Eek...5 kids vs. 3 adults -- headed to the World outnumbered, a Jan PTR

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Howdy, ya'll!

This is my second attempt at a PTR. I had a lot of fun doing my first one. Now my TR, not so much. I'm hoping to be a far better, more dedicated writer this go around.

Here are the details for our trip:

When? January 23, 2010 - January 30, 2010

Where? Villas at the Wilderness Lodge

Who? Me (Kirsten), my sister, our mom, four nephews and one niece

Airline Tickets? Southwest -- got a AH-MAZING deal of $140/ticket

Tickets? Undercover Tourist -- love, love, LOVE them! I subscribe to Mouse Savers newsletter and got a GREAT deal.

Food? This is our first trip using the DDP. We can't wait to try out all the great restaurants.

We only have 39 days left until our trip!!!!! I can't wait to share all of the details here.

 

[princessbee]

Five kids DOES sound crazy , but it also sounds awesome. I can't wait to read the rest of your PTR!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I'd like to introduce you to the crazy people that are going on this trip.

Kirsten (that's me): I just turned 27 (yesterday, actually). I'm still in denial that I am now just 3 short years away from...3-0. ::GASP:: I'm addicted to pin trading and a self-proclaimed Wilderness Lodge groupie. I also love watching anything related to Disney Parks, and have seen the "Full House" Disney episodes at least a million times. No joke!

Lisa (my sister): Lisa is my oldest sister. She lives in Indianapolis with her five kids. She's had a rough few years regarding her personal life. She's doing A LOT better, though. She's has four boys, and just recently had a little girl (finally!!). She loves all things Disney.

Suzette (our mom): Suzette is our mom. She lives in the same town as I do, so I get to see her A LOT. Which is a somewhat good, and very bad thing all rolled into one. She's been a Disney fan ever since she got to attend the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Her and our dad are responsible for creating our Disney obsession.

Erik (my nephew): Erik is Lisa's oldest son. He may have turned 9 in October, but he acts like a 40 year old. He has congenial glaucoma, which has caused to him to have over 30 eye operations since birth. He has no vision in one eye, and moderate-low vision in the other. He's seriously the best kid you'll ever meet. He loves Rock-n-Roller Coaster and can't wait to drag us all on it.

Tyler (my nephew): Tyler turned 8 last month. He the book worm of the family, and also a HUGE smart a%%. He's far smarter than his own good. He's also obsessed with pin trading and can't wait to trade when we're down there.

Braden (my nephew): Braden is 7. He loves to play sports. He's also a little daredevil. He'll ride anything at least once. He's a bit bummed that Splash Mountain is closed while were there. BOO!!

Alek (my nephew): Alek is 5. He has the brightest, cutest smile that just melts my heart. He's very affectionate and loves to give hugs. He can't wait to have dinner with Mickey Mouse at CM. He's also determined to find a new pair of Mickey Mouse Crocs while we're there.

Maya (my niece): Maya was born in July 2009. This will be her first WDW visit. She'll be about 6 months old during the trip. She is such a great baby and loves to laugh.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Five kids DOES sound crazy , but it also sounds awesome. I can't wait to read the rest of your PTR!

Welcome!! Yeah, I'm a little freaked out that the kids outnumber the adults. But, if we lose one or two it wouldn't be a bad thing. Totally kidding.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here, Kirsten! I really wish I was going with my family...it would've been so cool to have a DIS meet.

You are getting so close!

You know I'm obsessed with the Disney Full House too. It was just on the other night and of course I had to watch it (even though I've seen it about a million times too!).

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Great start! DH is wanting to stay at WL so terribly bad!!! Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I'm here, Kirsten! I really wish I was going with my family...it would've been so cool to have a DIS meet.

You are getting so close!

You know I'm obsessed with the Disney Full House too. It was just on the other night and of course I had to watch it (even though I've seen it about a million times too!).

Hey Sarah!!! One day, we WILL have our DIS meet. That would be so much fun!!

We only have 39 days left!!! I can't believe how fast the time is sailing by. I figure the weeks after Christmas are going to drag. Winter always seems to that.

Haha, don't you love it? I watched it the other day, too, which is sad b/c I already have it saved on my DVR. I just love it!

Great start! DH is wanting to stay at WL so terribly bad!!! Can't wait to read more!!!

Welcome!!

WL is my absolute FAVORITE resort. I love that warm lodge feel. It literally took my breath away when we stayed there in August. Sigh. Have you guys looked into renting DVC points? That's what we did in August, and again for this trip. It such a great, cheap alternative to booking through Disney directly. Plus, DIS has a great DVC rental board. Let me know if you have any questions about it, I'm slowly becoming a pro at renting points.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Lets talk about the most important part of our trip...the food! This is our first time ever doing the DDP. We typically rent a car and will eat offsite a lot (gotta love Sweet Tomatoes!!). Since we'll have all the kids with us, we figured it'd be a MUCH better (and saner) idea if we stayed exclusively onsite throughout the trip. We're even taking the ME from the airport, which is also a first! I was pretty confident that we'd get all of our meal choices since we are going during a slow period. I still stressed out, though, over making ADRs...especially since our trip still fell into the 90 day category, yet two days later was when they transitioned to 180 days out and that really clogged the system up. I lucked out and got every single ADR I wanted, at the times I wanted. Check them out and feel free to critique:

Saturday
Chef Mickey's - 7:05pm

Sunday
Liberty Tree Tavern - 6:10pm

Monday
Chefs de France - 6pm

Tuesday
Whispering Canyon Cafe - 7:20pm -- Might change this to 8pm instead b/c DHS closes at 7pm that evening. Not sure if we'll stay there that long.

Wednesday
Rain Forest Cafe @ AK - 5pm (OOP)-- I'm not such a fan, but my nephews love it.

Thursday
Le Cellier - 6:05pm

Friday
Ohana's - 7:05am
1900 Park Fare - 7:30pm

What do ya'll think? I've only been to RF and CMs on this list so any opinions would be greatly appreciated. My nephews aren't extremely picky eaters, and the kid menus really offer such basic options anyway I think we'll be okay. The only one I'm slightly worried about is Chefs.

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I've created our itinerary based on Touring Plans and TGM. I'm hoping we won't even have to deal w/ crowds, but just in case... I was debating on renewing my TGM subscription. I didn't really find it all the useful in August. But, I'm leading a PhotoPass share on there for January so I figured I'd renew. Anyway...here's our itinerary:

Saturday, January 23

Arrive MCO at 12:05pm
Hope on ME and head to WL!
Check-in
Lunch at Roaring Forks
Either hang out at the hotel, resort hop OR head to DTD
Dinner at CMs at 7:05pm

**Do you think we'd have enough time to go to DTD and make it back to CMs for our ADR?

Sunday, January 24

Breakfast in the room (we're planning on using We Go Shop)
Magic Kingdom
Lunch at CS restaurant - probably Cosmic Ray's
Dinner at LTT at 6:10pm
EMH at MK

Monday, January 25

Breakfast in the room
Epcot
Lunch at CS restaurant
Dinner at Chefs de France at 6pm
Might do EMH at DHS w/ two older nephews?

Tuesday, January 26

Breakfast in the room
DHS
Lunch at CS restaurant - probably Toy Story Pizza Planet...I really dislike most of the CS places at DHS.
Dinner at WCC at 7:20pm

Wednesday, January 27

Breakfast in the room
AK
Lunch at CS restaurant - probably Flame Tree
Dinner at Rain Forest at 5pm
EMH at AK!! -- I have ALWAYS wanted to do an evening EMH at AK but it has always been the day we leave, never fails. So excited!!

Thursday, January 28

Breakfast in the room
AM spent at DHS
PM spent at Epcot
Dinner at Le Cellier at 6:05pm -- Our first time!!!!

Friday, January 29

Breakfast at Ohana's at 7:50am
Magic Kingdom
Lunch at Peco Bill's -- one of my favorite CS restaurants!!!
Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at 7:30pm -- I might push this back to 8ish so we can have more time at the MK.

Saturday, January 30

Depart...SAD!!!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

Ok, time to go off topic. I do this, A LOT. But, I just HAD to share my all the awesome Disney related Christmas stuff I have decorated with this year. Check it out:

My ABSOLUTE favorite thing. EVER. A monorail around our tree:

I started collecting the Disney village pieces a few years ago. I try to pick up a piece each trip.

Ornaments...we try to get one each trip, and I want to start collecting the new Hallmark series for Mickey's Christmas Carol -- LOVE!

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I know, I know...I already made ADRs and said we were doing to the DDP. However, I just got a call from my sister and she's thinking we should consider doing the QSDP instead. And now, I'm utterly confused. The idea of eating non-stop QS food for a week makes me want to heave...to be quite honest. Of course, I'm being narrow minded and lumping all QS food into the burgers, pizza and chicken fingers category. I think if I got creative with it, the QSDP might not be that bad of a decision. Plus, the idea of dragging my time challenged family around to make our ADRs in time makes me break out in hives just thinking about it.

I've decided to make a list of non-burger QS food we could eat on the new plan:

Wolfgang Express
Macadamia Nut Crusted Breast of Chicken - Papaya marmalade and garlic mashed potatoes with sho yu cream sauce. - $15.95

Seasons Food Court
Rotisserie Pork Chop - Served with choice of two side items. - $9.99

Cantina de San Angel
Plato Combinacion - Chicken taco, Beef burrito and a Quesadilla served with Black refried beans and Mexican salsa - $8.75
**I've heard this place isn't the greatest. But, it's not burgers.

Starring Rolls
Turkey Focaccia - with chips or fresh fruit $9.19
**Their desserts look AH-MAZING!

Cosmic Rays
Half Chicken & BBQ Rib Combo - Served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable. - $13.99

Flame Tree BBQ
Smoked Beef or Pork Sandwich - Served with baked beans. - $7.59

Roaring Forks
Grilled Chicken Salad - Made with apple vinaigrette, lettuce, diced grilled chicken, diced Granny Smith apples, candied walnuts, Tillamook cheddar cheese, homemade croutons, and fresh ground pepper. - $7.99

I'm still not convinced that we should switch plans...yet, anyway. I just have this wonderful vision of scarfing down a nice, juicy steak at Le Cellier...and I can't get rid of it. So tough!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Love your Christmas decorations! I saw that Hallmark has that new series of Christmas Carol ornaments and debated getting it but haven't yet. It is cute though!