March Madness - Final Thoughts - REPORT COMPLETE - Updated May 24. About This Page:

[MickeyMAC]

Great start Joy, looking forward to more.

[PrincessSharon]

Great start, Joy! Can't wait to hear the details.

[scdisneyfan]

great start! hate to hear that about the dining plan though sounds a bit confusing We loved it when we used to go in march. The low crowds and low humidity made it a perfect time to go. Cant wait to hear more!

[bsblady01]

more please

[debsta922]

Can't wait to read all about your trip!

[Joy J]

This has been a record winter for those of us living in Ontario when it comes to snowfall, and unfortunately the weekend we were scheduled to fly down to Orlando was no exception. On Saturday the snow began to fall and fall and then fall some more and we were seriously worried that our flight might not take off the next day. I kept phoning the airline’s automated information line and each time it told me that our flight was still slated to take off on time. So Sunday morning very early, we headed out to the airport after finally managing to flag down a cab since phoning for one met with zero results.
We got in the very long check-in line and waited and waited and then waited some more. It turns out that Air Canada doesn’t open their check-in desks until after 4:00 a.m. so our arriving extra early didn’t do us much good. By the time they finally opened at about 4:30 a.m., the line was horrendously long. Because I was concerned about the possibility of the airline having overbooked our flight, I decided to do something that I never do - leaving Kirk to hold our place in line, I checked in at one of the airline automated kiosks. It printed out two boarding passes for me but with no assigned seats. When we eventually got to the check-in desk and checked our luggage, I inquired about this lack of seat assignment and was told that this was a good example of why people should pay the extra money in advance to get pre-assigned seats. I asked if this meant that perhaps we wouldn’t be able to go out on this particular flight and the only answer I got was a shrug of his shoulders - not exactly reassuring.
After dispatching our luggage, we walked over to our gate and waited for an airline employee to show up so that we could ascertain our seating situation. To say I was concerned would be a major understatement as I had been watching on television the night before as reports kept flooding in about all the folks who were waiting for seats on flights due to the cancellation of their originally scheduled ones. I feared that if we did not make it onto this flight that we might not get out today at all. When an Air Canada employee finally showed up (about 20 minutes before our flight was due to take off), my worst fears were confirmed. The plane was completely booked. Since I was first in line, the employee did say that we would have priority and that she would do the best she could to get us on the plane. She asked me to wait off to the side while she dealt with the flood of people approaching the desk, all with a similar story - they were on standby after having their flights cancelled the day before and were hoping to get on the plane. I felt terrible for these people as I watched their sorrowful expressions upon learning that it was highly unlikely that there would be room for them on this flight. I reflected that as usual, our trip was off to a rocky start (anyone familiar with my earlier trip reports will realize that rough beginnings seem to be a feature of all our trips) but that this start might just be rockier than usual.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the Air Canada employee informed me that she did indeed have two seats for us but that we wouldn’t be able to sit together. At this point in time, I was so relieved to be able to get on the flight at all that I probably would have agreed to sit in the luggage compartment. It turned out that my seat was slightly better than that. In fact, for the very first time in my life, I got to sit in first class - what a treat. Although Kirk wasn’t quite so lucky, he still had a seat in the exit row so he had extra seat and leg room.
I have always been curious as to what goes on behind that first class curtain and now I had the chance to find out. Although I still wouldn’t pay the exorbitant amount they charge for first class seats, I can now understand the appeal. From the time we sat down until the time we left the plane, it was non-stop attention and service. From newspapers to hot towels to refresh ourselves with to our choice of hot breakfast served on china plates with real silverware to non-stop beverage service, the entire experience was a real treat.
After arriving at the Orlando airport, we made our way to the Magical Express check-in desk and were soon on our way to our resort. I must be exceptionally lucky when it comes to DME because we have used them for several trips and on each and every occasion, we have boarded a bus immediately which then takes off right after we’re seated. It can’t get better than that. This time, our bus stopped at the Caribbean Beach Resort first and then we were off to the Boardwalk.
There was no line at the front desk for checking in so our rough start was now nothing but a dim memory. Our room wasn’t ready yet so after collecting all our info, we stopped off at the bell services desk long enough to leave our carry-on bags with them and soon we were taking that first magical walk over to the International Gateway leading to Epcot.
Kirk had yet to experience the Finding Nemo ride so that was our first stop. Being the three-year-old thirty-three year old that he is, he pronounced this ride to be one of his all time favourites. After leaving Finding Nemo, we experienced our first healthy dose of Disney magic. We stopped at an ice cream cart to get a couple of Mickey bars and when I attempted to pay for them, the sweet, friendly cast member said, “No, not this time. These are on Mickey.” What a wonderful way to start our trip in earnest.
Next up was the new version of Spaceship Earth. I must say that both of us were really impressed with the improvements to this attraction. I particularly liked the interactive features on the screen in our vehicle - what fun! As we wandered around Future World, Kirk quickly noticed the Character Connection and wanted to start our trip off with a hefty character fix. We did have to wait in line for about thirty minutes but it was well worth it as we then got to see six characters, one after another with no wait in between characters.
After frolicking with Mickey and the gang, it was time for our late lunch at Le Cellier so we strolled over to Canada. My last meal at Le Cellier in November hadn’t been quite up to the standard I usually expect at this restaurant but thankfully, this time around, it was once again a stellar experience. We both had the New York strip steaks and chocolate raspberry shakes. For dessert, I had the vanilla crème brulee and Kirk had the sorbet.
Now completely stuffed, we headed back to our hotel to see if our room was ready. It was and I was delighted to discover that all of my room requests had been granted. Our room was literally only steps from the elevator on the fourth floor so it made for a very short walk to the lobby, the bus stop and the main pool. In fact, our room overlooked the pool. The balcony was large but had solid walls so you had to stand up in order to have a good view of the surroundings but that was fine with us. We hadn’t got much sleep the night before so we spent the rest of the evening unpacking, settling in and relaxing. We went to bed fairly early so that we could get started bright and early the next morning.

Joy

[Colexis Mom]

What a nightmare start to your trip I'm glad you were able to get seats and make it to Orlando!! Sounds like things went smoothly once you got to WDW!! More please

[piratefreak]

What a frightening start to the trip but it sounds like Mickey is making up for it. Can't wait to hear more!

[RobDVC]

Glad that you were able to fit into that plane, and first class, no less!
Looks like smooth sailing after that.

[Jillybean]

Despite that initial scare at the airport, you did sure did turn out splendid! First class, great DME service, free Mickey bars, great lunch and the perfect room (sounds like your room was the same location as ours except two floors up). What a fantastic first day - - but then again, I expect no less from you, Joy!

Jill

[Joy J]

This morning I zipped down to the Boardwalk Bakery to grab our breakfast and bring it back to the room while Kirk was getting ready. Kirk enjoyed a bacon and egg Panini while I savoured every bite of my cinnamon bun. Then it was off to Epcot.
On our way over to Soarin, we stopped to watch the Jamitors perform. After grabbing a fast pass for Soarin, we rode it using the standby line, then killed some time on Living with the Land before riding Soarin again. Truly neither one of us can ever get enough of this amazing attraction. A very amusing incident occurred while using the washroom after leaving Soarin. A very patient mother was instructing her daughter (who appeared to be about 3 or so) on how it wasn’t polite to say certain things to people. Apparently the little darling had told some woman in the washroom that she had a “big butt.” On hearing that this was a no-no, the little girl said, “But Mommy, she did have a big butt.” The charmer couldn’t seem to understand what was wrong with stating a true fact as it was obvious the child didn’t construe it as an insult, just a statement of fact. Those of us watching this interplay couldn’t help but smile and giggle as anyone who has children has been in this sort of situation at one time or another.
We tried the Where’s the Fire game since Kirk had yet to experience it before getting in line for another first timer for Kirk - Mission: Space. Now that there’s a less intense version, it’s great that those of us with weaker stomachs can still have fun on this ride.
We were now beginning to develop a severe case of the munchies so we headed over to World Showcase for lunch with a brief stop for a visit with Figment on his attraction. Then we enjoyed a tasty lunch of fish and chips in England before returning to our hotel for our midday break.
After our break, we decided to visit Animal Kingdom to see both the main shows there. Since Festival of the Lion King was already in session when we arrived, we spent some time meeting and greeting Mickey and the gang on the character greeting trails beside the theater. By the time we were finished frolicking with our Disney friends, it was time to line up for the show. As always this show was delightfully entertaining and moving (it never fails to make me cry no matter how many times I see it).
I had been talking so much about the new Finding Nemo show that Kirk was really anxious to see it for the first time. So that was our next stop. The show was amazing and Kirk was suitably impressed. We now realized that we would soon have to leave Animal Kingdom in order to make it to our dinner reservation in time. On our way out of the park, we stopped to visit with the Pooh gang (except for Winnie himself who was taking a honey break).
Kirk is a huge fan of the villains so he had been particularly looking forward to our dinner at 1900 Park Fare as he would have the chance to interact with the evil stepmother and the two ugly stepsisters. For me, I always enjoy the food on the buffet at 1900 Park Fare so I was also happy at the prospect of this meal. Well, Kirk’s expectations were more than met but not so mine. For the first time ever, I thought the food here was not up to snuff. The roast beef was fat and stringy and the side dishes were cold and not very tasty. On the other hand, the character interaction here was nothing short of superb. Cinderella and her prince were their usual charming selves, the stepmother was chillingly formal and remote but the real stars of this meal were the two stepsisters who were hilariously funny with their outrageous antics. They put on quite the show for the entire time we were there. The restaurant also had two organized group activities which were great fun for the children. The first was a “royal dance” where a waltz was played and Cinderella and the Prince danced with each other and then picked assorted children to dance with. Later on, the stepsisters invited all the kiddies out on to the floor to learn a special little dance. All in all, in spite of the rather lacklustre food, this meal was still a roaring success because of the fabulous character interaction to be found here.
After dinner, we jumped on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and then took the bus back to our resort to call it a night.

Joy

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update!! Glad you're having a great time

[nconover]

Great trip report thus far! My heart was in my throat with you when you wrote about standing in the check in line. I'm so happy that things worked out. First Class? Sounds lovely. Do they serve gourmet food or is it just normal fare?

[Jillybean]

Day Two sounds just as wonderful! Glad that you enjoyed the character interaction at 1900 Park Fare even if the food wasn't quite as good.

Jill

[KandJluvdisney]

wow joy
what a crazy start to your trip
but first class made up for it I am sure
sounds like you are having a great time so far
sorry that 1900 park fare did not sit well wth you this time
hurry back with more