An Obsessed Disney Goer's Pre-trip Report - *UPDATED with pics!!*

[Glite]

I am so happy there's another 40 club person!

I cannot wait for the F&W - I have heard its wonderful and currently I am trying to figure out how to incorporate that into our dining plans - reservations in a restaurant or graze our way thorugh? BOTH?

I did know we could use the snack credits, but I dont see myself letting them pile up to use them just there...*hangs head*...I mean theres the dole whips and the bakery and the ice cream and the popcorn...

If F&W takes the TIW card, maybe we should just do that and get a wrist gift card to whip out at each booth? OR we could do the DDP and the TIW and the gift card....

I have never had the grey goose slushie but everyone raves...its on my list!!

I hope you get your surprise party! AND a trip to WDW as a gift!!

I forgot to mention that I 40 also. I just turned 40 on May 31st.

 

[ccgirl]

If you do the dining plan, the F&W festival would be the best use of your snack credits because they are $4. The booths do not take the TiW. Our last trip in May we used the DDP and TiW card. The TiW card is good at most sit down restaurants. Allears.net has a list of where it is taken. We also go the wrist gift card when we went in October for the F&W festival. I think we had to add money to the card three times.

There is also wine and beer tasting you can do during the F&W. It is extra $$ but fun. I think we spent at least 2 full days just leisurely strolling the countries and sampling the food/drinks.

It really was such a blast. I think we are going to try to do it next year again. Then, I think I will stay at a value resort so we can get the QSDP with 2 snacks per night included.

Have so much fun. I love the goodies you bought yourself. I did that for my kids for our Christmas trip this year. I, too, forgot to apply a promo code so let me know if you get lucky with your email.

 

[heathers4um]

thanks Glite! And welcome aboard my crazy train...SMH!

I cant wait to see it for myself...and I am so excited to see it for the first time. The reasons you like it are exactly why we chose OKW. And the fact that it does have historical character being it was the 1st DVC property made it all that much desireable to us!

Nothing like soaking it all in Jimmy Buffet style!

You do deserve an adult trip. You work hard, you take care of the kids and he deserve a trip. my DW likes flying on Jet Blue as well. I love OKW, we stayed there on our 2007 trip. We stayed there on our last day(after 1 week at Pop Century). I love the pool and hot tub. The hot tub is kind of excluded as it has the plant\flower\tree atmoshere. It is a nice and peaceful place. As I'm sure you know that the rooms are bigger at OKW than any other resort because it was the first DVC resort that was built. Looking forward on reading more.

 

[heathers4um]

I was pretty sure the booths didnt take the DDP credits, other than the snacks or TiW. But thats ok...wrist card here we come!

I am still debating on the whole DDP thing...we enjoy eating out and since this trip has taken a more ocmmando approach for us it would be easier...but not necessarily nesessary if you know what I mean. I like the idea of having our meals already taken care of but I am not sure we will use all the counter service credits, or if we will want to. We will definitely use the TS and snacks, though. DBF is an eater...and since I already did the math and it came out in DDP favor, I should just go for it, huh?

Then again...the TiW gives you discount of of your bevvies too!

*back to the drawing board...*

If you do the dining plan, the F&W festival would be the best use of your snack credits because they are $4. The booths do not take the TiW. Our last trip in May we used the DDP and TiW card. The TiW card is good at most sit down restaurants. Allears.net has a list of where it is taken. We also go the wrist gift card when we went in October for the F&W festival. I think we had to add money to the card three times.

There is also wine and beer tasting you can do during the F&W. It is extra $$ but fun. I think we spent at least 2 full days just leisurely strolling the countries and sampling the food/drinks.

It really was such a blast. I think we are going to try to do it next year again. Then, I think I will stay at a value resort so we can get the QSDP with 2 snacks per night included.

Have so much fun. I love the goodies you bought yourself. I did that for my kids for our Christmas trip this year. I, too, forgot to apply a promo code so let me know if you get lucky with your email.

 

[heathers4um]

A big 16.6 lb box arrived yesterday....

I wonder what could be in THAT??

OMG...I had to ask my son, Prince Connor, 17, to hide the box in the entrance way to my mom's studio in our attic so Prince DBF wouldnt see it! Then I had to keep my mouth shut all night and not sneak off up to mom's room to rip it open. This was not an easy task, I will be honest.

So, I was thinking while he weed-wacked and I was making dinner, I could squeeze 20 mins out while he was in the shower after dinner to open it and go through it quickly.

Hmph.

He decided to take his shower before dinner...even though I made sure it was ready so he wouldnt have time to. So then, I thought after we cleaned up dinner and dishes I could run up and do it while he was out walking our bulldog, Brando.

Hmph - again. Apparently, the walk would be more interesting if I went to.

By the time we got back from the never-ending walk he was stuck to my side and I couldnt find a minute to break away.

So I did it this morning after he left for work!

Omigoodness....I didnt think I was going to make it. I was worse then a 5 yr old and a forbidden Christmas gift!

I tried on all of my tshirts and they fit! 2 of them are a bit more snug than I like but they fit and I am trying to shave a few pounds off anyway so I will be golden! Same with my hoodie. But here is the list of the other things:

Prince DBF: a red MM hoodie, "Youre Mickey Me Crazy" tshirt and matching lounge pants, A personalized white robe, a personalized toiletry bag, and a personalized hat.

I got msyelf a matching robe, hat and toiletry bag to his, only different personalizations and 4 tshirts. And a bathing suit. And slippers. *hangs head*

Dsiney coffee mugs are next! When we arrive the first order of business is to get matching OKW mugs!

These will all be kept in our OL for each trip. And I will do the same fun things for the kids when we are getting ready for our family trip.

I still havent figured out the best way to give them to him when we arrive. My first thought was to send them with our provision box and just give him the individually wrapped gifts from inside. Then I thought maybe I could enlist the help of bell services and ask them to bring them to our villa just after we check in and have them be from Mickey Mouse.

Suggestions?

 

[heathers4um]

STILL obsessing over whether to do DDP or just TiW.

DxDP is out as it is double what the DDP is and way too much food for us.

Or maybe we should just get groceries and utilize our kitchen.

OK...maybe Im not obsessing as much over THAT option.

And I think our itinerary has changed a bit since I last put it up...

Heather and Jose’s Fantabulous Disney Vacation
ºoº 40th Birthday Celebration ºoº

10/31
• Arrive in OKW and check in
• Wander around OKW
• Magic Kingdom (Get AP’s, Casey’s, Dole Whip & Main St)
• Resort Hop (Contemporary, Bay Lake Towers, Grand Floridian)
• Break
• Polynesian Resort for drinks and wandering the resort
• ‘Ohana’s for dinner – 8:15 pm

11/1
• Tusker House for breakfast – 8:35 am
• Animal Kingdom (9am-4pm)
• Hollywood Studios (4pm-10pm)

11/2
• Boma for breakfast – 9:10 am
• Resort Hop (Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo & Kidani)
• Fort Wilderness - Horseback Riding
• Resort Hop (Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Coronado Springs)
• Whispering Canyon Café – 5:00pm
• Break
• Boardwalk - Resort Hop (Beach Club, Boardwalk Villas, Yacht Club, Swan & Dolphin)
• ESPN? Beaches & Cream?

11/3
• EPCOT Segway Tour 8:30am
• EPCOT Food & Wine Festival (11am-9pm)
• Break
• EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
• EPCOT – Illuminations & Futureworld (9am-12am)

11/4
• Crystal Palace for breakfast 8:10 am
• Keys to the Kingdom Tour 9:30am
• Lunch at Columbia House (during tour)
• Magic Kingdom
• Wishes (9pm)

11/5
• Check out day
• Olivia’s for breakfast – 10:00 am
• Resort Hop (Saratoga Springs)
• Downtown Disney
• Meet Magical Express @ OKW 6 pm
• Go home and begin planning next Disney vacation
You know you want to!

It looks filled to the max, but we wll choose to not resort hop to some and take more breaks I am sure. I just wanted to fit in everything we wanted to do and then pick and choose to be flexible. I DO want more laid back time but thought since its his 1st time EVER that he should get a tiny say.

 

[heathers4um]

I totally forgot to tell you the best thing!

JetBlue called and our flights have changed....

I was scared at first thinking it was going to be a later flight out or an earlier flight back...

but NO!

Our flight out leaves a full half hour earlier!

I know, I know....its only 30 mins. I will probably use that time up waiting for ME but its a full 30 mins we wouldnt have had if it were changed to a later time or on the return flight!

Is this a sign of pixie dust to come?

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Yay! So glad your stuff has arrived. Can't wait to see pictures of all the goodies!! It sounds like you got some really cool stuff.

I can't get over how relaxing your itinerary is. I can't wait to hear how the horseback riding goes. I've always thought it'd be fun to do that. Congrats on your flight time being adjusted. It's always great when it works in your favor!

You could calculate out all the costs of your meals and then figure out which saves you more -- DDP or TIW. It sounds labor intensive, I love making spreadsheets so I'm all over that option. Lol!!

 

[heathers4um]

Hi!

I just want so much for him to be in love with Disney as I am! I figured the more laid back BUT with the option to go full out commando will show him that there are infinite possibilities vacationing there!

So with that being said, I am reading 'Mousejunkies' and can I tell you? HILARIOUS, fun and very informative. Much is stuff I already knew but just being validated makes me feel so much more confident and excited! I was reading him excerpts last night on the way home from work and he laughed and made comments and all that but at the end of it all he shrugs and says...

*brace yourself*

"I just dont get all overexcited over anything fake"

*SCREEEEECH*

*blank disbelieving stare*

"um....Disney is not FAKE. Its all in how you perceive it and you make it what you want it to be and theres nothing fake about being in a dream world of happiness and magic and pixie dust"

At this point he just shook his head...

Something tells me I have my work cut out for me. Thank God for my step-Princess wh will make it easier for me. I will be mentioning how magical it really is to be seeing it through the kid's eyes as well a making it all about us.

Yay! So glad your stuff has arrived. Can't wait to see pictures of all the goodies!! It sounds like you got some really cool stuff.

I can't get over how relaxing your itinerary is. I can't wait to hear how the horseback riding goes. I've always thought it'd be fun to do that. Congrats on your flight time being adjusted. It's always great when it works in your favor!

You could calculate out all the costs of your meals and then figure out which saves you more -- DDP or TIW. It sounds labor intensive, I love making spreadsheets so I'm all over that option. Lol!!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I've heard "Mousejunkies" is great! The guy who wrote it also has a radio station on Live365.com. Love it!! It plays ride audio (Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth, TTA, etc...) and other Disney type music. It's awesome.

Uh-oh! Hopefully, your laid back itinerary will help woo him over!

I can't wait until DH and I have kids and take them to WDW. It will be such a fun experience!!!

 

[heathers4um]

I have been following the best way to purchase an AP and/or tix now for quite awhile. I want to make sure I get the best deal and I want to make sure that I save as much as possible, just like anyone else.

I was pretty psyched to learn that DVC gives a discount off of regular AP's and was content with that cost...until I found out that if you purchse through Undercover Tourist, you can finagle your way to a deeper discount by purchasing a dicount tix as close to the cost of a gate cost AP without going over, using it once, and then upgrading it when you are there.

Confession time: I dont know exactly WHY I felt this to be SO confusing...but I did. First you have to go to UCT and find the tix close to the AP cost..but you have to remember that UCT includes tax while WDW prices do not. Then all you have to do is subtract the cost of the UCT cost from the WDW gate price and thats what you will save, minus the cost of the amount you will have to give for the AP. Smple, right??

I ended up saving $48 per AP!

I was on the ball to do this before the ticket price increase took effect today so I am ultra happy with myself.

As you can see, I have not taken pics of my loot yet.

But when I do, then I just need to figure out how to upload them on here. I want to use my Blackberry camera, email them to myself and then hopefully just save them to the computer to upload onto the thread...can this be done this way?

So I have also made another change to my itinerary...I am going to add in Via Napoli into our ADR's for the EPCOT day - even though F&W is our focus. With the AP card, I am going to get the TiW card to save on the meals when we go over the credits form the DDP. I know it seems like such alot of food but I think it will work for us with the F&W going on and we can use the remaining CS meals the very last day when we are in DTD and resort hopping before we leave for the ME to take us to the airport that evening. Plus then we will have the TiW card for when we return with the Price & Princess before our AP's are up!

Someone please do not let me talk mysef into changing this decsion...

OK - so DBF hit me with one of his not-so-Disney-like-moods the other night.

Granted, we were in the ER for a severe rash he had and his oldest Prince had done something a bit disrepectful and heartbreaking just a bit earlier that evening so I have to give him some room but I was only trying to cheer him up the way that would have worked for me if roles were reversed.

I leaned over to him in the waiting room and said "90 days left baby..."

He says...."thinking about taking a vacation I dont feel I have the money for right now doesnt help...I dont live in a fantasy world."



He KNOWS I have this...he knows that I am planning and paying for it as we go and he knows I will make sure we have the money. But he is so stubborn that he just cant look forward to enjoying it and I am the total opposite...I have to have something to look forward to or whats the point??

I have thought of sitting him down with the financial plan and showing him that with DVC the accomodations are already set as we pay for that through DVC monthly, the flights have been bought and paid for with cash (debit), the tix have been purchased with our CC but will be paid off before we go, the DDP, tix upgrade to AP, and the Tiw card will be purchased with cash when we get there since we happen to be going on a week of a 5th pay period. That still leaves us a nice chunk of cash (again, debit) to enjoy ourselves.

YES..it is something we have to plan for, make room for, and work for but we have to enjoy life!

I know as it gets closer he will be excited and happy...and I sure hope that he 'gets it' while we are there. If there is a place where it can be shown, its Disney...so I am hoping for that magical pixie dust to be sprinkled all over him.

 

[heathers4um]

OK so since I have decided that we will do the DDP and did a bit of tweaking to include the couter service meals each day and so I can keep track of what OOP meals we will be doing. I didnt count snacks (except for the traditional first day visit to Main Street for a Casey's hot dog and a Dole whip)... I figured I should leave some things to spontaneity.

What do ya'll think? I would appreciate any and all opinions....

10/31
• Arrive in OKW and check in about 11:30 am
• Wander around OKW
• Magic Kingdom – Main Street
Get AP’s
Lunch at Casey’s (CS)
Dole Whip (S)
• Resort Hop (Contemporary, Bay Lake Towers, Grand Floridian)
• Break to villa
• Polynesian Resort for drinks and wandering the resort
‘Ohana’s for dinner – 8:15 pm (TS)

11/1
• Animal Kingdom (9am-4pm)
Tusker House for breakfast – 8:35 am (TS)
Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ or Yak & Yeti (CS)
• Hollywood Studios (4pm-10pm)
Dinner at Starring Rolls, Fairfax Fare, or Rosie’s? (CS)

11/2
• Resort Hop (Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo & Kidani)
Boma for breakfast – 9:10 am (TS)
• Fort Wilderness - Horseback Riding
• Resort Hop (Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Coronado Springs)
Whispering Canyon Café – 5:00pm (TS)
• Break to villa
• Boardwalk - Resort Hop (Beach Club, Boardwalk Villas, Yacht Club, Swan & Dolphin)
ESPN? Beaches & Cream? (OOP)

11/3
• EPCOT Segway Tour 8:30am
• EPCOT Food & Wine Festival for lunch (11am-9pm) (OOP)
• Break to villa
• EPCOT – Illuminations & Futureworld (9am-12am)
Via Napoli for dinner 7:00 pm (TS)


11/4
• Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace for breakfast 8:10 am (TS)
Keys to the Kingdom Tour 9:30am
Lunch at Columbia House (during tour)
Dinner at Cosmic Ray’s (CS)
Wishes (9pm)

11/5
• Check out day
Olivia’s for breakfast – 10:00 am (OOP) ***
• Resort Hop (Saratoga Springs)
• Downtown Disney
Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express in DTD (CS)
• Meet Magical Express @ OKW 6 pm
• Go home and begin planning next Disney vacation
You know you want to!

***Maybe take out breakfast through Goods to Go and eat in villa

Obviously this does not include the various adult bev's we will be experiencing and I am still contemplating the TiW card for those and the couple of OOP meals we will be doing. We wont meet the savings deadline unless we have a total of at least 3 or 4 drinks a day each....

HMMMM.....

Maybe we WILL meet that deadline!

SO thats the plan...you will see that I got a reservation for Via Napoli

 

[heathers4um]

ok so I hope this works...I have attached a pic of my new Vera Bradley hipster I just bought for the trip and it was only $22!!! *jumps up and down*

OMG it worked so now I am going up to take pics of all our check in loot and will be back to attach soon!

 

[heathers4um]

hey ya'll...

I wanted to let you know that I used my Vera brdley hipster on a day tip with the family to Six Flags last weekend and can I say.....?

IT WAS PERFECT!

It holds so much, is light and fits comfortably criss-cross around me and I am in love!

The only thing is its not water resistant but I'm not worried.And I think DF will be out this evening, so I can take pics of my Disney store loot FINALLY and get them up here! Thats been too long coming.

I have been using my time most effectively lately, perusing the trip reports and making a list of must do's. I think I better list them here and you can all tell me if I forgot something! Is that all ok with you?

Be back soon.....

 

[JMat]

Cute bag! Im a backpack girl inside the parks - but several people have said great things about that Vera hipster... so maybe ill have to check it out. The only advantage to the backpack was... when I didnt want to carry it - Id pass it off to Husband or Brother. Not sure "Carry my hipster for awhile, would'ja?" would fly.... since they're such cool tough guys.

Cant wait to hear more - and im interested in the personalization... how did it come out on the robes??

 

[heathers4um]

Hi everyone!!

So.....here it is! The long anticipated pictures of the loot I ordered for our check in gifts!!!


DF's pile of Disney Mgic:

And my pile:

Hmmm....I know what ya'll are thinking. Why is HER pile so much bigger then HIS when it's HIS 1st time to WDW??

And thats a very good question...it is!

I just dont have an answer for you that doesnt consist of 'I found more things for me than I found for him'...and honestly, he isnt into the whole broadcast your life on your clothing type person. I, however, LOVE IT!!

But let me take a moment to describe my tshirts. The Thumper one says '...and they call me Thumper', the Mickey and Minnie kissing says "Chula and Chepo" (our nicknames), and the bathrobe has Heather on it with Winnie the Pooh, the same Winne as on my hat and sherpa sweatshirt. My slippers have Belle on them to match the "dreams do come true' nightshirt. And my toiletry bag is Bambi with my name. The tankini you see to the right has the nice flowy pants with it and I chose Minnie since I dont have much anything with her really.

His bathrobe says Chepo with Goofy, as does his toiletry bag and hat with the silhouette of Mickey. I will take closer pics of the embroidery tonight and post them for the PP who asked about the quality. I think it came out awesome!!

53 days and counting!!!!

 

[heathers4um]

the hipster is so light even when I had it jammed pack with DF's wallet and sunglasses and phone...and my phone and...you get the picture!

And its funny you say that about handing it off..I did just that and he made my step -princess carry it!!

I guess little pink elephants arent his thing!

The robes came out awesome!! I will take a closer pic of the embroidery and post tomorrow so you can see better!

Cute bag! Im a backpack girl inside the parks - but several people have said great things about that Vera hipster... so maybe ill have to check it out. The only advantage to the backpack was... when I didnt want to carry it - Id pass it off to Husband or Brother. Not sure "Carry my hipster for awhile, would'ja?" would fly.... since they're such cool tough guys.

Cant wait to hear more - and im interested in the personalization... how did it come out on the robes??

 

[heathers4um]

Ok so I figured it may be time to post faces to the thread so you all know who we are.

Here is me and DF just after we got engaged about 2 years ago:

and this us us today:

So here we are...

 

[heathers4um]

I totally forgot that I was going to put on my must do's for you all to look at and make sure I dont miss anything...well, must do-ish!

Of course EPCOT, for me, is standard. I will make sure we do the Earth, Test Track, Soarin'...I have never seen Captain EO but since MJ is from our generation of music as kids, I think we may do that! I have never done Nemo so I would like to but we wont be doing Mission Space this time. Poor DF wont be able to handle that one.
Then we will be on our way around the World Showcase where we will do our best to hit up every country. We will get a special look-see with our early morning Segway tour!

Magic Kingdom is very FULL for me as I love to do everything. We will by-pass the kiddie rides with the exception of the Carousel, Pooh, and Peter Pan. Those are musts. What about Snow White? Thoughts? We will be doing the early morning Keys to the Kingdom Tour so we will get to see alot that way as well as hit a couple of the best rides as we go: Pirates and Haunted Mansion. I have never done Tom Sawyer Island or the Riverboat so we will do that and Country Bear Jamboree has always been so special to me so I may drag him to that. The Mountains are a must and Its a Small World and the People Mover too! I would love to take a railroad ride around the park to take pics and rest and I have to do Philharmagic. Has anyone done Monsters? He may like Carousel of Progress and the Hall of Presidents too. Tiki Room??

Hollywood Studios is more difficult - I will, of course, have ToT and RnRC on the list. I adore Beauty and the Beast so I would like to do that with him. I have not seen Lights, Motor, Action, Studio Backlot, the Great Movie Ride or Indiana Jones...how are these? Which ones should I try to include? I do want to do the animation class for sure!!

And finally Animal Kingdom...I think this may be DF's favorite park so I want to make sure to spend alot of time doing adult things here. So I have on the list Discovery Island, Maharajah Trek, and Pangani. Do you think its reasonable to do those things in one day? In between them, I want to do Kali, Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everst, maybe It's Tough to be a Bug for kicks and take in Festival of the Lion King and/or Nemo Musical. We will, of course, check out the Tree of Life along the way.

Wow...Im tired.

Please give me your thoughts on what to include and what you think is ok to miss. We dont have to see everything this trip as we will be back but we may not be back without kids for a very long time.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi neighbor!!!

Thanks for joining my PTR, I'm here and will catch up soon!!! Can't wait to read all about your plans and congrats on DVC! Completely jealous!!!!!!!!!!!