(Sorry, this is amazingly long for a 6 night pre trip report, I'm really EXCITED!)
I can't believe we're actually gonna do this. But this September, my wife and I are gonna stay inside Disney World for 6 nights and NOT VISIT THE PARKS (not even the water parks). HAVE WE GONE NUTS????
The initial plan was to fly to Florida for a Carribean cruise to celebrate our anniversary of first getting together 10 years ago.(Although we didn't marry until a year ago February)
But then we thought " Why not stay at Disney World for a while before the cruise?, even though we already have a 10 night trip planned for May/June 2010"
Well, of course, this sounded great and we now have the Animal Kingdom Lodge booked for 6 nights, sunday 9/6 - saturday 9/12, before our 7 night Carnival Glory cruise out of Port Canaveral.
We figured since we know we'll be returning next May, this time around let's just relax and lounge around Disney World for the week. We've always enjoyed the pools, cocktail lounges, restaurants and resorts of the World, why not make a trip of it?
THE PLAYERS:
Myself - Jeff, 42 (Total Disney fanatic, been visiting WDW since '91 and DL since '71)
Wife - Tracy, 28 (Big Disney fan, not like me, but thinks WDW is best place on earth, first visited WDW in '02, DL since '85)
I know there's an age difference. But trust me, she's the mature one.
THE PLAN:
SUNDAY
Leave on American Airlines out of Palm Springs, connect through Dallas and arrive Orlando International at 5:30 PM local time. Magical Express to Animal Kingdom Lodge.We've visited AKL twice before, but this is our first time staying. :sohappy: SO EXCITED!! We used DVC points and got a Savanna view room. Before we even go to the room, we'll stop at Victoria Fall's lounge (Our favorite lounge in WDW) to celebrate our arrival. After checking out the room and saying "Hi" to our new animal neighbors, we'll head to the Mara for dinner. And then go back up and get some rest for the serious lounging ahead of us.
MONDAY
A total day of relaxation. We've got an 11:30 ADR at Sanaa over at Kidani Village. Can't wait to eat there and check out Kidani. We could have stayed there, but I've always wanted to stay at Jambo House and wasn't going to miss the opportunity. Maybe someday. The afternoon will be spent getting to know our new animal friends and enjoying the pool area. We'll have some pre dinner cocktails at Victoria Falls before our 7:25 ADR at Jiko. Another restaurant we can't wait to try. :slurp: Anybody have suggestions on what to eat?
TUESDAY
Well we can't lounge the ENTIRE time. Today we'll explore some other resorts that we love in the World. We'll take an early bus to the Magic Kingdom and then the short Monorail ride over to the Contemporary. After exploring the new Bay Lake Tower, we'll have breakfast/lunch at the Wave. Our ADR is at 10:45, so I honestly don't know if breakfast or lunch will be served. :shrug: Anybody know? Then, instead of Monorailing it to the Poly or GF(we plan to visit these favorites on our May trip), we'll hop a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge. I love the Wilderness lodge! We'll wonder around and soak in the atmosphere, maybe have a drink at Trout Pass pool bar. We'll then take the walk over to Fort Wilderness. This is the only resort I've never visited and I look forward to seeing it. The initial plan was to arrive in the evening and do the Hoop-De-Doo Revue. But when I called for reservations, I was told it's not operating tonight or the next couple nights. The Cast member didn't know why. Oh well, another time. We'll explore FW and then take a boat back to MK to get a bus home to AKL. Probably have dinner at the Mara or maybe the pool bar. We'll see. This ends our busiest day on this trip.
WEDNESDAY
Start with a 9:15 ADR at Boma. We've been for dinner before, and looking forward to the breakfast options. Heard they're great. Plan to stuff myself! After breakfast, I'll hit the pool and Tracy will probably do some damage in the awesome gift shop. In past visits, looking at that shop, I knew my Disney Visa was in trouble if we ever stayed here. Oh well. Hope she shows a little control. We'll take an afternoon bus over to Winter Summerland next to Blizzard Beach and play some mini golf. I had to drag Tracy to Fantasia Gardens last year, but she ended up loving it. Now she thinks she's actually gonna beat me at Winter Summerland. Yeah right! :lol: After destroying her on the course, we'll hop a bus over to the Carribean Beach Resort. This is a special place for me! I stayed here my first visit to WDW 18 years ago and I haven't been back since. Can't wait to see it again! We've got a 6:15 ADR at Shutters. I know it's not considered one of the better resort restaurants, but I'm looking forward to trying it. Again, any suggestions? Afterwards, we'll have to connect buses at one of the parks for our return to AKL. Don't know how late the AKL pool is open, but this could be a good time for an evening dip.
THURSDAY
We'll spend a mellow morning at the resort before heading to Downtown Disney. The plan is to walk in to T-REX for lunch. Sounds like that shouldn't be a problem during the week. I'm a big Rainforest Cafe fan, and I'm sure T-REX will also become a favorite of mine. Afterwards, if the weather cooperates, we hope to go up in the Characters in Flight balloon. Tracy's not a huge fan of heights, but she's excited about this, so please Rain & Wind, stay away. Sounds like weather has been a problem for this attraction, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Afterwards, as usual in DTD, we'll do the shopping thing (World of Disney, Christmas store, ETC.) If Tracy didn't do mortal damage to the Disney Visa yesterday, she will today! Oh well, maybe I'll get a second job when I get home. Before leaving DTD, we'll grab some sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich for later. Those things are soooooooo good. Our studio will have a fridge, so we will keep em fresh for dinner later. This evening is opening night for the NFL season. Titans-Steelers at 8:30 PM. We both love football! In fact she's into it even more than I am! So we'll find a spot to watch it. Hopefully it's on at Victoria Falls. But we'll watch in the room if we have to. I'm a Niner fan, but tonight, GO TITANS!!!!
FRIDAY
Our last full day before heading to sea! I can't believe we haven't hit the parks! This will be another day of relaxation. We'll try breakfast at the Mara, and then probably do some laundry so we have clean clothes for the cruise. The pools will get hit for sure today, and we may even head over to Kidani's pool. Sounds like it's pretty nice. Dinner ADR is back over at Sanaa, 7:55 PM. I wanted to see how the evening atmosphere is. Plus I want to arrive early and grab a drink at their lounge. Pictures look cool on the web. Actually, I'm really expecting a lot from Sanaa. Could become a classic WDW restaurant. I'll spend plenty of time on the balcony throughout the trip and for sure tonight. Saying goodbye to my animal friends.
SATURDAY
Well, all good trips must end, at least we have a cruise to look forward to. Magical Express will whisk us away to the airport, and then it's a bus to Port Canaveral.
Well, sorry this was so long, I know it's RIDICULOUS:hammer:, especially for a PRE TRIP report. But that's our plan. Hopefully it won't drive me crazy not visiting the parks. But We'll be back to the World in May, and probably in full park commando mode(to make up for this trip).
Thanks for reading.
I can't believe we're actually gonna do this. But this September, my wife and I are gonna stay inside Disney World for 6 nights and NOT VISIT THE PARKS (not even the water parks). HAVE WE GONE NUTS????
The initial plan was to fly to Florida for a Carribean cruise to celebrate our anniversary of first getting together 10 years ago.(Although we didn't marry until a year ago February)
But then we thought " Why not stay at Disney World for a while before the cruise?, even though we already have a 10 night trip planned for May/June 2010"
Well, of course, this sounded great and we now have the Animal Kingdom Lodge booked for 6 nights, sunday 9/6 - saturday 9/12, before our 7 night Carnival Glory cruise out of Port Canaveral.
We figured since we know we'll be returning next May, this time around let's just relax and lounge around Disney World for the week. We've always enjoyed the pools, cocktail lounges, restaurants and resorts of the World, why not make a trip of it?
THE PLAYERS:
Myself - Jeff, 42 (Total Disney fanatic, been visiting WDW since '91 and DL since '71)
Wife - Tracy, 28 (Big Disney fan, not like me, but thinks WDW is best place on earth, first visited WDW in '02, DL since '85)
I know there's an age difference. But trust me, she's the mature one.
THE PLAN:
SUNDAY
Leave on American Airlines out of Palm Springs, connect through Dallas and arrive Orlando International at 5:30 PM local time. Magical Express to Animal Kingdom Lodge.We've visited AKL twice before, but this is our first time staying. :sohappy: SO EXCITED!! We used DVC points and got a Savanna view room. Before we even go to the room, we'll stop at Victoria Fall's lounge (Our favorite lounge in WDW) to celebrate our arrival. After checking out the room and saying "Hi" to our new animal neighbors, we'll head to the Mara for dinner. And then go back up and get some rest for the serious lounging ahead of us.
MONDAY
A total day of relaxation. We've got an 11:30 ADR at Sanaa over at Kidani Village. Can't wait to eat there and check out Kidani. We could have stayed there, but I've always wanted to stay at Jambo House and wasn't going to miss the opportunity. Maybe someday. The afternoon will be spent getting to know our new animal friends and enjoying the pool area. We'll have some pre dinner cocktails at Victoria Falls before our 7:25 ADR at Jiko. Another restaurant we can't wait to try. :slurp: Anybody have suggestions on what to eat?
TUESDAY
Well we can't lounge the ENTIRE time. Today we'll explore some other resorts that we love in the World. We'll take an early bus to the Magic Kingdom and then the short Monorail ride over to the Contemporary. After exploring the new Bay Lake Tower, we'll have breakfast/lunch at the Wave. Our ADR is at 10:45, so I honestly don't know if breakfast or lunch will be served. :shrug: Anybody know? Then, instead of Monorailing it to the Poly or GF(we plan to visit these favorites on our May trip), we'll hop a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge. I love the Wilderness lodge! We'll wonder around and soak in the atmosphere, maybe have a drink at Trout Pass pool bar. We'll then take the walk over to Fort Wilderness. This is the only resort I've never visited and I look forward to seeing it. The initial plan was to arrive in the evening and do the Hoop-De-Doo Revue. But when I called for reservations, I was told it's not operating tonight or the next couple nights. The Cast member didn't know why. Oh well, another time. We'll explore FW and then take a boat back to MK to get a bus home to AKL. Probably have dinner at the Mara or maybe the pool bar. We'll see. This ends our busiest day on this trip.
WEDNESDAY
Start with a 9:15 ADR at Boma. We've been for dinner before, and looking forward to the breakfast options. Heard they're great. Plan to stuff myself! After breakfast, I'll hit the pool and Tracy will probably do some damage in the awesome gift shop. In past visits, looking at that shop, I knew my Disney Visa was in trouble if we ever stayed here. Oh well. Hope she shows a little control. We'll take an afternoon bus over to Winter Summerland next to Blizzard Beach and play some mini golf. I had to drag Tracy to Fantasia Gardens last year, but she ended up loving it. Now she thinks she's actually gonna beat me at Winter Summerland. Yeah right! :lol: After destroying her on the course, we'll hop a bus over to the Carribean Beach Resort. This is a special place for me! I stayed here my first visit to WDW 18 years ago and I haven't been back since. Can't wait to see it again! We've got a 6:15 ADR at Shutters. I know it's not considered one of the better resort restaurants, but I'm looking forward to trying it. Again, any suggestions? Afterwards, we'll have to connect buses at one of the parks for our return to AKL. Don't know how late the AKL pool is open, but this could be a good time for an evening dip.
THURSDAY
We'll spend a mellow morning at the resort before heading to Downtown Disney. The plan is to walk in to T-REX for lunch. Sounds like that shouldn't be a problem during the week. I'm a big Rainforest Cafe fan, and I'm sure T-REX will also become a favorite of mine. Afterwards, if the weather cooperates, we hope to go up in the Characters in Flight balloon. Tracy's not a huge fan of heights, but she's excited about this, so please Rain & Wind, stay away. Sounds like weather has been a problem for this attraction, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Afterwards, as usual in DTD, we'll do the shopping thing (World of Disney, Christmas store, ETC.) If Tracy didn't do mortal damage to the Disney Visa yesterday, she will today! Oh well, maybe I'll get a second job when I get home. Before leaving DTD, we'll grab some sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich for later. Those things are soooooooo good. Our studio will have a fridge, so we will keep em fresh for dinner later. This evening is opening night for the NFL season. Titans-Steelers at 8:30 PM. We both love football! In fact she's into it even more than I am! So we'll find a spot to watch it. Hopefully it's on at Victoria Falls. But we'll watch in the room if we have to. I'm a Niner fan, but tonight, GO TITANS!!!!
FRIDAY
Our last full day before heading to sea! I can't believe we haven't hit the parks! This will be another day of relaxation. We'll try breakfast at the Mara, and then probably do some laundry so we have clean clothes for the cruise. The pools will get hit for sure today, and we may even head over to Kidani's pool. Sounds like it's pretty nice. Dinner ADR is back over at Sanaa, 7:55 PM. I wanted to see how the evening atmosphere is. Plus I want to arrive early and grab a drink at their lounge. Pictures look cool on the web. Actually, I'm really expecting a lot from Sanaa. Could become a classic WDW restaurant. I'll spend plenty of time on the balcony throughout the trip and for sure tonight. Saying goodbye to my animal friends.
SATURDAY
Well, all good trips must end, at least we have a cruise to look forward to. Magical Express will whisk us away to the airport, and then it's a bus to Port Canaveral.
Well, sorry this was so long, I know it's RIDICULOUS:hammer:, especially for a PRE TRIP report. But that's our plan. Hopefully it won't drive me crazy not visiting the parks. But We'll be back to the World in May, and probably in full park commando mode(to make up for this trip).
Thanks for reading.
