It's a Jolly Holiday with Sugarglider TR: Update: MAJOR PIXIE DUST SPILLAGE !!

[Sugarglider]

We've all finally made it - so many Aussie/NZ Disers are either just about to go, just came back or there right now.
So here is my PTR too - for 12 nights in Orlando.

Highlights:

WWOHP - first time
MNSSHP - first time
Epcot F&W Festival - first time
MVMCP - first time

In grand tradition - first up the cast:

me, and

...... well - that's it.

solo trip

DH has to stay home and feed the cat.

But I am never really very alone! - Meet ups!:

I have a old school friend who now lives in Melbourne, FL (about 2 hours south of WDW) so I shall meet her
I have Zonta connections in Barlow, Pinellas and Tampa
Rotary connection in Crystal River, and
a DISmeet on my last day!

Equipment:
this trip I am going fully loaded with new kit: sony point and shoot camera (sorry gals - this is as good as photography gets with me - but I promise to try! Perhaps all of you can give me tips to ensure the food porn?!
a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, and a Samsung Galaxy S II phone

I don't know how to use any of them - so this trip is now a "learning opportunity". ( I wonder if that is a tax deduction??)

My blog (see link below) will carry the TR once underway. Pre trip it tells vignettes rather than provide chronological descriptions/plans - so I will put the detail here. Cause I know that only DISers understand the painful pleasure of fine detailed WDW trip planning.

 

[Sugarglider]

TripIt - so far

Following the suggestion of Happyfingers I have tried TripIt and loaded everything in. A link to TripIT is provided on the blog too.

So far, TripIT looks great if you have a complicated trip (such as a holiday to WDW). It can capture everything and pull it together into 1 itinerary, in a chronological order, with all the details you want. As someone who tries to travel as electronically as possible and not carry a giant wad of vouchers and printouts - it may be useful as it captures all the booking refs etc.

It has some automatic links - so when booking WDW restaurants, TripIT can automatically load the booking details from the WDW confirmation email. And it automatically detects the email in my inbox too!

now the 'Unfortunately' - Unfortunately, I had booked almost everything BEFORE i discovered TripIt. So I manually entered a lot of it - every detail - references, times, addresses, URLs - took FOREVER - hours and hours. seemed tedious at the time - but perhaps it is part of the painful pleasure of planning?

Since every detail is on TripIT I shan't bore you with too much detail - just the big chunks

 

[Sugarglider]

This trip started with Qantas announcing the DFW route and special fare. So I bought one of those back in February (when??? it feels like I bought it in 1982!). PE for half price with discount add-on to MCO on AA. got to be happy with that.

As a QFF I was able to reserve my seat on booking and picked the "fluffy" (as kylieh calls it) business class section. Hope I keep it!

Am currently in the selection process for a town car service - cause there is no way I am NOT being picked up at the airport after 24 hours in the air and landing at night.

Will use a hire car for the rest of the trip - got a good price - just over $300 for an economy car, 11 nights, from Alamo through Traveljigsaw insurance included.

 

[Sugarglider]

Here we go:

28 Oct - Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away! If you can use some exotic booze you won't find it at MCO at a 9pm landing! Then speed off in haste to the Royal Pacific Resort, US for a restful and refreshing sleep. (any more of those laughing smilies??)

Have 4 nights booked at RPR (although am currently scheming now that Disney have released 30% off rate)

29 Oct - WWOHP and IOA !

OK - it is interactivity time: Do I go to US Halloween Horrors night?? To me it looks like drunken teenagers with dressed up CMs pouncing them to make them scream. Does it have any redeeming features for a middle aged woman?

30 Oct - US until 2pm. At 3pm head over to MK for MNSSHP.

31 Oct - Kennedy Space Centre
last night at RPR

1 Oct - 7am - check in at Poly for 1 night on the Platinum Plan! (put on your runners - here we go:

• breakfast at Kona
• Dolphins in Depth
• Seas Aqua Snorkling Tour
• V&A dinner
• Wishes (halloween version) fireworks cruise on 7 Seas Lagoon
• collapse O/N at Poly - garden view, Tokelau

2 Nov - still going Platinum - spit spot, best foot forward - keep with the program

• 7am - check out of Poly
• Chef Mickey Bfast
• Jetski guided tour at Sammy Duvalls
• paragliding at Sammy Duvalls
• FW Segway tour
• lunch and check in at OKW
• Facial at SSS
• La Nouba
• Fultons Crabby Shack
• Sleep the sleep of the dead

3 Nov - SLEEP IN! In the afternoon - F&W Italian Wine and Desserts, Dinner at yachtsman

4 Nov - F&W - French Regional Lunch "Champagne", dinner at TBD! either Cali Grill or in Tampa with Zonta Friends - Zonta Friends meet up date not confirmed yet.

5 Nov - (perhaps Zonta brunch) F&W - Taste, Shake, Indulge Grand Marnier thingy, dinner at Crystal River - Rotary Stone Crab Jam - VIP - maybe sleep over in Tampa with Zonta friend

6 Nov - (perhaps Zonta Brunch). F&W Discovery of Chocolate, Dinner at Artist Point

7 Nov - Snorkling with Manatees at Crystal River with Capt Stacey!
Dinner at Brown Derby

8 Nov - Epcot - Nature Inspired Design segway tour. Lunch at Coral Reef (seriously considering dumping this due to poor reviews - any thoughts?); early dinner at Narcoosies - then
MVMCP!

9 Nov - check out OKW (more like waddle out), DISmeet at 1900 Park Fare,
check out xmas decorations, same DISers go to 50's Prime Time to argue with the waitresses.
6:30pm - flight out of MCO.

Ummm - WOW - and this is before I jam in the shopping at Prime Outlets, a visit to Winter Park and the wonderful Wine Room, maybe the Tupperware HQ, wondering about a kayak tour, Millenia Mall, Best Buy (hmm that would be more shopping) and anywhere else you guys suggest as a MUST DO!

 

[CairnsGirl]

Ok another "middle aged" woman here! I really enjoyed Halloween Horrors Nights at Universal last year.

There were all ages at the event and I got talking to some really nice people of a similar age from Chicago in one of the lines.

The shows were really funny and you can have some nice "cocktails" on your way around.

 

[PrincessInOz]

"Middle Age" Woman? No such thing! On the Dis, we're all hot chicks with loads of uncommon sense!

Go for it! Where else would you get to experience a US Halloween Horrors Night???


I can just picture it now.....

drunken teenagers with dressed up CMs pouncing them to make them scream. Does it have any redeeming features for a middle aged woman?

Hmmmm....I'm picturing hunky chunky CMs dressed up as Freddy pounding on the middle aged....er....hot chick with loads of uncommon sense.....woman.


ps. GREAT itinerary....platinum plan all the way.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Wow it looks like you will have a very busy great time it does seem like years ago Qantas announced those flights doesn't it
I am feeling slightly sorry for your DH but i guess someone has to stay home to feed the cat

 

[aussietravellers]

Your trip looks fantastic.

You are certainly busy on 1st and 2nd Nov, great idea scheduling a sleep in on the 3rd, you'll need it after your busy days

"Middle Age" Woman? No such thing! On the Dis, we're all hot chicks with loads of uncommon sense!

I totally agree

 

[Sugarglider]

Thanks for the encouragement for guys
you see what I haven't told you is that if I don't go to Uinversal Halloween Horrors I could go to one of the fantastic restaurants they have there - like Emerils.

Any recommendations?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Emeril's?? If you can get a table at Emeril and eat there....I would be throwing over the hunky chunky CMs in a shot!



But you're already doing a lot of dining at the World.....Hmmmm.....if you can get in at Emeril's, do it. Otherwise, why don't you keep it free? That way, you can decide at the last minute to go to the HHN or head towards shopping. I've been wanting to get to Winter Park for two visits now and not made it there yet.

 

[Sugarglider]

Emeril's?? If you can get a table at Emeril and eat there....I would be throwing over the hunky chunky CMs in a shot!



But you're already doing a lot of dining at the World.....Hmmmm.....if you can get in at Emeril's, do it. Otherwise, why don't you keep it free? That way, you can decide at the last minute to go to the HHN or head towards shopping. I've been wanting to get to Winter Park for two visits now and not made it there yet.

There are still plenty of HHN tickets available - so I might pick one up - and have an earlish dinner - got a 5:30pm reservation at Emeril's so I could fit both in perhaps?!

Ahhh - winter park - I have a girl friend who wants some Pandora stuff - which can be got at Winter Park - and I want to go to that Wine Room and there is a little canal boat tour around the back of the fancy schmancy southern mansions.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Sounds like a fabulous trip!

It turns out we're not only at the same V&A and Wishes events, but also the same Aqua Seas, jet ski tour, and probably parasailing right after you. Awesome!

We're ending our trip with the Poly platinum plan, but like you, we're starting at the Royal Pacific (then on to Dolphin, ending at Poly). My husband is doing Halloween Horror Nights, but he's on his own for that one.

We also have a day scheduled at Winter Park. We want to see the Morse museum (with all the Tiffany glass), the canal tour, and do a little shopping on Park. Thanks for the heads up about the Wine Room! It looks great.

 

[CairnsGirl]

Since you will already have universal tickets get the stay and scream add on tickets.

This may interup your dinner plans but you will be in the park early and will get a head start on the crowds.

We were able to see all the haunted houses and shows without any rush!

 

[hjd0411]

WOW!!! I'm exhausted just reading your itinerary!!! You have a lot planned - sounds great!!

There are still plenty of HHN tickets available - so I might pick one up - and have an earlish dinner - got a 5:30pm reservation at Emeril's so I could fit both in perhaps?!

Ahhh - winter park - I have a girl friend who wants some Pandora stuff - which can be got at Winter Park - and I want to go to that Wine Room and there is a little canal boat tour around the back of the fancy schmancy southern mansions.

Winter Park is lovely! I did the canal cruise last year - the only thing I could recommend with it is to sit as close to the "driver" as possible! We had seats at the back and could not hear everything that was said due to the motor noise and "quality" of the speakers!! Loved it though - beautiful houses to see and so peaceful on the lake.

"Middle Age" Woman? No such thing! On the Dis, we're all hot chicks with loads of uncommon sense!

Go for it! Where else would you get to experience a US Halloween Horrors Night???


I can just picture it now.....




Hmmmm....I'm picturing hunky chunky CMs dressed up as Freddy pounding on the middle aged....er....hot chick with loads of uncommon sense.....woman.


ps. GREAT itinerary....platinum plan all the way.

Love it..!!!!! (From one hot chick with loads of uncommon sense to another..!!)

 

[Sugarglider]

Since you will already have universal tickets get the stay and scream add on tickets.

This may interup your dinner plans but you will be in the park early and will get a head start on the crowds.

We were able to see all the haunted houses and shows without any rush!

thanks for the encouragement!

Winter Park is lovely! I did the canal cruise last year - the only thing I could recommend with it is to sit as close to the "driver" as possible! We had seats at the back and could not hear everything that was said due to the motor noise and "quality" of the speakers!! Loved it though - beautiful houses to see and so peaceful on the lake.

Cool! - thank you for the advice! Nice to be getting useful advice from those who have gone before me.

This trip is very much about non-ride stuff (but I admit I really want to fit in Test Track, and Star Tours, and TSMM, and .....)

 

[Mum from oz]

Wow.... I cannot believe how much stuff you are doing. It sounds like a delicious, fun, thrilling fast paced trip. You better be writing a trip report!

 

[jacs1234]

This is going to be one great trip. All the things you are doing sound amazing to me but some of the stuff I have no clue about as I've only been to LA. I only just found out what IOA is. what's winter park and Emril's What's so great about that? Sounds like it's a must do though. i'm glad you can do that plus the Halloween party thingy.

 

[Sugarglider]

Wow.... I cannot believe how much stuff you are doing. It sounds like a delicious, fun, thrilling fast paced trip. You better be writing a trip report!

I know! it's WAY exciting - oh that I had the ability to do this 10 years ago!

This is going to be one great trip. All the things you are doing sound amazing to me but some of the stuff I have no clue about as I've only been to LA. I only just found out what IOA is. what's winter park and Emril's What's so great about that? Sounds like it's a must do though. i'm glad you can do that plus the Halloween party thingy.

I hope I keep up with my own schedule. Winter Park is a suburb north of Orlando city centre that is a tad rich. It has a very lovely, shopping street and large southern mansions. No discount malls!

Emeril is one of those TV chefs in the US - with the books and the restaurant chain, awards and the line of products etc. The style is New Orleans. The restaurant carries the (dubious?) honour of being "voted no.1 restaurant in a theme park" by Orlando Magazine.
I'm not sure what that vote is worth but the restaurant is apparently one of the better ones and very popular.

 

[Sugarglider]

New post on blog about staying at OKW
hope you like it

 

[PrincessInOz]

There are still plenty of HHN tickets available - so I might pick one up - and have an earlish dinner - got a 5:30pm reservation at Emeril's so I could fit both in perhaps?!

Ahhh - winter park - I have a girl friend who wants some Pandora stuff - which can be got at Winter Park - and I want to go to that Wine Room and there is a little canal boat tour around the back of the fancy schmancy southern mansions.

Most definitely - fit both in!

And there is a Pandora shop in the Florida Mall...at least there was in 2010.

New post on blog about staying at OKW
hope you like it

But inquiring minds wanna know....this trip is solo, right? Why are you pointing out that there is space for up to 5 people at OKW? Is this an invitation for us to come and gatecrash???