You either get it or you don't. First PTR

[Ellsbells]

Hello everyone! I’m fairly new to the Disboards so still getting to know you all. Anyway before I begin this PTR I should give some back story to why I’m over the moon about it all.

But first let me introduce myself

Back in October 2011 I decided that I wasn’t ready for university just yet and decided to take a gap year in America. I ended up in Chicago working as an Au Pair and one year turned into two. Two whole years being away from my family was hard. However while on this experience I had the chance to explore America and all the places I never thought I would get the chance to see with Disney World being one of them.
I went to Disney World twice over the two years both in January and after raving about to my family constantly after my first trip whenever we spoke, my mum surprised me at Christmas and told me she had purchased flight and park tickets and that all I had to do was book my flights from Chicago. I was shocked and completely surprised I had spent many years of my childhood trying to convince my family to sacrifice our summer trips to Cyprus for just once to go to Disney World and here I was going to Disney World three times in the space of two years. I quickly searched out the best flights and started my countdown not only for Disney World but for seeing my family finally (yes it took me a while to pluck up the courage to write this so I am further along in my planning)

I guess before I really get into this PTR I should show you my family!
My lovely mother and middle sister (17) (this was around four years ago now and my middle sister towers over me)

My crazy lovely dad being his cool self

Last but not least my little moo (the nickname is due to her real name)

she got all the cool from me as you can see

I guess I should share when we shall be there. We shall be there from the 21st of July to the 5th of June. Crazy season I am fully aware but it was the only way my mum could work it around my sisters school/college timetables. But that is part of the reason I think I have gone fully into plan, plan and more planning mode.

We are not staying on resort
However I can kinda breathe a sigh of relief because as you will hear from me undoubtedly many a times my dad is not a big crowd kinda guy. I'm shocked even more he agreed to this trip. However he has already booked a Harley Davidson for two of the days we are there so he can go explore Florida by himself while I drive the family Disney crazy.

Next post will be a rough outline of what the two weeks will look like!

I hope you stick with me while I try to find my niche in the world of PTR's!

 

[Ellsbells]

So I started the countdown at around 180 days or something and its now 104 days (14 weeks) my excitement is getting too much I cant take all this waiting can it just be June already?
Anyway to keep me busy I have been planning and then re-planning the trip but I think I finally have which parks we will do on what days. This isnt set in stone though because this is like the fifth schedule I have done.
However this time I used all the websites I could think of to help plan which parks would work best.
So without further ado here is the plan-

June

21st 
" Flood the airport with all my tears
" Get to the villa (Eagle Point, Kissimmee) around 2:30pm

" Target run for Breakfast food that will keep us full and energized for all the crazy I become at the parks.
" Hopefully I can get the family to agree to at least go to DD and go to DQ.
" Then have Fish and Chips because I miss it so much and its sorta become my tradition to have it the first night Im there and DD gets me in the holiday mood

22st -
" MAGIC KINGDOM
" No ADRs this day (actually none till the second week)
" Not sure really how this day will pan out I guess it depends on how tired the family are. Im hoping for a chilled day at the park letting my sisters get the magic feel and watch the parades. However I do want her to experience Monster inc Laugh Floor this day because I find it hilarious and adore it. I think she will to.

23rd -
" HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
" All I know for sure so far for today is that we will head straight to TsM and ride it then grab FP for it afterwards.
" Hoping to get the younger sister to go on ToT and RnR but we shall see. Ive already sent my mum links on Youtube for my sister to see what the rides are all about.
" Character meets with the Toy Story guys because all three of us girls love TS and with the Cars guys. My little sister is obsessed with those films

24th 
" EPCOT
" Soarin will be first thing on the agenda
" Then Test Track not sure about Mission Space I think I will get the younger one on this no problem but we shall see!
" Take things as they come Ive done it all before so I want them to choose.

25th -
" ANIMAL KINGDOM
" My little sister is so excited for this park. She loves animals. I would have put this closer to when we first get there but this is the first day that the crowd levels seem to say it wont be that bad.
" Both times I have been I have done this park in half a day however I have a feeling we will be there all day but I have to admit I am excited by that because I still havent done half the things I want to do there!

Okay so this is the first couple of days. As I was writing this out I realized that because we have so many days at the parks Im finding it hard to choose what we should do. I think after I have finished with which parks will be doing on what days I will then write out the must do things and the maybes and then will see if the family agrees on this. I have already tried to do this but because they have never been and havent really done much research into the parks apart from watch a DVD and read a book. I think I need a Skype session with just the youngest to get a better idea


AHHHHHH 14 WEEKS 14 WEEKS

 

[Amunet]

Congratulations! And Welcome

I've been to Disney during that time twice Once during my honeymoon and the second on our 3rd anniversary. If you need any help, I am more than welcome to offer my tips on how we avoided lines and stayed cool!

 

[Ellsbells]

Congratulations! And Welcome

I've been to Disney during that time twice Once during my honeymoon and the second on our 3rd anniversary. If you need any help, I am more than welcome to offer my tips on how we avoided lines and stayed cool!

Thanks!
How did you avoid the lines?
I have a few ideas but because I really have no idea just how busy it will be I'm not sure they will be good enough.

 

[Amunet]

Thanks!
How did you avoid the lines?
I have a few ideas but because I really have no idea just how busy it will be I'm not sure they will be good enough.

Two words; Rope Drop. We stayed on resort both times, so it helped A LOT. But even if you don't stay on property, you can still do rope drop, you just can't do rope drop on an extra magic hour day.
Rope Drop is arriving for park opening. If the park opens at 9am. You're there at 8:45am. It seems crowded at first but once you get into the park, the crowd thins out.

I can tell you that this was SUCH A TIME SAVER!
We went to Magic Kingdom for rope drop (even has a cute character show) on a regular day (no magic AM hours). We were able to complete Space Mountain (twice I think), Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, all within the first 2 hours. There were 3 of us
If you'd like, my TR (Completed! ) in my signature has all the details of what we did. Mostly, it's rope drop and fastpasses.

It will be rather busy and crowded. The crowds start spilling in around Noon/11am depending the day of the week.

 

[Ellsbells]

Thought I would do another post today as this past week I have got really into the planning mode and nearly completed all the ADR’s I think my family will be ok with. I’ll more about those later though!
Ahh think I will pick up from where I left it with the two week plan of parks.

26th –

• MAGIC KINGDOM

• Will do the attractions we haven’t done yet and maybe I’ll get them on the mountains again

27th-

• One of the Water parks

• My sister is desperate to go to them so will most likely end up going to both though I really am not a fan of them but I want the youngest sister to have the best time ever.

• Dinner at the villa lazy evening let the family rest even though I would be fine with going to one of the parks for the night.

28th

• HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

29th

• IOA For WWOHP

• All three of us love Harry Potter so this is a must do for us.

30th

• DOWNTOWN DISNEY

• Disney Quest at some point as I loved it the last time I was there and think the siblings would as well!

July


1st

• ANIMAL KINGDOM/EPCOT

2nd

• MAGIC KINGDOM

3rd

• Things get shady around this time as we will have done all the parks and people will have favorites and dislikes. So I will let them pick and choose. I won't care because hello its Disney World However we do have an ADR at Magic Kingdom that evening.

4th

• WATERPARK

• BBQ At the villa/ I want to go say goodbye to MK but we will see what the vote among the family is.

5th

• Day I am dreading. Its goodbye time to both Disney World and the family till my time is done in America. We have mid day flights so no parks for us this day

So yeah things get a bit shady towards the end as we have a lot of days to do the parks and the family haven't done the parks yet but I have my loves so I will just sit back and let the family get on with it I think \

On another note the Disney Store had a great sale today and I got myself three more tops for the holiday, one for the little sister and the villans toy set figures all under $45.oo

Next will be the actual day or the ADR's not sure yet still typing it all out and what not!

Have a great day

 

[Ellsbells]

Two words; Rope Drop. We stayed on resort both times, so it helped A LOT. But even if you don't stay on property, you can still do rope drop, you just can't do rope drop on an extra magic hour day.
Rope Drop is arriving for park opening. If the park opens at 9am. You're there at 8:45am. It seems crowded at first but once you get into the park, the crowd thins out.

I can tell you that this was SUCH A TIME SAVER!
We went to Magic Kingdom for rope drop (even has a cute character show) on a regular day (no magic AM hours). We were able to complete Space Mountain (twice I think), Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, all within the first 2 hours. There were 3 of us
If you'd like, my TR (Completed! ) in my signature has all the details of what we did. Mostly, it's rope drop and fastpasses.

It will be rather busy and crowded. The crowds start spilling in around Noon/11am depending the day of the week.

Yeah I planned on getting the family to the parks for Rope Drop but we shall see I am hoping to convert them all to Disney loving people and that getting them up in the morning won't be a problem so
Can't believe you managed to get all that done in the first two hours...Makes me feel a bit better about it all!
Thank you for the tips!

 

[Ellsbells]

Not sure if anyone is reading this but I'm having fun right it all out and its helping to pass the time.
Tomorrow I can finally say its only a 100 days away!

I finally finished the plan that I made to send to my family. My mums response was are you crazy? I had to laugh!

So here is the burst of rainbow that took me three months to plan and decide on

When I first went to Disney World in January 2012 I had no idea just what you could do at Disney World. I didn't know about ADR's, EMH's and all the other things that I cant think of at the moment.

However after the first trip I stumbled across the disboards and since then I've been on here every night reading peoples trip reports and questions. I have found other websites to plan with and I can't wait for future trips to the Disney World!

My point though after all that rambling is I did make ADR's but only five and no character meals as I am still learning and I also have no idea how much my family are willing to spend on a meal. So I picked places that I think they would enjoy and not have to worry about a large bill!

I am currently panicking though! My parents booked a villa in Eagle Point, Kissimmee and I'm reading some posts saying it can take forty minutes to get to parks! Has anyone stayed in Eagle Point? Is that true?

I'm a natural worrier so its mostly likely all for nothing right?

as always take care

 

[skier_pete]

Hey there...just joining in 'cause it's so cute the way you convinced your family to come "across the pond".

So, a couple of things. Amunet is right about rope drop as being a great use of time, especially going in a hot and crowded summer season! Don't forget you are going to be around for 4th of July week. It'll be hot and crowded. Long days at the parks may fray nerves.

I also wanted to say that you have SOOOO many park days, make sure to give yourself some down time. Take a day off and just hang at your villa. Sleep in one day. Or spend a day at the beach instead of at the parks!

I know it's sometimes hard to do that especially on a "once in a lifetime" trip, but remember the most important part of this trip is that your spending it together as a family. No need to go go go for 2 weeks straight.

SkierPete

P.S. Can't help you with the question about Kissimmee. I know Kissimmee itself is very nearby. Get the address from your dad and google it.

edit: googled it myself. Say about 32 minutes drive. That's kind of far. Anyway to get them to move closer?

 

[Ellsbells]

Hey there...just joining in 'cause it's so cute the way you convinced your family to come "across the pond".

So, a couple of things. Amunet is right about rope drop as being a great use of time, especially going in a hot and crowded summer season! Don't forget you are going to be around for 4th of July week. It'll be hot and crowded. Long days at the parks may fray nerves.

I also wanted to say that you have SOOOO many park days, make sure to give yourself some down time. Take a day off and just hang at your villa. Sleep in one day. Or spend a day at the beach instead of at the parks!

I know it's sometimes hard to do that especially on a "once in a lifetime" trip, but remember the most important part of this trip is that your spending it together as a family. No need to go go go for 2 weeks straight.

SkierPete

P.S. Can't help you with the question about Kissimmee. I know Kissimmee itself is very nearby. Get the address from your dad and google it.

edit: googled it myself. Say about 32 minutes drive. That's kind of far. Anyway to get them to move closer?

Thanks still can't believe it really!
I think I needed to hear that from someone else I knew deep down that to go go go was just to much for two weeks. I've been playing around with the planning and cut it down a little bit so hopefully its not to mad!

Ahh I thought it was! I don't think they will as we put down the first deposit...its okay they have agreed to get up extra early to get there on the days we want to be there for rope drop!

 

[MommyRobot]

Looks like you've got a fun family! Love that photo of your sis in her HP garb.

 

[Ellsbells]

Looks like you've got a fun family! Love that photo of your sis in her HP garb.

Thank you! I have a great family...apart from a dad that can't stand crowds...so this trip could get interesting

We are leaving him behind a couple of the days though

 

[Ellsbells]

So I did some more editing to the plan. I'm sure its not the last edit. The edit includes some changes to the ADR's as well as the amount of park days...It kinda pained me to take a day off but you never know what will happen on the day!

Anyway here is the plan in all its edited glory!

I think my mum is getting into the Disney Mood that or she's just pretending to keep me happy! I was telling her earlier how I couldn't wait to have a Mickey bar and she said "oh I'm not sure of that" to which I replied "to what?" and she replied with "to eating poor Mickey" I had to laugh and inside I was doing cartwheels!

Nearly busted my cover earlier though with the little sister. See she thinks I am only able to be there for three days because of work. Like she fully really does believe it and today I was talking about our plans and nearly busted it by talking about the whole two weeks. Luckily my mum butted in. Phew.

Anyway that's all for this post. I might end up posting the ADR's tonight but we'll see I tend to get wrapped up in other peoples trip reports in the evening

 

[skier_pete]

I like your note to your sister "you can wee whenever you want to just shout." (Just make sure she enters the toilet first! My Mantra for the first two hours after rope drop is "Rides First!" If DD or DW is distracted by the "Disney Dump" shop**, I'll yell "Rides First! Shopping Later!" I do let them pee however, though a potty break just prior to rope drop is highly encouraged.

I'm glad to see you put in that day of rest. I would be very surprise if at that point anyone says "Oh please, can we just keeping going!"

SkierPete

**The "Disney Dump" is what we call the shop they dump you into at the end of the ride or attraction that sells you crap themed to the ride. Tower of Terror and Rock 'N Roller Coaster are perfect examples of the Disney Dump. Even if we are in a non-Disney location and we see it we always comment "Hey, they do the Disney Dump here."

 

[Ellsbells]

I like your note to your sister "you can wee whenever you want to just shout." (Just make sure she enters the toilet first! My Mantra for the first two hours after rope drop is "Rides First!" If DD or DW is distracted by the "Disney Dump" shop**, I'll yell "Rides First! Shopping Later!" I do let them pee however, though a potty break just prior to rope drop is highly encouraged.

I'm glad to see you put in that day of rest. I would be very surprise if at that point anyone says "Oh please, can we just keeping going!"

SkierPete

**The "Disney Dump" is what we call the shop they dump you into at the end of the ride or attraction that sells you crap themed to the ride. Tower of Terror and Rock 'N Roller Coaster are perfect examples of the Disney Dump. Even if we are in a non-Disney location and we see it we always comment "Hey, they do the Disney Dump here."

I just had to put that little note on it after I received a text from my mum mentioning that my little sister was worried I wouldn't be letting anyone stop for bathroom breaks!
Disney Dump! I love it. Going to be borrowing that for the trip I think. Both times I've been I think we have all been dragged out of the Disney Dumps.
I know that I could carry on but I think the family would be about ready to drop by that point

 

[Ellsbells]

So before the disboards I never even knew about table service/ADR's and when I asked my friend who had been to Disney World four times if she knew about it she said she had no idea so I basically started from scratch. As my parents really have no idea about Disney World my mum left the planning all to me. That included ADR's. My mum never gave me price limits so I had no idea where to start. I decided to go with the cheaper ones with the better reviews.

ADR's
Coral Reef- I just had to even if it is a little bit more pricey plus anything with animals and my sister will love it.
The Plaza
Sci-Fi I'm excited to try this not for the food but the theming!
Tutto Italia I had to stick Italian food somewhere as its my family's favorite food! I've only seen good reviews so I'm excited for this place to.
Crystal Palace for Breakfast though this might get cancelled or my dad might just skip this one. But my sister the 17 yr old one really wanted Breakfast with Winnie the Pooh >.<

96 Days

 

[skier_pete]

Since you aren't that familiar with the ADRs, I will give you some unsolicited advice!

ADR's
Coral Reef- I just had to even if it is a little bit more pricey plus anything with animals and my sister will love it.

Coral reef is decent food, not great, but worth it for the view. One piece of advice, show up 20 minutes early for your ADR, and then when you check in, tell them that you want a table on the lower tier near the tanks, and that you are willing to wait. You may have to wait longer, up to an hour possibly but probably not that long, last time we waited maybe 20 minutes, the time before that was 45. There are 3 tiers and we've sat both on the lower tier and on the very upper tier, and the upper tier to put it blunty just sucks. Trust me, if your paying the money to eat there, get the "good seats". They don't cost any more.

The Plaza.

Good choice on a budget. Reasonable prices and good food. Plus the desserts are ice cream from the ice cream shop next door. (Edy's yum!)

Sci-Fi I'm excited to try this not for the food but the theming!

Love the SCI-FI!!! Good choice! Also not too expensive and good food. Get a milkshake, they are amazing! Also when you check in, tell them you want a car. Don't let them sit you at one of the tables in the back. The wait for a car isn't usually any longer, the restaurant is like 90 % cars, but they might try and stick you at a table. Tell them NO WAY!! With 5 of you, you should get a car to yourself (they hold 6).

Tutto Italia I had to stick Italian food somewhere as its my family's favorite food! I've only seen good reviews so I'm excited for this place to.

We avoid Italian food at Disney cause it's generally not so good, but I have heard Tutto is excellent, though haven't tried it.

Crystal Palace for Breakfast though this might get cancelled or my dad might just skip this one. But my sister the 17 yr old one really wanted Breakfast with Winnie the Pooh >.<

Far and away our favorite character buffet. Expensive, but they all are.

They all look like good choices to me!

However, I am going to give you an added recommendation, especially if your sis is into animals. One place that's a bit "off the beaten path" but if your family likes Indian-inspired food is "Saana", which is at the Animal Kingdom Hotel's Kidani Lodge. The restaurant is beautiful and sits right on the Savannah, so you can watch the animals while you dine, this is the only place in WDW where you can do this. Prior to your meal, you can walk out onto the Savannah (There's a viewing area that juts out into the middle of the Savannah right near the restaurant entrance.) and get pretty close to the Giraffes, Zebras, Ostrichs, etc. The food is great, probably the best non-signature meal we've had, and the prices are reasonable (for Disney anyways - probably $15-25 US), but again you should like that style of food. Check out the menus here on the DIS under "Dining", you can see every menu for every restaurant.

It's actually the perfect way to end a day spent at DAK as it's less than 3 minutes drive from the park. Just again make sure to request a table with a view of the savannah. Some are set back quite a ways, and its more fun to look for animals while you dine. We've eaten there twice, and never waited more than 20 minutes for the prime tables. (I think most people don't think to ask.)

And if you go there, be sure to check out the toilets that are for the restaurant right by the entrance. I know that sounds crazy, but they're the most beautiful toilets on property.

 

[Ellsbells]

However, I am going to give you an added recommendation, especially if your sis is into animals. One place that's a bit "off the beaten path" but if your family likes Indian-inspired food is "Saana", which is at the Animal Kingdom Hotel's Kidani Lodge. The restaurant is beautiful and sits right on the Savannah, so you can watch the animals while you dine, this is the only place in WDW where you can do this. Prior to your meal, you can walk out onto the Savannah (There's a viewing area that juts out into the middle of the Savannah right near the restaurant entrance.) and get pretty close to the Giraffes, Zebras, Ostrichs, etc. The food is great, probably the best non-signature meal we've had, and the prices are reasonable (for Disney anyways - probably $15-25 US), but again you should like that style of food. Check out the menus here on the DIS under "Dining", you can see every menu for every restaurant.

It's actually the perfect way to end a day spent at DAK as it's less than 3 minutes drive from the park. Just again make sure to request a table with a view of the savannah. Some are set back quite a ways, and its more fun to look for animals while you dine. We've eaten there twice, and never waited more than 20 minutes for the prime tables. (I think most people don't think to ask.)

And if you go there, be sure to check out the toilets that are for the restaurant right by the entrance. I know that sounds crazy, but they're the most beautiful toilets on property.

Thank you so so so much. I booked an adr for Saana! I would never have known about the place and after I looked it up I just had to book it! Looks like a great location and the menu looks yummy
All this advice. Thank you so much! Yeah I am slightly worried about The Corral because of the reviews I have read but I'm just going to send a link to all the ADR's to my family and see if they want to do them all. If not I will cancel that one!

 

[Ellsbells]

94 days
I don't really have anything new to report on so far. Though I did get a chance to talk to the family and my little sister is so excited for our meal at Saana! Thanks for the tip
My Mum and Dad might skip the breakfast at The Crystal Palace which is fine with me it will be nice to spend time with the siblings
I have started collecting bits and pieces ready for the trip. My challenge if money allows it is to have Disney themed top for each day. I don't think I'm doing to bad at the moment for being on an Au Pair wage

Hope everyone had a great start to the week

 

[nolajax]

LOVE your spreadsheet. Mine is quite similar.