First trip since 2009!! Help!!

[crazgurl]

Hi everyone! Haven't been around these boards in a while (Too long!!) but I'm starting to plan/budget/dream/check feasibility for a trip at the end of September/early October. October 1st is my 30th birthday and it's been my dream for a LONG time to spend it in MK celebrating their 45th!! Going to have LOTS of questions sine I haven't been keeping up on what's new (these magic band things are a mystery to me!! and booking fastpasses???) To start with though, I'm wondering if anything has been said about the anniversary October 1st??

I also have 1 other question, this is my boyfriend's first trip to the world and I've been trying very hard to get him as excited as I am (a hard sell!) I know once he's there it'll just take over, but I've been trying to scout out attractions and things that will really speak to him to make sure we don't miss those! One thing I found is a store (forgive me but the name escapes me now) in Germany where they sell beer steins. Can anyone tell me what kind of selection they have? Are we talking 2 models or 20 to choose from? Also what kind of price range so we can add it to the budget!!

I'm getting excited and look forward to discussing all these things!!!!

 

[RememberWhen]

Are you thinking about this year? If so, I would make a couple of ADRs ASAP if they are important to you. You can always cancel them if you don't end up going.

I'm not totally sure about the store in Germany, but if I remember correctly I would say certainly a dozen+ stein options. Maybe someone who has been recently can chime in.

 

[crazgurl]

Are you thinking about this year? If so, I would make a couple of ADRs ASAP if they are important to you. You can always cancel them if you don't end up going.

I'm not totally sure about the store in Germany, but if I remember correctly I would say certainly a dozen+ stein options. Maybe someone who has been recently can chime in.

Yup, this year, but on a budget, so not sure we will be doing much table service to be honest. I was thinking probably crystal palace breakfast for my birthday and maybe nine dragons supper on our last night. I might be way off base, but I'm thinking those 2 aren't the hottest tickets? My plan was to make reservations in about 2 weeks, so about 5 months before the trip...

 

[RememberWhen]

Yup, this year, but on a budget, so not sure we will be doing much table service to be honest. I was thinking probably crystal palace breakfast for my birthday and maybe nine dragons supper on our last night. I might be way off base, but I'm thinking those 2 aren't the hottest tickets? My plan was to make reservations in about 2 weeks, so about 5 months before the trip...

I'd look into the crystal palace soon. Especially if you want pre-rope drop timing.

 

[Figgy1]

I would have booked CP at the 180 day mark for sure, with free dining being at that time I'd book everything ASAP

 

[TXDisney]

I collect the beer steins in Germany. They're awesome as a collection item. They used to be 4 times more expensive for some reason 7 years ago and beyond. Thank God they've lowered the price to make it affordable. I get atleast 1 to collect every trip. I've still yet to drink anything out of one. They come with a certificate of authenticity inside each stein. They generally update the steins each year as well so there's new ones each visit.

As for getting your significant other excited about the trip... If he's a drinker keep showing him Epcot. Show him all the drink selections in each country as well as the great food. You might have to let him do beers around the world a day.

 

[crazgurl]

I would have booked CP at the 180 day mark for sure, with free dining being at that time I'd book everything ASAP

I will be looking into this over the weekend, we have to finalize some decisions on dates and I'll be off to the races on that one! It was sort of a last minute decision that we might be able to pull of this trip financially!

I collect the beer steins in Germany. They're awesome as a collection item. They used to be 4 times more expensive for some reason 7 years ago and beyond. Thank God they've lowered the price to make it affordable. I get atleast 1 to collect every trip. I've still yet to drink anything out of one. They come with a certificate of authenticity inside each stein. They generally update the steins each year as well so there's new ones each visit.

As for getting your significant other excited about the trip... If he's a drinker keep showing him Epcot. Show him all the drink selections in each country as well as the great food. You might have to let him do beers around the world a day.

When you say more affordable, how much are we talking? $30-50, $100-125, $150+? We are definitely watching how we spend and want to plan very carefully so we can bring back the souvenirs and things we will cherish.

We've been talking about EPCOT a lot for sure, he's extremely excited to visit the countries and Soarin. Hollywood Studios appeals to him for Star Wars but he seemed bummed when I said Star Wars land wont exist yet. I think my hardest sell is Magic Kingdom. He enjoys good lame jokes, so Jungle Cruise will be a highlight for him, but the rest is very much not his thing and I'll be so high on Pixie Dust that day he may start questioning my sanity if I can't get him to drink the koolaid!

 

[TXDisney]

i say cheap bc they used to be $400-$500. So they're not really cheap l, just cheaper. Nice ones can range anywhere from $100-$250. I think smaller ones with the Germany flag on them might be slightly cheaper than $100.

 

[crazgurl]

Another thing I've been wondering about is if anyone can tell me exactly how rough kilimanjaro safari is. I've never done it as I was with someone who gets severe motion sickness on my last trip. My boyfriend doesn't like roller coasters and fast spinning type rides, but I think he should be able to handle this one. My big concern is he has lingering back issues. He doesn't put his back out of commission as I know happens to many people, but he has been seeing a chiropractor for about a year to correct the curve of his spine and reduce his tendency of having severe heartburn. Is this ride similar to a bumpy car ride or is it rough enough to potentially twist his back?

 

[crazgurl]

i say cheap bc they used to be $400-$500. So they're not really cheap l, just cheaper. Nice ones can range anywhere from $100-$250. I think smaller ones with the Germany flag on them might be slightly cheaper than $100.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Figgy1]

Another thing I've been wondering about is if anyone can tell me exactly how rough kilimanjaro safari is. I've never done it as I was with someone who gets severe motion sickness on my last trip. My boyfriend doesn't like roller coasters and fast spinning type rides, but I think he should be able to handle this one. My big concern is he has lingering back issues. He doesn't put his back out of commission as I know happens to many people, but he has been seeing a chiropractor for about a year to correct the curve of his spine and reduce his tendency of having severe heartburn. Is this ride similar to a bumpy car ride or is it rough enough to potentially twist his back?

It's a bit bumpy, my dh will only do it once each trip. It's not awful just a bit bumpy BTW my dh hates anything with bumps

 

[crazgurl]

It's a bit bumpy, my dh will only do it once each trip. It's not awful just a bit bumpy BTW my dh hates anything with bumps

Haha mine has never met a water slide he wont take on, but anything fast that you're strapped into is out of the question! He feels unsafe on these rides I don't think the ride itself will bother him, I'm just concerned about the jostling hurting his back. We are from Quebec though and if you've never been here, you've never met a bumpy road! Breaking tire rims is a sport around these parts!

 

[Figgy1]

Haha mine has never met a water slide he wont take on, but anything fast that you're strapped into is out of the question! He feels unsafe on these rides I don't think the ride itself will bother him, I'm just concerned about the jostling hurting his back. We are from Quebec though and if you've never been here, you've never met a bumpy road! Breaking tire rims is a sport around these parts!

In that case he's good to go for at least one ride

 

[cdeev8690]

Oh girl....you've got a lot to catch up on. Don't be overwhelmed. Take deep breaths. The best piece of advice anywhere here can give you, as you are someone who has not been to WDW in a number of years especially since prior MyDisneyExperience and FP+ and MagicBands, is to obtain the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa. It is the WDW Bible. You can learn from the experts exactly how to use FP+ and all other new tech features, albeit a few updates that have been made recently. I'd go to the Touring Plans blog after you've gone through it just to see if there have been any new updates since the book was published. You can go a step further and subscribe to them to gain access to the crowd calendars. I'm using all of these for my upcoming trip in December.

EMBRACE THE MAGICBAND. DO NOT FEAR THE MAGICBAND. If you're app savvy or just someone who can catch on quickly in regards to mobile technology, you will be able to tackle MyDisneyExperience and be a pro within your first day in the parks.

I'd get moving on the reservations otherwise, maybe you should plan for October of 2017 instead. Folks don't mess around with their reservations (book dining 180 days prior to arrival, book FastPass+ 60 days prior to arrival) and if you're still in the phase of "budgets" then by the time you're ready to commit to the trip, you could be left with a low availability in regards to dining and rides, depending on if you go during a particularly busy week (October is a busy month: Rosh Hashanah 10/4, Columbus Day 10/10, Yom Kippur 10/12 - I'd avoid the first two weeks entirely). WDW is not a place to "wing it" anymore, unfortunately but if you can make a decision quickly then I'd say GO FOR IT! We're all here to help along the way

 

[crazgurl]

Oh girl....you've got a lot to catch up on. Don't be overwhelmed. Take deep breaths. The best piece of advice anywhere here can give you, as you are someone who has not been to WDW in a number of years especially since prior MyDisneyExperience and FP+ and MagicBands, is to obtain the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa. It is the WDW Bible. You can learn from the experts exactly how to use FP+ and all other new tech features, albeit a few updates that have been made recently. I'd go to the Touring Plans blog after you've gone through it just to see if there have been any new updates since the book was published. You can go a step further and subscribe to them to gain access to the crowd calendars. I'm using all of these for my upcoming trip in December.

EMBRACE THE MAGICBAND. DO NOT FEAR THE MAGICBAND. If you're app savvy or just someone who can catch on quickly in regards to mobile technology, you will be able to tackle MyDisneyExperience and be a pro within your first day in the parks.

I'd get moving on the reservations otherwise, maybe you should plan for October of 2017 instead. Folks don't mess around with their reservations (book dining 180 days prior to arrival, book FastPass+ 60 days prior to arrival) and if you're still in the phase of "budgets" then by the time you're ready to commit to the trip, you could be left with a low availability in regards to dining and rides, depending on if you go during a particularly busy week (October is a busy month: Rosh Hashanah 10/4, Columbus Day 10/10, Yom Kippur 10/12 - I'd avoid the first two weeks entirely). WDW is not a place to "wing it" anymore, unfortunately but if you can make a decision quickly then I'd say GO FOR IT! We're all here to help along the way

Thanks for that!! The trip is for my 31st birthday, so it will be September 29-October 6. I will definitely be on the fast passes. We will be making our reservations first thing next week, and as for budget our question is how many table seating meals we will do, but are leaning towards only 2 or 3. We're basically going to experience it all on a budget this time and plan to be foodies next time! I also purchased Brimbaum's 2016 guide as I did in 2009 and liked it a lot.

 

[Figgy1]

Thanks for that!! The trip is for my 31st birthday, so it will be September 29-October 6. I will definitely be on the fast passes. We will be making our reservations first thing next week, and as for budget our question is how many table seating meals we will do, but are leaning towards only 2 or 3. We're basically going to experience it all on a budget this time and plan to be foodies next time! I also purchased Brimbaum's 2016 guide as I did in 2009 and liked it a lot.

You need, not want the Unofficial Guide!!!!!!!! The other book is good for pretty pictures and coupons for real info get the Guide!

 

[KikoKea]

How exciting to celebrate your birthday at the parks!
For food, you might consider splitting some QS orders if you are on a tight budget. Generally, the amounts are generous and might be enough for 2- dh and I do this a lot since we don't like feeling stuffed at the parks. We take easy breakfast stuff like instant oatmeal, granola bars, and juice boxes to have in our hotel room to avoid buying breakfasts, especially when we have a TS ressie for later in the day.

 

[crazgurl]

How exciting to celebrate your birthday at the parks!
For food, you might consider splitting some QS orders if you are on a tight budget. Generally, the amounts are generous and might be enough for 2- dh and I do this a lot since we don't like feeling stuffed at the parks. We take easy breakfast stuff like instant oatmeal, granola bars, and juice boxes to have in our hotel room to avoid buying breakfasts, especially when we have a TS ressie for later in the day.

I was definitely thinking to bring some food from home for breakfast and snacks. If I'm not mistaken there's now mini fridges in the rooms? We are staying at all star sports in a standard room. My boyfriend is also a peanut butter maniac in the mornings, I remember from past trips you can buy a lot of little food items at the hotel store, but do they have bread? I'm not sure how well a loaf would survive the flight and we wont rent a car so would like to avoid ordering groceries and paying for the delivery.

As for sharing QS meals, I hadn't thought of this before but it's definitely something we will consider. Especially since he has issues digesting greasy food and we will be trying to keep it to a minimum, it would be a way to reduce his intake if we order 1 greasy meal to share and later on share a turkey wrap or something lighter.

 

[Figgy1]

I was definitely thinking to bring some food from home for breakfast and snacks. If I'm not mistaken there's now mini fridges in the rooms? We are staying at all star sports in a standard room. My boyfriend is also a peanut butter maniac in the mornings, I remember from past trips you can buy a lot of little food items at the hotel store, but do they have bread? I'm not sure how well a loaf would survive the flight and we wont rent a car so would like to avoid ordering groceries and paying for the delivery.
You can always ship a box of snacks and whatno
As for sharing QS meals, I hadn't thought of this before but it's definitely something we will consider. Especially since he has issues digesting greasy food and we will be trying to keep it to a minimum, it would be a way to reduce his intake if we order 1 greasy meal to share and later on share a turkey wrap or something lighter.

You could have a box of snacks and whatnot shipped to your hotel or order from garden grocer

 

[KikoKea]

I was definitely thinking to bring some food from home for breakfast and snacks. If I'm not mistaken there's now mini fridges in the rooms? We are staying at all star sports in a standard room. My boyfriend is also a peanut butter maniac in the mornings, I remember from past trips you can buy a lot of little food items at the hotel store, but do they have bread? I'm not sure how well a loaf would survive the flight and we wont rent a car so would like to avoid ordering groceries and paying for the delivery.

As for sharing QS meals, I hadn't thought of this before but it's definitely something we will consider. Especially since he has issues digesting greasy food and we will be trying to keep it to a minimum, it would be a way to reduce his intake if we order 1 greasy meal to share and later on share a turkey wrap or something lighter.

How about the 'sandwich thins' type of bread for his peanut butter? You could put it in a small flat box in you suitcase and it should be fine. Or, Ritz crackers? If he must have regular bread, try putting a loaf in a shoe box. I'd bring my own pnb since you don't know what kind they will have in the resort shop...or if they'll have it at all. Same for any snacks.

Greasy foods get to me, too, so I avoid the fried stuff. Nearly every place offers a Caesar salad or chicken Caesar, which I find too big to finish unless I'm starving. I would suggest checking out the menus on the WDW website. There's several other foods I try to avoid, like tomatoes, onions, berries, and breads, so I plan ahead for where we will eat and what I'll get. I even make notes on my paper calendar/cheat sheet that I carry. (It has our schedule, FPs, ADRs, etc- not as obsessive as it sounds, it just helps me keep track. And, it gives me great joy over the months as I plan! ) If we share 1 meal then the next might be heavier, or vice versa. And, we rarely buy many snacks or sweets, the exception being maybe an ice cream to share after the park closes while we watch the castle. If we get hungry between meals, we have a granola bar, candy, etc we brought with us or maybe get a Coke.

It's hard if your partner doesn't enjoy what you do at the park, but since this is his first visit, and you want him to enjoy it, just go with the attractions you know he'll enjoy. Worse thing would be for you to drag him on something and he comes out with his back hurting or his opinion turned against the World. BTW, if his back is bothering him, you will need to take frequent rests so plan to take frequent breaks. We like to find a quiet table in Columbia Harbor House or the area of Cosmic Ray's that overlooks the castle, have a meal or just a Coke and relax.