Colleen & Family - June 2006

Cast of Characters: Kurt -41 , Colleen (me) – 41, Sarah- 12, Kristen -6
Day 1 - June 9, 2006

Last night after Sarah's 4-H meeting we went to my Mom's house in Bettendorfto spend the night. The flight was scheduled for 6:01 am out of Moline and we thought that it would be easier to already be in the Quad City area. Kristen fell asleep on the way to Mom's which made it much easier to get to sleep. Kurt, Sarah and I had a more difficult time. Too excited, I guess.

The alarm went off at 4:15 am. Way too early. We woke up after a very restless sleep. We quickly got ready and left Mom's house around 4:50am. We arrived at the airport in Moline shortly after 5:00. Mom dropped us off at the curb, gave us just enough time to get our luggage out of the car. We took everything in and went to the counter to check in. Got our boarding passes and thankfully they had us together. We had a total of 6 bags to check on and 7 carryons. However, carryon's included my purse and a backpack for each girl with a few things to keep them happy on the flight down. We boarded the plane with no problems. Kristen was not sure whether to be happy, excited, or scared to death. It was her first flight. The plane took off on time and we landed in Chicago at 6:35. Our second flight wasn't scheduled to leave until 7:59 so we had plenty of time to get to our next gate and then find a bathroom and by some breakfast for the girls. We boarded the plane around 7:45 with no problems. Shortly after the pilot comes on and says that everything looks good and we should be leaving on schedule. At 8:10 we hear the pilot's voice again. This time he tells us that there is a small problem with one of the switches, but maintenance was here and they should have it repaired and we would be on our way in 5-10 minutes. Shortly after that we happen to look out the window and see the left engine being removed. Not exactly a reassuring picture for people who don't fly very much. Around 9:00am the pilot comes for a walk through the cabin and stops to talk to Kristen. He asks her how she likes her very first plane trip? The entire cabin starts to laugh as Kristen says that it is boring. Finally around 9:30 we get to take off. There is nothing worse than sitting for an hour and a half in the cabin with two not so very patient children. We were able to make up about ½ hour and landed at MCO at 12:30pm. My husband had sat by a women and her young son also staying at ALL STAR SPORTS so all 6 of us headed off to find the way to Magical Express.

We checked in there and were then sent to line up depending on the resorts that we were staying at. Lucky us, the line that we were in was the first line that loaded the bus after we got there. After about a half hour ride to Disney World we arrived. The ride was made easier by the video played on the bus and also by the driver. Since we were staying at sports we were dropped off first. I think that this helped the girls. We checked in there wasn't even a line. I don't know how this happened but couldn't believe our luck. DH loves sports (that is why we are staying at this resort, rest of us not that found of them) football is his absolute favorite and we are staying in building 10 touchdown. I was a little worried at first because I had heard so much about the noise at night with kids playing on the football field, but we were lucky again an had a room on the backside. We could walk around the back and be at the bus stop in less than 3-4 minutes.

It is now around 2:30 and we figured that we had better get the girls some lunch soon; of course we were hungry also. We decided that for our first meal we would just eat at the food court. Not bad food, but I let everyone know that we weren't going to be eating here all of the time and that we needed to experience different places to eat. Kristen chose the kids chicken nugget plate and the rest of us decided to get the bacon double cheeseburger with fries. After finding out that our meals, including drink and a cookie would have been over $45.00, but we were on the Disney Dining Plan so just had the credits taken off.

We don't want to waste a ticket for only a half day so decide to ride the monorail and then go to Downtown Disney and walk around. DH wanted to eat at the ESPN club at Boardwalk for supper that night. We rode the bus over to Epcot and then jumped on the monorail and rode to Magic Kingdom. From here we switched and rode on the monorail that goes to the three resorts and Magic Kingdom. I remember somebody saying that we should ask to ride up front sometime, so decide to try this today. We had to wait for the second monorail, but no problem we aren't in a hurry. We were surprised to be given co-pilot licenses and the girls really enjoyed the ride at first. We had a really neat driver who talked to us and showed us different sites plus gave us some extra information about the resorts. She however got off at the first stop and the next driver was not a pleasant. We decided to get off at the Grand Floridian and walk around the resort for a few minutes. After getting back to MK, we took the bus back to our resort and then transferred to the bus to Downtown Disney. I was really looking forward to going here. Had heard that there was a scrapbook store and couldn't wait to check it out, also wanted to go into Once Upon a Toy. I wanted to see all of the older toys, tinker sets, Lincoln logs, potato head, etc. When we got there the girls found an interactive fountain area and wanted to play. Even though Kristen is grounded from any fun water activities until she learns to swim, (she is one very stubborn child, has been taking swimming lessons for a year and refuses to even try, I have decided to show her that I can be even more stubborn than her) I decide to let her play for a bit just to cool off. The first store that we went into was World of Memories. Yes they had some scrapbooking supplies, but also had many other things as well and all of the papers were packed into kits. After this we walked through Disney's Days of Christmas. I really liked this store and would have loved to be able to look around without the help of my children. We also checked out Once Upon a Toy, very nice store, but had more recent toys verses some of my old favorites from childhood. The World of Disney is a huge store. We walked around for a while, but I don't think that we even came close to seeing everything in the store. The only way to really shop here is without children. We also enjoyed walking around Lego land, Team Mickey Athletic Club, Mickey's Pantry, Goofy's Candy Co; they were giving out samples of some kind of slushie drink. They were very good and cold. Purchased a couple to share, DH wanted a water so he went back to get one. I waited until he came up and then they added his to our total. What I didn't know and he didn't tell us until later is that he paid for it in the back. We also liked Pooh Corner and Disney Tails.

It is now around 7:00pm and past time to feed the girls. We took the bus over to the Boardwalk. This bus stops at many resorts before getting to the boardwalk. This was nice because it gave us a chance to see the Swan and Dolphin, and a couple of others (memory is going). Not sure where to go once we get to the Boardwalk, so we asked a security person. Instead of giving us directions he actually walked with us so that we would have no problem. The Boardwalk looks like a fun place to be and we decide that if possible we should come back again and spend some time looking around. By now we are getting tired and hungry. When we get to the ESPN club there is a line. I had tried to make ADR for here earlier, but had been told that they don't take ADR's. I wish they did. The wait seemed long, especially because we had to stand out in the heat and youngest daughter Kristen has no patience whatsoever. I have been trying to work with her on this for a long time but she is stubborn and refuses to learn. I have decided that I will not take her on vacation again until she learns some patience. Finally we get in and get to order. The table that we are seated at is very small, I am not sure how two people could eat there, but there are 4 of us. Lots of TV's everywhere and a lot of noise. If you want to watch the big game, this is the place to be. If you want a nice family meal, I wouldn't recommend this place. Sarah chose ESPN Dingers, Championship Chicken Sandwich, and a Hockey Puck. Kurt chooses Macho Nachos, the Club Wrap, and a Hockey Puck. I ordered Mild Red Wings, Triple Play Tuna Salad Sandwich, and the Mile High Key Lime Pie. Kristen gets to order off of the child's menu and wants a hot dog. By the time desert rolls around it is after 9: 00 and we are all getting tired. Ask if we can have desert to go, able to get ours, but Kristen can't have a desert. The only one for kids is ice cream and they won't even pack it. We ended up not liking this place very well and have decided that we probably won't go back here to eat if we come back.

Back to our rooms and then to bed. Kristen falls asleep on the bus and Dad has to carry her back to the room. Once we get back, I run into the gift shop at the resort to purchase autograph books and Pal Mickey. Have 8:00 ressies for Cinderella's Table the next morning, know that there will not be enough time in the morning to get these. When I get back, Sarah and Kurt are unpacking and Kristen is already asleep. I help unpack for a while, then get my fanny pack set up for the next day. I also place a wake up call for 6:00am. Figure we need to be out to the busses by around 7:00 to make it on time for breakfast.

Miles walked 5.46
Steps walked 12374
Activity points 6

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