Here we go! October 2013 Pretrip report!

[joshswif]

So, in typical Tara fashion, I really started to worry about my plan. And I mean...really worry.

I just wasn't comfortable with going to parks that I should be avoiding, like Magic Kingdom on a Monday. I've done a ton of reading and while I do know that if I get there with a good "plan" that I can still get a lot done, I would just be more comfortable going on days that are recommended.

By the way...easywdw is pretty much the best WDW planning tool you could want. I love the breakdowns and explanations of each day and I love just reading his blog. He brings a little bit of our happy place to us all of that aren't there....and it doesn't hurt that his sense of humor is hilarious and entertaining. So...use it if you haven't already!

I know that I can't plan the "perfect" trip. But I do know that this will probably be one of the only times I can get my family, mom, and brother and sister all to go at the same time. I just want to limit as much stress as possible...which is pretty hard!

So....I've switched my days around. I have until April 22nd to get things final so that I can make my ADR's...so hopefully I don't change my plans 100 times until then!

Disney World
October 18th-27th

Fri, Oct. 18th
Arrive

Sat, Oct. 19th
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - Hollywood and Vine (8:00AM or earlier if possible)
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - Studio Catering Company

Sun, Oct. 20th
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - AoA
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - Cinderella's Royal Table (5:00PM)
BBB
Parkhop to Hollywood Studios for
Disney Junior Dance Party

Monday, Oct. 21st
Epcot
B-Eat our own food
L-QS and snacks use for F&W Festival
Dinner-Coral Reef (6:00PM)

Tuesday, Oct. 22nd
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - AoA
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - Ohana (6:30PM)


Wednesday, Oct. 23rd
BREAK
Breakfast-AoA
L-Snack
Dinner-Buy something
MSEP, Wishes

Thursday, Oct. 24th
Epcot
Breakfast - Eat our own food
Lunch - QS and snacks at F&W Festival
Dinner-Akershus Royal Dining (6:00PM)

Friday, Oct. 25th
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - Chef Mickey's (7:00AM)
Lunch - Be Our Guest
Dinner - Snack
(MNSSHP - 7:00PM)

Saturday, Oct. 26th
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - AoA
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - 50's Primetime Cafe (5:00PM)
Fantasmic!
(if added)

Sunday, Oct. 27th
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Tusker House (8:00AM or earlier if possible)
Lunch - Flametree
Leave

Now, I have made these plans all. by. myself. My husband is gone right now, so when I asked him about what he wanted to do, he said he wanted to eat at Akershus. My Epcot days are kind of throwing me off. My husband really likes different beers and all of that, so I thought he might want to spend the evening eating around the world...but he really like the food at Akershus, so I guess that's what we'll do! I don't think he gets that all different kinds of food will be everywhere since it'll be when the Food and Wine Festival is going on. So I might try to talk to him about this. I also thought it might be nice to have a date night and walk around the Food and Wine Festival...but I really don't think he wants to leave the girls, lol. Ah well, I do love them too!

In other news, I went up to our military travel company on base the other day. I ran into a bit of a snag, but definitely not something to ruin the whole trip. As military memebers, Disney give us a great deal for WDW, which I'm incredibly grateful for. I did learn that the current promotion runs until Sept 28th, which is before we go. What that basically means for us is that I can't book the hotel or anything until the new promotion is out. I can still reserve my ADR's, just not the hotel. I'm hoping that won't be a problem, but either way I don't mind jumping through a few hoops since its a great deal anyways that they've offered to us. I just hope that AoA doesn't run out of suite rooms. We won't know until August-ish about the new promotion.

Well...if ANYONE has any ideas or input on my plans, PLEASE let me know. I'm planning everything on my own and this is my first time planning all of this!

 

[SAT887]

So I noticed most of your ADRs are around 6.... My experience with 'Ohana is they tend to seat you a bit after your ADR time. I know you have kiddos so I would get extra snacks that day to help tide them over since it's a bit later.

 

[joshswif]

So I noticed most of your ADRs are around 6.... My experience with 'Ohana is they tend to seat you a bit after your ADR time. I know you have kiddos so I would get extra snacks that day to help tide them over since it's a bit later.

Great to know, thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to pack some extra snacks that day!

 

[ashleyc3]

I finally made it over here! I'm excited to hear all about your planning and your trip when you return!

 

[joshswif]

I finally made it over here! I'm excited to hear all about your planning and your trip when you return!

Yay!! So glad you finally made it!

 

[joshswif]

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks due to things being so hectic!

My husband has been gone for over 2 months now due to the Army relocating him to Texas while we're still here. We could have all gone, but we have a house here that we need to sell and we really didn't want to take my 7 year old out of her school then. She has such an amazing teacher and I think we would all cry if she had to leave her. That means that I've been doing mommy and daddy duty for my 7 and 1 year old, and keeping the house museum clean for any showings. Do you know how hard is to clean with a 21 month old? Yeah....fun stuff there.

Then, it was my oldest DD's spring break so we decided to get out of the house and visit relatives. What a mess. I traveled by myself with my kids, our 2000 pound dog whose deathly afraid of car rides (okay, so he's not 2000 pounds, but it feels like it when you have to pick him up yourself to put him in the car...because he really hates cars!)

We went to my in laws (joy), my sisters house, and my best friends. We all ended up sick and I ended up in urgent care due to the worst sinus infection I've ever had. I was so glad to finally be back home!

Anyways, now that that's all over I can happily get back to all my planning.

I have 5 days until I make my ADR and BBB reservations! I think this is the first post where I'm NOT changing around my plans...you're welcome if you're still following around from that hot mess.

I'll be putting in a call to Disney today to get some answers on booking our hotel. Since the military promotion won't be out until August, I'm hoping I can still reserve my hotel, then add the discount once its out.

The next thing I'm working on is our MNSSHP costumes! I am sooo excited about them, but a little worried seeing as I don't want to fork out tons of money on costumes, but I don't have a creative bone in my body.

Since there will be 7 of us, I wanted everyone to coordinate, and they all seem to be going along with my plan, lol.

My daughters and I will be going as Disney fairies. Now, my favorite is Vidia and I really wanted to go as her...but my older daughter wanted to as well. Can you believe I really wanted to beg her to please please PLEASE let me be Vidia? Then I remembered...that I'm 28 years old and she's 8...so its probably not the mature thing to do?

So, I'll be going as Rosetta, she'll be going as Vidia, and my younger DD will be Tinkerbell. Then, my husband will be Hook, my brother will be Peter Pan, my sister will be Wendy, and my mom will be Tiger Lily. I can't wait, although its up to me to get all of our costumes together

I think the hardest thing will be wigs for me and my older DD. I can't find any premade wigs, so I think...I'm going to have to...make them.

I'm thinking for me and oldest DD we can wear leotards and I can make us tutu's. I've made tutu's before so THAT I'm not scared of. And of course a Tinkerbell costume for a 2 year old will be easy to find. I'm still not sure how to go about getting my mom a Tiger Lily outfit together, my sister's Wendy outfit should be pretty easy...and I think we'll have to make my husband's Hook jacket since he insisted that he HAS to have the coat.

If anyone is creative and has any ideas, I would really appreciate it!

 

[ColonelHathi]

So, in typical Tara fashion, I really started to worry about my plan. And I mean...really worry.

I just wasn't comfortable with going to parks that I should be avoiding, like Magic Kingdom on a Monday. I've done a ton of reading and while I do know that if I get there with a good "plan" that I can still get a lot done, I would just be more comfortable going on days that are recommended.

By the way...easywdw is pretty much the best WDW planning tool you could want. I love the breakdowns and explanations of each day and I love just reading his blog. He brings a little bit of our happy place to us all of that aren't there....and it doesn't hurt that his sense of humor is hilarious and entertaining. So...use it if you haven't already!

I know that I can't plan the "perfect" trip. But I do know that this will probably be one of the only times I can get my family, mom, and brother and sister all to go at the same time. I just want to limit as much stress as possible...which is pretty hard!

So....I've switched my days around. I have until April 22nd to get things final so that I can make my ADR's...so hopefully I don't change my plans 100 times until then!

Well...if ANYONE has any ideas or input on my plans, PLEASE let me know. I'm planning everything on my own and this is my first time planning all of this!

Hi! Just came across your trip report and so excited we are going the same week!!! WooHoo, Sunday we get to make our ADRs!!!

Here's our park touring - I'll have to check out easywdw. We have a subs for touringplans, but it seems they have AK and HS EMH incorrect info - from what I have seen it's different from 2012, so maybe they were going off 2012 info? Anyway, different stuff, but maybe helpful? Happy planning...

Fri, Oct. 18th
Arrive

Sat, Oct. 19th
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - Resort/Starring Rolls
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Offsite - Cafe Tu Tu Tango
possibly driving up to visit sister who is competing in a Triathlon North of Orlando

Sun, Oct. 20th
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Resort/Kusafiri
Lunch - Flame Tree Barbeque
Dinner - TRex

Monday, Oct. 21st
Epcot
B-Akershus late bfast
L/Snack - Boulangerie Patisserie
Dinner - Via Napoli
Illuminations

Tuesday, Oct. 22nd
BREAK/SPA/BAYOU PIRATE ADVENTURE
Breakfast - Resort
Lunch - Earl of Sandwich
Dinner - Boma

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd
Epcot
Breakfast - Resort
L - Sunshine Season Food Fair
Dinner - Biergarten

Thursday, Oct. 24th
MK - MNSSHP /SPA #2
Breakfast - Resort
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Cosmic Ray's
(MNSSHP - 4:00PM!!)

Friday, Oct. 25th
BREAK - possible HS in evening
Breakfast - 'Ohana
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Mama Melrose's (Dining package)
Alternate MNSSHP or Fantasmic!

Saturday, Oct. 26th
MK
Breakfast - Crystal Palace (pre-RD)
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Be Our Guest
Wishes, etc.

Sunday, Oct. 27th
Breakfast - Resort
Leave

 

[ColonelHathi]

And I'm so guilty of buying stuff ahead of time. I think it does save money- a lot easier to budget 5-20 bucks a week than $200 right before you leave!

And thank you for the service your husband provides (and you as his family!)

Bwahaha... I have a Disney pile/box I have been stashing away since we started saving for our trip (more than a year ago). So many good tips on the boards, resulting in so many trips to the dollar store or Target dollar bins! Here's a few ideas beyond the hamper and glow sticks:

~look for detergent freebies and samples - Method, Tide (P&G), Woolite, etc.
~collapsable square box containers ($1)
~hanger shoe rack holder ($1)
~collapsable closet sweater holder ($1)
~Shower suction hooks ($1)
~OXO magnet clips for the door/to hang lanyards (@ $5 for 8pk)
~little plastic file/coupon folder (Target, $1)
~travel bottle opener (Target, $1)

 

[joshswif]

Hi! Just came across your trip report and so excited we are going the same week!!! WooHoo, Sunday we get to make our ADRs!!!

Here's our park touring - I'll have to check out easywdw. We have a subs for touringplans, but it seems they have AK and HS EMH incorrect info - from what I have seen it's different from 2012, so maybe they were going off 2012 info? Anyway, different stuff, but maybe helpful? Happy planning...

Fri, Oct. 18th
Arrive

Sat, Oct. 19th
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - Resort/Starring Rolls
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Offsite - Cafe Tu Tu Tango
possibly driving up to visit sister who is competing in a Triathlon North of Orlando

Sun, Oct. 20th
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Resort/Kusafiri
Lunch - Flame Tree Barbeque
Dinner - TRex

Monday, Oct. 21st
Epcot
B-Akershus late bfast
L/Snack - Boulangerie Patisserie
Dinner - Via Napoli
Illuminations

Tuesday, Oct. 22nd
BREAK/SPA/BAYOU PIRATE ADVENTURE
Breakfast - Resort
Lunch - Earl of Sandwich
Dinner - Boma

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd
Epcot
Breakfast - Resort
L - Sunshine Season Food Fair
Dinner - Biergarten

Thursday, Oct. 24th
MK - MNSSHP /SPA #2
Breakfast - Resort
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Cosmic Ray's
(MNSSHP - 4:00PM!!)

Friday, Oct. 25th
BREAK - possible HS in evening
Breakfast - 'Ohana
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Mama Melrose's (Dining package)
Alternate MNSSHP or Fantasmic!

Saturday, Oct. 26th
MK
Breakfast - Crystal Palace (pre-RD)
Lunch - TBD
Dinner - Be Our Guest
Wishes, etc.

Sunday, Oct. 27th
Breakfast - Resort
Leave

Awesome! It looks like we at least have one day in the same park! Can't wait! Thanks for joining in!

 

[joshswif]

Bwahaha... I have a Disney pile/box I have been stashing away since we started saving for our trip (more than a year ago). So many good tips on the boards, resulting in so many trips to the dollar store or Target dollar bins! Here's a few ideas beyond the hamper and glow sticks:

~look for detergent freebies and samples - Method, Tide (P&G), Woolite, etc.
~collapsable square box containers ($1)
~hanger shoe rack holder ($1)
~collapsable closet sweater holder ($1)
~Shower suction hooks ($1)
~OXO magnet clips for the door/to hang lanyards (@ $5 for 8pk)
~little plastic file/coupon folder (Target, $1)
~travel bottle opener (Target, $1)

I have been looking for the collapsable square box containers and haven't been able to find them! I read about them here and thought it was such a great idea!

Any idea where I could get some? I've looked at Dollar General and Wal Mart with no luck.

 

[ColonelHathi]

We bought ours at Dollar Tree. They came in navy and burgundy. They are about 8x8x8 or so.

 

[ColonelHathi]

Happy ADR day tomorrow!

 

[joshswif]

Happy ADR day tomorrow!

Thank you!

And thanks for the tip! I'll have to make a trip there!

 

[joshswif]

Well, we can all take a deep breath...

And exhale slowly...

I'm done with my ADR's!

My ADR day was yesterday, so the night before I was in panic mode. It was my first time making the reservations and I was just so nervous about the whole process.

I had told my husband that we needed to go over every detail so he knew what I was planning. That way if he wanted something changed, we could do it then. With him being gone, all the planning has been on me especially. Its hard to toss ideas at him when he's almost 2,000 miles away! Plus, he's just not into the planning part of Disney. He loves to go, and has a blast when we're there...but he just hates the detailed planning. He's so lucky to have me...

After our pow wow, we only changed one thing and that was our 2nd night in Epcot. See, my husband thinks that if you go to Epcot, you should eat something you normally wouldn't find here. I fully support it and love it as well. Its pretty much one of our only chances to try different things and we love it. Last year, we took the girls to Akershus and we ate the Traditional Kjottkake. For anyone that doesn't know, its meatballs with gravy and jelly. It sounds weird, but it was actually really good! My husband loved it and that's why he picked eating at Akershus again.

But, with the Food and Wine Festival going on at the same time, I assured him that we would be able to eat all different kinds of food. So he thought it would be really fun to just eat all day long at Epcot, have dinner at Le Cellier for a date (say what...) and then wrap it up all romantic like walking around the countries at night. I'm down with that.

So, that was our last change. We'll be eating at Le Cellier while my mom, brother, sister, and our girls eat at Garden Grill. I was having a hard time letting my girls go to a character meal without us...but we'll do so many and I think DH and I really would love some QT. He's been gone for two months now...and October will be month after our anniversary. Plus...I just think he's a pretty cool guy and all

After our pow wow, I listed off all the ADR's I wanted in order of importance, along with all the times I was hoping for. I was all set to get into bed, when my 22 month old decided sleep was for the weak.

So, I finally got her back to bed at 2:30AM. I was getting really nervous then, so I set my pot of coffee and alarm clock...and was asleep at 3:30. I woke up two hours later, made my cup of coffee (because really...nothing will get accomplished without it) and waited until 6!

When the time came, I booked CRT, Ohana, and Le Cellier with no problem. I was so excited! I then did our character breakfasts. When I went to click on a time, I clicked "breakfast" instead of a specific time. This brought up times that I didn't really want (breakfast at 9...no no for us) but I chose it anyways just in case. It wouldn't let me book Garden Grill for my mom, kids, and siblings. It wouldn't let me do it since it was around the same time my husband and I were eating at Le Cellier. So I knew I would have to talk and sort that out. At this point my computer decided to be really cute and go crazy on me so I had to restart the whole thing. Good times.

I got everything back up though, and was able to reserve everything else!

I took a little break and waited until 7:00. I called about 7:05 and was on hold for 25 minutes. I actually thought I would have to wait longer. I told the lady about my problem booking Garden Grill and she fixed it with on problem. She was extremely nice. I then asked her about booking BBB and she said she could do that as well, so I got that all set up!

And then I could rest easy! Um no. I was too excited! I sent a text to everyone in our group since I knew that they were all still sleeping. Except for my mom...I knew she would be up. They all think I'm nuts with all of this...but just wait until October. They'll thank me then.

So, here are our FINAL plans, along with our ADR times!

Disney World
October 18th-27th

Fri, Oct. 18th
Arrive

Sat, Oct. 19th
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - Hollywood and Vine (8:00AM or earlier if possible)
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - Studio Catering Company

Sun, Oct. 20th
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - AoA
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - Cinderella's Royal Table (5:35PM)
BBB at 12:30PM
Parkhop to Hollywood Studios for
Disney Junior Dance Party

Monday, Oct. 21st
Epcot
B-Eat our own food
L-QS and snacks use for F&W Festival
Dinner-Coral Reef (5:55PM)

Tuesday, Oct. 22nd
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - AoA
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - Ohana (6:25PM)


Wednesday, Oct. 23rd
BREAK
Breakfast-AoA
L-Snack
Dinner-Buy something
MSEP, Wishes

Thursday, Oct. 24th
Epcot
Breakfast - Eat our own food
Lunch - QS and snacks at F&W Festival
Dinner-Le Cellier (DH and I) 6:20PM
Garden Grill (mom, sister, brother, kids) - 5:20PM

Friday, Oct. 25th
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast - Chef Mickey's (7:00AM)
Lunch - Be Our Guest
Dinner - Snack
(MNSSHP - 7:00PM)

Saturday, Oct. 26th
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast - AoA
Lunch - Snack
Dinner - 50's Primetime Cafe (5:25PM)
Fantasmic!
(if added)

Sunday, Oct. 27th
Animal Kingdom
Breakfast - Tusker House (8:00AM or earlier if possible)
Lunch - Flametree
Leave

 

[Weezerette]

It's Laura from the FB group, found your PTR over here! You weren't kidding when you said you had to change things around a lot! I'm looking forward to your planning so I can steal all your ideas for myself...you know...since we have the same plans and all.

 

[joshswif]

It's Laura from the FB group, found your PTR over here! You weren't kidding when you said you had to change things around a lot! I'm looking forward to your planning so I can steal all your ideas for myself...you know...since we have the same plans and all.

Haha, I seriously did change them so much! glad you came over here so you can share your ideas too!

 

[mommy2AbIzEli]

Once the October schedule came out, I started looking at crowd calendars to determine which park I wanted to be in when. I like to go where they recommend.

I did run into a few problems.

First off...there were only 3 dates to go to MK see Wishes and the Electrical parade. A Monday, Wednesday, and a Saturday. I swore off the Saturday, knowing it would just be too crowded.

So that left Monday and Wednesday...but Wednesday was going to be our break day. I could have shifted it, but then we would be going to MK back to back...and I didn't want to do that.

So...I looked at the crowd numbers and saw that if we go on Monday, its a day to avoid. BUT...its a 4.5. So, as much as I didn't want to go a park that was recommended to avoid, I think I'll have to make a exception. But really...with MNSSHP going on, we just don't have many chances to see the other parades.

I'm telling you...I was stressing about this.

But...I think I finally have our plans.

I have a question. Where can you find the schedule of parades & crowd calendars? We are going in June.

 

[joshswif]

I have a question. Where can you find the schedule of parades & crowd calendars? We are going in June.

I use easywdw.com for my park planning. I really like his site!

Here is his June crowd calendar for you!

http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/06-june-2013-crowd-calendar/

He has all of the hours, every parade listed as well as the days he recommends going. Let me know if you need any other help! I love Disney planning! We went June of last year and loved it...despite a tropical storm!

 

[mommy2AbIzEli]

I use easywdw.com for my park planning. I really like his site!

Here is his June crowd calendar for you!

http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/06-june-2013-crowd-calendar/

He has all of the hours, every parade listed as well as the days he recommends going. Let me know if you need any other help! I love Disney planning! We went June of last year and loved it...despite a tropical storm!

Thank you so much!!!!!

 

[joshswif]

Thank you so much!!!!!

No problem

Let me know if you need any more help!