The Most Magical Night in Disney--Pretrip report About This Page:

[Wendyismyname]

Friday December 14, 2007
Ben must have been really excited because he slept for 3 hours and woke up in a smile. That never happens. We left the house at around 12:30pm taking our sweet time. We were in no hurry to get to our hotel since check in wasn't until 3pm. When we arrived, I was really impressed with the lobby. I immediately felt at home. The desk was to the left, the dining room to the right and straight ahead was a fireplace and sitting area. There are books you can borrow. There's a beautiful staircase. It sure looked like a home, not a hotel.
We checked in and was given a handwritten welcome card saying that we received a free upgrade to a 1 bedroom suite! I was very pleased because you don't often get such great service!
We went up to our room, 218 in case any one ever wants to stay there, and immediately fell in love with the style. There was a sitting room with a sofa bed, chair, desk. In the hallway was the microwave and fridge. Bathroom with great toiletries. The bedroom had a locking door! Huge kingsize bed. After a couple of minutes, I noticed that ALL the lights were on, welcoming us! What cool service!
Hopefully these photos will display all right:



After checking things out, we decided to head over to Damons that is on property. Sure, it was only 2:30pm, but we were ready to eat big so that we could get to sleep fairly early. We had never been to a Damons before and found it great! It was also great because it was between crowds, so it was nice and quiet! We were seated in the area that housed 4 huge TVs.
Ben and I ordered the Spinach and Artichoke Dip for starters, followed by steaks. Mine was topped with artichoke, bacon, cheese and onion I think. It was delicious! Oh and I had a HUGE baked potato and a Caesar salad with it! So good, so good!
Ben had his steak with onions and mushrooms, fries, and a Caesar salad. We were too stuffed for dessert there, so we ordered a piece of red velvet cake to go! They set us up nicely and we were on our way!
Back in the room, I was ready to get into the pool and hot tub. That's when I realized that I didn't pack anything for me to cover up with, so I had to put my clothes over it. I needn't worry about passing anybody. I really, honestly think that there were only about 20 people in that building. Period.
The pool was lovely and a great temperature, but the hot tub was divine! We couldn't stay in too long because poor Ben was getting more exhausted by the second!
Up to the room to shower and run the suits through their dryer, then we watched a bit of the weather. I had been getting super nervous about this weekend because THE ONE TIME I HAVE PLANS TO LEAVE, we're supposed to get a snow storm. Yes, I know it is December in Indiana and it is to be expected. But really, it could have waited until I got home.
Soon, it was a decent time to go to bed, 6:30pm. I haven't been sleeping properly and I was dead tired. But did I go to sleep?? : I finally wend out after 9pm and then woke up every two hours until 2:53am when I said to heck with it, I was up!
But did Ben sleep? Like a baby, a very LOUD baby. More like a bear. Or lion. Or dinosaur. Very loud. I was glad for him, maybe he won't be grouchy and tired this weekend.

[SouthernBelle]

Wendy,

Great start, your room was fabulous, to hear you couldn't sleep but who can the night before, hurry back can't wait to read more

[goofysdtr]

Great start! I'm really looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

[Luvsun]

YAY Wendy - you are back! I can't wait to read all about your trip!
A great start - I am waiting for more!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Wendy More please

[mcc0313]

Great start...can't wait to hear more.

[Nemo125]

Can't wait to hear more!

[Wendyismyname]

Saturday December 15, 2007
Saturday dawned, well after we were up in the plane. But I was up bright and early since I didn't sleep much. I got myself ready and when I started pacing back and forth at 4am, we decided to head on down and see if the breakfast was out and maybe we could catch the shuttle early.
Breakfast was waiting for us! I think it's great that the hotel includes a deluxe continental breakfast. There were cheese omelets, sausages, make your own waffles, yoghurt, bread for toasting, french toast, cold cereals, oatmeal, juices, coffee, milk. you name it, it was there!! Fantastic! But I was so excited, I couldn't eat! I grabbed a yoghurt and said maybe I'd get something at the airport!
We get the shuttle, and soon we're at the airport and at the self check kiosk. There looked to be a line, but then I noticed one to the left that was empty. I asked the lady in front of me if she minded if I went there, she said "sure, I'm already checked in anyway". . Lady, if you were done, get your body and bags out of the line and out of my way! Anyway, we were soon at security thinking we should go through now because the line was pretty long. Of course it was, there were only 2 or 3 stations open!
It was really nice just having the two of us, and only having carry on luggage. We took out our baggies and put them with our shoes and sent them through the x-ray and met them on the other side with neither of us getting wanded! Good!
It was only about 5am by then. Still two hours before out departure. That time went by quickly! I passed time by talking to a family across from me. They live around Cincinnati and drove to Indy because they saved around $70 a ticket! I think I'd do the same! They were heading to a cruise out of Miami, but were first spending time in Daytona. Lucky them. Same ship we're to sail on in April 2009--Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas.
They announced that there were business class seats available for $60, so I debated for a few minutes and decided to surprise Ben with good seats! Hey, he's the one who said we could do this 1 night down at Disney, so I'm planning a few surprises!
Good call on the seats. They were very comfy and the difference in service is amazing! Well I should say it is quicker.
Two hours after take off, we landed. It was an uneventful flight, which is a good thing.
I love taking photos from the plane if I get a chance:




We made a very quick pit stop and then we buzzed down to baggage claim. Saw our driver with our sign---sadly it wasn't Berkley, but I knew it wouldn't be. When I told Bob that we had no luggage to claim, we were off!! Both guys left me eating their dust rather quickly, but soon took pity on me. I had foot surgery in July and sometimes my foot still cramps up, and after the fast walk through the airport, it hit me. I knew I couldn't walk that fast!

As soon as I got in the van, I called Cheryl and told her we were on our way and we'd see them at the Polynesian!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you made it to Florida And good call on upgrading the seats

[SouthernBelle]

WAHOO, you made it, so hurry back with the next chapter

[lauren-roxy]

Great start and you're almost there!!

[Nala]

So glad you made it out as I spent Sarturday mornining watching the snow storm hit IL and thinking of you getting out of Indy.

How cool to be upgraded at your hotel. Your room sounds like it was fantastic and you are already being touched by magic before you get to the world.

Looking forward to the next update.

[Wendyismyname]

Saturday December 15, 2007 about 9:45am
After a really nice ride from the airport, we arrive at the Polynesian! I warned Ben that if I saw Cheryl and Mark, I was out of there and told him where the payment was.
Would you believe that the car in front of us contained my two favorite Brits?? Yay!! I got all excited and told Ben "There they are, there they are" Bob parked the car and I jumped out and Mark looked up. I said "HI!" and then the usual hugs and lots of smiles!! It was so good seeing them again!
After the introductions, we headed to check in. The line was practically non-existant, in fact, I walked right up and was helped right away.
Miho took my info and then highlighted the map. She said "Congratulations, we have upgraded you to our Concierge". WOW!
I was elated! Never have I been upgraded and this trip, we were upgraded twice!! I had been hoping that we'd be upgraded to a lagoon view, but I never expected Concierge!
Our room wasn't ready, which I would have been super shocked if it were. We gave the luggage to bell services and off we went to Magic Kingdom!

First up the the photopass picture.


The guy was great and offered to take one with our cameras. I believe all 4 were handed to him! I thought that was nice and I wasn't really expecting that. Walking down Main Stree USA we received a text from Angie saying Hi! HI ANGIE!!! I wrote back, but she probably wouldn't know that was from me!!

After that, Cheryl pulls out her intinerary. THE intinerary. Wow, I always knew she was organized when it came to her trips, but this was amazing!

Mark spotted the Mad Hatter and jumped in line. I really admire him for that. I heard all about a competition he has with his niece and nephew. Secretly, I'm rooting for the children you know :wink: :wink:

It was fitting that our first ride was Winnie the Pooh! I hadn't seen it since 2003 or 2004 and I really enjoy the ride.
Sadly, I was enjoying the moment too much that I didn't take pictures here in Fantasyland. We were really busy griping about how hot and humid it was! Well, we weren't really complaining, we were just shocked and stating the fact!
Next we headed to Peter Pan's Flight. I love these rides in Fantasyland and I always try to include them. It was not to be as it was posted longer wait than I wanted it to be. So over to It's a Small World. Mark grudgingly got on after I promised I'd try the Escargot in France tonight.
I adore this ride. I especially adore riding it with people who don't enjoy it. It's too funny to watch, especially when we got stuck for a couple of minutes in the backlog.

"All right, I'll go on this stupid ride"




We're stuck!!


*to be continued

[Wendyismyname]

Next was over to see how long of a wait for Haunted Mansion. Too long, since we needed to dine at 12noon. So over to POTC. The line said 20 minutes and by then our tummies were really growling. That yoghurt wore off ages ago and I couldn't wait to eat! But we really, really enjoyed POTC first. It didn't take 20 minutes in the line and before we knew it, we were boarding our boat. I was able to take photos in there. I don't recall anything about using flash photography in there and I really wanted to see how well this camera would take flash pictures on a dark ride. Good enough for me!



Exit via the shop and off to Tony's Town Square for lunch. It started raining, lightly but in a steady bit, so we kind of tried to walk a little bit quicker for cover. Walked back up Main Street via the Casey's-Emporium and by then, the rain had let up. We checked in and sat to wait for just a little while, but it seemed a lot longer. I was enjoying the atmosphere and wonderful company. Soon we were called and we were seated in the, for lack of better word, sunroom. It was so different in there compared to the darkness inside. Gorgeous. Absolutely marvelous. We couldn't really decide as everything looked way too good. Cheryl and I split the Bianca flatbread for starters. Mark had the Calamari, he let me try it and it wasn't so bad. Ben had the tomato and mozzarella salad. That was the clear winner.
Our meals came out in a timely manner. I had the panini of the day, which was flank steak with roasted red pepper and I think provolone cheese. It was yum-o!
Ben had the meatball sandwich. I was impressed that he was using his knife and fork--I thought he was using his good company manners, but I later found out that it was just simply too big to handle neatly! LOL!
Mark had the spaghetti and meatballs. Cheryl had the Shrimp Pasta and it sure was loaded with shrimp! She took pictures of the food, but now I wish I had! Everything really was amazing! Espcially that tomato salad that I kept filching bits from.
We were too full for any desserts, so we paid up and headed to Tom Sawyer Island.

I was really looking forward to exploring this when I wasn't sweating----but since Florida was enjoying near record highs, it wasn't meant to be. Oh I enjoyed it, but I sweated. The rain that kept coming down didn't do a thing to cool it off either, it just made it worse.


We limited our time there, but we did explore a cave, went over the barrel bridge and into the Fort. We stayed away from any type of stairs. Soon we were back on the raft and I was calling home to find out how much snow we were getting. Only about 2 inches by that time, so it hadn't really hit yet. More on that to come later!

On our way out, we stopped off so Cheryl could get a Dole Whip. I believe that was my first taste and I want to try it again the next trip. Our good luck was still with us when we saw that a resort launch was waiting. We've only ever used the Monorail over, so this was a really pleasant change. The ride was over too quickly because I barely remember it! We had great conversations. If I remember nothing else about the trip in my later life, I hope I can remember just that we talked and talked.

We took a few photos around the resort, then headed to Hawaii for get our room assignment. It was shortly after 3pm so it should have been ready. And it was!!

After enjoying some of that Guava juice, we headed up to 3528. Here I was hoping for the lagoon side, but when I saw the numbers, I knew we'd have a garden view. Oh but what a VIEW! I loved it! If I wanted to look at water, all I had to do was look at the pool!! I only wish I would have had time to take a dip in the main pool. But I had better things to do!

We lounged around in the room, snapping photos and talking. Ben and Mark headed down to the lounge. I don't know what they did while they were there, Cheryl and I were too busy talking to really ask. Our luggage arrived while they were gone and I went about putting it up. It was just really nice sitting there enjoying each other's company. If my grandma didn't teach me anything else, she taught me to enjoy a person, to treat them like the gift that they are.

[Wendyismyname]

Okay, so the guys came back, then we headed out to the car! It was a nice change to ride in a car, especially since Mark knew where he was going!! Our one time we rented a car, it sat in the parking lot for 5 day only moving when we switched resorts!


We arrive at the Beach Club and really, I felt like I was arriving at home!! The resort really has rubbed off on me and I get a different feeling when I get there than I do any other resort. It's nice to stay elsewhere, to experience new things, but really, There's No Place Like Home!! :grin:


Up to Cheryl and Mark's room to enjoy their view of Epcot. Ben and Cheryl had a small glass of wine. It was nice. I wish I could remember the name of it, because I'll probably buy a bottle sometime.

I really like that C&M USE their room. It is command central. Incredibly smart in the way they travel, I learned a few ideas from them. She uploaded her photos to the computer, made a disk and then we were on our way! Really, we weren't there for very long! Now I know that I can bring my computer down and do the same thing! Thanks Cheryl!!!



Over to the backdoor at Epcot and I wish I was taking pictures along the way. I'll admit, I was starting to drag a little bit. I just didn't really want to lift the camera! I went to see about upgrading my 10 day non-expiring park hopper(which of course had been used 1) for an annual pass so I could get the DDE. Well, I could upgrade to a regular pass after I'd used my ticket again on Sunday. Well, I didn't really want to do that because we didn't know if we were going into a park on Sunday. Then he said I could upgrade to a Premium. I've never had one of them. I really wanted the DDE, so I said to go ahead. I'm glad I did. It cost less than $5! It would have been nearly $50, but I bought our tickets before the latest price increase, so that was already a savings. Then I got my DVC discount, so that saved me even more! Ben decided he wanted to upgrade his to a PAP. I don't know why, because I just did that for the DDE. But now we can go into Pleasure Island for our Date Night in June.
The CM did tell me that as long as you park hop 3 days, you will have paid for the PAP. I can't remember how many days it would take to get your $$ worth for a regular AP, but it'd be less than 3 days of park hopping. I might be confused on how he meant it, but someone else will figure that out.
We took quite a few pictures of Spaceship Earth and the interesting sky.





*thanks Denise for the inspiration for this photo!*

Then we went to see if it was having a soft opening, no luck there, but there's always next time.
By this time, I was getting quite tired of getting wet, so we ducked into MouseGear. I'm glad I restrained myself. I do love that store.
Back out to try to watch the tree lighting. We found a nice covered section that we ducked under. Mark, being the genious he is, discovered an area even more covered. Sadly, it wasn't facing where we wanted to be, but they climbed up and took their shots. I thought that was great.
Some more shots of the decorations and some of the tree and we were off to France for Le Chefs de France.
Wow, firstly, I am amazed at how little time it takes when you're not stressed and frazzled!! Soon we were checking in. Here it was a good thing that we were carrying around our ADR number as one CM couldn't find us. No worries, Cheryl took care of that. She waited outside to hear our names and to work on her TR, while we collasped in the chairs inside!
We had a nice conversation and soon Cheryl was inside saying it was our turn! Thank goodness because we were hungry again! I think six hours between meals is a definite minimum but if you eat fairly lightly, it's good.

After promising Mark that I'd try the escargot, I looked and looked for it. I couldn't find it, honestly. I also didn't ask them if they saw it. I had a hard time choosing my entree, but I knew I wanted to try several starters!
I "settled" for the Frech Onion Soup. OMG, I am so glad I did! It was incredibly good! I was really worried about the saltiness of it because everytime I've tried it, the soup was heavy on the salt and I don't care for that. This was awesome. I loved that cheese! I'd like to find some here and put it on pizza!
I had the shrimp and scallops with spinach flan for entree.
I loved the shrimp and scallops but the flan was nasty. I'll probably try flan again because Cheryl assured me that it was not done properly and it was more like a mousse instead. She didn't eat hers either.
Ben ordered the Beef Tenderloin. It didn't take him long to finish it either. Mark had the chicken which looked really scrumptious. Cheryl had the shrimp and scallops too.
We have a mixed review for the restaurant. The food was pretty darn tasty, aside from the flan. But the service wasn't as good as other places. We had to ask for refills, even on water. I didn't get a refill for my tea. Then there were just other inattentiveness from her, it really annoyed me.