The "How Did I Not Know about FREE Dining" Pre Trip Report

[choirchic]

Like all those before, I can almost not contain my excitement about our September trip to The World!

This will be my 13th time there, My FIRST time Driving, AND my FIRST time on the Dining Plan!!!
I can't BELIEVE I've Never known about FREE DINING!
(But more on that in a little while...)

Let's start with the who's who!

Cast of Two...!

ME: 31 years old, originally from Philadelphia, DH and I moved to Charlotte just a few short years ago to by a home and hopefully grow roots.
I'm a Medical Office Assistant, I love Sing, Read, and most importantly get to the World as often as possible! (Tee Hee)

DH: Just turned 34, was born in Texas but raised mainly in Baltimore (Air Force Brat)
He works in the Corporate IT World doing God knows what!
(He's tryed explaining it many times and I still don't understand...)

We met through a mutual friend that he went to college with when he came up to our hometown to see the sights.
He likes to tell people we met in a hotel room in Philly...this tends to get a much better reaction then my version of the story!

We started dating and the rest is History...

 

[choirchic]

Where's and Why's...

This Year's Trip
Where: All Star Music
When: September 12th thru the 20th
Why: 4th Anniversary AND Free Dining
How: Our first Disney Road Trip!



Here is a little background on my previous Disney Adventures:

1992 - 1995: Started my Obsession with the World when I was in High School.
Our Choir traveled there every year for Magic Music Days where we got to sing and perform in the parks! Such a cool experience for a teenager!

1997: Took my brother on his first trip to the world. I felt like splurging so we stayed at the Yacht Club. It was a lot of fun.

1998: First Family Vacation - Stayed at Port Orleans - We went for New years this year. New Years Eve at the Parks is a little crazy!
I've never seen so many people! We waited in line over 2 hours to get onto Space Mountain!

1999 - 2000: a few short misc trips staying with friends and once at All Star Sports.
I was hoping to get a job and move to Florida, but alas..it wasn't in the cards for me...

2001: My first trip with DBF (who is now DH) We stayed at All Star Movies - This was his First trip to the World!
I was MORE than happy to be his Tour Guide!
2005: Disneymoon! We stayed Offsite. My In-Laws gave us their time share for a week as a Wedding Present. It was awesome!
2006 - 2008: Anniversary Trips to the World, also spent OffSite
Needless to say, We're very excited to get back onsite this year!

 

[shordiebecka]

sounds good! can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[choirchic]

Thanks shordiebecka!

 

[choirchic]

And Now for a Few plans...

So this whole FREE DINING thing is AMAZING! I really can't believe that with all of the times we've been there we have never done it!
If all goes well, I'm hoping we get to make it an annual thing!

I'm looking forward to trying some of the "signature" dining experiences that we would otherwise pass up because they would be considered too expensive.This whole 90day ADR thing is a bummer, because I'd love to call and just get them out of the way!
I guess I'll just have to be patient! Grrrrr

I most definitely want to surprise DH and try to get an ADR for the California Grill the first night we get there.
(Thank God he doesn't read these things unless I tell him to! )
I think it would be cool to see the fireworks from way up there.
We caught them last year from Narcoossees and it was UBER romantic!

Here's a pic of us celebrating our Anniversary there last year:

 

[choirchic]

Excitement in the Mail...

Our Tickets to the Not So Scary Halloween Party arrived today!

We did this last year and decided to have a go at it again this year.
Knowing what to expect and having a better idea of what goes on should make this year's party even better then last year!

I'm still not sure about the whole dressing up thing...last year I wore a black halloween shirt and I felt like I was melting!
Being pooh sized in the heat can sometimes not be kind! (but I'm working on it! )

We hope to get a better spot to see the Headless Horseman this year.
I had a pretty good spot saved for us, but thought I was wasting time so I decided to move. BAD IDEA!
I won't make that mistake again!
I was afraid we wouldn't have enough time to walk around and enjoy the treats...but of course I was wrong! There was PLENTY of time!

Can't wait to see those Villains!

 

[Raecheal]

Your anniversary photo from last year is so beautiful. That cake looks delicious!!! I"m so excited Free dining, signature dining, road trip, MNNSHP (some of my fav. things)... I'm in.

 

[choirchic]

Thanks Raecheal!

Only 17days until I get to make my ADR's!

I am WISHING a HOPING to get the following:

California Grill, O'Hana's, or Narcoossee's for our 1st night -
We won't be doing a park our first evening there so I wanted to get an ADR in one of the resorts where we can then take in a view of Wishes.
We had Narcoossee's last year, so I know the view is good, but I'd like to experience it from one of the other places as well.

I'm also hoping to get an ADR at Tusker House for the Character Breakfast at the Animal Kingdom.
Every time we go, this is the park we spend the least ammount of time in because it gets SO oppresively HOT!
We're hoping to get an early start so that we can actually enjoy the Animal Kingdom this time around!

Tony's will be our pick the day we decide to go to the Magic Kingdom.
Here's my favorite shot from there last year:

While they don't have the best food in World, it has good memories for us!
We ate there on our honeymoon, and they are always so nice to us so we've been going every year since!

We somehow always end up with FREE Dessert...?

,

 

[MinnieNurse]

Just found your report and thought I would join your journey. I will be there in August and am so excited. We missed the free dining deal, but got in on the pay for 4 get 7 night deal. I would like to invite you to visit my trip report also if your interested.

I cant wait to hear more. DS really wants to try AS Music one day so I cant wait to see pics and see what you think. Great start to your report.

 

[Raecheal]

I"m always on cloud 9 when it comes to Dining.. especially regarding Disney cakes lately.. I dont know

Dbf and I have eaten at Tusker House and Tony's from your list, which we lOVE. We had great experiences even tho Tony's gets bad reviews. We had a dining reservation there last year on the night of our MNNSHP. The service was excellent: our server was soo nice and extremely helpful. The food came out warm with no complaints and it was early enough it was really quiet. Were planning to return on our weekend trip this coming august.

Only 17 days... WOW... We will have to send you some to make sure you get your top choices..

 

[choirchic]

Thanks for the Magic Wishes! Sunday's the day! I'm gonna wake up early and call for my ADR's!
I'm reading all the posts about people having so many problems so I'm a little nervous!

Fingers Crossed!

 

[Raecheal]

I"m keeping my Fingers crossed for you!! Good luck!!

 

[choirchic]

Raecheal - just noticed your quote says "Obsessive Cullen Disorder" I LOVE IT!

Well, I woke up at 7am to call the dining hotline

It's about 7:50 and I'm still on hold. It's a little crazy...they should have a toll free number. (If they do, I didn't know about it! )

I guess it will all be worth it when I get what I want...
Fingers STILL crossed!

 

[MinnieNurse]

What'd ya get? Huh? Tell us, tell us.

 

[choirchic]

I am SO happy that I got up early and waited on hold for over an hour!

Here's What I got:

Sat - 9/12 - California Grill @ 7:40pm
I am the most thrilled with this one!
This is our first night, and We will be celebrating our Anniversary Dinner here!
Just in time for Fireworks!

Sun - 9/13 - Tony’s @ 6:05pm
As this is "our" place, I didn't want to miss out on this one!

Tues - 9/15 - Sanaa @ 2:10pm
I've always wanted to see the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and this is our chance!
We're having a late lunch here and then heading over to MK for MNSSHP!

Thurs - 9/17 - Tusker House @ 8:20am
This is a character breakfast. There's still a ton of things at the Animal Kingdom that we haven't explored!
I'm hoping that an early start here helps us out!
I just have to remember not to overeat at the buffet!

We were planning on going to the Hoop De Do Review with a couple cast members who we havn't seen for a while...They were going to use their discount, but apparently the 9:30 shows are already booked that week for the amount of seats they save for cast members. We decided to pass and we'll just meet them someplace else for dinner! No biggie!

I'm SO doing the happy dance right now!

 

[choirchic]

How funny is it that the online ADR application is available just a few days after I had my 90 day mark!

It would have save me an hour on the phone! Crazy...it did allow me to book a character breakfast at O'Hana on our last day before we head home!

Can't complain too much, right?

 

[Raecheal]

Raecheal - just noticed your quote says "Obsessive Cullen Disorder" I LOVE IT!

Well, I woke up at 7am to call the dining hotline

It's about 7:50 and I'm still on hold. It's a little crazy...they should have a toll free number. (If they do, I didn't know about it! )

I guess it will all be worth it when I get what I want...
Fingers STILL crossed!

Thanks.. I love it too.. I'm def. Obssessssssssssed. I can't wait for New Moon to come out. You a fan?

I can't believe you were on hold for longer than 50 minutes... but i'm glad it all worked out in the end???

I am SO happy that I got up early and waited on hold for over an hour!

Here's What I got:

Sat - 9/12 - California Grill @ 7:40pm
I am the most thrilled with this one!
This is our first night, and We will be celebrating our Anniversary Dinner here!
Just in time for Fireworks!

Sun - 9/13 - Tony’s @ 6:05pm
As this is "our" place, I didn't want to miss out on this one!

Tues - 9/15 - Sanaa @ 2:10pm
I've always wanted to see the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and this is our chance!
We're having a late lunch here and then heading over to MK for MNSSHP!

Thurs - 9/17 - Tusker House @ 8:20am
This is a character breakfast. There's still a ton of things at the Animal Kingdom that we haven't explored!
I'm hoping that an early start here helps us out!
I just have to remember not to overeat at the buffet!

We were planning on going to the Hoop De Do Review with a couple cast members who we havn't seen for a while...They were going to use their discount, but apparently the 9:30 shows are already booked that week for the amount of seats they save for cast members. We decided to pass and we'll just meet them someplace else for dinner! No biggie!

I'm SO doing the happy dance right now!

I love, LOVE your Adr's.. My fav on your list because its really the only one we've personally tried in the past is Tony's and the Tusker House!!

How funny is it that the online ADR application is available just a few days after I had my 90 day mark!

It would have save me an hour on the phone! Crazy...it did allow me to book a character breakfast at O'Hana on our last day before we head home!

Can't complain too much, right?

It probably would have saved you an hour on the phone.. but maybe you wouldn't have gotten your the adr's that you wanted.

I made an online reservation this morning.. it was pretty easy actually.

 

[choirchic]

Doing it online was MUCH easier then calling that silly hotline!

I also just found out that since we didn't get Hoop De Do, we're meeting our friends at T-Rex for dinner the second night we're there!
I can't wait! I REALLY want to see the Ice room!

(and yes I LOVE Twilight! I'm a Jacob Fan...can't wait for NewMoon! )

 

[choirchic]

Hey everyone! It's been a while!

It's exactly 2 months and 1 Week until our road trip!

So...I've been playing around with the online ADR system!

While I think it is much easier than calling...if you want to switch anything around, there's no way to do that other than to call. It's also been down quite a bit...I guess they still have some kinks to work out

I've added to our ADR's and booked us the Character Breakfast at O'Hana's on our last day. I'm secretly a big fan of Stitch!
(Shhhh - don't tell the Beast, I wouldn't want to start a fight for my affection! )

I've already told my husband, that I want to take pictures at all the places we eat so I can post reviews when we get back!

This vacation can't get here fast enough!
Until next time...

 

[choirchic]

On a side note...major prayers and condolences to the family of the driver killed in that monorail accident. So sad...