Watch out for the Yeti! - Sept 25-Oct 1, 2008 - Trip Report

[hungrygreenhippo]

Even though I haven’t been on the disboards that long, I’m already hooked on reading trip reports and restaurant reviews. I figured it’s only fair to offer my own in return. So read on for my very first pre-trip report!

Who:
Lisa – I’m a 25-year-old Disney fanatic. My first trip to Disneyland was in 1998. But it wasn’t until my second trip to Disneyland in 2000 that I actually felt the magic and fell in love with all things Disney. I visited WDW in 2001 and 2002. This upcoming trip will be my first Disney vacation in 6 years.

Troy – My boyfriend, also 25. He’s been to Disneyland before, but I think it was at least 10 years ago. This will be his first visit to WDW.

What:
A magical seven day vacation at Walt Disney World! I'll follow up with a detailed itinerary and list of ADRs in my next post.

When:
Thursday, September 25-Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Where:
All Star Sports – Since I don’t anticipate spending a lot of time in the room, staying at a value resort is a good way to keep our budget down. Unfortunately this will be my third time at All Star Sports. For the most part I don’t mind because of the bus service advantage. Hopefully in March ’09 I’ll finally get to experience a different WDW resort, but that’s another story.

Why:
The primary reason for planning this vacation is the Expedition Everest Challenge on September 27. I’ll be participating solo with my boyfriend cheering me on.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Time for a couple photos:

Here's me during my last trip to WDW in 2002. I went with a group of friends during spring break and we hit the highlights of all four parks in two days!

And here's me and Troy. This photo was taken about three years ago. I don't have very many photos of the two of us together, but I hope to remedy that on this upcoming trip!

 

[kathleen27]

Hi Lisa!
Great start on your pre-trip!

We'll be arriving the day after you! (And leaving the day before you.)
It's great to be at the two week mark!!!

How exciting that you will be doing the EE challenge!!
It sounds fun! Good luck!
I am not a runner, but several of my coworkers participate in runs and triathalons, so I hear a lot of talk about it.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Hi Lisa!
Great start on your pre-trip!

We'll be arriving the day after you! (And leaving the day before you.)
It's great to be at the two week mark!!!

How exciting that you will be doing the EE challenge!!
It sounds fun! Good luck!
I am not a runner, but several of my coworkers participate in runs and triathalons, so I hear a lot of talk about it.

Woo-hoo, I have a comment! Thanks for being my first commenter, Kathleen!

Hmmm, does 14 days or 2 weeks sound like less time? Either way, I can't wait! I was just reading another thread about the crowds being low right now. I hope it stays that way until our trips, but I'm trying to keep my expectations low so it'll just be a plus if we encounter short lines.

 

[tink1957]

Great start, congrats on your trip. We will be there at almost the same time as you 9/20 - 9/30. Maybe we'll see you there.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

A Rumbly in my Tumbly...

I'm a pretty adventurous eater, but more importantly I have a huge sweet tooth. I've already planned out my desserts and other sweet snacks for most of the trip. Troy is a somewhat picky eater. I've gotten him to try a few new things, but for the most part he's typically a burger and fries kind of guy. I think I did a good job selecting restaurants that we'll both enjoy.

These are the ADRs I've booked for the trip:

• Kona Café – dinner
• Crystal Palace – lunch
• Coral Reef – lunch
• Tusker House – breakfast

I also have these counter service restaurants on the itinerary:

• Flame Tree Barbeque
• Earl of Sandwich
• Beaches & Cream

The night we arrive, we'll probably go to Cooke’s of Dublin or Raglan Road (if we can get in). Initially I thought we'd save some money with the CS option. But after reading so much about Ger's Bread and Butter Pudding, I don't think I can pass it up.

There weren’t any CS restaurants at either MK or DHS that stood out to me so I’ve left a couple meals open for whatever strikes our fancy.

It was a nice surprise to find out the Food & Wine Festival starts the day after we arrive. I’ve scheduled some time on the itinerary for eating and drinking around Epcot. In addition to sampling from the food booths, I want to try school bread from Norway and the slushies in France.

 

[jmskinner]

Thought I would join in. We will be there Sept 26-28. My DH wants to attend a convention in Orlando, so I thought why not spend the weekend at WDW! We are going to be at the ASMusic!

 

[kathleen27]

Your dining plans sound great!

We are going to Tusker House for the first time this trip.
Breakfast before the park opens!!!
I keep hearing they have amazing juice.

I was excited too when I realized we would be there during F&W fest!!!
And the Bakery and Norway is fantastic, though I haven't actually had the school bread!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Great start, congrats on your trip. We will be there at almost the same time as you 9/20 - 9/30. Maybe we'll see you there.

Thanks for stopping by! See you there!

Thought I would join in. We will be there Sept 26-28. My DH wants to attend a convention in Orlando, so I thought why not spend the weekend at WDW! We are going to be at the ASMusic!

I enjoyed skimming through your trip report. Troy is 3 months younger than me and he never lets me forget it either. How great to live so close to WDW now! I'm about a 6 hour drive from DL - not quite close enough to just hop in the car and go. But one of these days I'll make it over for a short weekend trip. I hope you have fun at MNSSHP!

Your dining plans sound great!

We are going to Tusker House for the first time this trip.
Breakfast before the park opens!!!
I keep hearing they have amazing juice.

I was excited too when I realized we would be there during F&W fest!!!
And the Bakery and Norway is fantastic, though I haven't actually had the school bread!

We'll have to compare notes on the juice later!

I forgot to mention earlier that this is pretty much my first time trying all the restaurants I listed. I may have been to Kona Cafe (I vagely remember having some type of pineapple burger ) but that was 7 years ago so it'll still feel like a new experience to me.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Here’s an overview of what I have planned for each day of the trip.

Thursday
We arrive in Orlando at 4:40pm. After checking in at All Star Sports, we’ll head over to Downtown Disney. Depending on the time and how hungry we are, we may explore the shops a bit. Dinner will be at Cooke’s of Dublin or Raglan Road. After dinner, we’ll catch a few shows at Comedy Warehouse. (I’m so glad that Pleasure Island will still be open for a few nights of our trip!)

Friday
The first thing on the agenda is heading to the Wide World of Sports for the Expedition Everest Challenge packet pick-up. Then we’ll head over to Animal Kingdom for the day. (I figured it would be a good idea to familiarize myself with the park before tackling the EEC scavenger hunt.) Other than lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue, we’ll just wander and explore until park closing. Then we’ll make our way over to the Polynesian Resort for 6:45pm dinner reservations at Kona Café. After dinner, we’ll head to Pleasure Island for more Comedy Warehouse.

Saturday
For the third day in a row, we’ll be going to Downtown Disney. This time the reason is lunch at Earl of Sandwich. We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon before heading back to the resort so I can get ready for the Expedition Everest Challenge. The 5k starts at 7pm, followed by the obstacle course and scavenger hunt. Afterwards, there’s a post-race party at AK until midnight. Unfortunately the only things open will be Expedition Everest (of course), Khali River Rapids, and Dinoland USA. I have a feeling we may end up riding Expedition Everest over and over…

Sunday
We’ll start Sunday at the Magic Kingdom. If we’re up early enough, we may grab breakfast at the Main Street Bakery. (I’ve read great things about the cinnamon rolls and French toast loaf.) The first scheduled event of the day is lunch at Crystal Palace at 11:50am. The rest of the day is pretty flexible. After checking out some attractions at MK, we’ll hop over to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic and evening EMH.

Monday
Again, the first scheduled event of the day is lunch. We have 11:40am reservations at Coral Reef in Epcot. Then we’ll explore Future World and do the Disney Visa character meet and greet. At some point in the day, we’ll head to the Magic Kingdom for SpectroMagic, Wishes, and evening EMH.

Tuesday
This is the only day with an early start. The plan is to be at Animal Kingdom for rope drop and a quick ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris before our 9:25am breakfast reservations at Tusker House. We’ll do any attractions we may have missed earlier, then move to Epcot where the rest of the day will be devoted to the Food & Wine Festival and eating/drinking around the World Showcase. Finally, we’ll end the night with IllumiNations.

Wednesday
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. For our last day, we’ll start with lunch at Beaches & Cream. Then we’ll play a round or two of Winter Summerland miniature golf before saying goodbye (for now) to WDW.

 

[jmskinner]

Looks like a great plan. No long now!

 

[Disneychix]

Good luck on your run. DH and I had thought about doing this but then I realized it would be towards the end of our Free Dining vacation and I'd be in no shape to actually run anywhere!

I may be leaving Kona on Friday as you are arriving. I should have my LGMH on my stroller. I think my ADR is about 5:30ish.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Good luck on your run. DH and I had thought about doing this but then I realized it would be towards the end of our Free Dining vacation and I'd be in no shape to actually run anywhere!

I may be leaving Kona on Friday as you are arriving. I should have my LGMH on my stroller. I think my ADR is about 5:30ish.

I'll keep an eye out for your LGMH and your extremely cute kid. I won't have anything lime green with me. The BF already thinks my Disney obsession is crazy enough without inviting strangers to come up and say hi.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Only 1 week left!

I saw the new Disney Visa offer for free dining and called in this morning to see if I could book it for the last half of the vacation. Since I already had a room discount through EEC, it turned out that I wouldn't be saving all that much, plus I'd be stuck with two 1-day passes that we don't need right now. Oh well, at least I tried.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

Only two more days! I’ve started setting aside the things I’m planning to pack. It’s already grown to a good-sized pile and I haven’t even added in my clothes yet. Can you believe I’m actually bringing five pairs of shoes for a seven day trip? I have three pairs of flip-flops (in different colors, of course), my running shoes, and an extra pair of sneakers just in case I get tired of wearing flip flops every day.

What else am I bringing?

• Digital camera (brand new for this trip!), battery charger, and extra 2GB SD card
• Books and Nintendo DS for the plane
• Sundresses, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops
• Wristlet for carrying ID, tickets, chapstick, etc.
• Running clothes and Clif Bars
• Lots of travel-size toiletries
• Ziploc bags – to keep the camera dry and bring home goodies from Goofy’s Candy Company
• 10% off coupon for mini golf (thanks mickeystoontown!)
• Disney Visa rewards card (yay for free $$$)

The one thing I’m glad not to be bringing is my laptop. It’s such a pain to travel with, and it’ll be great to have a week completely free of work and email.

 

[jmskinner]

So, I guess no updates while at the parks since you aren't taking your laptop, but I can't blame you.

Weather is starting to cool off here in Florida so should have a good time.

Oh, and my DH complains about my shoes every trip.

Hope you have a good one. If you see us, I have a lime green backpack/purse with a LGMH!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I’m so ready to leave for vacation. I’ve been incredibly scatterbrained the last couple days. I guess I just have too many thoughts and last minute to-do lists running through my mind. In addition to planning for WDW, I’m also getting ready to move into a new (rental) house. I’ll be picking up the keys the day after I get back, and then I have a week until I have to be completely out of my current apartment. So I’ve been trying to get as much done before vacation as possible – cleaning, packing, setting up utilities, etc.

Anyway, on Monday night I locked my keys in the trunk while shopping at Costco. I thought the week couldn’t get any worse, but then yesterday night I accidentally left my checkbook at the bank. Yikes! Luckily I think a bank employee found it before anyone could run off with my checks and account information. Now I just have to get through the rest of the work day, swing by the bank for my checkbook, finish packing, and get to bed as early as possible. Hopefully there won't be anymore mishaps. My flight leaves at 7am, and we’ll arrive in Orlando at 4:40pm… only about 30 hours to go until I’m back at WDW again!

 

[Genna]

have a great trip!

Let me know abbout comedy warehouse..

Great report

 

[jmskinner]

Yikes on the checkbook. Glad someone found it for you. Sorry you locked your keys in the car, done that many times myself.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

have a great trip!

Let me know abbout comedy warehouse..

Great report

Thanks for stopping by. I'll do my best to provide a good report of Comedy Warehouse when I get back. *Crossing my fingers that it's as good as I remember*

Yikes on the checkbook. Glad someone found it for you. Sorry you locked your keys in the car, done that many times myself.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

I hope you have a great time this weekend, too!

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Okay, that's it. I'm signing off DisBoards. I'll be back in a week!