Trip Report 8/1-8/23/08 (long)

[chach]

Intro- Because of several factors we decided to move next years Disney trip up a year.
By the time we finished our planning our trip had grown to 23 days. We were
driving down on August 1st and we returned on August 23rd, 2008. We booked 2
weeks at the Vacation Village at Parkway. Since we got to Florida earlier than
planned we stayed at the Sleep Inn (walking distance to Sea World) for 5 nights.

Day #1 Friday August 1st - My son was involved in a baseball tournament with the
Finals scheduled for Saturday August 2nd. After going 4-0 the individuals who
were running the tournament decided to extend it a week. Since several other
players had vacation plans and we couldn’t field a team we backed out of Baseball
Tournament. This allowed us to move up our departure to Friday night. We left
Rindge, NH. by 8pm. We drove all night. For some reason I wasn't as tired on the
drive as other trips so we made better time.
Day #2 Saturday August 2nd – We drove all day.
Day #3 Sunday August 3rd - We arrived at 2am (too late to check in to a hotel) instead
of later Sunday morning. We found a rest area and got a little sleep. We only had
booked the hotel for 4 nights (through Hotels.com) so we were without a room for
Sunday night. The desk clerk wouldn't give me the same rate for Sunday night
(because I got such a good rate on the internet) so I went out into the parking lot
and used their wireless network to book the Sunday night. Room wouldn't be ready
until 3pm so we went to breakfast at Ponderosa and hit a few stores. We then went
to the Polynesian Resort and rode the Monorail to MK and Epcot. We went back to
the Sleep Inn at 2:30pm and checked in. We took showers and relaxed.
Day#4 Monday August 4th – We went to hotel Continental Breakfast. My daughter was
very disappointed because they didn’t have the waffle machine that was listed in
the brochure. We were staying at the Sleep Inn near Sea World. It was a very
clean hotel with free internet in the rooms. My daughter booked us at a Fall special
of (usually $95 night) $47. We went to Downtown Disney to walk around. We
bought a giant rice-krispie square and marshmallows on a stick covered in white
chocolate. We covered about half of Downtown Disney and then decided to go and
eat. We ate at Mia China Buffet near our hotel. After lunch we went back to the
hotel for a swim.
Day #5 Tuesday August 5th - We got up at 7am. We went down to the lobby for a
Continental Breakfast. We needed a legitimate Disney fix so we decided to go to
Epcot. Crowds this week are large so you need to play the game. We got a fast pass
for "Test Track" then got in line for "Soarin". There was no line so we did the
"Land Ride" and the new "Nemo Ride" (20 minute wait). Now the waiting times
(respectively) were 60 minutes, 95 minutes, 30 minutes and 20 minutes. We
decided to take a break at 1pm. We went over to Disney Animal Lodge and walked
around and then went for lunch at 2pm. After lunch we went back to Epcot. We
took some character pictures and walked around all the Countries. We made 2 stops.
One was to watch the "Supremes" perform in the “Summer Music series” and a
band in Morocco. We headed back to our hotel at 7pm and relaxed.
Day #6 Wednesday August 6th – Today we just hit a few local spots. We started the day
by going to Old Towne. We checked out the shops and then headed to another Flea
Market and the “Big Orange” souvenir stand. We ended our shopping with a visit
to Walmart to pickup some food. At 2pm we went for a delicious lunch at the
“Golden Corral”. We returned to the hotel and took a swim before going to bed.
Day #7 Thursday August 7th – We started the day by spending the morning in the pool.
There was no one around so it was very relaxing. After lunch we parked at the
Boardwalk. We Resort-hopped a little and then took the boat to Disney Hollywood
Studios. We arrived just as they were beginning the “Summer Bash Parade”, so we
watched it. After the parade we did “Muppets 3D” (15 minute wait)“Star Tours”
(no wait) and then “The Great Movie Ride” (20 minute wait). We walked around
the studios for a while. My daughter was feeling a little sun-stroke so we watched
“High School Musical 2” and then took the boat back to the Boardwalk. We went
back to the hotel and relaxed.
Day #8 Friday August 8th – We woke up and packed for our departure from Sleep Inn.
We ate our morning Continental Breakfast. We were hoping to get into our
Timeshare early so we headed to “Village at Parkway” at 11am. The room
wouldn’t be ready until 3:30pm, so we needed to kill some time. We weren’t
planning on going to the “Disney World of Sports” this trip but we needed to do
something so we thought we could watch some of the Tampa Bay tryouts. When
we got to the fields the practice was cancelled because Disney was hosting some
AAU baseball and basketball tournaments. We had a lot of fun watching baseball
and basketball games for about 3 hours. When we were done we ate lunch at
Wendy’s and then decided to wait for our room to be ready. We checked into our
room at 3:30pm. I had made 5 requests but only 1 was honored. It was our top
request (washer/dryer) and the room was beautiful so we were satisfied. We got a
lockout unit on the first floor (#11101). The place is big with several pools and hot
tubs. The main building has free internet service. The 2-units had washer/dryers, a
full kitchen, hot tub and slept 4 in each unit. After we were all unpacked we bought
some food at a nearby Publix and Walmart. This was also the day that my Sister’s
family and Mother arrived at the Disney Beach Club.
Day #9 Saturday August 9th- We decided to go to Magic Kingdom later in the day. We
met my mother and sister at the Beach Club. After hanging around for a while we
all drove to the Magic Kingdom. We got through the gates at 2pm. We did the
“Haunted Mansion” (15 minute wait), “Small World” (15 minute wait), “Mickey’s
Philarmagic” (no wait) and the “Monster Laugh Floor-twice” (10 minute wait). We
took a break from the park. When we got back we rode “Thunder Mountain”
(15 minutes) watched “Spectromagic” and “Wishes”. Our last ride if the night was
Space Mountain (fastpass-10 minute wait). We left the park at midnight and got to
bed at 2am.
Day #10 Sunday August 10th – This was my mother and son’s birthday. We started the
day by having an early birthday celebration at the Condo for my son. We then went
to the Beach Club and had a birthday party (poolside) for my mother. At 1pm we
left for a 1:30pm reservation at the “Whispering Canyon”. My son and mother
were wearing “special Hats and Shirts” that my sister had made for them. Some of
the restaurant’s antics were funny and we thought the meal was very good. After
the meal we did a little resort hopping and then went back for a swim at the Beach
Club. At 8pm we headed back to our Condo for the night.
Day #11 Monday August 11th – This was our group Epcot day. We met up at the Beach
Club and walked in the backdoor of Epcot.and got fast passes for Test Track. We
then went on “Mission Space” (no wait). We then used our fast passes to go on
“Test Track”. My relatives went to breakfast at the “Land”. We went on the
“Nemo Ride” (10 minute wait). We then left the Park for lunch. After lunch we
met at the “Land”. First we went on the “Universe of Energy” (10 minute wait) and
then had a few free sodas and had our VISA picture taken. After our picture
session we did “Spaceship Earth” (20 minute wait). We separated and we did
“Honey I Shrank the Audience” (20 minute wait). On the way out of Epcot we used
our fast passes to ride “Soarin. We headed back to the condo to swim.
Day #12 Tuesday 12th – We slept later this morning and met in front of the Big Hat in
Disney Hollywood Studios. We jumped in line and did the “Great Movie Ride”
first. We all posed for a picture with “Sully and Mike” and then went to the “Car
Stunt Show”. After the Show we rode the “Backlot Tour” through Catastrophe
Canyon and then watched “Muppets 3D”. We left the park and went to the Beach
Club to get my mother’s luggage. She would be spending the last 3 days of her trip
at our Condo.
Day #13 Wednesday 13th – We woke early so we could get to “Typhoon Lagoon” at
opening. We got 10 runs on a variety of slides and attractions before Noon. We left
for lunch. My daughter and I decided to spend the afternoon with my mother who
was back at the condo while my wife and son rejoined my Sister’s family at
Typhoon Lagoon. At 2pm we dropped of my wife and son at “Typhoon Lagoon”.
My daughter and I took my mother to the Beach Club to pick up some bags she left
behind and then went to Downtown Disney. We looked at several shops and made
some purchases before returning to the condo. At 6pm I picked up my wife and son.
They showered and then we all went to eat dinner at the Golden Corral.
Day #14 Thursday 14th – We slept late and then took a dip in our pool. After lunch we
headed to Animal Kingdom. We got into the park at 1pm. We posed with “Dale”
and then looked at a lot of the birds. Our first stop was a family favorite “It’s
Tough to be a Bug” (10 minute wait). We looked at more animals as we headed
over to watch the “Bird Show”. When this was over we slowly walked over to
Dinoland to watch “Nemo the Musical”. This was a great show. As we left the
show our timing was great and we were able to watch the Parade. We finished our
day with a trip to “Rafiki’s Planet Watch” and headed out of the park at 6pm.
Day #15 Friday 15th – We spent the morning with Mom. She was flying out of Orlando
with my Sister’s family at 9pm. We got up and took a ride to Old Towne (bought
some flavored popcorn) and then picked up some fresh Oranges at the giant Orange
Stand.. We ate lunch at the Condo and spent the afternoon at the Condo pool. At
5pm we took my mother back to the Beach Club so that she could take the bus with
my Sister’s family to the airport. We said our goodbyes and then headed over to
Magic Kingdom. We got into the Park at 7pm, it was closing at 11pm tonight.
First we got a fastpass for “Splash Mountain”. We went on the “Haunted Mansion”
(15 minute wait) and then the “People Mover” (no wait). We went on “Pirates of
the Caribbean” (no wait) and then used our fastpass on “Splash Mountain”. It was
now 10pm so we got a seat right in front of the castle and watched “Wishes”. We
left the park and got back to our Condo at midnight.
Day #16 Saturday 16th – We got to Animal Kingdom by opening. We got into the park
and immediately got a fastpass for Everest. We road the “Safari” (10 minute wait)
and then headed to “Midievel Whirl” (10 minute wait).. We then went over to
Dinosaur and rode it (10 minute wait). It was now time for our Everest Fastpass.
Since my wife and daughter weren’t riding we used their passes and rode “Everest”
twice. We then headed out of the Animal Kingdom by Noon. We went back to the
Condo for lunch and then spent the rest of the day doing activities at the Resort and
swimming.
Day #17 Sunday 17th - This was our last day at Disney Studios. As soon as we got to the
Park we got a fastpass for “Toy Story”. This was the first time we rode “Toy
Story” and it was a great ride. We then went over to “Rockin Roller Coaster”
(15 minute wait) and rode it twice. We then rode ‘Star Tours” (no wait) and posed
for pictures with a few characters. It was now time for our fastpass. We rode “Toy
Story” and then headed out of the park. We ate lunch and then headed to Universal
Studios. We got into Universal at 2pm. We got a lot accomplished. We started
with “T2 Terminator” (no wait). We walked around the park doing “Beetlejuice
Music Show” (no wait), “Disaster” (20 minute wait), “Shrek 4D” (15 minute wait),
“Jimmy Neutron” (15 minute wait) and the new “Simpson’s Ride” (30 minute wait).
There was no line so we rode “Men In Black” (no wait) twice). It was close to
closing so we took our last ride on the “Mummy” (10 minute wait). We left the
park at 8pm, stopped at the grocery store and then back to the Condo.
Day #18 Monday 18th- This was our last day of Disney. We started the day by going to
“Islands of Adventure” with the intent of going to Epcot at 1pm. We got into IOA”
by 8:30am. We started with 3 rides on the “Hulk” (no wait). This was our first
outdoor inverted Roller Coaster. Next we went on a family favorite “Spiderman”
(no wait). We headed to the very colorful Toon Lagoon and rode “Dudley Doo
Right’s Ripsaw Falls” (no wait). Next we went on “Jurassic Park River Adventure”
(no wait). There was no wait for the ride but we were stalled 10 feet from the
“big-drop” for about 10 minutes. We then rode the “Fire” side of “Dueling
Dragons” (20 minute wait). After we rode our last Coaster we entered Dr. Seuss
Landing. First we rode the monorail-type train “The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley
Train Ride” (15 minute wait). After playing with the “Cat in the Hat” and “Grinch”
characters we rode on the “Cat In the Hat” ride (10 minute wait). It was now
Noon so we left the park and headed toward Epcot. After eating at Wendy’s we
explored the Boardwalk Resort and then went to Epcot. Our intent was to get our
“VISA” pictures and eat a few snacks at the countries. We posed for our 3rd VISA
picture and then rode “Spaceship Earth” (5 minutes wait). We got our pictures at
the Camera Center and then walked around the Countries. We had snowcones in
Japan and pastries in France. We also watched the “Candy Lady” and drummers in
Japan”, Chinese Acrobats, a performer/juggler in Italy, a music group with a belly
dancer in Morroco, the “British Invasion (Beatles Music)” in England and the 360
Show in Canada. It was raining so we headed out at 8pm.
Day #19 Tuesday 19th - We woke to the anticipation of approaching Tropical Storm Fay.
This was a non-park day. We had used 10 days of Disney passes and 2 Universal
passes. Tomorrow is our last Park day in Florida and we hope to split the day in
Universal and IOA if it isn’t rained out. Today we woke late and headed to
“Downtown Disney”. Between the rain showers we walked from one end of
“Downtown Disney” to the other. We stopped in most of the stores looking for
final souvenirs and buying several treats in “Goofy’s Candy Shop”. We headed
home by 6pm. Since our pool was closed we spent the rest of the night watching
TV and the heavy rain showers from Fay.
Day #20 Wednesday 20th – We decided to use our last Park day even though it was
suppose to rain all day. We got to Universal Studios a little later today. We entered
the Studios at 9:30am. Because of the rain and the fact that the Southern States
were back in school we had under 10 minute waits on all the attractions. We got
attractions (at the 2 parks) done in under 5 hours. We entered the park and headed
straight for the “Simpson’s Ride”. We then headed over to ride the “Jaws” ride and
pose for a few pictures. Next was a battle with aliens on “Men In Black”. We then
backtracked and went on “E.T.” and “Woody Woodpecker’s Roller Coaster”. We
cut across the park for our last Universal Studios ride, the “Mummy Roller Coaster”.
We left and headed for “Islands of Adventure” in the rain. First we walked around
the inside of the World’s biggest “Hard Rock Café” and then looked around the
“NBA restaurant”. We entered “IOA” and went on the “Hulk Roller Coaster”. We
then went on “Storm” (the smoothest tea cup ride I’ve ever been on). We went to
“Toon Lagoon” for a river raft ride on “Popeye’s Raft Ride” and then over to ride
on the “ICE” side of “Dueling Dragons Roller Coaster”. We rode with the fish on
“One fish, Two fish” and then finished out vacation at the parks on one last ride on
the “Hulk”. We headed back to the Condo to eat. After eating we swam and went
to the activity center.
Day #21 Thursday 21st – This was suppose to be a slow packing day but we got a lot of
things accomplished. We parked at the Polynesian Resort and took the monorail to
the Magic Kingdom. We walked along the water to visit our brick. We left the
brick and took the monorail back to the Poly. We rented the mini-motorboats and
took turns on them. It was now time for us to say goodbye to Disney World. We
went to the “Golden Corral” (3rd time) for our final Florida meal. Back to the
Condo for a last swim and then we started packing. We got about 75% of the
packing done, watched the weather and went to bed at 10pm.
Day #22 Friday 22nd – I woke at 4:30am. I got the rest of the family up. We finished
packing and were out of the Condo by 5:50am. We got on and off torrential rains
from Florida to Northern North Carolina (the first 8 hours of our drive home).
Day #23 Saturday 23rd – With a few “power-naps” we made good time and arrived home
in Rindge, NH at Noon. We spent some time unpacking and then went to bed
around 10pm.

Summary: We experienced a little of everything. This was a 3 week trip. The first week
was in the high 90’s all week. This was when we got the bulk of our suntans. The
2nd week was in the low 90’s and perfect Park weather. Because of the lingering
Tropical storm FAY the 3rd week was mostly all rain which didn’t slow us down a
bit. The 2nd week was the most hectic because we were trying to do the most that
we could with my mother and Sister’s family. For some reason the drive down and
back (30 hours each way) was the easiest journey I’ve ever had. We did quite a
variety of activities. We did a lot of park hopping, saw more shows than in the past,
swam in our pools and got to experience the Beach Club pool plus much more.

 

[Trinity524]

Thanks! It looks like you got in a lot of good family time

 

[OhMari]

Wow, it seemed like you were there a lot of days, yet it didn't.

We have a Golden Corral near our home. When it opened it was really good, but the resturant went down hill fast. I don't know if they don't have enough help to keep it clean, but there is always food all over the floor. The food is a mess at each food station. It might of been a bad day when we went, but we all got sick and said never again.

Thanks for sharing your TR with us.