I'm So Excited! September PTR/TR

Hello, fellow Disney fans!:wave:

Welcome everyone to my very first post on this site. I’ve been lurking around for a while, reading trip reports and checking daily for news from the World. There have been times I really wanted to post a trip report since my family usually goes to Disney once a year, but I’ve never had the drive to follow through. Well, not this time. There is so much we have planned that I wanted to share my excitement with like-minded Disney fans.

I'm especially excited about this trip for a number of reasons. First and foremost is that this trip shouldn't be happening. My family and I were supposed to focus on house maitenance, but our previous trip in December 2010 was so filled with problems, illness, and poor weather that my Dad said we needed to take one more trip to Disney to make up for it.

Secondly, It's going to be my 28th birthday. I've had my birthday down in Disney before, but it's always fun to have people say "Happy Birthday" to you. It definitely spoils you.:king:

And lastly, my family always tries to find new things to do on every trip to make that trip more special. Our last trip had many of these firsts, but, like I said, so many problems popped up that we did very few of them. So now we're going to try to do them this time around plus some additional surprises.

So lets meet the cast:

On the left is my Dad (a frequent Disney visitor when Mom and I can drag him down). My Mom is in the middle (a true Disney fan since the very first year Disney World opened). And that's me on the right.

With only a few days to go before we fly to Florida, the excitement has sky-rocketed. So follow along and I hope you enjoy my first trip report as much as I enjoy writing it. More to come.

 

[accord99cutie]

Oh I can't wait to hear all about it! my family leaves in just 15 days and I am relying on pre and post trip reports to get me through the next two weeks!!

 

[BigRedDad]

When are you going and where are you staying?

 

[FigmentPigments]

So...every Saturday, we go to restaurant and talk about our trip. And every Saturday, my Dad always wants to know what we're doing every day. He always forgets something and then I have to expalin it all over again. :brick:

I know he does this just to needle me. I can't blame him since I did the same thing to him when I was little. So I guess this is payback.:animwink: I still love him though.

This year, I got smart. I made him a three page pamphlet detailing our schedule and all the extras we want to do. Everytime he starts to say "what are we doing second day?" I just hand him the pamphlet. Everybody's happy.

Sorry so crooked. I scanned this thing four different times and this was the best of the lot.

Well here it is: Our Tentitive Plan (Wish us luck)

September 18-23, 6 Days and 5 Nights with free dining
Day 1
We get up at the crack of dawn and head down to Lambert for our 7:45 AM flight. It's scheduled to land at 11:00 AM and the off to the Magical Express.

We decided to not stay at Pop Century this time even though it's our favorite value resort. Instead it's Port Orleans-Riverside this time around. The last time we stayed at this resort, it was still called Dixie Landings so you can imagine how long it's been. So it'll be our first time back with the name change.

After check-in (I already did the online check-in, didn't work last time, but I'll give it another shot), we going to head to Downdown Disney via the boat.

Our main objective:

I can't tell how many times we've tried to ride this. One time, it was too windy and other time we got there before it opened and we had to leave. It's become our mission. Even as I write this, I see there's a chance for thunderstorms that day. It's not looking good, but, hey, it's Disney-let the magic begin.

Our first dining reservation is at 'OHANA at 8:00 PM that night

This was a last minute change. Originally,we were suppose to go to the San Angel Inn which I have always wanted to eat there even as a kid. But, a co-worker of my Dad's suggested we eat at 'OHANA; it's was fantastic. We've never eaten there before so we're taking his word for it. Glenn, if you're reading this, I'm trusting you, and if you fail me, I will come after you.:animwink:

So that's just day one, day two coming up.

 

[FigmentPigments]

To: accord99cutie

I know what you mean. I'm doing the same thing. These trip reports really do get me through these last few days. Definitely keep checking back for more.

 

[jhoff3405]

Enjoy! I will be looking forward to all your PTR and TR updates!

 

[FigmentPigments]

Day 2: Monday the 19th

This morning will definitely be tricky. We're taking the Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour and it meets at 7:30 AM. This is way before the Magic Kingdom park opens and every review I've read about this tour, the people were worried about getting to the park on time. I called our resort and they assured me that there is a 6:30 bus that will take us there, but when I booked the tour, I was told I would have to take a taxi. Then to make it more confusing, the resort told me the taxi wouldn't be allowed through the main gates that early. :veryconfu I don't really know what's true or not. I guess I'll double check when we get to the resort.

This tour is really for my Dad even though we're all going. He's a model railroader and has a layout in the basement. For some strange reason, he thought he was going on this tour by himself (like Mom and I wouldn't go on a Disney tour regardless of what it was about). Actually, Mom and I are really excited too, maybe even more than my Dad is.

Next on our list is:

This is another thing for Dad, but not something he's especially looking forward to. He's going to get his hair cut! We really wanted him to do this last trip, but both my parents were sick and it fell through. Mom and I love to tease him about what kind of decorations to get in his hair: maybe pixie dust, or a pink mickey in the back of his head, or even some green spikes on top. Dad's already comptemplating getting a goofy hat to save his manly pride. We'll have lots of pictures of this.

The last two things we have planned for this day come from Mom. As often as we been down there, we have never had a Dole Whip. So some time during the rest of the day, we'll indulge. The other treat is the huge cinammon roll at the Main Street Bakery. We'll probably do towards park closing. This is something my Mom and I discovered one trip. It's especially relaxing to eat a little treat as the park starts shutting down, watching as people head to the exit, and still be able to soak up the atmosphere. It seems like the night lasts a little bit longer; plus, by the time we're done, the bus stops should be cleared out some.


Day 3: Tuesday the 20th (My Birthday!)

This is a late start day,something we never do when we're in Disney. The reason for our sleeping in: we have 9:20 AM reservations at

Again this was something we had planned last trip, but illness kept my parents down. This is another one of Mom's picks which should not be surprising since it has characters, which I whole-heartedly support. My Mom and I share our love of the characters and you will probably see lot of my pictures filled with them.

Following our breakfast with Mary Poppins and friends, we plan to head over to the Hollywood Studios. Now this is probably our least favorite park. Even though there are a few rides we do go on, but this is definitely a half day park. There are only three rides we'll probably ride: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and,of course, Star Tours: the Adventure Continues. I even made my Dad and I (the only ones riding) passorts from the Disney site. My Dad is a rebel pilot

and my picture is a Jedi.

The site said we could get these passports stamped after we ride. I hope they're still doing that when we go down.

We'll kill time until it's time to go back to the resort and change into our costumes and head to Mickey's Not-So-Scary HalloweenParty.

I'm going as a pirate, but I won't tell you who my Mom's going as. :zipit:
You'll just have to see her costume and see if you can guess. My Dad didn't want to wear a costume, so Mom just got him a halloween shirt to get him in the spirit with us. Mom and I expected to stay until well past midnight, but my Dad will probably want to leave earlier. Not going to happen.:animwink:

The rest coming up tomorrow.

 

[BigRedDad]

Have fun. We will be at MNSSHP on the 20th also. Have a blast.

 

[Kristia]

Hello fellow lurker:wave: I also have been reading trip reports to make the time go faster till our trip in Nov. It is a surprise trip for the hubbie which makes it doubly painful because I can't even talk to him about it! These reports are the only thing that is getting me through this torture! Have a great trip and I look forward to reading your report when you get back!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Sounds like a great trip so far!! We've eaten at 1900PF several times and we really like it. I mean really - how can you go wrong with a breakfast buffet? Breakfast buffets are the best, IMO!!

 

[FigmentPigments]

Day 4: Wednesday the 21st

Early morning start again for us. This is really important today because we're going to my favorite park: Animal Kingdom! I love this park even though a lot of people only go for a half day. Not me, I would go there almost everyday if I had the time and resources. I think it's so well designed and it just immerses me into each exotic location; I always feel like I'm in Africa and Asia. The tree-lined walkways and all the little details are just amazing. Each land has such an in-depth story that when you do know the background, it just adds to the whole experience. I think a lot of people just see a zoo and the rides, but there's so much more and I wish I could adequately convey that. My Dad doesn't see it either, but he does enjoy the ambiance.

Regardless if you like the park or not, I highly recommend getting there early because the animals will still be wandering around in the cool mornings. I've always had some of the best animal pictures either really early in the morning or just before the park closes. I think my Dad will kill me if I take anymore animal pictures here. :lookaroun But I keep taking more in the hopes that I'll get a fantastic one. But that's what they made digital cameras for (to erase all of the mediocre pictures I end up taking).

So the day will be spent at Animal Kingdom until it closes, if I have my way. Afterward, we'll go back to the hotel to change into some clean clothes and then it's on to:

for our 7:55 PM reservations. Everytime my family goes to Disney, we try to eat at a new country at Epcot. We've already eaten at Norway, Morrocco, and Germany so Canada seemed to be a good option. I recently discovered my love of steak so I am very eager to try the filet. I heard this is a highly rated restaurant so I have high expectations. The we'll round out the evening by staying the rest of the night at Epcot.


Day 5: Thursday the 22nd

This is an exciting day for the family. We originally had nothing planned for the morning until about two weeks ago. Initially, we thought we'd do the Wild Africa Trek, but nixed it because of the price. Then we thought about it some more and finally decided the tour won't be any cheaper and probably get less for a higher price. So I booked it and said what the hell.
At 8:00 AM, we'll be trekkin'.

However, this is another transportation worry for me. I don't know if a bus will get us there early enough. It's something I'll have to take up with the hotel. I'll keep my fingers crossed just in case.

We'll probably head over to Epcot afterward and enjoy the park during the day. There's nothing we really have planned to do here except people watch and enjoy the scenery until our dinner reservations at

This is something the whole family has wanted to do for awhile, but just never did it. It's not the food we're there for, but for the new experience and to see farmer Mickey.
Sadly, this is our last full day at Disney. The next day, we'll be back in Missouri.

The pre-trip wrap up coming up tomorrow

 

[FigmentPigments]

Officially, my last work day and my Mom and I celebrated by seeing The Lion King in 3D. It's such a beautiful, heart-wrenching movie. Definitely one of Disney's best and a good choice to bring back to the big screen.

Day 6: Friday the 23rd

Sadly, all good Disney days must end sometime, and the 23rd is it for us. After we pack everything up and check in at the airport desk, we'll head over to the Magic Kingdom. My Dad wants to see the opening of the park and all the characters arriving on the train. I don't think he's ever seen it before so it'll be something new for him. Once the show is over, we'll head up Main Street to eat breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 10:15 AM.

I've eaten here for breakfast before and I thought it was one of the best buffets on property. I hope I'm not remembering it being better than it was.

Unfortunately, after breakfast is done, we'll have to head back to the hotel to catch the Magical Express for our flight back. Hopefully, by the time we head home, all 21 items on our "must do list" will be completed.

It's doable, but some things will depend on timing and weather. May the Disney magic be with us.

Well, this wraps up my pre-trip report. The next day will be spent packing and then here we come, Disney! See everyone in six days. I'm so excited! :wave:

 

[fractal]

Sounds like a great plan! I'll be looking forward to your thought on the Wild Africa Trek.


How did the 3d effect look in Lion King? We may be going tomorrow.

 

[FigmentPigments]

Sounds like a great plan! I'll be looking forward to your thought on the Wild Africa Trek.


How did the 3d effect look in Lion King? We may be going tomorrow.

This movie looked great in 3D. It didn't look "weird" like some movies that are re-made in 3D. Take note of the grass in the foreground, it really pops out. It made me want to reach out and touch it. I thought it was totally worth it to pay the extra cost. I hope you enjoy it too.