Puggymom's first pre trip report

[puggymom]

I have been a long time lurker on the trip report board but you have all inspired me to attempt a pre trip report...

I am now at the 5 week mark to my next WDW trip and can't wait, the luggage is already out

The cast of characters for this trip will consist of just me

This is me, puggymom, and my boys. Technically only 2 are mine, the 3rd is my Mom's, but I insist we have joint custody.

My first trip to WDW was summer of 72 and we stayed at the Poly. I was 6 years old and became a Disney fan. I have some fond memories of my Dad catching me at the bottom of Poly pool slide and my brothers breaking an unbreakable tupperware glass in the hallway of the Poly . It wasn't until I was an adult though that I would make it back, other than a trip to DL in 76.

I am now the proud holder of an annual pass

This trip planning started last year. I went at the end of September, but already knew I would be back in the spring. As a result I sort of planned those trips together. I skipped certain things as I knew I would do them next time. That is the advantage of pre-planning your next trip while still planning your current one (and yes, I have sort of started my next 2 already).

The theme of this trip was to do things I hadn't done before. That included a new hotel. I really wanted to stay at BWI, even though the slide freaks me out , reminds me of Stephen King's IT I was determine to face my fears. I booked a standard room for 5 nights. The other 2 nights I had decided to give Universal a try and booked 2 nights at HRH. Both hotels were booked with a AAA discount. I was all set, or was I?

 

[puggymom]

Next I needed my transportation down to Mouseland. I decided to try Jet Blue out of Newark for my flights. I had flown JB out of JFK when I went to DL for the 50th. I always take Continental, but love those TV's on JB. The one thing better about Continental is that they have lots food choices in the terminal, not only do you have the food court but you also have the Diner there. I always take the first flight of the day down to MCO and I'm big breakfast kinda gal. JB has limited choices from what the website says. Just another think I need to pre plan. Yes, I even obsess over what I will eat in the airport.

Just to give you an idea how anal I can be and am known to be...

I am a tax manager for a relocation company and about a month ago my boss and another manager and I were sitting around dicussing a issue and my boss says, what about those anal retentives that have already filed their returns. I look right at her grinning and her reply was, of course you have...

Next I started stalking the National car rental site. I have free Emerald Aisle from a previous employer and I am still getting their corporate discount (good until 2037 ). My 8 day rental started out at around $300 with all the taxes and fees .

So now I have all the major parts in place, well I think I do.

 

[bennythepug]

Sounds like your having fun planning the trip ! We are also a family of disney lovers and pug lovers (as you can see by my dis name )
We are from NH - driving down in July . We just moved our trip planned for next summer to this July !! We are crazy like that

 

[puggymom]

As the months passed I kept watching for 2 things AP discounts for BWI and National Car rates dropping. The waiting was getting agonizing. Nothing was happening.

Finally my rental dropped, woo hoo, oh wait, it’s a whole flippin $20. Well, that’s a couple of meals, I re-booked the car.

I guess I should explain something here. I am a travel snob , but love bargains. I love the deluxes and really don’t relish the idea of riding in a compact car (my real life mode of transportation is a VW Touareg, an SUV). I also am not a fan of the WDW buses. I tried one trip without a car, and was really wishing I had a car. In the real world I am very cheap with the buck. I do that so I can go whole hog on my vacations (oink! oink!). I will search out any and all discounts, but would not give up my deluxes if I can’t get anything other than AAA discount. The way I travel is the one way I treat myself. (I did try a moderate once, CBR and the whole time I wished I was at the BC). I am actually already saving for next summer when I take my goddaughter, I have every intention of staying RPC at GF with her, crossing fingers for that AP discount.

So back to the trip planning. The National rates were slow in dropping, a little here, a little there. I can’t tell you how many times I booked, canceled and re-booked. My inbox is full of confirmations and cancellations. I now have it at $208.00. I will keep checking right up until I leave.

Now the wait for that AP rate was finally over. They were released for my dates. BUT, no standard, only concierge for BWI. What about YC, I never stayed there either. Nope. But they did have BC, $80 cheaper than my AAA rate at BWI. I love BC, but have stayed there a few times, I really wanted to try someplace new and I wanted an Epcot resort. Well at that rate I couldn’t say no. OK book me at BC but make that 6 nights instead of 5.

With adding that extra night I needed to change HRH from 2 nights to 1. I decided to change since I had booked Backstage Magic on Monday and it would give me more time in the morning if I was staying at BC the night before instead of driving from HRH.

I called Universal to take off one night and was told I couldn’t. HUH, I just want to modify my existing and I am taking off a night, not adding. Well, Loews hotels make you cancel and rebook and they sell in increments. Since no 1 night increments were left I couldn’t book HRH. Finally after talking to a manager they gave me a 1 night stay at Portofino, bay view for only $20 more.

So now my hotels, car and air fare are booked.

 

[luvfigment]

Sounds like you are going to have a great time! I was wanting to stay BWI also but i couldn't swing the money...or am I being too cheap? BC sounds just as nice though. Can't wait to read more about your planning!

 

[puggymom]

Sounds like your having fun planning the trip ! We are also a family of disney lovers and pug lovers (as you can see by my dis name )
We are from NH - driving down in July . We just moved our trip planned for next summer to this July !! We are crazy like that

How hold is your pug, any pics to post?

Wow driving from NH, good luck and have fun. How long will that take you?

 

[puggymom]

Sounds like you are going to have a great time! I was wanting to stay BWI also but i couldn't swing the money...or am I being too cheap? BC sounds just as nice though. Can't wait to read more about your planning!

I really love the BC, have stayed there regular and concierge and never a bad moment. I wanted to try something new, but at a 80/night difference I couldn't justify it.

I think BC would be great for honeymooners, plu anywhere on the Boardwalk gives great eating options, especially with Epcot right out the door.

 

[tiggerbell]

I already feel like I'll be there with you - oh, wait!!! I kinda will!!!!

 

[puggymom]

I already feel like I'll be there with you - oh, wait!!! I kinda will!!!!

LOL, see you there tiggerbell, I'll race you to POC.

 

[puggymom]

I decided to start my trip at Universal, you know what they say about saving the best for last. I had 2 nights booked at HRH and bought the $85 2 park pass. But as previously noted due to AP discounts at WDW, changed this to Portofino and 1 night. I have been to IOA a few times over the last 2 years, but have not been to US since I think 98. I have been reading the UO boards on the DIS and have formulated a plan of attack.

Saturday after check in I will head over to IOA and hit my favorites. I am at the point in life where getting soaked on rides has zero appeal to me, so I can skip all those water rides. I will hit Hulk and Spidey a couple of times (gotta love that front of the line they have) and both sides of Dueling Dragons. Take some time to soak in the atmosphere. IOA has some great theming. I don’t think I really have ever taken the time to soak in the atmosphere here. I have never done the Sinbad show here so I may try to see that while here. IOA is not a real big park and if you eliminate the water rides this park is easily a half day, especially with front of the line for hotel guests.

As for eating I am thinking of trying Blondies or Enchanted Oak for lunch and dinner I think I will try something at Citywalk, whatever looks good. City walk is another thing I never really took the time to walk around. Not interested in the bar scene much, but figure before the nightlife starts I can wander around and do some damage on the credit card.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Oooh, I'm so jealous that you only have a month left to wait!

I'm really falling in love with the Epcot resorts- can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[puggymom]

Day two will be at Universal Studios, I haven’t been here since I think 98. I did go to the Hollywood one when I went out to California for DL’s 50th, it was good and I enjoyed it but it’s weird set up. They have the never ending staircase that divides the park into 2 parts. Seriously, that staircase has to be in the Guinness Book of records.

According to the Dissers that hang out at Universal, Pastamore has a good cheap breakfast, so my plan is to start the day there, then head over to the park. I am looking forward MIB, Mummy (and comparing this one to the one in CA), ET, Jaws, Earthquake. I will miss the Kong ride and back to the Future, I remember really enjoying them. I love the idea of FOTL here, as I do want to get over to check into BC before it gets too late. I will have to be careful not rush though as I do want to take the time to enjoy this park. I will just wing it for lunch and see where I am in the park and see what looks good.

I plan to be in WDW at dinner time, maybe Beaches and Cream or wander over to World Showcase. I love having Epcot as my backyard. Epcot has become my favorite park. I’ll admit when I was younger I didn’t get it. Boy have I changed my opinion. When I was in Orlando for 1 night for business in December, it was Epcot I headed over to when I was done with work. On my last trip I stayed at CR and I am looking forward to being back at BC, especially when Illuminations is over and I can head out International Gateway.


So I just have to add, I am really enjoying writing this, it's a great way to spend the time leading up to your trip.

 

[puggymom]

My plan for day three is pretty simple… Backstage Magic Tour. I can’t wait for this. I did KTTK in September and loved it. As previously stated I love a big breakfast and I want to be properly fueled for my tour, I plan on either Spoodles (which I have never eaten at) or Yacht Club Galley (which has been a long time since I ate there for breakfast). Either way I plan on having a very full tummy for my tour. The tour starts in Epcot at guest relations at 8:45, so I need to be at International Gateway by 8:30.

I am leaving my plans for that evening open, maybe Illuminations, I figure I will just play it by ear, as I am not sure how tired I will be after a full day tour.


Day four I have an ADR for 8:05 at my favorite breakfast spot… Crystal Palace. I just can’t get enough of that French toast . My day after that is just to wonder around the MK and do what ever strikes me. I will most likely have lunch at CHH, as this is my favorite CS in all the world. I love the tuna and getting slaw on the side.

I will probably end the day at Epcot.

Day five is MGM, I don't know about you other veterans but I still manage to get turned around in this park and have the need to refer to the park map sometimes. I don't know what they were smoking when they planned this park Whereever I don't eat breakfast on day three I will today. In other words if I eat at Spoodles on day 3 I will go to YCC or vice versa. I do have a lunch ADR for SCI FI. SCI FI is great for lunch, I know it gets knocked around a bit here on the DIS, but I do enjoy the reubans, onion rings and milkshakes here. Oh yeah nothing but healthy eating here.

Depending on how I feel I may wander over to AK, not really sure yet. Here I am under the 5 week mark now and still can't finalize my plans.


Day 6 is Typhoon Lagoon, I had every intention of going here last trip to try Crusher Gusher and I never made it over. So much for planning ahead. I hope to make it over to MK for Spectro and Wishes. I know it will be crowded, but I keep missing Spectro, I haven't seen it in, well I don't know how long.

Day 7... I have no diea what I am doing yet...

 

[oybolshoi]

I just wanted to stop in and say hello!

You totally hit the nail on the head with that description of the waterslide at the Boardwalk. It may even be creepier than Pennywise the Clown and now I'm going to have to go over there in May and study it to make a final determination, so thanks alot!

And you will love FOTL over at Universal - it's one of the reasons that we stay on property when we spend time at USO / IOA. It's a great perk and oh-so-easy to get used to.

EPCOT is rapidly becoming our favorite park, too.

Looking forward to reading more about your upcoming trip - and your pugs are just too cute.

 

[puggymom]

Excuse me while I celebrate, rental car is now $154 for 8 days from Emerald Aisle

 

[puggymom]

I was crocked Yep it happens to the best of us. I am now going to be sharing my adventures with a stuffed croc named Fritzie. HMM, I wonder if the pugs will be jealous, well they don't need to know, now do they.

Off to adjust my plans to include Fritzie...

 

[luciloo]

Great start, can't wait to read more. Your pugs are so cute
Looks like we are goint to be there at the same time.

 

[PrincessV]

Hi there fellow Fritzie Foster Mom! I'm a tad late, but had to join in your TR, especially knowing we'll be there the same time. Here's hoping nothing changes in the next few weeks so we can meet and pass Fritzie!

This sounds like a fantastic trip! Can you believe I've never been to Universal?? I'm looking forward to hearing about your day there.

 

[puggymom]

Great start, can't wait to read more. Your pugs are so cute
Looks like we are goint to be there at the same time.

hey luciloo, are your plans finalized yet, I am still trying to nail a few things down.

 

[puggymom]

Hi there fellow Fritzie Foster Mom! I'm a tad late, but had to join in your TR, especially knowing we'll be there the same time. Here's hoping nothing changes in the next few weeks so we can meet and pass Fritzie!

This sounds like a fantastic trip! Can you believe I've never been to Universal?? I'm looking forward to hearing about your day there.

I hope our plans stay as is too, looking forward to the passing of Fritzie