Disneymoon PT report *1/8-1/15* 8 Days before the World!!!! Final Budget is up!

[2xcited2sleep]

Hi Tessa!

Your wedding photos are beautiful. I especially like the Disney touches like the Cinderella carriages and the mickey cake. You both look very happy!

And congratulations on coordinating a Disneymoon! That was fate happening upon your friends who were just back from their trip!

Your plans look great. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it and of course am looking forward to your trip when it is cold and dark here in CT and I need a burst of Disney magic!

 

[Alarose]

Hi Tessa!

Your wedding photos are beautiful. I especially like the Disney touches like the Cinderella carriages and the mickey cake. You both look very happy!

And congratulations on coordinating a Disneymoon! That was fate happening upon your friends who were just back from their trip!

Your plans look great. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it and of course am looking forward to your trip when it is cold and dark here in CT and I need a burst of Disney magic!

Thank you! Even though I couldn't have a wedding at Disney, I brought Disney to my wedding lol. It was a wonderful day, and we are very happy.

LOL...it will be SOO nice getting out of this Iowa cold in January....brrrrr!

Thanks for reading!

 

[Alarose]

Part 11: Day 1

Thursday, January 8th, 2008

NOPE! Not anymore! Got an update from the airline that one of our layovers was canceled! So, insteed of arriving at Orlando at 5:00 (which was going ot make me probably miss Spectro...only night we could go see it)...we will be there a WHOLE THREE HOURS EARLY!

I felt that pixie dust! Thanks tink!

SOOO...updated DAY !

6:35 A.M. (was 6:50) the airplane takes off for the wonderful world of .. Minneapolis. Our ONLY layover now! I like Minneapolis’s airport though. We have a layover there from 8:06-10:25 A.M. That should give us plenty of time to tour the airport, find some coffee and breakfast.

I got a pretty good deal on these tickets (coming from a fairly small airport around here). We are paying $575.98 for the both of us. I bought these tickets months ago.

Our next stop WAS going to be Grand Rapids Kent County Intl, and we WERE going to have to stay there for TWO HOURS! Nope, no more

Then, we arrive! On to Orlando! I’ve never flown directly to Orlando before…I’ve flown to Panama City Beach, FL to visit family and then drove to Orlando. I’ve ridden to Orlando, but this is the first time I’ll fly right into Orlando airport. I bet there will be some Disney funs right with us on the plane.

We should land in the beautiful, hopefully warm, state of FL by 2:13 P.M.

We are going to do the ME (Magical Express) service right to the hotel, so then we will head right to the ME Service desk. From what I have been reading, this weight isn’t too long. Then we have the wonderful 45 minute drive on the ME bus to Pop Century.

So...no hurry now to get back to POP and then to Magic Kingdom for Spectro...

So, we have time to settle in a bit! We will make it back to the hotel and unpack and settle in our room. Also, we are going to run some errands. First, we need to pick up some tickets we’ll need later in the week. Then, we will use some of our snack credits to pick up a few items from the Pop Century food court.
Also, we have some other items to collect. Like…pick up one of these

And these!

And these!

Also,

Then, about 5:45/6:00. We will head to Magic Kingdom for the 7:00 Spectromagic show . Before or after the show, the plan is to grab some dinner from Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (use one of our CSC…counter service credits).

Then, after the show...we will head back to the hotel for some much needed sleep!

 

[BeckWhy]

Thanks for the advice for Fantasmic. This is one of my favorite shows! I've only seen it once...can't wait to see it again.

I don't know if I've read your latest installment, but what about Pop wasn't working out for yoou? Hmmmm I'll need to read

And Yes...we made sure people knew it was our honeymoon LOL. We are planning on getting pins and Mickey and Minnie Mouse wedding ears. Yeah, when I first heard about the theme being Magical Celebrations...Honeymoon= celebrations. I got to say I was a bit disapointed when the angle they went was all about b-days. Maybe there will be extra bonuses later....fingers crossed.

Glad to hear that you have been there during the Mararthon weekend and it didn't seem too bad. Oh oh though, we are planning on the MG for the first day lol.

So, no longer than 5 minutes for the busses??? that's not bad.


LOL, I had to laugh at your comment about how long we'll be in the room. LOL, we probaby won't be spending too much 'awake' time in there either. We will have been married for a few months already, so hopefully we will be out of 'that stage.' We ARE planning on going back to the room for afternoon naps. That is one peice of advice I picked up on.

In regards to Fantasmic, I think when we were there in January 2004 we arrive 15 minutes early and the place was pretty empty. But when we were there in Sept 2006 we got there 15 min early and all that was left was standing room. This past trip I made sure we got there early. Maybe 25 minutes. The stadium was mostly full. But there was an entire section they weren't seating people. That section maybe filled up 1/2 full. So I think it is really hit or miss with Fantasmic. I mean when we were there in 2006 DS was rated a 3/10 from the Unofficial Guide's website, and this past year it was a 7/10.

I haven't updated my TR yet, I'll get to it today though. I hope to get a few out today.

Part 8: The Plan -Meals

So, I already basically said what we are going to be doing about this. Disney Dining Plan! Yes, I know I could probably save some money here by eating in the room or even just watching where we eat, but I got so spoiled with my mom when we did the Disney Dining Plan last time. I am so excited!

I’m trying to tell Steve about how wonderful the food is, and how full he will be. There is no way he has any idea until we are there though lol

So, from January 8th-15th we (total for the two of us) get 14 Disney Dining Counter Services, 14 Table Services, and 14 snack credits. Where will we be eating? What Signature Dining place will we try? You’ll have to wait and see

I think DDP is great. We didn't do it this year because I thought we'd be more pressed for time (and they eliminated the appetizer from the list). We loved it when we got free dining in 2006 though.

I haven't ate at any sig place yet, but have you checked out the menus? I'd do that. All restaurants have good reviews and bad reviews. I think if you like sushi then California Grill is the place. Or if you like steak, Yatchsman Steakhouse. I really wanna try Yatchsman. I love the Yatch and Beach Clubs.

As for your question about how long it takes to get from Airport to POP, it actually really only takes about 40 minutes once the ME bus is moving. It can take you about 20 minutes give for take to walk through the airport (unless you rush it than it doesn't take long at all). If you wait for your own luggage, I don't know how long that takes. It takes about 5 minutes to check into ME, and I've never waited more than 10 minutes or so for the ME bus to POP to come.

I don't think it takes a couple of hours from MCO to POP. Our plane was scheduled to land at 2:46 pm (I know we landed early too), plus I went to the Disney Store and the Seaworld Store, and the NASA store. Plus we went to the wrong terminal for ME. We were checked in and arrived at our room at 4 pm exactly (I'm not kidding!). So it really doesn't take that long.

Your plane tickets sound pretty decent priced. We paid $330 for the two of us and they were direct flights.

 

[Alarose]

In regards to Fantasmic, I think when we were there in January 2004 we arrive 15 minutes early and the place was pretty empty. But when we were there in Sept 2006 we got there 15 min early and all that was left was standing room. This past trip I made sure we got there early. Maybe 25 minutes. The stadium was mostly full. But there was an entire section they weren't seating people. That section maybe filled up 1/2 full. So I think it is really hit or miss with Fantasmic. I mean when we were there in 2006 DS was rated a 3/10 from the Unofficial Guide's website, and this past year it was a 7/10.

I haven't updated my TR yet, I'll get to it today though. I hope to get a few out today.



I think DDP is great. We didn't do it this year because I thought we'd be more pressed for time (and they eliminated the appetizer from the list). We loved it when we got free dining in 2006 though.

I haven't ate at any sig place yet, but have you checked out the menus? I'd do that. All restaurants have good reviews and bad reviews. I think if you like sushi then California Grill is the place. Or if you like steak, Yatchsman Steakhouse. I really wanna try Yatchsman. I love the Yatch and Beach Clubs.

As for your question about how long it takes to get from Airport to POP, it actually really only takes about 40 minutes once the ME bus is moving. It can take you about 20 minutes give for take to walk through the airport (unless you rush it than it doesn't take long at all). If you wait for your own luggage, I don't know how long that takes. It takes about 5 minutes to check into ME, and I've never waited more than 10 minutes or so for the ME bus to POP to come.

I don't think it takes a couple of hours from MCO to POP. Our plane was scheduled to land at 2:46 pm (I know we landed early too), plus I went to the Disney Store and the Seaworld Store, and the NASA store. Plus we went to the wrong terminal for ME. We were checked in and arrived at our room at 4 pm exactly (I'm not kidding!). So it really doesn't take that long.

Your plane tickets sound pretty decent priced. We paid $330 for the two of us and they were direct flights.

With Fantasmic going to only one show a week...we are taking no chances. The plan is to be there a good hour or more before the show. I hear crowds are just nuts. I really hope they add more shows as the time gets closer.

I looked through quite a few Signature/2 credit menues...lol, the one we actually chose really isn't too much of a Romantic/Honeymoon place. Still, a place I am sure Steve and I are really going to enjoy. I kind of left the choice us to Steve (I am planning so much, I wanted him to feel he had some say). I gave him menues to some of these nice places that had good reviews and then to a few of the dinner shows. Guess which one he choose. Yup, Hoop Dee Do Music Review. LOL, no I'm excited though. It is so us lol

PHEW! I feel much better about the time between the airport and the hotel. We could work with an hour or more. I feel much better. We should have time to run into the park for the parade then.

 

[Alarose]

Ok ok....it was a dream

Lastnight I had the strangest dream...we were checking into the Pop Century hotel (which by the way had huge balloons on the ceiling that kept popping...lol, something Steve had said earlier) and suddently Mickey and Minnie came stomping into the lobby with their wedding gear on. They had 'angry' faces on. Then the CM with them proceded to tell us we weren't allowed at Disney because we were staying at POP for our honeymoon.

Ok...so, the dream sounds funny, and now it is funny. I was like though! I woke up Steve (still half asleep) and said something like "Mickey doesn't like me."

LMAO

I had to share

 

[BeckWhy]

With Fantasmic going to only one show a week...we are taking no chances. The plan is to be there a good hour or more before the show. I hear crowds are just nuts. I really hope they add more shows as the time gets closer.

I looked through quite a few Signature/2 credit menues...lol, the one we actually chose really isn't too much of a Romantic/Honeymoon place. Still, a place I am sure Steve and I are really going to enjoy. I kind of left the choice us to Steve (I am planning so much, I wanted him to feel he had some say). I gave him menues to some of these nice places that had good reviews and then to a few of the dinner shows. Guess which one he choose. Yup, Hoop Dee Do Music Review. LOL, no I'm excited though. It is so us lol

PHEW! I feel much better about the time between the airport and the hotel. We could work with an hour or more. I feel much better. We should have time to run into the park for the parade then.

My experience with Hoop-Dee-Doo Review isn't the best, but I know people who visit it every trip. Just one word of advice: make sure you know your transportation!

The show lasts about 2 hours, so if any of the parks are still open you could possibly go there, but make sure they have at least an hour of open time life (ie if you are done at 9 pm, and Epcot closes at 9, don't go there). We waited for EVER for the bus to DTD before I flipped out on a bus driver cuz we couldn't get back to our hotel (I was sick after eating there too).

 

[Alarose]

Part 12: Day 2

Friday, January 9th, 2008

So, today is our first full day at Disney World. I am taking us to the one park that most people think about when they think Disney World. Magic Kingdom!

I was a bit worried when I heard MK crowds will be busier because of the Marathon…but according to TGM they should be too bad.

9:00 Park opening: Leave by 8:15
The park opens at 9:00 A.M. and closes at 8:00 P.M. We want to hit the park opening, so we plan on leaving the room by 8:00/8:15, fill out mugs at the food court, and then get in line for the bus to MK.

We are just doing one day at MK, so we should be fairly busy.

Lunch: Pepper Market
We are planning on heading to Coronado Springs to the Pepper Market for a late lunch.

Break: 2:00-4:00
Then after lunch we will head back to POP for a 2 to 3 hour break (probably nap…a time I remember I needed during my last trip lol). Steve doesn’t quite believe he’ll need a nap, but I know we will both crash.

Magic Kingdom Evening
Then early evening we will head back to Magic Kingdom and finish touring the park. I am hoping to keep my plans fairly simple when it comes to the attractions. I feel like I am already over planning a bit, but I want to at least have my fast-pass plan ready for the morning. After that we plan on just wondering.

Dinner: Crystal Palace
Then we have a 6:20 dinner reservation at the Crystal Palace.

Wishes at 8:00
I wanted to end our first night with a bang, so we are going to see the 8:00 Wishes fireworks show. We are planning on sitting somewhere along main street, in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

Back to hotel
We will leisurely make our way back to the hotel after the fireworks. I know crowds are just nuts after Wishes, so we will probably hang around the park for a little while until the crowds thin, and then head back to the hotel for the night.

Snack choices
Each day I have some good snack choices to use for the dining plan. Here is what we have to choose from for Magic Kingdom. I think we will probably use a handful of credits at the Main Street Bakery for breakfasts for the next few mornings, but I wanted to leave a choice.
- Funnel Cake. Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom
- Main Street Bakery
- Cream Cheese Pretzel at The Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland


So, what do you think? I was a bit hesitant about starting Steve out at Magic Kingdom, because it is so child oriented. I think he’ll have a blast there though.

 

[Alarose]

My experience with Hoop-Dee-Doo Review isn't the best, but I know people who visit it every trip. Just one word of advice: make sure you know your transportation!

The show lasts about 2 hours, so if any of the parks are still open you could possibly go there, but make sure they have at least an hour of open time life (ie if you are done at 9 pm, and Epcot closes at 9, don't go there). We waited for EVER for the bus to DTD before I flipped out on a bus driver cuz we couldn't get back to our hotel (I was sick after eating there too).

Yes, I hear this place is pretty hard to find. Mom set up a game plan for me though. I can't remember what it is...but I have it somewhere lol.

I can't remember what I had planned after HDD...I think hotel touring? Hmm I'll have to go look.

Thanks!

 

[BeckWhy]

Tessa,

Make sure you buy your refillable mugs the night before! The lines can be crazy at Pop in the morning. We never had a long wait, but sometimes you never know.

So I definately suggest taking 15 minutes first thing in the morning and getting breakfast at Main St Bakery. I got a cinnamon roll there and it was huge and so good!

Going from Pepper Market to Pop may take you up to an hour or longer! I'm not sure what the best way is, but I wouldn't go back to the MK just to switch buses. EPCOT, AK and DS are better choices.

 

[BeckWhy]

I think your best bet is to go to DS or Epcot. They are about the same distance.

 

[Alarose]

Tessa,

Make sure you buy your refillable mugs the night before! The lines can be crazy at Pop in the morning. We never had a long wait, but sometimes you never know.

So I definately suggest taking 15 minutes first thing in the morning and getting breakfast at Main St Bakery. I got a cinnamon roll there and it was huge and so good!

Going from Pepper Market to Pop may take you up to an hour or longer! I'm not sure what the best way is, but I wouldn't go back to the MK just to switch buses. EPCOT, AK and DS are better choices.

I want to make sure i understand. Beck, do you mean take the bus from Pepper Market to DS or Epcot...or take the bus from Magic Kingdom to DS or Epcot. LOL, I am thinking you mean the first, but I'm a bit confused.

Yummmmm I remember the pic of your cinnamon roll and how good you said it was. If I remember right, don't get what Eric got lol. I think I even showed Steve the pictures of the food there, and he was like "we are going to go there, right?" lol

 

[BeckWhy]

I want to make sure i understand. Beck, do you mean take the bus from Pepper Market to DS or Epcot...or take the bus from Magic Kingdom to DS or Epcot. LOL, I am thinking you mean the first, but I'm a bit confused.

Yummmmm I remember the pic of your cinnamon roll and how good you said it was. If I remember right, don't get what Eric got lol. I think I even showed Steve the pictures of the food there, and he was like "we are going to go there, right?" lol

To get from MK to Coronado Springs take the bus from MK to CS. To get from CS to POP you need to go from CS to EPCOT or DS and then to POP.

I thought Eric's sandwich was really good. He didn't like it though. But I definately think the cinnamon roll is better bang for your buck!

 

[Alarose]

Ok, got it. Thanks! So, no bus connecting CS and Pop. That is good to know!

LOL, I am glad we decided to try NOT to park hop. I think we would get lost in the transitions from park to park lol.

So, I'm playing around with the thread's title....trying to get something a bit more original

 

[princess22]

I just wanted to say Congrats on your wedding! It looks like it was beautiful.

Just a comment on the bus from Pepper Market. I would go to Hollywood Studios over Epcot. It's more of a straight route, even Epcot is a little far out of the way. But I'm the kind of person who doesn't like taking the long way!

 

[Alarose]

I just wanted to say Congrats on your wedding! It looks like it was beautiful.

Just a comment on the bus from Pepper Market. I would go to Hollywood Studios over Epcot. It's more of a straight route, even Epcot is a little far out of the way. But I'm the kind of person who doesn't like taking the long way!

Thanks....I would like the shortest path too. THat is good to know

Thanks! It was a wonderful weding!

 

[Alarose]

Part 13: Day 3

Saturday, January 10th, 2008

Today we are going to Epcot! I have two days planned at Epcot…this is day 1.

Epcot is one of my least favorite parks (that I remember). Even when I went with my mom a few years ago I got a bit bored. Maybe this year will be different now that I’m older and with Steve. We’ll see. I can see Steve loving it though.

9:00 park opening: Leave by 8:15
The park opens at 9:00 A.M. and closes at 9:00 P.M. Again we will make a stop in the PC lobby to fill up our mugs and then get in line to wait for the Epcot bus.

Lunch: Sunshine Seasons
I’ve heard this is a yummy place.

Break: 2:00-4:00
Now it is time for the ‘rest’ time of our day. This will also help us escape some crowds if it gets busy.

Epcot evening
After our break, we‘ll head back to the park to continue touring.

Dinner: Le Cellier at 5:45
Yes, we did get a reservation at Le Cellier! This is one of my favorite ’food’ places.

IllumiNations (Possibility) at 9:00 P.M.
I am going to check the weather, and if there is any chance of rain at the end of the week we are going to go to IllumiNations this night. If the weather looks good, I want to wait until the end of the week (end it with a bang).

Back to hotel

Tonight will be a lightly later night than the night before, so I except when we get back to PC…we’ll crash.

Snack choices
I didn’t find as many snack choices for Epcot as I did Magic Kingdom. Does anyone have any other suggestions??? Here is what I got…from what my mom says we will be happy going here twice.
- Kringla Bakeri og Café, Norway, Epcot http://allears.net/menu/menu_k.htm (Kringla Sweet Pretzel $3.79, School Bread $2.49)

 

[Alarose]

No, really...readers welcomed

 

[princess22]

There is also a bakery in France which normally has pretty good stuff. Funnel Cakes are near the American Adventure. Oh, and in Japan they have amazing snow cones. I'm not sure if you can use a snack credit for them, but they are the best snow cones I have ever had!

 

[Alarose]

There is also a bakery in France which normally has pretty good stuff. Funnel Cakes are near the American Adventure. Oh, and in Japan they have amazing snow cones. I'm not sure if you can use a snack credit for them, but they are the best snow cones I have ever had!

Steve is a huge fan of Funnel Cakes. Thanks for the tip!

What is the bakery called? Probably hard ot miss...will just follow our noses lol