Free Dining + Wedding Planning = We're In!! PTR - UPDATED 8/26: Trip Report Started!

[twenty3curls]

Greetings all! This is my first PTR...I started my wedding planning journal earlier this year, so I thought I'd take a stab at a PTR, too!

My DF and I are making a somewhat brief trip to the World in August for some free dining, to keep our 2-trips a year habit alive, and to check out some wedding-related stuff.

I was able to make my ADRs on Monday morning, so I thought now would be a good time to get this thing started!

We live in the Detroit area, but we're big fans of road trips, so we'll be driving down (for the 4th time in less than 2 years!) We plan to leave Saturday, August 15th in the late afternoon, early evening. It's about an 18 hour drive. It could be quicker, but Georgia always screws us with bad weather, traffic, construction or something...every.single.trip!! (n'offense to any Georgia residents...it just takes forever to drive through your state!) We will get there in mid-afternoon on Sunday, which should work out perfectly. I made an ADR for Sunday night, but we should have enough time to shower, nap and recover from the drive before we eat. MK is having evening EMH that night, so we plan to head over after dinner. MK at night is our favorite!

So here are the ADRs:

Sunday, Aug. 16 - California Grill 7:45 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 17 - Yachtsman Steakhouse 6:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 - Le Cellier 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 - Ohana 8:55 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 21 - Whispering Canyon Cafe 7:20 p.m. (Just added because we've lengthened our trip!!)

We're staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time, so I'm very excited about that! Plus, it will work out well with our Ohana and Cali Grill reservations, since we can use the boat to Contemporary (and then monorail to the Poly).

Well, that's it for now. I'm trying not to over-plan the trip since that annoys my DF, but I will be secretly guiding our decisions on which park, which day based on EMH and dinner reservations. heehee

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Hi! I am wanting to go to Cali Grill for our 10th anniversary dinner in October, so please make a TR when you get back and tell us how you liked it!

 

[twenty3curls]

Hi! I am wanting to go to Cali Grill for our 10th anniversary dinner in October, so please make a TR when you get back and tell us how you liked it!

Definitely going to try to a TR and an informal dining report, although it will probably be included in my TR. Everyone's TRs have been so helpful, I want to return the favor!

 

[twenty3curls]

So I guess I'll provide a little background for everyone, since this is my first PTR. And, if you don't read the Wedding boards you probably don't know who I am!

So this trip is going to be just me and DF, Jeff...ha, it rhymes! My screen name may be twenty3curls (aka Emily), but in the hot Florida summer, it's way bigger than that! (Which is why my TR will probably feature a lot of pictures with me in a ponytail!)

This will our 4th trip to the World together (my 6th overall). DF and I went for the first time on a lark for NYE 07/08. We decided on about December 18th to make the trip...very last minute. I didn't make any ADRs, we stayed off-site and had few plans. It was one of the best trips ever! Maybe because we'd only been dating 2 months when we went (and I was a little nervous how'd it all work out)...maybe it was the spontaneity. I don't know...but it was an awesome trip. We didn't get to do all the thrill rides because of crowds and our own time constraints (we were only in Orlando for 2 1/2 days). But, we hustled from one park to the next, saw all 4 parks and Sea World and we had a blast. So as a couple, we became addicted. It's our spot! And now, we're getting married there next March (fingers crossed we get our date!) We're using wedding planning as an excuse to justify this trip. Plus, free dining! Our goal, in addition to having tons of fun in the parks, is to eat at a couple restaurants that are potential post-wedding venues and check out the location for our ceremony (Sea Breeze Point on the Boardwalk).

Here is a picture of Jeff and I in EPCOT last June.

I'm hiding the buckets of sweat on my body well!!

I'll admit, summer isn't my favorite time to visit. (I vowed never again after last June). But, both Jeff and I are in school and our wedding is next March. We're paying for our wedding, so we couldn't afford to go closer to our wedding date and still pay for the wedding...and we've got school in the fall. So July or August it is! I figured they're both equally hot, so why not wait until August and take advantage of free dining and lighter crowds, since the south will be back in school.

I'm working on a tentative itinerary, so I'll try to post that soon. We're definitely big "rest in the afternoon" people, so we'll probably be getting up early, leaving by lunch time, napping/pooling/hosing off sweat in the afternoon, dining and parking some in the evening.

More later!

 

[Raecheal]

I"m in...

I just seen your PTR, Your ADR look great!!

 

[twenty3curls]

I"m in...

I just seen your PTR, Your ADR look great!!

Thanks! I just jumped over to your PTR...excited to see your plans!

 

[reyasmommy]

I'm in too! Can't wait to read more!

I was also a Disney Bride My husband and I celebrate our 8 year anniversary on June 14th.

It was soooooo hot, especially wearing a wedding gown.

Best of luck with your wedding planning.

 

[twenty3curls]

I'm in too! Can't wait to read more!

I was also a Disney Bride My husband and I celebrate our 8 year anniversary on June 14th.

It was soooooo hot, especially wearing a wedding gown.

Best of luck with your wedding planning.

Yay Disney brides! I'm so excited for my wedding, and so happy we chose to do it at Disney. If you don't mind me asking, where did you have your ceremony?

I'm hoping it won't be miserable in March because, let's not lie, I tend to sweat.. especially little beads on my nose at the mere suggestion of warmth! I don't want to be a shiny bride!! Plus, I plan to do a pretty simple dress without too many of the traditional weight and layers. Since we're going to be next to the water, I'm thinking I'll try to something simple and beachy.

Glad to have you reading!

 

[reyasmommy]

Yay Disney brides! I'm so excited for my wedding, and so happy we chose to do it at Disney. If you don't mind me asking, where did you have your ceremony?

I'm hoping it won't be miserable in March because, let's not lie, I tend to sweat.. especially little beads on my nose at the mere suggestion of warmth! I don't want to be a shiny bride!! Plus, I plan to do a pretty simple dress without too many of the traditional weight and layers. Since we're going to be next to the water, I'm thinking I'll try to something simple and beachy.

Glad to have you reading!

We had it at Sunset Pointe, which is at the POLY. We had an intimate wedding. Are you going to have a small or big wedding? What about doing it at the chapel? "IF" my husband will allow I'd like to do a vow renewal for our 10th anniversary there.

What are your dates?

 

[DreaGirl]

I just found your TR through a link on another thread. You and your DH seem like such a fun couple.

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your plans.

 

[Raecheal]

Thanks! I just jumped over to your PTR...excited to see your plans!

You should leave a post on my PTR...


Where you been lately? Do you have an itinerary to post yet?

 

[twenty3curls]

I haven't posted in awhile, mostly because I had no real updates and I haven't had the time to sit down and pencil out an itinerary. One of my closest friends got married on Friday and I was a bridesmaid, so that has taken up many of my weeknights for the last few weeks as we tried to get everything finished.

But, I have an exciting update...maybe

A couple of days ago, I joking told my DF that we should add a couple of days onto our trip. He rolled his eyes and said, "Oh god, here we go again... Why should we add days?" Now DF loves Disney, but hates my obsessive planning, plus he worries about cost. So I said, I was just sort of kidding around, but I that I was a little worried about being rushed. We are both very much in favor of parking in the morning and pooling/napping in the afternoon because of the heat. And we love the parks at night. But the parks aren't going to be open as late as they were when we went last June and I'm concerned we'll be very rushed trying to fit in everything in 3 mornings and 4 evenings. If everything went to plan, we could do it...we're efficient! But, if there's a long line for one of our favorites or something's temporarily down, we might not have a chance to get back to it with our current schedule. I just thought adding a day or two would let us relax a bit (or let ME relax a bit!) He didn't say much and I knew he probably wouldn't be on board, but then last night he came home from work and were just lying around talking and he said, "so how many days were you thinking of adding?" And he totally seemed up for a real discussion about it! Actually, he sounded like it was going to happen and we just needed to firm up logistics, like whether he had to take off more shifts at the bar. I'd be happy with even just one more full day, but he seems up to talking about two!

In a fit of excitement and anticipation, I booked two more ADRs online this morning, in case he says yes!

Right now we're scheduled to arrive Sunday afternoon and leave Thursday afternoon. If we add one day, we leave Friday afternoon and two, we leave Saturday.

Soooo.... I added a Thursday and Friday dinner...just to be safe...because it's free dining and all...don't want things to book up!

Thursday - Coral Reef 8:35 pm (and EPCOT is having PM EMH that night, so when we come out it will be EMH)

Friday - Whispering Canyon Cafe 7:40 - this would be our last night and we are staying at Wilderness Lodge, so I thought it might be fun and relaxing to end at the hotel. MK is having PM EMH that night, so if we want to hop on the boat after dinner we can go hang out at MK for a bit.

I'm so pumped. I had to stop thinking about Disney planning for awhile because I was getting so excited and it was so far away, but now we're exactly 8 weeks away and we might add days....new life has been pumped into my planning!!!

Have to go work on a final project for my children's reading class, but I hope to start the itinerary later today...as a schoolwork break

 

[twenty3curls]

So, I'm at work and I am totally avoiding my to-do list today...so I thought it'd be the perfect time to start working on my itinerary!

I started constructing my handy little spreadsheet early today (I really am trying to avoid work today!) and I think I've got everything plugged in.

We're planning to leave Saturday, August 15th in the evening. The drive is about 18 hours, so we should get to Disney World on Sunday mid-afternoon...at least that's the goal!

So here we go...

Sunday, August 16
I made our ADR for California Grill at 7:45, so that should give us some time to shower, nap and recover from the long road trip. I'm hoping we even have some time to chill at the pool for a bit.

After dinner, we plan to head over to the Magic Kingdom for EMH. DF LOVES the parks at night. I think he wishes all of the parks were open until 2 a.m. I'd never be able to drag him there during the day. But, in August I'm in agreement...take advantage of the evening hours...when the sun is DOWN!

Monday, August 17
I'm having some trouble with plans for this day. In theory, I'd like to get up and take advantage of the morning EMH at DHS. I've never done Toy Story Mania and I'd really like to try it once, but we're totally unwilling to stand in line for an hour. BUT...we're mostly likely going to close down MK the night before and I know us...we're not going to want to get to DHS at 8, if we leave MK at 1 a.m. the night before. So, I'm thinking this may be our EPCOT day. If so, I'd still like to be there at rope drop, so we don't waste too much time. As for all days, our plan is to go hard all morning through lunch, then head back to WL for some pool time in the afternoon. EPCOT has my favorite counter service lunch... a ham and cheese croissant from France...and whatever delightful pastry I'm in the mood for that day. So we'll definitely be doing lunch in the park before we leave.

We have a 6:05 reservation at Yachtsman Steakhouse Monday evening, so we we'll be heading back out for that. I figure we'll be done pretty early, so we can head back over to MK for a couple of hours or maybe watch Illuminations, since we'll be close by.


Okay...going to leave the office. More from home.
CONT......

 

[twenty3curls]

Picking up where we left off....

I should probably point out that I'm creating this itinerary based on our original # of days. I may tweak it if we do add more days, but I want to make sure we have a plan to get everything covered if we do go with our original plan.

Tuesday, August 18
This is going to be our AK day. Much to DF's dismay, I'm going to insist we get there for RD. I really like the AK rope drop and I think it's especially important to get to AK early. Between the Safari and EE, there are a couple of attractions (that aren't that close together) that we want to do. Plus, it gets so hot at AK. Definitely an incentive to get as much done before it gets unbearable. But, I guess if it gets really bad we can always end our time at AK with Kali River Rapids!

Now here's my question to you... Do you think I'd be better off doing DHS this day (instead of AK)? The reason I ask is that DHS has morning EMH the day before...so in theory, lots of people did DHS the day before and won't be doing it on Tuesday. Am I overthinking this?!

Well, whatever I decide to do, we have an 8:30 reservation at Le Cellier. This will be our first time here and I am super excited. I've heard so many great things and I can't wait to try to the chedder soup!

EPCOT is having evening PM this night, so we'll definitely stay at EPCOT after dinner to enjoy another late evening in the parks. I'm hoping at some point during the EMH, if we stay long enough, that there will be a short/no line for Soarin'. I really like Soarin' but we had a bad experience last year that pretty much guarentees DF won't go on it unless there's no wait. On our trip last summer, I told him I wanted to go on to because I remember it being really really cool. So we hop in line. Sign says 50 minutes stand-by and DF is less than enthused but he's willing to do if it's as cool as I say it is... Well, we ended up having to wait close to 90 minutes...and he found Soarin' to be okay at best. Needless to say, he's not in a rush to do it again. So, I'm hoping close to midnight, we'll be able to jump on.

Here's a picture of DF and I at Epcot on January 1st, 2008. I like to call this our glamor shot.

CONT....

 

[jagmom]

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[twenty3curls]

Can't wait to hear more!

Glad to have you onboard, jagmom!

 

[twenty3curls]

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a little shopping!

Normally I wear running shoes at the park because we walk fast and I just don't want any blisters or sore feet because I was trying to look cute. But, it's going to be August...and I hate hot feet! Plus, I really don't want some ridiculous tan line around my ankles...I have a wedding to attend 2 weeks after we get back.

So, I've been on the look out for cushioned, sturdy, but comfortable flip flops... I have a pair of Merrells that I really like and think will be great, but I want a couple of options. I was checking out the Croc's web site earlier and found these delightful options.

Thinking I'm going to get both pairs... Plenty of comfy options for the footsies!

Okay we can resume the intinerary.

CONT....

 

[twenty3curls]

I have a spare piece of white poster board left over from an event I recently worked and I want to make it into a Disney countdown calendar. Does that make me a 6-year-old?

 

[twenty3curls]

Man...all this planning is making me so anxious to go. I can hardly sit still at work and I still have 52 days left!! I just have to keep telling myself, every hour work pays for more fun at Disney!

So moving on....

Wednesday, August 20
I tentatively have this scheduled as a Hollywood Studios day. (Although that may change if I decide to do DHS on Tuesday morning. If that happens we'll get up early for morning EMH at Animal Kingdom...DF will be SO pleased)

So, assuming this is a Hollywood Studios day, I'm going to try to get FP for Toy Story Mania first thing. We haven't been on it, and I sort of suspect it's a little overrated, but I need to judge for myself, once and for all! After grabbing FPs for TSM, I'd like to head over and do ToT and RnRC. DF won't do either of these...something about certain male anatomy ending up in his chest. I shouldn't laugh, I do want kids someday. lol. The first time we did DHS together, I may have thrown a minor hissy fit when he told me he wouldn't go on either ride. I didn't want to go by myself, so I thought I could coerce him into going. My mom is the biggest ride wimp in the WORLD. Yes, the entire world. And, I talked her into going onto both. Alas, no luck with DF. But, I did realize I loved the single rider line...on a day when the line for RnRC was close to an hour, I waited 10 minutes tops. It was great!

Anyway, I figure we should knock out the rides DF doesn't care about first. There is a bunch at DHS that we haven't tried. We were cranky and incredibly hot last summer when we went, so we skipped a bunch. I'd like to make it a point to do those things this time around. So here's my little DHS list:
-Magic of Disney Animation (we walked around last time, but didn't do the actual class)
-Backlot Tour
-Sounds Dangerous
-Voyage of the Little Mermaid
-Beauty and the Beast

Again, we plan to leave in the early afternoon and head back to the hotel for some swimming and napping. We have a pretty late ADR this night, so I don't think I'll be in quite the rush to get back the room for a nap, since I know we'll have plenty of time.

Our ADR is at 'Ohana at 8:55. I think we'll probably end up going to MK for a and hour or two and then head over to Poly around 8:30. I'm hoping we're seated close to a window so we can see Wishes, or even better, we finish and can go watch from the beach.

Now this is supposed to be our last night in Disney...

BUT IT'S NOT!!!

Last night, DF and I sat down and discussed it and he decided it'd be too much fun to pass up. We are making some concession on our extra days, though. We could stay at WL, there is availability, but we can't justify shelling out another 500 bucks for just the room, since this was supposed to be a shorter(and cheaper) trip while we save for the wedding and disneymoon. I checked the values and mods, but they're all booked up because of free dining. So we're going to move off-site for the last two nights. Aside from losing our EMH privileges, I'm not too bummed. I'm super excited to say at WL, but the off-site hotel we use is wonderful...and cheap! We're staying Thursday and Friday night at the Buena Vista Suites. The hotel is only about 2 miles from the main gate and it's a direct shot, so driving is easy. And all of the rooms are 1BR suites with flat-screen TVs, recently remodeled....with the most comfortable beds! Best part...$75/night. Can't beat it!

We'll still get to take advantage of the EMH hours on Thursday because that's our check-out day. So, really we're only giving up Friday night at the MK.

Okay...going to head home now, since the boss is already gone!

CONT....

 

[Raecheal]

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a little shopping!

Normally I wear running shoes at the park because we walk fast and I just don't want any blisters or sore feet because I was trying to look cute. But, it's going to be August...and I hate hot feet! Plus, I really don't want some ridiculous tan line around my ankles...I have a wedding to attend 2 weeks after we get back.

So, I've been on the look out for cushioned, sturdy, but comfortable flip flops... I have a pair of Merrells that I really like and think will be great, but I want a couple of options. I was checking out the Croc's web site earlier and found these delightful options.

Thinking I'm going to get both pairs... Plenty of comfy options for the footsies!

Okay we can resume the intinerary.

CONT....

I completely understand where your coming from... we walk fast in the parks too. Really fast...

Ohhh but I purchased the first pair for our last trip, exact same ones except mine were gray and white. I didn't wear them beforehand and believe it or not.. they HURT like crazy, I had major blisters and it was just awful. I"m so glad I brought my old 5 dollar walmart sandals because there was NO way i was lasting 7 days in those.

I have a spare piece of white poster board left over from an event I recently worked and I want to make it into a Disney countdown calendar. Does that make me a 6-year-old?

NO

I always make a countdown!! It hads to the fun!!