Our 2nd Trip in 3 Years. This Time, She's In On It (Dec 2012) CP Narrator Update 9/13

[BDL]

12/7/12-12/13/12 Port Orleans Riverside


Hello All.

This is my first Pre-Trip Report, so I hope I don't ruffle any feathers through the course of it. As the tagline says, this will be our (me & fiance') 2nd trip down to Walt Disney World in 3 years. Our first trip was a surprise Valentine's Day/Anniversary/Birthday gift to her. From Feb-Oct I planned, and paid, and booked, and reserved (and re-reserved, and re-booked. Anyone else a victim of that computer upgrade last year?). The whole time without letting her in on it. I even made an excuse of having to go to work early 1 day so that I could book the Candlelight Processional/dinner combo without her knowing. But, on her birthday, I let her in on the gift and gave her some Disney Dollars as a bonus. This last trip is also where she became my fiance'. I semi-spontaneously proposed to her on our last day there in front of the castle at a photo-pass location. I say "semi-spontaneous" because I went down with just the intention of us having a long overdue vacation together. On our last night there, I snuck away from her for a short period and puchased her a Mickey ring. The next day, I spent the whole day trying to keep up the gumption to go through with it (and keep her on my right side, the ring was in my left pocket). On the way out of the Magic Kingdom, with only the airport to look forward to, I suggested that we take 1 more photo-pass shot. We got the pic, and I begged the photographer for 1 more shot, to the grunts and groans of people in line. But those turned to "oohs" & "ahhs" when they realized what was happening. We even got some applause from some teenaged girls walking by. Thanks girls. By the way, she said "Yes".

But that was last year. This report will deal with the upcoming trip. And like most trip reports, you have to wait for that 1 committal moment or act that will cement that you are going. For me, it was emailing my AAA rep. I know it sounds simple, but there is no turning back now... This time, we hope to be traveling with some family. We are hoping that her sister (and my future SIL) will be joining us. She doesn't know if she will be travelling with a friend or family member yet. I'll have to update you on that later.

The general plan, as it stands now, is that we will be returning to WDW in early December. We went Dec 10-15th last year and had a ball. We are looking to repeat as much of that experience, not just so we can share it with my future SIL, but for selfish reasons as well. WE WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN. But we will do our best to book a Candlelight Processional/dinner combo, take in the Osbourne Lights (RIP Jennings), MVMCP tickets (LOVED the non-existent lines), a couple of character breakfasts (DF' loves cheesy potatoes at Akershus) and we will set aside 1 morning to ride the monorail to check out the decor of the monorail resorts (anyone who has seen the Home&Garden Network special on Disney knows what I am talking about). First and foremost, we want to secure the resort that we stayed at last time. The Port Orleans Riverside. We probably won't try for the princess rooms, but I have always loved my stays there and the boat ride to DTD is so convenient.

So, here we are, January 5th, 2012. I am looking to book our trip for approximately 12/5th or 6th for 6N/7D. I am just waiting for a couple of things to fall into place. There are a couple of variables that I am trying to lock down and a couple that I am weary of (Pop Warner tournament UPDATE: PW Tourney 12/1-12/9). But as it stands, here are some important dates.

May 1st: MVMCP tickets go on sale
MVMCP Dates:
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on the following dates:
November 9, 12, 15, 16*, 25, 27, 29 and 30*
December 2, 4, 6, 7*, 9, 11, 13, 14*, 16, 18, 20* and 21**
*Advance Sale pricing is not available for these dates. Even when purchased in advance, "Day Of" pricing is in effect.
Advance Sales $58.95 Adult / $53.95 Ages 3-9 (plus tax)
Day of Event Sales $64.95/$59.95
** Premium Night Dec 21 $67.95/$62.95

May 14th: December hrs and EMH are releasedhttp://media.disneywebcontent.com/S.../pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_dec.pdf
ADR's - Post 111 (YUM!!!)
Dec. 2012 Cancelled ADR thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2883873 )
Roster of narrators for CP released
Narrator lists from 08-11 post #56
Oct 22nd: Trip must be paid in full

I will list our cast of characters in a later post and will update any info as it comes. If anyone reads this and has some helpful hints, tips, tricks or insight. Please let me know. Also, I'll probably be the only man on this trip, so if there are any guys that have had similar trips and can tell me what to expect, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you. Hope you have a Happy New Year. And I hope to see some of you in December.

 

[BDL]

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Me: I am a PC technician by day and a bouncer at a bar on weekend nights. And in the Spring/Summer, I labor on weekend days (gotta pay for Disney somehow...). I'm a huge Boston sports fan. Especially the Pats and Bruins (follow my Bruins thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2804514 ). Me and my fiance' have season tickets to the Bruins. In my leisure times, I like going to the gym, creative writing and reading Star Wars novels .

I have been to Walt Disney World (what I would call) many times. Twice when I was a kid and several times as an adult. My friends and I (who are all larger than average guys) would plan 5d/4n trips every other year. We'd always go in late Spring. The sweet spot between Spring Break and college graduation. Even though every trip was different, 3 things remained the same. 1) We'd stay at the Port Orleans Riverside. 2) We'd do at least 3 nights at Pleasure Island (RIP). And 3) we would ride Small World for no other reason than taking in the faces of those around us. Seeing 3-6 mammoth men in line for Small World, carrying on like guys are want to do, and not a kid or girlfriend in the group. Yes... Their expressions were worth it every time . Went last year in early Dec with a girlfriend and came back with a fiance'.

Fiance': She is an office manager for a landscape company. And, she puts up with me, which is a full time job in itself. She is a very animated Bruins fan. You would not expect the streams of obsenities that would come from her on a blown call during the games. With her free time she likes to play with her iPad (she crushes it on Words With Friends and Hangin With Friends ).

She, like me, had been to Disney a couple of times as a kid. On one of the trips, she got sick and missed a whole day . But last year, I hope I helped fill that wound. The trip was a gift to her from me. Our first day there, I knew it was gonna be a good trip. She had been an exchange student to Italy. As such, she doesn't like American made, Italian desserts because they didn't measure up. That was up until the dessert from our lunch at Tutto Italia. She raved for days about the tiramasu. From there it was all down hill. Just kidding. One of the highlights for me (aside from her agreeing to marry me) was seeing how agitated she was dealing with the crowds in front of the castle at MK and at Streets of America at MGM, and then seeing it all melt away the second that the castle was lit and Osbourne lights start. Those moments make the trip worth every penny.

Fiance's sister: She is a pre-school teacher and has been living in envy of our first trip. Which is why I am excited that she'll be joining us . Like her sister, she had been a couple of times when she was a kid but never as an adult. She loves photography and creating movies with her Mac book. So, she is really looking forward to this up coming trip. She has already started to mention some of the shots ahe wants to get when we get down there and the type of media she will do with her pics when we get back .

Fiance's mom: (aka LIL, see below for why) She is an accounts payable rep during the week and dedicated to her church and church functions on the weekends. She, like her daughters love playing games on her iPad. LIL is very musical, in her own right. She will break into song on a whim and add her own spin to it. Early on in BDLsGal and my relationship, LIL shared the stories (some embarrassing) from their Disney trips in the 80's. I think she will really enjoy this trip. 1) she hasn't been to Disney in a while. 2) she is a fellow Christmas-aholic. And 3) she will LOVE LOVE LOVE the choir and the narration of the Candlelight Procession

Insert additional characters here:

 

[BDLSGAL]

Sounds like a great cast of characters so far. Can't wait to hear more of your story

 

[BDL]

It was a crushing loss for the Pats last night. But I did win a couple of squares, but it didn't raise my spirits like it should. Then the fiance' said something to me that made it pertinent to add to my PTR.

"Look at it this way. You just won our deposit for Disney."

Leave it to our significant others to always find the silver lining and brighten our dark moments.

Thanks hon...

 

[BDL]

First update in just under a month (thank you Leap Day).

Well, looks like our fourth companion has been all but confirmed. Not only that, but looks like more people may be coming down the same time that we're there. I would say that they were coming down with us. But they keep pushing to get a condo off resort. Call me a resort snob if you want, but I just LOVE the convenience that staying on resort allows. Not only that, but the opportunity to get the DDP and hold out hope for the FREE DDP.

Anyways, I emailed my AAA rep today to see what kind of planning/booking I'd be allowed to do for the whole group. Anxious to see what she comes back with and what I can tell them "Sorry... You'll have to take care of that yourself." (Just kidding ). I actually hope that I can book things that everyone will like.

Any hoo... Our fourth partner in crime is my future mother-in-law. Otherwise known as LIL. There is a story behind that. When BDLsGal and I started dating, whenever I addressed her parents, being the good Irish Catholic boy that I am, I referred to them as "Sir and Ma'am". That is until she threatened to smack me for calling her ma'am. When I asked what she would like to be called, her reply was "Call me Lady for all I care. Just don't call me 'ma'am'". So I called her "Lady". When BDLsGal got engange, she then became my "Lady-In-Law" or LIL. Now you know the story.

I'll be putting some info about LIL in the cast of characters, and let you know what my AAA agent tells me as it becomes available.

Til next time.

 

[BDLSGAL]

Just saw your post about the Super Bowl and I am glad it helped. Those bad memories of the game will be long gone when we are in the midst of everything that is Disney at Christmas!

 

[Sam33]

I have to admit, I'm mostly hopping on because you're a hockey fan...
I can't say I like the Bruins much (I have their cup t-shirt,though!) but they have by far the best marketing in the entire NHL. BY FAR. And I'd never seen the ad in your sig before. My favorite so far
(I'm on Chara's side...who calls 911 for a hockey hit?! And comparing him to Bertuzzi? puhleease...)


Anyways, your trip sounds awesome so far! I got married last year and we did WDW for our honeymoon (I can't get my husband to go back, though he wants to go "other places"??). Have you guys planned a honeymoon yet?!

 

[BDLSGAL]

We have to set a wedding date before we plan the honeymoon. Lucky for me BDL plans wonderful trips and while we do talk about "other places" we both agree that there is so much to do at Disney that you can go more than once and never have the same vacation twice!

 

[Sam33]

We have to set a wedding date before we plan the honeymoon. Lucky for me BDL plans wonderful trips and while we do talk about "other places" we both agree that there is so much to do at Disney that you can go more than once and never have the same vacation twice!

I'm jealous! I could go to Disney over and over again.
My DH wants to go to California for our next vacation and I convinced him to spend a day or two at Disneyland! Close enough

 

[BDLSGAL]

Well, maybe the longer you're married, your love of Disney World will rub off on him and he will jump on board! The only basis I have for this theory is my parents....my Dad was a borderline pet hater when he married my Mom all those years ago. 40 years later he is more neurotic when it comes to taking care of the dog then my Mom! Don't worry about the 40 years part - things now a days move at a faster pace then when they first got together!

 

[Sam33]

Well, maybe the longer you're married, your love of Disney World will rub off on him and he will jump on board! The only basis I have for this theory is my parents....my Dad was a borderline pet hater when he married my Mom all those years ago. 40 years later he is more neurotic when it comes to taking care of the dog then my Mom! Don't worry about the 40 years part - things now a days move at a faster pace then when they first got together!

I have got him to commit to one more trip before we have kids and then we can go several times with kids! He claims he enjoys Disney... I think he just says that, though. His sister is super into Disney World so I have her to go with, but I don't like leaving for a week. I'm sure that will get easier in a couple of years

 

[BDLSGAL]

So there ya go! You've got your plans in place! Hope is not lost on your quest. And I am sure you will enjoy your sister in law trips especially the longer you are married But I can understand why it would be difficult to leave for a long period of time. Guess the happiest place on earth is a relative description

 

[BDL]

UPDATE:

We now have a tenative time frame. We will be staying on RESORT from 12/7-12/13. Though the time frame may be tentative, the resort was never in question. We will be staying at the lovely and relaxing Port Orleans Riverside.

 

[Sam33]

Did you say you guys have stayed at POR before? I can't remember and I don't want to re-read everything

We're thinking about staying there. It looks so pretty!

 

[BDLSGAL]

Yes - we stayed there during our last trip. It is soooooo pretty and it is so peaceful in the morning when you start the day. Come to think of it, it's peaceful there in general. Unless the pop warner cheerleaders are there There were stories from people who were leaving as we were checking in that they would hold practice in the court yard outside the rooms at 4 or 5 am. Not ideal if you are on vacation and want to sleep in

 

[tofubeast]

I am subbing to your PTR!! I love love love the story of your last trip. But I gotta ask....

WHERE's the ENGAGEMENT PHOTO!?!?!?!? We wanna see it!

I also love the Small World story. Somewhere there HAS to be a pic of all you guys on it. hehe.

I think you are going at the 'perfect' time of the year..hahah. It will be great to celebrate the end of the World at the World.

 

[Sam33]

Yes - we stayed there during our last trip. It is soooooo pretty and it is so peaceful in the morning when you start the day. Come to think of it, it's peaceful there in general. Unless the pop warner cheerleaders are there There were stories from people who were leaving as we were checking in that they would hold practice in the court yard outside the rooms at 4 or 5 am. Not ideal if you are on vacation and want to sleep in

Ah that sounds so perfect for us! Makes me super excited. My mom was a little bummed that we were staying there instead of Animal Kingdom but just looking at the pictures I think she's gonna like it a lot!

 

[BDLSGAL]

I am subbing to your PTR!! I love love love the story of your last trip. But I gotta ask....

WHERE's the ENGAGEMENT PHOTO!?!?!?!? We wanna see it!

I also love the Small World story. Somewhere there HAS to be a pic of all you guys on it. hehe.

I think you are going at the 'perfect' time of the year..hahah. It will be great to celebrate the end of the World at the World.

We do have lots of pictures of the big moment, even with the girls that were applauding in the background. Unfortunately I can not post anything since I am still a newbie. I will talk to BDL to see if he wants to do the honors

 

[BDLSGAL]

Ah that sounds so perfect for us! Makes me super excited. My mom was a little bummed that we were staying there instead of Animal Kingdom but just looking at the pictures I think she's gonna like it a lot!

She will LOVE it! I am sure Animal Kingdom would be nice, even if I have never stayed there so I am probably not the best person to ask for the comparison. All I know is that at POR, I felt like things were peaceful and calming. Everyone who worked there was super nice too, even if one night we had issues with a waitress when we were in the lounge area....for some reason she refused to acknowledge we were sitting at a table and she was suppose to wait on us! But that was really the only negative thing I could say about the entire stay there. Do you know about Yee Haw Bob? BDL can tell you more about him, but he does a sing along there one night (I think Saturdays) a week. We didn't catch that the last time around, but I told BDL that I wanted to see him this time. AND - we were able to see the fireworks from either Epcot or Magic Kingdom (can't remember which) one night on our way back to our room from the main lobby.

 

[Sam33]

That sounds amazing! I had heard of the bob guy but I read someone else's trip report and it sounded like there was lots of audience interaction! It looked fun if you could sit in the background and watch everyone else be part of the show, though.



I have to say, I actually laughed out loud when BDL described you at Bruins games... That's totally me at Avs games! My mom refuses to come to games with me (she doesn't really get sports "fans" which is weird because my dad and brother are just as bad as me. Maybe she was hoping I'd be more lady-like?). I'm only a little embarrassing... haha