Sep 26-Oct 3: MNSSHP + Food & Wine + More: The PTR - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Happy to hear that Cancer Scare is under control Picture of the kids out with DAD had me laughing mine would want a LOT more white stuff For them 2 or 3 more feet would be almost enough.
Can't wait for 60 day mark SDMT a must for me and Lucille
Just found your PTR. Great plans so far. DW and I will be at WDW from 9/14 to 9/28. This means that we may get to meet each other. We are both doing MNSSHP on the 16th and the I am going on the 26th (I think). We are at a resort in Virginia right now so I can't look at my party tickets but I believe that I booked it for the last party before we leave. If my memory is correct I would like to catch up with you guys during the party. I understand your frustration with FP+. We are doing a split stays -- one week on property at VWL and one week off property at Vacation Village at Parkway. This meant that I could make FP+ for the first week at 60 days but have to wait until 30 days to do the second week. I was able to book two rides on the mine train and two M&G with Anna & Elsa. I hope that there will still be some of our choices available. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your plans.
Glad you got everything you wanted, other than Anna & Elsa. I have a feeling that will be a problem for us too. The girls want to meet them, but we don't want to wait forever. So we will see what happens. We will have 3 MK days, so maybe we will get lucky on one of the days.
Good Luck! A good tip is to log into your last MK day FIRST when doing your FP for Anna & Elsa. Also, don't give up. I imagine there are numerous people holding multiple FPs so they can sort out their plans.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
I'm in Grumpy Bear's corner.
Yes - that's because you fall into the "responsible adult category."
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeL
Happy to hear that Cancer Scare is under control Picture of the kids out with DAD had me laughing mine would want a LOT more white stuff For them 2 or 3 more feet would be almost enough.
Can't wait for 60 day mark SDMT a must for me and Lucille
Thanks, Mike. You shouldn't have a problem with SDMT at 60 days.
One of our pups likes lots of snow as well:
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhinohunter
Just found your PTR. Great plans so far. DW and I will be at WDW from 9/14 to 9/28. This means that we may get to meet each other. We are both doing MNSSHP on the 16th and the I am going on the 26th (I think). We are at a resort in Virginia right now so I can't look at my party tickets but I believe that I booked it for the last party before we leave. If my memory is correct I would like to catch up with you guys during the party. I understand your frustration with FP+. We are doing a split stays -- one week on property at VWL and one week off property at Vacation Village at Parkway. This meant that I could make FP+ for the first week at 60 days but have to wait until 30 days to do the second week. I was able to book two rides on the mine train and two M&G with Anna & Elsa. I hope that there will still be some of our choices available. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your plans.
Sounds good! There are parties on the 26th and 28th; we've got tickets for the 26th. Will also be around the MK on that weekend. WL is our favorite, but we are trying something new this time for lodging.
I should be waiting a few days in between updates, but once I start a TR (or PTR), I generally keep at it 'til it's done.
Thinking about ADRs - I wonder how many of you are old enough to remember the days when there really was no such thing? I grew up in Southern California, and trips to Disneyland were a very special treat. We didn't spend much on food in the park, let alone a fancy dinner - I recall being in awe as we floated by Blue Bayou while riding Pirates of the Caribbean. "Wow, those rich people get to eat in the air conditioning, in the middle of the Pirates. That is the coolest restaurant ever."
Photo source: Disney Food Blog
Then there were the early visits to Epcot, where you could race to a kiosk within the park once you arrived, and make a dinner reservation in World Showcase (and feel smug because you had the inside scoop). Those were the days (the same ones where we walked two miles through the snow ...)
Fast Forward to the Future - which is now. We are privileged to be able to log in at 6am EST for the best chance at booking our choices for dining 6 months from now!!! This means our touring plans are often built around ADRs. I'm not complaining - this is the way it is. And, for OCD planners (you know who you are...), it can add to the fun.
All this build-up is leading to a confession; I failed Advance Dining 101. Our 180 day was March 30th. I was logged in ... at 10:30am. Fail, Hangs Head in Shame, Resigns from Disney Planner OCD Club
The most important ADR I wanted was Be Our Guest on Friday, Sep 26th or Saturday, Sep 27th. I knew Lou might not want to stay for MNSSHP, but I also knew he really enjoyed eating at BOG last time, and he especially enjoyed meeting The Beast. Rats - there were no BOG slots left at 10:30am. (And, there haven't been any since, even though I have stalked the website). No dinners for Friday or Saturday. My. Own. Fault.
Dinner here is not meant to be for this trip
Back-up Plan B: Anything else in the MK? Snagged a Liberty Tree Tavern at 6:50pm. This works okay - we are in the park, it's a family style meal which he will probably enjoy (he likes Whispering Canyon), and it kind of fits with the whole Headless Horseman, Halloweeny time of year. Which, of course, we are a month early for, but this is a Fantasy World, folks.
We will be staying at BLT for 2 nights, so Saturday and Sunday morning will be MK days. I toyed with the idea of making him go to Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast, but sleeping in killed that idea (I will get him there). Picked up a Crystal Palace ADR for 8:15am on Sunday morning, and the MK doesn't open until 9am. I wonder if the crazed Elsa & Anna fans start lining up at 5am to get in for rope drop? If so, that might take away from the early morning serenity of getting into the park before it officially opens. Have only done it once, but it was worthwhile:
Let's back up to Saturday. We may do breakfast at The Wave. I'm also toying with the idea of a morning boat ride to Fort Wilderness and breakfast at Trails End to break-up all the Magic Kingdom focus. Dinner is currently planned for California Grill at 7:15pm. Lou didn't really enjoy his last meal here, but he was coming down with a cold, so it's worth another shot. We did get a nice anniversary dessert:
Dining at CG doesn't require any evening transportation, and I want to see it post-refurbishment. After dinner, we may mosey up to the Top of The World Lounge at BLT for an after dinner coffee and a view of Wishes at 10pm. On our last visit, I shot the fireworks from the terrace outside of CG:
I could get overruled on this dinner venue, because I'm guessing he would rather take the boat to the Wilderness Lodge and dine at Artist Point. BUT - we don't have to eat there every time, do we??? Lou would say
I'll also be attempting to get a Lunch FP at Be Our Guest for Saturday. To summarize our Dining Plans for the first part of our visit:
Friday 9/26: Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern - I've rationalized this as a good choice
Saturday 9/27: Breakfast at The Wave - maybe
Dinner at California Grill - taking a chance with this one
Sunday 9/28: Breakfast at Crystal Palace - enter MK before Rope Drop
Up Next: We'll pick up in the Epcot Area, starting with dinner on Sunday evening.
I guess BOG dinner will have to wait until spring. It used to be very hard to get Cali Grill on a Friday or Saturday night, so it looks like maybe its popularity is waning. I've always enjoyed my meals there, but I don't enjoy the decor or noisiness. Again, I'm in Lou's corner, preferring the quiet atmosphere at Artist Point. I love the fireworks photos from the lounge and that shot of Wilderness Lodge is a stunner.
Your choices look good so far - despite not getting BoG - keep trying though - you never know! We have enjoyed our meals there as well - especially with a nice glass of wine
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Lisa Co-Guide to Sharing the Adventure: Disney World Trip Reports
Gorgeous photos in this update! Keep checking for BOG. It was unavailable for me for the longest time, and then lo and behold, there was an available time! So you never know.
I confess, I'm old enough to remember the days of not needing to make ADRs months in advance. I don't remember ever having advanced reservations when we went as kids, and when I took my DH for the first time with me in 2001 I remember calling the dining line in the morning to get a reservation for that night in Cinderella Castle, there were plenty of openings.
Even though you couldn't get BOG, you've got some great restaurants to look forward to!
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Nice dining choices! When you said what time you'd logged on and that you were trying to get Be Our Guest, I had a bad feeling about what would happen and sadly I was proved right...
I guess BOG dinner will have to wait until spring. It used to be very hard to get Cali Grill on a Friday or Saturday night, so it looks like maybe its popularity is waning. I've always enjoyed my meals there, but I don't enjoy the decor or noisiness. Again, I'm in Lou's corner, preferring the quiet atmosphere at Artist Point. I love the fireworks photos from the lounge and that shot of Wilderness Lodge is a stunner.
I will keep an eye on the weather forecast. As long as we aren't in the midst of a typhoon, I may switch CG with AP - the boat ride is nice, and still time to get back for fireworks.
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Originally Posted by lfredsbo
As usual, your photos are stunning!
Your choices look good so far - despite not getting BoG - keep trying though - you never know! We have enjoyed our meals there as well - especially with a nice glass of wine
I will keep trying for BOG. I would like to eat in the park Sat night if possible, then hang out for the EMH late closing. Wherever we eat will be fine
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
Gorgeous photos in this update! Keep checking for BOG. It was unavailable for me for the longest time, and then lo and behold, there was an available time! So you never know.
I will keep checking, but whatever works out will be ok.
I confess, I'm old enough to remember the days of not needing to make ADRs months in advance. I don't remember ever having advanced reservations when we went as kids, and when I took my DH for the first time with me in 2001 I remember calling the dining line in the morning to get a reservation for that night in Cinderella Castle, there were plenty of openings.
Even though you couldn't get BOG, you've got some great restaurants to look forward to!
Can you imagine counting on getting a Castle ADR the night before these days? It can happen, but is rare.
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Originally Posted by Lumieregirl
Signing on! We're arriving for F&WF + MNSSHP on Oct 8 - we'll just miss you ... leave the place in good shape for us
Have fun on your trip. We will try to leave the parks in good shape for you
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Nice dining choices! When you said what time you'd logged on and that you were trying to get Be Our Guest, I had a bad feeling about what would happen and sadly I was proved right...
Yes, Cheryl, I knew I was in trouble once it occurred to me to start doing ADRs. I was surprised to get CG and CP so easily.
Congrats on getting your FP+ selections made, especially SDMT and Anna and Elsa! I really like your dining choices so far. We tried Top of the World Lounge for the first time in May and loved the view from up there. And as I seem to tell you every time, I truly enjoy every one of your photos.
Joining in! So glad you guys get to do this fall trip. I look forward to reading about the FWF. We haven't been able to go in several years. Can't wait to see all of your photos.