MellyBeans
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2009
- Messages
- 241
Hello Everyone! My name is Melissa and I am a looooooooooooooong time lurker on the wonderful dis boards. Believe me, I have spent many, many hours pouring over these forums and reading all of your wonderful trip reports! Anyway, I have another trip in the works, and decided it was finally time for me to come out of hiding and post a pre-trip/trip report of my own! Besides, it kind of looks like fun to do anyway, and will help me get in a Disney fix before I get to the World/once I'm going through the withdrawal of no longer being in Disney.
First of all, I thought I'd give y'all a little history lesson. (You know, all 2 people that will probably read this report
). I am a 26-year old Disney lover! In total, I have been to Disney World 4 times, and Disneyland once. My first two times at the world were when I was a kid, in second and fourth grade...the usual family trip thing. This may make me slightly unusual on these boards, but I do not remember LOVING Disney as a kid. In fact, I think my mom would tell you I spent more time wanting to stay in our off-site hotel pool than the actual parks. I know, crazy. It wasn't until I was in high school and ventured to the world with a friend and her family that my love affair came to fruitation. I remember having an absolute blast! We were there over Thanksgiving week, and had a fantastic time staying in the parks really late, and generally running a muck. That trip must have been in 1999 or so...I remember the Animal Kingdom was pretty brand new at that point. Anyway, fast forward eight years or so.
I had very fond memories of my last trip, and always wanted to return, but could never find anyone that was willing to go with me. Finally, in 2007, I convinced my DBF, Matt, to go to the World with me. He had been a few times as a kid too, and had pleasant memories. I wouldn't call him obsessed or anything. Anyway, we went in the May of 2007 for about 5 days, and stayed in ASMu. This was my first time on property (he had stayed on property many times growing up-even in the Grand Floridian--lucky kid). Anyway, my love of Disney absolutely solidified during this trip. This is when I learned of the DIS, became a big time lurker, and hard-core Disney planner. I planned that trip out, had a wonderful time, and vowed I would return, and would always stay on property from there on out.
The following year, DBF and I were planning another trip. He wanted to do something different, I of course just wanted to return to Disney World. We compromised on a trip to LA which would include two wonderful days in Disney land, and a 5 day cruise leaving out of LA. While we liked Disneyland, we found we were missing certain aspects of the World. Not only that, our favorite parts of the vacation were our 2 days at DL/DCA. That was it, we decided that next year (2009), we were definitely going back to Disney World
! DBF claims that after this trip, we are going to lay off Disney for a while...we'll just see about that
We have known for quite some time that we would go to Disney this May/June. I am currently finishing up Grad School, and because of my internship hours (I'm in school to become a school counselor), we weren't sure what week we'd be able to go. Finally, just last week we settled on May 30th-June 6th, an entire week at Disney! That was something I insisted on Because our last trip, while wonderful, did feel slightly rushed. We had planned to book at Pop, mostly because DBF (to his credit) is very budget conscious. Anyway, we had it all figured out, and when we went to book, POP was full!
We were pretty bummed at first because we had looked only the day prior and Pop was still available. The thought of going back to the All Stars seemed kind of a let down for both of us. We liked ASMu and all, but we were both hoping to try something a little different. Thats when DBF floored me and suggested we stay at a Moderate
. I know that may not seem like a huge deal to some of you lucky-ducks who go the Deluxe route, but staying in a Moderate seems very exciting to me, considering I had been resigned to the Values at least until I land myself a higher paying career.
Anyway, because of the 4/3 deal, we priced it out, and to my absolute shock and delight, DBF decided we could do the Dining Plan! Whoop, whoop!
On our last trip, we never once ate at a TS meal. We were simply too busy running around and trying to fit all of the attractions in. Last year at Disneyland, I made to reservations at the Blue Bayou (very nice TS in the Pirates of Caribbean), and Goofy's Kitchen (much like Chef Mickey's from what I've been told). DBF was leary at first, especially about the Character meal, but ended up having a great time! This time, I want to do Disney right!
With all of that said, we are booked at the Coronado Springs Resort from May 30-June 6th, and we are on the Disney Dining Plan! I just made my ADR's yesterday, and so far, this is what I have planned for our tentative touring schedule:
Let me know what you think! I trust all of your opinions so much!
Saturday, May 30th:
Leave Milwaukee at 9:20am, arrive in Orlando 1:00pm
Magical Express to CSR
Relax a little, possibly have lunch at the Pepper Market?
Head to MK
ADR 6:20 at Liberty Tree Tavern
We probably won't stay at MK very long, as it is our travel day. Most likely we will be back the CSR fairly early.
Sunday, May 31st:
Disney Hollywood Studios in the AM
ADR 11:15 at the Sci-Fi for lunch
Must do attractions for us here are Toy Story Mania, American Idol Experience, and Beauty and the Beast (mostly because we missed it last time). DBF will of course want to RnR, and if I'm lucky I will drag him on ToT.
Back to CSR to rest
Downtown Disney in the PM. I am embarrassed to say last visit, we never even fit DTD into our schedule. This trip it is a must. We will most likely grab a counter service dinner here, either at Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express.
Monday, June 1st:
EPCOT in the AM focusing on Future World.
ADR 12:40 at Le Cellier. Try as I might, all the dinner seatings were booked for this place, so we will just have to do it as a lunch instead
Back to CSR to rest
PM Animal Kingdom for EMH. I am a little nervous about this one, and don't know what to expect as we have never done EMH before. We might also go back to Magic Kingdom, and try to catch Wishes/Spectro...not sure about this one.
Tuesday, June 2nd:
REST DAY! We will have no real plans this day, except to sleep in, hang around the Dig Sight at CSR, and possibly resort hop.
ADR 5:15 at OHANAS I am very excited to try this place!
Wednesday, June 3rd:
AM Magic Kingdom
PM EPCOT (focusing on World Showcase)
ADR 5:30 at Teppan Edo's DBF loves him some hibachi, so we are excited about this ADR.
We are hoping to catch Illuminations this night. Something we did not do on our last trip.
Thursday, June 4th:
AM Animal Kingdom
PM DHS
I have two ADRs this day, 12:00 for lunch at Yak and Yeti, and 5:20 at 50s Prime Time Cafe. I imagine we will probably cancel one of them as I don't know how we could possibly eat all that food in one day. We will see. I have some fond memories of the 50s Prime Time Cafe as a kid on our family vacations, so right now I'm leaning towards this ADR. DBF loves Asian food though, so maybe we'll do Yak and Yeti...not sure.
FANTASMIC at night.
Friday, June 5th:
Free day, we will do whatever we want to do more of. Knowing us, this will probably mean more MK, but possibly EPCOT (my other love).
ADR 5:20 BOMA I am excited for this one mostly to explore the AKL.
Saturday, June 6th
Departure day
We have a 9am ADR at Park Fare (our only character meal planned-I admit I felt a little silly at Goofy's Kitchen last year.)
From there we will most likely hit up the MK until we take the ME back to the airport for our 7:45 departure back to Milwaukee. Boo! Hiss!
Anyway, that is our trip in a nutshell! It feels great to finally post here! I LOVE the DIS
More to come later...with pictures from previous trips!......[/COLOR]
First of all, I thought I'd give y'all a little history lesson. (You know, all 2 people that will probably read this report
). I am a 26-year old Disney lover! In total, I have been to Disney World 4 times, and Disneyland once. My first two times at the world were when I was a kid, in second and fourth grade...the usual family trip thing. This may make me slightly unusual on these boards, but I do not remember LOVING Disney as a kid. In fact, I think my mom would tell you I spent more time wanting to stay in our off-site hotel pool than the actual parks. I know, crazy. It wasn't until I was in high school and ventured to the world with a friend and her family that my love affair came to fruitation. I remember having an absolute blast! We were there over Thanksgiving week, and had a fantastic time staying in the parks really late, and generally running a muck. That trip must have been in 1999 or so...I remember the Animal Kingdom was pretty brand new at that point. Anyway, fast forward eight years or so. I had very fond memories of my last trip, and always wanted to return, but could never find anyone that was willing to go with me. Finally, in 2007, I convinced my DBF, Matt, to go to the World with me. He had been a few times as a kid too, and had pleasant memories. I wouldn't call him obsessed or anything. Anyway, we went in the May of 2007 for about 5 days, and stayed in ASMu. This was my first time on property (he had stayed on property many times growing up-even in the Grand Floridian--lucky kid). Anyway, my love of Disney absolutely solidified during this trip. This is when I learned of the DIS, became a big time lurker, and hard-core Disney planner. I planned that trip out, had a wonderful time, and vowed I would return, and would always stay on property from there on out.
The following year, DBF and I were planning another trip. He wanted to do something different, I of course just wanted to return to Disney World. We compromised on a trip to LA which would include two wonderful days in Disney land, and a 5 day cruise leaving out of LA. While we liked Disneyland, we found we were missing certain aspects of the World. Not only that, our favorite parts of the vacation were our 2 days at DL/DCA. That was it, we decided that next year (2009), we were definitely going back to Disney World
! DBF claims that after this trip, we are going to lay off Disney for a while...we'll just see about that We have known for quite some time that we would go to Disney this May/June. I am currently finishing up Grad School, and because of my internship hours (I'm in school to become a school counselor), we weren't sure what week we'd be able to go. Finally, just last week we settled on May 30th-June 6th, an entire week at Disney! That was something I insisted on Because our last trip, while wonderful, did feel slightly rushed. We had planned to book at Pop, mostly because DBF (to his credit) is very budget conscious. Anyway, we had it all figured out, and when we went to book, POP was full!
We were pretty bummed at first because we had looked only the day prior and Pop was still available. The thought of going back to the All Stars seemed kind of a let down for both of us. We liked ASMu and all, but we were both hoping to try something a little different. Thats when DBF floored me and suggested we stay at a Moderate . I know that may not seem like a huge deal to some of you lucky-ducks who go the Deluxe route, but staying in a Moderate seems very exciting to me, considering I had been resigned to the Values at least until I land myself a higher paying career. Anyway, because of the 4/3 deal, we priced it out, and to my absolute shock and delight, DBF decided we could do the Dining Plan! Whoop, whoop!
On our last trip, we never once ate at a TS meal. We were simply too busy running around and trying to fit all of the attractions in. Last year at Disneyland, I made to reservations at the Blue Bayou (very nice TS in the Pirates of Caribbean), and Goofy's Kitchen (much like Chef Mickey's from what I've been told). DBF was leary at first, especially about the Character meal, but ended up having a great time! This time, I want to do Disney right! With all of that said, we are booked at the Coronado Springs Resort from May 30-June 6th, and we are on the Disney Dining Plan! I just made my ADR's yesterday, and so far, this is what I have planned for our tentative touring schedule:
Let me know what you think! I trust all of your opinions so much!
Saturday, May 30th:
Leave Milwaukee at 9:20am, arrive in Orlando 1:00pm
Magical Express to CSR
Relax a little, possibly have lunch at the Pepper Market?
Head to MK
ADR 6:20 at Liberty Tree Tavern
We probably won't stay at MK very long, as it is our travel day. Most likely we will be back the CSR fairly early.
Sunday, May 31st:
Disney Hollywood Studios in the AM
ADR 11:15 at the Sci-Fi for lunch
Must do attractions for us here are Toy Story Mania, American Idol Experience, and Beauty and the Beast (mostly because we missed it last time). DBF will of course want to RnR, and if I'm lucky I will drag him on ToT.
Back to CSR to rest
Downtown Disney in the PM. I am embarrassed to say last visit, we never even fit DTD into our schedule. This trip it is a must. We will most likely grab a counter service dinner here, either at Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express.
Monday, June 1st:
EPCOT in the AM focusing on Future World.
ADR 12:40 at Le Cellier. Try as I might, all the dinner seatings were booked for this place, so we will just have to do it as a lunch instead
Back to CSR to rest
PM Animal Kingdom for EMH. I am a little nervous about this one, and don't know what to expect as we have never done EMH before. We might also go back to Magic Kingdom, and try to catch Wishes/Spectro...not sure about this one.
Tuesday, June 2nd:
REST DAY! We will have no real plans this day, except to sleep in, hang around the Dig Sight at CSR, and possibly resort hop.
ADR 5:15 at OHANAS I am very excited to try this place!
Wednesday, June 3rd:
AM Magic Kingdom
PM EPCOT (focusing on World Showcase)
ADR 5:30 at Teppan Edo's DBF loves him some hibachi, so we are excited about this ADR.
We are hoping to catch Illuminations this night. Something we did not do on our last trip.
Thursday, June 4th:
AM Animal Kingdom
PM DHS
I have two ADRs this day, 12:00 for lunch at Yak and Yeti, and 5:20 at 50s Prime Time Cafe. I imagine we will probably cancel one of them as I don't know how we could possibly eat all that food in one day. We will see. I have some fond memories of the 50s Prime Time Cafe as a kid on our family vacations, so right now I'm leaning towards this ADR. DBF loves Asian food though, so maybe we'll do Yak and Yeti...not sure.
FANTASMIC at night.
Friday, June 5th:
Free day, we will do whatever we want to do more of. Knowing us, this will probably mean more MK, but possibly EPCOT (my other love).
ADR 5:20 BOMA I am excited for this one mostly to explore the AKL.
Saturday, June 6th
Departure day
We have a 9am ADR at Park Fare (our only character meal planned-I admit I felt a little silly at Goofy's Kitchen last year.)
From there we will most likely hit up the MK until we take the ME back to the airport for our 7:45 departure back to Milwaukee. Boo! Hiss!
Anyway, that is our trip in a nutshell! It feels great to finally post here! I LOVE the DIS
More to come later...with pictures from previous trips!......[/COLOR]
