Yoo Hoo, Disney EchoEars!
Continuing with a series of trip reports from my friend Bruce Metcalf...
Metcalfs @ WDW day 7
Today it's back to the Magic Kingdom to see what we missed the first time.
Breakfast at Tony's Towne Square: Country Fritattas.  This place is such a
calm eye of the storm.  We sat and enjoyed our coffee; outside the mothers
pushed their frightened offspring toward the beckoning walkarounds while
proud papas watched their whole life pass by in a camcorder viewfinder.
Even at the full length of Main Street, we could tell when the rope dropped.
We quickly made our way to Splash Mountain to find the wait under five
minutes!  (I do so love visiting in the off-season!)  There seems to be a
new water cannon added since last we looked--just as each log drops into
the briar patch, this new pipe jets water all over whatever log may be
drifting past, plus anyone standing on the closer bridge.  Runoff from this
travels down the sidewalks all the way to mid-Frontierland.  SWMBO says the
signs that say "You May Get Wet" should be changed to say "You Will
Definitly Get SPLOOSHED!"
Camera note:  if you like those "disposable" cameras, bring a zip-lock
baggie to put them in for SM, or be prepared to watch them disassemble
themselves right in your hand.  Don't ask.
Despite the Swiss Family Treehouse being shuttered for refurbishment, you
can get to the Jungle Cruise with a little effort.  We found a short line
and a short speil by a pilot with short experience at the use of the
microphone.  I sat three from the front and couldn't hear most of what he
said.  He ran so fast that he had to skip several bad jokes, and had no
interaction with his crew.  Dick Nunis, where are you when we really need
you?
Did I see signs of political correctness on the JC, or am I confusing it
with the one at DL?  I remember the rhino having treed one Great White
Hunter and several black bearers--this ride had all white men up a tree.
Hmm, could just be my memory.
During this one day, SWMBO became addicted to slushes.  We found three
different flavors at various spots around the park, and tried them all.  It
was hot enough.  Several more attractions, then we elected to nap away the
heat of the afternoon.
Dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe, but not without difficulty.  Remember
what the guidebooks say about how far it is from guest parking to the
lobby?  I measured it at about 1/2 mile.  We decided against it, parked at
the Polynesian, and took the monorail.  You'ld think they really didn't
want us off-property riff-raff coming to eat!
Our appetiser of fried calimari was most unusual.  Unusual in that it was
neither great nor terrible, as is usually the case with squid, but just
pretty good, not quite rubbery, a little too spicy.  We dined on shrimp
Caesar salads, which were excellent--only three shrimp, but BIG ONES.
Back to the MK for the fireworks, and to pick up the merchandise and photos
we had dropped off.  We watched the fireworks from our favorite bench in
Mickey's Toontown Fair, the one that makes it look like the fireworks are
being set off in Mickey's backyard.  We were surprised afterward to find
the WDW Railroad had quit running--we usually use it for a quick
exit--because the park closed at 9 just like the fireworks.  Bummer, big
walk in big crowd!
At the Polynesian again, we went to "Capt. Cooks Snack & Ice Cream
Company".  What a rip!  The only ice cream in this place is a small freezer
of Haagen Daas bars.  No sign of the "make your own sundae bar" advertised
in several guidebooks.  So, back upstairs to our favorite, the Coral Isle
Cafe where we ordered sundaes, and got just what we wanted--with a big
smile.  Between the staff, this restaurant, and the convenience to
transportation options, I can understand why this continues to be the most
popular resort, despite the rooms being a bit long in the tooth.
Bruce Metcalf,
EMuck Rufus,
mailto:bmetcalf@cdc3.cdc.net
--- April V1.0+
(1:3828/1.3)
---------------