[WishUponAStar]

Well, I am home, and once again another short getaway to WDW is over but it definately rivaled some of our longer trips. I am starting my TR tonight but will probably only do Day 1 because I do have to return to work tomorrow (Boooo!! ) Some highlights to keep tuned for; why WL is our new FAVORITE DVC villas , enjoying EPCOT virtually ALL alone, getting to meet a fellow mousebuzzer, why we'll never go to Ohana again, and our surprise attendance at the first ever Pirate and Princess party!

ENJOY!!!

[WishUponAStar]

Day 1:

Saturday morning started without a hitch, we were up at that unearthly hour of 3:15 am and arrived at the airport with a perfectly 'on time' flight and an early arrival into Orlando International airport. Gotta' love those early arrivals! We were the last stop on the Magical Express, which always causes some antsy impatience but once we arrived at the Wilderness Lodge it was exactly 11:05 am and despite our early awakening we were ready to get going. Our room was ready BUT there was a big problem at check-in. They INSISTED we didn't have the dining plan on our reservation. Now, you KNOW better than ANYONE, that when I booked this reservation OF COURSE I booked the dining plan but apparantly when they transfered my reservation from Saratoga Springs to Wilderness Lodge Villas something went wrong. The front desk had to call member services and I was told, "well you can't add it on now because it MUST be pre-booked." I tried to explain as nicely as possible that when I did the original Saratoga reservation it was there, ON THE PAPER! I luckily had the original in my folder which the front desk CM had to show the manager but they STILL had to contact member services. After 25 minutes of waiting for her to return to the front desk she told me they were "allowing" me to rebook the dining plan (umm, how kind ) So, the manager rebooked it and we were on our way!

We basically THREW our stuff in our studio villa and ran for the Magic Kingdom buses, hardly even checking our room out. Don't worry, we checked it out later and have plenty of pictures. We LOVED LOVED LOVED our room and the Wilderness Lodge Villas, you'll see.

We were pleased that about 5 seconds after arriving at the WL bus stop a Magic Kingdom bus pulled up to chariot us off to the most Magical Place on Earth!!! Right as we passed through the ticket turnstile the clock struck 12 noon, I thought it was cool that we entered the park at exactly 12 noon. Alas, there were no midday pumpkins, my clothes didn't change, nothing magical happened but it was 12 noon and I was finally HERE!!!

We entered Main Street and look who we were greeted by, the MAYOR and his wife!!! The misses gushed about my hair color while Mr. Mayor called me "Little Red."

PS: I think I blinked right when Daniel took this picture I realized I had forgotten my sunglasses and the mid day Florida sun was REALLY intense.

[WishUponAStar]

After taking our usual moments in awe of Cinderella's Castle we took a left turn into Adventureland and headed for Pirates!! Who was standing across from Pirates ready to pose with us? Well, it was Captain Hook & Smee! We rode Pirates and Daniel decided he wanted to "fill a treasure chest" I know we are such kids but he was very excited to fill his chest with stickers, nasty Pirate teeth, snakes, lizards and all that other exciting boy stuff. We made our away over to Frontierland where something began to become VERY appart.... the MK was EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY busy!!! We were actually REALLY shocked and hoping this wasn't going to be a hint of our 3 days to come. There were TONS of tour groups from Brazil with the flags and matching t-shirts which REALLY seemed surreal to us because, as WDW veterans, you grow accustomed to seeing these things in SUMMER! VERY strange!! I guess tour groups have caught on to the low attendance and beautiful weather January in Florida offers.

[WishUponAStar]

Daniel picking his "treasures."

(well, it's better than his nose )

[Princessbaby]

Is the "filling a treasure chest" new or has it always been there?
I like your pictures so far!

[ingamba]

Wow, I've never met the mayor in all my trips to the MK!

My brother has been there since Saturday and he said the same thing, that the MK was crazy busy

Sounds like you had a great trip, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the TR!

[InHouseMouse]

It's so great reading your trip report. I can't wait to see everything again. Didn't know there was a mayor! But it's so cool that you got to meet him. I hope it's not to crazy busy when we go.

[Maria]

Yeaaaaaaaa! You started you TR! It sounds great so far and the weather looks beautiful. ( I miss the sun and blue skies in Michigan) Loving the pictures too!

[snow'sfriend]

Great trip report so far! I love seeing the mayor on Main Street- he's always such a character!

[WishUponAStar]

We took our time dodging huge tour groups and long lines (the E tickets were ALL easily 40-60 minute waits), we decided to stop and get lunch at Columbia House. After both enjoying a 1/2 tuna sandwich and chili we were on our way. We were able to FP most of the Fantasyland Attractions that we can't miss but couldn't resist taking a castle picture while there wasn't a huge crowd around.

One unique thing we got to experience was during a relaxing ride on, what I will NEVER stop calling, the "People Mover." Space Mountain had stopped and the lights were on in the building. I know many have been lucky enough to see this but believe it or not in all my 22 years of Disney visits I've NEVER seen this. It was pretty cool but because the People Mover was still moving the pictures are kind of blurry but you get the point! Pretty interesting stuff goin' on in there..... can we all say.... REFURB PLEASE!!!

We returned back to the Wilderness Lodge at 4:15 pm to relax a bit and get ready for our 6pm ADR at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. We were also determined to go back to the MK & see Wishes this evening!


PS: my eyes were hurting so bad from the sun I hadt o buy some of those cheap sunglasses they sell in most of the stores. Oh well, they served their purpose & I didn't get a sun headache.

[WishUponAStar]

Can anyone EVER resist a castle picture? I think not!

another "QUICK, take the picuture.. the sun is burning my retinas out!!"

[WishUponAStar]

I love this picture!

[WishUponAStar]

The Headless Horseman once rode here?

[alicefan]

Can't wait to read the rest. Kevin is here and wants to know what the weather was like.....he keeps asking me to ask you.

[WishUponAStar]

Any takers on ringing the bell to Madame Leota's Boudoir?