MickeyMonstersMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,427
I apologize for the delay in our trip report: it was too much of a shock to return from the magic of WDW to have to go to school only a few days later! I have recovered sufficiently to get this out here now: if anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to respond!
The Monsters are:
Myself (Lori), 32: Single mom and anal planner; previous trips to WDW in 1972 and 1993
Grandma, 68: Just had back and heart surgery but determined to share kids first trip; also went in 1972
Bryn, 8: Loves all rides; first trip is also celebration of 8th birthday
Ethan, 4: Tall enough for almost everything, but not as daring as his sister; well have to see...
<u>The Monsters World Tour, Part I: Were at the World (finally)!</u>
Wed had season passes to the local amusement park for three years running, and since the kids and I had enjoyed it so much, I figured it was time to take the plunge and take them to WDW. Grandma had taken me in 1972, and signed on so she could see her grandchildrens first experience as well. The trip was originally planned for December 2001, but the international climate was so unsettled that I cancelled in October and decided to sweeten the postponement by planning a longer vacation to celebrate Bryns birthday in August. Thus wed had over a year to research and plan - and dream. In fact, a friend brought back park maps, and the kids and I had them memorized by the time we got there!
Id faxed All-Star Music a few days in advance to request a room in the Jazz Inn area. Following the tips here on the Dis, I made it clear that it was to minimize walking for my mother whod had unexpected back surgery only weeks before our trip. I asked for a nonsmoking, first floor room in the Jazz Inn area.
We were at the airport 2 hours early as recommended by the airport website, got through in about 10 minutes, and spent a lot of time coloring and looking at planes land and take off. This was the kids first experience flying as well, so I had as much fun as they did spotting incoming planes! Interestingly, no one asked for ID at baggage checkpoints. We flew in on US Air and had no problems. Hector, our driver from Tiffany Town Car, met us at Baggage Claim and returned very quickly with the car. He charmed my mother with a combination of information and jokes, and gave the kids stickers and coloring books, as well as a countdown to WDW property. He was wonderful, and I recommend him (as well as Tiffany) highly.
Check-in went very smoothly as well, along with a lovely surprise. As I asked our CM, John, about our room request, a passing female CM snorted and said, Good luck - theyre all taken. My heart sank, but then John said, Well, lets see what we can find... how about a free upgrade to Calypso? Yay! He gave us Room 402, which was on the back side and very quiet, but blessedly close to Melody Hall for my mother. That came in VERY handy after our longer days, as well as during downpours! I agree that the walk from other buildings isnt that bad, but it was nice anyway to be so close.
We unpacked quickly and headed over to Ohana for dinner. Id made a 8:30 PS just in case of potential flight delay, but wed been on time and the bus and monorail got us to the Poly before 6:00. Again, we were in luck: although Ohana was quite busy, we were able to get a table within 15 minutes. This ties (with CRT) as our favorite meal at the World. We attacked the lazy Susan in an unusual manner: Bryn loved the rice, and ate most of that; Grandma snagged the applesauce, and Ethan finally just set the bowl of shrimp wontons on his plate! As for myself, I loved everything, especially the sauces. The kids had a blast doing the coconut races and the hula hoop contest; I must say, though, either it was too crowded or there were too many hoops, because I saw a number of diners scramble to rescue their meals as children knocked plates off the tables! Our server asked about our stay, and even though Bryns birthday was not until the next day, he brought out a cupcake with a candle and a group of people sang to her - as well as to five other people that evening. It was the perfect way to begin our time at WDW, and weve agreed to make it a tradition to eat at 'Ohana on our first night.
We finished just in time to miss the last bus from MK to ASMu, so we rode the monorail over to Epcot and took the bus from there. There was some trouble with the monorail and it took a very long time, with much stopping - my children henceforth called it the monosnail. It was a rather disgruntled group who exited at Epcot and made its way to the busses. At the line we were second behind a man in a wheelchair, and as I expected, the driver instructed everyone to wait to board until the man was safely on the bus. I could not believe the grumbling and whining among the others there - oh, grow up!!
Back in the room, Grandma and I are trying to convince the kids of the necessity of an early night - after all, we start at CRT at 8:00 - when I realize that I left the toothpaste at home. Arrgh. Im glad Melody Hall is close by as I run out in to pick some up. I must have looked pretty rueful, because the CM ribbed me a little for my forgetfulness as I paid. Finally we got the kids settled in and flopped down ourselves. Next on the itinerary: the "left side" of the MK.
The Monsters are:
Myself (Lori), 32: Single mom and anal planner; previous trips to WDW in 1972 and 1993
Grandma, 68: Just had back and heart surgery but determined to share kids first trip; also went in 1972
Bryn, 8: Loves all rides; first trip is also celebration of 8th birthday
Ethan, 4: Tall enough for almost everything, but not as daring as his sister; well have to see...
<u>The Monsters World Tour, Part I: Were at the World (finally)!</u>
Wed had season passes to the local amusement park for three years running, and since the kids and I had enjoyed it so much, I figured it was time to take the plunge and take them to WDW. Grandma had taken me in 1972, and signed on so she could see her grandchildrens first experience as well. The trip was originally planned for December 2001, but the international climate was so unsettled that I cancelled in October and decided to sweeten the postponement by planning a longer vacation to celebrate Bryns birthday in August. Thus wed had over a year to research and plan - and dream. In fact, a friend brought back park maps, and the kids and I had them memorized by the time we got there!
Id faxed All-Star Music a few days in advance to request a room in the Jazz Inn area. Following the tips here on the Dis, I made it clear that it was to minimize walking for my mother whod had unexpected back surgery only weeks before our trip. I asked for a nonsmoking, first floor room in the Jazz Inn area.
We were at the airport 2 hours early as recommended by the airport website, got through in about 10 minutes, and spent a lot of time coloring and looking at planes land and take off. This was the kids first experience flying as well, so I had as much fun as they did spotting incoming planes! Interestingly, no one asked for ID at baggage checkpoints. We flew in on US Air and had no problems. Hector, our driver from Tiffany Town Car, met us at Baggage Claim and returned very quickly with the car. He charmed my mother with a combination of information and jokes, and gave the kids stickers and coloring books, as well as a countdown to WDW property. He was wonderful, and I recommend him (as well as Tiffany) highly.
Check-in went very smoothly as well, along with a lovely surprise. As I asked our CM, John, about our room request, a passing female CM snorted and said, Good luck - theyre all taken. My heart sank, but then John said, Well, lets see what we can find... how about a free upgrade to Calypso? Yay! He gave us Room 402, which was on the back side and very quiet, but blessedly close to Melody Hall for my mother. That came in VERY handy after our longer days, as well as during downpours! I agree that the walk from other buildings isnt that bad, but it was nice anyway to be so close.
We unpacked quickly and headed over to Ohana for dinner. Id made a 8:30 PS just in case of potential flight delay, but wed been on time and the bus and monorail got us to the Poly before 6:00. Again, we were in luck: although Ohana was quite busy, we were able to get a table within 15 minutes. This ties (with CRT) as our favorite meal at the World. We attacked the lazy Susan in an unusual manner: Bryn loved the rice, and ate most of that; Grandma snagged the applesauce, and Ethan finally just set the bowl of shrimp wontons on his plate! As for myself, I loved everything, especially the sauces. The kids had a blast doing the coconut races and the hula hoop contest; I must say, though, either it was too crowded or there were too many hoops, because I saw a number of diners scramble to rescue their meals as children knocked plates off the tables! Our server asked about our stay, and even though Bryns birthday was not until the next day, he brought out a cupcake with a candle and a group of people sang to her - as well as to five other people that evening. It was the perfect way to begin our time at WDW, and weve agreed to make it a tradition to eat at 'Ohana on our first night.
We finished just in time to miss the last bus from MK to ASMu, so we rode the monorail over to Epcot and took the bus from there. There was some trouble with the monorail and it took a very long time, with much stopping - my children henceforth called it the monosnail. It was a rather disgruntled group who exited at Epcot and made its way to the busses. At the line we were second behind a man in a wheelchair, and as I expected, the driver instructed everyone to wait to board until the man was safely on the bus. I could not believe the grumbling and whining among the others there - oh, grow up!!
Back in the room, Grandma and I are trying to convince the kids of the necessity of an early night - after all, we start at CRT at 8:00 - when I realize that I left the toothpaste at home. Arrgh. Im glad Melody Hall is close by as I run out in to pick some up. I must have looked pretty rueful, because the CM ribbed me a little for my forgetfulness as I paid. Finally we got the kids settled in and flopped down ourselves. Next on the itinerary: the "left side" of the MK.
