"Look Ma! We're planning a Disney Trip!" - Nov 10-20 PTR (11/09 Final Update?!)

[skier_pete]

"Bumped" into you awhile back on the November thread: while we were all waiting for the FD to be released.... so it sounds like we won't be overlapping at POFQ?

You have me running to my mailbox everyday looking for Mickey Mail!

Love the countdown calendar!

No, I'm afraid we won't....I'm thinking of naming our trip report:
"Our Trip...Now with 100% less POFQ!"

 

[prisjoyce]

No, I'm afraid we won't....I'm thinking of naming our trip report:
"Our Trip...Now with 100% less POFQ!"

Love the title! I'll be sure to look for that one!

 

[joy13]

Well, as I said - more to come on that...but you will probably have to follow me to my TR. (Yup - shameless plug!)

Don't worry - I will be there!

 

[exwdwcm]

Yeah for Mickey Mail and an even bigger YEAH for Australia- sounds awesome!!!

 

[skier_pete]

Love the title! I'll be sure to look for that one!

Well, Now I guess I'll have to use it!

Don't worry - I will be there!

Excellent, I hope so. It's nice to know your not just writing to yourself. (It's sort of like talking to yourself, only slightly less crazy.

Yeah for Mickey Mail and an even bigger YEAH for Australia- sounds awesome!!!

A big trip that's been in the works (from a "saving Money" perspective) for almost 10 years. I won't be posting more on it until AFTER this trip.

 

[skier_pete]

Oh...and one more thing...

ONE MONTH TO GO!

 

[skier_pete]

All right - with 30 days left on the calendar...here's the update on the last two day plans:

Day 9 – I find writing about the last few days of a trip to be more depressing than living them. Taking 10 day vacations to WDW gives you enough time that by the end of the trip you are pretty tired and ready to get back to reality, whereas talking about it makes it feel like how short it really is.

Day 9 is our last full day, and surprisingly it is only our 2nd day at Magic Kingdom. Well, really we had an evening here on Thursday to watch the parade & fireworks, but this really is sort of our 2nd RIDE day. I am pretty much giving this day “no plan” day, as it will really entail exactly what we did on our first day, and making sure we squeeze in all the things we missed from that day. (This is almost a foreign concept to me, as I used to have every day planned out extensively. But really, I find our plans to be much more loose with each passing trip.)

So, I can’t really tell you where we’re going to start, nor where we are going to finish. We will probably do one of two things: Spend the entire day in the park and leave well before the parade/fireworks crowd does or we will mid-day break for a few hours and stay until the park closes its doors, with the latter the more likely option.

A couple things I also think are quite likely:

We will be at the park for rope drop. (Having the night before been an early night.)
We will have lunch at Columbia Harbor House.
We will have dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table @ 6:40 PM.
We will at some point ride the Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan’s Flight, as well as Haunted Mansion and the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Other than that...your guess is as good as mine.

Day 10 – A rare travel home day that is also a park day. My DM has a 12:25 PM flight – meaning her DME bus will probably be picking up around 9:30 AM. My plan is that we will be completely packed and checked out at that point, with all our bags with guest services. When my DMom’s bus pulls out, we will head over to the bus station and will head to a park of our choice. I honestly have no idea what park it will be. I think it is least likely to be Animal Kingdom. Having spent two full days there – with the last being only Friday – I don’t think we will want to go back. I would think most likely would be either a return to Epcot or DHS, and I’m only saying that because the day before this was spent at MK. I feel this trip seems very short on MK as our first full day isn’t really a “full” day at all. So, to circle back around to the start – “we don’t know” is really and truly the answer to what park we’ll be attending. Whichever we choose, we’ll be leaving the parks around 2:30 PM, as we have a 6:15 PM flight which will require us to catch the ME bus. I just think this will be very, very cool to have around 4-5 hours of park time to spend.

There's a slighter possibilty that we will sign up DD to do the "Pirate Cruise" @ CBR. They only do this in the mornings on certain days, and Sunday is one of them. If we do this, though, there will be no time for the parks, so I don't really see it happening.

 

[FosterA]

It sounds like you have some pretty good ideas about what "may" happen those last 2 days. You will be there for quite a long time which is so nice! I would say that those last couple days should really be "plan it by ear" days since it will really depend on what you get accomplished all the previous days. I know my last day is sort of open because I'm just not sure I'll feel we "completed" the parks or if we still need to go back for stuff we missed. It's all going to depend on the crowds we encounter and so forth and so on.

One thing I can't do is do things on my departure day. I usually just plan flights out early because I get really spazzy when I know I need to catch a plane and can't enjoy myself at all. I could maybe lounge around a pool or something but I'd be too freaked out to do any other type of touring around. That's just me and my hangup though. I noticed, at least here on the Dis, that lots of people do park days on their departure days and I'm very impressed!

 

[skier_pete]

It sounds like you have some pretty good ideas about what "may" happen those last 2 days. You will be there for quite a long time which is so nice! I would say that those last couple days should really be "plan it by ear" days since it will really depend on what you get accomplished all the previous days. I know my last day is sort of open because I'm just not sure I'll feel we "completed" the parks or if we still need to go back for stuff we missed. It's all going to depend on the crowds we encounter and so forth and so on.

One thing I can't do is do things on my departure day. I usually just plan flights out early because I get really spazzy when I know I need to catch a plane and can't enjoy myself at all. I could maybe lounge around a pool or something but I'd be too freaked out to do any other type of touring around. That's just me and my hangup though. I noticed, at least here on the Dis, that lots of people do park days on their departure days and I'm very impressed!

We've done a few 10 day trips - and honestly we still never feel like we've gotten to do everything we wanted. Of course part of that is we won't go 8 AM to midnight straight through like some people do. I am sure we will have no problem finding a park we want to return to. With really only a few hours it really could be ANY park.

As far worrying about catching the ME/airplane, I don't know, it never really worries me at the END of a vacation. I am pretty paranoid about these things at the START, because we've had some vacations distrupted that way. (5 years ago today in fact when Buffalo got hit with a freak snow storm that closed the airport as we were trying to leave for our FIRST trip.) But, at the end of a trip...we miss our flight...so what! Another day "stuck" in Disney World? The horror! ME leaves the hotel SOOO friggin early, we're always sitting around at the airport for 2 hours, I almost WANT to miss the scheduled ME bus one of these years. (Probably not this year, as we are leaving the week leading into Thanksgiving I am concerned about the crowds at MCO getting through security.)

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your 10 days seemed to be all planned out. Like you, I've had a couple of 10 day trips to the World. There is just so much to see and do that I never feel like I've done any of the World properly either.

If and when you do decide to miss ME, let me know how it works out.

 

[skier_pete]

If and when you do decide to miss ME, let me know how it works out.

SO you don't think I should be planning on rebelling against the system?

 

[PrincessInOz]

SO you don't think I should be planning on rebelling against the system?

If the force fits, Use the Force, Pete. Use the Force.

 

[skier_pete]

The second (less useful) round of Mickey Mail came last night (package confirmation and bag tags). We also got our 2nd set of yellow ME tickets a few days ago. With 22 days left to go (YEAH!) the plans are all in place and have been described here in detail. We're slowly packing, but I don't find much interesting to describe there. I was trying to think about what else to write, and though maybe a brief "What I am most looking forward to." for the whole trip and each park. These aren't necessarily a list of my favorite rides, and in fact I am not sure any of my top 10s are included, but more what I am most looking forward to THIS trip. So - here we go, top 3 in various categories!

Overall:
1) I am really looking forward to showing my DM how much fun Disney can be as an adult. DMIL was surprised by this fact, so I am hoping by the end of the trip DM will feel the same way.

2) Our Monday surprise - I can't describe it here - but it's something we haven't done before and I think it'll be pretty unique.

3) Jellyroll's - One aspect of Disney I really miss is the adult-oriented entertainment of Pleasure Island and Adventurer's Club in general. I'm not thinking this will be a full-on substitue, but I am looking forward to checking it out.

Magic Kingdom:
1) Enchanted Tiki Room (under OLD management): DD is saying she will miss Iago - I say the same thing to those that liked the "New Management" show better: "I simply don't care." I will probably be crying tears of joy from the moment Jose tells us his "Siestas get chorter and chorter" to the final "Heigh Ho! Height Ho!"

2) Wishes from in front of the Castle. I've never seen a better fireworks show than this, and only from this one location. You can take the "end of main street" or "Fantasyland" or "On Astro Orbiter", I'll take Wishes from the hub every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

3) Snow White's Scary Adventures - Not a family favorite or anything - but with it likely to be gone the next time we go - I definitely want to ride it at least twice, once with video camera in hand.

Honorable mention to Dumbo, who while not going away, the relocation with NO great view of the castle makes this ride a LOT less appealing in the future. (I wonder if the new location will really kill the popularity...is this anyone else opinion as well?)

Epcot:
1) Food & Wine Festival: I can see where regulars could get sick of this, but only having been there once, I am super-excited for this again.

2) Soarin': I think I am looking forward to my mom's reaction. My reaction to Soarin' is weird, I have this "heights over water" phobia that several scenes in Soarin' trigger in me that make me super duper uncomfortable (HATE that opener over the Golden Gate Bridge). Yet I still love the ride and wish it were longer.

3) Beirgarten / Karmel Kuchen - German food, "Oom-pah" music, and chocolate covered caramel stuff. Enough said.

DHS:
1) Osborne Lights - One of my favorite things about Christmas @ Disney. If this were the ONLY Christmas thing we see, then I would be perfectly happy. I also want to be there to watch them turn the switch.

2) Star Tours 2.0 - Want to ride it at least twice, hopefully getting different sequences.

3) Toy Story Midway Mania - I'll be the first to admit this ride is NOT nearly worth the 2 hour+ lines that build for it...however, I find it almost ridiculously fun. The last sequence where you just pull that pop gun like mad always finds me sore and

Animal Kingdom:
1) Festival of the Lion King - I always love this show - and another one I think my mom will totally love.

2) Maharajah Jungle Trek - I don't know what it is, but I really love seeing the Tigers in this habitat.

3) Tusker House - We missed out on a meal here last year because we were trying all the AKL restaurants. We like this SOOOOO much more than Boma. I really hope when they bring in the characters for lunch they don't dumb down the menu too much.

Typhoon Lagoon:
1) Those Mini-Donuts - OMG I'd kill for a box of those most days.

2) Crush N Gusher - DD is finally tall enough for it. I think she'll love it.

3) The wave pool - or as we like to call it - the "Whoomp - EEEEEE!" (The sound you hear every 90 seconds when in it.)

Just listing all these things makes me want this trip to be here so bad. I carpool with a friend and she and I were talking about people hunting and how I find NO appeal at all to ANY aspect of hunting. And then I said, "To each his own, 'cause I know most of our friends think we're nuts to go to Disneyworld every year." and she admitted that "Yeah, most of us think your a little nuts." but I don't much care. There is so much to look forward to on a trip there - and such a HUGE variety of things. I try not to talk about it with friends because I see them glaze over if we start getting into it. I suppose that's why I come here.


For those wondering - my top 10 rides and attractions at Disney World are, in order:
1) Splash Mountain
2) Tower of Terror
3) Haunted Mansion
4) Festival of the Lion King
5) Mickey's Philharmagic
6) Expedition Everest
7) Kimanjaro Safaris
8) Soarin'
9) Space Mountain
10) Peter Pan's Flight
Notice only two of these items were amongst the 18 things I am most looking forward to, which is another indication of how awesome WDW is. The dearly departed Adventurer's Club was #3 until it closed - if it returned, it would move to #1 with a bullet.

Finally, you'll notice I made no mention of the Carribean Beach resort in this list. That's because while I am looking forward to seeing a new resort, I am sort of not completely. The things I love most about our first choic POFQ (size / buses / large beds) will be missing here. I don't think I will spend too much time thinking "oh, we wouldn't have this problem if we were at POFQ" but I don't consider it out of the realm of possibility.

 

[teekathepony]

I haven't spoken up in a while but I've been keeping myself updated, lol. I love the what to look forward to summary.

 

[skier_pete]

I haven't spoken up in a while but I've been keeping myself updated, lol. I love the what to look forward to summary.

Thanks very much! It's always fun to know I'm not talking to myself here. And I must say its been a long time since I've been to Nova Scotia, but it is an amazingly beautiful corner of the world. I remember standing on the single most beautiful beach I've ever seen in my life. (Except the water was 34 degrees in mid-August and you couldn't go in past your ankles.)

Do you really have a Disney trip planned for just under 4 years from now?

 

[FosterA]

It was fun to read over your lists of things you are looking forward to
But...why was I thinking Snow White was already gone?

Also your #1 overall about showing your mom how fun WDW is for adults is also my number #1 overall except for with hubster of course. Oddly enough I'm more excited to show him around than I am the kids. I KNOW the kids will have a ball so I'm not worried about them. But showing David how cool everything is is more challenging I guess.

I'm also VERY VERY much interested in watching Wishes right in front of castle!

And....very interested in the jungle trek with Tigers.

Now...Soarin didn't excite me that much for some reason. Weird I know

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice summary Pete. It'll be interesting to see at the end of your TR a review against each of those highlights and how reality stacked up!

Not long to go now.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great list! I love hearing what other people are looking forward to during their trip. It really gets me excited too. 17 days until we head to sunny Florida & 20 until we check in at Disney!

Did you see some of the park hours have changed? Some early MK openings (8am) and some added Fantasmics. There might have been other things but those are the two things that effected us. Maybe some later MK closings too... Check out the TA site.

 

[teekathepony]

Do you really have a Disney trip planned for just under 4 years from now?

Yes I do, hahaha. We promised ourselves no trip next year because we want to do some home renos, the year after that we want to visit my best friend in Germany, the year after that we're not sure of and in just under 4 years is our 5th wedding anniversary so we decided to shoot for then! It's wayyyy too long to be away from Disney, but the ticker reminds me that some day yes, it will happen!

 

[skier_pete]

It was fun to read over your lists of things you are looking forward to
But...why was I thinking Snow White was already gone?

Also your #1 overall about showing your mom how fun WDW is for adults is also my number #1 overall except for with hubster of course. Oddly enough I'm more excited to show him around than I am the kids. I KNOW the kids will have a ball so I'm not worried about them. But showing David how cool everything is is more challenging I guess.

I'm also VERY VERY much interested in watching Wishes right in front of castle!

And....very interested in the jungle trek with Tigers.

Now...Soarin didn't excite me that much for some reason. Weird I know

It is fun to try and convince doubters...though I have to warn you, not all doubters become converts...your husband *might* just like it but not love it. Probably better off from a financial well-being point it this happens.

Nice summary Pete. It'll be interesting to see at the end of your TR a review against each of those highlights and how reality stacked up!

Not long to go now.

I could do that. I would picture that most will stack up pretty well, though!

Great list! I love hearing what other people are looking forward to during their trip. It really gets me excited too. 17 days until we head to sunny Florida & 20 until we check in at Disney!

Did you see some of the park hours have changed? Some early MK openings (8am) and some added Fantasmics. There might have been other things but those are the two things that effected us. Maybe some later MK closings too... Check out the TA site.

Thanks, I'm glad everyone thinks the list was worth typing out!

And Thanks, because I DIDN'T know about the changes to MK hours. Our first day (11/11) they've moved up to an 8 AM opening. (I think you are there that day, too, right?) This sort of sucks because we also have to likely change rooms that day, which makes for a very complicated morning. We are going to have to come in well prepared to get to the park for rope drop. It also means they are likely expecting pretty big crowds that day. However, if we can manage the early stuff, it should work out OK, as I was planning on not staying in the park past 2 or 3 PM, so it gives us a little more time to come back and switch hotel rooms.

They've opened AK on Saturday, 11/12 until 7 PM, which I already knew about. I am debating about moving our dinner at Sanaa to a lunch, which would allow us to check out AK after dark, which we have never done. Gotta talk with DW about that one. We are meeting today for lunch. I still might not move it though, because both the day before and the day after this day are long days, so I am trying to keep this one short.

The other relevant change I see is on 11/19 - MK is now shown open until midnight instead of 10 PM. That actually jibes well for us. The plan was to go to the park until around 2 PM - return to the room to pack up and enjoy the pool a bit, and return to MK in the evening for dinner and more rides. Since it's our last full night, staying out late will not be a problem. I would sort of expect some pretty healthy crowds this evening, but a lot might be drawn to Wishes and MSEP, whereas we will be looking at final rides. When we leave will probably depend on when DD poops out.

Fantasmic I already knew about for a while. Since almost every day is a fantasmic day anyways, I can't really move stuff around at this point. The day we go has Fantasmic, though I don't think we'll go see it. Not high on anyone in our family's wish list, and I would only do it to let DM see it. We just want to make sure to get out of the park either well before or well after it lets out.

It doesn't look like there's been any changes to EMH - so we are still completely avoiding those.