Thanks to getting ourselves way overextended yesterday, we slept in til
10 and pretty much blew any chance of taking in any of the most popular
attractions. So shoot us, we were beat!
Arising thus at a leisurly hour, we repaired to the Coral Isle Cafe at
the Polynesian for our favorite breakfasts on the property: Tonga Toast
for me and the Shrimp and Cheese Omelette for Marta. I told CM Lois that
Tonga Toast was one of the biggest reasons I had for comming to WDW.
Thus warned, she reluctantly informed me that the recipe had change in
the past year.
"Bring me Tonga Toast, and if it isn't any good, I'll come back with my
friend Chernabog and tear up this place," I threatened! Lucky for her,
the "change" was to cut the toast thicker--I decided to let them live.
At the Magic Kingdom, Main Street looked more like May than January. We
fought our way into the 25th Anniversary Welcome Center, and were
rewarded with a good display of plans and models of new developments.
Marta was particulary interested in seeing the inside of Mickey's
Magical Workshop on the film. Nothing really new to report to the
careful readers of this echo, but the 3D model of the Animal Kingdom
(about 10-foot square) really helped shape my impression of the place.
We're already making plans to come back when it opens.
The WDW Railroad whisked us to Toontown Fair behind locomotive #1, the
"Walter E. Disney". We found it just as crowded as Main Street, so we
just wandered about a bit. In our wanderings we discovered something
that isn't even on Disney's maps yet: There is a new walkway connecting
from Toontown Fair (by the railroad station) to Tomorrowland (by the
video arcade and Space Mountain). Making its winding way between the
Autopia and the railroad tracks, it provides a surprisingly tranquil
interlude, seemingly far from the hordes of screaming children. All it
lacks is a couple of benches--I'm writing Disney to suggest it as soon
as we get home.
The "new new" Tomorrowland (or Yesterdayland, as some have called this
new incarnation) feels completely different. Partly, this is because the
main avenue running east from the hub has been almost completely rebuilt
(and narrowed) and the whole place has a new design motif that is best
described as "Buck Rogers Meets the Hall of Aluminum" (this is a history
test for you old Disneylanders). I think Ward Kimball and Chuck Jones
would love it, but Werner von Braun is probably turning over in his
grave.
Because the had no lines at all, we rode the Carousel of Progress,
Dreamflight (for what may be the last time, so report say), Tomorrowland
Transit Authority (nee Peoplemover), and finally The Timekeeper. In a
word, WOW! If the quality of Alien Encounter is worth an hours wait when
the Timekeeper is a walk-on, AE must be a trip straight to nirvana. Mind
you, we are big fans of Robin Williams, and this attraction uses his
zany style well, but it's a very good attraction by any standard. By the
same token, the Circlevision film is nowhere near as good as any of its
predecessors--including the early 11-screen model (this is another
history test). I suppose the problem is that so few writers and
directors have much experience in the format. Nine Eyes could have been
Three Eyes and done nearly as well.
For those who haven't heard, the Rivers of America are now home to WDW's
third sternwheeler. "Third?" you ask? Yes, the first was the Admiral Joe
Fowler. In 1973, the Richard F. Irvine was built and sharde the
load--until the good Admiral had his keel broken while being hoisted
into drydock some twelve years ago (this isn't a history test--I don't
remember exactly when). The boat we rode today was named "Liberty
Belle", and I quizzed the crew about old Dick.
"Well, the hull and engines of this boat *are* the Richard F. Irvine,
but the superstructure had about rotted through in twenty-five years of
daily service, so we replace just about everything above the hull--using
a lot of aluminum and vinyl this time--rechristened her, and did a
sex-change operation at the same time." I'm not sure Michael would want
his CM's to describe it that way, but truth is truth--even among those
who are not anatomically correct.
The narration on the boat has changed as well. The captain introduces a
young man as the pilot--taking his 100th trip down this river--as Samuel
Clemens. To avoid a paradox, the fort on Tom Sawer's Island has been
renamed from Fort Sam Clemens to Fort Cleghorn (?). I suspect there are
a lot of Guests of Honor having family arguments about this even as I
type.
I am pleased to report that contrary to the practice at Disneyland, the
Tropical Serenade at WDW is still at its full, original lenght. We were
alos pleased that nobody got nervy enough to walk out during our
performance. We felt just a little self-conscious being the only ones
joining in the singing, but I remember reading that Walt Disney always
sang at *every* performance he sat through with guests, so that must be
the way to have the most fun.  8;-)
I suppose you want to hear our opinions on the Great Ugly Castle Debate.
Weelllll... Marta likes it mostly, but thinks they should have skipped
the gumballs, as she hates to eat them. Me, I'm not sure of anything
except that I'm glad it will go away in a year. Because of the crowds,
we really couldn't get too close, so I'll try to get a better look (and
a nighttime view) before I commit myself.
Reaching our crowd limit, we embarked on a cruise to the Wilderness
Lodge for our first visit, arriving just in time to see Old Faithful
blow. Amazing place. Marta and I want to back a moving van up to the
lobby doors and refurnish our living room. At at Artist's Point--a
little pricy for regular fare, but the food was anything but regular. We
had the baked salmon and the crab pot and emerged stuffed--even after
taking CM Lois' suggestion to split a berry cobbler desert. Great food,
but bring your Visa card--you don't want to be carrying around that much
cash.
Returning to the Polynesian (and our car) by boats, we were treated to
Magic Kingdom fireworks while asail. The captain cut his engines where
we had a good view and waited for the finale before continuing the trip.
Classy move (or not-move, in this case).
Let me repeat the invitation to local EchoEars to contact us for a
get-together. Holiday Inn Maingate, 396-7300. And for those of you
shaking your heads and saying, "Why didn't thtose fools stay on the
property?" I can only say that with our employee discounts, we are
saving enough (compared to MKC rates at All Stars) to pay for our annual
passes, so there nyah! Nice place--even has data ports in the
telephones, but you need a 20-foot extension cord to reach fro the desk
to the nearest outlet and another 15-foot phone cord to reach the phone.
Oh well, at least they're trying.
More tomorrow if we don't fall asleep first.
()_()
 (_)  Bruce (hopitality professional) Metcalf
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 þ OLX 2.1 TD þ Sorcerers' parking only.  Violators will be toad.
--- FLAME v1.1
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