April 2001

Mark Fendrick - April 2001 - Coronado Springs

Time of Year: Spring
Travel Method: Personal Car, Plane
Resort: Coronado Springs Resort
Accommodations: Standard Room
Ages Represented in Group: Adult WDW
Experience Represented in Group: Veteran, Cast Member

Comments: Mark and Sandy drove down to see Iris, their daughter, who works at WDW. The trip was a week long. For the most part, the Fendricks just enjoyed the parks and spent time with Iris. Mark's reports are always fun to read.

Mark Fendrick -- April 2001 -- Walt Disney World (CSR)

Dates: April 7 - 15 2001

Starring: Mark & Sandy (WDW Veterans and AP holders)

Guest Cast (member): Iris

 

Prologue - April 7 & 8

Right from the beginning this trip did not seem as much a trip to WDW as it did one to visit our daughter who has been working in WDW since last August. And as always, due to the fact that Sandy is a NYC teacher, we are limited as to the times we can go down to WDW, and it is always a very busy time when we go. Since this is Spring Break for NYC public schools, we knew that this trip would be no different.

However, thanks to the number of times we have visited the World, we didn't feel the need to see any particular amount of attractions, plus we knew the best way to do the parks during the crowded times.

The original plans called for us driving down again, but at the last minute I found a relatively cheap flight, although it did require us to drive down to Raleigh, NC, then fly to Miami and then back to Orlando.

This worked out since we have friends in Raleigh who are getting married in a few weeks and we won't be able to make the wedding, so this gives us an opportunity to see them before the wedding. We made good time getting to Raleigh, and got an place for the night right by the airport. (We would see our friends on the way home.) In the morning we drove the five minutes to long term parking and checked in for our flight with plenty of time to spare. The flight to Miami was uneventful, but that would soon change. Our flight to Orlando was soon cancelled due to equipment failure, but we were able to get seats on a flight only three hours later. Two lunch vouchers were issued and we had a delicious meal while waiting . unfortunately we were not really ready for lunch at 11:00 AM! During that layover, I called Tiffany Towncar and updated my situation with them (no problem), and had a voice mail from my daughter, who knew we were meeting her for dinner that night at Le Cellier, but just didn't know where or when. I couldn't reach her, but left her voice mail on her cel phone with the information.

 

Day 1. Arrival and dinner at Le Cellier

We got to Orlando three hours later than planned, but all it did was change our plans slightly. Darcy from Tiffany Towncar was there waiting for us, and despite the confusion, our luggage arrived with no problems, and we were off to Coronado Springs. (My daughter tried booking us into CBR, but all that was available with her CM discount was a room with a King bed. We would soon find out why she did not book that and placed us in CS instead.) We had stayed at CS shortly after it opened and liked it, so I expected nothing less this time. Upon checking in I found that we had a fourth floor room in Casitas 5 with a beautiful view of the fountain, lake, and Tower of Terror. (Turns out that when Iris went to CS to validate her discount, the CM she dealt with was a friend of hers and he made sure we had a great room. Thanks Fabiano!)

Since we were later than we expected to get into the resort, rather than going over to Epcot and meeting Iris when she got off, we decided to go to CBR and see her there, and go to Epcot together.

We got there just as she was coming off a break, and found out that she would be getting off in about an hour, so we took a walk to Old Port Royale, looked around and by the time we got back, she was just about ready to leave. We drove over to Epcot and had enough time to do Test Track (single rider line) once before we headed off to our PS at Canada. When we were seated and the server came over to our table, she recognized Iris from a the time in December that Iris and Bobby ate there. (Both were working in WDW at the time.) They caught up a bit, and we found out that she was on the last 4 weeks of her contract and would be going back to Vancouver at that time. After a delicious meal, we headed back to the parking lot through a practically empty Epcot, since our PS was only 10 minutes before the park closed.

 

Day 2 - Disney Studios

We found out why Iris did not book the room with the Kingsize bed at CBR for us . she intended to stay with us for convenience. It made sense since her apartment is 5 minutes from Universal and the traffic on I-4 can be bad. This way she did not have the trip (20 minutes round trip usually), and did not miss any chance of a free meal from Mom and Dad! Of course the housekeeper might have been a bit confused as to why there was a CBR costume hanging in the room each day . nametag and all! ?

Our destination today was The Studios, and we got a reasonable start . not planning on getting there when the park opened. Actually, we got there shortly before lunch. Before we left the room, Iris called for a PS at the 50's Prime Time Café, and that was one of the first things we did. We had a terrific server who stayed in character and made the meal enjoyable. After lunch we all went on the Great Movie Ride and before we knew it, Iris had to leave to get to work. After she left, Sandy and I went to see (Fastpass, if you please!) Voyage of the Little Mermaid, take the Backlot Tour, and finally, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Play it! This was great. We got our Fastpasses about 2 hours before our show, and had a great time when we got in. We highly recommend it, and can easily see how one can become addicted to it!

It was still early, and due to the record heat we would have all week, we left rather early and decided to have dinner at the Pepper Market at CS, and then just hang out, perhaps go swimming. (We never made it.)

 

Day 3 - Universal

This was the day we went to Universal Studios (not Island of Adventure). We hadn't been there in a few years - the last time we went it was to IOA and Sandy and I are not huge roller-coaster fans. Right away we found that their Universal Express (their version of Fastpass) system was not operating correctly and the tickets were being given out manually, so there was nothing stopping anyone from getting more than one at a time. Again, crowds were large, but we never had to wait more than a few minutes to get into any attractions there. This was our first time on Men In Black, and (sorry to say) once again Universal has shown that they are now the better theme park when it comes to new and innovative attractions. This can best be described as Buzz Lightyear/Roger Rabbit (in DL) done right. The queue takes you through a replica of MIB headquarters as seen in the movie. Then you, as a trainee, are put in a training vehicle where you will compete against another group of trainees. Something goes wrong and real aliens are rampant through the city and you are turned loose on them. But you are not just shooting at them . they are shooting at you as well. If hit, your vehicle spins out of control. Each individual is scored and then each vehicle is scored and compared to one you are traveling along with. The one with the higher score is the "winner". You must try this!

The other new attraction (to us at least) was Twister, which turned out to be a very disappointing, one stage walkthrough. The effects were alright, but nothing that I would wait online for any time to see. Once again, the Express passes eased us through. We did manage to see all the attractions in the park . with minimal wait times, have 2 meals, and still leave the park about 8:00 PM.

When we left the park, Iris wanted to take us to the bar in which she hangs out, Pat O'Brien's in City Walk at Universal. It was a very nice place (a New Orleans bar) and while she did spend most of the evening with us (Two for Tuesday . two specialty drinks for the price of one), she did spend part of the night visiting with bartenders that she knew and picking up guys at the bar. Sheesh! A local radio station was broadcasting from there and Sandy answered some trivia correctly and won free movie tickets which we, of course, gave to Iris. Both Sandy and I collapsed when we got back to the room.

 

Day 4 - Epcot - Visiting my parents - MK/DD

Today was the day I promised my parents we would come to see the house they had closed on just the previous week. For the past dozen years or so, they had been renting an apartment in Brandon (near Tampa) and spending half the year down here. Now they bought a house in a community about 20 miles further south. Since Iris had 2 days off this week - surprisingly - so this was the day we arranged to go. However, we had a PS for breakfast at the Garden Grill at The Land in Epcot. It is funny, but when Iris was young and into her teens, she was scared of the "fur" characters. Now she enjoys character meals, and since we all love the breakfast at the Garden Grill, we always manage to find a day to eat there.

We took the time to do Food Rocks, and then off to Sun City Center and a day with the parents. Iris, though, had tickets for a concert at the House of Blues, so we couldn't stay too long, and headed back about 5:30 PM, passing through Polk County which is still quite on fire. They need rain there badly, but even with a weather front coming through, no rain is predicted. None really expected until about June!

Sandy wanted to spend some time at Downtown Disney and I didn't, so I headed to the MK and Sandy would meet me there later. I did a quick trip through the HM, which now seems to be missing something without my son there, and then settled down in Liberty Square to watch SpectroMagic. I met Sandy after the parade, did the HM once more before we started out and back to the hotel. As we left the Mansion this time the fireworks were just starting, and we watched it from my son's favorite place in the HM forecourt. This particular area used to be closed to guests, but with the re-layout of the queue, you can now stand there and watch the show. (I did get to watch it from there with my son and other HMCM's on a few other occasions.) So as the second SpectroMagic parade is going on, we exit the MK and head for the bus and our room.

 

Day 5 - Epcot and ????

Today, Iris goes back to work, but since she is working 3:30 PM - 12:30 AM most days this week, she can come with us to Epcot where we has PS for lunch at the Biergarten. (Back when we first planned this trip, Iris told me that she wanted to eat at Le Cellier and the Biergarten, so those were the PS that I made before coming, once I knew her work schedule.) Before that, though, we had some time and went through The Living Seas, which we had put off the last few times we were in Epcot. The only difference I saw was that now you have the option of skipping the movie and going directly to the hydrolators. We went in to see the movie since we all enjoy it before the attraction. Most did.

Then we were off to Germany. The last time I ate there, a number of years ago, it was a sit-down situation where you ordered off a menu and was served while a full Octoberfest show was going on. Now it is a buffet with a good selection, right through the desserts, but the entertainment has been reduced to a three man band. They were good, but not quite what the old show was. However, the food was wonderful and varied, and we took our time and enjoyed it. The family which was seated at the table with us came after we were well into our meal, and where gone before we were ready for dessert. Somehow, that should not be the way to enjoy this restaurant. After lunch we walked around World Showcase a bit until Iris has to leave for work. We walked her into Future World, and after she left we did a few attractions such as the Universe of Energy and Spaceship Earth. Of course, a quick stop into Ice Station Cool was required to quench our thirst.

Now our plans were to go to the MK, do a few attractions and watch both parades and perhaps the fireworks. Since Sandy and I were both tired, we decided to go back to the room first for a nap. I should have realized that this would not work out as planned, since once I take a "nap", I am usually no good for the rest of the day. But since Sandy naps every day after school, I figure she will get me up and about. Well, our one hour nap turned into 3 and a half, and we decided not to even try to make it to the MK, so we ate at the Pepper Market once again and just hung around the resort and relaxed. However, even though it had been quite hot during the day all week, the evenings were cool and comfortable. This evening turned out to be hot and sticky, so we wound up in the room, which was really okay, since on this whole trip my feet never hurt and I never felt totally wiped out.

 

Day 6 - Animal Kingdom - CBR - Magic Kingdom

This was the morning that we finally got to Tusker House for breakfast. Okay, maybe it is not fine dining, but we do like to breakfast sandwiches and hash browns that they serve there. Also, it is a homecoming of sorts for Iris who worked in Rafiki's Planet Watch for four months before moving to CBR. (And hopes to be back there after this assignment is over.) Before breakfast we get our Fastpasses for the safari, and after we ate, we spent the remaining time until our Fastpass return time watching Iris hug almost every cast member in Harambe. Many of them - mostly from South Africa - are coming down to the last weeks of their contract and most will be returning home, so things had a tendency to get a bit emotional. Earlier, before the Spring Break season was upon them, Iris would do a few shifts of OT back at Rafiki's Planet Watch, but in the past month or so, she hasn't even had a chance to get back there, so they hadn't seen each other in a while. Since Iris's apartment mates all worked together in Rafiki's Planet Watch, they decided to have a party at their apartment for the Africans before they go home. She hugs her way back to Rafiki's Planet Watch where she sees one of her apartment mates for the first time in almost a week at this point - she is returning to her apartment this evening.

After seeing some of the keepers she is friends with, we go out to Affection Section and see another of her apartment mates - this one is actually her roommate - who is giving a tour to a school group.

After leaving Rafiki's Planet Watch we head off to see Tarzan Rocks and then we decide that instead of eating lunch at DAK we would go with Iris to CBR and eat at Old Port Royale with her, and she could leave when she had to since she would be there and ready for work.

When she leaves, we do head over to the MK this time. Since we have to meet our driver back to the airport the next morning at 5:30 AM, we would leave the park fairly early. But still we managed yet another go through the HM, a show at the CBJ, a Jungle Cruise (not the same without the shooting the hippos). Since it would be our last meal at WDW I wanted to do something different, which gets harder as time goes by, but we had never eaten at the Liberty Tree Tavern, so I asked if we could get in without a PS. At first I was told no, but since we were only 2 the "no" changed to "20 minutes". The 20 minutes were only 10 and it was a very enjoyable experience with plenty of character interaction - even with adult only tables such as ours. I am glad we decided to do it! And then it was back to the hotel to pack and leave a 4:45 AM wake-up call.

 

On The Way Home

Earlier in the week, Sandy was closest to the phone (since Iris was still staying with us) and answered the few wake-up calls we received. She claimed it was "classical music" on the phone. This morning since Iris is not staying with us and we each use one bed (hey, 27 years of marriage . comfort becomes important!), I answered the phone, and discovered that "classical music" was Grim Grinning Ghosts followed by Mickey's morning message.

Bell services shows up at the appointed hour and when we arrive at the front of the resort, Darcy is once again waiting for us and it is off to the airport. This time our flights get off perfectly on time and there are no problems as there were coming down. However, I develop a toothache in the air which doesn't go away with Aleve, or Advil or anything else I try. (As I write this I have an appointment with my dentist tomorrow morning . 3 days later!) That evening I would get a good night's sleep thanks to some Tylenol PM! But before that, we meet my friends in Raleigh (the first time Sandy has ever met them) and go out for some great Barbecue and then an interesting night in a Karaoke bar. While Sandy and I have been to one here in NYC (Staten Island, actually) as expected such a place in North Carolina would have a different "flavor". I hadn't even heard of most of the country songs that were chosen, but we had a great time. Hopefully we will go back there and if my tooth doesn't hurt even participate next time we visit.

An uneventful trip home that Sandy did most of the driving since I was in a great deal of discomfort, and another trip to WDW is but a memory.

 

Final Thoughts

Although Sandy and I always go down at the busiest times of the year and WDW is always crowded, we have found how to get around without waiting on long lines - of course Fastpass helps. We know what to expect and when to expect it . and having visited so often don't feel pressure to see any number of attractions at any given time. One day I would like to be there when the parks are empty, but until that day . we survive!