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© Lisa Cubbon, 2004
Who: Andy and Lisa Cubbon (over 50, retired and no kids at home!)
When: March 24-29
Where: Boardwalk Inn
Reason for visit (like I need one!) We usually head to Orlando in March for a dance competition but this year the event is on hiatus. Did that stop us? Nope. I had the usual dose of catholic guilt for doing something that I like. Usually I can put the guilt aside since we are going anyway for a nobler purpose that just fun. This time it was pure fun. We only had two things that were “must dos”: meeting with a second cousin and her family for dinner at the Rose and Crown in Epcot on our first night and then dinner with friends at Jiko’s on Saturday night. Everything else was just frosting on the cake! Last year it rained when we were there in March. I was hoping for better weather than that but we would still enjoy ourselves even if it did rain on our parade.
Wednesday, March 24th. We left Marietta GA at 8:32am and arrived at the Boardwalk (BW) at 4:15p. It was an incredibly uneventful drive down. There is always some highway construction work on I75. I think that Florida and Georgia take turns and now it’s Georgia’s time to mess with traffic. Nothing big this time but there was some slow going around Tifton. We stopped for lunch at the Florida Visitor’s Center and kept pushing on. We had a 5pm PS at Rose and Crown with the Olin’s of Eagle, Colorado and we wanted to get the luggage to the room before we took off for the evening. I did not fax a room request this time. I figured the resort would be crowded anyway and we would do with any non-smoking room they had. We checked in very quickly and the room was terrific! We were in 4266, just before the entry to the Innkeeper’s Club, the Boardwalk Concierge area. The room was a standard non-smoking king bed room with a very nice view of the courtyard, a little balcony and a nice line of sight to Epcot and the Eiffel Tower in France. We were home. The luggage came up quickly; we took a few things out of the bags (but still stupidly left the digital camera in the bag) and headed over to Epcot. While we were unpacking, Ann called and said they had Mission: Space Fast Passes (FPs) and they would be at the R&C when they were finished.
The walk is so pleasant from Boardwalk to the International Gateway. I miss hearing L’vie en Rose along the path; when we first started staying at the BW there was music to set the mood as you walked into the park. Now sometimes it’s there but mostly it’s not. There have put of some of those big green barrier pilings across the path now, so no more surrey bikes coasting down to the International Gateway. The line for checking in at R&C was pretty long. A cast member was telling guests that if they did not have a PS, the only seating that was available was outside and very windy. Although the Olin’s had not arrived, we were immediately seated on the outside porch, just inside the entrance. The wind/rain screens were down so it was very comfortable. There was a party of about 20 conventioneers seated across from us that was commanding a lot of attention. We finally flagged down Jamie for Swansea, Wales and ordered a couple Guinnesses and a fruit and cheese plate to tide us over till the real food arrived. The Olin’s arrived soon after and it was hugs all around. It’s so great to meet friends at WDW! The Olin’s had been vacationing since Sunday but were staying off property in a condo off 192. They had a two-bedroom condo with plenty of room so they were doing breakfast in the condo, packing lunch and having a sit down dinner when they wanted it. They had four-day park hopper passes and had spent one day at Islands of Adventures. They wanted coaster time! They were having their last day at WDW in Epcot so we could meet up for supper before they headed out on Thursday for Cape Canaveral and then back towards home. I don’t know where they found all the energy to do so much in such a short period of time but they did and they were chipper too. All of them. Ann and Randy, her husband, had the steak with horseradish sauce and prawns, Rudy and Andy opted for fish and chips, Lindsey had the salmon and I had the veggie dinner. The kids were thrilled with the bottomless sodas and everyone else enjoyed beer. We were all very happy and full when we finished. We decided to hold off on dessert for a while so we headed towards the lockers in Future World so they could pick up jackets. The wind had picked back up and the sun was setting. We were chatting and walking past the fountain in Future World when a BIG gust of wind picked up the column of water and dumped it on me! They all ran but I didn’t. I was soaked like a wet rat! Hair, fleece jacket, ugh. We headed into the ladies room and they did not have a blower so we took this as a sign and headed back to the Boardwalk to get me dried off! They had not been to a WDW resort hotel so they got to see the inside and use the bathroom too. I got a sweatshirt and refluffed my hair and we decided on ice cream from the Seashore Sweet Shop for dessert. We all got hot fudge sundaes (Andy went and got coffee. He said he’d eat what I didn’t finish. He knows me too well) plus Ann loves fudge so they got 4 pieces with 2 free pieces! Nothing like sugar to keep you going. We headed back to Epcot and walked around the World Showcase through France, Italy, and China to the bridge at Mexico to watch Illuminations. Randy said it was wonderful. I am not sure they saw it very well since the crowds were pretty deep but it is what it was. We said goodbye with hugs around and they headed out the main gate with the other salmon swimming upstream. We headed back to our hotel to finish settling in for our VACATION!
Thursday, March 25th. I set no alarm clock on this vacation. So we got our usual late start. We bring a rolling bag with cereal and all our other Disney Vacation stuff in it so I go get milk, coffee and a sweetie from the Boardwalk Bakery while Andy’s getting ready. We were out of the room around 9:45a. And headed to the bus stop and got on the Animal Kingdom bus. We headed towards Harambe to get FPs for Kilimanjaro Safari and then headed over towards Asia so see what we could see of the new attraction, Everest Expedition. You can see the superstructure rising above the barriers and some of the support buildings and the restrooms are open. I love the theming. One sign says Shangri-La Trekker’s Hotel and Internet Café! The Ladies Restroom had THE most powerful hand driers I have even seen. Could have used one last night! We stopped and asked a CM on the bridge where the cows went. There used to be cows on the land where the attraction is going. Andy suggested that the lions had a new food source but the CM laughed. We were a few minutes late but they let us into Tarzan Rocks. Boy, that show is loud. We were seating up in the rafters but still it’s a ton of noise. Tarzan still looks good to me… Now, it was time for our safari. We saw a ton of animals. The weather was sunny but windy which may have kept the animals browsing longer. We did get to see Tufani, the baby elephant. He was tucked up under his mama. We decided to try Flame Tree Barbecue for lunch. Well, it was OK. Andy had ribs, which were very good, and I had a bbq chicken salad, which was pretty slim on chicken. The seasoned FFs were blah. Not sure we would do this again. We picked up FPs to Bug’s life and they went to see Flights of Wonder. This is a great bird show. Guana Joe was great. I know for a while he seemed to be AWOL but he’s back now. After the show we headed to use our FPs for Bug’s Life and then decided to leave the park and head to the Magic Kingdom.
We decided to take the bus to the Contemporary Hotel and walk into the Magic Kingdom. We were just not interested in seeing the TTC this time. We got there after the parade was over but there were a bunch of folks in this park today! We headed to Pirates and waited in the left line. The wait sign said 15 minutes but it was only 13 minutes. Beat it by two minutes! Usually, this is a walk on. Lots of cheerleaders and band members too. Spring Break Rules! We got FPs for Haunted Mansion and dined at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. We still have not figured out how an Italian fairy tale got to a German Village but it did. We got cheeseburgers (I was virtuous and did not eat my bun) and Figaro Fries and a salad. It was a great supper. The salad with peaches and feta cheese is wonderful. We even got a table over the viewing area for It’s a Small World (as close as Andy’s willing to get to this attraction). We headed over to Haunted Mansion with our FPs. The line was pretty short. I think people were already staking out spots for SpectroMagic. We saw our ghosts and then went over to Tomorrowland to ride TTA and pass time until we staked out our spot for Wishes.
We wanted to watch Wishes on the bridge from the hub to Tomorrowland. We had seen the show in November on the path from Liberty Square and to the hub and it was not a good spot. This was much better. We could see the fireworks and the light display on the castle. It all made much more sense this time. We especially liked the fireworks that were shaped like hearts and stars. Very cute. We saw a bit of SpectroMagic from the bridge but the crowds were pretty thick. We bypassed the Boardwalk Bus for the Swan and then walked to the resort from there. The evening was very pleasant so it was a very nice walk.
Friday, March 26th. Today we did Breakfast at Spoodles. I can only take cereal so many mornings. I had an egg white ham and chees frittata and Andy had the Italian poached eggs with peppers and marinara; both were very good and the meals kept us full until evening time. The weather was pretty nice and we headed over to MGM on the walkway. Actually, we would have taken the boat but we had just missed it. Andy had remembered the website information on the WDW Survey Markers so we were on a mission to find them and maybe some discover some new ones. This all started when I read a posting on RADP about the WDW survey markers. Andy thought it would make a great little project for us while we were vacationing. Last August our project was to take a photo of Andy standing at EVERY photo spot sign in all four theme parks. Not of the actual view, but of Andy with the sign post. We even printed them out and put them in an album. So Survey Markers are right up our alley. Andy wished he had his GPS unit. He’s got his eye on one but it’s not available yet. Right away we found a new unlisted marker, just to the Oscar’s side of the Information kiosk at the entrance. That was the only new one we found while we were there. So I took some photos of it and we moved up Hollywood Blvd where Andy spotted two already identified makers, basically across the street from each other. We never did figure out why there were so many in places and nothing in other places. We went up Mickey Blvd and got FPs for Millionaire and then went to Muppets. We had a full wait for this one. But we watched the silly pre-movie and enjoyed the show. We were late for our Millionaire FPs but they had room at the top for us so we go in just in time. Andy did pretty well at this; he usually makes it into the top 10 and sure enough he was there this time too. One guy made it into the hot seat but had to decline. He had just been in the hot seat on the show before so they resorted the numbers and his daughter was the next challenger. She did pretty well too. I think she got to 64,000.
It was about 1p so I went and picked up a PS for the Brown Derby at 4:20p and we got a snack to tide us over. I had peanut caramel apple and Andy had a coke. The peanut caramel apple was good but I don’t think I need another one for a very long time again. We went over to the animation tour. We had about a 10-minute wait so it wasn’t bad. We had seen the Mushu bit when we were at MGM Studios at Disneyland Paris. It’s a cute show. I was not too impressed with the “visit” after the film. The CM spent way too much time discussing the layoffs at the animation studios. I think he could have done this much better. The place where you used to see animators at work (but honestly, we seldom saw anyone working there) is being converted to an interactive area. The big scanning machines are being unassembled.
Dinner at the Brown Derby was a big hit. We had not eaten here in a few years. Andy used to love their sautéed grouper and the last time they had changed how it was prepared and he really did not care for it. Now, it’s back and delicious! I had pork tenderloin and we both had salad and a glass of wine and dessert. Andy had the grapefruit cake and I had the flourless chocolate thingie and we both ate it all. I don’t know how I ate all of mine but I did. We went to the 6:45p Indy Stunt Show. I think this show is so much better in the twilight/dark. I hope the other 100 people in the huge theater enjoyed it too.
After the show, we strolled out of MGM and took the boat (it was there this time) to the Yacht and Beach Club and then walked into Epcot. We were a little early to set up for Illuminations so we saw the film in France. Again, there were only about 10 people in this showing. I love the music for this one. We found another great spot to watch Reflections of Earth just to the east of the American Gardens Theater and then headed back to our home away from home for a long rest.
Saturday, March 27th. Today it’s cereal in the room and light feeding during the day since we are meeting friends at Jiko’s for dinner this evening. We decided we had not spent any time in Epcot so we headed there after breakfast. We went to Imaginations first and got our very own car all by our selves. I know it’s not the same but I do enjoy the attraction and Nigel. We went to the Land to do the boat ride but the line was 30 minutes and we decided to pass on the Land this time. We went to the Living Seas to see the Nemo exhibit. That’s cute! I loved all the little fish and the ray pool too. They were feeding the fish in the big tank so we watched that for a while. One of the divers had a permanent attachment of rays with her. She was busy stuffing food down their mouths. They all seemed very happy. Then one of the CMs started a dolphin show. We watched that for a bit and then headed out. We had to ride Space Ship Earth! Many times we do this our first night but since I had gotten the impromptu bath the first night, we had missed that opportunity. We rambled through Mouse Gear but didn’t buy anything. Actually didn’t see anything I wanted which is pretty unusual. We went back to Morocco to the Tangerine Café for lunch. We both like the food and we can sit and watch the world go by as we eat. I got the veggie plate and Andy got the chicken platter. It was more than enough food for us. We then headed back to the America Pavilion to see the fife and drum show and then America Vibe. WOW! Those folks are really good. Very interactive and up beat. I want to see them again. We then headed to the BW to nap and get ready for our big dinner at Jiko’s.
We left BW for The Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL) around 5:15p for our 6:40 PS. We wanted to be sure to be there before our friends arrived from Lakeland and we wanted to see what was happening on the Savannahs. Nothing was happening on the savannahs. There were giraffes and bongos (for being ghosts of the forest, they sure are visible a lot!). We were sitting in the lobby when our friends arrived. They had not been to the AKL so we showed them about the resort. I am always amazed when people live so close and don’t come to see. Of course we live about 20 miles from downtown Atlanta and very seldom go there. Since we had gotten there early, I had gone to the podium and asked to be seated in Nasser’s section. When we got to the restaurant, they had a table ready, which meant no wait. Great! We were seated in the wine room. This was a first. Usually the wine rooms are reserved for private parties but they were so busy that they had both rooms opened up. Nasser even had a second waiter working with him. He was slammed. But he never rushed us and was very pleased that we had asked for him and pretended that he remembered us too. He’s a very gentle man. Annette Grecchi, the exec chef, was in the room too greeting friends and he got her to come over to say hello. We had met her the last time we were there. We started with the kalamata flatbread pizza, salads and for dinner we each had something different. Marianne had the Moroccan Chicken, Pat had the scallops, Andy had the monkfish and I had the lamb shank. It was more than I could possible eat and Marianne took home half of her chicken. We shared two bottles of a very fine So African Chardonnay, Glen Carlo. Hess imports the wine and I wish I could find it. Normally I don’t like whites but this was very light and fruity. Like a pinot gringo but better. For dessert, Nasser suggested the platter for two but enough for four. We did that and did not eat it all. It was too much. Andy and Marianne each ate one of the chocolate purses. I think they could have each eaten more of them. We finally left the restaurant at 10:15p! Stuffed and tired. I can’t believe we spent so much time but the conversation was great and we enjoy seeing our friends.
Sunday, March 28th. Our last full day!!!! And the weather is simply WDW wonderful! It’s warm enough for shorts and to leave the jackets in the room. We headed out to AK to see the animals again. We got FPs for the safari and then did a round trip on the Wildlife Express Train. I like the behind the scenes peek and I just did not want to get off. We then walked the Pangani Trail stopping for a long time in the aviary. Because the weather was so wonderful, the birds were very active and people were oohing and aahing all over the place. We skipped the hippos and walked straight through to the gorillas. The family was sleeping up on the hill with their backs to the guests so we just headed out to the main pathway. This is a bit indelicate but I have found that the restrooms in the back of Tusker House are much less used that the ones next to the ice cream stand which is small and well used. Just a hint for future travels to Africa. It was time for our safari and boy, did we see animals! They were in abundance everywhere. There were a couple of young giraffes browsing with a couple of zebras just at you crossed into the savannah. The baby elephant was out today too but the lions were having a snack I guess since they were missing.
We left AK after that and headed to the Magic Kingdom (via the Contemporary bus) because it was time for our MK picnic lunch! We hustled in and to Tomorrow Land. Andy went to get the turkey leg and cokes and I went to Cosmic Ray’s for the best Caesar’s Salad in the World. We met up over by the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway where we ate and amused ourselves watching 4 year olds “drive” while their parents looked terrified. Everyone knows that 4 year olds (especially boys) already know how to drive and this is their chance to prove it to the world. In the Orlando paper that day was an article about a Dad who tossed the van keys to his 8 YO son and told him to move it. And so the 8 YO did, right into the house, and over his Dad, but just a bit. Both are fine and Dad will be out of hospital soon. No one got a ticket either. So after lunch we headed back to BW for a rest. We were finishing up the day at Epcot and we knew we would need jackets and I would need long pants.
We got to Epcot around 5pm and headed towards Mexico for Margaritas. We stopped and listened to Alberta Bound in Canada. They are a pretty good fiddle band. We got our food and Margaritas at the Mexico Cantina and got a really good table along the railing next to the lagoon for Illuminations but we weren’t ready to stake out a spot that early. But, boys howdy, there were folks doing just that. After dinner, we headed towards Norway for rice cream and coffee. It was so nice at Epcot Sunday night. Crowds were moderate to me but very manageable. We found a spot for Illuminations over by Norway with an unobstructed view. There were about four rows of families sitting in front of us but they all stayed seated for the show. And then we walked back to the hotel. Our vacation was over. I told Andy while we were having our picnic that I wanted to stay one more day. He laughed and said I always say that.
Monday, March 29th. We finished packing up and I started hauling the dirty laundry to the car and other stuff. We went to Spoodles for breakfast again and then headed to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping. We had not gotten anything so far. That changed! I found two CDs I wanted (SpectroMagic and Where the Magic Lives), a patriotic Mickey Antenna Ball (for Andy’s new truck), a pair of PJs for our daughter, and a Mickey Mouse soap dispenser for the kitchen. We picked up sandwiches for our lunch on the road at the Earl of Sandwich. I got a Caprese and Andy got the original. When we finally stopped for lunch the sandwiches were cold. I suspect they are better warm. We hit the road and were home doing laundry by 8:20p.
Musings; we had a very nice time. There were lots of things we didn’t go and some new things we tried. We heard the BIG BOOM gas blow off every night at Epcot but never lingered until we could actually see it. One night the smoke looked like a mushroom cloud. Very ominous looking.
Next trip? Probably to the AKL in mid-July. Not our favorite time to visit but we will be in Tampa for something and it’s only a short drive away.