Trip Reports

October 18 - 25

Well we made it to check in today. It was a long day since our flight didn't leave till 4:45, but we arrived at Old Key West at 9:38 pm an there was no one in line for the check in. This had me smiling already. I walked up and told them I had arrived late and the rest of the party should have checked in already and I told we should be in building 19 (cause that is what I request) and she smiled and said you are correct. We are in building 1923, right overlooking the pool at Miller's Pond. This is so pretty at night, I tried to take a picture of it, but it just didn't turn out.

The Grand Villa is a beautiful as I remember it being. I get the Master Bedroom of course and the rest of the folks are sleeping upstairs and in the living room. I guess I should share with you the cast of characters for this trip. Of course there is Steven and I along with my friend Dave (I grew up with him, he is still young, I let him get the car for us and he picked out a convertable…wants to go cruising in Disney World, I bet we don't get in the car that much…lol), then there is my friend Barb (We use to work together when I lived in Pittsburgh) and her whole family (minus the brother-in-law) including her husband: Bill, 2 kids: Sara and Kevin, Sisters: Mickey (I wonder, don't know how to spell her name so what the heck !) and Donna and Donna's daughter Hilliary (not Clinton). They arrived around 2:30 and were given the room at around 4:00. They can't say enough great things about, Barb said this is like a castle (now where Have I heard that one before, oh yes, Steven said that the first time we stayed in the Grand Villa). It is truly a beautiful place and I think they are really going to enjoy it here. They also said it rained all day here, but this room is great they didn't even care.

Well that is it for today, I promise I'll have more pictures tomorrow, but it was late when I arrived and I'm tired. Take Care Everyone.

Day 2, October 19, 1997

Well, I just got back from swimming at our own private pool (well, not really but there are not that many people there). I left Steven there with my girlfriend and her kids. What a beautiful day it is here today. The sun is shining and a breeze is blowing. I don't think I could have asked for a more perfect day.

Well, this morning started off a little rocky. We left and made everyone check to make sure they had their tickets and we caught the bus to EPCOT. We get off the bus and start walking toward the entrance and I go to get Steven and my tickets and I don't have my small purse I carry them in. I'm like dah!!!! This is the first time I ever did this. I told everyone to go in and watch Honey I Shrunk the Audience and we would join them in 1 hour in front of the Ball! So Steven and I head back to the bus stop, but no bus, which I figured anyway, since we just got off one. So I told Steven, lets get a taxi and that is what we did. We picked up a taxi in the handy cap area in the EPCOT parking lot and made our way back to Old Key West (the taxi driver never heard of it, I had to give him directions, but we did make it back). Then we headed back to EPCOT using the taxi. I had to make sure we would be back by 11:00 am. We made it back with time to spare, so I stopped and got a few postcards and other things, have to get my Disney shopping fix. Then we finally started doing the parks. Our friends were waiting for us in front of the Ball and we all headed over to Horizons. What a neat ride, everyone enjoyed this (the kids were scared of Honey I Shrunk the Audience). I love the smell of the oranges. The we did Wonders of Life and then Universe of Energy. Well, Steven and I decided we were heading back to the room for a swim. So we left everyone and headed back to Old Key West.

On our way out Steven spotted the Ice Cream stand so we had to stop for our Ice Cream break. Nestle Crunch bars are the best. Then we started heading out and the line to Space Ship Earth was small, so Steven and I said lets do it. And we did, I still love this ride even though I've been on it over 20 times.

Then we headed back to OKW. Our first stop was the Conch Flats Store. Had to check out all the merchandise (plus Marilyn had a great Vero T-Shirt on and I had to have it). They do have some new stuff there: DVC golf balls, DVC license plates, and Vero T-shirts. Still not enough for me. I want more. I got my T-shirt though and love it. Can't wait to wear it. I tried to get Steven one, but he turned his nose up. What is wrong with these kids.

I forgot to mention that Marilyn had left me an email and said she wanted to get together with me before she left today. I tried to call her this morning, but the phone in my room wasn't working (this is a no no, since without the phone I cannot update my web page). So, since she was in building 15, I decided to walk to her room. Steven and I took a trip up and knocked on her door. She wasn't home, but her Mother was. So we talked with her for about 10 minutes and there came Marilyn. It was great meeting her. I felt like we've know each other for years (which we had, since we have been chatting for about 3 years now).

Well, we are headed over to the Contemporary tonight for Dinner at Chef Mickey's. I've never been there, so this will be a real treat. We are having a great time. Talk to you all in a few...

Well, we went to the Contemporary and we had a great time! My friend Dave, decided he wanted to drive with the top of the convertible down, so I reluctantly said ok. But, to my surprise, I enjoyed it. We played 70's and 80's music and started cruising. I felt like a kid again. Steven loved it too.

The dinner was great, all you could eat shrimp (yes you have to peal them), prime rib, salads, desserts (The Banana Cream pie was excellent!), and so much more. And we got to see so many characters, the kids just loved it. I had to break down and finally buy Steven an autograph book, and he was having the greatest time getting all the character's autographs. We started Dinner out at about 6:30 pm and finished at around 8:00. The fireworks for the Magic Kingdom weren't for another half hour so we all decided to jump on the monorail and take a ride through all the resorts and then back to the Contemporary. This was a nice relaxing ride and we got to see the Magic Kingdom at night. We made it back to the Contemporary at about 8:25 and headed right for the 15 th floor and went our onto the roof. We were only out there a minute and the fireworks at Magic Kingdom started going off.

This was a perfect ending to an almost perfect day. The weather here has been really great. Sunny, not too hot, not to cold. My kind of weather.

Oct 20, 1997, Monday

Today was a lazy day. We didn't head out of the room till 9:30 and we headed over to MGM. Steven had to have a tour map, because he just loving showing everyone around the parks. So we followed him to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Play area, but on our way the rest of my party spotted the MGM 3-D movie and there was no line. So they all decided to do this. Steven said he didn't want to, and I didn't care one way or another (Cause we were just here in April), so Steven and I parted with the rest of the group and just started wondering around the parks (this is my favorite thing to do). He said that he only wanted to do one ride and that was the Tram Tour. So we headed over to that ride and got right on. They are doing it different now, we watched the boat (where the two volunteers get soaked), then we ended up taking the Tram. I don't remember it being like this. We also got to see all the lights going up for the Osborne display. The work really hard on this display and it shows. Can't wait to see it in December.

Well after that, we started checking out shops. The we had to stop at the Car place (the little shop to the right of the entrance way, right after you come into MGM), cause Steven had to pick out his car for the day. Then we headed back to OKW. I had promised Steven we would go to the main pool today. And that is what we did. We got our suits on and headed over to the main pool. This is Steven's favorite pool, he likes that there are so many other kids his age. I swam a little, but mostly slept on the lounge chair. It was heaven. After this we headed back to the room and ordered pizza.

Then came time for the AOL Gathering, so I headed over to meet everyone at around 9:00 pm. Of course everyone was there. They said I was late!!!! Oh well, I thought we said 9:00, I guess we agreed on 8:00 pm, my mistake. Well for those of you who are curious as to why Rich hasn't been posting messages or changing his web site, it is because Deb can't get him off of the porch at BoardWalk…lol. They've been doing early entry everyday and he's been too tired at night. One of these days he will get to it…lol

I've posted pictures for the day. It was a great time putting the names with the faces. We are going to do it again on Friday when Melynn comes into town. I can't wait. Seems like I've know these people for years (well, I guess I have!).

October 21, 1998, Tuesday

We had an early morning today. We all got up in time for the 8:05 breakfast at Crystal Palace. It was great, we drove to the Contemporary and walked from their parking lot over to the Magic Kingdom. The Cast Member was letting people in with reservations. So at 8:00 am we were walking down Main Street. We made it to the Crystal Palace in no time are were seated in about 5 minutes. We got to see Pooh, Eyore, and Tigger. A lot of fun for the kids and adults. The food was buffet style and very good. Everyone finished eating at around 9:00 so then we took off and headed right of the Jungle cruise.

Dave, Steven and I took off by ourselves since the rest of the group all had their own agenda. There was not wait at all for the Jungle Cruise. And then we headed for the Pirates of the Carribean, again no wait. What a great way to start out your day. We also got to ride Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad, Haunted Mansion, The Mickey's Toontown Roller Coaster, the People Mover and the Race Cars. Then we left Dave and went to touch the slipper at about 1:00 pm. Then it was off to get my Lithograph. There was a women handing them out and I mentioned to her about the cruise not sailing till April 30 th. (For those of you that do not know, Disney has postponed its first trip to April 30 th, this puts a damper on my April 3 rd cruise. I'm not sure what we are going to do yet). Told her I was not very happy about it and I truly don't know if I will reschedule. I still have to talk to member services about it, but I'm on vacation right now, I'll worry about that later.

Steven fell asleep on the couch and I'm ready to take a nap. We had a long morning, but it was a great time. I'll talk to you all soon,

Oct 22, 1997 Wed.

Well, today was my day. Steven went to Typhon Logon with the rest of the party here and I meet DznyNut (Kathy) and we went shopping. It was great! We started out by going behind the magic Kingdom and checking out where they store the Monorail and where the cast members park. And then we went inside the Disney University, I didn't try to take any pictures here, didn't want them to take my camera from me. They have a lot of pictures on the wall of Walt and all the resorts. Also a lot of cast member stuff. A really nice place to visit. After going there, we went over to the Market Place. Had to go to the World of Disney Store. Only got a Mickey T-shirt and earrings for me and some little things (I kept remembering what I buy I have to take home). Then we headed over to the Art store. We were on a mission, looking for posters for Harold. It was great fun and Harold, we did find a poster for your office wall at work (it is the Rockwell one of Mickey drawing Walt while looking in the mirror). I hope you like it! I was going to ship it right from there, but the guy waiting on us was not very friendly at all and he said it would take 4 weeks to get to you. We couldn't see you waiting 4 weeks for a poster, so I decided I'll ship it when I get back. We also visited Minnie's kitchen and they have the Disney Plates I ordered (or was that at the World Of Disney), anyway they are beautiful. Now I really can't wait to get them. I got another Mickey Ice Cube tray and some Mickey plastic Ice cube that you freeze and put in your drinks. Can't wait to use them.

Then we headed to MGM to do some more shopping and picked up another poster for Harold's office (Mickey's Christmas Carol). After this, I hope we get to see a picture of the Disney Office. Then we headed over to the Contemporary. I had to go there to get the Monorail toy for my son. I promised him if he was really good I would get it for him. And ever since I said that, he has been an angel. I might get the hang of this parenting thing after all. It was getting late so we had to head back to Old Key West, but before we were done, we had to stop at the Conch Flats Store. I wanted to get a bag to carry any extra's I couldn't fit into my suitcase. While we were there, I noticed that they had Disney Tattoos in there. I was talking to the girl at the register and we started talking about the tattoos. Yesterday, I was a little daring and placed one on upper part of my chest so you can see it when I have my bathing suit on, and I showed it to the girls at the cash register (I put the Mickey Mouse one there), they loved it and were laughing. The one girl said she was going to buy a pack of them and put one there for her husband that night. She said he would say "Oh no, not that mouse again!!!…..lol

After that Kathy had to leave. Thank you Kathy for such a fun time and I hope we can get together again in December.

Tonight for Dinner we went to Planet Hollywood. We only had a 45 minute wait and it was really good. The kids all got chicken fingers and no one liked them. I guess they have a sweet crust on them, and the kids all turned their noses up to them. Oh well, but I guess the fries were ok. I had the calzone, this was new on the menu and I enjoyed it. The rest of the folks had the pasta special, which they all liked. I got to see part of Downtown Disney, but was to tired to go in. I asked a cast member about it and he said it is like the market place. One of these days I will go there, but is on the other side of Planet Hollywood and we were parked close to Village Market Place.

We might do Blizzard beach tomorrow. Not sure right now, you never know.

Oct 23, Thursday

We had an easy going day today. We did nothing in the morning, so I chose this time to go and meet my new DVC rep. (Harold had recommended him, thank you Harold) He turned out to be a really great guy and we got to talk DVC (my favorite subject). I also asked if I could have some info for my friends, who think that DVC is great (wonder where they got that idea…lol) and wanted the information about it. When I came back I gave the information to my friend Bill and it looked it all over. He said he wanted to see the vacation homes, so I called Ron and made an appointment at 11:00 to come and see him. He showed us the studio, one-bedroom and two bedroom units (didn't need to see the Grand Villa, of course, because that is where we are staying ). Bill thought the rooms were great. Then he went over some of the financial stuff and sent us on our way. My friends have not decided to buy yet, but they are considering it. Bill's wife Barb didn't want to go to see the units, so I told Bill I would go with him (but I had to warn him, that I would say Buy, Buy, Buy!!!).

Then Barb, Bill and their family all went to Magic Kingdom to spend the day. Dave, Steven and I went to Blizzard beach because we had free passes (thanks Vittoria) and we had a great time. There was a 20 minute wait for the family raft ride, but it was worth it. Steven wanted to do that one again, but I said no way. So he settled for the kids pool for a while, then off to the wave pool. It was a lot of fun. Then we came back to the room and got ready for dinner.

Dinner tonight was at the Magic Kingdom, Tony's. Dave wasn't feeling well, so he decided to skip dinner and go back to the room. Steven and I still stayed for dinner and enjoyed the fun people at Tony's. Steven had a picture of himself next to the MGM Police car and the waiter saw it. He was saying Steven was picked up by the police. And Steven was arguing back at him, saying No I wasn't. They really are a lot of fun there. Dinner was great too. After dinner we headed down main street in search of our other friends and they were right there. We found them on the first corner of Main Street. They had saved us a spot and it was a good one. I always love Spectro Magic, just because. I like listening to the music and Steven usually stands still for the whole parade <G>.

Then Steven and I left the rest of the group, because they wanted to see the fireworks, and we already seen them. So there we are standing at the bus stop and what does Steven say "Mom, I have to go to the bathroom". Why do they wait till there are no bathrooms. So we had to go back to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom and then back to the bus stop. We lost our spot in line, but didn't miss the bus.

Well, that was it for today.

Oct 24, 1997 Friday

Well, this is our last full day here at Old Key West. So we all slept in and got a late start. Barb's family decided to head for the Magic Kingdom and Dave, Steven and I set off for MGM. Dave rode Tower of Terror and the Great Movie Ride, while Steven and I walked around looking at all the cars (my son has a one track mind). After this we headed over to the BoardWalk by way of the boat ride. When we got to the BoardWalk, Dave went on ahead to EPCOT and Steven and I stopped in to see if we could find Rich and Deb home. I looked on their balcony, and no Rich, so I figured our chances were slim. But we tried anyway. There are phones in the lobby that you can use to call a room, so we rang their room, but there was no answer. So Steven and I headed over to EPCOT too.

Our first stop at EPCOT was Britain where Steven knows he found army men before. Sure enough there were some army men here, but British army men. Steven didn't care he had to have it, so he spent his last $6 on two army men. Then we headed to the big shopping store in EPCOT, the one to the after the Spaceship Earth and on your left as you are coming into EPCOT. This store is great and they have test track cars for sale there. Steven was begging me for a car and I said, no money, no car. He didn't like it, but he knows the rules. While we were in the store, we saw Barb and Bill. Steven wanted to see them so we found them and talked with him. Right away Steven was asking them to buy him the Test Track car (I guess they told Steven earlier that they wanted to buy him something and he was letting them know what he wanted). They ended up getting him his car and he was a happy camper. After this we walked around the countries until our dinner appointment. We had dinner reservations at 5:00 pm in Mexico. I really like the food in Mexico, but I still wish there was better lighting. We still could not read the menu. Dinner was great, especially since Barb and Bill paid for Steven and my meal (thanks Barb and Bill).

After that we headed back to the room. I had to get ready for our second AOL meeting for the week. Tonight Melynn was coming to meet us. We meet around 9:00 pm and everyone was pretty much on time. This was another great meeting. We sat around for 2 hours and just chatted. Then I brought everyone back to our Grand Villa so they could see the place. I think Rich was impressed. Who wouldn't be.

Well that is for the night. We leave tomorrow. We had a great week here and I can't wait to come back in about a month. I know we won't be staying in a Grand Villa, but there will only be the two of us, we wouldn't need all that space anyways.

Darla Rice

ILuvDVC@aol.com

__________________
You just read a trip report that was originally published in our MousePlanet Trip Reports column.

Reader-submitted trip reports have always been an extremely popular feature here at MousePlanet. In order to improve the search functionality and shorten the time from when you submit a trip report and the report gets published, you can now post your trip reports directly to our Trip Report forums. The forums are moderated, but reports should become available for reading very quickly.