The Coopers are going to Disney World!

[grrlinthemoon]

Hello all!

I am new to the DISboards, and have been lurking in the shadows for a few weeks, voraciously reading the wisdom, wit and whimsy of the amazing people who participate. I've been planning the family's upcoming trip to the World (departing in only 304 hours!) pretty much since we returned from the the last one, June 2006.

I live with chronic depression and seasonal affective disorder in a place with too much cold and too often a gray sky. Fortunately today the sun is shining, reflecting off the foot or so of snow in the yard, giving me my quota of light, and reminding me to be grateful that I will be in Florida in just 13 days (like I needed reminding!)

Inspired by the awesome trip report I have been reading all morning (Meanest Mother in the World), I decided that I am capable of sharing a trip report, too. A few people might even read it.

The Cast

Michelle: Me, 35yo RN and stepmom of two teenagers; super planner and control freak
Weavre: My slightly older partner in life and crime; anthropologist and teacher and believer in magic; the one who actually gave birth to the teenagers
Tommy: 15yo son; still sleeps with pooh bear; would spend all of his time pool-hopping if we let him
Danica: 14yo daughter; Queen of the Pirate Fairies (princesses are so last year); growing up way too fast, we better get to Disney so I can slow things down a bit
Dad: That would be my dad, living in Atlanta, GA, therefore we don't see him enough; also known as Grandpa Keith to my kids
Eileen: My stepmom, aka Grandma Eileen; keeps Dad/Grandpa Keith from turning permanently into Grumpy​

The Setting

March 7-14, 2007, 2-bedroom villa at Old Key West. Yes, we joined the DVC the last day of our June '06 trip. Who needs necessities like food, clothing, and shelter when you can own a little piece of Magic?​

ACT I
The plan, which has undergone a number of changes in the past several months, is, I think, going to look like this:

Day 1, Wednesday

Arrive at MCO in the morning, catch the Magical Express to OKW and check-in. Hopefully sit down to lunch at Olivia's at 12:30, then over to AK to enjoy EMH and do some of the things we missed the first time, like Expedition Everest for those foolhardy-think they're invincible-daredevil adolescents, and Dinosaur, and actually be able to get up close to the Tree of Life without being thwarted by throngs of people midday in mid-June. The grandparents won't have arrived yet, unfortunately. They are driving down, expecting to get there late in the evening or early the next morning . Please call them and let them know we want them to arrive asap, so that we can share these experiences!​

Day 2, Thursday

Breakfast at the resort, then it's over to the Magic Kingdom. When we tire of that, we'll catch the monorail to the Polynesian. We have early dinner reservations at Kona Cafe, and the kids really want to swim in the Nanea Volcano pool. *Membership has it's privileges. For my water-loving son, pool-hopping is the best privilege there is.*
After dinner, it's back over to MK for the final night of the Pirate and Princess Party. Word is, the park will be practically empty! ​

Day 3, Friday

Today is AK for a full day. My daughter could easily spend 3 hours just with the bats at the Maharajah jungle trek, but the rest of us would like to see a little more than that. Then it's over to the AK Lodge for an early dinner at Boma, and to ooh and aah at the Savannah overlooks and lodge themeing.
After dinner, we'll catch the bus to Downtown Disney to partake in the whimsical merriment of the Adventurer's Club @ Pleasure Island.​

Day 4, Saturday

Seeing as how today is the halfway point, it is a day of "rest and relax". No theme park today, but maybe more pool hopping. We would like to have lunch at Pepper Market at Coronado Springs, and we have late reservations at Spoodles (Boardwalk) for dinner.​

Day 5, Sunday

MGM today. Dinner is Artist Point @ Wilderness Lodge.​

Day 6, Monday

Epcot, Part I--Dad, Eileen, Tommy and Danica are doing the Epcot Aqua Seas Tour (SCUBA-assisted snorkeling in the big tank). Weavre and I will just watch, thank you very much. We have a late dinner planned at Le Cellier.​

Day 7, Tuesday

Epcot, Part II--MEM, Dinner at Coral Reef.​

Day 8, Wednesday

Going home today. Since we can't possibly do Disney without a character meal, it's off to Cape May Cafe at Beach Club for a Goofy breakfast, and then time back at OKW until the DME drags us away.​

Thanks for reading!

Michelle