A skeptical family of First-Timers take on WDW Nov 15-22** NOV 28 update

[momabaarjo]

Do you have Creative Memories?? they do BEAUTIFUL books.. which you can do all on your own.

I love creative memories pages...but the software keeps updating and changing (and eventually they make it so you have to buy the new program)...plus they are pretty high for printing pages! I will only use their albums when I am doing a paper album.

 

[shan23877]

Just found your PTR/TR and loving it! I was absolutely driving DH crazy with all my disney talk before our last trip. (If I saw him roll his eyes one more time...). But, on our 1st afternoon there he thanked me for all of my hard work and planning . So, never fear, they may actually appreciate your obsession! (well maybe not the teenagers ).

Also we did the VoLM when we were there last. It was pretty cool for DD4, but DH and I really just enjoyed the break.

So jealous of the Poly!! How great that you guys get to stay there! I'm really interested how you end up liking the Luau. I really wanted to do it, but didn't based on reviews and DD's age. Maybe next time--though that next time list is getting really long! We just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'm trying to convince DH that we need to go back in May. They only graduate preschool once!!

Anyway, can't wait to read more!

 

[FosterA]

Just found your PTR/TR and loving it! I was absolutely driving DH crazy with all my disney talk before our last trip. (If I saw him roll his eyes one more time...). But, on our 1st afternoon there he thanked me for all of my hard work and planning . So, never fear, they may actually appreciate your obsession! (well maybe not the teenagers ).

Also we did the VoLM when we were there last. It was pretty cool for DD4, but DH and I really just enjoyed the break.

So jealous of the Poly!! How great that you guys get to stay there! I'm really interested how you end up liking the Luau. I really wanted to do it, but didn't based on reviews and DD's age. Maybe next time--though that next time list is getting really long! We just got back 3 weeks ago, and I'm trying to convince DH that we need to go back in May. They only graduate preschool once!!

Anyway, can't wait to read more!

Hi and

 

[FosterA]

So I noticed we are in the 80's now!! 89 more day until we leave


Onward to Day 5 plans:

So just to recap: (more to keep my brain straight than anything) on our arrival day we are going to rest up and do the Christmas Party. The next day we will sleep in and then eat a late breakfast at Kona and go back to MK to do more stuff there and also hit Fantasmic that night. The third day will be an all AK day followed by Luau. Fourth day will be Studios all day with lunch at Sci then back to resort early to relax. So....here's the plans for the 5th day:

Obviously Epcot is the only park we haven't done yet and I know my family is going to LOVE LOVE LOVE it here. As a matter of fact, I predict that this may be David's favorite of all of them. I really want to "do" ALL of Epcot and have lots and lots of time there. I actually broke it up into 2 full days. I would like to really focus on Future World on Day 5 and World Showcase on Day 6. I imagine my family will want to check out all the hands-on things in Innoventions? and just basically do all the things we can versus just hitting the "rides". I don't think this will take ALL day (since we will not really be doing World Showcase this day) but we really have lots of time because the only other thing I sort of want to hit this day would be Elec Parade at 9 pm. Obviously we will have Plenty of time.

I figured we will grab either something for breakfast at the Poly before we head over here or maybe just wait and eat something at The Land cafeteria place. And then around lunch time, we will wander over to Mexico just to eat at the Counter Service there (La Cantina?). I don't want to be tempted to start checking out all the other countries though because I really do have that saved and planned for tomorrow. The truth of the matter is that we are addicted to Mexican food and if we don't get to chips and salsa and nachos by this point it's going to get real ugly. I know it's not "authentic" Mexican food such as what's inside the pyramid there but I don't care. I like "fake" Mexican food I actually looked at the menu for the Table Service Mexican place and I think the family would not like it so much. Anyhoo...after spending all morning at Future World, we are going to run over to Mexico for some good greasy nachos.

If there is still stuff left to do at Future World, we'll head back over after lunch. If we feel that we knocked it all out, we are going to go back to the Poly to swim and lay around and just take it easy. I also plan on a quick dinner at the Poly too. Maybe just some pizza or sandwiches from Cook's.

That night there is the Electric Parade and Wishes and since we've already done two MK days, but one was the party and the other we would have left early for F!, we will be still NEEDING to catch these two things so tonight is the night! I LOVED Elec. parade and Wishes when I saw them in Feb.
So we after relaxing and so forth, we'll take the boat or whatever over to MK mainly just to do these 2 things
I imagine we may have already "seen" Wishes at this point just by being on the Poly beach a few times at night but for sure the Elec. Parade and I think it will be fun to squeeze right in and see Wishes in front of the Castle!

So, breakfast at resort or Sunshine Seasons, check out all of Future World, lunch at Mexican CS place, back to resort to nap or swim, quick dinner at Poly CS, then over to MK for Elec Parade and Wishes.

This is the only day of our entire trip (besides arrival day) that we do not have an ADR and will be doing CS all day. But I hope with maybe doing Sunshine Seasons for breakfast, La Cantina for lunch, and Cook's for dinner that we will have enough variety this day.

 

[skier_pete]

The only way you'll complete Future World before lunch is if you blow off half of it. While it doesn't seem like there's a lot there - much of the pavillions can take 1-1.5 hours to get through if you want to see it all. Yeah, you can blast through the three headliners (Soarin, TT, and M:S) in 2 hours, but Innovations alone can take a few hours if you let it. We usually get through only The Seas and The Land by noon.

You definitely should catch Wishes and/or Chirstmas Wishes from the hub in front of the castle. This is far and away the best spot to see it. However, once you see Christmas Wishes from that spot, you may not think as much of Wishes, when they light up the whole park on the finale it is indeed spectacular. (Though I still prefer regular Wishes.)

 

[swwake]

Love your plans! I agree with skier pete that it will be hard to do all of Future World by lunch. Be sure to take your time and take it all in. Don't forget about Sum of All Thrills (in Innoventions - where you create your own rollercoaster, or jet plane, then ride it).

I agree with you on chips. But I am picky about my queso. I love the white queso we get here, and I think Iguana Grill's queso is the best in town. I also agree about the table service restaurant at the Mexico pavilion. I believe that's more interior Mexican food and less Tex-Mex like we have here.

I think you'll be just fine with all CS for the day.

And, since you're doing Future World, why not quench your thirst (or your family's) with a free Beverly from Club Cool?!

 

[fastergoofy]

And, since you're doing Future World, why not quench your thirst (or your family's) with a free Beverly from Club Cool?!

Oh yes! This is a must! No first trip would be complete without a cool, refreshing glass of Beverly. Lots of people commemorate the occassion with a picture of their family having a sip for the first time!

 

[shan23877]

I agree about Beverly! Especially since your DH and kids are being mean about the planning. You'll have to encourage them to try Beverly!

 

[momabaarjo]

Love your plans! I agree with skier pete that it will be hard to do all of Future World by lunch. Be sure to take your time and take it all in. Don't forget about Sum of All Thrills (in Innoventions - where you create your own rollercoaster, or jet plane, then ride it).

I agree with you on chips. But I am picky about my queso. I love the white queso we get here, and I think Iguana Grill's queso is the best in town. I also agree about the table service restaurant at the Mexico pavilion. I believe that's more interior Mexican food and less Tex-Mex like we have here.

I think you'll be just fine with all CS for the day.

And, since you're doing Future World, why not quench your thirst (or your family's) with a free Beverly from Club Cool?! I can't wait to share with my family this delightful drink!

I see you are in Austin...I am so craving a Trudy's Mexican Martini...have tried to make my own but I come no where close to them!

 

[momabaarjo]

I actually have 2 1/2 days scheduled for Epcot...granted 1/2 day is for Candlelight Processional package (dining & show). The other 2 days I am dividing up 1/2 of future world/1/2 of world showcase each day. I really want to try a couple of the Kim Possible missions...I think the kids will love them in addition to the kidcot spots and a food item/drink from each country.

 

[FosterA]

The only way you'll complete Future World before lunch is if you blow off half of it. While it doesn't seem like there's a lot there - much of the pavillions can take 1-1.5 hours to get through if you want to see it all. Yeah, you can blast through the three headliners (Soarin, TT, and M:S) in 2 hours, but Innovations alone can take a few hours if you let it. We usually get through only The Seas and The Land by noon.

You definitely should catch Wishes and/or Chirstmas Wishes from the hub in front of the castle. This is far and away the best spot to see it. However, once you see Christmas Wishes from that spot, you may not think as much of Wishes, when they light up the whole park on the finale it is indeed spectacular. (Though I still prefer regular Wishes.)

Good tips!

I think what I meant to say is that the WHOLE day is technically available for Future World (or until we go to Elec Parade at Mk) IF the family stays interested. I think I'll direct them to all the big, more popular stuff first and try to get that in before lunch and then after lunch we probably will hit all the other stuff if they want to. I guess I'm just not sure what they will be interested in. I THINK they will love Innoventions and things but I may be surprised. Maybe they'll be so pumped up by this time in the trip that they'll think that stuff is boring? I hope not! I know me and Dave will love seeing all the stuff Future World has to offer.
Either way....This day will be kept very open for Future World and we'll "do" it until we're "done", whatever time that is I guess

I'm also interested in the Behind The Seeds Tour and might do that this day if we don't run out of time or maybe Day 6 when we go back to Epcot. Anybody do this tour?

 

[FosterA]

Love your plans! I agree with skier pete that it will be hard to do all of Future World by lunch. Be sure to take your time and take it all in. Don't forget about Sum of All Thrills (in Innoventions - where you create your own rollercoaster, or jet plane, then ride it).

I agree with you on chips. But I am picky about my queso. I love the white queso we get here, and I think Iguana Grill's queso is the best in town. I also agree about the table service restaurant at the Mexico pavilion. I believe that's more interior Mexican food and less Tex-Mex like we have here.

I think you'll be just fine with all CS for the day.

And, since you're doing Future World, why not quench your thirst (or your family's) with a free Beverly from Club Cool?!

HAHA. I may be a newbie, but I've been around this Dis board long enough to know about Beverly! Good try.
My son is a Soda drinking fool so he's going to love this place!

Yum on the Iguana Grill! Never been but I'll totally have to remember that for the next time we're looking for something new to try!

I'll definitely have to get out of my head that we could "do" Future World by lunch. I guess it's more realistic to think that we'll do some of the headliners by lunch and all the other stuff after lunch. That's ok because we've got this whole day carved out for Future World as long as I can get to the Elec Parade at 9

 

[FosterA]

Oh yes! This is a must! No first trip would be complete without a cool, refreshing glass of Beverly. Lots of people commemorate the occassion with a picture of their family having a sip for the first time!

I'll be sure to get photos, but none of me drinking it! I know what's up, newbie or not.

I agree about Beverly! Especially since your DH and kids are being mean about the planning. You'll have to encourage them to try Beverly!

Great idea! That'll teach hubster to make fun of my planning.

I see you are in Austin...I am so craving a Trudy's Mexican Martini...have tried to make my own but I come no where close to them!

Oh geez, now I want one! would you believe I've never been to Trudy's. Crazy, huh? I am sooooo overdue.

I actually have 2 1/2 days scheduled for Epcot...granted 1/2 day is for Candlelight Processional package (dining & show). The other 2 days I am dividing up 1/2 of future world/1/2 of world showcase each day. I really want to try a couple of the Kim Possible missions...I think the kids will love them in addition to the kidcot spots and a food item/drink from each country.

Since we really have two full Epcot days I thought about dividing it up like that too as far as 1/2 FW and 1/2 Showcase each day but I decided instead to do FW one day and WS the other. I may change my mind though as it gets closer.

 

[momabaarjo]

I'll be sure to get photos, but none of me drinking it! I know what's up, newbie or not.



Great idea! That'll teach hubster to make fun of my planning.



Oh geez, now I want one! would you believe I've never been to Trudy's. Crazy, huh? I am sooooo overdue.



Since we really have two full Epcot days I thought about dividing it up like that too as far as 1/2 FW and 1/2 Showcase each day but I decided instead to do FW one day and WS the other. I may change my mind though as it gets closer.

I am dividing the 2 days up that way just simply because of crowds...and park hours. Future world usually closes around 6 pm, and World Showcase opens at 11:00 am on most days...

 

[spreadingpixiedust]

Have you given any thought to pre ordering a photopass cd? I also scrapbook and our first trip to WDW we thought we took lots of pics but most were missing one of our party or we were just too busy to remember to take them. (also my family just rolls their eyes when I give posing directions but will listen to the "professional". Which is really ironic because I AM a professional photographer here at home!) If you use the Disney photographers, you get great pics of everyone together.

On one trip with just my DH and I, we bought a few pics after our trip and they were almost as much as the pre order cd! For our next trips, I have already ordered our cd's and plan on getting as many pictures as we can. There is no limit to the number and they sometimes add in special effects!

Just an idea.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Have you given any thought to pre ordering a photopass cd? I also scrapbook and our first trip to WDW we thought we took lots of pics but most were missing one of our party or we were just too busy to remember to take them. (also my family just rolls their eyes when I give posing directions but will listen to the "professional". Which is really ironic because I AM a professional photographer here at home!) If you use the Disney photographers, you get great pics of everyone together.

On one trip with just my DH and I, we bought a few pics after our trip and they were almost as much as the pre order cd! For our next trips, I have already ordered our cd's and plan on getting as many pictures as we can. There is no limit to the number and they sometimes add in special effects!

Just an idea.

if using the photo pass don't forget this:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

 

[skier_pete]

I'm also interested in the Behind The Seeds Tour and might do that this day if we don't run out of time or maybe Day 6 when we go back to Epcot. Anybody do this tour?

We did it many, many years ago (I think our 2000 trip.) It's a nifty little tour, certainly a good value, but I am not sure that the kids wouldn't be bored with it. If you ride "Living with the Land" boat ride, and you find everyone is saying "more please" then go ahead.

Though, Epcot is so loaded with stuff to do, I am not sure I would bother doing it on a first trip. You can easily fill two days if you are willing to explore beyond just riding rides. (Many of the performers in WS are well worth sticking around for...Japan alone has the drummers and also Myuki who makes the candy animals...absolutely amazing.) I would save it for day 2 if it feels like you've had enough of the other things.

SkierPete

 

[shan23877]

Have you given any thought to pre ordering a photopass cd? I also scrapbook and our first trip to WDW we thought we took lots of pics but most were missing one of our party or we were just too busy to remember to take them. (also my family just rolls their eyes when I give posing directions but will listen to the "professional". Which is really ironic because I AM a professional photographer here at home!) If you use the Disney photographers, you get great pics of everyone together.

On one trip with just my DH and I, we bought a few pics after our trip and they were almost as much as the pre order cd! For our next trips, I have already ordered our cd's and plan on getting as many pictures as we can. There is no limit to the number and they sometimes add in special effects!

Just an idea.

We preordered the PhotoPass CD, and ended up with about 1200 pictured once I'd added borders and whatnot. I am really glad we did it. However DH and DD did get sick of me telling them every day that we were "photopass stalking" I just wanted to get our money's worth!

 

[FosterA]

Have you given any thought to pre ordering a photopass cd? I also scrapbook and our first trip to WDW we thought we took lots of pics but most were missing one of our party or we were just too busy to remember to take them. (also my family just rolls their eyes when I give posing directions but will listen to the "professional". Which is really ironic because I AM a professional photographer here at home!) If you use the Disney photographers, you get great pics of everyone together.

On one trip with just my DH and I, we bought a few pics after our trip and they were almost as much as the pre order cd! For our next trips, I have already ordered our cd's and plan on getting as many pictures as we can. There is no limit to the number and they sometimes add in special effects!

Just an idea.

I haven't really decided on the photopass thing yet. The truth of the matter is that I don't love seeing myself in photos so I probably wouldn't want any of them. Pitiful I know. I'm like my mom, she hates her photo taken, yet my dad LOVES his taken and is always wanting to be in pictures. I'll probably just do most of the picture taking on the trip and maybe just 2 or 3 photopass ones.

if using the photo pass don't forget this:
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

Thanks!

We did it many, many years ago (I think our 2000 trip.) It's a nifty little tour, certainly a good value, but I am not sure that the kids wouldn't be bored with it. If you ride "Living with the Land" boat ride, and you find everyone is saying "more please" then go ahead.

Though, Epcot is so loaded with stuff to do, I am not sure I would bother doing it on a first trip. You can easily fill two days if you are willing to explore beyond just riding rides. (Many of the performers in WS are well worth sticking around for...Japan alone has the drummers and also Myuki who makes the candy animals...absolutely amazing.) I would save it for day 2 if it feels like you've had enough of the other things.

SkierPete

Good idea, I think we'll do the Living with the Land boat ride and if David is truly interested in knowing more, I'll go sign us up for the tour. We could either come back that day later or even the next day when we come back for Epcot part 2.
ooooh, really want to see that candy making lady. I hear about her alot on the Dis and it looks amazing from a youtube video I saw!!

We preordered the PhotoPass CD, and ended up with about 1200 pictured once I'd added borders and whatnot. I am really glad we did it. However DH and DD did get sick of me telling them every day that we were "photopass stalking" I just wanted to get our money's worth!

wow, lots of photos!! Plenty of scrapbooking material for sure!

 

[FosterA]

So here's what I've got cookin' for Day 6:

So Day 5 would have been an all "Future World at Epcot" Day, which means Day 6 will be all about World Showcase and Illuminations!!!

Every time I type out one of these day plans on my report, I think "now this is going to be my favorite day"! The problem is that every day I swear will be my most favorite day!

First of all, we plan on sleeping in this day because we would have spent the entire day before at Future World and hitting up MK at night for Elec. Parade and Wishes. We will sleep in until we have to get ready for our 10:50 breakfast/brunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe I don't even like eggs but I LOVE eggs benedict oddly enough. I looked on the menus and discovered that they have those here so I'm all over that! Plus I want to see the Christmas decor here if it's up yet. This will be Nov 20, so I'm just not sure??

After breakfast, we'll take monorail back over to Epcot and take our time to do all of World Showcase. Also, maybe hit one or two things in Future World if we missed it the day before or if we want to do something over again. I also think we may do the Behind The Seeds Tour and if I was not able to get in on that on our previous day, than we will do this today.

For the most part, I want to really do ALL of World Showcase. I didn't do anything over here really when I went in Feb. besides Mexico and Norway. I am soooo looking forward to seeing everything here. I hope to see the Candy Maker too! I think the kids will really enjoy this too and that's another reason why I'm glad we are going now that they are older, I think they will appreciate it and not be bored.

Around 8pm, I made an ADR at ROSE AND CROWN! yum (I think).

The hopes are that we can watch Illuminations while we are here too
I am just so excited for this night because I just know David is going to be completely impressed by all of World Showcase and by Illuminations and by the beer at Rose and Crown

After spending all day at Epcot and seeing Illuminations, we'll re-evalute the plans from here. MK is having an Extra Magic Night this night and at this point, we'll have avoided all the Extra Hours and I kind of want to do one just to see how crazy it is. My hopes are that between having already done MK 2 other days (not full days but pretty good chunks of days) and also having already been to MK just for Elec parade and Wishes one night, that we will not be "needing" to do any particular attractions and they should all be checked off our "list'. I think if we brave an evening Extra Magic Hours without feeling stressed to get anything accomplished, that it might be kind of fun. MK should be open until 1 or 2 I think! My kids will get a kick out of that. Also, since we sort of slept in this day, we shouldn't be THAT tired. Anyhoo....like I said, we'll just plan this by ear and see what the family wants to do. The important thing is that it would just sort of be a "bonus" MK day since we should have done everything we really wanted to at MK by this point. Also, I don't have anything in particular planned for the following day and we can sleep in so that helps if we should decide to go for it.

So, there you have it. Late breakfast at GF, all day wandering World Showcase, Dinner at Rose and Crown with Illuminations, and a possible super late night at MK if we're up to it