Nico Meets Mickey: Travel

Tom, Lyd, Sal, Kate and Nico
October, 2010 at Disney World
Sun, Oct 3 through Fri, Oct 8

Sun, Oct 3^rd >>>

The alarm went off at 0500, but we were both already awake. We left the house just after 0600 for the drive to the airport. The flight from Salisbury to Philadelphia was uneventful and we had breakfast sandwiches from the Wendy’s in the airport food court. We went to gate B5 and the family was already waiting for us. Nico was excited to see the airplanes and the baggage carts and people carts all around the terminal. We boarded on time and Nico settled in quickly. Sal & Kate brought toys and other activities for the flight and Nico was great. Carlos, (not Chris and not Aziz), from Mears Transport, met us and took us to BLT. We stopped, enroute, at Publix, and Sal insisted on picking up the grocery tab. We moved into room 7605, a Bay Lake view room with two bedrooms and a living room. I walked over to the Magic Kingdom and secured the park tickets. The rep at customer relations insisted Lyd be present with a photo Id to enable the activation of her annual pass. When I told him I had asked that specific question and had been told it was NOT necessary for her to be present, he relented and activated the pass. I also secured the park tickets for Kate and Sal.

The Eastern Shore is made up of watermen. The airport has models of some of their boats.

We had brunch at the Wendy's in the Philly airport.

Nico was as Good as Gold on the flight to Orlando.

Mears Transportation has a private garage at the Orlando airport.

We always feel wonderful when we go under this arch.

An EPCOT-bound monorail.

The Contemporary Resort in the foreground and Bay Lake Tower (BLT) in the background.

Bay Lake Tower, our new home!

<<< Flying Fish >>>

We left the room at 1700 and took a monorail to the Magic Kingdom. From there we caught a bus to the Boardwalk Hotel. Tony, the Sous Chef, gave us a warm welcome at Flying Fish (we've known him for years) and introduced us to Theresa, our server for the evening, who brought us the menu. We also met Stig, a restaurant manager. Nico was great throughout the dinner as the serving staff doted on him, bringing him little treats including a multi-colored “ice-cube.” Lyd started with a vodka martini (7.50) and I had a Maker’s Mark Manhattan (9.25). For starters, Kate and I each had the Calamari and Lyd and Sal had the Floribbean Wild Gulf Shrimp Cocktail. Lyd continued with the Nantucket Bay Clam Chowder, followed by the Acadian Farms Dutch Mussels. Kate chose the Potato-wrapped Red Snapper. Sal picked Orrechiette Pasta “Frutti di Mare”. At Tony’s suggestion, I had the Crispy Tempura Whole Local Day-boat Yellowtail Snapper. In addition to a variety of veggies, Nico had some grilled chicken skewers. Following dinner, we took a bus back to the Magic Kingdom and the monorail back to BLT. The boat parade came through at 2210, but I was the only one awake, until the music started, that is!