Obrins At WDW March 2006 Day 0

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Introduction And Traveling Day

This is day 0 of the trip report, because it just talks about getting to Florida. We dont get to WDW until Friday. But, this is also a brief introduction to the cast of characters for this trip.
It has been a while since I did a trip report for a WDW trip. In 2005, we went to the West Coast instead, and I did not do a trip report for that. In 2004, we did a combined cruise and WDW trip, but I somehow never got around to finishing a report for that one.
So, the last trip report is for our trip back in late (October) 2002. I am going to make the effort to get a report done for this trip, and get it posted.
So, the traveling crew for this trip consists of four people:
Myself, I am the WDW fanatic. I just love the place, and spend many happy hours planning these trips and looking back on the wonderful memories we create every time (hence the trip reports).
I am a techie by trade, and am fascinated by the technology of the place--the incredible planning, the execution, the minute attention to detail. We have been to other theme parks, but no place is designed and executed the way WDW is.
Then there is my wife, Debbie. She likes to pretend that she does not love the place the way I do, but she can not deny that she has a great time every time. It was even her idea to get into DVC a few years back.
Then there is our son, Nick. Our age does not matter much, but it is important to note that Nick is 14. One of the great things about going with your kids is that the experience is different for them every year.
It is so exciting to see how they will react and interact with the place as they change. This is our first time with a teenager, and it should be interesting.
We have a fourth traveling with us this trip. Dalton, Nicks closest friend since about the first grade. The Obrins have been to WDW about once a year since Nick was 4 years old, but this is Daltons first time (he has been to DisneyLand, many years ago). So, it will be fun to watch someone who is encountering this vast and marvelous place for the first time as a teenager.
As I mentioned, we bought into DVC back in 2001. We will be staying at OKW, even though our home resort is Wilderness Lodge. OKW is always easy to reserve, costs a little less in points, and is right next to Epcot. And the accommodations are spectacular. We will be staying in a one bedroom.
But, this actually has a separate sleeping area for the kids (sleeper couch), in addition to a full kitchen, a full size washer and dryer (reduces packing), a two person jacuzzi, a bath and a half, a dining area, and a couple of neat balconies. This place is a palace, easily the nicest room we have ever stayed in.
We had quite a time getting decent airline tickets for this trip. It just seems that this is a rough time to fly, because of all the spring break traffic. So, one of the things we did to get a little better air deal is to fly in late Thursday night, even though the kids are in school Thursday.
To not waste an OKW when we are coming in so late, we are staying at the Hyatt at the airport on Thursday night. We have used this trick before, and it has worked out well.
Daltons folks dropped us off at the airport, so we avoided long term parking this time.
Nick was able to play some games on his laptop while waiting in the airport. I had to chuckle, because I remember when I worried that he was not spending enough time on the computer to be comfortable (too much of those darned console games). Now, he is on it constantly, and is rather proficient in the basic skills.
The Frontier plane we were on had a fawn on the tail. Debbie commented that it was Bambi. That seemed appropriate. Nick would have chosen something else.
We had a relatively uneventful flight down to MCO. It was a non stop on Frontier. Nick and Dalton watched the individual TVs, which is a nice feature on Frontier. I spent time with my IPod, and Debbie watched TV as well.
It is a pity that flying has become such an unpleasant experience. Crammed into a space that is so small that it is physically painful. And the days of friendly service are long gone.
In fact, on this trip, it seemed like the flight attendants were making certain that they rammed the aisle passengers, no matter how far you leaned into the seat next to you (and I was seated next to a stranger). I remember enjoying flying when I first got out of college, but those days are long gone.
We got to the room at the Hyatt after midnight, and headed to bed, because tomorrow, the real trip begins! The Hyatt is kind of neat for a regular hotel, but we cant wait to get to be at OKW tomorrow night.

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