A Disney Trip 10 Years in the Making. PTR 10/14 - 23/2011 - Page 11 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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ADR’s and special happenings and park hours, oh my!
Today’s date: 04/26/11
Pre trip report Part Eight
The Park hours finally came out and my 180 day mark was reached and I’ve been spending a lot of time putting together an itinerary for all 11 of us. It is both exciting and exhausting at the same time. I love all the planning as it gets me excited thinking about the upcoming trip but it is a big responsibility as you have 11 people’s vacation riding you your shoulders.
Because we are staying at Shades of Green I couldn’t book the 180 +10 when making my ADR’s. I had to do it the old fashioned way and get up each morning and either call in or log on. A couple of times my computer at home was too slow or didn’t give me the date I wanted so I had to called in, but only for a few.
It is still a work in progress as some of the things I’m hoping to do have not been announced yet.
That is something that annoys me. I’m planning a trip for 9 days but on day one of the trip I don’t know what the park hours or EMH are going to be for the end of the trip. I don’t know when MNSSHP is going to take place, when Fantasmic is going to be performed the days we are there or if the Wishes Dessert party is going to be offered. It makes it all just that more challenging to plan when you have to guess at some of these.
My mom suggested I write to Disney but when I told her most people aren’t uber planners like me [just my fellow PassPorters, which is why I can complain to you – you “get it”]. Most people are the fly by the seat of their pants and IF they make any ADR’s it is only a few months in advance.
So this is what I have so far…
Friday Oct 14
Our flight is due in around 4:15pm.
I made an ADR at Chef Mickey’s and also 1900 Park Fare for dinner round 7pm. I still haven’t decided which place. I was hoping to celebrate Evan’s birthday as he will turn 5 on the 8th of October. I’ve been to CM for breakfast but never dinner. I think the boys will like the characters better here. I really want to try 1900PF, I’ve never been there and hear if it really fun and great character interaction. I’m just not sure the boys (8, 6 and 5) will “get it”. I know Evan won’t know who they are so we will need to watch Cinderella a few times if we do go to 1900PF.
What are your thoughts, Chef Mickey vs 1900 PF?
Saturday Oct 15
We are heading straight to the MK and probably on BTMRR as that is the 1 must do ride for Evan. We will close the evening in Epcot with our group activity of watching IllumiNations. I made a dinner ressie at Italy and it is my mom’s birthday but we may not end up eating here, not sure the kids will like real Italian food as opposed to American Italian food but we have the ADR just in case.
Sunday Oct 16
This will be our AK day. Since the park is only open from 9-5 I’m thinking we could push it and maybe not have a nap today – we’ll see. The must do for me is the Nemo show, I haven’t seen it yet and really want to. Judging by the park hours I’m hoping and praying that the MK will have MNSSHP tonight and we will be attending. This will be our group activity for the day. Evan wants to dress as the crocodile and scare Captain Hook. I need to see if I can find a cheap easy costume for him. I made a lunch ADR at Rain Forest Café in AK but also one at Tusker House with the Nemo show pass. Again I’m not sure which way to go on this.
Monday 10/17
This is our “Specials Day”. The little boys (8, 6, 6, 5) are taking the Pirate Cruise at the Grand Floridian in the morning. And I plan on having 2 hours of peace and quite to explore the hotel and do a little shopping or have a drink. Then we are heading to DTD to poke around and go to Ghirardelli’s for an ice cream (a first for me). My sister, her daughter and my mom are having tea at the GF at 2pm and my BIL and my nephew(12) are renting speed boats for their special event.
I hope to grab a hot dog at Casey’s for dinner and then enjoy our group activity of watching Wishes, MSEP and enjoying EMH. If the dessert party is offer this night I want to surprise everyone with it.
I book an ADR at TRex for lunch so that is a back up if Ghirardelli’s is too crowded
I’m hoping to make it into the MK in time to see the Flag Retreat tonight as that is something I’ve never seen before.
Tuesday 10/18
This will be our Studios day. The hours are only 9-7 so I think that is pretty do-able.
Our big group activity of the day is lunch at the 50’s Prime Time Café and hopefully watching Fantasmic. If offered I want to book a dinner package at Mama Melrose but those dates are not out yet. If we are up for it we can head over to EMH in Epcot after Fantasmic. I think Evan will be ready for bed though.
By now I’m sure we will all need a break as I know these will be very long and action filled days. I hope Evan doesn’t hit melt down before Wednesday.
Wednesday 10/19
This day is completely open, no group activity planned. I assume we will sleep in and maybe just relax around the hotel. I made an ADR at TREX for lunch in case the boys saw it on our DTD day and really wanted to go back but my guess is I’ll end up canceling it. I’m hoping to do Beaches and Cream for lunch but since no ADR’s there we just need to time it right. For dinner I was going to try the Camp Fire program and FW. Something new for me even though I’ve stayed there many times.
Thursday 10/20
This too is a fairly quite day I’m going to let Evan choose. We can do MK EMH, his favorite park or I’ll take him to GatorLand.
Our Group Activity is dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo. This is also Bryson’s birthday so we will be having cake at some point. Not at the HDDMR as they charge $21.00 for a 6 inch round cake – no way. We have a car, we’ll go to Goodings or Publix.
Friday 10/21
This morning we will be heading over to Epcot. I want to do a Kim Possible Mission as that will be new and Turtle Talk as I haven’t done that either. We have lunch scheduled at Japan Teppan Edo.
Tonight our group activity is the Prime Rib buffet at the hotel (my BIL’s favorite) then I plan on us walking to the Poly to watch the water pageant, get a drink, and watch Wishes on the beach as we just relax and reminisce about our wonderful vacation
Saturday 10/22
Our last full day.
The morning will be spent in MK using EMH. Our group activity is lunch at WCC.
The evening is free for each family group to return to do their favorite thing.
Sunday 10/23
We will be up early to check out of the hotel but we have one last group activity planned and that is a character breakfast. We want to do Cape May Café but I couldn’t get the time slot so I booked Chef Mickey’s (another reason I’m debating this on the first night) and I’m still checking for CMC. Hopefully something will become available. We are booked at 8am and we need to leave for the airport about 10-10:30 for our 1:30pm flight.
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Your plans look great....as for Chef Mickeys or 1900? Wow thats a tuff one, as they are both so good. But me I would go with 1900 cause we have been to CM many times before and 1900 only once and loved it! As for AK I would do the Tusker House....YUMMY!!!!!
__________________
Me and Cole in the Sears Tower Skydeck, 103 floors up, in a glass box hanging off the side!
Wow, love your ADRs
I think we might see you at Chef Mickeys (if you don't manage to get Cape May Cafe) as we have an ADR for 7.15am on Sunday 23rd (this will be our first day and with the time difference we will be up very early) which would be great!
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PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
That's a lot of planning! Even without the details being nailed down, it looks great. A couple of recent TRs have reported very good dinners at CM. I agree that these are the characters most familiar and fun to people. Shaping up to be a memorable trip!
Sounds like great plans! Which restaurant in Italy did you book? Via Napoli is more kid friendly than Tutto Italia! Yum! Wood fired pizzas! I don't know if I mentioned this before, but we'll be at The World at the same time in October! (We're the 17th through the 21st) Don't forget that the Food and Wine Festival is going on at Epcot--the Food booths are a great lunch option!
That is a lot of options. Hope you can pull it all together. I really like 1900 PF but this one is really a princess party. Not sure if the four boys would like all of the girl stuff.
That is a lot of good planning - and stress - for you to have done! Whew! All you can do is your best and leave the rest to the magic of Disney!
As far as CM or 1900 I would do CM for sure. Sounds like it fits the bill better.
TH is awesome. Can't say enough. I would definitely opt for that and the Nemo show!
I love the ideas of open days. With uber planners like us PPers you need a day or two to go with the flow and you're vacation enjoyment will be better for it.
Holly you sure had a rough Easter! I hope things are better now!
I know exactly how you feel right now! It's hard to plan for so many people! So far your plans look good! I'll second the Tusker House with Nemo package. It's nice to have that priority seating especially with a large group and the food is good too!
So Evan only sleeps with one stuffed animal? I wish! Dylan's got like 20 in his bed with him. He's a bit obesessed right now! He wants one of every character. Currently he wants Maximus, the horse from Tangled (which is sold out on Disneystore.com & is selling for 2x the price on Amazon).
Your plans look great....as for Chef Mickeys or 1900? Wow thats a tuff one, as they are both so good. But me I would go with 1900 cause we have been to CM many times before and 1900 only once and loved it! As for AK I would do the Tusker House....YUMMY!!!!!
I'm leaning toward 1900, just not sure if it is more for me or the boys???
Quote:
Originally Posted by emmalovesdisney
Wow, love your ADRs
I think we might see you at Chef Mickeys (if you don't manage to get Cape May Cafe) as we have an ADR for 7.15am on Sunday 23rd (this will be our first day and with the time difference we will be up very early) which would be great!
Maybe we'll see you as CMC I haven't found open yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazanya
All caught up! You have some great plans Holly!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Sorry your Easter weekend was rough!
The plans look great!! Congrats on finishing making all your ADRs!!
Thanks - I'm really getting excited
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great plans!
Thanks, I think so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Holly, I think your plans look great in spite of not having all the necessary info from WDW.
It does make it challenging but I like what we have planned so far
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
That's a lot of planning! Even without the details being nailed down, it looks great. A couple of recent TRs have reported very good dinners at CM. I agree that these are the characters most familiar and fun to people. Shaping up to be a memorable trip!
Oh I hope so. I DO think the boys would like CM better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Sounds like great plans! Which restaurant in Italy did you book? Via Napoli is more kid friendly than Tutto Italia! Yum! Wood fired pizzas! I don't know if I mentioned this before, but we'll be at The World at the same time in October! (We're the 17th through the 21st) Don't forget that the Food and Wine Festival is going on at Epcot--the Food booths are a great lunch option!
We booked Tutto Italia so we'll see. I don't think we'll be doing much with F&WF as I'm NOT a foddie in any way shape or form. Maybe we'll see you around on the 17th - 21st I'll be the one with a herd of people.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
That is a lot of options. Hope you can pull it all together. I really like 1900 PF but this one is really a princess party. Not sure if the four boys would like all of the girl stuff.
I'm not sure either - I'll need to think about it for a while and read some more reviews.
Quote:
Originally Posted by debrabrown
That is a lot of good planning - and stress - for you to have done! Whew! All you can do is your best and leave the rest to the magic of Disney!
As far as CM or 1900 I would do CM for sure. Sounds like it fits the bill better.
TH is awesome. Can't say enough. I would definitely opt for that and the Nemo show!
I love the ideas of open days. With uber planners like us PPers you need a day or two to go with the flow and you're vacation enjoyment will be better for it.
I love the open days idea too. And yes I'll leave all the magic to Disney - that is what they are famous for after all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
Holly you sure had a rough Easter! I hope things are better now!
I know exactly how you feel right now! It's hard to plan for so many people! So far your plans look good! I'll second the Tusker House with Nemo package. It's nice to have that priority seating especially with a large group and the food is good too!
So Evan only sleeps with one stuffed animal? I wish! Dylan's got like 20 in his bed with him. He's a bit obesessed right now! He wants one of every character. Currently he wants Maximus, the horse from Tangled (which is sold out on Disneystore.com & is selling for 2x the price on Amazon).
Yes things are better now. Trixie went for a bandage change yester and I saw 6 stitches but the vet said she didn't rip any tendon or ligaments (sp?) and she is healing beatuifully. I'm very lucky that Evan just wants his doggie at bed time. Of course that DOES present a problem when the dog is unavailable like it was the other night.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shanmac
My vote with the number of boys in your group is CM - unless one of them has a secret princess crush. =)
No Evan's only crush is on his teacher Miss Ashley.
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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