First Time Experiencing the Magic! - Pre-Trip Report.

[LiquidSunshine]

Hi all.

As 2014 is the year I will finally be heading to WDW for the first time (and hopeful not the last!), I have decided to do my pre-trip report, hoping it will also help me plan!

I have wanted to stay at WDW for as long as I can remember. I experienced some of the Disney magic in 1996 (I think!) at DLP, but September is going to be a whole different type of magic!

Myself (Jemma) and my boyfriend (John) are travelling to WDW (both first timers) with Virgin Holidays for 2 weeks: 3rd September to 17th September.

The Night Before...

The night before departure, we will be flying over from Belfast to London Gatwick, making use of Virgin's Twilight Check-In, and then heading off for (hopefully) a good night's sleep before flying out of Gatwick the next morning to the Magic!

Day Zero

Once we have safely made it through Security, we have our passes paid and ready to enter Virgin Holidays V-Room, were we will try and calm ourselves down with some pre-flight breakfast.

We are booked to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter, which I am really looking forward too! I have always wanted to stay at POR for as long as I can remember!

We had originally booked to stay at CBR, which included the QSDDP, but changed a few months ago to POFQ because it was what I really wanted. I had to give up the QSDDP, but I was willing to make that compromise.

Hoping to have checked in by 6pm, my plan for the rest of the evening looks like this:

• Take the boat from POFQ to DTD at about 7pm.
• Have a look around, while trying not to spend all my money in one go!
• Head to Wolfgang Puck Express for something quick and light to eat.
• Head back to POFQ around 9pm or 10pm for an early night.

Day One

Our first full day at WDW is to head to MK early (with help from the jet lag getting us up early!). Thanks to Disney's website, I have been able to find out that this morning, MK will benefit from EMH and will open at 8am!

• Head for the MK bus from POFQ around 6.30am.
• Arrive at MK for rope drop, and spend our first ever WDW morning experiencing the opening cermony at 7.45am.
• Use the quieter time to walk along Main Street and taking in the sight of the castle.
• Head for some of the main attractions, including Space & Splash Mountains.
• Spend time at other attractions (plan to be finalised).
• Head back to the resort around 2pm for a rest.

And the rest...

I still have a lot of planning to do, which I will add to my PTR as I go along. The bulk of my plans will involve:

• Exploring the rest of WDW!
• Tickets booked for Universal, including VH's early access to WHP (which I am seriously looking forward to!)
• Visit to Kennedy Space Center
• Shopping!

First Trip Bucket List!

• Try a Dole Whip!
• Have some Funnel Cake!
• Have a Butter Beer!
• Party at MNSSHP (fingers crossed for my dates!)
• Enjoy Wishes at the Dessert Party!
• Get some pins!
• Dine at T-Rex!
• Have a Sand Pail from Happy Landings Ice Cream at Typhoon Lagoon!

A special thanks to all the kind folks over at the UK Trip Planning forum for all their hints, tips and ideas so far!

I can't wait to get stuck into the planning, and updating my PTR to share with you all. Any hints and tips for a couple of WDW newbies are welcome!

 

[Jmariab64]

POFQ is a great resort! Congratulations on your first trip and have a wonderful time!

 

[BudgieMama]

DH and I are making our first trip in August.

Following your PTR

 

[Tinks1984]

Sounds like a great plan of action so far

Looking forward to following along with your plans, you'll have an amazing time!

 

[LiquidSunshine]

POFQ is a great resort! Congratulations on your first trip and have a wonderful time!

Thank you! I am really looking forward to seeing POFQ, so glad I made the change from CBR.

DH and I are making our first trip in August.

Following your PTR

I was reading through your PTR (and followed) yesterday, BudgieMama. Then I decided to start writing mine!

Sounds like a great plan of action so far

Looking forward to following along with your plans, you'll have an amazing time!

Thank you! Hoping to start making use of Touring Plans to help make the most of our time.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Forgot to add something important to my Bucket List!

A Sand Pail from Happy Landings Ice Cream @ Typhoon Lagoon!

 

[ankersandrew]

Following with interest.

We fly the 28th September. But first ive got plenty of work to do including nearly a week in Belfast, a trip taking my mum to the Tattoo in Ed and even more work

 

[Rach78]

Your plans sound great and the first trip is so exciting! We went in October 2012 for our one off dream holiday and now we are going back in 10 days!
Just wanted to add that when MK has EMH I don't think they do the opening show. We got there for EMH one morning and they just opened the gates and in we went. Don't want you to be disappointed on your first morning when there is no show and you are expecting one. However this may have changed, perhaps someone else can confirm?

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Following with interest. We fly the 28th September. But first ive got plenty of work to do including nearly a week in Belfast, a trip taking my mum to the Tattoo in Ed and even more work

Would love to do the Tattoo in Ed!

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Your plans sound great and the first trip is so exciting! We went in October 2012 for our one off dream holiday and now we are going back in 10 days! Just wanted to add that when MK has EMH I don't think they do the opening show. We got there for EMH one morning and they just opened the gates and in we went. Don't want you to be disappointed on your first morning when there is no show and you are expecting one. However this may have changed, perhaps someone else can confirm?

Hi - yes, there seems to be some confusion about whether or not there is an opening show when MK has EMH. I can always catch it again on another morning.

Further to my original plan - thinking it would be best to change my ADR from breakfast to lunch on the first morning, so I can make full use of the EMH!

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Wow first time at Disney and you are this well planned! Thats awesome. We will also be there in Sept we are going the 7th to the 15th the crowds are supposed to be awesome! Good Luck with the planning and getting into the Dessert Party

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Wow first time at Disney and you are this well planned! Thats awesome. We will also be there in Sept we are going the 7th to the 15th the crowds are supposed to be awesome! Good Luck with the planning and getting into the Dessert Party

Hi!

Thanks, I have read so many posts about having some preparation done, which is what I am trying to do! :-D

Yes, that's why I went with Sept, less crowds!

Thanks, fingers crosses for the Dessert Party.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

143 Days to Go!

Since my original post, my ADRs are starting to take shape for the first few days, although I keep changing them about. So far:

Day 1 - Magic Kingdom:

The Plaza Restaurant - 12.25pm

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom:

Tusker House - 10.50am

Day 3 - Epcot

The Garden Grill - 4.00pm

Day 4 - Rest Day with some exploration of DTD:

T-Rex Cafe - 3.00pm

I am waiting for the September dates for the Wishes Dessert Party to open. This has been quite a long saga (as the dessert party is bookable 180 days out) but the finalising of MNSSHP dates have been holding it up.

Yesterday, the dates opened cool1 but as yet are still showing no availability sad!

On the plus side, I know have a good idea of when MNSSHP will be on, and I am now waiting for the tickets to go on sale! I am even trying to think of easy costumes for us!

Also on the to do list is buying tickets for Busch Gardens, including the Serengeti Tour (I want to feed a giraffe! )

 

[Tinks1984]

I'd look at booking the giraffe safari too - this can be done before arrival at Busch. I wanted to do this last time I went, but when we arrived at the park that morning, there weren't any slots left. Better to book if it's something you definitely want to do

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I'd look at booking the giraffe safari too - this can be done before arrival at Busch. I wanted to do this last time I went, but when we arrived at the park that morning, there weren't any slots left. Better to book if it's something you definitely want to do

Oh thanks I will have a look!

Good news on the Tomorrowland Wishes Dessert Party today, I managed to get a booking!

The only date during the 2 weeks we are there that was available is on the first full day we are there, but it is something thank I really want to do so I booked it. Will have to get a nap in beforehand!

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Another tick on my To-Do list completed today! Tickets for MNSSHP went on sale today and managed to get 2 for the 14th!

Remaining items on my To-Do list:

ESTA
Flights to Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport Hotel
Busch Gardens and KSC tickets
Holiday Insurance
(Possible) hire car for 3-4 days
New suitcase
Essentials (toiletries etc)

120 days to go!

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I have been thinking about the best way to tackle Universal Studios, and making best use of the early access to WWoHP.

So yesterday I booked a one night stay at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort. This is so we can also benefit from the Express Pass!!



115 days to go!

 

[ankersandrew]

I have been thinking about the best way to tackle Universal Studios, and making best use of the early access to WWoHP.

So yesterday I booked a one night stay at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort. This is so we can also benefit from the Express Pass!!



115 days to go!

ooooooooo now there's an idea. as you can use the express pass for 2 days, the day you book in and the day you book out, if im not mistaken?

 

[LiquidSunshine]

ooooooooo now there's an idea. as you can use the express pass for 2 days, the day you book in and the day you book out, if im not mistaken?

Yes! Are you visiting Universal Studios on your trip, ankersandrew?

The plan is to check in at RPR for 7am (early access to the park starts at 8am). The room won't be ready but we will get out room keys (needed to get for the CityWalk checkpoint) and print out our express passes.

Universal can text us the room number while we are in the park.

Bell services can hold our bags both on check in & out days.

The hotel cost £134 (includes 12% cash back through Quidco) for the 2 of us for one night. So at £67 each, which includes the unlimited express passes, I think it is worth it.

The only thing is I have been told getting a cab from POFQ to RPR is the best. Have priced this through Mears taxi and it will be roughly $35.

 

[ankersandrew]

Yes! Are you visiting Universal Studios on your trip, ankersandrew?

The plan is to check in at RPR for 7am (early access to the park starts at 8am). The room won't be ready but we will get out room keys (needed to get for the CityWalk checkpoint) and print out our express passes.

Universal can text us the room number while we are in the park.

Bell services can hold our bags both on check in & out days.

The hotel cost £134 (includes 12% cash back through Quidco) for the 2 of us for one night. So at £67 each, which includes the unlimited express passes, I think it is worth it.

The only thing is I have been told getting a cab from POFQ to RPR is the best. Have priced this through Mears taxi and it will be roughly $35.

A-MAZ-ING

this seems even more of a great idea, ive booked the 2 day 2 park bonus ticket thing, through another company and was looking to break my stay up at Disney and this sooooo look like its the best way to do it.

Never used Quidco so im going there now to take a look at it

Cheers x