Trip Report 5/27/08 Day 6

Day 6 May 27

We meet at 8:45 AM. Everybody seems to be in a good mood. We have breakfast. On to EPCOT!

Today the park seems quiet. Crowd is less, the holiday is over. I suggest we get FP’s for Soarin’ then go to Test Track. They all agree! Soarin’ FP is 11:25 AM – 12:25 PM. So we go to Test Track. I love this ride! Did I mention that fact before? 10 minute wait. By the time we walked through the line, we were at the doors.

Next we head over to Nemo. There is no wait, so we get right on. Again a cute ride. I think I enjoyed it more with my granddaughter last year. Figment is a must, although just the fiancé and I wanted to go on. This was his first time since he was 9 years old the last time he visited, and he remembered “Figment.”

OK FP to Soarin’. Oldest does not want to go on. “What’s the big deal?” She waits outside for us. The countries are her “thing.” OK. After the exhilarating ride on Soarin’, we head to the World Showcase. We bypass Canada as we were there Thursday. On to England, or as I was corrected by a cute young sales girl from Scotland, “this is the UK.” I wanted a golf towel, but $20.00 to clean my golf balls was a little steep. We went into Morocco, oh, I forgot, the kids had to take pictures of themselves with hats on from every country. Too funny. They got me to participate a few times. I was getting hungry, so I saw a funnel cake stand. I stopped and ordered one. I had my birthday pin on so he said do you want anything on it? I said no, just the powdered sugar. He said well since it’s your Birthday, you can have either ice cream, chocolate sauce, something else. I said well… I took the ice cream. He said ';I’m going to add the chocolate sauce also.'; WOW! That was the best funnel cake I ever had.

Japan was our next stop. I found the clock section. I’m fascinated by watches and clocks. I found a clock I liked, it played different songs. It was $495.00. So I went to a smaller version - $79.95. I took a picture of it, the model number, and will be purchasing it soon.

Ok, “let’s go back to POP, swim, rest and get ready for Ed’s birthday dinner at Tutto Italia tonight at 7:00 PM.” We go back. In our room are three balloons, a card from my pal Mickey, and Minnie, and a picture of them in front of the castle. By the pool, I found a ping pong table. I’m happy. After a few games, we shower, and get dressed for my birthday celebration. We get back to EPCOT about 6:00PM, so we go to Mexico. Again with the hats. The youngest buys a little trinket for her little half sister. We leave and they “need” margaritas! My wife buys the four of them margaritas, I start for Italy.

We put our name in, and wait a few minutes. We are seated. Our waiter comes over and asks for our drink order. They are all looking at the menu. I order a diet coke with lemon. The girls are asked for ID’s. The youngest goes into her back pack, her wallet is not there. Panic city! She thinks Mexico. She jumps up and runs out. Her fiancé follows. Before he leaves, he tells us what he wants to eat, and what she wanted. The waiter is in shock. He gives us time to compose ourselves. In the meantime, the manager is asking him what is going on as half our table is missing. We order. We call the fiancé. They are on their way back. No wallet. She had her ATM card, a credit card, and her license in it.

Our meals come, and they have not returned yet. After fifteen more minutes, I ask that their meals be put in containers for take out. The waiter does it. We call again to inform them we need one of their cards for the meal. The waiter comes and asks if we want dessert. My wife is now totally upset. The fiancé comes in, and my wife leaves to be with her daughter. She is not coming back as “she has spoiled my birthday celebration.” In all honesty, that is not how I felt. She now decides that she should cancel the cards ASAP. Any way, fiancé chows down his meal out of the container. The waiter asks if we want dessert. Hey, it’s my birthday, of course I do. I order a cannoli. Oldest daughter says no, and fiancé also declines as he attacks the other container.

My wife calls to ask where we are, as she now wants to leave with her daughter. So the waiter brings the bill. We turn in the cards. He comes back with the individual bills, and explains mine is rejected. Now, I’m a little annoyed. The manager comes over (the one who was concerned as our table emptied). He says he will call the resort to get it straightened out. He returns at 8:55 PM. He goes through the place we had dinners. Apparently, Planet Hollywood had taken 4 meals off my card, and I had thought I had paid separately for my friends meals. I apologized to the manager and the waiter, then I paid the bill. At 9:20 PM, the three of us leave the restaurant. We missed most of Illuminations. We meet up with my wife and daughter. “Where were you? You were watching Illuminations!” “I’m sorry for spoiling your birthday.” We explained what had happened, and that I was definitely not upset with her.

She wants to go back to her room alone, and wants the four of us to stay for EMH. No way is that going to happen. She decides we should all stay then. We head back to customer Relations to again see if a wallet was returned. No such luck.

We are staying during EMH finally on our last night. YIPEE! Let’s do Test Track! Did I mention that I love this ride? Next we did spaceship earth. I really like the changes. We go to the Kodak store to get our three free pictures from photo pass. My wife and daughter go to Customer Relations one last time. They come back all smiles! The wallet was turned in – in tact. It was found in Italy.

Now we have to pick the three pictures. There was a great shot taken of me with my favorite characters Chip ‘n Dale. A great shot of all of us in front of the castle, and a shot of the five of us in front of the ball.

I’m out voted again, and it’s three of the one of all of us in front of the castle. They leave me alone to wait for the pictures. I give the cashier my coupons, and am waiting for the girl who took care of us to give me my bag with the pictures she put in it. She asks that I wait one minute. She shows me the picture of Chip ‘n Dale and me. Then she says “happy birthday Ed.” All I could say was thank you.

We get back to POP, and I have had a great day. Tomorrow we have to be at the Magical Express at 11:45 AM. Do what ever you want! Just be ready by 11:45 AM.

Trip Report 5/27/08 Day 6

There%26#39;s nothing like the panic of thinking you%26#39;ve lost your money, c.c.%26#39;s, ATM cards, and license. I%26#39;m so glad the wallet was turned in.

I also got to spend my birthday at Epcot last year, and it was a great experience. Sorry you missed Illuminations with the credit mixup.

The extra added photo was a nice way to end a stressful evening, however. Congrats!!

Trip Report 5/27/08 Day 6

I have really enjoyed reading you reports Cookieman.

I am sure your family appreciate all the planning you have done even though they dont fall in 100%.

Glad your daughters purse turned up and all ended well.

Kids huh! they drive you mad with their timekeeping and laid back attitude but when they get upset and you cant fix it with a band aid it really tears you apart...........

Yes Kat, the Extra photo was nice. I was really sorry that Imissed Illuminations!

Yes littlefpc, KIDS! Except these are 27 and 23 year olds!

Even so Cookieman you never stop feeling their pain.

Goes with the job description.

Yes, very true! :)