Day one of our trip was mostly a travel day - car, plane, tram, bus, and boat. The girls were excited all along the way though.
We took the Magical Express to our resort. I love the Magical Express. They make transportation to and from your resort so easy. They deal with your baggage, so you don't even have to stop at baggage claim. You ride along in comfort while watching a video about Disney World and photographing your child squishing her nose against the window.
We got checked in to Port Orleans Riverside. Addison was running along the paths yelling, "Yahoo! Yahoo!!" She was beyond thrilled and just looked so cute. J.C. turned to me and said, "We really need to capture that on video. It is so cute, and she won't do it much longer. It is the kind of thing we don't want to forget." What a sentimental guy! So, with my usual video prowess, I followed her along with my camera while she jumped for joy, ran along the path, and yelled, "Yahoo!" It would have been such a sweet video for posterity. Instead, I got this:
I should never be trusted to capture video.
After we found our room (no small feat... more on that later), we took the boat over to Downtown Disney. I love that the Port Orleans Resorts offer boat transportation to Downtown Disney. It is a nice change from buses. This night was chilly though, and about halfway there we were wishing for the warmth of a crowded, cozy bus. After docking, we headed straight for the Lego store to meet up with my friend Allison Slater Tate, her husband, and their four sweet kids. We figured any table service places probably had ridiculous waits for our group of 11, so we headed to one of my favorite Disney counter service locations, Earl of Sandwich. I love that place! It was so fun to see all our kids together.
Their three boys are almost the exact same ages as our three girls. I loved watching them interact and listening to their conversations about books they love, Disney World favorite rides, games, music, and more. Allison, the hubbies, sweet baby Lucy, and I sat at the adult table where Allison and I gabbed away. It was a fun way to start the trip. Of course, I loved getting some baby snuggle time too!
After dinner, we wisely chose to take the bus back to Riverside to avoid the freezing boat ride. We got off at the bus depot that appeared to be closest to our room on the map. Then we started walking, and walking, and walking, and walking. We consulted the map, consulted directional signs, and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked. It was ridiculous. We must have walked twenty miles, most of that in circles. It is a HOTEL! By nature of what it is, people are only there for short stays. Finding one's room should not be this complicated. We were cold, tired, and ready for bed. I muttered, "I hate this place. Stupid signs. I'll never stay here again." as we walked. About the time I was ready to give up and sleep on the sidewalk we managed to find our room. Ahh... sleep at last.
Up next... a rough start to our first full day at the parks...
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