brewcrew26
04-25-2008, 01:02 PM
You can read my pre-trip report here http://www.intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=129594
Cast:
Me, 27 (going on 8), veteran with at least 20 trips (I've lost count). Last trip Aug. '01. My goal is to find as many Lumpy heffalumps as possible.
DH (Brett), 25 (going on 40), only been twice, never stayed on-site or eaten at a TS restaurant. Last trip 1998. DH's goal not to lose DW in any theme park.
Day 1 – Arrival Day
I was having one of those “I’m-too-excited-to-sleep” months (yes, not just a night, a month) waiting for our trip to the World. My last trip was in 2001 so needless to say I was due for a fix even after going to Disneyland in ’05.
Surprisingly, I was able to sleep the night before our flight. I guess my excitement just wore me out. But, our flight was at 7:30 that morning. There had been a lot of problems with our airline (Midwest) earlier in the week doing checks of their MD-80 planes. So, many flights to the Orlando area were canceled. There had also been some heavy fog that canceled flights leaving a lot of people scrambling to get out of Milwaukee early on a Saturday morning.
Thank goodness my Dad instilled a “get-to-the-airport-three-hours-early” rule in me because I have never seen so many people at Milwaukee’s airport before. It took us a half hour to check-in plus another 45 minutes with the TSA. We barely had enough time to get breakfast (there’s a Cinnabon at our airport so it’s a kind of treat when I fly) and say goodbye to my brother and Dad.
The flight made it off the ground on-time (without some passengers who had yet to make it through security). DH hates flying so he gets really tense and anxious. But finally the 2.5 hour flight was over and we made it to sunny Orlando.
I just love being greeted by an airport tram that has the smell of wet athletic sock and a dirty diaper, but at least I was somewhere 40 degrees warmer, right? Plus, we’re on our honeymoon. Even better!
This was our first time using Disney’s Magical Express. In retrospect, DH and I probably won’t fly on a Saturday again since it seems like the busiest time. But, we didn’t actually wait long at all to get on a motor coach to Caribbean Beach Resort. We got lucky and were put in the line that was the next to get out of the airport.
So, we made it to CBR around noon. There was quite a line of people out the door of the Custom House (the registration building at the resort). There were also a lot of people waiting to catch a DME back to the airport. My only gripe with registration is that they didn’t seem to have a lot of people working – only four with a line of people going out a door. It took us at least 45 minutes to an hour before we were all checked in. Our room wasn’t ready, but the Cast Member gave us a number to call at 3 p.m. to find our room number in Trinidad North.
So, we took the Internal Bus on over to Old Port Royale (the main hub with the food court, shopping, arcade, concierge) to get our refillable mugs and relax for a bit. I’ve never gotten a refillable mug before, but I’m so glad I did! It’s one of the best buys in the all of the world. I don’t think I drink more lemonade than I do when I’m in the World. It was great because DH is an early riser. He would head to OPR while I was still asleep or in the shower, get me some lemonade, and it was just a great start of each day.
Once our room was ready, we called Bell Services. They had all of our bags, even the one’s from DME. So, we were able to freshen up before dinner that night. (But, still remember to pack a carry-on, folks!)
We had dinner ressies that night at Boma (feel free to read my post on that over in the Dining Section). I was very surprised. I went in not knowing a whole lot about African cuisine and came out loving many of the new and bold flavors.
I was also very impressed by the grandeur of Animal Kingdom Lodge. With its large picture window overlooking the savannah, artifacts from African tribes, and knowledgeable cast members, DH and I would definitely think about staying here on a future trip. We have some amazing pictures of the Watusis and the zebras in the savannah. Plus, there’s cozy seating around a fireplace where you can hear native storytelling. There’s even a certain aroma to the building that whisks you across an ocean to a different continent.
After dinner, we decided to head to the Boardwalk. We wanted to enjoy some dueling pianos at Jellyrolls, but apparently they were closed for a private party that evening. So, we just strolled along the area peeking into shops. We loved the Wyland gallery even though we can’t afford anything right now. I was a little disappointed with the arcade at ESPN Club. I remembered something bigger, but it was packed with screaming kids and even louder adults trying to restrain the kids.
So, after that we were beat and decided to call it an early evening at head back to the resort. Since it was still warm, we went for a swim in the quiet pool of Trinidad North. It felt so nice since it was heated. There were a few families enjoying a night swim, but most were still in the parks. That would be us tomorrow since it was a first full day in the theme parks and, of course, we’re headed to the Magic Kingdom!
Cast:
Me, 27 (going on 8), veteran with at least 20 trips (I've lost count). Last trip Aug. '01. My goal is to find as many Lumpy heffalumps as possible.
DH (Brett), 25 (going on 40), only been twice, never stayed on-site or eaten at a TS restaurant. Last trip 1998. DH's goal not to lose DW in any theme park.
Day 1 – Arrival Day
I was having one of those “I’m-too-excited-to-sleep” months (yes, not just a night, a month) waiting for our trip to the World. My last trip was in 2001 so needless to say I was due for a fix even after going to Disneyland in ’05.
Surprisingly, I was able to sleep the night before our flight. I guess my excitement just wore me out. But, our flight was at 7:30 that morning. There had been a lot of problems with our airline (Midwest) earlier in the week doing checks of their MD-80 planes. So, many flights to the Orlando area were canceled. There had also been some heavy fog that canceled flights leaving a lot of people scrambling to get out of Milwaukee early on a Saturday morning.
Thank goodness my Dad instilled a “get-to-the-airport-three-hours-early” rule in me because I have never seen so many people at Milwaukee’s airport before. It took us a half hour to check-in plus another 45 minutes with the TSA. We barely had enough time to get breakfast (there’s a Cinnabon at our airport so it’s a kind of treat when I fly) and say goodbye to my brother and Dad.
The flight made it off the ground on-time (without some passengers who had yet to make it through security). DH hates flying so he gets really tense and anxious. But finally the 2.5 hour flight was over and we made it to sunny Orlando.
I just love being greeted by an airport tram that has the smell of wet athletic sock and a dirty diaper, but at least I was somewhere 40 degrees warmer, right? Plus, we’re on our honeymoon. Even better!
This was our first time using Disney’s Magical Express. In retrospect, DH and I probably won’t fly on a Saturday again since it seems like the busiest time. But, we didn’t actually wait long at all to get on a motor coach to Caribbean Beach Resort. We got lucky and were put in the line that was the next to get out of the airport.
So, we made it to CBR around noon. There was quite a line of people out the door of the Custom House (the registration building at the resort). There were also a lot of people waiting to catch a DME back to the airport. My only gripe with registration is that they didn’t seem to have a lot of people working – only four with a line of people going out a door. It took us at least 45 minutes to an hour before we were all checked in. Our room wasn’t ready, but the Cast Member gave us a number to call at 3 p.m. to find our room number in Trinidad North.
So, we took the Internal Bus on over to Old Port Royale (the main hub with the food court, shopping, arcade, concierge) to get our refillable mugs and relax for a bit. I’ve never gotten a refillable mug before, but I’m so glad I did! It’s one of the best buys in the all of the world. I don’t think I drink more lemonade than I do when I’m in the World. It was great because DH is an early riser. He would head to OPR while I was still asleep or in the shower, get me some lemonade, and it was just a great start of each day.
Once our room was ready, we called Bell Services. They had all of our bags, even the one’s from DME. So, we were able to freshen up before dinner that night. (But, still remember to pack a carry-on, folks!)
We had dinner ressies that night at Boma (feel free to read my post on that over in the Dining Section). I was very surprised. I went in not knowing a whole lot about African cuisine and came out loving many of the new and bold flavors.
I was also very impressed by the grandeur of Animal Kingdom Lodge. With its large picture window overlooking the savannah, artifacts from African tribes, and knowledgeable cast members, DH and I would definitely think about staying here on a future trip. We have some amazing pictures of the Watusis and the zebras in the savannah. Plus, there’s cozy seating around a fireplace where you can hear native storytelling. There’s even a certain aroma to the building that whisks you across an ocean to a different continent.
After dinner, we decided to head to the Boardwalk. We wanted to enjoy some dueling pianos at Jellyrolls, but apparently they were closed for a private party that evening. So, we just strolled along the area peeking into shops. We loved the Wyland gallery even though we can’t afford anything right now. I was a little disappointed with the arcade at ESPN Club. I remembered something bigger, but it was packed with screaming kids and even louder adults trying to restrain the kids.
So, after that we were beat and decided to call it an early evening at head back to the resort. Since it was still warm, we went for a swim in the quiet pool of Trinidad North. It felt so nice since it was heated. There were a few families enjoying a night swim, but most were still in the parks. That would be us tomorrow since it was a first full day in the theme parks and, of course, we’re headed to the Magic Kingdom!