angelmav
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2006
Welcome, I have never actually written a Pre-Trippy. I have written a few post mortems, but it has been awhile since I last set foot on any Disney property, and this, out of necessity, has to be a different kind of trip.
So for starters, let me introduce you to the cast, there is me, Angelmav (insert applause here) the grizzled Disney vet. I have been to the world 3 times, 2 times to DLP, and once to the land. But, the last time I was at WDW was 10 years ago pre-divorce and before my oldest bunch flew the nest.
Then there is lil mav, a precocious little girl who has never been to any theme park and finds the coin operated rides at the mall to be major entertainment. Yes, I started over, yes I am in over my head! This trip is really for her, but she is happy with absolutely anything and everything we do, so she is easy to please!
Then there is Grumpy. Grumpy does not want to go on this trip. Grumpy doesn't like things that are 'plastic' and is not excited about the idea. Grumpy also proclaimed after I was knee deep into dining reservations that maybe it wasn't a good idea to go, and why can't I respect grumpy's feelings? Now, you should know, last year we bent over backwards to pull off a trip to Grumpy's homeland, Greece, so I feel like I am kinda owed this one. Admittedly, I would take this trip (which also happens over my birthday) even if it were solo. Grumpy is sorta/kinda back on board (as of this afternoon), and this is where I am hoping to get some input as to help make this a win for Grumpy also.
In part, I am to blame for why Grumpy feels this way. About 8 years ago before we had lil mav, I drug Grumpy to DLP to get my Disney fix. It was a short trip, and while I had fun, sort of, Grumpy did not. You see, DLP is still just a theme park. Grumpy would have rather gone to Paris. That tactical error on my part has weighed heavily all these years since. But now that lil mav is expressing an interest, it seemed like the perfect time to try and change that.
Now, we are foodies who live in the PNW. Our favorite place is Din Thai Fung, and even lil mav gets her fill of dumpling goodness. We actually have been really disappointed with the food here since moving back from Europe. So this trip really is about the meals, with the experiences thrown in. So I have been in the weeds trying to build a gastronomical itinerary with not as much thought put in to what we will actually be doing there.
So that brings us to the meat and potato's of the matter, the details. We will Fly early the morning of September 27, arriving roughly 6pm to Orlando. We are staying at Shades of Green, so I will have to arrange some sort of car service that includes a car seat. (Recommendations welcome!)
We will be staying 8 nights with four planned park days. Why is that you ask? One, we want to explore the resorts and do some other things, (recommendations welcome) two, Grumpy has a nerve problem in one foot, so days off plus some planned massage at the spa are on the agenda. It really doesn't bother me to go at this pace, the important thing is that we are going together. Plus lil mav has no concept of what this is all about, so if we miss 90% of the things we could be doing, well, that will hopefully be for next time.
Here is what our days look like so far.
Arrival night, I have a 915 ADR at Cali Grill to kick things off. I am hoping that I can get this down to 845, it started at 950 and I keep moving it left. Now, to some that will sound late, but for our time zone it is 615 or when we normally have dinner at home. Which poses a problem for early starts, as rest is really important for this trip. I can't really judge this too well, so have late starts planned, but if everyone is ready to go, we can ride early. That is a play it by ear that I can't really plan for. Must be patient, must be patient...
Our first day Saturday September 28, we have planned at Animal Kingdom. I want to WOW them out of the gate. I have a 950 breakfast planned at Tusker House, which will hopefully get things going, then I booked a Festival of the Lion King package with Tiffins. I know, I know, it might not seem like you get much with this package (though food price can come out in our favor), but to a first time visitor (Grumpy and lil mav adore nature/animals, this seemed like a no brainer for the reserved seating and guided safari tour to make them feel lik VIP's. But what to ride? Grumpy loves Avatar, but I am worried FOP will be too intense. lil mav has never been on a real ride. If I push the throttle too much, it could wreck the rest of the trip after the first day! We have dinner at 625, so how to fill this day is a real challenge. I showed lil Mav a youtube video of the ride, and she seemed up for it, but is practicing on a little plastic zebra on wheels to simulate. I was offered the zebra as well. This is my biggest dilemma for this day. Lil mav also loves Dino's, so I fill like we can ride that, though it can be intense too. I really struggle with that part. So, with that, I am going to break off and hope someone reads up to this point, before I continue with our itinerary.
So for starters, let me introduce you to the cast, there is me, Angelmav (insert applause here) the grizzled Disney vet. I have been to the world 3 times, 2 times to DLP, and once to the land. But, the last time I was at WDW was 10 years ago pre-divorce and before my oldest bunch flew the nest.
Then there is lil mav, a precocious little girl who has never been to any theme park and finds the coin operated rides at the mall to be major entertainment. Yes, I started over, yes I am in over my head! This trip is really for her, but she is happy with absolutely anything and everything we do, so she is easy to please!
Then there is Grumpy. Grumpy does not want to go on this trip. Grumpy doesn't like things that are 'plastic' and is not excited about the idea. Grumpy also proclaimed after I was knee deep into dining reservations that maybe it wasn't a good idea to go, and why can't I respect grumpy's feelings? Now, you should know, last year we bent over backwards to pull off a trip to Grumpy's homeland, Greece, so I feel like I am kinda owed this one. Admittedly, I would take this trip (which also happens over my birthday) even if it were solo. Grumpy is sorta/kinda back on board (as of this afternoon), and this is where I am hoping to get some input as to help make this a win for Grumpy also.
In part, I am to blame for why Grumpy feels this way. About 8 years ago before we had lil mav, I drug Grumpy to DLP to get my Disney fix. It was a short trip, and while I had fun, sort of, Grumpy did not. You see, DLP is still just a theme park. Grumpy would have rather gone to Paris. That tactical error on my part has weighed heavily all these years since. But now that lil mav is expressing an interest, it seemed like the perfect time to try and change that.
Now, we are foodies who live in the PNW. Our favorite place is Din Thai Fung, and even lil mav gets her fill of dumpling goodness. We actually have been really disappointed with the food here since moving back from Europe. So this trip really is about the meals, with the experiences thrown in. So I have been in the weeds trying to build a gastronomical itinerary with not as much thought put in to what we will actually be doing there.
So that brings us to the meat and potato's of the matter, the details. We will Fly early the morning of September 27, arriving roughly 6pm to Orlando. We are staying at Shades of Green, so I will have to arrange some sort of car service that includes a car seat. (Recommendations welcome!)
We will be staying 8 nights with four planned park days. Why is that you ask? One, we want to explore the resorts and do some other things, (recommendations welcome) two, Grumpy has a nerve problem in one foot, so days off plus some planned massage at the spa are on the agenda. It really doesn't bother me to go at this pace, the important thing is that we are going together. Plus lil mav has no concept of what this is all about, so if we miss 90% of the things we could be doing, well, that will hopefully be for next time.
Here is what our days look like so far.
Arrival night, I have a 915 ADR at Cali Grill to kick things off. I am hoping that I can get this down to 845, it started at 950 and I keep moving it left. Now, to some that will sound late, but for our time zone it is 615 or when we normally have dinner at home. Which poses a problem for early starts, as rest is really important for this trip. I can't really judge this too well, so have late starts planned, but if everyone is ready to go, we can ride early. That is a play it by ear that I can't really plan for. Must be patient, must be patient...
Our first day Saturday September 28, we have planned at Animal Kingdom. I want to WOW them out of the gate. I have a 950 breakfast planned at Tusker House, which will hopefully get things going, then I booked a Festival of the Lion King package with Tiffins. I know, I know, it might not seem like you get much with this package (though food price can come out in our favor), but to a first time visitor (Grumpy and lil mav adore nature/animals, this seemed like a no brainer for the reserved seating and guided safari tour to make them feel lik VIP's. But what to ride? Grumpy loves Avatar, but I am worried FOP will be too intense. lil mav has never been on a real ride. If I push the throttle too much, it could wreck the rest of the trip after the first day! We have dinner at 625, so how to fill this day is a real challenge. I showed lil Mav a youtube video of the ride, and she seemed up for it, but is practicing on a little plastic zebra on wheels to simulate. I was offered the zebra as well. This is my biggest dilemma for this day. Lil mav also loves Dino's, so I fill like we can ride that, though it can be intense too. I really struggle with that part. So, with that, I am going to break off and hope someone reads up to this point, before I continue with our itinerary.
I hoping that Grumpy will enjoy this trip more when he see how Lil mav reacts to the magic. The Kilimanjaro Safari's are great ride mellow ride and they can see all the animals they want, Plus there two walk through attractions that they can see more animal, and of course the awesome shows. My kids also really enjoy Kali River Rapids if you don't mind getting wet. It still is pretty hot in Florida in September so it will help cool everyone off. Great start so far and can't wait to read more.
