Best Friends take on the World

[lledman]

I can't contain my excitement - I'm going to Disney World with my best friends family. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are planning to arrive on Sepbember 29th and say until October 6th. Not sure where we'll stay or what we'll do just yet but let the planning begin

 

[lledman]

Just booked us a 2 bedroom unit at Silver Lake Resort - got an awesome deal through the armed forces vacation club - if you buy a gift certificate for $399 you can save $100 - if you book outright on the afvc website it's $349, needless to say I'm thrilled with my $50 savings.

 

[lledman]

I guess I should take a moment and introduce our traveling party.

I’m Lisa – Disney fanatic – this will be my 6th trip to the World. I work full time outside the house and then come home to my other full time job as mom.

Chris is my DH, he’s not a Disney fan but humors me and the kids by going along, if he complains too much I’ll just leave him behind like I did in January (he’s been 4 times and thinks that’s enough)

Tyler is our 13 y/o son. I don’t think he will be joining us on this trip which is going to be unusual b/c Chris and I have never done anything without him but he will be a freshman in high school and his grades slipped as a result of the January trip so I don’t want that to happen again. He’s going to have hurt feelings but he’s done it to himself. I am thinking about using this trip as a surprise for the kids but since we are going with my BFF’s family I don’t think that will be possible, so I may use it as a pawn and if he can get back on the honor roll this last semester then I will take him. Tyler’s been to Disney World 5 times as well.

Devin will be turning 7 just 4 days before we arrive so I guess this trip will sort of turn into a birthday celebration for him. Devin loves all things Disney and has been to Disney World 4 times (he wasn’t born for our first trip).

Last but not least in my family is my little spitfire princess Tyra. She will be 5 when we travel. She’s been to Disney 4 times as well.

My best friend is named Kim and this will be her first trip to Disney World. This will actually be our first joint family vacation together – neither of us can wait.

Kim is married to Dan who has been to Disney World only once before.

And then there is Jeffrey, my adorable little godson (since Kim is Tyler’s godmother, Tyler says they are god brothers – lol). Jeffrey is 3 and loves Disney – I can’t wait to share in his first trip with him.

 

[lledman]

The game plan (if anyone has followed my PTRs before you will know that everything is subject to change 200 times before we go but this is what sounds good right now – lol!!)

Friday, 9/28 – leave after work/school and drive until we are tired, hopefully switch up drivers or stop at a rest stop if we need it.

Saturday, 9/29 – arrive and check into Silver Lake Resort. We’ll probably just hang out at the resort and rest up from the drive, may go to Walmart for some breakfast foods and snacks.

Sunday, 9/30 – first day at the parks – We will probably start off at the Magic Kingdom since this will be the first time visit for Kim and Jeffrey. This night the MK closes at 7, since we plan to arrive at park opening this may not be a problem for us but if we decided against MK then we’ll head to EPCOT b/c that’s my kids’ favorite park.

Monday, 10/1 – Disney Studios – I know this is EPCOT’s 30th anniversary but I’m thinking the park may be a little too crowded to enjoy.

Tuesday, 10/2 – Magic Kingdom – I’ve got reservations for the kids at the Pirate’s League just before lunch – they are going to love it.

Wednesday, 10/3 – Animal Kingdom and then probably DTD. Animal Kingdom houses some of my favorite attractions but I can never bring myself to spend a full day at this park, hoping that since we will be with first timers this trip that will change.

Thursday, 10/4 – EPCOT – I’ve already made passports for the kids in World Showcase and can’t wait to ride some of the Future World rides with my BFF, Soarin is a family favorite for us.

Friday, 10/5 – this is our last day in the parks and even though it is closing at 7 I’m sure we’ll end this trip at the Magic Kingdom.

Saturday, 10/6 – clean up, pack up and drive up (well home)

 

[lledman]

I have never gone to Disney World without at least 2 character meals reserved. This trip is supposed to be budget friendly and we had such great character interaction though out the parks in January that I just can justify the expense of character meals. Do you think I’ll regret this decision?????

 

[PixieMama]

Joining in! Found your link on the FB page!

 

[lbuzz52]

i found you from the FB page too. so cool that you get to take your best friend for her first trip!!

 

[Chelley00]

Another stalker coming from facebook!

I think you should make one character meal reservation if you can afford it. Then you won't feel like you are missing out. But, if you can't, you can still meet characters in the parks!

 

[lledman]

Welcome everyone from the facebook group

I have made a reservation for our last night there and we'll be going to 1900 Park Fare for dinner. My bff loves Cinderella and her birthday is later in October so this will be a great birthday present for her that we all can enjoy.

 

[PixieMama]

I'd love to try dinner at 1900PF sometime... I hear the stepsisters are a riot!

 

[silverhaze269]

I think you'd be fine without character meals, but my suggestion if you'd still like to get one in there...go for a breakfast. I'd recommend the Tusker House in AK, 'Ohana at the POLY, and the CP at the MK. I've had the breakfast buffet at all of these places and very much enjoyed them all.

Even if you don't end up with any character meals, you can still find them at the parks

 

[teekathepony]

Hello, I'm joining too! I didn't find you on the FB page (didn't know there was such a thing!) but I stumbled across.

 

[eaj1228]

Joining in! Found your link on FB as well. Can't wait to see the rest of your plans.

 

[lledman]

I'd love to try dinner at 1900PF sometime... I hear the stepsisters are a riot!

We went for the first time on our January trip - the character interaction was amazing. We had a table in the center and the 3 youngest girls with us got to dacne with Prince Charming during the "ball", they had all done BBB earlier in the day and were wearing Cinderella tutus - it was adorable. The step mother was awesome with our kids and made a big fus over my oldest son who is 13 and tried to hook him up with one of her daughters b/c he made a fine suiter since we live on a farm and he has his own steer.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43945762&postcount=15

 

[lledman]

I think you'd be fine without character meals, but my suggestion if you'd still like to get one in there...go for a breakfast. I'd recommend the Tusker House in AK, 'Ohana at the POLY, and the CP at the MK. I've had the breakfast buffet at all of these places and very much enjoyed them all.

Even if you don't end up with any character meals, you can still find them at the parks

Thanks for the advice. We've done all 3 of the breakfasts you suggested and enjoyed them all.

 

[lledman]

Hello, I'm joining too! I didn't find you on the FB page (didn't know there was such a thing!) but I stumbled across.

Welcome along. The facebook page for others who are planning to go in October to chat.

 

[lledman]

Joining in! Found your link on FB as well. Can't wait to see the rest of your plans.

howdy - not sure if there will be much more planning - I mean I love to plan but with this being my best friends family's first trip and all, this trip will be mostly about them and we'll just be there for support

 

[lledman]

I showed Kimmie more character meal menus on allears.net and we are also going to add a late morning breakfast at Hollywood & Vine for the Disney Junior characters. My kids loved this one in January and Jeffrey is a huge fan of the Disney Junior shows so we think he'll enjoy it as well.

 

[lledman]

POTC movies were on all weekend long and of course we had to watch them every day. Tyra and Devin are really digging those movies now. They have both decided that they want to be pirates again for Halloween. While we aren’t going to do the MNSSHP this year I do have reservations for them at Pirates League. They are going to love it, I think I’m going to keep them a surprise though.

I have ordered Devin & Jeffrey these shirts to match to wear on that day

and then Tyra is going to have a pirate-fied petti-skirt and girly pirate shirt to coordinate. I think I love planning outfits almost as much as planning park days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[eaj1228]

That shirt is so awesome. I love planning outfits too. I would love to see the outfits you put together.