4 Days, 4 Parks and 4 Years in a Row Here We Go!! July 2012 Update 7.1.12

[miami305]

Forgot to introduce myself.

DH earned a free trip from work to Disney. This is our 3rd and last year in Miami. Our previous trip to Disney was before we moved to FL. The Florida resident winter discounts don't appeal to me. It is freezing in Orlando compared to Miami in the winter.

DD12 Zero interest in the princesses. Picky eater.
DD7 LOVES princesses. Carnivore.
DS3 Little interest in the characters. Picky eater who can't wait to see Trex.
DH Similar to your DH. Big eater.
Me! Not a huge Disney fan simply because I enjoy rides more than shows. Add 20 more rides to Disney and I'd be in heaven.

We're all eagerly anticipating our vacation!

 

[amandaw]

Sorry I missed your last couple of updates! Life's been a little crazy! But, I'm happy to hear that y'all were able to find some new travel dates. Sounds like it worked out - y'all get to stay at POFQ now & the ADRs worked out also!

 

[TinksThree]

Whew! My weekend was crazy thanks to a state soccer tournament! All day Saturday and Sunday at the soccer fields was exhausting! Plus it was hot as Hades and extremely humid out there! We decided we were just in training for Disney in July!! So, due to all of that I am way behind on responding but here it goes!!

Yes...it's back up!

Epcot's Soarin' temporarily closed for urgent maintenance
May 04, 2012

Epcot's most popular attraction, Soarin', has been temporarily closed for urgent maintenance. Yesterday a guest managed to exit the glider prior to take off, which has now raised questions about how the guest circumvented the restraint system. Although there were no injuries, Soarin' at Disney's California Adventure has also been closed pending the investigation. No word yet on when the ride will reopen, but with Test Track also closed, you can be sure that Disney will be working flat-out to get Soarin' back in the air.

And then later today...
Soarin' has reopened to guests after earlier closure
May 04, 2012

Soarin' at Epcot has now reopened to guests after closing for urgent maintenance yesterday.

Yea!!

I don't think it's a bad omen or bad luck, just an opportunity for a great meal! We LOVE Cape May.

Your Epcot day sounds nice. I hope that Soarin' isn't too crazy for you guys and that you get to ride twice!

Too bad that VN only had later ressies, we really enjoyed the pizza-I hope that you'll keep it on your list for next year. I've never eaten in England, can't wait to hear how you like it.

If your family is anything like mine, you'll love Ohana too. It's one of DH's new must dos (if only he knew how hard that ressie can be to get! ) for every trip. I haven't been to Jellyrolls for about 8 years, but we had a lot of fun there when we went. I hope that it works out for you and Keith to try it.

The Poly and the BWI are my top deluxes too (followed closely the the BC). We did stay at BWI on our honeymoon, and it was great.

Can't wait to hear more about the trip!

I am so excited about Cape May. I am glad I thought to check into the possibilty of it being open then. I could remember the offical closing date!

Ohana is another I really think Keith will like! Everytime I read a report on it I think he will love it! And I am still trying for the possibility of VN! I really want to try that pizza!!

Love your posts and congrats to your DD on making the Varsity team!

Thank you! We are looking forward to the games!!

I don't find your reports obsessive. You're organized! I enjoy the reasoning behind your choices.

Thanks again! I like that thought and will definitely share that with Keith...I am not obsessive! I am just organized!!

Can't wait to hear your plan for AK. I'm reluctant to visit this park during July. It seems like an October-May experience.

We have been the first of June and it gets warm. I am used to hot, humid weather though so for me it isn't anything different from regular life. We always get there for rope drop and we usually do everything we want by 2pm or 3pm. I have never been at the park for the parade. Once we returned for PM EMH and that was nice. It was cooler than mid-day and the crowds weren't as heavy. This past March it was very warm at AK. Oh, and we try and get the safari in as one of the first things!

Question: We are also driving. The reports on morning bus service to MK are clear as mud. Should we drive or take our chances on missing a bus and waiting for another one?

Looking forward to more insights into your planning!

We have only driven to a park once and that was Epcot. Keith had a hurt foot and we needed the option of a fast get away. Otherwise we have always taken a bus to all parks. In 2010 the buses seemed slower but we never were late for our goal arrival time. Last year the buses ran like clock work and from the time we got on the bus at POFQ and arrived at MK was right around 10 minutes. Also one morning to MK we were shooting for a very early arrival and the buses were running at that time (7:15am or so).

Forgot to introduce myself.

DH earned a free trip from work to Disney. This is our 3rd and last year in Miami. Our previous trip to Disney was before we moved to FL. The Florida resident winter discounts don't appeal to me. It is freezing in Orlando compared to Miami in the winter.

DD12 Zero interest in the princesses. Picky eater.
DD7 LOVES princesses. Carnivore.
DS3 Little interest in the characters. Picky eater who can't wait to see Trex.
DH Similar to your DH. Big eater.
Me! Not a huge Disney fan simply because I enjoy rides more than shows. Add 20 more rides to Disney and I'd be in heaven.

We're all eagerly anticipating our vacation!

Welcome!!

How awesome to earn a free trip!! I think I would feel the same way about the winter discounts. The only time I would really want to be at Disney and it be cold is Christmastime!

It sounds like you have a mix in the food area! I imagine that can be a challenge! I hope your DS likes T-Rex! we really like going there to eat!

I like the big rides too but DH doesn't so we never even attempt Universal or the like. I don't mind going fast, in circles or upside down!

Sorry I missed your last couple of updates! Life's been a little crazy! But, I'm happy to hear that y'all were able to find some new travel dates. Sounds like it worked out - y'all get to stay at POFQ now & the ADRs worked out also!

I know how life gets! Mine is chaotic right now! I was so glad to find new dates! Even though a compromise had to be made! And I was really excited to get POFQ for Keith!

 

[TinksThree]

I hope all Mothers out there have had a great Mother's Day! Sorry for being MIA! Last week was challenging to say the least! But I am here to make an update!!

Day 3-Monday, July 9

This day has absolutely nothing planned at all except in the evening!!! We will wake up whenever we feel like it and do whatever we feel like until time to head out for dinner!! I anticipate the night before to be a late night if for no one else but the kids! So sleeping in could be until, well, whenever! I usually don’t really sleep very late and if I wake up before everyone else, I will head to the pool.

I also can nap very well by the pool!

Of course a commando Disney planner can’t at least make some sort of options plan on a No Plan Day, right!?

So I have a list of what we can do:

Breakfast in the room (I forgot to mention this earlier! All breakfast
meals will be in the room with food we have brought. This is to
work with the budget!)
Lunch will be at a CS wherever we may be
Things to do: swim, DTD, mini-golf, rent bikes, explore POFQ/POR,
resort hop…you get the idea

Right now I am playing with the idea of sometime around 1pm or so riding the boat to DTD and hanging around there (maybe Ghiradelli?!) until about 3:30pm or there about. Then we can grab a bus to Wilderness Lodge. Or…….

At 3pm we will leave the resort for Magic Kingdom and ride the ferry to Wilderness Lodge. I am using this as my excuse to see WL since I haven’t had the chance to yet. So we will have a look around and then head to Fort Wilderness and Hoop de Doo for a 7:15pm dinner show!



I would like to have time to look at an easy pace and if time allows perhaps rent something from the marina (like the Sea Raycer). I think it closes at 5pm though so we would not have a lot of time for this. We might have to go to the marina directly and then wander around the lodge some. Again, these are ideas in my head so I can hopefully remember options but it will really be a fly-by-the-seat of your pants kind of day!!

Last year I learned how difficult it is to get to Pioneer Hall and so I don’t want to make that mistake again! I also made a 7:15pm ADR at HDDR to allow more daylight time for exploring!

I am already excited for all you can eat cornbread, salad, fried chicken (because what true Southern Gal doesn’t like fried chicken??), ribs and of course the strawberry shortcake!

After we have a rip-roaring good ol’ time, we will take the ferry back to MK and return to POFQ. And I am hoping for a semi view somewhere along the way of wishes! This will be my only chance to see it as planned right now! Shocking I know! I love Wishes but Keith hates fireworks! So I am sacrificing this trip. Now if they make a change for the summer as they did with Nighttastic I will be there!! That was amazing and I won’t want to miss it! It will be time to rest up because tomorrow we have another Rope Drop! And we have to be on our toes to get a very important FP!!

Day 4- Tuesday, July 10

Since we have an important FP to snag this morning, it can only mean we are going to Hollywood Studios!! Yes, Toy Story Mania dash/craziness/obsurdness here we come! I really dislike the fact that we have to join in this furry to get a decent return time on a FP but it is what it is! So we will join in the Mayhem!

Hopefully it will not be this crowded!!

Goals for today include:
TSMM Fast Pass and then ride Stand-by

Animation Studios

Rock-n-Roller and Tower of Terror (this is by fast passes and stand-by)

Little Mermaid (guys may go somewhere else?)

Indiana Jones

Beauty and the Beast

And lunch is set for 12:50pm at Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater! I love the corny movies and the atmosphere cannot be beat! We will probably have burgers and onion rings since there is an ADR for the evening we will not want too much food!

Those attractions are the main goals and I have worked a Touring Plan that seems to indicate the above is doable. There are a few other attractions that could be iffy to do. Adding anything else will be a play it by ear.

Around 3pm or so we will head out of DHS and make our way to the boat dock! Our next destination will be Epcot!!

Once at Epcot we will focus on a few countries like France, Morocco, Japan, America and Italy before heading off to Future World!

Once at Future World we will make our way to The Land and our dinner ADR at Garden Grill!

After we eat, we will catch a few things in Future World. Maybe ride Soarin’ again if possible.

After this we have two options open to us: 1) exit Epcot and head back to the resort. It will have been one long day with no breaks except ADRs and boat rides. So we may be extremely exhausted! Or 2) Epcot has evening EMH until 12am. No way would we ever stay that late since the following day is another Rope Drop but if we wish to linger some that option is available!

Our next day will include a trip into the savanna and a Yeti encounter...plus more!

 

[shan23877]

Sounds like a couple of great days! I don't blame you for planning things for your down day, I'd do the same thing

TSMM stampede is so ridiculous, but you have to do it

I love the Hoop Dee Doo! It's so corny, but so fun!

 

[amandaw]

Plans are looking good! I really should give us a down day....one of these years.

 

[TinksThree]

Sounds like a couple of great days! I don't blame you for planning things for your down day, I'd do the same thing

TSMM stampede is so ridiculous, but you have to do it

I love the Hoop Dee Doo! It's so corny, but so fun!

I have found it is better to have a list of things to potentially do because otherwise we waste time saying "Well, what do you want to do!" and then we miss out on things! The TSMM stampede is crazy ridiculous but you do have to participate if you want to ride especially more than once like us!

I love how corny HDDR is!!

Plans are looking good! I really should give us a down day....one of these years.

Thank you!! We didn't have a down day last year and I totally regretted it! When I began planning I knew I would do a down day. I really would have made it on Tuesday but I figured having a late night on Sunday would mean Monday was better!

 

[sherylcin]

Behind again........but I'm all caught up now. Your plans sound great! I agree about the down time. We've learned over the years that we MUST "plan" a down day or everyone just gets too tired (and some people get a little grumpy ). Can't wait to hear your report from GG and O'Hana. Both are places on my list to try. Hadn't heard about Soarin' being down. Wonder how someone got out of that seatbelt! I'm slightly (a lot!) claustrophobic and don't like being belted into something I can't get out of but once those belts are locked I don't see how anyone could get out of it.

 

[pinkxray]

So many good things in one post

Love the do nothing day. I tried so hard to take a nap by the pool at AKL last year but just couldn't fall asleep.

HDDR sounds like so much fun and the food looks yummy.

Ugh, that DHS crowd looks crazy! We have never done the TSM mad dash and looking at that crowd I doubt we ever will.

Is Garden Grill a new one for you? I would love to try it this year so we can work our way through all the character meals. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Joining in as I enjoyed the last one!

 

[TinksThree]

Behind again........but I'm all caught up now. Your plans sound great! I agree about the down time. We've learned over the years that we MUST "plan" a down day or everyone just gets too tired (and some people get a little grumpy ). Can't wait to hear your report from GG and O'Hana. Both are places on my list to try. Hadn't heard about Soarin' being down. Wonder how someone got out of that seatbelt! I'm slightly (a lot!) claustrophobic and don't like being belted into something I can't get out of but once those belts are locked I don't see how anyone could get out of it.

I have been way, way behind on not only my own TR/PTR but reading others! My world has been topsy turvy here lately! Yes, down time is a new "must" I think. Last year was the first year to not have one and we learned a valuable lesson!

I am very excited about GG and Ohana. I sure hope I can report some great reviews!! I was really wondering about how they got out of that seatbelt too! Mine is always tight! But then I am afraid of heights and even though I know I am not that high up I still feel safer!

So many good things in one post

Love the do nothing day. I tried so hard to take a nap by the pool at AKL last year but just couldn't fall asleep.

HDDR sounds like so much fun and the food looks yummy.

Ugh, that DHS crowd looks crazy! We have never done the TSM mad dash and looking at that crowd I doubt we ever will.

Is Garden Grill a new one for you? I would love to try it this year so we can work our way through all the character meals. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.

Thank you! Sadly I haven't had time to really think about my trip...which is very weird! I usually am thinking about Disney 24/7/365!! I hope to get back on this soon! I really am looking forward to a do nothing day and HDDR to top it off! The DHS dash is ridiculously crazy but Keith likes TSMM and so we do it since his like list is short!

GG is new for us. I hadn't thought much about it and then when I saw an opening and began thinking more about going I have gotten very excited!!!

Joining in as I enjoyed the last one!

Welcome!!! Glad you have enjoyed the other enough to come over to this one! I really hope to update soon!

 

[TinksThree]

I know I still have a few days to cover with our plans but I love reflecting and right now...this time last year we were at DISNEY WORLD!!!! I have to cover a few days at once due to me being slightly behind! My real life has really gone haywire lately and I feel as if I live in one of those wind tunnels!

I just returned from a conference last night or else these updates would have been on the dates we really did them! Speaking of the conference...it was held at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS. Now taking Ole Miss out of the town (anyone who knows anything about college rivalries would understand my "disdain" of ALL Things Ole Miss!....... ) Oxford is a great small town and I HIGHLY recommend making a stop if you are ever in North Mississippi!! One thing I love about the south is southern hospitality and it is alive and well in our small towns! I wish I had taken my camera but due to the number of work related things I was carrying, that got left! But if you do ever make the stop...there are so many restaurants (Ajax, Boure', City Grocery, Irie's, the list goes on and on!) and wonderful book stores just in the square alone! And to give you an idea of the square's size, think a slightly larger Main Street hub. We had a great time! So enough of that little plug!!

Now onto "This time last year!".

May 26, 2011

We left bright and early

on a Thursday morning! See how awake and ready to hit the road we were!!

We made a pit stop for breakfast in Gulfport, MS

And then we continued our long journey into Florida! We arrived at the Quality Inn and rested before heading to Downtown Disney (our "tradition" which appears to maybe be broken this year!)

The Quality Inn was a great stay! We stayed here one night.

Our goal for the evening at DTD was.....

We had a great view:

And delicious food! I love EOS!!!!

Then we did some shopping!!!!

We went to the kitchen store whose name escapes me!

And we went to:

Then we headed over to The Art of Disney and I snapped these which I now know is "illegal"!!

Next up? Goofy's Candy Company of course!!!

Then we made our way to the World of Disney....along the way....

Our final shopping destination was

And then we called it a night! No wait not before:

Ice cream from Ghiradelli!!!!!

We ate our ice cream as we watched this wonderful entertainer

And THEN we called it a night!!! We were tired from traveling and eating and shopping and the next day we had an early wake up call!!

And silly me...2012 is a leap year and TODAY is May 26!! I am not behind after all!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Love reliving the memories! Not too much longer for your trip already. Where on earth is the time going?

 

[amandaw]

I really want to eat at Earl of Sandwich on our next trip! Seems like everybody loves that place.

 

[shan23877]

I loved that update!

We never got to Basin on our last trip due to DD having a meltdown at DTD , but I WILL NOT miss it next time!

Love EoS, so yummy!

 

[TinksThree]

Love reliving the memories! Not too much longer for your trip already. Where on earth is the time going?

Glad you enjoy reliving memories with me! It isn't long at all!! And your trip isn't far either! Right before ours....I need to get back to reading TRs/PTRs and catch up!!

I really want to eat at Earl of Sandwich on our next trip! Seems like everybody loves that place.

Earl of sandwich has never disappointed!! I had heard so much about it and thought there was no way something so inexpensive at WDW could be good...IT IS!!! I hope you get to try it next time!!

I loved that update!

We never got to Basin on our last trip due to DD having a meltdown at DTD , but I WILL NOT miss it next time!

Love EoS, so yummy!

So glad you enjoyed it!! Basin is so super cool! We spent a lot of time in there much to Chris' dismay!!

 

[TinksThree]

Keeping in the theme of FOURS...this is the FOURtieth day until our vacation!!!

(yes I know I spelled fortieth incorrectly.......)

So......This time last year went a little something like this!!

Friday, May 27, 2011

We awoke bright and early and headed straight to POFQ to check-in (I had checked in online so this went very quickly!). Our room wasn't ready but since it was 7am I wasn't surprised and had really expected it to not be ready!! Then we went in search of breakfast!!! We were on Free Dining and decided to go ahead and use some CS points!

After eating our yummy omelets:

We took some photos in the lobby area

And made our way straight to the buses! We had a Rope Drop and Welcome Show to see. We were headed to the Magic Kingdom!!!

I tear up every time I see this!! My plan for this year will follow this same pattern except we will head to Epcot for Rope Drop after checking in!

Some highlights of the morning were:

Winnie the Pooh

Snow White's ride which we will never ride again...

Lots of shots of the castle

Peter Pan's Flight

It's A Small World

Hall of Presidents

A little corniness on Jungle Cruise

Pirates of the Caribbean

A ride on Space Mountain

Which became the wildest ride ever when

the lights came on!! A completely different ride!!!

Then lunch with a bear and his friends! Our lunch at Crystal Palace was one of the best meals I have ever had at WDW!!

After lunch we decided one more ride was due:

Splash Mountain

Then it was time to go get all our luggage lugged to the room but on the way out we stopped for a viewing of:

The 3 o'clock parade!! Yes, this is the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend and we have accomplished more than I ever dreamed!! As a matter of fact this day blew my "plans" out of the water. I really did not even need a Touring Plan!!

So we watch the parade and then we head to the hotel. We lugged our luggage literally all around the resort! I now know if I am in Building 5 to not park in Building 5's Parking Lot, but Building 4's instead! What a trek!!! And so far out of the way!! But our rooms were awesome!!!

And the location was PERFECT!!! Building 5 and a view of the pool and the river and the main building!!!

Our room was 3rd floor and 6 doors down, to my immediate left in this picture is the sidewalk to the main building and to my right is the pool. Great Location!!!

Continued in the next post....

 

[TinksThree]

After getting settled, we headed to the pool but it is very kiddish and was loaded with kids. I much prefer the pool at POR and plan to go there in July!! After hanging out for a while we make it back to Magic Kingdom for the evening around 5:30 or 6pm.

First up was a visit with the Princesses:

And then we headed to dinner at Columbia Harbour House which we really love!

We always sit on the 2nd floor by a window and look below...this time we were glad to be safe and dry inside while the other poor souls were running for cover. A massive thunderstorm was making its way over the Magic Kingdom!!

We concluded our day by enjoying...

Haunted Mansion

Pirates of the Caribbean

And using these we rode (which is a no-no now....I loved getting FPs and coming back later. Oh well!!)

Space Mtn again

Big Thunder Mountain

Splash Mtn was down the whole evening so we were not able to ride it, this time!

The Memories, the Magic and You

and Wishes!!! (MESP got cancelled due to the rain.)

As we exited the park, we were tired but we had experienced a magical and wonderful day at the Magic Kingdom!!!

And that was our day this time last year!!!

 

[amandaw]

My goodness! Y'all certainly accomplished a lot that day!

We'll be staying at POFQ for the first 2 nights of our trip this year. Can't wait to see what it's like.

I also want to try Columbia Harbour House. Seems like that is another CS place that I hear so many good things about but we have never tried it before.

On a non-Disney note: I noticed your son wearing a Miss State shirt in some of the pics, so I'm assuming that the team y'all pull for. Just wanted to say Congrats on them winning the SEC Baseball Tournament! I was hoping LSU would make it to the championship game but it just wasn't our time.

 

[TinksThree]

My goodness! Y'all certainly accomplished a lot that day!

We'll be staying at POFQ for the first 2 nights of our trip this year. Can't wait to see what it's like.

I also want to try Columbia Harbour House. Seems like that is another CS place that I hear so many good things about but we have never tried it before.

On a non-Disney note: I noticed your son wearing a Miss State shirt in some of the pics, so I'm assuming that the team y'all pull for. Just wanted to say Congrats on them winning the SEC Baseball Tournament! I was hoping LSU would make it to the championship game but it just wasn't our time.

We did get so much done and a lot more than I planned! It was really awesome to fly through one thing and another without really rushing!

CHH is good! I like the selections that are different from regular pizza, hamburgers and chicken strips!!

Thank you! Our house was a very happy place to be last night!! I suppose you understood my Ole Miss comment then! I graduated from Southern Mississippi and we are huge supporters of them but Keith is a major State fan also--especially the baseball program. We had discussed driving over to Hoover yesterday nit we had just spent a ton over the week going to the Conference USA tournament that was here locally. So we decided to not make the drive and wish we had now!

Keith cannot fathom pulling for any other SEC team but I guess since I grew up pulling for USM I can pull for most SEC schools. I grew up 10 miles from the LA/MS line and spent more time in LA so in some ways I feel as much a part of Louisiana as Mississippi!! We were about 50 minutes from Baton Rouge and I have been to more games at LSU than any other SEC school. I had tons of friends attend there so I generally pull for LSU too! Y'all may not have made it to the final Conf. tourney game but I think that team should go far through the regionals and onward to Omaha!!