WDW Trip 2016-Part 2: Planning Our Disney Experience

Now that it was decided that the Havens and the Conners were going to Walt Disney World together in less than 3 weeks there was a lot to do. 

I had the experience of already planning 3 WDW trips, so
I took the lead in making our plans. My trip planning skills and in-park experience were some other reasons Brandi & James wanted us to go along with them. 

The day after we found out that we were able to go we spent an evening at our house to do our initial planning. 

My first task was to convince them not to stay in the small hotel room on Disney property and get a much roomier vacation home only a few more minutes away. We could split the cost, while getting more room and better amenities. It wasn't very difficult to do that when I showed them the comparison. 

The couple of "extra magic" hours offered during our stay (which with our trip so close, was the only real advantage of an "on property") did not compare to the comfort and convenience of a vacation home.   

We decided to stay in a 3 bedroom unit in Kissimmee just down the street from where Paula and I stayed last December. It had it's own private pool and a bedroom for Aria decorated with a Mickey Mouse theme.

Our next important decision was what type of park tickets we were going to purchase. Again, my knowledge of trip planning came into play. Instead of buying our 4 day park passes directly from Disney, I used a very popular discount ticket broker: Undercover Tourist.

We got a great deal. Paid for a 4-day park ticket and got a 5th day free. It was about $20 less each than buying from Disney as well. This made a big difference in our vacation. It meant we could visit all 4 WDW parks for a day and then go to Magic Kingdom a second time. 

The next step was the logistics of our travel. We decided that we would leave very early on Saturday morning (4AM on March 5) so we could get there in time get enough sleep to be able to get up early and to go to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday. 

Our "what we want to do" list included meeting all the characters that Aria liked, go to a character breakfast, see the fireworks and night time shows. There was more including a lunch at the "Be Our Guest" restaurant in the MK and taking a day to go to Cocoa Beach and enjoy the ocean. 

When our evening of planning was over I had a list of the things I needed to make sure was did while we were in "The World".  

The one major factor that made this trip to Walt Disney World different was the way a guest now has to make plans with Disney itself. It's done through a section of the Disney World website and on a smartphone using an app. Both are called "My Disney Experience."

Through "MDE" I was able to register our park tickets which allowed me to do a lot of planning. I made Fast Pass Plus and dinning reservations for each of our days in the park.

 All of these plans were gathered together in my MDE online itinerary.  Although the plans were on my account, once the others created their accounts I linked them so they could see them too.  

Among other resources I used to set up our trip plans were online websites, All Ears.net, Touring Plans.com, Accuweather.com, wdwinfo.com, Trip Advisor.com/Cocoa Beach and about half a dozen WDW trip planning podcasts. 

I also used digital copies of books on my Kindle, The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and a "how to" guide that helped me learn the best way to use Fast Pass. 

I put my "proven" trip planning tool into action, an Excel workbook with several spreadsheets. One with a overview of our trip day by day and 5 others, each dedicated to a day of the trip. All of them had lists of what we wanted to do each day in the order we needed to do them. 

They weren't set-in-stone minute-by-minute marching orders but rather guidelines to help us do what we wanted to do. We could take our time and enjoy our day but my guide would keep us on track.

The guide sheets were works in progress right up until the night before we left. Although I printed them out so everyone could have a copy; I kept a digital copy on my phone so I  could make changes as needed throughout the week.

By 9 o'clock on Friday night, March 4, all the planning and packing had been done. After a few hours of sleep we would pull out of our driveway, meet up with James & Brandi in Bowling Green and then head south.   

WDW Trip 2016-Part 1: The Decision To Go

Blogger's Note: Thank you for visiting my blog focusing on my fandom of all things Disney. I am reviving it after nearly 2 years for a couple of reasons. I have memories from trips to Walt Disney World I want to share with you. I also want to discuss the almost constant stream of news and events in the world of Disney and share my opninons. Again, welcome back. I hope these new posts help me make a connection with you, my readers, and together we can share our common interest in the "Wonderful World Of Disney".  

Ron Havens-aka "Goofy Guy"

In December 2015, my wife and I made our 3rd visit in the last 11 years to Walt Disney World. Each of those visits were different and unique in their own way. The first in 2004 was a family vacation with our two sons. In 2010, it was just the two of us celebrating my 50th birthday. And last December, an evening at the "Very Merry Christmas Party" in the Magic Kingdom was a part of an anniversary trip that included our first trip to shores of the Gulf Of Mexico at Clearwater Beach. 

Once we got back from that last trip, our plan was to return to Florida, in December 2017, with our adult children and granddaughter to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. But sometimes things happen a lot sooner than you expect. In this case, a lot sooner.

One Friday afternoon in the middle of February, I was taking a short afternoon break from my job when I got a phone call. The ringtone told me that it was my son, James.  

He called to tell me that he and his wife, Brandi, decided that they were going to take our granddaughter, to Walt Disney World the week of March 6th. He invited us to go with them. 

This really took me back. As a Disney fan with above an average knowledge about the theme parks I had a couple of concerns. My first thoughts centered around the fact that they were going during "Spring Break" season. Attendance at the WDW parks during that time is among the highest of the year. 

My second thought was that it had only been 3 months since my wife and I took our last trip to Florida. Getting time off of work again so soon, and covering the cost of the trip were uncertain issues. It was frustrating but I couldn't see any way we could go. 

After telling them that we couldn't go, Paula and I started talking. Our initial decision was so unsettling. 

I did some research with my online Disney trip planning resources and discovered that, although for that week the expected crowds, although expected to be above average, with a little planning were manageable. 

Our consternation over the decision we had made was centered around this reality. With or without us, our granddaughter was going to Disney World. How could we miss something that was so important? 

Aria is our only granddaughter. Ever since she was an infant she has been a fan of Disney characters; especially Minnie, Mickey. Over the last couple of years she has grown to love Disney movies as well ("Frozen" and "The Aristocats" are her favorites). 

The anticipation of being with her as she looks down Main Street USA and sees the castle for the first time, feeling the joy as we watch her meet her Disney friends in person, and witnessing the reflection of the Magic Kingdom fireworks in her eyes were irresistibly compelling. There was only one thing for us to do. By the end of that weekend we had changed our minds. 

By Tuesday of the next week, the path was clear of concerns. It was going to happen. We were going with our granddaughter to Walt Disney World!!! 

But the decision to go was just the first step in our journey to Orlando. Getting the most out of a Walt Disney World vacation these days requires more than just buying park tickets and making hotel reservations. There was a lot of planning to do. 

Coming in Part 2: Planning Our Disney Experience 

2012 Disney Movie Madness Tournament-And The Winner Is...

There's been 6 Rounds, 39 match ups, over 400 votes cast, and finally one champion has been crowned. The 2012 Disney Movie Madness Tournament is over. 


I have to be honest the final round was a bit anti-climatic in both the degree of Disney charisma attributed to both final participants and the number of votes cast. But nevertheless, to paraphrase a comment one  Facebook voter sent to me, the final match up required the making of "lemonade." 


Now let me state that the tournament winner is on my personal "top 5" Disney movie list but not at the top. It does have the single best supporting character in all of the Disney animated movie library (my apologies to Balloo the Bear). The voice over cast includes two of my favorite comedians. And, since the voting is over I can mention this, the story and characters have transitioned very well into the Disney Parks.


So if you haven't guessed by now it's it my pleasure to announce the winner of the 2012 Disney Madness Tournament: 

2012 Disney Movie Madness Champion

   

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this tournament. It was my second but the first where I asked others to vote. I really had fun tallying the votes and reading the reasons for your choices. Bringing out the Disney fan in anyone is always fun. 

Anytime I can get into a conversation about Disney, no matter if its face-to-face or through social media, I jump right in with near abandon. This year's tournament provided plenty of conversation

Congratulations to all who voted for "Finding Nemo" over the course of the entire tournament. You created a champion. 

Looking Toward Next Year

So now that this year's "madness" is over it's time to look toward 2013's Goofy Guy tournament. 

I have some lofty goals for next year's vote. First of I'm pretty certain that I am going to make it a "supporting characters" competition. There are plenty of them in the 50 plus Disney animated features. As a matter of fact next year there will probably be 64 contestants; which will require an additional preliminary round. 

I'd also like to set it up so that it's open to everyone on the Internet. I know this is possible because I've seen a site devoted to a Muppet Madness tournament. Over the next year I'm going to find out how to set up a tournament like it for myself. 

So there you have the last post of this year's Disney Movie Madness Tournament. Once again, thanks to all who participated. See you next year when once again you'll have the chance to support your favorite things about Disney. 

2012 Disney Movie Madness Tournament-The Championship Match Up

Well the voters in the 2012 Disney Movie Madness saved their biggest "upset" decisions for the "Fantasy Four" round of the tournament. I am sitting here looking at the two films that have made it to the Final Match Up and I can't believe it. 


Round 4 voting was not at all close. The pair of pictures that would be considered among the ultimate Disney classics were knocked out by a pair of unlikely "Cinderellas".


In it's Fantasy Four contest "The Lion King" (my pick to win the tournament from the beginning) was beaten by an almost 2-1 margin by "Finding Nemo"


Not even true love's kiss could rescue Snow White from a landslide defeat at the hands of 101 Dalmatians. I mean those precious spotted pups got 90% of the vote. 


So the final match up has been determined. 


Final Match Up: Finding Nemo VS 101 Dalmatians

  

You have until 10PM CDT Thursday April 5 to get your votes to me by way of Facebook message or email (Rewindguy909@aol.com). That's when I'll tally the ballots and a champion will be crowned. Do your part to make sure it's your favorite finalist. 

2012 Disney Movie Madness Tournament-The Fantasy Four

Round 3 of this years tournament is the first of two rounds where movies can become champions. In the closest voting of the entire tournament the Bracket Winners have been chosen. 3 out of 4 of the races were decided by 1 vote. For the first time in the tournament I had to cast the deciding vote in, not just one, but two races. There was only one "landslide" winner in Round 3. 

Here are the Bracket Champions:

Pixar: Finding Nemo

2nd Golden Age: The Lion King

Story Book: Snow White

Animal Tales: 101 Dalmatians

I must say that I agree with 3 of the 4 choices. I am extremely disappointed that The Jungle Book didn't make it to the Semi-Finals. My vote for Mogli, Balloo and company left the movie's tally 1 vote short. But no use 

So now it's onto the "Fantasy Four" Here are the Match Ups: 

Semi-Final 1: Finding Nemo VS Lion King: This is a contest between the two films that will decide which will represent the "After Walt" era of Disney animation in the tournament championship match up. 

Semi-Final 2: Snow White VS 101 Dalmatians: Walt Disney produced both of these Finalists. They will represent his legacy in this tournament. One of these films has been the overwhelming choice in all rounds so far. I won't mention which one it is but I don't see the pattern changing in this round at all. 

There you have your match ups. You have until 10PM Tuesday night April 3 to cast your vote. Choose who you want to be the last 2 movies standing. Get your choices to me by message on FB or emailing me at Rewindguy909@aol.com

A tournament winner is on the horizon. All you have to do is let your vote make that film the winner of Disney Movie Madness. 

 

2012 Disney Movie Madness Tournament: Round 3

Round 2 of the Disney Movie Madness is over. I received quite a few more ballots for this round than Round 1. It made for a couple of interesting contests. Most movies advanced by a comfortable margin. There was also the tightest race of the entire tournament thus far. Once again I waited to vote last but my choices did not decide any of the races.

 24 classic Disney films have been eliminated. It’s now down to the “Enchanted Eight”. The winner of these match ups will be awarded the title “Bracket Champion” and a spot in the “Fantasy Four”.

Here are the pairings for Round 3.

Pixar Bracket Final: Finding Nemo VS The Incredibles  

I really am rather surprised that there is not a “Toy Story” film in this match up. I guess as popular as the characters from that franchise are the movies are not considered by you, the voters, among Pixar’s best. I agree with this final match up. Both of these adventure films are really about relationships; that’s what makes them wonderful films.

2^nd Golden Age Bracket Final: The Lion King VS Beauty & The Beast

A better name for this contest would be “Clash of the Titians”. I mean the all time highest grossing hand-drawn animated Disney film against the first animated film ever to be nominated for the “Best Picture” Oscar. Both have great heros, supporting characters and comic relief characters. Let’s not forget the Asher/Menken soundtracks. This is going to be a very interesting vote.

Story Book Bracket Final : Snow White VS Cinderella

Of course it comes down to a pair of princesses. One is wishing for the one she loves and the other is dreaming that someday her prince will come. They are both definetly “old school” and classics but among Walt Disney’s greatest film accomplishments. Choose your favorite.

Animal Tales Final : Jungle Book VS 101 Dalmations: After surviving the closes vote of the tournament (beating Lady & The Tramp by 1 vote, I did not vote in this one) once again the animal characters from The Jungle Book go up against 101 puppies and a countless number of spots. Sometimes a movie just can’t get a break.

So there, you have the Bracket Final match ups. Pick your Bracket Champions and  let them move on to the Fantasy Four. You can vote from now until 10PM CST Sunday April 1. That’s when I will announce the movies that will  compete for the chance to go head-to-head for the title of tournament champion.

You can vote by messaging me your ballot on Facebook or emailing it to me at Rewindguy909@aol.com.

Here’s this round’s voting template:

Pixar Bracket Final: Finding Nemo VS The Incredibles  

2^nd Golden Age Bracket Final: The Lion King VS Beauty & The Beast

Story Book Bracket Final : Snow White VS Cinderella

Animal Tales Final : Jungle Book VS 101 Dalmatians

2012 Disney Movie Madness Tournament: Round 2

The first round of the 2012 Disney Movie Madness tournament is over. I appreciate all of you who voted. Thanks to your choices I didn’t have to cast any decided votes.

There wasn’t really any “upsets” in this first round. There were four matchups that were “sweeps” in that one movie got all the votes. Five of the battles were as close as they could have been without ending in a tie. I’m not going to give the direct results because I don’t want to prejudice the rest of the tournament.

The thing that stood out for me was that those of you who included your reasons for your choices had pretty valid reasons.

Also there were recollections of  some special personal memories. Once again it just goes to show that Disney movies are interwoven into the fabric of a lot of people’s lives and relationships.

Now it’s time to announce the match ups for Round 2: the bracket semi-finals.

Pixar Bracket

Semi-Final 1: Finding Nemo VS Cars-For me this is the battle of the supporting characters-who’s it going to be Dory or Mater?

Semi-Final 2: The Incredibles VS Monster Inc-These two are so different from each other; my guess is that individual choices will be very easy. It’s going to be interesting to see where the majority vote falls.

2^nd Golden Age Bracket

Semi-Final 1: The Lion King VS The Little Mermaid-A match up that should be the bracket or even the tournament finals; but it’s comes up in this round. A battle of the Titians. One film almost single handedly revived Disney animation. The other is considered the apex of the 2^nd Golden Age. Pick your favorite.

Semi-Final 2: Beauty & The Beast VS Aladdin-If this round has a “mismatch” this is it. Perhaps “Prince Ali” should have saved that 3^rd wish for this tournament

Story Book Bracket

Semi-Final 1: Snow White VS Tangled-The first animated feature goes up against the 50th. Princess against princess. The 7 Dwarfs take on the gang from the Ugly Duckling pub. Each feature true love bringing someone back to life. The winner of this match up  has a great chance of winning this bracket.

Semi-Final 2: Cinderella VS Pinocchio-If this was last year’s tournament this match up would be more interesting. The match up of “ A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” against “When You Wish Upon A Star” has some clout. The match up of their respective films not so much. Sure the clash of these two classic story book films has some “noise” to it. But it’s nothing compared to the “Big Bang” of this bracket’s first semi-final.

Animal Tales Bracket

Semi-Final 1: Jungle Book VS Lady and The Tramp-These films have very similar stories. Their main characters find themselves in a world where they don’t quite fit in. However one of them is a musical and the other is a film with some songs. Both have some strong supporting characters. This one is a toss up for me. Don’t make me have to decide.

Semi-Final 2: 101 Dalmations VS The Aristocats-Again very similar films. The choice in this match up is puppies or kittens. Which one do you like best?

This bracket looks like it’s going to have the most interesting final matchup in the next round.

So there you have the pairings for round 2 of the Disney Movie Madness tournament. Feel free to think about your choices. Then you can send your votes by FB message or email (Rewindguy909@aol.com).  You have until 10PM Thursday March 29. If you voted in Round 1 keep on voting. If you missed round 1 jump in for round 2. Have fun deciding,. I hope you are enjoying this tournament as much as I am.

Here’s this round’s voting template:

Pixar Bracket

Semi-Final 1: Finding Nemo VS Cars:

Semi-Final 2: The Incredibles VS Monster Inc:

2^nd Golden Age Bracket

Semi-Final 1: The Lion King VS The Little Mermaid:

Semi-Final 2: Beauty & The Beast VS Aladdin:

Story Book Bracket

Semi-Final 1: Snow White VS Tangled:

Semi-Final 2: Cinderella VS Pinocchio:

Animal Tales Bracket

Semi-Final 1: Jungle Book VS Lady and The Tramp:

Semi-Final 2: 101 Dalmations VS The Aristocats: