Trip Reports

Judy Fallon - December 26, 27 & 31 1998 - Contemporary, Offsite

Time of Year: Holiday Season
Travel Method: Plane
Resort: CR, Offsite
Accommodations
Ages Represented in Group: Teen, Adult
WDW Experience Represented in Group: Infrequent
Comments: While in Florida to visit her parents, Judy and her son Nathan slipped over to WDW on three different days to enjoy the parks. They stayed at the Contemporary Resort for part of the trip, but stayed with the relatives for most of the time.


December 26, 27, and 31, 1998

This is my first attempt at a trip report. Unlike most trip reports, we only stayed on site one night and then with relatives the rest of the time. It will only be covering days of park visits. We stayed at the Contemporary Resort for the night of the 26th. We stayed with my parents the rest of our time in FL.

The players:

Myself - the mom - 40- something
Nathan - my son - 15
December 26, 1998

Okay. We left my parent's house around 2pm on the 26th to drive to WDW and check in to our room at the Contemporary. We had originally planned on staying at CS but I was able to change the ressies about a month before. I had always wanted to stay at the Contemporary. We did have a "little" trouble getting there. First I drove past the exit on I4 (?). We ended up one exit past and had to turn around. Then we drove through the WDW entrance gate. I explained that we weren't going to the park but to the resort. I was given directions to stay to the left. Well that ended us up in the bus turnaround spot in the parking lot. Hmmm not the right place. Try again. This time we stayed to the far RIGHT and lo and behold, we found the Contemporary easily. Check in was easy and we were directed to our room. A lovely parking lot view. Then we noticed that the beds weren't made and the bath had dirty towels on the floor so we went back to the front desk. They were very apologetic and gave us another room with a view of the lake. Much nicer.

We decided first to take the bus to DD but it didn't show up for about 30 min. so I decided to drive. It was easy enough to find. I had not been there since it was just the Disney Marketplace. The first place we went to was McDonald's (cringe). But I wanted a cheap meal, wanting to go to Ghiradelli's after. My son enjoyed looking around it as he works at one at home. Then we walked around the huge Disney Store. Then Ghiradelli! I had a hot fudge sundae and Nathan had a strawberry shake. We were both very happy with our choices. The sundae was $5.95. Not sure what the shake cost. We wanted to go to Virgin records and figured we could walk it. Neither of us realized how big DD is! We did walk to Virgin records, stopping at PH on the way to buy a beanie baby. I bought the Tokyo release of the "Music from WDW" CD and Nathan found a few rap CDs at good prices. I could have spent much more money there. The Paris DL CD looked good, I guess it will wait until next time. Then we walked back to the car and drove back to the resort.

Now I had only ridden the monorail ONCE before this so I really wanted to go on it. We rode over to the GF and looked at the beautiful decorations and gingerbread house village. Everyone seemed to stop as soon as they walked in to take pictures. That place is just so gorgeous!!! We checked out the shops and then walked around outside for awhile.

Then back to the Contemporary as I wanted to go up to the 14th floor and see what it was like there. We were seated at a table one row in from the windows. I ordered a gin & tonic and Nathan (with much prodding from me) ordered the chocolate soufflé. I hoped that in the 25 minutes it took to prepare the soufflé that a window seat would open up. After about ten minutes one did. We moved over to it and I couldn't believe how great the view was. We could see Tomorrowland and Cinderella's castle so clearly. I had a coffee and shared the soufflé. It was delicious. The bill for our treat there was $17.49.

We left then and went back to our room. I heard some "popping" noises and walked out of the room. To the left I could see the fireworks over the MK. Then as soon as they stopped the EWP started. I walked down to the wall at the edge of the beach and watched it. Another thing I had never seen. We both enjoyed it and were able to video it. Then finally to bed and to sleep!

December 27, 1998

I woke up early and went down to Food & Fun Center for something to eat. I bought a refillable mug of coffee for a souvenir and Danish. The total came to $11.01. But $8.50 was for the mug. By the time I got back to the room Nathan was awake and our wake up call from MM came. Then I went out and sat on the patio to eat while Nathan went to get his breakfast. He bought a juice box, fruit cup and a bagel for $4.73. We both sat outside for awhile soaking up the atmosphere. I love it there. I felt that there was no place I would rather have been than there at that time.

We packed up and went to the Fantasia Gift Shop to buy the monorail train, then we were off on our way. I would definitely stay at the Contemporary again.

We decided to drive around and check out some of the other resorts. First was the Polynesian. I couldn't believe the entrance and lobby with all of the greenery and the parrots and the waterfalls. It is just beautiful. We went to the gift shop where I bought a souvenir glass. I wish we had gone out to look around the grounds more, but left. Oh well, again, next time.

We drove over to the WL and looked at their decorations and gingerbread village. I bought another glass there. I guess I have found what I want to collect!

Then we went to CS. I figured that if we don't stay there we should at least see what we are missing! It really is a very big place. The pool area looked to be WAYYYYY over there. We ate lunch at the Pepper Market Food Court. I had a chicken almond stir fry and a coke; Nathan had a cheeseburger and a coke. The bill came to $22.14. The food was good. We looked around out back by the water some more, than left.

Back to Mom's house until 12/31.

December 31, 1998

On December 31 we decided to go to Epcot Center. We had really wanted to go to the MK for our one day at the parks but it was an early entry day at MK. So we were off to Epcot. We were dropped off by my parents at 8:45 am. It sure beat driving and parking and trying to remember where I parked the car! We went straight to Spaceship Earth and pretty much walked right on. We videotaped the whole ride. I hadn't been on SE for about 6 years. Then we went to Body Wars and waited about 10 minutes. Last time I had skipped it because the wait was too long. It does do "something" to my stomach though so I may not do it again.

After BW we walked over to see if Horizons was still open. It was. I really like that ride. Maybe some of the "future" scenes are not so futuristic anymore, but I think that adds to the appeal. At least to me. I am glad that I already have it on video thanks to an RADP poster. After Horizons, we walked over to the Land Pavilion. There was hardly no wait for the "Listen to the Land" boat ride. We always like this so went on it. Now, I know it probably was covered sometime in RADP but when did they do away with the song? I liked that best. Now it seemed as though the CM had an 11-minute speech to give in 10 minutes. She talked non-stop and fast! It was annoying. I taped the ride, but fast- forward through most of it so I don't have to listen. We didn't do Food Rocks. I saw it once and that was enough. I liked Kitchen Kabaret.

Now onto the Imagination Pavilion, just to see if by some chance "Journey into Imagination" was still open. Of course not, but I bought a Figment Beanie to satisfy my last "must" purchase list.

We walked much too much today. Started by going to the UK and Canada. We thought of going to the Rose & Crown for lunch but I didn't want to spend $15.95 for fish & chips. Ended up walking all the way over to Mexico. One thing that was very special today was that all of the countries had musicians out playing and singing. It was such a treat. We videotaped much of the scenery in WS on our walk. FINALLY got to Mexico and decided to eat at the Cantina de Angel. I had the taco, burrito combo plate and a coke. Nathan had cheese nachos and a coke. Total was $17.11 for lunch.

Walked back around WS stopping in most of the shops. I bought a "Year of the Rabbit Calendar" in China because I have pet rabbits.

We walked into the American Adventure Pavilion just as the crowd was being led upstairs. It was nice timing, although I would have liked to hear the singers. As we were walking up the stairs a little girl (4-5) was having a tantrum screaming "Nooooooo..." I thought that maybe her mother should take her outside instead of bringing her to a sit down show. But no. Luckily the child stopped crying almost immediately upon seating and fell asleep. I love the "American Adventure". It is one of my very favorite things to see at EPCOT. (Maybe I shouldn't say that too loud or they will change it and make it a thrill ride, but that is another thread.) Anyway I cried again at the end when the Challenger crew is pictured happily walking by. That ending always brings me to tears.

After AA we stopped at an outdoor cart in Italy and bought a Tiramisu for Nathan. I had a bite. It was heavenly!!!! Too bad the recipe is not in the WDW cookbook. I stopped at Germany for the wine tasting and tried two kinds. I bought a bottle of wine for my parents, for driving us around. I don't know how the wine was but the bottle was very pretty!

Then on to Norway, bit the line was LONGGGGGGGGG so we decided to just get a coffee and pastry at the bakery. (It seems all I mention is food). This also is a must do at WS. I had a Pretzel and a rice cream with a coffee. Nathan had a fruit cup and a coke. I actually couldn't eat all of the pretzel and threw some to the birds. I don't if it is allowed but I didn't see any signs there that said no. The rice cream is another recipe I would like to have!

Then on to Mexico and "El Rio Del Tiempo" Another must do for me. The line was very long, out of the building but it moved pretty fast. I think we waited 20-25 minutes. I wanted to video this but the battery was dead by this time. I bought a few small souvenirs here then we decided to go back to Future World.

We went to Innoventions. I found the IBM postcard booth. Unfortunately I had not brought the email addresses with me so I only sent two postcards. I left Nathan here at Innoventions for awhile while I went back to Horizons. One last ride. I almost had the car to myself but another couple was put in it with me. They fell asleep and slept through the whole ride! The ride stopped a few times. But not in front of any of my favorite scenes.

On the way back to Innoventions I stopped at Test Track just to see what was up, if anything. I was told that they had planned to open at 2:00. It was now 3:30and they were hoping to start running at 7:00. I am glad that I am not a CM who has to spend his/her day telling people why TT isn't open.

I found Nathan and we accidentally found Ice Station Kool. We both tried a few of the different flavors. Then I explained that I had heard about Beverly on RADP and that it was supposed to be awful. Well that was all I had to say. Nathan had to try it. It was awful! We both agreed on that.

One thing that I must mention is that I saw NO ONE with a RADP pin. I wore mine all of the time today and the 26 & 27. No one seemed to have any idea what it was. One CM in the gift shop at the GF thought it was "cute." Although just when I was about to give up hope a CM near Spaceship Earth noticed it and saluted me. I guess that was one person who recognized it!

We left the park at 6pm. MANY people were entering now. I thought that this was the night we should have stayed at the Contemporary. Then just take a bus to the airport in the am. Oh well, I'll remember that for next time. I know we probably toured EPCOT a little disjointedly. Backtracking a lot, but we had fun. We didn't see everything but didn't worry about that either. We had originally planned to go to a park on Sunday, 12/27. Then woke up tired and not wanting to face crowds and lines. I am glad we had the opportunity to go back when we were ready. It is a nice advantage to have parents retire to a town 1/2 hour from WDW!

Judy Fallon

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