Beth's Trip Report: Tragedy & Triumph -- Day 1: Are You Beth? About This Page:

[bfth]

Tuesday, September 4th

Had a 3-day weekend to get final preparations done. For me, this meant cleaning the house (so it wouldn’t be bad when we got back). For hubby, it meant time to actually pack! (You know I’ve had my bags out for the past month).

I got up early (who can sleep) and made sure everything was ready. Our flight was mid-day, so I was going to work for a few hours. My brother, John, would drive me. I managed to convince him (and his girlfriend, Emma) to head out by 6:50. (Neither of them are morning people! Poor Emma is about as happy as Grumpy to get up earlier than usual!).

We got to my office in record time. I had to ring the bell to get let in, as I was not going to be traveling with my office pass.

From 7:30 – 10:30 I actually did get some work done; tidying up things around the office and such. Of course I was also anxious and Instant Messaging friends too! (thanks Emily, Janet, Ray and Ian).

Around 11, Steve (hubby) and Andy (driver who picked Steve up at home, drove down with him to get me and then take us both to the airport) pull into the parking lot. No problems finding my office and I am ready to go.

Get to the airport by 11:20. We flew Continental (Flight 179) out of Terminal C which is under major construction. I remember thinking what a pain it was going to be coming home, as due to the construction, we would have to walk quite a distance out to the area where cars could pick you up. I had 2 suitcases (one with no wheels) and 2 carry ons, which I knew would be loaded on our way home. Little did I know, right?

We easily checked our bags at curbside and went out to our gate (as far out as you can get). Steve ran to McDonald’s to get us something to eat before we boarded. (Start out the trek with a Happy Meal for the Happiest Place on Earth).

We were one of the first to board, as we were all the way in the back of the place (next to last row). It was very cold on the plane and it was jam packed. There was some confusion about seats. Seems like plenty of people weren’t sitting in the right space. I can’t understand what the problem is, but…

I am on the aisle with Steve next to me. And at the window (it’s 3 across and 3 across – packing ‘em in as best they can) is this woman who Steve later told me was drunk out of her mind (I do know she had 2 drinks while she was on board and she started talking to herself too).

Flight down was rather turbulent. Yes it could have been much worse, but I don’t like bumpy flights (who does?).

The good thing was that we got in pretty much on time. Of course being all the way in the back it took quite a while to get off the plane. I was glad to get off and walk around a bit.

Headed for the monorail to the main terminal. Our first monorail ride! J And what I didn’t realize is that the monorail announcer at the airport is Jack Wagner, who also does the monorail announcing at WDW.

As we descended the escalator, I could see our Tiffany Towncar driver waiting for us. Relief to see him (for some reason I was sure there was going to be a mess up). Luggage had already started to arrive (it had taken us a while to get off the plane!). Steve’s bag shows up right away. But mine doesn’t! We wait. And wait. And wait! And WAIT! (well, you get the picture). I am really getting a bit apprehensive, when my bags finally showed up (at least 15 minutes after Steve’s did – you think they would have been together, but&#8230 [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img].

Go out into the FL heat while our driver (sorry his name escapes me) goes to get the car. We hop in and away we go! J There’s a quick grocery stop (cans of coke, bottle of ginger ale and Pepsi one along with a few snacks) and we’re off to the Wilderness Lodge.

What a beautiful drive up! Definitely feel as if you’re in the wood of the Pacific Northwest. Store out bags and go to check in. Just walking in we saw the similarities between this and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Although the 2 resorts are very different, they are also very much alike. The “feel” is kind of the same. The awesome lobby is the same.

Checked in and Steve made sure we got the White Glove Treatment (he’s used his Amex before, but not gotten it) and got 2 fanny packs (which were smaller than the one I had brought so I did not use mine – actually ended up giving it to John when we got home). While still in the lobby we had Fantasmic PS for Thursday at 5:30 (which was exactly what I had written down on my spreadsheet).

Took us a while to find our room on the 5th floor (we took the wrong elevator). Our luggage had arrived just a few seconds before we did! We had a beautiful few. Could see a bit of the castle in the distance and the Contemporary as well.

The room is just slightly larger than the AKL. Still a bit small for a 10 day stay, even with just 2 people. We unpack and I am thankful that there is a little bureau in the hall for me to use, which Steve snags the amoire in the bedroom (though I did use some of the bottom drawer). Called housekeeping to ask for turn down service and to ask for new batteries for our remote control (the darn thing never worked quite right the whole time).

We finally got everything put away and settled and headed back down to the lobby area. We had 6 PM PS for Artist Point. It was after 5 by then. We wandered around the gift shop. I saw LOTS that I wanted to buy, but restrained myself.

It was still a little early, but we headed over Artist Point. Got seated right away (the place was pretty deserted). The chef came out to discuss my allergies with me (this was something I made sure I ALWAYS did and on this trip it really made a difference. I was able to try new things and feel more comfortable with dining than I ever have before). We decided I would have the Maple Glazed Salmon. Steve had the veal along with an appetizer (which I can’t remember). We both started off with drinks (rum & coke) which we usually do not do.

I adored my salmon. Steve though his meal was a little too exotic/gamey for him. But I loved it. And we had a nice quiet dinner with a great view of the back of the resort. The meal was pricier than I had imagined ($95), but then again we NEVER dine out due to my allergies.

As we had dinner it was getting darker and darker with thunder rumbling in the background. We had considered doing the e-ride night, but were both tired and decided against it. Instead we went for a walk out by the pool (which was closed due to the lightening) and out by the dock. Lightening was getting closer. We watched the geyser go off, until the thunder rumbled a little too close for comfort.

We went back to the room to collapse. But I decided I wanted to call home (and also some friends). I had several free calling cards, but I didn’t want to use the room phone as it costs every time you dial out! So I headed downstairs to find a phone.

I had just passed The Roaring Forks when I heard my name being called. But there were other people in the hall and Beth is a pretty common name. But as I continued walking, this young man came up to me and said, “You’re Beth, aren’t you?”

Ok, the face is not familiar and I have NO idea who this is! That is until he tells me his name is David. Then I remembered that the Norris family from England was going to be in WDW the same time Steve & I were (I had forgotten as they had left 2 weeks ago for a 3 week stay). I knew David and his mom from another board and last year I had helped them out with some allergy concerns they had while traveling with their niece.

Turns out David’s mom, Angela, had spotted me at dinner (they were eating at the Artist Point). She thought she recognized me from some photos she’d seen. She went to check at the podium, but by the time she got back, I was gone! So I headed with David back to the Artist Point again. It was really quite funny! The 4 of us sat down and chatted for at least a ½ hour if not more!

I knew Steve must be wondering what the heck was going on! But I was having a great time! Finally, around 8, the Norrises decided to have a go at e-night (even though it was raining – the thunder and lightening had calmed down a bit). I quickly found a phone to call John (he wasn’t around but I did leave a message) and decided to forgo calling anyone else.

Steve wanted to know what sort of mischief I had gotten myself into when I got back!

Took a nice warm shower and went to bed listening to the crickets, frogs and birds outside (it really was quite loud. Not annoyingly, but surprisingly). Really made you feel like you were in the wilderness!

Fell asleep happy to be back in the world and ready to begin a fabulous vacation!

[HiddenMickey]

Beth---your off to a GREAT start! Having stayed at WL with a 5th floor room overlooking the castle, and having eaten the salmon at Artist's Point, I was right there with you! Great memories. Looking forward to more. -HiddenMickey

[Hammer813]

Beth,

Your meal at Artist Point sounds fantastic! I loved my meal I had there in May. I know you couldn't eat any, but did Steve try the breads with those incredible spreads?

I had the same problem with my TV remote control at WL when I stayed there in May! Strange, isn't it?

Can't wait to read more!

[bfth]

Ok, I forgot Steve downed the breads and spreads at Artist Point. I think he liked the Garlic one better than the Salmon, though he did try both.

Guess WL just has wacky remotes! Or maybe it was Cuppy playing around with it too much! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]