Wofford Heights, here we come! Day 9 (a)

[Guest]

DAY 9 – Part A

(This has to be in two parts to get all the photos in!)

Now, if you thought we have been having fun, just you wait. Jimmie has some “contacts” who have whispered in his ear. So, on arriving at Disneyland today he has arranged for the four of us to go up to the wheelhouse on the Mark Twain riverboat and pilot it around the Rivers of America. (OK, so we knows it runs on a track but I’m pretending I didn’t hear that!) This is a thrilling experience as you can imagine. We wait outside a door marked private on the upper deck.





Brenda, the CM pilot for this trip allows us in where there is a small bunk bed and the Captain’s desk. We then climb a small staircase and we are there. The riverboat has a massive wheel. Brenda starts things off with four rings of the bell, two blasts on the whistle and four more rings of the bell. People look up as the steam shoots out of the whistle and we wave to the folk below. The craft starts to move and the spiel starts to run. I am then invited to take over the wheel.


Tim takes over. (Brenda in the background);



This is a real magic moment and I am allowed to make two blasts on the whistle. The other 3 guys also have a turn at the wheel. When it comes to Darrin’s turn he is allowed to do the 4 bells, two whistles and 4 bells routine. We are all like kids enjoying this treat. Sadly, it’s over all too soon and we are invited to sign the visitor’s book. On this occasion when I sign “Geoff” I make the O look like a Hidden Mickey.


Tim and Jimmie always have a tradition of having their photo taken at the White Rabbit’s House near the tea cups. So we all cram ourselves on to the tiny railings that lead to the door:



We decide we need to sit down for a short spell and so we all pile aboard a boat to “suffer” It’s a Small World. It really is a long ride at Disneyland – a really LONG ride!



OK, Rob – stop reading at this point. It’s time for Club 33. We meet up again with Janine who has arranged this with her friend Sheri and a friend called Joe. Both are members of the club and we are their guests. There will be 16 of us in total. Disneyland was quite an original concept for an amusement park, nothing like it had ever been attempted. The quality and details that Walt established would require extensive funding so investors were solicited from a number of major corporations. The investors would have the opportunity to advertise within the park, sponsor rides and food retails, and promote their products. In order to entertain these investors Club 33 was created. As it is the ONLY place to serve alcohol in Disneyland it needed an address and thus 33 Royal Street was born. More about investors later!

Janine and I wait eagerly to go in:


On being admitted you see a reception desk and the French elevator:


We are in the “Trophy Room”:


Apart from being filled with taxidermied birds the walls also contain some great memorabilia such as the autographed rifle used by Fess Parker when he played Davy Crockett.

We are told that we can take a wander after the meal:


I have a bit of fun with the plates:


The appetizers range from lobster tails, smoked salmon, salads, cheeses, etc. Darrin had salmon and I chose filet mignon for mains.




There3 are all sorts of desserts including these little babies:


After an excellent meal we go walkabout. You enter the green door and there is a French elevator to take you upstairs. It’s way too small for 16 of us so most climb the stairs to be greeted by the servers who present the menus:



Our host, Joe:


There is another dining room and the two are connected by the bar, appetizers and dessert counters.



We all go out on the veranda:




Continued on day 9 Part B...

[Eeyore rocks]

Wow, what a lovely day.

That is a nice photo of you both on the veranda.

Off to read the next part.

[nickymouse66]

I can't believe how excited I am at the thought of Club 33!

[Guest]

Apologies - I posted up the riverboat cabin door twice. Where it refers to "little babies" you should now have the cookies picture.

[disney owl]

what a lovely day

[fudgesky]

Oh my! Lucky you! Off to read part two;-) x

[Glee Fan]

Well, after the last day I asked how you could top off this holiday, but you have just trumped it all over again!

How special, and what an amazing opportunity. Off to read the rest!

[joandwayne]

Wow -what an amazing opportunity.

[armo102]

Looks so much fun!

[hross42877]

Great read!