It seems like I've been doing nothing but planning trips all year - this was a very unusual year for us with as many trips as we've taken so far and 2 more coming up (Orlando in October and then our "family vacation" in November) before the year is over. So my original thought was to bring the kids with us to the NCE because it was going to be their Fall Break. As it turns out, Fall Break is actually the week before the NCE. (Doh). To minimize the amount of school that they will miss, the kids will fly to Orlando with us but take an earlier flight back so Amina can drive them home and make it to school on Monday. Even getting these plane tickets booked was an ordeal. To make matters worse (or better depending on how you look at it) - I made the realization a couple of months ago that the NCE will be held during the EPCOT Food and Wine festival. (Double Doh). I am definitely not getting much in the way of CMEs this year at the NCE - too many special festival events going on that weekend. We are currently waitlisted for the Bay Lake Towers for the remaining 2 nights in Orlando (Sunday and Monday evening).
I was very excited to see the many events that would be happening while we are there. The tickets for the festival special events were made available to Disney Visa cardholders the day before (Monday, 12 August) they were made open to everyone else (Tuesday, 13 August). In retrospect, I should have been on the phone at 6 am (CST) that Monday morning to make our reservations. The big prize reservation was the Signature Dinner at Victoria and Albert's on the evening of Sunday, 27 October. Alas, when I called at around noon that Monday, it was already booked up per the CM. I did get on the phone at 6 am the following morning hoping that they had additional openings for non-Disney Visa holders but there was a lot of confusion about whether it was booked up or whether it was not yet entered into the system as an option. After another half a dozen phone calls over the next 2 days, I was finally told that it was all booked up. I went ahead and took a 9 pm reservation for just dinner that same evening. I'm still hopeful that something will open up that evening for the Signature Dinner. Maybe we can go and plead our case to them to let us in.....DVC, honeymooned and ate at V&As for the first time 20 years ago, returned for our 10 year anniversary, eat there at every opportunity that we get, favorite restaurant on the planet, haven't been in town for their Signature Dinner in all the years that we've attended the Food and Wine Festival.....etc, etc, etc.
So, here's how the plans look:
Thursday, October 24 - Enid, OKC, SSRS, DTD
Lv 7:04 am United 337 from OKC
Ar 8:25 am into Houston
Lv 12:22 pm United 1690 from Houston
Ar 3:45 pm into Orlando
We have the Disney Magical Express scheduled for pickup from the airport to take us to Saratoga Springs.
6:30 pm - Dinner at Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney
Friday, October 25 - EPCOT
10 am - 12 pm Kitchen Memories (VOLT) $110 pp
Kitchen Memories: Celebrity chefs host this event, demonstrating how to prepare an appetizer, main course and a dessert. A selection of wines will be paired for each course by a winery representative.
10/25: Bryan Voltaggio, VOLT, Frederick, MD
8 pm - 9:30 pm Dessert/Illuminations (VIP "sweet seats") $90 pp
3D Disney's Dessert Discovery
at World ShowPlace Pavilion: This is a dessert lover's dream. You can
sample a variety of desserts and cordials. You will also enjoy VIP
viewing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.
Sweet Seats VIP seats are available for $90 (includes private
table, early entry, specialty dessert, specialty beverage)
Saturday, October 26 - MK?
1030-1210 NCE for Eve - opening plenary session
1215 - 4 pm exhibit hall open
5:05 pm Dinner at Brown Derby
7:15 pm - 11 pm Orlando Experience! at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Orlando Experience! at Disney's Hollywood Studios®
Saturday, October 267:15 PM–11:00 PM
The AAP invites you to enjoy an exclusive evening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®! This private event for all AAP attendees and registered family/guests will be filled with magical moments as you enjoy the many highlights that Disney offers including a free fall experience on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror®, beating your colleagues or family at the popular arcade-style ride Toy Story Mania! ®, the newly updated Star Tours® - The Adventure Continues, or enjoying some of the live shows including the Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! and Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage. Several networking areas abound as you interact with street performers, musicians and the famous Disney characters. The evening ends with an exclusive showing of Disney’s spectacular fireworks and water show, Fantasmic! All rides and shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® will be available for your enjoyment.
Shuttle bus transportation will be available from all official conference hotels. Each person in attendance will receive a $10 Disney gift card that can be used at any food or merchandise location throughout the park.
Sunday, October 27 - SSRS to ?
Seth taking Magical Express with the kids to drop them off at the Orlando airport
Lv 8:20 am United 1693 to Houston
Ar 9:51 am Houston
Lv 11:19 am United 5278 to OKC
Ar 12:45 pm OKC
7 - 8:15 am - District Breakfast at NCE for Eve
8 am - Seth pick up rental car from EZ Car Rental at the MCO terminal
Full size car for 2 days: $101.05
8 am - Seth pick up rental car from EZ Car Rental at the MCO terminal
Full size car for 2 days: $101.05
Return to SSRS and check out. Move to Bay Lake Towers? or maybe consider
Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista
located just 1/2 mile from Walt Disney World,
Special "Food and Wine Festival" rate of $59.00/night valid for travel through November 11, 2013.
Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista
located just 1/2 mile from Walt Disney World,
Special "Food and Wine Festival" rate of $59.00/night valid for travel through November 11, 2013.
To make your reservation
call the hotel directly at 866-808-8833.
call the hotel directly at 866-808-8833.
Mention that you are an AllEars® Reader and give Code ILRRU to receive the special offer.
9 pm - Dinner at Victoria and Alberts
(Signature Dinner is at 6 pm for $525 pp)
Monday, October 28 - MK?
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Annual Business Lunch at NCE
Tuesday, October 29
Lv 11:53 am United 1261 Orlando to Houston
Ar 1:21 pm Houston
Lv 2:27 pm United 3343 Houston to OKC
Ar 3:51 pm OKC
I got discounted tickets through the NCE. | Item | Price | Qty | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult 4 Day Meeting/Convention Ticket with Park Hopper Option | $304.20 | 2 | $608.40 |
| Adult 2 Day Meeting/Convention Ticket with Park Hopper Option | $218.70 | 2 | $437.40 |
| Subtotal | 4 | $1,045.80 | |
| Sales Tax | $68.00 | ||
| Shipping | $0.00 | ||
| Total | 4 | $1,113.80 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment