The "Should we really be going again" pre-trip report - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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This trip, we've hit some road bumps while planning. We weren't even sure if we were going to be able to make the trip this time for one thing. For another, we had mentioned the trip to friends and family members along the way and all of which expressed interest in going. That free dining and summer schedule seems to catch everyone's ear!
Once we know free dining was a sure thing and finalized our dates, the only one who was still interested was my brother. So, they booked for the same time and we made some plans as far as ADRs.
We decided this time to try some new strategies. Ok, so it really isn't "we", it's more ME but everyone is happy right?? The first idea we have this time is to visit a park on the day AFTER EMH. Our thinking with this (and I seem to recall someone else on passporter mentioning it) is that the park will be less crowded because a lot of resort guests took advantage of EMH the night before and more than likely won't be visiting the same park the next day.
The next plan (and I've taken this directly from someone else on the boards!) is to have each person pick something to do at whatever park we are in. Get those done and then doing anything else is a bonus. We are traveling with young children, in the dead heat of August and will be dealing with moderate crowds. I know we won't be able to do everything so we find it very important to at least do something for each person everyday.
The next decision we came across was whether to do EMHs. As far as morning EMHs, DH and I are going to try our best to make it. Brother and Sis in law aren't totally sold on waking up early. So we think at this point, we will probably just meet up once everyone has made it into the parks. As far as evening EMH, I think we will just play this one as it comes. Most of the children are young so they probably won't be able to make it for a very long time at night. We also don't want to push them as this will be a difficult trip just regarding the heat.
We've been having an on-going stroller debate in our house too! My oldest turns 7 tomorrow and will probably not need much in the way of a stroller. My 4 1/2 year old doesn't like to need a stroller, but couldn't make the 2 mile treck to preschool yesterday. The 2 year old doesn't need one, but WE need him in one because he's a runner, is on the spectrum and doesn't communicate well. I hate the thought of lugging our heavy double stroller (Graco Quatro Tour) because...it's a beast, and the boys have a combined weight of 60 pounds. My husband swears he'll be okay dealing with it on the busses, but we're going in July and found it really tough last trip (so tough that we avoided busses altogether after the first day but that could have also been due to the fact that it was our first trip, the youngest was 10 months and not walking, the middle one was 2 1/2 and the oldest was barely five). I would love to just take our Combi umbrella stroller but it doesn't have a sun shield...so, we're having a garage sale and will hopefully get enough to purchase a newer umbrella stroller with a sun visor.
Have you looked into a weekly stroller rental? We've actually kicked around the idea of renting a double and just bringing the lightweight with us. I know that the jogging strollers they rent would accomodate my seven year old. It might be cheaper than a daily rental from Disney. Then you could just pack the lighter stroller for traveling down.
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The Fun, Old-Fashioned Family Vacation, 3.0 http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ml#post4472933
Ch-Ch-Changes July 2015
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Have you looked into a weekly stroller rental? We've actually kicked around the idea of renting a double and just bringing the lightweight with us. I know that the jogging strollers they rent would accomodate my seven year old. It might be cheaper than a daily rental from Disney. Then you could just pack the lighter stroller for traveling down.
We did think of this but as far as I can tell, he is too big for the weight limit.
I really dread this part of planning. REALLY dread it. I dislike having to make ADRs so far in advance. I feel so constrained by those reservations and what parks to go to around them, etc. And, its made worse by the new system of being charged when you don't cancel in enough time. If we have had to cancel, we've always done it, not just let a reservation go by the wayside.
We have favorites that we like to go to on every visit and we always try to go to AT LEAST one new restaurant. I've also changed my perspective on some restaurants and booking reservations. During some of our past trips, we would go to a restaurant and have something we really liked. Then, we would go back the next year and that item had changed or was somehow different. But, in the meantime, you have built up your excitement about that certain dish. And, then when it changed, you were disappointed. So, I've decided to leave those really good items in the past. Yes, I would like to have it again but I'm pretty sure that it won't be the same and then I'll just be let down, so just avoid it all together! Instead of focusing on those past items, we focus on something new or different.
When we first decided on the trip and booked the resort and park tickets, we started to make ADRs and this was because my brother wasn't 100% sure they were going yet. But, then when they decided to join us, we had to revamp everything.
For the most part, we agreed on most of the restaurants. Our biggest concern was seating 8 people, half of which are children. Luckily, we were able to get everything we wanted and at decent times for young children. Here is our list:
Kona Cafe - Something new for us, on our arrival night. We hope to go out to the beach afterwards and watch wishes
Ohana - Breakfast
Hollywood & Vine - I'm really not exactly sure about this one. I'm not totally thrilled with it because I remember reading a lot of posts that this place wasn't very good. We haven't been since 2004 but it was a part of the Fantasmic! package so we figured we would try it. The other restaurants didn't seem like they would appeal to the tastes of our kids.
Biergarten - dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern - Dinner. I really miss the characters here!
Marrakesh - DH and DB love the belly dancer
1900 Park Fare - Another new one for us. DS5 loves Mary Poppins so we figured we would try this one and he can get some good character interaction.
Now let's hope our pickiest finicky eaters Niece (9) and DS 1 1/2 will eat SOMETHING at these places. They are very picky and don't often like to try things.
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You have some great ADR's. I would not worry to much about H&V, I have read the same reviews but a friend went recently even though her previous experience was not the greatest and they had a fabulous time. Her kids loved it so much, so look at it as a meal for the kids and go from there. The character interaction was just fantastic for them so I hope it is the same for all of you.
We are now at about 12 weeks and I really wish I could start packing!!!! But alas, I have to wait. Afterall, there is the entire summer that the kids have to wear their summer clothes and I will buy new stuff but not all that much since it is the last week of the summer. Not to mention DS who is currently 5 will turn 6 at the beginning of August and family will be giving him clothes no doubt for some of his presents.
As for another packing point, I'm attempting this time to coordinate clothes that we are wearing. I've seen people on the boards do it and post their pictures and it really looks nice. But, can it be done???? Hmmm...I guess we will have to wait and see.
As for me, I've been walking about a mile 3 times a week but now I'm going to step it up a notch and start the couch to 5k program. I've always wanted to do it and had procrastined for a long time but now, the time for procrastination has ended. I'm determined to do this one and the hope is that I will fit into those shorts that I keep putting away for the next year in hopes they fit better.
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I'm having a real argument with myself about whether or not to get hoppers. We have it set as of right now that we have hoppers ( I made sure it was on there before ticket price increases went into effect!) but I'm still trying to decide if we really need them or not.
For the most part in the last few trips, we have stayed to the same park every day. BUT all of those trips have been in the off season when parks close earlier and going back to the resort for rests didn't really happen. This trip, it's different. We have scheduled rest breaks so that we can bring the kids back to the resort for R&R, both pool and naps. Traveling in the busier seasons really changes things!
I'm really wondering if we will go back to the same park in the same day after R&R. As of right now, it IS scheduled that way. But, then there is animal kingdom day. We do very little in the Animal Kingdom. And, I think it would be necessary to hop that day but then in the back of my mind, I think it would be better to take that as a pool/relaxation day as well.
OH yes....I also forgot to add that I started the couch to 5K program!!! I find it very good for getting your ready and into the swing of things. It's just a little difficult not to pass out and concentrate on counting your minutes!!
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and will probably not need much in the way of a stroller. My 4 1/2 year old doesn't like to need a stroller, but couldn't make the 2 mile treck to preschool yesterday. The 2 year old doesn't need one, but WE need him in one because he's a runner, is on the spectrum and doesn't communicate well. I hate the thought of lugging our heavy double stroller (Graco Quatro Tour) because...it's a beast, and the boys have a combined weight of 60 pounds. My husband swears he'll be okay dealing with it on the busses, but we're going in July and found it really tough last trip (so tough that we avoided busses altogether after the first day but that could have also been due to the fact that it was our first trip, the youngest was 10 months and not walking, the middle one was 2 1/2 and the oldest was barely five). I would love to just take our Combi umbrella stroller but it doesn't have a sun shield...so, we're having a garage sale and will hopefully get enough to purchase a newer umbrella stroller with a sun visor.
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