A trip of Firsts: First FastPass+ Try, First as Owners, First for DD, First PTR

[thegib95]

Hello all, and welcome to my First ever PreTrip Report...

A little Background before I get into things, I grew up in a family that vacationed at WDW twice before deciding that DVC would be a good fit, and we should make that commitment...
Fast Forward a few years my parents split, the DVC got sold in the divorce, and I never knew when or If I'd be back to the world I love so much.
I got married to my best friend and the love of my life that you will meet soon, and my mom decided to take us for my wife's first time in March of 2010.

We had such a great time, and built new family memories, that we decided to buy into the DVC, and will be making our first trip as owners in just a few weeks!

Read on to find out about our evening planned with FastPass+!

You may not agree with all our choices, and plans, but sit back, relax and enjoy our trip of firsts!

Cast of characters
Basic Details
Arrival Day
World of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy
Stepping into Hollywood - Sort of
Full Day 3: Return to Epcot
A Tree of Liberty & Testing A Plus

 

[thegib95]

Here is the cast for our upcoming trip:

Kay - Dearest Wife
Been to WDW once, but lover of Classic Disney Movies and pretty much all Pixar Movies as well. She was blown away by the size of WDW on her first trip and is so excited to share it with DD. Favorite ride is Space Mountain, and favorite WDW restaurant was Teppan Edo.

Beni Grace - Dearest Daughter - 20 months old
Beni is a little princess that loves Mickey and the Gang so much, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse pretty much starts her day, and she has to watch an episode before bed too! She also loves finding nemo & Toy Story trilogy.

Mom - Dearest Mother
This amazing woman does so much for our family, its an honor to share this DVC with her. Mickey is by far her favorite character, she too loves space mountain, and Liberty Tree Tavern is on of her favorite places to eat, thanks to all the memories from when we were kids and it was still a character meal.

Kara - Dearest Sister
This girl makes me proud to be an older brother. She loves Disney with all of her soul, and is excited to share it with her niece. She loved Teppan Edo, and Rockin' Roller Coaster is her favorite ride.

Paul - Well That's me, your friendly narrator.
I am obsessed with WDW, i would give anything to work there, and live nearby, I am obsessed with planning, and reading the DisBoards and all other sites i can find relating to WDW. I love Rockin' Roller Coaster, got to ride it during its soft opening when i was young, and I'd have to say I love eating pretty much everywhere I have tried at WDW.

 

[thegib95]

When we went in March of 2010 for DW first trip, DMom treated us all to a great time at POFQ with DXDP, and we were able to transfer an intense love for all things mouse to the DW, which made the idea of the DVC an easy sell for her...

For this trip:
When: September 19 - 25
Where: Beach Club Villas
Dining: Deluxe Dining Plan

We chose this week due to the fact we can handle the heat, the relatively low crowds, and the low points per night.

Although we are owners at SSR our first stay is going to be at BCV because DD is a fish, and we figured Stormalong Bay might be so much fun for her, and when it was available at 7 months, it was like why not! We have never been to the SSR, but have been to BCV, stayed there years ago, when my Parents were owners at BWV for a change

I know there is thread up thread about debates about dining plans, and I am not wanting to reopen debates, it works for our family, its so nice to be able to order whatever we want, to get appetizers if we want them, to get dessert when we want it, and to not ever look at food prices...
Maybe we are feeding into the machine by doing DXDP, but as far as we are concerned it makes our vacationing awesome!

That being said we made all our ADRs, and are pretty happy with them, we are pretty finicky eaters, so we arent eating at some places that are talked about a lot simply because we want food we know we will like, and wont go away hungry.

Next up, I will break down each day!

 

[shalom]

When: September 19 - 25

(Double checks current date.) Ah, you're one of those sensible people who do the PTR late enough you're not going to be changing your plans ten million times. Although I get the impression most DVCers hit a point fairly early on where they know exactly what they're going to do their next visit, whether that visit is scheduled or not, and sometimes with variations depending on where they get their reservation. In other words, DVCers tend to be pros.

Although we are owners at SSR our first stay is going to be at BCV because DD is a fish, and we figured Stormalong Bay might be so much fun for her, and when it was available at 7 months, it was like why not! We have never been to the SSR, but have been to BCV, stayed there years ago, when my Parents were owners at BWV for a change

I've heard keeping an eye on little ones can be a pain in Stormalong Bay, but I'm guessing your sweetie will have plenty of eyes on her!

That being said we made all our ADRs, and are pretty happy with them, we are pretty finicky eaters, so we arent eating at some places that are talked about a lot simply because we want food we know we will like, and wont go away hungry.

Actually, I tend to take the exact opposite approach to dining at Disney -- I look for stuff I'm unfamiliar with and don't do the dining plan -- but I totally agree that you need to do what works for you and yours and not worry about what's popular at that point. Besides, popularity sometimes wrecks places that were pretty good, although I doubt that happens often at WDW.

 

[carlaewalter]

Less than 2 weeks! Can't wait to hear your ADRs.

 

[thegib95]

DSis is flying into Kansas City Airport Monday Night, September 17 after she gets off work, and we will all spend the day Tuesday relaxing..

We fly out of KCI at 10:00am on Wednesday, September 19 and land at 2:05pm where we will make our way to our chariot, aka the magical express...

Our ride will take us eventually to the Beach Club Villas, where we will check-in, explore and eat an early dinner at Beaches N Cream after filling our bellies, and making sure we have somewhat settled, we will head for an evening at Epcot, and finish the first night by watching illuminations.

Then end the night with DD and DW first ever sleep in a DVC Villa, before the alarm goes and we head to...

Read on to find out more!

 

[thegib95]

We will start our first morning, the way we have pretty much every single Disney Trip, at the Magic Kingdom...

Up bright and early to catch a Bus to MK, and to that special turnstile for ADRs before the park opens, and down hopefully an almost empty main street, as DD gets her first view of that iconic castle we are heading to do something that will be a first for everyone in our party, a meal inside that fabled castle....

I have been drooling over the stuffed french toast since reading about it when we decided we wanted to eat there, and so I will be getting that, and if they let me switch to the classic breakfast after that for seconds I shall, DW and I may each get one and share....
Who knows?!?!
All I can say I am thrilled to be entering CRT, and we have the DDP Credit to spare based on when our flights fall on arrival and departure day...

As far as the rest of the day goes, I can say that I am not really planning that out, we have no idea how DD is going to take to her new home away from home... like the rides? the characters? the people watching? The change of routine?
We are planning a more go with the flow day, and probably grabbing some counter service at MK at lunch time if we are hungry, or something back at BC later on...

We plan to do the park until mid-afternoon, a dip in SAB, and then heading to DTD for Rain Forrest Cafe (A must do for our family, and thrilled its part of DDP This year) and some shopping:

Must Buys:
Some Mr. Potato Head Accessories (DD is obsessed)
Lego architecture set for DSis
Ornament for our Christmas Tree

We will wander around there for a while, and then make our way home, where DMom will watch DD, while DSis, DW & I head over to JellyRolls Across the Water for some beverages and entertainment....(if we are still awake and functioning)... lol

Then its off to sleep before day 2 takes us too....

 

[shalom]

Up bright and early to catch a Bus to MK, and to that special turnstile for ADRs before the park opens, and down hopefully an almost empty main street, as DD gets her first view of that iconic castle we are heading to do something that will be a first for everyone in our party, a meal inside that fabled castle....

If anyone argues with that choice, I'll be shocked.

 

[thegib95]

Friday Morning -

We are going against every tip, plan and suggestion and heading to a park with EMH in the morning, it just fit what we wanted to do, and thanks to some Golden Fast Passes, we should be alright for TSM, RnRC & Possibly ToT.

The Must do's for our family is Disney Jr: Live on Stage....
My DD, is obsessed with Disney Jr. Most Notably, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but that channel can be on all day, and she is content... not glued to it, but she stops and dances or looks at it every now and then while playing aka destroying her room.

So we want to enjoy that show, maybe meet Jake afterwards, and go from there....
As I have said this is different trip, all about DD, with a few splashes of grown up things thrown in!

Our lunch we plan to eat at Pizza Planet!

I know what some of you will say, but we have at there almost every year, and enjoyed it, plus its cool to say you ate at pizza planet, although i wish they made it more like the one from Toy Story...

Other must Do's at the park Star Tours (haven't tried new version), taking DD to the HISTK play area, and maybe art of animation building....

Then back to the room for resting, or swimming at SAB and getting ready for dinner at....

Never done this meal, but when I did all the re-arranging I could and we still could not fit Chef Mickey's in, we decided to give this a shot. DD does like the pooh gang, so its a great opportunity to meet them, and stuff ourselves with food too!

Its a MNSSHP night, and we aren't attending this year, so we are thinking about going over to the contemporary, and then up to the top of Bay Lake Tower, just to check it out, and then taking a bus to the Art of Animation resort to walk around, snap some pictures....

Before an evening of fun on the boardwalk, or around Beach Club, and then off to bed before Day 3 Begins!

 

[thegib95]

Although i cannot give you a straight up reason why, i can say that i LOVE EPCOT!

I am way over the top bummed that I will not be able to ride Test Track, probably my number 2, fave ride at WDW, I will still completely enjoy being in this Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow!...er... I mean theme park! I am hoping to get my hands on something celebrating the 30 years, but if not I have my ways of getting some!

We do not have much of a plan for the day, start in future world, and then mingle through some of the countries, grab some quick service lunch somewhere...
I know what kind of DVC owning, DISer has a day with such little planning....

The truth is, Epcot is one of those places we just enjoy being at!

I do know i want to try to get one of Mickey's Mini Garden things to take home and have a piece of WDW with us at home, We will hit up Sorin, maybe check out some of the small rides in the World Showcase, Ellen may be on tap, DD Loves Nemo, so the Seas will be a must hit, I want to introduce an unsuspecting family to Beverly
Side Note: I have been hyping up Beverly, on how great it is, and getting ready to have everyone try it

Other than that, it will be another day at a Park, and then a typical afternoon at BC and SAB before heading to the MAGIC KINGDOM to Test FastPass+ and have some dinner!

That deserves its own post!

 

[thegib95]

Long ago, well almost 180 days ago, I was given the ultimatum from DMom that, she didnt care where we ate, as long as it was good, as long as One Breakfast was at CRT and one Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern.

The obsession I think stems from when we were little, and we ate there as a character meal, best interaction we have ever had thanks to Chip, Dale & Meeko, and we loved the food....They may have taken away our friends, but we still love the food...

So when I started planning our time out, we chose this night to eat at LTT and catch Wishes & MSEP for our trip, our night of Magic!

Cool thing is I was invited to take part in the FP+ test and it worked right around our dinner plans.

I was given a log in to a website, where i got to choose a day and two attractions/shows/experiences, and then it selected two more for me, to reserve a time for. They will mail me passes a week before I leave, or I can pick them up at the airport or cityhall [sic.] inside the MK.

I was able to select Saturday night, which we were already planning on being at MK like i said, and got reserved times on Dumbo, Barnstormer (Random Selected 2) & what I am most excited about reserved seating for MSEP [Main Street Electrical Parade] and Wishes.

 

[shalom]

Hey, thanks for the fastpass plus info and screen shot!

I was given a log in to a website, where i got to choose a day and two attractions/shows/experiences, and then it selected two more for me, to reserve a time for.

Interesting. I wonder if the "pick two for you" part will continue when it's actually up and running. I'm hoping not. I know Disney's suggestions for my personal maps are never what I want.

 

[thegib95]

Hey, thanks for the fastpass plus info and screen shot!

You are Welcome, I was thrilled to be asked, so I thought, I'd share it! I will do a full report on using it in my Trip report!

Interesting. I wonder if the "pick two for you" part will continue when it's actually up and running. I'm hoping not. I know Disney's suggestions for my personal maps are never what I want.

I doubt that is going to continue, my personal thoughts from using the site, will be you can pick up to 4-5, idk maybe more attractions, shows etc. to prebook your time, if you are staying on site, and you can even edit these time while in the park thanks to the new Wi-Fi, and you walk up to the the FP+ line and go for it....

I guess it will be all wait and see, but I am most interested in how Wishes and MSEP is going to work!