5/29 - 6/8/02 Comfort Inn LBV Master Matt's Disney Adventure (and his mom went too!) About This Page:

[Ursunique2001]

Some final thoughts…………

Our hotel was clean and comfortable. The housekeeping staff was excellent and I made sure I tipped our housekeeper well. The restaurant buffet was okay, not 4 stars but the food was good and the service was nice. If you plan to stay here and have kids, make sure you get a poolside room. We noticed around our 8th day that each building had their own pool. So the pool was never overcrowded and the other guests were very nice.

Some new things that we did at Magic Kingdom was Peter Pan’s flight, Carousel of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, The Enchanted Tiki room, The hall of Presidents, and Jungle Cruise. We still did not get to every attraction though, so I guess we’ll just have to go again. We also did breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table thanks to Howie and Matthew loved it. I was concerned but he loved the food and the character. We will definitely do this again.

Some new things that we did at Epcot were Spaceship Earth, Ice Station Cool, Journey into your Imagination, as well as toured some of the world showcase. Again we still did not see everything so here’s another reason for us to go back.

We spent a lot of time at MGM and still did not see everything, but we were glad that we did Fantasmic and the Rock N’ Roller coaster. It seems that this trip we were obsessed with Tower of Terror and The Great Movie Ride.

At Animal Kingdom, we still have not made it to Asia for the Kali River Rapids, but there’s always next time. (are you sensing a theme here) We did get to see the Safari, which was well worth the wait.

We loved both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, but we both agree that Typhoon Lagoon is our favorite of the two. The wave pool definitely put it over the top.

Matthew loved the Pirate’s Adventure Cruise and I am glad that I put my apprehension aside and let him go. He still wears his pirate’s scarf around the house.

This trip we definitely paced ourselves better and it really paid off. There were a few days where we were tired, but I did not experience the leg pain like I had last year. Being able to let him have pool time while I caught catnaps really made a difference.

I want to emphasize the importance of asking others to take your pictures. We had a lot more group pictures, which makes looking at the pictures much more special.

I have to say that the best part of our trip was meeting Michelle and her son Todd. It is nice to meet others who enjoy similar interests. Hopefully our next trip we will be able to link up with fellow passporters again. By the way, Michelle, we are planning for June 20, 2004 – June 30, 2004 for our next trip dates.

Another highlight was getting to ride up front on the monorail. Last trip the seats were always taken, but this trip we managed to ride up front twice. It is definitely a different feeling when your sitting up front and we loved it.

If I think of anything else, I will definitely share it with you.

[img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[ 07-15-2002, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Ursunique2001 ]

[TINKN]

Great Report! Now I'll just have to check back for the final photos!

[Kasumi2279]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this all out. It's been soooo much fun reading it! I can't wait to read the next one (even if it will be in 2004)! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Tara O'Hara]

Ursula,

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip with your beautiful little boy!! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] I love your pictures and it sounds like you two had a fabulous vacation!

Tara [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[minnievoice]

I wish the TR wasn't ending!! Can't wait for the final thoughts!!

[AKLRULZ]

Ursula, thank you for doing this from the heart - I enjoyed reading this as it went along and really thought the pictures personalized it. I'm thrilled ya'll had such a super time - and I love the final thoughts part of your report.

Again, thanks, and blessings to you!

[PeterPanette]

Oh Ursula! How I've enjoyed your report! Sorry to see it come to an end.

Your conversational writing style is a delightful breeze to read through, yet you packed in so much...information, beautiful pictures, tips, warnings and lots of laughs.

I should have posted a comment after your first day, when I got such a huge kick out of reading about Matthew jumping out of bed, saying, "It's time for all the chickens to fly?!?" Having been to WDW alone with my own sleepy-headed son, I could totally relate!

Sons that are Matthew's age are at the perfect stage, I think. Old enough to be delightful company and partners in adventure, yet young enough to still not be too embarassed to let Mama adore them. How I miss that stage with my two sons....who are now 21 and 17. I think the word son was supposed to be spelled S-U-N, because that's what they are....warm, gorgeous sunshine in our lives. (Um..I'm sure daughters are, as well...but I've only had sons to experience.) [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

Your pictures were wonderful. I just fell in love with Matthew.....his beautiful light truly shines in those pictures.

I've selfishly lurked these boards off and on for the past year, deeply enjoying everyone's wonderful trip reports...but yours is the one that finally prompted me to register so that I could tell you how much I appreciate you sharing such a sweet portion of your life with us.

Bright blessings to you and Matthew.

Oh! And keep picturing yourself staying at that Grand Floridian.....cut out a picture of it and stick it on your fridge.....it'll come much sooner than you think! Believe that! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

Charlene

[Ursunique2001]

As promised pictures have been added to the last day of our trip report.

This picture was taken earlier in our trip but it is one of the last scenes we saw before exiting MGM studios.
I miss being there so much.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, they really mean a lot. It is also nice to know that I have inspired one person to come aboard with this trip report. Matthew and I absolulely had a blast and passporter members you helped us so much with your advice and tips. It could not have been as great as it was if you had not shared your wisdom. I hope that through my trip report someone else will also be inspired to write about theirs. I am by no means a writer, but I thank God for the little bit he did give me to share with you all.

[ 07-15-2002, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Ursunique2001 ]

[Ursunique2001]

Another of my last minute thoughts........

I was sitting here trying to figure out what Matthew and I purchased as souvenirs during the trip and here is what I can remember so far:

Me: Disney bumper sticker (magnetic of course), big pencil for my goddaugher, pen shaped like Mickey for her sister, two 100 year pins (light up ones), 7 pins of various characters (Matthew says I am officially a collector now), and sticky pads for two of my co-workers with disney characters on it, a key chain for one of the Deacons at my church that I call my play father(that reminds me that I haven't given it to him yet).

Matthew: two legos sets (one from AK and one from the LEGO store), a fan for my mother (his grandmother) from China pavilion at Epcot, an Orlando tee-shirt for his dad, a key chain for his teacher, a mickey mouse flash light, a mickey mouse silver ring, a silver chain, some men in Black shades (he got them from disney cheap but they look like MIB), and a bag of marbles (he says he is collecting them now)

I know we brought more but I just can't think of it right this minute

[Heidi]

Loved your TR! Thanks so much for taking the time to give us such a detailed report on your trip. I'm so glad the two of you had a fun time. Reading reports like this just gets me more excited for my trip later this year.

Thanks again!!

[figment1]

Wonderful TR! I really enjoyed the pics! My favorite is of Matt & Pluto [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Ursunique2001]

As usual the pictures will be added this evening, I hope you enjoy our last days installment. We really had a great time and I am already planning for our trip in June 2004. I already made Hoop De Doo Reservations and have decided that this time we will take my mom with us. I hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure half as much as I enjoyed sharing it.

Saturday, June 8, 2002 ------- Day 11



Well today is our last day here and we are both kind of bummed. I got Matthew up and dressed for the pool. Our plans right now is for him to go to the pool while I pack all our stuff. Last night I just threw the stuff in the suitcase and could not get everything packed. Matthew got to the pool around 9 am and I started packing. I rolled each piece of clothing separately and managed to pack everything. We had one suitcase of dirty clothing, one of clean clothing, one with our purchases and some accessories like water bottles, and one bag with shoes and other stuff. We also had his backpack and my carryon bag for the plane. It took me about 1 ½ hours but I finally finished around 10:30 am. I also kept checking on Matthew at the pool. He was having fun with the kids and some of the hotel employees. Comfort Inn has a program where they have employees come out and play games with the kids as well as help them with their swimming and stuff too. While Matthew was still in the pool, I got showered and dressed and at around 11 am I called him upstairs for his last shower and hair routine. We checked out a little before 12 pm. Hotel costs was $457.90 after taxes for 10 nights. We decided that since it was Saturday and Magic Kingdom would be very crowded, that we would go to MGM Studies for a few hours until it was time to go to the airport. We had to put down the back seat in order to fit all the suitcases in the car, but once the car was packed we were on our way.

We arrived at MGM Studies around 12:30 pm and it had started to get a little cloudy. I had already packed our ponchos in the suitcases so we decided to carry our jackets. By the time we got to the front gate it started to drizzle. The toys soldiers were going in because it had started to drizzle, but I got a few pictures of them before they left.

By the time we got to the hat it was pouring buckets of water. The jackets came in handy because this was a cold rain. We decided to get a bite to eat at the ABC commissionary, but stopped to take pictures of some of the Monsters, Inc. characters.

Matthew was soaked by now so he looked like a wet rag, but the picture still turned out okay. Matthew had a hamburger and fries and I had the fish and chips, which was excellent. I loved the fish and must remember this place when we come back. Matthew said the hamburger here was better than at the Sci Fi Dine In, but he still liked the Sci Fi too. After eating lunch we went to The Great Movie Ride. I think this ride is really growing on us. We then went to find out when the next show for Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular started, we still have about 45 minutes so we decided to go to the Sounds Dangerous again. Matthew enjoys Drew Carey for some odd reason. I have to admit that he is funny in this attraction. Afterwards we went to Star Tours and again we were seated on the last row. This ride gets bumpier and bumpier each time we go on, but it is fun. By now it is time for Indiana Jones so we make our way back and stand in line for about 10 minutes before they start letting people in. We really liked the show and the stunt people are very good. It is different to see up close how they do their stunts. The extras from the audience were hilarious too.

Even though we had got soaked in our jackets, it had warmed back up and by the time we got ready to leave they were completely dry. Next we wanted to ride Tower of Terror one more time before we left, so we made our way over. Thankfully the line was not that long, only about a 15-minute wait, so we took the plunge again. This time there was a woman in line with her two sons, I tried to reassure them that it wasn’t that bad. I had to tell Matthew to be quiet because even though he was trying to help the kids he was making it worst. He was telling them oh your going to see ghosts, and you will get dropped a few times and the kids faces showed terror. I told them that it wasn’t that bad and if they didn’t like it then they wouldn’t ever have to do it again. It was so much fun, we screamed and laughed the whole time. We sat on the row with two other ladies and one of the ladies asked me was it alright for her to latch on to my arm. I said it was okay and we interlocked our arms. I understood afterwards why she wanted to do that since at one point it felt like she was going to slide under the bar. It was so much fun. Afterwards, one of the kids said they loved it, but the other one said he didn’t. I reassured him that since he knew what it was like now, if he didn’t want to he would not have to get on again. I think their mother was more shaken by the ride than the kids. We made our way back to The Great Movie Ride again. This time Matthew wanted to sit in the front, so we waited and asked a CM. We not only got to sit in the front, but we also had our choice of which scene we wanted to see. We decided to do the western scene since we always get the gangster one. Matthew said he liked the cowboy, but it was not his favorite. They were both nice, but I must agree that the gangster scene is better.

It was now almost 5:30 and we decided to watch the parade. We had funnel cake and strawberry slushes. The funnel cake was okay but it didn’t hit the spot for me and the strawberry slush was way too sweet for my taste. I left Matthew seated while I went to the restroom to use the facilities and dump my strawberry slush. I ended up buying a cup of coke and some popcorn and that hit the spot. We watched the parade and got some fantastic pictures of the characters.





It was very nice and well worth the wait. Matthew said he liked this one but still preferred the 3 pm parade at Magic Kingdom more. As the people dispersed it dawned on me that people are very inconsiderate. I mean you would not believe the trash that people left at the curb where they were sitting. They left trays with trash on it, as well as other food containers. It was simply a mess and I felt bad to be a tourist at that point. We stopped in the gift shops before leaving the park to pick up a few gifts for my family members at home. Got a great picture with Stitch

as we were leaving and reluctantly made our way back to our car. If you look real hard you might be able to make out Matthew and I in the picture.

The drive to the airport was uneventful and we arrived around 7 pm. Returned our car to National Car Rental which after taxes the price ended up being $200.66. That price was for a compact car (Pontiac Sunfire) for 12 days plus all taxes. Our most eventful memory of the airport was going through the security scanners. My film was in the lead lined film bag so they had to open my bags and take it out. He then had to rescan my bag without the film bag in it and he had to do a hand inspection of the film bag. Matthew was very curious so the security guy showed him how the machine worked and told him what they were looking for. We stopped and picked up some dinner. We both had cheese steaks that were surprisingly very good. I say surprisingly because everywhere we go we encounter signs for “Philly cheese steaks” but rarely do we get one that actually tastes like a “Philly cheese steak.” We sat and ate and just relaxed until it was time for our flight. Unlike our flight to Orlando, this flight home would be filled to capacity in the coach class. There were a few seats in first class, but we were packed like sardines in coach. The flight was uneventful. Matthew had the window seat and I had the middle seat. We sat next to a very nice lady who had been to Disney as well as the surrounding sights also. She was very nice and we traded a few stories before drifting off to sleep. Arrived at Philadelphia International at around 11:30 pm and collected our luggage.

Called Wick to pick us up and waited for what seemed like an eternity for him to get there. He ended up getting lost and kept missing the entrance to pick us up. After circling the airport around 4 or 5 times he stopped to ask a police officer for directions. He followed the police car in and then it was smooth sailing home. Well we took the scenic route, but we did make it home.

Coming next: Some final thoughts.

[ 07-16-2002, 12:53 PM: Message edited by: Ursunique2001 ]

[Ursunique2001]

Here’s a run down on our expenses:

Hotel (Comfort Inn LBV) 457.90
Car Rental (National Car) 200.66
Airfare (US Air) 295.62
2 – 6 day park hopper plus passes 501.42
2 – 1 day passes to Universal Stud. 84.25
Hoop de Doo Revue 65.34
Meals: Dinner 265.37
Lunch 257.72
Breakfast 91.70
Snacks 95.91
Pirate’s Adventure Cruise 26.45
Souvenirs (ME) 99.10
Gifts 88.22
Parking 50.00

Grand Total 2,579.66
Original estimate 2,820.50

Savings on trip 240.94

We saved a lot of our money by eating late breakfast, early lunches. Also, since Matthew had his own money his personal purchases are not included in this budget. But for an idea of what he spent, he had $155 and came home with $10. He spent $40 just on Lego’s, alone. The rest was on odds and ends and he brought my mother and his father a souvenir back.

More thoughts to come

[ 07-17-2002, 11:45 AM: Message edited by: Ursunique2001 ]

[wdwlovers]

I enjoyed your report so much! It's so sad to go home. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Thank you for writing your report and sharing it with us. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[HiddenMickey]

I just printed out your report for reading. I've been waiting until you were done with the report before I started reading....I do this with all the reports (or try to). Just wanted to thank you for all the time you've put into your report and I just know I'm going to have fun reading it! -HiddenMickey [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]