A Very Belated 21st Birthday to Me! PTR May 12-19th 2015 - Updated 5/11

[kadrachb]

Also LOVED the cake cups at Cheshire Cafe in MK...have you tried one yet?

Yes I have! We tried the white rabbit one. Loved it, decided we had to try another kind! I was thinking about trying the carrot cake cookie, glad to hear there are no raisins in it! I really dislike raisins. And thanks! Finals tend to get super stressful when you also have packing on top of it, but thankfully since I now live in an apartment I longer have that worry!

 

[NJlauren]

I love EPCOT! My DH likes getting a drink and listening to the band in England I think they are called British Revolution. I also enjoy just walking around and taking everything in!

Also I'm sure you know this but bring your ID! I read a story recently that a person who had just turned 21 didn't bring her ID and they wouldn't server her.

 

[nilla]

Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie and Sunshine Seasons are our favorite QS places in Epcot. As for snacks, I don't really snack much, but our daughter loves the Kaki-gori (think Italian Ice, but Japanese). Wife and son love the Cronut at the entrance to WS.

 

[kadrachb]

Also I'm sure you know this but bring your ID! I read a story recently that a person who had just turned 21 didn't bring her ID and they wouldn't server her.

Of course! Actually, I paid to get it transferred to a horizontal ID after I turned 21 so the red stripe across my ID/diver's license was gone. Since my boyfriend lives in Maryland and we tend to go out more down there than up in PA, they sometimes won't even serve you alcohol if you're over 21 but still have the red stripe. I also didn't know if this was a thing in FL!

our daughter loves the Kaki-gori (think Italian Ice, but Japanese). Wife and son love the Cronut at the entrance to WS.

We tried the Kaki-gori last year and loved it! And I'm thinking we might stop at try a cronut, but since we already have so many snacks planned it might have to wait until another time.

 

[kadrachb]

Day 4: Saturday, May 16th: Animal Kingdom


We have a reservation at the Tusker House at 8:30am that morning, so we will be up early and in the park before Rope Drop! This breakfast is one thing my boyfriend requested we do again, I also really liked it.


Our first FP is starting at 9:10am and it is Kilimanjaro Safaris. I’m thinking we won’t get out of breakfast until 9:20am. After the Safari, we will do the Pagani Forest Trail, followed by going out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch to meet Rafiki!


We will then see the 12pm Festival of the Lion King. We didn't get to see if last year because it was down for a refurb, and its one of the shows I remember when I was little! This means spending the whole morning in Africa, which I’m not really sure if there is enough for us do to. If we get back from meeting Rafiki early enough we will do some discovery trails before the show.


After the show, we will then head to our 2nd FP, which is Expedition Everest. I was going to post it, but I got a “don’t you dare put that online” look from Kenny when I mentioned it. It seriously looks like we’re both about to cry. Haha. This FP starts at 12:35pm, so RIGHT after the show we will head over to that area. We may stop to meet Baloo and King Louie, or we may back track to them afterwards.


Since our plans are a little loose during this time, the only real plan is that we finish Expedition Everest, Meeting Baloo and Louie, and Maharajah Jungle Trek by 2pm. This will be followed by a QS lunch at Yak and Yeti. Our third FP for the day is DINOSAUR, starting at 2:05pm. We will head for this right after lunch, and then go meet Pocahontas. Depending on times after we get off DINOSAUR, we will head straight to meet Pocahontas or we will go visit the Dawa Bar, and then meet Pocahontas.


After all of this, hopefully by 4pm, its back to the resort! We will take a quick break, maybe swim or nap. But then head over to MK around 7ish, and grab dinner at a QS in one of the monorail resorts. Then we will head into MK, since is has EMH. I also bought park hopper when we were originally booked at Beach Club, and never took it off our reservation, so we have to use it at some point!


Do you guys like Animal Kingdom? Personally, I think I’d pick it over DHS any day. Do you use the EMH hours? Do you like them? Last year we didn’t really take that much advantage of them.


14 days to go! So excited!

 

[kadrachb]

Preparations – Part #2


So I thought today I’d give it a break with the daily plans! I wanted to show you guys some cute buttons that I purchased from Etsy. I got the link from another DISer’s PTR.

These come from a seller called parkbound.

My first button: A Very Merry Unbirthday to Me

I thought this button would go well for everyday during the vacation because I guess it IS kinda want I’m celebrating! Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books, along with its sequel.

My second button: There’s a Rumbly in My Tumbly

This I think would go great for our dinner at Crystal Palace! I’m almost thinking about wearing it at any of our character meals. Or at least putting it on the strap of my cross body purse. Plus, who doesn’t look Winnie the Pooh? Kenny and I really love to try new foods (well I mostly make him try new things that he hasn’t tried before, – like that one time he tried raw octopus AND HE ADMITTED HE LIKED IT). There really isn’t anything I wouldn’t try!

I’m still planning on asking for an “I’m Celebrating Button” from the front desk when we arrive.


Also, my weekend update will probably include pictures of the buttons and all 4 of my bows! I had these shipped to my house, not my apartment, and I am going home on Friday for my dad’s birthday! He’s turning 62, and even though he won’t admit it, my mom tells me he loved Disney. My dad has some medical issues and is now handicapped and in a wheel chair, and he doesn’t like to travel far anymore. But I really wish he would come with us. On our old computer my mom thinks there are pictures from Disney, so I’m hoping to get a new Disney themed picture frame while I’m there, and frame an old picture of him and I together for Father’s day!

Under 2 weeks! 13 days to go! Yippee!

 

[KathyM2]

Those buttons are great!! So cute about your dad and great idea for the pictures! Too bad he doesn't want to travel anymore...maybe one day you can convince him...Disney is pretty friendly to people with mobility struggles...just a thought. If not, I'm sure he will enjoy hearing all about your trip though and seeing the pictures.

 

[bunnyboo]

Cute buttons! I LOVE the Pooh one!
Have a great time at your parents' this weekend! Hope you find lots of nice pictures to choose from.

 

[NJlauren]

Yeah 12 days!

Those bottoms looks great! I swear everyday I find something else I wish I got for my trip! Next time I guess right?

 

[kadrachb]

Those buttons are great!! So cute about your dad and great idea for the pictures! Too bad he doesn't want to travel anymore...maybe one day you can convince him...Disney is pretty friendly to people with mobility struggles...just a thought. If not, I'm sure he will enjoy hearing all about your trip though and seeing the pictures.

I think traveling is just too hard on him. I know they're friendly with people with mobility issues, because I'm pretty sure he walked with a cane when we went when I was little.

Cute buttons! I LOVE the Pooh one!
Have a great time at your parents' this weekend! Hope you find lots of nice pictures to choose from.

The Pooh one was just too cute to pass up!

Yeah 12 days!

Those bottoms looks great! I swear everyday I find something else I wish I got for my trip! Next time I guess right?

I know! On Etsy I found a bunch of really cute tank tops that have bows in the back, but it says to give up to 3 weeks to be delivered since they're shipping from Thailand. So I didn't buy them, but next time! I have realized now that Etsy is a very, very dangerous place.

 

[kadrachb]

Day 5, Sunday May 17th: EPCOT #2


When making our plans, we decided that instead of trying to fit all of EPCOT into one day, we’d make it two! It replaced our original no park day, but gives us a chance to try more delicious food.

We will do a club level breakfast and try to arrive at the park by 9:30am. Starting right at 9:00am a FP for Spaceship Earth starts, so that will be our first ride of the day! This will be followed by a FP for Test Track starting at 10am. The next FP starts at 11:25am, and its for Kenny only to do Mission:SPACE.

Between that our second and third FP we will probably just pal around and go through Mouse Gear. During his FP time I’ll just sit outside…. And wait.

Then starts our tour around the other half of the World Showcase! We will do Mexico – American Adventure. Lunch today isn’t going to be a QS, but instead we are going to snack. Our plan is to both get the Kung Pao Chicken Buns, Beijing-candied style strawberries in China, and then a Limocello Panna Cotta in Italy (along with a Strawberry Rossini andddd maybe a Peach Bellini) and then finish with trying the Beef Brisket Burnt Ends. On our way out we will probably grab a Flan de queso con chocolate abuelita.

All pictures curtesy of DisneyFoodBlog.com​

I’d also like to meet Donald in Mexico, and Mulan in China. Hopefully we will be completely done with EPCOT by 3pm again. However, we will not be returning to the park. Our plan is to go back to the resort and relax a little. We have a California Grill reservation at 8:45pm, so this means I have to be in the shower by 6:30ish, and completely ready by 8:15 to call a cab to take us to the Contemporary. We dined her last year, and we really enjoyed it. Sadly, all the pictures from our dinner are on a USB back on my desk at home, and not with me!


12 days to go! Next post will probably be a weekend update on Sunday! (I got the countdown wrong on my last post, woops. )


Yesterday I actually got a call from the UPS man. And I guess our big German shepherd was out in the yard (he ranges from 85 – 92 lbs, but since he is coated he looks closer to 100 lbs). So I had to call the house and get my mom to go down to the street to pick up the packages.

But I mean look at this face, how could he hurt anyone (He REALLY thinks he's a lap dog...)? But the delivery was Disney related!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Catching back up! Plans look good!

 

[KathyM2]

Yay for Disney deliveries!! Great plans so far!! I can't remember where you said you are staying - just curious as to the cab? Just faster?

 

[kadrachb]

Catching back up! Plans look good!

I hope you're healing well!

Yay for Disney deliveries!! Great plans so far!! I can't remember where you said you are staying - just curious as to the cab? Just faster?

We're staying at AKL, and so instead of taking a bus to the MK and then walking to the Contemporary we decided that it's faster to get there by cab. We're also doing it for a reservation our next day that I haven't posted yet. It's just easier to get a cab then worry about the buses!

 

[KathyM2]

Yeah I have a feeling on our next trip I may be tempted to go for some cabs to save time and waiting around...do you mind me asking, how much $ do you think it will be for a cab from AKL to the contemporary?

 

[kadrachb]

Yeah I have a feeling on our next trip I may be tempted to go for some cabs to save time and waiting around...do you mind me asking, how much $ was it for a cab from AKL to the contemporary?

Since this is Pre-trip report I'll let you know when we do it! I've read some reports not going much higher than $25, if that.

 

[kadrachb]

Yeah I have a feeling on our next trip I may be tempted to go for some cabs to save time and waiting around...do you mind me asking, how much $ do you think it will be for a cab from AKL to the contemporary?

So since you were asking about $, my boyfriend has coupons for Uber, and so he did a price check on Uber from AKL to the Contemporary and they're giving him a quote of $6-12. Just thought I'd give an update

We tried using uber once in DC, but there was really bad traffic I guess and we wait 20 minutes, and then canceled the car and just took the metro from the station we were closest to. Originally, we were taking Uber to a station farther away to get away from the crowds.

 

[kadrachb]

Updated Day 1 Plans

So after discussing somethings with Kenny, we changed around our plans a little bit and moved one fastpass around, the new Day 1 looks something like this:

Arrive for Welcome show
9:00am - 9:15am: Pictures in front of castle
9:15am - 9:30am: Meet Merida
9:30am - 9:45am: Meet Cindy and Rapunzel (FP+)
9:45am - 10:20am: Get LeFrou's Brew, Meet Gaston
10:20am - 11:20am: Teacups, Meet Alice and White Rabbit, 7DMT (FP+)
11:20am - 12:00pm: Mickey's PhilharMagic, Prince Charming's Carousel
12:15pm - 12:45pm: Lunch at BOG
1:00pm - 1:30pm: Space Mountain (FP+), Make 4th FP by kiosks by Stitch's Great Escape
1:30pm - 2:30pm: Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, Cakecup at Cheshire Cafe
2:30pm - 3:30pm: Festival of Fantasy
4:00pm - 6:00pm: Break at Resort
7:00pm - 7:30pm: Meet Ariel at Grotto (FP+), Make 5th FP by PhilharMagic
7:40pm - 8:50pm: Dinner at Crystal Palace
9:00pm - 9:30pm: Journey of the Little Mermaid (FP+)
9:45pm: Watch Celebrate the Magic / Wishes / Leave

10 more days to go! Almost in the single digits!

 

[KathyM2]

Hey thanks for the info. Funny...I first asked about the $ for a cab and and then I edited because I realized you hadn't actually done it yet lol. I sometimes confuse myself between all the PTR's and TR's lol. But $6-12 isn't that bad actually if it can save a lot of time in some cases. I will have to remember to get a cab's phone number or something...I'm sure the hotels all have them for the local companies? Your plans look great! Glad they include a cake cup

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Updated Day 1 Plans

10:20am - 11:20am: Teacups, Meet Alice and White Rabbit, 7DMT (FP+)

Is this 5/13 if so we may run in to each other around 7DMT.