The Boyer Family - March 2006

We just returned last night from our trip to WDW. I thought I'd just post a few highlights!

3/10-3/11-DH Mike, DS Nick and DD Larissa and I left Friday night for the drive to WDW from our home in Pottstown, PA. On the way we picked up our DS Doug's girlfriend Heather, who we were dropping off in Fayetteville NC on the way down. Doug is stationed at Pope AFB in Fayetteville. After an 8 hour drive, we arrived in Fayetteville, dropped off Heather and continued the drive south. Arrived In Kissimmee around 2pm and went to the house we usually rent in the Indian Creek development off of W192. This house truly feels like our home away from home since we have stayed there so many times and at $90/night, it's a bargain! After settling in, Mike and Lara headed to AK to check out Expedition Everest. They waited in line over an hour, finally got on the ride, and it promptly broke down! They were given a special pass allowing them to get on the ride later if it reopened. It was theoretically only good for that day, but they used it later in the week without any trouble.

3/12-We headed to Epcot to spend the day and eat a late lunch at the Biergarten, which has become a tradition. One of the most interesting aspects of this trip for us was that Nick, who was seriously injured in a car accident last June and is still recovering, was in a wheelchair. We obtained a guest assistance pass (which we never had to show) and were able to take advantage of disabled parking and entrances to rides. This made a really crowded time in the parks a little less trying, although we found that the vast majority of people just plain don't pay attention to where they are in space and are constantly tripping over you, bumping into you, etc. Fortunately, Nick managed to survive without his right leg being redamaged! Biegarten was as good as usual and we also enjoyed the beer at the Rose and Crown.

3/13- We foolishly went to the MK on a Monday and it was wall to wall people! The Space Mountain line was stretching almost over to the TTA! Larissa and Mike got fast passes for Stitch's Great Escape-Lara had not been on this ride since it was changed. We ate lunch at Cosmic Ray's (another tradition). Nick and I spent a lot of time wandering throgh shops. Later in the evening we headed over to the Lake Buena Vista Outlets where we hit the Character Warehouse. I found a different sort of Cinderella watch to add to my collection.

3/14-Spent the day at MGM, my least favorite park! Still pretty crowded. Nick spent a lot of time looking for Hidden Mickey's-he has a copy of the book. Took the Backstage Tour which has changed so much since its original incarnation. I really miss Residence Street! We also enjoyed the Narnia exhibit.

3/15-Went to AK, which is the rest of the family's least favorite park! Mike and Larissa got right on Expedition Everest, while Nick and I did the Maharajah Jungle Trek-I am really fond of the bats! I also enjoy the wall paintings along this trek. Went to Rafiki's Planet Watch and looked for all the Hidden Mickeys in the animal mural. Nick and I also did the Pagani Trek. After leaving the park, we went to the Belz Outlets to do some more shopping-picked up 2 more watches and some birthday presents for my grandson Caleb. On the way down International Drive, Lara noticed that the Festival Bay outlets had a Steve and Barry's which is one of her favorite stores in the Lehigh Valley where she attends college, so we had to stop there! In the parking lot, a woman came up to us and asked if we were John Travolta fans. Here John Travolta was in Shepler's Western Wear store. We were skeptical at first, but since the store wasn't at all crowded, we spotted him right away! He walked right by me looking for the belts! Didn't approach him-doesn't seem right to me to bother celebrities. My husband did get a picture of him outside the mall, signing an autograph.

3/16-Back to Epcot for the day and our dinner reservation at the Rose and Crown at 750pm. I think it really helped us that Nick is w/c bound, because we did get seated on the terrace and were able to enjoy Illuminations. The food was very good, as usual. I had the Bangers and Mash (3 sausages is a lot of sausage!), Lara had the chicken pasty and Mike and Nick had the steak and fish. I also tried the special Celebration Citrus Trifle, which was very good. Mike and Nick, being Guiness fans, had the Guiness chocolate cake.

3/17-Spent a bit of time in Epcot to pick up a shield for Caleb and then left for the trip back home. Weather was beautiful the whole week!