NZ to DW - A One and Done October 2017 - Advice gratefully accepted!

[Felicis]

Hi, I am beyond excited to be able to actually post about a trip.

We are a family of three - a DD who will be 10 by trip time, my husband and I. We live in Auckland New Zealand, and our only other trip to the USA was years ago to Hawaii. I have been to Paris Disneyland many, many years ago (like, last century), but that is it for us for Disney. (We don't even have any Disney shops in NZ!)

My DD turns 10 in July, and this trip is going to be a total surprise to celebrate hitting double figures, with an airport reveal (she thinks we are going away within our own country - can't wait for that reveal!) We are both primary school teachers, so timing is with school holidays.

Plans so far (flights and split between DW and Universal are set in stone, everything else is a work in progress).

Arrive Orlando Airport = 7PM Friday September 29th.
Staying (at this stage) PORFQ till 9th October
Staying 3 nights Universal Royal Pacific Club room till 12th OCtober
Begin the long trek home approx 4pm 12th October

At this stage thinking of trying for ADR - CRT (dinner), BOG, and...?? TBC.

Can not wait!!!

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

Kia ora!

Congratulations on your trip! I hope you record the reveal at the airport. That will be one for the ages!

Other ADR we have enjoyed at WDW include 50's Prime Time Cafe at DHS, Tusker House character meal at Animal Kingdom, and Garden Grill character meal at Epcot. If your DD is really into princesses and you aren't able to get CRT, the Princess Storybook dining at Akershus in Epcot was good too. I'll add more info later. These boards are a good place for advice- so many DISers share amazing tips.

I know you have loads of planning yet to do! A bit of advice, prepare for the weather. It's very hot at WDW in July!

ETA: oops! Misread that bit in your post. September to October isn't nearly so hot.

 

[Felicis]

I will def record it, I can't wait to see her realise we are being serious.

I am keen on something at AK, if not a character meal, then some meal at Saana or similar. Overall my DD is mostly into animals, and, being that tween age, still likes the princesses, but is transitioning into things like Disney Descendants rather than the others. That said, we all LOVED Moana, and we are hanging out for Beauty and the Beast to be released here (2 more weeks, grrrr). And we will do the Frozen character greet, as that was a fave for ages, and her 7th birthday party theme.

 

[TheInvernessie]

If you loved Moana, have you considered a breakfast or dinner at 'Ohana at the Polynesian? Its a really beautiful atmosphere to get to see. I know it doesn't have Moana herself as a character but its got that tropical, Hawaiian/Polynesian feel to it. The Dinner is outstanding, and Breakfast is really cute. Breakfast has characters, where dinner does not.
I can't wait to read more!

 

[Felicis]

I hadn't, but it is worth considering! Thanks!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hello! I just found your PTR and am following along. I am planning our family's trip to Disney World for September also. We will be there just before you arrive. But we can plan and conspire together! I have (2) DD's, my oldest is turning 9 in May and my youngest is turning 7 this July as well!

How long is the flight from NZ to DW?

My DD turns 10 in July, and this trip is going to be a total surprise to celebrate hitting double figures, with an airport reveal (she thinks we are going away within our own country - can't wait for that reveal!) We are both primary school teachers, so timing is with school holidays.

Def video tape it! I hope it is as exciting as you hope! Surprises are always awesome!

Overall my DD is mostly into animals, and, being that tween age, still likes the princesses, but is transitioning into things like Disney Descendants rather than the others.

My girls are totally in that phase especially my oldest! It's kind of a weird phase, they are still little girls but slowly teenager things are creeping in!

As for Dinning suggestions:
Boma @ Animal Kingdom Lodge is really good. My girls even still talk about it and because it is a buffet, you can kind of try out different things without committing to one thing.
Sci-Fi Dinner is super fun in Hollywood Studios. Our girls loved sitting in the cars and watching old videos. We like the food, good burgers, nothing to die for a solid meal!
Hoo Dee Doo Review over at Fort Wilderness is super fun! We did this for the first time two trips ago and loved it! You need to carve out a decent amount of time to get over there (depending on where you are staying) but it is good food and a fun show.
Via Napoli in EPCOT is really good. My girls loved the pizza and the desert. And the dinning plan gives kids a fresh fruit app, which they loved.
Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge is a staple for us. Granted we tended to stay at Wilderness Lodge. But it is a fun meal. Just enough entertainment for us. And the food to delish. And the lobby at Wilderness Lodge is worth seeing.

I think those have been our all out favorites, for sure!

We are hoping to try Tusker House this trip. My girlfriend went and raved about it.
We are also hoping to try Ohana for dinner. Everyone says it is fantastic and my girls regularly eat dumplings for dinner, so I know they will love it.

If you haven't done CRT, it is def worth doing once! We did it on our first trip and it was totally worth it, just not something we have felt like doing again. But there is something about eating in the castle and meeting princesses!

 

[Felicis]

I should add that my DD is celiac, so while I know that DW caters so well for food issues, it will reduce the number of things she can have. But still way better options than most places!

How long is the flight from NZ to DW?

Ohh, let me think. We are flying through Houston rather than LA and that helps a fair bit. So it is 13 hrs 40 from Auckland to Houston, we wait at Houston for 3 hours, then it is another 2 1/2 hours to Orlando. Soooo a bit of a long one!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

That will be one long flight. The lay over probably at least breaks it up a bit!


Nether of my girls have any allergy issues or food restrictions, (other than there own weird preferences) So I won't be much help with that. But from what I have heard, Disney really is great about working with you. Even making special things for you.

 

[Felicis]

Yes, it is really exciting to know that not only will there be something she can eat, but that she will have options! That hardly ever happens!