were gawking at my red puffy eyes, but then
I realized they didn’t know you could go inside the church
either. At least I’m not the only one. We went on the Norway ride next with
a bunch of screamers. Believe
it or not, I was the calm one…
No,
really, I was
We
bypassed the movie and went directly to the American Adventure
to see the Liberty Singers. This
is one of my very few regrets of the trip. Dapper
Dad LOVES the Liberty Singers and though I tried to fit it into
our schedule, I failed miserably. He
never did get to see the Liberty Singers this trip, but, he did
get to sing with the Dapper Dans. I
figured we broke even. The Liberty Singers had a great new soprano
this year. She wasn’t
quite as good as the infamous redhead, but give her time and
I think she’ll become quite spectacular. She
had an amazing quality to her voice.
I’m
a professional singer myself you understand; just ask my kindergarten
teacher.
We
stayed for the American Adventure before heading back towards
Soarin’. This time, we managed to get front row
seats. Amazing!!! I really liked the added bonus of not
seeing dangling feet in front of me. The
ride was just as fantastic the second time. I
see a trip to California in our future. Maybe
we could drop by California on our way home from Europe next
year, but before returning “home” to Disney World.
Who
needs food between now and then, right?
This
was our last time in Epcot this trip, so I talked Goofy Guy into
letting me go on Mission: Space one more time. Goofy
Guy said that he was going to remain on earth right where he
belongs. As I walked towards Mission: Space, I’m
pretty sure I heard him mutter something about my head always
being up in the clouds anyway…but I may have just imagined
it. ;)
It
was a walk-on yet again today. That
was a little eerie to me. Are
people scared to ride now? I
boarded our aircraft and went to pick up my motion sickness bag
(it had become my good luck charm I think), but they were GONE.
I
immediately apologized to the young girl beside me. I wasn’t responsible for what might
happen.
After a silent prayer, we arrived at Mars without incident. We
were all actually laughing and giggling the whole time. Sign
me up for the real thing. That “sleep
mode” button could really come in handy.
It
was time to head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. This time, instead of heading towards
the handy dandy diamond lot parking, we had to gasp, take
the bus. Oh how I was missing the van already! It felt like we waited at the bus stop
for an hour, but it was probably only 15 minutes.
Luxurious vans not only spoil you, they also make you
forget how to tell time.
We
arrived at the hotel and quickly changed for our highly anticipated
meal at Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Little
did we know, we were about to find out what happens when you
combine a bottle of African red wine and Space Mountain. Oy! Stay
tuned!!
Day 9 - Part 2 ...
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