*4/10*GF Cafe & final thoughts* Dead Lizards & Deluxe Dining: A December Trip Report

[Lady Lallie]

You were in a driving groove that's for sure!

 

[Native NYer]

Seems like you made great time. And staying only an hour away the night before is a definite plus.

 

[courtney881]

DIET COKE Shannon, don't forget the Diet Coke!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shannn]

How exciting that you are just a few hours away from Disney! Drum Roll PLEASE!!!!! Looking forward to seeing that!

We thought we reached a great stopping point!

You gotta stop teasing us with these mini updates!! I would've been tempted to just keep driving, if you were only an hour away. Sometimes I snack so much in the car that when it's meal time I'm not hungry. I could never be a truck driver. I'd eat myself in a coma to stay awake!

Oh yea, we wore out that popcorn for sure!

Whoo hoo!! 1 hour from Disney!! YAY! Can't WAIT to read more!!

It was such an easy drive. Child-free makes all the difference in the world.

You were in a driving groove that's for sure!

It's amazing how fast you can go with a tin of caramel & cheese popcorn, and talks of Disney to keep you company!

Seems like you made great time. And staying only an hour away the night before is a definite plus.

It turned out to be a great location at a great price!

 

[shannn]

DIET COKE Shannon, don't forget the Diet Coke!!!!!!!!!!!

OH yes!! We had plenty of Diet Coke. It's so great to travel with someone who understands the magical elixir that is Diet Coke. Sam just rolls his eyes at me when I get yet another one!!

 

[shannn]

When we woke up the next morning the sun was shining brightly and we were almost to Disney!! I quickly went to take a shower and then Courtney did the same. I was sitting on the bed watching for a forecast when Courtney let out a shriek!



"A lizard! There's a lizard on the floor"

She starting watching him more carefully and then nudged him with her shoe? The corner of her bag? I'm not sure, but the reaction was:


"Ewwww! He's petrified!"

Yes, there was a dead lizard on the floor. This was not a recently dead lizard. This was a dried-out-husk of a dead lizard. This lizard had been there a while. Perhaps they had built the hotel around this dead lizard.

We finished getting ready (keeping far away from Mr. Lizard of course), and I decided to go and check out at the front desk. While I was there, I thought that I would inform her that there was a dead lizard in that room. Her reply? "This is Florida. They get in."

My answer: "Look, lady, I am familiar with Florida. I have seen the mini Godzillas who ravage the countryside in the German pavillion. However, I usually am not eye-to-eye with their petrified remains when I awake in the morning, and I thought you might want to deal with it."


No, not really; but I thought it real hard.


Dead lizard aside, Courtney and I were back on the road again. Okay, I won't sing. We headed right on down Highway 50 to the Turnpike and on to Buena Vista Drive (which my GPS could not pronounce correctly at all!) I handed Courtney the camera and told her that the famous gate picture was coming. Here's what she got:

No, not really; she got this one too:

And we followed the signs to find this:

and finally this!!

Welcome Home! We had been talking and looking at the Unofficial Guide's map of the resort. Courtney is well known to have a little black cloud of doom that follows her and she had joked that with her luck we'd end up in Villa #50 as far away from the front as possible. I just had to shake my head when we checked in and the sweet little CM at the desk circled our Villa. Yep, #5524! She didn't get it when we both dissolved into giggles. We piloted our little car to the back of the resort and jumped out of the car to discover the quietest little culdesac ever. We were right next door to the quiet pool (and hot tub with no swimsuits, darn it!) and in a perfectly lovely location!

And what was waiting for us on the steps?? Yes, another petrified friend, of course. And, thus, the trip report was named!!

(Courtney didn't know that duffle bag had wheels until right that moment.)

the door to our villa

the beds before we wrecked the room!

the table in the corner

the view of the quiet pool from the balcony

The TV, this room had not been updated yet, obviously

bathroom

kitchenette area

our front stoop view

the empty quiet pool


The original plan had been to go to DHS since we had a DisMeet and dinner planned there, but we were there hours earlier than I had planned. Courtney wanted to see the castle, so we decided to stop off first at the Magic Kingdom and hang out there!

Coming up next: the bus stop, Magic Kingdom lunch, DHS dinner

 

[manntra]

What the heck with the lizards???!!
Maybe the woman at Days inn telepathically got some of your message through to her

I will never forget the grossest thing that ever happened to me on a trip to Florida...we always drove when I was young and we had stopped at a rest area somewhere in FL....well I was in the loo and felt something hit the back of my neck and went down the back of my shirt...I wiggle around and it was a dead and petrified "palmetto bug." I freaked out!! And anyways why is a cockroach called a palmetto bug? it is just a really big cockroach....ughh
I hear ya Courtney on having the black cloud of doom looming over you...it's always the line I pick at the grocery store...drive up atm...etc!

Courtney great picture of the welcome sign!!! I have that in a frame!!

Tracy

 

[Native NYer]

A dead lizard is definitely not the way to wake up. But at least you saw it in the morning, once you were ready to check out.

Your room at OKW is beautiful. Is that a studio?

 

[courtney881]

AAAAHHHHH...I want to go back!!! This is wonderful, reliving every moment...even the ^&*^$$%^ lizards! Even though we giggled about being in building 55, we couldn't have picked a better room if we tried! Only a short walk to the bus stop and sooo quiet! Perfect! Keep it coming Shannon!

 

[erika412]

At least you didn't see the lizard right before going to bed!

 

[All7OfUs]

Not one, but 2!!! dead lizards??!! That's pretty amazing!

So glad that you guys are rolling with the punches and decided to go with a revised plan to hit up MK first. Nice.

Room is so pretty; you ended up with a super view!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Ewww to dead lizards. Yucky.

Yay for arriving at Disney!

What a great plan to go to MK with an earlier arrival time!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Congrats to Morgan on his belt...that is huge achievement so young too... (My 7 year old takes Kenpo Karate...)-what are the chances that his test would be scheduled during your trip...

But it sounds like it all worked out...

as for the lizards...I don't care for them alive or dead...and 2? what are the chances of that?

hmmm...

OKW looks very pretty......looking forward to hearing more about the trip and I hope that your lizard encounters are in the past...for your sake...

 

[moburg]

It was such an easy drive. Child-free makes all the difference in the world.

Not to mention the hassle that flying is becoming!

 

[Happydog]

FUN update!!! I really thought OKW was great! We stayed there in a 2 bedroom for a week and had a blast last June/July.

Can't wait to hear all about the day we were supposed to meet... I realize that I had only exchanged #s with WIGD since I think she was the central organizer, and since we were running late too, I told her... I do hope you all still went to see Osbourne lights that night, if you did we could have very well been walking the Streets of America together after all!

Can't wait to hear what comes next!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Ewwww!! Dead lizards! Gross!! I get your title now!! Love your room and the view of the quiet pool--how nice!!! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[shannn]

What the heck with the lizards???!!
Maybe the woman at Days inn telepathically got some of your message through to her

I will never forget the grossest thing that ever happened to me on a trip to Florida...we always drove when I was young and we had stopped at a rest area somewhere in FL....well I was in the loo and felt something hit the back of my neck and went down the back of my shirt...I wiggle around and it was a dead and petrified "palmetto bug." I freaked out!! And anyways why is a cockroach called a palmetto bug? it is just a really big cockroach....ughh
I hear ya Courtney on having the black cloud of doom looming over you...it's always the line I pick at the grocery store...drive up atm...etc!

Courtney great picture of the welcome sign!!! I have that in a frame!!

Tracy

Ewww....I lived in Charleston, SC and "palmetto bugs" are definitely gross. In the summer around twilight, you can actually hear them crunch under your feet as you walk!

A dead lizard is definitely not the way to wake up. But at least you saw it in the morning, once you were ready to check out.

Your room at OKW is beautiful. Is that a studio?

Yes, it was studio at OKW. It was very spacious with plenty of room for both of us. We definitely enjoyed the two beds rather than having a pull out. If you're not sharing a bed, I'd absolutely recommend an OKW studio.

AAAAHHHHH...I want to go back!!! This is wonderful, reliving every moment...even the ^&*^$$%^ lizards! Even though we giggled about being in building 55, we couldn't have picked a better room if we tried! Only a short walk to the bus stop and sooo quiet! Perfect! Keep it coming Shannon!

I love reliving the trip through reports!! It was great, wasn't? Feel free to jump in with any stories that you remember!

At least you didn't see the lizard right before going to bed!

I wasn't sure what was better. We were really tired that night, so I guess it was just as well that we didn't see him!

Not one, but 2!!! dead lizards??!! That's pretty amazing!

So glad that you guys are rolling with the punches and decided to go with a revised plan to hit up MK first. Nice.

Room is so pretty; you ended up with a super view!

Yep, Courtney was dying to see the castle and I love park hoppers!! We definitely got our money's worth out of those.

It was a great view.

Ewww to dead lizards. Yucky.

Yay for arriving at Disney!

What a great plan to go to MK with an earlier arrival time!

We had to take off to see the Magic Kingdom ASAP!!

Congrats to Morgan on his belt...that is huge achievement so young too... (My 7 year old takes Kenpo Karate...)-what are the chances that his test would be scheduled during your trip...

But it sounds like it all worked out...

as for the lizards...I don't care for them alive or dead...and 2? what are the chances of that?

hmmm...

OKW looks very pretty......looking forward to hearing more about the trip and I hope that your lizard encounters are in the past...for your sake...

Thanks for the congratulations. We're really proud!

There weren't any more dead lizard encounters unless you count the fact that our 2nd little friend stayed on the steps to greet us each time we left our room.

Not to mention the hassle that flying is becoming!

Yes, the 10 hour drive didn't seem so bad this time!

FUN update!!! I really thought OKW was great! We stayed there in a 2 bedroom for a week and had a blast last June/July.

Can't wait to hear all about the day we were supposed to meet... I realize that I had only exchanged #s with WIGD since I think she was the central organizer, and since we were running late too, I told her... I do hope you all still went to see Osbourne lights that night, if you did we could have very well been walking the Streets of America together after all!

Can't wait to hear what comes next!!!

We did go to see the Osborne Lights, and we actually met up with Dawn & family there. We probably were walking the streets together!!

Ewwww!! Dead lizards! Gross!! I get your title now!! Love your room and the view of the quiet pool--how nice!!! Can't wait to read more!!

It was a great room~~ a little oasis from the world!!

 

[shannn]

Well, I was hoping that our Photopass CD would come before I got started, but it didn't so I'll have to go back and update when I get it.

We quickly threw down our stuff and set off to see the castle. It was a short walk to the bus stop (for those of you who've been to OKW, we were at South Point, I think). We got there about 11:15 and waited through several buses before a MK bus showed up at 11:28. (Yes, I timed it, but only that first time). It was a nice bus stop with benches, a water fountain, and fans so I can see how it wouldn't be too bad even if you were waiting in really hot weather. It took us 8 minutes to get to the front of OKW and then on the road to the Magic Kingdom.

It was so exciting to watch Courtney get her first views of everything, and, of course, I've never seen the Christmas decorations. The front was beautiful with the garland and there were poinsettias everywhere.

Our first stop to add a day to our tickets since I had originally only bought a 3 day pass. We had the cutest CM from Mississippi and Courtney started to realize that everybody, and I do mean everybody, was going to comment on her birthday button!

We walked down Main Street (probably with our mouths wide open) taking in the sights as we went.

We spent some time poking around in the Emporium where Courtney started making her list of things she wanted to buy! (Another reason to go without the kids....there's not a lot of time for getting your shop on with 2 kids running around.)

Of course, we had to take the "front of the castle...OMG...I'm in Disney World" shots.

Then we had to go straight to the Haunted Mansion, the ride Courtney had been dreaming about since she found out about the trip. It had a wait (I think around 20-30 minutes), but I was game since it was what she really wanted to do so we jumped in line.

A cute lady who was also from Tennessee took our picture in the line (and asked us if we were sisters!!)

Since we decided not to become the 1000th Happy Haunt, we headed from there to Fantasyland. I'm sure I was a big pain pointing out to Courtney all the differences the Imagineers had put into the worlds, but I was just so happy to be there with someone who might think the Imagineering was as cool as I do that I was just chattering away. The lines for Small World & Peter Pan were massive long, but Philharmagic was just starting so we went in to see Donald ruin Mickey's Orchestra again.

We were getting hungry and didn't have a reservation until dinner so we stopped at the Tomorrowland Noodle Station. We first saw the sushi sign, but of course they weren't serving that yet. Courtney ended up going for the wrap and I had the chicken sandwich. They were both good and Courtney's was a huge portion. I forgot to take the pictures until after we had started, but here they are if you want to see.

We sat in a little table with a great view of the castle while we ate and then we took off for Tomorrowland. Courtney's friend had told her that she had to ride Space Mountain, and I told her that if she rode the TTA she could at least say she went into Space Mountain! Last time we were there, SM wasn't open yet, so it was awesome to see the finished product. There are some great displays set up for the TTA riders and I loved it! We hit the Laugh Factory, Tomorrowland Transit Authority and Carousel of Progress before we decided we had better head over to DHS for our 6:30 DisMeet.

Coming up next: A Dismeet, A Mania, and Some Terror!

 

[moburg]

Yes, the 10 hour drive didn't seem so bad this time!

We made the 8 hour drive back in June with Collin (5 and half months old at the time). At that age, he slept most of the way, and the times he woke up or needed to stop were the times we needed to stop for gas or food anyway. We were expecting a lot worse, but it worked out perfectly!

I wouldn't want to even consider an 8 hour drive now with a 1 year old who isn't lulled to sleep by the engine or road noise anymore. He is a pill when driving around town or the hour or two driving to Grandparents. We are at least a year, probably more like 3 or 4 years away from our next Disney trip anyway.

 

[manntra]

LOVE your t shirt Shann!! I can't remember...did you make this one or was it one that you got online? So cute!!
I am just sitting here at work with my mouth open looking at that blue sky. I swear that color only exists in Florida and only on Disney property. In October I took several pictures of the sky because it was so blue! Did you take your husband's camera? They are awesome pics!! The train station...garlands on Main Street... so pretty!
Great smile of the two of you by HM!
Did you get to go on SM that day before you left? I really missed it in October.

Tracy