Gucci65's 12/3-12/8 Trip Report

FRIDAY: Took the whole day off work, can you believe it? No, I didn't get to sleep in. I had drop Lindsay (a/k/a Boo47) off at school, then go thru my list to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Went to Publix, picked up some granola bars, Advil, bandaids, etc. in case of emergencies (never paying $4.00 for 2 bandaids - NEVER AGAIN). Dad got home and we left to pick Lindsay up at school at 12:35pm (so she would not be counted as absent for the day). Then we sped down to Hartsfield Airport. We made record time considering our flight was due to leave at 2:41pm. We checked in around 1:45 and after going thru security, Dad & Lindsay got some chinese for lunch. The flight was full and ended up leaving 20 minutes late. I sat next to some old fart who kept insisting that I was sitting in his seat (by the window) despite the fact that I showed him my ticket. Hello!!!!!!! During the flight, Dad was eating his pretzels (given as his Delta snack) when he proceeded to break a tooth. When we finally arrive in Orlando, I inform our driver that I would in fact be needing the 30 minute grocery stop. He informed me that those are usually given if they are requested in advance and since our flight was late, he could not accomodate us. He was real nice about it, but it still ticked me off. We arrived at Caribbean Beach Resort (to be know as CBR for the rest of the report) around 4:30/5 to check in. What a beautiful resort! We stayed in Barbados, Building 15 and until Tuesday night were the only people on that side of the building. Barbados is next to the main house and a short walk from the food court. A beach was right out front of our building ,complete with hammocks. The Illuminations show at Epcot could be seen from the beach OR heard anywhere on the property. We check out our room, unpacked our bags and called our friends Denise Fuller (first visit in 32 years) and the entire (Anthony (34), Heather (32), Allyssa (13), Jessica (12), Summer (7) & little Anthony (5) or as I like to call him "Major Pane") Pane Family who had arrived a few hours earlier and were staying at Pop Century. We decided to meet at Downtown Disney. A short walk to the bus stop and we were in Downtown Disney. We did some shopping, then decided to have dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Expess. I had a ceaser chicken sandwich which was awesome!!!! Did some more shopping then decided to call it a night. Dad & Lindsay went back to CBR to get ready for bed and I went back to Pop Century with the rest of the gang. The Pane Family had driven down from Atlanta earlier in the day and I asked Anthony if he would take me to CVS in order to get some orthontia wax for Dad's tooth. His tooth was not broken at the root, but it was cutting the inside of his lip open (and wax would prevent this). We found the wax and he dropped me off at CBR. Dad & Lindsay had gone to the food court while I was gone for drinks and laid on hammocks on the beach and watched the fireworks from Illuminations. Time for bed!! I forgot to mention that it was a little chilly, so we left our jeans on and took a light jacket with us when we went to Downtown Disney.

SATURDAY: Up at 7am to get in the shower. Dad, Linds & I had decided that we would avoid Magic Kingdom until after the weekend since they were taping the Christmas parade Friday, Saturday & Sunday. We opted for Animal Kingdom which opened at 9am. After everyone was ready, we went to the food court so Lindsay could get some breakfast (and a bagel for me :0)). Met Denise & the Panes at the front of AK and proceed to make our way to the back of the park so we could ride the safari first thing. From there we went to the Festival of the Lion King which was great as usual - new lights do enhance the show. Tough to Be a Bug, Primevil Whirl, Dinosaur all still awesome. Around 4:00pm me, Dad, Linds & Anthony left the park and headed for MGM and Denise & the rest of the Panes headed for MK in order to save some curb space on Main Street USA for the SpectroMagic Parade at 9pm. The four of us were going to MGM in order to have dinner with wdwmagic.com members at the 50's PrimeTime Cafe. Since we got there early we went & stood in line for Rock'n Rollercoaster (shh, don't tell the rest of the group). Then we walked over to the restaurant. I did not see any wdwmagic.com t-shirts so I went in front and inquired about the reservation for 35 people. I was told by the CM that there was a mixup and our reservation wasn't until the next night. They told me I could back to the tables and at least introduce myself. Since I had paid a $40 deposit, I figured I had better go find Pam (the coordinator) and let her know that I would not be attending the next night & to get my deposit back. I went to these peoples table, and lo & behold it was not our group. At this point, Anthony suggested going over to Epcot for dinner and as we were headed out the park I spotted a wdwmagic.com t-shirt. I walked up to the woman & introducted myself. Turns out it was Pam (Kingdom Konsultant). I told her what happened with the CMs up front and she was not to happy. Needless to say, we stayed for dinner. I had pot roast which was delicious, Anthony & Dad had fried chicken and Lindsay had mac&cheese with the BIGGEST milkshake I have ever seen!!! Dad & Anthony kept getting into trouble with the waitress for putting their elbows on the tables, asking for things, etc. It was pretty funny. In addition to Pam, I met: WannaBeBelle, MKT, ClemsonTigger, Mitzer, NSCMC, TheMom and few more I have forgotten their names. (sorry) Oh well........After dinner, we said our goodbyes and headed for MK. When you catch the bus at a park and head for MK, they no longer take you directly to MK, they take you to the Ticket & Transportation center. From there you catch the monorail OR the ferry boat to MK. I asked a CM about sitting in the front of the monorail and he said he had room from two more. He asked if I wanted to go, I said Dad & Lindsay did so they rode up front while Anthony & I rode in the car behind. I think they enjoyed it. When we got to MK we found Denise & the Panes across the street from Mighty Casey's. SpectroMagic was great as usual. We decided to skip Wishes since we would be seeing it the next night and all headed for the exits. With the exception of Anthony, Summer & the Major. They stayed in the park til it closed & didn't get back until midnight. When we seen Anthony the next day, he was very grumpy!! Weather was still cold. We wore jeans & light jackets all day.

SUNDAY: Up at 7am, everyone showered & out the door at 8. Ate breakfast in the food court and caught a Mears bus to Universal Studios. This was a warm day. We wore shorts & took a light jacket (which we did not need). (Denise & the Panes went to MK & Epcot. ) Dad, Lindsay & I headed straight back to Revenge of the Mummy and rode it three times in a row. It is an indoor coaster that now stands where King Kong used to be. I miss Kong, but this ride is good!! No loops or cobra rolls, but still a fun coaster. After that we headed to Twister, Earthquake, Jaws (where Lindsay & I got soaked), Men In Black, Back to The Future, E.T., Terminator and finally Shrek that was pretty good. We had a hamburger for lunch at Mel's then headed back to ride the Mummy two more times before leaving the park. We got picked up by Mears at 4:30 and headed back to CBR to get ready for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at MK. This event was to take place from 7pm to midnight. We changed into jeans, but we really didn't need them - we would have been fine in our shorts. We got there around 6pm and found the Panes. Bought our MVMCP pins for Lindsay, then got some cookies & hot chocolate and found some curbspace for the 8:15 parade. This parade was delayed until 8:45 because some poor woman fell in front of the fire station (where the parade comes out of) and busted her head open. CMs kept telling us Wishes would start on time at 9:15...........it did not. It started at 9:45pm. Still an excellent show, especially at MCMCP (the finale is in 360). We went to go get our free family photo and the line (inside Timekeeper - what a shame) was crazy so we decided we didn't want the picture and left the building. Well when we get near the door we are stopped by a CM who asks where we are going and we say we don't want to wait. What happens next? Yep, they take our picture and we are out the door in 5 mins. Just in time to catch Mickey's Twas The Night Before Christmas show at the Tomorrowland Stage. After that we had to find Lindsay some food and head back to CBR. We are all tired at this point. The good news is that I bought a pair of New Balance for heading for WDW. I kind of broke them in by walking 4 miles on the treadmill before we left. For the first time, my feet are in good shape!!!!
 

Gucci65

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Belle - there's always next year's meet right?

Anyway....here is the final day:

WEDNESDAY: Wake up around 7am. Everyone gets a shower. A CM comes to our room and picks up our luggage. We head down to the food court. Need to get Lindsay a pin from CBR. We stop at the bakery on Main Street USA, to get a muffin, a cinnamon roll and a cookie. Then we hit the rides. Stitchs Great Escape was first. I hate to say this, but I really don't care for this show. Alien was better. Rode Buzz twice in a row, got stopped both times - must have been loading someone from a wheelchair. Linds hit something with her laser gun and got 999,999. Rode Space Mtn twice, then onto the People Mover which broke down after we got off. About that time we needed to head over to the Crystal Palace to have lunch w/ Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore & Piglet at 11:30am. I figured this would be our dinner since our flight was leaving at 6:41pm. Food was excellent as usual. Pork tenderloin, salmon, and too much food to remember. My Dad tried the Banana Pudding w/ Bailey's Irish Cream and said it was delicious. One funny thing: Lindsay had gotten some ham and decided she didn't like it and put in a bread plate in the middle of the table. When Piglet came over, he saw the ham and started scolding me for it. I said no way, it's hers. Lindsay didn't get it at first, then it dawned on her..... DUH......ham = pig = Piglet. It was pretty funny. After lunch we waddled over to the County Bear Jamboree, you know I couldn't leave without seeing Big Al (LOL). After that we rode Splash Mtn, Thunder Mtn, Haunted Mansion and went into the Hall of Presidents.

It was coming up on 3pm so we decided to head for the front of the park and do some shopping before we left. On the way, Dad and Lindsay stopped and got a Dole Whip. I was too full from lunch so just grabbed a spoonful from Linds before she ate it all. It was nice to shop while everyone was sitting on the curb outside watching the parade.

We waved goodbye to the castle as we walked down Main Street and walked out of the park. Always kind of makes my heart feel heavy. I didn't want to leave. I need more time. I was definitely not ready to go back to work, but I digress. Hopped on the bus and headed back to CBR. Driver from Tiffany Town Car was there at 4:41 on the dot and soon we were on our way to the airport. Lindsay decided she was hungry again (I know you are all thinking "how can I afford this kid"?) and we decide to get her some food from Burger King. Years ago my Dad took Linds to WDW (just the two of them) and he called and said "Lindsay has lost her appetite, but not to worry.............she found an elephants to replace it."

This trip I sit next to a nice guy from Louisiana (not some grumpy old fart) who works for a huge grocery distributor and right before going thru security he opened his briefcase and out falls a box cutter. He throws it in the trash. Too late, he is questioned for an hour or so and released to go on the flight. Had they found that item while going thru security, we would have been arrested immediately.

The flight was delayed again and we sat on the runway for 20 minutes. By the time we got into Atlanta and jumped on the bus to the Park N Ticket it was 8:40pm.

I would go back again tomorrow. It was a great trip.
 

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