Ben and Kyle's Super Awesome, Grown-Up Vacation! Updated 3/18

[BenKling]

Hey Everyone,

After lurking around this site for well over a year and posting here or there, I've decided to jump in and make a PTR report! I've gotten so much out of reading the awesome reports here, so I'll be happy if mine turns out to be half as interesting.

So let's get to it!

WHO:

I'm Ben, and I'll be writing most/if not all of the PTR. I live in Madison and work for a non-profit that advocates for education issues. As a native of Wisconsin, I didn't take my first Disney trip until 2010, which was my senior year of college. My parents always wanted to wait until my sister and I were "old enough to keep up" and then things just got busy over the years which kept us from every making it there. So, when everyone's spring break schedule finally matched up, we went and IT WAS AWESOME. I've been wanting to go back ever since, and I finally have a good excuse to go.

I'll be taking this trip with our other main character: my boyfriend Kyle. He's currently holding up a retail gig until next semester when he'll be starting school. We've been together for a little over a year, and this will be our first big trip together. He's been on a Disney cruise once when he was 8 or 9, but has only spent a half day at MK.

So, he's a total newbie, and I'm coming back for my 2nd trip... exciting, huh??

With the exception to a quick visit to Universal Studios last year with a friend (woo Harry Potter!) This is the first vacation I've planned by myself, and definitely the most complicated (Hence the title of the report ) I've been overwhelmed at times, but I think we're finally ready to go and I've made some pretty great moves forward.

WHEN: April 13-20.

We had originally only planned for a Sunday-Friday trip, as we thought it was reasonable and that's all we would want...

But after looking at airfare we noticed it was actually cheaper to fly out two days earlier... and when my tax return came in the mail, we decided to be awesome and book two more nights at the hotel.

So, thanks Government! We're helping the economy!

WHERE: Pop Century

Kyle and I debated for a long time about whether or not we would stay on-site, or try to find a cheap place elsewhere in Orlando. My family trip in 2010 was at a lovely place off-site that was perfect for a family of 4... but we also drove from WI, and had a car with us the whole time.

We finally decided that there was no way were were going to beat the extra features offered by Disney (EMH, Magical Express, etc.) And because renting a car to two guys under 25 is APPARENTLY SUPER RISKY, a rental would have been just too much money. I can't wait till next year, when all of that driving experience is magically bestowed upon me and I'm no longer upcharged

After much debate, we decided that POP would be the best hotel for us. It's affordable, adorable, and got nice reviews from this site!



And that's the plan! 67 days! I think I'm way more excited than Kyle is right now, but that's just because I'm planning it all (and talking about it ALL THE TIME at home) He'll come around when we get closer!

 

[BenKling]

So, now that the intros are done, we can get to the planning.

Hotel: Check! Pop Century, April 13-20. Did the 30% Room only discount.

Airfare: Check! Flying out from Milwaukee in the afternoon on the 13th, flying back around 8pm on the 20. I tried to squeeze as many extra hours as I could!

Magic Express: Check! This was reserved today, and I can't wait to get those little yellow tags!

Tickets: I haven't done this yet. The main reason is that Kyle and I are still debating whether or not to get the 7 or 8 day park hoppers... We're coming in somewhat late on our first day, but the EMH at MK goes until 2am.

Either way, we'll most likely be buying from Undercover Tourist and adding our tickets to our room key. Those purchases will be coming by March.

ADRs: Besides maybe one nice dinner, I'm not sure what we're going to do for dining. We don't want to spend a ton of money on food, so I imagine we'll probably do a lot of counter service and eating at the hotel food court. I would love to have a couple of nice dinners or maybe a lunch or two, but Kyle's much more an "eat and run" kind of guy... and I have a feeling he'll want to spend less time eating and more time doing once we get to the parks. I'll also be packing snacks (water and granola bars) so we'll have something to eat in the afternoons.

I've also not scheduled ADRs because I'm not yet certain where we'll be each day. Once I get a better idea of the park hours I'll be able to make a decision.

MISC: I've still got to come up with a packing list and things like that. Also a loose schedule for each day. But i figure with 67 days to go there's still some time

Annnnd, that's what I've got!

 

[jpmom97]

Sounds like a great plan!!! can't wait to read more.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Hi there...just found this PTR by accident! Sounds like you are on your way to an awesome vacation!! We have stayed at POP Century twice and really like it there. The buses are convenient because they are dedicated to just one hotel, and the food court is really good here, too. I have to admit as an obsessive planner I would be freaking out without any ADR's at 67 days out, but it has been done before and worked out so well for others...I think I would be having random face twitching if I tried it, though!
Can't wait to hear more plans...you need to post some pics so we know who we are reading about!

 

[BenKling]

Hi there...just found this PTR by accident! Sounds like you are on your way to an awesome vacation!! We have stayed at POP Century twice and really like it there. The buses are convenient because they are dedicated to just one hotel, and the food court is really good here, too. I have to admit as an obsessive planner I would be freaking out without any ADR's at 67 days out, but it has been done before and worked out so well for others...I think I would be having random face twitching if I tried it, though!
Can't wait to hear more plans...you need to post some pics so we know who we are reading about!

Hey thanks for stopping by! We are really excited about POP because of all the great things we've heard about the resort. The bus schedule also looks pretty nice because we don't have to share.

As far as ADRs go, I've been checking off and on, and I'm still seeing openings for the places I want to visit... This week in April is supposed to be pretty good as far as crowds are concerned, so maybe I'm just lucking out.

Though you have a good point, and maybe I'll do some research tonight! And I'll work on the pics

 

[BenKling]

Sounds like a great plan!!! can't wait to read more.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[KaylaMarie134]

Just happened upon your PTR tonight and I love your title!!

My boyfriend and I will also be taking our first BIG trip together (though we will have been together for 5 years when we go!) my first time since I was 13!

my dbf is also a first timer! Looks like we have a Few things in common!

Can't Wait to read more!

 

[BenKling]

Just happened upon your PTR tonight and I love your title!!

My boyfriend and I will also be taking our first BIG trip together (though we will have been together for 5 years when we go!) my first time since I was 13!

my dbf is also a first timer! Looks like we have a Few things in common!

Can't Wait to read more!

Hey thanks!
I had no idea he hadn't gone (his family took quite a few trips abroad, so figured they'd done Disney) until part way through the planning.

When it came to what he remembers, it was "well, there was a big castle..."

 

[Moodyzblu]

Hey ! We'll be at POP at the same time ! We'll be there from April 10-15th.

Looking forward to reading about your plans.

 

[BenKling]

Hey ! We'll be at POP at the same time ! We'll be there from April 10-15th.

Looking forward to reading about your plans.

Awesome! It seems like there are quite a few people planning some mid April trips.

On that note, does anyone know how crowded the parks and hotel will be that week? A lot of the "experts" say it's a pretty low week, but I wonder if that's made everyone change their plans to try and take advantage of it.

 

[Moodyzblu]

We were there this same week 2 years ago and it was no more crowded than any other time I've been. Other than it was Senior weekend and cheerleader stuff too. So there were a ton of teens who were pretty loud in the evenings. But since the senior night parties were at night ( all night) it was pretty nice during the days.
I honestly was expecting bigger crowds and was happy with the way it turned out !

 

[BenKling]

We were there this same week 2 years ago and it was no more crowded than any other time I've been. Other than it was Senior weekend and cheerleader stuff too. So there were a ton of teens who were pretty loud in the evenings. But since the senior night parties were at night ( all night) it was pretty nice during the days.
I honestly was expecting bigger crowds and was happy with the way it turned out !

That's good to hear. A few websites i was reading ranked this week among some of the best in the year to visit (outside of the right after Thanksgiving just before Christmas weeks).

My last visit was during college spring breaks, and that wasn't terrible. We seem to be missing those weeks, so I imagine it won't be awful.

 

[BenKling]

So, after looking at several of the online menus, it looks like we're going to be eating Quick Service though a majority of the trip. Those prices are closer to what we're used to paying when we go out, and they options seem pretty consistent around the parks.

That will make things a lot easier to budget for, so it's become the plan for now.

On that note, does anyone have a favorite Quick Service meal they'd like to share? I'd love to know of any good deals!

 

[KaylaMarie134]

Hey thanks!
I had no idea he hadn't gone (his family took quite a few trips abroad, so figured they'd done Disney) until part way through the planning.

When it came to what he remembers, it was "well, there was a big castle..."

My boyfriends mother was a teacher and he spent his summers camping all around the U.S. he has been to Florida and went to Universal as a kid (8 or 9ish maybe?) but no Disney!! I don't understand!

I recommend Cosmic Ray's and Pecos Bill's in Magic Kingdom for quick service

 

[JessicaKnits]

Yay! Another Wisconsinite. Everything sounds really good so far. My counter service vote is any of the bakeries around the World Showcase in Epcot. Because on vacation you are allowed to eat pastry for lunch and dinner too...

 

[BenKling]

Yay! Another Wisconsinite. Everything sounds really good so far. My counter service vote is any of the bakeries around the World Showcase in Epcot. Because on vacation you are allowed to eat pastry for lunch and dinner too...

Yeah Wisconsin! If only we were just a LITTLE BIT closer. Certainly not as far away as some folks, but still. My family drove to FL when I went in 2010, and I'd totally be willing to do it again if it wasn't so far. That would also be helpful, because Kyle really hates flying.

The things he does for me...

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'm really looking forward to trying these places out!

 

[JessicaKnits]

Yeah Wisconsin! If only we were just a LITTLE BIT closer. Certainly not as far away as some folks, but still. My family drove to FL when I went in 2010, and I'd totally be willing to do it again if it wasn't so far. That would also be helpful, because Kyle really hates flying.

The things he does for me...

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'm really looking forward to trying these places out!

Yes. No one needs to spend 20 hours at a time confined to a vehicle. No one. We flew out of Milwaukee on our last trip (we are from the Appleton area) and the flight was fine so tell him not to worry! We caught a great tailwind and the flight only lasted about two and a half hours.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Quick Service we like:
DTD: Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich
MK: Columbia Harbor House and Cosmic Rays
Epcot: Sunshine Seasons
DHS: this one's tough as it doesn't have much to offer, but we ate at ABC commissary one year and we liked it
AK: so far we have only eaten at Yak & Yeti counter service...it was good, but I hear raves about Flame Tree Barbeque and we want to try that next time.

Have fun planning!!

 

[BenKling]

Yes. No one needs to spend 20 hours at a time confined to a vehicle. No one. We flew out of Milwaukee on our last trip (we are from the Appleton area) and the flight was fine so tell him not to worry! We caught a great tailwind and the flight only lasted about two and a half hours.

That's exactly what I've told him. So worth it to be in FL in less than three hours...

If i lived closer to 10 hours away, I'd definitely consider driving, but until that happens, we'll have to fly!

Quick Service we like:
DTD: Wolfgang Puck Express and Earl of Sandwich
MK: Columbia Harbor House and Cosmic Rays
Epcot: Sunshine Seasons
DHS: this one's tough as it doesn't have much to offer, but we ate at ABC commissary one year and we liked it
AK: so far we have only eaten at Yak & Yeti counter service...it was good, but I hear raves about Flame Tree Barbeque and we want to try that next time.

Have fun planning!!

Oh thanks! I've been able to see some of the menus online, and these all sound great. Flame Tree BBQ looks really good!

 

[BenKling]

We've decided to go with the 7 day tickets after all.

Our flight lands at MCO around 7:17pm. I figure by the time we hop on the ME and settle in, it'll be closer to 9:00.

The plan is to wander over to DTD and see the sights over there. Will definitely stop at one of the places recommended by all of you lovely people

I know that MK is open pretty late that night, but I'd love to make it to a rope drop on Saturday... which means that being up all night on our travel day would probably be a bad idea. I'm going to have no problem getting up in the morning but some people *cough cough* like to laze about a bit more. It's not gonna happen on this trip!

Now for the scary thing:

Kyle gave me a check for the hotel costs, and I'm home sick today so i figured I'd call and add it to our balance.

I've called several times already to add ME and days to the trip, so I knew what to expect. However, this time, the automated system COULDN'T FIND THE RESERVATION!!!

I immediately freaked out, thinking that because we added more days, our initial deposit would have gone up from what we originally paid, and they cancelled our reservations... but i was looking at them on the Disney site!

Long story short, the very very nice CM found my reservations (after what seemed like forever!) and all was well again. Needless to say, I gave her a good review on the survey!

*whew* I don't want to worry about that any more!