Trying again in 2010 or 9 "Christmassy" nights at the AKL in December.

[Leash]

Welcome to my pre-trip report.
​

This is my first time writing one of these so I hope I do it right and hopefully you will get some enjoyment out of it. Also I did not get the idea to do this until a week or two ago so pretty much all the plans are made so I’ll just lay them out for everyone to see. I’m planning on writing the trip report while we are still in the World so that I can try to answer people’s questions about what is going on right then. I also signed up for the tweeting from the parks thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2289826 because it’s easier to tweet than to DIS from the park so if you want real live updates you can follow me there.

So first a little background on this trip and then I shall introduce the cast of the event. I essentially had this trip planned, booked and ready to go in 2008 but then my Dad got sick and landed in the hospital and then I dislocated my knee and then Mom got laid off and then the sky fell and the earth imploded. Ok, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration but the first three things really did happen. So we had to cancel Disney World but we all still really did want to go. So we did some thinking and decided we could try again in 2010, hence the title of this report (because who doesn’t love a witty rhyme).

Now onto the introductions:

First is me, Alicia 29, your guide through this journey to exotic foreign lands and spectacular sights. I am also the (obsessive) trip planner extraordinaire and biggest Disney geek of the bunch, I am that’s what my license plate says DISNYGK. I have been to Disneyland many, many times but only to the World once for my honeymoon back in 2006.

Next we have DH, Robert 32, who as you can see is very reserved and not at all outgoing. He likes going on trips but seems totally unexcited till about the day before the trip and gives frequent eye rolls when I talk to him about plans.

That's Dad on the left, Mom in the middle and DH on the right (I prefer to take the pictures rather than be in them).

Now we have DMom, Nancy 57, who loves going to Disneyland and is very excited about going to the World for the first time, she listens to my intensive planning with interest (‘cause someone has to or I’ll explode).
Finally we have DDad, John (going on 60), who is about the same as DH in excitement level. He half-listens to the plans I made but won’t get excited till it’s time to go. This is his first trip as well.

While we are there we will be celebrating Dad’s 60th birthday (Oct. 29), DH and my 4th anniversary (Nov.17), and Mom and Dad’s 23rd anniversary (Dec. 27). None of these happen while we are there but they are all close enough that I think its ok.

Between our two households we will be leaving a ton of cats (9) and dogs (5) behind with various friends watching them. We will get daily updates on the animals so I may mention them in the TR so just wanted to warn you there may be descriptions of animal shenanigans. We are animal lovers and strays just seem to gravitate to our houses and then none of us can bear to give them up, though DH has put his foot down and said we can have no more pets at our house.

Next up will be the trip details.

 

[Leash]

The facts were these (I hope someone but me gets that reference):
Flying Las Vegas to MCO, landing about 6 PM, on Nov. 29th.
Flying MCO to LAS, departing about 1:30 PM, on Dec. 8th.
For the time in between those dates we will be residing at the gorgeous Animal Kingdom Lodge.


On the night of our arrival we have a standard room booked since we get in late and won’t be doing much. We land at 6 so I hope to be to the lodge by 7:30. I’m going to do the online check-in so hopefully that will go quickly. We’ll go up to the room and freshen up then head out to catch a bus to DTD for a little shopping and dinner. Then back to the Lodge to get some sleep so we can be up early in the morning.
In the morning we will check out of our standard room and check-in to our Savannah View Club Level room (insert theme song to The Jefferson’s here) where we will spend the rest of the trip.
I got really lucky on Monday and was able to add free dining to our package, I had already booked everything including the dining plan but when they came out with free dining I figured I would give it a shot and got lucky, it saved us about $1300!

I subscribed to the Unofficial Guide’s crowd calendar to help plan out my days but only as far as which park on which day. We aren’t park commandos at all and especially with DDad (he’s on oxygen for emphysema) we need to take it easy since he might need to take a break or he might find previously untapped pockets of energy, there’s just no way to know so we will all be like seaweed and go with the flow. I know which park on which day and made our ADR’s but I have no real plan of attack for the parks.

As far as dining I made all the TS ADR’s and then looked at the menus on Allears to see what CS places sound good. So all the CS’s I list depend on what we actually feel like eating at the time but I will list where we ended up eating in my trip report with pictures and a bit of a review. We plan on eating breakfast in the CL lounge since none of us are big breakfast people a muffin and some fruit should be fine.


So our plans are:
11/29 – (Arrival day) Check in and head to DTD for dinner at either Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express depending on how hungry we are. Then some shopping till we are ready to head back to the Hotel
11/30 – Hollywood Studios day
Lunch at 50’s Prime Time Café @ 11:40/Dinner at Pizza Planet
12/1 – Magic Kingdom day
Breakfast at Crystal Palace@ 9:15/Snacking for lunch/Dinner at Whispering Canyon Café @ 9:00 (Hoping to see the Main Street Electrical Parade before heading to dinner, I love that parade)
12/2 – Animal Kingdom day
Lunch at Pizzafari/Dinner at California Grill @ 7:40 (celebrating DDad’s birthday here and should be able to see the MVMCP fireworks during dinner)
12/3 – EPCOT day
Lunch at Sunshine Seasons/Dinner at Boma @8:05
12/4 – EPCOT day 2
Lunch at Sunshine Seasons (the menu looks good and the rest of the family are not adventurous eaters)/Dinner at Tutto Italia @ 6:45 (Will stay for Illuminations after dinner)
12/5 – Hollywood Studios day 2, though this is up for discussion depending on if we all want to go back or spend more time in another park.
Lunch at Starring Rolls/Dinner at Kona Café @8:00
12/6 – Magic kingdom day 2
Lunch at Cosmic Ray’s/Dinner at Columbia Harbor House/Wishes Dessert Party @ 7:20
12/7 – Animal Kingdom day 2
Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ/Dinner at Yak and Yeti @ 4:00
12/8 – Departure day L ME will pick us up around 10:30 since our flight is 1:30 so we will finish packing, have a last meal in the lounge then check out and take the bus to the plane that will take us back to the dreaded real world.


Like I said before I will try to write a report everyday when we are back in the room for the night and I will tweet throughout the day with anything that strikes my fancy (never did understand that saying) or that people request info/pictures of.


As you can see the hard work is over and done now I just have to plan the little details.
I need to arrange a limo to take us to the airport from my mom’s house the day we leave because there is no way all of our bodies and luggage will fit in anyone’s car. This is where living in Vegas comes in handy, we have many limos for hire and most are close to our house as is the airport so this equals a cheap limo ride! I don’t need to do this until a week or so before our trip and it is kind of driving me nuts because I just want to get it done so I don’t have to think about it anymore (taking deep calming breaths).

I have already started a packing spreadsheet but I have to wait till we get real close so I can get a more accurate weather forecast so I know what clothes I’ll actually need. I have a couple of lists of what clothes to bring depending on the weather. Thankfully (hah, cause it’s Thanksgiving and I’m thankful) we will be home and not working starting on Thanksgiving Day, and we have planned on a smaller than normal holiday meal, so I can do all the laundry and packing over the weekend.

I need to buy a few things that I have read about here on the DIS that seem like a good idea to bring, I am somewhat hampered by my “rational” husband who insists that since the trip is so far away I don’t need to start buying things yet. He just doesn’t understand that I want everything right now (cue Veruca Salt golden goose tirade) so that I can lay it all out and see how everything fits in the suitcases, I think I need professional help for my OPS (obsessive planning syndrome, if it’s not a real thing it should be).

I need to go to the bank to get cash for tips for mousekeeping and the bell services people since we will have to have them move our luggage a few times and the cabs we will take back to our hotel from other hotels we are eating dinner at because I don’t want to deal with all the bus transfers it is worth the money to save that headache. I need to run the numbers to see how much we need, both my and DH’s parents work in the casinos out here so we were brought up to tip and tip well, so I will need to break out the calculator and then bring extra just in case.


I’m sure I will think of more things I “need” to do but so far that is it. I really love the planning stage of a trip; it just helps me get in the spirit of the vacation. Also it is so great when the people with you on the trip are happy and having a great time because you know that all your planning is part of what is making that happiness.
So there we have the foundation of the trip report though as I get things done/add things to do I will update here if anyone is actually reading it. If anyone has any comments/critiques or questions feel free to respond. Hope you enjoyed (or at least didn’t hate) reading and hopefully I will hear from some of you be it good or bad.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I'm in. I saw your post on the December thread. Just write what you feel like writing. Since most of your plans are made, you can post stories of stuff that lead up to a specific plan, or any other funny things that happened along the way.

I really need to update my own PTR, but I have gotten all the stories up through making the phone call to book everything. Just have fun with it and see where it goes.

 

[Leash]

Thanks DoP! I just re-read the first part of your PTR and then read the new parts and it's great. I think I am probably over thinking my PTR, thinking it needs to be perfect laid out like a business presentation and that's just boring. So I'm just gonna write things that might be interesting and not worry about being gramatically perfect the whole time.

 

[francis6306]

We're all here for fun, so just remember that! We'll be coming in right after you it seems! I can't wait to see all the Christmas stuff!!! Are you planning on going to one of the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties?

Can't wait to read some more!

 

[Leash]

We're all here for fun, so just remember that! We'll be coming in right after you it seems! I can't wait to see all the Christmas stuff!!! Are you planning on going to one of the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties?

Can't wait to read some more!

We decided to skip MVMCP this year. When DH and I went for our honeymoon in '06 we went to one of the parties and we had a great time. But going with my parents this year they wouldn't be in the most "magical" mood if they were up that late so in order to save sanity and the lives of those around us we are skipping it.
I will say though that we did have a great time when we went. I'm not really a parade person, I don't like dealing with the mob of people waiting for the parade, so I rarely see them but we got a great spot right at the rope for the MVMCP parade and it was so cool! We were also able to see the 'Twas the night before Christmas show and we both loved that but I heard they aren't doing that anymore which kinda sucks. Overall the whole experience was wonderful and well worth the money.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Thanks DoP! I just re-read the first part of your PTR and then read the new parts and it's great. I think I am probably over thinking my PTR, thinking it needs to be perfect laid out like a business presentation and that's just boring. So I'm just gonna write things that might be interesting and not worry about being gramatically perfect the whole time.

Sounds perfect. I planned my first bunch of entries, but just in an outline. Once I started writing them, I just went with the flow.

 

[Katie & Glen]

I need to buy a few things that I have read about here on the DIS that seem like a good idea to bring, I am somewhat hampered by my “rational” husband who insists that since the trip is so far away I don’t need to start buying things yet. He just doesn’t understand that I want everything right now (cue Veruca Salt golden goose tirade) so that I can lay it all out and see how everything fits in the suitcases, I think I need professional help for my OPS (obsessive planning syndrome, if it’s not a real thing it should be).

Ooooh, I like the term OPS!!! And hey, don't feel bad, I've been buying stuff since May for our trip and will pack and re-pack our suitcases at least 3 times before we leave.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

Ooooh, I like the term OPS!!! And hey, don't feel bad, I've been buying stuff since May for our trip and will pack and re-pack our suitcases at least 3 times before we leave.

I think it might be that New Jersey upbringing.

 

[exwdwcm]

subscribed to your report! looks like a lot of fun!!you have picked some of my favorite dining spots too. Love the savanah views at AKL!! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[KATODAYO]

We are going about the sametime as you - Dec 2 - Dec 8th!

 

[Leash]

subscribed to your report! looks like a lot of fun!!you have picked some of my favorite dining spots too. Love the savanah views at AKL!! Can't wait to hear more.

A few of them are repeats from our honeymoon but most are new. DH requested Whispering Canyon because he loves BBQ but also they were able to actually sate his Diet Coke craving. He drank either 2 or 3 of the huge mason jars full of Diet Coke, the waiter was actually impressed and gave DH a certificate that entitled him to "front of the line access" to the bathroom! It was fortunate that were staying in the Wildernees Lodge 'cause DH barely made it back to the room and he got up about 3 times in the middle of the night to go, I started teasing him about acting like a pregnant lady with a baby kicking his bladder! So now he wants to go back to see how many glasses he can drink this time, but I did warn him that our room is in a whole nuther hotel this time.

California Grill was my request since we just had the best food and the best time there. I also figured that is a perfect spot to celebrate DDad's 60th B'day so I asked the IPO at AKL to time the reservation to the fireworks so it will be a nice treat for him to watch fireworks during dinner!

 

[Leash]

We are going about the sametime as you - Dec 2 - Dec 8th!

Very fun! Where are you staying?
Make sure to check-in on the December thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2329631 to see who else is going then. I like bumping into DISers in the parks and saying hi, it's always fun to meet new people especially when they are as Disney obsessed as you!

 

[happenin2you]

Just joining in! You know I gotta support my vegas girls! And so far your PTR is hilarious, can't wait to hear more

 

[PoppyGirl]

My favorite line so far: "....so we'll all be like seaweed and go with the flow."

And, yes, as a licensed psychologist (retired), I do believe that "OPS" should be added to the diagnostic and statistical manual as an actual diagnosis....perhaps it should be listed along with "CDN" (Certified Disney Nut) or "GPD" (Goofy Personality Disorder) and of course, the addiction disorder of "ATD" (Addicted to Disney). I'm wondering what the treatment might be for those..... Of course as WE all know, they aren't really "disorders" except to those who just don't "get" Disney, right? Come on, we all know a few of those folks who just can't understand why we'd want to go to Disney again....and again....and again.

Anyway....great PTR so far! I'm enjoying reading!

 

[francis6306]

Ooooh, I like the term OPS!!! And hey, don't feel bad, I've been buying stuff since May for our trip and will pack and re-pack our suitcases at least 3 times before we leave.

My favorite line so far: "....so we'll all be like seaweed and go with the flow."

And, yes, as a licensed psychologist (retired), I do believe that "OPS" should be added to the diagnostic and statistical manual as an actual diagnosis....perhaps it should be listed along with "CDN" (Certified Disney Nut) or "GPD" (Goofy Personality Disorder) and of course, the addiction disorder of "ATD" (Addicted to Disney). I'm wondering what the treatment might be for those..... Of course as WE all know, they aren't really "disorders" except to those who just don't "get" Disney, right? Come on, we all know a few of those folks who just can't understand why we'd want to go to Disney again....and again....and again.

Anyway....great PTR so far! I'm enjoying reading!

I like all these terms! They should be used instead of "earning my ears" and "mouseketeer".

 

[PoppyGirl]

I like all these terms! They should be used instead of "earning my ears" and "mouseketeer".

Absolutely! That would be awesome!

 

[exwdwcm]

A few of them are repeats from our honeymoon but most are new. DH requested Whispering Canyon because he loves BBQ but also they were able to actually sate his Diet Coke craving. He drank either 2 or 3 of the huge mason jars full of Diet Coke, the waiter was actually impressed and gave DH a certificate that entitled him to "front of the line access" to the bathroom! It was fortunate that were staying in the Wildernees Lodge 'cause DH barely made it back to the room and he got up about 3 times in the middle of the night to go, I started teasing him about acting like a pregnant lady with a baby kicking his bladder! So now he wants to go back to see how many glasses he can drink this time, but I did warn him that our room is in a whole nuther hotel this time.

California Grill was my request since we just had the best food and the best time there. I also figured that is a perfect spot to celebrate DDad's 60th B'day so I asked the IPO at AKL to time the reservation to the fireworks so it will be a nice treat for him to watch fireworks during dinner!

LOL- when we were at Whispering canyon- they brought out a pickle tub (you know one of those HUGE buckets) full of coke for us since we asked for a refill. too funny! love WCC- great barbeque!

I love Cali Grill- one of my favorites. We've skipped it the last two times, but think i will add it back in for next year. The fireworks are gorgeous from up there, but they don't turn off the lights like they used to- they just dim them a little. but you can't beat it!

 

[Leash]

Sorry I haven't been on here all weekend but we had friends in from out of town and it was busy.

Just joining in! You know I gotta support my vegas girls! And so far your PTR is hilarious, can't wait to hear more

I'm always surprised to see another Vegas person on the WDW board rather than on the DisneyLAND board. I tell you the only thing getting me through this summer is the thought of WDW in the fall/winter! Have you lived in Vegas long enough to be used to this heat or are you still adjusting? I've lived here since I was a baby and can't wait to get somewhere that doesn't feel like an oven for 5 months a year.

My favorite line so far: "....so we'll all be like seaweed and go with the flow."

I have to give most of the credit for that to DH as he originally introduced the idea of "be like the seaweed" to me, I guess he thinks I am too tense about... well everything

And, yes, as a licensed psychologist (retired), I do believe that "OPS" should be added to the diagnostic and statistical manual as an actual diagnosis....perhaps it should be listed along with "CDN" (Certified Disney Nut) or "GPD" (Goofy Personality Disorder) and of course, the addiction disorder of "ATD" (Addicted to Disney). I'm wondering what the treatment might be for those..... Of course as WE all know, they aren't really "disorders" except to those who just don't "get" Disney, right? Come on, we all know a few of those folks who just can't understand why we'd want to go to Disney again....and again....and again.

Anyway....great PTR so far! I'm enjoying reading!

Thanks! I agree that they should be diagnoseable (don't think that's a word but hey my PTR I can make up any words I want) conditions but I don't know if I would actually want treatment for it, I like it too much.
"I have a fever and the only cure is more cowbell, er I mean Disney World!"

 

[Leash]

Ok, I'm starting my list of what cash I need to bring so I know how much and what denominations I need, you see major planning over the smallest thing is my specialty! I will then make a list so I can take it to the bank with me so I don't have to try to remember. Warning if you do have a list like this, or any type of list really, do NOT hand it to the teller! I made this mistake once and it really ruined my day, what with having to explain everything to a few different cops and getting a bump on the head when the elderly security guard at the bank tackled me for trying to "rob" the bank. So now I go in and just read the denominations to the teller and make sure to keep my hands visable at all times.
So any tips on what I might need cash for?
Here is what I have so far:
Mousekeeping and turndown service
Bell services
Cabs
A little extra (walking around money) for snacks not coming off our dining plan or in case the card reader is down

We will pretty much just use our KTTW cards for everything but I figure a little cash would be good, not sure how much I should figure for the walking around money. I can't remember how much I took last time so any advice is much appreciated.