Wonderful magical trip--wanna go again! About This Page:

[Cats'N'Dogs]

Trippers: Grace, Lauren and Cindy
We had a 5 day jaunt at WDW at the end of October but for various reasons I was unable to post before this.
The entire vacation was one of the best I've ever had at WDW! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I decided to splurge and travel "in style" with transportation door to door. That was a great way to start off relaxed--I didn't have to worry about getting there, just packing and tickets.
We stayed at my vacation club home resort-Villas @ Wilderness Lodge. It was my sister-in-law's (Cindy) first trip. I love the way cast members greet you by saying "Welcome Home". We took advantage of their grocery service--we send a fax a few days before arrival and your groceries are delivered. The entire time we enjoyed unseasonably warm weather-high 80's.
I was elated that WDW reinstated early morning entry days and coincidently, the early entry days matched my PS arrangements.
Our vacation started off with a shopping spree at Downtown Disney--I like to have my purchases shipped home. No worries about packing it in the luggage and its a nice way to prolong the Disney experience to get packages at home. Early dinner at Rainforest Cafe--NO WAITING [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] Their cedar plank salmon is so yummy!
Our first full day was at Animal Kingdom. Early entry so we didn't have to rush to the Kilamonjaro Safari. It was so cool--a bit foggy as we started out and then the mists cleared around the immense bulk of the elephants...just gave you the sense of being on safari. It was early enough that most of the animals were active, saw the cheetahs playing and the lion was even up on his rocky perch. Finally, got a great picture of the giraffe--my previous photo was of the "rear" end! Got to take the train to Rafiki's Planet watch and Lauren had a grand time brushing and petting the African pygmy goats and sheep. Got to see and do all the fun stuff, had time to return to V@WL for a swim then took the boat over to Contem. Resort for dinner at Chez Mickey. Yumm...you have to save room for dessert...they are scrumptious [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]
Second day was spent at MGM, another early entry day. Enjoyed all the shows: Muppets, Ariel, Playhouse Disney (great hit with Lauren!), Beauty and the Beast (a must see) and lunch at the Dine In Drive In Theatre. We had a car table, what a hoot! Our cast member server took our picture since it was our "first time" Did some shopping and walking around-Lauren is 4 so we didn't do any of the more adult stuff like Tower of Terror. Love having time to hit the swimming pool and veg after a full day.
Off to Magic Kingdom. Early entry again [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
This time we got to do the raceway--first time, not sure I'd do it again but it was fun. Did the kiddie rides a few times, got to see Aladdin and Jasmine-photos and autographs. Returned to V@WL for more pool time-so relaxing.
Our last full day started off with the Princess Breakfast at Epcot. It was great! We had been disappointed b/c I could not get PS for Cinderella's Breakfast despite rising early for 6 days straight to be in the "queu" by 6:50 am EST.
I am grateful to the nice cast member that suggested the Princess Breakfast. We had a great time. All the princesses were there, they only guarantee two but we were lucky. I got great photos of Lauren with Belle, Mulan, Aurora, and Snow White. Cinderella even made a surprise visit. Lauren was estatic! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Food was delicious-family style served at the table, scrumptious fruit and cinnamon buns followed by scrambled eggs, french toast sticks, bacon, sausage, and seasoned potatoes. Good coffee too. We had arrived 45 minutes early as they warn you to allow at least 1 hr travel time depending on where you are staying. They took us right away--it wasn't crowded at all. It was the highlight of our trip. Then we were able to enjoy Epcot without rushing, it was during the Wine and Food Festival so we tasted our way around the world. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
The next morning we bid WDW a temporary good bye. There was something very special about this trip, just some of that undefinable Disney Magic that leaves you wishing to return soon.
We will be returning in Feb 2003 for a different sort of magic aboard the Disney Wonder cruise ship. Hope we will have a fun time to share afterwards too!
Thanks for "listening" and sharing in our magical experience. Grace [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[maggieworkman]

Your trip sounds great! We also had PS for the Princess Breakfast, but didn't make it there. I would have loved to see Mulan. It was so great Cinderella made a surprise visit for you.

I can't wait to hear about your cruise. I am thinking about one of those myself.

Maggie

[chezp]

Glad you finally got a photo of the front end of the giraffe! They never pose for the camera, do they? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[tikibird]

Grace,

Welcome to Passporter and thanks so much for sharing your trip with us! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip - I'll be the Villas were wonderful!

It's great that Epcot is offering the Princess breakfast now - sounds like you had a great time there!

Guess it's time to start planning your next trip! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Cats'N'Dogs]

Thanks for sharing. I cannot get enough of Disney. My friend coaxed Lauren and I on a trip with her daughter 2 years ago. We have tried to make it an annual jaunt since.
Lauren and I have been to Disney 3 other times and each were loads of fun. She will start school Aug '03 so in May I am planning a megafun trip. We will be taking my parents, sister, brother and sister-in-law on the 4 day Disney cruise followed by 4 days at Disney. It will be my sister-in-law's first Disney experience. I can't wait to show her why I love Disney so much.
I think I love Disney more than my daughter! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
I appreciate your feedback as this is the first time I've posted on any message board. It certainly won't be the last!!
Hope to share more fun times here.
Grace

[reiner]

Great report
Have fun in Feb [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[AKLRULZ]

Hey Grace! Welcome, and thanks for sharing a nice report of your trip! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[Cats'N'Dogs]

Thanks for the welcome. I am looking forward to sharing Disney adventures with other Disney fans. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Grace

[Shell_of_the_South]

Grace, welcome and thanks for sharing your trip with us!