patchchild
Mouseketeer<br><font color=deeppink>Shorties of th
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2004
- Messages
- 1,036
December 1-4, 2005
Cast of Characters
Little John (28): best friend since high school, tolerates us women folk planning yet another disney trip. Keeps pretending he doesnt love it too.
Piglet (29): best friends wife. Disney nut!
Stitch (26): my husband. Since the discovery of Stitch, hes a Disney fanatic as the rest of us. Thank goodness for that little blue troublemaker.
Me (26): desperately in need of this Disney fix. Lover of all things bouncy and sparkly.
Friar Tuck: Little Johns father. Spontaneous addition to the trip but a great man to travel with.
Maid Marion (29): Little Johns sister. Unexpected addition to the trip. Not quite sure yet why shes coming.
Flying Through the Holidays, Day 1
I briefly worried that this trip wasnt going to happen. Our limo (an actual limo this time rather than a van!) was scheduled to arrive at 8:00 to bring us to Logan Airport for our 10:55 flight. At 8:15 Little John called the limo company to assure that our transportation was on the way. They assured us it was. 8:20, 8:25, 8:30 he calls a second time. Yes, the limo is on the way. Now, the limo company is based half an hour away from our house, and the limo is now half an hour late which means....
8:35 into the limo with six people and all the luggage for a three day trip. A couple of the bags were in the limo rather than in the trunk and all I can think is, how are we going to fit when six of us travel for a week this summer? I guess Ill worry about that when the time comes. The limo ride was unexciting, fortunately, and we flew through the airport check-in and security. A word of advice about packing your carry-on though. If, for some odd reason, you feel like packing a small electric fan (MM), place it on the top so you dont have to unpack everything to show the perplexed security agent what youve brought.
I highly recommend flying Song. Unfortunately, theyre merging back in with Delta, so well have to see what happens. Our flight was uneventful and even got us into Orlando 10 minutes early. With no checked baggage, we hurried towards the ME counter, hidden away on the first floor. While Piglet went to join the line to check us in, we learned another important lesson. Never send the shortest member of your party to take care of the check-in. Within a minute shed vanished from sight. Twenty minutes later we were convinced that the ME agents must have eaten her because there was no sign at all of her. Finally though, Piglet emerged and the six of us split into two groups to await our busses. Little John, Piglet, Stitch, and I were staying at Pop Century. MM and Friar Tuck were at All Star Sports.
The Pop Century bus came first, after only 25 minutes of waiting, lucky us. I found out later that MM and Friar Tuck waited nearly 40 minutes before departing for their resort. I felt so bad for the ME employees that afternoon. The people waiting were SO rude to them. Overwhelmingly, unnecessarily, nastily rude. Really people, the employees are NOT our to ruin your vacation. They are NOT deliberately ignoring your resort. They are NOT out to get you. Please give them a break.
Fortunately, once we were on the bus, the rest of the vacation was smooth and magical. The bus was quick, clean, and pleasant, although no one had warned the poor driver how irate some of the passengers were. Hello everyone, we have just one more stop before leaving the airport, although all the seat are full well be picking up another thirty passengers at the next terminal so it will be standing room only while we head to the resorts. ...dead silence...nasty glares...quiet moans... Just kidding folks, well be heading right to the resorts as quickly as we can. A few relieved giggles and some foolish Disney promotion later (were already going to the parks, you dont have to sell us on them) we arrived at the first stop, Pop Century, and piled out.
A quick check in gave us rooms with the rubix cube. Unfortunately, they werent able to grant any of our requests (king beds, near the main building, top floor) but two hours after landing we were so thrilled at the idea of dropping our bags, we really didnt care. The four of us headed out to find our rooms, conveniently located next to each other, following the navigational style only possible at a Disney resort. Ok, head past the big wheel, turn left when you see Mr. and Mrs. Potato head, and were in the rubix cube. Hey, it works so you cant knock it. I have to imagine this would be a great resort for drinkers. No matter how much youve had, you cant possibly miss your landmarks. We popped into our second floor rooms, overlooking the laptop pool, and happily dropped our bags. Some quick unpacking and a restroom stop (hidden mickeys in the bathroom wallpaper by the way) and we were back out the door.
At this point we divided up to go our separate ways. Little John and Piglet had 4:45 reservations at Tonys and tickets for MMVCP with Friar Tuck and MM. Stitch and I had plans for Downtown Disney, Disney Quest, and a date with a hammock at the Poly to watch the holiday fireworks. Besides, it was 4:00 and none of us had eaten since 10:00. Earl of Sandwich was calling.
Stitch and I headed for the busses and I began my photo quest. Not only did I have a list of required photos for the Circle Journal Im a part of, I also had my own quests. One, to capture as many hidden mickeys as I could, and second, to photograph as many odd and unusual signs as I could find. Our first bus had the main odd sign I was looking for. Have you ever looked at the rules sign on the back wall of some of the busses? The first two are nice and clear. No smoking. No food or drink. And then theres the third symbol. No old fashion radios? No cartoon whales? No toaster ovens? What does that mean?
Downtown Disney was amazing as usual. The holiday decorations were beautiful, even if we did rush past most of them in search of food. The Earl of Sandwich is my favorite and Id been craving their lemonade since last August. I had a Frenchy and Stitch ordered a Classic. Both were yummy as every but we really didnt take much time to savor them. Now, the lemonade, that we savored. Im still trying to figure out exactly how they get that mix of tea and lemonade to come out just right.
We shopped our way from one end of the strip to the other. I was disappointed at the scrapbooking store. I was really hoping for some fun paper and stickers but they only sell in large set packs. I knew I wouldnt use most of the pages, they were too specific, so we moved on with just a castle punch and some mickey head paper clips. Goofys Candy Co. lived up to all our expectations. You can gain weight just walking through the door and taking a deep breath. Fortunately, youll walk it all off over the next couple of day.
We searched World of Disney for a tame Stitch hat, oxymoron, I know, but we were hoping. They have Stitch on bright orange, Stitch with the word trouble in big red letters, but nothing simple that appealed to my Stitch. That quest will have to continue.
Finally we made it to Disney Quest. As much as we loved it last time we were down here, nothing had changed and we discovered that its much more fun when you have a group of people. Jungle Cruise and Pirates really require a group and the place was so empty that there wasnt anyone around to join up with. We played a lot of the classic video games, built our own roller coaster, but burned out quickly.
As we headed to the busses, it was time to make a decision. Would we actually be awake enough to enjoy the fireworks or would we be better off heading back to the room early. We had plans to be at Epcot for opening the next morning and were both really whipped by that point. The Pop Century bus came around the corner just as we got to the bus stop and that decided it for us. Back home for an early night.
Major lesson learned, go back to having a day just for travel. Planes, trains, and automobiles leave you too tired to really enjoy yourself.
Next up, Soarin and Globe Trottin
Cast of Characters
Little John (28): best friend since high school, tolerates us women folk planning yet another disney trip. Keeps pretending he doesnt love it too.
Piglet (29): best friends wife. Disney nut!
Stitch (26): my husband. Since the discovery of Stitch, hes a Disney fanatic as the rest of us. Thank goodness for that little blue troublemaker.
Me (26): desperately in need of this Disney fix. Lover of all things bouncy and sparkly.
Friar Tuck: Little Johns father. Spontaneous addition to the trip but a great man to travel with.
Maid Marion (29): Little Johns sister. Unexpected addition to the trip. Not quite sure yet why shes coming.
Flying Through the Holidays, Day 1
I briefly worried that this trip wasnt going to happen. Our limo (an actual limo this time rather than a van!) was scheduled to arrive at 8:00 to bring us to Logan Airport for our 10:55 flight. At 8:15 Little John called the limo company to assure that our transportation was on the way. They assured us it was. 8:20, 8:25, 8:30 he calls a second time. Yes, the limo is on the way. Now, the limo company is based half an hour away from our house, and the limo is now half an hour late which means....
8:35 into the limo with six people and all the luggage for a three day trip. A couple of the bags were in the limo rather than in the trunk and all I can think is, how are we going to fit when six of us travel for a week this summer? I guess Ill worry about that when the time comes. The limo ride was unexciting, fortunately, and we flew through the airport check-in and security. A word of advice about packing your carry-on though. If, for some odd reason, you feel like packing a small electric fan (MM), place it on the top so you dont have to unpack everything to show the perplexed security agent what youve brought.
I highly recommend flying Song. Unfortunately, theyre merging back in with Delta, so well have to see what happens. Our flight was uneventful and even got us into Orlando 10 minutes early. With no checked baggage, we hurried towards the ME counter, hidden away on the first floor. While Piglet went to join the line to check us in, we learned another important lesson. Never send the shortest member of your party to take care of the check-in. Within a minute shed vanished from sight. Twenty minutes later we were convinced that the ME agents must have eaten her because there was no sign at all of her. Finally though, Piglet emerged and the six of us split into two groups to await our busses. Little John, Piglet, Stitch, and I were staying at Pop Century. MM and Friar Tuck were at All Star Sports.
The Pop Century bus came first, after only 25 minutes of waiting, lucky us. I found out later that MM and Friar Tuck waited nearly 40 minutes before departing for their resort. I felt so bad for the ME employees that afternoon. The people waiting were SO rude to them. Overwhelmingly, unnecessarily, nastily rude. Really people, the employees are NOT our to ruin your vacation. They are NOT deliberately ignoring your resort. They are NOT out to get you. Please give them a break.
Fortunately, once we were on the bus, the rest of the vacation was smooth and magical. The bus was quick, clean, and pleasant, although no one had warned the poor driver how irate some of the passengers were. Hello everyone, we have just one more stop before leaving the airport, although all the seat are full well be picking up another thirty passengers at the next terminal so it will be standing room only while we head to the resorts. ...dead silence...nasty glares...quiet moans... Just kidding folks, well be heading right to the resorts as quickly as we can. A few relieved giggles and some foolish Disney promotion later (were already going to the parks, you dont have to sell us on them) we arrived at the first stop, Pop Century, and piled out.
A quick check in gave us rooms with the rubix cube. Unfortunately, they werent able to grant any of our requests (king beds, near the main building, top floor) but two hours after landing we were so thrilled at the idea of dropping our bags, we really didnt care. The four of us headed out to find our rooms, conveniently located next to each other, following the navigational style only possible at a Disney resort. Ok, head past the big wheel, turn left when you see Mr. and Mrs. Potato head, and were in the rubix cube. Hey, it works so you cant knock it. I have to imagine this would be a great resort for drinkers. No matter how much youve had, you cant possibly miss your landmarks. We popped into our second floor rooms, overlooking the laptop pool, and happily dropped our bags. Some quick unpacking and a restroom stop (hidden mickeys in the bathroom wallpaper by the way) and we were back out the door.
At this point we divided up to go our separate ways. Little John and Piglet had 4:45 reservations at Tonys and tickets for MMVCP with Friar Tuck and MM. Stitch and I had plans for Downtown Disney, Disney Quest, and a date with a hammock at the Poly to watch the holiday fireworks. Besides, it was 4:00 and none of us had eaten since 10:00. Earl of Sandwich was calling.
Stitch and I headed for the busses and I began my photo quest. Not only did I have a list of required photos for the Circle Journal Im a part of, I also had my own quests. One, to capture as many hidden mickeys as I could, and second, to photograph as many odd and unusual signs as I could find. Our first bus had the main odd sign I was looking for. Have you ever looked at the rules sign on the back wall of some of the busses? The first two are nice and clear. No smoking. No food or drink. And then theres the third symbol. No old fashion radios? No cartoon whales? No toaster ovens? What does that mean?
Downtown Disney was amazing as usual. The holiday decorations were beautiful, even if we did rush past most of them in search of food. The Earl of Sandwich is my favorite and Id been craving their lemonade since last August. I had a Frenchy and Stitch ordered a Classic. Both were yummy as every but we really didnt take much time to savor them. Now, the lemonade, that we savored. Im still trying to figure out exactly how they get that mix of tea and lemonade to come out just right.
We shopped our way from one end of the strip to the other. I was disappointed at the scrapbooking store. I was really hoping for some fun paper and stickers but they only sell in large set packs. I knew I wouldnt use most of the pages, they were too specific, so we moved on with just a castle punch and some mickey head paper clips. Goofys Candy Co. lived up to all our expectations. You can gain weight just walking through the door and taking a deep breath. Fortunately, youll walk it all off over the next couple of day.
We searched World of Disney for a tame Stitch hat, oxymoron, I know, but we were hoping. They have Stitch on bright orange, Stitch with the word trouble in big red letters, but nothing simple that appealed to my Stitch. That quest will have to continue.
Finally we made it to Disney Quest. As much as we loved it last time we were down here, nothing had changed and we discovered that its much more fun when you have a group of people. Jungle Cruise and Pirates really require a group and the place was so empty that there wasnt anyone around to join up with. We played a lot of the classic video games, built our own roller coaster, but burned out quickly.
As we headed to the busses, it was time to make a decision. Would we actually be awake enough to enjoy the fireworks or would we be better off heading back to the room early. We had plans to be at Epcot for opening the next morning and were both really whipped by that point. The Pop Century bus came around the corner just as we got to the bus stop and that decided it for us. Back home for an early night.
Major lesson learned, go back to having a day just for travel. Planes, trains, and automobiles leave you too tired to really enjoy yourself.
Next up, Soarin and Globe Trottin
