Pre-Trip Gonna end up fat and single...

Hey guys,

I finally am getting around to writing a true pre-trip report. Usually, my Disney plans are set in stone oh, you know, 180 days out…. But planning this trip has been so different! I have changed my mind constantly about what day we’ll go to what park, what time we’ll eat at what restaurant, and even what restaurants to book an ADR for. Disney has not been cooperating either, as I have no idea when the Star Wars fireworks will be, or what time Animal Kingdom will stay open until, and if Rivers of Light will even be a nighttime show in the fall. I have been pulling out my hair, driving myself (as well as my boyfriend) completely and utterly crazy. He just doesn’t understand the struggle of planning THE ULTIMATE DISNEY TRIP. My boyfriend has literally given me NO input, so I’m on my own. Okay, maybe he did suggest T-Rex and returning to Teppan Edo and I shut him, but that’s beside the point.

Myself and my BF, Joe

Now don’t get me wrong, I think of one the best parts of any Disney trip is the planning process! I sit at my computer with butterflies in my stomach looking at menus, and park hours, and firework show times. I probably have ten tabs open at all times of solely Disney websites. I wake up every morning and refresh my app to check on my reservations, just to make sure this is all real and not one big dream. I get myself all giddy and try to share my Disney planning accomplishments with people in my everyday life and they just don’t feel the same way!

Me: “Babe, I scored us a Be Our Guest reservation at 12 noon on our first day! TAKE A LOOK AT DEM APPLES.”
BF: “Nicole, what?! Are you talking Disney to me?”

So here I am, to share with you good people who understand my love and obsession with all things Disney and Disney planning. Without further ado, here are my pre-trip plans!
I’m too excited to sleep!!

My boyfriend and I are going to Disney from Friday, November 4th until Sunday, November 13th. That’s 10 days, 9 nights in my most favorite city in the world, the one, the only, Orlando!

We have gone once before together, back in 2011, and we had an absolutely amazing time. I was not as knowledgeable back then, and we ended up just stumbling upon the Food and Wine Festival, and completely missing the Christmas Party. (Who knew these things existed? Who was I?)

I moved last year to the Philadelphia area, so we will be flying out of Philadelphia at 6:10 PM, arriving in Orlando at 8:57 PM.

Here’s hoping I can find my way around the Philadelphia airport, because as we all know, I am severely directionally challenged.
We plan to do 6 days at Disney, with the magic your way tickets with park hoppers and the water park add on, check out the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and spend 2 days at Universal (the dark side). Last Christmas, I read the Harry Potter series, for the first time, and I just could not put the books down. My boyfriend dragged me to his work Christmas party, after just finding out Dumbledore freaking dies, and I had everyone at his dinner table consoling me. We had a movie marathon, and I just think it’s time I checked out these other parks in my beloved city of Orlando.

Since we fly in at night, and are trekking over to the dark side, this leaves us with an abundance of table service credits. Seems like such a great predicament to be in (right?!), but this has made planning my dining so tough! Where to eat, where to eat!? Now, a girl is not complaining, because after moving out of my parents’ house, I now know how hard it is to make dinner every night. (Mama, I miss your home cooking.) You must plan out what is needed at the grocery store, and you never realize the time and effort that goes into a meal that you devour in less than ten minutes flat. Is it strange that I am most looking forward to not cooking for ten days? I APPRECIATE YOU DINING PLAN.

I went back and forth between Coronado and Port Orleans Riverside. I was even pricing out All Star Sports and Art of Animation. After much debate, with myself, I finally settled on Riverside. The resort looks super gorgeous with a touch of romance, and I still can’t decide if I want to be in Alligator Bayou or The Mansions. It’s all just too beautiful that I think I may leave that decision up to the Disney Gods.

So there’s the basics, the flight, the hotel, the tickets. Now onto the details!

 

[Doc Disney]

I would NEVER ask u to switch - lol
Are you staying till late on your universal night on 7th? Thinking we could meet at Epcot at 8.30pm ish. Megan is there and I will be too.
Alternatively at resort maybe on 8th pmdepending if either of you are doing fireworks anywhere?

The 8th is the day we are going to the Christmas party I think

 

[prfctlyximprct]

GUYS I WANNA START PACKING... help me get thru these days!!!!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

That depends on how much you want to do. Both parks can be done in 2 days but not if you take in all the details. In that regards it's like Disney some say AK is a 1/2 day park but I always spend over a day there. If you're the least bit into Potter plan on spending some time even with short lines. City walk is worth only a quick look see but some of the food is really good and 1/2 what Disney charges at some places. Drinks are the same or less and pack more of a punch in general. Sorry I couldn't be more help

Thank you!!! Very helpful advice!

 

[Longers]

GUYS I WANNA START PACKING... help me get thru these days!!!!

I wanna pack too. I say let's just start!

 

[Gabe1]

Hey guys,

I finally am getting around to writing a true pre-trip report. Usually, my Disney plans are set in stone oh, you know, 180 days out…. But planning this trip has been so different! I have changed my mind constantly about what day we’ll go to what park, what time we’ll eat at what restaurant, and even what restaurants to book an ADR for. Disney has not been cooperating either, as I have no idea when the Star Wars fireworks will be, or what time Animal Kingdom will stay open until, and if Rivers of Light will even be a nighttime show in the fall. I have been pulling out my hair, driving myself (as well as my boyfriend) completely and utterly crazy. He just doesn’t understand the struggle of planning THE ULTIMATE DISNEY TRIP. My boyfriend has literally given me NO input, so I’m on my own. Okay, maybe he did suggest T-Rex and returning to Teppan Edo and I shut him, but that’s beside the point.

Myself and my BF, Joe

Now don’t get me wrong, I think of one the best parts of any Disney trip is the planning process! I sit at my computer with butterflies in my stomach looking at menus, and park hours, and firework show times. I probably have ten tabs open at all times of solely Disney websites. I wake up every morning and refresh my app to check on my reservations, just to make sure this is all real and not one big dream. I get myself all giddy and try to share my Disney planning accomplishments with people in my everyday life and they just don’t feel the same way!

Me: “Babe, I scored us a Be Our Guest reservation at 12 noon on our first day! TAKE A LOOK AT DEM APPLES.”
BF: “Nicole, what?! Are you talking Disney to me?”

So here I am, to share with you good people who understand my love and obsession with all things Disney and Disney planning. Without further ado, here are my pre-trip plans!
I’m too excited to sleep!!

My boyfriend and I are going to Disney from Friday, November 4th until Sunday, November 13th. That’s 10 days, 9 nights in my most favorite city in the world, the one, the only, Orlando!

We have gone once before together, back in 2011, and we had an absolutely amazing time. I was not as knowledgeable back then, and we ended up just stumbling upon the Food and Wine Festival, and completely missing the Christmas Party. (Who knew these things existed? Who was I?)

I moved last year to the Philadelphia area, so we will be flying out of Philadelphia at 6:10 PM, arriving in Orlando at 8:57 PM.

Here’s hoping I can find my way around the Philadelphia airport, because as we all know, I am severely directionally challenged.
We plan to do 6 days at Disney, with the magic your way tickets with park hoppers and the water park add on, check out the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and spend 2 days at Universal (the dark side). Last Christmas, I read the Harry Potter series, for the first time, and I just could not put the books down. My boyfriend dragged me to his work Christmas party, after just finding out Dumbledore freaking dies, and I had everyone at his dinner table consoling me. We had a movie marathon, and I just think it’s time I checked out these other parks in my beloved city of Orlando.

Since we fly in at night, and are trekking over to the dark side, this leaves us with an abundance of table service credits. Seems like such a great predicament to be in (right?!), but this has made planning my dining so tough! Where to eat, where to eat!? Now, a girl is not complaining, because after moving out of my parents’ house, I now know how hard it is to make dinner every night. (Mama, I miss your home cooking.) You must plan out what is needed at the grocery store, and you never realize the time and effort that goes into a meal that you devour in less than ten minutes flat. Is it strange that I am most looking forward to not cooking for ten days? I APPRECIATE YOU DINING PLAN.

I went back and forth between Coronado and Port Orleans Riverside. I was even pricing out All Star Sports and Art of Animation. After much debate, with myself, I finally settled on Riverside. The resort looks super gorgeous with a touch of romance, and I still can’t decide if I want to be in Alligator Bayou or The Mansions. It’s all just too beautiful that I think I may leave that decision up to the Disney Gods.

So there’s the basics, the flight, the hotel, the tickets. Now onto the details!

We just returned from Riverside. We have stayed there most years since it opened as Dixie Landings in 1992. For a romantic couple I would say stay in the Mansions. We did not this time and opted for the Bayou's for a specific location but we generally do request the mansions. The room furnishings are much nicer where the Bayou's have that awkwardly placed bed and lack of dresser space. That whole section needs furnishings to be replaced to make it a viable 5 person room. We did not have 5 people so in hindsight I wished we would have stayed in the lovely mansion rooms for designed for a Max of 4 people.

We too did the Dark Side and had an absolute blast yet again. We were able to experience Potter 2.0 which we had not done yet. It was amazing imagineering. We did it in a day. We purchased the expensive but so worth it Express Pass and did everything but Kong (sadly) as it was experiencing tech difficulties. Universals Express Pass allowed us to do both parks and every attraction we wanted to do and then some in a day so well worth the expense even though it was a boatload of money for a day.

 

[sheriffwoody]

GUYS I WANNA START PACKING... help me get thru these days!!!!

I wish I could get myself to pack that early! I'm terrible, I usually pack an hour before we leave. I did start making my packing list like a month ago though.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I wanna pack too. I say let's just start!

I am trying to plan my outfits out but I guess I should wait for the weather forecast LOL

 

[prfctlyximprct]

We just returned from Riverside. We have stayed there most years since it opened as Dixie Landings in 1992. For a romantic couple I would say stay in the Mansions. We did not this time and opted for the Bayou's for a specific location but we generally do request the mansions. The room furnishings are much nicer where the Bayou's have that awkwardly placed bed and lack of dresser space. That whole section needs furnishings to be replaced to make it a viable 5 person room. We did not have 5 people so in hindsight I wished we would have stayed in the lovely mansion rooms for designed for a Max of 4 people.

We too did the Dark Side and had an absolute blast yet again. We were able to experience Potter 2.0 which we had not done yet. It was amazing imagineering. We did it in a day. We purchased the expensive but so worth it Express Pass and did everything but Kong (sadly) as it was experiencing tech difficulties. Universals Express Pass allowed us to do both parks and every attraction we wanted to do and then some in a day so well worth the expense even though it was a boatload of money for a day.

Thank you for all your insight!! I am so excited to stay at Riverside... I remember my friend having a Dixie Landings cup and I became so intrigued that I researched all about the resort years ago! I am weird like that, I love old Disney history... like my obsession with River Country even though I've never been!

Can't wait to go to Universal! Glad you had an absolute blast, I hope I do the same!!!

 

[myhappyplace]

We don't go until December 1st, and I already have my "Disney outfit pile" started....I mayormaynot purchase items of clothing with my Disney trips in mind, and then save them specifically for then. Like months and months in advance.

 

[MinnieM123]

I wish I could get myself to pack that early! I'm terrible, I usually pack an hour before we leave.

I pack at the last minute, too! (I don't know why, but it's just not that important to me. )

 

[BuddyThomas]

I pack at the last minute, too! (I don't know why, but it's just not that important to me. )

Count me in to the pack last minute club too. I generally throw a bunch of clothes into a suitcase an hour before I leave. That always works out well for me, as you have seen.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I am trying to plan my outfits out but I guess I should wait for the weather forecast LOL

Omg I can relate.

I always want to pack and plan clothing SO BADLY like way too many months early. Then I'm like "ok wait til you know WHAT to pack, weirdo". Then I pack like the day before when I feel the forecast is confident.

No harm though in oh say maybe laying all your possible outfits on the bed with extra options and alternatives and taking a photo of it so you can replicate, review, and compare to what you end up packing? Have I revealed too much?

 

[prfctlyximprct]

We don't go until December 1st, and I already have my "Disney outfit pile" started....I mayormaynot purchase items of clothing with my Disney trips in mind, and then save them specifically for then. Like months and months in advance.

I think we may be twins, been planning for the Christmas party since July LOL

I pack at the last minute, too! (I don't know why, but it's just not that important to me. )

I am jealous of this skill!

Count me in to the pack last minute club too. I generally throw a bunch of clothes into a suitcase an hour before I leave. That always works out well for me, as you have seen.

Maybe I should try this.. it will be much less stressful! God knows what I would look like tho.. LOL

Omg I can relate.

I always want to pack and plan clothing SO BADLY like way too many months early. Then I'm like "ok wait til you know WHAT to pack, weirdo". Then I pack like the day before when I feel the forecast is confident.

No harm though in oh say maybe laying all your possible outfits on the bed with extra options and alternatives and taking a photo of it so you can replicate, review, and compare to what you end up packing? Have I revealed too much?

Muahaha.. girl... I like your style. May have to steal your packing secrets. You should write a book LOL

 

[BuddyThomas]

I think we may be twins, been planning for the Christmas party since July LOL



I am jealous of this skill!



Maybe I should try this.. it will be much less stressful! God knows what I would look like tho.. LOL



Muahaha.. girl... I like your style. May have to steal your packing secrets. You should write a book LOL

No definitely do not wait til the last minute to pack like me. It's always a very stressful hour and then I end up with like 19 shirts and one pair of shorts and no underwear, or 30 pairs of socks and nothing else, etc, etc.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Muahaha.. girl... I like your style. May have to steal your packing secrets. You should write a book LOL

Ooo there's enough neurotic for a whole book for sure. My FAVORITE thing to do is bring things that can be thrown away. Clothes, toiletries, anything on its last leg. It's so satisfying to use whatever it is for the last time, then dump it, and be free of it for the return home! DH says to me "I don't get it, why don't you just throw it out at home before if you're just gonna throw it out here." Pfft amateur.

No definitely do not wait til the last minute to pack like me. It's always a very stressful hour and then I end up with like 19 shirts and one pair of shorts and no underwear, or 30 pairs of socks and nothing else, etc, etc.

Hah I feel your pain. Years ago, the same man as mentioned above says "Huh..." from our room bathroom. "What's wrong?!" I inquire. "...I ran out of clean underwear."
We were 3 days into a 10 day trip. $45 later, he had some fancy schmancy Mickey underwear from the Dolphin gift shop. Needless to say, I now loosely supervise his packing.

 

[AliceJaina]

We don't go until December 1st, and I already have my "Disney outfit pile" started....I mayormaynot purchase items of clothing with my Disney trips in mind, and then save them specifically for then. Like months and months in advance.

We go Dec. 3 and I'm doing this too. We have a shelf designated and have already started collecting stuff.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Ooo there's enough neurotic for a whole book for sure. My FAVORITE thing to do is bring things that can be thrown away. Clothes, toiletries, anything on its last leg. It's so satisfying to use whatever it is for the last time, then dump it, and be free of it for the return home! DH says to me "I don't get it, why don't you just throw it out at home before if you're just gonna throw it out here." Pfft amateur.


Hah I feel your pain. Years ago, the same man as mentioned above says "Huh..." from our room bathroom. "What's wrong?!" I inquire. "...I ran out of clean underwear."
We were 3 days into a 10 day trip. $45 later, he had some fancy schmancy Mickey underwear from the Dolphin gift shop. Needless to say, I now loosely supervise his packing.

Love this!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Love this!

You can adopt him if you'd like!! He's approaching 35, really cute, and provides endless laughs and entertainment. Doesn't cook, doesn't think anything through per previously submitted evidence, and he's oppositional like 95% of the time though sooooo I'm not sure if those are deal breakers or not. Although the Philmonster seems to give you some push back regularly so maybe you're used to it. Man, where are our awards?!?!

Just kidding. I love the big lug. I haven't sweated out all this time for nothing....
Let's just come up with a custody agreement so I can still spoil him with ice cream, then send him home to you all sugared up.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I am hoping we hear something soon! I have hope, I think Jungle Book ending was the first positive sign of better things to come! I got Frozen for 11:30 on my Epcot day, hoping to get to the countries by 11 when they open!

How many days are you doing EPCOT ? Full or half Days? ROL is getting close!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

How many days are you doing EPCOT ? Full or half Days? ROL is getting close!

Two kind of full days... you think that's good enough?!? Do you think I'll make it for rivers of light??