Day 9, Saturday May 15th
We woke with the sad knowledge that it was time to go home. Sniff, sniff
. We had luggage services pick up our bags (they were in our room about 30 seconds after we called do they just hover outside the building or what?) and they drove them on a cart directly to our car.
With the car loaded, we headed down to the docks for our last Disney activity of the trip. DH and DBIL wanted to do some different resort stuff this trip (it took me a while to figure out what this meant, and Im still not sure), so we had booked a bass fishing excursion. The boat only takes up to 5 people, so the men would be taking the kids while the women would do some more shopping (the speed shopping at DTD the night before didnt quite cut it). The pontoon boats that are used for the fishing excursion are run out of Ft Wilderness, but they were able to come pick us up at the Poly docks. The captain, whose name no one remembered (men!), was really good. He took them to a couple of different spots near the Wilderness Lodge and Ft Wilderness. The caught quite a few fish, with DBIL catching the largest a 4lb bass. DS got one on the line that broke his fishing pole. The fee for the new pole hasnt shown up on our Visa card, so I guess we are forgiven. DH has now found is retirement profession he will be doing bass fishing excursions in Disneyworld.
While the guys were shopping we made one more pass through DTD. We hit the candy store (yes, again) and got some chocolate covered Mickey pretzels and M&M rice krispie treats that were size of bricks to eat on the plane on the way home. Southeast Airlines doesnt even give you tiny bags of peanuts or pretzels, and all the snacks we brought along were gone.
They were having such a good fishing excursion that even the captain lost track of time, and the boat didnt get back until 12:30 a half hour late. We were cutting it a bit close since our flight was at 2:40, but fortunately we were flying out of Sanford. Our good luck with small airports would continue. Though it took nearly an hour to get there, once again we ditched the rental car, got checked in, through security and down to the gate so quickly that we still had time to get lunch at the snack bar before we started boarding.
We only had one issue with Southeast Airlines they changed their luggage rules while we were away. On the way down, the checked baggage rule was up to 2 bags per person for a combined weight of up to 70lbs. We have one very large suitcase, that even with only clothes in it, will weigh 60 lbs. We had no problem checking this bag on the way down, but on the way home there was now a rule that no single bag could be over 40 lbs. I managed to talk my way out of the $75 fee they wanted to charge me. I guess well be buying smaller suitcases and checking more bags from now on.
Our flight left on time and arrived back in Allentown right on time. It was nice to find our car right across the street in long-term parking. And we were home to face the real world and the mountain of vacation laundry
Final thoughts
Since we are going every other year or so, we dont feel compelled to push real hard and stay in the parks no matter how hot and exhausted we are. We were able to spend a lot of time in the pool this trip, which made it much more relaxing than past trips. There were a few attractions I would have liked to see, especially in MGM, and someday Id like to actually see the EPCOT World Showcase entertainment, but for the most part we got to do everyones favorites and all the things that were new since the last trip.
We will definitely do Disney in May again. The weather was perfect and the crowds, other than Saturday night at the MK, were virtually non-existent.
While the monorail access at the Polynesian was nice, I think we will go back to the Beach Club next time. We found the Polynesian to be a bit too spread out, but maybe wed be happy in a room closer to the center of things. The grounds are lovely though, and the CMs there are wonderful. And well still have to bring the kids over to the Neverland club.
If youve read this far, thanks for reading along now Im off to print pictures and start the scrapbook, which should keep the Disney withdrawal symptoms at bay for at least another month or two!
We woke with the sad knowledge that it was time to go home. Sniff, sniff
. We had luggage services pick up our bags (they were in our room about 30 seconds after we called do they just hover outside the building or what?) and they drove them on a cart directly to our car. With the car loaded, we headed down to the docks for our last Disney activity of the trip. DH and DBIL wanted to do some different resort stuff this trip (it took me a while to figure out what this meant, and Im still not sure), so we had booked a bass fishing excursion. The boat only takes up to 5 people, so the men would be taking the kids while the women would do some more shopping (the speed shopping at DTD the night before didnt quite cut it). The pontoon boats that are used for the fishing excursion are run out of Ft Wilderness, but they were able to come pick us up at the Poly docks. The captain, whose name no one remembered (men!), was really good. He took them to a couple of different spots near the Wilderness Lodge and Ft Wilderness. The caught quite a few fish, with DBIL catching the largest a 4lb bass. DS got one on the line that broke his fishing pole. The fee for the new pole hasnt shown up on our Visa card, so I guess we are forgiven. DH has now found is retirement profession he will be doing bass fishing excursions in Disneyworld.
While the guys were shopping we made one more pass through DTD. We hit the candy store (yes, again) and got some chocolate covered Mickey pretzels and M&M rice krispie treats that were size of bricks to eat on the plane on the way home. Southeast Airlines doesnt even give you tiny bags of peanuts or pretzels, and all the snacks we brought along were gone.
They were having such a good fishing excursion that even the captain lost track of time, and the boat didnt get back until 12:30 a half hour late. We were cutting it a bit close since our flight was at 2:40, but fortunately we were flying out of Sanford. Our good luck with small airports would continue. Though it took nearly an hour to get there, once again we ditched the rental car, got checked in, through security and down to the gate so quickly that we still had time to get lunch at the snack bar before we started boarding.
We only had one issue with Southeast Airlines they changed their luggage rules while we were away. On the way down, the checked baggage rule was up to 2 bags per person for a combined weight of up to 70lbs. We have one very large suitcase, that even with only clothes in it, will weigh 60 lbs. We had no problem checking this bag on the way down, but on the way home there was now a rule that no single bag could be over 40 lbs. I managed to talk my way out of the $75 fee they wanted to charge me. I guess well be buying smaller suitcases and checking more bags from now on.
Our flight left on time and arrived back in Allentown right on time. It was nice to find our car right across the street in long-term parking. And we were home to face the real world and the mountain of vacation laundry
Final thoughts
Since we are going every other year or so, we dont feel compelled to push real hard and stay in the parks no matter how hot and exhausted we are. We were able to spend a lot of time in the pool this trip, which made it much more relaxing than past trips. There were a few attractions I would have liked to see, especially in MGM, and someday Id like to actually see the EPCOT World Showcase entertainment, but for the most part we got to do everyones favorites and all the things that were new since the last trip.
We will definitely do Disney in May again. The weather was perfect and the crowds, other than Saturday night at the MK, were virtually non-existent.
While the monorail access at the Polynesian was nice, I think we will go back to the Beach Club next time. We found the Polynesian to be a bit too spread out, but maybe wed be happy in a room closer to the center of things. The grounds are lovely though, and the CMs there are wonderful. And well still have to bring the kids over to the Neverland club.
If youve read this far, thanks for reading along now Im off to print pictures and start the scrapbook, which should keep the Disney withdrawal symptoms at bay for at least another month or two!
