PreTrip Disneymoon Planning

[4bananas]

Hey guys!

My husband and I were married last in October 2012. We paid for our own wedding on a tight budget, and it turned out wonderful.

Here's our wedding party with my new husband and I.



Our pre-travel plans:

We new we wanted to go to Walt Disney World before we even started planning the wedding in August 2012. Unfortunately, my husband had started a new job the week before our wedding, so we knew that he couldn't get any time off. He got the day before our wedding off, and that was it, so we were content to wait until the timing was better. Our original travel dates were Feb 12-18, 2013, however, the plans fell through before we even booked because my mom was slow on giving us her work schedule, and my husband couldn't get the time off work.

In July 2013, we started looking at dates again in September.

Since my mom and dad are watching our kids while my husband and I go on our honeymoon we need to include an extra day on each side for travel to their house.

So, we came up with this:

Mon - Depart to Grandparents House
Tues - Flight to Orlando, Check-In
Wed - Sun @ WDW
Mon - Flight back to Grandparents
Tues - Drive back Home

This worked out well for us because Mon/Tues are my husband's normal days off, so he only needs to request four days off with vacation time.

A little bit of finangling on the internet looking at reservations for flights and at Disney Resorts... and we came up with the dates for Sept 17-Sept 23.

We had decided on Port Orleans Riverside- since we had originally planned our first trip in February, so we only looked at that resort.

We booked our resort and flight on July 18, 2013.

Once we had everything booked, I started diving into the day-to-day planning for our trip.

~ Table of Contents~
Post #1 - Pre-Trip Disneymoon Planning
Post #2 - Disney Dining Dilemma
Post #3 - Final Preparations
Post #4 - Day 1 - Pre-Orlando Travel
Post #5 - Day 2 - Our First Disney Day (MK)
Post #6 - Day 3 - Around the World in a Day
Post #7 - Day 4 - Disney's Hollywood Studio's/MK (Coming Soon)
Post #8 - Day 5 - Animal Kingdom / Disney's Hollywood Studio's (Coming Soon)
Post #9 - Day 6 - Key's to the Kingdom & Epcot (Coming Soon)
Post #10 - Day 7 - The End of Our Disneymoon (Coming Soon)
Post #11 - Day 8 - Heading Home (Coming Soon)

 

[wiigirl]

Congrats! Following along....

 

[4bananas]

My first concerns, naturally, were with Dining Reservations. I started stalking out our options to try and less than 24 hours after booking, I came up with this:

My Dining Plan one day after booking:

Day 1:
Quick Service - Wolfgang Puck Express

Day 2 -
Quick Service - Be Our Guest
Table Service - Restaurant Marrakesh

Day 3 -
Table Service - Fantasmic! Dinner Package at Mama Melrose

Day 4 -
Quick Service Flametree BBQ
Table Service - Tusker House

Day 5 -
Table Service - Boatwright's Dining Hall

Day 6 -
Quick Service: Gaston's Tavern
Table Service: The Crystal Palace

Day 7 -
No Plan

Obviously, I wasn't using everything on the plan yet, so this was still a work in progress. 4/6 Quick Service, and 5/6 Table Service. Not a bad start. I was "saving" that last table service credit trying to get a reservation at BOG.

Well, plans change like they always do... and a little pre-trip pixie dust started falling from the sky.

I had been searching for Dining Reservations when a reservation at CRT popped up. I gasped, and jumped up, grabbed my credit card and snagged it. I turned into a zombie who did this:



Later that same night, I happened across the DIS Boards for the first time and realized someone had posted that on the Cancelled ADR threads. Thankfully, it appeared I hadn't "taken" it from anyone. The next ADR I found (thanks to the cancelled ADR thread) was a BOG on Day 2.

A better plan is starting to form...

Day 1:
Table Service (prepaid, not DDP): Cinderella's Royal Table

Day 2 -
Quick Service - Epcot Japan
Table Service - Be Our Guest

Day 3 -
Table Service - Fantasmic! Dinner Package at Mama Melrose

Day 4 -
Quick Service Flametree BBQ
Table Service - Tusker House

Day 5 -
Table Service - Boatwright's Dining Hall

Day 6 -
Quick Service: Be Our Guest
Table Service: The Crystal Palace

Day 7 -
No Plan

A couple days later, I had been talking with a friend, who gave me a few recommendations, and we booked a Tour...

Day 1:
Table Service (prepaid, not DDP): Cinderella's Royal Table

Day 2 -
Quick Service - Epcot Japan
Table Service - Be Our Guest

Day 3 -
Table Service - Fantasmic! Dinner Package at Mama Melrose
Quick Service - DTD or Food court at Hotel

Day 4 -
Table Service (OOP, not DDP) - Kona Cafe
Quick Service - Flametree BBQ
Quick Service - DTD or Food Court at hotel

Day 5 -
Keys to the Kingdom Tour (with Lunch)
Table Service - Le Cellier

Day 6 -
Quick Service: Be Our Guest
Table Service: California Grill

Day 7 -
Table Service (OOP, not DDP) - Boma

Total: 6 TS DDP, 1 Prepaid, 2 OOP, and 5/6 Quick Service. Still working on it, but things were starting to flesh out better.

We were both pretty happy with how things were going at this point. I started working on a pre-trip checklist, and packing list.

Then, on August 28, I got pulled over twice in one day. My husband (oh, men) had forgotten to mail the registration in to the DMV, and I hadn't realized... the first cop let me go with nothing, the second cop gave me a warning and a $165 ticket. That sort of burst my Disney bubble. Even though I've done really good about keeping money for the Disneymoon separate from our day to day expenses, I was starting to have doubts. Plus, I have medical bills from an ER trip earlier this year that we are paying...

So, I decided to cancel the reservation at CRT. I took a lot of time thinking about it, and I think it is the best decision. I figure when we go back in two years with the kids, we will try again to get a reservation, because I'm sure my daughter would love it.

Another idea I had was to get a mini 2-tier wedding cake at California Grill. I spent days looking at cakes, and options, and oogling delicious cakes, but ultimately decided against that, too. Since we are on the DDP, our meal at Cal Grill comes with a dessert, so we don't really need MORE dessert, but I was going to use that as a little "early" anniversary dinner for us -- since when we get back from WDW our 1 year anniversary is about two and a half weeks away. I'm still on the fence about this. The big factor for me that made me not go through with it was the ticket. We mailed the form off, but we are still waiting for the registration to arrive. With eight days to go, we are getting worried!

Ultimately, I would have loved to get a mini-replica of our original wedding cake (pictures below) it was simple, and sweet.



can you tell I'm still on the fence about this?! xD

 

[4bananas]

Phew! I've finalized our DDP. We've made a few other changes - I'll post that below. I'm excited to say I'm finally DONE! We drive to my parents house tomorrow morning, and then fly out to Orlando on Tuesday morning.

I'll do a bit more introductions...

My husband and I met in 2006 at an anime convention. My best friend and I went with her dad as part of her graduation gift. When we got there, the first thing she wanted to do was to go visit her boyfriend - who was volunteering that weekend at the convention. When you volunteer, you get a hotel room to share. We walked in, and they were watching "the Mummy" so I plopped down to watch the movie next to my now-DH.

We exchanged IM addresses/cell phone numbers at the end of the week, and after the convention, we became close friends. He lived about 2-3 hour south of where we met, and I lived about an hour and a half north. He graduated college in 2008, and in 2009, I moved down with him with my DS.

DS turned 1 in Jan 2010, and a couple days after, he proposed to me. A couple days later, we found out we were expecting DD.

This is our first vacation- my DH works in a RTF for troubled girls, and I am a stay-at-home Mom. We just started homeschooling our two kids, and we're hoping to bring them back to Disney within the next year or two. (Bounceback!?)


Done:

• Bought Snacks for car
• Digital Camera (battery charged, memory card empty)
• Printed out copies of insurance cards/medical release information for kiddos
• Online Check-In at Resort
• Printed out trip confirmations, copies of finalized itinerary

Need to Do/Finish:

• For the car: Put my son's carseat back together (I washed it), put the in-car DVD player together with a few DVD's for the kids, finish packing the kids toys (I need to find a tote for them), pack snacks for car.
• Finish Packing (3/4 of us packed, need to finish packing carry-on's and park bag)
• Need to finish last load of laundry, and wash sheets.
• Bathe kids and finish packing bathroom stuff for everyone

My husband and I are going to bring a separate backpack to my parents house with pajamas and our clothes that we will wear on the plane so we don't have to lug in the big suitcases at my parents. We'll leave the clothes we wear in the car tomorrow (well, my husband will bring his shorts, but I'll wear sweatpants that I cut off into capri's so hahahah not bringing those!) and then we'll wear them back down when we arrive.

Coming up next... daily itinerary!

 

[4bananas]

Today is a travel day.

We'll leave our home and pack up everyone in the car and hit the highway. We have a few last minute errands to run (pick up a dress from a tailor, stop at Walmart, return a pair of shoes)

We take what I fondly refer to as the "scenic route" which we drive through Northern PA and the more mountainous areas.



The goal is to arrive at my parents by 4pm. Enjoy dinner, let the kids get their silly's out, and relax for a bit.

My son's dad will pick up my son that evening around 8-8:30pm, and we'll put DD to bed early hopefully she will be tuckered out and will sleep for us!

The hardest part about this has been telling my daughter that we are leaving for a few days - my son spends time once or twice a year away from me with his dad but my daughter has never been away from me before. When I started introducing her to the idea she said "but mommy, i need you!" : We've been talking about it almost daily this last week, and so I think she's "ready".

After that, I'm planning on setting three alarms, and going to bed around 9pm. (like that will happen!?)

 

[4bananas]

In a perfect world, I would have loved a 9am flight. But, you know, you take what you can get... so, we got a 7am flight.

My DH and I hate the coffee at my parents (it's either the machine or the water, either way we can't stand it) so we'll just get dressed, and head to Dunkin Donuts for some real coffee and a bagel.

The nice thing is that we are at a very small airport, and the long-term parking is within walking distance to the terminal. My dad says its just across the street, and from looking at maps it seems really easy.

The airport is a bit further out, but the parking for the week is more reasonable than a closer airport I've used before, so that is a win.

I'm a bit nervous about saying good-bye to my luggage here with those shiny yellow tags, but I believe in Disney magic! I've also fretted about carry-ons, so I'm planning on bringing my park bag as one of my carry-ons (with the liquids in a single plastic bag).

It's only a short two and a half hour flight to Orlando, so before you know it we will be in sunny Florida. I'm still fretting about what to wear on the airplane. I get cold easily - but maybe I can bring a sweater and stuff it into a carry-on I check at Bell Services.

Our Resort: We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside. I've stayed onsite at a few other resorts, so I am excited to try a new resort. I honestly can't remember which resorts I've stayed at.




The original plan was to go make Day 1 a relaxing day in Dowtown Disney, but our new plan is to enjoy the lower-level crowd's at MK (it's a MNSSHP night). My husband hasn't been to Disney since he was in elementary school, so I'm excited to see what he thinks!! We have FastPass+ for 4 of the rides, and I'm excited to try my first Dole Whip Float! I have been dreaming of Dole Whips



While at MK, we'll have lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight cafe.

After MK closes, we'll head back to our resort and we're going to have a quick dinner at Riverside Mill Food Court and head over to see Movie Under the Stars. They are showing Up!



It's the first movie that DH and I tried to take DS to when he was a baby, and it went so awful, I don't think DH ever got to see the movie all the way through!

I think that this plan for us is the best of both worlds and a great transition for us to go from "reality" to "Disneymoon"

Note: A previous itinerary had us enjoying dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table, however, DH and I decided we'd save that for when our kids were there and use the extra $$$ to buy gifts.

 

[4bananas]

Since this is my honeymoon, I'm trying to be more lax on the planning. (Not sure it is working out so well!)

We're going to try and spend the day at Epcot, but we'll see how it goes. We have 3 Fast Pass+'s, and no ADR's booked for today. I'm planning on eating lunch at either Jambon Beurre, or Kabuki Cafe. We'll eat dinner at Tangierine Cafe or Sunshine Seasons. I gave us two options depending on where we are, or what we're doing when we decide we're hungry. It satisfies my need to have some sort of plan - and my husband feels like we're not overbooked.

So, the plan is to wander around Epcot, enjoy the drinks, wander in the little shops, and enjoy each other's company.

 

[4bananas]

Today, we'll head to DHS. We have a FastPass+ at Star Tours, which I'll probably have to ride a dozen times with DH. To say he's excited would be an understatement. He would have loved to go to Disney during Star Wars weekends (in May) maybe one year!

I'm debating on trying to try Tower of Terror - I've never done it before, and if we come with the kids next year, we'll have to take turns and ride it solo. BUT on the other hand, I don't want to get sick. :

We were originally going to eat lunch at Mama Melrose's for the Fantasmic Dinner Package, but I was able to score an amazing reservation at Be Our Guest so we swapped. (Don't worry - we'll be back for Fantasmic!) Now instead, we have a lunch reservation at 50's Prime Time Cafe - I'm excited to try the PB&J Milkshake!

We'll leave Hollywood Studio's around 6:30 or 7:00pm and head to Magic Kingdom. We'll have a bit of time to spend in Magic Kingdom, so we'll probably do a bit of shopping and just walk around before our reservation.

Like a lot of other people, I've been anxiously awaiting, trying to get a reservation at Be Our Guest. I've heard mixed reviews from the service at dinner, so we'll be returning for lunch as well. (plus they have a different menu!)

My husband is being such a good sport for putting up with me with all of this planning teehee!!

 

[4bananas]

In our original plan, we had breakfast at Kona Cafe scheduled. When I switched our BOG to Thursday, and switched Fantasmic to Friday, I realized that AK was sort of squished in the middle. I opted to cancel Kona Cafe, and we're going to go try beignets at POFQ instead. That way, we can enjoy the rides at AK, and take our time.

I've only been to AK once before, and my husband has never been to AK, so I made a few FP's for rides I know we'll both enjoy, and the rest of the day I'll keep open.

We have to leave AK around 3:30-4:00pm to head back to Hollywood Studios. We have a dinner reservation at Hollywood & Vine as part of the Fantasmic! Dinner package. We'll try a ride or two after dinner, then head over to Fantasmic.

Fantasmic is easily my favorite show at WDW - I bought the soundtrack and insisted we see it twice when I went as a kid with my parents. It's been years since I've seen it - and I'm SO excited.

After Fantasmic, we'll either head to Downtown Disney or Boardwalk Resort for some more fun.

 

[4bananas]

This was a day that I purposely kept open -- until DH said that he wanted to do a tour. Hey, I figured it is HIS honeymoon too! LOL.

I have read a lot of excellent reviews about the Keys to the Kingdom tour, and I think it is an excellent choice and good value! My budget-sensitive self is tempted to cancel it, but DH specifically mentioned that he wanted to go to this, so this is his treat...

After the tour, which I'm expecting to end between 1:30-2:00pm... I'm still not sure what to do. We have a dinner reservation at Le Cellier in Epcot. Either way, we'll enjoy dinner at Le Cellier, then wander around Epcot after dinner a bit more. This will probably be a better night to go to Jellyroll's at Boardwalk, since we can walk or boat from the International Gateway. I'm excited to try this!

 

[4bananas]

Our last full day at Disney!

We will start the day off in Magic Kingdom, with a couple FastPass+, and an early lunch at Be Our Guest. Then, we'll hop to Downtown Disney for some shopping, and head back to our resort for some R&R.

We have a dinner reservation at California Grill, and we plan on arriving a bit early to have a drink before dinner. I will admit I already watched a video on Youtube about the fireworks from California Grill and even on my computer it was amazing.

After dinner, we'll head back to Magic Kingdom to enjoy the Extra Magical Hours- MK is open until 1am. Then, it's back our resort, to pack up and sleep.


Day 8:

We'll drop our bags with Bell Services and check out from our room before heading out for the day. We have a breakfast reservation at Boma, and I am leaving this day entirely up to DH. Whatever he likes best, we will go do. : We have a late flight (7pm) so it'll probably be 3pm before we need to get back to the resort for Disney's Magical Express.

So, a day full of Lasts. One last park, one last bus ride, one last snack, and then one last look at our resort as we head off to the airport...

We'll get back to my parents around midnight, and crash.

Day 9:

We're spending the day with my parents, pick up my son from his dad's, and have lots of

We'll eat an early dinner then hit the road back home.

And that's the end of our Disneymoon!

opcorn::