Ruminations- Reflections of Mirth

An old trip report- I hope no one minds that its a few months old.
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The worst title in the history of trip reports. I couldn't resist, It gives me D-chills. This trip report is presented in no particular order. Just some incoherent rambling about my recent trip to BCV 9/29- 10/9/12.

DME
I arrived on Saturday at about 11 am with my carry-on luggage and found a very long line at DME for the Epcot resorts. Since my flight was already delayed an hour, I was in no mood for standing around at MCO. I didn't think I would get on the next bus, so I left and found a cab. $75 with tip, and 15 minutes later I was at BCV.
I took DME home on a Tuesday at 1:35. We were picked up on time and there was scarcely anyone on the bus. The next stop was Caribbean Beach and after that we were at capacity. It was a one and a half hour trip to the airport. I slept the whole way.
I often debate the value of DME. The time wasted vs. the cost of a cab. I could recoup some of the expense of the cab with a quick grocery stop. It's a real toss-up for me which way to go.

The Room
We had room 110 which I am convinced is the best room in BCV. Right off the Breezeway, I was afraid it would be noisy with the traffic, but not a sound did I hear. Convenient to lobby, buses, quiet pool, and Epcot and about as close to SAB as BCVs get.

Garden Grocer
Everything was there on time. The cold things were cold (except the beer). And nothing was missing from the order. And they had Dogfish Head Ale 90 Minute IPA for which I am very grateful. That was a delightful poolside beverage in my refillable Disney cup. Garden Grocer, I think I love you.

SAB Pool
You had to get there by 10 am to get a decent place. Rocky was there to take the drink orders. Rocky I think I love you. All is fine in the World.

Raycer Boats
First time doing them. One of those things that I never got around to. Well, they are sick fun and pretty inexpensive to boot. $40 for an hour with DVC discount. And you can get two people in and each drive for a half hour.

Around the World
The Segway tour was so good last year, we did it again. It's now three hours long and includes breakfast. Try to get the 8:30 tour with Elton or Lamont; fine gentlemen and lots of fun.

Welcome Home Wednesday
I sometimes forget that WDW is for children. I am old and my children are grown, so I find many things at the World tedious and boring. Like the owners meeting. It was my first. Two rather ridiculously chipper young women proceeded over the festivities. One had a voice like a cartoon character; the other was British by accent anyway. They made some obligatory plugs for Aulani which I found amusing since they appeared to be directed at the kids. (Mommy I want to go to Hawaii. OK junior, I'll buy a few hundred points!) The games and bad jokes may have been wonderful for the kids- I think they were having fun. But there was not much there for an old guy like me, except a rather nice hat...and a pin...and some tasty lemonade. Oh and they may have given out a few nice prizes to contest and game winners. But I couldn't tell you what they were, because I fell asleep.

MNSSHP was FREE
Did you hear me? It was free!
It rained. Doesn't it always rain in the afternoon? So they cancelled one of the parades, but they still ran the second one. And Hallowishes was delayed a bit. But I went on any ride I wanted. I had first row for the parade. I stood on the train platform for Hallowishes. I ate a turkey leg, an egg roll, popcorn, a Dole float. So it rained a bit- so what.
There were a million people on line for guest services. I found out that Disney was giving refunds or vouchers for another night. Huh? Anyway, I wasn't about to waste the night on that line that snaked around the park. So I made the best of the rainy night. But I did inquire on the way out at midnight if they were still giving refunds- and they were. It took five minutes to get a refund on my credit card. I still don't understand why they did it.

La Nouba
I have seen three Cirque shows; O, Mystere and La Nouba. I like La Nouba the best of the three. I saw it last year with Mrs. Colonel, but when they put the tickets on sale for $50, I felt like going again so my DD22 could see it- so I did. I had to open 50 browser windows and put 100 tickets on hold to get the tickets I wanted, dead center, but I did it.
Anyway, there was a French speaking family behind us and next to us at the show. Apparently they felt that since they spoke French they must be part of the show, so they proceeded to hold conversations throughout the show even after I twice asked them to nicely to keep it down and once told them to shut the *** up. Luckily there were many empty seats, so we moved, (I went right through them as rudely as I could and I can be pretty rude-knocking down sodas and popcorns and cursing away), to an even better location where we could enjoy the show without the simultaneous foreign language commentary.

The Volcano
Approaching the rim of the crater one can see the bubbling hot lava. It flows, slowly, inexorably annihilating all in its path. The acrid vapors burn the eyes and lungs, and singe the nostrils. One staggers weakly away, burnt and blistered, eyes watering, drenched in sweat. The smell once inhaled, is not easily lost and is never forgotten. It is the smell of Mother Nature's wrath. Innumerable generations have not killed the ancient memory of this primordial force. As strange as it is, we recognize it at once. The knowledge of this phenomenon is in our very DNA. We instinctively recognize the power of his cosmic accident, as apparently benign elements combine to bring about a cataclysm.
Is this the collision of massive tectonic plates? Is this the release of unfathomable pressure at the earth's core? No, it's simply the result of a burrito at Tortuga Tavern, a bowl of chili at Beaches and Cream and a couple of dark beers.

The Weather
Each day was the same. Mornings were sunny and hot. Afternoons were sunny, unbearably hot and humid. Afternoons and early evenings brought steaming rain. Evenings were hot and humid.
On one hot, humid day in the park, I discovered an entire ecosystem had developed in my underwear. The warm, moist conditions were quite conducive to certain life forms. The flora and fauna thrive is such a lush tropical environment.
On such heated afternoons, I noted pungent aromas from certain hygienically challenged guests at the park. I wondered what mysterious creatures lurked in their private ecosystems. Then I threw up a little.

Dine with an Imagineer
I was pleasantly surprised by this event. Not by the Imagineer, but by the food at The Brown Derby, which was superb by WDW standards; a nice chopped salad, a beautiful soup, and a delicious tender steak, followed by an acceptable, unnecessary and unwanted dessert.
The Imagineer, (who shall remain nameless), on the other hand was bland and boring. A pleasant enough fellow, but I learned nothing new worth mentioning. The Yeti, the Adventurer's Club, Hyperion Wharf, the general state of the parks, a fifth gate, Carsland at DHS, the status of Avatarland, etc.-he had nothing to tell. I understand that he can't divulge company secrets, but most of the things he spoke about could be found in any good book about Imagineering. He did relate a few amusing stories about Tokyo Disneyland and cultural differences that lead to some funny things there. The quality of this event is almost totally dependent upon the Imagineer and you don't know who you will get until you get there. BTW, they volunteer to do this event so they are there willingly.
The other guests were interesting and informed, lunch was good, and it was all pleasant. But I wouldn't do it again or recommend it to anyone else. But I may try the Brown Derby again.

DDP
Out of curiosity, I added up all of my food and drink expenses, including groceries, booze, etc. and compared it with the cost of the standard DDP. We ate and drank exactly what we wanted. I consumed much alcohol. I ate at every kiosk in Epcot. We did not restrain ourselves in any way. And our cost was at least $100 cheaper than the DDP. I was surprised at that.

I bought refillable cups for the first time. They definitely paid for themselves over 10 days. And they're also good for carrying adult type beverages here and there. They never left the hotel though.

Restaurants

Via Napoli- I was very unimpressed last year by this place, but I've heard so many good reviews that I did a walk-in at 7:30 had a pizza and rice balls and was out in time for Illuminations. The pizza was pretty good. And dinner for three for about $50 is cheap. Not bad.

Ohana- What annoys me about many WDW restaurants is this pretense that they are fine dining establishments. Reservations, checking in, the prices, the fancy descriptions in the menu, etc. Then you get there and you're seated at a table that was just gone over with a wet filthy rag and not even dried. Your utensils and napkin are thrown on this table. Then eventually a waiter appears and you're treated to some dried up I don't know what bread. Tasteless wings and rock hard dumplings are thrown in a pot barely warm. And then they come around with some pretty over-cooked tough ass meat on skewers. Peel your own shrimp- c'mon it's a restaurant; prepare the damn food for eating. And then you split this huge thing for dessert that looks like it was already eaten. The waiter was so slow that I was afraid to give him my KTTW, so I left cash and ran out before that awful fake hula dancer came back.

Ok maybe I exaggerate, but I was not impressed.

Backlot Express- I couldn't get into anywhere at DHS so I tried this place for the first time. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the burgers there just as good as Sci-Fi? Aren't those chicken wings tasty and as spicy as all hell? So there is a quick service option at DHS.

Tortuga Tavern " Now open every day 11-3. Oh happy day!

Earl and B&C were as expected- pretty damn good.

Brown Derby- as mentioned elsewhere, very nice.

Food and Wine Festival

I did a lot of chowing at F&W. I love those small plates. They took out my favorite dish from last year at Korea, so I give Canada the highest marks. And the Moosehead is good too.

Then we must drink. Margaritas at Mexico. Vodka slushies at France. Bass Ale at England. Drink up because here comes Moosehead in Canada. Let's try on these hats. Hey take our picture please. Oh wait Sam Adams Latitude? I gotta try one of those fruity brews at the craft brew kiosk. I need another 22 oz souvenir mug for my collection. Hey let's go watch Boys to Men! What happened to that guy in Off Kilter with the bagpipes? Is he gone for good? Oh this British Invasion- why don't they just play a whole set of Zeppelin? Cava and some nachos. Look that guy has a hidden Mickey tattoo. What a loser. So I do trip reports, I'm no loser. Just sharing info with some Disney peeps. Hey remember yesterday when I had the burrito and the chili...ha ha ha! We can laugh about it now. Let's go swimming! Why don't they let me drive the friendship boat? Let's go to Jelly Rolls. Try this drink, it's magical.

BLT and TOTWL
Before heading to Ohana for dinner, we walked over to BLT and checked out TOTWL. I know a lot of people like these things so I'll just say I don't. I didn't enjoy the walk under the monorail tracks and through the parking lot. I didn't like BLT architecture or layout or pool. And TOTWL may be nice if you are staying there, but it was so not worth the trip to me. I prefer to watch the fireworks from up close. In the hub is best for me. Everything about it just paled in comparison to the Epcot resorts that I love. JMHO

Epcot 30
I was at Epcot on 10/1/2012. There was such an air of celebration, but it was totally inspired by the guests. All Disney did was hand out some buttons (that they ran out of before I got there) and do a few minutes of very nice fireworks after Illuminations. It should have and could have been a bigger deal.

The PAP Perk
On the morning of Oct 1, 2012 I was at guest services to upgrade a park hopper to a PAP which was done rather easily and also to purchase two vouchers to purchase PAPs which was done with much difficulty since that product was not in the computer yet. But we persevered and the mission was finally accomplished.

Ride Highlights
On Carousel of Progress, in the final room (the "future"), John's head was completely turned to the side at a 90 degree angle. Quite amusing. I'll post a picture.
I noted a disturbing number of animatronics not operating on SM. Garbage in the HM. Backstage doors left open, unheard of in the old days.