Tuesday, 05/16

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="792890903.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Monotype Corsiva" ><I><B>SuiteDisney</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Walt Disney Script v4.1" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>  </B></FONT><B>|</B><B>    </B><A HREF="saturday_night_arrival_0513.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Saturday Night Arrival (05/13)">Saturday Night Arrival (05/13)</A>   |   <A HREF="sunday_0514.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sunday, 05/14">Sunday, 05/14</A>   |   <A HREF="monday_0515.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Monday, 05/15">Monday, 05/15</A>   |   Tuesday, 05/16   |   <A HREF="wednesday_0517.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wednesday, 05/17">Wednesday, 05/17</A>   |   <A HREF="thursday_0518.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thursday, 05/18">Thursday, 05/18</A>   |   <A HREF="friday_0519.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Friday, 05/19">Friday, 05/19</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="e8590903.jpg"> <div> <I><B>Tuesday, 05/16</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.suitedisney.com/wdwphotos/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.suitedisney.com/wdwphotos/"><B>WDW Photos</B></A></div> <bR> <div>  <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script>  </div> <bR> <div> Today was Magic Hours at EPCOT as it opened an hour early.  We met up with Kelly & Kitty and entered through the International Gateway.  It was an overcast day and raining ever so slightly to start the day. Kitty decided to get an electric wheelchair and as they were getting the wheelchair, I took everyone's passes and went over to Soarin' to get a Fastpass.  </div> <bR> <div> By the time I got a Fastpass it was already for an hour or so later.  This has become a very popular ride and one I like….but I am not enamored by it!  By the time I got the Fastpass and started to head out to meet up with the others, they were on their way over to The Land.  We decided to get a quick bite at the Sunshine Seasons food court at The Land to kill some time.  Laura was being good and only had coffee; I had a chocolate milk and blueberry muffin….they do have good muffins here.  By the time we were done, it was just right for us to use our Fastpass to go on Soarin'.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="7889d01b0.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="539" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Kitty (and Kelly) lived many years in California (I believe somewhere around San Francisco…not sure) so she was really looking forward to the ride.  She was looking forward to it so much, that she tried to use her wheelchair to knock over the metal railings separating the lines in order to get onto the ride.  She turned the corner to get into line three and BAM…she smacked right into the railing.  From this point forward, it was pretty apparent that we better not walk in front of Kitty…she was a maniac in that machine!  Well, we finally got onto the ride and without a doubt, the best part of the ride was watching Kitty's face; especially right at the start as we went soaring over the Golden Gate Bridge.,…an area Kitty was very familiar with.  The ride was a blast and I think Kitty was like a kid in a candy shop…she loved it!  After the ride, it was an adventure getting out as her wheelchair would not start up but they finally figured it out.  The line was so short we decided we had to do it again…and again, we all liked the ride.  This time, Kitty handled the tight turn into line better. The issue was Kitty had a problem remembering she needed 'turtle' speed while in the building and `rabbit' speed when cruising along.  She eventually got used to it but it was interesting before she did.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="788ad01c0.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="540" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Next it was off to Spaceship Earth…another ride Kitty had never been on.  The ride was fine and off we went to The Living Seas.  We wanted to go see Crush but the line was way too long for that and we quickly did a u-turn and off to Imagination we go.  Along the way, we came upon Club Cool (formerly Ice Station Cool) and had to go in.  Since the remodeling, the entrance into Club Cool is uneventful…I miss the cave man frozen in the ice and the coolness of the air walking into this area; now it is just a plain entranceway into the shop.  Once inside, the bad news was that most of the drinks were not in service….the good news, Beverly was.  Kitty, being the novice she was, knew nothing about Beverly and believe me, I wasn't going to tell her.  I first had her try ginger ale to soften her up.  We then switched to the other drink available though I can't recall what it was.  The time was here and onto Beverly.  Kitty slurped away and as anticipated, her face made that sour, disgusting look that EVERYBODY makes.  What the `heck' is that she claimed…or something along those lines.  Another priceless expression and reaction as Beverly takes another victim.  She was shocked to find it was actually an aperitif that people intentionally consume….what people; got me!  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="788bd01c0.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="540" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="788cd01c0.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="540" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Off to Imagination we go and by the time we get there, it is starting to rain a bit harder.  But right on the ride we go and it is cute….nothing special in my mind.  After the ride we try to head right out but it is raining so hard that Laura and I have to get ponchos.  We finally head out and decide it's time to go to World Showcase, where we end up meeting Jim.  Nothing special going on here as we look around and end up riding El Rio del Tiempo.  Next to Norway we go and ride Maelstrom and see the Norway movie.  Next is China and we all go see the movie there as well.  Now I can't recall where, but Kitty whacked the crap out of another railing along the way….may have been Norway….this woman is dangerous….stay very alert and very far away! </div> <bR> <div> After China, we meander over towards The American Adventure where we all split up.  Kitty and her mom head off to the Liberty Inn for a bite to eat and Jim heads off on his own.  Laura and I take in the American Adventure and are fortunate enough to walk in on the Voices of Liberty performing.  They are always a good performance and were as great as ever.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="788dd01b0.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="539" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Onto the show and it was fine as usual. Afterwards, Japan was next in line and it was time to shop.  Of all of the countries in World Showcase, our family spends more money here than anywhere.  Our kids always want their souvenirs from here, Laura buys chopsticks, and I undoubtedly buy tea….just about every time.  So we drop a quick $100 and Laura gets me to go to one of her favorite restaurants at EPCOT, Yakitori House.  It is very reasonably priced and Laura loves the udon soup…which is a thick, long noodle soup that she gets shrimp tempura with. I get the vegetable udon myself and it is actually very good.  The entire day has been very wet and cool….temperature may have been 70 degrees but no warmer….and the hot soup hit the spot for both of us.  Good choice Laura!  It was almost 3:00pm and on most days, we have left the park we began our day in hours ago.  Being it was still raining and not a good day for pictures at all, we decided to head back to the room for a short nap.  </div> <bR> <div> We had an 8:00pm ADR at Rose & Crown with Jim so around 5:30 or so, we head on back to EPCOT where we begin in France.  Now for political reasons, France has not been one of my favorite countries for years but being the good sport I am, we go in to see the movie.  Of course, I tick Laura off because once the hostess starts speaking prior to the movie; she pisses me off.  As a starter, the hostess asks if anyone can speak French and when nobody indicates they can, she comments that she has to speak English again.  I of course mumble to Laura that if she doesn't want to speak English she can always go back home.  Then she commented about how wonderful the golden plums are in France and they make a much better pie than our cherries…..the BITCH!  How dare she make that comment so I bitched and moaned to Laura about that too.  In matter of fact, until this moment, I still bitch about that to Laura but really, I'm just playing around….sort of….the bitch! </div> <bR> <div> After the movie, I hightail it out of there and off to see O'Canada.  I think it's time for China, France, and Canada to update their movies.  I mean they are good but each had to be made back in the 1980's…I think it's time for an update already.  After Canada, we wander back towards Rose & Crown to meet up with Jim but being it is only 7:00, we stop outside the stage in Canada for a seat and to kill some time.  There is this duck standing right next to where we are sitting just minding his/her own business…the duck actually looked like it was sleeping at times but still standing there.  We were there about 10 minutes and then this family came by…mom and her brats.  There were several people sitting around and it WAS rather peaceful and quiet.  Then `Dennis the Menace' was let loose.  This little man (about 6 or 7 years old, I guess) began running around and carrying on like a wild man.  When he ran around us and saw the duck, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes suddenly lit up and he began screaming and chasing after the duck.  The duck escaped to the other side of the stage area but little Dennis still has him in his sights.  Off he goes again…screaming and running.  The duck finally flies away and I take the duck's lead and have to leave as well before I pick up the little brat and throw him in the lake.  I can understand kids being wound up and having a lot of energy but for the parent to allow the kid to become a bother to everyone in the area is beyond me.  I guess I should have actually tossed the mom in the lake but I am generally not one to make a stink and off we go to meet up with Jim.</div> <bR> <div> Jim is waiting at Rose & Crown and we check in and we are about 30 minutes early.  We opt to go to the bar and have a drink and kill some time.  We wanted to sit out on the porch so we could see Illuminations…that's why we were here so early so we could get a good seat as we requested to be on the porch.  Well, after almost an hour wait, we finally get a seat and we absolutely could not be further from the porch area.  We asked to be reseated but there was no way we were going to get a seat on the porch…I was not happy. I mean shit, we had asked prior to going to WDW to be seated on the porch…checked in at 7:30 for dinner and asked to be seated on the porch…and we get seated right next to the bar…as far from the porch as possible in this restaurant.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="788ed01c0.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="540" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Oh well, shit happens so we take our seats and decide to drink a bit more…at least I did.  Our waiter was Will from Scotland.  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="788fd0180.jpg" border=0 width="720" height="536" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A nicer guy we could not have gotten but it seems that Ireland should have been his homeland…he was definitely “full of Blarney”…if you know what I mean.  He was very talkative and had a great accent.  He wasn't the quickest of servers but he had a good spiel to keep us entertained. Little did I know that I was going to stump Will and the bartender with my exotic drink order….Beefeaters Gin up…..a martini with NO vermouth please.  Well, they just could not comprehend that and Will came back two additional times to ask me about my drink.  I mean, really, is pouring Gin onto ice…stirring it….and then pouring it into a glass real complex.  Anyway, Jim had some beer and Laura her usual…Kahlua & coke to start the meal off.  We decided to split the cheese plate and it came with 4 or 5 small pieces of cheese, some grapes, crackers, and a lingonberry spread…all in all, very skimpy…good but skimpy.  I would not order it again.  It was around this time that Illuminations started and I walked around to the porch to view but there was no comfortable place to watch from so I just went back to the table.  For the main course, we all ordered the steak and Laura and I also get a piece of battered fish with ours.  Our steaks were great; very rare and very tasty.  That is, Laura and I had great steaks…Jim had his cooked more so I am sure it was not as good as ours.   In addition, I had peas (instead of mashers) and green beans….all very good.  Jim and I decided on dessert and both got the sticky toffee pudding. This was exceptional and was a piece of pound like cake (though better) with a vanilla `pudding' like sauce all around…it was a good ending to very good meal.  Overall, even though we did not get to see Illuminations, the meal was much better than I anticipated and was one of our top meals this trip.  By the time we were done, it was after 10:00pm and time to walk on back to the Boardwalk….the end of a long, wet, yet fun day!</div> </td> </tr></table></body>