Our 10 Year Anniversary/Son's 1st WDW trip 12/03-16

[DodgerMessa]

In 1998 DH and myself were married (in Alaska) and honeymooned in WDW. We stayed at then Dixie Landings. We had a GREAT time and vowed to return one day. Many years we discussed whether our DS (9) was old enough to take to WDW and have him enjoy as well as remember the experience. We went to DLR in 2003. He was too young to really enjoy or remember the experience. We have asked DS on several occasions and he really doesn't have any vivid memories of the experience. We decided in December 2007 that since our anniversary was coming and DS would be 9 years old that it would be a great time to go to WDW. We made reservations at the beginning of January 2008. DH had enough frequent flier miles that we were able to book our air fare for free with 3 of the 4 legs of flying being FIRST CLASS!!! We booked our WDW accommodations, DDP, 10 day park hopper + Water Parks & more through AAA, received the AAA discount and Diamond Parking Passes. DH from this point forward was on the Dis everyday lurking for information.

The Cast of this trip:

DS: 9 year old 4th grader Incredibly interested in space and Lego's.

DW: 43 year old. California girl struggling to keep warm in Alaska. Juvenile Probation Officer for profession.

DH: 42 year old who acts like a 5 year old on a regular basis. Originally from Colorado and enjoys Alaska. Counselor for profession.

This is a picture of us in Denali National Park this las September. The park was gorgeous.

We started this trip on 12/03. We left our home and drove to Anchorage to fly out at 7am. DS was just not into the early morning thing.

He did wake up and make sure that we knew all the safety information for our flight.

We flew to Seattle, had a 2 hour layover and then flew to Orlando(First Class). We arrived at MCO around 9:45pm. We rented a car and we were on our way to POR. I was the navigator. I had all the google map directions and a bag of quarters ready for the tolls. We jumped on the 528, paid the toll at the 1st toll station and due to the 2nd toll station being different and it was dark we got in the wrong lane for the second toll station and ended up blowing through the station without paying. OOOPS. There was no turning back. We made it to POR around 11pm.

We were DEAD! The room was a very welcome sight and looked just like it did 10 years ago. We lucked out and got a corner room, at Parterre Place, mansions- We mostly asked for this area, as we stayed very close by 10 years ago and had such great memories. We were farther away from most of the Pop Warner groups that showed up later in the week.

Next up Day 1... Resting, Exploring and Blizzard Beach.

 

[OhMari]

Hi,
what area of POR did you stay in.

And, what do you do for a living in Alaska.
I heard the mosquito's are the size of small birds.

 

[DodgerMessa]

Hi,
what area of POR did you stay in.

And, what do you do for a living in Alaska.
I heard the mosquito's are the size of small birds.

Thanks for viewing- We have alot more to add, of course ! I am a Probation Officer and my DH is a Counselor. Our DS keeps our lives very busy, with local, competitive swimming. We stayed at Parterre Place, in the mansion section- We got a corner room (they honored our request !), so it was alot more quiet, especially with Pop Warner showing up later in the week. (We will make sure to add more detail for everyone). Winter has been pretty harsh, so I am having a hard time remembering how big our mosquitos can get to be- but yes, they can be large- they are more bothersome, than large-size !

 

[OhMari]

I hope you come back and let us know how the rest of your trip went.

 

[heaven2dc]

Hope you'll come back and report more on your TR!! I was there 12/13-20/08 and loved all the decorations at Christmas time!