FLSharon
12-07-2003, 01:40 PM
Mega Mouse Meet, Lots of New Friends, and WL
FLSharon and GroupHugJohn at WL
December 4-6, 2003
Thursday Afternoon
After taking care of some business on Thurs, John and I finally got on our way to Wilderness Lodge. In my mind, we were running late, b/c when we stay onsite, we try to arrive early to have some free time to enjoy the resort. I thought I left home rather organized but by the time I reached the front desk I couldn’t find my list of room numbers. So, when we checked in I asked Curtis for a room in the “bears face” and he looked at me rather strangely! Lol! However we got a great room with a dynamite courtyard and lake view. When I finally found my list of room numbers, I discovered we were given Howie’s old room. After we finished ooohing and aahing over the view and got settled in, we scooted over to Epcot. We were really hurrying to catch CP. Even tho we missed the actual processional of the choir, we were escorted to some great seats on the right side facing the choir for the balance of the performance. Rita Moreno had not yet begun the narration. I really love this side where I can have a great view of the signer. She is absolutely the best ever! The entire performance was dynamite as always. We missed all the story tellers this evening but stayed for illuminations. I just can’t remember where on earth we had dinner , but I do know I never miss a meal so we ate somewhere! As soon as we got back to the WL, we jumped into our suits and hit the hot tubs. We met a really nice couple from CA who had just married in Yosemite. How fitting that they chose WL for their Honeymoon. We were in yosemite last year so it was really fun and informative to talk with them.
Friday Morning
I just couldn’t drag myself out of bed early enough to reach MK in time for the opening show so we just took our time. We joined Stan in the middle of his tour of the Lodge. He is such a delightful guy. At the end, after DH took my pic with Stan, he was telling us about some of the celebs he has met. One was Bob Hope just around 5 yr ago outside of hte Yachtsman Steakhouse. Wow.
Around 11ish we got into the MK. I had to find the snorkle Mickey for a pic with it. Afterwards when I was looking at all the detail, I noticed Wylands name at the bottom. Wow, am I ever slow.. I didn’t realize that different celebs designed each Mickey. It was really fun going back and looking at each one again to see the name and design. John Travolta’s is all jets! Anyhow, when we did finally get into the park , they were rehearsing for the christmas parade. I guess they did actually tape some parts but we had already moved on by that time. They didn’t really disrupt our visit, but you couldn’t walk down Main Street. And they had it all cleaned up in time for the Share a Dream Parade. We were told they were returning on Sat for additional taping. I had just a few things on my agenda this morning… CoP,Timekeeper, and ofcourse Mickey’s Philharmagic. I love Timekeeper… I found myself so engrossed with the scenery that I wasn’t catching all the timekeeper’s jokes.. They’re really great and I love Robin Williams. We had to do a quick walk through Toontown and see mickey and minnies houses again . I wanted to show john the flowers in minnies house in the sun room. The flowers are all plays on names.. ex… the leaves on the palm tree are all palms like the palms on your hand. The tulips are “two lips”. Each time I go into a place I’ve been a zillion times, I see something new. Or is it just my bad memory??? LOL… Then on to the train ride to Main Street to exit. Time to catch a boat ride to FW for the 2pm meet. We were starved so I asked to be seated right away. Cinderella Claire and Ron joined us at our table. (Claire gave us little canvas bags with our picture on them). We had such a great time here! I met lots of new friends and saw some old ones, Pammy and AlicaG. Ok, I'm gonna try to name the new folks I met, Tagrel, SusanL and the mom, BetsyAnn, Diskid, Stinkerbell, Jimbolini, MikeS, Miss B, Bernard, Will, and Figgy. I'm sure I'll be editing again to add those I've forgotten right now. (2 edits...LOL) Willcad surprised us all with a poster of the aerial view of WDW.. Awesome!!!!!! After a couple Group hugs, we were on our way to WL and then back to Epcot to catch the tree lighting and hear some story tellers. The storytellers are so great, I just can’t believe I’ve never listened to them on other visits. I had to pop into Italy to pick up some Banfi champagne that I got hooked on at the food and wine. And I spotted a new one to try when we return. Well, we were pooped and didn’t stay for illuminations, which is not like us at all. DH hit the sack after the Electric Light Parade. I called Twinks to share the music from the parade and we talked for short while to catch up on news. Later, I didn’t see anyone in the lobby or lounge for a night cap so I toured around the villas lobby and then hit the sack.
Saturday Morning
Normally on the morning of check out, we really veg out, but today was going to be quite busy. I did manage to catch the beginning of Stan's tour for about 15 min and I learned lots more things about the WL... for ex..not a single live tree was cut for any wood to built the lodge. Then, if I wanted to get to DD to get a book called Disney Treasures, we had to get moving. After we bought the book and tried on some Christmas hats, we were off to the outlet mall, Premium Outlets. Found a couple new mugs which I needed like another hole in my head, but they were cute! One each, Goofy and Donald. We were out of time b/c we needed to get to the Wide World of Sports. At noon we were to attend a little orientation for our volunteering for the Disney Marathon in Jan. When we arrived and picked up our packets , I found out we could change our assignment which we did. I like to be inside Epcot about a half mile into the race. Last year I was infront of the fountain where every runner passes by me. It’s requires being there quite early, around 4 am. I’m They started the little meeting promptly, ( and they are very well organized), Michelle gave a little power point presentation where they tell about the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society and how much money has already been raised for it. We are shown the jackets we’ll receive that morning and we’re reminded to dress quite warmly for it is always very cold. We are just two of the 3500 volunteers! After we are finished here, we head to the Dolphin for the Mega Mouse Meet. Wow, I get to visit with the new friends I just met Fri ….. Ok, lets see who all was there…. Willcad, AlicaG, SusanL, BetsyAnn, The Mom, Miss B & Bernard, Tagrel, WdwDen (yep, he made it!), LindaC & Bill, Jimbolini, Mike S, and I hope I’m not forgetting anyone. I talked with Gloria at All Ears ( who was wearing the best ever Donald sweater!) and met Anahlira.
WE all just talked and talked took tons of pictures, and then all went outside for Passporters, Jennifer and Dave to take one huge photo. I just can’t tell you how much fun this was!! After everyone started heading their separate ways, we decided to stick our heads into MGM to try for RnR . However it was an hour wait and it was too late for Fpasses. So we went to Prime Time to eat. My heavens we had sooo much fun. Our sister, Amanda, looked like Fran, the Nanny and was so funny. I asked our cousin, Natalie from Oregon, who was solo to join us. She was delightful company. After dinner we stopped by the HH movie set display and was pleasantly surprised. After reading all the negative comments, I think my expectations were really low so that made it ok… reverse psychology! Then we saw walt’s movie.. and headed to the boats for home.
Wow, I really hated to leave… There was so many fun things planned for Sunday and the following week, but I guess you just can’t do it all. It was such a fun, fun 3 days… however there will be more to come……
FLSharon and GroupHugJohn at WL
December 4-6, 2003
Thursday Afternoon
After taking care of some business on Thurs, John and I finally got on our way to Wilderness Lodge. In my mind, we were running late, b/c when we stay onsite, we try to arrive early to have some free time to enjoy the resort. I thought I left home rather organized but by the time I reached the front desk I couldn’t find my list of room numbers. So, when we checked in I asked Curtis for a room in the “bears face” and he looked at me rather strangely! Lol! However we got a great room with a dynamite courtyard and lake view. When I finally found my list of room numbers, I discovered we were given Howie’s old room. After we finished ooohing and aahing over the view and got settled in, we scooted over to Epcot. We were really hurrying to catch CP. Even tho we missed the actual processional of the choir, we were escorted to some great seats on the right side facing the choir for the balance of the performance. Rita Moreno had not yet begun the narration. I really love this side where I can have a great view of the signer. She is absolutely the best ever! The entire performance was dynamite as always. We missed all the story tellers this evening but stayed for illuminations. I just can’t remember where on earth we had dinner , but I do know I never miss a meal so we ate somewhere! As soon as we got back to the WL, we jumped into our suits and hit the hot tubs. We met a really nice couple from CA who had just married in Yosemite. How fitting that they chose WL for their Honeymoon. We were in yosemite last year so it was really fun and informative to talk with them.
Friday Morning
I just couldn’t drag myself out of bed early enough to reach MK in time for the opening show so we just took our time. We joined Stan in the middle of his tour of the Lodge. He is such a delightful guy. At the end, after DH took my pic with Stan, he was telling us about some of the celebs he has met. One was Bob Hope just around 5 yr ago outside of hte Yachtsman Steakhouse. Wow.
Around 11ish we got into the MK. I had to find the snorkle Mickey for a pic with it. Afterwards when I was looking at all the detail, I noticed Wylands name at the bottom. Wow, am I ever slow.. I didn’t realize that different celebs designed each Mickey. It was really fun going back and looking at each one again to see the name and design. John Travolta’s is all jets! Anyhow, when we did finally get into the park , they were rehearsing for the christmas parade. I guess they did actually tape some parts but we had already moved on by that time. They didn’t really disrupt our visit, but you couldn’t walk down Main Street. And they had it all cleaned up in time for the Share a Dream Parade. We were told they were returning on Sat for additional taping. I had just a few things on my agenda this morning… CoP,Timekeeper, and ofcourse Mickey’s Philharmagic. I love Timekeeper… I found myself so engrossed with the scenery that I wasn’t catching all the timekeeper’s jokes.. They’re really great and I love Robin Williams. We had to do a quick walk through Toontown and see mickey and minnies houses again . I wanted to show john the flowers in minnies house in the sun room. The flowers are all plays on names.. ex… the leaves on the palm tree are all palms like the palms on your hand. The tulips are “two lips”. Each time I go into a place I’ve been a zillion times, I see something new. Or is it just my bad memory??? LOL… Then on to the train ride to Main Street to exit. Time to catch a boat ride to FW for the 2pm meet. We were starved so I asked to be seated right away. Cinderella Claire and Ron joined us at our table. (Claire gave us little canvas bags with our picture on them). We had such a great time here! I met lots of new friends and saw some old ones, Pammy and AlicaG. Ok, I'm gonna try to name the new folks I met, Tagrel, SusanL and the mom, BetsyAnn, Diskid, Stinkerbell, Jimbolini, MikeS, Miss B, Bernard, Will, and Figgy. I'm sure I'll be editing again to add those I've forgotten right now. (2 edits...LOL) Willcad surprised us all with a poster of the aerial view of WDW.. Awesome!!!!!! After a couple Group hugs, we were on our way to WL and then back to Epcot to catch the tree lighting and hear some story tellers. The storytellers are so great, I just can’t believe I’ve never listened to them on other visits. I had to pop into Italy to pick up some Banfi champagne that I got hooked on at the food and wine. And I spotted a new one to try when we return. Well, we were pooped and didn’t stay for illuminations, which is not like us at all. DH hit the sack after the Electric Light Parade. I called Twinks to share the music from the parade and we talked for short while to catch up on news. Later, I didn’t see anyone in the lobby or lounge for a night cap so I toured around the villas lobby and then hit the sack.
Saturday Morning
Normally on the morning of check out, we really veg out, but today was going to be quite busy. I did manage to catch the beginning of Stan's tour for about 15 min and I learned lots more things about the WL... for ex..not a single live tree was cut for any wood to built the lodge. Then, if I wanted to get to DD to get a book called Disney Treasures, we had to get moving. After we bought the book and tried on some Christmas hats, we were off to the outlet mall, Premium Outlets. Found a couple new mugs which I needed like another hole in my head, but they were cute! One each, Goofy and Donald. We were out of time b/c we needed to get to the Wide World of Sports. At noon we were to attend a little orientation for our volunteering for the Disney Marathon in Jan. When we arrived and picked up our packets , I found out we could change our assignment which we did. I like to be inside Epcot about a half mile into the race. Last year I was infront of the fountain where every runner passes by me. It’s requires being there quite early, around 4 am. I’m They started the little meeting promptly, ( and they are very well organized), Michelle gave a little power point presentation where they tell about the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society and how much money has already been raised for it. We are shown the jackets we’ll receive that morning and we’re reminded to dress quite warmly for it is always very cold. We are just two of the 3500 volunteers! After we are finished here, we head to the Dolphin for the Mega Mouse Meet. Wow, I get to visit with the new friends I just met Fri ….. Ok, lets see who all was there…. Willcad, AlicaG, SusanL, BetsyAnn, The Mom, Miss B & Bernard, Tagrel, WdwDen (yep, he made it!), LindaC & Bill, Jimbolini, Mike S, and I hope I’m not forgetting anyone. I talked with Gloria at All Ears ( who was wearing the best ever Donald sweater!) and met Anahlira.
WE all just talked and talked took tons of pictures, and then all went outside for Passporters, Jennifer and Dave to take one huge photo. I just can’t tell you how much fun this was!! After everyone started heading their separate ways, we decided to stick our heads into MGM to try for RnR . However it was an hour wait and it was too late for Fpasses. So we went to Prime Time to eat. My heavens we had sooo much fun. Our sister, Amanda, looked like Fran, the Nanny and was so funny. I asked our cousin, Natalie from Oregon, who was solo to join us. She was delightful company. After dinner we stopped by the HH movie set display and was pleasantly surprised. After reading all the negative comments, I think my expectations were really low so that made it ok… reverse psychology! Then we saw walt’s movie.. and headed to the boats for home.
Wow, I really hated to leave… There was so many fun things planned for Sunday and the following week, but I guess you just can’t do it all. It was such a fun, fun 3 days… however there will be more to come……