A Nutmegger and a New Yorker Walk Into Disney ( SEP 2-11, 2016 )

[sunshinemelody]

Hiya!

I'm new to DisBoards, but also to Disney Planning in general. I'm really excited to start this new journey with all of you and to do some awesome planning! My first trip to Disney was in 2013 with a military friend who'd heard I'd never been. He immediately booked a flight for me to come down a month later with a room in Shades of Green. It was the most fun I've had, aside from being a camp counselor. I left the Friday morning and returned the Sunday evening. Let's just say that I didn't realize I was such a humongous Disney fan until I was met with the magic that ignited the spark. Sure, I watch Disney movies all the time (let's be real, they're some of the best to brighten your day), but I just didn't realize how much I actually loved Disney.

We ventured to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. We also went to Universal Studios, specifically for Harry Potter World (because I'm a huge Potterhead) and I'm sure he's gotten a lifetime's worth of screaming and excitement from me with that one.

Anyway, I'm ecstatic to be going back.

In 2014, I was supposed to have gone back to take my mom for her 50th Birthday, but plans fell through because of reasons having to do with other poor planners. Lame! However, in that same timeframe a group of my friends and I were planning for a 2016 Disney trip for our writing group. So, two years in advance. As we crept on the September 2015 deadline for those who are locking in to go, I was met with, "I don't have this or that and my monkey is dying." So. Y'know what I did?

I booked my vacation.

And I'm proud.

And my boyfriend and I are going together. Alone. No regrets.

So as you can probably tell, this is my pre-trip report for Disney 2016, September 2-11, 2016!

Who Even Are You?
Hi, I'm Alexandra! A 24 year old college student, working as a Receptionist for a law firm in CT. I go to Liberty University as a Biomedical Science (Pre-Med) major and will be off to medical school in 2019. Or something like that. I'm the young lass with the camera around her neck in the picture below.

My favorite characters are Rapunzel and Stitch, Tangled is my favorite movie and EPCOT is (so far) my favorite park.

My Partner-In-Crime:
This is my boyfriend, Fred. He's 28 and a financial advisor. It'll be his first time at Disney and it has just recently hit him that he's going to Disney.

His favorite character is Aladdin, his favorite movie is Aladdin and he has no favorite park! He just wants lots and lots of food. Cause he's a fatty.

Anyone Else?:
Well, for now, no. There's the potential of a few people from our writer's group coming with us, but that's slim and that's more than OK with me.

When:
September 2-11, 2016

Where:
For now, we've booked a King Bed - Water View at Coronado Springs. However, I found out about renting DVC points and I have an aunt who owns some of this fairy dust. Hopefully I can wrangle some points out of her and snatch a room quickly at AKL. *fingers crossed*

We didn't pick the resort based on anything. To be fair, we're not sure where much of anything is anyway.

My Brain:
It's overwhelmed. As of last night (09/15), I had to tell the boyfriend that he needed to figure out dining because I can't handle it. He even offered to look them up that night, too! Told him there were over 100 restaurants. His response, "Yeah. Never mind." *giggles*

Since I've been planning this Disney trip since last year, technically, with the writing group, the plans we had then have all gone to poop. We were hoping to do a vacation home somewhere outside of Orlando (or even inside, I don't think we cared so much at one point) and then do most of our meals at-home and take food into the parks for majority of the meals. So, the planning has pretty much started over. We've been talking Disney (BF + I) since the end of July, but booked a week ago, and I feel like a train has run me over. So. Much. Information.

From dining, to attractions, to character shows, to dinner shows, to this and that and all around, it's so tiring. But it's also really exciting and I'm happy to be apart of the magic. Hopefully my over analytical mind won't go into hyperdrive. Can't have that happenin'.

I guess I should let all the planning begin!

 

[sunshinemelody]

How's the planning going?

Alrighty, update time! We received our welcome packet thingy last night letting us know what still needs to be completed and even though we're excited, we're feeling a little deflated about the trip. I guess from all this planning, planning, planning, our brains are fried.

But there's great news! That awesome aunt of mine agreed to let us use her DVC points and so we'll be hunkered down in a lame 1BR villa in AKL.

Just kidding of course. We're real happy that she agreed to let us use her points as it gives us the opportunity to be in a bigger room and with astounding views. And we can cook breakfast in the room! Yay, kitchens! Speaking of, any breakfast recommendations?

So far, I've only written down our basic plan for the days, but there are no ADRs that we're looking into yet aside from Cinderella's Royal Table and Be Our Guest. Anyone have advice for two newbies? We're looking into a lot of table service and less quick/counter service, but we're willing to splurge every once in awhile on some Signature Dining.

Any Secrets?
There is one! Fred is a huge animal lover and so this experience is being tripled just by us being amongst the animals at AKL. However, I noticed that they do the Wanyama Safari with dinner at Jiko. Is it any good and how did you like your experience?

I've even started a Word document to keep everything in place! It's not everything right now, but, that's OK. It'll definitely fill out incredibly soon.

Sorry that it's a little blurry! But this works for now! Please, if you've got any advice, let me in! Thank you. 8D

 

[Dentam]

Hi there! I just found your PTR - looks like you've got a great place to stay all lined up! We just stayed at the AKL for part of our early September trip. It's a gorgeous resort with some great dining options! I would highly recommend Boma if you like buffets, and Sanaa over at Kidani Village is one of our favorite restaurants in WDW. We ate at both on our recent trip and they were very good!

Good luck with your planning - I know how overwhelming it can be. I got to that burn out point too planning this last trip, ha!

 

[sunshinemelody]

Hi there! I just found your PTR - looks like you've got a great place to stay all lined up! We just stayed at the AKL for part of our early September trip. It's a gorgeous resort with some great dining options! I would highly recommend Boma if you like buffets, and Sanaa over at Kidani Village is one of our favorite restaurants in WDW. We ate at both on our recent trip and they were very good!

Good luck with your planning - I know how overwhelming it can be. I got to that burn out point too planning this last trip, ha!

Thank you, I appreciate your advice!

Boma does breakfast, correct? We're looking into some more breakfast options in the event that we're too lazy (let's be honest) to actually cook breakfast one morning. And it'd be easy to get to since it's right there. Anything that you really liked there and at Sanaa that separates it from other restaurants?

 

[Dentam]

Thank you, I appreciate your advice!

Boma does breakfast, correct? We're looking into some more breakfast options in the event that we're too lazy (let's be honest) to actually cook breakfast one morning. And it'd be easy to get to since it's right there. Anything that you really liked there and at Sanaa that separates it from other restaurants?

No problem!

Yes, Boma serves breakfast and dinner - both are buffets and both are very good! For breakfast they have almost everything you could imagine with many African inspired dishes.

Jiko is another great option for dinner but is a signature restaurant so more pricey.

What we love about Sanaa is the atmosphere/theming in the restaurant and the wall of windows that look directly out onto a savannah. We had a giraffe right outside our window when we ate lunch there on one of our other trips. Their bread service is probably what they are best known for and I would highly recommend it. It comes with several different types of naan and around a dozen different dipping sauces ranging from mild (cucumber which was my favorite) to very spicy.

I would steer clear of The Mara, which is the quick service restaurant at AKL. Maybe their breakfast options aren't bad but all I had was a burger one night and it was pretty gross... I only ate half of it. Basically I just filled up my rapid fill mug at this restaurant - oh, and also their peanut butter cupcake was SO good! So, drinks and pastries are what I'd recommend there.

 

[princessnikitaa]

How should I get started on my Pre-Trip Report? What is it exactly? I have a short trip coming up in May, and would like to try one of these out!

Fyi, yes my signature is still not up! I'm not having any luck or ideas for my signature!
And we live such similar lives! I'm a receptionist too, and I live in the neighboring state of MA!

 

[Trixie15]

Following along! I love watching people plan their trips!

I also highly recommend Boma - and you have the advantage of being right there so it's convenient! I've honestly never read a bad review of Boma and I've read a lot of reviews. Oh and I ate there myself last January - so good. It's in my plans to eat there again this coming January.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Future References:

This pretty awesome map is for future reference when MK is super crowded at the end of the night after Wishes. No way will I wait in line for over an hour or even, two, for monorail service! I think I'd cry.

----​

I can't believe I never noticed that I had messages on this bad boy! Hi guys! Thanks for following along!

And we live such similar lives! I'm a receptionist too, and I live in the neighboring state of MA!

Oh cool! I didn't know that! Yay, receptionists! *high five*

Have you started your PTR yet? I'm excited to follow along!

Following along! I love watching people plan their trips!

I also highly recommend Boma - and you have the advantage of being right there so it's convenient! I've honestly never read a bad review of Boma and I've read a lot of reviews. Oh and I ate there myself last January - so good. It's in my plans to eat there again this coming January.

Oooh! That's so exciting! It's definitely on our list of places to eat. Be Our Guest is also a must only for the atmosphere.

I'm not sure if we'll be going for lunch, though. I didn't like the Croque Monsieur and a friend of mine told me that all of the breads have grains in them and my teeth, or digestive system, don't agree with those kinds of breads. Throws my entire meal off. I'd love to try for a pre-opening ADR there, though! So, we'll most likely go then!

 

[princessnikitaa]

I'm still reading on a couple to find out exactly how I want to start mine.
I've pulled up a word document and starting writing drafts, but I'm such perfectionist that I keep erasing it.
Plus I have to find proper pictures. I'm so scared! lol
What part of CT are you from? Northern? Southern?

 

[sunshinemelody]

I'm still reading on a couple to find out exactly how I want to start mine.
I've pulled up a word document and starting writing drafts, but I'm such perfectionist that I keep erasing it.
Plus I have to find proper pictures. I'm so scared! lol
What part of CT are you from? Northern? Southern?

Southern. I'm easily accessible to NYC, which is nice, since I used to live there. I don't like CT.

But hey, no need to be scared! Think of your drafts as that -- rough drafts. You get back to it later and perfect it the way that you like. That's how I'm having to tell myself. I have paper and electronic versions of everything, it's insane. And my written portions have more of what I want to see than my electronic. Written paper is more budgetary and the electronic is more semi-concrete information. It'll all work out.

 

[misssullyinc]

Fellow Nutmegger here! I live in Fairfield County, very close to NYC as well, about an hour away by train.

Looking forward to following your trip report!

(Also love your avi. Stitch is awesome!)

 

[sunshinemelody]

Fellow Nutmegger here! I live in Fairfield County, very close to NYC as well, about an hour away by train.

Looking forward to following your trip report!

(Also love your avi. Stitch is awesome!)

Welcome, welcome! I'm also from FC. A nice hour train ride is so pleasant :3

Thanks for following, I hope that you enjoy it! Your av is awesome, too!

 

[princessnikitaa]

Southern. I'm easily accessible to NYC, which is nice, since I used to live there. I don't like CT.

But hey, no need to be scared! Think of your drafts as that -- rough drafts. You get back to it later and perfect it the way that you like. That's how I'm having to tell myself. I have paper and electronic versions of everything, it's insane. And my written portions have more of what I want to see than my electronic. Written paper is more budgetary and the electronic is more semi-concrete information. It'll all work out.

I want you to know I started my Pre-Trip Report! Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Here it is: http://www.disboards.com/threads/surprise-girls-only-trip-may-2016-pre-trip-report.3458774/

It's also in my signature, haha!

 

[sunshinemelody]

10 Months!​

Well, technically it's 9 months, 4 weeks, and 2 days now, but yesterday, November 2nd, marked the 10 month date for our Disney Trip and we're ecstatic!

In lieu of this great news we've been looking a little bit more into how we'd like to structure our days. We know that Saturday and Sunday we'd be going into Universal Orlando, however, we weren't sure whether or not to go into Islands of Adventure first or Universal. Either way, we get Harry Potter. We'll probably do both parks in one day if only to ride the Hogwarts Express. BECAUSE HARRY POTTER AND MY CHILDHOOD DREAMS ARE COMING TO FRUITION GUYS, MUCH HAPPY.

*clears throat* Right.

If you've any suggestions as to the order in which we should take this amusement park, I'd be so happy. I know that Hogsmeade is gorgeous, as I've been before, but I know nothing of Diagon Alley, however let's be real ...I know it's going to be spectacular.

I guess our plan for Saturday, September 3rd is loosely followed (based on historic Saturday, September 5th 2015 hours):

6:30AM - Breakfast in our room
8AM - Rope Drop at Universal Orlando
Ride some thrill rides for a few hours
Noon to 1PM - Lunch
Afterward spending time at Hogsmeade
5PM to 6PM - Dinner
Ride over to IOA on the Hogwarts Express
Shop in Diagon Alley
8PM - Return to AKL
Pool time, maybe head over to Disney Springs
SLEEP! K.O.! SNOOZE!​

I'd like to take Freddy to The Three Broomsticks so that he can have some Fish and Chips and a butterbeer in a souvenir mug; I'm no fan of the sickly sweetness of butterbeer (and that's coming from a girl who is always eating candy 24/7), but I know that he wants to try the official thing. This part will seem a little selfish, but I want to go shopping. I dipped into a shop or two in 2013, but, I want to actually stick around awhile and take my time to look at things that I may want. With that in mind, some places that I'd love to hit up are Dervish and Banges and buy my first robe and a few other Hogwartian paraphernalia. Oh, and a wand for Freddy if he wants one. I have my own already (Narcissa Malfoy's), however, I want an interactive one as well! This trip I AM NOT HOLDING BACK WITH MY WALLET ~~

And of course we are definitely stepping into Honeydukes. You think I wouldn't?

Gonna buy that whole store up. Yes lawd Jesus.

I should probably post what my Word document looks like now, but, it's on my other computer and my USB drive is in use on this one, so, I'll screenshot it later! K, thanks for reading up on this fun update! Whaddya think?

 

[misssullyinc]

Butterbeer! Love it! Univerrsal is awesome.

 

[princessnikitaa]

This sounds like it's going to be amazing! I cannot wait! Butterbeer is amazing! I wish I had more days to my vacation but I am thankful for whatever I get!

 

[princessnikitaa]

This sounds like it's going to be amazing! I cannot wait! Butterbeer is amazing! I wish I had more days to my vacation but I am thankful for whatever I get!

And guess who is always girl crushing! ahah! Wish we were going at the same time!

 

[sunshinemelody]

And guess who is always girl crushing! ahah! Wish we were going at the same time!

Haha, adorable!

I noticed that you changed your timer. Guessing it's because of the new time you're going; makes sense. But guuuuurl, I'll sip on some butterbeer for you.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Transportation

Freddy and I sat in his car, driving toward a coffee shop, when I mentioned transportation is really important, especially on arrival.

Y'see, our projected trajectory for our Friday arrival was Airport to Hotel to Grocery shopping and possibly to Disney Springs for dinner. I'll admit that it was my projected trajectory as he had no idea (and has no idea about the intricacies of Disney and the available options). I did bring him into the loop once I realized that yeah, maybe I should ask him, since he's one-half of this equation, duh!

So, the story begins with, "We'll need to pick up the car once we get to WDW to go grocery shopping."

He looked at me, eyebrows furrowed, and said, "How are we getting to the hotel?"

"Magical Express," I said. "Well... why don't we just pick up the vehicle from the airport?" I paused, contemplating how to answer this as gracefully as possible. Hm. I sighed and said, "We need to have the car for four days. How are we going to return the car after we're done using it?"

"Drive it back to the airport and go back to the hotel."

"So, you want to drive an hour to the airport (or more!) and take, what? A cab back to the hotel? That's money that we don't need to spend."

"Can't we just take the Magical ... thing?"

"No, it only picks up and drops off guests who are arriving and departing."

"Oh."

It carried on a little bit back and forth for awhile, from just returning it to Magic Kingdom (no can do, Freddy) to having my best friend tail us on the way to Cocoa Beach/NASA and us jumping in her car at the airport as a possibility (big fat no), but we're sticking to my plan of grabbing it at Magic Kingdom and returning it the night before we go into MK, so we don't incur fees that we don't need.

How do you figure out transportation when you're in the world?

 

[princessnikitaa]

Just wondering how your planning is going so far?!