Our Big DVC Anniversary Trip. The Pre-Trip

The Plans

I am jumping ahead of myself a little here, I think I need to go back a bit and talk about how this trip came about, as this coming trip was actually booked before the last one! I did talk about this trip being booked in my last pre trip so don't worry if it all sounds a bit familiar Rather than type it all out again I'm going to copy it (feel free to skip if you have read it before).

When we decided to upgrade our tickets last year to annual passes we did it on the basis that we would go back once more before they expired. Then we got talking and decided we could do 2 trips if we booked 2 last minute bargains, one in May and one in September (as these are the months historically the bargains are to be had). We then went on the trip, upgraded our tickets and since then they have been burning a hole in our pockets, plaguing us in our sleep, pleading with us 'please use me'. Before we knew it, we were checking out flight prices for September (its okay, we'll just book some flights and then stay somewhere cheap on I drive). When we knew that Sy would be getting a bonus we thought yay we can start thinking about booking some. Virgin miles plus money flights were really cheap, but then they started selling out for our dates (we wanted to make sure we were there for the start of food and wine festival) so we kinda went into panic mode! Ahhhh! All the other flights were over PS100 each more! Then the best woman in the world came to our rescue my darling mother in law said 'I'll book them for you till you get the bonus though' awwwwwwww! My lovely mother in law What a sweet and kind lady she is No sooner were the words out of her mouth, the flights were booked 11th till the 30th September. That's it, flights for September were booked. We can put the thoughts of that trip to bed now...

But we realllllly enjoyed our stay in AKL DVC last year for those 2 nights... and as we'd saved money on the flights, it would be good to stay in a standard or value studio for a few nights as we were going to be there for our wedding anniversary... if the points came up for rent from someone I knew... Well we could stay 1 week in a value for a really small amount of money (in comparison to normal Disney prices) and then slum it for the rest of the time in a really cheap hotel (well, as cheap as 3 stars go, Robyn doesn't do less than 3 stars ). A wonderful forum lady came to my rescue and points were rented. 7 nights in AKL Jambo house, half of it was booked and half wasn't quite yet as she didn't have enough AKL points and had to wait till 7 months for the rest from her other home resort.

In the mean time I was talking with Hayley about DVC in general along with lots of Disney things, and she then lets the cat out of the bag that she *might* be renting some of her points out... And would I like some? WHAT?! After a few days of umming and ahhhing (yeah right!) we said yes, and another 10 nights at AKL were booked with 2 nights at BLT standard view... well I say standard view, that room was book for all of a few hours I believe before I fluttered my eyes lashes at Hayley and asked if she wouldn't mind changing it to a MK view for me as its over our anniversary I wanted it to be special (that's it Robyn, rationalize).

This is where we will be staying...

How beautiful is that? I have my fingers crossed that we might get a downgraded Savannah view room but who knows. Either way we will have a wonderful time here

And this is where we will be spending our anniversary...

And this will be our view

I just love the decor of BLT, it really appeals to me. I'm not a fan of the reception though, it just seems like such an anti climax for such a huge gorgeous building to have the smallest reception ever :-/ I cant wait to spend some time chilling out in the pool. I haven't really planned in any park time for the 2 days that we are here, I thought we should make the most of being in a MK resort and do things like hiring a boat on Bay Lake and visiting some of the bars around the monorail.

Look at that pretty pool

Yummy Yummy in My Tummy (our food plans)

Our ADR's list is as follows...

12th
1900 park fare - 9am
This is a new one for us, and I'm breaking my own no buffet rule for it so it better be good... We fancied seeing some characters

Ohana - 5.20pm
This is booked for 4 people as we are having dinner with Hayley and Gareth I wonder if I can get another picture of a plate full of shrimp shells and tails like last time...

14th
Planet Hollywood - 7:30pm
We had a great meal in here in May so thought we would head back while we can, if you believe the rumors of it going from DTD

16th
Wolfgang Puck Cafe - 8pm
This is a new one for us, I'm torn as to whether we will keep it as they do a lot of the same foods as the express. Sy likes sushi though and they do it here... time will tell

17th
Sanaa - 1:30pm
Making the most of staying in AKL. I am literally dreaming of those naan breads. I need at least 2 all to myself Sy made the 'mistake' as he called it last time by going for the tandoori chicken wrap, next time he wants curry

18th
Whispering canyon cafe - 11am
This is the day that we check out of AKL and into BLT so have made us a reservation for breakfast somewhere nearby. Never been here before so keen to try it out and see what the fuss is about.

Garden View Tea room - 3:30pm
Another new one for us, looking forward to taking a leisurely trip round on the monorail.

19th
Kona cafe - 1pm
This is a first for us, have read lots of good things about it though so looking forward to it.

21st
Maya grill - 7pm
I haven't seen this place written about much but the menu looks great so we decided to give it a go. We love Mexican food so hopefully cant go too wrong here.

22nd
Yak & Yeti - 1pm
I wasn't all that impressed with this place in 2012 but Sy loved it so we decided to give it another go. I'm going to try something different than the sweet and sour which was bog standard and dull, luckily there are a few different chicken dishes on the menu.

23rd
Tokyo dining - 7pm
I am so looking forward to this one, again it's a first for us. I've been devouring pictures online trying to decide what I'm going to eat. Sy cant wait for the sushi.

25th
Grand Floridian Cafe - 8:40pm
This will be the first time we have eaten here for dinner. We have had breakfast here a few times and really like the ambience so I'm sure dinner will be great. I already know what I will be ordering

27th
Sci fi dine in - 12:45pm
We went here in 2010 and I wasn't impressed at all, but they have since changed the menu so I'm giving it another go. Plus I gotta have some more of those onion rings

28th
The plaza - 7:30pm
This is another new one, we had booked to come here in May but we ended up cancelling and going out for dinner with Hayley and Gareth and Carrie and Mark instead

There is also one other rather special meal booked on our wedding anniversary (the 19th). I've told Sy that I've booked a dinner at Grand Floridian for that night... but I haven't I'll let you in on it, but you mustn't tell him, okay?

I have booked us an 'Intimate dining experience' at the Grand Floridian. We are meeting our butler by the grand piano, he will then escort us up to a private balcony (or a window if its raining) overlooking Bay Lake and Magic Kingdom. This is where we will be served a 5 course meal that I have already chosen with a fabulous lady at the Grand, she has been wonderful in helping me find something that I can eat! We will then watch Wishes while we eat our dinner - it's not a clear view of Wishes but that doesn't matter. Here are a few pictures I found of the experience online...

I am so, so excited for this! I cant wait to surprise Sy. We have had some rather rubbish anniversaries so far, our first wasn't so bad but it felt bad at the time, we were in Florida and got to our villa on our anniversary and it was a hole, it was dirty and disgusting. It really put a dampener on the day. Our second anniversary we were in the south of France when my mum had heart failure so we spent the day in the airport trying to get home. Our third anniversary our cat had to be put to sleep she was 21 years old and she was my best friend so this year is our fourth, and I'm determined to make up for the last few years and make it one to remember for all the right reasons

Counter Service Yums

We never seem to eat at any of the counter service places around world showcase in Epcot so we are hoping to change that in September. I really like the look of Katsura Grill in the Japan Pavilion, and I'm sure Sy would enjoy Liberty Inn in the America pavilion.

I still want to make it for lunch in Be Our Guest. We did have an ADR for here and then they changed the chicken dish to include tomatoes and olives - neither of which I eat! So I cancelled it But there is something on the lunchtime menu that I will eat so keep your fingers crossed for me that the queue isn't too bad in September

We will eat a few meals at the Mara at AKL, probably when we want to have something back at the hotel and cant be bothered to go out anywhere lol

I struggle to find yummy food in HS but ABC Commissary does a blue chicken sandwich that looks good or Studio Catering Co. does buffalo chicken sandwich or Caesar wrap, the only problem there though is that its outside so no air con, I find it hard to eat in the September heat.

Cosmic Rays - it's always on the list at least once, Sy's got to get his fix of the toppings bar

Restaurantasaurus - we get 20% with our Tables in Wonderland card here though we may try Pizzafari or Flame tree BBQ to be different. We always say we will try one of those but we always end up back by Dinosaur and heading in there for some food!

Snack Yums

It goes without saying, no trip would be complete without a Dole Whip!

Gotta make it to Starring Rolls for a Nepoleon I could just eat one of those right now. Yum yum yum.

I still need to finally get a funnel cake, I keep mentioning it in my Pre-Trips and yet never get to actually have one this has got to change. I'm making it my mission on this trip to have one.

We will have to stop somewhere for a Corn dog for Simon He loves those disgusting things, Bleugh!

Really want to try out the new and improved Boardwalk Bakery for some snack type foods the Disney food blog pictures have been making me drool.

I've put this in the snack area cause we just want to visit for an ice cream - Beaches and Cream It won't be the kitchen sink though, I don't like lots of different toppings and flavours, give me vanilla anytime!

As we are there over the start, I'm planning on an afternoon snacking round the world at the Food and Wine Festival

Offsite Yums

So those are the onsite meals and eats that are planned, but there are SO many places we wanna eat offsite too!

Steak and shake (I'm sure we will be visiting here with Hayley & Gareth!)

Outback, love it here. Its all about the Wallaby Darned!

Longhorn, Sy's gotta try some of their steak this time as we visited on our last day in May and he didn't want a big slab of meat before the flight LOL

Chili's, a yummy dinner at a great price

Kobe, Yum Yum Yum, did I say Yum?

Hooters, gotta try their loaded tato tots!

Miller's Ale House, a first for us.

Market Street Cafe (another first)
Tony Roma's (Monday night endless slab ribs for Sy)

Jeez, just looking at all that food is making me feel like I'm putting on weight, I best hit the gym HAAAAARD before we go to make up for it.

The Itinerary

It was a wise woman who once said, planning is everything, the plan is nothing. I like to plan to within an inch of my life, and half the time the plan goes out the window but it never matters, things happen and change but that's half the fun

We plan to visit all of the main Disney parks, the 2 water parks and Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We have annual passes for Disney and Universal. We also plan to visit MNSSHP We have outfits kinda sorted, but I'll get to that later.

We also plan to hire a boat out on Bay Lake while we are staying at BLT. Not one of those little sea racer thingys, they are too close to the water and look like they might sink if both me and Simon get in one together LOL. I'm talking one of the bigger boats...

We also plan to visit some of the bars along the monorail while staying at BLT, I really cant wait to head to Grand Floridian and listen to the band play with a nice drink

Watch some movies by the pool in AKL.

We want to spend some time exploring and relaxing at the gorgeous resorts on this trip, as we will be taking the parks a little easier, I guess that's a luxury that comes with owning DVC - you know you're going to be back again soon so there's no need to make sure you have done 'everything'.

As I mentioned before, we are there during the start of Food and Wine and so we get to see one of the bands playing, and for our dates its Starship ft Mickey Thomas, we saw them last year and they were good so we are looking forward to seeing them again this year

Our MNSSHP outfits this year will be inspired by Mickey and Minnie mouse. I have a dress bought already that I need to make a petticoat to go under it. I need some Minnie ears, a belt and some shoes to finish the outfit, I might even get some white gloves Sy is going to be wearing red shorts with big yellow buttons on, a white shirt with a black cardigan and his infamous yellow crocs some mickey ears and a yellow bow tie will complete the outfit

This is the Vivien of Holloway dress its not here yet but I've ordered it

Some new additions to our holidaying.

It was well overdue that we got some new suitcases, ours were damaged last year coming home and we had to borrow some from my mum for our May trip so after seeing a thread online about these 'world lightest suitcases' and seeing the fab reviews, we decided to take the plunge and buy some. We are now the proud owners of the large suitcase, the medium and the extra small (cabin size). Sy wants to order another cabin size bag but I'm not sure we need another one... but then it will probably be good to have so I'm sure I'll cave and we will order it

We had a bit of a drama getting the medium one, I ordered 2 of the large ones online (each with PS10 off voucher I picked up in store) and then decided that 2 of the huge ones wasn't very sensible so when I picked them up in store I tried to change one for a medium one but they didn't have any so I took it to another store near my mums, they didn't have one either but they had the sweetest girl working there who called loads of different stores for me, in the end she found one miles away but it wasn't too far from where she lived so she was going to go over and pick it up on her day off and transfer it to her store! I couldn't believe it! I didn't think people were still that nice I wrote to Matalan to tell them how happy and impressed I was. We were in there for 45 mins while she tried to get us that case, I am very grateful to her!

I'm sure they taste great if you eat red meat but as i dont, i dont like them I make up for it though by eating lots of other fattening stuff hehehe

Awww thank you I love posting my reports here, i always feel lke they are welcomed and enjoyed

I am *so* up for meeting up, name the place and we will be there

I havent thought about being a travel writer but you have put the thought in my head, a grown up guide to WDW maybe? I do want to become a novel writer though, i'm working on it I have had 1 article published on here, the second is going up tomorrow. They have been so much fun to write

We are really lucky that hubby currently gets 25 days of holiday (though its shortly going up to 28 days!)

I have never even heard of texas roadhouse, will go on the hunt for it and add it to the plan thank you very much for the tip and thank you for thinking of me and my chicken fetish lol xxxxx

Awww thank you, me too! its from a boutique in london called vivien of holloway, they sell 50's style clothes

Ooooh are you?! have you made your choices on food yet? I'll make sure i get that report bit up before your trip I'm writing a piece about it for the guidebook on here too xxxxxx

Awwww yes it was my birthday today I was a very spoiled girl - a spa day, a haunted mansion phone case & Finding nemo Blu ray from hubby, an underwater camera from my parents, present from in laws to come we all went out for dinner to a teppanyeki grill about 30 mins from our house it was lovely.

Was Eric your first love too?

Done, its on the list

Thank you xxxxxx

Its on the list now xxxx

Oooh i love a good bit of bread

Thank you xxxxxxxxx

A little Update

My VOH dress came and its gorgeous

Excuse the dodgy no make up face, I just had to try it on as soon as it came!

I've bought a buckle and some white elastic to make a nice belt to go with it, now I just need to make the petticoat Will need to buy some Minnie Ears somewhere too. Not sure if I will buy them here in the UK before we go or once we get out there.

I have a few holiday purchases already

A maxi dress from Primark - though it's a little short so I'm going to alter it and make it longer I'm not a fan of the dresses that finish at the ankle, I like my dresses floor length. As they don't have a website I have no picture of this one, I'll try to get one of me in it soon.

A pink top from New Look. I'm not sure what I'm going to wear it with just yet, but I loved it and just had to have it, plus at PS5 I couldn't really leave it there hehehe

I also bought some gorgeous new fabric to make a maxi skirt from. Its on its way to being made but I had a bit of a problem with one of the sewing machines so am now waiting on Sy to have a look at it and try to fix it for me Will post a picture once its finished!

A new addition to the offsite eats...

Texas roadhouse. It's been highly recommended by some lovely people so we are going to try it out. There is one by the cross of the 192 and I4 so I'm sure we will be able to find it Sy thinks he knows where it is so I'll be blaming him when we are driving around lost

I've also chosen our meals for the Intimate Dining Experience.

Sy's dinner will be as follows;

Lobster Risotto with Mushroom butter

French Onion Soup

Citrus scented Tuna salad

Grilled pork chop with bacon, corn popover, caramelized onions, wilted arugula and a balsamic reduction

Baked chocolate mousse.

My dinner will be;

Vegetable spring rolls

Soup of some kind - I cant have French onion or tomato so I'll be having the soup of the day. Who knows if I'll be able to eat it lol.

Caesar Salad

Pan roasted chicken breast in a mushroom cream sauce with seasonal vegetables

Swan filled with white chocolate mousse and vanilla cream.

I haven't ordered any alcoholic drinks as we aren't really big drinkers, especially not with dinner. We will most probably get a drink beforehand in the bar. I've asked for a few soft drinks to have with the meal.

So that's all I have to update you with right now. I did say it was only a little one Giving the hand luggage cases a test run this weekend as we are taking the trip that I won to Paris We leave early Friday morning catching the Eurostar from London - cant wait! Eeeeek!

Thank you I am a little bit in love with the dress hehehe

Thank you! I had a lovely time and some really good food in the evening I have been known to tell people that my birthday should be declared a holiday too... its never caught on though..... hehehe

Thank you I had a lovely day

I didnt know the intimate dining existed either! It was only a few weeks ago that i saw a review of it on another forum (boohiss) Texas road house is now firmly on the list

That sounds like a plan! Are you dressing up?

Yeah I am kind thinking the food in 1900 will be just okay, as long as there's mickey waffles though I'll be happy I do think I will try a little strawberry soup, sounds erm, interesting? lol. I have only done 1 other character breakfast which was chef Mickeys and I HATED it so I'm sure it will be a step up from that

The dress is gorgeous on, its very very well made too, its lined and was boned all the way round but i went and took the bones out LOL They dug in and i thought that wouldnt be good walking round in the heat.

That website is just like the sort of website that Vivien of Holloway is, so pretty!

I'm not sure of Whispering canyon, i think it would be better if there was going to be a big group of us but as its only us 2 it might be a bit 'flat'. I havent mentioned the ketchup thing to Sy, and I know he will ask for it hehehehehehehehe evil? moi? never....

I didnt enjoy Sci-Fi a few years ago but they have changed the menu and now offer a chicken BLT so thats what I'll be having

Thanks for reading and for all the birthday wishes!