It is hard to believe, but I, along with my lovely wife, will be returning to sunny Orlando in September to visit that magical destination that is Walt Disney World. Upon reflection, I can only believe that Tinker Bell and her fairy friends have blessed us with an extra helping of Pixie Dust to allow us the good fortune to make our second trip so soon following our first. As we did during our first trip we will be staying for seven nights, this time at All Star Sports, which we hear has good bus service. We have chosen to stay in an accessible 'preferred' room, which we are told will have space for Dawn's ECV and be close to the main building.
This time around we have chosen to try Southwest Airlines, mostly because of their 'free checked luggage' and will be flying out of Detroit. As we have an early flight, we have chosen to once again stay at the Howard Johnson hotel in Romulus, Michigan, which has a free airport shuttle. Also, there is a Bob Evans restaurant adjacent to the hotel. As I recall, we enjoyed a hearty meal there during our first trip.
A big reason we chose September is so we can attend Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! Our first trip had originally been intended to be during 2014's MNSSHP dates but those plans fell through and we had to go in January of 2015. We have heard great things about the Halloween event and are very much looking forward to it, though we have yet to decide what costumes we will wear.
We have taken advantage of Disney's 'free dining' offer and though our staying at a 'value' resort is allowing us to have the free 'quick service' plan we have chosen to upgrade to the full dining plan so we can eat at a number of 'table service' restaurants. During our first trip we enjoyed one table service meal, a character breakfast featuring Winnie the Pooh and his friends at Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace. This time we have been lucky enough to book seven table service options, including three character breakfasts!
Day 1; Arrival Day! Our ETA at MCO is 3:10 P.M., and we hope to be at the resort no later than 5:00 when we will check in and have a late lunch/early dinner. Then we'll be off to Magic Kingdom (was there any doubt?) where we have fast passes for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and The Haunted Mansion. I hope to have time to pay a visit to my favourite fairy, Tink.
Day 2; Our first full day and it will be a busy one! We will begin by arriving at Magic Kingdom in time for the welcome show and have a bit of time to wander Main Street before we breakfast at the Crystal Palace once again. I am looking forward to the cheddar bacon scones and puffed french toast! We then have fast passes for the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I hope to also enjoy Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress, one of the few Magic Kingdom attractions I missed during our first visit. Finally, a visit to Merida will be made, should time allow. Hers is one of a handful of character autographs I don't yet have.
We will head back to the resort to rest our weary feet before heading to EPCOT and a 6:50 P.M. Reservation at Biergarten. Hopefully we'll have time to see a bit of World Showcase before IllumiNations, which my darling wife did not get to see the last time. She is in for a real treat! We will have to make a pilgrimage to the Canada pavilion as well.
Day 3! We will be up early to head to Disney's Animal Kingdom for an 8:20 A.M. character breakfast at Tusker House. Fast Passes for Kilimanjaro Safaris, It's Tough to be a Bug, and Festival of the Lion King, and a viewing of Flights of Wonder are on the schedule. We hope to see lots of interesting critters. Last time I somehow missed seeing any alligators so that will be a priority.
Once again, we will be going back to the resort for an afternoon of rest and relaxation. We may or may not head to Magic Kingdom after resting.
Day 4. We will be having a lazy morning before heading to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We have fast passes for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, The Great Movie Ride, and For the First time in Forever " A "Frozen" Sing-Along Celebration, which I enjoyed greatly in January. We also hope to see the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. I have also heard of a great opportunity to use a meal plan snack credit; a funnel cake with ice cream and strawberries, an $8.19 value (not including tax). Some claim it to be the most expensive snack credit in all of Walt Disney World! Also, we have a dinner reservation at Mama Melrose's! I hope to have 'time for a checkup' with Doc McStuffins too. We will end our evening with Fantasmic, which we sadly missed during our first trip.
Day 5. My wife will be taking a well deserved day of rest while I head to Magic Kingdom for The Keys to the Kingdom Tour at 8:30 A.M.! I look forward to learning more about the inner workings of the place and the tour includes lunch, though I'm not sure where. The Afternoon and evening will see me at EPCOT, where I have a reservation at Marrakesh at 7:00 P.M., where I hope to meet our cast member friend, as well as fast passes for Soarin', Mission: Space, and Spaceship Earth. I plan on seeing more of World Showcase too, as in January I really only got a cursory look at the various pavilions.
Day 6. A morning of adventure at Disney's Animal Kingdom, including fast passes for Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Adventurer's Outpost, another viewing of Flights of Wonder, and possibly a trip on Kali River Rapids, before I have to head back to the resort to get ready for the main event, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! I have had a fondness for Halloween since I was a wee lad and a Disney Halloween event promises to be memorable. I hear there will be a special pin available.
Day 7. Sadly, our last full day, which will be spent at Magic Kingdom. Fast Passes for the Haunted Mansion, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Last minute souvenirs will be found, and we will stock up on assorted treats to take home. I will have to remember to ask mousekeeping for extra shampoos too. I still have two left from our first trip!
I am also considering the Wild Africa Trek. It is a tad pricey but there is a bit of discount available so I may bite the bullet and book it. From my research it sound like buckets of fun, particularly for a critter lover like me. I am very excited about returning 'home' to Walt Disney World, and feel blessed that the opportunity to do so has arisen. Armed with some knowledge of the parks and knowing now what we don't need to do (Stitch's Great Escape for example), I hope we will be able to have some time to stop and smell the roses as it were, unlike our first trip, when we rushed all around like meth-addled squirrels. In particular, I would like to see more of World Showcase and have time to slowly enjoy the sights of Magic Kingdom.
on having another trip coming up so quick! Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back! 
