Rock'n Robin
Disney Queen
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2000
- Messages
- 7,810
Cast: me--39, DH also 39. DD#1--10 1/2 going on 30. DD#2 7 1/2. DS--age 4 1/2.
We got to MCO at 12:15 on 12/5, two hours late due to deicing in Cincinnati. Rabbit from yourride picked us up right on time anyhow. Drove to the dolphin with no grocery stop--I had found water $2 for 6 large bottles at Kroger and had packed a 12 pack. The room at the Dolphin was ready--5057 East. The hotel had switched us from the Swan so they upgraded our standard room to a lake view--we saw the Swan and the Boardwalk entrance and sign. It was a nice enough room but just a room compared to our DVC rooms we are used to. However, we were there so rarely it was worth the $129 a night.
After we ate and put shorts on(it was about 80) we headed to BWV to get our CP dinner package tickets. The lobby at BWV was gorgeous with a chocolate amusement park in it. After that we ate lunch at ESPN--$48 for the 5 of us and 3 got kids meals--DS's triple deck PB&J was great. While we were inside it poured like crazy, but it was done when we left and headed to Epcot. We headed to Mexico where I got a margarita, then headed around the lake to America--saw the flag from the WTC and heard a man give a talk about Hanukah--the kids got dreidels from him. I hit the pin cart while the kids and DH listened to AMerican Vybe and got me and both DDs "Stitch" pins which were all out on our last trip. We saw Marlee Matlin do the CP and it was wonderful, I love how it makes you remember the true "reason for the season". After that we watched the Tapestry of Dreams and then went to Rose and Crown early for our PS. During dinner it started to rain and the cool air came rushing in. We managed to do our shopping--DC and AP pins at the pin station, a lot at Mouse Gear (including a monorail finally! which I had shipped home and do not have yet
) and a sign I have always coveted at Test Track. Then we walked back to the Dolphin, having missed the boat. It was misty and rainy.
Friday it was pretty gloomy. The high hit about 53 but it was darn windy. I have never been in WDW on a day under 80 EVER before so it was quite a shock! We were all wearing sweatshirts. Since swimming was out, we went to DD. I really wanted to check out ONce UPon a Toy and spent a little over $100 including a Potato Head set (boy can I ever cram pieces into that little box!!), a "Disney Bear" (for ME thank you) and a HM Clue game for the DDs for Christmas, plus small goodies for DS. Then we went to World of Disney where I got some more stuff for Christmas, stockings, and ME. Checked out Gourmet Pantry and the Christmas store but didn't buy anything!
I think to save $$ next time I'll just skip the toy store!
After that we went back to the Dolphin--put turtlenecks under the sweatshirts and added jackets--then the bus to MK and the monorail to Poly for dinner at Kona--but the monorail was broken down (cold)--so we took the launch. BRRRR. Dinner was good and then monorail to MK--got to sit in the front with the kids which is always cool.
Headed to MVMCP--herded into Frontierland, got our pic at CoP, then a 5 min. wait for Buzz--the only other ride we rode all night was Dumbo--saw the castle show, part of the Belle show and the 8:15 parade--got a great spot for the fireworks but then they were delayed for over 2 hours! They went off at 11:35 but they were really low behind the castle and Rudolph did not fly. Had our cocoa and cookies and shopped a little. Got a MVMCP pin. We were wearing all of our layers and gloves!
Saturday we got up and after breakfast at Tubbi's we went to MGM. Got a RRC fastpass and then rode ToT--the wait was posted at 30 min. but was really about 10! Then back to RRC, which DH rode first with the girls and then me. FINALLY I had different music--every other time I rode this ride I had "Back in the Saddle Again"/"Dude Looks LIke a Lady", but this time I had "Sweet Emotion" live.
We went to WWTBAM--I've been in the hot seat twice but didn't even rank since the questions never went over 32,000--one guy would not go up since his son was right behind him and his son went up--after a couple of answers I saw an usher REALLY WATCHING this guy since his son was facing his way and kind of wagging his finger "no" at him--wonder if he was giving him info? Anyhow this kid gave up at the 32,000 question because he "already had one of the shirts". They were local. Kind of turned me off that attraction. We saw the Muppet movie and ate at ABC Commisary, which was awful. Then we waited around for the Osbourne Lights--no big "switch" ceremony like last year, but started with snow and was still very pretty. AFter we got our photo taken, but decided to check it out tomorrow as the picture line was longer than the ride lines!
We headed (walked)to Epcot at that point. First we had to ride Test Track. The posted wait was 30 min. but we waited 50 because it broke down once, and then they took every FP holder they could first to make up for it. DS laughs his head off on this ride, he loves it. But it was COLD when we got outside. It had gotten to about 70 this day but at night it was chilly again. DH had purchased a "BInford Tools" sweatshirt at MGM. AFter that we shopped a little more, had a beavertail, and saw part of Illuminations. We really enjoy Epcot but DH likes MGM more. Later we found out that on that day, "Lizzie Maguire" had been at MK to tape the parade--if I had known they were taping the parade I would have arranged the schedule to be there--as it is, the DDS are not happy they missed that! We just missed the last boat--"sorry, last boat" as it pulled away does not a happy camper make--and walked down the YC/BC side to the Dolphin. We walked by Beaches and CReam--I'd heard so much about it, and it was 10:30--but it was still packed, and I don't eat outside when it is in the 50s!! So we were one of the last two tables at the Dolphin Fountain.
We slept in as late as we could on Sunday and packed up and had our stuff taken to storage--the video checkout was down so I did it downstairs--then we walked to MGM. Did the same thing with RRC and ToT as we did Saturday. We bought our Osborne Lights picture as well. We ate at Brown Derby, and the kids and DH did Star Tours (my stomach will not take that one, or Body Wars, anymore). Then we checked out the 2:30 parade, and made our way out of the park. Got our bags, changed into jeans, and our driver was there to take us to MCO.
I really like the decorations this time of year--and like CP, MVMCP and the Osborne Lights--but the two trip stuff is expensive. While the family had their APs, mine ran out Saturday and I had purchased a 5 day hopper to use, which I can also use in July after our cruise. After that all of our APs run out. So I think for a long while we will stick to just our summer trips. I have photos, video, now digital photos, and my memories to get me through the winters!
Robin M.
We got to MCO at 12:15 on 12/5, two hours late due to deicing in Cincinnati. Rabbit from yourride picked us up right on time anyhow. Drove to the dolphin with no grocery stop--I had found water $2 for 6 large bottles at Kroger and had packed a 12 pack. The room at the Dolphin was ready--5057 East. The hotel had switched us from the Swan so they upgraded our standard room to a lake view--we saw the Swan and the Boardwalk entrance and sign. It was a nice enough room but just a room compared to our DVC rooms we are used to. However, we were there so rarely it was worth the $129 a night.
After we ate and put shorts on(it was about 80) we headed to BWV to get our CP dinner package tickets. The lobby at BWV was gorgeous with a chocolate amusement park in it. After that we ate lunch at ESPN--$48 for the 5 of us and 3 got kids meals--DS's triple deck PB&J was great. While we were inside it poured like crazy, but it was done when we left and headed to Epcot. We headed to Mexico where I got a margarita, then headed around the lake to America--saw the flag from the WTC and heard a man give a talk about Hanukah--the kids got dreidels from him. I hit the pin cart while the kids and DH listened to AMerican Vybe and got me and both DDs "Stitch" pins which were all out on our last trip. We saw Marlee Matlin do the CP and it was wonderful, I love how it makes you remember the true "reason for the season". After that we watched the Tapestry of Dreams and then went to Rose and Crown early for our PS. During dinner it started to rain and the cool air came rushing in. We managed to do our shopping--DC and AP pins at the pin station, a lot at Mouse Gear (including a monorail finally! which I had shipped home and do not have yet
) and a sign I have always coveted at Test Track. Then we walked back to the Dolphin, having missed the boat. It was misty and rainy. Friday it was pretty gloomy. The high hit about 53 but it was darn windy. I have never been in WDW on a day under 80 EVER before so it was quite a shock! We were all wearing sweatshirts. Since swimming was out, we went to DD. I really wanted to check out ONce UPon a Toy and spent a little over $100 including a Potato Head set (boy can I ever cram pieces into that little box!!), a "Disney Bear" (for ME thank you) and a HM Clue game for the DDs for Christmas, plus small goodies for DS. Then we went to World of Disney where I got some more stuff for Christmas, stockings, and ME. Checked out Gourmet Pantry and the Christmas store but didn't buy anything!
I think to save $$ next time I'll just skip the toy store!After that we went back to the Dolphin--put turtlenecks under the sweatshirts and added jackets--then the bus to MK and the monorail to Poly for dinner at Kona--but the monorail was broken down (cold)--so we took the launch. BRRRR. Dinner was good and then monorail to MK--got to sit in the front with the kids which is always cool.
Headed to MVMCP--herded into Frontierland, got our pic at CoP, then a 5 min. wait for Buzz--the only other ride we rode all night was Dumbo--saw the castle show, part of the Belle show and the 8:15 parade--got a great spot for the fireworks but then they were delayed for over 2 hours! They went off at 11:35 but they were really low behind the castle and Rudolph did not fly. Had our cocoa and cookies and shopped a little. Got a MVMCP pin. We were wearing all of our layers and gloves!
Saturday we got up and after breakfast at Tubbi's we went to MGM. Got a RRC fastpass and then rode ToT--the wait was posted at 30 min. but was really about 10! Then back to RRC, which DH rode first with the girls and then me. FINALLY I had different music--every other time I rode this ride I had "Back in the Saddle Again"/"Dude Looks LIke a Lady", but this time I had "Sweet Emotion" live.
We went to WWTBAM--I've been in the hot seat twice but didn't even rank since the questions never went over 32,000--one guy would not go up since his son was right behind him and his son went up--after a couple of answers I saw an usher REALLY WATCHING this guy since his son was facing his way and kind of wagging his finger "no" at him--wonder if he was giving him info? Anyhow this kid gave up at the 32,000 question because he "already had one of the shirts". They were local. Kind of turned me off that attraction. We saw the Muppet movie and ate at ABC Commisary, which was awful. Then we waited around for the Osbourne Lights--no big "switch" ceremony like last year, but started with snow and was still very pretty. AFter we got our photo taken, but decided to check it out tomorrow as the picture line was longer than the ride lines!
We headed (walked)to Epcot at that point. First we had to ride Test Track. The posted wait was 30 min. but we waited 50 because it broke down once, and then they took every FP holder they could first to make up for it. DS laughs his head off on this ride, he loves it. But it was COLD when we got outside. It had gotten to about 70 this day but at night it was chilly again. DH had purchased a "BInford Tools" sweatshirt at MGM. AFter that we shopped a little more, had a beavertail, and saw part of Illuminations. We really enjoy Epcot but DH likes MGM more. Later we found out that on that day, "Lizzie Maguire" had been at MK to tape the parade--if I had known they were taping the parade I would have arranged the schedule to be there--as it is, the DDS are not happy they missed that! We just missed the last boat--"sorry, last boat" as it pulled away does not a happy camper make--and walked down the YC/BC side to the Dolphin. We walked by Beaches and CReam--I'd heard so much about it, and it was 10:30--but it was still packed, and I don't eat outside when it is in the 50s!! So we were one of the last two tables at the Dolphin Fountain.
We slept in as late as we could on Sunday and packed up and had our stuff taken to storage--the video checkout was down so I did it downstairs--then we walked to MGM. Did the same thing with RRC and ToT as we did Saturday. We bought our Osborne Lights picture as well. We ate at Brown Derby, and the kids and DH did Star Tours (my stomach will not take that one, or Body Wars, anymore). Then we checked out the 2:30 parade, and made our way out of the park. Got our bags, changed into jeans, and our driver was there to take us to MCO.
I really like the decorations this time of year--and like CP, MVMCP and the Osborne Lights--but the two trip stuff is expensive. While the family had their APs, mine ran out Saturday and I had purchased a 5 day hopper to use, which I can also use in July after our cruise. After that all of our APs run out. So I think for a long while we will stick to just our summer trips. I have photos, video, now digital photos, and my memories to get me through the winters!
Robin M.
I enjoyed reading your report!
