The Holi-Canoli! Whirlwind Trip That Wasn't Supposed to Be - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Well, I had this all typed up and ready to send, and I hit a button and it disappeared, so I'm having to start all over again.
Let me see...where was I? Oh yes! It has been a crazy 24-hours! I've planned, I've booked, I've gone a little crazy , but I'm going back to WDW! And the best part is, I'm going with my DH!!! Nothing can get me down.
So, you know how this trip came about. Let me give you a brief intro.
Cast of Characters:
DH, Michael, 36 - He enjoys Disney in moderation. He is currently deployed and is really needing some Disney during his R&R. I am more than happy to oblige. I don't know how many times he went to WDW as a child, but as a family, we have been to WDW four times and DLR once.
Me, Laura, 38 - I love everything Disney! I could live at Disney. I'm the planner of all vacations, and my DH lets me have full reins. He never makes requests as he knows he always has a good time with whatever I plan. The only requests he has made for this trip is some of my cooking and time to simply chill. I will certainly make that happen for him! I have been to WDW eight times and DLR once.
DD, Victoria, 14 turning 15 on this trip - She loves Disney almost as much as I do. This trip will be a complete surprise to her. She thinks we're picking up daddy in Dallas. She has been to WDW four times and DLR once.
WHERE:
We have reservations for two weeks at a resort off-site. I would stay on-site every time, but I needed to make this trip as inexpensive as possible due to having three trips to WDW within seven months. I booked a beautiful resort two miles from the WDW gate. It has its own water park, tennis courts, golf course, and over 1200 square feet of space in our suite! You can't beat that!
WHEN:
Due to Army security, I'm not giving specific dates. That's a laugh! I don't have any specific dates! DH won't know exactly when he'll be at MCO. Talk about crazy planning! I have booked the resort on the "hope" that he will be there at that time. Geez!
DD and I will be driving down and staying with my aunt and uncle along the way. Since this trip is a surprise for Victoria, I'll tell her we are going to visit family, and we will. It will be nice to have our own car in Orlando. I'll be grocery shopping because I will be sure to fix some of Michael's favorite meals while we are there. Plus, Michael loves to drive and has missed having the freedom to do so in Iraq. He will enjoy driving around.
Speaking of driving around, I'm thinking about booking the Richard Petty Rookie Driving Experience at the Disney Racetrack. Michael loves driving anything, and I think he will get a thrill out of learning to drive a race car. I'm still thinking about it and doing my research, but it is looking very probable. It would be a big surprise for him.
I have made some ADRs, too, and was very pleased with the results. Most are at resorts because we will only go into the parks five days. Michael's Armed Forces Salute Ticket comes with a five-day park hopper and five-day water parks and more. DD and I will get the companion tickets and upgrade to the hopper and water parks and more so we can go to the water parks for the first time ever! Plus, we have always wanted to go back to DisneyQuest. It will be a great time to do it.
Our ADRs - Once again, I'm not giving specific dates. Biergarten for lunch - None of us has been here. I'm looking forward to it. 1900 Park Fare for breakfast - DD and I are going here for dinner in September, but since we all like Alice and the Mad Hatter, I thought breakfast might be nice with those characters. It will be DH's first time eating here. The Plaza for lunch - I can't wait to eat here. I ate here as a child. My dad took my sister and me to WDW after our mom died, and I remembering eating breakfast outside back in 1982. It was a lovely day, and I have very fond memories of this place. I haven't been back since. I look forward to eating here with my two favorite people. Trails End for lunch - We have never been here, and I picked it to get my DH some down home cookin'! Chef Mickey's for dinner - This will be a first for DD and me in September. So, this will will be a first for my DH. 50's Prime Time for lunch - More down home cookin'! T-Rex for dinner - This will be a first for all of us! O'hana for dinner - I have wanted to eat here for a long time. It will be a first for all of us.
So, that about does it. We will be chilling by the pool a lot, taking in some water parks, exploring other resorts, but most of all, spending time with Michael. That's the best of all!
Coming up: Did I mention we will be celebrating DD's birthday while we are there?
Dontcha just love OPSEC? I'm only joking, as I thoroughly support this with my son being deployed right now.
Plans and ADRs sound great - who cares about the dates anyway! I'm looking forward to seeing how you all like staying off-site. And seeing what you think of the water parks.
How great that it all came together for you!! Disney 3 times in 7 months and time with your DH, and a surprise for your DD. Fabulous!! I'm enjoying reading this...now I'm hopping over to your other TR to catch up there.
I didn't realize it would be a surprise for your daughter - that part sounds great! Your plans sound nice, although I would mention one thing - have you double-checked the menu for lunch at Trail's End? Because the last I heard, they only do a cold buffet at lunch - soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. So if you're looking for their regular down-home food you might want to call back and change to dinner. Unless they've gone back to a full menu at lunch. Oh, and - water parks for the first time - that will be fun!
have you double-checked the menu for lunch at Trail's End? Because the last I heard, they only do a cold buffet at lunch - soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. So if you're looking for their regular down-home food you might want to call back and change to dinner. Unless they've gone back to a full menu at lunch.
I hope not! I went by the menu on AllEars. Anyone know if it has changed? That would be sad.
Comparing this blog post with the current menu on All Ears, it sounds like they have added a few items, such as the pulled pork and macaroni and cheese. But I'm still not sure that it is the full menu that they used to serve. At least it sounds much more limited than what the menu says they offer for dinner.
Very dining choices!
I gave Luke the Ride Along Richard Petty Driving Experience a couple of years ago for Father's Day, and he loved it, but the next time I'm footing the bill for the Rookie Experience as he'd really love to do the driving himself.
I see what you are saying, Christie. I didn't realize the fried chicken was cold. Well, we'll try it out. We love salads, so a nice selection of salads will be good. Thanks for that information.
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I have a dumb question...with you and your DD going 3 times in 7 months would it be better for the two of you to upgrade to AP's while you are down there in Sept? I dont know if it is cheaper to buy them or to just get tickets each time you go. but I thought I would ask the dumb question.
I hope that the 3 of you have a great time. And like it was said tell your DH thank you for serving and protecting all of us.
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And the best part is, I'm going with my DH!!! 
Nothing can get me down.
I will certainly make that happen for him! I have been to WDW eight times and DLR once.
She has been to WDW four times and DLR once.
You can't beat that!
Talk about crazy planning! I have booked the resort on the "hope" that he will be there at that time. Geez!
dining choices! 
Kimberly
PassPorter Guide Author
Enjoy a Disney Lifestyle......Everyday!
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