Dodie
<font color=green>Survived the big crash<br><font
- Joined
- Nov 10, 1999
- Messages
- 6,673
Background:
DH and I (mid-forties – no kids) have visited WDW every year since our honeymoon visit in 1994. We plan to make our second trip to Disneyland (California) this fall, but just couldn’t forego our annual Disney World visit, so we scheduled this quick getaway based upon a special Magic Your Way promotion that included the dining plan (not free dining – but at a very reasonable price for the package).
We’re certainly not commando tourers after all of these years, but knew going in that this trip would be at an even slower pace, as I had had surgery 2 months ago and still don’t have quite 100% of my stamina back. It was only 3 nights – so we didn’t plan on seeing and doing everything on this trip.
Day 1: Thursday, May 3rd:
Thursday morning started with our Northwest flight from Indy to Orlando. When we arrived at the airport for check-in there were probably 100 people in matching t-shirts in line to check in. It looked like an elementary school trip with adult chaperones. We joked that they would probably be on our plane.
We always get to the airport and the gate early. I’m a nervous flyer and, although I hate to sit there waiting, I’d rather know that I’m there and that nothing will happen to mess us up. Things were pretty quiet at the gate when the attendant approached DH and I and asked if we were together, flying alone, and seated in the back of the plane. She said that the back of the plane was “over-sold,” and asked if we’d mind moving to first class. You’re kidding, right?!
Of course, first class on Northwest isn’t anything fancy, but it is certainly more comfortable.
Guess why the back of the plane was over-sold? Yep - that crazy group of school kids! We were thrilled that we weren’t in the middle of that! (Actually, they were pretty good, but most had never flown before, so there was a lot of excitement.)
We arrived at MCO and quickly found Bob from Sunray Transportation at the bottom of the baggage claim escalators. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Bob. He’s where he says he’ll be when he says he’ll be there. His truck is spotless. He’s very courteous and helpful. This is the second time we’ve used his services and I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t in the future. I don’t care if DME is free – it’s just not worth the hassles to us. Bob is GREAT!
We got to Port Orleans Riverside (it will always be Dixie Landings to us) and checked in without issue. However, our room wasn’t ready and I really needed to rest for a bit before we headed out to the parks. We had a king room reserved, but told the CM we were willing to take a standard room if that meant we could get one that was available. She went to the back and sorted through some things to find us a different room. We ended up in a handicap room with a roll-in shower. She assured us that it wasn’t reserved or needed for someone who really needed it, so we took it.
After quickly unpacking and an hour nap, DH and I headed to the foodcourt to grab some lunch. We had a late dinner ADR for LeCellier, so we wanted to eat a decent/late lunch.
It’s important to note here that our recent trips have all been in the fall – particularly September. We’ve really grown to love September. The weather is hot, but the crowds are NON-EXISTENT, even during a free dining promotion. We’ve been in early May before and enjoyed that too – as most kids are still in school and it’s been our experience that, even with the Flower and Garden Festival, the crowds are manageable. I’m saying all of this because --- THE PARKS WERE CRAZY CROWDED this time!!!! We have never been at a busier time! I’m not sure what’s up with that – or what has changed, but those who plan early May trips need to know that things have shifted. I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad as it is during the summer, or Christmas, or Easter, but we don’t go at those times on purpose! We were shocked. The posted wait times were between 30-60 minutes at the major attractions – which may not sound bad to some people, but it seemed to me that the people weren’t in the lines – they were in the walkways! You literally had to fight your way through at times. Not what we’re used to.
We arrived at Epcot at about 3:00 p.m. and headed straight to Soarin’ to grab a Fast Pass.
We wandered around Future World, checking out the re-done Living Seas pavilion, doing Test Track (with a posted wait of 30 minutes that was actually more like 10) and then headed back to the World Showcase. We started with Mexico, checking out the addition of the Three Cabelleros, and grabbing margaritas (yummy!).
We worked our way around to Germany where it had been determined I was FINALLY going to do something I had been thinking about for 13 years/visits. I was going to have an Engel Pupen doll made!
Here is mine being made!
Our Fast Pass window had now arrived for Soarin’, so we headed that direction, and then came back to the Canada pavilion for our 7:50 LeCellier ADR. By the time we were finished eating, I was exhausted. We didn’t stick around for Illuminations, but headed back to the resort to rest up for day 2.
DH and I (mid-forties – no kids) have visited WDW every year since our honeymoon visit in 1994. We plan to make our second trip to Disneyland (California) this fall, but just couldn’t forego our annual Disney World visit, so we scheduled this quick getaway based upon a special Magic Your Way promotion that included the dining plan (not free dining – but at a very reasonable price for the package).
We’re certainly not commando tourers after all of these years, but knew going in that this trip would be at an even slower pace, as I had had surgery 2 months ago and still don’t have quite 100% of my stamina back. It was only 3 nights – so we didn’t plan on seeing and doing everything on this trip.
Day 1: Thursday, May 3rd:
Thursday morning started with our Northwest flight from Indy to Orlando. When we arrived at the airport for check-in there were probably 100 people in matching t-shirts in line to check in. It looked like an elementary school trip with adult chaperones. We joked that they would probably be on our plane.
We always get to the airport and the gate early. I’m a nervous flyer and, although I hate to sit there waiting, I’d rather know that I’m there and that nothing will happen to mess us up. Things were pretty quiet at the gate when the attendant approached DH and I and asked if we were together, flying alone, and seated in the back of the plane. She said that the back of the plane was “over-sold,” and asked if we’d mind moving to first class. You’re kidding, right?!
Of course, first class on Northwest isn’t anything fancy, but it is certainly more comfortable.Guess why the back of the plane was over-sold? Yep - that crazy group of school kids! We were thrilled that we weren’t in the middle of that! (Actually, they were pretty good, but most had never flown before, so there was a lot of excitement.)
We arrived at MCO and quickly found Bob from Sunray Transportation at the bottom of the baggage claim escalators. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Bob. He’s where he says he’ll be when he says he’ll be there. His truck is spotless. He’s very courteous and helpful. This is the second time we’ve used his services and I can’t imagine why we wouldn’t in the future. I don’t care if DME is free – it’s just not worth the hassles to us. Bob is GREAT!
We got to Port Orleans Riverside (it will always be Dixie Landings to us) and checked in without issue. However, our room wasn’t ready and I really needed to rest for a bit before we headed out to the parks. We had a king room reserved, but told the CM we were willing to take a standard room if that meant we could get one that was available. She went to the back and sorted through some things to find us a different room. We ended up in a handicap room with a roll-in shower. She assured us that it wasn’t reserved or needed for someone who really needed it, so we took it.
After quickly unpacking and an hour nap, DH and I headed to the foodcourt to grab some lunch. We had a late dinner ADR for LeCellier, so we wanted to eat a decent/late lunch.
It’s important to note here that our recent trips have all been in the fall – particularly September. We’ve really grown to love September. The weather is hot, but the crowds are NON-EXISTENT, even during a free dining promotion. We’ve been in early May before and enjoyed that too – as most kids are still in school and it’s been our experience that, even with the Flower and Garden Festival, the crowds are manageable. I’m saying all of this because --- THE PARKS WERE CRAZY CROWDED this time!!!! We have never been at a busier time! I’m not sure what’s up with that – or what has changed, but those who plan early May trips need to know that things have shifted. I’m sure it’s not nearly as bad as it is during the summer, or Christmas, or Easter, but we don’t go at those times on purpose! We were shocked. The posted wait times were between 30-60 minutes at the major attractions – which may not sound bad to some people, but it seemed to me that the people weren’t in the lines – they were in the walkways! You literally had to fight your way through at times. Not what we’re used to.
We arrived at Epcot at about 3:00 p.m. and headed straight to Soarin’ to grab a Fast Pass.
We wandered around Future World, checking out the re-done Living Seas pavilion, doing Test Track (with a posted wait of 30 minutes that was actually more like 10) and then headed back to the World Showcase. We started with Mexico, checking out the addition of the Three Cabelleros, and grabbing margaritas (yummy!).
We worked our way around to Germany where it had been determined I was FINALLY going to do something I had been thinking about for 13 years/visits. I was going to have an Engel Pupen doll made!
Here is mine being made!
Our Fast Pass window had now arrived for Soarin’, so we headed that direction, and then came back to the Canada pavilion for our 7:50 LeCellier ADR. By the time we were finished eating, I was exhausted. We didn’t stick around for Illuminations, but headed back to the resort to rest up for day 2.
