Cast of Characters:
My Family:
DH (39), doesn't want to do any of the planning, but reserves the right to do all of the complaining. Eyes actually roll back in his head when I ask for his input. Opened one eye when he found out the Paintball World Cup would be in Orlando when we were there.
DD (11) Celebrated her 11th birthday early at CRT. I Bought her two rubber bracelets that say "Social Butterfly" and "Drama Queen". 'Nuff said.
DS (9) Celebrated his 9th birthday at AK on our last day of vacation. Charming, delightful child, even if he did get us thrown out of a theme park.
FayeW, 40, wife, mother, official disney planner for both families despite having only been to MK! Happy to report that my head didn't actually explode planning this trip.
Family 2: Very close friends, our children have grown up together. We camp together several times a year.
DFriend (43), has been to disney as a young adult many years ago. Not good with paperwork, doesn't like to plan, (or hurry, as it turns out.)
DFriendH (38), Never been to disney. Watched a special about the world's top theme park attractions, and thought it would be cool to come with us. Unlike his wife, he hurries very well. We lost him.
DFD (11). She puts the "queen" in Drama Queen. Excited to be on this trip with her very best friend. Inherited her mother's non-hurrying gene.
DFS (9), Sports nut. Brought his mini-hockey sticks with him, just like you would expect any good Canadian boy would. Excited to be going on all the cool rides with DS, his best pal.
The Trip:
If you are still with me after that long list of characters, thanks for hanging in! We had been planning our trip for about 6 months when our friends decided to join us. We were excited about sharing our first REAL Disney trip with them, as previously we concentrated on US/IOA/SW and spent 2 days at MK only. We worked out our dates, and I walked DFriend through the skyauction process. We were able to book two, 2 bdrm condo's at Bryan's Spanish Cove, and got excellent rates on our airfare through the ill-fated TransMeridian Airlines. I also got excellent car rental rates, but more about that later.
Despite many pleas to review the websites, UG, and even the Passporter I purchased for her, my friend, and both husbands ( hers and mine, we each only have one!) did absolutely no planning, made no suggestions, and chose to leave everything in my capable hands. I fretted and worried about every detail, and finally made a few ADR's and told them not to feel obligated, they didn't have to join us if they didn't want to. Turned out we missed most of them anyway, because Wilma had other plans!
Three weeks before we were to leave, something told me I should confirm the flight times, etc. with the airline. Lo and behold, they were bankrupt! I was on the phone to my credit card company, and at the same time, on the internet to book new flights with JetBlue. Had to adjust our dates slightly, we ended up going a day earlier than planned, and our friends a day later.As a result of changing airlines EVERY SINGLE PLAN we made had to be changed, including: (but not limited to) changing the airport we were flying in to (MCO instead of Sanford) so we had to change the rental car reservation etc. This will be important later. We had a good flight from Syracuse, arrival was delayed by about an hour, but we were able to pick up our car at Alamo relatively quickly. I did have a disagreement with the rental guy because I intended for my husband to drive, but I wanted to use a credit card that is only in my name. Apparently, the cc has to be in the name of the driver. I don't completely understand why we couldn't both just sign the rental agreement, but I digress. I ended up driving for the duration of the holiday, and that turned out to be a good thing. I know I averted at least three arguements in the first day alone, because I was driving and I A) Have a better sense of direction and B) am willing to ask for directions. We may not have gotten out of the airport parking lot if DH had been driving!
We spent the first two nights at the beautiful Sheraton Safari. We enjoyed having a couple of days for just our family. After we checked in, the kids had a swim in the beautiful pool and enjoyed the waterslide. Afterwards we grabbed some supper at CiCi's pizza, and then went for our first Disney Experience, DisneyQuest! We stayed til about 10:30, and then back to the hotel. Because we are a classy bunch, we went across the street to the gas station/convenience store to get a six pack to enjoy on the balcony. Actually, we had a nice cold beer sitting downstairs at the tables around the pool area.
The next day, we decided to take advantage of the extra day we gained when we changed flights, and went to Blizzard Beach. We had a great time and DS tried Summit Plummet. DD had the drama queen melt down, which led DH and I to have Words, followed closely by Looks. Don't misunderstand. My husband and I have a relationhip that is truly 50/50: he gives me 50% of the information, and only listens to 50% of what I tell him. We got over it, moved on, and made it to MGM for the first of only 2 ADR's that we were able to keep during the entire trip. We ate at 50's PTC. Hubby and I had potroast,and the kids split the meatloaf. The minute we walked inside it started to pour! As a result, we dawdled as long as we could, and shared Dad's Sundae for dessert. We had a great time.
We left the restaurant and discovered it had stopped raining. We went in to Indiana Jones 6:15 show, and had time after that to run down to RnR, and ToT, 10 min. wait on both. We had never done either of these rides (first time at MGM) and we were all hooked! It was 7:30 when we finished, and the park was closing. They were still waving people through for Fantasmic so we sprinted up the hill (did I mention that it was about 110 degrees with the humidity, so sprinting was really more of a trot, grab your side, stop and pant, yell at the kids to "hurry", trot some more, wipe your chin, wring out your clothes kind of thing). Anyway, we made it to Fantasmic, which was standing room only. It was not what I expected, but to be fair I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been sitting, and not hyperventilating. I just felt really lucky to have been able to do the 3 biggest attractions at MGM in the last 30 mins. the park was open. We stopped to look at some beautiful Christmas decorations at the shop, and both of the kids bought lanyards and started pin collections. We got home by about 9, and once again after the kids went to sleep, hubby and I enjoyed our remaining cool, refreshing malt beverages. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of our last night at the Safari, but were looking forward to our friends arriving and moving to the condo the next day.
Tomorrow: Friends and New Digs.
My Family:
DH (39), doesn't want to do any of the planning, but reserves the right to do all of the complaining. Eyes actually roll back in his head when I ask for his input. Opened one eye when he found out the Paintball World Cup would be in Orlando when we were there.
DD (11) Celebrated her 11th birthday early at CRT. I Bought her two rubber bracelets that say "Social Butterfly" and "Drama Queen". 'Nuff said.
DS (9) Celebrated his 9th birthday at AK on our last day of vacation. Charming, delightful child, even if he did get us thrown out of a theme park.
FayeW, 40, wife, mother, official disney planner for both families despite having only been to MK! Happy to report that my head didn't actually explode planning this trip.
Family 2: Very close friends, our children have grown up together. We camp together several times a year.
DFriend (43), has been to disney as a young adult many years ago. Not good with paperwork, doesn't like to plan, (or hurry, as it turns out.)
DFriendH (38), Never been to disney. Watched a special about the world's top theme park attractions, and thought it would be cool to come with us. Unlike his wife, he hurries very well. We lost him.
DFD (11). She puts the "queen" in Drama Queen. Excited to be on this trip with her very best friend. Inherited her mother's non-hurrying gene.
DFS (9), Sports nut. Brought his mini-hockey sticks with him, just like you would expect any good Canadian boy would. Excited to be going on all the cool rides with DS, his best pal.
The Trip:
If you are still with me after that long list of characters, thanks for hanging in! We had been planning our trip for about 6 months when our friends decided to join us. We were excited about sharing our first REAL Disney trip with them, as previously we concentrated on US/IOA/SW and spent 2 days at MK only. We worked out our dates, and I walked DFriend through the skyauction process. We were able to book two, 2 bdrm condo's at Bryan's Spanish Cove, and got excellent rates on our airfare through the ill-fated TransMeridian Airlines. I also got excellent car rental rates, but more about that later.
Despite many pleas to review the websites, UG, and even the Passporter I purchased for her, my friend, and both husbands ( hers and mine, we each only have one!) did absolutely no planning, made no suggestions, and chose to leave everything in my capable hands. I fretted and worried about every detail, and finally made a few ADR's and told them not to feel obligated, they didn't have to join us if they didn't want to. Turned out we missed most of them anyway, because Wilma had other plans!
Three weeks before we were to leave, something told me I should confirm the flight times, etc. with the airline. Lo and behold, they were bankrupt! I was on the phone to my credit card company, and at the same time, on the internet to book new flights with JetBlue. Had to adjust our dates slightly, we ended up going a day earlier than planned, and our friends a day later.As a result of changing airlines EVERY SINGLE PLAN we made had to be changed, including: (but not limited to) changing the airport we were flying in to (MCO instead of Sanford) so we had to change the rental car reservation etc. This will be important later. We had a good flight from Syracuse, arrival was delayed by about an hour, but we were able to pick up our car at Alamo relatively quickly. I did have a disagreement with the rental guy because I intended for my husband to drive, but I wanted to use a credit card that is only in my name. Apparently, the cc has to be in the name of the driver. I don't completely understand why we couldn't both just sign the rental agreement, but I digress. I ended up driving for the duration of the holiday, and that turned out to be a good thing. I know I averted at least three arguements in the first day alone, because I was driving and I A) Have a better sense of direction and B) am willing to ask for directions. We may not have gotten out of the airport parking lot if DH had been driving!
We spent the first two nights at the beautiful Sheraton Safari. We enjoyed having a couple of days for just our family. After we checked in, the kids had a swim in the beautiful pool and enjoyed the waterslide. Afterwards we grabbed some supper at CiCi's pizza, and then went for our first Disney Experience, DisneyQuest! We stayed til about 10:30, and then back to the hotel. Because we are a classy bunch, we went across the street to the gas station/convenience store to get a six pack to enjoy on the balcony. Actually, we had a nice cold beer sitting downstairs at the tables around the pool area.
The next day, we decided to take advantage of the extra day we gained when we changed flights, and went to Blizzard Beach. We had a great time and DS tried Summit Plummet. DD had the drama queen melt down, which led DH and I to have Words, followed closely by Looks. Don't misunderstand. My husband and I have a relationhip that is truly 50/50: he gives me 50% of the information, and only listens to 50% of what I tell him. We got over it, moved on, and made it to MGM for the first of only 2 ADR's that we were able to keep during the entire trip. We ate at 50's PTC. Hubby and I had potroast,and the kids split the meatloaf. The minute we walked inside it started to pour! As a result, we dawdled as long as we could, and shared Dad's Sundae for dessert. We had a great time.
We left the restaurant and discovered it had stopped raining. We went in to Indiana Jones 6:15 show, and had time after that to run down to RnR, and ToT, 10 min. wait on both. We had never done either of these rides (first time at MGM) and we were all hooked! It was 7:30 when we finished, and the park was closing. They were still waving people through for Fantasmic so we sprinted up the hill (did I mention that it was about 110 degrees with the humidity, so sprinting was really more of a trot, grab your side, stop and pant, yell at the kids to "hurry", trot some more, wipe your chin, wring out your clothes kind of thing). Anyway, we made it to Fantasmic, which was standing room only. It was not what I expected, but to be fair I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been sitting, and not hyperventilating. I just felt really lucky to have been able to do the 3 biggest attractions at MGM in the last 30 mins. the park was open. We stopped to look at some beautiful Christmas decorations at the shop, and both of the kids bought lanyards and started pin collections. We got home by about 9, and once again after the kids went to sleep, hubby and I enjoyed our remaining cool, refreshing malt beverages. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of our last night at the Safari, but were looking forward to our friends arriving and moving to the condo the next day.
Tomorrow: Friends and New Digs.
