2009 Walt Disney World Vacation - Part 1

It has been a couple weeks since we've returned from our long trip to The World. I've been so busy getting things back in order, catching up on work both at home and at the office, and most importantly, getting back into a regular training schedule, that I have had to put off starting my posts about our trip. Until now. So grab a refreshment, sit back, and relax as I present a visual tour of our vacation.

Friday began early at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. We had the first flight out on Continental to Orlando so we needed to arrive pretty early and get up even earlier.

Jr. P couldn't decide if he was happy or not about flying.

As it would turn out, the flight went great with only some minor turbulence. Jr. P actually enjoyed the experience, except for the the whole ear-popping thing. Taking off and landing were the most interesting as we could try to look for places. Our cruising altitude was too high to see much during the flight.

After landing, all we needed to do was make our way to Disney's shuttle bus area. We were using their Magical Express service, which meant they would handle our checked luggage and transport it to our room later. It was just us and our carry-on baggage. It wasn't hard to find the correct spot, and we soon found ourselves on board our bus.

Mrs. P and Jr. P got to sit together.

I had to sit by myself.

I had to amuse myself as well!

The bus ride went smoothly enough. There was a little video that was activated by GPS once we got onto the highway. It was cute and distracted us from noticing all the sprawling development we were passing. The first stop to unload was at Pop Century, where a few families got off. We were to be next, followed by Animal Kingdom Lodge. When we arrived at Caribbean Beach there were already many people in line ahead of us, as another shuttle bus had just unloaded before we got there. While standing in line to check in, I really wished I had been able to check us in online earlier in the week. I had tried the day before, but the website was having trouble. Eventually more cast members arrived and the line began moving quickly.

Our room was in Barbados, one of the six groups of building "islands". It was just a short walk to our room, which we found ready and waiting for us.

The bright Nemo comforters matched the border near the ceiling. This photo is from just after walking into the room, before we moved in and began trashing the place.

After settling in just a tiny bit, it was time to head out and start seeing stuff. And to get some lunch. We weren't planning on visiting any of the parks this day so we headed to Downtown Disney. There were a couple restaurants on our list over there.

Waiting for the Downtown Disney bus at the resort.

The next three photos are of some feathered guys hanging out in front of the Rainforest Cafe.

They all look like they were posing for me!

The Lego store had a new construction out front.

Which matched perfectly to the new restaurant next door.

The T-Rex is a new dining concept by the makers of Rainforest. We wanted to check it out but were secretly hoping the food would be better. And guess what? The food here was great! Not at all like Rainforest. I was surprised that we got right in. I was half expecting an hour wait to be seated, but we were in immediately.

A giant T-Rex greeted us just inside the door.

This was the ceiling area over the shopping side.

Looking over at the bar. It rocked!

Everyone was happy with the menu offerings.

I didn't realize until we sat down that there was a giant octopus over the bar. Don't ask how I missed it!

The drinks were great! Jr. P handled a chocolate smoothie while I enjoyed a rum runner. We both enjoyed them so much, we ordered another round with the food.

The level of detail throughout the restaurant was amazing!

All the big dinosaurs were animatronic.

They would just carry on with each other.

Some of the one's by us were a little annoying.

At Northfield Park, every 19 minutes "the place goes crazy", but at T-Rex, every 19 minutes the place gets hit with a meteor shower leading up to "the big one". The colors change and all the dinosaurs freak out.

I guess the insects would have been the only ones to survive.

Fortunately for us, they got a little smaller.

After splitting the Supersaurus Sampler, which contained quesadillas, nachos con queso, onion rings, and bruschetta, between the three of us, it was time to head to the one store Jr. P had been looking forward to visiting: The Lego Store!

He went right to it, stuffing a container with as many misc. pieces from the bulk wall.

I thought they made for some interesting shape and color contrasts.

Hundreds of mini-figs hung behind the checkout, all in rows.

The monkey's magnifier brought them into view!

Back out front, the Sea Serpent has been there since at least the time of our honeymoon.

But now it has to deal with some new neighbors.

Pluto looking down on us from the World of Disney store.

And a pirate sailing by the door.

I wasn't used to the heat yet, so I needed to make a margarita stop.

I don't think Reese's and margaritas would go together very well. But the Grand Patron Margarita was just fine all by itself!

The view from our dockside table. The balloon ride is new but costs extra. It's not hot air, but a giant helium filled balloon connected by a cable to the ground. I would have liked to have gone for a ride on it but we never got around to it.

After the drinks were done we caught a bus back to the resort where we hit the pool for a bit. It was hot. Unfortunately so was the water. Too warm to stay in for very long. We had dinner reservations for that evening so we needed to get cleaned up and changed, and then make it over to the Wilderness Lodge. We traveled by bus to the Magic Kingdom and hopped a boat over to the Lodge.

We were able to ride in back where we could catch a breeze.

We have a picture of Mrs. P and Jr. P in front of these falls from every trip.

We had a nice corner table that looked out over the Lodge's courtyard. We both ordered the wine flight for the meal and let them pair our wine's with our food.

And of course we had to both order the Smokey Portobello Soup. It's one of our favorites! We've even managed to get some in the lounge before, though they don't make a habit of doing that very often.

The soup was amazing as always and I was very pleased with my main course selection. Something new this time, the Buffalo Sirloin Strip Steak. It was served over goat cheese polenta with golden beets, topped with cherries in a dark chocolate red wine reduction. Wow, that just made my mouth water! We followed that up with Double Chocolate Cheesecake and a complimentary dish of their Berry Cobbler. We were stuffed!

A nice reflection of the lights inside with part of the Lodge still visible outside while I finished my glass of port.

And so ends day one. The rest of the trip went pretty much along the same lines with us moving from one place to another, eating and drinking lots, and trying to survive the heat and humidity. Look for Day 2 in the near future.