Swilley Family Finally Does Disney 'Right'!~Trip Report~**Updated 9/29** - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Old 08-03-2008, 01:56 AM   #16
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Glad that the flight went well even with the added stress...but Disney is a great stress reliever and it was great to see everyone smiling on the plane...

Loved the picture of the kids running down through an empty MCO (we took a night flight too and it was great walking into an almost empty airport )

Looking forward to hearing much more...
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Old 08-03-2008, 09:18 AM   #17
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WOO!! HOO!! You've started!!

This photo is AWESOME!! You can sense the kids' excitement! (And, where are all the people?!?)


Can't wait to hear more
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Old 08-03-2008, 09:58 AM   #18
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You're off and running (and so are the kids from the adorable picture!!!) Can't wait to hear more - hurry back!!!!
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Old 08-03-2008, 10:07 AM   #19
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Keep it coming. Great pics.
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Old 08-03-2008, 05:53 PM   #20
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Great start Jill Love the pic of the kids pulling their luggage More please
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Old 08-03-2008, 09:10 PM   #21
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Travel Day~cont.

As you have noticed, we had arrived at a relatively empty airport! Our arrival time was 10:55pm. It was fun to let the kids run and be excited to be there; if people were annoyed they didn't comment, most just laughed.

(Side note- for those of you who are taking DME for the first time, it is way the heck down there! Just keep going!)

There were no lines at the check in desk, and the CM's were impressed with my folder so that was fun. We were ushered onto the red (literally) carpet waiting area, then separated into lines by resort zone. The kids made themselves comfortable.....

(a better mom probably would've made them get off the dirty carpet, but I just laughed and got out the camera)
We only waited there a for 5 min or so before we were shown to our bus; we did, however wait for about 30 min on the bus before it took off. (I found the buses to be clean and comfortable). The kids were so excited to watch the video, but were asleep before it started!

So, I watched the video and cried all by myself when we hit the gates and the driver had a celebration countdown!

Our bus made stops at Pop, CS, and all the all-stars. Of course we were last, which was okay since it took us forever to get off the bus gathering the kids and all our stuff. We had packed overnight essentials in the carry-ons because they had warned us that arriving so late we probably would not see our luggage until morning. They suggested when I made my DME reservations that we may not want to use the luggage tags for that reason; but, we were just glad not to have to worry about it!

This was the scene when we arrived @ ASMu. The one advantage to arriving this late—no lines! (It never looked like this again our entire stay!)


The kids were happy to be entertained (and needed it by then).


I'm not sure what time we got there, but we did not arrive in our room until 1:15am! I took a little longer at check- in trying to persuade the very sweet CM to see if better locations for our reservations were available. We had booked a standard room for the first night after we couldn't get a Monday flight. So, I of course wanted to see if they could put us into our suite early if unoccupied ( ). Then, our room was all the way out in County Fair (long walk at 1am), but, they couldn't do anything about that either. I did however get our suite location changed from Jazz to Calypso; so the extra time was worth it!

When we got to our room we had a message saying our luggage was already there and could be delivered now or in the am. We had pj's, so figured morning was just fine. The only other snag we discovered was that we had only had pretzels and cookies on the plane for dinner and DH claimed to be 'starving.' The food court and pizza delivery stopped at midnight, so we determined we would eat extra at breakfast to make up for it!


Up next: The fun begins!
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Old 08-04-2008, 12:36 AM   #22
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Great update...we took a late flight as well and loved how empty MCO was and how there was no wait at check in....

Can't wait to hear all about your first day
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Old 08-04-2008, 12:41 AM   #23
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Everyone looks happy to be there! Cant wait to hear about your first day in the parks!
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Old 08-04-2008, 01:38 AM   #24
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Great update. Hurry back with more. =)
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Old 08-04-2008, 08:14 AM   #25
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Great update!! Glad you've made it there but sorry it was so late More please
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Old 08-04-2008, 11:31 AM   #26
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I just read your PTR and now I'm all caught up on your TR...yipeee!! You are absolutely amazing! L&D nurse, 3 kids under 6 and time for crafting....HOW??? By the way, I just love everything you made for your trip....so cute!!! And such cuties you have....what a proud mommy you are!!!! I'm glad you guys arrived safe and sound...now I'm all ready to hear about your time at Disney!!!!!
How? I've got a great husband! Thanks for all your nice comments!
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Great update...we took a late flight as well and loved how empty MCO was and how there was no wait at check in....
I wish everywhere had been that way! Too bad you have to sacrifice sleep to get great service!
Can't wait to hear all about your first day
I need to get hoppin' on this TR! I feel like I'm already forgetting so much--must take more notes next time!
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Old 08-04-2008, 12:06 PM   #27
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I love the airport photos. You can just sense the excitement the kids had! And I had to laugh at the pic of the kids laying on the floor watching tv and your comment about a better mom making them get off the floor. That totally sounds like something I'd do. And laugh about.

MORE please!!
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Old 08-04-2008, 01:42 PM   #28
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I love this picture... It looks like the are off for an adventure.
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Old 08-04-2008, 01:59 PM   #29
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Awesome start! All of your photos are precious... must be those precious kids! Can't wait to read more!
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Old 08-04-2008, 03:20 PM   #30
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Great update!! The kids look so excited to be there. you weren't able to get your suite the night before planned, but glad they were able to put you in a better location once you are able to move. Hope you have a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Can't wait to hear more
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