Getting "Merry" with the Maguire's - PTR **UPDATED 14/11** Post #47

[Pinky166]

This is my first pre trip report so please be gentle with me!


Cast:

Me = Claire (33), massive Disney fan, chief planner...(a little on the OCD side ), obsessive shopper, addicted to scrapbooking and very impulsive which doesn’t bode well for our credit cards!

Hubby = Lee (34), not a massive Disney fan but still enjoys it, adrenaline junkie, easy going and the sensible half of our partnership!


Our Disney History:

This will be our 5th trip to The World, our first being in Sept 2000 where we stay offsite at the Sheraton on I Drive. It was my first trip abroad and first ever flight. We loved every second of it and I came home knowing we would return asap. I was well and truly bitten by the travel bug and of course the Disney bug!

The next year we got married in the Bahamas so we planned a return trip for the following year (Sept 2002). We spent 10 nights at Sheraton Lakeside Resort in Kissimmee then on to New York!

We returned again in Sept 2003 and stayed onsite at Animal Kingdom Lodge for 7 nights then we flew on to Cancun, Mexico.

Finally I had to wait until September 2006 before we made our next trip, we travelled a lot in the three year gap but hubby needed a break from the Mouse! We stayed at Universals Portofino Bay Resort for 14 nights.

So now we are up to date, it’s on to our upcoming trip….. in 5 weeks time!


When and Where:

Our adventure begins on the 1st December with our overnight stay at the Sofitel (booked on recommendations from fellow DISers

). We intend to get there late afternoon and do Twilight check in, then get some dinner at the hotel or in the airport.

We will spend the first week of our holiday at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. We are really looking forward to staying here as we have read so many good reviews.

For the second week we will be staying at Wilderness Lodge, again we have never been here and I am so excited I can’t wait to see the lobby and Christmas tree. I am a total Christmas nut and can not wait to see all the Christmas Decorations in parks and at the resorts.

Then for the last three nights we will be staying at the Yacht Club – again we have not been here either.

To be honest other than our 7 night stay at AKL five years ago…we have never been to any other Disney resort not even just to eat! Shocking I know...but we have never really planned our trips before. So thanks to the DISboards we have so many new things to experience this trip.

I'm ashamed to admit that I didn’t even know about the DDP on our previous trips (which we will be trying out for the 7 nights we are at the Wilderness Lodge), previously we have just eaten at CS or just as walk in’s where possible, so as you can imagine we have lots of exciting new restaurants to try out.

We will also be hiring a car for the first time, I hope that I feel confident driving over there……I should be ok but am a little nervous that I will forget and drive down the wrong side of the road! If we survive my driving then we plan to do a road trip at some point in the future.

I should warn you all that we will be taking hundreds of photos! In June we managed to take 1500+ in 4 nights at DLRP! However I doubt there will be many, if any, of me as I hate having my picture taken!

Coming up soon…..our ADR’s & daily plans (which of course will change when we get there ).

 

[saratogagirl]

great start Claire, the Winderness Lodge is beautiful at Christmas, stunning! You are going to have such a great time, I so hope that we get to see you there x

 

[suzycute]

Sounds like you have a fantastic trip in the making!

 

[jjk]

Claire youre plans sound wonderful, I love WDW at Christmas really looking forward to reading all about it( we are hoping to get back for christmas next year )

 

[irongirlof12]

sounds fab. disney at Xmas to wonderful.

 

[Claire L]

Sounds like a great trip you have planned. WL looks stunning with Christmas decorations

Claire

 

[wickesy]

Welcome to the world of trip report writing Claire. Sounds like you have a great trip planned already and I look forward to hearing more about it.

Don't worry, after a few minutes of driving you'll relax into it and wonder what you were worried about.

 

[Mrs Hobbes]

What a great start Claire Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your plans

 

[Snowy-girls]

YAY Claire's pre trippie .Sounds great Claire-so looking forward to your trippie when you return as well.
(note to self----try and pre warn Florida that Claire will be driving over there ).x.

 

[Pinky166]

YAY Claire's pre trippie .Sounds great Claire-so looking forward to your trippie when you return as well.
(note to self----try and pre warn Florida that Claire will be driving over there ).x.

Thats good.....if you clear the streets then I can drive where I like!

 

[KayleeUK]

Great start

 

[jockey]

Great start

 

[Snowy-girls]

Thats good.....if you clear the streets then I can drive where I like!

.x.

 

[The Fetherstons]

Your plans sound excellent Claire, you will love the DDP, I would love to go for Christmas one year, looking forward to reading more

Im sure you will be fine driving, Craig is trying it for the first time next year

 

[SusanEllen]

Dear Claire,
You're off to a great start with your trip report. I'm so pleased that you're going to be staying for a time at my Wilderness Lodge. Always happy to share that beautiful, special place with appreciative people. I know you've done hours of research so you don't need tips from me, but I have one anyway just in case you haven't come across this bit of information about WL--There's a fireplace on the third floor mezzanine overlooking the lobby with cushy couches and a nice little writing table, a perfect place for a few quiet moments to read through your TR notes or write postcards home or watch the busy lobby from a distance. Just opposite that spot (on the other end of the lobby) there is the balcony that overlooks the pools and Bay Lake. That balcony has been for some time (unless there's been some recent change) the number two spot for WDW weddings, second only to the wedding pavillion at the Grand Floridian. I've seen several there through the years and can only imagine that at Christmas time there will be more than usual.

Claire, you've been so kind to comment on my first TR and offer encouragement. I'm looking forward to returning the favor. Remember that even if everything doesn't go to plan, it's all still an adventure.

Best wishes,
Susan

 

[natalielongstaff]

Great start Claire, im looking forward to hearing about your ADR's

 

[Pinky166]

Thank you all for your lovely comments. 5 weeks today and we will be heading to the airport for our overnight stay!

Don't worry, after a few minutes of driving you'll relax into it and wonder what you were worried about.

I am sure I will be fine.....I've got my TomTom to help me too, thanks to your advice.

Im sure you will be fine driving, Craig is trying it for the first time next year

I'll let you know how I get on Kerry but I am sure Craig will be fine.

Dear Claire,
You're off to a great start with your trip report. I'm so pleased that you're going to be staying for a time at my Wilderness Lodge. Always happy to share that beautiful, special place with appreciative people. I know you've done hours of research so you don't need tips from me, but I have one anyway just in case you haven't come across this bit of information about WL--There's a fireplace on the third floor mezzanine overlooking the lobby with cushy couches and a nice little writing table, a perfect place for a few quiet moments to read through your TR notes or write postcards home or watch the busy lobby from a distance. Just opposite that spot (on the other end of the lobby) there is the balcony that overlooks the pools and Bay Lake. That balcony has been for some time (unless there's been some recent change) the number two spot for WDW weddings, second only to the wedding pavillion at the Grand Floridian. I've seen several there through the years and can only imagine that at Christmas time there will be more than usual.

Claire, you've been so kind to comment on my first TR and offer encouragement. I'm looking forward to returning the favor. Remember that even if everything doesn't go to plan, it's all still an adventure.

Best wishes,
Susan

Thank you for allowing me to stay at your Wilderness Lodge Susan. Next time can you reduce the rate for me! Thank you also for the tips about the areas on the third floor. It sounds like a wonderful place to sit and read or as you say write my notes!

I need to finish reading your wonderful TR - I am a bit behind on some of them, there seems to have been lots recently and I have not had as much time as I would like on here as I have a poorly puppy to look after.

Thanks for your encouragement.

 

[raph_b]

Sounds like a birlliant trip Claire

I hope you have a wicked time out there.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your ADRS.........

 

[Pinky166]

Thank you all for your kind comments.

So here are the ADR's I have made: (all of which we have never been to before)

Breakfast =
Crystal Palace
Cinderella's Royal Table

Lunch =
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Le Cellier

Dinner =
Narcoosee's (timed to watch Wishes. )
Rose & Crown
Raglan Road
Yachtsmen Steak House

We have also got a reservation for Dine with Shamu at Seaworld (we have done this once before).


Other places we want to try and fit in: (again all of these are new to us!)

Tony Roma's = Thanks to Craig's TR (Raph_b)
Mythos (IOA)
Earl of Sandwich
T- Rex
Beaches & Cream
Friendly's = Thanks to Theresa's TR (Latte lover)


Coming up soon - Our itinerary.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Hi Ya Hun,
Claire please,please,please give me the gossip on Cindy's brekkie(as you know i have booked this for Dd7's 8th birthday).Some pics would be great as well .
Also would love the goss on T-Rex,especially the Build-A-Dino .

You will not be dissapointed with Tony Roma's-this place is a haven for rib lover's.Make sure you 'go' hungry-not peckish,but hungry .I always buy a selection box of there sauces to bring home.Monday night's-i believe are still an all you can eat night for a set price .

Earl Of Sandwich-i recommend the Full Montagu.

We can't wait to try Friendly's either next year-so many people on the Dis have been+the food looks sooooooo good.x.