15 Years of Magic- see the page 6 for more pics and page 7 for more!

[goodferry]

I will keep all of this trip report on one thread since I am not so talented that I could provide a link to the next installment.

Pre-Trip Report:

On August 16, 1990, three months after I graduated from college, I married my very own Prince Charming in Kingsland, Georgia. Matt (DH) was on leave from the Navy and was in the process of starting on a new submarine that would be stationed out of Kings Bay, GA.

He had a week of house hunting leave, and in his ever romantic way, he suggested I pick up some rings so we could get married while we were down there. We were so young and new to the whole "wedding" thing that we didn't plan anything out. I bought a dress and two rings and we left for Georgia.

We found some land that we liked and a builder and on the anniversary of my grandparent's wedding day, we strolled into the Justice of the Peace and got married. No flowers, no cake, just us and a guy named Bubba (no joking). He took one picture of us standing against the big picture window, with the sun glaring in on us, you can't make out one single detail of our faces. Twenty minutes after the wedding, we met with the real estate agent and signed the papers to have our new house built on a newly aquired peace of not-quite-swampland.

After that we headed for a beach near Jacksonville. We had dinner at Taco Bell (still totally not joking, we didn't know where to go) and had champagne and a brownie from a gas station Quik Mart for our wedding cake. I know this seems like a lot of unneccesary detail, but parts of this story come into play on our trip.

Fast forward fifteen years and we decide to take our very first ever trip by ourself with none of our four children. We settled on a trip to Disney since it was on the same continent and we could get home quick if we needed to and there was so much we wanted to do as adults at Disney that we couldn't do with the kids along. My dear, dear parents agreed to make the eight hour trip to our house to watch their adorable grandchildren four our six day adventure.

My parents rock.

We decided not to tell the kids, the 14 year old figured it out, though. Now before you feel bad for the kiddos, they were in Disney last June and we are taking them back in December. They were all so excited to have my parents come stay for almost a week, they barely even noticed when it was time for us to leave.

We made our reservations in March at the Boardwalk Inn in a concierge room with the dining plan. We booked our flight through AirTran and a towncar through FL Tours.

So, before I close the pre-trip post, here are the things you have to remember; no wedding, no flowers, no cake, one terrible picture taken on our wedding day by Bubba, the justice of the peace.

 

[pumba]

Hope you have the best best best time ever.....

 

[Minniespal]

Hope you have a fantastic time

 

[Pooh93]

Can't wait to read your trip report! Thanks for the warm-up!

 

[goodferry]

We were both excited to be leaving on Friday, the 12th. We run our own auto repair business where we both work. We have two employees, a 16 year old nephew and a great guy named Tony.

The unfortunate part of the timing of this trip was that Tony's wife was pregnant and due on August 18th, the day we were to get home.

We left for the Embassy Suites near the Pittsburgh airport around 4 pm with our fingers crossed that everything would go well and Tony's wife would hold out until our return and nothing would blow up or catch fire during our time away.

We got to the hotel around 5:30 pm, perfect timing because anyone who has stayed in an Embassy Suites knows that they have free drinks at a manager's reception every evening. They also have a free breakfast in the morning, but that's not nearly as exciting as free drinks.

We enjoyed the reception and a wonderful dinner in the hotel restaurant. We were both surprised by the quality, however, we were both starving at this point and we had been at that manager's reception, so it's hard to say if the meal was really as wonderful as it seemed.

There were three separate wedding receptions that evening, including an Indian couple, we sat and enjoyed a leisurely meal watching the receptions. It was fun seeing all the beautiful clothes and the families celebrating. It was fun, that is, until we went to bed. Then all the celebrating started to get a little old.

We got up around 5:30 am because we had to leave for a 6:00 am shuttle to the airport for our 8:20 am flight. I was exhausted because I had barely slept all night. I don't know if it was the excitement about leaving, the worrying about leaving the kids and the business, or the celebrating wedding parties, but I was so excited I didn't care. Matt, of course, slept like a log.

We got to the airport, checked our luggage, upgraded to business class, got through security and to the gate. It was now 6:45 am, just a little bit early. Our flight was very smooth and fast. I actually read a book on the plane, a book that didn't start out with "Once upon a time..." The only person I took to the bathroom was me and no one fought over coloring books, we didn't even bring any. I was already getting used to travelling without the little ones.

Our flight arrived just on time, about 11:15, and we quickly found our driver, Sam, from FLTours. He brought us to where we would pick up our luggage which took about 15 minutes. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up water and champagne for our anniversary. Sam was great, he chatted with us the whole way.

We arrived at the Boardwalk Inn by 12:15, which I thought was great time considering we waited for our luggage a while and stopped at the grocery store. We used FL Tours for our last trip, and were very pleased with the service, this time was no different and we will definitely use them again for our December trip.

So, as a wrap up, here's what you need to remember from this episode of our trip; we left our business in the care of a 16 year old and a guy with a wife ready to give birth any second, we were very hopeful that nothing would blow up or catch fire during our trip, free drink are good and FL Tours is awesome

 

[Clare D]

I love the recap at the end. Can't wait for the next episode

 

[melissa5583]

How Funny!!! I can't wait for the next part!!!

 

[jaymie_g]

I'm dying for the rest of the story!

The mother at home with 4 of her own
Jaymie

 

[Shelby5514]

Come on, you've had over an hour to post the next report...what's taking so long? LOL!

 

[undertheseas]

Hey don't leave us hanging!!! With a start like that, I hope you have a wonderful anniversary trip full of romance and without any Taco Bell or early babies

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Loved your first two posts. Please keep them coming.

 

[goodferry]

Sorry this took so long for the next installments, these pesky kids are so demanding of my time Plus we had a Steelers game to go to last night, but I'm back now.

When we arrived at the Boardwalk we were pointed in the direction of the Concierge desk on the fourth floor where check-in took all of two minutes. We had booked a package with dining and everything was explained very well. Concierge rooms are on the fourth and fifth floor with the lounge on the fourth floor. To get to the section of the floor where the lounge is located, you have to go through a door with keyed access only.

We were given room 4259 and told to use our key to go through the door and our room should be on the left. So off we go, room 4257, 4255, 4253, wait a minute, our room isn't in here. Back through the door we go and around the corner and there it is. I was sure they had discovered us and knew that we were unworthy of a room among the OTHER concierge guests, already they knew that my husband should be kept separate from polite society and they barely knew him They, of course, were right.

We opened the door to our room and it was beautiful. There was a king size bed and a beautiful balcony overlooking the lake, boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club. I will try to add some pictures

And what to my wondering eyes should appear?

My first towel animal ever! Little towel bear, you complete me.

Our luggage arrived shortly after we got into our room, and that's when Matt noticed a box from Peggy (feralpeg) It was beautiful with Mickey head wine glasses, sparkling cider, chocolates, a candle, a mickey antenna topper and a Boardwalk Inn ornament. It exceeded my expectations, and Matt was just happy to have something to snack on.

We left almost immediately for Epcot. Now, I have to tell you that our whole family has "bad Epcot attitudes". We never had very much fun in Epcot, it always seemed like the rides would break down and it would rain, things never went well for us in Epcot on previous trips. I had to all but drag Matt there, he wanted to go to Magic Kingdom, but it was a Saturday and we had reservations for La Cellier that night.

So at 12:30, both starving, we set out for Epcot. I was REALLY nervous about riding Mission Space, I never had and I knew that Matt would insist because he really wanted to. We checked out Soarin', which had about a 90 minute stand by line and walked over to Test Track and got a Fast Pass instead, I had sworn to Matt we would get to ride it this trip.

Next we walked over to Mission Space, just to check it out. We got in the single rider line and walked right on, and we ended up sitting with each other to boot. It was awesome, I was so nervous I thought I would puke from the anticipation, but it was a great ride. I ended up riding it again later on in the trip.

After Mission Space, we were really hungry, so we walked over to Sunshine Season Food Fair (I think that was what it was called, in the building with Soarin'). We both had chicken and it was really good and the dining plan worked flawlessly.

Next we visited the aquarium thing, which we had never been to either. It was OK, kind of a dissapointment. We didn't do Turtle Talk, we decided to wait until the kids were along for that.

Next, on to Test Track. It was fun, but I liked Mission Space better. Doesn't it seem like we are doing a lot? There we really no lines for anything but Soarin', even Test Track only had a 20 minute stand by line. We also went to Honey I Shrunk the Audience and then got Fast Passes for Soarin', which we figured we would use after dinner.

Next we strolled around World Showcase, visiting the Mexico Pavillion for the first time. It was really cool, it's so hard to believe from the outside, that is what is inside. We rode the boatride and Matt was dissappointed to see that the dolls from It's a Small World had been stuck over in Epcot.

We had a great time wandering through World Showcase and by now had developed a love for Epcot, yeah! We didn't get to do the American Adventure, which I had really wanted to do, because it was almost time for our dinner reservations.

We arrived at Le Cellier about 10 minutes early and waited about 15 mintues for a table, which was the longest we would wait for a table all week. I was kind of dissapointed with our dining experience here. Our table was about 3 inches away from another table on each side, making conversation a little awkward for everyone.

I had a glass of wine, and we were surprised to find out they didn't have Molson (isn't this Canada?). We both had the Land and Sea special, I had the cheese soup and Matt had a shrimp cocktail for appetizers, and we both had sorbet for dessert, we were soooo full. I didn't like the cheese soup, but it could have been because it was about 110 degrees outside and just not the kind of day for cheese soup.

Dinner was just ok, I guess I had high expectations and it fell a little flat. Our server, Richard, was flawless. He kept our waters full and checked on us just enough.

We had fast passes for Soarin' that were ready now, but we were both starting to feel the 5 am wakeup at this point and decided to hit Soarin' another day and go back to the room for a swim and a rest before we left for Downtown Disney and La Nouba (the 9 pm show). You don't need the details of our break, right?

I had not wanted to schedule La Nouba in our itinerary on the first night because I knew we would be tired, but they were going on hiatus for a week or so the next day, so it was our only chance to see it, and am I glad we did. It was INCREDIBLE. I would not miss this if you haven't seen it yet. There really are not words to describe it, suffice to say that I perked right up when the show started and was not tired anymore.

We had great seats, in the front row of the second section, we could see everything perfectly. We chatted with the usher right up until the show started. It was her last day after five years with La Nouba and she was leaving for NYC the next day.

After the show we went right back to the room, exhausted, and fell into bed.

So what did we learn today? We love Epcot! A towel animal, now I can die, I am complete! Peggy rocks! The poor little leftover dolls from It's a Small World are in the Mexico pavillion now. Matt doesn't belong among polite society, and the concierge staff knew that without looking at him and La Nouba is awesome!

 

[goodferry]

Here are a few other pictures from the Boardwalk, the lobby and the front entrance.

Some more shots of our room. It was very light and airy. It was a corner room, with the one window looking out over the sign for Flying Fish

 

[Clare D]

Love the towel animal, I have my fingers crossed that we get one of these. Keep em comin as they are great fun

 

[Cinerama]

I'm enjoying the report and the pics so far...looking forward to more! Thanks!

 

[Mary Anne]

Great reports.

 

[tiki23]

Thanks for sharing; love your report!

 

[fizz13]

Great start, I am feeling there may be some suprises in store so hurry up and write more, i need to know

Claire xx

 

[goodferry]

Sunday 8/14
We woke up ready to go really early, around 6:30am. Epcot had EMH this morning and we decided to walk to Epcot, ride Soarin, then go straight out to the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. We had breakfast in the concierge lounge, they had cereal, fruit, yogurt, several kinds of danish, several kinds of bagels, coffee, a couple different kinds of juice, milk, chocolate milk, pop, and water. This is one of my favorite parts of the concierge level, breakfast took about 10 minutes and we were at Epcot for rope drop.

We walked on to Soarin' which is very cool, definitely one of my favorite rides. We considered riding again, but the stand by line was already 30 minutes, so we left for the Magic Kingdom.

I had mixed feelings about going. It is my favorite park of the four, but I knew I would really miss the kids there. MK is everybody's favorite, and the reason we stay at the Polynesian when the kids are along. I always get teary eyed at the MK, remembering their reactions the first time they saw the castle, or the first time they worked up the nerve to ride Space Mountain, or Shelby riding Splash Mountain two times in a row, crying the entire time, because she really wanted to do it, but she was scared.

We arrived at the monorail station just as one arrived and there were very few people waiting to get on. So I asked if we could sit up front, and we could! It was a neat view, our driver was not very chatty despite Matt's best attempts to engage her in conversation. That's ok, I got a towel animal so my trip is pretty much set no matter what else happens.

I was so glad that we got to ride Soarin', however, walking from the Boardwalk to Soarin' and then out to the monorail station and then into the MK was exhausting. Part of the reason for this was the fact that Matt likes to speed walk. I know we were walking at LEAST 4mph, and I was hot and tired before we even got to the monorail. I have never heard of anyone else doing this, going to EMH for one ride and then heading to another park right away, and I think there is a reason for it, I don't think I would do it again

We somehow managed to make it to MK just at rope drop. The new ticket system is a real pain in the butt, it takes FOREVER to get through the turnstiles because every other person can't get the finger scanner to work. One of the best parts of walking up Main Street was listening to the kids who were seeing the castle for the first time.

We started at Space Mountain and worked our way through every major attraction, including riding Splash Mountain three times and Buzz twice and were almost done by 11:00am. Going first thing in the morning is definitely the way to do it. Our fast pass cycle was usually less than an hour and we got so much more done than we would later in the day.

Lunch today was at Casey's and was great as usual. I will take this opportunity to note that every location, with the exception of Pizza Planet in MGM (yuck) gave us the large bottles of water with our meal. We both drank water and alcohol only on this trip and felt much better than we did last trip. Eliminating the caffeine and sugar made a big difference.

Now do you remember how I told you about the picture on our wedding day taked by Bubba and ruined by the light coming through the window? I was determined this trip that we would have some pictures of Matt and I, together and separately, since all of our pictures are of the kids.

We started with the photopass at the MK and got some nice pictures. I prefer the shot of us in front of the castle from the rose garden as opposed to from Main Street where there are a thousand other people in your pictures. Matt was not thrilled about the photopass thing. He kept saying "let's just do it later, not now" I knew better, if we waited it would never happen.

After lunch we saw Mickey's Philharmagic and rode Space Mountain with a fast pass then decided we were ready for a break.

We were walking down Main Street and decided we needed some ice cream. I remembered hearing about the wonderful ice cream sandwiches, so we both decided to get one. The are HUGE! They are the size of a paper plate and more than an inch thick with ice cream, we could have easily shared one and still had some left over.

It was delicious and one of our favorite treats of the trip. I managed to eat almost half, it was fun hearing people oohhin and awwwing over our ice cream as we walked along Main Street. This was when I discovered the best way to slow down speedwalker Matt, food.

We got back to the resort about 1:30 and headed straight to the pool. Now I know that I had read that the Boardwalk Inn was one of the smallest resorts, so we couldn't POSSIBLY have a hard time finding our way around, right? Wrong. We found the quiet pool, but for some reason could not get over to the big pool. We decided to just swim in the quiet pool, since it was nice and quiet. No problem finding lounge chairs at all.

Matt of course, spent more time hunting lizards than swimming. Anyone who read my last trip report will remember that my family spent the good part of a week harrassing the wildlife at the Polynesian. Well, the kids aren't here and nothing has changed. He was determined to catch a lizard this trip, they eluded him on the last.

Is it possible that they really heat the pools in the summer, or do they stay warm from the heat? It's like swimming in spit, not exactly refreshing, but it was relaxing. After a bit we decided to look for the gym and we found it, and the big pool! We went on the slide, which was OK. There were a lot more people here, so we grabbed a Pina Colada like drink from the really cool pool bar (I took pictures with my 35mm but need to get them developed) and walked back to our room.

Matt wanted to go to the gym, and I wanted to sleep, so that was what we did. He woke me up an hour later and I felt much better. Can you believe it, I took a nap! The last time I took a nap was in the hospital when Zoe was born, and she just turned two.

After a shower, we had wine/beer from the concierge lounge. They had four different kinds of wine and four different kinds of beer. We didn't even look to see what kinds of appetizers were out since we knew we were headed to 'Ohana.

Out on the Boardwalk, I subjected Matt to more pictures

As we walked to the bus stop for the MK bus, we noticed the skys were starting to look menacing, but we trudged on anyway. The bus was waiting when we arrived and the ride was quick. From there we took a boat straight over to the Polynesian. On the boat ride over, it started to storm. Matt HATES lightening. When he was in the Navy he saw a guy get struck and it bothers him to this day, so he was a little uncomfortable. So, I took his picture.

The Poly has a special place in my heart, we had such a good time there last June. The kids loved it and swear they never want to stay anywhere else again. I loved the Boarwalk, but the Poly just has a different, more relaxing feel to it, it's hard to put into words, but I was glad we visited, it brought back happy memories and we got to take more pictures!

The Tambu lounge outside of 'Ohana was crowded, so we checked in at the podium and sat down for a drink. I love their Pina Coladas and Matt had some Island something or other drink. We hadn't even gotten the bill for them yet when they called us to sit down. We had a table on the other side of the fire pit, which was OK since we didn't have the kids along and didn't plan on playing any of the games.

Dinner was better than I remembered it from last time. None of the meat was overcooked and the wings and potatoes were awesome! Our dessert was pineapple with caramel, plus they brought us a cupcake with two candles on it and told us we both had to make a wish and blow out the candles. I won't tell you what we wished, but we both silently wished the same thing.

It was actually a very romantic dinner, which I didn't expect among the large quantities of protein and "cousins" checking on us every few minutes. Once again, we had outstanding service. We weren't rushed, nor were we ignored.

Well this pesky thing called my job is totally interfering with my typing, so more to come on Wishes and our visit to "Metal land"

 

[Clare D]

Love the pictures, another great report