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JoAnn's bonus 2016 Walt Disney World Trip - pretrip report

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Sun, 03/06/2016 - 14:48
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JoAnn's bonus 2016 Walt Disney World Trip - pretrip report

My Disney plans for 2016 were pretty full. I traveled to Disneyland in January for Star Wars Half Marathon weekend. I will be embarking on my first cruise for the big meet up in October. I am ending the year in Walt Disney World the week of Christmas to see my niece and her high school band. I am already planning for 2017, when I go with my best friend and her family.

I had an opportunity to go in April for the new Stars Wars races. April isn't a good time for me to take off of work, so I passed. Plus, I already had a full Disney calendar for the year.

Work has been really crazy busy with no end in sight. After getting back from Disneyland, I had no vacation plans until my family reunion in August. I knew I needed to take some time for my mental health. One day at lunch, I started looking at dates to take a long weekend at Walt Disney World. I found a good deal on resort and park tickets in May. I didn't book the trip. I have three future trips planned. I kept telling myself I can wait until October. The next day I had a meeting with my boss and told her about the deal I found and she said I go. I talked to a couple of other people at work who told me the same thing. Enablers!

While at lunch that day, I booked the trip at 70 days out and made my ADRs (which I have changed some already). I will be staying at All Star Music. Music wasn't originally available for the price I found so I booked Sports. The next day Music was available so I changed my reservation.

Day 1
Arrive at MCO @ 10:10am
Parks: Epcot & MK
Lunch @ Flower & Garden Festival booths
Dinner @ The Diamond Horseshoe

When I arrive, I am going to upgrade to an annual pass and get a Tables in Wonderland card.

Day 2
Parks: Epcot & DHS
Breakfast @ Garden Grill
Lunch @ Flower & Garden Festival booths
Dinner @ Rose & Crown

Day 3
Parks: DHS & Animal Kingdom
Breakfast @ Trail's End
Dinner@ Pizzafari (or some other quick service place)

Day 4
Parks: MK
Brunch @ California Grill
Dinner @ Jungle Navigation Co (if I can get a same day reservation or else quick service)

Day 5
Parks none
Breakfast @ All Star Music
Tragical Express back to reality

I have an earlier flight back than I normally take since I have to work the next day.

I will be trying five new restaurants this trip. 3 of the restaurants I have eaten at but different meals. So, these are all new dining experiences for me. Other things planned for this trip - meet up with mrhub and scrappy, River of Lights show and Festival of Fantasy parade (I missed it the last two trips).

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Sun, 03/06/2016 - 16:20
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Yay, love impromptu trips. Enjoy it! mickey

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Sun, 03/06/2016 - 18:20
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Breakfast at Garden Grill AND Trails End!? Now that is going to be a good trip awesome

Sun, 03/06/2016 - 18:59
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wow! Sounds like an awesome trip you have planned!!!!

Gotta love enablers!

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Mon, 03/07/2016 - 14:28
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So jealous! Have a blast!

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Mon, 03/07/2016 - 19:45
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I cannot wait to hear what you think of Cali Grill brunch! It sounds incredible! awesome

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Sun, 03/13/2016 - 15:58
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I made my fast passes at midnight. I didn't plan on staying up to do them then. I feel asleep on the couch watching TV and woke up at 11:55. I figured I'm up I might as well do them now.

MK - day 1
Festival of Fantasy Parade
Peter Pan's Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

DHS - day 2
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Toy Story
Star Tours

DAK - day 3 (hoping to change one of these to River of Lights)
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur
Safari

MK - day 4
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan's Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Epcot - day 5 (I currently don't have park plans this day due to flight departure time. I am considering changing to a later flight. Might as well be prepared.)
Test Track
Seas with Nemo and Friends
Spaceship Earth

I changed my dinner plans on Friday night from Rose & Crown to Beaches and Cream. I added a lunch reservation for Restaurant Marrakesh on my last day if I get a later flight. I should finalize that this week. If I decide to keep my existing return flight, I'll cancel the fast passes and ADR.

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Sun, 03/13/2016 - 18:58
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Looks great JoAnn! The FP for the parade is definitely worth it, especially if it's your first time seeing it. Of course, you should change your flight! biggrin

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Sun, 03/13/2016 - 22:21
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Where is Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing for FP? Can you believe I've never seen it???

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Sun, 03/13/2016 - 22:27
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JMed wrote:
Where is Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing for FP? Can you believe I've never seen it???

We sat on the right side when facing the castle, center of the hub. ACross from the tomorrowland bridge. But I was in an ECV so I'm not sure if that was all Fastpass+ viewing or just handicap.

Sun, 03/13/2016 - 22:28
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Allie wrote:
I cannot wait to hear what you think of Cali Grill brunch! It sounds incredible! awesome

Me too!! I so wanted to do this, but I won't be there on Sunday. I'm very much looking forward to your report on this.

Sun, 03/13/2016 - 22:29
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JMed wrote:
Where is Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing for FP? Can you believe I've never seen it???

I'm not really sure. I haven't seen it either.

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Sun, 03/13/2016 - 22:31
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Kristen K. wrote:
Allie wrote:
I cannot wait to hear what you think of Cali Grill brunch! It sounds incredible! awesome

Me too!! I so wanted to do this, but I won't be there on Sunday. I'm very much looking forward to your report on this.

I can write a review if you would like.

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Sun, 03/13/2016 - 22:45
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JoAnn C wrote:
Kristen K. wrote:
Allie wrote:
I cannot wait to hear what you think of Cali Grill brunch! It sounds incredible! awesome

Me too!! I so wanted to do this, but I won't be there on Sunday. I'm very much looking forward to your report on this.

I can write a review if you would like.

I would actually love that muchlove Take lots of pictures!

Sun, 03/13/2016 - 23:12
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JoAnn C wrote:
JMed wrote:
Where is Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing for FP? Can you believe I've never seen it???

I'm not really sure. I haven't seen it either.

When we had FP's, it was down in front of the flag pole looking up Main Street. You get to see the parade coming right at you.

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Mon, 03/14/2016 - 00:07
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JanJ wrote:
JoAnn C wrote:
JMed wrote:
Where is Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing for FP? Can you believe I've never seen it???

I'm not really sure. I haven't seen it either.

When we had FP's, it was down in front of the flag pole looking up Main Street. You get to see the parade coming right at you.

Thank you

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Mon, 03/14/2016 - 01:44
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Kristen K. wrote:
JoAnn C wrote:
Kristen K. wrote:
Allie wrote:
I cannot wait to hear what you think of Cali Grill brunch! It sounds incredible! awesome

Me too!! I so wanted to do this, but I won't be there on Sunday. I'm very much looking forward to your report on this.

I can write a review if you would like.

I would actually love that muchlove Take lots of pictures!

You got it

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Mon, 03/14/2016 - 23:01
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JanJ wrote:
Of course, you should change your flight! biggrin

Twist....

I changed my flight. I have an extra 7 hours. Smile

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Mon, 03/14/2016 - 23:04
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JoAnn C wrote:
JanJ wrote:
Of course, you should change your flight! biggrin

Twist....

I changed my flight. I have an extra 7 hours. Smile

clapping awesome

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Tue, 03/15/2016 - 01:37
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JoAnn C wrote:
JanJ wrote:
Of course, you should change your flight! biggrin

Twist....

I changed my flight. I have an extra 7 hours. Smile

Woot woot!! awesome

Thu, 04/14/2016 - 10:52
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My Magic Band has been shipped!!!! yay mickey clapping

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Thu, 04/14/2016 - 11:16
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JoAnn C wrote:
My Magic Band has been shipped!!!! yay mickey clapping

I love when that happens! stars

Fri, 04/15/2016 - 22:07
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My magic band arrived today.

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Sun, 04/17/2016 - 22:28
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I love getting my magic band. Always makes the trip more real! muchlove

Mon, 04/18/2016 - 15:04
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Kristen K. wrote:
Allie wrote:
I cannot wait to hear what you think of Cali Grill brunch! It sounds incredible! awesome

Me too!! I so wanted to do this, but I won't be there on Sunday. I'm very much looking forward to your report on this.

JoAnn C wrote:
JanJ wrote:
Of course, you should change your flight! biggrin

I didn't even know brunch was an option. Looking forward to your TR and pics.

Twist....

I changed my flight. I have an extra 7 hours. Smile

Awesome!

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Fri, 04/22/2016 - 00:52
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stars I booked the Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party for Friday night. stars

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Thu, 05/12/2016 - 00:27
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Less than 12 hours to go.

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Thu, 05/12/2016 - 00:39
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beach ENJOY!

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Thu, 05/12/2016 - 13:52
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Have a great time and enjoy the meet-up with Scrappy & MrHub.

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Thu, 05/12/2016 - 14:21
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Thanks! So far so good today.

Flight landed 30 minutes early.
Text received room is ready.
On the magical express leaving the airport.

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Thu, 05/12/2016 - 14:36
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This woman has been applying her make up since before we left the airport. Guess she wants to look her best for Mickey.

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