school is stressing me OUT! best de-stressor? a trip to Disney of course! pg 25 p 364

[longing2Batdisney]

Nice dining choices! What meal are you doing at CP? I've eaten dinner there numerous times and it never disappoints. I'll be having lunch there next trip just because it is much cheaper than dinner.
I've heard that 'Ohana breakfast isn't that great! We enjoyed our dinner at 'Ohana a lot this past trip! It was worth every penny.

Barbara,

I'm not sure which meal we are considering at CP as of yet. I need to sit down with Danny and show him the two menus. I'm also thinking maybe do the breakfast to try and get in the park before hours.

 

[KatMark]

Ok! everyone as I mentioned before we are doing the DDP this go round. We normally bring our older children along and I usually pay for their dining. So, in the past we have allotted $25 per person per day, my DD and her DBF have managed to do a great job with their allotment and save for one sit down meal while there. DS18 on the first trip brought his own money to offset the shortage, on our last trip he was saving money for souvie's . Danny and I did very well but spent alot last year on Ashton, if he said he wanted it we bought it (Ashton is a very picky eater and not a big eater so if he says he wants it we normally buy it trying to put a little weight on him).

My thoughts so far with the DDP at the moment would be three character dining experiences with two sit down dinners.

so, our plans at this time

Tuesday Sep 27 we will check Ashton our of school around 12 and hit the road; plans at this time would be to drive up to Lake City for the night. Thinking to be sure to stop where they have breakfast and hit the road bright and early to head the rest of the way to WDW.

Wednesday Sep 28: (we were orginally leaving this day--but, I have a very dear friend I need to meet this day)
Plans for this day is to meet up with Kathy & Mark and Mary and her family, so at this point I will need to follow along with them to see what their plans are (park, resort, etc--to find a meet up place). I can't think of a better way to start the magic meeting up with friends! to kick start our adventure.

Thur Sep 29:

Friday Sep 30:

Sat Oct 1:

Sun Oct 2: as of now we will be checking out of CBR

Mon Oct 3: I would like to do SeaWorld here, Danny wants to return to Universal/Islands of Adventure.....I do want to visit Harry Potter

Tuesday Oct 4: home


So, as you see I have alot of planning to do! and need lots of help!!!
so, if you are lurking please join us we would love to have your ideas....
Park hours come out in March, I was told when I booked and I get to book our ADR's on April 1st.

At this moment dining experiences I have been thinking about are:
Wilderness Lodge-Whispering Canyon Sorry...Mark and I did not care for this at all and won't go back
Crystal Palace We love breakfast here...we love getting in the MK early and the puffed french toast is to die for
the Hoop de doo (2 credits ) we have never done but I've read great reviews on it
Donald's Tusker House breakfast --we have fun here last year This is on the list for a future trip
Ohana's breakfast with friends we've not done since they switched to family style from buffet and from Minnie and friends to Stitch

need help with the rest....
Connie

Connie, I'm loving your first day plans because it means we meet you. My comments for your food choices are in red above. How many other places do you need to pick?

 

[MaryAz]

Ok! everyone as I mentioned before we are doing the DDP this go round. We normally bring our older children along and I usually pay for their dining. So, in the past we have allotted $25 per person per day, my DD and her DBF have managed to do a great job with their allotment and save for one sit down meal while there. DS18 on the first trip brought his own money to offset the shortage, on our last trip he was saving money for souvie's . Danny and I did very well but spent alot last year on Ashton, if he said he wanted it we bought it (Ashton is a very picky eater and not a big eater so if he says he wants it we normally buy it trying to put a little weight on him).

My thoughts so far with the DDP at the moment would be three character dining experiences with two sit down dinners.

so, our plans at this time

Tuesday Sep 27 we will check Ashton our of school around 12 and hit the road; plans at this time would be to drive up to Lake City for the night. Thinking to be sure to stop where they have breakfast and hit the road bright and early to head the rest of the way to WDW.

Wednesday Sep 28: (we were orginally leaving this day--but, I have a very dear friend I need to meet this day)
Plans for this day is to meet up with Kathy & Mark and Mary and her family, so at this point I will need to follow along with them to see what their plans are (park, resort, etc--to find a meet up place). I can't think of a better way to start the magic meeting up with friends! to kick start our adventure. Not sure what we are doing-K&M may be sick of us by then We will find a fun place to meet up!
Thur Sep 29:

Friday Sep 30:

Sat Oct 1:

Sun Oct 2: as of now we will be checking out of CBR

Mon Oct 3: I would like to do SeaWorld here, Danny wants to return to Universal/Islands of Adventure.....I do want to visit Harry Potter

Tuesday Oct 4: home


So, as you see I have alot of planning to do! and need lots of help!!!
so, if you are lurking please join us we would love to have your ideas....
Park hours come out in March, I was told when I booked and I get to book our ADR's on April 1st.

At this moment dining experiences I have been thinking about are:
Wilderness Lodge-Whispering Canyon We thought this was ehCrystal Palace GOing ther for surethe Hoop de doo (2 credits ) My MIL requested this so we will be goingDonald's Tusker House breakfast --we have fun here last year We thought it was ok, like CP and Cape May betterOhana's breakfast with friends We do not do Stitch
need help with the rest....
Connie

See replies in orange

 

[Cory's Gal]

Hi Connie!! YEAH! SO happy for you to be able to head back so soon!! Looking forward to following along with all your plans!! We are hoping to go in mid-October of 2012!! It seems so long ago that we both had gone back in April! Ashton is as cute as ever!
~Beth

 

[kcandbella]

As of right now, I know for sure that I want to do CP and try to get in before the MK opens, Le Cellier and Akershus at some point. I also am planning on Ohana or WCC right before MNSSHP. I can't decide which one I want to do! Bella really wants to do Chef Mickey's again, and I loved the atmosphere, but the food was just ok. Ashton would have a lot of fun there, too. It's so tough, there are so many good choices!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Connie, I remember you saying that you felt like ya'll had missed out on a lot of things last year. My suggestion would be to plan your ADRs around the park you are going to be in on that particular day.

On your Magic Kingdom day, you could do Hoop Dee Doo that evening. Do one of the first two shows and then take the boat back to MK to see Wishes and the parade. If you really want to see the Wilderness Lodge, then do like we did and make a stop there before going on to Ft. Wilderness.

Will you be going to each of the theme parks? I couldn't tell from the way you had your dates set out.

Honestly, to get the most bang for the dining plan buck, I'd book dinner ADRs for your table service credits.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Kathy & Mary,

Connie, I'm loving your first day plans because it means we meet you. My comments for your food choices are in red above. How many other places do you need to pick?

See replies in orange

I'm liking my first day plans! I cannot wait to meet up with you guys...I am so excited I'm sorry to hear that both you guys do not care for Stitch. Ashton thinks he is so funny, so I think he would really love having breakfast with him. Thanks! for the tips on the dining, keep them coming...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hi Connie!! YEAH! SO happy for you to be able to head back so soon!! Looking forward to following along with all your plans!! We are hoping to go in mid-October of 2012!! It seems so long ago that we both had gone back in April! Ashton is as cute as ever!
~Beth

Hello! Beth
I am so happy you found me!!
I am happy to hear you guys are planning another trip! October 2012 will be here before you know it and this way you can learn all about the atmosphere at the time you will be traveling and have a blast planning. I know I can not believe it is almost a year since our last trip. Our next trip after this one will probably be the first week of December 2013; Danny said we have to skip 2012, which is OK with me don't know what Ashton will think about that one. But, the most of the new FantasyLand (if not all) will be done by than. Thanks! on Ashton we think he is a cutie too! thinking we'll keep him .

 

[longing2Batdisney]

As of right now, I know for sure that I want to do CP and try to get in before the MK opens, Le Cellier and Akershus at some point. I also am planning on Ohana or WCC right before MNSSHP. I can't decide which one I want to do! Bella really wants to do Chef Mickey's again, and I loved the atmosphere, but the food was just ok. Ashton would have a lot of fun there, too. It's so tough, there are so many good choices!

Hey! Kayce
I like your idea of WC before MNSSHP, think that one is a keeper. I know I'm not adding LeCellier or Akershus to my list this go round. LeCellier too expensive (not worth two credits IMO, even though the steaks sounds heavenly), don't think Danny would think much of taking Ashton to Akershus . Now, if we don't do the Hoop de doo I may add Ohana's for dinner but thinking as of now that if I do it for breakfast I'll save dinner for another time. Chef Mickey's has been in the back of my head too.... I really need to put this all down on paper and start really planning this out...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Connie, I remember you saying that you felt like ya'll had missed out on a lot of things last year. My suggestion would be to plan your ADRs around the park you are going to be in on that particular day.

On your Magic Kingdom day, you could do Hoop Dee Doo that evening. Do one of the first two shows and then take the boat back to MK to see Wishes and the parade. If you really want to see the Wilderness Lodge, then do like we did and make a stop there before going on to Ft. Wilderness.

Will you be going to each of the theme parks? I couldn't tell from the way you had your dates set out.

Honestly, to get the most bang for the dining plan buck, I'd book dinner ADRs for your table service credits.

Lisa yes we plan to visit all the parks! We have 5 day park hoppers...I like the idea of visiting WL on the way to FT for the HDD. I really think we are going to try and stick with the three character breakfast (for Ashton) and this way I'm not planning my afternoon and evening around ADR's. I just feel in my mind that with Ashton it would be easier to plan a day (although he is an easy going child)....
Thinking, thinking,
keep all the tips coming...it does help in putting things in perspcetive...
I'll be back with an idea of what is going on in my head so far...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

QUESTION:
although, I feel like I have a basic idea of how the DDP works from following along on TR's ....

we check in Wednesday Sep 28 and check out Oct 2 this is 4 nights and 5 days...
this does mean that we have 5 snack, 5 counter service, and 5 table service credits (that is what I have been thinking we have--is that the case?)

 

[MaryAz]

QUESTION:
although, I feel like I have a basic idea of how the DDP works from following along on TR's ....

we check in Wednesday Sep 28 and check out Oct 2 this is 4 nights and 5 days...
this does mean that we have 5 snack, 5 counter service, and 5 table service credits (that is what I have been thinking we have--is that the case?)

I think you only get 1 of each per night not day so that would mean you get 4 of each not five.

 

[KatMark]

I think you only get 1 of each per night not day so that would mean you get 4 of each not five.

Mary, you are right. It is one per person, per night of a snack, counter service and table service (Connie, the counter services in a lot of instances are enough to share because they are so big).

 

[leamom2princesses]

Hiya Connie! I made it over! Looks like you're off to a great start! We hopefully will have two neat DIS meets this year!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hiya Connie! I made it over! Looks like you're off to a great start! We hopefully will have two neat DIS meets this year!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN HOPEFULLY! I am counting on BOTH!

Happy you made it over! need your input here as well....we have a few meets to plan and your ideas on dining

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I think you only get 1 of each per night not day so that would mean you get 4 of each not five.

Mary, you are right. It is one per person, per night of a snack, counter service and table service (Connie, the counter services in a lot of instances are enough to share because they are so big).

Well than that changes things....hmmmm!
that will definately leave the Hoop Dee Doo out unless I decide to add that OOP...and I think Danny wants to book a night at the Royal Pacific, if I do that any OOP items will be buget minded...OH! well HDD may have to wait until 2013...

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Another question, if I planned to leave after the MNSSHP to drive to Lake City what time does the evening usually end? The reason I'm wondering if we plan to attend the party on Sunday night w/ Leanne and Kayce (not sure if Mary was planning this evening) trying to figure out if it would be best to add a night or OK to drive. I am kinda thinking of adding to the beginning of the trip; maybe leaving the house on Sunday and staying over night at RPR for Mon/Tue....I don't know I really need to think about this...US/IOA have their hours out up to Sep.

More good news to share as for the weekend of October 1 & 2 my friend from grammar school that lives in Tampa is planning to join us, too!

 

[leamom2princesses]

Connie, MNSSHP gets over pretty late if you take full advantage. I feel like it started around 7pm and ended sometime around midnight maybe a little later. I wouldn't try to drive afterwards, but that's me. I'm a wuss like that. I wish we could start our week earlier but the girls' spring break doesn't start until 9/30. I'm pushing it getting there on the 29th.

 

[BelleTinkMom]

Hey Connie, just realized that you started a PTR. So excited that you are going 3 years in a row.

The dining plan is one credit for each night you are staying.

We love Crystal Palace and Whispering Canyon Cafe and the HDDR. We ate at Ohana's for breakfast last year and the food was excellent as was the character interaction. We have Ohana's for supper for our May trip. We've heard excellent reviews.

Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey Connie, just realized that you started a PTR. So excited that you are going 3 years in a row.

The dining plan is one credit for each night you are staying.

We love Crystal Palace and Whispering Canyon Cafe and the HDDR. We ate at Ohana's for breakfast last year and the food was excellent as was the character interaction. We have Ohana's for supper for our May trip. We've heard excellent reviews.

Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

Hello! Jamie

Happy you joined in! just started over the weekend

I have been working on this trip on and off all day, today. So, many different ways to go about it. I am even thinking of downgrading to POP and adding a night.(also looking at buying points through the DVC (but need to do alot more homework on that front--that may be a future endeavor). If I add a night to CBR and not to the exsisting reservation there would be no guarantee that we would stay in the same room. If I downgrade to POP it would probably be the same price as it is now and that would be adding a fifth night. Also, trying to decide if I should add a day before or after for IOA's visit, Danny mentioned staying at the RPR again for one night, but ouch on that price. Thinking now I am going to miss out on Seaworld again this year.

Thank you for the input on the resturants....I really think Ohana's friendship breakfast and Donald's Tusker house are two of my choices. I plan to sit with Danny one night and show him the list of places you guys are recommending and go from there.