Geyser Gazer
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 4, 2001
- Messages
- 428
New Years Day '08 was spent packing, cleaning, and heading to Indianapolis for the night. We did the park/sleep/fly with Wingate since we had to be at the airport by 5:30 am the following day. At 4:50 am the fire alarms throughout the hotel went off making for an abrupt and hectic start. Our youngest daugher Sydney (8) was not looking or feeling so good yet survived security lines as well as our flight. It was chilly for Orlando when we first arrived so we spent the morning at the outlet mall before checking in at the Beach Club Villa's. Despite the chill, the girls Eden (11), Sydney and I still swam in the otherwise empty quiet pool/hot tub. We had a 1 bedroom with a nice big balcony facing the woods/EPCOT from which we were able to watch Illuminations after our dinner of Giordannos pizza and salad.
The following day included more chilly swimming/sliding at Storm Along Bay while my wife Darlene took the opportunity to shop Orlando. We had seafood fettucine for dinner prior to our nightly Illuminations viewing. The following morning we packed up the car and swam some more since it finally started to warm up. After lunch we checked into a savannah view studio at the Animal Kingdom Villa's. Sydney was beside herself, taking hundreds of animal pictures daily. Although the Beach Club was great, this place as well as the Wilderness Lodge seems to stir our souls. We enjoyed Bomas for dinner and breakfast. Eden and I took a culinary tour of the Lodges restraunts which we both enjoyed.
On Sunday the 6th, we met up with Darlenes sister (Dawn) and family at the Wilderness Lodge. They were just finishing up a late breakfast at the Whispering Canyon, and a tired Noah (10) and Isak (5) lit up when they spotted their cousins in the lobby. We swam and slid at the pool until our 2 bedroom was ready. We had a nice lake view and enjoyed a cowboy meal of pigs in the blanket with baked beans for dinner. After breakfast I hit the grocery store again before spending the afternoon hanging out at Hidden Springs pool/hot tub while Dawn and Darlene made their way to Ikea. I planned to cook out steaks for supper but this evening would be the only time it rained the entire trip. Dawn saved us with her Ikea meatball purchase and her husband Christer made swedish potatoes.
Tuesday morning would be our first park day of our 10 day stay. We were at Animal Kingdom and enjoyed chatting with a palm tree before opening time. Half of us did Expedition Everest before meeting up for the Safari. We all then enjoyed the character breakfast at the Tusker House before soaking ourselves twice on Kali Rapids. Afterward we hit Dinoland before watching Nemo the Musical and hopping to the Magic Kingdom. After Buzz and Monsters Comedy Club, Sydney agreed for the first time to try Space Mountain. Eden encouraged her, holding her hand the whole way. While Sydney did not really enjoy the ride itself, you could tell by her face that she was glad that she did it. Off to Fantasy Land for Philharmagic and Small World, skipping Peter Pan due to it having the only long line in the park. We finished up with the updated Haunted Mansion (nice job), Pirates, and Indy Speedway. I opted out of the Indy cars to get set for Wishes which I had to enjoy alone as we were unable to hook up until returning to the Lodge.
Wednesday and off buy some very nice bottles of wine with Christer who knows his way around a vineyard. We enjoyed a glass or two on the balcony before meeting up with the gang at Hidden Springs for the afternoon. Under clear skies I cooked steaks on the grill while Wishes exploded over the Contemprary. Good food, good wine, and good company all day long.
Thursday brings our second and final park day. We opt for Magic Kingdom early entry for Peter Pan, Dumbo, Carosel, and Teacups before hopping to Epcot. The Kids enjoyed getting to ride with the pilot in the front of the monorail enroute. We did Soarin', Nemo, Crush, and Figment before a nice lunch at Lecellier. After lunch we hit Test Track, Mission Space, and the updated Spaceship Earth before hopping to the Studios. There we watched Indiana Jones before riding Star Tours, Tower of Terror, and Rock and Roll Rollercoaster. Back to Epcot for one last Soarin', shopping, snacks, and a spectacular Illuminations show near Norway. Christer, Sydney, the boys, and I slowly strolled around the World Showcase, taking in all the sights and sounds of the quieting park before meeting up with the rest of our crew back at the Wilderness Lodge.
Friday brings packing, cleaning, and Darlenes Birthday. I canceled our Whispering Canyon breakfast as we had steak and eggs in the Villa. After checking out we were able to spend most of the day at Hidden Springs before heading back to the airport late afternoon.
As I finish typing this it is 7 degrees outside yet these memories are keeping me warm.
The following day included more chilly swimming/sliding at Storm Along Bay while my wife Darlene took the opportunity to shop Orlando. We had seafood fettucine for dinner prior to our nightly Illuminations viewing. The following morning we packed up the car and swam some more since it finally started to warm up. After lunch we checked into a savannah view studio at the Animal Kingdom Villa's. Sydney was beside herself, taking hundreds of animal pictures daily. Although the Beach Club was great, this place as well as the Wilderness Lodge seems to stir our souls. We enjoyed Bomas for dinner and breakfast. Eden and I took a culinary tour of the Lodges restraunts which we both enjoyed.
On Sunday the 6th, we met up with Darlenes sister (Dawn) and family at the Wilderness Lodge. They were just finishing up a late breakfast at the Whispering Canyon, and a tired Noah (10) and Isak (5) lit up when they spotted their cousins in the lobby. We swam and slid at the pool until our 2 bedroom was ready. We had a nice lake view and enjoyed a cowboy meal of pigs in the blanket with baked beans for dinner. After breakfast I hit the grocery store again before spending the afternoon hanging out at Hidden Springs pool/hot tub while Dawn and Darlene made their way to Ikea. I planned to cook out steaks for supper but this evening would be the only time it rained the entire trip. Dawn saved us with her Ikea meatball purchase and her husband Christer made swedish potatoes.
Tuesday morning would be our first park day of our 10 day stay. We were at Animal Kingdom and enjoyed chatting with a palm tree before opening time. Half of us did Expedition Everest before meeting up for the Safari. We all then enjoyed the character breakfast at the Tusker House before soaking ourselves twice on Kali Rapids. Afterward we hit Dinoland before watching Nemo the Musical and hopping to the Magic Kingdom. After Buzz and Monsters Comedy Club, Sydney agreed for the first time to try Space Mountain. Eden encouraged her, holding her hand the whole way. While Sydney did not really enjoy the ride itself, you could tell by her face that she was glad that she did it. Off to Fantasy Land for Philharmagic and Small World, skipping Peter Pan due to it having the only long line in the park. We finished up with the updated Haunted Mansion (nice job), Pirates, and Indy Speedway. I opted out of the Indy cars to get set for Wishes which I had to enjoy alone as we were unable to hook up until returning to the Lodge.
Wednesday and off buy some very nice bottles of wine with Christer who knows his way around a vineyard. We enjoyed a glass or two on the balcony before meeting up with the gang at Hidden Springs for the afternoon. Under clear skies I cooked steaks on the grill while Wishes exploded over the Contemprary. Good food, good wine, and good company all day long.
Thursday brings our second and final park day. We opt for Magic Kingdom early entry for Peter Pan, Dumbo, Carosel, and Teacups before hopping to Epcot. The Kids enjoyed getting to ride with the pilot in the front of the monorail enroute. We did Soarin', Nemo, Crush, and Figment before a nice lunch at Lecellier. After lunch we hit Test Track, Mission Space, and the updated Spaceship Earth before hopping to the Studios. There we watched Indiana Jones before riding Star Tours, Tower of Terror, and Rock and Roll Rollercoaster. Back to Epcot for one last Soarin', shopping, snacks, and a spectacular Illuminations show near Norway. Christer, Sydney, the boys, and I slowly strolled around the World Showcase, taking in all the sights and sounds of the quieting park before meeting up with the rest of our crew back at the Wilderness Lodge.
Friday brings packing, cleaning, and Darlenes Birthday. I canceled our Whispering Canyon breakfast as we had steak and eggs in the Villa. After checking out we were able to spend most of the day at Hidden Springs before heading back to the airport late afternoon.
As I finish typing this it is 7 degrees outside yet these memories are keeping me warm.
