Oct. 14 PTR - Celebrations All Around!

[absolutmey]

Hello! I’ve been lurking around others’ PTRs lately while planning my own trip so I decided to write up my own report. I’m new to DISboards and this is my first PTR, so forgive me for mistakes or lack of info/pictures.

Who’s Who
Me – Megan – the plan maker; the ADR booker; the FP scheduler. I’m in graduate school full time (Financial Fraud program) and work full time.
DH – Will – the one who is along for the ride; the eye-roller when ADRs or plans are brought up. He’s a sales rep for a local brewery (he loves his job because he gets to talk about beer all day).
DS(6) – Quinn – sometimes known as “Q”; the Birthday Boy; my little man. He’s starting 1st grade in the fall.

Background
We love to take vacations together and often do long weekend visits with family and friends. As the title suggests, we’re celebrating a LOT with this trip:
1. This is our first trip to WDW as a family
2. It’s a surprise for Q
3. The week prior to the trip DH and I will celebrate our 9th anniversary
4. The week after the trip is Q’s 7th Birthday

The last time either of us grown-ups went to WDW, we were 8 years old. I’m WAY more excited than Will is - I can’t wait to take it all in as adult and to see it through DS’s eyes. We have been thinking about a Disney trip for a while, but could never decide when to go. I honestly got fed up with our indecision and booked us a week in the fall!

When we’ll be there and where we’re staying
We’re booked at Wilderness Lodge Oct. 27 - Nov. 1. We’ll be attending MNSSHP on Tuesday Oct. 26 (SUPER excited!).
My guys love camping and love the homey feel of a lodge, so I think this resort will be perfect for us.

I’ll do a separate post for the ADRs I’ve made and my trip itinerary. All suggestions are welcome!

I think that’s it for now. I’m really looking forward to getting more into DIS and following other PTRs.

 

[absolutmey]

Because we booked AFTER our 180 day mark, I was really worried that there would be NO chance of us getting good ADRs.

*We'll be eating breakfast in the room each day not only to save time, but because DH doesn't like to eat in the AM and Q is happy with a bagel or cereal bar. I just need to make sure I've got some coffee!*

I was pleasantly surprised, though. We like to have smaller lunches and eat our main meal for dinner, so I booked all dinners. Here is what I've booked so far (on FD).

Mon. 10/27 - 5:50pm - Sci Fi
Tues. 10/28 - 6:40pm - 'Ohana
Wed. 10/29 - 6:40pm - Whispering Canyon
Thurs. 10/30 - 4pm - Garden Grill (*our only character meal)
Fri. 10/31 - 7:20pm - Beaches & Cream

(Lunch info can be found on the daily itinerary)

*DS doesn't really get into characters and I don't think he'll be overly excited by meeting them (just knowing him), so I only booked this one.

 

[absolutmey]

Sunday 10/26
Drive to FL, stay the night at grandparents' house

Monday 10/27 – Hollywood Studios (9am-7pm)
Check-in online 8/28
Do: register for Jedi Training Academy first thing
See: Indiana Jones stunt show, Star Tours, Tower of Terror, MuppetVision 3D
F+ Ride: Toy Story Mania
Lunch: Starring Rolls or Backlot
3pm – room ready at WL
5:50pm – Sci-Fi Dine-in
7:30pm – Fantasmic

Tuesday 10/28 – Magic Kingdom - Day 1 (9am-7pm)
F+ Rides: Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, Pirates
Ride for sure: BTM Railroad, splash Mountain, Mansion, it’s a small world
Lunch: Casey’s Corner
Take monorail - 6:40pm: ‘Ohana – Polynesian Resort
9:30 – HalloWishes fireworks (watch from Polynesian beach or head back to MK)
Take monorail back - 7pm-12am Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
PM rides: BTM Railroad, Mansion, Peoplemover
10:30 – parade

Wednesday 10/29 – Animal Kingdom (9am-5pm) – easy day
F+ Ride: Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR
Do: Maharaja Jungle Trek
Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ
6:40: Whispering Canyon
Swim or hang around and watch movie at WL

Thursday 10/30 – Epcot (Food & Wine Festival) (9am-9pm)
Do: Test Track (at park opening), Spaceship Earth (later), Living with the Land (around dinner time)
Lunch: Sunshine Seasons or use snack credits to eat from carts
F+ Ride: Soarin’ (tier 1), Test Track (PM fast pass), Mission: Space (Green or Orange)
4pm – Garden Grill
9pm – Illuminations

Friday 10/31 – Magic Kingdom - day 2 (9am-7pm)
F+ Rides: Buzz, Mine Train, Speedway
Ride for sure: Space Mountain, Astro Orbiter, Monsters Inc, Tea Party
Lunch: Columbia Harbor House (upstairs)
7:20 – Beaches & Cream
Back to WL to swim or watch movie, walk to FW

Sat 11/1 - departure day


I feel like this fairly short itinerary took me FOREVER to create. I hope it works for us. I didn't build in any rest time b/c Q won't nap - he's go go go and can hang pretty late.

Check List:
First round of Mickey Mail - guide book
Custom maps
ADRs - done!
Itinerary - good to go!

To Do:
FP+ reservations on 8/28
Halloween costumes
work on surprise scavenger hunt for Q
packing list (ongoing)
Hit up the Dollar Store

Non-Disney related info: I just had a first interview yesterday for a step-up position. If I get it, I'm probably going to look into upgrading us to WL or adding another night on Friday. We'll see!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Joining in and Welcome to the DIS!

We'll be at WDW from 10/29-11/2 for all of the Halloween festivities and parties!

 

[absolutmey]

I need to stop looking at resort availability... Long story short ... we're now booked at WILDERNESS LODGE!!!

I know that there is a pool refurb going on during our stay, but we're not bothered by that.

I am SO excited! The upgrade wasn't even really that much more and to be that much closer to MK, it's worth it.

 

[leftaslide]

Sounds like a good time! Following!