1st TIMER Handyhaver's Report

handyhaver · 10-04-2003

Let me just start the report by saying that this was an amazingly, magical trip that seems like a dream already and I’ve only been home 24 hrs.

9/26
DAY 1

Alarm clock goes off at 3:15 am and although I’ve only been asleep a few hours, I jump out of bed like a kid on Christmas morning. We all shower and do the final packing. My sister arrives at 4:45am to take us to the airport. (we owe her big time). Anyway I pack her car, double & triple check everything and we are off, so far we are on schedual.

We get to the airport, check in, go through security, have a quick bite at the gate, board the plane, which is on time and we are off. Other than some mild bumps, a great flight and we land in Orlando around 9am.

Our Tiffany TownCar driver is waiting for us at baggage claim holding a sign with our name on it. DD got a big kick out of this. Took our first pic of the driver holding the sign, and then a shot of him holding the door for DW & DD………………we are here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We stop at the Kash & Karry on the way to the hotel for some soda, bottled water, beer, wine, & munchies. It’s now only around 10:15 and we have finished shopping and are on our way to the hotel. I can’t believe everything has been so smooth up to this point and am waiting for something to go wrong.

We take in all the sights on the way to the hotel, billboards, buses, just the whole “Disney” everywhere. We are psyched!!! Our driver turns onto Timberline Dr and pass under the sign for the WL. What a sight. We are about to explode with excitement at this point and we haven’t even gotten out of the car. The driver unloads and we walk into the WL. We walk about 5 steps into the lobby and just freeze. What a place. Like nothing we have ever seen. We stand there for about 30 seconds and take it all in.

The lobby to us is breath taking. We walk around the lobby for about 5 minutes then go out to the pool area. It was like we flew into another time.
Our first real Disney rush. It’s now around 11am, so I decide to check in and see what time we can get into our room while my DW & DD check out the gift shop. The lady tells me that they have a room ready (smoking) on the 6th floor facing MG. I asked her if I could smoke on the balcony of a non smoking room since I don’t smoke in the room anyway. She tells me no, but we can go up to the room and check it out, if we don’t like it we can change rooms. What do we have to loose, lets go check it out. Up to the 6th floor, down the hall, swipe the card and…………….we are home!!! DD loves the bunk beds, no smell (smoke) in the room, private balcony, view of a small pond and behind the trees is Bay Lake, & MG off in the distance. We couldn’t see MK, but we could see the fireworks at night, we unpack.

It’s not even noon yet, we are at the WL, in our room and unpacked. Now I’m really worried, this has been too perfect, something has got to give. We had decided before we got down there that we would do MK the first day.
After we are all unpacked, check out the room, hang out on the balcony for a few minutes, we get ready for our first Disney Park. A short walk to the boat ramp, wait a few minutes for the boat and we are cruising across Bay Lake to MK. Soon we clear the islands and the castle is in sight, in a few minutes we are there.

We exit the boat, walk through the gates and all of our hearts are racing, we are in MK. We stand on Main St and just stop. The castle is right in front of us bigger than life. We can’t move, my wife starts to cry. We have made it to Disney, we are standing on Main St in front of the castle overwhelmed with joy. We walk to the castle. It was like we were like in a trance and this magical force was calling us to the castle. Sounds corny I know but this is how it felt.

Wow, we are amazed…………………………………… After we check it out we just start walking around. The sights, the sounds, the smells all more than we could have ever dreamed. I was hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed from all the hype from friends, family and everybody here at DC, no way.

I have to be honest here and say I thought a lot of these Disney people were a little Waco the way they went on and on about Disney, but as I sit here and type I just realized I’m on my second page already and have just entered the park. We are hooked, there is no turning back.

After taking in some sights we decide our first ride will be It’s A Small World. Amazing, just amazing……………… After that it was Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and a lot of stops & shops in between. It’s now around 2:30 and we decide to find a place to watch the parade. We get curb side seating just outside of the Ice Cream Plaza on Main St. My DD & I sit there and save a spot for DW as she goes in and gets ice cream. We all have ice cream in a waffle basket to watch the parade with. I have the choc. chip with fudge topping, here come the parade. We sit there in awe, what a sight. The parade stops in front of us a few times all characters appear to be waving directly at us…………amazing!!! The mops grab our DD and she becomes part of the show. DW cries again, only in Disney.

After the parade, we walk around some more taking in as much as we can. I’m a little hungry and I see a few people walking around chomping on what looks like a turkey leg. It’s pretty funny, like something out of the FlintStones. Think I’ll give one a try. I am in love. It was delicious. We all enjoyed it. I could tell this was my first of many to come. We go on a few more rides and close the park. An amazing first day. (yes, I use amazing a lot here.)

We take the boat over to the hotel, a quick bite to eat at the snack bar at the WL. We decide to go up to the room, put on our bathing suits and try out the pool. We swim for about an hour, baste in the hot tub and head back up to the room. Our heads our spinning…………………What a day!!!! And it’s just the beginning……………………………………just perfect

MARK

cbeccaboo2 · 10-04-2003

What a "magical" first Disney Day for you and your family. You are so lucky. Can't wait for the next trip report to come!

:heart :) :) :heart

Becca

Huakai · 10-04-2003

Wonderful post. You describe the first time excitement so well.....it brings back such great memories. Can't wait to hear more!!

roncss · 10-05-2003

Absolutely GREAT first day TR. For me, too, there was nothing like that 5th step into WL. The majesty and size and scale gradually give way to the sensing the engineering and construction that created that lobby and building. :D :D It still has that impact. I'm glad that everything clicked off like clockwork for your first day. Enjoy the ones that follow, as well.:) :) :)
Ron

**DisneyTeacher** · 10-05-2003

What a great first day. There is nothing like a first trip to WDW. I understand the amazement you felt the entire. We stayed at WL in July for the first time and I fell in love the moment I stepped inside and saw the beautiful lobby. It has to be seen in person to understand. My July trip report read a lot like your.

I am so glad WDW lived up to all the hype. Some people get it and others spend a week at the most magical place on earth and don't get it.

I can't wait to read the rest of your tirp report.

WEDINDISNEY · 10-05-2003

AWESOME trip report. I can just picture how you must have felt when you and your family took that 1st step onto Main ST. It gave me goose bumps just thinking about it.
I cant wait to read more..... :)

Thumper · 10-05-2003

Your report is wonderful! I remember my first visit to Disneyland and how it felt when I first walked onto Main Street!!! You hit the nail on the head, it is AMAZING!! :)

geeman · 10-05-2003

Thanks, Mark. Your report really brought back some nice memories. I know what it feels like to be standing there transfixed by the Castle after watching it on TV for so many years.
Glad you enjoyed your first day and that it met up with the hype. I would hope everyone that goes there has the same experience you did.

Tony

Fantasy · 10-05-2003

Great trip report! Can't wait for more. I've been to Disney a few times, and although there's nothing like the first time,You still get that tingley,and excited feeling everytime!:love:

DisneyAnne · 10-05-2003

YEAH MARK!!!! ;) That was a GREAT report... and its only the first day! How many days are we staying again? I feel like I am right there with ya...

I am alot like you in the respect that I loved Disney but I thought some people were just over the top.... I am probably considered one of those over-the-top people now.... and ya know what? I don't mind it :D

Keep those fingers typing...

LOVE it...

tiggerlover1971 · 10-05-2003

great trip report it was like I was there with you !!!!:) :) :) :)

**llama** · 10-05-2003

What an AMAZING report. You are hooked, you can never turn back, you have become a member of that inner circle!:)

More please! And quickly!

**Dana** · 10-05-2003

What a wonderful trip report!!! I can actually feel your excitemnet build as you walk into the WL. (it was the same for me when I walked in there) Your DW crying made my mascara run. Thanks you so much for sharing your first day. I can't wait to hear the rest of this report. Don't hold out on us now. Oh! By the way, welcome to the "wacko" club. It only takes one trip to be hooked. I never got it either. I didn't get it on my first two trips. The first time I brought my DD is when I finally realized what it was all about. :)

tinkerbell · 10-05-2003

your trip report made me cry because while reading it I remembered our first trip and how awesome it felt that very first time. How the addiction to WDW began *grin*

dab · 10-05-2003

So happy you had a magical experience. You've got me so excited for my WL trip in Nov. Keep the report coming!

10-04-2003	#1 (permalink)
handyhaver Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PHILA BURBS Posts: 59	1st Timer Day 1.....Amazing Let me just start the report by saying that this was an amazingly, magical trip that seems like a dream already and I’ve only been home 24 hrs. 9/26 DAY 1 Alarm clock goes off at 3:15 am and although I’ve only been asleep a few hours, I jump out of bed like a kid on Christmas morning. We all shower and do the final packing. My sister arrives at 4:45am to take us to the airport. (we owe her big time). Anyway I pack her car, double & triple check everything and we are off, so far we are on schedual. We get to the airport, check in, go through security, have a quick bite at the gate, board the plane, which is on time and we are off. Other than some mild bumps, a great flight and we land in Orlando around 9am. Our Tiffany TownCar driver is waiting for us at baggage claim holding a sign with our name on it. DD got a big kick out of this. Took our first pic of the driver holding the sign, and then a shot of him holding the door for DW & DD………………we are here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We stop at the Kash & Karry on the way to the hotel for some soda, bottled water, beer, wine, & munchies. It’s now only around 10:15 and we have finished shopping and are on our way to the hotel. I can’t believe everything has been so smooth up to this point and am waiting for something to go wrong. We take in all the sights on the way to the hotel, billboards, buses, just the whole “Disney” everywhere. We are psyched!!! Our driver turns onto Timberline Dr and pass under the sign for the WL. What a sight. We are about to explode with excitement at this point and we haven’t even gotten out of the car. The driver unloads and we walk into the WL. We walk about 5 steps into the lobby and just freeze. What a place. Like nothing we have ever seen. We stand there for about 30 seconds and take it all in. The lobby to us is breath taking. We walk around the lobby for about 5 minutes then go out to the pool area. It was like we flew into another time. Our first real Disney rush. It’s now around 11am, so I decide to check in and see what time we can get into our room while my DW & DD check out the gift shop. The lady tells me that they have a room ready (smoking) on the 6th floor facing MG. I asked her if I could smoke on the balcony of a non smoking room since I don’t smoke in the room anyway. She tells me no, but we can go up to the room and check it out, if we don’t like it we can change rooms. What do we have to loose, lets go check it out. Up to the 6th floor, down the hall, swipe the card and…………….we are home!!! DD loves the bunk beds, no smell (smoke) in the room, private balcony, view of a small pond and behind the trees is Bay Lake, & MG off in the distance. We couldn’t see MK, but we could see the fireworks at night, we unpack. It’s not even noon yet, we are at the WL, in our room and unpacked. Now I’m really worried, this has been too perfect, something has got to give. We had decided before we got down there that we would do MK the first day. After we are all unpacked, check out the room, hang out on the balcony for a few minutes, we get ready for our first Disney Park. A short walk to the boat ramp, wait a few minutes for the boat and we are cruising across Bay Lake to MK. Soon we clear the islands and the castle is in sight, in a few minutes we are there. We exit the boat, walk through the gates and all of our hearts are racing, we are in MK. We stand on Main St and just stop. The castle is right in front of us bigger than life. We can’t move, my wife starts to cry. We have made it to Disney, we are standing on Main St in front of the castle overwhelmed with joy. We walk to the castle. It was like we were like in a trance and this magical force was calling us to the castle. Sounds corny I know but this is how it felt. Wow, we are amazed…………………………………… After we check it out we just start walking around. The sights, the sounds, the smells all more than we could have ever dreamed. I was hoping I wouldn’t be disappointed from all the hype from friends, family and everybody here at DC, no way. I have to be honest here and say I thought a lot of these Disney people were a little Waco the way they went on and on about Disney, but as I sit here and type I just realized I’m on my second page already and have just entered the park. We are hooked, there is no turning back. After taking in some sights we decide our first ride will be It’s A Small World. Amazing, just amazing……………… After that it was Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and a lot of stops & shops in between. It’s now around 2:30 and we decide to find a place to watch the parade. We get curb side seating just outside of the Ice Cream Plaza on Main St. My DD & I sit there and save a spot for DW as she goes in and gets ice cream. We all have ice cream in a waffle basket to watch the parade with. I have the choc. chip with fudge topping, here come the parade. We sit there in awe, what a sight. The parade stops in front of us a few times all characters appear to be waving directly at us…………amazing!!! The mops grab our DD and she becomes part of the show. DW cries again, only in Disney. After the parade, we walk around some more taking in as much as we can. I’m a little hungry and I see a few people walking around chomping on what looks like a turkey leg. It’s pretty funny, like something out of the FlintStones. Think I’ll give one a try. I am in love. It was delicious. We all enjoyed it. I could tell this was my first of many to come. We go on a few more rides and close the park. An amazing first day. (yes, I use amazing a lot here.) We take the boat over to the hotel, a quick bite to eat at the snack bar at the WL. We decide to go up to the room, put on our bathing suits and try out the pool. We swim for about an hour, baste in the hot tub and head back up to the room. Our heads our spinning…………………What a day!!!! And it’s just the beginning……………………………………just perfect MARK __________________ NOTHING PLANNED AS YET, BUT WE WILL BE BACK!! ^i^ * Postcard Pixie * ^i^ ~ Sharing the Disney magic ~ YOU CAN CHECK OUT ANY TIME YOU LIKE.......BUT YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE!

10-04-2003	#2 (permalink)
cbeccaboo2 Big Cheese Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 503	What a "magical" first Disney Day for you and your family. You are so lucky. Can't wait for the next trip report to come! :heart :) :) :heart Becca __________________ Returning to the most wonderful place on earth in December 2007 Can't wait to see Mickey and Friends

10-04-2003	#3 (permalink)
Huakai Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Temple, Texas Posts: 313	Wonderful post. You describe the first time excitement so well.....it brings back such great memories. Can't wait to hear more!! __________________ DVC member since 1993 My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Holidays in WDW 5 days 16 hours 42 minutes

10-05-2003	#4 (permalink)
roncss Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 329	Absolutely GREAT first day TR. For me, too, there was nothing like that 5th step into WL. The majesty and size and scale gradually give way to the sensing the engineering and construction that created that lobby and building. :D :D It still has that impact. I'm glad that everything clicked off like clockwork for your first day. Enjoy the ones that follow, as well.:) :) :) Ron __________________ Off-Site WDW-1981 -- Treehouse Villas-1987 -- Marriott WDW-1992 -- Wilderness Lodge- April 1995 -- Off-Site WDW & CSR-May 1998 -- Wilderness Lodge-Jan 2002 -- Polynesian-Dec 2002 -- Caribbean Beach-Dec 2003

10-05-2003	#5 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Moderator/WL Tour Guide Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 16,327	What a great first day. There is nothing like a first trip to WDW. I understand the amazement you felt the entire. We stayed at WL in July for the first time and I fell in love the moment I stepped inside and saw the beautiful lobby. It has to be seen in person to understand. My July trip report read a lot like your. I am so glad WDW lived up to all the hype. Some people get it and others spend a week at the most magical place on earth and don't get it. I can't wait to read the rest of your tirp report. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: We're going to HHI for the first time 189 days 10 hours 12 minutes

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Trip Reports
1st TIMER Handyhaver's Report

10-05-2003	#6 (permalink)
WEDINDISNEY Mouse Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NOW NJ SOMEDAY WDW Posts: 1,469	AWESOME trip report. I can just picture how you must have felt when you and your family took that 1st step onto Main ST. It gave me goose bumps just thinking about it. I cant wait to read more..... :) __________________ 2008 OKW 2008 WLV 2007 AKV & SSR 2007 OKW 2006 SARATOGA SPRINGS (X-MAS) 2006 POFQ 2005 WYNDHAM PALACE DTD 2003 AKL 2002 POLY (WEDDING & HONEYMOON) "YOUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO PURSURE THEM." WALT DISNEY "WHEN YOU'RE CURIOUS, YOU FIND LOTS OF INTERSTING THINGS TO DO." WALT DISNEY http://www.myspace.com/wedindisney My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Going back for more magic in: Yup We're Back!

10-05-2003	#7 (permalink)
Thumper Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 167	Your report is wonderful! I remember my first visit to Disneyland and how it felt when I first walked onto Main Street!!! You hit the nail on the head, it is AMAZING!! :) __________________

10-05-2003	#8 (permalink)
geeman Big Cheese Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Somewhere in NYC Posts: 953	Thanks, Mark. Your report really brought back some nice memories. I know what it feels like to be standing there transfixed by the Castle after watching it on TV for so many years. Glad you enjoyed your first day and that it met up with the hype. I would hope everyone that goes there has the same experience you did. Tony __________________ Geeman ****************************** YBC10/95, CS 8/00 AKL 5/02,DL Hotel 10/02, ASMusic 5/03,CBR 10/03,Disney Cruiseline 10/03, DD Hilton,CR, ASMusic 4/04; AKL 5/04;Pop Century 10/04,CBR 10/04,CR 10/04;DGC 10/04;SOG & PC 12/04;CBR 8/05, SOG 4-5/06 Geeman on the Web

10-05-2003	#9 (permalink)
Fantasy Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 326	Great trip report! Can't wait for more. I've been to Disney a few times, and although there's nothing like the first time,You still get that tingley,and excited feeling everytime!:love: __________________ Hopefully for a December M&G!!!

10-05-2003	#10 (permalink)
DisneyAnne Palmetto Pixie Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,148	YEAH MARK!!!! ;) That was a GREAT report... and its only the first day! How many days are we staying again? I feel like I am right there with ya... I am alot like you in the respect that I loved Disney but I thought some people were just over the top.... I am probably considered one of those over-the-top people now.... and ya know what? I don't mind it :D Keep those fingers typing... LOVE it... __________________

10-05-2003	#11 (permalink)
tiggerlover1971 Official bouncer of DC Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: 100 acre woods Posts: 4,080	great trip report it was like I was there with you !!!!:) :) :) :) __________________ Cheryl ^i^ * Postcard Pixie * ^i^ ~ Sharing the Disney magic ~ woohoo only 20 more pounds to go to goal weight

10-05-2003	#12 (permalink)
llama Cie la vie Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Slurpee Capital of the World Posts: 6,713	What an AMAZING report. You are hooked, you can never turn back, you have become a member of that inner circle!:) More please! And quickly! __________________ Moderator - Sa-fari, Sa-goodie A PROUD MEMBER OF THE BAD KITTY CLUB "Meowany Are Called, Mew Are Chosen" Dopey is my Bad Influence - Discuss It's Murdoch with an "H" My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Two weeks of Florida sun! 68 days 20 hours 12 minutes

10-05-2003	#13 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 22,664	Mark What a wonderful trip report!!! I can actually feel your excitemnet build as you walk into the WL. (it was the same for me when I walked in there) Your DW crying made my mascara run. Thanks you so much for sharing your first day. I can't wait to hear the rest of this report. Don't hold out on us now. Oh! By the way, welcome to the "wacko" club. It only takes one trip to be hooked. I never got it either. I didn't get it on my first two trips. The first time I brought my DD is when I finally realized what it was all about. :) __________________ 82 off-site ~ 91 off-site ~ 97 ASMusic ~ 00 ASMovies 02 Wilderness Lodge ~ 04 Animal Kingdom Lodge 05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian 05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West 07 Port Orleans French Quarter ~ 08 Old Key West~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day WDW blowout bonanza! 636 days 10 hours 12 minutes

10-05-2003	#14 (permalink)
tinkerbell Neverland Tour Guide ® Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The Ark-La-Tex Posts: 7,601	your trip report made me cry because while reading it I remembered our first trip and how awesome it felt that very first time. How the addiction to WDW began grin __________________ Stinkerbell, so named by Darth Official Defender of Swiss Family Treehouse MB chitchatter. We don't need no stinkin' post counts Protect Texas!!! Arm A Dillo

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10-05-2003	#15 (permalink)
dab Perpetual Trip Planner Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,604	So happy you had a magical experience. You've got me so excited for my WL trip in Nov. Keep the report coming! __________________ http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/timer...8lwbwx9enz.png