A Retiree, a Teacher, and a Princess: A Celebration in Disney World: Pre-trip Report

WE’RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD! :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

I’m super excited about this fact because we almost weren’t able to go this year, but I’ll write more about that later.

To give a little information to those who don’t know me, I totally belong to the unofficial club of “I want to go to Disney every year.” Of course, I have many people in my life that say, “Didn’t you just go last year?” In other words, they just don’t get it. There are a few that understand, but for the most part, I feel like I have to justify my decision to go or want to go every year.

As my signature indicates, I’ve been to WDW when I was 2, 28, 38, and 39. I’ve always been a Disney fan, but there was just something that happened after I had my daughter. I think perhaps I want her to have all the childhood experiences at WDW that I didn’t have as a kid. But, honestly, I can’t say that’s it 100% because I just love going too. It’s my escape. I don’t have to think about my regular life (the good or the bad parts of it) at all…..it’s a TRUE vacation, which is another reason that I’m pro-staying on property for every visit. Disney truly immerses you in entertainment from the minute you drive on property until the minute you leave it. Every time we go, we can make it what we want to make it. That’s how versatile WDW is….it can be a thrill a minute with Space Mountain and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, a total rest fest by the pool or something in between.

So, enough background! On to our upcoming trip:

Here’s our cast:

DM, 62, who will be celebrating her retirement (she retired in December 2010)

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Me, 41, who will be celebrating the end of a very hectic and stressful school year teaching 27 fourth graders

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DD, 7, always a princess, who will be celebrating the end of second grade and becoming a 3rd grader

2008
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2009
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I wish I'd had a better camera to take this picture.
The quality of it could've been so much better!
(I apologize for the excessive DD pics. I just can't help myself!)


Meeting us there (they live in Venice, FL):
one of my cousins (I’ll call him DC for this pre-trip and trip report),
his wife (DCW)
their 2-year-old son (DCS)

No. No one’s getting engaged, married, graduating, having a baby, but we are celebrating nonetheless! And, yes, we are planning to get “I’m celebrating” buttons! Of course we are also celebrating simply being at WDW! It almost didn’t happen for us this year. I started trying to plan a trip for us earlier this year. In fact, Nancy with MEI travel, was helping me. (If you are looking for a super great travel agent to help plan a WDW trip, she’s the one you should contact! She’s FABULOUS! Send me a pm and I’ll be glad to give you her info.) After a little drama related to a Disney offer pin code for free dining (I’ll spare you the details of that LONG story), I AGAIN was thinking we wouldn’t be able to go this year. It was a roller coaster ride with the back and forth issues. Will we go? Will we not go?

Then one of my coworkers came in my classroom one morning and she reminded me about her upcoming trip to Disney World. I knew that she was going on a big family trip but I really hadn’t inquired about it for us because we wanted to go later in the summer and I was thinking that it was just for her family. Her trip was planned for immediately after school is out. We talked about it briefly and then went about our day.

A few days passed and this same coworker came in my room one morning and shared with me her trip situation. They were booking through AAA Travel and a lot of her extended family was going. She explained that they were getting a group rate on their Disney package and they had to have a total of 25 rooms booked or no one would be able to go at the group rate prices. At this point, they were 4 rooms short and trying to ask everyone they knew to get all the rooms booked. She then basically begged me to go to Disney World in their group! Again, I hadn’t really considered it because I was thinking that it was just for her family, but she explained that it was open to friends and family. So, I crunched the numbers again and what do you know, our trip was back on! WOO HOO! Then the fun began: planning!
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
Our new plan was even better than what I had planned earlier in the year. Our first plan was to stay at Pop Century, which I was very excited about since we have never stayed there. Now, going with the group, we are staying at Port Orleans Riverside. Please don’t misunderstand me. I have no problems whatsoever with staying at a value resort, but I’ve been really spoiled so far. In 2008, we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge with a fabulous savanna view of giraffes, zebras, exotic birds, and other animals. In 2009, we stayed at the newly renovated Treehouse Villas. Both resorts were just absolutely FAB-U-LOUS! So, anyway, I’m super hyped to be staying at POR.

I’ve been spoiled in another way: we’ve always stayed for a week. This trip is 3 nights, 3 ½ days. Hey, I’m not complaining, not at all! I’m very glad to be able to go to my happy place! Needless to say, when I was planning, I was trying to maximize our time.

Oh, and on our trips one of my main goals is always to do as many new things as possible. I’ve indicated our new things for this trip with (NEW). So, without further ado, here’s our plan:

Friday, June 17:
Travel; Animal Kingdom; Magic Kingdom


Flight from RDU to MCO, arriving approx. 8:30 am
Take the Magical Express to POR (NEW); check in, get our keys to the world with the *quick service dining plan (NEW)

Leave our carry on bags with bell services; get our resort mugs (part of the QSDP) and fill them

Go to Animal Kingdom; hopefully arrive 10:00-10:30 am (Of course this is a rough estimate based on whether the flight is delayed, the wait for DME, check-in lines, and bus lines to AK)

Leave AK at closing, 8pm

DM and DD will go back to POR, pick up our carry on bags from bell services and go to bed.

Instead of being smart and getting a good night sleep, I’m going to “hop” to MK and meet DCW (she’s also my friend and one of my scrapbooking buddies) at approximately 8:30 pm, again depending on bus times. DC has agreed to stay with DCS at the hotel so that DCW and I can hop over to MK. We are both so excited to be going to MK with just the two of us because neither of us has ever been without kids. Although we both LOVE our children very, very, VERY much, it’s going to be great to hop around the park as adults and not just mommies. (Does it make me a bad mommy to say that?) Oh, I almost forgot: going to MK w/o kids: (NEW!!!)

MK has EMH until 2am on this day. I know I won’t stay until 2 because with an early flight that morning, I will have stayed up almost 24 hours if I do (I’ll probably be up around 4 am with a 6:30 am flight).:eek: I do want to see MSEP and Wishes and hopefully hit a few big rides, especially Space Mountain b/c it was being refurbished when I was there in ‘09. I haven’t been on it since ‘98. I want to judge it for DD to see if she’ll be too scared by it. She’s tall enough to ride it now but I’m just not sure that it won’t scare her. She loves BTMM, so we’ll see! We’re hoping that, despite lines, we can do a bunch of things in just a few hours!

Saturday, June 18:
Epcot


Our plan is to be here from open to close (9am-9pm) but knowing us, we probably won’t be there at 9 am especially if I get in late Friday night. I thought about planning DHS for this day because it has EMH this morning but if DCW and I have a late night (and I’m pretty sure we will), there is no way we’ll be able to get up and be at rope drop by 8 am and I definitely want FP for TSMM. Of course, they’ll probably still have some available at 9, but I don’t really want to take that chance.

So....our plan for Epcot? Well, the last time my mom was here (2008), we waited almost 2 hours at the Character Spot because my dad was determined to get his picture with Mickey! Don’t even ask me why I didn’t plan a character meal for us to make that happen. Biggest regret from our ‘08 trip! By the time, we were finished with Mickey & friends photos and autographs, it was was pouring and I do mean pouring rain, in classic Florida form! Don't believe me? Then click here and see! :ROFLOL: It rained most of the rest of the day and my mom really isn’t into the whole walking/exploring/visiting in the rain thing so we skipped World Showcase entirely, which was what she wanted to do the most at Epcot. Needless to say, the focus of this day is doing whatever my mom wants to do with a focus on WS.

Sunday, June 19:
Hollywood Studios


I’d love to be here again from open to close (9am-9pm) but that’s still up in the air. We might just take a break mid-day and then come back here or have dinner somewhere outside of the parks or hop over to MK. DM has already indicated that she’s not really into the theme of this park. :rolleyes: Now, please keep in mind that I love her very much but really despise when someone has made a judgement about something before they even experience it! :lookaroun

Regardless of what time we leave DHS, we are definitely hopping to MK afterwards. MK has EMH in the evening on this day and since tomorrow isn’t a full day for us, we decided if we didn’t take advantage of the EMH on this day then DM and DD wouldn’t be able to see a lot of MK. Knowing us, we’ll probably stay at least until midnight, probably later. Did I mention that we’re night owls?

Monday, June 20:
Magic Kingdom (Last day)
:cry:

We’re planning to arrive at MK at rope drop (9am) for sure on this day because our flight is at 4:45 pm. We’ll have to leave MK at least by 12:45 so we can get back to the resort by 1:45 to catch DME to MCO. I think I’ve allowed extra time with an hour on the bus to get back to POR from MK. It will truly be a sad trek to the front gate and on to the bus stop at 12:45!


*Now a little bit about our dining choices for this trip. We went back and forth about which dining plan to purchase for this trip. Since this trip is shorter than we’re used to, we didn’t want to spend two hours at a table service meal every day of our trip. Yes, I know, it doesn't always take two hours for a table service meal, but still... I also like the QSDP because the resort mugs are included and I always buy us one every trip. For me, the dining plan is worth the cost despite the criticisms I’ve read online about it. I’ll admit that I’m going to miss the delicious food that Disney’s table service restaurants provide. We are thinking of perhaps trying to eat at one table service place. Are we totally crazy :hammer: to think that would can just “drop-in” and get a table without having to wait for a ridiculous amount of time to be seated? But, for all those foodies out there who understand the importance of snapping a pic of your food before you eat, don’t worry! I’ll still be taking plenty of food pics, quick service or not! :D

Well.....only thing left to say......


18 days until we hit the gates at Disney World! :sohappy:
 

BookwormxBelle

New Member
First, I have to say that your DD is totally adorable and I love her princess dresses. :]
I loved reading your pre-trip report because I'll be down there for a vacation with 14 other people from June 18 - 25th and my new thing for that trip will be staying at a deluxe.
I can't wait to see how your trip goes, especially with time in Disney kids free. :]
 

Raven66

Well-Known Member
Your daughter is extremely cute and lovely in her princess outfits. She has a beautiful smile.

Have fun on your trip. Glad you got to go!:wave:
 

enchanted_belle

Active Member
I'm going to have to agree with them on your DD. She is adorable!

Sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you.. can't wait to see pictures posted, especially if there are more princess dresses involved. :)
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
First, I have to say that your DD is totally adorable and I love her princess dresses. :]
I loved reading your pre-trip report because I'll be down there for a vacation with 14 other people from June 18 - 25th and my new thing for that trip will be staying at a deluxe.
I can't wait to see how your trip goes, especially with time in Disney kids free. :]

Thank you so much for your kind words about my daughter. She really is my heart. She's just as sweet too!

Oh you're just going to LOVE staying at a deluxe. Where are you staying? Hey, we'll be there at the same time. I'll look for you! :animwink:

I am super excited about my upcoming kids free Disney experience! I'll post all the details when I get back. I just know I'll probably act more like a kid than my DD! :wave:

Your daughter is extremely cute and lovely in her princess outfits. She has a beautiful smile.

Have fun on your trip. Glad you got to go!:wave:

Thanks so much! She truly is a princess. She just doesn't know that she doesn't have the royal blood line! :lol:

Thanks again! I hope our trip will be fun and I hope I won't be too disappointed because it's a short one and not a whole week. Thanks for reading! :wave:

I'm going to have to agree with them on your DD. She is adorable!

Sounds like you have a great trip ahead of you.. can't wait to see pictures posted, especially if there are more princess dresses involved. :)

Thanks so much. I'm afraid there won't be any princess dresses for this trip but we're thinking of going for 2 weeks next year in celebration of my Dad's retirement. I know for sure there will be princess dresses involved with that one! In fact, that might just be the last time she wants to dress up since she'll be 8 almost 9 if we go in the summer of '12. But I'll definitely post a ton of pics of this trip with all the details. I just love sharing my trips with other Disneyites! Thanks for reading! :wave:
 

PolynesianPrincess

Well-Known Member
Jealous that you're going so soon!! We were there a month ago and we are going again in November for a long weekend. We have a timeshare off property so we have only stayed at the value resorts on property a couple times and the last time was in '06 so we are SUPER excited to be staying at The Polynesian this year!!! It's my dream resort!! :sohappy:
Your DD is soooo cute!! I love her princess outfits :)
 

foreverbelle

Well-Known Member
Agree with everyone, your daughter is adorable.

I am so glad you get to go. And it is coming up so quick! You will be down there before you know it.

As for you feeling guilty. Please don't. Take some time to enjoy it as an adult without the kid. My hubby and I do this at least once while we are down there. While we love our son, we try to enjoy it and take some time to do some grown up stuff. So I say if DC is willing to watch them, go for it and enjoy the time kid free!
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
Jealous that you're going so soon!! We were there a month ago and we are going again in November for a long weekend. We have a timeshare off property so we have only stayed at the value resorts on property a couple times and the last time was in '06 so we are SUPER excited to be staying at The Polynesian this year!!! It's my dream resort!! :sohappy:
Your DD is soooo cute!! I love her princess outfits :)

A month ago, huh? How were the crowds? I wish we could go other times than the summer: so hot and so crowded!

The Polynesian? Terrific! :sohappy: I've never stayed there but it's on my "to do" list!

Thank you for the kind words about my daughter!

Agree with everyone, your daughter is adorable.

I am so glad you get to go. And it is coming up so quick! You will be down there before you know it.

As for you feeling guilty. Please don't. Take some time to enjoy it as an adult without the kid. My hubby and I do this at least once while we are down there. While we love our son, we try to enjoy it and take some time to do some grown up stuff. So I say if DC is willing to watch them, go for it and enjoy the time kid free!

Thanks for your kind words about my daughter!

Oh yeah! I'm so ready to go! I hope these next two weeks just fly by!

I feel better about leaving the kids to hit MK was a big kid myself. Thanks for sharing your experience!
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
We just decided last night to add a night onto our trip, so now we're staying 4 nights and we'll have 4 and 1/2 days! :sohappy:

Gotta update this TR and alter the plans a bit but much too tired to do that right now! This weekend.....

14 more days!!!!! :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:
 

HollyBelle

Well-Known Member
YAY! So nice to put a face with an avatar. :) Could that picture of your daughter in the Belle gown be more adorable?! I think not.

You're going to love Port Orleans Riverside. I just stayed there in April and it has quickly shot up towards the top of my favorite resorts list. Isn't it just the best feeling when you add another day on to an existing trip?! It's almost time to start checking the 10 day forecast. Woohoo! :sohappy:
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
YAY! So nice to put a face with an avatar. :) Could that picture of your daughter in the Belle gown be more adorable?! I think not.

You're going to love Port Orleans Riverside. I just stayed there in April and it has quickly shot up towards the top of my favorite resorts list. Isn't it just the best feeling when you add another day on to an existing trip?! It's almost time to start checking the 10 day forecast. Woohoo! :sohappy:

Yeah, I've been a lurker :lookaroun for a while and just haven't added a lot of pics, especially of me! :D

Thanks so much for your kind words about my daughter! I love that she loves to dress up. I'm really going to hate when she outgrows that desire to dress up to see the princesses.

I'm really glad to hear your opinion about POR. I just love staying at a different on-property resort. Staying at all of them is on my bucket list. Maybe we can try your favorite next.

OH YES, another night is awesome! Except now I need to rework our park plans. In the words of Pooh Bear, "Oh Bother!" (Not really, planning is the most fun!!!)

9 days!!! SINGLE DIGITS!!! :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:
 

BookwormxBelle

New Member
Thank you so much for your kind words about my daughter. She really is my heart. She's just as sweet too!

Oh you're just going to LOVE staying at a deluxe. Where are you staying? Hey, we'll be there at the same time. I'll look for you! :animwink:

I am super excited about my upcoming kids free Disney experience! I'll post all the details when I get back. I just know I'll probably act more like a kid than my DD! :wave:

Part of our group is staying at Animal Kingdom in the villas, then my family is staying at Old Key West and another group that is travelling with us is staying at the All Star Music resort. I can't wait to explore them all.
As for seeing us, it seems like our parks are going to conflict while we're there, but you never know. :]

As for acting more like a kid than your DD does, I can honestly tell you I always act like a kid when it comes to Disney. I hope that you have a safe trip and a wonderful time! :]
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
Part of our group is staying at Animal Kingdom in the villas, then my family is staying at Old Key West and another group that is travelling with us is staying at the All Star Music resort. I can't wait to explore them all.
As for seeing us, it seems like our parks are going to conflict while we're there, but you never know. :]

As for acting more like a kid than your DD does, I can honestly tell you I always act like a kid when it comes to Disney. I hope that you have a safe trip and a wonderful time! :]

Sounds like you're going to have a great time! I've only ever been to AKL and it's just gorgeous!

We probably won't see each other even if we're in the same park! I have a feeling there will be a gizzillion people there! :(

Thanks for the well wishes and I hope you have a safe and wonderful time too! Oh, and can't' forget....magical! :)
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
Well, it's way past time for a pre-trip update! So, here's the latest:

I got our Magical Express luggage tags in the mail this week. Only received one per person and they spelled DM's name wrong! :brick: But I'm pretty sure that was an error by our AAA travel agent and not DME. Still irritating!

We decided not to get a hopper this time. After we made the decisions to add another night/day onto our trip and then not to hop, I knew I needed to change the days we are planning to visit the parks. So, here's the new plan:


Friday, June 17:

Arrival and MK: Arrive MCO 8:30; Arrive POR approx. 9:15-9:30; Check in and take bus to MK; Stay at MK all day into the EMH; DM and DD will retire to the resort around 8pm or so and I'll meet DC, DCW, and DCS for a few hours; Then DCW and I will hang out until midnight or so at MK

Saturday, June 18:

Epcot: All day: Open to Close (or as long as I can hang since I will have had a very long day & night on Friday)

Sunday, June 19:

Hollywood Studios: All day: Open to Close (we might leave a bit early to come back to the resort and swim, DD has been begging to have some swim time while we're here)

Monday, June 20:

Animal Kingdom: All day, open to close (we might leave a bit early to come back to the resort and swim again)

Tuesday, June 21:

We haven't yet decided which park to visit on this day. We'll only have from open until 12:45 or so. We'll need to come back to POR to catch DME at 1:45 for our 4:45 flight home. At this point, I'll be :cry: but I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures and great memories to console me! :D

The only thing nagging at me is that we have no ADRs b/c we're doing the QSDP. I'm really thinking about trying to get a reservation somewhere with characters. Am I crazy to try to get one at this point with only...

4 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE???? :hammer:
 

Teachr4Disney

Member
Original Poster
I added 2 ADRs to our trip tonight: Sat 7/18, 1:10 pm at Les Chefs de France and Mon 7/20, 7:50 am at Ohana.

I feel better now. It's just not a real trip to The World with a few ADRs! Not to me, anyway!

5 sleeps and we'll be on our way! (Decided to go with sleeps instead of days now. :D)
 

ESL teacher

New Member
Just read your report so far and am so excited for you! Being a fellow teacher I know how hectic the end of the school year is. In fact, I taught in Jacksonville, NC from 1991 until 1997 . Have a grat time and I look forward to reading all about your Disney adventures!
 

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