KaityBsMom
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2003
- Messages
- 113
I am finally posting trip reports from our big WDW adventure last September. I will do day-by-day reports and it may take me a while to get them all up, but eventually...
Some background, we departed from our home in Maryland on Sept. 18th and spent a day or so visiting my family in southern Virginia, then spent the 20th driving from there to Jacksonville, FL. We spent the night at a Days Inn there and set the stage to arrive in Orlando on 9/21/03... a day we had all been looking foward to all year.
Despite my thread title, we are not a 'team' in numbers, only in spirit (my DD loves sports )--- the cast of characters is as follows:
Me, age 30-- second trip to WDW (the first being in 1988 with my family, so I only saw MK and Epcot); I'm the Amateur Photographer of the family and a huge Pooh fan
DH, age 30-- his 3rd trip to WDW (the first two being in high school for band trips); we both love to travel and are very excited for this trip
DD, age 4: first trip to WDW; a red-headed cutie (if I do say so myself...), very emotional, a little daredevil when it comes to rides, does not like loud or unexpected noises; big Lion King, Pooh, and Toy Story fan
Ok, on to Day 1: Sunday 9/21/03:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We wake up (at 8am ish) and DH gets continental breakfast for us (cinammon buns and honey buns- yum!). We check out of the Days Inn and start out for the House of Mouse.
We arrive in Orlando at noon exactly and decide to go to Downtown Disney, as our hotel room wont be ready yet. I am excited to choose Planet Hollywood (one of our must-dos on the trip) for lunch. My almost 20 year love of Bruce Willis has nothing to do with this...
...do you believe me?? We go in and are seated right away. We are on the bottom level, right near the cut-outs of all the stars. Lunch is yummy and we enjoy the atmosphere. They have trailers of upcoming movies & themed montages (villans, heroines, celebrities at PH, etc.) playing on TV screens overhead. I have the Texas Tostadas appetizer, DH has a burger, and DD has the kids pizza. All is good and much enjoyed. I also order an Alabama Slammer shooter in a souvenir glass (it was only 1pm, but I had to do it.... 
) Good stuff. After we are done eating, we wander around the other levels of the restaurant looking at all the memoribilia on display. The highlight for me is Bruce Willis shirt from the 3rd Die Hard movie (located in the stairwell; why didnt I take a picture?). On the third level, DD is delighted to see a huge Woody sitting on the doorway and Herbie the Lovebug suspended from the ceiling. I take pictures of both.
We head out after a bathroom break and go the P.H. store across the way. After I tear myself away from all the photos of celebrities visiting the Orlando PH (many of them including Mr. Willis), we spend our first of many bucks on souvenirs. I get a tshirt, DD gets a mini soccer ball, and DH gets a magnet (he has decided to collect these now, instead of pennants, which currently fill our bedroom walls). After this, we wander around for a short time but figure it is time to head to the resort. We can't wait to see the Contemporary!
We arrive at the Contemporary and park under the awning while DH checks us in. While waiting, I sit there thinking how cool this isour big adventure is about to begin! I am thrilled to be staying at the CR. Doing so (especially in a tower room) was a big decision for us to splurge on, being somewhat frugal (but we are getting over that...). DH comes out, we load ourselves up with bags (carts only for those getting bellhop service), and head for the room.
Per our request, we have a Magic Kingdom view room in the towercool!! Room 4641, on the 10th floor. We go in and immediately have to check out the view. How cool!!! We look out onto the shrubbery gardern (complete with Mickey ears), with the castle and Space Mtn just off to the right (great view of the Monorail, too). This is awesome and well worth the big splurge! We take a little time getting oriented and looking at the paperwork and maps we were given. Then we decide to take a little walk around the hotel. We find the pool, check out the Food N Fun Center, and figure out where the monorail is. We also stop at the front desk and get park maps for the 4 parks. We then go to the Bay View Gifts shop to search for a fanny pack for DD, which we are realizing she will need, as she is intent on carrying around the kids resort ID they gave her (very cute) and insists it can't just go in her pocket. We found two and DD chose the Buzz Lightyear one. It was too big for her waist, but DH thought he could fix it up, so we bought it ($16). After browsing through BVG, we head for the sundries shop across the way and DH buys some shoe laces and safety pins to perform surgery on the fanny pack. We also buy DDs autograph book here, so we dont forget it later.
Back to the room. DH fixes the fanny pack and we decide to go swimming. We loved the pool at CR. It was a pretty setting, with the beach and lake in the background. It was nice to leisurely swim around. DD enjoyed the fountains in the middle of the pool and LOVED the water slide. I was so proud of her; she slid down, landed, came up and swam to DH or I each time. We didnt even use her arm floats the whole trip. She is getting very good at swimming on her own (thanks to lessons at the YMCA). Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the slide, too. Swimming was from about 5:30- 7pm, then we got ready for dinner at Chef Mickeys. We had changed our minds late in the game about what day we wanted to do CM, so the only PS we could get was 8:45pm. This is what time K is usually in bed, but we figured why not?
Arrive at Chef Mickeys at 8:40, check in, and are sent for our picture. After that, we wait maybe 5 minutes and are seated. We are seated in the back in the upstairs area. Despite less-than-thrilling service (it took quite a while for our server to come to us once we arrived), we loved CM. I ate some of the Mickey ravioli, lots of the parmesan mashed potatoes (the best Ive ever had) and some steamed carrots. DD ate a large chicken tender and half a mini hot dog. (For some reason, I cant remember what DH had, but I think it was flank steak). DD was tired and almost falling asleep, although she was enjoying herself (and the fact that we let her drink Sprite). Poor thing- perhaps this wasn't a good idea.
Maybe 15 minutes into our meal, the first character came by- Chip. This is a big momentDD's first character greeting! Unfortunately, we later learn that Mommy messed up the picture of this momentus event by not having the flash up properly
, but the memory will last forever. DD proudly handed Chip her autograph book and pen, he signed, patted her on the head and shook her hand. Im fuzzy on the order of things from here on out, but we were visited by Goofy, Dale, Mickey, and Minnie. All were very cute and liked DD. We got pictures of all the rest that were not blurry-yay! Mickey came by a second time before we left, to DDs delight. We also were there for two of the parties, which were so much fun. The characters were enthusiastic and DD thought twirling her napkin around was neat. We both had to do it, too. DD perked up throughout the meal and especially when it was time for frozen yogurt for dessert. We caught Donald Duck (but just barely- he was almost ignoring the kids), who was not making the rounds but standing in the lobby, on the way out. I got a cute picture of him signing DDs book. DD gave him a hug and we were on our way back to the room after a fun night. Forgot to mention that we purchased the smaller pictures package of our CM photos- the magnet, keychain, and 5 wallets for $14.95 plus tax.
Back to room 4641 and DD was asleep by 10 after 10. We enjoy the view from the balcony and head to bed ourselves. Time to start fun in the parks tomorrow!!
Some background, we departed from our home in Maryland on Sept. 18th and spent a day or so visiting my family in southern Virginia, then spent the 20th driving from there to Jacksonville, FL. We spent the night at a Days Inn there and set the stage to arrive in Orlando on 9/21/03... a day we had all been looking foward to all year.
Despite my thread title, we are not a 'team' in numbers, only in spirit (my DD loves sports
)--- the cast of characters is as follows:Me, age 30-- second trip to WDW (the first being in 1988 with my family, so I only saw MK and Epcot); I'm the Amateur Photographer of the family and a huge Pooh fan
DH, age 30-- his 3rd trip to WDW (the first two being in high school for band trips); we both love to travel and are very excited for this trip
DD, age 4: first trip to WDW; a red-headed cutie (if I do say so myself...), very emotional, a little daredevil when it comes to rides, does not like loud or unexpected noises; big Lion King, Pooh, and Toy Story fan
Ok, on to Day 1: Sunday 9/21/03:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We wake up (at 8am ish) and DH gets continental breakfast for us (cinammon buns and honey buns- yum!). We check out of the Days Inn and start out for the House of Mouse.
We arrive in Orlando at noon exactly and decide to go to Downtown Disney, as our hotel room wont be ready yet. I am excited to choose Planet Hollywood (one of our must-dos on the trip) for lunch. My almost 20 year love of Bruce Willis has nothing to do with this...
...do you believe me?? We go in and are seated right away. We are on the bottom level, right near the cut-outs of all the stars. Lunch is yummy and we enjoy the atmosphere. They have trailers of upcoming movies & themed montages (villans, heroines, celebrities at PH, etc.) playing on TV screens overhead. I have the Texas Tostadas appetizer, DH has a burger, and DD has the kids pizza. All is good and much enjoyed. I also order an Alabama Slammer shooter in a souvenir glass (it was only 1pm, but I had to do it.... ) Good stuff. After we are done eating, we wander around the other levels of the restaurant looking at all the memoribilia on display. The highlight for me is Bruce Willis shirt from the 3rd Die Hard movie (located in the stairwell; why didnt I take a picture?). On the third level, DD is delighted to see a huge Woody sitting on the doorway and Herbie the Lovebug suspended from the ceiling. I take pictures of both. We head out after a bathroom break and go the P.H. store across the way. After I tear myself away from all the photos of celebrities visiting the Orlando PH (many of them including Mr. Willis), we spend our first of many bucks on souvenirs. I get a tshirt, DD gets a mini soccer ball, and DH gets a magnet (he has decided to collect these now, instead of pennants, which currently fill our bedroom walls). After this, we wander around for a short time but figure it is time to head to the resort. We can't wait to see the Contemporary!
We arrive at the Contemporary and park under the awning while DH checks us in. While waiting, I sit there thinking how cool this isour big adventure is about to begin! I am thrilled to be staying at the CR. Doing so (especially in a tower room) was a big decision for us to splurge on, being somewhat frugal (but we are getting over that...
). DH comes out, we load ourselves up with bags (carts only for those getting bellhop service), and head for the room. Per our request, we have a Magic Kingdom view room in the towercool!! Room 4641, on the 10th floor. We go in and immediately have to check out the view. How cool!!! We look out onto the shrubbery gardern (complete with Mickey ears), with the castle and Space Mtn just off to the right (great view of the Monorail, too). This is awesome and well worth the big splurge! We take a little time getting oriented and looking at the paperwork and maps we were given. Then we decide to take a little walk around the hotel. We find the pool, check out the Food N Fun Center, and figure out where the monorail is. We also stop at the front desk and get park maps for the 4 parks. We then go to the Bay View Gifts shop to search for a fanny pack for DD, which we are realizing she will need, as she is intent on carrying around the kids resort ID they gave her (very cute) and insists it can't just go in her pocket.
We found two and DD chose the Buzz Lightyear one. It was too big for her waist, but DH thought he could fix it up, so we bought it ($16). After browsing through BVG, we head for the sundries shop across the way and DH buys some shoe laces and safety pins to perform surgery on the fanny pack. We also buy DDs autograph book here, so we dont forget it later.Back to the room. DH fixes the fanny pack and we decide to go swimming. We loved the pool at CR. It was a pretty setting, with the beach and lake in the background. It was nice to leisurely swim around. DD enjoyed the fountains in the middle of the pool and LOVED the water slide. I was so proud of her; she slid down, landed, came up and swam to DH or I each time. We didnt even use her arm floats the whole trip. She is getting very good at swimming on her own (thanks to lessons at the YMCA). Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the slide, too. Swimming was from about 5:30- 7pm, then we got ready for dinner at Chef Mickeys. We had changed our minds late in the game about what day we wanted to do CM, so the only PS we could get was 8:45pm. This is what time K is usually in bed, but we figured why not?
Arrive at Chef Mickeys at 8:40, check in, and are sent for our picture. After that, we wait maybe 5 minutes and are seated. We are seated in the back in the upstairs area. Despite less-than-thrilling service (it took quite a while for our server to come to us once we arrived), we loved CM. I ate some of the Mickey ravioli, lots of the parmesan mashed potatoes (the best Ive ever had) and some steamed carrots. DD ate a large chicken tender and half a mini hot dog. (For some reason, I cant remember what DH had, but I think it was flank steak). DD was tired and almost falling asleep, although she was enjoying herself (and the fact that we let her drink Sprite). Poor thing- perhaps this wasn't a good idea.
Maybe 15 minutes into our meal, the first character came by- Chip. This is a big momentDD's first character greeting! Unfortunately, we later learn that Mommy messed up the picture of this momentus event by not having the flash up properly
, but the memory will last forever. DD proudly handed Chip her autograph book and pen, he signed, patted her on the head and shook her hand. Im fuzzy on the order of things from here on out, but we were visited by Goofy, Dale, Mickey, and Minnie. All were very cute and liked DD. We got pictures of all the rest that were not blurry-yay! Mickey came by a second time before we left, to DDs delight. We also were there for two of the parties, which were so much fun. The characters were enthusiastic and DD thought twirling her napkin around was neat. We both had to do it, too. DD perked up throughout the meal and especially when it was time for frozen yogurt for dessert. We caught Donald Duck (but just barely- he was almost ignoring the kids), who was not making the rounds but standing in the lobby, on the way out. I got a cute picture of him signing DDs book. DD gave him a hug and we were on our way back to the room after a fun night. Forgot to mention that we purchased the smaller pictures package of our CM photos- the magnet, keychain, and 5 wallets for $14.95 plus tax. Back to room 4641 and DD was asleep by 10 after 10. We enjoy the view from the balcony and head to bed ourselves. Time to start fun in the parks tomorrow!!
