one_cat
Jack, you have debauched my sloth.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
- Messages
- 1,223
Me 35 years old Computer Programmer (when I can find work) Grew up loving Disneyland and now Loves WDW even more. Addicted to the DIS.
DW 28 years old Homemaker/Domestic Goddess Works twice as hard as I ever thought of working.
DS1 2 years old
DS2 2 years old.
We live in Saint Michael MN
Dates Saturday Sept 29 Tuesday Oct 2.
This vacation DS1 and DS2 were left home with Grandma. Definitely made this a relaxing adult vacation.
This was a surprise vacation in that we werent planning on a vacation at this time. We had taken a vacation in May to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We also had vacations already planned as follows: Dec -Taking family to WDW. March 2002 DW and I taking a week to visit our Timeshare at Whistler mountain and ski. April, 2002 DW and I celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary at WDW.
I found tickets in August, MSP to MCO for 106.00, so I did what any red-blooded Dis-infected Patriotic American male would do, I borrowed some DVC points and we took another vacation.
Our vacation started as most do at the airport. This time at 4:00 AM well really it started at 2:15 AM when the alarm rang. I used to go to bed at 2:15AM now Im getting up at 2:15AM. Oh My. Hit the snooze once twice well I better get up and get ready for a 5:30 flight. They are saying we need to be at the airport 3 hours early yawn NOBODY is going to be at the airport at 2:30AM. We are going to be there by 4:00 breaking my long habit of hitting the airport 30 minutes before the plane departs. (We should have slept an extra hour).
Airport 4:00 AM YAWN no carry-ons yes we can walk to the gate. There is a long line at the ticket counter but no line at the security station. We pass our bags through then walk through ourselves. (Weve had lots of practice with this DW walks through first once I know shes safe on the other side and can get our bags I pass them through and make sure no yahoo grabs them out from the Xray machine I saw this on tv one time ) We get through no problem. Wait a minute arent they supposed to open our bags and look for stuff. I have a camera in there I know they are supposed to look at that and make sure it is real. Oh well. Wait a minute what gate are we supposed to be at. We look around like fools there are no tv sets on this side of the checkpoint for Delta only Northwest. We dont even know which part of the airport to start walking towards. Yawn. I walk back through the security checkpoint and find the gate number. Show the lady my ticket again and walk back through the metal detector. Walk this way sir hold up your hands. He wands me. Undo your belt. Arent we supposed to go somewhere else to do this? Im going to pat you down now!! both front and back. I have yet to figure out what was different about me walking through the first time and the second time. But once done we have a LONG wait for the airplane. As we wait I look around at the passengers we are going to be travelling with. There are some healthy men on this flight I breathe easier knowing I will have help if we need to destroy some idiot trying to hijack THIS airplane.
Both planes are full and we reach MCO at 11:30 AM.
Brian from TTC is waiting for us, gets the towncar we affectionately call the limo. (this is a change as last time we WALKED with Darcy to the limo. More security) Tiffany Town Car is a wonderful service we highly recommend them. They wait for you at the baggage claim and you get to ride to your hotel in style. In addition you can stop at the store on your way to pick up groceries for no extra charge. (One change here you need to request the store run when you order your car. We did not know that but Brian was kind enough to take us to the store anyway.) The entire service costs just slightly more than you would pay for a taxi ride.
We finally get our first look at the Wilderness Lodge. What a glorious hotel. Any description of the atrium would not do it justice. You need to see it to believe it. It is awe inspiring. There is a river running from the lobby to a waterfall then to the pool. Outside there is a geyser and in the distance you can see the lake. We check in with a new CM (hadnt earned her ears yet
) We have to be a bit patient but she is very nice. She even got us a room immediately. 12:30 PM. So, yes DVC still does give you your room early if one is available. After checking out our room beautiful and checking on the munchkins at home with Grandma we check out the pool and landscaping. It is cloudy and a bit of light rain. Kind of a downer from the bright sunshine at home but hey were at WDW right?
On our way to the bus-stop two guests are looking at something yes it is a snake green about 5 feet long. It has a bulge in the middle so it is not hungry. It is in the middle of the sidewalk. Just then two CMs approach. One with a bag and one with a stick with a loop at the end. Yes!! the WDW equivalent of the Crocodile Hunter. But alas the snake heads into the bushes and we dont wait to see the final capture. According to the other people watching, this is a corn snake. I dont know whether it is dangerous or not, but the CMs certainly treated it with respect. I hereby nominate the Corn Snake as the official DIS mascot.
We hop on the bus to MGM studios. Our goal the AP Passholder Lanyard. This is the last day they are available. The Wilderness lodge busses without fail stop at the Poly and GF. However I still think it is quicker than taking your own car. I would never rent a car at WDW. The reality is that all the parks are a long way from WL whether by bus or car so you need to budget extra time. MK being the exception but you have to take a boat there so it might as well be.
Before going into the parks now all bags are checked. It doesnt slow the line down but you need to put the bag on the table with all zippers/pockets opened and accessible. If you have a fanny pack you need to unhook it from your waist. I hate seeing the real world intruding on WDW but can understand the necessity in these terrible times. The Security CMs try to be pleasant but you can tell that they appreciate a smile and a kind word. We later talked about how they must have the worst job at WDW. People by nature dont like having their privacy violated and Im sure many people were not pleasant to them. We always tried to be especially nice and accommodating.
Ah MGM. The overcast sky gives MGM a surreal feel. MGM always makes me think of the play Sunset Boulevard. Dreary or Stormy weather seems to bring out the character of the park. I always love seeing storm clouds over the Tower of Terror. We find the line to get our lanyards. The person in front of us does not realize that you need to be an AP holder to get the lanyard and is very disappointed when he waits through the line and is firmly refused the precious adornment. I feel bad for him to be honest the line was not very well marked.
Lunch We havent even had breakfast today and weve been up almost 12 hours. We walk to Mama Melroses. Is this snow? (I love Disney theres always a surprise every time you visit.) Yes, by Mama Melroses restaurant there is snow on the ground. Imagine that. We both have pizza. And oh, the pizza. Maybe we were just hungry but the pizza at Mama Melroses is some of the best that either of us have eaten anywhere. Our CM I cant remember his name though I intended to was terrific and spent considerable time talking to us. He was surprised we had flown all the way from MN. He wasnt very helpful as to the food however. Everything is terrific!!! Do you like pizza? The pizza is great!!! Do you like pasta? The pasta is great!!! Well, what can you say he was right.
After Mama Melroses we walk down New York Street. Just the previous day I had realized that is where the beginning sequences to the Beach Party at WDW video takes place. This knowledge gives a new character to the street as we walk down it. I half expected to see a bunch of children skipping and following Mickey to Typhoon lagoon. Ive never figured out why they dont put an attraction here. It seems like there would be enough room. As we near the Chinese theatre the new parade begins. They are still working out the kinks the music doesnt jibe with the floats but it is a beautiful parade. Definitely worth seeing.
We take in the Great Movie Ride next. A question here do they change this ride after every visit by us? It always seems different not just the actors, but also the sets, the voice-over and the pre-show. Every time I ride this attraction I feel like Ive never ridden it before. It is a terrific tribute to movie history and I hope they never close it as the rumor board has suggested.
OK time to visit MK. We had two goals on this day. One was to pick up our lanyard, the second was to see Spectro-Magic. I was SO disappointed when they closed MSEP. I had seen it as a kid at DL, but DW had never seen it. In May there were no night-time parades so this was our first chance to see SM. We take the bus back to WL, then the boat to MK. And what a boat this is not anything like our beloved Friendship Boats at the Boardwalk. This is a seagoing vessel. It is huge and must take some experience to pilot successfully.
The boat drops us at the Magic Kingdom as night falls and we line up to see Spectro Magic. At this point we notice the banners. Up and down Mainstreet there are sparkly banners. The points of light twinkle at night. They are beautiful. These banners are also at MGM and Epcot and I assume at Animal Kingdom. Spectro Magic was spectacular definitely not MSEP but MSEP itself could probably not compare to my childhood magical memories of MSEP. Spectro Magic has a charm of its own that starts with the white-faced children blowing on the trumpets and triumphs with Mickey Mouse himself.
Yawn Its 8:45 at night weve been awake since 2:15 in the morning. Time to find some dinner and go to bed but we still have time for the Jungle Cruise definitely a different experience at night and the Haunted Mansion the only time to see this is at night.
Eat a quick expensive burger and go to bed. Oh does this bed feel good. Snore!!!
DW 28 years old Homemaker/Domestic Goddess Works twice as hard as I ever thought of working.
DS1 2 years old
DS2 2 years old.
We live in Saint Michael MN
Dates Saturday Sept 29 Tuesday Oct 2.
This vacation DS1 and DS2 were left home with Grandma. Definitely made this a relaxing adult vacation.
This was a surprise vacation in that we werent planning on a vacation at this time. We had taken a vacation in May to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. We also had vacations already planned as follows: Dec -Taking family to WDW. March 2002 DW and I taking a week to visit our Timeshare at Whistler mountain and ski. April, 2002 DW and I celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary at WDW.
I found tickets in August, MSP to MCO for 106.00, so I did what any red-blooded Dis-infected Patriotic American male would do, I borrowed some DVC points and we took another vacation.
Our vacation started as most do at the airport. This time at 4:00 AM well really it started at 2:15 AM when the alarm rang. I used to go to bed at 2:15AM now Im getting up at 2:15AM. Oh My. Hit the snooze once twice well I better get up and get ready for a 5:30 flight. They are saying we need to be at the airport 3 hours early yawn NOBODY is going to be at the airport at 2:30AM. We are going to be there by 4:00 breaking my long habit of hitting the airport 30 minutes before the plane departs. (We should have slept an extra hour).
Airport 4:00 AM YAWN no carry-ons yes we can walk to the gate. There is a long line at the ticket counter but no line at the security station. We pass our bags through then walk through ourselves. (Weve had lots of practice with this DW walks through first once I know shes safe on the other side and can get our bags I pass them through and make sure no yahoo grabs them out from the Xray machine I saw this on tv one time ) We get through no problem. Wait a minute arent they supposed to open our bags and look for stuff. I have a camera in there I know they are supposed to look at that and make sure it is real. Oh well. Wait a minute what gate are we supposed to be at. We look around like fools there are no tv sets on this side of the checkpoint for Delta only Northwest. We dont even know which part of the airport to start walking towards. Yawn. I walk back through the security checkpoint and find the gate number. Show the lady my ticket again and walk back through the metal detector. Walk this way sir hold up your hands. He wands me. Undo your belt. Arent we supposed to go somewhere else to do this? Im going to pat you down now!! both front and back. I have yet to figure out what was different about me walking through the first time and the second time. But once done we have a LONG wait for the airplane. As we wait I look around at the passengers we are going to be travelling with. There are some healthy men on this flight I breathe easier knowing I will have help if we need to destroy some idiot trying to hijack THIS airplane.
Both planes are full and we reach MCO at 11:30 AM.
Brian from TTC is waiting for us, gets the towncar we affectionately call the limo. (this is a change as last time we WALKED with Darcy to the limo. More security) Tiffany Town Car is a wonderful service we highly recommend them. They wait for you at the baggage claim and you get to ride to your hotel in style. In addition you can stop at the store on your way to pick up groceries for no extra charge. (One change here you need to request the store run when you order your car. We did not know that but Brian was kind enough to take us to the store anyway.) The entire service costs just slightly more than you would pay for a taxi ride.
We finally get our first look at the Wilderness Lodge. What a glorious hotel. Any description of the atrium would not do it justice. You need to see it to believe it. It is awe inspiring. There is a river running from the lobby to a waterfall then to the pool. Outside there is a geyser and in the distance you can see the lake. We check in with a new CM (hadnt earned her ears yet
) We have to be a bit patient but she is very nice. She even got us a room immediately. 12:30 PM. So, yes DVC still does give you your room early if one is available. After checking out our room beautiful and checking on the munchkins at home with Grandma we check out the pool and landscaping. It is cloudy and a bit of light rain. Kind of a downer from the bright sunshine at home but hey were at WDW right? On our way to the bus-stop two guests are looking at something yes it is a snake green about 5 feet long. It has a bulge in the middle so it is not hungry. It is in the middle of the sidewalk. Just then two CMs approach. One with a bag and one with a stick with a loop at the end. Yes!! the WDW equivalent of the Crocodile Hunter. But alas the snake heads into the bushes and we dont wait to see the final capture. According to the other people watching, this is a corn snake. I dont know whether it is dangerous or not, but the CMs certainly treated it with respect. I hereby nominate the Corn Snake as the official DIS mascot.
We hop on the bus to MGM studios. Our goal the AP Passholder Lanyard. This is the last day they are available. The Wilderness lodge busses without fail stop at the Poly and GF. However I still think it is quicker than taking your own car. I would never rent a car at WDW. The reality is that all the parks are a long way from WL whether by bus or car so you need to budget extra time. MK being the exception but you have to take a boat there so it might as well be.
Before going into the parks now all bags are checked. It doesnt slow the line down but you need to put the bag on the table with all zippers/pockets opened and accessible. If you have a fanny pack you need to unhook it from your waist. I hate seeing the real world intruding on WDW but can understand the necessity in these terrible times. The Security CMs try to be pleasant but you can tell that they appreciate a smile and a kind word. We later talked about how they must have the worst job at WDW. People by nature dont like having their privacy violated and Im sure many people were not pleasant to them. We always tried to be especially nice and accommodating.
Ah MGM. The overcast sky gives MGM a surreal feel. MGM always makes me think of the play Sunset Boulevard. Dreary or Stormy weather seems to bring out the character of the park. I always love seeing storm clouds over the Tower of Terror. We find the line to get our lanyards. The person in front of us does not realize that you need to be an AP holder to get the lanyard and is very disappointed when he waits through the line and is firmly refused the precious adornment. I feel bad for him to be honest the line was not very well marked.
Lunch We havent even had breakfast today and weve been up almost 12 hours. We walk to Mama Melroses. Is this snow? (I love Disney theres always a surprise every time you visit.) Yes, by Mama Melroses restaurant there is snow on the ground. Imagine that. We both have pizza. And oh, the pizza. Maybe we were just hungry but the pizza at Mama Melroses is some of the best that either of us have eaten anywhere. Our CM I cant remember his name though I intended to was terrific and spent considerable time talking to us. He was surprised we had flown all the way from MN. He wasnt very helpful as to the food however. Everything is terrific!!! Do you like pizza? The pizza is great!!! Do you like pasta? The pasta is great!!!
Well, what can you say he was right.After Mama Melroses we walk down New York Street. Just the previous day I had realized that is where the beginning sequences to the Beach Party at WDW video takes place. This knowledge gives a new character to the street as we walk down it. I half expected to see a bunch of children skipping and following Mickey to Typhoon lagoon. Ive never figured out why they dont put an attraction here. It seems like there would be enough room. As we near the Chinese theatre the new parade begins. They are still working out the kinks the music doesnt jibe with the floats but it is a beautiful parade. Definitely worth seeing.
We take in the Great Movie Ride next. A question here do they change this ride after every visit by us? It always seems different not just the actors, but also the sets, the voice-over and the pre-show. Every time I ride this attraction I feel like Ive never ridden it before. It is a terrific tribute to movie history and I hope they never close it as the rumor board has suggested.
OK time to visit MK. We had two goals on this day. One was to pick up our lanyard, the second was to see Spectro-Magic. I was SO disappointed when they closed MSEP. I had seen it as a kid at DL, but DW had never seen it. In May there were no night-time parades so this was our first chance to see SM. We take the bus back to WL, then the boat to MK. And what a boat this is not anything like our beloved Friendship Boats at the Boardwalk. This is a seagoing vessel. It is huge and must take some experience to pilot successfully.
The boat drops us at the Magic Kingdom as night falls and we line up to see Spectro Magic. At this point we notice the banners. Up and down Mainstreet there are sparkly banners. The points of light twinkle at night. They are beautiful. These banners are also at MGM and Epcot and I assume at Animal Kingdom. Spectro Magic was spectacular definitely not MSEP but MSEP itself could probably not compare to my childhood magical memories of MSEP. Spectro Magic has a charm of its own that starts with the white-faced children blowing on the trumpets and triumphs with Mickey Mouse himself.
Yawn Its 8:45 at night weve been awake since 2:15 in the morning. Time to find some dinner and go to bed but we still have time for the Jungle Cruise definitely a different experience at night and the Haunted Mansion the only time to see this is at night.
Eat a quick expensive burger and go to bed. Oh does this bed feel good. Snore!!!
