Pre-Trip VACATION CREEP STRIKES AGAIN! A Birthday, Memorial Day, Flower and Garden PTR

*I will preface this report by saying that I actually wrote most of it a few months ago when we were in the early stages of planning. My DW suggested that I contain my enthusiasm and not post it until April; I agreed and here we are! I have added details over time but most of this has been sitting in a Word doc for awhile.*
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I currently have a ton of work to do (music to memorize! contracts to sign! schedules to organize! emails to send! tax documents to sort! dishes to wash!) so naturally I am procrastinating by writing a pre trip report!

You've probably read plenty about us in my previous TRs so instead of introducing my wife M and myself I will get on to the details:

Dates

May 28-June 1 May 28-June 2! We'll be celebrating M's birthday! Usually her birthday falls during Memorial Day weekend but this year MD is a week later. We considered going for her actual birthday; while it would have been a bit cheaper and less crowded, she only has to use two three vacation days this way and the timing with the flights worked out. Speaking of...

Flights

Southwest recently added direct flights from EWR to MCO! ALSO, we recently received four drink coupons in the mail...EACH! That means we can each have two drinks on both flights!!! Our arrival flight lands around 10am and our return flight leaves MCO around 1pm. We usually stay much later on our departure day but then we are super exhausted and getting home is a hassle. This way we won't have to get up super early but we also won't have to worry about leaving bags with luggage services at the hotel. Speaking of...

Hotel

4 nights at Pop Century
4 nights at Port Orleans Riverside
4 nights at WDW Dolphin

1 night at Pop Century and 4 nights at WDW Dolphin
@lostpro9het has posted about the vacation creep as in finding ways to add more days to the beginning and end of a trip. We have experienced the vacation creep as in finding ways to gradually upgrade the hotel from a value resort to...well, you'll see! Back in November we booked Pop Century at a pretty good rate before any discounts were released. When the discounts came out in January I did the math and realized that we could upgrade to a garden room at Port Orleans Riverside for about $10 a night more than the original Pop reservation. DW has never stayed at POR and I stayed once with my family in 2003 but barely remember the resort so we went with it.

BUT THEN...

I found an amazing rate for Starwood Preferred Guests (of which I am a member) at the WDW Dolphin. It was only a little more per night than Riverside, which was a little more than Pop...all to be within walking distance of Epcot. THEN we found out that the Flower and Garden Festival, which was previously scheduled to end over a week before our arrival, would last through May 30 and we would get to enjoy the last three days! We took all of this as a sign that we should definitely book at the Dolphin!

BUT THEN...

M's parents decided to join us for part of the first three days of our trip (staying offsite) so we decided to extend our trip an extra day! The resort stays worked out so that we will be staying the first night at Pop and the remaining four at the Dolphin.

Airport transportation

Still figuring this out. We might just do UberBlack to the Dolphin to save time even though it's more expensive than a shuttle. Definitely UberX from Dolphin to MCO. If anyone has advice or recommendations on shuttles vs. Uber vs. private cars vs. ??? feel free to chime in here. We want the best combination of quick speed and low price.
DME from MCO to Pop, then UberX from Dolphin to MCO

Tickets

The last chance for our 2015-2016 Annual Passes to shine

ADRs (boy is our TIW card going to come in handy!)

  • California Grill (dinner)
  • Jiko (dinner)
  • Kona Cafe (breakfast)
  • Trattoria al Forno (breakfast)
  • Morimoto Asia (lunch)
We've since added:
  • Via Napoli (late lunch with family)
And we may add and/or visit without a reservation:
  • Tiffin's
  • Skipper Canteen
  • Kimonos Lounge
  • Bluezoo Lounge
  • Big River Brewing Company
  • Crossroads at House of Blues-if happy hour timing works out

The plans

Saturday, May 28
  • Take Uber from home to Newark airport
  • Depart around 7:00am, land around 10:00
  • Take UberBlack or shuttle (???) to WDW Dolphin
  • Check into Dolphin and hope room is ready; either way, walk over to Epcot (of course!)
  • Take DME to Pop, check in, and hope room is ready! Then, take bus to Epcot
  • Enjoy kiosk items from Flower and Garden. It looks like there are plenty of veg options this year!
  • Head to AK for Rivers of Light and possibly Finding Nemo as well
  • Probably stay at Epcot the rest of the night until we're ready to head back, and hang out with M's parents
  • Journey back to the Dolphin Pop for sleeeeeeep!

Sunday, May 29
  • Wake up early for a walk to DHS EMH
  • Sleep in and check out from Pop, then Uber to Dolphin (or maybe M's parents will give us a ride!)
  • Check in at Dolphin and hope room is ready; either way, walk to DHS
  • Spend a few hours at DHS, Literally just ride Star Tours with a FP because that's all we care about in this park right now,then head to Disney Springs for lunch at Morimoto Asia (second time at MA, first time for lunch)
  • Spend some time at DS, probably visit Basin and Ghirardelli as always
  • Head back to the Dolphin for a bit of rest
  • Walk to Epcot and spend the evening there. No ADRs as we plan to enjoy kiosk food

Monday, May 30
  • Sleep in a bit and walk to Epcot for breakfast at Les Halles in France
  • Walk through Epcot to the monorail, and take monorail to Magic Kingdom for a few rides
  • Take the monorail back to Epcot and enjoy some kiosk snacks for "lunch" Eat a late lunch with the in-laws at Via Napoli before they depart
  • Walk back to the Dolphin and change into something nicer so we can...
  • Head to the Contemporary (via MK) for dinner at California Grill
  • Watch Wishes and enjoy our dinner, then go back to the Dolphin for the night

Tuesday, May 31
  • Sleep in a bit
  • Walk to and through Epcot to catch the monorail
  • From TTC, either walk or take the monorail to the Poly for a late breakfast at Kona Cafe (debating just going to Capt. Cook's for Tonga Toast that's half the price. Blasphemy? Perhaps
  • Take the boat or monorail to MK
  • Take the bus to AK. Hopefully see Nemo and eat at Tiffin's. Other stuff too?
  • Take the bus to AKL for an early dinner at Jiko
  • Take the bus to Epcot to enjoy Illuminations and EMH from 9:00-11:00
  • Walk back to the Dolphin for our last night on vacation

Wednesday, June 1
  • Pack and get dressed, then...
  • Walk to the Boardwalk for a farewell breakfast at Trattoria al forno
  • Walk to Epcot for a last farewell (if there's time) or simply return to the Dolphin, check out, and take an Uber back to MCO
  • Face the dreaded TSA lines at MCO and fly back to Newark, landing around 4:00pm
  • Sleep in, then walk to the Boardwalk for a late breakfast at Trattoria al forno
  • This day is pretty much open for catching up. We have some early afternoon FPs for MK and I'm sure we'll eventually end up in Epcot but other than that who knows?
Thursday, June 2
  • Pack and get dressed, then...
  • Walk to the Boardwalk Epcot for a farewell breakfast at Trattoria al forno Les Halles
  • Walk to Epcot for a last farewell (if there's time) or simply return to the Dolphin, check out, and take an Uber back to MCO
  • Face the dreaded TSA lines at MCO and fly back to Newark, landing around 4:00pm

We are hoping to do some more Disneybounding this time. Okay, I am planning to do some Disneybounding and hoping to convince the DW to join me. We are exploring some couples' (or at least coordinating) costume pairs and are considering things like Princess Aurora and "Princess Phillipa." If it takes me being the "Prince" to convince M to coordinate with me I'll do it! We don't want to be Anna and Elsa or anything other related characters because that would be weird. I tried to get her to be R2D2 to my C3P0 but she wasn't too enthusiastic about that. MAYBE I can get her to be Minnie and Daisy with me. So if anyone has any ideas for us let me know!We are going as Minnie and Daisy one day!

That's it for now. I'll post updates as we make changes and reserve things like FPs.
 
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Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Thank you! And now I attempt to get from NJ (teaching) to Westchester (rehearsal) in under 2.5 hours. During rush hour. In the rain. Can I do it??? We shall see!

Edit: MADE IT. With one minute to spare.
Congrats and that's not a fun ride, I should know.:banghead::banghead::banghead:
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So excited to follow along! Sounds like it will be great!
Thanks and glad to have you along! I'm getting so excited!

Yesterday I had to go to the dentist for a sort-of emergency...I cracked a porcelain crown where I had a root canal a little over two years ago. The regular dentist couldn't do anything about so I have to see an endodontist Thursday. The good news: 1) I don't have any pain as it's not a huge chip, and 2) we have good dental insurance through my DW's job so if any surgery/procedure is necessary it will not cost an arm and a leg (or a tooth and a...nother tooth?). I'm just reeeeEEEEEEeeeaaaally hoping they don't have to redo the root canal because, while the procedure itself didn't feel any worse to me than a regular filling, the recovery really sucked and I do NOT want to be still recovering on a Disney trip! Best case if they think the X-rays are okay they will just be able to attach a new piece of crown to the old piece of crown so fingers crossed.

Back to the pre trip report! I've been tweaking our FastPasses and watching out for better times on certain days. I'm also stalking the website for openings for the Jiko wine tasting on June 1. Nothing so far but I'll keep checking. It's good to have this distraction to keep me from worrying too much about my tooth!
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Thanks and glad to have you along! I'm getting so excited!

Yesterday I had to go to the dentist for a sort-of emergency...I cracked a porcelain crown where I had a root canal a little over two years ago. The regular dentist couldn't do anything about so I have to see an endodontist Thursday. The good news: 1) I don't have any pain as it's not a huge chip, and 2) we have good dental insurance through my DW's job so if any surgery/procedure is necessary it will not cost an arm and a leg (or a tooth and a...nother tooth?). I'm just reeeeEEEEEEeeeaaaally hoping they don't have to redo the root canal because, while the procedure itself didn't feel any worse to me than a regular filling, the recovery really sucked and I do NOT want to be still recovering on a Disney trip! Best case if they think the X-rays are okay they will just be able to attach a new piece of crown to the old piece of crown so fingers crossed.

Back to the pre trip report! I've been tweaking our FastPasses and watching out for better times on certain days. I'm also stalking the website for openings for the Jiko wine tasting on June 1. Nothing so far but I'll keep checking. It's good to have this distraction to keep me from worrying too much about my tooth!
Sympathy like and good luck with both
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Sympathy like and good luck with both
Thank you @figmentfan423!

Today is my last day teaching at the performing arts school where I work until September when we reopen. Friday is our recital and four students are doing Disney songs which only fuels my pre-trip excitement! One of my voice students is singing "Beauty and the Beast," one of my piano students is playing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," another teacher's voice student is singing "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," and her piano student is playing "You'll be in My Heart." Bonus: another piano student of the other teacher is playing "Once Upon a December," from one of the best non-Disney animated musicals from recent history.

10 days to go!!
 
Last edited:

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Thank you @figmentfan423!

Today is my last day teaching at the performing arts school where I work until September when we reopen. Friday is our recital and four students are doing Disney songs which only fuels my pre-trip excitement! One of my voice students is singing "Beauty and the Beast," one of my piano students is playing "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," another teacher's voice student is singing "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," and her piano student is playing "You'll be in My Heart." Bonus: another piano student of the other teacher is playing "Once Upon a December," one of the best non-Disney animated musicals from recent history.

10 days to go!!
That will make for a wonderful concert! My ds' chorus did a 12 minute Frozen melody for their holiday show, I thought that was rather impressive for middle school.:) Congrats on the last day of school. BTW that's a day I don't celebrate in my house, the champagne gets popped the first day of school:D
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
That will make for a wonderful concert! My ds' chorus did a 12 minute Frozen melody for their holiday show, I thought that was rather impressive for middle school.:) Congrats on the last day of school. BTW that's a day I don't celebrate in my house, the champagne gets popped the first day of school:D
I think it will be a really nice evening! The students range in age from 4 to 16 and we have a good variety of music, from very simple "my first recital" type songs to Disney to Rodgers and Hammerstein to Wicked. I'm sure if I had kids I'd be celebrating the FIRST day, but since these kids aren't mine and they are going back to their parents...there will be beer this weekend! Glad to hear your son is in chorus when so many school music programs are being cut.
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
I think it will be a really nice evening! The students range in age from 4 to 16 and we have a good variety of music, from very simple "my first recital" type songs to Disney to Rodgers and Hammerstein to Wicked. I'm sure if I had kids I'd be celebrating the FIRST day, but since these kids aren't mine and they are going back to their parents...there will be beer this weekend! Glad to hear your son is in chorus when so many school music programs are being cut.
Enjoy your beer, after teaching all year you've earned quite a few!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
TOOTH UPDATE (don't read if you don't care about my tooth or don't want to read about medical stuff)

I went to the endodontist today. My old root canal is apparently fine but I have a "massive infection" (his words not mine) that required some cleaning and medication and I have to go back in two weeks for more cleaning. He was surprised I wasn't in pain from the infection but I guess I'm lucky about that much!! He removed the old crown (actually it removed itself while he was cleaning...) and I will get a new one either the next visit or the following. I told him I will be on vacation a week from Saturday and he said I will be fine.

[/tooth talk]

As I was checking out and scheduling my next appointment with the assistant Disney came up and it turns out the assistant is also a Disney lover and AP holder. She was there during food and wine and said she loved the Brazil booth because she is Brazilian so I told her I tried the pão de queso (not sure if spelling is right and on my phone so not going to check). Epcot is her and her husband's favorite park but they have a five year old son who naturally loves MK. I always like meeting fellow Disney lovers and how two Disney lovers can hold a lengthy conversation over their love of Disney when they're never met before and may not have much else in common.

Doing the single digit dance and hoping my dancing distracts me from the pain from a doctor poking around in my mouth for an hour!
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
TOOTH UPDATE (don't read if you don't care about my tooth or don't want to read about medical stuff)

I went to the endodontist today. My old root canal is apparently fine but I have a "massive infection" (his words not mine) that required some cleaning and medication and I have to go back in two weeks for more cleaning. He was surprised I wasn't in pain from the infection but I guess I'm lucky about that much!! He removed the old crown (actually it removed itself while he was cleaning...) and I will get a new one either the next visit or the following. I told him I will be on vacation a week from Saturday and he said I will be fine.

[/tooth talk]

As I was checking out and scheduling my next appointment with the assistant Disney came up and it turns out the assistant is also a Disney lover and AP holder. She was there during food and wine and said she loved the Brazil booth because she is Brazilian so I told her I tried the pão de queso (not sure if spelling is right and on my phone so not going to check). Epcot is her and her husband's favorite park but they have a five year old son who naturally loves MK. I always like meeting fellow Disney lovers and how two Disney lovers can hold a lengthy conversation over their love of Disney when they're never met before and may not have much else in common.

Doing the single digit dance and hoping my dancing distracts me from the pain from a doctor poking around in my mouth for an hour!

I hope all goes well for you with your dental situation. The last thing we want is for you to have to deal with this so close to your vacation. :(
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I hope all goes well for you with your dental situation. The last thing we want is for you to have to deal with this so close to your vacation. :(
Thanks @MinnieM123! I'm trying to look on the bright side and be glad that the incident didn't happen ON vacation and that by the time I get to Disney I shouldn't be in so much pain and should therefore be able to eat fairly normally (and we all know the food is at least half the fun of a Disney vacation!). The doctor said I will be fine for traveling and it seems like the infection would have caused issues sooner or later so I am glad it happened when it did! (If it's possible to be glad about an infection :cautious:)

Tonight is the kiddos' recital and therefore my last day at that school until September! Woohoo!

8 days to go and, as many predicted, Soarin' will be open and showin' the old movie in the new theaters! Maaaaaaybe I will get up at 7am on a Saturday mornin' to book a FP...maaaaaaaaybe not.
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The recital went great!! We only had one student cry and one need to start over from nervousness.

I'm not feeling much jaw/tooth pain anymore and I think I'll feel close to normal during the trip.

Tomorrow is my DW's actual birthday and I've gotten her a few presents in addition to all the celebrating we'll be doing on the trip. I found some Little Mermaid gift wrap:

image.jpeg


Six days!!!!
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
The recital went great!! We only had one student cry and one need to start over from nervousness.

I'm not feeling much jaw/tooth pain anymore and I think I'll feel close to normal during the trip.

Tomorrow is my DW's actual birthday and I've gotten her a few presents in addition to all the celebrating we'll be doing on the trip. I found some Little Mermaid gift wrap:

View attachment 143115

Six days!!!!

That gift wrapping is so cute!

Happy to hear that your dental issues seem to be lessening. I hope you're 100% over that debacle by the time you go to WDW.
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
The recital went great!! We only had one student cry and one need to start over from nervousness.

I'm not feeling much jaw/tooth pain anymore and I think I'll feel close to normal during the trip.

Tomorrow is my DW's actual birthday and I've gotten her a few presents in addition to all the celebrating we'll be doing on the trip. I found some Little Mermaid gift wrap:

View attachment 143115

Six days!!!!
I'm so happy you're on the mend. I just love the wrapping paper where ever did you find it?
 

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