Hakuna Matata--A Pre-Trip Report

[callicourt]

Welcome to my first ever PTR. I'm fairly new to the DIS Boards and my DH swears I'm already an addict. Let me introduce you to our November trip's cast of characters:

Me:

My name is Court. I'm a 24 year old high school Special Education teacher with a great love for Disney. I've been to the World 16 times and I've sailed aboard the Dream and the Wonder. I love nothing more than planning Disney vacations. I'm also a big fan of pasta {see above}.

DH:

My husband is named Josh and he's 25 years old. He also works in Special Education, but at the elementary school level. When we met in college, he'd only been to Disney World once {and it was a less than stellar experience}. Now he is officially a Disney addict.

Our upcoming trip to Disney {November...ah!} is going to be very special. We're bringing along quite a crew!

DH's Parents, Barry & Terrie:

B & T last went to WDW in 2002. They are NOT Disney addicts {yet}, but they know that when DH and I begin having children, they want to be a part of those Disney trips. They decided to tag along with us on this trip to "learn the ropes."

DH's Brother, Michael, and his lady friend, Lanie:

Michael and Lanie are both juniors in college. Mike last went to Disney World on a Chorale trip in high school. Lanie hasn't been to the World since she was three. They are both excited about taking a vacation!

DH's Uncle Chris, Aunt Ann, and cousins Audrey & Emily:

Josh's aunt and uncle haven't been to Disney World since sometime in the 1980's! Their daughters, Audrey and Emily have NEVER been and they cannot WAIT to meet lots of princesses

Josh and I cruised aboard the Disney Dream last Thanksgiving. We've been married a little over two years, and we've alternated going to Disney World and going on a Disney Cruise each year. Originally, we'd planned a family trip including us, and Josh's mom, dad, and brother. Upon discovering that Ann and Chris wanted to take their girls to Disney World, we decided to find a time that worked well for all of us. We cannot wait to show our family a good time...hopefully they will all learn to love Disney World like we do!

Up next: The {Wo}Man with the Plan

 

[callicourt]

The reason I titled this PTR Hakuna Matata is simple: it means no worries! I didn't want my MIL or Josh's aunt to stress about making reservations or plans, so I {willingly and happily} volunteered to do it all. Like I said, nothing gives me more pleasure than planning a Disney vacation

This Disney trip has been over a year in the making. Last November, after disembarking the Dream, we met up with Josh's parents and his aunt and uncle and hammered out all the major details: who, when, and where. After that, they left me to my own devices

In January, we had a family get together and booked our trip. DH and I booked using our Disney VISA and you should SEE the points we've racked up for goodies! Frugality was the name of our game for this trip, so we're staying at All-Star Music. DH and I haven't stayed in a value resort since before our wedding, but we'll really only be in our rooms for sleeping and showering.

We booked one regular room and one family-sized suite. Josh's aunt & uncle will stay in the regular room with their girls. My DH, in-laws, brother-in-law, Lanie, and I will be staying in the suite. I hope that works out in our favor! I'm quite excited about the prospect of a kitchenette and having two bathrooms on those busy mornings.

On our honeymoon, we traveled to WDW without a the DDP and my DH swore we'd never do it again. We decided on the plain, old DDP...we'll save the Deluxe for another time

Here's our schedule:

11/16: Arrival
DH, BIL, Lanie, and I will arrive early in the day. We have a breakfast ADR at Kona. DH's parents and his aunt and uncle will arrive via Magical Express around 12:30 or 1:00. We plan to get settled in, have lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and hopefully our rooms will be ready before 4:00.

At 4:00 the girls have their big appointment at BBB! I've never experienced BBB and I cannot wait! While the ladies enjoy this, I'm sure the boys will find something to do at DD. Once the girls have received their makeover, we'll shop for a while {I'm desperate to hit up Basin}, and then meet up for our ADR at Raglan Road.

Once we're full of delicious pub food, we'll drag ourselves back to the resort for some shut eye.

11/17: Disney's Hollywood Studios
We plan on arriving to take advantage of the EMH in the morning. Lunch will be at Pizza Planet because it's DH's favorite counter-service restaurant. We've also got an ADR for 50's Primetime Cafe at 6:35. In our past two trips to DHS, my DH has been chosen to participate in the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Keep your fingers crossed that he'll be chosen again!

I cannot wait to have the little girls see all of my favorites, like Voyage of the Little Mermaid!

11/18: Magic Kingdom
After a good night's sleep, we plan on hopping aboard a bus bound for the Magic Kingdom! I know the girls and Lanie will love this day the best! We plan on hitting up all of the rides because the girls are tall enough for everything...we're also excited about eating a counter-service meal at the Be Our Guest restaurant. Hopefully, most construction will be cleared up. I know the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train won't be complete, but we'll be going back in 2014, so I can deal.

For supper, we've got ADR's for Cinderella's Royal Table. I haven't eaten there since I was seven, so even this Disney veteran is a tiny bit excited

The EMH lasts until 1 am, though I'm not sure DH's parents or the girls will last that long. Rest assured that Josh and I will be partying till the cows come home!

11/19: Animal Kingdom:
Once again, we're going to take advantage of the EMH in the am and enjoy the day with the animals. I'm a little nervous that the girls won't like this park very much, but I do believe they'll enjoy FOTLK and Finding Nemo: The Musical. We're splitting up for lunch {I'll call it Diner's Choice on our itinerary}. Some of us will enjoy Yak & Yeti counter-service while others munch on Pizzafari or Flame Tree BBQ.

The park will close at 7:00 p.m. and we have an ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe at 7:35. After we're done with our bottomless milkshakes, we're doing what my mother likes to call a "resort tour." We'll grab a bus to the Contemporary, take some pictures, and then board the Monorail and stopover at both the Polynesian and Grand Floridian for more pictures. DH's aunt is an avid scrapbooker and photographer, so she's especially excited about this! We're hoping to time our visits just right to catch the Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes from the shore. Then, it's off to bed!

11/20: EPCOT
Our last full day at Disney will be spent at our favorite park: EPCOT. We're taking advantage of the EMH in the morning and hitting up our Future World favorites before making our way to the World Showcase. DH and I could spend days touring the countries

The little girls are excited about the new Phineas and Ferb experience, though I'll miss Kim Possible...I guess they are too young to appreciate KP! They will also complete their Kidcot masks. Lunch will once again be "Diner's Choice" with members of our party making stopovers in whatever country suits their fancy. I know DH and I will be enjoying Scotch eggs and fish-n-chips at Rose & Crown!

We have an ADR at Tutto Italia for a long, leisurely supper and then we'll enjoy IllumiNations {DH's favorite}. We'll also take advantage of one of our Disney VISA perks and visit with the Fab Five for a little private photo session. Once my family finally drags me away from my happy place, it's off to bed

11/:21: Home
Breaking up is hard to do, y'all

 

[wdwtwins]

I'll be tuning in! You got quite a large bunch, good luck! Haha Y'all's trip looks like a lot of fun!

 

[reyasmommy]

I love going to WDW with a big group of people! Sounds like you're all going to have a wonderful time. Our trip will overlap yours a bit... We'll be on the Dream until the 18th, then at Disney until the 23rd. I've never been in November. How was the weather on your cruise and at the parks last November?

Anyway, look forward to reading more.

 

[callicourt]

I love going to WDW with a big group of people! Sounds like you're all going to have a wonderful time. Our trip will overlap yours a bit... We'll be on the Dream until the 18th, then at Disney until the 23rd. I've never been in November. How was the weather on your cruise and at the parks last November?

Anyway, look forward to reading more.

The weather on our cruise was perfect! When we arrived at Port Canaveral, I wore a light denim jacket and capri pants and was totally comfortable. Our stopovers in Nassau and Castaway Cay were picturesque...just be certain to use plenty of sunscreen! I got FRIED because the mild weather tricked me into thinking that I wouldn't get burnt!

The weather at WDW during November & December is a little more tricky. I've been in that time span before and worn shorts, but the last time we went during November we ended up buying hats, scarves, and gloves! It's best to bet on longer pants, a short-sleeved shirt, and a light jacket...it definitely gets cooler once the sun goes down.

 

[DisneyGator13]

I'm also fairly new to the DIS and just started a PTR for my November trip as well! It looks like you'll be there right after us. It looks like it's going to be a great, and busy, trip!

 

[MrJenks13]