ToriLammy
<font color=3300FF>Proud mom of a computer wiz<br>
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2002
- Messages
- 2,741
Days 1& 2 - Travel and Arrival Days - Monday, Jun 23rd and Tuesday, Jun 24th
Up at 7AM, all that remains is getting dressed and packing everything in the van. We hit the road at 10AM CST. The drive is very uneventful. DH and I take turns napping and driving. We drove down to Dallas and then over to Shreveport LA (DH and Jackie do this drive every six months for her Shriners Hospital appointments). We stopped at Barksdale AFB and filled the gas tank and swung by the Base Exchange (store) to pick up a game David wanted for his gameboy. We also got Jackie a No Doubt CD shes been wanting to get but hasnt had time to look for. Both are happy and quiet with their new toys. From there we drove on I-20 over to Jackson MS and then took 49 down to Biloxi, where we again stopped at an Air Force Base (Kessler) and filled the gas tank. I was stationed at Kessler in 1978 for training and havent been back since - boy has the place changed. Anyway, from there it was I-10 to I-75 and then the FL turnpike down to Kissimmee. We got decent gas mileage considering the size of the van and the amount of stuff packed into it.
We arrived in the WDW area at approximately 10AM EST (travel time was 23 hours - we lost an hour going from CST to EST) on Tuesday. Drove past rental house to get an idea of its location in relation to WDW. Traffic on 192 was backed up for miles with folks heading to WDW so after we make the turn on to 192 we see a sign for Entry Point Road -- we turn left onto it and end up on WDW property -- cool - a short cut (well technically not a short cut but we avoided sitting in traffic by using it). After one wrong turn, which took us to the Animal Kingdom Lodge we got to Contemporary Resort at 11AM and checked in. DH really wanted to check out AKL but I promised wed have time to go back later. We are assigned room 7308 on the 3rd floor - wanted first floor because of Jackies wheelchair but a room would not be available until after 3PM. Glad we decided to keep room 7308 - it was quiet, nice view of the pools and the lake and close to the main tower. We unpacked the van and took a quick look around the property. Stopped in Food and Fun Center and picked up 2 refillable mugs. Told Dave the Mug Man story posted by Lt Hambone on DIS - he said hed proudly be a Mug Man during our stay
It was soon time to go the airport and meet Lauras (LTs) plane. LTs plane was a little late and I just dont understand some teens today but the girl had no clue what her suitcase looked like other than it was big and green. We spent quite a bit of time checking the nametags on every large green suitcase till we finally found it. We were out of the airport around 4PM and back to the CR shortly thereafter. I didnt plan much for this evening so we headed to the monorail station on the 4th floor of the tower - our goal - to ride in the front of the monorail. We told CM James wed wait as long as it took and really only had to wait for two monorails before the CRs train arrived. Jackie, LT, David and DH got to ride up front while I stayed with Jackies chair and talked with James. We stopped at the pin trading shop and purchased lanyards for the kids. Then we all walked over to the Magic Kingdom to purchase our 5-day Military Salute passes and on the way back I went to the Front desk and purchased our E-night tickets for Friday night (Jun 27th) while DH and the kids headed for the Food and Fun center for a quick bite to eat. LT didnt have any money with her but wanted a refillable mug so I bought it for her. After dinner we were all very tired and in bed by 10PM. Tomorrow our plans are for IOA.
Up at 7AM, all that remains is getting dressed and packing everything in the van. We hit the road at 10AM CST. The drive is very uneventful. DH and I take turns napping and driving. We drove down to Dallas and then over to Shreveport LA (DH and Jackie do this drive every six months for her Shriners Hospital appointments). We stopped at Barksdale AFB and filled the gas tank and swung by the Base Exchange (store) to pick up a game David wanted for his gameboy. We also got Jackie a No Doubt CD shes been wanting to get but hasnt had time to look for. Both are happy and quiet with their new toys. From there we drove on I-20 over to Jackson MS and then took 49 down to Biloxi, where we again stopped at an Air Force Base (Kessler) and filled the gas tank. I was stationed at Kessler in 1978 for training and havent been back since - boy has the place changed. Anyway, from there it was I-10 to I-75 and then the FL turnpike down to Kissimmee. We got decent gas mileage considering the size of the van and the amount of stuff packed into it.
We arrived in the WDW area at approximately 10AM EST (travel time was 23 hours - we lost an hour going from CST to EST) on Tuesday. Drove past rental house to get an idea of its location in relation to WDW. Traffic on 192 was backed up for miles with folks heading to WDW so after we make the turn on to 192 we see a sign for Entry Point Road -- we turn left onto it and end up on WDW property -- cool - a short cut (well technically not a short cut but we avoided sitting in traffic by using it). After one wrong turn, which took us to the Animal Kingdom Lodge we got to Contemporary Resort at 11AM and checked in. DH really wanted to check out AKL but I promised wed have time to go back later. We are assigned room 7308 on the 3rd floor - wanted first floor because of Jackies wheelchair but a room would not be available until after 3PM. Glad we decided to keep room 7308 - it was quiet, nice view of the pools and the lake and close to the main tower. We unpacked the van and took a quick look around the property. Stopped in Food and Fun Center and picked up 2 refillable mugs. Told Dave the Mug Man story posted by Lt Hambone on DIS - he said hed proudly be a Mug Man during our stay
It was soon time to go the airport and meet Lauras (LTs) plane. LTs plane was a little late and I just dont understand some teens today but the girl had no clue what her suitcase looked like other than it was big and green. We spent quite a bit of time checking the nametags on every large green suitcase till we finally found it. We were out of the airport around 4PM and back to the CR shortly thereafter. I didnt plan much for this evening so we headed to the monorail station on the 4th floor of the tower - our goal - to ride in the front of the monorail. We told CM James wed wait as long as it took and really only had to wait for two monorails before the CRs train arrived. Jackie, LT, David and DH got to ride up front while I stayed with Jackies chair and talked with James. We stopped at the pin trading shop and purchased lanyards for the kids. Then we all walked over to the Magic Kingdom to purchase our 5-day Military Salute passes and on the way back I went to the Front desk and purchased our E-night tickets for Friday night (Jun 27th) while DH and the kids headed for the Food and Fun center for a quick bite to eat. LT didnt have any money with her but wanted a refillable mug so I bought it for her. After dinner we were all very tired and in bed by 10PM. Tomorrow our plans are for IOA.
