RandeB
Member
The B Family Reunion
Cast of Characters:
NJDad (Me, 40)
NJMom
NJKid (9, 6th annual WDW visit)
Grandma & Pop pop-Proud sponsors of this trip, from PA
Maryland 3some-Sister, Brother in law, and 5-year-old niece
Maine 3some-Brother, Sister in law and 5-year-old niece
Some had never been to WDW, some not since 1978, some not since late 90s, some had been last year. One had only visited in utero.
Late in the summer, Pop pop surprised us all by announcing his plan to treat all of us to a trip to WDW. He was hopeful of getting reservations to the Polynesian, and as Designated Disney Expert I was put on the case.
Of course, it was too late to secure Polynesian rooms for our scheduled trip, Nov 6 thru 11, due to the large influx of other Njans enjoying a school break and the mobs of Soap Opera fans. Through repeated tricky maneuvers on the Disney website, we were able to get 4 rooms at AS Movies, despite the fact that, over the phone, they were “completely booked.” Despite repeated attempts, we were unable to “trade up”, which gave us a clue to how crowded Disney would be during our trip. We also failed in 4 phone attempts to get Cinderella Breakfast reservations, but did get PS for 4 at the EPCOT Princess Breakfast.
Gma and Pop pop were to travel with us on Delta out of LaGuardia (best nonstop rates to MCO for both the NY area family AND the Philadelphia area family). The other 2 families were flying out of Baltimore (Air Tran) and Portland, ME (US Airways). All were to arrive on Wednesday November 6th. (After my first trip to Disney as a Dad, I’ve planned to arrive the day before we attack the parks so we are rested and ready to go).
Best-laid plans and all, a rainy Wednesday arrived and Gma and Pop pop were a bit late arriving due to a flat tire. But thanks to a PA State policeman, they arrived in the nick of time. We got to LGA airport to find our plane delayed. NJKid was able to complete her homework with enough time for me to lug her heavy books back across the highway to the parking lot and the car. (Yeah!)
Instead of arriving around 4, we were landing around 6 PM. Out my side of the plane you could see the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom! I had been joking with NJKid about seeing Disney out her side, but it turns out we had the view. Without the fireworks you would have never seen it, but it was cool.
Fabio from Tiffany picked us up in a van; we made a lightning fast stop at a Publix grocery store, and proceeded to AS Movies. Any momentum we had built at that point dissipated as we had the slowest check in EVER. A short, but s l o w moving line, and it took about ½ hour to check in once we reached a CM. Some of us went to the food court, had dinner, went back, ordered more dinner for line-waiters and still were finished before check in was completed. We had hoped for Toy Story or Dalmatians, but ended up on the third floor of Love Bug facing the parking lot and back of AS Music.
Luggage delivery worked fairly well, and a phone call got us a refrigerator in a NY minute.
The others arrived late in the evening, but on schedule, and had their own separate Tiffany cars to the hotel.
Although it was thought that the ME and MD people were arriving too late for them to join us for Early Entry, after ME heard about it they wanted to join in. Maine kid was asked where she wanted to go more than anywhere in the world (trip was a surprise) she responded, “Paris!”
Nov 7, Day Two
The NJ clan was up early, as usual. When it turned out the Maine wanted to go early, Pop Pop decided to phone the Maryland group awake to join in. Everyone visited the Food Court for the obligatory Mickey Waffles or grits. Many of the adults bought the mugs. All aboard a bus for the MK. NJKid who already has most of the autographs that are easily obtained was surprised to see 2 who she hadn’t seen before, Wendy (Peter Pan) and Clopin (Hunchback of Notre Dame). She nabbed their signatures before most of us hopped aboard Dumbo. Brother and I were in the ‘first’ elephant, the Camera Dumbo. Peter Pan was closed, so some rode the Carousel (NJMom had already obtained FPs for Winnie the Pooh). After a nostlagic ride on It’s A Small World (some had actually ridden it at the NY World’s Fair), we headed to Pooh. The New-To-Fastpass people were impressed with the process. Then everyone headed to the Haunted Mansion, which was a little scary for the tired 5 year olds. The MD folks had to head back to Fantasyland to revive the spirits of their kid. The rest of us (except for G-ma) rode BTMRR and then Splash Mt (with G-ma). For the first time ever, we knew everyone in our ‘log’ so we bought the picture.
The NJ crowd peeled off to Tomorrowland for a ride on the TTA, and then a FP trip on Buzz and Space Mt. We all met up at Plaza Pavilion where some of us enjoyed the Stack Sandwich while others ate other items from there or from Casey’s Corner or a turkey leg.
Just when Pop pop had returned from a trip back to Love Bug to do some business, we all headed right back to the Fantasia pool.
After the break, we headed to the Studios. We all enjoyed Muppetvision, then most of us took a Star Tour. Then the NJ 3 Rock N Roller coaster, then just NJMom and I did a spectacular Tower of Terror after dark with a pretty moon. Creepier and prettier at night!
We also found the “Evil Tower U R Doomed” letters as we were assigned the left library.
After a quick Catalina Eddies’ cold pizza for me, we picked up “Guest of Honor” personalized badges for the girls. NJKid wore hers everyday and was occasionally greeted by name. Mainekid wore hers once in a while when she remembered, and Maryland kid never wore hers because she was afraid people might ask her questions.
Cast of Characters:
NJDad (Me, 40)
NJMom
NJKid (9, 6th annual WDW visit)
Grandma & Pop pop-Proud sponsors of this trip, from PA
Maryland 3some-Sister, Brother in law, and 5-year-old niece
Maine 3some-Brother, Sister in law and 5-year-old niece
Some had never been to WDW, some not since 1978, some not since late 90s, some had been last year. One had only visited in utero.
Late in the summer, Pop pop surprised us all by announcing his plan to treat all of us to a trip to WDW. He was hopeful of getting reservations to the Polynesian, and as Designated Disney Expert I was put on the case.
Of course, it was too late to secure Polynesian rooms for our scheduled trip, Nov 6 thru 11, due to the large influx of other Njans enjoying a school break and the mobs of Soap Opera fans. Through repeated tricky maneuvers on the Disney website, we were able to get 4 rooms at AS Movies, despite the fact that, over the phone, they were “completely booked.” Despite repeated attempts, we were unable to “trade up”, which gave us a clue to how crowded Disney would be during our trip. We also failed in 4 phone attempts to get Cinderella Breakfast reservations, but did get PS for 4 at the EPCOT Princess Breakfast.
Gma and Pop pop were to travel with us on Delta out of LaGuardia (best nonstop rates to MCO for both the NY area family AND the Philadelphia area family). The other 2 families were flying out of Baltimore (Air Tran) and Portland, ME (US Airways). All were to arrive on Wednesday November 6th. (After my first trip to Disney as a Dad, I’ve planned to arrive the day before we attack the parks so we are rested and ready to go).
Best-laid plans and all, a rainy Wednesday arrived and Gma and Pop pop were a bit late arriving due to a flat tire. But thanks to a PA State policeman, they arrived in the nick of time. We got to LGA airport to find our plane delayed. NJKid was able to complete her homework with enough time for me to lug her heavy books back across the highway to the parking lot and the car. (Yeah!)
Instead of arriving around 4, we were landing around 6 PM. Out my side of the plane you could see the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom! I had been joking with NJKid about seeing Disney out her side, but it turns out we had the view. Without the fireworks you would have never seen it, but it was cool.
Fabio from Tiffany picked us up in a van; we made a lightning fast stop at a Publix grocery store, and proceeded to AS Movies. Any momentum we had built at that point dissipated as we had the slowest check in EVER. A short, but s l o w moving line, and it took about ½ hour to check in once we reached a CM. Some of us went to the food court, had dinner, went back, ordered more dinner for line-waiters and still were finished before check in was completed. We had hoped for Toy Story or Dalmatians, but ended up on the third floor of Love Bug facing the parking lot and back of AS Music.
Luggage delivery worked fairly well, and a phone call got us a refrigerator in a NY minute.
The others arrived late in the evening, but on schedule, and had their own separate Tiffany cars to the hotel.
Although it was thought that the ME and MD people were arriving too late for them to join us for Early Entry, after ME heard about it they wanted to join in. Maine kid was asked where she wanted to go more than anywhere in the world (trip was a surprise) she responded, “Paris!”
Nov 7, Day Two
The NJ clan was up early, as usual. When it turned out the Maine wanted to go early, Pop Pop decided to phone the Maryland group awake to join in. Everyone visited the Food Court for the obligatory Mickey Waffles or grits. Many of the adults bought the mugs. All aboard a bus for the MK. NJKid who already has most of the autographs that are easily obtained was surprised to see 2 who she hadn’t seen before, Wendy (Peter Pan) and Clopin (Hunchback of Notre Dame). She nabbed their signatures before most of us hopped aboard Dumbo. Brother and I were in the ‘first’ elephant, the Camera Dumbo. Peter Pan was closed, so some rode the Carousel (NJMom had already obtained FPs for Winnie the Pooh). After a nostlagic ride on It’s A Small World (some had actually ridden it at the NY World’s Fair), we headed to Pooh. The New-To-Fastpass people were impressed with the process. Then everyone headed to the Haunted Mansion, which was a little scary for the tired 5 year olds. The MD folks had to head back to Fantasyland to revive the spirits of their kid. The rest of us (except for G-ma) rode BTMRR and then Splash Mt (with G-ma). For the first time ever, we knew everyone in our ‘log’ so we bought the picture.
The NJ crowd peeled off to Tomorrowland for a ride on the TTA, and then a FP trip on Buzz and Space Mt. We all met up at Plaza Pavilion where some of us enjoyed the Stack Sandwich while others ate other items from there or from Casey’s Corner or a turkey leg.
Just when Pop pop had returned from a trip back to Love Bug to do some business, we all headed right back to the Fantasia pool.
After the break, we headed to the Studios. We all enjoyed Muppetvision, then most of us took a Star Tour. Then the NJ 3 Rock N Roller coaster, then just NJMom and I did a spectacular Tower of Terror after dark with a pretty moon. Creepier and prettier at night!
We also found the “Evil Tower U R Doomed” letters as we were assigned the left library.
After a quick Catalina Eddies’ cold pizza for me, we picked up “Guest of Honor” personalized badges for the girls. NJKid wore hers everyday and was occasionally greeted by name. Mainekid wore hers once in a while when she remembered, and Maryland kid never wore hers because she was afraid people might ask her questions.
