Fort Myers to Orlando
Amazing how much quicker you get from one place to another when you drive on the interstates !
We left around 8.30 this morning and just before midday we were driving along World Drive into the Beach Club at Disney World – and that was after an unexpected detour as well.
The morning started with bright sunshine as we headed north. After about half an hour we noticed the electronic sign boards above the roadway indicating an accident ahead and other sign boards advising to listen to the traffic radio when the lights were flashing – and the lights were flashing. We tuned into the radio which told us that about 40 miles ahead there was an accident blocking 2 lanes. Even though we are on holidays, my accounting brain told me that as there were only 2 lanes on the freeway going in this direction then the road was going to be blocked ! The signs also indicated to expect delays between 2 exits that were 7 miles apart – so a pretty big delay seemed to loom ahead for us. Adrienne quickly got the GPS and her Ipad working overtime checking the maps and working out an alternate route. Pretty quickly she had options at the ready.
We got to the point where the first delay was expected and the traffic was still moving. We headed on past the next possible exit and just as we got to the final possible exit we could see the traffic stopped ahead so we branched off the interstate. Not too far along our alternative route, we realised that a lot of others had had the same idea and the traffic slowed almost to a stop. We decided to detour a bit further and moved along a bit quicker in the outside lane. But we then realised a set of traffic lights was causing the slow traffic and thanks to a slow truck we managed to whip around onto our original detour. The traffic was moving well and luckily this road bought us back into join the interstate just ahead of the accident – we could see the traffic banked back behind it. So our detour had only cost us about 15 minutes.
Skyway Bridge at St Petersburg
Heading further north toward St Petersburg – no not the Russian one, the Florida one – we came to the spectacular Skyway Bridge which spans Tampa Bay. It is just over 4 miles long and 180 feet high at its highest point. The “Travel Channel” rates it #3 in the top 10 bridges in the world ! It was built to replace a bridge which collapsed after 2 ships collided and hit the bridge as well, back in 1980.
Just as we crossed the bridge we headed into a big thunderstorm. They sure do big thunderstorms here ! Even with the wipers going full tilt, you can hardly see out the front window and if there is a truck beside you, you may as well be driving with your eyes closed. We pretty much drove the rest of the way to Orlando in and out of thunderstorms.
We arrived at the Beach Club entrance just on midday. The gate keeper came out and asked if we were checking in. I said yes and gave our name and he went back in to his little gate house. He then came back with our authorized parking sign to leave in the car and concluded with “Happy Anniversary !” You see Disney really is all about imagination and fantasy – or stretching it as far as you can ! When Adrienne booked, she told them how much we were looking forward to our trip as we were celebrating our anniversary. She made it clear that our anniversary wasn’t while we were there but “a few weeks ago” and this trip was part of our celebration. Apparently that’s nothing when it comes to stretching the imagination by some people !
The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA !
I can’t begin to describe the uniquely “Disney” things that go on – I would be the black sheep here I’m sure – but here is a sample –
Anyway, we drive in and have our bags taken from the car. Adrienne and Liam head in to check-in while I take the car to the self park area. As I get back to the front door, I am met by cast member Rony who beckons me to come this way. So we go in and Adrienne and Liam are at the desk. Cast member Van is checking us in. Next thing there are people behind us with balloons and clapping and singing – the Anderson’s are the “Beach Club Family of the Day” ! So we get our photo taken with the “Captain” of the Beach Club, Rony, cast member Anouk (from the Netherlands – all the cast members have their name and where they are from on their badge) and all the other people checking in drool with envy – or sneer with jealousy !
Beach Club looking across the lake
Part of the deal is an upgrade to “Club Level” – the top floor with balcony and views and a lounge stocked with various food and drink at various times of the day – Coffee, Breakfast, Light Snacks, Hors d’oeuvres & Drinks, Deserts and Cordials. We had booked a good room but these are normally twice the price at $550 a night !
We are also supposed to get priority deck chairs at the exclusive pool but as it was stormy the rest of the afternoon the pool was closed. After some lunch in the Beach Club Marketplace, we went for a walk around the place. Oh…. I forgot….we also received “Happy Anniversary” badges when we checked in (Liam got an “I’m Celebrating” badge as well) and so every cast member that you walk past says “Happy Anniversary”. Do you know how many cast members there are at Disney World ?
Adrienne had booked us a “meal package” which gives you various lunch and dinner options at better than “walk in” Disney prices. So we found a cafe in the Beach Club and had nice bread rolls whilst we watched the Disney diehards making the most of the wet weather outside.
About 4pm we headed to the Magic Kingdom park on the shuttle bus and arrived about 4.30. It was “Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party” so we got to stay in the park past normal closing time. We did a few rides and had dinner at the “Liberty Tree Cafe”. It was a traditional dinner of roast meats (turkey, beef and pork with turkey gravy), vegetables (did you know that they classify macaroni cheese as a vegetable in the US?) and Johnny Appleseed cake for desert. It is “all you can eat” so they just keep bringing as much as you like (Liam kept them busy with the turkey). Our waitress, cast member Gerry from the deep south, was a bit of a character and made the meal quite fun, y’all.
When we were leaving, she had arranged a gift for us as well – a small halloween / christmas decoration.
Wilma & Betty have gone a bit overboard with the Dining Plans!
After dinner, as you walked around the park, there were spots that were designated “trick or treat” stops. You were given bags and as you went to each stop they put candy in your bag. Liam is now set for the rest of the trip !
Did I mention “real Disney” people take things Disney very seriously ? I have never seen so many grown up – although I hesitate to use that term to describe them – people dressed up as Disney characters. And some are pretty serious ! There was one guy dressed as Peter Pan – complete with skin tight green stockings !
Fireworks over the Castle
At 9.30pm we found a pretty good spot to watch the Halloween fireworks show. It was a pretty good show too.
By about 10.30pm I think one very excited little girl had had enough excitement for one day and we headed back to the Beach Club to take our weary legs to bed – besides I don’t think I could take anymore “Happy Anniversary”s !
Besides we still had another Disney day coming up …..