Please note this is my first report. I am a bit nervous, & hope I am not making a fool of myself with this report.
I hope someone will get some tips from it, as I have gotten so many from others, on these boards.
Excuse my spelling & grammar and any mistakes.
DD11 was off for Presidents Week 2006 & wanted to go to Disney. My dilemma was, we were on The Wonder in Nov 2005 and if we were to go again in Feb, it would be on a "TIGHT BUDGET."
Last year, we bought our a 10 day non expire Hopper pass from Ticketmaina & UV tickets, therefore, no ticket, expenses & worries.
Last minute DS decided she was going to join us, & meet us an in MCO a day after us, & leave the day before us. I was able to reserve Sheridan Vistana for about $160.00 exchange (RCI owner)
Thru Mary's great advice on Mousesavers & with all the codes, & coupons
I got a great deal from National rent a car for $105.00 mid size for the week. One problem, we were due to arrive in MCO 2/18 2pm. I accidentally booked the rent a car for 11:00 PM instead of AM. I was a little worried about this, but didn't want to change anything due to the great fare, I decided to leave alone. It would work out.
Airfare, I really hunted & took the advice thru, these Disney Transportation Boards, We booked 2 one way non stop fare for $100.00 each way. LGA to MCO AA down & Spirit back. Grand total for tickets 400.00 (myself & DD)
DS lives in LI NY & flew with Spirit out of Islip.
Lately, DD has been nagging me that she really wants to go to Italy, since she is studying in school. She has planted a seed in my head.
In NY all week long, there has been, snow storms, ice, Fog, which had caused airline delays. I am secretly sweating bullets, about this all week. Husband thinks I am way to obsessive, but supports me 100%
Sat Feb 18 our flight is at 11:00 AM leaving out of LGA. DH brings DD & myself to LGA airport. Thank god "NO" traffic. You New Yorkers know what I mean!! Arrived at AA & the terminal, is like a zoo. Never seen is so crazy & busy.
Our 11:00AM flight,(3hr flight) is overbooked & agents are looking for volunteers. A voice in my head is saying "Operation Italy" & "Rent a Car 11:00 PM" I went up to the agent, and asked does AA go to Italy? If so could I use these tickets for Italy? She says yes. They were offering $300.00 in air money, & would send us, to a Miami flight which leaves at 12:00 PM arrive at Miami at 3pm 3:20 would leave Miami, for MCO & would arrive at MCO at 4:15. Sounds complicated, but really it wasn't.
We have our carry on suitcases with us, so luggage is not a problem. I ask my DD if she would like to do this & she says yes, but can we fly first class. I ask the agent, but first is full. We said yes anyway, & headed off to the
Miami gate.
Arrived at Miami gate. Overbooked flight. The agent is asking for Volunteers. Again, they are offering $300.00 plus a non stop flight to MCO that leaves at 6 PM. My DD & I have a talk. If we accept, we would have $600.00 each in air money, & would have our tickets paid in full for Italy. Our flight 6PM would
arrive at MCO at 9:30 PM. Please *note* DD & I have been going to Disney twice a year for the last 5 years. Losing a few hours in Orlando, was not upsetting to us, and we actually have 2 more trips to Orlando planned for
11/06 We said yes.
Agent gave us lunch vouchers for $20.00 each. He called us back up, and gave us another choice, we could take a direct flight to MCO at 6 PM arrive at 9:30PM as planned or......hop on a plane at 3:30pm to St. Louis MO get off the plane & immediately get on a plane in St. Louis to MCO
Will arrive in MCO at 9:30 PM. Suddenly the Agent said the magic words "FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY" DD & I decided to go with the
First Class option, since we would be sitting in the airport anyway. We might as well be Wine dined & pampered.
One quick note, as we were boarding our 3:30 flight to St. Louis I saw someone waving to me. It was a woman from my original 11:00 AM flight. Our original 11:00 am flight was delayed 4 hours and they were just boarding
at 3:30pm and would not be arriving to MCO 6:30pm. DD & I had the best fun on both flights.
Arrived in MCO at 9:30 as planned, was a bit nervous, since we were early for the rent a car. At National, nobody said anything to me. Got our midsize car and off to the Vistana. Arrived at the Vistana, ready to check in at the Diamond check in. Unfortunately, it was not
open late at night. As luck has it, only one person ahead of us. Check in went quickly. Loved the room. Off to sleep
Next day, DD & I headed off to SuperWalmart. (my first time in Walmart) My goodness it's huge. We bought cold cuts, & lot's of food & junk for the week. Only spent $80.00 DD & I went to the pool, & swam for the afternoon. That night, went to MCO airport to pick up my DS. The 3 of us, went to the Olive Garden for dinner. What a mad house. I love the Olive garden, but every time I go whether it's home or Orlando, there is always an hour wait.
It didn't help since the person taking names, told us only a 30 minutes wait, & it was really over an hour wait. I think my Olive Garden days are over. We went back to the Vistana & put frozen crystal light bottles in the freezer for the following morn.
Next day, was President's Day, before my shower, I popped a roast chicken in the oven, stuffed with stuffing. I then made sandwiches, snacks & fresh fruit. Put them in my backpack & took out the frozen lemonade bottles. I made oatmeal with fresh blueberry muffins for breakfast. By time showers
were complete our chicken was cooked & in the fridge for later that eve.
We went to Universal Studios. I had purchased (thru visa) on the phone "3 Fast Pass" the day before. This is a must, if the park is crowed. It saved us so......much time. We had a great time, & with the
passes, we had hardly any wait time. We had a wonderful lunch, & the lemonade aide was so refreshing all day. Loved Universal Studios. Great memories.
Home to the Vistana & to our wonderful chicken dinner opened a can of corn & hot biscuits, and boy did we have a great dinner. Put bottles in the freezer, & took a Jacuzzi bath & we all turned in.
Tuesday, morn, woke up made lunch, put it in our backpacks along with our frozen bottles.
We all ate breakfast of pancakes & fresh cookies (just add h2o) & bake yum & off to Epcot. The park was very crowed. I had made lunch reservations 4:30 PM in Mexico restaurant months before. We were able to go on Soaring, twice & got a fast pass it. Loved it. Long lines everywhere. We saw just about everything, except "Wonders of Life" was closed. My DD11 is a young 11 and I was hoping for her to see, the making of me. It would have made my birds & the bees job easier to teach her. Oh well. I lost my 10 hopper pass ticket. I almost had a heart attack, since it had 9 days left and it was unsigned & I was not finger printed at the gate. Someone actually turned it in, & I started to cry with delight.
At 4:30 we arrived at Mexico's restaurant. We had wonder seats. We were seated by the water, & volcano. It was beautiful to watch the boats go by. Lunch was delicious. Dinner was being served 5pm. We looked at the dinner menu, which was just about the same exact menu as the lunch only more money & it seemed dinner menu offered a salad, which lunch didn't. Dinner
meals were $10.00 more from Lunch to Dinner. We were amazed.
If you have a Disney Visa, you can get your "free character photo" when you go to Epcot. The character greeting is in Innovations West from 1:30-4:30 daily, When we went (President's week busy busy & busy) there was nobody waiting, my family got a photo with Minnie & Goofy. I asked the CM to take photos with my camera. They came great. The characters are all curtained off when you get there, but you'll see a cast member with a clipboard.
They ask to see your Disney Visa, then they give you a coupon for your free photo. What's really cool is that we got some family shots with characters in them You can take your photopass to the photo shop at
the front of Epcot and then choose whatever picture you want for your freebie. It's a great deal and a fun character experience, great way to meet the characters, & not wait in line, in a cool air condition place
After dinner, we used our AAA parking pass, & drove to the Magic Kingdom. We parked in the front row along with handicap.
The pass really does make a difference for Park Hopping. It saves time. Enjoyed our time in Magic Kingdom. Very crowed. We made used of our Fast Passes.
Wedesnday, I stayed in the Vistana, and enjoyed this lovely hot sunny day by the pool, meeting new friends from around the country while we were sipping Mud Slides. I had so much fun. My DS & DD went to the Magic Kingdom for the day. I took advantage of all the fun at the Vistana. Can't say enough good things about the Vistana. I had to leave at 5:30 to meet the family at Hoop Dee Do. I took the car, to Fort Wilderness, parked
& then took the Disney bus. My family took the boat from MK to meet me for the 7:15 show. I have to say, this was one of my favorite things that I did on our trip. There is a small man-made beach with
lounge chairs. I sat on the chair, my feet in the cool sand, watching all of the boats coming & going. The sunset, was the most beautiful
sky I have seen in a long time. Some children were running, chasing the ducks, while there moms & dad watched on the beach. It was so peaceful.
I was able to meet my family, on the dock, & continue to Hoop Dee Do show.
One important note, Hoop Dee Do is freezing. Bring a sweater. The waiter told us, he is always giving out tablecloths,
(for warmth) due to the cold air which all 3 of wore.
This was in my top 10 favorite things on our trip. Went home & froze our water bottles, for the following day.
Thursday got up early made lunches & frozen bottles & packed it for the day a head. We're off
to Animal Kingdom. Used our AAA passes, & again parked right in the front row. Went to Mount Everest. Rode on it twice. Loved it. Animal kingdom was very crowed. Mom's with small children beware. While walking in a crowd of people this very large women eating a Mickey ice-cream, driving her electric scooter, ran over, my sister's foot. My sister screamed
in pain. The Woman looked at my sister, took a bite of her ice cream & continued on her journey. Many other people stopped to help. Thank god, I had motrin, in my purse, & immediately gave it to my sister. A CM was able to make an ice pack out of a small plastic shopping bag. It was very scary.
My sister's foot was black & blue the next day. I think the motrin, helped a lot. We left animal kingdom late in the afternoon, & went back to MK. Stayed there all eve & had a blast. We ate in a fast food restaurant. We all collapsed in bed that night.
Friday, my DD wanted the two of us to rent, a bike built for two, & we ride around the Vistana complex. My DS was leaving this day, so we went to lunch at Chills down the block from the vistana.
We took DS to airport, & DD & I had a blast with the activities, at the Vistana. I did the adult (poker) activities, while, DD did the kids activities. We both finished at 10:00 PM. Came back & packed.
Saturday, DD & I were off to MCO airport.
"WARNING" on the way home, make sure you get to MCO airport at least 2 hours before you leave. Going thru security, there is always a line, at least 30 to 40 minutes. I have traveled there 4 times in the last year. Each time seemed to worst than the last. My last trip, I saw some "many" people screaming that they were going to miss the flight. The workers shook there shoulders, and said "oh well" you should have gotten here earlier.
It was horrible. GO EARLY
Flew home Spirit. Believe it or not, they were looking for volunteers, they were giving free tickets, along
with dinner & hotel night stay. DD looked at me, & we both laughed & said let's go home. Which we did uneventful. As we arrived in NYC we all started to clap when we saw the Statue of Liberty from our plane window. What a beautiful site.
DH was there to meet his girls, how good it was to be home & my family to be all together.
I was not going to write a report, but I have learned so much from the boards, that I thought it is time to give back.
Thanks
Patricia
I hope someone will get some tips from it, as I have gotten so many from others, on these boards.
Excuse my spelling & grammar and any mistakes.
DD11 was off for Presidents Week 2006 & wanted to go to Disney. My dilemma was, we were on The Wonder in Nov 2005 and if we were to go again in Feb, it would be on a "TIGHT BUDGET."
Last year, we bought our a 10 day non expire Hopper pass from Ticketmaina & UV tickets, therefore, no ticket, expenses & worries.
Last minute DS decided she was going to join us, & meet us an in MCO a day after us, & leave the day before us. I was able to reserve Sheridan Vistana for about $160.00 exchange (RCI owner)
Thru Mary's great advice on Mousesavers & with all the codes, & coupons
I got a great deal from National rent a car for $105.00 mid size for the week. One problem, we were due to arrive in MCO 2/18 2pm. I accidentally booked the rent a car for 11:00 PM instead of AM. I was a little worried about this, but didn't want to change anything due to the great fare, I decided to leave alone. It would work out.
Airfare, I really hunted & took the advice thru, these Disney Transportation Boards, We booked 2 one way non stop fare for $100.00 each way. LGA to MCO AA down & Spirit back. Grand total for tickets 400.00 (myself & DD)
DS lives in LI NY & flew with Spirit out of Islip.
Lately, DD has been nagging me that she really wants to go to Italy, since she is studying in school. She has planted a seed in my head.
In NY all week long, there has been, snow storms, ice, Fog, which had caused airline delays. I am secretly sweating bullets, about this all week. Husband thinks I am way to obsessive, but supports me 100%
Sat Feb 18 our flight is at 11:00 AM leaving out of LGA. DH brings DD & myself to LGA airport. Thank god "NO" traffic. You New Yorkers know what I mean!! Arrived at AA & the terminal, is like a zoo. Never seen is so crazy & busy.
Our 11:00AM flight,(3hr flight) is overbooked & agents are looking for volunteers. A voice in my head is saying "Operation Italy" & "Rent a Car 11:00 PM" I went up to the agent, and asked does AA go to Italy? If so could I use these tickets for Italy? She says yes. They were offering $300.00 in air money, & would send us, to a Miami flight which leaves at 12:00 PM arrive at Miami at 3pm 3:20 would leave Miami, for MCO & would arrive at MCO at 4:15. Sounds complicated, but really it wasn't.
We have our carry on suitcases with us, so luggage is not a problem. I ask my DD if she would like to do this & she says yes, but can we fly first class. I ask the agent, but first is full. We said yes anyway, & headed off to the
Miami gate.
Arrived at Miami gate. Overbooked flight. The agent is asking for Volunteers. Again, they are offering $300.00 plus a non stop flight to MCO that leaves at 6 PM. My DD & I have a talk. If we accept, we would have $600.00 each in air money, & would have our tickets paid in full for Italy. Our flight 6PM would
arrive at MCO at 9:30 PM. Please *note* DD & I have been going to Disney twice a year for the last 5 years. Losing a few hours in Orlando, was not upsetting to us, and we actually have 2 more trips to Orlando planned for
11/06 We said yes.
Agent gave us lunch vouchers for $20.00 each. He called us back up, and gave us another choice, we could take a direct flight to MCO at 6 PM arrive at 9:30PM as planned or......hop on a plane at 3:30pm to St. Louis MO get off the plane & immediately get on a plane in St. Louis to MCO
Will arrive in MCO at 9:30 PM. Suddenly the Agent said the magic words "FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY" DD & I decided to go with the
First Class option, since we would be sitting in the airport anyway. We might as well be Wine dined & pampered.
One quick note, as we were boarding our 3:30 flight to St. Louis I saw someone waving to me. It was a woman from my original 11:00 AM flight. Our original 11:00 am flight was delayed 4 hours and they were just boarding
at 3:30pm and would not be arriving to MCO 6:30pm. DD & I had the best fun on both flights.
Arrived in MCO at 9:30 as planned, was a bit nervous, since we were early for the rent a car. At National, nobody said anything to me. Got our midsize car and off to the Vistana. Arrived at the Vistana, ready to check in at the Diamond check in. Unfortunately, it was not
open late at night. As luck has it, only one person ahead of us. Check in went quickly. Loved the room. Off to sleep
Next day, DD & I headed off to SuperWalmart. (my first time in Walmart) My goodness it's huge. We bought cold cuts, & lot's of food & junk for the week. Only spent $80.00 DD & I went to the pool, & swam for the afternoon. That night, went to MCO airport to pick up my DS. The 3 of us, went to the Olive Garden for dinner. What a mad house. I love the Olive garden, but every time I go whether it's home or Orlando, there is always an hour wait.
It didn't help since the person taking names, told us only a 30 minutes wait, & it was really over an hour wait. I think my Olive Garden days are over. We went back to the Vistana & put frozen crystal light bottles in the freezer for the following morn.
Next day, was President's Day, before my shower, I popped a roast chicken in the oven, stuffed with stuffing. I then made sandwiches, snacks & fresh fruit. Put them in my backpack & took out the frozen lemonade bottles. I made oatmeal with fresh blueberry muffins for breakfast. By time showers
were complete our chicken was cooked & in the fridge for later that eve.
We went to Universal Studios. I had purchased (thru visa) on the phone "3 Fast Pass" the day before. This is a must, if the park is crowed. It saved us so......much time. We had a great time, & with the
passes, we had hardly any wait time. We had a wonderful lunch, & the lemonade aide was so refreshing all day. Loved Universal Studios. Great memories.
Home to the Vistana & to our wonderful chicken dinner opened a can of corn & hot biscuits, and boy did we have a great dinner. Put bottles in the freezer, & took a Jacuzzi bath & we all turned in.
Tuesday, morn, woke up made lunch, put it in our backpacks along with our frozen bottles.
We all ate breakfast of pancakes & fresh cookies (just add h2o) & bake yum & off to Epcot. The park was very crowed. I had made lunch reservations 4:30 PM in Mexico restaurant months before. We were able to go on Soaring, twice & got a fast pass it. Loved it. Long lines everywhere. We saw just about everything, except "Wonders of Life" was closed. My DD11 is a young 11 and I was hoping for her to see, the making of me. It would have made my birds & the bees job easier to teach her. Oh well. I lost my 10 hopper pass ticket. I almost had a heart attack, since it had 9 days left and it was unsigned & I was not finger printed at the gate. Someone actually turned it in, & I started to cry with delight.
At 4:30 we arrived at Mexico's restaurant. We had wonder seats. We were seated by the water, & volcano. It was beautiful to watch the boats go by. Lunch was delicious. Dinner was being served 5pm. We looked at the dinner menu, which was just about the same exact menu as the lunch only more money & it seemed dinner menu offered a salad, which lunch didn't. Dinner
meals were $10.00 more from Lunch to Dinner. We were amazed.
If you have a Disney Visa, you can get your "free character photo" when you go to Epcot. The character greeting is in Innovations West from 1:30-4:30 daily, When we went (President's week busy busy & busy) there was nobody waiting, my family got a photo with Minnie & Goofy. I asked the CM to take photos with my camera. They came great. The characters are all curtained off when you get there, but you'll see a cast member with a clipboard.
They ask to see your Disney Visa, then they give you a coupon for your free photo. What's really cool is that we got some family shots with characters in them You can take your photopass to the photo shop at
the front of Epcot and then choose whatever picture you want for your freebie. It's a great deal and a fun character experience, great way to meet the characters, & not wait in line, in a cool air condition place
After dinner, we used our AAA parking pass, & drove to the Magic Kingdom. We parked in the front row along with handicap.
The pass really does make a difference for Park Hopping. It saves time. Enjoyed our time in Magic Kingdom. Very crowed. We made used of our Fast Passes.
Wedesnday, I stayed in the Vistana, and enjoyed this lovely hot sunny day by the pool, meeting new friends from around the country while we were sipping Mud Slides. I had so much fun. My DS & DD went to the Magic Kingdom for the day. I took advantage of all the fun at the Vistana. Can't say enough good things about the Vistana. I had to leave at 5:30 to meet the family at Hoop Dee Do. I took the car, to Fort Wilderness, parked
& then took the Disney bus. My family took the boat from MK to meet me for the 7:15 show. I have to say, this was one of my favorite things that I did on our trip. There is a small man-made beach with
lounge chairs. I sat on the chair, my feet in the cool sand, watching all of the boats coming & going. The sunset, was the most beautiful
sky I have seen in a long time. Some children were running, chasing the ducks, while there moms & dad watched on the beach. It was so peaceful.
I was able to meet my family, on the dock, & continue to Hoop Dee Do show.
One important note, Hoop Dee Do is freezing. Bring a sweater. The waiter told us, he is always giving out tablecloths,
(for warmth) due to the cold air which all 3 of wore.
This was in my top 10 favorite things on our trip. Went home & froze our water bottles, for the following day.
Thursday got up early made lunches & frozen bottles & packed it for the day a head. We're off
to Animal Kingdom. Used our AAA passes, & again parked right in the front row. Went to Mount Everest. Rode on it twice. Loved it. Animal kingdom was very crowed. Mom's with small children beware. While walking in a crowd of people this very large women eating a Mickey ice-cream, driving her electric scooter, ran over, my sister's foot. My sister screamed
in pain. The Woman looked at my sister, took a bite of her ice cream & continued on her journey. Many other people stopped to help. Thank god, I had motrin, in my purse, & immediately gave it to my sister. A CM was able to make an ice pack out of a small plastic shopping bag. It was very scary.
My sister's foot was black & blue the next day. I think the motrin, helped a lot. We left animal kingdom late in the afternoon, & went back to MK. Stayed there all eve & had a blast. We ate in a fast food restaurant. We all collapsed in bed that night.
Friday, my DD wanted the two of us to rent, a bike built for two, & we ride around the Vistana complex. My DS was leaving this day, so we went to lunch at Chills down the block from the vistana.
We took DS to airport, & DD & I had a blast with the activities, at the Vistana. I did the adult (poker) activities, while, DD did the kids activities. We both finished at 10:00 PM. Came back & packed.
Saturday, DD & I were off to MCO airport.
"WARNING" on the way home, make sure you get to MCO airport at least 2 hours before you leave. Going thru security, there is always a line, at least 30 to 40 minutes. I have traveled there 4 times in the last year. Each time seemed to worst than the last. My last trip, I saw some "many" people screaming that they were going to miss the flight. The workers shook there shoulders, and said "oh well" you should have gotten here earlier.
It was horrible. GO EARLY
Flew home Spirit. Believe it or not, they were looking for volunteers, they were giving free tickets, along
with dinner & hotel night stay. DD looked at me, & we both laughed & said let's go home. Which we did uneventful. As we arrived in NYC we all started to clap when we saw the Statue of Liberty from our plane window. What a beautiful site.
DH was there to meet his girls, how good it was to be home & my family to be all together.
I was not going to write a report, but I have learned so much from the boards, that I thought it is time to give back.
Thanks
Patricia
on my report. I was very self conscience about it. You made me feel good.
