Part 2 Its finally here!
The cast:
Me: 34, 2nd trip to WDW (last time was 2001 but we only did MK 1 day does that count?)
DW: 36 also her 2nd / 1st real trip
DS: 5, ditto for him;
DWs best friend: 36, 1st trip, hereafter known as Auntie K
After many long months and 30 agony filled days for our DS who at 5 yrs old is crossing off the days on his bedroom door calendar, the magical day is finally upon us! One more sleep! But who can sleep? Were going to Disney World!!! Yeah, but we gotta get up at 5am to get to the airport, check in, and clear US customs. You win some you dont get much sleep
The alarm is going off waaay too early but it doesnt matter, I dont think I really slept. Ive been warned that Auntie Krista is not an early morning person, and tends to take her time getting ready in the a.m. Uh huh, this could sorta cause some problems then but not today Auntie K is up and ready to go with lots of time to spare. Shes worried though that her suitcase is too big. I could easily sleep inside of it, and Im certain a months worth of clothes would fit with me but hey its all shes got, and shell have lots of room for souvenirs right?
DW is up and finishing the packing. We overpack. There, I said it. Were like two pack mules. Camera bag? Check, suitcase for each of us? Check. One more packed inside one of the first ones? Check. Carry-on? Check. DSs backpack with more games, colouring books, toys and goodies than Santas workshop? Check. My backpack with enough maps, guidebooks, itinerary plans and directions for a military excursion? Check. Coats? Check. Kitchen sink?
I gobble breakfast and shoehorn the last of the bags into the van as our bestest next door neighbours walk over at 5:45 to drive us to the airport. You just gotta love these guys! DS has slept in his clothes so we can wake him just before its time to pack up. 5 yearolds need their sleep. And dont forget his favorite stuffed animals; Puppy a Gund who has been loved to the point where he has mange; and Stitch, the best DisneyStore purchase weve ever made! The three of them and inseparable, and DS does a mighty fine Stitch impression I might add! Stitch wants a window seat Im told but no coffee!
Check in at Winnipeg International is fairly easy thanks to North-West check in kiosks I was able to pre check-in and move our seats closer to Auntie Kristas shell be just across the aisle from us. I grab some muffins and two coffees for auntie K and I as DW is not a coffee person, and we drag the bags through to clear US customs.
Auntie K turns down the muffin as she has brought some snacks for the flight. Seems shes knocked off a feed lot somewhere and has brought along the largest sack of trail mix Ive ever seen! I understand the jumbo suitcase now! And shes taken the liberty of bringing some oranges. You know you cant bring those into the US right?
A little confusion surrounds our arrival at US customs. Seems things have changed since our pre 9/11 trip Checked luggage on the conveyor? Sure, no problem, let me unhitch the mule No bells going off yet - So far so good. On to see the agent. Wheres Auntie K? Still filling out the declaration cards? Does she still have those oranges? Oh God No! Auntie K is a little hard of hearing in one ear and no shes not 90, shes 36, but shes also a little nervous this morning! Shes obviously not hearing the agent instructing her to place her checked baggage on the conveyor no, shes trying to come around the screen this way Oh great! Now shes nervous and using some profanity as she realizes what the two agents are trying to have her do. Uh huh, and now shes trying to hoist that small moving van of a suitcase onto the table, and great theyre asking her to open it too! Did she toss the fruit yet? No maam, shes not with us! Honest!
DW, DS and I are trying to answer the agents questions without looking at Auntie K back there and now DW is nervous and scared as our agent asks if she has her marriage license. No, I dont, why? Well, who is this person? asks Mr Agent-man with that customs stone-face as he points to her birth certificate, which, of course, has a different last name than her photo ID does. How do I know theyre the same person? I dont do I? Oh no, DW isnt going to be allowed to go to WDW, and neither is Auntie K looks like its just you and me kid Well Hi Stitch! Are you going back to Disney World today Mr Agent-man asks DS with the biggest smile on his face. And who is your friend? What a nice dog! DW looks at the agent like shes died she cant believe the about face.
Have a great vacation. Hes good.
Turns out Auntie K wasnt hiding any bodies in the suitcase, the oranges had been turfed before the inspection, and no more profanity escaped her lips during the rest of the process. Are there drinks on this flight?
The flight to Minneapolis is smooth and ahead of schedule thanks to a north wind. DS played with some toys, listened to some Disney stories on the CD player (note- great idea for kids! though it makes them talk louder!
We deplane into MSP where we grab a snack, visit the restrooms and try to regain our composure unsure if were going to last a week at this pace! I go to check the flight info board and notice that our connecting flight to Orlando is not departing from Gate G as our itinerary shows, but from Gate C! Yikes! Quick Troops! Across the airport to gate C! We make it with enough time to sit and let DS play in the kids area, while DW and Auntie K find the restrooms before takeoff. Mental note check the gates on the itinerary more closely on the way home okay?
We board the plane to Orlando along with every other family with children in MSP this morning! Wow! I dont remember this many kids on the plane last time we flew down! Could be a long flight! Sneaky me used Northwests E check-in to move my seats again this time to the row directly behind 1st class! Woo Hoo! Can you say Leg room? A carry-on, two backpacks, a camera bag, and I can still stretch out! Maybe this wont be so bad afterall
DW slept most of this flight shes not a big airplane person. Cabin pressure can really take its toll on her and shes not too good with turbulence, and sudden drops. Sounds like shell love Rockin Roller Coaster! DS plays with more McDs toys from Brother Bear, and Stitch and Puppy and I read stories and play I Spy with him until he falls asleep on my shoulder for the last hour in. I just love that! The skies were clear on our way in so I could watch the countryside and see the snow disappear and the greenery return. Before long were descending, and I can see the construction south of the airport. Auntie K doesnt have a window seat behind us, so she hasnt seen much yet. Its a little rough getting down but no worries.
2:45 Off the plane and into the gates, another restroom break and were headed to the shuttles to the main terminal. Auntie K catches a glimpse of Mickey at the Disney Store and grabs DWs arm. Shes like a little kid! This will be fun! Down the escalators to baggage I spot one of our bags on the carrousel just about to go back into the building. DW is off like a shot to grab it, and the rest of the freight is right behind it. Were out of there before most people have even gotten down the escalator! Next Stop Rental Cars!
Nationals Emerald Aisle gets my vote out the doors, across the road, into the parking garage, and the clouds part, the angels start to sing there sits an entire row of cars for me to choose from! I walk up to a white Chevy Malibu (arent all rental cars in Florida white?) and take the keys out of the door. What are you doing? Whos car is this? Ah! My clan hasnt been told of the wonders of the Emerald Aisle! They realize theyve got it pretty good with me planning this trip! One more shoehorn job, and were off to check this baby out. No problems there, and were on the road for Walt Disney World! Time from plane touch-down to Highway 417 30 minutes. See? Life is good!
Now. First time driving to WDW. Still gotta get to DTD, get my AP, check in at ASSp, grab some food and back to DTD for Cirque before 6:00pm. Its 3:15. How hard could it be?
Link to Part 3
The cast:
Me: 34, 2nd trip to WDW (last time was 2001 but we only did MK 1 day does that count?)
DW: 36 also her 2nd / 1st real trip
DS: 5, ditto for him;
DWs best friend: 36, 1st trip, hereafter known as Auntie K
After many long months and 30 agony filled days for our DS who at 5 yrs old is crossing off the days on his bedroom door calendar, the magical day is finally upon us! One more sleep! But who can sleep? Were going to Disney World!!! Yeah, but we gotta get up at 5am to get to the airport, check in, and clear US customs. You win some you dont get much sleep
The alarm is going off waaay too early but it doesnt matter, I dont think I really slept. Ive been warned that Auntie Krista is not an early morning person, and tends to take her time getting ready in the a.m. Uh huh, this could sorta cause some problems then but not today Auntie K is up and ready to go with lots of time to spare. Shes worried though that her suitcase is too big. I could easily sleep inside of it, and Im certain a months worth of clothes would fit with me but hey its all shes got, and shell have lots of room for souvenirs right?
DW is up and finishing the packing. We overpack. There, I said it. Were like two pack mules. Camera bag? Check, suitcase for each of us? Check. One more packed inside one of the first ones? Check. Carry-on? Check. DSs backpack with more games, colouring books, toys and goodies than Santas workshop? Check. My backpack with enough maps, guidebooks, itinerary plans and directions for a military excursion? Check. Coats? Check. Kitchen sink?
I gobble breakfast and shoehorn the last of the bags into the van as our bestest next door neighbours walk over at 5:45 to drive us to the airport. You just gotta love these guys! DS has slept in his clothes so we can wake him just before its time to pack up. 5 yearolds need their sleep. And dont forget his favorite stuffed animals; Puppy a Gund who has been loved to the point where he has mange; and Stitch, the best DisneyStore purchase weve ever made! The three of them and inseparable, and DS does a mighty fine Stitch impression I might add! Stitch wants a window seat Im told but no coffee!
Check in at Winnipeg International is fairly easy thanks to North-West check in kiosks I was able to pre check-in and move our seats closer to Auntie Kristas shell be just across the aisle from us. I grab some muffins and two coffees for auntie K and I as DW is not a coffee person, and we drag the bags through to clear US customs.
Auntie K turns down the muffin as she has brought some snacks for the flight. Seems shes knocked off a feed lot somewhere and has brought along the largest sack of trail mix Ive ever seen! I understand the jumbo suitcase now! And shes taken the liberty of bringing some oranges. You know you cant bring those into the US right?
A little confusion surrounds our arrival at US customs. Seems things have changed since our pre 9/11 trip Checked luggage on the conveyor? Sure, no problem, let me unhitch the mule No bells going off yet - So far so good. On to see the agent. Wheres Auntie K? Still filling out the declaration cards? Does she still have those oranges? Oh God No! Auntie K is a little hard of hearing in one ear and no shes not 90, shes 36, but shes also a little nervous this morning! Shes obviously not hearing the agent instructing her to place her checked baggage on the conveyor no, shes trying to come around the screen this way Oh great! Now shes nervous and using some profanity as she realizes what the two agents are trying to have her do. Uh huh, and now shes trying to hoist that small moving van of a suitcase onto the table, and great theyre asking her to open it too! Did she toss the fruit yet? No maam, shes not with us! Honest!
DW, DS and I are trying to answer the agents questions without looking at Auntie K back there and now DW is nervous and scared as our agent asks if she has her marriage license. No, I dont, why? Well, who is this person? asks Mr Agent-man with that customs stone-face as he points to her birth certificate, which, of course, has a different last name than her photo ID does. How do I know theyre the same person? I dont do I? Oh no, DW isnt going to be allowed to go to WDW, and neither is Auntie K looks like its just you and me kid Well Hi Stitch! Are you going back to Disney World today Mr Agent-man asks DS with the biggest smile on his face. And who is your friend? What a nice dog! DW looks at the agent like shes died she cant believe the about face.
Have a great vacation. Hes good.
Turns out Auntie K wasnt hiding any bodies in the suitcase, the oranges had been turfed before the inspection, and no more profanity escaped her lips during the rest of the process. Are there drinks on this flight?
The flight to Minneapolis is smooth and ahead of schedule thanks to a north wind. DS played with some toys, listened to some Disney stories on the CD player (note- great idea for kids! though it makes them talk louder!
We deplane into MSP where we grab a snack, visit the restrooms and try to regain our composure unsure if were going to last a week at this pace! I go to check the flight info board and notice that our connecting flight to Orlando is not departing from Gate G as our itinerary shows, but from Gate C! Yikes! Quick Troops! Across the airport to gate C! We make it with enough time to sit and let DS play in the kids area, while DW and Auntie K find the restrooms before takeoff. Mental note check the gates on the itinerary more closely on the way home okay?We board the plane to Orlando along with every other family with children in MSP this morning! Wow! I dont remember this many kids on the plane last time we flew down! Could be a long flight! Sneaky me used Northwests E check-in to move my seats again this time to the row directly behind 1st class! Woo Hoo! Can you say Leg room? A carry-on, two backpacks, a camera bag, and I can still stretch out! Maybe this wont be so bad afterall
DW slept most of this flight shes not a big airplane person. Cabin pressure can really take its toll on her and shes not too good with turbulence, and sudden drops. Sounds like shell love Rockin Roller Coaster! DS plays with more McDs toys from Brother Bear, and Stitch and Puppy and I read stories and play I Spy with him until he falls asleep on my shoulder for the last hour in. I just love that! The skies were clear on our way in so I could watch the countryside and see the snow disappear and the greenery return. Before long were descending, and I can see the construction south of the airport. Auntie K doesnt have a window seat behind us, so she hasnt seen much yet. Its a little rough getting down but no worries.
2:45 Off the plane and into the gates, another restroom break and were headed to the shuttles to the main terminal. Auntie K catches a glimpse of Mickey at the Disney Store and grabs DWs arm. Shes like a little kid! This will be fun! Down the escalators to baggage I spot one of our bags on the carrousel just about to go back into the building. DW is off like a shot to grab it, and the rest of the freight is right behind it. Were out of there before most people have even gotten down the escalator! Next Stop Rental Cars!
Nationals Emerald Aisle gets my vote out the doors, across the road, into the parking garage, and the clouds part, the angels start to sing there sits an entire row of cars for me to choose from! I walk up to a white Chevy Malibu (arent all rental cars in Florida white?) and take the keys out of the door. What are you doing? Whos car is this? Ah! My clan hasnt been told of the wonders of the Emerald Aisle! They realize theyve got it pretty good with me planning this trip! One more shoehorn job, and were off to check this baby out. No problems there, and were on the road for Walt Disney World! Time from plane touch-down to Highway 417 30 minutes. See? Life is good!
Now. First time driving to WDW. Still gotta get to DTD, get my AP, check in at ASSp, grab some food and back to DTD for Cirque before 6:00pm. Its 3:15. How hard could it be?
Link to Part 3
