honeymo78
Don't dream it, be it
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2002
- Messages
- 4,493
DAY 1 The Journey
DHs parents arrived a bit early to take us to the airport almost a half hour early, but we were up and almost ready to go. I saved time by leaving my hair up the way it had been done for the wedding so I didnt need to wash it in the morning. After gathering up all the last minute items and running through my mental checklist to make sure I hadnt forgotten anything, we were in the car and off to the airport.
Curbside checkin for US Airways at PHL was a breeze. The skycap gave us additional boarding passes so we didnt have to use the ones printed from home. We said goodbye to DHs parents and were off to find the security line. Apparently at 6am there is no line for security. However, all the bobby pins in my hair set off the metal detector and I had to get wended. No big deal since there was no hurry. We found the gate with no trouble and sat down for our long wait for a scheduled 7:50 departure. After a little while DH went and got us egg sandwiches for breakfast and we talked about seeing if a first class upgrade was available. As soon as the desk opened DH got us upgraded for $100 each but we would have to ask some of the other passengers to switch so we could sit next to each other. This turned out to be one of the best moves of the trip. While I went to the ladies room, DH struck up a conversation with the flight attendants who sat down across from us. We had our mickey bride and groom ears with us and they made us put them on and they took some pictures and promised to get us seated together.
We soon learned that our plane was still hanging out at the international terminal (no one seemed to know why) and it had to be moved to our gate. Apparently it is not very easy to move a plane from gate to gate b/c we had to wait almost until about 8:30 to board the plane. Heres where first class came in handy we were able to get settled on the plane and had a drink and snack while we were waiting for everyone to board and fuel the plane and do all that crap that gets done before you board when the plane is actually at your gate. The other first class passengers were more than happy to let us sit together.
There was no champagne on the flight otherwise we would have been in store for a really good time. Actually we were happy with just soft drinks. Since we were in first class we also got the morning snack for free (croissant and fruit). The rest of the flight was uneventful and we arrived in Orlando about an hour behind schedule.
Upon arrival at baggage claim we called Jimmy at Golden Limo to let us know we had finally arrived. He had been waiting in the limo lot for us to arrive. Now, we normally have to wait forever for our luggage at MCO but maybe since we were already running late they picked up the pace and we were on our way within a half hour of landing. Jimmy had the black limo we requested and water and soft drinks. Jimmy provided us with great service as usual and in no time we were pulling into the Wilderness Lodge.
There was a bit of a wait to check in but nothing too bad. There was another honeymoon couple checking in a few people in front of us I wonder if they got our tub? The CM who checked us in wasnt very knowledgeable about our package we were on the premium plan which includes recreation, tours and 3 meals a day. He kept trying to tell us some of our meals would be 2 credits and where we could get our snacks that would have been great if we were on the dining add on. We did get the king bed we had requested but not a tub. We even made him go back and check if there were any rooms with a tub available but no luck. I was a bit bummed since I like to soak my feet every night to help my blisters and swollen feet but we were determined to make the most of it. On the plus side, our room was ready so we went right up to 6098 which is right above the lobby and looks out on the bus stop walkway.
I guess thats what they mean by lodge/woods category. As we learned later, we will never take a tubless room again even if it means going to 2 queen beds. The shower floods the entire bathroom since there is no lip at all on the floor, just a slight bump. I know this is for wheelchairs but next time Ill just be sure to take a different room. I did take a couple pictures of the room and view but forgot to get some of the bathroom before we moved (more on that later in the trip).
After dropping our stuff off in the room we went down to guest services to pick up our hoop-dee-doo tickets. Im not sure if the guy was new or what but he didnt charge the tickets to our package properly so we ended up with an extra meal credit each. I checked when I got home and the credit card I used to hold them wasnt charged either. We then headed to the MK bus stop to get our honeymoon truly started. Just a tip by all means use the bus to MK over the boat, the wait was never more than about 5 min and the trip is so quick.
Next installment First Day Fun
DHs parents arrived a bit early to take us to the airport almost a half hour early, but we were up and almost ready to go. I saved time by leaving my hair up the way it had been done for the wedding so I didnt need to wash it in the morning. After gathering up all the last minute items and running through my mental checklist to make sure I hadnt forgotten anything, we were in the car and off to the airport.
Curbside checkin for US Airways at PHL was a breeze. The skycap gave us additional boarding passes so we didnt have to use the ones printed from home. We said goodbye to DHs parents and were off to find the security line. Apparently at 6am there is no line for security. However, all the bobby pins in my hair set off the metal detector and I had to get wended. No big deal since there was no hurry. We found the gate with no trouble and sat down for our long wait for a scheduled 7:50 departure. After a little while DH went and got us egg sandwiches for breakfast and we talked about seeing if a first class upgrade was available. As soon as the desk opened DH got us upgraded for $100 each but we would have to ask some of the other passengers to switch so we could sit next to each other. This turned out to be one of the best moves of the trip. While I went to the ladies room, DH struck up a conversation with the flight attendants who sat down across from us. We had our mickey bride and groom ears with us and they made us put them on and they took some pictures and promised to get us seated together.
We soon learned that our plane was still hanging out at the international terminal (no one seemed to know why) and it had to be moved to our gate. Apparently it is not very easy to move a plane from gate to gate b/c we had to wait almost until about 8:30 to board the plane. Heres where first class came in handy we were able to get settled on the plane and had a drink and snack while we were waiting for everyone to board and fuel the plane and do all that crap that gets done before you board when the plane is actually at your gate. The other first class passengers were more than happy to let us sit together.
There was no champagne on the flight otherwise we would have been in store for a really good time. Actually we were happy with just soft drinks. Since we were in first class we also got the morning snack for free (croissant and fruit). The rest of the flight was uneventful and we arrived in Orlando about an hour behind schedule.
Upon arrival at baggage claim we called Jimmy at Golden Limo to let us know we had finally arrived. He had been waiting in the limo lot for us to arrive. Now, we normally have to wait forever for our luggage at MCO but maybe since we were already running late they picked up the pace and we were on our way within a half hour of landing. Jimmy had the black limo we requested and water and soft drinks. Jimmy provided us with great service as usual and in no time we were pulling into the Wilderness Lodge.
There was a bit of a wait to check in but nothing too bad. There was another honeymoon couple checking in a few people in front of us I wonder if they got our tub? The CM who checked us in wasnt very knowledgeable about our package we were on the premium plan which includes recreation, tours and 3 meals a day. He kept trying to tell us some of our meals would be 2 credits and where we could get our snacks that would have been great if we were on the dining add on. We did get the king bed we had requested but not a tub. We even made him go back and check if there were any rooms with a tub available but no luck. I was a bit bummed since I like to soak my feet every night to help my blisters and swollen feet but we were determined to make the most of it. On the plus side, our room was ready so we went right up to 6098 which is right above the lobby and looks out on the bus stop walkway.
I guess thats what they mean by lodge/woods category. As we learned later, we will never take a tubless room again even if it means going to 2 queen beds. The shower floods the entire bathroom since there is no lip at all on the floor, just a slight bump. I know this is for wheelchairs but next time Ill just be sure to take a different room. I did take a couple pictures of the room and view but forgot to get some of the bathroom before we moved (more on that later in the trip).
After dropping our stuff off in the room we went down to guest services to pick up our hoop-dee-doo tickets. Im not sure if the guy was new or what but he didnt charge the tickets to our package properly so we ended up with an extra meal credit each. I checked when I got home and the credit card I used to hold them wasnt charged either. We then headed to the MK bus stop to get our honeymoon truly started. Just a tip by all means use the bus to MK over the boat, the wait was never more than about 5 min and the trip is so quick.
Next installment First Day Fun
I dont' live there anymore, but it sure is a Small World! 
