mackeysmom
Let's Go Mets!
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- Sep 16, 2003
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Live and Solo Thanksgiving Trip - Day 1 (Nov. 24th)
Who - Me, age 35
When - Wednesday Nov. 24th thru Monday Nov. 29th
Where - Coronado Springs
How - Solo (many Disney vacations under my belt, many solo vacations under my belt, but this is my first solo Disney trip)
Why - My usual traveling partner, my cousin AnnMarie, has the responsibilities of a family and couldn't travel over the holidays.
My day started early this morning. My JetBlue flight was departing JFK at 7:05 and I planned on getting to the airport for 5:30. It seemed like I had just gotten to bed when my alarm went off at 4:30. A quick shower, last minute packing and a few kisses for my cat later, I was off.
I couldn't believe how crowded the airport was. I know it is the busiest travel day of the year, but I didn't realize it would be so crowded so early. Check-in went smoothly and before I knew it I was settled into my (completely full) flight. My in-flight TV screen was broken and I was bored out of my mind during the flight. I never bring a Discman or anything with me when I fly JetBlue because of the Direct TV they have. Needless to say, I read every single word of the one magazine I had in my possession.
My flight arrived in Orlando at about 9:45 and I was met by my Tiffany Towncar driver, Marcus. (Marcus was an interesting guy - he was obsessed with Christmas carols and sang them the whole way to the Coronado Springs. )
I arrived at Coronado Springs about 10:30 and was greeted at check-in by Lisa (a fellow Long Islander). She told me that my room was ready and sent me off to Ranchos 6A.
I was surprised to find that I had been put in a handicapped accessible room (I had requested a king room) that had no bathtub or shower stall. It was just kind of one big bathroom with a drain in the middle of the floor and a shower curtain separating the toilet bowl from the shower bench.
Bus stop #3 is pretty close to my room and I made my way over. Less than a minute later, the bus to MGM came and I got on. The short distance to MGM from CS is great - we were there within 5 minutes. I immediately made my way to Tower of Terror. The wait time was 60 minutes. The fast-pass return time was 3:50 to 4:50. It was only 11:30!!
I grabbed a FP for TOT and headed over to Rock N Roller Coaster - it had a 60 minute wait as well. I like RNRC, but not enough to wait an hour. I made my way over to The Great Movie Ride. There was a 30 minute wait, but that is one ride I never seem to mind waiting for. My driver was Cory and he was very good. I got the gangster scene and our Mugsy was great. After TGMR, I went over to Sounds Dangerous. I know a lot of people think this show is lame - but I really enjoy it.
Hunger started to set in (I had only had a chocolate chip cookie on the plane) so I made my way over to Mama Melrose's. I did not have a PS, but only had to wait about 5 minutes. AnnMarie and I had eaten here once before as part of a behind the scenes tour, and we always wanted to try it again. My server Debbie was very friendly and capable. I had a virgin strawberry colada, sweet onion soup, and the Tuscan Chicken Bruschetta sandwich (on olive bread, yum). My bill before the tip was $28.00. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
After lunch I checked out the wait time for TOT, but it was now 75 minutes. I grabbed another fastpass for TOT with a return time of 5:50 to 6:50. (It was only about 2:00 at this point). I watched the Beauty and the Beast show - yes, AnnMarie, I cried!! I always cry!!
After BATB, I made my way over to One Man's Dream. I was glad to see this attraction as crowded as it was. When AnnMarie and I went last year, we were pretty much the only people in the theatre. This time - it was packed. (Yes AnnMarie, I cried during this as well!!) I'm such a sap!!
Who Want's To Be A Millionaire - Play It was next. I made it in the top ten each time, but didn't get into the Hot Seat. (Last time I went, I made it to the $64,000 question.) An eleven year old girl made it into the Hot Seat - the poor thing, she looked terrified. She made it all the way to 8,000!!
My first TOT fastpass window was finally open, so I made my way over there. It was an amazing ride ? I lost track of the number of drops - it was great. RNRC still had a 60 minute wait, and my feet were killing me so I just got a soda, found a bench and people watched for a little bit. I poked around some shops for a while and then made my way over to Star Tours. There was only a 10 minute wait.
I rode The Great Movie Ride again (only a 15 minute wait this time) and got the gangster scene again. My second TOT fastpass opened up again, and I got front-row this time. I got so much airtime it was great.
AnnMarie and I had never seen the Osborne Lights . Last year was the first time we traveled to WDW over the holidays and they weren?t being shown. I decided to see them - WOW!! They were unbelievable - words can't describe how cool it was to walk along New York Street with all of the lights and snow falling. (I did feel bad for the cast members though - it was still pretty warm and they had to wear scarves and hats).
It was almost 7:00 by now and I was exhausted. I had planned to eat at the bar in the 50's Prime Time (eating there on the first day is a tradition that Annmarie and I have), but I just really wanted to get back to the hotel and relax.
I grabbed a bus back to CS, got a quick dinner at the Pepper Market (a Chinese food combination plate, diet coke and a muffin - overpriced at $23.00) and walked (the long walk) back to my room. I took a quick shower, made a few phone calls and wrote up this trip report.
Here are a few first day observations and ramblings:
I had requested a room close to El Centro since I was traveling alone. I told them I wasn't too comfortable walking through the parking lots at night alone. The truth is - I'm just lazy. AnnMarie and I stayed at CS once many years ago and I remembered how spread-out the resort was. Needless to say, my request was not honored (as evidenced by the multiple blisters on my feet!!)
On my first ride on TOT, there was an empty row and two empty seats in my elevator. I found that odd since there was a 75 minute stand-by wait.
I think that WWTBAM-PI should have alternate questions available if a kid should make it into the Hot Seat. Just my opinion.
I was truly shocked at how crowded it was. I had anticipated large crowds, but was not prepared for what I found.
It was HOT - I don't like the warm weather and was very uncomfortable. Accuweather had lied to me so I didn't pack any tank-tops. I think I will regret that decision for many days to come.
I miss AnnMarie - can you tell? I only mentioned her about a dozen times!! I can't help it, we are partners-in-crime when it comes to Disney and it is very difficult to be here without her.
Oh well, at this point I think I am just rambling. My extreme exhaustion has taken its toll, so I will end this here.
My plan for tomorrow - Epcot.
I hope you enjoyed this report - I appreciate any comments/questions.
See you tomorrow night!!
-- Laura
Who - Me, age 35
When - Wednesday Nov. 24th thru Monday Nov. 29th
Where - Coronado Springs
How - Solo (many Disney vacations under my belt, many solo vacations under my belt, but this is my first solo Disney trip)
Why - My usual traveling partner, my cousin AnnMarie, has the responsibilities of a family and couldn't travel over the holidays.
My day started early this morning. My JetBlue flight was departing JFK at 7:05 and I planned on getting to the airport for 5:30. It seemed like I had just gotten to bed when my alarm went off at 4:30. A quick shower, last minute packing and a few kisses for my cat later, I was off.
I couldn't believe how crowded the airport was. I know it is the busiest travel day of the year, but I didn't realize it would be so crowded so early. Check-in went smoothly and before I knew it I was settled into my (completely full) flight. My in-flight TV screen was broken and I was bored out of my mind during the flight. I never bring a Discman or anything with me when I fly JetBlue because of the Direct TV they have. Needless to say, I read every single word of the one magazine I had in my possession.
My flight arrived in Orlando at about 9:45 and I was met by my Tiffany Towncar driver, Marcus. (Marcus was an interesting guy - he was obsessed with Christmas carols and sang them the whole way to the Coronado Springs. )
I arrived at Coronado Springs about 10:30 and was greeted at check-in by Lisa (a fellow Long Islander). She told me that my room was ready and sent me off to Ranchos 6A.
I was surprised to find that I had been put in a handicapped accessible room (I had requested a king room) that had no bathtub or shower stall. It was just kind of one big bathroom with a drain in the middle of the floor and a shower curtain separating the toilet bowl from the shower bench.
Bus stop #3 is pretty close to my room and I made my way over. Less than a minute later, the bus to MGM came and I got on. The short distance to MGM from CS is great - we were there within 5 minutes. I immediately made my way to Tower of Terror. The wait time was 60 minutes. The fast-pass return time was 3:50 to 4:50. It was only 11:30!!
I grabbed a FP for TOT and headed over to Rock N Roller Coaster - it had a 60 minute wait as well. I like RNRC, but not enough to wait an hour. I made my way over to The Great Movie Ride. There was a 30 minute wait, but that is one ride I never seem to mind waiting for. My driver was Cory and he was very good. I got the gangster scene and our Mugsy was great. After TGMR, I went over to Sounds Dangerous. I know a lot of people think this show is lame - but I really enjoy it.
Hunger started to set in (I had only had a chocolate chip cookie on the plane) so I made my way over to Mama Melrose's. I did not have a PS, but only had to wait about 5 minutes. AnnMarie and I had eaten here once before as part of a behind the scenes tour, and we always wanted to try it again. My server Debbie was very friendly and capable. I had a virgin strawberry colada, sweet onion soup, and the Tuscan Chicken Bruschetta sandwich (on olive bread, yum). My bill before the tip was $28.00. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
After lunch I checked out the wait time for TOT, but it was now 75 minutes. I grabbed another fastpass for TOT with a return time of 5:50 to 6:50. (It was only about 2:00 at this point). I watched the Beauty and the Beast show - yes, AnnMarie, I cried!! I always cry!!
After BATB, I made my way over to One Man's Dream. I was glad to see this attraction as crowded as it was. When AnnMarie and I went last year, we were pretty much the only people in the theatre. This time - it was packed. (Yes AnnMarie, I cried during this as well!!) I'm such a sap!!
Who Want's To Be A Millionaire - Play It was next. I made it in the top ten each time, but didn't get into the Hot Seat. (Last time I went, I made it to the $64,000 question.) An eleven year old girl made it into the Hot Seat - the poor thing, she looked terrified. She made it all the way to 8,000!!
My first TOT fastpass window was finally open, so I made my way over there. It was an amazing ride ? I lost track of the number of drops - it was great. RNRC still had a 60 minute wait, and my feet were killing me so I just got a soda, found a bench and people watched for a little bit. I poked around some shops for a while and then made my way over to Star Tours. There was only a 10 minute wait.
I rode The Great Movie Ride again (only a 15 minute wait this time) and got the gangster scene again. My second TOT fastpass opened up again, and I got front-row this time. I got so much airtime it was great.
AnnMarie and I had never seen the Osborne Lights . Last year was the first time we traveled to WDW over the holidays and they weren?t being shown. I decided to see them - WOW!! They were unbelievable - words can't describe how cool it was to walk along New York Street with all of the lights and snow falling. (I did feel bad for the cast members though - it was still pretty warm and they had to wear scarves and hats).
It was almost 7:00 by now and I was exhausted. I had planned to eat at the bar in the 50's Prime Time (eating there on the first day is a tradition that Annmarie and I have), but I just really wanted to get back to the hotel and relax.
I grabbed a bus back to CS, got a quick dinner at the Pepper Market (a Chinese food combination plate, diet coke and a muffin - overpriced at $23.00) and walked (the long walk) back to my room. I took a quick shower, made a few phone calls and wrote up this trip report.
Here are a few first day observations and ramblings:
I had requested a room close to El Centro since I was traveling alone. I told them I wasn't too comfortable walking through the parking lots at night alone. The truth is - I'm just lazy. AnnMarie and I stayed at CS once many years ago and I remembered how spread-out the resort was. Needless to say, my request was not honored (as evidenced by the multiple blisters on my feet!!)
On my first ride on TOT, there was an empty row and two empty seats in my elevator. I found that odd since there was a 75 minute stand-by wait.
I think that WWTBAM-PI should have alternate questions available if a kid should make it into the Hot Seat. Just my opinion.
I was truly shocked at how crowded it was. I had anticipated large crowds, but was not prepared for what I found.
It was HOT - I don't like the warm weather and was very uncomfortable. Accuweather had lied to me so I didn't pack any tank-tops. I think I will regret that decision for many days to come.
I miss AnnMarie - can you tell? I only mentioned her about a dozen times!! I can't help it, we are partners-in-crime when it comes to Disney and it is very difficult to be here without her.
Oh well, at this point I think I am just rambling. My extreme exhaustion has taken its toll, so I will end this here.
My plan for tomorrow - Epcot.
I hope you enjoyed this report - I appreciate any comments/questions.
See you tomorrow night!!
-- Laura
Oh well, it gives me another excuse to go back to WDW - like I need an excuse. 
