After getting ready, and packing up my remaining stuff, I made my say up to deck 13 to spend a few minutes in my favorite spot. It was a brisk morning, and a bit windy, so I only stayed there for a few minutes. I was going to miss my favorite blue chair.
I then headed down to Cabanas to met Masayo, Mark, and Janice for breakfast. Masayo was already there. I grabbed some food, and joined Masayo. Felice was working at Cabanas, and it was great to see him again. I called him Handsome Server in front of another server, and the other server teased him about it. Dragan was also there, so I said goodbye to him as well.
Mark and Janice eventually joined us for breakfast. It sure was nice to get to know Janice and Mark on the cruise. We were all planning on attending an All Ears meet the next day, so although we would be parting ways on the cruise, we would be seeing each other again. I’m sure our paths will cross for many Decembers to come.
After breakfast, Masayo ran to her room to get her bags, and I wandered around the ship for a few minutes. We met in the lobby, and soon exited the ship. Masayo had to go through a different line than me at customs, and we wound up losing each other. I made my way to check in for a bus to Disney, and was sent to a van to the Boardwalk. Masayo texted me a short while later to let me know that she was on a bus to the Beach Club.
The van left port at around 8:00, and I was soon enroute to Disney World. There were only seven of us in the van. Our driver dropped people off at Saratoga Springs, and then took me to the Boardwalk. I checked in, and was shocked to find out that my room was once again ready! Shockingly, my room was ready at 9:30 a.m.! I sure had good room karma on this trip! Having rooms ready at 11:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at a DVC resort doesn’t usually happen, and to have it happen twice in the same trip was just amazing!
I was assigned room 5029, a Boardwalk view room above the Big River Grill. The Boardwalk games were right below my room. It was a great location with a wonderful view. The room was well kept up, and very clean. I actually stayed in the room back in December 2007!
I went to meet my friend Krista on the path to Disney Hollywood Studios. Krista and her husband Todd were kind enough to pick up some water for me when they stopped at the grocery store. Krista came up to my room for a bit until her husband was on the way to the resort.
I was meeting my friends Herman and Liz at the Boardwalk Bakery. Herman and Liz were my tablemates on my first cruise back in December of 2007. We had tried to meet up several times since our cruise, but it always seemed that we just missed each other during our Disney trips. So, when we were able to work out a time to meet on this trip, I was very happy.
Herman and Liz called me at the same time Todd arrived, so I introduced Herman and Liz to Krista and Todd. Like many of my Disney friends, Herman, Liz, Todd, and Krista are all from Texas.
Liz, Herman, and I then went down to the Boardwalk Bakery to get something to drink. It was a bit chilly to sit out on the Boardwalk, so we made our way up to the Belle Vue Lounge to catch up. It sure was great to see Herman and Liz again. They are such nice people, and they made my first cruise extra memorable. I was celebrating on my birthday on that cruise, and they actually went to Guest Services to get a Magical Moments certificate in honor or my birthday. They had tried to find a card on one of the Islands, but didn’t succeed. It was really sweet of them to make the effort for me.
After catching up with Herman and Liz, I made my way to Epcot. I wound up meeting Krista, Todd, and John for lunch at the Electric Umbrella. I ordered the meatball sub again, and it was just as yummy as the meatball sub I had before my cruise.
John and I then said goodbye to Krista and Todd, and headed to the monorail. We were heading to the Contemporary to go to the All Ears It’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow meet. I was really looking forward to this meet because I knew a lot of my Disney friends would be attending, and I couldn’t wait to see them all! There are far too many to mention in this report by name (and I’d be afraid I’d leave someone out). I saw many friends I knew I would see, and also some I didn’t expect to see who I hadn’t seen in years. It is always great to see my Disney Family!
The meet featured a talk by Disney Historian Jim Korkis, who gave us some great information about the history of the Carousel of Progress, and had lots of interesting stories to tell. After Jim’s lecture, the group would head over to the Magic Kingdom to view the show at the Carousel of Progress. One thing Jim couldn't answer was who the extra little girl in one of the scenes was.
My friend Diane (Goofy4Tink) and her daughter Kate were supposed to be at the Carousel of Progress meet, but their flight from Boston was delayed so they didn’t make it in time to hear Jim’s lecture. I picked up their wristbands and other goodies handed out at the meet for them. They were staying at the Contemporary, so I wound up waiting for them, as I knew they were on Magical Express and should be arriving any minute.
When Diane and Kate finally arrived, three hours later than expected, I clapped as they got off the bus. Although I only live about 45 minutes from them, I usually only see Diane and Kate at Walt Disney World, so of course, I was happy to see them.
After Diane checked in at the Contemporary (her room wasn’t ready--too bad my room karma didn’t rub off), we walked over to the Magic Kingdom to meet the rest of the folks at the Carousel of Progress. It was fun to mix and mingle with everyone!
At one point, I was telling Diane and Kate about how Jim didn't know who the extra little girl was, and we decided that we should adopt her as the official mascot of all of the Disney online communities. We also decided to name her, and after tossing around several names, we decided to name her Willa in honor of Deb Wills. We even told Deb about our plan to adobpt the audio animatronic girl and name her Willa.
Our group got in the queue for the Carousel of Progress, and were soon entering the theatre! Almost every single seat in the theatre was filled with an entirely All Ears audience! I had never been in a theatre that full! I sat in the back row of the theatre with John, Diane, Kate, Krista, and Todd, which was a bit weird because we usually sit in the front row. It was a lot of fun being in a full house with Disney fanatics. We all sang along to the song every time, and everyone just loved it!
After the Carousel of Progress meet, Diane, Kate, and I headed over to Cosmic Ray’s to get some dinner. I got a pulled pork sandwich, which was smothered in a delicious mild barbecue sauce.
After dinner, we walked over to Frontierland and grabbed a fast pass for thunder mountain. The crowds were very heavy at the Magic Kingdom, as it was one of the few nights that they would be showing Wishes. There were long lines everywhere!
We headed over to check out my favorite attraction to visit with Diane, the wonderfully politically incorrect Country Bear Jamboree. I hadn’t visited this attraction in years until about five years ago when I went to it on a trip with Diane, and I developed a new appreciation for it. It is now my favorite way to torment Diane on a Disney trip (and beyond by singing songs from it several times a year). I usually have to drag Diane to see the Country Bears, but this year, she came willingly, though Kate was reluctant. I was actually concerned for Diane’s mental well being when she readily agreed to go--I thought the stress of the travel day had done her in!
But we had a lot of fun at the show. Of course, Diane and I sang along with the bears. We sang especially loud during our favorite song, “Mama Don’t Whoop Little Buford.” There were two women in front of us who seemed to be enjoying the show as much as us because they were singing along as well.
After the Country Bears, we headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean. The line was out the door, so we wound up deciding to skip it. When the line to the Pirates of the Caribbean reaches the entrance to the building, you know it’s crowded!
We headed back to Frontierland and browsed in a shop until it was time to use our fast passes for Big Thunder Mountain. After our ride, we took the train to Main Street and left the park. I said goodbye to Diane and Kate, and headed for the bus back to the Boardwalk.
Diane and Kate seem to be enjoying the train!
I stopped in my room for a bit, and then headed to Jellyrolls. Johnny and Matt were already onstage, and the bar was actually pretty busy when I arrived a few minutes after 8:00. I grabbed a table on the lower level, and soon my friend Lori (BriarRosie) arrived. Scotty and Ray took the stage at 9:00 and were as wonderful as ever.
Scotty!
Ray!
One of the highlights of the evening was a dancing waiter. He jumped onstage, and really did some fantastic Michael Jackson-esq dancing during one song.
I got ready to leave the bar around midnight. Scotty came out to say goodbye, as I wouldn’t have time to make it back to Jellyrolls on this trip.
I walked back to my room and went to sleep, as I had another busy day planned on Friday.
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