Double October Birthday Palooza-Lots New 5/12 & Now Complete!!!!!

[Disneygrl36]

So 6 weeks from today we will be leaving to head to Walt Disney World for a double birthday trip & I have finally decided to start a pre-trip report. I never start too early because I fear I will not have enough things of interest to keep people reading ......so here we are.

My name is Melanie & I am a Disney Fanatic.....there I've said it. It's been a life long issue that I do not see as a problem, but some others do (you know those people who just don't get it ). Very luckily for me, I found a man who shares my love of Disney & we fell in love . His name is Eric & we have been married for 6 years. We have had many wonderful trips to Disney over our 9 years together & we are always excited to go back for more fun.

If you want to get to know us a little better & enjoy reading trip reports here are links to our most recent trips.
Our Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic trip to Disneyland from December 2008 can be viewed here.....A Once in a Lifetime Adventure in Walt's Wonderful World
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2035488
Here we are with the Partners Statue at the Walt Disney studios from that trip.

My 40th birthday cruise spectacular from October 2007 can be viewed here.....Pumpkins, Pirates & Poppins-a Magical Halloween cruise
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1597087
Here we are in our winning Halloween costumes from that trip.

Our birthdays are exactly a week apart-mine falls on Halloween & Eric's is Oct 24th. I have celebrated my birthday at Walt Disney World once back in 2004 when we went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party on my Halloween birthday.

I also celebrated my birthday aboard the Disney Magic which was fantastic. Eric has never celebrated his birthday at Disney so with the free on your birthday promotion this year it seemed like we should consider going back to WDW. We put our top 3 contenders (Quebec, Washington DC & WDW) in a hat & drew out WDW.We were a bit late not deciding until May so we weren't able to get the resort we really wanted but we started planning from there. We have not been to Walt Disney World for an entire vacation since 2006-we have had a day or two on our way other places but not an entire week devoted to the parks. So, we are excited to go back to our happy place again & spend lots of time in the parks having a blast.

Next installment..........trip details.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yay, I made it over! I'm excited to see what your plans are

 

[travelmel]

Hi Melanie!

I'm so excited! I miss you as a trip reporter! I'm not on dis as much as I used to be but I'm excited I found your new PTR! I am looking forward to following your adventures and seeing your eye for the details at WDW.

OT: I remember your cake decorating days and wanted to share my recent creation! My girls have had a weird (long story) rule since they were about 5 or 6 yrs old that they could not eat bubble gum until they were 13. Well, at the time it seemed like a million years away BUT! it finally arrived and so we had a big "Bubble Gum Birthday Extravaganza" for the first one to cross the 13 yr old threshold. It was big news in our house.. sort of like quinesenetta but with bubblegum instead of womanhood Here was the cake:

The mosaic in the center is made out of sticks of gum and the outter ring is gumballs

I hope you didn't mind the OT and I so look forward to your TR!

And hey... I guess since this is a Birthday trip maybe this isn't totally OT afterall!

Happy Upcoming Birthday to both of you!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Yay, I made it over! I'm excited to see what your plans are

Tammie!!!! So glad to see you here.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Hi Melanie!

I'm so excited! I miss you as a trip reporter! I'm not on dis as much as I used to be but I'm excited I found your new PTR! I am looking forward to following your adventures and seeing your eye for the details at WDW.

OT: I remember your cake decorating days and wanted to share my recent creation! My girls have had a weird (long story) rule since they were about 5 or 6 yrs old that they could not eat bubble gum until they were 13. Well, at the time it seemed like a million years away BUT! it finally arrived and so we had a big "Bubble Gum Birthday Extravaganza" for the first one to cross the 13 yr old threshold. It was big news in our house.. sort of like quinesenetta but with bubblegum instead of womanhood Here was the cake:

The mosaic in the center is made out of sticks of gum and the outter ring is gumballs

I hope you didn't mind the OT and I so look forward to your TR!

And hey... I guess since this is a Birthday trip maybe this isn't totally OT afterall!

Happy Upcoming Birthday to both of you!

Hi Melissa!!!! &
Glad you found me. I haven't been DISing as much either, but have been more since we have our trip coming up.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your bubblegum cake. So creative. I haven't made any cakes lately....need to get inspired to do one, but trying to loose weight & making cakes don't go well together.

 

[Disneygrl36]

We really wanted to stay at the Beach Club Villas because of the proximity to EPCOT & alot of the places we are going to be eating, but since I was past the 7 month window for DVC reservations outside your home resort, there was nothing there or at the Boardwalk or Animal Kingdom Villas which were my top three picks. So we settled for Saratoga Springs & requested the Congress Park section because I have read it is the closest to Dowtown Disney.

Since DTD has the bus hub for visiting other resorts, it should work out just fine. Hopefully we will have a cool view of DTD like this too!

I am excited to stay there since it will be new to us & it is one of our HOME resorts & we have never even visited.

So on with the plans............
Friday Oct 23rd-Fly out of Knoxville via Air Trans (our first time flying with them). Arrive MCO around 3:15pm. Magical Express to Saratoga Springs

Saturday Oct 24th-Eric's Birthday. He wants to be in EPCOT for his birthday. We have a special lunch planned (more on our dining plans at a later date). I am trying to decide about calling & trying to book the Segway tour that morning as a surprise for him for his bday, but cannot decide. Enjoy the Food & Wine Festival for dinner probably snacking & drinking around the world. Illuminations!!!!!

Sunday Oct 25th-Magic Kingdom. I had some trouble coming up with our park day schedules where we could fit in Spectromagic & Wishes because of the Halloween parties that are going on & because we wanted to build in some no park/do other stuff days. So, Magic Kingdom closes at 7pm for a party this day & there is no regular Wishes. Hang out at the Contemporary & watch party fireworks & Electrical Water Pageant after dinner. Also plan to check out Bay Lake Towers too!

Monday Oct 26th-Day off from the parks. Hang out at the pool at Saratoga Springs. Go play Winter/Summerland Mini-Golf. Shop at Downtown Disney. Dinner with 2 dear friends we made on our Backstage Magic Adventures by Disney.

Tuesday Oct 27th-Disney Hollywood Studios. I had some trouble with this as well as there is NO Fantasmic several nights & this is one of them. I kept trying to tweak my schedule but it just wasn't working the way I wanted it to....so unless they change it up no "some imagination huh"for us-but after seeing it at Disneyland last year.....it is better there anyway!!!!

Wednesday Oct 28th-Animal Kingdom. Evening hours will be spent at the Boardwalk with a nice dinner & hanging out with the dueling piano players at Jellyrolls!!!!

Thursday Oct 29th-Morning & early afternoon free because we are going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party!!!! and we will have stayed out late at Jellyrolls Wed night.

Friday Oct 30th-Day off to chill after our late night at the PAR-TAY. The plan is to go to the Magic Kingdom area resorts for some hopping around. We have never rented the little speed boats & want to do this & tool around on Bay Lake. Special meal at Grand Floridian. Evening we will probably hang out at DTD

Saturday Oct 31st-My Birthday...back to EPCOT. Enjoy food & wine festival for lunch. Want to do the Behind the Seeds tour of the greenhouse at the Land as this is something we have always wanted to do & have never done. Illuminations again-cause it's Eric's favorite.

Sunday Nov 1st-fly home after lots of fun.

I am open to suggestions on what to do on our free time/no park days. I am sure there are plenty of places at WDW that we haven't made it to that are really cool. So bring on the advice.

P.S. All pictures here are lifted from google image search & aren't mine.

Up next.........where in the world are we going to eat!!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hi Melanie I don't think I've 'talked' to you since you finished your ABD trip report! I stumbled upon your PTR and I'm really glad I did, I'm looking forward to reading another of your reports.

Your plans sound good so far. I think the Segway tour sounds like a great idea!

 

[travelmel]

Love all your fun pictures to go with your "not yet been there done that" plans! So fun! You know how to pack in the photo's..

I would love to do that segueway tour BUT if it's a choice between that or the garden tour I'd pick the garden tour.. seems like a nice "seasonal" thing to do. Other things to help consider whether or not to do the segueway tour: 1) Do you have any other special plans or ideas for the birthday celebration day?
2) Have you and eric done the segueway before?
3) What was the thing holding you back or making you hesitant this time?

As for what to do when not at Disney? Were you thinking about only things to do at Disney besides parks or outside of disney as well? For me... my NUMBER ONE thing I would just about have to do if I ever make it to Florida would be the Dolphin Cove experience. Have you ever thought of that place?

Jellyrolls sounds like so much fun.. that is definitely something that would be on my list. I am really sad that they took down the Adventurer's Club before I ever had a chance to go there. I just think that sounded like the coolest thing ever.

As for places to eat: Do you like cheese? I have been cravign the cheese plate at the Contemporary ever since my idol Oybolshoi reviewed it in her WORLD FAMOUS dining and TR report ______ (link to follow as she doesn't have it in her siggie anymore and I had to ask for it). Anyway, this girl is an AMAZING food reporter and I have been salivating for this thing ever since.

P.S. A shout out to MAGICFOR2 (of is it MAGIK4TOO? ) and Soonergirl! Long time no see

 

[Disneygrl36]

Hi Melanie I don't think I've 'talked' to you since you finished your ABD trip report! I stumbled upon your PTR and I'm really glad I did, I'm looking forward to reading another of your reports.

Your plans sound good so far. I think the Segway tour sounds like a great idea!

Hey you So glad to have you along. It does seem like ages since my ABD trip report. I bet you are getting super excited for your Christmas trip too.

Love all your fun pictures to go with your "not yet been there done that" plans! So fun! You know how to pack in the photo's..

I would love to do that segueway tour BUT if it's a choice between that or the garden tour I'd pick the garden tour.. seems like a nice "seasonal" thing to do. Other things to help consider whether or not to do the segueway tour: 1) Do you have any other special plans or ideas for the birthday celebration day?
2) Have you and eric done the segueway before?
3) What was the thing holding you back or making you hesitant this time?

As for what to do when not at Disney? Were you thinking about only things to do at Disney besides parks or outside of disney as well? For me... my NUMBER ONE thing I would just about have to do if I ever make it to Florida would be the Dolphin Cove experience. Have you ever thought of that place?

Jellyrolls sounds like so much fun.. that is definitely something that would be on my list. I am really sad that they took down the Adventurer's Club before I ever had a chance to go there. I just think that sounded like the coolest thing ever.

As for places to eat: Do you like cheese? I have been cravign the cheese plate at the Contemporary ever since my idol Oybolshoi reviewed it in her WORLD FAMOUS dining and TR report ______ (link to follow as she doesn't have it in her siggie anymore and I had to ask for it). Anyway, this girl is an AMAZING food reporter and I have been salivating for this thing ever since.

P.S. A shout out to MAGICFOR2 (of is it MAGIK4TOO? ) and Soonergirl! Long time no see

Well Melissa........
I was holding back on the Segway tour mostly just because of cost. We have never done it & I think it would be tons of fun. I don't have any other special birthday plans......I was thinking of getting a special cake for his birthday but we would have to have it at lunch since that is going to be our sit down meal for the day & what would we do with the leftovers?
We won't have a car to get over to Discovery Cove, but that is definetly on my list to do sometime. When Universal opens Harry Potter Wizarding World I think we will actually do a few days off Disney property to see that & maybe we could do that then too. I always just want to stay immersed in the Disney magic when I am there.
The cheese plate at the California Grill is too die for....we have had it before. We debated about going back, but decided to try someplace new this time...........

Stay tuned update coming up......

 

[Disneygrl36]

So yesterday after posting about our plans.....I pondered on the surprise for DH's bday & decided to call to see if they had any spots left that day on the Segway tour. They did so I booked us on the 8:30 tour that day. I am going to try really hard to keep this a secret from him. I was also able to go ahead & book the Behind the Seeds tour of the Land Greenhouse for my birthday at 11:30. So yeah for tours.
Here's what we will be experiencing.

In related news, our Magical Express booklet & luggage tags came yesterday & that always seems to make the vacation seem much more real to me for some reason.

 

[SoonerGirl]

P.S. A shout out to MAGICFOR2 (of is it MAGIK4TOO? ) and Soonergirl! Long time no see

Hey there Melissa!

Hey you So glad to have you along. It does seem like ages since my ABD trip report. I bet you are getting super excited for your Christmas trip too.

I am - it's finally starting to feel real. I can make ADRs on Sunday!

Yay! You booked the Segway tour. I can't wait to hear how you like it. There is a good possibility that I will be taking a trip next spring with my mom for the Flower & Garden Festival and the Segway tour was one of the things that I am looking at to surprise her with.

 

[Disneygrl36]

So on the appointed day in July, I got up at 6am to make our dining plans. It is so funny to me how we all stress & get up early to make plans for where we are going to eat in 3 months. But, we all know if you don't do it, your chances of getting to eat where you want are slim to none at WDW.

So the plans for yummy eats include several new places for us this time. We decided to branch out & try some places we have not eaten before, but still have a fair number of favorites on our list that are must do's too!

Arrival day Oct 23rd
We decided to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge & give Jiko a try.

I have wanted to try this dish forever.....Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon - with Macaroni & Cheese and Red Wine Sauce. And lookee what else they have.....Artisan Cheese Selection - Enjoy a selection of sheep and goat cheeses from around the world selected by our chefs and uniquely paired with fig toast, house-made jams, and marinated fruits. Our selection changes daily based on availability and levels of ripeness. I think it will be mine.

Oct 24th-Eric's Birthday
We love Le Cellier & in May for our quick one day visit to Epcot we did it for lunch instead of dinner. Got our favorite.......Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon - with wild mushroom risotto, white truffle and herb butter sauce & it was cheaper than at dinner. So Eric decided that was what he wanted to do for his birthday!

For dinner, we plan to snack & drink our way around the world with the Epcot Food & Wine Festival.


Oct 25th
Lunch in the Magic Kingdom-probably will be at Columbia Harbor House because we love their sandwiches.

Dinner at The Wave in the Contemporary...I liked the looks of the vibe here & then thought we could sneak up to the California Grill for a drink & watch the MNSSHP fireworks.

Oct 26th
Day off from the parks. We will probably eat lunch at Saratoga Springs that day or walk over to DTD.
Dinner will be at Raglan Road with Sakina & Mildred our two friends from our Adventures by Disney trip last Dec. They live in Orlando & they are meeting us at DTD to eat. I have really wanted to try this place as we love Irish Pubs so this should be a lot of fun & they have entertainment too.

Oct 27th
Disney Hollywood Studios
Lunch at our old favorite The Brown Derby...love the food & atmosphere here.

Since the park closes at 7..not sure if we will eat dinner there or if we might walk back along the path to the Boardwalk & maybe eat there at like ESPN or Big River Grille.

Oct 28th
Animal Kingdom
Lunch with either be at Flame Tree BBQ or we might try the Quick Service side at Yak & Yeti.
Animal Kingdom closes at 5 so we are going to go back to SSR & then head out to dinner at Yachtman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club. This is another one we have always wanted to try.

Oct 29th
MNSSHP day!!!!
Not sure about lunch.
Dinner will be early at the Plaza Inn. I hope they still will let you in at 4pm for the party even though the advertised start time is 7pm. I have wanted to try one of their burgers & shakes here ever since reading lurkyloo's trip report.

Oct 30th
Day out of the parks.
A tradition for us........afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. This is the first place we had afternoon tea together & ever since we seek out tea rooms when we travel. I am excited to go back since we haven't been since 2005.

Dinner will probably be at Earl of Sandwich at DTD & ice cream at Ghriadelli's.

Oct 31st-My Bday
Back to EPCOT.
Lunch will be grazing at Food & Wine again probably.
I chose dinner at Rose & Crown with the hopes of getting a patio table to watch Illuminations. I was very torn what to choose & Rose & Crown is probably not my favorite for food, but I have always wanted to watch Illuminations from here. So keep your fingers crossed that we get a table on the patio.

Ugh...........I feel full already.
I am on Weight Watchers currently & doing well, but I will be taking a little break to indulge myself on vacation. I hope I don't gain back all I have lost, but at least all the walking off sets some of the eating. I will try to restrain myself some.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

so this hat you drew out of, i am guessing there were 27 WDW in htere and one of DC and one of canada

 

[Disneygrl36]

I am - it's finally starting to feel real. I can make ADRs on Sunday!

Yay! You booked the Segway tour. I can't wait to hear how you like it. There is a good possibility that I will be taking a trip next spring with my mom for the Flower & Garden Festival and the Segway tour was one of the things that I am looking at to surprise her with.

for your ADR's. That would be a great surprise for your Mom. I have read lots of good reviews of the tour & since Epcot (esp World Showcase) is Eric's fav, I really thought it would be a fun birthday surprise.

so this hat you drew out of, i am guessing there were 27 WDW in htere and one of DC and one of canada

Very funny Dan!!!!!! No there was one of each choice if you can believe that...... It was time to head back to WDW so of course we pulled that one out.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Very funny Dan!!!!!! No there was one of each choice if you can believe that...... It was time to head back to WDW so of course we pulled that one out.

oh i get it, you never said they were folder or it was a blind draw, i guess you could have just wrote it down face up and placed it in a hat, then picked the one you wanted.

haha

i might have to steal that idea for my TR when i start it.

 

[Disneygrl36]

oh i get it, you never said they were folder or it was a blind draw, i guess you could have just wrote it down face up and placed it in a hat, then picked the one you wanted.

haha

i might have to steal that idea for my TR when i start it.

Guess I should have explained that it was a blind draw...with small pieces of paper with the destinations written on them. It was just fate for us to head back to WDW although I have to be honest & say that we did pic out Quebec first but after some research decided that Mont Tremblant where we wanted to go has nothing at all going on in October!!!!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Guess I should have explained that it was a blind draw...with small pieces of paper with the destinations written on them. It was just fate for us to head back to WDW although I have to be honest & say that we did pic out Quebec first but after some research decided that Mont Tremblant where we wanted to go has nothing at all going on in October!!!!

haha i was just giving you a hard time, but now the truth comes out.

way to go on getting a lucky second pick.

 

[Disneygrl36]

So after looking at my plans 9000 different ways & trying to come up with a better option for our Magic Kingdom day so we could see regular Wishes which we LOVE, I was about to pull my hair out. Until I had an epiphany.We are buying a 5 day pass (no hopping, no bells & whistles) so I looked up what a 6 day pass is & it's only 3$ more. So, I thought to myself, why not buy a 6 day pass & just go in on Monday the 26th when we are taking a day off from the parks & just watch WISHES. We are having dinner with friends at Raglan Road that night so I contacted them to see if moving dinner up to 5:30 would work for them & it does, so Jiminy Cricket quick as a bunny I got on-line & changed our reservation & now we can see WISHES after all!!!!! Yippee

I still wasn't able to make Fantasmic work out.......but we just say it last December in Disneyland & it's better there anyways, so instead of changing everything up we will just be content to miss it.

I also tried calling today to see if there was any studios anywhere besides Saratoga Springs.........no luck except a day or two here & there. We are still waitlisted for Beach Club & Boardwalk, but it looking like SSR will be our home which is ok too....but it never hurts to check.

 

[SoonerGirl]

I don't know if it's still like this or not, but when we went in October of 2006, Wishes was not the regular Wishes, it was just an abreviated version of HalloWishes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get to see the normal Wishes!

 

[Disneygrl36]

I don't know if it's still like this or not, but when we went in October of 2006, Wishes was not the regular Wishes, it was just an abreviated version of HalloWishes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get to see the normal Wishes!

Oh, I hope that isn't the case.........I love Wishes.

5 weeks from today at this time we will be lunching at Le Cellier........Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Mushroom filet here we come!!!!!!