I'm posting these to the trip reports board too, but wanted to post here as a thank-you to everyone for their help with my planning! Enjoy! -Reid
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
Saturday December 6, 2003
So weve made it out of the airport in record time, and were off to find Disney World on our own. Last trip we took a Mears shuttle to our hotel, so we really didnt pay too much attention to the drive. It is 3:15 pm and the plan is to get to Downtown Disney, pick up my AP and Auntie Ks 4DPH and MVMCP tickets, Drive to All-Stars Sports where Ill check in while the troops poke around, then well grab a quick bite, drop off the bags, head back to DTD and pick up Auntie Ks Cirque ticket at the will-call window, and then prepare for an hour-and-a-half experience of Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba!
Now it should be noted for the record that I am the family navigator of choice. My wife will readily admit it. I can use a map. I have an innate sense of direction, and have loved to read maps as far back as I can remember. Im sure it was on all those cross-country trips we took as a family while growing up that I honed my orienteering skills. Yeah mom and dad probably gave me the map to keep me quiet
Anyways, I usually navigate on road trips. And we like to split the driving. Doesnt bother me in the least if I dont do all the driving I may upon occasion though, backseat drive a little; from time to time; or so Ive been told but it doesnt bother me not to drive. Today, Im driving since Ive planned this trip and the clan is content to follow my lead, and Im supposed to know where we are going. Well, I know where we are going; just not exactly how were going to get there, thats all. A couple of toll booths which we dont have in Manitoba, to which my DS kept asking why I was throwing money out the window
If you think this is throwing money out the window kid, just wait till you see what kind of damage Mom and Auntie K can do at Disney World!
And before we knew it we were looking for the 536 off-ramp, and the exit for Downtown Disney.
Ah, the feeling of being back at Disney World! You cant beat it, can you? I didnt want to say too much, or point out anything because I wanted DS and Auntie K to see it all for the first time. When they saw the highway signs change to Disney sings well they were both all over the backseat, heads swiveling around, like two bobble-heads, trying to read the signs, looking out the side windows and the front and back at the same time, non-stop glee! It was fun! And Im pretty sure Auntie K was more excited than DS he remembers bits and pieces of last trip this is all new to her! DS wanted to listen to his Lion King CD, and began to serenade us with his interpretation of African chants and songs, and Auntie K was right there with him Hakuna Matata indeed
Downtown Disney was packed! It was Saturday after all, just before 4:00 by the time we had circled around twice to find a parking spot somewhat close to the Market Place, so we should have been prepared. Mom and DS are off to do some shopping she was on the prowl for a sweatshirt, and he was in heaven! The largest Disney Store on the planet and hes big into Power Rangers a Disney Store product back in Winnipeg! Hes had his eyes on the Mega Blocks Power Zord something or another and is certain hell find it here. Its really big, right Daddy? The store? They must have it, right?
I sure hope so son for your sake and my sanity
Auntie K and I are off to find Guest Services and claim our tickets Ive heard rumors that I may need my actual AP at check-in to secure my AP discount so thats why Im here just in case.
My AP has Mickey on it how perfect is that? DW got Minnie or her 4DPHP and DS has Goofy. Auntie K, who hasnt really been prepared for all the little Disney details and touches is beside herself when I hand over her pass and she sees her favorite Disney character on the front Donald! Look! Theyve got Donald on mine! Is there someone on yours too?! Suddenly I realize DW and I have two kids with us on this trip! Ones just a little older than the other!
The pixie dust was starting to show! The decorations and theming for Christmas were everything and more than we expected! I could just walk around and take in all those special items and Disney moments forever! Theres a choir singing carols near the Lego store, Santas posing for photos with kids. The stores are decked out in garland and lights. Guests all over have Disney hats and shirts on, some Christmassy, others just plain ol Disney goofiness! Its all good! But no time to daydream today weve got to check-in and eat and drop off the bags, before we come back here! Move, Move, Move!
Back onto Buena Vista Drive I think well be seeing a lot of this road this week and follow the signs to All Stars Resorts. Oh Look! Theres the Tower of Terror! OMG! We're not going on that, are we? Is it really that high? Yes Auntie K, welcome to Disney World! The car was abuzz with stories of what everyone had just seen in the stores, or out the windows or on the busses I just felt at ease first time today just total ease as I drove toward the security check-in line. No worries, no problems. Im finally free
I hand my ID to the Security guy and he does a double take at the rental car, my drivers license, and the front plate on the car. Oh oh. Its a rental I tell him, hoping thatll clear up his confusion. No, its okay, he says slowly, I was just wondering about that. And hes pointing to the decal on the windshield that shows the cars registered origin as North Carolina. (The car was rented in Florida, has North Carolina plates, and Im showing him a Canadian drivers license.) Yeah, We wanted to take the scenic route! I jest.
Youre not related to Mr. Agent-man at US customs in Winnipeg are you?
We get our parking pass, a pleasant wave through, and into ASSp we go! We manage to find the necessary paperwork for check-in under all the luggage in the trunk, and into the lobby we go. Its 4:30 and Id like to be headed for Cirque by 5:15.
Okay Ill stand in line here, you guys check out Goofys Store and then well go up to the room. Good. Um, why is everyone in the lobby dressed in maroon and white team jackets? And why are they all in line in front of me?
A quick peek out the window shows me the bus they all just got off of, and why theyre here.
Pop Warner Football? You guys look a bit too old to be State Champs. Whats with all the teenage boys in those same maroon and white jerseys? And why all the teenage girls walking through the lobby in cheerleading outfits? Ahhhh, I get it. Kids football. Lots of kids football. And football parents. And kids cheerleading competitions. This week. Right here. At Disney World. And theyre all staying at the ALL-Stars SPORTS??
Quick Tink, dad needs some pixie dust PDQ! Nobody at the DIS warned me about this!
45 minutes later, I finish with checking in. My family has already found me twice, and Ive told them to just go ahead without me, get something to eat Ill catch up with you in the food court. That was 20 mins ago. I walk up as they are getting ready to leave. They look so sad for me! But its okay, now Im ready to stand in lines this week. Ive just had my warm-up! Guess well see the room tonight. Back to DTD!
Not quite as calm as the last time behind the wheel, but weve still got time. This time parking is better by Cirque, and we all take turns remembering where weve just parked the car. Someone will remember. Lets go! Another line at will-call! I dont do lines too well. And Im the one who bought Auntie Ks ticket so I have to stand here. Why does my line always move so slow!
Okay. Its been a long day already Im tired, and cranky. But hey. Im at Disney World! I can be cranky when I get home. Not going to ruin my day, not here, not now! Where is that magic?
Got the tickets, were in and seated. Auntie K is the next section over so we part ways, and get ready for the show. Were not certain what to expect, and even less certain how DS will react to this. Its not a circus, like a five year old knows, so this could be interesting Out come the clowns, and DS has the biggest smile on his face! So does DW, and me too! The next hour and a half is mesmerizing; a spellbinding series of performances and feats of human physical prowess and ability that leaves us in absolute awe! Wow! DS says after the show, as he is clapping his little hands raw and standing for the second ovation, That was the best thing I ever saw! We concur.
We speechlessly head home for a well deserved sleep, dreaming of Cirque, of that wonderful Disney magic and of what tomorrow brings: EMH at the Magic Kingdom. Does it get any better than that?
Link to Part 4
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
Saturday December 6, 2003
So weve made it out of the airport in record time, and were off to find Disney World on our own. Last trip we took a Mears shuttle to our hotel, so we really didnt pay too much attention to the drive. It is 3:15 pm and the plan is to get to Downtown Disney, pick up my AP and Auntie Ks 4DPH and MVMCP tickets, Drive to All-Stars Sports where Ill check in while the troops poke around, then well grab a quick bite, drop off the bags, head back to DTD and pick up Auntie Ks Cirque ticket at the will-call window, and then prepare for an hour-and-a-half experience of Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba!
Now it should be noted for the record that I am the family navigator of choice. My wife will readily admit it. I can use a map. I have an innate sense of direction, and have loved to read maps as far back as I can remember. Im sure it was on all those cross-country trips we took as a family while growing up that I honed my orienteering skills. Yeah mom and dad probably gave me the map to keep me quiet
Anyways, I usually navigate on road trips. And we like to split the driving. Doesnt bother me in the least if I dont do all the driving I may upon occasion though, backseat drive a little; from time to time; or so Ive been told but it doesnt bother me not to drive. Today, Im driving since Ive planned this trip and the clan is content to follow my lead, and Im supposed to know where we are going. Well, I know where we are going; just not exactly how were going to get there, thats all. A couple of toll booths which we dont have in Manitoba, to which my DS kept asking why I was throwing money out the window
If you think this is throwing money out the window kid, just wait till you see what kind of damage Mom and Auntie K can do at Disney World!
And before we knew it we were looking for the 536 off-ramp, and the exit for Downtown Disney.
Ah, the feeling of being back at Disney World! You cant beat it, can you? I didnt want to say too much, or point out anything because I wanted DS and Auntie K to see it all for the first time. When they saw the highway signs change to Disney sings well they were both all over the backseat, heads swiveling around, like two bobble-heads, trying to read the signs, looking out the side windows and the front and back at the same time, non-stop glee! It was fun! And Im pretty sure Auntie K was more excited than DS he remembers bits and pieces of last trip this is all new to her! DS wanted to listen to his Lion King CD, and began to serenade us with his interpretation of African chants and songs, and Auntie K was right there with him Hakuna Matata indeed
Downtown Disney was packed! It was Saturday after all, just before 4:00 by the time we had circled around twice to find a parking spot somewhat close to the Market Place, so we should have been prepared. Mom and DS are off to do some shopping she was on the prowl for a sweatshirt, and he was in heaven! The largest Disney Store on the planet and hes big into Power Rangers a Disney Store product back in Winnipeg! Hes had his eyes on the Mega Blocks Power Zord something or another and is certain hell find it here. Its really big, right Daddy? The store? They must have it, right?
I sure hope so son for your sake and my sanity
Auntie K and I are off to find Guest Services and claim our tickets Ive heard rumors that I may need my actual AP at check-in to secure my AP discount so thats why Im here just in case.
My AP has Mickey on it how perfect is that? DW got Minnie or her 4DPHP and DS has Goofy. Auntie K, who hasnt really been prepared for all the little Disney details and touches is beside herself when I hand over her pass and she sees her favorite Disney character on the front Donald! Look! Theyve got Donald on mine! Is there someone on yours too?! Suddenly I realize DW and I have two kids with us on this trip! Ones just a little older than the other!
The pixie dust was starting to show! The decorations and theming for Christmas were everything and more than we expected! I could just walk around and take in all those special items and Disney moments forever! Theres a choir singing carols near the Lego store, Santas posing for photos with kids. The stores are decked out in garland and lights. Guests all over have Disney hats and shirts on, some Christmassy, others just plain ol Disney goofiness! Its all good! But no time to daydream today weve got to check-in and eat and drop off the bags, before we come back here! Move, Move, Move!
Back onto Buena Vista Drive I think well be seeing a lot of this road this week and follow the signs to All Stars Resorts. Oh Look! Theres the Tower of Terror! OMG! We're not going on that, are we? Is it really that high? Yes Auntie K, welcome to Disney World! The car was abuzz with stories of what everyone had just seen in the stores, or out the windows or on the busses I just felt at ease first time today just total ease as I drove toward the security check-in line. No worries, no problems. Im finally free
I hand my ID to the Security guy and he does a double take at the rental car, my drivers license, and the front plate on the car. Oh oh. Its a rental I tell him, hoping thatll clear up his confusion. No, its okay, he says slowly, I was just wondering about that. And hes pointing to the decal on the windshield that shows the cars registered origin as North Carolina. (The car was rented in Florida, has North Carolina plates, and Im showing him a Canadian drivers license.) Yeah, We wanted to take the scenic route! I jest.
Youre not related to Mr. Agent-man at US customs in Winnipeg are you?
We get our parking pass, a pleasant wave through, and into ASSp we go! We manage to find the necessary paperwork for check-in under all the luggage in the trunk, and into the lobby we go. Its 4:30 and Id like to be headed for Cirque by 5:15.
Okay Ill stand in line here, you guys check out Goofys Store and then well go up to the room. Good. Um, why is everyone in the lobby dressed in maroon and white team jackets? And why are they all in line in front of me?
A quick peek out the window shows me the bus they all just got off of, and why theyre here.
Pop Warner Football? You guys look a bit too old to be State Champs. Whats with all the teenage boys in those same maroon and white jerseys? And why all the teenage girls walking through the lobby in cheerleading outfits? Ahhhh, I get it. Kids football. Lots of kids football. And football parents. And kids cheerleading competitions. This week. Right here. At Disney World. And theyre all staying at the ALL-Stars SPORTS??
Quick Tink, dad needs some pixie dust PDQ! Nobody at the DIS warned me about this!
45 minutes later, I finish with checking in. My family has already found me twice, and Ive told them to just go ahead without me, get something to eat Ill catch up with you in the food court. That was 20 mins ago. I walk up as they are getting ready to leave. They look so sad for me! But its okay, now Im ready to stand in lines this week. Ive just had my warm-up! Guess well see the room tonight. Back to DTD!
Not quite as calm as the last time behind the wheel, but weve still got time. This time parking is better by Cirque, and we all take turns remembering where weve just parked the car. Someone will remember. Lets go! Another line at will-call! I dont do lines too well. And Im the one who bought Auntie Ks ticket so I have to stand here. Why does my line always move so slow!
Okay. Its been a long day already Im tired, and cranky. But hey. Im at Disney World! I can be cranky when I get home. Not going to ruin my day, not here, not now! Where is that magic? Got the tickets, were in and seated. Auntie K is the next section over so we part ways, and get ready for the show. Were not certain what to expect, and even less certain how DS will react to this. Its not a circus, like a five year old knows, so this could be interesting Out come the clowns, and DS has the biggest smile on his face! So does DW, and me too! The next hour and a half is mesmerizing; a spellbinding series of performances and feats of human physical prowess and ability that leaves us in absolute awe! Wow! DS says after the show, as he is clapping his little hands raw and standing for the second ovation, That was the best thing I ever saw! We concur.
We speechlessly head home for a well deserved sleep, dreaming of Cirque, of that wonderful Disney magic and of what tomorrow brings: EMH at the Magic Kingdom. Does it get any better than that?
Link to Part 4
