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Donald Willis -- October 2002 -- Walt Disney World (ASMoR)

Donald- 56- Donald Duck addict. Coworkers call me duck and desk is referred to as the duck blind. Donald collection display on desk varies seasonally. Currently is 40+ Donald cups and glasses (with a few stuffed Donald's too)) Second trip to WDW (last trip was 10 years ago to Magic Kingdom and Epcot only.) Frequent (15 +) Disneyland veteran.

Booked package through Disney Travel Company.

Getting up in years, used discretion, and traveled to Sacramento departure airport the night before traveling. Would have had to leave home at 3:00 am to make flight otherwise. Got to feed second addiction that night, exhibition NHL game, Sharks vs. Canucks at ARCO arena. (Thanks God for that bonus gift on top of the trip).

Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Checked in 1-1/2 hours before flight. Did not realize my waking shoes had metal plates in them. Happy hand screening by first federal TSA workers. They started that morning, and had about 50 extras, in training, watching. Took five extra minutes, but worth the knowledge they are taking airport security seriously. Aircraft left Sacramento and arrived Houston on time. Painless switch to Orlando, and arrived on time.

Traveled with a troop of Girl Scouts, who ended up staying at same resort, and kept getting HI Donald greetings next two days as we both visited the same parks. Arrival not as nice as last time, ten years ago, approached Orlando with fireworks going off outside my window. This time, just good old sunshine.

Mears shuttle to ASMoR, with painless check in. In room, unpacking within 1-1/2 hours of landing. Got my refillable mug ($10.99), ate sweet and sour pork at the intermission food court $8.99. Good, and too much food! Went swimming, visited store, Donald's Double Feature, did first pin trade (took 12 Donald's (11 from Disneyland and 1 from Paris) to trade). Got a Huey, Dewey and Louie pin. Went to room to rest up for first day of kamikaze attack on parks.

Highlight: Girl Scout troop and almost perfect travel, on time, and no snags!

Tuesday, October 2nd- Animal Kingdom

Up, dressed, got coffee in mug, and out to bus stop for animal kingdom bus. Have 8:10 PS at Donald's Breakfastosaurus (where else would a Donald addict start?) at Restaruantosarurs. Though park does not open until 9:00 you are met at a special line, your PS verified, and then you are escorted by your waiter to Dinoland and the breakfast. This was my 'free' item on the tour package, but receipt indicates would have been $17.95. Server Billy Jones gave a great introduction to the park as we meandered to the dining room. Good assortment of pastries, eggs, sausage, etc. Had Denver omelet, and good coffee and orange juice brought by our excellent server. He had to give attention to about 10 tables all at once. He was super helpful in getting photos taken. Got my picture taken with Pluto, Donald (YAY!), and Mickey. They hold you in Dinoland until the 9:00 opening.

At the ropeless drop, headed to Africa, stopping for photo of piglet and tigger, and photo with Eyore (he was gonna cry if I didn't). First of NO LINE rides. Kilimanjaro Safari. Got on next truck. Many animals out and around. Saw described animals in each area.

Then on to Festival of the Lion King. Great show! Stopped and got my picture with Donald (#2) in safari outfit. On to Kali River Rapids. On first raft. My co-rafters got wet. I got the entire wave down my head! Had one dry sock, rest of the clothing was dripping. Great ride! On to the Maharaja Jungle Trek. Again all animals out. Down to Dino land for a ride on TriceraTop Spin, Dinosaur, and the Tarzan Rocks show. Off to Africa for the Panani Forest Trail. I am a zoo person, and these are some of the best exhibits I have seen. Wonderful Gorilla exhibit. The supervisor, did not get her name, gave me a personal tour of the exhibit from the outside. Saw something that others do not believe happened (have picture to prove it) a young male jumping in the pond and going swimming. On to the Pochahontas show, followed by Tough to be a Bug, and a visit to the Conservation station. Wonderful pin trading with 4 guests from Japan, got 5 pins for Tokyo (all Donald Duck) and then the one lady in the group gave me a Donald Duck fan as a thank you gift for trading. Closed with great parade.

Had a 5:45: PS at Rainforest café. Though I was early, was seated within 5 minutes (I guess a party of one is easier to seat!). Blue Mountain Chicken sandwich and service were excellent. $11.99 plus beverage, tax and tip.

On return to my room I was greeted by a balloon and 'autographed' Donald Duck picture. Know how to treat a duck. On to Downtown Disney for shopping. Wanted a Donald Duck golf shirt, out of stock..but they direct me to a new store that makes custom shirts. Airbrushed painted shirts. Got a golf shirt with almost a fluorescent Donald and Donald Duck Addict logo.

Magic moments/people: Waiter/Guide Billy Jones. Custom shirt.

Not so magic moments. None

Thursday, October 4th. -MGM

Coffee and Danish at Intermission. Nice conversation with Jen, executive chef, doing a opening check. Great lady, but Friday was her last day after about 10 years. She and her chef hubby and going to head food service at a North Dakota casino (brr...cold).

Timely bus service. Stopped at guest services to pre-pay for Fantasmic Dinner package ($35.00 including tax and tip, paid in advance) at Mama Melrose. Stopped for photo with Donald (#3-This duck is flying high) by sorcerer's hat. On to the great movie ride. A good 'black' ride, with passable driver/mobster. On to Backlot tour. Just like yesterday, no lines, at all! New York street closed in preparation for special party. Down Sunset BLVD to Beauty and the Beast show, followed by 0 standby line for Twilight Zone Tower of Tower and only 5 minutes at Rock n Roller. Both super rides. On to Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Muppet 3d and the Stunt Spectacular. No need for FP for anything. Star tours, followed by Animation tour got me ready for the parade! After parade, second TZToT, and on to dinner. Finished my last pin trading (got 8 Donald's and 4 others for my 12 pins).

Mama Melrose...Great meal, Endless salad, choice of pizza, choice of any entrée menu, bread, and tiramisu for dessert, as well as non-alcoholic beverage. My server Joanne was wonderful, not only serving, but making sure all her guests, at various tables, got to know each other. On to Fantastic. Great show. Difficult to photograph through water spray. Got on second bus back to ASMoR.

Magic Moments: Joanne, who wanted her guests to be like one big Italian family, as well as the scrumptious Oso Bucco (veal shanks) with risotto. Second day with no lines. A great time of year to go.

Not so magic moment..none

Friday, October 4th-Epcot.

Cinnamon roll and coffee at Intermission. A fare well to Jen. She was re-creating the recipe for breakfast pizza. Someone had asked about it the day before, it was off the menu for a while. Her e-mail about an hour later asked her to set up the recipe for reinstatement to the menu. Those 'suggestions' to the park are listened to. (Early entry had been reinstated. although I had preplanned my days with PS and did not take advantage until Sunday.)

In Epcot at opening. Again this was to be a lineless day. The only waiting was for cyclical shows to begin. First stop was Spaceship Earth. Stopped midway to let on/off disabled. On to Test Track, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Body Wars living Seas, all before World Showcase opened. At Mexico at it's opening, and made my first loop around the 'world', seeing each show as I got there. Maelstrom closed for rehab. Several buildings were covered with wrappings. Painting to meet anniversary (Was Tuesday) got delayed by June rains (26 days out of 30 according to cast members.) Off-Kilter was on day off. After reading other trip reports, wished I had scheduled Epcot for a different day. (They are off Friday and Saturday). On to visit Figment and Imagination, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Ice cream at the Land (yummy double scoop in Waffle cone $3.59) Second lap of World Showcase, in reverse, to visit the stores (exhibits in lap one, stores in lap 2). Arrived at Showcase plaza in time for character bus arrival. Picture #4 with Donald (going quackers by now!) On to Le Cellier for dinner, after a stop for Donald dolls and pins. Server was Tanya from British Columbia. Other trip reports did not lie. Cheddar Cheese bacon soup was to die for. (Literally and figuratively...high cholesterol). Prime Rib. Back to the American exhibit area for Tapestry of nations. Cancelled by wind. Down to Showcase plaza to watch Illuminations. Wonderful! Then the long walk to the bus stops.

Magic Moments: Tanya (I seem to like the servers in the restaurants)

Not so magic: Maelstrom being rehabbed (knew in advance) and Off- Kilter being day off.

Saturday, October 5- Magic Kingdom

Full breakfast at Intermission in preparation for long day walking. At Magic Kingdom at 8:10 for 8:30 Keys to Kingdom tour. Checked camera (none allowed on tour), selected lunch and off we went. Nice to have early tours, main street is empty while you view that area. Tour guide Isabelle from Montreal (served 2 years at Disneyland Paris in attractions) very knowledgeable about the spirit of cast members and the parks. We were constantly quizzed to see if we saw their training in action. Rode Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion as part of the tour. Excellent lunch at Columbia Harbor House Restaurant. Combination of Ham with Broccoli Slaw in sandwich was delicious. Nice teamwork among the tour staff. 5-hour tour (including the 1/2 hour lunch break). I think Isabelle turned us all into hidden Mickey (and Hidden Donald and Hidden Walt) sleuths.

After tour, first real lines of week encountered. Not bad considering it was Saturday, and park now being visited by locals. 35 minute wait for Splash Mountain. Then went to Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree. Outside for Share a Dream parade. On to Castle plaza for picture with Donald (#5---Wow...quack...back flips). Plenty of character availability in all of the parks despite the cancellation of character caravans. Lines now building up, so went on short ones..It's a small world (wait two boats), and shopped. Dinner was a Hot Dog and Coke at Casey's and then stand in line for the Spectromagic parade. Almost, not quite, as good as old Electric Parade. Home after parade/closing.

Waited 45 minutes for a bus. Other resort busses were leaving partially full. All three All Star bus stops overflowing, and the transportation people did not seem to redirect extra buses (which is what they did at MGM, Epcot and Animal Kingdom). Took1 hour and 45 minutes from closing to arrival at ASMoR.

Magic Moments: Keys to Kingdom tour. We all loved Isabelle.

Not so magic: Transport seemed to ignore All Star Resorts for buses home.

Sunday, October 6th. Back to Magic Kingdom.

Up for full breakfast, checked luggage, and on to bus stop.

Yesterday was the only day that I could not ride everything in one day. Since I only had a 1/2 day before leaving, went back. Early Entry, so into the park at 8:00. Security on all days was thorough but swift! Got on every ride I missed yesterday. No lines at any. Walk on to everything. Loved Winnie the Pooh and Buzz Lightyear. Left at 12:00 and visited Polynesian Resort via monorail, and got Donald Hawaiian (well there are a few Mickey's on it). Only Store in WDW that carried the shirt. I wear either Donald or Hawaiian shirts to work, and the combination was too good to resist.

Back to resort reclaimed baggage and on 2:30 Mears shuttle to MCO. Flight to Houston landed 30 minutes early. Not headwind. Due to thunderstorms, left Houston late after gathering passengers that would have missed their connections. Slept on flight to Sacramento enough to drive home. (Arrived at 10:45, plus pick up baggage, get to car and 2 hour drive home..debated whether to take a motel, but with nap, no.) Arrived at home at 1:11 am Monday. Long day Up at 3:30 PDST (6:30 Orlando ) and bed at 1:30.

Magic Moments: Walt Disney Travel constantly kept me up to date on trip. 5 Pictures with Donald, Lots of new Donald stuff (have about 600 in my collection). Wonderful interaction with kids on buses, going from resort to parks.

Not so magic: None.(except next time I will allow enough time to not be a kamikaze trip. Time to hit water parks, night clubs. Next trip here will be a retirement gift to myself in 1 or 2 years!).

Donald Willis

PatadonalW@aol.com

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