Well, it's scheduled. Now what?

[cornjob]

It's the Grand Floridian – 1/3/08 to 1/14/08. This is a reschedule of a trip that was supposed to take place in September 2007. Due to a family emergency, it got bumped.

Participants: Me – 46. I spent 5 (child) years of my life in Anaheim, going to Disneyland often and watching the fireworks at the park every night from our backyard. Oddly, now I hate fireworks, but still love Disney.

Joe – 28. The only friend I have who is willing to take that much time off of work to go with me. He has never been to a Disney park and is pretty ambivalent about the whole experience. Joe is a great guy and a good friend, but if it isn’t related to women, cars or weightlifting, he’s usually hard to impress. However, since he’s getting a free trip….

Prior experience: I haven’t been to WDW in 23 years, so I'm prepared for a very different experience. Last time was 3 days during New Years in 1984. It was a completely spur of the moment trip by myself. I didn’t even make a reservation for a place to stay - it was someplace on the property, though, I think. It was a high rise hotel - something with “Buena Vista” in the name. At any rate, there wasn’t much to see, but I did really enjoy “Horizons” and “World of Motion” quite a few times during my visit and I’m sorry to hear they’re gone. It ended up being pretty cold and I had to buy a jacket in one of the park stores. A high point of the trip was having whomever was operating Pirates comment during the ride on how nice my jacket was over the loudspeaker on New Years Eve.

Anyway, I really want to go all out this time – my grandmother passed away in March, and she and I had always talked about wanting to go. This trip is dedicated to her.

I’ve never done a trip report before, but I’ve enjoyed reading everyone else’s so much in preparation for this trip, I though I’d post one of my own. Thanks to all of the pre-planning I did for the ill-fated September trip, I know exactly what I want to be doing on what day. I am all set with the Platinum Magic Your Way plan, with ADRs (table service dinners every night – I figure we can make due for the rest of the time) and reservations for some of the more interesting-sounding tours. It’s 12 days, with 10 full days at the park, and, like I said, I’m going all out. I figured this might be the last time I get to do this. Plus, I haven’t had a real vacation (longer than 2 days) in 10 years.

So, my question is: what now? is there anything else to plan in the 101 days until I leave?

 

[cornjob]

does anyone have any experience with the spa at the grand floridian? i was thinking of making a reservation for a massage while i'm there....

 

[desiab]

Can't offer any advice on the Grand Floridian spa since we have only done the spa at the Dolphin.

Since you are on the Platinum Plan and are staying at The Grand Floridian have you looked into booking Victoria & Albert's? I know you said that you had table service meals booked for each night, but I wasn't sure if V&A was in the mix.

Also have you talked to the Itinerary planning office about reserving Cirque and a fireworks cruise? The fireworks cruises book up fast, so you might want to go ahead and talk with them before your 90 days.

Oh and if Joe should back out I am sure that there would be plenty of people on here willing to offer to take his place.

 

[cornjob]

yes, very good point....hey, maybe i should auction off that second place on my trip. it would be great to have someone as into it as i am riding shotgun.

since i had to cancel my september trip literally days before i was supposed to go (a word of advice, try NEVER to cancel your trip less than 5 days before you're supposed to leave - it's EXPENSIVE!!), i had already talked via email with the Disney itinerary planner (stephanie, who was very nice) and set everything up.

i have cirque de soleil booked, after dinner at planet hollywood. the plan also includes VIP seating for Fantasmic and/or Illuminations. honestly, i'd rather go through the Haunted Mansion one more time than watch a parade or fireworks, but that's me. she did manage to talk me into VIP seating at fantasmic. we'll see...

i was also thinking of going offsite for a day, maybe to universal....?

 

[cornjob]

OH! victoria and albert's...yeah, i thought about it. two points immediately came to my mind:

1) i hate to dress up. by dress up, i mean anything nicer than jeans.

2) i had to think of how joe would react to going to dinner there. he's more of a....hmmmm..."sonic" kind of a guy.

 

[jordanyosh]

Universal? The horror

Just kidding. However, with the Platinum Plan isn't recreation included as well? I do think you will have plenty to do just at WDW. I mean the eating alone will take up alot of time.

 

[cornjob]

lol. you're right. it includes A LOT. i already have 4 tours scheduled, and i haven't played in a loooong time, but i was even thinking of trying to get some golf in. since i have prepping for this trip for more than 20 years, i guess i owe it to mickey to get ALL of my money, huh?

 

[jordanyosh]

Since I think it's included, you may want to try the Sea Raycers. There mini powerboats. Not a ton of power, but you'll still go pretty fast. You can get them right at the marina at the GF. I've done them 3 times and it's a blast. If you do it, do it for an hour. That way you can do both Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Just a suggestion.

 

[cornjob]

how many tours is "too many"? i'm scheduled for 4 tours during a 10-day stay; i have "undiscovered futureworld", "keys to the kingdom", backstage safari" and "dolphins in depth". i love the idea of "behind the scenes" tours, but i'm now thinking these might take too much tiime away from actually enjoying the park...
gee, i love overthinking on the planning.....

 

[cornjob]

i've cancelled the epcot "undiscovered futureworld" tour after reading some of the feedback on the tour. i do want to leave some time open for...well....whatever comes up.

i also managed to get a dinner reservation at the coral reef restaurant during my stay. yes! does anyone have any reviews on "the adventurer's club"? it sounds like a lot of fun....

 

[jordanyosh]

i've cancelled the epcot "undiscovered futureworld" tour after reading some of the feedback on the tour. i do want to leave some time open for...well....whatever comes up.

i also managed to get a dinner reservation at the coral reef restaurant during my stay. yes! does anyone have any reviews on "the adventurer's club"? it sounds like a lot of fun....

Adventurer's Club is quirky, but fun. It's not a typical dance club or nightclub which means it's inviting to the average joe.

FYI, Cast Members receive discounts at PI on Thursday nights, so it tends to be a bit busier at PI on Thursday nights which is a good thing..better energy.
Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk is also fun on Tuesday nights which is CM night.

 

[KandiKin]

It's the Grand Floridian – 1/3/08 to 1/14/08. This is a reschedule of a trip that was supposed to take place in September 2007. Due to a family emergency, it got bumped.

Participants: Me – 46. I spent 5 (child) years of my life in Anaheim, going to Disneyland often and watching the fireworks at the park every night from our backyard. Oddly, now I hate fireworks, but still love Disney.

Joe – 28. The only friend I have who is willing to take that much time off of work to go with me. He has never been to a Disney park and is pretty ambivalent about the whole experience. Joe is a great guy and a good friend, but if it isn’t related to women, cars or weightlifting, he’s usually hard to impress. However, since he’s getting a free trip….

I’ve never done a trip report before, but I’ve enjoyed reading everyone else’s
So, my question is: what now? is there anything else to plan in the 101 days until I leave?

I want to be cornjob's friend. Cornjob, can I be your friend? I'm a lot closer to your age, and I am easy to impress. For example, take me to the GF for two weeks, and BAM! I'm impressed!

You only had ONE friend willing to take two weeks off of work for an all expense paid trip?

I would not have any problem taking time off work. In fact, for the trip you describe I would happily quit my job.

Heck, I can always get another job.

I think the best spa around the World is over at the Swan and Dolphin. The Mandalay.

I'm so jealous of this "Joe" person. Jealousy is an ugly thing, I tell you. It's so beneath the person I hope to one day be.

Listen, if "Joe" pulls a groin muscle lifting weights, email me!

Saaaayyyy...I lift weights. What say me and "Joe" have a lift-off for the trip? Dead lifts, overhead military, bench press (and this is my ace in the hole) leg press. Most total tonnage wins.

 

[KandiKin]

I wouldn't bother with V and A's unless you are seriously trying to impress Joe. (The rat!) We ate there last year, and it was (1) stuffy, both figuratively and literally (b) seriously freaking overpriced, and I am no cheapskate. It is the kind of place people go to get engaged and other romantic stuff like that. Mostly all couples celebrating anniversaries, etc. Mr. Sonic Drive_in might be a little out of his element. OTOH, I LOVED California Grill. Do you have ADR's for that place yet? Excellent, and so fun. Try to snag a ressie for the same time as the fireworks.

The trip sounds like a blast and a half! You are going to have so much fun!

 

[cornjob]

joe is great to hang out with, very easy-going, which is why it's good he's the one going. i guess most of my friends are overachievers who won't leave work for that long or have to get their vacations scheduled a year ahead of time. who knows, i may luck out and he will love it once he gets there. is there any way to tell whether someone will be into it if they've never been there? "the adventurer's club" and pleasure island sounds great - i may need to head over there for an evening.

 

[cornjob]

no, i have reservations at the concourse steakhouse, though. i'm a sucker for a good steak, and the reviews i read for the california grill were way on one side or the other. and frankly, the menu didn't look that appealing.

 

[cornjob]

tonight, i carefully explained to joe about the changes to the 2008 dining plan. that now we have to allow $ for tips (but we do get free refillable resort mugs), that we should now call disney-mgm "disney's hollywood studios", and also expressed my outrage that "spaceship earth" would no longer be open when we're there in january. i was greeted by a moment of silence on the phone. i'm hoping he "gets it" finally when he gets there.....what do you do with someone who's never been to a disney park before? anybody have experience with that? come to think of it, i don't think he's ever seen a disney movie, either......originally, i was happy that only splash mountain would be closed for refurbishment during our trip. well, truthfully, i was a little disappointed, but since i've never been on it, i guess i don't know what i'm missing. but i LOVE spaceship earth. that is the coolest ride ever. and since i know there's no way to go on world of motion or horizons again, this isn't good news....

 

[IloveDMB]

I think your trip sounds awesome! I think once Joe gets there and literally is in the middle of all the "magic", he will get it.

And if you need a replacement, I'm only a 3 hour drive away.

 

[cornjob]

i appreciate the offer. one thing i've realized is how many people would like switch places with him - he doesn't realize how good he has it...lol!

 

[cornjob]

well, i've had to reschedule the trip until february, and now it's a solo trip. two good things: 1) now splash mountain and spaceship earth will be reopened (although who knows now what will be closed for refurb at that time), and 2) i won't have a hard-to-impress newbie along for the ride. anybody ever done a trip by yourself? for 10 days? any tips? i've been reading some of the solo trip reports online here, and it doesn't seem like a big deal. in fact, it seems like things go more smoothly if you only have yourself to keep track of. one thing i've realized is that i no longer want to do sitdown-type restaurants if i'm going by myself. one other thing - what are the crowds like around president's day? i'll be there 2/18 thru 2/29....

 

[Mrs. Bee]

So what happened with Joe? I'm jealous you'll get to see Spaceship Earth now. I haven't seen it since 1995 but it'll be closed when we're there in January.