Mince Pie In The Sky - A Hopeful Pre-trip Report

[PJB71]

Flights booked

Before I continue with the scheduled programming, I wanted to share this with you. We took care of a major milestone today. We bought our flights. We both belong to a UK based Orlando forum that has a spin off Facebook group. Somebody posted on the Facebook group that Virgin Atlantic have a reward sale on at the moment. I checked both of our accounts and Graham had nearly enough miles for two tickets. We had to buy some extra miles, but this was a huge bargain. We are flying non stop from Manchester to Orlando and will arrived at 15:40. On the way back we will leave at 20:05. Having this sorted out makes this trip feel so much more real. Now I can book Disney's Magical Express for the trip back to the airport.

Corinna

fantastic news Corinna

 

[jedijill]

Almost free flights are the best!

Jill in CO

 

[wicket2005]

Lovely reading about all your plans.

 

[dolphingirl47]

fantastic news Corinna

It makes everything feel so much more real.

Almost free flights are the best!

Jill in CO

There were still a lot of taxes to pay, but it was a sweet deal

Lovely reading about all your plans.

Thanks for following along.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

DISApalooza

When I first mentioned that we may be heading to Walt Disney World, Laura (RachelTori) from the Animal Kingdom Lodge Community thread told me about DISApalooza and pointed me in the right direction. There was very little information available apart from the date (December 6th), the location(Toy Story Mania/ Pixar Place at Hollywood Studios) and that this is an after hours event. Today sign ups started. There is still not a great deal of information out, but it is $59.99 per person, is limited to 700 people and will run from 21:30 to 23:30. I managed to snag a ticket and I am really looking forward to this.

I did a little bit of research and this ride has a load capacity of 900 people per hour. So if they sell all tickets and everybody rides, this means on average 2.5 rides per person. This is not quite what I had expected and hoped for, but I think if I get two ride twice, I will be pretty happy.

Here are some more details courtesy of the DISApalooza thread:

What's included:
- Unlimited Access to after hours party on Pixar Place
- Unlimited Access to Toy Story Mania Ride
- All you can consume Food and Drinks (see below)
- Meet and greet with Podcast Team as well as members of the DIS and DISBoards
- Special appearance by Disney balloon artists
- Special appearance by some Disney/Pixar friends throughout the evening

Menu:

Ratatouille's Station
Garden Fresh Crudités with Herb Crème Fraiche
Artisan Fromage with Dried Fruits, Nuts and Crackers
Gusteau's Coq au Vin Braised Tres Grill Meatballs served with Petit French Rolls

Mr. Potato Heads Boardwalk Snacks
Fresh Popped Popcorn
Carnival Cotton Candy
Soft Pretzels with Mustard

Gamma Quadrant Crater Sweet Station
Rocket Fuel Flambéed Cinnamon Doughnuts with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (optional no fuel available - fuel=alcohol)
Bo Peeps colorful array of toppings to include: Mickey Confetti, Strawberry Sauce, Pineapple Topping, Chocolate Sauce, Whipped Cream, Nuts and Cherries

Included Drinks:

Bottled Water
Assorted Soft Drinks (diet and regular)
Regular Coffee
Decaffeinated Coffee
Hot Water with Tea Packets and Hot Chocolate Packets

The more I read, the more excited I get.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Congrats on the flights booked! I agree, makes it much more real. The DISApalooza sounds fun.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Double post. Computer was playing up.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Animal Kingdom

This is a park that I normally only visit every few years. I love the themeing and Asia is probably the most impressive of all Disney lands in this respect. I also love animals, but I have to say Animal Kingdom Lodge has the edge for me when it comes to viewing animals. There are really only two attractions at Animal Kingdom that I really enjoy: Kilimanjaro Safari and Festival of the Lion King. I am really looking forward to doing Kilimanjaro Safari again now that I have a DSLR camera. So I should hopefully get a few nice photos. I am also mulling over getting Photopass+ this time round so I may just have to brave Expedition Everest again as this is one of the ride photos that is included.













The main reason I am planning a visit to Animal Kingdom though are the Christmas decorations. I was absolutely blown away by them last year. Dinoland U.S.A. was a real surprise in this respect. This land has never sat easy with me and I always wondered why it was included in the line up at Animal Kingdom. However, this really came into its own all dressed up for Christmas. Yes, this was on the tacky end of the scale, but it really worked.











My favourite part of the park was Camp Minnie-Mickey though and all the character trees. I just could not get enough of those. As the days of Camp Minnie-Mickey are numbered due to the introduction of Avatarland, I really want to enjoy this one last time. I am just hoping that they will still decorate this for Christmas. I am also hoping to catch some of the characters in their Christmas outfits. I have heard since Mickey and Minnie have moved to their new home, the lines at the character meet and greets at Camp Minnie-Mickey are usually pretty short.

 

[Pinkocto]

I'll be curious to see how Avatarland will be received.

Loved seeing your pictures of the trees, they were so well done.

 

[franandaj]

Sounds like a great plan! I love it!

 

[Linda67]

I had never really considered AK being a good place to see the Christmas decorations - we'll be sure to check those out now

 

[dolphingirl47]

I'll be curious to see how Avatarland will be received.

Loved seeing your pictures of the trees, they were so well done.

I have to admit that I am in two minds about Avatarland. I loved the film and can see the potential for it, but I am not sure it will fit in Animal Kingdom. I think Hollywood Studios would have been a better fit or even do something completely out of the ordinary and put it on what used to be Discovery Island. I can see it there.

It is nearly breaking my heart that this will most likely be the last year for the trees. I can't wait to take some more photos with my Nikon.

Sounds like a great plan! I love it!

I am starting to get so excited.

I had never really considered AK being a good place to see the Christmas decorations - we'll be sure to check those out now

I never did either. I actually cottoned on to this during a photo quiz on the UK community board last year. I loved the photos and decided to check this out myself.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

First Gown on its Way

I know that I have been posting a ton of little updates recently, but there seems to be so much happening right now. I got an email today that the first gown is on its way. I keep checking the tracking information.

Corinna

 

[PJB71]

:

First Gown on its Way

I know that I have been posting a ton of little updates recently, but there seems to be so much happening right now. I got an email today that the first gown is on its way. I keep checking the tracking information.

Corinna

how exciting

Can't wait to see it

 

[dolphingirl47]

To do list

Book transfer from Orlando Airport to Hotel
Renew Annual Pass
Book Discovery Cove
Book hire car
Get ticket to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Get Photopass+
Book cruise
Book Disney's Magical Express for way back to airport
Buy remaining dresses for dinner on cruise
Book dolphin interaction for Cozumel
Book seats for return flight
Get jewellery for formal night
Get jewellery for Pirate night
Get tiara for formal night
Make magnets

Done

Booked Airport Hotel for night before flight
Booked flights
Booked seats for outbound flight
Booked hotel in Orlando
Booked Beach Club Villas for last night in Orlando
Made ADRs
Booked All Star Sports for night after DISApalooza
Got ticket for DISApalooza
Got dinner package for Candlelight Processional
Booked hotel in Miami
Ordered dress for formal night (currently in transit)
Ordered dress for Pirate night (currently being made)
Ordered doorspotter (received)

 

[Pinkocto]

When do you book the cruise?

 

[dolphingirl47]

The PIF date for the cruise is September 29th, which is a Sunday. As they often release IGT, etc rates and interline rates on Mondays, I hope that they release either or both on September 30th. This is when I will jump.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Ahhh, I would be on pins and needles waiting

 

[dolphingirl47]

Ahhh, I would be on pins and needles waiting

Pins and needles does not even come close. Patience is not one of my virtues at the best of times and also this only makes up about one third of the total duration of the trip, this is a very important part.

Corinna

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

Pins and needles does not even come close. Patience is not one of my virtues at the best of times and also this only makes up about one third of the total duration of the trip, this is a very important part.

Corinna

Yes it is!! I am so looking forward to seeing you!!! oh and Graham.... I am pd in full, booked Palo brunch on the first sea day...I so love brunch! I will be waiting till black Friday to book dolphins in Cozumel as last year they ran a black Friday BOGO deal. I have 9 people going so I need a deal..LOL I know that is only like 2 weeks before said dolphin swim but I figure the worst that could happen is I get the 25% off the Dolphin discovery runs a lot. Still trying to decide what to do in Grand Cayman. Not sure about turtle farm, hell, etc. Maybe just make it a beach day since no Castaway! What are ur thoughts?