Friday - Its DISNEY DAY

Today started out pretty good, kinda sucked in the middle that got good again.

Since we didn't like the breakfast in the hotel we had decided to wake up a little early so we could get some Mickey D's on the way out of Savannah. We went through the drive through and off we went. It was a beautiful drive and we were due in to Patrick's aunt Carroll around 12.30. We made a few stops for gas and got to Carrolls around 12.45. Pretty good timing for a Friday.

Our visit with Carroll was very nice. We had asked her not to go to any trouble for us but she did offer us some lunch and drinks. We chatted, had lunch and then went down to the lake to feed the fish. Well turns out the fish weren't hungry but the ducks were and before long we had 4 ducks of all different colours begging for bread. Cassie had a wonderful time feeding them and then the 3 geese who swam up about 10 minutes later asking for.... no demanding they be fed. Before long we were back in the house and Cassie was playing with her poodle Bella.

We stayed until about 4.30 then thought we would make really good time to get to Disney World. We had dinner reservations at Capt'n Jacks, which is located at Downtown Disney. A mere 10 minute boat ride from our resort - Port Orleans French Quarter. Since Carroll is only little more then an hour to and hour and a half from Disney we thought we'd have plenty of time to check in, unpack, shower and change before heading down for our reservation. Life had other plans......

This was the very first time my GPS failed me. And really through no fault of the actual GPS. As it turns out, Carroll lives off the beaten path and most of the roads leading up to her place aren't really roads but rather sand dunes. Apparently this year is a pretty bad year for the depth of the sand. We arrived with no problems but when we left our GPS said the fastes route to Disney was to turn left instead of going straight. Before long we were stuck. Turns out the "fastest" route is also a car trap. If one has a 4x4 then by all means turn left but for us lowly folk who only have 2 wheel drive stick to the long route.

2 hours later and several attempts by Patrick and a really nice guy who lives where we got stuck to dig our way out, use wood under the tires and even pushing we were well and truly stuck. Eventually I managed to find AAA's phone number and call them and being CAA members we had no trouble getting them to make a "reservation" for us - "someone should be ther within 90 minutes - great.... and not a happy great but what could we do.

Not very long after that a nice 20ish kid driving a 4x4 came up behind us and eventually after more attempts at digging, pushing and kicking offered to pull us out. He had some heavy duty straps in his truck, hooked it around the frame at the back and started pulling. After 4 or 5 attempts and about 5 feet of movement the strap broke - oops.. I felt bad but he didn't. Apparently people (GPS users mostly) get stuck there all the time and he's pulling someone out once or twice a month. It took about 20 minutes and me thinking he was going to pull the car in half but we finally got out on solid ground. After fixing the front bumper that had broken off due to all the sand as the van dug into it and waiting for the engine to cool down we were off - in the same direction we had originally come in from and 2 1/2 hours later.

Now we have a problem. GPS now says we are due to arrive at the French Quarter at 7.50, Our reservations are for 8.30. Both Patrick and I are covered in sand and sweat and Cassie sand after having a blast playing in the sand (the only one who enjoyed our 2.5 hour "break) and we all need a shower. We did arrive on time at 7.50 and I went to check in while Patrick and Cassie grabbed a change of cloths for us. We weren't going to lug all our luggage up to the room just a change so we could jump in the shower, change and hopefully get to the restaurant in time for dinner. The concierge tried several times to call Capt'n Jacks with no luck but to let them know of our delay in arrival and we shouldn't have any problems.

As fast as we could we showered, changed and made our way down to the dock where the shuttle boat picks up guests and takes them to DTD (Downtown Disney) Just as we got to the front of the line the boat captain said there was no room and we'd have to wait for the next one - it was already 8.35 and I told him what had happened and that we were already late for our reservations. With out hesitation he got on his walky talky and radioed down to another captain who was still at DTD and asked him to go into Capt'n Jacks and let them know we were late but would be there by 9.10. FANTASTIC.

After a few minute wait (shorter then the captain though) we were on the the next boat and headed to DTD. At exactly 9,04 (yes i checked my phone for the time) we pulled up to the dock and headed over to dinner.

We were greeted by no less than 3 cast members asking what had happened and if we were alright. Once we were seated I began to relax and enjoy the fact that we were in Disney. Cassie surprised us by ordering the soup of the day which was clam chowder and not so surprising..... a hot dog. I had the mixed salad with a lovely papaya vinegarette and the pasta Alfredo. Patrick had a larger bowl of the clam chowder and the shrimp pasta with lobster sauce. All yummy

We had thought on going to the Christmas shop after dinner but Cassandra and I were fading, so we just hopped on the boad and headed back to our resort. Patrick and the bell hop went to grab our luggage and I got Cassandra ready for bed.

It's been a long night and I'm finally just cooled off even after having a shower. Off to bed as we have 8am breakfast reservations at the Kona Cafe located at the Polynesian Resort then a round of mini golf followed by afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian, shopping in DTD and dinner at Citricos at the Grand Floridian and maybe pool hopping over that the Poly but we'll see on that one.