The How Many Times Can We Change Our Mind Pre-Trip Report

[tinkerbellmichelle]

This is my first trip report, well pre-trip report. But bare with me. I'll start by saying that we'll be in Florida for 3 weeks beginning Dec. 26. We'll be down in Naples and even over to Daytona. Originally, we were going to do a quick stop in Orlando to visit Seaworld as my DH vowed NEVER TO GO TO WDW again. Don't get me wrong, we had a great trip last year, but he was less than impressed with our DS 3 (at the time)'s new found level of greed and his huge case of the "I wants".

I slowly managed to convince him to agree to one day at the MK. Then he later agreed to add AK into the mix. And then DHS. Then Epcot. I got bit by the Disney bug and he obliged! And that, my friends, is one of the reasons why I love him. But my DS4 better behave himself at WDW this time or I fear I may never be back.

I'll start with a little background.

Last year was our family's first trip to WDW (my second). We originally booked a Magical Memories Villa ... we changed our mind a few times in fact. We had a couple things booked offsite before figuring out that onsite is the place to be.

We're a family of 5 (more on that later) and originally booked 2 rooms at POP. We were ecstatic about that. I thought it looked like a lot of fun and couldn't wait to be immersed in Disney from Jan 3 - Jan 9, 2009. As you can tell by my signature - we ended up staying at the Polynesian. We were able to use a bit of the deal at the time, plus the $200 gift certificate etc. We had an amazing time. We were on the Dining Plan and our table service restaurants were:
Chef Mickey's Dinner, Ohana's Breakfast, Coral Reef Dinner, Crystal Palace Breakfast, Akershus Breakfast and OOP CRT for dinner. We loved all of our meals with the exception of Crystal Palace which we just thought was ok. We really enjoyed the experience of CRT and watching the fireworks from inside the castle. If this was your ONLY time to watch the fireworks it isn't the best option, but if you'd already seen Wishes on another night then the experience was more than worth it.

We loved watching Wishes from the beach at the Poly with the music piped in. We loved the monorail and we had a great time at the pool.

Right - - I was going to give you a bit of background on us.

Me: I live in a world of organized chaos, but mention Disney and I turn into a Type A planner. Spreadsheets, guide books, message boards, plans for the day etc. I love the feeling of Disney.

DH: He was a first-timer. He hasn't caught the bug yet but enjoyed himself. He'll do anything in his power to make me happy which is why we're going back again.

DSS 15: My 15 yo stepson. He loves to eat. And he's one of the big reasons why we loved the Dining Plan. He could look at the menu without worrying what to order. He doesn't like rollercoasters and is prone to motion sickness. He's a good sport at Disney and doesn't mind waiting for me.

DD 6: She's as girly girl as they get. Enjoyed the BBB last time and loved dressing up. Her main goal this trip is to meet Tinkerbelle as we missed out on that last time. And to see DeVine as apparantly she wasn't out on our AK day last year. She's sweet, rarely asks for anything, and easy to take along. She was picked to go up for the HSM show at DHS last year and was thrilled.

DS 4: Unfortunately, he has inherited my love of gift shops and souvenirs. Our trip last year brought out a side of him we'd never seen before. He had a tantrum over a Mickey USB cord. He'd never had a tantrum before. We finally learned on the last day that if we hit the gift shop first and let him pick his little souvenir out that he was a gem for the rest of the day. He's excited to do more "big kid" things this time around and already has some ideas of what he wants to buy. Like mother like son!

 

[we3are1]

can't wait to hear all about your plans and then your trip

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

My parents have a condo in Naples, Fl. We went for the first time last year and loved it. We'd arrived on Dec. 24 and the weather the entire time we were there was beach worthy. I re-discovered my love of Sanibel Island and really do believe that it is one of life's little treasures. We were in Naples until Jan. 2 and then drove to Daytona.

If you ever get the chance to go to Naples or anywhere along the Gulf Coast I really recommend it. Sunsets are unbelievable. Shells were everywhere. We went to the beach EVERY SINGLE DAY but one - and that day we went to the zoo.

So, this year, we arrive on Dec. 26. The kids and our family here really wanted us to spend Christmas day at home. And I can't blame the kids for that. Last year we woke up in a hotel on Christmas morning and then drove to the condo in Naples. It didn't really feel like Christmas. IE. There was no snow. We still ate a great meal!

We fly to Seattle at 6 a.m. and then have a loong wait until our 1ish flight to Miami. We arrive in Miami around 10 p.m. Miami time. We'll stay overnight at a Staybridge Suites (last time we stayed at Embassy Suites and loved it) and then drive to Naples in the morning. We may make a side trip to Hollywood Beach before heading to the Gulf Coast but we'll see.

There are a few things we want to do - visiting the beaches is the main priority if we get decent weather again. Sanibel Island, Marco Island, and the various beaches in Naples. We'd love to do a dolphin or shelling cruise and my dad raved about the Aligator boat tours so we may go on one of those too. We're in Naples until Jan. 3.

We will likely eat breakfast at the condo every day and then pack snacks and then eat an early dinner either at a restaurant (Cheeburger Cheeburger makes the list as do a few of the Rib eateries) or back at the condo. Basically, rest, relax and enjoy the company of my parents and my niece.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

can't wait to hear all about your plans and then your trip

Thanks I love reading other Trip Reports so thought I'd get in on the fun

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

We're going to wake up bright and early on Jan. 3 and make the drive to Sea World. It should take about 4 hours. We hope to arrive around 10 or 11 a.m. Sea World is open until 9 p.m. that night and is the last night of a variety of Christmas shows. We 'think' we'll just take in the regulars and tour until we're done so that we can check into our Resort.

If you've been to Sea World and have suggestions and planning tips pass them along!!!

So, after what seems like a few dozen resort reservations we're staying on Disney property again. But let's start at the beginning.

Like I already mentioned, originally we weren't going to be going to WDW. We were going to go to Sea World for two leisurely days and spend an evening at Medieval Times. We'd 'maybe' hit up Downtown Disney. MAYBE.

I had booked a Springhill Suites near Sea World. And we were set.

But then I discovered a great rate at the Buena Vista Suites and at the same time managed to get my DH to agree to a day at the Magic Kingdom. I cancelled our Springhill Suties res. and booked at BVS. We were set.

But, then we got a travelzoo code for the Nick Hotel. Now wouldn't THAT be fun? It was $79 a night for a suite. Once again, we were switching our hotel, and adding another day. We'd finally convinced Daddy that we needed to go to AK. Eventually we added another day so that we could go to DHS, too.

Then, a code came out for Buena Vista Palace and it looked So nice and was SO close to Downtown Disney. We ended up adding an additional day, changine our Nick Hotel and doing a split stay. And we were set.

But, then I got to thinking. Do we really need two days at Sea World? Wouldn't it be nice to go to Epcot? Plans changed yet again and we were set.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that we were NOT staying on Disney Property and that switching hotels was going to be a pain. A fun pain, but still a pain. Yet, the kids were excited about the Nick Hotel. What could compare? Why a Disney hotel of course.

So we priced out the ASM-Family Suites and I called a CM and she put a hold on it. We had 24 hours to think about it. We'd pretty much decided that was the way to go. We could add the dining plan (remember the 15 year old who likes to eat?) and keep the rental car parked if we wanted.

And then I woke up yesterday - ready to phone back to confirm and pay in full. And I happened to check my email and guess what was there? A PIN CODE!!!!!

You see, just a couple days ago my DH was asking me where I would MOST like to stay. As much as I would have been grateful to stay at ASM and very thankful to be on property at all, I've been reading so much about the BC and BWI and we loved our stay at the Poly. There are some mods I'd like to stay at as well but not possible with our family configuration.

This 40% off PIN Code suddenly made the Deluxes a little more within our reach. So much for the budget trip, but then once we'd added Disney to the mix we'd pretty much thrown the budget out the window, huh?

We thought about it overnight. We went back and forth between all of our options. We were set on the BWI with the Dining Plan until I found out there is no counter-service breakfast options like at the Poly.

I worked and re-worked our little Dining chart and realized we could forgo a bigger breakfast for the 2 park days we'd require it for Boardwalk Bakery fare.

So where did we book? That's right, The Boardwalk Inn. We'll be there from Jan. 3 - Jan.8. Jan. 8 just happens to be our 8th Anniversary!!

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

We don't leave Florida until Jan. 13 so what are we doing after?

We're headed to Daytona Beach from the 8 - 10. I've changed our Daytona hotel a few times already as well and now cant' remember where we're booked. ha ha ha.

And what's in Daytona you ask? Well, last year we wanted to visit the famous beach and found ourselves there (Jan. 3) on the same day as Test Days for the Daytona 24 hour race. My husband is a sport's enthusiast and thought it would be quite an opportunity to see the cars zoom around the track. We had SO much fun that we want to do it again.

But I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm a Patrick Dempsey fan. And I met him last year while there. Got to talk to him for 5-10 minutes. And Dempsey or not, we're happy to go back to experience it all again, but I'm hoping for a little Dempsey, too.

After Daytona, we head back to Naples on Jan. 10. Hang out there and then home on the 13.

Ah, but my pre-trip report is not yet complete. I have Dining Reservations to tweek, ride plans to make, and plenty of time to hopefully NOT change my mind on anything else!

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

So in true tinkerbellemichelle fashion - we've changed our plans for this day multiple times. In fact, we JUST changed it again today. Looks like we'll keep Sea World out of our plans again this time. It just made sense (and cents) to go to WDW on this day.

Sunday Jan. 3.
Wake up at the crack of dawn. Grab breakfast. Drive from Naples, FL to The Boardwalk to check in (and hope a room is ready!).

Head to the Magic Kingdom. No commando touring for us today. We'll wander and take it all in. Catch the parade if we want. Ride the Railway and the TTA. Maybe take in Buzz. Meet some characters. etc.

MAYBE go to DTD for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express.

MAYBE DH and I will come back for EMH. We have a built in babysitter. Oh how I long to wander the shops without the kids in tow. Do some of the things that the kids might otherwise not want to do.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

Originally Epcot wasn't in the cards. Before that WDW wasn't even in the cards. We have small goals for Epcot. We'd love to ride Soarin' again and try out Test Track. We'd also like to do a Kim Possible Mission and view some of the country pavillions in the daylight. We'll do counter service lunch at one of the countries. Suggestions???

We'll grab a snack at the Boardwalk Bakery, head to Epcot for rope drop and stay until about 4ish.

We have ADRs at Ohana's for 5 p.m. We tried to get these last year and even staying at the Poly and checking every day we could not snag dinner here. So we're excited to do it this time.

After Dinner we'll leave it open. Do we head to DD? Go back to the Boardwalk and enjoy the ambiance there? Go back to Epcot? It will all depend on how the kids are feeling and what we decide that day.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

We'll grab a snack from The Bakery for breakfast and head to the AK for as close to rope drop as we can make it. We love AK. Our goals?

Ride the safari
Watch The Lion King (our performance got cancelled half way through last year)
Watch Nemo
Kali River Rapids
EE
Dinosaur

everything else is just the icing

We are planning on CS at Flame Tree BBQ - and have ADRs at Sanaa at 5:05 p.m. My husband is so excited to have a meal here.

In the evening we'll do either DD or explore the Boardwalk depending on what we did the day before.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

We have an early breakfast ADR at Liberty tree Tavern. Then we'll play in fantasy land and toontown. My daughter has a date with tinkerbelle and her fairies. So we'll be lining up before 10 a.m. if we can.

Our son has a Pirates League Appt. at 1 p.m. and then after that we'll probably go hang out at the hotel or Downtown disney. Now that I think about it - pirates league before swimming if we have the weather isn't exactly 'worth it'. Might have to change that.

And then we have 5p.m. ADRs at 1900. We're hoping to make it back to MK for spectromagic and then we'll do whatever else we can until park closes.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

I have no readers Oh well! I'll just keep going anyway because it's fun for me and it's easy access to our plans!

We've changed up Disney Day 1. Originally DS4 was going to do Pirate's League on Wednesday but then that whole 'break at the pool' thing wouldn't really work for him. So I decided to switch him to Sunday - and guess what - he get's it for 1/2 price so we decided to go whole hog with the costume and everything!!!

So Day 1 - Arrival, Check-In, MK, mom and dad do evening EMH @ MK Day looks like this:


Sunday Jan. 3.
Wake up at the crack of dawn. Grab breakfast. Drive from Naples, FL to The Boardwalk to check in (and hope a room is ready!).

Head to the Magic Kingdom. Lunch @ Cosmic Rays or Columbia Harbour House. Swiss Family Treehouse, Tom Sawyer Island. DD4's Pirate's League appt. is for 2 pm. Hopefully ride POTC after and maybe even catch a Captain Jack Tutorial? We'll probably miss the parade now. Ride the train either back to entrance to leave or to Tomorrowland to ride T.T.A.

Monorail or Boat to MK Resort. Bus to DD. Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express.
Grab kids snack at BWBakery and then DH & I will hop back on a bus to MK to check out Evening EMH if we're not too tired. We'll grab a snack as we shop, take pictures and I ride Space Mountain and BTMR. I'm hoping DH will ride BTMR. And even though I have a long-lived fear of Haunted Mansion from when I was a child - we'll do it so we can preview it and make sure that my memories of it are not as bad as it is and that the kids will enjoy it.

MAYBE DH and I will come back for EMH. We have a built in babysitter. Oh how I long to wander the shops without the kids in tow. Do some of the things that the kids might otherwise not want to do.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

So, since I changed Day 1 by adding the pirates league and eliminating it from Day 3 - that means Day 3 has changed. Did you sort of get the idea that Day 1 MK was kind of like a 'boy's day'? Well looks like Day 3 is more of the girly things.

Here's the revised plan.

8:15 a.m. ADR Liberty Tree Tavern Character breakfast. We were SOO excited that Crystal Palace was closed and that this was in its place. We were NOT impressed with Crystal Palace last year. We had a late bf adr and there was not a lot of choices and we kept getting skipped by characters. Anyway, we're excited.

Priority for the morning is - MEET THE FAIRIES. So after breakfast we'll head to fantasyland and ride what we can (priorities are teacups, peter pan, and pooh) until we go wait at TT rope drop around 9:30ish.

Then:
Goofy's Barnstormer, Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz, Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion, BTMR. I may single-rider it on Space Mountain.

We're hoping we have time for an afternoon break back at the hotel - in fact, we'll MAKE the time. So we'll tour until about 1p.m. Hope the weather is nice to make use of the pool.

Dinner ADR: 4:30 p.m. 1900 Park Faire.

We'd love to make it back to the MK for Spectro at 7 p.m. Then we'll either finish rides we want to do or re-ride favorites, or watch fireworks. We're hoping this might be a good time for Dumbo and the carousel etc.

 

[we3are1]

I'm reading!

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

ADR - 8:00 a.m. Cape May Cafe! Since we're staying at the BWI we can have a nice stroll to breakfast and then either walk or take the boat to DHS

Our goals (and hopefully we can accomplish them in this order)

Toy Story
V of Little Mermaid
Star Tours
Jedi Training Academy
Indiana Jones
Backlot Tour
One Man's Dream

Kids would also like to meet Cars, Power Rangers and TS characters.

Our maybe list:

Beauty and the Beast (we saw it last year so don't 'need' to do it again)
Muppet 3D (again, saw it last year)
HSM show (again, saw it last year)
Animation Academy

and at some point I will single ride (if there is one) Rockin' Roller Coaster.

We'd like to leave for the afternoon - either back to resort or DD.

And be back to DHS for Fantasmic (which is at 6:30) - we figure if we're back in the park by 5:30 we could get some counter service dinner to take in line with us. If we can't get into the show - oh well! We'll just hang out doing things we missed.

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

I'm reading!

Thanks


I've made 'index cards' of our WDW days (a great disboard tip) but it is lovely to be able to write it all here as it really helps with the planning I find. Or the remembering? I think the more times I write it the more I will remember!!!

We're hoping for a relaxing touring style and if this year is anything like last year - it won't be too busy and the weather will be nice! Here's hoping!

And hey, if we don't do everything we have a good excuse to come back - though who needs an excuse?

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

We check out on Jan 8 - our 8th Anniversary And I'm sad about leaving Disney already.

But, we have more good things to come. You see, we're headed to Daytona Beach. The kids can dip their toes in the Atlantic Ocean - I hear the Atlantic waters will be COLDER than the southern Gulf Waters near Naples - and hopefully we'll have decent weather.

But even if we don't - - we have plans. It is Test Days (known as The Roar Before the 24) for the Daytona 24 hour race at the Daytona International Speedway. We had SO much fun at this event last year that we decided we had to do it all over again.

Of course, meeting Patrick Dempsey was the icing on the cake! His team is racing in the event again and depending on his filming schedule he'll be back for test days - or so we hope! But even if he's not - we're going to have a ton of fun

We leave Daytona on Sunday Jan. 10. We have to drive through Orlando to get back to Naples, and adding an extra day to our tickets won't cost a lot.

I wonder if I can convince DH to wake up early, drive to Disney and spend the morning in a park??? I mean, if we left Orlando by 2 or 3 we'd be back at my parents' place by 6 or 7!! Hmm...... I'd even settle for stopping at Downtown Disney - I could convince him with promise of Wolfgang Puck Express for lunch - he LOVES their brulee for dessert!

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

Do you ever get Buyer's Remorse? I've had this nagging feeling that perhaps we should have booked the Polynesian with our code after all. We know it. The transportation was amazing and there were so many food options at our finger tips.

Don't get me wrong - we'll be happy to try something new and I'm sure we will love Boardwalk Inn. It looks lovely. And transportation options are awesome from there as well.

So what has me wondering? Breakfast. Will we really make it unil 11 - 12 on a snack from the boardwalk bakery? I guess I'll just make sure to have some juice boxes, milk, granola/cereal/protein bars in the room just in case.

Anyone else ever second guess their hotel decisions.

On a side note - in exactly 1 month we'll have just landed in MIAMI to start the first portion of our trip! We'll be waiting for our luggage, then off to get the rental car. Then off to the hotel to sleep. One month will be here before we know it. Christmas will be over and our trip will be here!

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

I signed up for Ridemax. I probably didn't need to and I'm sure my plan would have worked fine but I decided I'd double check everything and get some specifics.

Two notes on Ride max: They really need to have character meeting times built in.

It would be really great if there was an 'edit' option ie. keep the morning but edit the rest.


I've gotten around this by scheduling our mornings with the headliners/must dos and then leaving afternoons and evenings free for characters, shopping, breaks at the hotel, and more rides/attractions.

Hopefully it all works!!! I am glad I got it because there were a certain things that I would have NEVER thought to have done in that order.

 

[TigerLilly28]

And even though I have a long-lived fear of Haunted Mansion from when I was a child - we'll do it so we can preview it and make sure that my memories of it are not as bad as it is and that the kids will enjoy it.

My 8 year old cracked me up last trip.... I really wanted to ride Haunted Mansion.... he was terrified! I bribed him with the promise of a popscicle as soon as we got off the ride. I knew the ride was fine, and he would feel silly when he got off for being so scared, and I was right! He rolled his eyes, blushing beet red when it was over. It's more funny than scary! I think waiting in line is the scary part for most kids... the eerie music, grave stones, etc lead you to think youre entering something terrifying! He loved the holograms of the dancing ghosts, and laughed almost the entire ride. As long as your kids are super skittish, they should love it. ( My son still wont even WALK BY Tower of Terror! Maybe in a few years. lol!)

 

[TigerLilly28]

So what has me wondering? Breakfast. Will we really make it unil 11 - 12 on a snack from the boardwalk bakery? I guess I'll just make sure to have some juice boxes, milk, granola/cereal/protein bars in the room just in case.

Anyone else ever second guess their hotel decisions.

If your family is big into breakfast, check out Cape May Cafe, over at the Beach Club. Its just a short walk from your hotel, and they have one of the best breakfast buffets on property!

As far as second guessing hotel decisions.... I feel your pain. Too many choices leads to indecision! I love the Boardwalk area. If you DO decide to change hotels, check out the Beach Club/Yacht Club hotels. They have a huge sand bottomed pool, and they're in the same area as the Boardwalk. Ive never stayed on property, planning my first on-prop stay in April (yay!), but I do have several friends that have stayed at both the Poly and Beach Club. They would pick Beach Club every time, if only for the pool and the close proximity to Epcot and the Boardwalk area. I know Beach Club also does Movies on the Beach at night, which your kids might really enjoy.