"We Will Not Be Braking for Pedestrians!" "Oh my God DUUUCKKKS!"-An October 2011

[bellebookworm9]

Hello everyone! I'm Gretchen and to my trip report. This is the third one I've done and they are always very fun to write. My mom and I went down over Columbus Day weekend, from the 7th to the 11th. Our resort was Beach Club Villas; we rented DVC points and stayed in a studio. We visited Epcot and the Magic Kingdom this time around, plus Downtown Disney and spent some time at the resort as well. I have a completed Dining Report in my sig, but I'll be inserting those reviews here as well.

So, who are we?

That's me. I am 20 years old and a college student in Western Central New York, studying Communcative Disorders and Sciences with a focus in Audiology. This was my fifth trip to Disney. My favorite character is Belle, my favorite rides are Soarin' and Tower of Terror, and my favorite night time show is IllumiNations.

That's my mom, Debbie. She's 54 and also a college student in our hometown of Buffalo. She is earning her Human Services certificate and her Associate's degree in Social Sciences. This was her seventh trip to Disney. I don't know for certain who her favorite character is, but after this trip I think she really likes Flynn Rider! Her favorite rides are Mission: Space, Soarin' and Big Thunder Mountain. She also loves IllumiNations.

So come along with us and stay tuned for lots of pictures, lots of rain, lots of fun, lots of food, some sunshine, and occasional bouts of annoyance and frustration. Let's go!

Day 1
Prepping for the trip & plane ride
Traveling through the Orlando airport & Magical Express
Lunch at Beaches & Cream
Attempting Stormalong Bay
Exploring the Villa
All You Can Eat Crab Legs!
"I really don't like that cloud..."

Day 2
A Very Early Morning
Potted Umbrellas Blowing Over!
Future World Fun
Club Cool
How much wetter can we get?!

Day 3
"I didn't bother to do my hair..."
More eating around the world
Cranky times ahead
"I'm really concerned for the safety of that tree..."
Chilling at the Villas

Day 4
A Morning on the Boardwalk
“She really just wanted to talk to you because she likes your dress…”
"Is this an eating fork?"
Why aren't we moving?
“A lot of these people don’t have wristbands…”
Let's Get This Party Started!
"MINE, MINE, MINE!"
"Of course it's nice to meet me, I'm me!"

Day 5
The Beginning of Our Last Day
The Trip of 1000 Stops
"Breathe Like You've Never Breathed Before!"

Final Wrap Up

 

[Motocross Tink]

Hi! I'm here to read sounds like fun!

 

[tlenzendorf]

I'm in!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Our trip actually starts on Thursday, October 6th. That morning at 6am, I checked us in for our flight on Southwest, and we had Boarding Passes A45 & 46, I think. I never went back to sleep. Mom came to pick me up from school around 4pm and we made the hour and a half trek back home. My grandma came over for last minute instructions, since she would be taking care of our dog and cat while we were gone. There was also, of course, all of the little things left to do with packing. I wanted to go to bed around 7, but of course that didn't happen! I think it was more like 10. After about five hours of very fitful sleep, I finally got up at 2:45, fifteen minutes before the alarm went off.

Here are our suitcases, all ready to go.

Crossing off the last day of the countdown calendar:

LET'S GO!

We were out the door shortly after 4am. The drive to the airport doesn't take too long, maybe 20 minutes. Our decision was to park in Long Term Lot B, something we had never done (we've never actually parked at the airport). Thankfully, it wasn't too difficult to find, and there was a parking spot right near a shuttle pick up location. When we got over to the shelter, there were several other people already there and they had already paged the shuttle, so it showed up within a few minutes, and shortly after that, we were pulling up to the terminal.

We walked inside and right up to the Southwest counter, checked our bag (weighing in at 36.5 pounds ) and headed for the security line. It wasn't bad at all, maybe a 5 minute wait, but I was prepared for the worst. The X-ray machine weren't running, just the metal detectors, so I didn't get to experience that. After we had regrouped, put our shoes back on and our liquids back in our bag we headed for Gate 18.

There was basically no one else there when we arrived. However, as it got closer to departure time it started to fill up. We ate items I had purchased the day before from Starbucks. Berry Coffee Cake for Mom and a Pumpkin Scone for me. The scone was waaaay sweet and I only ate a few bites. I think Mom also purchased a muffin or something from one of the stands at the airport.

Around 5:30 we took this picture.

Mom gave me an anti-anxiety pill because I hate flying, and I have to say, it really helped. She took the same thing, plus Dramamine and Benydryl (for allergies). This was a big mistake, because she was in a lethargic stupor for a good portion of the rest of the day.

When we boarded shortly before 6, we took our usual seats on the left side of the plane (facing the front), fifth row from the back. I took the window and she took the middle. It was a completely full flight, because not only was it direct to Orlando, but many people were laying over there, plus it was continuing on to Austin! We took off precisely on time.

We had never taken off in the dark before, so that was a new experience. Mom fell asleep, but I stayed awake and listened to my iPod. I also took a bunch of pictures of the sunrise and the clouds.

I had an apple juice on the flight and they also served us Lorna Doone cookie 100 calorie packs. The whole thing was very uneventful, and we actually ended up landing 15 minutes early-it took only 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there. We sat and waited for almost everyone else to deplane, then headed out. A bathroom stop was first on our list, and I also put my contacts in so I could wear my sunglasses because it was really sunny even at 8:30!

 

[msmith1026]

I'm in!! Can't wait to hear about your trip. I didn't realize we were so close, I'm in Rochester during the week. you can try some of my cupcakes!!

 

[Bethislucy]

can't wait to hear all about your trip.

 

[bellebookworm9]

After our restroom stop, we followed the signs to the "monorail" shuttle that would take us to the main terminal. It was only a few minutes wait, and then we were on our way.

Mom was tired.

But I was ready to go!

Palm trees!

We arrived at the Main Terminal and headed for Magical Express, stopping to take a few pictures along the way.

It didn't take us long to arrive at the Magical Express area, and it was the first time we'd done so without getting lost! (Last time we had trouble finding our way out of security.) There was NO line, just like last time. Like security, I always expect the worst, but it never is! We were in line B5.

There was a brief wait to be put on a bus, and then out we went. It was a real Magical Express bus this time, not a cruise bus!

When we got on the bus, we sat. And sat. And continued to sit for about 15 minutes. There was a small boy in the row behind us and he was adorable. His dad asked him if he missed Mickey and the boys said, "Yes, but we'll be there to see him in a jiffy!"

I took the window seat so I could get pictures. We passed a lot of road signs.

Here comes the arch!!

Our first stop was Port Orleans Riverside.

Most people got off there, but I think there were about 5 families left. Here's the Tower of Terror in the distance!

Next up was the Boardwalk.

I think the next stop would have been the Yacht Club but there were no guests, so on to the Beach Club it was!

Mom slept for pretty much the whole trip! The ride was really pretty quick; it took approximately an hour from the time we stepped on the bus to the time we arrived in front of our hotel.

 

[lmc318]

Yay! I'm in!

 

[Kat in GA]

I am reading along with your dining report - so I am looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip. We are staying at the Beach Club for the first time in February - cannot wait!

Oh, and many thanks for sending me over to the October facebook page!!

 

[LMO429]

Loving your report so far! We leave in 10 days and reading about your trip is making me even more excited. I don't like to fly either so it was comforting to read about your flight. If you can do it I can do it!

 

[hardingk]

Hi Gretchen!
Signing on for ur TR!

 

[natebenma]

I'm here! Can't wait to hear all about your trip and see the fantastic photos!!! Also looking forward to the dining reviews! Great start!!!

 

[kraeurb]

Great start. Looking forward to more.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here! Love the pictures from the ME ride. It's always so exciting to start seeing all those familiar places.

 

[WyldLynx]

I can't wait to read more...

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm here!!! I have to read yet - saw your first pic, super cute pic of you!

Okay, going back to read now.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I don't know for certain who her favorite character is, but after this trip I think she really likes Flynn Rider! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=42944181&postcount=7

Hmmmm....why is this???

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm here! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Woah, readers! This is crazy!

I'm in!! Can't wait to hear about your trip. I didn't realize we were so close, I'm in Rochester during the week. you can try some of my cupcakes!!

Oh, wow, I'd love to try some cupcakes-the pictures are always amazing!

I am reading along with your dining report - so I am looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip. We are staying at the Beach Club for the first time in February - cannot wait!

Oh, and many thanks for sending me over to the October facebook page!!

No problem! The Beach Club was really nice and I'm sure you'll like it.

Loving your report so far! We leave in 10 days and reading about your trip is making me even more excited. I don't like to fly either so it was comforting to read about your flight. If you can do it I can do it!

10 days! That's great! We are at 90 until our one night stay at Old Key West and 87 (I think) until we actually head to Florida.

I'm here! Love the pictures from the ME ride. It's always so exciting to start seeing all those familiar places.

Believe it or not, that's really the first time I've seen most of those places. In 2007, it was dark out when we arrived, and last year it was pouring rain and visibility was terrible. It was exciting though and I'm glad I finally got some decent arch pictures!

I'm here!!! I have to read yet - saw your first pic, super cute pic of you!

Okay, going back to read now.

Aw thanks, I like that picture a lot. I was going to put the one of me trying the Beverly, but decided to wait on that one.

Hmmmm....why is this???

Hee hee you'll just have to wait until Day 4 to find out!

I'm here! Can't wait to hear more.

Welcome! I just went over to check on your PTR, I can't believe you had to cancel the trip just hours before you left. I would have been crying for hours too! But I'm glad to hear you'll be able to make it down before the festival ends.

 

[jenbear123]

I'm here I'm here! Can't wait to see where your room was at BCV