wdw1972
04-27-2008, 02:14 AM
DAY 2 – Saturday 4/26/08
Who: Sue (49), DVC member
Plan: MK, Pool, Comedy Warehouse
Actual: Last night I decided to make a half cup of cappuccino and have a piece of biscotti since I was hungry. I plugged in the coffee maker to heat the water, and when I pressed the button it didn’t come on. I tried it several times, unplugged it and used the other plug, and even hit the reset button. Still, nothing happened. I figured I’d have to call housekeeping in the morning, but then when I picked it up to try an outlet elsewhere in the room I discovered I’d actually plugged in the toaster – not the coffee maker! Once I fixed that blunder, it started working right away (imagine that, lol). I had my cappuccino & biscotti, and it was lights out by 1am – later than I’d hoped, but that’s the price of going to Comedy Warehouse!
I woke up shortly before 7, and soon SB was up too so we talked on the phone. His game is early today, so I’ll probably miss it. I made some cappuccino and an English muffin for breakfast, and figured I’d find a snack later before I went to the pool. It looks like a beautiful day – clear blue sky, not too hot. By my next trip it’ll be uncomfortably hot again!
I went out to the bus stop by 8:30 and no buses came by for a while. There were a lot of people waiting, and finally the MK bus arrived followed by AK and some other bus. We arrived at the Magic Kingdom by 9am, and there was no wait to enter at all. I went first to Space Mountain and picked up a fastpass with a 10:15 return time. This will work out well, as I can do all I want to do before that time.
My first ride was Big Thunder Mountain, at the request of Jean. I did notice Tom Sawyer’s Island was opening at 10am today, at the request of one of my email lists. I would have ridden Big Thunder again, but the line had formed and I decided to just be happy with the one ride. Next I rode Pirates of the Caribbean and didn’t confront the lady 2 seats behind me taking flash photos that hopefully will not come out. After that it was Haunted Mansion, where a couple of kids were truly scared but hopefully they won’t be traumatized for life!
Fantasyland was very busy, with lines everywhere. I just passed through, and took a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. When we went inside Space Mountain I thought it was odd that no rockets were going up on either side, and sure enough the ride was not operating. The lights were not on, but nothing was moving on the tracks. After I got off the TTA I went over and waited for my fastpass time, and stayed about 10 minutes past that but left when a cast member said if it opens it’ll be after noon. They changed the standby time to 999 minutes, lol!
I was hungry, and decided to try to get a yogurt parfait at the Main Street Bakery (I think I read they have them, but could be wrong). Along the way I passed a woman with a pretzel from under the Astro Orbiter and thought that sounded good – but I went to the bakery. When I got there the line was insane, and I wasn’t going to wait 20-30 minutes for yogurt. So, I walked back to Tomorrowland and learned the pretzels were cream cheese filled – no plain ones, lol! I passed on the Magic Kingdom food, and exited the park. On the way out I stopped at City Hall to see if they’d give me a fastpass in Epcot since I was unable to use the one for Space Mountain today. I figured if they said no, that was fine – but I’d never know if they’d say yes unless I asked. Sure enough, they said yes! They were out of Epcot fastpasses so they entered me into the computer and gave me the case number to help the cast member over there find me! Very cool – I’ll get to ride Soarin’ today, which makes up for Space Mountain.
My bus was waiting for me, and I was the only passenger until we got to the first stop at Saratoga Springs. At that stop a very LOUD group boarded and it was unbearable. Some of them sat in the very back seat and the rest were way up front, and they shouted their conversations – which was very easy since they were all loudmouths! They represented the state of New Yawk very badly. At one of the other stops 2 women wearing the cloth on their heads, pinned under their chins so it covers their hair, chest & back were waiting to board the bus. The 2 men in the group immediately started laughing loudly and talking about camels, referring in a derogatory way about these women! To make it worse, the 2 guys were on opposite ends of the bus, so they were shouting this. I was glad my stop was next, as these pigs were disgusting!
I was only in the studio briefly, before walking over to Downtown Disney to have lunch at Portabello Yacht Club.
Thankfully the Marketplace wasn’t mobbed like it was last night, although I’m sure that will change as the day goes on! When I got to Portabello Yacht Club they’d just recently opened for lunch (11:30) and a woman was inside with her bottle of olive oil talking to the chef. Evidently her kids have severe food allergies, so the chef was figuring out what he could prepare for them. I was impressed the lengths they go to in order to accommodate these food allergies. He washed all the items & ingredients twice, cooked them in the unopen half of the kitchen and had it brought out immediately to lessen the chance of any contamination. Using ingredients he had, he pieced together a balanced meal for the 2 young boys, using foods they’ll eat & enjoy. I cannot even begin to imagine what it’s like dealing with that on a daily basis like that mother! I’m so glad Chris was a human garbage disposal and could eat anything <g>.
I was seated by the window – I chose inside because it was a bit too warm outside. My server did a great job, and was very nice. I wasn’t thrilled when after a while they seated the family with the 2 allergic young boys at the table next to me despite the whole room being empty, and sure enough they were loud & obnoxious until their food came. They’d make shouting stupid sounds and the parents would make the same sounds back at them – oh joy. The table on the other side of me had a young tattooed couple with a baby girl. Sure enough, she would get bored & start acting up, but those parents took turns occupying her and even walking her around outside the restaurant. They were very attentive, and did an excellent job – that was so nice to see today! Unfortunately, service was very slow – or at least it seemed that way to me. The family with the baby spent an awful lot of time with one of them at the table alone and the other outside with the baby. It wasn’t busy, either.
I looked at the wine list and wasn’t sure whether to gasp or laugh. The Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling I get in restaurants at home for $5-6/glass was one of the less expensive wines here at $9.95. Several were over $10 and the cheap Beringer’s white zin was $6.95. Those prices for those products are just ridiculous! I opted for their sangria at $4.95 and it was just ok.
For my meal I ordered their lunch combo, which is minestrone soup or salad (Caesar or garden) plus ½ panini (caprese, chicken, or sausage & peppers). I went with the Caesar and caprese. The salad was good, but not as good as the one at Puck’s Express yesterday. The half panini was good, but not so good I’d go out of my way to return here. The bread was like pizza dough, but not heavy at all. It was toasted, so the mozzarella was somewhat melted, and it really did taste good but the overall meal experience wasn’t as great as it used to be here. Plus, as I mentioned it seemed to take an awfully long time to get the food delivered, and it’s not a complicated order. The couple with the baby ordered the combo also, and theirs still had not arrived when I left almost 45 minutes after they arrived.
I had no room for dessert, and took half the half panini back to the resort with me. I was sure to give the server all the cards she needed so she could just settle the check before she brought it to me, in order to save some time. As a dvc member I got a 10% discount, but it probably didn’t include the sangria. I might give it another try some day, but it won’t be #1 on my list.
to be continued...
Who: Sue (49), DVC member
Plan: MK, Pool, Comedy Warehouse
Actual: Last night I decided to make a half cup of cappuccino and have a piece of biscotti since I was hungry. I plugged in the coffee maker to heat the water, and when I pressed the button it didn’t come on. I tried it several times, unplugged it and used the other plug, and even hit the reset button. Still, nothing happened. I figured I’d have to call housekeeping in the morning, but then when I picked it up to try an outlet elsewhere in the room I discovered I’d actually plugged in the toaster – not the coffee maker! Once I fixed that blunder, it started working right away (imagine that, lol). I had my cappuccino & biscotti, and it was lights out by 1am – later than I’d hoped, but that’s the price of going to Comedy Warehouse!
I woke up shortly before 7, and soon SB was up too so we talked on the phone. His game is early today, so I’ll probably miss it. I made some cappuccino and an English muffin for breakfast, and figured I’d find a snack later before I went to the pool. It looks like a beautiful day – clear blue sky, not too hot. By my next trip it’ll be uncomfortably hot again!
I went out to the bus stop by 8:30 and no buses came by for a while. There were a lot of people waiting, and finally the MK bus arrived followed by AK and some other bus. We arrived at the Magic Kingdom by 9am, and there was no wait to enter at all. I went first to Space Mountain and picked up a fastpass with a 10:15 return time. This will work out well, as I can do all I want to do before that time.
My first ride was Big Thunder Mountain, at the request of Jean. I did notice Tom Sawyer’s Island was opening at 10am today, at the request of one of my email lists. I would have ridden Big Thunder again, but the line had formed and I decided to just be happy with the one ride. Next I rode Pirates of the Caribbean and didn’t confront the lady 2 seats behind me taking flash photos that hopefully will not come out. After that it was Haunted Mansion, where a couple of kids were truly scared but hopefully they won’t be traumatized for life!
Fantasyland was very busy, with lines everywhere. I just passed through, and took a ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. When we went inside Space Mountain I thought it was odd that no rockets were going up on either side, and sure enough the ride was not operating. The lights were not on, but nothing was moving on the tracks. After I got off the TTA I went over and waited for my fastpass time, and stayed about 10 minutes past that but left when a cast member said if it opens it’ll be after noon. They changed the standby time to 999 minutes, lol!
I was hungry, and decided to try to get a yogurt parfait at the Main Street Bakery (I think I read they have them, but could be wrong). Along the way I passed a woman with a pretzel from under the Astro Orbiter and thought that sounded good – but I went to the bakery. When I got there the line was insane, and I wasn’t going to wait 20-30 minutes for yogurt. So, I walked back to Tomorrowland and learned the pretzels were cream cheese filled – no plain ones, lol! I passed on the Magic Kingdom food, and exited the park. On the way out I stopped at City Hall to see if they’d give me a fastpass in Epcot since I was unable to use the one for Space Mountain today. I figured if they said no, that was fine – but I’d never know if they’d say yes unless I asked. Sure enough, they said yes! They were out of Epcot fastpasses so they entered me into the computer and gave me the case number to help the cast member over there find me! Very cool – I’ll get to ride Soarin’ today, which makes up for Space Mountain.
My bus was waiting for me, and I was the only passenger until we got to the first stop at Saratoga Springs. At that stop a very LOUD group boarded and it was unbearable. Some of them sat in the very back seat and the rest were way up front, and they shouted their conversations – which was very easy since they were all loudmouths! They represented the state of New Yawk very badly. At one of the other stops 2 women wearing the cloth on their heads, pinned under their chins so it covers their hair, chest & back were waiting to board the bus. The 2 men in the group immediately started laughing loudly and talking about camels, referring in a derogatory way about these women! To make it worse, the 2 guys were on opposite ends of the bus, so they were shouting this. I was glad my stop was next, as these pigs were disgusting!
I was only in the studio briefly, before walking over to Downtown Disney to have lunch at Portabello Yacht Club.
Thankfully the Marketplace wasn’t mobbed like it was last night, although I’m sure that will change as the day goes on! When I got to Portabello Yacht Club they’d just recently opened for lunch (11:30) and a woman was inside with her bottle of olive oil talking to the chef. Evidently her kids have severe food allergies, so the chef was figuring out what he could prepare for them. I was impressed the lengths they go to in order to accommodate these food allergies. He washed all the items & ingredients twice, cooked them in the unopen half of the kitchen and had it brought out immediately to lessen the chance of any contamination. Using ingredients he had, he pieced together a balanced meal for the 2 young boys, using foods they’ll eat & enjoy. I cannot even begin to imagine what it’s like dealing with that on a daily basis like that mother! I’m so glad Chris was a human garbage disposal and could eat anything <g>.
I was seated by the window – I chose inside because it was a bit too warm outside. My server did a great job, and was very nice. I wasn’t thrilled when after a while they seated the family with the 2 allergic young boys at the table next to me despite the whole room being empty, and sure enough they were loud & obnoxious until their food came. They’d make shouting stupid sounds and the parents would make the same sounds back at them – oh joy. The table on the other side of me had a young tattooed couple with a baby girl. Sure enough, she would get bored & start acting up, but those parents took turns occupying her and even walking her around outside the restaurant. They were very attentive, and did an excellent job – that was so nice to see today! Unfortunately, service was very slow – or at least it seemed that way to me. The family with the baby spent an awful lot of time with one of them at the table alone and the other outside with the baby. It wasn’t busy, either.
I looked at the wine list and wasn’t sure whether to gasp or laugh. The Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling I get in restaurants at home for $5-6/glass was one of the less expensive wines here at $9.95. Several were over $10 and the cheap Beringer’s white zin was $6.95. Those prices for those products are just ridiculous! I opted for their sangria at $4.95 and it was just ok.
For my meal I ordered their lunch combo, which is minestrone soup or salad (Caesar or garden) plus ½ panini (caprese, chicken, or sausage & peppers). I went with the Caesar and caprese. The salad was good, but not as good as the one at Puck’s Express yesterday. The half panini was good, but not so good I’d go out of my way to return here. The bread was like pizza dough, but not heavy at all. It was toasted, so the mozzarella was somewhat melted, and it really did taste good but the overall meal experience wasn’t as great as it used to be here. Plus, as I mentioned it seemed to take an awfully long time to get the food delivered, and it’s not a complicated order. The couple with the baby ordered the combo also, and theirs still had not arrived when I left almost 45 minutes after they arrived.
I had no room for dessert, and took half the half panini back to the resort with me. I was sure to give the server all the cards she needed so she could just settle the check before she brought it to me, in order to save some time. As a dvc member I got a 10% discount, but it probably didn’t include the sangria. I might give it another try some day, but it won’t be #1 on my list.
to be continued...