Pre-Trip Report (October 2015) We're going to Disney World, we're going to Disney World!

I'm going to Disney World!

Look what I got in the mail this week. #disneyworld #magicband #imtooexcitedtosleep #imgoingtodisneyworld

A photo posted by Holly (@karolena3) on Oct 4, 2015 at 11:57am PDT

After two LONG years I'm returning to Disney World. I'll be there from October 23rd to the 31st. I'm beyond excited and will be attending Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party for the first time.

The characters:
Me (Holly)-26

Dad (Rick)-young at heart
Denise (stepmom)-young at heart

I'll be going with my dad and step-mom, but I'm staying in my hotel for all but one night of the trip. I'm 26, but I don't want to go by myself and they were planning a trip so I'm going to. Below are our plans for the trip. We are trying to be a little more relaxed this trip but we'll see if that actually happens or not.

Friday, October 23rd
Leave Rochester, NY at 12:00
Dinner reservations at Via Napoli
We got a FastPass for IllumiNations. This is normally something we wouldn't do, but since we are arriving so late we figured this was a perfect time to try it.

Saturday, October 24th
Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom
Dinner reservations at Splisville

Sunday, October 25th
Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios
Lunch at the Crystal Palace

Monday, October 26th
Magic Kingdom
Lunch reservations at Be Our Guest
Dinner Reservations at Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
My parents are also doing the Garden View Tea Room this afternoon

Tuesday, October 27th
Epcot and Magic Kingdom
Lunch reservations at the Rose & Crown
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Wednesday, October 28th
Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom
Late breakfast at Boma

Thursday, October 29th
Hollywood Studios
Late lunch at Mama Melroses's
We are doing the Fantasmic lunch/dinner package for the first time

Friday, October 30th
Animal Kingdom and Epcot
Late lunch at Biergarten

Saturday, October 31st (last day)
Magic Kingdom
Leaving Orlando at 4:55

Day 7: The Last Day

Today was the last day so in the morning we had to back up our suitcases. It’s always an adventure because we tend to buy a lot.

I also took some time to take pictures around the room and say good-bye to Stacy.

We got to the Magic Kingdom around 11AM. I always like to end my trip at the Magic Kingdom.

We got on the train and rode it to Fantasyland. It’s a nice relaxing ride.         

The plan was to ride Space Mountain. My dad didn’t feel up to it today, so he gave me his special fastpass and we were able to ride quickly. And I got to keep my fastpass as a souvenir. Yay!!!

Then, it was back to Fantasyland to enjoy the happiest cruise that ever sailed. I’m basically the only one who likes this attraction so they did it for me.

And poor Dan was destroyed by it. Something in the air drove is allergies crazy and he was uncomfortable the rest of the day.

After that it was lunch time at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. It was very crowded, but considering the time of day that’s to be expected.

I got the pepperoni flat bread which was OK. I would eat here again, but it isn’t a must do.

This was also the day the Rapunzel bathrooms were opened so that was a must do. They are so well done and the theming is fantastic. I know their just bathrooms, but their great ones.

Our last ride of the day was Mickey’s PhilharMagic. This is a nice attraction, but the video could have been a little crisper for me.

Then, we had to go back to the Contemporary and get on the Magical Express. I tried to refuse my ticket for the bus so I could stay, but my dad wouldn’t let me.

The best part of the ride to the airport was that the Figment music from the Dreamfinder days was playing. The driver even turned it up.

At the airport we got some McDonald’s and waited to board. Just like our flight down to Orlando we landed a little early. We left Buffalo just before 9 and headed home.

The end :(

Fortunately, on October 23^rd I’ll be back in the world.

Look what I got in the mail this week. #disneyworld #magicband #imtooexcitedtosleep #imgoingtodisneyworld

A photo posted by Holly (@karolena3) on Oct 4, 2015 at 11:57am PDT

Thanks for reading!

Day 6, Part 4: Celebrate the Magic

We left the room around 7:45. We wanted to check out the Top of the World Lounge and watch Wishes.

It was nice and not too busy. And it was cool to see Wishes from a different perspective. While I will watch Wishes I don’t feel the need to see it all the time.

After that it was time for the Magic Kingdom. I decided to walk over so I could catch Celebrate the Magic. My parents wanted to take the monorail.

I really loved Celebrate the Magic and couldn’t take my eyes off it. My favorite parts were  when Ralph wrecks the Castle and the floating lanterns from Tangled.

And the music just makes me so happy and emotional.

I was lucky because it wasn’t too busy and got to stand in a pretty good spot.

After the castle show we all met up and headed to New Fantasyland. We wanted to go to Gaston’s Tavern and I wanted some LeFou’s Brew.

Since it was so late we were like the only people there. We did get a cinnamon roll and some LeFou’s Brew.

The cinnamon roll was a little dry, but I think this was because it was so late and they were a little old. For the Brew I liked the juice part, but not the foam. Once it got mixed together the foam was OK.

Of course I got it in the stein. I definitely want to get the drink again, but in a regular cup, because how many plastic steins do you need?

Then, we did some attractions.

We rode the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness which is even better at night.

Our last attraction of the night was Haunted Mansion. Now, I love this ride, but it really scares me at night.

Dan and Lisa actually moved to another hotel (Coronado Springs I think). We told them they could stay with us but they said no.

I moved into the other bedroom for the night. And we got this text that night:

Up Next: The Last Day

Day 6, Part 3: Habit Heroes?

After looking at some of the scenes during dinner we decided to ride Living with the Land. This is a great attraction and I really want to do the Behind the Seeds tour sometime soon.

Then, I went to Imagination to buy my Figment merchandise. This is probably the store I spend the most money in. But I love me some Figment.

Meanwhile, there was some discussion of using our complimentary fastpasses from the night before for Soarin’. This may seem weird, but I wanted to keep mine as a souvenir. We ended up deciding not to use them and actually split up. I don’t remember what Dan and Lisa did.

I really wanted to do Habit Heroes on this trip. No one else did, but I saw it on the Dis Unplugged and it looked super corny which I’m all about. My parents reluctantly agreed to do it with me, but I think they regretted that when we ended up being the only participants.

It was a little weird, but it was fun. And the woman leading us was great especially since she had to accommodate us being the only ones.

Saving the world from unhealthy habits tired us out so we went back to the hotel. We wanted to rest a little bit because we were spending the night at Magic Kingdom.

Up Next: Celebrate the Magic

Day 6, Part 2: The Garden Grill

After crying like a baby at Marlin, Nemo, and Dory’s journey we headed to Asia.

 

Everest is a little too intense for dad and I. We’ve rode it before and it’s nice, but makes us kind of sick. We waited and took pictures while Denise, Dan, and Lisa rode Expedition Everest.

We were hanging out there for about 45 minutes. Then, it was time for Primeval Whirl. I know some people don’t like this attraction. I enjoy it and love the whole carnival feel of Chester and Hester’s.

Next, was Dinosaur. Of course, it was spectacular as per usual. There was a little girl sitting behind us who was less than impressed.

We were done enjoying Animal Kingdom so we caught a bus to Epcot.

First thing we did was check out Soarin’. The wait was 75 minutes and there were no available Fastpasses so it was a no go.

Since we were in The Land already we went to see if we could increase our Garden Grill reservation from three to five.

It was 3:45 and they had no problems changing the reservation. They gave us a beeper and we were seated by 4.

We’d never eaten at Garden Grill before but you’re huge fans of Living with the Land so we thought this restaurant would be a good fit.

The food is served family style and was pretty good. I liked the turkey and bread and butter. The dessert was delicious. The steak was just OK, but I’m not a huge fan.

The rotating of the restaurant was noticeable but not annoying or unsettling. And we had very good character interactions.

I would eat here again, but don’t feel the need to do it every time. My dad said he enjoyed himself, but doesn’t feel the need to do it again.

Up Next: Habit Heroes?