MoonPet's WDW Trip Report August 11-20

[MoonPet]

Hi everyone!

So I've been reading some old trip reports trying to get an idea of how they usually go. Naturally after reading a few and looking at photos, it made me nostalgic for my last visit to WDW. I've decided (and I hope it is okay) that before I post my pre-trip report, I'd share some photos from my last Disney visit.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 7675adfe0a

This link above will take you to some of the photos I took at the D23 Flowers and Fireworks weekend this past May.

This link below will take you to all of the photos, I think some of you might be interested in the slides from the presentation. Be advised though that these photos are not labeled and there may be some blurry/duplicates.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sha ... s-_-Sharee


Enjoy!

[boilerbabe]

Cool pics. Moonpet!!! Thanks for sharing! Who's car is is Herby, too cool!

[NaCler]

Very cool pics. It's cool to see how different the Flower & Garden festivals look through the years.

[MmeLeota]

Those were some great pics! We really wanted to go to that event, but it was not possible...one year perhaps. It looked like a great time! (Loved the Mickey shaped breakfast foods too!)

[sandi]

Thanks for sharing all your pictures. I was amazed at how much they have improved many of the topiaries even from a year ago!!!

[Amy]

Nice photos! How awesome that you got to meet some of the higher-ups at Disney too

[MoonPet]

Nice photos! How awesome that you got to meet some of the higher-ups at Disney too

You probably noticed that I have the same stupid grin on my face in all of the photos I took with the cast members. It was so thrilling to be in the presence of such creative, talented, and passionate people. And they were all so nice to chat with too!

[MoonPet]

Planning: Who and When

We made our original reservation with DVC for this trip in October, 2009. This is something we rarely do; it is often difficult to plan so far in advance. But last summer we realized that our last few visits to WDW were either day trips made when we were in the Tampa area or short weekend stays for special events taking place (D23 events, Christmas Party, etc.) And although we always have fun, it’s been awhile since we’ve had the opportunity to spend more than two/three nights on property and enjoy all that Disney had to offer. The plan was that my husband, my mom, my dad, and I would spend August 15 – August 20 in a 2 BR at Old Key West using our DVC points. We’d get to spend some extended time at the parks while still doing the things we do every visit (namely eating at Flying Fish and Jiko and walking around EPCOT).

At some point in the early spring all of the details for Summer Nightastic were finalized. I saw that we would arrive the day after it all ended. This wouldn’t do. I couldn’t miss the Main Street Electrical Parade. This was the parade that I essentially grew up with. It was the parade I saw year after year at WDW as a kid. I had the opportunity to see the Main Street Electrical Parade when it was in Disneyland Paris a few years back and I all but burst into tears. (Sure, I could watch it on videotape from the numerous recordings we made of it, but it isn’t the same.)

I did some research and was able to book a studio at OKW from August 11 – August 15 at a passholder discount rate. Yay! I’d be able to see the parade and not have to pay a fortune for a few extra nights. (Of course, NOW we all know that the parade has been extended indefinitely.) Another advantage of this short reservation made through WDW Travel is that I would get to try some things I’ve never done before – Disney’s Magical Express and the Disney Dining Plan. I’ve never tried the Dining Plan before and even with the cost of the Deluxe Dining Plan added to the nightly rate, it was still less than the standard OKW studio rate. So, I figured I’d give it a try. After this was set I purchased my plane tickets.

(As an aside, I can’t get over the amount of “stuff” WDW travel sends you in the mail. But I do love the luggage tags!)

From October of last year until now, there have been some changes. But our schedule is as follows:
I will be in WDW from August 11 – August 20.
My husband will be in WDW from August 14 – August 18.
My father will be at WDW from August 15 – August 20.
My mother will not be able to join us, as her mother was in the hospital for the last 3.5 weeks.

Of course, the addition of the dining plan for me for those few days means that I’ve done more planning and more making of advance dining reservations than I’ve ever done. Usually when we go to WDW we’ll make a few advance dining reservations at the harder to get locations (California Grill, Flying Fish, etc) but we mostly play it by ear. Of course, we have the luxury of doing this because we have been to WDW many times and we are not travelling with children. This time however, I almost have a plan . . . an itinerary if you will, guided mostly by food. And I already know it will be too much food.

Next up: The plan (sort of).

[MoonPet]

Planning: The “itinerary”

I’ve been fortunate in my life to have the opportunity to travel often. In thinking of all the places I’ve been to, I’m not sure that I’ve ever made this many advance day-by-day reservations. My husband was only able to finalize his travel plans about two weeks ago (due to work scheduling) and it was only after I’d asked him about his arrival/departure information and his schedule for the millionth time did he take a look at the schedule I was putting together for Disney. I recall his reaction including a half eye roll and a comment (in jest) that went something like “If I wanted my Outlook calendar to look like that I can just stay at work.” Anyway, my point is, I did a lot of advance planning for this trip.

Hopefully not too much.

Mostly because of the dining plan.

I tried to set things up in such a way that I would be spending time in/near a park area and then not have to travel too much to get to the dining location. You’ll also notice that I haven’t booked 3 meals per day all the time. I need some flexibility, and I think it will be too much food. You will also notice that as the days go on, there are less reservations.

Here’s a list of reservations I made:
August 11 – dinner @ Citrico’s (haven’t been there in a very long time)

August 12 – breakfast @ Olivia’s

August 12 - lunch @ Yak & Yeti (never been there)

August 12 - dinner @ Narcoossee’s (never been there)

August 13 – breakfast @ Olivia’s

August 13 - dinner @ The Wave

August 14 – breakfast @ The Wave (breakfast menu looked too good to pass up)

August 14 - dinner @ Jiko (Husband will have arrived. Will we have to get separate checks since I am the only one on the dining plan?)

August 15 – lunch @ Biergarten (Dad will also be joining us. **Important to note, husband is German, born/lived in Germany until 2003. It took some convincing to get him to eat here. He’s from Northern Germany, while the German Pavilion is modeled mostly on Baveria/Southern Germany).

August 15 - Dinner @ Flying Fish Café (all 3 or us)

My dining credits expire midnight on August 15.

August 16 – husband and I will go on Backstage Magic tour, something we’ve wanted to do for awhile, but never had the time

August 16 – dinner @ Artist’s Point (all 3 of us)

August 17 – dinner @ Hoop Dee Doo with a very good friend of mine (an ex-cast member) his wife, and his three daughters. This is an unbirthday gift from us to their girls, since we didn’t get to see them for their birthdays. I haven’t seen the Hoop Dee Doo in at least 15 years and my husband has never seen it.

August 18 – breakfast @ Boma before husband heads to airport

August 19 – dinner @ Jiko (My dad and I will likely switch this for somewhere else, just not sure where yet as there are too many places we like – Cape May Café, Morocco Pavilion restaurant, Mexico Pavilion restaurant, Maya Grill . . . should I continue???)

At the moment there are only a few items on the MUST DO List:
-- try at least one kind of dole whip
-- get the next piece of the annual passholder pin
-- see MSEP and Summer Nightastic Fireworks
-- get on Toy Story Mania before it closes on August 16

So…that’s “the plan.”

[Amy]

Hmm, my post must have gotten lost in the ether...
You have a challenging schedule there MoonPet! But it sounds delicious Plus the tour should be a lot of fun!!
Sorry to hear your mother won't be making this trip. Hopefully her Mom will be on the mend and maybe she could join you for a few days?
I'm looking forward to hearing about your dining at Flying Fish and Jiko. I have heard great things about both restaurants.

[MoonPet]

Both Flying Fish and Jiko are fantastic! Jiko has the added bonus of being one of very few places with an extensive South African wine selection. I will be sure to take notes of our food choices at both places so that I can report back, although I can honestly say I have never had anything at either place that wasn't outstanding.

[Amy]

Both Flying Fish and Jiko are fantastic! Jiko has the added bonus of being one of very few places with an extensive South African wine selection. I will be sure to take notes of our food choices at both places so that I can report back, although I can honestly say I have never had anything at either place that wasn't outstanding.

Thanks! I'm also intrigued by Citrico's and Narcoossees. Those always get great reviews too, and they're fun to say ~ much like your forum name
Mmm, South African wine...yummy

[MoonPet]

I admire those of you who can do a trip report during the actual trip!

Just a quick note to say hello. Having a great time and did see the Summer Nightastic fireworks last night.

And yes, I FINALLY had a Dole Whip. The vanilla swirl one. Very yum!

Trip report likely when I get home.

All the best from Old Key West!

[Amy]

Glad you are enjoying your trip! I don't know how people do trip reports during their actual trip either ~ I am way too busy doing things to have computer time while I am gone...plus I don't have a laptop. Can you imagine me packing my desktop computer and getting that through airport security?!

[boilerbabe]

Thanks for the update moonpet! You had a Dole Whip, YUM!!!!!