Jan '12 It's Cold, Let's Go to Disney!!(NEW 3/27 EP, DHS, AK & Pouts)

[Marshay]

Hi Marsha

I'm here glad you started a PTR even though I won't be able to read the end since well already be down there getting the place warmed up for you all...still so sad we won't be able to meet up on this one

Looking forward to reading your plans as I finalize getting ready...

J

Glad you joined! I'll keep this same PTR thread and have it grow up into a TR after our trip. So you'll know where to find us!

Believe me, I am also bummed that we are missing each other. Rachel is too and still talks about your Rachel and meeting up again. Your family made a good impression on us!

but as it works out, I'm glad we are going the later week this year, so we can use our AP to go the earlier (MLK) week next year for a few days before our Dream cruise. It works out such that if we decide we want to add just one more day AFTER the cruise, we can still use our AP until midnight that night!

Definitely keep everything warm for us!

That is my only fear for this trip -- the extreme cold weather. Our newspaper had a pic of the orange trees in FL with icicles hanging off of the tree -- like tons of them.

It actually looked gorgeous!

 

[Marshay]

I'll be looking for you guys! Definitely let me know your room number!

Olivia's is known for having great CMs! They have consistently been awesome for 15+ years. We have always enjoyed breakfast there, I know some people like their banana bread french toast, though I've never had it. I've only been for dinner a few times, but I remember liking it then too.

Cool! did you request near HH or not? I wasn't sure so I requested near HH.

OKW is just so large that I don't know what area would be good for us. I will let it up to the OKW CM to pick, I guess.

Luckily we'll have our car, we aren't buying refillable mugs and I really don't envision us swimming that much, so it may not make much difference where we are.

Hmm, I love breakfast!! But except for H&V breakfast, we are just going to eat all breakfasts in our room to save time. We are really trying to hit EMH or RD almost every day.

Right now our girls get up around 6am, so if we can keep that schedule, we should be able to make RD.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm here!

OKW looks fabulous, it is definitely on my list to try one of these days. And I'm right there with you in hoping for good weather. I'm stalking the Accuweather 15 day forecast even though I know they may as well be throwing darts blindfolded to put it together that far out.

 

[Leger13]

I'm here!!

 

[kaoden39]

Marsha, I posted a link to the poem on my trip report.

 

[Marshay]

I'm here!

OKW looks fabulous, it is definitely on my list to try one of these days. And I'm right there with you in hoping for good weather. I'm stalking the Accuweather 15 day forecast even though I know they may as well be throwing darts blindfolded to put it together that far out.

me, too! I'm spending waaaaay too much time checking accuweather (and tomorrow I can start checking The Weather Channel's 10 day forecast!!)

I'm here!!

Thanks for joining!!

Marsha, I posted a link to the poem on my trip report.

Will go find it -- thanks!

 

[okw19]

Cool! did you request near HH or not? I wasn't sure so I requested near HH.

OKW is just so large that I don't know what area would be good for us. I will let it up to the OKW CM to pick, I guess.

Luckily we'll have our car, we aren't buying refillable mugs and I really don't envision us swimming that much, so it may not make much difference where we are.

Hmm, I love breakfast!! But except for H&V breakfast, we are just going to eat all breakfasts in our room to save time. We are really trying to hit EMH or RD almost every day.

Right now our girls get up around 6am, so if we can keep that schedule, we should be able to make RD.

No, our only request was a first level room because I didn't want to deal with the stairs and a stroller. During check in I might ask if they have anything close to HH area. We have stayed all over the resort and have never had a problem with the bus stops. Also, the bus stops at HH last, so you can always hop on a bus at your stop and ride to HH if you're far away. We've never had to drive the car to HH.

I love breakfast too, but we only booked one (at Kona) because I hate wasting mornings too! DD has been waking up at 6:15 instead of her normal 7:30 the past week so if she keeps that up we will be golden for getting to RD.

 

[WDWCP96]

Hi Marsha!

I was hoping you would do a PTR/TR after you told me last month you were going which by the way it was great to meet you!

We stayed at OKW in June for one night and really liked it. I was hoping to try out Olivia's but we opted to eat in the park instead. The pool was nice though.

I want to do the tea when my DD gets older and Garden Grove sounds fun. I will have to check that out.

Shameless plug: I started a PTR for our November trip, the link is below.

 

[Marshay]

No, our only request was a first level room because I didn't want to deal with the stairs and a stroller. During check in I might ask if they have anything close to HH area. We have stayed all over the resort and have never had a problem with the bus stops. Also, the bus stops at HH last, so you can always hop on a bus at your stop and ride to HH if you're far away. We've never had to drive the car to HH.

I love breakfast too, but we only booked one (at Kona) because I hate wasting mornings too! DD has been waking up at 6:15 instead of her normal 7:30 the past week so if she keeps that up we will be golden for getting to RD.

Yep, we requested first floor or near elevator b/c of the stroller thing too. So if we don't get 1st floor, I'm hoping we'll at least get one of the buildings with an elevator (I heard they don't have many but thought wth, might as well ask!)

Hi Marsha!

I was hoping you would do a PTR/TR after you told me last month you were going which by the way it was great to meet you!

We stayed at OKW in June for one night and really liked it. I was hoping to try out Olivia's but we opted to eat in the park instead. The pool was nice though.

I want to do the tea when my DD gets older and Garden Grove sounds fun. I will have to check that out.

Shameless plug: I started a PTR for our November trip, the link is below.

Yeah! Glad you joined in! And nice to see you last month!

FYI -- there is a Nova DISMeet on Saturday, Jan 14th at Tysons Corner mall at 1pm, if you are interested. I plan to go...will be my first local one.

yeah, the tea is really neat!

I love going to WDW in November -- may try to sneak in another trip as I told you since we have AP ... DH doesn't know that yet!

 

[Marshay]

PTR - Part 2: Transportation and Disney Days

Amtrak Autotrain

Once upon a time, DH and I would fly to Disney. Our first DD came along and we continued to fly. Then our second DD joined us and we looked at the costs for flying, hotel on the way down and back and renting a vehicle and decided to try driving instead. Then we decided we weren't long-distance driving people and tried taking the Autotrain back (drive down, train back). First we just did Coach which was ok but not the greatest. Then we tried a Family Room and were completely hooked.

Here is DD6 climbing up the ladder to her bed.

Well, we loved the train so much that now we take the train both ways! For us, it is not that much more expensive and can actually be cheaper than flying or driving, depending if you include wear & tear on your vehicle when you drive down or not, food and hotel costs.

We enjoy having our own vehicle and being able to pack whatever our SUV can carry! This is esp true for traveling in January where we'll need everything from swimsuits to hats/gloves/scarves!

It also helps make the trip home soooo much more bearable as it is a ride in itself and extends our vacation.

If you have any specific questions re: the Autotrain, let me know!

 

[Marshay]

Disney Days

Ok, so now you know my family, where we're staying & eating and how we get to Disney.

Here is the fun planning part!

Jan 19 - Autotrain departs Lorton, VA around 4pm and arrives in FL on

Jan 20 - around 9am. We will wait for our SUV and then go to Wal-mart for a few groceries/perishables. I will also check out the Disney section at Wal-mart. Last year I found some neat pink princess ponchos for the girls and so glad I bought them at the cheaper price. Got 2 of them for around the price of one at Disney, if I recall!

I'll pick up a few "pixie dust" surprises for the mornings. While I shop, DH will take the girls through a fast food drive-through for some lunch. Then to OKW to check in.

We have some options here but mostly involve picking up our AP and TiW card and going to Garden Grove to eat over at the Swan.

I'm envisioning an early night but not ruling out Illuminations yet.

Jan 21 - DHS has EMH-AM so we want to do that to ensure we get to TSMM, RnR, ToT and ST2, or at least pick up fastpasses for later. Another priority is the Animation Class and Disney Jr. We have H&V character breakfast at 9:35am. So the plan is to get up early and be at DHS about 20 minutes prior to RD (but honestly I'll be happy if we get there by 8am). Send DH to ride ToT and RnR while I take the girls through bag check and then head over to TSMM. If the line is just atrocious, then go to ST2, and then come back and either ride of p/u FPs. Then DH and I switch.

Ideally, he and I both get to ride ToT and RnR, we both get on TSMM and ST2 before our breakfast. At a minimum, I'm hoping we get FP to ride a few of these either 1st time or 2nd time after breakfast.

Leave the park shortly after 11am and go back and rest a bit. That afternoon, we'll head over to AK and hope to ride Kali River Rapids before it closes for refurbs if it is warm enough.

Close out AK since it's open until 7pm. Priority for AK is Kali, Parade, Finding Nemo show and EE.

 

[Marshay]

Jan 22 - This is our Epcot day. No ADRs since we like to eat at Seasons. Not sure if we'll make RD + take afternoon break with Illuminations or just go a bit later and stay until 6pm or so.

Priorities are Test Track and Soarin and Mission Space Green, esp as DD2 can ride these for the first time!

Oh, and our traditional family photo in front of the Imagination fountain. Here are some from our past trips:

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

 

[pld5]

Welcome to DIS!! Looks like you are new here. Hope you find some great threads and friends. DIS is a great resource for Disney info, too!

We stayed at WL once and just loved it. It was a very relaxed vacation for us. WL just lends itself to relaxing. I remember having ducks sit outside on our deck everyday!

Hope to see you in WDW, too!

Yes, I am relatively new here. Been lurking since May, booked my trip in July, started dabbling in posting shortly thereafter and this weekend decided to try a PTR so that I would stop bothering my family!

I'm hoping for relaxed and magical while we are there.

I love the pictures of your family at the same location over the years!

 

[Marshay]

Jan 23 - Go to AK with EMH-AM.

Now if we stayed for Illuminations the night before, we may switch this to an Epcot or DHS day instead. Or go to DTD in the morning and then go to AK in the afternoon.

Current plan is to stay at AK until 12:15pm or so, go back to the room to rest and then head to DTD. Hoping to do "Characters in Flight" balloon ride for our first time.
(This is not my photo but was taken by orangevacations)

 

[Marshay]

Jan 24 - This is our big MK day. Highlights are Snow Ride if it's still open one final time, Magic Carpets ride for DD2, Splash Mtn if it's warm out for both girls (DD2's first time), Cinderella's Royal Table and haircuts at barber shop.

Jan 25 - DTD shopping and T-rex for lunch. Then to DHS for parade, Lights, ACtion Motor show, Beauty and the Beast and Honey I shrunk playground.

Jan 26 - Another day at AK. This is our new favorite park, so we'll go here again and try to go on the Wildlife Express and It's Tough to Be a Bug show.

Then GF tea in the later afternoon followed by MK for fireworks and a few rides if lines aren't too long (HM, Country Bears, Peoplemover, Buzz)

Jan 27 - open day. I have another H&V ressie (this one was made prior to the new dining policy so I didn't want to cancel it yet). If we loved H&V earlier, we'll do it again. If not, I'll cancel it. Also, depends on what park we are going to. I'm suggesting DHS in the AM and then not sure of the evening. Maybe Epcot for Illuminations if we haven't seen it yet or Characters in Flight at DTD if we didn't get on earlier.

 

[Marshay]

Jan 28 pack up, go to DTD for final shopping and head to Sanford, FL for the train.

Jan 29 - arrive Lorton, VA around 9am. Go home and cry.

Ok, Go home and start planning that secret November trip.

Ok, ok, seriously, I'll go home and unpack, go through mail, etc.

This trip we are only going to MK 1.5 times. We figure our next trip will be focused almost exclusively on the new Fantasyland at MK, so this trip we really wanted to explore the other parks, particularly DHS and AK.

 

[Marshay]

Yes, I am relatively new here. Been lurking since May, booked my trip in July, started dabbling in posting shortly thereafter and this weekend decided to try a PTR so that I would stop bothering my family!

I'm hoping for relaxed and magical while we are there.

I love the pictures of your family at the same location over the years!

Hey, already dove into the world of PTRs!!! Good for you! It's a great way to get ideas, rehash your own trip, meet disfriends, etc.

I just posted in your PTR...will go back and read either later tonight or tomorrow.

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Getting in on the front end of this one! Plans look like great fun, as always!

 

[Marshay]

Getting in on the front end of this one! Plans look like great fun, as always!

Thanks! This is the first trip we have a plan to go into the parks EVERY day!! Normally, I give us 1 or 2 rest days.

We'll see how it goes.

For me, I think it's quite relaxed...only 3 early days (8am and 9am entry) and only 1 planned late night (past 9pm).

 

[WDWCP96]

I am jealous that you are taking the auto train. I would love to do it again and I know DS2 would love it. Maybe I will price it

Your plans look great. Can't wait to hear about the Characters in Flight. I haven't heard of anyone doing it but I am really curious.