Welcome everyone and I hope I don't bore too many of you.
In the early morning hours of January 16, 2009, our family sprang into action. Well, ok more like sauntered into action because hey, it was about 4:30am. Mary, was up until about 2am getting the last packing touches and the house in order. She is the best. She always takes care of packing up the kids and herself and gets the house ready for us to go. I have the easy job, getting the reservations in order and making the itineraries...poor me.
So about 5am the limo pulled up and we packed everything in. Before long we were off the New York City's JFK airport and to the new JetBlue terminal building. Because this was a Friday, I wanted to get to JFK before any traffic hit. I knew that if we left any later than 5:30am we would have a tough time getting to the airport with enough time to spare. But, we were on time and roaring down the highway. Everyone was real excited to get on the plane and heading off to start our second
Disney Cruise. We sailed on the Jan.13, 2007 Western and had a category 6 that time. We saved and scrimped even foregoing our DVC vacation last year and took the opportunity to jump up a few notches and reserved a category 3 one bedroom suite.
We finally arrived at the airport and it was really time to get going. It was like 5 degree outside so Mary and the kids headed off inside the terminal while I struggled with the bags. OK, I do have another job and that is to struggle with the bags. It's usually not that bad because I just strap them together and they come along like little doggies. But, I never tried to maneuver around JetBlue's new revolving automatic door. Don't hit it the door will stop, don't come to near it the door will stop, it seems if you look at it the door will stop. So now I am trapped in there with 5 luggage bags and my family is on the other side. We are not going anywhere we are going to miss our flight. But, here comes Mary to the rescue but wait now it seems she is arguing with someone. Oh Oh I better get out and finally I do. But, they are still going at it. The worker was rude and told Mary to get away from the door but not in a such nice manner. Mary, a stubborn and very tired Irish women would not take that. So I played peace maker and we finally headed over to check in for our flight. First major catastrophe averted. We ate breakfast and got in our seats on the plane and we were in the air right on time.
The flight was uneventful and was full of me doing homework with the kids. Better to get it out of the way then to waste time doing it while there is fun to be had. So, my two little first graders made like busy little beavers and continued to do homework for most of the flight. Moira didn't finish but there would be time later in the week to complete it. Plus I didn't want them spending all of the flight doing it. We landed and made our way up to the Hyatt at MCO. They now have a concierge service and handle all of our requests prior to us getting there. What was great is that they had a room ready when we checked in at 10:30am. Outstanding....and they were going to pick all our bags up at JetBlue for us. Another great thing...we hardly handled our luggage all week but more on that as we go. We went up to the room, washed up and headed back down to Dollar Rent a car. Mary and the kids relaxing in our room.
All I can say is holy crap, the line was 50 people deep for Dollar. What were they giving cars away for free or something? Thank goodness I am a Fastlane Express member and got into another line that had 1 person in it and that was me. Right up and right into getting my car. We headed across the street and hopped into a bright red and shiny Dodge Charger. It will do and before lone we were headed south on our way to Sun City Center to visit my just about 90 year old aunt.
The trip took us about 1 ½ hours and we stayed and visited for a little while before we headed out to lunch. We went to a place about 15 minutes away. I think it was called Little Harbor. There were many newly built condos and a hotel. There was a restaurant and we had lunch there. It had an outside bar and eating area but it was way too cold to stay out there. Man didn't we leave the cold. It was only about 50 degrees here. As we ate we looked across the water and we could see Tampa. What a great view. Here are some pictures of the kids and my Aunt Ronnie.
Before long we were done and went back to her house for a little while long but I was starting to get tired and figured we better leave so I didn't fall asleep driving. We headed back up to Orlando by 6pm. But we did make a pit stop...maybe some of you know where I may be going with this. Now I did mention earlier that we are Disney Vacation Club members and that we missed our trip last year. We own at the Beach Club Villas and one of our favorite places is Beaches and Cream. This place, if you don't know, is a throwback to your old ice cream shops. The have great ice cream and serve lighter fare like burgers and such. It is small and the seating is limited but it is a great spot for ice cream, which is what I mentioned to Mary a couple of days before the trip. But, she said no let's just go back. Well, on the way back she nudged me as the kids played the Nintendo Ds's, “Hey, let's make that stop you were talking about.” No sooner did she mention it did I make the necessary adjustments and headed toward WDW.
The great, ok maybe not great, thing about those games the kids were playing is that they are occupied. Which helps when you need to sneak and do something. But, in a car it may be difficult. We didn't want to have the surprise be given away by them seeing all the signs. So, we headed quietly through the WDW property, past the welcome sign, past the Hollywood Studio signs, past EPCOT signs, made the left toward the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Now this is big because if they would have seen any of it the surprise would be gone but nothing...no comments, no questions just beep beep beep of their games. We have been down to WDW about 10 times since their first trip at about two so they are experts. We the guard both and they ask me for ID and I hear from the back...”huh, where are we?” Nothing from us, we pull in the lot to the right park and the kids quickly get out and start with the questions. All I do is point and they see the Beach Club Villas and I tell them its ice cream time. They immediately start saying “oh Dad you tricked us, how did you do that?” I think, hmmm very easy thank you Mr. Nintendo. We headed into the lobby and sit and wait for Mary who just needed to make a pit stop. As you can see the kids seem very relaxed, as do I.
Beaches and Cream had no seating available for tables but they did have some spots at the country. That was good enough for us as we only wanted ice cream anyway. Mary and I shared a No Way Jose. Our favorite and the kids got some ice cream of there own. Here they are at the counter.
Before long we were off and headed back to the airport, really this time. But not before the kids hid some shells in one of the many bushes near the Beach Club. We will try to go back and see if they are still there when we vacation in October at the Beach Club Villas.
We reached MCO and returned the rental and were up in our room by about 9pm or so. Mary went to the gym and I stayed with the kids. By the time she got back the kids were asleep and I was just about there. A long day but a fun one.
Next installment: the fun really starts....
Dkids, DSL, and son's girlfriend have never cruised. I have a Cat 3 reserved ( one of the suites in the middle of the ship) and a cat 7 SV room. Want to hear some one's opinion on the Cat 3 and if it is worth the extra money. If I don't do the cat 3 I'll have to do two cat 7 and an inside room. I know I can book earlier and it might help get my DD and DSL get the same Palo and excursions as the rest of us...if I keep the cat 3. Thanks for any tips or suggestions...
and would love to know what activities are available 
We love that place, too.
