Memories of a Single Mom

[TreesyB]

Just got back about 2 hours ago from our one week adventure to our own personalized land-sea-land package DVC style!

3 things I learned:

DS remembers and hears a lot more than I realize!

DS wants to name his children Minnie and Mickey: I hope he finds a like-minded partner!

I can make it on 4 hours sleep, when I'm on vacation!

BBL with photos and reports!

 

[akrake]

can't wait!

 

[Disney owl]

waiting for more

 

[klmall]

Tell us more!

 

[TreesyB]

Day 1 - Beach Club Villa and Epcot:

We arrive to a beautiful day, and the sweetest greeter I have ever met. He made Ricky feel at home right away.

They don't have our room ready, it is 10:30 am after all. I am so happy that I chose to use Magical Express. [edited to add: As a single parent travelling alone with a child Magical Express is a Godsend! trudging through the airport with luggage is really hard! if I can think of only my carry-ons for part of the trip, I can focus on having a good time travelling, and not think that maybe I overpacked!] So the lady at the check in desk, also named Teresa, cut us our room keys, and gave us a card for the number to call to see when our room will be ready. We had booked a studio at BCV, and I'm excited to see why this hotel is so popular for DVC members.

I see right away why!

The pool is gorgeous. The lady at the desk has directed us to the fitness center where we can freshen up and change out of our winter clothes. We reorganize the carry-ons and put our sandals on. And we are ready to take on Epcot!

We stow our carry on baggage with Bell Services, and then ask the greeter for directions to Epcot, and then I see the second reason that this hotel is so popular. Within a 5 minute walk, we are at International Gateway! And it's only 11:00 am!

We are going for lunch at Chefs de France restaurant (10% DVC discount)- but they don't open until 12pm, so we wander around France. Ricky practices his French, and starts to take part in Kidcot. Then I check out the wine; I'm planning to take wine on board the cruise so I can have an aperatif.

At 11:50am we put our name down at Chefs and wait for them to open. Within minutes, we are seated and ready to order our first meal at Disney 2007.

I can't convince Ricky that he wants to split the Chefs meal with me, so he orders fish n chips, and I order a crepe with Chicken, cheese and peppers. Delicious! What a great start to our vacation!

 

[TreesyB]

After lunch we start walking towards "The Land". The quest is to get fast passes to "Soarin'". Ricky is complaining. He thinks it will be a scary ride. I ask him to trust me. He still says no, it will be scary. I tell him that we will get the fast passes, and he can decide later whether he wants to go or not. That he will agree to. So we walk over to the Land. Lots of different things to catch Ricky's attention, but I gently remind him that we have to focus and keep walking. We get to the fast pass station, and I was right. The fast passes are for 8:30 -9:00 I'm realizing that it's right when we would be finding our seats to the fireworks.... oh well, I'm thinking, we may not even end up going to Soarin' if Ricky decides that it's too scary...

But, next tidbit for single parent: get a stroller early in the day! Your active child might have a ton of energy at the beginning of the day, but one sprint to the fast pass machines he'll be complaining of fatigue in no time. Next order of the day: rent a stroller!

We wander towards the front gate: stop at one of the Innovations pavilions:

And get our picture taken in front of the globe [we got our first photopass, but i also handed my camera to the photographer to snap a photo]:

And then off to rent a stroller. We rented for the 2 days we would be in the parks, so that we could have the $2/day discount. Good deal if you ask me!

Then Ricky has his eye on the pin trading lanyard and pins... so much for a budget vacation. We are now officially pin trading!

After the purchases, we start over to The Sea, but are waylaid by the Character Meet/Greets. Ricky doesn't want to go at first, but I convince him that it will be fun. And what a blast it is! It is the Year of a Million Dreams Characters that we meet: wearing the fantastic new costumes!

Photos and autographs; and then we are off to The Sea!

And we see the splash of the water, and the sound of : "Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine!" that's the seagulls from Finding Nemo!

Line up for the Finding Nemo ride; short line: 20 minute wait!

Fun! And then we go to Talking with Crush!

Ricky is picked to ask a question! He's thrilled, especially since it's the second time he's been picked to do this!

 

[Trentmom]

Great pics and story so far.

I am so addicted to reading all of these trip reports!!

What happened next?


Trentmom