Pre-Trip Plans, WDW April 19-25, 2009, UD-4/18-So Kiss Me and Smile For Me...1DTG!!!!

[TxRabbit]

This pics are wonderful! I love seeing them!

Do you think the bench is in front of Pirates of the Carribean? That's my guess.

 

[ChefMickey123]

And now as photo from my very first trip to WDW-well, not actually, I was in the womb for about 2 months when my parents went on their honeymoon in December of 1975/Jan 1976.

Here is a photo of me and mom-I was 1 month old in August 1976. Not Mom's Shirt.

Now Fast Forward to 1993-my WDW trip with Mom and Ds's...

I remember having to fight tooth and nail to see the the Carousel of Progress and Hall of Pres. I dealt with Voyage of the Little Mermaid in exchange, which I ended up liking, because teenage boys like lasers, fog, and scantilly dressed young women in mermaid suits.

Fast forward to 1995-Downtown Disney with Grandparents-no pictures of me, but Grandfather acting silly again...

That is all for this installment--tune in next time for the exciting TOUR PLAN.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Your grandfather is a hoot! Mine was too...always being a goofball. I miss him. You are blessed to be able to share this trip with yours!

 

[ChefMickey123]

Love the pics! Now I have a face to put with a screen name! Looking forward to more pictures!

Oh..paid off my balance today! WOO-HOO!!!!

I am dancin' with ya' baby

A fellow DISer PM'ed me and is going to mail me a couple of LGMH from HD. Isn't that so nice.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I am dancin' with ya' baby

A fellow DISer PM'ed me and is going to mail me a couple of LGMH from HD. Isn't that so nice.

Awesome! I have only encountered great people on this board. Can't wait to see how the LGMH turn out!

 

[ChefMickey123]

This pics are wonderful! I love seeing them!

Do you think the bench is in front of Pirates of the Carribean? That's my guess.

Thanks for the nice compliments on the Photos. You should know that my Grandfather worked in the photography department for Bethlehem Steel for many years, and taught my Aunt a lot. Plus, the picture of Mom and Me all dressed up was taken by a friend who is a pro photographer. She and her husband run a photography school for a living.

I plan on relying heavily on Photopass for my solo days at the World, and having a camera for food pics and family days.


I think you might be right about the bench. It is hard to remember, but the rum barrel signs sort of give you the "Pirates" impression.

 

[ChefMickey123]

And so it begins:

April 18, 2009-Travel Day #1
I have to work this day. I am doing one of those “taste of” fund-raising events and it is one of those things you can’t and don’t want to get out of. The plan is to have the bags in the car the night before, go to work, and leave for my airport hotel immediately after the fund raising event. I have a park and fly package, but may change that.
The airport is 2-1/2-3 hours from home. My flight leaves at 6:05 AM, and I will be at the airport around 4:00am on the 19th. This does not leave much time to sleep. There is always the plane.

April 19, 2009-Travel Day #2
Continental flight from Colorado Springs to Orlando with brief (90 min) layover in Houston. I am actually glad for the layover, because I will probably be quite hungry and thirsty by then. The Houston to MCO leg of my trip is supposed to arrive at 1:45pm.
After deplaning at Mickey’s Corporate Office (MCO), I will head straight for the Magical Express check-in desk. I am planning two hours from landing to front desk at my hotel (POR). I will be using the online check-in if I can. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I will most likely spend an hour or two adjusting to my new home for the week and freshening up for dinner. If time permits, I will take the buses until I get to the Yacht Club for my 6:25pm solo dinner reservation (Yachtman’s Steakhouse). If not, I’ll take a cab-who knows, I may want a nap once I get to the hotel and not want to spend time on the bus.
I must also find out who the infamous “Stacy” is when I get to my hotel room by switching on the TV.
For dinner, I intend to fully utilize the Deluxe Dining Plan, and have some drinks-probably wine, because nothing goes better with hunk o’ steak than a big glass of red wine.
After dinner, it will be time for the MK. I am planning heavily on MK that night because the EMH’s keep the park open until 1:00am. Although I will probably be a little weighed down after dinner, my approx 8:30pm arrival at the MK will allow my solo self to move swiftly through the attractions, with hopes for a thinning Sunday night crowd as night EMH pass on. It is then back to the hotel for a brief, but I am sure deep sleep.


Tune in next time for plans on an exciting day in EPCOT with Mom.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

April 19, 2009-Travel Day #2
Continental flight from Colorado Springs to Orlando with brief (90 min) layover in Houston. I am actually glad for the layover, because I will probably be quite hungry and thirsty by then. The Houston to MCO leg of my trip is supposed to arrive at 1:45pm.
After deplaning at Mickey’s Corporate Office (MCO), I will head straight for the Magical Express check-in desk. I am planning two hours from landing to front desk at my hotel (POR).

We are leaving Buffalo at 7:10 with an MCO arrival of 9:50am. By the time you get to POR, we'll have spent the afternoon at the pool enjoying the Florida sunshine!

After dinner, it will be time for the MK. I am planning heavily on MK that night because the EMH’s keep the park open until 1:00am.

What a guy.....up at 4am and still partying with Mickey till 1am!

 

[ChefMickey123]

Day 3, Monday, April 20th 2008

6:30AM Alarm or wake-up call by hyper-genetically enhanced animated rodent and something that looks like its mother was a Koala bear abducted by an alien that took too much colloidal silver (Mickey and Stitch).

Then-Snack credit breakfast in the POR food court.

Meet with Mom early, and get to Epcot early so Mom can get her FL resident day-guest pass. We will grab Soarin’ Fastpasses if required. I want to try Beverly soda to say that I did. As far as rides are concerned, Mom gets motion sickness, so we will see what she is up to (Soarin’might not be a good idea). We have not seen each other for 3 years, so this is more about spending time together than going commando in EPCOT. I have at least another Epcot day planned, so I will be able to see anything I miss later.

Mom likes flowers and gardening, so we will most likely take advantage of the F&G festival. I will be scoping out souvies for later week shopping.

We have 11:30 lunch ressies at Chefs de France. Should be fun. Neither Mom nor I has been back to Epcot since April 1993-so that actually makes it 16 years, not 15 since I have been to the theme parks. We both can’t wait to see the changes. Mom has to drive home to Naples in the late afternoon, so no French booze for her. We will probably grab a quick bite before she hits the road. I’ll probably just have water or a cocktail, because I have an 8:00pm reservation at AKL for Jiko-yummy.

After dinner, much won’t be left open by way of parks, so it is off to bed, get in the cupboard with your brothers and sisters Chip.
Up next-Day #4 Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney with Grandparents."

 

[ChefMickey123]

We are leaving Buffalo at 7:10 with an MCO arrival of 9:50am. By the time you get to POR, we'll have spent the afternoon at the pool enjoying the Florida sunshine!




What a guy.....up at 4am and still partying with Mickey till 1am!

Isn't that crazy. There are absolutely no flights out of Denver or the Springs which land at MCO prior to 1:30 in the afternoon-even flying nonstop. I played and played with the sliders on kayak, but to no avail. It probably has something to do with the time zones and the amount of traffic MCO can handle. I think the pool is a great way to start the vacation with your boys.


As far as partying with Mickey till 1 am, it will only feel like 11pm to me, the jet lag will not have kicked in yet-but the early morning will

It is probably a good thing they don't serve booze in MK.

 

[TxRabbit]

Wow! 3 years since you saw your mom! You guys are going to have so much fun! Have you ridden Soarin' before? I don't know much about motion sickness, but if your mom can handle IMAX films then she should be okay with Soarin'. There's not really too much movement, more like a mind game with a slight movement as the huge screen changes scenes.

Again, I don't know much about the F&G festival, but I have heard that snack credits are really great during it. So you should be able to have a lot of fun cruising the WS with your mom and indulging along the way...

 

[mommytothreeboys]

6:30AM Alarm or wake-up call by hyper-genetically enhanced animated rodent and something that looks like its mother was a Koala bear abducted by an alien that took too much colloidal silver (Mickey and Stitch).

We didn't do any of these last trip. Maybe we'll try it this time....I think the boys would get a kick out of it!

Are you NUTS!!!! 4 am-1am then up at 6:30???? LOL! Hats off to you...you are a better man than I! (although I'm not a man, but you get my meaning!)

We're up early this day too...at bus stop by 6:45...come say HI!

As far as rides are concerned, Mom gets motion sickness, so we will see what she is up to (Soarin’might not be a good idea).

If you recall my snorkeling story, you'll remember that I get motion sick as well. I can ride Soarin' with no problem.

 

[ChefMickey123]

Wow! 3 years since you saw your mom! You guys are going to have so much fun! Have you ridden Soarin' before? I don't know much about motion sickness, but if your mom can handle IMAX films then she should be okay with Soarin'. There's not really too much movement, more like a mind game with a slight movement as the huge screen changes scenes.

Again, I don't know much about the F&G festival, but I have heard that snack credits are really great during it. So you should be able to have a lot of fun cruising the WS with your mom and indulging along the way...

Yeah, when you live on opposite coasts and have bizarre jobs working in hotels and theatres, it is hard to get together. I have not ridden Soarin' before, but I rode the old "Horizons" with mom 16 years ago. We'll just make sure we give it a try before lunch.

I didn't know they did special food for flower and garden too. That is interesting.

 

[ChefMickey123]

We didn't do any of these last trip. Maybe we'll try it this time....I think the boys would get a kick out of it!

Are you NUTS!!!! 4 am-1am then up at 6:30???? LOL! Hats off to you...you are a better man than I! (although I'm not a man, but you get my meaning!)

We're up early this day too...at bus stop by 6:45...come say HI!

I hope you get the building you want. I am going to request the same. There was one hotel I stayed at near the Denver airport that used an army bugle call for its wake up message. That was something else, but it got you out of bed.

If you recall my snorkeling story, you'll remember that I get motion sick as well. I can ride Soarin' with no problem.

Well, now we have to ride it.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I didn't know they did special food for flower and garden too. That is interesting.

I was there in 2007 during Flower and Garden Festival and I don't remember any special foods/snacks. I could be wrong though....contrary to popular opinion that does happen sometimes! I know that there are special food booths during Food and Wine Festival.

 

[ChefMickey123]

Day#4 –Tuesday, April 21,2009
The Animal Kingdom & Downtown Disney with Grandparents

Two Words. Rope. Drop.

Last time I was at Disney, there was no Animal Kingdom (nor was there a rockin RC, a TOT, a Philharmagic, Buzz or Toy anything, Prince Caspian, Mission Space and nobody had dreamed up Nemo, HSM, Blue Space Aliens that vacation in Hawaii, American Idol, the World’s End, or a Chevy on rails)
So, I have no remote familiarity with this park. Like a good DISer, though, I’ve done some reading.

The grandparents told me they don’t want to go to any parks. They were ap holders for years. They really can’t handle too much anymore regarding lines, crowds, and heat. They got some free passes from a friend to see my cousin in the band parade last year, but they really are not into the parks anymore.

They love Downtown Disney though.

So after AK rope drop, I’m going to do all of the thrills and chills and visit animals. I have an ADR for Yak & Yeti, early lunch, because the grandparents want dinner-early.

I am just going to take it easy at AK, and enjoy some time with the animals on the trails. I saw Lion King in London, so I probably won’t see it there. I’d like to see the bug show.

I will probably meet the grandparents at POR around 3, and we will ride the boat to DD. We have dinner ressies at 5pm at Planet Hollywood.
I am sure they will want to hit the road after dinner. So, if I am up to it, I will probably check out the Boardwalk area that night. Perhaps I will want to go to bed early by then though.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Tune in next time for the Greatest Day in WDW Ever...

 

[ChefMickey123]

Day #5 April 22, 2009 The Best Disney Day Ever.
As much as it would be great to share this day with friends and family, it is a solo day.



There will be no early wake-up calls.



There will be no rope drop.



There will be no Mountain Marathon



There will be no Fast Passes.



I will do the unthinkable—Enter a Disney Theme Park at 12:30pm, and wait in no lines to do what I intend to do.

Curious…then read on:




The day begins at 9:00am with a leisurely breakfast at the Grand Floridian Café. I can smell the bacon frying now.

After breakfast, a stroll around the GF’s grounds to inspect the property is in order. I really like this hotel, and If I wasn’t going back to school full-time next year, and paying part time tuition out of pocket this year, I’d be staying there.


So, I have resolved that GF will have to wait a while. No reason not to soak up as much as possible now though.


After living it up, I will make my way to the monorail, and end up at Epcot Guest Services no later than 12:15pm. I will have swimsuit in tow, and will be escorted through the secret way in to Epcot.



Why, do you ask, will I be granted such a wish?






Because I have booked the Epcot Seas Aqua Tour—
What is that?


It is a special backstage tour of the Seas with Nemo pavilion which culminates in a scuba-assisted snorkeling event on the surface of the multi-million gallon salt water aquarium. I am not SCUBA certified, so this is tour where you don’t have to be in order to swim amongst the sharks, rays, fish, turtles, etc…



This is a tour which must be booked through the recreation office at WDW. You pay up front with your credit card and you have up to 48 hours in advance to cancel for a refund. This tour costs $140 per person, and they take up to 12 people a day. I booked the tour about 80 days out from my trip, and it was already half-full.



After I go swimming with Nemo, I plan to have a few cocktails in the World Showcase. Probably a snack too.
For Dinner, I’ll be living it up at the Top of the World at the Amazing California Grille (or so I’m told).
Then, I am sure I’ll be off to bed.

Tune in next time for the Exciting adventure that will be the Hollywood Studios, including The Hollywood Brown Derby and Dinner at Citricos in the GF.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I am just going to take it easy at AK, and enjoy some time with the animals on the trails. I saw Lion King in London, so I probably won’t see it there. I’d like to see the bug show.

Animal Kingdom is an amazing park! My family loves it! I'm sure you will enjoy!

I will probably meet the grandparents at POR around 3, and we will ride the boat to DD. We have dinner ressies at 5pm at Planet Hollywood.
I am sure they will want to hit the road after dinner. So, if I am up to it, I will probably check out the Boardwalk area that night. Perhaps I will want to go to bed early by then though.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Tuesday is our OFF day so I bet we'll be in DTD as well!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

It is a special backstage tour of the Seas with Nemo pavilion which culminates in a scuba-assisted snorkeling event on the surface of the multi-million gallon salt water aquarium. I am not SCUBA certified, so this is tour where you don’t have to be in order to swim amongst the sharks, rays, fish, turtles, etc…

Sounds fun......for YOU of course! I'll sit it out! Enjoy!

 

[MAGGIED]

Your aqua tour sounds like so much fun....