Trip Reports

This was my 6th visit to WDW, the first time alone. I drove down on Tues. 9-2-97 and spent 3 nights. It was a strange and fun experience, punctuated by delightful meetings with a few radp'ers. :-)

Part 1: Planning, The Drive, Bargain Room Rates, The Odoriferous Fallout of the Mosquito Alert, Being Alone at WDW and Away From My Honey/Kids, A Little Sweet Tooth.

Part 2: The theme parks. My highlights-only visits (in ~one day).

Part 3: Radp'ers. A "mini-meet" with gardenia and Deb Grandon at Epcot. And a "meet" with gardenia, Deb Grandon and, Sherrie & Tammy (from Canada), including visits to Celebration and a viewing of the Tree of Life in the upcoming Animal Kingdom.

Part 4: Resorts. Touring DVC resorts, staying at All Star Music, and whirlwind visits to Dixie Landings, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resorts.

Part 1

Planning: A long saga that I'll skip here.

Note on budget planning: Prior to leaving, I phoned CRO every week, to couple days, to see if there were vacancies at the All Stars and at the Moderates. Without vacancies, I'd have delayed the trip a bit. When there were some, in almost every category, I knew I'd be able to stay on-site.

The Drive: I was alone for 12 hours, in a car, unable to read or do anything but pay attention to the road. It was a twisted psychological isolation experiment! Sang to the radio, talked to myself, shouted at birds, got a sore throat. I knew I'd have no problem driving for so long, but the boredom of it all was deadly. Not to mention having had about three hours sleep the night before, awakening at 2:30am and realizing I couldn't get back to sleep. Left at 3:30am.

Bargain Room Rates: Along the drive down, I stopped in at the Ocala AAA Travel Center. The room rate for the All Stars was $59/night, + tax. They also offered $84/night at all four moderate resorts and $129/night at the Contemporary, garden wing. Add tax. How do you like them apples!?! This was a super-low budget trip for me, so I took ASMR.

The Odoriferous Fallout of the Mosquito Alert: Usually, the smell of Tourist Sweat at WDW is sweetly tempered by the pervasive use of cocoa butter in the crowds. Add long sleeves and long pants in 90+ degree heat and humidity. Exit cocoa butter, enter Deep Woods Off! ...yuck.

Being Alone at WDW and Away From My Honey/Kids: Definitely mixed! I really missed them. I enjoy doing things alone. Not only did I want to share stuff with them, but children are everywhere at WDW! When we didn't have any kids, I just thought of all the kids as part of the crowds. This time, I thought of them as ever-present reminders that mine were back home at school, missing me as I missed them. On the up-side, they never would have tolerated the walking and adult-style talking and browsing I did on this trip. I also found that I enjoyed many things far more than I have in years, not having to watch out for them, keeping us together and worrying about their reactions to the "scary stuff" and the "boring stuff." And it was so easy to be where I wanted, when I wanted.

A Little Sweet Tooth: During my stay, I sampled a few goodies. Here are my opinions:

Hercules (or Character Du Jour) Ice Cream Bar - yummy chocolate ice cream with a layer of gooey caramel, all coated with chocolate. Frozen rock solid for a couple minutes, then decadent pleasure.
Fruit Stuffed Croissant at Epcot's Fountainview Cafe the *best* pastry I've enjoyed at Disney World! Creamy vanilla custard filling in a buttery fresh croissant, with strawberry, blackberry and kiwi fruit pieces on top. The CM said he's never seen any guest leave any behind and I know why!
Napoleon Pastry at All Stars Bakery - tasty sweet icing on a flaky, slightly chewy crust, with fluffy sweet filling. Quite good, a bit sweeter and lighter filling than I usually like.
Coconut Cake at All Stars Bakery - moist, firm pound-style double layer cake with strawberry filling and a light, white frosting, coconut shavings on the frosting. Good, basic fresh cake, just what I was in the mood for at the time.
Four days, four desserts, worth every calorie, yummmm. :-)

Part 2

Monday night:

Went over to Epcot to see Illuminations. The CM let me in a few minutes before 9pm. As I passed by the queue for Spaceship Earth... yessss, it was still open! I love that ride! Afterward, I watched the ending of Illuminations, walking toward World Showcase (WS). Circled the WS slowly, nearly empty, and really missed my husband and kids. Sat to watch the spirited, beautiful Dancing Fountain for about half an hour.

Tuesday:

The day began wonderfully. Epcot's turnstiles opened at 8:30am, with a fabulous band playing near the entry fountain. What a jazzy start! After a very enjoyable morning with radp'ers (see Part 4), gardenia had to go. Deb G. and I rode Horizons (with a special orange-sniffing moment, for gardenia), then headed for WS. It was near noon and we walked onto Maelstrom in Norway (our boat was less than half full). We wondered a while, talking, until Deb G. left by Friendship. After that, I got bratwurst in Germany and watched the most delightful international character show at the American Gardens Theater. The characters are announced by Goofy. As they emerge, they perform (canned music) to a tune in their native language, with the final refrain in English. I only saw part of this: Pinocchio in Italian, Belle & Beast in French, and the killer, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in German... the tears flowed. My mother used to sing to me in German. Off to Morocco to see the dancer and lively musicians. The UK had fabulous, comical performers.

~2:30pm, time for Honey, I Shrunk the Audience: I walked into the preshow. Where was everyone??? Had the terrific good fortune to sit ¾ back, next to an older couple on one side and a "bored" teen-aged boy with his parents on the other. None of them had ever seen it. Near the opening, when the main character suddenly buzzes forward (for the 2nd time) in his little flying machine, the woman on my left jumped so high, her bum hit the top of her seat-back. I could not stop laughing, infecting the teen-ager on my right as well. When the mice began and the screams started up front... this woman was just shrieking and laughing, I thought *I'd* lose it!!! The teen-ager was wiping laughter tears from his cheeks, too, when the lights came up. What a blast!

Played in Innoventions and sent email to my family. Had an ice cream bar and walked to the boat to Yacht Club, changed for the boat to Disney-MGM Studios.

~4:30pm, the wait for Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was posted at 15 minutes. It took less than 10. Again, without worrying about my kids, I was completely relaxed enjoying this ride. I held my white cap flat in my hands for the drop and watched it float nearly clear up to the ceiling. Caught it and watched it float up again. This ride did a full-drop, full-rise, full-drop in quick succession. Got off, went around, no line, walked into the library! This time (same elevator), I saw us in the eyeball (my first time). Floated my cap again - so cool! This ride did a short-drop, full-drop, full-rise, short-drop, full-drop, with a couple of pauses. Fantastic!!! Loved it!

Walked onto the Great Movie Ride and saw the Gangster side with decent "guides."

It was so hot and humid! Went back to the All Stars for another shower and supper, phoned my family.

Got to Magic Kingdom's Main Street at 8:15pm, just as Spectromagic was beginning. Cut through the shops to the hub and made my way to Splash Mountain. I was the only person in my boat!!! Love that ride! Went to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and got into the back of a half-empty train. Faster than I remembered! And the fireworks began during the ride! Switched to the very front seat and watched the rest of the fireworks from the second go round. They looked huge from there!

Wandered out slowly and caught the first bus (to the Swan) to change busses for the Disney Village Marketplace. Got a few gifts for my family at the World of Disney Store with the MKC discount. I got lost in there!!! Overheard a guest asking a CM what time it was. The store's scheduled closing was at 11pm and my watch read 11:10pm, with crowds of us still shopping. The CM said (with a smile), "Ma'am, in this store, it's always 10:59pm." She asked to see another trinket and he graciously showed it. I just shook my head. Got to bed ~12:30am.

Part 3

Tuesday morning, on my way to the Dancing Fountains, I asked a wonderful Cast Member (CM) at Guest Relations, Howard, if he'd seen a pretty, blonde woman with a cane. He said if he did, he'd personally bring her to the Fountainview Cafe for me. 10 minutes later, he was escorting gardenia to meet me! Moments later, Deb Grandon approached and we passed the morning, chatting and relaxing near the beautiful, amazing fountain. We called Deb Wills :-) on the phone. And gardenia showed and took plenty of pictures. On our way out, CM Howard offered to show us the backstage of Guest Relations. How nice! We saw the CM's who take dining priority seatings via the WorldKey (video) screens, among other things. No pictures were allowed there, though gardenia was tempted by four wall clocks with the current times in the four Disney parks around the world.

Then, gardenia had to go. Deb G. and I rode Horizons and Maelstrom and hung out a while, until she left by WS friendship. It was fun seeing them.

After touring the DVC resorts, Wednesday (see Part 4), I met up with the other radp'ers at Old Key West. We set off in gardenia's car for Coronado Springs (see Part 4). Next, we went for a drive down an unmarked road toward the new Animal Kingdom. The highway gradually rises to about tree-top level and on the right, the woods are deep forest-green. Beyond these, there's a mound of bright green leaves. As you travel farther, the woods clear, with a large, partly finished parking lot, and the full "Tree" can be seen, dwarfing everything around it. I'm looking forward to getting an upclose look, someday.

On we went, to drive through Celebration. It does look like a "Stepford Community." At first glance, it reminded me of "Tomorrowland, the future that never was..." Well, this is the New England or Midwest 1950's "good old days," small town that never was. Beautiful, pleasant, peaceful, clean, but with no poverty or "working poor" or grime or run-down houses, or junkyard-cars being worked on in the driveways by 17-year-old boys. It's gorgeous. I happen to love the choices of housing architecture: Victorians, Colonials, "Brownstones," etc. I also wonder if it's going to end up in the long term being a town full of meticulous, disillusioned people. This may sound harsh and it's just a curiousity of mine. With the restrictions required, I wonder how else it could will attract and *retain* people who can tolerate very limited personal self-expression with their homes and a very homogenous (read "financially well-off") community. To each their own. To me, it's pretty to look at, but not to touch.

It was fun to meet and talk with everyone. I'm looking forward to more radp meets in Nov/Dec.

Part 4

All Stars Music:

I thought the photos all looked ticky-tacky awful. I have to admit, though, when I drove up, it looked to me, completely bright, festive and inviting! Fun! Check-in took about 25-30 minutes. Jazz Inn 2639, third floor, facing trees and the Rock Inn. The pools are cheerful. They did close at 7:00pm, (the mosquito alert). Good food court. Great bus service, never waited more than 10 minutes. By the last day, though, I didn't care for the decor anymore.

Coronado Springs:

It's ornate and beautifully themed, very large and spread out around the lake. The lobby is stunningly detailed. The food court, Pepper Market is wonderfully bright and pretty, very festive and fun. The Maya Grill is beautiful and, I would imagine, very romantic at night. The views from the patio, out to the lake, are pretty, too, and wide open, if that's to your liking. It's not as lush and green as Dixie Landings, though that may also be related to its newness.

Dixie Landings:

I prefer the grounds and architecture of Dixie Landings. Just personal preference. I stopped by to look for room preferences to request for our planned Thanksgiving trip. I'd forgotten how pretty the lobby is, all white and "Mark Twain-ish." And I love how there are little niches of patios and shady spots near the main pool area. Not as wide-open and concrete-looking as many large pools that size. More relaxing.

Polynesian:

I went to visit the marina and see which sailboats were available. It's such a pretty resort, and so convenient. Considering its size, its landscaping really gives it a secluded feeling.

Grand Floridian:

This place is just huge. Very pretty and detailed. And yes, I was getting hot and my feet were getting tired at 4pm, but this place is just too big! If someone wants to stay in a gorgeous place and spend a lot of leisurely time in their room and resort, it's lovely. Thinking of getting a room here for monorail convenience? No way. Most of the rooms are a loooooong walk to the monorail station and bus stop!!! At many walk path intersections, there's a large resort map under glass. And believe me, it's needed! I had to look twice, just to find the marina!

As a side note, I approached a group of four CM's at the GF front desk. There were no other guests waiting. I very politely asked about the possibility of seeing a room, for a future stay. They were silent for a moment, with annoyed expressions, as though I'd interrupted their conversation. Mind you, my hair was in a French braid, and I was dressed neatly, not that it should matter. Then one CM said there weren't any empty rooms and offered to show me pictures. Huh? Not one room in "low season!?!" Anyway, I found out that the daybeds at GF are six feet long, adult sized (unlike DxL's five feet long child's trundles). Having graduated from high school in New Canaan, CT (wealthy suburban NYC), these CM's struck me as snooty rich kids in grown-up bodies. Rather than add to the theming, it reminded me that all that glitters is not gold.

Contemporary:

Here's a switch. I asked to see a room here, too. The CM at the front desk cheerfully said yes, he'd have to find an available room. He went into an office and suddenly, he was several feet behind me, inviting me to walk to the elevators. Saw a tower room with two queens and a six foot daybed. Nice, big room, but ordinary. Those tower rooms are very convenient! Went down to the marina and the pools, and walked out to the farthest North Garden Wing rooms. Ouch, is that another long haul! Then did the walk to the MK bus stops, too far for tired children! Or for tired me at that point.

DVC BWV:

First thing on Wednesday morning, I had been picked up (pre-arranged) at the All Stars by a van, for the DVC tour at the Boardwalk Villas. The guide showed me all of the room types. They're beautiful!!! I loved them. Upbeat and fun. Guess I really like all that white-painted shutter styling, huh? Well, the location is ideal for park visits to Epcot and D-MGM, the rooms have everything one could need and it's pretty. At night, it's positively gorgeous! One evening, I took a short (walking) detour near Crescent Lake. Disney sure knows how to use lighting! I thought even the Swan and Dolphin looked pretty at night (I don't care for them during the day). The Boardwalk is incredible and the Yacht Club and Beach Club just complete the picture! <sigh!> I wandered by the main pool. It looked like great fun to me, for all ages.

DVC OKW:

The tour guide then took me over to Old Key West. What a difference, a nice one. This is the place for a restful, peaceful vacation from the crowds. Spread out, pretty grounds and spacious rooms and suites. The colors used in the rooms are relaxing on impact. What a gorgeous place to bring your family. And nicely landscaped parking areas allow you to leave your car nearby, rather than in shopping mall-sized parking lots, like most resorts.

Will we join the DVC? Depends on our jobs and money situation in the next year. Do I want to? Oh, my! No question!!! Considering that the points can be used at any of the four DVC resorts (not counting any possible future DVC resorts), the premium and home-away-from-home WDW resorts, some other Disney park hotels and as timeshare exchanges, it really amounts to a very nice way to pre-pay vacations. The guide also claimed that the annual maintenance fees have risen, on average, 5-6 % per year, while the WDW resorts, in general, have risen, on average, 13 % per year, during the same time period. And the quality of the Disney resorts, as a whole, have been excellent. It's very tempting! We're still thinking. Well, hope you've enjoyed these.

Feel free to email me at potter@a-o.com with questions or comments.

Lisa P. :o)

potter@a-o.com

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