The Magical Mystery Trip - Day 3 Part 5 - Cali Grill **Updated 2/14 by Melissa** - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Alright folks, no time like the present to get started Last night we watched video of our first day/night and took detailed notes of what to share in the TR. So we’re ready!
First, I must begin by christening this TR with it’s official title: The Magical Mystery Trip. There were many things magical, many things a mystery, and well, it is a Beatles reference and there was a lot things Beatles happening during our trip.
So without any further ado, let the MMT begin.
Friday morning started out as any other usual stinky I gotta go to work morning. But there was a little difference, we were going to Disney after work! Andy got ready and kissed me bye by saying “see ya in a few hours” and then I hopped up ready to get going myself. I drove to work listening to Rubber Soul, dreaming of seeing the British Invasion and drinking my Harp (drinking my Harp in my dream of course, not the car whilst driving )
I had three classes to teach that morning. Teach….yeah…like my brain was on that Since I’m now in the computer lab it was easy to make life fun for me and the kids that morning. I figured those 3 hours would ddrrrraaaaag by but I was wrong. 10am got here before I knew it and I was on my way home to meet Andy.
When I turned onto our street there he was, just getting out of the car That meant traffic wasn’t bad on I77. His aunt and uncle, Doug and Beckie, were picking us up at 10:45 and by the time I got home it was almost 10:30. So we rushed in, packed up the few last things we had used that morning, made sure the cats had food, double checked everything, and then they were there to get us.
They dropped us off at around 11:30 and since we had checked in the night before and weren’t checking any bags we were through security lickity split. I get so nervous going through security. I feel like I’m the one shmuck holding up the whole rest of the line b/c I can’t get my belt off fast enough or my things in those bins quick enough. It really stresses me out! But we made it through and had time to go have lunch.
We headed over to Chili’s to have a to help prepare me for the flight and some lunch. We split the boneless buffalo wings and the turkey sandwich. Buffalo wings Turkey Sandwich… I don’t think it was even turkey. It honestly tasted like salami or something. YUCK! So I just drank my and then drank the last half of Andy’s Hey waste not want not….
Here’s a few pictures at Chili’s…
It was getting close to 1pm so we paid our check and made our way to our gate after a quick break the seal trip for me. We sat down next to a family also from Mooresville (like us) who were also going to WDW. I spied their DME tags and immediately wanted to start talking to them. So I found a way to strike up a conversation with them. They were staying at the GF, first time on property… grandparents were paying (that’s the way to go). They didn’t know about the EWP or seeing Wishes from the boat dock so we told them about that, as well as to ask about riding in the front of the monorail. Then he and Andy talked about Mooresville and its growth and the roads and blah blah blah yada yada, let’s talk Disney again is what I was thinking.
When we sat down there was a plane already there…. We figured it was ours, until it took off around 1:30. I started to get a little concerned because our flight left at 2:15 so where was our plane???
I went and checked the departure times, still showing on time but no gate. So I pulled out the laptop and hooked up to the airport’s wireless and checked flight times….our flight was coming from Chicago and had an expected arrival of like 1:46pm…so that time was getting close.
I got a picture of Andy while we waited…I know he loves my camera in his face as much as I love when he videos me and zooms in on my face…
Sure enough, we saw our plane coming in and it pulled up, unloaded, and then we were boarding in like 15 minutes. They have some quick turn around in my opinion. So we were on the plane around 2. I had taken one of my Ativan around 1:30 but when boarding time came I started freaking out and had to take another one. And of course, I had to pee again…..I have excellent timing like that. But I boarded the plane, took a few deep breaths, and found my seat.
Airtran has XM radio in the armrest which was really cool. It helped me b/c I could listen to that during take off since you can’t have your ipods on. So I rotated between the 60’s and 70’s channel. Finally, we were up and on our way…
A few photos from the plane…
You can’t tell in the picture but Andy spotted what he thinks is Epcot off in the distance and I think he’s right. We zoomed in on the picture at home and I think see the Swan and Dolphin as well.
And one more from the plane right before we landed…
Once we got into MCO I had to go to the bathroom again, I had held it the whole time. As soon as I got in the stall this alarm started going off……this verrrry LOUD alarm complete with flashing lights. It was talking about something about security and that TSA officials were on their way to check it out and to not use the elevators. That’s just what I want to hear when I have my pants down around my ankles.
Of course Andy was videoing so we have me coming out of the bathroom a bit panicked by the alarm. Who knows what it was but I’m glad it happened after I landed and not before we left in Charlotte.
We headed down to find DME. We were feeling quite confident this time. Last time, 2005, we got lost. So we studied our PP and figured out exactly where we should go. We went that way….no DME. It’s not on side A, it’s on side B. So we ended up cutting through some behind the scenes areas of MCO to get to side B. That was mystery number one : Where the heck’s DME and are we supposed to be in this part of the airport without getting arrested?
Finally, we found our way and were on a bus in no time. That doesn’t mean that the bus took off in no time. We sat there for probably 20 minutes before Manuel decided it was time to go. But he did decide, and we were on our way to POP to see Angie for the first time since last August (2006).
Yea, an update! How fun. We had the same problem with DME . . . Also, the turkey at Chili's is infused with a (badly) processed mayonnaise concoction, which is why it's always gross. (you learn these disgusting things working there for 5 years ) Glad you didn't have any travel problems. Maybe now you'll fly every time.
That’s just what I want to hear when I have my pants down around my ankles.
You know what's sad? I was sitting here thinking, "Man, Melissa's so lucky to have a good excuse to have beers and drugs pre-flight. Wish I had a reason to do that...at least a good one." Just kidding!
Sounds like a smooth start! Can't wait to hear more.
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Andy got ready and kissed me bye by saying “see ya in a few hours” 
and then I hopped up ready to get going myself. I drove to work listening to Rubber Soul, dreaming of seeing the British Invasion and drinking my Harp (drinking my Harp in my dream of course, not the car whilst driving 
) 
Since I’m now in the computer lab it was easy to make life fun for me and the kids that morning. I figured those 3 hours would ddrrrraaaaag by but I was wrong. 10am got here before I knew it and I was on my way home to meet Andy.
to help prepare me for the flight and some lunch. We split the boneless buffalo wings and the turkey sandwich. Buffalo wings 
Turkey Sandwich… I don’t think it was even turkey. It honestly tasted like salami or something. YUCK! So I just drank my 
) Glad you didn't have any travel problems. Maybe now you'll fly every time. 
Danny and I at Epcot 8/14/08
I didn't even think about that!! I had forgotten about the school one going off the other day 
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