The "I will need a vacation from my vacation" trip

[texas munchkin]

Last September I received a really big bonus from work.. well big for me anyways.. lol. After spending some of the money on new furniture, electronics and paying off bills (yeah for debt free), I had enough left over to take DD on a special trip for her 18th birthday.

Let me give you some background. Her male biological unit (no bitterness, I say that with as much humor as I can muster ) took off when I was 8 weeks pregnant. Haven't seen him since, so it's always been just the 2 of us. We have always been very close, but we both know the time for us both to truly have our own lives is coming soon (meaning in the next couple of years ) This being said, I wanted her 18th birthday to be special, sort of a send off into adulthood. So, I asked her where she wanted to go, thinking Cancun or something like that. No, my sweet little says Disney World of course. Good to know I taught her something useful.

Anyways, that lead to can we do Universal too ... and Sea World.. and .. and ... and.. you know the rest.

This is will be our 9th Disney trip, our first to Universal/Islands of Adventure and we haven't been to Sea World in 10 years. Well, we did go to Universal once before but she was 7 and looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned Jaws, ET, King Kong.. We spent the whole day rotating between Fevil's Playground and Barney in the Park. She promised we wouldn't go near either this time.

So without further ado... following is our schedule as it is ........ today

06/03 Taking mid morning flight out of DFW to arrive in Orland around 2:30. We are staying the night at the airport at the Hyatt. Don't ask me why it just sounded like a good idea . Actually, we want to get a good night sleep and move over to Hard Rock by noon, spending the rest of the day at the park

06/04 Move over to the Hard Rock and go to Universal. Plan on riding and seeing all that we can (except Barney and Fevil ) Hopefully, with Express Pass, we can manage this.

06/05 Spending the day at Islands of Adventure.

If anyone has any suggestions for eating or touring plans, please feel free to comment. We won't be doing the "big" rollercoaster such as Dueling Dragons and Hulk. Big Thunder Railroad is more our style.

06/06 Sea World Day... we are signed up for the Adventure Tour, so most of that day takes care of it's self.

06/07 Not sure what to do this morning. May spend some time at the HRH pool or redo the parks, hitting favorites again. I know we need to get some Citywalk shopping in here sometime. We have tickets to see Blue Man that night.

Next day we move over to Disney... so that seems a nice place for a page break

 

[texas munchkin]

if you're still with me.. THANKS!

06/08 Moving over to the Poly. Planning on a 7:00 AM switch so we can get checked in and over to Typhoon Lagoon. This is also the day a friend from California and her friend are joining us.. They have their own room at POFQ. We are all on DDP and paying for some meals OOP.

Afternoon Tea - GF - 2:00
Whispering Canyon - 7:00pm

Hoping the meal is finished just in time to get back to the Poly Beach to watch Wishes.

06/09 Magic Kingdom day

Columbia Harbour House - lunch
Crystal Place Dinner - 7:00pm

06/10 Epcot Day

Sunshine Season - lunch
Le Cellier Dinner - 7:00pm

Here we hope to finish just in time for Illuminations. We aren't hoping for a front row viewing spot, so we should be okay. We like to view the fireworks from afar.

06/11 Animal Kingdom Day

Flame Tree B-B-Q - lunch

As we leave AK, we will seperate from our friends as they are leaving the next day. I think they are planning to sneak over to Pleasure Island after they ditch us.. .. Actually it was my suggestion. I'm too old and my daughter is too young, but our friends should have fun there.

Something quick from Captain Cooks for dinner or maybe even Room service if I feel like splurging.

06/12 The Studios Day

This is our least favorite park. (sorry to those who love it) So we will be there early and hit Mermaid, Backstage Tour, Muppets, Star Tours and Great Movie Ride... We have seen all the shows numerous times.

50's Primetime - 12:00

Then we are going over to DTD for mega shopping. This is where having the packages sent back to the room will be great. We have always done this on our last day and never had the option before.

Earl of Sandwich - dinner (paying OOP as it really isn't a good deal for DDP)
Ghiradelli's for dessert.

06/13 Epcot - part 2

Lunches -

Cantina de San Angel - for DD... she will be in withdrawls by now
Kringla Bakeri for me - got to have a rice cream

Garden Grill - 7:00 pm

06/14 Magic Kingdom - Part 2

Cosmic Rays - lunch
Kona Cafe - 7:00

Alas, after dinner we have to pack

06/15 Leaving Day

1900 Park Fair - 8:30

over to Magic Kingdom to use any leftover snack credits at the Main Street Candy Store

Maybe last minute rides on favorites.

Our flight back leaves at 7:50pm, so we don't have to be picked up until 5:00 or so (using town car service) We will probably use our last CS credit for something quick to eat before being picked up.

So there you have it.. If I survive, I plan on doing a trip report to see if my "plans" and reality were anything alike.

 

[travelitis]

Looks like you have a fabulous trip planned!! I hope it's really memorable and everything you want it to be.

2 thoughts - wasn't sure if you wanted any comments or not -

I've stayed at that Hyatt, and it's very nice. However, it's really cutting into your park time to have to check out of one place and check into another. Have you considered going to the Hard Rock that day and enjoying your resort that evening?

You should have no problem covering the Universal parks in one day each. We could've done it last year with no express pass, btw. We did IA, but the kids were rather disappointed and don't want to go back. If you don't like the big thrill rides, there's not enough at IA to fill a day, and there's no need to spend the money on the express pass.

 

[medicgirl911]

WOW what a fin sounding idea...blue man group should be a blast...like the other poster, the only thing that sounds iffy to me is the night at the airport hotel. Especially if you are getting in around 2:30 in the afternoon. I would start then at Hard Rock or somewhere off site and get out into the gorgeous Florida Sunshine as quick as I could!!! Anyway JMO!
I thought the sentiments about your trip sounded sweet It will be a special trip for the both of you!! can't wait to her more about your plans!

 

[texas munchkin]

Thanks for the input guys.

The thought did occur to me to add a day to our Hard Rock Stay, but unfortunately that thought did not occur until after I had booked and paid for the Hyatt. But at least we will get a good night sleep instead of getting up at 3:00am and trying to hit the parks the same day. We would kill each other the first day.

Travelitis - I believe we have front of the line priviledges staying at the Hard Rock, so we won't actually be buying express pass. I know we won't be riding all the rides, but it will be nice to know we can revisit the ones we liked without waiting too long.... especially when it didn't cost extra.

medicgirl911 - Thank you for your comments. I am on the verge of tears every time I think about my "baby" growing up. I would hope to get through this trip without breaking down, but the openining ceremony at the Magic Kingdom usually does me in.

So any good places to eat at either park or City Walk? I would love to try either of Emeril's restaurant, but I barely get the kid in dress clothes for churchh on Easter.. NO WAY will I get her out of shorts and T-shirt on vacation. I think we can agree on Bubba Gump's and Hard Rock Cafe.

 

[disneyaddicted]

What a perfrct mother daughter trip, your plans so great, Will there be a TR upon your return? looking forward to hearing more.