first timers - pre trip report!

[Welsh_couple]

Hey.. this is my rough plan for the holiday.. let me know what you think?

Cast
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Me (Jason) 23 - first timer to Disney
My GF (Beth)23 - Also first timer

Where we a are staying: wdw Dolphin
How long: 16 Nights
ADR's:
- breakfast day 1 (21st june)- New med in the hotel
- breakfast day 3 (23rd June) - Crystal palace
- Dinner day 3 - (23rd June) - Artist point (wilderness lodge)
- Dinner Day 7 - (27th June) - Californian Grill

Excursions:
- Disney 21 day ultimate ticket
- Carriage ride from the wilderness lodge (day 3 after the meal during fireworks - will be proposing to beth on the carriage ride )
- Universal / IOA- 3 day tickets (25 and 26th June)
- Discovery cove - 29th june
- 14 days tickets for busch gardens, seaworld and aquatica

so as you can see plenty to fit in.. so here is my rough guide, not that we will be strict to it.. prob just plan each day as it comes

June 20th - The Journey
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1.55 am national express bus collects us to get us to Gatwick at 6:55

11:15am flight VS027 will leave Gatwick and arrive in orlando at 3:25 pm (8:25pm our time)

when we get to hotel prob take a walk down to boardwalk, get some food who knows, its our first time there... what would you recommend?

June 21st - Day 1
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Are plans are to head to Epcot, spend most of the day there and have some food at a CS!


June 22st - Day 2
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hmmm, this day we might head to MGM as we can walk here from the hotel as well... two nice easy days with no transport!

June 23st - Day 3
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the big day for me start off with breakfast in CP at 8:05, spend the day in MK and head back to hotel for about 5! get changed etc.. Got to be at wilderness lodge at 7:40 for the meal. . 10 pm carriage ride

June 24st - Day 4
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Head to animal kingdom or maybe a water park, depends how energetic we are feeling after the late night!

June 25st - Day 5
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Universal studios.. tickets booked and express passes

June 26st - Day 6
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Island of adventure - Tickets booked and express passes

June 27st - Day 7
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Animal kingdom or water park... depending where we went on day 4 - meal in Californian grill at 5:50

June 28st - Day 8
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Back to Epcot to catch up on what we missed out

June 29st - Day 9
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Discovery cove today.. and swim with the dolphins YAYE!

June 30th - Day 10
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Magic Kingdom all day

July 1st - Day 11
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Busch Garden

July 2nd - Day 12
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Sea World

July 3rd - Day 13
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MGM Studios

July 4th - Day 14
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Not sure - maybe epcot or MK in the evening for fireworks! might spend this day relaxong around the grotto pool at hotel


July 5th - Day 15
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Last full day..... this day is open to things we missed.. want to catch up on

July 6th - Day 16
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our flight doesn’t leave until 8pm... so will spend day around dtd.. maybe walk to epcot mgm depends how we feel


July 7th - Day 17
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We arrive back to Gatwick at 9am... ready for the 4 hour coach ride home!


So this is the rough guide... let me know what you think, are we pushing to much in?

 

[irongirlof12]

well.... if I were Beth I would say yes! How romantic I think your plans are fab and if you start out like this and continue you will be happily married forever. Pleasssseeee do a trip report when you return.

you might want more time at epcot as this is the most 'grown up' park. but you are close by and can hop over for evenings etc.

 

[macca77]

congrats and coming from another male who is getting married at disney next year, i know how nerve racking it is doing the proposing but im sure it will be all ok.
Your plans seem fine, my only thing is you may want a couple of rest days in there as it is so tiring at the parks walking all day and the heat really is draining.

Also though i hate to admit it the shopping in orlando is superb and you really should look into going the premium outlets or the florida mall, bargains to be had.

International drive some very good restaurants if your driving or you can get a bus here, not to far from universal.

Also if you get the chance and energy try the nightlife i.e downtown disney or and city walk, some good clubs and bars there to enjoy.

Gl you will love it in florida and will book im sure as soon as your back.

Any questions you have just ask on here or pm, many great people on here that will help you with anything you need.

 

[jen_uk]

You are very romantic! Sounds like a great plan, I would also plan to have either lunch or dinner at Crystal Palace, plus as you are so close to Epcot and the Boardwalk I would plan to spend more time there. You will have a great trip, bet you book again as soon as you get back!

 

[mandymouse]

Oh how romantic. Your plans sound great, and I hope you have a great trip

 

[tony64]

Sounds good to me mate

 

[Boss Hogg]

when we get to hotel prob take a walk down to boardwalk, get some food who knows, its our first time there... what would you recommend?

Depends what sort of stuff you like. Personally, I really like ESPN bar at Boardwalk - relaxed food and US sports all over the place. Also, the Crew's Cup Lounge at Yacht Club is nice. I guess that there is a pretty nice bar in the Dolphin though too. Our preferred activity for the first night is to find a nice bar, order a cold beer and a burger and relax our way into the holiday - may be an idea as you're setting sail at 1.55am

I'd also think about doing Jellyrolls as you're at the Dolphin. Can be a good night, but only if you like music and drink. What am I saying, EVERYONE like music and drink

I also really like the Adventurer's Club at DTD, but as you are at Dolphin it would mean buses and taxi's to get to and from, so depends how you feel about that.

Whatever, I'm sure you'll have a blast

 

[lisaj]

Fantastic pre-trip report, looking forward to the trip report later in the year. Who said romance was dead? Hope you have a magical trip.

 

[Booknut]

Oh she's going to just love you, that is so romantic!

Your itinerary seems good, a wee bit packed but its good to have things planned for each day, even if you don't make it the intention was there

If you have a car I would personally skip the plans on day 4 (you'll have a lie in then anyway ) and head for the beach - Anna Maria Island is a beautiful beach, not too busy, less than 2 hours from Orlando and very romantic too!

 

[SusanEllen]

Proposal on the carriage ride--you're sure to get the right answer.

You've got such a good plan, how can it be anything but fun? You've obviously done your homework, but since you're asking for suggestions, here are mine: Find out what time the Electrical Water Pageant is scheduled the night you're at the Wilderness Lodge. In June it ought to be moving from resort to resort just about the time you're finishing dinner and on your way to the carriages. There's great viewing anywhere along the WL beach. And though it's just about the oldest thing at WDW (in continuous use since the earliest days), it's charming and 100% Disney.

About eating on the Boardwalk--Spoodles is on my favorites list--I love their tapas. The Flying Fish is a little pricey--and a little noisy for fine dining--but has great seafood and excellent steak. I vote with Matt about Jellyrolls. Of course, maybe I find it so much fun because Matt's always there when I am!

One more thing, you're absolutely right about being able to walk to the Studios, but consider taking a boat. There are some captains on that run who have ducks that follow them, fly onto the boats, do the closest thing to tricks that wild ducks can do, and are a real entertainment. I made many trips to WDW before I stumbled onto that little treat. And that's really my best advice to two first timers--watch out for the unexpected. Don't be so wrapped up with doing everything on your list that you fail to look at what's between the attractions and rides. That's where Disney shines. No one else takes such care with their environments. I'm sure you'll enjoy Universal, SeaWorld, Busch and the other places you're going, but I'll bet you'll be able to sense right away the difference between Disney and all the others.
Have a great time, then come back and tell us all about it.

 

[jjk]

very romantic,what a great trip you have planned.Cant wait to read all about it

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Very nice,sounds fab

 

[natalielongstaff]

OOh how lovely, i can't wait to hear more when you get back

 

[Chilly]

That sounds a very romantic proposal, let us know what happens!

 

[carolfoy]

And that's really my best advice to two first timers--watch out for the unexpected. Don't be so wrapped up with doing everything on your list that you fail to look at what's between the attractions and rides. That's where Disney shines. No one else takes such care with their environments. I'm sure you'll enjoy Universal, SeaWorld, Busch and the other places you're going, but I'll bet you'll be able to sense right away the difference between Disney and all the others.
Have a great time, then come back and tell us all about it.

perfect advice! don't miss the magic by being too caught up in your 'must dos'

 

[florida sun]

Aww this sound so romantic, have a wonderful time.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Sounds perfect,beautiful what more can i say,what a romatic you are she's a lucky girl.It does sound like you have loads packed in,just take your time+if you do miss out something-no worries,i'm sure you will be going back again once you get the bug.x.

 

[mark&sue]

So pleased for you both as you are going to have the bestest time.

Can't wait to hear how it all goes so you must come back and let us all know.



Susan

 

[arieljasmine]

It sounds as though you have a magical trip planned, Jason

Best of luck with your proposal.

I wouldn't recommend planning anything for your first night, just go with the flow - on our first visit I was so overwhelmed with everything it was all that I could do to force down a hotdog from the hotel food court!

Laur's

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I wouldn't recommend planning anything for your first night, just go with the flow - on our first visit I was so overwhelmed with everything it was all that I could do to force down a hotdog from the hotel food court!

Laur's

Exactly, just enjoy the hotel and try rest for a while!

Have a great time, you're going to love it!