Dad's graduating and mom's 57th bday = let's all go to Disney, June 2011

[jegsnakkernorsk]

This is my first trip report and my first time posting a new thread!

Please be kind as I learn the ropes!

A few months ago my sister received a piece of Disney junk mail that she actually opened and it offered a PIN for free dining. She and I talked about it and before too long decided, let's go for it!

Who: DSis (30), me (33), mom (turning 57) and dad (60)
Where from: DSis and I live in northern Virginia and mom and dad live in the house we grew up in down in south Florida.
Where to: Caribbean Beach Resort (DSis and me); Hilton Disney (mom and dad)
Why: Dad is graduating from Johns Hopkins University (he did a two year online masters in Museum Studies) and mom's birthday is June 6. And we need a vacation!!!
When: June 2 - June 7, 2011

Table of Contents:
More about us http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40946714&postcount=2
Bookin it http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40393352&postcount=56 (DSis' experiences booking)
The Plan (in General) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40947629&postcount=4
Day One (arrive and MK) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40947871&postcount=5
Day Two (Hollywood Studios and Star Wars) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40948063&postcount=6
Day Three (Animal Kingdom and DTD) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40949064&postcount=8
Day Four (Magic Kindgom) part one http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40949308&postcount=9
Day Four finished http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40949508&postcount=10
Day Five (Typhoon Lagoon and EPCOT) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40949508&postcount=10

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

DSis and I in January on our first Disney Cruise. A 7 day Western Caribbean cruise on the Magic. It was perfect!
Here's a photo of the two of us from the Princess dinner:

Our last Disney Word vacation was July 2010 with our parents:

And five of our cousins from Norway:

In July 2010 we stayed at Old Key West in two, two bedroom villas. We got 45% off when we booked. First time staying there - it was PERFECT!

Now, the pressure is on for this trip to also be... perfect.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

I went online and ordered dad a pair of Class of 2011 Mickey Ears!

shhh! it's a surpirse.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

The PIN DSis got in the mail was for five nights at a moderate resort with free quick service dining plan. We've never done the dining plan and we've never stayed at a moderate, so this looked like a smart way to try some new things! We are thinking we wont be spending too much money with this vacay and we both have VERY little vacation days each year. So why not spend it at Disney!

We looked at the dates the PIN offer was good for and we happen to have airline vouchers for Delta that expire at the end of June. So the first week of June is right after my dad's Johns Hopkins graduation ceremony in Baltimore and the week of my mom's birthday. It all seemed to reaffirm that this was meant to be.

DSis and I looked at the moderate resorts and I was thinking that June in Florida means hot and humid. So I was thinking we should stay somewhere with a good pool and beaches a plus. Caribbean Beach Resort fit the bill! The place looks HUGE! I thought Old Key West was massive, but strangely relaxing and hope CBR is as well!

Mom and Dad are driving up from South Florida for the weekend we are in Orlando. They have Hilton Honors and can stay at the Hilton Disney for cheap.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

The plan is for DSis and me to leave Reagan National on a 7 am flight to MCO!

We'll probably have to check a bag or two. We got free Magical Express transfers with luggage delivery to our Resort. Has anyone done this and have any advice? We just label our bags and they magically appear in our room up to three hours after we check in? Sounds like we should have anything we really need in a carry-on.

We figure we'll arrive at CBR around noon and just grab lunch at the Port Royal food court with our free mug . And I think I'll get a bottle of water with lunch to take with me to the park.

I am thinking it might be nice to take it a little easy that afternoon since it will be such an early morning. But I know I will want to hurry off to Magic Kingdom.

Heading to MK by shuttle bus we know will take a while from the resort and will use that time enjoying the a/c and trying to calm our excitment. I know the park will be packed in the afternoon and most fastpasses will be done but I think spending some time doing things I haven't done before - like spending time in Main Street - will be nice.

We'll probably head over to Tomorrowland next and I haven't been on the Peoplemover (TTA?) in years - not since middle school day trip. So it's been a while. I look forward to enjoying the view again and will try to keep myself from standing up and getting in trouble.

I've never eaten at Cosmic Rays but learned from the Dis Boards that that is the best deal - the half chicken and rib platter - looks amazing. Should definately fill us up!

We haven't watched the parade and fireworks from Main Street before and so DSis and I plan to head over early to get a spot. I might have to get an ice cream from the Ice Cream Parlor just to keep my energy up for standing in crowds.

I read on the Dis about "the Kiss Goodnight". All these years (since 1979) of going to Magic Kingdom I never heard of it and look forward to asking a CM if it is planned for that night. Hope it is!

The park isn't open late so we'll head back after fireworks and hopefully get a good night sleep in our standard Nemo room at CBR!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

DSis is a huge Science Fiction fanatic. Well maybe not huge, but I guarantee you she's seen every Star Trek Next Generation and BattleStar Galactica episode. Anyway, DSis and I went to Star Wars weekend back in 2008. I'm going to have to find a photo of that trip to post for you!

We know the crowds are crazy, but we plan to go anyway!

We'll be there at Rope Drop if it kills us. (Realizing that with the shuttles we'll have to leave the room about 1.5 hours before park opens.) I'm looking forward to seeing the Storm Troopers yelling from above the gate. I have a thing for men in uniform with large guns. That's why I live in Arlington.

DSis is okay with missing the autographs and we'll not bother getting in line for any photos - save that for the kids. So instead we'll just trapple the kids on the way to the Toy Story ride's fast pass machine.

Then the plan is to head to Tower of Terror and Rocking Rollercoaster to get good and nauseous.

DSis does want to see the parade - the Star Wars motorcade - and I want to see about this Starring Rolls Bakery that I hear I can use my snack credits on incredible cupcakes. Will be tough to decide what to snack on but a tough decision I'm willing to make.

I have never seen the Beauty and the Beast show and I just recently watched DSis' dvd of the movie so I'm excited to try to see the show at Hollywood Studios. We also are talking about seeing the Indian Jones stunt show. We saw it when we were kids and the Studios (MGM) were new. But it's been long enough I think it is worth revisiting. Who knows how long it will be there.

We've never done the Magic of Disney Animation or One Man's Dream so we're gonna check'em out this trip.

We'll head back when it rains in the afternoon and if it's not raining we'll be at the pool at CBR or on rental bikes around the man-made lake at the resort. Looking forward to a bit of time to explore CBR!

Dinner will be at CBR too we think. It has mixed reviews but seems like a good deal for our quick service meal plan and we can refill them mugs!

We also hope to watch the top of Illuminations from the pool - DSis read on the DIS that that's possible!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

She was actually mistaken as a Disney CM! The story is here:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40885966&postcount=287

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

This is an early morning. There is EMH at AK so we'll be there ASAP. Getting up with the animals isn't new for me. I have a dog who never lets me sleep in.

DSis and I plan to start by picking up FP for EE and then head to Kilimanjaro Safaris to ride stand by. Then we'll check out the Kusifari Bakery for some breakfast goodies.

When the park opens we'll ride Kali Rapids - hopefully not get too wet! Do you wear a poncho or just hope not to get wet?

Then we'll wander through the Maharaja Trail and hopefully see the tigers awake - always see them sleeping! And then we'll head to the Pangani Trail to see the gorillas.

Then pick up FP for the safaris (I have only been on this in the morning and want to check it out in the afternoon this trip). Next we'll ride EE with FP.

For lunch we are thinking one will get a meal from Yak&Yeti Local Foods and the other will get a meal from Flame Tree. Hope to eat at Flame Tree - looks like a nice seating area. We have never eaten at either and can't decide so think we might just each try one!

After lunch we'll ride the safari again and explore the park a little - such great atmosphere there. I plan to wear my shirt from Kenya and DSis will wear her t-shirt from AK that has a tiger and Pooh.

Then we'll take the shuttle bus back to CBR and relax at the pool and beach a little.

Downtown Disney is on the agenda for this night. I really miss Pleasure Island - the comedy club and the Adventurers Club. How cool would Animal Kingdom be if they had moved the Adventurers' Club there!

But last year I really didn't get much out of DTD. We had dinner at Raglands. The Norwegian cousins enjoyed the Harley Davidson Store and Lego store. With the 10 year old cousin we visited Disney Quest and even he was bored!!!

This year we plan to do Cooke's since we have quick service meal plan and usually we get fish and chips anyway! And I want to try these Doh Bars I read about. We might look at what's playing at the renovated AMC, but other than that, nothing too interesting there anymore.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

This will be an action packed day and the day our parents will FINALLY join us!

We're planning to be at MK for RD since I have never seen the opening of MK. DSis took the cousins last year for it and had a blast (I was stuck on the Oak Trail golf course with my dad and two strangers suffering through a really horribly maintained "family" course).

We'll hurry to Frontierland for Thunder Mountain FPs. Then head to Fantasyland to ride Snow White because DSis wants to say goodbye and I want to say good riddance! I have never seen Philharmagic so that's next on the list.

Next we'll head to Adverntureland for Swiss Family Tree House (we've both seen and enjoyed the movie but realize most people today haven't and so maybe it will be less crowded). We'll probably get a Dole Whip or a float from the Aloha stand - seems like a good use of a Snack credit! We have to ride Pirates - I have always liked the ride. Are the women chasing the pirates and not the other way around now? I can't remember and have to see.

Then we'll be back in Frontierland - my favorite land. We'll pick up Splash Moutain FPs and ride thunder mountain. Next we'll have lunch at Columbia Harbor House - never eaten there but hear it is good for quick service.

Across the street, I think, is Haunted Mansion - a must for this pair of sisters. We'll ride the Liberty River Boat for both of our first times.

We might take the train around the park to head back out for our afternoon break at CBR.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

We have a 5:30pm dinner reservation at the Contemporary Resort's California Grill. Our parents are driving up that day and will hopefully be there by then. And we also hope they can come pick us up from CBR as I think taking the buses from one resort to another is a nightmare.

We've never eaten there before but hope to get a table by a window so we can see Magic Kingdom. We're eating early but mom and dad live in south Florida where everyone eats at 5:30 and goes to bed by 8!

DSis plans to order a cake for mom since her birthday is the next day. This will be a surprise - unless the waitress says when we sit down "now who's getting the cake?" like I read one DISer post.

We picked California Grill because my parents are big into wine and that seems like a place they might enjoy. DSis and I are looking forward to it and to blowing our budget on the OOP dinner!

Last year the parents left Magic Kingdom before the fireworks. If they want to join us in the park, they can. If they want to watch the fireworks from the Contemporary, we can. We'll have to see what they want to do.

After the fireworks mom and dad will probably be in bed - if they aren't already. See earlier comment. DSis and I will be headed back to Magic Kingdom for EMH - til 2am!!!

We want to ride Jungle Cruise at night - is this really open in evening EMH? Never did that before. We'll next use the FPs for Splash Mountain and ride Haunted Mansion again! We'll wander back into Fantasyland and ride the dark rides there with the little kids that are super cranky by this point - love riding Peter Pan and It's a Small World after midnight - very surreal. Enjoy riding the carousel at night as well and hope to do that before heading to the buses and waiting and waiting and waiting. I remember waiting for buses as the absolute worst part of visiting Disney World. What can you do?

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Mom's Birthday and Mom's Choice!

Last year mom went with DSis, me and three of our Norwegian cousins to Blizzard Beach. The six of us got a cabana and had the best time. Was by far mom's favorite day. I'll have to find a photo and post that.

This year mom wants to try Typhoon Lagoon AND get another cabana. It's just her style. Dad will come this time and being a red head - or he was until he went bald and grey - he burns easily. The cabana has shade and so this should help keep him cool.

None of us have been to Typhoon Lagoon and we only have a rough idea of what we will do. And by rough, I mean we only have every hour planned out, not every minute.

We want to do the shark reef - Mom is terrified of and terrible at snorkling but she WANTS to do this to see if the "controlled environment" and no waves will help her to face this fear.

DSis and I want to do Crush 'n Gusher, Gang Plank Falls, and the Lazy River. Mom LOVED the lazy river at Blizzard Beach and concocted a raft of three tubes (one double tube - for body and legs and one baby tube for under her head). The lifeguards just laughed. It was hard not to.

We'll check out that surf pool and have lunch there.

In the afternoon we'll shower and change at CBR and then head to EPCOT. We don't know if the parents will join us or not.

We have dinner reservations at 8:30pm at the new Mexican restaraunt whice we'll cancel if mom and dad decide to ditch us.

DSis and I look forward to taking our time in the evening enjoying the atmosphere of the World Showcase. We don't plan to ride any rides this trip - we'll be tired from the Typhoon. Just exploring the different stores and spending snack credits is the plan! We haven't been to the new German Carmel shop or to the new Japanese and Chinese stores. Also haven't seen the new (to me) version of O'Canada. So there's a lot to do in that little time before Illuminations.

DSis and I like to start our vacations with Magic Kingdom and end with EPCOT.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

What mom wants for her birthday...

 

[speedo]

So Excited!!!

 

[sahm2two]

great report so far! subscribing!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

great report so far! subscribing!

Thanks! So excited to do a pre trip report and to be active on DIS boards. I've been so scared to post in the past. But there's a lot of good information on here and I finally feel like I might have something worth sharing too! Hope my experiences can be helpful to someone else too!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

luggage tags and a coupon book!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Clothes:
3 pair shorts
2 pair capris
3 tunic shirts
2 disney t-shirts
California Grill outfit
2 Swimming Suits
Night clothes/pjs
Undergarments/socks

Accessories:
Sunglasses
Hat/visor
Lanyard
Fanny Pack
Small purse
Sandals
Water Shoes
2 pairs of Sneakers/walking shoes
Beach-read book
Notebook/journal
Pens/highlighter
Water bottle

Electronics:
Disposable Water Camera
Digital Camera
Camera batteries
Camera chargers
Cell phones
Cell phone chargers
Ipod
Ipod charger

Cosmetics/First Aid:
Hand Sanitizer
Sun Screen
Hand Lotion
Advil
Bandages
Shampoo + Conditioner
Tooth paste and tooth brush
Make up
Hair brush/hair things
Deodorant
Chap stick
Contacts and solution
Toothpaste/brush/floss/mouth wash

 

[sahm2two]

you can check out my ptr to compare packing lists I have a good amount of stuff that I've added from reading the tips forum

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Thanks! It's getting close for your trip as well!!!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Dsis has printed and laminated touring plans for each day!