Pugsly
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2002
- Messages
- 928
I’d consider myself somewhat of a Disney World officiando. While not nearly knowledgeable enough to make the Mom’s Panel, I’d say I do well in the trip planning department. With 9 Disney trips under my belt (including 1 offsite when I was a wee one and 1 to DLP), it goes without saying I am a bonafide fan.
Enter my world-traveler fiance’, who has been to The World when the kids were young and yes, my friends, is one of “them”. Those people who think Disney World is just for kids, a Six Flags on steroids, and (gasp!) just another theme park.
My mission, which I readily accept, is to show him just how magical The Mouse can be.
The Who:
• Sharon – afore-mentioned Disney officiando, fan, junkie, not-quite-ready-for-Mom’s-Panel, Tigger fan.
• Keith – afore-mentioned one-of-“them”.
About 4 weeks ago, after a rather long, dry, hot, and very busy summer, we decided it was time for our next vacation. Hawaii was the original destination choice, but alas, when you’re looking to fly within 30 days, and you’re dealing with a time share situation, your chances of getting your first destination choice are significantly reduced. What’s that you say? The time share has availability in Orlando? Do I want to go to Orlando? And spend a couple of days at Disney World? Is that a silly question or what?
Accommodations and flights sorted. And we decide we’ll take advantage of the 4-day park hoppers offered to active duty and retired military, saving about $150 for each ticket. Even though it’s not Veteran’s Day, I readily thank Keith for his service.
Never having planned an offsite trip before, and never having planned a trip inside of 30 days, I reach out to fellow fans, two different sets of online friends. Some of whom I’ve met in person and traveled to The World with on multiple occasions, and some who I have not yet met, but feel like I know. They provide me with a plethora of suggestions and help to remind me of special on-site eateries and other activities which will show Keith there is certainly more to the Disney World than a couple of rides.
After a minor surgical procedure last week, I spent the weekend on the couch, planning out which days we’ll spend in which parks. And now, at our single-digit mark, I’m attempting to book ADRs. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! I manage to snag a couple of good ones. A range of food types, with a range of restaurant themes that I hope Keith will enjoy. (and a couple of my favorites too.) I avoided the character meals to avoid Mickey-overload for Keith, and will look longingly towards Crystal Palace when in MK in the morning – this has been a staple for Evan and I and I actually think we’ve eaten there every trip.
What else is on the agenda? Some time at the Boardwalk, and in particular, Jellyrolls. Of course, a little bit of time at DTD. Maybe some mini-golf (I’m thinking WinterSummerLand). And a trip to Celebration. Beyond that, time around the 5-star resort, soaking up the sun, swimming in the pool, and just enjoying time to ourselves.
A snapshot of the What & Where:
• Saturday, 9/24 – Arrive mid-afternoon at the Hilton Grand Vacation Villas, I-Drive. Dinner at Cape May Buffet (or … try walking in to Kona Café or Beaches and Cream; our reservation is a bit later than I had hoped, so we may take our chances and see how long the wait is at either of these places. And if I’m being honest, everything at GF, the Poly, and the Contemporary was booked for this evening, except for the Wave, which I wasn’t overly-inclined to do). Drinking and Singing and Dancing – OH MY – at Jellyrolls.
• Sunday, 9/25 – Always have to start each trip with a stroll down Main Street and shedding the requisite tears at the sight of the castle. And end the day at Epcot (avoiding EMH at MK). For dinner, Biergarten. Something new for me. And hopefully a twist on something old for Keith, who lived in Germany for a couple of years.
• Monday, 9/26 – A trip to Celebration or to DTD. Maybe some mini-golf. Or just hanging by the pool. (I suspect the latter since I’m expecting Keith may be worn out after the first park-day). Whatever we feel up to, really.
• Tuesday, 9/27 – We’ll start the day at Animal Kingdom. Then enjoy a late lunch at one of my fave’s, 50’s Prime Time Café. I haven’t clue’d him in to the fun that will ensue. Just waiting for him to use the restroom (without permission to leave the table.) We’ll finish up the day at Hollywood Studios.
• Wednesday, 9/28 – In the morning, we’ll choose between Animal Kingdom or the Studios. Lunch will be at Whispering Canyon Café. I’m anxious to show off Wilderness Lodge. We’ll finish the evening with a throwback to my childhood: MSEP and of course, enjoy watching Wishes together.
• Thursday, 9/29 – Another “anything goes” day with the same choices as Monday.
• Friday, 9/30 – We’ll bid adieu to the Magic Kingdom on our last park day. Not sure if we’ll make it by park opening time, but a girl can dream, right? Following lunch at Kona Café, we’ll head over the Epcot for our final good-byes. The MK closes early tonight and since I have to have fireworks to sufficiently top off the trip, Illuminations is in order. We have an ADR for Restaurant Marrakesh. But … this is also the day the Food & Wine Festival starts, so maybe we’ll just eat our way around the World (and drink some too.)
• Saturday, 10/1 – We’ll laze around the resort until it’s time to say good-bye.
So the question remains … will my mission be a success? Wait and see …
Enter my world-traveler fiance’, who has been to The World when the kids were young and yes, my friends, is one of “them”. Those people who think Disney World is just for kids, a Six Flags on steroids, and (gasp!) just another theme park.
My mission, which I readily accept, is to show him just how magical The Mouse can be.
The Who:
• Sharon – afore-mentioned Disney officiando, fan, junkie, not-quite-ready-for-Mom’s-Panel, Tigger fan.
• Keith – afore-mentioned one-of-“them”.
About 4 weeks ago, after a rather long, dry, hot, and very busy summer, we decided it was time for our next vacation. Hawaii was the original destination choice, but alas, when you’re looking to fly within 30 days, and you’re dealing with a time share situation, your chances of getting your first destination choice are significantly reduced. What’s that you say? The time share has availability in Orlando? Do I want to go to Orlando? And spend a couple of days at Disney World? Is that a silly question or what?
Accommodations and flights sorted. And we decide we’ll take advantage of the 4-day park hoppers offered to active duty and retired military, saving about $150 for each ticket. Even though it’s not Veteran’s Day, I readily thank Keith for his service.
Never having planned an offsite trip before, and never having planned a trip inside of 30 days, I reach out to fellow fans, two different sets of online friends. Some of whom I’ve met in person and traveled to The World with on multiple occasions, and some who I have not yet met, but feel like I know. They provide me with a plethora of suggestions and help to remind me of special on-site eateries and other activities which will show Keith there is certainly more to the Disney World than a couple of rides.
After a minor surgical procedure last week, I spent the weekend on the couch, planning out which days we’ll spend in which parks. And now, at our single-digit mark, I’m attempting to book ADRs. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! I manage to snag a couple of good ones. A range of food types, with a range of restaurant themes that I hope Keith will enjoy. (and a couple of my favorites too.) I avoided the character meals to avoid Mickey-overload for Keith, and will look longingly towards Crystal Palace when in MK in the morning – this has been a staple for Evan and I and I actually think we’ve eaten there every trip.
What else is on the agenda? Some time at the Boardwalk, and in particular, Jellyrolls. Of course, a little bit of time at DTD. Maybe some mini-golf (I’m thinking WinterSummerLand). And a trip to Celebration. Beyond that, time around the 5-star resort, soaking up the sun, swimming in the pool, and just enjoying time to ourselves.
A snapshot of the What & Where:
• Saturday, 9/24 – Arrive mid-afternoon at the Hilton Grand Vacation Villas, I-Drive. Dinner at Cape May Buffet (or … try walking in to Kona Café or Beaches and Cream; our reservation is a bit later than I had hoped, so we may take our chances and see how long the wait is at either of these places. And if I’m being honest, everything at GF, the Poly, and the Contemporary was booked for this evening, except for the Wave, which I wasn’t overly-inclined to do). Drinking and Singing and Dancing – OH MY – at Jellyrolls.
• Sunday, 9/25 – Always have to start each trip with a stroll down Main Street and shedding the requisite tears at the sight of the castle. And end the day at Epcot (avoiding EMH at MK). For dinner, Biergarten. Something new for me. And hopefully a twist on something old for Keith, who lived in Germany for a couple of years.
• Monday, 9/26 – A trip to Celebration or to DTD. Maybe some mini-golf. Or just hanging by the pool. (I suspect the latter since I’m expecting Keith may be worn out after the first park-day). Whatever we feel up to, really.
• Tuesday, 9/27 – We’ll start the day at Animal Kingdom. Then enjoy a late lunch at one of my fave’s, 50’s Prime Time Café. I haven’t clue’d him in to the fun that will ensue. Just waiting for him to use the restroom (without permission to leave the table.) We’ll finish up the day at Hollywood Studios.
• Wednesday, 9/28 – In the morning, we’ll choose between Animal Kingdom or the Studios. Lunch will be at Whispering Canyon Café. I’m anxious to show off Wilderness Lodge. We’ll finish the evening with a throwback to my childhood: MSEP and of course, enjoy watching Wishes together.
• Thursday, 9/29 – Another “anything goes” day with the same choices as Monday.
• Friday, 9/30 – We’ll bid adieu to the Magic Kingdom on our last park day. Not sure if we’ll make it by park opening time, but a girl can dream, right? Following lunch at Kona Café, we’ll head over the Epcot for our final good-byes. The MK closes early tonight and since I have to have fireworks to sufficiently top off the trip, Illuminations is in order. We have an ADR for Restaurant Marrakesh. But … this is also the day the Food & Wine Festival starts, so maybe we’ll just eat our way around the World (and drink some too.)
• Saturday, 10/1 – We’ll laze around the resort until it’s time to say good-bye.
So the question remains … will my mission be a success? Wait and see …
