It's NOT just a place for babies! ~ Update: WE LEAVE TOMORROW!! *October 2011*

[Merida]

I'm pretty positive I have different advice than everyone else on the Dis, but my boyfriend and I took our first trip together (not first-first - he grew up in Florida, and I'd gone with school) as a one day trip the day after Thanksgiving. It was crowded and we didn't do everything in the parks, but we managed to hit Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

I think for us, we didn't try to cram in all the mountains (we definitely skipped Splash!) and kind of hopped around to different rides based on what we remembered liking and what was devoid of the crowds. We didn't do rope drop (instead, we had a breakfast reservation at the Grand Floridian). So we stood in line - sometimes for more than 15 minutes (gasp!) but those lines were so relaxing. They're nicely themed, so they're not boring, but it was a break to go from ALL of Disney at once to one specific area. And if we found a short line, we usually rode that ride until we were done with it. We also skipped a lot of the live entertainment because that was more over-stimulating because all the CMs are really energetic (especially compared to animatronics!).

We did have another trip vaguely planned out, so we knew we didn't have to see everything, so that did make a difference in how we 'toured'. But I feel like if we had rushed through the day, neither of us would have liked it and wanted to go back. However, we're definitely more laid back personality-wise and we had just finished off a week with his family, so we were super looking forward to alone time! With the crowds, sticking to the un-crowded portion of a park and moving on to a new section periodically was much better for us and our personalities (if it's low crowds in general, this probably doesn't matter, but I assume Halloween is crowded?). So the best trip isn't necessarily going on all the E-ticket rides (we haven't been on Soarin' yet or Splash or any AK/MGM rides), but (in my opinion) focusing more on the experience we had together (hiding from crowds! making up silly games! etc., etc). There's always going to be more that you could have done, you know?

And we're doing Crystal Palace in December and we're both 23. You can always sell a character breakfast by saying that you can ask for the characters to skip your table (thus making it a non-character meal) and then re-evaluate the decision when you're actually at the restaurant when you can see the set up.

Whoops, this got really long! Good luck for your extra day!

 

[ZFamily5]

Somehow I missed your post about your plans! The plans look good though. I think it's good to go to Fulton's for lunch the first day to give Nick a break from all the crowds. Can't wait for more!!

 

[xoktenox]

Hey! Another Long Islander! I'm in to hear all about this trip! Where on LI are you from? Isn't flying from MacArthur the best?!

You guys really sound a lot like my fiance and I...my fiance LOVESSSS cars, his dream would be a mechanic at a dealership! His grandparents lived here but moved to FL too, near Tampa about 1.5 hrs from Disney! Our first trip together was in 2009 and Chris is now ALMOST as in love with Disney as I am. I reeeeeeally hope you have the same luck I did!

We had dinner at Cape May last time we were there and it was great! Oh and we've done plenty of character meals...I have a link to my 2010 TR in my signature with plenty of pictures of us at character meals and at the time we were 22 and 25....so 22 year olds DO go to character meals! haha We've never eaten at Fulton's but Tusker House at AK is sooooo good, probably one of our favorite buffets. I'm excited to hear is you're adding an extra day to your trip because I think you may have a hard time getting in everything you'd want to do in just an afternoon at DHS (MGM).

Oh yea, you guys will be there the same time this year as we will be next year for our Disneymoon! I'm so excited to hear all about the Halloween things going on as well as the F&W Festival, in your TR! Can't wait for more!

 

[fraggle551]

I am totally joining in
I think you have visited my trip report and I have the same situation as you. A husband with an attitude about Disney
I love how your guy thinks Mickey will spoon feed you.

I really think he would love the Halloween party. I've never been of course but it gets such rave reviews on here! You know, my husband doesn't really have a clue how much all this is costing because I hide it a little He said not to charge anything and we have to do cash and that's what I'm doing so other than that, I keep him out of the loop. I've been doing some side work at my hair salon for extra cash and he pays zero attention to what goes on at my salon so that's a good thing!
I purchased Christmas tix onine w/ my personal debit card that he doesn't really pay attention to. I think if I told him how much the tix cost he still would be ok and basically he said to reserve and do whatever I wanted anyway. BUT....sometimes when someone knows the price of something it takes away a little magic, know what I mean? I will hand over his ticket before the party and he'll have a great time and would probably think it was money well spent but unless he snoops and digs and figures out the cost, I'll never tell him. He's so out of it anyway with this trip that even if he saw a big billboard announcing the cost of party tix at the gate, he would still probably assume it was rolled into our "special package price" anyway

I try to talk to David alot about the plans and get him to read guide books and stuff too but I finally gave up. Honestly, I think they'll be more impressed when it's a surprise anyway!!

Have fun and don't quit updating!!

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. I am loving your PTR, cause it is the same situation! I wonder if I should just do that about the party. Maybe I can ask my family to give me that for Christmas! I loved your 'scouting' trip. I wish I could have one of those!

I'm pretty positive I have different advice than everyone else on the Dis, but my boyfriend and I took our first trip together (not first-first - he grew up in Florida, and I'd gone with school) as a one day trip the day after Thanksgiving. It was crowded and we didn't do everything in the parks, but we managed to hit Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

I think for us, we didn't try to cram in all the mountains (we definitely skipped Splash!) and kind of hopped around to different rides based on what we remembered liking and what was devoid of the crowds. We didn't do rope drop (instead, we had a breakfast reservation at the Grand Floridian). So we stood in line - sometimes for more than 15 minutes (gasp!) but those lines were so relaxing. They're nicely themed, so they're not boring, but it was a break to go from ALL of Disney at once to one specific area. And if we found a short line, we usually rode that ride until we were done with it. We also skipped a lot of the live entertainment because that was more over-stimulating because all the CMs are really energetic (especially compared to animatronics!).

We did have another trip vaguely planned out, so we knew we didn't have to see everything, so that did make a difference in how we 'toured'. But I feel like if we had rushed through the day, neither of us would have liked it and wanted to go back. However, we're definitely more laid back personality-wise and we had just finished off a week with his family, so we were super looking forward to alone time! With the crowds, sticking to the un-crowded portion of a park and moving on to a new section periodically was much better for us and our personalities (if it's low crowds in general, this probably doesn't matter, but I assume Halloween is crowded?). So the best trip isn't necessarily going on all the E-ticket rides (we haven't been on Soarin' yet or Splash or any AK/MGM rides), but (in my opinion) focusing more on the experience we had together (hiding from crowds! making up silly games! etc., etc). There's always going to be more that you could have done, you know?

And we're doing Crystal Palace in December and we're both 23. You can always sell a character breakfast by saying that you can ask for the characters to skip your table (thus making it a non-character meal) and then re-evaluate the decision when you're actually at the restaurant when you can see the set up.

Whoops, this got really long! Good luck for your extra day!

Thank you so much for all your advice. I know there is no way we will come close to covering it all. I think that I will go in with a plan, but if Nick seems to be really freaking out, we'll just go slow and calm down. I don't think we'll be going for a lot of live entertainment either. Although he is very excited about the Lights, Motor, Action stunt show because he is a car guy. I guess thats one thing he's excited for!!

Somehow I missed your post about your plans! The plans look good though. I think it's good to go to Fulton's for lunch the first day to give Nick a break from all the crowds. Can't wait for more!!

Thanks! I have an announcement though...our plans will be changing!

Hey! Another Long Islander! I'm in to hear all about this trip! Where on LI are you from? Isn't flying from MacArthur the best?!

You guys really sound a lot like my fiance and I...my fiance LOVESSSS cars, his dream would be a mechanic at a dealership! His grandparents lived here but moved to FL too, near Tampa about 1.5 hrs from Disney! Our first trip together was in 2009 and Chris is now ALMOST as in love with Disney as I am. I reeeeeeally hope you have the same luck I did!

We had dinner at Cape May last time we were there and it was great! Oh and we've done plenty of character meals...I have a link to my 2010 TR in my signature with plenty of pictures of us at character meals and at the time we were 22 and 25....so 22 year olds DO go to character meals! haha We've never eaten at Fulton's but Tusker House at AK is sooooo good, probably one of our favorite buffets. I'm excited to hear is you're adding an extra day to your trip because I think you may have a hard time getting in everything you'd want to do in just an afternoon at DHS (MGM).

Oh yea, you guys will be there the same time this year as we will be next year for our Disneymoon! I'm so excited to hear all about the Halloween things going on as well as the F&W Festival, in your TR! Can't wait for more!

Wow! We have like, the same life . We are from East Northport. I am SO excited about the MacArthur flights. I don't think whoever has to drive us will be excited about waking up at 4 am though. Oh well! Maybe we'll leave the car there. He looooooves being a mechanic. Seriously, that boy is happiest in his garage, covered in grease, with his tools. We should hook them up!

I so hope Nick loves Disney! If your fiance can, there's hope for Nick! I have to check out your TR now and show him the pictures. I'm glad to hear good things about Tusker House. I hadn't looked at all, I just booked it cause it was open and we were going to be at AK that day.

Disneymoon?! How awesome! I can't wait to hear all about it. Are you getting married on LI?

_______________

...stay tuned for a very exciting update!

 

[fraggle551]

Well I just got off the phone with Disney....we added another night onto our trip!

I am so excited! Now I won't feel nearly as rushed, and we can have almost a full day at each park! So now we are staying from October 29-November 1!!!

And my Dad is paying for it as my Christmas present! Even better! Gotta love Dads!!!

The only bad thing is that we are having our last night at Pop Century. Which in my opinion isn't bad, just annoying for moving the bags and things like that. I'm excited to be able to check out another resort! And I got to Pop Century room with a AAA discount which made my dad very excited.

I also think we are going to add the Quick Service Dining plan to the 2 nights we are at SSR. We won't be adding it for the last night at Pop however. Which works out actually, because our last day at Disney is Nov 1, which is also the day we are flying out. So we won't have an entire full day, but our flight is at 7:30 pm, so we still have a good chunk of time!

Now I have to go through our plans again and see what to add on to the extra day. I hope all of that made sense - I am so excited that it probably came out all jumbled and nonsensical!

 

[Liberty Belle]

So glad you get another day!

About Fantasmic and Illuminations...I don't think there's any way you could do both in one night. Even if you teleported as soon as Fantasmic was over, it would be tough to get inside Epcot and to the lake and then get a decent spot. It takes a while, usually, to get out of Fantasmic, too.

Oh, if you haven't found a good spot and Illuminations is getting ready to start, a really good place is on the bridge by the bathrooms at the beginning of World Showcase (Mexico side). It seems like you're far away, but once you stand there, you see you can really see and hear everything very well.

 

[xoktenox]

Wow! We have like, the same life . We are from East Northport. I am SO excited about the MacArthur flights. I don't think whoever has to drive us will be excited about waking up at 4 am though. Oh well! Maybe we'll leave the car there. He looooooves being a mechanic. Seriously, that boy is happiest in his garage, covered in grease, with his tools. We should hook them up!

I so hope Nick loves Disney! If your fiance can, there's hope for Nick! I have to check out your TR now and show him the pictures. I'm glad to hear good things about Tusker House. I hadn't looked at all, I just booked it cause it was open and we were going to be at AK that day.

Disneymoon?! How awesome! I can't wait to hear all about it. Are you getting married on LI?

We're from Shirley so you're a little more west than me but not far! MacArthur flights are the best, especially because you can fly Southwest from there and get cheap flights with no baggage fees! I'm sure your family member won't appreciate waking up at 4 am but then again, if you had to make it into NYC it'd probably be 3 or 3:30 so they should be happy! haha It sounds like Chris and Nick would get along really well! I love DIS meets, it'd be cool to meet up one day!

There is definitely hope for Nick once he sees all the great stuff Disney has to offer that's not just for kids. TH has a good selection of food, some traditional like waffles and eggs and other more exotic.

I'm so pumped for our Disneymoon! We are getting married on LI, at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point!

Well I just got off the phone with Disney....we added another night onto our trip!

happy for you!!! And double for your dad paying for it for your Christmas gift! You will be so much more relaxed now with the extra day

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Another night! 4 is the perfect amount of days for a Disney trip! And you get to go to POP and SSR! That's pretty awesome. Your dad is so nice to pay for the extra day

 

[Merida]

Congrats on the extra day! I've stayed at the All Stars, which was okay, but never Pop, and the consensus seems to be that Pop is better.

My boyfriend is really into cars and he really, really wants to do Lights, Motor, Action, but that's about it on the shows. But I get to pick a show for sitting through it! Which is kind of our limit on the live action shows, though. For some reason, they just don't interest us as much as the other stuff.

 

[Merida]

whoops, double post!

 

[fraggle551]

So glad you get another day!

About Fantasmic and Illuminations...I don't think there's any way you could do both in one night. Even if you teleported as soon as Fantasmic was over, it would be tough to get inside Epcot and to the lake and then get a decent spot. It takes a while, usually, to get out of Fantasmic, too.

Oh, if you haven't found a good spot and Illuminations is getting ready to start, a really good place is on the bridge by the bathrooms at the beginning of World Showcase (Mexico side). It seems like you're far away, but once you stand there, you see you can really see and hear everything very well.

Yeah, I don't think we'll get it either. Although maybe I can figure something out now that we have another day! If not...just a good excuse for another trip, right?!

We're from Shirley so you're a little more west than me but not far! MacArthur flights are the best, especially because you can fly Southwest from there and get cheap flights with no baggage fees! I'm sure your family member won't appreciate waking up at 4 am but then again, if you had to make it into NYC it'd probably be 3 or 3:30 so they should be happy! haha It sounds like Chris and Nick would get along really well! I love DIS meets, it'd be cool to meet up one day!

There is definitely hope for Nick once he sees all the great stuff Disney has to offer that's not just for kids. TH has a good selection of food, some traditional like waffles and eggs and other more exotic.

I'm so pumped for our Disneymoon! We are getting married on LI, at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point!



happy for you!!! And double for your dad paying for it for your Christmas gift! You will be so much more relaxed now with the extra day

My dad used to live in Wading River, and I lived in Manorville, so i'm very familiar with the east end! My family lived in Mattituck, and I just love it out there. I want to buy a house out there. I just looked up Majestic Gardens, it looks gorgeous!

The no baggage fees are one of the best parts! Nick doesn't understand how exciting that is. He is not a frequent traveler. My entire family flys out of MacArthur to go visit my grandparents, so they are used to the early flights. I'm hoping that'll mean they'll be ok with waking up at the crack of dawn then! My Dad moved to Pennsylvania, and he even offered to come up the night before and stay over to drive us if no one else can.

I know, I don't feel nearly as stressed now. Big for an extra day!!

Another night! 4 is the perfect amount of days for a Disney trip! And you get to go to POP and SSR! That's pretty awesome. Your dad is so nice to pay for the extra day

I know i'm so psyched! I want it to be October already.

Congrats on the extra day! I've stayed at the All Stars, which was okay, but never Pop, and the consensus seems to be that Pop is better.

My boyfriend is really into cars and he really, really wants to do Lights, Motor, Action, but that's about it on the shows. But I get to pick a show for sitting through it! Which is kind of our limit on the live action shows, though. For some reason, they just don't interest us as much as the other stuff.

I feel the same way. We will definitely hit LMA, since he requested it, and maybe the Indiana Jones show. I also have a very special place in my heart for the Tiki Room in MK, so that one too. I would love to see the beauty and the beast show, but I can't see Nick sitting through that one! Maybe i'll send him off on a ride while I sneak in there!


Heres a picture of me and my Dad, my awesome Disney sponsor! Fishing on our boat last fall. I caught the biggest catch of the day!

He also is going to get us tickets for a few things to do when we are near my Grandparents, the few days before Disney. Has anyone hear ever heard of/been to Weeki Wachee or Homosassa Springs? He wants us to go to both. I know Weeki Wachee has mermaids, and the other one has manatees which I love! I'd just love to hear more about them if anyone has been.

I'll be working on re-doing some of our plans today, so plan on another little update. Hopefully I can get it in before I'm off to work at 2!

 

[xoktenox]

My dad used to live in Wading River, and I lived in Manorville, so i'm very familiar with the east end! My family lived in Mattituck, and I just love it out there. I want to buy a house out there. I just looked up Majestic Gardens, it looks gorgeous!

The no baggage fees are one of the best parts! Nick doesn't understand how exciting that is. He is not a frequent traveler. My entire family flys out of MacArthur to go visit my grandparents, so they are used to the early flights. I'm hoping that'll mean they'll be ok with waking up at the crack of dawn then! My Dad moved to Pennsylvania, and he even offered to come up the night before and stay over to drive us if no one else can.

I know, I don't feel nearly as stressed now. Big for an extra day!!

I used to work in Manorville, in King Kullen! And I work in Riverhead now with a couple of ladies who live in Mattituck! Such a small world! And thank you, we are in loveeeee with Majestic Gardens!

No baggage fees is a hugeeeee deal. Suggestion for you...since you're each allowed 2 suitcases each, bring one filled with bottled water. You'll definitely drink it all while you're there and then you have an extra suitcase on the way home for souvenirs! Chris and I have done that the last 2 trips and it works out really well.

That's really sweet of your dad to say he would come up to drive you! So, what did you think about that earthquake yesterday?!?

 

[fraggle551]

I used to work in Manorville, in King Kullen! And I work in Riverhead now with a couple of ladies who live in Mattituck! Such a small world! And thank you, we are in loveeeee with Majestic Gardens!

No baggage fees is a hugeeeee deal. Suggestion for you...since you're each allowed 2 suitcases each, bring one filled with bottled water. You'll definitely drink it all while you're there and then you have an extra suitcase on the way home for souvenirs! Chris and I have done that the last 2 trips and it works out really well.

That's really sweet of your dad to say he would come up to drive you! So, what did you think about that earthquake yesterday?!?

Wow it is a small world! I was actually going to do that with the water! But since we are visiting my grandparents first, and we'll have a rental car, i'm just going to stop at the grocery store while we're down there and get some.

That earthquake was insane! I thought I was having some crazy dizzy spell, and I was going to pass out. But my treadmill was shaking, my tv, everything. So bizarre! Glad no real damage was done though. Just a cool experience!


I think I have figured out how to get in Wishes, Fantasmic, and IllumiNations! Now I'm debating my ADR's. I'll have to post them all, cause I need some help!

 

[fraggle551]

My poor neglected trip report! Well, leave tomorrow!!

We will be at WDW from Sat Oct 30 - Tues Nov 1.

We got the quick service dining plan.

And the best part...my boyfriend has family that works at Disney, and they got us VIP seating for Fantasmic and IllumiNations!!!!!!! I am SO excited!

We have ADRS at:

Fultons Crab House (lunch)
Cape May Cafe (breakfast)
Kona Cafe (breakfast)
Coral Reef (lunch)
Tusker House (breakfast)

Tentative plans are:

MK on Saturday all day
MGM/Epcot on Sunday
MGM/Epcot on Monday
AK on Tuesday

That's all for now folks! Check back for the TR! (That I won't neglect!!)

 

[JaneBanks]

Hey fellow Long Islander!! I found your PTR on the Long Island thread on the community board! I'm originally from Lindenhurst and my DH is from Smithtown. We lived in Port Jefferson for awhile and bought a house in Lindenhurst 4 years ago!

I'm so excited for you guys! My husband works for Toyota in the parts department! Small world kind of! lol

We got married October 2010 and while planning the wedding, we had no idea what to do about the honeymoon. I kept on suggesting Disney but the husband didn't feel like it was a honeymoon type of destination. He wasn't ever against going, just really not for a honeymoon. The last time he was there, Epcot wasn't even around! Anyway, a few months before the wedding, out of nowhere, he said.. "let's just do it! Let's do Disney for the honeymoon!" I was THRILLED to say the least! We stayed at the Grand Floridian and we both fell in love with Disney!

Now, we talk about Disney practically every day and plan future trips all the time. I hope it works the same for you and your bf!

Have a great trip!

 

[FosterA]

I'm still hanging around. Be sure to fill us in on all the details when you do your trip report!! Remember, my husband thinks Disney is for babies too so I need all the advice I can get!

 

[Merida]

Yay! You're there now! Hope you're having a great time