Has it really been a year already?? Our August 2012 PTR! (Updated 7/22/12)

[Megs114]

Hello All! This is my first PTR and am very excited about it!

First things first, let me introduce ourselves!

Who we are: My name is Megan and I am 27 years old. I just graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Special Education and I have been working with students with Autism for six years. My DH's name is Mike. He is 26 years old and is an accountant. We met on August 13, 2005 and took our first Disney trip that January for a surprise Disney trip that he took me on. We continued with tradition and took a Disney trip at least once a year. He proposed in Disney World on the beach at the Grand Floridian by the Wedding Pavilion in June 2009. We were married on August 13, 2011, six years to the day we met. Our plan for our honeymoon was to go to WDW for 5 days and then St. Maarten for a week. However, there aren't any direct flights from MCO to St. Maarten and it was just way to expensive just in flights alone. So we made a promise that we would go for our one year anniversary and here we are!

Travel Dates: August 9-16, 2012. We'll be there for our one year anniversary!

Where we are staying: We are staying at the All-Star Sports. We stayed here in 2009 and really enjoyed it. We are very rarely in our room except for sleep, shower, and the occasional swim so for us its perfect! Plus, we like being the first bus stop of all the All-Stars lol

ADR's: I only made three. Here they are:
Saturday 8/11- Le Cellier for lunch. We were here for the first time the last time we came (June 2009) and we cannot wait to go back!
Sunday 8/12- Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic! Dinner Package. This is my THIRD time with this. The past two times it rained and Fantasmic was cancelled. If it rains a third time, I quit lol
Monday 8/13- Artist Point. Anniversary Dinner! I thought long and hard about where I wanted to go. It was between this and California Grill. However, we wanted to go back to "our spot" after dinner to watch the fireworks and I heard great reviews from friends that live in the area about Artist Point. So I'm really excited!

Itinerary: I have a tentative itinerary. This is the first time we have gotten the Park Hopper option (I know, where have we been lol). Normally, I would check the crowd calendar and from there decide what park we were going to go to that day. So here is the tentative plan lol.
8/9- Arrive. Check In. Water Park. DTD
8/10- AK/MK(EMH)?
8/11- EP
8/12- HS/MK(EMH)?
8/13- EP/HS (EMH)?
8/14- AK/EP (EMH)?
8/15- MK
8/16- Check out EP or AK. Airport

We don't have any special plans right now but we'll see what happens!

I still have to book our airfare. Right now its looking like we are going to take Jet Blue from Newark (we are from Central, NJ) since it is a.) the closest and b.) the cheapest as of now. I usually do an early flight on the way down and a later flight on the way home. Hopefully, I can get this to work again

Thank you for checking out my PTR! I'll keep everyone updated as we get closer! 50 days!

 

[reyasmommy]

Happy Early Anniversary!

Love your cake topper. Ours was Minnie and Mickey to... I have it proudly displayed on our bookcase. Love looking at it and remembering that wonderful day.

Looks like you're going to have a fabulous trip.

 

[Megs114]

Thank you!! I needed/wanted to incorporate something Disney for our love of it so I found the cake topper at Hallmark and it is proudly displayed on our emtertainment stand! Our guest book included all of our pictures over the years including our Disney trips and Disney engagement

 

[Megs114]

Our flight has been booked! We will be flying Jet Blue again. I have my pros and cons about Jet Blue. I have no problem flying with them domestic, but I definitely will not fly them again international. We went to St. Maarten for our honeymoon. The day we were supposed to hit, Hurricane Irene hit the Tri-State area which led to our flight being cancelled. I wouldn't have had a problem staying for an extra day or two, however, they only had two flights A WEEK flying back to NY. It was our own fault for not getting the flight insurance but everyday for four days after we were supposed to come home, we (and what seemed to be the rest of the tri-state area) had to get on line at the airport at 8 am to wait until the Jet Blue kiosk opened at 12 to get absolutely nowhere. If we called, someone would answer and just hang right up on you (which also lead to a $500 phone bill). So needless to say, if you are traveling internationally, DO NOT fly Jet Blue.

Anyway, back to happier thoughts! We will be flying out of Newark at 6 am (which means a 4 am wake up, but as long as I have my coffee, I'll be good to go! Plus i'll be running on pure adrenaline since I'll be going to my happy place!!) which will get us in around 8:30. Now originally, my plan was to go right to a water park. However, we have an early flight on the 16th now. I was hoping to leave at night but it didn't work out that way. So now I have to decide if we are still going to go to the water park or go straight to a park. Decisions, decisions!

I also have to decide on a character meal. No, we will not have any children with us lol. But it is a tradition that we have had since our first trip together, we always do one character meal. But which one!? Do I want to do something different or go back to a favorite? In the past, we have been to Crystal Palace, Tusker House, Chef Mickey's, and Ohana. As much as I would like to do CRT, it just isn't in the budget for this trip. What do you guys think?

 

[OrangeJuice]

Hey! I'm joining in. You're trip sounds great. We'll be in WDW around the same time as you. I love your ADRs and itinerary plans. This is our first time using park hopper too, I find it makes planning a lot more stress free.

Congrats on booking your flight. You are getting to WDW nice and early. I think I would head straight to a park. As for character meals, I loved Crystal Palace (before rope drop) on our last trip. This time around we are trying 1900 Park Fair which sounds like a great experience ( for both breakfast and supper). Their strawberry soup looks delicious.

 

[Megs114]

Hey! I'm joining in. You're trip sounds great. We'll be in WDW around the same time as you. I love your ADRs and itinerary plans. This is our first time using park hopper too, I find it makes planning a lot more stress free.

Congrats on booking your flight. You are getting to WDW nice and early. I think I would head straight to a park. As for character meals, I loved Crystal Palace (before rope drop) on our last trip. This time around we are trying 1900 Park Fair which sounds like a great experience ( for both breakfast and supper). Their strawberry soup looks delicious.

Thank you!! I hope you guys have a great trip! I'm excited to use the park hopper! Lol

I think we will head straight to a park and them later in the week do a water park in the morning before heading to a park. Oooo that strawberry soup sounds delicious!!

 

[hellocactus]

Happy early anniversary! You guys were married exactly one month after we were, hehe! We're going to WDW in July for our own 1st anniversary/much belated honeymoon so I will totally be following along with your PTR, too!

We are doing a character meal, too! Well, actually two. We picked Tusker House (thought it would inspire us to get an early start at AK, plus the food sounds yummy!) and Crystal Palace, which is probably even a little more kiddish but I love Winnie the Pooh so I can't resist.

 

[Megs114]

Happy early anniversary! You guys were married exactly one month after we were, hehe! We're going to WDW in July for our own 1st anniversary/much belated honeymoon so I will totally be following along with your PTR, too!

We are doing a character meal, too! Well, actually two. We picked Tusker House (thought it would inspire us to get an early start at AK, plus the food sounds yummy!) and Crystal Palace, which is probably even a little more kiddish but I love Winnie the Pooh so I can't resist.

Awww Happy Early Anniversary to you too! A friend of mine is getting married the day after your anniversary . I'll follow along on your PTR too!

They are both reallyyyyyyy good!! I have eaten at CP three times and it was great each time! TH I only ate at once but it was good too!

I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Megs114]

Hi everyone!

So since I'm not quite sure yet what we will be doing each day, here are our MUST DO's for each park!

First off, Magic Kingdom!!

From our 2009 Engagement Trip

MK is my favorite park. DH likes it but I don't think as much as I do lol.

My list of rides that I can't miss are:
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
The Haunted Mansion
Mickey's Philarmagic
Peter Pans Flight
It's a Small World
Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Monster's Inc Laugh Floor

DH's list is a little smaller:
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Haunted Mansion
Philarmagic
Country Bear Jamboree
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Monster's Inc Laugh Floor

We have a tradition that every time we go, on the last day we go to MK. By that time, we have done all the rides already but it is just a nice ending to an amazing vacation!

What is everyone's must do's?​

 

[OrangeJuice]

I love you MK must do's. My list is very similar to yours. The only thing I would add is a Dole Whip from the Sunshine Tree Terrace (yes I know that it's not a ride )

 

[Megs114]

I love you MK must do's. My list is very similar to yours. The only thing I would add is a Dole Whip from the Sunshine Tree Terrace (yes I know that it's not a ride )

Hahaha oh well that goes without saying!

 

[Megs114]

My second favorite park is Disney's Hollywood Studios!

My MUST DO rides are:
The Great Movie Ride
Tower of Terror
Rock n Roller Coaster
Toy Story Mania
Disney Animation
Muppet Vision 3D

The only ride that DH would add to this list is Star Tours. We haven't been there since they redid it but I can't do those types of rides without taking some Bonine first. So, for my DH, I make sure I take it so we can go on it. He really enjoys it and I don't want to have to be the reason for him not to go on or to have to go on by himself.

The day we go to DHS, we have a ADR for Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic! Dinner Package. I know everyone has mixed feelings about H&V but to be honest, we have yet to have a bad experience there. This will be our third time attempting to do this package. The past two times we have gone, the show has been rained out. I'm determined to have it work out this time because after three times, if it doesn't, then I quit lol.

What do you guys think?​

 

[Megs114]

Next up is Epcot!

DH and I Drinking Around the World!

Epcot is DH's favorite park. We have the same list of MUST DO rides:
Spaceship Earth
The Seas with Nemo and Friends (more me than DH)
Living with the Land
Soarin
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (or now Captain Eo)
Journey into Imagination
Ellen's Energy Adventure (for the midday need of air conditioning lol)
Mission:Space
Grand Fiesta Tour (DH loves the Three Caballeros)

I really, really, really, really wish Test Track wasn't going to be closed but it will just give us something to look forward to the next time we go!

I can do the orange side of Mission:Space, but like Star Tours, I definitely need to take Bonine at the beginning of the day in order to do it.

I was 13 when I made my first trip to Disney World (I know, tell me about it!). By the time I went for my first time, Captain Eo was already long gone. So I'm really excited to try something "new," even though its not new lol. For me its new!

DH and I usually participate in Drinks Around the World once or twice while we are there but this is our first time doing it by ourselves. When we normally go, we are with my DSIL and DBIL, DBIL's brother and wife, and a few friends. We stop and take a picture in every country to show proof that we did it. We love this tradition and even though we are going to be without our drinking buddies, we are excited to still partake! Who else does this?

We have eaten at Le Cellier and San Angel Inn. I would like to be able to say that I ate at all of the countries one day. Right now, I have Le Cellier booked for lunch again but I'm considering possibly changing it to Biergarten. Idk, decisions!! I'll discuss it with DH.

Thanks for tuning in everyone! We have 40 days until we leave and I CANNOT wait! As if you couldn't tell lol. Does anyone know when you usually get your stuff in the mail from them? Like your ME baggage things and everything?​

 

[oceanwave]

Happy early Anniversary!!

Your plans are looking great! We are doing a number of character meals when we go. You can never be too old

I love Crystal Palace, but that's mainly because I get to see my favourite guy, Eeyore

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[oceanwave]

Oh, and our husbands have the same name

 

[Megs114]

Happy early Anniversary!!

Your plans are looking great! We are doing a number of character meals when we go. You can never be too old

I love Crystal Palace, but that's mainly because I get to see my favourite guy, Eeyore

Looking forward to hearing more!

Oh, and our husbands have the same name

Thank you! Lol you definitely can never be too old! I'm not sure yet which one to do or for what meal it is going to be for. I loved CP! I did it for breakfast with my parents once and then dinner with DH on our first trip . And Mike is a good name!!

Has anyone tried 1900 Park Fare? Which meal was better? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? How about Norway?

 

[Megs114]

Last but not least, Animal Kingdom!!

This is a half day park to us. I know, I know, I don't want to insult any AK lovers, but we just kind of go in, do what we love, and head out.

Our MUST DO list is:
Dinosaur
Expedition Everest
It's Tough to be a Bug
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris

Sometimes we also go with Conservation Station, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Pangani Forest Exploration Trail but it really depends on the weather, temperature, and how we are feeling that day. The last time we went, they had EMH's at night and that was a lot of fun. It was really awesome riding Everest at night. Unfortunately, this time there aren't any night EMHs.

Food wise, we usually go with the QS Yak and Yeti. I can usually take it or leave it so this time we are going to try Flame Tree BBQ.

Still waiting for our DME luggage tags to come in. Hopefully soon!

Also, still deciding on which Character Breakfast to choose from! Decisions!!!​

 

[Megs114]

Today was a great day!

We got our packet today with our ME stuff!! I always love getting this in the mail. It makes it feel more official and means we are soooo close!

I also got a phone call for a job interview next week! Hopefully, this means we will not only be celebrating our one year anniversary, but also celebrating getting a teaching position! Keep your fingers crossed for me! ​

 

[Megs114]

30 DAY MARK!!!

Thank goodness for this vacation lol. These days of work are just getting longer and longer. Maybe it's bc I keep thinking "you can do this, only 45 more days" "only 30 more days" lol.

I finally made my character breakfast reservation! I decided on 1600 Park Fare but I think I'm going to try to change the time to later. Right now it's for 9:00 but I don't want to be rushing around. We'll be at MK that morning anyway so we can take our time a little bit.

Hope everyone is doing good!

 

[Megs114]

17 more days!! And 13 more work days!! I find out either tomorrow or Tuesday of I will be getting my first teaching position or not. Ughh so nervous!! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

All I want to do is to start packing lol but I think DH will think I'm crazy lol.

Has anyone used the Brita Water Bottles before? I was thinking of getting them for the parks.

The other day, DH threw the idea of maybe switching to a moderate resort at me. He said to call and if we could do it for an extra $350-400 to go ahead and book it. I tried to explain to him that it wasn't going to happen lol but I tried anyway. Alas, no luck but I appreciated his wanting to upgrade (he's not one to spend extra money if we don't have to).

Hope everyone is good!