We made it Disney without our kids! A June/July Trip Report!-COMPLETED!

[shellywalker]

Welcome everyone! I am excited to say this will be my 2nd trip to Disney in less than a year My DH and I took the kids back in October, for MNSSHP! I started a trip report...but no one was reading it...so I lost my motivation. I sure hope I don't have that same problem again!

We will be spending a few short days in Disney World from June 30th to July 3rd! Not nearly long enough, but hopefully will give me a fix until Christmas time! The cast:

DH-26 years old, firefighter, Veteran of the United States Air Force, wonderful dad, loves doing things with our house/yard, loves being outside, the most self-less person I know. He is currently working as a civilian firefighter at Camp Delta, in Iraq. He doesn't love Disney nearly as much as I do, but he likes to entertain me

Me-25 years old (will be spending my 26th bday in the World!!!), Stay at home mom to two beautiful kids, ages 6 and 15 months. I love all things Disney, the beach, flip flops, baseball and spending my time outside! I am so amped for this vacation! I haven't seen my husband alone in a year!

We will be spending our nights at the CR and feasting our way around the world on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan

 

[shordiebecka]

Sounds amazing! you sure deserve your alone time with hubby! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[shellywalker]

We are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan...what a job that was to figure out So many restaraunts, so many parks, not so many days! With the plan we are allowed 3 Food Entitlements per day, they can be Table service or Quick Service. Along with that, we also get 2 snack entitlements per day! Good thing I am a member of the gym

This is what we have planned so far! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This is our first time together without the kids on vacation!

June 30th:
Lunch-Earl of a Sandwich, DTD 2FE
Dinner-?????

July 1st:
Breakfast-Chef Mickey 7:00AM 2FE
Lunch-Counter Service 2FE
Dinner-California Grill 7:55PM (hopefully we'll have a good table for Wishes!) 4FE

July 2nd:
Breakfast-Tusker House 8:00AM 2FE
Lunch-Counter Service 2FE
Dinner-Narcoossees 5:30PM 4FE

July 3rd:
Breakfast-Kona Cafe 8:20 2FE

So at this point with CS meals we are at 20/24 FE. I have thought about canceling both Tusker House and Kona! I'm not sure that we really want to do "Character Meals"...and the only reason why we are doing Chef Mickey's is because the CHEESEY POTATOES!

 

[shellywalker]

I'm not sure why I didn't just paste this in here before...but this is our entire Itinerary for the time we are there...I'm sure that between now and then there will be 100 changes It's what I do!

Alex and Shelly’s Disney World Vacation 2009

June 30th-
Flight arrives into Orlando at 11:05 AM
Take Magic Express to The Contemporary
Check into Contemporary Resort (reservation #)
Take Bus to Downtown Disney
Lunch at Earl of a Sandwich (2 FE)
Take Bus to Epcot-stay until 7ish…Park Hours 9-7 (PM EMH)
Take monorail to Magic Kingdom…Park hours 9-11 (AM EMH)
Walk or take monorail back to Contemporary Resort

July 1st-
Chef Mickey Reservations 7:00AM (Reservation #) (2FE)
Take Bus to Hollywood Studios until 12ish…Park hours 9-7 (PM EMH)
Take Bus to Magic Kingdom…Park hours 9-10
Lunch at Cosmic Rays?? (2FE)
Back to Contemporary Resort around 7
California Grill Reservations 7:55 PM (Reservation #) (4FE)
Watch Wishes from Restaurant 9:00 PM
Back to room/down to beach for Water Pageant 10:05 PM

July 2nd-
Tusker House Reservation 8:00AM (Reservation #) (2FE)
Stay at Animal Kingdom until 12ish…Park hours 9-7
Take Bus to Magic Kingdom…Park hours 9-10 (AM EMH)
Lunch at Magic Kingdom (Counter Service) (2FE)
Narcoossees Reservations 5:30 PM (Reservation #) (4FE)
Back to Magic Kingdom
Spectromagic Parade 9:00 PM

July 3rd-
Kona Café Reservations 8:20 AM (Reservation #) (2FE)
Flight Leaves Orlando at 11:35 AM

Lodging: Contemporary Resort
Dining: Deluxe Dining Plan
3 Meals/2 snacks per day=24 Food Entitlements 8 Snack Entitlements
Meals can be interchangeable with Counter Service and Table Service

At this time there are 20 of 24 Food Entitlements are scheduled.

Ride Hopeful’s…

Epcot
-World Showcase shopping/explore
-Ellen’s Energy Adventure
-Test Track

Hollywood Studios
-Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
-Toy Story Mania
-Tower of Terror

Animal Kingdom
-Cretaceous Trail
-Dinosaur
-Expedition Everest
-Kali River Rapids
-Maharajah Jungle Trek
-Kilimanjaro Safari’s

Magic Kingdom
-Walt Disney World Railroad
-Tomorrow Land Speedway
-Tomorrow Land Transit Authority
-Astro Orbiter
-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
-Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
-Enchanted Tiki Room
-Haunted Mansion
-It’s A Small World
-Liberty Square Riverboat
-Jungle Cruise
-Stitches Great Escape
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Space Mountain
-Splash Mountain

 

[shellywalker]

Sounds amazing! you sure deserve your alone time with hubby! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for visiting! I hope more people join in, too! I stopped by your PTR also! Can't wait to read more! And post more of course!

 

[shellywalker]

I just wanted to post some pics of my pride and joy! My DD just turned 6 and DS was 15 months, yesterday!

 

[shordiebecka]

Your little girl looks just like you..with the freckles and reddish hair. Your reservations look good so far... looks like a few long days though, make sure you get time for r&r!

 

[shellywalker]

Your little girl looks just like you..with the freckles and reddish hair. Your reservations look good so far... looks like a few long days though, make sure you get time for r&r!

Is there such a thing?? Especially in WDW!!! I'm sure half of the stuff on my lists won't actually happen...but it's nice to go with a plan! I'm a Disney freak...so I feel like I have see EVERYTHING in those few days! I was supposed to have a Kenny Chesney concert the night of the 3rd...which is why we were coming home so early...and the girl I was going with bailed on me today So now it's time to figure out if we can get a later flight out of there!

LURKERS! Come out come out wherever you are!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I'm signing up for your TR too!

My Dh and I are headed to WDW for a weekend getaway without the kids to celebrate my 40th and we're doing the deluxe dinning plan too. So I just had to sign in to your TR because we're basically doing the same thing.

Have you priced out what you are going to order at the restaurants you've choosen? We're doing all sit-down meals which I know will cut into our park time but it just seems so decadant to actually sit down with no kids that we're okay about it. Plus when I went to price out whether the deluxe plan saved us money, if we eat at counter service once a day then the deluxe plan wasn't saving us money. So we just HAD to eat at all table services. Somehow we will suffer through it.

 

[shellywalker]

I'm signing up for your TR too!

My Dh and I are headed to WDW for a weekend getaway without the kids to celebrate my 40th and we're doing the deluxe dinning plan too. So I just had to sign in to your TR because we're basically doing the same thing.

Have you priced out what you are going to order at the restaurants you've choosen? We're doing all sit-down meals which I know will cut into our park time but it just seems so decadant to actually sit down with no kids that we're okay about it. Plus when I went to price out whether the deluxe plan saved us money, if we eat at counter service once a day then the deluxe plan wasn't saving us money. So we just HAD to eat at all table services. Somehow we will suffer through it.

I never sat down and figured that out...but now that you mentioned it, I will be! The only counter service I HAVE to have is Earl of a Sandwich! But the other days, I don't have my heart set on it...and I honestly don't care either if it cuts into park time to do sit down! When are you guys going? I'm so stinkin' excited about this trip, it's unreal!!!

 

[shellywalker]

Okay, so there have been a few plan changes as of yesterday! I'm not longer going to a concert that I had to be back for on the 3rd....I'm going to be changing our flight to come home later that evening! Which means more yummy food for us! Also, my new Disfriend Diamondintheruff made me think I should probably just schedule all sit down meals! You know, I don't like to waste money So now I need some recommendations, based on our locations for the day, on some ADR's! Help please

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I've never been, but I heard Boma was good. Coral Reef would have a cool atmosphere if you asked for a table by the tank. Maybe if you told them your husband is just back from Iraq they can try to do something special for you.

You've already got the other two I would suggest--Cali Grill and Narcoosee's.

Oh, and WHAT??? You're going to miss Kenny Chesney? I've been wanting tickets to see him for YEARS, but DH isn't interested (doesn't want to see me drooling over another man--go figure), and he doesn't want to spend that kind of money on concert tickets.

 

[shellywalker]

Soooo....after a long morning on the phone with DH, and the wonderful Conrad at Disney Dining...we have a new itinerary. We dropped Epcot completely off of our list...as there were only 3 things there that we were interested in doing. Besides drinking Margaritas We have added 2 ADR's, Liberty Tree and 50's Prime Time. I think this will allow more flexibility for us?

Alex and Shelly’s Disney World Vacation 2009

June 30th-
Flight arrives into Orlando at 11:05 AM
Take Magic Express to The Contemporary
Check into Contemporary Resort (reservation #)
Take Bus to Hollywood Studios-stay until 7ish…Park Hours 9-7
50’s Prime Time Reservation 3:05 PM (reservation# ) (2FE)
Take Bus to Magic Kingdom…Park hours 9-11
Dinner at Cosmic Rays (2FE)
Walk or take monorail back to Contemporary Resort

July 1st-
Chef Mickey Reservations 7:00AM (Reservation #) (2FE)
Take monorail to Magic Kingdom…Park hours 9-10
Liberty Tree Tavern Reservations 1:15 (reservation# ) (2FE)
Back to Contemporary Resort around 7
California Grill Reservations 7:55 PM (Reservation #) (4FE)
Watch Wishes from Restaurant 9:00 PM
Back to room/down to beach for Water Pageant 10:05 PM

July 2nd-
Tusker House Reservation 8:00AM (Reservation #) (2FE)
Lunch at Restaurantosaurus (2FE)
Stay at Animal Kingdom until 3ish…Park hours 9-7
Narcoossees Reservations 5:30 PM (Reservation #) (4FE)
Back to Magic Kingdom…Park hours 9-10
Spectromagic Parade 9:00 PM

July 3rd-
Kona Café Reservations 8:20 AM (Reservation #) (2FE)
Downtown Disney
Lunch at Earl of A Sandwich (2FE)
Flight Leaves Orlando at 11:35 AM

Lodging: Contemporary Resort
Dining: Deluxe Dining Plan
3 Meals/2 snacks per day=24 Food Entitlements 8 Snack Entitlements
Meals can be interchangeable with Counter Service and Table Service

At this time there are 24 of 24 Food Entitlements are scheduled.

Ride Hopeful’s…

Hollywood Studios
-Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
-Toy Story Mania
-Tower of Terror

Animal Kingdom
-Cretaceous Trail
-Dinosaur
-Expedition Everest
-Kali River Rapids
-Maharajah Jungle Trek
-Kilimanjaro Safari’s

Magic Kingdom
-Walt Disney World Railroad
-Tomorrow Land Speedway
-Tomorrow Land Transit Authority
-Astro Orbiter
-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
-Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
-Enchanted Tiki Room
-Haunted Mansion
-It’s A Small World
-Liberty Square Riverboat
-Jungle Cruise
-Stitches Great Escape
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Space Mountain
-Splash Mountain

 

[shellywalker]

I've never been, but I heard Boma was good. Coral Reef would have a cool atmosphere if you asked for a table by the tank. Maybe if you told them your husband is just back from Iraq they can try to do something special for you.

You've already got the other two I would suggest--Cali Grill and Narcoosee's.

Oh, and WHAT??? You're going to miss Kenny Chesney? I've been wanting tickets to see him for YEARS, but DH isn't interested (doesn't want to see me drooling over another man--go figure), and he doesn't want to spend that kind of money on concert tickets.

Thanks for the suggestions! We elimated Epcot all together from this trip, so no Coral Reef! I'd love to try it though!

Please do not remind me that I'm missing Kenny My DH HATES country music, so I wasn't even going to offer to buy the other ticket from her and just told her to sell them. Saddest day of my life! But I'll get to spend extra time in Disney...so I guess worth it! DH was pretty livid when he heard though...he even said "WHAT? We could have stayed another night!" And the brainwashing has taken effect

 

[shellywalker]

Alright, so initially I was super stoked to be staying at the Contemporary, for numerous reasons. 1) I've never even stayed on location before, so being able to stay in a Deluxe resort my first time, well, it speaks for itself. 2) The pure convenience of the location is perfect! 3) My DH and I both like the contemporary feel, and loved the resort when we were there for Chef Mickey's in October. I keep reading all these reviews and how disappointed people were with there stay there. This will not sit well with me, especially being my first time on location, if we don't have perfect service! People are saying that the cast members are cold...rooms are dirty...and so on! Someone please help me here...should I change our resort? Maybe to the Poly or even a Moderate resort. Ugh. What a crappy ending to an awesome day

On a better note...the weather was warm and 75 degrees today! I packed my munchkinds up and headed to the zoo!! Now off to eat yummy lasagna! Hope everyone has a great start to their weekend!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Hi Shelly!

It's your new friend here lovestruc)

Glad to hear you are taking full advantage of the deluxe dinning plan!

Your reservations sound great!

Sorry, you're stressing about your resort choice. I don't have any advice on it. I stayed in the contemporary when I was 11 years old. I'm sure it's changed since then. Go with your gut feeling. Or then again there are always split stays.

 

[shellywalker]

Hi Shelly!

It's your new friend here lovestruc)

Glad to hear you are taking full advantage of the deluxe dinning plan!

Your reservations sound great!

Sorry, you're stressing about your resort choice. I don't have any advice on it. I stayed in the contemporary when I was 11 years old. I'm sure it's changed since then. Go with your gut feeling. Or then again there are always split stays.

Thanks for your input! I'm so torn on what to do! I'm nevrous...I don't want it to be a total bust!

 

[Bridora]

Hi! Just now came across you! I don't have any advice for you on the Contemporary. We have never stayed Deluxe, but will be at the Polynesian at the end of May. Excited about being on the Monorail. That being said, we like both Caribbean Beach & Port Orleans Riverside...which are Moderate. Look on here in the Resort threads for a Contemporary thread--I'm sure you will find a lot of good feedback on it, too! You'll never really know for sure until you've tried it yourself, anyway. Can't wait to hear more...

 

[shellywalker]

Hi! Just now came across you! I don't have any advice for you on the Contemporary. We have never stayed Deluxe, but will be at the Polynesian at the end of May. Excited about being on the Monorail. That being said, we like both Caribbean Beach & Port Orleans Riverside...which are Moderate. Look on here in the Resort threads for a Contemporary thread--I'm sure you will find a lot of good feedback on it, too! You'll never really know for sure until you've tried it yourself, anyway. Can't wait to hear more...

Thanks for stopping by! I know for sure we want to stay at a Monorail resort...so I think tomorrow I'm going to be calling to see what kind of damage it would be to switch to the Poly. Ugh, decisions, decisions!

 

[shellywalker]

I'm sad to report that I don't have any updates. I've been real lazy the last few days And today it was so crummy out that I shoved my face in a book for a good portion of the day! I talked to my DH earlier today and he is calling Midwest right now to see if we can get on that later flight! He's a good sweet-talker so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

We also had a bit of bad news this morning...my brother had to put his dog to sleep Here is a picture of my DD and Zoey before Disney On Ice!

Also...last week Friday was my DD's last day of Spring Break, and it was absolutely gorgeous here so we ventured out to the zoo! Here are a few pics...

This picture of my DD and the bronze statue is something she HAS to do every single time we go to the zoo. We have a few pictures of her throughout every summer since she was 2!

DS waiting in line for the "choo choo"

DD riding on the train

DS and I on the train! He LOVED it.