BethC1952
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2001
- Messages
- 3,949
The Original Cast:
Me -- BethC1952, age classified (figure it out for yourselves!), AKA Grandma, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
DH -- Jim, 52, AKA Grandpa, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
The Plan: Let's take our annual first-week of December land/sea trip to celebrate our anniversary. We'll stay at Port Orleans Riverside, and have a Cat. 11 inside stateroom.
First modification to The Plan: Let's invite "The Kids".
New Cast Members--The Kids:
DS -- Jimmy, age 28 AKA as Daddy, experienced WDW visitor, 23+ visits between 1978 and 1984
DDIL -- Lori, age 23, AKA Mommy, absolute WDW newbie and very skeptical--I'll go because it's a family trip, but I'm not going to have a good time.
DGD -- Shannan, age 3 1/2, absolute newbie, has seen my collection of WDW pictures (over 4000), and knows all there is to know about WDW.
-----------------------------------
We leave home
12/2 dawned sunny and bright, if slightly chilly (at home at the Jersey Shore).
Our limo driver (Nick from Janet's Gang, see "The Planning Stages") spent the night at our house so that we would be sure to leave on time for our 11 AM flight from La Guardia airport in New York, about 60 minutes from home.
Nick called home in the morning just before we left home, and was given the news that there had been a winter ice-storm which had roads closed and accidents everywhere. That includes the roads we need to take to get to the airport.
We left home on time, after piling what seemed like tons of luggage into the car, and installing Shannan's car seat.
The trip was uneventful for the first 40 minutes, until we hit THE TRAFFIC!!!! Yes, the George Washington Bridge was closed, which diverted a huge amount of traffic to the Lincoln Tunnel, so we'll take the Holland Tunnel. Good idea, right? Umm, what about morning rush hour? Well, with no other options, we headed bravely into the tunnel and right into downtown Manhattan at rush hour. It's been more than 30 years since I saw New York's Chinatown, but I saw most of it that morning as we wound through jammed city streets in our quest to get to La Guardia for our 9 AM check-in.
We arrived safely at La Guardia--at 10:15. We breezed through check-in and security (I did have to remove my shoes because the nails in the heels kept setting off the alarms). No one searched our bags, and we were at the boarding gate within minutes.
We boarded the plane right on time, and got settled in our seats (all together). The only thing Lori really wanted for this trip was to see snow before we left. I heard her calling me from her seat across the aisle -- it was snowing! Just a few flurries at first, but before we took off it was really snowing hard!
The plane took off right on time. We weren't 500 feet in the air before Shannan looked out the window and announced loudly "I can see Florida!" She must have great eyesight!
The flight was wonderful. I even took a nap, something I hardly ever do on a plane. When I awoke, Shannan was proudly wearing wings! She told me they were special, and grownups aren't even allowed to touch them.
Landing was a bit bumpy, but it was over in seconds and we were at the terminal and enjoying Florida weather. Our driver from Tiffany Town Car was waiting, loaded us into a van and delivered us safely to Port Orleans Riverside.
Our room was ready (of course, it was after 3 PM by then) and we headed off to room 3925, a corner room with a view of one of the little ponds and a bridge! What more could we want except--yes, close to a quiet pool too!
Shannan wanted to swim, we wanted to eat. Shannan was louder, so we all got into bathing suits and headed for the pool. Good idea, except--who brought the towels? Oh well, we'll get dry in the room.
We headed off on the boat to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express--I had the chicken pesto sandwich, Grandpa had rosemary chicken (his favorite), Jimmy had linguine with chicken bolognese sauce, Lori had chicken aioli (which she HIGHLY recommends) and Shannan had macaroni and cheese. Everything was excellent. It's not fancy, but it's value for the money, and it's just a lot of fun! We spend some time shopping and enjoying DTD, and headed back on the boat to our room, exhausted and ready for bed. It was 8:30 PM!!!
Shannan fell asleep as we walked into our room, so we tucked her into her trundle bed. Jimmy and Lori headed off to the pool for a late swim, Grandpa and Grandma headed---right to sleep! Oh, well, our day had begun at 5 AM, and it's a great luxury to go to sleep early!
Me -- BethC1952, age classified (figure it out for yourselves!), AKA Grandma, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
DH -- Jim, 52, AKA Grandpa, experienced WDW visitor (25+ visits since 1978)
The Plan: Let's take our annual first-week of December land/sea trip to celebrate our anniversary. We'll stay at Port Orleans Riverside, and have a Cat. 11 inside stateroom.
First modification to The Plan: Let's invite "The Kids".
New Cast Members--The Kids:
DS -- Jimmy, age 28 AKA as Daddy, experienced WDW visitor, 23+ visits between 1978 and 1984
DDIL -- Lori, age 23, AKA Mommy, absolute WDW newbie and very skeptical--I'll go because it's a family trip, but I'm not going to have a good time.
DGD -- Shannan, age 3 1/2, absolute newbie, has seen my collection of WDW pictures (over 4000), and knows all there is to know about WDW.
-----------------------------------
We leave home
12/2 dawned sunny and bright, if slightly chilly (at home at the Jersey Shore).
Our limo driver (Nick from Janet's Gang, see "The Planning Stages") spent the night at our house so that we would be sure to leave on time for our 11 AM flight from La Guardia airport in New York, about 60 minutes from home.
Nick called home in the morning just before we left home, and was given the news that there had been a winter ice-storm which had roads closed and accidents everywhere. That includes the roads we need to take to get to the airport.
We left home on time, after piling what seemed like tons of luggage into the car, and installing Shannan's car seat.
The trip was uneventful for the first 40 minutes, until we hit THE TRAFFIC!!!! Yes, the George Washington Bridge was closed, which diverted a huge amount of traffic to the Lincoln Tunnel, so we'll take the Holland Tunnel. Good idea, right? Umm, what about morning rush hour? Well, with no other options, we headed bravely into the tunnel and right into downtown Manhattan at rush hour. It's been more than 30 years since I saw New York's Chinatown, but I saw most of it that morning as we wound through jammed city streets in our quest to get to La Guardia for our 9 AM check-in.
We arrived safely at La Guardia--at 10:15. We breezed through check-in and security (I did have to remove my shoes because the nails in the heels kept setting off the alarms). No one searched our bags, and we were at the boarding gate within minutes.
We boarded the plane right on time, and got settled in our seats (all together). The only thing Lori really wanted for this trip was to see snow before we left. I heard her calling me from her seat across the aisle -- it was snowing! Just a few flurries at first, but before we took off it was really snowing hard!
The plane took off right on time. We weren't 500 feet in the air before Shannan looked out the window and announced loudly "I can see Florida!" She must have great eyesight!
The flight was wonderful. I even took a nap, something I hardly ever do on a plane. When I awoke, Shannan was proudly wearing wings! She told me they were special, and grownups aren't even allowed to touch them.
Landing was a bit bumpy, but it was over in seconds and we were at the terminal and enjoying Florida weather. Our driver from Tiffany Town Car was waiting, loaded us into a van and delivered us safely to Port Orleans Riverside.
Our room was ready (of course, it was after 3 PM by then) and we headed off to room 3925, a corner room with a view of one of the little ponds and a bridge! What more could we want except--yes, close to a quiet pool too!
Shannan wanted to swim, we wanted to eat. Shannan was louder, so we all got into bathing suits and headed for the pool. Good idea, except--who brought the towels? Oh well, we'll get dry in the room.
We headed off on the boat to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express--I had the chicken pesto sandwich, Grandpa had rosemary chicken (his favorite), Jimmy had linguine with chicken bolognese sauce, Lori had chicken aioli (which she HIGHLY recommends) and Shannan had macaroni and cheese. Everything was excellent. It's not fancy, but it's value for the money, and it's just a lot of fun! We spend some time shopping and enjoying DTD, and headed back on the boat to our room, exhausted and ready for bed. It was 8:30 PM!!!
Shannan fell asleep as we walked into our room, so we tucked her into her trundle bed. Jimmy and Lori headed off to the pool for a late swim, Grandpa and Grandma headed---right to sleep! Oh, well, our day had begun at 5 AM, and it's a great luxury to go to sleep early!
