Wow! So I am usually just a lurker on these forums but I am just so darn excited for my upcoming trip. I work retail and this holiday was very hectic for me since I was recently promoted to manager. I decided when Disney announced the return of Buy 4, Get 3 Free promotion, I decided I was going to treat myself for my post-holiday vacation and my birthday. With the reviews of solo trips and the idea had always intrigued me, I decided to jump in and just do it. And I decided to be selfish and go DELUXE! I am so excited! I called and the reservation specialist at Walt Disney Travel set me up with a Theme Park View at the Grand Floridian with Club Level in the main lodge! THRILLED!!! I added on the basic dining to my park hopper.
Then
after even reading more here, especially the dining forums, I knew I wanted to try more sit down restaurants so I upgraded to the Deluxe Dining Plan! I know its going to be a lot of food but I am willing to take that challenge! YUM! I have been salivating for the past month thinking about all the treats that I didnt even know existed at the parks! Some things I cannot wait for include the Butterfinger cupcake at Starring Rolls, the school bread or sweet pretzels at the Norway pavilion, I also am going to treat myself to the ultimate, a reservation at Victoria and Albert! I bought a new suit just for the occasion!
My Grand IPO has been AMAZING! Always keeping me up-to-date and knowing exactly what I would like even with just a few emails and phone calls. Marijane is great and is always prompt! She has gotten me pretty much everything I wanted in such a sort time and such short notice, considering the 180 day reservation policy. She is even going to plan a cake to be delivered for my birthday meal at Bistro! I told her what flavors I like and what I might be interested in and the rest is up to her and to surprise me with the rest!
So here goes! This is what she has planned for me! Let me know what you think and if you have any other suggestions. I leave Saturday, so I dont plan on making many changes but would love ideas on other snacks to check out or other little things I can enhance my trip!
WHO: Me, Vinny
on a SOLO TRIP!
WHEN: Saturday, January 9-Saturday, January 16 (Buy 4, Get 3 Free)
WHERE: Grand Floridian: Main Lodge Club Concierge Level with Cinderella Castle View
Saturday, January 9:
12:00 PM Arrival via Disney's Magical Express
12:35 PM Grand Floridian Cafe
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
06:10 PM Teppan Edo
EPCOT - World Showcase, Japan
Sunday, January 10:
07:25 AM Grand Floridian Cafe
09:00 AM Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
10:30 AM Disney's Grand Floridian Spa & Health Club
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
12:05 PM Kona Cafe
Disney's Polynesian
or
12:50 PM Liberty Tree Tavern
Magic Kingdom
08:45 PM
Victoria and Albert's
(YAY!!! And she is keeping an eye open for a Chefs Table reservation to open, just in case!)
Monday, January 11:
08:20 AM Supercalifragilistic Breakfast
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
11:30 AM Dining with an Imagineer at the Brown Derby
Disney's Hollywood Studios
06:00 PM 50's Prime Time Cafe
Tuesday, January 12 (MY BIRTHDAY!!!):
07:30 AM Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet
Disney's Contemporary Resort
09:00 AM Backstage Magic Tour
08:15 PM Bistro de Paris (with a custom surprise cake!!!)
EPCOT - World Showcase, France
Wednesday, January 13:
08:20 AM Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House Restaurant
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Africa - Harambe
10:00 AM Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour
Disney's Animal Kingdom
01:30 PM Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Disneys Animal Kingdom
07:00 PM "Jiko...The Cooking Place"
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Thursday, January 14:
07:30 AM The Wave...of American Flavors
Disney's Contemporary Resort
09:30 AM Around the World at Epcot Tour
EPCOT - Guest Relations, left of Spaceship Earth
01:45 PM Le Cellier Steakhouse
EPCOT - World Showcase, Canada
07:00 PM Coral Reef Restaurant
EPCOT - The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Friday, January 15:
07:35 AM Kona Cafe
Disney's Polynesian
11:30 AM Liberty Tree Tavern
Magic Kingdom
06:55 PM Artist Point
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Saturday, January 16:
12:00 PM Rose and Crown Pub and Dinning Room
EPCOT - World Showcase, United Kingdom
03:55 PM Departure via Disney's Magical Express
So thats it, in a nut shell! Plenty of food and snacks to be eaten in-between, plenty of photo-ops with characters and plenty of rides and parades and shows to be watched and enjoyed. There are a few hiccups that I have come to realize with my timing, like the marathon weekend traffic that I will have to endure and the refurbishment of Cinderella Castle and Splash Mountain but nothing is going to bring me down! I am just going to focus on ALL the positives and take the rest as it comes. There will always be refurbishments and traffic and events that I cant control. I guess this is my pre-trip report! I will hopefully have plenty of photos and details to report back on! YAY!!!!