For many years my golf foursome has taken a fall trip to Myrtle Beach . As we got older we cut back from 36 holes per day for 5 days to 18 holes 4 of the 5 days. We often discussed a trip to WDW for the golf. We finally made this year the year for the WDW outing. The foursome (ages 77, 77, 68, and 55) departed Baltimore the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This trip was going to be a lot more expensive then our regular MB trip. We decided to use Disney transportation to save a few bucks. We used Disneys Magical Express service, so we checked the bags at the curb. The next time we saw them was in our rooms at Disneys Old Key West Resort. A note here may be helpful. We had originally planned to get the early plane on Sunday and play that afternoon. That would have never worked. The baggage does not travel on the bus, and may take up to 3 hours to reach the Resort. Also, you need to allow 3 hours for the baggage to get to your plane for the return flight.
My first, and only disappointment was our room assignments. I had called several months ago, and repeated the request for a first floor, near the Hospitality House. Although I have a handicap sticker for my car, I did not think that it would be necessary to go into that much detail. I have been a DVC member since 1995, so I understood that all my request may not be met. I was comfortable with the knowledge that they would do their best. But, we were assigned to Building 38 on the third floor. The cast members at OKW were very understanding of our problem. However, it was Saturday night, so they suggested that they could reassign us the next day. Our main concern was lugging the clubs on the stairs. Fortunately, when we returned from dinner our clubs were in the villa. We decided to suck it up and crawl up the steps after each round. To aid to my discontent, my Welcome Home packet had a stamp to Check Requests. It is prettylesr that a late check in will get you whatever is left, even after internet check in. After that situation, everything was extremely well handled. Disney provides transportation to and from the courses. I dont think we ever had to wait more than 5 minutes for a van.
The first night was to DTD. I had to pickup my annual pass and Tables In Wonderland card. Dinner at Ragland Road was very good. A bit noisy in the main room, but a fun start to the trip. The first day, Sunday, we played Osprey Ridge. Our clubs were moved each night to our next scheduled course. A super service, very much appreciated by all.
Dinner that night was at The Cape May Seafood Buffet. Cab fare was about $20 including tip. I am usually able to control myself, but we had not eaten since breakfast at Olivias. We waddled out to the boat docks, past Beaches and Cream, to catch the boat to the Studios. Our original plan was to walk back to see the Osbourne Lights, but our legs would not move that far. We did take time to see the Great Movie Ride. Bus back to OKW, and the climb to our villas.
Magnolia was on the schedule for Monday. After golf, we asked our van driver to take us to The Contemporary Resort for dinner at The Wave. It was my first visit, but will return. After dinner, we took the monorail to the MK. It was parade and fireworks night. I also thought that the original parade was the best. I was a little disappointed. It may my failing memory, but I thought that the music was different. Still pretty spectacular, as were the fireworks. I did get my only Mickey Bar of the trip. Ill make up for that in February.
Our original plan was to take Tuesday off from golf for a trip to Epcot. We had super weather the first two days, but the forecast for Wednesday was not encouraging. I was able to switch our tee times to Tuesday. This than required changes to our dinner reservations. After golf, we hopped the boat down to DTD for dinner at Portabellos. Excellent meal, with the best calamari. A definite return-to place.
Wednesday was all day at Epcot. Soarin quickly became everyones favorite. A tasty ham & cheese sandwich at the Boulangerie Patisseria was excellent for a light lunch. Dinner at the Flying Fish was superb. It was my third time, and the best. All four ordered the Potato Encrusted Fish house special. It had become quite cold, so we stayed on the Boardwalk. All the aerial fireworks from Epcot were visable.
We started our final golf day well covered as it was pretty cold and windy. However, by the third hole we were down to sweaters. The highlight was a hole-in-one on the 7th hole at the Lake Buena Vista course. Unfortunately not by me, but we did get drinks out of it. Dinner was very good at The Yachtsman Steakhouse. A great way to wind up a fun trip.
My first, and only disappointment was our room assignments. I had called several months ago, and repeated the request for a first floor, near the Hospitality House. Although I have a handicap sticker for my car, I did not think that it would be necessary to go into that much detail. I have been a DVC member since 1995, so I understood that all my request may not be met. I was comfortable with the knowledge that they would do their best. But, we were assigned to Building 38 on the third floor. The cast members at OKW were very understanding of our problem. However, it was Saturday night, so they suggested that they could reassign us the next day. Our main concern was lugging the clubs on the stairs. Fortunately, when we returned from dinner our clubs were in the villa. We decided to suck it up and crawl up the steps after each round. To aid to my discontent, my Welcome Home packet had a stamp to Check Requests. It is prettylesr that a late check in will get you whatever is left, even after internet check in. After that situation, everything was extremely well handled. Disney provides transportation to and from the courses. I dont think we ever had to wait more than 5 minutes for a van.
The first night was to DTD. I had to pickup my annual pass and Tables In Wonderland card. Dinner at Ragland Road was very good. A bit noisy in the main room, but a fun start to the trip. The first day, Sunday, we played Osprey Ridge. Our clubs were moved each night to our next scheduled course. A super service, very much appreciated by all.
Dinner that night was at The Cape May Seafood Buffet. Cab fare was about $20 including tip. I am usually able to control myself, but we had not eaten since breakfast at Olivias. We waddled out to the boat docks, past Beaches and Cream, to catch the boat to the Studios. Our original plan was to walk back to see the Osbourne Lights, but our legs would not move that far. We did take time to see the Great Movie Ride. Bus back to OKW, and the climb to our villas.
Magnolia was on the schedule for Monday. After golf, we asked our van driver to take us to The Contemporary Resort for dinner at The Wave. It was my first visit, but will return. After dinner, we took the monorail to the MK. It was parade and fireworks night. I also thought that the original parade was the best. I was a little disappointed. It may my failing memory, but I thought that the music was different. Still pretty spectacular, as were the fireworks. I did get my only Mickey Bar of the trip. Ill make up for that in February.
Our original plan was to take Tuesday off from golf for a trip to Epcot. We had super weather the first two days, but the forecast for Wednesday was not encouraging. I was able to switch our tee times to Tuesday. This than required changes to our dinner reservations. After golf, we hopped the boat down to DTD for dinner at Portabellos. Excellent meal, with the best calamari. A definite return-to place.
Wednesday was all day at Epcot. Soarin quickly became everyones favorite. A tasty ham & cheese sandwich at the Boulangerie Patisseria was excellent for a light lunch. Dinner at the Flying Fish was superb. It was my third time, and the best. All four ordered the Potato Encrusted Fish house special. It had become quite cold, so we stayed on the Boardwalk. All the aerial fireworks from Epcot were visable.
We started our final golf day well covered as it was pretty cold and windy. However, by the third hole we were down to sweaters. The highlight was a hole-in-one on the 7th hole at the Lake Buena Vista course. Unfortunately not by me, but we did get drinks out of it. Dinner was very good at The Yachtsman Steakhouse. A great way to wind up a fun trip.
