Flores - December 2005

Day 3 - December 3, 2005

Park: MK, Dolphin, Epcot, and PI

I woke up at 7:30 thanks to Stitch. I grabbed a banana and a power aid from the resort and got in line for Magic Kingdom. It was early so I expected the park to be quiet, but it was very busy. They were taping the Christmas parade with Regis and Kelly. I chose not to be in the audience today, but wow this was a zoo.

I walked over to Tony's and saw Erica and her son Max. We were taking part in a Grand Gathering this morning at Tony' Town Square. Other guest started showing up and we walked inside. Our seating time was 9:00 so we relaxed and chatted. We were seated at a big table. We placed our drink orders and looked at the menu. I got a regular order. We all started nibbling on the pastries that were out when our server told me they could not cut the eggs. I got breakfast and put the eggs in a smaller plate and sat them aside. Breakfast was very good. I really liked when Tony would walk by with the accent. A lot of Disney characters came out to play and greet us. More food was brought to our table, community style. The character each came to our table, for autographs and pictures. We all stood up and the kids joined in the center circle. Tony was leading them in the hokey pokey and other dances. I walked around and snapped some pictures. Tony told us that each table would be taken to have pictures with Mickey Mouse. I guess they started on the outside tables because they sure took their time getting to our table. But we kept entertained, when the characters came by. Goofy petted my head making fun of the fact that I had hardly any hair. I asked Tony over and Erica took a picture of me and Tony. Tony came and got us and took us over to a waiting area. He thanked us for coming to see him at the Grand Gathering and gave us a trading pin. We moved in and were able to have our picture with Mickey. We did the group picture first and then individual pictures.

I thought since I was inside MK I would go and have some fun before the meet this afternoon. Well I forgot they were taping the Christmas parade outside and that made things harder and harder. As I tried to move around Main Street, it was so packed, I could not even get around the hubs, which connect the five sections. I decided to go to Tomorrow Land. I grabbed a fast pass for Buzz Light Year Space Ranger and got on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. I looked at my watch and it was now 11:30, and I knew I needed to get over to the Dolphin Resort. I decided to take a bus over there.

The bus ride over very pleasant. The Dolphin was the third stop on the bus's trip. The Dolphin hotel is owned by the Sheraton Group, but it's on Disney property. I walked around trying to find different icons. I found the business center. I decided to use the Internet for a little bit and send out a couple of emails.

I went upstairs to find the ball room where the Mega Meet was going to take place. It took me a few minutes but I found the signs. It was only 12:00, so I figured I would go and get something to eat. I asked an employee, and they recommended Tubby restaurant. I had to walk all the way to the other side of the resort. I had never been, but I had heard about it from my friend Jeff who works there. I met a nice lady on the elevator going down, and we were both going to get something to eat. She was a presenter at the confrence I was attending. I ordered me a bacon cheeseburger and fries. I had to wait a while and I sat and chatted with my new friend. I found out that she grew up in Cameron and now lives in Austin. She was at the Mousefest meet promoting her book that she wrote. My food finally came out and I was in awe at the size of the burger.

My new friend took off as she had to report back to the confrence room at 12:30. I went back upstairs and made my way over to the ball rooms section. I signed in and put my name in for a door prize. The Mousefest meet is a collaboration of a lot of Disney related websites that come together at one time and give out information and promote their topics. I hung around the MouseforLess table, as that was my main group. I did walk around like a little kid and took every free thing that was given out. I learned that the very first Tinker Bell was there. I saw this guy with a ton of trading pins that he had on a vest both in the front and back.

I had to step out of the room as I got a little sick to my stomach. I went downstairs and bought some medicine, but it was not helping to much, so I went back to my resort. I took a boat to MGM studio since Pop Century was the very close to MGM. I lay down and rested for a while.

I decided I wanted to go to Epcot. I wanted to ride Soaring. I got on an Epcot bus and went over to Epcot. I really do not like the location of the Pop Century bus line as it is all the way in the back. I went in and again had to do the finger scan. I went straight to Spaceship Earth, and I always love that ride. I exited and went toward Soaring. I found The Land building and walked toward the entrance. Well I saw a sign that said, "No more fast passes for Soaring." I was not happy at all as it was only Mid-afternoon. I looked at the stand by time and it said 180 minutes I decided to pass and do it another day.

I walked over and did Imagination with Figment. This was a really neat ride as it lets us explore our imagination using our 5 senses. At the end I walked upon the picture station and decided to have my picture taken. I chose an Epcot background and I told them to send it to my resort.

It was nearing 6:00 and I saw a crowd gathering near the Christmas tree at the entrance to the World Showcase. I remember Jeff told me this was a neat program, so I landed me a front seat spot. I went over and grabbed me a bucket of popcorn and a power aid. The show was unique. It incorporated Christmas from different Countries. The singers even sung in different languages. The Disney bus pulled up and some of the characters got out. We sang a few Christmas Carols as we had to build of the Christmas spirit so the tree can come to life. The show was excellent.

Well my plan was to go and see Hailey Joel Osmond in the Candlelight Processional. I hoped a boat from the pavilion and went to Germany. I walked into Italy and noticed a very long line. I realized that this was the stand by line for the Candlelight Processional. I decided I would pass on this show tonight. I walked over to Liberty Inn right beside the American Adventure. I ate a nice dinner and just rested my feet. I tried to decide if I had to the strength to try for the 8:15 show or not.

I decided to change gears and go to Downtown Disney and do some shopping for everyone. I took a boat back to Mexico and walked to the entrance, making a mental note of what I had and had not done yet. I looked for a Downtown Disney bus but I could not find one. I decided to go back to Pop Century and just transfer. It was not a long time before I was on my way to Downtown Disney. The driver told us there were two stops, one at the market place and one at Pleasure Island.

Well I knew that I wanted to start at the marketplace. As I entered marketplace I found the Christmas store with little trouble. I read some where that they personalize different items. I really was impressed by the huge selection of Christmas ornaments. I bought a couple of items and walked toward Pleasure Island. I thought about going to Ghirardelli's but the line was huge.

I looked up and saw the huge spot lights and new I was heading in the right direction. The two clubs I wanted to focus on this trip were Adventure Club and the Comedy Warehouse. I had been to Adventure Club before and I had really enjoyed it quite a bit. As I walked down the street the music was really cool coming out of two jumbo 52 inch TV's. I walked down and found the Adventure Club. I gave them my Disney ticket and my ID card. The cast members placed a wrist band on me and stamped my hand acknowledging that I was over 21 years of age.

I went down to the main lobby and found me a chair. The Adventure Club moves from room to room and there are shows in each. I met this nice couple and we got to visiting quite a bit. We were ushered into the treasure room and low and behold Tony from this morning shows up. We have a 15 minute show with him as he discusses things in the treasure room. Beazel comes out from inside the cabinet. I love this guy a lot. He is hysterical. We move to the library and my new friend Carrie suggests I sit at the bar, as that is where most of the show takes place. The show is called "Perkins Cabaret." The show was very racy and lots of audience participation. I did have me a nice drink in the library. Mrs. Perkins really did pick on a lot of audience members and I was rolling so hard my chest was hurting.

It was nearing 12:00 midnight and I was thinking of watching the fireworks show at Pleasure Island. I opted out as it was very late. It is quite a walk from Adventure Club back around to where Planet Hollywood is. The bus queue was extremely hard to see and I just had to sit there for about a minute and think. I asked someone for direction and finally found my way. I boarded a bus for Pop Century and I just sank in my seat about to fall asleep. I got to Pop and walked over to the 70s wing and climbed the stairs. I got in my room and decided not to do a wake up call.

Highlight of day: Tony's Town Square Grand Gathering

Low light: I did not stay for fireworks at Pleasure Island. I got sick at Dolphin hotel.

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