paradesintherain
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2013
- Messages
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Hello all! I haven't posted here in a while, but I have a trip back on the calendar and lots of planning to do so I decided to make a pre-trip report. So this trip came about because my dad is retiring in August, and what better place is there to celebrate than Disney World?
Here's the semi-final itinerary! Final Itinerary
Initially we were looking at dates over Halloween, and hoping to get free dining, but of course there isn't much in the way of free dining for fall. Dad's dream resort was Wilderness Lodge in the deluxe rooms, but the conversion of rooms to DVC seems to have taken them out of inventory.
So, Animal Kingdom Lodge became the next best option. At first we booked the 1-bedroom club level suite, which was quite the splurge. Dad eventually got sticker shock and decided to change the reservation. We looked at some dates in December at the Grand Floridian with dining plan, and that almost won out, but in the end we booked a 1 bedroom standard view villa in Jambo House.
Anyway, here's the "final" plan, at least for right now
When: Dad and I October 31- November 4, entire family November 4-12
Where: Port Orleans French Quarter, then Animal Kingdom Lodge, 1-bedroom villa Jambo House
Who: Me, my dad, my brother and his girlfriend, Shelby (this is her first Disney World trip), and potentially my friend, Allie, who has only been to Disney World once 9 years ago, but is an annual passholder at Disneyland.
Why: To celebrate my dad's retirement!
Day-by-day Schedule:
About Me:
I started a to-do list on my phone for Disney World, so i thought I'd post it here and update as I add to the list!
To-Do list
Here's the semi-final itinerary! Final Itinerary
Initially we were looking at dates over Halloween, and hoping to get free dining, but of course there isn't much in the way of free dining for fall. Dad's dream resort was Wilderness Lodge in the deluxe rooms, but the conversion of rooms to DVC seems to have taken them out of inventory.
So, Animal Kingdom Lodge became the next best option. At first we booked the 1-bedroom club level suite, which was quite the splurge. Dad eventually got sticker shock and decided to change the reservation. We looked at some dates in December at the Grand Floridian with dining plan, and that almost won out, but in the end we booked a 1 bedroom standard view villa in Jambo House.
Anyway, here's the "final" plan, at least for right now
When: Dad and I October 31- November 4, entire family November 4-12
Where: Port Orleans French Quarter, then Animal Kingdom Lodge, 1-bedroom villa Jambo House
Who: Me, my dad, my brother and his girlfriend, Shelby (this is her first Disney World trip), and potentially my friend, Allie, who has only been to Disney World once 9 years ago, but is an annual passholder at Disneyland.
Why: To celebrate my dad's retirement!
Day-by-day Schedule:
- 10/31 Tuesday - Arrival day! Dad and I leave at 5:05 pm on a nonstop flight and arrive at 8:45 pm. We'll be checking into Port Orleans French Quarter. Probably get a meal and then head to bed, I know I'll be tired since I will work until 7:15 am this day!
- 11/1 Wednesday - Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. Planning on entering Magic Kingdom at 4 so the morning is wide open.
- 11/2 Thursday - Leaning toward an Epcot day since Food and Wine is going on and more time to sample food can't hurt! Beaches and Cream ADR @ 17:40
- 11/3 Friday - Relaxation day! Time to enjoy the resorts and Disney Springs. My friend, Allie, arrives this evening and has requested dinner at Raglan Road.
- 11/4 Saturday - Check out of POFQ and into our 1-bedroom villa at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House! Considering breakfast at Kona Cafe - would love to get some Tonga Toast again! My brother Aaron, and his girlfriend Shelby arrive at 10:45 am. Sanaa ADR @ 1:15 pm, then onward to Magic Kingdom! Will probably need to watch Happily Ever After on this day
- 11/5 Sunday - Animal Kingdom day. Hoping to book Tiffins for the Rivers of Light dining package
- 11/6 Monday - Well, as I was typing this I realize there's a conflict here. Originally wanted to do half day at Magic Kingdom, then end at Hollywood Studios and watch the Star Wars fireworks, but I wasn't able to get Be Our Guest ADR for lunch. So anyway, got that ADR on a different day and moved the Hoop Dee Doo ADR @ 8:30 to this night. That doesn't work very well with the fireworks.
- 11/7 Tuesday - Epcot day. Sample Food and Wine festival and those who want to (aka not me) can drink around the world.
- 11/8 Wednesday - Hollywood Studios. Mama Melrose Fantasmic package ADR @ 11:55. I'll book Fastpasses in the afternoon so that anyone who chose to drink around the world can sleep in until lunch if they need to.
- 11/9 Thursday - Animal Kingdom. Possibly Yak & Yeti for lunch, but no ADR booked at the moment. With later hours, a dinner at Yak & Yeti could be possible too.
- 11/10 Friday - Epcot. I might try and book an Illuminations cruise for this evening
- 11/11 Saturday - Magic Kingdom. Be Our Guest ADR @ 12:35. Magic Kingdom has evening Extra Magic Hours this night
- 11/12 Sunday - Departure day! Aaron and Shelby leave early in the morning. Dad and I have a 10:35 pm departure, and I think Allie is going to get a flight that leaves around 7 pm. Not sure what we'll do with our time on this day.
About Me:
- Favorite Disney Movie: The Lion King. Also very obsessed with Moana recently.
- Favorite ride: Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror. Splash will be closed for refurbishment during this trip
- Favorite Resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge. Fun fact: I used to work there way back in 2006 as a CP. I worked at The Mara and in In-Room Dining. I'd say Port Orleans Riverside is my second favorite
- Favorite Park: I've been recently feeling like it might be Animal Kingdom. I used to really love Hollywood Studios, it has such a wonderful atmosphere, but I'm not sure how I'll feel with it as half a park. All bets are off once Star Wars land opens!
- Favorite Restaurant: Probably Ohana even though we decided not to go there this year. Favorite quick service is probably Sunshine Seasons
I started a to-do list on my phone for Disney World, so i thought I'd post it here and update as I add to the list!
To-Do list
- Buy a pickle ornament from the Germany pavilion. I collect Disney ornaments, and I have German background so I don't know why I haven't bought one of these yet!
- Try the macaroon ice cream sandwich
- Art of Animation animation class
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