kakn7294
08-23-2007, 11:26 AM
Arrival Day - Magic Kingdom
Cast - me 38, DH Phil also 38, DD Stephanie 12 and DD Megan 7
We were up before dawn to catch a 7:45a flight on SW. We left home about 15 min later that we had planned but there was no traffic so we arrived at the airport only about 5 min later than we expect to had we left home on time. The girls and I curb-checked our luggage while Phil parked the Jeep then we headed inside to meet him. Good timing - he was just coming into the building at the same time we reached the security checkpoint. There was a really long line for security - however, an employee of the airport separated the line at the family just before us and sent us to an alternate checkpoint and a much shorter wait. After a quick breakfast at McDonalds, we headed on to the gate about 7:15a. There we met DisneyorBust Eric - he was on duty and we got a few strange looks from nervous folks at the gate who I'm sure were wondering why a uniformed police officer was hanging around the gate! He's a really great guy BTW! After an uneventful flight that landed right on time, we visited the Disney store in the airport where we met a great CM who used to live in Pittsburgh. We talked with him for quite some time then headed to the DME desk - there was a fairly long line but it moved quickly and we were on the bus in about 30 min. We stopped at OKW and Saratoga before our resort. Check-in was a breeze but our room wasn't ready so we checked our carry-ons with Luggage Storage and headed off to MK. Lunch was our usual at Pecos Bills - so much for my plan to try some different places from the ones we always go to. A big problem developed here as our dining plan didn't work but it was quickly dealt with - a manager called the resort and confirmed we were to be on the DDP and told us to have it fixed when we returned to the resort that night. We spent much of the day in Adventureland. Part way through the afternoon, I really wasn't feeling well. I was overheated and probably dehydrated so I grabbed a drink - a raspberry lemonade slushie - and we headed to a few inside attractions so I could cool off a bit. I felt better after the Tiki Room and POTC. We then headed out to hit at least one attraction in each land. Megan participated in Woody's Cowboy Camp - it's a cute little show. Megan also rode Space Mtn for the first time - she was terrified beforehand but loved it once it was over. It's now her new favorite attraction. This was P&P party day but not for us. About 6:30p, they started making announcements about MK closing at 7p for the party and that you could purchase tickets at City Hall. CM's began lining the streets directing non-party-goers to the exit to the right of the train station. We poked our way along MS through the gift shops. Just about 7p, it started to rain - hard. We waited it out in the Emporium until about 7:30p when it let up and we headed back to the resort. We had to fix that dining plan problem so back to the registration desk where we were issued new room cards. We headed off to find our room in building 4, first floor. After wandering off in the wrong direction, we finally found it - a great corner location just a short distance from last year's room. This one had a nicer courtyard view rather than a parking lot view (not that we spend enough time there to care what the view is!). A call to bell services had our carry-ons delivered quickly and we were into bed by 10p, tired from being up early (I'm not a morning person) and a hot day at the park. The alarm was set for 7a for a day at AK.
Cast - me 38, DH Phil also 38, DD Stephanie 12 and DD Megan 7
We were up before dawn to catch a 7:45a flight on SW. We left home about 15 min later that we had planned but there was no traffic so we arrived at the airport only about 5 min later than we expect to had we left home on time. The girls and I curb-checked our luggage while Phil parked the Jeep then we headed inside to meet him. Good timing - he was just coming into the building at the same time we reached the security checkpoint. There was a really long line for security - however, an employee of the airport separated the line at the family just before us and sent us to an alternate checkpoint and a much shorter wait. After a quick breakfast at McDonalds, we headed on to the gate about 7:15a. There we met DisneyorBust Eric - he was on duty and we got a few strange looks from nervous folks at the gate who I'm sure were wondering why a uniformed police officer was hanging around the gate! He's a really great guy BTW! After an uneventful flight that landed right on time, we visited the Disney store in the airport where we met a great CM who used to live in Pittsburgh. We talked with him for quite some time then headed to the DME desk - there was a fairly long line but it moved quickly and we were on the bus in about 30 min. We stopped at OKW and Saratoga before our resort. Check-in was a breeze but our room wasn't ready so we checked our carry-ons with Luggage Storage and headed off to MK. Lunch was our usual at Pecos Bills - so much for my plan to try some different places from the ones we always go to. A big problem developed here as our dining plan didn't work but it was quickly dealt with - a manager called the resort and confirmed we were to be on the DDP and told us to have it fixed when we returned to the resort that night. We spent much of the day in Adventureland. Part way through the afternoon, I really wasn't feeling well. I was overheated and probably dehydrated so I grabbed a drink - a raspberry lemonade slushie - and we headed to a few inside attractions so I could cool off a bit. I felt better after the Tiki Room and POTC. We then headed out to hit at least one attraction in each land. Megan participated in Woody's Cowboy Camp - it's a cute little show. Megan also rode Space Mtn for the first time - she was terrified beforehand but loved it once it was over. It's now her new favorite attraction. This was P&P party day but not for us. About 6:30p, they started making announcements about MK closing at 7p for the party and that you could purchase tickets at City Hall. CM's began lining the streets directing non-party-goers to the exit to the right of the train station. We poked our way along MS through the gift shops. Just about 7p, it started to rain - hard. We waited it out in the Emporium until about 7:30p when it let up and we headed back to the resort. We had to fix that dining plan problem so back to the registration desk where we were issued new room cards. We headed off to find our room in building 4, first floor. After wandering off in the wrong direction, we finally found it - a great corner location just a short distance from last year's room. This one had a nicer courtyard view rather than a parking lot view (not that we spend enough time there to care what the view is!). A call to bell services had our carry-ons delivered quickly and we were into bed by 10p, tired from being up early (I'm not a morning person) and a hot day at the park. The alarm was set for 7a for a day at AK.