How can I give you a Florida quiz...i've never been!!! 3-17th July 2010

[irishdancer86]

From the saddest place in the world (revising t my desk on a Fri evening ) to the very happiest place on earth...

Day 5:

Our wake up call is going to have to be something scandalous like 5.30am! giving us enough time to get ready and find our way safely to the Contemporary for our 7am ADR at Chef Mickey's...

I will have no hesitation to join in this crazy napkin dance, DBF might hang back but I think he'll still enjoy it! It will also be my first time trying one of these bad boys...

although obviously i'll have mine with syrup instead of fruit!

The we are intending to walk over to...MAGIC KINGDOM...when I asked DBF whick park first he just said he assumed it would be the one with the castle! (can anyone confirm that if we pay for valet parking we are ok to leave our car at the contemporary all day and collect it after the fireworks?)

This will be my first time packing a park bag and making sure we have all the necessities...really hope we see the Opening ceremony!

Our plan of attack will be roughly following the oneday tourplan at the back of the Unofficial Guide, is this a good idea?

We will hopefully make ropedrop and head to Space Mountain first, then Buzz Lightyear,

Next will either be the main rides in fantasyland or Frontierland! I will take a copy of the tour plan with us but hopefully by pacing ourselves and using fastpass we will get round all the rides in the park (with the exception of Dumbo and maybe Goofy's barnstormer and the astro orbiters!)


So about 20-25 rides, can it be done in one day! I hope so!

Lunch is at 2.30pm at the Liberty Tree Tavern and this photo, which I read about on Nikki's honeymoon trip report is the reason why, the photo is from the disney food blog...

Top 5 Anticipated Rides of the Day
1. Splash Mountain
2. Space Mountain
3. Philharmagic
4. Pirates of the Carribean
5. It's a Small World

We will stay until closing and see Mainstreet Electrical Parade and Summertastic, slightly wish it was still Spectro and Wishes but also excited so see the new show!

Here are a few old school photos from the Magic Kingdom, I think one of them must have been my first character meet!

There's the sign for our lunch venue:

1st Castle Photo!

Swiss family tree house, my nana and granda loved this!

 

[klacey1]

Love the throwback pictures!! I LOVE Liberty Tree Tavern-- you'll have a great lunch there. Make sure you don't miss rope drop at MK-- the opening show is so magical!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi!

About the parking at Contemporary all day - I think you can do it, but it's kinda 'frowned upon' lol (I believe someone asked a similar question on a wdwtoday podcast!)

And the walk to MK takes no time at all! I didn't realise just how close it was until I had dinner at The Wave last December!

The opening ceremony is amazing! I love it so much

Those old photos are so cute! what year was that? my first trip was 1993 (I was 8!) I think I need to scan all the photos onto my computer one day.


Emma x

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Discovery Cove looks wonderful. I think my daughters would get a kick out of being there. I will have to make sure we build it into our next year's plan.

Found a "Disney" answer to your valet question- 3 hour parking time limit: http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?page=4&where=panel&qid=31520&pid=45&cid=141

I love that you play with alliterative names over meals! Your family sounds like fun!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

So glad I could help! That is exactly why WE made an ADR at LTT. I saw someone posted a picture of that cheese!!

Before:

After:

But we still had room for this:

 

[tinkgurl]

What a great way to start the day off with Chef Mickey's! Of course, I love the napking swinging as well. I usually get so into it and the singing that Sis usually videotapes me or takes tons of pics.

I don't know about the parking situation, but I know it's definitely nice to be able to walk from the Contemporary to the MK. The walk takes only about 7-10 minutes.

I really hope you get to see the opening show. It's really great. Here's what I would do...head to Space first, ride it, then ride Buzz while you're there. Then, head over to Splash and get FP's for later. That way you can enjoy other things until your FP return time!

 

[Stefy]

Sounds good, Chef Mickeys in the morning, then rope drop, then a full day at MK

Loving the flashback pics, you look so cute

 

[Cat0727]

Your old school pics are adorable!

Let me know how LTT is! I've never been for lunch, but it looks yummy!

 

[irishdancer86]

Love the throwback pictures!! I LOVE Liberty Tree Tavern-- you'll have a great lunch there. Make sure you don't miss rope drop at MK-- the opening show is so magical!

Really want to make rope drop but if have to move the car from Contemporary to TTC it may be a problem! Glad to hear another good review for LTT, will be nice to be in the cool at 2.30pm after a busy first few hours!

Hi!

About the parking at Contemporary all day - I think you can do it, but it's kinda 'frowned upon' lol (I believe someone asked a similar question on a wdwtoday podcast!)

And the walk to MK takes no time at all! I didn't realise just how close it was until I had dinner at The Wave last December!

The opening ceremony is amazing! I love it so much

Those old photos are so cute! what year was that? my first trip was 1993 (I was 8!) I think I need to scan all the photos onto my computer one day.


Emma x

Hi Emma these pictures are either from May 1992 or Nov 1994! I didn't scan them just took photos of the pictures, would love to see some of you and Verity when you were little!

Thanks for the info re parking, I have heard that somewhere too, I might phone the Contemporary and see is there any give with their rule, I would hate to be parking illegally and worrying all day! just with a 7am adr would there be time to switch parking lots and still make the opening ceremony?

Discovery Cove looks wonderful. I think my daughters would get a kick out of being there. I will have to make sure we build it into our next year's plan.

Found a "Disney" answer to your valet question- 3 hour parking time limit: http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?page=4&where=panel&qid=31520&pid=45&cid=141

I love that you play with alliterative names over meals! Your family sounds like fun!

We are a happy family, but we have big laughs and then big rows too! Discovery Cove looks very peaceful and relaxing, so will be a good start to the holiday hopefully! My nana says she can't think of anything worse and wonders where the dolphins go to the toilet...gee thanks nana!

But anyway...I'm sure your girls would love it!

So glad I could help! That is exactly why WE made an ADR at LTT. I saw someone posted a picture of that cheese!!

But we still had room for this:

I think our 'after' photo might match yours, we might just share the appetiser and share the burger...and then copy you and Tom with that dessert too looks DEEEELICIOUS!

What a great way to start the day off with Chef Mickey's! Of course, I love the napking swinging as well. I usually get so into it and the singing that Sis usually videotapes me or takes tons of pics.

I don't know about the parking situation, but I know it's definitely nice to be able to walk from the Contemporary to the MK. The walk takes only about 7-10 minutes.

I really hope you get to see the opening show. It's really great. Here's what I would do...head to Space first, ride it, then ride Buzz while you're there. Then, head over to Splash and get FP's for later. That way you can enjoy other things until your FP return time!

Hey hey! Napkin swinging just seems such a good start to the day!
Thanks for the walking time info, I like knowing all the little details like that!

It was your opening show description that really put it in the forefront of my mind! and I think DBF would like seeing the family of the day!

Yep, think that plan sounds excellent, would love to ride Splash twice if possible, I love it so much! and of course i've got my tinkerbell poncho can't wait to wear it!!

Sounds good, Chef Mickeys in the morning, then rope drop, then a full day at MK

Loving the flashback pics, you look so cute

Thanks stefy, I love looking back at all the photos...

It will be a very long day but can't wait!

Your old school pics are adorable!

Let me know how LTT is! I've never been for lunch, but it looks yummy!

Thanks, i enjoyed looking back through our old photos! No problem, I'll let you know all about our lunch! those photo's nikki posted are making me hungry!

 

[irishdancer86]

Day 6: Hollywood Studios

This will be another early start as we want to be there to rush with the masses to Toy Story, i absolutely loved this ride, I stood in the queue for about 90 mins in summer 08 for my one and only ride! so should we

a) join fastpass and then ride?

b) ride and then fastpass?

these decisions keep me awake at night! Really!
Whatever way it pans out we will then head over Fastpass Tower of Terror, ride Rock n Rollercoaster or some combination of those things, these are some of my favourite rides and can't wait to experience them with DBF! I will be thinking of Kim and her Robe in the Tower of Terror giftshop!

The rest of the day will be Indiana, the car show...think these will both appeal to DBF,

Voyage of the Little Mermaid and The Beatuty and the Beast show are both favourites of mine! and the group before the B&TH were brilliant the last time I was there!

Great Movie Ride and Backstage Tour are also must do's, and American Idol, never done it so would like to give it a try!

Muppets and Startours...I'm on the fence...will see how much time we have!

Our only ADR for this day is at 2.30 in Sci-Fi!

we are meeting our friends from Raglan Road again so there will be 6 of us, a car would be perfect! crossed fingers! the onion rings look so nice, might have to try a portion!

and to finish the night off we will be waiting to see...FANTASMIC

We might bring a snack in to eat since we won't have had anything since around 3/3.30, any ideas where to go or what to bring in with us? would pass the time while waiting...



Day 7: Busch Gardens

We will try and set off super early and be at the Park for 9...then it will be rollercoasters, animals, more rollercoasters and some more animals...

looking forward especially to
1. Sheikra
2. Kumba
3. Gwazi
4. Edge of Africa, Rhino Rally
5. The aeriel line over the animal habitats

I'm nervous even looking at this photo

Dinner will hopefully be at a TGI Fri's if we pass one on the way back from Tampa...

If we arrive back in Orlando at a suitable time we will be checking out the Titanic experience, which is one of only two things that DBF requested we try! so have to be a good GF and go along (although I've been once before). My nana's grandfather actually was a carpenter on the ship in Belfast!

Day 8: Might be a breakfast at the Ponderosa (which I love!) and then SEAWORLD!

Can't wait to try out Manta for the first time

then head to Kraken and Journey to Atantis, I think DBF will be bit nervous about Kraken but he would never let me go on by myself so he'll have to come!

Then all day will be spent doing the shows...Believe, Blue Horizons, Clyde & Seamore and looking through all the exhibits, I especially love terrors of the Deep! I think this will be a nice romantic day, strolling through seaworld hand in hand is that a bit cheesy?!

Here are a few photo's of me at Seaworld getting some autographs!

My mum has recommeded Miller Ale House for Dinner, any one ever been to one of their Orlando branches?

In the evening, time permitting, we want to go to Islands of Adventure and get a feel for Harry Potter Land, browse through the shops etc and plot out our plan of attack for later in the holiday!

I've been reading all the tweets, articles and threads the past few days and it sounds so so exciting! Think it will be brilliant!

Don't know if I will go so far as to buy a wand, but like the sound of a framed Marauder's map!

http://www.**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/4648075608_fe8b7a289d5.jpg

 

[irishdancer86]

And although I am supposed to have ceased shopping, I've managed to sneak in another dress for the lovely sunny florida weather...DBF won't lose me in this anyway!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We have a framed Maurader's map! A company called "The Noble Collection" does movie props and it is awesome!! I also have Hermione's wand and a time turner!

I love how you are excited to go to TGI Fridays! Do they not have them in Ireland? There are 4 in driving distance of us! We eat there a lot. I like how you venture out of Disney. Once we land at MCO and get on that ME bus, it's Disney all the way for us! Not this trip, but next time we are definitely going to look into going to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

 

[Dancegrl624]

We LOVE Chef Mickey's! When planning my ADR's for Sept, I was told by my DH and DD that we had to eat at Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace. They didn't care where else we ate! I love the old pictures that you've posted. Isn't is fun to look back at previous Disney trips?

I've never been to Busch Gardens in Tampa, but I've been to the one in Virginia. They have some excellent roller coasters! In 2006, we stayed at a Marriott Vacation Club on International Drive right by SeaWorld. We drove by it everyday and we always would watch the people on Atlantis and one of the other coasters (not Manta...it wasn't built yet).

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Your plans look so awesome! If I were you, though, I'd get a FP for Toy Story and then ride, since by the time you get off the ride, there's a strong chance that the return time will be much, much later. That ride is absolutely insane when it comes to running out of fastpasses and crazy wait times. It's awesome, though

 

[Raecheal]

Your plans are looking great, I love that dress. I"m always sneaking in some last minute purchases (even on the day of departure)

I"m excited to see Harry Potter Land as well..just trying to convince Dbf!

...i'm still here reading your PTR..

 

[Cat0727]

Love your dress! The pattern is really pretty!

As for a snack for Fantasmic, I heard Starring Rolls Cafe is really good. They have all kinds of treats, including humongous cupcakes & muffins.

 

[disneybarbie]

Love the plans so far!

For Toy Story Midway Mania... DBF & I always do "(b)" - ride then get a FP - because we tend to spend most of a day at DHS so we know we'll still be there at 2/3pm if the FP is that late!
The queue for FPs is so big first thing after rope drop... I wonder if some people just join it because they think it's the queue for the actual ride?! but then time we've ridden it (usually less than 10 minute wait) the FP queue has disappeared lol
Either way will work though.. just definitely head over there first thing!


I went to Busch Gardens in 2008 (while staying in Bradenton with my parents ) and we did all the rollercoasters ... Sheikra is soo scary - it's like Oblivion in Alton Towers but much much better! and it really pauses right at the top of that vertical drop !

Emma x

ps - love the dress!

 

[tinkgurl]

For TSM, I'd say get FP's and then get in the stand-by line. You never know how much later the FP return time could go if you rode stand-by first before getting FP's. It might be during Fantasmic and you don't want that since you're watching the show!

 

[klacey1]

For a snack to bring into Fantasmic, I reccomend going to Starring Rolls and getting a cupcake-- yummy!
I love Seaworld!! Atlantis is so fun-- I also love the tunnel you walk through with all the fish around you. With a Disney or IOA/US vacation being a bit hurried, it's nice to take a day at Seaworld and relax!! Clyde and Seamore is my favorite show there, it's absolutely hysterical!

 

[Stefy]

All sound great

For TSM I would get an FP then ride it, thats what we are hoping to do this year. It most prob won't be that big a wait than if you did it the other way round.

I remember the Kraken, is an awesome ride, I remember DF having second thoughts walking up to it, bless him. But its over so quickly, so at least DF can relax a little knowing that