Frozen2014
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2014
Not sure if anyone will read this, but I'm feeling a bit of Disney withdrawal so thought I'd start a trip report to see if it help. It's amazing how you plan and plan for about 9 months (just like having a baby) and then it's over so quick (ok, so that part is not like a baby). One thing I will say...is I was so hyped and excited about this trip that I was wondering if I was going to feel let down when we actually went. The verdict? Absolutely not! The trip was everything and more!
Since going into this trip, it was possibly the only time we'd be coming to Disney, we went all out...BBB, MNSSHP tickets, Memory Maker, Disney Dining Plan (and going over by 2 credits). I wanted us to do everything without holding back.
Speaking of planning and planning, I'd like to take a moment to thank people on here. I mean, I've read some books and looked at the Disney site, but really, most of my findings have been from posting on here. I find the best research comes from talking with others who have experienced it and knows first hand how things work. All this does not go unappreciated.
Ok...so here I go...first report for a first Disney trip (hopefully not the last). Guess this will be written over many days.
The Players
SO there's me and DH (both 41) and DS9 and DD5. We're from Toronto, Canada.
DD5 is a real girly-girl. Loves princesses, dressing up and is still in that believing age, so I figured this would be quite magical for her.
DS9 loves rides, has gotten into Star Wars (yah for HS), and eating out with treats (well, who wouldn't?)
DH is easy going but hates crowds (oh oh).
Me, well I like things organized and like to plan.
Up to now, we haven't travelled that much on real vacations. We often do mini-road trips on holiday long weekends. We did take them to NY 2 years ago and 3.5 years ago we did go on a Disney cruise, but that was not the same as we went with family so it wasn't "our trip" IYKWIM.
Kids have been super excited for this trip. When we told them about the trip end of August, DD has been diligently crossing off each day on her calendar in the evenings, counting down. So cute.
Sunday Oct 19 - Departure Day!
Yah...it's day to leave to Disney. Kids got up with no issues.
We left for the airport at 7:30am for our 10:30am flight, and our trip was pretty smooth. Arrived on time at 1:20pm. Got our bags quickly, but then a long slow line at the rental car. So it took us a bit longer than expected to arrive at our resort Art of Animation.
Art of Animation - such a cute resort. I really love the theming. There are beautiful and impressive hand drawn Disney characters on the walls in the lobby. The grounds are also themed. We stayed in the Cars suite, so it was like we were in Radiator Springs. Our room...adorable and detailed, even the washrooms. And the room was spotless. What I loved as well is that the suite had two full washrooms, which is very efficient when trying to get out quickly in the mornings with showering.
Originally, we had planned to head over to Magic Kingdom when we arrived. We figured we would have time before our 7pm ADR, so I had booked three FP (Peter Pan, Barnstormer and Buzz). However, by the time we got settled and ready to go, it was 4:30pm. And we had heard about the parking at MK, so we decided it wouldn't be enough time so we didn't bother. Our kids love video games so we went down to the video arcade and let them play until dinner.
Ohana - Time to go to dinner. Since we had rented a car, we drove to the Polynesian. We were impressed with how we pulled up, they scanned DH's magic band and said 'you have a 7pm dinner reservation at Ohana'. Cool!
I had heard about the construction, but it really wasn't that bad. We checked in, and boy was the lobby busy. But overall, we were about 15 minutes early and they took us maybe 10 min after our ADR. We got a spot by the window. They took our kids order and brought us the food. I don't eat meat, but there still was not a lack of selection. Everything was delicious, and DH was in heaven as he is a meat eater. Kids enjoyed too.
Nothing else planned for the night. We knew we'd want an early start next morning so back to the resort (which really wasn't early for our kids since they normally go to bed at 8pm).
Since going into this trip, it was possibly the only time we'd be coming to Disney, we went all out...BBB, MNSSHP tickets, Memory Maker, Disney Dining Plan (and going over by 2 credits). I wanted us to do everything without holding back.
Speaking of planning and planning, I'd like to take a moment to thank people on here. I mean, I've read some books and looked at the Disney site, but really, most of my findings have been from posting on here. I find the best research comes from talking with others who have experienced it and knows first hand how things work. All this does not go unappreciated.
Ok...so here I go...first report for a first Disney trip (hopefully not the last). Guess this will be written over many days.
The Players
SO there's me and DH (both 41) and DS9 and DD5. We're from Toronto, Canada.
DD5 is a real girly-girl. Loves princesses, dressing up and is still in that believing age, so I figured this would be quite magical for her.
DS9 loves rides, has gotten into Star Wars (yah for HS), and eating out with treats (well, who wouldn't?)
DH is easy going but hates crowds (oh oh).
Me, well I like things organized and like to plan.
Up to now, we haven't travelled that much on real vacations. We often do mini-road trips on holiday long weekends. We did take them to NY 2 years ago and 3.5 years ago we did go on a Disney cruise, but that was not the same as we went with family so it wasn't "our trip" IYKWIM.
Kids have been super excited for this trip. When we told them about the trip end of August, DD has been diligently crossing off each day on her calendar in the evenings, counting down. So cute.
Sunday Oct 19 - Departure Day!
Yah...it's day to leave to Disney. Kids got up with no issues.
We left for the airport at 7:30am for our 10:30am flight, and our trip was pretty smooth. Arrived on time at 1:20pm. Got our bags quickly, but then a long slow line at the rental car. So it took us a bit longer than expected to arrive at our resort Art of Animation.
Art of Animation - such a cute resort. I really love the theming. There are beautiful and impressive hand drawn Disney characters on the walls in the lobby. The grounds are also themed. We stayed in the Cars suite, so it was like we were in Radiator Springs. Our room...adorable and detailed, even the washrooms. And the room was spotless. What I loved as well is that the suite had two full washrooms, which is very efficient when trying to get out quickly in the mornings with showering.
Originally, we had planned to head over to Magic Kingdom when we arrived. We figured we would have time before our 7pm ADR, so I had booked three FP (Peter Pan, Barnstormer and Buzz). However, by the time we got settled and ready to go, it was 4:30pm. And we had heard about the parking at MK, so we decided it wouldn't be enough time so we didn't bother. Our kids love video games so we went down to the video arcade and let them play until dinner.
Ohana - Time to go to dinner. Since we had rented a car, we drove to the Polynesian. We were impressed with how we pulled up, they scanned DH's magic band and said 'you have a 7pm dinner reservation at Ohana'. Cool!
I had heard about the construction, but it really wasn't that bad. We checked in, and boy was the lobby busy. But overall, we were about 15 minutes early and they took us maybe 10 min after our ADR. We got a spot by the window. They took our kids order and brought us the food. I don't eat meat, but there still was not a lack of selection. Everything was delicious, and DH was in heaven as he is a meat eater. Kids enjoyed too.
Nothing else planned for the night. We knew we'd want an early start next morning so back to the resort (which really wasn't early for our kids since they normally go to bed at 8pm).