College Kid Trip Pre-Report

[herbert1994]

Okay Ladies and Gents, here's something you may not see on here everyday. A trip report from a college kid. Yes, I'm a 19 going on 20 year old dude who loves Disney World. My name is Conor, and I attend North Dakota State University. Our party of 2 also includes my girlfriend of 4 years who is a Disney fanatic. However, the most exciting part of this trip is that she has never been to WDW. I have been twice, 2008 and 2009. I was only 13 and 14 years old and stayed off property. But back to present day. Our trip is scheduled for August 18th-23rd for a 5 night, 6 day trip. We are staying on property at PORFQ. Now you might ask yourself "why is this kid posting a trip report 4 months before his trip?". I can explain. First off, I'm way too excited and needed some outlet to think about the trip. So deal with it. But more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to hear advice from you people about the trip. I've never planned a trip and I am looking for you all to share your tips and experiences with me to enjoy my first trip without my family. I've worked really hard and saved a ton of money for this trip, I want it to be fantastic. You might think "don't college kids have better things to spend money on?", and my answer is no. I work full time, take more than a full time load of classes, and need a vacation. Only young once. So for you all to help, you'll need to knows plans. Here's the outline so far:

Monday- fly out at 7:10am, land at 11:30ish. Taking magical express to PORFQ, then it's magic kingdom. Dinner at 7:10 at CRT
Tuesday- Animal Kingdom in am, tusker house 8:05am, dinner reservation in MK at BOG. Wednesday- Epcot day, lunch noon at Biergarten and dinner 7pm via Napoli
Thursday- Hollywood Studious till we are bored, then leaving open. No reservations
Friday-universal day (sorry folks)
Saturday- fly home @noon

So help me out: What time should I arrive at PORFQ on the magical express, when could I expect to get to MK, and what do I grab for food at MK around 3pm? Need something counter service! What should we do Thursday in terms of food at Hollywood studios? Tuesday lunch at AK suggestions? Very excited to get to wdw. Look forward to tips and help. Don't limit to my questions. Looking for anything. Thanks folks! Conor

 

[kristenabelle]

So excited for you and your GF! Sounds like you have a ton of great stuff planned already! Here's some of my favorite MK/AK CS restaurants:

- Columbia Harbour House: lobster rolls, fried shrimp, couscous, tuna sandwiches, and chowdah! Delicious, fresh food that's really different from your standard nuggets/fries. It's tucked away in Liberty Square between The Haunted Mansion and the pathway to Fantasyland.

- Of course, if you do love burgers and fries, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe is pretty fun. Across from the Tomorrowland Speedway. They also have chicken and salads.

- My brother's must-do counter at AK is Pizzafari. Pizza (duh), caesar and pasta salads, and hot Italian sandwiches are on the menu here. I prefer Flame Tree BBQ's pork sandwich, though.

 

[herbert1994]

Flame Tree BBQ sounds great for lunch Tuesday, I needed validation on that. Monday is up in the air with all the great dining in MK. What do you suggest for breakfast time in Epcot? And not Norway...

 

[LMichelleee]

what do I grab for food at MK around 3pm? Need something counter service! What should we do Thursday in terms of food at Hollywood studios? Tuesday lunch at AK suggestions? Conor

What do you suggest for breakfast time in Epcot? And not Norway...

Your trip sounds so fun! You have a lot of good stuff planned already.

My favorite quick counter service in MK is Casey's! As for HWS I suggest either Pizza Planet or Starring Rolls for quick service and Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time for table service. My favorites in AK are Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbeque. I think the best breakfast place for Epcot is Sunshine Seasons.

Friday-universal day (sorry folks)

I LOVE Universal and go twice a year!

 

[herbert1994]

I love universal as well. I stayed on property there in 09 for 12 nights, but never stayed on Disney property. Very excited

 

[herbert1994]

just purchased "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2014" and have really enjoyed it. Any suggestions or direction to a particular section of the book you guys enjoy?

 

[herbert1994]

Update to Pre-Trip report:

After crunching numbers, switching my resort to POP with the memory maker deal saved me 600 dollars over PORFQ. Took the deal. Called Disney and had it switched over easy peasy.

 

[LMichelleee]

just purchased "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2014" and have really enjoyed it. Any suggestions or direction to a particular section of the book you guys enjoy?

I have this book and I love it! They say you are supposed to read the whole thing but I just marked what sections I needed with page markers. The food section has been the most helpful and there are tear away pages in the very back that have great info on rides! Also, read the EMH section. I redid our schedule after reading!

 

[herbert1994]

Just got myself a Disney rewards Visa card! Anyone else have one? What are the best perks you take advantage of?