MickeyMonstersMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,429
MMMs solo trip report
Why solo? I never would have dreamed of taking a WDW vacation alone, but then my ex-husband moved to Florida and I saw the opportunity to escort my children on the flight to visit dad and then spend some quality down time in the Happiest Place in the World, especially doing things that the Monsters would not enjoy. After my first solo last year, I couldnt wait to do it again! As before, Id spend a few days with relatives near Daytona and then a few at WDW.
Part One: What time was the wake-up call??!
Sunday, 4/17/05 - Wednesday, 4/20/05
Worried about luggage on connecting flights, Id already mailed the kids (DD 10, DS 7) clothes to their dads and managed to cram all of my things into a wheeled carry-on about a week beforehand. All we had to do was roll out of bed and leave for the Binghamton airport by 6:30. However, local college students apparently had other plans for me, and awakened my family at 3:30 by parking their car in front of my house, music blaring, and proceeding to laugh and yell with some other idiots walking down the sidewalk. I turned on the porch light, opened the front door just long enough for all of them to notice me glaring at them, and shut it again. It seemed to do the job, because they all slunk away moments later. Good morning, everyone - Ill have extra coffee, thanks.
We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare (big surprise) and enjoyed a very speedy check-in and passage through security. The long-term parking lot was full, so I nervously obeyed the signs and parked right next to the entrance, leaving my meter ticket on the dash and hoping I didnt get towed. Binghamton is a tiny little airport, out in the middle of nowhere (honestly - I thought I was lost more than once!), and I have to say theres a definite homey, personal touch there. The waiting area had rocking chairs and games, books, and puzzles for the kids, as well as a little pretend airplane for little ones to play on. I chatted with a lady who seemed to be in charge at the security area, commenting that we typically fly out of Syracuse; she replied that shed just have to give us extra-special customer service to keep us coming back! Everyone there was gracious and professional - if only theyd offer a non-stop flight, Id be happy to use BGM more often.
We boarded a turbo-prop for the first leg of our trip, to NWAs hub in Detroit. There were only two seats on each side, so the kids sat in front of me while I enjoyed the first window seat Ive had in 3 years! Yay! The interior had seen better days, and my seat was so hard I wondered if there was even a cushion there. OTOH, our flight attendant was great and let us all have extra pretzels and full cans of our drinks, even DSs choice of Mountain Dew, which I did not learn about until the sugar-high kicked in after wed landed. Happily, the Monsters behaved very well and didnt even argue with each other!
Wow! We arrived on time and had a moderate wait at Detroit. The airport is beautiful and has a lot to see - and buy! I wanted to eat at one of the sit-down eateries to waste time, but the kids saw an A&W and thought it was so funny that their hometown fast-food place was there, so we opted for the cheaper alternative. Whatever they serve there, it was nothing like our local restaurant. Ill be sure to get my A&W fix at home from now on.
Our flight was delayed in arriving to DTW, so we got to MCO about an hour later than expected. I handed the kids off to their dad and went to Alamo to pick up my car. Now I understand peoples gripes about car rentals in Orlando: Ive had fantastic experiences with Alamo at Sanford Airport, but it was a completely different story at MCO. First, the counter rep tried to upsell me from an Economy to a Compact, even after I told her I was traveling alone - then she tried to convince me Id need the larger vehicle for all my luggage. Sorry but NO. Please just give me my cheap ride! Not even close - next I got the hard sell about insurance. Id read here on the DIS that NY insurance laws have changed, but was unable to get hold of my agent before I left, so I panicked a little when the rep reminded me that my insurance may not have coverage in Florida and ended up paying almost triple the amount Id secured online. At Sanford I always just handed the rep my online quote and off I went. Arrgh.
Traffic to Daytona was very manageable and I pulled up to my aunt and uncles house a little over an hour after leaving the airport. I enjoyed my time with them, just walking the beach and generally relaxing. Ormond Beach is a great little place, one Id love to retire to someday.
Next up, Part Two: Ahhh, back in the World
Why solo? I never would have dreamed of taking a WDW vacation alone, but then my ex-husband moved to Florida and I saw the opportunity to escort my children on the flight to visit dad and then spend some quality down time in the Happiest Place in the World, especially doing things that the Monsters would not enjoy. After my first solo last year, I couldnt wait to do it again! As before, Id spend a few days with relatives near Daytona and then a few at WDW.
Part One: What time was the wake-up call??!
Sunday, 4/17/05 - Wednesday, 4/20/05
Worried about luggage on connecting flights, Id already mailed the kids (DD 10, DS 7) clothes to their dads and managed to cram all of my things into a wheeled carry-on about a week beforehand. All we had to do was roll out of bed and leave for the Binghamton airport by 6:30. However, local college students apparently had other plans for me, and awakened my family at 3:30 by parking their car in front of my house, music blaring, and proceeding to laugh and yell with some other idiots walking down the sidewalk. I turned on the porch light, opened the front door just long enough for all of them to notice me glaring at them, and shut it again. It seemed to do the job, because they all slunk away moments later. Good morning, everyone - Ill have extra coffee, thanks.
We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare (big surprise) and enjoyed a very speedy check-in and passage through security. The long-term parking lot was full, so I nervously obeyed the signs and parked right next to the entrance, leaving my meter ticket on the dash and hoping I didnt get towed. Binghamton is a tiny little airport, out in the middle of nowhere (honestly - I thought I was lost more than once!), and I have to say theres a definite homey, personal touch there. The waiting area had rocking chairs and games, books, and puzzles for the kids, as well as a little pretend airplane for little ones to play on. I chatted with a lady who seemed to be in charge at the security area, commenting that we typically fly out of Syracuse; she replied that shed just have to give us extra-special customer service to keep us coming back! Everyone there was gracious and professional - if only theyd offer a non-stop flight, Id be happy to use BGM more often.
We boarded a turbo-prop for the first leg of our trip, to NWAs hub in Detroit. There were only two seats on each side, so the kids sat in front of me while I enjoyed the first window seat Ive had in 3 years! Yay! The interior had seen better days, and my seat was so hard I wondered if there was even a cushion there. OTOH, our flight attendant was great and let us all have extra pretzels and full cans of our drinks, even DSs choice of Mountain Dew, which I did not learn about until the sugar-high kicked in after wed landed. Happily, the Monsters behaved very well and didnt even argue with each other!
Wow! We arrived on time and had a moderate wait at Detroit. The airport is beautiful and has a lot to see - and buy! I wanted to eat at one of the sit-down eateries to waste time, but the kids saw an A&W and thought it was so funny that their hometown fast-food place was there, so we opted for the cheaper alternative. Whatever they serve there, it was nothing like our local restaurant. Ill be sure to get my A&W fix at home from now on. Our flight was delayed in arriving to DTW, so we got to MCO about an hour later than expected. I handed the kids off to their dad and went to Alamo to pick up my car. Now I understand peoples gripes about car rentals in Orlando: Ive had fantastic experiences with Alamo at Sanford Airport, but it was a completely different story at MCO. First, the counter rep tried to upsell me from an Economy to a Compact, even after I told her I was traveling alone - then she tried to convince me Id need the larger vehicle for all my luggage. Sorry but NO. Please just give me my cheap ride! Not even close - next I got the hard sell about insurance. Id read here on the DIS that NY insurance laws have changed, but was unable to get hold of my agent before I left, so I panicked a little when the rep reminded me that my insurance may not have coverage in Florida and ended up paying almost triple the amount Id secured online. At Sanford I always just handed the rep my online quote and off I went. Arrgh.
Traffic to Daytona was very manageable and I pulled up to my aunt and uncles house a little over an hour after leaving the airport. I enjoyed my time with them, just walking the beach and generally relaxing. Ormond Beach is a great little place, one Id love to retire to someday.
Next up, Part Two: Ahhh, back in the World
