Three Disney-lovin' Women Live It Up w/Free Dining! (9/16-9/23)

[jennynoel]

I consider myself extremely lucky that two of my most favorite people, my girlfriend and my mom, get along really well and that the three of us enjoy traveling together. In what is becoming an annual tradition, we are doing Disney together for 8 days in September. I couldn't be more excited!

Cast of Characters:

Jessie - my girlfriend of 5 years. She picked Jessie, from Toy Story 2, as the character that best represents her because "Jessie is one tough cookie." She's adventurous and athletic. Jessie and I are both in our mid 20's but get mistaken for teenagers on a regular basis - especially on vacation. Jen is also our designated Fastpass runner. She went to Walt Disney World a few times as a teenager but has never stayed on site.

Belle - my mom. Picked Belle because she's independent and book-loving. Belle is a very young 50, single and with both kids out on their own now. She's always up for anything Disney, and usually has more energy than Jessie and me. She has a soft spot for Disney Villains and Halloween. Her favorite drink's a Margarita and she doesn't believe it's dessert unless it's chocolate. She's been to Disneyland several times but only to WDW once, for one day, and only to Epcot. She's basically a WDW virgin.

Alice - me. Curious and clever, can be impulsive, girlie when it suits me. I'm the mastermind behind this trip. Last year I planned a very successful Disneyland trip for the three of us. I'm going for a repeat victory, and I've got the books, the spreadsheets and the Dis. I could probably be described as "Commando" but I don't like to think of it that way. I do have detailed touring plans and an optimized itinerary. I don't plan every minute of every day and I'm perfectly willing to throw the plan out the window. I'm a complete WDW virgin.

The basic trip details:
We're staying at Coronado Springs, September 16th-23rd, 2007 with Free Dining! I'll post my itinerary and ADR's next.

Maybe 71 days out is a wee bit early for a pre-trip report? I'm pretty new to the Dis, and I've never written a trip report before so I figure I can hone my skills on the pre-trippie.

 

[jennynoel]

One morning in early June I woke up with a gasp. I dreamed that I found myself in L.A. somehow - probably for a conference - and realized I had a day off and could go to Disneyland, yay! But when I got there it was a sea of people. I high season Saturday hot crowded Disneyland nightmare! I had only one day and I was swimming the people-sea trying to get to just one headliner attraction. But I just kept walking and fighting the crowds and I couldn't get anywhere. Pretty soon it was the end of the day and I had to leave and I hadn't done anything!

When I woke up I realized I needed a Disney fix, bad. I thought I could go 2 years between trips, but I started to wonder why I should.

Jessie and I have our own business, and even though cash flow was a problem for us in May and June I knew things would work out and that by fall we'd be able to swing a trip. I ran it by Jessie and she agreed. Even if we had to do a trip "on the cheap" we should go - especially if Belle would come along and split the costs.

I got Belle on board, and we made sure to pick dates that she would be able to get off work. (Since Jessie and I work for ourselves that's not an issue :-D )

The next week was pretty tense for me as I worked out the basic details of which resort, which parks and which ADRs.
Once the reservation was set and the ADRs made I could relax and start to enjoy the planning! With Free Dining I figured out we could stay at a Moderate for 7 nights affordably. We ended up at Coronado Springs, which I wasn't completely thrilled with at first, but now I'm looking forward to it.

One lemon that we turned into lemonade - Belle was planning to use frequent flier miles to buy her airfare, but couldn't get flights for the days we wanted from her city. So, she's flying here early on FF miles and we're all going to Florida on the same Southwest flight! Not only do I get to see her for a couple of extra days, but we'll all arrive at the exact same time!

Next Up - the Itinerary, so far...

 

[jennynoel]

After several revisions, here's the plan we have now. This plan assumes we're at the gates 30 mins before opening unless otherwise stated. I'll be using Ridemax plans for at least the first two hours of each day.

Day 1: Arrival Day | Magic Kingdom
Arrive at MCO 12:30pm
Take Magical Express to Coronado Springs to check in
Head to Magic Kingdom
See Wishes @ 8:00pm
Stay until EMH ends at 11:00pm

Day 2: Epcot
Lunch at Sunshine Seasons
Dinner at Tempura Kiku - (We LOVE Sushi!)
Watch Illuminations @ 9:00pm

Day 3: MGM
Lunch at Mama Melrose - 12:00pm
Watch Fantasmic @ 8:00pm

Day 4: Animal Kingdom
Breakfast at Boma - 10:30am
Dinner at Boma - 4:30pm (I know, twice in one day!)
EMH at AK until 8:00pm

Day 5: Magic Kingdom
EMH starts @ 8:00am
Lunch at Liberty Tree Terrace @ 12:15pm
Break - probably head to the hotel for a nap and swim, or go to AK and catch Nemo or FOTLK if we are feeling energetic.
Return to MK by 6:00pm
7:00pm Spectromagic
8:00pm Wishes (we love Disney fireworks!)

Day 6: MGM & MNSSHP
Morning at MGM
Late lunch at Kona - 2:35pm
Spend a few hours relaxing/exploring around the Polynesian
Head to MK between 4:00pm and 6:00pm for MNSSHP!

Day 7: MK, Epcot, California Grill
Morning at Magic Kingdom (if we can get out of bed!)
Afternoon tour the World Showcase at Epcot
Late dinner - 9:10pm ADR at California Grill
(I'm planning to have us check in early and hopefully see Wishes from the observation deck at the Contemporary, but if we've seen it twice already we might not need to do this.)

Day 8: Leaving, so soon?
9:15am Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (it's not really at 1900 since it's being refurbished, but it's the character breakfast with Mary Poppins and Friends)
Open until about 3:00, when we head back to CSR and catch Magical Express back to MCO

I'm planning some pretty packed days, but luckily Jessie, Belle and I all like it that way!

 

[praisehisname]

I just read your pre-trippie--sounds like you have a great week planned! It looks like we're going to be in Epcot on the same day. If you post some pictures, I'll look for you!

Denise

 

[ChrisLei]

Sounds like a great week lined up! And free dining! That is awesome!

 

[mvazul]

Your report is off to a good start! My vacation in August also consists of three women - myself, my mother and my sister. I am really looking forward to it!

Kepp up the writing! Looks like you have a good plan!

Michelle

 

[jennynoel]

I was waiting for permission from Belle and Jessie to post some photos. They are okay with it so I will get some up in my next post!

Denise - I've been reading your pre-trip report, too. I was really touched by the family reunion trip you all made for your MIL. It's so difficult for adult "kids" to coordinate schedules and make the commitment to travel together. It's great that your family took that opportunity when you had the chance!