Sandra ~ Day 11 ~ SEE YOU REAL SOON

[SandraC]

DAY 11 ~ SEE YOU REAL SOON!

We all woke up around 8am and Mickey called the same time. It is very sad to pick up the phone one last time. I was packed up and ready to go. Just a few little things gather. I purposely left dd's bathing out hoping to have time for one last swim and she did! DH and DD went swimming while I gathered up last minute things. We even had time to go to El Centro one last time. We packed up the car, van actually and we needed it! We started talking about the next trip. We want ds out of diapers, car seat and stroller next time. We talked about all the great resorts we saw. DD chants DELUXE DELUXE DELUXE! We arrived at the airport with enough time to spare. It's been a standing joke that I run into people I know all over the place. Even in Florida, 1200 miles from home, I run into folks. So in the Air Canada line, I find myself in a blind stare at a lady. She smiles and says, "SANDRA!" She's one of the instructors that teaches a class before me at the gym! LOL! I didn't know she was going to Florida! It was a hoot! The Air Canada line was long but it moved slowly ~ LOL! We had enough time to get coffee and sit about 45 minutes. Our seats were perfect! DS and I at the window and DH and DS next to us at the bulkhead! Flight was a little bumpy but fine enough! We got home about 6pm and ordered a pizza. I still haven't unpacked. DH went to work today and DD went to school. DS and I got half our pictures developed and bought photo albums and scrap book material. I have to teach two classes tomorrow, but then get a LAUNDRY break until Monday. We have been home a little over 24 hours and I am planning the next trip already! This was a great trip! LOVE DISNEY! Only 1172 days until next trip! Like Mickey says and the BIG sign as you leave WDW ~ SEE YOU REAL SOON! Sandra

[NancyK]

Thanks for doing your trip report so quickly Sandra. It sounds like you had an awesome time!

[SandraC]

My pleasure. Writing the reports helps keep me in WDW MODE and it helps me avoid work tomorrow and laundry! LOL! S

[jjsmom]

Sandra, your trip report was terrific. I just have a couple of questions. What was your opinion of the crowds at the parks (especiall MK). And, what was your overall feeling about staying at CSR for 10 days? What would you do differently?

Maybe our family will get lucky and get to go soon. I'll let you know!

[TimNDansMom]

Sandra, I just finished reading your trip reports. You had a wonderful trip, I can see! You fit so many things into each day and still managed to find time to rest! It all goes by just so darn quickly, doesn't it.

I'm looking forward to seeing you on May 11 and talking more about it and looking at all your pictures. :)

[SandraC]

Hi!

CROWDS: We went last April too, so I did a lot of comparing the two trips. This year seemed to have more crowds. Last year I noticed MK was crowded while the other parks were not, this year, there were crowds all over. I set my mind to the crowds and went with the flow.

CSR: The longer we stayed the better I liked it, but my first impressions were somewhat confusing. Again I compare to CBR last year. I loved CBR and likd CSR. I would recommend CSR without hesitation. Our housekeeping staff wasn't on the ball which added to my confusion and likability. The Dig Site is great fun!

ONE OTHER NOTE: I noticed the age of the CM were a little older or much younger than usual. In past visits, CM's seemed to be that perky 21 - 30 group. This year I saw a lot of mature cranky CM's yelling at folks and the counter services and food courts were run by several "former McDonalds" employee looking teenagers who never smiled. I would say half the CM's fit into those categories while the other half were very pleasant. We chatted to a WDW Bus Driver ont he monorail one morning and he was bashing Disney like crazy to us. He was loud enough for everyone to hear. I think the CM's morale is suffering. It didn't take too much magic away because we make our own fun! Sandra

[jmkst58]

Just read your whole report. I can't say enough about how much you managed to do. I'm astounded. Great report!

[sammi]

What fantastic reports Sandra!:)

I've really enjoyed reliving each and every day with you and your family! Thanks so much!:sunny:

Now just keep your countdown until next trip going! LOL;)

~Cindy

[patsal]

Sandra,
Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you had a great trip. Your last post made me a little weepy, since all I could remember was DH and I standing on the top of the train platform facing the castle and tears rolling down my face because I had to leave. That was 11 years ago and both of our first trips to Disney. I can't wait until we leave at the end of June!

[u4ik]

Sandra - Thanks for letting us see inside your great trip. Love hearing all about your adventures and all the touring. When we go again next march, I think we will try to visit as many resorts as you did. It is fun to see new things disney.

Also, I read up on your first trip. The room that you got at CBR sounded great, corner room second floor across the bridge from the food court. We stayed there our first trip to Disney, and might again after that room report.

Where are you staying next?

[jennymouse]

I've really enjoyed reading all your trip reports over the last couple of days and seeing how much fun your sweet family had at WDW. You have worked so hard planning the most perfect vacation for your family.....I know they appreciate your hard work, even if they might not be able to express it. Glad you got that teething thing nipped at the start, whew, been there done that!

It's fun to follow different DISer's trips through the planning stage then read thier trip reports....I learn so much by others sharing. You've been one of my favorites, because you come up with some fun threads..........I know you're a fun person to be around and your DH & children are lucky to have you!

I'm still waffleing about CSR. Hopefully, there will be some good codes for October and I can just stay at AKL for the entire trip instead of switching hotels during trip. Oh well, I'm sure it will work out.

Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us......what ever you do, don't disappear from the boards!

[Jo-Anne]

Sandra - what a great planner you are....sounds like you had a great balance of rest and attack! I'm interested in finding out more about Fort Wilderness....I was thinking of doing the Trails End Buffeteria one night and then the campfire with our kids (5&2)...you mentioned pony rides...what else is there to do there? Also, what kind of foods did you see on the buffet?! Also, did you get charged for your 2yr old at the character buffets or other restaurants? Glad you had a great time! Good to hear Air Canada was on time..we're flying with them in Sept. Take Care Jo

[kathymc]

what a wonderful trip and great job on all of your reports. hopefully on our next trip in 2003 we will finally get to enjoy some of the other stuff you did. I always want to try other resort restaurants but we never seem to have enough time. Next trip is two full weeks so I better get planning! Thanks again for sharing!

[SandraC]

THX ALL!

Joanne, about FW ~ I was very impressed. It's the nicest cleanest camping area I have ever seen! We parked near the entrance and had to take a bus to petty farm area. There is horse backing riding trails that start up near the entrance, but the minimum age is 9, so my kids didn't do it. Besides, it's about $32 USF, $50 each CDN! YIKES! The pony ride was $3.00 and maximum weight 80lbs, I think they had an age max of 8, dd is 8 years 4 months old and 62 lbs, very tall and loved the pony ride! There were donkeys, goats and sleep in pens, but you can reach thru the pens and pet them. They had friendly peacocks too!

I highly recommend Trail's End Buffet. We ate right at 2:30pm when lunch ended but they let us stay a munch away. They had, soup, rolls, excellent corn bread, chilly, salad bar with tons of fruits, puddings, sandwiches, sloppy joes, really great chicken, pizza, apple cobbler and more! Lunch is a great deal $8.99 adults and $5.99 kids! We were stuffed and had ice cream for dinner!

We hung out at the petty farm, eat lunch and dd rode the pony, nice couple of hours! Sandra

[SandraC]

Kathy, half my fun is in planning. I tried to make our PS every other day and that dicated there we'd be that day. The rest was easy! Planning is a blast! Sandra

[kellyla]

Sandra,I throughly enjoyed your trip reports(made me feel I was right there)Hopefully I will get to see some of those pictures on the 11th.

[hoosll]

Sandra - Loved your reports. You had a wonderful trip. Next time you must go to Downtown Disney - your son will love the Lego store and you will love the giant Disney store. I also recommend Hoop de doo if you haven't tried it yet.

[SandraC]

Hoosll, YEAH! We went to Downtown Disney last year and we had to drag the kids away from the legos! I loved that big Disney Store. I was hoping to get to it this year best you get a 10% discount for $50 plus purchases at that store, but never made it.

We made this years trip 11 days so we would have time to rest and enjoy the resort. We still did commado (with rests) but that's just the way like it!

I am looking forward to the Hoop de doo when the kids are a little older! Looks fun! Sandra

[yepod]

Thanks again SandraC!
I have to ask about the Mickey wake up call.
I always ordered a wake up call at the CBR & POR in the past, but never heard Mickey.
Can you explain? What was I doing wrong?

Thanks again, enjoyed all your reports very much!

[SandraC]

On the CSR phone there were several option buttons, housekeeping, front desk etc.,. the top far right button was WAKE UP CALLS.

I would pick up the receiver and press the WAKE UP CALL button. A recording came on saying that 'this is the CSR wake up call service, press 1 for AM, 2 for PM' I would press 1. Then it asked, 'enter your wake up time followed be the star key.' So I did that. Then it repeated my selection, 'you have entered 8am tomorrow morning, press 1 to accept, press 2 to change.' I press 1 and it's confirmed and says BYE BYE. The next morning the phone rang and I would pick it up and toss it to dd. It starts with Minnie singing and then Mickey would say something like, "UP AND AT 'EM, TIME TO GET UP." or something to that affect. Mickey repeats it again. I think we had Goofy wake us up once last year. If you aren't getting the call you want, ask front desk. Maybe that can help! GOOD LUCK! Sandra

PS: You can change your time easily too!

[cotye]

Great reports Sandra! :)

[Niagara2]

Hi Sandra and beautiful family!! Great trip report and so happy for all of you. I relived many happy moments and thank you for that. Maybe we can do another meet in Niagara! Coming home is always hard but the DIS makes it easier as we start planning the next one the same day. I loved reading each days report - thank you for sharing. Doreen and family.

[SandraC]

I haven't been to NF in months! I would love another meet! Sandra

[Credit Man]

Great report! Thanks for posting.

[MichelleTO]

Wow Sandra, what a great set of trip reports, I was so sad reading about the feeling you had when the week was almost over. I hate that feeling. DD's breakdown, wow I was almost in tears myself! Sounds like you had a great time and did a ton of stuff. Did you find 10 days was a good length of time? of course i would stay for a month if I could LOL!:cool: :cool:

[SandraC]

Hi Michelle, yes I think 10 nights was great. By around day 8, I felt I'VE DONE DISNEY. I was still enjoying it a lot, but I felt complete, even with missing some things. But the last night was tough. I am looking forward to planning the next trip. I don't even mind that the next trip is 2 or 3 years away. Half my fun is planning and besides, I get to go to more DISmeets and learn so much from you all! I don't think my trips would be nearly as fun as they have been if it weren't for all of you and your get posts and advice. How many days for you Michelle? Your trip is fast approaching! Sandra