How I almost drowned at Disney, Part I &Part II

[Colorado Belle]

Here comes da TRIP REPORT!!!! I know I promised one after my cruise and then another one after my trip to Puerto Vallarta...but hey, I'm just a Boardwalk Babe and can't be held to keep ALL my promises.

Major Players:
Cid: grandma to my godson, BobbyHarlan. From Hawaii days, but she still lives there.
Gail: my friend from DivorceBusting (a web site for saving marriages ) days. A Tampa girl
Pam: Boardwalk Babe. My roomie. A Chi-townie
Laura: Boardwalk Babe, she who gets the great view rooms! A Con-girl (as in Connecticut)
Mar: Boardwalk Babe. Says she's from Long Island, but I think she can mostly be found on a bench outside of Canada.
Joni: another DIvorceBusting Babe
Moi: Boardwalk Babe with a limey affection for margaritas

Day 1: Tuesday, May 25 night before departure:::
Yep, pulled another all nighter getting ready for Disney trip. HAD to go to my monthly Bunko game (I won $15), HAD to drink margaritas, HAD to stop by the post office and pick up last minute letters from X's lawyer, HAD to write responses to same, HAD to wait until 3:00AM to realize that I was missing a pair of shoes, my glasses, and the pants to the outfit I was wearing on da plane. Tried to lie down for awhile, but useless, as my mind kept thinking about where the above missing items were.....behind the washing machine, somewhere in my closet without borders (or orders) . I got up and searched and destroyed until I found them all.
On the road for the 2 hour drive to the airport by 6:00 AM. Cid was riding to DIA with me so that she could borrow my car for the rest of her trip (here from Hawaii to visit her new grandbaby and me! Got to airport, on plane and to Tampa without a hitch. Gail was waiting to pick me up. I LOVELOVELOVE my girlfriends!
Gail took me to work at the Sheriff's department so that I could put together 10 flower centerpieces for the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon the next day. Cowboy theme. Moi, from Colorado, had NOTHING western to wear. Go figure. The flowers looked awesome but then I realized I was both tired and famished. Went out to my fav seafood restaurant in Tampa and had stone crab claws....yum!!!! Went back to Gail's and had to put together 70 forks,knives and spoons into napkins while Gail made cobbler for the luncheon.

Actually, have I mentioned that my Gailfriend cannot cook? And that she isn't quite sure how to bake things in her oven? Well, I had about fallen asleep over my napkins, when I realized that my blurred vision was actually from SMOKE that was pouring out of the oven. GAIL, I yelled. What?, she said. Why is your oven smoking?, I asked. Isn't it supposed to?, she responded. Folks, smoke was literally POURING out of the oven, which BTW, I couldn't even see anymore. Seems that the cobbler had overflowed its pan...and Gail, being somewhat challenged in the kitchen, decided that she would turn her oven cleaner on...with the cobbler still inside the oven. OH dear. I went over to the over and it was literally ON FIRE inside...flames about 6 inches high. Did I mention I had no sleep and that I was really, really tired? And that I couldn't really tell if I was passing out from smoke inhalation or exhaustion?
Well, Gail managed to turn the Clean cycle off. Redid the cobbler. Decided to bake it come morning. The smoke wasn't too bad by this point. Why didn't the smoke alarm go off? Beats me. I was just too tired to care and managed only to put on my pj's and climb into bed.


Day 2:
Gail must have gotten up before 5 AM. When I finally woke up, she had remade the cobblers, which were cooking up beautifully, and more importantly, without smoke!!!. She had already gone off to start setting up the luncheon without me. I was moving slow. (Note to self: no more allnighters.) A friend of hers came to help and we set up the tables and chairs and decorations easily. The luncheon was lovely and went off (cowboy theme, remember) without a HITCH. That Gailfriend sure can throw a great partee. That evening, we had dinner plans with another friend and her family who live about an hour south of Tampa in Bradenton. Drove Gail's convertible with the top down. Lovely night! Hair blowing in the breeze. (Note to self, bring hair ties) London broil grilled to perfection. Good wine. Can life get better?

Day 3: Off to the World!
As soon as Gail got off work, we headed to Disney. Ran into a little construction traffic, but made good time. En route, I told Gail that I was a-hankering for a Cobb salad and was she interested in dinner at the Brown Derby? I called WDWDIning around 7pm and they fixed us right up for 8:10PM. We decided to check into our motel first. I'm too thrify (or maybe cheap) to use DVC points on a weekend night, so I found a cheapie on Priceline. Holiday Inn Nikki Bird. Had heard lots of negs on this property, so I was somewhat concerned. BUT: the rooms had been refurbished. Double top sheeted duvet on the bed and clean towel grout, so I was impressed. And I must say that you couldn't get much closer to DIsney unless you were actually ON property. (It is the first hotel on west 192 just off World Drive). It was about $40 per night with tax and Priceline fees and maid tip, and I would rec'd it for a sweet location and the double sheeting (I hate feeling blankets that may or may not have been changed from the last 'tenant'. And even BWV doesn't double top sheet, tho I always do it myself as soon as I check in)
So...we checked in, dropped our bags and raced over to MGM in record time. The park was about to close and nearly empty. We walked over to the Derby and were seated right away. Service was great and our Cobb salad yummy. The waiter was in the mood to talk, and talk and talk...but he was a nice guy and Gail got to go outside and linger over a ciggie while I listened to him. We spent about 20 minutes walking through the now closed MGM, enjoying the quiet and the sights. I bought a caramel apple for dessert and we located a few hidden mickeys before leaving. I love MGM at night!

[Colorado Belle]

I had a message that this was toooooo many characters (don't I know it) so I had to separate it into two parts.

Day 4: First true day at Disney
What to do what to do? We were both excited about Expedition Everest and Gail gets up EARLY in the morning. We were at the gate of Animal Kingdom before 8:30.am. NOTE: this is a record for me. Quite a line had already developed and I told Gail I had read that they would let us in early. They did, but we still had to wait until 9 for the rope drop. Despite the CMs asking everyone to please, please, please not run them down in our haste to get to EE....I think we lost a few (tho maybe it was only spare CM uniforms laying trampled on the ground). While waiting for the rope drop I persuaded a nearby cappucino cart that I was much easier to deal with once I had my first cup of morning coffee. I have to tell the truth here: this was my first morning opening venture to the parks EVER. Once more: I actually LIKED it! We walked to EE, didn't take the dinoland express route (tho I remembered reading about it), grabbed a fast pass for later and lined up for EE. Took us maybe 5 minutes to go on. It was wonderful, tho I wouldn't classify it as a heavy duty chills and spills rollercoaster ride. Going up that first steep hill was rather amazing tho! I thoroughly enjoyed this ride and encourage even the meek (vis a vis roller coasters) to give it a try.

We had 10:00am ressies for Tonga Toast at Kona's, so we decided to let the fast pass slide until later and headed over to the Poly. I never had Tonga Toast before and here's my verdict: taste it first before putting syrup on top. It is very sweet as is. Trust me on this. I think Tonga toast is best as a snigle order to split amongst 4 people with morning coffee. Although I finished my order, that was a LOT of calories and a LOT of sugar. (and I am sweet enough as is, thank you very much). But it is very, very, very scrumptious. I'm just not into sweet in the morning.

After breakfast, Gail opted for us to monorail to the MK instead of going back to AK. We spent the rest of the morning and all afternoon riding our favorites. The park wasn't that crowded at all and we had a great surprise in that I had told her POC was closed for refurbishment ...but when I walked over to get my Dole Whip(TDF), I noticed it was still running! YEA! So we rode most everything before I had to pick up my rental car. If you were reading the Transportation thread, you probably know that in order to get a good rate I had to pick up the car at MCO. I was hoping that I could just 'fastpass' my way to the carcare center and forget the ride to the airport. It was worth a try. I walked in and said that I couldn't remember where I had made my ressie. The rep looked it up and said "MCO". I asked if I could just get a car here, and she said sure, if there was one available. I told her it was only me, and that I sure didn't need the SUV that I had reserved and that I'd be willing to take anything. She found a car, but when I tried to pull out my license...I couldn't find it!!! I could NOT remember where I had left it until the rep said: maybe when you checked in at the airport. DUH ME..of course. It was in my other bag which was back at the room. Luckily, that hotel Nikki bird was just a few clicks away. I raced back and picked it up before the car care center closed. They wanted to give me a Jeep, but I held out for a G-6. At first, the computer added about $60 to my bill for picking up there instead of MCO, but the rep figured out a way to override it, so I even got the discounted price. HOORAY for DIsney magic!

Gail mentioned she might want to do some shopping on the way to MCO, so I suggested the old Beltz (now Prime) mall for the Disney Warehouse. We decided that even tho we were saved a trip to the airport that we would still go shopping. (I am not a shopper tho and tire of it easily.) We got caught in traffic and spent WAY too long trying to find the place...and then only to find that it was more expensive than on-site Disney.
We were both bummed. So we decided we would eat at Kobe Steak house on the way back. Our 'chef' was great fun, tho our table mates were rather duds. We had Kobe beef and scallops and wayyy too much food. It was the first time I had eaten Kobe beef....it is really, really rich and extremely tender. After dinner, we decided to head over to watch Illuminations from the Boardwalk. It started just as we drove up, so I parked the car in self-park and we sat on the rocking chairs out front and just relaxed and people watched . It was fun. We drove back to our room and feel asleep right quick. We wanted to get another early start Sunday, as Gail could only stay until about 1 PM and I wanted her to meet all the Boardwalk Babes before she left to go back to Tampa.
We woke up fairly early and checked out zipadeedoodah quick. Pam was arriving around 10am and I thought I'd get a jump on our room selection early to save her any hassle. At BWV checkin, I had an 'earning my ears' CM who was closely watched by two CMS. THey had my ressie and requests in order, and of course I got the 'your room isn't ready,but it is very close to the Grand Gathering rooms' story. We walked over to Epcot and fastpassed Soaring while waiting for Pammy to arrive.

Pam and I were on the DIsney DIning Plan, and I really want have our impressions of food included in this trip report. We met up with Pam at the Tangierine Cafe for a huge lunch (counter service...but oh what bountiful amounts of food, plenty to share). Gail left after lunch and Pam and I spent a few hours looking at all the flowers, topiaries and the butterfly pavillion. Pam had been told our room was ready and had checked it out, only to find that the location was less than perfect. In an effort to put our standard room near the Grand Gathering Boardwalk View Room (jiggerj's)..we ended up being right in front of the valet station. Lots of noise and I like my French door open at night (I hate AC). Sigh.
We got back to the ressie desk at about 5 to complain. I was hoping that we would get one of the old standard view rooms in the croquet courtyard right across from jiggerj's room. But NOOOOOOO....I was told that the rooms had been changed from standard to preferred since the red building had been torn down.
Wellllll I said, putting on my best lawyeresk demeanor, what preferred rooms have become standard then, as the by-laws clearly state that you cannot disturb the ratio of rooms, yada, yada. A rather be-ah-che CM told me that I could take that up with the homeowners board and that we had the ONLY room left and quit whining etc because we were...after all....close to jiggerj's room. So we headed down to the pool to meet up with jiggerj and idratherbe for drinks. We were late (our complaining took way too long). But we had a nice chat before everyone departed for points known...we had dinner ressies at Wolfgang Puck's and we wanted to clean up before our first big dining plan experience!


Did I mention I LOVELOVELOVE having a car at DIsney? 5 minutes before our ressie we left the BW and arrived on time (well almost) to WP. We had a lovely table, excellent service, and the crab cake appetizer, the filet mignon and the creme brulee were out of this world. I might mention that I did have to runrunrun to the bathroom before the meal was quite over for an explosive adventure, tho I was seemingly none the worse for wear once I returned. Pam was fading at this point, (she had a really early morning flight) so instead of hitting the Adventurer's Club for a well deserved Kungaloosh, I dropped her back at the BW, realized I had left my room key at WP, returned, and then went off to find a grocery store for nibbles for the GG! Winn Dixie was just a short way from DTD. I didn't think much about a second explosive adventure while at the grocery store, tho I almost didn't make it to the restroom this time, and I leisurely drove back to BW, enjoying my WELCOME HOME from the night time security guard that I had trained (as to my need for continual :welcome: HOMES) when I dropped off Pam.
Carried the bags up to the room, expecting to find it dark and sleepy.....but no, the lights were all on and Pam was wide awake. Seems she had her own adventures while I was off shopping. So much so, that she had to call in a maintenanceCM to unclog the toilet. :jawdroppi . (well, I suspect that is just TMI, sorry Pam) Her tummy was really upset and she had a rough night of it. Neither of us wanted to blame it on WP's because we so enjoyed our dinner; but then we also love the Tangierine Cafe. We tried to sleep, but found that the wonderful ME buses only carry people and the luggage comes by truck...15 times a day. And guess where the truck parks? yep...right outside our room. And guess how they store the bags? In wonderful NOISY metal grate containers. JEEZ. ANd they come until about 1am and then start up at 5 AM.
Did I mention we didn't much like our room location???:(

Well, I hate to stop here and leave ya hanging on my every word, and I still haven't told ya about the drowning part....but that's the way it is. I'm saving our GG and Boardwalk Babe adventures till Part 2. And yes...I want to post pictures and for that, I need the help of my good bud jiggerj.

[jdvm]

Colorado Belle,
You're trip report is almost as good as your margaritas!!!!...which is damned good!!
Well done,
john

[Rozzie]

Can't wait for the rest!! Waiting with baited breath...:p

[jiggerj]

Colorado Belle,
You're trip report is almost as good as your margaritas!!!!...which is damned good!!
Well done,
john

:jumpingbe :jumpingbe
Cant wait for part 2.... :)

[mssparrrow]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing!!!

[Colorado Belle]

Trip Report, Part II.

May 1...the Grand Gathering.
The photos posted by doombuggy, jiggerj, mar don't do it justice, because someone always had to take the photo (so couldn't be IN the photo)! I was willing to throw my camera down 5 stories to the boardwalk to someone who might take a cool photo shooting upwards to the balcony, but that idea might have been the result of TMM(too many margaritas aka impaired judgment!).
We've all talked about the great view from jiggerj's balcony, well, here it is:
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i66/boardwalkbabe/ViewofBWfrom5017021.jpg

Jiggerj has already given a great synopsis of the entire event; can't think of a thing to add, only that the time passed too quickly.
It was such a thrill to have so many of us on that balcony...but I honestly think we could have fit another 15 or so...so next time lets shoot for at least 30! Of course if we are all on the DDP, we better get an engineer report on the balcony support load before we all venture out.

We reluctantly left the view and the balcony and headed over to Epcot on foot. I had to show everyone the hidden Mickey above the International Gateway entrance. A security guard had showed it to me the day before when he saw my Hidden Mickey book in my purse. We took some pics of the topiaries...I loved Lady and the Tramp, esp. her ears...We were the last table seated. We made 'Ross' ( the Mistress of Ceremonies) an honorary mouseowner, giving her full license to pick on our table throughout the evening. I will ask permission before posting the photo, but the truth of the matter is.....that Vikings can DANCE!!! I know that is hard to believe, but our VIking should change his motto to PP and D...yep, he and Mrs. Viking were that good. Photo proof on the way!
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i66/boardwalkbabe/vikingcandance.jpg

We felt a little rushed getting to the dessert staging area. SOME of us only got to eat one dessert (fruit in a cute martini glass) while OTHERS managed to eat a BUNCH. And then there was Pam....she can't eat sugar, so throughout our stay, the chefs kept making her special sugarless treats. And they were always HUGE (and delicious too BTW).....So here's teeny Pam holding this HUGE plate of desserts with everyone looking at her like she was Ms. Piggy. I wish I had a photo of all that was on that plate!I love this photo of jiggerj watching Illuminations:
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i66/boardwalkbabe/jiggerjilluminations.jpg
When Illuminations was over (the view was the best ever) the CMs told us to take anything that was left so it wouldn't be wasted. Yeah, like we really needed to shove more food into our tummies...:blech:

Back to the Boardwalk for all of us. We needed a little R&R on the front porch of the resort before we headed off to our rooms and other resorts. I was tired!!!
So even though the ME baggage truck continued its clanking, I was off to dreamland in record time. :teleport:

[Colorado Belle]

May 2, TUESDAY....moving day!
Alfredo, the manager, had left me a message on my phone on Sunday, saying that he was sorry that he coudn't switch our room, but that he would be happy to change us on Tuesday. After unpacking, I HATE to change rooms (and had told the front desk people that on SUnday), but really, the noise was a bummer. I don't like AC and so I love to keep my balcony door open, and even Pam, who is not bothered by much of anything, said she had trouble sleeping after 5AM. I called the front desk to ask what rooms were available and they told me a general location for 3 rooms...I checked them out and decided that the 3rd floor room might be far away from the noise and let Pam make the final decision whether to move or not. It only took us 15 minutes to pack, but we had to send everything to storage by 11 and then only got into our new room at 4. They don't make it easy to switch....but boy was it worth it. The new room was far down the standard wing with a froggie pond in front and the TOT off to the left with a view of the canal. This is often referred to a 'parking lot view' but the immediate view is of trees and grass and the pond. CAution: froggies make lots of noise, tho it isn't the same as metal luggage carts! I strung up the white mini Xmas lights I had brought and our balcony looked really cool. (If you do this bring an extention so you can reach a plug.) We unpacked and then took a much deserved rest before dinner at CRT.
From 11-4 we had decided to go to AK. We were surprised at how many elephants were out and about on a hot mid afternoon safari ride. We did Bugs and the LIon King show and decided to save Kali rapids for the last ride because we knew we'd get wet. We didn't need a fastpass as the line was only 5 minutes. The family in front of us had a little guy who kept singing 'You're going to get wet". We ended up in the raft with this family: 2 couples and 2 kids. We started off getting equally 'sprinkled' but then we rocked into one wall and this HUGE wave of water came up over the raft and crashed down entirely on the head of just one of the women in the family! It was actually rather amazing that no one else got wet....but she had water streaming down her face and her clothes were completely soaked. After she gasped for breath for a few minutes, she started laughing along with the rest of us....we just couldn't believe how much water had poured over her. ANd the little boy sitting next to her (who had been singing: you're gonna get wet) was completely dry! Laughing is good for the soul, and we were sure good to our souls on that ride. The poor woman dripped from the Rapids ride all through Africa to the park exit! I took a little segway over to EE and caught another ride before we left the park. What a fun day!

We had used up two TS's for the GG, so we paid cash for CRT. We had read a lot of negs about the recent changes to the dinner at the castle, but decided to try it anyway. We arrived at the castle keep on time and had photos taken with Cinderella and were seated immediately. We requested a window table so we could see the fireworks and were told "your wish is my command'. Our waitress granted our wish for substitutions and the food was really GOOD....I had the corn and crab chowder, prime rib and a salad substitute for the potatoes. Pam had the BLT salad and prime rib and veggies.
The portions were HUGE. The fireworks from inside the castle were really cool....I love Wishes and thought I might go downstairs and watch them from the castle gate (and get into EVERYONE's photos LOL!). BUt I got lazy and decided to watch from inside...and it was charming. The fairy godmother did a little show with Susy and Perla who kept coming over to our table to say Hi. Pam got a great photo for her grandbaby! In addition to the photos with Cinderella (4 in all, one of them an 8x10 in a beautiful folder packet with a castle photo) we rec'd a nice lithograph. Since you only get one per party, you might consider this when you make reservations...I joked with Pam that we should have made two ressies for 1 and then joined up to be seated! (But as it is we are going to 'share' the litho in a way ensured to keep our new friendship for a long, long time)

By the time we had dessert it was time to go outside to have the castle kiss us goodnight. I saw this for the first time with Athenna back in December, and I was excited to share it with Pam. It was 2 minutes to one hour past the official closing when we went outside. THere was hardly anyone around. We waited and waited....and nothing???????? A couple was seated by the Walt and Mickey statue and told us they had been there the last three nights hoping for a kiss goodnight...but nada had happened. So we walked down mainstreet, checking back towards the castle every 30 seconds or so. I couldn't believe that this was only a 'sometimes' kiss. At the end of Main Street, I saw a group of important looking CMs so I approached and asked what up? (actually I told them I couldn't leave park until I got my kiss goodnight). The head dude made a phone call..it seems that tho the kiss is 'auto' set for one hour after closing, that sometimes maintenance turns it off and forgets to reset it. Anyway, shortly after the phone call, Pam and I got to watch a special Castle Kiss...just for us and the few lingering guests. How cool was THAT?!!!!!!

We were tired when we got back to our room, but sat on the balcony for a bit appreciating the QUIET. AHhhhhhhhhhhhhh....We had our first night of uninterrupted sleep...did I feel sorry that someone else had to get our first room?
NOPE. I've done my time. Mar didn't have the same trouble as she closes her doors and curtains at night...and truth be told, the old room was just a few steps from the elevator and made for quick returns and departures from the room. But our new room was perfect if you can handle the stairs, cause the stairs were really close to where i parked the car. I know where I'll request my room from now on!!!

Next post: Part III, wherein the heroines race around on their Segways throughout World Showcase, where Pam runs over an unlucky CM who tried to stop her from shopping in the medina of Morocco, and finally, where CB tries her fins at becoming a mermaid (didn't work)

[jiggerj]

LOL!!! I had forgotten about you wanting to toss down the camera 5 floors!!!! Although it would have made a really great pic!

Bumming I didnt get over to see your lights on the balcony- Must have been really pretty-

Im lovin' reading your trip report!!! :thumbsup:

Only CB can get the MK to give her, her own special kiss goodnight! VERY cool!!! :dust:

[jdvm]

OK, I'll bite....what's this special castle kiss stuff, anyway???
john:doublekis

[Colorado Belle]

hmmm...it'll cost ya John...only the real insiders get this information.
If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

But wait...you live in Celebration now! An insider is YOU! So,ok, I'll tell, but you have to promise to keep it a secret, ok? Better yet...go see for yourself, up close and personal.
One hour after MK closes, be standing in front of the castle. Closer is better...right near the statue of Walt and Mickey is perfect. Listen to the voice and the music.
Watch the lights,and then....WINK! and a kiss goodnight. Take the Mrs. as it is quite romantic!

[AFMom]

I can't wait to read part 3!

[jdvm]

OK, Colorado, I'll do it; you'd better be telling the truth; this sounds a bit like hunting snipe. It'll cost you in margaritas big time if I truck over there and look like a dork standing out in front of ther castle!!
john

[RweTHEREyet]

Isn't the Kiss Goodnight something special to behold. I had never heard of it before and then one night when were accompanying a group for an e-night one March, I was sitting on Main Street by myself, looking down towards the castle and the Kiss Goodnight started. There were no other people walking down Main Street and it was just soo cool. I have only seen it/heard it one time, and it was so very special.

I am really enjoying your trip report. More pictures, please, please, please.

Can you tell us where the hidden Mickey at the Internation Gateway is, or do you have to be there to actually find it?

[Colorado Belle]

The Hidden Mickey? SUre....look toward the clock that sits above the canopy over the IG. THen, stand on your head and tell me what time it is....that's the 'hint' given to me by the security guard.

I will try to post more pics, but I was hoping to learn how to make them smaller first! I even have a short (10 second) video of the segway experience, and I loaded it on photobucket, but have no idea how to link it to here. Help?

[idratherbeinwdw]

Great report CB, fun to read! And you're being very discreet but I don't mind telling people--The reason the noise below the room didn't bother me is I am hearing impaired. I'm not deaf, but I have a 40% loss, a combination of genetics (dad and sister are hearing impaired) and seeing well over 200 rock concerts did me in. I heard fine as a kid, but needed the aids once I hit my 20's.

Once I take out my hearing aids and close the door to the balcony the sounds from 5 stories below don't bother me at all. I wouldn't have minded a better view, but the easy access to the elevators compensated for that, as I am in and out of the room all day long (between off Kilter shows naturally!). Besides, since I do have the hearing issue, I figure why stick someone else with the room who might be bothered by the noise. Honestly, it didn't affect me one iota. While it can certainly be a disadvantage now and then. sometimes it's a blessing to have bad hearing! :tongue:

[jaysue]

Thanks for sharing and bringing a needed smile to my day

Cheers
jaysue

[matysgranma]

Well, thank you CB, for writing such an elaborate trip report. And my trip report would be ditto for everything she writes. My only addition would be to say what a great person CB is. I couldn't have had a better trip experience.

And Mar, I think you may have found one more thing to add to your WDW ritual (other than Off Kilter) and that would be JELLYROLLS!!!! What a BLAST!!

And Laura, thanks for all the great grand gathering planning. It was so much fun. You're family is so nice, and what a great husband you have in Dave. and you have a BEAUTIFUL daughter and absolutely adorable son!

And John---no CB is not pulling your leg re: the castle kiss. It is a truly magical moment. and take it from CB, if it doesn't happen, find someone there who will make it happen.

And to All, continue to read on because yes, CB did have an almost near death experience. So stay tuned everyone!

[TW1]

One hour after MK closes, be standing in front of the castle. Closer is better...right near the statue of Walt and Mickey is perfect. Listen to the voice and the music.
Watch the lights,and then....WINK! and a kiss goodnight. Take the Mrs. as it is quite romantic!
And if you play your Wishes CD backwards it says Eiger is dead

[Colorado Belle]

Ok...turn your head sideways (I cannot figure out how to give video a quarter turn) and click on the picture. It will link you to Photobucket and just click one more time...this one here is of the fireworkds from inside CRT...I'm saving the best fireworks video for the last post however (part III...wherein the heroine almost drowns whilst entertaining our guests (honorary CMs will do ANYTHING make a kid happy)

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i66/boardwalkbabe/th_ea9ec4bf.jpg (http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i66/boardwalkbabe/?action=view&current=ea9ec4bf.flv)

[Stimpy]

Great report and alot of fun to read! I'm so jealous now that I missed the GG. Glad you all had a great time!!