Pre-Trip The "I NEED HELP" Pre-Pre-Trip Report

Okay.
Deep breaths, Nicole.

Inhale, exhale.

Hello, friends. I am Nicole, and I need HELP. After my whining, and begging, and downright temper tantrum-ing, I have finally gotten my boyfriend to agree to a Disney trip! It has been FIVE years since we went to Disney together, and one whole whopping longgggggg 2015 of no Disney for me. But it's a new year... it's 2016, and this little princess is getting her behind to Disney. :)

So, I am thinking of booking Disney from Friday, November 4th to Sunday, November 13th. My birthday is the 5th, and I REALLY want to wake up in the world. I know it's a little bit more expensive to fly out Friday afternoon and pay for an extra night, but I don't think there is any monetary amount that can compare to waking up in Disney on your birthday.

Now here's where you guys come in.

Should I stay at a Value Resort (thinking Art of Animation) or should a spend about 600 bucks more and stay at Port Orleans Riverside?

I really want to go to Universal (don't throw things at me) because I have never been! Do you think 6 days Disney and 2-3 days Universal for a first timer would be appropriate?

Should I book now (please say yes) or should I wait until like 6 months prior which would bring me to the end of April...I know NOTHING about how airline flights work and I've been checking every day on the Disney website. It does seem like Tuesday is the cheapest day for flights for some reason, no clue why!

So my dear fellow Disney obsessed friends, please help me. I will be forever and ever grateful.


DSC00471 by nicole tiffany
 
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prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
dancingtodisney said:
HEY!!

Have you thought about BOG for breakfast on your birthday? I know you said you don't each much at breakfast but it's quite light AND you can make a reservation that gets you early entry so you get the empty MK photoshoot!

As for your dinners, I loved Cali I'm so glad you're going! I preferred narcoossee's to le cellier and if you're looking for another signature I'd highly recommend it and to get the surf and turf!

For another regular credit I would recommend Raglan Road and not just because I'm Irish! I can't remember from your TR's if you've been before but the food is great and the entertainment is so good too. Sanaa was one of my favourites from last trip!
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Thank you for all your suggestions!!! I have heard such great things about narcoossee's but I am not really a seafood eater so I don't know if it's worth it! I am so excited for Cali, gonna try to watch Holiday Wishes up there! AHHHHHHHHHH!! :)
 
Dubman

Dubman

Well-Known Member
Don't you just love the planning stages? It makes it all so much more exciting!! We are going the same week but we arrive on Saturday and are staying at Pop.. I tried to reserve a studio at Boardwalk through David's DVC Rentals but they don't have any availability. Only thing we are waiting to book is airfare. Southwest is extending their schedule through the beginning of January 2017 on May 19th, and I have heard they open the flights around 6:00am eastern time, so if you still need airfare and fly Southwest you should mark that date. Can't wait to get back to Food & Wine Festival, and the time frame we are going is perfect! You get to enjoy food and wine, then watch the parks transform for the Holidays! Very sad that the Osborne Lights are going to be gone this year.. :( Veterans day is the 11th, so expect the second weekend to be more crowded then the first, although Epcot will be packed the first weekend because of the Wine & Dine Marathon. We try to avoid weekends at the Food & Wine Fest because of crowds anyways. I think you should definitely include Universal in your plans. We did that on our trip this past December, and we used Uber for transportation back and forth to Pop Century for 3 days(had park hopper tickets which is a must for taking the train between parks). They pick you up right at the hotel entrance and drop you off very close to the entrance of Universal. Also used Uber to get from Wilderness Lodge(Whispering Canyon Dinner which should not be missed) back to Pop. Saved a ton of time, instead of transferring back to Magic Kingdom to catch bus to Pop, and was only $10.00 plus 2.00 tip. Well worth not having to wait at the end of a long day, especially with a tired 9 year old! lol Every time we requested a ride we only waited 10 minutes tops for a vehicle to come. Only a few days left till the window opens for dining reservations also.. (180 days out) Even though we just went a few months ago, I am already looking forward to the new things that will be open in November.. The new Soarin', Frozen, night show at Animal Kingdom just to name a few.. :)

Enjoy the planning!!!


One more thing on the Resort choice.. We have always wanted to stay at one of the Port Orleans Resorts, but our budget has only allowed us to stay in Value resorts. We try to go to Disney once a year, so this allows us to save money to be able to do that. If you are going every few years or so then maybe it would be worth it to you to stay at a Moderate Resort. We spend so little time in the room (to sleep) so we don't feel like we are missing out on anything.
 
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prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Dubman said:
Don't you just love the planning stages? It makes it all so much more exciting!! We are going the same week but we arrive on Saturday and are staying at Pop.. I tried to reserve a studio at Boardwalk through David's DVC Rentals but they don't have any availability. Only thing we are waiting to book is airfare. Southwest is extended their schedule through the beginning of January 2017 on May 19th, and I have heard they open the flights around 6:00am eastern time, so if you still need airfare and fly Southwest you should mark that date. Can't wait to get back to Food & Wine Festival, and the time frame we are going is perfect! You get to enjoy food and wine, then watch the parks transform for the Holidays! Very sad that the Osborne Lights are going to be gone this year.. :( Veterans day is the 11th, so expect the second weekend to be more crowded then the first, although Epcot will be packed the first weekend because of the Wine & Dine Marathon. We try to avoid weekends at the Food & Wine Fest because of crowds anyways. I think you should definitely include Universal in your plans. We did that on our trip this past December, and we used Uber for transportation back and forth to Pop Century for 3 days(had park hopper tickets which is a must for taking the train between parks). They pick you up right at the hotel entrance and drop you off very close to the entrance of Universal. Also used Uber to get from Wilderness Lodge(Whispering Canyon Dinner which should not be missed) back to Pop. Saved a ton of time, instead of transferring back to Magic Kingdom to catch bus to Pop, and was only $10.00 plus 2.00 tip. Well worth not having to wait at the end of a long day, especially with a tired 9 year old! lol Every time we requested a ride we only waited 10 minutes tops for a vehicle to come. Only a few days left till the window opens for dining reservations also.. (180 days out) Even though we just went a few months ago, I am already looking forward to the new things that will be open in November.. The new Soarin', Frozen, night show at Animal Kingdom just to name a few.. :)

Enjoy the planning!!!


One more thing on the Resort choice.. We have always wanted to stay at one of the Port Orleans Resorts, but our budget has only allowed us to stay in Value resorts. We try to go to Disney once a year, so this allows us to save money to be able to do that. If you are going every few years or so then maybe it would be worth it to you to stay at a Moderate Resort. We spend so little time in the room (to sleep) so we don't feel like we are missing out on anything.
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Enjoy your planning too! I think this is one of the reasons I absolutely love Disney trips! THE PLANNING. :) There are so many options to choose from and you can really cater your vacation to your preferences! Whether you want to eat at fancy restaurants, sleep in, have more resort time, go here this day and there that day... there are just so many options! I am currently struggling with the abundance of options that I have! LOL!

Trying to do 2 days at Uni and I don't know where to fit them in! I have two days mapped out so far, that is if I get the restaurants I want on that day. I think next week I will be a much less stressed Disney princess.

Good luck on booking your flights! I booked mine already way back when, so now I am just on the lookout for Christmas party tickets. Which reminds me, what night can I fit in the party....

Back to the drawing board :p

See U there~!!
 
MinnieM123

MinnieM123

Premium Member
I've been enjoying your planning journey now for quite some time. It's very cheerful reading, even if it's not my trip. ;)

Speaking of trips, I'm going to WDW a week from tomorrow (for 4 days) and I'm psyched, too. (I don't do any planning, other than buy my plane ticket and reserve my hotel ahead of time.) But I still have fun "on the fly" when I visit once a year down there, and just seeing what new adventures await me each day! :)
 
prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
MinnieM123 said:
I've been enjoying your planning journey now for quite some time. It's very cheerful reading, even if it's not my trip. ;)

Speaking of trips, I'm going to WDW a week from tomorrow (for 4 days) and I'm psyched, too. (I don't do any planning, other than buy my plane ticket and reserve my hotel ahead of time.) But I still have fun "on the fly" when I visit once a year down there, and just seeing what new adventures await me each day! :)
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Oh my goodness! Doing the happy dance for you! Enjoy your trip!!! I am so in awe of people who do Disney with such spontaneity... One day I vow to take a trip like that! Have the most magical time! :) I hope you have extra pixie dust thrown your way :)
 
prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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Checked out the Pixar exhibit today at the Franklin Institute with an old friend! :)

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