eowensby
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2004
- Messages
- 483
Heres some background info on us: Me (Elizabeth) 25, Matt, hubby of 5 ½ years, 30. Daughter Hannah who is almost 3 (stayed home with Grandparents)
Matt is a 5th grade Teacher here in Nashville and a part time youth minister and puts up with my WDW obsession, but is developing a mild case of Disney fever. I am a Stay at home Mom, Vacation Planner, Retainer of Useless Knowledge and Lover of all things Disney.
Sunday March 20
Sundays are always busy days for us as my husband Matt is a part time youth minister at our church so this day was certainly no exception. We were out the door for church at 8:30am and back home by 11:30am to have lunch at our house with Matts parents who were keeping Hannah for us while we were vacationing. Around 2pm we headed out for Atlanta to visit with some friends and have supper. We arrived 6:30 Eastern time and headed for WDW around 11pm. I think we hit the Florida line around 4am. We hit some traffic coming in on Monday morning on the turnpike, but all in all it was uneventful as we arrived around 7:30am at Pop. We headed for the check-in desk and had a really sweet CM who was still earning his ears.
It was his 3rd day to be without someone right over him. He did a great job, but I think I made him a little nervous as I was so excited and answered almost every question he had for us before he could finish asking. 
He told us we would have a king room/nonsmoking, but that of course it wasnt ready. Matt and I were really looking forward to just getting in the room and taking a nap and changing clothes, but I knew it probably wasnt likely at 7am. So we were given our Key and the number to call for our room number and off we went for the food court. We split a breakfast wrap and shared some apple juice from our refillable mug. It was nice to finally be there. We called home to let everyone know we were there and to talk to Hannah. Matt didnt need to change clothes, but I sure felt gross, so off I went to the Pop Womens Restroom to change. I know I looked ridiculous hauling stuff in there. 
Once I got back to our van, I found Matt asleep, bless his heart he drove the whole way and we had been up 24 hours at that point. I asked him where he wanted to head to and he decided on Downtown Disney. We were pleased to find the parking lot virtually empty as well as the stores. We headed for World of Disney first and just browsed, knowing we would be back later in the week for big shopping. We headed for World of Memories and purchased postcards to send back home to Hannah and some of her friends. Of course I didnt have my addresses with me, so I couldnt get the cool postmark on them. I know we wandered around some more and finally decided to call on our room again, after giving all our info again over the phone they finally found our room number. By this point we were major zombies and the thought came over me that they had somehow given our room away. We headed to Earl of Sandwich to pick up some lunch to go (Beef and Bleu for me and Cannonballs for Matt). We knew we were in the 50s building, but unsure where exactly to park for the best route to our room. Of course we headed the wrong way, but quickly figured it out. We were in room 1367, which is on the 3rd floor. We had a pool view, which we really didnt care too much about, but none the less was nice. We had our lunch and then crashed. We only slept 2 hours so as not to totally mess with our sleep schedule for that evening. We had a PS at Ohana for 6:00pm so we decided to head out around 4:00. This was our first ever PS and first ever trip to Ohana, so to say we were excited was an understatement. Usually we just wing it, but since finding this group over a year ago, I am a lot more knowledgeable about all things Disney! We caught the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then hopped on the resort monorail for the Polynesian. We arrived right at 5:30 to check in and were given our buzzer/flashy light coaster thing. We wandered around the gift shops upstairs and were just about to head downstairs to see what was down there and then our buzzer went off. So we went past a huge line and were welcomed by a sweet girl who showed us around and explained everything to us. We had a great seat and were impressed with how fast everything was brought out. It was all amazing! I think Matt asked for steak 3 times! Which of course they brought out to him. He kept going on and on about how wonderful this meal was and that he would buy me anything I wanted since I brought him there! I should have taken him up on it, but I knew it was something said in the heat of the moment as I was the one keeping up with all the bills and budget!! We decided that from now on we will have dinner here for our first and last dinners of every WDW vacation. We left full, but not that overly gross full. I guess when you have more proteins than carbs it really does make a difference. We decided to head to the MK as that really makes me feel like Im at Disney. It was raining, but we werent going to let that stop us. We headed down Main Street as a lot of people were leaving. I think it was around 7:30 when we arrived. We couldnt decide on what we wanted to do as we usually arrive in the morning, so this was a whole different ballgame for us. We made our way to Tomorrowland and the rain seemed to be letting up. I was thrilled to find Carousel of Progress open as I havent been on this since I was 7 and it has been closed every time Matt and I have been there. We then headed for the TTA, the moving sidewalk going up was stopped, so we had to walk up, which wouldnt have been a big deal, but it was very slick from all the rainy people. Im such a dork, because this is one of my favorite rides! I love looking out over Tomorrowland, riding through Space Mtn, and having a great view of Cinderella Castle. Once off, we headed towards Buzz to get a fast pass, and then on to Fantasyland. I was determined to ride things that I havent been on since I was a little girl this trip so we headed to the Teacups. I think we waited 5 minutes and then hopped on. We had the best time just being silly and enjoying being together. We then headed to Small World; I was so anxious to ride this since the refurbishment. It was a 5 minute wait and then we were off. It all looked so clean and fresh. Matt commented on the fact that you could actually see through the water to the floor. From there we headed to Mickeys Philharmagic. We were both so amazed at this show and knew we would be back to see it before the end of the trip. As we headed out of there, we noticed tons of people standing around, I wasnt thinking anything of it and then looked at my watch and realized wishes was about to start and we were in a horrible place. I generally dont like fireworks just because of the report, ( we actually run a fireworks tent during the summer, so I kind of get sick of fireworks!). We stayed where we were and they were awesome even if we were in a bad place. They were so loud, but amazing. After knowing what I do about fireworks and seeing Wishes I know WDW puts a ton of money into that show every night. And heres a piece of useless knowledge for you, Did you know that Blue is hardest firework color to make? We did decide that next time we would see it, it would be in a better place. I think we were pretty wiped out after that so we headed down Main Street and perused the shops as I was on a hunt for a new charm for my bracelet. I couldnt decide on one, so we headed out and back to Pop. We were so worn out from traveling that we fell asleep as soon as we got in the room.
Matt is a 5th grade Teacher here in Nashville and a part time youth minister and puts up with my WDW obsession, but is developing a mild case of Disney fever. I am a Stay at home Mom, Vacation Planner, Retainer of Useless Knowledge and Lover of all things Disney.
Sunday March 20
Sundays are always busy days for us as my husband Matt is a part time youth minister at our church so this day was certainly no exception. We were out the door for church at 8:30am and back home by 11:30am to have lunch at our house with Matts parents who were keeping Hannah for us while we were vacationing. Around 2pm we headed out for Atlanta to visit with some friends and have supper. We arrived 6:30 Eastern time and headed for WDW around 11pm. I think we hit the Florida line around 4am. We hit some traffic coming in on Monday morning on the turnpike, but all in all it was uneventful as we arrived around 7:30am at Pop. We headed for the check-in desk and had a really sweet CM who was still earning his ears.
It was his 3rd day to be without someone right over him. He did a great job, but I think I made him a little nervous as I was so excited and answered almost every question he had for us before he could finish asking. He told us we would have a king room/nonsmoking, but that of course it wasnt ready. Matt and I were really looking forward to just getting in the room and taking a nap and changing clothes, but I knew it probably wasnt likely at 7am. So we were given our Key and the number to call for our room number and off we went for the food court. We split a breakfast wrap and shared some apple juice from our refillable mug. It was nice to finally be there. We called home to let everyone know we were there and to talk to Hannah. Matt didnt need to change clothes, but I sure felt gross, so off I went to the Pop Womens Restroom to change. I know I looked ridiculous hauling stuff in there. Once I got back to our van, I found Matt asleep, bless his heart he drove the whole way and we had been up 24 hours at that point. I asked him where he wanted to head to and he decided on Downtown Disney. We were pleased to find the parking lot virtually empty as well as the stores. We headed for World of Disney first and just browsed, knowing we would be back later in the week for big shopping. We headed for World of Memories and purchased postcards to send back home to Hannah and some of her friends. Of course I didnt have my addresses with me, so I couldnt get the cool postmark on them. I know we wandered around some more and finally decided to call on our room again, after giving all our info again over the phone they finally found our room number. By this point we were major zombies and the thought came over me that they had somehow given our room away. We headed to Earl of Sandwich to pick up some lunch to go (Beef and Bleu for me and Cannonballs for Matt). We knew we were in the 50s building, but unsure where exactly to park for the best route to our room. Of course we headed the wrong way, but quickly figured it out. We were in room 1367, which is on the 3rd floor. We had a pool view, which we really didnt care too much about, but none the less was nice. We had our lunch and then crashed. We only slept 2 hours so as not to totally mess with our sleep schedule for that evening. We had a PS at Ohana for 6:00pm so we decided to head out around 4:00. This was our first ever PS and first ever trip to Ohana, so to say we were excited was an understatement. Usually we just wing it, but since finding this group over a year ago, I am a lot more knowledgeable about all things Disney! We caught the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then hopped on the resort monorail for the Polynesian. We arrived right at 5:30 to check in and were given our buzzer/flashy light coaster thing. We wandered around the gift shops upstairs and were just about to head downstairs to see what was down there and then our buzzer went off. So we went past a huge line and were welcomed by a sweet girl who showed us around and explained everything to us. We had a great seat and were impressed with how fast everything was brought out. It was all amazing! I think Matt asked for steak 3 times! Which of course they brought out to him. He kept going on and on about how wonderful this meal was and that he would buy me anything I wanted since I brought him there! I should have taken him up on it, but I knew it was something said in the heat of the moment as I was the one keeping up with all the bills and budget!! We decided that from now on we will have dinner here for our first and last dinners of every WDW vacation. We left full, but not that overly gross full. I guess when you have more proteins than carbs it really does make a difference. We decided to head to the MK as that really makes me feel like Im at Disney. It was raining, but we werent going to let that stop us. We headed down Main Street as a lot of people were leaving. I think it was around 7:30 when we arrived. We couldnt decide on what we wanted to do as we usually arrive in the morning, so this was a whole different ballgame for us. We made our way to Tomorrowland and the rain seemed to be letting up. I was thrilled to find Carousel of Progress open as I havent been on this since I was 7 and it has been closed every time Matt and I have been there. We then headed for the TTA, the moving sidewalk going up was stopped, so we had to walk up, which wouldnt have been a big deal, but it was very slick from all the rainy people. Im such a dork, because this is one of my favorite rides! I love looking out over Tomorrowland, riding through Space Mtn, and having a great view of Cinderella Castle. Once off, we headed towards Buzz to get a fast pass, and then on to Fantasyland. I was determined to ride things that I havent been on since I was a little girl this trip so we headed to the Teacups. I think we waited 5 minutes and then hopped on. We had the best time just being silly and enjoying being together. We then headed to Small World; I was so anxious to ride this since the refurbishment. It was a 5 minute wait and then we were off. It all looked so clean and fresh. Matt commented on the fact that you could actually see through the water to the floor. From there we headed to Mickeys Philharmagic. We were both so amazed at this show and knew we would be back to see it before the end of the trip. As we headed out of there, we noticed tons of people standing around, I wasnt thinking anything of it and then looked at my watch and realized wishes was about to start and we were in a horrible place. I generally dont like fireworks just because of the report, ( we actually run a fireworks tent during the summer, so I kind of get sick of fireworks!). We stayed where we were and they were awesome even if we were in a bad place. They were so loud, but amazing. After knowing what I do about fireworks and seeing Wishes I know WDW puts a ton of money into that show every night. And heres a piece of useless knowledge for you, Did you know that Blue is hardest firework color to make? We did decide that next time we would see it, it would be in a better place. I think we were pretty wiped out after that so we headed down Main Street and perused the shops as I was on a hunt for a new charm for my bracelet. I couldnt decide on one, so we headed out and back to Pop. We were so worn out from traveling that we fell asleep as soon as we got in the room.
that place! The last time we were there we were able to get a seat at the window so we had a prime spot for the fireworks and the Eletrical Water Parade! That was one of the best dinners ever!!!! 
