Day 1 - Friday, November 14, 2003 (Part 1)
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Yecats - Me, myself and I.
Me is Single, 33 (however, other two personalities - myself is about 10 years old and an advid SM freak and the I personality may be about 60 years especially after getting off of the ToT).
Also on board is my new Canon ZR65 Digital Videocamera nicknamed: Handycam, as it was always in my hand.
Brief Pre-trip History:
Really needed to get away from everything and everybody due to various recent stressful events (posted Pre-Trip report in early November regarding this issue). I have visited Disney (both FL and CA) a few times in the past with family, friends/boyfriend and knew area well (last trip with family member in Dec. 2002). Even though this is not my official first solo vacation it was my first to WDW. I am going on the Disney's first ever offered Fairy Tale Package. For me this package begins tomorrow on 11/15 but I decided to add a day both before and after this package just for the fun of it even though I won't be going to the parks on those days.
The day before (Thursday), I had worked late (7:15 p.m.) in order to clear off my desk and didn't get home until 9:00 p.m. Now I had to stop off at my grandparents home as my dogs (Scruffy and Baby) had been dropped off by my mom so that they would be taken care of (and not tortured in a cage in the vets office for 10 days). They looked pretty thrilled to be there as my grandfather likes to play with my puppies. Said my goodbyes to the grandparents and home I went. Walked in my door and realized that I had a bit of cleaning to do, washing and oh right, I have to complete packing. So let's just say that I was up to 1:15 completing these task. Geeze say goodbye to the good nights sleep. I was dead weight by 1:15 a.m. and said goodnight to my pillow.
Now down to the nitty gritty:
DING, DING it is already 5:00 a.m. Friday morning. Am I nuts, I never get up this early and its still dark outside. Oh that's right I'm flying out today. Got up and got dressed and did brief check around home (about 55 degrees). Then it hit me to double check Southwest's internet site as I haven't flown since 9/11 (last flight was 2 months prior to that date) and needed to see if any new regulations were posted (meant to do this before this time but ran out of time). I'm in the clear. Doubled checked to make sure that I had the very basics and all tickets - Yep ready. Time to go, mom was here and ready to bring me to the airport. It is now 6:00 a.m. and its still dark. So we are off on our 22 mile trek to the New Orleans International Airport. But on the way we need to eat so stopped at Shoneys and enjoyed the breakfast bar (2 people $16.00). Next mom needs gas in the vehicle, so as she is being kind enough to drive me to the airport at 6:00 a.m. - full tank of gas $16.00. It is now about 7:00 and my flight leaves at 8:10 a.m.
They recently completed road work to the airport access road. Mom and I are talking as she is driving along and I am filming with my newest best friend in the world - my new Digital Canon ZR65 Video Camera now provided with the nickname "Handycam" (I filmed everything). So I am filming mom as she drives past the recently redesigned airport access road. Oh well lets add on an extra 20 minutes to my drive time. Get to airport finally, Love ya Mom, see you whenever, kiss kiss and she's gone. I am standing in Southwest's outside baggage line to check in luggage. Okay, 10 mins later, I am headed to my gate. 5 mins later we are called to go ahead and board. This flight was not a full flight (about 3/4th full). I board and head down to about mid plane and have an entire row to myself. Then a family with 2 small children (about ages 4 and 6) decide to take the row behind me.
TIP:
If your flying and you don't have young children, don't sit by any.
8:10 a.m. the plane is ready to taxi the runaway and were off. After a few minutes, we were told that we could use electronic equipment so Handycam made an appearance and I was able to film from 20,000 feet in the air. I filmed places that I have previously vacationed and areas that I grew up in and have to say that the film came out really well. About 10 minutes after taking off the 2 kids in back of me began to act up, one continously every five minutes would decide to take out her anxiety on the back of my seat by kicking it 6 or 7 times in a row. What fun for me. Then her dad would notice and finally tell her to stop. She would stop and her brother would start kicking the seat next to me. Tag teaming kids, got to love'em. Before you knew it, I had a coke and we were heading down to Orlando. The flight lasted all of 1hr 20 mins. Essentially I had an uneventful flight.
YIPPEE, I'M HERE, I'M HERE (very sunny and 72 degrees). We land at MCO and it has been quite some time since I have been in this airport (last time 15/16 years ago) and it has changed quite a bit. Look the airport is like Disney, there's a Monorail. Look at how nice the grounds are manicured. The airport is even nice to see. Well off to baggage claim. 5 minutes later, yes there's my crushed and really dirty luggage. I have a pullman so its pretty easy for me to manuver and off to the Mears Counter I go.
TIP:
Roundtrip from Airport to DTD hotel by Mears = $28.00
15 mins. later have Mears tickets in hand and see Mears person outside for proper shuttle. Oh look my shuttle is here and already full. I am the 2nd to last person in this shuttle and were off (not even in the van 10 minutes). Due to airport expansion, the road leading out is very confusing, thank you lord that I did not decide to rent a car as I don't think I would've made it out of the airport. As were leaving, I notice that I am in a van with 14 other women. No families or young children, were all just women. Most of those were visiting Disney in small groups of 2 or 3 people. Enjoyed many conversations with women from Maryland, California and North Carolina.
20 mins. later were all at the first groups hotel, then the 2nd stop, then the 3 stop, then the 4th stop, then my stop. There was still one woman on this shuttle who was the last stop and headed for the Dolphin.
RECAP:
Early Wakeup: Doable
Southwest Flight: GREAT :
Mears: no problems
Stay tuned for Part 2 the checkin - can't believe it happened to me.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Yecats - Me, myself and I.
Me is Single, 33 (however, other two personalities - myself is about 10 years old and an advid SM freak and the I personality may be about 60 years especially after getting off of the ToT).
Also on board is my new Canon ZR65 Digital Videocamera nicknamed: Handycam, as it was always in my hand.
Brief Pre-trip History:
Really needed to get away from everything and everybody due to various recent stressful events (posted Pre-Trip report in early November regarding this issue). I have visited Disney (both FL and CA) a few times in the past with family, friends/boyfriend and knew area well (last trip with family member in Dec. 2002). Even though this is not my official first solo vacation it was my first to WDW. I am going on the Disney's first ever offered Fairy Tale Package. For me this package begins tomorrow on 11/15 but I decided to add a day both before and after this package just for the fun of it even though I won't be going to the parks on those days.
The day before (Thursday), I had worked late (7:15 p.m.) in order to clear off my desk and didn't get home until 9:00 p.m. Now I had to stop off at my grandparents home as my dogs (Scruffy and Baby) had been dropped off by my mom so that they would be taken care of (and not tortured in a cage in the vets office for 10 days). They looked pretty thrilled to be there as my grandfather likes to play with my puppies. Said my goodbyes to the grandparents and home I went. Walked in my door and realized that I had a bit of cleaning to do, washing and oh right, I have to complete packing. So let's just say that I was up to 1:15 completing these task. Geeze say goodbye to the good nights sleep. I was dead weight by 1:15 a.m. and said goodnight to my pillow.
Now down to the nitty gritty:
DING, DING it is already 5:00 a.m. Friday morning. Am I nuts, I never get up this early and its still dark outside. Oh that's right I'm flying out today. Got up and got dressed and did brief check around home (about 55 degrees). Then it hit me to double check Southwest's internet site as I haven't flown since 9/11 (last flight was 2 months prior to that date) and needed to see if any new regulations were posted (meant to do this before this time but ran out of time). I'm in the clear. Doubled checked to make sure that I had the very basics and all tickets - Yep ready. Time to go, mom was here and ready to bring me to the airport. It is now 6:00 a.m. and its still dark. So we are off on our 22 mile trek to the New Orleans International Airport. But on the way we need to eat so stopped at Shoneys and enjoyed the breakfast bar (2 people $16.00). Next mom needs gas in the vehicle, so as she is being kind enough to drive me to the airport at 6:00 a.m. - full tank of gas $16.00. It is now about 7:00 and my flight leaves at 8:10 a.m.
They recently completed road work to the airport access road. Mom and I are talking as she is driving along and I am filming with my newest best friend in the world - my new Digital Canon ZR65 Video Camera now provided with the nickname "Handycam" (I filmed everything). So I am filming mom as she drives past the recently redesigned airport access road. Oh well lets add on an extra 20 minutes to my drive time. Get to airport finally, Love ya Mom, see you whenever, kiss kiss and she's gone. I am standing in Southwest's outside baggage line to check in luggage. Okay, 10 mins later, I am headed to my gate. 5 mins later we are called to go ahead and board. This flight was not a full flight (about 3/4th full). I board and head down to about mid plane and have an entire row to myself. Then a family with 2 small children (about ages 4 and 6) decide to take the row behind me.
TIP:
If your flying and you don't have young children, don't sit by any.
8:10 a.m. the plane is ready to taxi the runaway and were off. After a few minutes, we were told that we could use electronic equipment so Handycam made an appearance and I was able to film from 20,000 feet in the air. I filmed places that I have previously vacationed and areas that I grew up in and have to say that the film came out really well. About 10 minutes after taking off the 2 kids in back of me began to act up, one continously every five minutes would decide to take out her anxiety on the back of my seat by kicking it 6 or 7 times in a row. What fun for me. Then her dad would notice and finally tell her to stop. She would stop and her brother would start kicking the seat next to me. Tag teaming kids, got to love'em. Before you knew it, I had a coke and we were heading down to Orlando. The flight lasted all of 1hr 20 mins. Essentially I had an uneventful flight.
YIPPEE, I'M HERE, I'M HERE (very sunny and 72 degrees). We land at MCO and it has been quite some time since I have been in this airport (last time 15/16 years ago) and it has changed quite a bit. Look the airport is like Disney, there's a Monorail. Look at how nice the grounds are manicured. The airport is even nice to see. Well off to baggage claim. 5 minutes later, yes there's my crushed and really dirty luggage. I have a pullman so its pretty easy for me to manuver and off to the Mears Counter I go.
TIP:
Roundtrip from Airport to DTD hotel by Mears = $28.00
15 mins. later have Mears tickets in hand and see Mears person outside for proper shuttle. Oh look my shuttle is here and already full. I am the 2nd to last person in this shuttle and were off (not even in the van 10 minutes). Due to airport expansion, the road leading out is very confusing, thank you lord that I did not decide to rent a car as I don't think I would've made it out of the airport. As were leaving, I notice that I am in a van with 14 other women. No families or young children, were all just women. Most of those were visiting Disney in small groups of 2 or 3 people. Enjoyed many conversations with women from Maryland, California and North Carolina.
20 mins. later were all at the first groups hotel, then the 2nd stop, then the 3 stop, then the 4th stop, then my stop. There was still one woman on this shuttle who was the last stop and headed for the Dolphin.
RECAP:
Early Wakeup: Doable
Southwest Flight: GREAT :
Mears: no problems
Stay tuned for Part 2 the checkin - can't believe it happened to me.
