First Timer Adventure with Carl, Ellie, and Russell - November 2016

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Flights are booked

Hotel is booked

ADRs are finalized (hahahahaha! Good one!)


Let’s get ready for my first time at DISNEY!

When: Arriving around 11AM on 11/8/2016 and leaving around 6pm on 11/15

Where: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House – I rented DVC points to get a standard view room. I’m hoping to request a Kudu Trail room to get a partial savanna view. Fingers crossed.

How it came to be: I grew up the second youngest of 5 kids. We rarely went on vacation, and really couldn’t afford to do something extravagant like Disney. It’s always been my dream to go. When I got pregnant with my son, I made my husband agree that we would take him for his 5th birthday. Now it’s finally happening, and I couldn’t be more excited!


ARE YOU READY EXPLORERS?

LET'S GO!

 

[fallonkendra]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear all about your plans!

 

[ariane37]

Joining! I love hearing about plans for first trips, so exciting DH and I stayed in Jambo for the first time in January and fell in LOVE, it's beautiful. We're also going in November but later than you, we arrive the 19th and leave the 26th.
Looking forward to planning along with you!

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Joining! I love hearing about plans for first trips, so exciting DH and I stayed in Jambo for the first time in January and fell in LOVE, it's beautiful. We're also going in November but later than you, we arrive the 19th and leave the 26th.
Looking forward to planning along with you!

So great to hear about Jambo house! I love what I've seen about the resort, but was a little nervous about the transportation.

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Joining in! Can't wait to hear all about your plans!

Yay! Any tips for a first timer?

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Cast of Characters:

ME!! I'm Lindsay from Fort Worth, Texas, but you can call me Ellie. I just turned 30 this year. I'm a married mom of one who has always dreamed of going to Disney but has never been. I work as a lease analyst for an oil & gas company (snore). I love thrill rides, sushi, and a good margarita. I'm really outgoing, hyper, and more of a "go with the flow" type person. I'm also attempting to plan the trip. It's definitely outside of my normal comfort zone, but the planning is going really well thanks to DisBoards and my handy dandy spreadsheet. I'm really attempting to play it cool, but in my head I'm all like:

Favorite Disney Movie: Up (shocker, I know)

Favorite Park: Don't have one yet I'll find out in November

Favorite Character: Wait, I have to pick just one? Calcifer (Studio Ghibli still counts as Disney) ... or Mulan, I love Mulan!

Hobbies: I love sewing

Fun Fact: Although I've never set foot in a Disney theme park before, I HAVE eaten the wonderful treat known as the dole whip (Las Vegas Strip). Now I must find one in its natural habitat.



DH – Let’s just call him Carl. The name really fits. He’ll be turning 34 this year. He works as a senior benefits coordinator for a health insurance company (double snore). He has been to Disney once before (as a teenager with his mom and brother... I can actually see why this didn’t go well) and is less than thrilled to be going again. I discussed it previously here.

He’s a grump, but a loveable grump. He’s much more introverted than I am, and he’s a planner by nature. He loves German food, craft beers, and spending time with friends. He just doesn’t like theme parks because they encompass everything that he despises; he hates crowds, thrill rides, waiting in line, and “crappy, overpriced theme park food.” He actually loves Disney movies, just not the parks. I’m hoping to change that.

Favorite Disney Movie: Captain America
Favorite Park: Staying at home and watching football....
Favorite Character: Captain America
Hobbies: He plays a fun tabletop game called Kings of War. He’s also great at drawing and painting
Fun Fact: He is ridiculously photogenic... both boys are actually.




DS – I shall refer to him as “Russell.” It will be his birthday trip. He’s turning 5 on November 9. He has no idea that we are going. I still have to think of a fun way to tell him.

He is energetic, outgoing, and talkative, with a flair for the theatrics. He’s also a huge flirt. I’m betting that character meets will be hysterical with him. He loves any kind of aquatic creature, pirates, dinosaurs, and cars.

Favorite Disney Movie: Lilo and Stitch and Zootopia are the current movies on repeat
Favorite Character: Stitch (he even asked to be Elvis Stitch for Halloween this year)
Hobbies: Climbing on things, building things, making messes, and making noise
Fun Fact: He says if he can’t marry mommy, he would like to marry Belle


That's it for now. I'll have to post theme park plans and my ADRs some other time

 

[ariane37]

So great to hear about Jambo house! I love what I've seen about the resort, but was a little nervous about the transportation.

AKL gets a bad rap for transportation for some reason but we had no problems. We went to every park while we were there except, funnily enough, AK lol. Obviously it's not the closest park to MK but it still wasn't a ridiculously long ride. We've stayed at quite a few resorts; any one can have good/bad transportation depending on the time of year, day, etc. and every resort had a park it's farthest from. I'm glad you didn't let that keep you from booking there!

Also I love the picture you posted introducing your family

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Arrival Day

Tuesday, November 8 –

In addition to being Russell’s (and my) first time at Disney, this will also be his first time on an airplane. This is probably going to be just as exciting to him as Disney will be, if not more. The kid loves airplanes. Any tips on making it extra special for him? Tips on making it through the flight with a child?


We are flying Southwest, so I’m hoping to find a mini Southwest airplane toy to give to him. I got so excited that I already bought him a little "Skootcase."

I mean, how cute is this?!?!

I love it! I’m thinking about getting a Disney sticker for him to put on it. Maybe we can start a tradition and put a sticker on his suitcase for every place we travel to.


We arrive in Orlando around 11AM and will be taking the bus to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The rest of the day will be a chill day. We can leave our bags at the front desk and explore the resort a bit. Hit up Disney Springs later for dinner and possibly rent a watercraft. What other things are in Disney Springs to do? I just realized that I spent so much time focusing on what the parks and resorts have to offer, I failed to really look into Disney Springs.


We have one ADR at Raglan Road @ 5:30pm – Live band, dancing, and fried scallops… yes please! It sounds like an excellent and fun way to kick off the Disney vacation. The boys are going to love it! Now I just have to decide whether I will be getting Braised Be Beef or It’s Not Bleedin’ Chowder… not that I’ve looked at the menu or anything


Afterwards, we can possibly catch the resort movie. I’m just hoping to make this day easy, relaxing, and go with the flow because the park days will be a lot more structured. Hopefully we’ll get to bed early.


*On a side note – I just realized that this is Election Day. There’s a MVMCP going on that night, I bet it’ll be a fairly empty party.

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Also I love the picture you posted introducing your family

Awww, thanks

 

[dnllmz]

Following along. Hi!

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Following along. Hi!

Hey!!!! Welcome!

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Sorry it took a while to update. I was busy changing ADRs again (and again). Anyway, on with the show!


A Magical Birthday

Day 2 – Wednesday, November 9th

My baby will be turning 5 this day! Why do they have to grow up so fast? Forewarning, I’m probably going to be crying at least one point during the day, so I’ll need to pack plenty of tissues.

With the MVMCPs going on all week, and considering this is one of the few non-party days WITH extra magic hours in the evening, it should be the busiest day we are at the parks all week. But, it’ll be the first time at Disney and Russell’s birthday, so it’s almost like we have to go to Magic Kingdom that day. I definitely need a plan of attack for this one.

We don’t have any fastpasses yet; our selection day is September 9. I’ll probably try for 7dmt for sure.

I do have ADRs though.

Ohana @ 11:50 – This one I’m a little iffy on. On one hand, my son loves Stitch. LOVES STITCH! He’s asked me to make him a Stitch costume for Halloween, a Stitch winter coat (I sew!), keeps asking to write a letter to Stitch to invite him to our house, etc.. It’s also his 5th birthday. The atmosphere also seems amazing. But what hurts the place in my eyes is the food selection. My son is allergic to egg. He also hates bread, waffles included (gasp, I know). So the only things he’ll eat are meat, potatoes, and fruit (possibly, he hates pineapple too). So I don’t know… should we try it? He does love sausage, bacon, and potatoes, so I think we’ll be alright.

After breakfast/lunch we will probably head back to the resort for a nap. The boys need naps.

Cinderella’s Royal Table @ 8pm – Just so you all know, I’m totally dressing Russell up in a full on prince costume for this. I know he’ll love this one because he’s a huge flirt.

I gotta get this one in before he hits the “girls are yucky” stage. The time is the thing that worries me slightly. 8pm is right at the electric parade, and we would like to see it. We’d also be pushing it f we wanted to see the fireworks (at 9pm). I’m going to try to get earlier reservations if they open up, but I won’t hold my breath.

 

[crewsn]

Sounds like a wonderful trip so far.

I have two boys and we are just about to embark on our fourth trip. They will be 3 and 6 on our next trip in November. Don't regret one bit of it. Hopefully your husband will fall in love with it on this trip seeing it all through your son's eyes and have a completely different experience. On our first trip my husband wasn't really sold on it all, but agreed because I really wanted to go. Now here we are....

As for your CRT reservation, 8pm if your son can stay up that late and still be happy could be a great time and experience to see the fireworks from inside the castle. Request a window seat perhaps...

My son is absolutely in love with Cinderella so CRT was a must for us on our last trip to have that experience. That's the one meal they continue to talk about over and over. It was really special.

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Sounds like a wonderful trip so far.

I have two boys and we are just about to embark on our fourth trip. They will be 3 and 6 on our next trip in November. Don't regret one bit of it. Hopefully your husband will fall in love with it on this trip seeing it all through your son's eyes and have a completely different experience. On our first trip my husband wasn't really sold on it all, but agreed because I really wanted to go. Now here we are....

As for your CRT reservation, 8pm if your son can stay up that late and still be happy could be a great time and experience to see the fireworks from inside the castle. Request a window seat perhaps...

My son is absolutely in love with Cinderella so CRT was a must for us on our last trip to have that experience. That's the one meal they continue to talk about over and over. It was really special.

I'm glad to hear about your husband. I know that I have hope for mine

My son is a night owl, so 8pm is no big deal for him. We'd be staying up for the fireworks anyway.

But excellent idea about the window seats! Maybe we can wait for them and watch the electric parade from the steps of the castle while we wait.

And yall are going in November too? Are you making the trip to CRT again?

 

[dnllmz]

I'm traveling with my 6yo son & 3yo daughter (she'll be 4 when we go). My dh thinks I'm crazy with all my planning but I hope he appreciates everything when we go. Idk about your son but my dd is hit or miss with her eating. If your son is like that then I'd definitely keep the Ohana breakfast so he can meet Stitch since he likes him so much. We have reservations for CRT too. I can't wait!

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

I'm traveling with my 6yo son & 3yo daughter (she'll be 4 when we go). My dh thinks I'm crazy with all my planning but I hope he appreciates everything when we go. Idk about your son but my dd is hit or miss with her eating. If your son is like that then I'd definitely keep the Ohana breakfast so he can meet Stitch since he likes him so much. We have reservations for CRT too. I can't wait!

Will it be your first time going too, or are you a Disney veteran? and going to CRT!! YAY!! When is your trip? I'm sure your dh will appreciate everything once you're there. I know mine will; he's just being grumpy right now.

I think I will keep the Stitch reservation because it will be super cute! My ds is really consistent in what he hates... those things being bread, cheese, chocolate, and pineapple. I mean, how the heck is this MY son! How does one hate cheese?!?! Grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese are his personal nightmares. The single exception to the rule is pizza. Then add that to the fact that he's allergic to egg and milk (he's growing out of it, he can have it cooked into things, but can't have straight egg or straight milk... or ice cream... or yogurt) Other than that he will eat, or at least try, everything. His personal favorite items include sushi, curried chicken, sauerkraut, mushrooms, edamame, hummus, and French onion soup. He's just... weird.

 

[dnllmz]

If it makes you feel better my kids won't touch sushi or curried chicken. I finally got my dd to eat hummus. And my son now remembers that he does like sauerkraut. lol We're going December 10-18th. It will be my dd's first trip. We went previously while I was pregnant with her (I was sick a lot). My sister had her wedding there so it was a trip around that. I did no planning. We kinda just showed up when we felt like it and didn't really enjoy it. Plus my son was starting to go through the tantrum phrase. I wasn't really feeling it and neither was my dh. BUT this trip will be soooo much better. I really consider this to be our first Disney trip since we're a complete family and I don't think the other one should count.

My daughter always looks at the pic of me, dh, and ds in front of the castle and asks "Where's Brynn? Why aren't I at the castle." So we're finally taking her to the castle. She's been talking about the castle for at least a year. I can't wait to see her face when she sees it for the first time. I'm hoping CRT makes her trip. She's not big into rides so I think meeting princess or characters and maybe shows will be what she likes the most.

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

If it makes you feel better my kids won't touch sushi or curried chicken. I finally got my dd to eat hummus. And my son now remembers that he does like sauerkraut. lol We're going December 10-18th. It will be my dd's first trip. We went previously while I was pregnant with her (I was sick a lot). My sister had her wedding there so it was a trip around that. I did no planning. We kinda just showed up when we felt like it and didn't really enjoy it. Plus my son was starting to go through the tantrum phrase. I wasn't really feeling it and neither was my dh. BUT this trip will be soooo much better. I really consider this to be our first Disney trip since we're a complete family and I don't think the other one should count.

My daughter always looks at the pic of me, dh, and ds in front of the castle and asks "Where's Brynn? Why aren't I at the castle." So we're finally taking her to the castle. She's been talking about the castle for at least a year. I can't wait to see her face when she sees it for the first time. I'm hoping CRT makes her trip. She's not big into rides so I think meeting princess or characters and maybe shows will be what she likes the most.

You're right, first trip totally didn't count if you didn't get to plan it I bet your dd will have a blast at CRT!

 

[LINZ-MCKINZ]

Thursday, November 10 – Hollywood Studios

I think this is the park where I have the most clear direction of what I want to do. I will have to secure fastpasses for Midway Mania, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours. We will rope drop to the Jedi Training sign ups first, then go visit Woody and Buzz. Other to do things throughout the day are meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren, watch The Indiana Jones show, the Great Movie Ride, MuppetVision, visit Jake/Sophia/Doc McStuffins, possibly the Disney Jr show, possibly see Olaf, possibly Sorcerer Mickey, and possibly the Beauty and The Beast show. So basically, nearly everything.

My only ‘must do’ thing is the Indiana Jones Show. You better believe that I will be jumping up and down like a contestant on the Price is Right when they ask for volunteers.

*You may think that I’m exaggerating; I assure you that I am not* Let's face it, I will probably be like this the ENTIRE time I'm at Disney.

Russell’s must do items will probably consist of TSMM and hitting people on stage with plastic swords, also known as Jedi Training. Carl’s must do will probably be a martini flight, which brings us to the dining..


Hollywood Brown Derby Fantasmic! Package @ 12:15 – I initially chose HBD instead of the other options for Fantasmic! packages because of the short rib wellington that was offered as an entrée. For Valentine’s Day every year, DH and I always cook a beef wellington together. We love it! So I was really bummed about it being removed from the menu.

Although I hear you shouldn’t have your heart set on anything on Disney menus because they change so much. They took away the Jalapeno pretzel I wanted to try, they changed the CRT dinner menu the day after I changed my ADR (no more scallop app and gnocchi entrée, sad day indeed), and I’m sure other things will be changed to (Please don’t remove the eggs benedict from the 1900 Park Fare Breakfast).

Even though I’m sad about the wellys, I am looking forward to that Cobb salad and margarita flight. It’ll be a nice, relaxing albeit HUGE lunch.

--Sci Fi—I don’t have an ADR yet, but I’m waiting for them to extend the hours for November for the Star Wars Spectacular so that I can snag a post Fantasmic! dinner. After the big lunch, it might be nice to split some apps and have drinks here. Plus, Russell will love the cars.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Hi! Sounds like you are doing really well with your plans! I'm excited to hear more!

Disney Springs has a big Lego store, the World of Disney (huge Disney store), Once Upon a Toy, a Christmas store, Goofy's Candy Co, the World of Coke, to name a few. Also, you'll want to stop at the Marketplace Co-Op for yourself. It's awesome and has lots of Disney home items that are awesome!

Do you know about Special Diets at WDW? You let them know 30 days in advance what TS reservations you have, your allergies, and then ask for an allergy free menu for the QS locations. special.diets@disneyworld.com At the TS locations, let the CM know that you have special dietary needs and a chef will come out and let you know what you can have from the menu or make something for you. I know you said that he can have it cooked in stuff but just in case, you may want to shoot them an email.