Pre-Trip You're going again? You're CRAZY!!

As the title suggests, I just might be a little crazy. After a wonderful 10 day Disney vacation last July, it is time to go back. It wasn't enough, I want more! Every time I mention to a family member or a friend that I am returning to my home, they think I'm nuts! (I might be, but that's a different story!) I figured the best place for people to share my sentiments and excitement would be here... 148 days until Disney!!!

I am returning with my best friend, she's the brunette. I'm the blonde. We survived our last vacation without one single fight.. okay MAYBE I sang "IMAGINATIONNNNNNNN" one too many times.. but we came away from our trip closer than ever. Why not do it again? We're young and we are living for the moment. My Disney Visa may be maxed out at the current moment, but I have 125 reward dollars to spend! It's the little things.



We are going the last week of June, staying at Art of Animation for three nights and then taking a DISNEY CRUISE! Going on the Disney Dream for four nights. Yippee! I've never done a cruise, ever. My only experience with ships is from the movie Titanic. Here's hoping there's no icebergs in the Bahamas.

Below is our itinerary.. I would love feedback and suggestions on what to do and how we can make this trip just as special as last time! I'm hoping to try the cupcake challenge again.. since I only have 3 days of eating cupcakes I hope I can succeed.


Day One:

We land in Orlando around 9:30 AM. Figured we would head to the resort AoA for brunch in the food court, check out our new digs if the room is ready, and then it's off to Hollywood Studios.

We plan to do a full day at the park and then head over for dinner at Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge. We both have never eaten here. I am excited! The only "must do" we have is to head over to the Animation Academy and draw something! We had such a blast last time, even if I am a terrible artist!





Day Two:

We want get up early and make it to the park opening of Epcot. Do some attractions in Future World, then head over to the World Showcase as soon as it opens. I tried drinking around the world last visit and didn't succeed, so I want to try again! We also want to spend more time just wandering the countries, and I need to get ice cream from Glaces!





Lunch.. we are not sure. Any counter service suggestions?

Dinner: Biergarten.. again another first for us! I keep reading good things on the forums about this restaurant.. let's hope they are true! It took some heavy convincing for my friend to agree to eat here. She wanted to do Chefs de France again, but I kept arguing that we just did it last trip! It may have been one of the best meals I ate in those 10 days, but I want to try new things!! Who's with me!

Day Three:

Wake up early and make it to rope drop at Magic Kingdom! This trip consists of a lot of waking up early in the beginning, but we hope once we get on the cruise we can relax. The parks are GO GO GO! I'm hoping the Mine Train is open in June (geesh, it better be!) and I'm excited for the new parade. Other than that, we will most likely do whatever we can, we spent a majority of our last trip in the MK so if we miss something this time it will not be a big deal.

Lunch... not sure? What are your favorite counter service restaurants?

Dinner: Tony's.. a first for me. My friend raves about this place and since I got to pick our Epcot dinner, she got to pick our MK one. I love Italian food so I'm sure I'll love Tony's! For the life of me, I cannot think of where Tony's is on Main St.. and I feel like I know that street like the back of my hand!



I feel like it will be weird going to MK on the last day, usually it's the first day for every trip! I guess the anticipation will make it even more worth the wait. How do you guys decide the order of the parks? It's such a tough decision!
Day Four-Eight:

Getting picked up and taken to Port Canaveral and boarding the Disney Dream. Here's where I don't know what do with myself because I don't know how to plan the cruise!

We will be staying on deck 6 and have the later dining rotation. Besides that, that's all I know! Here's hoping I love it out at sea! We paid a little more for a porthole.. hoping a window helps us if we feel confined!



This was the itinerary given for on-board:

Day 1. Port Canaveral, Florida on board 3:45 p.m.
Day 2. Nassau 9:30 AM until 5:45 PM
Day 3. Castaway Cay 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM
Day 4. At Sea
Day 5. Port Canaveral, Florida 7:30 AM

Any tips for first time cruisers? I read on here somewhere to take the mixology course offered.

Thanks for sticking with me this far! Just got so excited that I had to make a pre-trip report. I love reading everyone's reports.. and getting insight and ideas for my own trip. Love this forum so much!

 

[cmon71]

Your last TR was beyond great...really looking forward to reading your next one!!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Your last TR was beyond great...really looking forward to reading your next one!!

Thank you so much!

Currently hoping and praying NJ doesn't get any more snow on weekdays! My friend who I am traveling with is a teacher and now has a tentative last day of June 24th! If she has more snow days, they are tacked on to the end. Ahhh.. we are supposed to leave on the 26th! HOPING and praying that we can keep our dates. I will honestly cry my eyes out if I have to reschedule. I may be being a bit dramatic, but I can't bear to see my countdown days increase! It's my trip and I can cry if I want too! Haha... staying positive and hoping for some pixie dust!

Stupid groundhog predicting more winter.. so rude!!! Haha!

 

[cmon71]

Thank you so much!

Currently hoping and praying NJ doesn't get any more snow on weekdays! My friend who I am traveling with is a teacher and now has a tentative last day of June 24th! If she has more snow days, they are tacked on to the end. Ahhh.. we are supposed to leave on the 26th! HOPING and praying that we can keep our dates. I will honestly cry my eyes out if I have to reschedule. I may be being a bit dramatic, but I can't bear to see my countdown days increase! It's my trip and I can cry if I want too! Haha... staying positive and hoping for some pixie dust!

Stupid groundhog predicting more winter.. so rude!!! Haha!

HA...I hear ya on that! I live in DE and have had enough of the snow and cold for a while to say the least! I think you will be ok though since the worst should be over for this winter...famous last words lol

 

[stevehousse]

Where do u gurls live? In my town, they actually have days off that they use as back up snow days throughout the year so that doesn't happen. My sisters school already used MLK day for one of their back ups so school was actually in session that day. I believe they have had 4 days of no school due to weather, so they just have 3 extra days at the end if the year so far. I imagine if they get anymore snow days, another back up day will b used...

 

[prfctlyximprct]

HA...I hear ya on that! I live in DE and have had enough of the snow and cold for a while to say the least! I think you will be ok though since the worst should be over for this winter...famous last words lol

Gosh, I hope you are right! I have been checking the weather like a crazy person.

Where do u gurls live? In my town, they actually have days off that they use as back up snow days throughout the year so that doesn't happen. My sisters school already used MLK day for one of their back ups so school was actually in session that day. I believe they have had 4 days of no school due to weather, so they just have 3 extra days at the end if the year so far. I imagine if they get anymore snow days, another back up day will b used...

North Jersey. My friend's superintendent said teachers are under contract until June 30th so school could go until then if necessary. I thought with graduation and summer school dates already set that we would be OKAY. She has 3 days built in for snowdays, and they have added 3 to the end of the year already. I really hope they take away from breaks instead of adding on. I have been freaking out but keep telling myself there is nothing I can do!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Look what came!!!

 

[Andrew C]

View attachment 45844

Look what came!!!

Woo! DCL is the way to go!

 

[TheMouseFan]

View attachment 45844

Look what came!!!

Did you have to order that? I didn't get one for our June cruise!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Did you have to order that? I didn't get one for our June cruise!

No! Maybe you will get one soon! It says all about being a first time cruiser.. Have you been on a Disney cruise before?

 

[Andrew C]

Did you have to order that? I didn't get one for our June cruise!

Everyone gets one a few months before their cruise, whether it is their first or not.

 

[TheMouseFan]

No! Maybe you will get one soon! It says all about being a first time cruiser.. Have you been on a Disney cruise before?

No, we've never been on a Disney cruise before.

Everyone gets one a few months before their cruise, whether it is their first or not.

I just knew her cruise is after our cruise, so I thought it may have been something different that she requested.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Another snow storm predicted for new jersey later this week.. everyone send pixie dust my way!! I do not want to reschedule!!!

 

[LisaBelle]

Keeping my fingers crossed that your friend won't have any more snow days to make up! I am a teacher in Cincinnati and we have to make up 2 snow days. Way fewer days than lots of people I know, but we rarely (if ever) use all of our snow days so this has been unbelievable.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Keeping my fingers crossed that your friend won't have any more snow days to make up! I am a teacher in Cincinnati and we have to make up 2 snow days. Way fewer days than lots of people I know, but we rarely (if ever) use all of our snow days so this has been unbelievable.

Unfortunately we are getting two feet of snow dumped on us tonight which will force us to postpone our trip until August. My friend had a faculty meeting where all teachers were informed they are under contract until June 30th and school will be in session until then since we are having so much snow. UGHHHHHHHH

 

[LisaBelle]

Unfortunately we are getting two feet of snow dumped on us tonight which will force us to postpone our trip until August. My friend had a faculty meeting where all teachers were informed they are under contract until June 30th and school will be in session until then since we are having so much snow. UGHHHHHHHH

Nooooooooo! So sad that Mother Nature is not cooperating with your trip plans. Keep us posted on your August plans.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Nooooooooo! So sad that Mother Nature is not cooperating with your trip plans. Keep us posted on your August plans.

Will do! Got about 12 inches today of snow, now it's sleeting and then supposed to get 8 more inches of snow over night. I swear this winter has been pretty brutal! I do think the snow is gorgeous, just hate when it pushed my Disney plans back! My friend and I are hoping to get together tomorrow and change everything, as my pin code expires on the 15th. When it's all squared away I'll post an update! Can't wait to have it fixed, it's legit giving me anxiety!!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

New Pre-trip Report!

After waking up yesterday to this:



I knew for sure our trip had to be postponed. After getting over my initial Disney blues, I began to feel optimistic. I have a longer countdown, but so what! It's just something more to look forward too! More days of obsessing, stalking these forums, and changing plans. It's all good!

After 4 calls to Disney, cringing at the fact that there's a 200 dollar per person airline rescheduling fee, and a few glasses of wine, my new trip is booked! And I personally think it's better than before!

Here's the new itinerary:

Aug 17-21 Disney World
Aug 21-24 Disney Dream cruise
Aug 17th-

Fly out at 7:40 AM get to Disney World around 10:30-11. Check into WILDERNESS LODGE!!! We upgraded! Man it's nice to have a pin code! It expired tomorrow, so it was meant to be. We were given a woods view, hope this is good! I have never stayed at a deluxe resort, and with 35% off it just makes sense. Why not go all the way? You only live once. And @jlsHouston convinced me! This resort change it all thanks to you

We are going to go to Hollywood Studios the first day. We plan to eat lunch at the character buffet Hollywood and Vine. This will be a first for me, but my friend has eaten here before and really enjoyed it. It's a buffet, and I know we'll be starved after traveling. Plan to stay at the park most of the day then head to the resort to lay by the pool, relax, maybe catch the Electrical Water Pageant. We will probably eat at Roaring Forks for dinner, the resort's quick service. Bed hopefully early, but who knows!



Aug 18th-

Get up early and make it to MK rope drop! Love that we can just take a boat right over! Spend the day in the most magical place on earth. Maybe do Be Our Guest for Lunch? Not sure.. what do you guys think? Head back to the resort in the evening for pool time and dinner at Whispering Canyon.


Aug 19th-

Up early again for Epcot. Want to still do future world in the morning, then head to the countries when they open. I must make it drinking around the world! Not sure where to eat for lunch this day..hmmm? Dinner still at Biergarten. Stay at Epcot all day, head back to the resort after Illuminations.



Aug 20th-

Thinking of sleeping in, spending time at the pool, maybe head over to DTD and try to ride the characters in flight balloon. If you read my trip report, you'll know we never got to last time! I guess it all depends on the weather. We really want to designate this as a "chill day". Not sure where we will eat lunch, maybe the resort again? Last vacation we ran around like crazy people, park hopped, and ate at a lot of the resorts. We are vowing to try and take this trip at a slower place. We shall see!

Want to head to MK at night for dinner at Tony's and a few rides and Wishes. We both feel this will be the perfect way to end our park days. Back to WL to pack and get ready for the Dream!!



Aug 21-

Get picked up bright and early and head to the port. Disney Dream here we come!! We still have the late dining on the cruise and are guaranteed the same type of room (deluxe family oceanview stateroom) but they won't give us our room number until we board. Is this normal? They said we may even be upgraded.. we can dream!!

Aug 22-

Nassau, Bahamas
Aug 23-

Castaway Cay

Aug 24-

Back to port, then home. Our flight's not til 7:30 at night, but they told us to book something after 1:30 to be safe. Guess the Orlando airport and I will become reacquainted!

Even though our cruise is one night shorter, we don't think we will miss out on too much. This is both of our first cruise, so we had originally wanted to a try a 3 night in the first place. Let's HOPE there are no hurricanes this summer. And no rain this go around! Please!!
Disney Gods, are you listening?

Thanks for reading through this all again.. hopefully the second times a charm! Please critique anything we have planned, I love hearing all your suggestions. Thanks for helping me through my snowy depression.

 

[jlsHouston]

OMG I can't even imagine that kind of snow. But I did have 2 drivers southbound on 81 Wednesday sending me pics from mm 143 in VA and I was texting them to hit the truckstop and wait that crap out.
So an August trip to WDW is wonderful. Your dates will put you visiting when the summer crowds are reduced and you have a wonderful itinerary planned for your days on property.
I had a great salad with walnuts and feta and I can't remember what all they tossed in it one night for dinner from Roaring Forks. Of course the pizza flatbread is a favorite with my bunch...they could eat pizza every day I think
I think I read somewhere that the Territory Lounge at WL has a cheese fondue. I am definitely buying a bottle of wine and ordering this fondue in a couple of weeks. I may put the kiddos in the Kids Club for a couple of hours the evening I do so they can eat nuggets and do crafts and play and I can chill and dip and sip!
I am really excited for you guys and I may be staying across the lake from y'all some of those very same dates because I have until tomorrow to use that Pin Code and I am seriously thinking the discount at the GF is too good to pass up. Plus my niece is tentatively setting a wedding date for the first weekend in August so it looks like I have to push my usual late July/early Aug summer vacation dates out if I don't want to miss her I do's.
I agree some things are just meant to be.
Sounds like you girls are going to have another awesome Disney vacation!

 

[prfctlyximprct]

OMG I can't even imagine that kind of snow. But I did have 2 drivers southbound on 81 Wednesday sending me pics from mm 143 in VA and I was texting them to hit the truckstop and wait that crap out.
So an August trip to WDW is wonderful. Your dates will put you visiting when the summer crowds are reduced and you have a wonderful itinerary planned for your days on property.
I had a great salad with walnuts and feta and I can't remember what all they tossed in it one night for dinner from Roaring Forks. Of course the pizza flatbread is a favorite with my bunch...they could eat pizza every day I think
I think I read somewhere that the Territory Lounge at WL has a cheese fondue. I am definitely buying a bottle of wine and ordering this fondue in a couple of weeks. I may put the kiddos in the Kids Club for a couple of hours the evening I do so they can eat nuggets and do crafts and play and I can chill and dip and sip!
I am really excited for you guys and I may be staying across the lake from y'all some of those very same dates because I have until tomorrow to use that Pin Code and I am seriously thinking the discount at the GF is too good to pass up. Plus my niece is tentatively setting a wedding date for the first weekend in August so it looks like I have to push my usual late July/early Aug summer vacation dates out if I don't want to miss her I do's.
I agree some things are just meant to be.
Sounds like you girls are going to have another awesome Disney vacation!

The snow has been crazy this winter. It is currently snowing, AGAIN.

I'm excited to be going in August, July we dealt with a lot of the tour groups, I hope they aren't there this go-around. And Roaring Forks sounds amazing. Been looking at the menu now that you told me some offerings!

Can't wait to try the Territory Lounge. I loved the bar at Polynesian, and I'll bet I'll love this one just as much. Hope you get to use your pin code! Good luck!!

 

[LisaBelle]

So excited that you are staying at the Wilderness Lodge! We've stayed there 3 times. LOVE being able to take the boat to MK. Roaring Fork is great. Love the Mickey waffles with strawberries and also the flatbread pizzas. We've had a woods view on 2 of our visits & we were able to see Wishes from our balcony. Of course that all depends on which side of the lodge you are in, but it was fun. The pool & poolside bar are nice. Try the drink that is a piña colada with raspberry mixed in (Can't remember the name, but it is yummy). They show movies on the beach & the water pageant is a fun experience. Your new plans look great. Glad you got to use your pin code & keep some dinner plans.