Hoping to be Spoiled By a MOD! POFQ, here comes the FAM!!!

[ShannonMB]

I'm in. Looks like this PTR is going to be a lot of fun!

Anxious for a TR when you get back. I'd love to hear your reviews on some of your dining selections. I've not tried a couple of them but have always wanted to. Score on BOMA twice! One of my favorites.

I think you will like POFQ. Stayed there once and we really enjoyed it.

Looking forward to more........

Wow, look, fam -- our first non-family member poster on our Pre-Trip report!! Oh, and she's from Ohio! Thanks for joining us!

Just in case I confused you, the long list without the times and stuff is places we've already been before, not where we're going this time. Only the places that say the dates are where we're going THIS trip. One of these years I'm going to do a big 10 day trip with deluxe dining, but till then, just the few choices above. It takes so long to try everything with these wimpy 6 day trips with REGULAR dining!

I'll definitely do a TR when we get back, with lots of pics. That's the only way to deal with being back home after a trip! I'm off to check your recent one now!

 

[ShannonMB]

Day One!!!!!!

Okay! Here's what we are doing...

Saturday, 11/14 -- ARRIVAL DAY!

Carol is driving from South Carolina, I think the day before and staying someplace close offsite that night. That is going to be helpful to all of us, because instead of ordering from GardenGrocer, she can pick up stuff like water, snacks and pop and bring them with her. So she can arrive at WDW whenever she wants on arrival day.

Me, Lily, Janet, and Andy are arriving via Southwest Airlines to MCO (that's the Orlando airport, fam) from Columbus, OH at 1:40pm. Taking the Magical Express to POFQ.

Billy is arriving to MCO via Frontier Airlines at 4:16pm. Which is actually an awesome arrival time from Seattle! Without doing a red-eye or other such craziness. Also taking the Magical Express to POFQ.

Sooo, once we Columbus people arrive at 1:40pm, it'll probably be 3pm or so before we get to POFQ. I'm thinking our rooms should be ready by then. I'm hoping we get 2 rooms next to each other, and I requested building 2 or 5 on our reservations since I hear that's closest to the busses, food court, etc. Maybe we can have Carol check in earlier so hopefully we can get our room request.

Yes, that's right, I said 2 rooms. For 5 adults and 1 child. Before we knew that Carol and Billy were coming with us, we were going to be 3 adults and 1 child in 1 room. Close quarters, to be sure, especially probably the bathroom situation (and Janie and Andy would have to forgo the vacation hahahahahahahhahaha). But we figured we'd save a bunch of $ doing it that way, since we mostly will just sleep there anyway. Now with the 2 rooms, it should work out great. Since my mom and I both snore and Lily could sleep through a tornado, we'll probably have us 3 in one room and Janie, Andy, and Billy in the other.

So Billy will likely not get to POFQ until 5:30pm or 6, so the rest of us can check out the resort, get a snack, and/or swim in the dragon (is that a dragon?) pool.

DTD is the plan for this evening, we'll probably wait for Billy to arrive to head over on the boat (excited for that!), since he'll just be a couple hours behind us. Or he can meet us there.

Reservations at TRex cafe at 7pm!!!! Woowoo!!!! Lily and I tried this back in Feb and LOVED it, so much. We knew we had to repeat it, especially since Uncle Billy will be with us this time and he is a lover of all reptiles -- extinct and otherwise. Lily and I have a mission to try the CHOCOLATE EXTINCTION dessert, which comes to the table smoking from dry ice (an effect Lily especially LOVES). Lily also wants to build-a-dino again. Which I told her she can do, if she shares the dino with me and lets me help name it. We have a green one named Tink from Feb, and we will pick another Disney name for our new one!

Before/after dinner we will shop! We have to make sure to get Lily an autograph book for the week, and I'd love to stop in to Goofy's Candy Co and make some creations! Only me and Lily have been to the marketplace area of DTD, so I'm excited for everyone else to check it out, especially Janie, the big-time shopper of the group! I'm picturing a perfect evening to stroll around. It'll be a nice, relaxing day one!

 

[mcdowelj]

This sounds like a perfect first day! Shopping and eating - my 2 favorite things!!! Don't forget, Lily is quite the shopper too! Been working on her shopping skills since she was 2!

Can't wait to see more of our itinerary!! (Tried to find the popcorn eater to put here but can't find it) I love Ohio Disney Lover's post with the popcorn eaters, it cracks me up!!

 

[ShannonMB]

MAGICAL EXPRESS BOOKED for everyone!!!!

They will send our tags, etc out a couple weeks before we arrive (which will be pretty soon! Mom, make sure you check your mail and get Billy's mailed out to him as soon as you get them!

Mom would like me to add that we all remember the rigamarole with her luggage last time, so she suggests you go ahead and pick up your bags at the luggage area and take them with you on the Magical Express instead of having them magically delivered to your room. That is most certainly allowed, and it will be up to the individual whether they prefer to do it that way. May not be a bad idea....

 

[ShannonMB]

This sounds like a perfect first day! Shopping and eating - my 2 favorite things!!! Don't forget, Lily is quite the shopper too! Been working on her shopping skills since she was 2!

Can't wait to see more of our itinerary!! (Tried to find the popcorn eater to put here but can't find it) I love Ohio Disney Lover's post with the popcorn eaters, it cracks me up!!

haha

Yes, I forgot Lily is truly a shop-a-holic in training and will enjoy this day a LOT. Carol would probably be a close 3rd in that department.

 

[ShannonMB]

DAY 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First I will start off by saying that we are not hoppers yet. On the family blowout in 2007, we hopped exactly 1 time, and that was really just to say we did it. We had 7 people, so that was a $350 trip to Epcot to ride Soarin' one more time (a few checked out World Showcase). The next trip we didn't hop, and didn't feel like we needed it at all. At this point, there is still so much to do at each park for us, hardly anything is really "skippable" yet!

Because we're not hopping, there were a few things that needed to be considered before I picked which park which day. Most importantly, we had to pick a day at Hollywood Studios that Fantasmic! was showing. Andy and Carol have not seen it yet sad2 and it is a must-do for the rest of us!!!! Also, I tried to pick based on Boma's likely menu. I think they had the pepper pot soup on a Wed in 2007, and since that was Lily's fave, I want her to get that again. I preferred that overall menu to the one in Feb (a Monday), but still love Boma no matter what. We are planning on MVMCP, too, so had to plan everything else around that as well. BUT, I finally got it all worked out, and I think it'll be great! As discussed earlier in the PTR, these days are an outline that I will likely work from, and where everyone can deviate or follow along based on how they're feeling it/NOT feeling it!

So, Day 2 is...

EPCOT -- Sun, 11/15
Park hours: Future World 9am-7pm, World Showcase 11am-9pm NO EMHs
Unofficial Guide crowd prediction: 5 out of 10

Future World
Spaceship Earth
Get Soarin' FP
Nemo
Living with the Land
Sunshine Seasons Lunch -- I picked this counter service for lunch because of the close proximity to where we'll be, the huge variety, and the yummy bakery! If any would like to hike to a different country for lunch, go for it!
Ride Soarin' (if it's not time yet, think about trying Figment)
Club Cool -- Try the Beverly!!!
Get Test Track FP
Mission Space (for Andy and Billy!)

Depending on TT FP time, if it's soon, wait around and go on it, if not, after dinner.

World Showcase
Start countries in the UK
Pick a Pearl in Japan -- Kaki gori, anyone??
Maelstrom -- I gotta try a schoolbread in Norway this time!
The 3 Caballeros (sp) Mexico Boat Ride

Meet lots of princesses in the World Showcase! I especially want to meet my secret crush -- the Beast. World Showcase is a PERFECT example of everyone doing their own thing and meeting at dinner. I'm sure everyone's not going to want to spend all their time stalking characters in World Showcase, which is what Lily and I like best. So a great time to do it each their own way!

Dinner at San Angel Inn 5:30pm

Ride Test Track after dinner with FP if we haven't already

Either stay in Epcot longer (depending on how we did on time), ride faves again and stay for Illuminations OR, just make it a short day, OR, head out the International Gateway and take a boat/walk to the Boardwalk.

For those fam members who don't know about the Boardwalk, it's a resort and an entertainment area. In the evenings they have street performers like fire jugglers and such, and looks like a neat area to walk around. None of us has seen it before.

Questions/comments/observations on Day 2?

 

[ShannonMB]

Hello,This is ShannonMBS daughter just a question for all you disney fans. we are going to 1900 park fair and i dont know if i should dress nice and get really fancy or just wear a t-ee shirt and pants/shorts

 

[nania]

Ok.. well, I don't think it will take two hours to beat the fam in the tea cup extravaganza... I was thinking 10 or 12 minutes.... I'm up for the rest of the stuff...
I am highy offended to be in a category one lower on the wus scale than Billy... If I had to place a bet.... I think Lil would agree with me... ANd If I'm not mistaken, that carosel of progress was a snooze for Lil too... it is a good place to sit down....
And you apparently didn't read the "description: of the hotel thouroughly enough because there does happen to be a bar at the Orleans.... (i'm lookin out for the magic) and If by any chance... that didn't pan out.... there is always Germany over in epcot..
Yes.... I'll do everest (I think) But the only one I really want to see on the tea cups is classified in the "brave" category.... hahahahha

 

[mcdowelj]

Hello,This is ShannonMBS daughter just a question for all you disney fans. we are going to 1900 park fair and i dont know if i should dress nice and get really fancy or just wear a t-ee shirt and pants/shorts

I think you should be comfortable most of all! Maybe wear a nicer outfit that day if you want to look nice for this one! Since I haven't been there, I'm not sure what everyone else will be wearing. I'll bring something sort of nice though so I fit in.

 

[ShannonMB]

Ok.. well, I don't think it will take two hours to beat the fam in the tea cup extravaganza... I was thinking 10 or 12 minutes.... I'm up for the rest of the stuff...
I am highy offended to be in a category one lower on the wus scale than Billy... If I had to place a bet.... I think Lil would agree with me... ANd If I'm not mistaken, that carosel of progress was a snooze for Lil too... it is a good place to sit down....
And you apparently didn't read the "description: of the hotel thouroughly enough because there does happen to be a bar at the Orleans.... I said at the Magic Kingdom(i'm lookin out for the magic) and If by any chance... that didn't pan out.... there is always Germany over in epcot..
Yes.... I'll do everest (I think) But the only one I really want to see on the tea cups is classified in the "brave" category.... hahahahha

Oh my lord, you and those TEACUPS! Here I am slaving over our travel plans, and all you're worried about is the teacups and the bar -- ya may as well have just come to the Ohio State Fair with us this summer! I'm warning you, woman -- you better behave yourself and appreciate being in the Happiest Place on Earth! By the way, anyone who wants to make a jump to a different bravery category this trip will just have to prove themselves worthy to move up to the next level.

Billy, remember your idea for a song last time we were there?

When you wish upon a star....(Why do you ALWAYS DO THIS?)
Makes no difference who you ARE....(You better start feeling the GD MAGIC!)
Anything your heart desires....(Straighten up or we're going back to Ohio TODAY!)
Will come * to * you...(Do you know how much I paid for this trip to stand around and be aggravated by YOU?)

 

[mcdowelj]

Ok.. well, I don't think it will take two hours to beat the fam in the tea cup extravaganza... I was thinking 10 or 12 minutes.... I'm up for the rest of the stuff...
I am highy offended to be in a category one lower on the wus scale than Billy... If I had to place a bet.... I think Lil would agree with me... ANd If I'm not mistaken, that carosel of progress was a snooze for Lil too... it is a good place to sit down....
And you apparently didn't read the "description: of the hotel thouroughly enough because there does happen to be a bar at the Orleans.... (i'm lookin out for the magic) and If by any chance... that didn't pan out.... there is always Germany over in epcot..
Yes.... I'll do everest (I think) But the only one I really want to see on the tea cups is classified in the "brave" category.... hahahahha

So sorry that I put you in the lower wuss scale than Billy! The only reason was because Billy was really brave last time and went on all the stuff and I think you were on your blackberry during the last trip. That's the word on the street anyway! We'll need to re-evaluate the list when we get back and have it put in the trip report! Don't be scared of Everest! Only the brave ride Everest so you shouldn't have any problems!! haha! Billy was angry because it's very jerky! Billy said they have good beer at the resort bar, can't remember the name but it's hard to find - he checked it out on line.

 

[ShannonMB]

Billy said they have good beer at the resort bar, can't remember the name but it's hard to find - he checked it out on line.

Oooh, is it Dixie Blackened Voodoo by any chance? I've never been able to find that since I was in New Orleans..

 

[nania]

I'm LOVING the song!

 

[ShannonMB]

I'm LOVING the song!

Of course that won't be US!!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Love your plans so far. We went to DTD on our first day and TRex too! Had desert at TRex after dinner at Earl.

We're hoppers but I think it is because we take breaks...have to with this family!

Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[ShannonMB]

Love your plans so far. We went to DTD on our first day and TRex too! Had desert at TRex after dinner at Earl.

We're hoppers but I think it is because we take breaks...have to with this family!

Looking forward to hearing more.

I started and caught up on your trip report last night This family has been in quarantine with the swee swoo (swine flu) I think, for the past few days. Either that or some other terrible virus that causes a high fever, hideous cough and yucky nose . Plenty of time to read TRs!!! I LOVED your anniversary surprise - I had a little tear at that part. That cake was AWESOME! I commented over there about how much I love the Beast, too, and how glad I was to see the pic of the headless horseman! SOOO cool!!!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Ugh, you guys got it too? Someone in my family just got a positive H1N1 diagnosis. I hope you feel better soon.

I loved meeting Beast. Honestly, it was awesome!

The cake was incredible. I so wish I could have a piece now!

I swear I have tried to take a picture of the headless horseman more times than I can count. While it's not the greatest, it beats anything I have taken in the past.

I have to think of something for next year's anniversary surprise. Any ideas?

 

[ShannonMB]

I have to think of something for next year's anniversary surprise. Any ideas?

Hmm, how 'bout an Illuminations cruise? hahaha So original! Maybe he'd like that Richard Petty driving thingy?

You know what I like about you, OhioDisneyLover? That you cried when your sweet hubby gave you a handful of pixie dust. *Most* people laugh when I tell them I cried when Mickey Mouse blew me a kiss at the Jammin' Jungle Parade. But I bet you would, too! That's what I call a true magic feeler!

 

[Sarahboo]

I'll join along in your PTR too. I'm excited to hear about POFQ since we're staying there in January.

 

[ShannonMB]

I'll join along in your PTR too. I'm excited to hear about POFQ since we're staying there in January.

Thanks for joining! I popped over to yours to see what you guys are up to, too. Have a great time planning! It passes the time at least, especially when you're home sick like us (and half of the rest of the world)!