PTR WDW Christmas Trip

[amazingact21]

My Disney trip is in 40 days, and I feel (extremely) behind on the pre-planning, but I have the majority of the necessities squared away. But first, on to introductions...

I am Alicia, I'm 20 years old, and I am currently a year away from graduating with a Bachelor's in Elementary Ed and a Reading endorsement. Due to my insane school schedule, it's been difficult to find time to plan my vacation, but I'm hoping this thread will keep me organized and on-task.

I'm going to Disney with my wonderful boyfriend, Alex. He's 22, has been serving in the Air Force for 4 years, and has just returned this past summer from a deployement. We've been friends for five years (I knew him way back when I was in high school) and began dating almost two years ago.

We promised each other a vacation, and it was slated to be the summer he returned to the states. However, my work schedule did not allow me to get enough days off, so I pushed it back to December. Alex gave me full reign on the location, and I immediately decided on Disney World.

It's been five (almost six years) since I visited the Mouse, and my boyfriend has only visited MK and Epcot for a day. Meaning, he has never gotten the full experience of staying at a resort and being immersed in the world several days in a row.

I figured taking him the happiest place on Earth after spending so many months in such an unhappy place was exactly what he needed. Plus, I really want to experience the place with a first timer.

Therefore.... here is what I have in terms of planning thus far:

Back in July, we booked a room at Shades of Green resort. Because the rates are based on rank, and my boyfriend is still one of the lower stripes, we got a room for 95.00 a night. For an airman and college student, this is an excellent deal. It's allowing us to have more money for other expenses. We're getting to the hotel December 17th and checking out the morning of the 21st. His family's house is 40 minutes away, so we decided we needed to save the cost of an extra night and drive home after our last day in the park.

We originally were going to buy the tickets when we booked our room, but a travel agent told us to wait because a better military deal was coming soon. And just a few weeks ago, we found out what it is. The Let the Memories begin campaign has given active and retired military personnel a really great deal, to where both our 4 day park hopper tickets will be 300 dollars. For two people, that's fantastic.

The only setback is we have to buy the tickets at our base's military ITT office. (Information, Tickets, and Travel) This is hard because the military tends to take off Fridays or Mondays, and the days I'm not in school, Alex is working. However, this coming Friday, we plan on booking it to the office before it closes at 3 and buying our tickets. I just hope there are no complications that arise from having to wait so long.

I should mention that for transportation, we are driving down. We live in Northwest Florida, and it is only about a 7 hour drive from here to Orlando.

We plan on going to Epcot first, for the CP (Thomas Gibson is going to be the narrator on the 18th, and he is a favorite actor for both of us.) On the 19th, we're going to Animal Kingdom, the 20th Hollywood Studios, and the 21st MK.

I just found out yesterday that because we're staying at Shades of Green, we're getting Extra Magic Hours, so I will most likely udjust the parks we visit to fit the extra time.

So far, I have checked out from the library two travel guide books and have been buying items I'll need here and there. This is my first vacation as an adult, so not only am I trying to figure out all the necessities for Disney, I'm trying to make sure I understand basic travel needs. I've been stocking up on memory cards, and comfortable clothes for the days I'll be there.

I will update the thread as I learn more and solidify my agenda. I can only hope I have prepared enough.

 

[amazingact21]

I realized this morning that I did a lackluster job introducing myself, so let me try this again.

I'm Alicia:

I turned 20 this past August, but don't let my young age fool you, I was born mature. I have hard at work earning my Bachelor's degree, and I am ready to step out into my community and begin teaching. I have worked with children since I was a teenager, and my best friend describes me as a girl with a "Peter Pan" complex. She thinks I am training to go into education, because I refuse to grow up. Which is somewhat true.

I am, without a doubt, a kid at heart. You can find me on a weekday with my computer turned on, working on homework, and my television playing The Lion King or Monsters Inc. in the background.

This is what I'm most known for doing:

I daydream way too much. However, when I'm not staring off into the stars, I am reading. So far this year, I have read 65 books; I have a personal goal to beat my previous year's book tally. In addition to school and reading, I love to walk and run. I don't see how I'd survive my daily assignment without an hour to myself for focus and that endorphine rush.

Moving on... this is Alex, my DBF. As mentioned before, he just got back from deployement, and I couldn't be happier to have him around again.

Before he let me pick Disney for our vacation, he wasn't a huge fan of the world. He enjoyed the movies, but he never really embraced everything that went along with it. After four hard months, though, I have gotten him to become just as big a fan as I am. It used to be me who texted him the countdown dates, now I wake up to a message on my phone saying something like, "45 days left!!!!"

His favorite pasttime is this:

I'm not such a huge fan, but it's a family hobby for him. He's even infected my father with it, to where my dad now has one sitting in the garage. Alex also loves to tinker with cars and airplanes. He's the type of person who loves to see what makes things go fast. We bought a behind-the scenes Disney DVD set, and I think that's what sealed his adoration for the place. I am confident that when he gets on rides like Rockin' Rollercoaster and Test Track, he'll be in speed heaven.


Whoo, now I feel like I made some proper introductions. Knowing our interests is helping me create an agenda, so I can see where it might be more insightful to readers. For instance, I'd be perfectly content riding Pirates of the Caribbean and gazing at the Castle all day long, but DBF on the other hand, will want to go on Tower of Terror over and over and over.

Right now, I am still debating what parks we are going to on what day. The extra hours is throwing our original schedule off, and now it's looking like I'll be putting the Park Hoppers to use. The park hoppers come with the package, so I had never really considered using them until now.
Still so many details to consider and the clock is ticking!

 

[amazingact21]

Good morning! Where I'm at, it's way too early to be up and about, but that's the joy of having classes all day. Thankfully, Thursday is a holiday, so I get an entire day to concentrate on planning for WDW! I mean, when I'm not doing my homework assignments, of course...

Anyways, since I am still out of the loop as far as being prepared, I went to the library last Friday and checked out Birnbaum's 2010 Official Travel Guide to Walt Disney. (I also went to Barnes and Noble and found an autobiography on Walt Disney, but I haven't had the oppurtunity to begin reading it yet.)

I have reached the part in the travel book about each park and its attributes, so I figured after each section I would make an informal top ten list of attractions I want to see at each park. This weekend, I'll make DBF skim through it and have him create his own list, and then we can compare the two to see which ones we can go on and/or see.
So without further ado...

My Magic Kingdom Top Ten​

1) Space Mountain: I have been on the ride only once before, and I absolutely loved it! I remember I was with friends of the family and my best friend at the time, and (being a typical thirteen year old) thought I was too cool to enjoy a silly rollercoaster. I remember jumping out of the seat when we were done, going, "That was AWESOME!" So, for my own personal enjoyement, I need to ride it again.

2) Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: This ride is simply fun. My DBF and I are a little (okay, very) competitive, and I can see us now riding this ride repeadtely so we can beat the other person's score. Thankfully, both of us take the games with a grain of salt, and in the end we're both good sportsman, so we won't have to worry about upsetting the other for the rest of the day at the park.

3) Cinderella's Castle: The last time I saw the castle was when I was 7. Ergo, I cannot remember anything about it, except for what I see in pictures. I'm a girly girl at heart, and I just want to be able to say, "My prince and I are at the castle right now." (I can see my friends rolling their eyes right this minute.)

4) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: In my four trips to Disney, I have NEVER rode this ride! My mother says that when I was little, I wasn't a fan of thrill rides, and when I was 13, I was, once again, in that I'm too cool phase. Some insane part of my mind said, "Don't go on that ride, sit by the exit and talk gossip with your friend." Looking back, I wish I could've put that part of my mind on mute.
This means that no matter what, I'm riding this ride this December!

5) Pirates of the Caribbean: Who doesn't love Jack Sparrow? (Once again, I can see my friends raising their hands and going, "Uhm, have you seen Will Turner?" I really wish I could block those people out.) I want to see the ride now that they have added some of the movie characters. Plus, I love dark rides. If I had to go by myself, I think these kind of rides would be all I would go on.

6) Mad Tea Party: My DBF is going to complain and try to convince me to skip it, but I love the teacups. He'll just have to endure...

7) The Haunted Mansion: The same goes with Pirates, I love dark rides, and I love all the special effects in the Mansion.

8) The Hall of Presidents: The presidents? Really? I know, it seems strange to pick this over some other choices, but be understanding. I want to be a teacher; I love educational stuff. Anything that can teach me something new or enlighten an already known topic, I leap towards. There's been two new presidents added since I last watched it, so the geeky part of me is going, "Yes! New information!" What can I say, I'm forever going to be a student.

9) Stitch's Great Escape: To be short and sweet, I love Lilo and Stitch. I can't pass up seeing the little blue alien.

10) Town Square Exposition Hall: One of the things my DBF and I both love is photography. We fight for the camera whenever there's a wonderful picture moment, so being able to see other's work is something we will both enjoy. Plus, as mentioned before, I'm a nerd. I love to see anything that will expand my knowledge, even if it is photography.


Okay, that is my Top 10 list for Magic Kingdom. I know that I probably won't be able to do all ten things, but hopefully when I see DBF's list, we can narrow our choices down to a top 5.

 

[Nemo32]

Subbing!!

DBF and I are going from Dec. 8-13. The Walt Disney biography is SOOOOO good! I took DBF for his 1st 2 years ago and really there is nothing like experiencing WDW with a 1st timer.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[amazingact21]

Subbing!!

DBF and I are going from Dec. 8-13. The Walt Disney biography is SOOOOO good! I took DBF for his 1st 2 years ago and really there is nothing like experiencing WDW with a 1st timer.

Can't wait to hear more!

Yay! Thanks for taking the time to read, I appreciate it. I promise I'll try not to be too boring or long winded.

Glad to hear the biography on Walt is really good. I was a little intimidated by the length at first, because I thought it was having boring sections, but most reviews I've read said that's not the case with the book at all. So I'm glad to hear someone else say it was worth the purchase.

Glad to hear you get to go to WDW during the holiday season, as well. It's such a wonderful time to go.

 

[Nemo32]

The biography took me a while to read - it has to be done in phases.

Also, I see your top 10 for MK doesn't include Philharmagic! You MUST see it! Just a suggestion...its my fav. attraction there

 

[amazingact21]

The biography took me a while to read - it has to be done in phases.

Also, I see your top 10 for MK doesn't include Philharmagic! You MUST see it! Just a suggestion...its my fav. attraction there

For some reason I must have missed that attraction when I was reading, and it wasn't there the last time I went (I don't think.) Thanks for letting me know, I'll have to add it to my list.

 

[amazingact21]

First of all, Happy Veteran's Day to all servicemen and their families. As I mentioned before, my DBF is active duty, but he's not the only one I know. My grandfather, father, and brother are all veterans as well, so this day means a lot to me.

I had meant to write my top ten list for Epcot yesterday, but got a nail in my tire and spent three hours at the service station waiting for a patch. My mother cheered me up, though, by buying me this:

I have it hanging in front of my computer desk so I can keep myself motivated while finishing up my last few weeks of the semester.

I have 36 days left!!! Now that's I'm down to double digits, the days seem to be flying by. Which is certainly a good thing, but I need to pick up my planning a bit.

Epcot is, without a doubt, my favorite WDW park. It's highly unlikely that I'll be able to visit all the countries displayed in the World Showcase, therefore I love, love, love seeing them here. Also, the park holds some of my fondest memories.

Back in 2002, my family visited here for the day right before my father deployed for a year. It was right after MissionSpace opened, and I can vividely remember my younger brother and my father going on the ride 5 times in a row! After the 2nd time around, my mom and I had to sit out and just watch as they came barreling out of the exit excited and ready to ride again.
I wish I had a picture of our experience that day, but none of us took any!

Then, in 2004, I went with just my mom. A friend had given me two free tickets for my birthday, and my mom suggested we go during Christmastime to see the decorations and festivities. We had an absolute blast, but I we still didn't take any photographs. We went on MissionSpace and Test Track early in the morning, then spent the rest of the day at World Showcase, watching the live entertainment. I remember listening to Off Kilter for an hour! The night was topped off with the Illuminations show, which we watched from the Japanese pavillion.

With such golden memories of the park, I had a really difficult time creating a top ten list. I really wish we could stay an extra day and split Epcot into a two-day trip, but we'll make do.

Epcot's Top Ten List​

1) Soarin': New ride! New ride! I am so excited there's something new at the park for me to try. I'm not a great fan of heights, but I'm really good at sucking it up and acting like I am. I think I'll be okay on this one; it seems like a really relaxing and calm ride.

2) Spaceship Earth: If there wasn't a new ride to try, this would be my number 1 choice. I adore the ride inside the globe. It's show has been revamped since I last saw it, so it'll be new and improved. I know, my nerd is showing again...

3) Test Track: Any fan of WDW knows how classic this ride is. I'm most excited, though, about seeing DBF's reaction to it. He loves speed and cars, and he is going to be happier than a five year old throughout this attraction. (Meanwhile, my camera is going to be clicking away so that I way can show him his goofy grins later on. )

4) MissionSpace: Simulated rides are my favorite, and this ride never gets old for me.

5) United Kingdom Pavillion: If I ever could travel overseas, this would be the place I'd go. I'm a sucker for Tudor history (don't get me near a Philippa Gregory or Alison Weir novel). Not to mention the gardens are mesmorizing. My DBF is going to have to drag me away.

6) Italy: Second stop on my imaginary travel wish-list destination. My parents lived in Italy for three years, and I am so envious of them when I look at old photographs.

7) Norway's Maelstorm: I love this ride! Plus, my step-grandmother is a full-blooded Norweigan, so seeing her heritage and culture is pretty cool. And, c'mon, Vikings; they're awesome!

8) Candlelight Processional: A Holiday must-see at Epcot. My DBF is unbelievably excited about this event, because I told him a few weeks ago that the celebrity narrator during our visit is Thomas Gibson. We both watch Criminal Minds (in fact, I got him hooked on the show) and Gibson plays the main character. He couldn't believe the news when I told him. His response was, "Wait, not only are we going to be on vacation, but we're going to get an additional perk in the form of a celebrity, just by being there?"

9) France: Every pavillion in the showcase is wonderful, but France's Effiel Tower holds a special, romantic place in my heart.

10) The Circle of Life: Okay, it might be silly, but I want to see this show, because it's based off of my favorite Disney movie. Anything involving Timon and Pumpa and I'm there, preferrably front row and with baited breath.


Like I said, that top ten list was hard! I want to see many more attractions, but I also have to be realistic and understand that some things are going to be missed. Perhaps I can convince the DBF to go back in a few months so we can see more. Listen to me, I'm terrible, I'm already wanting to plan a second trip before I go on my first one!

On another note, I have been thinking a lot about what kind of bag to carry around in the parks. I have a tendency to carry everything but the kitchen sink when I go out, and I'm trying really hard to avoid that on vacation. I keep thinking about what I'll need, though, and it's hard not to consider taking something like a backpack in. I mean, we'll have DBF's camera, which is big and bulky. I'll also have our important stuff such as tickets, cards, and money. I will have to bring my glasses. (I am EXTREMELY stubborn about my glasses. I refuse to wear them 24/7 like I'm supposed to. Instead, I only where them when I'm watching movies, in class, or driving.) I also need to have space in the bag for things like water and snacks, and I want room to shove a thin jacket in if it gets too hot out.
I don't know what the heck I am going to use. I want a zipper on the bag, that way I don't have to worry about anything falling out or getting stolen. But I don't want anything gigantic, either. My DBF is no help; he just keeps telling me I'll figure it out. Hmmm...

 

[Nemo32]

Happy Veteran's Day! You should definitely see the Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico. AND I LOVE CRIMINAL MINDS!! Lucky you get to see Gibson!

 

[amazingact21]

I'm going to veer away from my top ten list in this post, because I want to celebrate!
This past Friday, DBF picked me up, and we drove over to one of our miltary bases. (There are 4 within an hour of each other where I live.) Originally, we were going to go to the one closest to DBF's house, because we've had really good experience with the ITT office there. Unfortunatly, since it was Veteran's Day Thursday, the office decided to take the Friday off.
So we had to settle for our 2nd choice. The overall base is wonderful; I am on it at least twice a week. (It'd be less if there wasn't a Starbucks in the BX. That coffee chain has me hooked!)

As much as I love the base itself, I am less-than pleased with their ITT office. We visited the place back in July, when DBF and I were trying to gather resort information. The woman working promised to email us the lodging prices later that afternoon. Well, two days later and still no word, DBF calls them back and they said they'd email us again within the next few hours. And, once again, empty inbox. DBF ended up having to call SoG himself and get their information through the phone call.

Needless to say, I wasn't jumping up and down to go back. However, I was too impatient to wait any longer for my tickets.

We got to the office, waited in line for perhaps three minutes, then the lady working at the counter took charge. All we had to do was say we wanted the current promotional tickets for WDW and she plopped a clipboard down in front of us and told us to sign. She took DBF's ID card (had to be active duty or retired to purchase the tickets) and came back with the cards. Naturally, we paid her when she took the clipboard. When she handed them to us, she said, "You have to go to a ticket window and activate these as well as present your military ID card." And then we were done!
I told DBF, I think going to the bank beforehand and withdrawing the money actually took longer than obtaining the tickets. I was very pleased at the service we received this time, as well.

And so, we have our WDW tickets!!!!!

DBF was very excited that the mouse ears were patriotic, and I was excited because it finally became official. Sure, we had the resort booked for months, but this means we're going to the parks! It means I get to tour the World Showcase and ride Expedition Everest.
There's no way DBF can back out now!

I was ridiculously excited about being able to hold my ticket (finally) that I began taking goofy pictures as proof.

Here's DBF:

He was not keen on sitting around taking photos of cards, but he was patient and let me have my moment.

Here's me with the tickets:

I got a little goofy with them and DBF snapped this:

I am still a little shocked that's it's actually going to happen.

For so long this was just a dream, and now it's beginning to take shape. Months ago, back when it was spring, I thought about visiting the parks with DBF. We would talk on AIM while I was getting ready for the day in my beautiful Florida home, and he was sweating away the afternoon in the desert a 1,000 miles apart. we used to joke about how silly he'd be, but it never really hit me that we'd actually get to be there. WDW was a nice way for us to escape the seperation. I mean, we talked about how beautiful WDW is, so that we didn't have to concentrate on the ugliness of deployments.
Now, after so many months, we're really, really going.

 

[Nemo32]

AWESOME, AWESOME tickets!

 

[amazingact21]

Bleck, it's a Monday morning. I shouldn't complain, I haven't had to go to school in 6 days (hooray for all T/TR classes!) and I am staying on schedule with my homework. I guess it's just a classic case of the Mondays.

Returning to my top ten list, here is DHS: *side note* The last time I went to this park was in 2003, I was eight years younger, therefore everything is going to be like new to me.*

DHS Top Ten​

1)Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: The one and only time I have been on this ride was when I was 12, and my family lied to me about it! My two cousins, aunt, mother, and brother swore up and down to me that the attraction didn't go upside down. I insisted it did, but my cousin was very persuasive and convinced me I'd heard wrong. When we made it to the last leg of the wait area, my cousin dragged me into a car and sat nearest the exit. I now know why. My brother, who was behind me, excaimed, "This ride does go upside down!" And very quickly him and my mother leave. So there I am, sitting in a car that's about to rocket me forward, with my cousin laughing her head off beside me. The whole family had tricked me! Seconds later, the ride began and throughout the entire thing I held my eyes closed and clinged to my cousin's hand for dear life. Once it was done, though, I realized it wasn't so bad after all. I couldn't even remember going upside down. Now, eight years later, I want to go on the ride again fully aware of what is going to happen and see what my unbiased opinion if the attraction is.

2)Toy Story Mania: This will be a new ride for me! I'm already cringing, though, with the anticipation of how busy it's going to be. (Fastpass for sure!)

3)Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show: call it sentimental, call it sappy, call it whatever you want, but I want to see this only because DBF wants to. If he were to make a top ten overall list, this would rank as number 1 for him. This show was in our Disney DVD documentary, and he was practically drooling while watching it. His eyes lit up and he had a huge grin on his face. Now, he reminds me everytime we talk WDW that this is the ONE thing he has to see. For me, I cannot wait to watch him become excited over something he has looked forward to for months and months.

4)Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular: It might be a tad outdated, but I love this show!

5)Fantasmic: I can only hope they are showing this while I'm down there. I have seen it once before and was just absolutely enthralled by the lights and storyline.

6)Voyage of the Little Mermaid: Oh, how I am going to torture DBF. I really enjoyed this show years ago, and I want to see if it's as suspenseful as I remember it being.

7)Muppet Vision 3-D: Another fantastic show that'll make me laugh.

8)The Great Movie Ride: I'm a gluttion for movie history.

9)The Magic of Disney Animation

10)Tower of Terror: This is tenth on the list?! Really?! I know, I'm not normal, but there's a logical reason. DBF wants to try this attraction, I want to sit in the shade and wait for him. I rode this ride the same visit I rode Rockin' 'n' Roller Coaster, only this ride I wanted to go on. My aunt, little brother, and I waited almost an hour to get on, and I was seated front row, far left seat. And I was, literally, terrified! I learned that afternoon that I do not like rides that dop directly downwards. At least, not ones that do it 13 stories up. Therefore, this was a one-time only ride for me. But I do want my DBF to experience it, since he enjoys thrill rides.


Moving on to Animal Kingdom, I changed my list a little, to where I only have a top five. I know, I know, poor AK, it's always low man on the totem pole. But actually, it's because the top 5 things I want to do are so solid, I don't want to waste my time with five other attractions. I have been looking forward to these five just as much as I have been waiting to see the castle or ride Test Track. Here they are, my top five must-do's:

AK Top Five​

1)Festival of the Lion King: It doesn't take a detective to know what my favorite Disney movie is, just look at my avatar. I have been in love with Simba and Nala since I was a toddler, and one of the many reasons is because of the music. It is so powerful to me, I can't even imagine listening to being performed live on stage. My favorite song is, "I Can't Wait to be King." When I worked at a daycare, I created a Disney CD and during dance time, my class would hear this song and go, "It's Ms. 'Licia's song! It's Ms. 'Licia's song!" I even created a dance that I had all my two year olds doing when this came on. So to think that I'm going to go get to see people dance in sync to the same music that's moved me is exciting.

2)Expedition Everest: Wait, I hate huge drops and not so keen on upside down rides, but I want to go on another thrill ride? Despite the fact that this attraction doesn't go upside down, it's still pretty scary. Well, as much as I prefer calm, relaxing rides, I am the sort of person who has to try everything once. I know I'll be nervous during the whole day leading up to the ride, and I'll think about chickening out half a dozen times, I want the satisfaction of telling everyone I tried it. And also, I hate when DBF thinks I'm a scaredy cat.

3)Dinosaur: I love this ride! Of course, the last time I rode it, I was SEVEN. And all I can remember is laughing my head off at my little brother, who was 3, and was terrified. I know, I'm an evil older sister, who laughs at the expense of a loved one's fears. But anyone who has a little brother understands that sometimes their unhappiness is sweet payback for the annoyance they've dished out. This time, though, there won't be a little brother to watch, heck, it might turn out I'll be the one terrified out of my pants.

4)Kilimanjaro Safaris: I'm an animal lover and so is DBF. We have annual passes to our local zoo, which is only five minutes away from his house. I think I have been 6 times this year, alone. My favorite animal is the giraffe, but I am also a huge Bengal Tiger lover. This is a ride I'll probably go on several times throughout the day.

5)It's Tough to be a Bug!: Hilarious show! I fairly remember what happens in this (which is saying something since it's been 13 years) and I want to watch my DBF's reaction to all the special effects. He'll get to see me squirm through EE and RnRC, it will be nice to have the roles reversed for a change.


Well, there you have it, my top ten(or five) for all four parks. The overall top must-do's for me are: Festival of the Lion King, Rockin' 'n' Roller Coaster, Extreme Stunt Show, and Space Mountain. With those four attractions stuck in my mind, now, I'm off to do school work.

Next Up: What the heck to do on the 17th?!?!

 

[Nemo32]

Your lists look good! IMO, It's Tough to be a Bug is skippable - no Kilimanjaro Safaris?

 

[amazingact21]

Your lists look good! IMO, It's Tough to be a Bug is skippable - no Kilimanjaro Safaris?

I agree, if anything has to be cut it'll be Bugs. And Kilimanjaro Safaris is number 4 on my list.

 

[amazingact21]

As previously mentioned, this post is dedicated to helping organize my thoughts on what to do December 17th. So far, I've changed my mind FOUR times on the events for the day, and yet I still don't have anything solid.

I just found out my final exams were changed and now I don't have any tests December 16th. Hooray! Originally, my last exam was going to be that day, from 4-6pm. I was miserable thinking about it, I mean, who wants to be taking a test the night before you're going to be at WDW?!

Luckily, my professor had pity on me and is actually ending class two weeks earlier. I discussed the news with DBF and he wants to drive down to his parent's house on the 16th. They only live about an hour away from Orlando, and they have been voluntold to take care of his, I mean our puppy. Those poor people. Buster is 5 months old and is a nightmare! A cute, cuddly, nightmare.

Well, because we have to drop him off, DBF wants to make sure we have enough time. If we left the morning of the 17th, we wouldn't make it to SoG until five or six at night. So I see where he's coming from. The only problem I'm having now is, what do until we can check in at 3pm???

It's not that I don't love DBF's family, I do. He's got two sisters and a brother that I get along great with, but I'm spending three days AFTER Disney with them. I don't necessarily want to spend an additional day as well, especially since I will be so pumped for my vacation.

I know we are going to make a grocery run early in the day to get all the cold items we'll need. I am a coffee addict, and I need my creamer so I can have coffee in the room. However, our list is short and that'll kill thirty minutes, max. I figure we'll wake up, eat breakfast, lounge around for a bit, play with Buster one last time, and then I'll be ready to go!!!

My current idea is to hit Downtown Disney during lunch/early afternoon. I am so anxious to get a starter pin set that I'll be crushed if I can't get it on the 17th. DD has an entire store full of pins that I want to peruse for a good long while. Plus, I've never been to DD! I want to see what it's all about, and any place that has numerous stores puts me on a shopping cloud.

Then, I figured we could leave, drive to SoG and check-in. I'm not sure how long that'll take, but I guess no less than an hour (I'm including actually going to our room and getting everything squared away.)

And here is where my plans get sticky. It'll be late afternoon by this point and not terribly far from dinnertime. I want to walk down to Poly, catch the monorail and look at some of the resort's holiday decorations, but I'm afraid we won't have a lot of time to enjoy them. This is really the only down time we are going to have at WDW, and I hope to see at least one or two of the resorts, depending on the monorail times. (I have no idea how late that or the buses run. I'm the most unprepared person on the planet!)

We don't have any ADRs that night, because I keep hearing mixed reviews about SoG's food. One person tells me not to touch it with a ten foot pole, another person says they ate their several times throughout their stay. So, I'm leaving it up to whim. Whoa! That's not like me at all! If there was a category in high school for least spontaneous, I'd win!!! I could probaby count the number of times I did something spur of the moment on one hand. All right, maybe two hands, but still! That's not a lot. So this, "Let's just decide that night what to eat" is crazy talk for me.

I figure we have two choices that night. There is Mangino's restaurant in the resort, which contains a limited Italian menu. I have heard horrible and wonderful things about this place, so it'll be anyone's guess how DBF and I like it. The good thing about the restaurant is that it is in our resort. DBF and I could come back from decoration viewing, relax, stay close to our (temperory) home. After dinner, we could walk around the grounds and find the parking garage roof, which is said to have a magnificant view of the MK's firework show. I especially want to see this, because we are not attending the Christmas celebration at the parks, and it's supposed to have a unique fireworks show that I want to see. (The 17th is when they are performing one of them.)

Our other choice is to go to the Poly after hopping off the monorail and grabbing something from Capt. Cook's. This would be good if DBF and I decide to eat a late lunch at DD. Plus, if we eat something light we'll have room for dessert at SoG's Ice Cream Parlor. Mmm. I can't wait for desserts...I have been depriving myself of sweets these last few weeks because I want to be able to indulge on the trip.
If I had known I didn't have exams on the 16th, I would have made an ADR for Ohana's, but by the time I realized we could do it, all the spots were filled.

I'm sure I will change this day's plans about a thousand times in the next month. I suppose my biggest problem is that I want to do so much, in such a limited time. If we had another day's stay, DBF and I could push back the resort visiting and just concentrate on DD. Unfortunatly, now I am trying to do both! Worse comes to worse, we can skip the pin store, and I can buy one at the parks, but I just really want to go that particular store.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[Nemo32]

Eat at Captain Cook's! Supposed to be good!

 

[amazingact21]

Yikes, it's been awhile since I posted. I have an excuse, though! I have a HUGE project due at midnight tonight. Aside from my internship my last semester, this is probably the single important assignment I have to do for my degree. I have been working on this sucker since September, and I just submitted it yesterday. HAPPY DANCE!

Now that it's out of the way, and I only have small projects left, I can worry about my Disney trip some more. For today, I am going to discuss my tentative park schedule. Just like Dec. 17th, this has changed a million times. I thought I had the days set in stone, but then I found out about a month ago DBF ad I get extra magic hours. Which, naturally, changes everything.

Here is what I'm thinking...

December 18th- Epcot 9am-9:30pm- This is set in stone, because Thomas Gibson will be at CP and that's considered a "must-see" on our itenerary.

December 19th- Hollywood Studios- 9am-11pm. I know DBF and can predict that he'll want to stay at this park for as long as he possibly can. I want to take some good pictures of the Osborne light show, and I am thinking if the park is open later I can go back to my hotel and swap out my digital camera for my professional Canon. I really don't want to lug that thing around all day, so this will allow me to catch a reprieve.

December 20th- Magic Kingdom- 9am-1am. I severly doubt I will be at MK until 1 o'clock in the morning. I am a morning person through and through. I am up and at 'em (with lots of help from coffee, of course) between 5:45 and 6:30 every morning. The latest I have slept in the last six months is probably 8am. Pathetic, I know! I am a young, vibrant, 20 year old, and I am up with the sun most days.
My boyfriend, though, is on the complete opposite time schedule. He doesn't even get off work until midnight and then he dozes until 9 in the morning.
So, if DBF (the night owl that he is) found out I passed up the oppurtunity to stay at MK later, he'd be very upset. I figure I can stock up on coffee and sugar and make it until 11, maybe 11:30 if I get a nap that afternoon.

December 21st- Animal Kingdom- 8am-8pm. I can assure you, if I am staying late a MK, there's NO WAY I am going to be at AK at 8 o'clock in the morning. However, I am thinking that we don't need to rush around this park so we can afford to sleep in a little. Plus, we'll be battling checking out of our hotel and parking.
I am also considering using our Park Hopper to visit MK for an hour or so after AK closes. Just to get one last look at the castle and prolong our departure.


I asked DBF what he thought of this schedule, but as usual, he gave no input. I am aware that whatever day we go to these parks, they are going to be crowded. I have already seen the signs of traveling vacationers when I went shopping in town today. I live right on the Gulf of Mexico and there's a huge tourism boom here. When I saw all the classic vacationer signs it reminded me of just how many people are going to be at WDW when I'm there. I wish my final exams were a week earlier, that way I could have beat the school vacation crowds at the parks. Oh well, I'm a patient person. Thank goodness!

 

[Nemo32]

Looks great! You should try and squeeze in afternoon breaks. And def. try to see MK for an hour after AK closes!

 

[amazingact21]

Happy early Thanksgiving to everyone! I have a pumpkin pie baking in the oven, and it smells delicious!

DBF and I are down to 23 days!!!! My ticker is off by a day; I have no idea why, though. Being so busy with school, WDW has kind of been on the back burner of my mind, but now that I'm on break for a week, the fact that's I'm a month away from my trip has hit me. Actually, it's pounded into me like a ton of bricks.

I guess I should explain that there are a lot outside factors weighing in on this vacation in addition to WDW. The most blatant one is the fact that this is DBF and I's first vacation. Ever. In the two years we've been dating and five years of friendship, we have never been out of town together.

Actually, this is the first time ever we have spent an entire week together. Sure, we have seen each other several days in a row, but actually live and function with just each other? Nope. When I lived three hours away, he'd visit for the weekend or vice versa. And now, with our schedules running on opposite times, we spend two days together, max.
The thing that makes this the most difficult is the fact that DBF and I have two different personalities. I am intrapersonal; I need "me" time. I have to have space to zone out and have ten minutes to myself. DBF is the exact opposite; if he had a choice, he'd be surrounded by people 24/7. You can see how this might be a problem...

If that "first trip" anxiety wasn't enough, I have to contend with meeting his whole family for the first time. I have spent an afternoon with his parents before, and met his two sisters briefly. His brother I have never seen before, but we actually talk a lot through Xbox and Facebook.
But oh dear. Spending a total of FOUR days with these people is going to be a struggle. You should know, I am not the greatest with meeting new people. It's not that I don't like doing it, I am just very wary of saying the wrong thing or making a bad impression. And these are people I will potentially have to deal with for the rest of my life. If they don't like me, I'm royally screwed.

Plus, there's a hard standard to live up to. My family adores DBF. He calls my mother "mama" and takes my younger brother to the movies. Our guest room is deemed "Alex's room."
And DBF now expects me to love his family as much as he loves mine. The thing is, he sees my family every week. He has been celebrating holidays with us for years now.

It's a lot of pressure on me to make sure I show his family that I am a good match for their son and someone who they want to be in their lives. So not only am I trying to plan on making sure DBF and I make it through a week without exploding at each other, I also have to make sure I'm a model guest. Ugh. The pressure is on.

Add in to this lovely mix the effort to do two Christmases eight hours apart. DBF's family obviously wants him there to celebrate Christmas with them. However, my mother works her butt off to try and ensure the whole family is together Christmas morning. My older brother is in the Air Force and lives wayyyyyy up north. He only has time to visit once a year for a short period and that's Christmas time. I have already received warnings from him over the phone that I better be home December 25th.
Ehhhh. DBF has convinced his parents to celebrate on the 24th so we can drive all night and be back the morning of the 25th, but I see so many obstacles blocking that easy path. So, neither one of our families is really happy with our WDW dates and they keep making it known.

And the last bump in the road that is making this beautiful getaway complicated? The big "proposal" question. When DBF said we should go on a vacation, I was so oblivious I agreed. Then, EVERYONE and their brother began asking what the alterior motive for this trip was. And then it hit me. Every single person DBF and I know keeps telling me DBF should pop the question while we're down there. I had my grandmother, who lives in Minnesota and who hasn't seen me in five years call my cell and go, "So why is this boy taking you down to Disneyworld? He planning to marry you?"
The past few months it's just been a running joke for my friends and family. My classmates will pick on me in class and my friend will joke about being a bridesmaid, but here in the past few weeks it's gotten out of hand. My mother and I were running errands around town, when she stopped at a jewelry store and said she needed to get a price for resizing one of her rings. Then, before I knew it, she had dragged me over to the engagement rings and covertly suggested I create a "wish list" with them...just in case. Just in case what?!?! She even had me try on one! And later that evening, I heard her talking to an aunt who was asking her on "the latest engagement update."

Holy moly! This has gotten so above me that I don't even know what to think anymore. Yes, I will admit, DBF and I are in a wonderful relationship and the topic of marriage has been broached before, but I never knew both his and my family were conspiring to get us hitched.
Normally, I would confront DBF and ask if a proposal at WDW was being planned. But, I am kind of old-fashioned. If he is, in fact, planning on doing this, I want to be surprised. Plus, I want to know that it was his decision, not my nagging that made him do it.

The idea of being asked while at WDW during the holiday celebrations is a nice thought, but it's so far off in left field from what I have been planning. Originally, this vacation was supposed to be a fun, light, easy-going trip to see the Mouse. Now, I have this huge question hanging over my head. It has begun to distract me and now everytime I think of the place, I have to consider a ring. I think the pressure is mostly due to everyone else's involvement. When you have 50+ people telling you how excited they are for my trip, it becomes unnerving. And honestly, I have no idea what DBF is thinking. Knowing him, he's 100% unaware of the real reason his sister is asking how much he has in his savings (which she has done).

Ultimately, I have 23 more days left until this whole crazy adventure begins. I am hoping that I can ignore the stress of his family, of Christmas, of the engagement question, and just enjoy WDW. I know that once we are at the parks without his or my family around, we can just enjoy ourselves and forget about all this craziness. I keep having to tell myself, push the other worries aside and focus on the parks.
Let's hope I can keep sane until then...

Up next: My reaction and progress on packing for WDW, family visit, AND Christmas.

 

[Nemo32]

A Disney proposal?! You are living my dream!

I know its hard, but stop stressing about all of the family stuff and a possible engagement and try to enjoy the excitement/anticipation before a trip - its half the fun!

Everything will work out and I'm sure if your DBF is so enamored with you you'll be able to hold your own being with his family for 4 days.