WHO WE ARE:
Zoe Dog -- Me; 41; went to MK several times as a child and to EPCOT once in late 1980s with DH; compulsive planner, list-maker, and tip-gatherer, but (much to my and my family's relief) was able to be flexible once we arrived
DH -- turned 41 during vacation; late 1980s trip with me was only foray into the World; was a little spooked by memory of how perfect and "Big Brothery" everything was and loved to tease me about my "disney obsession" but is a total kid at heart and began to lurk on the DIS and other helpful sites during the last weeks before departure
E -- DD (11 years) - has an incredibly vivid imagination and so was a bit apprehensive about "spooky" rides, but determined to be a big kid; loves interaction with characters and spotting live animals and noticing all of the little unexpected things
D -- DD (almost 10 years) - wants to do it all and then do it again and again . . . absolutely fearless and utterly enthusiastic
L -- DD (6 1/2 years) - doesn't like to be left behind by the big girls, but is not a thrill seeker; began to swim like a little fish thanks to daily access to warm pools
DAY ONE: Saturday June 21
DH awoke early to go running. I awoke a little after 7:00 to a huge thunderstorm and torrential downpour -- and the forecast was for more of the same. Oh no. DH arrived a short while later, drenched, but carrying a tray full of goodies from the HIFS breakfast buffet which we all enjoyed as we got ready to leave. Used the express checkout so no need to wait in line. We were on our way by about 8:45. It was still raining, but not quite so heavily. And we were on our way to the Wilderness Lodge! WOW! The Lodge is magnificent! We began to feel our spirits rise as we entered the beautiful lobby and heard the Aaron Copeland music in the background. Even a rainy day would be a pleasure here. The girls ran off to check out the lobby and the gift shop while DH and I stood in line to check in. We really didn't expect the rooms to be ready yet (and they weren't) but we were able to get through the check-in process quickly with no problems. AND (!) -- another surprise for the girls -- we couldn't believe our luck: we could be the flag family on our last day at the Lodge! Yippee! We rounded up the girls and, telling them that we wanted to explore a little, we took the little boat to the Contemporary. L was very nervous about the boat trip, but we made it there safely despite the wind and drizzle. As we walked up to the Contemporary, E spotted the back-side of a Sorcerer Mickey topiary - the first of our topiary spotting fun. We went to the Chef Mickey's entrance for our 11:15 PS, still a surprise to the girls. The girls spied Goofy and got a little chance to goof around with him. We were seated immediately in the little room near the entrance. We met Goofy, Chip, Dale, Minnie, Mickey and, our favorite, Pluto who, much to the girls' delight, pretended to put DH's head in his mouth. The restaurant was not at all crowded. In fact, some of the characters visited our table three times while we were there! The breakfast buffet was really yummy. E announced gleefully that she was continuing her recent pattern of eating only bread (a chocolate croissant) and potatoes (homefries) -- heaven to her. The rest of us were a bit more adventuresome and tried the breakfast pizza ( tortillas and zucchini and LOTS of cheese - really good) and other offerings. L liked that there was an array of kid friendly food available on a table that was low enough for her to reach. In fact, throughout our time at WDW, she was repeatedly pleased that many times things (sinks, foods, animal carvings, etc.) were at kid-height. **** Thoroughly stuffed and still excited from meeting Mickey and the gang, we headed to the monorail and rode the Resort-Magic Kingdom Loop .... OH Look! There's the Castle! When we had done an entire loop, we got off at the TTC and boarded the EPCOT monorail. And lucky us! We waited for only one train to come and go and were then able to ride with the pilot both to AND from EPCOT (DH was in the car behind because only 4 can ride up front). The pilot was a very friendly older woman. When she noticed that we all wore Vermont T-Shirts, she told us about her son who was a teacher involved in a masters program that includes a summer stay at the Breadloaf program in VT. We really enjoyed the view of EPCOT from above. Oddly enough, D (who has been the family daredevil since birth and who rode every thrill ride she could manage during our stay) was a little nervous being in the front of the monorail, where we seemed to be very high above the ground and moving fast. At the end of the ride, the pilot gave the girls co-pilot cards. E asked for an extra card for DH since he had missed the fun of being up front. We then took the bus from the TTC to the WL and - yeah!! - our rooms were ready!! Two connecting rooms on the 6th floor overlooking the pool. The girls' room had bunkbeds AND a queen bed which pleased them immensely since it meant each could have her own bed. We settled in a bit, put on our swimsuits, and headed to the pool. The slide was fun!! D couldn't get enough of it. E rode the slide some, but also paddled around daydreaming. L went between the hot tub and the kiddie pool, with occasional trips to the big pool once she realized it was warm too. This is the life! Oh - funny experience at the pool -- E overheard a woman (whom I later learned lived in Florida) saying that the pool was too cool to get into. E couldn't stop giggling over that because it felt like bath water to us northerners! **** To bed at a reasonable time because we're off to the Magic Kingdom in the morning!!
Zoe Dog -- Me; 41; went to MK several times as a child and to EPCOT once in late 1980s with DH; compulsive planner, list-maker, and tip-gatherer, but (much to my and my family's relief) was able to be flexible once we arrived
DH -- turned 41 during vacation; late 1980s trip with me was only foray into the World; was a little spooked by memory of how perfect and "Big Brothery" everything was and loved to tease me about my "disney obsession" but is a total kid at heart and began to lurk on the DIS and other helpful sites during the last weeks before departure
E -- DD (11 years) - has an incredibly vivid imagination and so was a bit apprehensive about "spooky" rides, but determined to be a big kid; loves interaction with characters and spotting live animals and noticing all of the little unexpected things
D -- DD (almost 10 years) - wants to do it all and then do it again and again . . . absolutely fearless and utterly enthusiastic
L -- DD (6 1/2 years) - doesn't like to be left behind by the big girls, but is not a thrill seeker; began to swim like a little fish thanks to daily access to warm pools
DAY ONE: Saturday June 21
DH awoke early to go running. I awoke a little after 7:00 to a huge thunderstorm and torrential downpour -- and the forecast was for more of the same. Oh no. DH arrived a short while later, drenched, but carrying a tray full of goodies from the HIFS breakfast buffet which we all enjoyed as we got ready to leave. Used the express checkout so no need to wait in line. We were on our way by about 8:45. It was still raining, but not quite so heavily. And we were on our way to the Wilderness Lodge! WOW! The Lodge is magnificent! We began to feel our spirits rise as we entered the beautiful lobby and heard the Aaron Copeland music in the background. Even a rainy day would be a pleasure here. The girls ran off to check out the lobby and the gift shop while DH and I stood in line to check in. We really didn't expect the rooms to be ready yet (and they weren't) but we were able to get through the check-in process quickly with no problems. AND (!) -- another surprise for the girls -- we couldn't believe our luck: we could be the flag family on our last day at the Lodge! Yippee! We rounded up the girls and, telling them that we wanted to explore a little, we took the little boat to the Contemporary. L was very nervous about the boat trip, but we made it there safely despite the wind and drizzle. As we walked up to the Contemporary, E spotted the back-side of a Sorcerer Mickey topiary - the first of our topiary spotting fun. We went to the Chef Mickey's entrance for our 11:15 PS, still a surprise to the girls. The girls spied Goofy and got a little chance to goof around with him. We were seated immediately in the little room near the entrance. We met Goofy, Chip, Dale, Minnie, Mickey and, our favorite, Pluto who, much to the girls' delight, pretended to put DH's head in his mouth. The restaurant was not at all crowded. In fact, some of the characters visited our table three times while we were there! The breakfast buffet was really yummy. E announced gleefully that she was continuing her recent pattern of eating only bread (a chocolate croissant) and potatoes (homefries) -- heaven to her. The rest of us were a bit more adventuresome and tried the breakfast pizza ( tortillas and zucchini and LOTS of cheese - really good) and other offerings. L liked that there was an array of kid friendly food available on a table that was low enough for her to reach. In fact, throughout our time at WDW, she was repeatedly pleased that many times things (sinks, foods, animal carvings, etc.) were at kid-height. **** Thoroughly stuffed and still excited from meeting Mickey and the gang, we headed to the monorail and rode the Resort-Magic Kingdom Loop .... OH Look! There's the Castle! When we had done an entire loop, we got off at the TTC and boarded the EPCOT monorail. And lucky us! We waited for only one train to come and go and were then able to ride with the pilot both to AND from EPCOT (DH was in the car behind because only 4 can ride up front). The pilot was a very friendly older woman. When she noticed that we all wore Vermont T-Shirts, she told us about her son who was a teacher involved in a masters program that includes a summer stay at the Breadloaf program in VT. We really enjoyed the view of EPCOT from above. Oddly enough, D (who has been the family daredevil since birth and who rode every thrill ride she could manage during our stay) was a little nervous being in the front of the monorail, where we seemed to be very high above the ground and moving fast. At the end of the ride, the pilot gave the girls co-pilot cards. E asked for an extra card for DH since he had missed the fun of being up front. We then took the bus from the TTC to the WL and - yeah!! - our rooms were ready!! Two connecting rooms on the 6th floor overlooking the pool. The girls' room had bunkbeds AND a queen bed which pleased them immensely since it meant each could have her own bed. We settled in a bit, put on our swimsuits, and headed to the pool. The slide was fun!! D couldn't get enough of it. E rode the slide some, but also paddled around daydreaming. L went between the hot tub and the kiddie pool, with occasional trips to the big pool once she realized it was warm too. This is the life! Oh - funny experience at the pool -- E overheard a woman (whom I later learned lived in Florida) saying that the pool was too cool to get into. E couldn't stop giggling over that because it felt like bath water to us northerners! **** To bed at a reasonable time because we're off to the Magic Kingdom in the morning!!
Sounds like you guys are having fun.
Krissy
Great official Disney property start! Thanks for posting!
