Packing and leaving home were uneventful. Used off-site parking at BWI. Shuttle was quick and 30% cheaper than airport parking.
Now for Southwest... Be Aware, they have a weight limit on baggage. 50 lb limit on all luggage. 51 - 70 pounds will cost $25 extra per bag and >70 lbs is $50 per bag. We had one bag over 50# and one over 70# and then a garmet bag that weighed 22#. What a scene, trying to stuff shoes and jeans into carry ons and the garmet bag. The attendent was not very helpful, offered to sell us a duffel bag for $25 dollars. And all this took place at the "express" self checkin kiosks. After an additional charge we were off to the gate. It seemed like everyone is flying Soutwest, the terminal was packed. People were sleeping in the A/B/C boarding lines. We sent DS's to wait in line for us after we ate. DS's also brought homework with them and accomplished some of it during dinner. On the plane, no problem. DH sat in aisle seat, DS's and I sat across from him. DS 12 accused DH of flirting with castmember he was seated next to. "Stephanie" is a waitress at Spoodles.
Arrived at MCO! Budget car rental had no line. But come to find out the coupon we had used on our online ressie was for a minimum of 2 day rental for free upgrade. After mentioning that when I confirmed the res last week with a live person, it was not an issue, we still were upgraded to a full size car. (Buick something.) Oh, and both the mongo suitcases would not fit in the trunk. Had to but one in the back seat with DS's. They had to touch each other.
Arrival at Pop Century: Wow is that place huge. 10pm, no line at check-in. Bought post-cards at gift shop. Got premade sandwiches, wrap, fruit and cheese platter, and small wine to take to the room for a late night snack. DH and I walked a round a little and looked at a few icons at night. Pool open until midnight, didn't dare tell Ds's. Lots of guest in the pools. Had to take a little benadryl to help me and DS 12 get to sleep. And we were up at 0600 the next morning. DH & DS 14 ran around the lake in the am. DS 12 and I walked around the resort for 30minutes. Could hardly wait to get in the car!
Breakfast at Port Orleans. DH had to have the banana stuffed french toast. Yummy! Ordered, gift shop, and ate in less than an hour! DH told the manager how good it was, and I got the recipe! Finally, off to the port! Via Goodings grocery store. Stopped for bottled water, distelled water for DH's Cpap machine, and cash from ATM. Well, DH entered wrong pin number into atm too many times. NO CASH. had to call bank on the way to port, and explain, they said we could get more cash in 24 hours. No problem you charge everything on the ship anyways.
Seemed like it took forever to get out of Orlando! DH drove, loved the satelite radio in the car. I wrote 6 post cards on the way. Next thing I knew he said, "we're almost to Merritt Island." DH is a FL native. (Oh, quick OT. Prior to leaving MD, DH started to freak about no directions from the airport to resort, or resort to port. I told him "follow the signs", which his response was to get on the computer and mapquest all the directions. We did not use those directions, we FOllowed the signs.) Wow was that ship big. Bypassed port for a quick stop for gas prior to returning rental. Gas was cheaper in FL compared to MD. And water bottles at the gass station were only $5 for 24! Dh dropped us off at port to check-in while he returned car and in'laws picked him up at Budget.
More later....
