Kirk Sheppard's Blog

I woke up a little later than I did yesterday, but still had plenty of time. There was already a bit of a line of people wanting to go to Epcot at the bus stop and we waited for about 10 minutes before the bus came.

After we disembarked, I already knew I was in for a long day as my feet hurt and I was having trouble walking very fast. Luckily I wasn’t in any hurry.

The kept us behind the turnstiles until about 5 til 9. Then they let us in the park and I began a picture taking frenzy of the topiaries of Donald, Goofy, and Daisy camping and fishing. They’re really great and HUGE! I even had a photopass guy take my picture with my iPhone, though he wasn’t thrilled with it.

I walked in and decided to ride Spaceship Earth since there was no line and it was open. After this, I headed in to get my picture taken with Mickey. Then, I walked over to The Land for breakfast. I had a chocolate crossaint and chocolate milk to tide me over until lunch.

I then rode Living with the Land and noticed they are putting a coy pond in the greenhouse. Not sure why, but its pretty.

After this, I rode Journey into Imagination with Figment and it is harmless, though obviously doesn’t hold a candle to the original. After I rode this I sat and watched the jumping water for awhile before heading towards more beautiful flowers that needed their picture taken.

I took a family photo of a young couple in front of the American Gothic topiary and then asked them to take one of me, which seemed to put the princess out a bit.

Whatever, take the picture, honey. Then you and your emasculated husband can continue spending his money around the World Showcase Lagoon.

I then headed to Canada where I took more pictures and waited patiently for Le Cellier to open. I checked in about 11:15 and was seated about 11:35, which was 10 minutes before my reservation time.

The waiter was good; he knew I’d been there before and didn’t need to tell me everything about the place or the menu. The Coke tasted like Diet and he confirmed something was weird but didn’t know what it was or how to fix it. It wasn’t terrible so I drank it. I had a bowl of Cheddar Cheese soup (with plenty of pretzel bread to dip in it) and the New York Strip Steak. Both were great, though I will say that the steak didn’t look very appealing. I’m not sure what was up with the color, but it just didn’t look like what I think a steak should look like. It was very tasty though and cooked perfectly, as always.

After lunch, I headed back to the front of the park and went towards the Animal Kingdom. I have a friend who works at the park and in order to keep him from getting in trouble that’s all I’ll say about that. He was able to get away from his duties for a few minutes to speak to me and it was nice to see him.

I walked back to Flights of Wonder and decided to face my bird-phobia again by watching this very entertaining and educational show. Its hilarious and informative and the I knew where to sit as to not be attacked by any birds. So, all was good.

After the show, I went back to the Wildlife Express to see Rafiki’s Planet Watch. What a neat place; I wish there were more things going on that I was interested in. I did get to see a couple of people working on fixing a turtle’s broken shell, which was neat. Another cast member gave a talk about an baby alligator she was holding. I was really tired so I wanted to go back to the room.

It is a long walk from Africa to the exit and then to the bus stop. We didn’t wait long for a bus, thankfully. I laid down for a few minutes and recharged and decided to end my night at the Magic Kingdom since it was open til 10.

I had to stand on the bus ride over because it was so busy. I already knew I was in trouble. I walked in and it was packed. I waited in line at Casey’s while the girl behind the counter took an order and then filled it. And then she took another one and filled it. Then she got some help, so common sense says she’d take an order and let the girl fill it while she took another order. BUT I chose this line so of course this girl took an order and then stood there while her friend filled the order. Doing nothing. Just waiting. Staring into space. Occassionally joking with another cast member. My patience was waning.

I got my hot dog and couldn’t find a place to eat it. I finally found a concrete pillar about 100 yards from the restaurant and was able to scarf down the delicious hot dog before stopping to listen to the ragtime piano player for a bit. Then I headed to Adventureland, where I walked through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. I hadn’t been up here for years. I doubt I’ll ever go back unless they make it into something else. Too much climbing, too confined, and too boring.

I then watched the Enchanted Tiki Bird show. Its so bizarre and I enjoy watching the other people’s reactions to the craziness of singing tiki poles and Gloria Estafan music.

I headed into Frontierland and grabbed a spot for Spectromagic, but there were these two obnoxious little girls who’s parents paid no attention to that kept stepping on me and kicking me and generally causing me irritation. So, I got up and walked back to Adventureland looking for a Dole Whip Float.

Of course I found one. And I ate it. And I loved it.

I was really tired and thought I better head back to the resort before I was so tired I couldn’t move at all. I fought my way up Main Street and was fascinated about the number of people still coming in with only 2 hours left, but I guess on a Saturday night that makes sense. I had to stand on the bus again and it seemed like it took forever to get back to the room.

I finally got back in the room and literally had to lay on the bed for 10 minutes before I even had the ability to get up and pack. I need to rethink my shoes.

Oh! I forgot to mention this yesterday in the report and it really is pretty funny. I decided on this trip due to the weather and because I really like these black slacks I bought, I was going to dress more business casual than normal. Usually I’m in shorts at Disney but its cold so I’d be in jeans. But not this trip.

So, I wore black slacks and a nice long sleeved shirt and my new leather jacket. And I was stopped no less than 8 times yesterday by other guests asking where the bathroom was or other questions. I always politely told them that I didn’t work there but I could probably help them. Some of them were embarrassed. Others were mildly apologetic.

But one woman was angry with me. Essentially she told me that I shouldn’t dress like that if I didn’t work there and she harumphed her way off into the sunset. I did manage to tell her where an imaginary bathroom was that I hope she spent at least 5 minutes looking for.

Don’t mess with me.

So, the Magical Express departs for me at 6:15 AM. I’m sure I’ll be checking in on Facebook and twitter yet tomorrow at the airport. I genuinely appreciate all of your comments and kind words throughout this trip. While I don’t get lonely on these solo trips, it has felt like all of you were with me on this journey and that did make it better. Thanks!

And we weren’t the first stop.  We were the second, though.  I was so ready to get off that bus. I’m not sure what it was but I was getting more car sick than normal. 

I walked into the Pop Century and there was not a soul checking in anywhere. The nice Chinese girl at the online check-in counter had me taken care of in about 30 seconds. The longest part was giving me my birthday button and having me write my name on it.  There was also not a soul in the Concierge line so I was able to get my dining reservations printed quickly.  I walked to my room, which is in the 1970′s section.  This is my favorite section of the resort and my room opens out into a giant foosball table. I’m on the corner next to the giant Big Wheel. I’m loving it.

I wanted to try to go to the Animal Kingdom before it closed and try to catch Festival of the Lion King at least before my 5:45 dinner reservations at Boma.  The bus took forrrrrrever to arrive, but when it did it was me and a nice family with a cute little girl named Grace.

As we tried to disembark the bus, these idiots were standing in the way and wouldn’t move.  So, me – being Ted Miller’s grandson (trust me, if you knew him you’d understand) got them to move with a little assertiveness.  I was polite at first but things got a little ugly quickly.

There were about 15 in their party basically lined up in the wrong direction and therefore blocking the exit for me and the nice family I shared a bus with. After I asked the first time and was greeted with blank sneers I pushed through and explained that the line was over to my right and the old man said “Excuse me, sir, but you are wrong.” His hoochie mama daughter said something about “he’s so big, yada yada.”  I’m not sure what her point was but in this particular argument, my size was irrelevant, stupid, and most of all obvious. I stopped, pointed to the guard rail that was between me and the Animal Kingdom, therefore preventing me from going his way (for safety reasons as it was used by the buses) and I started to explain this in simple yet sarcastic English. Then the cast member confirmed I was right and made them all move while I smiled and walked on. Happy Birthday to me!

I was pretty hungry so I had some breadsticks at Pizzafari and sat to wait for the parade.  I was too late to get a very good spot staked out and quickly got tired of the palm tree scratching my neck and the guy in front of me moving around so much that I walked back to Camp Minnie-Mickey to line up for the last showing of FotLK. 

The show was as good as always and I think these four main singers may have been the best overall group that I’ve heard.  By the time the show let out, the park was technically closed so I – along with everyone else -headed towards the exit.  I lined up for the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and set off for Boma.

I had to stand and the bus stopped at the new Kadani Village first.  Once we got to Jambo House, I got off and walked in through the gift shop just like old times.  I miss staying here.

I checked into Boma and was seated promptly.  Gilbert, my server, explained how things worked and got me a Coke.  I ate lots of good things and even tried some new stuff.  I had some salad and tried the apple vinagrette dressing. It was pretty tasty, but I’m not a salad dressing person.  I had the strip loin of beef, which was seasoned with African flavors, and put some of their special BBQ sauce on it.  It was great!  So was the chicken.  I even tried salmon, which I would never ever do because I really don’t like seafood.  It was very mild, but tasted like fish (duh) and so I didn’t eat much of it.

The desserts were plentiful and I had some peanut butter mousse, some caramel cheesecake, and some banana bread pudding with vanilla sauce.  My server brought me out a plate of special desserts for my birthday including a macaroon, some sort of peanut butter pastry, an apple spice thing, and a Guava flavored gumdrop.  That was very nice of special of them.

I didn’t feel like taking a bus to a park and then back to the hotel so I hailed a cab and spent the $12 fare back to the hotel.  I’m going to watch Idol and/or The Office and then go to bed.  Tomorrow its the Magic Kingdom and probably Disney’s Hollywood Studios . . . but who knows!