The surprise Gator Homecoming and Disney extravaganza! UPDATED 8/5!

[DisneyGator13]

Hi everyone!

This is my first attempt at a PTR and eventually a TR so I’m going to do my best to make it a good one. I’ve actually been a DIS lurker for years but once this trip came into being I decided I’d finally get up the courage and write something. I love being able to read other people’s Disney insight and I feel like I have a lot to contribute!

Let’s get started with the trip!

When: November 11-14, 2012

Where: Caribbean Beach Resort

Why: My Dad just celebrated 10 years at his law firm and instead of giving him a present like a tie or a paperweight (who EVER uses those anyway?), they gave him a FREE 4 day/3 night trip to Walt Disney World for 4 people and $1,000 to spend while there! Isn’t that incredible? They are paying for the hotel and park tickets and everyone just has to get there.

Who (so far):

Me- Lisa, 23 (will be 24 by the time I’m at WDW), lives in Washington, D.C,, raised in south Florida, graduate of the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and 100% Disney obsessed. Seriously, this is more than just crazy about Disney movies, music, and has been to Disney a few times and got hooked. My relationship with WDW began at the tender age of 3 and since I was 5 years old until I was about 20, my family went on average twice a year, every year. So, with some quick math, that puts me at least at 30 WDW trips under my belt, and I’m not even counting the times I went with school, youth group, and on a whim in college with my friends! I know the World inside and out, backwards and forwards and even after all this time I still can’t get enough.

After college, I moved to Washington, D.C. and I knew that my days of frequenting Disney were over . I was able to go last November because I was in Florida already and couldn’t stand being in the state and not going to Disney, but after that I figured it would be a while until I got to go again. That was until my Dad told me about this little present and I basically weaseled my way into this free trip. I’m going to be in Florida starting November 8 for UF Homecoming Weekend so it’s pretty easy drive down to WDW and it was a really convenient time for me because I don’t have to fly down to Florida an extra time. I am SO excited about this trip I can’t even contain it; I’ve really been telling everyone I know since I found out we were officially going!

Who else?

Matt- my amazing boyfriend, 29 (turning 30 while we are at WDW), also raised in Florida, also a UF grad, definitely not anywhere close to any level of Disney obsession. I definitely don’t think he would have agreed to go on this trip except that fact that it’s FREE (we are also getting Free Dining, so totally free)! He enjoys himself when he’s there but it’s not his first choice (or even like, 5th choice) for a vacation and he does not get why I feel the way I do about Disney. It’s fine; I still love him and will make him have a great time! I guess my family and I are just those special kinds of Disney people…

My Mom- Carole, the best mom anyone could ever ask for. She is my partner in crime in planning this trip and like me, is totally into everything Disney. My parents are DVC members and she and my Dad are actually cruising on the Fantasy for 7 days in October (*jealous*)! Whenever she calls Disney and they pull up her “account,” the CM on the line always make some sort of comment pertaining to how many times she’s been and how impressive it is! She is just the best.

My Dad- Alan, truly amazing and even though he tries to hide it, he absolutely loves Disney. Whenever we start planning a trip he always asks “can’t we ever go somewhere else?” but give him more than 6 months away from WDW and it’s “when are we going back?” He works very hard and totally deserves this trip and I couldn’t be happier than I get to celebrate with him!

Unfortunately, there is a member of my family that will not be joining us on this trip. My brother, Garrett, 19, UF student and therefore has classes during the week. We’re all pretty upset that he can’t come but he understands that school is very important and that this is the best time for Matt and me to go without having to spend a lot of money on another flight to Florida. Also, we’ll be spending the weekend with him before we go, so he’ll probably be sick of us anyway.

Here is our happy family the last time we were all in Disney together, Christmas 2009

Now why did I say “so far” after “who?” Well, that’s a complicated story. Matt’s mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew also live in Florida and will also be at UF homecoming the weekend before our trip (11/8-11/11). His parents joined us for a few dinners and some time in the parks last November when we went and we’ve invited them to join us for this trip as well. As of right now, they aren’t sure if they can come and for how many days they would join us, so it’s a little up in the air. Also, the other 3 have been invited and at this point don’t have an answer for us either. If everyone comes for all 4 days and 3 nights, that will make us a party of 9 (including a 3-year old) everywhere we go. I LOVE his family so I obviously want them to come but anyone who is a WDW vet knows that a party that big makes for a little bit of a stressful trip. Hopefully, we’ll get an answer soon and then we can start planning out days and making ADRs, which because of free dining are filling up quickly!

So that’s all I have for now! I’m hoping to have an update on the person count by sometime next week so I can start planning. I’m also really hoping that everyone just feels okay trusting my mom and me to make the schedule and the ADRs; you would think after 30+ trips we know a little bit about what we’re doing!

Coming up: My Disney "must-do's"

 

[mousemom218]

Good job Lisa! I especially love the little boy who photobombed you!!

 

[DisneyGator13]

My Disney “must-do’s”

So if you read my little “about me,” it will be pretty obvious that I have been to WDW many many times. That being said, I don’t really have too many things that I absolutely have to do while I’m there. I know that, even if it’s not planned yet, I will have another chance to go back and I can swing by the things I missed on the previous trip.

For example, last November we were only there for 2 nights, which meant only 2 fireworks shows. I love all 3 shows very much; each has a special place in my heart. I love Fantasmic because it’s always so moving to watch the triumph of good over evil. I love Wishes because it reminds me of a simpler time in my life when all I had to do was dream about something or make a wish and I actually believed it would come true. And come on, this backdrop? Not too shabby. I love Illuminations because it gives me such hope in humanity and that one day, we will actually have world peace (sappy I know, but I believe it)! It also doesn’t hurt that one of my many careers goals involves a stint as an ambassador. But, based on scheduling and ADRs, we had to miss Fantasmic. Luckily, we have 3 nights this time so I will (hopefully) not be missing any of the nighttime spectaculars!

I do, however, have some favorites that I would really rather not miss while at WDW. Luckily, I share most of these with my Mom and Dad so most likely, we will get to hit all of our favorite spots!

So here is my Disney “wish list,” broken down by park:

Magic Kingdom-
• All 3 mountains
• IASW
• POTC
• Dole Whip
• TTA
• Buzz Lightyear- I’ve only never come in last one time, so sad.
• Philharmagic
• HM
• Hall of Presidents (which has a funny story attached to it and if you’d like to know, leave it in the comments)
• Main Street Emporium - I never buy anything, I just love walking from store to store
• Main Street Bakery- We used to have breakfast here when we first started coming when I was younger. We could get onto Main Street by like 8:30 am and then finish eating and head to the rides (this was before “rope drop” at MK became a huge thing)
• Jungle Cruise
• Wishes- I loved SpectroMagic so much, don’t hate me when I say I’m not the biggest fan of the MSEP

EPCOT-
• Spaceship Earth- I like to do this first thing in the morning but now, with Soarin’ being so popular, we have to run to get FPs first and then ride it. It’s also nice to ride when it’s really hot out! I miss the narration by Jeremy Irons and it wouldn’t be a ride on SE if we didn’t get stuck during the backward part!
• Soarin
• Living with the Land
• Test Track
• MouseGears- Again, I usually never buy anything, I just like to look!
• El rio de tiempo (Mexico boat ride) - I just love it, I love that whole pavilion. It’s so nice and cool and quiet in the restaurant, it’s really the best
• Maelstrom (Norway boat ride) - Gotta love that giant troll!
• School Bread and/or Kringle- My family always says that we were all about the back shop in Norway before it became popular (i.e. when the School Bread was HUGE), but we will still wait in line for a Norwegian dessert
• Shops in Great Britain, France, Italy, Morocco, Japan, China- Looking, never buying. Except for maybe some tea for my grandmother.
• World Showcase Players- This is one of my absolute favorites. I always check the times and make sure we see them because I love the shows they do so much! I’ve seen the same one so many times but it is still funny! And one time, my Dad got picked to be in it (the same day he was picked to introduce the British Invasion, it was a big day for him)!
• Patisserie in France- Even if we’ve had a snack in Norway and dessert with our dinner, we will most likely get something from here too.
• The American Adventure- Cheesy yes, but I love America and I love this show! Although, at least 1 person in my party will fall asleep during it, guaranteed.
• Illuminations

DHS (forever MGM in my heart)-
• RnRC
• Shops on Hollywood Blvd
• Great Movie Ride- I’m a sucker for old Hollywood and movies in general
• TSMM- Love it! Such a great ride!
• Muppet Vision 3-D - Oh do I love those Muppets. I’m pretty sure I quote the movie from this on a regular basis. I have seen it so many times and I still crack up when Sam Eagle tells me that not moving to the end of the row is “distinctly unpatriotic.” I’m laughing about it now.
• Prime Time Café- This is probably the restaurant I have the most special memories of from my family trips. We tried to eat here on pretty much every trip. We even had the same server a couple of times in a row who recognized us. One time our server came and found me in the bathroom because I was late for dinner and that’s rude. He also tried to set me up on a date with the kid at the next table, who was having none of it. I really really really hope I get to eat here this trip.
• Fantasmic
Animal Kingdom-

Full disclosure, not my favorite park by any stretch of the imagination. I still enjoy myself here but depending on time constraints, I would be fine not even going. Sorry to all you AK fans out there!

I like to go on Expedition Everest but that’s about it. However, my Dad loves this park and since he is the reason we’re even going to WDW, I’ll spend some time here. Matt also loves animals so he’ll probably enjoy it as well.

DTD-
Again, this is kind of a “take it or leave it” for me. I love World of Disney but I shouldn’t even be allowed in there. I always get separated from my party and end up buying too much stuff. Plus, since this is a short trip, I’d rather spend time at the parks.
So that’s my list. I highly doubt that we’ll be able to hit all of those during this trip (especially if we have 9 people including a 3-year old in tow), but we will certainly try!

Stay tuned for a breakdown of ADRs and decisions on which parks we’re planning for which days!

 

[mommys3]

Joining in...and just have to say-

GO GATORS!!!

Dh graduated from UF and we used to live in High Springs

ETA-

Just have to share my daughter's dress with you