Ally's First Disney Adventure (March 8-12, 2004)
This report details our family's first big vacation (since 2000) and Allison's (our DD age 18 mos.) first Disney Adventure.
Day 1 began with an early flight out of St. Louis for Orlando. We were fortunate to have a non-stop flight on American. We set our alarm for 4:30 a.m., but none of us slept well that night. We loaded the car the night before so all we had to do is wake, shower, dress, and head for the airport. We clothed our 18 mos. old daughter in footsie pajamas so all we would have to do is put her in the car seat and she was ready to go to Disney World.
We timed everything well and we were out the door at 5:15 a.m. It was a 35 min. drive to my husbands work where we planned to park his car and take the MetroLink train a short 10 min. ride to the airport. We arrived with just enough time to unload the car and hop the train. We did have a humorous moment as my husband struggled to get all six bags on the train in the short 10 sec. stop the train makes at the station. We arrived at the airport by 6:00 a.m. and had no trouble checking in. Security was very backed up and by the time we made it to our gate our boarding group was being called. My husband bought breakfast and we ate it on the plane. Our daughter was awake by now taking everything in. Since our daughter was under two she could fly free in our lap. We knew if there were empty seats she could take one of those, we brought our car seat just in case. No such luck. It was a very full flight. She behaved very well and considering this was only her third time to fly and the first since just before turning one, we were both very impressed and relieved.
Our 7:20 a.m. flight arrived at 10:15 a.m. in Orlando and we were actually a few minutes early. We made our way to baggage claim and procured a luggage cart. We were able to navigate the airport with ease and while my husband went to claim our bags, daughter and I went to meet the Mears Shuttle people. They gave us a beeper and after a thirty min. wait our number was called and we boarded a large coach bus. After a stop at the second terminal we were off. Total time from wheels down in Orlando to arrival at Pop Century was two hours.
My parents who were joining us on this vacation drove down from Arkansas and were going to meet us there. They stayed in Gainesville the night before and actually arrived at almost the exact same time we did to the resort. Upon arriving at the Pop Century we were greeted by luggage attendants who took our luggage and stored it until our room was ready. They delivered it within one hour of our room being ready. We were fortunate in that the check-in line only took 20-25 minutes. Our room was ready so we went to get settled in. The resort is spread out but not nearly as spread out as some reports suggest. We were in the 80s complex and while not the closest building to Classic Hall; it was no more than 100 yards or so. We were, however, the closest building to the Disney transportation stops. This was very convenient.
We settled in and at 2:00 p.m. we ate a late lunch in the Everythings Pop (EP) food court. The EP was surprisingly busy at 2:00 p.m. Had a burger, which was ok, the fries were good, and opted for the $11.99 mug. It was worth it in the end (normal soda cost is $2.02). DH had their brownie, which was very good.
Headed to the bus stops and by 3:00 p.m. we were on our way to Downtown Disney where Allys First Disney Adventure begins. To Be Continued .
This report details our family's first big vacation (since 2000) and Allison's (our DD age 18 mos.) first Disney Adventure.
Day 1 began with an early flight out of St. Louis for Orlando. We were fortunate to have a non-stop flight on American. We set our alarm for 4:30 a.m., but none of us slept well that night. We loaded the car the night before so all we had to do is wake, shower, dress, and head for the airport. We clothed our 18 mos. old daughter in footsie pajamas so all we would have to do is put her in the car seat and she was ready to go to Disney World.
We timed everything well and we were out the door at 5:15 a.m. It was a 35 min. drive to my husbands work where we planned to park his car and take the MetroLink train a short 10 min. ride to the airport. We arrived with just enough time to unload the car and hop the train. We did have a humorous moment as my husband struggled to get all six bags on the train in the short 10 sec. stop the train makes at the station. We arrived at the airport by 6:00 a.m. and had no trouble checking in. Security was very backed up and by the time we made it to our gate our boarding group was being called. My husband bought breakfast and we ate it on the plane. Our daughter was awake by now taking everything in. Since our daughter was under two she could fly free in our lap. We knew if there were empty seats she could take one of those, we brought our car seat just in case. No such luck. It was a very full flight. She behaved very well and considering this was only her third time to fly and the first since just before turning one, we were both very impressed and relieved.
Our 7:20 a.m. flight arrived at 10:15 a.m. in Orlando and we were actually a few minutes early. We made our way to baggage claim and procured a luggage cart. We were able to navigate the airport with ease and while my husband went to claim our bags, daughter and I went to meet the Mears Shuttle people. They gave us a beeper and after a thirty min. wait our number was called and we boarded a large coach bus. After a stop at the second terminal we were off. Total time from wheels down in Orlando to arrival at Pop Century was two hours.
My parents who were joining us on this vacation drove down from Arkansas and were going to meet us there. They stayed in Gainesville the night before and actually arrived at almost the exact same time we did to the resort. Upon arriving at the Pop Century we were greeted by luggage attendants who took our luggage and stored it until our room was ready. They delivered it within one hour of our room being ready. We were fortunate in that the check-in line only took 20-25 minutes. Our room was ready so we went to get settled in. The resort is spread out but not nearly as spread out as some reports suggest. We were in the 80s complex and while not the closest building to Classic Hall; it was no more than 100 yards or so. We were, however, the closest building to the Disney transportation stops. This was very convenient.
We settled in and at 2:00 p.m. we ate a late lunch in the Everythings Pop (EP) food court. The EP was surprisingly busy at 2:00 p.m. Had a burger, which was ok, the fries were good, and opted for the $11.99 mug. It was worth it in the end (normal soda cost is $2.02). DH had their brownie, which was very good.
Headed to the bus stops and by 3:00 p.m. we were on our way to Downtown Disney where Allys First Disney Adventure begins. To Be Continued .
