Rollercoaster ride, the ups and downs of planning

[Iluvtink1327]

Ok, so I am very new to these boards, but not new to Disney. I had always wanted to go to Disney, but didn't make it until I was 27 years old. My now DH and I planned a trip. We went in February 2005 and stayed offsite . We didn't really know any better. We rented a car and spent 4 days in the parks, one park per day. We went to Sea World and down to Daytona. I will never forget coming over on the ferry for the first time and seeing the castle. What an amazing sight!!! We did have a magical experience, but then in November 2006 we went back to the World with friends of ours, who had been before and stayed onsite and we got a whole different experience. My head was spinning when we booked the trip, I mean who knew we had to book dining reservations 6 months in advance, not to mention that we didn't want to be "tied down" for dinner reservations!!! Well after our 10 days there, we realized the magic of staying on Disney and having the reservations already made. Then in June of 2008 we went back to the World for our Honeymoon. Man was it hot!!! Woo!!! We booked our Honeymoon less then 30 days before our trip as we hadn't planned on going anywhere but changed our minds at the last minute. We got most of our reservations that we wanted but not everything. It was the best honeymoon ever!! Not that I have experience otherwise

So now onto this new trip!!!! My husband is turning 30 in February and I had thought about surprising him with a trip to Daytona as he loves NASCAR, but I wasn't going to be able to swing it financially on my own. Then he mentions to me about going down for the race and then going to Disney. I look into it and let him know how much. Then he says the best thing ever "Forget Daytona, let's just do Disney for a week!" I just about jumped out of my seat. So I immediately jump on the computer and start researching. I pick out February 26-March 5th for us to go. The best part is he told me that he will pay for the trip and I can save the spending money! Woo-Hoo!!! That's a deal I can't pass up! I love how it went from me paying to him paying!! LOL!!!

Talking with my parents, I tell my dad how much the trip is going to be and he says that can't be right. So I teased him about wanting to come with DH and I. He says get some more information and he would talk to my mom about it. Well when I got the "official but same quote" that I had gotten, he said let's book!!!

Now I am super excited, most people probably don't like to go on vacation with their parents, but DH and I get along so well with mine. I soon realized after I got married that I literally married my Dad...scary realization!!! DH lost his father 7 years ago and has bonded with my dad which is really nice.

So let me introduce you to the Cast:

Me, Stephanie, I'm a 32 year old sales consultant. I love everything Disney and have loved going every 2 years, it's the perfect amount of time in between for us.

DH, Dave, he will be turning 30 only 18 days before our trip. He doesn't like being the center of attention or surprises, but I do have a little something planned for our trip...more on that later.

Here is Dave and I on our Honeymoon.

Mom, she is a firey little 60 year old that is being very spoiled by my dad in 2011. She turned 60 in August and was surprised at her surprise party with a cruise in 2011, then another surprise just because trip to Disney.

Dad, he is a spender like no one I have ever met. Never in a million years would I have thought he would have agreed to another vacation in 2011. He loves to go on vacation, eat, drink and spend money.

Here are my parents, this was for their 40th wedding anniversary dinner.

So there is the beginning of my very first pre trip report!!

 

[cherbear]

Yay Tink!! Great start and great pics girl!

 

[Iluvtink1327]

Thanks Cheri!!! At least you will be around to read this!!! Lol!!!

 

[Trentmom]

Hi Stephanie. Cheri sent me over here as she knows I love to read PreTrips and Trip Reports...a regular addict

Looking forward to reading more

 

[Iluvtink1327]

Yay someone else!!!!! Welcome. I'm working on more but I was doing it at work yesterday and customers kept coming in...the nerve I was hard at work...on my trip report!! Lol!!

 

[cherbear]

The nerve! LOL


your avatar is really cute btw!

 

[Iluvtink1327]

Thanks Cheri. That was from our honeymoon. Hopefully I can get the new post up tonight, if the customers don't interupt me.

 

[Iluvtink1327]

So here are our plans as far as Dining Reservations. I am super excited as we got all the reservations that we wanted, I had to move some stuff around, but got them all in.

Arrival day we always go to EPCOT. We land around 10:30am. We will head off to POR and check in, hopefully getting into the Mansions, and then head to EPCOT.

We have reservations at Le Cellier for 6:50. This was at DH's request and we wanted to get it in before it went to 2 TS credits half way through our trip. My parents weren't able to get reservations on their last trip and my Dad is a steak lover so he should enjoy this. Not sure if we will make it back here once it goes to 2 TS credits, but you never know.

Sunday we will be going to Magic Kingdom. Not sure about rope drop, we've only managed that once in the 3 other trips to the World. We don't have park plans per say, but we definitely like to do things in order, not bouncing from one side of the park to the other. My dad has bad knees so he doesn't need any more trekking across the parks than necessary.

For dinner we will be going to Chef Mickey's!! We have reservations for 6:30 pm. Sooo excited, I just love this restaurant! The best part of this is that I am ordering a surprise cake for DH!! As I stated earlier, he is not one for surprises, but he will sure be in for a surprise this night!! I am ordering a Mad Hatter style cake with a hand painted white chocolate Mickey on top. Thanks to Chef Brian for helping me out there!

Monday we will be heading to Animal Kingdom. DH's favorite ride is Dinosaur as well as my dad's so that is on our must do list. I'd say mom and I love EE, so that will be done several times.

For dinner we will be heading to DTD for a reservation at 6:50pm at Cap'n Jacks. DH and I have been but my parents have not. We went on our second trip and liked it and have been back every time since them. We will probably be doing some shopping that evening as well. I need some more beads for my bracelet!

Tuesday we will be heading back to Magic Kingdom, this time early for a 9:05am reservation for Crystal Palace and our friends Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. I just love the puffed french toast and refuse to not make it there! I've actually never been for anything but breakfast, we should try dinner sometime. I also just love walking into the park before opening, it is such a sight.

Tuesday night we will be back to DTD for a 6:30 pm reservation at Wolfgang Puck Cafe. I think the only reason why we go there is because the first time we went we got the Artichoke and Five Cheese Dip and always go back just so we can have that again. We went the first time when they still gave you an appetizer at each meal, boy I miss that, but my waisteline doesn't.

Wednesday during the day we may hit up AK again, it's kinda up in the air, not really too sure yet.

Wednesday night we will be dining at Hollywood and Vine in DHS. Now I know there are mixed reviews for this place but we have been a few times and we enjoy it. I'm usually not a big buffet person, but it's different in Disney, I actually like them very much.

Thursday we will be back to DHS for the day. Probably early in the morning and then we have dinner reservations at Mama Melrose for 4:50pm. I booked the Fantasmic package, DH hates just sitting and waiting so we do that and don't mind the view. I have to say also that I LOVE the food there. At least I did the one and only time we have been.

Then we come to the last day in the parks, this makes me sad just typing this. We are thinking of booking the Segway tour in EPCOT that morning. My parents just said yesterday that they want to do the tour too, now I just have to call and book the tour.

We will be dining at Beirgarten that evening at 6:30pm. This was at Dh's request. Not my favorite, but hey he doesn't ask for much, so I guess I have to accommodate him.

So that’s our week! We also plan on hitting up the lounge at POR as I have heard that the entertainment is very good.
Thoughts???

 

[Trentmom]

Oh wow. I had not heard Le Cellier was going to two credits. We still have not eaten there. Just can't get an adr

Love Crystal Palace. So pretty in there and good food

I have only eaten at Wolfgang Puck Express and OMG...best food ever....hungry thinking about it

Think all your meals sound great


BTW.....love POR. We stayed there for our honeymoon. We tried to get mansions, but got put in Bayou. Still so pretty

 

[Iluvtink1327]

Yes as of March 1st it will be 2 TS credits. I booked all our reservations exactly 180 days out I think that's the only way we were able to get it.

I'm very excited about staying at POR. I really hope that we can get into the mansions. I will admit I will be a little disappointed if we get AB.

 

[Trentmom]

Yes as of March 1st it will be 2 TS credits. I booked all our reservations exactly 180 days out I think that's the only way we were able to get it.

I'm very excited about staying at POR. I really hope that we can get into the mansions. I will admit I will be a little disappointed if we get AB.

oh man...guess won't be going there anytime soon

Yeah, we were at first. But ended uo loving AB