Trip Reports

Time of Year: Spring
Travel Method: Plane, Rental Car
Resort: OKWR, CBR
Accommodations: Two-Bedroom Vacation Home, Standard Room
Ages Represented in Group: Teen, Adult
WDW Experience Represented in Group: Veteran - Rookie, DVC Members
Comments: Lori's group spent eight days at WDW. Most of the group stayed at Old Key West, but one couple was at Caribbean Beach Resort. They did a lot including several character meals, the parks, Typhoon Lagoon, and Universal Studios on their last day.

Trip report 5/11/97-5/18/97

Myself Lori, fiancée Frank, daughter Nicole 20, and Kelly 24, Kelly's fiancée Dave 26, friends Candy and Al and their two daughters, Rachael 17 and Nancy 15. Everyone stayed at Old Key West but Kelly and Dave who stayed at Caribbean Beach.

Day 1

We went on Mother's Day. What a Present!!!! I awoke at 4 am and was too excited to sleep. The plane left at 7am and arrived in Florida at 10am. It was a Delta Express, which is the same as other flights except no movie and no meal. They did offer drinks and snacks. On the way down we had a tray with a Sweet Reward bar, cheese and crackers, and little bite size candy bar. On the way back all I remember were the peanuts. That was an 8:30 pm flight. The flights were uneventful and smooth, and thank goodness, because I hate flying. We picked up our cars at the airport-using National. We had an upgrade since there were 5 in our car. Candy and Al had just a mid size, but because they didn't have any mid size left they got a full size for the cheaper rate while we paid $40 more for the same size. I'm sure if I had looked around that I would have found an upgrade discount somewhere. I did use my MKC and got it for $196 for 8 full days.

We check in to OKW and got our LOS passes for those who needed them. We get four free passes since we are members of OKW. They don't include Water Parks or Pleasure Island so when we took the kids we had to pay for 4 of us. We used our DVC discount, which saved some money. Even though we were there 7 nights they only charged us for 6 on the LOS passes, because the passes were not going to be good on our last day, which was fine because we went to Universal that day anyway. We hadn't realized the prices went up in March so it worked out to about the same as if we had gotten a 7-night stay, about $240's. We were disappointed that it didn't include the Flex feature. I found out when I got home that there was a mistake on the Internet and that Flex feature comes with Magic passes only and not LOS. Kelly and Dave got annual passes (about $260's with MKC discount) because they will be going again in September for their honeymoon and it also will be ours, but that's another story.

First we headed for MGM. Since it was Mother's Day, all moms were getting flowers. They had baskets of roses; pink, yellow, and red as you entered the parks that they were passing out.

We had made reservations for 50's prime time café for 12:30 pm. I had the turkey dinner; others had roast beef, chicken, and hamburgers. Everyone loved the food, and the milkshakes were the best, very thick, especially the Butterfingers one. Al got a kick out of how after going to the bathroom "mom" was walking around and wanted to know if he had washed his hands, and than asked what color the soap was. When he said white liquid she said "no" sent him back to wash again. Everyone laughed and he went along with his head down like he was a bad boy. This was a great family place. Can be cheaper if you share meals and there is plenty of food to do that.

We went outside and saw Toy Story parade coming. It was a very short parade, but it had all the Disney magic, and we were getting hot, it was about 80 degrees. We left MGM and went back to OKW. The buses were very convenient. For the couple of hours early in the am and late pm they ran often, about every 10 to 15 minutes and sometimes sooner, and around 12-5 they ran about every 20 minutes. There used to be a schedule for afternoon hours but not anymore. We thought that maybe too many complained when they weren't on time.

First we dropped Kelly and Dave at CBR and they checked into a motel style room with a king size bed. They loved having the fully filled refrigerator in the room. It had stuff like soft and hard drinks, and snacks. There were even ponchos in the room. Of course anything you take you get charged to your room bill. CBR is very large. If staying there with teenage kids you should try to get closer to Old Port Royal, which is in the center. It has a big pool with a slide, a food court, stores, and a video room. A couple of years ago my son enjoyed going off on his own there playing games, eating, swimming, that he didn't even want to stop most of the time to go to the parks.

We dropped the kids at OKW so they could swim. We had put bathing suits in a separate bag so we could get at them. The adults went grocery shopping at Goodings, down the street from Disney Village Marketplace. You need a car for this. There are groceries at the Marketplace, but a very small selection. Then we went and checked into OKW. It was about 4 pm and that's usually the earliest they will give you your key. I have heard some people get theirs earlier, but that is probably during slow times. We had a 2 bedroom with 2 bathrooms, washer, dryer, iron with board, and fully equipped kitchen. The pool was 75 feet one way with bus stop 75 the other.

By 5-5:30 we headed to Epcot. We would call Kelly and Dave every time we left so they would leave and then arranged a place in front of the parks to meet. All phone calls we made back and forth were FREE. We did about half of Future World. Honey I Shrunk the Audience is our favorite. New for us was Ellen's adventure at Universe of Energy. We really enjoy the dinosaurs and it's much improved over the old ride. We skipped IllumiNations this night, as we were all tired. We left the park before the crowds started to leave. Every night back at OKW we would take turns using the Jacuzzi. There also was a great hot tub by the pool, which felt wonderful on your feet after walking all day.

Day 2

We made breakfast every day at OKW, except for our Character breakfast later in the week. We would have eggs, pancakes, or cereal and bagels etc. On the way out we would throw everything in the dishwasher.

We stayed away from parks on their early opening days for two reasons. One, none of us wanted to get up that early, 6-6:30 was early enough, and two, I always find that the early entry parks get crowded quickly. It's not bad if you get there early and then leave by 9:30 or 10 am but we wanted to stay at the same park till 12 pm or so.

Today is MGM. We always head for Tower of Terror first. It's great that all the parks have the Time Board at the front of the parks to check. It gives you an idea of the wait lines for all the rides. I would check it on and off though the day. Not counting small children, I think everyone should try all the rides. I myself get nervous on new ones, especially heights and fast ones. I find that I work myself up and that can make it worse. So now that I relax and don't think about it I really enjoy them and every time we go on them again it's more fun. Two of the girls didn't want to go on ToT but I talked them into it and then we couldn't get them away, they wanted to keep going. The wait at 9 am was only about 5 minutes. In fact till almost up to 12 pm the lines were under 10 or 15 minutes wait.

About 12 pm we left and headed back to OKW for lunch. We would cook things like spaghetti, chicken, ham steaks etc. while the kids were swimming. Sometimes we would swim first and then cook. We made our big meals at noon and then for supper we would have a sandwich or eat something in the parks.

This night we drove over to Wilderness Lodge and had dinner at Artist Point. Very expensive, but nice atmosphere, very good food, and the best service. They had pork chops and steak, and they also had game meats. The Lodge itself is gorgeous. You walk into a huge lobby with a cathedral ceiling. There were character totem poles, fireplace, and rockers to relax on. They have several restaurants and a store. The warm, bubbling spring starts inside and runs out to a waterfall and the pool. Then there is the geyser that goes off, I think it was every ½ hour. Out back you can also see Bay Lake and take a boat to MK or Discovery Island. After dinner we drove over to Fantasia Gardens. It's located across the street from MGM Studios. They have two miniature golf courses there. One is like regular miniature golf with a lot of Disney props to play in and around with Disney music playing. It's great for kids as well as adults. The other is a small version of a regular golf course, great for beginners or teenagers.

Weather: The only time we had rain was some showers Monday and a few Tuesday morning. It didn't bother us because we had our ponchos and kept going. Sometimes I find the least lines when it's raining. It was mostly in the 80's with 90's as the week went on. It did get humid but we carried our water bottles to the parks and did fine. Every night we would put the water in the freezer to make ice. In the morning we would put the ice in our water bottles, and the ice would melt during the day and we still have cold water, of course we weren't at the parks long. Always left by 12 or 1pm when the crowds get too much and it's so hot. It gave us a rest time at the pools and we were ready to go out again by 4 or 5. It was great having MK open till 9:30 each night and Epcot till 9.

Day 3

Went to MK at 9am and went on rides we hadn't yet done such as Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad. We stopped in Mickey's Toontown Fair and we tried the Barnstormer Roller coaster. I assume it is for kids being in the kids' area but except for the fact that it only lasts about 3 minutes it is a very scary ride. Fast turns and the ups and downs, WOW! They have a nice area to get fruit, bananas, apples, etc. and they have the best cupcakes that are really good because they keep them cold.

We stopped by on Main Street across from City Hall at the Welcome Center. First you walk in and tell them the year of your first visit and they give you a small badge with the date on it. Then you go in and see a lot of memorabilia of Disney while you wait till they bring you into the theater for a movie of things to come at Disney, and it stars Mickey Mouse. I thought it was cute and very well done. You get to find out more about the new park, Animal Kingdom, that they are building. On the way out they give you a free lithography picture of Disney.

We had lunch back at OKW and went swimming. Around 5 pm we picked up Kelly and Dave and drove over to the Fort Wilderness parking lot. We took a bus from there to the Pioneer Hall stop, where they have the Hoop Dee Doo and the Backyard Barbecue.

The barbecue cost about $36 a piece. It was outside on picnic tables and did have a roof over head but no sides. You went in and right away there were 6 or 8 lines to get into. You took your plate and silverware and filled up your plates with hotdogs, chicken, ribs, beans, rolls, etc. There were no hamburgers. The corn, drinks including beer and the watermelon were at other stations you could go to. Then later they brought out lots of big sheet cakes with the best yellow and chocolate cakes I ever had. All the food was fantastic except the corn didn't have much taste. You could keep going up for all you could eat. You picked what table you wanted to sit at.

Up front they had a stage with a band and a girl and guy doing the show for the night. They had country and western music. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale were there most of the night, dancing, signing autographs, and taking pictures. They were there while everyone got up and learned how to line dance. That took up most of the evening. Over on the side they had games like at carnivals set up where you could play. You couldn't win anything but it was free to play. There was a bathroom close by which was actually located in River Country, so you could check out that place out when you went. We all loved the food and most of the kids played the games and did the line dancing. We didn't stay late because most of us got bored. I think it is the best place if you have small kids who would really enjoy all the time you can spend with the characters. Now if I had a choice I would rather go to the Hoop Dee Doo. The food is just as good and the show is entertaining. There are no characters there but that would be okay for us. You can arrive early to get your tickets to either place that you previously made reservations for. Then you can walk around and see the little carts with things they sell, the small store, animals such as Minnie Moo, or sit on one of the rocking chairs up on the porch and relax.

Day 4

Today we slept in till 8am and headed over to Typhoon Lagoon, arriving there about 10am. If I thought about it I would have bought our tickets at DVC before we came and we could have skipped the lines.

First thing we did was send the kids to stake out our lounge chairs for the day while we went and got the lockers. The lockers are $5 for small and $7 for large. They give you back $2 when you return the key. You need to decide if you want you chair in the sun or shade. We leave our towels and suntan lotions on the chairs to save our spot.

DON'T forget the sunscreen. I couldn't believe how quick you burn even with it on. I was pink and I kept putting on #45. I forgot the tops of my feet and boy were they sore for the next few days.

My favorite rides are castaway creek, where you get a free big tube and float around the 3 foot deep stream that circles the entire park. There is one spot where there is a small water falls coming down on your head and gets you a little wet, but if you stand out of the tube you can walk between it and just get a little splashed. Another is the Humunga Kowabunga, a speed slide that goes STRAIGHT down. Just watch your bathing suit, it really rides up on this one. Someone in our party tried the Mayday Falls, that is a slide for single riders and you use a tube, well SHE lost her top. She just hoped no one was video taping. The waves at the wave pool are fantastic. It's a 2 1/2 acre lagoon with 6 foot high surfing waves, but you don't have to go all the way in if you don't want to get drenched.

We left about 1pm. and just those few hours there wiped us out. After lunch and a nap we drove over to Boardwalk. That night we rented bikes. You can get a 4-seater and pedal all around Boardwalk. It actually goes around the whole lake over pass the Yacht and Beach Club. It was really nice and about 9 p.m. we stopped on the little bridge and saw the fireworks and some of IllumiNations at Epcot.

We had supper on the Boardwalk at Big River Grille and Brewing Works. I rated the atmosphere a 3, very dull and the food a 7. I don't think we would eat there again. I think next time we would try the Flying Fish. I heard that was good.

Day 5

We all meet at Epcot at 8:30am. We had reservations for breakfast at the Garden Grille at The Land. The restaurant was one of our favorites. The food is good, for an all you can eat breakfast. They just keep bringing all the scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, rolls, (the cinnamon rolls were great) potatoes, juice, coffee that you want. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. It's set up were you feel like you have privacy. Which was great for the teenagers because they are not the types to go off to see the characters in the parks, but when the characters came to the table just for us, they didn't hesitate to get up and have their pictures taken. I loved how the restaurant revolves around so slowly while you eat you don't even realize it except the scenery keeps changing. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale. They took turns coming around, they came more than once and sometimes together, fooling around.

After breakfast we went on Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Journey into Imagination, and the boat ride at The Land. We all thought the rides were a 10.

The kids got a kick out of the water falls that goes backwards and the water fountain that shoots water over you when your walking on the sidewalk by the HISTA ride. Also over there is a drinking fountain that talks to you.

Around 12 pm we headed back to OKW. We took the boat over to Disney Village and walked around. We were disappointed in the new character shop they built. It seems that all they did was to take the old one and put it in the new store and spread it out more.

We had lunch at the Rainforest Café. We went about 2 pm and got right in. The atmosphere and food were worth it and thank goodness because the service was very poor. We had to wait 1 ½ hours for are food. The drinks were right there and gone before you knew it. The specialty drinks were expensive and the kids said that's why they keep dinner waiting so we would buy more of them. We had water after that. The waitress said that when the crowd died down after 1 pm that one of the cooks left and that's why it was taking so long. That and the fact that there were 9 of us, and I thought, what difference does that make. Even with our complaining we got nothing for it. It would have been nice to get a free round of cokes or something. I would try it again though, just for the great food and atmosphere, hoping the wait will not be as long next time.

That night we went to Pleasure Island. We heard you could get some kind of discount if you do both the movies and Pleasure Island but no one wanted to go the movies. They are going to be adding 14 new theaters for a total of 24. They are located right next to Pleasure Island. First we saw the Comedy show at the Comedy warehouse. They probably have 3 or 4 shows a night. The lines to get in can get crowded, so best to go to the early show. It's free with your admission to PI We all enjoyed the show, about an 8. I had enjoyed it last year more. Tonight they weren't quite as funny.

We walked around a lot and getting hungry again smelling the sausages cooking in one of the take out restaurants. We tried a couple of the dance clubs so the kids could see what they were like. They dance a little, but after awhile they were bored, or maybe it was hard for them to really have a good time with their parents with them. Plus most of the people were over 21 and drinking. So we took them to the Adventures Club, a #10. The atmosphere is like being in 1930's British explorers club. Lots of rooms to go in. They put on these little skits in different rooms during the night. You can get a schedule of which room they will be in as you enter. The people all working there dress and act the parts of explorers etc. It's very entertaining and relaxing. We order a few drinks while we walked around, and sat, and saw some of the shows.

We didn't stay for the Big New Year's Eve Party because everyone was tired. I had been there before for it and they have a big stage outside with a band or two every night. About 12 am they have the countdown and the fireworks, confetti, and a sound and light show with everyone dancing. It's like a big street party. You can go to PI between 10 am and 7 pm for free to go the shops and restaurants. The clubs themselves actually open at 7 pm and that's when they charge admission to PI It's about $18 without discounts, or included with some park passes, like the water parks.

Day 6

Today we went back to MK and went on all the rides we hadn't seen or saw ones again we really liked like Splash Mountain. We tried a turkey leg that they sell in Frontierland. I didn't really enjoy it. I thought it was very dry, but then turkey usually is. The kids enjoyed it. It was very big and too much for one person. Everyone enjoyed The Lion King show in Fantasyland. A condensed version of the movie with puppets of the characters talking, singing, and dancing around. Hard to describe but definitely Disney knows how to make things special.

We went back to OKW and had lunch at Olivia's, with the best food and service. The atmosphere is just a normal restaurant, nothing very special. You can sit outside to eat if it's not too hot. We ate inside, in a booth. We had hot wings for an appetizer. They have the best hamburgers, and if you like key lime pie, I have never had better anywhere!!!!!!!

Tonight is our famous "Drink around the World" night. We went to World showcase at Epcot. We started in United Kingdom and got a "Yard of ale" It's a very tall (plastic) glass that they fill with beer. It was $10 and you keep the glass. I think you can get cheaper refills there in United Kingdom but we kept walking. Mostly it was the guys drinking the beer and the women and kids went for all the food we buy and share while we walked "around the world". We really enjoyed the pastries in the France bakery.

Outside of France they had a statue of a women. At least we thought it was a statue till it moved. She had special makeup on her face to look like a statue, gloves and an off white gown like a goddess. Every 2 minutes or so she would go into a different pose and not move a muscle till she went into another. Her eyes were closed the whole time. The funny part was when a worker went over and started to dust her off.

We had hotdogs and coke (or beer) in the U.S. Some times they have a show in the outside stage in front of the U.S. but nothing was going on then.

We bought some good chocolate candy in Italy; they had all different kinds. We saw entertainers outside of Alfredo's (they have they best "fettuccine") singing songs in Italian.

In Germany we had the bratwurst, Fantastic!!! The German beer was great with the sandwich. We saw entertainers here that were walking around the whole park on stilts. They were dressed almost like Indians. They had on makeup and masks and costumes and riding fake, funny looking horses with stilts for the horse's legs that made them very tall.

In China we had Chinese food at the Lotus Blossom. A small, pick up your food and go sit down, restaurant. The sweet and sour chicken was great. They have a movie in China, but we like the one in France better because you can sit down and it's kind of romantic also.

Norway is another great place for pastry with a place to sit outside and eat. We went on the ride they have there called Maelstrom. The line always looks long but it moves fast. It's a short boat ride, but you get to see a short movie of Norway also, with a total time of 15 minutes. I love to see the trolls on the ride.

Mexico has a very nice restaurant inside looking over the little waterway where they have a ride with boats. The restaurant is not my favorite for food. I have only ate their once and didn't like the food, but the atmosphere and service are excellent so I might try again someday.

In the World Showcase there are a lot of restaurants, stores, and entertaining going on. It's a good idea to have reservations for any of the sit down restaurants. Or you can just snack around the world like we did. But make sure you share everything so you still have room as you make your way around. One of our favorites is the ice cones they sell, I think it was near Italy. Very soft ice and great flavors. I really like the melon flavor.

We usually try to get a bench early to sit on for the IllumiNations show but we didn't this time and by 8:45 they were all taken. You can stand and get good views from just about anywhere around the lagoon. We usually stay towards the back, less crowded. None of us liked IllumiNations that had seen it before, the others thought it was O.K. WE really missed the old one. We did hear a lot of people have been complaining and I think they are changing it again or have done so already, I just hope they put it back to the old way with the lights and music, it was so good.

Day 7

Today is back to MGM to see all we missed and do some repeats. After Tower of Terror, we saw Beauty and the Beast, one of my favorites. Try to get there early so you don't miss the pre-show, it's different but you have to see it from the beginning in order to get the full effect.

We had lunch at the Sci-fi theater. We really enjoyed the atmosphere of sitting in cars and watching the drive-in movie. The movie is actually small clips of very old science fiction movies with some cartoons thrown in. There also was some intermission segments like you were at the drive-in in the 50's. The food was very good especially the milk shakes and hamburgers. The waitress and waiters came around on roll skates and they were very nice about taking our picture in our car. We had two in the front seat and two in the back with a small counter in front of you to eat on.

That evening we went back to MK. It was very crowded. We figured because it was going to be open till 12:00 am tonight. We split up and some of us went to wait in lines for Big Thunder Railroad and Splash Mountain, which were about 45 minutes long. The rest of us went to Tomorrowland and went on the Carousel of Progress and the Timekeeper. We ate at Pecos Bills in Adventureland, which was inexpensive and we could eat outside. That night we watched the fireworks while we were near Dumbo and had a good view with no crowds then we saw the SpectroMagic Parade. It was absolutely beautiful with all the lights, music, and characters. It was very magical and no one should ever miss it.

Day 8

Our last day! We had done most of our packing yesterday afternoon so we just finished up and packed up the car. It's nice having express check-out and have your bill waiting at your door so you can just leave when your ready. We picked up Kelly and Dave and went to Universal for the day. We had bought our tickets back home at AAA for a discount. Universal has a new parking garage, which was convenient enough with all their electric walkways.

We all enjoyed the rides expect for Back to the Future. I had been on it many times before but this time it seemed so bumpy and rocky and felt like I have been beaten up. I don't know if they had made it move more or if it depends which car you get to sit in, but I had no desire to go back. I like Jaws but the ride is so quick. The best seat is along the left side of the boat. There are not many rides there but we enjoy all the shows. We didn't think we would like the animal show, not that I don't like animals -- I have two beagles, but we just thought it would be boring. We loved it! They have many trained animals and the host of the show is very good getting many laughs.

We had lunch at Mel's drive-in. They have hamburgers and chicken and are inexpensive. They have live entertainment off and on with music from the 50's. They have great looking old cars out front and through out the day the Blues Brothers drive up and put on a little show.

Near King Kong they have a new area where you go inside of a building and go room to room and see coming attractions of the new part of the park they are going to build call Islands of Adventure. There will be five parts to the Island: Dr. Seuss Landing, The lost Continent, Toon Lagoon, Marvel Super Hero Island, and Jurassic Park. It is suppose to be built for 1999.

It all sounds nice but nothing compares to Disney to us. My family says Universal, Sea World and others are all nice but they just don't have the DISNEY MAGIC that we feel at Disney World.

We left around 6pm. to bring our car backs to the airport and have supper at Burger King. Then we took our 8 pm uneventful flight back home.

We hoped you enjoyed our report and if you have any questions please feel free to E-mail us. Have a great Disney Day!!!

Lori M. Fenton

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