Second Trip to the World.. This time with a cruise thrown in

[Courtish]

Hello everyone! In 14 days I will be in Flordia! I have resisted starting a pre trip report until now because 1. I was afraid of doing it because I am a newbie at all of this and 2. Well mostly because of reason number 1. Please bare with me, I have read others trip reports and I am going to try to keep it as simple as they have but this is my first attempt.

 

[Courtish]

Ok, it's done. I started the thread. No turning back now. So here are the details.

The trip is Planned for October 2- 9 and is a land/ sea package. Three days at Disney World and four days aboard the Wonder.

So who is going on this magical trip? Well me: Courtney , and my Boyfriend: Doug (there was no ghost buster emoticon so he didn't want one to represent him in protest)

It all started back in 2005 when we met. Douglas worked at Disney World in 2004 in the College Program. So one of our first conversations was about Disney because I was from California and what else was their to talk about then Disney? Actually their was a lot but somehow we mostly talked about our knowledge of the company, which leads us to two years in the future when we take our first trip to Disney World together. We had also gone to Disneyland the winter before, but I had never been to the world before so it had to be done.

We went with my Mother, who also had never been to Disney World. We stayed at POP and went in October for 7 days. I didn't plan anything, I just let whatever we did happen. When Doug and I decided to do it again, but this time add the cruise, I wanted it to be perfect. It's our first real vacation together alone. Thankfully I found this site, along with multiple podcast, and books. So I like to think I'm pretty prepared. Well at least I hope I am prepared.

 

[Courtish]

Now for my attempt at pictures:

This is Doug and I at Disneyland in 2006. We went at Christmas time (which is also my birthday) It was really cool seeing something that I had done many times in my life with someone new.

This is us in Florida last October. It was SO Hot!! That's mostly what I remember about the trip because I didn't take such in depth notes.

I love Ratatouille! Doug and I are film minors so I have a special place in my heart for good mise en scene and narrative

Doug and I drinking around the world at EPCOT. We are young, don't have (very) many responsibilities. What can I say? We like to drink!

 

[Courtish]

So now that you know a little bit about us let me update you on the problems that we are facing.

1. I hurt my back As a active 23 year old I feel lame and old saying "my back hurts" but it really does! It all started last week when I worked 40+ hours by Thursday morning. I'm a server and carrying food and treys and what not sucks. I don't want to be a server. I have a degree in advertising but unfortunately so does everyone in Seattle. Apparently Seattle has more bachelors degrees then any city in the US or something. So no one is impressed by my credentials, hince I am serving. I'm a little over a year out of school, so it's not like I'm lost. It just takes a little longer then right away

The work thing would have been fine except that my nieces came to visit and I picked up my 45 lbs niece to give her a piggy back ride. So by Sunday when I had to buss all my own tables and bring my food and everything my lower back was done for. I have been icing it, and doing some stretches that a physical therapist recommended. I am taking Fish Oil because it's a natural anti inflammatory bathing in Epsom Salt and resting. Three days into the worst pain ever, it doesn't hurt AS bad, but I definitely can't be running around Disney World like this. I can barely walk around my apartment.

If anyone has any other suggestions let me know. I'm desperate to get better! Oh and I also go to the chiropractor and he took x rays and stuff to see whats going on.

Problem number 2. My travel agent is located in Houston I can't very well expect him to send me that paperwork I need when his home doesn't have electricity, plus how awful do I feel saying "oh yeah I know that you might not have a roof but could you make sure to fed ex my baggage tags? thanks" So right now I'm not bugging him and hopping for the best. I know that I don't NEED the paperwork, but it helps me to get things in writing so I know whats going on.

Problem number 3. They switched our day at sea while on the boat. (So now my dinner reservation at Palo is the same night as the pirates in the Caribbean party. I have a pirate costume and everything all set up for that night, and now I can't wear it to dinner I can change it on the boat, but the morning Doug and I are going to animal kingdom before the boat so we won't get on board until after everyone else. Which means that the reservations on board could be snatched up. Do I forget about animal kingdom? Forget about the pirate party? Palo? I don't know what to do!!

So that's my three major concerns, besides the normal "do we have enough money" blah blah blah stuff. Someone told me the other day that I strike them as a worrier. ha ha. I guess that's one way to describe it.

 

[Courtish]

Ok so here is my plan for the land part of the trip.

Arrive October 2 2008 at 4:10 pm

Check into Caribbean Beach Resort

Hopefully be ready for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) by 7:00

Ride Pirates of the Caribbean

Eat at Peco’s Bills
Possible choices: Taco salad $7.19 BBQ Pork Sandwich $7.59, Chilie Cheese Fries $3.59

9:30 Hallowishes

Haunted mansion

10:30 Boo-to-you Halloween Parade

Mickey’s Philharmagic

11:15 Villains Mix = Mingle

Buzz light Years space adventure


Friday October 3, 2008

9:00 Be at Magic Kingdom

Eat at main street Bakery
Cinnamon role $5.99

Magic Carpets of Aladdin ~ (never done before)
Tiki Room + (ok if we miss)

Dole Pineapple Float $3.99

Big Thunder Mountain RR *(a must do)

Visit the Wishing Well ~(never done before)

Space Mountain
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

1:00 Go to Epcot via Monorail

1:30 Lunch @ the Coral Reef Restaurant
$6.99 Lobster Soup

2:30 Epcot

Living Seas with Nemo
Turtle talk with crush
Soarin Fast Pass

Eat/Drink around the world
Boulangerie
Pattisserie $5.00

Cantina de San Angel
Churros $2.50
Cantina Nachos $7.95

Japan
Combo Sushi Rolls $7.50

Kringla Bakeri Og Café
Kringla sweet pretzel $3.79

Tangierine Café
Side dished $1.95

8:05 Ohana’s

Saturday October 4, 2008
Breakfast @old Port Royal Food Court

7:00 Disney’s Hollywood studios
Toy Story Mania
Rock n Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Journey into Narnia
Animation Studios

12:00 Go to Typhoon Lagoon
1:00 Lunch at Typhoon Lagoon or Leaving Palms
Caesar Salad $2.59
Buffalo Chicken Pizza $6.29

7:00 Typhoon Lagoon Closes

8:20 Boma @ the Animal Kingdom Lodge


Sunday October 5, 2008
7:00 Animal Kingdom
Kilamajaro Safari
Expedition Everest
It’s Tough to be a bug

Eat at Flame Tree BBQ
½ slab of St Louis ribs $8.99
Beef/ pork sandwich $7.29
Onion Rings $3.79

12:00 Leave for Port Canaveral

4:00 Must be on board

 

[Courtish]

I realized the other day that the pirates of the Caribbean party doesn't actually happen on the same day as palo. I read it wrong so now my problems are less! oh, and my back feels much better. So that should be good as well. Now I just need to get my documents and I will be all set!

Today we went and bought the toiletries we need. Dramamine (less drowsy formula) airborne, tissues. Doug bought some shoes that he didn't need and a dress shirt for Palo. I on the other hand managed to buy every thing I needed way back in July. So other then a pair of strappy shoes, I'm pretty set. Those strappy shoes are more illusive then I thought though. I had a really good pair but on a trip to Baltimore to see Doug's grandparents I left one under the bed by accident. So when I returned I decided to just throw out the other one and I would find a new pair. After all the old ones were kinda old. Well 8 months later I can't find any so now I must use another pair that are not as ideal. But I don't think my feet will be that important. The dress is pretty nice and my shoes will be covered by the dress. So really I think my pre shopping is almost done. Now I just need to get all the things that I forgot and of course design my door magnets, and pack... well I guess there is a lot more things to do! Better get to it!