The Slightly overplanned and ever so expensive propsal - Pre Trip report

[Marks281172]

Hi All,

Just finished the majority of my planning/booking/paying for things for our trip to the sunshine state in November/December so thought id throw up a wee PTR

Firstly.. the ever so excited participants.

Me (Mark) - 37 year old account manager, 8th visit Orlando Veteran
She (Leigh) - 41 year old Accountant, Orlando virgin!

It took a fair bit of convincing to get Leigh to agree to a fortnight in Orlando, but after showing her a few guide books and trip reports on the Dis she was soon convinced, she did however stipulate that she wanted to stay off Disney property as she didnt want the magic 24/7 and that we stay in a suite as she finds most hotel rooms a bit cramped.. fair enough!

We eventually booked 2 weeks at the Staybridge Suites, LBV with First choice, travelling in Premium class from LGW on the 27th of Nov.

I thought i was being smart and booking a quiet time of year but seems i got it badly wrong, i think were going to catch the tail end of thanksgiving and then its Pop Warner... erk.. never mind.

With that in mind and with a lot of things being booked up I started building a plan to let us to do everything we wanted in the 2 weeks.

I also plan to propose to Leigh while we are out there, though not decided when and where yet, but i will make it early in the holiday so I dont need to cart the ring around

So my big plan is as follows;

Friday - Train to Gatwick Airport to stay at Sofitel North Terminal for the night.

Saturday - Arrive around 3.30pm at Sanford, drive to hotel, Hit Premium Outlets for some light clothes and then head to Downtown Dis for a light dinner at Earl of Sammich

Sunday - My Birthday Animal Kingdom, Bubba Gump Shrimp at Citywalk followed by Blue Man group (booked!)

Monday - Seaworld, Raglan Road (booked!), Disneyquest

Tuesday - Blizzard Beach, Johnny Rockets at Pointe Orlando, Wonderworks

Wednesday - Epcot, Le Cellier candlelight procession (Booked!)

Thursday - Disney Studios. Hollywood and Vine (Booked!), Fantasmic, Osbourne lights

Friday - Boggy Creak Airboats, Shopping, Rainforest Cafe DTD, Cirque du Soleil (booked!)

Saturday - Discovery Cove, Dolphin Swim (booked!), Kissimee car cruise (wooo!)

Sunday - Gatorland, Shopping, Olive Garden, Ripleys

Monday - Busch Gardens, Sweet Tomatos, Pirates mini golf at Crossroads

Tuesday - Aquatica, Fultons Crab House (Booked!), Movie (Harry Potter if out)

Wednesday - Universal Studios, Seasons 52 on Sandlake road

Thursday - Islands of Adventure, Mythos

Friday - Magic Kingdom, Tonys Town Square (booked!)

Saturday - Return to Leighs Fav park.. Fly home .. booooo

Quite a packed 2 weeks, but i think ive spaced things out ok.


Dollars and travellers cheques all changed up, Passports sorted, Esta done, Airport Hotel and even train tickets booked!

All we need now is for the next 90 or so days to go quick

 

[jamjar84]

Sounds like a great trip, especially the propoal, can't wait for your trippie.

 

[jackieleanne]

Sounds like a great trip we are there 27th - 4th.

Can't wait to see what you decide to do for the proposal.

 

[Marks281172]

Heres my current plan, im hoping you all make something similar or i may be a little ocd about orlando

Ive already swapped Hardrock for bubba gump as i couldnt find priority reservations for BGS on citywalk and dont want to be eating in Burger King on my birthday

 

[m1ckeymouse]

wow, your plan is great, we loved Discovery Cove. Do you have an A4 planning folder too? My 4yo has just designed a new front cover for ours. You are not alone being OCD.

 

[SusanEllen]

This may be Leigh's first trip to WDW/FL, but easy to see it's not yours! Terrific framework for your days with solid plans but enough wiggle room to be spontaneous. Well done. The only thing I have to contribute is the suggestion to visit some of the Disney hotels to see the incredible Christmas decorations--easy to do when at MK with monorail getting you to Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian, a boat to Wilderness Lodge (home of my heart) or when at Epcot, a pleasant little walk or a Friendship boat ride to the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club resorts. The giant gingerbread house at the GF is worth the price of admission for the day. Have a great time and then write a full TR, which judging by your PTR ought to be lots of fun to read.

 

[mandymouse]

Your plans sound amazing Mark. Congratulations on your future engagement and I can't wait to read your trip report when you get back

 

[Marks281172]

Thanks all, glad to see im not the only one that treats Orlando like a military operation

We will try and squeeze some time in to visit WDW hotels to see the decos.. but dont you need to be a resident? As i remember last time i stayed on site the security only let us through when they saw our parking permit.

Made a couple of changes to the plan, shifted Disney Studios so we could eat at 50s prime time rather than the melee of Hollywood and Vine.. dont get me wrong i like H&V but sometimes you dont want to be battling with a 4 year old for the last of the mac and cheese , moved Animal Kingdom so we now dont go to a park until Monday.. and thats Seaworld which i find is generally quiet anyway, so hopefully avoid the tail end of the thanksgiving crowds and it will ease Leigh into the theme parks a bit better.

 

[Muscateer]

You are well organised. Sounds like a great trip ahead and a proposal too, how romantic. Look forward to reading more

 

[SusanEllen]

We will try and squeeze some time in to visit WDW hotels to see the decos.. but dont you need to be a resident? As i remember last time i stayed on site the security only let us through when they saw our parking permit.

No problem when you disembark from a boat or a monorail at MK or when you walk to an Epcot resort. You'll be welcome in the lobby of any hotel, I promise. Disney encourages you to take a look at their resorts. Security at the resort drive in entrances do check for parking permits, but wave you through if you're eating at the resort and now that I think about it, I don't remember asking to be admitted to a hotel lot w/o an ADR in recent years, so you might be turned away if you don't have a meal booked. I'm not sure about that. I think the policy is in place to keep out non-hotel guests who might fill the lots for free parking while spending the day in the parks, making it difficult for a hotel guest to find a parking spot. But most definitely you won't have troubles resort touring if you're using Disney transportation.

 

[Marks281172]

Gave dining reservations a go today while it was quite at work on the off chance there would be a cancelation on the fantasmic dinner package for when we are in DHS.. and scored a lunchtime Brown Derby reservation.. woooo

 

[suzycute]

How romantic! A Florida proposal!! (Hope Leigh doesn't read the boards otherwise it might not be a surprise!).
Look forward to hearing all about it!

 

[irongirlof12]

I had to laugh; your spreadsheets look just like mine, colour coded and everything, the only thing missing is toilet breaks

hope the propsal goes well, i agree get in early, you really don't want to be 'carting that ring around' for ages, you old romantic you

 

[PJB71]

Im so please to know its just not me who is organised, my family think I have Disney OCD

Really looking forward to hearing more, especially the proposal

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Ohh I ADORE your spreadsheet . . . thought I was the only one who did things like that! Have you also considered making itinerary cards?!!! - I make them each trip - they have the whole days plan on;- ADR times and numbers, restaurant and park opening times, the order to do rides in to avoid crowds, snacks to look out for, ride closures etc. They are printed off on to a small card and then laminated! Thats right, laminated! Then I carry it around all day and consult it devotedly much to DH's mortification!!! I'm the teensiest bit OCD with my planning . . .

Your plan to propose is lovely!! Where are you thinking of? How about on the beach in front of the wedding pavillion?

Not sure if anyone else answered this - no, you don't need to be staying at Disney to go around the resorts, you just need to show some ID when you arrive!

 

[VailaTigger]

Yup - I'm a spreadsheet-er too And a Mickey folder, and a clear plastic folder, and photos of my ADR reservation numbers on my phone...

OCD? Who? Me? Nah!

Congratulations on your up-coming engagement!! Remember to get button badges from guest services in Disney once you're engaged, and wear them. You may get free champers or desserts at Disney restaurants if they know you are celebrating something special. You will certainly get LOTS of CM's congratulating you!

Your plan sounds great, and it's obvious you are a veteran

 

[darthtatty]

great pre trip, your plans look fab.
your spreadsheet looks just like the one my husband does

 

[florida sun]

Great pre trip and your plans sounds wonderful

 

[mark&sue]

love your plans - great start at the Sofitel its lovely.

You seem to be fitting so much in. can't wait to read the trip report.

Have a brilliant time


susan

 

[gemmybear83]

Oooh not seen this were there the same time as you, and we will also been in Magic Kingdom on the 10th!