wdw1972
04-29-2008, 02:12 AM
DAY 4 – Monday 4/28/08
Who: Sue (49), DVC member
Plan: Pool, Epcot
Actual: Last night the weather was updated and it was looking good for tourists! Instead of downpour rain the afternoon & evening, now there’s a chance of rain late at night. Then, this morning it was back to being cloudy all day with rain in the afternoon – ugh! I hate that my last day has non-sunny weather, especially since my plan was relaxing at the pool. But, there’s nothing I can do but choose to either be happy or miserable, and I choose happy. After all, I’m not at work, lol!
I was up a little before 7, showered, and had some cappuccino. I hung out online and watched the morning news shows, and then around 8:45 I left to walk over to Downtown Disney. I’d checked at WG Puck’s Express a couple of days ago to see what time they opened for breakfast, and was told 9am. Before I headed out I noticed the 4 swans were sitting at the edge of the lake – very pretty. I’d never seen them before this trip, but I’ve seen them swimming in the lake every time I’ve been out there.
I got to Puck’s a few minutes before they opened, so I went to see if the Ghirardelli ice cream place looked like it would be open as a cast member had stated the other day. The fence is still up, and I would think they’d take that down during the night before opening day, so I’m not optimistic it will open today.
I went back to Puck’s and ordered breakfast to eat outside. It was nice out there – slight breeze, not too terribly humid. I had the 3-cheese, tomato & basil omelet which came with garlic potatoes. Their 3 cheeses are mozzarella, parmesan & goat cheese – way more interesting than cheddar! It was huge, and it was absolutely delicious! I ate more than I normally would – more than half. It was just too good to leave, and my next planned “meal” wasn’t until dinner so what the heck!
After breakfast I walked back to Saratoga, paying attention to whether the path has streetlamps, and sure enough it does. Someone had asked, but I’d never paid attention before. The entire path will be lit at night, although it’ll be a little dimmer away from the resort where the lights are spaced a little further apart.
Back at the studio I saw the trash & towel service had already been done, which was great! I’d meant to call and have it done yesterday, since I’m checking out tomorrow morning, but no big deal. I changed into my swimsuit and headed down to the pool – so far there has been glimpses of sunlight but I’m not sure how long that will last. SB has an off day today, so we spent a while on the phone throughout the morning.
The quiet pool was wonderful, and it was mostly sunny during my stay. I got there about 10 and stayed until after 12:30. A duck was enjoying the pool, then got out and stood looking at me and quacking to me. I didn’t feel like going upstairs to get the rest of the pretzel, but if I’d brought it with me I would have shared it <g>. A lady on the other side saw him and had a bag of leftover bread (checking out today), so she took him off away from any other people and fed him. Once he was done, he plopped back in the pool and kept swimming around. It was never crowded with people, although several came and went after staying a short while.
Back in the studio I changed into gym clothes and about 12:45 walked over to the fitness center to use the treadmill for 30 minutes. Tomorrow I’ll go to my gym after work and use the equipment, then get back on my morning routine the next day. The gym was fairly busy, with everyone doing their own thing. It’s nice that this many people care about their health, too.
I took a treadmill and an older guy took the one next to mine. After about 15 minutes I noticed he wasn’t looking well, and had removed his feet from the moving part to catch his breath. I asked him if he was ok, thinking he might need me to get him something or call someone, but he seemed to know how to handle his situation. He started feeling better, and we chatted for the rest of the workout. I finished shortly before him, we said our goodbyes and I went outside and talked to SB on the phone while walking back to the studio. From the first 2 buildings in Congress Park, it’s a relatively short walk to the gym.
Once I got inside I took another nice shower and washed my hair. I was sweating a lot at the gym, and felt gross! The sun was still shining, but by 3pm it was completely cloudy and getting a little dark. By 4 it was fairly sunny – very strange day. After getting dressed I packed up what I could, and then finished the other half of the apple strudel. Don’t they say an apple strudel a day keeps the doctor away?? I know it’s something like that, and I always try to be the picture of healthy eating <g>.
I hung out in the studio watching General Hospital, and then at 4 walked back over to Downtown Disney. I’d toyed with the idea of dinner at Spoodles, but I have that booked next month when I’m staying at Boardwalk, so it made more sense to enjoy Puck’s Express again today. As I got to Puck’s I realized I couldn’t remember putting my resort id into my bag, and sure enough it wasn’t there. I had left it on the table in the room! I was using my Disney Rewards card to pay for dinner, so I was ok for the moment.
Puck’s wasn’t busy but there were 3-4 groups ahead of me in line at the only cash register open. I ordered the tortilla soup and a glass of the Riesling. The wine was a generous pour, and at $7.95 it seemed reasonable considering where I was. It was also very good – I liked it a lot, and will be back for more in July. The soup was also very good – it’s been a while since I had it, and I’m glad it hasn’t changed for the worse. Overall it was a terrific dinner!
I walked back to the resort and hopped on the first bus to ride to the main building. I had a short wait at the front desk, then quickly got my new resort id and had them settled the one charge on my account to the credit card. That way with a zero balance there won’t be a bill hanging on my door after I’ve left in the morning. I should be on the road around 4:30 am, which is before they deliver the express checkouts.
I headed back to the bus stop and saw the Epcot bus leaving before I could get there – drat! I sat down and continued reading the book I’d started this trip, and the next Epcot bus arrived in less than 20 minutes. SB called just before it arrived, so we only talked briefly since it’s hard to hear on those buses.
At Epcot I went straight back to World Showcase, and got to America as BJ Thomas was doing his first song of the 5:45 show. Like last night, it was excellent! When it ended I walked back to Norway and rode the Maelstrom with about a 10 minute wait, then returned to Germany and got a glass of the Madonna Kabinett. When I came outside it was raining slightly, so I put up the umbrella and headed back to America. It was 5-10 minutes before the 7pm show, and the uncovered section was empty. I found a seat in the 4th row under the cover, and managed to stay dry. This show was also excellent, and if I didn’t have to get up so early I would have considered staying for the final show at 8:15. He still needs a haircut, but he sounds great and seems like a very nice person. One of the things he said he’s happiest about is being married to his wife for 39 years – not many people in his business can say that!
It was still raining lightly, so I walked to France and picked up a chocolate chip cookie from the bakery, then went to Spaceship Earth for one last ride of this trip. Once that was done, I exited the park and found the Saratoga Springs bus sitting there for a change! Back in the studio I made a trip out to the car with some odds & ends, then updated the report and snacked on some of last night’s pretzel. The rest of the snacks will go home with me, and won’t go to waste!
Today ended up being a really good day. I enjoyed taking it easy this morning, loved the omelet at Puck’s, had a good workout at the gym, and enjoyed my Epcot time in the evening except for the rain. It’s been a wonderful 4 nights, and I can’t wait to get back for 5 nights in 25 days! Tomorrow I’ll hit the road early, to arrive at work before 8 (3 hours away). Thanks for reading!
Who: Sue (49), DVC member
Plan: Pool, Epcot
Actual: Last night the weather was updated and it was looking good for tourists! Instead of downpour rain the afternoon & evening, now there’s a chance of rain late at night. Then, this morning it was back to being cloudy all day with rain in the afternoon – ugh! I hate that my last day has non-sunny weather, especially since my plan was relaxing at the pool. But, there’s nothing I can do but choose to either be happy or miserable, and I choose happy. After all, I’m not at work, lol!
I was up a little before 7, showered, and had some cappuccino. I hung out online and watched the morning news shows, and then around 8:45 I left to walk over to Downtown Disney. I’d checked at WG Puck’s Express a couple of days ago to see what time they opened for breakfast, and was told 9am. Before I headed out I noticed the 4 swans were sitting at the edge of the lake – very pretty. I’d never seen them before this trip, but I’ve seen them swimming in the lake every time I’ve been out there.
I got to Puck’s a few minutes before they opened, so I went to see if the Ghirardelli ice cream place looked like it would be open as a cast member had stated the other day. The fence is still up, and I would think they’d take that down during the night before opening day, so I’m not optimistic it will open today.
I went back to Puck’s and ordered breakfast to eat outside. It was nice out there – slight breeze, not too terribly humid. I had the 3-cheese, tomato & basil omelet which came with garlic potatoes. Their 3 cheeses are mozzarella, parmesan & goat cheese – way more interesting than cheddar! It was huge, and it was absolutely delicious! I ate more than I normally would – more than half. It was just too good to leave, and my next planned “meal” wasn’t until dinner so what the heck!
After breakfast I walked back to Saratoga, paying attention to whether the path has streetlamps, and sure enough it does. Someone had asked, but I’d never paid attention before. The entire path will be lit at night, although it’ll be a little dimmer away from the resort where the lights are spaced a little further apart.
Back at the studio I saw the trash & towel service had already been done, which was great! I’d meant to call and have it done yesterday, since I’m checking out tomorrow morning, but no big deal. I changed into my swimsuit and headed down to the pool – so far there has been glimpses of sunlight but I’m not sure how long that will last. SB has an off day today, so we spent a while on the phone throughout the morning.
The quiet pool was wonderful, and it was mostly sunny during my stay. I got there about 10 and stayed until after 12:30. A duck was enjoying the pool, then got out and stood looking at me and quacking to me. I didn’t feel like going upstairs to get the rest of the pretzel, but if I’d brought it with me I would have shared it <g>. A lady on the other side saw him and had a bag of leftover bread (checking out today), so she took him off away from any other people and fed him. Once he was done, he plopped back in the pool and kept swimming around. It was never crowded with people, although several came and went after staying a short while.
Back in the studio I changed into gym clothes and about 12:45 walked over to the fitness center to use the treadmill for 30 minutes. Tomorrow I’ll go to my gym after work and use the equipment, then get back on my morning routine the next day. The gym was fairly busy, with everyone doing their own thing. It’s nice that this many people care about their health, too.
I took a treadmill and an older guy took the one next to mine. After about 15 minutes I noticed he wasn’t looking well, and had removed his feet from the moving part to catch his breath. I asked him if he was ok, thinking he might need me to get him something or call someone, but he seemed to know how to handle his situation. He started feeling better, and we chatted for the rest of the workout. I finished shortly before him, we said our goodbyes and I went outside and talked to SB on the phone while walking back to the studio. From the first 2 buildings in Congress Park, it’s a relatively short walk to the gym.
Once I got inside I took another nice shower and washed my hair. I was sweating a lot at the gym, and felt gross! The sun was still shining, but by 3pm it was completely cloudy and getting a little dark. By 4 it was fairly sunny – very strange day. After getting dressed I packed up what I could, and then finished the other half of the apple strudel. Don’t they say an apple strudel a day keeps the doctor away?? I know it’s something like that, and I always try to be the picture of healthy eating <g>.
I hung out in the studio watching General Hospital, and then at 4 walked back over to Downtown Disney. I’d toyed with the idea of dinner at Spoodles, but I have that booked next month when I’m staying at Boardwalk, so it made more sense to enjoy Puck’s Express again today. As I got to Puck’s I realized I couldn’t remember putting my resort id into my bag, and sure enough it wasn’t there. I had left it on the table in the room! I was using my Disney Rewards card to pay for dinner, so I was ok for the moment.
Puck’s wasn’t busy but there were 3-4 groups ahead of me in line at the only cash register open. I ordered the tortilla soup and a glass of the Riesling. The wine was a generous pour, and at $7.95 it seemed reasonable considering where I was. It was also very good – I liked it a lot, and will be back for more in July. The soup was also very good – it’s been a while since I had it, and I’m glad it hasn’t changed for the worse. Overall it was a terrific dinner!
I walked back to the resort and hopped on the first bus to ride to the main building. I had a short wait at the front desk, then quickly got my new resort id and had them settled the one charge on my account to the credit card. That way with a zero balance there won’t be a bill hanging on my door after I’ve left in the morning. I should be on the road around 4:30 am, which is before they deliver the express checkouts.
I headed back to the bus stop and saw the Epcot bus leaving before I could get there – drat! I sat down and continued reading the book I’d started this trip, and the next Epcot bus arrived in less than 20 minutes. SB called just before it arrived, so we only talked briefly since it’s hard to hear on those buses.
At Epcot I went straight back to World Showcase, and got to America as BJ Thomas was doing his first song of the 5:45 show. Like last night, it was excellent! When it ended I walked back to Norway and rode the Maelstrom with about a 10 minute wait, then returned to Germany and got a glass of the Madonna Kabinett. When I came outside it was raining slightly, so I put up the umbrella and headed back to America. It was 5-10 minutes before the 7pm show, and the uncovered section was empty. I found a seat in the 4th row under the cover, and managed to stay dry. This show was also excellent, and if I didn’t have to get up so early I would have considered staying for the final show at 8:15. He still needs a haircut, but he sounds great and seems like a very nice person. One of the things he said he’s happiest about is being married to his wife for 39 years – not many people in his business can say that!
It was still raining lightly, so I walked to France and picked up a chocolate chip cookie from the bakery, then went to Spaceship Earth for one last ride of this trip. Once that was done, I exited the park and found the Saratoga Springs bus sitting there for a change! Back in the studio I made a trip out to the car with some odds & ends, then updated the report and snacked on some of last night’s pretzel. The rest of the snacks will go home with me, and won’t go to waste!
Today ended up being a really good day. I enjoyed taking it easy this morning, loved the omelet at Puck’s, had a good workout at the gym, and enjoyed my Epcot time in the evening except for the rain. It’s been a wonderful 4 nights, and I can’t wait to get back for 5 nights in 25 days! Tomorrow I’ll hit the road early, to arrive at work before 8 (3 hours away). Thanks for reading!