The Mouse, The Martini and Me - June 2011 Edition

[nyc2theworld]

Well, first off...welcome. This is my very first trip report. So please excuse me if I don't know what to include. I'm going to tell you right off the bat I'm a single homosexual. So, if you have a problem, I suggest you find another one of the wonderful "I'm going with all of my 12 family members staying in 1 room at AssPorts" pre-trip/actual trip reports to read.

So, this will not be about what any DS, DH, DW, or any other family member did to/at me. This will be about my experience enjoying gaydays at Walt Disney World and doing what I want to do with some of great people I have met here and also by myself.

So my planning process....really started last year. I met some wonderful people last year during a DATW (Drinks Around the World...see already we are at another one of the major topics of this pre-trip/actual trip event - Alcohol) and I was debating about going but decided that, why the hell not...I love the Mouse...be great to see these people again...so I began.

Last year, I stayed at one of the host hotels for some of the LGBT pool parties and had a wonderful time...again lots of drinking (BTW, if you are against Drinking, you should stop now because this will be a reoccurring theme here). However, trying to get to/from Disney was not ideal.

Now here I need to take a break from Disney to tell you something about me. I travel for work. So hotel points at large chains (think Starwood, Hilton) are vital to me.

Back to Disney...So I decided that for June 1-8 I was gonna stay at the Swan but alas to make what is now a long post short...I waited too long. So now I'm doing a split stay. June 1-6th I'm at the Swan (three reasons...1-Can get some Starwood points, 2-I can stumble back from EPOCT after a Drinks around The World, 3-Its a Deluxe hotel cheaper than the Disney Deluxe hotels) and the 6th-8th I'm at Pop Century (I will probably be in a alcoholic coma those days but we’ll see...I'm interested as to what a value resort doesn't offer as I like POFQ when I stay at a Disney hotel).

Tomorrow I'll Post ADRs and other things I'm doing there as I'm done and my drink needs refilling.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It's going to be FABULOUS! Can't wait to see you!!!

Now, chop-chop on the next installment!

 

[nyc2theworld]

Welcome back! If you are still with us I believe now is the time to tell you what I'm doing while down there?

Normally I would just list the theme parks and figure out what to eat when I get down there. As a single traveler, its pretty easy to get into restaurants (for the most part. Le Cellier sucks from what I've heard so no worries there) so I was never concerned with ADRs..or spreadsheets...in previous years I just showed up and went to the bar for another drink. (Flying a lot has its benefits...free upgrade to first and booze yay :)

Well, this year I do have some events planned and meals scheduled. However, I'm taking this to the 21st century with this planning and hello Outlook!

May 27th:
I start to obsess over my travel plans to see if I'm upgraded to first on my way down. If not, I need to add my free drink tickets for a morning drink to my checklist of things to pack.

May 28th
Do laundry so I have clean things to pack. And run to the liquor store for some essentials that need to be brought down.

May 30th
Packing begins. Probably around 10PM as I loathe packing/unpacking.

June 1st
2AM Packing is complete. Probably get a couple hours of sleep before the car comes to take me to the airport where I breeze pass economy, check my luggage, and go to the gate. I then proceed to board before all the family and take up all available bin space for my carryon luggage and enjoy my pre-departure beverage. Then I land in Orlando and make my way to the Swan and check in. My goal is to be in the pool at the Swan by 12:30 with an afternoon drink. Then that evening I have my first ADR at Victoria and Albert's at 5:30PM. Why am I doing V&A, beacuse I can and it looks awesome. Then probably over to the Poly to watch the fireworks on the beach and then do a Tour around the Monorail and stop at all the hotel restaurnt bars for a drink.

June 2nd - Animal Kingdom Day
Early morning (possibly rope drop!) go to Animal Kingdom and get Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids and Kilamajaro Safaris out of the way. Yay this park is done. Back to the Swan to hang out with two wonderful friends who are having a renewal of the vows ceremony later. We plan on sitting at the pool and drinking and relaxing before the ceremony. After the ceremony, celebrating with more drinks probably at JellyRolls or something. Either way drinking and dancing will be done.

June 3rd - Hollywood Studios
No ADRs for food, Probably just walk into Brown Derby like I always do, have some decent wine and a Cobb Salad. I love their Cobb Salad...its quite good. Might run over to Victoria Fallas at 9PM for a pre-cocktail before I go to Typhoon Lagoon for an after-hours Party. (Wave Pool + tons of alcohol = )

June 4th - Magic Kingdom
After consuming large quantities of water and pain medication, go to the MK for a breakfast with the cool kids at the cool kids table at Crystal Palace. Activites at the MK include a Dole Whip meeting at 4PM then the cool kids go on a Wishes Cruise at 8PM.

June 5th - EPCOT!!!!!! DATW
It will start at high noon! and go from there. Last year I ended up laying on the ground taking pictures of people so who knows what will happen! Then either depending on how trashy I feel go to Mr. Sisters or Parliment House for their foam party.

June 6th - Lunch with an Imagineer
Back to Hollywood Studios. And Brown Derby. I really do like this place this time Lunch with an Imagineer. Other than that switch to Pop Century and see what that resort doesn't have to offer for the next two nights

June 7th - Up in the Air? Maybe a Water Park?
All I know is that I have dinner with a great family at Yachtman's with jackskellingtonsgirl and their family. A nice way to end my vacation

June 8th - Water Park and Depart?
Hopefully work will screw themselves over so I get this full day to myself and can spend all day at the water parks and then drive back to the airport for my flight to who knows where.

That's pretty much everything. Its Mother's Day and mom and I need a cocktail.

 

[PghLybrt]

I want to hear about V&A. That is one Val and I have not done yet!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think the Wishes cruise is at 9 PM. I should double check that. But I think we meet at the marina at 9 PM and depart at 9:30 for 10 PM Wishes.

 

[KCSherri]

Sounds like fun...!

Hubby and I did the Chef's Table last year at V&A's - it was to die for.

 

[chrisw127]

Hahahaha. I didn't get past the second line before I snorted out loud.

 

[nyc2theworld]

Sounds like fun...!

Hubby and I did the Chef's Table last year at V&A's - it was to die for.

Awesome...I'm not going to V&A's with anybody so it will be an interesting experience dining there by myself. I am looking forward to it though! Have you done regular service at V&A's and if so, what's the difference?

 

[StitchFan73]

Great Pre-trip report-but don't be such a Pop snob you!

 

[KCSherri]

We have done the "regular" service at V&A's, as well...

Both will get you fantastic service - but the "regular" table is just that - like in a regular restaurant....

The Chef's Table...you're sitting in the kitchen, watching the staff put everyone else's meals together...and the Chef will come over for each course to explain what it is....It was amazing. We felt like we were part of the Kitchen Staff ourselves, but we were being pampered, like royalty! Hard to explain here...

I did a complete review (with photos) of the Chef's Table on my blog; you can read it about it here:

Review of Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table

Either way you go, you'll have a wonderful dining experience!

 

[nyc2theworld]

Great Pre-trip report-but don't be such a Pop snob you!

Hahahaha its all in jest...After being comparatively pampered at the Swan and all the upgrades I get during business travel this will be quite a...unique...experience

 

[nyc2theworld]

Oh, BTW. I might sneak in a pre-WDW trip too during may due to work sending me to Orlando again, or maybe I'll go to Universal and do the Harry Potter thing.

23 Calendar Days
5 work travel days
3 acutal work days
15 gym days at home

 

[brettystar]

Looks like a great trip planned.... the Disney AND drinking...sounds like a perfect holiday.
I remember having my Princess 35th birthday lunch at Ariel's Grotto with my other half and getting vert tipsy on the blue cocktails they gave us.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Honey, when you do a pre-trip report you're supposed to, you know, report on stuff.

 

[PghLybrt]

@Elizabeth- LOL true!! Thats why i stink at these!!

 

[nyc2theworld]

Even though my trip is 19 days away it feels like a long time. Mostly because I have 2 work trips before. The funny thing is, I'm gonna be in Orlando for work May 24-26th, then fly back down on the 1st.

So, I'm support to report on something...ummm...clothing! I have started my final trip planning process which means going through my wardrobe and seeing what I'm going to leave at home (its eaiser that way as I bring a lot of clothes with me).

I've come to the realization that:

A-Swim trunks/board shorts are the way to go. Lets just say the breeze feels very nice in 90+ degree weather.
B-I need more red shirts
C-I need something snarky to wear on Saturday.

So lets deal with A:

After quite a exhaustive consultation with friends as to what board shorts I should buy I now have 4 pairs of board shorts...the two new purchases include

Aeropostale Graident Check Printed Board Shorts
and
Hollister Co. Seascape Navy Board Shorts

The requirement was that I have to look good in them when wearing a red shirt. And while posting this just realized the price went down on the Aeropostale shorts so I need to get some money back! (that refund wil be put in the alcohol consumption fund).

And now B
I think I have bought every red shirt that looks good on me from American Eagle, Hollister Co. and Aeropostale. At this point I now have 6 shirts (4 t-shirts 2 polos) that are red in color. And I still have about 2 more to purchase which brings us to

C-What shirt for Friday?
Lastly...I have found my red shirt that I'm going to wear on Saturday. You're going to have to wait for a picture of me to be posted in it. (I know, its like a 1st time Oscar nominee wondering if they'll win against Merryll Streep) Now, I cannot guarantee my sobriety level at that time, so, be forewarned.

Happy hour time!!! Time to open the wine bottle!

Next update...what vodka do I pack in my luggage with me?

 

[nyc2theworld]

17 calendar days
6 actual work days (4 of which are travel days)
Then I'm on vacation.

Yet I still go back to Orlando for work before vacation. I am a lucky person

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We are having dinner at Jiko on Friday before the Victoria Falls meet if you would like to join us. Brown Derby may be insanely busy all day because of Star Wars. That's what happened to us last year - no ADRs in the whole flippin' park.

 

[scottny]

Maybe I will see you around the parks. We will be there too at that time. your trip planning sounds great.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So? Now what? Isn't there some new development you wish to apprise us of?

It's almost time for WDW!