Yippee! Going to WDW for 5yr anniversary! Home from the World...what a trip!

[smile4stamps]

Hi There! I've never done any sort of trip report but thought this might be a good place to kinda organise my thoughts...

To start. I am planning a trip for my husband and I to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. I booked our trip in late march under the 4/3 special and we will be in WDW Apr 28-May 7. The first 7 nights will be at CBR, the last 3 will be at a non-disney timeshare (but VERY VERY close to WDW)

Me: 31 year old - have visited WDW 4 prior times with my parents but the last time was more than 10 years ago. super excited about going...

Hubby: 36 years old - Never been to WDW and is not nearly as excited as I am about going.

The background: My husband and I were originally planning a WDW wedding and when our family and the finances prevailed we ended up getting married in my hometown but said we would go to Disney for our 5 year anniversary. Wll guess what came up in a hurry! Our Anniversary! So about a month ago I said to my hubby... So...are we going to WDW? He says if thats what you want to do... Woo-Hoo! So that became the start of my planning.

So far most of my planning has revolved around our ADR's. We are doing the Deluxe Dining Plan. My hubby is a pasty chef and we both love food. My hubby is allergic to seafood so I am trying to pick restaurants that will offer him more than 2 choices for appetizers/entrees.

Here are the ADR's I have booked

Day one: Magic Kingdom
Breakfast: Crystal Palace 8:10am
Late Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern 1:15pm
Dinner: Hoop De Doo Musical Review 7:15pm

Day 2: Epcot
Breakfast: a snack from somewhere....
Lunch: San Angel Inn 11:30am
Dinner: Chefs de France 5:00pm

Day 3: Hollywood Studios
Breakfast: possibly just a snack for breakfast
Lunch: 50's Prime Time cafe 11:00am
Dinner: Mama Melrose for fantasmic 4:40pm

Day 4: Our Anniversary, think we will stay out of the parks
Breakfast: Kona's cafe 11:10am
Lunch: probably a snack...
Dinner: Artist Point 7:10pm

Day 5: 2nd Epcot day
Breakfast: The Wave 8:40am
Lunch: Biergarten 1:00pm
Dinner: Citrico's 7:55pm

Day 6: Animal Kingdom
Breakfast: Tusker House 8:25am
Lunch: Yak & Yeti 12:30pm
Dinner: Jiko 5:40 pm then going to MK for Wishes and Spectromagic followed by evening EMH

Day 7: We will be moving to our timeshare so probably no park today
Breakfast/Lunch ???
Dinner: Yachtsmans Steakhouse

Days 8,9,10 will be food OOP no ADR's made.

So what must's am I missing? Need to start planning what to actually get done in the parks.

If you've read this Thanks!

 

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Okay, so I think this may be a good place to organize my thoughts on what to bring along on our trip. I have things floating in my head so maybe all in one spot will be helpful.

Packing list:
Clothes (don't forget the swimsuits!)
Shoes (still trying to determine the kind, I normally wear crocs but just not sure if that is good for walking such long distances)
Wine for our anniversary (was told through this board that for many signature restaurants they charge a $20 corkage fee)
Phone chargers and iphones (not like we could possibly forget our iphones...)
Confirmations
"Park Bag" I bought what I think is a super cute bag to use in the parks.. It is a cross body bag and sits pretty flat on my hip when empty and then can also fit A LOT in it!

sunblock!
sunglasses
hats

So obviously I am missing a lot that I need to pack as that seems like a very short list...

 

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More about the happy couple:

We were married May 1, 2004. We had a castle theme for our wedding after not being able to get married at WDW and even had a castle cake, centerpieces, favors etc. My DH was a wonderful planner and did a lot of the planning for us!
He also did the decorating of our reception location!

So. Me... I am an RN, I went back to school after we were married and obtained a second bachelors. My first was in business and was haivng trouble getting a good job.

My hubby is a jack of all trades. He has a bachelors in computer science and was working as a network engineer for awhile and then was caught up in the dot com bust several years ago. He then went to work in admin and didn't like the job and decided to go to school again. This time he was following his other dream and went to school to become a pastry chef. currently however he is working on remodeling our house and helping to take care of his mom. I him. He's a wonderful guy!

We both love food (and it shows). Obviously he loves desserts since he is a pastry chef so when it came to choosing what to do for meals I felt that the DxDP was the most logical choice as I really didn't feel like CS meals if we didn't have to do them.

Here we are on our wedding day:

 

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Here is a few of our castle themes items:

Our cake

The ice sculpture which was my hubby's gift to me for our wedding:

Our centerpieces which my hubby hand painted:

My aunt made us this castle to have our cards put into

Sorry... if you aren't interested in the wedding stuff but I love reminiscing.

 

[btlegrljessi]

Hi! I have so enjoyed reading your posts so far- My husband and I will also be celebrating our 5th anniversary at the CBR, though we'll be there a bit later than you and your hubby (May 24-31- just in time for the Memorial Day crowds to hopefully die down!) I'm a former College Program cast member, so I have a slight obsession with Disney, and my husband is quickly catching it! I've never stayed on property, so this will be our first experience with that- I've always been off property, or in my cast member apartment!

Your ADRs look great so far- You mentioned that you've been to WDW before, so I'm sure you have your favorites, but I'm going to jump in with some recommendations anyway for your blank spots! I've been having just as much fun as it sounds like you have in planning our dining options for the day! We're on the dining plan (not deluxe) but are already anticipating more food than we can eat!
If you cancel Spirit of Aloha for MK, you might try Tony's Town Square- Italian place modeled after Lady & the Tramp- always fun to recreate the "sharing the spaghetti noodle" scene!
For EPCOT, you're super-lucky, b/c the San Angel Inn is closing for refurb on May 10th- you'll just make it under the cutoff! The World Showcase doesn't usually open till 11, but if you're up for a super-late breakfast, Boulangerie Patisserie in France is always nice for a croissant or strawberry tart- your pastry chef will be in heaven!
For Hollywood Studios, I've heard breakfast at Starring Rolls is good, but I think it gets pretty crowded... and 50's Prime Time is SO much fun (the meatloaf is to die for!).
If you do end up going back to Epcot later in your trip, I'll say that 9 Dragons in China is fastastic (as is their counter-service lunch option) and the Tangierine Cafe in Morocco (or the Marrakesh Restaurant) is fun for some falafel and baklava (there we are again with the pastries!)
Anyhow, you might not be interested in any of those, but just thought I'd throw my two cents in, for what they're worth!
Also, and I'm SUPER excited about this, there is a new Characters in Flight attraction in DTD where they take you up in a hot-air balloon for a 5-6 minute flight- It's $16 per person, and I can imagine well worth it! I think it opens in late April, so you might be able to catch it- might be a nice romantic evening adventure!
Anyway, hope y'all have a great time on your trip- safe travels!

 

[btlegrljessi]

Oh, and your wedding looks like it was beautiful! Love the castle cake and ice sculpture... I'm sure you felt like a princess in every way!

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi! I have so enjoyed reading your posts so far- My husband and I will also be celebrating our 5th anniversary at the CBR, though we'll be there a bit later than you and your hubby (May 24-31- just in time for the Memorial Day crowds to hopefully die down!) I'm a former College Program cast member, so I have a slight obsession with Disney, and my husband is quickly catching it! I've never stayed on property, so this will be our first experience with that- I've always been off property, or in my cast member apartment!

Your ADRs look great so far- You mentioned that you've been to WDW before, so I'm sure you have your favorites, but I'm going to jump in with some recommendations anyway for your blank spots! I've been having just as much fun as it sounds like you have in planning our dining options for the day! We're on the dining plan (not deluxe) but are already anticipating more food than we can eat!
If you cancel Spirit of Aloha for MK, you might try Tony's Town Square- Italian place modeled after Lady & the Tramp- always fun to recreate the "sharing the spaghetti noodle" scene!
For EPCOT, you're super-lucky, b/c the San Angel Inn is closing for refurb on May 10th- you'll just make it under the cutoff! The World Showcase doesn't usually open till 11, but if you're up for a super-late breakfast, Boulangerie Patisserie in France is always nice for a croissant or strawberry tart- your pastry chef will be in heaven!
For Hollywood Studios, I've heard breakfast at Starring Rolls is good, but I think it gets pretty crowded... and 50's Prime Time is SO much fun (the meatloaf is to die for!).
If you do end up going back to Epcot later in your trip, I'll say that 9 Dragons in China is fastastic (as is their counter-service lunch option) and the Tangierine Cafe in Morocco (or the Marrakesh Restaurant) is fun for some falafel and baklava (there we are again with the pastries!)
Anyhow, you might not be interested in any of those, but just thought I'd throw my two cents in, for what they're worth!
Also, and I'm SUPER excited about this, there is a new Characters in Flight attraction in DTD where they take you up in a hot-air balloon for a 5-6 minute flight- It's $16 per person, and I can imagine well worth it! I think it opens in late April, so you might be able to catch it- might be a nice romantic evening adventure!
Anyway, hope y'all have a great time on your trip- safe travels!

Thanks so much for visiting! Our epcot meals are pretty set but thanks for your suggestions! I am positive we will pick up SEVERAL snacks from the Patisserie in France. In fact my hubby may camp out there. I'm still not sure on the MK dinner, we honeymooned in Hawaii so that is why I was planning the Luau but the reason my hubby likes Luau's is for the Kalua Pork and they don't serve that anywhere on property that I can find.

My hubby and I both are scared of hieghts so not so sure if the hot air balloon is an option but we will see. Out last 3 days in Orlando I do not have any plans for yet.

Congrats on your upcoming anniversary!

Oh and as far as having favorites from when I was there it was so long ago that I really don't remember much. When I went with my family we didn't eat on the grounds but like 2 meals. The very first time I went to WDW when I was 12 we spent 4 days in the parks and then each visit after was only 1-2 days. The last time (around 10 years ago) was 1 day with the family and then one day solo.

 

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updated my first post to reflect new ADR's for Kona's cafe, 50's primetime and biergarten...

 

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So I don't think I've mentions this previously but I work night shift so some of my posts may be at weird times...

Yesterday we went and bought some new shoes.. I bought tennies which I need to start breaking in and then also bought some new crocs. I love croc and yes I DO wear then with socks... My feet sweat in them if I go without the socks.

When I was taking my nap before work I had a dream that my hubby decided we were going to head to WDW a day early but I wasn't packed and I didn't have any time to get ready... Argggh. I don't sleep well obviously... So I need to make sure I am packed early so I don't have to worry about that!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Hi! I just found your report. I LOVE the wedding pics! That's so creative!

We are celebrating 10 years of marriage at WDW this year. Where does the time go?

 

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Hi! I just found your report. I LOVE the wedding pics! That's so creative!

We are celebrating 10 years of marriage at WDW this year. Where does the time go?

Thanks for stopping by! The time really does fly (especially being in school for half of it).

My hubby is VERY creative... He told me yesterday he would love to see them make some wedding cakes at Disney.. I wonder how I make that happen... guess I will have to do some research on that but not much time to find out if he can shadow a pastry chef there.

 

[gchockeymom]

You're wedding pics are great.
As for the dining, have fun with it. Wherever you eat, it will be great because it's your anniversary. I loved the luau at Polynesian. I also love LeCellier at Epcot but Epcot is all set already. At MK, we always go to Liberty Tree Tavern. Just a personal favorite of ours. At HS we like the 50s prime time. Not crazy about AK restaurants. We usually do DTD ones on that day or at a resort.
In May we will be celebrating our 24th anniversary and have went to WDW several times to celebrate there. If you can, enjoy a day at a water park. We did this 2 years ago without the boys and it was my favorite anniversary. We spent most of the day in a tube in the lazy river reminiscing about our wedding day and life since then.
Just enjoy the moments and everything else will be great.

 

[smile4stamps]

You're wedding pics are great.
As for the dining, have fun with it. Wherever you eat, it will be great because it's your anniversary. I loved the luau at Polynesian. I also love LeCellier at Epcot but Epcot is all set already. At MK, we always go to Liberty Tree Tavern. Just a personal favorite of ours. At HS we like the 50s prime time. Not crazy about AK restaurants. We usually do DTD ones on that day or at a resort.
In May we will be celebrating our 24th anniversary and have went to WDW several times to celebrate there. If you can, enjoy a day at a water park. We did this 2 years ago without the boys and it was my favorite anniversary. We spent most of the day in a tube in the lazy river reminiscing about our wedding day and life since then.
Just enjoy the moments and everything else will be great.

It looks like many of your favorites I have already scheduled Congrats on 24 years!! That is wonderful!

Have you tried Jiko? That is the only restuarant that I have booked for around AK. I've been trying to get Tusker House for breakfast because I have heard it is good but so far haven't been able to snag an ADR for it.

I don't have the water park option our tickets because as you can from our wedding photos we are people "of sized" or "pooh-sized" as I have seen on the boards and I am just not sure what we would be able to do at the water parks. Also the timeshare we are moving to has its own lazy-river, probably not as nice as Disney's but it tis an option for us

Thanks again for visiting my pre-trip report!

 

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...that is the question.

I am torn as to whether or not to rent a car of to simply rely on disney transportation. I have us planned for a lot of resort ADR's and am concerned about spending so much time on buses and not enjoying ourselves. Also we will be off-sie the lsat three days.. where we are staying says they have shuttles but I am not sure of the schedule there either...

What to do...What to Do...

 

[smile4stamps]

...that is the question.

I am torn as to whether or not to rent a car of to simply rely on disney transportation. I have us planned for a lot of resort ADR's and am concerned about spending so much time on buses and not enjoying ourselves. Also we will be off-sie the lsat three days.. where we are staying says they have shuttles but I am not sure of the schedule there either...

What to do...What to Do...

I'm quoting myself...ha-ha... well I discussed it with my hubby and we decided that for the price of a rental we can probably use a taxi for quite a few trips and he doesn't seem to mind having to use the buses so that answers that question

 

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The travel to -from WDW is probably the least favorable part of the trip. In order to keep the costs lower we are flying Southwest Airlines from San Jose, CA. This means a travel time of almost 10 hours! And since there is a 3 hour time difference we won't get in until almost 10pm and then have to take the Magical Express to WDW. Our flight technically is supposed to arrive by 9:40pm. ME says they will get the bags from baggage claim for flights arriving before 10pm. So since we are so close should we get our own checked bags or should we let ME get them? And what happens if I yellow tag them for ME and we end up being delayed and don't get in till after 10pm? Will we be able to get them from baggage claim or will they sit there overnight waiting for the first delivery in the morning?

The other problem is food. We have a layover in Phoenix which we can grab a bite to eat at but then nothing else till we arrive in WDW and at which time most restaurants will be closed. Also we have the early morning ADR for Crystal Palace so I want to make sure we can get some rest...

Any suggestions for food for that day?

 

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Oy-Vey... I don't know what to do now! I was finally able to get a reservation at Cinderellas royal table for lunch on May 2nd... Unfortunately it is our Animal Kingdom day... what to do, what to do...I'll probably keep trying for another day but at least I actually got a reservation... I think I said this early. I'm not so much interested in the character part of it but to have a meal IN the castle since it was the theme for our wedding.

 

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I finally got an ADR for Tusker House! I also added a dinner ADR for The Wave on our first full day at WDW (I did cancel the Spirit of Aloha luau but someone else that REALLY wanted it was able to pick it up ) Still hoping for CRT this day but if I don't get it I guess I will survive.

Of course the day I got the ADR at tusker house was not the day I had originally planned for AK but I was able to move my other ADR's around to make it happen!

Now I have the dilemma of not being able to make it to MK for spectromagic on any of the nights it will be going I will keep trying to get Jiko at an earlier time. My original ADR was 5:40 pm so we could go to the MK afterwards. Now the ADR is at 9:05 and spectro starts at 9pm...not gonna happen

 

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Funny how things happen...

I was reviewing my excel spreadsheet with the park hours and our ADR's and I discovered that if we ate lunch at 2:45pm at Liberty Tree Tavern then we wouldn't be able to see the parade at 3pm so I called to see if I can change the reservation to an earlier time. I was able to move it (they said there were a lot of openings). I then asked to check Jiko to see if there was an earlier time on May 3rd. And there was! So we can get back to MK for Spectromagic parade! ANd wishes if we don't happen to catch it the first day we are at MK!

I'm so happy! Everything is working out! The only thing to fall into place yet is CRT! Lets keep prayin!

Oh and I still need a few more breakfast or Lunch ADR's. We get 21 TS meals and I have 18 TS meals scheduled...

 

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So I still need to think of some things to make this trip special for my husband. He is not real enthused about the trip so I want to come up with things that will really make him happy we are there.

Any Ideas??