The One With....Our July 4th-16th Trip Report- Update- July 5th- BLT

[wdwgirl1]

Well hello all! Welcome to my very first trip report
I had been reading many trip reports on DIS in anticipation for our trip in July. I enjoyed the day by day replays- as well as looking at all the pictures. So thanks to all of you who have shared your vacations with me over the past year.

Anyway let me start with some background information about myself and my family.

My family has been visiting WDW since the early 1980's. My mom, dad and DB visited WDW for the first time in 1984 (I was 2 and stayed at home with my Grandparents- my parents thoght I was too young- well none of that "too young" stuff for my DD...lol) Anyway, my parents fell in love with Disney. They had been to Disneyland- but there was just something about Disney World that got them hooked . The next trip that was made was in 1986- when I was 4...that was my first trip. After that we started visiting once a year- and sometimes even twice a year. I know to some of you- once a year is just a drop in the bucket- but keep in mind we are from smack dab in the middle of Canada. The flights from our local airport are not the cheapest in the world- and we definately can't hop in our car and cruise down to the World (ohhhh but I wish we could). We are consideredc "the go to people" in our city for Disney World trip planning. Our homes are filled with Disney (from the pictures on our walls, to the silverwear on our tables). We spend many hours researching, reading, and thinking about Disney.

So let me intoduce you to our crew:

Me- Beckie- Hi Nice to Meet You!!!! - I am a 28 year old 1st Grade Teacher. I celebrated my 28th birthday at the World this trip.

DH- Kevin- 30 year old Continuing Care Assistant. Celebrated graduating from his program- with honors- and his 30th birthday while we were at the World.

DD- Princess Chloe- our strong minded 3 year old daughter- is a huge Figmant fan. Loves swimming and the princesses.

DM- Kathy- 50 something (sorry mom) banker- who is nearning retirment this year.

DF- Lew- 50 something funeral director- nearing retirment this year- would love to spend his winters in Florida- if he can only convince mom.

DB- Brett- AKA @MrBrettYoung on Twitter- 30 year old- single (yes ladies hecould be yours...) English/Buisness Teacher...is our photographer on vacation. Brett is a runner...lost 80 pounds 2 years ago...and is getting to run the Goofy's Challenge in January.

So that is us. We are very close family spending lots of time together during the week.

I have decided to title each day of our trip reports with the "The One With..." For those of you how are FRIENDS fans- you will know that each episode is titled this way. My brother has a blog and titled his daily reports this way...so decided to do this as well.

I will not be posting any food porn in these reports- but will be doing Dining Reviews in the weeks to come- so watch for those in the Dining Forum.

So....on with the show.....

 

[Shannon84]

Joining in...I have become a complete TR addict and I cannot help it! Plus I LOVE the show FRIENDS and couldnt resist when I saw the title

 

[bukosluvswdw]

can't wait to see more. sounds like you guys had a lot to celebrate. Congrats to your brother losing all that weight. How did he do that?

 

[WeluvE.Y.]

More please!

 

[wdwgirl1]

Well, July 4th came very quickly. School ended June 25th, DB and I ran a race on the 1st...and then I blinked and it was time to leave.

We were doing things a bit differently this year. In years past we have always left very early in the morning...we would have to be up at 2:30 and be at the airport around 3 (because we are in Canada it is an international flight so it is always good to be at the airport as early as possible) for our flight at 6. We then arrive in Orlando around 2pm. But, not this year. Delta started running a third flight from our local airport- at 10:30am- so we decided to forgo the very early morning for a slightly early morning.

I woke up at 6:00am, had my shower, and packed all the last minute stuff, (just like lots of you...I pack at least a week before), got DH and DD up. Chloe had a bath the night before- so Kevin showered. Shortly around 7:00- DB drove up and we started to load the suitcases into his SUV...and we were off!!!! Finally...I couldn't believe it! WDW here we come (well almost).

So we headed to mom and dad's- we would be travelling the 45 minutes to the airport in seperate cars (too many of us to fit in one vehicle). At around 7:15 we were on the road to the airport. We arrived at the airport at 8ish. Check in went smooth. We had 2 hours to kill, so we went and grabbed some breakfast.

Here is where the title of this report comes in. I hate to fly. I get very very ill. My problem started around the age of 10. I don't know what it is...although I think it is nerves...but I feel so gross. The last few years I have been able to control it somewhat...mind over matter and all that...but I still fell like I am going to be sick every second of my travel day. This trip was no exception. I felt fine when I woke up..but as soon as I got into the airport...there it was! And I thought this year was the year I would all go away...wrong! I managed not to up-chuck...but I sure felt like it the whole trip.

Anyway, back to the trip report...we cleared sercurity in no time at all. We had about an hour wait, then boarded our first flight to Minniapolis. It was a good flight (I was told- my nice sleeping pills kicked in-so I was dead to the world). Chloe apparently loved it.

Once in Minniapolis we had to clear US customs. We couldn't believe the line up and customs...never, ever seen it this busy before!!!! We had a 2 hour layover in MSP. It usually takes 10 minutes, at the most to clear customs, not this year! It took us over 1 hour to clear customs this year! Wow! So we rushed to get to the gate. We had exactly enough time to go to the bathroom, pick up a cheeseburger from McDonalds, and head on the plane. I was fine with not having to wait around...the more I sit the more sick I feel...so that worked out well for me. We were up in the air early ! Again another good flight- so I was told. I burried my head in my Ipod and watched the Blindside. Some of you are probably wondering what my DD is doing while I was ignoring the fact that I was flying...well that is one of the reasons I only travel on airplanes with my parents. My mom knows that when I fly I am not myself- and she steps into my "mommy" shoes for me. My DH looks after me, and my mom looks after Chloe...thanks mom! So at shortly after 7pm we landed (about 30 minutes early!!).

It is crazy...as soon as I set foot off the plane in Orlando I am cured! I feel totally normal (just another reason I think it is all in my head). I had mentioned that this year was different for us. We took a different flight...and with that came another very different decision. We had decided that because we were not getting in until 7:30ish that we would not go directly to WDW. I know! Can you believe it! Gasp!!!! We decided to stay at the Hyatt right at MCO. We grabbed the tram (love it!)

We dropped mom and Chloe at the fountain in front of the Hyatt and the rest of us went to grab the bags.

We then checked into the Hyatt. What a nice hotel.

We got cleaned up and headed down into the airport for a bite to eat, and our firtst look (of the trip) at the Disney store. Chloe of course found a billion things she wanted...we had to explain to her that we have 10 days to buy things. She did end up getting a baby Tinkerbell stuffy.

We grabbed a quick bite at the foodcourt (love Panda Express!) and then headed back up to the room. When we got up there we went out onto the belcony...and guess what we saw....fireworks. 100's and 100's of fireworks from every direction. Remember it is the 4th of July. It was amazing. Everywhere you looked you could see them.

After watching the fireworks it was time for bed. We all went to sleep thankful to be in Orlando safe and sound, but also anticiapting tomorrow...arriveing (finally) at WDW!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

That is an adorable picture of your DD kissing Goofy's nose.
Yay for mom! I loved having my mom nearby when the girls were little and I needed help. Do you usually fly to Disney on the 4th? Maybe that was why the lines were long, they were taking extra security measures? I've never flown international so I have no idea if that could be a factor.

 

[wdwgirl1]

Yeah!...today was the day! We would be checking into the BLT in a matter of hours! Months and months of planning had brought us to this day.

We got up and got ready for breakfast. We headed up to the Hamisphere at the Hyatt. We had a good (included with our room) buffet breakfast and watched the planes come and go. Finally we headed back to our rooms and waited for a call from dad (he had gone down to get the rental SUV).

Finally he called and bellman in tow we headed down to meet our vehicle for the next 11 days. It was a tan Seaburbon and was able to hold the 6 of us, luggage, stroller and car seat with room to spear...yeah more room for the shopping that was about to happen.

The plan that had been decided upon by my mom and myself was to head from the airport to Publix to grab groceries. Well, it just so happens that Publix is right across the road from one of my favorite places in the world...The Premium Outlets! So we stopped for 2 hours exactly- everyone was eager to get "on property". I had a whirlwind shopping adventure...as it was July 5th- they were still having 4th of July sales...yeah! I spent way too much money in those 2 hours...but oh well I'm on vacation (thanks again Banana Republic- 40% off the entire store + a 20% off my entire purchase coupon- cha-ching!).

After some quick shopping we headed to by groceries at Publix. (cereal, bread, drinks...).

We left Publix around 1. We headed off to that glorious purple sign...sigh...

It was really wierd for us to not pull into the Epcot Resort Area...
But we were sure happy to see this sign:

Finally The MK entrance...and BLT here we come!

Then our first glimps of our "home" for the next 11 days:

We drove in and heard our first "Welcome Home" from the very friendly security guard at the gate..thank you!

We drove the Contemporary to check in. My brother, dad and I all went in. Brother made the reservations, dad...well dad paid (thanks daddy ), and I am the room "expert"...let's see what the room lottery will give us...

Check in was quick and painless. Yes! Our room was ready at 1:45pm! And what room number was that? 8212! Did you say 8212! Well I had been researching the room (and views) on Dis for months. I knew that our 2 bedroom villa (Lake view) was going to be amazing. I told everyone to just wait and see. I was so excited I almost cried with joy.

We made our way over to the BLT.

Ok folks are you ready to see our Disney Magic , sheer Pixie ...

Here is our view (remember we were paying for a lake view...not a MK view)

Look straight and a bit Left

Looking Right

View from the living room

DB and DD enjoying the view

I know...amazing. Thank you Disney you just made my birthday!

Continued Below.....

 

[wdwgirl1]

We settled into our lovely rooms and then decided it was time to head over to the MK to pick up our park passes. We decided to walk. It took about 10-15 minutes. We lined up and got our passes (some of us 10 day hoppers, some of us annual passes).

DB going through the turnstilles to show off his Annual Pass

Yes...the rest of us only went to the gate- but didn't go in DH, DD and myself only got 10 days- so we didn't want to wast a full day today. So we hopped the monorail and headed back to BLT. (Chloe loved the monorail)

We browsed around the Contemporary for awhile. It was here that an obsession started with my DH and DB...Vinylmations! We have bought some on passed trips, but this was the first trip that we were able to trade them. DH started collecting Muppets, and DB started to collect Disney Parks #4. They had a blast doing this all trip long.

We headed back to the room to freshen up for our Chef Mickey's supper. At 4:45pm we headed down to Chef Mickey's and checked in. (again sorry there will be no food photos in these reports- but I will be doing dining reviews soon).

We had great charcter interaction:

After supper we headed back to the room, got our swimsuits on, and headed down to the pool.

It was almost time for fireworks. Our plan had been to go and watch the fireworks from either the Poly beach or from just outside the BLT...but with our lucky room view we were super excited to watch from our belconies.

We turned on the music (a channel on the tv plays it...thanks again DIS for this handy piece of info)...and...

Breathtaking!!!

What a great end to a fantastic day filled with Disney Magic!!!!!

 

[Shannon84]

I cannot believe that room view, that is just amazing!! It gives me goosebumps just to imagine staying in that room! I had a friend who was staying at BLT last time I was down there slumming it at POP (as he says lol) and I was amazed with the rooms there!

You got some great shots of the Walt Disney World signs...its pretty difficult to get those when driving in!

 

[heaven2dc]

I definitely am subscribing to this TR! What an amazing view You were so lucky (looks like lots of pixie dust already on your trip!). What a lovely family you have (my daughter would kill me if she knew I said this but I wish she could meet someone as nice as your brother. She is in a relationship with a guy right now that I feel deep in my heart is not "the one" but oh well..lol.)