John
07-30-2003, 01:37 AM
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Your Characters: John, 42. DVC owner. Trip 20-something. Old Widowed
man and father of John the Smaller. Smaller, 9. (10 in September).
This is trip 18. Equally as capable as dad at making trip plans for
you.
Weather: See Yesterdays Weather report for Houston. Same, Same.
Pet Peeve of the Day: I will think of it later. ? See what happens when I wait to post? Oh, I know
one. Why doesn't Epcot have any entrance gates for people with no bags to search? Seems like
this would help the flow a bit, especially at opening.
It's time to get up and get onsite. I dragged my dear son out of bed, quickly dressed, checked-out
of the Hyatt via TV, and were on our way to Old Key West by 7:00AM.
We arrived about 7:30, received our "Welcome Home" from the gate guard, and were ready to
check-in. CM Jill was AWESOME!! Very polite, fun to talk to. Asked if there was any
particular area we would prefer. Circled the area for us on the map, and gave us the number to
call for our room later in the day. I also went ahead and bought our passes for E-Ride on
Tuesday night.
After a painless check-in we stopped for breakfast at Olivia's. Only one of my favorites was
working, but she provided the schedule for the other 3 so we could see them throughout the
week. Olivia's isn't much for breakfast, but it filled us up as we started our day. The strangest
thing about breakfast was the number of people who kept showing up with PSs for the Pooh
Character Breakfast that ended about 2 years ago. All had called WDW-DINE. Could they really
not know this breakfast is not more? Alas!
After breakfast we made the drive to Epcot. Our plan was to do the Extra Magic Hours this trip,
but so many recent visitors talked about packed EMHs that we changed our minds. Fine with me.
A little extra bed time is never a bad thing.
We were at the gate by 8:45, and it was croooowwwwwddddeeedd. What I love about Epcot
though is that once everyone gets in, it never seems crowded. Following in our tradition, we
picked up Fastpasses for Test Track, then got in the Single Rider Line. Single rider would have
been a walk-on but for that wonderful preshow. We were in the same car, Smaller behind me.
After TT, we walked by Mission Space for a picture or two. Fence was still there. Our next stop
was to be Universe of Energy, but there were people waiting outside, and I do not like this
enough to wait. John the Smaller does, but we compromised and went to both sides of
Innoventions for awhile. We enjoyed to Space trivia game. Signed up for Mission Space Online,
played a game or two. We went back for our Fastpass ride at Test Track, took a cooling off
break at Imagination, and went to World Showcase. All along the way, we were listening to Pal
Mickey, who we had picked up a bit earlier. He is quite the wealth of information. He tells you
things that are educational...Did you know the national game of Canada is LaCrosse?? I didn't.
Tells Jokes(Appropriate to where you are), points things out to do(I didn't know there were
telescopes along the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot, plays games, etc. We planned to keep
him today and turn him in, but I am thinking we may be the proud owners of Pal Mickey before
this is all over.
Once in the World Showcase we rode Maelstrom, Wandered the WS a bit. Watched to Drum and
Fife group in a very empty American Adventure, stopped for Lunch at Yakitori. Yakitori was
new for us, the food was good, and portions large. Quite the deal for the cost, and a nice respite.
Very quiet location.
Before heading out for our afternoon break, we decided to see if Mission Space was open. It was
2:00, and YES!! It was. Okay, I had heard various reports about Protein Spills on this ride, and
as we progressed through the line, I began feeling nauseous...Power of Suggestion. I had 2
Bonine in me to Boot...go figure. By the time we reached the last bail out site, I left. I didn't
want to be Yakking Yakitori all over a nice new ride. John the Braver went on while I waited.
Where I waited, I received CM grilling...When did I decide not to go, and Why?? They also
talked about the ride, and answered apprehensive questions. Seems most that have lost lunch
have closed thier eyes during the trip. They handed me a couple of Fast Passes for later...if I
decided to ride. John came out declaring that Mission Space had now dethroned the long reigning Test
Track as his favorite WDW ride. So, I bucked up, had a Ginger Ale or 2 at Ice Station Cool, and ventured to
Mission Space yet again, knowing that my chickening out time was over.
The ride: It is intense. Yes, I felt a bit nauseous. I do not do Star Tours or Body War. I had taken two Bonine.
However, by following the instructions and staring as straight ahead as humanly possible, I came out okay. Unlike
others I have read, I like the positions and button pushing, if for no other reason than to give me a focus. The G’s
were unbelievable, and I was an Aviation Med Tech in the Navy. As I said, I did feel a bit nauseaus, but it went
away pretty quickly.
After riding, and feeling oh so triumphant (I didn’t Blow Chunks), we took a brief break before going to MGM aka
Studios for dinner. I was meeting a co-worker and her kids for 50’s Prime Time. I enjoy this restaurant, but I am
involved in theater, so I have a great time playing the game. Our server did an okay job, though a bit low key. He
was from Fez Morocco, and didn’t quite seem right for a “Leave It To Beaver” atmosphere. For dinner I had
Grandad’a Salmon which I love. It is a staple for me at this location. All in all we enjoyed the meal, and it was
nice having other kids for John the Braver to talk with, and another adult for me to visit with.
After dinner we went and played a round of Millionaire. Tracy Woo is really great here. The first contestant down
was from England, and beat us all in putting the first 4 major US universities in order. She was short in the hot
seat though. Seems she drew quite a few very American questions. One of them being what does the the
abbreviation Dept. stand for? What was sadder about that one is her Phone a Complete Stranger also got it wrong.
Tracy told her which one to pick. She finally missed on “What is the last line of the Star Spangled Banner?” Oh
well, no hot seat for me. Dang pudgy, slow fingers. Next we went on the Backlot tour. Okay, without the houses,
this one is a bit pointless. We went around the block by the wardrobe and animation buildings, went by the old
movie vehicles which are now spread out to get more mileage out of them, then into Catastrophe Canyon. I am not
quite sure why they are keeping this one open, but hey, that’s just me. We then rode the Great Movie Ride, got
some candy, and called it a day.
It was a full day, a hot day, a day of new adventures, a day of conquoring my fears of Yakkin Yakitori, and going
boldly where no man has gone before.
Tomorrow...Magic Kingdom ever so briefly, more Epcot, I meet Denise, fail at the Paragon Challenge(For those
who know what that is), and Fly into space yet again.
Thanks for Reading. Sorry I am late. John
Your Characters: John, 42. DVC owner. Trip 20-something. Old Widowed
man and father of John the Smaller. Smaller, 9. (10 in September).
This is trip 18. Equally as capable as dad at making trip plans for
you.
Weather: See Yesterdays Weather report for Houston. Same, Same.
Pet Peeve of the Day: I will think of it later. ? See what happens when I wait to post? Oh, I know
one. Why doesn't Epcot have any entrance gates for people with no bags to search? Seems like
this would help the flow a bit, especially at opening.
It's time to get up and get onsite. I dragged my dear son out of bed, quickly dressed, checked-out
of the Hyatt via TV, and were on our way to Old Key West by 7:00AM.
We arrived about 7:30, received our "Welcome Home" from the gate guard, and were ready to
check-in. CM Jill was AWESOME!! Very polite, fun to talk to. Asked if there was any
particular area we would prefer. Circled the area for us on the map, and gave us the number to
call for our room later in the day. I also went ahead and bought our passes for E-Ride on
Tuesday night.
After a painless check-in we stopped for breakfast at Olivia's. Only one of my favorites was
working, but she provided the schedule for the other 3 so we could see them throughout the
week. Olivia's isn't much for breakfast, but it filled us up as we started our day. The strangest
thing about breakfast was the number of people who kept showing up with PSs for the Pooh
Character Breakfast that ended about 2 years ago. All had called WDW-DINE. Could they really
not know this breakfast is not more? Alas!
After breakfast we made the drive to Epcot. Our plan was to do the Extra Magic Hours this trip,
but so many recent visitors talked about packed EMHs that we changed our minds. Fine with me.
A little extra bed time is never a bad thing.
We were at the gate by 8:45, and it was croooowwwwwddddeeedd. What I love about Epcot
though is that once everyone gets in, it never seems crowded. Following in our tradition, we
picked up Fastpasses for Test Track, then got in the Single Rider Line. Single rider would have
been a walk-on but for that wonderful preshow. We were in the same car, Smaller behind me.
After TT, we walked by Mission Space for a picture or two. Fence was still there. Our next stop
was to be Universe of Energy, but there were people waiting outside, and I do not like this
enough to wait. John the Smaller does, but we compromised and went to both sides of
Innoventions for awhile. We enjoyed to Space trivia game. Signed up for Mission Space Online,
played a game or two. We went back for our Fastpass ride at Test Track, took a cooling off
break at Imagination, and went to World Showcase. All along the way, we were listening to Pal
Mickey, who we had picked up a bit earlier. He is quite the wealth of information. He tells you
things that are educational...Did you know the national game of Canada is LaCrosse?? I didn't.
Tells Jokes(Appropriate to where you are), points things out to do(I didn't know there were
telescopes along the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot, plays games, etc. We planned to keep
him today and turn him in, but I am thinking we may be the proud owners of Pal Mickey before
this is all over.
Once in the World Showcase we rode Maelstrom, Wandered the WS a bit. Watched to Drum and
Fife group in a very empty American Adventure, stopped for Lunch at Yakitori. Yakitori was
new for us, the food was good, and portions large. Quite the deal for the cost, and a nice respite.
Very quiet location.
Before heading out for our afternoon break, we decided to see if Mission Space was open. It was
2:00, and YES!! It was. Okay, I had heard various reports about Protein Spills on this ride, and
as we progressed through the line, I began feeling nauseous...Power of Suggestion. I had 2
Bonine in me to Boot...go figure. By the time we reached the last bail out site, I left. I didn't
want to be Yakking Yakitori all over a nice new ride. John the Braver went on while I waited.
Where I waited, I received CM grilling...When did I decide not to go, and Why?? They also
talked about the ride, and answered apprehensive questions. Seems most that have lost lunch
have closed thier eyes during the trip. They handed me a couple of Fast Passes for later...if I
decided to ride. John came out declaring that Mission Space had now dethroned the long reigning Test
Track as his favorite WDW ride. So, I bucked up, had a Ginger Ale or 2 at Ice Station Cool, and ventured to
Mission Space yet again, knowing that my chickening out time was over.
The ride: It is intense. Yes, I felt a bit nauseous. I do not do Star Tours or Body War. I had taken two Bonine.
However, by following the instructions and staring as straight ahead as humanly possible, I came out okay. Unlike
others I have read, I like the positions and button pushing, if for no other reason than to give me a focus. The G’s
were unbelievable, and I was an Aviation Med Tech in the Navy. As I said, I did feel a bit nauseaus, but it went
away pretty quickly.
After riding, and feeling oh so triumphant (I didn’t Blow Chunks), we took a brief break before going to MGM aka
Studios for dinner. I was meeting a co-worker and her kids for 50’s Prime Time. I enjoy this restaurant, but I am
involved in theater, so I have a great time playing the game. Our server did an okay job, though a bit low key. He
was from Fez Morocco, and didn’t quite seem right for a “Leave It To Beaver” atmosphere. For dinner I had
Grandad’a Salmon which I love. It is a staple for me at this location. All in all we enjoyed the meal, and it was
nice having other kids for John the Braver to talk with, and another adult for me to visit with.
After dinner we went and played a round of Millionaire. Tracy Woo is really great here. The first contestant down
was from England, and beat us all in putting the first 4 major US universities in order. She was short in the hot
seat though. Seems she drew quite a few very American questions. One of them being what does the the
abbreviation Dept. stand for? What was sadder about that one is her Phone a Complete Stranger also got it wrong.
Tracy told her which one to pick. She finally missed on “What is the last line of the Star Spangled Banner?” Oh
well, no hot seat for me. Dang pudgy, slow fingers. Next we went on the Backlot tour. Okay, without the houses,
this one is a bit pointless. We went around the block by the wardrobe and animation buildings, went by the old
movie vehicles which are now spread out to get more mileage out of them, then into Catastrophe Canyon. I am not
quite sure why they are keeping this one open, but hey, that’s just me. We then rode the Great Movie Ride, got
some candy, and called it a day.
It was a full day, a hot day, a day of new adventures, a day of conquoring my fears of Yakkin Yakitori, and going
boldly where no man has gone before.
Tomorrow...Magic Kingdom ever so briefly, more Epcot, I meet Denise, fail at the Paragon Challenge(For those
who know what that is), and Fly into space yet again.
Thanks for Reading. Sorry I am late. John