Newbie Dooby Doo -- March 19-26 POR - UPDATED 4/6 About This Page:

[njlaura]

Mission:

We’re off tomorrow for a week in Disney with our newbie best friends (one of whom is very skeptical that she’ll have a good time). Can we convert her?


Cast

The Z Family

Me (Laura) 44: Avid Passporter boards reader, infrequent poster, obsessive planner and first-time trip reporter.

Craig, 49: Funniest person I know if you don’t get him up too early. Turns into a kid again at Disney. Unfortunately, he won’t go near a roller coaster.

Perry, 6: Our beautiful daughter, lover of princesses and High School Musical. She says she’ll go on all the roller coasters with me (except RNR). Will she chicken out?

Here we are last year.







The A Family

(I’m using aliases because I haven’t told them I’m writing a trip report yet. Likewise, no pic of them either.)

Ms. A, 46: My best friend of almost 25 years, effortlessly beautiful and the most thoughtful person you’ll meet. She’s going to Disney for her son and husband. She’s not convinced that she’ll have a magical time so I’ve taken extra care in planning this trip to make it special for her. I think I’m making her nervous though. A typical phone conversation:

Me: I just made up spreadsheets for our itinerary using least crowded times charts and our ADRs.
Ms A: …
Me: I’ve printed out sample tours for each park and have put them in a folder for you along with the itinerary and best view of parades sheets.
Ms A: …
Me: I’m sending you links to all the menus, reviews, and food pictures.
Ms A: …
Me: You there?
Ms A: You’re scaring me.

Mr A, 50: The smartest guy who knows a bit about everything. He’s very excited about going to Disney but also a little scared of my obsessive planning.

Little A, 6: Too bad there’s no picture because he’s so cute with his dimples. He’s most excited about seeing the Haunted Mansion.


Our first trip to Disney was in March 2006. (Technically, I went for a day in the mid-70s when I was a kid. In those days our family of 7 would pile into the station wagon and drive for days, stopping at historical sites (not by the kids’ choice) and other educational venues. We would usually get one kids’ day and that year it was Disney. I was so envious of the people staying at the Polynesian while we were in a good old Days Inn. Back in those days my 10 year old sister and I could walk around on our own and meet up with our parents and brothers for dinner. My clearest memories of that day are that feeling of awe upon seeing Main St. for the first time and watching the Main St. Electrical Parade. My father’s favorite story: At the same time we were all meeting up for dinner another family was doing the same. Their conversation went something like this: “Where’s the baby?” “What do you mean where’s the baby? I thought you had the baby!” I hope it all turned out ok.)

Anyway, back to 2006. We decided to go to Disney at the spur of the moment and not knowing anything about anything Disney-related had no reason to think this would be difficult. We were also bringing my 80-year-old mother-in-law with us so needed a place with 2 bedrooms. We managed to find a reasonable suite off-site (clean, convenient but certainly not magical).

Things I learned on that trip:
1. Cute sandals have no place at Disney. By the end of the week my feet were covered in bandaids and blisters and I could barely walk.

2. It’s a good idea to write down your parking lot location. If you saw a grown woman carrying a tired child, crying, and hobbling around a dark parking lot for an hour, that would’ve been me.

3. Husband’s don’t like it when you accidently expose a day’s worth of film to the sun.

4. ADRs are your friends.

Even with sore feet and a nonmagical hotel, we had such a great time that we decided to go again the next year. This time we booked about 3 months ahead so I had more time to plan. I discovered Passporter and the Unofficial Guide and learned a lot of tips. We stayed at CSR and I got most of the ADRs that I requested. Of course Le Cellier was all booked up but I managed to snag California Grill during Wishes. That was an amazing evening.

We weren’t really planning on going again this year but when I discovered that The A Family’s spring break was the same as ours we talked about going away together. At first the plan was a Disney cruise but after checking the prices during spring break we went to plan B. Disney again!

Because my friend is so skeptical about enjoying herself there and because they’re newbies, and because I had a whole six months to obsess, I’ve taken extra care in planning this trip. Although our last two trips have been during March, they’ve never been during Easter week. I’m a bit nervous about the crowds but I think I’ve planned for them as well as I could. I’ve tried to explain to everyone the importance of arriving early in the morning but it’s falling on deaf ears. I won’t be able to convince anyone other than my daughter to arrive at rope drop with me. You guys understand though, right?

For the food obsessed like me, here’s a list of ADRs. I tried to get a mix for both the kids and the adults.

3/19: Chef Mickey’s dinner
3/20: Le Cellier dinner
3/21: Spoodles dinner
3/22: CRT lunch, Ohana dinner
3/23: California Grill dinner
3/24: Boma dinner
3/25: Alice in Wonderland tea, Kona Café dinner

So there’s the back story. It looks like the weather will be nice all week. Hopefully rainfree and humidity free to keep this curly head happy. There’s not much more I can do but pray that what I’ve learned from the boards and Tour Guide Mike will keep us ahead of the crowds.

So, will my friend become a Disney convert? Stay tuned…

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Laura And great ADRs I hope you guys have a magical time, and I can't wait to hear all about it

[PrincessSharon]

Great start! Looking forward to hearing about it. converting your friend!

[Caldercup]

I nominate this TR for the Best Title of the Year! Splendid! Brilliant! Clever!

(You can use that as a blurb on the back cover of your planning binder -- as I'm sure you have one. Anyone who has planned for six months MUST have a binder, right?!)

This sounds like so much fun and I'm so excited for you to show The World to your friend and her family.

I'm sending pixies for terrific "conversion" mojo!


Eileen

[RobDVC]

Excellent beginning!

[piratefreak]

Great start. Hopefully that Disney magic will kick in immediately and your friend will see the importance of your planning and convert to join all of us Disney maniacs.

[janicelovesmickey]

I am sure your friend will have a great time, and you got great ADR's!!
nice beginning to a pre-TR, looking forward to more.

[jimmymac]

Well, you're off to a great start. Looking forward to the next installment

[MGW]

Hope you have a great time. Can't wait to read your TR!

[BelmontBelle]

Wonderful start! Your DD is a doll! Have a fantastic time and converting your friend.

[momtolexi]

Have fun. I hope the newbies (as well as your family, of course) have a very magical time.

[njlaura]

Thanks everyone. Wow! Two members of the CLT® responding to my report! I'm so honored.

Almost packed. Had to run out on last minute errands like getting my hair highlighted and my messed up pedicure fixed. (I hate waiting for the polish to dry and often mess it up before I get home.)

Accuweather.com and weather.com have completely different forecasts. I think I'll just ignore all the days with rainclouds on them.

Think sun and no humidity for me!

[Disney_Scarlett]

Great start! I second Eileen's opinion for great TR title. Love it! Sounds like some fantastic plans. I hope the newbies come around (I'm sure they will).

Have a blast!

[tammyd_rn]

Great start trip report. Looking forward to how you turned the newbies into obsessive disney lovers like the rest of us.

[KandJluvdisney]

great start
can't wait to hear more
hurry back please