Day one
I leave the train and head towards the parking lot for
my transportation to Pop Century resort.
As previously down, I have Sunray picking me up and dropping me
off. Amtrak had us running late, so
Sunray thought they had extra time to pick me up and drive me to the Pop. They
should up about 5 minutes after I arrived.
I did get a little nervous, but sighed a relief
when I recognized the large black suv they use.
On the way to the hotel, my parents called me. They were on the plane, but the plane had
problems and they were going to be delayed.
Not sure how long of a delay. I
knew I would get there first, but now it seems I would be eating lunch on
property without them. This was a little
embarrassing, since they will be using Magical Express which is free and takes
customers away from Sunray. While I have
used Sunray once a year since 2005, and twice this year, they know me by face,
but I can never remember if I have Roger or Bob driving me.
I arrived at Pop Century, found the online check in
line. They use a symbol, not the name,
but I figure it out and wait for there is just a couple in front of me. I get
my info packet and was told that my room was ready. I always stayed in the 70’s previously, but
this time I am in the 50’s. It’s about
After dropping my things off in my room, I head to the
Pop gift shop to purchase two things, a neck strap for my new toy camcorder and
replacement blank tapes.
Well, blank mini-DV tapes cost me $16 for a package of
2, while the ones I bought at B&H Video in
11:25 am, I am heading
towards Animal Kingdom to have lunch at Flame Tree BBQ. A semi tradition for me
now.
This makes me laugh whenever I think about it J I am on the
deluxe dining plan. That plan includes
the resort refillable mug. So I decide
to get my mug and have something to drink while waiting for my parents to
arrive. I had first argument over dining
plan. The cashier said no, the deluxe plan doesn’t include the resort mug, I said yes, I know it does. Well, we went back and forth a
couple of times till she asked for help. She was corrected that not only does
the deluxe plan include the resort mug, the quick
service plan does too. CM zero, me one J
My parents finally arrive
just a couple of hours late. Their room
wasn’t ready yet, so they got comfortable in mine. We have adjoining rooms, with a common
interior door. My father picked up his ECV at luggage services and we headed to
Disney Hollwood Studios to have diner at
Little back story at this point.
When I made my adr's
3 months ago, I was not a happy camper because I called at
A couple of weeks after, I got a
call from Disney saying they are reserving a seat for me. So I went to
guest services today and told them my story. After about 10 minutes of
waiting, I was told to enter the usual entrance with everyone else, but go to
the right, and my name is on a list. I thought I would be sitting in the
right side reserved Fantasmic dinner package area.
Interesting side note, for those who
had the Fantasmic pass, they were told, they no
longer enter with everyone else, that even if the main gate is closed, they
enter right before B&B theater, and they would be
allowed in anytime before the show. This seems to be something new.
So we headed to
.After we finished eating at
After GMR, We headed towards the Fantasmic
Theater.
From the first CM I encountered when
we left Sunset Boulevard to head towards the theater, with ever CM I met down the path, I repeated my story, maybe 5
or more times. It seems I was not headed towards the Fantasmic
diner package reserved area, but the VIP area. Sure enough, my name was
on their list for the night. :)
I am still wearing my I love
(Mickey shaped heard) NY t-shirt, and lots of people are asking me where I got
it.
9:20, show is over. Heading back to Pop Century, day
one is over and time to really sleep for the first time since the previous
night. Crowds as usually is just as bad
especially for my father trying to maneuver his ECV in the crowds since
everyone keeps getting in front of him.