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!!!!

 

[crazgurl]

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.

Ya, In my previous trips I always scouted out EVERYTHING beforehand and carried a little notebook. I'm working on this plan now, and that's why all the questions! I like the shoe box idea for bread. I can't shake the feeling though my aunt purchased bread from the all star music store when I was a kid! Going to have to ask her about that!! As for PB he will definitely bring his own, he's a PB Snob

We managed to get breakfast reservations at crystal palace, and supper at 2 other places. One of them is in MK and the name is escaping me now but they seem to do sandwitches, the other is at nine dragons at epcot.

Also, we booked the hotel and flights last night and he's finally getting very excited. He's even got to the point he's agreeing he wants to go back in a few years to see star wars land. I think he's hooked before he gets there! He'll be one of us yet!!

I have another question if anyone has stayed at all-star. If we take a room with 1 king bed, what is the tub/shower like? I read somewhere this morning it's wheelchair accessible, what does that mean compared to a room with 2 double beds (the only kind I've ever stayed in)?

 

[Second Star to the Right]

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!!!!

I'm super excited for you, especially because I am in almost the exact same boat! This year will be my first trip since 2009 and I am taking someone who has never been before. We are also going Septemeber 26th-October 3rd, so right at the same time.

Does your bf love to try different foods? Something else to consider (that I don't think I have seen mentioned) is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be going on at that time. As will Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween. My guy loves everything there is about Halloween, so I knew this was something we would have to save and add-on. I know you said you will be on a strict budget, but that might be fun to try and save a bit for. Also, if you do MSNSH, you can actually get into MK at 4 p.m. the day of the event, so I have read that people will buy one less park ticket, and use the MSNSH in lieu of a typical park ticket - somewhat saving money, if that event is a must-do for you/your guy.

Additionally, there is an unofficial blog that I have been reading almost every single day that has been AMAZINGLY helpful. It is http://www.disneytouristblog.com/ and it's written by a couple who are annual passholders and have frequented WDW and Disneyland on numerous occasions. They have tons of posts about rides, planning your trip, the best table service restaurants, quick service restauants, what to pack on your trip, how the Magic Band works, etc. I've found it to be a perfect supplement to what I have learned here.

 

[crazgurl]

I'm super excited for you, especially because I am in almost the exact same boat! This year will be my first trip since 2009 and I am taking someone who has never been before. We are also going Septemeber 26th-October 3rd, so right at the same time.

Does your bf love to try different foods? Something else to consider (that I don't think I have seen mentioned) is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be going on at that time. As will Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween. My guy loves everything there is about Halloween, so I knew this was something we would have to save and add-on. I know you said you will be on a strict budget, but that might be fun to try and save a bit for. Also, if you do MSNSH, you can actually get into MK at 4 p.m. the day of the event, so I have read that people will buy one less park ticket, and use the MSNSH in lieu of a typical park ticket - somewhat saving money, if that event is a must-do for you/your guy.

Additionally, there is an unofficial blog that I have been reading almost every single day that has been AMAZINGLY helpful. It is http://www.disneytouristblog.com/ and it's written by a couple who are annual passholders and have frequented WDW and Disneyland on numerous occasions. They have tons of posts about rides, planning your trip, the best table service restaurants, quick service restauants, what to pack on your trip, how the Magic Band works, etc. I've found it to be a perfect supplement to what I have learned here.

Cool to be planning along side ya!! We've been talking about food and wine and he definitely intends to save some budget to sample a bit! He loves food and especially craft beers, even though we said we wouldn't go nuts on the drinking since it gets expensive fast, I know he will definitely stop for a few! I read that in the UK they have a souvenir stein for $15, but I have no idea what it looks like.

I hadn't really given much thought to MSNSH, I'm not one to get dressed up at haloween and I never really looked into the parties. What do they offer for adults besides a less crowded park?

 

[Second Star to the Right]

I hadn't really given much thought to MSNSH, I'm not one to get dressed up at haloween and I never really looked into the parties. What do they offer for adults besides a less crowded park?[/QUOTE]

From what I have read there is a different fireworks show than the normal Wishes! Spectacular, there are more character signings including some you don't normally see in the park (Jack & Sally from A Nightmare Before Christmas, the 7 Dwarfs etc) but the coolest thing I have found is one of the shows that they just started doing last year. It's the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular. You can find videos of it on YouTube. I'm a huge Hocus Pocus fan, so this looks unbelievably cool to me. Additionally, there is a pretty great parade from what I've read/the pics I've seen. The event goes until midnight, so I have read that people do take advantage of getting onto some of the rides they might have not had the opportunity to go on. Costumes are definitely not mandatory, but I've read that it adds to the fun. Keep in mind, it will still be HOT in FL that time of year, so bear that in mind when picking a costume

 

[crazgurl]

Just a quick note for anyone who may be interested. I just spoke with someone at the All Star Sports hotel and they confirmed that the little hotel gift shop sells loaves of bread, so no need to ship from home or shoe box it on the plane!