Sunshine and Rain...but no Snow!! COMPLETED 5/12

[sandym718]

My first ever pre-trip report!! I started a TR after our last Disney trip, but never finished. I'm more determined this time!! I'll be doing a Dining PTR (and report of course!), too. I'll post a link to that in a bit!! Here we go......


Here's my family:

That photo was from our Polynesian photopass shoot in May 2009, our last trip to the World.

Characters: Me, Sandy (33); DH, Dave (38); DS, Josh (8, will be 9 in May) and DD, Jessi (just turned 7).
We're from the Cleveland, OH area and hence the thread title - we are in desparate need of Sunshine and warmth!!! It's been a cold and snowy winter. DH plows snow and it's just been a loooooong season

This will be our 3rd family trip to Disney!! The first was in late April/early May 2007. We planned it as a "Splurge" vacation - didn't think we'd be going to Disney often, not necessarily once-in-a-lifetime, but once-in-a-long-time, so we thought we'd do it up right. Stay at the Polynesian, get the DDP.....

Well...we fell in love!! With Disney (I already was, 2007 was the first trip for the other 3), and the Polynesian. And the DDP!!

We returned in early May 2009 and now are about to go again!!

As I said, 2007 was the first trip for all the other members of my family. DH had never been as a child. I went to WDW at age 7 (FW campground) and 14 (offsite), and to Disneyland at age 16.


We'll have 2 additional family members along on this trip, though staying separately. My sister, Angie (23) and her boyfriend, Matt (25). They are flying down on the 25th to Orlando and then driving to Daytona for her good friend's wedding that evening. They'll drive back again that night and then stay in Disney until 4/1. They'll be at the Coronado Springs Resort, also with the DDP. We'll be doing most things together, including most meals, but will split up at times.

 

[sandym718]

Ok, onto our plans. First, we're driving down-- DH does not fly (boo!) We're well used to this, though, so not really a big deal. Here's the general itinerary:

Friday, 3/25 -- Depart home around 6 AM. We've learned that driving through the night is not good for us. The kids sleep, but DH does all the driving (insists), and I can't sleep in a car anyways, so then we're just totally exhausted. Our driving plans this trip are the same as in 2009 and they worked great for us.

We plan to drive to just across the FL border, and we have reservations at the Country Inn and Suites in Yulee, FL. This is how far we got last time, though we stayed at the Holiday Inn, so we're hoping to get there again. Anticipated arrival time is by 9 PM. We'll just crash for the night!! We'll have plenty of snacks in the car, the kids have the portable DVD players, they'll be doing homework and other things as well. We'll probably eat light when we leave (prevent carsickness!) and then stop for a light breakfast around 9 AM or so. I'm already planning McD's - I never eat breakfast except when we travel and I want a Sausage McMuffin, no egg!!

We'll stop for fast food lunch and dinner as well, whatever we find. And we'll probably arrive in Yulee 5 lbs. heavier, LOL!!

 

[sandym718]

Saturday, March 26th - Arrival Day!!

We plan to enjoy the free Continental Breakfast at the CI&S before hitting the road around 8:30 AM. That should put us in the World by lunchtime!!!

We'll check in at the Polynesian, check out the room if it's ready and probably have lunch at Captain Cook's. Unpack a little (again if the room's ready), and then hit the pool.

My kids LOOOOOVE the Volcano Pool, so hoping temps are right so they can enjoy it right away. They really love that slide.

At some point, we'll meet up with my Sister and her boyfriend.

DD and I will head to the room (gosh, I really hope it's ready!!) a bit sooner than the others and get showered. Then we're hopping the monorail to the GF. She has a 3:30 appt to get her hair braided at the Salon. As you can see in the above photo, she had this done last trip as well. She's also had it done in Myrtle Beach. She loves it, and I love it because it keeps her hair looking neat all trip, and out of her eyes, even when swimming.

We'll head back to the Poly and meet up with everyone else.

For the evening...Torch Lighting Ceremony at 6. This is so cool and the perfect way to get in the "Polynesian Mood"!! Then hop the monorail again to Chef Mickey's for dinner- all 6 of us. We've had dinner here before. Thought it was good, not great, but it IS great for seeing the Big 5 characters without waiting in line!!! This way, when we see them in the MK the next day, no need to stop !!

The rest of the evening will be unpacking and relaxing, probably watch the EWP from the beach. We may skip watching Wishes, though, in favor of an early bedtime - RD is at 8 AM the next morning!!

 

[sandym718]

Monday, March 27- MK/Epcot

Our first park day!! Guess I should let you know that we all have Park Hoppers for the trip, and we'll be hopping, especially at night!!

Our plans for the day are MK morning/early afternoon and Epcot night. Each day we plan to return to the Poly for some relaxing and pool time. We are NOT RD to close touring people. We want to relax too!!

Our hopes for this MK morning- monorail to MK and find my sis and her boyfriend. Hopefully catch the opening show!! Always brings tears to my eyes!!
Then, over to Splash to grab our FastPasses to use later. The kids can't wait to ride this, DD especially, but I don't want to be wet that early!! Jessi refused to go on Splash last trip, and then changed her mind when it was too late and we were heading home. Now she can't wait!!

So...grab FP's and then ride BTMRR, a favorite. Then over to Tomorrowland, probably ride AstroOrbiter. We'll grab Space Mtn. FP's as soon as we can. Some other rides- Speedway, Monster's Inc. We'll then get Buzz FP's as soon as we can. Ride Space Mountain before lunch. Lunch will likely be at Cosmic Ray's. Then CoP and Buzz. We'll head back over to Frontierland to ride Splash before heading back to our hotels for a break.

Some other info: We've never rode Space Mountain!! Except for my sister. (This is her boyfriend's first trip, btw). I chickened out as a kid. In 2007, the kids weren't tall enough, so we skipped it and in 2009 it was closed for the big refurb. Can't wait to try it!!

We've also never done CoP as a family, but I've done it. I like it and insist on doing it this time!! Monsters, Inc. will be new as well. We MIGHT try Stitch, haven't decided yet. Thoughts??

And then Splash will be new for DD and DH (who stayed off with her last time).


After our afternoon break and swimming, we'll monorail over to Epcot. This evening, we're not together for dinner. DH, the kids and I are trying Biergarten for the first time. DH and I both enjoy sausages, especially him, so we thought we'd give it a go. My sister and Matt, not so much, so they're doing Tutto Italia.

We'll meet up after dinner for some WS touring and Illuminations.

 

[sandym718]

Monday, March 28th --Epcot (FW) and DTD

Epcot day - we loooove Epcot, the kids too!! We plan to hit RD again, glad it's 9 today instead of the 8 on Sunday at MK (we've never had 8 RD before, it will be a challenge)

Plans for the day are all/most of FW:

Test Track (DS's #1 ride)
Everyone else will then do Mission:Space which I HATE (even the easy side), while I go get Soarin' Fast Passes (my #1 ride!)

We'll do Journey into Imaginiation, Nemo, Turtle Talk, Spaceship Earth, Soarin' when we're able. Uof E and Captain EO are doubtful - never done either. Lunch is Sunshine Seasons - love their choices, esp. desserts!!

We may do Innoventions this day, depending on time, may not.

Of course our usual afternoon break/swim.

Dinner is at Wolfgang Puck Cafe for all 6 of us. This is a favorite for all of us, I especially adore their Pumpkin Ravioli!! We'll shop and browse DTD this evening. I wouldn't be surprised if DH and Matt take the kids back to the pool while Sis and I shop some more (and then catch the bus back - they'll take the car). They're not big shoppers!!

We'll probably watch the EWP and Wishes from the Poly Beach this night.

 

[sandym718]

Tuesday, March 29th -- AK/DHS

This is a packed day. Neither of these are our favorite parks, we don't see the need to spend more than a 1/2 day in each. This trip it just worked out to do them on the same day. In 2009, we didn't even make it to DHS, the kids chose more pool time instead. That won't happen this time - they want to do ToT in the worst way after hearing their cousins' report! And I want to see F!

Anyways...AK first.

RD again. We'll only stay here for the morning. We have plenty of great zoos here in OH, and we just went to the National Zoo in DC last year - we're not going to check out all the animals. Our plans include: Kil Safari, Expedition Everest (everyone but me!), Dinosaur and maybe Kali.

We plan to then go to DTD for lunch at Earl of Sandwich - oh so good!! And then more pool and break time.

We have the F! pkg booked for dinner at Mama Melrose, 5 PM, so we'll go to DHS then. Only must-do ride for us there is ToT. Doubtful we'll be able to do TSM at that time of day, but we'll see. Anything else that catches our eye kind of night. F! of course, which we've never seen.

 

[sandym718]

Wed, March 30th - 2nd MK day, Epcot night


Our 2nd MK rope drop - we'll do Fantasyland, Liberty Square and Adventureland on this day. If we stay for lunch at the MK, we'll probably do TSI this day too, but not sure. We may head with my sister over to their resort (CSR) for lunch at Pepper Market, and maybe check out their pool - if the lifeguards say it's OK!

Dinner tonight is again all 6 of us, at Ohana. A definite favorite!!

We'll likely head to Epcot this night - guys want to "drink around the world" and maybe my sister and I will do KimPossible with the kids. Hit fave rides, etc. A casual evening.

 

[sandym718]

Thursday, March 31-- Blizzard Beach/MK

We'll be splitting up this day, as my sister and her boyfriend don't plan to do a waterpark.

We love BB, so we're hoping it will be open (supposed to reopen 3/27), but if not we'll do TL. Lunch will be at the waterpark.

Dinner is at Crystal Palace for all 6 of us. We love this place!! The kids are kind of growing out of Pooh Bear - but I don't care, we want the food. The restaurant is so beautiful, too.

We'll spend the evening in MK, just doing favorites and then this is the night we plan to catch the MSEP and Wishes IN the park.

 

[sandym718]

Friday, April 1 - ???

This is our last day, so everyone can hit their favorites. We may even split up, depending on what everyone wants to do. We'll probably all end up in the MK, though, for our last RD!!

Lunch will be a split affair. DD, my sister, her boyfriend and I have lunch ADR's in the castle! We did lunch last trip and it was great, I wasn't sure if DD would want to do it again (she's outgrowing Princesses a bit), but she does! I don't think she's planning to wear her full Cinderella get-up, though, this time. She's super excited that sis and Matt will be going with us!!

DS and DH will have a CS lunch somewhere....

My sister and Matt fly back to Cleveland this evening, I think around 6. So we'll bid them farewell and our last evening will be on our own.

We have ADR's for Yachtsman (OOP for this one) and then we plan to wander Epcot a bit. We'll likely watch Wishes from the Poly beach one last time.

 

[sandym718]

Saturday, April 2-Departure

Makes me sad to even type it...but we'll have to leave. We plan to hit the road about 5 AM and that should put us home around 11 or 11:30 PM. we'll just crash and unload/unpack on Sunday. Back to the grind on the 3rd. Don't even want to think about it!

 

[4menandalady]

Subscribing. A fellow March 2011 girl here

 

[jenseib]

Sounds like a lot of fun. And busy! We'll just miss each other. We are going on the Dream first and not arriving to WDW till the 3rd!
It's gettting so close now. Your dining plans sound wonderful! I still need to cancel my LeCellier too. I am still not too impresses with the new menu OR the new prices.

 

[mrssmith06]

Sounds like a great plan! You have a beautiful family!

 

[lilandvisma]

Reading along as well! You guys are adorable

 

[Colleen27]

Subbing from the March FB group. Your plans look good, and your kids are so cute!

How do you like driving down? We're in the Detroit area and I haven't been brave enough to try it yet. I can usually get airfare for less than I figure it'd cost us to drive, but every trip I find myself wondering if this will be the trip where airfare stays insanely high and we actually try driving.

 

[sandym718]

Subscribing. A fellow March 2011 girl here

Welcome! Thanks for reading!

Sounds like a lot of fun. And busy! We'll just miss each other. We are going on the Dream first and not arriving to WDW till the 3rd!
It's gettting so close now. Your dining plans sound wonderful! I still need to cancel my LeCellier too. I am still not too impresses with the new menu OR the new prices.

Me either!! I'm jealous of the cruise!! Can't wait to do that someday!

Sounds like a great plan! You have a beautiful family!

Thank you!!

Reading along as well! You guys are adorable

Thank you!! Glad you're here!

Subbing from the March FB group. Your plans look good, and your kids are so cute!

How do you like driving down? We're in the Detroit area and I haven't been brave enough to try it yet. I can usually get airfare for less than I figure it'd cost us to drive, but every trip I find myself wondering if this will be the trip where airfare stays insanely high and we actually try driving.

Thank you!! We're so used to driving down that it doesn't bother us. The drive down is actually sort of fun - all the anticipation. The drive home just kind of sucks, LOL. But we do it all in one day and get it over with. But it's always on the way home that I wish DH would just fly so we could be home in a couple hours!

 

[lovethattink]

Subbing. Sounds like a fun plan! I'm with you on the drive. Seems like we can't get home soon enough. The drive to South of Border doesn't seem that bad, but from south of the border the rest of the way, it feels like an eternity!

 

[wdwgirl03]

We'll be there at the same time!! My sister and I are planning on going to the MK on the 27th too-maybe we'll see you there.

So jealous you are staying at the Polynesian!

 

[sandym718]

I'm so excited - less than 72 hours till we leave!! Did most of our packing on Sunday since it's a busy week before we go. Got my hair done Saturday. Mani/pedi scheduled for tomorrow. Waiting on a few books to come in at the library, so hopefully I can pick those up Thursday, that's my 1/2 day at work.

Can't wait to get on the road, but REALLY can't wait to get there. Oh, and it looks like SNOW coming to Cleveland on Saturday, so glad we'll miss it, and DH is so glad he won't have to plow it!

 

[sandym718]

All ready to go!! We're planning on hitting the road at 5:30 tomorrow morning. No laptop, so I'll be starting my report when we return. Look for it on the 3rd!