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Title: The Birts Do the Day at Epcot
Starring: Diva Mickey, DH Larry, and DD Jessie, and a host of supporting characters. Special Guest Star- DAVY JONES!
The opening scene: 11am Sunday- my bed. After 3 hours sleep, my DH wakes me to remind me it was "Davy " day...
DM- UGH!! What on earth possessed me to work last nigh, and in the ER!!
DH-"The rent."
Sigh...mustn't keep Davy waiting, so up I get.
By noon, showered and somewhat awake, DH rattles his car keys and says, "everybody clean and pretty? On with the show!".
Isn't he clever...;-)
A quick stop at MickeyD's in hopes of some million dollar french fries and we're off. No million- just a free ice cream cone.
My DD, Jessie, having spent the better part of the night with 13 of her best friends at a Gril Sprout camp-out, was wasted and promptly fell asleep in the
backseat. I wondered how a few ghost stories and pizza could poop her out so much, until DH reminded me there were 14 9-11 year old girls and 1 adult at the
camp out. Say no more!
With my Diva-in-training asnooze and hubby happily playing "Al Unser drives to WDW" in his head, I settled down for a short nap, myself. This is one of my
ways of starting up the Magic in the trip. One minute you are schlepping through Tampa traffic with your eyes closed, then, VIOLA!! The next thing you
see is the Great Purple Archway/Shrine/ Entrance to WDW. It was like instantaneous telaportation-MAGIC!!
Unfortunately, the first thing I saw was evidence of the cutbacks- only 2 toll booths open to get into Epcot- and very long lines. This turned out to be our
longest wait in line all day. Sigh.. We actually were able to park fairly close and were able to walk to the gates and skip the shuttle, so the park
wasn't crowded, the toll booth just looked that way.
It was a perfect day to tour. The crowds were minimal, sky partly cloudy, temp 81º, and there was a nice cool breeze. We expected rain but didn't get any.
As we entered the park, my usually astute hubby looks around and says, "It's the Flower and Garden Festival! "
Says I, "DUH- that's why Davy is here today- "Flower Power Concerts". All I received in response was an evil look...harumph!
We stopped and took pix of the BatB topiary in front of SE. It is gorgeous!! SE had almost no line, so we went ahead and rode it first this time instead of our
usual last. We then played with the telephones a while, and then went shopping in search of a cell phone cover for my new phone. They didn't have the one I
wanted at Mouse Gear, but they did have a cute little light up Mickey Head antenna topper that I bought- it's so cute!!
Next we went to ISC and got some sodas. I still like Vegita-Beta best. Jessie's favorite was the lemon one, Larry likes the one from ginger ale one. I
couldn't get him to try Beverly, LOL. Another sign of cut backs here- not nearly as much snow in the entrance and not
nearly as cold. In fact, none of the buildings was as cold as they used to be. Ducking into buildings to cool off won't be as effective this summer. ;-(
BTW- the new Epcot sign on SE- well folks- it's not hideous, but well...it's TACKY! Those of you old enough may remember the old billboard ads that Coca
Cola used to have-you know red cursive writing with sequins that fluttered in the wind and a blue ribbon that kind of encircled the word? Well that is
exactly what the sign looks like. The wand and the Mickey Hand are OK, but the Epcot word doesn't make me think of anything futuristic or educational- it just
makes me thirsty. Maybe it's a plot, Disney does sell Coke....
By now, it was 3:30 and time for me to part with my family and get a seat in the theater. DD and DH went off to play and I went to drool over the stuff of
my preteen, vaguely sexy, dreams. I was all aflutter! Diva went away and awestruck teenager took her place- a breakout of the zits was just a heartbeat
away. I took the boat over , just because I had never taken the boat before and it happened to be right there waiting for me. I intently watched the back
of the theater for signs of my idol- there he was!!! A trim figure in a white shirt and black slacks was standing on the dock looking at the old ship. He
was alone. then he looked up and waved at the boat-he waved at me!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEE!!! I might have to faint! No wait- you are 41 and fluffy-
fainting would be embarrassing- gushing is O.K.,though. He waved at MEEEEEE!!!!
Sigh- at this point he could have not sang a word and I would have been happy.
The concert was slated to begin at 4:30, it was 3:40 and I THOUGHT I was early, but all the seats in the front were taken already. They stayed through all 3
performances too, so I never did get near the stage, but I got pretty close. I took advantage of the time before the concert to start my TR. Soon enough, an
announcement was made that the show would start in 10 minutes and out popped that annoying teen again!! Diva was in the background though, filling my head
with evil thoughts-
Could he still sing?
Would he have gray hair?
Was he still too cute for words?
Would his buns be saggy at 55?
Well- the show was great and I stayed for all 3. I even got some pix. He can still sing. His hair is silver- but not all of it. He's to die for gorgeous.
His butt is FIIIIINNNEEE!
He does some Monkees songs, some tunes from Oliver, a rendition of Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby in tribute to his late mom (her favorite song) and during
all three concerts, he told the story of being on the Brady Bunch and had the audience sing the theme song. He got down in the audience and had people sing
into the mike, then went into "Girl" and ran around the audience singing to all the girls, hugging folks, shaking hands, and getting his picture taken. I
didn't get a pic, but I got a hug on the second performance. That's it- I can die now for I have already been to heaven- I have been hugged by Davy Jones!!!!
My DH and DD joined me for the last concert, which was slightly longer than the first 2 and a little risqué as he was quick with the couple entendre's when his
mike stand broke. He also had 2 of his band members do a parody of Edith and Archie- the guy doing Edith had her down pat! It was pretty funny. The shows
were excellent, Davy is a great showman and obviously enjoys his job. He wasn't the same, but who would be after 35 years? He can still do that same
cute little dance, he looks more mature but still quite a cutie and this Diva Mickey is EXTREMELY happy to have had this experience. I don't expect anymore
vaguely sexual dreams about that young Monkee, though. Nope, not the young Monkee....not likely vague either.....
As to my DD and DH, they enjoyed playing in Innoventions, The Land, and Wonders of Life. They joined me for the last concert and I think Davy has a new young
fan. Jessie kept standing up to get a better look and he had her complete attention. On the way home she asked, "Mommy, can I stay up and watch the
Monkees on Nic at Night now?" LOL- how could I say no?
After the concert, we went to the Land and had some supper at the food court. Then we took the boat ride, and went home. It was a great day!
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