Well, we're almost there. Thanks to the newly increased speed limits in
Georgia and Florida, what had been an eleven hour drive from Chattanooga
is now only nine hours. I can *do* that in one day! (Even with a big
goat-floater rainstorm between Atlanta and Valdosta.)
Because our local Disney Store wanted six to eight weeks to get us
Annual Pass vouchers, we elected to buy them at the Disney AAA Welcome
Center in Ocala, Florida. Folks, this place is worth a stop, even if you
don't need tickets. Since AAA came on board, they have added animated
window displays (a la the Emporium), a seven minute orientation video,
and ten-foot high cutouts of Mickey and Minnie out front (and yes, Rick
and Carol, I'll send you a print if my new camera is working).
AAA members can also get assistance with maps (we forgot our Orlando
street map), hotel reservations (for the hopelessly unprepared), and
even restaurant reservations (which is a big help for those of us
staying off-property). A micro-Disney Store and a small forrest of
brochures, including the weekly park activity schedules, and you've got
much more than just a clean restroom.
We got our annual passes issued directly--no "take these vouchers to the
Guest Services window" routine. Great! This should save us about 45
minutes. The bad news is that the annual passes no longer have your
photo on them, so you have to have a photo ID and show that *and* your
pass for admission. I'll let you know how well this works for people
without drivers licences (like Marta) Real Soon Now.
I'm not sure how to describe the Cast Members at the AAA counter. They
act like AAA employees in what they will do, but they have Disney name
tags (and attitudes). CM Barbara not only helped us with our missing map
and park schedules, when we told her we were on a "Tigger Hunt" and
wanted reservations for every character meal where he could be found,
she called up Disney's Dining Reservations, tracked down every likely
site, and got us reservations for all of them. We also discussed our
three cats, her three cats, and Sassy's Law (Cats rule and dogs drool!).
Because we couldn't get into our Kissimmee hotel tonight, we are staying
in the Ocala Holiday Inn, about 90 minutes north of the park. This was
as close as we could get for this date due to late departures of holiday
revelers. Even so, with a 6am alarm clock and a quick breakfast in our
room, we should be at the Epcot turnstiles about 30 minutes before the
official opening time. We hope to supplement our breakfast with coffee
and Danish at the Electric Umbrella and be ready for a full first day.
This report won't be uploaded until tomorrow, since this hotel doesn't
have data ports (or even modular jacks) on its telephones. HI Maingate
promises same, so we should be in good shape to keep you informed.
Now to sleep, perchance to dream...
()_()
 (_)  Bruce (Are we there yet?) Metcalf
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 þ OLX 2.1 TD þ Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality.
--- FLAME v1.1
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