Pre-Trip First Time to the World Last Minute PTR

Hello from the Southern Hemisphere and the sandy shores of Eastern New Zealand where I have booked my first trip to Disney World! We leave in 12 days :jawdrop:. It will also be the first Disney World trip for my Mom, who will be joining me on this adventure.

INTRODUCTIONS:

Me (on our most recent adventure in January, 2016)

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First Disney Experience (that I can remember) – being traumatized/facinated by the Sorcerer’s Apprentice

First Best Disney Experience – driving in a caravan to Disneyland with my “mainland” cousins at the age of 6 and seeing who could spot the Matterhorn first (it was the ‘70s).

My Mom (same trip)

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Mom (aka Tutu):


My Mother’s family is from California, so we have always been Disneyland people. I grew up in Hawaii, but would visit the Grands in the summer and we would drive from the Bay area to Disneyland. My Mom (and her family) first went in the late 1950’s and the whole lot of them have been fans ever since.


Our most recent Girl’s trip to Disneyland October 2014 for MHP (Mom, DD, DAunt):

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This last minute PTR for reassurance, as my trip is just around the corner – 10 days! I had posted on other boards, but no help. It will all be fine once we get there.


I have planned many imaginary trips on the Disney website. Since we moved the New Zealand, however, I put my Disney World dreams aside as a trip for a family of four is quite an endeavour from across the world. We have done other adventures in lieu of Disney in the meantime, but the dream of WDW has always been hovering in the background until this opportunity arose.
 
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adventuregirl

adventuregirl

Member
Original Poster
How the Magic Came to Be


I see my Mom at least 2 times per year. She visits NZ once a year and I meet her somewhere in the world where she has never been. It gives her an opportunity to travel, which she did not really do until after she was 65 (and I’m not complaining). However, I realized recently that I have not seen my Dad in 5 years (he won’t fly). Living far from my family has been about the only negative to moving to New Zealand (that and really small washing machines). I had already taken leave for July without specific plans, so I thought I should combine a US trip with an educational conference and visit my family. I began searching conferences and there was one right smack in the middle of my leave at Disney World! This left me time to visit my Dad for a week after the conference.



Trip July 12-18, 2016 (aka the HOTTEST, MOST HUMID, MOST CROWDED time of year)


Resort: Grand Floridian garden view room. Whenever I made pretend reservations at WDW, I never even considered GF. It just wasn’t what I pictured on a Disney Holiday. However, this is where the conference is located complete with conference room rates. Easy decision.


Plan:

July 12 Arrive Orlando – stay in Cabana Beach Resort, Universal

(car rented for the week)


July 13

- Early Park Admission to Universal to explore Harry Potter

- Afternoon – Target (not having a Target in NZ is probably the reason I can afford to travel…only slightly kidding).

- More Afternoon - Check into Grand Floridian Garden View Room (non-dormer)

- Evening – explore the grounds ?Disney Springs or pool/drinks


July 14 – Magic Kingdom (full day with afternoon pool and slushy drink break)


Fast Passes:

Peter Pan’s Flight (one of my Mom’s favourites).

7 Dwarf Mines

Space Mountain


I wanted to use a fast pass for Wishes, but it is no longer available as a fast pass. Unfortunately, it was too late to book the dessert party. Plan B is to sit on Main Street and watch as I have fond memories of doing that in Disneyland.


I contemplated BoG breakfast to get in a bit early, but a heavy breakfast followed by a commando approach to the park in the morning did not sound wise. The plan is to go for the attractions in the morning and explore the park and shops in the evening.


July 15

- Me - Morning Conference (ends at 12:40), Mom – pool and probably slushy drinks

- Drive to AK

- Afternoon/Evening Animal Kingdom (yay new hours!)

- Fast passes for Everest, Lion King and Evening Safari (7:10pm)


I was keen to see RoL, but….Jungle Book doesn’t seem worth the fast pass. I have deliberately avoided most pictures of this park as I want to be surprised by the ambiance. DM has no idea what to expect. Hopefully ambiance does not equal limp from overwhelming heat and humidity. I have scoped out areas that provide slushy drinks. Also – Dole Whip!


July 16

- Morning conference (ends 12:40)

- Drive to Epcot

- Afternoon/early Evening Epcot

- Fast passes for Mission Space, Soarin’ and Spaceship Earth. Soarin’ in California is one of my Mom’s favourite rides and I’m looking forward to the changes.
 
adventuregirl

adventuregirl

Member
Original Poster
Epcot Day continued....

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Evening – 7:30 ADR at Citricos to meet friends for dinner


July 17

- Morning conference (ends at 10am this day)

- Pool time?

- Bus to DHS

- Afternoon - Disney Hollywood Studios

- Fast Passes ToT, Star Tours, RnR


Dessert Party for Star Wars!!! I’m beyond excited about this. I’m a huge Star Wars fan and this will be our last night at the park. What a way to celebrate (and reason for the Bus vs. Car).


July 18

- Departure day

Tickets – already purchased for 4 days – non-park hopper
 
adventuregirl

adventuregirl

Member
Original Poster
Concerns:


1. Afternoons in the Park


I have always been a rope-drop girl. We usually arrive at the park at least 45 minutes before opening. We have our Disneyland/California Adventure system down so that we can do every ride we want before 11 am and use fast passes for the afternoon. We leave either park at about 2 pm and return at 5 pm until close. Then do it again and again until we leave. While I appreciate the conference, I will have to go to 3 of the parks in the afternoon! In July! Ack. I know that with the FP+ system, at least we can do 3 great features each day, but I feel lost.

I keep telling myself that this is a taster session before bringing the children along. At least, I had to tell them that I will be getting the “lay of the land” so I would know what to do when we all went together.

2. Heat

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July. In Florida. We had high 80’s this summer and I thought I had been cast into the fiery depths. Granted, air conditioning is an afterthought in these parts so I’m telling myself the AC and water will make all the difference. That and grown up slushy drinks.



Food:

Only 1 ADR (Citricos) and one Dessert Party booked.

In the time I have perused the boards I noticed food is a central feature of trip reports and planning. I really enjoy well-prepared food, especially with fresh yummy ingredients, but I rarely do table service at Disneyland (only have done Brown Derby for the World of Colour dining package and Blue Bayou – because it is awesome to eat in a ride!) I thought about Victoria and Albert’s (the menu looks ah-mazing), but dinner for two with wine pairings + tips = new iPad for my Mom, and I really want to get her that for her 75th Birthday on this trip (pre-installed with whatsapp , Facebook and Skype to text the grandkids). So I have made only 1 ADR. Looks like quick counter service, snacks and grown-up slushy drinks! And champagne. And desserts. (I’ll take pictures).

I am so looking forward to this. Thank you to all for your trip reports - they have made the wait bearable!
 

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