Queenofthecastle
<font color=red>I may be the Queen, but the Tag Fa
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2003
- Messages
- 698
<b>The Making of a Disneyholic - Pre-Trip Report</b>
<size=1><i>(Disclaimer: This trip report is through my eyes only. My partner in crime may, or may not agree with any or all of the elements or events in this report as I transcribe them.)</size></i>
<b>Cast:</b>
W (me, 29)
T (DBF, 32)
We hail from the beautiful Pacific Northwest - Beaverton, Oregon
<b>Dates:</b> May 16th May 25th
<b>Length of Stay:</b> 9 nights
<b>Airline:</b> Northwest (Cost: $226.50/each)
<b>Rental Car:</b> Alamo Intermediate(Cost: $175.71 tax/fees included)
<b>Hotels:</b> 4 nights WL Standard View (Cost: $553 tax included), 5 nights AKL Standard View (Cost: $691 tax included)
<b>Park Passes:</b> Premium Annual Passes ($520/each)
<b>Total Budget:</b> $4000
My very first trip report where do I start? I guess its good to let all of you know a bit of history. Ive been to WDW 3 times before. Once in 1994 (off site!)
during college Spring break, once in 1996 (CBR), and once in 1998 (YC). As you can see, my WDW vacations have gotten progressively better (ok, just more expensive). I started off as a complete Disney neophyte (Disneophyte!) back in 1994. I was on a college budget, didnt care where I stayed as long as it was cheap!(Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista). 1996 had me making a little bit of money after college graduation so CBR it was! 1998 was when I discovered the DIS and Stormalong Bay
so YC it was! But that was SO last decade, I want to tell you all about THIS trip!
I met T almost 3 years ago. Now, hes been to WDW before, so hes not a red-blooded newbie. But, that was 20 years ago. So Id consider him a Disneophyte, wouldnt you??? He doesnt remember much about his last trip. Something about a monorail going through a hotel? Aye aye aye!!! It's official, Ts a newbie.
Early February 2003:
I needed a vacation. But where? Its been a while since Ive been to WDW. My parents were going to take my little brother and I a couple years ago, but the time was never right. Hey! I can take myself! What was I waiting for? Wait a minute who would be able to go with me though? No one that I know can understand or appreciate a Disney vacation. Most people I know think its silly. Why would you want to go without kids?
(I am going to pretend I didnt hear that comment) I needed someone with an open mind
who has infinite stamina, and likes to have lots and lots of fun! 
Hey T, if I go to Disney World, would you wanna go?
Ok.
Yes! The planning (which is almost my favorite part) commences!
Ohhhhhh where is that Disney board I went to back in 1998? I forget what its called!
It was by some guy named Pete
or was it Pat? Oh Google
.come to my rescue! Oh yes, wdwinfo.com! Its all coming back!
February, March, April, May:
Hm where should we stay? I want to try some place new. Ive always wanted to try Wilderness Lodge. But Ive always wanted to try Animal Kingdom too. Hmm, what if we did both? (research DIS on split-stays, more research, more research, Im liking the idea of a split-stay). <url>
</url> CSR is intriguing too, and we could save some money. I think All-Stars might be cute. Naw, too many little kids. But we could save a lot more money. Naw. Port Orleans Riverside? Maybe
What, they are undergoing refurbishment? Ok, cross out Port Orleans all together. Yacht Club again? Too expensive, plus Ive already stayed there. I must try something new! Boardwalk? Not really my style. Poly? Nice, but too expensive, and what about that musty smell everyone is talking about? Naw. Contemporary? Too old. Grand Floridian? Too honeymoony, and way expensive. WL and AKL it is! Yay!
I made the reservations!
T: Dont you think WL may be a bit too much like home?
W: Well we dont live in a log house and our living room isnt 7 stories high. And pine trees arent only in the Northwest, they are everywhere. Hmph.
Now a little voice inside my head keeps telling me maybe I should switch resorts, maybe it is too much like the Northwest. But switch to what? I only like WL! Im sticking with it.
What about AKL though? I really really want a savannah view, but its so much more expensive. We would go over budget. No, I must stick with standard. <url>
</url> Must
..not
..give in to
..animals! <url>
</url> Then theres the concierge level
.WAY too expensive. What, do I actually think Im an adult or something? Trying to afford concierge level
who am I kidding?
Hey I figured out how to work that Countdown thingy on the Boards! Look, only 120 more days to go!
OMG its 4am, why is the alarm going off? Do I really want to eat breakfast with Cinderella and friends in the castle? Will T think its totally corny? Why am I up? <url>
</url> Oh well, dial dial dial. Yes! Reservations (not ressies, RESERVATIONS) for 8:05am for 2! That was easy, why was everyone so paranoid about it selling out? Maybe the pixie dust has already started, and we still have 59 days to go!
Lets Tivo some of these Disney resort shows on the Travel Channel before we go! Oohhhh Ahhhhhh .so purrrrrrrrty. Hey, lets pop in the WDW DVD!
Look, Im doing the single digit dance! <url>
</url> Now its time to go find those 2 gallon Ziplock bags everyone has been ranting about.
Hey T, why are you packing already, you cant pack before me, Im the Disney freak! Hey using a long straw to vacuum pack those Ziplock bags really does work! Great idea, T!
My Dads calling, its 7am, we gotta catch our 9am flight and its rush hour! What T? You have to stop by an ATM first? Argh.
Hooray, we made it and our flight is leaving on time! Minneapolis, here we come!
Four short hours later: Buh buy Minneapolis! Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Orlando!
0. The Making of a Disneyholic - Pre-Trip Report
1. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 1 - "I have a bad feeling about this..."
2. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 2 - "Oh my, is Chip really proposing?!" - Photos
3. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 3 - "OMG, it's 1:45pm, we have to GET UP!" - Photos
4. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 4 - "T disses Michael Jackson." - Photos
5. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 5 - "Dolphins and Discovery Cove." - Photos
6. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 6 - "Did I mention that I hate ToT?" - Photos
7. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 7 - "That snowglobe will be mine!"(AK & DQ) - Photos
<size=1><i>(Disclaimer: This trip report is through my eyes only. My partner in crime may, or may not agree with any or all of the elements or events in this report as I transcribe them.)</size></i>
<b>Cast:</b>
W (me, 29)
T (DBF, 32)
We hail from the beautiful Pacific Northwest - Beaverton, Oregon
<b>Dates:</b> May 16th May 25th
<b>Length of Stay:</b> 9 nights
<b>Airline:</b> Northwest (Cost: $226.50/each)
<b>Rental Car:</b> Alamo Intermediate(Cost: $175.71 tax/fees included)
<b>Hotels:</b> 4 nights WL Standard View (Cost: $553 tax included), 5 nights AKL Standard View (Cost: $691 tax included)
<b>Park Passes:</b> Premium Annual Passes ($520/each)
<b>Total Budget:</b> $4000
My very first trip report where do I start? I guess its good to let all of you know a bit of history. Ive been to WDW 3 times before. Once in 1994 (off site!)
during college Spring break, once in 1996 (CBR), and once in 1998 (YC). As you can see, my WDW vacations have gotten progressively better (ok, just more expensive). I started off as a complete Disney neophyte (Disneophyte!) back in 1994. I was on a college budget, didnt care where I stayed as long as it was cheap!(Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista). 1996 had me making a little bit of money after college graduation so CBR it was! 1998 was when I discovered the DIS and Stormalong Bay
so YC it was! But that was SO last decade, I want to tell you all about THIS trip!I met T almost 3 years ago. Now, hes been to WDW before, so hes not a red-blooded newbie. But, that was 20 years ago. So Id consider him a Disneophyte, wouldnt you??? He doesnt remember much about his last trip. Something about a monorail going through a hotel? Aye aye aye!!! It's official, Ts a newbie.
Early February 2003:
I needed a vacation. But where? Its been a while since Ive been to WDW. My parents were going to take my little brother and I a couple years ago, but the time was never right. Hey! I can take myself! What was I waiting for? Wait a minute who would be able to go with me though? No one that I know can understand or appreciate a Disney vacation. Most people I know think its silly. Why would you want to go without kids?
(I am going to pretend I didnt hear that comment) I needed someone with an open mind
who has infinite stamina, and likes to have lots and lots of fun! Hey T, if I go to Disney World, would you wanna go?
Ok.
Yes! The planning (which is almost my favorite part) commences! Ohhhhhh where is that Disney board I went to back in 1998? I forget what its called!
It was by some guy named Pete
or was it Pat? Oh Google
.come to my rescue! Oh yes, wdwinfo.com! Its all coming back!February, March, April, May:
Hm where should we stay? I want to try some place new. Ive always wanted to try Wilderness Lodge. But Ive always wanted to try Animal Kingdom too. Hmm, what if we did both? (research DIS on split-stays, more research, more research, Im liking the idea of a split-stay). <url>
I made the reservations!
T: Dont you think WL may be a bit too much like home?
W: Well we dont live in a log house and our living room isnt 7 stories high. And pine trees arent only in the Northwest, they are everywhere. Hmph.
Now a little voice inside my head keeps telling me maybe I should switch resorts, maybe it is too much like the Northwest. But switch to what? I only like WL! Im sticking with it.
What about AKL though? I really really want a savannah view, but its so much more expensive. We would go over budget. No, I must stick with standard. <url>
Hey I figured out how to work that Countdown thingy on the Boards! Look, only 120 more days to go!
OMG its 4am, why is the alarm going off? Do I really want to eat breakfast with Cinderella and friends in the castle? Will T think its totally corny? Why am I up? <url>
Lets Tivo some of these Disney resort shows on the Travel Channel before we go! Oohhhh Ahhhhhh .so purrrrrrrrty. Hey, lets pop in the WDW DVD!
Look, Im doing the single digit dance! <url>
Hey T, why are you packing already, you cant pack before me, Im the Disney freak! Hey using a long straw to vacuum pack those Ziplock bags really does work! Great idea, T!
My Dads calling, its 7am, we gotta catch our 9am flight and its rush hour! What T? You have to stop by an ATM first? Argh.
Hooray, we made it and our flight is leaving on time! Minneapolis, here we come!
Four short hours later: Buh buy Minneapolis! Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Orlando!
0. The Making of a Disneyholic - Pre-Trip Report
1. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 1 - "I have a bad feeling about this..."
2. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 2 - "Oh my, is Chip really proposing?!" - Photos
3. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 3 - "OMG, it's 1:45pm, we have to GET UP!" - Photos
4. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 4 - "T disses Michael Jackson." - Photos
5. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 5 - "Dolphins and Discovery Cove." - Photos
6. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 6 - "Did I mention that I hate ToT?" - Photos
7. The Making of a Disneyholic - Day 7 - "That snowglobe will be mine!"(AK & DQ) - Photos
