Pre-Trip A Not So Scary Very Merry Wine and Dine Dashing PTR

Welcome to my PTR! As of today it is 73 more days until our trip and I am SOOOOOOO very excited!

This will be my 7th visit to Orlando and also my first time ever going two years in a row.

You can check out my last Trip Report here:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...icious-dont-believe-us-ask-the-dishes.875066/

We had a fantastic time! But this year we have a MEGA trip planned, check this out:

Dates:

Arrival Date: 24th October

Departure Date: 11th November

18 NIGHTS IN DISNEY!!!!!!!!!


Accomodation:

24th October – 4th November – All Star Sports
4th November - 7th November - Animal Kingdom Lodge (renting vacation points)
7th November - 11th November - Art of Animation


The Cast:

Me - Karen (26)

My Sister – Rachel (21)

My boyfriend – Sleepy

 

[Tiggertoo56]

I'm there from 30th Oct - 12 Nov - so our paths may meet. 7 of us travel together - and have MNSSHP on 31st Oct and MVMCP on 10th November! Really enjoyed your last TR and am looking forward to the next one. Not sure that I will get to do one!

 

[dancingtodisney]

I'm there from 30th Oct - 12 Nov - so our paths may meet. 7 of us travel together - and have MNSSHP on 31st Oct and MVMCP on 10th November! Really enjoyed your last TR and am looking forward to the next one. Not sure that I will get to do one!

Oh I think we're going to MVMCP on 10th as well as it's our last night! Thanks, I'm going to try get my TR done a lot sooner this time!

 

[mrdrift]

Glad your back with this pretrip report. I totally enjoyed your last trip report. Sleepy is such a comedian, can never get enough of the pictures with his poses, although you ladies did a good job when Sleepy left to go home. It is really cool that you get this mega trip of 18 nights, I could never get that much time off of work. Will be watching for further plans for this upcoming trip.

 

[dancingtodisney]

Have been to the Christmas Party and loved it. This will be our first time for the Halloween Party.

You will have a great time at the parties, especially because you can meet some characters who aren't normally out and about.

I think it's the characters that has really drawn me to the parties and also the reason why I feel it's necessary to do both parties! I was never big into the character meet and greats but on my last trip I loved them!

 

[dancingtodisney]

Yeah I can manage it is a bit annoying to have several reservations. Although I read some TR's that have several different hotels people are staying in. And to me that sounds great. A trip for about 14 days and then 3 or 4 different Disney hotels... it would be nice, so you get to know several locations. I guess I would prefer onsite stay but to be honest the price difference between on- or offsite is huge! And for our wallet too huge LOL

Was it a long time ago you have been in DLP? It changed really a lot the last 10 years! We are in DLP 3 or 4 times a year, yeah I know some people declare us stupid to be there so often! And everytime we are in DLP there are (minor) differences with the stay before.

Yeah it is great to be with FIRST TIMERS, for me it is 25 years ago I was in WDW so it feels also a bit like being a FIRST TIMER. I think we even will the First Timer batch from guest relations when we arrive in WDW. We also consider the Magic Bands, since we are off site the Magic Bands are not part of the deal, but it's nice to have them. Also it is probably easer for the Memory Maker we already bought!

Tokyo really looks great, but as you describe it the crowd is big?

Dining plan for just 3 nights? Well its more than we have LOL! Do you know where you gonna use the dining plan?

It's great to have the pre-feelings

It's also confusing with getting the bills paid and then all the different dates for when your windows open for fast pass plus etc. BUT I'm actually excited about staying in different resorts, the only one I've stayed in before is AOA and that was just for two nights. I've stayed in POP before too so All Star Sports and ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE (still in a bit of disbelief that I am going to stay there) will be a first!
We got a pretty good deal on the UK site for our 10days in All Star Sports but we are three adults all paying separately for our share so I guess that helps.

Yes it must be almost 5years now! I went very close to Christmas too so it was really busy. I would like to go again, maybe next year!

I keep forgetting that you haven't been there yourself in so long!! It will be like experiencing it all over again! So much has changed! Ye the magic bands are really handy, you just pop it on and you don't have to worry about pulling a ticket out or anything like that.

OMG the crowds are CRAZY!

Ye we've booked Ohana, Boma and Akershus!

 

[dancingtodisney]

Glad your back with this pretrip report. I totally enjoyed your last trip report. Sleepy is such a comedian, can never get enough of the pictures with his poses, although you ladies did a good job when Sleepy left to go home. It is really cool that you get this mega trip of 18 nights, I could never get that much time off of work. Will be watching for further plans for this upcoming trip.

Cheers! Ye he is the biggest messer! It does make me laugh though and he’ll have an extra 8 days this time to get lots more! I know it’s brilliant, I’m so happy we have such a long holiday, I think we get more holidays over here in Ireland so that helps. I’m hopefully going to update some more today.

 

[dancingtodisney]

Thursday 30th –I think after those crazy few days it’s about time we had a bit of a break! So I’ve no major plans booked in for today, probably a lazy start!

I do have a lunch reservation at Biergarten in Epcot, I read on that lunch is a good shout here because it’s basically the same as dinner only cheaper, sounds good to me!

Here’s our FastPass Reservations for today:
Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet®
1:10 - 2:10 pm
Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
2:10 - 3:10 pm
Mission: SPACE®
3:10 - 4:10 pm

In the evening we might be meeting friends again and heading out to CityWalk.

Friday 31st –I have Busch Gardens pencilled in for this day as Sleepy really wants to go and I’d be interested in doing something a bit different too!

I’ve read that the boardwalk has good Halloween entertainment at night but we’re not really sure what we’ll do!

Saturday 1st –Morning EMH in Hollywood Studios and a lunch time reservation at Sci-Fi Diner, we went here on our last trip and enjoyed it but didn’t get any nice photos so that is my aim this time!

FastPass Plus for the day:
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
11:10 am - 12:10 pm
Voyage of The Little Mermaid
12:10 - 12:25 pm
Toy Story Midway Mania!
1:00 - 2:00 pm

Magic Kingdom has night time EMH until 2am again today so we will definitely head there for the evening, no set plan for dinner!

Sunday 2nd – Chill/Shop/Water Park
A rest will be needed after our 2AM MK fun!

Dinner tonight is in PRIME TIME CAFÉ – yah so excited for this one! And EMH at Hollywood Studios!

Fast passes:

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
3:25 PM - 3:40 PM
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Toy Story Midway Mania!
5:55 PM - 6:55 PM

Monday 3rd – Seaworld
I have to be honest apart from Manta I am I just not that fussed on Seaworld, I guess Kracken and Atlantis are good rides too but the shows I’ve seen so many times and they just don’t seem as good as in the past either. Anyway this is another one Sleepy wants to do and last time we completely missed out on the new penguin thing (not really sure what it is) so it’s on the plan. We may just wait and not buy tickets and decide when we’re there if it is a must do or not!

To round off our day in AWESOME fashion we have a reservation at BOG for dinner!!

Fast Passes:

Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wishes nighttime spectacular
8:35 PM - 8:55 PM

Tuesday 4th –AKL Epcot & Ohana

OMG I’M SO FRICKEN EXCITED TO BE STAYING AT ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
Like AKL has always been that really fancy place that I’ll never be able to go to unless I win the lotto but then I discovered renting vacation points and now I’m actually going. I mean look at these photos, it looks so coooooooooooooooooooooooooool

Also we'll spend a good chunk of the day in Epcot and we'll have dinner in Ohana (could only get a 9.50pm reservation!), we are on the dining plan while at AKL.

 

[Tiggerish]

I stayed at Boardwalk on Halloween a few years ago. They gave out treat bags and there were several tables you could go round to collect sweets, and they had a DJ for a dance party, and also a character M&G. We were headed out to dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse, so we didn't hang around long (I did get my picture with Vampire Donald, tho!!) but I think I heard tell that there was going to be a costume parade later on for the little ones.

Difference between lunch and dinner at Biergarten is that lunch is missing some of the carving station meats, I think. I've had lunch a couple of times and really enjoyed it. And the Oktoberfest beer.

AKL is very cool, I've stayed there three times. Are you at Jambo or Kidani? I've only stayed at Kidani, the lobby is much smaller than the main building, but just as impressive IMO. Reminds me of the old thatched cottages you rarely see around Ireland anymore. And it feels much cozier because it is smaller.

 

[Disneygrl]

I stayed at AKL this past January! LOVED it! Looking forward to reading about your upcoming vacation. Really enjoyed the last TR.

 

[dancingtodisney]

I stayed at Boardwalk on Halloween a few years ago. They gave out treat bags and there were several tables you could go round to collect sweets, and they had a DJ for a dance party, and also a character M&G. We were headed out to dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse, so we didn't hang around long (I did get my picture with Vampire Donald, tho!!) but I think I heard tell that there was going to be a costume parade later on for the little ones.

Difference between lunch and dinner at Biergarten is that lunch is missing some of the carving station meats, I think. I've had lunch a couple of times and really enjoyed it. And the Oktoberfest beer.

AKL is very cool, I've stayed there three times. Are you at Jambo or Kidani? I've only stayed at Kidani, the lobby is much smaller than the main building, but just as impressive IMO. Reminds me of the old thatched cottages you rarely see around Ireland anymore. And it feels much cozier because it is smaller.

Oh that sounds really cool! I definitely like to meet Vampire Donald!

Ah ok that I can live with, it's a nice saving going at lunch instead. Mmmmmmmm beer

Three times? WOW! Oh now that I'm actually trying to figure out where we are all the reservation says is Animal Kingdom Villas? I CAN'T WAIT! I wouldn't mind at all if we were in the smaller building especially how you have described it. I really want to spend time at the pool which is something we've only done briefly at a Disney resort because we've only ever stayed two nights.

 

[dancingtodisney]

I stayed at AKL this past January! LOVED it! Looking forward to reading about your upcoming vacation. Really enjoyed the last TR.

Everyone seems to have really positive things to say about it and the pictures are just amazing! Thanks very much, nice to know people enjoyed reading along!

 

[FlaggNL]

It's also confusing with getting the bills paid and then all the different dates for when your windows open for fast pass plus etc. BUT I'm actually excited about staying in different resorts, the only one I've stayed in before is AOA and that was just for two nights. I've stayed in POP before too so All Star Sports and ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE (still in a bit of disbelief that I am going to stay there) will be a first!
We got a pretty good deal on the UK site for our 10days in All Star Sports but we are three adults all paying separately for our share so I guess that helps.

Yes it must be almost 5years now! I went very close to Christmas too so it was really busy. I would like to go again, maybe next year!

I keep forgetting that you haven't been there yourself in so long!! It will be like experiencing it all over again! So much has changed! Ye the magic bands are really handy, you just pop it on and you don't have to worry about pulling a ticket out or anything like that.

OMG the crowds are CRAZY!

Ye we've booked Ohana, Boma and Akershus!

I guess you are right about the good UK deal. On the otherhand we are with a group of 7 people and just split the total price in 7 And when I look at the price we pay it's absolutely worth it. It is cheaper than going to Southern Europa and stay in an all inclusive hotel or something like that for 14 days!

The only thing that is strange in comparison with DLP is that here in Europe DLP has complete deals, so hotel with the tickets for DLP. In USA you have to pay seperate, even when staying onsite. And thats what it makes so expensive in our opinion.

When you are going to DLP try to stay out of holiday seasons. And try to find out when the French enjoy there holidays. If you go outside such a period and can go on weekdays it will be not that crowded!

And ohw you are so right about experiencing it all over again. I was 18 by then and only the pictures help me to remember how it was by then. And the WDW has so many chances since then!

Where do you check the crowds? And restaurants sounds very nice We are discussing to try out the sci-fi restaurant.

Do you if you go to restaurants without reservations is there any chance to get a table? We are realy European ppl, so not that much planning in the time before the trip. We are much more impulsive and decide live where we wanna go for diner.

 

[dancingtodisney]

I've just updated my previous posts up to 29th October to include some more pics and our FastPass Pluss reservations, will get to the rest tomorrow... SO EXCITED... Countdown has officially begun!

 

[dancingtodisney]

I guess you are right about the good UK deal. On the otherhand we are with a group of 7 people and just split the total price in 7 And when I look at the price we pay it's absolutely worth it. It is cheaper than going to Southern Europa and stay in an all inclusive hotel or something like that for 14 days!

The only thing that is strange in comparison with DLP is that here in Europe DLP has complete deals, so hotel with the tickets for DLP. In USA you have to pay seperate, even when staying onsite. And thats what it makes so expensive in our opinion.

When you are going to DLP try to stay out of holiday seasons. And try to find out when the French enjoy there holidays. If you go outside such a period and can go on weekdays it will be not that crowded!

And ohw you are so right about experiencing it all over again. I was 18 by then and only the pictures help me to remember how it was by then. And the WDW has so many chances since then!

Where do you check the crowds? And restaurants sounds very nice We are discussing to try out the sci-fi restaurant.

Do you if you go to restaurants without reservations is there any chance to get a table? We are realy European ppl, so not that much planning in the time before the trip. We are much more impulsive and decide live where we wanna go for diner.

Our package had tickets and everything included with Disney so it was pretty convenient, but ye I'm sure we could have done a far cheaper option!

It will be like a whole place compared to that long ago! You must be so excited!

I use touringplans.com I find that one really good!

As for restaurants I've never really tried a walk up but I have booked on the day for places like sci-fi that are not known for booking out. I'm a bit OCD so I've lots of bookings!

 

[dancingtodisney]

 

[dancingtodisney]

Look what arrived today

 

[dancingtodisney]

So I've been away on vacation in Ibiza and Barcelona (I know other one but this was my trip with my boyfriend that was supposed to happen in July but blah blah blah it was in September), what better way to get over my holiday blues than to resume my Disney countdown and planning.. Eeeeeeek!

SO where did I leave off?? Oh ye... ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE

 

[dancingtodisney]

I can't wait for that to come in my mail.

It should be in the next 25 days or so.

Oooh what date do you fly out?? Are you coming for the UK? I'm a bit bummed we don't get our magic bands in advance but that will just make checking in even more exciting!

 

[dancingtodisney]

Nov. 15, and not the UK, but we get a similar book of vouchers for the Magic Your Way Package.

Oh right, that makes sense! So you'll be jetting off right after we head home, how exciting?! It's funny how happy Disney post makes us all, just another sign that our holiday is getting closer... Eeeeek!

 

[Gurt]

I am excited for you! I loved your last TP and I can't wait to read your next one, not that I am wishing away your holiday, Disney holidays should last forever!