wendy*darling
07-17-2001, 09:04 PM
Sorry guys that it's taking me so long to get these done- my new job really keeps me hopping.
But I really want to finish these up before I forget everything... so here is the long awaited next installment of the adventures of wendy & the Goof Troop...Day FIVE, Wednesday, June 27th
Another early morning Reveille- 5:45AM http://www.intercot.com/boards/sleepy.gif. Quick breakfast of cereal, fruit and milk. I make my lunch (PB&J again) along with all the other sleepy campers. We are fed, dressed and out on the bus stop by 6:45 and headed for the TTC.
Today we will meet Myrna again for a Magic Kingdom program entitled "American Story." This will help us with our American Heritages Merit Badge as it covers a time line in American History from the Colonial Days through the Revolutionary War and up to the Civil War. Myrna was ready for us at the TTC and brought us to MK on the monorail. As we started to enter the gates, 3 scouts had passes that were already destroyed! Too much folding, water or something. But no problem- our CM helpers let the boys in and had their passes replaced before we could get all the way down Main Street http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif.
Myrna started in Town Square talking about the architecture and period of this Anytown USA. Early 1900's on Main Street, and mid 1700's in Liberty Square. We live in a colonial town in NJ and only 18 miles outside of Philadelphia so "things Colonial" are almost a yawn for our scouts. But the adults still found it fascinating. Did you know that there are 13 facades in Liberty Square representing the 13 different colonies' style of architecture?
Myrna handed out laminated photos of the 1st 18 presidents. We were to guess who they were (I got an easy one- Abraham Lincoln http://www.intercot.com/boards/smile.gif ). She gave us a little more history as we walked to the Hall of Presidents for our special treat. It is now about 7:30am and MK doesn't open for at least another 30-60 minutes. We are all alone. She takes us ON STAGE with the presidents. We get to sit ON the stage, behind the movie screen- I am sitting within arms reach of Ike. Very eerie and VERY cool http://www.intercot.com/boards/sunglasses.gif. We all were mesmerized. Myrna introduced us to the first 18 presidents, one by one. We talked about their term in office and what was important in the timeline of the making of our nation.
After we left the presidents, we went over to Splash Mountain, where she talked about the preservation of history by storytelling- folktales-and we were to watch for special things in Brer Rabbit's adventures in the Briar Patch- while we all enjoyed getting wet again http://www.intercot.com/boards/wink.gif.
Next we went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and started a discussion about the Gold Rush era. After we rode, we played a little bartering/survival game. Myrna gave us cards and gold nuggets. We all had a story of a real person from that time period and we were to collect the items relevant to that story by trading with our students. It was fun- and somewhat similar to the computer game "Oregon Trail."
Or next stop was back in the Hall of Presidents where we sat and watched the show (now that it was open). After that we went over to the Liberty Bell for our grand finale. All the scouts signed a copy of the Declaration of Independence and each one got to ring the big bell in Liberty Square. I have pictures of everyone taking their turn- it was loud, and quite moving. We all thanked Myrna for being such a great instructor- some of us even had our pictures taken with her. Last stop was at Columbia Harbor House. We had brought our own lunches, but the YES people wanted us to fill out special evaluations, so they put us in the back of the restaurant and let us eat our lunches there while we filled out the forms- a cool respite from the sun and heat.
We were all done by 11:00 and had until 1:00 to get to Epcot for our afternoon program
We did Haunted Mansion & Pirates of the Caribbean (which had the longest line I have ever seen there- about 25 minutes!). A number of us wanted Dole Whips, but we were running out of time- if 20 people all bought one that'd take too long. So we took a nice walk down Main Street and got to the monorail by 12:30. Just enough time to ride to Epcot and meet our next instructor.
When we got to Epcot the park photographers were out and a very nice woman took a group photo of our gang. She actually took 3, all posed differently- and all GREAT photos- we bought one copy of each and will share them in a collection of photos we are putting together for each family.
This afternoon's program is Ocean Discoveries and takes place in the Living Seas. That again turned out to be perfect timing- as it rained much of the time we were inside! In this program we learned about the earth's oceans and how to protect them. We had to pretend we had our own tropical island and were opening it up to tourist business- what things would we allow and what would we forbid in the interest of protecting our resources? Not all of the answers were obvious. It was a very interesting afternoon- although I must say it wasn't the most exciting program we did. The best part- for me and my sons anyway- was getting to go up to the top of the tank and see the dolphins. Walking across the catwalk over the water is fascinating- and actually seeing how big it is was a true eye-opener-- YES- you can fit the whole Spaceship Earth into the tank and still have 20 feet around the perimeter. And seeing the dolphins and learning a little about how they are trained, how they play, etc. was really, really interesting. We also did a few water testing experiments and ID'd some fish, etc. It was good- but not totally enthralling (as I had come to expect).
Our plan for after the program was to take the whole group over to the America Gardens Theater for the 4:30 showing of Blast! Several of the adults (and our 2 "lost boys") had a chance to see it earlier in the week. We LOVED this show so much- we thought the whole gang NEEDED to see it. So we took a boat over and met the rest of the adults. One of our adults (the one who got us the white gloves yesterday) spoke to "someone" and got us a row of seats right down in front- in the roped off area! We were in about the 4th or 5th row- perfect for sound and visuals. Some of the kids were balking about being forced to see this- but once the show started- they all sat there with their mouths hanging open http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif Then the musicians started coming down into the audience and shaking hands with us. Some of the numbers in this 30 minute show are quite humorous, and the music is always superb. In our group of 16 boys, we have 10 band members- and they LOVED the show. We bought a few CDs and videos when it was over. The musicians hang around and greet the audience after the performance- we even had them sign our CDs!
Next up- Food Rocks, Fantasmic and PINZZZZ
------------------
Linda aka: wendy*darling
Intercot Staff: Disney & Orlando Dining
[email protected]
DVC owners at the Wilderness Lodge Villas
WDW:
4/92 (MK day trip only); 9/93 (Poly); 10/96 (DL & BC); 6/98 (YC); 2/00 (Contemporary); 12/00 (BWI); 6/01(FW tent camping with the Boy Scouts!!)
Next trip: June 2002 (ASMovies and VWL)
But I really want to finish these up before I forget everything... so here is the long awaited next installment of the adventures of wendy & the Goof Troop...Day FIVE, Wednesday, June 27th
Another early morning Reveille- 5:45AM http://www.intercot.com/boards/sleepy.gif. Quick breakfast of cereal, fruit and milk. I make my lunch (PB&J again) along with all the other sleepy campers. We are fed, dressed and out on the bus stop by 6:45 and headed for the TTC.
Today we will meet Myrna again for a Magic Kingdom program entitled "American Story." This will help us with our American Heritages Merit Badge as it covers a time line in American History from the Colonial Days through the Revolutionary War and up to the Civil War. Myrna was ready for us at the TTC and brought us to MK on the monorail. As we started to enter the gates, 3 scouts had passes that were already destroyed! Too much folding, water or something. But no problem- our CM helpers let the boys in and had their passes replaced before we could get all the way down Main Street http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif.
Myrna started in Town Square talking about the architecture and period of this Anytown USA. Early 1900's on Main Street, and mid 1700's in Liberty Square. We live in a colonial town in NJ and only 18 miles outside of Philadelphia so "things Colonial" are almost a yawn for our scouts. But the adults still found it fascinating. Did you know that there are 13 facades in Liberty Square representing the 13 different colonies' style of architecture?
Myrna handed out laminated photos of the 1st 18 presidents. We were to guess who they were (I got an easy one- Abraham Lincoln http://www.intercot.com/boards/smile.gif ). She gave us a little more history as we walked to the Hall of Presidents for our special treat. It is now about 7:30am and MK doesn't open for at least another 30-60 minutes. We are all alone. She takes us ON STAGE with the presidents. We get to sit ON the stage, behind the movie screen- I am sitting within arms reach of Ike. Very eerie and VERY cool http://www.intercot.com/boards/sunglasses.gif. We all were mesmerized. Myrna introduced us to the first 18 presidents, one by one. We talked about their term in office and what was important in the timeline of the making of our nation.
After we left the presidents, we went over to Splash Mountain, where she talked about the preservation of history by storytelling- folktales-and we were to watch for special things in Brer Rabbit's adventures in the Briar Patch- while we all enjoyed getting wet again http://www.intercot.com/boards/wink.gif.
Next we went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and started a discussion about the Gold Rush era. After we rode, we played a little bartering/survival game. Myrna gave us cards and gold nuggets. We all had a story of a real person from that time period and we were to collect the items relevant to that story by trading with our students. It was fun- and somewhat similar to the computer game "Oregon Trail."
Or next stop was back in the Hall of Presidents where we sat and watched the show (now that it was open). After that we went over to the Liberty Bell for our grand finale. All the scouts signed a copy of the Declaration of Independence and each one got to ring the big bell in Liberty Square. I have pictures of everyone taking their turn- it was loud, and quite moving. We all thanked Myrna for being such a great instructor- some of us even had our pictures taken with her. Last stop was at Columbia Harbor House. We had brought our own lunches, but the YES people wanted us to fill out special evaluations, so they put us in the back of the restaurant and let us eat our lunches there while we filled out the forms- a cool respite from the sun and heat.
We were all done by 11:00 and had until 1:00 to get to Epcot for our afternoon program
We did Haunted Mansion & Pirates of the Caribbean (which had the longest line I have ever seen there- about 25 minutes!). A number of us wanted Dole Whips, but we were running out of time- if 20 people all bought one that'd take too long. So we took a nice walk down Main Street and got to the monorail by 12:30. Just enough time to ride to Epcot and meet our next instructor.
When we got to Epcot the park photographers were out and a very nice woman took a group photo of our gang. She actually took 3, all posed differently- and all GREAT photos- we bought one copy of each and will share them in a collection of photos we are putting together for each family.
This afternoon's program is Ocean Discoveries and takes place in the Living Seas. That again turned out to be perfect timing- as it rained much of the time we were inside! In this program we learned about the earth's oceans and how to protect them. We had to pretend we had our own tropical island and were opening it up to tourist business- what things would we allow and what would we forbid in the interest of protecting our resources? Not all of the answers were obvious. It was a very interesting afternoon- although I must say it wasn't the most exciting program we did. The best part- for me and my sons anyway- was getting to go up to the top of the tank and see the dolphins. Walking across the catwalk over the water is fascinating- and actually seeing how big it is was a true eye-opener-- YES- you can fit the whole Spaceship Earth into the tank and still have 20 feet around the perimeter. And seeing the dolphins and learning a little about how they are trained, how they play, etc. was really, really interesting. We also did a few water testing experiments and ID'd some fish, etc. It was good- but not totally enthralling (as I had come to expect).
Our plan for after the program was to take the whole group over to the America Gardens Theater for the 4:30 showing of Blast! Several of the adults (and our 2 "lost boys") had a chance to see it earlier in the week. We LOVED this show so much- we thought the whole gang NEEDED to see it. So we took a boat over and met the rest of the adults. One of our adults (the one who got us the white gloves yesterday) spoke to "someone" and got us a row of seats right down in front- in the roped off area! We were in about the 4th or 5th row- perfect for sound and visuals. Some of the kids were balking about being forced to see this- but once the show started- they all sat there with their mouths hanging open http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif Then the musicians started coming down into the audience and shaking hands with us. Some of the numbers in this 30 minute show are quite humorous, and the music is always superb. In our group of 16 boys, we have 10 band members- and they LOVED the show. We bought a few CDs and videos when it was over. The musicians hang around and greet the audience after the performance- we even had them sign our CDs!
Next up- Food Rocks, Fantasmic and PINZZZZ
------------------
Linda aka: wendy*darling
Intercot Staff: Disney & Orlando Dining
[email protected]
DVC owners at the Wilderness Lodge Villas
WDW:
4/92 (MK day trip only); 9/93 (Poly); 10/96 (DL & BC); 6/98 (YC); 2/00 (Contemporary); 12/00 (BWI); 6/01(FW tent camping with the Boy Scouts!!)
Next trip: June 2002 (ASMovies and VWL)