The Return of the Wizard and the Cheerful Dwarf (Jan 2010--NEW photos!)

[Wrexie]

I'm going to WDW for the fourth time in January 2010! I went way back in the early 80's with my Dad, then about 10-12 years ago with my husband and stepdaughter, in January 2004 with my husband, and he and I are about to make another trip together this January!

After our 2004 Disney trip, I signed up for a Disney Rewards Visa. I'm not a huge spender but have managed to rack up enough points that I needed to put them on a rewards card or lose them. My rewards card expires at the end of 2010. So, as I told my husband, "We *have* to go to Disney World in 2010!"

I like to plan ahead as much as possible and already have some pretty definite ideas about what order to do things in, restaurants, etc. but am always open to suggestions or advice on things it may not have occurred to me to consider.

The things that will be new for us this trip are staying at a Disney Resort and taking Disney transportation instead of our own car or renting a car. We're flying in and taking the Disney Magical Express. When I post my itinerary, I'd like to get some idea if the time I've allotted for getting from one park to another is realistic using Disney transportation. We love the restaurants at Epcot and plan to eat there most every night, so getting back in time for our ADR's is important! Tomorrow I can call and make our dining reservations.

Thanks to some folks in various threads on resorts, we decided to stay in the Caribbean Beach Resort. In the past we've stayed off-property at inexpensive hotels, because we couldn't justify spending a lot of money on a room we'd basically be using for sleeping only. But this trip, we have some time blocked in to just enjoy the resort.

Just a few notes about us and our vacation style:

My husband and I are empty-nesters (he has three kids from a previous marriage, the youngest of whom is a college senior) and love to travel. He's originally from Switzerland, I'm originally from North Carolina, and now we live in Indiana. On most vacations, we like to explore cities or hike in state parks/national parks/scenic wilderness areas. We love to eat well and enjoy a nice bottle of wine. We tend to travel "moderate" style, not spending a lot on fancy hotels but doing some nice dinners out. At Disney World, in the past we've tended to be at the theme parks pretty much opening to closing, and don't mind lots of walking. We love to eat in the Epcot international restaurants. We're not really thrill ride people. I love things that spin like the teacups, but ride that alone because he hates spinning. Neither one of us likes big drops, but we both can handle Space Mountain. He rode Splash Mountain without me because I don't like the drop at the end. Oddly enough, we both loved the Mission: Space and can't wait to do it again. No serious roller coasters though. We love birds and animals, and I've been known to snap a photo of an ibis or anhinga in Magic Kingdom while everyone else is taking pictures of Mickey!

I'll be posting an itinerary soon. For me, planning and anticipating is part of the fun of a trip!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Itinerary
Shopping: Baggallini Around Town Bag
Eating Healthy at WDW
Shopping: Think Mizzi Sandals
Review: Baggallini Around Town Bag & Tattoo Plans
Photo: The Wizard and The Dwarf on Fall Break!
Shopping: Chilly Jilly Wrap
The Reason to Celebrate: The 15-year Anniversary of an Interesting Meeting!
Photos of Cave Trip and 2004 Disney Trip

 

[Wrexie]

Ok, here's my itinerary so far. I haven't made any ADR's yet but should be able to do that tomorrow morning. When I've got the parades and such that doesn't necessarily mean I want to see them all, just copying that from the website since it might be handy to know when they are going on.

All our Hollywood Studios stuff is optional because that's our least favorite of the parks. I'd rather make sure we get to do everything we want to in the other parks, and if we happen to get over there, fine, if not, I'm ok. We've seen Fantasmic before.

How does this look so far? Will getting around to the various places be reasonable with Disney transportation or should we go for some different reservation times?

Disney World 2010 Itinerary **Updated 10/7 with more specifics!*

Saturday, January 2

9:10 AM Arrive at Orlando Airport
Check in to Caribbean Beach Resort
Lunch & recreation at resort
6:45 PM Dinner reservation: The Wave
Possible visit to Disney Boardwalk before or after dinner, drinks & sing-along at Jellyrolls?

Sunday, January 3

Epcot
Bus to Epcot (est. 12 minutes)
9:00 AM Park Opens
Do most of the Future World stuff, lunch at Sunshine Seasons
7:00 PM Dinner reservation: Bistro de Paris (Jan. 3 is the anniversary of our first date!)
9:00 PM IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Entertainment)
9:00 PM Park Closes

Monday, January 4

Animal Kingdom
Bus to Animal Kingdom (est. 23 minutes)
8:00 AM Extra Magic Hours (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)
9:00 AM Park Opens
Counter service lunch somewhere
3:45 PM Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade (Entertainment)
5:00 PM Park Closes
Bus to Epcot (est. 16 minutes)

Epcot
6:45 PM Dinner reservation: San Angel Inn
Optional: Tequila tasting at La Cava del Tequila!
Bus to DHS (est. 13 minutes)

Disney Hollywood Studios
8:00 PM Optional Extra Magic Hours (8:00 PM-11:00 PM)

Tuesday, January 5

Epcot
Bus to Epcot (est. 12 minutes)
8:00 AM Extra Magic Hours (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)
9:00 AM Park Opens
Do anything left in Future World and then World Showcase. Counter service Lunch at Japan, Norway, or China?
7:00 PM Dinner reservation: Restaurant Marrakesh
9:00 PM IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Entertainment)
9:00 PM Park Closes

Wednesday, January 6

Magic Kingdom
Bus to MK (est. 15 minutes)
9:00 AM Park Opens
Do Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Lunch at Cosmic Ray's
3:00 PM Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade (Entertainment)
5:40 PM Dinner reservation: Tony's Town Square
7:00 PM "SpectroMagic" Parade (Entertainment)
8:00 PM Wishes™ Nighttime Spectacular (Entertainment)
8:00 PM Park Closes
Boat or Monorail to Polynesian Resort for drinks in Tambu Lounge

Thursday, January 7

Magic Kingdom
Bus to MK (est. 15 minutes)
8:00 AM Extra Magic Hours (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)
9:00 AM Park Opens
Do everything in MK we didn't do the day before, probably lunch at El Pirata or Pecos Bill's

Disney Hollywood Studios
6:30 Optional "Fantasmic"

Epcot
8:30 PM Dinner reservation: Le Cellier
9:00 PM Optional Extra Magic Hours (9:00 PM-12:00 AM)

Friday, January 8

Relax at resort, maybe go to Downtown Disney, depending on when we need to catch the "Magical Express"
3:42 PM Fly home!

 

[Wrexie]

Ok, I'm trying to decide on buying a new bag.

Currently I have this which usually works great, however the rubber grip on the shoulder is torn:

Ameribag Healthy Back Bag

The pros:

I like being able to put lots of stuff in it and mostly, it stays comfortable. The main opening is easy to access while it's still on my shoulder, and I can open it wide for security.

The cons:

I have to keep a hand on it and my shoulder gets tired after a while, so I switch. I'd like to wear it crossbody, but that isn't comfortable. I think this bag is not intended to be worn that way. It's not terribly stylish.

So I'm considering one of the following:

Ebags Piazza Day Bag

Baggallini Messenger bag

The Ebags one holds a little less than I'm used to but I think I could make do. I have a packable rain jacket I really like if I'm going to be in the rain for a while, but it probably wouldn't fit. On days when it's "iffy" I could probably put a poncho in this bag.

I love the giraffe print on the Baggallini one, but am not sure it would adjust enough to stay close to my petite frame as opposed to trailing behind, and don't know if I'd like having to constantly take it on and off over my head.

I know no matter what bag I get at some point my shoulder/arm/back is going to get tired. With a backpack-style purse, I'll have to be constantly taking it off and putting it in my lap for rides. I like the crossbody style, but if I carry lots of stuff, will it constantly be banging on my hip and pulling on that shoulder, as opposed to something like a backpack or the healthy back bag that distributes the weight more?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

 

[Wrexie]

Ok, so I put a spiffy new title on this thread to hopefully make it sound less boring.

My husband is the wizard--tall with a beard, and regularly works magic (ok, as a choreographer, not the magic wand kind)

Me? I'm 5'3"--maybe not dwarf short but I've always had a soft spot for dwarves. The stock character seems to be a "grumpy dwarf," but I'm more cheerful by nature, so there you go.

My favorite toy is my iPhone. I notice there are a few Disney-related iPhone apps (one with a list of attractions to prioritize, one with restaurant menus, etc.) and I wonder if anybody has used one and is it worthwhile?

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm in and going back to read!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I think your times look good and as a rule if you allow an hour travel time between parks you should be good with Disney transportation. I have a baggalini messanger in the DIS lime green but think the giraffe print is very cool. I stash that bag in our owners locker and carry it when I'm taking extra stuff into the parks like ponchos. My favorite touring bag is a Vera Bradley hipster....

I got a new iphone for my birthday in July, I was 52! It is a very fun toy.

 

[Wrexie]

I got a new iphone for my birthday in July, I was 52! It is a very fun toy.

My husband got my iphone for me for my birthday. When he later asked if I liked it, I was like, "Are you kidding? If I liked it any more I'd divorce you and marry the phone!"

Thanks for reading! I just made my dinner reservation online for Jan. 2 and am waiting until the phones open up at 7:00 to see if they'll let me make ADR's for the rest of the trip.

crossing fingers!

 

[Wrexie]

Boo - they won't let me make reservations past January 2 because even though I'm staying Jan. 2-8, we have a single-night reservation and then the package so we could get one night free.

Oh well, I'll call back tomorrow, though I have to be at work at 7:30 so I won't have a lot of time. I should at least be able to do the Jan. 3 online.

But we do have our ADR for The Wave at 6:45 on January 2!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm joining in. Sounds like you have a great trip planned so far. I agree with Wigd, if you give yourself about an hour with Disney transportation you shouldn't have any problem making your ADRs on time.

That's too bad about your ADRs. But at least you got the first day taken care of!

 

[Wrexie]

Ok, I decided to order this bag from Ebags:

Baggallini Around Town Bag

The measurements put it at about the same size as an old Nine West bag I liked but 1 inch wider, which should give me room to cram in a rain jacket or sun hat. I was looking through some old purses I haven't carried for a while and was amazed at some of the teeny-tiny pockets barely big enough to hold anything. Then I realized this was before the invention of cell phones! I guess I need to clean out my stuff and donate to Goodwill more often.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Ok, I decided to order this bag from Ebags:

Baggallini Around Town Bag

The measurements put it at about the same size as an old Nine West bag I liked but 1 inch wider, which should give me room to cram in a rain jacket or sun hat. I was looking through some old purses I haven't carried for a while and was amazed at some of the teeny-tiny pockets barely big enough to hold anything. Then I realized this was before the invention of cell phones! I guess I need to clean out my stuff and donate to Goodwill more often.

Cute bag, I can't wait to hear what you think of the strap when you have it all packed for the park....
Is it a shoulder bag or cross the body type?

 

[Wrexie]

Is it a shoulder bag or cross the body type?

Cross-body. One reason I'm looking to replace the Healthy Back Bag is to avoid carrying a bag on one shoulder.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I do like the cross body style myself, it can seem like you are carrying nothing at all!

 

[Wrexie]

I made my ADR's this morning! I got everything I wanted, even Le Cellier, except there was some glitch with Tony's and the reservation system wasn't up yet for that date. The CM suggested calling back tonight or tomorrow.

Yippee!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

That's terrific! With dining in place the rest of the trip will go like clockwork! Oh are you doing a touring plan?

 

[Wrexie]

That's terrific! With dining in place the rest of the trip will go like clockwork! Oh are you doing a touring plan?

I'm not even sure what a touring plan is!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

There are websites, like ridemax.com that will plan your day for more efficient touring so you can get more done. We really like ridemax!

 

[Wrexie]

There are websites, like ridemax.com that will plan your day for more efficient touring so you can get more done. We really like ridemax!

Cool, I will check it out. Usually we just pick a place to start, get fastpasses for popular rides, etc. but I'm not opposed to more specific planning!

 

[Wrexie]

Yay! I got the last of my ADR's made. I got in Le Cellier with no problem. The difficult one was actually Tony's Town Square. It's earlier than I would have liked, but I'm guessing since that restaurant is on Main Street, lots of people make reservations around the time of the parade and hope for a window table?

I had to convince my husband to eat dinner in MK, since he likes to have a beer or glass of wine with dinner. But I really wanted to stay and see "Wishes" one night and not feel rushed to get out of MK for dinner, so I wanted to eat in MK that night. We can always go out for a couple drinks later.

Speaking of food and drink, I've been on Weight Watchers for a little over a month now and have lost 8 pounds. I've got 8-10 more to go to reach my goal, which I hope to do before the WDW trip in January.

My goal for the trip is to enjoy the food but not overdo it and not gain any weight. I'm already thinking of some strategies and have commented in this thread that discusses healthy eating choices in the parks: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33847756#post33847756

My current plan is to eat a Luna bar or Kashi roll (3 weight watchers points) like I usually do in the morning, look for fruit vendors for snacks, and try to keep portions small at lunch, with things like grilled chicken sandwiches minus the bun. Then at dinner, I want to be able to enjoy myself but not go too crazy. For instance, I already know I want maple creme brulee at Le Cellier. I had this dessert once in Vermont and it beats the heck out of regular creme brulee with sugar. So at that dinner I may order an appetizer as my entree and try a bite or two of my husband's steak (he likes medium rare, I like medium, so I won't be tempted to grab too much off his plate). Then we'll split the dessert.

I'm open to suggestions regarding healthy dining options in the parks, particularly for counter service lunch and snacks!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thanks for the link on the healthy eating thread! I'm going to go check it out.

WOO HOO for getting into Le Cellier, that is the only one of mine that I am worried about.