bmalonef45
06-13-2006, 05:07 AM
Well this is my first report so I will do the best I can.
We joined DVC last November and have been waiting to make our first trip to WDW as patiently as possible. DW, DS (6), and DD (3) all got up at the butt-crack of dawn on Sunday the 4th to get to our 7:10 flight from Wichita to Orlando (via Atlanta). Everything went really smooth at the airport especially considering this was DD's first air adventure. Carrying way to many bags and lots of excitement we were on our way!
Our flights kept pretty good time and we arrived about 20 minutes late into MCO due to some afternoon T-storms. First time I have ever flown over the ocean from ATL to MCO. No kidding almost the entire second half of the flight was over water and then we came in from the SE dodging most of the bad air but not enough to keep DW from getting a little queezy. She was a trooper though and made it through. Once we landed everything went pretty smooth. ME counter was busy but we got through it pretty quick. Then off to the busses and got on the OKW bus right before it was to leave so no waiting there! One of the many pluses we learned about OKW is that it is the first stop for ME and after being on the plane all day that was a great plus.
When we arrived at OKW the sky was getting dark but so far we stayed dry. When we entered the lobby around 3:00 we were met with a pretty full room with a line to the door. The kids both needed the bathroom so DW took them as I waited paitently. Outside the clouds opened up and it rained hard for about 20 minutes. About the time it took me to check in, so maybe that was a good sign! The CM was very nice and helpful. I had requested a non-smoking 1 bdrm close to the HH. No luck on the HH location so we chose room 3533 close to Turtle Pond. Tried to use bell services to take us to our room but they said it would be quicker to walk to the first bus stop and hop on the first bus that comes by. Not the best customer service I have ever had but nothing to complain about. Off we treked and caught a bus within 5-10 minutes.
We arrived at our room after climbing the 3 flights of stairs (my fault, I wanted a view). What can I say the one bedrooms at OKW are HUGE! We had toured one in OCT but actually staying in one was different, this was perfect. As my DS said OKW rules!!!! Time to call Brian from GardenGrocers.com. He said he would be by in 30 min. and within about 45 he was there with all our groceries (even the BEER!). Great service I rate them A+++++++. The only thing weird was the extra table without legs propped against the wall outside our door. After two calls to maintenance some one came and got it.
Our plan for the first evening was to kind of lay low. Head to DD and show the kids Lego land and grab a bite to eat. We took the bus there and planned to take the boat back. The kids were hungry so after a little play time at Legoland we headed over to McDonalds (their choice!) The skys were getting dark and not long after we got inside it opened up again and rained hard for 30 min. +. The restaurant got really crowded but at least it was dry. We waited out the storm and did a little shopping. The kids got their ears and we decided to call it a night. We got on the boat to OKW and took the nice ride back. When we got back to the room we expected to see our luggage. No such luck. It was getting late and all the PJs etc were packed. We brought swimsuits and a change of clothes for everyone in the carry-on but figured we wouldn't need bed clothes. A call to bell services revealed the bags were at the resort but the bell man said it could be a while before we get them. Told me to call back in an hour. So, the kids got to sleep in thier clothes and that was okay. At about 11:30 I called bell services, they were still on their way. Finally at 12:00 we get a knock at the door. Our bags had arrived 8 hours after we landed. NOT SO MAGICAL!
Stay tuned for day #2.
We joined DVC last November and have been waiting to make our first trip to WDW as patiently as possible. DW, DS (6), and DD (3) all got up at the butt-crack of dawn on Sunday the 4th to get to our 7:10 flight from Wichita to Orlando (via Atlanta). Everything went really smooth at the airport especially considering this was DD's first air adventure. Carrying way to many bags and lots of excitement we were on our way!
Our flights kept pretty good time and we arrived about 20 minutes late into MCO due to some afternoon T-storms. First time I have ever flown over the ocean from ATL to MCO. No kidding almost the entire second half of the flight was over water and then we came in from the SE dodging most of the bad air but not enough to keep DW from getting a little queezy. She was a trooper though and made it through. Once we landed everything went pretty smooth. ME counter was busy but we got through it pretty quick. Then off to the busses and got on the OKW bus right before it was to leave so no waiting there! One of the many pluses we learned about OKW is that it is the first stop for ME and after being on the plane all day that was a great plus.
When we arrived at OKW the sky was getting dark but so far we stayed dry. When we entered the lobby around 3:00 we were met with a pretty full room with a line to the door. The kids both needed the bathroom so DW took them as I waited paitently. Outside the clouds opened up and it rained hard for about 20 minutes. About the time it took me to check in, so maybe that was a good sign! The CM was very nice and helpful. I had requested a non-smoking 1 bdrm close to the HH. No luck on the HH location so we chose room 3533 close to Turtle Pond. Tried to use bell services to take us to our room but they said it would be quicker to walk to the first bus stop and hop on the first bus that comes by. Not the best customer service I have ever had but nothing to complain about. Off we treked and caught a bus within 5-10 minutes.
We arrived at our room after climbing the 3 flights of stairs (my fault, I wanted a view). What can I say the one bedrooms at OKW are HUGE! We had toured one in OCT but actually staying in one was different, this was perfect. As my DS said OKW rules!!!! Time to call Brian from GardenGrocers.com. He said he would be by in 30 min. and within about 45 he was there with all our groceries (even the BEER!). Great service I rate them A+++++++. The only thing weird was the extra table without legs propped against the wall outside our door. After two calls to maintenance some one came and got it.
Our plan for the first evening was to kind of lay low. Head to DD and show the kids Lego land and grab a bite to eat. We took the bus there and planned to take the boat back. The kids were hungry so after a little play time at Legoland we headed over to McDonalds (their choice!) The skys were getting dark and not long after we got inside it opened up again and rained hard for 30 min. +. The restaurant got really crowded but at least it was dry. We waited out the storm and did a little shopping. The kids got their ears and we decided to call it a night. We got on the boat to OKW and took the nice ride back. When we got back to the room we expected to see our luggage. No such luck. It was getting late and all the PJs etc were packed. We brought swimsuits and a change of clothes for everyone in the carry-on but figured we wouldn't need bed clothes. A call to bell services revealed the bags were at the resort but the bell man said it could be a while before we get them. Told me to call back in an hour. So, the kids got to sleep in thier clothes and that was okay. At about 11:30 I called bell services, they were still on their way. Finally at 12:00 we get a knock at the door. Our bags had arrived 8 hours after we landed. NOT SO MAGICAL!
Stay tuned for day #2.