Friends seeking travel friends thread!

[tararoo]

Oh I would love to join this thread! I am waiting on a 50 pt DVC resale contract to close, so I'll probably go every other year. My husband is into disney but does not feel the need to go that often, so there will most likely be some solo trips (or trips with my one single friend) after our spring 2016 (tentitive) trip together. I have traveled solo to disney on a business trip and really enjoyed myself in the parks on my own (and solo to to London and music festivals all over the country when I was single), but it's also nice to meet up with people during the day.

Name: Tara

Age/Kids/Job: 34, no kids (except for 2 furry ones: a dog and cat), project manager at a software company

Location: Connecticut

Where/When I want to go: WDW, would live to try Disneyland too, have never been. We stayed two hotels down from Aluani on our honeymoon and did visit there for massages, would love to go back there in a few years and stay at Aluani.

What is your travel style (slow, moderate, fast paced): Moderate... I like to try to see everything, but I also like downtime by the pool. I'm used to 5 day trips max, I'm hoping with DVC I'll be able to go longer and slow down and enjoy it more.

What are you trip finances like (budget, moderate, luxury): As a kid I always stayed at Polynesian with my family, until it got super expensive, so I really LOVE being at a monorail hotel. The last few times I went I stayed at Coronado (moderate) due to cost. Now plan plan on staying at DVC properties only, may jump from hotel to hotel on a trip to try some deluxe ones I have never stayed at.

Planned or laid back trip: I usually plan my dinner meals/ADRs for table service restaurants I like, and by default what park/area I'll be in that day, but otherwise I'm pretty flexible.

Morning or night person: I'm normally a night person - love the late night park hours - but I can get up early for Disney if I have to

Favorite parks: All of them! But if I have to pick one, I guess Magic Kingdom, with Epcot close behind. (Ok, so I can't really pick one!)

Are you a leader or a follower (i.e. okay with someone else planning and you just tag along or vice verse): I'm definitely the travel leader/planner with my husband, but I collaborate when traveling with friends.

Rate these in importance (1 most important, 6 least important); Rides, food, tours, character experiences, shopping, down time:
1. Rides
2. Food
3. Downtime
4. Shopping
5. Characters
6. Tours

What time of year do you most like to travel: I usually avoid the crowded summer months, I prefer spring or fall (and once in a while seeing all the Christmas decorations is nice too).

 

[bamacmac]

I could probably move Sunday's tea to around 4:45 PM if you'd be able to meet then. But if that's not convenient for you, no worries. Will still see you at Epcot and Le Cellier Monday, either way.

I think I am going to try to be at Epcot by 5:30 that evening, as I have scheduled a couple of FP's for that evening. But thank you so much for your willingness to make it work out! Much appreciated!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

For the six categories most of us ranked: Rides, food, tours, character experiences, shopping, down time (this is random order)

As many have said, I also like all six of these. Curious, am I the only one who ranked "character experiences" first? Are there any other character fans out there?

 

[catmom46]

For the six categories most of us ranked: Rides, food, tours, character experiences, shopping, down time (this is random order)

As many have said, I also like all six of these. Curious, am I the only one who ranked "character experiences" first? Are there any other character fans out there?

I was actually really afraid of characters when I was little (I know, I'm weird), and I guess that just turned into indifference when I was older. I'm not sure why they freaked me out so much. Maybe because they seemed so big and didn't talk?

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I was actually really afraid of characters when I was little (I know, I'm weird), and I guess that just turned into indifference when I was older. I'm not sure why they freaked me out so much. Maybe because they seemed so big and didn't talk?

How about the ones that do talk, such as Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, etc.? Do you like them any better? Or, not really?

 

[catmom46]

How about the ones that do talk, such as Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, etc.? Do you like them any better? Or, not really?

Oh I like them all now! But they're just not something I look for at the parks - I'm more interested in what I'm going to eat next! I've spent hours/days going over all the choices the last 5 months!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Oh I like them all now! But they're just not something I look for at the parks - I'm more interested in what I'm going to eat next! I've spent hours/days going over all the choices the last 5 months!

Restaurants are great, too! It's fun to choose them.

 

[catmom46]

Restaurants are great, too! It's fun to choose them.

What are your favorite character experiences?

 

[DaisyDuck001]

What are your favorite character experiences?

When I met Alice and the Mad Hatter at MNSSHP last year. I was waiting in line and they were on break. When they got back from break, instead of going to the front of the line, they went to the back of the line, got in line, and said, "When are Alice and the Hatter going to be here?" Then after they went to the front and I eventually got to meet them, they continued to be very amusing.

Also I like Tusker House, and anywhere else I can meet Donald and Daisy! I wish there were more opportunities to meet the two of them together.

Another great character experience is the Hoedown with the country bears, where you can mingle with them.

And I like meeting the less common characters, like the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Genie, anyone else unusual to find. I've seen Jiminy Cricket in the parade but never found him in a meet and greet -- that would be fun. Also would like to meet Dumbo, and Huey/Dewey/Louie.

What are your favorites? Have you met any of the characters who aren't out as often?

 

[MeridAriel]

Agreed. All of my friends are settling down and most adult plans and trips are no longer an option. Ugh. Will anyone be in the parks in November?

 

[bamacmac]

For the six categories most of us ranked: Rides, food, tours, character experiences, shopping, down time (this is random order)

As many have said, I also like all six of these. Curious, am I the only one who ranked "character experiences" first? Are there any other character fans out there?

I do like the character experiences...they just aren't my top priority. The first time I went as an adult I HAD to get a picture with Mary Poppins. And when we did character meals I had to get a pic with each one that came by the table. But I don't think I would wait in a long line to meet one. But then again there aren't many things I would wait in a long line for anyway. Ha.

 

[catmom46]

When I met Alice and the Mad Hatter at MNSSHP last year. I was waiting in line and they were on break. When they got back from break, instead of going to the front of the line, they went to the back of the line, got in line, and said, "When are Alice and the Hatter going to be here?" Then after they went to the front and I eventually got to meet them, they continued to be very amusing.

Also I like Tusker House, and anywhere else I can meet Donald and Daisy! I wish there were more opportunities to meet the two of them together.

Another great character experience is the Hoedown with the country bears, where you can mingle with them.

And I like meeting the less common characters, like the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Genie, anyone else unusual to find. I've seen Jiminy Cricket in the parade but never found him in a meet and greet -- that would be fun. Also would like to meet Dumbo, and Huey/Dewey/Louie.

What are your favorites? Have you met any of the characters who aren't out as often?

The only characters I've actually met are princesses, since we did dinner at Akershus on our last trip. But that was more for our daughter. We will be doing other character meals in July, though - breakfast at Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, and Tusker House, plus dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. I'm looking forward to CRT, just because I've always wanted to dine in the castle!

I would say my favorites are Lilo & Stitch, Merida, Cheshire Cat, Olaf, Dug & Russell, and Tinker Bell.

 

[spiceycat]

Now plan plan on staying at DVC properties only, may jump from hotel to hotel on a trip to try some deluxe ones I have never stayed at.

I prefer spring or fall (and once in a while seeing all the Christmas decorations is nice too).

Hope you love DVC. been a member since 1993 - which resort are you buying at?

most of the deluxe hotels are part of DVC - the only exemption is Yacht Club and according to rumors - after they finish with VWL (it is getting a big addition) then YC will be the next one.

really love DVC hope you do too!

oh be aware the first two weeks of Dec is very, very popular with DVC members - so get your reservation at 11th months.

love spring and fall (fall is much cheaper with DVC) too!

 

[bamacmac]

The only characters I've actually met are princesses, since we did dinner at Akershus on our last trip. But that was more for our daughter. We will be doing other character meals in July, though - breakfast at Crystal Palace, 1900 Park Fare, and Tusker House, plus dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. I'm looking forward to CRT, just because I've always wanted to dine in the castle!

I would say my favorites are Lilo & Stitch, Merida, Cheshire Cat, Olaf, Dug & Russell, and Tinker Bell.

How was Akershus? I'm excited to try it out next month for breakfast! I would love to do CRT eventually as well. Would LOVE to do anything IN the castle!

 

[bamacmac]

For the six categories most of us ranked: Rides, food, tours, character experiences, shopping, down time (this is random order)

As many have said, I also like all six of these. Curious, am I the only one who ranked "character experiences" first? Are there any other character fans out there?

My favorite character experience I've had has been at Garden Grill. Chip and Dale are the best! And I loved farmer Mickey.

 

[catmom46]

How was Akershus? I'm excited to try it out next month for breakfast! I would love to do CRT eventually as well. Would LOVE to do anything IN the castle!

We really enjoyed Akershus - the character interaction was really good, and while it was very busy and a little loud at times, it wasn't too chaotic. I'm guessing breakfast will be on the quieter side, though.

 

[bamacmac]

We really enjoyed Akershus - the character interaction was really good, and while it was very busy and a little loud at times, it wasn't too chaotic. I'm guessing breakfast will be on the quieter side, though.

Great to know! Thanks! Hope it won't be too weird going solo there.

 

[catmom46]

Great to know! Thanks! Hope it won't be too weird going solo there.

Nah, most of the families there are either trying to keep their kids occupied while waiting for the princesses, or trying to eat quickly so they'll be ready for them when they arrive at their tables. And once they do arrive, everyone is pretty much only paying attention to them!

 

[bamacmac]

Nah, most of the families there are either trying to keep their kids occupied while waiting for the princesses, or trying to eat quickly so they'll be ready for them when they arrive at their tables. And once they do arrive, everyone is pretty much only paying attention to them!

Ha that's true. Heck, I may be able to auction off my nanny services while there. Haha.

 

[catmom46]

Ha that's true. Heck, I may be able to auction off my nanny services while there. Haha.

Now that's being entrepreneurial! If we weren't getting a divorce we'd be taking you up on that offer. I know, bad joke, but at some point you gotta find humor in it, right?