The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[Charleston Princess]

Yay! Welcome back glad to hear you had fun! Can't wait to read the rest.

Thanks! I am uploading pics for the next installment!

 

[Charleston Princess]

March 31: Afternoon

I love arriving at a Disney resort. I love driving up to the gate and saying, “We’re checking in.” Not to mention the level of excitement we are always feeling at that point!

As most of you know, I was a little worried about staying at Coronado Springs. Silly, silly me. It was beautiful!

As we walked in, all the CMs standing outside were super nice and welcoming. One even told Chelsea she had a beautiful smile!

It smelled like Disney the minute we stepped through the automatic doors.

Here was our first sight on the inside:

There was still a little part of me that was worried we would be far away from El Centro (where the restaurants and gift shop are located) and the Dig Site (where the pool is located). I really, really, really wanted a Cabanas room – from the map they seemed the most convenient to both places.

As I checked in, I let the CM know we would like a Cabanas room. I wasn’t too hopeful though – the resort was virtually sold out. Well, we lucked out on our CM – he spent about ten minutes scrolling through the computer looking for a room and even called another CM to help. He finally found a room in 9B on the first floor (which is the Cabanas building closest to El Centro and just over the bridge from the Dig Site). I was super excited at that point!

Here is a picture of our building (our room was the bottom left hand one):

As soon as we unpacked and changed, we explored the resort. Chelsea and Connor loved the hammocks. Believe it or not, this picture took about 15 minutes to take because Chelsea was being such a pill about her brother getting sand in the hammock. It would be the only time they would share a hammock.

We were starving so we headed over to the Pepper Market for a snack. Charles and I split nachos – you know that was the one thing Charles kept mentioning prior to the trip! They were so awesome! They were one of my favorite things that I had on the trip. Unfortunately I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture. Chelsea and Connor had ice cream.

After browsing through the gift shop, we went back to the room, changed and headed to the pool.

Here is a view of the Cabanas from the bridge:

Here is a view of El Centro from the bridge:

Here are Chelsea and Connor posing for Mommy:

Here is the Mayan pyramid:

The pool at Coronado is my favorite of the pools where we have stayed so far! The kids swam, and Charles and I just sat and relaxed. It was one of those perfect Disney moments…

 

[stagemomx3]

On the speedometer of the van it tells the outside temperature. I kid you not, Charles was asking every hour what the temperature was. It went something like this:

Charles: And now?
Me: 51

An hour later:

Charles: And now?
Me: 55

An hour later:

Charles: And now?
Me: 57

This went on all the way down 75. We were getting kind of worried as we neared the Florida border since it was still hovering in the 50s.

Have no fear though, after another three hours, we had reached our goal temperature of 81 and Charles stopped asking somewhere on the turnpike!

I ask you: Who was the biggest kid in the car on Monday???

Nice picture of the kids in the hammock, we never got around to hanging out in those.

 

[Native NYer]

It's becoming quite dangerous!



My parents were a constant embarassment to me during my pre-teen/teen years! I guess she should get used to it.

What cracked us up the most was the fact that she thought it was a new song since Fall Out Boy is a current band. When we explained how it had been around since the 80's (by Michael Jackson, no less) and then proceeded to sing it word for word, she died. I know she was thankful for tinted windows at that point.

 

[Native NYer]

CSR is a beautiful resort.

Your daughter looks like quite the little diva! So cute!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Nice picture of the kids in the hammock, we never got around to hanging out in those.

Thanks! I really liked that one!

Everytime we walked out the door, my two would race for the hammocks. Chelsea even got mad at me for not letting her go hang out in one by herself! She seems to think that just because her room key said adult (she's 10 so in Disney eyes she is considered one -- go figure!) that she should suddenly be granted adult privileges!

CSR is a beautiful resort.

We were so pleasantly surprised by CSR!

Your daughter looks like quite the little diva! So cute!

Thanks!

She is definitely a diva -- and then some!!!

 

[Native NYer]

How was the transportation at CSR?

 

[Charleston Princess]

How was the transportation at CSR?

Great! While we were sitting (for about ten minutes) waiting on our MK bus for the P&PP at 4:00, we saw a bus for each of the other three parks and two buses for Downtown Disney. From what I could see, they were running pretty regularly.

 

[Native NYer]

Great! While we were sitting (for about ten minutes) waiting on our MK bus for the P&PP at 4:00, we saw a bus for each of the other three parks and two buses for Downtown Disney. From what I could see, they were running pretty regularly.

I think I may have to consider CSR if I go in October.

BTW, glad your husband got his nachos

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think I may have to consider CSR if I go in October.

It is definitely worth considering.

BTW, glad your husband got his nachos

I am glad he shared with me! Sometimes he is quite possessive of his food!

 

[misled3]

You guys are great and I thought I had the Disney Bug

 

[Native NYer]

It is definitely worth considering.



I am glad he shared with me! Sometimes he is quite possessive of his food!

 

[Charleston Princess]

You guys are great and I thought I had the Disney Bug

Thanks and welcome!

The Disney Bug is quite an illness!!!

I see on your ticker that you are going in June? When?

 

[Charleston Princess]

I have almost lost fingers reaching for french fries at the wrong moment.

 

[Native NYer]

I have almost lost fingers reaching for french fries at the wrong moment.

 

[stagemomx3]

Everytime we walked out the door, my two would race for the hammocks. Chelsea even got mad at me for not letting her go hang out in one by herself! She seems to think that just because her room key said adult (she's 10 so in Disney eyes she is considered one -- go figure!) that she should suddenly be granted adult privileges!

Daisy thought we should let her go walk around by herself at CSR.

 

[carissanboys]

What an awesome start to your TR in your PTR! Your resort looks so beautiful! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Daisy thought we should let her go walk around by herself at CSR.

Crazy girls!

What an awesome start to your TR in your PTR! Your resort looks so beautiful! Can't wait to hear more.

It was beautiful -- the pictures don't even begin to do it justice!

 

[Charleston Princess]

To finish up Monday:

After returning to the room from the pool, Charles opted to stay and rest, and Chelsea, Connor, and I headed to Downtown Disney.

I took Connor to Once Upon a Toy, and he was overwhelmed by it! He darted from room to room looking at all the toys. With his money, he bought a pirate sword (in his eyes, no trip to Disney is complete without a weapon purchase), a Transformer, and a rubber dinosaur egg that opens up to reveal a Raptor .

Chelsea managed to purchase a hairband, earrings, and the Pirate Princess Minnie (continuing her collection of Minnies from each trip).

We also stopped by Pin Traders where I picked up some pins and the Christmas store -- I had wanted to buy a Pirate ornament, but there were NONE (pirates have overrun Disney but no ornaments??? ).

The original plan was to get sandwiches from the Earl of Sandwich, but when we walked in the line was HUGE! Like Splash Mountain in the middle of the day long !!! We nixed that idea and picked up sandwiches from Cafe Rix on the way back to the room.

Back at the room, the Yeti tries out the new sword, prompting Connor to exclaim, "Yeti with a Sword!":

NEXT: Tonga Toast and Monorails!

 

[scottny]

great start.

great pics.

CSR looks beatiful.

I want a sword.