Mom & Son Take on The Land (with Dad)! Food Pic Laden Report - Completed 8/16

[GoofySon'sMom]

As an explantion, I wanted the title to mirror my previous WDW Dining Reviews.

DH, DS14 and I will be making our first trip to the West Coast two months from today - July 24th! Our flight lands at Long Beach Airport just before 4pm. We are staying at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. I booked our trip thru Dreams Unlimited so our wonderful travel agent, Katie, is beginning to make our Priority Seatings today!

As you can see from my signature, we have been to WDW many, many times. DS and I took a trip without DH in September of 2008 and I decided to do my first dining review. Hence the "Mom & Son". We didn't expect to take a trip last year and somehow things magically came together for us to take a family trip for Christmas/New Year's. Again, I thought there would be no trip this year but DH came up with the idea of trying DLR and tying it in to see the Red Sox play the Angels. Hence our West Coast trip was born!

Here's a pic from our last trip to WDW -

As you can see, I am a bit Pooh-sized. I had wanted to work on that before this trip but have had some health issues to deal with and just couldn't focus on weight loss. Depending on what happens with a specialist appointment in a couple of weeks, this trip could take on a whole new meaning. We'll cross that bridge when we get there! Keeping positive now ...

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I actually spent part of one day in Disneyland back in 1986 but I can't really count that as a visit. So many things have changed! And I hardly remember the trip. Counting this as a first as this one is with my "men". It is DS's first trip to the West Coast. DH has been to Cali a few times for work conferences but has never been to DLR.

As an obsessive WDW planner, I have seriously stressed this trip. These boards have been such a valuable resource! I thank everyone for answering all my questions no matter how silly! I am used to having all plans finalized 180 days out! Here we are two months away and the Park hours aren't even posted!

Originally we planned to stay at HoJos but when the 5 for 3 deal came out we realized that if we scrimped and saved we could do a Disney Hotel. PPH was the least expensive option so we booked the package along with an extra 3 nights "room only".

As of now, our plans are:

July 24th - check-in, unpack. Have dinner at Goofy's Kitchen and hopefully watch the fireworks from the Pool Deck. Not sure if we will make it after a very long day of travel (we will be leaving our house in New York about 7:30am to drive 3 hours to the airport for our flight).

July 25th - Plan is to be up and ready for early admission to DL! We rarely make a WDW rope drop so we will see how it goes! Hoping the time change is an advantage for us! Lunch at Cafe Orleans for those heavenly looking Pommes Frites! Dinner at PCH Grille as DS's #1 request is the Kitchen Sink for dessert. We planned to try it last year at WDW and never made it! Hoping to see the fireworks and late Fantasmic show. A long day for sure!

July 26th - We'll sleep in just a bit today and hit CA! Plan is for a later lunch at House of Blues before heading to the Red Sox/Angels game.

July 27th - Originally we planned to go to the Ballgame tonight as well but that has since changed. We really wanted to fit in dinner at Napa Rose. Will spend the day seeing as much as we can with (hopefully) a first lunch seating at Blue Bayou and a later dinner at Napa Rose. Gourmet "big" food day for us!

July 28th - No Park plans today as we are going to the afternoon Red Sox/Angels game. We'll have breakfast at Storytellers and a later dinner at Ralph Brennans after the game.

July 29th - All day in the Parks today. Planning a later Minnie & Friends breakfast and hoping for a World of Color dinner package of some kind. Hope to see World of Color with or without the package.

July 30th - Breakfast with Mickey & Stitch! Then meeting family to spend the day at Newport Beach/Balboa Island. Since the family has to drive back to San Diego we are hoping to spend some time in the Parks this evening.

July 31st - this is really the only day we can hit Toon Town Morning Madness. No real lunch plan (maybe Whitewater Snacks?) and dinner at Carnation Cafe. Really hoping we can stop & smell the roses and just soak up the atmosphere at the Parks. Can see the fireworks and Fantasmic if it didn't work out earlier in the week.

Aug 1st - our flight leaves at 8am to head home!

Whew! I truly hope we can see/do everything especially the street performers and those little extras that I keep reading about!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

All of our PS's are made including Wine Country Trattoria on the 29th for the World of Color package!

Our trip seems so much more real now! That is a big difference from WDW planning for me. With WDW, we have all of our dining set 6 months in advance so our plans don't change too much. With this trip, we are just now getting truly excited because our plans are now set!

 

[kaoden39]

How exciting!! I am along for the ride. I am so surprised I didn't notice your trip report before, well I am here now!!

I think going to the baseball game sounds like great fun. I have often thought of adding a game when we are down there, but I just don't because we aren't all fans and I can just see my teenage daughters complaining through a game annoying the heck out of me.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

How exciting!! I am along for the ride. I am so surprised I didn't notice your trip report before, well I am here now!!

I think going to the baseball game sounds like great fun. I have often thought of adding a game when we are down there, but I just don't because we aren't all fans and I can just see my teenage daughters complaining through a game annoying the heck out of me.

Thanks for joining! We are huge Red Sox fans. That is actually the reason for this trip. We planned it around when the Sox were in Anaheim. Mickey & the Red Sox in the same day ... just doesn't get any more perfect for me!

 

[kaoden39]

Thanks for joining! We are huge Red Sox fans. That is actually the reason for this trip. We planned it around when the Sox were in Anaheim. Mickey & the Red Sox in the same day ... just doesn't get any more perfect for me!

Red Sox fans from New York?

I am an Oakland A's fan, but honestly I would see any game. I love baseball.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We'll be there around the same time!!! We arrive later on the 25th & our first day in the parks on the 26th. We took in a Dodgers game back in 2005 & would have loved to see the Angels play this time, but we have a set of 3 yr old twins that are both autistic & trying to get them to sit still in crowded place with yelling & such....just wasn't in the cards. I hope you enjoy the games!! My step-dad is a HUGE Red Sox fan....so I'll be jealous for him.....lol

Maybe we'll run into each other. Our park days are the 26, 27, 28, 29 & then 2 days off & back on Aug 1 & 2....but you'll be gone by then.

We've never been to WDW, but from what I've seen......I really appreciate Disneyland that much more. Don't get me wrong....I'd love to go the WDW.....but Disneyland is so much smaller & special. You don't have to grab transportation to get from one thing to the next. Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney & the 3 Resort Hotels are all within walking distance of each other. There's also a magical feeling you get when you cross under the train tracks & step onto Main Street!!!! Especially when you realize Walt used to walk down that same street....I tend to get a bit emotional.......lol

I really would suggest using the Magic Morning (early entry)......Fantasyland is a zoo all day, every day, no matter the time of day. The only quality time you can get is during that first hour on the Magic Morning. It's nice to walk from ride to ride with little wait. The park is beautiful first thing in the morning as well!!

Can't wait to follow you as you get closer....since we're in the same time frame we can throw ideas & tips off each other!!!

I also have a PTR going.....the link is below in my signature.....if you have a ton of time....feel free to check it out!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Red Sox fans from New York?

I am an Oakland A's fan, but honestly I would see any game. I love baseball.

Yep, right in the heart of Yankee country! It can be a challenge sometimes! Hence the reason we are flying across the country to see our beloved Sox!

 

[kaoden39]

Yep, right in the heart of Yankee country! It can be a challenge sometimes! Hence the reason we are flying across the country to see our beloved Sox!

Hmm, sounds like a good excuse, um I mean reason.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Maybe we'll run into each other. Our park days are the 26, 27, 28, 29 & then 2 days off & back on Aug 1 & 2....but you'll be gone by then.

I really would suggest using the Magic Morning (early entry)......Fantasyland is a zoo all day, every day, no matter the time of day. The only quality time you can get is during that first hour on the Magic Morning. It's nice to walk from ride to ride with little wait. The park is beautiful first thing in the morning as well!!

Can't wait to follow you as you get closer....since we're in the same time frame we can throw ideas & tips off each other!!!

I also have a PTR going.....the link is below in my signature.....if you have a ton of time....feel free to check it out!!

Would be very cool to run into each other! We'll be in the Parks the 25th, part of the 26th, the 27th, 29th and 31st.

Definitely planning on the MM. We are not usually rope drop people in WDW, hoping the time change works to our advantage there!

I will definitely check out your PTR at work tomorrow ... yeah, lots of down time at work that I can spend on the Dis! Can't beat that!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Hmm, sounds like a good excuse, um I mean reason.

Yeppers ... we are actually going to see the Sox in Baltimore next weekend. It is so hard to get tickets in Fenway that we have made a habit of going to Baltimore the past few years. When the schedule came out for this year we were looking at another City to travel to when DH said, hmmm we could always go to Anaheim and hit Disneyland this year instead of Disney World. Needless to say he didn't have to suggest it twice!

 

[kaoden39]

Yeppers ... we are actually going to see the Sox in Baltimore next weekend. It is so hard to get tickets in Fenway that we have made a habit of going to Baltimore the past few years. When the schedule came out for this year we were looking at another City to travel to when DH said, hmmm we could always go to Anaheim and hit Disneyland this year instead of Disney World. Needless to say he didn't have to suggest it twice!

How very cool that you re combining two loves. Honestly the time at the ball park away from the resort sounds heavenly to me. Kind of a downtime relaxation.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

How very cool that you re combining two loves. Honestly the time at the ball park away from the resort sounds heavenly to me. Kind of a downtime relaxation.

That's what we are thinking, too. We rarely go back to the hotel midday at WDW, it's just not our thing. We'll find a bench to rest for a bit or hit up the Hall of Presidents for a quick nap . We figure our time at the games will be very relaxing so we won't feel that we are constantly go, go, go. OOOOOOHHHH, I am getting so psyched for this trip!

 

[kaoden39]

That's what we are thinking, too. We rarely go back to the hotel midday at WDW, it's just not our thing. We'll find a bench to rest for a bit or hit up the Hall of Presidents for a quick nap . We figure our time at the games will be very relaxing so we won't feel that we are constantly go, go, go. OOOOOOHHHH, I am getting so psyched for this trip!

We are going to be there in 13 days and my kids think we need to be there from open to close and I told them we are going to leave the park for dinner everyday. I think that if we are going to be there from ope to close we are eating outside the park. Normally we go during the off season and I don't willingly leave the park. I need an hour or so away from the park.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We are going to be there in 13 days and my kids think we need to be there from open to close and I told them we are going to leave the park for dinner everyday. I think that if we are going to be there from ope to close we are eating outside the park. Normally we go during the off season and I don't willingly leave the park. I need an hour or so away from the park.

Not me! At least not in WDW ... we don't usually make rope drop but are there fairly soon thereafter. DS and I were actually in the MK one night just before 3am! We had an absolute blast. I see you mentioned teenage DDs...are they old enough for you to leave them in the Park while you leave? I would definitely do that with DS at WDW now ... probably not DLR though because I don't know that Park all that well ... yet!

 

[kaoden39]

Not me! At least not in WDW ... we don't usually make rope drop but are there fairly soon thereafter. DS and I were actually in the MK one night just before 3am! We had an absolute blast. I see you mentioned teenage DDs...are they old enough for you to leave them in the Park while you leave? I would definitely do that with DS at WDW now ... probably not DLR though because I don't know that Park all that well ... yet!

My girls are 17 and 16, and my son is 13, he will be with his 14 year old best friend. They are going to be fine but I want them to join us for dinner. DLR is much smaller than WDW, and I have no problem letting them go alone, they are mature enough. Leaving the park for dinner is more for my mom who is 73 years old, Belen who is also 73, and Boo who is 4. We will get them settled at the hotel and them be in attack mode again.

 

[VallCopen]

Well I decided to join your TR too. You can follow mine before you go and I will relive Disney through you after I get back. (I will be missing it sooo) Sounds like you have a lot of fun things planned and great meals. We have booked a few dinners with one at Goofy's and one at Napa too, so I will be sure to get lots of pictures posted to make you drool just a bit longer.
We always love Napa!!!! My daughter (12) and I do this every trip as a special night out together, we have been doing this for the past 4 years now. We haven't done Goofy's in years so we are excited to go again and take our 3 year old for the first time.

Hope you have an awesome trip. We have never done WDW but we just love Disney. Although it can be busy and packed with people, the closeness to hotels and both parks just can't be beat. Do your best to get their early, take an afternoon pool break, ocean break, or a little shopping or eating and then hit the parks again for the evening. Enjoy!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

. We have booked a few dinners with one at Goofy's and one at Napa too, so I will be sure to get lots of pictures posted to make you drool just a bit longer. We always love Napa!!!!

Hope you have an awesome trip. We have never done WDW but we just love Disney. Although it can be busy and packed with people, the closeness to hotels and both parks just can't be beat. Do your best to get their early, take an afternoon pool break, ocean break, or a little shopping or eating and then hit the parks again for the evening. Enjoy!!!

Thanks! We are such foodies, I can't believe that I had considered not going to Napa Rose. Thankfully I came to my senses. Cannot wait to see your pictures!

I admit, I am missing WDW but really am looking forward to this trip. We are not really afternoon break people in WDW but part of that is probably the hassle of getting back to the hotel. We'll see how that goes this trip. Even though I know the Parks/Hotels are all close, I haven't completely wrapped my brain around it yet!

 

[kaoden39]

Good Morning!!

 

[koalagirl5]

Just read your report so far. So excited for you! I too will be doing Goofy's Kitchen, for brunch though, not dinner. I'm sooo hoping to see a couple princesses there so I don't have to do PFF with DD. She's not into doing Ariel's Grotto but still wants to see princesses, but I'm not looking forward to the long line at PFF, followed by 10 seconds to take pics with them.

I want to see pics of that Kitchen Sink after you've done your damage to it.