kakn7294
08-21-2008, 11:58 AM
Cast:
Me, DH - Phil, DD13 - Stephanie (also an Intercotee - Pixiepower330), and DD8 - Megan
Extras:
dolphinmickey9170 and family - Kristen, Ben, Katy, and Keara
CaptainJessicaSparrow - Jessica
Travel Day - What a busy day! Stephanie had band camp from 8a - 4p, I had to pack the dog off to my sister's house, we did laundry and finished packing, and I had to call in sick since they scheduled me to work 7p - 7a (I don't feel guilty about that at all!). But it all worked out and according to plan, we left home at 6:55pm, ready for the loooong drive from our house to WDW. After a brief stop at the local gas station for a fill-up, we were on our way! The drive was pretty uneventful - we saw a lot of deer through West Virginia but fortunately, they were all the off-road version. The girls slept off and on and Phil did most of the driving although I spelled him for a stretch in the middle of the night so he could get some sleep as well. We ate breakfast at a McDonald's in South Carolina (I think - it could have been Georgia) then hit the road again, now only a few hours from our destination! We arrived in the Orlando area amazed by what time it is - only 11:30a which is 2 1/2 hrs earlier than we expected. We still don't know how we did it because neither one of us drive more than 5 MPH over the speed limit. We needed to make a stop at WalMart before arriving, picking up a few grocery items and some diapers for Keara. After that, we decide to stop for some lunch and opted for the McDonald's on property, foolishly thinking it would be cheaper than lunch at Pepper Market at CSR - WRONG! It started to rain just as we pulled into McDonald's, but typical of a Florida rain, it only lasted a half hour then was done. We finished lunch then headed off to check-in, hoping our room was ready and that we could check-in with just an AP voucher and not the real thing. What luck, the CM accepted the voucher and there was a room ready but not in our requested location of Casitas - this one was in Ranchos 7B. We took it because we were all tired and wanted to nap and the CM checking us in said she didn't think there would be any rooms in Casitas available that day. We took a quick look around the resort, wandering past the gift shop, Pepper Market food court, Maya Grill, out around the lake (http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/43122/2947484970102032678S600x600Q85.jpg), and over to find the location of the health club which Phil intends to use. Along the way, we saw a very pretty fountain in the Casitas section (http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/33565/2129979650102032678S600x600Q85.jpg) and plenty of fish and turtles (http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/40729/2830413950102032678S600x600Q85.jpg) in the lake. We found the health club then headed back to our Jeep, drove to our room site, dragged all of our stuff to the room, and crashed for a while. After a 2 1/2 hr nap, we all showered and changed and headed off to MK to activate those APs and get the magic started!
We caught the bus to MK, headed over to Guest Services where we activated those APs easily enough but forgot to buy the DDE card. Once inside the gates and after stopping to enjoy the view (http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/43430/2134571560102032678S600x600Q85.jpg), we headed to Guest Services inside City Hall and I was able to purchase the card. Megan wanted to ride Space so we headed to Tomorrowland and grabbed FP since it was an hour wait. While there, we rode the TTA (http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/43312/2537553820102032678S600x600Q85.jpg)and discovered that Space was shutdown and the lights were on (http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/41967/2296453820102032678S600x600Q85.jpg) - first time we've ever seen it this way! It's kinda creepy. We were able to get quite a few attractions done before time for our FP, including the new HM - we love the changes! That bride is totally awesome! We also watched SpectroMagic (http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/13430/2070131040102032678S600x600Q85.jpg), our favorite of all the parades, fireworks, and night-time shows. On the way back to Space, Megan complained her tummy hurt then proceeded to throw up right between the Carrousel and Pinocchio's. Phil went to find someone to clean it up but after standing there for 20 min, no one came so we left. I apologize if anyone stepped in it, but we did try to get someone to clean it up! We decided at this point that we'd had enough and it was time to head back and go to sleep. Hopefully everyone will be rested and feeling better in the morning! We're also looking forward to the arrival of Kristen's family.
Me, DH - Phil, DD13 - Stephanie (also an Intercotee - Pixiepower330), and DD8 - Megan
Extras:
dolphinmickey9170 and family - Kristen, Ben, Katy, and Keara
CaptainJessicaSparrow - Jessica
Travel Day - What a busy day! Stephanie had band camp from 8a - 4p, I had to pack the dog off to my sister's house, we did laundry and finished packing, and I had to call in sick since they scheduled me to work 7p - 7a (I don't feel guilty about that at all!). But it all worked out and according to plan, we left home at 6:55pm, ready for the loooong drive from our house to WDW. After a brief stop at the local gas station for a fill-up, we were on our way! The drive was pretty uneventful - we saw a lot of deer through West Virginia but fortunately, they were all the off-road version. The girls slept off and on and Phil did most of the driving although I spelled him for a stretch in the middle of the night so he could get some sleep as well. We ate breakfast at a McDonald's in South Carolina (I think - it could have been Georgia) then hit the road again, now only a few hours from our destination! We arrived in the Orlando area amazed by what time it is - only 11:30a which is 2 1/2 hrs earlier than we expected. We still don't know how we did it because neither one of us drive more than 5 MPH over the speed limit. We needed to make a stop at WalMart before arriving, picking up a few grocery items and some diapers for Keara. After that, we decide to stop for some lunch and opted for the McDonald's on property, foolishly thinking it would be cheaper than lunch at Pepper Market at CSR - WRONG! It started to rain just as we pulled into McDonald's, but typical of a Florida rain, it only lasted a half hour then was done. We finished lunch then headed off to check-in, hoping our room was ready and that we could check-in with just an AP voucher and not the real thing. What luck, the CM accepted the voucher and there was a room ready but not in our requested location of Casitas - this one was in Ranchos 7B. We took it because we were all tired and wanted to nap and the CM checking us in said she didn't think there would be any rooms in Casitas available that day. We took a quick look around the resort, wandering past the gift shop, Pepper Market food court, Maya Grill, out around the lake (http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/43122/2947484970102032678S600x600Q85.jpg), and over to find the location of the health club which Phil intends to use. Along the way, we saw a very pretty fountain in the Casitas section (http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/33565/2129979650102032678S600x600Q85.jpg) and plenty of fish and turtles (http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/40729/2830413950102032678S600x600Q85.jpg) in the lake. We found the health club then headed back to our Jeep, drove to our room site, dragged all of our stuff to the room, and crashed for a while. After a 2 1/2 hr nap, we all showered and changed and headed off to MK to activate those APs and get the magic started!
We caught the bus to MK, headed over to Guest Services where we activated those APs easily enough but forgot to buy the DDE card. Once inside the gates and after stopping to enjoy the view (http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/43430/2134571560102032678S600x600Q85.jpg), we headed to Guest Services inside City Hall and I was able to purchase the card. Megan wanted to ride Space so we headed to Tomorrowland and grabbed FP since it was an hour wait. While there, we rode the TTA (http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/43312/2537553820102032678S600x600Q85.jpg)and discovered that Space was shutdown and the lights were on (http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/41967/2296453820102032678S600x600Q85.jpg) - first time we've ever seen it this way! It's kinda creepy. We were able to get quite a few attractions done before time for our FP, including the new HM - we love the changes! That bride is totally awesome! We also watched SpectroMagic (http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/13430/2070131040102032678S600x600Q85.jpg), our favorite of all the parades, fireworks, and night-time shows. On the way back to Space, Megan complained her tummy hurt then proceeded to throw up right between the Carrousel and Pinocchio's. Phil went to find someone to clean it up but after standing there for 20 min, no one came so we left. I apologize if anyone stepped in it, but we did try to get someone to clean it up! We decided at this point that we'd had enough and it was time to head back and go to sleep. Hopefully everyone will be rested and feeling better in the morning! We're also looking forward to the arrival of Kristen's family.