Was it an Anniversary Trip or a Physics Conference?

[ter-moo]

NOVEMBER 10-17, 2007

Let me just start by saying that when I happened to notice that DH's annual American Physical Society (Physicists R Us) was in Orlando this year, I snapped into full gear! I called the in-laws months in advance to reserve their services to stay here with the two (out of three) kids that still live at home (both teens), and I immediately started planning a 20th anniversary trip that would (sort of) include DH going to some of his conference.

The conference was at the Rosen Centre Hotel (just next to the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive) and I was determined NOT to stay there. His work would pay for the hotel up to $99 (what the Rosen was charging), so I figured we could even splurge and do deluxe part of the week.

So, it was just DH and me and a year's worth of me planning, and we were off!!!

DAY 1:

We got up at 3 am (West Coast time) in order to leave our house by 4 to make a 6 am Southwest flight out of Oakland with a VERY short layover in Chicago. On our flight was a family of note: 2 sisters and their husbands (one sister had three young boys, the other had baby TRIPLETS) traveling with their mom and dad (grandma and grandpa) to help. With SW's new policies of no pre-boarding unless you have a special pass, it was interesting to watch them all try to get situated on the plane! We arrived in Orlando around 4:30, and went to get our luggage. I had brought a big, ugly tapestry bag that's easily recognizable. Imagine my surprise when I grabbed it from the carousel and the grandma of the previously mentioned family said "That's MY bag!" I looked at it and said, "No, this is mine." Just then an identical bag came off the carousel and we both burst out laughing. Luckily, she'd noticed, or I would have gone off with her bag! We then went to get our Alamo rental car (which I'd gotten for $12/day!) and headed out. We stopped at Albertson's for snacks and water bottles (may have been a mistake to mention snacks to DH, since he usually goes overboard in that department) and then we were off to the WORLD to our first hotel--Port Orleans Riverside.

We scored with a CORNER room, King-sized bed with a view of the quiet pool in Acadian House. It was lovely! I put my lime-green Mickey head on the outside of the door (and had to replace it each day as the maid systematically took it down!)

I did notice that the room was looking a wee bit tired and in need of an update, but I still love this resort. It's so peaceful...

Then we headed over to the Polynesian (getting lost a bit along the way) for a 7:30 dinner ressie at 'Ohana. I've been on a medication for a pituitary tumor that makes me dizzy, and you're not supposed to drink alcohol while on it, for the past five months. My doctor gave me the okay to NOT take the meds while at WDW. SO, at 'Ohana I opted for the fruitiest, most decorated tropical drink I could find!

We had a lovely table with a view of the castle. Although dinner was great, we were both exhausted, so we left to just walk for a minute on the beach at the Poly, and were happy to see we'd arrived just in time for Wishes and the light parade!

After that, we decided to get back to POR...

...easier said than done! Let me just say, we were not YET experts at navigating the World in our car, and it took about 30 minutes to finally get to the hotel!

 

[ter-moo]

DAY 2: (Sunday, November 11)

We got up and headed right over to Animal Kingdom. Besides being Veteran's Day weekend, it was also Super Soap Weekend and the end of the Food and Wine Festival, so we had decided to avoid DS and EP. We figured Animal Kingdom wouldn't be too bad.

Wrong. The crowds were pretty heavy all day. BUT we managed to do everything, and still get out of there by 2:30 or 3:00. We loved Expedition Everest! Did it twice--both times with Fastpass.

DH really liked the safari, too. The Nemo show was amazing and I always love the Lion King show!

We did all the trails, too. I had bought and broken in some new sandals before the trip, but I still got a blister that day. Some nice CM's procured some band-aids for me, but it was pretty miserable walking so much.

We then drove over to the Rosen Centre so DH could check in at his conference. You've never seen so many nerdy looking/absent minded professory men until you've gone to a hotel where there's a physics conference taking place!

We then headed back to the World and had a wonderful dinner at Boma! EVERYTHING was SOOOO good. And the carrot ginger soup was the best soup I've ever had!

Then we drove over to MK for EMH. Now, the last time I was here, I took the bus--which drops you by the entrance. When you drive, you park by the TTC. But I didn't KNOW that. DH and I got out of the car and searched in vain for the park entrance. Boy did we feel like idiots when we figured out where we were! So we hopped on the monorail and went into the MK, right in the middle of Spectro-magic, so of course it was a mob scene on Main St. We ducked into Town Hall for some Anniversary Buttons, put them on, and immediately got into a big fight (can't remember what about) which in retrospect is pretty funny!

We then went on Pirates, Big Thunder Mountain and Carousel of Progress. Then we watched the fireworks, did Small World, Philharmagic, Buzz Lightyear, and Space Mountain before deciding we were too tired to do much more. The castle was SO pretty!

 

[Eclpz314]

I loved reading your tr so far! Your pictures all turned out so nice! I'm picturing you and your dh wander around trying to find an entrance that wasn't there! ..........and making note so we don't end up doing the same type of thing.

 

[ter-moo]

DAY 3: (November 12)

DH went off to his conference and I slept in! I have NEVER slept in on a Disney vacation, as I'm a firm believer in getting up early and getting to the parks right away to avoid the big crowds, so this was WEIRD for me.

I leisurely walked over to the Food Court and had a late breakfast, checked out the gift shop and canceled a lunch ressie for the next day at the concierge desk.

The common areas at POR were a shock to me after being in my quiet room. It was crowded and noisy! That's one really nice thing about this resort--you can really get away from the crowds when you're in your room and the area around your room.

Then I walked over to POFQ, enjoying the lovely views along the river.

Then I went back to Acadian House. They were cleaning our room, so I sat in a lovely courtyard nearby and called my mom and then my sister. It was so pretty and relaxing to sit there and look out at the river, and enjoy the quiet.

When DH got back, I talked him into wearing the Anniversary buttons again, and we headed to DS for EMH around 4:30. We were too late for Lights, Motors, Action, but we did the Studio Tour, Narnia, Fantasmic (From the FRONT ROW!), and saw the Osborn Lights. That's incredible!

Then we had a quick dinner at the ABC Commissary, since we didn't have any ressies for that night, went on Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller Coaster, the Great Movie Ride and TOT again.

We were exhausted, so we went back to the hotel. We managed to NOT get lost today at any point in the car! I think we finally were getting the hang of it!

 

[ter-moo]

DAY 4 (November 13):

DH went to meetings again, but this time I got up when he did. I took the bus over to MK (talked to a nice couple from upstate NY at the bus stop--they needed advice on stuff to do at DS, and being the good Diser that I am, I was full of info...)

At MK, I had a wonderful time wandering around by myself. I noticed a marked difference in the crowd level, too. With the long weekend over, it had thinned out quite a bit. I went on Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, the Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise (had one of the best skippers I've had yet!) and shopped on Main St. It was fun to watch families, especially the excited kids! I had some nice conversations with CM's and various kids I encountered. I was surprised at how pleasant it is to be at the parks alone. No one to take care of or worry about... But being an extrovert, I did have times when I wanted to say, "Look at that!" to someone and couldn't. So, I'll share my "look at that's" with you guys!

I then walked out of the park and right onto a boat to Wilderness Lodge and walked around there a bit. Then I went to the bus stop and right away a bus came for DS. My plan was to catch a bus at DS for Coronado Springs so I could walk around there a bit. On the bus, there was a just married couple who were just getting started on their day (at 11:30!) and heading to DS. They were clueless. I didn't butt in, but I sure wanted to...

I got off the bus, and walked RIGHT ON to a Coronado Springs bus! Couldn't believe the transportation luck I was having! Not only that, but I was the only one ON the bus. When I got off at the main building, I thanked the driver for being my personal driver for the day.

I had lunch at Pepper Market, checked out the pool, and then walked barefoot on the beach and lay in a hammock for a bit.

Then I headed to the bus stop, where a bus for DS immediately pulled up! Headed back to DS and went to the Little Mermaid Show and walked through the Animation Studios. I shopped a bit and then headed back to the hotel (for which a bus came practically immediately again!) to wait for DH.

Our plans for the evening were to take the boat to DTD and have dinner and then a DIS-MEET!!!! When we got on the boat, DH asked why we were taking the boat instead of driving. He obviously doesn't GET IT. I told him he was supposed to be ENJOYING the boat...

We had dinner at Raglan Road (really good!) and then shopped a bit. We watched a glass blower at Arribo's (?) for quite a while. It was really cool! Then we headed over to Ghiradelli Chocolate Shop to meet up with a friend from WPASADI on the Dis (sweetinmaine) and her husband. It was GREAT to meet them and to finally put a face to the friend! We had a wonderful time chatting and sharing life stories. DH grilled us on what exactly it was about Disney that captivated us so much. We tried to set him straight, but I'm not sure we succeeded!

We took the boat back to POFQ and walked around there a bit before walking back to Riverside.

 

[ter-moo]

I loved reading your tr so far! Your pictures all turned out so nice! I'm picturing you and your dh wander around trying to find an entrance that wasn't there! ..........and making note so we don't end up doing the same type of thing.

Yeah, it was so funny! We walked up to where the monorail was, thinking it was an entrance, but we couldn't find the park anywhere! They told us that Walt designed it that way so that when you entered the park it was total immersion into the magic.

 

[winkers]

I love your report! The pictures of the castle with the holiday lights are so beautifull.

 

[Nanu57v]

Wow, you are highly motivated with this TR. I LOVE that pic of the Osbourne lights...can't wait!

 

[Muhlenberg]

The lights are soooooooo beautiful! Someday I'll have to go there for the lights.

 

[disneytraveler]

Terri
I am enjoying your trip report! I seem to miss the stunt show to.
Your Acardia House looks wonderful! I heard Raglan Rd is very good .I have to try it someday.

 

[ter-moo]

Terri
I am enjoying your trip report! I seem to miss the stunt show to.
Your Acardia House looks wonderful! I heard Raglan Rd is very good .I have to try it someday.

I saw it two years ago with DD when we went. It was good, but I'm not a big fan of stunt shows, so I probably wouldn't have to see it again. BUT, I thought DH would really like it. Oh well...

 

[mla1977]

Subscribing. You need to tell me how you got the awesome pictures of the lights.

 

[Nancy]

Nice report Terri, and some really nice pictures!

Port Orleans Riverside was my first on-site Disney hotel and that's when it was still the real name of Dixie landings. I'm wondering if we stayed in the same area as you since we were also right next to a quiet pool, we could just walk out of our door. Of course I don't know how many quiet pools they have there. I loved that resort but it was a LONG walk to the food court and bus stops. I always liked walking over the bridge and looking at the river.

Osborne lights are really stunning in prson, but it is very crowded trying to walk around through them. My pictures didn't turn out as nice as yours.

 

[OhMari]

We stayed at POR last April and really liked it too.

I had to look twice at the Christmas lites on the castle. I almost didn't recognize it. I heard about the lights, but your pictures are the first time I have seen it. Thank you.

 

[sweetinmaine]

We didn't make it to the Osborne Lights...Hopefully we can do that another time...The pics look wonderful!!!

 

[ter-moo]

Subscribing. You need to tell me how you got the awesome pictures of the lights.

I just pointed my camera and shot them! We just got a Canon PowerShot A560 (good low-priced, good quality camera) and it has a setting for night-time. Really, that's all I had to do!

 

[ter-moo]

DAY 5 (Nov. 14):

Today was the day to switch hotels, and it was also the day my husband had to present his poster at the Physics Conference. For the first time, he didn't ask me if I was going to go over to the conference with him. I think he finally got it through his head that in my mind Disney vs. Physics isn't even a fair competition (for Physics, that is! )

I got up when he did, and we packed up and drove over to the Beach Club. He dropped me at the front entrance, and I was promptly greeted by NOT-Art, the strange greeter who my DH later said seemed to suffer from short-term memory loss. I swear the man would greet us, we'd walk two steps and then he'd greet us again! I was disappointed that we never got to see Art the whole time we were there.

Anyway, I went up to the check-in desk, and a kind CM asked my name. She then looked me up and said I owed $820.11. "Uh, no," I said. "I've already paid in full." Luckily I had all my paperwork with me, but she still had to go off somewhere and check. When she got back, another CM standing next to her looked at my ressie, and said "Happy Anniversary!" My CM then started typing in some stuff, left again for a minute and then came back and said we'd been upgraded to a water-view room! This was good news, as I'd paid rock-bottom (for deluxe) prices with a code for this room. The room wasn't ready yet, so I checked my bags and went off exploring. I loved the Beach Club's lobby and all the Christmas decorations! They were working on a gingerbread carousel and I watched for awhile.

Lobby:

I then walked around the lake, looking in the Yacht Club, the Swan and Dolphin and the Boardwalk. When I got back, I grabbed a quick lunch at Beaches and Cream and then sat in the Beach Club Solarium and read for a while. What a beautiful little hideaway that is!

The air conditioning was working a bit TOO well in there, so after awhile, I went outside and sat on the "front porch" rockers and looked out at the lake and looked at the beautiful grounds around the front of the hotel.

Then DH got back and we were finally able to check into our room! (continued in next post)

 

[ter-moo]

(continued)

We got to our room, (#3565) and realized we'd totally SCORED! Not only was it a FULL water view of the lake, but it was a CORNER room! We also got a king-sized bed, as requested. We didn't have a full balcony, but I managed to figure out a way to squeeze the desk chair out there, keeping the balcony door open with the bench that was at the foot of the bed!

Our room was the one on the third floor in the corner:

There were towel animals on the bed and in the bathroom (Dh didn't quite "get" why that was exciting to me!):

Our view:

And at dusk:

We unpacked, and then walked over to Epcot just to walk around it so DH could see what all was there. Then we came back and swam in the WONDERFUL pool at BC! What a blast! Went down the slide a couple of times and floated around on the lazy river. Hardly anyone was there, so we were able to relax. I sat in the hot tub for a while and let my sore legs get a "massage." It was great!

Then we went back to the room and got dressed up for our dinner at Todd English's Bluezoo, which is in the Dolphin Hotel.

The restaurant is VERY cool-looking with excellent (but expensive) seafood. We were disappointed that they don't take Disney Rewards Cards there, (no free food for us tonight) but decided to splurge anyway.

(I didn't take this picture, but here's what it looks like inside

After dinner, we went back to our room and changed into warmer clothes and headed over to Epcot to watch Illuminations from the International Gateway bridge area. We met a really nice retired couple who were working at Epcot together and they helped us get some waterfront seats. Also spoke to a nice man from England (besides New Jersey--that seemed to be where the MOST people at WDW were from this trip).

I thought that the view was fine, but the show didn't have the oomph from this spot that it has from the edge of Future World. After that, we took our nice, uncrowded leisurely walk back to the hotel. There were two older women who walked out the back entrance with us who were confused about where all the buses were. I butted in to help and informed them they'd gone out the wrong entrance and would have to go back in and walk to the Future World Epcot entrance. They thanked us and said they wondered why the walk had been so short!

When we got back to our room there was a surprise waiting for us... balloons and a personalized card from Mickey Mouse wishing us a Happy Anniversary!

View at night:

 

[ter-moo]

DAY 6 (Nov. 15):
We got up and walked over to Epcot for its opening. Went over to Soarin' and got Fastpasses and then did Test Track. I then sent DH on Mission Space (sorry, that's the only ride at WDW that makes me a bit queasy, so I just waited with all the other queasy, scared and elderly women...), and then we did Figment, (pretty lame without kids!), and Living with the Land (I thought it might be boring, but it was FASCINATING!)

How they make "Mickey pumpkins:"

Growing stuff without soil:

Then we did Soarin', Ellen's Energy Adventure, the Nemo ride and explored the aquarium area at The Seas.

We were done with everything by lunchtime, so we headed over to the World Showcase. We had planned to do that tomorrow, but since we had time, DH wanted to get started on it today. ("What if something happens tomorrow and we never get to see it?")

Us, before we hit "the world."

We shared a combo meal at the outdoor Mexican cafe, since we had ressies for Bistro de Paris that evening.

Then we started around the showcase, walking through everything and watching as many shows as we happened upon.


Norway:

China:

Chinese acrobats (I could not BELIEVE how long these little girls balanced on ONE arm doing all sorts of poses! )

Sergio, in Italy:

When we got to the American Adventure, we walked in and the CM there (seeing our anniversary buttons) stopped us and said, "What are your names?" We told him and he said, "Has Disney contacted you yet?" I started to shake, thinking maybe we were about to get dreamed. He then led us over to a wooden box that was on a table, opened it and inside was a phone. He instructed us to dial "3455" and said he'd be right back. I dialed and Minnie and Mickey started to tell us Happy Anniversary and then sang us an anniversary song. Then the CM came back with a beautiful anniversary certificate that he calligraphied our names on. He told us to present that to the elevator CM and she'd let us up onto the balcony of the rotunda to watch the rest of the pre-show (the FABULOUS singers) and then we'd get to pick our seats for the show first. We went up there and we were with another couple celebrating their 50th, some newlyweds, and a birthday person. The singers introduced all of us BY NAME and sang to us. Then we went into the auditorium and the CM there introduced us AGAIN and wished us a happy anniversary. It was so cool!

After that, we did some more world stuff, and then headed over to France to check out the menu for Bistro de Paris. We decided we'd rather have the three-course meal at Les Chefs du France and asked the CM's if we would be able to do that. They said no problem, so we went back to our hotel and changed into warmer/nicer clothes and headed back for dinner. We had a WONDERFUL dinner. It was the best French Onion Soup I'd ever had, and I had a wonderful glass of Pinot Grigio with my chicken. The last course was Creme Brulee. (Yum!)

Then we hopped on the boat to the Boardwalk (thought we'd try that instead of walking) and walked around there a bit. We had planned to maybe go to Jellyroll's, but we were tired and decided to just head back to the hotel.

When we got there, we had ANOTHER surprise waiting! A solid, white chocolate Mickey surrounded by 5 "tuxedo" dipped strawberries, and another card wishing us a happy anniversary!

I couldn't bear to eat ANY part of Mickey, but DH took care of that and immediately broke off one of his legs! By the time we got home on Saturday, all we had left was his stomach!

 

[ter-moo]

DAY 7 (Nov. 17):

DH went to one more Physics meeting, while I slept in a bit. I sat "on" the balcony for a while and read the paper, then got dressed and went down to the gift shop for a coffee and croissant and took them outside to the beach. I had picked up a Disney Cruiselines brochure, so I sat in a swing and read it.

DH got back around 11:30, so we headed over to Epcot and saw Canada and England before having a wonderful lunch at Le Cellier. (Beer Cheese soup and Filet Mignon--YUM!)

We needed to check in on SW at 3:25 (24 hours before flight), so we headed back to the hotel and had the concierge do that for us. It worked out perfectly and we managed to get "good numbers (A-17 and A-18) for our flight home.

Then we took the bus to MK, and rode the train, did Hall of Presidents and the Jungle Cruise, and DH did the Shooting Gallery, and then we shopped a bit on Main St. I was amused by this window display:

We left as HORDES of people were coming in for MVMCP, and took the boat to the Grand Floridian to look around and see the gingerbread house.

We hit paydirt there with the soaps shop they have in the hotel. My MIL (who was staying with our kids) LOVES soaps, and these were absolutely beautiful, as well as nicely scented. We spent a bit of money in there...

Then we took the Monorail to the TTC and another one to Epcot. We walked around Future World a bit, and shopped for the kids, and watched the big fountain dance to the music. It was COLD tonight!!!! Even with a jacket and jeans, I was shaking. The decorations were pretty at night:

We walked over to Morocco and had a light dinner, and then decided to watch Illuminations from a different spot tonight. We went back to the edge of the lake closest to Future World and it was like a whole different show! Much better from here.

We then shopped a bit in the showcase area before heading back to our hotel. I was freezing, so I suggested we go to the lounge and have a drink and then head down to the quiet pool and sit in the hot tub for a bit. It was actually HOT (unlike some of the Disney hot tubs which are lukewarm at best)! and we had it all to ourselves.

Did I mention that today DH enthusiastically put on his Anniversary button without my reminding him (or MAKING him)?!?!?! I think he finally was beginning to see the value of it!