Dopey, 45, single Mom to Sleepy, annual DW trip since Sleepy was 4
Doc, turning 40 during trip, my SO, 5th trip
Sleepy, my 17 year old son
Happy, 18, Sleepy's girlfriend
Old Key West Resort
Day 9 - Thurs 2/22, another great day, high upper 70's
Our last day - no fair! We all got up and headed to the Magic Kingdom. It was very crowded there, but we just relaxed and went with the flow. We went through shops, did pressed pennies, and Doc must have been wearing a sign that said "Ask me to take your picture" because so many people asked him to do just that! We saw all the dwarfs in the room behind the Camera Center. We had them practically to ourselves. Parents with little kids should not miss this opportunity. We have so many pictures we took with them. They were great.
We did Pooh again with fast passes, and rode Pirates of the Caribbean, saw the Tiki Birds show, (which the guys said they don't ever want to see again) and rode the Wedway People Mover - we stayed on it, and were able to ride it twice. That is one of my favorite rides, because there is never a line, and it is so relaxing. I love the way you can just ride around & observe everyone below you. Sleepy challenged Doc to a game of Air Hockey (their tradition), but Doc won 7-6. Then Sleepy played against Happy and beat her 7-6. They all said I should play a game, and when I heard there was a Daytona game, there was no stopping me! Sleepy played against me, and was ahead much of the time, but I won!!!
I laugh my head off when I play that game win or lose.
We tried to do the Hall of Presidents so we could see it with our new President; but it was down for renovations - changing the show to include President Bush. I guess I hadn't given them enough time to change the show! We ate lunch at the Columbia Harbor House. Doc got the clam chowder and the rest of us got chicken and fish. We headed over to Frontier Land to do Splash & Big Thunder, but were met with swarms of people. So we got fast passes for Splash that were for 4 hours later, then took the train down to Main Street & checked out & bought some pictures at the Camera Center. Sleepy & Happy bought a picture as a gift for Doc. We headed by bus back to OKW.
Back at OKW, we went swimming and into the hot tub again. After a few hours, we got changed, and then we went back to MK for our last night. We went and did our fast pass for Splash, and while riding the log along the outside, we could see the Electrical Parade going by below us, which I thought was really special. The other day when we rode Splash, we had gotten just a few drops of water on us. Not this time. We couldn't believe how wet we got. Sleepy & Happy were in the 1st row, Doc & I in the 2nd. Doc was in the right hand seat and got the worst of it. You would have thought someone had thrown bucket upon bucket of water on us! We weren't feeling very comfortable, and I offered, since I was feeling so blue about it being our last night, to buy new DRY t-shirts for everyone. Sleepy & Happy opted for me to pay for their supper; and Doc was just being stubborn - he was the one who needed a dry shirt the most, but he wouldn't budge. So we headed over to Big Thunder, and it was unbelievably, a walk-on. So we went up and around and rode it again. Back rows both times of course! Then I had to say goodbye to my most favorite wildest ride in the wilderness.
We were going to eat at Pecos Bill's; but the group consensus was to go to the Plaza Pavilion. So we headed over there --trying to dodge the Electrical Parade crowds. We went through Adventure Land, and by the time we hit Main St., the parade had just passed by. But what a line at the Plaza Pavilion! While Doc & I waited in line, Sleepy & Happy went and got fast passes for Buzz.
When Sleepy & Happy got back, I knew by how slowly the line was moving for our food, that we would never be able to eat, and make it back onto Main Street to watch the 8:00 fireworks. So as much as I'd wanted to watch them from Main Street our last night, I asked Sleepy to see if he could find us a table with as good a view as possible for the fireworks. It was 5 of 8 before Doc & I had the food and we headed towards the area where we knew the kids were. Well, they had gotten an EXCELLENT table! It was at the water's edge - a perfect spot! It was probably the best spot I've ever seen the MK fireworks from! We ate and enjoyed the great show. From there, we went and used our Buzz fast passes, and sadly, it was time to go.
Not wanting to just go back to our room, we all decided to take the bus to OKW, then take that "wonderful boat" to DD. Doc got the kids a soda, and he & I White Russians, for our relaxing "last" boat ride. It was as wonderful as ever, of course. At Studio M, Sleepy & I both picked up frames as gifts for Happy & Doc - they have Pooh on them & a poem about "my wonderful Disney World vacation with my hunny". They are adorable & if anyone is a Pooh fan, I highly recommend them. We had left Doc & Happy in the Days of Christmas, and then met up with them. Doc & I headed to the bus stop to get back to the room & pack; while Sleepy & Happy stayed at DD to do more shopping.
Doc & I stopped once again at the General Store, and said goodbye to the cast members that we'd kind-of gotten to know. Back to the room to pack. I felt like crying.
Day 10 Fri 2/23
We had to get up early to be ready for our pickup at 9:30 by town car. We once again had a great driver - the drivers we had from Murray Hill actually talked to us; unlike the Tiffany & Atlantis drivers who had never spoke on previous trips. Our flight into Pittsburgh was OK, although for some strange reason I was very nervous upon takeoff. (I don't know why I get so nervous.) Then our flight into Hartford was delayed, so we didn't get home to Vermont until around 10:30 that night. It had been a long day, but the absolutely best vacation.
Final Thoughts:
Weather:
The weather couldn't have been better. Sometimes it was overcast, but for the most part, it was blue skies & 70-80 degree weather. A couple of nights we needed sweatshirts as it was windy and cooled off.
Transportation:
Murray Hill was great and I would highly recommend them. The DW busses were for the most part fine; with 2 glaring exceptions. The bus from DD to OKW at night needs help. We waited there 2 different times for over 45 minutes. The worst transportation snafu was from Winter Summerland. Next time if we want to play miniature golf, we will go to Fantasia. Much as I love WS, it's just not worth it.
Jane @ Gifts of a Lifetime:
One word: Wonderful!
Wild Fires:
A few different mornings & nights we could smell the smoke at OKW. It sure jolts you into reality when you realize there are terrible fires being fought just a little ways away.
4 adults in a studio:
We got along great! It was just the most wonderful vacation. Having Happy along was the best! And I think she still likes all of us too! On Monday, 2/26, I received a Fantasmic postcard in the mail from her! The sweetie sent it to me from Florida thanking me for inviting her to go with us.
Passes:
We got 5-day passes and saw the MK fireworks twice, Illuminations twice, and Fantasmic once. I love the nighttime shows, so I was glad we saw them for each day we used our passes.
Fast Passes:
They worked great for us anytime we used them; but one thing's for sure: for any ride that has fast pass, you don't want to have to use the standby line. It's a very long wait for the non-fast pass people. I agree with all others who say that is sure is a strange, but great feeling, to walk by all the people standing in line. Also, we tried to use our hoppers, and our room keys, to try to get 2 fast passes each as I've read about. But it didn't work for us - we could only get one fast pass at a time.
Buses for OKW:
Whenever we came back into OKW at night, it seemed the bus drivers would do something different. For the most part, it seemed they would go to the General Store first. But one time they would go to Miller's Road; the next time to Peninsular. But there were also times when the driver did NOT go to the General Store first. Miller's Road was either the 5th stop, the 1st stop, or the 2nd stop. I finally gave up trying to figure out when they would do what, so I decided to ask the bus driver. His answer: "The bus driver decides at the time which way to go - he can do whatever he wants." <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">
Boats for OKW:
Use them! They are SO relaxing.
Thank you to everyone who read my reports and for being so kind with your comments. I have learned so much from all of you. I guess it's time for me to get with it & get posting to thank others for their reports isn't it??? :
Doc, turning 40 during trip, my SO, 5th trip
Sleepy, my 17 year old son
Happy, 18, Sleepy's girlfriend
Old Key West Resort
Day 9 - Thurs 2/22, another great day, high upper 70's
Our last day - no fair! We all got up and headed to the Magic Kingdom. It was very crowded there, but we just relaxed and went with the flow. We went through shops, did pressed pennies, and Doc must have been wearing a sign that said "Ask me to take your picture" because so many people asked him to do just that! We saw all the dwarfs in the room behind the Camera Center. We had them practically to ourselves. Parents with little kids should not miss this opportunity. We have so many pictures we took with them. They were great.
We did Pooh again with fast passes, and rode Pirates of the Caribbean, saw the Tiki Birds show, (which the guys said they don't ever want to see again) and rode the Wedway People Mover - we stayed on it, and were able to ride it twice. That is one of my favorite rides, because there is never a line, and it is so relaxing. I love the way you can just ride around & observe everyone below you. Sleepy challenged Doc to a game of Air Hockey (their tradition), but Doc won 7-6. Then Sleepy played against Happy and beat her 7-6. They all said I should play a game, and when I heard there was a Daytona game, there was no stopping me! Sleepy played against me, and was ahead much of the time, but I won!!!
I laugh my head off when I play that game win or lose.We tried to do the Hall of Presidents so we could see it with our new President; but it was down for renovations - changing the show to include President Bush. I guess I hadn't given them enough time to change the show! We ate lunch at the Columbia Harbor House. Doc got the clam chowder and the rest of us got chicken and fish. We headed over to Frontier Land to do Splash & Big Thunder, but were met with swarms of people. So we got fast passes for Splash that were for 4 hours later, then took the train down to Main Street & checked out & bought some pictures at the Camera Center. Sleepy & Happy bought a picture as a gift for Doc. We headed by bus back to OKW.
Back at OKW, we went swimming and into the hot tub again. After a few hours, we got changed, and then we went back to MK for our last night. We went and did our fast pass for Splash, and while riding the log along the outside, we could see the Electrical Parade going by below us, which I thought was really special. The other day when we rode Splash, we had gotten just a few drops of water on us. Not this time. We couldn't believe how wet we got. Sleepy & Happy were in the 1st row, Doc & I in the 2nd. Doc was in the right hand seat and got the worst of it. You would have thought someone had thrown bucket upon bucket of water on us! We weren't feeling very comfortable, and I offered, since I was feeling so blue about it being our last night, to buy new DRY t-shirts for everyone. Sleepy & Happy opted for me to pay for their supper; and Doc was just being stubborn - he was the one who needed a dry shirt the most, but he wouldn't budge. So we headed over to Big Thunder, and it was unbelievably, a walk-on. So we went up and around and rode it again. Back rows both times of course! Then I had to say goodbye to my most favorite wildest ride in the wilderness.
We were going to eat at Pecos Bill's; but the group consensus was to go to the Plaza Pavilion. So we headed over there --trying to dodge the Electrical Parade crowds. We went through Adventure Land, and by the time we hit Main St., the parade had just passed by. But what a line at the Plaza Pavilion! While Doc & I waited in line, Sleepy & Happy went and got fast passes for Buzz.
When Sleepy & Happy got back, I knew by how slowly the line was moving for our food, that we would never be able to eat, and make it back onto Main Street to watch the 8:00 fireworks. So as much as I'd wanted to watch them from Main Street our last night, I asked Sleepy to see if he could find us a table with as good a view as possible for the fireworks. It was 5 of 8 before Doc & I had the food and we headed towards the area where we knew the kids were. Well, they had gotten an EXCELLENT table! It was at the water's edge - a perfect spot! It was probably the best spot I've ever seen the MK fireworks from!
We ate and enjoyed the great show. From there, we went and used our Buzz fast passes, and sadly, it was time to go. Not wanting to just go back to our room, we all decided to take the bus to OKW, then take that "wonderful boat" to DD. Doc got the kids a soda, and he & I White Russians, for our relaxing "last" boat ride. It was as wonderful as ever, of course. At Studio M, Sleepy & I both picked up frames as gifts for Happy & Doc - they have Pooh on them & a poem about "my wonderful Disney World vacation with my hunny". They are adorable & if anyone is a Pooh fan, I highly recommend them. We had left Doc & Happy in the Days of Christmas, and then met up with them. Doc & I headed to the bus stop to get back to the room & pack; while Sleepy & Happy stayed at DD to do more shopping.
Doc & I stopped once again at the General Store, and said goodbye to the cast members that we'd kind-of gotten to know. Back to the room to pack. I felt like crying.
Day 10 Fri 2/23
We had to get up early to be ready for our pickup at 9:30 by town car. We once again had a great driver - the drivers we had from Murray Hill actually talked to us; unlike the Tiffany & Atlantis drivers who had never spoke on previous trips. Our flight into Pittsburgh was OK, although for some strange reason I was very nervous upon takeoff. (I don't know why I get so nervous.) Then our flight into Hartford was delayed, so we didn't get home to Vermont until around 10:30 that night. It had been a long day, but the absolutely best vacation.
Final Thoughts:
Weather:
The weather couldn't have been better. Sometimes it was overcast, but for the most part, it was blue skies & 70-80 degree weather. A couple of nights we needed sweatshirts as it was windy and cooled off.
Transportation:
Murray Hill was great and I would highly recommend them. The DW busses were for the most part fine; with 2 glaring exceptions. The bus from DD to OKW at night needs help. We waited there 2 different times for over 45 minutes. The worst transportation snafu was from Winter Summerland. Next time if we want to play miniature golf, we will go to Fantasia. Much as I love WS, it's just not worth it.
Jane @ Gifts of a Lifetime:
One word: Wonderful!
Wild Fires:
A few different mornings & nights we could smell the smoke at OKW. It sure jolts you into reality when you realize there are terrible fires being fought just a little ways away.
4 adults in a studio:
We got along great! It was just the most wonderful vacation. Having Happy along was the best! And I think she still likes all of us too! On Monday, 2/26, I received a Fantasmic postcard in the mail from her! The sweetie sent it to me from Florida thanking me for inviting her to go with us.
Passes:
We got 5-day passes and saw the MK fireworks twice, Illuminations twice, and Fantasmic once. I love the nighttime shows, so I was glad we saw them for each day we used our passes.
Fast Passes:
They worked great for us anytime we used them; but one thing's for sure: for any ride that has fast pass, you don't want to have to use the standby line. It's a very long wait for the non-fast pass people. I agree with all others who say that is sure is a strange, but great feeling, to walk by all the people standing in line. Also, we tried to use our hoppers, and our room keys, to try to get 2 fast passes each as I've read about. But it didn't work for us - we could only get one fast pass at a time.
Buses for OKW:
Whenever we came back into OKW at night, it seemed the bus drivers would do something different. For the most part, it seemed they would go to the General Store first. But one time they would go to Miller's Road; the next time to Peninsular. But there were also times when the driver did NOT go to the General Store first. Miller's Road was either the 5th stop, the 1st stop, or the 2nd stop. I finally gave up trying to figure out when they would do what, so I decided to ask the bus driver. His answer: "The bus driver decides at the time which way to go - he can do whatever he wants." <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">
Boats for OKW:
Use them! They are SO relaxing.
Thank you to everyone who read my reports and for being so kind with your comments. I have learned so much from all of you. I guess it's time for me to get with it & get posting to thank others for their reports isn't it??? :
