"Our TR - Now with 100 % less POFQ!" - Nov 10th-20th(3/5-Last Day & Final Thoughts!)

[skier_pete]

Hey everyone! It’s that time again – when the PTR transitions into a Trip Report. That’s right the trip is around the corner, and since I am now caught up with the most modern of technology – the smart phone – I figured I would start my Trip Report before I leave and therefore I might even manage to make LIVE updates during the trip.

So, for the few people that might stumble across this without having joined in on my Pre-Tripper, here’s a quick introduction to our “Gang of 4”.


First, there’s me – Peter. No, I don’t run the DISboards – different Pete. As stated in my PTR, I was lucky enough to get to go to Disney many times as a child, mostly with my grandmother (on my mother's side). We would go down to Florida to visit my Grand-Uncle, and I have great (but vague) memories of Disney (and Sea World, and Cypress Gardens..etc.). These trips really formed a basis for where I like to spend my free money as an adult (on travel and entertainment).


After the final childhood trip in 1983 with my mom and step-dad, the next two trips were with my DGF and eventual DW. Our first vacation together was to WDW in 1997, and we went back again 2000. We still weren't addicted then...that didn't happen until we stayed on-site in 2006 with DD and DMIL and at the same time I was introduced to the DIS. We have since gone six times in 5 years, and this will be our 7th trip.


While I am the Disney planner, DW is a much of a Disney addict as I. We’ve been together for 16 years now and we make a near perfect Disney team. (I plan the trips and she…well, she let’s me without complaining.) She is a full-time mom and works part-time at a cemetery. (No – she doesn’t work the graveyard shift! Ba bum – ching!)



The third piece of our triumvirate is DD, who is 8.5, and is unfortunately an only child who is spoiled rotten, much like myself. (We would’ve liked more kids but that is a whole ‘nother story.) She is as much a Disney nut as her parents, a kid who’s favorite music is the Disney Parks Music CD, and who loves watching old vacation videos of our trips. She is NOT into characters, though she says because she doesn’t know what to say to them. She also doesn’t like trying new rides – a bit of a scary cat – but honestly once she tries them



So last summer I’m talking to my Mom about our upcoming trip and she says “maybe I could join you on the trip?” Well, that trip was all planned with ADRs for 3 and a special surprise of staying @ the AKL – so I told her, maybe this year isn’t so good, but how about November 2011. And here we are a year and a half later, and she is excited to join us, every though she is a member of the “Disney’s Just for Kids” club. Here’s a picture with DD and Grandpa – who’s staying home for this one.



Up next - a quick summary!

[skier_pete]

Table of Contents!

Day 0 - Arriving at Disney! Post #67

Day 1 - MK - 8 AM Opening! Fantasyland in 75 minutes!
Day 1 - More pictures
Day 1 - MK Part 3
Day 1 - Dinner at California Grill

Day 2 - AK Part 1
Day 2 - AK Part 2
Day 2 - AK Part 3
Day 2 - Sanaa Review

Bonus Photopass Pictures

Day 3 - Epcot Part 1
Day 3 - Epcot Part 2
Day 3 - Epcot Part 3

Day 4 - Downtown Disney
Day 4 - Caribbean Beach Resort
Day 4 - Epcot/The Land/Garden Grill
Day 4 - Illuminations Cruise!

Day 5 - Disney Hollywood Studios - Part 1
Day 5 - DHS Part 2 - 50's Prime Time
Day 5 - DHS Part 3 - Osborne Lights

Day 6 - Epcot Part 1
Day 6 - Epcot Part 2
Day 6 - Epcot Part 3
Day 6 - Biergarten (dinner) and Jellyrolls (Night out)

Day 7 - Typhoon lagaon Part 1
Day 7 - Typhoon lagaon Part 2
Day 7 - CBR Pictures
Day 7 - Crystal Palace and MK Evening Shows (all 4)

Day 8 - Animal Kingdom Pt 1 (added Feb 8)
Day 8 - Animal Kingdom Pt 2 (Added Feb 10)
Day 8 - Animal Kingdom Pt 3 (Added Feb 10)

Day 9 - Magic Kingdom Pt 1 (Added Feb 17th
Day 9 - Magic Kingdom Pt 2 - Cinderella's Royal Table (Added Feb 21st)
Day 9 - Magic Kingdom Pt 3 - Evening wrap-up (Added Feb 28th)

Day 10 - CBR and leaving WDW
Final Thoughts


NEW LINK FOR Disneyland / Austalia PTR

[skier_pete]

For those NOT following along on my PTR – here’s a quick summary of the plans:

So, the initial title of our TR – “Our TR – now with 100% less POFQ!” comes from our original plan. We stayed our first 3 trips at POFQ – but not since 2008 have we stayed there, and I was determined to stay there again because we LOVE it. We even had it booked with Free Dining. We had three nights room only and seven nights on a free dining package booked. However, as is want with Disney plans – things change. They extended the Dining plan one day early, and then came out with a room discount, and I determined that we could save an additional $200+ by moving to a different moderate. We decided on Carribean Beach Resort. We have never stayed there, and besides the size of the resort, find a lot there that is appealing. So, we are trying something new on a trip that has it’s main theme being “Reliving the greatest hits.”

A quick summary.
Thursday November 10th – Arrive @ MCO around 7 PM. DD has today and Friday off from school. DW is taking the time off. I will work a half day, and then we have a parent teacher conference @ 11:30 AM. After that we will be heading for the airport. Meanwhile, DM is flying from Phoenix to Ft. Lauderdale on 11/7 to visit a friend, but then is meeting us @ MCO. Her flight lands 25 minutes before ours, so all goes well we will all be arriving at the same time. In order to book at CBR we are staying a single night in a preferred room before moving over to a standard room tomorrow.

Friday, November 11th – Magic Kingdom for an early (8 AM) rope drop. Stay until around 2 PM – then back to hotel to change rooms / swim / unpack. Dinner @ California Grille and a view of Christmas Wishes.

Saturday, November 12th – Animal Kingdom with dinner @ 5 PM at Sanaa in AKL / Kidani.

Sunday, November 13th – Epcot and the final day of Food and Wine – plus dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh.

Monday, November 14th – Probably a resort/DTD day, with evening @ Garden Grill and Illuminations. (We could switch and do Typhoon Lagoon today if the forecast for later in the week is iffy.)

Tuesday, November 15th – Hollywood Studios, with lunch @ 50s Prime Time and the Obsorne Lights.

Wednesday, November 16th – Epcot. Dinner @ Biergarten. DW and I going out for an evening @ the Boardwalk / Jellyroll’s

Thursday, November 17th – Typhoon Lagoon – assuming no switch to Monday – and dinner @ Crystal Palace followed by the Castle Lighting, Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes.

Friday, November 18th – 2nd Animal Kingdom day. Lunch @ Tusker House. Early evening for more swim time?

Saturday, November 19th – MK in the morning and evening. Some hotel time during the day, and dinner at the Castle.

Sunday, November 20th – DM leaves in the morning, our flight isn’t until 6 PM – so a few hours to get in a last minute entertainment.

We have 8 days of DDP mixed in there, and are really looking forward to a nice “relaxing” vacation. I will try and post the occasional update during the trip, with maybe even a picture or two.

[DisMomAmy]

Here!

[prisjoyce]

I'm in. Lovin' that you went with the title!

[PrincessInOz]

Marking my spot!

Safe travels and make sure you have 100% more FUN.

[Colleen27]

Wow, single digits! Subbing in, eagerly awaiting the live updates.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

Here!

Welcome! :Welcome:

Originally Posted by prisjoyce

I'm in. Lovin' that you went with the title!

I couldn't come up with anything better. Unless we get a really good quote from our trip - I can always change it...but figured it's good for now!

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

Marking my spot!

Safe travels and make sure you have 100% more FUN.

Thank you. But 100 % more fun than WHAT? Work? No problem there!

Originally Posted by Colleen27

Wow, single digits! Subbing in, eagerly awaiting the live updates.

I know I'm sort of excited to share as we go. I probably won't spend a ton of time each day doing this. I'm sort of against the whole "spending your life on your social media instead of on your actual life" thing. Probably a brief update each evening unless something totally spectacular happens.

[Disneychix]

Wow, what a nice long vacation! I missed most of your PTR but I'll be around after your trip

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by Disneychix

Wow, what a nice long vacation! I missed most of your PTR but I'll be around after your trip

Hey Disneychix! Haven't heard from you in a while. Looks like you must be "just back" from a trip. Thanks for joining in!

[tigerdragon]

I'm really looking forward to reading your live updates! We will be arriving the same weekend that you're leaving so reading your TR will make me even more excited!

I think you will enjoy CBR. We have stayed there three times and have always loved it.

[TheWrightTrip]

Signing in over here! I think it's gonna be so cool to follow the trip reports of those there at the same time as my family.
We will be in Epcot the same day (16th)!
Doing the Princess breakfast at Akershus. We went this route instead of CRT for my DD(5) and DD(3). Then hoping all 3 of the kids hang for a long day!

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by tigerdragon

I'm really looking forward to reading your live updates! We will be arriving the same weekend that you're leaving so reading your TR will make me even more excited!

I think you will enjoy CBR. We have stayed there three times and have always loved it.

:Welcome: and thanks for joining in. Hopefully I can manage a few entertaining posts while we are there!

Originally Posted by TheWrightTrip

Signing in over here! I think it's gonna be so cool to follow the trip reports of those there at the same time as my family.
We will be in Epcot the same day (16th)!
Doing the Princess breakfast at Akershus. We went this route instead of CRT for my DD(5) and DD(3). Then hoping all 3 of the kids hang for a long day!

:Welcome: - and welcome to DIS as well. look for my Lime Green Mickey Head (LGMH) tags as on my red backpack as you wander around the park. I think we will be spending more time in Future World that day, since we are hitting World Showcase hard on the 13th for food and wine.

Akershus is a slightly better deal than CRT - we've eaten there twice ourselves, but with the free dining decided to "splurge" and "blow" the credits on the Castle. Both are still ridiculously priced, but had really good princess interaction at both. You're kids will love it.

[LisaKeys]

I'm in! Looking forward to reading your TR. Looks like a good schedule has been planned.

[FosterA]

3 more days

Have a great time!