The B's Triumphant Return to the World

[ZephyrHawk]

Hello.

I've had so much fun reading everybody else's trip reports...and pre-trip reports...and dining reports, that I thought I might as well write one myself. For starters, here is the cast:

Myself- 28, Vacation planner, Veteran of 7 previous Disney World trips and two Disneyland excursions. Travel is my reason for living...or at least for getting up and going to work everyday anyways. I am a planner by nature and the Disboards have been perfect for fueling my obsession.

DH- Soon to be 30 (don't remind him), Veteran of at at least as many Disney World trips, two visits to Disneyland, and former cast member with the college program. DH also lives to tavel (see, we fit well together). DH doesn't plan, he prefers to jump into his adventures willy-nilly.*

DH and I will have known each other for 10 years this fall. We will have been married 4 years next week. Our first real meaningful conversation involved his experiences as a Disney cast member and how awesomely cool I thought that was. It only made sense then that our first real vacation as a couple would be to Disney World. It was spring break 2000, and we celebrated our 1 year dating anniversary while there. We shared a room at All Star Movies with two friends of ours. It was a great trip, punctuated by the horrible experience of DH having his wallet stolen. It was sort of a last minute decision to take our next Disney trip (yes, DH was instrumental in its "planning"). It was spring break 2001, and we stayed at Port Orleans. It is still the most wonderful trip I've ever taken in my life (and I've been on some darn nice vacations). I'll never forget DH feeding the ducks along the Sasagoula River. Our final (sort of) Disney trip was in December of 2002, wherein we stayed at the All Star Music. We went with one of the friends we had traveled with the first time, but he was on his way to not really being our friend anymore, and this trip ended up being the icing on the cake. Additionally, another "friend" who was supposed to go with us backed out at the last moment...leaving us to pay for everything. Regardless, the Christmas decorations everywhere were entrancing, and we got our first taste of Victoria & Alberts. We swore we'd never go to Disney again without reservations there. The next summer we were married and, while visiting CA for other reasons, made a quick stop at Disneyland, making our official last Disney adventure in January of 2004.

So, now that you know our Disney studded history, you can stick around to find out more about the trip we're planning.


*I suppose I should explain that "The B's" is a nickname some friends have given to myself and DH. We are also variously referred to as the "Chava'ai", but that's another story.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

The planning for this trip originally began in May of 2006. It had been over a year since we had taken any sort of vacation, and even then it wasn't what I would have termed a "real" vacation (I'm a snob, I admit it). I was just about going bonkers at my job and I needed a break. Additionally, we hadn't been to Disney in, what seemed to me anyways, to be a really long time. I heard about the free dining plan they were offering in Aug/Sep, and I suggested that we go. DH was all up for it.

However, we were still trying to save a little money. We decided to drive down rather than fly, but I was a little wary of driving all that way by ourselves. Plus, we owed some friends of ours (another married couple) a joint vacation. I proposed that we, being all Disney fans, go together. This would save money, by allowing us to split room costs and gas costs, and would make driving a lot easier. The proposal was well received. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), one of these friends is a teacher. As such, his time off is somewhat structured. Plus, he was taking continuing education courses during the summer that he'd already paid for. Long story short, we weren't going to be able to go to Disney during the free dining promo.

So, we made a pact that we'd go once value season opened up right after the Holidays. I did the legwork, surfing the internet and such for deals, and contacted our friends when the deals came out. Well, to make a long story even shorter, our friends decided to buy a house...which is good for them...but bad for expensive trips...even relatively affordable expensive trips. So, it looked like the deal was off entirely. Completely frustrated by now and REALLY needing a vacation, I decided to book and entirely separate trip for just the two of us. However, I made DH promise that we would go to the Food and Wine Festival the following fall. DH, who does not have to be poked with a stick to be convinced of a Disney vacation, agreed.

So was born our 2007 Year of a Million Dreams, Food and Wine Festval, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, Do-You-Think-They'll-Offer-Free-Dining-Again? Extravaganza.

 

[Avivasmom]

I am sitting here ready for more!!!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Sometime around the beginning of the year I discovered the Disboards. How I had missed this wealth of internet information previously, is anyone's guess, but I did. There I found a bunch of people eagerly awaiting news regarding whether or not free dining would be offered this fall, and I counted myself among their number. Soon it was annouced. There would be Free Dining! But alas, it was not going to be offered during the week I most wanted to visit the World (the first week of October). However, I determined that I could push us back a week (9/21-9/30) and still take advantage of both the F&WF and MNSSHP. :

Being a Disney Visa holder (a card which we did not really need, and which I signed up for entirely in anticipation of our earlier planned post-holiday trip), I callled for reservations the very first day they opened (although not as promptly as some of the folks on this board). I was not able to get the rooms we wanted (standard view at the Wilderness Lodge), but I was able to swing Savannah View rooms at AKL. A SV room at AKL would be my dream room (I am an avid photographer and animal lover), but DH was not as enamoured with the idea. I decided to keep looking and trying to get something cheaper (the rooms were putting me considerably over budget).

From the Disboards (thanks guys) I found out that, by extending my dates of stay by one day, I could get more rooms to open up. Doing so, I managed to swing us Courtyard View rooms at WL. Once again, more money than I wanted to spend, but it was the hotel we both wanted...and it was only somewhat above my maximum budget. I figured I'd keep checking to see if other rooms opened up, but no dice.

Regardless, I started planning in earnest. I made ADR's. We're used to just walking up to places for dinner unplanned, but apparently that's no longer Kosher. DH doesn't like the added limitations to his trip, but he likes the idea of free food, so it all evens out at the end. Our ADR's, and accompanying tentative park plans, as they currently stand are:

9/21- None, we'll be arriving pretty late in the evening.
9/22- MGM/Boardwalk (plus Fantasia Gardens), Dinner at Spoodles
9/23- Magic Kingdom/EPCOT, Breakfast at the Crystal Palace, Dinner at Le Cellier
9/24- Animal Kingdom/DTD, Dinner at Ohanas
9/25- EPCOT (taking Segway tour...shhh, DH doesn't know yet), Dinner at Coral Reef
9/26- Blizzard Beach, Dinner at Victoria & Alberts
9/27- DTD, Lunch at Planet Hollywood, Dinner at Captain Jacks
9/28- EPCOT(with F&WF)/MK (with MNSSHP), Dinner at Chefs de France
9/29- Free day, Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe, Dinner at California Grill
9/30- Free day until we have to fly home

I realized after making these ADR's that our Chefs de France reservation (although the earliest I could get) was going to conflict with our MNSSHP enjoyment...unless we were to wear our costumes to dinner...and I didn't think we wanted to do that. So, that ADR, at least, will have to be changed in the near future.

Shortly after making these detailed plans, DH and I ran into some financial troubles. No, nothing major but...well...let's just say I had thought I would be employed elsewhere and making slightly more than I am now by this time in the year. Sadly, new employment has yet to surface, and all my carefully laid plans of several months ago have gone awry. As such, I began to question the wisdom of staying at a deluxe resort and, really, of taking the trip at all. DH pointed out that I'm about to go insane again (as I despise my job) and that I could probably use the time off. This is of no comfort because DH is not known for his financial frugality (there's a reason I'm in charge of all the money).

The decision was brought to a head last week when I had to act fast to take advantage of some good airfare ($79 per person each way on Southwest, the best rate I'd seen so far). I bit the bullet and signed us up. We will now definitely be going to Orlando for 9/21-9/30. What we do there during that time is still up for grabs.

Essentially, I have just a couple of days to decide whether or not to stay at the WL or to stay at Pop Century (which we'd also be happy with) and thereby save close to $2000 on the trip. Everyone I've talked to (except my mom) has said to go for the better hotel, however, I remain somewhat unconvinced. It's not their debt that's slowly accumulating (come to think of it, its not mine either...except in a community property sense).

And that's where I am in the planning process. I still need to drop one day off of our current reservations. I need to make some deft ADR manipulations. And, oh yeah, I need to determine where we'll actually be staying.

Stay tuned for the exciting outcome (not)....

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Well, I bit the bullet and decided to go with the more (read: horrendously more) expensive option. Eh, you're only young once. Really, everyone I talked to said to go with the WL...except my mom...and she only worries because I worry. After I made the decision I told her all about the trip and the good deal we actually are getting, and she told me she was jealous of our trip. Therefore, having pleased my mother, I feel much better about my decision. Not that I bother worrying about decisions after they're made. I mean, what's the point? It's only the excruciatingly long lead up to decisions that keeps me up at night.

So, without further ado, here's our trip in a nutshell:

9/21-9/30 Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View with 9 Day Magic Your Way Park Hoppers with Water Park Fun and More Option (type that 5 times fast)- $3,358
Free dining- Free!
Disney's Magical Express- Free!
Flying Southwest both ways- $358
Assorted tours and attractions- $160
Tickets to MNSSHP (9/28)- $92
Money allotted for 3 planned OOP meals (WCC, Planet Hollywood, Victoria & Albert's)- $460

Disney trip of a lifetime- Priceless

 

[ZephyrHawk]

So, as of today, there are 50 days until I leave on my long anticipated trip to Disney World. I've spent the past month or so planning, imagining, re-planning per my limitless imagination, and reading the last Harry Potter book. Getting work done? Not a chance.

So, what have I done since the last installment? Not much really.

I've got my MNSSHP tickets in hand. I changed some ADR's a little. I've been holding off on buying into the Segway tour because I've been trying to space out the extra charges on my credit cards. The summer is a tough time for my little family. Our two birthdays, our anniversary, two parent birthdays, fathers day, mothers day, and 4 good friends' birthdays, all within a 3 month span. Add to that the fact that we had 2 weddings and a baby shower this summer and DH's car conking out on us twice (to the tune of some $700), and we're about bled dry. So, I bought the plane tickets in June, bought the Halloween party tickets in July, August would be the month for the Segway tour...but now I'm not so sure.

Now here's where the difficult part comes in. The F&W Festival ticketed events have finally been listed, and I know DH and I would enjoy going to some of them. The problem is, although we'd really like to try the Party for the Senses, there's no way we can afford both that and Victoria and Alberts. And I've yet to obtain a definitive answer from the (Dis) masses as to which experience is preferable. Then, assuming we stick to our original plan of going to V&A's, the question becomes "Well, could we afford one of the food and wine pairings?" The answer is yes, but I think we'd have to cut out the Segway tour.

I've tried to get DH's honest opinion without letting him on to my plans, but it just isn't happening. At this point, I don't know what I'll be doing when reservations open up on August 6th. Part of me wants to say, "Screw it all, let's save the money." But that part of me never gets listened to anyways.

Oh, well. When I do get it all figured out I'll post my finalized ADR list and prohibitive park schedule here.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Right, so I think now that we've got everything confirmed. I decided not to participate in any of the ticketed Food & Wine Festival events. Why? Well, money really. Plus, it's not like we're ever going to be wanting for food at any point during this trip. Finally, it gives us something to go back for. I also made the final decisions about ADR's (Teppanyaki extending its refurbishment time helped with this decision a tad). Here's the final meal schedule:

9/21- Arrive late, CS dinner (perhaps Earl of Sandwich?)
9/22- Dinner at Spoodles
9/23- Breakfast at the Crystal Palace, Dinner at Le Cellier
9/24- Dinner at Ohanas
9/25- Dinner at Coral Reef
9/26- Breakfast at Kona Cafe, Dinner at Victoria & Alberts
9/27- Lunch at Planet Hollywood, Dinner at Chefs de France
9/28- Eating all day at the Food & Wine Festival
9/29- Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe, Dinner at California Grill
9/30- ??? Food depends on how many credits we have left

Anyways, I also booked the Around the World at EPCOT tour. DH doesn't know. He suspects something (he's too canny not to), but he doesn't really know what. He'll freak out at getting to ride Segways. Meanwhile, I'll be happy to be able to take photos of a nearly empty World Showcase.

Oh yeah, photos. I don't think I've mentioned yet that I'm an obsessive photographer. Up until recently I've been very anti-digital. I just don't like the way digital photos come out. However, recent advances in digital technology are swaying my opinion. I suppose that my next camera will be a high quality digital model. In the meantime, I have 4 film cameras to choose from. I'll be taking 2...possibly 3. I want to be able to get some B&W photos and depending on how many I decide I want to take, I may end up taking an entire camera devoted to B&W pictures. This is all complicated by the fact that my "good" camera is broken. I have no idea what's going on with it. DH was supposed to get it fixed as my birthday gift (note: I've been 28 for 2 months now, camera still not fixed). If I have to travel to Disney with only my Dad's old Nikormat for B&W's I will raise heck. I also have a little color camera which isn't the greatest in the world, but it does take panoramics (I heart panoramics).

Meanwhile, DH managed to lose the nice point-and-shoot digital I got him for Christmas a while back on our last vacation. As such, I'm somewhat considering obtaining a replacement for him off of eBay before we go. I don't want to spend the money, but it is nice for him to have his own camera (I actually get in some of the photos that way) and I can take some pictures I normally wouldn't bother with because of limited film concerns. I'd just borrow my parents' or a friend's camera, but given DH's previous track record....

So, that's the lowdown. We got our Magical Express stickers last week. DH actually started getting excited when he saw them. I still have to figure out how we're going to be able to watch a little of the two Michigan games playing while we're away (I'm thinking the ESPN zone), but that's not a major concern.

Perhaps I'll give another update when we hit the 30 day mark.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

You know what's hard?

Finding good boarding facilities for exotic pets.

Add to that the fact that our beloved ferret is over 6 years old (read: geriatric), requires twice daily medication, and is not the most gregarious of animals (read: she knows what a litter box is, but believes that such things are for the peons), and you're all but stuck.

My family never believed in boarding in the first place and always passed our pets off on relatives and other close associates when we went on vacation. In fact, we'll be pawning our cat Meryl off on my grandparents (who love cats). But ferrets (and especially mine) need some special care, so I want to make sure my little princess goes to someone with experience with the species. The last time we went away I borded her at a local ferret shelter operation. It was run out of this woman's house (like most shelters) and DH thought it wasn't good enough for our little girl. So now I'm trying to find a place that will suit his comfort level (i.e. it looks professional), and where Pan will be assured significant out of cage time (she's used to having the run of our house). Unfortunately, the more professional a place is the less they seem interested in significant play time.

Oh, well. I'm sure I'll come up with something. Our paperwork all came a couple of days ago. Things are really coming down to the wire now.

 

[jordanyosh]

Nice trip report. I hope you'll have a great time on your trip. I'm sure you've already researched this, but in case there's a hurricane during your stay, they may close the parks. The upside to staying at the WL during such an event is the fact that although you are confined to your resort, you can still walk around inside. If you were staying at POP, you would be stuck in your room.

Good luck w/ your ferret.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Right, so here's the score.

1. We found a good place to board our precious Pantalaimon. In fact, we had to find someplace on short notice because the untimely demise of DH's grandfather required us to travel 8 hours out of state. It seemed to work out fine and she got to play with other ferrets (which is good for her). Mind you, we took her to the vet this week and things are not looking all that good. Ah well, such is life.

2. We still haven't nailed down what our MNSSHP costumes will be. I thought I had made the decision that DH could go as Master Gracey and I would be the Bride, but then I heard about the potential changes to the Haunted Mansion storyline with its refurbishment...now I don't want to go as potentially outdated characters. Meanwhile DH came up with an equally good idea on his own that sadly appeals to my fangirl nature. We may be in ofr a last minute change.

3. Still need to:

Buy ginger gum and ponchos (Oh, and those dishwashing wipes...if I can find them)
Borrow my parents' digital camera
Figure out what the heck our costumes will be
Make up some sort of sensible plan for F&W festival touring
Get cash out for tips and other small purchases
Check in to Southwest for A seating
Pack
Get ferret and cat to their respective homes-away-from-home
Survive the wrath of my boss
Obsess over tropical storms

 

[Phedre]

Woo your trip is so soon!! Really enjoying your planning report and it sounds like you are going to have a blast Can't wait to hear what you decide to dress up as for MNSSHP

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Oh, please tell me that I just got a posting from another Jaqueline Carey fan!