Debbie and Veronica – February 2003

Trip Report - Day 1 (Feb. 5)

Cast of Characters:
Me (Mom - Debbie, age 29)
DD (Veronica, age 5, celebrating 2 year remission)

Feb. 5-8: AS Movies
Feb. 8-9: Best Western Lake Buena Vista

Pre-trip background: DD is celebrating 2 years of remission and I wanted to do something fun with her. DH is going to California for 2 weeks for a farm show in Tulare, CA so I take the opportunity to use this as a good time for me and DD to go to WDW (DH didn't want to go again so soon after Nov. 2001 visit). Being that it is also my birthday (30!!! Ugh!) and he's gone EVERY year (to California), he agreed. Hence planning started in March 2002. Bought plane tickets in May on Midwest Express (got a great deal and direct flight out of Milwaukee). Booked the Dream Maker Package with The Magic Travel for Less with Binnie in November. I got a great deal using my Disney Club card. Now all I had to do was wait.......

Now for the Trip:
Temp in Wisconsin is 12 degrees.

Woke up at 4am to get ready to drive to Milwaukee. I live near Madison but the flight was cheaper from Milwaukee. Was willing to drive the 1 hour 15 minutes it would take to get there. Now rethinking this, in the early morning hours, since I was up late packing and too excited to sleep. Luckily I only needed to shower and throw some last minute stuff in my extremely large duffel bag. Woke up DD, got her dressed and off we went! The drive was non-eventful. Couldn't convince DD to go back to sleep in the car (will regret this later). Parked in the ramp and headed for check-in. Was a bit nervous about this since I purchased an e-ticket and changed my flight coming home to a day later. After waiting in line for about 30 minutes it was our turn. Got a new flight itinerary, handed luggage to security (no locks, no film) and off we went to the gate. The gate entrance to show our boarding passes/ID was another 30- minute wait due to Apple Vacation passengers using the same terminal. Took coats off and placed in the bins with our carryons and walked right thru with no hassle. Finally sat done at our gate (which happened to be all the way to the end of the terminal). Within 15 minutes, we were boarding. Left Milwaukee 10 minutes early since everyone was on!!! Yeah!!!!

Tiffany Towncar was at luggage carousel when we arrived in Orlando. We were 25 minutes early so it was a relief that I wouldn't have to look for the driver. The driver, Hector, took our luggage and off went to AS Movies. By the way the temp in Orlando was around 63 degrees. We thought it was nice and warm. Hector kept apologizing for the cold. LOL!! Paid and tipped the driver.

Checking in was fast and easy. The CM congratulated my DD on her remission with a balloon, coloring book, and crayons. DD was even asked to sign her own ticket (UPH). Unfortunately, the room wasn't ready (it's about 1:30pm) but as requested we were in the Toy Story and on the first floor (wanted third but they said all the cheerleaders were up there so it would be quieter away from them...very grateful for this). We left our luggage with the baggage CM's and decided to walk around the resort and soak it all in. We were finally here!!!!

I grabbed our refillable mugs ($10.xx each) and then DD and I went for a walk. At 3pm I called about our room. It was ready! When I opened the door I was assaulted by cigarette smoke (it was a non-smoking room). YUCK!! I called the front desk. Couldn't switch rooms because they were full (cheerleaders) but would bring an Ozone machine to the room. Quickly called Grandma and DH to let them know what room we were in. We had to leave the room for a few hours while it was on so we grabbed our light jackets and went to Epcot (first bus to show up).

I wanted to do Journey Into Your Imagination, for sure. I'd seen the first one in 1990 but never saw the second one. This was okay. DD liked it but I thought the first was much better. Sent an email postcard home and to DH. Couldn't remember MFL address, otherwise I would have sent one to the list! We also did Spaceship Earth. DD oved this attraction in Nov. 2001. This time she was scared to death. I thought she was going to rip my arm off her grip was so tight!!! Apparently she remembered going backwards and didn't want to do that again. Too late to tell me now!! So I just started pointing out things and talking to her the whole time. That seemed to work because the blood started flowing thru my arm again.

We had a 7:30 pm PS at Chef Mickey's (a first for both of us) so we went to the monorail to go to the MK (it's about 6pm now). We were near the front of the monorail line so I thought I would take the chance to see if we could ride up front. We could!! DD was so excited and continued to ask every time we went to the monorail but we were never that lucky again. Got to the MK, collected our monorail certificates (a little business card) and off we went.

DD was begging to do Buzz Lightyear. We went over to and I noticed a long line. Turns out the ride had broken down but just reopened when we came around the corner. Yeah, for us!! The line wasn't very long after all and we were on within 5 minutes. DD was thrilled but had a hard time getting her laser to shoot. I didn't do very good either because I was trying to help DD with her laser. Then DD started spinning the car around after she gave up trying to shoot. (Note: I hate going in circles). We still had time so went to do Goofy's Barnstormer and see Minnie's House. Wanted to take the train back to the front was closed for the night. Walked to the front and got on the resort monorail to the Contemporary.

Checked in got our picture took (one of 3 pictures with me in it) and were immediately seated. We were put in the back by the windows. Got loaded up from the kid's buffet and barely made it back to the table before Chip and Dale visited. I then quickly went to dish up my food (had to try those parmesan mashed potatoes!). Got back to be greeted by Chef Mickey himself! He was in my seat!! LOL!! Got autograph and photo before Minnie came over.

While I was starting to eat I started to notice DD wasn't looking real good. She asked to go back to the resort. She must not have felt well to miss the ice cream!! I asked the CM waitress for the check, telling her that DD wasn't feeling well so we needed to leave. She came back with the check and only charged me the kid's meal!! She said I never got the chance to eat so why pay for it?! I told her thank you and gave her a big tip for her kindness. We left on the resort monorail and then got on the Epcot monorail, then a bus back to the Movies.

Room smelled much better (ozone thing must have worked) but could still smell the smoke. In the room was a big box with balloons tied to it. Back in November, I had arranged for a surprise package from Fairy Godmother Gifts for DD. DD couldn't believe that she got a present in WDW!!! She opened it up and it was full of candy, a Cinderella lunchbox, cookies, Aristocats Movie Soundtrack, a couple toys and maybe a few more things that I can't remember. After I got DD to settle back down (apparently she was feeling much better) I got her in her Princess Ariel nightgown and into bed. She passed out cold! After I crawled into bed, that's when I noticed why I still smelled the smoke. The comforter and blanket reeked of it! Decided not to bother tonight but would call again in the morning to get the complete bedding changed.

High points:
Finally getting back to WDW!
DD's package from Fairy Godmother Gifts.
Warmer weather than Wisconsin!

Low points:
Room smelling of cigarette smoke.
Forgetting to put on our lanyards and pins.

Tomorrow: My 30th birthday and MGM!!

Day: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5