|
Guests; Myself (26) DH (29) and DS (33 mths)
Dates:Oct 5-Oct 9 2004
Hotels: Pop Century 10/5-10/8 ($49/night) , Contemporary Resort 10/8-10/9 ($166)
Day 1
Arrived to MCO around 12:50 p.m. Took Mears shuttle to Pop Century Resort. We made 2 more stops in the airport but were the first to be dropped-off.
As we entered the Pop Century, some CMs were playing with hula hoops at the entrance. As DH took care of check-in, we watched some cartoons in the lobby. Our room was in the 3rd floor of the 70's building, it was big enough for us (2 adults and a toddler) and even has area with a table & 2 chairs. It was ready when we checked in, so we left our bags and decided to eat before going to MGM. Instead, DS decided to hop in Goofy's playground on the way to the food court so we had to go back to the room to change his clothes. We had a late lunch at the food court (DS and I shared a cheese pizza, DH had a double cheeseburger + we purchased 2 mugs, chocolate milk and some candy for the little one).
For some reason, the bus driver thought he had picked us up at the Epcot stop, but as soon as we figured, he turned the bus around and drove us to MGM. We arrived at MGM almost at 4 p.m. and saw people already sitting near the entrance for the parade so we decided to secure a spot too, right at the corner in front of the picture shop. DS fell asleep while we waited for the parade to start, which was a great way to begin the vacation. We tried to see 5p.m. Playhouse Disney but it was already full, so instead we got in line for Little
Mermaid. DS loved it, he was in awe of the bubbles and the lights. Then we walked into Beauty and the Beast as it was starting, at the end DS kept asking "where is beast?". DH took video as we hummed along. As we walked out, people were entering the Fantasmic theater… so we followed. While we waited, I tried explaining DS that we were to see Mickey and some monsters would show up but Mickey would tell them to go away, and he was to help Mickey send them away. Apparently, it worked cause he saw the whole show. He also asked for one
of the toys they sell at the show, so we bought the Mickey with the lights on his hat (it was really the only toy he asked for during the trip, aside for a balloon, he even fell asleep with the toy) We waited for the crowd to start leaving and the took the bus back to Pop. On the way in, we picked up some hot chocolate to take to our room. By 9:30 we were back in our room, we all showered and watch Toy Story 2 on TV. DS fell asleep by 10:15. Great for a first day with a toddler!
Day 2
DH and I woke up about 6:30 to get dressed before waking up the little one. He slept right through the 7 am wake up call, so I called to arranged for a second call. Around 7:30 we were having breakfast (DH and I had the breakfast platter and DS has the mickey waffles and milk)
We arrived to the Magic Kingdom around 8 and got to see Mickey and the others welcome everyone at 9. We walked right into Buzz Lightyear and found Buzz himself as we walked out of the ride, to take a picture with DS. After, we went to Fantasyland and tried Dumbo, the Carrousel,
Philarmagic (DS refused to wear the glasses) and Peter Pan. All this before 10:30, but by now DS wanted a stroller so we had to walk back to the entrance. As I walked over to rent the stroller, DH and DS stayed behind to take a picture with Pinochio. We rode the train around
the park and then tried lunch in Plaza Pavillion but it was closed, so we ate in Cosmic Ray's instead (DS had nuggets, DH and I each had a grilled chicken sandwich + one coke to share and cup of water). On our way to Frontierland we walked by Belles storytelling as she was
staring, so I sat with DS to listed to the story. She picked a few kids to act out the story and he was upset not to be included so we had a little trouble keeping him seated but saw the show and kept on our way. We walked into the Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise (DS really
liked this one but was tired out by now), got an ice cream sandwich for DS and a Sprite for DH and walked to the Bear Jamboree. We looked for a spot for the parade and found Woody and the gang waiting to meet the kids and take some pictures. We saw the parade at Frontierland
and took the train to the main station so we could go back to PC and take a break. DS fell asleep on the train but woke up as we were arriving to the hotel. We watched some TV, and had dinner before going back to MK (DH had Mom's night out special -turkey, stuffing, green
beans and mashed potatoes-, DS and I shared a cheese pizza +milk and cheesecake). We arrived back to MK almost at 7 and headed straight to Mickey's Toon Town Fair, the lines were very short (Thanks to Birbaum for the tip). We went straight to Mickey's House and the Judges
Tent to take a picture with THE Mouse. DS found the playground in front of Mickey's house and then Donald's Boat, ran-ran-ran and ran until he decided it was enough. I guess when your in Disney, there is really no rush to leave a playground so we just looked at him
running around. I was not sure if we should take DS to the Barnstormer (I'm not very much into roller coasters myself), but DH went with him. They screamed all the way through, and not afraid-screaming but Goofying-around-screaming. I really can't believe how a
kid his age just loves this, even wants to ride again. By now it's time for the fireworks so we cross through Futureland and grab a spot near the bridge to the castle to watch. After waiting for the crowd to start leaving, we return the stroller and head for our bus. We filled up on lemonade on the way to the room and watched some stories on TV before going to sleep. The mugs are a great idea if you're staying a few days. I'm using a backpack as a diaper-bag so my shoulders are numb but aside from that, this has been a great day.
Day 3
We're trying Epcot today! We had breakfast at the PC ( DS and I shared French toasts and DH had a western omelet + milk). Took the bus to Epcot and rented a stroller before the park opened (I'm not backtracking to get the stroller this time). We went straight into Spaceship Earth, Later, we walked over to
the Land and saw The Lion King Show and took the boat ride. I was surprised DS was actually paying attention. We then saw Figment and played around in the Imagination site (the picture making sounds we hilarious, we couldn't get DS to leave). Here was our one big mistake: I had read in a few places that
"honey I shrunk the audience" was scary for the little ones so I had not planned to go. Now, after months of being not-involved in planning the trip, DH decides against all advice to take DS into the movie. The little one jumped up in the middle of the show and asked to leave (mind you he wasn't even
wearing the glasses), but we were in the middle of the row so it was hard to get out. I had to calm him down and talk him through it until we could leave. We decided on an early lunch at the Electric Umbrella, but DS spotted an ice cream stand so we stopped for an ice cream sandwich, we had a quick
lunch (DH had a chicken strip combo with a large coke, DS had a mac and cheese meal and I had a cheeseburger with fries = around $25). Right after we went to the Living Seas and saw the Nemo exhibit and the dolphin. DS was still kind of upset so we decided to skip the World Showcase this time and
hop over to MGM to see Playhouse Disney. DS fell asleep in the bus so we got a stroller as soon as we arrived and I got in line for the 2:15 show while DH grabbed some Fastpasses for little Mermaid. We waited until the show was starting to wake him up. We have great pictures form that show, so we're thinking of using them to redecorate DS's room.(he's not a baby anymore so the whole Stars/Moon theme has to go). We saw TLM again and tried the muppet's 3d show (once again, not good idea). The good thing is, as we walked out, Buzz, Woody and Jessie were right there at Al's Toy Barn, more great pictures. We ate at Pizza Planet and decided to go back to PC early today, tomorrow is the HALLOWEEN PARTY and will be a looooong day.
I washed some of DS clothes in the room just in case and walked over to the laundry room to dry them of, and picked up a cheesecake and chocolate croissant on the way to the room. We took your advice and called luggage service to schedule pickup the next day at 7:30 and to transfer our bags to the Contemporary (we're having breakfast at Chef Mickey's before leaving tomorrow). The CM at luggage service was very polite - he confirmed all the information I gave him (time of pickup, transfer location, number of bags) and told me exactly where to leave the bags. I packed everything but our clothes for the morning. The story-book channel is a great bed time idea, no doubt about it.
Day 4
We left the bags in the room and went directly for breakfast (Mickey waffles and milk, a breakfast platter for me and DH had a ham&cheese omelet, he said it was good but the western was better).
We have avoided the parks that open early up tp this point hoping that they won't be as crowded but this time it worked to go early into Animal Kingdom since we were already at the entrance to Camp
Minnie-Mickey right before it was to open and Minnie herself was greeting the kids with Pluto, more pictures. We were also in the first group to see the Lion King show. One of the CM mentioned as
we got in line that it was a good idea to catch the first one since the lines in the afternoon would be pretty bad. After that we met Mickey and stopped for an ice cream on the way over to Africa.
The line for the safari didn't seem like a good idea so we grabbed some Fastpasses instead and had lunch at the Rainforest Café in the meantime. This is our first visit to RFC, and although it is
very curious and shopping here looks like fun, I find it too loud to eat and take a break which was my intention. DS on the other hand, loved the animals and spent lunch goofying around telling
gorillas to be quiet. We returned just in time to go for the safari, it is fascinating. DS fell asleep on the way out so we decided to purchase the picture with Mickey and check into the
Contemporary. As I was checking in, I mentioned that this was our last night and we wanted to finish the trip with a breakfast at Chef Mickey's, the lady at the counter hesitated for a
moment and said that due to storm damage we were being offered a room in the Yatch Club, an upgrade in fact, but this would mean a trip from the Yatch Club to arrive by 7:30 at the Contemporary the next morning so we turned it down ( I can not believe the things we do for kids!). We were given a room at the South Garden and I checked at Bell services for our luggage. A very polite CM walked us over to our room with the luggage, and gave us some information about the hotel on the way. We showered and I walked to the food court to grab us some food while DS watched TV for a while.
We took the monorail to MK and arrived as the party started. DS refused to put on his costume so we carried it around just in case. Found some seats in front of the castle and while DS and DH waited for Cinderella's celebration I walked over to buy a balloon that had been promised since the first day. We stayed to watch the 8 pm parade. Afterwards we kind of wondered around, not really sure how to enter Fantasyland, since we couldn't cross through the castle and the entrance from Liberty Square was closed, we stopped to have our picture taken, and tried walking around Frontierland, did
some trick or treating (lots of lollipops and sugar daddies, tootsie rolls and pixy stics) and watched the Fireworks closed to Tom Sawyers Island. We finally reached Fantasyland from Futureland and decided to try the Teacups. Our last ride before leaving at 10:30 was Dumbo, which DS rode with me and then twice with Papa. By that time, he was asking to sleep, so we gladly placed him in the stroller and walked to take the monorail. He slept all the way to the room and through the morning.
Day 5
NO parks today, so we have a PS for Chef Mickey at 7:40. We had our picture taken, and walked right in. Mickey was about to stop by our table, and Chip too. Everyone except Dale. DS was still kind of
sleepy, and probably the trip had already tired him out. The food looked delicious, there was even brownies! I wish I could have tried more of the dishes but I was so full after the first plate… We decided to buy the picture (that was the only thing we really splurged on, pictures) After, we just walked around the hotel, looking for a souvenir, and went back to the room to finish packing. We left our bags at bell services and found a playground with sand right behind the tower where DS ran for a while. After he tired out, we took a ride in the monorail and decided to take a look at the Polynesian. We stopped for lunch at Café Kona (DH had the blackened MahiMAhi sand. And I had and Island Chicken Sand. ) and went back to CR to wait for the Mears shuttle. Mr. Goodale was punctual and helped us load the bags, we had to more stops at the WL and Polynesian and arrived at the airport with time to spare to walk to our gate.
The Parks weren't crowded until Friday, so we got to see most of the attractions we had planned to take DS. We took an afternoon break most days, which was mostly for us since DS can take a nap almost anywhere and he will wake up charged up like new (but my back was killing me and it was nice to eat at the hotel instead of the park). The Halloween party was pretty crowded to walk with a toddler, at least in my opinion, but I would sure bring him back once he is a bit older.
I just wanted to thank you all for your tips, advice and planning tools. Without them this would have been a mess. Whatever we didn't see this time, is a good excuse to go back as soon as we can afford it.
|
