PrincessDana
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2003
- Messages
- 423
Dana & CaseyDay 1 & 2, travel and arrival @ Coronado Springs Resort.
WARNING!!! This is my very first attempt at writing a trip report. Please be patient.
Heres the cast:
Dana = Me, The Mom, The Planner, The Instigator, The actual reason why we go to Disney World.
Casey = My daughter, age 8, being homeschooled this year which enabled us to go during regular school season.
Where were from: South Central Kentucky. (About halfway between Louisville and Nashville).
How well get there: Well drive because Casey nixed the whole flying idea. (Shes a bit afraid of heights).
Day 1, Friday, October 17th:
OK, the plan was for me to work ½ a day today, say good-bye to the grandparents, aunts and cousins and leave Munfordville, KY at 2:30. So, the very beginning of our trip, were LATE. We dont leave until 2:38!! Oh well, I chill out and take off south down I-65. We drive into Nashville (where we will catch I-24 east) and get completely stopped in traffic. Im glad I left when I did if rush hour is this bad at 3:45 in the afternoon. After about a 20 minute delay we get out of Nashville and are on our way to Chattanooga. I love I-24. Every time weve been on this interstate its never busy. So Im just driving along and enjoying the ride when suddenly, just about two hours from home I realized that I had FORGOTTEN EVERY SINGLE BIT OF OUR CHECK-IN PAPERWORK!!! You know, the whole pretty packet of things that the Walt Disney Travel Company sends you. The statement showing your zero balance, the vouchers for you room tickets all of it was at home in a lovely pink folder. So, I worry and fret for about five minutes and finally decided that if there were some kind of hang up at check-in, I would simply call my sister and have her copy and fax the paperwork. I calm down considerably and we proceed to drive onto Marietta, GA (just a couple of miles north of Atlanta) where we stopped for the night. We made good time, as we didnt stop until we checked in. It was about 8:15 EST, so I filled the car up with gas and we had some snacks for dinner. We called back to Kentucky to check in with my parents (this happens a lot while were on vacation) and went on to bed. Tomorrow well get up fairly early, as Casey likes to leave early in the morning so she can sleep during part of the ride.
Day 2, Saturday, October 18th.
We left by 6:15 EST and breezed through Atlanta. Somehow we got snagged in some construction just south of Atlanta. Traffic was down to one lane and so we moved about 2 miles an hour for 45 minutes. We finally got through and kept going until Lake Park, GA where we stopped for lunch.
We made it to Coronado Springs Resort by 2:15 (please note that all times are now Eastern Standard Time even though my internal clock still says Central Standard Time). We were easily checked in, about a 10-15 minute wait. Thank goodness, no problems regarding check-in, they did ask that I mail them the UPH ticket vouchers, though (to which I graciously agreed).
Our room was not ready yet but we were in Cabanas 8A (which is the exact building I had requested when I faxed over, hooray for the room assigners!!!). We drove around to the parking area for that building and I grabbed Caseys swimsuit bag. I let her change and as we were walking out of the changing room, I decided, on a whim, to call and check our room status and it was ready!! Room 8103, yea, 1st floor. I went ahead and let Casey swim for a while. She loved the pool and especially the slide. After about ½ an hour I dragged her kicking and screaming (well, she was mentally kicking and screaming) from the pool to find our room. It was in a great location very close to a bus stop (#4) and just around the corner and a nice (short) stroll by the beach from the main pool. I could see the main buildings across lake and would find out later it was also a nice, although a little lengthy, stroll from our room. I then proceeded with the horrible and heinous duty of unloading the car.
My original itinerary had called for us going over to the Magic Kingdom around 6:30 with our only goal to see Wishes and the 2nd Spectromagic parade. Well, it was now about 4:30, not really enough time to swim (yeah, right), so we decided to head on over to the Magic Kingdom. (Ok, really, I just couldnt wait any longer!!) We hopped a bus (after only about a 15 minute wait) and I started grinning like a maniac upon seeing Cinderella Castle. We skipped down main street and I checked the times board. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean (15 minute wait, but seemed much longer what with all the obnoxious teenagers and people whose children must climb all over everything!) After that we went over to Splash Mountain. There was an hour wait, so we got a fastpass for 9-10 oclock. (Side note: This ride was something Casey had finally worked up her nerve for last June, but we didnt get a chance to ride. She was ready for a go on it now, though. She had tried out another drop type ride at Kings Island this summer and felt rather experienced at this type of ride. )
We went over to Pecos Bills and had a hot dog. I sat there eating my hot dog and envying the lady with the chicken wrap. She kept trying to give half of it to her husband, but he didnt want it. I wanted to offer to take it from her, but decided not to.
We walked over to Fantasyland, there were several long waits, but I expected this as it was a Saturday night. We rode Its a Small World with only 10 minute wait---hey, I LIKE this ride, well, I like it at least once a trip anyway. We then meandered over to Tomorrowland where we rode the TTAalways a favorite and better yet, never a wait!! We then saw another favorite, Carousel of Progress, ahhhh, total and absolute Disney bliss!! After that we stood on the Tomorrowland bridge to wait for the fireworks.
Casey was wearing my pin lanyard (with strict instructions on which pins could be traded). While we were waiting for the fireworks, she saw another little girl (her name was Grace and she had a lovely English accent) with a lanyard. Within minutes, the both of them were looking at each others lanyard and soon Casey had made her first official non Cast Member trade. We watched Wishes. It was good, but for some reason I expected more fireworks. But since I havent seen Fantasy in the Sky, I didnt really have anything to compare it to. Casey hated it, as she hates ALL firework shows (she doesnt like the noise). We then tried to make it over to Frontierland but the crowds around the front of the castle were terrible!! We could barely move at times. I considered climbing on a bench and trying out the mosh pit mentality, but decided that Casey wasnt really old enough for that yet. We really should have tried to cut around Tomorrowland and through Fantasyland or, better yet, caught the train at Mickeys Toon Town Fair. But if we had done that we wouldnt have gotten to get REALLY close with all the other visitors. (For you Delswife fans, there was a LOT of skin-to-skin contact).
But anyway, we finally made it over to Frontierland where it was time for our Fast Pass for Splash Mountain. All I can say is it was great, but it scared the holy heck out of Casey. Her little knees were actually shaking when we were finished. I dont know why it scared her so much, I think it was the build up to the drop as this ride is much longer than you think. Anyway, the look on her face in the picture was one of absolute terror. I was afraid to buy it lest I be sentenced with child abuse for subjecting a child to such torture!! Anyway, we made our way back over to Fantasyland to catch Mickeys Philharmagic. We waited a little while (about 20 minutes) but it was well worth it!!! This show is fantastic!! I could have went home right then and been perfectly satisfied (well, no, but you understand what I mean). We didnt manage to see Spectromagic, but since we saw it last year, I wasnt too upset about it. We made it back to the resort at 11 oclock where we collapsed in bed. A very long, but extremely satisfying day!!!!
WARNING!!! This is my very first attempt at writing a trip report. Please be patient.
Heres the cast:
Dana = Me, The Mom, The Planner, The Instigator, The actual reason why we go to Disney World.
Casey = My daughter, age 8, being homeschooled this year which enabled us to go during regular school season.
Where were from: South Central Kentucky. (About halfway between Louisville and Nashville).
How well get there: Well drive because Casey nixed the whole flying idea. (Shes a bit afraid of heights).
Day 1, Friday, October 17th:
OK, the plan was for me to work ½ a day today, say good-bye to the grandparents, aunts and cousins and leave Munfordville, KY at 2:30. So, the very beginning of our trip, were LATE. We dont leave until 2:38!! Oh well, I chill out and take off south down I-65. We drive into Nashville (where we will catch I-24 east) and get completely stopped in traffic. Im glad I left when I did if rush hour is this bad at 3:45 in the afternoon. After about a 20 minute delay we get out of Nashville and are on our way to Chattanooga. I love I-24. Every time weve been on this interstate its never busy. So Im just driving along and enjoying the ride when suddenly, just about two hours from home I realized that I had FORGOTTEN EVERY SINGLE BIT OF OUR CHECK-IN PAPERWORK!!! You know, the whole pretty packet of things that the Walt Disney Travel Company sends you. The statement showing your zero balance, the vouchers for you room tickets all of it was at home in a lovely pink folder. So, I worry and fret for about five minutes and finally decided that if there were some kind of hang up at check-in, I would simply call my sister and have her copy and fax the paperwork. I calm down considerably and we proceed to drive onto Marietta, GA (just a couple of miles north of Atlanta) where we stopped for the night. We made good time, as we didnt stop until we checked in. It was about 8:15 EST, so I filled the car up with gas and we had some snacks for dinner. We called back to Kentucky to check in with my parents (this happens a lot while were on vacation) and went on to bed. Tomorrow well get up fairly early, as Casey likes to leave early in the morning so she can sleep during part of the ride.
Day 2, Saturday, October 18th.
We left by 6:15 EST and breezed through Atlanta. Somehow we got snagged in some construction just south of Atlanta. Traffic was down to one lane and so we moved about 2 miles an hour for 45 minutes. We finally got through and kept going until Lake Park, GA where we stopped for lunch.
We made it to Coronado Springs Resort by 2:15 (please note that all times are now Eastern Standard Time even though my internal clock still says Central Standard Time). We were easily checked in, about a 10-15 minute wait. Thank goodness, no problems regarding check-in, they did ask that I mail them the UPH ticket vouchers, though (to which I graciously agreed).
Our room was not ready yet but we were in Cabanas 8A (which is the exact building I had requested when I faxed over, hooray for the room assigners!!!). We drove around to the parking area for that building and I grabbed Caseys swimsuit bag. I let her change and as we were walking out of the changing room, I decided, on a whim, to call and check our room status and it was ready!! Room 8103, yea, 1st floor. I went ahead and let Casey swim for a while. She loved the pool and especially the slide. After about ½ an hour I dragged her kicking and screaming (well, she was mentally kicking and screaming) from the pool to find our room. It was in a great location very close to a bus stop (#4) and just around the corner and a nice (short) stroll by the beach from the main pool. I could see the main buildings across lake and would find out later it was also a nice, although a little lengthy, stroll from our room. I then proceeded with the horrible and heinous duty of unloading the car.
My original itinerary had called for us going over to the Magic Kingdom around 6:30 with our only goal to see Wishes and the 2nd Spectromagic parade. Well, it was now about 4:30, not really enough time to swim (yeah, right), so we decided to head on over to the Magic Kingdom. (Ok, really, I just couldnt wait any longer!!) We hopped a bus (after only about a 15 minute wait) and I started grinning like a maniac upon seeing Cinderella Castle. We skipped down main street and I checked the times board. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean (15 minute wait, but seemed much longer what with all the obnoxious teenagers and people whose children must climb all over everything!) After that we went over to Splash Mountain. There was an hour wait, so we got a fastpass for 9-10 oclock. (Side note: This ride was something Casey had finally worked up her nerve for last June, but we didnt get a chance to ride. She was ready for a go on it now, though. She had tried out another drop type ride at Kings Island this summer and felt rather experienced at this type of ride. )
We went over to Pecos Bills and had a hot dog. I sat there eating my hot dog and envying the lady with the chicken wrap. She kept trying to give half of it to her husband, but he didnt want it. I wanted to offer to take it from her, but decided not to.
We walked over to Fantasyland, there were several long waits, but I expected this as it was a Saturday night. We rode Its a Small World with only 10 minute wait---hey, I LIKE this ride, well, I like it at least once a trip anyway. We then meandered over to Tomorrowland where we rode the TTAalways a favorite and better yet, never a wait!! We then saw another favorite, Carousel of Progress, ahhhh, total and absolute Disney bliss!! After that we stood on the Tomorrowland bridge to wait for the fireworks.
Casey was wearing my pin lanyard (with strict instructions on which pins could be traded). While we were waiting for the fireworks, she saw another little girl (her name was Grace and she had a lovely English accent) with a lanyard. Within minutes, the both of them were looking at each others lanyard and soon Casey had made her first official non Cast Member trade. We watched Wishes. It was good, but for some reason I expected more fireworks. But since I havent seen Fantasy in the Sky, I didnt really have anything to compare it to. Casey hated it, as she hates ALL firework shows (she doesnt like the noise). We then tried to make it over to Frontierland but the crowds around the front of the castle were terrible!! We could barely move at times. I considered climbing on a bench and trying out the mosh pit mentality, but decided that Casey wasnt really old enough for that yet. We really should have tried to cut around Tomorrowland and through Fantasyland or, better yet, caught the train at Mickeys Toon Town Fair. But if we had done that we wouldnt have gotten to get REALLY close with all the other visitors. (For you Delswife fans, there was a LOT of skin-to-skin contact).
But anyway, we finally made it over to Frontierland where it was time for our Fast Pass for Splash Mountain. All I can say is it was great, but it scared the holy heck out of Casey. Her little knees were actually shaking when we were finished. I dont know why it scared her so much, I think it was the build up to the drop as this ride is much longer than you think. Anyway, the look on her face in the picture was one of absolute terror. I was afraid to buy it lest I be sentenced with child abuse for subjecting a child to such torture!! Anyway, we made our way back over to Fantasyland to catch Mickeys Philharmagic. We waited a little while (about 20 minutes) but it was well worth it!!! This show is fantastic!! I could have went home right then and been perfectly satisfied (well, no, but you understand what I mean). We didnt manage to see Spectromagic, but since we saw it last year, I wasnt too upset about it. We made it back to the resort at 11 oclock where we collapsed in bed. A very long, but extremely satisfying day!!!!
Am looking forward to reading more! Thanks for posting! And I agree- PhilharMagic is AWESOME! 
