addlema
Bonkers for Disney
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 142
Our 4th Aniversary visit to the mouse: May 20th-27th
Day 1 (May 20th) A magical Aniversary journey to the mouse??
Cast:
Me: 28 big fan of Disney all my life.
DW Jennifer 26: Also a huge fan of everything Disney
Quick Overview:
2 nights at Pop Century followed by 5 nights at the Boardwalk Villas.
3rd married trip to the mouse (first was honeymoon).
We awoke at 3:30am to the blaring klaxon of my alarm. Okay that might be a slight overstatement but we both hate that alarm especially that early in the morning. After dealing harshly with the clock my mood brightened as I realized where we would be in 5 hours. DW of course had been up most of the night waiting to get there. Luckily I can sleep through just about anything.
Thanks to my DWs wonderful packing skills (obsession?) we had been 95% packed for a week prior to our departure. All we had left to add was our bathroom supplies and electronics (laptop, camera, batteries, etc). We got all this together and climbed into the truck and we were on the road by 4:15. The 45 minute drive to the Indianapolis Airport went by quickly with the Ipod giving us some musical company.
Our flight wasnt until 8:15, however, anyone who flys Southwest knows the earlier the better. I really love their open seating policy and getting there early insures my 62 frame gets the exit row and some extra leg room.
Everything at the airport went very smoothly and we boarded on time. I did get a tad impatient towards the end and a Pigeon walking around outside reminded me of the Sesame Street Pigeon song from my childhood (WOP, WOP, Pigeon!). This became a song that was permanently wedged in my brain during the rest of the trip right next to Small World, a great big beautiful tomorrow, and Pirates life for me. I may have slightly annoyed my DW every time I saw a pigeon (WOP WOP). Beyond that our flight was very uneventful.
As we landed in Orlando I started to be haunted by the posts reporting horrible experiences with Disneys Magical Express. Once we took the tram into the main terminal we immediately saw a DME cast member who directed us right to the DME check in. It was crowded but the Cast members were working very efficiently and we were aboard the bus in less then 15 minutes. The movie they showed was corny but it kept my attention and we arrived at Pop Centaury quickly (35 minutes or so). I must report that our DME experience was great coming and going. I should note that we only had carry on baggage and kept it with us. They even overnighted our tickets for DME.
Check-in at the Pop was quick and before I knew it we were basking in the sun and soaking our weary bodies in the Bowling Pin pool. Pop is a very nicely done value resort. We had a lot of fun here. The food court was pretty decent as well.
We had big plans for this evening. It was our 4th wedding anniversary. After a soak and sun we went back to the room took showers and got dressed up. DW looked great. I hate dressing up and always have, so I just threw on a polo and my khaki shorts.
We got on a bus headed for the magic kingdom and transferred quickly to a boat bound for the Wilderness Lodge. We arrived about an hour before our PS time, so we wandered around and I found an arcade. There is an enjoyable Star Wars Star fighter game that Disney seems to have added to most of their arcades. We also traded in our coupons for our Free Disney pin and lanyard that we received with our DME tickets.
The clanging of the chow bell and the loud bellowing echoing across the lobby grabbed our attention and led us to the Whispering Canyon. We had never eaten here before, but my parents reported loving it during there last trip (this is their DVC home). We decided to make the WC our anniversary dinner location.
It was a spectacular meal. We were seated in the second room away from most of the more raucous action but we did get to see a lot of Indians! Actually we had a really nice view out the massive back windows of the WL. We got the nachos for an appetizer, and we both got the Meatloaf and a bottomless chocolate shake to share. It was great! That shake was the highlight of the meal for me, its the best deal on ice cream in the whole world. We had the banana fosters like dish for dessert, and did I mention the whole meal was spectacular? It was.
After dinner we waddled slowly towards the boat and caught it and then a bus back to POP. We had plans to head to Pleasure Island but after our long day our lights were out 20 minutes after we got back to the room.
Look for day 2: A Lucky day in the Animal Kingdom? Should be posted tomorrow!
Day 1 (May 20th) A magical Aniversary journey to the mouse??
Cast:
Me: 28 big fan of Disney all my life.
DW Jennifer 26: Also a huge fan of everything Disney
Quick Overview:
2 nights at Pop Century followed by 5 nights at the Boardwalk Villas.
3rd married trip to the mouse (first was honeymoon).
We awoke at 3:30am to the blaring klaxon of my alarm. Okay that might be a slight overstatement but we both hate that alarm especially that early in the morning. After dealing harshly with the clock my mood brightened as I realized where we would be in 5 hours. DW of course had been up most of the night waiting to get there. Luckily I can sleep through just about anything.
Thanks to my DWs wonderful packing skills (obsession?) we had been 95% packed for a week prior to our departure. All we had left to add was our bathroom supplies and electronics (laptop, camera, batteries, etc). We got all this together and climbed into the truck and we were on the road by 4:15. The 45 minute drive to the Indianapolis Airport went by quickly with the Ipod giving us some musical company.
Our flight wasnt until 8:15, however, anyone who flys Southwest knows the earlier the better. I really love their open seating policy and getting there early insures my 62 frame gets the exit row and some extra leg room.
Everything at the airport went very smoothly and we boarded on time. I did get a tad impatient towards the end and a Pigeon walking around outside reminded me of the Sesame Street Pigeon song from my childhood (WOP, WOP, Pigeon!). This became a song that was permanently wedged in my brain during the rest of the trip right next to Small World, a great big beautiful tomorrow, and Pirates life for me. I may have slightly annoyed my DW every time I saw a pigeon (WOP WOP). Beyond that our flight was very uneventful.
As we landed in Orlando I started to be haunted by the posts reporting horrible experiences with Disneys Magical Express. Once we took the tram into the main terminal we immediately saw a DME cast member who directed us right to the DME check in. It was crowded but the Cast members were working very efficiently and we were aboard the bus in less then 15 minutes. The movie they showed was corny but it kept my attention and we arrived at Pop Centaury quickly (35 minutes or so). I must report that our DME experience was great coming and going. I should note that we only had carry on baggage and kept it with us. They even overnighted our tickets for DME.
Check-in at the Pop was quick and before I knew it we were basking in the sun and soaking our weary bodies in the Bowling Pin pool. Pop is a very nicely done value resort. We had a lot of fun here. The food court was pretty decent as well.
We had big plans for this evening. It was our 4th wedding anniversary. After a soak and sun we went back to the room took showers and got dressed up. DW looked great. I hate dressing up and always have, so I just threw on a polo and my khaki shorts.
We got on a bus headed for the magic kingdom and transferred quickly to a boat bound for the Wilderness Lodge. We arrived about an hour before our PS time, so we wandered around and I found an arcade. There is an enjoyable Star Wars Star fighter game that Disney seems to have added to most of their arcades. We also traded in our coupons for our Free Disney pin and lanyard that we received with our DME tickets.
The clanging of the chow bell and the loud bellowing echoing across the lobby grabbed our attention and led us to the Whispering Canyon. We had never eaten here before, but my parents reported loving it during there last trip (this is their DVC home). We decided to make the WC our anniversary dinner location.
It was a spectacular meal. We were seated in the second room away from most of the more raucous action but we did get to see a lot of Indians! Actually we had a really nice view out the massive back windows of the WL. We got the nachos for an appetizer, and we both got the Meatloaf and a bottomless chocolate shake to share. It was great! That shake was the highlight of the meal for me, its the best deal on ice cream in the whole world. We had the banana fosters like dish for dessert, and did I mention the whole meal was spectacular? It was.
After dinner we waddled slowly towards the boat and caught it and then a bus back to POP. We had plans to head to Pleasure Island but after our long day our lights were out 20 minutes after we got back to the room.
Look for day 2: A Lucky day in the Animal Kingdom? Should be posted tomorrow!
