WL w/ Sister (Day 4)

[Montana Disney Fan]

I think I'm gunna die, I am sooo tired. Here we go again!

We woke up at around 7:30am and we were at MK at 9am. We ate at the bakery near the end of Main Street for B-Fast. I had an egg and sausage thingy, can't remember the name, it is French I think. I also had coffee and mild. My sister had cereal and coffee. We then went to Space Mountain and got Fast Passes (MK is getting busier) and then we ran over to the Splash and road it. Then we took the railroad over to Mickey's Tune Town and walked to Space Mt and road it. After that, we walked around and just took pictures and watched people. We left at around 11am.

Since we took the boat over, and we were now going to Epcot, we decided to go via Monorail (the car was still at the hotel). It took about 30 minutes to get there. We rode Spaceship Earth (nice, but boring) and then went and ate at Mexico by the lake. I had two chicken tacos (very good) and my sister had a taco salad (she said it was also good). After that we walked around taking photos then left to go find a bus back to WL for a nap.

As we got out near the bus station, our bus was just leaving so we took a cab (there were two just sitting there). The cabby told us about the US strike in Afghanistan. The cab ride from Epcot to WL was $9.20.

My sister took a nap and typed out the Day 3 post then I went and played Ms. Packman. When she woke up we drove to the Boardwalk Hotel, parked and walked around the boardwalk for a while. After that we decided to go to MGM so we walked there from the BW. It took about 15 minutes (we walk fast though). We rode ToT and RRC again then got in line for Fantasmic. The show was great. Sit in the Scar or Mickey sections near the rear for the quick escape. Scar and Mickey are also in the middle so the view is the best. The show was the best ever.

At the end of the show we walked back to MGM (faster this time because we only had to go to the parking lot, not all the way around the BW) then drove to DD. I'll bet we were out and on the road faster than most. Even though we had to walk for 10 minutes.

DD was packed. We did some shopping and I got a Marguerita (sp?) at Capt. Jacks. We strolled around then called it a nite. It was a LOOONNNGGG Day!

Any Questions?

 

[pumba]

too....Thanks so much for the nice report.......

 

[Sandi]

I'm enjoying your reports. My question relates to your car. Have you used the rental very much? I am planning to rent from National when I go down in November and I also need to pick up my sister who is arriving much later in the day. If parking, etc. is bad at MCO, I'm wondering whether we wouldn't be just as well off both getting a town car to shuttle us. (I'll also have my 7 year old DD with me.) I'm curious about whether your extra trip(s) to the airport were a pain and/or whether the car has been valuable to you during your stay.

Thanks!

 

[swankybeth]

Great report! After that busy day, I'm sure you needed that margarita!

Beth

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Sandi, get the CAR! It is worth it. Trust me.

When you arrive (what airlines?) you will go to baggage claim and get your bags then head down the escalator and go the National desk. There are only 4 rental car companies at MCO. After you go to the desk, you will walk outside and across the street. National is on the ground floor right across the street. Very nice and easy. Get your car and go. Keep you ID handy and also have a couple of $1 bills and some quarters handy for the toll road (417) which is the quickest way to Disney. What hotel are you staying at? I can give you more info on how to get there. We have rented a car every time but One since I've been going down. Take my advice... Get the Car!

When you go back to pick her up, you will need to leave about 1 hour prior to her arrival. This will give you time to get lost pay the tolls, slow down for the road construction, find a parking spot, then go to baggage claim (you cant pick her up the gate, they wont let you). I did all this in 35 minutes and barely made it. Use the full hour and don't rush like I did. I had my cell phone with me so I could keep in contact with my sister in case her plane was delayed. She did not call me which meant that everything was OK and on time.

IMHO
MDF

 

[Sandi]

Thanks for the advice Montana. I think we'll stick with the car. I'm flying in on US Air; I believe my sister is on Northwest (she's coming from Minneapolis). My DD and I get there in the morning and my sister arrives around 8:00 p.m.

We're staying at PO-FQ. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

PO! Great! That is soo easy to get around from with a car. When you are leaving the airport you will take the SOUTH exit (it is marked Kissimmee and Disney) and then you take hwy 417 (toll road) to Disney, you will go through two $1 toll booths and then take exit number 6. You will then just stay STRAIGHT all the way to Disney after exiting on 6. It does not get much easier than that. I think you will have to change lanes is all to keep from accidentally exiting off this road that leads to disney. You will get a map from National when you get your car.

After you take exit 6 off 417 you just stay straight until you see the Disneyworld sign (main entrance) then you watch for signs that say Port Orleans and follow from there. It really is easy.

When going back to the Airport to get your sister, you might want to leave about 1 hour and 15 minutes prior just to make sure. That will give you LOTS of time and you won't have to worry. Do you have a cell phone? It would help so your sister can contact you if her plane is delayed. Otherwise you might sit at the airport longer than you want to. There are two terminals at MCO, "A" and "B". I cannot remember which one NW comes in on but the signs list ALL the airlines to each terminal as you drive in so you and your DD can watch these then you will know where to park. If she is in "A" terminal, you will have to do a lot of driving around the airport because "A" is on the other side of where you enter. If she is in "B", it is really really easy. After parking, you will have to go to the elevator or escalator and go DOWN one floor (it is really strange to get from Parking to baggage claim). After going down you will see a people mover (a flat escalator) which will then take you to a choice of two more escalators (one goes up one floor to the rental car booths and the other goes up 3 floors to the check in area). The problem here is that neither of them go up 2 floors to baggage claim. Take either one then find the elevator and go to baggage claim. Like I said, it is kind of a pain. Once you get to baggage claim, it can be difficult finding the right one. I think there are 15 or 20 of them!! I asked someone up on the 3rd floor at check in where their baggage claim usually came in at and they told me. By the time I finally picked up my sister, she was waiting for me and had her bags (how embarrasing for me). She was just getting ready to call my cell phone.

One more thing: When leaving PO to go to the airport, you will be able to retrace your steps upon arriving so try to remember. WDW road system is very windy (no straight roads) so it CAN get confusing. Whatever happens, just remember you are looking for 417 toll road, or Greenway, or turnpike (they call it all THREE!). They also have a little picture of an airplane on the signs so keep an eye out for that.

The nice thing is that after picking up your sister, you will be an expert on how to get back to the airport so when you leave, it won't be very difficult. You will already know the routine. When you do leave, I would leave the hotel about 3 hours before your flight leaves.

Any other questions?

 

[Sandi]

Thank you! You've been so helpful. I've printed out your instructions so I don't screw it up. We both have Sprint PCS cell phones (which worked very well when I was there last spring), so we'll keep in communication.

I hope you and your sister are having fun. I'm looking forward to my time with my sister. We have been trying to talk with each other on the phone for the last month and just play phone tag. I can't believe we're actually going to be together for a few days in just 49 days!

Again, thank you!!!