How Many People Are Going on This Trip? A Feb 2014 PTR - TR Link Posted 2/21!!

[Pluto0809]

We will be splitting the day on Wednesday between Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios to catch anything we missed the first time in each of those parks. I’m pretty sure that Morgan and her gang are headed to MK.

AK actually has morning EMH and opens at 8 am. I will mention that to our little group of 4 but I doubt they will want to rush to get there by 8. Since we hit all of the big rides on our previous day, there really is no need to make rope drop.

The four of us are huge animal fans so this morning will probably be dedicated to animal watching. We will walk both trails and probably head out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch since we skipped it in 2010. I actually haven’t been out there since 2011. Jocelyn has talked non-stop about the fruit bats since we saw them four years ago so I know we will be spend some time in that area.



We will definitely stop to see Flights of Wonder which was another thing we skipped in 2010.



Lunch will be CS at either AK or HS, whatever John & Jocelyn pick. I thought about busing to a resort to try something different but I think that will take too much time out of our day.



Once we get to HS our first FP+ is for Star Tours from 1 – 2 pm.



I’ve decided that I’m going to give Star Tours one more try. I got really sick when I rode it in March but it was after back to back thrill rides so I’m hoping I just overdid it that time. I put Star Tours first just in case we don’t make it out of AK in time to make the FP+. My family really can spend hours watching animals. Hopefully if we miss the FP+ time, the line won’t be too bad and we can do standby.

Our 2nd FP+ is for Toy Story Mania from 2:10 pm – 3:10 pm. This will probably be my only ride on TSM this trip so I plan to make the most of it!



I’m not sure what we will do in between the two rides, maybe the new Pirates show?



I found it a bit strange but John wants to see all the new stuff. American Idol is a possibility if we didn’t see it on the first day. That show along with Lights, Motors, Action are the two that we missed in 2010. I really didn’t have anything to pick for the third FP+ because my group does not want to ride TOT again. I’m not sure I can still call them family after that one! So instead, I made the final FP+ for the LMA show. Totally unnecessary to have but the system won’t let you make less than 3 FP+ reservations so I had to use it for something. So sometime between 3:40 and 4:00 pm we will head to the LMA stadium.



After LMA there probably won’t be much time until our dinner reservation at 5:30 pm at Sci Fi. In 2010 we ate at Mama Melrose, 50s Prime Time and Hollywood and Vine so the choice to go to Sci Fi was pretty easy for this trip. When I first made our reservations, I had a 6:00 pm one. Disney contacted me though and asked me to move the reservation to 5:30 as the restaurant was closing early that night. I still haven’t been able to figure out why it’s closing early, maybe something to do with the cheerleading competitions that are going on that week.

There are two Fantasmics this night at 7 pm and 8:30 pm.



It will be up to Mom, John and Jocelyn to determine if we go and see the show. If we can make the 7 pm one I think we might. I really don’t think they will want to stick around to see the 8:30 pm show. This is mainly because John & Jocelyn are leaving early the next morning to head to Universal. They are probably going to want to head back to the resort a little early to pack.

Up Next: Thursday, February 13, 2014 Freedom!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Everything sounds spectacular!!!! It's coming so quickly!!! ACK!!!!!

D~

 

[Chicago Mo]

It's a week away!!!

Everything looks amazing. i really cannot wait to see the wedding! You and Jim all dressed up in Disney too!!!

LOVE everything your planning!!

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like a relaxing morning at AK and afternoon/evening at HS! Hopefully you don't get sick this time on Star Tours :-/ It's good that you are using this day to do things you didn't originally get to. No TOT though?! Just kidding, I understand that it's not for everyone and you have to be mindful of the people you are with!

 

[KatMark]

Ariana, your trip is just around the corner.

I love your plans for your split day at AK/Studios. I didn't know you couldn't pick just two FP+...that's a good thing to know.

 

[disneychic2]

Hey, I just may stick my head around the corner at the wedding! Wouldn't that be something.

I'm a big fan of a more relaxed second day at the parks. I was thinking if you made it to Fantasmic for the early show, while the rest of your party is seated waiting for it to start, you could sneak over to TOT and get your fix. Might be tight, though, since my experience with Mama Melrose is great food, but very slow service.

Freedom has a nice ring to it. I'm sure you'll be more than ready. We're actually flying out on the 13th, but not until 7:30 or so. I always try to leave as late as possible to get those last hours in.

Won't be long now...

 

[Luvchefmic]

Just wanted to pop over here and let you know Thurs 13 th I'm off Maybe that day would work out better ?? You let me know

 

[nolacindy]

Disney wedding stalking....hmmm...never thought of that. Wonder how many peoples wedding pictures I could photobomb!

Love your dress and purse! Hopefully the weather will warm up a bit by then!

 

[nikki7680]

If Star Tours got you sick once, I would skip it. I get really bad motion sickness. I wear a patch prescribed from my doctor the whole trip. I can handle most rides while wearing it. My husband swore to me up and down that Star Tours wouldn't feel any different than Dinosaur--that I should just close my eyes. Well, I went on and closed my eyes and felt every move that simulator made! Sure, I can say I finally tried it but I will never do it again. I cussed him out the second we got off the ride! LOL! Good luck if you do decide to try it again!!

 

[cheekypoppins]

Wow what an adventure that's going to be and you're gonna need alot of bagelnanas to get through all the excitement can't wait to see what's in store!

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

This trip is coming up QUICK!!! Hope all the snow melts and you are able to get everything done before you leave!!! Can't wait to see the pics

 

[PrincessInOz]

Have a great trip! Enjoy and hope to see loads of pictures when you return.

 

[Pluto0809]

Everything sounds spectacular!!!! It's coming so quickly!!! ACK!!!!!

D~

I know, only 8 days to go! I've started obsessing over the 10 day forecast, our first two days look great so far.

It's a week away!!!

Everything looks amazing. i really cannot wait to see the wedding! You and Jim all dressed up in Disney too!!!

LOVE everything your planning!!

Thanks, I can't wait, 8 days to go!

Sounds like a relaxing morning at AK and afternoon/evening at HS! Hopefully you don't get sick this time on Star Tours :-/ It's good that you are using this day to do things you didn't originally get to. No TOT though?! Just kidding, I understand that it's not for everyone and you have to be mindful of the people you are with!

I do hope I don't get sick this time. I've rode it in the past without any problem so I have no idea what happened in March. Well I will get one ride on TOT the first day and maybe if the lines not long, I can talk them into a second ride.

Ariana, your trip is just around the corner.

I love your plans for your split day at AK/Studios. I didn't know you couldn't pick just two FP+...that's a good thing to know.

Yeah, it's kind of weird that it won't let you pick less than 3. You would think they would want people to be able to do that to free up some for others. As you'll see in my next update, I have two that I'm almost sure I'm not going to use.

Hey, I just may stick my head around the corner at the wedding! Wouldn't that be something.

I think that would be awesome! I'm hoping that I have people recognize me because then my family will think I'm some kind of celebrity.

I'm a big fan of a more relaxed second day at the parks. I was thinking if you made it to Fantasmic for the early show, while the rest of your party is seated waiting for it to start, you could sneak over to TOT and get your fix. Might be tight, though, since my experience with Mama Melrose is great food, but very slow service.

I may just have to do some sneaking! We are actually eating at Sci Fi this time, not Mama Melrose. I totaly understand what you are saying about MM though. Last time I ate there I waited 40 minutes just to get seated for my ADR.

Freedom has a nice ring to it. I'm sure you'll be more than ready. We're actually flying out on the 13th, but not until 7:30 or so. I always try to leave as late as possible to get those last hours in.

Won't be long now...

I like leaving late too! Only 8 days to go!

Just wanted to pop over here and let you know Thurs 13 th I'm off Maybe that day would work out better ?? You let me know

Hmmmm.... Might work that day. I'm going to update very shortly about our plans for Thursday. We will work something out, doyou still have my phone number to text me?

 

[Pluto0809]

Disney wedding stalking....hmmm...never thought of that. Wonder how many peoples wedding pictures I could photobomb!

Love your dress and purse! Hopefully the weather will warm up a bit by then!

I've seen lots of photos of weddings that people have snuck here on the DIS that's why I mentioned "stalking" the wedding.

As of right now, the first two days are supposed to be in the upper 70s. I will be watching that forecast closely this week!

If Star Tours got you sick once, I would skip it. I get really bad motion sickness. I wear a patch prescribed from my doctor the whole trip. I can handle most rides while wearing it. My husband swore to me up and down that Star Tours wouldn't feel any different than Dinosaur--that I should just close my eyes. Well, I went on and closed my eyes and felt every move that simulator made! Sure, I can say I finally tried it but I will never do it again. I cussed him out the second we got off the ride! LOL! Good luck if you do decide to try it again!!

The weird thing is, I've ridden it in the past with no problem. That's why I want to give it a second try. In March I rode TSM, TOT, RnRC, TSM then Star Tours all right in a row so I think I just overdid it. I will say that if I get sick this time, I will be done with Star Tours!

Wow what an adventure that's going to be and you're gonna need alot of bagelnanas to get through all the excitement can't wait to see what's in store!

It is going to be an adventure! I may even have to upgrade to Mickey Waffles in order to handle it all.

This trip is coming up QUICK!!! Hope all the snow melts and you are able to get everything done before you leave!!! Can't wait to see the pics

It's supposed to make it up to 50 degrees today so I really hope the snow melts. I'm back at work finally today, we were off from noon on Tuesday and didn't start back till 10 am today.

Have a great trip! Enjoy and hope to see loads of pictures when you return.

Thanks, 8 days to go!

 

[Pluto0809]

I titled Thursday as “Freedom” because Mom and I are basically on our own from Thursday on. John and Jocelyn will be leaving early Thursday morning to go to Universal for a few days. As much as we love our family, I think we have been looking forward to the last few days the most. The updates will be brief because we really have very few set plans as we have no idea what we might want to do.

We have an early morning on Thursday because we will be headed back to MK for the Keys to the Kingdom tour at 8:30 am! Mom and I did the Wild Africa Trek in 2012 and loved it so much we wanted to try another tour this time.

I was really looking forward to seeing Main Street without the morning crowds like this:



But when the hours came out, I was disappointed to find out that MK opens at 8 am for EMH.

I’ve read a few TRs that included the KTTK tour and I’m really excited to go on it. I’m also looking forward to lunch at one of my favorite CS, Columbia Harbor House. I plan on having the fish and chicken plate.



The tour ends around 1 pm and I do have one FP+ made for this day. Well I really have three since the system automatically make three but the first two are during the tour. I think they are for Little Mermaid and Buzz Lightyear. If it turns out we decide to stay a little longer at MK that day, I’ll go in and change them to something in the afternoon.

The one that I did make was for the Mickey meet and greet from 1 pm – 2 pm. We will head there right after the tour and I’m hoping to catch talking Mickey!



I’m not sure what we will do for the rest of the afternoon but I can almost bet it will include shopping! Mom and I love to go in each and every store and I doubt we will have time to do that on the other days. We may even head to DTD for a little bit.



I think the most likely plan though will be to head to Epcot for some shopping and maybe some additional time in the Seas building. Mom and I can watch the sea life in there for hours.



We will be headed to Epcot at some point because that is where dinner is. When Mom and I knew we would be on our own for the last two days, we spent months trying to decide where those last two dinners would be. We wanted to try restaurants that were new to both of us so we eliminated all the ones we had been too. Then I studied all of the menus from all the restaurants we hadn’t eaten at to determine which ones my pickiness could handle. We finally narrowed it down to about 10 choices and then spent another four weeks narrowing those 10 down to 2. Yes, Mom and I take our Disney Dining very seriously!

So after all of that, where are we headed? To Italy and Via Napoli for a 6:20 pm dinner.



I have been wanting to eat at Via Napoli for a while now after reading such good reviews about it here on the DIS. Mom on the other hand wasn’t convinced because it was “just pizza” to her. I kept talking the restaurant up so she finally relented. I sure hope she likes it or I’ll probably get an “I told you so”. Since it’s new to both of us, I’m not sure at this point what we will get to eat but it will probably be pizza of some kind.

I don’t think we will stick around Epcot too much after dinner because we have yet another early day on Friday. We will probably be pretty tired by this point in the week so an early night back at the resort might a good thing.

Up Next: Friday, February 14, 2014 Mom’s Christmas Present

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like a great day of experiences planned. I sure hope you don't get "I told you so" at Via Napoli.

 

[SunDial]

Joining in on this one a little late. Sounds like a great plan all the way around.

We have had enough rain in the last few days to last a long time. Most of the time it is brief rain and thats it.

 

[ttcl516]

Joining in.....can't wait to hear how you like Via Napoli. I want to try it out next time too....and my family also keeps saying its just pizza. But they also have sangria "in a pitcher" yummy!!!!

 

[Pluto0809]

Sounds like a great day of experiences planned. I sure hope you don't get "I told you so" at Via Napoli.

Thanks! I hope Via Napoli works out cause you probably know how mother's can be!

Joining in on this one a little late. Sounds like a great plan all the way around.

We have had enough rain in the last few days to last a long time. Most of the time it is brief rain and thats it.

Hi Ed! Glad you joined in. I sure hope we don't get the kind of rain you are getting right now! So far the forecast looks pretty good through Wednesday. It's supposed to be a little cooler on the wedding day but no rain.

Joining in.....can't wait to hear how you like Via Napoli. I want to try it out next time too....and my family also keeps saying its just pizza. But they also have sangria "in a pitcher" yummy!!!!

Thanks for joining in! Oh man, I love sangria!

 

[Pluto0809]

Every time we plan a trip to Disney, Mom mentions wanting to eat in the castle. But three trips later and we still hadn’t planned a meal at CRT because she always defers to what everyone else wants. A few months before Christmas, I was trying to decide what to get her for Christmas so on a whim, I checked to see if there were any breakfast ADRs for Friday. I did not expect to find anything but was totally shocked to see an 8:35 am opening. So of course I snagged it!

My next problem was how to “give” it to her for Christmas. I do some dabbling in scrapbooking so I decided to make her an invitation from Cinderella. Here’s the final product.

Front:



Inside:





I had planned to use the gold lettering though the whole thing but seriously underestimated the number of packs I would need. Plus when started making the card, I realized there were no numbers in the gold pack. Duh, didn’t think that one through too well, did I? At least I had the pink letters as backup.

I didn’t get to go home this year for Christmas but did watch Mom open the card through Facetime. She is so excited to finally eat there! We have spent a lot of time discussing the various princesses we will meet and also deciding on what we will wear for our picture with Cinderella. Mom wants a nice one to hopefully frame.

So once again we will be headed back to MK for our fairytale breakfast.



And we will also get to see Main Street with very few people on it! I’m hoping to get to the gates a little early so we can take our time and get some photos along the way.

After breakfast, we will finally be meeting up with Morgan and her gang for some time together! Steve’s family is leaving on Thursday so Morgan won’t be tied up with them. I’m not sure what we will do but it will probably consist of rides like Dumbo:



Or maybe the Barnstormer:



Maybe we will even meet some characters with the kids:



Sometime during the morning, the kids have an appointment at the Pirates League so Mom and I will be joining them to watch how that all works.

I think we will probably eat lunch with them somewhere and then they will be heading out. They fly home that night but Mom and I are staying one more night.

We will be on our own again for the afternoon and will figure out what we want to as we go. Maybe some resort hopping? I really want to visit AOA and Mom loves the GF and Poly.



Dinner this night is at the Captain’s Grille at the Yacht Club at 6:35 pm.



I’m hoping to get there a little early as the Yacht Club is one of the only Deluxe Resorts I haven’t visited. I’ve read both good and bad about this restaurant but the menu sounds delicious and both Mom and I love seafood. I hope we love it!

Epcot is open until 11 pm so maybe after dinner we will spend some time in Wolrd Showcase. We talk every time about all the drinks we are going to try and then never do. Maybe this year we will get some of those in.

We could also head back to MK for some late night fun as it's open until 1 am.

Up Next: Saturday, February 15, 2014 Departure Day