Who:  Myself (Nanci –55; DVC member), Jim (66) & Sheila (65) Menig (close friends) and Donna Renny (Sheila’s sister and now my good friend — 63) — 11/18/07 - 12/02/07.  My very good friend, Michele (41) and her family, Tony (36), Lane (10), Julia (7) and Blake (4) LaBaere — 11/20/07 - 12/01/07.

Traveling:  Jim & Sheila traveled by car, leaving their home in Oakland Township, MI (about 9 miles north of my house) on Tuesday, Nov. 13th and headed for Sheila’s sister’s (Sharon) house in Ellijay, GA for three nights.  Leaving Ellijay, they proceeded to Charleston, SC for two nights and finally arrived at Disney’s Beach Club Villas (BCV) on Sunday, Nov. 18th.

Donna and I traveled by car.  I left my house in Rochester Hills, MI (about 20 miles north of Detroit) on Friday, Nov. 16th, drove to Fremont, IN and picked up Donna about 12:30 pm.  We drove to Jefferstown, KY and stayed at the Country Inn & Suites Friday night (would recommend highly), proceeded to Cordele, GA (not bad, but don’t place a delivery order from the Pizza Hut nearby) and stayed at the Hampton Inn on Saturday night and arrived at the BCV on Sunday, Nov. 18th.

The LaBaere family (with kids in school) flew down Tuesday, Nov. 20th, after school let out and arrived at the BCV about 2:15 am on Wednesday (some “minor” delays by the airline).

After planning this trip for almost three years (I usually go to Disney twice a year, but my last trip with Michele’s family in tow was in 2004), this is the itinerary I finally settled on (not having children of my own, I so look forward to seeing the “I’m going to Mickey’s House” wonder on their faces.  Also you have to plan entirely differently since children tire out on some things, but suddenly they get their second wind and are good to go for another few hours!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH:  Jim, Sheila, Donna & Nanci Arrival Day.  Donna and I arrived about 2:45 pm, checked in at the brand new DVC member check-in desk.  Jim & Sheila arrived about 4:00 pm.  We hung out on the Boardwalk people-watching.  After having our luggage delivered to our 2-bedroom Villa, we walked over to the Yacht Club Resort and had dinner at the Galley (see review under Dining) at 5:30 pm.  After dinner we went over to the Winn Dixie on 535 and grocery shopped to fill our Villa with food we probably won’t eat!).

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH:  Free day.  We hung out at the Dunes Cove Pool (quiet pool) at BCV and then drove to the Wilderness Lodge to take in the Christmas decorations and had dinner at Artist Point (see review under Dining) at 5:30 pm.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH:  Celebration Day.  Shopped around the Boardwalk (Beach Club Marketplace, Fittings & Fairings at the Yacht Club) and stopped for lunch at Big River Grille.  After lunch, we finished shopping at the Boardwalk shops, continued around the Boardwalk passing the walkway to EPCOT and proceeded to the car and drove to Celebration.  We shopped for about an hour on Market Street in Celebration and then went to the Market Street Cafe for dinner (Sheila must stop every trip for the appetizer (which is big enough to share or for a meal) of the Housemade Potato Chips which are excellent in themselves, but are then smothered with blue cheese sauce, tomatoes and green onions (YUM! YUM!).  Got back to the BCV about 7:30 pm.  After a rousing round of dominoes and watching TV, everyone deserted me and I went down to the lobby to wait for the LaBaere’s to get here by limo (they were supposed to land at 11:58 pm, but did not land until 1:20 am so it was about 2:15 am when the limo delivered them to the BCV).  I had gotten them a separate 2-bedroom villa; check-in at that time was a dream.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST:  Downtown Disney Day.  Having just arrived, the kids wanted to swim, so the LaBaere’s all swam at the Stormalong Bay pool until about 1:30 pm.  We got to Downtown Disney about 4:00 pm and shopped until 5:45 pm.  We then proceeded to the marina and took the ferry boat to Saratoga Springs where we had dinner reservations at The Turf Club Bar & Grill at 6:55 pm. (see review under Dining).

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND:  HAPPY THANKSGIVING.  Free Day.  The LaBaere’s went swimming in the Stormalong Bay pool once again.  Jim, Sheila, Donna and I spent a leisurely morning in our Villa until about noon.  We then ventured out and walked over to the Swan and Dolphin Resorts for some additional shopping.  About 2:00 pm, it started sprinkling and we are now in our Villa watching a DVD, “The Ultimate Gift.”  I had booked Thanksgiving buffet at Spoodles on the Boardwalk for 6:30 pm.  We checked in at the podium about 6:10 pm and were prepared to wait because the Boardwalk was absolutely packed; however, we were seated within 15 minutes.  The buffet was excellent with the standard turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy and cranberry jelly, but in addition they served some Mediterranean dishes (the usual theme of the menu) and some wonderful desserts!  Finished dinner about 8:00 pm and journeyed back to our Villa on the other side of Bay Lake.  What a wonderful way to spend a holiday — with special friends and in weather that is not freezing!  Hope everyone else had an extra special day.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD:  Viewing Christmas Decorations Day.  We left the BCV about 11:45 am and drove over to the Grand Floridian Resort.  Viewed the decorations — how beautiful and elaborate!  Checked in for our 12:20 pm lunch reservation at the Grand Floridian Cafe 15 minutes early and were seated almost immediately.  After a superb lunch (see review under Dining) we power shopped until we dropped.  We then boarded the monorail (none of the kids had ever been on) and rode around twice finally disembarking at the Contemporary Resort.  Shopped at all of the gift shops at the Contemporary and then boarded the monorail once again to go to the Polynesian.  After admiring their decorations and again exhausting the shopping there, we ventured down to the lake where the kids played on the beach for about an hour until it was time to go to dinner at O’Hana in the Polynesian Resort.  We checked in about 5:30 pm for our 5:45 pm reservation and were seated within 5 minutes.  None of us had ever been to O’Hana and it was a huge hit with all (see review under Dining) — in fact we wish we could go there again on this trip!  We rode the monorail back to the Grand Floridian, got our cars and drove back to BCV where we ended another spectacular day.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH:  Celebration of Lane’s 10th Birthday Day.  Lane received a Goofy birthday wishes call about 9:00 am, just as I had requested.  Spent a lazy day in our Villa and at the pool until it was time to get ready for dinner.  I had made dinner reservations at the clambake buffer offered at Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort (see review under Dining) at 5:40 pm so we could proceed directly from there to the birthday fireworks specialty cruise scheduled to leave from  the Polynesian Marina at 8:30 pm.  I was told to arrive at the Marina at 8:00 pm and that the cruise would begin at 8:30 pm.  We arrived at 8:00 pm and upon being told that the personalized cake I had ordered was already on board, Steven, our guide ushered us on board and we left the dock by 8:15 pm.  He took us on a very leisurely and very knowledge-filled jaunt around Seven Seas Lagoon and we “anchored” about 8:50 pm to sing “Happy Birthday” to Lane, enjoy snacks, pop and the chocolate mousse cake with chocolate icing (YUM!YUM!) which I had ordered from the Polynesian Private Dining.  “Wishes” started right on time at 9:00 pm and it was absolutely magnificent!  I had not even told any of the others what the birthday surprise was going to be so everyone, especially Lane, was really surprised and astounded!  After the fireworks were over, even I was surprised when Steven pulled over and we were able to see the entire Electrical Water Pageant that usually parades around Seven Seas Lagoon for the resorts on that waterway right in front of us.  So ended another wonderful, magical day at Disney!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH:  Theme Park Day (finally; didn’t want to buck all the crowds during the holiday week) — DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS.  We took the boat from BCV and got to enter into the Studios early for our Play & Dine Character Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine at 9:00 am.  We had never been to this new character experience which featured Leo and June from Little Einsteins and JoJo and Goliath from JoJo’s Circus.  After getting photographs and autographs and eating our fill of the buffet (see review under Dining), we proceeded to tour the Studios until our Fantasmic! dinner package at Mama Melrose’s at 4:00 pm.  They used to have a special menu for the Fantasmic! package; however, all adults may order one appetizer, one entree and one dessert for $32.99 (so make sure you order the most expensive items!) and children the same off the kids’ menu for $11.99.  After dinner, we went right over to the Hollywood Arena for the 6:30 pm Fantasmic! show — excellent as usual!  Since tonight was extra magic hours until 11:00 pm, we got in line for wristbands after the show to enjoy more attractions.  However, Jim, Sheila, Donna and I finally pooped out and took the boat back to BCV around 9:30 pm.  The LaBaeres stayed longer so that Blake could ride the Star Tours attraction again and again!  Another great day at my favorite place in the world!

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH:  Theme Park Day — ANIMAL KINGDOM.  We got up early and drove to Animal Kingdom by 8:15 am since today was early morning extra magic hour starting at 8:00 am.  Since we missed the crowd renting an ECV for Donna and getting a double stroller for the LaBaeres, we were able to ride the very first handicapped Kilimanjaro Safari vehicle to go out that day!  Since it was early in the morning, the animals were out in full force and we actually got to see a male lion standing over his mate and roar.  What a beautiful sound!  Even our guide told us that we had been treated to a very special treat!  Having fun on all of the attractions, we decided on a fast food lunch at Restaurantosarus which features McDonalds food — SPOILER COMING — even though all the printed material lists this as “McDonalds,” we were told by one of the employees there that the only thing that is truly McDonalds in this restaurant are the fries; the sandwiches are limited and are not the same as those you get at a franchise McDonalds.  The food was good and filling, however, and the restaurant had great access for my ECV.  After eating our fill, we proceeded to enjoy as much of Animal Kingdom as we could fit in until closing time at 5:00 pm.  Since our rumps were now dragging from two full days in a row in the parks (especially us older folks), we decided to skip our 6:00 pm dinner reservation at Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge and drove back to ECV.   After getting a (somewhat) second wind, we decided to park hop and get take-out fish & chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the United Kingdom pavilion in EPCOT.  We went over about 7:30 pm — Jim and I picked up food for the four “old fogeys” and the entire LaBaere family went and stayed to see a little bit of EPCOT before it closed at 9:30 pm.  Jim and I went right back to the villa — the fish and chips are the same that are served in the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room in the United Kingdom pavilion and are superb!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH:  Free Day.  Absolutely nothing scheduled.  However, after hearing about the Housemade Potato Chips in Celebration, Michele really wants to go, so we had planned to go again today.  However, after a very lazy day for the four fogeys and a day filled with swimming for the LaBaeres, we all pooped out and had In Room Dining at BCV.  The food was great and we took advantage of having the waiter place a beautiful tablecloth on our table and serve us!  What a way to vacation.  The four of us then proceeded to play dominoes, watch TV and proceed to bed before another day at the parks.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH:  Theme Park Day — MAGIC KINGDOM.  We drove to the Magic Kingdom and walked right in at 9:00 am.  Without huge crowds, almost every atraction we went to was a standby wait of 20 minutes or less so we rode and saw our fill.  Lunch reservations were at 11:40 am at Liberty Tree Tavern (see review under Dining) and dinner was at 5:10 pm at the buffet at Crystal Palace, a character meal featuring Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore (see review under Dining).  We watched the SpectroMagic Parade at 7:00 pm and Wishes at 8:00 pm from the walkway in front of Crystal Palace, which was uncrowded and the view was spectacular!  Another fun-filled day ended with our drive back to BCV.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH:  Theme Park Day — EPCOT.  dinner scheduled for 6:00 pm at Coral Reef in the the Living Seas pavilion.  We walked to the International Gateway and entered EPCOT at 8:30 am (I love walking around EPCOT before the gates open at 9:00 am) for our reservations for the Princess breakfast at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion.  I had scheduled this breakfast at the request of the LaBaeres as this was one of our favorite meals from three years ago and I had also taken Jim, Sheila and Donna to this breakfast last year before our 7-day Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic.  Imagine our shock, surprise and disappointment to find that the breakfast has now changed (see review under Dining).  We still managed to eat our fill from the family-style and buffet items and proceeded to Future World where we spent most of the day.  We did, however, venture to the Mexican pavilion and ride the refurbished Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros before making our way to  our 6:00 pm dinner reservation at Coral Reef (see review under Dining) in the Seas With Nemo and Friends pavilion (f/k/a The Living Seas).  I had not been to this restaurant since approximately 1977 or 1978 and none of the others had ever visited it.  It was a hit with the view of the aquarium; however, I could not believe how loud it was in there.  There were even more children than I imagined there would be with the higher prices of the menu items and there must be no “buffer” for the noise with the tiered seating to give every table a view of the fish.  In addition, they split our party into two tables that were not close enough to “chat,” but I’m not sure we would have tried given the noise.  Even with the noise, dinner was superband we dawdled until almost 7:45 pm, so upon exiting, we went to use our last Fast Passes at Soarin’ and then went right to World Showcase to get a good viewing spot to Illuminations at 9:30 pm.  The LaBaere kids pooped out so they all went right back to their Villa; the four of us managed to make it through Illuminations and then walked back to BCV.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH:  Theme Park and Final Special Event Day — MAGIC KINGDOM.  Back to Magic Kingdom to see anything we missed the first time and to see our favorites once again.  The four of us determined that we had seen everything we wanted to see at Magic Kingdom on Wednesday so we opted out of another day there (plus we were pooped!).  The LaBaeres went back and saw those attractions that are a must to do twice and then boated to the Studios to give Blake a last thrill on the Star Tours attraction.  We all met at 4:45 pm to begin our journey to the Ft. Wilderness Campground for our 7:15 pm Hoop-Dee-Doo reservation (see review under Dining).  We drove and then had to take an internal campground bus down to Pioneer Hall (we ended up being early as the bus came just as we got out of our cars — a miracle!).  We were first in line for our family picture and then waited until we were allowed into the Hall for the show.  Jim, Sheila and Donna had never been to this show, the LaBaeres and I had seen it three years ago — it was still great as usual and we ended up at the same table we had in 2004 and the same waiter!!!!!  He ribbed us good-naturedly and we left thoroughly sated and entertained!  Since the LaBaeres drove with me, I had them drop me off and take the van so they could fill it with the things they wanted me to take home.  As they were dropping me off in the parking lot, the finale of Illuminations lit up the sky, thus ending another great day. 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST:  LaBaere Departure Day.  The LaBaeres flight got moved up to 5:30 pm (originally scheduled for 7:30 pm — good thing Tony tried to check the baggage and get boarding passes at the airline check-in desk in the lobby) so their limo pick-up got changed from 4:30 pm to 1:45 pm.  We all ate lunch at the ESPN Club (see review under Dining) and then I went with the LaBaeres to see them off.  After that, Jim, Sheila, Donna and I spent the afternoon in the Solarium of the Beach Club Resort (this room gets very little use and is so pleasant and a great place to people-watch) playing dominoes.  We finally adjourned to a bench on the boardwalk while waiting for my friend, Tyra, and her new husband, Michael (they just got married this July), who were coming up from Ft. Lauderdale to meet.  I hadn’t seen her for about three years and had never met her new husband.  We all visited for a little while and then walked out to show them some of the boardwalk.  We then ventured over and had dinner at The Galley at the Yacht Club (see review under Dining).  Tyra and Michael left after dinner to stay the night at a friend’s house in Lakeland and we went upstairs to begin the drudge of packing!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2ND:  Departure Day for Jim, Sheila, Donna and Nanci.  We checked out at the 11:00 am deadline, had a nice departure lunch at Big River Grille (see review under Dining) and ventured back to have our luggage packed into the car and say a teary goodbye to Walt Disney World (thank goodness we have our usual Spring Training (we are big Detroit Tigers fans) trip planned for February 24 - March 12, 2008).  Jim and Sheila are staying for one more week in Orlando at the Grand Beach Sunterra Resort (Jim, Sheila and I own points in Sunterra also) while Donna and I ventured home stopping in Macon, GA on Sunday, staying with Sharon, in Ellijay, GA on Monday, staying in Fishers, IN on Tuesday, dropping Donna off in Fremont, IN on Wednesday morning and continuing on to Rochester Hills, MI to be reunited with my sweet dog, Costa, Wednesday afternoon.

So there is the itinerary for our wonderful trip.  I am already planning our Spring Training trip although that trip revolves mostly around baseball and relaxation.  I hope that starting sometime in 2008 you will allow my new travel business, Trips The Wright Way, LLC, to plan a special trip for you (even if it is not to my very favorite place on Earth!).

Nanci Wright, Trips The Wright Way, LLC