[richaimg]

Trip Report – February 7-12

Cast: Me, DH, DD who is 6 ½ and DS is 4 ½

While we had been planning this trip for a while, we did NOT tell the kids. Last summer we moved to Chicago. So this trip was our reward for moving away from our old life and surviving our first Chicago winter! 2 days before we left we told the kids – of course they were ECSTATIC!

DD didn’t believe us at first, so I had to get out our tickets and show her so she would know it was real!

Day 1:

We packed up and headed to the airport, made an easy and on-time flight (arrived at 2:30 p.m.) and our Quicksilver driver was waiting for us at baggage claim. Got our bags quickly and we were off to POFQ after a quick stop at Publix for some breakfast foods and snacks.

Arrived at POFQ and there was no line at check-in. I had requested a room close to the main building and they put us building #3. Everything was very close, which was SO much nicer than last year’s trip at CSR. I asked about exchanging my old PH’s for the new MYW tickets and the CM told me I would have to ask about that at Guest Relations. I don’t know if it was always like that, but there are two separate desks in the hotel lobby. But by that time we were STARVING, so we went to our room, had our bags brought around (very quick service BTW) and took the boat to DTD.

After reading the great reviews on DC we ate at the Earl of Sandwich. It was WONDERFUL!! And pretty cheap too!

Luckily I had brought the PH’s with me…so when I saw the sign for Guest Relations at DTD I decided to try and exchange our tickets.

The CM was very nice and helpful. I told her I wanted to trade in my old 5-day PH’s for new 10-day MYW tickets with the added PH feature and the non-expiration feature. She actually asked me how I knew they offered a 10-day ticket – I told her I had seen it on their website. Interesting… But she typed and typed on the computer and told me it would be an extra $291 total for the 4 of us. WOW! I had priced it out myself and was figuring on an extra $450. I don’t know what she did, but I didn’t ask questions, I just said “THANK YOU!” and was on my way! (And now have 5 days left to use on our next trip!)

If ever there was an excuse to get a sundae at Ghirardelli, that was it! We all had ice cream and headed back to the resort.

[Cavey]

Sounds like a GREAT first day. (And BTW you haven't survived your first Chicago winter until the end of March )

[richaimg]

Originally Posted by caver_jeffery

Sounds like a GREAT first day. (And BTW you haven't survived your first Chicago winter until the end of March )

Gee, just what I wanted to hear...I guess ignorance is bliss! Hey- at least I got away from the cold and snow for a week! I'll take what I can get!!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by richaimg

So this trip was our reward for moving away from our old life and surviving our first Chicago winter!

try again. There's a whole lot more to come

I love that you had a great start. Now please no more chatting. It is time to sit down and report on the ENTIRE trip all at once. Please. Thanks

[richaimg]

Day 2:

DD and DS decided we should start at MGM. DS has recently become obsessed with Star Wars, so Star Tours was our first stop (The kids’ first trip was Oct. ’03 and DS was not tall enough to ride a few of the rides like Star Tours).

Well, DS LOVED the ride, and since there was no line we rode it 3 times in a row. Also got to climb on the speeder bike and take some pictures. Then we hit our other favorites, Muppets 3D and the Backlot tour and got autographs from Sorcerer Mickey and Donald Duck – who we didn’t see last time, so this was a BIG DEAL.

By now it was lunch time, so we headed to Pizza Planet and stopped at Al’s Toy Barn on the way to see Buzz, Woody and Jessie (Toy Story is DS’s other favorite).

Had a good lunch, not too crowded and the kids decided we should go to MK.

So in deciding the best way to get there, I remembered there was boat service to Epcot. I figured we could head there and then take the monorail over to MK. What I didn’t realize is that the boat drops you off at International Gateway, which is VERY far from the front entrance. So we decided to stay at Epcot – got some grumbling from the kids, but promised them the entire next day at MK.

We got FP’s for Test Track and then went to the Living Seas. I had read about Turtle Talk, and when we got there they had just let a group in, so we were first in line for the next show.

I can’t say enough about this show! It was the highlight of our trip. Crush called on DD, who asked how old he was. He said “150 and still young Dudette!” then he asked how old she was, when she said 6 he said “you just hatched!” It was amazing! DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!!! (we had to go back another day so DS could ask a question too)

We rode Test Track, the Energy ride, and Spaceship Earth. Had dinner at the Cantina in Mexico (which was “ok”, but not great) and wandered around the countries until it was time for Illuminations.

A Great day!

[kizzmitt]

Sounds like you had a great day. Can't wait to see Turtle Talk! Lets hear some more!

[chiasgirl]

Anxiously awaiting your next installment...

[tink74]

Sounds like a great trip so far!

Btw, now I'm really feeling bad that I missed Turtle Talk last trip! A mistake I won't be making again!!

[Dana]

I am loving every word of this report. I can't wait to read the rest of it.

[llama]

Your report is so upbeat and fun! Isn't Crush great! I could have sat there all day. Absolutely one of the best new attractions at Epcot. Can't wait for more.

[boucher0911]

Loving your report! Can't wait for the rest!

[Cavey]

PLEASE say you went back to MGM later in the week for Tower of Terror. You had to have ridden ToT!

[jk8]

More, more, more! I like this report because my son was 4 1/2 on our trip also and I can relate.

[missy H]

Great I need more more more.........

[richaimg]

Originally Posted by caver_jeffery

PLEASE say you went back to MGM later in the week for Tower of Terror. You had to have ridden ToT!

I'm sorry caver! We did NOT ride TOT! We were all chicken except DH...we told him he could go alone, but he decided not to go.

Thanks for the comments everyone! I'm on my out, but I'll try and post more this afternoon.