I told you that you'd have fun!

DisneyGal358

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jan 27, 2003
Messages
274
Welcome to my first pre-trip report!

I love reading everyone's trip reports so much so finally I thought I would break down and try my hand at writing one.

Get ready, get set, go!! :cheer2:

Chapter One: Background Info

Me ::MinnieMo (Carrie, 24): I am a Disney-aholic and also a teacher.
One of my first jobs was working at the local Disney Store. It sure wasn't raking in the big bucks but I loved the atmosphere, being surrounded by big plush Mickey's and most importantly the perks (former perks)!
I was given an amazing opportunity came to light in 2004. I left the Disney Store (:banana: running) to participate in the Walt Disney World College Program. Can you imagine anything better than living, working and playing with Mickey Mouse? I think not! I was quick to jump at that offer and soon that adventure began. (More on that a little later...)

Hubby ::MickeyMo (Walter, 24): Converted Disney-aholic and also a computer gu-ru.
We met in high school and have been together ever since. :love: After dating for many many years we were married last September. He was wonderfully supportive of my decision participating in the Disney College Program. I tried to have him come to the interest meeting and apply also but this is when I discovered he didn't know much about Disney World and the opportunity to live and hug Mickey Mouse every single day didn't appeal to him. :confused3 Is he crazy?
Once I knew that the hubby needed to be introduced to all the wonderful things that Disney World embodies I knew what I had to do. :wizard: I started planning a trip to the happiest place on earth. The trip was scheduled for early June 2004.
That one week sure sealed the deal. I had him hooked! It was really hard to leave in August for my College Program after just showing him the light. I knew all was not lost though. Since I was going to be away during the holidays (back home in early January 2005) I began planning. I used my wonderful powers of persuasion to have my entire family come down to Florida. :grouphug: The entire family (due to a wonderful Disney employee discount - which also helped in the persuasion) came down for a week during Thanksgiving (Hubby included). I cannot begin to explain how wonderful this trip was! This was my parents first time ever and the same for my niece (2 years old at the time - 4 years old now) and she is still talking about it! I can't believe how much she actually remembers!! pixiedust:

So now... I have him hooked! (You can see my signature for a few other trips we have taken.)

The planning may now begin.....
 
Chapter Two: Free Dining

Hmm I had read about free dining on the disboards and it sounded wonderful.

"LeFou, I'm afraid I've been thinking. A dangerous pastime. I know." :idea:

Probably around early January is when my brain starting plotting on how I could squeeze another Disney vacation into the budget. :rolleyes1 We're just starting out and trying to save money for many things including a house but I have the attitude that you only live once.

In the not so distant future we'll have children. Disney vacations will never be the same after that. Trust me... I can't wait to have children. However, we are the type of people who love running all of the parks and doing as much as possible. We go commando style with no bags (they slow you down). If it can't fit into a pocket then we don't need it. Two parks in one day.. ha! We've done all four parks in one day. :dance3:

Well... free dining previously has fallen during Aug/ Sept. Our one year wedding anniversary is Sept 9th. I could possibly get away with booking a vacation to celebrate our anniversary. :woohoo:

Step One - Plant the seed. I spoke with Walter about going back. Talked about how quiet it is during that time of year (forgot to mention hurricane season) and introduce the idea of free dining. Now here is where I was crossing my fingers big time.:ssst: We talked about booking and if free dining was not offered then canceling our room only reservation. We really should be saving money and since I no longer have any discounts it is a little more tricky.

Step Two - Book room only at Pop Century for Sept 7th (Friday) to Sept 16th (Sunday).

Step Three - Wait.....

Can you imagine how I almost jumped out of my skin when I checked my email and saw the "Free Dining for Disney Visa Card Holders" email. :cheer2: I was so excited! I told Walter and said I would call first thing in the morning. I laid down in bed and could not keep my body still. I felt like a little kid on Christmas Eve. Walter looked over at me after a few minutes and quietly said "Do you want to call tonight?"

Did I answer? No... I jumped out of bed and ran into our computer room and started dialing. Wow... I was on hold for quite a long time. I'm sure many of you can relate. After all that waiting I expected the representatives to be a little crabby but I actually had one of the nicest woman I have ever spoken with who helped me. I had to cancel my previous room only reservation and book a new package. I told her we already had tickets so we only bought a one day for each of us with the package. They were able to still put us in Pop Century and everything was set!:cool1:

The next step... pick some yummy places to eat! popcorn::
Time to plan plan plan!!
 
Chapter Three: Plan Plan Plan

I knew I had to jump on my planning efforts if I wanted to get all the ADR's for the times and places I wanted. I had to get cracking before free dining was offered to everyone.

The first thing I did was print out the schedule of hours for each park. I wanted to see where we should plan to attend each day. This would then influence where we should eat.

I printed a ton of menus from allears.net and sat down with Walter and had a little meeting of the minds. His input - he didn't want to eat at all the same places that we normally do. Point taken. I'm the kind of person who finds something that I like and sticks to it. I can loosen up and try new places (esp if we aren't paying!).

Another great point we discussed... this is our chance to try out all of the places we could never afford to eat at on a normal trip. Why not try a few of the signature restaurants!? We can pay out of pocket for a few little meals here and there - no big deal. We'll be spending less than normal still.

So here it goes... I sat down and put together the puzzle of where we would visit and eat.

Up next our schedule for the trip including our ADRs.


ps anybody out there?
 
Chapter Four: The Plan (Subject to change)

Friday - Sept 7th :goodvibes
Arrive in Orlando (no clue when because we haven't purchased airfare yet)
Magical Express to POP Century
Water Park OR Mini Golf OR Disney Quest
Back to the hotel to spruce up
Dinner at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge at 7:00 pm
(We have never been but keep hearing wonderful things about it.)
After dinner we will walk around the resort and also take advantage of the complimentary use of night vision goggles at the animal overlook by the swimming pool.

Saturday - Sept 8th
Epcot! Arrive early and stay all day long!!
Dinner at Biergarten at 5:00 pm
(Also - we have been been but have heard wonderful things.)
Illuminations :hug:
(DH proposed during Illuminations so this is very special in our hearts)

Sunday - Sept 9th
Animal Kingdom early (jump on our favorites)
Epcot around 1 pm :rolleyes1
Magic Kingdom around 6 pm + Extra Magic Hours :dance3:
Ride all night long!!
(Not sure what we will eat - This our 1 year wedding anniversary!)
Yes, I know we're crazy but we love running all over the place!!

Monday - Sept 10th
MGM early :3dglasses
Epcot around 2:00 pm :rolleyes1
Dinner at Coral Reef at 4:00 pm
(You guessed it... never been but giving it a shot.)
Magic Kingdom around 6:00 pm :rotfl:
8:00 pm Spectro popcorn::
9:00 pm Wishes :hug:

Tuesday - Sept 11th
Magic Kingdom early :yay:
Epcot around 3:00 pm :rotfl2:
Dinner at Le Cellier at 5:00 pm
(Yup... never been but giving it a shot)
Illuminations :love:
Boardwalk - Jelly Rolls Piano Bar
(One of my roomies and my favorite places to go during our college program - so much fun! DH has never been so I'm excited for him to check it out.)

Wednesday - Sept 12th
Water Park OR Disney Quest OR Mini Golf OR Visit other resorts :cool2:
Back to hotel to spruce up for dinner.
Dinner at California Grill at 7:30 pm
(Never been)
Evening at Boardwalk OR Downtown Disney (Pleasure Island) :cool1:

Thursday - Sept 13th
Animal Kingdom early
MGM around 1 pm :3dglasses
Magic Kingdom around 6 pm + Extra Magic Hours :cheer2:

Friday - Sept 14th
Breakfast at Kona Cafe at 9 am (Can't wait to try the Tonga Toast) popcorn::
Visit the resorts OR Downtown Disney OR Water Parks OR Mini Golf
Back to hotel to spruce up for dinner :love2:
Dinner at Narcoosse's at 5:30 pm
(Never been... excited to eat at this fancy place!)
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party all night! :dance3:

Saturday - Sept 15th (Last day)
Park Hop to visit our favorites :Pinkbounc
Dinner at Ohana at 8 pm to watch Wishes during dinner :love:
Spend the night at POP by the pool or at Downtown Disney :yay:

Sunday - Sept 16th
Fly Home :sad:

That is it so far. What do you think??
 













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