pennyplanner
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 25, 1999
- Messages
- 1,554
Cast of characters:
pennyplanner
45 yrs old
The Mom and Consumate Disney Planner
Dad
48 yrs old
The Reluctant Disney Vacationer
Kids
10 and 13
Day 1
When I finally booked for Thanksgiving 2002 in April, my choice of flights was very limited. Thanksgiving week books up way early!!!
Against my better judgement (knowing my family as I do!) I relented and booked the 7 a.m. flight from Bradley Airport in CT. It was Delta, non-stop to Orlando.
We left the house at a whopping 4:45 a.m. to drive to Bradley and drop off our car at a park and fly shuttle service. We arrived to VERY long lines at 5:30 a.m.
Taking my travel agent's advice, we did not check our bags at the sidewalk but went inside. We used electronic ticketing with the help of Delta personnel and off we went to the security check-in. No problems here!
Bleary eyed we arrived in Orlando on schedule. We opted for a Tiffany Town Car limo with a grocery stop. The trunk was a bit tight but we managed. We all had a good laugh when the limo driver advised us to stay inside the terminal since it was a little chilly outside. Hah! It was in the low 60's, downright balmy to New Englanders in November.
A stop at Publix yielded all we needed and we were off to the Wilderness Resort. We used almost our full 30 minute allotment grabbing water, breakfast food and sundry items.
Okay, here is where I get all misty eyed when I think back to how excited my kids were just to see all the construction sites and vehicles on the way. Me? I couldn't wait to enter those gates "announcing" our official arrival at Walt Disney World.
I checked to find our room was not ready but all my requests were duly noted and the supervisor who was overseeing our desk CM-in-training assured me that they were all granted. We would indeed be on the MK side overlooking the otter pond with a queen bed and bunks. Yeah!
Here is where those best laid plans begin to go awry! It was about 11:30 a.m. My plans? Head to Epcot and eat in the World Showcase - maybe at the counter service in Morocco or Norway. Nope! The guys are hungry now. We head to Roaring Forks and manage to find something for everyone. We shared a couple of chicken wraps and fruit salad, milk cookies and hot tea. Most of us were all feeling out of it from the early flight. Me? I was frothing at the mouth to get out there and begin the park adventure.
We hop a bus to Epcot. It was kind of a round about route but we got there! It is roughly 1 p.m., the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. No waiting to get in and the security check was fine. Open all zipper pockets on fanny packs and backpacks. No problem here.
First stop, Spaceship Earth. No lines, no waiting. I just couldn't resist. We had a ball. My youngest enjoyed the ride as opposed to three years prior. He wasn't crazy about it back then. We messed around in the exit area trying out the various exibits. Off to Ellen's Adventure with Bill Nye. Again, no waiting. We hit it right just as the pre-game was beginning. Lots of fun but why does everything have to be soooo loud. Despite the noise, my husband napped through some of this one.
By then it is 3 p.m. and we are bushed. We decide to head back to the WL. Our room must be ready. Indeed it is and we are headed to settle in.
Look for Day 1 Evening Highlights tomorrow.
Day One Highlight: Passing through those gates to WDW!
Day One Downer: The 7 a.m. flight!
pennyplanner
45 yrs old
The Mom and Consumate Disney Planner
Dad
48 yrs old
The Reluctant Disney Vacationer
Kids
10 and 13
Day 1
When I finally booked for Thanksgiving 2002 in April, my choice of flights was very limited. Thanksgiving week books up way early!!!
Against my better judgement (knowing my family as I do!) I relented and booked the 7 a.m. flight from Bradley Airport in CT. It was Delta, non-stop to Orlando.
We left the house at a whopping 4:45 a.m. to drive to Bradley and drop off our car at a park and fly shuttle service. We arrived to VERY long lines at 5:30 a.m.
Taking my travel agent's advice, we did not check our bags at the sidewalk but went inside. We used electronic ticketing with the help of Delta personnel and off we went to the security check-in. No problems here!
Bleary eyed we arrived in Orlando on schedule. We opted for a Tiffany Town Car limo with a grocery stop. The trunk was a bit tight but we managed. We all had a good laugh when the limo driver advised us to stay inside the terminal since it was a little chilly outside. Hah! It was in the low 60's, downright balmy to New Englanders in November.
A stop at Publix yielded all we needed and we were off to the Wilderness Resort. We used almost our full 30 minute allotment grabbing water, breakfast food and sundry items.
Okay, here is where I get all misty eyed when I think back to how excited my kids were just to see all the construction sites and vehicles on the way. Me? I couldn't wait to enter those gates "announcing" our official arrival at Walt Disney World.
I checked to find our room was not ready but all my requests were duly noted and the supervisor who was overseeing our desk CM-in-training assured me that they were all granted. We would indeed be on the MK side overlooking the otter pond with a queen bed and bunks. Yeah!
Here is where those best laid plans begin to go awry! It was about 11:30 a.m. My plans? Head to Epcot and eat in the World Showcase - maybe at the counter service in Morocco or Norway. Nope! The guys are hungry now. We head to Roaring Forks and manage to find something for everyone. We shared a couple of chicken wraps and fruit salad, milk cookies and hot tea. Most of us were all feeling out of it from the early flight. Me? I was frothing at the mouth to get out there and begin the park adventure.
We hop a bus to Epcot. It was kind of a round about route but we got there! It is roughly 1 p.m., the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. No waiting to get in and the security check was fine. Open all zipper pockets on fanny packs and backpacks. No problem here.
First stop, Spaceship Earth. No lines, no waiting. I just couldn't resist. We had a ball. My youngest enjoyed the ride as opposed to three years prior. He wasn't crazy about it back then. We messed around in the exit area trying out the various exibits. Off to Ellen's Adventure with Bill Nye. Again, no waiting. We hit it right just as the pre-game was beginning. Lots of fun but why does everything have to be soooo loud. Despite the noise, my husband napped through some of this one.
By then it is 3 p.m. and we are bushed. We decide to head back to the WL. Our room must be ready. Indeed it is and we are headed to settle in.
Look for Day 1 Evening Highlights tomorrow.
Day One Highlight: Passing through those gates to WDW!
Day One Downer: The 7 a.m. flight!
