Mize Family Trip Report Friday April 19th, 2002 1 of 9
Cast: Bonnie and David, both 44, and grand-daughter Erika, 9
Tickets: Disney CRO and WDW Travel Co.
Stage: All-Star Music (ASM), for the third time
Entrance: America West Airlines, assisted by National Car Rental
ShowTime: 4/19 - 4/27. This is our sixth trip since 1986.
Out-takes: http://www.imagestation.com/member/index.html?name=dmize&c=201
==================================================
Alarm set for 5:00am- yuck. We all got up OK, though. Most packing had been
done the previous night, so we were ready to go in about an hour. Erika
bounced right up- not surprising, since we had kept the trip a complete
secret from her until 9:00pm last night! Left the house a little after
6:00am, parked in long-term parking at the airport & hit curb-side check in
by 6:30am for our 8:20am flight. E-tickets proved no problem (I had been a
little concerned since 9/11). Port Columbus proved to be pretty laid back,
security wise. It was there, of course, but gun-toting National Guardsmen
were at a minimum- our airport isn't really a major international hub, in
spite of what the Chamber of Commerce says.
We ate breakfast at an airport lounge- not very good, surprisingly- this
place usually does a decent job. Took our time over coffee, then headed for
the concourse security check. Bags and purses were zapped by x-ray- no
problems. The security guy even recognized my CPAP machine (for assisted
breathing at night) in the x-ray- this has thrown many a security person
during my corporate travel days. With the cords, hose and mask, it sure
looks like some kind of terrorist plaything. We walked through the sensor-
*PING*; Erika had beeped. She was promptly directed to a much shorter line
of other pingers- mostly big burly guys with tattoos and gun butts under
their shirts- OK, OK, I'm kidding about the gun butts.
Erika had a deer-in-the-headlights look- she was very nervous. I waited up
by the special checkpoint for her (adults have to be with a minor for this),
while the security folks all jollied her a bit. She'd smile a bit, but was
scared, and it took 20 minutes to get through the line. Finally, her time
came- arms out, feet spread apart, while a thorough wand job was done. Big
beeps at her waist, and she was asked to raise her shirt- military-web type
of belt with metal buckle. Yep, we had sabotaged our little girl. Erika
removed the belt, next scan was clean. Then each foot had to be placed on a
small box and scanned. Finally, she was done and we walked away- and Erika
started softly crying. We think she was more upset at being the center of
attention, than she was scared, but we sure felt bad for her. She got over
it quickly, and we boarded on time.
Departure on time, smooth flight, arrive 15mins early, for our earliest
arrival ever at WDW. We usually do afternoon flights, but this morning
flight was much cheaper. Hit a couple of shops at MCO, then went down for
our bags. National Guard very present here, with rifles and serious looks.
Had to show ID's and match up baggage claim checks. Off to National Rental
Car and their Emerald Aisle service. Had a coupon for a free upgrade this
trip, so we grabbed a full size car (Malibu), loaded up, and drove to the
booth. Presented all coupons and discounts (free upgrade, Sam's Club
discount, Emerald discount, and Entertainment Book discount) $180 for 9
days, full size, before taxes & such- a good deal, I thought.
Hit All-Star Music (ASM) by 12n- not busy at all. This trip is our first
during off-season, and we're amazed at the difference- this place is
crawling during our usual Easter trips. Rooms aren't ready yet, so we grab
our suits and towels from a small bag packed just for that purpose, change
in the rest rooms & hit the pool- for three hours! It's a hot, clear day, so
of course my wife burns, even with SPF30 on. Erika and I get a good shot of
sun, but not like Bonnie. Rooms weren't available until almost 4:00pm, and
we went right up. Got 3 out of 4 requests from my fax four days before-
Calypso 10, pool-side and non-smoking. Had also requested ground floor, but
got second floor, three rooms from stairs, which we were very happy with.
We unpacked, showered (cold one for the wife), changed and headed for the
Magic Kingdom. It's our tradition to ride the ferry over to MK for the first
time on each visit, and we stuck with that today. I had resolved to video
tape everything on this trip (and I did end up taping eight hours worth),
which meant that I usually had a camcorder with me (Sony Hi8mm with 8 hour
battery). I also had a digital camera (Sony Cybershot with 128MB memory
stick), with which I took over 400 pictures on the trip (on the single
stick, too, with lots of room to spare). My wife usually carried the camera,
and even took some shots with it; generally, though, I got to play
photographer.
This is Erika's 4th visit, but she was only six last time, and some memories
are vague. She remembers the boat, though, and is excited to go over toward
the MK, shining in the distance. I video taped the crossing, and she's
enjoyed watching that several times since. The journey is uneventful,
although near-empty- it's quiet here tonight. On arrival (about 5:30pm), we
see lot's of 100th anniversary stuff up, including flower beds, topiaries,
and signage- look's like a big party, and we're invited! All bags are
checked now when entering the parks; it didn't take long tonight, but other
times could be a real pain. Oh, well, I like the feeling of security, so
didn't begrudge the time spent. We wandered down Main Street USA, snapping
pictures & filming, remarking on the light crowds, oohing & ahhing just like
first-timers. In about 45mins, we realize that we're all dead-tired, and not
really enjoying this as much as we should... late night before, 5am wake-up
this morning, 3 hours in hot sun- all a bit too much for one day.
We retreated (with Erika's blessing) to the monorail, and rode around to the
Polynesian resort. We had 8:00pm PS for 'Ohana, and we checked in at 7:00pm,
then collapsed gratefully in comfortable lounge chairs to wait. We all had
drinks, including rum with a beer chaser for Erika- no, wait, that was a
virgin strawberry something, wasn't it? Anyhow, we all enjoyed the drinks
and the rest.Seated at 7:40pm, enjoyed the huge appetizer tray, then tucked
into turkey (melt-in-your-mouth), beef (too dry), pork (awesome & moist) and
shrimp (spicy and delicious). We had an attentive waitress, but she was
trying to turn the table too quickly. We resisted her efforts and relaxed
until after 9:00pm. Then back to TTC & our car, and back to ASM. No late
swimming tonight as we're pooped- to bed by 10:00pm.
Cast: Bonnie and David, both 44, and grand-daughter Erika, 9
Tickets: Disney CRO and WDW Travel Co.
Stage: All-Star Music (ASM), for the third time
Entrance: America West Airlines, assisted by National Car Rental
ShowTime: 4/19 - 4/27. This is our sixth trip since 1986.
Out-takes: http://www.imagestation.com/member/index.html?name=dmize&c=201
==================================================
Alarm set for 5:00am- yuck. We all got up OK, though. Most packing had been
done the previous night, so we were ready to go in about an hour. Erika
bounced right up- not surprising, since we had kept the trip a complete
secret from her until 9:00pm last night! Left the house a little after
6:00am, parked in long-term parking at the airport & hit curb-side check in
by 6:30am for our 8:20am flight. E-tickets proved no problem (I had been a
little concerned since 9/11). Port Columbus proved to be pretty laid back,
security wise. It was there, of course, but gun-toting National Guardsmen
were at a minimum- our airport isn't really a major international hub, in
spite of what the Chamber of Commerce says.
We ate breakfast at an airport lounge- not very good, surprisingly- this
place usually does a decent job. Took our time over coffee, then headed for
the concourse security check. Bags and purses were zapped by x-ray- no
problems. The security guy even recognized my CPAP machine (for assisted
breathing at night) in the x-ray- this has thrown many a security person
during my corporate travel days. With the cords, hose and mask, it sure
looks like some kind of terrorist plaything. We walked through the sensor-
*PING*; Erika had beeped. She was promptly directed to a much shorter line
of other pingers- mostly big burly guys with tattoos and gun butts under
their shirts- OK, OK, I'm kidding about the gun butts.
Erika had a deer-in-the-headlights look- she was very nervous. I waited up
by the special checkpoint for her (adults have to be with a minor for this),
while the security folks all jollied her a bit. She'd smile a bit, but was
scared, and it took 20 minutes to get through the line. Finally, her time
came- arms out, feet spread apart, while a thorough wand job was done. Big
beeps at her waist, and she was asked to raise her shirt- military-web type
of belt with metal buckle. Yep, we had sabotaged our little girl. Erika
removed the belt, next scan was clean. Then each foot had to be placed on a
small box and scanned. Finally, she was done and we walked away- and Erika
started softly crying. We think she was more upset at being the center of
attention, than she was scared, but we sure felt bad for her. She got over
it quickly, and we boarded on time.
Departure on time, smooth flight, arrive 15mins early, for our earliest
arrival ever at WDW. We usually do afternoon flights, but this morning
flight was much cheaper. Hit a couple of shops at MCO, then went down for
our bags. National Guard very present here, with rifles and serious looks.
Had to show ID's and match up baggage claim checks. Off to National Rental
Car and their Emerald Aisle service. Had a coupon for a free upgrade this
trip, so we grabbed a full size car (Malibu), loaded up, and drove to the
booth. Presented all coupons and discounts (free upgrade, Sam's Club
discount, Emerald discount, and Entertainment Book discount) $180 for 9
days, full size, before taxes & such- a good deal, I thought.
Hit All-Star Music (ASM) by 12n- not busy at all. This trip is our first
during off-season, and we're amazed at the difference- this place is
crawling during our usual Easter trips. Rooms aren't ready yet, so we grab
our suits and towels from a small bag packed just for that purpose, change
in the rest rooms & hit the pool- for three hours! It's a hot, clear day, so
of course my wife burns, even with SPF30 on. Erika and I get a good shot of
sun, but not like Bonnie. Rooms weren't available until almost 4:00pm, and
we went right up. Got 3 out of 4 requests from my fax four days before-
Calypso 10, pool-side and non-smoking. Had also requested ground floor, but
got second floor, three rooms from stairs, which we were very happy with.
We unpacked, showered (cold one for the wife), changed and headed for the
Magic Kingdom. It's our tradition to ride the ferry over to MK for the first
time on each visit, and we stuck with that today. I had resolved to video
tape everything on this trip (and I did end up taping eight hours worth),
which meant that I usually had a camcorder with me (Sony Hi8mm with 8 hour
battery). I also had a digital camera (Sony Cybershot with 128MB memory
stick), with which I took over 400 pictures on the trip (on the single
stick, too, with lots of room to spare). My wife usually carried the camera,
and even took some shots with it; generally, though, I got to play
photographer.
This is Erika's 4th visit, but she was only six last time, and some memories
are vague. She remembers the boat, though, and is excited to go over toward
the MK, shining in the distance. I video taped the crossing, and she's
enjoyed watching that several times since. The journey is uneventful,
although near-empty- it's quiet here tonight. On arrival (about 5:30pm), we
see lot's of 100th anniversary stuff up, including flower beds, topiaries,
and signage- look's like a big party, and we're invited! All bags are
checked now when entering the parks; it didn't take long tonight, but other
times could be a real pain. Oh, well, I like the feeling of security, so
didn't begrudge the time spent. We wandered down Main Street USA, snapping
pictures & filming, remarking on the light crowds, oohing & ahhing just like
first-timers. In about 45mins, we realize that we're all dead-tired, and not
really enjoying this as much as we should... late night before, 5am wake-up
this morning, 3 hours in hot sun- all a bit too much for one day.
We retreated (with Erika's blessing) to the monorail, and rode around to the
Polynesian resort. We had 8:00pm PS for 'Ohana, and we checked in at 7:00pm,
then collapsed gratefully in comfortable lounge chairs to wait. We all had
drinks, including rum with a beer chaser for Erika- no, wait, that was a
virgin strawberry something, wasn't it? Anyhow, we all enjoyed the drinks
and the rest.Seated at 7:40pm, enjoyed the huge appetizer tray, then tucked
into turkey (melt-in-your-mouth), beef (too dry), pork (awesome & moist) and
shrimp (spicy and delicious). We had an attentive waitress, but she was
trying to turn the table too quickly. We resisted her efforts and relaxed
until after 9:00pm. Then back to TTC & our car, and back to ASM. No late
swimming tonight as we're pooped- to bed by 10:00pm.
