Driving Karen nuts in 10 rides or less **Updated 2/18** COMPLETE About This Page:

[Caldercup]

Friday - December 12th (cont'd)

Up next was a trip on the safari. We pretty much walked right on and the vehicle took off. Our driver was fairly good, except he had a slightly smarmy “Don Pardo” kind of announcer voice. He had interesting info on the animals, but I just couldn’t get all that interested in him (especially as I was still reliving my June trip with the fabulous Brooke and her “POACHERS!!”) For Sharon's sake, I re-enacted Cell Phone Lady by pretending to bounce down while my cell phone bounced up!



There were quite a few animals and we *almost* got a good view of the male lion -- but he was being stand-offish and had his head turned away. <<sigh>>

A quick survey of the group revealed that we were ready to head back to the room. (Somewhere in California, a woman was tearing her hair out and gesturing madly at a detailed spreadsheet.) Although I kinda wanted to see Flights of Wonder and Festival of the Lion King, I was also happy to head back to the concierge lounge and get a look at our room location.

We stopped in the Beach Club’s lobby to admire the decorations – I really liked this chocolate depiction of The Black Pearl, with Captain Sparrow in the riggings.



The carousel was magnificent – all the horses had “spice” names, like Anise, and Cinnamon, and Ginger. Their manes and tails were made out of black and brown licorice. We took quite a bit of time trying to find the Hidden Mickey’s peppering the structure and representing the 9 years they’d been making this display.

Then it was up to the 4th floor and through a maze of hallways, left turns, right turns, left turns, right turns… until we eventually came to the end of a hallway and our door. We had a sort of “vestibule” before we turned into our loooooong and lovely room.

We stepped out onto our extra long balcony and a wave of joy tinged with sadness swept over us – THIS was exactly what Karen had been hoping for. A big, long, expansive, elegant balcony. (And not one of those “doorway” sized balconies on the other floors – the ones where we’d look like frat boys hanging out the window.) There was enough room for two little tables, each with a sweet pair of white chairs. Sigh… perfection.

Immediately below us was a quiet pool and (slightly out of view) a hot tub. A quick walk past that and we would be right out at the International Gateway. We could even see the tip of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.



Wowzers – someone was really watching out for us and had snagged a SWEET room.

We chatted with our pals (Bob, Larry & Lesley) for quite a bit and worked on a little surprise for Karen. See, I had brought along a Flat Rate Priority Mail box with appropriate postage… with the plan that we’d all package up little memories of our trip that we could ship off to Karen to let her see how much she was thought of during this vacation.

First things first, we had Larry write a little love note “from Jerry the Grand Floridian bellhop” on a luggage storage tag. Heeeee!

Next came a card that I’d had a bunch of PassPorters (and the Big Cheese himself) sign:

<--outside

<--inside

The guys had to head off for parts unknown (See Larry’s TR for more info on where they went) and Lesley joined Sharon and Jill in the concierge lounge to see what they had to offer. (I stayed behind to give Karen a call and see how she was doing.) When I got to the lounge, I discovered they had DEEEE-licious bacon-wrapped scallops and yummy cheeses that tickled my fancy. I also polished off a bottle of zinfandel that had been opened and then supplemented that with a coffee. We gals just ate and drank and talked for a loooooooong time. It was delightfully relaxing and yummy.

Once we were all full, we realized that the CLQ-1 needed to head out to Epcot to get signed in for our VIP dessert/IllumiNations viewing, courtesy of MEI travel (and our buddy and miracle worker Sara.)

There was a bit of confusion as to where we were to sign in, but eventually all was sorted and we got our wonderful VIP passes that made my little coal heart sing. I clipped it to my scarf and hoped e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y. noticed it.

We were able to enter the special viewing are behind the Yorkshire County Fish and Chips shop. There were two levels – one up above with tables and the hot beverages and cookies. There was a path leading down to the lower level right by the water. Since we still had about 25 minutes to go, we settled into one of the tables and *tried* to consume some goodies. We all went up to the treat table, but really didn’t feel like anything, even though I brought back a sad little plate of items that mostly went untouched – we were STUFFED.

Just as they began the preshow announcements for IllumiNations, we headed down towards the lower level and realized that the pathway (slightly elevated above the VIP guests down by the water) was the perfecto spot for viewing the fireworks with the globe right out in front of us.

I documented my fav part – where they “blow out” the torches around World Showcase.



As is my want, I started crying and clasping my hands over my heart the moment the music started. I even cracked myself up and decided my dorkdom needed to be blogged.



During the “Let there be peace on earth” section, I bawled like a baby and Sharon and Jill put their arms around me. <<sniff>> So touching… so… touching!

I hated to “watch and run,” but we said our goodbyes to the MEI folks and dashed over to the PassPorter meet at Germany. We arrived just in time and found our friends enjoying *more* goodies. Ugh… why was I so full on Golden Ticket treats?! I got to see Lindsey (from the monorail the previous day) as well as lots of other PassPorters. Jennifer Marx came over and gave me a great big hug () and I got to see how much Alexander had grown since I’d seen him last Mousefest.

After a bit, it was time to head to the American pavilion to see the show as a big group. It was here that I think I finally got to meet Heather (ilovedisney247) as well as lots of other PassPorters – including Marie (CRCrazy) and her husband and daughter. Wowzers, did little Sarah grow into quite the beauty in the three years since I’d seen her at Mousefest ’05. Once the show started, PassPorters were pretty much the only people in the theatre.

I do love this show, but I could feel the effects of a long day, a few glasses of wine and waaay too much food starting to make my eyes droop. Luckily, the finale's sweeping music and images of bald eagles and historic figures made a lump stick in my throat, thereby forestalling the sleepiness.

As we all left the theatre, Dave had us pose for a big group photo – anyone… anyone? I didn’t bother asking anyone to capture it on my cell phone…

There was a gang of us who were ready to take advantage of the evening Extra Magic Hours and they seemed up for a couple of rides. I suggested Gran Fiesta Tour – as I love to see Donald cover his naughty bits when he loses his bathing suit while parasailing. (Honestly, why does a duck who never wears pants feel the need to spread a wing over his privates? It cracks me up every time. EVERY. TIME.)



One thing that was weird here was that there was absolutely no one else on this ride and our gang of PassPorters *completely* filled one whole boat. On either side of us? Boat after boat of nothingness.

So, when our boat approached the disembarkation spot, I figured we’d be off that ride in minutes. Nope…. One of the CMs was meticulously and slowly examining each and every row of each and every boat, carefully removing any pieces of paper she found with one of those grabby tools. Christine stared at her hard, willing her to let the empty boats run through the system again so we could get off, but… noooooo…

Oy!

Finally released from Mexico, we headed out to World Showcase. I suggested Maelstrom, but Miss Sharon found an excuse to avoid it. Skeerdy Cat!

As we got to the Epcot tree, I had to take a pic:



At this point, Soarin’ was suggested and I was totally game for that. Sharon? Uh uhhhnn. She was bushed. Jill was too. So was Larry.

Mmmm… k. Guess I’ll head back with them rather than go with Joan, her gang, Bob and… was Christine, Lesley and Heather still with them at this point?

Just for the record, I wasn’t whimping out – but I didn’t relish the idea of having to climb into bed after the two Sleeping Beauties had already placed their princessy heads on the princessy pillows and slipped quietly into princessy sleep. Sharon was zonked after her early morning flight and I knew I had an early and busy morning at the MegaMouseMeet – plus an extra early morning trip to the Studios to catch a drop with Sharon on her tower.

I waved goodbye to the rest of the team and walked out of World Showcase with Jill, Sharon and Larry.

As we split off from Larry at the back entrance to our room, Sharon had a fun faux pas:

“Goodbye, Bob,” she said to Larry. To which he rolled his eyes and wagged a finger at our tired compatriot as Jill and I gave her a hard time. “Awww, jeez” complained Sharon. “I'm so tired, their names are almost interchangeable at this point.”
“Yeah,” I replied, giving Sharon a nudge. “Let’s get you to bed, KAREN!” (Sharon… Karen... what’s the difference?!)

Heeee!

When we got back to our room, we dropped one of our VIP tags into Karen’s “time capsule” box and got ourselves ready for bed.

Up next: It’s OVER?!