Tammy's Trip Report - 2001

The players: Gene, age 41, loves WDW and everything associated with it Tammy, age 39, the chief planner and somewhat Commando Samantha, age 12, has new found love for WDW after listening to her friends who have only been once or twice Nick, age 9 - soon to be 10, just happy not to be at home, would be happier if missing school

Today was the day! Apparently DH was so excited he couldn't sleep all night - he's up at 1:30 a.m. - comes into play later.

Limo arrives at 4:45 a.m. Parking at O'Hare is ridiculous for the amount of time we're staying so a limo makes more sense. Limo ride uneventful. In fact, flight and arrival also uneventful. My worries about Barry wreaking havoc with the plane goes unfounded.

Tiffany Town Car driver (didn't catch his name) waiting for us at Baggage Claim A with our sign. Wait a short time for luggage and we're off! This is the first TTC driver we've had who is not chatty - didn't say a word - but we were so busy chattering we didn't notice. I love going towards WDW and seeing all the billboards - you know you've arrived!

Arrive at Beach Club (thanks for the codes!) and wait to see if our room request will be honored. Requested one of the first floor corner rooms by Sandcastle Club - no view but nice patio and VERY close to Epcot which is our strategy at this resort. Nope, none of those available. In fact, we're full so how about one facing the construction? OK, still close to Epcot and, again, don't care about the view, but you know, this IS our favorite resort. Oh, wait a minute, here's a very nice room with a view of the Boardwalk - would you like that, as a complimentary upgrade? YES!

The room is standard fare (read - nice) with a gorgeous view and literally 100 steps to Epcot! Room 1507 for those of you who are interested. Jennifer is the CM who made this happen.

Now we need tickets. We've already decided to go for the AP's since I scored vouchers from American on a recent trip (bumped - highly recommend it) and we'll come back in the Spring. After asking at Guest Services, found out we can buy them at the back door of Epcot. Deposit our stuff - didn't totally unpack as we are hopping this trip and will only be here 2 nights - and head to Epcot.

Successfully purchase our AP's and enter Epcot - Sam & Nick are jumping up and down now. We have certain traditions in World Showcase such as DH pulling out his French impression of the Man From France, and other weird things. We cut through Canada - boo hoo - no Off Kilter this week - maybe next week.

Checked out hockey stuff in Canada - its DS's sport. We're all starving at this point and want fast, cheap food so off to Electric Umbrella. Normally we would do Pasta Piazza but alas, no more. Kids got kid's meals and DH and I get sandwiches with fries - total cost $24.00.

Hit Spaceship Earth, JIA, HISTA and wandered through some shops. Not much of a wait on anything - we didn't do Test Track as it had a 55 minute wait and FP's were already for 7:00 p.m. I do have a tip to share re: HISTA. If you own Eastman Kodak stock (even a share) you are entitled to visit the VIP lounge above HISTA. There is a back entrance and Wendy will greet you. Complimentary pop and water is available and there are several artifacts to look at. Then, when its time, you are escorted into the pre-show - no lines!

We are now running on empty so we check out Food Rocks (a fave of Nick's) and head out. Checked out the Spaceship Earth & Contemporary that go with the Monorail and decide we must have them - later. Take a Friendship to Germany and stop in Japan for a Kaki-Gori (a must-do for Sam). Alas, no Candy Lady this week either - bummer!

Headed back to the BC - DH now must take a nap. Our NetGrocer order has been delivered. This is an incredible amount of snacks for $48.00!! We dive into it and head for Stormalong Bay. We will not do water parks this trip as we're staying at BC, Swan and Poly which all have great pools. We are in the water 10 minutes and have rented tubes ($3/each) when the lifeguards call us out - lightening & rain coming. I quickly get my money cheerfully refunded and we spend about 20 minutes in the arcade. Right now we're back in the room letting Dad nap and deciding what to do. Looking like ESPN Club for dinner and an early night - we've been up 12 1/2 hours.

BTW, the fountain at Epcot is down for some much-needed repairs. I really missed seeing it but we did find the talking water fountain and garbage can and got our Jammitor fix.

Tomorrow, the Magic Kingdom and Tony's for our traditional first full day breakfast!

PS - The weather was great today!

Tuesday, August 7, 01

To finish yesterday's report - we did go to ESPN for dinner. Poured the whole walk over but we were bananas so we survived. We were seated right away - albeit by the kitchen but we were moved after requesting it. DH had roast beef sandwich, I had chili, DD had chicken fingers and DS had grilled cheese. I also had a glass of wine, DH had a Corona, kids had smoothies - total $48.00.

We then had to get something from Seashore Sweets - DS had an almond turtle, DD and I got the chocolate Mickey head pretzels - yum! A brief visit to the arcade (DS in love with the boxing game) and in bed by 10 p.m. Tomorrow's a fairly early day. I will comment that this room is fairly noisy with people returning from Illuminations but all was quiet by 10:15.

We left a wakeup call for 6:39 a.m. - weird time so we get Mickey and not a stranger!

We have 8:30 a.m. PS's for Tony's - another tradition for our first full day - and we are all ready and at the new bus stop by 7:45 a.m. The new bus stop is due to the construction at the BC of the villas. It is now to your left and through a walkway. 15 minute wait and we're on our way!

We are the first seating at breakfast. We killed some time beforehand looking up and down Main Street and noted the lack of crowds. Our breakfast was perfect. DH had the breakfast frittata and DS and I split one, DD had the Lady & Tramp waffle, we also had a bowl of strawberries, a side of sausage, and the complimentary cinnamon buns. Total bill: $38.00 plus tip. Our server, Gregory, was one of the best we've had - even offered me a cup of coffee to go!

The rest of the morning went great - Pooh, Peter Pan, HM, Jungle Cruise, Alladin's Carpets all within 90 minutes - pretty good! We pulled a FP for SM and took in Country Bears. Our FP was for 11:45 a.m. and we showed up at 11:40 - no problem.

After this, we browsed through some shops but really wanted to get in some pool time at BC as this is our last full day. DS wanted to take the monorail over to Epcot and walk though - picked up a birthday button for him on the way out.

No wait at monorail and he and Dad get to ride in the front - fun! We arrive at Epcot and go straight through. Pick up lunch snacks on the way - fruit and ice cream for DS and DD and sushi at Yakitori house for Mom. We changed, hung at the pool, DD got a beach wrap, Mom got sunburned (did I mention it was a gorgeous day?) and we called it an afternoon. After a brief rest and change, we headed to Le Cellier for dinner - DH was in the mood for a steak.

This was less smooth as we had quite a wait (no PS), however, they were doing their best. We also had a long wait for drinks and food but we tried to relax. DD had shrimp appetizer & mashed potatoes (I know!), DS had a Ceasar Chicken Salad which they made special for him, DH had the Filet and I had the Salmon. We split a bowl of cheddar cheese soup - great! - total bill with drinks - $100.00 - ouch!!! Oh well, we're on vacation!

DH and DS went back to BC and called it a night. DD and I took in ToN parade and Illuminations. Had a pretty good view from Morocco, kind of behind the shop on the wall of the lake.

Anyway, that's Day Two - tomorrow - MGM, Fantasmic and Swan/Dolphin!!!

Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6