mr.mike
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2003
- Messages
- 545
Cast
Mr.Mike
Mrs.Mike
Daughter almost 6 yrs
Son almost 3 yrs
Grandma - Mr.Mike's mom
Let me start off making everyone jealous by saying i am sitting on the balcony of my Boardwalk Inn
room typing this. We are all exhausted after a long drive and fun day.
We left New York City on Thursday at 4:40. By 6pm i think we had just reached the Brooklyn Bridge.
The traffic was as bad as we knew it would be so we just went with the flow. We had kind of figured
already that we would drive straight through since we had 3 drivers. I started first and didn't stop
until 5:30am. It wasn't bad as we have driven all night before. The Yankee game kept us wide awake
all during the extra innings. I wish it lasted 20 innings but I'm glad they won. (sorry Bosox fans)
The strange thing about the game was this. In NY the Yankees are broadcast on WCBS radio. WE listed
to the game and the post show all through our drive. We didnt loose the signal until we were somewhere
in South CArolina!!!! Can anyone explain to me how the signal reaches that far. We didnt even start
listening to the game until the 4th inning when my sister (who drove down separately with her family)
told us she was receiving the signal and she was 6 hours ahead of us.
Anyway, by 10:00pm she told us she was in fayetville,NC. Almost 6 hours later we got off exit 49 and
found her car at one of the hotels surrounding the exit. I put a note on her windshield which read
"Hi, it is 3:47 and we are now in the lead." You say silly things when you are tired.
She didn't leave her hotel until 8am and now we were 4 hours ahead of her. I'm glad we didn't stop because
we pulled up to the Boardwalk Inn at 1pm. I figured her to arrive around 4:30 but we never heard from her
the rest of the day. Shes at the Poly and we'll see her for dinner tomorrow. After getting someone
to take our luggage (9 various sized bags for only 2 nights) we went in to check in.
We had never seen the resort before and were inpressed right away. The lobby while not huge is very airy
and the balcony right outside with rocking chairs to relax on and watch the boardwalk looked very inviting.
The belleview room ( i think that is the correct name) is a classy looking area to get a drink and it
also has a long balcony with tables and chairs to relax in. I made a promise to get a drink there and
people watch.
I hAd no wait at checkin although i had seen many people check thier bags before me and enter the lobby.
I had faxed the resort asking if they could pick an appropriate room for us as we had never been here before.
I only asked to consider something close to the main areas because we would be carrying our children
back to the room after each long day.
She told me our room number was 4270 and said it was close to the lobby. I assumed she was refering to my request.
I asked which way to get to the room and she said go all the way down to the end of the building and take the elevator
up to the 4th floor. Well...that didnt seem too close but lets see it before we assume anything. After
arriving on our floor i found our room all the way down the hall not particularly close to the elevator much
less the lobby. Well it is only two days and its not a big deal anyway so with a few mutterings we unpack.
I'm eating those words as i type. You'll see why later.
We have to activate Grandma's AP and we are all starving after our 20 hour car ride (that includes 1.5 hours
of NYC traffic and 30 minutes of stopping to eat) so we head over to Epcot's Internation gateway to activate it.
We look at the shops and eateries on the boardwalk as we walk the INCREDIBLY SHORT walk to epcot. From the
minute you step out of the lobby to when you reach the turnstiles, it couldnt have been more than 5 minutes.
I was very impressed how easy it was to get there. Unfortunately there was only one CM in the ticket booth.
We were behind only one guest but he was having the hardest time issuing tickets to them for some reason.
He was typing and retyping. He was on the phone with someone to help him. He was typing again. We waited for at
least 15 minutes and now a line of about 8 people formed behind us. We didn't care about having to wait but
we were all so hungry and wanted to get into EPcot to eat.
While we waited a couple on line asked if they could take a picture with me. WOW, did they recognize Mr.mike in his
civillian identity? No, they said they were on a scavenger hunt. Sure i said and took the pic with them. My
mom said they probably needed a pic with a stranger. No, i humbly replied, it's probably a most handsom man with a
sexy goatee that they needed. You see this one coming don't you?
Anyway, our turn came at the booth and he activated the pass. As he explained it to my mom he showed her that it
expired one year from today on NOVEMBER 17th!! As he said it he knew he put the wrong date and it should be October
17, 2004. Well he tried to fix it and the computer wouldnt let him. This poor guy was having a bad day and the people
behind us were starting wondering aloud what was taking so long. He issued a one day park hopper and asked us to come back.
No prob and we finally entered Epcot. The crowds were not big at all and instead of getting a quick bite we walked straight
to Italy hoping they'd have a free table for a full blown meal.
We were seated immedately and had the Best meal I ever had anywhere on Disney property. Everything was cooked perfectly
and our server (natasha?) was friedly, sweet, kept bringing me refills on my soda before i knew i was finished and
treated my children wonderfully, talking to them often and bringing them what they needed quickly.
The meal was so good ( we even had cappucino and dessert which we never do) and i was so full and so happy i told
her i felt like crying. You may now officialy laugh at me and call me names.
Walked over to test track next which was done for the day for fast passes and then to Mission Space which had fast pass
return for 8:30 to 9:00pm it was about 4pm at this time. I took a fast pass knowing i probably wouldnt be there at 8:30.
and i was right.
The kids asked for Spaceship Earth. It was a walk on and it was great as usual, although each time i go through it
feel like some scenes are missing.
On the way back i see another couple ask this man if they can take a picture with him for a scavenger hunt.
He agrees and they tell him to take off his cap because they need a bald man. !!!!!! oh well there goes my sexy goatee theory.
Slowly made our way aroung the park back to the international gateway where my mom's AP was waiting. Got back to the room
aroound 6:30 and asked if mom would like to see Fantasmic. I took my daughter and mom while mrs.mike gave our son a bath
to relax him. Believe me, he seemed to be on a sugar rush since we left NY. And of course now that its the next night
and hes tired from the drive, he gets slap happy. Laughs then cries then laughs about the silliest thing.
When we hit the boardwalk again the boat for MGM was boarding. We got on and after stops at the Yacht and Beach Club and
the Swan and Dolphin we made our way to Disney-MGM studios. When docking the boat the driver tells us its 6:55 and Fantasmic
will probably have no seating by 7pm, five minutes from now. He suggests sprinting if you want a seat.
We walked fast but at the top of that long walk it was standing room only. DD wanted to see the show so we stayed.
This was my second time seeing it and i liked it better than the first.
We waited about 12 minutes for the crowds to leave then we walked to the boat to see a huge line. Well here's my chance to
answer that FAQ about the walk to MGM. WE started our walk and the boat was filling up with passengers. Even though
the people at the end of the line (where we would have been) would not make this boat we decided for the sake of argument
that everyone got on. The boat passed us as we neared the Boardwalk but it was heading to the SWan & Dolphin first so we
easily beat it. Actual walking time was 16 minutes. It had only felt like ten though.
With the kids getting ready to bed we hear fireworks. Opening the curtains we see Illuminations! right from the room...not
just the balcony but from the room, sitting onthe bed!! What a great room, they really gave me a good location... i can
even see the top of the USA building with an american flag waving inthe wind.
Speaking of the room... it was bigger than i thought it would be. Pics on line make it seem smaller.
You can hear anyone walking through the hallway but that doesn't bother us. With the Balcony door closed i dont hear anything
outside but as i type this its pretty noist out here. Many people walking by, talking, kids shouting. I imagine a water view
over the boardwalk woudl be quite noisy.
I've taken many pics
and hope to have them online tonight if they upload quick enough. OH DSL when will you get here to all the resorts?
if it worked...the info to see them will be updated right here......................
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/themikefamily
Last note; i keep hearing hearing music being played from Epcot. Sounds like a music for a parade or for an illuminations show
but i've never heard this particular melody. HMMM is something new being planned?
Well its 10:54 and all are asleep. I've woken up Mrs.Mike twice now to go for a late swim. I will try a third attempt.
If you read this far ( sorry so long) hope you enjoyed it.
Up next: MGM early entry, Camp May Clambake and other fun.
mike
Mr.Mike
Mrs.Mike
Daughter almost 6 yrs
Son almost 3 yrs
Grandma - Mr.Mike's mom
Let me start off making everyone jealous by saying i am sitting on the balcony of my Boardwalk Inn
room typing this. We are all exhausted after a long drive and fun day.
We left New York City on Thursday at 4:40. By 6pm i think we had just reached the Brooklyn Bridge.
The traffic was as bad as we knew it would be so we just went with the flow. We had kind of figured
already that we would drive straight through since we had 3 drivers. I started first and didn't stop
until 5:30am. It wasn't bad as we have driven all night before. The Yankee game kept us wide awake
all during the extra innings. I wish it lasted 20 innings but I'm glad they won. (sorry Bosox fans)
The strange thing about the game was this. In NY the Yankees are broadcast on WCBS radio. WE listed
to the game and the post show all through our drive. We didnt loose the signal until we were somewhere
in South CArolina!!!! Can anyone explain to me how the signal reaches that far. We didnt even start
listening to the game until the 4th inning when my sister (who drove down separately with her family)
told us she was receiving the signal and she was 6 hours ahead of us.
Anyway, by 10:00pm she told us she was in fayetville,NC. Almost 6 hours later we got off exit 49 and
found her car at one of the hotels surrounding the exit. I put a note on her windshield which read
"Hi, it is 3:47 and we are now in the lead." You say silly things when you are tired.
She didn't leave her hotel until 8am and now we were 4 hours ahead of her. I'm glad we didn't stop because
we pulled up to the Boardwalk Inn at 1pm. I figured her to arrive around 4:30 but we never heard from her
the rest of the day. Shes at the Poly and we'll see her for dinner tomorrow. After getting someone
to take our luggage (9 various sized bags for only 2 nights) we went in to check in.
We had never seen the resort before and were inpressed right away. The lobby while not huge is very airy
and the balcony right outside with rocking chairs to relax on and watch the boardwalk looked very inviting.
The belleview room ( i think that is the correct name) is a classy looking area to get a drink and it
also has a long balcony with tables and chairs to relax in. I made a promise to get a drink there and
people watch.
I hAd no wait at checkin although i had seen many people check thier bags before me and enter the lobby.
I had faxed the resort asking if they could pick an appropriate room for us as we had never been here before.
I only asked to consider something close to the main areas because we would be carrying our children
back to the room after each long day.
She told me our room number was 4270 and said it was close to the lobby. I assumed she was refering to my request.
I asked which way to get to the room and she said go all the way down to the end of the building and take the elevator
up to the 4th floor. Well...that didnt seem too close but lets see it before we assume anything. After
arriving on our floor i found our room all the way down the hall not particularly close to the elevator much
less the lobby. Well it is only two days and its not a big deal anyway so with a few mutterings we unpack.
I'm eating those words as i type. You'll see why later.
We have to activate Grandma's AP and we are all starving after our 20 hour car ride (that includes 1.5 hours
of NYC traffic and 30 minutes of stopping to eat) so we head over to Epcot's Internation gateway to activate it.
We look at the shops and eateries on the boardwalk as we walk the INCREDIBLY SHORT walk to epcot. From the
minute you step out of the lobby to when you reach the turnstiles, it couldnt have been more than 5 minutes.
I was very impressed how easy it was to get there. Unfortunately there was only one CM in the ticket booth.
We were behind only one guest but he was having the hardest time issuing tickets to them for some reason.
He was typing and retyping. He was on the phone with someone to help him. He was typing again. We waited for at
least 15 minutes and now a line of about 8 people formed behind us. We didn't care about having to wait but
we were all so hungry and wanted to get into EPcot to eat.
While we waited a couple on line asked if they could take a picture with me. WOW, did they recognize Mr.mike in his
civillian identity? No, they said they were on a scavenger hunt. Sure i said and took the pic with them. My
mom said they probably needed a pic with a stranger. No, i humbly replied, it's probably a most handsom man with a
sexy goatee that they needed. You see this one coming don't you?
Anyway, our turn came at the booth and he activated the pass. As he explained it to my mom he showed her that it
expired one year from today on NOVEMBER 17th!! As he said it he knew he put the wrong date and it should be October
17, 2004. Well he tried to fix it and the computer wouldnt let him. This poor guy was having a bad day and the people
behind us were starting wondering aloud what was taking so long. He issued a one day park hopper and asked us to come back.
No prob and we finally entered Epcot. The crowds were not big at all and instead of getting a quick bite we walked straight
to Italy hoping they'd have a free table for a full blown meal.
We were seated immedately and had the Best meal I ever had anywhere on Disney property. Everything was cooked perfectly
and our server (natasha?) was friedly, sweet, kept bringing me refills on my soda before i knew i was finished and
treated my children wonderfully, talking to them often and bringing them what they needed quickly.
The meal was so good ( we even had cappucino and dessert which we never do) and i was so full and so happy i told
her i felt like crying. You may now officialy laugh at me and call me names.
Walked over to test track next which was done for the day for fast passes and then to Mission Space which had fast pass
return for 8:30 to 9:00pm it was about 4pm at this time. I took a fast pass knowing i probably wouldnt be there at 8:30.
and i was right.
The kids asked for Spaceship Earth. It was a walk on and it was great as usual, although each time i go through it
feel like some scenes are missing.
On the way back i see another couple ask this man if they can take a picture with him for a scavenger hunt.
He agrees and they tell him to take off his cap because they need a bald man. !!!!!! oh well there goes my sexy goatee theory.
Slowly made our way aroung the park back to the international gateway where my mom's AP was waiting. Got back to the room
aroound 6:30 and asked if mom would like to see Fantasmic. I took my daughter and mom while mrs.mike gave our son a bath
to relax him. Believe me, he seemed to be on a sugar rush since we left NY. And of course now that its the next night
and hes tired from the drive, he gets slap happy. Laughs then cries then laughs about the silliest thing.
When we hit the boardwalk again the boat for MGM was boarding. We got on and after stops at the Yacht and Beach Club and
the Swan and Dolphin we made our way to Disney-MGM studios. When docking the boat the driver tells us its 6:55 and Fantasmic
will probably have no seating by 7pm, five minutes from now. He suggests sprinting if you want a seat.
We walked fast but at the top of that long walk it was standing room only. DD wanted to see the show so we stayed.
This was my second time seeing it and i liked it better than the first.
We waited about 12 minutes for the crowds to leave then we walked to the boat to see a huge line. Well here's my chance to
answer that FAQ about the walk to MGM. WE started our walk and the boat was filling up with passengers. Even though
the people at the end of the line (where we would have been) would not make this boat we decided for the sake of argument
that everyone got on. The boat passed us as we neared the Boardwalk but it was heading to the SWan & Dolphin first so we
easily beat it. Actual walking time was 16 minutes. It had only felt like ten though.
With the kids getting ready to bed we hear fireworks. Opening the curtains we see Illuminations! right from the room...not
just the balcony but from the room, sitting onthe bed!! What a great room, they really gave me a good location... i can
even see the top of the USA building with an american flag waving inthe wind.
Speaking of the room... it was bigger than i thought it would be. Pics on line make it seem smaller.
You can hear anyone walking through the hallway but that doesn't bother us. With the Balcony door closed i dont hear anything
outside but as i type this its pretty noist out here. Many people walking by, talking, kids shouting. I imagine a water view
over the boardwalk woudl be quite noisy.
I've taken many pics
and hope to have them online tonight if they upload quick enough. OH DSL when will you get here to all the resorts?
if it worked...the info to see them will be updated right here......................
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/themikefamily
Last note; i keep hearing hearing music being played from Epcot. Sounds like a music for a parade or for an illuminations show
but i've never heard this particular melody. HMMM is something new being planned?
Well its 10:54 and all are asleep. I've woken up Mrs.Mike twice now to go for a late swim. I will try a third attempt.
If you read this far ( sorry so long) hope you enjoyed it.
Up next: MGM early entry, Camp May Clambake and other fun.
mike
Also, great pictures.
