Pre-Trip Our Pop Century Honeymoon!

I’m sort of new here- sort of because while this is only my third post, I’ve been lurking and reading the forums since early 2015 (when I was last planning a WDW trip). Now I find myself planning both a wedding (November 4th, 2017) and our Disney World honeymoon! What better way to distract myself from the things I should be doing than to introduce myself via this PTR?

First, to introduce myself! I’m Amanda, 28, living in northern Michigan, working in academic services at a public university, and having fun with my fiancé, Daniel, and our two dogs. Daniel and I met three years ago while working in the lodging department in Yellowstone National Park. It’s been a great three years and we are very excited to get married this fall!



My first trip to Disneyland! October 2014.

We’ve both mean to Disney parks multiple times. My family visited WDW several times before I was six and then again in 2003 and 2009. Despite the large gap between trips I was a very Disney-obsessed child with the Lion King and Mickey Mouse being my favorites for pretty much forever. In 2013 I was able to take a spring break trip with a friend (we stayed off site at the Avanti Resort). Daniel is from southern California and grew up going to Disneyland. He had only one WDW trip under his belt before meeting me- his grandparents took him and stayed at the Swan in 1995. Whenever we visit his family we (mostly me) make time to visit Disneyland and DCA. We took our first trip to WDW together in 2015 and stayed at All Star Movies over a long weekend. Now I never want to stay offsite ever again!




My Dad and I in the Magic Kingdom. My best guess is winter of 1990!




My first visit back in over eight years- Epcot in 2003! First ever visit for my sisters.

Which brings us to today and the planning for our honeymoon- here are some details:

Where?
Pop Century Resort- we debated between Pop, AoA, and Caribbean Beach for quite a while. We ultimately chose Pop because it was $400 cheaper than CBR, the Little Mermaid rooms didn’t thrill us, and we really like the refurbished rooms at Pop. Now if AoA had Lion King themed standard rooms? I’d be ALL about it!

When?
January 18th-27th, 2018- we will be driving to the Detroit airport on the 18th (six hours- bleh) and flying to Orlando on the 19th. Our local airport is very expensive and very unreliable during the winter months. We’re seriously crossing our fingers that we get good weather on those days! This will also be our very first time using the Magical Express!

The Nitty Gritty!
I have a rough outline of our trip plans though they are obviously subject to change. We have seven days in the World and currently have five day park hoppers. We wanted to leave a couple of days open for breaks and resort hopping. We are also totally open to adding a day if we desire. Our park plans and ADRs look like this:


1/19- Arrive! Hopefully have dinner at California Grill.

1/20- Magic Kingdom.
This will be my first time back in MK since 2013 and his first time since 1995! Hoping for a lunch reservation at Be Our Guest.

1/21- Epcot.
My favorite park! So excited to check out the Festival of the Arts.

1/22- Resort hop!
Breakfast at Kona Café so I can try some of that Tonga Toast!

1/23- Epcot AM/Hollywood Studios PM.
Lunch at Teppan Edo before hopping to HS. We really want to see the new Star Wars show! Planning to set our FPs for HS in the evening.

1/24- Resort hop!
We both really love hotels (from our time working in YNP) so we want to try and visit as many as we can! We’re also hoping to eat at Morimoto Asia this day (Daniel’s very specific request).

1/25- Animal Kingdom.
Looking forward to visiting Pandora but AK has long been my 2nd favorite park. I love the feel of AK. Also Expedition Everest and the Lion King show!

1/26- Magic Kingdom.
It’s been so long since either of us have visited MK we felt it deserved two days (we reserve the right to change our minds). Hoping to eat lunch at Skipper Canteen.

1/27- We just don’t talk about this day. ;)

I do have our Fastpass+ reservations outlined as well but I will save that for another day!

Thanks for reading and sharing in my excitement!




Carsland in Disney California Adventure- October 2016!
 
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becca_

Well-Known Member
Congrats on your wedding - you looked absolutely beautiful!

Our MK days (1/19) overlap! I'll keep an eye out for you guys!! So exciting - only a few more days, almost single digits :D:D
 

Mander

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Congrats on your wedding - you looked absolutely beautiful!

Our MK days (1/19) overlap! I'll keep an eye out for you guys!! So exciting - only a few more days, almost single digits :D:D

Thank you! It was the best day! :)

It sounds like there will be a few of us there! So looking forward to it!
 

Mander

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Eight days to go! These last two weeks feel like they are going by slower than the months preceding them! I initially told myself I wouldn't start packing until this weekend but I broke down and started already.



Of course once the suitcase is out our cat, Rory, thinks it is just for him. Either that or he wants to make sure we are covered in his fur even when a thousand miles away.



I'm hoping to finish packing this weekend and then three days of work before we leave! I'm just beyond excited at this point!
 

Mander

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Rory looks like my outdoor kitty Buddy!

Too bad you aren't leaving today or tomorrow. The weather down here in GR is nice and warm and everything is melting today.

It has been warming up here too! Still in the 20s but it is amazing how warm that feels after a week in the -30s. I've still got my fingers crossed for good weather on the 18th. The forecast isn't looking too terrible right now for GR. As long as these lakes behave themselves, I think we'll be okay.
 

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
It has been warming up here too! Still in the 20s but it is amazing how warm that feels after a week in the -30s. I've still got my fingers crossed for good weather on the 18th. The forecast isn't looking too terrible right now for GR. As long as these lakes behave themselves, I think we'll be okay.

Right now the forecast looks good! Only 115 days until my trip!
 

Mander

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Just checked in for our flight! First time flying Southwest and we got boarding positions A46 and A47.

Now to go home and finish packing. It's mostly done, just a few things to finish up. We're planning to leave at 8am tomorrow so we can get to Grand Rapids early enough to stop at Target for a few things.

So excited!
 

Nala06

Well-Known Member
We also added a Rose & Crown Pub reservation. It's at 7:35p on our second evening in Epcot. We may see about getting one of those elusive patio tables with a view of Illuminations but aren't holding our breath!

I wanted to say that we went in early December and planned an ADR for rose and crown at 7:45pm, and requested a patio seat. We were nervous we wouldnt get one, but when they lead us to our table we had to laugh, the place was half empty! No issues getting a great table at all. It was perfect for illuminations! Good luck, and enjoy the warm weather (from another fellow Michigander).
 

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
Just checked in for our flight! First time flying Southwest and we got boarding positions A46 and A47.

Now to go home and finish packing. It's mostly done, just a few things to finish up. We're planning to leave at 8am tomorrow so we can get to Grand Rapids early enough to stop at Target for a few things.

So excited!


Well the weather here is decent... according to the radar, it looks good from up there to down here, so fingers crossed no issues! If for some reason you need anything while your here in GR, let me know!

Have a great trip!
 

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