James' First Visit! A Sept 2010 PTR - We haven't been in 10 years!

[ipodluvr287]

Hey! My name is Christina an I have been deemed the official planner of my family's Sept 2010 WDW trip! Btw, I have also never done a PTR or TR, so be gentle on me. :lmao:

The reasons: My 8 yr old cousin James has never been, we haven't been on a vacation in awhile, this trip starts 2 days after my aunt and uncle's anniversary, and we haven't been to WDW since June of 2000. :)

The people: It will be me, my sister Natalie, my cousin James (who is 8), my aunt Denise, and my uncle Lance. :)

The dates: We will be there from Sept 18-25 on our school district's fall break! :)

The resort: We will be staying at All Star Music in a family suite.

The tickets: We have 6 day Park Hopper with Water Park fun and more option too! :)

Dining Plan: Regular Dining Plan (YES for Free Dining!)

The itinerary so far (this might change if park hours change :rolleyes: ):

18th - Arrival in late afternoon/early evening, check in, mini golf, pool, volleyball, and probably dinner at the food court at All Star Music.

19th - MK Day! EMH!

20th - Blizzard Beach and then back to MK for the parade (not sure if it will be SpectroMagic or MSEP)!

21st - Typhoon Lagoon and then Downtown Disney!

22nd - DAK Day! EMH!

23rd - DHS Day!

24th - Epcot Day! EMH!

25th - Leaving Day :sad1: We plan on going to DTD before we leave.

The dining reservations (these might possibly change too :rolleyes: ):

18th - none

19th - CRT @ 9:35 AM (already payed), Tony's Town Square @ 5:40 PM (1 TS credit)

20th - 1900 Park Fare @ 8:05 AM (1 TS credit), Kona Cafe @ 5:35 PM (1 TS credit)

21st - Crystal Palace @ 8:15 AM (paying oop)

22nd - none

23rd - Fantasmic! Dinner Package at Hollywood Brown Derby @ 3:55 PM (2 TS credits)

24th - Coral Reef @ 4:30 PM (1 TS credit)

25th - Chef Mickey's @ 8:10 AM (1 TS credit)

What do you guys think? I'm sooo excited! :)

Important Posts

About Me (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36151190#post36151190)
About James (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36152365#post36152365)
About Natalie (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36152516#post36152516)
About Denise (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36213072#post36213072)
About Lance (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36315211#post36315211)
ADR Cancellation (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37330777#post37330777)
Update! - Dining Plan! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37458794#post37458794)

[ipodluvr287]

bumpy :cutie:

[ipodluvr287]

anyone? :surfweb:

[ipodluvr287]

Just got an email saying that our payment for Cinderella's Royal Table has been processed. This trip is becoming more real everyday! :)

[bellaDisneydncr]

I'm here!! I love trip planning :goodvibes Can't wait to hear more!

[ipodluvr287]

Thanks! I have at least 1 reader now :rotfl:

[ipodluvr287]

Does anyone know when they release dates for MNSSHP? I really hope there is one on September 21st b/c that's when I planned for us to go and if we had to do it on a different day I might have to switch around the whole itinerary. :rolleyes: Will someone post? I fell so alone here. Haha :upsidedow

[ipodluvr287]

Where are all you lovely people? :confused3

[Ecboyd]

Don't know the dates but I'm here : )

Q, why no DDP?
Seems like that size party it would be a good idea. Just curious.

Looking forward to more : ) :surfweb:

[ipodluvr287]

Don't know the dates but I'm here : )

Q, why no DDP?
Seems like that size party it would be a good idea. Just curious.

Looking forward to more : ) :surfweb:

Well, me and my aunt calculated out the Dining plan vs. OOP and OOP came up $200 cheaper, so we decided not to go with it. :) Thanks, I now have 2 readers! :rotfl:

[ipodluvr287]

Here's a new post that actually matters! I'm going to tell a little bit about myself. Well, I'm currently 14 and I'll be 15 at the time of the trip b/c my birthday is in July. I am currently a freshman in high school, but at the time of the trip I'll be a sophomore! :woohoo: I am the Disney FREAK of the family. They think I'm crazy, but oh well. If it weren't for me, they would have to plan this whole trip for theirselves, and something tells me they might've had a bit of trouble with that. I like to sing, dance, and play volleyball. I am a performer, hence me loving to sing and dance. :) I am pretty much a straight A student, except for the occasional slip up. :rolleyes1 OOH! I forgot to mention I will be singing in the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT this Christmas. My high school Chrous is going on a Field Trip to WDW the week of Christmas. I think we'll be returning home on Dec. 24th. :) Here's a pic of me.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2u6p7yf.jpg

[ipodluvr287]

My cousin James is currently 8 yrs old, and he will be 9 when the trip rolls around. His birthday is later this month. He is currently in the 3rd grade and he will be in 4th at the time of the trip. He does so so in school. He loves to be outside and ride his 4 wheeler, play football, baseball, basketball, and sometimes I can get him to play volleyball with me. :) He is so excited for this trip b/c he has never been to WDW before. He's not a crazy Disney nut like me, but he does like to watch Disney movies. :) Here's a pic of him.

http://i41.tinypic.com/azdzs4.jpg

[ipodluvr287]

Natalie is 13 years old and is the only one who will be the same age at the time of our trip. She is in 7th grade currently, and she'll be in 8th at the time of the trip. She is also a straight A student. She also loves to sing, dance, and play volleyball. We share those qualities. :) She is acting like she's not all that excited to go to WDW and she didn't take part in much of the planning ADRs and such, but I know better. She's excited on the inside, but she doesn't want to show it. She certainly isn't a Disney nut and I think that's why she is hiding her excitement. :upsidedow When its time to go, I think she'll start showing a bit more of excitement. In May, her middle school chorus is taking a field trip to WDW and she will be singing in the Magic Music Days parade. :) Here's a pic of her.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2saaxhe.jpg

[ipodluvr287]

My aunt Denise is currently 44 and will be 45 by the time our trip comes around b/c her birthday is in June. She is a paralegal and travels around to different law firms across the country doing different kinds of trainings and she has even been to London, England on her job! :) She is the one that decided we would take this vacation and she has helped me plan a few things for it. :) Here is a pic of her with James.

http://i39.tinypic.com/2zef2uo.jpg

[Rachellee413]

I'm reading!! =) Sounds like so much fun with that many people!

[ipodluvr287]

Yep! I'm so excited! Hopefuly a little bit later tonight I'll be able to post some more on it :)

[ipodluvr287]

My uncle Lance is currently 42 and will be 43 by the time our trip comes around b/c his birthday is in July. He is a police officer. I love to hear his stories about all the dumb people that get arrested. :rolleyes1 He decided that if we're going to take this trip, since we don't go to Disney often, that we would do it up right. That's why we're going all out with dining and such. :) I don't have a pic of him because he's usually the one taking the pics.

[YukiPhnx]

Huh.....I know you calculated OOP would be cheaper, but it just seems really odd that you won't be on the DDP since you've planned for a TS on every day. Especially since not all your choices are buffets. Have you guys already chosen what you want to eat at the non-buffet restaurants?

Also, have you calculated the price of refreshments and snacks you'll be getting?

Wow, your school gets a fall break?? That's so lucky! I hope your cousin really enjoys himself. I'm along for the ride

[ipodluvr287]

Huh.....I know you calculated OOP would be cheaper, but it just seems really odd that you won't be on the DDP since you've planned for a TS on every day. Especially since not all your choices are buffets. Have you guys already chosen what you want to eat at the non-buffet restaurants?

Also, have you calculated the price of refreshments and snacks you'll be getting?

Wow, your school gets a fall break?? That's so lucky! I hope your cousin really enjoys himself. I'm along for the ride

Yeah. We went to allears.net and calculated everything and decided what we'd probably be eating. OOP came out $200 cheaper. Weird, I know. We did count snacks and drinks, but we plan on getting refillable mugs anyway. Yep, I love fall break. I think its because we start school in very early August :scared1: and they are supposed to give us a break every 6 weeks, so we end up with a break in september, novemeber, december/january, february, and april. :) It's nice. Thanks for following! I really hope my cousin has a great time! :)

[ipodluvr287]

I'm really hoping the MNSSHP dates come out soon, so we can buy tickets and if I have to switch around some things I can. :upsidedow

[YukiPhnx]

Well, you've still got plenty of time to switch dates around.

[ipodluvr287]

Yes! There is one on the 21st! Hurrah! We'll probably buy the tickets soon! :)

[ipodluvr287]

Me and my sister have just decided what we are going to get our mom for Mother's Day! We want to get her a pearl and a setting from the Pick-A-Pearl in the Japan Pavillion at EPCOT. I had no idea this even existed until I read about it a few hours ago on the DIS. I asked her what she thought about it and she said she didn't mind waiting till September for it if it was going to be something this great. :) Me and my sister might get ourselves a pearl and a setting also while we're there ;)

[YukiPhnx]

Awww, that sounds like a great gift! I've been thinking of getting the same thing myself when I get there

[ipodluvr287]

I know. It sounds like a lot of fun and the pics I've seen are wonderful! :) Anyway, tomorrow morning very early at 4:30 AM my little sister and her chorus are leaving for WDW so they can sing there during Magic Music Days. I hope she has a great time. She'll be back on Sunday night. She said she'd buy me a tshirt! Woop :)

[ipodluvr287]

Well guys, my sister just returned from a trip at WDW with her middle school chorus and she told me on Friday morning they performed at Saratoga Springs in front of judges and Saturday Night they got the award for best all around choir and numerous other awards at a special ceremony at the Indiana Jones Stunt Show theater. She said they had a great time and she even got me cute tshirt that has Walt and Mickey holding hands while walking up Main Street and at the bottom it says Main Street U.S.A The Magic Kingdom and it has the castle and fireworks in the background. Its beautiful! :)

[ipodluvr287]

So guys, lately I have been bored and have been messing around with a hardcore itinerary. A lot of thinking and hard work have gone into this. It's not done yet, but I'm sure it will probably be finished by early-mid June b/c I'll probably change it around a lot between now and then. I'll post it here as soon as its done.

[YukiPhnx]

Ooooh, time to get hardcore!

I remember I got hardcore as soon as the hours came out. But before that, I already had a tentative one based on the hours that HAD come out.

[ipodluvr287]

Ooooh, time to get hardcore!

I remember I got hardcore as soon as the hours came out. But before that, I already had a tentative one based on the hours that HAD come out.

Ha :) As soon as park hours came out for September I decided what park on which day and what restaurants. I had everything all set and thank the Lord park hours haven't changed for any of the days I'll be there and the MNSSHP date I picked turned out to be a party date, so I'm thrilled. They better not change any park hours between now and then or I'll probably start freaking out. Hahaha :)

[ipodluvr287]

The itinerary is going well. I'm not done yet, but probably will be soon. But, what I wanted to tell you lovely people was that I signed up for the Disney Parks text messaging updates! When you arrive for your vacation they will send you texts each day with park hours, and you can request ride times and character meet times! It sounds cool! I'm getting excited! About 3 and a half months to go! :)

[therussells08]

I'm here! Can't wait to read more! It sounds like you guys are going to have a great trip! :)

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi,

I'm joining.

The Disney Parks text messages sound pretty awesome. I've not read about that. Looks like I should give it a try.

Have fun planning!

[Belle_princess]

Hi! :wave2:
I'm here! I'll be in WDW nearly the same time as you (I'm going from Sept 21- Sept 29). If my plan stays the same, you and I will both be at DHS on the same day.

I can't wait to hear more about your plans!!

[ipodluvr287]

I'm here! Can't wait to read more! It sounds like you guys are going to have a great trip! :)

Hi,

I'm joining.

The Disney Parks text messages sound pretty awesome. I've not read about that. Looks like I should give it a try.

Have fun planning!

Hi! :wave2:
I'm here! I'll be in WDW nearly the same time as you (I'm going from Sept 21- Sept 29). If my plan stays the same, you and I will both be at DHS on the same day.

I can't wait to hear more about your plans!!

Thanks for following everyone! Can't wait to see you there Belle_Princess!

Okay, now for a short update. I have been hard at work on the itinerary and it is coming along well. Hopefully, it will be all done soon and I'll post it in here. :) I have also come along a WDW Ultimate Paking List somewhere on the internet and saved it to my computer and it is really good! :thumbsup2 I'm currently finishing up my finals at school, so I probably won't be on here again until the weekend. (Friday is my last day of school this year! :cool1:) Also, I will be at the beach from June 7-12th, so no posts then either, but inbetween now and then hopefully I'll get a few posts on here :)

QUESTION: Has anyone here been to Tony's Town Square or Coral Reef Restaraunt before? I would like to hear more about them! :goodvibes

[OhioDisneyLover]

We have been to both Tony's and Coral Reef.

I believe that we are probably in the minority, but we did not have a good experience at Coral Reef. :confused3 We were there for our wedding anniversary and the service was absolutely the worst service we have had in all of our trips to Disney. :sad2: The food was okay but honestly, DH won't even consider going back there. I'd probably give it another chance, but I can't talk him into it.

Tony's was okay. We went there a couple of years ago. I thought the food was pretty good. I think it get's a bad rap at times in reviews. We'd go back there again.

[ipodluvr287]

We have been to both Tony's and Coral Reef.

I believe that we are probably in the minority, but we did not have a good experience at Coral Reef. :confused3 We were there for our wedding anniversary and the service was absolutely the worst service we have had in all of our trips to Disney. :sad2: The food was okay but honestly, DH won't even consider going back there. I'd probably give it another chance, but I can't talk him into it.

Tony's was okay. We went there a couple of years ago. I thought the food was pretty good. I think it get's a bad rap at times in reviews. We'd go back there again.

Thanks for the insight! Anyone else?

[Belle_princess]

We have been to both Tony's and Coral Reef.

I believe that we are probably in the minority, but we did not have a good experience at Coral Reef. :confused3 We were there for our wedding anniversary and the service was absolutely the worst service we have had in all of our trips to Disney. :sad2: The food was okay but honestly, DH won't even consider going back there. I'd probably give it another chance, but I can't talk him into it.

Tony's was okay. We went there a couple of years ago. I thought the food was pretty good. I think it get's a bad rap at times in reviews. We'd go back there again.


Ohio, you aren't alone. I went to Coral Reef in 2002, and I wasn't terribly impressed. It wasn't all it was cracked up to be! The food was decent, but I would not give it the raving reviews everyone else tends to give it!

I found Tony's to be better! I like the atmosphere and the food. I've eaten there twice! Both times were fantastic! Give it a try- I'd say it is worth it!

[ipodluvr287]

Ohio, you aren't alone. I went to Coral Reef in 2002, and I wasn't terribly impressed. It wasn't all it was cracked up to be! The food was decent, but I would not give it the raving reviews everyone else tends to give it!

I found Tony's to be better! I like the atmosphere and the food. I've eaten there twice! Both times were fantastic! Give it a try- I'd say it is worth it!

Thanks for your opinion :)

[ipodluvr287]

Hello Everyone! :yay: I'm back from the beach and I had a great time. It was NICE! Just thought I'd let you guys know b/c you probably think I've fallen off the face of the earth haha:) I've got a few minor adjustments left on the itinerary and then it shall be posted. It might take about another week because I've been really busy with volleyball practices. I hope you guys are having a great summer! :goodvibes

[ipodluvr287]

Ok guys, I'm trying to work transportation time into the itinerary/schedule. Do you guys think its faster/more convenient to take Disney buses everywhere or drive your own car?

[ipodluvr287]

Okay, so yesterday me and my aunt got together and were trying to figure out ways to save a little money on this trip, so we decided to cancel our ADR at Yak & Yeti and we're thinking about canceling our ADR at Akershus because we already have an ADR at Cinderella's Royal Table. We decided we could probably cancel Akershus in exchange for MNSSHP tickets (we haven't bought them yet). So, that cancellation might be coming soon, but for now here are the ADRs we still have:
18th - none

19th - CRT @ 9:35 AM, Tony's Town Square @ 5:40 PM

20th - 1900 Park Fare @ 8:05 AM, Kona Cafe @ 5:35 PM

21st - Crystal Palace @ 8:15 AM

22nd - Tusker House @ 8:05 AM

23rd - Fantasmic! Dinner Package at Hollywood Brown Derby @ 3:55 PM

24th - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall @ 8:05 AM, Coral Reef @ 4:30 PM

25th - Chef Mickey's @ 8:10 AM

By the way I've decided not to post the itinerary because that would just be too long. Seriously, that thing is HUGE. haha :)

[ipodluvr287]

Okay guys, Update! Today my aunt and I looked through our ADRs, room reservation, tickets, etc. and ended up adding the Dining plan! Because of free dining, we decided to book it! We are obviously staying at a value resort, so it comes with the quick service plan, but we added the dining plan for just about $300 more! They had to take off my 20/30/40 PIN, but that's ok. This saves us more! We also had to cancel 2 dining reservations. We cancelled Akershus and Tusker House Breakfast, but that's ok too. We're pretty sure these are the final changes, nothing else. We still need to buy our MNSSHP tickets, but I'm not afraid of them selling out or anything, so we'll probably wait till around the end of August/beginning of September to buy them. I can't believe I'm only 60 days away from our trip! I'm so excited! :banana: Btw, I updated the 1st post if you want to see all the info together. :)

[ipodluvr287]

Hi people! Its been awhile. Haha:) Finished paying for the trip Aug. 11th and we got our Mickey mail yesterday! I'm having fun with the cute little luggage tags. haha:) We also got our customized maps in the mail! Only 27 days left! It needs to hurry up and come! School is stressful. I need a break! It looks like soon we will be buying the Photopass CD and hopefully the MNSSHP Tickets. I really hope we can swing those because I have the whole day of the 21st planned around it. I made a cute little countdown calender about 3 weeks ago and now I'm using it! I'll have to post some pics on here later! :)

[ipodluvr287]

Only 1 week left! I'm sooo excited! Haha I just started packing tonight and its gonna take me all week. This should be interesting, trying to do this and school. I still have more to do than pack like print out some documents, laminate the itinerary, and etc. Like I said, this week should be interesting haha. I have decided we're going to request our room be in the Calypso buildings away from the pool. We've stayed in the Jazz Inn section before (the only other section with family suites), so we want a change of scenery and it must be away from the pool for my uncle to be able to sleep haha. Do you guys ever have any luck with room requests? I hope we get ours, but we're just happy we're getting to go to Disney! I have some bad news though, the funds just aren't available for us to go to MNSSHP. We need to spend that money on other things, so that night instead of MNSSHP we'll probably go to Downtown Disney and eat at Planet Hollywood, do a little shopping, and hang out at DisneyQuest. I have also heard that a hurricane is out a brewing in the Atlantic and it could hit Florida during the time period we're there. If this happens, I think I will go mad. That would ruin my vacation. Thank God we bought the insurance! Well, I gotta go now, but you know what I just realised? This PTR is quickly coming to an end and I'll be ready to write my trip report soon! Yay! :)

[ipodluvr287]

We just got back on Saturday night! It was a great trip! I can't wait to tell you guys all about it! I'll make sure to post the link on here when I start my trip report! :)