Birthday Disney Trip 4/1 - 4/8 : Day 1
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LadyMinnie · 04-11-2005, 01:46 PM

Day 1: April 1st "The Bad Beginning"

Cast: Me - 30 (April 1st is my birthday) year old Disney Convert (long story!)
DH - 32 year old Disney Fan

Well the time had finally come. We got up much later than usual, as we were not taking the normal 7am flight, but instead the 10am flight. Why so “late”? This time we were able to get first class tickets for the flight down for free! Ok, I FINALLY had enough Continental Miles only for First class on the way down and regular seating on the way up (oh well..)

Well, our ride showed up right on time, and we were at the airport a bit before 8 AM. We had no problems at curbside checking (Surprise, surprise. Usually Newark isn’t that “with it”) and headed in to do the security inspection. After MUCH walking to find our appropriate gate, we discover that the line for security was too long. So long in fact that airport personnel had to lead our portion of the line up a flight of stairs, across half the length of the terminal, down another flight of stairs and into a different security line! When we FINALLY arrived at security, we ended up cutting the main line and going through the shortest line reserved for First Class and Elite flyers. Thank goodness for small favors because the line looked like it was going to very long.

We got through security with no problems, but now had to look forward to walking most of the length of the terminal to get to our gate (for some reason Newark airport always seems to put our flights at the furthest gate possible). DH and I lucked out though because a nice airport employee with one of their service carts decided we looked too overloaded to make the long trek and gave us a ride. Got aboard the airplane with ease and had to wait a half hour in line to take off…. We were number 18 in line. Miracle of miracles, however, we arrive in Orlando almost on time. Our driver from Tiffany met up with us as we awaited our bags and quickly whisked us off to Pop Century with a short pit stop at Publix.

We offloaded our bags from car service and went inside to check-in. We were blown away by Pop’s main area. When they say “Remember when….” they mean it. After going through the usual check in procedures we were told our room was not ready (it was 2:30 PM and the official check-in time is 3.) but that after 3 PM we could call and see if the room was ready. So, we left our bags with the luggage service and went over to Everything Pop to see about getting some lunch.

After a light lunch (we were going to Jiko for dinner that night and didn't want to spoil our appetites) we called to see about our room. It was ready, but we already had a bit of a problem. Four requests were made in regards to our room: non-smoking, king bed, 70’s location, and upper floor. Our room number was in the 50's section. I was a bit upset, but hubby told me it was probably because it was one of the busiest times of year. Well, things got worse when we hit the room. It WAS on the top floor. It WAS a king-size bed. However, it was NOT a non-smoking room. DH and I could immediately smell the scent of cigarettes and my asthma started to act up almost immediately. NOT GOOD. There was no way we could stay in this room. We called the front desk and were told that the computer listed this as a non-smoking room. Well, I think the smell and the fact that there was no little “no smoking” plaque on the door was a big hint to the contrary. We marched BACK down to the front desk where DH tells me to have a seat while I see about getting things fixed. My asthma attack reaching to the point where I can barely stand. DH comes back to tell me that Tom, the CM who helped him couldn't have been nicer. He was told by Tom that there were no king-size bed rooms left that were non-smoking, but that he could move us to a 2 double bed room for tonight and then move us to a different king-size bed room the following night. It was the best he could do and I accepted it.

We trudged back to the smoking room and gathered up our stuff and lugged it over to room 2413. Well, despite it being a double bed room I decided we were keeping it. Why, you ask? Because from our room we had a pretty clear view of Spaceship Earth over at Epcot! Quickly I called up the front desk and told them to take our names off the waiting list for the next night that we would be staying here because there was a view of "The Ball". In my excitement I kept repeating “ball, BALL” until I remembered and practically screamed “EPCOT!” which got the person on the other end of the line laughing and assured us that we wouldn’t have to move.

Since we had a 7 day park-hopper pass and we were staying 8 days we decided to just hang out in the room and wait until it was time to head to the AKL for our 7PM PS at Jiko (My birthday dinner). I noticed that DH left the room for a bit..just wondering what he was up to. I, however, started to unpack until the phone rang. I answered it and was informed that I had a delivery, but the privacy sign was on our door. HMMM?? I answered the door. A CM held out the "Disney Welcome" package and said (I QUOTE) "I come bearing gifts!" Dumbstruck took it from him, turned to where I was KNEW my DH was hiding and shouted for him to “get over here!!”, which gave the CM a huge laugh.

Once I had opened gift (mickey ears, autograph book with pen, cookies

), we went out and caught the bus to AK, then switched over and went over to AKL. We were a bit early but we figured we'd head down anyway. They were able to seat us immediately and we both enjoyed a delicious dinner accompanied by a bottle of Nederburg Stein (a wonderful white wine from South Africa). After dinner we wandered by the cooking place to see if any of the CM's who were working there during our honeymoon back in July where there, and we lucked out because Meli was! She even remembered us and told us that she was 6 months pregnant! We congratulated her and told her we were tempted to come back again later in the trip. She told us when she was working and we said our good-byes and went upstairs. We decided to take a quick look through the shop on our way out and saw that the artist who does many of the prints of the various parks and resorts was there signing his work (I can't recall his name). We chatted for a bit and bought two pictures from him, one of Epcot and one of the Tree of Life.

We wandered down to the buses and took one to DTD so we could visit the Adventurers Club on PI. We went here for the first time on our honeymoon and DH and I both wanted to go back. The club was hopping and we just missed the Balderdash cup show. So we settled down in the main salon, enjoyed a kungaloosh, and just took in the atmosphere. It's hard to explain all the things that go on at the AC, so I won't even try. You just have to go there and see it for yourself. After a wonderful 3 hours or so I was finally beginning to fall asleep on my feet, and since we had an early PS at Boma the next morning we headed back to the room and called it a day. Things started out a bit bumpy with the room situation and all, but dinner and Jiko and the fun of the AC was enough to put that all behind us.

Next: Day 2 "Birthday badge quest!"

Jillybean · 04-11-2005, 02:52 PM

What a fantastic day (other than the smoking room)!!! From first class, to a room with a view to a fabulous Jiko dinner to AC!!!

I can't wait for more!

Jill

TroianRae · 04-11-2005, 06:31 PM

Wow, you ended up with a view of Spaceship Earth. How cool!!
I'm anxious to read more of your trip report........

**Colexis Mom** · 04-11-2005, 08:11 PM

What a great first day! Even though you didn't get a king bed, it sounds like your second room is fantastic

More please

Nick and Ryans Mom · 04-11-2005, 08:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I kept repeating “ball, BALL” until I remembered and practically screamed “EPCOT!” which got the person on the other end of the line laughing and assured us that we wouldn’t have to move.

[/ QUOTE ]

What a visual!!!