PoohFanKCs 2002 Family Trip
Cast: PoohFanKC, 39, dad and husband (me);
DW, 39, lets me do the planning, but has veto power;
DD, 11;
DS, 9;
DS, 7.
Dates: June 1 - June 8, 2002
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings)
Trip: Second trip for all of us, first was in 2000.
Day 0: Packing.
I worked late, so it was not until about 9:00 pm that I went over the packing list a few more times. DW had packed the clothes for the kids ade herself, I had already packed my clothes. We decided on one sweatshirt each to handle the Florida arctic breezes (or a cold front greeting us back into KC), otherwise just shorts, short sleeved shirts and swimsuits. We had one suitcase full of supplies, snacks (and supplies to make your own trail mix), film, hats, pennies for smashing, waist packs, etc... We planned on a grocery stop for the rest of our provisions. We packed the orange ponchos we took two years ago and never had to use. I then reviewed the tips lists I had accumulated over the last few months and checked the DIS Boards one more time and went to bed. Didn't sleep much!
Day 1: Travel, Check-in, 'Ohana, and Lurking Outside the Parks.
We got up, showered, dressed, and checked the DIS Boards again. We loaded the car, dropped the dog at the kennel, and headed to the airport for a 10:50 AM central time flight. We only forgot a few things we wanted to take (DS9's sunglasses, grocery shopping list) and forgot to do a few things at home (couldnt find the week long fish feeders, forgot to unplug the computer). SIL handled the fish and the computer and we made a new shopping list en route. Looked for the sunglasses (clip-on for his prescription glasses) all trip long. We breezed through security and then waited for the flight - it was on time. We connected through Memphis and browsed the Elvis-related items available there, but did not buy.
DW gets credit for suggesting/insisting that we fly at reasonable hours and not try to get to the parks on the first and last days. It set a more relaxing tone for the trip.
We arrived on time (about 3:30 pm eastern) at MCO. Thom, from Tiffany Towncar, met us at baggage claim. Our name was misspelled on the sign, but he said he would take us anyway! We were his last run of the day. Thom had Chicken Run on the VCR in the back seat, so the kids were content. We made a quick grocery stop and arrived at POR before 5:00. Check-in was fine, but faxed room request was not acknowledged. I had asked for something close to the main pool and lobby. We were in Building 24 (check the POR map and then look for the building farthest from the Lobby - thats it!) This cut down a bit on our trips to the Lobby for drink refills. It was not bad, just a bit out of the action. It was very close to a quiet pool and most importantly, a bus stop! Our room faced the pool, but we were never bothered by noise. We also could not get our Park Hopper passes (purchased in advance from FloridaOrlandoTickets.net) transferred to the room keys. Not a problem, just extra things to carry (and lose - more on that on Day 2).
We got unpacked and then headed to MK to transfer to the monorail to get to our 7:00 PS at 'Ohana. We made it just in time and were seated immediately by our new cousin (everyone at 'Ohana is a cousin). DD was the tallest in the coconut races at 5'3' but said it was fun. The food was good and everyone found something they liked enough for additional servings. I was partial to the chicken and the beef. The shrimp was heavily seasoned. DW liked the pork and shrimp. DD went wild over the wontons. Fresh pineapple was a nice finish.
After dinner, we toured the Polynesian and decided to catch the resort monorail to the Grand Floridian for a tour and to watch the Electric Water Pageant. The GF reminded us of the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego where we spent out honeymoon 15 years ago. We enjoyed the EWP - pretty low tech, but fun. We then hopped the monorail to the Contemporary and headed to the roof. We secured a spot about 25 minutes before the MK fireworks. The view is unobstructed, although not that close - but the price is right. Lots of GayDay participants on the roof with us - mostly female. Unfortunately, there just isn't an easy way to get to POR from the Contemporary other than through MK or Downtown Disney. Both were guaranteed to have big crowds with Gay Day participants. We opted to wait at MK. I should have known better! It ended the day with a wait, but by the time we had gotten out of the contemporary and over to MK, some of the park quests had already left.
We had learned during our first trip not to be in MK on Gay Day. This year we scheduled so that we arrived on Gay Day and stayed out of the parks. This was a much better experience. We avoided the big crowds and were ready to go early on Sunday.
Best Experience of the Day: Arriving at WDW, feeling that we were on vacation.
Worst Experience of the Day: Getting to POR after the fireworks.
Next Report - Day 2 - Magic Kingdom / Epcot / Honey, I've lost a Pass!
Cast: PoohFanKC, 39, dad and husband (me);
DW, 39, lets me do the planning, but has veto power;
DD, 11;
DS, 9;
DS, 7.
Dates: June 1 - June 8, 2002
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings)
Trip: Second trip for all of us, first was in 2000.
Day 0: Packing.
I worked late, so it was not until about 9:00 pm that I went over the packing list a few more times. DW had packed the clothes for the kids ade herself, I had already packed my clothes. We decided on one sweatshirt each to handle the Florida arctic breezes (or a cold front greeting us back into KC), otherwise just shorts, short sleeved shirts and swimsuits. We had one suitcase full of supplies, snacks (and supplies to make your own trail mix), film, hats, pennies for smashing, waist packs, etc... We planned on a grocery stop for the rest of our provisions. We packed the orange ponchos we took two years ago and never had to use. I then reviewed the tips lists I had accumulated over the last few months and checked the DIS Boards one more time and went to bed. Didn't sleep much!
Day 1: Travel, Check-in, 'Ohana, and Lurking Outside the Parks.
We got up, showered, dressed, and checked the DIS Boards again. We loaded the car, dropped the dog at the kennel, and headed to the airport for a 10:50 AM central time flight. We only forgot a few things we wanted to take (DS9's sunglasses, grocery shopping list) and forgot to do a few things at home (couldnt find the week long fish feeders, forgot to unplug the computer). SIL handled the fish and the computer and we made a new shopping list en route. Looked for the sunglasses (clip-on for his prescription glasses) all trip long. We breezed through security and then waited for the flight - it was on time. We connected through Memphis and browsed the Elvis-related items available there, but did not buy.
DW gets credit for suggesting/insisting that we fly at reasonable hours and not try to get to the parks on the first and last days. It set a more relaxing tone for the trip.
We arrived on time (about 3:30 pm eastern) at MCO. Thom, from Tiffany Towncar, met us at baggage claim. Our name was misspelled on the sign, but he said he would take us anyway! We were his last run of the day. Thom had Chicken Run on the VCR in the back seat, so the kids were content. We made a quick grocery stop and arrived at POR before 5:00. Check-in was fine, but faxed room request was not acknowledged. I had asked for something close to the main pool and lobby. We were in Building 24 (check the POR map and then look for the building farthest from the Lobby - thats it!) This cut down a bit on our trips to the Lobby for drink refills. It was not bad, just a bit out of the action. It was very close to a quiet pool and most importantly, a bus stop! Our room faced the pool, but we were never bothered by noise. We also could not get our Park Hopper passes (purchased in advance from FloridaOrlandoTickets.net) transferred to the room keys. Not a problem, just extra things to carry (and lose - more on that on Day 2).
We got unpacked and then headed to MK to transfer to the monorail to get to our 7:00 PS at 'Ohana. We made it just in time and were seated immediately by our new cousin (everyone at 'Ohana is a cousin). DD was the tallest in the coconut races at 5'3' but said it was fun. The food was good and everyone found something they liked enough for additional servings. I was partial to the chicken and the beef. The shrimp was heavily seasoned. DW liked the pork and shrimp. DD went wild over the wontons. Fresh pineapple was a nice finish.
After dinner, we toured the Polynesian and decided to catch the resort monorail to the Grand Floridian for a tour and to watch the Electric Water Pageant. The GF reminded us of the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego where we spent out honeymoon 15 years ago. We enjoyed the EWP - pretty low tech, but fun. We then hopped the monorail to the Contemporary and headed to the roof. We secured a spot about 25 minutes before the MK fireworks. The view is unobstructed, although not that close - but the price is right. Lots of GayDay participants on the roof with us - mostly female. Unfortunately, there just isn't an easy way to get to POR from the Contemporary other than through MK or Downtown Disney. Both were guaranteed to have big crowds with Gay Day participants. We opted to wait at MK. I should have known better! It ended the day with a wait, but by the time we had gotten out of the contemporary and over to MK, some of the park quests had already left.
We had learned during our first trip not to be in MK on Gay Day. This year we scheduled so that we arrived on Gay Day and stayed out of the parks. This was a much better experience. We avoided the big crowds and were ready to go early on Sunday.
Best Experience of the Day: Arriving at WDW, feeling that we were on vacation.
Worst Experience of the Day: Getting to POR after the fireworks.
Next Report - Day 2 - Magic Kingdom / Epcot / Honey, I've lost a Pass!
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