Since we are still early in the planning stages, this is of course subject to change! If you don’t want to participate in any of these things, that’s your choice – I’m not going to force you to do anything.
December 30 – Luke and I arrive in Orlando. Check in to Pop Century. Head to MK to catch midnight fireworks. Late supper reservation at Tony’s at 9:20pm.
December 31 -Brunch at Narcoossee’s (11am), Volunteer at Give Kids the World (3-6:30). Supper at Homecomin’ 8:50pm.
January 1 – Volunteer at Give Kids the World (11am-2:30pm). Check in to the Grand Floridian. Supper at 1900 Park Fare at 6:30pm. Desserts/drinks at California Grill 8:50pm.
January 2 – Check in to Old Key West for the remainder of the trip :), Park day Animal Kingdom. Breakfast at Boma, lunch at Tiffins, supper at Saana.
January 3 – Breakfast at Trail’s End, Race Expo, Epcot – snacks in World Showcase (Karamel Kuche, France ice cream, etc). Supper at Crew’s Cup Lounge.
January 4 – 5k race (Luke and I), Capt’ Cooks breakfast (Polynesian), Magic Kingdom morning, afternoon nap, evening at Hollywood Studios. Supper at Mama Melrose’s.
January 5 – Trattoria Al Forno breakfast. Hollywood Studios morning, Magic Kingdom afternoon, Liberty Tree Tavern 4:15pm, Happily Ever After dessert party.
January 6 – Hollywood Studios (Luke and I), lunch at 50’s Prime Time, back to Old Key West to greet family arriving this day, supper at Olivia’s or Disney Springs (staggered, as people arrive). Early bedtime for Luke.
January 7 – Marathon day (Luke). Early morning Fastpasses at Epcot, then watch Luke finish the race (probably around 1pm?) The marathon finishes just past Epcot, so he will enter through the park around mile 25. Disney Springs to Earl of Sandwich? Free afternoon – hotel swimming, park hop to Animal Kingdom (or other), shopping in Disney Springs, etc. Late supper reservation at ‘Ohana (9:45pm) -a Hawaiian-themed all you can eat meal. They bring unlimited chicken wings, pot stickers, salad, noodles, veggies, pineapple-coconut bread, skewers of meat (chicken, shrimp and steak) and bread pudding for dessert. It’s a lot of food, but it’s all really delicious! Cost for that is ~$45USD. Maybe a stop at Trader Sam’s (a super fun tiki bar) after ‘Ohana?
January 8 – Perhaps an Animal Kingdom park open until noon or so? Then Epcot day for everyone! I’d like for everyone to join us for this. I’m thinking get to the park around noon. Head to Le Cellier for 12:35 reservation (they have a prix fixe lunch menu that costs $49USD, but is for a 3 course meal; you can also order off the regular menu – their poutine with truffles was amazing and only costs $10USD). Spend the afternoon/early evening checking out the World Showcase and trying some different drinks from around the world – I’d like this to be like the bachelor/bachelorette party. Use 3 Fastpasses at some point (maybe use these at AK in the morning?). Supper at Garden Grill at 7:05pm (a character meal that is all you can eat, brought directly to your table). The food has been fantastic both times we’ve ate there, and the character interaction is a lot of fun. Cost: $45USD. After this, head out of the park and over to Jellyrolls – a dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk (walking distance from Epcot), or just go back to Old Key West and relax/go to bed.
January 9 – Magic Kingdom day! I know a few people are only planning on purchasing 2-day park tickets, but you can’t go to Disney and NOT go to Magic Kingdom. It’s the quintessential Disney park. We won’t need to tour the park all together this day, but it would be nice to meet up for lunch and supper. Pre-park open breakfast at Crystal Palace at 8:15am. Lunch at Be Our Guest at 1pm, a Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant located inside the Beast’s castle. Cost would be ~$25USD for an entree, drink and dessert (supper prices are significantly higher). For supper – on your own, since there’s no shortage of things to eat, and no shortage of quick serve food options – yum Peco’s Bills! If you’d like, they offer a Happily Ever After dessert party for a reserved view of the fireworks ($59)
January 10 – Wedding Day! Ceremony at Sea Breeze Point at noon. Immediately following the ceremony would be a cake and champagne ceremony, followed by family pictures. From there, we would head over to the reception at Homecomin’ in Disney Springs. Start time for the reception is 3:30. Following the reception, we will head back to Epcot and go to a dessert party (you will NOT require a park ticket for this, Luke and I will be covering it). There will be a selection of sweets, and a private viewing area for the nighttime show – Illuminations (this is why we skipped watching this on January 8th). After Illuminations (it’ll be about 9:30pm), head out of the park and back to OKW to go to bed. I know this seems early, but it’ll be a long day.
January 11 – Anyone wishing to check out Universal Studios, this would be the best day for it. If you are interested in the Harry Potter World there, you will need a park-to-park ticket which costs $165USD. Anyone not going to Universal – our plan is to head to Animal Kingdom (my favourite park!) For those heading to Animal Kingdom, we will be doing brunch at Tusker House at 10:45am – one of our favourite restaurants on Disney property. Cost is $45USD, but it is a character buffet, and the food is delicious! We always leave stuffed, and barely eat anything else the rest of the day.
January 12 – Other option for a Universal Studios Day (depending on which Disney Park you want to go to – AK or DHS). Hollywood Studios day for those still around! Leave the park and head to Beaches and Cream for lunch at 1:15pm (most amazing ice cream sundaes ever, and possibly the best grilled cheese I’ve ever ate), and then Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party that evening (so worth the money – I think Luke and I had 12 alcoholic drinks between us, plus the food was all great, and the VIP reserved viewing area for the fireworks was incredible).
January 13 – Go home day 🙁