Disneymoon for two... A land/sea adventure! My Pre-Trip report

THE HOURS ARE POSTED, THE HOURS ARE POSTED :cool1: :worship: :banana: :yay:

I am off to plan plan plan!!!! I am so happy that I read these boards and started planning using last years December hours, I was correct on EVERYTHING, so now its just altering it due to parades and shows!!!!!!
 
Both DF and I love, Epcot, even though we didn't get to see very much of it, so this time we are going to spend a large portion of our time there. So here's the list of the things we want/must do, suggestions welcome!

Epcot
Future World
Spaceship Earth-Missed this our first time so it’s a MUST-SEE
Mission:SPACE- DF and I really enjoyed this ride so we want to do it again
Test Track- MUST-DO, one of my top 5 rides at WDW
Cool Club-We couldn’t seem to find this last trip, when we got home we realized we have a picture of us with the CC in the background. MUST-DO, DF is gonna try the Beverly
The Seas, with Nemo- Missed this the first time and it seems cute, even though I haven’t see the movie

World Showcase
El Rio del Tiempo- Mexico
Maelstrom- Norway
All of the countries-We didn’t get to go in any of the countries last trip, we ran out of time, so they are all a MUST-DO
Illuminations-This is DF’s and Mine favorite firework show EVER!!!! We both think it’s better then Wishes (Sorry Guys!)

You forgot Soarin' !!! :rolleyes1

Universe of Energy sounds cool, too ...

El Rio del Tiempo is now the Gran Fiesta tour with the Three Caballeros ...
 
With Buzz Lightyear - plan on getting off ... and jumping back on ...

... and getting off ... and jumping back on ...

and getting off ...and jumping back on ...

... and ... (you get the idea!!) :rotfl2:

I haven't read much good about Snow White - so you may want to put that low on your priority.

Do the TTA when you're tired ... and have your camera(s) ready ...

The cinnamon buns at the Main St. Bakery are HUMUNGOUS!!! :cool1:

Tom Sawer Is. closes at dusk ... so you'll need to "plan" for it ...

Later ...
 
Your lists sound really good! I agree that you should add Soarin! I haven't done it yet but it is a must do for us in September. :thumbsup2
 

With Buzz Lightyear - plan on getting off ... and jumping back on ...

... and getting off ... and jumping back on ...

and getting off ...and jumping back on ...

... and ... (you get the idea!!) :rotfl2:

I haven't read much good about Snow White - so you may want to put that low on your priority.

Do the TTA when you're tired ... and have your camera(s) ready ...

The cinnamon buns at the Main St. Bakery are HUMUNGOUS!!! :cool1:

Tom Sawer Is. closes at dusk ... so you'll need to "plan" for it ...

Later ...

Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard that Buzz is really fun and competitive, DF and I will love that :)

Thank you for the tip on TSI, That wasn't something I thought about !

Now I want one of those Cinnamon buns!!!!!!! Darn you :)
 
Oh the reason Sorin isnt on the list.... Well I know it is a stimulator ride and I do believe its some what similar to those IMAC theaters. Well I can't do the IMAC theaters. I did one once years ago in Highschool and got so sick, I had to keep my head down and eyes closed on my friends shoulder so I wouldn't get sick. Since I don't want to get sick on this trip, I decided we should skip this one, DF isn't thrilled with those types of rides either.
 
Oh the reason Sorin isnt on the list.... Well I know it is a stimulator ride and I do believe its some what similar to those IMAC theaters. Well I can't do the IMAC theaters. I did one once years ago in Highschool and got so sick, I had to keep my head down and eyes closed on my friends shoulder so I wouldn't get sick. Since I don't want to get sick on this trip, I decided we should skip this one, DF isn't thrilled with those types of rides either.
Good reason to skip it. ::yes:: No getting sick at Disney!
 
Disney Hollywood Studios

Echo Lake
Star Tours- Missed and want to see
Mickey Avenue
Backlot tour- Missed and want to see
Journey Into Narnia- Missed and want to see
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream- if time allows- Missed and want to see
Sunset Boulevard
Rock n Rollar Coaster- One of the top 5 best. MUST-DO
Tower or Terror- I chickened out and wouldn’t do this last time so I’m going
to try to be brave and ride this time. MUST-DO
Fantasmic- Missed and want to see. MUST-DO
Obsourne Lights-Refuse to miss!
 
Animal Kingdom

Oasis-None
Discovery Island
Tree of Life- Photo Ops
Camp Mickey-Minnie- None
Africa
Kilimanjaro Sarfari- MUST-DO
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail- If time, DF would love to see Gorillas
Asia
Kali River Rapids-Depends on the weather, we walked around all day soaked last time.
Everest- This would be the 5th best ride at WDW only because we aren’t thrilled with AK.
Dinoland USA
DINOSAUR- Missed and want to see.
 
So, I called today to see if there were any Discounts associated with my name, NOPE. So then I decided to try DF's name, and the lady is like "oh yes, I see something there, let me see what the offer is", :banana: "hmm I see the off is from May 26th- Aug 2nd, and its under a Jill *******, who is this" I replied with the mother of the household and then the CM told me that "Jill would need to be traveling with you." BUMMER!!! I mean we couldn't use it anyways because of the dates, but hey it would have been nice to know about before now. So no Discounts for us yet :(


A wedding note:
We finally got our Officant booked for the ceremony. It actually ended up being an old police officer in my town, who I didn't know had run for Town Justice, but he remembered me and said he would love to do it!!!!!:banana:

Also... I recieved my wedding veil in the mail. Its really nice! Its perfect for me. I found a website online were I got it for 12.95 and 7.00 for shipping. Its 2 layers, with just a few small rhinestones on it and piping around the edges. Its a short one, I didn't want anything long to pull my hair if I sat down on it. I will try to remember to post pictures later!


Side Note: My laptop broke again, so it is currently at Bestbuy getting fixed, "Oh will I ever see my laptop again?" I wonder.... But So, I might be slow on updates for the next few weeks!
 
Animal Kingdom

Oasis-None
Discovery Island
Tree of Life- Photo Ops
Camp Mickey-Minnie- None
Africa
Kilimanjaro Sarfari- MUST-DO
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail- If time, DF would love to see Gorillas
Asia
Kali River Rapids-Depends on the weather, we walked around all day soaked last time.
Everest- This would be the 5th best ride at WDW only because we aren’t thrilled with AK.
Dinoland USA
DINOSAUR- Missed and want to see.

I'd also recommend Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo ...
 
Disney Hollywood Studios

Echo Lake
Star Tours- Missed and want to see
Mickey Avenue
Backlot tour- Missed and want to see
Journey Into Narnia- Missed and want to see
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream- if time allows- Missed and want to see
Sunset Boulevard
Rock n Rollar Coaster- One of the top 5 best. MUST-DO
Tower or Terror- I chickened out and wouldn’t do this last time so I’m going
to try to be brave and ride this time. MUST-DO
Fantasmic- Missed and want to see. MUST-DO
Obsourne Lights-Refuse to miss!

What? - no Playhouse Disney Live??!! :rotfl2:

[Well - it won't be the same without Bear in the Big Blue House ... or as I call him - "Bear - in the House of Blue(s)" ... :cool2: ]
 
I am assuming the Lion King thing is a show. Is it long? DF and I want to get AK done in like 1/2 a day. We are thinking 5 hours at most. If its not that long we might try it.

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
I am assuming the Lion King thing is a show. Is it long? DF and I want to get AK done in like 1/2 a day. We are thinking 5 hours at most. If its not that long we might try it.

Thanks for the suggestion!
I don't remember how long it is, but the last time I was at AK, we did 1/2 day as well and were able to fit it in with the other stuff.
 
So after spending countless hours on the DIS and going over our touring plan, I decided to change things again. Being that Tuesday at 7am I will be calling for ADR's I wanted to allow for some flexibility in timing for ADR's. DF and I also decided we wanted to do the 1/2 day at AK before we leave for the cruise. So here are my revised plans.

Saturday December 13th (not part of our package, so no park tickets)
10:00am Breakfast @ Music
11:00am Photoshoot GF (can't schedual till 30 days before)
12:00pm Explore Mono Resorts
2:00pm Bus to DDT
2:30pm Taxi to CiCi's
3:30pm Taxi back to DTD
4:00pm Bus to Boardwalk
6:30pm Bus to Mini Golf
8:15pm Bus to Poly
9:00pm H2O Pagent
9:30pm Bus to DTD

Sunday December 14th (first day of our package with Dining Plan)
10:00am Breakfast @ Music
10:30am Check out
10:45am Bus to TTC-Mono to Poly
11:30am Check in Poly
12:00pm Bus to DHS
**Possible 3pm bus to DTD
**If DTD 7pm bus to DHS
Counter Service Dinner (DP)
8:00pm Fantasmic
8:30-11:00pm Osbourne Lights


Monday December 15th
7:00am Breakfast @ Poly
7:30am Bus to AK (EMH)
Lunch Pizzafari (DP)
12:00pm Bus to Poly
Resort Time
5/6:00pm Dinner
Chef Mickeys (DP)
6/7:00pm Mono to Epcot
9:30pm Illuminations

Tuesday December 16th
7:30am Mono to MK
8:00am Breakfast Crystal Palace (DP)
12:00pm Mono to Poly
Counter service lunch (DP)
5:00pm Mono to MK
6:00pm Dinner Tonys (DP) (I'd like to get this moved to 5:00pm)
7:00pm-12:00am MVMCP
9:30pm wishes
10:30 christmas parade
11:15 night before xmas

Wednesday December 17th
10:00am Breakfast Kona (OOP)
11:00am Mono to Epcot
5/6:00pm Dinner
Coral Reef (DP)- (Since I have heard so many bad reviews about CR we might go with Teppen Edo instead)
9:30pm Illuminations

Thursday December 18th
6:45am Checkout
7:00am Bus to AK-AKL
8:00am Breakfast Boma (OOP)
9:00am Bus to AK
12:00pm Bus to DCL
 
You guys like to spend a lot of time on buses, don't you?!? :lmao:

Remember - with waiting, loading, travelling, etc. - you need to allow yourself at least one hour for each of your "Disney bus adventures" ...

Since you're staying at Poly later - on Dec 13, why not check out the water parade at the Wilderness Lodge instead? That way - you also get to check out an additional resort ... (... and I think you may have too many things planned for Dec 13, too ...)

Dec 14 - you actually think you will buy and eat breakfast, checkout, and then walk out and have a bus to the TTC waiting for you ... all within 45 minutes? :rotfl2: Well - maybe you'll get some pixiedust:

Also - you should get in your Fantasmic seats about an hour before it starts ... (so grab a CS meal and eat it there?)

Dec 15 -if AK opens at 8 am for EMH - you need to plan on catching a bus earlier than 7:30 ... :(

Dec 16 - again allow yourself more time to get to the CP. The whole point of having an early breakfast is to be able to spend some time sucking up that magical MK atmosphere ... not rushing to make your ADR time ... :crazy:
Also, by the time you leave the CP at around 9:30 - that will give you only 2.5 hours until you plan on catching the monorail back to Poly ... so you won't be able to do all that much at the MK that morning ... so either stay later, or go back earlier in the afternoon (before the MVMCP ..)

Dec 17 - YES!! - Finally - a KISS day ... :cool1: :rotfl:

Dec 18 ... hope you don't miss your DCL bus!! :confused3


Overall - I think you're going to run yourselves ragged and spend a lot of time waiting for/riding buses ... and on most days, not really do all that much in the parks ... Also - you want to be able to relax and take in that Disney Christmas-time magic, too ...

So - I would reccomend you simplify you plans ...

:duck: (as you throw a copy of the UG at me ... :lmao: )

BTW - my new favorite guide is the Neal's "Complete Guide to WDW" ... I'm only about 1/3 through it, and I really like what they've done ...


And with that - me and pluto: will head out for a run ...

:duck: (mised me again ... :wizard: )
 
You guys like to spend a lot of time on buses, don't you?!? :lmao:
HAHA, well I just want to make sure we get enough resort time in during the day and staying at the parks for 12 hours is a long time!

Remember - with waiting, loading, travelling, etc. - you need to allow yourself at least one hour for each of your "Disney bus adventures" ...

Since you're staying at Poly later - on Dec 13, why not check out the water parade at the Wilderness Lodge instead? That way - you also get to check out an additional resort ... (... and I think you may have too many things planned for Dec 13, too ...)

We do have alot planned! but the photoshoot is still optional and the boardwalk adventure is only if we have time. I am considering just taking a cab to and from CiCi's rather then try and take a bus to DTD then get a cab then Bus again on the way back. That would save alot of time!!!and if we spent some of that afternoon at DTD then we could just walk to the Boardwalk on Sunday if we run out of things to do at DHS, since theres a walkway! :cool1:

Dec 14 - you actually think you will buy and eat breakfast, checkout, and then walk out and have a bus to the TTC waiting for you ... all within 45 minutes? :rotfl2: Well - maybe you'll get some pixiedust:

I figured we get more of a to-go breakfast, plus DF and I tend to eat kinda fast ( i know i know, its bad for you to eat fast) and I do know that check-out is usually quick if you use a credit card (I believe they just give you a list of charges and you sign off on it) But I can't imagin that waiting for a bus to arrive would take longer then 30 mins? :(

Also - you should get in your Fantasmic seats about an hour before it starts ... (so grab a CS meal and eat it there?)
You read my mind here! that was the plan!:)

Dec 15 -if AK opens at 8 am for EMH - you need to plan on catching a bus earlier than 7:30 ... :(

I was under the impression that the Disney park buses only started running 30 minutes before park opening?????:confused3

Dec 16 - again allow yourself more time to get to the CP. The whole point of having an early breakfast is to be able to spend some time sucking up that magical MK atmosphere ... not rushing to make your ADR time ... :crazy:
Also, by the time you leave the CP at around 9:30 - that will give you only 2.5 hours until you plan on catching the monorail back to Poly ... so you won't be able to do all that much at the MK that morning ... so either stay later, or go back earlier in the afternoon (before the MVMCP ..)

This day is a really rough idea, until tuesday when I make ADR's. Then we can see what's up :)

Dec 17 - YES!! - Finally - a KISS day ... :cool1: :rotfl:

Dec 18 ... hope you don't miss your DCL bus!! :confused3

Why would we miss the bus? :confused3 , since we already had a 1/2 day in the park, We planned on just running in to ride everest and maybe Dinosaur and maybe the Lion King, I have heard DCL guests get FP's for this!


Overall - I think you're going to run yourselves ragged and spend a lot of time waiting for/riding buses ... and on most days, not really do all that much in the parks ... Also - you want to be able to relax and take in that Disney Christmas-time magic, too ...

So - I would reccomend you simplify you plans ...

:duck: (as you throw a copy of the UG at me ... :lmao: )

BTW - my new favorite guide is the Neal's "Complete Guide to WDW" ... I'm only about 1/3 through it, and I really like what they've done ...


And with that - me and pluto: will head out for a run ...

:duck: (mised me again ... :wizard: )




Thank you for your advice! It will be easier once I have ADR's to look at things and decide what to do, and It's not like im going to yell if we aren't right on time.
 
So today was y 180 day mark! And I was not thrilled to wake up at 6:30am but hey atleast it was for Disney!

So I wake up at 6:30, grab a phone and sit down with my DF's laptop and a note pad to write the info down on. At 6:57am I dial 1-800-WDW-DINE and hear, "thank you for calling.... Our offices are not open yet...." DARN!:confused3 Ok so I wait 2 more minutes and call again. YES!! they are open, after going through like a hundred 1,1,1,2 options and entering reservation #'s I get a very nice male CM. He asked me something about reservations for that Circle Solie (sp) whatever it is (sorry i don't know) and I'm like "no thanks, just dining adr's please" after he asked me some information about my ressie, I go "Crystal Palace December 16th for breakfast earliest you have" ok so I get the 8:05AM!:banana: After giving the Spiel he is required, he asked if there are any more ressie I wanna make, Yes Sir! So I continue to ramble off my list and lucky me, I got them all Everything with perfect times. I also asked him to put a honeymoon notification on the ressie, and he did!:banana:

So I am very happy! we got...

Monday 15th- Chef Mickeys 5:20pm
Tuesday 16th- Crystal Palace 8:05am, Tonys 5:00pm
Wednesday 17th- Kona 10:00am, Teppan Edo 5:00pm
Thursday 18th- Boma 8:00am

The CM end the convo with a "have a magical day!" and believe me I WILL!!! I love DISNEY!:love:
 
Glad to hear (see?) you got everything you wanted!! :cool1:

Seems like most people are getting all of their ADRs for their December trips(Christmas in June? ...:rotfl: )
 












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