Welcome to my trip report. This will be a tale of a really big guy (yes, you can say fat) and his family's adventure in Disney World. We went for about a week, taking advantage of WDW's buy 4 get 3 free offer.

The characters:
Me: Phibbles (aka Kevin). I have been a Disney nut for a very long time. Longer than I can remember. My family took us to WDW many times as kids. It was always a blast and I love sharing that fun with my family now.



The Wife: Nutsy. Why nutsy? Because she is! Trust me, she knows it and may even be a little proud of it. Don't get me wrong, she isn't a lunatic or anything. She is just a lovable nutsy woman...now a nutsy mom.



Finally the boy: Skoochy. The nickname is self-explantory. He is a major skooch. Ants in the pants. Hands on everything. Never stops. Even in his sleep he talks. One might get mad at him, if it wasn't for that little 6yr old boy grin.



When: July 30 - Aug 6

So it all begins on Thursday, July 30. Our flight left Newark at 7:25a, so we had the car service pick us up at 5:00a. The drive to the airport was uneventful -thank goodness.

I had checked us into our flights online at home, but we still went to the desk to have our bags checked. I was worried the bag guy at the curb would mess up my ME tags.

So after waiting online for 10 minutes (yes, 10 minutes. at 5:30 in the morning. RIDICULOUS!!) we were all set. Our big suitcases weighed in at only 33 lbs each. I could have packed more.

Then we proceeded downstairs to security, so we could go wait by the gate. It took only a moment to find the rite terminal. And we got there to discover a HUGE ASH line.

WTH!! Doesn't the airport know they should be fully staffed at 5:30!!! It took us at least 20 minutes, maybe longer, to get to the check-point. Fortunately we flew right through the scanners and made it to the gate with a little time to spare. We all took a potty break and shared the extra muffin from our breakfast at home.

Shortly there after, we boarded and took off. Flight was wonderful. JetBlue staff (all men, weird ) was very friendly and attentive. The seats did indeed have a little extra room for my long legs, but not an extra inch for my big tush. Fortunately the three of us sat together. So there was plenty of extra room for me. Just had to put my armrest up. Yes, the flight was very nice. Just one complaint; the little TVs weren't running perfect. Someone rebooted them after take-off, so they were down for the first 15 minutes of the flight. Then they came back on. Well most of them came back on. Mine decided to flash on and off during the flight.

We landed and made our way straight to the ME counter. It was easy to find, following the directions that came in the mail. We walked right up to the little red carpet, checked in, and was ushered to a very short line for a bus. We waited just a few moments before a bus arrived for us. We boarded and enjoyed the nice leisurely drive to our hotel.









Before we left home, I used Disney’s new Online Check-In service. So when we got to POP, I looked for a special line for online guests. It was barely 11am, so the lobby was still quiet. Found the line no problem, just look for the little symbol. Video on ME bus helped to explain this.





I walked up to the desk, no wait at all. Mentioned my name, showed an ID and that was it. The clerk turned around, grabbed a folder that had already been prepared for us, and passed it to me. Inside was our Key Cards, a hotel map, and the assorted other brochures you normally get at check-in. She explained to me how to find our room, since we have never been to POP. Asked me if I understood how the dining plan worked (ugh, yeah I think we know). And that was all it took. Check-in took like 90 seconds. It was crazy. I stood there dumbfounded that I was done already.

Not only was check-in done, but our room was ready too.

When I did the online check-in, they did ask me what time we would be arriving. I guess since they new we would be there so early, they made sure to have a room ready for us. Checking in 10 days early was well worth it!

We were assigned to room 4205 in the 60’s building. Second floor overlooking the Ippy-Dippy pool. Wonderful view. Real close to the food court. Perfect. Paying extra for a preferred view room was worth it this time.

After finding our room, we dropped off our carry-on bags and went to POP Everything for a light lunch. Afterwards we would venture off for our first theme park visit…

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Links to trip updates, if you want to skip the conversations between updates.

Day 1, Part 2: Click Here

Day 2, Part 1: Click Here
Day 2, Part 2: Click Here

Day 3, Part 1: Click Here
Day 3, Part 2: Click Here

Day 4, Part 1: Click Here
Day 4, Part 2: Click Here
Day 4, Part 3: Click Here

Day 5, Part 1: Click Here
Day 5, Part 2: Click Here

Day 6, Part 0: Click Here

Day 7, Part 1: Click Here
Day 7, Part 2: coming soon

Day 8, the end:

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Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: New York City

Posts: 7,214

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if you wat to take the mod out of your siggie you can, it is on the left column so people will know

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Scott,

 

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Lessa

 

 

Info

Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: New York City

Posts: 7,214

Awards Showcase

         
Total Awards: 9

great start and pics.

I will definitely do online check in, that sounds great.

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Scott,

 

 

Flying early is awesome. Glad online check in worked for you I am not so sure I will do it next time DVC is different.

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DVC Owners - Saratoga Springs since 2006
August 2010 AKV - Kidani, August 2009 SSR,May 2009 SSR, August 2008 VWL, August 2007 - POR and BCV, November 2006 - POFQ, August 2004 - ASSP, January 2001 - Offsite, December 1998 - Offsite, May 1997 - Offsite, June 1996 - Offsite, December 1995 - Offsite, June 1994 - Offsite, February 1989 - Offsite, April 1986 - Offsite, April 1985 - Offsite, December 1985 - Offsite, Numerous times as a child

 

Love the pics!

I plan on trying online check in... Glad to hear that it went smoothly for you!

BTW, loved the twitter updates!

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Damian
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Animal Kingdom Lodge '07, Universal Portofino Bay '09, (next) Port Orleans FQ '09, (planning) Polynesian '10

 

 

 

Great start to your TR!! I can't wait to try online check in, I have to see how it works with the accessible room . The twitter updates were great, I can't wait to read all about your trip!

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It was for me. But the lobby was very quiet too. It was kind of odd.

I was very happy with it.

Yeah, I could see DVC being very different.

It went very smooooth. thank you. we are twitter addicts now. if only I had a better phone.

welcome, welcome. I will let Skoochy know. He has had a couple admirers already. I am not sure he has time for another. This is the boy who got sent to the principal's office because he might have been kissing a girl. In KINDERGARTEN. I am in so much trouble if he keeps it up...

If you are a PITA at check-in, I would not suggest the online check-in. I don't think they would have been so nice if I started to debate things with them.

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