One of the cool things about the timing of our cruise is that we will disembark (not that that is a cool thing), on 10/31, Halloween Night.
My parents haven't been to WDW since 1996 and my dad always has said that a trip to WDW for a few days before or after a cruise would be great. I would tend to agree!
Well, my sister and I put our heads together and thought, "why don't we try going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on Halloween Night?" We sold the idea to my parents and then to Elaine. Everyone was in agreement, so we booked our airfare home a day later than our cruise, and waited on May 1st to buy our tickets. While I didn't buy them at the stroke of midnight, I did buy them later that morning while at work. For some reason, the internet wasn't working so I had to call, 1-407-W-Disney and talk to a friendly voice and buy our tickets. $200 and change later, we had tickets to the Party. It was cool as I was on an Instant Message with my mom who was on hold the same time I was. It was great to share in that excitement over the internet.
A week or so later, our tickets arrived and are safely stored with our other legal documentation.
It should be a fun night as many of the other BOBers are doing the same thing we are, so once again, we will see some familiar faces as we walk the Magic Kingdom.
Yet another thing I am totally stoked about is our lodging for the Party. We have only stayed in the value resorts on Property and while those are nice and it is great to simply stay on Property, I have always wanted to try the Port Orleans Riverside Resort. My wife is always skeptical as she doesn't think they are worth the extra cost and would rather spend the money in the parks and other incidental expenses.
Well I sent a room reservation request into DU for a value, the All Star Movies specifically using the fall value code. I got the quote back and it was for higher then I expected due to there being no availability for standard rooms. We were given a Preferred room for $100/night. I thought to myself, "I bet I can get a standard room at a moderate for slightly more." I called 1-407 W-Disney and once again talked to a lovely, friendly voice who helped me out. I thought to myself if I could get a room at a moderate for $120, I would do it. Well, the friendly CM came on and said that the cost for the room would be $122. I thought, ha, what's $2! and booked a room for both our family and my parents and sister. I once again, had my mom on Instant Messenger and was able to ask her on the spot if they were fine with that.
The funny thing is, I really wanted to stay at the Riverside, but my sister has a
travel agent co-worker who suggested we stay at French Quarter due to its small size. I in fact, told the CM that I wanted French Quarter but for some reason she booked Riverside. When I questioned it, she offered to change it, but I said, "nah, I really wanted to stay at Riverside anyway!"
For the next day, I mulled over our ADR arrangements for lunch the day we disembark/arrive at WDW. I had a day before the 90 day window opened for reservations, so I scoured the internet and DIS to find information. Being up River from DTD, I thought we should go there for a decent lunch. We will be eating counter service at MK that evening, so a good lunch would be in order. I was looking at the new T-Rex Restaurant thinking my kids would love it, but then I saw that they have a Build a Dino shop that my kids would want a build a dino. I also noticed that it is very popular being new and even with ressies, it can take a while to check in. I have always wanted to eat at the Rainforest Cafe, but for some reason it never worked for me. I checked the menu and it looked good, and prices seemed reasonable for a resort sit down establishment.
The next day I booked our ADR for 11:30 at the Rainforest Cafe. We will get to the POR, check in, hop on the boat to DTD and enjoy a great lunch before relaxing prior to heading to the MK for 4:00.
The next day, 11/1, our flight for home leaves at 11:00 so we will check out around 8:30 and head to MCO for home.
Vacation Summary
10/22
3:15 PM--Pick up kids at School Dismissal
6:00 PM--Arrive in Maine at parents house
7:00 PM--Tracy and Sam to the mall for pedicures
10/23 Sleep In!!!!
11:30--Eat Early lunch
12:30--Head to Portland International Jetport
1:55--Wheels Up to Florida
5:07--Wheels down at Orlando International
5:30--Pick up Car at Budget
6:15--Arrive at Radisson--Check In
6:30--Dinner at Grills
7:30--DIS Meet at Radisson Pool
10/24-10/31--DCL Magic Cruise (Details Coming)
10/31
9:00--Hop on
Avis shuttle and pick up a van
10:00--Arrive at Port Orleans Riverside, check in, look around
11:00--Head to DTD, check in at Rainforest Cafe
12:30--Go back to Port Orleans Riverside, relax, swim, maybe rent a boat
3:30--Hop a bus to MK for
MNSSHP
11/1
12:00AM--Take bus back to Port Orleans
7:30 or so--Wake Up
8:30--Head to MCO
9:00--Return van to Avis
10:30--Board AirTran flight 799 for Home
11:00--Wheels up for Maine
2:15--Wheels down at PWM
4:00--Head Back to Connecticut
7:00--Arrive Home in Connecticut