Rachel's Pre-Report Report

[fungus_01]

Okay so I'm stealing Vixen and Chrissy's ideas and doing my own pre-trip report thread. We'll start with the basics for this first post:

Travelers: 1, just me!
Usually I go on vacation with my mom, but after our last trip to WDW, she'll appreciate the break. She swears that I ran her into the ground last time, and I was only running at about half-speed.

Starting location: Indianapolis, flying to MCO and using Magical Express for transportation

Travel dates: 12/15-12/19

Lodging: Pop Century (Don't know what section yet)

I booked my room and park hopper ticket as a package through The Magic For Less travel agency (thanks Lou!). Marcia is my agent and so far I am very pleased with her and their service. I'm a Dinsey Visa Card holder, so I was able to take advantage of some discounts so I saved almost $150!

Other(s): I have one ADR right now for the Character breakfast at The Crystal Palace on 12/16. I'm not really a big eater while on vacation (I tend to do counter service so I can eat and run) but I've never done a character meal and I like Winnie the Pooh and friends. I'm also planning on going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (another first for me!), probably on the night of the 18th. I'll make another post soon with the park hours for each day and my loose plans for each day. I'm more than happy to take suggestions and/or comments, anything to make this trip easier and hopefully more exciting than I know it already is.

[Jiminy Cricket]

I really like your pre-trip report!!!

[Chrissy&Tayen]

yipee skipee! you are going to have a blast! i wish i could go on vacation alone...LOL

[fungus_01]

Okay so here are the park hours for the days I'll be there:

12/15:
Magic Kingdom: 9:00am - 1:00am
Epcot: 11:00am - 9:30pm
Animal Kingdom: 9:00am - 6:00pm
MGM: 9:00am - 8:00pm

12/16:
Magic Kingdom: 9:00am - 7:00pm (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7:00pm - Midnight) *I have an ADR for breakfast at the Crystal Palace at 8:15am
Epcot: 11:00am - 9:30pm
Animal Kingdom: 9:00am - 6:00pm
MGM: 9:00am - 8:00pm PM Extra Magic Hours

12/17:
Magic Kingdom: 9:00am - 10:00pm PM Extra Magic Hours
Epcot: 11:00am - 9:30pm
Animal Kingdom: 9:00am - 6:00pm AM Extra Magic Hours
MGM: 9:00am - 8:00pm

12/18:
Magic Kingdom: 9:00am - 7:00pm (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 7:00pm - Midnight)
Epcot: 11:00am - 9:30pm AM Extra Magic Hours
Animal Kingdom: 9:00am - 6:00pm
MGM: 9:00am - 8:00pm

I don't have my flight booked yet so I don't know when I'll get in (I'm gonna try to fly in as early as possible), but I know I'm going to take advantage of the MK being open till 1am. I'm staying on property so I'll have the use of EMH plus my ticket has the park hopper option so I can bounce around. My biggest thing is making sure I see all 3 fireworks shows (Wishes, Fantasmic and Illuminations) and going to MVMCP. I think I'm gonna do MVMCP on the 18th since it's my last day (and that means I can stay in the MK till midnight). I also wanna try and see the Candlelight Processional, but I don't know if I want see Isabella Rossellini (14th-16th) or Kirk Cameron (17th-19th). Any suggestions, comments, questions?

[lorilovestigger]

Kirk Cameron!!!

Check on Travelocity for flights. I know for me from Pgh. to Orlando they were priced at $124 on certain dates.

MVMCP is AWESOME!!! I loved it last year and can't wait to take Cassidy next year.

Lori

PS-copy cat

[MayBWeRMnt2B]

Epcot is actually open at 9am every morning. The World Showcase opens at 11am, but Future World opens at 9!

[fungus_01]

Thanks Jeanne! Disney's website didn't have the breakdown for FW and WS when I wrote down my park hours, all it said was Epcot 11-9:30. So when should I think about booking my flight? I have to have my flight info by the time the rest of my balance is due, October 31st. There's this great site, Kayak.com that's like Google for flight pricing. You just put in your travel info and it searches all the major sites for you including the major airlines and sites like Orbitz and Travelocity. I've found flights priced in the range I want with the times I want. I've been checking it off and on for a few months and the prices don't really change, just the times. Any suggestions there?

[mini-V]

So, if i'm in the park those days, and get run over by a guest without a stroller, I can safely say it's you?
I wish I knew the days I'd be at any of the parks while we are home. It's usually been very impromptu.

[MayBWeRMnt2B]

I'd buy your flight as soon as you find one that you like. And your SURE you can make that flight!

[fungus_01]

So, if i'm in the park those days, and get run over by a guest without a stroller, I can safely say it's you?
I wish I knew the days I'd be at any of the parks while we are home. It's usually been very impromptu.

Yeah it will probably be me. Blonde hair, glasses with a crazed look in her eyes I'm not gonna make an itinerary right down to the minute, but I just wanna have a general idea of where I'll be each day.

I'd buy your flight as soon as you find one that you like. And your SURE you can make that flight!

I probably will do that sometime this weekend. And I'm sure I can make my flight, I've already worked out who's taking me to the airport and who's picking me up with the parents (and I have back-ups too )

[Chrissy&Tayen]

cool! i wish we were flying.. but the hubby doesnt like it all and the only time he flys is if has no choice or no way around it..LOL

[fungus_01]

Since I booked my trip through The Magic For Less, as bonuses I got a miniature golf voucher, a voucher for Planet Hollywood and a voucher for the sea raycers. Anyone have any experience with these? The only one I'll probably use is the Planet Hollywood voucher (free food....works for me!).

[Chrissy&Tayen]

i got those with AAA too.. i plan on using my planet hollywood on my first night.. i would like to use my putt putt ones.. i'm not sure what the details are on them though but i should be getting them very soon.. the AAA lady said it could be as quick as next week.. too bad i wont be here!!! i wanna thumb through it all and dream about my trip...LOL

[fungus_01]

Well I booked my flight. I'm flying on Northwest, leaving Indy a little after 8am and arriving at MCO about 10:30am (it's a non-stop flight). So hopefully I'll be in the parks around lunchtime! I went with the earliest flight possible, and it turned out to be the cheapest too...about $125 with all the taxes and fees (I was budgeting about $100-$150...so yeah!)

[satijp]

Man... you just missed a great fare sale they had yesterday IND-MCO. $36 each way, 92 after taxes. I got that flight for my flight in Oct, but am flying back from TPA ($49+ tax)