Kaycee
Magic is everywhere if you know where to look
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2001
- Messages
- 4,641
The Cast:
Kaycee: Thats me! This is my ninth WDW trip, the fifth in four years. I love Mickey, Walt, roller coasters, and the classics like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. I hate waiting in line, and I love planning WDW trips.
Helen: This is Helens second WDW trip. Her first trip was in 2002 when she attended a convention in Orlando. She didnt get to do a lot on that trip. She loves thrill rides, the teacups, and fireworks. She let me do all the planning for our trip.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Our flight left Lexington, Kentucky very early Thursday morning. We flew to Chicago and then on to MCO, arriving at 12:30pm. Our Florida Tours driver met us at baggage claim, loaded our luggage into the car and drove us to the Swan. This was my second time using Florida Tours, and Ive been very pleased with them both times. The drivers are friendly and efficient, and the cars are clean and comfortable. We checked in at the Swan and our room was ready. We stayed in room 421, and it was a great room. Our balcony overlooked the Christmas tree in the courtyard between the Swan and Dolphin. I stayed at the Dolphin a few years ago, but that was before the S/D renovations. I really like the lighter decor that they have now. This was my first stay at the Swan, and my first experience sleeping on a heavenly bed. It definitely lives up to its name! Now that Ive stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin, I can say that I prefer the Swan. We had a nice stay at the Dolphin, but it was so big it felt cold and a bit imposing. The Swan is smaller, and it has a much more intimate feel. The staff members at the Swan were friendlier too.
We went to our room and unpacked, then headed over to the Dolphin to get some lunch. It was 2:30pm by then, and we were starving. We had lunch at the Dolphin Fountain, then checked out the Christmas decorations. I love the poinsettia tree in the lobby with the Dolphin train going around it.
After lunch, we went back to the room. Helen said she wanted to take a nap before MVMCP. While she napped, I walked over to Epcot to purchase my AP. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I really enjoyed my stroll along the Boardwalk. I purchased my AP at the International Gateway, then I couldnt resist entering Epcot and taking a quick walk through Great Britain and Canada. I love World Showcase, and I was just so happy to be back at WDW. I walked back to the Swan, stopping to take a picture for a family in the lobby. I love doing that! Helen had just gotten up from her nap, so we freshened up and caught the bus to MK and MVMCP. I had made a PS for Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, but we had such a late lunch we werent hungry, so we cancelled it.
We arrived at MK at 5:45pm. We strolled up Main Street, just soaking up the atmosphere and taking in the beautiful Christmas decorations. The CMs were clearing people out of Fantasyland and Adventureland and directing everyone to Tomorrowland, so we headed that way. As we walked by the Timekeeper, a CM stopped us and said they were taking MVMCP pictures and that this would be the best time to get them made. We really lucked out there, because we only waited about 10 minutes to get our pictures made. We saw long lines later that evening at every location where the pictures were being taken. After our pictures were done, we walked into Buzz Lightyear. I had been worried that Tomorrowland would be jam-packed with people between 6 and 7, which was why Id planned on having dinner during that time. But the crowds were very light, and we were able to walk onto everything. Helen had never been on Buzz Lightyear, and at first I was stomping her butt, but she rallied from behind and beat me in the end. I was a good sport though and didnt pout for more than a few minutes.
We rode Space Mountain next. I adore this ride. It was Helens first time on it, and she loved it. We had walked right on, so when we got off we decided to just walk right back on again. It was great! After our second ride on SM, we rode TTA. I cant go to MK without riding TTA at least once, but its much better on a hot, crowded summer day when you need to relax and get out of the heat for a few minutes. As we were nearing the end of the ride, the announcement was made that MVMCP was starting. We headed for Mickeys Star Traders to look for the MVMCP pin before heading out of Tomorrowland. The pin that night had Woody and Buzz on it, and while I love those characters, I only buy Mickey pins (a girl has to set some limits) so I didnt buy it.
We left Tomorrowland and stopped in front of the castle to watch a little of the show there. I was thrilled to see that the crowd level was much lighter than Id expected. Im not big on watching these kinds of shows, and Helen didnt care one way or another, so after a few minutes we moved on. We found the hot chocolate and cookies at Hall of Presidents (yummy!) then walked over to Haunted Mansion. We walked straight onto the ride, like everything else this evening. Haunted Mansion is one of my very favorite rides, and I enjoyed it as much as always. Ive ridden it dozens of times, but I see something new every time. Now that Small World has been closed for my last two trips, HM is the only ride Ive been on every trip, including my first trip the year the park opened.
Next we rode Splash Mountain. I have been on this ride several times, but always in the summer. Ive never gotten more than a few drops of water on me. Well, this evening was pretty chilly, so Im sure you can guess what happened. I got drenched! It was like someone dumped a bucket of water directly on my head. My hair and face were dripping, and my shoulders got splattered, but the rest of me stayed dry. I love this ride, but that water smells really nasty, so I wasnt real thrilled to have my head and face soaked in it. Plus, I was freezing for quite a while after that. We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad next, and I had fun on it, but that wind on my wet hair was not so pleasant. At this point I was so cold, we decided to get more hot chocolate and cookies at Columbia Harbour House. I dried my hair the best I could in the restroom there, and after the hot chocolate I felt a little better. That was my only ride on Splash Mountain this trip though. From now on, Im saving that one for summer trips.
It was time to go find a spot to watch Wishes. We headed over to the bridge to Tomorrowland and found a spot where the Tomorrowland bridge meets the path to the rose garden. I could see the wire where Tinkerbell flies, so we stood directly under that. DH is not a fireworks fan, and he likes getting out of the parks ahead of the rest of the crowd, so Ive never seen Wishes. Helen saw the MK fireworks on her first trip, but that was before Wishes. Well, we were both just blown away by how fantastic this fireworks show was. The fireworks were amazing, and the music just added to the magic. When Tinkerbell flew directly over us, it was too cool. After Wishes, we went to see Mickeys Philharmagic. This was my third time seeing it, and I love it more each time. Helen really liked it a lot too. After the movie, it was time to line up for the parade. We got a nice spot on Main Street, where the snow was falling. It was cold enough to believe that it was real snow. We both enjoyed the parade, and we agreed it was worth standing in the cold to see.
After the parade, we left the MK and caught a bus to the Swan. We were in bed by midnight after having a magical first day at WDW.
Kaycee: Thats me! This is my ninth WDW trip, the fifth in four years. I love Mickey, Walt, roller coasters, and the classics like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. I hate waiting in line, and I love planning WDW trips.
Helen: This is Helens second WDW trip. Her first trip was in 2002 when she attended a convention in Orlando. She didnt get to do a lot on that trip. She loves thrill rides, the teacups, and fireworks. She let me do all the planning for our trip.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Our flight left Lexington, Kentucky very early Thursday morning. We flew to Chicago and then on to MCO, arriving at 12:30pm. Our Florida Tours driver met us at baggage claim, loaded our luggage into the car and drove us to the Swan. This was my second time using Florida Tours, and Ive been very pleased with them both times. The drivers are friendly and efficient, and the cars are clean and comfortable. We checked in at the Swan and our room was ready. We stayed in room 421, and it was a great room. Our balcony overlooked the Christmas tree in the courtyard between the Swan and Dolphin. I stayed at the Dolphin a few years ago, but that was before the S/D renovations. I really like the lighter decor that they have now. This was my first stay at the Swan, and my first experience sleeping on a heavenly bed. It definitely lives up to its name! Now that Ive stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin, I can say that I prefer the Swan. We had a nice stay at the Dolphin, but it was so big it felt cold and a bit imposing. The Swan is smaller, and it has a much more intimate feel. The staff members at the Swan were friendlier too.
We went to our room and unpacked, then headed over to the Dolphin to get some lunch. It was 2:30pm by then, and we were starving. We had lunch at the Dolphin Fountain, then checked out the Christmas decorations. I love the poinsettia tree in the lobby with the Dolphin train going around it.
After lunch, we went back to the room. Helen said she wanted to take a nap before MVMCP. While she napped, I walked over to Epcot to purchase my AP. It was a beautiful, sunny day and I really enjoyed my stroll along the Boardwalk. I purchased my AP at the International Gateway, then I couldnt resist entering Epcot and taking a quick walk through Great Britain and Canada. I love World Showcase, and I was just so happy to be back at WDW. I walked back to the Swan, stopping to take a picture for a family in the lobby. I love doing that! Helen had just gotten up from her nap, so we freshened up and caught the bus to MK and MVMCP. I had made a PS for Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner, but we had such a late lunch we werent hungry, so we cancelled it.
We arrived at MK at 5:45pm. We strolled up Main Street, just soaking up the atmosphere and taking in the beautiful Christmas decorations. The CMs were clearing people out of Fantasyland and Adventureland and directing everyone to Tomorrowland, so we headed that way. As we walked by the Timekeeper, a CM stopped us and said they were taking MVMCP pictures and that this would be the best time to get them made. We really lucked out there, because we only waited about 10 minutes to get our pictures made. We saw long lines later that evening at every location where the pictures were being taken. After our pictures were done, we walked into Buzz Lightyear. I had been worried that Tomorrowland would be jam-packed with people between 6 and 7, which was why Id planned on having dinner during that time. But the crowds were very light, and we were able to walk onto everything. Helen had never been on Buzz Lightyear, and at first I was stomping her butt, but she rallied from behind and beat me in the end. I was a good sport though and didnt pout for more than a few minutes.
We rode Space Mountain next. I adore this ride. It was Helens first time on it, and she loved it. We had walked right on, so when we got off we decided to just walk right back on again. It was great! After our second ride on SM, we rode TTA. I cant go to MK without riding TTA at least once, but its much better on a hot, crowded summer day when you need to relax and get out of the heat for a few minutes. As we were nearing the end of the ride, the announcement was made that MVMCP was starting. We headed for Mickeys Star Traders to look for the MVMCP pin before heading out of Tomorrowland. The pin that night had Woody and Buzz on it, and while I love those characters, I only buy Mickey pins (a girl has to set some limits) so I didnt buy it.
We left Tomorrowland and stopped in front of the castle to watch a little of the show there. I was thrilled to see that the crowd level was much lighter than Id expected. Im not big on watching these kinds of shows, and Helen didnt care one way or another, so after a few minutes we moved on. We found the hot chocolate and cookies at Hall of Presidents (yummy!) then walked over to Haunted Mansion. We walked straight onto the ride, like everything else this evening. Haunted Mansion is one of my very favorite rides, and I enjoyed it as much as always. Ive ridden it dozens of times, but I see something new every time. Now that Small World has been closed for my last two trips, HM is the only ride Ive been on every trip, including my first trip the year the park opened.
Next we rode Splash Mountain. I have been on this ride several times, but always in the summer. Ive never gotten more than a few drops of water on me. Well, this evening was pretty chilly, so Im sure you can guess what happened. I got drenched! It was like someone dumped a bucket of water directly on my head. My hair and face were dripping, and my shoulders got splattered, but the rest of me stayed dry. I love this ride, but that water smells really nasty, so I wasnt real thrilled to have my head and face soaked in it. Plus, I was freezing for quite a while after that. We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad next, and I had fun on it, but that wind on my wet hair was not so pleasant. At this point I was so cold, we decided to get more hot chocolate and cookies at Columbia Harbour House. I dried my hair the best I could in the restroom there, and after the hot chocolate I felt a little better. That was my only ride on Splash Mountain this trip though. From now on, Im saving that one for summer trips.
It was time to go find a spot to watch Wishes. We headed over to the bridge to Tomorrowland and found a spot where the Tomorrowland bridge meets the path to the rose garden. I could see the wire where Tinkerbell flies, so we stood directly under that. DH is not a fireworks fan, and he likes getting out of the parks ahead of the rest of the crowd, so Ive never seen Wishes. Helen saw the MK fireworks on her first trip, but that was before Wishes. Well, we were both just blown away by how fantastic this fireworks show was. The fireworks were amazing, and the music just added to the magic. When Tinkerbell flew directly over us, it was too cool. After Wishes, we went to see Mickeys Philharmagic. This was my third time seeing it, and I love it more each time. Helen really liked it a lot too. After the movie, it was time to line up for the parade. We got a nice spot on Main Street, where the snow was falling. It was cold enough to believe that it was real snow. We both enjoyed the parade, and we agreed it was worth standing in the cold to see.
After the parade, we left the MK and caught a bus to the Swan. We were in bed by midnight after having a magical first day at WDW.
