WDW 9/6/07 – Day 1

This is my first attempt at any sort of trip report, so please bear with me.

This was a solo trip mainly to attend the Night of Joy festivities. I stayed at Pop Century, taking advantage of the free dining offer instead of using the discounted Annual Passholder rate.

We start off early in the morning of Thursday, September 6. By early, I mean 2:30am early!! Although Huntsville offers plenty of flights to MCO, including direct flights, but right now it is much cheaper to make the 2 hour drive to either Birmingham or Nashville. So, the alarm clock sounds at 2:30am, and contrary to my normal beating of the snooze button, I’m up at first sound (the wife thanks me later). One hour later and I’m pulling out of the driveway at exactly 3:30. If only traffic were always this light. I make 1 quick “pit stop” in Gardendale then pull in the parking deck at Birmingham at 5:17.

This was my first time flying out of BHM, so I wasn’t exactly sure how easy or hard it would be. Thankfully, it is a short walk from the parking deck to ticketing, and an even shorter (barely 30 feet) walk to security. There were about 30 people in line to go through security so I was on the other side in about 10 minutes. As short as the walk from check-in to security, the walk from security to my gate (C2) is even shorter. At 5:45 I’m sitting comfortably at gate 2 in the C concourse. Since I had plenty of time, I walked down to the end of C concourse where the Southwest gates are. We are flying Southwest, out of BHM, next month to WDW and will be our first time flying Southwest (Southwest doesn’t fly in/out of HSV). I wanted to get an idea of the gate/boarding madness that is Southwest to hopefully make our October trip a little easier.

At 6:45 the gate agent makes the call to board all rows/zones and we push-back 2 minutes late at 7:02. Just 6 quick minutes to startup and taxi and we’re in the air (I love “small” airports). The flight is uneventful and after 1 hour 13 minutes and change to Eastern time we land at 9:21. Again, a quick 5 minute taxi to the gate and only 10 minutes after landing I’m on the train to the terminal. Other quick “pit stop” before making my way to baggage claim makes for no wait for my bags. For another first, I used National Rental Car for this trip and used the Emerald Aisle service. I reserved a mid-size, but with Emerald Aisle, I chose a Toyota Highlander for this trip. I pull out of the parking deck at 9:52 and into the Pop Century check-in lot at 10:17. Not bad, less than an hour from landing to arrival at Pop Century.

The good thing about checking in so early is there is usually very little line. This time was no exception. I was able to get a room that was already ready (in the 50s yet again). I finished with check-in, made a quick stop at “concierge”, and then took my bags up to the room (2362). I unpacked a few things and change from my big (and heavy thanks to my 3.5 lb monster lens) camera bag to a new smaller bag I got the day before. I gather my lanyard with wallet containing tickets, ID and other items, grab a hat and head out the door for the quick drive over to Epcot.

Even though it is almost noon, the parking lot seems empty (definitely no trams running today). I make the short walk to bag check, stopping along the way to get my first glimpses and photos of the now wandless Spaceship Earth. I get to back check and have my choice of security guards. In no time I’m through bag check and walking through the turnstiles. I stop by the camera store to get a locker to store my tripod for use later during Illuminations.


As I start my journey over to The Land I notice that the “sculpted trees” beside Spaceship Earth have been removed overnight. I get to The Land a grab a Fastpass to Sorin’ even though the wait is only 30 minutes. My Fastpass return time is only 20 minutes out (more about this in the days to come) so I grab a quick bite to eat at Sunshine Seasons, keeping in mind that I have 2:50 ADR at Le Cellier. After I’m done it’s time for my Fastpass at Soarin, B1 yet again (it pays to ask). I grab yet another Fastpass for Soarin’ and then start my trek over to The Seas when I see that The Jamitors have just started their performance. After the Jamitors I make my way to The Seas with Nemo ride and try to take a few photos along the way. It’s quickly time for my second Fastpass to Soarin’….yes, B1 again!!


By now, I need to start making my way to World Showcase. But first I needed to stop at Club Cool and get my Beverly fix. YIKES!! I wanted to catch The Voices of Liberty, so I catch a friendship boat to Morocco instead of walking. I get some photos of Belle and The Beast and then Aladdin and Jasmine before making my way to the American Adventure. I arrive about 20 minutes early for Voice so I look at the paintings when I hear the Fife and Drum Corp outside. I head back outside for photos and a listen then claim my front and center spot back inside for The Voice of Liberty. As usual, they are awesome. However, this time was something special that I had not previously experienced. They finished the performance with the Star Spangled Banner. I walked out with goose bumps and could have easily ended my trip right then. The next time you’re in the American Adventure take a look at the two paintings below for some interesting illusions, and don’t forget the Hidden Mickeys!


It’s time to start the trek over to Canada. I grab a few photos along the way and before I know it I’m checking in at Le Cellier. It’s my first time dining at Le Cellier and I have to have the “Scopa Special”. I start out with the wonderful Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, water and a Mango Smoothie followed by the 10 oz. New York Strip Steak and finish up with the Chocolate Whiskey Cake. After I finish I decide to stay in Canada and catch the newly updated O Canda CircleVision film, now hosted by Martin Short.



I make my way back over to Future World East for the grand tour of Test Track, Mission: SPACE (spin me please) and Universe of Energy (first time in 20+ years). After my nap in UoE (well, not exactly) I make my way over to the Imagination Pavillion. I ride Journey Into Imagination twice (second time for photos) and then barely caught the last showing of Honey I Shrunk the Audience.


I head to my locker to get the tripod and then make the journey to Mexico for my first time through Gran Fiesta Tour. I jump back in line (well, I wouldn’t call it a line) to ride it again for photos and Hidden Mickeys. Soon I head next door to Norway and Maelstrom. By now it’s almost 8:30 so I claim my spot for Illuminations. There was a pretty good breeze out of the east so I setup along the railing between Norway and Mexico. After another awesome showing of Illumnations I’m making my way back to the car. With the east walkway around Spaceship Earth closed off for the wand removal, it was slow going as I got to Spaceship Earth. Soon, though, I was out the exit, and thanks to the close parking place, quickly in the car for the trip back to Pop Century.


I get back to the room and start dumping the photos onto the laptop. As the photos copy I head down to Everything Pop to grab a late bite to eat. I finish the photos, eat and then get ready for bed. It’s now after midnight and day 1 is over….after 10+ miles of walking!!