Got an extra day off work? Let's go to Disney!

[VBelle68]

Wow! This trip was unexpected! I just got back from a 5 night trip to world in August that I had planned in about 7 months. I didn't think I would go back until June 2016. But, I came home from that trip feeling like I had missed something. I couldn't quite put my finger on what, exactly, had gone wrong. We had a good time. Things went according to plan (well, mostly). After a lot of time considering what exactly was wrong, I decided that I was so concerned about the next planned item, that I forgot to live in the moment I was in. I was so worried about everyone else having a good time, I forgot about me. After a month, I decided to just go back again! It started off as a solo trip. But my mom would have none of that! If I was going to Disney, then she was, too!

I looked at Jan 2-5. Nope, too crowded.

I looked at President's day. Nope, too crowded.

PS I work in a bank, so have lots of 3 day weekends!

How about Veteran's day? Not technically a 3 day weekend. Hmmmm. Okay, take Monday off and make it a 4 day weekend! But that's in two months! And I missed free dining!

I started "THE SEARCH". You know, the one where you plug in dates on expedia, orbitz, disney, etc. trying to find the best possible rates.

POP? Beach Club? Contemporary? Music? Movies?

About this time, I realized two things. 1- F&W would still be open! Last weekend! 2- Very Merry Christmas party would be starting!

Let's try a split stay! Only two of us, so moving won't be an issue.

Here's where we ended up!
Sat, Nov 8th POP $79 using Orbitz code and my orbucks
Sun, Nov 9 and Mon Nov 10 Yacht Club! about $293 a night.

Now you have the why and where. How about the who?

Here we are, with our Pick A Pearls at Epcot in August. On the left is me,and on the right is mom, SB

and here we are, dressed as ducks!

Hope to see you real soon!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We'll be there at the same time! The holiday also factored into my plans - I only have to pull my kids out of school for one day!

We're not necessarily doing a "do over" trip, but a "bonus" trip. We were just there in January for my 40th birthday and got APs and I can't stand for them to expire without getting a couple more days out of them! They really do burn a hole in your pocket!

Hope you and your mom have fun!

 

[VBelle68]

We'll be there at the same time! The holiday also factored into my plans - I only have to pull my kids out of school for one day!

We're not necessarily doing a "do over" trip, but a "bonus" trip. We were just there in January for my 40th birthday and got APs and I can't stand for them to expire without getting a couple more days out of them! They really do burn a hole in your pocket!

Hope you and your mom have fun!

Thanks! Are you planning to do MVMCP? I am pretty sure we are going to it on the 10th.

 

[VBelle68]

Our flights will land in Orlando at 11:50 am on Sat, Nov 8th. I scheduled MDE to pick us up and take us to POP. Then on Tuesday, our flight leaves at 3:20. so I expect we will be leaving around noon.

That give me about 72 hours in Disney! We will probably sleep for about 24 of those, leaving me 48 hours to enjoy the magic!

Here are some things I want to do (in no particular order):

Pick a Pearl in EPCOT
Holiday Wishes at MK
Osborne Lights
Beaches & Cream
Walk to EP from YC
7DMT
Eat a candy apple in Fantasyland
Meet Pluto
Frozen sing a long
Start on my Christmas shopping (DTD, EP, and Oaken's at DS)
Test Track

Don't you want one now, too?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks! Are you planning to do MVMCP? I am pretty sure we are going to it on the 10th.

No, we've done it before, and we have such a short time, it's not a priority.

We can drive easily in one day (WDW is about 6 hours from us), but to maximize our park time, I think we're going to drive part way Friday night after school and stay either in Lake City or Gainesville so we can get up and get going early Saturday morning and be in DHS by noon. I booked our FP+ for DHS on Saturday afternoon, MK on Sunday, Epcot on Monday for the last day of F&W Fest. I wanted to avoid the weekend crowds at Epcot for F&W Fest, so Monday was our only option for doing Epcot. We have FP+ for AK Tuesday morning so we can load up early, drive to AK and leave from there to head home. It'll be a whirlwind, for sure! Like you, we should have about 72 hours there but we'll probably spend less than 24 hours sleeping!

 

[vleeth]

My last trip made me want a do over. I'll be waiting and hopefully not overplanning for the next year.

That apple looks wonderful!

 

[VBelle68]

No, we've done it before, and we have such a short time, it's not a priority.

We can drive easily in one day (WDW is about 6 hours from us), but to maximize our park time, I think we're going to drive part way Friday night after school and stay either in Lake City or Gainesville so we can get up and get going early Saturday morning and be in DHS by noon. I booked our FP+ for DHS on Saturday afternoon, MK on Sunday, Epcot on Monday for the last day of F&W Fest. I wanted to avoid the weekend crowds at Epcot for F&W Fest, so Monday was our only option for doing Epcot. We have FP+ for AK Tuesday morning so we can load up early, drive to AK and leave from there to head home. It'll be a whirlwind, for sure! Like you, we should have about 72 hours there but we'll probably spend less than 24 hours sleeping!

Gosh, if i lived 6 hours away I'd probably be there EVERY long weekend!
I will be in the middle of the crowds at Epcot on Sunday!

It's been about 10 years since I've been to see the Christmas decorations, so I am looking forward to that!

My last trip made me want a do over. I'll be waiting and hopefully not overplanning for the next year.

That apple looks wonderful!

I don't think I am doing a do over. We had a lot of fun. My two year old granddaughter had a blast! I think I am doing a do-it-again!

And that's the apple my daughter ate. I didn't even take a bite and I SO regret it!

 

[VBelle68]

I got my ME vouchers in the mail yesterday and sent a pic of them to Mom. She replied, "wow, getting close". Yes, Mom, little over a month. Then it dawned on me! I WAS GOING TO DISNEY IN A MONTH!

After the last trip, when I was so concerned about what clothes to pack for the heat of August, this trip will seem like a breeze. Let's see, hoodies and jeans for night. But shorts and tees for day. Maybe not so breezy after all!

We have come up with so many alternatives for our arrival day. We will arrive at POP around 2 PM.

Plan A Eat at POP, then go to DTD to shop and then do a movie and dinner at Fork & Screen

Plan B Eat at POP, Go to DS for the afternoon and early evening. We would see the Frozen Sing A Long, ride RNRC, see F! and the Osborne lights. Then hop to the MK (closes at midnight).

Plan C Head directly to EP and eat at F&W, staying for Illuminations. Possible hop to MK.

Plan D any combination of the above

Which would you do?

 

[VBelle68]

I think I have a rough schedule!

Sat, The 8th
Arrive on the ME approx 1pm. Eat Lunch at POP! If room ready, check it out.
Go to HS.
FP for Little Mermaid, Frozen Sing a Long, and RnRC. See osborne lights.
Hop to MK!
ADR at the Plaza at 7:40. No plan this night. Probably shopping! Park is open till 1 am, so might get on 7DMT!

Bus to POP! Fall into bed exhausted!

Sun, the 9th
Check out, leaving bags with Bell Services for transportation to YC. I will head to MK, Mom is heading to EP. I have FP for Buzz, 7DMT, and Little Mermaid. I also scored a FP for BOG lunch(at 10:35 )

Take Monorail to EP to meet Mom at Disney Visa free photo.

Check out F&W till 4PM or so. Walk to YC and check in. Return to EP for F&W and Shopping! See Illuminations. Walk back to YC. Try not to fall in the lake if we sampled too many adult beverages.

Fall exhausted into bed.

Mon, the 10th
Hang around the resort, possible take bus to DTD.
ADR at Beaches & Cream at 3pm.
MVMCP at 4pm We have FP for Buzz, Big Thunder, and Jungle Cruise.
Then we will just enjoy the decorations and see what happens!

Tue, the 11th
No plans this morning. ME will take us back to the airport at around noon.

 

[vleeth]

Seems to be a lot of falling into bed!

Sounds like a great plan to me.

 

[VBelle68]

Seems to be a lot of falling into bed!

lol!

 

[VBelle68]

We leave in 5 days! Only 4 more night-nights! The weather looks to be mostly good while we are there. High about 75 and only 20% chance of rain. I guess I will bring my swimsuit and check out the awesome pool at the YC.

I made my list of food items to eat at F&W.
Scallops:

Creme brulee:

And adult beverages:

(copied all images from the allears.net website)

I have a lot of other items I want to sample, too! With it being the last weekend, I hope they don't run out of food!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We're getting pretty excited around my house, too! I've started my pre-packing, gathering items as I see them and putting them in a Rubbermaid tub in my room. I bought some individual cereal packages for a couple of breakfasts and a case of juice that I only buy when we're going to Disney. Today I need to text my house-sitter to get her to come over one afternoon to get a refresher on codes, and how much to feed the cats.

I scored a BOG FP+ for lunch on Sunday - very excited about that. Also have a lunch ADR for Biergarten on Monday, which we've never tried, so I'm excited about that. I texted my niece, who lives in Gainesville, and we're going to meet her for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Hope you have a great trip, Valleri! Maybe we'll see you at Studios on Saturday afternoon!

 

[VBelle68]

We're getting pretty excited around my house, too! I've started my pre-packing, gathering items as I see them and putting them in a Rubbermaid tub in my room. I bought some individual cereal packages for a couple of breakfasts and a case of juice that I only buy when we're going to Disney. Today I need to text my house-sitter to get her to come over one afternoon to get a refresher on codes, and how much to feed the cats.

I scored a BOG FP+ for lunch on Sunday - very excited about that. Also have a lunch ADR for Biergarten on Monday, which we've never tried, so I'm excited about that. I texted my niece, who lives in Gainesville, and we're going to meet her for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Hope you have a great trip, Valleri! Maybe we'll see you at Studios on Saturday afternoon!

I've been packing too. I've decided not to lug around a camera, but did manage to get in on a Memory Maker Share. It will be my first time to try one so I hope it works out well.

You have a wonderful trip, too!