*Marty_Mouse_House*
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 60
Vacationers:
Husband - early 40s
Self - early 40s (college sweethearts - married 20 years)
Son - 15
Beagle - 9
Active Cat - 3
Friday, June 11, 2004
6:30 a.m. The phone rang and it was Spiderman. We got up and packed our few things together for the car. I made sure to put my Contour Cloud on top of the t.v. cabinet so that I wouldn't forget it. I was carrying some things and the cooler and stopped at the ice machine to fill it up. The fellas had the rest of the luggage.
We stopped at the front desk to clear the bill and then got on our way. We were on the road by 7:10 a.m. Orlando was busy going in the opposite direction. We took the regular highway out of Orlando and not the toll road. We had our usual gas station stops and lunch. We arrived back home just after 4:30 p.m. - our best time ever.
The kennels were open until 6:00 p.m. so we were able to pick up both pets. Our Beagle received an "A" on her report card, as usual. Our Active Cat managed to give her kennel person a big scratch "but only once," she said. She remained in her cubby hole the rest of the time and wouldn't come out. (I assumed she ate and used the litter box when no one was looking.) We told our cat all about the Big Mouse Place that we had visited.
We were winding down for the evening and I started looking around for my pillow - no Contour Cloud anywhere to be seen. Nobody remembered taking it out of the hotel room. The next day I called the hotel and Lost & Found promised me that they would look for it and call me back. They called me back later that day - they went to the room and couldn't find it. I immediately had to purchase an imitation brand just to get me through the next couple of nights. Luckily, I was able to find their website and ordered a couple more.
We had a wonderful Disney trip. It's hard to wait for another year until we can go again. This was also one of our longest trips to Disney with 5 nights at the Contemporary (plus 1 night at the Dolphin and 1 night at the Royal Pacific). I think it was because we had to buy the "package" for the first time ever and prepaid for that many nights. Sometimes we start missing the pets and end up checking out a day or so early.
Other thoughts:
We are not big eaters. We only had 2 sit down restaurant meals our entire stay. Our son is a little too old for the character meals but on our last trip we accidentally fell into one. We were looking for a late lunch place in MGM and went into Hollywood & Vine not knowing what it was. It turned out to be a character buffet - our first one ever - which we really enjoyed. I wouldn't mind doing another one. Counter service is fine with us. Also, drinks and snacks in the room helps. We wished we had brought more juices and water and less soda. We had plenty of that left.
We wish we hadn't worn sandals on the first day. They tore our feet up and we were covered with blisters.
I counted how many Pal Mickey's I saw. The total was 6 in all of the different parks. My husband had asked me at the beginning if I wanted one and I said no, but I really thought I would see a lot more.
I can't emphasize enough how handy the AAA Parking Pass was. All you have to do is buy your park hopper ticket at the AAA office (once you are a member) and they give you the parking passes for free. It was a joy being able to walk in from the first row of the parking lots. Also, it pays to look into how to buy your Park Hoppers less expensively. My husband uses a Hilton visa card and earns points. One of the rewards is a Disney 4 day park hopper plus (includes water park) ticket. Also, the AAA office was selling the remainder of their old 5 day park hoppers for less than the new ones cost. We purchased one of those which qualified us for the parking passes.
Also, we signed up (for free) for the frequent stay cards sponsored at the Dolphin (Starwood), and Royal Pacific (Loew's). Loews gives you a free gift basket and and free upgrade to your room upon arrival. Starwood upgrades your room for free. I did ask at the Dolphin if they would eliminate the $10 newspaper charge and this time they said no, although they have done it before. Also, Starwood is a bit persnickety about keeping your card current. If you don't stay at a Sheraton in a year or two, they threaten to cancel your points.
Did you ever have a cast member give you a "hanging ticket" while you were waiting in line? This happened to us during Honey I Shrunk The Audience and then we had to turn it in when we entered the attraction. We saw them at all the different parks and rides. I guess it was to time how long you stood in line.
We had tickets for the water parks and the miniature golf but we just didn't get to use them. We wanted to make sure we spent all of our time in the parks. Luckily, they never expire, so maybe we'll get around to them one of these trips.
People ask us, "What is it that you like about Disney so much?" I guess they don't understand it. When I answer that we know what kind of trip we are going to have, that the entire family will have a great time (we go to other places and just don't have as good a time), that you can't beat the landscaping and scenery, the friendliness of the place, the cleanliness, the fact that we feel secure at all times and I can even walk around at night by myself if I want (how many places could I do that?), the value of the vacation (traveling is expensive and this gives you a great value for the money. We talk about fees at other places like concerts or zoos or golf, etc. and you just can't beat what Disney gives you), but it's mainly the atmosphere, that you are truly going to get away from it all and see such a high degree of quality stuff from rides, attractions, shows and parades - as well as the general ambiance and theming of the parks that we feel like we just don't get anywhere else. We love Disney and it has become our favorite vacation spot.
My husband and I have both visited Disneyland - and now our son wants to see it. Maybe next summer I'll have a trip report from California!
--------------------
Previous Disney Trips: 30 plus trips in 32 years
Since being married we have stayed at: Fort Wilderness Campground, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, Port Orleans Riverside, Contemporary Resort
Husband - early 40s
Self - early 40s (college sweethearts - married 20 years)
Son - 15
Beagle - 9
Active Cat - 3
Friday, June 11, 2004
6:30 a.m. The phone rang and it was Spiderman. We got up and packed our few things together for the car. I made sure to put my Contour Cloud on top of the t.v. cabinet so that I wouldn't forget it. I was carrying some things and the cooler and stopped at the ice machine to fill it up. The fellas had the rest of the luggage.
We stopped at the front desk to clear the bill and then got on our way. We were on the road by 7:10 a.m. Orlando was busy going in the opposite direction. We took the regular highway out of Orlando and not the toll road. We had our usual gas station stops and lunch. We arrived back home just after 4:30 p.m. - our best time ever.
The kennels were open until 6:00 p.m. so we were able to pick up both pets. Our Beagle received an "A" on her report card, as usual. Our Active Cat managed to give her kennel person a big scratch "but only once," she said. She remained in her cubby hole the rest of the time and wouldn't come out. (I assumed she ate and used the litter box when no one was looking.) We told our cat all about the Big Mouse Place that we had visited.
We were winding down for the evening and I started looking around for my pillow - no Contour Cloud anywhere to be seen. Nobody remembered taking it out of the hotel room. The next day I called the hotel and Lost & Found promised me that they would look for it and call me back. They called me back later that day - they went to the room and couldn't find it. I immediately had to purchase an imitation brand just to get me through the next couple of nights. Luckily, I was able to find their website and ordered a couple more.
We had a wonderful Disney trip. It's hard to wait for another year until we can go again. This was also one of our longest trips to Disney with 5 nights at the Contemporary (plus 1 night at the Dolphin and 1 night at the Royal Pacific). I think it was because we had to buy the "package" for the first time ever and prepaid for that many nights. Sometimes we start missing the pets and end up checking out a day or so early.
Other thoughts:
We are not big eaters. We only had 2 sit down restaurant meals our entire stay. Our son is a little too old for the character meals but on our last trip we accidentally fell into one. We were looking for a late lunch place in MGM and went into Hollywood & Vine not knowing what it was. It turned out to be a character buffet - our first one ever - which we really enjoyed. I wouldn't mind doing another one. Counter service is fine with us. Also, drinks and snacks in the room helps. We wished we had brought more juices and water and less soda. We had plenty of that left.
We wish we hadn't worn sandals on the first day. They tore our feet up and we were covered with blisters.
I counted how many Pal Mickey's I saw. The total was 6 in all of the different parks. My husband had asked me at the beginning if I wanted one and I said no, but I really thought I would see a lot more.
I can't emphasize enough how handy the AAA Parking Pass was. All you have to do is buy your park hopper ticket at the AAA office (once you are a member) and they give you the parking passes for free. It was a joy being able to walk in from the first row of the parking lots. Also, it pays to look into how to buy your Park Hoppers less expensively. My husband uses a Hilton visa card and earns points. One of the rewards is a Disney 4 day park hopper plus (includes water park) ticket. Also, the AAA office was selling the remainder of their old 5 day park hoppers for less than the new ones cost. We purchased one of those which qualified us for the parking passes.
Also, we signed up (for free) for the frequent stay cards sponsored at the Dolphin (Starwood), and Royal Pacific (Loew's). Loews gives you a free gift basket and and free upgrade to your room upon arrival. Starwood upgrades your room for free. I did ask at the Dolphin if they would eliminate the $10 newspaper charge and this time they said no, although they have done it before. Also, Starwood is a bit persnickety about keeping your card current. If you don't stay at a Sheraton in a year or two, they threaten to cancel your points.
Did you ever have a cast member give you a "hanging ticket" while you were waiting in line? This happened to us during Honey I Shrunk The Audience and then we had to turn it in when we entered the attraction. We saw them at all the different parks and rides. I guess it was to time how long you stood in line.
We had tickets for the water parks and the miniature golf but we just didn't get to use them. We wanted to make sure we spent all of our time in the parks. Luckily, they never expire, so maybe we'll get around to them one of these trips.
People ask us, "What is it that you like about Disney so much?" I guess they don't understand it. When I answer that we know what kind of trip we are going to have, that the entire family will have a great time (we go to other places and just don't have as good a time), that you can't beat the landscaping and scenery, the friendliness of the place, the cleanliness, the fact that we feel secure at all times and I can even walk around at night by myself if I want (how many places could I do that?), the value of the vacation (traveling is expensive and this gives you a great value for the money. We talk about fees at other places like concerts or zoos or golf, etc. and you just can't beat what Disney gives you), but it's mainly the atmosphere, that you are truly going to get away from it all and see such a high degree of quality stuff from rides, attractions, shows and parades - as well as the general ambiance and theming of the parks that we feel like we just don't get anywhere else. We love Disney and it has become our favorite vacation spot.
My husband and I have both visited Disneyland - and now our son wants to see it. Maybe next summer I'll have a trip report from California!
--------------------
Previous Disney Trips: 30 plus trips in 32 years
Since being married we have stayed at: Fort Wilderness Campground, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach, Polynesian, Beach Club, Swan and Dolphin, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, Port Orleans Riverside, Contemporary Resort
