Just the 3 of us... A March 2016 pre-trip report- Opinions and suggestions welcomed!!!

[Jasperann]

Does anyone know if you can use your magic band and linked fp+ to let someone else in? I know we used to get paper fp's and if one of us decided not to use it, or if we changed our minds about using them we could just give them to other guests- that was always fun!

You can use them within your group for other people, but you can no longer give them away.

The other attractions that are musts for us are Festival of the Lion King (they were just building the new theater during our last trip), the Forest Trails, the Discovery Island Trails, the Jungle Trek, and the train ride over to check out Conservation Station. Depending on how warm it is we may do Kali River We haven't seen the Finding Nemo show in a long time so if we feel like it we may check it out. I'm still debating trying Primevil Whirl because I don't know if it will make us have whiplash or make us nauseated. The Teacups at MK make us sick, so is this similar? If we can do all the other roller coasters, is this one ok? I've always been scared to try it for that reason, but now I'm kinda wanting to.

Primevil whirl is more like a roller coaster mixed with the Tilt-a-whirl (like they have at traveling carnivals). I don't do well on the tea cups (they make me really sick), but I can ride Primevil whirl once. Although it does spin a lot.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Yay for more vacation time!

Does anyone know if you can use your magic band and linked fp+ to let someone else in?

Dh has used my magic Band and FP to get a second ride on things in the past. You shouldn't have any issue with this!

I'm still debating trying Primevil Whirl because I don't know if it will make us have whiplash or make us nauseated.

Might I suggest looking up a ride POV for it. It should give you a bit of an idea of how spinny it is. Never been on it myself because I notice nausea issues when I try to watch the ride pov.

 

[Sydney2977]

First thank you to your family for their service.

Next I'm here and ready to hear about the final planning!!!

Awww, thank you for the gratitude! There are definitely sacrifices, but for us the benefits have been great as well. I know it is also very meaningful to service members to have so much support.

You can use them within your group for other people, but you can no longer give them away.


Primevil whirl is more like a roller coaster mixed with the Tilt-a-whirl (like they have at traveling carnivals). I don't do well on the tea cups (they make me really sick), but I can ride Primevil whirl once. Although it does spin a lot.

Yay for more vacation time!

Dh has used my magic Band and FP to get a second ride on things in the past. You shouldn't have any issue with this!

Might I suggest looking up a ride POV for it. It should give you a bit of an idea of how spinny it is. Never been on it myself because I notice nausea issues when I try to watch the ride pov.

I didn't think about using it for another ride. We may do that. I just felt bad "taking up a spot" when we weren't going to use it.

Thanks for the advice about Primevil Whirl. I'll go find a video for it and see what I think since I'm the most likely to get sick and I don't want to ruin the surprise for the guys.

I just thought about it, and younger DS has never ridden the Teacups! I rode them as a kid and they made me sick and I told DH and older DS this. But on our very first trip they insisted trying them- and then felt too yucky to even get ice cream afterwards! So we've never been since.

I also had to chuckle because older DS- who is our crazy ride junky and never even had a problem with the intense version of Mission: Space- said the Star Wars ride made him a little nauseated when he rode it last week. I told him he must be getting old like me and Dad!

We probably just need to make sure we don't ride Primevil Whirl right after eating!

 

[mdsouth]

The fp+ we are hoping to get are for the Safari, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur! Older DS and his DGF somehow secured all three of these and they are going the week before Christmas so I think our chances may be pretty good. Actually DH probably won't ride Dinosaur! since he says it jolts too much. Does anyone know if you can use your magic band and linked fp+ to let someone else in? I know we used to get paper fp's and if one of us decided not to use it, or if we changed our minds about using them we could just give them to other guests- that was always fun!

Your hubby might not do to well with Primevil Whirl. My DH and hubby who love roller coasters say this one jerks you around the most of all the coasters they have ever ridden. It is like a scrambler carnival ride that also spins and goes up and down on the roller coaster track. So, with your hubby's physical issues I would suggest he passes on it.

I know back in 2014 when the magic bands were fairly new, I had made fast pass reservations and gave my band to my son to use my fast pass since he did not have one of his own. I am not sure if you can still do this or not.

I also want to thank your family for the sacrifices you have made over the years as a military family. And also want to thank your son for his devotion to our country and his current service. My father was in the Air Force, Army and Army Reserve for a total of 40 year career. My brother served in the Air Force too.

 

[Sydney2977]

Your hubby might not do to well with Primevil Whirl. My DH and hubby who love roller coasters say this one jerks you around the most of all the coasters they have ever ridden. It is like a scrambler carnival ride that also spins and goes up and down on the roller coaster track. So, with your hubby's physical issues I would suggest he passes on it.

I know back in 2014 when the magic bands were fairly new, I had made fast pass reservations and gave my band to my son to use my fast pass since he did not have one of his own. I am not sure if you can still do this or not.

I also want to thank your family for the sacrifices you have made over the years as a military family. And also want to thank your son for his devotion to our country and his current service. My father was in the Air Force, Army and Army Reserve for a total of 40 year career. My brother served in the Air Force too.

Thanks for the tip! I did go watch a few videos and I think it looks like too much spinning for me. You can't tell the jerkiness from the videos, but from what you say I don't think DH will like it either.

Your thanks and support is also appreciated, and I appreciate your dad and brother's service as well! It's not for everyone, but wow- 40 years is an amazing commitment! God bless him!

 

[Sydney2977]

So I was all excited to order our military salute tickets from the base outdoor recreation center in Dec. once I knew for sure that the trip was a go. They always say it can take up to three weeks to get them, but it's never taken more than one. Things kept popping up that I had to do after work in Dec., and some days I had to stay late, so I didn't get a chance to go till the week of Christmas. I left from work all excited to order them, get to the center, and they're closed for the week- SERIOUSLY?!? Ugh, ok, I'll just go next week. I show up on Monday Dec. 28, and the guy tells me they can't order them until it's actually 2016. REALLY?!? Well of course they're closed Friday Jan. 1, and the weekend, so I finally go to order them this Monday Jan. 4. ( I noticed on the list I was the third person- woo hoo!)

I was kind of worried that we wouldn't get the greatest fp+ picks because our first day to pick them was the next day, Jan. 5. All week I was waiting eagerly for the rec. center to call to say the tickets came in, and just as I was pulling out of work Friday I go the call. I high tailed it over there and gleefully picked them up! They are really ticket vouchers that have to be "activated" once we arrive, but that will be no problem since we have no plans that night. As soon as I got home I linked the tickets to our magic bands and got to picking fp+. Thankfully it was a breeze and we got all the choices we wanted and good times too- like not too close to adr's- I don't want to be running to get from one thing to the next, and I definitely don't want to ride something like Everest right after a meal!

 

[Sydney2977]

Here's our new updated itinerary:

Friday March 4

DS has school and DH and I have work, so of course the day will probably draaaaag on...

When we get home we'll drop our dog off at the boarder (the cat will be watched by our neighbor), have dinner, finish packing, and try to get some sleep!

Saturday March 5

We'll wake up at a decent time (I won't need an alarm clock and the guys will follow suit), eat breakfast at home, load up Silver (it's my Rav-4, named for the Lone Ranger's Horse) and get on the road. We should be in Jacksonville by lunchtime so we can stop at Whataburger, then on to WDW! We should arrive at POFQ between 3-4pm.

After checking in and unpacking we'll probably explore the resort a bit before heading over to POR. We have a 6:30 adr at Boatwright's. The I figure we can bus it over to MK, ride the monorail to the TTC, get our vouchers exchanged for real cards, and then maybe take in the Electric Water Pageant from the Poly at 9pm since we've never seen it. Back on the monorail and bus to POFQ for a good night's sleep.

 

[Sydney2977]

Sunday March 6

Breakfast at POR Riverside Mills and maybe swimming

Clean up, grab lunch to go at OKW's Good Food to Go and head to Kissimmee

Astros baseball game at 1:00pm

Disney Quest at Disney Springs

Dinner at House of Blues (have to wait to make reservations)

Back to DQ or shopping

 

[Sydney2977]

Monday March 7

Breakfast at Old Port Royale at Caribbean Beach and look around the resort

Blizzard Beach at 10am

Lunch at counter service wherever we feel like at Blizzard Beach

Back to POFQ at 5pm to get cleaned up

Dinner at Maya Grill at Coronado Springs at 7:15pm

We'll probably be wiped out from being in the water all day and will head back to POFQ and crash!

 

[Sydney2977]

Tuesday March 8

Bus to Epcot, monorail to Contemporary for a quick breakfast at Contempo Café at a look around

Back to Epcot around 9pm opening

FP+ Journey w/Figment 9:05-10:05

Test Track 10:05-11:05

Spaceship Earth 11:40-12:40

Other Future World stuff in between: The Seas with Nemo, The Land, Ellen's Energy Adventure, The Art of Disney Store

Check out the Flower and Garden exhibits

On to World Showcase

Gran Fiesta and Mexico, Norway, and China- meet Mulan

Lunch at Biergarten at 1:20pm, explore Germany and meet Snow White

Italy, America, Japan, Morocco, France, UK- meet Mary Poppins

Dinner either at Flower and Garden kiosk snacks or maybe in China at cs

Canada and watch Illuminations at 9pm

Dessert at Kringla Bakery

EMH 9-11pm, so go back and do anything we missed or want to do again- I figure we can make more fp+ picks after our originals are done.

 

[Sydney2977]

Wednesday March 9

Bus to MK, monorail to Poly, quick breakfast at Capt. Cook's and a look around at the renovations, monorail back to MK

FP+ Big Thunder Mt. 9:35-10:35

Peter Pan 10:35-11:35

Seven Dwarves 11:40-12:40

Make any additional fp+ picks we want

Other stuff we'll do throughout the day: Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mt., Aladdin, Pooh, Small World, Dumbo, Mickey's Philharmagic, Space Mt., Buzz, Monsters Inc., Carousel of Progress, Peoplemover, Haunted Mansion, meet Tiana, and ride the Railroad

Lunch at Sleepy Hollow whenever we get hungry

Festival of Fantasy Parade at 3pm

Snacks at Gaston's Tavern

Dinner at the Lunching Pad

Dessert at Cheshire Café or Auntie Gravity's

EMH 10pm-12am to do everything we missed or want to do again

 

[Sydney2977]

Thursday March 10

Breakfast at Trail's End at Fort Wilderness at 9:25am and look around the resort

Mini golf at Winter Summerland

Lunch at Beaches and Cream at 1:40 and look around the resort

Back to POFQ and maybe swimming if we want

Boat to Disney Springs and shopping

Dinner at Paradiso 37 at 7:20

Disney Quest till 10pm closing

 

[Sydney2977]

Friday March 11

Bus to DHS

Boat to Boardwalk, breakfast at Boardwalk Bakery, boat back to DHS

Attractions we will do based on time in the morning: Star Wars Launch Bay, Tower of Terror, Rock'n'Rollercoatser, The Great Movie Ride, and Muppets 3D.

Lunch at The Hollywood Brown Derby at 1:15pm

FP+ for Indiana Jones 2:35-2:50pm

Lights, Motors, Action! 3:30-3:45pm

Toy Story 5:00-6:00pm

Dinner at Studio Catering Co. whenever we get hungry

Fantasmic! at 7:30pm

Star Wars Fireworks at 8:30pm

Dessert at Starring Rolls

EMH from 8:30-10:30pm so we'll do anything we missed during the day

 

[Sydney2977]

Saturday March 12

Bus to AK

EMH 8:00-9:00am (I'm just hoping we can look through the Oasis on our way in)

Breakfast at Donald's Dining Safari at 9:10am

FP+ Safari 10:10-11:10am

Festival of the Lion King, Forest Trails, and train to Conservation Station

Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ when we get hungry

Tree of Life trails and Jungle Trek

Expedition Everest 2:25-3:25pm

Triceratops Spin and maybe Nemo show

Dinosaur! 3:55-4:55

We can do anything we missed after that- AK open till 6:30pm

Bus to MK

Dinner when we get hungry at Pinocchio's Village

Go back and do anything we missed or want to again- MK open till 12:00am

Last ride, per tradition, on PotC

 

[Sydney2977]

Sunday March 13

Breakfast at Sassagoula

Pack up and check out, do any last minute shopping

lunch at ESPN Club at Boardwalk (no adr needed)

any other last minute shopping or DQ if we didn't get to use our last entitlement one day

back on the road by 4:00pm, stop somewhere for dinner

home by 11:00pm

 

[mdsouth]

Here's our new updated itinerary:

Friday March 4

DS has school and DH and I have work, so of course the day will probably draaaaag on...

When we get home we'll drop our dog off at the boarder (the cat will be watched by our neighbor), have dinner, finish packing, and try to get some sleep!

Saturday March 5

We'll wake up at a decent time (I won't need an alarm clock and the guys will follow suit), eat breakfast at home, load up Silver (it's my Rav-4, named for the Lone Ranger's Horse) and get on the road. We should be in Jacksonville by lunchtime so we can stop at Whataburger, then on to WDW! We should arrive at POFQ between 3-4pm.

After checking in and unpacking we'll probably explore the resort a bit before heading over to POR. We have a 6:30 adr at Boatwright's. The I figure we can bus it over to MK, ride the monorail to the TTC, get our vouchers exchanged for real cards, and then maybe take in the Electric Water Pageant from the Poly at 9pm since we've never seen it. Back on the monorail and bus to POFQ for a good night's sleep.

I think your idea for Day 1 is a good one . Taking a ride on the monorail and then catching the Electric Water Pageant from the Poly will be nice. Do you think you will stay and watch Wishes from the beach too?

Glad to read that you also got your Fastpasses lined up and even got the times you wanted. Great!

 

[ashely612]

So I was all excited to order our military salute tickets from the base outdoor recreation center in Dec. once I knew for sure that the trip was a go. They always say it can take up to three weeks to get them, but it's never taken more than one. Things kept popping up that I had to do after work in Dec., and some days I had to stay late, so I didn't get a chance to go till the week of Christmas. I left from work all excited to order them, get to the center, and they're closed for the week- SERIOUSLY?!? Ugh, ok, I'll just go next week. I show up on Monday Dec. 28, and the guy tells me they can't order them until it's actually 2016. REALLY?!? Well of course they're closed Friday Jan. 1, and the weekend, so I finally go to order them this Monday Jan. 4. ( I noticed on the list I was the third person- woo hoo!)

I was kind of worried that we wouldn't get the greatest fp+ picks because our first day to pick them was the next day, Jan. 5. All week I was waiting eagerly for the rec. center to call to say the tickets came in, and just as I was pulling out of work Friday I go the call. I high tailed it over there and gleefully picked them up! They are really ticket vouchers that have to be "activated" once we arrive, but that will be no problem since we have no plans that night. As soon as I got home I linked the tickets to our magic bands and got to picking fp+. Thankfully it was a breeze and we got all the choices we wanted and good times too- like not too close to adr's- I don't want to be running to get from one thing to the next, and I definitely don't want to ride something like Everest right after a meal!

Can you tell me how much the tickets were? And can they only be obtained on base? I am inquiring for my father who may be traveling with us on one of our trips this year.

 

[Sydney2977]

The four day park hoppers with water parks and more are $228 each at our base, no tax charged. They can also be purchased at Disney I believe but there is tax charged, and at Shades of Green. Here is the Disney link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-multi-day-tickets/

He may also be able to get you a discount on your resort room: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-hotel-rates/

As long as he is traveling with you I think he can get up to five other tickets besides his- he just has to be with you on the vacation.

 

[Sydney2977]

I got the email today from the Astros to purchse the Spring Training tickets during their pre-sale, which is only today. I was able to pick out great seats so it looks like going to the game on Sunday is a go! So resort, park tickets, and baseball tickets are paid for, I just need to go get gift cards- on the Disney Visa card to earn points- to pay for meals in the parks. 36 days left!

 

[mdsouth]

I got the email today from the Astros to purchse the Spring Training tickets during their pre-sale, which is only today. I was able to pick out great seats so it looks like going to the game on Sunday is a go! So resort, park tickets, and baseball tickets are paid for, I just need to go get gift cards- on the Disney Visa card to earn points- to pay for meals in the parks. 36 days left!

Great score on the Astro tickets! I know going to a spring training game would be a huge draw for my son and hubby.