The official pre-trip report

[Dawn]

This is the official pre-trip report that now supercedes any other pre-trip thing I may have written in a previous year during which I did not go to Disney World.

So...

We have a villa, flights, and car rental already sorted.

And now...


*drum roll*


We have Disney tickets. :mental:

Just spoke to a lovely CM named Mary who was very helpful and sorted out 14 Ultimate passes for us. She also told me all about how I should book restaurants in advance and then made a note on the booking that Auntie Jo is a first time visitor and told me all about where to get a special button for her in the parks.

I spoke to a real CM :mental:

[Johnie]

Woohoo!!!!

[Ursula]

OMG! Whoooooooooooop! I love talking to real CM's! Did you shut your eyes and feel as though you were right there?!

[uscwest]

Wow, a real CM. Congratulations Dawn.

[Tink]

Ah yes. You'll have to get the first visit button for Auntie Jo for sure!!!

[daveann]

now have you got a note book and written down all you reservation codes :)
time to get organised miss dawn :)

[Skywatcher]

So.. is it any more real yet?

Well it will be when the envelope comes with the ears on it - that one of the reasons I love buying from Disney direct - sad I know but there you have it :D

[Dawn]

I have the confirmation email with the code and the bit I need to print and take with me to exchange for the passes. I presume that's at any park? It will be Magic Kingdom though. :mental:

[Skywatcher]

:D

oh and :mental:

[Dawn]

41 days until restaurant booking. :D

Ohohohohohoh and must not forget Dine with Shamu. :mental:

[Skywatcher]

:mental:

[Debbie2]

Great deal on the tickets, Dawn :)

[Ursula]

Ooh you get BLUE jelly if you dine with Shamu! I get mine from WalMarts!

[Dawn]

How far out can I book Dine with Shamu? :unsure:

[Dizneyblonde]

When we went last August we were able to book it in March.

[Dawn]

Ooooh thanks, will make a note of that in my new MICKEY MOUSE TRIP PLANNING NOTEBOOK!! :mental:

[Jazmine]

Great deal on the tickets, Dawn :)

Dawn can you share details of ticket deal pleasssse :wave:
Jacqui :hug2: xxxx

[Mari]

woohoo!!!!

we got one of those buttons for Tatiana.. of course she decided it was good enough to EAT! hahahahaha

[Shellyamc]

:mental:

You are really going!!!

[Dawn]

Dawn can you share details of ticket deal pleasssse :wave:
Jacqui :hug2: xxxx

If you look on the first page of the thread Skywatcher posted the link. 14 day ultimate passes for the price of 7 day premiums. Book before end of March this year and use before 31 December this year. :D

[simonwebb74]

Book your Dine with Shamu tickets as soon as they become available (I checked the site daily!!)

The tables are allocated on a first booked first served basis, so the earlier you book the better chane you have of getting a pool side table..

Here is the link

SeaWorld Orlando - Book Dining Now (http://commerce.4adventure.com/EStore/Scripts/Skins/SWF/DiningBookNow.aspx)

[Tinkfan]

41 days until restaurant booking. :D

Ohohohohohoh and must not forget Dine with Shamu. :mental:

So where are you staying and what are your dining plans? 100 days for us!! Celebrating Kevins first trip and slightly early for Ty's 13th birthday!!!:yes:

[Dawn]

We're renting a villa and will eat offsite a lot. We want to book if we can...

Chef Mickey's breakfast
50s Prime Time
Teppan Edo

And somewhere for the last night - toss up between 1900 Park Fare and Cape May at the moment. I'd like to try Cape May but last trip we had our last night meal at 1900 Park Fare and it was awesome so kind of being drawn back that way. :D

[Tinkfan]

Oooh, sounds good! We booked Chef Mickeys and 50's Prime time as well. Tried to get Teppan Edo and Le Cellier but no luck! I'm always torn between staying on or off site. I don't like to drive in Orlando, too busy for me!! Sorry Tink!! But the appeal of having more room and some privacy is also good. Which do you prefer?

[Dawn]

Never done a villa before. Looking forward to the extra space. Two weeks in one room with a 7 year old boy would drive me insane I think. :mental: Be nice to have our own laundry facilities and our own pool too. I love driving around Orlando - it's part of the adventure for us. I rarely drink alcohol so it's not a big deal for me.

[Skywatcher]

:lol: thatwhy we love the villa holidays in Europe you get the extra room - kids can go to bed at a different time and we don't end up having to read in the bath or sat on the loo :lol:, also to makethe odd meal for yourself can help bring a little normality to the old digestive tract ;)

[Tinkfan]

Isn't it funny how vacation food can get old quick! Also it's not alcohol that makes it tricky for me to drive! I have trouble with motion. I don't even drive the thruway at home!

[Dawn]

Disney kid's menus get old for us straight away so we need to get to places where the boy can have proper food instead of hot dogs and chicken strips. :D

[Disneybumble]

We have loved having the space and freedom of a villa. I am sure you wont be disapointed Dawn. And Dine with Shamu was a great experience. We booked as soon as our date became available, That way you get a table at the front,as it's/or was on a first come basis.

[Dawn]

School is closed again tomorrow so I may start work on an itinerary. :D

[Tink]

I'm sure the villa will be perfect for you Dawn. :yes: It does get old, really fast sharing one room with anyone!

If you want any help with deciding where to eat, just put up your plans for meals and I'll jump right in! :D

I do prefer to prepare our own meals from time to time, regardless of where we are vacationing. Keeps the beasties away, you know?

I cannot wait to return to Ireland. We want to rent a cottage particularly so we can cook! Let me AT that beautiful butter, those mussels and oysters, and well you know... :D :D

[Tinkfan]

:wave: When are you going Tink? I envy you, our trip to Ireland and the UK has been put off again due to our last sons (besides Tyler) wedding in October, we will be visiting Bermuda instead!!! Could be worse, we've never been to Bermuda either! Do you have any details to share?

[Tink]

We are hoping to go again this September.

What sort of details? I'll be happy to share anything you'd like to know about Ireland (that I know, I mean :lol: )!

I lived on Bermuda for a year or so, by the way. Ages ago, but still... I don't recall liking it too much and after visiting Florida thinking, I'd rather go to Florida than return to Bermuda! :lol:

It's a small and expensive place.

[Dawn]

How did my WDW pre-trip report get on to Bermuda and Ireland? :rotfl:

[MystikPiglit]

Is the itinerary ready? :D

[Dawn]

Still waiting on Shamu to get his act together.:lol:

[MystikPiglit]

I hope you have a big Mickey folder waiting to put all of your print-outs and documents in. :mickeybounce:

[Dawn]

And a Wall E planning notebook and 2 - yes 2 - Mickey notebooks for trip report notes. :mentalL

[MystikPiglit]

:thumbsup: Woohoo! :D

[Tinkfan]

=Dawn;184909]How did my WDW pre-trip report get on to Bermuda and Ireland? :rotfl:[/quote]

:surrender: Sorry!:yes:

[Tinkfan]

We are hoping to go again this September.

What sort of details? I'll be happy to share anything you'd like to know about Ireland (that I know, I mean :lol: )!

I lived on Bermuda for a year or so, by the way. Ages ago, but still... I don't recall liking it too much and after visiting Florida thinking, I'd rather go to Florida than return to Bermuda! :lol:

It's a small and expensive place.

We will be there for the wedding, I don't imagine we will be there longer than 5 days, but there is the wedding to pay for, hence no trip to UK!! How old were you when you lived there?

[Tink]

Bermuda? I was a young adult. :yes: Very young! :lol:

[Dawn]

OK itinerary so far....

Friday 13 th August (Friday 13th:eek: )

Drive to hotel - as yet undecided - we normally do Gatwick Hilton but are looking elsewhere this time for somewhere cheaper. Probably further out and use their shuttle service. Like the idea of meet and greet parking too. Hopefully will have done online check in by now. If not drive to airport for twilight check in. Dinner somewhere. Vain effort to sleep. :mental:

Saturday 14th August

Throw last things in car. Say goodbye to car for 2 weeks. Fly!!!! :mental:
Have car with Budget this time. Drive to villa. Pop to Publix for dinner/essentials for morning. Throw self fully clothed into pool. :mental:

Sunday 15th August

Always have breakfast at Perkins on first morning. Then it's time for.....WALMART!! :mental: Has to be done and once it's done then that's it. Head to Downtown Disney after that until one of us starts to flag. Planning House of Blues for food as fed up of rubbish service in Rainforest Cafe.

Monday 16th August

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's :mental:

Magic Kingdom :mental: :mental: :mental: :mental:

[Dizneyblonde]

You forgot the bit where i phone you while you are queuing for breakfast at MacDonalds at Gatwick and cry cos i'm all excited for you!

[daveann]

dawn we stayed at the best western just off the airport about 2 miles to terminal it was cheap and very comfy and then used the parking plus at the airport check out holiday extras they usually have decent prices on there also it was easy to find.
have stayed at the hilton also and really liked it but as the monorail isnt working its not got such a pull :)

[Dawn]

*puts Best Western on list to check out*

Teresa there is no way I would be queuing in McD's for breakfast. But you can phone me and cry if you want. No doubt I'll give you a little sob back. :D

[Ursula]

Those tickets?.... can you use them on the 31st December too?

[Tinkfan]

Are the prices at WalMart that much cheaper for staples? What about the rest of the outlet shopping? I've always been curious at the price difference. We had close friends from Canada that used to love to shop here and would come down twice a year just for sneakers!!!

[Tink]

No, Sister Tinkfan, the prices at the Walmarts that surround Disney are not cheaper than other shops, or even Walmarts that are further away. Like a true capitalist venture, Walmart prices things for the area, and not based on what they "need" to make a profit.

We just spent all of Saturday :( going from shop to shop looking for a suitcase (needed a larger one) for me, and an electric toothbrush (the travel one I have doesn't work so well). We learned exactly what I suspected, the outlets are NOT less expensive, and often (quite a bit) more expensive.

The draw of course, is that all of those shops are in one place and if you don't have transport, it's not expedient for you to go from shop to shop comparison buying.

We also learned that those off market places, like Marshall's are not less expensive than department stores (like Macy's, Dillard's, Bloomingdale's, etc.) particularly when a sale is going on.

So, all that to say, shop where you please and where it is most convenient! It probably all works out the same in the end, anyway! :shrug:

[Tinkfan]

Hey Tink, Are you home or away? Actually I meant was WalMart cheaper for Dawn!!!! I never finf the Orlando outlets cheaper!! I do have good luck with Marshall's however. At least here. This Christmas picked up 4 winter coats for the kids, Tylers was clearenced out at $24.oo, I had seen it in the ski shop for $165.!! Different color same jacket! and 3 Weather Tamer and Osh Gosh for a mere $14. each :yes: Is it any warmer?

[MystikPiglit]

Throw self fully clothed into pool.

Now that's a photo worth waiting for. :lol:

[Skywatcher]

:mental: Magic Kingdom

:cry2: you're going back mate :D just think of the boys face :mental:

[Dawn]

Car parking and airport hotel sorted now.

Just need to do ADRs and Sea World stuff.

And some more :mental:

[Tinkfan]

It will be here before you know!! Just think no snow!!!

[Tink]

Well? Have you started the ADRs yet? Not making them, I mean... revising your plans for them. :D I KNOW that plans for ADRs get revised all the time! :D :D :lol:

[Dawn]

Posted my passport renewal yesterday. :D

26 days until ADR time. :mental:

[Isafari]

:applaudit: It's so exciting when it gets near ADR time :yes:

[josh.p.]

:mental: :mental: :mental:

[Beccaberry]

Just popped in to do a little of this :mental: and the :tralala: for you...

Itwontbelong, Itwontbelong....

[Dawn]

Steven got some more Disney dollars yesterday thanks to Isafari.

He did a bit of this -> :mental: and then said he was spending it all in the Star Tours shop. :lol:

[Dawn]

I have a passport. :mental:

Adrian has a form that needs posting still. :rolleyes:

It still really doesn't feel like we're going. No one's excited at all. Adrian said last night that we still have 6 months of real life to get through first. I know just how he feels. :unsure:

But 10 days to ADR time. :mental:

[Skywatcher]

I know exactly what you mean - but it will become more real as the time counts down, start playing with itineraries and read birnbaums to Steven at night - thats what we did with the kids to get them to pick rides - them getting excited rubbed off on us - then we booked the car parking etc and started to buy a few bits and bobs and slowly it became more 'real'

there is still a small part of me that actually prefers the anticipation to the trip - weird I know but the looking forward is an amazing part of the trip :D

[Dawn]

Four days until I book Chef Mickeys. :mental:

No idea what days to book the other place for though. Are the EMH hours out yet for August? I guess I should check those and try to avoid those days when I book the others.

[Dawn]

:mental: :mental: :mental: :mental:


I just booked Dine With Shamu!!! :mental:

20th August 12.30pm :mental:

:mental: :mental: :mental: :mental:

[daveann]

:mental:

[Disneybumble]

Great news Dawn.

[Tink]

Oh! Oh! Oh! Itttttttt's starrrrrrrrting! :D :D :D

Not long now, Dawn! You just wait and see how fast the time flies! :yes: (Sometimes, that's not such a good thing). :sigh:

[Skywatcher]

The itinery - its ALIIIIVVEEEEE and its forming before my eyes :eek:

:D chuffed for you mate :D

[Dawn]

Chef Mickeys booked - 16th August 7.45am!! Everyone is going to shoot me, breakfast at what time???!!!! :thud:

But but but Magic Kingdom opens at 9am and we'll be in prime position. :D


Now - what days do I book 50s Prime Time and Teppan Edo for.

And last night dinner - 1900 Park Fare or Cape May. :unsure:

Oh and :mental:

[Tinkfan]

:wave: How many meals do you want to book and how long will you be gone? I've been trying to book LeCellier and Ohanas forever now. My brother will be with us in April and this is his first trip. We have Kona's and Chef de France as replacements as of now! We're taking him to 50's too, do you have hoppers or do you have to book for the day's you'll be in the park?

[Dawn]

We have hoppers but tend to spend the day in that park if we have an ADR booked.

Have to check EMH days first before deciding.

[Beccaberry]

Just popped in to do a bit of this :tralala: and this :mental:

OMG!! 177 DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYS!

[Dawn]

I think we need some of this too.

:biggirlpanties:

[Disneybumble]

I'm still thinking about 7.45a.m.

[Mari]

this trip is going to be so much fun!!!!

[Dawn]

:mental: :mental: :mental:

Teppan Edo booked for 18th August at the rather more civilised time of 2pm.

:mental: :mental: :mental:

[Mari]

yummy!!

love sushi and teppanyaki!! :)

[Dawn]

Pirate's League experience booked for Steven for 9.55am on 16th August.

Chef Mickeys, Magic Kingdom, and a First Mate's package all before lunch.

:mental: :mental: :mental:

[Isafari]

Pirate's League experience booked for Steven for 9.55am on 16th August.

Chef Mickeys, Magic Kingdom, and a First Mate's package all before lunch.

:mental: :mental: :mental:

What a brilliant day that will be :thumbsup: Don't forget the camera. :D

[Tinkfan]

Pirate's League experience booked for Steven for 9.55am on 16th August.

Chef Mickeys, Magic Kingdom, and a First Mate's package all before lunch.

:mental: :mental: :mental:

We did that for Halloween, make sure you take a close up if Steven wants to recreate it for Halloween !

[Dawn]

50s Prime Time Cafe booked for lunch Tuesday 24th August.

Didn't go for a Fantasmic package as doubt Steven will last the course. :lol:

[Tinkfan]

:wave: Does Steven like the interaction there? Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's over the top and sometimes it's actually non existant depending on the CM lol!

[Dawn]

And last night dinner booked for 1900 Park Fare. :thumbsup:

[Dawn]

Villa balance paid today. Have done a few sums and worked out that I already have enough money saved to pay for the flights and car. That means everything I save between now and August is spending money. :mental: :mental:

Come on exchange rate! :unsure:

[MystikPiglit]

Excellent! :wavehands:

[Dawn]

Oooh must remember to make arrangements for guinea pigs. Dog is going to stay with Grandad. :thumbsup:

[Skywatcher]

:D

They could stay at home and entertain themselves

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/05/guineapig360.jpg

[Dawn]

I'll drop them at your place the morning we leave then. :evil:

[Skywatcher]

You may have to post them through the letterbox - we'll be in Kenya ( forget Norway)

[josh.p.]

Oooh must remember to make arrangements for guinea pigs. Dog is going to stay with Grandad. :thumbsup:
Perhaps you could use our new guide HERE (http://wdisneysecrets.com/index.php/disney-trip-planning/237-pets/746-leaving-your-pets-while-on-vacation.html) :wink: :rotfl: