10 years ago today, my wife and I took our first trip to Walt Disney World together.
Barbie was not keen to go to WDW, and she will admit it.
I finally convinced her by telling her of the free dining, as well as assuring her that Stitch would be found all over the parks. And I promised I would not take her to Country Bears, as she had a traumatic experience as a child.
As it's been 10 years, details are fuzzy in some respects, which is why I do trip reports now.
They are more for me and a way to remember than anything else.
One thing I do recall, it was HOT. And HUMID. And Lovebugs were everywhere! Okay, more than one thing.
Friday 9/15/2006
We checked into Coronado Springs Resort sometime around mid afternoon, and took the loooong walk to our room. CS is a large, spread out resort, but the grounds are absolutely beautiful, with hammocks spread out along the lake.
After dropping off our bags we had dinner at the Pepper Market. It was (is?) a different type of quick service whereas you visit different food stations and check off what you want on a order sheet, hand it to the chef at that station, and your meal is prepared. A Cast Member brings drinks and clears plates. We had a CM named May who was so wonderful that it got our trip off to a magical start. And the food was great too!
We then went to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We didn't dress up that year, but every time we've gone since we have.
Despite the occasional light drizzle, it was an great evening. The crowds were almost non-existent after the fireworks, Hallowishes, and we enjoyed both Boo to You Parades from different spots.
Saturday 9/16/2006
We were up early and hopped a bus for Disney-MGM Studios, now Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Several of the attractions were either new or changed since my last visit, which was 1996, and it was all new to Barbie.
We had lunch at Mama Melrose's, which was our go to restaurant from that day on for many trips thereafter.
Later that day we hopped a boat to Epcot.
Dinner that evening was at Chefs de France. It was, sadly, a disappointment, despite having a fun couple next to us, and we haven't been back since.
I have no photos of Illuminations, and don't recall if we watched them that night, but these photos clearly show we left after dark.
Please stop back next Thursday for Part 2.
