Glamping with Grandparents an Oct 16 PTR * 10/4 update

[absolutmey]

Hello and welcome to my first ever PTR!

(Technically it’s my second, but I actually intend on finishing this one).​

In this PTR you can expect as many photos as I can find, silly memes, and possible freak outs.

Trip Details

Sat. 10/22 - Sat. 10/29 at Fort Wilderness Cabins
MNSSHP, F&W planned​

On to Introductions!​

First is me! Megan, 34, Commercial Underwriter for a Title Insurance Company (don’t feel bad if you have no idea what that means because I didn’t either until about 5 years ago), aspiring Organizational Psychology doctoral candidate.



First time to WDW: When I was 8, with my grandparents.
Favorite Park: Magic Kingdom (obviously)
Favorite Character: Tigger (see picture)
Favorite Restaurant (so far): Be Our Guest
Best thing about last trip: walking off of Space Mtn. and spotting DH with newly-purchased R2D2 ears on his head.

In 2012, I ran the inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon at DL with my friend Kathi and LOVED it and everything about DL. That’s when I started cooking up a plot to get DH and DS to WDW. (insert evil laughing here).

In 2014, the three of us enjoyed a wonderful, well-planned (thanks to the DIS) week at WL. We got home and told DH’s parents about it all and his mom mentioned that next time we went, they should go too. WELLLLL….. here I give you

Glamping with Grandparents!!!​

Now, on to the rest of these characters….


DH/Will, 36, Beer Guy. All of his friends are in craft beer. Almost all of his shirts display craft beer logos. The ones that don’t are Star Wars . So yes, he’s simultaneously a beer nerd and a SW nerd.



First time to WDW: age 9 with his mom, but he doesn’t remember anything about it
Favorite Park: Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom
Favorite Character: R2D2, Chewbacca
Favorite Restaurant (so far): Whispering Canyon
Best thing about last trip: chilling on the People Mover, people watching. That ride is henceforth known as People Watcher.



DS/Quinn, 8. This trip is a surprise for his 9th birthday. I’m SO excited about how he will react to this trip. We tried to do a little surprise thing last time and, let’s just say, it didn’t go so well. He wasn’t impressed. Thinking back, it’s probably because he had no idea what WDW was before going.

First time to WDW: 2014
Favorite Park: Hollywood Studios
Favorite Character: R2D2 and Boba Fett
Favorite Restaurant (so far): O’hana
Best thing about last trip: getting birthday cupcakes after pretty much every meal and (GASP!) mom actually letting him eat them. Apparently this surprise never gets old J.

Plus, he's been bothering me about going back lately. Hoping we don't get to a bad place before October...




MIL/Sue/Mimi, low 60’s, Will’s mom, owns real estate industry business. I know lots of DILs don’t like their MILs. My MIL, though, is the BEST. Honestly she is; wise, caring, helpful and just a wonderful person. I’m very lucky.

FIL/Tom/Grandpa, high 60’s, Will’s stepdad, co-owns business with MIL. He’s awesome too. His nickname, however, is sometimes (lovingly-called) Grumpa…. Grumpy Grandpa. I’d be remiss not anticipate him being at least a tiny bit grumpy on this trip. This usually happens when he’s tired or when his beer is empty. Mental note: keep cabin fridge stocked.


The grandparents remind me of Carl & Ellie.


And that’s it, folks.

Next up is preliminary plans!

 

[absolutmey]

Preliminary Plans (subject to change, of course)
​

10/22 Saturday – M&W Anniversary!

• Leave NC early AM
  
• Breakfast at home, Lunch on the road
• Arrive WDW, check into resort after 3pm, get golf cart
  
• Dinner– Whispering Canyon – take ferry to WL
  
• Garden Grocer order arrival window 4-9pm

10/23 Sunday

• Breakfast in cabin
  
• Explore resort, swim, check out Disney Springs, decorate golf cart
  
• Late lunch/early dinner - O’hana, snack at MK later
  
• MNSSHP @ MK 4pm-12am
  
• FP Mine Train, Buzz, SM
  
• Haunted Mansion magic pics, M&G
  
• People Watcher, Tea Party, Pirates, Jungle Cruise (so bummed BTMRR is closed)
  
• HalloWishes, Boo To You parade

10/24 Monday – Epcot

• Trick or treat at FW, golf cart decoration parade
  
• Breakfast in cabin
  
• Test Track no FP
  
• FP - Soarin’, Spaceship Earth, Mission: Space Green
  
• Lunch – Sunshine Seasons
  
• Living with the Land
  
• PM – Visa M&G w/ Mickey, tour around World Showcase or re-ride things
  
• Snack/Dinner – eat from F&W carts, snacks from WS
  
• Illuminations
  
• IG to Beach Club - Dinner/Dessert – Beaches & Cream

10/25 Tuesday – AK

• Breakfast in cabin
  
• FP: KS, EE
  
• Lunch – Flame Tree BBQ
  
• Dinosaur, It’s Tough to Be a Bug (Tree of Life), Jungle Trek
  
• Flights of Wonder show – see schedule
  
• Dinner – Rainforest Café for Q & glamparents
  
• Dinner – Sanaa for luckyparents
  
• Rivers of Light (FP?)

10/26 Wednesday – HS (w/o GP)

• Breakfast at Starring Rolls
  
• JTA?
  
• FP: TSMM, ST
  
• Star Wars Launch Bay, M&G
  
• Rock n Rollercoaster no FP
  
• Lunch – Sci-fi Drive-in
  
• Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision
  
• SW fireworks
  
• Dinner – all back at cabin to grill?

10/27 Thursday – MK

• Breakfast in cabin
  
• Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash Mtn, Haunted Mansion
  
• Lunch – Be Our Guest
  
• IASW, Peter Pan, VoLM
  
• FP: 7DMT, Buzz, Space Mtn
  
• Dumbo, Barnstormer, Tea Party, Indy Speedway, People Watcher
  
• Dinner – HDDR or The Wave (DV)?

10/28 Friday – all HS

• Breakfast in cabin
  
• FP: TSMM, ST, ToT
  
• Star Wars Launch Bay
• Rock n Rollercoaster no FP – no W
  
• Lunch – 50’s Prime Time
  
• Tower of Terror – no W
  
• F! Package? - Hollywood & Vine

10/29 Saturday

• Breakfast – 1900PF, Kona Café, the Wave? or McKenna’s Bakery at Disney Springs, Lego Store, Mouse Gear
  
• Lunch on the road
  
• Check out of resort and return golf cart by 11am and go home (boo)
  

 

[absolutmey]

happy Friday!

 

[absolutmey]

 

[absolutmey]

totally changed our day plans around. ugh. Thanks a lot construction and shows and MNSSHP and Soarin' and ...


12 days until ADRs.

 

[absolutmey]

Updated itinerary:


10/22 Saturday – Leave NC early AM

• Arrive WDW, check into FW after 3pm, get golf cart
• Dinner – Whispering Canyon

10/23 Sunday – Animal Kingdom – 9am-5pm?

• Breakfast in Cabin
• Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris (FP)
• Lunch – Flame Tree
  
• Dinosaur, It’s Tough to Be a Bug, Jungle Trek, Flights of Wonder
  
• Rivers of Light PM show (FP?) at Tree of Life
  
• Dinner – Rainforest Café for Q&Z
• Dinner – Sanaa for M&W

10/24 Monday – Hollywood Studios – 9am-7pm

• Breakfast at Starring Rolls
  
• Jedi Training?
  
• Toy Story Mania (FP-1)
  
• Star Wars Launch Bay M&G w/ Chewy and Kylo Ren
• Lunch – Sci-fi Drive-in
  
• Star Tours (FP-2)
  
• Rock n Rollercoaster, Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision
  
• SW light show?
• Uber or Taxi to Disney Springs
  
• Dinner – Raglan Road
• Check out Goofy’s and other things

10/25 Tuesday – MNSSHP - 4pm-12am

• Breakfast in cabin
• Explore resort, swim
  
• Late lunch/early dinner - O’hana, snacks or QS later
• Take monorail to MK - MNSSHP
• Buzz, Mine Train, Space Mountain (FP) – all before 7pm MK close
• Haunted Mansion magic pics, M&G
• PeopleMover, Tea Party – other side, if time: Pirates, Jungle Cruise
• 10pm HalloWishes, 11pm Boo To You parade

10/26 Wednesday – Epcot – 9am-9pm

• Breakfast in cabin
  
• Test Track – ride first thing, wait in queue
  
• Soarin’ (FP-1) AM
  
• Spaceship Earth (FP-2)
  
• Mission: Space green (FP-2)
  
• Lunch – Sunshine Seasons
  
• Living with the Land, Sum of All Thrills
  
• PM – Visa M&G w/ Mickey, tour around World Showcase or re-ride things, pick a pearl from Japan
  
• Snack/Dinner – eat from F&W carts, snacks from WS
  
• Illuminations 9pm
• Walk through IG to Beach Club resort
• Dinner/Dessert – Beaches & Cream

10/27 Thursday – Hollywood Studios – 9am-7pm

• Breakfast in cabin or at Starring Rolls
  
• Rock n Rollercoaster
  
• Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, ToT (FP)
  
• Star Wars Launch Bay
  
• Lunch – 50’s Prime Time
  
• SW light show?
  
• Fantasmic! Dinner Package – Mama Melrose

10/28 Friday - Magic Kingdom – (EMH) 8am-7pm

• Breakfast in cabin
• RD - Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash Mtn, Haunted Mansion
  
• Lunch – Be Our Guest
  
• It’s a Small World, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid
  
• Mine Train, Buzz, SM (FP)
  
• Dumbo, Barnstormer, Tea Party, Indy Speedway, PeopleMover
  
• Dinner – The Wave

10/29 Saturday –

• Breakfast – Trails End or Whispering Canyon?
• Check out of resort and return golf cart by 11am

So. Many. ADRs.

 

[IowaTater]

Checking in! We're going to be there at the same time, staying at All Star Movies. In fact, we have 2 park days that have the same plans.
I've never stayed at the campgrounds so I'm looking forward to seeing how you like it. DH's cousin and his family did it about a year ago. They took their camper down and really seemed to like it.

Can't wait for another update!

 

[absolutmey]

Checking in! We're going to be there at the same time, staying at All Star Movies. In fact, we have 2 park days that have the same plans.
I've never stayed at the campgrounds so I'm looking forward to seeing how you like it. DH's cousin and his family did it about a year ago. They took their camper down and really seemed to like it.

Can't wait for another update!

Hey! Glad to see I'm not just talking to myself My park days are so up in the air! Lots of questions still need to be answered. I've never stayed at ASM - hope you like it!

 

[absolutmey]

Got my ADRs today and also applied the RO discount! YES!

 

[ariane37]

Hello! I actually started reading your PTR a week or so ago and meant to comment. Something must have distracted me-a cat, a child......anyway, I'm back now
Glad you got all your ADR's! I think Sanaa is a great choice for your anniversary dinner-have you guys been there before?
I have to get moving on my ADR's we're going in Nov. My park days are also up in the air due to things not being open yet, Nov. hours being wonky, etc. it's still fun planning though!
I look forward to reading more

 

[absolutmey]

Hello! I actually started reading your PTR a week or so ago and meant to comment. Something must have distracted me-a cat, a child......anyway, I'm back now
Glad you got all your ADR's! I think Sanaa is a great choice for your anniversary dinner-have you guys been there before?
I have to get moving on my ADR's we're going in Nov. My park days are also up in the air due to things not being open yet, Nov. hours being wonky, etc. it's still fun planning though!
I look forward to reading more

Welcome! I need to do an update.
I couldn't believe how much ADR availability there was when I booked yesterday. Never been to Sanaa and I'm SO excited. We're do a lot of "new to us" this time, which is exciting too. Your date must be coming up soon! Good luck!

 

[absolutmey]

Update w/ ADR Times!

Sat 10/22 (arrival day)
- 6:40pm Whispering Canyon (DH's only request)

Sun 10/23 (AK)
- 5:30pm Sanaa (new to us)

Mon 10/24 (EP)
- 5:40pm Via Napoli (new to us)

Tues 10/25 (MNSSHP)
- 12pm Afternoon Tea @ GF (new to us) (just me and MIL )
- 2:35pm Kona Café (new to us)

Wed 10/26 (EP)
- 3pm Biergarten (new to us)
- 10pm Beaches & Cream (just desserts) (new to us)

Thurs 10/27 (HS)
- 1pm 50's Prime Time (new to us)
- 7:30pm Raglan Road (new to us)

Fri 10/28 (MK)
- 12:30pm BOG (lunch is new to us)
- 6:50pm O'hana (DS's only request and favorite place)

Sat 10/29 (departure day - boo)
- 9am The Wave (new to us) (we might change this - any suggestions??)

 

[ariane37]

We've actually been to all your "new to us"'s except Afternoon Tea and the Wave I voted for 1900 PF in your survey although it's been many years since we've done that, but as I said we've never done the Wave and we've never done Trail's End, either lol. When we did PF in 2010 we loved it and the character interaction was great!

 

[ToyStory90]

WOW, awesome planning! We are going 10/30-11/11 and my planning is not nearly that concrete!

 

[IowaTater]

Tues 10/25 (MNSSHP)
- 12pm Afternoon Tea @ GF (new to us) (just me and MIL )
- 2:35pm Kona Café (new to us)

So jealous about your afternoon tea! I really wanted to do this because I love hi teas but I couldn't get DH convinced to go.

This is our MNSSHP day too!!!

That's great that you got all your ADRs and the room discount too!!!

 

[absolutmey]

So jealous about your afternoon tea! I really wanted to do this because I love hi teas but I couldn't get DH convinced to go.

This is our MNSSHP day too!!!

That's great that you got all your ADRs and the room discount too!!!

I know the tea is a splurge, but I think it sounds so fun! Are you guys dressing up for MNSSHP?

 

[IowaTater]

Are you guys dressing up for MNSSHP?

We are! I'm going as either Boo or Lilo and DH is going as Sheldon Cooper.

 

[absolutmey]

Not really much going on by way of changes. You know how it goes. Got all excited about ADRs. Planned ADRs. Tweaked ADRs. Got it into my mind we needed other things. Planned and tweaked ADRs. Now in slump waiting for announcements and FP day.

We're trying to figure out what to do for MNSSHP. Last night I was wearing this super cute new Disgust shirt that I got. DS told me I should be her for Halloween. LOL!

**************

ADR updates!

Sat 10/22 (arrival day)
- 6:40pm Whispering Canyon (DH's only request)

Sun 10/23 (AK)
- 5:20pm Sanaa (new to us)

Mon 10/24 (EP)
- 5:40pm Via Napoli (new to us)

Tues 10/25 (MNSSHP)
- 12pm Afternoon Tea @ GF (new to us) (just me and MIL ) (Told DH about this and he is JEALOUS! LOL)
- 2:35pm Kona Café (new to us)

Wed 10/26 (EP)
- 2:30pm Biergarten (new to us)
- 7:45pm La Hacienda de San Angel (new to us) - hoping to get a window seat for Illuminations!
- 10pm Beaches & Cream (just dessert/may cancel) (new to us)

Thurs 10/27 (HS)
- 12:40pm 50's Prime Time (new to us)
- 7:30pm Raglan Road (new to us) (thinking about changing this one to a split dinner - DH&Me go out, ILs&DS go somewhere else)

Fri 10/28 (MK)
- dropped BOG lunch! someone snapped it right up, too.
- 6:50pm O'hana (DS's only request and favorite place)

Sat 10/29 (departure day - boo)
- 9am The Wave (new to us) (may change to Trail's End's new brunch!)

 

[absolutmey]

To Do List:
1. MB covers, if any
2. Plan out themed shirts/days
3. MNSSHP costumes
4. Figure out what we're going to do with our golf cart at FW
5. Window decorations for our cabin



6. Obsess and tweak ADRs, per usual.

 

[IowaTater]

Still jealous about your afternoon tea. DH said I could book one as a solo thing but I don't know.

The waiting is the hardest part!! There's still 80-some days until our FP date