Bring on the MAGIC- May 2016 solo PTR, Final update 5/6

[CamilaGS]

Time for a real update.....
and guess what???????

Time to celebrate, it's the 30 DAY COUNTDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Seems like only yesterday I was celebrating double digits.

And actually because I'm heading to NY first, my vacation officially begins in 3 weeks! Less than a month away!

So it only makes sense to start sharing some of my plans.

We'll start with arrival day and day 3. Why am I skipping day 2 you might ask? Because planning my MK days is proving to be a little more challenging than I anticipated, so I'll figure that out later on.

My flight from NY leaves on May 8 at 10:45 am, scheduled to land in Orlando at 1:30 pm.
Silly me though: when I booked I did not realize that it's Mother's Day. But in my defense I've lived abroad for 9 years and I don't remember dates like that anymore. It's ok though, my mom's cool with it. Or at least that's what she tells me. To be fair I did offer my mom to join me for a few days, but the timing does not work out for her.

Anyway I am so looking forward to see this:



I might just tear up when I actually see it in person on the way to:

.

Hope to check in by 3pm. I already did online check in, right after I booked FP+s. And this week I sent an e-mail to my TA regarding my room requests. I thought about this and while I originally planned on the Ursula building, I realized that I'd rather see this when I look out my window:

.

What's better than a glorious view of my favorite villain?

I realize this is a very specific request but I figure it doesn't hurt to try. We'll see what happens.

So after I check in and dump my stuff in my room, the plan is to walk around and explore the resort for 2 hours or so before it's time to get ready for dinner at the place that I still cannot believe I get to dine at in one month....
Victoria and Albert's!!!!!!!!!!! I mentioned this before, but the moment I found out about this place I just knew I had to eat there. I was hoping I could treat my mom as well which is one of the reasons I invited her along. It's too bad the timing does not work out for her. I do have to remember to take it slow and really savor every bite as I have a tendency to eat fast. Especially when I'm really loving the food. I should be receiving a phone call from them the day of my arrival in NY. Did I mention how excited I am about this??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After dinner it will be time to head back to the resort where I will blissfully curl up in my clamshell and be up bright and early the next day.

Skipping to Day 3 which is EPCOT day!

Starting my day with Gardens of the World tour which goes from 9-12. I did have some reservations since while I enjoy flowers I am most definitely NOT a gardener, as evidenced by my mess of a yard. When I moved in to my apartment 2 years ago, I imagined creating a sort of oasis in the yard. But I had a hard time with all the uncontrollable and overgrown weeds. And after attempting to clean it all up, I just gave up. So now it is pretty much neglected. I guess I could have hired someone, but that costs money and I wasn't sure I could maintain it.

Anyway back to my trip. I was concerned that the tour might be a little too technical for me. I called Disney and was assured that since it is geared to ages 12 and up, that it would not be very technical at all. And so I signed up.
After the tour I'll wander World Showcase for a bit, probably get a quick bite at one of the booths before heading over to Future World for my FP's:

12:50-1:50 Spaceship Earth
2:20-3:20 Test Track
3:40-4:40 Character Spot

Then it'll be back to World Showcase for more touring. Dinner is booked for 7:30 at Via Napoli, followed by Illuminations and back to the resort.

Also I started catching up on some movies. Today I watched "Inside Out". I remember watching the trailer for this and thinking it looked like a fun movie. It was fun but also was not expecting just how poignant it is. Tomorrow I plan to watch "Brave".

Yaaaay!!! 30 day countdown for both of us!! Woohoo!

I´m also pretty sure I´m going to tear up when I see the WDW sign.
And oh boy, I wish my flight was that quick. I´m leaving my country at what would be 8:15 am in Orlando (10:15 in my country´s time) and arrive at 4:15 pm, an 8-hour flight.

V&A would be dreamy! Our first meal will be a little shabbier, at the Rainforest Café in Disney Springs. Still cool, though, I loved it in my first trip.

Happy planning and happy counting down!

 

[Saphire5742]

Yaaaay!!! 30 day countdown for both of us!! Woohoo!

Woohoo!!!!!!!

And oh boy, I wish my flight was that quick. I´m leaving my country at what would be 8:15 am in Orlando (10:15 in my country´s time) and arrive at 4:15 pm, an 8-hour flight.

I still need to get to NY from my country though and that is an 11 hour flight. I am so glad I'll be there for a week before heading down to Disney. Because to do it all at once would be too much.

 

[SarahDisney]

Less than a month until vacation - yay!!!

Victoria and Alberts ... that will definitely be an amazing experience. Seriously, I'm jealous!

Day 3 plans sound great! I'm sure the tour will be really interesting - Disney usually does a good job of making things understandable even for those without much of a background.

 

[EvilQueensRock]

Finally got a chance to peruse your PTR! Everything looks perfect. You're so close! Looking forward to more updates.

And I clicked through the link to the Evil Man's video. Flipping hilarious.

 

[Saphire5742]

Victoria and Alberts ... that will definitely be an amazing experience. Seriously, I'm jealous!

That was the ultimate ADR I just HAD to get! Hopefully I do it justice in the DR.

Day 3 plans sound great! I'm sure the tour will be really interesting - Disney usually does a good job of making things understandable even for those without much of a background.

Thanks! I am looking forward to it.

You're so close!

As are you!

And I clicked through the link to the Evil Man's video. Flipping hilarious.

Was scratching my head there for a moment until I realized what you were talking about. Yes, it certainly is hilarious. Glad you enjoyed that. I admit I was a bit hesitant to share it.

 

[Saphire5742]

Two days ago it was 30 days but now it's 4 weeks to the day!!!!!!

Can barely contain my excitement. I'm literally squealing, clapping, and jumping up and down right now.

And yesterday I got the much awaited e-mail that my Magic Band has shipped! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus put in my order for BoG.

 

[Dentam]

Two days ago it was 30 days but now it's 4 weeks to the day!!!!!!

Can barely contain my excitement. I'm literally squealing, clapping, and jumping up and down right now.

And yesterday I got the much awaited e-mail that my Magic Band has shipped! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus put in my order for BoG.

WOOHOO!!!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Saphire5742]

I was pleased to find that I enjoyed all of mine, and my appetite held up better than I expected!

Wonderful! Can't wait to read all about your magical adventures

 

[Sarahh1027]

Seems like only yesterday I was celebrating double digits.

Time is flying by and I love it!

And actually because I'm heading to NY first, my vacation officially begins in 3 weeks! Less than a month away!

Ahh yay! That's awesome!!!

We'll start with arrival day and day 3. Why am I skipping day 2 you might ask? Because planning my MK days is proving to be a little more challenging than I anticipated, so I'll figure that out later on.

I have trouble planning MK days too. There's just so much to see and do, and really no order.

My flight from NY leaves on May 8 at 10:45 am, scheduled to land in Orlando at 1:30 pm.
Silly me though: when I booked I did not realize that it's Mother's Day. But in my defense I've lived abroad for 9 years and I don't remember dates like that anymore. It's ok though, my mom's cool with it. Or at least that's what she tells me. To be fair I did offer my mom to join me for a few days, but the timing does not work out for her.

I did the same thing! I return on the 9th so I'll be missing Mother's Day and had NO idea!

Anyway I am so looking forward to see this:



I might just tear up when I actually see it in person on the way to:

.

SAME SAME SAME!!

What's better than a glorious view of my favorite villain?

I realize this is a very specific request but I figure it doesn't hurt to try. We'll see what happens.

I hope you get it!!

Victoria and Albert's!!!!!!!!!!!

AHH YUM! Can't wait for your review!

After dinner it will be time to head back to the resort where I will blissfully curl up in my clamshell and be up bright and early the next day.

I also love your Epcot day plans! I'm trying Via Napoli for the first time. Can't wait!

 

[Saphire5742]

23 more days until Magic Immersion

Day 4 plans aka The Dark Side aka To Hogwart's We Go

Taking a break from Disney today to head over to Universal. Which wouldn't even be on the agenda if not for Wizarding World. There is no way I could pass that up. But since I'm already there might as well enjoy the rest of Universal as well. So I've spent the day doing some research and coming up with a plan. Turns out that most of the rides do not interest me, but the different areas seem worth it to explore.
In order to maximize my time I am planning to arrive in time for opening. I'll start off at USF with Rip Ride Rockit. I absolutely LOVE coasters and this one sounds so cool and exhilarating. Followed by Revenge of the Mummy. And then it'll be time to enter Diagon Alley. I'll do Escape from Gringott's first and then head over to Hogwart's Express so I can ride Forbidden Journey. From what I've read it is best to do this as early as possible and definitely before eating anything. I'll explore Hogsmeade and ride Dragon Challenge (another coaster) of course and have a meal. Then go on some rides in IOA including Amazing Adventures of Spiderman before returning to Hogsmeade and riding Hogwart's Express back to Diagon Alley when I'll be more at leisure to take it all in. As I leave Universal I'm hoping to have time for one more Rip Ride Rockit. The plan is to leave by around 6:30. It's supposed to be low crowds there so hopefully I get to do everything in my plans.
After Universal it's on to Fort Wilderness (I originally wrote Wilderness Lodge, keep on getting those two mixed up, thanks to @Elevationist for catching that!)where I booked an 8:30 show of Hoop Dee Doo. If it wasn't for HDD I would probably spend more time at Universal, but once I found out about it I needed to fit it in somehow and this is the only day that worked. I like a good old fun/silly time and this show sounds right up my alley. The show ends at 10:30. Depending on how I'm feeling I'll either head back to the resort OR spend an hour at Magic Kingdom which is hosting evening EMH. But I also don't want to be too exhausted the following day, so we'll see what happens.

On another note, I sat down yesterday trying to figure out if the Dining Plan would be worth it to add. The result was a massive headache and no definite answer. At the moment I have 9 TS's booked not including V&A's, HDDR, and CRT. The latter two are prepay so they were covered when I booked. So of those 9 about half are buffets, and Disney has a range of prices listed so I have no idea what it will actually cost. Also, while I did preorder at BoG (and mostly to save time when I get there), trying to figure out in advance what I'll most likely order/ want to eat for the other TS's is not a definite.
And then I also have QS and snacks to somehow figure out. Snacks are easy though especially considering the F&G booths. I just don't know regarding QS (excepting BoG of course). If I remember correctly you can switch out 3 snacks for 1 QS, but they have to be in the same transaction.
I know many people sign up for DP just for the convenience, but I don't know if I want to do that.
So basically I have some more figuring out to do. Which I need to do in the next 2 weeks.

And to end this on a more positive note, my mom reported that she received my Magic Band this week. YAY!!!!!!!!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Elevationist]

Taking a break from Disney today to head over to Universal. Which wouldn't even be on the agenda if not for Wizarding World.

Sames! Harry Potter is really the only thing that gets me over to Universal.

After Universal it's on to Wilderness Lodge where I booked an 8:30 show of Hoop Dee Doo.

Eek! I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but... Actually, but the HDDR isn't at Wilderness Lodge. It's at Fort Wilderness, the campground. Two separate places!

I know many people sign up for DP just for the convenience, but I don't know if I want to do that.
So basically I have some more figuring out to do. Which I need to do in the next 2 weeks.

Honestly, if the Dining Plan saves you any money, it's probably negligible. I take it every time, but because I do enjoy the convenience of having most of my meals already paid for. And I'm a big eater, so I know for sure that I get at least the worth of what I paid into it. But as far as actually saving me any money? Ehhhh...

And to end this on a more positive note, my mom reported that she received my Magic Band this week. YAY!!!!!!!!

YAAAAAAAAY!!! How exciting!!!

 

[Saphire5742]

Well that will be a jam packed day at Universal - I suspect that you will be content after HDDR and just want to digest and rest.

I suspect you are probably right. Just keeping my options open.

I don't think there really is a wrong decision regarding the dining plan - prepayment makes the trip easier, although you'll still need to plan for tips. Of course, without the dining plan you have the flexibility to skip desert, or just order an appetizer and desert (I ordered 2 appetizers for one of my meals) and I thought that it was nice to be able to do that, and not feel that desert was a "must" - sometimes I just want a regular ice cream cone or Mickey bar as a snack later.

I like flexibility too which is why I didn't add it when I first booked. Even if I end up spending more at least I'll be doing it my way and not feel forced to order food I don't want. It looks more and more like I won't add it.

Eek! I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but... Actually, but the HDDR isn't at Wilderness Lodge. It's at Fort Wilderness, the campground. Two separate places!

Not bad news at all. I keep on getting those two places mixed up. Would have been bad news had I arrived at the wrong place the day of. Thanks for catching that! Now I'll for sure remember.
By the way, from your experience how long is the trip from between Universal and Disney?

 

[Elevationist]

By the way, from your experience how long is the trip from between Universal and Disney?

Maybe 20 minutes or so in low traffic!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Odelia, your trip sounds like so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!
As you know, I'm a big fan of the DDP but really just because I like paying ahead and pretending I'm getting all the great Disney food for free!
Responsible, mature adults would probably put some more thought into it

 

[SarahDisney]

Universal! I haven't been there in so long that it's probably totally different than it was when I last went, so take everything I say with a grain of salt, but ... I think your plans look great! I actually rode Forbidden Journey (which, btw, is my favorite attraction in Orlando) after lunch and was fine, but I'm also someone who rarely gets motion sickness. Also, sometimes the line for Forbidden Journey moves through the castle quickly, so if seeing the details of the castle is really important to you (and the castle really is amazing), then you may want to see if you have time for a castle walkthrough tour (you can ask the team members who work there about it - I don't remember all the details).

In terms of the dining plan ... I've never done it, but I've seen reports from people who have who say that you sometimes feel pressured to get the most expensive dishes just to make the plan worth it. You really have to figure out whether it's more important for you to have everything paid in advance, even if you don't necessarily get your money's worth, or whether getting the best value is what's most important, which means sitting down and figuring out how much you will spend on meals.
It's definitely a lot of math and there's no definite answer on whether or not it's a good idea.

Yay MagicBands!

 

[Ravensorrow]

I am doing a solo trip the week before you! April 30 - May 8th. You can read my Pre Trip report here: http://disboards.com/threads/its-a-grown-up-girls-trip-wait-a-tic-its-a-solo-girl-trip.3491483/page-2#post-55566110 I've enjoyed your pre-trip report and I can't wait to read your trip report! I just decided to upgrade my dining plan yesterday! I was so on the fence about it.

 

[Saphire5742]

Odelia, your trip sounds like so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

Also, sometimes the line for Forbidden Journey moves through the castle quickly, so if seeing the details of the castle is really important to you (and the castle really is amazing), then you may want to see if you have time for a castle walkthrough tour (you can ask the team members who work there about it - I don't remember all the details).

Thanks for the tip!

I am doing a solo trip the week before you! April 30 - May 8th. You can read my Pre Trip report here: http://disboards.com/threads/its-a-...a-solo-girl-trip.3491483/page-2#post-55566110

and thanks!

I'll definitely check out your PTR.

 

[Saphire5742]

2 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Almost single digit time!!!!!

1 more week and 4 more work shifts until my long awaited vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After some more thought I decided not to go with the DDP after all. I prefer the flexibility and doing things my way. Besides as of now I would end up with about half unused QS credits. So that's that.


This week I also ordered MB decals from magicyourband. I attempted my hand at creating a collage, but I just could not get the dimensions 100% right. It was so darn FRUSTRATING!!!! Did my best though. But just in case it ends up looking like crap I ordered a backup premade one. Whichever one I go with, I am planning on sprucing it up a bit when I get to NY.


Ok, on to days 5 and 6 plans.


Day 5:



Once again the plan starts with rope drop and rushing over to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. If I can manage to I'll try to ride it twice before heading over to Toy Story Mania for my 9-10 am FP. Tower of Terror FP follows from 10:05-11:05. Here is the time to admit that I made a mistake in booking my FP’s in that I did not take into account location. It would have made more sense to book those two the other way around. I only noticed two weeks ago but decided to leave it as is since I don’t think it would be wise to play with them at this point.

Depending on when I exit ToT, I’ll try to fit in another ride before 11:25 lunch reservations at:

where I'm very much looking forward to a PB and J Milkshake.


After lunch another 1 or possibly 2 attractions depending on time, before my 1:05-1:20 FP for the Frozen Sing Along.

And then any other attraction/ character meet I didn’t get to do before, except Star Wars related stuff, before heading out of the park. I would love a leisurely stroll on the Boardwalk. Maybe perhaps pick up a sweet treat for breakfast the next day.

At 7pm I need to be back at HS to dine with Minnie and friends + Fantasmic package. And while I originally did not want to see any pictures from the Spring Dine before I got there, once I saw that kennythepirate.com posted a review my willpower all but faded away. And actually seeing the characters in their spring outfits made me even more excited!!!

Then it will be Fantasmic and back to resort.

Day 6:




Obviously I am majorly disappointed about Rivers of Tears (ahem, I mean Light). I think it was pretty lame and lousy of Disney to announce an April debut and get people’s hopes up if it was still a question mark. The fact that they didn’t update the hours along with the announcement means they knew there was a very good chance it wouldn’t be ready by that date. But it is what it is and there ain’t nothing I can do about it, so even though I would have LOVED to see Rivers of Light, I just gotta accept it and move on. Hopefully it is such a success that I'll get to see it on my next trip in a few years.

On the plus side this means Y&Y (aka wontons) is back on and I moved Boma to a later time at 7:40. At least now I’ll get to explore AK more fully. Which I am very excited to do. My last time at Disney was several months before this park opened.

So here I was able to change some FP’s once I took into account the map. The original ones were too close together and in different areas of the park. Not very convenient.

The plan is to head to Africa and Kilimanjaro Safaris right at park opening. From there I’ll meet characters as time allows over on Discovery Island before heading over to Dinoland and my 9:50-10:50 FP for Dinosaur. This is the only attraction I’m willing to go on there. Got dizzy just watching a POV video of Primeval Whirl so that’s definitely a no no.

Next FP is for Expedition Everest for 11:20-12:20. I’ll stick around in Asia and fully take it all in including lunch at Y&Y at 12:30. I also have a Kali FP from 1:10-2:10. After I get my fill of Asia I’ll head back to Africa for Festival of the Lion King among other things. Then I’ll just roam free until park close after which it’ll be time to board a bus to AKL and Boma dinner.

And to end this update allow me to share this awesome a cappella medley I just found: