Pre-Trip 7 Years & 7 Nights...

Thanks to everyone on these forums not only have I learned so much about Disney, but I've found a place where I can openly admit I'm a 23 year old Disney freak and no one will judge me for it!

Back in Sept 2012, I took my fiance to Disney world for the first time. He kicked and screamed that "Disney World is just for kids!" Well... 6 rides on the Peoplemover, Wishes, and a little pixie dust later, he was LOVING it! We decided immediately to return in 2013, and then I promptly ditched him in favor of a "ladies only" trip in 2013. Whoops

Which brings us to 2014... We skipped celebrating our 6 year anniversary last year because of work and pure exhaustion, so we decided to go big for our 7 year anniversary.

When: Flying out of Newark on May 4th to May 11th
Who: Myself (PrincessNelly_NJ better known as Janel, 23) & The fiance (Travis but I call him Trevor because Trevor is so much cooler , 25)
Where: 8 days/ 7 nights at Animal Kingdom Kidani Village? Um... yes please!

We have all our ADRs set, we keep tweaking them so any input or opinions on them are welcome. We are using EMH since we opted out of park hoppers.

Day 1
Check in to Kidani around 11 am (really hoping our room is ready so we can rest a little)
Early Dinner at 'Ohana (never been here, opinions?)
Head to MK which is open til 1 am.
Day 2
Typhoon Lagoon (never been, now sure the best way to enjoy this park, what to ride & when, tips?)
Quick Service Lunch
Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse
Day 3
Epcot for morning EMH (Yay for Flower & Garden Fest!)
Lunch at Coral Reef
Dinner at Via Napoli (love the pizza but thinking of trying something else, recommendations?)
Illuminations
Day 4
Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure (Trevor has never been here)
Just gonna wing lunch & dinner around CityWalk
Day 5
Magic Kingdom for morning EMH
Lunch at Columbia Harbor House hungry: mmm... lobster roll)
Dinner at Be Our Guest
Parade & Wishes
Day 6 *Our Anniversary Day*
Sleep In!
Late Breakfast at Kona Cafe (never been, recommendations?)
Relax at AKL
Quick Service lunch
6 pm Cirque Du Solei La Nouba (never been, still haven'y purchased tickets, not sure where to sit, suggestions?)
Dinner at Fulton's Crab House (never been, opinions?)
Day 7
Hollywood Studios for morning EMH
Lunch Fantasmic Dining Package at Mama Melrose (I have been going back and forth between this and 50's Prime Time Cafe. Although I've eaten at MM before, I'm still not sure about my choice )
Quick Service Dinner
Fantasmic
Day 8
Grab Quick Service breakfast
Catch DME to MCO

That's all folks! As you can see, no Animal Kingdom day... Trevor is not an AK lover and since I'm returning later this year without him, I didn't mind not going this trip.

So excited! Looking forward to Magic Bands, first stay at a deluxe hotel, and hopefully riding SDMT!

 

[38053WDW]

Been years since I went to Fultons Crab House .. very high end $$$$ and they have Dinner Jackets in case he didn't bring one .. but again this was years ago... Have fun !

 

[Betsyboo]

We dined at Fultons last January. It was good and very upscale but dinner jackets were not required. Excited to follow along on your trip planning etc. We'll be dining at Ohana in a couple of weeks so I'll let you know how I like it and we are also doing the MM Fantasmic package for lunch. I've never seen Fantasmic so I'm excited to see how that is too.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

We dined at Fultons last January. It was good and very upscale but dinner jackets were not required. Excited to follow along on your trip planning etc. We'll be dining at Ohana in a couple of weeks so I'll let you know how I like it and we are also doing the MM Fantasmic package for lunch. I've never seen Fantasmic so I'm excited to see how that is too.

Yes, please let me know how you like 'Ohana, it seems hit or miss. I have never seen Fantasmic either, which is why I switched from 50's Prime Time to Mama Melrose to book the dining package. Especially since people have said the dining package is now in the center of the theater, I wanted a good view.

 

[ShookieJones]

You're going at a great time of the year. We used to the first week of May every single year but changed because it's easier for our kids to miss school in the beginning of the year than at the end (with exams, etc).
Hot in the sun cool in the shade - crowds moderate and low chance of rain.

Ohana' is my favorite place to eat and the ONLY place we've done every single year we've gone 9 years running.
If the Polynesian \ Asian inspired food is your thing you're gonna love it. Atmosphere and setting is uniquely Disney!

I'd go with Prime Time over Mama's only because I've always enjoyed Prime Time (another uniquely Disney place), and I don't usually eat Italian outside the walls of my house unless it's known to be exceptional.

Kona for breakfast? Tonga Toast...uhm Yum! Yes!

The other places I've never dined at so I have no opinion.


How does your boyfriend feel about you changing his name?

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

You're going at a great time of the year. We used to the first week of May every single year but changed because it's easier for our kids to miss school in the beginning of the year than at the end (with exams, etc).
Hot in the sun cool in the shade - crowds moderate and low chance of rain.

Ohana' is my favorite place to eat and the ONLY place we've done every single year we've gone 9 years running.
If the Polynesian \ Asian inspired food is your thing you're gonna love it. Atmosphere and setting is uniquely Disney!

I'd go with Prime Time over Mama's only because I've always enjoyed Prime Time (another uniquely Disney place), and I don't usually eat Italian outside the walls of my house unless it's known to be exceptional.

Kona for breakfast? Tonga Toast...uhm Yum! Yes!

The other places I've never dined at so I have no opinion.


How does your boyfriend feel about you changing his name?

Im glad to here that May isn't too bad with crowds and weather. I'm used to September which has low crowds but insane heat.
Somehow I scored 'Ohana 5pm ressies 95 days out! I'm excited about trying it, I never even been over to the Polynesian.
Is Prime Time similar to Sci-fi, good atmosphere and okay food?
Mental Note to try Tonga Toast.
And I have always called him Trevor and now everyone calls him that lol He rolls with it

 

[ShookieJones]

Im glad to here that May isn't too bad with crowds and weather. I'm used to September which has low crowds but insane heat.
Somehow I scored 'Ohana 5pm ressies 95 days out! I'm excited about trying it, I never even been over to the Polynesian.
Is Prime Time similar to Sci-fi, good atmosphere and okay food?
Mental Note to try Tonga Toast.
And I have always called him Trevor and now everyone calls him that lol He rolls with it

Strangely enough we go the last week of September - I will say that May crowds are very similar to September crowds.

Good atmosphere, 50's kitchen decorations and TVs with wait staff in character. Sort of like Whispering Canyon in that sense. Not a place to go if you're embarrassed easily.
As far food, Prime time has better food than Sci-fi, although our most recent visit (this past September) the food was NOT on par with previous trips.

Ohana at 5PM!?? Nice!! First time stopping at the Poly huh? I think you're in for a treat.


My daughter and I "changed" one of her closets friend's name in the same way (from Chris to Charlie), all based on a strange You Tube video about a Unicorn...ANYWAY...I was his soccer coach and because she called him "Charlie" I started calling him that on the soccer field. That was that, almost 10 years later the poor kid goes by Charlie and all iterations of said name..chuck, charles. His mother LOVES us for it.

 

[Allym146]

Looks like a great trip!

I only have experience with Typhoon, we much prefer it over Blizzard Beach. We usually spend about 3.5-4 hours there. We hit up Crusher Gusher and the shark reef first, then H does Humonga Kowabunga. Then we usually do Storm Slides and head to the wave pool for a bit. Then it's prob time for some food (Happy Landings Ice cream sand bucket for dessert!!) and we digest in the Castaway Creek before heading to Mayday Falls and Gangplank Falls. By then we're ready for a nap back at the resort!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Looks like a great trip!

I only have experience with Typhoon, we much prefer it over Blizzard Beach. We usually spend about 3.5-4 hours there. We hit up Crusher Gusher and the shark reef first, then H does Humonga Kowabunga. Then we usually do Storm Slides and head to the wave pool for a bit. Then it's prob time for some food (Happy Landings Ice cream sand bucket for dessert!!) and we digest in the Castaway Creek before heading to Mayday Falls and Gangplank Falls. By then we're ready for a nap back at the resort!

I've heard that you should try to secure a seat somewhere before anything, is that true? Should we expect to need a locker?
Happy Landings ice cream sand bucket? A bucket of ice cream? Um yes!
How long do waits get for rides there?
Sorry for all the questions, Typhoon Lagoon is something I have zero knowledge about

 

[Allym146]

@PrincessNelly_NJ we do get a large locker to put our stuff in for the day, you get $5 of the $10 fee back when you return your key. We go in September/October so I'm not sure what kind of a crowd difference there will be for when you go, but I think the longest we've waited was 10 minutes for Crusher Gusher and Gangplank Falls (large family raft ride...seems to be more popular in that area). Everything else was shorter or walk-on. Honestly some of the walk-ons were tiring because of going up allllll the stairs at once with no stops hahah. We don't personally use lounge seats, but I've always seen open ones. Hope that helps!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

@PrincessNelly_NJ we do get a large locker to put our stuff in for the day, you get $5 of the $10 fee back when you return your key. We go in September/October so I'm not sure what kind of a crowd difference there will be for when you go, but I think the longest we've waited was 10 minutes for Crusher Gusher and Gangplank Falls (large family raft ride...seems to be more popular in that area). Everything else was shorter or walk-on. Honestly some of the walk-ons were tiring because of going up allllll the stairs at once with no stops hahah. We don't personally use lounge seats, but I've always seen open ones. Hope that helps!

That's very helpful. Thanks

 

[Tinkerbell397]

Try the Pineapple Macadamia Nut Pancakes at the Kona Cafe. Lots of food so maybe you and your fiancé can order 2 different meals and share. Be sure to get the fresh squeezed OJ....YUM! I have been to Prime Time Cafe several times and depending on the CM you get, it can be a very fun experience. I really prefer Prime Time over Whispering Canyons. As for La Nouba......get whatever tickets you can.....I guess the more expensive the better but the show is really all around you and above you.,,,we sat in section 102 and it was just amazing. You will thoroughly enjoy it and you will be mesmerized for the duration.

 

[FlaggNL]

Looks like a great great trip!

 

[officialtom]

'Ohana is DELICIOUS. We went last year and will be going back again at the end of March.

Fantasmic blew me away that last time I saw it. It might actually be my favourite show at WDW...well, next to Illuminations...and Wishes.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

'Ohana is DELICIOUS. We went last year and will be going back again at the end of March.

Fantasmic blew me away that last time I saw it. It might actually be my favourite show at WDW...well, next to Illuminations...and Wishes.

That's awesome to hear! I've heard so many mixed reviews about 'Ohana & Fantasmic that I was considering to just drop them for awhile.

 

[stevehousse]

Kona for breakfast is awesome! I suggest getting tonga toast and The somoan and share! These dishes are fantastic!

Also te time of year u r going is perfect for low crowds! We usually go te first 2 weeks of May and awlays have great success with very little wait times even for big rides!!!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Kona for breakfast is awesome! I suggest getting tonga toast and The somoan and share! These dishes are fantastic!

Also te time of year u r going is perfect for low crowds! We usually go te first 2 weeks of May and awlays have great success with very little wait times even for big rides!!!

Im going to have to look into what the "somoan" is but I'm excited to try Tonga Toast.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Kona for breakfast is awesome! I suggest getting tonga toast and The somoan and share! These dishes are fantastic!

Also te time of year u r going is perfect for low crowds! We usually go te first 2 weeks of May and awlays have great success with very little wait times even for big rides!!!

Im starting to worry about crowds, if the rumors about the 7DMT opening that week are true.

 

[stevehousse]

I wouldn't be to worried...I don't people will be flocking to a kiddie coaste like they would to Harry Potter down the road...u should be fine! As long as they have an official date, u should be able to FP+ it!