A Coast to Coast Christmas - Phase One WDW - Page 35 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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After being away from the boards for wayyyyyy to long it was nice to get back and read a CLQ trip report from the fabulous Princess Sharon....I'm finally all caught up and I have loved every moment now to ready Jill's take on it and read Oh Toddles TR so I have hints on how to handle a 1 year old and a 4 year old next year for their first trip
Welcome back! And thanks for the kind words!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nanajoyx2
Sharon, where are you?
Right here!
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
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Day Six – Tuesday, December 6 I’ll never do that again!
I was up around 6:15 this morning, which is a good thing because I needed to pack up. I managed to get a good bit of it done in the dark so as not to disturb the others (my stuff happened to be in a drawer near the door, so I wasn’t in the middle of the room). Once I was ready, I dropped off my bags at RAC. When everyone was done storing/checking bags, we walked to the bus stop to get to our ADR at Kona Café. I think the plan was to get a MK bus and take a monorail to the Poly. It’s a pain in the neck to get there, even though it’s so very close.
We waited a few minutes for a bus and Karen started getting impatient. I mean, the Poly is practically spitting distance from the WL. Just down the street, in fact. She’d been talking about walking there the day before. Initially, I said no to the walk because there are no pathways or sidewalks. But the longer we waited, the more Karen wanted to walk. We saw Larry rush past with some of his stuff, on the heels of a bell services CM. They were moving from the WL to BLT. Karen suggested we ride with Larry and she’d walk. Jill said she’d walk too. I figured there wasn’t much room in the car, so I told Eileen to catch up to Larry and I’d walk with Karen and Jill. Then, Eileen decided to walk as well. Before I go any further, I need to say this. Don’t walk from the WL to the Poly!
The first bit wasn’t awful. There wasn’t a path, but we could stay clear of the road (mostly) and I guess people often walk down to get photos and such.
Then, we got a bit freaked out when we saw signs warning of us bears.
Luckily, we made it to the corner without encountering any bears. But the danger was just beginning! We had to cross the road. It’s a busy road, at park opening, filled with Disney buses going to the Magic Kingdom or the MK resorts for ADRs and CMs trying to get to work. And like I said, there’s no walkway or sidewalk or anything. When the light changed, we had to book across the street, because there’s no button for pedestrian crossing or anything.
Luckily, we made it across just in time. While I thought we were home free, we were actually coming to the most dangerous part of all! There’s a road with no shoulder at all and there was quite a bit of traffic. When we got close to the T&TC, I suggested we head that way. Then we could walk on actual sidewalks. Good idea! Except to get to it, we had to walk through the bus entrance, which of course was an area meant for buses only.
We encountered a CM here, who seemed somewhat… err, surprised to see us. She led us over to the side of the road where finally, finally we were able to walk on pavement. Eileen’s knee was starting to complain, so she needed to sit down for a minute. Since we were at the T&TC, I suggested we just take the monorail the rest of the way. After our little adventure (which I must admit, didn’t take very long) we made it safely to the Polynesian after all. But I should’ve listened to my own advice - I always tell my nephew when we’re playing games, “always trust your first instinct!” But I'm not sorry I did it - it makes a fun story for the TR! I’ll have another fun story for the DL part – my trip home from Cali was an adventure for sure. But that’s not important right now.
What is important is that we made it to the Poly. JoanW and her family were also having breakfast at the Poly (they had an earlier ADR than we did because they were all leaving that morning). We spotted them and got to say goodbye. I’m happy to say I’ll see Joan again this May when I go to Washington D.C. for a long weekend.
Larry and Bob arrived just then, so we went ahead and checked in. Eileen’s friends were in town, and they were considering a DVC purchase, so we all did our best to answer their questions.
After saying goodbye to Eileen’s friends, we were seated for breakfast. For like my first time ever, I didn’t order the tonga toast! I know! I wasn’t hungry enough to eat it, and I don’t think I could’ve gotten Jill to split one with me. I went with the fruit platter and a side order of grits (which aren’t on the menu – you have to ask for them).
After breakfast, we walked to the TTC to get the Epcot monorail.
We had to do Spaceship Earth, even though there was like a 10-minute wait. Again, I had huge chunks missing from my head. My future is a scary thing! We got the Friendship over to Germany and did a bit of shopping there. I’d been texting my friends I’d met on my ABD trip and they were in WS (I think at the time they were in Japan). I told them we were on a collision course so we’d meet each other soon. Much to my surprise, they showed up in Karamelle Kuche just as I’d finished paying for my purchases.
After hugs and introductions (Karen and Jill had dashed off to France so Karen could buy some wine), we all headed around to catch up with Karen and Jill. We stopped when we got to Italy so I could get a photo with my friends. Then they headed off to continue their exploration of WS. Somewhere in Morocco, Eileen and Bob went to use the restroom, so Larry and I continued to France where we were all soon reunited.
Unfortunately, we were only reunited long enough to say goodbye. It was time for Karen to head back and get her DME to the airport. It actually wasn’t hard for me to say goodbye to Karen because I knew I’d be seeing her again in mere days. But still, sadness!
Once Karen left, nobody really wanted to do anything. I wanted to get a kaki gori, so I went and grabbed one and then we took the Friendship. We backtracked a bit so Eileen could ride the Gran Fiesta Tour and check out Donald’s naughty bits.
We got a bus back to the WL (we just missed one – it was too dang far away for us to make it). Luckily, it wasn’t an unusually long wait for the next one. I was sitting across from Eileen and noticed this big, huge, gross, hideous, nasty-looking bug on her leg. I know Eileen’s a gardener, so I figured she was used to creepy crawly things and not totally freaked out like I am. Anyway, trying to keep the panic out of my voice, I said to Eileen “You’ve got a bug on your leg.” She freaked out and flicked it off her leg. Right at me! OMG! It went on the floor (I was seated in the first seat up the stairs so there’s that little wall next to you) and I tried not to freak out and stare at that thing the whole ride back. I have no idea what kind of bug it was, but it was big and ugly. I know it wasn’t one of those huge roach-type bugs (that I think are called palmetto). It was uglier. Once we were safely off the bus (seriously, I kept my eye on that thing the entire way back), I joked with Eileen that it would’ve been hilarious if she’d flicked it right onto me. Hilarious and terrifying. Just between us, I still have nightmares about that bug.
Back at the lodge, we said goodbye to Bob and Larry. That one was tougher, because I didn’t know for sure when I’d see them again. However, I did know when they’ll next be at WDW and I can totally crash Bob’s birthday party!
Down to just a trio, Eileen, Jill and I headed up to spend our last moments together in the lounge. Hilariously, as we were sitting there enjoying ourselves, a man came over and said “I saw you guys walking in the road this morning!” Apparently, it’s somewhat unusual to see crazy ladies walking along the side of the road, so people, like, notice it and junk.
Before long, it was time for Eileen to leave. It really stinks having to say so many goodbyes. Of course, it never bothers me to have to say goodbye to Eileen. Wait. That didn’t come out right. What I mean is that because she lives a short drive away, I always feel like she’s close to me, so saying goodbye isn’t as hard, you know? Phew! I covered that up well!
Down to just Jilly and me, we went back to the lounge (I should say here that everyone in the lounge was great to us and treated us like stars). When it was finally time for me to leave (sob!), I told the folks in the lounge that it was up to them to be Jill’s farewell committee because nobody would be there to see her off. It was awfully hard to say goodbye to Jill. I know I'll see her this December, but that's so far away. I’m thinking I really need to crash the Koenigs’ next family vacay.
I picked up my carry-on bag and waited for the bus, which was a bit late. Jill was kind enough to wait with me and then, I was all alone on the bus. We stopped at the Poly and the GF before making our way to the airport. I tried really hard to stay awake on the bus (I almost always fall asleep on DME and then can’t nap on the plane). This time, everyone on the bus was flying either Southwest or American, so the bus only stopped on the A side.
I zipped through the expert traveler line in security and then picked up a snack at McDonalds, which is sort of a tradition for me now. The flight was full but boarded quickly. In fact, we were able to leave 5 minutes early. It was just fine until the last 30 minutes, then it got bumpy as heck! Whew!
The good news is we landed 20 minutes early, especially considering a kid a couple rows behind me was screaming for the final 15 minutes of the flight. My bags were among the first out and thanks to my DF kindly picking me up, I arrived at home a scant 20 minutes after my scheduled landing time.
That ends this portion of the TR, but I’ll be back later with final thoughts. Read about my super-happy fun time at Disneyland (already in progress!) here.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
What a great update! Sad, because you had to say goodbye to everyone, but oh, so funny! The walk to the Poly really does sound scary, but I laughed at all the transportation emoticons. Then I cracked up again at the bug story and the hilarious frightened emoticon. I'm so glad this isn't really ending and I can keep reading the DL section.
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I am well and truly hysterically laughing over here! Your walk was sooooo something I would do and I loved those emoticons! And la piece de resistance? The person recognizing you 'street walkers'
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Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
Oh my goodness - I'm getting all choked up at the sadness of the good-byes - so depressing!
Love the sig pic, Sharon. Really cool!
PS - We used to walk from Ft. Wilderness to WL all the time. We tried it again Christmas Day and decided we'd never do that again - we've done it enough. But WL to the Poly??? I can't even picture that...
It is always sad reading about your final moments with the CLQ - all those goodbyes, not fun at all
What a great last breakfast though...Jasmine is already waiting for the girts (she loves them). I always tell her that Sharon always gets them at Lona but that they are not on the menu but not to worry because they have them....so hoping that they still have them in July
Just caught up on your DL party....looking forward to your final thoughts.
Well that was quite the trek this morning! Glad no one was injured!! Sorry it's all come to an end! Goodbyes are never easy! Thanks for sharing your trip PSha!
Imagine getting the "walk to the Poly" story in person right after it happened. Hee-larious!
Bob and I added this night to our trip sometime along the way, mainly because of goodbyes. First, we didn't want to be the first ones to leave, and because we were driving the whole way home, we would probably have had to leave prior to the Kona Cafe ressie. We wanted to maximize the time spent with the Ladies--after all, we didn't know when we would all be together again.
Once we did say our goodbyes at the WL, Bob and I hopped the boat to the Contemporary. When I added a night I was unable to get a reservation at the WL, so we were headed back to BLT and a 1BR over there. Talk about your split stays!
We departed the WL after bidding a fond farewell to the Ladies.
Back to BLT!
As it happens, when I called DVC Member Services to make the reservation, they happened to have a 1BR Theme Park View. It was no Grand Villa, but it served!
We were several floors below the Grand Villa.
I decided to go across the hall to get some ice, and when I took the lid off the ice bucket I found a mouse!
EEK!
Bob & I went to Downtown Disney to Wolfgang Puck Express for supper.
Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf on Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Fried Onions. M'mm!
We made it back to the resort in time to crank up the TVs and watch Wishes.
The next morning we packed up and loaded the car, and then walked over to the The Wave restaurant for a buffet breakfast before bidding good bye to WDW for now.
We got a bus back to the WL (we just missed one – it was too dang far away for us to make it). Luckily, it wasn’t an unusually long wait for the next one. I was sitting across from Eileen and noticed this big, huge, gross, hideous, nasty-looking bug on her leg. I know Eileen’s a gardener, so I figured she was used to creepy crawly things and not totally freaked out like I am. Anyway, trying to keep the panic out of my voice, I said to Eileen “You’ve got a bug on your leg.” She freaked out and flicked it off her leg. Right at me! OMG! It went on the floor (I was seated in the first seat up the stairs so there’s that little wall next to you) and I tried not to freak out and stare at that thing the whole ride back. I have no idea what kind of bug it was, but it was big and ugly. I know it wasn’t one of those huge roach-type bugs (that I think are called palmetto). It was uglier. Once we were safely off the bus (seriously, I kept my eye on that thing the entire way back), I joked with Eileen that it would’ve been hilarious if she’d flicked it right onto me. Hilarious and terrifying. Just between us, I still have nightmares about that bug.
OMG I was busting a gut laughing over this.. of course it headed right for you. What a great story. Walking to the Polynesian, that sounds like quite the adventure. I bet calls went out to get more busses over to WL. so sad that this part is over.
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Aug,1978- LBV;Apr,1987-Disneyland;March,1993-offsite;Jan,1997-offsite;Aug,1999- CBR;Sept,2000- ASMo;Aug,2001- ASSP;Aug,2002- ASMU/AKL;Jan & July 2003-POR;June,December 2004- PC;January 2005- ASMU; Aug 2005-PC;Dec 2005-AKL;Jan 2006-CBR ; July/Aug-Saratoga springs; Dec. PC;April 2007- Disneyland;Aug 2007-Disneyland & So Cal;Dec 2007-POFQ; Aug2008-POFQ & Nov 2008 PC,Y&B May 2009 ASmu, June 2009 PC ; Nov 2009 WL & POFQ;Jan 2010 BW & WL; June 2010 POFQ ; Aug 2010 Poly ;Oct 2010 WL; Jan 2011 PC
Great final day from breakfast at Kona to arriving home early! But it was so sad at the groups began to dwindle down. I wouldn't have wanted to be Jill, last man standing.
That W-A-L-K!!
It was classic Karen: Death Marches and soggy sneakers. Blechhh! But, it has the great side-benefit of giving me a good appetite. And (after convincing my friends to buy into DVC ) we had a lovely meal, with lots of dark, delicious pressed coffee. *sigh*
Our little "last perusal" of Epcot was relaxed and bittersweet. It's TOUGH trying to enjoy a park when we know the goodbyes are looming.
And that bug!! I may be a gardener, but bugs and snakes still freak me out a little, especially when they're crawling on me on a bus, when I least expect it!! I do, however, promise that I didn't mean to flick it right at Sharon. That was just an awesome BONUS! I did get quite the giggle from Sharon's panicked reaction to it, and I had to keep reassuring her that it wasn't moving...
*sniffle* I don't want to think about the goodbyes. They make my throat go all tight and my eyes burn. *sniffle* Waaaaaah!
As for how we all met -- it happened in stages. Karen and I are convinced that our late mothers arranged the first meeting. We had both been enamored of each other's trip reports and exchanged cell phone numbers when our May 2005 trips were going to overlap -- me for a family gathering, and Karen for a work-related event (with her son.) We met and it was an instant bond. INSTANT! We traveled together again for Mousefest 2005, and then I had the chance to come to Disneyland and see Karen's "hometown" playground in 2006. At that point, we referred to ourselves as the Crazy Ladies.
Soon after those trips, we began conspiring to meet up with Sharon -- and the "moms in heaven" made it happen that December, at Mousefest 2006. Again... it was like angel choirs singing in the Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby as we three finally met and hugged. We followed that trip up by rooming together for the 2007 Disneyland Girls Trip (which is still my absolute favorite Trip Report Evah!!! http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ed-8-10-a.html) We morphed into the Crazy Lady Trio (CLT)
By June 2008 (or was it also 2007), we knew we had to bring Jill into the mix -- our touring styles, zest for life, and general snarky good humor seemed a perfect fit. We met, crowned Jill the President of the Epcot Lush Club (with sash and scepter!), and completely fell under her family's spell. Forever after, we became known as the Crazy Lady Quartet.
The final members of our gang of travelers joined in the fun at another Mousefest -- 2008, if memory serves. In addition to the CLQ, we gathered Bob and Larry, Joan (and various members of her family known as "the tiaras"), Heather, and Lesley and her husband Tom into our circle. We did it again for the last Mousefest held in 2009.
If I may gush a little, I have to say that, for me, I find this group to be the perfect mix of laugh-a-minute joking, thrill seeking, sight-seeing, go-go-go-go commando-ing, sitting-on-benches-and-people-watching, eating, drinking and generally soaking in the pure joy that is Disney. There's no complaining, no whining, no grumpiness (no matter WHAT all those pictures of Karen on this trip have led you to believe!) We are sometimes all one group, and sometimes we split up and do our own thang -- often times that ends up being bathroom breaks.
We don't always get to vacation together, but when we do... they're some of the best moments of my adult life.
And I have never come back from a trip with this gang without new laugh lines, and a bad case of laryngitis from laughing so hard and talking so much. Not to mention that I'm a little hung-over and have gained at least two pounds... just from the desserts!
Sharon--I don't have dates for October yet--I've been slacking. Our APs expire on the 17th--so before then. (If my pass expires on the 17th--can I use it on the 17th?) What would work for you? I'm flexible!
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While I thought we were home free, we were actually coming to the most dangerous part of all! There’s a road with no shoulder at all and there was quite a bit of traffic. 
When we got close to the T&TC, I suggested we head that way. Then we could walk on actual sidewalks. Good idea! 
Except to get to it, we had to walk through the bus entrance, which of course was an area meant for buses only.
She led us over to the side of the road where finally, finally we were able to walk on pavement. Eileen’s knee was starting to complain, so she needed to sit down for a minute. Since we were at the T&TC, I suggested we just take the monorail the rest of the way. After our little adventure (which I must admit, didn’t take very long) we made it safely to the Polynesian after all. But I should’ve listened to my own advice - I always tell my nephew when we’re playing games, “always trust your first instinct!” But I'm not sorry I did it - it makes a fun story for the TR! 
It was time for Karen to head back and get her DME to the airport. It actually wasn’t hard for me to say goodbye to Karen because I knew I’d be seeing her again in mere days. But still, sadness! 
and then we took the Friendship. We backtracked a bit so Eileen could ride the Gran Fiesta Tour and check out Donald’s naughty bits. 
Once we were safely off the bus (seriously, I kept my eye on that thing the entire way back), I joked with Eileen that it would’ve been hilarious if she’d flicked it right onto me. Hilarious and terrifying. 
Apparently, it’s somewhat unusual to see crazy ladies walking along the side of the road, so people, like, notice it and junk. 
It was just fine until the last 30 minutes, then it got bumpy as heck! Whew!
Goodbyes are never easy! 
I know Eileen’s a gardener, so I figured she was used to creepy crawly things and not totally freaked out like I am. 
) we had a lovely meal, with lots of dark, delicious pressed coffee. *sigh*
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