Disbug
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2003
- Messages
- 3,036
Sunday, September 28th, 2003
Starting Cast: MOI, Disbug... WDW enthusiast, on a "Solo Recon" mission to enjoy life, gather new info, hotel hop, take great photos! Will be joined later in the week by DD15, DD9, my parents, my 2 youngers sisters and their families. (*DH who is saint and non-Disney enthusiast, staying home with DD2.)
Location: WDW... Beginning at OKW, then over to CYM @ DTD, finally the glorious Dolphin.
Main Event: MNSSHP!
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Good Morning! I can't believe I am here! I drove down last night... stopping briefly for a little shopping in St. Augustine. Almost had the last minute PACK ATTACK... (you know what I mean, throwing things in the suitcase that you "might need"!)
It is now 7 AM as I roll up to the front gate of OKW where I will spend a glorious 3 nights in a Studio room.
My studio room is a corner unit (2026) right next to the busstop, pool, laundry. Parking is right by the unit, it seems to be a perfect location! Here is what my studio looked like:
The property was really quite gorgeous and I loved many things about staying there.....
A few things about the resort you should know: 1) The building I was in did NOT have elevators and I was on the 2nd floor! So use Bell Services at this Resort! LOL! I had to LUG my big suitcase on wheels up the stairs, as well as my cooler on wheels... it wasn't pretty! JK! *NOTE: DVC CM assured me the renovated Bldgs have elevators and when the other buildings are renovated, elevators will be installed....
I was able to check in early (7:15 AM) as they had a studio available. This was great as I really wanted a shower and to get unpacked! This first morning was overcast and had been raining the night before so everything was wet... After lugging my suitcases upstairs, I went around taking pictures and then proceeded to grab a shower. Went looking for my toiletries bag... oops! NO BAG! W-E-L-L... in my haste, I managed to leave a couple of bags on the front porch! I peek out the fish-eye on the front door and there they are! So as I am in my "BD suit", I am sticking an arm out the front door blindly reaching! I grab em and get back inside without flashing anyone! Whew! What a start...
More "GOOD" news! Somehow my toiletries bag is full, but no shampoo, no conditioner, no body wash, no mouthwash.... I'm talking the only ESSENTIAL I have in there is my toothbrush and toothpaste! This my friends is obviously sabotage, I could not have POSSIBLY forgotten to pack so many critical items! (*Actually, this was a case of Packus Interruptus... Being interrupted while packing.) From now on, no matter how good I think I am... I'm using the checklist!)
After getting clean and pretty with the help of a few items left by mousekeeping (thank goodness I didn't have to use the Palmolive Dishwashing Detergent!) I decide a trip to the Super-Walmart is in order. They have everything don't they? From OKW front gate, it is only 14 minutes to the Super Wal-Mart on 192. Directions: Take a right from OKW. Go all the way to end and take another right. At dead end, go left onto Hotel Plaza Blvd. At the light, go right on 535. Go down until it deadends at 192, go left. Super Walmart is on the right (next to Medieval Times) between the 14 and 15 mile marker. *You will also go by a SAM's Warehouse club on the left, where I bought gas for $1.429 per gallon (about 20 cents cheaper than the WDW area).
On the way to "Super Wallie", I notice I will be going right by the Belz Factory Outlets... (Take a left onto Vineland Avenue after going under the I-4 overpass on 535). So, I zoom in there to check out the "souvenirs" at Character Premier. This is a great shop. I purchase a few Disney Pins, Halloween lanyard, etc.. and decide to grab a Chick-fil-A sandwich for lunch. OOPS! I forgot this is Sunday and they are not open! At the Wal-Mart, I purchase the items I need, including an RCA digital voice recorder for taking notes. Writing them long-hand is turning out to be tedious! Thinking I have everything, I check-out... More on this later... During the trip, I manage to vist the Super-Wal at least 4 more times! LOL!
I go back to my room to load batteries into my voice recorder and blast! The power is on, but the darn thing won't record. After grabbing a bite and napping to try and rid myself of a splitting headache, I decide to head over to Coronado Springs for dinner at the Pepper Market. What a place! The "Sterling" company is having a gigantic convention and for the first time ever, I am in a line to get into the food court! It was fun, however, as I am wearing my "Disbug" Badge and pin lanyard, and it seems to be a great conversation starter. I really enjoyed talking to all the "Conventioneers" I met!
I have a Connections Voucher and am able to get a $35 meal (incl tax and grat) for $11.25! I enjoyed the Prime Rib, with redskin mashed potatoes and fresh grilled veggies, a cup of coffee, and the dessert sampler! YUM! I only wish I had someone there to split the meal, I could not finish the desserts...
Let me speak about the gift shop at Coronado Springs... it is ONE of the BEST! I found so many darling items there. I really loved the way things were arranged. Everything seemed so spacious and organized. The CM's were super! Say hello to ADAM if you stay there! Here are a few of the things I found (ON SALE!): The handmade clay trinket box from Mexico was only $4.99!
After dinner, I make my 2nd trip to the Super Walmart (it is a 24hr store!).. to return my non-working voice recorder and to pick up some additonal items I had forgotten (milk, aspirin, razor). When I returned the RCA recorder, I saw another one from SONY and I grabbed it instead for about the same price. It worked right the first time and every time I used it! YAY!
Time to head for my "home" resort and grab some shut-eye... It has been a long day and I need to get rested up for tomorrow. See ya then!
Starting Cast: MOI, Disbug... WDW enthusiast, on a "Solo Recon" mission to enjoy life, gather new info, hotel hop, take great photos! Will be joined later in the week by DD15, DD9, my parents, my 2 youngers sisters and their families. (*DH who is saint and non-Disney enthusiast, staying home with DD2.)
Location: WDW... Beginning at OKW, then over to CYM @ DTD, finally the glorious Dolphin.
Main Event: MNSSHP!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Morning! I can't believe I am here! I drove down last night... stopping briefly for a little shopping in St. Augustine. Almost had the last minute PACK ATTACK... (you know what I mean, throwing things in the suitcase that you "might need"!)
It is now 7 AM as I roll up to the front gate of OKW where I will spend a glorious 3 nights in a Studio room.
My studio room is a corner unit (2026) right next to the busstop, pool, laundry. Parking is right by the unit, it seems to be a perfect location! Here is what my studio looked like:
The property was really quite gorgeous and I loved many things about staying there.....
A few things about the resort you should know: 1) The building I was in did NOT have elevators and I was on the 2nd floor! So use Bell Services at this Resort! LOL! I had to LUG my big suitcase on wheels up the stairs, as well as my cooler on wheels... it wasn't pretty! JK! *NOTE: DVC CM assured me the renovated Bldgs have elevators and when the other buildings are renovated, elevators will be installed....
I was able to check in early (7:15 AM) as they had a studio available. This was great as I really wanted a shower and to get unpacked! This first morning was overcast and had been raining the night before so everything was wet... After lugging my suitcases upstairs, I went around taking pictures and then proceeded to grab a shower. Went looking for my toiletries bag... oops! NO BAG! W-E-L-L... in my haste, I managed to leave a couple of bags on the front porch! I peek out the fish-eye on the front door and there they are! So as I am in my "BD suit", I am sticking an arm out the front door blindly reaching! I grab em and get back inside without flashing anyone! Whew! What a start...
More "GOOD" news! Somehow my toiletries bag is full, but no shampoo, no conditioner, no body wash, no mouthwash.... I'm talking the only ESSENTIAL I have in there is my toothbrush and toothpaste! This my friends is obviously sabotage, I could not have POSSIBLY forgotten to pack so many critical items! (*Actually, this was a case of Packus Interruptus... Being interrupted while packing.) From now on, no matter how good I think I am... I'm using the checklist!)
After getting clean and pretty with the help of a few items left by mousekeeping (thank goodness I didn't have to use the Palmolive Dishwashing Detergent!) I decide a trip to the Super-Walmart is in order. They have everything don't they? From OKW front gate, it is only 14 minutes to the Super Wal-Mart on 192. Directions: Take a right from OKW. Go all the way to end and take another right. At dead end, go left onto Hotel Plaza Blvd. At the light, go right on 535. Go down until it deadends at 192, go left. Super Walmart is on the right (next to Medieval Times) between the 14 and 15 mile marker. *You will also go by a SAM's Warehouse club on the left, where I bought gas for $1.429 per gallon (about 20 cents cheaper than the WDW area).
On the way to "Super Wallie", I notice I will be going right by the Belz Factory Outlets... (Take a left onto Vineland Avenue after going under the I-4 overpass on 535). So, I zoom in there to check out the "souvenirs" at Character Premier. This is a great shop. I purchase a few Disney Pins, Halloween lanyard, etc.. and decide to grab a Chick-fil-A sandwich for lunch. OOPS! I forgot this is Sunday and they are not open! At the Wal-Mart, I purchase the items I need, including an RCA digital voice recorder for taking notes. Writing them long-hand is turning out to be tedious! Thinking I have everything, I check-out... More on this later... During the trip, I manage to vist the Super-Wal at least 4 more times! LOL!
I go back to my room to load batteries into my voice recorder and blast! The power is on, but the darn thing won't record. After grabbing a bite and napping to try and rid myself of a splitting headache, I decide to head over to Coronado Springs for dinner at the Pepper Market. What a place! The "Sterling" company is having a gigantic convention and for the first time ever, I am in a line to get into the food court! It was fun, however, as I am wearing my "Disbug" Badge and pin lanyard, and it seems to be a great conversation starter. I really enjoyed talking to all the "Conventioneers" I met!
I have a Connections Voucher and am able to get a $35 meal (incl tax and grat) for $11.25! I enjoyed the Prime Rib, with redskin mashed potatoes and fresh grilled veggies, a cup of coffee, and the dessert sampler! YUM! I only wish I had someone there to split the meal, I could not finish the desserts...
Let me speak about the gift shop at Coronado Springs... it is ONE of the BEST! I found so many darling items there. I really loved the way things were arranged. Everything seemed so spacious and organized. The CM's were super! Say hello to ADAM if you stay there! Here are a few of the things I found (ON SALE!): The handmade clay trinket box from Mexico was only $4.99!
After dinner, I make my 2nd trip to the Super Walmart (it is a 24hr store!).. to return my non-working voice recorder and to pick up some additonal items I had forgotten (milk, aspirin, razor). When I returned the RCA recorder, I saw another one from SONY and I grabbed it instead for about the same price. It worked right the first time and every time I used it! YAY!
Time to head for my "home" resort and grab some shut-eye... It has been a long day and I need to get rested up for tomorrow. See ya then!
Great job as usual Disbug 
included, boat and bicycle rentals, a restaurant (Olivia's), gift shop (they ALL have one of those, don't they? 
). I believe I also saw a schedule of children's activities they had planned. Feel free to ask me any specifics you can think of, I have some more literature on this I will share when I find it!
LOL! I'm wondering if my last minute Pack Attack was my subconscious trying to tell me, "HEY... YOU! You forgot a few things!" Thanks for running over from the other boards!
Oh, muffy! What a sweet thing to say! The people from the S/D thread are just the best!
bobump!~ NO, I didn't! AAAAHHH! 
