mskani
06-15-2002, 06:42 PM
Well my family and I just returned from our 2nd trip to WDW, or as my dh calls it, The House of Mouse.
Cast of Characters: me--31; dh--34; dd--6; and ds--4.
Dates: June 2 thru June 9
Hotel: Sheraton's Vistana Villages
Background:
We went to WDW in 08/2000 and fell in love with the place so we decided to return in July 2001. Unfortunately, our sewer system collapsed/failed and we had to sink (no pun intended) $3K into getting it fixed. That wiped out our entire vacation fund. Cancellation #1
So we then decided to go in October 2001 since the rates were lower and the kids had a Fall Break during that time. I joined the the Disney Club and managed to secure a great rate at Coronado Springs Resort. Then fast forward to 09/11/2001, my 31st birthday, and the worst day imaginable for this country. I cancelled the reservation--I was too afraid to fly. Cancellation #2
So I got my nerve back and I started reading the boards again and I booked Vistana Villages. I didn't book a flight because I figured that we could drive (from the Chicagoland area). Southwest came up with the Friends Fly Free promotion, and we booked 4 roundtrip tickets. There was no turning back now.
Fast forward to June1st. My dd's kindergarten graduation was at 10:00 am. It was beautiful. We took her out to celebrate and she started complaining about a tummy ache. Oh no--not less than 24 hours before the trip!! We immediately took her home and made her lie down and get some rest. I finished packing and I sent my dh out to do the last minute errands (i.e. purchasing Disney dollars). Within a couple of hours, dd felt much better (thank goodness). That night I gave the kids a bath and sent them to bed at 9:30 pm. I couldn't sleep so I searched the boards for last minute tips and finally turned in at 2:30 am.
June 2nd.
We got up and made our way to Midway Airport. We knew about the extra security checks so we made sure that we got there in enough time. Both of my kids were asked what their names were by the security officer.
Southwest Airlines was great. No frills, but comfortable. We landed in Orlando about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. We picked up the minivan, which my dh upgraded to a Grand Caravan and set off on our way to Vistana Villages.
When we got to the resort, it was about 12:45 pm. We were told that check-in was at 4:00pm--but that we could check back in about an hour to see if a two bedroom was available.
So we set off to get some lunch. We ended up at Sonic Drive-In (a recommendation from these boards) It was delicious. I had a cherry limeade and a cheeseburger and fries.
After lunch, we went back to Vistana and were told to check back in another hour. We were a little tired and the kids were a little cranky by then. But we refused to get upset--we were on vacation! So we went to Publix and bought some groceries and plenty of bottled water. We went back to Vistana--it was now 3:15pm--surely we would be able to check in, right? Wrong!! We parked in the circular drive in the shade, cut the air conditioner on in the van and let my ds nap and I did my dd's hair (which was still in curls from yesterday's ceremony). I called WDW Dine to see if I could move my Chef Mickey's ps back an hour and they said that they couldn't because they were totally booked up.
Stay tuned for Part Two to see what happened.
Cast of Characters: me--31; dh--34; dd--6; and ds--4.
Dates: June 2 thru June 9
Hotel: Sheraton's Vistana Villages
Background:
We went to WDW in 08/2000 and fell in love with the place so we decided to return in July 2001. Unfortunately, our sewer system collapsed/failed and we had to sink (no pun intended) $3K into getting it fixed. That wiped out our entire vacation fund. Cancellation #1
So we then decided to go in October 2001 since the rates were lower and the kids had a Fall Break during that time. I joined the the Disney Club and managed to secure a great rate at Coronado Springs Resort. Then fast forward to 09/11/2001, my 31st birthday, and the worst day imaginable for this country. I cancelled the reservation--I was too afraid to fly. Cancellation #2
So I got my nerve back and I started reading the boards again and I booked Vistana Villages. I didn't book a flight because I figured that we could drive (from the Chicagoland area). Southwest came up with the Friends Fly Free promotion, and we booked 4 roundtrip tickets. There was no turning back now.
Fast forward to June1st. My dd's kindergarten graduation was at 10:00 am. It was beautiful. We took her out to celebrate and she started complaining about a tummy ache. Oh no--not less than 24 hours before the trip!! We immediately took her home and made her lie down and get some rest. I finished packing and I sent my dh out to do the last minute errands (i.e. purchasing Disney dollars). Within a couple of hours, dd felt much better (thank goodness). That night I gave the kids a bath and sent them to bed at 9:30 pm. I couldn't sleep so I searched the boards for last minute tips and finally turned in at 2:30 am.
June 2nd.
We got up and made our way to Midway Airport. We knew about the extra security checks so we made sure that we got there in enough time. Both of my kids were asked what their names were by the security officer.
Southwest Airlines was great. No frills, but comfortable. We landed in Orlando about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. We picked up the minivan, which my dh upgraded to a Grand Caravan and set off on our way to Vistana Villages.
When we got to the resort, it was about 12:45 pm. We were told that check-in was at 4:00pm--but that we could check back in about an hour to see if a two bedroom was available.
So we set off to get some lunch. We ended up at Sonic Drive-In (a recommendation from these boards) It was delicious. I had a cherry limeade and a cheeseburger and fries.
After lunch, we went back to Vistana and were told to check back in another hour. We were a little tired and the kids were a little cranky by then. But we refused to get upset--we were on vacation! So we went to Publix and bought some groceries and plenty of bottled water. We went back to Vistana--it was now 3:15pm--surely we would be able to check in, right? Wrong!! We parked in the circular drive in the shade, cut the air conditioner on in the van and let my ds nap and I did my dd's hair (which was still in curls from yesterday's ceremony). I called WDW Dine to see if I could move my Chef Mickey's ps back an hour and they said that they couldn't because they were totally booked up.
Stay tuned for Part Two to see what happened.