Pre-Trip Report here! You can read the Who/What/When/etc. there so I will jump right in, with the disclaimer that the only cameras we had were from our smartphones. Also, the trip report is completely written so I'll be posting regularly until it's all up! Here we go!
Day 1: Travel and Resort Hopping
At about 5:30am, we got in the Uber to Newark Liberty International Airport. Our driver was quite professional and courteous and we had an uneventful ride. Once we arrived we checked our bag (yay for Southwest's no baggage fees!) and proceeded through the security line. It seemed like it took longer than usual but we still had plenty of time to get breakfast and coffee. We shared a large mocha and two different breakfast items at Boar's Head: an egg and cheddar sandwich and a spinach, egg, and feta wrap. Both were quite delicious and I couldn't decide which I liked better because they were both so good!
Airport breakfast
We boarded right on time and took off a little early. This flight was only about half full so we got a row to ourselves. I had a nice view of New York and Jersey City from my window seat (which didn't translate so well to a photo but you get the idea). On the plane we watched reality cooking and travel shows on my iPad with the free wifi and onboard entertainment. Soon we were exiting the plane at the New Orleans airport.
New York and Jersey City
To keep costs down and save money for exciting things in WDW we packed a simple lunch of cheese, pretzels, and fruit. As we waited at the gate it became very evident that this was a flight to Orlando because of all the families decked in their Disney gear. We once again boarded on time and enjoyed a smooth flight.
We landed early at MCO and headed toward the shuttles. We made our way to the B side level 1, scanned my band for Disney's Magical Express, and boarded at gate B44! You should know something about me: I am a little (maybe a lot) superstitious and at times obsessive about numbers. I love multiples of 22 (I was born on the 22nd of the month in '88 AND DW and I celebrate our relationship anniversary on the 22nd of a different month) and also multiples of 3 and especially multiples of 9. At the theatre/opera/symphony if I have a choice of seat number I will always pick a multiple of 3 and/or 22. Plus my name starts with B, so I took this as an amazing sign.
Between landing early and the efficiency of DME we were actually leaving the airport before our scheduled landing time of 2:30. On the bus I got the text that we were in room 9440 and it was ready! Yes, building 9, room 440! Our driver was funny and the ride went by quickly. Pop Century was the first stop and DW and I were the only passengers to exit there. We went to the check-in desk out of habit and to be honest the CMs seemed a little confused as to why we were there since check-in is done online and most people get the room text and can go straight there with their Magic Bands. I did need to make sure the right credit card was linked to the room and ask a question about tickets and they were very helpful. I'm sure they are still working out the kinks of the system but I imagine lots of guests are confused as to why they don't need to check in or even have any human contact of any kind. Oh, and I should mention that a new CM was "earning her ears" on her very first day of training. She seemed very nervous but never stopped smiling and of course the established CM was there to help.
Nothing like the first view of the WDW sign!
Day 1: Travel and Resort Hopping
At about 5:30am, we got in the Uber to Newark Liberty International Airport. Our driver was quite professional and courteous and we had an uneventful ride. Once we arrived we checked our bag (yay for Southwest's no baggage fees!) and proceeded through the security line. It seemed like it took longer than usual but we still had plenty of time to get breakfast and coffee. We shared a large mocha and two different breakfast items at Boar's Head: an egg and cheddar sandwich and a spinach, egg, and feta wrap. Both were quite delicious and I couldn't decide which I liked better because they were both so good!
Airport breakfast
We boarded right on time and took off a little early. This flight was only about half full so we got a row to ourselves. I had a nice view of New York and Jersey City from my window seat (which didn't translate so well to a photo but you get the idea). On the plane we watched reality cooking and travel shows on my iPad with the free wifi and onboard entertainment. Soon we were exiting the plane at the New Orleans airport.
New York and Jersey City
To keep costs down and save money for exciting things in WDW we packed a simple lunch of cheese, pretzels, and fruit. As we waited at the gate it became very evident that this was a flight to Orlando because of all the families decked in their Disney gear. We once again boarded on time and enjoyed a smooth flight.
We landed early at MCO and headed toward the shuttles. We made our way to the B side level 1, scanned my band for Disney's Magical Express, and boarded at gate B44! You should know something about me: I am a little (maybe a lot) superstitious and at times obsessive about numbers. I love multiples of 22 (I was born on the 22nd of the month in '88 AND DW and I celebrate our relationship anniversary on the 22nd of a different month) and also multiples of 3 and especially multiples of 9. At the theatre/opera/symphony if I have a choice of seat number I will always pick a multiple of 3 and/or 22. Plus my name starts with B, so I took this as an amazing sign.
Between landing early and the efficiency of DME we were actually leaving the airport before our scheduled landing time of 2:30. On the bus I got the text that we were in room 9440 and it was ready! Yes, building 9, room 440! Our driver was funny and the ride went by quickly. Pop Century was the first stop and DW and I were the only passengers to exit there. We went to the check-in desk out of habit and to be honest the CMs seemed a little confused as to why we were there since check-in is done online and most people get the room text and can go straight there with their Magic Bands. I did need to make sure the right credit card was linked to the room and ask a question about tickets and they were very helpful. I'm sure they are still working out the kinks of the system but I imagine lots of guests are confused as to why they don't need to check in or even have any human contact of any kind. Oh, and I should mention that a new CM was "earning her ears" on her very first day of training. She seemed very nervous but never stopped smiling and of course the established CM was there to help.
Nothing like the first view of the WDW sign!
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