PTR; Joshua and Samantha's 1st Trip (Sep 17-26 '09) [Train Tour Pics!]

[crocko]

I've been hearing early 2010 and also summer 2010. I'm not sure what the deal is. I guess I'll have to ask when I'm there.

Day 7 plans are lookin good! Fantasia Gardens is actually a lot of fun. There is a regular (boring lol) course and then there is a course with characters from the movie. That one is great!

Hopefully early 2010, right!

yeah...that "boring" course is really tough. Ugh.

All of your plans sound so great!! And that's awesome that you got such awesome deals on the memory cards! I think we've decided to take one of the laptops to upload pictures and videos to every night (or as needed). So we just have a 4G card. My little cousin who's not quite 4 loved playing mini golf the other day. So Samantha might like it. My cousin would pick it up and put it where she wanted it, but she still had fun

We're set to take lots of pictures (I think Bridgette's card should hold at least 5,000 pictures)

I'd like to take Joshua & Samantha to Andy Alligator's (very close to us) to play mini-golf soon.....let them test it out.

WOW , GREAT P.-T.-R. , WDW needs "MORE-OK" familys like the MOORE,OK. family. I just had to say that, LOL LOL. Guys we will be down with you guys from Sat. Sept. 19th till Sat. Sept. the 26th. DW & I will be over at our home at OKW for a little "R & R", renting a car this time, DW wants to do "some" [and I use that word loosely] shopping" at the malls.Bring an extra-mt. suit case. HEY! have a GREAT TIME. SO ROLL OVER MICKEY CAUSE THE HOOSIER DADDY IS COMING.

Yay for OKW (since we're testing it out in November). Did you check my overall schedule....any chance a Hoosier Daddy and a Sooner Daddy will run into each other?

YAY for only 6 more weeks!!!! Getting excited for you!

Yay! I'm excited, too. I should be in Orlando in less than 3.63 million seconds.

 

[crocko]

I will be attempting to get Day 8's gameplan posted tomorrow.

Be expecting a fun addition to the schedule that has not yet been announced!

 

[crocko]

Day 8 (Magic Kingdom)

The 8th day of our trip and we're FINALLY making it back to Magic Kingdom for our 2nd MK day. That said, I am guessing there will be an MK visit or two somewhere between Day 2 and Day 8.

Day 7 ends pretty casually, so once again, we should get to bed in good time...which is important, because we have an 8am EMH rope drop to hit at the Magic Kingdom this day. The top priority of this day will be to hit any rides we definitely want the kids to try, but haven't made it to yet.

Now, depending on what kind of character time we've had so far and whether we've been over to ToonTown yet, we may try and get over to ToonTown for its rope drop on this day. But, that'll be more up the kids I'm thinking. There's SO MANY rides at MK and SO MANY of them are awesome, that we'll be plenty busy having fun at attractions. If we do ToonTown, I really wouldn't mind trying to catch it during a late afternoon/evening timeframe when things might die down a little.

We probably won't end up with much Adventureland/Frontierland time on Day 2, so will probably spend more time over there on this day.

NOW...for the exciting new piece of information. The more and more I've seen about the Whispering Canyon, the more I've gotten excited and I started to realize that at the end of our trip, we'd have a good opportunity of fittingn it in. Looking at the menu, it seemed to make sense to go for a lunch time (less expensive) than a dinner time. So, on Wednesday I contacted my sister -- she thought that sounded good and quickly snagged us an 11:45am reservation for 7 at WCC. Yay for cornbread, chicken, and shakes!

So, with that new twist, we'll be keeping our eye on the time to make sure we leave the park early enough to get over to Wilderness Lodge (only visited here before, but love it...so beautiful!)...luckily, we'll get 2.5-3 hours of park time in before having to leave.

Either on the way to or on the way back (if not both), we'll get to take a boat between MK and WL. Fun! (something I've never done before)

After lunch, we'll let our bulging bellies settle by peaking at the Lodge grounds and taking in the cool store that's there.....oh, and plenty of pictures! I expect we'll for sure take the leisurely boat ride to get back to MK at this point.

Now...on Day 2, we have scheduled to watch the 3 o'clock parade. On Day 3, we have scheduled to watch SpectroMagic and Wishes. So, unless we missed one along the way or the kids just REALLY want to watch these again, we'll be able to spend the rest of the day without having to worry about these popular events. Which is great! Love the idea of spending this day hitting rides while most people are watching the parade.

One other key item on this day is the Pirates Tutorial. I'm guessing we won't have time for it on Day 2, so would love to check the times and make sure we hit this at some point this day. I've seen pictures and this looks like a lot of fun. Yay for Capt. Jack!!

Come evening, we'll see what our bodies tell us. The rest of the day is once again up to us....so, we can feel free to stay at MK, go shop, go to another park....or just go back to Kidani Village and relax. We'll have an early breakfast the next day, so once again, we'll try to get to bed in good time this night. (Ach - only one more full day left!)


Potential punctures in the plan:
-- Bellies. LOL - at this point, days are fairly unstructured so not much puncturing to worry about. But, after a good & fattening ol' lunch at WCC, the afternoon could turn slothful if some of us are Battling Bulging Bellies
So, hopefully we can trudge through the sloshing of shakes and continue having a magical time at the many lands surrounding Cinderella's domain.

Most moveable mission:
-- ToonTown. As mentioned, I'm not sure if we'll have had much time here yet, but I'd like to think we have several options on how to handle ToonTown. In fact, something the kids would like to do is ride the RailRoad and get off at the ToonTown station, so maybe after lunch that is something we could do, since we'll be close to a train station upon getting back to the park.

Adventuresome ad hoc add-on:
-- A Jack Sparrow outfit? After having seen pictures of kids wearing this costume...and specifically wearing it to the Pirates Tutorial, this is something that could POSSIBLY happen on this day. In the end, would be up to Joshua, but could be really fun for him if this happens. We'll see!

 

[jenny105]

Day 8 sounds great! Hey, I rhymed!

I have a breakfast ADR at WCC. I've heard wonderful things about it and since I'm staying at WL, I figured I just had to try it.

The Pirate Tutorial is AWESOME! I absolutely love Jack Sparrow (anything Johnny Depp related really...) and had a great time watching it. Your kids will love it!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Sorry I've been MIA; I have been checking in...
everything up to now looks like great plans...
it's getting close on the WC/adr...

 

[SoonerGirl]

Adventuresome ad hoc add-on:
-- A Jack Sparrow outfit? After having seen pictures of kids wearing this costume...and specifically wearing it to the Pirates Tutorial, this is something that could POSSIBLY happen on this day. In the end, would be up to Joshua, but could be really fun for him if this happens. We'll see!

Hmmmm, I happen to have a size 5/6 Jack Sparrow outfit that DS8 has outgrown. I asked and he is willing to part with it, but he doesn't want to give up the hat with the hair attached. If you want the rest of the costume though, you are welcome to it! It's not like it would be hard for me to get it to you

 

[hhockman]

Okay, I know I had every intention of getting over here before now (like when you posted on my PTR) but I haven't for some reason.

I'm here now, though, and all caught up.

I'm excited to report that we will be in the same park as you guys on THREE different days! We'll be at EPCOT on the 20th (this is my brother's birthday and we will have a BIG group of about 15 on this day), AK on the 21st (morning EMH), and Magic Kingdom on the 24th (though the plan is just do be there for morning EMH and a couple of hours and then head to Hollywood Studios). We are also doing Tusker House on the 21st and have a 9:25 ADR. (We have Boma that night too, but at 5:00, and you won't actually be there anyway). So we really might see you.

My younger DS just turned 4, so I'm sure he and Joshua are interested in similar things. We last went to WDW as a family in September of 2007. The kids were 5 1/2 and 2 then, so close to your kids age. They had a BLAST. September is a great time to go.

Um, I can't think of what else I wanted to comment on, but I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your plans and counting down right along with you (LOVE the A,B,Cs by the way. Super creative!). Just 6 weeks to go now (a little less, actually).

 

[crocko]

Day 8 sounds great! Hey, I rhymed!

I have a breakfast ADR at WCC. I've heard wonderful things about it and since I'm staying at WL, I figured I just had to try it.

The Pirate Tutorial is AWESOME! I absolutely love Jack Sparrow (anything Johnny Depp related really...) and had a great time watching it. Your kids will love it!

Fun! We can trade breakfast/lunch reports.

Sorry I've been MIA; I have been checking in...
everything up to now looks like great plans...
it's getting close on the WC/adr...

No problem...and yes, getting close. I'm down to 38 days to go now.

Hmmmm, I happen to have a size 5/6 Jack Sparrow outfit that DS8 has outgrown. I asked and he is willing to part with it, but he doesn't want to give up the hat with the hair attached. If you want the rest of the costume though, you are welcome to it! It's not like it would be hard for me to get it to you

Wow, that would be cool. I'll get back with you on this.

Okay, I know I had every intention of getting over here before now (like when you posted on my PTR) but I haven't for some reason.

I'm here now, though, and all caught up.

I'm excited to report that we will be in the same park as you guys on THREE different days! We'll be at EPCOT on the 20th (this is my brother's birthday and we will have a BIG group of about 15 on this day), AK on the 21st (morning EMH), and Magic Kingdom on the 24th (though the plan is just do be there for morning EMH and a couple of hours and then head to Hollywood Studios). We are also doing Tusker House on the 21st and have a 9:25 ADR. (We have Boma that night too, but at 5:00, and you won't actually be there anyway). So we really might see you.

My younger DS just turned 4, so I'm sure he and Joshua are interested in similar things. We last went to WDW as a family in September of 2007. The kids were 5 1/2 and 2 then, so close to your kids age. They had a BLAST. September is a great time to go.

Um, I can't think of what else I wanted to comment on, but I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your plans and counting down right along with you (LOVE the A,B,Cs by the way. Super creative!). Just 6 weeks to go now (a little less, actually).

Very cool....maybe we'll pass paths at some point....sounds like we may be in Tusker House at the same time for a bit....(could be wrong) but I think jenny105 has like a 9:00am Tusker House or something like that for the same day.

 

[hhockman]

It would be funny if we all ended up in Tusker House at the same time. I should be fairly easy to spot. Unless someone stays at the hotel for some reason, I'll have a party of 13.

Only 39 days to go for me! I'm glad. It's seems like the 40s lasted forever!

 

[jenny105]

Fun! We can trade breakfast/lunch reports.

No problem...and yes, getting close. I'm down to 38 days to go now.


Wow, that would be cool. I'll get back with you on this.

Very cool....maybe we'll pass paths at some point....sounds like we may be in Tusker House at the same time for a bit....(could be wrong) but I think jenny105 has like a 9:00am Tusker House or something like that for the same day.

I have an 8:10 reservation! I'll be seeing you all on the way out! I'll be the one looking not quite awake yet!

 

[stacikristine]

Day 8 sounds awesome!!! It's so good that you'll have 2 full days in MK! It's probably going to be the kids' favorite--so it's awesome that you have time to go back! And the boat ride to WL is so great. I stayed at Fort Wilderness with my family one year...loved the boat! And I'm hoping to do the same thing with the parades/Wishes--good luck on getting lots of rides in during those times!

 

[crocko]

It would be funny if we all ended up in Tusker House at the same time. I should be fairly easy to spot. Unless someone stays at the hotel for some reason, I'll have a party of 13.

Only 39 days to go for me! I'm glad. It's seems like the 40s lasted forever!

You'll have 13....I'll have 7.......20 seats in that place will be taken up between the 2 of us.

I have an 8:10 reservation! I'll be seeing you all on the way out! I'll be the one looking not quite awake yet!

We'll get the safari animals warmed up for you.

Day 8 sounds awesome!!! It's so good that you'll have 2 full days in MK! It's probably going to be the kids' favorite--so it's awesome that you have time to go back! And the boat ride to WL is so great. I stayed at Fort Wilderness with my family one year...loved the boat! And I'm hoping to do the same thing with the parades/Wishes--good luck on getting lots of rides in during those times!

Yeah....I'm hoping they'll enjoy all areas, but I'm expecting Magic Kingdom to be the absolute favorite. I don't blame them...the place rocks!

 

[crocko]

November trip update

On Saturday afternoon, Bridgette and I spent about an hour pouring over menus to decide what reservations we might want to make for our 3-night trip in November...after picking out our favorite and then consulting the scheduling plan for the trip and turning on my Strategy Mojo Machine...here's what we have initially come up with as the ADR goals:

Nov. 14th) Arrive at MCO @ 11:45 am, spend the evening at the World Showcase
ADR Goal = Le Cellier; I'll try to get a dinner time, but we're willing to settle for a late lunch if need be. Back-up, if we just can't get Le Cellier, then I will try for Coral Reef.

Nov. 15th) Magic Kingdom during the morning, Hollywood Studios in the afternoon and late EMH hours
ADR Goal = 1900 Park Fare; Our plan is to have breakfast here (sounds yummy, fun, and unique) and I will be trying to get a very early time slot

Nov. 16th) Animal Kingdom has early EMH...should finish there before 11am, DTD afternoon, Magic Kingdom for evening and late EMH hours
ADR Goal = Kona Cafe; Will be looking to hit the Kona Cafe for a between-the-parks lunch

Nov. 17th) Epcot for early EMH and hit Future World until we have to get back to the resort. Fly out of MCO @ 4:50pm


Very excited about seeing if I can get any of these ressies. This Sunday will be the 90-day mark, so I'll make sure to get up early before church to try and get these booked. I also need to run some numbers on these places and other eating that we'll do to see if I want to book the Dining Plan or just simply go out-of-pocket on all of our dining.


Does anyone know....do you have to have the Dining Plan booked before ressies, or can you make the ADR's and THEN book the Dining Plan?

 

[Lynn5700]

I'm sure you will be able to get them at your 90 day mark!! Good luck anyway!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

So far it looks like our plans only mesh up on 9/19 so I'll definitely have to keep an eye out early at that 8AM RD, since we plan on being there too!

 

[SoonerGirl]

You can make your ADRs and add the Dining Plan later.

Le Cellier and Kona are two of my favorites! Good luck on Sunday.

 

[hhockman]

Anyone staying at a Disney Resort can make ressies at 90 days, so I don't see why it would be a problem. I don't think you're eating anywhere that requires a credit card to be charged at the time of the reservation.

Your November trip sounds so exciting. My DH and I haven't been to Disney World without the kids since, well, there weren't any kids.

I'm enjoying hearing about that one too.

If they put your group and ours in the same room at Tusker House we'd probably have the room to ourselves!

 

[NLD]

Hi John,

You have commented on my PTR so I wanted to come over and say hi on yours! Your plans look great... I am reading along trying to learn from a Disney vet! Love how you have "possible punctures" to your plans and know what things you're willing to ditch if needed.

You have a beautiful family--your kids are adorable!

Nicole

 

[crocko]

I'm sure you will be able to get them at your 90 day mark!! Good luck anyway!

Thanks for the confidence!

So far it looks like our plans only mesh up on 9/19 so I'll definitely have to keep an eye out early at that 8AM RD, since we plan on being there too!

Just remember...I'll be the guy headed to Toy Story Mania

You can make your ADRs and add the Dining Plan later.

Le Cellier and Kona are two of my favorites! Good luck on Sunday.

Awesome...I figured you could do that.

Anyone staying at a Disney Resort can make ressies at 90 days, so I don't see why it would be a problem. I don't think you're eating anywhere that requires a credit card to be charged at the time of the reservation.

Your November trip sounds so exciting. My DH and I haven't been to Disney World without the kids since, well, there weren't any kids.

I'm enjoying hearing about that one too.

If they put your group and ours in the same room at Tusker House we'd probably have the room to ourselves!

That will actually be our 2nd "no-kids" trip in a 365-day period. Of course, as the kids get a little older, I doubt they'll "allow" such shenanigans from their parents.

Hi John,

You have commented on my PTR so I wanted to come over and say hi on yours! Your plans look great... I am reading along trying to learn from a Disney vet! Love how you have "possible punctures" to your plans and know what things you're willing to ditch if needed.

You have a beautiful family--your kids are adorable!

Nicole

Thanks for stopping by!!

Yeah the "possible punctures" thing was not originally intended....but as I started "planning" out each individual day, I started to notice what things could go wrong and have the biggest impact...so, figured it would be best to plan ahead in case plans do in fact get punctured. I've really enjoyed laying out each day like I have...has really helped me get an idea for each day. Come the week before the trip, I'll definitely be printing that info out so I can review on the trip before each day.

 

[cheap traveler]

Ok, I think I'm all caught up.

How cool that you have some readers going to the world at the same time as you!!

I'm wondering - have you been able to keep the hotel for November a secret? I wish I could do a surprise trip - thinking about keeping Christmas 2011 a secret. That should be easy, since it isn't booked or even in the budget yet

Getting closer!! September will be here before you know it!