Geyser Gazer
12-17-2001, 04:20 PM
Cast: DW, DD's (Eden age 5 & Sydney 2), my Parents, and myself.
Smooth flight out of Indy on ATA early morning Sunday 12/9, kids did fine. Picked up Kia minivan at via L&M rental, they did not have me in their computer but honored my confirmation through expedia. Got lost trying to do Sam's Club and Albertsons enroute to the World. My navigator (DW) felt that the internet directions were far more complicated than they needed to be, and next time we will just rely on a good map of Orlando. We ended up at a Super Walmart for over an hour of grocery shopping hell since it was crowded and my lists were specific for Sams and Albertsons. Undaunted, we pulled into the WL and our 2BR at the Villa was ready. We unloaded stuff and stuff and more stuff into our room which had a nice view of the pool and Bay lake. Eden was naked immediately after entering the room asking "now where is the place to put my swimsuit on?" We did the Lodge pool slide about a hundred times before lounging at the Villa pool. DD5 consistently amazed us with how easily she would make friends while Sydney prefered ducks to other kids. After dinner we put the kids down and watched some MK fireworks and the light parade lakeside.
Monday morning we caught and early bus then monorail for 8:45 Cindy's PS. Since the park had not opened we were able to enjoy walking down a very quiet main street that ended at the castle with dancing Pluto and Chip as greeters. Before breakfast the Fairy Godmother and Alice entertained and posed with all the little prince and princess guests inside the castle. Our server greated us as royalty "more coffee my lord?" and the food was fine. Sleeping beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Alladin all came by and spent real quality time with our girls before we headed out into the park. We never waited more than 10 minutes for any ride and were able to just walk on most of them. We had a late lunch at Pecos Bills which was fine except for the birds (will plan on dining inside next time).We bought cookies for dessert while watching the closing fireworks. This was the first time I really got to see tinkerbell do her thing... she is one brave fairy! We did dinner and hot tub before hitting the hay on this wonderful day.
Tuesday I was up before the kids and ran around Ft. Wilderness, swam, and geyser gazed.
As DVC members we were able to pool hop to SAB which was a lot of fun. We had lunch at Beaches and Cream before getting lonely for the serenity of the WL. Had dinner at Artist Point which was wonderful way to spend a lot of Disney dollars. Wednesday we returned to MK before hopping to MGM. Other than running through this park for the marathon in '95, I had never seen the studio's. Jessie (DD's favorite) was signing autographs near the entrance, we got in line but were told she would have to leave soon. We lucked out and were the last family she met with. She signed the book "to cowgirl Eden..." despite none of us recalling volunteering her name. Eden said it was because she remembered her last year, I know it was just more Disney Magic! We were impressed with RRRC,TT, and Fantasmic but were glad we did MK again that morning. Fantasmic was scary in parts for the kids but they would do it again just to see the princesses float by. Eden made another friend, "Nick from New Jersey" who was very fun and outgoing. He showed her his pressed penny book and even gave her one to get started with. Very nice.
Thursday morning the kids woke up super early so we went hot tubbing and caught the 7:00 geyser show. We wandered into the lobby after getting some cocoa at roaring forks and stumbled upon the character caravan. Minnie and Pluto were delivering hugs and autographs while Captain hook and friends sauntered about. I orignially dis'ed the caravan idea but the Lodge lobby was such a beautiful background for this that I formally recant. (still want my EE back though!) After breakfast we spent the rest of the day at the WL pools before Cirque du Solei that night. The show was great, I doubt there is a bad seat in the "tent". This was expensive but after seeing it I understand why. They are a numerous cast of very talented performers and the theater is a lot more intimate than I had expected. Everyone was impressed. Friday morning we packed up stuff, stuff, and more stuff before checking out.
We hung out at the pool, walked over to FT. Wilderness petting zoo, had lunch, and rented a water mouse. It was fun cruising Bay lake and 7 Seas Lagoon, especially to see the castle again. We had another wonderfully uneventful flight back to Indy but then it got interesting. After collecting our luggage this woman with a cart pulls up and asks if we need some help with our stuff stuff. I said sure and she starts piling it on. My DW is busy changing a diaper so we had no time to chat as this lady starts hauling it away. I figured she was just bringing it to the curb since I had to retrieve my car from long term parking. I was fumbling with more stuff stuff and trying to get a tip out of my wallet when I see her across the street loading our stuff stuff onto a bus which was about to leave. I dont know what she was thinking but suddenly I'm on the shuttle without my family with tons of stuff heading to long term parking. I dragged the stuff off the bus at the first stop and ran to my car, hoping that there are no stuff stuff thiefs lurking around the lot. Pulled up, loaded up, found family, drove home, and fell asleep thinking about our adventures to come.
Stuff Stuff I want myself to remember:
-Before you accept help from a stranger make sure you want it and need it.
-Write a trip report, its fun, it helps others, and you can review it before future trips so you don't make the same mistakes twice.
-Always bring copies of your confirmation, saved us on rental car check in.
-Get a good map of Orlando if you plan to drive anywhere but the parks.
-Do you really need a $50+ bottle of wine with dinner? (I said need, not want).
-Resort hopping is fun but so is lounging in familar splendor.
-Wander about, you just might run into Minnie and Pluto.
-They won't let you resort hop from your water mouse (I know, I tried).
-Need to find a way to play good music in the room.
-Do you really need to bring so much stuff stuff?
Happy to answer any questions.
Smooth flight out of Indy on ATA early morning Sunday 12/9, kids did fine. Picked up Kia minivan at via L&M rental, they did not have me in their computer but honored my confirmation through expedia. Got lost trying to do Sam's Club and Albertsons enroute to the World. My navigator (DW) felt that the internet directions were far more complicated than they needed to be, and next time we will just rely on a good map of Orlando. We ended up at a Super Walmart for over an hour of grocery shopping hell since it was crowded and my lists were specific for Sams and Albertsons. Undaunted, we pulled into the WL and our 2BR at the Villa was ready. We unloaded stuff and stuff and more stuff into our room which had a nice view of the pool and Bay lake. Eden was naked immediately after entering the room asking "now where is the place to put my swimsuit on?" We did the Lodge pool slide about a hundred times before lounging at the Villa pool. DD5 consistently amazed us with how easily she would make friends while Sydney prefered ducks to other kids. After dinner we put the kids down and watched some MK fireworks and the light parade lakeside.
Monday morning we caught and early bus then monorail for 8:45 Cindy's PS. Since the park had not opened we were able to enjoy walking down a very quiet main street that ended at the castle with dancing Pluto and Chip as greeters. Before breakfast the Fairy Godmother and Alice entertained and posed with all the little prince and princess guests inside the castle. Our server greated us as royalty "more coffee my lord?" and the food was fine. Sleeping beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Alladin all came by and spent real quality time with our girls before we headed out into the park. We never waited more than 10 minutes for any ride and were able to just walk on most of them. We had a late lunch at Pecos Bills which was fine except for the birds (will plan on dining inside next time).We bought cookies for dessert while watching the closing fireworks. This was the first time I really got to see tinkerbell do her thing... she is one brave fairy! We did dinner and hot tub before hitting the hay on this wonderful day.
Tuesday I was up before the kids and ran around Ft. Wilderness, swam, and geyser gazed.
As DVC members we were able to pool hop to SAB which was a lot of fun. We had lunch at Beaches and Cream before getting lonely for the serenity of the WL. Had dinner at Artist Point which was wonderful way to spend a lot of Disney dollars. Wednesday we returned to MK before hopping to MGM. Other than running through this park for the marathon in '95, I had never seen the studio's. Jessie (DD's favorite) was signing autographs near the entrance, we got in line but were told she would have to leave soon. We lucked out and were the last family she met with. She signed the book "to cowgirl Eden..." despite none of us recalling volunteering her name. Eden said it was because she remembered her last year, I know it was just more Disney Magic! We were impressed with RRRC,TT, and Fantasmic but were glad we did MK again that morning. Fantasmic was scary in parts for the kids but they would do it again just to see the princesses float by. Eden made another friend, "Nick from New Jersey" who was very fun and outgoing. He showed her his pressed penny book and even gave her one to get started with. Very nice.
Thursday morning the kids woke up super early so we went hot tubbing and caught the 7:00 geyser show. We wandered into the lobby after getting some cocoa at roaring forks and stumbled upon the character caravan. Minnie and Pluto were delivering hugs and autographs while Captain hook and friends sauntered about. I orignially dis'ed the caravan idea but the Lodge lobby was such a beautiful background for this that I formally recant. (still want my EE back though!) After breakfast we spent the rest of the day at the WL pools before Cirque du Solei that night. The show was great, I doubt there is a bad seat in the "tent". This was expensive but after seeing it I understand why. They are a numerous cast of very talented performers and the theater is a lot more intimate than I had expected. Everyone was impressed. Friday morning we packed up stuff, stuff, and more stuff before checking out.
We hung out at the pool, walked over to FT. Wilderness petting zoo, had lunch, and rented a water mouse. It was fun cruising Bay lake and 7 Seas Lagoon, especially to see the castle again. We had another wonderfully uneventful flight back to Indy but then it got interesting. After collecting our luggage this woman with a cart pulls up and asks if we need some help with our stuff stuff. I said sure and she starts piling it on. My DW is busy changing a diaper so we had no time to chat as this lady starts hauling it away. I figured she was just bringing it to the curb since I had to retrieve my car from long term parking. I was fumbling with more stuff stuff and trying to get a tip out of my wallet when I see her across the street loading our stuff stuff onto a bus which was about to leave. I dont know what she was thinking but suddenly I'm on the shuttle without my family with tons of stuff heading to long term parking. I dragged the stuff off the bus at the first stop and ran to my car, hoping that there are no stuff stuff thiefs lurking around the lot. Pulled up, loaded up, found family, drove home, and fell asleep thinking about our adventures to come.
Stuff Stuff I want myself to remember:
-Before you accept help from a stranger make sure you want it and need it.
-Write a trip report, its fun, it helps others, and you can review it before future trips so you don't make the same mistakes twice.
-Always bring copies of your confirmation, saved us on rental car check in.
-Get a good map of Orlando if you plan to drive anywhere but the parks.
-Do you really need a $50+ bottle of wine with dinner? (I said need, not want).
-Resort hopping is fun but so is lounging in familar splendor.
-Wander about, you just might run into Minnie and Pluto.
-They won't let you resort hop from your water mouse (I know, I tried).
-Need to find a way to play good music in the room.
-Do you really need to bring so much stuff stuff?
Happy to answer any questions.