Hi all. Sorry I didn't post this sooner. I am just finally beginning to feel like my old self. (Jet lag was bad this trip.) Had a totally wonderful trip and look forward to the next.
Our trip began with us leaving our house at around 12:30 am to drive to Spokane, WA to catch our flight at 6:00 am. The drive is only a 2 1/2 hour drive but we wanted to make sure we early so we could catch a bite to eat before our flight if we wanted to. We ended up arriving really early and went to a Denny's for a cup of coffee. We got to the airport and went thru security. Mom forgot about a lighter and my DH and I got the wand treatment. We went to our gate and waited to board. I was a little worried as it looked really foggy out and I was afraid that we'd miss our connecting flight in Seattle, WA. We boarded and left right on schedule. We got to Seattle and grabbed a bite to eat at a Burger King in the airport. Our flight to Orlando was uneventful and we arrived at 5:00 pm Florida time. For the record, the only person to sleep in that 24 hour period was my 6 year old neice. :lol: We go down to the ME desk and get pointed to our line for the bus to POR. We get on the bus almost immediately and waited about 20 minutes to see if there was any other guests going to POR. Now this was my father-in-law's first time and he was just amazed at the fact that our luggage would be brought to us. But that was nothing compared to our first look at POR. I had read lots of great things about it but I was totally blown away! It was absolutely Gorgeous! My sister and I went to check in and when we asked if we had adjoining rooms like we requested, we were told we didn't but our CM got us what we wanted in no time at all. We got to our rooms and were all totally blown away. We put our carry-on stuff in our rooms and went to check out the resort. Our rooms were located right next to the river with a veiw of the water taxis. My FiL was in total awe. There was a bench right by our rooms where we could sit, smoke, and watch the boats. We had dinner reservations at Boatwrights for 9:00 pm. But we were all so tired from a lack sleep and the flight that my sister asked if they could sit us sooner and at 8:00 pm we were seated. We considered that our first magical experience. Dinner was delicious and after dinner we went to the counter service and bought our refillable mugs. They were a life saver.
Our first day was at MK. We wanted to open the park but we overslept :animwink:. But that didn't matter. We were there and we were on a mission. We stopped and got a quick bite to eat at The Main Street Bakery. We then went and rode PotC. Loved the updates to the ride. We then went and got fast passes to Splash Mtn and rode BTMRR. The older members wanted to take a quick smoke break before getting on Splash Mtn. Mom was really apprehensive and neice was a little scared. My sis sat with FiL, I sat with Mom, and DH sat with neice. I, of course, got drenched in the part of the ride where you go by those going down the drop and the water cannons shoot water over the top of them. We get to the top of the hill and I look over at Mom who is gripping the hand rail with white knuckles. We go down and when we get to the bottom, My mom looked over to me and I quote "I was afraid of THAT!?!":ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: We all laughed so hard. Even my neice said it was okay. We then went over and caught the HM. We went back to Main Street and caught the train and rode it around the park. We then went and rode Buzz Lightyear and left the parents and neice in a smoking area while DH, sis, and I rode Space Mtn. It was about 6:45 and we decided to head over to Chef Mickey's for our dinner reservation. I have to admit, I missed stitch interrupting during the monorail speil. FiL liked riding the monorail. We got to the Contemporary and were saddened to see the wing that we stayed in at Christmas 2005 was gone. We had such wonderful memories of sitting in the room and watching the fireworks. Anyway, we check out all the changes in the stores and go and sit in the lounge area by the restaurants. We ordered drinks and I went to go check us in for our dinner. We got paged just before our drinks were ready, so hubby, FiL, and I grabbed our drinks while the rest of the party went to the table. Before we went to get our food, we took our picture. Dinner was delicious as we knew it would be. And when it was time to sing, even FiL and DH got in on the act, twirling their napkins in the air. It was our only character meal we did. We got our pics, climbed on the monrail, went back to MK and decided to call it a day. Caught the bus, and started our nightly ritual of going and getting a drink in our cups and smoking on "our" bench.
Our second day we went to Epcot. My FiL wasn't too impressed so we never went back during the rest of our trip. I checked into putting a memorial on the wall for my nephew that died in April but the only photo I had of him was a fuzzy black and white and I wasn't happy with it. We took neice and FiL to see Honey I shrunk the Audience and they LOVED it. We did the finding Nemo ride and thought it was cute. We also rode SSE. Mom and FiL got tired and they left before riding Test Track. Neice rode it and liked it. She got a t-shirt and a pin for trying it. (She also got a pin for trying Splash Mtn.) Went to O'hana for dinner and found out that Mom and FiL got lost on way back to resort. O'hana was really good only we never got to try the steak Kabobs. Neice went and danced with the other children and did really good during the limbo.
Our third day was at the Studios and we did EMH for that morning. DH, sis, and I were able to go on ToT and RnR within 15 minutes of getting into the park. After, we got some breakfast and went to ride Star Tours (neice's fav). We then went and saw Sounds Dangerous and when we left, found out mom never put on the earphone so she just sat in the dark. We laughed but I think she felt bad. FiL decided to sleep in and met us about 11:30 or noon. Took him to Sci-fi dine in restaurant as it was what neice wanted (another of her fav). After we rode Star Tours (again), saw Lights, Motor, Action, the backlot tour, and took a smoke break. My neice met a really nice CM with whom she decided to pin trade with. After they traded pins, we were congratulating her on her first pin trade and the CM gave her a Magical Moments pin for her lanyard. We let her take a pic of the CM and we thanked him for making it such a magical day for her. DH, sis, and I went back and rode ToT and RnR again before we left the park. About this time, we realized that our neice needed those locking pin backs forher lanyard so we picked some up on our way out.
Our 4th day we went to AK. Sis and DH ran to get fast passes for EE. We then got on the Kilimanjaro Safari and my FiL was amazed at all the animals we saw. We then went back to ride EE. Surprisingly mom and neice got on. FiL was feeling a little tired so he opted to sit it out. Unfortunately, mom and neice didn't like it. Mom didn't like the backward part and neice just didn't like it at all. But she did get a pin and a stuffed Yeti for going on it. We then went and saw A Bug's Life. FiL was the only one of us to get stung, as the rest of us had been before and leaned forward at just the right time. :lookaroun The only bad thing that happened was the 5 minute rain. But we did meet some Magical Moments CM's. Mom actually talked to them for about half an hour and even traded a pin with them. We had dinner at the Cape May Cafe.
Our 5th day we went and saw Pirates 3. Loved it. Did a little shopping, had a slow easy going day. At dinner at the Kona Cafe. Found out I liked scallops and Mom didn't. Neice threw a fit when I got the dessert she wanted. But I shared with her and all was well. Went back to DTD and caught the Ferry back to POR. Neice got a button naming her the co-captain. She was in heaven.
Our 6th day we went back to AK. It's one of our favs and DH and I wanted to spend our anniversary there. Plus we had reservations at Boma's and we thought it would make it easier to get there. We rode dinosaur, checked out Rafiki's, and saw the parade. FiL really liked it alot. My neice got a magical moment certificate playing a memory game with a cast member. But the best thing was dinner. We got to see the resort and had a great time trying out new foods. But for me, the best part was the card sitting on the table wishing my DH and I a happy anniversary and the dessert plate we got. I got all teary eyed. It was a wonderful ending to a really great day. My only regret was not getting an autograph of my other love - Stitch. Did get a couple of really good pics as he was going on a break though.
Our 7th day we went back to MK. Rode PotC again and this time I got a Magical Moment certificate. I have to admit that it should also have DH's name on it too as he helped me. There were these 2 questions about pirate stuff and I got them right. Sent my neice over to see if they'd let her try and she only had to answer the first question to get a certificate. Had lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern - best darn strawberry shortcakes! Rode Splash Mtn again, well just mom, sis, DH, and I. Turns out, mom really liked it alot. It wasn't much later that FiL went back to resort to lay down and mom went with to change out of her wet clothes. While they were gone, tried a Dole Whip. Can I just say it was the most delicious, mouthwatering, yummy treat ever !?! Mom came back and never got to try one. Gives us an excuse to go back :lol: . Saw Spectromagic and Wishes. Best ever. Enough said.
8th day was a total shopping day. Went back to DTD where we met Steve the riverboat captain whose girlfriend was one of the Magical Moments CM's that we met at AK. DH and FiL went and checked out the best kept Disney secret - the vacation club. FiL has decided to buy into it when his house sells. DH got cards that could be used for FP's. I searched high and low for a mickey waffle iron but they don't carry them anymore. Asked a manager at one store what it would take to get them back and he said enough people asking for them. DH and neice got their lightsabres that they have been wanting since I first heard about it here on this site. DH got the Sith pin while neice got the Jedi one. Did manage to get stuff for all my family that didn't go with us. Got brother a Goofy shirt and pirate Goofy, his girlfriend a charm bracelet with birthstones for both her kids and a mickey, and a stuffed mickey for my 2 nephews and minnies for my 3 younger neices. I also got a tote bag for my bro and his girlfriend in which I placed 2 mickey keyrings with the letter Z for the son that they lost. (At first my brother wanted to know why a Z and when I said Zander, he smiled and thanked me for thinking about him. It was really sweet.)
Our ninth day was our last full day at the parks. We spent it at the Studios. Rode ToT again. It is one of our favorite rides. Met a little kid going on his first ride. Told him the story about the first time my ex-SiL rode ToT at California Adventure in CA. (We went to Disneyland with my brother and his family in 2004. Told my SiL that there were no seatbelts on Splash Mtn. She did not believe us, rode it, alas no seat belts. The next day we went to ride ToT and told her that you stand up and they stap your feet in into these boot-like harnesses. She believed us and was shocked to see seats and belts. But, she hated the ride. She didn't like being in the dark and not able to see where she was going. It was funny.) Anyhow, this little boy was very brave and we ended up riding in the same car as him and his family. After the ride, I asked if he liked it and he said yes. I gave him and his sister a Disney pencil to commemorate his first ride. I gave out a total of 12 pencils to little kids that were riding different rides for the first time or if they looked sad or bored that day. It was really fun for me. We ate at the Brown Derby for the preferred seating at Fantasmic. Then at Fantasmic I gave a bunch of little kids sitting by us some glow sticks like you see during Halloween. Some parents were so appreciative for not having to buy any glow stuff. My DH thought I was nuts but for me, I was just hoping to share a little magic with those around us. Even my FiL was touched at what I did. The best thing was seeing smiles and hearing the thanks from the kids and parents - meant alot to me.
This brings us to day 10, a sad yet joyous day. We were going home but it was opening weekend of SWW. My DH loves Star Wars and wanted to get something special that was related to both Disney and Star Wars. So, Dh, sis and I get up for EMH thinking that we'd get a ride or two in before we shopped. So we hop on ToT and RnR. We grab a bite to eat and then head over to Jabba Hutt's store at about 8:30 am. We didn't think there would be much of a line but were we shocked! My Dh actually stood in this huge line. My sis and I went and did some last minute shopping for little things like t-shirts and pins that were Star Wars related. Now I wasn't too worried about the line, I figured it woud only take about an hour or two for him to get through. Kinda like a ride line. As he stood there, My sis and I sat at some tables just watching this line not move much. So, we go to the restroom and when we come out, the line seemed to have moved quite a bit. Now mind you, we had to catch the ME bus at 2 pm. I started to worry when my sis left for the resort at about 11 am. At noon, I was beginning to panic. As was the rest of the family back at the resort. But 10 minutes later we were inside. As we walked thru the store, we picked up a poster, some pins, and checked out the limited edition stuff from the list. Finally, at about 12:30 or 1:00 pm, we get to the table to pick up our stuff from the list. I got the limited edition Mickey as Luke/Minnie as Leia, while DH picked out the silver coin, 2 gold coins, the original movie poster pin set, and some limited edition character pins. He also bought one of those Mickey statues. We practically ran to the exit, waited for a bus, got on, he acidentally hit someone on the head with his box, I apologized for him, and made it back to the resort with about 20 minutes before the bus arrived. He ran to the conceirge desk to inquire about shipping his figure home, I ran to the General Store and bought another suitcase to put all that days purchases in. My FiL agreed to use it as his carry-on as I had a back pack and tote bag, hubby had back pack and pack, sis had backpack and tote bag, neice had backpack and DS case, mom had backpack and purse, and he had no carry-on. And, 2 of our 6 peices of luggage were over 50 lbs. and we were NOT charged extra.
Other little magical moments for us included when my FiL lost the top to his reusable mug, they replaced the entire mug. My DH bought a ToT coffee mug and our 8th day, as we were packing up most of our stuff, he found the handle of the mug was in like 4 or 5 pieces. Took it back to the store, prepared to pay for a new one, replaced it no charge, didn't even want to see the receipt for it. We had an extra fast pass for splash mtn and as we were walking by the stand by line, we would offer it to anyone who looked like they were alone. It seemed like a long time before amyone would take us up on our offer. But the CM's were just wonderful. Very nice and friendly. The only truly bad spot on our trip were the love bugs. They were everywhere. It was horrible.
And the most amazing thing happened - we turned my FiL into a Disney fan. It is totally unreal. He absolutely loved POR, was amazed at how wonderful the food was, loved the ease of the dining plan, loved the ME and how it worked, and decided he didn't want to wait 2 more years to go back. Even my DH, who up until this trip complained about yet another Disney trip has begun to talk about going every year for SWW, and even would like to try MNSSHP! He even has figured out what characters we'd go as. He'd be Hercules, sis wants Hades, neice would be Meg, Mom and I would be Pain and Panic, Sis's boyfriend would be Phil, and FiL could be Pegasus or Zues.
Anyway, sorry it was soooo long, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about our trip. My personal recommendations include POR, Dole Whips, ME, the dining plan, and taking your family for a lifetime of memories.:wave:
Our trip began with us leaving our house at around 12:30 am to drive to Spokane, WA to catch our flight at 6:00 am. The drive is only a 2 1/2 hour drive but we wanted to make sure we early so we could catch a bite to eat before our flight if we wanted to. We ended up arriving really early and went to a Denny's for a cup of coffee. We got to the airport and went thru security. Mom forgot about a lighter and my DH and I got the wand treatment. We went to our gate and waited to board. I was a little worried as it looked really foggy out and I was afraid that we'd miss our connecting flight in Seattle, WA. We boarded and left right on schedule. We got to Seattle and grabbed a bite to eat at a Burger King in the airport. Our flight to Orlando was uneventful and we arrived at 5:00 pm Florida time. For the record, the only person to sleep in that 24 hour period was my 6 year old neice. :lol: We go down to the ME desk and get pointed to our line for the bus to POR. We get on the bus almost immediately and waited about 20 minutes to see if there was any other guests going to POR. Now this was my father-in-law's first time and he was just amazed at the fact that our luggage would be brought to us. But that was nothing compared to our first look at POR. I had read lots of great things about it but I was totally blown away! It was absolutely Gorgeous! My sister and I went to check in and when we asked if we had adjoining rooms like we requested, we were told we didn't but our CM got us what we wanted in no time at all. We got to our rooms and were all totally blown away. We put our carry-on stuff in our rooms and went to check out the resort. Our rooms were located right next to the river with a veiw of the water taxis. My FiL was in total awe. There was a bench right by our rooms where we could sit, smoke, and watch the boats. We had dinner reservations at Boatwrights for 9:00 pm. But we were all so tired from a lack sleep and the flight that my sister asked if they could sit us sooner and at 8:00 pm we were seated. We considered that our first magical experience. Dinner was delicious and after dinner we went to the counter service and bought our refillable mugs. They were a life saver.
Our first day was at MK. We wanted to open the park but we overslept :animwink:. But that didn't matter. We were there and we were on a mission. We stopped and got a quick bite to eat at The Main Street Bakery. We then went and rode PotC. Loved the updates to the ride. We then went and got fast passes to Splash Mtn and rode BTMRR. The older members wanted to take a quick smoke break before getting on Splash Mtn. Mom was really apprehensive and neice was a little scared. My sis sat with FiL, I sat with Mom, and DH sat with neice. I, of course, got drenched in the part of the ride where you go by those going down the drop and the water cannons shoot water over the top of them. We get to the top of the hill and I look over at Mom who is gripping the hand rail with white knuckles. We go down and when we get to the bottom, My mom looked over to me and I quote "I was afraid of THAT!?!":ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: We all laughed so hard. Even my neice said it was okay. We then went over and caught the HM. We went back to Main Street and caught the train and rode it around the park. We then went and rode Buzz Lightyear and left the parents and neice in a smoking area while DH, sis, and I rode Space Mtn. It was about 6:45 and we decided to head over to Chef Mickey's for our dinner reservation. I have to admit, I missed stitch interrupting during the monorail speil. FiL liked riding the monorail. We got to the Contemporary and were saddened to see the wing that we stayed in at Christmas 2005 was gone. We had such wonderful memories of sitting in the room and watching the fireworks. Anyway, we check out all the changes in the stores and go and sit in the lounge area by the restaurants. We ordered drinks and I went to go check us in for our dinner. We got paged just before our drinks were ready, so hubby, FiL, and I grabbed our drinks while the rest of the party went to the table. Before we went to get our food, we took our picture. Dinner was delicious as we knew it would be. And when it was time to sing, even FiL and DH got in on the act, twirling their napkins in the air. It was our only character meal we did. We got our pics, climbed on the monrail, went back to MK and decided to call it a day. Caught the bus, and started our nightly ritual of going and getting a drink in our cups and smoking on "our" bench.
Our second day we went to Epcot. My FiL wasn't too impressed so we never went back during the rest of our trip. I checked into putting a memorial on the wall for my nephew that died in April but the only photo I had of him was a fuzzy black and white and I wasn't happy with it. We took neice and FiL to see Honey I shrunk the Audience and they LOVED it. We did the finding Nemo ride and thought it was cute. We also rode SSE. Mom and FiL got tired and they left before riding Test Track. Neice rode it and liked it. She got a t-shirt and a pin for trying it. (She also got a pin for trying Splash Mtn.) Went to O'hana for dinner and found out that Mom and FiL got lost on way back to resort. O'hana was really good only we never got to try the steak Kabobs. Neice went and danced with the other children and did really good during the limbo.
Our third day was at the Studios and we did EMH for that morning. DH, sis, and I were able to go on ToT and RnR within 15 minutes of getting into the park. After, we got some breakfast and went to ride Star Tours (neice's fav). We then went and saw Sounds Dangerous and when we left, found out mom never put on the earphone so she just sat in the dark. We laughed but I think she felt bad. FiL decided to sleep in and met us about 11:30 or noon. Took him to Sci-fi dine in restaurant as it was what neice wanted (another of her fav). After we rode Star Tours (again), saw Lights, Motor, Action, the backlot tour, and took a smoke break. My neice met a really nice CM with whom she decided to pin trade with. After they traded pins, we were congratulating her on her first pin trade and the CM gave her a Magical Moments pin for her lanyard. We let her take a pic of the CM and we thanked him for making it such a magical day for her. DH, sis, and I went back and rode ToT and RnR again before we left the park. About this time, we realized that our neice needed those locking pin backs forher lanyard so we picked some up on our way out.
Our 4th day we went to AK. Sis and DH ran to get fast passes for EE. We then got on the Kilimanjaro Safari and my FiL was amazed at all the animals we saw. We then went back to ride EE. Surprisingly mom and neice got on. FiL was feeling a little tired so he opted to sit it out. Unfortunately, mom and neice didn't like it. Mom didn't like the backward part and neice just didn't like it at all. But she did get a pin and a stuffed Yeti for going on it. We then went and saw A Bug's Life. FiL was the only one of us to get stung, as the rest of us had been before and leaned forward at just the right time. :lookaroun The only bad thing that happened was the 5 minute rain. But we did meet some Magical Moments CM's. Mom actually talked to them for about half an hour and even traded a pin with them. We had dinner at the Cape May Cafe.
Our 5th day we went and saw Pirates 3. Loved it. Did a little shopping, had a slow easy going day. At dinner at the Kona Cafe. Found out I liked scallops and Mom didn't. Neice threw a fit when I got the dessert she wanted. But I shared with her and all was well. Went back to DTD and caught the Ferry back to POR. Neice got a button naming her the co-captain. She was in heaven.
Our 6th day we went back to AK. It's one of our favs and DH and I wanted to spend our anniversary there. Plus we had reservations at Boma's and we thought it would make it easier to get there. We rode dinosaur, checked out Rafiki's, and saw the parade. FiL really liked it alot. My neice got a magical moment certificate playing a memory game with a cast member. But the best thing was dinner. We got to see the resort and had a great time trying out new foods. But for me, the best part was the card sitting on the table wishing my DH and I a happy anniversary and the dessert plate we got. I got all teary eyed. It was a wonderful ending to a really great day. My only regret was not getting an autograph of my other love - Stitch. Did get a couple of really good pics as he was going on a break though.
Our 7th day we went back to MK. Rode PotC again and this time I got a Magical Moment certificate. I have to admit that it should also have DH's name on it too as he helped me. There were these 2 questions about pirate stuff and I got them right. Sent my neice over to see if they'd let her try and she only had to answer the first question to get a certificate. Had lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern - best darn strawberry shortcakes! Rode Splash Mtn again, well just mom, sis, DH, and I. Turns out, mom really liked it alot. It wasn't much later that FiL went back to resort to lay down and mom went with to change out of her wet clothes. While they were gone, tried a Dole Whip. Can I just say it was the most delicious, mouthwatering, yummy treat ever !?! Mom came back and never got to try one. Gives us an excuse to go back :lol: . Saw Spectromagic and Wishes. Best ever. Enough said.
8th day was a total shopping day. Went back to DTD where we met Steve the riverboat captain whose girlfriend was one of the Magical Moments CM's that we met at AK. DH and FiL went and checked out the best kept Disney secret - the vacation club. FiL has decided to buy into it when his house sells. DH got cards that could be used for FP's. I searched high and low for a mickey waffle iron but they don't carry them anymore. Asked a manager at one store what it would take to get them back and he said enough people asking for them. DH and neice got their lightsabres that they have been wanting since I first heard about it here on this site. DH got the Sith pin while neice got the Jedi one. Did manage to get stuff for all my family that didn't go with us. Got brother a Goofy shirt and pirate Goofy, his girlfriend a charm bracelet with birthstones for both her kids and a mickey, and a stuffed mickey for my 2 nephews and minnies for my 3 younger neices. I also got a tote bag for my bro and his girlfriend in which I placed 2 mickey keyrings with the letter Z for the son that they lost. (At first my brother wanted to know why a Z and when I said Zander, he smiled and thanked me for thinking about him. It was really sweet.)
Our ninth day was our last full day at the parks. We spent it at the Studios. Rode ToT again. It is one of our favorite rides. Met a little kid going on his first ride. Told him the story about the first time my ex-SiL rode ToT at California Adventure in CA. (We went to Disneyland with my brother and his family in 2004. Told my SiL that there were no seatbelts on Splash Mtn. She did not believe us, rode it, alas no seat belts. The next day we went to ride ToT and told her that you stand up and they stap your feet in into these boot-like harnesses. She believed us and was shocked to see seats and belts. But, she hated the ride. She didn't like being in the dark and not able to see where she was going. It was funny.) Anyhow, this little boy was very brave and we ended up riding in the same car as him and his family. After the ride, I asked if he liked it and he said yes. I gave him and his sister a Disney pencil to commemorate his first ride. I gave out a total of 12 pencils to little kids that were riding different rides for the first time or if they looked sad or bored that day. It was really fun for me. We ate at the Brown Derby for the preferred seating at Fantasmic. Then at Fantasmic I gave a bunch of little kids sitting by us some glow sticks like you see during Halloween. Some parents were so appreciative for not having to buy any glow stuff. My DH thought I was nuts but for me, I was just hoping to share a little magic with those around us. Even my FiL was touched at what I did. The best thing was seeing smiles and hearing the thanks from the kids and parents - meant alot to me.
This brings us to day 10, a sad yet joyous day. We were going home but it was opening weekend of SWW. My DH loves Star Wars and wanted to get something special that was related to both Disney and Star Wars. So, Dh, sis and I get up for EMH thinking that we'd get a ride or two in before we shopped. So we hop on ToT and RnR. We grab a bite to eat and then head over to Jabba Hutt's store at about 8:30 am. We didn't think there would be much of a line but were we shocked! My Dh actually stood in this huge line. My sis and I went and did some last minute shopping for little things like t-shirts and pins that were Star Wars related. Now I wasn't too worried about the line, I figured it woud only take about an hour or two for him to get through. Kinda like a ride line. As he stood there, My sis and I sat at some tables just watching this line not move much. So, we go to the restroom and when we come out, the line seemed to have moved quite a bit. Now mind you, we had to catch the ME bus at 2 pm. I started to worry when my sis left for the resort at about 11 am. At noon, I was beginning to panic. As was the rest of the family back at the resort. But 10 minutes later we were inside. As we walked thru the store, we picked up a poster, some pins, and checked out the limited edition stuff from the list. Finally, at about 12:30 or 1:00 pm, we get to the table to pick up our stuff from the list. I got the limited edition Mickey as Luke/Minnie as Leia, while DH picked out the silver coin, 2 gold coins, the original movie poster pin set, and some limited edition character pins. He also bought one of those Mickey statues. We practically ran to the exit, waited for a bus, got on, he acidentally hit someone on the head with his box, I apologized for him, and made it back to the resort with about 20 minutes before the bus arrived. He ran to the conceirge desk to inquire about shipping his figure home, I ran to the General Store and bought another suitcase to put all that days purchases in. My FiL agreed to use it as his carry-on as I had a back pack and tote bag, hubby had back pack and pack, sis had backpack and tote bag, neice had backpack and DS case, mom had backpack and purse, and he had no carry-on. And, 2 of our 6 peices of luggage were over 50 lbs. and we were NOT charged extra.
Other little magical moments for us included when my FiL lost the top to his reusable mug, they replaced the entire mug. My DH bought a ToT coffee mug and our 8th day, as we were packing up most of our stuff, he found the handle of the mug was in like 4 or 5 pieces. Took it back to the store, prepared to pay for a new one, replaced it no charge, didn't even want to see the receipt for it. We had an extra fast pass for splash mtn and as we were walking by the stand by line, we would offer it to anyone who looked like they were alone. It seemed like a long time before amyone would take us up on our offer. But the CM's were just wonderful. Very nice and friendly. The only truly bad spot on our trip were the love bugs. They were everywhere. It was horrible.
And the most amazing thing happened - we turned my FiL into a Disney fan. It is totally unreal. He absolutely loved POR, was amazed at how wonderful the food was, loved the ease of the dining plan, loved the ME and how it worked, and decided he didn't want to wait 2 more years to go back. Even my DH, who up until this trip complained about yet another Disney trip has begun to talk about going every year for SWW, and even would like to try MNSSHP! He even has figured out what characters we'd go as. He'd be Hercules, sis wants Hades, neice would be Meg, Mom and I would be Pain and Panic, Sis's boyfriend would be Phil, and FiL could be Pegasus or Zues.
Anyway, sorry it was soooo long, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about our trip. My personal recommendations include POR, Dole Whips, ME, the dining plan, and taking your family for a lifetime of memories.:wave:
