PTR: Anniversary WDW trip in December (12-20)

[grrrlennyl]

(My partner is in the hospital, so I'm writing this because I need something to do because feel crappy. She should be out soon, but we aren't sure when.)

Anyway, my partner and I went to WDW last December for our anniversary. We stayed for 6 nights at All-Star Movies (Toy Story!), got free dining (upgraded to the DDP), and had a really, really wonderful time. We're planning on going back this coming December, and I'm much, much more of a planner, so here's how I think things are gonna go.

- 8 nights at Art of Animation (Little Mermaid) - I am SO excited about this.
- DDP for 8 days/nights (got free quick-service dining and upgraded)
- 8-day tickets with park hopper
- I'm vegan and my partner isn't really great with dairy. We're both open to different types of food, but I have the feeling she'll be ordering steak whenever she can.
- My partner will probably want to go to DTD, so that will be something we do one evening.
- I'm not sure exactly when we'll do it, but we really want to go to Beaches and Cream at some point. I've heard that it's less crowded on colder days, so I'm hoping that works out for us.

Wednesday, 12/12/2012

• I'll probably leave work around 4:30pm and get to the airport by 5pm. My partner and I will have dinner at the airport and wait to board our plane.

• Our flight leaves Chicago around 7:30pm and gets into MCO around 11pm. We'll get our bags from baggage claim get on the Magical Express! We'll get to AoA and probably pass out. Ha!

Thursday, 12/13/2012

• I'd like to take it easy this morning, since we originally weren't even supposed to be in until after noon today. Maybe DTD or a park. We'll see.

• 2:15pm ADR at The Plaza Restaurant. (pay OOP for one of us)

• I read some stuff about MVMCP and figured out that it was going on on Thursday (and was actually one of the cheaper nights), so I did a bit more research and then bought tickets for us to do that. My partner has no idea, and I think I might just surprise her on the plane, when we're waiting for the ME, when we're on the ME, or maybe when we get to the hotel. We'll see!

• So yeah...this will be a late night.

Friday, 12/14

• Hopefully, we'll manage to get to MK in time for rope drop. I really, really want to see it.

• This is basically a full day at MK. It's only open until 7, it should be a sorta early night.

• We have a 7:35pm ADR at Citricos. Just going there for dessert! (pay OOP)

Saturday, 12/15

• First Epcot day.

• Get up EARLY to catch the first bus (at 6:30am) to MK. Then, get over to the Polynesian in time for our 7:35am breakfast ADR at 'Ohana. Eek! Such an early morning! (I'm contemplating getting a cab instead. Hmm...)

• We have 7:35pm dinner ADRs at Coral Reef, which should be interesting. I'm pretty sure I've never been there before.

Sunday, 12/16

• Second Epcot day.

• Behind the Seeds Tour at 11:15am. Should be about an hour.

• 1:15pm lunch ADR at Le Cellier. (I'm excited to try this while it's still only 1 credit for lunch on the DDP.)

• This might be a good day to go over to Beaches and Cream.

• Epcot closes at 9:30pm.

Monday, 12/17

• First Hollywood Studios day. Get there by 9am!

• We have a 1:55pm lunch ADR for Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater. (pay OOP for me)

• Animation Academy at some point!

Tuesday, 12/18

• Animal Kingdom!

• 11:05am lunch ADR at Tusker House. This looks really pretty from the pictures I've seen, so it should be nice.

• Head to MK around 4:15 or so.

• 5:15pm Be Our Guest ADR. Yay!

Wednesday, 12/19

• Second Hollywood Studios day. Get there by 9am!

• Head over to MK around 7pm or so.

• Wishes / Monorail Bar Crawl (Drink at Mizner's at The Grand Floridian. Drink at the Tambu Lounge at The Polynesian. Watch/Listen to Wishes on the Poly beach.)

Thursday, 12/20

• Last day. Boo.

• This will be another MK day. There are morning EMH starting at 8am, but I'm not sure we'll be able to handle it after the bar crawl. Ha!

• We'll drop our luggage off with the ME folks and have someone hold onto our carry-on stuff.

• 12:15pm lunch ADR at Cinderella's Royal Table. I'm so glad I was able to get an ADR for this! It's another surprise for my partner.

• After that, I guess we will wander around and enjoy our last few hours at WDW before heading back to AoA to catch the ME at about 5:00pm (I'm assuming.). Our flight isn't until 8:30pm, so we'll have a good amount of time that last day.

[grrrlennyl]

Also, just so I have it somewhere, here are the quick-service places I definitely want to eat at...

MK
- Be Our Guest for lunch (obviously)
- Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe (repeat from last year)
- Tortuga Tavern (another repeat from last year)

Monorail Resorts
- Captain Cook's, Poly (Tonga Toast)
- Contempo Cafe, CR (Vegetable Bake)
- Gasparilla Grill, GF (Tabbouleh Wrap)

EPCOT
- Electric Umbrella (repeat from last year; I loved that black bean sandwich!) UPDATE 09/01: They got rid of the black bean flatbread for some gross-sounding vegetable one. Ugh. I want some protein, people!
- Sunshine Seasons (Hated it last year, but it looks like they have some fake vegan chicken now.)

DHS
- Pizza Planet (since I hear that they have vegan pizzas)

Other Resorts
- Landscape of Flavors, AoA (Where we're staying!)
- The Mara, AKL (Falafel Pita)

And other food-related things...
Fruit and Nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow (MK)
Dole whip (MK or Poly)
Warm chocolate banana torte at Citricos (GF)
American Flavors dessert (Chocolate Ganache-dipped Banana Mousse Cake, Apple-Almond Crumb Cake with Spiced Cream, Mississippi Mud Pie) at The Wave (CR)
Margarita flight in Mexico - hopefully! (Ep)
Chocolate caramel grapes at Karamell-Küche in Germany (Ep)
School bread from Norway (Ep)
Butterfinger cupcake at Starring Rolls (HS)
Vegan float or shake at Sci-Fi (HS)
Something vegan at Beaches and Cream (Boardwalk)
Chocolate-covered pretzels from Goofy's candy co. (DtD)

And other stuff to do...
The Pirate's League (MK)
Pick a Pearl (Ep)
Animation Academy (AK)

Souvenirs...
Pearl from Japan (Ep)
Charm/s for bracelet
Mug
MVMCP pin (MK)
AoA pin (maybe) (AoA)
Shirt

[grrrlennyl]

Update!!!

First of all, my partner is out of the hospital. Yay!

Second, I went ahead and made an ADR for Donald's Dining Safari Lunch at Tusker House on the day we're at Animal Kingdom. I think we'll still be ok with our quick-service credits, so yay. That makes two character meals, counting breakfast at 'Ohana.

I'm going to do a little estimate of how much each restaurant will probably cost to figure out where we'll pay for our meal. Overplanner!

[grrrlennyl]

Right now, we're trying to figure out what would work out best for us on our last night. We obviously have months until we need to decide, but if you have any thoughts on any of these restaurants, especially for vegan eats, Wishes viewing, and overall awesomeness, you should let me know what you think.

• 1. Whispering Canyon at 4:55pm. Since AK has morning EMH, is only open until 5pm, and we don't do a whole lot there, I'm pretty sure we can leave AK and get here on time. After that, we'll have the option of either wandering around MK a bit or doing the monorail bar crawl. (The latter is more likely.) Either way, I think we'll end up at the beach at the Polynesian to watch Wishes and then head back to AoA.

• 2. The Wave at 6:55pm. We'd be able to either stay at AK until 5 or maybe run to Wilderness Lodge to look around (I've never been there.) before our ADR time. We'd probably opt for the bar crawl afterwards and then watch Wishes from the beach at the Poly.

• 3. 'Ohana at 8:55. If we did this, we'd maybe check out Wilderness Lodge and then do the monorail bar crawl before our ADR. I know we could watch Wishes from here, but I also know that it might be crowded

[TeresaNJ]

I'm arriving the same day as you! Your itinerary looks great. Since you've never been to Wilderness, you really have to go see it, especially decorated for Christmas! It's my very favorite resort!!!

Would you really be ready to eat dinner at 4:55 at WCC? What time is your lunch ADR? Ohana is one of my fav places to eat, but 8:55 is kind of late to be eat that big of a meal. I'm thinking take the Wilderness bus from AK to check out the lodge, and make sure you walk over to the Villas also to see the tree in the lobby there, as well as the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room.

Then boat over to the Contemporary from the WL dock for dinner at The Wave, then continue on to see the decorations at the Poly & Grand Floridian. Then monorail over to the MK to hop on the bus back to your resort since the MK is open till 10, so buses running till 11ish, or bus to DTD from GF, or cab it back.

[grrrlennyl]

Originally Posted by TeresaNJ

I'm arriving the same day as you!

Awesome!

Our lunch on that day is at 11am, so I think a 4:55pm dinner would actually be OK. Plus, we'll have a few drinks after dinner and probably end up having a snack at one of the monorail resorts.

I totally agree about 'Ohana. It is pretty late and I don't really think the vegan options for me sound completely amazing. Plus, we are going there for breakfast at some point.

We'll probably end up at WCC or The Wave.

[TeresaNJ]

Sounds like a fun day! Hope you have a magical trip!

[grrrlennyl]

Just made reservations for the Behind the Seeds tour at EPCOT on our second day. Yay!

[grrrlennyl]

Taking a serious look at easyWDW has made me reconsider plans for 6 of my 8 days. Ha! Stay tuned for me posting a few different potential plans. I'm gonna be busy this weekend!

[tofubeast]

Subbing! As I said in the Roll Call, I agree that you might want to change up some of your plans to go along with at least some of the recommended park days. It can be a big difference.

(ps. let me know if you want me to add your PTR link to the Dec thread)

[grrrlennyl]

OK. After much consternation, I think this might be the new plan. Let me know what you think! The original plan is still in the first post.

The only ADR change is swapping out 50s Prime Time Diner for lunch at Le Cellier

My only concern right now is having enough time in Hollywood Studios, since we spent a good amount of time there during our last trip and the crowd calendar only really has two good days to go there, and two of those are when we need to be back by MK. However, I think we might be able to stop by on Sunday or Tuesday after doing other parks, so maybe it won't be a problem.

Thursday, 12.13

• Still arriving at MCO at 10:30am, taking the Magical Express, and hopefully arriving at AoA by around noon.
• Still probably going to MK. Definitely going to MVMCP. Whee!

Friday, 12.14

• Catch the 6:30am but to get to 'Ohana by 7:35am for breakfast. Yay!
• Hopefully, we'll make rope drop at MK at 9am. (If not, there is another chance for this.)

Saturday, 12.15

• Get to Epcot by 9am.
• Dinner at Coral Reef at 7:35am.

Sunday, 12.16

• Epcot again.
• Lunch at Le Cellier at 1:15pm.
• Maybe hit up Hollywood Studios for EMH.

Monday, 12.17

• Get to Hollywood Studios by 9am.
• Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater at 1:55pm. (1st option)
• Leave to go to MK around 6:30pm.
• Dinner at Be Our Guest at 7:30pm. (YAY!)

Tuesday, 12.18

• Get to Animal Kingdom by 9am.
• Lunch at Tusker House at 11:30am.
• Maybe go to Hollywood Studios for a bit or check out a few resorts. (I really want to take a wander around Wilderness Lodge.)

Wednesday, 12.19

• Hollywood Studios by 9am.
• Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater at 11:30am.
• Leave for MK around 6:00pm. Walk over to the Contemporary.
• Drink at The Wave.
• Dinner at The Wave at 6:55pm.
• Drink at Mizner's at the Grand Floridian.
• Drink at the Tambu Lounge at the Poly. Watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

Thursday, 12.20

• Last day. Go to Magic Kingdom.
• Get Magical Expresss ~5:00pm.
• Flight home at 8:25pm. Whomp.

[grrrlennyl]

Originally Posted by tofubeast

Subbing! As I said in the Roll Call, I agree that you might want to change up some of your plans to go along with at least some of the recommended park days. It can be a big difference.

(ps. let me know if you want me to add your PTR link to the Dec thread)

Ooo...please add my PTR!

And I just posted my new plan in the post above. I changed so much stuff! However, if my partner thinks this looks better (and she is just kind of about all of the time I've been spending on this lately), I'll be able to cancel some ADRs and try to chance the day of our Behind the Seeds tour.

[tofubeast]

Your new plan looks great! Glad the ADRs worked out!

[SAT887]

Your plans look great! I hope to do the monorail crawl as well! :D

[ksromack]

Originally Posted by grrrlennyl

The only ADR change is swapping out 50s Prime Time Diner for lunch at Le Cellier I like both of those restaurants but I must say I'm looking forward to Le Cellier more!
Friday, 12.14[*]Catch the 6:30am but to get to 'Ohana by 7:35am for breakfast. Yay![*]Hopefully, we'll make rope drop at MK at 9am. (If not, there is another chance for this.) We're doing Kona, but on a tuesday morning. Let's hope neither of us misses that early bus!

Saturday, 12.15

• Get to Epcot by 9am.
• Dinner at Coral Reef at 7:35am.

Sunday, 12.16

• Epcot again.
• Lunch at Le Cellier at 1:15pm.
• Maybe hit up Hollywood Studios for EMH.

Monday, 12.17

• Get to Hollywood Studios by 9am.
• Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater at 1:55pm. (1st option)
• Leave to go to MK around 6:30pm.
• Dinner at Be Our Guest at 7:30pm. (YAY!)

Tuesday, 12.18

• Get to Animal Kingdom by 9am.
• Lunch at Tusker House at 11:30am.
• Maybe go to Hollywood Studios for a bit or check out a few resorts. (I really want to take a wander around Wilderness Lodge.) Wilderness Lodge is not to be missed!

Wednesday, 12.19

• Hollywood Studios by 9am.
• Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater at 11:30am.
• Leave for MK around 6:00pm. Walk over to the Contemporary.
• Drink at The Wave.
• Dinner at The Wave at 6:55pm.
• Drink at Mizner's at the Grand Floridian.
• Drink at the Tambu Lounge at the Poly. Watch Wishes from the Poly beach. If this were me, it would be "stagger" to the beach at Poly.

Thursday, 12.20

• Last day. Go to Magic Kingdom.
• Get Magical Expresss ~5:00pm.
• Flight home at 8:25pm. Whomp.Bundling up, no doubt.....that should be a temperature shock, eh?

Looks good to me with the possible exception of leaving yourself a few extra minutes for transportation. I'm a worry-wart though, so it's probably just me