Taking The Plunge-TR for 1st time to WDW...is there a Dream to be had?*Update 7/25*

[Jules3Kids]

Alittle dancin' for your 4 days!!!!

Can't wait to hear about your breakfast at Hollywood & Vine....we are going for lunch in October.

In case I miss your last day: Have a safe journey and have a wonderful vacation!!!!

Thank you! I will let you know about Hollywood and Vine...I've heard mixed reviews about the food, but my DD and niece will love the characters, so that's our main reason for going. I'm sure it will fun, no matter what!

I can't believe we are leaving in 3 days!
This is me right now: and trying to pack!

The packing is stressful, but fun. We are going to be gone for two weeks total (one week in WDW and then 1 week in Georgia) so I have to resist the urge to pack EVERYTHING....I am definitely an over-packer! It's a lot to do, but yet I can't stop being on the DIS and reading as much as I can before we leave! I have learned so much on here and I can't wait to report back everything we did!

So DD3 is running around the house with her pink Mickey ears on, DD9 is playing the Wii with a friend to keep him busy and DD15 is out with friends, too. DH is of course working and I will be the one to pack everything, but that's how it should be or he would forget very important items, I'm sure

Can't wait to be at WDW...especially looking forward to MK. We've been to DL in CA and I am excited to compare the differences (good, bad, or otherwise!) I hear the castle at MK is huge compared to DL....can't wait to see it for myself!

Back later for more before I leave, hopefully!

 

[julezdisney]

3 Bananas for 2 Days!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

hi!! I'm just in time before you leave!!

You will have a wonderful time at Coral Reef. I have been there twice in this past year and we loved it each time. You can request tables on the bottom level near the glass..and they will accomodate larger parties. There was 8 in our party and we were a row back from the glass.

We were able to get my brother a divers sign in Feb for his 21st birthday but I heard they are starting to phase them out but I'll look to see if I can find the number for you. If anything you can have personalized menus made for the kids with their pictures on them.

As far as your other ADRs you can't get. Some advice although for summer it might not happen but my last week that I worked at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, one of the podium girls from CRT came over and said they were taking a bunch of walk-ins for breakfast so I mean I guess it does happen so it doesn't hurt to ask, and try and be open with times..you are on vacation..it's okay to eat at 7:30pm!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Hi!

I thought I would post our divers sign and menu for you. For my parents anniversary sign/my surprise graduation sign, the diver came out and gave it to us to keep but for my brothers 21st bday sign, the diver did not bring it out but our ADR for that one was at 6 so the divers were not done for the night so we think maybe thats why he didn't get to keep his.

 

[Jules3Kids]

That sign and pictures are great!

I am going to try for that and see what I can do.

I still can't believe we leave in 3 days....I'm beside myself right now with happiness!

And I will try for those last minute ADR's ....you never know, right? Plus I have heard stories of people walking in at the last minute and getting a table. We'll see what happens!

Here's how the trip looks so far:

Arrive Sunday evening, probably 5:00pm or so. Traveling from CA is no picnic, especially with the kids....but we have Mickey to look forward to so that will keep us going! Since we're at the time share, we'll go to the grocery store or Walmart and stock up on water, snacks, etc for our room and to take into the parks.

Would love to start with Downtown Disney our first night for dinner somewhere. No ressies, but I'm hoping we can get something decent.
Any suggestions? I just think trying to hit a park that evening after traveling all day is too much....but we'll see how everyone feels!

Monday: no ADR's....probably AK day. Will try FlameTree for snack/lunch...have heard good things for the most part about that.
Unless I can sneak into Boma for a late breakfast/early dinner? Like how I dream big?

Tues: again no ADR's, our first MK day. Will eat breakfast in the car on the way there! Plan is to get there EARLY, get our FP's and do Fantasyland as quickly as possible! Grab CS lunch (Harbour House or Cosmic Rays?) finish any FP rides and then back to condo for naps and pool time! Then back to MK or maybe EPCOT? for evening fun.

I might switch those days up, depending on EMH. Since we dont' have that, I want to avoid those days if possible, is that correct?

Wed. is our day off from the parks (unless I can convince the family otherwise!) Plan is to play tennis in the am, go to the spa and lounge by the pool the rest of the day (DH is taking the older boys to Blizzard Beach) then maybe DTD evening or EPCOT? Again, hoping for a last minute ADR somewhere

Thurs: DHS day. Hollywood & Vine Breakfast Buffet...this one is for the girls. They will love it! Will get FP early and see how the day goes.
Then we have 50's Prime Time for a late lunch. My mom is looking forward to this one!

Friday: EPCOT all day. Coral Reef for lunch. Hope to surprise my mom with a "Happy Retirement/Thank You for this trip" sign or menu! Can't wait!

Sat: Back to MK....LTT for character dinner (our last night!)

Thanks for keeping along if you're still there! This is fun and I can't wait to actually be doing all of these things!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ohhhh I am so jealous, you leave in just a couple days!! And your first trip ever...how exciting!! Have a wonderful time and I can't wait to hear about it.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

lol, I feel like I'm posting the most in your TR!! lol. On your first night, if you are at DTD and are planning to shop and walk around for at least an hour or so you could eat dinner down there. Rain Forest Cafe does this wonderful thing where you check in for your meal and they give you a slip with a time to come back at so that way you don't have to worry about a range for a buzzer and you can come back. My one roommate and I did that one night. We had an hour wait but we walked around and shopped and came back at the time and was called 5 mins after the time

One night we went to Wolfgang Puck and we were given a buzzer but it was raining so we just stayed inside...they had told us 20/25 mins..it ended up being almost an hour

Planet Hollywood is always a safe bet too if you have never been to one of those. My absolute fav (kids wise) is RFC..plus u get to shop while you wait!!

If you are looking for a place to eat on Tues (which btw is the day that I fly back to FL!!! ) If you end up at Epcot, you can usually get into Japan (the one where they cook in front of you) or Morocco. Out of the two I would recom. Japan..it is not at all like "weird asian" food. It was your basic chicken and steak cooked on a hot grill but in front of you!! At MK, they usually have walk-ins for The Plaza or Tonys Town Square..and sometimes Crystal Palace (esp. towards the end of the night).

Anyways..I hope this helps..I think I should throw my teaching degree out the window and become a travel planner! lol

 

[Jules3Kids]

Ohhhh I am so jealous, you leave in just a couple days!! And your first trip ever...how exciting!! Have a wonderful time and I can't wait to hear about it.

Thank you!

lol, I feel like I'm posting the most in your TR!! lol. On your first night, if you are at DTD and are planning to shop and walk around for at least an hour or so you could eat dinner down there. Rain Forest Cafe does this wonderful thing where you check in for your meal and they give you a slip with a time to come back at so that way you don't have to worry about a range for a buzzer and you can come back. My one roommate and I did that one night. We had an hour wait but we walked around and shopped and came back at the time and was called 5 mins after the time

One night we went to Wolfgang Puck and we were given a buzzer but it was raining so we just stayed inside...they had told us 20/25 mins..it ended up being almost an hour

Planet Hollywood is always a safe bet too if you have never been to one of those. My absolute fav (kids wise) is RFC..plus u get to shop while you wait!!

If you are looking for a place to eat on Tues (which btw is the day that I fly back to FL!!! ) If you end up at Epcot, you can usually get into Japan (the one where they cook in front of you) or Morocco. Out of the two I would recom. Japan..it is not at all like "weird asian" food. It was your basic chicken and steak cooked on a hot grill but in front of you!! At MK, they usually have walk-ins for The Plaza or Tonys Town Square..and sometimes Crystal Palace (esp. towards the end of the night).

Anyways..I hope this helps..I think I should throw my teaching degree out the window and become a travel planner! lol

Thanks for the tips! DTD sounds good...a little shopping, etc while we wait.
We have been to RFC....there's one in DL. So maybe on that one, but I would like to go somewhere we've never been before, if possible.
And I will try to walk ups for The Plaza and Crystal Palace.
Thanks again ana have a good trip to FL on Tues!

 

[Princesskeyblade]

Have a great trip! I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Jules3Kids]

Well, we are packed and ready to go! I will attempt to sleep for a few hours and then it's off to see Mickey....
Flying across country with the kids, should be a riot

Will attempt to post live from WDW with my new phone...if not, I'll be here when I get back!

Thanks to all the great advice and info I have been so fortunate to get from you awesome DISers....hope you all have a magical summer

 

[Charleston Princess]

Have a great time in WDW! Can't wait to read all about it when you return!!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

have a great trip!!!

 

[Princesskeyblade]

Have fun!!! We will be waiting here when you get home to hear all about it!

 

[julezdisney]

Ok! The Fourth is over! We're ready for your TR now!

 

[Jules3Kids]

So I'm finally ready to get going with my trip report! We've been back for more than a month, so I guess it's time I get started! This will be my first trip report for my first ever trip to WDW, so bear with me! I'm working on my photos right now, so the official report w/photos will be started shortly.

Quick cast background update (or you can go back to PTR page 1 to see more!):
Me, DH, DS15, DS9, DD3, also my sister and her DD3, my mom and stepdad.

This trip was a gift from my mom to all of us to celebrate her retirement! She paid for most of it, but we did contribute. We didn't stay on property since she has a time share off-site, but it was close to WDW and the condo we had was huge and comfortable for all of us.

We left on June 15 (Fathers Day) for one week in WDW...so excited since it was the first trip for most of us. My mom and sister had been there years before for a school function, but this was their first trip with a planner (me!)

so Day one is coming up....Arrival Day! I want my pics to go with the report, so as soon as I get that going, I will continue!

Sorry about my lateness...typical me, better late than never!

 

[Princesskeyblade]

So I'm finally ready to get going with my trip report! We've been back for more than a month, so I guess it's time I get started! This will be my first trip report for my first ever trip to WDW, so bear with me! I'm working on my photos right now, so the official report w/photos will be started shortly.

YAY!!!

 

[Jules3Kids]

Can anyone help me with adding/changing words to the title? I can't remember how I did that before.
Also, how do I move this thread to the regular trip report board?
Duh!!! I'm sure I will feel like an idiot when someone reminds me Thanks!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Welcome home!!! Can't wait to read all about it!

Go to your first post and hit edit -- then hit, go advanced and you will be able to change the title.

You can PM OhMari and ask her to move it over to the TR boards.

 

[Jules3Kids]

So here goes my first ever Trip Report for our first ever trip to WDW! I'm not quite the writer like so many of you awesome DISers but I will hopefully keep you wanting to hear about our trip!
Myself, DH, DS15, DS9 and DD3 flew a different airline than my sister, her DD3, my mom and stepdad. The reason is the 5 of us drove to Georgia to visit DH's family after WDW, then flew home out of Atlanta so we had to fly Delta. The others flew Southwest. They arrived about 2 hours before us (we had a long layover )
Traveling from CA is a long day...we left at 6:30am (CA time) and arrived at 5:30pm (FL time). Here's a pic of DS15 and DD3 at the airport:

So by 6:30pm or so we were all there in Orlando on June 15 (Happy Fathers Day!) We stayed at Westgate Lakes...my mom traded her Marriott time share for this since Marriott was full. It was nice because we had 3 condos that were all connected...a total of 4 bedrooms, 4 huge bathrooms, kitchen/dining area, 3 balconies and a huge resort with all kinds of activities, 7 or so pools, a lake with fishing, etc...so it was nice to have all of that space. But next time I am staying on-site for sure...I want to experience that as well!
Here's a few pics of the condo:

I know I have more so maybe I'll throw those in later!

So, first night there we ate at the restaurant on property and just walked around the resort. It was nice! Here's a pic from our balcony:

Of course we had to take the required trip to Walmart to stock up on water, food, etc...but we sent the men to do it while we hung out and rested!
That was the extent of our first night in FL...we wanted to rest to be up early for our first day: AK! I have been waiting to see this park, the kids love animals and so do I! Plus, EE and Dinosaur are at the top of our list!

My only problem: Can I wake everyone up EARLY to get there at a decent time? In the past, a typical vacation would be: Sleep in, leisurely breakfast, go wherever the mood takes you. Now of course I couldn't do any of that at WDW, so I told them to be ready by 7:30am (which would really mean 8:00am...still ok!) I told them breakfast was a bagel in the car on the way....how would this first day go? Stay tuned for more!

 

[Jules3Kids]

Welcome home!!! Can't wait to read all about it!

Go to your first post and hit edit -- then hit, go advanced and you will be able to change the title.

You can PM OhMari and ask her to move it over to the TR boards.

Thank you!