A trip without the munchkins - Day 4 - time to go home.

[one_cat]

Background:
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 weren’t 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.

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Day 4 – Tuesday – Our last day. (No pictures today – we packed the camera and left it with the luggage)

Sob… This is our last day – We get up fairly early – 9:00 and send our luggage with Bell Service. We eat breakfast at Roaring Forks. We are not real impressed with Roaring Forks. We are kind of expecting a food court like you find at a mall. The menu is extremely limited yet we still have to wait for food. We probably wouldn’t eat here again.

After Breakfast we head for MGM. DW wants to ride RNRC but will not – under any conditions – ride TOT with me. Oh well. We ride RNRC – it’s walk up though when we get there they are apparently having some troubles. A voice comes on saying “Your car may start again at any moment”. We wonder what that must be like on this ride. Hopefully nobody is stuck upside down Fairly soon we are on our way to the Aerosmith concert. What a takeoff. I have learned that to get through the takeoff you empty your lungs of air, squish your eyes shut and hang on tight. Once the Gs are gone the ride is amazing albeit over too quickly.

After RNRC we head for “One Man’s dream”. This is a terrific exhibit – one to be savored and should be given lots of time. Strangely they set it up in two rooms with doors between that open and close. There is a voice-over which says “The doors are about to close.” Don’t pay any attention and don’t hurry to get through the doors because they will open again within minutes. There are all kinds of terrific artifacts including a multi-plane camera stand and an exhibit of Walt Disney’s office. The models of attractions and buildings are very interesting. Anyone who is a Walt Disney lover will be right in his element. The attraction ends with a 15 minute video.

We ride ST next – no line. We have never encountered a line at ST no matter what time of year we come. Strange as ST at DL always seemed mobbed when we used to vacation there.

ST is our last ride – we eat lunch – pizza for DW and bacon-burger for one_cat. Slowest counter-service I’ve ever seen. Then we head back to WL. Our ride is there ½ hour early and we head to the airport.

At the airport there is a long line to the Delta counter but again we skip that and head right for the Security Checkpoint. At the Delta Counter there is a curtain set up – behind the curtain plainly seen are people opening suitcases and going through clothes etc. Obviously they are now hand-checking every checked piece of luggage. Makes us feel a bit safer but we wonder if any luggage won’t make the plane.

New at the checkpoint this time is we need to show ID which matches our tickets. We walk through – wait an hour for the plane and head home.

What a terrific trip – but again we did too much and didn’t relax enough. The pool and hot-tub went completely unused and those restful naps in the middle of the day – didn’t happen. Will we ever learn?

Mickey – We’ll see you in December.

 

[pumba]

but haven't done RNR .....maybe someday.....(yah right)......thanks again

 

[kbeverina]

Thanks for the great reports--I especially loved your descriptions of the flight down and having to re-play the scenario where you get up for early entry--that would be our family!

 

[one_cat]

Thanks KBeverina. It's great to get feedback. I had never thought about it before actually posting a trip report but it is kind of disheartening to put alot of work into these and not get any feedback. It's nice to hear that people enjoy reading them.

 

[kbeverina]

Sometimes it just takes a little time. I usually only come over to read trip reports once a week or every other week. I bet a lot of people do that.

 

[swankybeth]

Great report one_cat. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.

Beth

 

[kathymc]

thanks for the report - how nice to get away for a few days without the munchkins. and how lucky to be planning on going back so soon!

 

[minniemuse]

I too have enjoyed your reports. I totally relate to the last day sobs. I was just so sad and it's not like we can't go back although my vacation rate over the last 20 years hasn't been too great. I'm hoping now that we're taking our own vacations instead of relying on the parents that we'll get to go and do more before a munchkin arrives.

You were comparing WL to another place you had visited and we had a similar experience when we stayed in Branson, MO. The people who own Bass Pro Shops have a place up there called Big Cedar that is just beautiful and one of the most restful vacations I've ever experienced. The only part I had to get over was the multitude of "stuffed" animals they have and I don't mean the cute cartoon kind.

I'm so glad you had a great time. Lucky you, going back in December.

 

[one_cat]

Thanks everyone - I live vicariously through other people's trip reports. It's nice to hear that people enjoy reading mine.

 

[SeaSpray]

Just read all of your trip reports. thanks so much for posting them and the pictures. DH and I are going to WDW in Dec without our kids and staying at WL too. I am thinking that we'll do the same as you; not relax enough! LOL Thanks again for taking the time to post your report