A Former CM comes home! Honeymoon at POFQ 12/20-12/30

[Eeyores Butterfly]

This is my first pre trip report (first time going on a trip since joining the DIS), so please bear with me!

Cast of Characters:

Jessi: As the title says, I am a former cast member. I did three College Programs with Disney. My first program I worked Fantasyland Attractions, and my last two programs I was a performer in the parades and shows, mostly in the Magic Kingdom. I wanted to go full time, but at that time I couldn't justify the cost of living vs. the pay for what I wanted to do. I now teach full time and work part time in an amusement park in my home state. I plan on returning to Disney one day as a part time CM.

Aaron: Aaron is my fiance. He loves amusement/theme parks, with an emphasis on the thrill rides. He has been to Disney a few times, but it has been a while. He works at the same amusement park I do.

The Trip: We are getting married on December 18, and will be driving to Disney the next day. I am very excited to return to the World for Christmas. I performed in Celebrate the Season my last CP, and it will bring back a lot of memories. We will be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. My family has stayed there before and we liked it, so we decided to go with what was known.

We don't have a lot right now on our "must do" list other than a trip to IoA. I would like to arrange a Keys to the Kingdom tour at some point. Like I said, Aaron loves theme parks. He loves all the technical stuff and is always tyring to leanr more. He is excited about the opportunity to learn how another theme park works. We're in the initial stages of planning, and it is going to be an adventure!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Well, we are 2 weeks and 5 days away from the wedding as my father was so kind to remind me of. Here is our itinerary for the honeymoon:

Arrive on the 20th. As we are driving we are planning just on chilling.
12/21- Magic Kingdom with lunch at Liberty Tree. I'm kind of sad that they have no character dining there now as that was a restaurant I worked at a lot when I was in entertainment. I was really hoping to do the Keys to the Kingdom but they were sold out. Aaron is a park supevisor for the park we work at, and I knew that he would like it. I'm trying to convince him to move to Florida and work for Disney eventually.

12/22- 12/23 Universal. Definitely want to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We both love coasters, so IOA will be a blast. No sit down dining reservations

12/24- DAK with reservations at Tusker House for dinner. I definitely want to see the shows, brings back a lot of memories. Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari will be a must. We have a friend from the park that we work at who is now a tour guide on Kili.

12/25- Day off. Reservation at the Garden View (one of my favorite places when I was down there). I think I do want to see about going to Give Kids the World to volunteer if they would need us. I used to volunteer there once or twice a week, mostly driving the trains and the cookie cart.

12/26- DHS. I really want to see TSM. That has been added since we were down there. We also have to do GMR. .And of course, Rock'n and Tower are on the list as well. We are definitely doing Fantasmic! That is one of the main reasons I want to return to Disney, it is my dream to work Fantasmic one day. He has never seen it.

12/27- MK no dining reservation. MK's must sees are going to be the mountains, and I have to see Fantasyland. My first CP I did the attractions in Fantasyland. I can't believe they are changing it and I want to see the construction first hand. Plus, Fantasyland will always be my "home". Jungle Cruise is also a must see. I also can't wait to see all the Christmas decorations and the holiday shows. My last CP I was in Celebrate the Season, so I really want to see that. I also did the 3:00 parade and SpectroMagic, so again, I want to see those even though I know they have changed them since I left. MK was truly my home park.

12/28-12/29 Epcot. We have reservations for Marrakesh with the Candlelight package, Marlee Matlin is our narrator. Again, this has very special memories. My last CP when my parents picked me up, we went ot Marrakesh and we saw Candlelight. Marlee Matlin was our narrator then as well. I have seen it with her and Mario Lopez. I never could forget just the amazing passion both she and her translator had, and what a moving experience it was. Truly inspirational. The second day there are no dining reservations.

We are going to do the Dining Plan, so we will add reservations to our second Epcot and MK day but haven't decided yet what we want to do. I can't wait!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

WE are planning to add two new reservations (One at MK and one at Epcot). I'm thinking about one of the days being a resort, but not sure. It's been awhile since I've been down there, and I kind of want to try something new.

I can't wait to see illumiNations. We are using the leaving song "Promise" as our first dance. We will also need to start getting an idea of what our must sees are so that we can get a plan going. I'm nto a super planner, but I like having a general idea.

I am curious about the Laugh Floor. That was added after I left and I'm wondering if it will be worth the time.