Drive to Vero Beach
Day 6 - August 15, 2002  
July 17, 2003

Magic Kingdom
Drive to Vero Beach
Enjoy Beach and Pool
Buffet at Sonya's
Vero Beach  
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Today it was up bright and early to check out and then head for early entry at the Magic Kingdom.  After getting ready we gave a call to bell services to check all our baggage until we got back from the park.  Half would be going with us to Vero Beach and the rest would go directly to Beach Club Villas so we didn’t have to lug along ALL our stuff for our three beach days.  The bellman didn’t seem too confused by this, and gave me two claim tickets – one for each set of luggage.  We were ready to catch the boat to the Magic Kingdom with plenty of time to spare.  Said goodbye to the Villa and headed on down to the boat dock. 

The first MK boat showed up at 7:30am again and had us to the park in plenty of time to get through security and wait in line for the opening.  They didn’t let us in until almost 8am today.  I had problems for the first time with the finger scanner.  They finally just let me in.  We headed off to Fantasyland, and since we were already there – just hit the favorites to make sure we got through all we wanted to do again today.  It was a VERY crowded Early Entry.  TONS of people were there to take advantage of that extra hour. 

Castle ShotWe walked on Peter Pan, and then on over to Winnie the Pooh – less than 5 minute wait.  A spin on the teacups and then off to Buzz Lightyear (another 5 minute wait).  Maddy has decided to ride Space Mountain, but the line there was very long.  We took the Transit Authority as a nice diversion and so that she could see some of Space Mountain and how the cars are loaded (I don’t know if she realized she won’t actually site NEXT to us on the ride).  Coming Soon: Philharmagic!She saw it all and still wanted to go, but we’ll make this a priority for our next Magic Kingdom day.  Didn’t want to backtrack to Space Mountain for a return fast pass time, and the line was too long to wait in.  We still want to do the other side of the park and then head on off to Vero Beach.  

Frontierland Rope drop crowdWe headed off just caught the 9am rope drop for Frontier Land.  The number of people waiting was staggering (see picture).  We got fast passes for Splash Mountain and then stood in line for Big Thunder.  Probably a ten minute line for Big Thunder, and Splash Mountain was backed up to the hills!  We had a great ride but the return time for Splash Mountain was about 30 minutes away still.  Madame Leona HeadstoneSo we walked over and pretty much walked on Haunted Mansion and then headed to adventure land and rode the Magic Carpets (another walkon).  Brinn could not be talked into riding Splash Mountain again, so Kristen took both sets of fast passes so that she and Maddy could ride twice.  Trying on hatsAfter being wet half the previous day at Animal Kingdom, I opted for a dry afternoon! :-)  Brinn and I headed for Pirates of the Carribbean and that was almost a walk on.  Picture with Hook and SmeeWe shopped in the store there for quite a while, and then stood in line for a picture with Captain Hook and Smee.  Contacted Kristen on the radio and she was in line for the second ride, so we headed that way and actually caught them coming down the drop!  Mommy and Maddy on Big SM dropWe met them at the stroller and everyone decided they were hungry (it was around 11am) 

Since it was 11am, it was time for the first Goofy Jamboree in the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon.  Goofy JamboreeWhile seeing all the characters: Goofy, Chip, Dale, Woody, Jesse and Bullseye – It was a bit much.  Everyone all crowded on the dance floor.  Parents trying to take video and pictures – it was kind of a madhouse.  I would be better if only children were allowed on the dance floor.  There were so many adults, that the kids could not see at all.  We just stayed over on the edge and watched.  We ended up leaving before the show was even over.  I think Disney will rethink this show.  It just doesn’t work well with so many people. 

Turkey Leg!Time for my Turkey Leg!!!!  :-)  Stopped off and bought one, and then we all headed to the Columbia House to get the rest of lunch.  The girls had the mac and cheese, I got the Clam Chowder in a bread bowl and Kristen got the chicken and fish combo.  I broke off pieces of the turkey leg and everyone really did like it.  I couldn’t break off the pieces fast enough.  :-)  The Clam Chowder was excellent, and the bread bowl delicious.  Kristen enjoyed the chicken and fish and the girls liked theirs as well.  A hit all around and a nice cool place to eat it in. 




Stitch!After lunch we walked through Fantasyland, and I’m glad we didn’t have to do anymore rides there.  There was a 60 minute posted wait time for Peter Pan and 40 minutes for Small World.  So the girls decided to shop a bit in Tinkerbell’s Treasures while dad ran around Fantasyland and took a few pictures.  Then we walked down and caught most of the Cinderella Celebration show from the bridge into Frontierland.  Not a bad view actually.  :-)  We even caught Stitch right after the show!

Bedroom Then we headed out of the park, doing a bit of shopping on the way out.  We caught the boat back to the Wilderness Lodge, and loaded up the car for our trip to Vero.  We took Route 4 to 528 and then down 95.  Probably would have made it in less than two hours if we hadn’t made a stop for groceries.  Other half of bedroomBut we did, so it was about 2.5 hours.  It was just past 4:30, so our room was ready, and WHAT a room we got! It has a direct ocean view on the top (3rd) floor. (There are only a VERY few of these) so we consider ourselves EXTREMELY lucky!  (But very happy!)  The room is beautiful and we do notice the larger size than rooms at the VWL or BCV.  But all the windows and the fantastic view is the best!   :-)

Livingroom We quickly settled in – made dinner reservations at Sonya’s and then headed down to the pool for a quick dip.  First we checked out the beach, and it looked beautiful.  We’ll be spending some quality time there tomorrow!  :-)  Then into the pool area.  It is all locked behind gates and your room key is necessary for access.  More livingroomThe pool water was VERY warm – think bath water – and only about three and a half feet deep.  The pool slide is a lot of fun, but closed almost immediately after our arrival (closed at 6pm)  The girls only got one ride.  (And weren’t too happy about that!) :-)

Back toward Kitchen There is a nice pool/snack bar called Bleachers.  Eb and Flow’s handles rentals (bikes, boogie boards, tennis rackets, etc.)  The kiddie water playland  has a pirate ship that is fun for the littles, and beyond that is miniature golf (a dollar a game for DVC members).  View from deckThere is also a place for camp fires off the boardwalk over the sand dunes.  It is just a beautiful resort.

It was time to get ready for dinner, so we all took showers and cleaned up.  Sonya’s has a seafood buffet on Thursday and Sunday nights, so I didn’t want to miss this.  Kristen is not a big seafood fan, so she ended up ordering off the Shutter’s menu (they will let you order off either menu if you request it).  The buffet was wonderful and I really enjoyed it.  Pre-bedtime funWe were all tired after such a long day and headed back to settle in for the night.  Tried out the washer/dryer and found that the dryer had a super loud squeek.  Called maintenance, and they quickly sent someone up.  He thought it was the bearings, and would have a different unit delivered the next day.  They were very nice and apologized for any inconvenience.  Time for be – we want to get up bright and early to enjoy the pool and beach!

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