Maherae
<font color=red>9/11 We will NEVER forget!<br><fon
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2005
- Messages
- 1,341
The Cast: DH, Bob, 54, the Disney guy
Me, Bob's wife, trip planner extraodinaire
DMIL, Bob's mother, 74
DSIL, Bob's sister, 46
DD, Bob's daughter, 33
DS, Bob's son, 29
DDIL, Bob's son's wife, 28, first time to any Disney property!!
DS2, Bob's other son, 24
This is my first time giving a trip report. I know how much I enjoyed reading other reports, so I thought I would add our adventures.
We arrived on Saturday, March 5th after a fantastic flight on SWA from New Orleans. We had flown in on Friday from TX and OK to my DMIL's house so we could all be together on the flight to WDW. Except the DD. She refused to be included with all of the family on one plane, in case it went down. Are we Irish, or what?? The flight was just like SWA when it first started..the flight attendants started off the flight with, "Has anyone lost a wallet? Now that I have your attention.."and proceeded with the usual preflight instructions. Then there were songs..the last one to the tune of "It's a Small World." It was great!
We had rented a limo as it was my DDIL's first time. I had two bad experiences with Mears in previous years, so decided to try this company. Because there were 8 of us, they had to contract out to another company. The driver wasn't there to meet us as we came down into baggage, but did arrive before our luggage did. After hearing all of the reports about the water, I had opted for a grocery stop. I had called the night before to confirm the ride and the grocery stop. The driver said he was not aware of the grocery stop. After calling his office, he said he could give us 10 minutes. That would work for us..but it shouldn't have been a hassle. I know that the contracting out for the limo messed things up. This driver was really good. He got us to the store, we threw out the guys to get the water and soda and he continued around the parking lot...going BETWEEN cars!!! What a sight that must have been!! The guys jumped back in with water, NO sodas..ah well..and we were off to Wilderness Lodge.
We arrived at 10:45, no bellman around, so the guys find a luggage trolley and load the bags onto it. There's no line at check out or check in. We go right up to Ingrid. Poor, poor Ingrid. This is an experienced CM...fortunately. We start the check in process. We have 3 rooms but one bill. Now, mind you, I have been talking to the Magical Gatherings people for months..I even asked repeatedly if it mattered where they had assigned people to rooms. I was assured that it DID NOT. Well, it did. It took an hour and another CM, Kera, to come and straighten out the mess. But keys were finally given out. We sent the guys to deliver the luggage while we checked in for our PS at Whispering Canyon. The guys came back stating the rooms had two queen beds instead of one with bunk beds. Back to Ingrid...she went in the back and came out with upgrades to Courtyard View. We really did not want courtyard view, but were not about to change now!! All during this difficult time we kept assuring the CM's we were ok with whatever, were not exasperated, we were on VACATION! After everything really was cleared up, the CM at the next window who was in training said that she would have been in tears with all of the mess!!
Lunch at WC was good. Hooting and hollering were going on frequently. We got a quiet waitperson..sad. She did bring my water in a 6 quart square container!! Chilli, pulled pork sandwich, quesadillas, chicken salad were all ample portions and good.
The real rooms were ready, so we dumped our stuff, picked up a penny press book at the mercantile and caught the bus for Epcot.
For a Saturday, Epcot was empty!! While the group went to Spaceship Earth, I went to Mission Space for FP's for everyone. The CM showed me where to get them but then told me I really didn't need them..it was walk on!! And that is what the group did!! Unbelievable!! Test Track was the same until the group finished MS...then it was a 20 minute wait, so FP that one and on to Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. We dabbled in Innovations..I really would hate to be there when there was a crowd!! We sent emails and morphed other pictures..we really had our choice of stations!!
Dinner at Coral Reef was a mix. One table was against the aquarium..awesome!! and the other was right across. Service was disappointing. We ordered salads, which never came, refills on drinks were few, but the food was excellent. Wild salmon, talapin, lobster, catfish, chicken..yummmm. All but the mashed potatoes. Got glowing ice cube drinks for the "kids." During the meal, my DSIL received a call from a friend whose mother had just died. DMIL and DSIL decided to return to the room and I sent my cell with them so she could talk to her friend.
We headed for WS. Glad we brought our jackets..it was chilly!! Saw the last half of British Invasion. "John" and "Paul" were in the audience hamming it up. I was looking over my list of pressed pennies when John joined me..I knew nothing until DH told me later!! Watched Illuminations..what a wonderful show!!
Headed out to the monorail. Fortunately, we asked a CM at the TTC stop how late the boat from the CR to WL ran..just four more minutes! So, we jumped off the monorail to catch the Ferry..whew!!
In the room we had balloons tied to a 5x7 picture of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy wishing us a "Happy 31st." I felt like that had come from the girls at the front desk. We also had a basket of snack goodies from Magical Gatherings..how nice!!
Me, Bob's wife, trip planner extraodinaire
DMIL, Bob's mother, 74
DSIL, Bob's sister, 46
DD, Bob's daughter, 33
DS, Bob's son, 29
DDIL, Bob's son's wife, 28, first time to any Disney property!!
DS2, Bob's other son, 24
This is my first time giving a trip report. I know how much I enjoyed reading other reports, so I thought I would add our adventures.
We arrived on Saturday, March 5th after a fantastic flight on SWA from New Orleans. We had flown in on Friday from TX and OK to my DMIL's house so we could all be together on the flight to WDW. Except the DD. She refused to be included with all of the family on one plane, in case it went down. Are we Irish, or what?? The flight was just like SWA when it first started..the flight attendants started off the flight with, "Has anyone lost a wallet? Now that I have your attention.."and proceeded with the usual preflight instructions. Then there were songs..the last one to the tune of "It's a Small World." It was great!
We had rented a limo as it was my DDIL's first time. I had two bad experiences with Mears in previous years, so decided to try this company. Because there were 8 of us, they had to contract out to another company. The driver wasn't there to meet us as we came down into baggage, but did arrive before our luggage did. After hearing all of the reports about the water, I had opted for a grocery stop. I had called the night before to confirm the ride and the grocery stop. The driver said he was not aware of the grocery stop. After calling his office, he said he could give us 10 minutes. That would work for us..but it shouldn't have been a hassle. I know that the contracting out for the limo messed things up. This driver was really good. He got us to the store, we threw out the guys to get the water and soda and he continued around the parking lot...going BETWEEN cars!!! What a sight that must have been!! The guys jumped back in with water, NO sodas..ah well..and we were off to Wilderness Lodge.
We arrived at 10:45, no bellman around, so the guys find a luggage trolley and load the bags onto it. There's no line at check out or check in. We go right up to Ingrid. Poor, poor Ingrid. This is an experienced CM...fortunately. We start the check in process. We have 3 rooms but one bill. Now, mind you, I have been talking to the Magical Gatherings people for months..I even asked repeatedly if it mattered where they had assigned people to rooms. I was assured that it DID NOT. Well, it did. It took an hour and another CM, Kera, to come and straighten out the mess. But keys were finally given out. We sent the guys to deliver the luggage while we checked in for our PS at Whispering Canyon. The guys came back stating the rooms had two queen beds instead of one with bunk beds. Back to Ingrid...she went in the back and came out with upgrades to Courtyard View. We really did not want courtyard view, but were not about to change now!! All during this difficult time we kept assuring the CM's we were ok with whatever, were not exasperated, we were on VACATION! After everything really was cleared up, the CM at the next window who was in training said that she would have been in tears with all of the mess!!
Lunch at WC was good. Hooting and hollering were going on frequently. We got a quiet waitperson..sad. She did bring my water in a 6 quart square container!! Chilli, pulled pork sandwich, quesadillas, chicken salad were all ample portions and good.
The real rooms were ready, so we dumped our stuff, picked up a penny press book at the mercantile and caught the bus for Epcot.
For a Saturday, Epcot was empty!! While the group went to Spaceship Earth, I went to Mission Space for FP's for everyone. The CM showed me where to get them but then told me I really didn't need them..it was walk on!! And that is what the group did!! Unbelievable!! Test Track was the same until the group finished MS...then it was a 20 minute wait, so FP that one and on to Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. We dabbled in Innovations..I really would hate to be there when there was a crowd!! We sent emails and morphed other pictures..we really had our choice of stations!!
Dinner at Coral Reef was a mix. One table was against the aquarium..awesome!! and the other was right across. Service was disappointing. We ordered salads, which never came, refills on drinks were few, but the food was excellent. Wild salmon, talapin, lobster, catfish, chicken..yummmm. All but the mashed potatoes. Got glowing ice cube drinks for the "kids." During the meal, my DSIL received a call from a friend whose mother had just died. DMIL and DSIL decided to return to the room and I sent my cell with them so she could talk to her friend.
We headed for WS. Glad we brought our jackets..it was chilly!! Saw the last half of British Invasion. "John" and "Paul" were in the audience hamming it up. I was looking over my list of pressed pennies when John joined me..I knew nothing until DH told me later!! Watched Illuminations..what a wonderful show!!
Headed out to the monorail. Fortunately, we asked a CM at the TTC stop how late the boat from the CR to WL ran..just four more minutes! So, we jumped off the monorail to catch the Ferry..whew!!
In the room we had balloons tied to a 5x7 picture of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy wishing us a "Happy 31st." I felt like that had come from the girls at the front desk. We also had a basket of snack goodies from Magical Gatherings..how nice!!
I figured out how to do it!! here ya go!! 
You'll have to wait for the backside..
