Showing Grammy the World (Oct 3-7, 2007)

[duchess_tisha]

I have never attempted a pre-trip report...so bear with me, and if it gets boring, let me know!!

Cast of Characters:
Me (35):
DD (9):
Mom a.k.a. Grammy (54): (FIRST TRIP TO THE WORLD!!)
Sister (29): (FIRST TRIP TO THE WORLD!!)
BIL (29):

After 5 trips to the world with my family and I can’t tell you how many : “You are going to Disney again?” comments from my parents and sister…I am finally going with them!! My sister has a conference to attend in Orlando, so I talked my mom into meeting her for the weekend. Note, there was no convincing Grumpy Old Grandpa to go with us, so it is just my mom, sister and her husband, and me and my daughter.

So the first thing DD and I had to do was get Grammy in the mood. Being that they have never been they have no clue what it is all about. No Grandpa, it is not a bunch of roller coasters and over priced food….well the second part may be true! So DD and I pack up al of our Disney planning DVD’s, my scrapbooks, the Unofficial Guide, my Pass Porter everything Disney I can think of and head out to Grammy’s for some pre-trip planning.

The resort was easy to pick, sister & BIL are staying at ASMovies so we decided on that too. Ok let me back up for a second…Grammy is a little on the “cheap side” so I had to put together a complete cost comparison spreadsheet that showed her numerous options, the cost of each and the difference between the options. This worked in my favor because I ended up showing her it would only cost a mere $146 more to stay on property! (If any of you out there need a handy cost comparison sheet for the miser…err, cost conscious traveler in your life, PM me and I will send you mine!) So, we now know we are at ASMo and we know all the benefits of being a Disney resort guest. Now it is time to show her some sights and get her excited!

So DD pops in the official Disney planning DVD, I tear up at the beginning as always and Grammy looks at me like I am an alien ….little does she know the power of the Happiest Place on Earth! Oh you will see Grammy….YOU WILL SEE! After the DVD she is really getting excited, she is asking questions, wanting to watch parts of the DVD again and then she says, “Let’s go to the office and get on the web-site”. I know I almost have her now! I show her my favorite web-sites, Disney, All-Ears, DisBoards etc. Grammy is now ready to plan some Disney days. Keep in mind planning was a little tough because we only have 3 days to hit all four parks AND MNSSHP!

Oh and about MNSSHP, when you have a cheap…sorry, cost conscious person in your party, it is hard to get them to spend another $40 on a “Halloween Party”. So I gathered all the information I could on the party, all the little once in a lifetime chance things that happen and bombarded her with it. How could she resist the Headless Horseman and Mickey in costume…after all, Grumpy Old Grandpa will probably never take her again!!

Day 1 – Wednesday, October 3

• Leave work at Noon
• Check DD out of school
• Grammy will be waiting at our house for us to throw the bags in the car and get on the road no later than 1:00!
• Hope to arrive by 9:00 shouldn’t be a problem as it is usually about a 7 ½ hour drive from Atlanta.
• If early enough, and not too tired we will hit DTD for some late night snacks and maybe even some pre-trip shopping.
• Check in to off-site hotel (probably Quality Inn Maingate, as that is where we have stayed the last 2 years and it is nice, clean, and yes Grammy, cheap!)
• Sleepy time!

Tomorrow...Grammy sees the Magic for the First Time!

 

[duchess_tisha]

Day 2 (1st Official Park Day) - October 4, 2007

Here is what I have planned for the day, and it is A LOT! I am actually a little worried it may be too much, but here goes....

Magic Kingdom - Extra Morning Hour, opens at 8:00 am

• Leave off-site by 6:45 am. We will have to get to ASMo to check in for our park and resort tickets.
• Get to TTC by 7:40 to board the Ferry to Magic Kingdom. I really want mom's first sight of Cinderella Castle to come from the ferry. I know how special that was for us the first time.
• Be at MK for the rope drop at 8:00 am
• Ride some rides (probably Fantasyland first)
• Grab breakfast at Main Street Bakery once the park opens to everyone. Eat in front of the Plaza, down by the water.
• Ride rides until lunchtime
• Head over to Beaches N Cream for lunch and ice cream
• Go back to ASMo - hopefully our room will be ready so that we can unpack and get settled. Might try to catch a nap if everyone needs it.
• Dinner in the food court
• Head back to MK for MNSSHP!
• Stay at the park until close at Midnight

Now, be honest...is this too much for Grammy's first day??

 

[duchess_tisha]

October 5, 2007

After quite an action packed day 1 in the parks, I am hitting everyone with even more for day 2 in the parks! Hey, I gotta cram a week into 3 short days!

Animal Kingdom

• We will have breakfast in the food court at ASMo
• Be at Animal Kingdom for rope drop at 9:00 a.m.
• Ride rides - 1st up Kilamanjaro Safari!
• Make sure to catch Festival of the Lion King and if possible the new Nemo show
• Can't miss It's Tough to be a Bug!
• Eat a light and early lunch - probably Flame Tree down by the water
• Enjoy a couple more rides before heading out....

EPCOT - Extra Evening Hours

• Arrive at Epcot by 3:00 - 3:30
• Explore and ride some rides in FutureWorld until...
• ADR at San Angel Inn at 5:15
• Explore World Showcase until
• Illuminations at 9:00
• Ride Rides until Midnight!

Up next...pack it all in the last day; more Epcot, some MGM, AND late night at MK