Disney Fav's Trip Report Collection

[disneyfav4ever]

Prolouge

Ever since finishing my Oct 05 trip report a few days ago, (found here - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1052236) I've been getting bored of having nothing more to write. And since it's been stated by the mods that pre-trip planning could be included in trip reports I've decided to start this one, even though we're only in April.

Pre-Trip - Deciding to go Back

This trip report actually starts as soon as my last one leaves off. The day after I came home I was already, like any good DISer, missing Disney. I would of probably missed it the night before, but with delayed flights, and not getting home until late, let alone bed, was too tired to miss it.

My initial decision was to try and plan a trip this Oct for another Food and Wine Festival. But, after some research, and as we approached the holidays, I decided I wanted to go in December to take advantage of the all the special entertainment and decorations.

Picking Dates

I knew I didn't want to go Christmas week, so I was looking at the calendar playing around with dates, until finally settling on Dec 7th to the 18th. That way, I would have a day more then last year. (It is easier writing this one then the last report, since I kept on having to think of things in a present-tense, where as this one it is present-tense.) That suited my needs perfectly, I will be able to see all of the Christmas decorations, go to MVMCP, and get all of my Christmas shopping done. (Guess I'll need even more spending money this time.)

Me Being My Overly Obsessed Self

I have no one close to me that loves Disney as much as I do, and everyone in my family, and not just my immediate family - all cousins, aunts, and uncles too, is "done" doing Disney. They all have a "been there, done that" attitude. But, the last time anyone in my family, besides me of course, was in WDW, was just over seven years ago. And several family members opted not to go on that trip, because, "we had just been there," a little over a year before. Why and/or how am I related to these people? DBF is only slightly better then them. He thinks it's cute that I'll plan everything out ahead of time, but he's never been to WDW, so he doesn't understand how huge it is, and how many different things there are to consider. His theory is that since he's been to Disneyland he doesn't have to go to WDW, because, "they're the same." Why and/or how are we together. He has said that if it really means that much to me that we'd go together. Which, I'm sure sooner or later we'll do, even though I love my solo trips. We've been talking about getting married, and, little does he know, we're getting married in WDW, I've wanted that since I was like five, and he did say we could have whatever kind of wedding I wanted. So, see, we'll have a trip to WDW together, because he has to be there for the wedding.

So, if I seem to babble on every obscure detail of my planning - it's because I have no one else to talk to. Apparently I'm obsessed, and living in some kind of Fantasyland, (and everyone knows I would if I could,) and have some kind of logic that everything relates to Disney. Just the other night I made dinner for my family, and, when asked where I got the recipe, and I replied Disney, (duh, where else,) they just rolled their eyes.

People also keep on telling me that if I'm not on Disney vacation, that I'm planning one. (Duh again, is there any other point to life.) But, I believe that the planning, is almost, as much fun as the trip itself. And I hate when I see guests that have clearly not done any planning at all, (spring on a $20 guide book, you're paying enough for the trip, what's another $20,) and don't understand the transportation system, or what kinds of shows there are. I'm not saying to be like me, but get an idea of what to expect.

My Planning Binder

I started keeping all of my papers, (i.e. reservations, menus, location guides for characters and pressed pennies,) in a binder. Last trip I used the same binder, and now it has a crack in it from over-use. I guess I need a new one, and when I'm at it, some of those divider things so I can have catagories for things like restaurants, reservations, and schedules.

Right now, I have my room reservation and flight information printed up, as well as charts I've made figuring out when to eat where, and the menus, (thank you All Ears,) of the restaurants I want to eat at. (Still two more months until I can even make ADR's, but I like being prepared.)

My Budget

My biggest delima in deciding to go again was the money issue. I knew that I wouldn't, and still won't, be able to have many luxuries this year. But, for a trip to WDW, it's worth it. I would rather have virtually nothing going on all year, and be able to look foward to a trip, then have a bunch of things I'll rarely use.

Though the other day I did order the WDW on dvd set - which set me back $150. I'm going to give myself a good slap on the wrists for that one. But, after thinking about it, I've come to this reasoning, (F.Y.I. - this is through my sense of logic,) since all of the parades and shows are on the dvd, I won't feel the need to see them "live" everyday during my trip, especially the ones I've already seen, and wasn't completely thrilled with, like the Stars and Motor Cars parade, which will give me more time, and with shorter lines, to enjoy the rides, since I won't be spending an hour, (figuring in the wait time,) at the parades. So $150 = extra time in the parks.

But, anyway, back to my budget. I'm alloting $3,000 to the trip. Which is actually, probably, a little on the high side. This is how I've broken it down.

Room - $1,000
Plane - $250
Tickets (AP) - $450
Tickets (MVMCP x2) - $100
Food (TS) - $500
Food (CS) - $200
Souviners - $300

So it adds up to close to $3,000. But I may of over-budgeted (is that a word?) on several things.

Picking A Resort

Around Feb I knew for sure I was going to be able to go again, and the first matter of business to get down to was trying to decided what resort to stay at. The deluxes were out, way out of my price range. Though if I saved for awhile I'd probably be able to pull off staying at Animal Kingom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge, especially if I was able to get a discount. I considered one of the moderates, but decided it wasn't worth the extra $50 or so a night, which would have amounted to $550 for the length of the trip, just to have a few extra convienences.

So I decided it had to be one of the value resorts. But, which one? Would I return to All Star Music? Or try a different one. Deciding on a value only left me four options in the first place, All Star Movies, Music, or Sports, or Pop Century. I didn't really want to book at Sports, since that themeing wasn't really to my liking. After posting a thread on the resort forums, (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1033409, thank you very much to those who answered my questions,) it seemed that Pop was getting the most positive reviews.

After looking into even more information on Pop on sites such as All Ears and Mouse Planet, as well as here on the DIS, I decided to book there.

I booked through Disney on their website. I don't like travel agents that much, as they don't seem to know as much as I do about WDW, though I also seemed to think that about one or two CM's when I made my ADR's last year. Besides, Disney sent me a nice letter saying they were looking foward to seeing me. I always get giddy whenever I recieve something in the mail concerning my trip.

I put in a request for a room in the 50's or 70's, not wanting to have to pay an extra $100 for a few feets walk, or being so far back in the 80's or 90's. Not that I don't have every intention of walking back there when I explore the resort - something I never did at the All Star Music, I walked by the Jazz and Calypso buildings every day, but never walked over to the Country or Broadway buildings. But, I don't want to have a long walk back to my room every night after a long day at the parks.

If you've read my Oct report, (there's a link to it at the begining of this one,) you might've noticed that I always went from park opening to park closing, rarely taking breaks, and only leaving the parks at night when there were certain shows, (Lost and Desperate Housewives,) that I just had to see. Another good thing about going in Dec is that those shows are usually in reruns then.

The only thing that I'm midly concerned about is that transportation may be an issue. I've read reports saying that Pop is better, and some saying Pop is worse. I'm not looking for super-fast buses. I leave my room around 8:00 in the morning - assuming the parks open at 9:00, so I can be at the parks when they open. I just don't want to get stuck in a mob scene.

I've also read that the food court is an improvment over the All Stars - though I'm still going to stay away from the pizza. I started another thread on the restaurant board about the Pop food court. Food is a major concern of mine. If you've read my last trip report. . . (in fact, if you haven't just go read it now before continuing, since I'll be refrencing and comparing to it a lot, and I'd hate to confuse you.) So, anyway, I'm not a picky eater, but I don't like tasteless, unseasoned, over-cooked, food.

On Feb 25th, a good nine months out, I booked my room. Here's hoping I like it.

Room Budget - $1,000
Actual Cost - $968.99

So I'm already $32.01 below my budget. (Which will probably be end up getting spent on souveniers.)

Choosing A Flight

I'd been watching flight prices for several weeks, okay, more like two months, on the various websites - Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, etc, and it always seemed like Travelocity had the lowest prices. Since I had booked with them before and had been happy, decided to book with them again.

The flight, for me, is always the most boring, less thought out, Disney-less, aspect of my trip. (It's also the only thing I book, that I'm not booking directly through Disney.)

I knew I wanted an early flight. After all, a later flight would just mean less time in the parks, and I wouldn't want that. Since I'm getting an AP, it won't make any difference on the number of days left on my park pass, the room will cost the same no matter how early or late my flight is, and who would want to sit around all day waiting for it to be time to go to the airport. Though, like those Disney commericials, when the people are to excited to sleep, that's what I'm like, so it's just as well that I book an early flight since I'm not that patient when it comes to going.

When it comes to leaving it's another story. I don't want an early flight this time, I want to stay in Disney as long as possible. But, not so late that it's after midnight when I get home. So I settled on a 2:30 flight, and then I'll be home in time for dinner.

Flight Budget - $250
Actual Cost - $254.05

It would have actually been $233.10, but I always seem to get paranoid that my bags will be lost, and while that wasn't the most up-front thought in my head, by the time I actually get close to my trip, I'll start panicing a little. So to calm myself ahead of time, I paid the extra $16 for insurance.

Park Tickets

Last year I spent $300 on a ten-day MYW pass with hopping and the extras like admission to the water parks. While I took full advantage of the hopping privledges, (and I reccomend everyone goes for this option,) I didn't use a single extra. I did go to Downtown Disney, but just for shopping, I never made it to Pleasure Island, or West Side for that matter.

So, this year, I decided to get an AP for three reasons. 1) I could hop from park to park without worrying about using any extra days, 2) I could take advantage of AP discounts, and get the DDE, and 3) It would make a 2007 trip possible.

I haven't bought the AP yet, but am planning on ordering it by the end of the month.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

The ADR Game

For me the most important aspect of my vacations are the meals. (Again, go read my Oct report if you haven't.) Although I can't even make my ADR's for another two months, I already have them all planned out. I've had them all planned out since Jan, but they keep on getting changed, or moved around. But I think I now have all of the kincks worked out, and this is the easiest schedule possible.

I know there are people out there who don't eat at any TS restaurants at all, because they have an opinion of it taking time away from the parks, and they're expensive, but, to me, they're a big part of the fun.

There's so many that I want to try, while there are also many favorites that I want to return to. I've been trying to decide how to limit myself to two ADR's a day, and have managed to get my list down to that, except for one day, where I have three planned.

I rarely eat breakfast at home, so, for the most part, have no breakfast ADR's planned. The two that I do want to book, are, Crystal Palace, and Kona. Crystal Palace is a favorite of mine, which I first booked last year since I wanted to be able to see Pooh and company. So, returning there is a must for me. Kona, on the other hand, I had wanted to try last year, but never got around to it. I've always read good reviews about the breakfast there, and had a decent lunch there last year, though with only so-so service, and the menu looks appetizing.

Other ADR's I was thinking about but decided against due to time, location, trying to stay within my $500 budget, and the fact that I don't think I can manage three ADR's every day without extensive scheduling, which would make my vacation too planned. (And besides, mornings are my favorite time in the parks when there are no crowds.) Akershus, cut out due to cost, the fact that I've already eaten there and have seen all of the princesses. Boatwright's, Boma, Yacht Club Galley, Concourse Steakhouse, Grand Floridian Cafe, and Fresh, which just were having trouble fitting into my plan, maybe next year I'll get to try some of them.

Lunches were another story, I like to have breaks - but don't like going all the way back to my resort. So, being able to sit down, at an air-conditioned building, and have a nice meal, is a perfect break for me. I also like to have a planned dinner every night, for a second "break."

Before anyone calls me out on scheduling my meals, and having to be at a certain place at a certain time. I plan what parks I'm at around my meals whenever possible. That's why, when you see my plan, you'll see the MK and monorail resort restaurants are on the same day, and then the same deal with the Epcot-MGM resort restaurants are planned on Epcot and MGM days. AK and DTD restaurants are trickier to plan around, since, while I could easily spend all day at one of the other parks, I'm never able to go more then hald a day at AK or DTD, (even I can't shop that much.)

Day Plans

Note - these are my plans of right now. They may change by June 10th, (my ADR call date,) but this is what I've decided on, and has pretty much been set since Jan. Last year I called after making all of my initial planned ADR's to add a bunch of "impulse" ones, and I only made one of my "impulse," ones, so I usually stick to my plans. Due to the park hours being unavailable yet, it's hard to know what the EMH are going to be yet in Dec, or when MVMCP are going to be. So, until the park hours are realeased, I'm basing it on what they were last year, so hopefully, they'll be close to the same, so I won't have to re-plan when to make the ADR's. This is also written in a tense that I've already booked them, but make no mistake, these are just plans. I've also included most of my logic on why I want to eat at these places, but any comments are welcome.

Arrival Day

Since I have an early enough flight, which, coiencedenctly, is the same time as my flight last year, when I was able to be at the park by 1:00, so I've decided to make a lunch ADR for that day. Even though I should, unless I get held up somewhere, again be able to get to the park by 1:00 again I am aiming to try and get an ADR at 2:00 for a late lunch at Rainforest Cafe.

I was originally thinking about eating at Boma, (a favorite of mine,) twice this trip, but decided awhile back to plan a dinner at Jiko, (went to last trip, good appetizers, unimpressive desserts,) too, so I'm now only planning one meal at Boma. Which, I was originally also planning for my arrival day, but that's a Thursday, and my other day was a Wednesday, and that menu looks even more appealing then the Thursday one, so I'm planning on Jiko the first night.

Last year AK had evening EMH on that Thursday, so with an ADR at Rainforest Cafe, (keep on meaning to try, but don't have one near me, so WDW is the only option,) at 2:00, and if AK stays open until 8:00 with EMH, I can aim for a dinner ADR at Jiko at 8:30. Which is late for me, since I like trying to get ADR's at the restaurants opening time. But I figure, worst case scenario, I'm early and have to spend some time at AK Lodge, and getting a drink at Victoria Falls.

Day 1 - Epcot / MVMCP

My first full day at WDW will start with a morning and afternoon at Epcot. Having almost no scheduled breakfast ADR's will leave a lot of spots open for the bakeries - Fountainview Cafe at Epcot, Main Street at MK, and one I have yet to try, Starring Rolls at MGM. (Yes, I have a huge sweet tooth.)

I'm going to try and get a lunch ADR at Chefs de France, (new restaurant for me,) as early as possible, which, according to my Pass Porter, (I love this thing,) is at noon. I need that ADR early, since I want to have dinner at Ohana, (another favorite of mine,) at 5:00, (also opening time,) so I can make it to MVMCP that night.

Day 2 - MK / MGM

I was originally not planning on MK this morning, but due to me just having to have a ADR at Crystal Palace, (again, another favorite,) would be the only possible way of me eating there without having to eat at CP, while also scheduling lunch and dinner on the same day. My only other option would be switching around day two's plans with day five's. Which may be easier, since then I wouldn't have to make an 8:05, (I like eating at CP before the parks open,) the morning after MVMCP.

Then, that night, or afternoon rather, I want to book the Fantasmic package at Brown Derby, (best food in WDW in my opinion,) and since that means I would eat dinner by 4:00, I wouldn't want to book a lunch that day.

Day 3 - DTD / Epcot

This is a tricky day to plan too. It's going to be for DTD and Epcot, but I can't decided on wether to have lunch or dinner at Raglan Road, (wasn't originally on my plan, but keep on reading good reviews, and I want to try that bread pudding,) and the lunch or dinner at Garden Grill, (another new one for me - I need my character meals.)

Garden Grill - If I have lunch here, which is what I had originally decided on, it's about $5 cheaper. But then after reading reviews on here, I kept on reading about how good the salad was here, and that's only available at dinner. Also, I was thinking I could book the CP package, so that would be an advantage of having dinner here as well.

Raglan Road - According to All Ears, it is now open at lunch, (thank you All Ears for making me make another decision,) and is probably less crowded.

So, right now I'm leaning towards Raglan Road for lunch, and Garden Grill for dinner. I should probably ask people's opinions on the restaurant board. That's usually very helpful.

Day 4 - MK

My plan is to spend all of day four at MK. I know I'm able to spend all day at MK and always have something to do, but during my Oct trip I ended up always hopping to Epcot because of the Food and Wine Festival, and ended up spending about a day less at MK then I had originally planned.

I'm planning on lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern, (another new one for me, opted for Tony's instead last trip, now trying here,) and California Grill, (at the top of my to-try list,) for dinner, either at the earliest possible time, 5:30, or around Wishes. Though I think it would be easier to book early and just go back to MK for Wishes.

Day 5 - Epcot / MGM

This is the day I'm thinking about switching around with day two. With lunch at Le Cellier, (another favorite of mine, tied with Brown Derby for food,) and then dinner at Blue Zoo, (really want to try.) So I could spend the day at Epcot, and then go over to MGM for Fantasmic, (my favorite night show.)

Day 6 - DTD / AK

Only other day I have planned at DTD besides day four, and AK, besides my arrival day. I want to try Wolfgang Puck Cafe, (new for me,) as there are several items on that menu that look appealing, for lunch, which also gives me an excuse to go to West Side.

Then I could spend the later part of the afternoon at AK. My only concern with this plan is that I have two afternoons at AK, but no mornings, so I'm worried that they'll be no FP's for EE left by the time I get to AK, and that the stand-by line will be long. But, I've heard that there's a singles line, so there shouldn't be any harm in missing AK opening.

Then I could go to Boma, since then it would be Wednesday, and that's the night that they apparently have prime rib as wells as ribs.

Day 7 - MK / MVMCP

My biggest concern with day seven is that it is they day I have three meals planned, but none of them are all-you-can eat, which, the last time I had a day with three meals, two of them were. So if I managed to eat at CP and Ohana on the same day, with a lunch at Tony's inbetween, this should pose no problem.

It would start with an 8:30 ADR at Kona, where I would get the macadamia-pineapple pancakes. No, I don't plan things to much ahead of time, even if some people think it's crazy that I know what I'm eating for breakfast in Dec.

At 11:00, maybe a little later, I want to have lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe, (another new one for me,) and then have dinner at Artist Point, (ate there last year, have decided I need to try the buffalo steak,) at 5:30, which is the earliest time available, but I have MVMCP that night planned.

Day 8 - MGM / Epcot

I want to be able to spend all day, until the late afternoon, at MGM, with a lunch at the rumored-to-be-closing Mama Melrose's, (which I enjoyed last trip.) If I'm unable to make an ADR there, I'll try for Brown Derby again, or one of the other MGM TS locations.

Then I want to aim for a 7:30 ADR at Rose and Crown, (also new for me,) so I'm able to see Illuminations from there.

Day 9 - MK

My plan is to spend all day, (for the third time,) at MK, with an early lunch at Concourse, (new for me,) and an early dinner at Citrico's, (also new for me, was between this and Narcoossee's,) where I also want to special order the slipper dessert for myself.

Day 10 (Final Day) - Epcot / MGM

I want to have lunch at Nine Dragons, even though I've read some extremely bad reviews about it. (I believe every restaurant deserves at least one chance.) And then dinner at Flying Fish, (also new and near the top of my to-try list,) before going over to MGM for the night. . .

I know, I have lengthy plans, but they were this worked over last year, and I pretty much stuck to them, while still being somewhat spontanius.

 

[TLinden16]

Sounds like you have everything planned. What are you going to do for the next eight months?

We're having a big Jellyrolls meet on December 8th, if that interests you. It's always a blast. You can read about it on the meet board.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Okay, since apparently I have nothing better to do with my life then either talk, plan, or write about WDW, I've decided to include trip reports from my 1998 and 1999 trips.

I wrote reports for parts of these trips in school, so some parts of the reports will be more detailed then others. And since I have an excellant memory, on stuff I want to remember anyway, and Disney is included. I shouldn't have that much trouble writing a report. Some parts may be easier then other though.

This is what it's going to break down to though.

Part 1 - 1998 Trip
Part 2 - 1999 WDW
Part 3 - 1999 - DCL

I just want to say before I start that I had nothing to do with the planning of the 98 trip, and little to do with the 99 trip. Also, these work as a great comparision as to how much I got accomplished in different sized groups, and what how planning can impact how much I get done as well.

1998 - Pre-Trip Planning

Cast - Me (13 at the time)
Abby - Sister (12 at the time)
Mom - early 40's
Dad - late 40's

About three weeks before my 14th birthday, my parents surprised me with something I had always wanted to do. A trip to Disney World! They hadn't wanted to take me when I was little, and had waited until I was old enough to "remember" it. It would be a once if a lifetime trip. (Little did they know how much I would end up loving it.)

I had always loved everything Disney, though back then that was still mainly movies. I had seen, or thought I had seen, all of the animated ones, (I realize now that I hadn't at that point seen Melody Time or Song of the South, or any of those other really old movies that aren't hugely promoted.) I think the newest movie was either Mulan or Hercules. This was also before I had any dvd's, or even cd's for that matter. Well, I think I may have had a few cd's at that point.

We would be leaving the next weekend, since we had several days off of school. We would be leaving on a Thursday, (a half-day at school,) so it didn't really matter if we missed it, and then flying back that Sunday.

My parents, I realize now, know nothing about Disney World. There was pretty much no planning involved in this trip, and I'm sure you'll notice as you read on.

 

[OhMari]

If you are getting a AP, you should get a discount on your room. I saw that you got your plane ticket already, I was going to tell you to go directly to the airlines websites. Sometimes it is $10-$15 cheaper. But oh well, you still have a pretty good price, I heard some tickets are up in the $400 range.

Nice Pre-Trip, I am going to go now read your old trip reports.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If you are getting a AP, you should get a discount on your room. I saw that you got your plane ticket already, I was going to tell you to go directly to the airlines websites. Sometimes it is $10-$15 cheaper. But oh well, you still have a pretty good price, I heard some tickets are up in the $400 range.

Yeah, the price for the flight had been going anywhere from the $230 I booked, to over $300, so when I checked it, and it was at $230, I decided to book it.

As far as the AP room discounts go, there's none released yet, as far as I know for Dec. And I haven't even bought my AP yet. But, when I do, and the codes are released, I'll rebook it, and just cancel my existing reservation.

I just wanted to be sure that either way I'd have a room booked. (Me being paranoid again.)

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Arrival Day a.k.a. Day 1

Being as there wasn't any planning involved on my part, and very little knowledge on my family's part, we had nothing in advance. No park tickets, no ADR's, nothing.

They, (my parents,) had booked a room off-site, (only time I've ever stayed off-site, and I have no intention of ever doing so again,) and plane tickets, but that was it.

I'm going to skip over the plane ride, because I'm sure there was nothing special about it to talk about. Though we did fly out of Baltimore, even though PHL is the one we usually use. There was probably a cheaper flight my parents wanted to take advantage of.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

After arriving in Orlando we went straight to our boring off-site, un-themed hotel. Though, back then, I didn't know Disney had it's own resorts, and this is before the value resorts were built. And my parents, would never pay over $100 a night for a room, so off-site would of been there only option.

They had already decided on which parks to do which days, and they had decided that we would do Epcot first. It was already after noon by the time we left the resort. There was a shuttle to the parks, and I remember it being all right, maybe half an hour either way. Epcot and MGM shared a shuttle, and then there was another seperate one for MK, (this was about a year before AK opened.)

So we reached Epcot around 1:00, and I know that we rode Spaceship Earth immediatly. This always seems to be the first thing I ride in Epcot. Though between the three trips, I've only ridden it four times, once each trip, and twice last Oct.

After riding Spaceship Earth, I was looking at the times guide. I had always known there were characters available for autographs and pictures, and saw that Jasmine was supposedly meeting in Morocco. I still at this point, didn't understand just how huge Epcot was, but I just had to see Jasmine, one of my favorite characters. So, and this was my first time ever in WDW remember, we rushed from Future World, past Canada, UK, and France, just to get to see Jasmine.

Her and Aladdin took awhile to find. It was setup differently then it is now, since they were near the front of the pavillion, in some tent filled with rugs. But, we did find them.

Since we had just gotten to the parks I didn't have an autograph book yet, so I took out the only thing available, my Pooh journal, and they signed that. Umm, I remember having my picture taken, but we never get around to getting film developed at my house, (this is pre-digital days,) and I'm certain that there is an undeveloped roll of film somewhere with Disney pictures.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Day 1

After seeing Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco we headed over to France. My parents wanted to see "the French movie," Impressions de France. They wanted my sister to see it to, but instead her and I went to a shop. It was there that I bought a small Belle notepad to serve as an autograph book.

My parents, saying that the trip was our present, had said they weren't going to buy us anything in the parks. But, you think they could of spent a few dollars on a book. This was about two years before I started working, so $20 was still a lot of money back then, and that was about all I spent the whole trip.

While my parents were in Impressions de France, my sister and I ran into the Beast. And were upset when he couldn't sign our autograph books.

After meeting back up with them, we walked around World Showcase. Going to Japan, where we didn't do anything that I can remember except go through the "big gift shop," Mitsukoshi.

I didn't know the names of anything yet. The shops and restaurants were all unknown to me. I referred to Spaceship Earth as the "big golf ball," which is what it looks like.

After Japan, we went to America. Were we saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip, and Dale. So we were able to get some autographs, in my book for once. My dad wanted to see the American Adventure show, and we did see about five minutes of the Voices of Liberty before me and Abby got bored with that.

We never really got excited, me and Abby, that is about Epcot at all this trip. It wasn't until 1999 that I started to really enjoy it, and this last trip that I now love it.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Day 1 - Epcot

After leaving America we went through Italy, Germany, and China. We didn't stop in any of those countries, since there weren't any rides.

In Norway, we rode Maelstrom, which is the only thing I remember really enjoying this trip in World Showcase. Like I said, this was before I appreciated Epcot, I was either too young, or was looking for thrill rides.

In Mexico, we saw Donald Duck and rode El Rio Del Tiempo. I think I thought that that was boring too, since I've never got around to riding that on my solo trip.

After leaving World Showcase we spent the rest of the afternoon in Future World. World Showcase had only taken us about two hours to walk through, and that was only because we spent a considerable amount of time in the gift shops. We really did just rush right through it. I liked Future World a lot better back then, but now I prefer World Showcase, not that I still don't love Future World.

In Future World we went to the land, because I had wanted to see the Circle of Life, since my favorite movie at the time was The Lion King. Though it was a little dull for me. We also went on the Living with the Land boat ride, which I enjoyed.

I remember I kept thinking to myslef, why had I wanted to come here so badly? There were hardly, in my 13 year old perspective, any Disney-themed attractions. I had always assumed before then that Disney World was the Magic Kingdom, and I would be spending the whole weekend riding rides like Dumbo, and meeting characters.

We also spent some time in the Wonders of Life pavillion. We rode Body Wars, which I didn't like that much, and Abby refused to go on since blood makes her squimish. (Is that a word?) We also saw Cranium Command, which I enjoyed.

Up until last year my favorite Epcot attraction, (which is now Soarin,) was Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I thought it was so cool! It was the only thing at Epcot that is on my must-see list, (besides Soarin, but this was in 1998.) I think it helped that I'm not, and never have been, scared of mice and snakes, especially mice, since I used to have rats as pets.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Day 1

After seeing Honey I Shrunk the Audience, we headed over to Innoventions. This is actually the only thing I really used to like, that now just doesn't have the same appeal. It's a lot of video game type things, and hands-on futuristic items. Definatly still worth a walk-through with time, but it was more entertaining this trip then it is now that I'm older.

We spent awhile in Innoventions. It also seems that teenagers take over there for the most part. As an adult, (see Oct report,) I found it crowded, but then I enjoyed it.

After touring Innoventions we decided to have dinner. I mentioned before my parents were cheap, well, of course, table service restaurants were out of the question. Though we would be treated with one on our last day.

We headed over to the Friend Ship docks to get a boat ride to Italy, though it would of made more sense to go to Morocco, since we were going to walk to Japan from the dock, to have dinner at Yakitori House.

I'm sorry to say that unlike my usual dining reviews, which I love writing, this one isn't going to be much good. This is a meal I had over eight years ago remember. But, I know I had some kind of terriyaki, which I'm assuming was chicken. I remember I liked it though, and I should make a point of stopping here sometime in a future trip.

After dinner we walked around some more, back through America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. And, since there were no more attractions we wanted to do, spent some time in Mouse Gears.

It's strange to think that I could've ever been so naive and dumb when it came to Disney. And for the next few months, up until that fall when I knew I was going to go again, I referred to things by descriptions, not knowing their names.

Whenever I first got home and went back to school I would refer to Spaceship Earth as the big golf ball, World Showcase as all the countries, Mouse Gears as the really big gift shop, and Yakitori House as the Japanese fast-food place.

As little knowledge as we had, we did know to stick around for Illuminations, and we got a spot early enough for pretty good viewing. Of course even at 13 Illuminations was a highlight for me.

1998 Epcot Review

I was a very immature 13 year old. And while I was well behaved enough, my interest in education was lacking. So I didn't have much respect for World Showcase. Now though, it's my favorite park. But, in my defense, back then Epcot had no thrill rides. No Soarin, no Mission Space, and no Test Track. I would've probably enjoyed it better if I knew more about it. Like I said before, I was expecting the Magic Kingdom at Epcot, with rides and characters, and more Disneyness.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

Finally! The day I'd been looking foward to my whole life was here! We were able to get up early, and have breakfast at the hotel, which was free, and then go straight to the park, which we made it to by opening.

We headed to Tomorrowland first since we knew we wanted to ride Space Mountain, and this was pre-FP days, so if we didn't ride it in the morning we'd have a long stand-by line later.

Abby doesn't like thrill rides. She never has. So she opted to go to the arcade that's near Space Mt while my parents and I rode.

After Space Mountain we saw Alien Encounter. I was so scared the whole time, and it wasn't a thrilling kind of scared, it was a I had my eyes shut the whole time I just wanted it to be over kind of scared. So needless to say, I didn't like it that much.

After Alien Encounter Abby and I rode the Tomorrowland Speedway. Which, I think is the dumbest ride in WDW, and haven't ridden it since. There's no Disneyness, (word I invented,) and it's not exciting or imaginative at all. Also, Abby was in the car behind me, and was always ramming into the back of mine.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Day 2 - Magic Kingdom - Fantasyland

After leaving Tomorrowland, we walked by Mad Tea Party, where Alice, Tweedle Dum & Dee, and the Queen of Hearts were doing meet and greets, so Abby and I were able to get there autographs. Why didn't we take more pictures?

When we arrived in Fantasyland everyone except me wanted to ride It's A Small World. The only reason I didn't want to ride is because I used to hate that song. I ended up riding any way, and meant to ride again last Oct, since it's been renovated, and the song doesn't annoy me nearly as much as it used to. The ride itself I like, with all of the dolls from the different countries, though I remember covering my ears and trying to block that song out.

After It's A Small World Abby and I rode Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, which is pretty, but nothing special, and I never got around to riding that again either.

By then, my parents were hungry and they wanted to stop for lunch. They had packed tuna salad sandwiches with them, which I don't like, so I opted not to eat lunch, , and instead, got in line to meet Ariel. Abby quickly ate her sandwich, and then got in line to ride Dumbo.

After an hour wait for each, long after my parents had finished eating, I finally met Ariel, who has always been one of my favorite characters. Possibly because The Little Mermaid is the first movie I saw in theaters, and the first Disney movie I remember seeing in general. So while Walt says, "It all started with a mouse," for me, it all started with a mermaid.

Abby rode Dumbo, which I think was the highlight for her of the trip. We were 13 and 12 remember, so it's not like we were little. My parents had figured if they had waited to take us until we were older to remember, we would be able to skip the "kiddie" rides, and not have to meet all of the characters. This was also supposed to be a "once in a lifetime," trip. And it was for Abby, she hasn't been back since then. But I'm a completely different story. Obviously.

 

[Minniespal]

Keep 'em coming.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Dec 2006 - Pre-Trip

Getting away from my 1998 trip for a minute, and back to this trip that I'm in the process of planning. Over-planning actually.

I added my flight information to the Disney website, so I'll be using Magical Express once again. Which I really enjoyed last year, I was able to not worry about my luggage or transportation, which I've never enjoyed dealing with. Well, I did, for some reason, always like baggage claim when I was little. Who knows why.

And also, I was trying to work out all of my kincks in my dining - ADR plan, and thought I had figured out a solution as to where to put my day two, (see post #2,) but didn't write it down. You think I'd remember where I was going to stick it today, but, I should've written it down. I'm sure if I stare at it long enough it'll come back to me.

Anyway, back to my 1998 report. . .

1998 - Day 2 - Magic Kingdom - Afternoon

Now, I'm not sure where we headed exactly right after we left Fantasyland, but I do know what we did, just not in any order. So, this is just by best guess based on how the park is laid out.

We saw the show in front of the castle, which was then a Mickey Holiday show, though I can't remember the name of it. Also, when I'm thinking of it, this was during the 25th anniversary of WDW, so the castle was decorated like the cake then. That's right, my first time seeing the castle, and it was all pink with the frosting and candles, though the back of the castle, from Fantasyland was normal. Every time I've gone to WDW the castle has been different, in 1998 it was the cake, in 1999 it wasn't decorated, and this past Oct it was decorated for the Happiest Celebration, which is my personal favorite out of the three. And while the pink-cake castle is my least favorite of the three, by a lot, I didn't mind it so much back then, though would rather just have it the regular way.

We rode the now-closed Mike Fink Kneelboats - not sure if that's spelled right, but that wasn't anything special, and I'm not suprised it's closed, though it did take a while to close.

It seems to me that we did a lot of the ho-hum attractions, which are now, well, not bad, but are not on my must-see lists.

We also went to Tom Sawyer Island, which I didn't really care for. II think I may have been to old to enjoy it, since there were mostly younger children there. I think Abby liked it though, and we spent about an hour there.

We also went on Haunted Mansion, which I liked, and is the only attraction in Liberty Square that is a must-do for me, and that I've riden every trip. Though my favorite part of that attraction is not the ride itself, which is very good, but the stretch room.

I had wanted to ride Splash Mountain, but, apparently it was a little windy that day, so my parents didn't want to go on it, and Abby would of refused to ride it anyway becuase of the drop. She still refuses to go on almost any kind of thrill ride.

As much as Abby hates thrill rides, she did agree to go on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, since it wasn't a big roller coaster, in size that is, not in terms of memories and Disneyness. I'm not sure if she liked it that much, but I did.

We also went on Pirates of the Caribbean, which I appreciate more now that I'm older, but I can't remember it being a stand-out then, even though now it is a must-do. I'm especially looking foward to riding it this year after the refurbishment. I mean, let's face it, their adding Johnny Depp, and he's my favorite actor, so I'll probably have to ride it more then a couple times.

We rode Jungle Cruise, which I keep on meaning to get back to, and ride again, but in 1999 we only had one day, and this was somehow overlooked by my family, and in Oct. . . I don't know why I didn't ride it. I think because the line was always long, and I was using my FP's for Splash and Tunder Mountain when it that area. But I do like it, and'll have to make a point to riding it again this trip.

We also saw the afternoon parade, Remember the Magic. Which I remember better then most other things since I have it on video from the 1999 trip, but more on that later.

This was my first Disney parade, and is possibly my favorite, it would be between this and the Share a Dream Come True parade.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

After our afternoon of park touring we studied the park map and decided to have dinner at Columbia Harbor House since it had clam chowder listed and we all love that in my family, but rarely have it.

Abby, my mom, and I all had the clam chowder in a bread bowl. I don't remember what my dad had, but this was eight years ago. We also all split an order of fries. This was also the first time I had eaten all day, since I wouldn't eat chicken salad for lunch, so I was starving, and ended up eating most of the fries.

I don't know why, but even when I was little food was the most important part, or one of the most important parts, of vacations for me, and I have pretty clear memories on what I ate, especially on Disney vacations. Except ever since high school, I've kept journals specifically about food, and ever since college, and getting my digital camera, I've taken pictures of food when I've eaten out.

I wanted to see Legend of the Lion King, but my parents and Abby didn't, and they didn't want me by myself, even though Abby had been by herself several times while we rode Space Mountain, Body Wars, and the next day she'd be by herself when we went on Tower of Terror, and she's younger. So I don't know why that would've been an issue. But no, Abby wanted to ride Cinderella's Carousel again so she and my dad went on that. I know I've ridden every attraction in Fantasyland, but I think I've only been on each ride once. Weird how it worked out that way.

We stopped at Mrs. Pott's Cupboard for ice cream, where I had a root beer float, which I didn't like that much. Though ice cream is still ice cream, so it wasn't that bad.

That night we watched Spectro Magic, or was it the Main Street Electrical parade? Well, we watched the night parade, whichever one it was, and then saw the firework show, Fantasy in the Sky.

That night at the hotel Abby and I watched tv, while my parents went to the hotel pool. Even though it had been too cold to ride Splash Mountain, it was warm enough to swim apparently. We didn't, and still don't, have cable at my house, so it was a treat to have the Disney channel. I remember we saw Alice in Wonderland, though now I have that, and 20+ other Disney movies on dvd.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - MGM

We saved MGM until our last day, though, if I knew what I know now, I would have done a half day here and a whole day at Epcot, though, since Epcot wasn't all that thrilling to me back then, I'm probably glad we did spend the whole day at MGM.

I don't remember the exact order we did things here, so this isn't 100% accurate, you'll have to forgive me.

After an argument Abby had with my parents the night before, one of those "how can you be so ungrateful, we spent so much money on this trip," arguments, they said Abby had to go on every ride the rest of us did, except for the Tower of Terror.

Even though we got to the park at opening, we didn't head straight for Tower of Terror, since my parents wanted to "save that for later," you know, when it was the middle of the afternoon, and there was an hour long line.

I think one of the first things we did was Star Tours, even though this is an thrill ride, Abby is an avid Star Wars fan, had been at an early age, so she went on it without much of a fight.

We also rode the Great Movie Ride early. Maybe we did that first? That used to be one of my favorites, but since then has lost it's spark, though I still enjoy it, and since riding it back then, have seen more of the movies represented. My parents are really strict about what movies I see, and back then I was only allowed to see G and PG rated ones. I didn't see many PG-13 ones until high school, and R ones until college. I think the first R rated movie I saw was Saving Private Ryan, which they let us, me and Abby, see since we were studying WWII in school.

For lunch, my parents had once again packed tuna salad, which like I said, I don't eat. I think it's something with cold fish that turns me off from it. You'd think they would have brought down some peanut butter or something instead of trying to force tuna salad on me. It's not like I just wouldn't eat it then, I've never liked tuna salad, and the fact that it had been out for three hours didn't exactly help. There are only three things I won't eat.

1. Mushrooms
2. Brians / Sweet Breads / etc. (Which I have tried, I just don't like.)
3. Cold tuna / salmon / etc. (Though I will eat sushi, and cold shellfish, like shrimp and crab.)

So anyway, once again I was facing no lunch, except my mom didn't want me not eating lunch three days in a row. (I hadn't eaten lunch on the first day either.) They had originally said, "you can eat what we make, or not eat." Well, I guess they figured I'd eat over being hungry, but since I'd opted not to eat, my mom broke down, and bought me pizza at Pizza Planet.

I know Pizza Planet gets a good amount of bad reviews on here, as does most MGM counter service, but I remember liking it. Though this was eight years ago, so maybe it's not so great anymore. Also, Pizza Planet is the lone MGM counter service place I have tried, since then I've always stuck to table service.

After lunch we saw the now no - longer - running, Hunchback of Notre Dame show. Which I liked, it's a shame they no longer have it. Also, Esmeralda is one of my favorite characters.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 Trip - MGM - Afternoon

We did a lot that afternoon. My dad had wanted to see Indiana Jones - Stunt Spectacular, but it was closed for some kind of school competition. So instead we went on the Studios Backlot Tour. You know how they say if you sit on the far left you'll get wet, but on the right you'll stay pretty dry? Well, Abby and I being our typical selves, since we had a row to ourselves, I went to the left, and Abby sat on the right with our parents in between us. Abby could never stand water rides, where as I was exactly the opposite, and always wanted to get wet. Although now I prefer to stay on the drier side.

We saw Muppet Vision 3-D, and this was the only 3-D show at WDW at the time besides Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I think this one, (I'm comparing it to It's Tough to Be a Bug and Phillarmagic too,) has the weakest special effects, (I think Honey I Shrunk the Audience has the best,) but good jokes. So the show is worth-while, even if the effects aren't that great.

We also saw two things I did, and still really enjoy - Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. I've mentioned previously that Little Mermaid was the first Disney movie I saw, and loved, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid isn't so much the story, as it is the music, which, now being older I love even more, especially Part of Your World. And also Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl.

Beauty and the Beast has more of a story line to it, and is more Broadway-style then Voyage of the Little Mermaid. But, it of course, also includes the songs, my favorite song from Beauty and the Beast, which I think is under-rated, is Something There, but I love all the songs. And I also really love Belle, and for Halloween, many years ago, I was Belle, and had a hand-made yellow ball gown.

We also, except for Abby, rode Tower of Terror. Which I loved. My dad was commenting all the time on how well Disney made the hotel look run-down. It really is amazing how well Disney puts all of those little details into its attractions. Tower of Terror became, and was until Soarin, my favorite ride.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1998 - MGM - Afternoon / Night

Back then MGM had a Hercules parade, which we saw, but honestly, I don't think the movie-inspired parades are all that great. I much prefer parades with lots of characters then ones that are based on a specific movie.

This is the order I like the parades and night shows I've seen, from my least favorite to my favorite.

Hercules (1998)
Mulan (1999)
Stars & Motor Cars (2005)
Illuminations (1998/1999/2005)
Spectro Magic (1998)
Fantasy In the Sky (1998/1999)
Share A Dream Come True (2005)
Remember the Magic (1998/1999)
Boo To You (2005)
Fantasmic (1999/2005)
Hallo Wishes (2005)

My parents had made an ADR / PS earlier that day, (I never would wait that long to make my ADR's, and am calling 180 days out for my Dec ones,) for dinner at Sci - Fi.

I don't remember being that thrilled with the food. I know I had a burger, but I'm not sure if it was a special kind or not. I didn't really care for the atmosphere either, but back then we had an actual drive-in back home, it was cheap and showed double features, so we went there a lot. It's closed now though. And I don't like eating in the dark.

Abby, however, really liked it there, and still says she wants to show the movies that we saw the previews for. Most of which, to me, look dumb. We just don't see eye to eye.

After finishing everything in MGM we went back to the hotel. This was right before Fantasmic was there, so there was no night show back then.

We spent the next few hours in the pool, and went to bed early so we'd get a good nights sleep.

That was my first trip to WDW. Sorry if I'm a little short on the details, but I remember my 1999 trip much better, so on to that.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

1999 - Trip Report

Cast

Me - 14 years old (2nd Trip)
Kyle - Cousin - 14 years old (1st Trip)
Tim - Cousin - 13 years old (1st Trip)
Anthony - Cousin - 10 years old (1st Trip)
Jess - Cousin - 8 years old (1st Trip)
Sarah - Cousin - 5 years old (1st Trip)
Mom - early 40's (2nd Trip)
Grandma - age ??? (1st Trip)
Grandpa - age ??? (1st Trip)
Aunt A - age ??? (1st Trip)
Uncle A - age ??? - married to Aunt A (1st Trip)
Uncle B - age ??? (1st Trip)

So besides me and my mom this was everyones first trip.

1999 - Pre Trip

Several months after my first trip, in Sep, (1998 trip was in Jan,) Grandma and Grandpa suprised everyone with a trip to WDW and a Disney cruise. They wanted to wait until all of us kids were in school, and with Sarah now in kindergarten, it was possible.

So even though my 1998 trip, was my once - in - a - lifetime experience, I was going to get to relive it.

The only unfortunate part of this arrangment was that my two trips as a child, if you can count my early teenage years as being a child, was that they were only a year apart.

You may of noticed that Abby and my dad were not mentioned in the list of people on this trip. They both had the option of going, but Abby, for some reason, doesn't like WDW. (I'm still trying to figure out how that's even possible.) So she stayed at home with my dad, who has almost the same attitude she does.

1999 Trip - Arrival Day

Arriving in Orlando was, not a hassle, but was hectic, since we were all flying in from three different airports, (four if you include layovers.) Me and my mom had an early flight, and so did Grandma, Grandpa, Kyle, Tim, and Uncle B, but from a different airport. Sarah, Jess, Anthony, (Ant,) Aunt A, and Uncle A, had a flight that arrived more then an hour after everyone elses. But, so we wouldn't have to get three seperate taxis, we were all going to wait for each other, and get one big one to save money.