Chilly 4.0 The Quadrilogy - Pre-Trip Report

[Chilly]

Starring:

Claire aka Chilly
Mike aka Mr Chilly (don't tell him I put that)

Guest starring:

Meryll aka Meryll83
Simon aka Meryll's DH

Introducing:

Lori aka Lorelei528
Eoghan aka Lori's DH

Cameo by:

Katie aka figment fan21

And definitely not starring:

Claire's Dad


The Plot:

2 weeks at POFQ from September 25th 2010, taking in TWWOHP, MNSSHP, Wedding stalking, Food & Wine Festival & meeting DIS friends.

Back-story:

We returned from our wonderful wedding and honeymoon trip with our annual passes burning a hole in my pocket, it didn't take me long to convince DH that would should book again to coincide with our 10 year anniversary on September 21st. However the flights were cheaper at the end of the month so sadly we won't be in the happiest place on earth for our anniversary but at least it won't be long to wait.

It took us a long time to decide where to stay, should we go cheap and cheerful and stay at Pop, take advantage of the SSR or OKW offer or go somewhere in between. We decided on POFQ as it was the cheapest moderate, although I loved Pop, Mike wasn't so keen and I wanted to try and stay at all the resorts and we decided to save the extra money it would have cost to go deluxe.

After we booked I realised that we were flying the day after Meryll who was also making use of her wedding annual passes. Meryll and I had been "friends" since back in 2007 even before Mike had proposed when I got ahead with the wedding planning, and we had followed each others wedding plans and shared ideas ever since. I then met Lori through Meryll on Facebook because she was also going to WDW at the same time so I went back and read her wedding TR as well and since then we've been planning our trips together.

Lately all my Dad talks about is wanting to go back to WDW, and drops not very subtle hints about coming with us in September, now I love my Dad but he drives me crazy after about 2 hours never mind 2 weeks and anyone who read my wedding TR will know that's no lie so he will not be making an appearance in this trip.

COMING SOON TO A FORUM NEAR YOU:

The Plan!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Hi Claire, sounds like you have a great trip ahead!

I feel a bit sorry for your dad! Maybe you could invite him along and he could just do his own thing for the majority of the time?

 

[shippedtosea]

I am so in! I have read all the wedding PJ/TR so I am excited to read this new one! I am jealous that you are going to see Katie! I totally want to come down and stalk her wedding!

 

[Chilly]

Hi Claire, sounds like you have a great trip ahead!

I feel a bit sorry for your dad! Maybe you could invite him along and he could just do his own thing for the majority of the time?

The problem is he wouldn't do his own thing, on our wedding trip it was also my birthday, DH took me hot air ballooning, my Dad was invited but he didn't want to come, after that we had to go and get our marriage license, we were due to meet my Dad at DHS after lunch, he knew all this but still played the poor me I've been on my own all morning card when we turned up, a few hours later I was in tears and throwing up, I couldn't have 2 weeks of that.

 

[Chilly]

I am so in! I have read all the wedding PJ/TR so I am excited to read this new one! I am jealous that you are going to see Katie! I totally want to come down and stalk her wedding!

Come then!

 

[mandymouse]

I'm in, I look forward to reading all about your plans Claire

 

[disneybarbie]

Subscribing! looking forward to reading the plans for your next trip

Emma x

 

[Pinky166]

Great start Claire, I look forward to reading more of your plans.

 

[meryll83]

Woohoo, very excited to be guest starring in your Pre-Trippie!

Looking forward to hearing more about the plans - I need to know what I'm doing!

 

[Lorelei528]

Hey there! YAY!!

I'm subbing because you know....I'm in your PTR!!! (ooops! I almost typed PJ!) LOL...

Cannot wait!! Before you know it, you'll be back!

 

[tinks_1989]

Hello pretty lady,

you finally started ! Can't wait to hear about the wedding stalking lol!

we bump into each other I'm there too Ill keep an eye out for you!

Can't wait to hear the rest

Leanne xoxo

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Subscribing .... looking forward to another Chilly trip report

 

[jockey]

Great start, looking forward to more. We stayed at POFQ af ew years ago and really loved it

 

[jjk]

great start, cant wait to read more

 

[Chilly]

Saturday 25th September We fly out of Gatwick with Virgin on VS015 at hopefully 1pm. For the first time we are not staying overnight at the airport, we will get the train from Reading to the airport that morning after checking in online. We are due to land in Orlando at 5pm. After picking up the hire car, something like this:

We will head to our home for 2 weeks, Port Orleans French Quarter.

After checking in and unpacking I will give Meryll a call at Pop to let her now we've arrived and to confirm what time we are picking them up the next morning. We will no doubt explore the resort and then we'll head over to DownTown Disney to eat, we will probably get something from Cookes:

Then check out the shops including a stop for some Ghirardelli chocolate, i’m on my last bag now so no doubt I’ll be having some withdrawal by then. Bed will probably be calling by now so it'll be time to catch some zzzz.

Sunday 26th September We'll be up early to pick up Meryll and Simon and then we'll head over to Universal & IOA so that we can all go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

At some point we'll split up, our plan is to eat at CityWalk, Meryll has an ADR back at Disney, i'm thinking we'll go the Margaritaville.

Monday 27th September Today is a bit of a chilled out day, we'll probably hit some shops but we may move up our visit to SeaWorld to today but we'll play it by ear.

Then we have an ADR with Meryll & Simon at Raglan Road.

After dinner Lori & her DH are joining us for some drinks around DTD.

Tuesday 28th September Today I have a lie in planned to hopefully recover what will have been a fun time last night. We have a late breakfast ADR at Ohana, we had this booked on our wedding trip but didn't end up going as I was ill. We then plan to take a spin on the Sea Raycer boats on Bay Lake which DH really wants to do.

Next up will be a game of mini golf, not sure which course we'll go for but probably one at the Boardwalk as we plan to have an early dinner at Beaches & Cream and maybe try a Kitchen Sink?

Tonight its MNSSHP, we again plan to meet up with Meryll, Lori, their DH's and Lori's Mom.

I'm going as Minnie Mouse (which I already have from my Hen Party), DH has not decided yet.

Last time we went we concentrated on trick or treating but I think this time we'll make use of the time to go on rides.

Wednesday 29th September Today we'll be visiting Wet n Wild which we love, I know a lot of other people aren't keen but we are both water slide fans and to us the Disney ones are a bit boring. No doubt our first ride/slide will be Disco H2O.

Our ADR tonight is at T-Rex which will be a new restaurant for us.

Thursday 30th September A full day at Hollywood Studios is the plan for today.

With quite an early ADR planned at Mama Melrose before Fantasmic.

I hope to go to an Animation class again maybe 2 as I really liked that on our honeymoon.

 

[wilma-bride]

The first part of your plans sound fun Claire I can recommend the rotisserie chicken at T-Rex - yummy!

 

[Chilly]

Friday 1st October Another full theme park day today, although we may have a lie in and make it a late start as its extra magic hours in the evening at Animal Kingdom.

I may give Everest another try as since the first time when I didn't like it i've not given it another go.

We have a very early ADR at Yak & Yeti, another one we had booked on the honeymoon that I missed though illness.

Then hope to make use of the EMH to take some night photos at AK.

Saturday 2nd October We have no plans for this morning, we may take the oppertunity to just chill out by the swimming pool. At lunchtime we'll be heading to the BoardWalk so that I can stalk Katie's wedding at Sea Breeze Point.

We also have no afternoon plans, perhaps another round of minigolf, or shopping, we'll see how we feel.

Our ADR tonight is at Artist Point another new restaurant for us, and we'll take the oppertunity to explore Wilderness Lodge, when we went to WCC we didn't get much of a chance to look round as we had my family with us.

Sunday 3rd October Another full theme park day today at Epcot.

Where we will spend a lot of time around the World Showcase as the Food and Wine Festival is on. We hope to eat and drink out way around the world and will be joined at times by Meryll & Lori and their DH's, this will be the last time we see them

No ADR planned today so that we can make the most of the food on offer.

We'll end the night with Illuminations.

Monday 4th October Today its back to Universal & IOA to go on any rides we missed and to go on our favourites again, and depending on what the queues were like on our first visit back to TWWOHP. I plan to ride The Mummy at least 4 times.

Tonight's ADR is an old favourite, Ohana, with no doubt a little drink at the Tambu Lounge.

Tuesday 5th October Today we'll be trying a new park, Aquatica.

We'll see how it compares with the other Orlando water parks.

Tonights ADR is at Citricos, another new restaurant and where we nearly had our wedding reception.

Wednesday 6th October A full day at the Magic Kingdom is planned today but we might make it a late start. We'll see if any of these late starts actually happen but this is supposed to be more of a chilled out holiday.

We have an early ADR at Tony's (another new restaurant) before watching Wishes & the Parade.

Thursday 7th October Today is a free day, we'll see where the wind takes us. Tonights ADR is Le Cellier, another new restaurant for us.

Friday 8th October Our last full day. SeaWorld is on the agenda for today if we haven't already been to try out the new rides.

Our ADR is at the California Grill which has become our last meal tradition so we can watch Wishes one last time.

Saturday 9th October Check in at DTD then we'll prob head to MK then maybe I'll want to visit Harry Potter one last time. It'll be very sad driving off property as I don't know when we'll be back.

Our flight is at 7.30pm and due into Gatwick at 8.45am the next morning. Back to work the next day and more planning for our road trip next year, at least I know I'll be getting my Disney fix at Disneyland.

 

[wilma-bride]

Sounds like a wonderful trip you have planned Claire. I hope you enjoy Aquatica - we were quite disappointed after all the hype but, to be honest, I suspect now the crowds will have calmed down, it may be better.

As far as Everest goes, did you sit near the back the first time? If so, try and see if you can get nearer tp the front as we found the back was far more intense than the front.

 

[Chilly]

As far as Everest goes, did you sit near the back the first time? If so, try and see if you can get nearer tp the front as we found the back was far more intense than the front.

Can't remember where we sat but the middle springs to mind!

 

[PJB71]

Really enjoyed reading your pre-trip report Claire, sounds like you've got a busy time