Trip # 14 and All That Jazz
Day 1. Wednesday, May 7, 2003
The alarm is going off. It's 3:15 a.m. The only time I'd be awake at this hour is because I'm going to Disney World. THE day has arrived!
I arrived at Logan Airport (Boston) with my son's girlfriend, Jen at 6 a.m. Our flight left on time at 7:20. We'd be meeting my son at MCO. He had gone down to visit friends the Friday before.
After a flight filled with mild to moderate turbulence, we touched down in Orlando around 10:15. I met our driver from Tiffany and my son and we were off to the AKL, getting there at 11:15. I found the Tiffany driver to be a bit pushy. He wanted me to call him if I wished to leave Disney. That wouldn't have been annoying except he said it at least 5 times after I told him I was staying at WDW for the entire trip.
As we went to our rooms, it didn't take me too long to figure out I wasn't going to be looking out on the same area I had on my first visit. My view was a very small area with a large chain link fence in the background. I was so disappointed. The kids fared much better with a room across the hall from me that faced the large savannah. I tried to get it changed but they could only give me a non smoking room so I passed. I'll call or fax a room request if I ever stay here again. To others who may go, be sure to ask for the large Arusha savannah view!
Despite the dreadful view, I had no problems seeing the wildlife. I had 5 giraffes, cattle and various other animals close by. After throwing my luggage down (we were able to get into our rooms as soon as we arrived) I immediately left for EPCOT. The 8-minute bus ride was over and before I knew it I was standing at the Guest Services window buying my PAP. In to EPCOT, by SE and behold my fountain! I had lunch at the Electric Umbrella and then headed over to Innovations to send email. Next I checked out TT. The single rider line was wait free so on I went. As I entered, a CM gave me a lanyard with a plain white tag on it and asked me to give it to a CM where the cars were. Next, the pre show and then we were getting ready to fly. I handed over the tag and lanyard and got into a car. I think the tag, which gets scanned, gives them some idea of how long the lines are. Sharing the front seat with me were 2 very nice young men who had never been on TT before. It was fun watching their reactions. Wonderful, problem free ride!
After that I went back to the fountain for a bit and then decided to check out the redone JIYI. Again, no line. The ride is 10 times better than it was but still only 1/2 as good as the original. There are too many areas where nothing is going on. Next I sent some more email from the image works. I ended my visit at the pin station where I bought the first of my many new pins. On to the bus I went and back to the hotel. It was 3 p.m. and fatigue was catching up with me.
I called home and also called Randy's Mobility for my scooter delivery tomorrow. Then I passed out for an hour.
Mickey called to wake me up at 6 p.m. My first Mickey wake up call in all my trips. At 6:30 my son knocked on the door to tell me that he and Jen were ready to go eat. We had PS at Bomas at 7 p.m.
I really liked this restaurant. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was comfortable. We spent nearly 2 hours sampling the delicious offerings. The cost per person with tip was $29.
When we were done we went out to see the pool. The kids talked about going over to see the Boardwalk and I decided to go see the animals. When I came back in to the lobby, they were still there debating which ticket they would buy. By the time they made up their minds, we all decided we were too tired to do anything but sleep so we sat in the lobby talking and laughing for a while. They'll be joining me at TL tomorrow morning.
Back to my room and lights out at 11 p.m.
High Points: Bomas. Seeing EPCOT. Seeing the Fountain. No wait at TT.
Low Points: The view from my room. The condition of the Electric Umbrella dirty and the toppings bar was a mess. The turbulence on the plane ride.
Weird Points: Walking in the mist at the EPCOT fountain. Wearing summer clothes at night after a long and very cold New England winter.
Best Point: Sitting in the lobby of the AKL with my son and his girlfriend talking and laughing!
Roberta
Day 1. Wednesday, May 7, 2003
The alarm is going off. It's 3:15 a.m. The only time I'd be awake at this hour is because I'm going to Disney World. THE day has arrived!
I arrived at Logan Airport (Boston) with my son's girlfriend, Jen at 6 a.m. Our flight left on time at 7:20. We'd be meeting my son at MCO. He had gone down to visit friends the Friday before.
After a flight filled with mild to moderate turbulence, we touched down in Orlando around 10:15. I met our driver from Tiffany and my son and we were off to the AKL, getting there at 11:15. I found the Tiffany driver to be a bit pushy. He wanted me to call him if I wished to leave Disney. That wouldn't have been annoying except he said it at least 5 times after I told him I was staying at WDW for the entire trip.
As we went to our rooms, it didn't take me too long to figure out I wasn't going to be looking out on the same area I had on my first visit. My view was a very small area with a large chain link fence in the background. I was so disappointed. The kids fared much better with a room across the hall from me that faced the large savannah. I tried to get it changed but they could only give me a non smoking room so I passed. I'll call or fax a room request if I ever stay here again. To others who may go, be sure to ask for the large Arusha savannah view!
Despite the dreadful view, I had no problems seeing the wildlife. I had 5 giraffes, cattle and various other animals close by. After throwing my luggage down (we were able to get into our rooms as soon as we arrived) I immediately left for EPCOT. The 8-minute bus ride was over and before I knew it I was standing at the Guest Services window buying my PAP. In to EPCOT, by SE and behold my fountain! I had lunch at the Electric Umbrella and then headed over to Innovations to send email. Next I checked out TT. The single rider line was wait free so on I went. As I entered, a CM gave me a lanyard with a plain white tag on it and asked me to give it to a CM where the cars were. Next, the pre show and then we were getting ready to fly. I handed over the tag and lanyard and got into a car. I think the tag, which gets scanned, gives them some idea of how long the lines are. Sharing the front seat with me were 2 very nice young men who had never been on TT before. It was fun watching their reactions. Wonderful, problem free ride!
After that I went back to the fountain for a bit and then decided to check out the redone JIYI. Again, no line. The ride is 10 times better than it was but still only 1/2 as good as the original. There are too many areas where nothing is going on. Next I sent some more email from the image works. I ended my visit at the pin station where I bought the first of my many new pins. On to the bus I went and back to the hotel. It was 3 p.m. and fatigue was catching up with me.
I called home and also called Randy's Mobility for my scooter delivery tomorrow. Then I passed out for an hour.
Mickey called to wake me up at 6 p.m. My first Mickey wake up call in all my trips. At 6:30 my son knocked on the door to tell me that he and Jen were ready to go eat. We had PS at Bomas at 7 p.m.
I really liked this restaurant. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was comfortable. We spent nearly 2 hours sampling the delicious offerings. The cost per person with tip was $29.
When we were done we went out to see the pool. The kids talked about going over to see the Boardwalk and I decided to go see the animals. When I came back in to the lobby, they were still there debating which ticket they would buy. By the time they made up their minds, we all decided we were too tired to do anything but sleep so we sat in the lobby talking and laughing for a while. They'll be joining me at TL tomorrow morning.
Back to my room and lights out at 11 p.m.
High Points: Bomas. Seeing EPCOT. Seeing the Fountain. No wait at TT.
Low Points: The view from my room. The condition of the Electric Umbrella dirty and the toppings bar was a mess. The turbulence on the plane ride.
Weird Points: Walking in the mist at the EPCOT fountain. Wearing summer clothes at night after a long and very cold New England winter.
Best Point: Sitting in the lobby of the AKL with my son and his girlfriend talking and laughing!
Roberta
