Nowak's Chistmas Trip

We slept in until 8:30 a.m. this morning. Although DH was feeling alot better, I can't seem to shake the cough. We passed on the 8:10 a.m. ressie for breakfast at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (must do this in June). We left DD in bed (she's feeling worse instead of better) and headed to EPCOT at 9:30 a.m. to drop off the Candlelight Procession badges at guest services for Annette Dvorak and her son Kyle and Maggie & Clive. Since it was fairly early, we decided to pick up a FP for Test Track and also got a bonus fast pass for Honey I Shrunk the Audience. We decided to do some shopping and start taking advantage of the 15% discount. We used our surprise FP for HISTA and then headed over to the International Gateway at 12:00 noon to meet DD. She was in need of some soup so we went to the Land to pick up some food. We got FP for the boat ride and then DH gave up his Test Track fast pass so DD and I could ride together (he took himself shopping). On our way out of Future World, we pit-stopped to see the Notre Dame band. That at least brightened DD's day since her "boyfriend of the moment" (that's my nickname - she calls it love) is a huge Notre Dame fan. We stopped in England so I could pick up some tea for the ladies I work with and then went back to BW for a quick nap. After our nap, we walked back to EPCOT to use our FP for Living with the Land, and then over to Canada for our CP dinner at Le Cellier. We were the first ones there, and Annette and Kyle arrived 10 minutes later. We checked in while waiting for Maggie and Clive - after they beeped us twice, we sat at our table since we knew Maggie would be arriving shortly. She was picking up the CP badges at Guest Services - or so we though - they didn't understand that she was picking up already paid for badges and told her she needed to get them at the American Pavilion. Oh well, we decided not to worry about it now, eat, and then go straighten it out since I had the paid receipt for our dinner. We had a wonderful time and I'm soooo glad I finally got to meet Maggie. After dinner, they all headed to the American Pavilion and I sprinted (yes I do mean sprint - not sure how my little heart kept up) to guest services, picked up the badges and sprinted over to World Showcase. After all that excersize, I pit stopped in the shop at the entrance to World Showcase and purchased the Cast In Bronze christmas CD since I was able to use my badge and get the 15% off. I actually made it in time for everyone to get their badges and get a really good seat for CP. My DD was so sick that she told me I wasted my money because she didn't think she would get anything out of it - guess again - she was attentive through the whole thing - a special thanks to Annette for loaning DD her ear warmers. Jody Benson was our narrator and did a wonderful job, but I still prefer Gary Sinese. We sadly bid everyone goodbye after the CP and DH and I walked back to Mouse Gear looking for a 2003 bag, watched Illuminations and then walked back to the Boardwalk to catch some Z's. Right before we walked into the main building, we ran into 2 boys that graduated this past June with my DD and were down for New Year's. What a small world.

Total miles today - 9.28

Well today is a very sad day as it is our last one for this trip - but, we'll survive since the ressie's are already made for our trip in June 2003. DH and I woke up early and walked over to the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club for our 7:40 a.m. breakfast ressie and left DD sleep a little longer. After breakfast, we walked back to the BWV to finish packing, check out and store our luggage until later. We decided to walk to MGM and let DD do some things there since she didn't go with us the other day. We went to get FP for Tower of Terror first, then since the Beauty and the Beast show was about to start, she wanted to see that. She is still a child at heart and I love it. After B&B, it was down to The Great Movie Ride and then back to ToT. I just can't get enough of this ride. We walked over to the Hollywood and Vine for our 1:00 p.m. ressie - gotta love that red velvet cake. After lunch we went over to the Backlot Tour since DD hadn't done it in a while and was sick when we did Osborne lights, so although they weren't lit, she at least had an idea of what they were. It was a lot warmer so they were doing the full pre show with water effects. After the tour, we caught the Stars and Cars parade (several people deep, but we managed) and took the slow walk back to the BWV for our 4:30 pick up by Tiffany. The one mistake we made, was not calling to confirm our flight with Southeast Air. When we got to the airport, the plane that was coming in, which we would take out, was on a 3 hour delay. Our departure time changed several times over the next 4 hours and it had it's disadvantages and advantages. We made many friends in the airport due to it being so small, (Sanford Orlando Airport) but because it was so small, there was only 1 foodstand open and the food didn't last long. We were originally scheduled to depart at 7:30 p.m. and finally did at 10:15p.m. Until we finally landed in Allentown, got our luggage - which took an unbelievable amount of time to be unloaded - almost 45 minutes - we didn't arrive at our house until 3:00 a.m.

Total miles for this day 7.25

All in all, I'd have to say this was once again a wonderful trip - the only true major downfall was the fact that we were sick (or at least one of us) for most of the trip. We met many wonderful people - Chris and Jess Johnson, Bianca, Kyle & Annette Dvorak (Joe we missed you) and Maggie & Clive - and hope to meet many more MFL'ers in June. We found the weather to be much more enjoyable than our Christmas Trip in 2001 - more decorations - and people in general to be just as nice. We really came upon very few rude people, did not get bumped by a stroller or a wheelchair and had many sprinklings of pixie dust. Our most interesting situation had to be having it take an hour to get from Cinderella's Castle to the park exit on Christmas Day. We experienced many wonderful restaurants yet again, and if I don't stop adding to my list of must do restaurants for each trip - my trips will need to be a month long. (Now that sounds more like it - gotta hit that power ball - actually I better start playing that powerball) Our next trip is scheduled for June 6-14, 2003 in a studio preferred view at the Boardwalk.

Joanie in Pa

Part One, Part Two, Part Three