First Trip to Disney in 8 Years! Any Advice?

[AbsurdApple]

So, back in January, actually, on January 17th (my dad's birthday), I surprised my mom with the idea of going to Florida in May....weird, I know. My dad's birthday and I ask my mom to go on a trip. If it helps at all, my dad has severe back problems and has no interest in going.

So this was my proposal to my mom: I would pay for the trip (I am a 21 year old waitress in college....but I make some pretty good money) as long as she would come. The original plan was to drive down, but she decided to use to mileage to get plane tickets. And after my 26 year old sister found out we were going, she threw a fit about how she wasn't invited. Mind you, this is a woman who in a few months will be 27, and she lives about 2 hours away. My mom had to explain that I was paying for it, so therefor, it wasn't technically a family vacation. However, my sister has somehow now managed to tack herself onto our trip. Am I pleased? No. But...whatever. So after several arguments later, we finally have some organized idea of what we are doing. So....here is the schedule.

May 6th
- Arrive in Orlando at 9am.
- Check into the Royal Pacific Hotel at Universal (for front of the line access)
- Head over to IOA
- Spend as much time as possible in Harry Potter before the park closes.
- Park Closes at 5pm for GRADBASH
May 7th
- Get up super early and go wait in line for IOA. (Hotel guests get in an hour early)
- Stalk Harry Potter again, start with FB, and ride as many times as possible
- Park closes at 5pm for GRADBASH (FML)
- Dinner and possible a drinkfest with my sister.
May 8th (Mothers Day)
- Surprise my mother with brunch at the Hard Rock (hope she doesn't see this)
- Spend the rest of the day at US.
- Park closes at 7pm
- Head back to the hotel, get packed, cause we're going to Disney!!!
May 9th
- Wake up around 5am, check out.
- Head over the the All-Star Music Resort, Check in.
- Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare.
- Magic Kingdom (they have extended hours till 2am that night!)
- Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern
- MSEP and Wishes, followed by dinner at Crystal Palace.
- 2am, head back to hotel
May 10th
- Sleep in a little bit, cause of the night before
- Head over to Animal Kingdom
- No reservations here.
- Park closes at 6pm
- Get changed and head over to Captain's Grille for dinner.
- SLEEEEEPPPPPP!!!!!!
May 11th
- Wake up early
- Breakfast at Cape May Cafe
- Walk over to Epcot
- Explore Future World, then lunch at the San Angel Inn
- Explore the World, then dinner at Les Chefs de France
- Watch Illuminations, then time for bed!
May 12th
- Wake up, head over to HS
- Lunch at Mama Melrose's
- Exploring, then dinner at the Prime Time Cafe (my favorite place!)
- Fantasmic!
- Time for bed, flight early in the morning
May 13th
- Get up around 5am....
- Head home


So that's the itinerary...and only a month to go!....well, 29 days!

But here's some problems we have run into...
1. We were originally going to stay at Disney May 6th through the 9th, but found out about their GradNite, and decided to not risk jail.
2. We switched our reservations to Universal for the weekend only to find out that they are having their GradBash!!!
3. My sister forced herself onto a vacation that didn't include her. Thank god she is paying for own stuff....but she had Ireland with mom...come on now.
4. We accidentally canceled a reservation for Chef Mickeys...never getting that back.


Other than that, I am so excited....so...if anyone has any tips or advice?! And I'll try to keep updated, before and after the trip.

 

[AbsurdApple]