My 28th trip to WDW (4/17-4/23)...and my 1st trip report? Updated 4/30... TRIP REPORT

[TanzUnited99]

I guess it won't help if I tell you that I am also going to Disney in July with my 2 best friends doing 1 night on the Platinum Plan complete with Wishes Cruise and V&A's???? Oh... and back again in August with family and friends with a Dream Cruise to end it all? LOL

No, that won't help, lol!!! I'm hoping we get the Disney bug and return again in the future!

Enjoy all your trips - am green with envy, lol!

 

[MARsMama]

Thanks, that is something I will look into for sure. Since we are going in September/October and have never had family photos done since there's been 5 of us (we had them done once before youngest Ds was born) we could use them as Christmas gifts for family It will mean some extra saving, but less spending when Christmas rolls around!!

 

[Dizney73]

Thanks, that is something I will look into for sure. Since we are going in September/October and have never had family photos done since there's been 5 of us (we had them done once before youngest Ds was born) we could use them as Christmas gifts for family It will mean some extra saving, but less spending when Christmas rolls around!!

Something else that was great about this was that david and Vicki include a DVD with ALL of your photos on it! i was able to make 8x10's, 5x7's, 4x6's and wallet sizes... lots of each for $37 total through Walgreen.com!!! I used them in all of my Christmas Cards last year!

 

[Dizney73]

After getting to bed rather late on Sunday night I am hoping that the pure excitement of waking up in Disney will get us all up early and moving! The Magic Kingdom opens at 7 am to Resort guests and I intend to be there by 7:30 am! This is our crowd tactic which we tend to use every single time we visit the parks! My kids are early risers so that helps for sure as does the appealing thoughts of having ALL of Fantasyland nearly to ourselves for about an hour! Monday. April 18

Park Hours:
M, 4/18 MK (7)8-1 EP 9-9 DHS(7)8-10 AK8-9

Epcot and AK recommended


MK Early Morning
Early lunch before 11:30 am with 25% coupon
Afternoon activity
Rest/nap time
Epcot PM
4:10 pm ADR at Rose and Crown

We will experience the Pixie Dust of the early morning doing as much as we possibly can... Dumbo, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, Teacups and maybe the Tomorrowland Speedway. The husband will probably hop on Space Mountain while I take the kids on a second Dumbo or Pooh Bear trip. He doesn't get to go on the BIG rides that are for kids over 44 inches very often... and I DO since I go to WDW 2 times a year without our kids!

Of course, we will then do the dash over to Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain before hitting up It's a Small World and Mickey's Philharmagic. When we see the park beginning to fill up and the lines starting to get longer than we are willing to wait... WE ARE OUTTA THERE!!! I have already seen the It's a Small World Line at 45 minutes and longer during our Spring Break stays

We will either pick up an early lunch at a counter service here at the MK or head over to Epcot for lunch and a Soarin' fastpass for later on... Hey, I can't plan everything!!!!

The kids always like to pick an activity for the afternoon... usually it is the playground and swimming in the pool. Shasha is at the age where she now loves all the pool parties and games that they do at the resorts each afternoon. But sometimes we take a boat ride to Downtown Disney, or go get ice cream, or play on one of the resort beaches. Shasha has asked to go for a pony ride this trip and play mini-golf... so maybe we will try something new???
Then the kids will take a bit of a nap while we rest or nap ourselves before heading back out to Epcot for our 4:10 ADR at the Rose and Crown.... maybe hit up a ride or two or stroll around the World Showcase. I love to watch Illuminations but DH hates to be in that crowd at the end ofthe night so we usually head out by 9 pm.
I sure do love Disney... even thinking about it gives me goosebumps up and down my arms!!!

 

[Dizney73]

6... SIX... 6 Days until we leave!!!

Oh... and my friend DisneyYES pointed out to me today that it is 3 months exactly until our 4,3,2,1 Girls Only Platinum Trip!!!!

 

[Dizney73]

I am guessing it will be just a tad harder to get up on day 3... but making the 8 am rope drop should definitely be doable... Especially since we are staying close by at the Animal Kingdom Villas-Jambo House! And if we don't exactly make rope drop... well THAT is no big deal at all. Sometimes it is just as well we don't make it because the crowd is always all pushy to get to Everest and the Safari...

And we will be one of those families aiming to go on the safari first and the grabbing a fast pass for a bit later! Then, the morning is ours to enjoy... whatever floats our boat!
We will head over to Pizzafari for an early lunch with our 25% off discount coupons and head back to the resort for an early swim or play at the playground. Tuesday, April 19

Oh... and by the way.... 5 Days till the Magic!!!!

Park Hours:
T, 4/19 MK (7)8-1 EP 9-9(12) DHS 9-10 AK 8-9
HS and AK Recommended


AK morning
Early Lunch @ Pizzafari before 11:30 am with 25% coupon
Afternoon Activity
Rest/Nap time
MK Late afternoon and PM
3:25 pm Pirate League Reservation for Shasha (Confirmation # XXXXX)
arrive 15 minutes early– 1 day to cancel
6:15 pm ADR at The Plaza Restaurant (Confirmation # XXXXX)
8:45 pm Pirate and Pals Cruise (Confirmation # XXXXXXX)
meet at Contemporary, arrive 10 minutes early– 2 days to cancel
We have to head on over to the Magic Kingdom early today to make Shasha's Pirate League appointment at 3:25. She will be wearing her new pirate outfit from Lil' Bug Clothing. We eat dinner at the Plaza (where I have NEVER eaten) and head over to the Contemporary for our Pirate and Pals Wishes Cruise at 8:45. I have head mixed reviews so I am anxious to see for myself!

 

[Dizney73]

I am so excited to be going to Disney World!! I just can't wait! But the best thing is knowing that I have not one... not TWO but THREE more trips to the World before the end of 2011!!!

I guess before I get too excited about going on my next trip... the 4,3,2,1 Girls only platinum plan trip in July with my 2 best girlfriends I should pack for this trip... But I hate packing and worse yet... I really HATE UNpacking!!!
Color me happy... We're going to Disney World!!!

 

[Dizney73]

Day 4!!
We might be a little tired this morning since we stayed up last night to see Wishes while on our Pirate Cruise... so we will hit up Epcot at 9 am when it opens. We will need to grab lunch and get out of there fairly quick though because today is the day Scott has his need for speed at the Walt Disney World Speedway!
And after some naps and rest time we will head over to DHS for dinner at Sci-fi Dine-In theater... Shasha is sooooooo excited to eat here!!!
Wednesday, April 20
Park Hours: W, 4/20 MK (7)8-1 EP 9-9 DHS 8-10(1) AK (7)8-9
MK and Epcot are recommended


Epcot Morning
Late brunch/Early Lunch before 11:30 with 25% coupon
12:30 pm Reservation for Richard Petty Speedway (confirmation # xxxxxx)
Rest/ Nap
HS PM
6:35 ADR at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (Confirmation # xxxxx)

 

[PixieMama]

Sci-Fi is such a fun place to eat. The food is good, too... but the atmosphere is a hoot!

 

[MARsMama]

I can't wait to hear about the experience at the Richard Petty Speedway, and see photos. My Dh would love this, and although it's not in the cards for this trip, maybe someday!

I've had internet problems and it's off and on. I was thinking I might not get back on before you leave!! Days are winding down quickly!

 

[Dizney73]

Sci-Fi is such a fun place to eat. The food is good, too... but the atmosphere is a hoot!

We ate at Sci-Fi on our homeymoon 14 years ago... I remember thinking it was cool... but not much else...

Do you happen to remember anything about the movie bits that they show??? Are any of them too scary for a 5 year old? My little guy won't care but Shasha will freak out if they are too scary... I never really gave it a thought when i booked our reservation

 

[Dizney73]

I can't wait to hear about the experience at the Richard Petty Speedway, and see photos. My Dh would love this, and although it's not in the cards for this trip, maybe someday!

I've had internet problems and it's off and on. I was thinking I might not get back on before you leave!! Days are winding down quickly!

He is excited about this too! I really need to check the 10 day forecast to see that it is NOT going to rain on Wednesday!!! I hope not!!!

I have heard that the family can watch and take photos so i will certainly try! I am secretly a nervous wreck about this (even though I bought it for him) since he has to sign on 10 dotted lines and initial next to 6 x's that he understands that injury or death may occur. And then I stop and think... I had to do that to parasail, jet ski, tube and segway in Disney world last year!!!

 

[PixieMama]

We ate at Sci-Fi on our homeymoon 14 years ago... I remember thinking it was cool... but not much else...

Do you happen to remember anything about the movie bits that they show??? Are any of them too scary for a 5 year old? My little guy won't care but Shasha will freak out if they are too scary... I never really gave it a thought when i booked our reservation

The only one I can remember is a cartoon about going to the concession stand for snacks before the movie starts... but I don't recall seeing anything scary.

The first time we ate at Sci-Fi, my DDs were 4 and 6. I honestly don't think they paid much attention to the screen, LOL! Both thought it was cool that we were inside but it looked like we were "outside" and that we were eating in a "car". I want to say the kids menu came with crayons and activities on it, and that maybe my girls were busy coloring.

 

[Lidian]

We ate at Sci-Fi on our homeymoon 14 years ago... I remember thinking it was cool... but not much else...

Do you happen to remember anything about the movie bits that they show??? Are any of them too scary for a 5 year old? My little guy won't care but Shasha will freak out if they are too scary... I never really gave it a thought when i booked our reservation

We enjoyed dinner at Sci Fi last year ... DD8 and DS4 absolutely LOVED the movie clips. They didn't want to leave even though we had been there for so long the clips were repeating. Both of my kids are scaredy-cats, and while I can't recall the clips, I don't remember anything being scary ... it was all over-exaggerated, low budget, hilarious. It was very family friendly, and the scariest part will probably be the low-lighting, IMHO.

Can't wait to hear how the kids enjoyed Sci Fi!

 

[Dizney73]

The only one I can remember is a cartoon about going to the concession stand for snacks before the movie starts... but I don't recall seeing anything scary.

The first time we ate at Sci-Fi, my DDs were 4 and 6. I honestly don't think they paid much attention to the screen, LOL! Both thought it was cool that we were inside but it looked like we were "outside" and that we were eating in a "car". I want to say the kids menu came with crayons and activities on it, and that maybe my girls were busy coloring.

Thanks for the Sci-fi thoughts! I just vaguely remember the place... which also doesn't speak kindly of the food, i guess. Shasha is just so excited to eat here!!!

 

[Dizney73]

We enjoyed dinner at Sci Fi last year ... DD8 and DS4 absolutely LOVED the movie clips. They didn't want to leave even though we had been there for so long the clips were repeating. Both of my kids are scaredy-cats, and while I can't recall the clips, I don't remember anything being scary ... it was all over-exaggerated, low budget, hilarious. It was very family friendly, and the scariest part will probably be the low-lighting, IMHO.

Can't wait to hear how the kids enjoyed Sci Fi!

I keep telling Shasha that it is like the drive-in movie theater that we go to here in our area... but since she is only 5 and we only go about every other year... it isn't something she remembers

 

[Dizney73]

Hopefully after all the excitement that we have been having on this trip we will be able to get up and to the MK by 7:30 for another early round of rides and Magic! One thing I didn't mention is how excited I am to ride Dumbo so I can see over the construction fence and get a look at Beast's Castle!!! I was just down to Disney in January of this year so I expect to see some major differences... for one... NO Toontown Shasha loved Goofy's Banstormer and we would ride it over and over and over... you get the point. She know s that it will be back in its new form with a new name but that doesn't necessarily please a 5 year old

Shasha gets her haircut at 9 am this morning... I for one LOVE this new reservation system at the Barbershop! Have I mentioned that Shasha ONLY gets her haircut at The Harmony Barbershop???? Well, except once. She had it cut at the salon on the Disney Magic Cruiseship when she was 3. I think we paid $80!

And hopefully after the haircut we will be able to hop over to the Beach Club to experience very little wait for lunch at Beaches and Cream!

Also... we eat pizza a lot! We love pizza... so we are excited to try out Via Napoli for the first time!!!

Thursday, April 21
Park Hours:
TH,4/21 MK (7)8-1 EP 9-9(12) DHS 8-10 AK 8-9
AK, MK and HS recommended


MK Early Morning
9 am reservation @ Harmony Barbershop (confirmation # xxxxxxx)
Shasha’s haircut and hairdo
Early lunch at Beaches and Cream
Afternoon Activity
Rest/Nap
Epcot PM
6:20 ADR at Via Napoli (Confirmation # xxxxxx)

And maybe I should go pull out the suitcases... and NO DisneyYES... they do NOT still contain the clothes from our January trip to the World! I unpacked those at least a month ago

 

[MARsMama]

My two oldest loved Goofy's Barnstormer as well, they're gonna miss it that's for sure Hopefully we'll be able to get back sometime after the new Fantasyland is opened though.

 

[Dizney73]

Well... it is nearly go time and I finally feel free to enjoy the magic of almost being in Disney! My library has been packed and moved and nearly unpacked. Our super helpful custodians helped me move some of the larger furniture pieces from my old library into my new library and I love the way my new room looks!!! I am missing a day of school this Monday thanks to all the snowdays we had this winter... I had to take an emergency day. Now my biggest worry what to have my sub do! obviously I can't have her shelve books in a library with NO BOOKS Oh... I came up with a solution! My sub is going to make copies of our school's Disney YES trip paperwork and get them into packets to hand out to all interested kids!!! Honestly, there is nothing like planning more Disney fun right before boarding a plane to WDW!!!

Anyway... here is my Friday itinerary...
Today is the day we head off to Hollywood studios early hopefully to ride the Toy Story Mania ride, see the new Disney Junior show, catch a Beaty and the Beast Show and grab some lunch at the 50's Prime Time Cafe'. Then back to AKL for some swimming and resting before we head off to the Hoop Dee doo Revue... I sure hope my kids love it as much as I do!!!
Friday, April 22
Park Hours:
F, 4/22 MK (7)8-12(3) EP 9-9 DHS (7)8-10 AK 8-8
Epcot and AK recommended


DHS early Morning
11:05 am ADR at 50’s Prime Time Café’ (confirmation # XXXXXXX)

Afternoon Activity
Rest/Nap
5 pm Dinner @ Hoop Dee Doo Revue (Confirmation # xxxxxxxxx)
Category 1 seating, arrive 30 minutes early
7:30pm Fire lighting 8:00pm Chip n Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long 8:40pm - Tron
or
8:45 pm ADR at The Plaza Restaurant for ice cream

This is our last nightlaughing:until August!!!) so I wanted to make sure it was super special. We always love the Chip and Dale Campfire and Sing a Long so we may just head over to the Meadows while we are at the Fort and enjoy a night by the fire and watching a movie. The movie is Tron... and I really wasn't excited about it... but DH and Shasha sure are! Apparently they have ALWAYS wanted to see that movie!!!

I have an alternate plan readily available... more food! We always love the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party but I knew that we would be WAY too full to eat $$80 worth of desserts so I made a reservation at the Plaza so that we can pick up some icecream sundaes before we head out to the hub in front of the castle to watch Wishes.

Either way I will be happy if my kids and husband are happy

 

[MARsMama]

You have an awesome trip planned by the sounds of things! It's getting so very close now, so exciting!!!!!