- Joined
- Oct 19, 2004
Friday May 9th:
I awoke bright n' early and sent Richard for more morning provisions from Roaring Forks - I knew there was a reason he was good to have along! No time for dilly-dallying however as we were all booked to do the Segway Tour at Fort Wilderness later that morning. We decided to drive to Fort Wilderness and catch the internal bus to get to the meeting point. Which is exactly what we did!
The Wilderness Back Trail Adventure was hosted by two great laid-back guys and we had a totally terrific tour! Sophie and I had enjoyed the Epcot Segway tour last October but this was Richard's first time - I loved watching his concentration as he steered the Segway through the cones and down a slope... So after a short safety film, a few practice manoeuvres and a rest room stop, we were off! Now this was a much more strenuous excursion than we'd previously experienced as we bounced, bobbed and buffeted along the trails. Again, I'm not going to go into too much detail - suffice to say, this exhilarating excursion is great fun and I can't wait until Samuel's 16 so we have an excuse to do it all over again...
After a couple of hours, we made our way back to the car and I drove to the Alamo desk at the Dolphin so we could add Richard onto the hire agreement. This hassle-free procedure took minutes and cost nothing - how often can you say that?! As we had nothing planned for the rest of the day until the Pirates and Princesses Party in the evening, it seemed like a great shopportunity had presented itself! So we returned to the Premium Outlets Mall as there were a couple of items wanted to pick up. Sadly I didn't go anywhere near the Fendi store
but I did manage to buy a couple of pretty Coach bags as gifts for my girlfriends. Richard (not a natural shopper) spent waaay too long in the Nike outlet only to exit with a multi pack of trainer socks - sad really... 
By mid-afternoon we were hungry and so it was time to do something we'd hardly ever done before - eat off-site!!! Courtesy of our tip-top tourist map, I was able to pinpoint a couple of feasible food outlets and we decided to try Red Lobster in the Crossroads shopping area! Good choice! As it was around 4.30, I doubted it would actually be open but it was and we had the most fabulous seafoody feast for so few dollars it seemed silly! Can't wait to return TBH... We also popped into a nearby liquor store and bought a bottle of Moet to take onboard for the Sail Away party - all in all a very satisfying afternoon...
Richard propelled us back to the resort where we prepared ourselves for the Pirates and Princesses Party with passion! Before long we headed out again, this time on foot to catch a launch to the Magic Kingdom. Dusk was falling and the skyline was a magical silhouette ...
Fortunately we didn't have to wait too long for a Friendship to show up and were soon chugging past the Contemporary towards Cinderella's Castle...
The evening started wonderfully well. We mingled with the crowds along Main Street, absorbing the atmosphere and savouring the oh-so familiar sights. I had the usual lump in my throat - what is it about this place that it can choke up such a cynical chick as myself...? Mmmm, anyway our feet were taking us to Adventureland and Pirates of The Caribbean - always a great start to any MK mission. We rode with Cap'n Jack a couple of times before heading to Big Thunder Mountain as the fireworks were starting. Riding BTMR continuously with pyrotechnics popping above your head is an absolute must-do IMO and we had a magical experience...
And that was where the evening's enjoyment ended for me. Next up, Splash Mountain. The three of us had a log to ourselves and we were soon heavily involved in following the plot and singing along... It was on that first short drop that I got a downright drowning! We are talking head to toe H2O!! A major marination!!! Oh how we laughed as we skipped off to scare ourselves silly in Haunted Mansion. I stopped laughing quite soon after as my sensitive skin started to feel increasingly irritated. Wearisome woman that I am, I have widespread severe psoriasis and despite attempting constantly to keep the condition under control, the most unexpected experience can cause a problem. I guess the chemicals in the Splash Mountain flume affected me adversely (tho' I've never experienced any such problem before) and, to cut a long, tedious and self-pitying story short, I'm still suffering several weeks later...
The evening was ruined for me and my general fed-up feeling was only exacerbated by the queue for Space Mountain (guys, we've paid extra, open up both sides of the attraction - PLEASE!!!) and a cockroach
that got much too close for comfort as I waited on a wall for Richard to buy a bottle of water... 
We left just before midnight on a packed boat, my skin prickling and burning. Back in the room, I examined the damage and was horrified at the extent of the problem. Fortunately I had some cream with me. Unfortunately there wasn't much remaining. In an attempt to lift my seriously slumping spirits, Sophie made us all a night-cap and we retired to bed... Cocktail count = 4...
I awoke bright n' early and sent Richard for more morning provisions from Roaring Forks - I knew there was a reason he was good to have along! No time for dilly-dallying however as we were all booked to do the Segway Tour at Fort Wilderness later that morning. We decided to drive to Fort Wilderness and catch the internal bus to get to the meeting point. Which is exactly what we did!
The Wilderness Back Trail Adventure was hosted by two great laid-back guys and we had a totally terrific tour! Sophie and I had enjoyed the Epcot Segway tour last October but this was Richard's first time - I loved watching his concentration as he steered the Segway through the cones and down a slope... So after a short safety film, a few practice manoeuvres and a rest room stop, we were off! Now this was a much more strenuous excursion than we'd previously experienced as we bounced, bobbed and buffeted along the trails. Again, I'm not going to go into too much detail - suffice to say, this exhilarating excursion is great fun and I can't wait until Samuel's 16 so we have an excuse to do it all over again...
After a couple of hours, we made our way back to the car and I drove to the Alamo desk at the Dolphin so we could add Richard onto the hire agreement. This hassle-free procedure took minutes and cost nothing - how often can you say that?! As we had nothing planned for the rest of the day until the Pirates and Princesses Party in the evening, it seemed like a great shopportunity had presented itself! So we returned to the Premium Outlets Mall as there were a couple of items wanted to pick up. Sadly I didn't go anywhere near the Fendi store
but I did manage to buy a couple of pretty Coach bags as gifts for my girlfriends. Richard (not a natural shopper) spent waaay too long in the Nike outlet only to exit with a multi pack of trainer socks - sad really... By mid-afternoon we were hungry and so it was time to do something we'd hardly ever done before - eat off-site!!! Courtesy of our tip-top tourist map, I was able to pinpoint a couple of feasible food outlets and we decided to try Red Lobster in the Crossroads shopping area! Good choice! As it was around 4.30, I doubted it would actually be open but it was and we had the most fabulous seafoody feast for so few dollars it seemed silly! Can't wait to return TBH... We also popped into a nearby liquor store and bought a bottle of Moet to take onboard for the Sail Away party - all in all a very satisfying afternoon...
Richard propelled us back to the resort where we prepared ourselves for the Pirates and Princesses Party with passion! Before long we headed out again, this time on foot to catch a launch to the Magic Kingdom. Dusk was falling and the skyline was a magical silhouette ...
Fortunately we didn't have to wait too long for a Friendship to show up and were soon chugging past the Contemporary towards Cinderella's Castle...
The evening started wonderfully well. We mingled with the crowds along Main Street, absorbing the atmosphere and savouring the oh-so familiar sights. I had the usual lump in my throat - what is it about this place that it can choke up such a cynical chick as myself...? Mmmm, anyway our feet were taking us to Adventureland and Pirates of The Caribbean - always a great start to any MK mission. We rode with Cap'n Jack a couple of times before heading to Big Thunder Mountain as the fireworks were starting. Riding BTMR continuously with pyrotechnics popping above your head is an absolute must-do IMO and we had a magical experience...
And that was where the evening's enjoyment ended for me. Next up, Splash Mountain. The three of us had a log to ourselves and we were soon heavily involved in following the plot and singing along... It was on that first short drop that I got a downright drowning! We are talking head to toe H2O!! A major marination!!! Oh how we laughed as we skipped off to scare ourselves silly in Haunted Mansion. I stopped laughing quite soon after as my sensitive skin started to feel increasingly irritated. Wearisome woman that I am, I have widespread severe psoriasis and despite attempting constantly to keep the condition under control, the most unexpected experience can cause a problem. I guess the chemicals in the Splash Mountain flume affected me adversely (tho' I've never experienced any such problem before) and, to cut a long, tedious and self-pitying story short, I'm still suffering several weeks later...
The evening was ruined for me and my general fed-up feeling was only exacerbated by the queue for Space Mountain (guys, we've paid extra, open up both sides of the attraction - PLEASE!!!) and a cockroach
that got much too close for comfort as I waited on a wall for Richard to buy a bottle of water... We left just before midnight on a packed boat, my skin prickling and burning. Back in the room, I examined the damage and was horrified at the extent of the problem. Fortunately I had some cream with me. Unfortunately there wasn't much remaining. In an attempt to lift my seriously slumping spirits, Sophie made us all a night-cap and we retired to bed... Cocktail count = 4...
Oh what a shame your lovely day was ruined like that - I hope it didn't affect the rest of your holiday
Anyway we ducked the film and marched straight to Mexico for the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros - I just love the bit when you sail past the San Angel Inn - I can't stop myself from wildly waving at the diners... 
Great trippie.
I will definately partake in a glass or two in Italy. My best friend is coming out to WDW a week after us and we are having an evening in World Showcase ( it was probably your last trippie that gave me the idea)
