Aussie Aussie Aussie - An Aussie take on a first time WDW visit

[aussietravellers]

Your plan looks good and your dining looks great

Captain's Grill and Kouzzina both have lovely breakfasts so you won't go wrong there. We ate at the CG many times on our last trip, it was so handy having the choice between buffet or menu, suited everybody, light eaters and those wanting a bigger breakfast.

Chefs is one of our favourites at WDW, last trip we ate there 4 times If you decide to book there, check out the times that Remy is due to go round, we only made it to him on one meal, but he was a lot of fun.

50's Prime Time and Mama Melrose are both great restaurants but so different. Really though, I don't think a trip to WDW would be complete without a visit there, not so much for the food but for the entertainment. We have never had a dull or boring meal there, it's so much fun.

 

[chrisbris]

Number 6.5

Well this isn't really a trip planning updated but more of an update on why there are no new updates!

I have exams this week and next
I am currently studying a duel masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and Accounting. So planning for disney has been on hold as I get ready for exams. I work full time so normally only do 1 unit per semester but as we close the office for 3 weeks over Christmas I took the chance to do a full time load over summer semester. Well it seemed like a good idea back last year but I really regret it now - so much to cover.

I did a day trip down to Melbourne for our revision day yesterday which was really helpful (I study externally with my University in Melbourne and I live in Brisbane) and I feel like I have a better idea now of the key concepts so head down for the next two weeks and hopefully some good grades at the end of it all.

aussietravellers and PrincessInOz - thanks so much for your suggestions.

What do you think of character Breakfast for two adults - not sure if the DBF would like it but we would get some great photos.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Good luck with the MBA. It's not a hard course....just hard work. And if you put in the hours they recommend, you'll get the grades they promise.



The thing about character breakfast is that you have to eat breakfast anyway. There are some really good options at the parks (Tusker House comes to mind) and if you are early birds, you get into the parks early and get to take some pictures without people, particularly of the park icons.

And you get some of the characters out of the way so that you don't interrupt the day wondering if you should go see them.

 

[chrisbris]

Number Seven!

So sorry everyone for the delayed update. I was so focused on studying and exams which I am please to say went really well. I got my results on Monday - 2 High Distinctions and 2 Distinctions so I am really happy with that.

Now they are over its back to some serious trip planning!

3 days from being able to make some ADR’s so had to settle on a plan - had a trip planning meeting with DBF tonight and I think I have a final’ish plan. The choice of parks has come from combing the recommendation of easy wdw and touringplans in order to have the least crowded parks.

Thursday 20 September
Theme of the day - Our New Home!

MORNING: Our First day!
The aim is to get up at about 9am to get us on help us with jet lag adjustment. The key I have always found for adjusting to jetlag is to not let myself sleep in on the first day. You have to force yourself to get up and about and out into the Sunshine.

BREAKFAST: Maybe something from the Pop food court.

We then will need to change from POP Century over to the Beach Club. I am thinking we should we get a bus to downtown disney then change buses there to The Beachclub?
It’s my understanding that concierge will move our bags?

Once we get to The Beach Club. We will then get our keys to the world and can start to use the dinning plan. If we are in good form then we can then head to Hollywood studios for some rides and a look around.

AFTERNOON
We both love swimming and stormalong bay was a big reason to book at the Beach Club. So an afternoon swim will help refresh ourselves and help with the jet lag.

I think we will both be in need of a nap after this.

NIGHT:
Its for to be Magic Kingdom for Main Street Electrical Parade, Wishes and some serious Magic Kingdom magic moments!

DINNER: Im unsure if we should book in at Crystal Palace or just grab a counter service meal.

Credits Used:
Table Service: 0 (if we go with counter service)
Running Total: 0 / 8
Counter Service: 1 (dinner)
Running Total: 1 / 8

Friday 21 September
Theme of the day: 2 classics

BREAKFAST: In room. I think I will order some fruit and breakfast things for our room for the week and we will probably make breakfast in our room each day.
MORNING: Magic Kingdom
LUNCH: ??
AFTERNOON: Swim and nap time.
DINNER: Chefs de France or Germany Biergarten 7pm
NIGHT: Epcot and Illuminations at 9pm

Credits Used:
Table Service: 1 (dinner)
Running Total: 1 / 8
Counter Service: 1 (lunch)
Running Total: 2 / 8

Saturday 22 September
Theme of the day: Animal instincts - grrrrrrr

BREAKFAST: In room
MORNING: Animal Kingdom
LUNCH: ???
AFTERNOON: You know it - pool and nap
EVENING/NIGHT: Epcot till about 7, then monorail(s) to dinner at Ohana then if we are up to it a visit to the Magic Kingdom (closes 11pm)
DINNER/ADR: Ohana 8:00 pm

Credits Used:
Table Service: 1 (dinner)
Running Total: 2 / 8
Counter Service: 1 (lunch)
Running Total: 3 / 8

Sunday 23 September
Theme of the day: lights, camera, disney action!

BREAKFAST: In Room
MORNING: Hollywood Studios
LUNCH: Starring Rolls Cafe
AFTERNOON: a nap and a swim
DINNER/ADR: Mama Melrose's with the fantasmic package 6pm
NIGHT: Hollywood Studios and Fantasmic (8pm) then if we are up to it a visit to the Magic Kingdom (closes midnight)

Credits Used:
Table Service: 1 (dinner)
Running Total: 3 / 8
Counter Service: 1 (lunch)
Running Total: 4 / 8

Monday 24 September
Theme of the day: Can you feel the love tonight, Our 5 and a 1/2 year anniversary!

BREAKFAST: In room
MORNING: Magic Kingdom
LUNCH: ??
AFTERNOON: a nap and a swim
NIGHT: Epcot then the monorail(s) to Grand Floridian
DINNER/ADR: Anniversary dinner at Citricos 7:30pm

Credits Used:
Table Service: 2 ( signature dinner)
Running Total: 5 / 8
Counter Service: 1 (lunch)
Running Total: 5 / 8

Tuesday 25 September
Theme a day: Boo to you!

BREAKFAST: In room
MORNING: Animal Kingdom
LUNCH:a 2pm reservation at Boma
AFTERNOON/NIGHT: Head over to the Magic Kingdom at about 5 for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Night (DATE TBC)
DINNER/ADR: Counterservice sometime throughout the night

Credits Used:
Table Service: 1 (lunch)
Running Total: 6 / 8
Counter Service: 2 (breakfast and dinner)
Running Total: 6 / 8

Wednesday 26 September
Theme of the day: Hollywood Fusion

BREAKFAST: In room
MORNING: Downtown Disney / sleep in
LUNCH: Earl of Sandwich
AFTERNOON: a nap and a swim
NIGHT: Hollywood Studios then maybe Epcot (open until Midnight)
DINNER/ADR: Yachtsman Steakhouse 7:30pm

Credits Used:
Table Service: 2 (signature dinner)
Running Total: 8 / 8 - no more table service credits
Counter Service: 1 (breakfast or lunch)
Running Total: 7 / 8

Thursday 27 September
Theme of the day: one last wish

BREAKFAST: In room
MORNING: Epcot
LUNCH:
AFTERNOON: packing up!
NIGHT: Magic Kingdom for our last night so we can have a magic last night in the magic kingdom!
DINNER/ADR: California Grill at 8:00 wishes is on at 9pm - pay over the counter

Credits Used:
Table Service: None Left
Running Total: 8 / 8
Counter Service: 1(breakfast or lunch)
Running Total: 8 / 8

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congrats on the great marks!

Your plans look great.

 

[chrisbris]

Congrats on the great marks!

Your plans look great.

Thanks so much PrincessInOz!

 

[kathie859]

Congrats on your good grades

Your plan looks great. I just wanted to throw out this idea when you transfer to the Beach Club...depending on how you are feeling, you may want to just grab a cab instead of messing with the buses. You're correct in that Disney will transfer your luggage for you.

 

[chrisbris]

NUMBER 8

Hello my wonderful Dis’ers - Im so sorry it has been so long between updates. So much has been happening! I have a new job, finished another semester of university and planned much more of our vacation!

So new job meant a change in dates - thats right a change in dates! A massive change in dates!

The up side of the change - an extra day at Universal
The down side - losing all our planned ADR’s I know I know all my beautiful planning with everyones input were no longer as easy to get so back to the drawing board!

Here is the point that I need to do an amazing big shout out to our dreams unlimited travel agent Jennifer - she was amazing with out changes - she skillfully changed our reservation to different dates and managed to keep our free dinning. She also helped move our dinning and changed our universal reservation the the 4 night Harry Potter Package. It must have a taken a huge amount of time and she did it all with such great service! I cant recommend here highly enough to anyone planning an Orlando trip!

So our new plan is

Wednesday 12/9
Arrive in Orlando at 8:30pm and get the magical express to Pop. Dinner in the food court maybe?

Thursday 13/9
Transfer to the Beach Club and spend the morning in Hollywood Studio. In the evening we head of to the Magic Kingdom and have dinner reservations at Crystal Palace

Friday 14/9
Morning - Magic Kingdom
Afternoon/Evening - Epcot and Illuminations
Dinner at Biergarten

Saturday 15/9
Morning - Animal Kingdom
Afternoon/Evening - Epcot
Dinner at Chefs De France

Sunday 16/9
The day at Hollywood Studios
Dinner at Mama Melrose's with the Fantasmic package

Monday 17/9
Morning - Epcot
Afternoon/Evening - Resort Hoping
Dinner at California Grill

Tuesday 18/9
Downtown Disney / pool day / rest day
Afternoon/Evening - Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party
Dinner - Counter Service

Wednesday 19/9
Morning - Animal Kingdom
Afternoon/Evening - Hollywood Studio
Dinner - 50’s Prime time

Thursday 20/9
Morning - Epcot
Evening - Magic Kingdom
Dinner - Jiko

Friday 21/9
Breakfast at Ohana then checking out of the Beach Club but off the Hard Rock at Universal! We don't have park tickets for this day so some shipping will be in order! Any suggestions?

I think we will get the Rush of Fear with Express pass to get us into Halloween Horror Nights on both the Friday and Saturday night My partner is a huge horror movie fan!

Saturday 22/9
Universal Studios - Early entry into Harry Potter and breakfast at the three broomstick at 9:30am then rest of the day at the parks.

Sunday 23/9 and Monday 24/9
Universal Studios Orlando

Tuesday 25/9 off to New York city for 11 days then back home to Australia.

Getting so excited for our trip!!!

 

[chrisbris]

Wow - not long to go!

Booked our Halloween Horror Nights Tickets last night! so excited the house look great!

I am thinking we should have booked some more character meals but everything is now so booked up! Need to do some serious searching for reservations tomorrow. We also got out photo plus pass in the mail - only 5 days from ordering it to delivery from the USA to Australia which is pretty good.

So Excited!!

 

[beachta1]

Good luck with picking restaurants!!!! I used allears to check out the menus at the various WDW restaurants and it helped a lot in choosing where we ate. I liked reading through restaurant reviews on different websites but in the end my boyfriend and I picked restaurants with the most appealing menus to us.

Chefs De France was one of my favorite meals of the trip- I highly recommend doing the 3 course meal option! The beef short ribs were amazing!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

WOW! I missed the update on the date change. That's a great TA to make all those changes and ADRs for you.

If you are staying at the BC, I thought the character breakfast at Cape May was great. It was much quieter than the breakfast locations at the parks.


Not long to go now.