Our Annual Anniversary Trip - A Pre-Trip Report - UPDATED 8/22 About This Page:

[KimM]

It’s just under three weeks until we head to Disney, so I figured it was time for a pre-trip report. I did a pre-trip report for our anniversary trip last year, but never managed to get a TR written. I’m going to do my best this time to post a TR. I’m planning to take my laptop (which I normally do not do) so I can make some notes each night. We’ll see how that goes…

Dates:
September 6 – 10

Accomodations:
All-Star Music (1st time for us) w/free dining

Cast of Characters:
Me (35) – Disney freak, reader of all Disney related materials and websites and Disney pin collector


Me at CP last year

DH (45) – a Disney convert – always thought WDW was for kids. He’s finally come around to my way of thinking and is anticipating this trip as much as I am.


DH at CP last year

We have a secondary Cast of Characters, our friends S & S and their twin 6 year old DSs, L & V, who will probably make a few appearances in the TR. S&S are our best friends – we live about a mile apart and see each other at least once a week for dinner, movies, etc. They WDW as much as we do and they look to me to help plan our trips. We all have APs (we live about 1.5 hours away) and we usually do one or two joint trips a year, though each family goes on their own a few times a year too. We always enjoy being there with our friends, however, we don’t force ourselves to do everything together. We each make a tentative plan and work out what meals, shows or parks we’ll do together. Then I make all our ADRs, which I’ll share later in the report. (I will admit that I was a little upset initially that they wanted to come with us since it’s our anniversary trip, but DH helped me come to my senses and reminded me that we will still have lots of one-on-one time to enjoy each other. As usual, he’s right )


Our Friends

Reason(s) for Trip:
DH and I will be celebrating our 8th anniversary this year and I’ll be attending the Disney Pin Celebration. This is the 4th year in a row that we’ve celebrated our anniversary at WDW. Our anniversary is actually August 13th, but we normally end up going to WDW around this same time each year so we celebrate a few weeks late. I try to plan something new for us each year. Last year, we stayed at the Poly for a few nights and then went on a 3 night cruise on the Disney Wonder (it was our 1st time at the Poly and our first time together on DCL). Stay tuned to find out what I've planned for us this year!

This is my second year going to the pin celebration. I love collecting (read…buying) pins; I’m not as good about trading them away! Most of the folks at these events are major traders/collectors, which I’m definitely not, but I really enjoy the events, meeting new people and interacting with CMs. The event is held at the World Showplace in EPCOT. I usually pop in and out throughout the day, depending on what’s going on. DH will hang out people watching or taking pictures while I’m there. Our friends have invited him to go to a water park with them one day, so he may do that so I can hang out with the "pin people," as DH calls them. He is definitely NOT interested in attending the pin event!

Planning:
To help with planning, I tried Tour Guide Mike for the first time this year. The website is full of helpful info. I’m eager to see how accurate his “least crowded parks” schedule is. I’ll let you know in a few weeks.

Of course, I rely heavily on my Passporter and you, my Passporter family, for advice and suggestions. I’ve been reading a lot of TRs lately and have lists of things I want to do or try based on your suggestions.

As many of you have experienced, our trip planning has not been without its problems. Some of you may remember that I fell in the bathtub back in early July and injured my knee – three torn (or possibly severed) ligaments, torn cartilage and a bone bruise. I was afraid I might either have to cancel our trip or tour the parks on a ECV. I really didn’t want to do either. I am happy to report that I’ve been in physical therapy for a little over a month now and have the blessing of my therapist to walk, unassisted, around the parks. I know I’ll be somewhat limited, but he says if I’m careful (no running, no walking on uneven terrain, etc.) that I’ll be fine. I just need to listen to my body. I know the ECV is still an option if I need it. DH is quite protective and won’t let me overdo it.

Coming Up: Our plans and ADRs…

[disneydani]

You're off to a great start, Kim! How fun to be celebrating at WDW and seeing some friends along the way, too.

danielle

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Kim More please

[KimM]

We’ve been AP holders for a few years now and we’re lucky enough to go to WDW about 4 times each year (this trip is 4 nights, but normally it's just for the weekend). It’s been a rough year for us, job changes, money problems, health issues, etc. and we really need this vacation. Taking this and my bum knee into consideration, I tried to keep our plans light and allowed time for a swim and nap each day. As much as I being at Disney, I am committed to relaxation.

Money has been tight and DH convinced me that we should not renew our APs this year. Again, he’s right! We had to buy a one-day ticket for the free dining package, so we figured we would go to MK one day around Christmas to see the decorations and such. It was sad to think we wouldn’t be able to just jump in the car and head to WDW on the spur of the moment if we wanted to (well, without dropping $$$ for tix!) I mentioned this to DMom and DAunt and they decided to give us the money to renew our passes as an early birthday/Christmas present! (My bday is in November and DH’s is in January.)

That being said, it gives us even more of an excuse to take it easy this trip. We will have our APs for one more year!

Here’s the plan:

Thursday, Sept. 6
Leave home around 9 am
Arrive at ASMu around 11 am
Check-in; drop off luggage
Head over to YC for Pin Celebration check-in
Possibly lunch at Beaches & Cream? If not, then grab something at EPCOT
Try to hit TT and Grand Fiesta Tour
Dinner – Crystal Palace w/our friends (1st time for dinner)
Hang out at MK for a while before heading pack to hotel to unpack, swim, relax

Friday, Sept. 7:
Breakfast at Intermission Food Court
EPCOT for Pin Celebration activities in the morning
Grab a snack or light lunch – Kringla Bakeri og Café (School Bread )
Back to hotel by around 1:30 pm to freshen up for afternoon/evening
Garden View Lounge Tea – 3:20 pm – Just me and DH ( 1st time )
La Nouba – 6 pm – Just me and DH ( 1st time )
Dinner after the show – either pizzas at WGP or we may try Cookes of Dublin (DH loves fish and chips!)
Depending on how we feel, we might go to PI and check out the Adventurer’s Club. We’ve yet to go to PI – we’re always too tired!!

Saturday, Sept. 8
Breakfast at Intermission Food Court
EPCOT for Pin Celebration activities in the morning
Head to AK before it gets too hot – ride EE and see Nemo show
Relaxing afternoon – swimming, shopping
Dinner – Le Cellier w/S&S (their DSs will be with Grandpa, who lives in Orlando)
No plans for after dinner – we’ll just see what happens!

Sunday, Sept. 9: May be some changes in store for this day – I’m not happy with the “flow”
Breakfast at Intermission Food Court
EPCOT for Pin Celebration activities in the morning (DH will probably stay behind at the hotel)
DH and I to meet at MGM for lunch at Sci Fi @ 11:30 am
May ride ToT for the 1st time!
Anniversary dinner – Artist Point – 5:30 pm (1st time)
Meet our friends at YC/BC for Illuminations Cruise at 8 pm (We’re sharing this cruise with someone I met on the DIS boards.) ( 1st time )
I think EMH is at MK tonight, so we’ll probably head over there after Illuminations

Monday, Sept. 10
Sleep in and get packed
Have a farewell breakfast at Chef Mickey’s at 10:20 am – just the two of us (1st time)
May go to MK for an hour or so before we head home. DH wants to get a haircut at Harmony Barber Shop again and I’m thinking this might be a good day.


DH at the Barber Shop last year – before the pixie dust and green gel!

There’s only one other thing I’m trying to work out. We have some friends who live in Orlando (she’s actually a part-time CM) and they want to get together with us and have dinner at Boma. I’m just not sure when we’ll be able to fit it in, as I’m not willing to cancel Le Cellier or Artist Point and they can only do weekends for dinner (child care and work conflicts). I’m going to try to convince them to just join us at EPCOT one day instead. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Coming Up: Can you have too many lists?

[Colexis Mom]

Great plans And how great you were able to renew your APs

[DrDolphin]

Great updates Kim! Sounds like a great trip and kudos on the knee situation. Keep up the great work and I hope you write a TR about your trip!

[PixieDustDiva]

Your plans sound great! You will be at the MK and EP on two days we will be there! We are going to be at WDW 9/2-9/9 and that Thursday is one of our MK days and that Friday is one of our EP days. I didn't know about the pin trading thing. By DD is really into it but I am sure all the adult stuff is way over her head! Still might be interesting for me to check out so I can help inform her!

[DyanKJ130]

Your plans look wonderful!! Can't wait to hear more

[bsblady01]

I hope that you have a magical time at the world.

[Nimros]

Great plans!

I'll be interested in hearing how TourGuideMike works for you...we using his advice for our up-coming trip, too.

Can't wait to read more...

[Jookiba]

Sounds like great plans to me! I hope you have a great time and post a TR when you return.

[Alice in wonderland]

great plans so far!!!!! looking forward to hearing more!

[TheThomasFam]

Your plans sound great!! What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary.

And what a great DM and DA to give you AP money!! That's a great gift!!

[ArielsMomto2]

Your plans look great. Hurry back with more.

[dsnytina]

Have a wonderful trip!

So glad your knee recovery went well!

Tina