Looks like its just us... maybe

[scotas]

Welcome to my attempt at a pre trip report. I should start with a list of "characters", but well at 138 days out, that is still somewhat undetermined. Here is the original cast:

ME: 37, married, no kids. This will be my third trip for free dining, fifth trip overall. I Love Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. I am the super organized of the bunch.

DH: 33, this is his fourth trip to WDW, third during free dining. Loves thrill rides, refuses to take part in planning of any kind.

CD: 38, married no kids. This is her third trip for free dining (maybe). A very indecisive person about some things, stubborn about others. Will not give up her annual Disney trip.

SD: 34, CD's hubby, The financially responsible one of the bunch. Wants to work on home improvement this year instead of a Disney vacation. Still he's a sucker for the Magic Kingdom and will hopefully give in soon (as long as no more urgent repairs develop)

Possible backup characters:

SD's parents, younger brother (28) and friend . They went with us the past two years, but are afraid of the economy right now. Understandable.

Right now the hardest part is balancing each of our expectations and to settle on a plan.

One thing we all agree on: We LOVE Disney!!!

What we don't agree on:

Me - Like I said I am super organized. We booked our vacation last year with the bounceback offer. Last year we were there for free dining, but missed out on the actual deal because nobody could make up their minds in time. I was not letting it happen this time around. Obviously I am on the DIS and spend most of the year planning this one week. Not to say I go commando, but I like to know whats going on so I don't miss anything. Already starting to make packing lists.

DH just wants to go. Does not care how it is paid for, just assumes it will be. Would pack the afternoon we leave if I let him. His only real concern is that his usual ride buddy is most likely not going this year, so who will do Universal with him? Should mention he's up for anything as far as food goes. His one food request: The belly dancer at Restaurant Marrakesh. I told him that she was not actually a food request, he said the chicken was OK.

CD, my best friend. Like my DH, she does not worry how to pay for the trip, just assumes it will be paid for. Her main concern is that she see the Giraffes. Yup, she and SD stay at Animal Kingdom. They are the only people I know who actually add the room request "must see giraffes" to their reservation every year. Hey it has worked for them thus far. Does not really plan. Last year missed our night before at the hotel because she couldn't decide what clothes to pack and had to go shopping. Also is pretty adventurous as far as food goes, one food request: dinner at the castle this year.

SD, my best friends husband. Like I mentioned before, very sensible with money. Realizes that the roof collapsing needs to be fixed before planning a trip. Loves the Magic Kingdom and really wants to make it down. Dislikes Value resorts, unsure about Moderates. Pickiest eater I have ever met. Will not eat veggies. I mean this man strains his pasta sauce to get rid of the chunks of tomato. Does not eat fish, unusual herbs or anything where the name is in a foreign language. Oh and he freaks out of there is chopped parsley on his plate. Guess what he does for living? He's the produce manager at a local market.

Up next... The Drama of booking , Who is going and Are you actually sure you are going?

 

[scotas]

The Drama of booking , Who is going and Are you actually sure you are going?

We knew last year that this was going to become an annual event if possible. Now a major part in the planning with a trip this size is how to pay for it. Each couple has their own way. DH and I pay up front for everything. Cash (or debit). CD&SD use their Disney Visa. DH and I make payments all year, they pay for it all at once. Its hard to break out of your routine once you establish it. At the end of our trip last year I put down a deposit on this year, they did not. Last year we did not actually get the free dining promotion because there weren't any rooms left for our dates. That is why I planned ahead and made sure I had enough on my debit card to make that deposit. Our friends did not.

Now I am trying to get them to at least decide if they are going and to use the option to just put a deposit down to hold the dates. It is refundable if they decide not to go. In the meantime I am afraid they won't get the free dining and then may not be able to go.

I think They are going to try their first stay at a moderate. We had made our reservations for CSR. It does offer a lot of things the Deluxe resorts offer, and queen beds and all sorts of stuff. It was not an easy sell. My friend is afraid Disney will not be any fun if she does not have her giraffes. Now I would not mind going with just DH and myself. It has been a very long stressful year and some time together, just us, would be good too. But we really do enjoy this vacation together.

Our friends were all set to go ahead and book when OOPS the roof starts to give out on their condo. Needless to say that stopped their planning in their tracks. I am still hoping they can scrape up a deposit in time to take advantage of the free dining.

Hopefully I am not boring anyone too badly yet. Like I said I have never done a pre trip report, but I think we are going through some issues other groups may have as well.

Stay tuned to see what happens next!!!

 

[scotas]

Ok I changed my title. I decided the other one sounded bitter, and I was a bit bitter the other night when I started this. Now, I'm on top of the world about my trip to well, the world.

It doesn't look like anyone stayed awake through my first two posts, but that's ok. I talk to myself all the time . Anyways I have decided to continue on planning as if it will just be DH and myself. I am, at least for now, forgetting about the others who have not been able to book. I am now looking into some interesting things for a couple's trip to the world.

Actually this would be our first real vacation, just the two of us, since our honeymoon 7 years ago. I spent this evening poking around and have thought of a couple of unique things to try. My goal now is to decide how to turn this into a romantic trip for 2 instead of the chaotic trip for 8 that we originally planned.

First I want to do the balloon ride at sunset.

Second I think I want to try one of the tours.

Third I want to order a special package from the Disney Florist for our room.

I am now excited for trip again. Now I am going to look into different places to eat. Like I said previously the only food DH requested was the belly dancer , so Restaurant Marrakesh will be on there.

I am thinking of skipping breakfast at Boma, and opt for dinner at Jiko. I've been reading some really good reviews lately, and we always do Boma.

I am also thinking of doing Donald's Safari Breakfast. I love Donald!!! And it works out well since AK is an "early day" type of park.

I definitely want to do MNSSHP, and I'm thinking of trying to get a 3:30 ADR for Crystal Palace. Earlier in the day we will either have a down day or maybe hit a water park. Oh and I think I need to come up with a costume for the party.

OMG what have you people done to me on here. Sure I was the organized one before, but now I'm going crazy with it. I even have the countdown written on the calendar at the store where I work.

I would love any insight anyone can offer as to my plan so far. I'm not even to my 90 day window, so nothing is written in stone yet. Like I said this is our second vacation as just a couple. Every other trip has always been with family or friends, so I could really use a few ideas.

 

[souda]

I'm in....Just the 2 of you sounds so romantic and fun.

 

[scotas]

Well park hours are not out yet, but I've decided to be brave and write up a tentative schedule. This is definitely subject to change and even be tossed out the window completely if need be. We have never had a plan before and I'm not sure what he'll think of having one this time. I would love any feedback since I'm fairly new at this.

Sept 26 (Sat) - check in at CSR, head to DHS for a while. Go back to the hotel and change for dinner at Jiko's (8:00)

Sept 27 (Sun) - Donald's Safari Breakfast, AK for the first half of the day. MK later on.

Sept 28 (Mon) - MK for the first half, epcot later for illuminations. Dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh.

Sept 29 (Tue) - A water park or Downtown Disney early on. Early Dinner (Late lunch) at Crystal Palace (3:30) then MNSSHP.

Sept 30 (Wed) - AK early in the day, later on a resort day. Dinner at Maya Grill (7:00)

Oct 1 (Thur) - Snack our way around the world at the Food and Wine Festival!!!

Oct 2 (Fri) - MNSSHP later on, no ADR's. I am leaving the first half of the day unscheduled.

Oct 3 (Sat) - DHS, late dinner at Narcoosee's, hopefully during Wishes.

Let me know what you think!!!

 

[mncherokee]

I just laughed when I read about the belly dancer request. I haven't mentioned that aspect to DH or my DS15 yet... I'm guessing they would be game even though they are pretty non-adventurous eaters!

I'm in... waiting to hear more.

 

[scotas]

In the week or so since my last post it seems like chaos has ensued when it comes to ADR's. Not my choices, just the system in general. I was really starting to freak out a bit when the system was crashing, nobody could get any of their ADR's. What happens if I don't get mine?

The freak out is over. I realized last year, for a group of eight, we only made 3 ADR's - Narcoosee's, Ohana's and Boma. Guess what? We in no way shape or form starved. The year before we had free dining and did not know we should make ADR's. Guess what we did not starve then either. So I am actually going to challenge the ADR system and only make a select few. The places I really want to eat. If I can squeeze in a couple of others I may. Heck I don't even call for another month.

What I really want to try:
Jiko
Donald's Safari Breakfast
Restaurant Marrakesh

Would like to get, but won't cry without:
Narcoosee's
Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree Tavern

We'll look into when we get there:
Maya Grill
Yak&Yeti

I know this is a short update, but its a holiday weekend. I am actually off (I work retail, I'm never off). I'm heading to a picnic now.