Our Getaway from VT's -28 degree Weather About This Page:

[Brenda]

Adventurers: Me Brenda age 49
DH Bob age 57
BIL John age 58
SIL Laura age 54
Dates January 18th-26th

Staying Off Site: Summerfield Suites @LBV

Our 5th trip to Disney and our second time staying off site, we would much rather stay on site but this was B&SIL's first trip and they were on a very strict budget. Found an excellent rate thru HotelKingdom, a 2 bedroom Suite w/2 full baths, full kitchen, living room w/TV & VCR, free shuttles to parks and shopping center, free complimentary breakfast & newspaper daily, within walking distance of several restaurants, for $118.75 per night that comes out to about $59.50 per night for each couple. A very nice Hotel, heated swimming pool (not enough for us [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] ), hot tub, everything very clean,excellent maid service, she even did up our dirty dishes in the dishwasher every day! It seemed to be booked full, I think there was a soccer tounament going on somewhere, lots of cars decorated with Go Team and pictures of soccer balls.

Prior to the trip DH and I purchased AP's to also use for our upcoming Dec. trip with all our kids and grandkids!!!(We became DVC members last Nov. and have ressies all set at BCV & BWV [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) B&SIL bought the 3 day 1plus park hopper passes. All PS's were made, pennies & quarters all ready in the M&M mini containers(works great),Happy Limo all lined up to pick us up at the airport, my PassPorter check list, checked and double checked plus all important papers and notes safe and snug inside the deluxe binder!

Sat. Jan 18th 6:30 a.m.
WOW woke up to -28 degrees outside BRRRR, Our flight isn't until 11:30 a.m. out of Burlington with Jet Blue about a 35 min. drive, but we are stopping for Breakfast on the way with DIL's who are coming to our house first and leaving their car. They arrive at 7:45, Anxious or What!!! Grab our bags head out the door I name off things everyone should have (Now keep in mind this is DIL's first trip and first time flying ever) When I ask about picture ID's they both look at me like I have grown an extra head!! They don't have any on them AAARRRGG!!! We make a mad dash back to their house, they run in and run back out, now 8:15 and off to Breakfast(good thing they were early) We stop at Friendly's and manage to have a pretty relaxing meal until I mention the Connection meal vouchers I gave them for Christmas, I see panic on SIL's face, did she bring them we all ask? Out to the car she runs (she does this a lot throughout the week) grabs her carry on and starts pulling things out, Whew at the bottom is the envelope they are in, Christmas bow and all [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] I make a mental note to buy her a PassPorter for their next trip!

Off to the Park & Shuttle, in and out in a matter of minutes, hop the shuttle and we are at the Airport by 10:15. We get into a very short line for Jet Blue, check in is fast and efficient, boarding passes in hand head for the Gate. Go thru Security this too fast and efficient, just one little glitch (you guessed it SIL) in her carry on is a small sewing kit with a small pair of scissors, they check it out and tell her she can keep it but when she returns she better put it in her checked bags or MCO will keep them.

Love Jet Blue(our first time with them) seats so comfortable, and the TV's are a big plus, while watching them time just Flew by. I did notice several children and they were all very much entertained by them too, this made for a very quiet trip LOL Transfer at JFK easy and quick Arrived at MCO at 3:40 and got down to baggage claim about 4:00

Made arrangements with Happy Limo to pick us up with a Towne car, we had two options #1 We could be met at the baggage claim area but would than have to wait for driver to go and get the car and than come get us at a certain parking spot. #2 Call them when we get to baggage claim and we would be instucted to go to level one at a certain parking spot. We chose #2 while DH was getting our bags I called the 800 #, they told us to go down to level one and than go to parking spot all the way down to right, we waited there about 10 min. than saw a car coming with a happy face on the license and knew this must be him(other companies were using the same spot) The driver got out and said our last name than went to open trunk, put bags in,(Towne car just enough room for 3 normal bags 2 carry ons and and 3 bags of groceries in trunk they had a child's car seat in there too, back seat 3 adults, middle one, feet a little cramped on bump in the middle, another adult in the front passenger side) Our driver was very quiet but polite, I did try to start up a conversation but not much response, we stopped at Goodings for our grocery run. Run is the word to describe it, he said we had 15 min., I had to laught at DIL's they were literally running up and down the aisles, we managed to get what we wanted in 15 min but very expensive, banana's $1.09 a pound!! DIL's arrived out to the car in just about 15 min. all out of breath, SIL said if they were playing that Game Show, where you fill your cart in a certain amount of time they would have won!!

Driving up to Summerfield Suites I was very impressed nice looking landscaping out front two ponds with fountains, lots of pretty flowers. Check in was done by a very pleasant and helpful clerk, when she heard about our fast run thru Goodings she said we should have waited because there is a WinnDixie out behind Hotel across the back parking lot. We did go here during the week and things were much cheaper than Goodings,

OK now I must mention the weather, it was 54 degrees when we got there and it dipped down to mid 40's that evening, but I guess it still beat
-28 degrees!!! I sure am glad I brought my warm jacketw/hood and gloves!

For supper we walked across the street to an Italian place called Giordano's this was about 6:30 and not very busy there, I had chicken lasagna and DH and DIL's had the spaghetti w/meatballs. Mine was so-so the sauce very bland, and they said the same about the spaghetti, salad was not very fresh quite limp, I think maybe made up earlier in the day, coffee & cheesecake very good.

Back to the Hotel to finish unpacking and belive it or not we all head out to the hot tub (43 degrees out) people looked at us like we are crazy but up here in VT we go in hot tubs outside in the winter awesome while it is snowing on you) so this was heaven after a long day of travel and running [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] Back to our Suite and discuss what to do tomorrow, DIL's have only 3 days of parks so we have to make the most of it.

Tomorrow get shopping done at Marketplace have early supper at Rainforest Cafe than back to suite for rest because we are having a night of Pleasure Island, Adventure Club here I come [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[*Pixie*Dust*]

Enjoyed your first day's report. We also arrived at WDW on the 18th and boy was it chilly.
Can't wait for more [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .

[Mel & Richard]

Great start on your report. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I'm glad you made it onto the plane with everything that happened. Looking forward to reading more.

Mel

[tikibird]

Welcome back, Brenda! Great start to your trip report - looking forward to hearing about the rest of your time at the World, as well as a bit more about your resort. Next, please! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Brenda]

Day 2 Sun 19th

Please keep in mind I am not a good note taker so I am doing this from memory [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

We sleep in until 8:30, shower and check weather to see what to wear. Sunny out but cool with a breeze about 50 degrees.Pants sweatshirt & Jackets, we head out thru the lovely Gazebo into the main building for our Free breakfast which is quite impressive, lots of fresh fruit, 3 different kinds of muffins (carrot is awesome),bagels, bread for toast(wheat & White) 4 different kinds of cereal,milk, apple & orange juice,coffee, tea,Danish yogurt and all condiments, you can also order an omelet or waffle(plate size!) which they make right in the middle of the buffet, this is for a fee of &3.50 I also forgot to mention we have coffee and tea in our Suite which was replenished every day.

We have decided to rent a car so Guest services called to set it up with Thrifty (they used to have on site rentals but stopped the week before we came) Thrifty came by and picked us up to bring us to their rental site at the Carib Royal Hotel just up the road. We are now just across the road from WDW Gate, off we go to Marketplace for shopping, DIL's, are mouth open gaping at DD, (wait until they see the parks [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ) We do a lot of walking and window shopping, get picture of BIL next to snoring Lego man, I bring SIL into my favorite store Disney Days of Christmas, pick out an ornament for DD and mention to DH what I would like (we will be back Dec. 6th [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) Next Pooh Corner for granddaughter's gift, than on to World of Disney for a Buzzlightyear for grandson, look for pins and magnets for Chantal, and souvenirs for Daycare and Princess Lauren.

We happen to walk by the DVC desk and I see it is for BWV, I go and ask a few questions about the resort and explain DH and I bought into it in Nov. but have never seen it. The CM (Jenny) asks if we would like a tour, that the van would come pick us up and bring us back. Yes (maybe get DIL's interested too [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) CM says it will be about 10 min for van , so I mention I haven't seen the new store Basin and it is right near by, she suggest we go browse while waiting (the van picked us up right out the back door of Basin) Wow if you are into aromatherapy this is the place to go! My favorite's are the Mini vanilla bomb, Fieldberries Bath salts and the massage bar Sensual Sunset, prices cheaper than Bath & Body, they have lots of other things too, when you go to DD you must take time to walk thru here and experience the feel and smell. The CM says van is here so off we go, driver is very talkative explaining all about BWV and what is there, we arrive and he walks us thru the boardwalk no one in sight (could be the chill in the air [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ) we are greeted at the DVC office by very friendly CM's, told to get refreshment while waiting for guide, hot coffee, Danish, cookies. A very pleasant woman greets us and ask why we came, I explain we have never seen the rooms, she takes us for a walk thru the model, Awesome rooms!! We than go to a meeting room SIL seems interested BIL still guarded(he's been to Timeshare pitches before) She explains about DVC and gives them a video and packet (no hard sales here) She tells us to go back where the van dropped us off and one would return us to DD.

A little more shopping than we head over to Rainforest Cafe for an early supper 4:30, Very good and the Rainbow Colada was [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

Back to Suite for a rest and my daily call to Princess Lauren, to see how she is doing,she couldn't talk on phone but mom said Lauren wanted me to get a hug from Mickey. Breathing very hard [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

All rested so off to PI @ 7:00 p.m. It is quite cold with a breeze so not very many people when we arrive. We go to the Backstage outside bar and SIL and I get a Punchline Punch, Wow this seemed to warm me up a bit, the bartenter took pity on our cold hands and fixed the cups up, wrapped a napkin around it than set it into another cup, BIL and DH had a cold beer Brrrr.. Got in line for the Comedy Warehouse first show 8:15, not very many in line they let us in at 8:00 but by 8:15 it seemed to be filled up. Great show as usual, next off to Adventurer's Club , my favorite!! We got settled in, I got a Kungaloosh, DH a beer, a show was starting in Trophy room, so we start on a fun filled evening! We could spend all night here(which we did do for 3 hours!!)Each show was different it felt good to relax and laugh a lot and forget about things back home. Don't forget to check out the cabinets and drawers upstairs, I'm told CM puts in things for you take. Also if you have someone with you who has never been, get them to sit at the bar on the stool in the middle & tell bartender to give them a "lift" SIL was my target [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Back to Suite and I am the only brave one who headed for the Hot Tub, one other person was in it and he was from NH

Tomorrow we have PS for Donald's Breakfastsaurus than a full day of AK (I will find Devine this time)

[ 02-07-2003, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Brenda ]

[Shell_of_the_South]

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

[tikibird]

Enjoyed hearing about your day sounds like you got some great shopping in. Sorry to hear Lauren was not doing as well as she had been. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Looking forward to hearing about AK, and curious as to if you found Devine! More, please. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[TINKN]

Finally got to read the beginning of your TR. Great start. I was happy to read your oppinion of Jet Blue. We usually fly out of Albany, but are considering Burlington if the price is much better. So sorry to hear that Lauren wasn't feeling well.

Anyway, loving your TR. Keep it coming.

[Diz]

Just catching up with your TR.

Day 1

I make a mental note to buy her a PassPorter for their next trip!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">That's a very good idea...staple her picture id to it too! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

just one little glitch (you guessed it SIL)

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">LOL! Is she ALWAYS this much trouble? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

You had a great rate for a 2-bedroom suite. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Enjoying your TR.

[chezp]

I'm really enjoying your trip report. Looking forward to the next installment!

Cheryl

[FanOfMickey]

What a great trip report so far, can't wait to read the next installment.

[maggieworkman]

I had just ocme across the Summerfield Suites on travelocity or somewhere and thought it sounded nice with great rates. I wondered if anyone had every stayed there. Then, I came across your report! So glad I did.

I am enjoying it so far.

Maggie

[Diz]

Just catching up on Day 2.

we head out thru the lovely Gazebo into the main building for our Free breakfast

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Wow! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] $59.50 per couple plus a great breakfast! You did extremely well in planning!

off we go to Marketplace for shopping

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">my favorite place to shop...and I love the Christmas store too!

The CM (Jenny) asks if we would like a tour

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I have always walked by the tour kiosh's and have never taken the plunge. I know I wouldn't be able to walk away without signing up.

I've begun searching for resales. If anyone ever finds a reasonable and you don't want it for yourself [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ...remember me! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

and I am the only brave one who headed for the Hot Tub, one other person was in it and he was from NH

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">LOL! That would be me too! Everyone else in my family would stay behind and I'd be in the hot tub/pool.

Can't wait for Day 3!

[luvnwdwgal]

Great report so far! Your hotel sounds awesome!!
And yes I would also be there in the hot-tub! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Looking forward to the next installment!

[Brenda]

Day 3 Awesome Animal Kingdom
We are up and at em by 6:30 a.m. We skip the free breakfast at Summerfield because we have PS for Donald's Breakfastsaurus @ 8:10 a,m,. Since we have never stayed off site before with a rental car we are not sure how long it will take to get to AK from our Suite, so we are off by 7:00, it only took us about 10 min. to get there and when we arrived it was not open yet and we are the only lone car waiting to get in, I'm sure they were in their little building (staying warm!!) and laughing at the silly foursome waiting to get in [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
Gates opoen at 8:00 a.m. sharp (it is EE day for Disney resorts) and by that time there is a long line behind us!!After parking and riding tram to entrance we head thru security than on to ticket window (we have vouchers for AP) it did take a long time to get thru this about 15 min. Yikes that is our PS time, off we run to Dinoland (I have SIL running again!!) Another wait of about 15 min. before we are seated, but we have the most funny and friendly waitress, Connie! She must have a 6th sense about things because she started picking on SIL right away (You know SIL's first time here and truly exhibiting childlike behavior) SIL got lots of surprises frome Connie like a (fake) catsup bottle being squirted on her,and her picture taken with a squirting camera [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]


The food was hot and good [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] and we got to meet Donald, Goofy, and Mickey and of course Connie was a hoot!!
Next we head to Africa, no FP's needed today, cool and light crowds. No wait for Kilimanjaro and the animals were very active, all except the Lions they were cuddled up together by the rocks in the sun! Strolled the Pangani Forest, Gorilla's very playful, the male ones were walking around holding their blankets over their backs (that's how cold it was!) Off to Wildlife Express up to Rafiki's Planet Watch, this is a very awesome and learning place. We happened to arrive while the Veterinarian was performing surgery on a female Gibbon monkey, she was being fixed so she would not have babies any more. The CM told us she had already had two pregnancy's but would not take care of them so they did not want her having anymore!!We viewed this thru glass window and on a live monitor pretty cool but not for the faint hearted [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img]
Still no sign of Devine!
We next went to Festival of the Lion King this show is my favorite, love it even for the 5th time!

DBIL gets very motion sick so we avoided rides that would cause this, we did go to all the shows including ITTBAB, SIL was so surprised at the end, everyone could hear her scream throughout the Theater!! We decided to head towards Africa again to spot Devine, on the way we stopped to watch the Kenyan acrobats, Karuka, amazing how he can do the Limbo only 6 inches from the ground this is something to see!! No Devine yet but did run into Lilo & STitch.
It is getting close to 4:00 p.m. and feeling sad I hadn't gotten to see Devine again (This is my 6th try!!) we thought we would stroll through the Oasis but Lo and Behold as we walked by the CM's Gate in Africa a tall vine caught my eye!! It was her, she was just finishing up her act and heading into the gates but I did get a few minutes on my video camera Yahoo!!!!

This was a great end to our day so taking a leisurely stroll through the Oasis we came upon a CM standing by a cart that has souvenirs for sale and in his arms was this large Iguana, now this looked real to me and he asked if I wanted to pet it and as I reached out my hand the head turned real quick towards me, I jumped back but than saw that it was really a stuffed one being maneuvered by the CM, well DSIL did not hear me say that and he asked her to pat it too, he kept walking toward her and she kept backing up well the CM threw it at her and my SIL stumbled back and fell on her butt, I don't know who was more surprised her or the CM! He did apoligize profusely and SIL got up with a very red face [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] but still thought it was a real one and had actually jumped at her, until I told her differently!!

Back to our Suite and some supper at the nearby Sizzler, what an awesome buffet for only $8.99 tons of food from mac & cheese to desserts galore you can also add on an entree for an extra amount ranging from $1 to $10 (Steak & Lobster). After supper a change into swimsuit and off to the hot tub, SIL went with me this time (I think to soak her sore butt LOL) the temp was down to 40 degrees.

Tomorrow Day 4 ------MGM and Fantasmic!