Let's get this PAR-TAY started!!!

[princess@heart]

This is my first ever pre-trip report! Wooo-Hoooo!!!

And away we go...

CAST:

Me (Amber)- 29, preschool substitute teacher and college student working towards B.S. in Human Services Counseling.

DH (Vern)- 30, mental health counselor and recent graduate with a M.S. in Counseling.

FACTS:

When- WDW January 19-25.....DCL January 25-28
Where- Carribean Beach Club.....Disney Wonder
Why- We are celebrating many things on this vacation, because it's a big one! We are celebrating DH just turning 30 and graduating with his M.S. in December. Then we are celebrating me turning 30 and our 10-year anniversary!!!


OUR DAILY PLAN:

Friday, 19th- Downtown Disney, Disney Quest, and Pleasure Island!

Saturday, 20th- Magic Kingdom

Sunday, 21st- EPCOT

Monday, 22nd- Animal Kingdom and the first-ever Pirate & Princess Party!

Tuesday, 23rd- Disney MGM

Wednesday, 24th- boat rentals, parasailing, recreation

Thursday, 25th- head to Port Canaveral, get on Wonder, set sail

Friday, 26th- Nassau

Saturday, 27th- Castaway Cay

Sunday, 28th- disembark and head for home

ADRs: (as you can see, we love TS restaurants)
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
Crystal Palace
Cinderella's Royal Table
Tony's Town Square
Chef Mickey's
Coral Reef
Rose and Crown Dining Room
Kona Cafe
Boma
'Ohana
50's Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood Brown Derby
1900 Park Fare
Garden View Lounge for tea time
California Grill
Cape May Cafe (before heading to cruise)
Palo (on the Wonder)

Background:
Okay, so Vern and I didn't grow up going to WDW on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, Vern's first trip to Disney was with me in Novemeber-December 2005. Before that, I had only been to MK for a half day with my grandparents back in 1995 when I was still 17.

Vern's family never even took real vacations. I think he said they went to Nags Head, NC like twice in his life for 3 days each.

On the other hand, my grandparent took me everywhere when I'd visit them for the summer. We went to the mountains in NC at least for a week. Then they would take me and my cousins to all kinds of amusement parks and water parks. I don't ever remember them riding rollercoasters, but they loved taking us! One summer we even went to Lake Lure, NC where half of the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed! It was awesome!!!

So... on to my Disney obsession. Believe it or not, I didn't become a Disney fan until late 2003! I loved The Little Mermaid when it came out. My sister, who was 2, and I (at age 13) would watch it everyday. But other than that, I didn't really care for Disney stuff. As a matter of fact, I used to scoff at people like me! I would see people wearing lots of Mickey shirts and jewelry and I'd think, "How pathetic!" And look at me now!!! This will be my 3rd trip to WDW since Nov 2005. Just ask Vern how many Disney hoodies and t-shirts I have in my closet. It's ridiculous!


To be continued.....

 

[susieq76]

All those TS meals! Looks like you're using the Premium plan to the best extent! Hope to see ya there- we're the same age

 

[KangaFan]

We're going the same week & eating at some of the same restaurants . . . maybe we'll see you there! I'll look forward to the rest of your trippie when we get back!

 

[princess@heart]

All those TS meals! Looks like you're using the Premium plan to the best extent! Hope to see ya there- we're the same age

Actually, we decided to forgo the Premium Plan. This way we only have to get one appetizer (or skip it), maybe spilt an entree (or not), and at dinner split a dessert. That way we save money and our waistlines! LOL

The only places we can't do that are at buffets or places like CRT. But those places are worth the money, ya know?

What I'm really worried about is all the food on the cruise...

Anyways, even with all the boat rentals, my parasailing, mini-golf, and other recreation we will be doing, we will still save like $400 by not doing the Premium Plan! More shopping money for me!!!

 

[Mrs. T-i-double-g-er]

Actually, we decided to forgo the Premium Plan. This way we only have to get one appetizer (or skip it), maybe spilt an entree (or not), and at dinner split a dessert. That way we save money and our waistlines! LOL

I know you read our trip report, so just remember: When wearing anniversary buttons, you may get free deserts anyway. After the night we were sitting at Flying Fish with three deserts in front of us, we've learned our
lesson.

It looks like you're gonna have a blast. I can't wait to read your TR. I've never been on a Disney Cruise, so it will be neat to hear about it. Every time we contemplate it, we realize just how hard it is with 5 people in our family to pay for it. We can never have just one room.

Have a great trip!

 

[Bee]

Looking forward to hearing your experience. We took our family for 5 days at the parks and a 3 day Wonder cruise.. They actually loved the cruise better. Have a great time!!

 

[princess@heart]

I know you read our trip report, so just remember: When wearing anniversary buttons, you may get free deserts anyway. After the night we were sitting at Flying Fish with three deserts in front of us, we've learned our
lesson.

Trust me, I have to be very careful. I had a gastric bypass a little over 2 years ago. I get very sick if I have too much sugar.

It looks like you're gonna have a blast. I can't wait to read your TR. I've never been on a Disney Cruise, so it will be neat to hear about it. Every time we contemplate it, we realize just how hard it is with 5 people in our family to pay for it. We can never have just one room.

Have a great trip!

Thanks!

We almost couldn't afford the cruise, but we pulled together as much money as we could and paid the balance a few weeks after the due date. We were worried they would cancel on us, but our travel agent talked to them and they were a little more flexible.

Now I can't wait to go! I don't have quite as much spending money as I'd like, but I'll survive! LOL

 

[princess@heart]

Looking forward to hearing your experience. We took our family for 5 days at the parks and a 3 day Wonder cruise.. They actually loved the cruise better. Have a great time!!

Can I ask you how the luggage pick-up works?

We didn't book the Land and Sea. We did both seperate. Our cruise info says that we have transportation from the CBR to port. I am just nervous about what we are supposed to do with our bags before we go to the Beach Club for breakfast.

And about what time do you think we should be back at the CBR after breakfast to be picked up by DCL?

Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[princess@heart]

Planning:

Okay, so we were in WDW in April 2006 and were already talking about when our next trip would be. We decided it had to be after DH finished his Masters degree, but we didn't want to do Christmas again. So we decided it would be in January or February. Good and bad... I wanted cooler weather so I could wear my MANY Disney hoodies, but it will probably be too cool to go to a water park. And seeing as how much I LOVED Typhoon Lagoon in April (at 90 degrees ), it would be sad to not also go to Blizzard Beach this time.

As soon as we got home, I hopped online and started to figure out prices. Since nothing had been released for 2007 yet, I used December dates to get a ballpark figure. Well, as most know, they REALLY jacked up prices, for everything! Tickets were up, hotels were up. It was crazy.

So we originally planned the Beach Club, but soon after booking we realized if we were to actually finish paying for the cruise, we'd have to bump down to a moderate. So we decided on the Carribean Beach Resort... a continuation of the Caribbean theme... Pirates & Princess Party, Disney Cruise to the Bahamas. It's awesome.

So now for the cruise part... Vern and I have never been on a cruise. The closest we have ever come is a gambling boat my grandparents took us on while visiting them in Melbourne, FL. That ship was definitely rocking , but I've heard the Wonder is not even close to being that bad.

Well, I gotta go pick up my cruise documents since my AAA travel agent just called to say they are in! Wooo-Hooo!!!

To Be Continued...

 

[tubachick]

we are doing the same thing (just opposite) in March!!!

Looking forward to hearing about your trip!!!

 

[princess@heart]

we are doing the same thing (just opposite) in March!!!

Looking forward to hearing about your trip!!!

Opposite as in cruise before land? We are thinking of doing that next time.

Thanks for reading along!!!

 

[susieq76]

Oooh- I think Land first- go crazy in the parks- and then be pampered on a cruise? Sounds like heaven to me....

You're gonna LOVE cruising! We adore it- but the only ship we can book are the OLD Carnival ones b/c we have 3 babies and they won't guarantee adjoining rooms- DH and I do NOT want to sleep in seperate rooms (and thus beds) during a cruise I guess when the boys get older.

 

[Bee]

Can I ask you how the luggage pick-up works?

We didn't book the Land and Sea. We did both seperate. Our cruise info says that we have transportation from the CBR to port. I am just nervous about what we are supposed to do with our bags before we go to the Beach Club for breakfast.

And about what time do you think we should be back at the CBR after breakfast to be picked up by DCL?

Thanks a bunch!!!

We booked our seperate as well.. and we were trying to save as much money as possible.. so it was actually cheaper to book seperate than as the land and sea.. because you cannot add the dining to that package. So, we did two seperate packages.

We rented a car when we got to MCO and priced it out.. it was cheaper for us also then doing the transportation from the parks.. we were 2 adults and 2 children and it saved us money.. we were also then able to go on our own schedule..

We didnt use the luggage Magical Express at all... sorry.

Oh I am sorry.. I also talk to much

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I'm in! Subbing to this one!

Hmmmmm.... land and sea.... sounds like fun! I think I would also prefer to do the land portion first and then relax on the cruise afterward.

Can't wait to hear all about it! Great start!

 

[princess@heart]

DH and I do NOT want to sleep in seperate rooms (and thus beds) during a cruise

I would have to agree!

 

[princess@heart]

Oh I am sorry.. I also talk to much

Not at all!

Thanks for all the info. I should have thought about renting a car, but it's too late now since we have already paid for the Disney transfer.

I called them yesterday and our pick-up at the resort is 12:30. I just hope the terminal won't be overflowing with people by the time we get there at 1:30 or so.

 

[princess@heart]

I'm in! Subbing to this one!

Thanks for reading along!

Hmmmmm.... land and sea.... sounds like fun! I think I would also prefer to do the land portion first and then relax on the cruise afterward.

That's what alot of people say, but I can also see the benefit of doing the cruise first. Like if you have a stressful job, it would be nice to relax at the beginning of your vacation, then hit the parks for a few day of fun!

Can't wait to hear all about it! Great start!

Thanks so much!!! I am SO EXCITED!

 

[Bee]

Not at all!

Thanks for all the info. I should have thought about renting a car, but it's too late now since we have already paid for the Disney transfer.

I called them yesterday and our pick-up at the resort is 12:30. I just hope the terminal won't be overflowing with people by the time we get there at 1:30 or so.

We had already paid also.. but, I called my AAA travel agent and got a refund..

Thanks!

 

[princess@heart]

We had already paid also.. but, I called my AAA travel agent and got a refund..

Thanks!

Hmmm.... Maybe that would be a good idea. How much for a car from WDW to Port Canaveral?

 

[Bee]

Hmmm.... Maybe that would be a good idea. How much for a car from WDW to Port Canaveral?

I honestly dont remember. We priced with several companies. AAA ddiscount. It ended up being less expensive, even parking it at port for the 3 day cruise.