Around WDW in 14 days - a pre-trip report

[MissStitch626]

I have just ordered my first batch of dollars and they are safely preloaded on my Fairfx card. Also got the nice little surprise when I logged into my account and found that we still have $90 on the card from the last trip that I'd totally forgotten about! I know, I can't believe I hadn't spent it either!

This will be our second trip using the Fairfx card - I cannot tell you how much I love it. For our first trip we took some cash and the rest in travellers' cheques it was such a pain. We were staying offsite and the hotel could only change a ridiculously small amount each day. Never again! I love the convenience of loading the money onto the card then using it like a normal bank or credit card once we're there - so much easier!

I love this part of the trip planning - everything's coming together!

 

[MissStitch626]

A little off topic. . .

Trip planning has been on pause for the last few days as we've just been on a bit of a road trip - we took the coach down to Manchester for a couple of days to see the cast of Glee in concert.

Had a great time, the show was great, bus journey felt longer than the plane ride to Orlando even though it was only half the time

I was sooooo disorganised though. I actually can't believe that I'm practically packed for a trip in September, but I was running around at the very last second trying to remember everything that I needed with me for this one It must only be Disney that brings out the organising freak in me!!!

Hope you won't mind a couple of pics from my trip!

Some pretty scenery on the way. . .I sometimes forget we have actual countryside in this country!

How to develop a sudden case of vertigo. . .

 

[MissStitch626]

Epcot Rides!

My second favourite park in WDW - let's hear your top 5 rides/attractions!

Here are mine...

5. The Circle of Life - ok, now I know this isn't high on everyone's favourite lists, but I LOVE this show - mostly because I come out crying like a baby everytime I see it. Plus it's inside and air conditioned - a definite bonus on a hot afternoon

4. The American Adventure - another tearjerker. Ok it's staring to sound like I spend the whole time in Epcot in tears.

3. Test Track - if only for the moment where I scream even though I know the crash doors are going to open

2. Living with the Land - don't ask me why. It just is what it is.

1. Soarin' - enough said.

 

[PixieMama]

"Glee" in concert... how fun! I'd love to go, but they aren't coming anywhere near me.

For me, I'd have TT, Spaceship Earth, and Soarin' on my list of favorite Epcot attractions. Not sure what else I'd add...

 

[TanzUnited99]

Thanks for sharing about the Fairfx card - didn't know about it so am going to go and check it out after I am done on here!

Yay on coming to Manchester and watching Glee live - that must have been great fun!

Think after going to Epcot am going to think Soarin is my top ride as well

 

[MARsMama]

Living with the Land would be on my top 5 for Epcot too. Along with Test Track and Soarin'. Not sure what else I'd add on here, but we're hoping to try a lot of new things this time around so I may have a couple to add after that!
Epcot is my favorite park, but with only having had one day there I feel we missed out on a lot of it. Can't wait to go back!

 

[Villainess]

I really enjoy World Showcase - the entertainment and movies in France, USA, and Canada. Spaceship Earth is another of my favorites - on the future world side.

 

[MissStitch626]

Thanks for sharing about the Fairfx card - didn't know about it so am going to go and check it out after I am done on here!

Yay on coming to Manchester and watching Glee live - that must have been great fun!

Think after going to Epcot am going to think Soarin is my top ride as well

It's definitely worthwhile checking out the card - as well as being pretty hassle free it also usually has a better exchange rate than any of the high street places. Another plus for me is that you can use if for shopping back in the UK (in the unlikely event that I have anything left on it by the end of the trip! )

 

[MissStitch626]

Living with the Land would be on my top 5 for Epcot too. Along with Test Track and Soarin'. Not sure what else I'd add on here, but we're hoping to try a lot of new things this time around so I may have a couple to add after that!
Epcot is my favorite park, but with only having had one day there I feel we missed out on a lot of it. Can't wait to go back!

That's the thing about Epcot - no matter how much time you spend there is never feels like enough! We've scheduled in almost as many visits to Epcot as we have for Magic Kingdom this time around - I really want to make the most of the park and spend more time taking in all the detail

 

[MissStitch626]

I really enjoy World Showcase - the entertainment and movies in France, USA, and Canada. Spaceship Earth is another of my favorites - on the future world side.

I'm really looking forward to World Showcase this time around - I feel as if any other time we've been to Epcot we haven't really seen all the detail in the pavilions. This will also be our first time seeing the movies in France and China (after overhearing a man talking to his family about the movie in France while eating at Yorkshire County Fish Shop one night, this has a lot to live up to :lmao)

 

[MissStitch626]

Some of you might have guessed this already. I have trouble hiding it. I try to stop, I promise myself I won't do it again, but I just can't help myself. I have a secret, and I want to share it with all of you. . .

. . .

. . .

I. AM. A. SHOPAHOLIC.

I had to do it. I had to. I bought another pair of trainers. However, I have a really good excuse, honest. Ok, well it was really a case that I wanted new Skechers so I bought new Skechers. Not the best excuse, granted, but there you go.

I got a chunkier pair as the other pair I am taking with me are a bit more lightweight which I'm not used to and I wanted something a bit more substantial for all the walking. I am not a flip flop person at all so I more or less live in my trainers for the entire trip. It does mean I will be leaving behind my very pretty Converse but they just aren't up to the walking!

The endless puzzle of sun tan lotion has also been solved. Sort of. I have opted for a good quality single application lotion. Once on it should last around 8 hours but plan on topping it up where needed with sprays. I'm hoping that will minimise the stress/mess for touring the parks!

It's all coming together now, all our holiday clothes and travel stuff have taken over the bed in the spare room, which makes me smile everytime I see it. 85 days to go

 

[MissStitch626]

Top 5 Friday time!

Disney animated classics. Go!

5. The Little Mermaid earns its place for having some of my all-time favourite Disney songs and my second favourite Princess

4. Lilo and Stitch. I know it's probably another unpopular choice and not considered a classic, but I really love this movie (as you can tell from my username!) I love that Lilo is weird and Stitch is a lovable rogue. Plus, Elvis songs!!

3. Snow White - the fairest one of all. Original and best, and paved the way for everything that followed.

2. The Lion King. I think it's the music as much as anything else. Amazing.

1. Beauty and the Beast. Then, now, always.

That was actually pretty hard narrowing it down to just five! An honourable mention goes to Tangled, which I think will become a major favourite with me, but is far too new for me to bump something else from the list

 

[MissStitch626]

I've been starting to think about our "would like to do" things rather that just our "must do's". I think it will be a few years before we are back at WDW so I really want to make the most of this one and have as many amazing experiences as we can. Here's some of the things we are thinking about:

Characters in Flight - we looked at this on our last trip but it was pretty windy on the nights we were at DTD and I really didn't like the way the balloon was moving Neither of us have a major fear of heights but it was making me a little dizzy looking up at it! Has anyone done this and if so what did you think? Most of the time we spend in DTD will be in the evening so I'm not sure if this defeats the purpose or if it's still a worthwhile experience

Disneyquest - this wouldn't actually be a first - we went there on our first trip but it was really just a time killer while we were waiting for our flight. It was so busy and we didn't get much of a chance to look at things properly, but toying with the idea of a quick visit again (it's included in our tickets anyway). Both of us a video/arcade game fans but not sure if I want to use any park/shopping time in here.

Key to the Kingdom Tour - we need to decide on this one pretty soon - I really want to do this and I know DH would love it. It's really just a question of fitting it in and deciding whether or not to eat into our daily budget to pay for it. Another alternative tour we've considered is the Behind the Seeds Tour.

Disney Florist - this is something I've only been looking at fairly recently. I'm thinking about ordering a surprise for DH - they do a small Disney cool bag with various snacks inside (I would post a pic but don't know how to post pictures from the internet - does anyone know how to do this?). It's the kind of thing he would really like but it's just an issue of whether or not I could keep it a secret!!! Has anyone ordered anything like this to be delivered to the room before?

Are there any other attractions/experiences beyond the normal park days that you would recommend?

 

[PixieMama]

This is going to be hard to narrow down, but my favorite 5 Disney animated films would be:

5. The Little Mermaid
4. The Lion King
3. Lady and the Tramp
2. Beauty and the Beast
1. Aladdin


(I also love love love The Incredibles, but since it's a Pixar film, I won't include it here!)

 

[MARsMama]

My top five animated disney films would be...
1. Tangled
2. The Little Mermaid
3. Tarzan
4. Fox and Hound
5. 101 Dalmations

I have Characters in Flight on our list of things we want to do. I am so hoping that we will get nice weather as I've always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on buying another pair of trainers - you can never have too many shoes!

Love the top 5 movies list - I have not seen a couple of the ones you have mentioned so will have to rectify that. I love Tangled as well!

Your list of things to do sounds great as well. Characters in Flights sounds like fun. Out of the two tours mentioned I like the look of the KTTK one.

Ooh I know what cool bag you mean and that would be a great surprise! To upload pics from the Internet you just right click the pic and copy Image URL. Then when you upload in photobucket change the my computer to the web and paste the link. It should work. Let me know if it doesn't.

 

[Villainess]

Top 5 Disney Movies:

5) Alice in Wonderland
4) Snow White
3) Robin Hood
2) Aladdin
1) Sleeping Beauty


I really enjoyed KTTK Tour and didn't think that seeing the Utilidors or backstage took away from the magic at all. It is quite an interesting tour, and actually makes you look at details in the park in a completely different perspective.

 

[Sappermont]

Your trip sounds so exciting. I love the idea for the binder - thanks for sharing your pictures. I'm totally going to start putting a binder together today!!

Have a great trip!

 

[MissStitch626]

Ok, let's try this. . .

Thanks Tanz!

This is what I am hoping to order to be delivered to the room as a surprise for DH.

 

[TanzUnited99]

No probs! Am glad it worked!

Yes, that was the one I had seen on the web as well - it sure will be a great treat for DH!