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Cast myself, DH, DS-15 & DD-8
Dates: Nov. 21-26
This was our first trip to the World and really appreciate all the tips I found on this site!
Flight was pretty good except when we left our local airport they pulled DS over because he set off the machine-guess it was his
converse sneakers with all those eyelets! He was a tad embarassed but got over it. We used Tiffany from Orlando Airport-used $8.00 MFL
discount when reservation made. Our driver was Ines. She was very nice and on top of everything. We stopped at Kash & Karry on the way
in. The employees there were very helpful. I couldn't find the styrofoam coolers and asked the first employee I found and she led me right to them(they are on top of the freezers-no way you could spot them). We bought milk, the cooler, some cookies, box of cereal and 24 bottles of water. I had filled a suitcase with other stuff like nutri grain bites, poptarts, small cans of fruit, applesause, and lots of
cheese and crackers and peanut butter and crackers. The check out girl was really nice, asked if I had a discount card-course I didn't
and used one she had there. We had an envelope already for the car service with $72, (fee was $80 to CR when I booked and even confirmed the amount the day before we left) but upon arriving at the resort the driver said the fee was $77. Felt slightly taken advantage of, but I figured heck what's another $5 when we're spending mega bucks.
We stayed at the CR using SoG in North Garden Wing. Started out in room #7367 decided it was in no man's land. I went back to the desk
and requested a different room. I had called SoG a few days before arrival to request a first floor room close to the main building--
guess that didn't work! Anyway was given room #7305 which was a short distance to the elevator and could go through the back entrance to the food court. I thought the rooms were quite nice, very bright in a
cheerful way, but a nice size. The beds were very comfy and the daybed perfect for DD. If we walked a few feet down the hall, we had
a perfect view of the fireworks over the castle from a window there. I had read several comments about the lack of Disney theme at this
resort, but I didn't mind. There were little evidences of Mickey here and there which was plenty I thought considering everywhere you go
you see plenty! We bought the refillable mugs-definetly a savings the way my DS can gulp it down. I made a big mistake though because I
forgot to but juice on my grocery stop. The small bottles were $1.80 each including tax. By the time we left, I probably could have bought
an orange tree! The first night we had a PS at the 1900 Park Faire in the GF. What a great place. The lobby tree was awesome and the other decorations
were beautiful. Had to wait about 10 min. for our table. The food was very good especially the 5 cheese lasagna. The characters circled a
few times except Piglet who was out in the back waiting area coloring (found him on the way out). After dinner we went to Downtown Disney
and poked around the shops awhile. We got DD a guest of honor pin in the Christmas Store, had to get it engraved-2 minute wait and picked up a few souvies. Then we went to Toy Story. I was a little
disappointed because I had DD all pumped up about the Mr. Potato Head. I thought I read it was $12 but wrong--was $16.99-oh, well,
pretty well stuffed the box and got some great Mickey accessories. Really cute. Checked out the Lego displays, what a neat thing and
just roamed around. Left around 10pm in hopes of getting a early start on day 1 at Epcot. More Later!
Day Two
We decided to go to Epcot(Friday) because of EE. Of course we didn't get out of the resort as early as I had planned. We ate breakfast in
the room. When DH went to use the shower, it didn't work. I was a little beside myself since I had insisted on changing rooms. I called
maintenance and they were there in about a half hour and installed a new faucet. The crowds were very sparse and there was hardly any
waiting for anything. We started out at innovations and worked our way around. The kids really enjoyed all the "hands on activities". We
did the Land and Living Seas-they were okay, but not too exciting for DD. Around 1pm we decided to go find Beaches and Cream since I had purchased 3 adult Connections Vouchers. It took us a while to find it since we went left instead of right when we exited through the
International Gateway. DH and myself had the prime rib sandwich, very good, and DS had a burger. DD did a grilled cheese. DH had a banana split for dessert and I had the No Way Jose-yummmmmmmy. DS only had ice cream so his voucher was pretty much a break even. We figured we saved about $20 using them overall though, and it was a nice treat to have the sundaes! We then left and went back to the resort to hit the pool a little while, then returned around 6pm to tour the countries. It was still easy to get around and waited about 5 seconds for the Mexico boat ride. We went to several other countries and then happened upon a bench just as the parade started. I didn't think I would be so crazy about the parade, but it was beautiful and that song sure sticks in your head. It was pretty chilly standing by the
lake though. We stopped at the Liberty Inn for a bite to eat. The boys had chicken strips and DD had the chicken nuggets. I just had an
order of fries since I still wasn't too hungry after that sunday for lunch. It was okay, nothing special. We stayed for the fireworks,
also very nice, and headed back to the CR to attempt early to bed in hopes of getting on the road earlier on Saturday to go to MGM.
Day Three
Today we went to MGM! The weather was very cool. The forecast said 70's but I doubt if it was much above 65 and very windy. After some
wandering around we scoured the shops for long sleeve shirts! We started out doing some character searching then went on the Great
Movie Ride, saw Muppets 3D, The Little Mermaid, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, kicked around the Honey I Blew Up the Kids display awhile
and then headed over to the 50's PrimeTime for a late lunch. We had to wait about 20 min. for a table, but we got into the atmosphere
while waiting. Our waiter "dad" was great. He really had it in for DS-he called him the Heat Miser from Rudolph and then shortened it to
Sparky, which he called him the whole time we were there. DS and I had the bar-b-que chicken sandwich, very good, DH had fried chicken
and DD had chicken nuggets (which dad called dog bisquits). He asked DS if he needed a girlfriend to which DS of course mumbled a teenage no way and next thing you know "dad" drags this girl into our kitchen still in her chair and puts them face to face. Ah, the shades of red! It was really funny because both us proud moms were snapping the cameras! It was a really fun time and thanks to all who gave me the advice to go there.
After lunch we went to the Drew Carey show, kind of stupid, but okay and then to Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. We all thoroughly enjoyed
this show, it was probably our favorite.
Since we were all so cold, we decided to head back to the CR to change and then on to DD & DS' first look at MK.
MGM was slightly crowded, but MK was shoulder to shoulder. It was tough getting around so we headed to Frontierland to Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad, 45 minute wait and fastpass not for another 2 hours. We headed over to the Haunted Mansion which had a 30 min. wait
so decided to wait it out. This is one of my favorite from my DL days, DD really disliked, but got over it. Next we went to the Hall
of Presidents-no wait. DS told DD that they were real! We went back to Big Thunder, but it was just as bad so we headed to Adventureland
did Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Swiss Family Robinson, and headed over to Tomorrowland. We grabbed a fastpass for Buzz Lighyear, stopped and got his autogaph, and went to the Plaza Pavillion for some food,
nothing to rave about but did get to see most of Spectromagic from there. Went on Buzz Lightyear and headed back to the resort. More
tomorrow.
Just wanted to mention that all the CM's were all bundled up most of the day in winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves. We northern
Pennsylvanians thought it was pretty comical. I also noticed that from that day on, we saw alot more wintery hats, gloves and even ear
muffs at all the shops and carts!
Part One, Part Two
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