It's guys like you, Mickey...My 1st PreTrip! 3/18-3/23

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hey all!

I've lurked here for almost two years and finally decided to register! Now that I have, I am ADDICTED! This is going to be my first Pre-Trip Report, so bear with me.

Welcome to the first post and introduction! If you want to skip ahead, here's what I've done so far:

Click to see my ADR's
Click to see my itinerary
Click to see what we're doing on our non-Disney days
Click to see the shoes I'm thinking about buying and let me know what you think!
Click: Another princess joins the party!
Questions for my readers! Click!
WHO:

Cinderella: This would be me! I'm a college student who will graduate in December I am in love with all things Disney, of course! (OK, that's not true. I went to Disneyland a few years ago and didn't exactly love it ) Here's me, in case you were curious:

Anyways, my parents took me to Walt Disney World almost every year from the time I was 2 until I was probably 7. We stayed at the Grand Floridian and I loved every minute of it!! We stopped going when my little brother and sister were born, but went again when I was 12 - back to the GF. Didn't go again until 2004 for a Grand Gathering at the Yacht Club. Since then I've gone every year and have stayed at GF, YC, Coronado Springs, and the Polynesian .

Belle: This would be my friend/travel buddy! No one I know likes WDW as much as I do, which is probably how I ended up here on these boards! However, Belle wanted to get out of the cold and into the Florida sunshine so I convinced her to come along by telling her we didn't have to go to Disney... However, now that she knows I totally tricked her into a few days in the World, she's excited!! We were roommates freshman year at college and are still really good friends 4 years later! She's awesome but will probably kill me if I post her picture here, but you'll probably see her later on when I post pictures from our trip.

WHEN:

March 18th - 23rd!

WHERE:

One night at All Star Sports, the rest at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Neither of us have stayed at the All Star before, but Belle has been to AKL with her family. We get in super late on our first night so we decided it would be stupid to pay for AKL just to sleep for a few hours, so that's why we're heading over to the All Star. I seriously cannot wait for AKL! Everytime I go into the hotel for Boma or Jiko I love it and tell myself I will stay here one day, and now that day has come!

*Next up, I'll share my ADR's with you!

 

[trinaweena]

Hey we'll be going March 21-29! Subbing so i can follow along

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

OK, so we booked this trip fairly last minute but were still able to get some good reservations. I've changed these like at least 5 times since I made them the first time!!! OK here we go...

Arrival night:

We get in pretty late so we will probably have eaten something at the airport for dinner. Hopefully something will be open for us to grab a snack.

3/19:

No plans for breakfast. We'll probably grab something in the hotel food court before heading out to the parks.

Again, no plans for lunch so I'm guessing we'll hit up a counter service place in the park.

Dinner plans are for Tutto Italia in EPCOT at 7:00PM. I didn't have this booked originally but changed my other reservation after seeing some awesome pics in dining reviews and the food porn threads. I've never been here because my nana is Italian so I've tasted the good stuff. Now I'm excited to try this out!

3/20

Breakfast will be at the Wave this morning. I've never been here but the breakfast looked good. Belle is a health freak and I'm a vegetarian so I thought it would be something that appealed to both of us.

We aren't doing Disney this day (more on that later) so we won't be getting lunch on property.

Dinner is a late one - 9:15PM. But that is because I wanted to go to my ALL TIME FAVORITE RESTAURANT and it was the only time available. Where? That would be Ohana!! I just love the atmosphere at the Polynesian and we always have a good time here. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the tropical drinks they serve. I see that they have changed the drink menu, but hopefully they can still make the good ones. Here are some drinks from our last trip to Ohana:

That would be the Malibu Macaw and the famous Lapu Lapu. The Malibu Macaw was AWESOME! I HATE the taste of hard liquor so this was perfect - you couldn't taste anything! Those of you who've had it will know what I mean. The Lapu Lapu was a little bit too strong for me, but it was SO adorable!!

3/21:

So this will kind of be a free day to hang out at the resort. I was just at Disney a few months ago and my friend isn't as obsessed as I am, so we're just going to take it easy. I'm excited to explore the resort and we will probably do breakfast and lunch at the AKL at their counter service place.

Dinner is at Raglan Road in DTD! I've gone back and forth between this one and finally decided to go ahead and book it. I may be meeting up with some friends who could be near Disney while we're there, so I figured (with the help of the people on these boards!) that it would be a good spot to get some dinner and drinks. I'm excited to try another new place!

3/22

OK, I've changed this day around the most. First I just had us eating dinner at Boma. Then I realized that this was our MK day so I had to schedule the Plaza for lunch. Then, after seeing so many people recommend Crystal Palace's breakfast buffet, I added that. I then freaked out and thought it was way too much food, but just to be sure I started a thread on here asking for opinions from all the experts!! They pretty much talked me out of three sit down meals in one day, but today was our only chance to eat at Plaza and CP because we are only going to be in MK for a day. So, I canceled Boma and moved the Plaza lunch to a dinner. I've never been to Crystal Palace before so I'm really excited!

3/23

Sad day. Time to go home But, we don't leave until late afternoon so I decided to get in some Boma action for breakfast. This should be a great way to spend our last morning in the World!

*Next up, my itinerary!

 

[Sarah84]

Sounds like a great trip you have planned, those drinks from Ohana look lovely
How comes you didn't enjoy Disneyland?

Look forward to reading more, not long till you go you must be getting really excited

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Your trip plans sound great so far. AKL is beautiful. Some day, maybe, I'll stay there. I think you made the right call for MK day. Those 3 meals would have been WAY too much food. Besides, you wouldn't have had time to do anything in the MK, you would have been too busy going from restaurant to restauran. Have fun!!!

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I'm in!

It sounds like you're going to have a fun and relaxed time at WDW


Looking forward to reading more of your pre trip and soon to be trip report!

 

[tinkgurl]

Hey girl! You are gorgeous!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hey we'll be going March 21-29! Subbing so i can follow along

Thanks girl! I subbed to yours too!

Sounds like a great trip you have planned, those drinks from Ohana look lovely
How comes you didn't enjoy Disneyland?

Look forward to reading more, not long till you go you must be getting really excited

Thanks for stopping by!

I think I didn't enjoy it because I was so used to WDW. I didn't do a lot of research before we went so I had no idea what to expect. It was just not enough for me. We planned our whole day around it but got bored by 4PM and left! I would like to return someday and actually prepare before we visit. Maybe if I knew what to expect it would be more enjoyable!

Not long before I start packing, but I have SOOOO much to do between now and then. Finals and projects and all that stuff...no fun! At least I have something to look forward to.

Your trip plans sound great so far. AKL is beautiful. Some day, maybe, I'll stay there. I think you made the right call for MK day. Those 3 meals would have been WAY too much food. Besides, you wouldn't have had time to do anything in the MK, you would have been too busy going from restaurant to restauran. Have fun!!!

I'm in!

It sounds like you're going to have a fun and relaxed time at WDW


Looking forward to reading more of your pre trip and soon to be trip report!

Thanks girls!!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hey girl! You are gorgeous!

Awww you're too sweet! Thanks and so are you!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Awww you're too sweet! Thanks and so are you!!

Aw thanks!

 

[DisKate]

Hi! I just saw your post on my TR so I followed your link over....our trips seem to miss each other by just a few days! The drinks from the Poly look really good..I may have to swing by there now...Can't wait to read more

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

Subbing...you're off to a great start!!

 

[Sarah84]

Thanks for stopping by!

I think I didn't enjoy it because I was so used to WDW. I didn't do a lot of research before we went so I had no idea what to expect. It was just not enough for me. We planned our whole day around it but got bored by 4PM and left! I would like to return someday and actually prepare before we visit. Maybe if I knew what to expect it would be more enjoyable!

Not long before I start packing, but I have SOOOO much to do between now and then. Finals and projects and all that stuff...no fun! At least I have something to look forward to.

I asked bacause I'm going for the first time in september and was curious what it was you didn't like, hopefully i won't be disapointed. I've done lots & lots of research and although i know its nowhere as big as WDW hopefully it will still be wonderful. I understand what you mean about it just wasn't WDW to you, i went to Disneyland Paris last year and although i have only been to WDW once i was so disapointed with the Paris one as it just didn't compare to me.

I love it when the packing starts, always gets me really excited as it feels like its all more real least you have things keeping you bsy, rather than the days just dragging by

 

[troobabiee7]

Hey! I just found your report over on Tinkgurl's and I'm loving it already. I love finding other girls my age on here! Your plans look great and I can't wait to read more!

Oh and I forgot to say how much I love the title of your report! Too cute!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Hi! I just saw your post on my TR so I followed your link over....our trips seem to miss each other by just a few days! The drinks from the Poly look really good..I may have to swing by there now...Can't wait to read more

Thanks girl!

Subbing...you're off to a great start!!

Thanks, that means a lot!

I love it when the packing starts, always gets me really excited as it feels like its all more real least you have things keeping you bsy, rather than the days just dragging by

Yes!! I love that part, too!

Hey! I just found your report over on Tinkgurl's and I'm loving it already. I love finding other girls my age on here! Your plans look great and I can't wait to read more!

Oh and I forgot to say how much I love the title of your report! Too cute!

Thanks for stopping over! I'm going to go check yours out now!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I really want to thank everyone who has come by to read and/or left comments. It means a lot since this is my first PTR!

First of all, let me just say that I'm really sad that we won't have time for AK and HS . I love, love, love the Kilimanjaro Safari and the Maharajah Jungle Trek - lions and tigers are my favorite! Anyways, here is what our itinerary looks like so far...

3/18

Unfortunately I have a final exam smack in the middle of the day, so I couldn't get on an earlier flight out to MCO. So we'll arrive late and take ME to All Star Sports. Not going to lie, I'm a spoiled brat and love my deluxe hotels. My stay at a mod (CSR) was fine, but those outdoor hallways give me the creeps! Needless to say I'm NOT looking forward to this night and I'll be lucky if I get any sleep! Thankfully it is only 1 night though!

3/19

OK, so we'll wake up and check out of All Star Sports. I guess we'll just leave our bags with them and tell them we're moving over to AKL. I've never done this before so if you had experience with a split stay, I'd LOVE to hear about any suggestions you have.

I don't have plans for breakfast set in stone. I guess we could get something in the food court at the resort, or grab something at the park. After we check out, then we will head over to EPCOT, which opens at 9AM today. I've heard some of the CS places serve breakfast. If so, maybe we'll grab some FP's for Soarin' and eat at Sunshine Seasons or something? I feel like Belle would think I'm nuts if I even planned out our non-TS meals, so maybe we'll just go with the flow!

After breakfast I want to make sure we do the following rides:

Soarin
Test Track
Spaceship Earth ---->How cool is this after the refurb, btw? I loved it!
The Seas with Nemo
Maelstrom

OK...I know that's not a lot. But Mission Space makes me want to vomit just thinking about it! The real reason I love EPCOT is because of the World Showcase. It's so awesome to walk around the lagoon, and my favorite is stopping by the Germany pavillion! Gotta love those yummy pretzels - and practicing my German, of course!

After we explore I think we'll probably head back to the resort for a nap or shower before dinner at Tutto Italia! Our ressie is for 7PM so I'm hoping we'll be in and out before Illuminations! Then it is back to AKL because we'll need our beauty sleep!

3/20

This is a non Disney day. I'll share more about that with you later But we are eating at my most favorite restaurant on WDW property -

Gotta love the Polynesian, it's gorgeous - especially at night!

3/21

This would be our "free" day. I didn't plan anything because like I mentioned earlier, Belle didn't want to spend the whole time at the parks. So, today we'll probably just relax at the AKL by the pool. I can't wait to try some of the tropical drinks from the pool bar Plus I need to get some sun before my trip to Arizona!

I really want to try WPE! I've been reading the awesome reviews on the dining board and that mac & cheese looks AMAZING! So, maybe we'll hit up DTD in the afternoon and eat there. But I don't know because we're already making the trip there for dinner later at Raglan Road. I'm hoping that some of my friends will be able to make it out tonight, and this seemed like the perfect place!

3/22

Rise and shine, time for the Magic Kingdom!!! I think this is the day I'm most looking forward to. We're trying Crystal Palace for breakfast and eating dinner at the Plaza - one of my favorites. Our breakfast reservation is for right after the park opens, so I'm planning on a laid back morning/ early afternoon here. We'll probably head back to AKL early and nap, because EMH is until 2AM tonight and I plan on staying the whole time! I can't wait to see Wishes - it's my favorite! Sometimes it makes me tear up - I know, I'm a dork!

3/23

Boma breakfast today before we leave Belle and I are on separate flights home because she's going to her parents house and I'm going to mine. Usually I'm SO sad to leave Disney, but since I have another (non-Disney) trip planed that next day and I get to go home and see my family - it should help lessen the pain of leaving!!! Especially since going home means I get to see my boyfriend! Isn't he a cutie?

*Next up, I'll explain what I'm doing on our day away from Disney!

 

[DisKate]

Looks like your going to have a great trip...your BF is super cute by the way

 

[tinkgurl]

The trip looks good so far! That stinks about your final!

 

[lizet313]

This trip sounds like fun. BF so cute I love the drinks in that picture it looks delicious. Your plans look good. Sorry about AK and HS

 

[Enchanted]

Hey there! Your PTR looks great so far! Our dates overlap a bit (We arrive on the 22nd! ) so I thought I would be nosy and come see what you've got going on. I love your title too, BTW!

All of your ADRs sound yummy! Especially Ohanas! I love it there!

You'll love AKL, especially if you like the Poly. AKL is so lush and exotic and gorgeous. Did you book just a standard view room or did you splurge for a savannah view?

Don't worry about the split stay, it's no big thing. Just remember that you might not have access to your bags until way later in the day. There have been times when we've went over to the other resort in the morning and got our room early, but our bags still didn't arrive until that evening. So anything you may need from them within a few hours, I would keep in my purse or backpack or whatever. And this may sound silly, but make sure you remember whose name you put the baggage under. My aunt once called down to get our luggage using her name, not realizing that my mom had given the guy her own name instead. It took them fifteen minutes of terrified searching before my aunt figured out what had happened. The CMs were so relieved!

Looking forward to hearing more and welcome to the world of PTRs!