Well before I had even entered the contest that made possible my trip this October, I had been having conversations with some of my coworkers about going to Disney in 2012 for Star Wars Weekends. Original plan was a medium-sized group, and I would room with my then-girlfriend. However, as you can imagine from my verbiage, that's not the plan now.
If one of my coworkers comes down, it will be a massive group of four of us. But that's fine, because it'll be easier to get ADRs at the times we want. Additionally, since my girlfriend and I split up, I was looking for a new travel-mate. It was then that my best friend, college roommate, and Masonic Brother and I got to talking about my (slight) Disney obsession. He mentioned having never been to Walt Disney World before. He also has not had a big vacation since starting his job 2 years ago in Olean, NY. So it was a perfect match.
As the trip stands, it's Mike and I down there for a week, spending our nights at the All-Star Sports Resort. We booked a preferred room, and, learning from the mistakes I made last time, I only paid half the deposit, and Mike kicked in his half. Last trip, the one where I stayed at the AKL, I put the whole deposit down, and the friend who was supposed to be travelling with me ended up dropping out when I expected him to come, effectively screwing me over hardcore.
Again, though, we'll be on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. Meaning I plan on eating quite well this trip. Here is the tentative plan for meals, with lunch and dinner
Saturday: Sanaa, Rose and Crown (with Illuminations)
Sunday: Whispering Canyon, California Grill
Monday: Yak and Yeti, Jiko
Tuesday: Coral Reef, Big River Grill
Wednesday: 50's Prime Time Cafe, Artist's Point
Thursday: Tony's Town Square Restaurant, Via Napoli
Friday: Kona Cafe, Narcoossee's (for my birthday!)
Saturday: Liberty Tree Inn
Mike also wants to do a breakfast or two. I'm thinking of perhaps doing a Tusker House breakfast; I remember the buffet is really good, and it's a fun way to get a character breakfast in, as well.
Really, really excited for this trip. October 1st is when JetBlue will be posting their flights for May, and I plan on getting mine first thing. Earliest possible flight I can. Yes, I am THAT crazy guy. And after that, it's waiting to see how the price goes down for Annual Passholder rates, and then ADRs. Time is going quickly!
PS: And of course, expect beautiful pictures as well. Really looking forward to shooting in Disney again. Hopefully I'll have a full compliment of 4 lenses by then, and perhaps even a 5th lens as a rental!
If one of my coworkers comes down, it will be a massive group of four of us. But that's fine, because it'll be easier to get ADRs at the times we want. Additionally, since my girlfriend and I split up, I was looking for a new travel-mate. It was then that my best friend, college roommate, and Masonic Brother and I got to talking about my (slight) Disney obsession. He mentioned having never been to Walt Disney World before. He also has not had a big vacation since starting his job 2 years ago in Olean, NY. So it was a perfect match.
As the trip stands, it's Mike and I down there for a week, spending our nights at the All-Star Sports Resort. We booked a preferred room, and, learning from the mistakes I made last time, I only paid half the deposit, and Mike kicked in his half. Last trip, the one where I stayed at the AKL, I put the whole deposit down, and the friend who was supposed to be travelling with me ended up dropping out when I expected him to come, effectively screwing me over hardcore.
Again, though, we'll be on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. Meaning I plan on eating quite well this trip. Here is the tentative plan for meals, with lunch and dinner
Saturday: Sanaa, Rose and Crown (with Illuminations)
Sunday: Whispering Canyon, California Grill
Monday: Yak and Yeti, Jiko
Tuesday: Coral Reef, Big River Grill
Wednesday: 50's Prime Time Cafe, Artist's Point
Thursday: Tony's Town Square Restaurant, Via Napoli
Friday: Kona Cafe, Narcoossee's (for my birthday!)
Saturday: Liberty Tree Inn
Mike also wants to do a breakfast or two. I'm thinking of perhaps doing a Tusker House breakfast; I remember the buffet is really good, and it's a fun way to get a character breakfast in, as well.
Really, really excited for this trip. October 1st is when JetBlue will be posting their flights for May, and I plan on getting mine first thing. Earliest possible flight I can. Yes, I am THAT crazy guy. And after that, it's waiting to see how the price goes down for Annual Passholder rates, and then ADRs. Time is going quickly!
PS: And of course, expect beautiful pictures as well. Really looking forward to shooting in Disney again. Hopefully I'll have a full compliment of 4 lenses by then, and perhaps even a 5th lens as a rental!