I can't believe it's really happening! February 2017 PTR

[Jennafoo]

Hi! I'm Jenna! ​

I live in California and I've planned at least half a dozen Disney World trips over the past few years, trying to make my WDW dream come true. Each time, something has gotten in the way.

My latest trip was supposed to be in October 2016. I made a down payment, started a PTR and everything. And then in February of '16, I was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. All Disney planning - all my life, really - came to a screeching halt.

Last year was a blur of tests, surgeries (four), life-threatening complications (three) and six grueling months of aggressive chemo that turned me into a completely different person. On top of all that, my cat died and my job tried to fire me the day I got back. (I say "tried", because they quickly learned that yeah, that's KIND of illegal.)

Fast forward to now, and I have been declared NED (no evidence of disease - a good thing in cancer treatment), have most of my energy back (though I will always have some disability and I walk with a cane) and I even got a new, better job that I am having a blast at. Even came with a raise!

So, what does that have to do with Disney??

Well, the middle of February is the anniversary of my diagnosis, and it's been weighing pretty heavily on me. Over the past week or so, I've really been thinking about getting away that week - being anywhere but here, mourning everything I've lost. I had considered Disneyland, but last night, I just decided to look at the possibility of WDW. And guess what?

It's happening!!

I got a great deal at Port Orleans French Quarter for the week of February 12-17 (the 'anniversary' is the 17th)! Even with a first class flight (which I prefer because of my health issues), it will cost less than DL. I just went ahead and booked it last night, made all my ADRs and this morning got my tickets and did my FP+.

So, I'm really, really going and in only 36 days. SO EXCITED.

​

 

[Jennafoo]

Planning a WDW trip a little over a month out, I had no idea how I'd do with things like ADRs and FP+. I needn't have worried, though; I got everything I wanted and more.

Here are the ADRs I made:

Be Our Guest (lunch)
Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room
Le Cellier
Chef Art Smith's Homecoming
Skipper Canteen
Raglan Road (Dinner)
Rose and Crown
Chefs de France
Tusker House (breakfast)
Boma (dinner)
Raglan Road (brunch)

I also made one VERY special ADR for my last night...

 

[MK2010]

YAY! I'm glad you FINALLY get to go! Your ADR's look amazing and I'me betting you'll fall in love with POFQ and never want to leave.

 

[Disfan5]

Wow, what a year! I'm glad things are looking up for you now

 

[Jennafoo]

YAY! I'm glad you FINALLY get to go! Your ADR's look amazing and I'me betting you'll fall in love with POFQ and never want to leave.

I'm so glad, too! Thanks for your kind words. I'm from southeast Louisiana, so even though it's kind of a version of NOLA that never really existed I'm expecting to feel right at home. The small footprint will be a blessing, too, I'll bet!

Wow, what a year! I'm glad things are looking up for you now

Thanks so much!

 

[Jennafoo]

I mentioned in my last post that I made a very special ADR for my last night. Very excited to be attending:

Highway in the Sky Dine Around Progressive Dinner

This is a new event that apparently has been really popular and sold out very quickly, so I was pleasantly shocked when an opening was available for Friday, 2/17: my last day at WDW.

Basically, your group boards a private monorail car and visits various Disney resorts for a 5-course progressive dinner complete with full size drinks. You end the night with a private fireworks viewing.

Here's the schedule:

• The Wave (Contemporary) - A Bay Lake Sunset cocktail and butternut squash bisque
• Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace (Poly): A Hippopoto-Mai Tai cocktail, cold appetizers (seared ahi tuna and beet salad), hot appetizer (chili-dusted pork belly)
• Citrico's (Grand Floridian): Red or white wine, duo of short rib and scallops
• Garden View Champagne and Wine Lounge (Grand Floridian): Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee, cheese board
• Private Patio (Contemporary): Cordials, desserts, and fireworks.

I'm SUPER excited about this, and think it'll be the perfect way to end my trip.

 

[Jennafoo]

Two changes today:

First, I had a late breakfast (10:20) scheduled at Tusker House for my AK day, followed by dinner at Boma. I was a little nervous about having two buffets in one day, but I really wanted to try Boma. I was also not totally sure about a character meal as a solo with no one to take pictures, but I figured I'd deal. However, some recent mediocre to bad reviews swayed me, and I switched to an 11am lunch at Yak and Yeti.

The other big change was to my second Epcot day. I've got an event on Friday night, but I decided another event was in order...so I booked the Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party! That means I have both this and the Highway in the Sky progressive dinner to look forward to.

Everything's coming together.

 

[Jennafoo]

Magic Band arrived!! It's starting to feel very real.

I was going to do orange - my favorite color- but this feels like a "colon cancer" trip, if that makes sense. So I chose the color of colon cancer awareness.

Only 22 days!

 

[thumper*]

Hi Jenna. Yay so Happy to hear that your getting this long awaited trip. Sounds like everything is lining up perfectly with a cheap WDW trip and ADR's. Cancer sucks but happy for NED.Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[MummyButterfly]

I mentioned in my last post that I made a very special ADR for my last night. Very excited to be attending:

Highway in the Sky Dine Around Progressive Dinner

This is a new event that apparently has been really popular and sold out very quickly, so I was pleasantly shocked when an opening was available for Friday, 2/17: my last day at WDW.

Basically, your group boards a private monorail car and visits various Disney resorts for a 5-course progressive dinner complete with full size drinks. You end the night with a private fireworks viewing.

Here's the schedule:

• The Wave (Contemporary) - A Bay Lake Sunset cocktail and butternut squash bisque
• Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace (Poly): A Hippopoto-Mai Tai cocktail, cold appetizers (seared ahi tuna and beet salad), hot appetizer (chili-dusted pork belly)
• Citrico's (Grand Floridian): Red or white wine, duo of short rib and scallops
• Garden View Champagne and Wine Lounge (Grand Floridian): Iron Horse Fairy Tale Cuvee, cheese board
• Private Patio (Contemporary): Cordials, desserts, and fireworks.

I'm SUPER excited about this, and think it'll be the perfect way to end my trip.

I can't wait to hear how this turns out! I hope it stays around for a while, because my oldest son is DYING to turn 21 so he can go.

I'm glad I found your PTR, so I can follow along on this very special trip.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

YAY!!! I'm so happy for you! I hope you have an awesome time!!!!!