disneygirlinnj
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
OK so I have JUST stumbled upon these boards.. sadly only SEVEN days before my trip to WDW! AHHH!!! I can't believe I never have been here before..it's overwhelming! I want to read EVERYTHING!!! I found the trip report section this morning but again...got sucked into a few awesome trips and had to hold off writing my pre trip report.
So lets see...where should I begin... I guess I'll answer the normal 'questions' that were on the 'how to' thread.
* Who is in your party
The trip will be just me and my mom. I'm 27, mom is...64 but shhh... I didn't say anything! I've been to WDW at least 30 times ever since I was 3, can navigate the parks blindfolded, and most of the trips were with my parents when they were still married. They've been divorced for about 15 years now and my mom hasn't been back since (I've been back with dad a few times). For the past year or so, every time those 'Year of a Million Dreams' commercials come on, my mom starts to get whiney and saying 'when are we gonna gooooooooo?! I want to go back to Disneyyyyyyy!' ha..no joke. she has. I've always wanted to do something awesome for her cause...well..she's mommy. hehe She also hasn't had the best health the past few years (heart problems and such) and most recently we had a slight breast cancer scare that thankfully came back negative. I figured after all the stress the past year or two we needed a break and a vacation to the happiest place on earth. So about 2 months ago I booked a trip for me and mom as a Christmas celebration for the two of us! yayyyyy!
oh...here's a pic from our VERY first trip to Disney... August 1983
* Your travel dates
We're heading out next Sunday! YIKES!!!! Dec 2nd to the 9th. (also side note...one of my friends from home is also going down there with his mother on almost the same dates so hopefully we all get to meet up for a little bit!)
* Where are you staying
Pop Century Would have loved to splurge but umm... I still have to survive in the real world. Neither of us have ever stayed at a value resort before but we only hear (mostly) great things about Pop. All of my friends from home always stay there so I booked it!
* What Advanced Dining Reservations you have made (if any)
Whew! This whole dining plan thing has made ADR's crazy! I'd heard LeCelier was impossible to get...and of course it was. Mom is also a picky eater (pretty much vegetarian except for shrimp and sole/flounder. she also isn't a HUGE fan of most of the vegetarian meals either!) I did make ADR's for every day (we're on the dining plan...first time for that too so wish us luck!) so here they are... (all of them are dinners...we'll do counter service for lunch)
Kona our first night, Tony's twice (2 nights in MK... we didn't want to do Crystal Palace and when I went 2 years ago to Tony's it was decent), Chefs de France, Concourse Steakhouse or Mama Melrose (mama's is a late lunch..it depends on if we go to MGM or AK that day), Teppan Edo, Grand Floridian Cafe (again...depends on what park we go to that day), Ohana character breakfast on our last morning before heading to the airport. We're also going to check out Yak and Yeti when we're at AK and decide if we want to do the walk up lunch/dinner there that day.
* If you have a set itinerary
I was raised by a dad that needed every day of our Disney trips planned out. Not every single detail but he had to know what park he was going to at least. I think it had to do with our family being big food people. We're Italian...we love our food..what can I say? If any of us are the tiniest bit starving...we get cranky. I think that planning gene has rubbed off on me because I'm the same way. I don't need to know exactly what I'm doing every second of the day but... I need a general idea.. So here's our plan...
Oh...every day at the park I'll be renting a wheelchair for mom. She put up a small fight because she doesn't want to seem 'helpless' but last week we went out for the day with some decent amount of walking and she was EXHAUSTED and pretty much crashed at 6pm. With her heart problems she gets very tired VERY quickly so after that episode she finally gave in and agreed that we'll have a much more enjoyable time if she has energy! I've never done the wheelchair thing before either so this should be interesting. Hopefully everything goes well! I just know that we'll have a much more enjoyable time if she's feeling ok.
day 1: getting in around 3pm to MCO so taking it easy today and just going to head to the MK hotels and look at the Christmas decorations. Semi-late dinner at Kona. We'll miss the first showing of the Electrical parade but was told there's another one around 10-ish. Mom might be too tired though to wait so we'll play that by ear.
day 2: for us, every trip must be started with the magic kingdom. Just seeing the castle and main street makes us feel 'at home'. that was my moms one request. so we'll spend the day at the park and have dinner at tonys.
day 3: epcot and dinner at chefs de france
day 4: not really sure. either AK or MGM. it really all depends on if we/I do the very merry christmas party. that would be on day 6 but I'm still not sure if I'm going to do it or not. I know my mom will never be able to stay awake that long but she did say she's willing to head back to the hotel and relax while i head to the party. I have a good friend in florida who said she'll join me for the party so hopefully I get to go! and hey... I'll probably even go by myself if I can! I don't mind doing the solo thing!
day 5: back to epcot and dinner at teppan edo and the candelight processional
day 6: again..either AK or MGM... see notes for day 4
day 7: spending our final day back in the MK. tradition..first and last day have to be at the MK. and dinner at tony's again (hopefully it's good enough the first time for us to want to go back! if not..we'll wing it)
day 8: leaving
but not before a late character breakfast at ohana's first!
Oh and did I mention I'm an obsessive Disney trip planner?! I have document upon document of trip details... and I've scoured countless Disney sites and podcasts. whew! I think when I get back I'm going to go through withdrawl because I'll have NOTHING to plan!!! AHHH!!!
I still can't believe it's only 7 days away now. I feel like a little kid again waiting for the day we leave! Wish us luck!
Here's a little index to help some newbies navigate around (although I doubt there will be any new readers!)
Some Pre Planning
Mousekeeping envelopes almost ready!
Starting to Pack!
I'm hoooommmmmeeeee!!!
Day 1 Part 1 - Arriving, Pop Century, Dinner at Kona, Electrical Water Pageant
Day 1 Part 2 - Drinks at Pleasure Island
Day 2 Part 1 - Magic Kingdom - Adventureland & Frontierland
Day 2 Part 2 - Magic Kingdom - Frontierland, Liberty Square, Main St, Dinner at Tonys
Day 2 Part 3 - Magic Kingdom - Tomorrowland & Extra Magic Hours
Day 3 Part 1 - Epcot - Futureworld and heading into the World Showcase
Day 3 Part 2 - Epcot - American Pavillion, Wandering the World Showcase, Dinner at Chefs de France
Day 3 Part 3 - Epcot - Leaving Epcot & Wandering around an abandoned construction site
Day 4 Part 1 - MGM - Wandering around MGM
Day 4 Part 2 - MGM - Dinner at Mama Melrose, Harlem Gospel Choir, Osbourne Spectacle of Lights, Drink at Raglan Road
Day 5 Part 1 - Epcot - Future World to China and Starting to Drink around the world!
Day 5 Part 2 - Epcot - More countries
Day 5 Part 3 - Epcot - Dinner at Teppan Edo & Candlelight Processional
Day 6 Part 1 - AK - Seeing some animals!
Day 6 Part 2 - AK - Lunch at Pizzafari, More Animals
Day 6 Part 3 - AK - Expedition Everest, Dinner at Yak & Yeti
Day 6 Part 4 - AK & MK - Leaving AK & MVMCP
Day 7 Part 1 - MK - Our last full day! Dinner at Tonys & Spectormagic
Day 8 Part 1 - Ohana and our sad farewell!
Photopass Pictures
More Photopass pics
So lets see...where should I begin... I guess I'll answer the normal 'questions' that were on the 'how to' thread.
* Who is in your party
The trip will be just me and my mom. I'm 27, mom is...64 but shhh... I didn't say anything!
I've been to WDW at least 30 times ever since I was 3, can navigate the parks blindfolded, and most of the trips were with my parents when they were still married. They've been divorced for about 15 years now and my mom hasn't been back since (I've been back with dad a few times). For the past year or so, every time those 'Year of a Million Dreams' commercials come on, my mom starts to get whiney and saying 'when are we gonna gooooooooo?! I want to go back to Disneyyyyyyy!' ha..no joke. she has. I've always wanted to do something awesome for her cause...well..she's mommy. hehe She also hasn't had the best health the past few years (heart problems and such) and most recently we had a slight breast cancer scare that thankfully came back negative. I figured after all the stress the past year or two we needed a break and a vacation to the happiest place on earth. So about 2 months ago I booked a trip for me and mom as a Christmas celebration for the two of us! yayyyyy! oh...here's a pic from our VERY first trip to Disney... August 1983
* Your travel dates
We're heading out next Sunday! YIKES!!!! Dec 2nd to the 9th. (also side note...one of my friends from home is also going down there with his mother on almost the same dates so hopefully we all get to meet up for a little bit!)
* Where are you staying
Pop Century
Would have loved to splurge but umm... I still have to survive in the real world. Neither of us have ever stayed at a value resort before but we only hear (mostly) great things about Pop. All of my friends from home always stay there so I booked it! * What Advanced Dining Reservations you have made (if any)
Whew! This whole dining plan thing has made ADR's crazy! I'd heard LeCelier was impossible to get...and of course it was. Mom is also a picky eater (pretty much vegetarian except for shrimp and sole/flounder. she also isn't a HUGE fan of most of the vegetarian meals either!) I did make ADR's for every day (we're on the dining plan...first time for that too so wish us luck!) so here they are... (all of them are dinners...we'll do counter service for lunch)
Kona our first night, Tony's twice (2 nights in MK... we didn't want to do Crystal Palace and when I went 2 years ago to Tony's it was decent), Chefs de France, Concourse Steakhouse or Mama Melrose (mama's is a late lunch..it depends on if we go to MGM or AK that day), Teppan Edo, Grand Floridian Cafe (again...depends on what park we go to that day), Ohana character breakfast on our last morning before heading to the airport. We're also going to check out Yak and Yeti when we're at AK and decide if we want to do the walk up lunch/dinner there that day.
* If you have a set itinerary
I was raised by a dad that needed every day of our Disney trips planned out. Not every single detail but he had to know what park he was going to at least. I think it had to do with our family being big food people. We're Italian...we love our food..what can I say?
If any of us are the tiniest bit starving...we get cranky. I think that planning gene has rubbed off on me because I'm the same way. I don't need to know exactly what I'm doing every second of the day but... I need a general idea.. So here's our plan...Oh...every day at the park I'll be renting a wheelchair for mom. She put up a small fight because she doesn't want to seem 'helpless' but last week we went out for the day with some decent amount of walking and she was EXHAUSTED and pretty much crashed at 6pm. With her heart problems she gets very tired VERY quickly so after that episode she finally gave in and agreed that we'll have a much more enjoyable time if she has energy! I've never done the wheelchair thing before either so this should be interesting. Hopefully everything goes well! I just know that we'll have a much more enjoyable time if she's feeling ok.
day 1: getting in around 3pm to MCO so taking it easy today and just going to head to the MK hotels and look at the Christmas decorations. Semi-late dinner at Kona. We'll miss the first showing of the Electrical parade but was told there's another one around 10-ish. Mom might be too tired though to wait so we'll play that by ear.
day 2: for us, every trip must be started with the magic kingdom. Just seeing the castle and main street makes us feel 'at home'. that was my moms one request. so we'll spend the day at the park and have dinner at tonys.
day 3: epcot and dinner at chefs de france
day 4: not really sure. either AK or MGM. it really all depends on if we/I do the very merry christmas party. that would be on day 6 but I'm still not sure if I'm going to do it or not. I know my mom will never be able to stay awake that long but she did say she's willing to head back to the hotel and relax while i head to the party. I have a good friend in florida who said she'll join me for the party so hopefully I get to go!
and hey... I'll probably even go by myself if I can! I don't mind doing the solo thing!day 5: back to epcot and dinner at teppan edo and the candelight processional
day 6: again..either AK or MGM... see notes for day 4
day 7: spending our final day back in the MK. tradition..first and last day have to be at the MK.
and dinner at tony's again (hopefully it's good enough the first time for us to want to go back! if not..we'll wing it)day 8: leaving
but not before a late character breakfast at ohana's first! Oh and did I mention I'm an obsessive Disney trip planner?! I have document upon document of trip details... and I've scoured countless Disney sites and podcasts. whew! I think when I get back I'm going to go through withdrawl because I'll have NOTHING to plan!!! AHHH!!!
I still can't believe it's only 7 days away now. I feel like a little kid again waiting for the day we leave! Wish us luck!
Here's a little index to help some newbies navigate around (although I doubt there will be any new readers!)
Some Pre Planning
Mousekeeping envelopes almost ready!
Starting to Pack!
I'm hoooommmmmeeeee!!!
Day 1 Part 1 - Arriving, Pop Century, Dinner at Kona, Electrical Water Pageant
Day 1 Part 2 - Drinks at Pleasure Island
Day 2 Part 1 - Magic Kingdom - Adventureland & Frontierland
Day 2 Part 2 - Magic Kingdom - Frontierland, Liberty Square, Main St, Dinner at Tonys
Day 2 Part 3 - Magic Kingdom - Tomorrowland & Extra Magic Hours
Day 3 Part 1 - Epcot - Futureworld and heading into the World Showcase
Day 3 Part 2 - Epcot - American Pavillion, Wandering the World Showcase, Dinner at Chefs de France
Day 3 Part 3 - Epcot - Leaving Epcot & Wandering around an abandoned construction site
Day 4 Part 1 - MGM - Wandering around MGM
Day 4 Part 2 - MGM - Dinner at Mama Melrose, Harlem Gospel Choir, Osbourne Spectacle of Lights, Drink at Raglan Road
Day 5 Part 1 - Epcot - Future World to China and Starting to Drink around the world!
Day 5 Part 2 - Epcot - More countries
Day 5 Part 3 - Epcot - Dinner at Teppan Edo & Candlelight Processional
Day 6 Part 1 - AK - Seeing some animals!
Day 6 Part 2 - AK - Lunch at Pizzafari, More Animals
Day 6 Part 3 - AK - Expedition Everest, Dinner at Yak & Yeti
Day 6 Part 4 - AK & MK - Leaving AK & MVMCP
Day 7 Part 1 - MK - Our last full day! Dinner at Tonys & Spectormagic
Day 8 Part 1 - Ohana and our sad farewell!
Photopass Pictures
More Photopass pics
) 
Maybe thats when I'll start getting a little creative with my artistic ability. 
I'm so excited about not sharing buses actually. One main reason we picked Pop! Hope to see you there and have an amazing trip! Now i'm running over to your pre trip to read all about it 
