The countdown has reached double-digits, so I figured that the time for my first pre-trip report has come! I hope you enjoy my random thoughts and musings! Comments and suggestions welcomed. 
The Cast
Me (23) and my fiancé “J” (24)
We're thrill seekers, food fiends, dawn-to-dusk champs, and appreciators of the simple Disney things.
The Story
I’ve been going to Walt Disney World all my life with my family. This will be my 33rd trip!
When J and I started dating in 2008, a lot of the conversation on my side revolved around Disney (of course). He had never been before, and probably never gave it a second thought…until now. I must have *somehow* convinced him to take his first trip to WDW with his mom. Lo and behold, he found it to be amazing, and everything just snowballed from there.
We got to take our first trip to WDW in May of 2010, then 2011, then 2012, (also our first Disney Cruise!), and just discovered the magic of fall at Disney last year in 2013. I never got to experience Disney at this time of year as a kid, so finally being free of school, it was a new experience for the both of us.
Now we’re back for more. September 2014, we’re comin’ for ya!
The Celebration
Well, it’s an anniversaryengagementcelebration! It’s our anniversary, we are now engaged, and any trip to Disney is a reason to celebrate! I was SO excited to call Disney and update our reservation! Why? Only for the most sensible reason in the world…to add a new pin to the collection!
I proudly display these babies and may or may occasionally rearrange them and pretend I’m playing Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab by tapping them in random algorithms.
The Plan
September 4th – September 13th: 10 days at the Happiest Place on Earth!
All Star Sports – Value resorts work wonders for us. I love that the bus stops is less than 5 minutes away. I love the automatic doors that open into a flood of sound from the shops and food court. I love that it allows us to afford 9 nights instead of 5 or 6. They are our cheerful Disney home.
We’re on the Disney Dining Plan. I must say, so far, this is what’s looking to be the highlight of our trip. We are not doing Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year, nor Food & Wine Festival, having experienced both last year. MNSSHP was a blast! We dressed as Lilo & Stitch and it was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had so far at Disney. But for the price, we decided it didn’t need to become a yearly tradition. Food & Wine was also a spectacular first for us (we will most definitely return), but man…I missed eating at EPCOT’s restaurants. So that’s our focus this trip. True value season to enjoy all the parks have to offer, and the food. Oh, the food!
Boma (dinner) – a first for the both of us. We visited Animal Kingdom Lodge very briefly once, so we are excited to give it a more thorough investigation this time!
Biergarten (dinner) – we haven’t been here since 2011. I also wasn’t 21 then…hmm. One of my most favorite atmosphere restaurants. And the pretzel bread.
Sci Fi Dine In (dinner) – J has never been here, and I haven’t been here in AGES. But he wants that All-American Picnic Burger and I guess I have to be there to make sure he doesn’t get sick! (Paying OOP)
Be Our Guest (dinner) – Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie, and the ballroom scene is my dream come true. So you can imagine how happy I was to experience this last year. Well, we’re back, and we will be back always and forever because this is my happy place.
Kouzzina (dinner) – I never heard of this place until researching for this year’s trip. But the menu caught our attention, and it’s closing soon! I want to be a part of Disney’s history books! Plus, this makes for a fun night for strolling around the Boardwalk.
Coral Reef (lunch) – This is such a fun place. Last time we were here, this huge, crusty fish swam right by the tank where we were sitting and it freaked me out. Memorable moments.
Garden Grill (dinner) – A first for J, and it’s been a while for me. But it’s not rotating?! I hope this is fixed soon, because yes, Living with the Land is my #1 reason for eating here. Granted, I haven’t been here since the menu overhaul (mac and cheese & dirt cups anyone?) If we do decide to change, I think we will fall back on one of our staples: Tokyo Dining. We love sitting by the window and being sushi fiends.
San Angel Inn (lunch) – Absolutely one of my most favorite atmosphere restaurants. The whole you’re-indoors-but-it-looks-like-you’re-outdoors thing makes me so happy. I get lost in the magic. I can smell the food now too…
Rose & Crown (dinner) – Hoping to get a seat outside along Showcase Lagoon (early dinner, non-Illuminations). We haven’t done that before, so I think it will be a nice change. However, I did make these reservations during this epic winter, so we will see when the time actually comes: will we take the view, or the AC relief?
Ohana (dinner) – I’ve never been here before! I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get on Ohana. But it’s happening now! Can’t wait for the fun and games, skewers of meat, and watching not Wishes, but Hallowishes afterwards.
That's all I have for now. Hope you follow along - thanks for reading!
The Cast
Me (23) and my fiancé “J” (24)
We're thrill seekers, food fiends, dawn-to-dusk champs, and appreciators of the simple Disney things.
The Story
I’ve been going to Walt Disney World all my life with my family. This will be my 33rd trip!
When J and I started dating in 2008, a lot of the conversation on my side revolved around Disney (of course). He had never been before, and probably never gave it a second thought…until now. I must have *somehow* convinced him to take his first trip to WDW with his mom. Lo and behold, he found it to be amazing, and everything just snowballed from there.
We got to take our first trip to WDW in May of 2010, then 2011, then 2012, (also our first Disney Cruise!), and just discovered the magic of fall at Disney last year in 2013. I never got to experience Disney at this time of year as a kid, so finally being free of school, it was a new experience for the both of us.
Now we’re back for more. September 2014, we’re comin’ for ya!
The Celebration
Well, it’s an anniversaryengagementcelebration! It’s our anniversary, we are now engaged, and any trip to Disney is a reason to celebrate! I was SO excited to call Disney and update our reservation! Why? Only for the most sensible reason in the world…to add a new pin to the collection!
I proudly display these babies and may or may occasionally rearrange them and pretend I’m playing Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab by tapping them in random algorithms.
The Plan
September 4th – September 13th: 10 days at the Happiest Place on Earth!
All Star Sports – Value resorts work wonders for us. I love that the bus stops is less than 5 minutes away. I love the automatic doors that open into a flood of sound from the shops and food court. I love that it allows us to afford 9 nights instead of 5 or 6. They are our cheerful Disney home.
We’re on the Disney Dining Plan. I must say, so far, this is what’s looking to be the highlight of our trip. We are not doing Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year, nor Food & Wine Festival, having experienced both last year. MNSSHP was a blast! We dressed as Lilo & Stitch and it was one of the most unique experiences I’ve had so far at Disney. But for the price, we decided it didn’t need to become a yearly tradition. Food & Wine was also a spectacular first for us (we will most definitely return), but man…I missed eating at EPCOT’s restaurants. So that’s our focus this trip. True value season to enjoy all the parks have to offer, and the food. Oh, the food!
Boma (dinner) – a first for the both of us. We visited Animal Kingdom Lodge very briefly once, so we are excited to give it a more thorough investigation this time!
Biergarten (dinner) – we haven’t been here since 2011. I also wasn’t 21 then…hmm. One of my most favorite atmosphere restaurants. And the pretzel bread.
Sci Fi Dine In (dinner) – J has never been here, and I haven’t been here in AGES. But he wants that All-American Picnic Burger and I guess I have to be there to make sure he doesn’t get sick!
(Paying OOP)Be Our Guest (dinner) – Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie, and the ballroom scene is my dream come true. So you can imagine how happy I was to experience this last year. Well, we’re back, and we will be back always and forever because this is my happy place.
Kouzzina (dinner) – I never heard of this place until researching for this year’s trip. But the menu caught our attention, and it’s closing soon! I want to be a part of Disney’s history books! Plus, this makes for a fun night for strolling around the Boardwalk.
Coral Reef (lunch) – This is such a fun place. Last time we were here, this huge, crusty fish swam right by the tank where we were sitting and it freaked me out. Memorable moments.
Garden Grill (dinner) – A first for J, and it’s been a while for me. But it’s not rotating?! I hope this is fixed soon, because yes, Living with the Land is my #1 reason for eating here. Granted, I haven’t been here since the menu overhaul (mac and cheese & dirt cups anyone?) If we do decide to change, I think we will fall back on one of our staples: Tokyo Dining. We love sitting by the window and being sushi fiends.
San Angel Inn (lunch) – Absolutely one of my most favorite atmosphere restaurants. The whole you’re-indoors-but-it-looks-like-you’re-outdoors thing makes me so happy. I get lost in the magic. I can smell the food now too…
Rose & Crown (dinner) – Hoping to get a seat outside along Showcase Lagoon (early dinner, non-Illuminations). We haven’t done that before, so I think it will be a nice change. However, I did make these reservations during this epic winter, so we will see when the time actually comes: will we take the view, or the AC relief?
Ohana (dinner) – I’ve never been here before! I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get on Ohana. But it’s happening now! Can’t wait for the fun and games, skewers of meat, and watching not Wishes, but Hallowishes afterwards.
That's all I have for now. Hope you follow along - thanks for reading!
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