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Tues, Dec. 24--A day I'd really been looking forward to at Sea World. I was surprising my DD with dinner here. The day was cloudy
and threatening rain (well, not always threatening, sometimes it really came down!), so the crowds were very slim here today. Kraken
was a walk-on, so DD rode that about 10 times. She knew she was getting a special dinner to celebrate her birthday tonight, but had
no idea what it was. We just wandered in the right direction, then when we got to the door for "Dining with Shamu" we just handed her
her ticket and told her this was her dinner. At this point, it was raining harder than it had rained all day, but the tables were under
a roof, so it didn't bother us at all. In fact, the whales seemed to like the rain and really played around. The whole experience was
alot of fun. There were trainers there that had the whales do different tricks, then they worked awhile with a baby that was just 4
months old & just starting to get into the training--in fact just starting to eat solid foods. It was great watching her--if she
wouldn't do what the trainers wanted, the mother would show her what to do. Now how did she know? Wow! My only complaint was that we
didn't have enough time to eat before the trainers started doing their thing. I wasn't about to leave my table to get more food &
miss any of the action. Other than that, it was a great time.
Wed., Dec. 25--We knew the parks would be really busy today, so we took the day off from them, toured the countryside, shopped at
Downtown Disney (love that toy store!), then finished the day at Boma. DH & DD hadn't eaten there yet, although I just love it. They
both agreed they'd eat there again, but that it wasn't their favorite restaurant---yet. I'll have to keep working on that! LOL We had a
great server, Debbie, and a wonderful time.
Thurs., Dec. 26--Today, another first--Disney Quest. We'd all been wanting to see what this was all about, and since today was going to
be pretty cool, we decided this was a good day for being inside. It was packed, and very noisy! We did get to ride all the interactive
rides, played a few of the other games, then got out of that mess. Probably won't be going back there, but am glad to know what it's all
about.
Fri., Dec. 27--Magic Kingdom for a short while, left about noon when the crowds got unbearable.
Sat., Dec. 28--DH's birthday. The one thing I wanted him to do down here was get a hair cut at MK. We'd been by there several times, but
there was such a line, so today we were going to be there first. We ended up waiting about 30 minutes for them to open, then he got in.
We were the only people in there the whole time. We had Michael, & he said that business had really picked up after all the different
write-ups in the media & on the internet. However, he said that Christmas week was pretty slow since all the locals won't come close
to the parks during that time (dont' blame them!). We walked around the park alittle, it was getting packed, so we left. We ended the
day at Epcot, for DH's birthday dinner at Rose & Crown. That's been his favorite restaurant--he loves the lamb & barley soup. For once,
since it was quite cool, we weren't going to request a patio table--of course, that's what we got anyway. LOL We were by one of the
heaters, so that helped, but it was so cold that the food cooled down pretty fast. The food was very good, as usual, but the server was
awful. She was much more interested in talking to the lady next to us that had lived in the UK 20 years ago. We had a terrible time
getting drink refills. The table next to us was quite put-out, too. Oh well, now we don't have to go back there every trip. We watched
Illuminations, they headed out to get warrm again.
Sadly, week 3 will be written from MO--I don't want to go home!!! Some days have been warmer in MO than in FL, but I'd still rather be
here. Something about seeing the palm trees that makes it feel warmer. Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for sticking with me so
far in this journey.
Sun., Dec. 29-Today was another Sea World day. DD & my AP would be running out Dec. 31, so we wanted to get in one more day.
The only highlights today were for DD-she rode Kraken 10 times in all. I spent the day videoing the shows I didn't get the last time
we were here. After we closed up Sea World, we went to MK to see if we could ride a few rides there. Space Mountain still had a 90
minute wait, so we went to Big Thunder, where the wait was only about 20 minutes. We ended up riding it twice without getting off, went
around for 1 more ride & rode it 5 times without getting off. What fun! The last ride was even after midnight, when the park was
closed. We all got off, but the CM asked if we wanted one more ride, so we call got back on. What a fun way to end the night!
Mon., Dec. 30-Our goal today was to get in anything we'd missed that were must do's. We started out at AK just to ride Kali
River. First trip through, DH & I made out fairly good, so we called it quits. DD had to ride again, & of course came off quite wet. Of
course, she didn't mind. LOL From here we went to MGM. We rode RnRC & ToT once each, then went to the last show of the Millionaire.
For my first time ever, we got to see a million point winner. How exciting it was! It was great! She took a couple of correct
guesses, but said she really wanted to go on a Disney cruise, so was more than willing to chance losing a couple of pins. At least her
gut feelings worked.
Tues., Dec. 31-Today we started off at MGM, but the crowds were unbearable and we weren't about to wait 90+ minutes for any
ride, so after 1 time on RnRC & ToT, we decided to use our last day of our AP at Sea World. It was busy, but with all the shows, nothing
seemed too bad. In fact, Kraken was pretty much a walk-on all day long. We did a few shows, but mostly rode Kraken. (Can you tell DD
loves this ride? LOL). We had PS's for `Ohana for our NYE dinner, so we left early enough to go there. Just as we were pulling in to
the parking lot, the rain started. By the time we got inside, it was really pouring! We were just glad to be under cover. This was our
first time eating at `Ohana, and really enjoyed the food. The service, however, was among the worst we've had this trip. Our
server, Paul, was very condescending toward us right from the start. When they seat you, they give you some bread. We were starving, so
we started eating it. When Paul came to the table he said that obviously we hadn't been there or we'd know not to eat the bread.
I'm sure he meant that there was a lot of food served (there is), but he made us feel like we'd created a horrible crime. He kept
belittling us every chance he got. He told me to "chill out" several times when I would ask him a question about something, when all I
wanted was a simple answer. I was about read to chill him out! LOL We couldn't get refills, on drinks or food, without asking several
times. He left a very bad taste for all of us. After dinner, we rode around to the GF & stayed there awhile. They had a dance floor
set up with a band playing. Was fun people-watching there. Our entertainment here included watching some guy with a lady that was
dressed in a "Cher-like" dress-not much solid material. He was really strutting alongside her. Later, he was going to the men's
room, but in walking to the men's door, he was looking at the ladies' room door. Just as he leaned into the men's door, someone opened it
from inside & this strutter promptly fell into the men's room. Hey, you take your laughs where you can, and after watching this guy
strut, this was just hilarious! Since it was still pouring outside, we went home & watched the new year come in on the TV.
Wed., Jan. 1-Today we decided we'd do our favorites at Epcot. There was such a change in crowds there today. You could actually see the
sidewalk without people standing on it! What a nice change. We had a MFL meet planned at the Poly, so we rode the monorail from Epcot to
there. We had a great meet there with Mike, Linda & Doug Boyer, Maggie & Clive, Bianca Brister and Joe, Annette & Kyle
Dvorak. We all visited then went to the beach to watch the fireworks over MK. There we were joined by Bianca's dd & a couple of her
friends. This was a great time & I really appreciate everyone getting together. We then went to MK, but it was packed. I think
everyone that got rained out last night was there today. DD was disappointed since she really wanted to try to ride BTM again like we
did last time, but the lines were long so there was no chance for that. We rode it once & headed home.
Thurs., Jan. 2-MGM for our RnRC & ToT addiction, the out by noon, when it was getting crowded. Went to Epcot to catch up on a
couple of must-do's there, eating at The Land and doing Living with the Land. I don't think I've ever seen such a line for that-
something like a 45 minute wait. We got our fastpass, ate, watched Circle of Life, then was time for fastpass. One more trip on Test
Track, then out of Epcot for this trip. I did sneak in a beaver tail, which I hadn't had yet this trip, either.
Fri., Jan. 3-This is our last day, so we had to finish up our favorites at MK. We hadn't gotten to ride Space Mountain much this
trip, due to the long waits, so we headed over there at opening. We got right on it, after getting a fastpass, then went to get in line
for 1 more ride before our fastpass time. Just then a man came along and gave us his fastpasses that were due right then since his DD had
chickened out & there weren't going to ride. What a nice surprise! So we got to ride 3 times in a row, which made up for all the times
we hadn't gotten to ride it this trip. We rode both other mountain rides, then left, as the park was getting pretty busy. We went to
Beaches and Cream for one more meal with our Quick & Casual voucher. It sure works good for us-for $11 we all leave stuffed! DD wanted
the banana split this time, which was quite good. We then stopped to play mini-golf at Fantasia. What a fun time, but what a hard
course! It was a lot of fun having sand traps, etc. We had some errands to do for the house, then decided we'd try to get in one last
time at MGM. I thought MGM closed at 8:30. We got there at 6, so thought we'd have plenty of time. Went first to ToT, as the wait
there was only about 25 minutes. Of course, while we were in line, one shaft broke down, which put 2 elevators out. We ended up waiting
quite awhile, even though we were in the "basement" by that point. We finally got our ride (an excellent one, by the way) and ran to
RnRC-only to find out the park closed at 7 and it was now about 5 minutes past. If that elevator hadn't broken down we would have made
it. Oh well-another time.
Sat., Jan 4-Packed, cleaned the house, and very sullenly left for home. DD was in a rotten mood, which was probably just that she
was showing how we all 3 felt. None of us wanted to come back to MO. We drove straight through, though, arriving at our MO home about
11:30 am Sunday.
We had a great time, got a lot of work done on the house, so next time will have more play time. It looks like the next trip will
be the first week of July, when DD goes to dance at MK. However, you never know what may come up that we (I?) have to go to FL for
something. LOL Was planning on going down to the PGA show the end of Jan., but now that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Thanks
so much for taking time to relive my trip with me. If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to write. Have a great day!
Deb, MO
Part One, Part Two
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