biodtl
10-14-2008, 11:35 AM
The cast:
Me – 29 (OK, 40)
DH – 49
DS – 11
DD – 4
Day 1: Saturday, October 4th
The alarm went off at 2:30 am. I must be crazy! Who gets up at 2:30 am?? I know it will be worth it when I am in the parks and it is still morning, but until then? UGH!
We managed to leave the house between 3:45 and 4:00 and headed to the airport. It was a little cold and drizzling, so DH dropped us off out front and went to find a parking place. The check-in lines had just opened, so they were quite short. Security was a bit longer, but still basically painless. After a quick airport breakfast, we were off to the gate and soon were boarding the plane. We had A seats, so we didn’t bother to line up with the family boarding. I have to say – I like the new numbered seating plan. It keeps the crowding and pushing down quite a bit.
The flight was uneventful - other than DD wanting to use the airplane’s tiny bathroom - and we arrived right on time. When we landed, DD threw her arms in the air like she was on a coaster. We had to wait a little while for the Magical Express bus. At the time, it seemed like a billion hours and I felt like I was about to explode into a million little Mickey shaped pieces, but in retrospect, it wasn’t too bad. Once we were on the ME bus, we were giddy. DD wanted to sit right in front, so she could see “the show”, but DH and DS wanted to sit a little further back. No problem – we’ll see ya later.
It wasn’t long and we were at out resort. We tried POFQ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2940856305/in/set-72157608026085829/), and let me say, I LOVED IT!!! We have always done value resorts and for this trip wanted to upgrade. We originally booked WL, but the price of gas and everything else was going so high that we decided to downgrade to a moderate (which was still an upgrade). Our plan was to go back to values after this trip, but I don’t know if I can now. Don’t get me wrong – I know I would be perfectly happy in a value again, but I fell in love with POFQ. The resort is beautiful, and the small size was perfect. Everything was convenient. We were in building 6 and it was a short walk to the food, the lobby, the boat, the pool area (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941708458/in/set-72157608026085829/) and the bus stops. There was a building or two that would have been a shorter walk, but not by enough that it made much of a difference. I’m hooked!
Also – as a side note – I loved my stroller. I bought a Silver Cross micro specifically for this trip and it was awesome. It folds up like an umbrella and has a bag, so taking it on buses was so easy – way easier than the big lug we took last time! And yet it is big enough to have storage and hang things on the handles. And the handles are tall enough that you aren’t hunched over. I am so glad I got this stroller.
Anyway, even though we got there pretty early, our room was ready, which was awesome. I know I could have still checked in and left my carryon bags, but this is definitely easier. We went to drop off our stuff, then headed out to the food court for some breakfast (including beignets – yum). Then it was off to MK. When we got to the castle, the Dreams show (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941653228/in/set-72157608026085829/) was going on, so we stopped to check it out (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2940799479/in/set-72157608026085829/). Then, on DS’s request, we headed to Tomorrowland. The first thing we came to was Laugh Floor, so we decided to try it, since it was new to us and there was no line. We all loved it. Also – apparently I can burp the alphabet. This amused the kids to no end.
After that, we jumped on TTA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941654060/in/set-72157608026085829/), since we all love it, then headed to Space Mountain and grabbed a baby-swap. I took DD on Buzz (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2940801497/in/set-72157608026085829/) while DH and DS hit the mountain. As I was exiting the ride, I somehow bashed my knee and bruised and scraped a ton of skin off it. I am a certified klutz. Then DS and I went (limped) on SM again while DH and DD got ice cream. We did Buzz again and then walked the patch from Tomorrowland to Toontown. We saw the sights (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941654268/in/set-72157608026085829/) there, then headed to Fantasyland. While we were doing the rides there, we decided to cancel our ADR for the tea. We just felt too rushed and the kids were hungry. So we grabbed some fries to snack on and kept on going. We hit everything except PP and Dumbo. Then we headed to Liberty Square and walked right on to Haunted Mansion (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941654880/in/set-72157608026085829/). This would be the first of many, many rides on HM, since the kids love it so much (OK, we all do).
After wandering Liberty Square, we headed to Frontierland and stopped in Pecos Bill’s for a meal. We love being able to load up out burgers with toppings – so good! Next we headed to Adventureland. DD rode the carpets this time (she was afraid if the stuff that goes I the air last time) and loved it like we knew she would. We rode Jungle Cruise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941656146/in/set-72157608026085829/) and got the most boring guide, ever, but we still had fun. I got a pineapple float for us to share and I am craving another one just thinking about it. We headed out of the park around 6:00 or 6:30 since it was a MNSSHP night and headed to the hotel for a swim. The kids loved the pool and the slide (another thing that was new to DD), but I thought it was a bit chilly. The air was a little cooler that night, so the pool wasn’t quite as refreshing as it would have normally been. A dip in the hot tub took care of that, though. We headed back to the room for some pizza delivery and pretty soon, we all were asleep on our feet and headed to bed. It was a pretty great start to our trip.
Me – 29 (OK, 40)
DH – 49
DS – 11
DD – 4
Day 1: Saturday, October 4th
The alarm went off at 2:30 am. I must be crazy! Who gets up at 2:30 am?? I know it will be worth it when I am in the parks and it is still morning, but until then? UGH!
We managed to leave the house between 3:45 and 4:00 and headed to the airport. It was a little cold and drizzling, so DH dropped us off out front and went to find a parking place. The check-in lines had just opened, so they were quite short. Security was a bit longer, but still basically painless. After a quick airport breakfast, we were off to the gate and soon were boarding the plane. We had A seats, so we didn’t bother to line up with the family boarding. I have to say – I like the new numbered seating plan. It keeps the crowding and pushing down quite a bit.
The flight was uneventful - other than DD wanting to use the airplane’s tiny bathroom - and we arrived right on time. When we landed, DD threw her arms in the air like she was on a coaster. We had to wait a little while for the Magical Express bus. At the time, it seemed like a billion hours and I felt like I was about to explode into a million little Mickey shaped pieces, but in retrospect, it wasn’t too bad. Once we were on the ME bus, we were giddy. DD wanted to sit right in front, so she could see “the show”, but DH and DS wanted to sit a little further back. No problem – we’ll see ya later.
It wasn’t long and we were at out resort. We tried POFQ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2940856305/in/set-72157608026085829/), and let me say, I LOVED IT!!! We have always done value resorts and for this trip wanted to upgrade. We originally booked WL, but the price of gas and everything else was going so high that we decided to downgrade to a moderate (which was still an upgrade). Our plan was to go back to values after this trip, but I don’t know if I can now. Don’t get me wrong – I know I would be perfectly happy in a value again, but I fell in love with POFQ. The resort is beautiful, and the small size was perfect. Everything was convenient. We were in building 6 and it was a short walk to the food, the lobby, the boat, the pool area (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941708458/in/set-72157608026085829/) and the bus stops. There was a building or two that would have been a shorter walk, but not by enough that it made much of a difference. I’m hooked!
Also – as a side note – I loved my stroller. I bought a Silver Cross micro specifically for this trip and it was awesome. It folds up like an umbrella and has a bag, so taking it on buses was so easy – way easier than the big lug we took last time! And yet it is big enough to have storage and hang things on the handles. And the handles are tall enough that you aren’t hunched over. I am so glad I got this stroller.
Anyway, even though we got there pretty early, our room was ready, which was awesome. I know I could have still checked in and left my carryon bags, but this is definitely easier. We went to drop off our stuff, then headed out to the food court for some breakfast (including beignets – yum). Then it was off to MK. When we got to the castle, the Dreams show (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941653228/in/set-72157608026085829/) was going on, so we stopped to check it out (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2940799479/in/set-72157608026085829/). Then, on DS’s request, we headed to Tomorrowland. The first thing we came to was Laugh Floor, so we decided to try it, since it was new to us and there was no line. We all loved it. Also – apparently I can burp the alphabet. This amused the kids to no end.
After that, we jumped on TTA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941654060/in/set-72157608026085829/), since we all love it, then headed to Space Mountain and grabbed a baby-swap. I took DD on Buzz (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2940801497/in/set-72157608026085829/) while DH and DS hit the mountain. As I was exiting the ride, I somehow bashed my knee and bruised and scraped a ton of skin off it. I am a certified klutz. Then DS and I went (limped) on SM again while DH and DD got ice cream. We did Buzz again and then walked the patch from Tomorrowland to Toontown. We saw the sights (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941654268/in/set-72157608026085829/) there, then headed to Fantasyland. While we were doing the rides there, we decided to cancel our ADR for the tea. We just felt too rushed and the kids were hungry. So we grabbed some fries to snack on and kept on going. We hit everything except PP and Dumbo. Then we headed to Liberty Square and walked right on to Haunted Mansion (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941654880/in/set-72157608026085829/). This would be the first of many, many rides on HM, since the kids love it so much (OK, we all do).
After wandering Liberty Square, we headed to Frontierland and stopped in Pecos Bill’s for a meal. We love being able to load up out burgers with toppings – so good! Next we headed to Adventureland. DD rode the carpets this time (she was afraid if the stuff that goes I the air last time) and loved it like we knew she would. We rode Jungle Cruise (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66821939@N00/2941656146/in/set-72157608026085829/) and got the most boring guide, ever, but we still had fun. I got a pineapple float for us to share and I am craving another one just thinking about it. We headed out of the park around 6:00 or 6:30 since it was a MNSSHP night and headed to the hotel for a swim. The kids loved the pool and the slide (another thing that was new to DD), but I thought it was a bit chilly. The air was a little cooler that night, so the pool wasn’t quite as refreshing as it would have normally been. A dip in the hot tub took care of that, though. We headed back to the room for some pizza delivery and pretty soon, we all were asleep on our feet and headed to bed. It was a pretty great start to our trip.