I told Mudd I wanted to go to Disney for our 30th anniversary. The trip I have in mind is about $5000. That's hotel, parks and food. The flight is extra (about $250 for 2 of us). Which, for that kind of money, we could go to Maui, and take a cruise of Canada and New England. (Hmmm).
He's hesitant because Disney was never his thing and he's never been.
He likes the idea of a Washington DC trip. I like it too. That's the next trip plan. (I also want to do the full immersion Star Wars thing at Disney, but I think that's me and Gabriel for our 5th in 2020) Also Wizarding world of Harry Potter and Universal Studios as part of a Florida Vacation.
So today, I sat and planned it all. I stopped fantasizing and put it all on paper. I'd take advice from seasoned Disney travelers.
BTW: how do I get him to wear the mouse ears and the Anniversary button?
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We'd fly in on Sunday and check in to the All Star Movie (hoping for the Fantasia side) or All Star Music (Broadway) resort.
Maybe get a steak at the World Premiere food court.
Then either over to Animal Kingdom resort for nighttime animal viewing or a Pirates and pals dessert and fireworks cruise (extra charge)
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Monday we'd start with Hollywood Studios.
Get FastPasses for Star Tours (Star Wars galactic tour simulator), the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (safety inspected by Mr. Cadwallader) and ToyStory Mania (which sounded delightful). Catch the first Indiana Jones Stunt show, which is usually less crowded, grab a funnel cake for breakfast, and watch the younglings who have just been through the Jedi training Academy do their show.
Take in MuppetVision 3D and Voyage of the Little Mermaid (sitting down, in the AC), and anything else we want to see. Lunch at the ABC Commissary where the BBQ rib platter sounds good or Fairfax Fare for chicken and spareribs. If we get noshy later in the day, I hear the carrot cake cookies at Writers' Stop (whoopie pies really) are terrific.
Dinner is at Hollywood and Vine which is not only a basic buffet (meat, pasta, vegetables), but also gives us preferred seating for the Fantasmic show later. Sorcerer'sApprentice!Mickey does a mixed media laser and music show.
This would be a laid back, take it slow day, with only a few (8) things on the To Do list.
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Tuesday, we do Epcot
Get FastPasses for Soarin' (virtual hang gliding tour), Space Mission Orange or Green (Spaceflight simulator, orange pulls some Gs), and Spaceship Earth (dark ride history of communication). (all in FutureWorld)
Start in Norway, with some School Bread from the Kringla Bakery, and hop the Frozen Ever After ride while we're there and then visit the Stave Church for the Gods of the Vikings exhibit. Pause in Mexico for a view in El Espejo de los Muertos (the mirror of the Dead), where you can become a skeleton from Coco. And then on the Test track and design and drive our own race car (if the lines aren't long)
Catch our FastPasses, and maybe Living with The Land (greenhouses and hydroponics), Journey through the Imagination and the Spectaculab science show.
Then, after a showing of O Canada, we walk on to the UK and have fish and chips at Yorkshire County. Then onward to Impressions of France and a snack from Halles bakery (the ham and cheese croissant or potato leek soup look good), Morocco and Japan. The American Experience may be worth seeing. Then Italy and Germany, and the Reflections of China.
Dinner will be decided by palate: the Biergarten has a buffet, the Moroccan pavilion has an amazing looking kebab dinner, or the Rose and Crown is always good.
We'll find a comfortable place and catch the IllumiNations fireworks show.
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Wednesday is the bum around the resort and recover day.
Beignets at Port Orleans, and riding the monorail to check out the hotels if we want.
Soup of the Moment at the Mara in Animal Kingdom Lodge and watch the animals
Swimming
Whatever afternoon activities look like fun. (check the schedule at the front desk)
Basically, a day to rest up before plunging into Thursday.
Dinner is Quick Service, either the Contempo Cafe (mmm, Italian beef sandwiches) or Captain Cook's
And maybe a Disney Movie under the stars or the Chip and Dale singalong at Fort Wilderness.
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Thursday, we hit the Magic Kingdom (query MK survive impact)
This takes more planning since there is a LOT I want to see and do.
We have FastPasses for the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise
We start with the before-opening 0800 seating at the Crystal Palace Breakfast Buffet
(I want the Breakfast Lasagna: Waffles, pancakes and poundcake with pastry cream, drenched in custard and baked like French toast, sprinkled with fruit) Stuff ourselves silly on omelets, bacon, sausage, ham, potatoes, pastries and Mickey Waffles.
Since we're in before everyone else, we can make our way to the back of the park to Fantasyland, and catch Peter Pan's flight, the Seven Dwarves mine train (optional), and the Mad Tea Party before the lines explode. Mickey's PhilharMagic Concert finishes the visit.
Then, we head to Tomorrowland for the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor show (which I hear is hilarious on a bad day and side-splitting on a good one) and a bit of shopping at Merchant of Venus. The People Mover is also an option in this area.
Across the roundabout to Liberty Square for the Haunted Mansion, the Liberty Square Riverboat and the Hall of Presidents (optional). Despite the enormous breakfast, we're probably getting peckish.
Adventureland is where we have two more fastpasses, and I want to watch the Pirate Academy show as I have a Dole Whip. The Enchanted Tiki Room show is an option.
Frontierland doesn't hold too much interest, although I want to ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Tom Sawyer Island is always a place to sit in the shade a bit. Dinner at Pecos Bill's for TexMex before we catch the Walt Disney Railroad back to Main Street USA. Or we can get something at Columbia Harbour House and catch the train in Fantasy Land.
There, we can catch Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom or the Barbershop Quartet before the firework show (optional)
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Friday is our last park day. This is for Animal Kingdom
We get fastpasses for Avatar: Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safari and Dinosaur.Breakfast starts unconventionally at Eight Spoons Cafe with pulled pork mac and cheese. And while we're there, we can do the Discovery Island trails.
In Dinoland USA, we catch Dinosaur, a dark ride trip to the past, and anything else that looks interesting. This area is mostly geared to the younger set. Maybe a ride on the Primeval Whirl. It is a roller coaster and neither of us is much for that.
Pandora is across the way and we have a fastpass for Flight of Passage, which simulates riding a flying banshee creature. This sounded amazing. The Nav'i River journey is supposed to be gorgeous.
Lunch at the Satu'li canteen sounds very adventurous with a grilled beef and chicken bowl that is seasoned with garlic and served over noodles or rice.
In Africa, we have a fastpass for the Kilimanjaro Safari, and the Festival of the Lion King show looks gorgeous. The Gorilla Falls exploration trail and wildlife express train look worthwhile.
In Asia, the Yak and Yeti Chicken Egg Rolls are not to be missed, and the Anandapu Chicken Fried Rice will hold us until a late dinner at Tusker House. The self-guided walking tour Maharajah Jungle Trek looks good, as does the bird show, Flights of Wonder. Kali River Rapids will get us soaked but is an option. The Expedition Everest coaster looks too exciting.
Our last dinner is at Tusker House Buffet, with the pass for the Rivers of Light show. Peri peri salmon, roast chicken and pork, curry and tandoori and a variety of side dishes. But chocolate chip cookies and brownies in among things like passion fruit spice cake and muffins with nutella.
On Saturday, we pack up, wipe out any remaining food credits (1-2 snack credits) for breakfast: Beignets and Dole whip for breakfast! (I kid) And fly home.
Facebook posts on the subject
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