WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVEN SEEN PETER PAN? A guide to touring with a Disney Noob PTR

[fallen_angel727]

So I'm completely restarting my trip report, because of school (and the fact no one was reading my last PTR) I left it go for too long, so here we are, the new improved PTR

SO this is going to an account of our (well my) trip planning experience, the changes, opinions and obsessive natures involved in planning this trip...plus maybe some random everyday life stuff thrown in for good measure.

Now to introduce or somewhat crazy, yet always entertaining traveling party...

First we have DBrother and his lovely GF - they've been together 4 years and I love them both dearly

DBrother 24 - we'll call him Stitch: he's a good kid, works for a living and treats is GF like a princess. He's been to Disney before but not in 12 years, so this is a whole new eperience for him. He's pretty easy going and will most likely just go with the flow. Oh and he can't go through an hour without making some type of Simpsons or Family Guy quote...so expect theme to appear here too

DBrother's GF 20 - We'll call her Lilo: She's awesome, a great match for DBrother and I love her to death. Hasn't been to Disney since she was 3, so she's treating this like her first trip ever. She has an insane love of Disney Princesses and she's the newbie I mentioned in the title of this PTR. Along with Peter Pan she hasn't seen...well actually it's MUCH faster to name the movies she has seen (Aladdin, Cinderella, Toy story...I honestly think that's about it). Apparently she's lived under a proverbial rock for 20 years, this IS changing before we leave I promise you this


Then we get to DH, 29: Here out known as Han Solo...or simply Han. He's a wonderful man that puts up with my Disney obsession and even though he won't admit it, LOVES Disney. He is a self proclaimed Star Wars professional as well as The Simpsons and Family Guy (Making him and Stitch a match made in heaven). He was very leery about out first trip, especially Epcot "It's even boring to fly over!!", however he's seen the err of his ways and id looking forward to this trip (Mostly because of Star Wars Weekend). Here's a pic of him doing what he does best...a connoisseur of Mojiots

Next there's me, 27: we'll call myself Leia, self proclaimed Disney lover, Star Wars Lover, Simpsons lover and Family Guy lover (I get along well with everyone). This will be my 6th trip...2nd in the last 365 days I'm incharge of...well everything regarding this trip except transportation, that's where Han comes in. I'm a meticulous planner and our trip WILL be perfect...except when it's not . Here I am with My one trie love...besides Han that is

And finally, our trusty trip mascot, the one and only Stitch

So now that we're acquainted...let's get this PTR started with some background info

 

[fallen_angel727]

*insert cheesy flashback music here*

It all started one day back in June 2011, I had booked a trip to the World for myself and my Best Friend. Lilo found out and expressed her disappointment that she wasn't going.

*Fast Forward 1 year, 2 months*

I mention to Lilo and Stitch that I think it would be a good idea to go on vacation together and I suggest Disney assuming that they would laugh it off and choose something cheaper. Well to my surprise they were completely up for it

So here we are, Jan. 2013 and we're booked, ADRs made, park days set, planning DVD in the mail, customized maps to be sent to DBrother-in-law (He works just outside of Detroit and we can only get them sent there)...and with 5 months left to go all I have to do is write this trip report, of and finish school...yeah I should probably do that too.

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I asked Lilo and Stitch over dinner one night what they would like to do on this trip...neither had any ideas. Well Lilo didn't, Stitch was too busy stuffing his face with burgers *sigh*. So I had a conversation with Lilo that went something like this...

Leia: so I'm booking dining reservations an making plans and such, is there any thing particular you want to do?
Lilo: well, I haven't been there since I was 3, so I'm not sure what there is now. I do want to meet the princess though.
Leia: it's been that long? We'll I'll have to plan in the classics, we can ride peter pan...
Lilo: never saw it...
Leia: You've never seen Peter Pan!?!?!?! ok, then we'll watch it before we leave. We'll also have to do Dumbo...
Lilo: Never saw it...
Leia: The teacups...that's with Alice in Wonderland?
Lilo: Nope
Leia: The new fantasy land is open, we can do the new Little Mermaid Ride...
Lilo...ummm...
Leia: SERIOUSLY?!?!? OK lets try this way, I name a move you say yes or no. Beauty and the Beast?
Lilo: No
Leia: Sleeping Beauty?
Lilo: I know who Aurora is but no...
Leia: Oliver & Company? Lilo & Stitch? Bambi? Aladdin? Lady & The Tramp? Cars? The Lion King? Pocahontas? ANYTHING??????
Lilo: No, No, No, Yes, No, Yes, No, No...not really
Leia: Well we need to get these movies watched...good thing we have until may, this is gonna be a big job
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So armed with the knowledge that Lilo has lived under the earlier stated proverbial rock...I set out to plan the greatest trip these 3 have ever seen

 

[fallen_angel727]

So here I am armed with this shocking knowledge that Lilo knows character names, but no stories...and the fact the Stitch would rather eat then give me any answers

SO my first order of business was to make a reservation at All Star Movies. I did some pricing and some convincing and finally got everyone on board with sharing a room to cut costs...I mean we'll only be sleeping and showering in there right. So I book All Star Movie at a very good price and I was set...

UNTILL...I went to Pop Century with my Best Friend. I used some Disney Magic while I was there and had our reservation changed to POP, I LOVED it, and I knew moderates and deluxe resorts were out of the question. So I figured why not?? I was sold immediately and when I got back gave everyone the good news, to which I got a resounding course of "whatevers" and "I doesn't matter to me's" Oh well, I guess this is why I'm doing this and not them lol
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After the resort change I didn't do very much, summer was busy, then my last year of school started in September (I'm going to be a veterinary technician) and our ADR's couldn't be made until the end of November. So there was nothing to do but wait...oh and figure out how to get there. DUH, I can't believe I forgot that. It was a quick decision but we decided to save money and drive...it's only about 20h spread nicely over a couple of days extending our vacation a little bit.

Now this is where Han and Stitch come in. Han is the planner of all road trips and Stitch is king navigator...so for now I don't have much information regarding our actual travel plans other than we leave at 4:00am and arrive at POP by 3:00pm the next day.

...UP next The Plan, The Harry Potter Add on and introducting Star War Weekend, The ADR fiasco that lasted a month and a half, and why can't we take a rental car??

 

[Brook730]

Looks like you will be with an awesome group I hope it is an even more awesome trip for you all.

 

[wiigirl]

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[fallen_angel727]

Thank you everyone!!

Now to continue on with our little story...The Plan, The Harry Potter Add on and introducting Star War Weekend, The ADR fiasco that lasted a month and a half, and why can't we take a rental car??

So Han and I decided it would be MUCH cheaper for the 4 of us to drive down rather than fly...and seeing as we are hoping to save as much money as possible this sounded like an excellent plan to me (Han does have some good ideas, though I'll never admit it to him ). So we decide to rent a car...problem solved.

Well not really, I realized that would mean renting a car in Canada, driving it across the boarder into Detroit (not a problem, but if we get a moody customs officer it will up our chances of being pulled in because well it's not our car...and it's happened before to us anyway), getting out of country insurance, paying for the extra driver (myself) and gas. I bring these concerns up to Han and he says "yeah I knew that so I have a better idea..." well la-ti-da , if I remember correctly this WAS your better idea

Alright Han lets hear it..."we'll have someone drop us off at Metro Airport (Detroit) we'll rent a car there where it's a bit cheaper and we won't have to pay out of country insurance and taxes"

"good point" I tell him "BUT...you're not driving the entire way alone when there are 3 fully capable other adults in the car. Put the extra driver on and one of us can drive part way"

Han: No.
Leia: Why?
Han: I wanna drive.
Leia: you're not driving 14 hours straight one day and 5 the next by yourself, someones helping you
Han: I said I could do it
Leia's Dad (we were apparently having diner with Darth Vader that night"" Han your not driving on your own, that's ridiculous. However, Leia shouldn't drive either, have Stitch or Lilo do it (wow thanks dad).
Han: ...fine, fine, but I'm driving over the border, through the mountains, through Atlanta and Florida since we're not taking the turnpike and I don't want us lost
Stitch: so that leaves me with Ohio...wonderful. Oh and for being the "oh so great Han Solo" you forgot we can all read a map and a GPS...heck I'm an Alien and I can do it (*DISCLAIMER: so this part was paraphrased but it sounds much better than what actually happened )
Lilo: well it's a great idea and all, but Stitch and I can't drive...you have to be 25 to rent or drive the rental car
Han, Stitch, Vader: ...oh...
Leia: or we can bring my car, it's basically brand new, we don't have to pay to rent it and everyone can drive it

And that friends is how we ended up driving the 20+ hours from Windsor, ON to Disney World in a 2001 Honda Civic limited to one duffelbag plus one "carry on" and maybe a pillow per person.

I'm well aware that 2001 is not brand new but there aren't many miles on it, so at least it'll get us there

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So it's set, We're staying at POP with a 6 day magic your way ticket in july (no hoppers...not really necessary for this trip), and a quick service dining plan...oh and driving down to FL which will be an adventure in itself.

Now I can hear you saying..."but Leia, you said you made ADR's, now you say you have a quick service plan? " and friends I'll get to that momentarily.

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Fast forward again to September 2012, Lilo has asked if she can borrow my Harry Potter books as she has FINALLY decided to read them. Well upon their return I'm told that Lilo just HAS to go see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Lilo: Please, please, please????
Leia: well we are driving so we won't have to worry about transportation
Lilo: pretty please??
Stitch: God Lilo, let's just do it or we'll never hear the end of it
Leia: OK OK...I'll just have to tell Han we're making a side trip

And that's how we ended up at Islands of Adventure. Oh and to my surprise, Han took our extra adventure quite well, not great but there was no yelling, whining and only minimal objections

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Well I left out the fact that He OK'd this little side trip because I had a small trick up my sleeve...while at dinner with Vader and his wife again (we do this often)

Leia: So I decided we're going in May instead of July, it'll be too hot then
Others: OK, whatever just let us know so we can book time off etc
Leia: Besides it's a bit slower time and there's Star Wars Weekend
Stitch: cool
Lilo: Never seen the movies headache: surprise, surprise)
Han: The what now?
Lilo: Star War Weekend...remember I was there in June and I told you about it
Han: seriously?
Leia: yeah I figured we can drive in head to SWW on saturday and sunday then do Harry Potter on Monday
Han: you just wanted Harry Potter...
Leia: no Lilo wanted Harry Potter, you wanted Star Wars, I wanted both...problem solved

And the problem was solved...We decided on the last weekend in may (May 24-June 1 with travel days) doing Star Wars Weekend, Islands of Adventure a 6 day Park pass and still the Quick Service plan

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When do they switch to the DDP? Why do they switch to the DDP? What ADRs are made? What is this ADR fiasco spoken about? Are there any more changes happening? Stay tuned to find out!!