DisneyCP2002
<font color=deeppink>I always am excited when 7 pm
- Joined
- May 30, 2002
- Messages
- 6,996
Christmas Pre-Trip Report
Cast:
Dania 30 5x WDW visitor, 2nd Christmas Trip
Dates:
December 11-17, 2003
Resort(s):
All Star Music- December 11-14
Pop Century- December 14-17
The Plan:
Thursday- Arrival, MK, Chef Mickey's for supper, and Comedy Warehouse
Friday- Epcot, Princess breakfast and supper at Garden Grill then tour resorts
Saturday- AK, donald's breakfasarous, MGM for supper/fantasmic
Sunday- transfer to Pop Century, MGM til 4 then move to MK for supper and MVMCP
Monday- MK, CRT for breakfast and Tony's Town square/spectro
Tuesday- UnDIScoverED Future World Tour, no lunch plans, Candlelight Processional with Rose and Crown for supper
Wednesday- Check out, MGM with lunch at Prime Time 50's Cafe, leave at 4 for the airport.
Background info:
For those who don't know, I was on the Disney college program last spring. I figured that I probably wouldn't be heading back to Disney til 2005 and then it would be Disneyland. When this spring I got my taxes back and realized I would be getting around $900 back in refunds I jumped at the chance to plan a disney vacation for this christmas. I booked the Dream Maker Silver for the convince and also for the option of taking a tour which is what I've always wanted to do. I kept looking at airfare and it finally dropped early fall and was able to get roundtrip with no stops for around $180. I at first had booked the whole stay at All Star Music, sometime during the summer I found out that Pop Century would be opening while I was there and that cinched it for me. I called and had it changed where I split my stay.
The next biggest challenge was the food. During the planning stages I was looking at not making any reservations til at least 90 days out but none of my big ones til 60. Disney then decided to change the PS schedule on me which did help in the fact that I was able to get ALL my PS's 90 days out. I got all the ones I wanted and was happy. The trip I thought was years off was finally about to happen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day One: Thursday December 11, 2003
The Plan: Arrival, MK, Chef Mickey's for supper, and Comedy Warehouse
Today was the day I had been waiting for over 6 months. I was up at 4 am getting the final things together to head for the airport. We were on the road by 5 making only one stop and arriving at the airport by 7:30 am. Mom and I said our goodbye's at the check-in point and I got through security rather quickly. Since I had a little over an hour to kill before they would board my flight I walked the terminal looking at shops and just killing time. They boarded the plane right on schedule and we were on our way around 9:15 am CST. The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Orlando around 1 pm EST. Tiffany towncar met me at the baggage claim and we got my bags and headed for the resort. Didn't make the offered grocery stop due to not really needing anything.
Got to ASMu on time and got checked in quickly. My room was ready so I high tailed it over there to put my things down. I was in Callypso(sp?) building closest to the main building. I was on the second floor right at the stairwell. The room was very nice and comfy. I put my things down and put together my fanny pack and headed for the bus stop.
Arrived at MK around 2:30 and made my way to Liberty Square. I intended on going on Haunted Mansion but since I got there before the parade I went in search of my friend Lisa. I found her waiting in the area roped off for wheelchair/sign language interpretation. I joined her and watched the parade, enjoying watching the interpreter's signing as well.
After the parade was over and we agreed to meet up at Comedy Warehouse that night, I went to ride The Haunted Mansion. It was almost a complete walk-on and I got my first ride of my trip in quickly. I walked through Fantasyland not really wanting to ride but just enjoy walking and being back in the park. I found that there was little wait for Snow White so I hopped on and got another quick ride. I then checked on the line for Phillarmagic and found that they were just now letting people in for the next show.
All I can say for Phillarmagic is WOW. It is now on my top 10 list of must rides of every trip. The build up is great with all the posters that line the que. Make sure to look at them because some are very entertaining. I found a seat in the middle section about a third of the way back. This had to be one of the better seats in the house because it seemed that I could see everything that was happening and got in on all of the effects. This attraction gets two thumbs way up for me.
After the wonderful Phillarmagic, it was time that I needed to head out of the park and go to Chef Mickey's. Instead of hoping a monorail, I walked the pathway from MK to Contemporary. I arrived about 20 minutes early and checked in. I was seated within 10 minutes of checking in and was introduced to the buffet. The selection of food was good and everything I tried was wonderful. The desserts were the best though, I loved sampling everything. The characters made their way to me but I was having trouble finding someone to take my picture with them as they came. Ended up having to flag down someone almost everytime. The character interaction though was superb. I definetly will go back again someday.
After having my fill of Chef Mickey's, I went downstairs to catch the bus to Downtown Disney. I swear they take the longest route to get there but I arrived at PI on time. Joined Lisa downstairs for the first Comedy Warehouse show of the evening. I did attend a couple of shows during my stay at Disney but this was the first one since last year. I can't remember who the cast was except for Jake and Chris. The first show was filled with mostly CM's so it was a crazy mix. The one skit I do remember was the take on jeporady. We got some silly questions including ones on Michael Jackson and Hillary Clinton. All too soon the show was over and we were heading out to wait for the next show.
When we were seated for show two, the interpreters came over and spoke with us. I knew them both from last year and it was nice to see them again. The show began and it was a little less rowdy the second time around. They did the phone call as the first skit. The guy that picked up actually works for Disney. Then they were looking for audience members to do the skit were the paused the scene and you supplied what was said next. I was picked to go up on stage and help with that scene. I must confess it was a lot harder once I got on stage to supply answers then when sitting out in the audience. We kept the actors on their toes that's for sure. I came away with a free Comedy Warehouse button for participating.
Today was an overall success and I did pretty much everything I had planned. I got back to the resort by midnight, set the wakeup call for early tomorrow, and was asleep shortly.
Best Thing(s): Close room location, being apart of a Comedy Warehouse skit
Worst Thing(s): Being a singleton and trying to find someone to take my picture at Chef Mickey's.
Cast:
Dania 30 5x WDW visitor, 2nd Christmas Trip
Dates:
December 11-17, 2003
Resort(s):
All Star Music- December 11-14
Pop Century- December 14-17
The Plan:
Thursday- Arrival, MK, Chef Mickey's for supper, and Comedy Warehouse
Friday- Epcot, Princess breakfast and supper at Garden Grill then tour resorts
Saturday- AK, donald's breakfasarous, MGM for supper/fantasmic
Sunday- transfer to Pop Century, MGM til 4 then move to MK for supper and MVMCP
Monday- MK, CRT for breakfast and Tony's Town square/spectro
Tuesday- UnDIScoverED Future World Tour, no lunch plans, Candlelight Processional with Rose and Crown for supper
Wednesday- Check out, MGM with lunch at Prime Time 50's Cafe, leave at 4 for the airport.
Background info:
For those who don't know, I was on the Disney college program last spring. I figured that I probably wouldn't be heading back to Disney til 2005 and then it would be Disneyland. When this spring I got my taxes back and realized I would be getting around $900 back in refunds I jumped at the chance to plan a disney vacation for this christmas. I booked the Dream Maker Silver for the convince and also for the option of taking a tour which is what I've always wanted to do. I kept looking at airfare and it finally dropped early fall and was able to get roundtrip with no stops for around $180. I at first had booked the whole stay at All Star Music, sometime during the summer I found out that Pop Century would be opening while I was there and that cinched it for me. I called and had it changed where I split my stay.
The next biggest challenge was the food. During the planning stages I was looking at not making any reservations til at least 90 days out but none of my big ones til 60. Disney then decided to change the PS schedule on me which did help in the fact that I was able to get ALL my PS's 90 days out. I got all the ones I wanted and was happy. The trip I thought was years off was finally about to happen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day One: Thursday December 11, 2003
The Plan: Arrival, MK, Chef Mickey's for supper, and Comedy Warehouse
Today was the day I had been waiting for over 6 months. I was up at 4 am getting the final things together to head for the airport. We were on the road by 5 making only one stop and arriving at the airport by 7:30 am. Mom and I said our goodbye's at the check-in point and I got through security rather quickly. Since I had a little over an hour to kill before they would board my flight I walked the terminal looking at shops and just killing time. They boarded the plane right on schedule and we were on our way around 9:15 am CST. The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Orlando around 1 pm EST. Tiffany towncar met me at the baggage claim and we got my bags and headed for the resort. Didn't make the offered grocery stop due to not really needing anything.
Got to ASMu on time and got checked in quickly. My room was ready so I high tailed it over there to put my things down. I was in Callypso(sp?) building closest to the main building. I was on the second floor right at the stairwell. The room was very nice and comfy. I put my things down and put together my fanny pack and headed for the bus stop.
Arrived at MK around 2:30 and made my way to Liberty Square. I intended on going on Haunted Mansion but since I got there before the parade I went in search of my friend Lisa. I found her waiting in the area roped off for wheelchair/sign language interpretation. I joined her and watched the parade, enjoying watching the interpreter's signing as well.
After the parade was over and we agreed to meet up at Comedy Warehouse that night, I went to ride The Haunted Mansion. It was almost a complete walk-on and I got my first ride of my trip in quickly. I walked through Fantasyland not really wanting to ride but just enjoy walking and being back in the park. I found that there was little wait for Snow White so I hopped on and got another quick ride. I then checked on the line for Phillarmagic and found that they were just now letting people in for the next show.
All I can say for Phillarmagic is WOW. It is now on my top 10 list of must rides of every trip. The build up is great with all the posters that line the que. Make sure to look at them because some are very entertaining. I found a seat in the middle section about a third of the way back. This had to be one of the better seats in the house because it seemed that I could see everything that was happening and got in on all of the effects. This attraction gets two thumbs way up for me.
After the wonderful Phillarmagic, it was time that I needed to head out of the park and go to Chef Mickey's. Instead of hoping a monorail, I walked the pathway from MK to Contemporary. I arrived about 20 minutes early and checked in. I was seated within 10 minutes of checking in and was introduced to the buffet. The selection of food was good and everything I tried was wonderful. The desserts were the best though, I loved sampling everything. The characters made their way to me but I was having trouble finding someone to take my picture with them as they came. Ended up having to flag down someone almost everytime. The character interaction though was superb. I definetly will go back again someday.
After having my fill of Chef Mickey's, I went downstairs to catch the bus to Downtown Disney. I swear they take the longest route to get there but I arrived at PI on time. Joined Lisa downstairs for the first Comedy Warehouse show of the evening. I did attend a couple of shows during my stay at Disney but this was the first one since last year. I can't remember who the cast was except for Jake and Chris. The first show was filled with mostly CM's so it was a crazy mix. The one skit I do remember was the take on jeporady. We got some silly questions including ones on Michael Jackson and Hillary Clinton. All too soon the show was over and we were heading out to wait for the next show.
When we were seated for show two, the interpreters came over and spoke with us. I knew them both from last year and it was nice to see them again. The show began and it was a little less rowdy the second time around. They did the phone call as the first skit. The guy that picked up actually works for Disney. Then they were looking for audience members to do the skit were the paused the scene and you supplied what was said next. I was picked to go up on stage and help with that scene. I must confess it was a lot harder once I got on stage to supply answers then when sitting out in the audience. We kept the actors on their toes that's for sure. I came away with a free Comedy Warehouse button for participating.
Today was an overall success and I did pretty much everything I had planned. I got back to the resort by midnight, set the wakeup call for early tomorrow, and was asleep shortly.
Best Thing(s): Close room location, being apart of a Comedy Warehouse skit
Worst Thing(s): Being a singleton and trying to find someone to take my picture at Chef Mickey's.
