Yoo Hoo, Disney EchoEars!
Continuing with a series of WDW trip reports from my friend Bruce Metcalf...
Metcalfs @ WDW day 13-16 w/apology
On Thursday, we breakfasted so late it was lunch at the Wilderness Lodge's
Whispering Canyon Cafe again.  Tomahawk Toss (club sandwich) for SWMBO, Doc
Wiggin's Something-or-other (BBQ chicken sandwich) for me.  Neither
parenthetical description does justice to the food--both were great, and
the staff, though much calmer than at breakfast, was still more than
willing to engage in battles of wits:
"You have Pooh on your shirt," was the first thing said to me once I was
seated (which was true).
"Yeah, but you should see the seagull!" I responded, and the war was on.
Sunday evening we entered the Magic Kingdom at about 5 p.m., and proceeded
directly to Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, upon the recommendation from an
e-correspondent of their sandwiches.  The "Multi-Stage" is indeed a heap of
turkey, swiss cheese, sourdough, and lettuce, plus an invitation to the
condiment bar containing everything from BBQ sauce to hot onions (and yes,
I did put both of those on).  $5 worth of fast food that's actually worth
as much, a pleasant surprise.
This place is, however, quite confusing.  It's actually three restaurants
under one roof.  The sandwich shop where I got mine is joined by a burger
joint and a fried chicken joint--none of which will serve the others'
stuff.  If your group wants some of each, you have to stand in three
different lines to get it.  As a result, about 1/3 of all guests wait in
line only to be told they can't have what they want, even though it's only
ten feet away.  Hello?  Is the goal of efficiency worth pissing off that
many guests?!?
I suppose I should also mention Sunny Eclipse, the animatronic lounge
singer at Ray's.  Better I shouldn't, as it wouldn't be very complimentary.
 I'd have to say his jokes are lamer than those at the Country Bears, and
that I could just barely hear his music at a front-row table, even though
the hall was only *half* filled with screaming children.  Good thing I'm
not talking about him.
Just time for a few rides before retiring for the night.  One was new to
us:  Goofy's Barnstormer at Mickey's Toontown Fair.  Yeah, I know.  It's
for kids.  Like we told the operator, we're much younger on the inside.
Not a bad little ride, even drew a couple of small screams from SWMBO.  The
seats are really too small for two adults, though.
We came across something else new on our way out:  In the ground floor of
the Main Street train station, in the middle by the locker counter, there
are four plaques on the history of the steam locomotives, their history,
and the people they are named for.  Interesting.  At the end of the locker
bays, there are framed photographs, about half of which show Walt and the
original Lilly Belle--his 1/8 size live steam locomotive and the tracks in
the backyard of Walt's Holmby Hills home, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.
Worth a few moments study while you wait for your love to come back from
the ladies room.
OT apology:
Between Thursday's brunch and Sunday's dinner, we attended a couple of
conventions in the Boca Raton area.  SWMBO went to the regional meet of the
National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts, I to the National Model
Railroad Association's.  A good time was had, but very OT for this group.
My apology is that, despite taking my computer along so that I could
continue these posts, I forgot to take the power cords (leaving them in
Kissimmee), and was unable to connect.  Sorry 'bout that.
Bruce Metcalf,
mailto:bmetcalf@cdc3.cdc.net
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