Mickey'sGirl
05-07-2007, 09:44 AM
Me: Jennifer (Galactic Hero -- 37yr old in a 60yr old body with a 12yr old approach!)
DH: Brian (39) – my partner in crime for 14 married years (on Apr 17) and numerous WDW adventures!
DS8: Harry – seasoned WDW veteran, lover of the shooting gallery and arcades – usually patient and accommodating older sibling.
DS3: Euan – knows his way around the parks – fan of Splash, Test Track, TTA and Spaceship Earth. “If he’s not running; he’s asleep!”
Day 1 – Friday April 20, 20007
We got up at our normal time and let the boys sleep in until about 7. All we had to do was pack the car up and leave to take the doggies to the Pet Nanny at 9:30. We left them and all their gear and were on our way just after 10 am. We were driving from just east of Toronto to Buffalo New York, via the Queenstown-Lewistown Bridge. Our airfare was about 1/3 of the cost because we were flying out of Buffalo, so we decided to give it a go. We hit a bit of traffic and crossed the border at about 12:30, and then we were parking our car at the Buffalo International Airport within the hour. A little shuttle bus picked us up to take us to the Terminal (after Euan “accidentally pushed” the emergency panic button on a pole). Brian had printed our boarding passes on Thursday, so all we had to do was check our bags in and feed the kiddies. There were no lines to speak of at the check in kiosk, nor were there any at Security. What a painless way to travel! We are so used to the constant queuing and waiting at Pearson – Give me a small airport any day!!! We killed some time in the Fisher Price Play Area, and then boarded the plane at about 2:30. We had a great flight – landing in Orlando a bit early at 5:11 – Unfortunately we had to wait over an hour for our bags to arrive on the luggage carrousel…… That was a lot of fun….especially with an active 3-year old who had just been restrained for the past 2 ½ hours. My shoulders are still aching!! Our luggage finally arrived, and we crossed over to the parking area to retrieve our rental car. Brian had joined the “preferred” club at Avis – so check in was a breeze – and we were on our way to the French Quarter by about 6:30. We were anxious to get there, as my Cousin Pogo and his bride were going to meet us for dinner at 7.
It was an easy ride over to the resort….Brian and I checked in whilst the boys got caught up with their Channel 96 shorts playing in the lobby…..We were assigned room 3101….Ground floor and non-smoking – so what we asked for – but it was also a corner room near the parking lot….Terrific! We popped out to the pool bar to let Pogo and Patti know that we had finally arrived then quickly went to our room to freshen up. We had a 7:40 reservation at Boatwright’s over at Riverside – and it was Pogo and Patti’s anniversary dinner – so we didn’t want to be late! It was a lovely stroll over to Riverside – Brian, Pogo and Harry were ahead of Patti, Euan and I – and talking with them was like talking to old friends. We feel like we have known them forever, although this was our first meeting!
I had advised Dining last month that it was a special anniversary dinner, and called the restaurant directly Friday morning to emphasize the fact – and then told the CM at check in that we were celebrating a very special anniversary with our friends…..but nothing came of it. Not a word….nobody seemed to mind (and good thing Mr. Romance (aka Pogo) had a surprise carriage ride pre-arranged for his bride! We ordered drinks – Riesling for Pogo and Patti, a beer for Brian and a Hurricane for me. I assume that my drink was very refreshing, but since about 95% ended up on my stomach and lap, I will never know for sure. Euan knocked it over while reaching for something. Of course my dear Cousin had to remark on my drinking problem….. I just ordered another to prove that I could indeed hold my liquor. Dinner was good – we all had Jambalaya (very ricey portions – quite filling), Harry had pizza and Euan had plain buttered pasta and some chicken noodle soup --- Fortunately for Harry, and unfortunately for Euey, DS3 fell asleep on my lap just after burning his tongue on the soup, and just prior to the arrival of his dinner. Pogo and Patti had to excuse themselves at 9:15, as they had a special anniversary carriage ride arranged for half past.
We headed back to our room, taking turns carrying our very large sleeping child. We put Euan right to bed, and Brian and Harry went out to the Arcade to play for a while – and to bring me some yummy Nescafe. I stayed in the room to unpack our belongings and organize ourselves a bit. I wish I had have thought to send the camera along with Brian and Harry so that they could seek Pogo and Patti out and get some pictures for them. Ah well….hindsight is 20/20. It was a very full first day and we had to get up early to get over to MGM to ride RnR in the morning.
DH: Brian (39) – my partner in crime for 14 married years (on Apr 17) and numerous WDW adventures!
DS8: Harry – seasoned WDW veteran, lover of the shooting gallery and arcades – usually patient and accommodating older sibling.
DS3: Euan – knows his way around the parks – fan of Splash, Test Track, TTA and Spaceship Earth. “If he’s not running; he’s asleep!”
Day 1 – Friday April 20, 20007
We got up at our normal time and let the boys sleep in until about 7. All we had to do was pack the car up and leave to take the doggies to the Pet Nanny at 9:30. We left them and all their gear and were on our way just after 10 am. We were driving from just east of Toronto to Buffalo New York, via the Queenstown-Lewistown Bridge. Our airfare was about 1/3 of the cost because we were flying out of Buffalo, so we decided to give it a go. We hit a bit of traffic and crossed the border at about 12:30, and then we were parking our car at the Buffalo International Airport within the hour. A little shuttle bus picked us up to take us to the Terminal (after Euan “accidentally pushed” the emergency panic button on a pole). Brian had printed our boarding passes on Thursday, so all we had to do was check our bags in and feed the kiddies. There were no lines to speak of at the check in kiosk, nor were there any at Security. What a painless way to travel! We are so used to the constant queuing and waiting at Pearson – Give me a small airport any day!!! We killed some time in the Fisher Price Play Area, and then boarded the plane at about 2:30. We had a great flight – landing in Orlando a bit early at 5:11 – Unfortunately we had to wait over an hour for our bags to arrive on the luggage carrousel…… That was a lot of fun….especially with an active 3-year old who had just been restrained for the past 2 ½ hours. My shoulders are still aching!! Our luggage finally arrived, and we crossed over to the parking area to retrieve our rental car. Brian had joined the “preferred” club at Avis – so check in was a breeze – and we were on our way to the French Quarter by about 6:30. We were anxious to get there, as my Cousin Pogo and his bride were going to meet us for dinner at 7.
It was an easy ride over to the resort….Brian and I checked in whilst the boys got caught up with their Channel 96 shorts playing in the lobby…..We were assigned room 3101….Ground floor and non-smoking – so what we asked for – but it was also a corner room near the parking lot….Terrific! We popped out to the pool bar to let Pogo and Patti know that we had finally arrived then quickly went to our room to freshen up. We had a 7:40 reservation at Boatwright’s over at Riverside – and it was Pogo and Patti’s anniversary dinner – so we didn’t want to be late! It was a lovely stroll over to Riverside – Brian, Pogo and Harry were ahead of Patti, Euan and I – and talking with them was like talking to old friends. We feel like we have known them forever, although this was our first meeting!
I had advised Dining last month that it was a special anniversary dinner, and called the restaurant directly Friday morning to emphasize the fact – and then told the CM at check in that we were celebrating a very special anniversary with our friends…..but nothing came of it. Not a word….nobody seemed to mind (and good thing Mr. Romance (aka Pogo) had a surprise carriage ride pre-arranged for his bride! We ordered drinks – Riesling for Pogo and Patti, a beer for Brian and a Hurricane for me. I assume that my drink was very refreshing, but since about 95% ended up on my stomach and lap, I will never know for sure. Euan knocked it over while reaching for something. Of course my dear Cousin had to remark on my drinking problem….. I just ordered another to prove that I could indeed hold my liquor. Dinner was good – we all had Jambalaya (very ricey portions – quite filling), Harry had pizza and Euan had plain buttered pasta and some chicken noodle soup --- Fortunately for Harry, and unfortunately for Euey, DS3 fell asleep on my lap just after burning his tongue on the soup, and just prior to the arrival of his dinner. Pogo and Patti had to excuse themselves at 9:15, as they had a special anniversary carriage ride arranged for half past.
We headed back to our room, taking turns carrying our very large sleeping child. We put Euan right to bed, and Brian and Harry went out to the Arcade to play for a while – and to bring me some yummy Nescafe. I stayed in the room to unpack our belongings and organize ourselves a bit. I wish I had have thought to send the camera along with Brian and Harry so that they could seek Pogo and Patti out and get some pictures for them. Ah well….hindsight is 20/20. It was a very full first day and we had to get up early to get over to MGM to ride RnR in the morning.