"CONGRATULATIONS!" "THANK YOU!" A Bride & Groom Disneymoon! UPDATED: 1/19

[sw33t_angel]

Hello Fellow DIS'ERS!

Welcome to my very first Trip Report!

I have been apart of the boards for a while now, but mainly in the Wedding section as I was busy planning my Disney Themed at Home Wedding on November 11, 2011. I will just touch on the wedding briefly here, just to kick off the trip report, but if you want to read more my planning journal is linked in my signature!

I have always been fond of the trip reports section, as most of you probably helped, influenced, and planned my honeymoon! So I thought I would return the favor and hopefully help someone else plan their own Disney vacation, as well as provide some entertainment of our crazy antics!

This was my first Disney trip without my family, and one that I planned entirely by myself! Also with me not being to Disney in 8 years (I know! For Shame!! ) I was curious to see how everything would work out! I am a crazy planner and had apps, folders, print-outs, emails, everything I thought I would need just in case!


First Introductions!

My name is Amber. I am 27, just recently married and currently reside in Charleston, SC but am originally from Texas! I love everything Disney (obviously), as well as some love for my man Harry Potter, candles and Back to the Future. I collect chopsticks and tea pots and love being outdoors, cooking and love traveling, especially to theme parks! I love the Fall, and hope to one day travel to Japan and Egypt! I am now hooked on Pin Trading thanks to my Brother! Music, movies, and playing video and computer games are where most of my free time is spent, the rest is spent taking care of my handful husky Sora who is almost 3!

Favorite Disney Movie: The Little Mermaid
Favorite Disney Character: Pluto
Favorite Disney Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Disney Ride/Attraction: Big Thunder Mountain / Tower of Terror
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Ohana

Thomas a newly married man works as a Software Engineer. He is slowly becoming Disney-ifed like Amber, but knows how to support her obsession in the meantime. He is adventurous and very outdoorsy! Eventually wants to do International traveling and see the world. Loves everything Tech and video and computer games as well as movies and music as well. Loves to try beers and wines especially Fall flavors. Thomas is also now hooked on Pin Trading!

Favorite Disney Movie: The Lion King
Favorite Disney Character: Gaston
Favorite Disney Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Disney Ride/Attraction: Toy Story Mania
Favorite Disney Restaurant: Ohana

Our Honeymoon Itinerary

We stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter on the Deluxe Dining Plan from November 12-19th.

Dining Credits= 42 credits total
Snack Credits= 28 credits total

Saturday-November 12 (MK Day)

Ohana Dinner- 5:00pm
Tomorrowland Dessert Party- 9:00pm

Sunday- November 13 (Epcot Day)

Askershus Princess Breakfast- 8:15am
Coral Reef Lunch- 1:30pm
Tokyo Dining- 7:30 pm

Monday- November 14 (Hollywood Studios Day)

Sci-Fi Dine-In- 12:05pm
California Grill- 7:30 pm

Tuesday- November 15th (Animal Kingdom Day)

Donald Tusker House Breakfast- 8:05am
Yaki & Yeti- 1:30pm
Jiko- 8:20pm

Wednesday- November 16th (Hollywood Studios / Epcot Day)

Mama Melrose Fantasmic Lunch- 1:35pm
Le Cellier Dinner- 7:45pm

Thursday- November 17th ( Animal Kingdom / Hollywood Studios Day)

Flame Tree BBQ
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue- 8:30pm

Friday- November 18th (Magic Kingdom Day / Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party)

Crystal Palace Breakfast- 8:10am
Cinderella's Royal Table- 5:20pm

Saturday- November 19th (Magic Kingdom / Epcot Day)

Chef Mickey's- 11:00am

Coming Up:

*Planning the Trip!

1. The Wedding
2. The Honeymoon Kick-Off!
3. Will We Make Our Ohana Reservation!?
4. What Room Did We Get?

 

[ChattaAlley]

Sounds FUN!! And Congrats.

 

[Mamapapa]

I'm hooked already. Sounds like fun! Hope there will be lots of pictures.....

 

[francis6306]

Awe! Congrats!!! 11/11/11 was a VERY popular wedding date and I had a friend IRL on her Honeymoon in the area (she didn't do a full Disney Honeymoon- but did hit up the parks for one day... ). Can't wait for the TR! I'll pop on and off... can't stay on too long with 2 little princesses that need food and such!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm in!! We got the Mr/Mrs pins too!!

I LOL'd at the Congratulations.... Thank you! It was getting nuts after a while, lol. I even had a random cast member grab my left arm to see my rings, lol.

Can't wait to read all about it!!

 

[NMW]

Subscribing

 

[MrRomance]

Looking forward to your TR!

 

[lilsqueakrr]

i'm here! I'm here! I'm here! <3

 

[Merida]

Subbing! How lucky to get married on 11/11/11.

Also huskies are my favorite; there's a really sweet one next door who is practically my best friend from escaping into our yard so much. Is he named after Sora from Kingdom Hearts?

 

[sw33t_angel]

Sounds FUN!! And Congrats.

Thank you!! It was SO much fun!! Can't wait to share!!

I'm hooked already. Sounds like fun! Hope there will be lots of pictures.....

Welcome!! We got picture happy, so no worries on the lack of pics! We took 400+ alone just with our cameras and 400+ on our photopass!! Hope you like pictures!!

Awe! Congrats!!! 11/11/11 was a VERY popular wedding date and I had a friend IRL on her Honeymoon in the area (she didn't do a full Disney Honeymoon- but did hit up the parks for one day... ). Can't wait for the TR! I'll pop on and off... can't stay on too long with 2 little princesses that need food and such!

It was!! I didn't expect it to be that popular!! Most of the couples we ran into shared our date! All except one who was married on 11/12. I might have seen your fellow bride running around somewhere! We were all over the place! So glad I could get my date though!!

Well thanks for stopping by!! Keep up with those princesses!

I'm in!! We got the Mr/Mrs pins too!!

I LOL'd at the Congratulations.... Thank you! It was getting nuts after a while, lol. I even had a random cast member grab my left arm to see my rings, lol.

Can't wait to read all about it!!

Yay!! Welcome!! Those were the first pins we bought!! Thomas did threaten several times to trade his Mr. pin away if the right pin came along! Luckily he was joking... at least I think so.. haha he became pin obsessed!!

I have never been congratulated so much for anything in my whole life!! It was awesome! My throat was sore the entire trip from all the "Thank Yous!" We had one group of guys literally scream CONGRATULATIONS every time they saw us at DHS! Which was at least 8+ times!! Only at Disney!!

Can't wait to stalk your report too!

Subscribing

Yay! Welcome!!

Looking forward to your TR!

Awww thanks! Glad to have you on board!!

i'm here! I'm here! I'm here! <3

Hello Love!! Stalk away!!

Subbing! How lucky to get married on 11/11/11.

Also huskies are my favorite; there's a really sweet one next door who is practically my best friend from escaping into our yard so much. Is he named after Sora from Kingdom Hearts?

Welcome!! I am so lucky to have had my date!

LOVE huskies!! She is a handful for sure! YES!!! Sora from Kingdom Hearts!! (love that game!!) Even though she is a female, I just had to give her that name! No exceptions!

Here she is!

 

[sw33t_angel]

So just a quick background on the trip and planning, touch or two on the wedding, and then DISNEY!

I got engaged June 2010, after dating Thomas for a little less than 8 years and had already been envisioning what I wanted for my wedding. I had always wanted to get married in Disney ever since I was a little girl, but we are both big family people and we did not want to limit our guest list due to cost, so what better than to have a Disney themed affair! Thomas was on board from the beginning and loved the idea, so I took off!

Now the honeymoon was not much effort to decide, as we are both not huge beach and resort people so naturally a theme park was a perfect fit. Plus we were carrying on both family traditions as my parents, Thomas' parents, and my brother and sister-in-law had all chosen the Mouse as their Honeymoon destination, so it was meant to be!

I had planned several trips to various places like Snowboard trips and Universal, but never a Disney trip alone. Luckily my Brother who is also Disney obsessed knew all the details about the dining plans and first introduced me to the Dis boards! I became obsessed with dining and trip reports and researched every resort and restaurant.

We booked a King room at the Port Orleans-French Quarter early Jan. 2011 and I took off my ADR day so to make sure I could book exactly 180 days out as I had several "must haves" that had to fit into my perfectly orchestrated plan. Fast forward- I got all of my ADRs with no problem including the Fireworks Dessert Party, Fantasmic Dining, and Hoop-Dee-Doo!

So the perfect honeymoon was booked, paid off, and waiting for us on November 12, we just needed to have the perfect wedding! It was amazing!

Beautiful southern setting at a golf course country club at 4:00pm on a chilly November 11th, with Mickey inspired touches everywhere! (I made almost everything for the wedding: invites, centerpieces, table names) My colors were black and teal. Here are just a few guest pictures and sample professionals (I will add more when I get my professional pictures!)

(Hidden Mickeys in my bouquet and in the boutineers)

(Mickey Mouse Ear Cupcakes!)

We partied until around 10 and left for our stay in the Hampton Inn for the night and planned to get up around 5:30am to start our journey to the World!

Up Next:

"What do you mean we are going to get THERE at FIVE!?!?!"

Do we make Ohana and any room pixie dust?!

 

[meggiebeth]

Wonderful TR so far! What a beautiful wedding you had! I love the photos! And your dress is beautiful.

Your bouquet is so pretty! I love the hidden Mickeys and the Mickey key on it! The way you encorporated Disney into everything is great! I would love a wedding like that.

Can't wait for your next update, especially the meals! We ate at a lot of the places you did.

 

[Missyrose]

Joining in, beautiful wedding photos! Congratulations. Can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[vikkii19]

We were there at the same time and we saw you guys more than once. How weird is that. I noticed you guys on Wednesday when we were waiting for our 1:45pm reservation at Mama Melrose and the waiting area was packed. I noticed because you had the wedding ears on and my husband and I went on our honeymoon 2 years ago and wore them on our trip.

We were at the same parks pretty much every day. I noticed you guys again on Friday morning at the Crystal Palace, we had reservations for 8:05am and said to my husband "look it's the honeymooners again...how cute".

Can't wait to hear how your trip went.

 

[stich626]

What cute touches to your big day! subscribing so I can hear more.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Love love love the start of the trip report.

You're cake came out fabulous btw! And I can't wait to see a clearer picture of those centerpieces! Gorgeouss!!!<3

BTW, Dave's on the pin trading bit now too! He's got almost a half of a book done.. I like the pins but I'm more of a Vinylmation kinda gal.

 

[Merida]

What a lovely wedding! And wow, doing everything yourself! It all turned out wonderfully.

I love your dress and those cupcakes - yum!! How sweet that Disney is a traditional honeymooning spot for your family. My choice of dream honeymoon changes every time I turn on the TV, it seems like! Sometimes Disney feels like the easiest trip to pull together while making all of those wedding preparations. There certainly isn't a community like the Dis for every travel spot.

 

[sw33t_angel]

Wonderful TR so far! What a beautiful wedding you had! I love the photos! And your dress is beautiful.

Your bouquet is so pretty! I love the hidden Mickeys and the Mickey key on it! The way you encorporated Disney into everything is great! I would love a wedding like that.

Can't wait for your next update, especially the meals! We ate at a lot of the places you did.

Thanks very much!!

It was such a fun theme to find Mickey stuff, and it all tied in together so well and was still magical and classic and elegant!! I'll plan a wedding and/or vow renewal for you!!

Ooooh the meals!! I am still full from just thinking of them! Can't wait to relive them though!!

Joining in, beautiful wedding photos! Congratulations. Can't wait to hear about your trip!

Welcome!! Thanks!!

We were there at the same time and we saw you guys more than once. How weird is that. I noticed you guys on Wednesday when we were waiting for our 1:45pm reservation at Mama Melrose and the waiting area was packed. I noticed because you had the wedding ears on and my husband and I went on our honeymoon 2 years ago and wore them on our trip.

We were at the same parks pretty much every day. I noticed you guys again on Friday morning at the Crystal Palace, we had reservations for 8:05am and said to my husband "look it's the honeymooners again...how cute".

Can't wait to hear how your trip went.

Aww that is too cool!! I wish I would have had a chance to talk with you!! I was on the lookout for DIS members but didn't have much luck, and was kind of hesitant to ask the people we chatted with, cause if they weren't members they would think I was nuts!

Hahaha I am glad you saw us other days than Mama Melrose... that was not a pleasant experience.. and I was probably not a happy camper!

But a late congratulations to you and your husband!!

Mmm Crystal Palace was soo good! Thanks for posting!! Can't wait to tell you about our adventures!!

What cute touches to your big day! subscribing so I can hear more.

Aww Thanks! Welcome Welcome!!

Love love love the start of the trip report.

You're cake came out fabulous btw! And I can't wait to see a clearer picture of those centerpieces! Gorgeouss!!!<3

BTW, Dave's on the pin trading bit now too! He's got almost a half of a book done.. I like the pins but I'm more of a Vinylmation kinda gal.

Thanks Love!!

Yeah, the cake was simple, but came out really well and it was so moist.. it was delicious, especially when we crammed it in each other's faces!

The centerpieces were a hit!! I loved them!!!

We bought a book and have like 3 pages filled.. haha.. I looked at the Vinylmations, but just couldn't get into them! Maybe because I have no pretty storage displays in my house where I could put them!

What a lovely wedding! And wow, doing everything yourself! It all turned out wonderfully.

I love your dress and those cupcakes - yum!! How sweet that Disney is a traditional honeymooning spot for your family. My choice of dream honeymoon changes every time I turn on the TV, it seems like! Sometimes Disney feels like the easiest trip to pull together while making all of those wedding preparations. There certainly isn't a community like the Dis for every travel spot.

Thank you very much!!!

I would highly recommend Disney for a Honeymoon for sure!! Even if you aren't a theme park go-er every day non-stop they have so much to do at the resorts that you could just do resorts and not even parks!! Everyone is so nice and pleasant and they make you feel so special and welcome, and it is the happiest place on earth!

Hahaha it is rare to find a place that has entire forum community about everything!! Love the DIS!!



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day!! I am just now recovering from my delicious feast! I almost felt like I was back at Disney on the Deluxe Dining Plan!!

Be safe if you go out shopping tonight/tomorrow! Hope everyone gets some good deals!!

 

[sw33t_angel]

So we left Myrtle Beach around 7:15 for the journey to Charleston which to our house is about 2 hours. We had to stop and drop off my dress, his tux, and grab our Honeymoon luggage and drop off various wedding stuff. I had to of course spend a little time with my husky!! I hadn't seen her in a week! We unpacked and repacked the car, stopped and got gas and then we were off. About 30 minutes into the drive to FL, Thomas is calculating how long it is going to take to get there based on google maps. It was probably close to 10:30 at this point. The GPS says 6 hours 55 minutes, which would put us in Orlando at the French Quarter at 5:30!! Cue my freaking out.... WHATT?!!?

So Thomas says we can just go to Ohana's first instead of checking in and then check in after dinner, but then I told him it wouldn't work because we needed our room keys for dinner for the dining plan! So then I am wondering how we got so off course, and we weren't even in Charleston that long!! Thomas says he can get us there with time to spare so no worries!

He may have driven a little faster than normal, and avoided several police cars on the way. I was checking google maps every hour and updating our arrival time, slowly the time was shaving off and we were arriving earlier and earlier. Upon passing the state line into FL, Thomas asked if I thought we had time to stop and get the traditional orange juice at the FL Welcome Center... we were making good time, but I was so paranoid! So we decided yes! But no brochures, no restrooms, just juice and a picture and that's it! Game Plan was in motion, we jumped out of the car sprinted to the visitor's center and waiting uneasily in line as a huge family in front of us with 8 kids couldn't decide whether they wanted grapefruit juice or orange juice... C'MOOOOOONNNNNNN

We grabbed our OJ which tasted awesome, sweet victory! We ran out to the Welcome to FL sign and took our picture, sprinted back to the car and were back on the interstate within 5 minutes!

We ran into some congestion in Jacksonville but arrived at the French Quarter at 3:30!!! I am forever grateful to Thomas for his fast (but safe) driving!!

HOME!!!

The check-in line was not long and soon we were called up next. Nothing too magical- she was very nice, a small congratulations no buttons. She showed us directions to our room. Building 2- Kingbed (which is what I paid for) and it was READY! We inquired about a gas station on property (We had like 20 miles left until empty and wanted to fill up) and mentioned we had an Ohana ressie at 5:00, her eyes got big, and she suggested we drive which will take about 10 minutes and we could nab the gas station on the way. We grabbed our welcome packet and keys and skipped out the door!

We decided to unload the car and get everything in the room since it was about 3:45 at this point, and would get gas, drive to Ohana's, eat, drive back to the French Quarter and then take the bus to the Magic Kindgom for Extra Magic Hours until... 3 AM!!! and the Fireworks Dessert Party!

We parked by building 2 and lugged all of our luggage to our room. DISNEY GOLD!!! Thomas looked at me like I was nuts... A KING, CORNER ROOM, WATER VIEW, 2ND FLOOR. I was in heaven! Thomas not being a DIS member or obsessed with research like me was clueless. I was smiling from ear to ear.

We were in room 2226!

Inside DISNEY GOLD

We unpacked and were off to Ohana! We followed the directions to first get to the Gas station which was a HESS station, and surprisingly not terribly expensive! A very nice CM guided the way after we said we were lost and told us Congratulations and gave us some marriage advice. Something along the lines of "You aren't lost if you have each other!" We got to pass through these babies!

We got gas, got slightly lost for 2 seconds and u-turned and went back through the MK archway to get to the Poly. We went through the same CM's line and he was happy we had found our way and congratulated us again!

It was around 4:25 when we pulled into the Poly. We toured the lobby briefly and found our way upstairs to Ohana. We checked in with no issues and were given a pager. We walked around and looked at the stores and of course took some pictures!

We were buzzed in at 5:05 shortly after the opening ceremony and got a window seat towards the back of the restaurant and could see the Castle from the windows!

I convinced Thomas to get a Lapu-Lapu while we were waiting for our table so he ordered one once we got seated.

Thomas of course insisted that I needed a drink too! So I happily didn't argue!

And then the food coma ensued! It was SO delicious! Thomas took a liking to the steak which was also my favorite. He loved the pot stickers and salad, I loved the broccoli (which I had all to myself because Thomas doesn't like broccoli) and the pot stickers and lo mein. It was all so good! The food did get cold rather quickly, because it was freezing in there!!

Just when we threw in the food towel, I informed Thomas that you also get bread pudding for dessert! He was happy, but SO full! We were brought a huge bowl as well as a cupcake and candle, and an additional bowl of ice cream! Pixie Dust!

MENU: Starters: Pork fried dumplings, Corriander chicken wings, and Mixed Greens with Honey-Lime dressing. Skewers (prepared over an oak fire): Marinated sirloin steak, Asian BBQ pork loin, Mesquite grilled turkey, and non-peeled shrimp. Accompaniments: broccoli and green peas and pad Thai noodles. Sauces: peanut, chimichurri and sweet-and-sour. Dessert: 'Ohana bread pudding a la mode with Banana Foster sauce. Includes coffee, tea and soda

Waiter: Gabe

OVERALL: We would both highly recommend Ohana! I can't believe it is still only 1 dining credit! Will definitely be going back! Loved the atmosphere and SO much food! But it was so good!! I miss it! I think it will definitely be a tradition for us!

We rolled our way to the car and waved Goodbye to the Poly! We headed back to the French Quarter to change and to drop off the car!

UP NEXT

*Can our Ohana bellies handle the unlimited desserts for the Fireworks Dessert Party?

*The Magic Kingdom is open until WHEN!?!?

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Yay! The room is gorgeous! Love it. I can't wait for our next trip so that I can start really researching where we're staying and plan hardcore for our trip. Because I definitely didn't before our last one. haha. Woops!

Yay for Ohana!! I want to do that so badly! I gotta talk to the family about it when we plan for our 2013 trip, which you should totally plan to go as well.. hehe. ;D

Yayay! You look gorgeous! Did you dye your hair?? ;D Loves it!

Can't wait to see more seees!