Our family just returned from our first-ever trip to the World! It was so great! We are from Liberty, Texas, near Houston. Just me, DH, and our DS, age 9 1/2.
We left Sunday 7/24 around 7:30 a.m. No problems on the road at all. We were making good time so around lunchtime we detoured a little bit from I-10 and drove the scenic route from Gulfport to Biloxi. Had lunch at O'Charley's in Biloxi overlooking the Gulf, near the mall. Spent the afternoon driving and made it to Tallahassee around 7:30. I read Bridget Jones' Diary while DH drove. It was hilarious! We spent the night at La Quinta. DS loved the hotel room. I said, "If you like this, just wait until we get to our resort!"
Got up early and were on the road by 8:00 or so Monday. No problems getting in to Orlando. I finished my book just before we got to the CBR. There was a long line at the Custom House but it moved fairly quickly. Our room wasn't ready but we got our room cards and moved the car to the parking lot outside our village. Then we hopped on the bus and went to the Magic Kingdom.
The first time you see Cinderella's castle is a breathtaking moment. The castle is so beautiful. The Cinderellabration show was going on when we got there, and the music and costumes just puts a lump in your throat. We made our way to Tomorrowland and got fastpasses for Space Mountain.
While we were waiting for our return time, we went on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. This is a very gentle ride and it gives you a nice overview of Tomorrowland, just what we needed as first-time visitors. DH wanted to go on the Carousel of Progess, so we did that. I was itching to get off, but oh well. It's his vacation too. It got stuck at the end and we had to repeat the last scene. Hurry up, I kept saying to myself!
We were hungry, so we ate at Cosmic Ray's. DH and DS got into the chicken line and I got into the soup/salad line. I had a bacon turkey wrap and some grapes. This was the point in the trip where I was still trying to stick to my diet. I have been on the South Beach Diet for a year and a half and I've lost 50 lb. Part of my motivation was this trip! I wanted to fit comfortably into the rides!
After lunch it was time for Space Mountain! We got into the fastpass line along with a whole bunch of Brazilian teenagers. They were all over the park. But they were OK. While we were in line, the lights suddenly went on and we heard this announcement: "Space travelers, you are in a holding pattern until further notice!" We surmised that the ride had broken down and we would all have to get out of line. I was bummed, because I wanted to finish up Tomorrowland and Fantasyland that afternoon. I figured there was no way we were going to do that now. 15 minutes passed, and there were no further announcements. People were getting out of line. I didn't know whether we should or not. Then, the lights went back out and the line began moving again! Hooray! The ride was evidently fixed, either that or the vomit had been cleaned up! When it was our turn to board the ride -- guess what? Front seat! Boo-ya! DS wanted in the middle, so I got in front! What a thrill! We all loved it!
After that ride, DH and DS went on the Indy Speedway and I went shopping. I got DS a lanyard, some pins, an autograph book, and a pen. I got him a couple of Star Wars pins. We looked for Darth Vader but couldn't find him. After Indy Speedway we walked around Tomorrowland a little more and then it was time for dinner.
Dinner our first night was Chef Mickey's. I had heard this was a good choice for your first night because it gets you into the Disney mood. We rode the monorail to the Contemporary. Dinner was a blast! We had our picture taken and we bought the entire package. No way was I going to let any of that go! All the characters were fantastic. I flirted with Goofy and told him I had loved him all my life. He acted embarrassed and covered up his eyes with his ears! So funny! When Mickey came around I was so excited. I rubbed his ears and he acted like he didn't like that. Then he rubbed my ears. Funny! DS got all their autographs. He decided he liked Chip and Dale. I couldn't figure out why he liked them so much, he's never really seen them on cartoons. He said he liked them because they were chipmunks. I was surprised how much he liked the characters, since he is already 9. But he enjoyed getting their autographs and we got some great pictures!
After dinner we rode the monorail back to the MK. More pixie dust: We got to ride in the front! Our driver was very informative and friendly. But we didn't get any certificate when it was over. Hmm? We got to the MK just in time for the Spectromagic parade. We carved out a little piece of concrete and squeezed ourselves in. The parade was fabulous. The fireworks afterwards were breathtaking. I was in tears. I was thinking about my Dad. He just passed away last April and I was remembering how much he loved to take my sister and me to amusement parks when we were little. I felt his presence very strongly during that fireworks show.
A perfect ending to a perfect first day! Tomorrow is our first full day and we can't wait!
We left Sunday 7/24 around 7:30 a.m. No problems on the road at all. We were making good time so around lunchtime we detoured a little bit from I-10 and drove the scenic route from Gulfport to Biloxi. Had lunch at O'Charley's in Biloxi overlooking the Gulf, near the mall. Spent the afternoon driving and made it to Tallahassee around 7:30. I read Bridget Jones' Diary while DH drove. It was hilarious! We spent the night at La Quinta. DS loved the hotel room. I said, "If you like this, just wait until we get to our resort!"
Got up early and were on the road by 8:00 or so Monday. No problems getting in to Orlando. I finished my book just before we got to the CBR. There was a long line at the Custom House but it moved fairly quickly. Our room wasn't ready but we got our room cards and moved the car to the parking lot outside our village. Then we hopped on the bus and went to the Magic Kingdom.
The first time you see Cinderella's castle is a breathtaking moment. The castle is so beautiful. The Cinderellabration show was going on when we got there, and the music and costumes just puts a lump in your throat. We made our way to Tomorrowland and got fastpasses for Space Mountain.
While we were waiting for our return time, we went on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. This is a very gentle ride and it gives you a nice overview of Tomorrowland, just what we needed as first-time visitors. DH wanted to go on the Carousel of Progess, so we did that. I was itching to get off, but oh well. It's his vacation too. It got stuck at the end and we had to repeat the last scene. Hurry up, I kept saying to myself!
We were hungry, so we ate at Cosmic Ray's. DH and DS got into the chicken line and I got into the soup/salad line. I had a bacon turkey wrap and some grapes. This was the point in the trip where I was still trying to stick to my diet. I have been on the South Beach Diet for a year and a half and I've lost 50 lb. Part of my motivation was this trip! I wanted to fit comfortably into the rides!
After lunch it was time for Space Mountain! We got into the fastpass line along with a whole bunch of Brazilian teenagers. They were all over the park. But they were OK. While we were in line, the lights suddenly went on and we heard this announcement: "Space travelers, you are in a holding pattern until further notice!" We surmised that the ride had broken down and we would all have to get out of line. I was bummed, because I wanted to finish up Tomorrowland and Fantasyland that afternoon. I figured there was no way we were going to do that now. 15 minutes passed, and there were no further announcements. People were getting out of line. I didn't know whether we should or not. Then, the lights went back out and the line began moving again! Hooray! The ride was evidently fixed, either that or the vomit had been cleaned up! When it was our turn to board the ride -- guess what? Front seat! Boo-ya! DS wanted in the middle, so I got in front! What a thrill! We all loved it!
After that ride, DH and DS went on the Indy Speedway and I went shopping. I got DS a lanyard, some pins, an autograph book, and a pen. I got him a couple of Star Wars pins. We looked for Darth Vader but couldn't find him. After Indy Speedway we walked around Tomorrowland a little more and then it was time for dinner.
Dinner our first night was Chef Mickey's. I had heard this was a good choice for your first night because it gets you into the Disney mood. We rode the monorail to the Contemporary. Dinner was a blast! We had our picture taken and we bought the entire package. No way was I going to let any of that go! All the characters were fantastic. I flirted with Goofy and told him I had loved him all my life. He acted embarrassed and covered up his eyes with his ears! So funny! When Mickey came around I was so excited. I rubbed his ears and he acted like he didn't like that. Then he rubbed my ears. Funny! DS got all their autographs. He decided he liked Chip and Dale. I couldn't figure out why he liked them so much, he's never really seen them on cartoons. He said he liked them because they were chipmunks. I was surprised how much he liked the characters, since he is already 9. But he enjoyed getting their autographs and we got some great pictures!
After dinner we rode the monorail back to the MK. More pixie dust: We got to ride in the front! Our driver was very informative and friendly. But we didn't get any certificate when it was over. Hmm? We got to the MK just in time for the Spectromagic parade. We carved out a little piece of concrete and squeezed ourselves in. The parade was fabulous. The fireworks afterwards were breathtaking. I was in tears. I was thinking about my Dad. He just passed away last April and I was remembering how much he loved to take my sister and me to amusement parks when we were little. I felt his presence very strongly during that fireworks show.
A perfect ending to a perfect first day! Tomorrow is our first full day and we can't wait!
We are taking my niece for her first trip to the world next Jun. I can't wait.
Congrats on your loss that is wonderful. Your trip sounds great! Thanks for sharing 
