Plan a trip on 5 weeks notice

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Plan a trip on 5 weeks notice

*hyperventilating*

Hubby and I booked plane tickets last night...we'll be back at Disney World in 5 weeks! yay

MNSSHP here we come! Trick or treating! *squee*

We'd been talking about it for a while (I mentioned it on my trip report thread) and we decided to just go for it. Not a long trip this time, just 6.5 days. I think we'll spend 4.5 at Disney and the other two having a look around Orlando - possibly the space centre, universal studios or seaworld.

So, since hubby is travelling for work at the moment, I need to organise the holiday biggrin Other than the plane trip and a house sitter for the animals, nothing is sorted.

So, the first question is, where do we stay? Animal Kingdom Lodge was gorgeous, and I'd love to stay there again, but we'd like to try something different this time. Any thoughts on the Yacht Club? Trip advisor has it ranked #1 of the disney resorts. Alternatively, any favourite moderate resorts? I'm keen on fantastic theming, which AKL really came through with, so is there any resort that can top that? This is pretty much a stream of consciousness...my brain has been running on overdrive...I don't think I slept last night!

I believe the food and wine festival will be running; does that have a significant impact on the crowds at Epcot? Touring plans doesn't take it into account when it does its calculations...

Soooo many questions...I might just take a deep breath and come back later mickey

Cheers,
Helen

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Food & Wine definitely has an impact on crowds, especially on the weekends and Friday evening. If possible, plan your time to be in Epcot during the week, and visit the other parks over the weekend.

I haven't been there, but Wilderness Lodge is supposed to be nicely themed. Then again, the Yacht Club is so close to Epcot - you could walk in the back door to enjoy the Food & Wine festival. There are a lot of resort reviews on allears.net - that might help narrow down some of your choices. There are also some blogs about many of the resorts - with many pics and some even have videos.

Are you going to wear a costume to the Halloween party? I really hope to go to that one year.

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How exciting! I'd be in hyper drive too with just 5 weeks to plan Smile

I've always wanted to stay at the Yacht Club, there are some really fantastic views on the water side. My husband and I have spent a lot of time there just walking around and eating, it's one of my favorites even though I haven't stayed there yet. I think that all of the Deluxe Resorts really have amazing themes, and I've heard that Coronado Springs and Port Orleans have that immersive feel as well. It all depends on what themes you enjoy most.

I agree with Suz that F&W will impact the crowds a bit. I'd suggest doing Epcot earlier in the week rather than on the weekend to cut down on that traffic, or to make Epcot your morning stop and park hop elsewhere when the crowds start to bother you.

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Here is a link that might help with crowd expectations. I've found Josh's info to be very accurate and he gives a ton of details that can help you decide between his recommended parks.

http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/october2011/

As for where to stay, I might consider what you are going to be doing as well as the theming. If you know that you want to hop over to Epcot daily to sample the F&W goodies, being walking distance would be a great time savings. That would be hugely important to me.

I can only vaguely comment on theming. We are park commandos, and don't spend that much time in our rooms. That said we've stayed in POFQ and POR. Both were beautiful and well themed, but the rooms themselves are a bit sparse on decor, especially compared with the pix I've seen in people's trip reports from Lux resorts. I love POFQ, and we are going back in Feb.

I did our first two trips like this, and it was an incredible long adrenaline rush of excitement. If weren't for the ADRs I'd do it
like this every time.

Good Luck and congrats

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I've heard that Wilderness Lodge is very nice like Animal Kingdom Lodge and simairly designed....they were designed by the same person

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I'm doing the research now, trying to work out which days are best for doing what...

@TrueBlue63 (are you an aussie?); thanks for that link, there's so much detail there about why certain days are good and others bad. It's going to be so handy!

I like the idea of being walking distance from Epcot - it would be a nice way to fill our final half day (friday) before we leave, rather than trusting the buses.

@Suz333; I probably won't have a costume. My existing ones involve corsetry, and I don't think that's a good idea when getting on and off rides silly I might wear a mask though.

@Jess; we visited Wilderness Lodge last time, just to have a look around. It was gorgeous, although I thought the wood wasn't as real-looking as that in AKL. Maybe because there's more of it?

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Helen - congrats! So exciting that you'll be back this way so soon!

I would definitely check out Wilderness Lodge. Also, if being close to Magic Kingdom interests you, we have some die hard fans of the Polynesian. And I really love the Grand Floridian, although it's not such a magical theme...just really, really pretty. Finally, I really liked the pirate rooms at Caribbean Beach Resort - they were adorable. But for ease of travel, and if your budget allows it, staying at an MK resort or an Epcot resort would be the way to go, imo. Here aer a couple of fansites that might have some helpful information. Good luck - I think you'll love the food and wine fest!

http://www.disneycaribbeanbeach.com/
http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/

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Not an Aussie, though I've always wanted to go, the plane trip is a serious deterrent.

I'm Brooklyn>Manhattan>California>NJ and I wonder where my next stop will be, though it will have to be near water, my big little guy has just started sailing.

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Well, this is interesting...the only deluxe resort with room for two people is Wilderness Lodge! Good thing I didn't have my heart set on staying at AKL again wink

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Accommodation is booked! We're staying at Old Key West (I can get key lime pie at Olivia's this time biggrin ). I've also got tickets to the Tuesday night MNSSHP.

Thanks for the great links Lizzy_B and TrueBlue63. I'd like to go to the Caribbean Beach Resort another time, but they didn't have rooms this time. Turns out the the Garnter Symposium is running that week, booking out most of the resorts near Epcot.

Now, on to ADRs!

@TrueBlue63 - 'true blue' is slang here, it means someone or something that's really Aussie/patriotic. Hence my question. It sounds like you've done plenty of wandering though! It's worth the plane trip out here (although you'll probably be appalled at the price of everything).

Cheers,
Helen

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clapping

looking forward to hearing what ADRs you got. Are you getting the dining plan? If so you can use the snack credits at the Food & Wine festival.

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@JoAnn, thanks for the tip - we don't have a dining plan at the moment, but I might do the sums and work out whether it would be a good investment!

I booked some ADRs last night, but they may change - hubby is travelling at the moment so we'll need to talk them over when he gets back.

Sunday - dinner at Boma (ADR)
Monday - graze Epcot, visit Beaches & Cream
Tuesday - lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby (ADR)
Wednesday - breakfast at Olivia's (ADR)
Thursday - dinner at Olivia's (ADR)
Friday - breakfast at Olivia's (ADR)

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helen wrote:
Accommodation is booked! We're staying at Old Key West (I can get key lime pie at Olivia's this time biggrin ). I've also got tickets to the Tuesday night MNSSHP.

Thanks for the great links Lizzy_B and TrueBlue63. I'd like to go to the Caribbean Beach Resort another time, but they didn't have rooms this time. Turns out the the Garnter Symposium is running that week, booking out most of the resorts near Epcot.

Now, on to ADRs!

@TrueBlue63 - 'true blue' is slang here, it means someone or something that's really Aussie/patriotic. Hence my question. It sounds like you've done plenty of wandering though! It's worth the plane trip out here (although you'll probably be appalled at the price of everything).

Cheers,
Helen

My Pleasure! Oh, I can't wait to hear all about your trip! It is just SO LOVELY here in the fall! Oct-Jan is hands down the best time to visit Central FL, imo! Good luck!

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Absolutely Happy to help a fellow Disney fan, and last minute traveller.

You're going to have a blast! Perhaps you'll favor us with your thoughts on the trip.

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Hi, Helen,

I'm in a very similar situation, only my trip is 7 weeks out. I had a trip in early September I had to plan for so I haven't had any time to think about my WDW trip, beyond booking airfare and 5 nights hotel at WDW. I still need to book 2 nights at or near Universal, and buy park tickets, and plan my time, including make ADRs if needed. Yikes! I'll pay attention to this thread for some good advice for sure! awesome

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What an awesome time! Since it's only 5 weeks out, how about going with a fairly non-planned trip. You've got some ADR's and your tix/room, just go with the flow when you get there. Since it's F&W & MNSHHP, you might find that you want to just wander rather than follow a plan.

I've heard OKW is really nice, but have never stayed there.

I don't see any character meals, if you want one of those be sure to do an advanced ADR, otherwise I think i'd just go with the flow.

Also, if you are on DDP, a friend told me you can use snack credits at F&W.

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Not plan? But, but...impossible! I was born to plan biggrin

Most stuff is booked now
Friday - Arrive late, hotel at the airport overnight.
Saturday - Pick up the car, head out to Kennedy Space Center and other odds and ends for the day. Magical Express early evening to Old Key West.
Sunday - Magic Kingdom for the day, evening at AKL
Monday - Epcot and the Boardwalk
Tuesday - Hollywood Studios followed by MNSSHP
Wednesday - Universal Studios and Halloween Horror Night (shuttle bus transport)
Thursday - Animal Kingdom, followed by HS/EP/Boardwalk/DTD
Friday - Downtown Disney, then Magical Express back to the airport to head home Sad

Just need to book the universal shuttle and tickets - I'm up early waiting for the travel agent to call to make the booking.

@SoloFriendly, I had no problems getting the ADRs I wanted. Much easier than last time in fact, even though it's a much shorter time frame.

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helen wrote:
Friday - Arrive late, hotel at the airport overnight.
Saturday - Pick up the car, head out to Kennedy Space Center and other odds and ends for the day. Magical Express early evening to Old Key West.
Wednesday - Universal Studios and Halloween Horror Night (shuttle bus transport)
Just need to book the universal shuttle and tickets - I'm up early waiting for the travel agent to call to make the booking.
quote]

Helen just curious, does Magical Express know you are arriving on Friday night but not getting on ME till Saturday, they USUALLY have your arrival listed by flight number and time. I would probably check with ME to make sure they keep you "on the books" so to speak.

Also what shuttle bus to U.S. are you getting booked on, I tried to find the shuttle that someone else refered to and had no luck so I wound up renting a car for my entire trip. That way I can go off property for a couple of trips to the Golden Corral.

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Vettelover wrote:

Helen just curious, does Magical Express know you are arriving on Friday night but not getting on ME till Saturday, they USUALLY have your arrival listed by flight number and time. I would probably check with ME to make sure they keep you "on the books" so to speak.

Also what shuttle bus to U.S. are you getting booked on, I tried to find the shuttle that someone else refered to and had no luck so I wound up renting a car for my entire trip. That way I can go off property for a couple of trips to the Golden Corral.

We've booked the shuttle through Destinations in Florida (http://destinationsinflorida.com/216-2/). I just got off the phone with Dana - she's organised the shuttle with 1 day/2 park tickets, halloween horror night tickets and the HHN express pass for us. We booked the shuttle/park tickets through them last time and it all went off without a hitch.

For the ME, I just put in the flight details of a random flight that arrived at the appropriate time. Hopefully it doesn't get delayed, or they might be a bit surprised!

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It would be my dream to plan a trip on such short notice!! You are going to have a fantastic time!

Have you ever eaten at Olivia's before? I really enjoyed eating there..there is a fantastic server there named John (apparently he's one of those guys that has been there forever). He was amazing..seriously the best server I've ever had.

We loved staying at OKW it was like staying in your own private condo with all the perks of Disney. We'd love to stay there again!

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Bella wrote:
It would be my dream to plan a trip on such short notice!! You are going to have a fantastic time!

Have you ever eaten at Olivia's before? I really enjoyed eating there..there is a fantastic server there named John (apparently he's one of those guys that has been there forever). He was amazing..seriously the best server I've ever had.

We loved staying at OKW it was like staying in your own private condo with all the perks of Disney. We'd love to stay there again!

I wasn't sure quite what to expect at OKW, but it sounds lovely. Olivia's dinner menu looked good and there's a banana dish on the breakfast menu I want to try! It might have even been you that recommended the key lime pie there? (Which I didn't manage to get to last time.)

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helen wrote:
Not plan? But, but...impossible! I was born to plan biggrin

Most stuff is booked now
Friday - Arrive late, hotel at the airport overnight.
Saturday - Pick up the car, head out to Kennedy Space Center and other odds and ends for the day. Magical Express early evening to Old Key West.
Sunday - Magic Kingdom for the day, evening at AKL
Monday - Epcot and the Boardwalk
Tuesday - Hollywood Studios followed by MNSSHP
Wednesday - Universal Studios and Halloween Horror Night (shuttle bus transport)
Thursday - Animal Kingdom, followed by HS/EP/Boardwalk/DTD
Friday - Downtown Disney, then Magical Express back to the airport to head home Sad

Just need to book the universal shuttle and tickets - I'm up early waiting for the travel agent to call to make the booking.

@SoloFriendly, I had no problems getting the ADRs I wanted. Much easier than last time in fact, even though it's a much shorter time frame.

OMG, you're DONE already?!? You are GOOD, oh Planning Queen. biggrin

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SoloFriendly wrote:

OMG, you're DONE already?!? You are GOOD, oh Planning Queen. biggrin

It was made easy by hubby being away! He was so tired every time we spoke that he just agreed to everything! laugh

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LoL... if you ask my DH about vacation he will tell you that it's my trip and he's just along for the ride. Which is sorta true, but I do try and plan a lot around things that I know he'll enjoy. I'm a little too worried that there are going to be to many meet -n-greets for him next week.

Helen - the trip looks great! You're going to have a blast!

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helen wrote:
It might have even been you that recommended the key lime pie there? (Which I didn't manage to get to last time.)

It might have been me but I am not a huge key lime fan but I did have it and it was good! It was creamier than most..which I like because the really tart stuff makes me all stabby.

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19 days until we leave! clapping

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helen wrote:
19 days until we leave! clapping

clapping yay clapping yay

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We stayed at the Yacht Club last year for our 15th wedding anniversary. Loved it! Makes you feel like you are in Nantucket circa 1890. The CM's are all helpful. Our room overlooked the tennis courts. We also had a quiet pool nearby but how can you not go to Storm Along Bay? BEST POOL EVER!!!!! The slide down the grounded pirate ship is unbelievable!

If you like the nautical feel with a touch of elegance, stay there.

Looking for a moderate, the BEST is Port Orleans Riverside. This is our favorite "Moderate" resort. We always stay in the mansion section. Love the whole "Old South" look. You feel transported back to the 1800's. Landscaping is beautiful.

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Sounds lovely Poppet! Hubby is very keen on staying at the Yacht Club another time, just gives us another excuse to come back!