1 year, 10 months and 16 days from today - A May 2016 PTR FINAL UPDATE 5/6/16

[KatMark]

Darla, I'm trying to catch up as much as I can (I haven't even updated my new TR with nothing but family illnesses since we got back from our trip on Sunday).

I think your plans are perfect for your 25th anniversary. Some relaxing time at the resort, a nice lunch and dinner out. I love it.

 

[Rozz]

What a nice surprise when I ran across a link to your pre-trip report when reading pkondz’s report! I don’t check the Pre-Trip Reports board so my loss.

I really enjoyed your two previous trip reports. You have such a nice family! I remember the palm tree hugging photo from the original trip report! If I remember correctly, you had several photos of DeVine in one of the reports; made me jealous. We’ve been to AK several times and have never seen her.

Your plans for your 25th anniversary are wonderful! I’ve subscribed to your PTR and look forward to the planning and revising and revising again!

 

[ddstratton]

Um....

Our 25th is next year too.


What is going on here????

Actually, our 25th is in 2016 -- we're really planning ahead...

Darla, I'm trying to catch up as much as I can (I haven't even updated my new TR with nothing but family illnesses since we got back from our trip on Sunday).

I think your plans are perfect for your 25th anniversary. Some relaxing time at the resort, a nice lunch and dinner out. I love it.

Don't worry about catching up - we've got plenty of time!!!

What a nice surprise when I ran across a link to your pre-trip report when reading pkondz’s report! I don’t check the Pre-Trip Reports board so my loss.

I really enjoyed your two previous trip reports. You have such a nice family! I remember the palm tree hugging photo from the original trip report! If I remember correctly, you had several photos of DeVine in one of the reports; made me jealous. We’ve been to AK several times and have never seen her.

Your plans for your 25th anniversary are wonderful! I’ve subscribed to your PTR and look forward to the planning and revising and revising again!

You've got a good memory! We did meet DeVine on our first trip, in 2008. Made Mom's day.

Oh, and there will be LOTS of revising... Lots and lots. And then some more

 

[ddstratton]

Major Changes. Yup. Already.

Here we are. 1 year, 6 months and 27 days from the start of our trip. And boy, am I making some changes. I think. Well, I’'m almost sure. The plans I'’ve covered so far won'’t change. This part of the trip will stay the same. It’'s from here on out that may change. And if it does, I may have to ask a moderator to move this PTR from the PTR board to the Community Board. Because…...

…

…

…

We may be cancelling the Disney World/Universal Studios portion of the trip.

I know. Part of me REALLY doesn'’t want to. We haven'’t been to Disney in years, and would love to go back. There are some favorites we’'d all like to see again, and some new things that look wonderful. We’'ve never been to Universal, and would love to experience it.

But part of me REALLY does want to cancel this portion. For several reasons. Part of those reasons are what we would be replacing the Disney/Universal portion with --– more on that in a bit. Part of those reasons are the major changes that have been/are/will be happening at Disney. See -– I love to plan. Love it. As you can tell by my starting a PTR more than a year and a half before the trip. But the planning I like is research. Seeing what'’s available. Knowing my options. I don’'t like being tied into something very strictly. Making ADRs six months in advance was bad enough, but now if you don't/can’'t make it –- you get charged a fee anyway. It’'s really hard to plan what/where you want to eat that far out. Now we’re expected to pick RIDES in advance, too? I prefer to be able to be flexible. I guess I’'m just afraid that the Disney portion of the trip will not be nearly as magical as previous trips, as we'’ll be on a tighter schedule, and not able to just do what sounds good on that particular day.

At the moment, I’'m torn. Still trying to decide if we should do the Disney thing again, or try a different trip.

What would we be doing instead of Disney/Universal? Nashville and Gatlinburg, TN. And an extra day in the Florida Keys, and an extra day to visit with family in Asheville, NC. Basic plans involve a 2 day drive (with various stops) from Marathon, FL to Tennessee; three nights in Nashville, including a visit to the Grand Ol’' Opry; three nights in Gatlinburg, TN -– one of our favorite places; and three nights in Asheville, NC to visit family. Our original Disney plans involved just a two-day visit to family before driving home.

So there you have it. Possible plan changes coming up.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Can I just give you my thoughts?

As you well know, I am a planner to the max. I have my spreadsheets, possible restaurant lists, ADR dates marked on the calendar, itinerary made, etc. I also make changes to those lists more times than I can count prior to the "gotta nail this down" date. Even with all of those lists, we are still a family who likes to do spontaneous things.

I can't emphasize enough how much we liked the new Fastpass system. The planner in me liked knowing that we could go into a park and knock out at least three attractions without having to stop what we were doing in order for one of us to go get paper Fastpasses. Remember, with paper Fastpasses, you really weren't sure of when the return time would be until you actually saw the Fastpass distribution sign or your Fastpass itself. With the new FP+ system, we knew without a doubt that we could return to so-and-so attraction and skip that line.

Contrary to what a lot of people advised or stated that I should do, I made the majority of our FP+ selections to occur during the morning hours. I'd make them for the most popular attractions and the rest of the day was spent doing whatever we wanted. We still had plenty of time to do spontaneous things. I was even able to change up some of our FP times while we were there.

As for restaurant ADRs, that's also something that I liked knowing was already booked. There was no wondering what we were going to be eating for dinner and we knew that we would get to sit down each evening and talk about what we had done for the day. When I booked, I made sure to book a little later than normal so that we would have the opportunity to see and do the majority of the things that we set out to do on that particular day.

All of us were talking just the other day while on our road trip to Canton, Texas, about our next trip to Disney. We were talking about how much we liked having the Magic Bands and how easy it was to scan them and walk right on in line for the ride we were about to go on. We never encountered a single problem with them.

Soooooooo, those are my thoughts on the new FP system and keeping spontaneity in the trip.

As for a trip to Nashville, I can totally see Elizabeth, the music lover, enjoying a trip there! Are ya'll planning a trip to Gatlinburg later on in the year like you usually do? Just wonderingi f you could schedule it for one of the times that Dollywood or someplace close has one of their music festivals.

 

[Rozz]

My head is already spinning with your possible changes. We’ve not been to Disney since the changes either. I’ve read several threads about FP+ and Magic bands and all. I’m still not sure how it will impact our family’s experience but I want to find out.

My husband does not like the changes one bit. He’s used to our strategy of arriving at rope drop, riding some rides and grabbing Fastpasses along the way so we can ride our favorites a couple of times, etc. We also have an ADR every day at a time when we could use a rest where it’s cool and can discuss our day. From what I understand, you can now get additional fastpasses above the three you select ahead of time so maybe our experience will not be negatively impacted by the changes.

We’ve never been to Universal. With all the Harry Potter additions, we are trying to work in a visit.

Now about your bombshell of a change that includes going to Nashville and the Grand Ol’ Opry instead of Disney/Universal; your daughter is a musician with a love of the old time country music. If there is not another time you could go to Nashville, this change in plans makes sense. It would be nice if you could do all of it! You’ve got a tough decision to make but both plans are winners so you can’t lose.

 

[pkondz]

Here we are. 1 year, 6 months and 27 days from the start of our trip. And boy, am I making some changes. I think.

We may be cancelling the Disney World/Universal Studios portion of the trip.

You're asking the wrong dude if you want me to tell you something like:
"No! You have to go to Disney!"

We've done a few major trips (as you know) in the past few years and Disney keeps getting bumped.

Do what you want to do and don't worry about it.

 

[ddstratton]

Thank you for the responses, guys. Seriously. I DO still wanna go to Disney. Sort of. But Nashville is near and dear to DD's heart.... It's a tough decision! Luckily, not one I have to make quickly!

I loved Disney on our previous trips. I want to see some of our old favorites and some of the new things they've added. Hmm... Off to consider more changes to my changes....

 

[KatMark]

Darla, knowing how fast our children grow up and move on, I say you do what YOU and YOUR daughter want to do and enjoy the time she still wants to vacation with you. Disney isn't going anywhere.

 

[pkondz]

Darla, knowing how fast our children grow up and move on, I say you do what YOU and YOUR daughter want to do and enjoy the time she still wants to vacation with you. Disney isn't going anywhere.

Well said.

 

[ddstratton]

Day 7 Plans

OK. After my last update, about not doing Disney -- I’'ve done some research. I know, shocking. I think we will still do Disney -– just an abbreviated version. I really, really want to visit Disney World again, even for a short visit. What I want to do is hit a few favorites and see some of the new things Disney has to offer. So I am planning to spend three nights at Disney now, with no Universal time. This will also allow for some time to do other things, as mentioned previously -- Nashville and Gatlinburg!

Today is a travel day. We’'ll have a quick breakfast at the condo, then pack up the van and say goodbye to Cocoplum. However, it will be hard to be too sad -– we’re heading to Disney World today!!! Yay!!!

On the way, we'’ll stop for lunch at another place that we don’t see around here --– Popeye'’s Chicken.

picture courtesy of Google Maps

If we leave on time, and my maps are right, we should arrive here sometime around 3:30 pm. We’'ll be spending three nights at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Oh, this sounds so lovely!

picture from our 2008 trip

Not sure what our plans are from here. I am thinking of making a later-supper ADR for O'hana for this night, but I’'m undecided at the moment. We did love O'hana in the past, but we may pass this over in favor of more park time. We may stay at the resort, enjoy our room and the pool and have supper at the food court.

pictures from our 2008 trip

Or…. And knowing us, this is more likely --– we’'ll drop our luggage off in our room (if it’'s ready), and head to the Magic Kingdom! We will likely grab a quick-service supper here, hit some rides and just enjoy being at Disney World.

pictures from our 2008 trip

This portion of our trip will be a quick one. We plan on staying at Disney World for three nights, which gives us two full days at Disney, plus whatever part of the first day we have, depending on arrival time. We'’ll be making up a list of “must-do’s.” We will do our best to hit those, and anything else we do -– just icing on the cake!

 

[mickeystoontown]

No m'am, it doesn't surprise me that you did some more research. I know you won't take offense at the 'cause I'm a researching person myself.

I'm glad that you were able to figure out a way to keep some Disney time in the trip and add Nashville and Gatlinburg to it as well.

 

[ddstratton]

Oh, I love my research!! I am happy that we'll be able to sneak in a little Disney time. And being on a short schedule, the Fastpass+ may work in our favor, rather than making us feel stuck to a schedule on a longer trip.

 

[KatMark]

I'm glad you decided to go to Disney and do a few favorites.

I have to tell you we were not fans of Ohana at all; but I know a lot of people love it.

I think this is a great new plan.

 

[pkondz]

OK. After my last update, about not doing Disney. I’ve done some research. I know, shocking.

I think we will still do Disney – just an abbreviated version. I really, really want to visit Disney World again, even for a short visit.

Kinda hard to stay away from that place when you're already in the neighborhood.

On the way, we’ll stop for lunch at another place that we don’t see around here – Popeye’s Chicken.

Heard of it, but never even seen one.

Or…. And knowing us, this is more likely – we’ll drop our luggage off in our room (if it’s ready), and head to the Magic Kingdom! We will likely grab a quick-service supper here, hit some rides and just enjoy being at Disney World.

Whichever way you pick, you'll be happy, I'm sure.

We will do our best to hit those, and anything else we do – just icing on the cake!

mmmm... cake....
Whoops! Sorry, got distracted there.

Your plans sound like a good compromise to me.

 

[Rozz]

You’re latest plan is perfect! Until more research is done and the plan is revised again!

The planning and researching is a lot of the fun for me too. It does make sense though, to stop in at WDW. Like pkondz noted, you’re in the neighborhood. No sense just driving past!

 

[Holly Quinlan]

Just joining in!

 

[GeminiAngel]

Whew! All caught up. We were there in August this year for 6 nights. The new Fastpass/ADR system is awesome. I used it only for the attractions that I knew would need it. But if we didn't stick to it, fine. I didn't worry too much about ADR's this trip. I made one for Cape May that was it, we just winged the rest with no problems.

 

[ddstratton]

I'm glad you decided to go to Disney and do a few favorites.

I have to tell you we were not fans of Ohana at all; but I know a lot of people love it.

I think this is a great new plan.

I'm glad we've added Disney back in. The Ohana dinner is a big maybe at this point. We've done it, and liked it. However, we're on a short time schedule and may just want to grab a quick bite and spend more time in the parks.

Kinda hard to stay away from that place when you're already in the neighborhood.

I know, right? We would otherwise be driving right through Orlando. I just couldn't do that without stopping for at least a little while.

Heard of it, but never even seen one.

We've never actually seen a Popeye's Chicken, either. See their commercials on TV all the time, though.

You’re latest plan is perfect! Until more research is done and the plan is revised again!

The planning and researching is a lot of the fun for me too. It does make sense though, to stop in at WDW. Like pkondz noted, you’re in the neighborhood. No sense just driving past!

I love planning and research for any vacation. I think this version of our trip plans is good -- we get a little bit of everything!

Just joining in!

Whew! All caught up. We were there in August this year for 6 nights. The new Fastpass/ADR system is awesome. I used it only for the attractions that I knew would need it. But if we didn't stick to it, fine. I didn't worry too much about ADR's this trip. I made one for Cape May that was it, we just winged the rest with no problems.

I'm thinking that with a very short trip, the Fastpass+ system might really work in our favor... I guess we'll find out! As far as I know, the only "must-have" ADR for our group is a breakfast at Crystal Palace. Every one of us enjoyed that one.

 

[ddstratton]

Days 8 and 9 Plans

Disney World. Not a lot more to say at this time. I am hoping to make an ADR for Crystal Palace breakfast for our first day. We love Crystal Palace for breakfast. One of the favorites that we wanted to do again.

After breakfast, we'’ll spend as much time in Magic Kingdom as we want. See what we can see and ride what we can ride. No real plans at this point. Some must-do’s on our list: Splash Mountian, Haunted Mansion, 7 Dwarves Mine Train, People Mover. The first two are favorites, the other two we’'ve never done.

I do plan on getting park hopper tickets, as we'’ll only have two full days at Disney. Once we'’ve seen what we want at Magic Kingdom, we'’ll hop on over to another park. Not sure which park at this point. Lunch and supper today will likely just be quick service meals.

Day 9 will consist of hitting the two parks we haven’'t done yet.

Must do’'s for Epcot --– Soarin’ and Spaceship Earth are the only rides that are a must-do for us at Epcot. However, we do want to walk around World Showcase and explore a bit more than we have in the past.

Must do’'s for Hollywood Studios –-- Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Must do'’s for Animal Kingdom --– Expedition Everest and Dinosaur.

Other than the Crystal Palace breakfast and the possible O'hana dinner, we don’'t have any meals that are must-do’s. I think we'’ll likely end up just grabbing a quick service meal where ever we happen to be when we get hungry.

Anything else we fit into these two days is just gravy on the fries.