crazy_cremello
Listen to your Mumsy
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2008
- Messages
- 177
IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!
The last time I visited WDW was back in the Summer of 2008. I seriously didn't think it would take us this long to get back, but my parents started cruising, preferred those types of holidays and over the years, things changed significantly that prevented another trip back. I apologise in advance that this Pre Trip Report is very 'wordy'.
The last time we ventured to The World, there were 5 of us. Me, Dad, Mum, My Brother and his girlfriend, at the time. We enjoyed the trip, but since we had been every other year since 2002, it was probably a good job we took a break as the last time was just lacking something. And since we come over from the UK, it is by no means a 'cheap' holiday (as I'm sure it isn't for most people, let alone having to get flights from across the Atlantic!)
This year's trip was by complete accident. I'm not going into too much detail! My parents had booked to go on a cruise around the Caribbean in March. Sadly, my Dad had an infection, which led to an operation and he had to attend the hospital every day to get it looked at. It took about 9 weeks in total to heal, and only happened about 5 weeks before they were due to leave and therefore they had to cancel it. They were devastated, until their friends told them they were planning on a trip to Florida in June. As it happened, I was due to fly to Boston to see some pals for 2 weeks at the end of May and instead of flying home from there, I decided to change my flight and fly down to Orlando to meet my parents for 2 extra, very precious weeks in Florida.
Right, I think that's enough of the background history, now time for details!
Tuesday 14th June - Wednesday 29th June 2016
(If this was a planned holiday, I would never have chosen June. The crowds, the heat...Ergh! But at least I'm going, that's all that matters!)
Who's going? Just me, my mum and dad. I'm sad my brother isn't coming this time, but he now has a family of his own. My parents friends are there at the same time so we shall spend some time with them, however they are more happy to chill out than do the parks on the same scale as us!
We have never stayed on Disney property. I know. I'm as heartbroken as you are. Unfortunately it's just a very expensive way of doing it (Note: When the time finally comes to do WDW either on my own, with friends or significant other, the first thing I want is to stay on Disney property, but I digress...)
And so, we hire a villa in Kissimmee because it's easy for everyone involved....and we have our own laundry facilities and our own pool which is equally nice! We've hired a car too, which Dad has kindly put me on as well as himself should I need to get around by myself at some stage. (Note: Every time we have been to Orlando previously, it has always been for 3 weeks with a slack handful of chill days. This time we only have 2 weeks to cram everything in, and of course, my parents are 8 years older than they were last time - I have no idea if they will actually be able to keep up or whether they might just need to skip a few things! We'll find out!)
Because we have to travel so far, we do all the parks. Sorry guys. I love Disney more than anything else, but I do enjoy a visit to the other parks and so much has changed since the last time! For example, Harry Potter. I'll say no more. Sorry again
Here is an overview of our itinerary, which my Mother and I have re-written a dozen times:
Tuesday 14th June: Arrive MCO, pick up hire car, go to villa, Wal-Mart/Publix trip. Chill & swim in the eve.
Wednesday 15th June: EPCOT: Future World. Get that Disney buzz going! Potential visit to Disney Springs in the afternoon for some lunch and a wonder. Back to our villa (parents will be jet-lagged so they will probably need a nap after waking up inevitably around 5am). Our friends arrive today also so my parents want to surprise them! Heading back into Epcot that evening to watch Illuminations.
Thursday 16th June: Universal Studios. There's a fair few new rides that we haven't done since last time, specifically Hollywood Rip Rock-It and having a glance around the Harry Potter area in that side. RIP JAWS. I'm genuinely devastated they sacrificed that ride out of all of them! Possibly dinner at City Walk.
Friday 17th June: Magic Kingdom! My favourite park. I'm attempting to get a lunch reservation for Be Our Guest, but since it's such late notice, it's proving almost impossible. I shall keep giving it a go, however! Wishes in the evening, of course.
Saturday 18th June: Chill Day. I know for a fact my parents will need it. Plan to visit the Outlet Malls, possibly Disney Springs again.
Sunday 19th June: MGM Studios (I will never call it Hollywood Studios, sorry!) FP+ for Toy Story as per. Tower of Terror a million times over, and Aerosmith. Besides that, I'm really not too fussed for anything else in the park. I hear there is some Star Wars fireworks now or something? Probably need to research that.
Monday 20th June: Islands of Adventure. HARRY POTTER. Planning on an early start to get in there as fast as we can...who knows how long we'll get stuck in that Land for...Jurassic Park, Spiderman on the agenda but if we don't have time we have another day for it. Probably dinner at City Walk again.
Tuesday 21st June: Seaworld/Busch Gardens
Wednesday 22nd June: Seaworld/Busch Gardens. These days depend entirely on when my parents need a break. They've said they aren't fussed to come to Busch with me, but I love roller coasters and I know for a fact that things could change so they may end up joining me! They also want to try and tie in the Seaworld day with their friends, who are pretty much only going to Florida to chill and do 3 parks. Who knows.
Thursday 23rd June: IOA/Universal Hop - I suppose this day could change, if we feel we have done everything at those 2 parks we won't bother going back. We'll see.
Friday 24th June: Animal Kingdom. Really hoping the Rivers of Light is open by this time...
Saturday 25th June: Another Chill Day. We like visiting Celebration so I suspect that'll be on today's list of things to do, and possibly Florida Mall for last minute shopping (And Dad has never had Panera Bread...I am happy to go to the Mall just for that!)
Sunday 26th June: MGM in the morning, resort hop in the afternoon. I have never really visited many of the resorts and have always wanted to see the Yacht and Beach Club...and Beaches & Cream! Possibly go back to MGM for Fantasmic if we have the energy!
Monday 27th June: EPCOT: World Showcase and Illuminations, again. I love it.
Tuesday 28th June: Magic Kingdom, on our final day. I chose this because it's my favourite park and will leave me with the Disney feeling when we go home. We have a dinner reservation at 'Ohana at 5:30pm which I am super excited about as I've never eaten there before and have heard good things. After that, Wishes of course. I am going to cry every single time I watch it.
Wednesday 29th June: The day we leave
We have a breakfast reservation at 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridian which we have done every time we've visited. We love it. On completion of that...off to the airport, drop the car off....and fly home. Devastating times.
I'm really sorry once again for how many words there are in this PTR! Hopefully I've given you a cracking insight into what my plans are!
The last time I visited WDW was back in the Summer of 2008. I seriously didn't think it would take us this long to get back, but my parents started cruising, preferred those types of holidays and over the years, things changed significantly that prevented another trip back. I apologise in advance that this Pre Trip Report is very 'wordy'.
The last time we ventured to The World, there were 5 of us. Me, Dad, Mum, My Brother and his girlfriend, at the time. We enjoyed the trip, but since we had been every other year since 2002, it was probably a good job we took a break as the last time was just lacking something. And since we come over from the UK, it is by no means a 'cheap' holiday (as I'm sure it isn't for most people, let alone having to get flights from across the Atlantic!)
This year's trip was by complete accident. I'm not going into too much detail! My parents had booked to go on a cruise around the Caribbean in March. Sadly, my Dad had an infection, which led to an operation and he had to attend the hospital every day to get it looked at. It took about 9 weeks in total to heal, and only happened about 5 weeks before they were due to leave and therefore they had to cancel it. They were devastated, until their friends told them they were planning on a trip to Florida in June. As it happened, I was due to fly to Boston to see some pals for 2 weeks at the end of May and instead of flying home from there, I decided to change my flight and fly down to Orlando to meet my parents for 2 extra, very precious weeks in Florida.
Right, I think that's enough of the background history, now time for details!
Tuesday 14th June - Wednesday 29th June 2016
(If this was a planned holiday, I would never have chosen June. The crowds, the heat...Ergh! But at least I'm going, that's all that matters!)
Who's going? Just me, my mum and dad. I'm sad my brother isn't coming this time, but he now has a family of his own. My parents friends are there at the same time so we shall spend some time with them, however they are more happy to chill out than do the parks on the same scale as us!
We have never stayed on Disney property. I know. I'm as heartbroken as you are. Unfortunately it's just a very expensive way of doing it (Note: When the time finally comes to do WDW either on my own, with friends or significant other, the first thing I want is to stay on Disney property, but I digress...)
And so, we hire a villa in Kissimmee because it's easy for everyone involved....and we have our own laundry facilities and our own pool which is equally nice! We've hired a car too, which Dad has kindly put me on as well as himself should I need to get around by myself at some stage. (Note: Every time we have been to Orlando previously, it has always been for 3 weeks with a slack handful of chill days. This time we only have 2 weeks to cram everything in, and of course, my parents are 8 years older than they were last time - I have no idea if they will actually be able to keep up or whether they might just need to skip a few things! We'll find out!)
Because we have to travel so far, we do all the parks. Sorry guys. I love Disney more than anything else, but I do enjoy a visit to the other parks and so much has changed since the last time! For example, Harry Potter. I'll say no more. Sorry again
Here is an overview of our itinerary, which my Mother and I have re-written a dozen times:
Tuesday 14th June: Arrive MCO, pick up hire car, go to villa, Wal-Mart/Publix trip. Chill & swim in the eve.
Wednesday 15th June: EPCOT: Future World. Get that Disney buzz going! Potential visit to Disney Springs in the afternoon for some lunch and a wonder. Back to our villa (parents will be jet-lagged so they will probably need a nap after waking up inevitably around 5am). Our friends arrive today also so my parents want to surprise them! Heading back into Epcot that evening to watch Illuminations.
Thursday 16th June: Universal Studios. There's a fair few new rides that we haven't done since last time, specifically Hollywood Rip Rock-It and having a glance around the Harry Potter area in that side. RIP JAWS. I'm genuinely devastated they sacrificed that ride out of all of them! Possibly dinner at City Walk.
Friday 17th June: Magic Kingdom! My favourite park. I'm attempting to get a lunch reservation for Be Our Guest, but since it's such late notice, it's proving almost impossible. I shall keep giving it a go, however! Wishes in the evening, of course.
Saturday 18th June: Chill Day. I know for a fact my parents will need it. Plan to visit the Outlet Malls, possibly Disney Springs again.
Sunday 19th June: MGM Studios (I will never call it Hollywood Studios, sorry!) FP+ for Toy Story as per. Tower of Terror a million times over, and Aerosmith. Besides that, I'm really not too fussed for anything else in the park. I hear there is some Star Wars fireworks now or something? Probably need to research that.
Monday 20th June: Islands of Adventure. HARRY POTTER. Planning on an early start to get in there as fast as we can...who knows how long we'll get stuck in that Land for...Jurassic Park, Spiderman on the agenda but if we don't have time we have another day for it. Probably dinner at City Walk again.
Tuesday 21st June: Seaworld/Busch Gardens
Wednesday 22nd June: Seaworld/Busch Gardens. These days depend entirely on when my parents need a break. They've said they aren't fussed to come to Busch with me, but I love roller coasters and I know for a fact that things could change so they may end up joining me! They also want to try and tie in the Seaworld day with their friends, who are pretty much only going to Florida to chill and do 3 parks. Who knows.
Thursday 23rd June: IOA/Universal Hop - I suppose this day could change, if we feel we have done everything at those 2 parks we won't bother going back. We'll see.
Friday 24th June: Animal Kingdom. Really hoping the Rivers of Light is open by this time...
Saturday 25th June: Another Chill Day. We like visiting Celebration so I suspect that'll be on today's list of things to do, and possibly Florida Mall for last minute shopping (And Dad has never had Panera Bread...I am happy to go to the Mall just for that!)
Sunday 26th June: MGM in the morning, resort hop in the afternoon. I have never really visited many of the resorts and have always wanted to see the Yacht and Beach Club...and Beaches & Cream! Possibly go back to MGM for Fantasmic if we have the energy!
Monday 27th June: EPCOT: World Showcase and Illuminations, again. I love it.
Tuesday 28th June: Magic Kingdom, on our final day. I chose this because it's my favourite park and will leave me with the Disney feeling when we go home. We have a dinner reservation at 'Ohana at 5:30pm which I am super excited about as I've never eaten there before and have heard good things. After that, Wishes of course. I am going to cry every single time I watch it.
Wednesday 29th June: The day we leave
We have a breakfast reservation at 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridian which we have done every time we've visited. We love it. On completion of that...off to the airport, drop the car off....and fly home. Devastating times.I'm really sorry once again for how many words there are in this PTR! Hopefully I've given you a cracking insight into what my plans are!
