When my dad saw me awake at 5 a.m. he asked, “Disney?”
Hi! Just noticed your PTR link in your sig and thought I'd check it out. I'm horrible at catching up on TR's so I'll just jump in here. I might have to go back and check out that plane story from 2012 though that you mentioned.In case you haven’t met us before on my prior (finally finished!) trip report, A Savanna, A Wizard, and Oodles of Food, we’ll start with the ever-important cast for the upcoming trip
Epic trip! Wow. This will be a lot of fun!!!Four resorts!
Six parks!
Two water parks!
Our first Disney tour!
Far, far too many ADRs!
Ok, that explains the avatar.*Does the Muppet Vision 3-D pre-show count as an attraction?
Wow. Just wow. The longest we've ever stayed is 6 or 7 nights. I would so love to do a long trip like this and actually have the time to take those resort days to just kick back and relax.So there we go! After all of that craziness and many considerations, we have our final vacation dates:
Saturday, May 23 – Monday, June 8, 2015
You might be. But I'll withhold judgment until we see how the trip actually goes.I promise that it totally makes sense once you see our trip as a whole. At least it makes sense to me. I may also be crazy.
I love Pop! I think that's a great choice for your arrival night.I initially booked Pop for our 2013 trip, but changed it over to the Coronado Springs Resort. I’m very excited to explore everything the resort has to offer and view.
I'm really impressed with what you were able to get! I guess that getting ADR's for just 2 probably helped, but you really did well!Would you believe it, even though we were less than 140 days out we got every reservation we wanted (including great times for our pre-park opening breakfasts!). I’m sure the fact that we were a duo helped, but it shows that you can book great reservations past the six month mark!
That. Is. Awesome!!!!!!!!I said (very disappointed and apologetically, I’m sure) that adding Universal tickets would just be too expensive, it would be tough to tour Universal in the summer crowds without the Express passes we bought last time, the Express passes themselves would be CRAZY expensive for a May vacation, etc. It would be much easier and less expensive to stay at Disney and find other interesting things to do.
Excuses. Many, many excuses.
And lies. So many lies.
Little did she know, I’d already booked us here:
This is how it usually works when we do Universal too. Either at the end of the trip or a day in the middle. But always a rushed day trying to get through things and we just burn out fast. I think starting off there and spending a night or 2 on property is a great way to do it.I’m hoping to see things multiple times due to our early entry privileges and those snazzy Express Passess! We were pretty burned out by the time we got to our Universal day in 2012, so it will be nice to visit fresh and ready to go at the beginning of our vacation.
Very cruel! But I'm sure she'll get over it.(Yes, both of them are well aware of the fact that we ARE going to Universal.)
It may be a little cruel, but I’m looking forward to seeing her totally flip out when she realizes she DOES get to see Diagon Alley!
Don’t be fooled by the resort maps – this resort is HUGE!
I wasn’t thrilled by the food options here. I loved Café Rix, but I absolutely hated the food court.
You're right! It is a nightmare to understand/explain to anyone who doesn't already have some basic understanding of it. Even if you are an experienced Disney traveler. If you haven't gone since FP+ started or don't follow boards like this one, you're probably going to go cross eyed trying to figure it all out.It did make me feel bad for new travelers as I knew what and when to book as I already know how we explore each park. I think the process would be far more challenging for someone that doesn’t visit Disney often/has never visited/only has a few days to visit.
Great plan!First, I will be venturing onto the monorail early in the morning in order to see the Magic Kingdom welcome show! We’ve missed it every trip due to early ADRs or just-missed arrivals , so I want to take advantage of our close proximity and finally cross this one off the “must-do” list. Anika is welcome to join me or she is welcome to sleep in.
Another great idea! Way to take full advantage of the location!After dinner, I may walk over to the Polynesian to watch Wishes from the Poly beach. I’d also love to spot the Electric Water Pageant.
What a great birthday present. I mean GF, isn't my cup of tea... but for her, just perfect!Anika will drift off to sleep on our second night at the resort… and wake up on her birthday. Wake up at Disney World. At her favorite Disney resort.
I hope it will be magical.
Wow. Frustrating, but I'm glad that they were able to help you out.So, I called Orbitz again. That led to a three way call between me, the Orbitz gal, and the representative from Riverside. After tons of back and forth and my insistence that I’m happy to pay the extra adult charge for two nights but refuse to pay for ten... the Disney representative finally modified the reservation so Anika appears as a child and Wade is added for the entire period (without the charge). I’m sure the Disney guy could see my MDE account and could note Anika is listed as an adult , but I’m pretty sure he just wanted to get the crazy lady he was speaking with off the phone. I don’t think the Orbitz lady knew what on earth was going on during the entire phone call.
Thanks for the review of the services and your experience. I hadn't heard about the discounts through Orbitz. I'm always a little bit leery of using those online travel services and typically prefer to deal with a TA who I can hold personally accountable, but I'd probably consider booking through them for savings like that!Now, the important question… would I use these third party services again?
I like it better there than in the main dining room. It seems a little more quiet and laid back.Via Napoli! This was one of our favorite restaurants from our last trip and was a great first ADR! It wouldn't have seemed right to kickoff our vacation at any other place! We checked in and were seated just a few minutes. Rather than the main dining room, they seated us in this very neat side section:
I didn’t even realize this section existed the last time we ate here! I know it’s challenging to request an area to sit at a Disney restaurant, but I would love to eat in here again!
This is making me hungry. That looks amazing!You can’t eat at Via Napoli and not order a wood fired pizza! We ordered an individual signature Pepperoni Pizza:
I adore dining in Disney.
Wow... With all the restaurants and all the planning, I'm just impressed that you can keep it all a secret. I'd be losing track of which ADR's she does or doesn't know about and letting them slip.Whew! That’s 27 ADRs within 17 days!
Anika knows about some of these choices (her six must-dos, Hoop Dee Doo, Boma, Be Our Guest, Garden View Tea, and the pre-park opening breakfasts), but the others will be a surprise. Other than Hoop, she has no idea what order we'll be visiting them.
Funnily enough, two of my booking windows opened when I was home for Thanksgiving. My mom was up when I booked the Grand Floridian portion, and both of my parents were up when I booked the Riverside portion. When my dad saw me awake at 5 a.m. he asked, “Disney?”
I think the process would be far more challenging for someone that doesn’t visit Disney often/has never visited/only has a few days to visit.
The minute I’d stretched our vacation past one week, I knew I wanted to give Anika the chance to stay at her Grand Floridian. This was going to be a “once in a lifetime” experience (at least, once in my lifetime that would I be picking up the cost!). Once the vacation dates were settled, I decided to book us for two nights at Anika’s dream resort.
Although I think the resort itself is beautiful, I was never a big fan of the way the rooms were decorated. However, the refurbished rooms are actually much more my speed:
I haven't completely worked out the reveal for this surprise, but I think the most fun thing would be to drive through the Magic Kingdom gates and inform them we're checking in to our resort. Anika knows this trip will involve a stay at a deluxe resort, and this entrance is how to get to three other good contenders (the Poly, the Contemporary, and the Wilderness Lodge). We'll turn left, pass the Poly... and then it will dawn on her that we're driving straight to the Grand Floridian.
First, I will be venturing onto the monorail early in the morning in order to see the Magic Kingdom welcome show!
Anika will drift off to sleep on our second night at the resort… and wake up on her birthday. Wake up at Disney World. At her favorite Disney resort.
I hope it will be magical.
That’s when I started searching these boards and found out about the Orbitz/Cheap Tickets discounts on Disney resorts. I plugged in my resorts and dates , and sure enough – I was able to book all three resorts with the Disney spring discount AND an additional 15% off! Win!
When I called Disney, they said they were unable to reach those screens and I would need to have Orbitz contact them on my behalf.
Crystal Palace is one of my favorite pre-park opening breakfasts, so that was a no-brainer.
Whew! That’s 27 ADRs within 17 days!
I am LOVING this! Count me in!
Wow, that is a LOT of ADRs! They all sound great, though! I've been dying to try Beaches and Cream and also Le Cellier, I'd say those are at the top of my list for the future. I absolutely adore Sci-Fi! I'll be eating there for the third time this trip and I will try to go back each trip, I love the atmosphere that much.
Nice ADRs! Whispering Canyon is a favorite of ours so I really hope you get to keep that one! Artist's Point looks amazing. Thats totally on my bucket list! I just love Wilderness Lodge in general. Being from the Northwest, I thought it would be kind of borring. Like, been there, done that but oh how wrong I was! It is an amazing resort. Somehow they make it seem cozy and majestic all at the same time!
Hi! Just noticed your PTR link in your sig and thought I'd check it out. I'm horrible at catching up on TR's so I'll just jump in here. I might have to go back and check out that plane story from 2012 though that you mentioned.
Epic trip! Wow. This will be a lot of fun!!!
Ok, that explains the avatar.
Wow. Just wow. The longest we've ever stayed is 6 or 7 nights. I would so love to do a long trip like this and actually have the time to take those resort days to just kick back and relax.
You might be. But I'll withhold judgment until we see how the trip actually goes.
I love Pop! I think that's a great choice for your arrival night.
I'm really impressed with what you were able to get! I guess that getting ADR's for just 2 probably helped, but you really did well!
That. Is. Awesome!!!!!!!!
Ok, you've got some great surprises planned. Your sister is lucky. This really does look like it will be an epic trip and a lot of fun!
This is how it usually works when we do Universal too. Either at the end of the trip or a day in the middle. But always a rushed day trying to get through things and we just burn out fast. I think starting off there and spending a night or 2 on property is a great way to do it.
Very cruel! But I'm sure she'll get over it.
We stayed there in Dec 2012. It is a beautiful resort, but yes, huge!!! We were located in Cabanas, right next to the Dig Site... but it also happened to be Pop Warner week and the Dig Site was crowded and loud... and well, our CSR time just wasn't much fun.
You're right! It is a nightmare to understand/explain to anyone who doesn't already have some basic understanding of it. Even if you are an experienced Disney traveler. If you haven't gone since FP+ started or don't follow boards like this one, you're probably going to go cross eyed trying to figure it all out.
Great plan!
Another great idea! Way to take full advantage of the location!
What a great birthday present. I mean GF, isn't my cup of tea... but for her, just perfect!
Wow. Frustrating, but I'm glad that they were able to help you out.
Thanks for the review of the services and your experience. I hadn't heard about the discounts through Orbitz. I'm always a little bit leery of using those online travel services and typically prefer to deal with a TA who I can hold personally accountable, but I'd probably consider booking through them for savings like that!
I like it better there than in the main dining room. It seems a little more quiet and laid back.
This is making me hungry. That looks amazing!
Wow... With all the restaurants and all the planning, I'm just impressed that you can keep it all a secret. I'd be losing track of which ADR's she does or doesn't know about and letting them slip.
Haha, the more I think about it "New Fantasyland" was just not a good choice for a title.
Traditions are such an important part of a Disney vacation I think. MK is for sure my fav park, but Epcot is pretty special too. And when you have that tradition, you just have to keep it going. What a lovely first day.
I am just in awe of this upcoming trip Jenny. I'm a planner. But honestly, while I'm actually quite fine with FP+, I still find it a little bit of a nusance to pre-book. 27 ADR's??? Just ain't no way.
Yaay for getting all of the fastpasses you wanted! But I agree with this. I love Disney planning and find it quite fun, but I can imagine all this advanced planning must be a nightmare for people who aren't fully clued up on everything related to WDW. Like, imagine how many people will have gone to Disney over spring break without even realising that you can book fastpasses in advance?!
You are officially the best sister EVER. I wish I'd had an older sister who did this stuff for me! Anika will be over the moon!!
Totally agree! The room refurb was a BIG change, but it works so well, I love it.
You totally need to figure out if you can fix up some hidden cameras in the car or something.. I would LOVE to see her reaction on video!!!
YESSS! My favourite
It will be sooooo magical. Seriously girl, you are SO lovely and thoughtful! This trip is going to be amazing.
Ugh, been there, done that, my friend!
OMG I need this in my life.
Me too! We did it in 2012, 2014, and have it booked for this year too! It's so great that the photopass photographers are out on Main Street too, we got some lovely 'empty park shots' before breakfast
That is amazing. SO excited for this trip report!!!!
Well, apparently my alerts aren't alerting me when posts are made. I was wondering why you, and many others haven't updated their reports in a long while. I'm so excited about all your ADRs! The trip is also approaching very quickly! Anika still has no idea about any of the surprises? I'm going to need make bookmarks for all the trip reports I follow!
Wow, I just ate, but now I am hungry again from reading about all your ADRs! Fabulous choices. You all are going to have such a great time. It is really great to read how close you two are!
Lynn
Holy ADRs! You have got quite the impressive array lined up. I noticed Via is right there at the top of the list. That is one of my absolute favorites. I am really looking forward to eating there in August.
Loved all the amazing food pictures. Thanks for making me hungry!
Oh... I should have skipped this update. I'm sitting at work hungry. And now I'm hungrier.Before jumping into the must-dos at Magic Kingdom (which I promise will be the next PTR section!), I thought it may be fitting to follow up our list of ADRs with a few “must-do” and “would love to do” snacks.
That looks awesome. I've never heard of that one. I think that would be a must do for me!I think Anika would love a Brain Freezin’ D’oh Nut Sundae:
Ice cream. A bucket. A shovel. How appropriate.First, I want to try the Sand Pail – an ice cream sundae in a bucket! I mentioned this one to Anika and she thinks it sounds awesome!
Well, have 2 then! Well, have one of the Grey Goose Slushes and then try one of the orange ones too! They're really good!I also want to finally try a Grey Goose Slush. Would you believe I’ve never had one?!
Can't go wrong with any of the cupcakes there. I've tasted one of those before and it was good. It still can't compete with my love of the chocolate peanut butter cupcake, but it is definitely not a bad choice!Finally, I need to knock another cupcake off of my list at Starring Rolls. Red Velvet, anyone?
I thought that was how it was supposed to be?Does anyone else notice that besides the popcorn and the Mickey pretzel, all the rest of our snacks are drinks or desserts?