What's better than a honeymoon? TWO Honeymoons! 8/30 57 hours/13 months to go!

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

That is the funniest thing I've ever seen!!! I love his quote about doing drag! Sounds like an amazing evening for sure!

 

[Joyciemc]

OMG You should totally get this picture framed Ben really did go for it didn't he, must have been so much fun and its great that places like that try and bring people together to have lots of fun

That t shirt is v cool and a lovely memorable gift

He definitely committed to the role! I don't know how he does it, but the guy can not get embarrassed. A big change from me- I am really shy!

That is the funniest thing I've ever seen!!! I love his quote about doing drag! Sounds like an amazing evening for sure!

It was hilarious. I have video of it, but promised one of the back up dancers that I wouldn't post it. So you'll have to just imagine the amazingness!

 

[Joyciemc]

80 days from today we will be in Florida. We'll just be arriving to Portofino Bay at Universal. And I can't wait! We've been home from Jamaica a month and I already need a vacation.

You may remember back when I had just started this PTR that we were needing to hire someone at work. Well, we did. But now she is leaving in one week. (starting to get a complex, is it that bad of a place to work?) We already have way more to do than 4 people can manage, so being down to 3 is not fun. The good news is that we've had lots of applicants. The bad news is that the interviewing/hiring process takes a lot of time that we don't have! At this point I will just be happy if we have someone hired and trained in time for my vacation in September (though it better be a lot sooner than that or we will all go crazy at work!)

So like a good DISer, I have been distracting myself by reading lots of trip reports, going over our vacation plans and just plain old thinking about our week in Disney. Here's what's currently on my mind:
We are considering this trip part of our honeymoon, even though it is happening 6 months after the wedding. But now I'm wondering if it would be weird for us to do things like wear the bride/groom Mickey ears and honeymoon buttons since we already had a honeymoon. Does it seem like we're just milking it and looking for attention? They have the honeymoon listed as a celebration on the booking, because when I booked I told the CM my name would be different when traveling and she was SO excited.

I'm just wondering what you guys think of people celebrating things that may be a bit of a stretch time-wise to when they are actually in WDW... yay or nay?

 

[amyrella]

I think its fine... a lot of people wait to go on honeymoons... I mean yeah you went on part 1 of your honeymoon already but you are still newlyweds and in the "honeymoon" period! right??

i say its ok!!!

(PS - i'm one of those people who don't get it or necessarily like it, when people "lie" about their "special occassion", idk... it bothers me, maybe bc i tend to be a bit modest about that stuff, to each their own i guess)

 

[Stefy]

I think you should still wear the ears and pins as you are newly weds and its the second part of your honeymoon which was planned before you got married and like amyrella says some newly weds do not even go on their honeymoon straight after the wedding. Me and DF will be going on ours a month later (after having changed our month to get married), but previously it would have been 3 months to wait

 

[klacey1]

Um, I would 100% still wear the pins and the ears and stuff! You're not milking anything, you're just continuing the celebration!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I agree with what everyone else is saying! If you feel really bad about it just lie and tell people you got married a few days ago. They'll never know!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I would absolutely treat this trip as your honeymoon! These days, lots of people take honeymoons well after the wedding - so I say celebrate your marriage as long as you want!

 

[Joyciemc]

Woohoo! If you guys say it's ok, then it must be ok! Bride and groom ears it is! I've never been to Disney for a special occasion and I've never owned a pair of Mickey ears, so this will be my chance to do both. Just 75 days to go, now!

Did I ever share my itinerary plans? I keep looking at it wanting to make changes (cause it's fun!), but I really think I like it as is. Nighttime shows and parades were not factored in as neither of us care too much for those things. I like wishes, but I don't need to plan to see it. As for parades, I've never liked them, even as a child. I think I went to too many boring local parades when I was little and never developed an appreciation for them. Though I LOVE the music for Spectro... but you can hear that just walking around the park and you don't need to save a spot to hear it.
So, here's what we have so far:

Thursday 9/2: land in Orlando at 9:55 am, taxi to Portofino Bay at Universal. We have 4 day park tickets, so I think we will go to a park this day even though it will only be a half day. I think we'll do Universal Studios, because I want to be at IOA for opening to do Harry Potter early in the day.

Friday 9/3: IOA and hanging out at the resort. We'll probably check out CityWalk, too.

Saturday 9/4: US again.

Sunday 9/5: Check out of the hotel, then one of the Universal parks. They close at 7 (I think, Sept. hours aren't out yet) so we'll head to the Poly around then. We have dinner ressies at 'Ohana for 8:30. MK has EMH till 1 am. Knowing me, we will go- I love that place at night, and if it's that close, how can you not go? It's going to be a looooong day.

Monday 9/6: Breakfast at Kona 7:30 am. MK for the day, dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe at 6:00. Then maybe back to MK or Studios (both are open till 10 pm)

Tuesday 9/7: Epcot to start the day. It opens at 8 am, but I'm not too worried about getting there for opening. Here's a little secret: Ben and I don't really care about Soarin'. I don't hate it, but I also don't see what the fuss is about. I admitted that to Ben recently and he said he felt the same way! I guess neither of us wanted to spoil the fun for the other.
So that means we don't have to worry about rushing there first thing.
Dinner at Le Cellier at 5:40.

Wednesday 9/8: Studios for rope drop! I do care about riding Toy Story Mania, so we have to follow the crowd on that one. Ben requested lunch at Sci Fi Dine-in (12:00). The park closes at 7, we might just stay the whole day and then head to dinner at the Wave for 7:30 pm. After that, back to the Poly or maybe check out Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk.

Thursday 9/9: Another Kona breakfast at 7:30 am. Then Animal Kingdom till we're done there. We'll head back to the Poly. Dinner is at Raglan Road at 6:00 pm.

Friday 9/10: Anything we want! I'm guessing Studios, but who knows what will happen? Dinner is at Kona at 7:00 pm. Epcot is open till midnight, so maybe we'll head over there if we feel like it.

Saturday 9/11: Depending on what we do Friday, we'll pick a park. Epcot in the afternoon and dinner at Biergarten at 7:45 pm

Sunday 9/12: Check out of the Poly and then Epcot. Lunch at Coral Reef at 11:30. Our flight home leaves Orlando at 4:40.

How does that look? We park hop a lot, and I like to stay out late at the parks. We'll probably take some breaks at the Poly but I didn't 'schedule' them. I also like leaving a couple days at the end mostly free so we can pick what we do based on how the first part of the week goes.

Can I just hibernate until September? This waiting is NO FUN!

 

[Stefy]

Plans sound great You will be there before you know it

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Sounds like you've got an action-packed week! And I agree about the parades - I like to catch a glimpse but that's about it for me. Although I do love Spectro so that's a must!

 

[Joyciemc]

Plans sound great You will be there before you know it

I hope you're right, Stefy! Right now it feels like a long long time!

Sounds like you've got an action-packed week! And I agree about the parades - I like to catch a glimpse but that's about it for me. Although I do love Spectro so that's a must!

I know, huh? Writing it all out makes it look a little daunting. We go kinda crazy in WDW. On our last trip, we were realllllly tired before an 'Ohana dinner but we didn't have time to go back to POP for a nap. So we took naps on the lounge chairs on the beach at the Poly. For real- set an alarm on Ben's cell phone and everything.

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I know, huh? Writing it all out makes it look a little daunting. We go kinda crazy in WDW. On our last trip, we were realllllly tired before an 'Ohana dinner but we didn't have time to go back to POP for a nap. So we took naps on the lounge chairs on the beach at the Poly. For real- set an alarm on Ben's cell phone and everything.

I'm sad to say it, but I schedule in a nap time! Or at least a relax time. Sometimes it's depressing coming on here and reading about 4 year olds who can open and close a park, when I need a break in the afternoon!

 

[Joyciemc]

I may have an ADR problem... as in I've made too many. I was sitting here and thinking about how much I've enjoyed meals at Brown Derby in the past. So then I thought I'd just check availability for our Studios day, and now I have an ADR for 6:25. But I also have and ADR for The Wave at 7:30. Which one do I keep? I think Brown Derby is 2 TS credits on the dining plan... is that right? It's worth it to me, but Ben's never eaten there and he probably won't think it's worth it....
Which of those two would you lovely folks pick?

P.S. it really smells like oil in our house... we recently converted to gas heat and they removed our oil tank today. I think the fumes are getting to me, and causing me to book extra ADRs

 

[Joyciemc]

I'm sad to say it, but I schedule in a nap time! Or at least a relax time. Sometimes it's depressing coming on here and reading about 4 year olds who can open and close a park, when I need a break in the afternoon!

Scheduling naps is a smart thing to do... after all, we're paying for these hotel rooms we may as well use them to sleep in! It was pretty dumb for us to be sleeping on a beach like homeless people when we had a perfectly good bed waiting for us at POP!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Scheduling naps is a smart thing to do... after all, we're paying for these hotel rooms we may as well use them to sleep in! It was pretty dumb for us to be sleeping on a beach like homeless people when we had a perfectly good bed waiting for us at POP!

Well at least you picked a fabulous beach to take a nap on! I sure wouldn't mind a nap on the Poly beach!

As for your ADR dilemma, I personally would stick to the Wave, but that's just because I'm not a huge DHS fan so I wouldn't want to spend two credits to eat there. I think the signature dining places could make for a great evening, but I think with it being inside the park it makes it more like a "regular" restaurant. But, if you really enjoy it, go for it!

That wasn't much help was it?

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I may have an ADR problem... as in I've made too many. I was sitting here and thinking about how much I've enjoyed meals at Brown Derby in the past. So then I thought I'd just check availability for our Studios day, and now I have an ADR for 6:25. But I also have and ADR for The Wave at 7:30. Which one do I keep? I think Brown Derby is 2 TS credits on the dining plan... is that right? It's worth it to me, but Ben's never eaten there and he probably won't think it's worth it....
Which of those two would you lovely folks pick?

P.S. it really smells like oil in our house... we recently converted to gas heat and they removed our oil tank today. I think the fumes are getting to me, and causing me to book extra ADRs

I've never eaten at either place but I think the Wave may offer a little bit more of a romantic feel to your honeymoon.

 

[Stefy]

I may have an ADR problem... as in I've made too many. I was sitting here and thinking about how much I've enjoyed meals at Brown Derby in the past. So then I thought I'd just check availability for our Studios day, and now I have an ADR for 6:25. But I also have and ADR for The Wave at 7:30. Which one do I keep? I think Brown Derby is 2 TS credits on the dining plan... is that right? It's worth it to me, but Ben's never eaten there and he probably won't think it's worth it....
Which of those two would you lovely folks pick?

P.S. it really smells like oil in our house... we recently converted to gas heat and they removed our oil tank today. I think the fumes are getting to me, and causing me to book extra ADRs

I know the Brown Derby gets alot of good reviews and is well worth the 2TS. Have never been to The Wave (or BD for that matter), but if I had to choose I think it would be BD because of the great reviews it gets against that of The Wave.

At the end of the day its what you have a feel for and if BD is calling you I say go for it Just remember to recalculate your credit allocations so you don't get caught out and have to pay OOP

 

[klacey1]

Great itinerary!! We're definitely park-hoppers and night owls-- it's the way we like to do WDW. We always make rope drop, though, although I definitely see why you don't think it's necessary for Epcot. I rode Soarin at California Adventure and didn't understand the hype. So, I went on again...still didn't get it. I've told DBF that it wouldn't be worth his time, and he agrees in my ultimate wisdom . We'd rather head to Test Track first thing!
I'll honestly stick with your Wave ADR-- I think experiencing a new, romantic restaurant would be perfect for your honeymoon. We love CR! I think it has a great vibe. Plus, if Epcot or MK is open later, you'd have perfect quick access to either park via the monorail!

 

[Joyciemc]

Well at least you picked a fabulous beach to take a nap on! I sure wouldn't mind a nap on the Poly beach!

As for your ADR dilemma, I personally would stick to the Wave, but that's just because I'm not a huge DHS fan so I wouldn't want to spend two credits to eat there. I think the signature dining places could make for a great evening, but I think with it being inside the park it makes it more like a "regular" restaurant. But, if you really enjoy it, go for it!

That wasn't much help was it?

No, that is helpful. That's a good point about signature restaurant in a park... it does feel weird to be at the fancy Brown Derby all sweaty from touring the studios.

I've never eaten at either place but I think the Wave may offer a little bit more of a romantic feel to your honeymoon.

Right, romance. I always forget about that... definitely something I should work on for a the honeymoon.

I know the Brown Derby gets alot of good reviews and is well worth the 2TS. Have never been to The Wave (or BD for that matter), but if I had to choose I think it would be BD because of the great reviews it gets against that of The Wave.

At the end of the day its what you have a feel for and if BD is calling you I say go for it Just remember to recalculate your credit allocations so you don't get caught out and have to pay OOP

I've enjoyed my meals at the Brown Derby. I really think if it wasn't 2 credits I would go there. But I've been there before and I am trying to try new places...

Great itinerary!! We're definitely park-hoppers and night owls-- it's the way we like to do WDW. We always make rope drop, though, although I definitely see why you don't think it's necessary for Epcot. I rode Soarin at California Adventure and didn't understand the hype. So, I went on again...still didn't get it. I've told DBF that it wouldn't be worth his time, and he agrees in my ultimate wisdom . We'd rather head to Test Track first thing!
I'll honestly stick with your Wave ADR-- I think experiencing a new, romantic restaurant would be perfect for your honeymoon. We love CR! I think it has a great vibe. Plus, if Epcot or MK is open later, you'd have perfect quick access to either park via the monorail!

Are you me?? I also rode Soarin for the first time at CA, and thought 'that was like any IMAX movie, but with smells'. Then I keep reading things on the DIS about how awesome it is, so I thought I was broken or something. I was a little afraid to admit how I felt cause I thought I was the only one out there.

Thanks for all your help, ladies! I think we'll stick with the Wave. I also think I should stay away from the restaurants board until I'm planning a different trip, or this will just keep happening!

And now I have to scoot because we're going to see Toy Story 3 in IMAX 3D and I am way too friggin excited (I also finally get a day off work tomorrow, so that has me spazzing out too ) I love tonight!