Tink's 15th Trip to WDW - Part 1 - Pre-trip Report ***UPDATED 04/22***

[TinkerBelle_325]

**CAST**

ME - Tink - Age 19 (age 18 now but age 19 by the time this trip rolls around)

DDad - age to be withheld at penalty of death

DMom - age to be withheld at penalty of death

****

WE'RE GOING BACK!!!! Woohoo!!!

Hehe....sorry had to get that out of my system

Anyways, my parents and I have been talking about our 2004 vacation since November of 2003 and we had pretty much decided on Palm Springs California (Disney wasn't really on the map at first as we had just been there in August 2003) But after a hellish 2 weeks at my part-time job which equated in me not getting Christmas holidays because they had me scheduled so much, I came home to a nice surprise.

My mom sat me down after work and we started talking about our vacation in May. She said that Palm Springs was way too expensive at that time of year.....and that we hadn't gotten our CSR fix in August (we were upgraded to Yacht Club Concierge, long story, im not complaining, I just wanted to stay at CSR) Anyways, she says "So lets go back to Disney!"

Hehehe I was so happy I started sobbing and about 5 seconds later I started planning LOL

So here's what we've got so far

When: May 22nd - June 1st 2004
Where: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort - using the Dream Maker Package at Par for Canadians deal

Got an awesome deal on airfare with USAirways! So we're flying out of Buffalo to Tampa.

We always get a rental car because Dad is an AVIS prefered member and likes to drive instead of always using Disney transportation.

We got La Nouba tickets Great seats in Row AA Section 204

***UPDATE***

Ok Doing the 30 day dance woohoo!

So I thought I'd update my pre-trip report and give an idea of my itinerary.

Doing the 30 day dance in my house is hilarious, today it was like it just dawned on my mom that we will be at Disney this time next month (just checking into Coronado most likely She started getting all hyper and wanting to pack

So anyways, I've booked my Priority SEating, I've got my La Nouba Tickets, Vacation paid for in full so all I can do is go into super commando planning mode.

Friday May 21st 2004
- This is a travel day for us, we live in Toronto but will be flying out of Buffalo so we'll likely leave the house around noon
- A bonus is that we'll get customs done and overwith at the border crossing
- We're staying at a hotel near the Buffalo Airport overnight, nothing special, just somewhere to get some rest

Saturday May 22nd 2004
- early flight at 7 out of Buffalo, connect to another flight in Pittsburgh and arrive in Tampa by 11:30
- we alway rent a car because my dad is an avis preferred member and likes the option of driving as opposed to always relying on Disney transport
- we expect to be at Coronado by around 2pm, we'll check in and see if our room is ready, requesting Casitas 1 2 or 3 because we love the atmosphere and dont mind the walk to the Dig Site
- time to head to Goodings, get some treats, snacks and a bit of breakfast food for the room
- The night we'll be taking advantage of our unlimited park hopper passes and heading to Epcot
- Must do Spaceship Earth as a first ride Then over to The Land for dinner at Sunshine Season Food Fair

Sunday May 23rd 2004
- I am assuming that the EMH schedule is going to go back to normal on the 23rd of May, but even if it doesn't it wont greatly alter our plans
- So we'll be hitting MK EE
- hoping to get into the front of the monorail
- I dont really plan out rides that we'll do, we know our fav's and must do's
- Lunch at Columbia Harbour House
- back to CSR to SWIM
- Epcot for the afternoon/ evening
- 6:20 PS for Le Cellier

Monday May 24th 2004
- AK EE
- Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ
- CSR to SWIM
- MGM
- Dinner at Rosie's All American Cafe

Tuesday May 25th 2004
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Cafe
- DTD shopping
- MK
- Dinner at Pecos Bill's Cafe
- Spectromagic
- Wishes

Wednesday May 26th 2004
- Epcot EE
- PS for 12:00 at Chefs du France
- CSR to SWIM
- Fantasia Mini Golf
- PS for 7:30 at Boma
- Disney Quest and Pleasure Island

Thursday May 27th 2004
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Florida Mall and Outlet Malls
- Cracker Barrel for Lunch
- Epcot
- Rose and Crown 7:40 PS

Friday May 28th 2004
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Epcot
- Tangerine Cafe for Dinner
- Boulangerie Patisserie for Dessert

Saturday May 29th 2004
- MGM EE
- PS for 12:10 at 50s Prime Time Cafe
- CSR to SWIM
- La Nouba at 6:00
- Dinner at House of Blues
- Disney Quest/ Pleasure Island

Sunday May 30th 2004
- MK
- PS for 12:00 at Liberty Tree Tavern
- evening undecided, most likely Epcot

Monday May 31st 2004
- AK EE
- Flame Tree BBQ for lunch
- Epcot
- PS for 6:30 at Le Cellier

Tuesday June 1st
- CSR to SWIM
- flight at 4pm from Tampa

Ok so I'd love any thoughts on my itinerary. I'm gonna post full resort, restuarant and trip reports when I get back and I'll likely be posting a great story about my last trip under "Amazing Upgrade Story" in the Resorts board, so check it out for fun Thanks

 

[tc]

Congrats! I just love that feeling of a surprise trip to the World. You'll be there during my dd's honeymoon. Alas, I do not get to go to the World this year due to her using my DVC points for her honeymoon. Have a great time!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Congratulations,

 

[IloveDMB]

Congratulations! Have a great trip and be sure to write us a trip report!

 

[Minniespal]

Can't wait for the trip reports.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Bumping up my update!

 

[Tink03477]

I LOVE your itinerary!! I also see that your family likes Epcot as much as my son (15 yrs. old) and I do! We go there almost every day too. Where exactly is the Tangerine Cafe? Except for the off-site stuff that you all do, your schedule sounds pretty much what I'd like to do. For some reason I haven't done my schedule yet, and we're leaving in 16 days!! I'm usually done months before. The new EMH schedule that Disney is testing out is right during our trip, so I'm confused all over again! lolol I will be renting a car this time, first time in my life by the way. But, I doubt I will use if for more than the airport/resort and then back again. I'm practicing for next year since I already know that I want to go to IOA on that trip and I've never driven down there. I always find the Disney Transportation so easy to use anyway.
I think I may work a little of your schedule into our trip this time, yours sounds like such fun!!!
I can't wait to read your trip report. Have a great time Tinkerbelle_325!

 

[ehagerty]

Reading your plans, I had a couple of thoughts.....

1. When we land in Orlando in the morning, especially when using a car rental other than Budget or Dollar (both usually very busy), we are almost always on the road 15-20 minutes after landing at and at our resort within an hour of landing. Requires one set of adults at luggage and the other to retrieve the car, but it is not hard to do and we almost always have the car outside the luggage areas just about the time the luggage is being pulled outside the door. You might want to think about lunch at the CSR Pepper Market by 1 pm.

2. Which brings me to thought #2 - your schedule shows a lot of meals at Meal Voucher Quick/Counter places. If you are not familiar with them, you might want to read up on this site about what they are and how they work and consider them for your meal plan. I realize that most people can't get some things delivered in Canada, but I belong to Connections and live in Buffalo - so, if you wanted to consider them, I may be able to order them and get them to your hotel the night you are staying here - exchanging cash for vouchers. I would not charge anything above and beyond the cost of the vouchers - I would do it for nothing (no financial gain) just for the fun of helping another DISer. Wouldn't hurt my feelings to get maximum use out of my $150/yr Connections fee, too. If you thought you were interested, PM me and I will see how many I can still order in this Connections-year.