Trip Reports

December 3-17, 1999
Who:
Me, C*, 30
Husband, 34
Son, 4
Daughter, just turned 2
12/4 - 13 nights
1 night at Dolphin
12 nights at the Boardwalk Villa's
We awoke early on 12/4, as we had a towncar coming to pick us up at 8:15am to bring us to the airport, about an hour and ten minutes away.... We got the kids up by 7:00, and we were all dressed, ready, and completely packed by about 8:10 (not much time to spare!!!) The towncar arrived on-time, and we were at the airport by about 9:20 (for an11:45 flight). We checked in our baggage curbside (the easy way), and proceeded to the gate. We were flying US Air Metro Jet, with no pre-assigned seating. Once the family was situated at the gate, I left them, and went to the main check-in area for US Air - I was then able to get our seats assigned at around 9:45... It was our lucky day!!! Three bulk head seats (YES!!) one seat behind the bulk heads... we are all set!!! Back to the gate I go.... My husband then takes the kids, and they take off to check out the airport. We were let on the plane around 11:30. Once the plane reached flying altitude, out came our lunch!!! I don't understand why we pay 200 per ticket, and they can't even bother to give us a sandwich!!! Oh well, I baked a large ham two days earlier, so we brought the fixings with us!! It worked out great!!! By the time we finished, we were more than an hour into a three hour flight... The kids worked quietly on their respective coloring, for about the next hour.... The last hour, they were antsy, and wanted to come out of their seats... There was lots of movement on this plane, people moving around, etc, and they just wanted their share of the action!! The last hour was a little hard, but they didn't do anything to embarrass us.. No yelling, screaming, or otherwise misbehaving... The plane landed 10 minutes early, THANK GOD.... off the plane we come... Off to get two weeks worth of luggage (UGH...) We got our luggage, off to Avis to get our rental car.... 343.43 for a two week rental of a Cadillac... After taxes it was $432.00 - We debated long and hard about this rental, but in honor of my husbands birthday, we kept the rental reservation.... It was only $10.00 more to upgrade from a full size car to the Luxury... it was a special AAA rate that was offered for a very short time.....

Well, after getting the luggage and the car, we arrived at the Dolphin, for a one night stay. We were able to check in quickly, and arrived at our room on the Club level. The room was very clean, and in good condition. It had a king size bed with sleeper sofa. I must say, that this is the MOST comfortable sleeper sofa I have EVER been on!!! Our 4 year old slept on it, and liked it a lot!!! Just a note, when you book a room at the Dolphin, their reservations only offers two double beds for a party greater than 2... I don't know why they do this, because it seems most of the King rooms have sleeper sofa's that accomodate 2 more if necessary.... Anyways, knowing this, when I made the reservation, I said there were 2 adults, and 1 child in a crib (we have a two year old) When we arrived at the room, we looked out the window, and we had an AWESOME view... We didn't know how good it was, until we were able to watch the full illuminations show - we had a spectacular view!! We were in the center of the building, on the 14th floor - it was great!! We've stayed at the Swan before, and never much liked that hotel, but I must report, the Dolphin is a LOT better.... While at the Dolphin, we didn't unpack much, just a couple of bags... One other note about the Dolphin, the bathrooms were NON-EXISTANT!!! So small, you just wouldn't believe it!!! My hall closet is bigger than that bathroom!!! After getting settled in, at about 5:00, we went downstairs to the 12th floor club level lounge, and ate enough to be considered dinner!!! It was free, so why not we said!! We were staying at the Dolphin on Starwood Preferred Guest points, and I was upgraded to concierge... Can't complain.... We left the loung at just about 6:00, and made it down to the first floor lobby, where they have a tree lighting nightly... I must say that this is the BEST tree lighting on property!! It was unbelievable!! I'd never heard any comments on this, but they did a whole light show and all sorts of music, it was just unbelievable that they were able to do this in the lobby!!!! This was a great night.... we then walked over to the Boardwalk, and sat at the pizza window eating a Greek salad (served with Thousand Island Dressing? Oh well...) At about this time, the kids were getting a little cranky, so we thought it best to go to bed, we'd been up since very early that morning.... We got the kids into bed shortly after 9pm, and then we heard the fireworks, it took us a minute to decide to get up and watch, but we were BOTH so glad we did!!! We had a most awesome view!!!

On our first full day, Sunday, we couldn't decide what we wanted to do. We got up at around 7:00, got dressed, and were ready to go out by 8:00 - we returned to the club lounge for breakfast, and then walked back over to the Boardwalk at around 10:00 to check-in - We had a 12 night reservation in a 1 bedroom villa. I arrived at the Boardwalk, and check-in went rather smoothly, except that when our reservation was made, for some reason, after our first night, we were booked for a different type room, and would have to move... I was very surprised, as I had gone over this with DVC member services several times... The person that helped me out was very pleasant, and went in the back to see what he could do. He arrived back about 5 minutes later, and told me we were all set... GREAT!!! He gave me a phone number to call to check the status of our villa throughout the day.... Meanwhile my Husband had the children and they were over near the pool.... over I go, to check out the pool.... We walked around the Boardwalk, and made ourselves at home for a while... My son, who is 4 was dying to get in that pool!!! We deferred him for a day however!!! At around 11:00, we went back to the Dolphin, to let the kids have a nap, as we were planning a late night.... Well, back we went (we were also allowed a 5pm checkout!!)... Everyone napped, I woke up at about 12:15, and called over to the Boardwalk!! Unbelievably, our room was READY!!! Can you believe that? WOW!!! 12:30, and My son and I are in the villa, unpacking what I had brought from the Dolphin... Called Housekeeping, they were holding several boxes from Omaha Steaks, & Netgrocer.... Five boxes arrived within 10 minutes.... I was unpacked by 1:00, My Husband and daughter were in by 1:15 - This is hardly common for our vacations!!! Well, so here we are, and what do we decide to do? Go to Red Lobster offsite!! We couldn't help ourselves!!! We went to Red Lobster, took another trip around Celebration, looking at lots, and then went to Wal-mart down on 192... We had to pick up charcoal for grilling, milk, soda, and frozen vegetables - all of the extra's came to about $65.00 - not too bad for us.... We didn't arrive back to the villa until after 6:00 - We then decided what to cook (Omaha Steaks are a GREAT treat, and you never feel like you are depriving yourself of a GREAT meal!!!) By the time we cooked, and relaxed it was after 8:00 - well, doesn't look like we will make it to the parks today!!! That's ok, we had a great day!!!

Throughout our trip we never followed a touring plan, and for the most part, did everything on the spur of the moment... overall, we were very surprised by the crowds... every ride we wanted to go on, had some kind of long wait!!! On the Wednesday after we arrived, I became drop dead sick with the flu, it had me totally out of commission. My husband took the kids around, they toured AK, EPCOT & MGM without me.... that's ok, by the time I was back on the mend, we still had almost a full week left!!! There are particular notable days and experiences that made our trip memorable. By Sunday, the 12th, I was back on the mend, and we took the morning, and went over to the Beach Club to use their pool... As DVC members, we are allowed to do this.. We were very glad that we did, because this is a really GREAT pool for people with small children. Ours are 2 & 4, and although the 2 year old was still scared, she managed to have a good time in the sand. That night, we took a trip over to the Wilderness Lodge.... While we were there, we looked at the Christmas decorations (GREAT!!), we also looked at the new DVC construction (we'll be buying there!!), and then we took a look at their bike & boat rentals.... Our son had been just dying to rent a surrey bike at the Boardwalk, but because of the short distance for riding at the Boardwalk, we decided to look into the Wilderness Lodge... We arrived at the desk at about 4:30, and it was too late to rent for the day, we would have to come back the next day. When we arrived back early the next morning (10:20am) we planned on riding the surrey bikes, and renting a boat ($28.00 per half hour) - we also planned on eating lunch in the restaurant.... Once the bike was rented, and the kids had helmets, we took off... The WL has a GREAT route to ride the bikes over to Fort Wilderness!!! Once at Fort Wilderness, the kids got pony rides, and went through the petting zoo - this was a MAJOR highlight for both of our children!!! I would so recommend it to everyone. When we arrived back at the WL, it was about 11:20, and we decided to just do lunch, and then go to AK... The restaurant didn't open until noon, so we relaxed in the lobby... Lunch was great, but a little pricey at $44.00 for just your basic lunch.... Off to the AK we went (via car) We got great parking, and the day went pretty well!! Since we didn't rent a boat, we returned on Wednesday to the Old Key West resort (another DVC resort), and rented a pontoon boat for $34.00 for an hour (I knew it was less than WL, but I hadn't realized how much less).. The regular rental price at OKW is $44.00 for non-members... The only problem with renting boats at OKW, is that the waterways are kind of narrow - they make me a bit nervous... One note on the Wilderness lodge, they had a 4 hour bike/boat package for 119.00 for those that are interested - we may do that in the future....

We had a great time on the boat, when we returned, it was lunchtime, and we decided to take a trip over to the food court at Dixie Landings. We'd never eated there, but one of the major components of our trip, was that we wanted to really check out a lot of the resorts... so, off to Dixie Landings (via car)... I ordered a sub at one of the vendors, and I must say it was VERY good!!! fresh, the meat was great, and so was the bread - we were very pleased!!! Once lunch was over, we went over to rent two cane poles (I think it was $4.00/hr) So, here we were at DL fishing, my husband had one pole, and my four year old had the second pole (although I was secretly holding the end...) Well, before long, wouldn't you know, we caught a little bass fish!! I couldn't believe it.. I am very squeamish about such things, but here I am with this fish on the end of the line, it wasn't a pretty site, I kind of shreaked, and my son was just ecstatic... I was dancing around in a circle, trying to get my husband to take the pole... UGH!!! Well, what did I think was going to happen while fishing? Silly me!!! After fishing, we walked a short way around the resort. This is a very pretty resort, although it is a moderate, there is absolutely nothing moderate about the theming here!!! We had planned to then go over to Port Orleans and use the pool, but we ran out of time, as we were going over to Celebration that evening... Well, off to change quickly, and get over to Celebration.... We returned later in the evening, just in time to catch illuminations from our balcony.....

Another of our highlights, was the Magic Kingdom, on Tuesday, the fourteenth... we had planned on going just for the opening and early morning, and leaving when the crowds built up... well, guess what!! The MK was pretty empty ALL day long... We rode the Buzz Lightyear ride for the first time, and we rode it three times that day!!! We all love this ride!!! OH boy! We pretty much read all the rides we wanted, including Dumbo (10 minute wait) The Speedway (10 minute wait), and Astro Orbiter (5 minute wait) This is the first time we had ridden Astro Orbiter, and we did like it.... Everything else we did, including Big Thunder Mountain, was walk on... What a great day!!! We didn't leave the park until about 5:00!!! This is a very long day in our touring plans!! We usually spend 3-4 hours MAX at a park in a day... If there is a line, we don't wait... it is just one of the benefits of returning annually, we know we will always be back again.....

Just on a brief note, we entered EPCOT on Saturday night, December 11th and were SHOCKED by how many people were in this park!! I have never seen it so packed in 7 trips down!!! It was terrible, and we left almost immediately... Also, during this trip, everytime I walked over to Test Track, it was broken down!!! My Husband and son were able to ride it twice however... I had ridden it in November, so I wasn't too let down, but still!! This ride needs a little more work I guess!!!

Now, about staying at the Boardwalk, it was GREAT, so convenient to anything and everything. We had a 1 bedroom, so that gave us a washer and dryer in the unit - I love this, because I pack a LOT less, but still, overall, we had a lot of stuff..... We had a standard view, which was actually GREAT.... when the doors were closed, there was NO noise - no boat noise & no bus noise!! That also has never happened before!!! The Villa's were soldout while we were there, but, we did not encounter much in the way of hall noise either!! We found the villa's to be stocked with pretty much all the cookware & dishes we needed - another plus!!! We wound up cooking most meals, but when you are cooking Omaha Steaks, you don't feel too bad about cooking!!! In total we spent about $265.00 for two weeks of groceries - only $65.00 more than if we had been home. We ate out a few times while we were in the parks... We ate twice at Tusker House, and twice at one of the counter service restaurants at the Magic Kingdom... we had lunch at the WL, and lunch at Red Lobster... We also had dinner on the night of MVMCP at the Liberty Tree tavern... All totalled, we spent less than 200.00 eating out - and we never honestly felt cheated I think renting the surrey bike & boat made up for it!!! After this visit, I'm convinced we could have many WDW vacations, and NEVER enter the parks!!! It was a truly fabulous vacation, with, of course the exception of my getting so sick - I'm still recovering nearly two weeks after it started, but, you can't plan everything!!!

We returned home on 12/17, leaving MCO at 12:35 - the flight home was very smooth, and our daughter slept for the entire trip.... Our 4 year old was surprisingly quiet!! We returned to the airport, the towncar was about 5 minutes late in picking us up, no big deal... the traffic coming in was really bad as it turned out.... It took us exactly two hours to make the trip home, the kids were just exhausted, and so were we really!!

Well, I'm sure I have forgotten lots of details, but this is the bulk of it!! We are planning our next 2 week trip in September, and will not be returning after that for 2 years!!! I don't like to think of that, so I'll just concentrate on September!!

Thanks to all for reading!!

C*

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