Wow, those Disney beds are comfy but no Mickey/Stitch wake up call will be necessary today. The rooster crows at 6:00 a.m. like always and I get up to make coffee. Now I like my own strong, brewed coffee with whole milk…no Nescafe for me, thank you very much. I shower, dress, and head down to the food court for real milk to go with my real coffee. It’s quiet, dark, and peaceful outside in the mornings at POR. There are a handful of people out on the coffee walk…all carrying one or more refillable mugs. I grab a couple of mini Mickey priced milks and head back to the room.
The coffee is good and I enjoy it outside as the sun comes up over Ole Man Island. It’s going to be a gorgeous day today…not a cloud in the sky. I go back in to finish getting ready before I wake the gang. I hope whoever thought of that curtain between the sink area and the sleeping area got a bonus. Genius! At last I turn on the TV and let Stacy wake everyone with the top 7 must-sees.
The kids are moving because…well…we’re in Disney World but DH’s not moving so fast. At this point, there’s something you should know about the dynamic for our family vacation. I like see/do/go/experience vacations and DH likes sit/sip/relax/do nothin’ vacations. But he loves me and agrees that this long awaited vacation can actually be a Disney vacation. I respect the fact that he works hard so I will not push him to do anything he does not want to do this week….it’s his vacation, too. But….today is our first day and the kids and I want to get to park opening. We hurry him along a bit.
We’re running late for rope drop when we get to the car at 8:45 a.m. Now if you recall the bus service was terrible at the Hotel Royal Plaza on our last trip so we think taking the car to the parks will be faster. We walk/run to the car and everybody’s in and buckled. DH: “Hey, there are the nail clippers! I’ve been looking for those.” Takes off his shoes and begins to clip his toenails. (insert the sound of clock ticking…waiting silently….ticking….) Shoes back on. OK, we’re off.
Now the parking at MGM is a might farther away from the gates than I had remembered however the Disney bus stops are remarkably close to the entrance. Oh, well. We are in the park by 9:15 and head quickly to Rockin’ Rollercoaster. We’re through the gate and DS and Mimi are all about riding the coaster but Emily is having cold feet. I tell her she can come with us because there is a last-second exit on every ride in every park. She hesitantly comes along. We see the preshow…fast limo…alright! Emily leaves here to wait in the exit/store area.
At last, I get to ride a big rollercoaster! I’m excited but a little nervous. DH and DS are right behind Mimi and me. We’re off……fast and fabulous. We all love it! Emily is waiting and we hurry to see the photo. I encourage Mimi to take the redneck ride photo. She is shocked and declines. We hurry on to the Tower of Terror. As we head up the walkway to the door, Emily has a complete meltdown and is sobbing…….
DO….remember to bring 4-6 cup coffee filters and some of your favorite coffee with you if you'd like to make good coffee in the room. Do take the Disney buses to MGM. It’s much closer and faster than parking your car. Do, for crying out loud, clip your toenails the night before so you can get to the park at opening.
DON’T…worry if you chicken out at the last minute or if you're pregnant. On every ride, you can stay with your party, see the preshow, and exit where the ride loads. Go ahead!
hi, you're reading my trip report and said we'd followed you around mostly or vice versa so I came over to check it out!! 
the pic of you and DH on the ship! Very brave to elope on that trip. What was your Mom's response?!? Guess there would be a part of me sad 
to have missed the wedding, but thrilled 
I didn't have to go through planning it! (Just had DD get married and it was ALOT of work!)
