MataHari22
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2013
- Messages
- 3,954
Hi! My name's Dawn and my friend Linda and I will be going to WDW this October. I have had a very long 6 turbulent years. One divorce and two cancers, among other things that really sucked. 
I am in need of some fun and enjoyment. I haven't been anywhere since 2006, and I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to going back to WDW, my most fave place on Earth. I have taken two week long trips as an adult before (1992 and 2001), so I sort of know what to expect, which is the only reason that I am even attempting to take a vacation. My stamina and health are not what they used to be, so I am a little nervous. I already spoke to dining and will make sure I follow up with them for my eating issues (dysphagia), and I am going to be shipping Ensure to the resort. (It takes me a very long time to eat a meal. Like, for a large full plate of food, about 1.5 -2 hours). 
If I have to rent an EVC, I will. 
Where years past, would hit the ground running from the moment I got off the plane, till the moment I got back on the plane, packing my days to the hilt, trying to ride every ride and see every show, that just ain't gonna happen. So, I left myself some wiggle room on a couple of days for chillin' poolside, and I intend to take it slow and enjoy whatever I am doing at the moment. I do have my top goals for each park, and I am thinking they look attainable. They are the things I really do not want to miss. I also love to take photos and it will be nice to take some time to do that, as well. I am so excited. 
Me in Animal Kingdom in 2005.
An old photo, and I look like a totally different person here. I am probably 25 lbs heavier here, not to mention I was only 38 in this photo. I will probably get a good photo of me to post when I go, and I will post it in my trip report.
A little more about me:
I am over 40, single, no kids but I have 1 four legged baby. His name is Nizzy, and he is a Chinese Hairless Crested. He is the cutest and the funniest thing on four legs. A very sweet dog, and we are always together, 24/7, and I don't know how I will go for a week without him! Here is a photo I took of him.
Favorite Disney movie: Aladdin
Favorite Character: Too many favorite characters to list.
Random factoid about me: I always wear Mickey Mouse earrings, and I have for probably 20 years.
First time I went to Disney was for my 7 th birthday, I think. I have taken two day trips to MK and 1 day trip to AK when I was older. Then, I got to spend a week in 1992, and a week in 2001, spending time in all four parks. Stayed at the Contemporary the first time, and at POFQ the second. For this trip:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside - Garden View
Wednesday, October 2 ~ Wednesday, October 9
Park Hopper for 6 days, and when we booked, I got the DDP for free.
The Plan:
10/2 ~ Looooooooong travel day!
Thinking we may get to resort around 4pm. Will be leaving my house at about 3am. I am thinking we can just relax at the pool, get some dinner at the resort, and maybe if they have that campfire going on, check that out and go to bed early. Or, I may immediately crash land into bed after unpacking. 
10/3 ~ Thursday. Will see how I'm feeling this day after a very long day of travel the day before. Plus, it will be a long Friday! If I am too tired, there will be lots of relaxing at the pool. If I am up to it, we may do some park hopping, or, may just head out to EPCOT in the afternoon after lounging poolside, and walk around World Showcase before our dinner reservations at the Rose & Crown. Thought we would watch Illuminations after dinner.
We will be going to Epcot for the day on 10/8, so anything I take in today, will be something I can skip on Tuesday when we come back.
Top goals to see and do list for EPCOT:
❤Mission Space (only me, my friend gets motion sickness)
❤Illuminations
❤Universe of Energy
❤Living With The Land
❤Maelstrom
❤The Seas With Nemo & Friends
❤Spaceship Earth
10/4 ~ Friday. Animal Kingdom. Would like to be there for rope drop. We have ADR for 5:45 @ Crossroads at House of Blues DTD, before our La Nouba show at 9pm. Hoping to get in most of Animal Kingdom, if I am too tired, I will leave before the parade and maybe rest and freshen up before heading to DTD. If I wanted to go straight from AK to DTD, what is the latest I should leave AK? 
Top goals to see and do list for Animal Kingdom:
❤Kilimanjaro Safaris
❤Festival of the Lion King
❤Finding Nemo Musical
❤It's Tough to be a Bug!
❤Flights of Wonder
❤Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
❤Maharaja Jungle Trek
10/5 ~ Sat. Another day to see how I'm feeling before I do anything. If I have plenty of energy and feeling ok, then we may do some park hopping. Or, there may just sleeping in and some pool time until noon, then we head to DTD to have lunch at Rainforest Cafe, with a couple that live in Florida. I have been corresponding with them for about three years, the gentleman is a fellow cancer survivor, and we will finally be meeting in person. After that, I'm not sure if we will walk around DTD with the couple, or if they want to leave early, then I thought we would head over to MK, since they are closing at 9pm.
10/6 ~ Sunday. Hollywood Studios. Hoping to do rope drop again. But not sure if I have to, because we won't be doing RNR or TT. (Any thoughts?) Wanted to see Fantasmic!
So, we will be there late. Very early dinner reservations at Hollywood & Vine.
Top goals to see and do list for Hollywood Studios:
❤Beauty & The Beast
❤The Great Movie Ride
❤Star Tours
❤Muppet 3D
❤Indiana Jones
❤Studio Backlot Tour
❤Fantasmic!
10/7 ~ Monday. Another rope drop day, this time, Magic Kingdom.
I always head left, I love Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mt, and Jungle Cruise. Thinking we will probably get those attractions in before lunch at Tony's @ 12:50? The only ride I really wanted to ride in Fantasy Land, that is a must not miss, is Peter Pan. I am so sad it will be closed! Can't wait to see the Electric Parade and Wishes. I didn't get to see the fireworks the times I went with my ex husband. :-/ I would like to get a photo of the castle reflecting in the water, anyone know where I need to stand to get that iconic shot? It must be on a bridge somewhere, but I forget.
Top goals to see and do list for Magic Kingdom:
❤Big Thunder Mt Railroad (just me)
❤Haunted Mansion
❤Pirates of the Caribbean
❤Jungle Cruise
❤Electrical Parade
❤Wishes
❤Mickey's Philharmagic
10/8 ~ Tuesday. Hoping I will be up for rope drop to do EPCOT. Maybe if I got through everything I wanted to see at World Showcase on Tuesday, I can sleep in a bit. Late dinner at Coral Reef. Then, back to POR to pack to go home. Booooooo!
10/9 ~ Wednesday. Traveling home.
So that is my pre-trip plan, so far. Many thanks to all the people on this board that have posted so much useful info. Glad to see I'm not the only one who loves to plan their vacation
I don't understand all these people who tell me to just wing it. Not a big fan of winging it, unless I plan to wing it. 
I am in need of some fun and enjoyment. I haven't been anywhere since 2006, and I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to going back to WDW, my most fave place on Earth. I have taken two week long trips as an adult before (1992 and 2001), so I sort of know what to expect, which is the only reason that I am even attempting to take a vacation. My stamina and health are not what they used to be, so I am a little nervous. I already spoke to dining and will make sure I follow up with them for my eating issues (dysphagia), and I am going to be shipping Ensure to the resort. (It takes me a very long time to eat a meal. Like, for a large full plate of food, about 1.5 -2 hours). If I have to rent an EVC, I will. Where years past, would hit the ground running from the moment I got off the plane, till the moment I got back on the plane, packing my days to the hilt, trying to ride every ride and see every show, that just ain't gonna happen. So, I left myself some wiggle room on a couple of days for chillin' poolside, and I intend to take it slow and enjoy whatever I am doing at the moment. I do have my top goals for each park, and I am thinking they look attainable. They are the things I really do not want to miss. I also love to take photos and it will be nice to take some time to do that, as well. I am so excited. Me in Animal Kingdom in 2005.
An old photo, and I look like a totally different person here. I am probably 25 lbs heavier here, not to mention I was only 38 in this photo. I will probably get a good photo of me to post when I go, and I will post it in my trip report.
A little more about me:
I am over 40, single, no kids but I have 1 four legged baby. His name is Nizzy, and he is a Chinese Hairless Crested. He is the cutest and the funniest thing on four legs. A very sweet dog, and we are always together, 24/7, and I don't know how I will go for a week without him! Here is a photo I took of him.
Favorite Disney movie: Aladdin
Favorite Character: Too many favorite characters to list.
Random factoid about me: I always wear Mickey Mouse earrings, and I have for probably 20 years.
First time I went to Disney was for my 7 th birthday, I think. I have taken two day trips to MK and 1 day trip to AK when I was older. Then, I got to spend a week in 1992, and a week in 2001, spending time in all four parks. Stayed at the Contemporary the first time, and at POFQ the second. For this trip:
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside - Garden View
Wednesday, October 2 ~ Wednesday, October 9
Park Hopper for 6 days, and when we booked, I got the DDP for free.
The Plan:
10/2 ~ Looooooooong travel day!
Thinking we may get to resort around 4pm. Will be leaving my house at about 3am. I am thinking we can just relax at the pool, get some dinner at the resort, and maybe if they have that campfire going on, check that out and go to bed early. Or, I may immediately crash land into bed after unpacking. 10/3 ~ Thursday. Will see how I'm feeling this day after a very long day of travel the day before. Plus, it will be a long Friday! If I am too tired, there will be lots of relaxing at the pool. If I am up to it, we may do some park hopping, or, may just head out to EPCOT in the afternoon after lounging poolside, and walk around World Showcase before our dinner reservations at the Rose & Crown. Thought we would watch Illuminations after dinner.
We will be going to Epcot for the day on 10/8, so anything I take in today, will be something I can skip on Tuesday when we come back.
Top goals to see and do list for EPCOT:
❤Mission Space (only me, my friend gets motion sickness)
❤Illuminations
❤Universe of Energy
❤Living With The Land
❤Maelstrom
❤The Seas With Nemo & Friends
❤Spaceship Earth
10/4 ~ Friday. Animal Kingdom.
Would like to be there for rope drop. We have ADR for 5:45 @ Crossroads at House of Blues DTD, before our La Nouba show at 9pm. Hoping to get in most of Animal Kingdom, if I am too tired, I will leave before the parade and maybe rest and freshen up before heading to DTD. If I wanted to go straight from AK to DTD, what is the latest I should leave AK? Top goals to see and do list for Animal Kingdom:
❤Kilimanjaro Safaris
❤Festival of the Lion King
❤Finding Nemo Musical
❤It's Tough to be a Bug!
❤Flights of Wonder
❤Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
❤Maharaja Jungle Trek
10/5 ~ Sat. Another day to see how I'm feeling before I do anything. If I have plenty of energy and feeling ok, then we may do some park hopping. Or, there may just sleeping in and some pool time until noon, then we head to DTD to have lunch at Rainforest Cafe, with a couple that live in Florida. I have been corresponding with them for about three years, the gentleman is a fellow cancer survivor, and we will finally be meeting in person. After that, I'm not sure if we will walk around DTD with the couple, or if they want to leave early, then I thought we would head over to MK, since they are closing at 9pm.
10/6 ~ Sunday. Hollywood Studios. Hoping to do rope drop again. But not sure if I have to, because we won't be doing RNR or TT. (Any thoughts?) Wanted to see Fantasmic!
So, we will be there late. Very early dinner reservations at Hollywood & Vine. Top goals to see and do list for Hollywood Studios:
❤Beauty & The Beast
❤The Great Movie Ride
❤Star Tours
❤Muppet 3D
❤Indiana Jones
❤Studio Backlot Tour
❤Fantasmic!
10/7 ~ Monday. Another rope drop day, this time, Magic Kingdom.
I always head left, I love Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mt, and Jungle Cruise. Thinking we will probably get those attractions in before lunch at Tony's @ 12:50? The only ride I really wanted to ride in Fantasy Land, that is a must not miss, is Peter Pan. I am so sad it will be closed! Can't wait to see the Electric Parade and Wishes. I didn't get to see the fireworks the times I went with my ex husband. :-/ I would like to get a photo of the castle reflecting in the water, anyone know where I need to stand to get that iconic shot? It must be on a bridge somewhere, but I forget. Top goals to see and do list for Magic Kingdom:
❤Big Thunder Mt Railroad (just me)
❤Haunted Mansion
❤Pirates of the Caribbean
❤Jungle Cruise
❤Electrical Parade
❤Wishes
❤Mickey's Philharmagic
10/8 ~ Tuesday. Hoping I will be up for rope drop to do EPCOT. Maybe if I got through everything I wanted to see at World Showcase on Tuesday, I can sleep in a bit. Late dinner at Coral Reef. Then, back to POR to pack to go home. Booooooo!
10/9 ~ Wednesday. Traveling home.
So that is my pre-trip plan, so far. Many thanks to all the people on this board that have posted so much useful info. Glad to see I'm not the only one who loves to plan their vacation
I don't understand all these people who tell me to just wing it. Not a big fan of winging it, unless I plan to wing it. 
next on list, POR to inform them I need a fridge for my meds...... Did I mention I'm anxious and excited??! 
) I went to the next county over's fair this week, with my friend that I am going to WDW with, and she kept talking about how she can just sit with a cup of coffee and people watch! 
