This is my first time posting a trip report on this board. I've enjoyed reading everyone else's report, and thought it would be a good way to get my jouralling together for the trip scrapbook. I'll try not to bore you all!
Cast of Characters:
Me, Lori, 36. Disney nut and compulsive planner. Starts planning the next trip before the last one is over.
DH, Craig, 37. Not as crazy about Disney as the rest of us, but has recently stated his intention to become a bass fishing excursion guide at Ft Wilderness when he retires. Im sure I can be talked into retiring to Orlando
DD, Jessica, 9. Also a Disney nut, needs to be talked into going on the big rides, but would discover that Rock n Rollercoaster was actually a FUN ride this trip. DD is part fish and will give the pool slide a workout.
DS, Ryan, 5. Loves Disney, but would happily spend his entire vacation in the pool. Also not the bravest child on the planet when it comes to rides, but loved Mission Space (go figure).
DSIL and DBIL, 30-somethings (technically DBIL just turned 40, but close enough). Big Disney fans, recently purchased DVC points at Saratoga Springs, so this will be their last non-villa Disney stay.
The plan: The planning for this trip began shortly after the last one ended, over Thanksgiving of 2002. While we had a great time that trip, the weather was a bit cool so swimming time was minimal, much to the dismay of my two fish. And water parks were absolutely out of the question, as standing around wet would have been much too cold. So we thought wed try a different time of year. We are not opposed to taking the kids out of school for vacation, and May seemed like a good month weather-wise, so we decided on May 7th to 15th. The previous trip had us staying at the Wilderness Lodge, which we really enjoyed, but we wanted to try something different this time -- preferably somewhere tropical, with easy access to the parks. The obvious choice was the Polynesian. We initially booked using a AAA discount, and then began stalking Mousesavers for discount codes. Eventually got the Disney Visa card holders code rate of $239 a night.
Since we were trying new things, we thought wed also try flying out of a different airport, so we booked Southeast Airlines from Allentown, PA into Sanford airport for $175 round-trip. Since we would be arriving very late the first night, we would stay the first night at the All Star Movies to save a few bucks.
Spring passed much too slowly, as we worked out our itinerary and priority seatings. We would be hitting at least one water park this trip, and would be eating at a few new places and one old favorite. We packed way too much stuff into way too many suitcases, and waited impatiently for May 7th to arrive.
Day 1, Friday May 7th
DDs fourth grade class has a very strange schedule this year. They have recess at the very end of the day. Ive often wondered what the point was of giving them time to blow off steam right before sending them home instead of giving them a mid-day break. But I was happy about this schedule today, as it meant I could sneak her out of school a bit early in order to get to the airport. I chatted a bit with her teacher who was not going to send along any homework other than the schools requirement that she keep a journal during the week she missed. DD was happy about that. She may not be quite as happy when she has to miss a recess or three the first week she is back to do some make up work. But it will be worth it to go off season.
We headed off to Allentown airport and got there in no time. We parked in long-term parking and literally walked across the street into the non-existent check-in line. Im liking this small airport thing already. Checked in and went through security. From the time we parked until the time we got to our gate was less than 15 minutes. Gotta love that. We boarded on time, and taxied out the runway, where we stopped. And sat. And sat some more. Finally, the pilot gets on the PA and announces that due to storms down the east coast, our take off has been delayed. They are going to find us a new route. About 10 minutes later, we have our new route, but we are going so far out of the way that we need to go back to the terminal for more fuel. We end up being in the air for about half an hour longer than scheduled. I am little bit disconcerted by the fact the plane doesnt carry enough fuel to be in the air an extra half hour. Fueled up, we finally take off about a half hour late. With the longer route, we land at Sanford at about 9:30, just over an hour late.
We were a bit worried about our rental car, as the car rental desks were scheduled to close at 8:45, but they stayed open until the last plane came in. The Dollar person was very glad to see us, as we were the last plane in for the night, so she could go home now. With Sanford also being such a small airport, we had our luggage and were in our rental car only about 20 minutes after landing. The speed at which you can get in and out of this airport made up for the extra 20 minutes it took to drive to the World. We will do this Allentown-Sanford route again no more Philly to MCO for us!
We pulled into the All Star Movies at around 10:30. I had requested a room in Mighty Ducks as DS is a huge Ducks fan, but there were only smoking rooms available there, so we settled for a room in Love Bug. We would only be there one night, so it didnt really matter. We were very tired, but took some time to check out the resort, and grabbed a late night snack in the food court. DD had a giant chocolate frosted brownie. This would start her quest to try all the chocolate in Disneyworld. The variety in the food court here looks very good. We also checked out both pools and Andys room. I think the kids would like it here, but the rooms are rather boxy and small. I think Id be claustrophobic staying here for a week with four people. We slept well here though. We were on the second floor and didnt notice any noise from outside or the other rooms.
Cast of Characters:
Me, Lori, 36. Disney nut and compulsive planner. Starts planning the next trip before the last one is over.
DH, Craig, 37. Not as crazy about Disney as the rest of us, but has recently stated his intention to become a bass fishing excursion guide at Ft Wilderness when he retires. Im sure I can be talked into retiring to Orlando
DD, Jessica, 9. Also a Disney nut, needs to be talked into going on the big rides, but would discover that Rock n Rollercoaster was actually a FUN ride this trip. DD is part fish and will give the pool slide a workout.
DS, Ryan, 5. Loves Disney, but would happily spend his entire vacation in the pool. Also not the bravest child on the planet when it comes to rides, but loved Mission Space (go figure).
DSIL and DBIL, 30-somethings (technically DBIL just turned 40, but close enough). Big Disney fans, recently purchased DVC points at Saratoga Springs, so this will be their last non-villa Disney stay.
The plan: The planning for this trip began shortly after the last one ended, over Thanksgiving of 2002. While we had a great time that trip, the weather was a bit cool so swimming time was minimal, much to the dismay of my two fish. And water parks were absolutely out of the question, as standing around wet would have been much too cold. So we thought wed try a different time of year. We are not opposed to taking the kids out of school for vacation, and May seemed like a good month weather-wise, so we decided on May 7th to 15th. The previous trip had us staying at the Wilderness Lodge, which we really enjoyed, but we wanted to try something different this time -- preferably somewhere tropical, with easy access to the parks. The obvious choice was the Polynesian. We initially booked using a AAA discount, and then began stalking Mousesavers for discount codes. Eventually got the Disney Visa card holders code rate of $239 a night.
Since we were trying new things, we thought wed also try flying out of a different airport, so we booked Southeast Airlines from Allentown, PA into Sanford airport for $175 round-trip. Since we would be arriving very late the first night, we would stay the first night at the All Star Movies to save a few bucks.
Spring passed much too slowly, as we worked out our itinerary and priority seatings. We would be hitting at least one water park this trip, and would be eating at a few new places and one old favorite. We packed way too much stuff into way too many suitcases, and waited impatiently for May 7th to arrive.
Day 1, Friday May 7th
DDs fourth grade class has a very strange schedule this year. They have recess at the very end of the day. Ive often wondered what the point was of giving them time to blow off steam right before sending them home instead of giving them a mid-day break. But I was happy about this schedule today, as it meant I could sneak her out of school a bit early in order to get to the airport. I chatted a bit with her teacher who was not going to send along any homework other than the schools requirement that she keep a journal during the week she missed. DD was happy about that. She may not be quite as happy when she has to miss a recess or three the first week she is back to do some make up work. But it will be worth it to go off season.
We headed off to Allentown airport and got there in no time. We parked in long-term parking and literally walked across the street into the non-existent check-in line. Im liking this small airport thing already. Checked in and went through security. From the time we parked until the time we got to our gate was less than 15 minutes. Gotta love that. We boarded on time, and taxied out the runway, where we stopped. And sat. And sat some more. Finally, the pilot gets on the PA and announces that due to storms down the east coast, our take off has been delayed. They are going to find us a new route. About 10 minutes later, we have our new route, but we are going so far out of the way that we need to go back to the terminal for more fuel. We end up being in the air for about half an hour longer than scheduled. I am little bit disconcerted by the fact the plane doesnt carry enough fuel to be in the air an extra half hour. Fueled up, we finally take off about a half hour late. With the longer route, we land at Sanford at about 9:30, just over an hour late.
We were a bit worried about our rental car, as the car rental desks were scheduled to close at 8:45, but they stayed open until the last plane came in. The Dollar person was very glad to see us, as we were the last plane in for the night, so she could go home now. With Sanford also being such a small airport, we had our luggage and were in our rental car only about 20 minutes after landing. The speed at which you can get in and out of this airport made up for the extra 20 minutes it took to drive to the World. We will do this Allentown-Sanford route again no more Philly to MCO for us!
We pulled into the All Star Movies at around 10:30. I had requested a room in Mighty Ducks as DS is a huge Ducks fan, but there were only smoking rooms available there, so we settled for a room in Love Bug. We would only be there one night, so it didnt really matter. We were very tired, but took some time to check out the resort, and grabbed a late night snack in the food court. DD had a giant chocolate frosted brownie. This would start her quest to try all the chocolate in Disneyworld. The variety in the food court here looks very good. We also checked out both pools and Andys room. I think the kids would like it here, but the rooms are rather boxy and small. I think Id be claustrophobic staying here for a week with four people. We slept well here though. We were on the second floor and didnt notice any noise from outside or the other rooms.
. 
