I've been bitten by the Disney bug....PTR October 2011 We Leave Tomorrow! 10-20-11

[Twoboysnmygirl]

he asked me if I had been bitten by a Disney Bug or something.... I reassured him that I will calm down after I get our ADRs made.

That's FUNNY! We'll see!!!!!!

 

[cgerdon02]

We spent one day at Animal Kingdom on our last trip and we experienced everything that we thought we wanted to. We really enjoyed the Kilimanjaro Safari, and Kali River rapids (even though I got soaked)! The kids really enjoyed the parade here, and It's Tough to be a Bug was great!
We didn't do Dinosaur and hope to do it on this trip. We also didn't do Expidition Everest and won't be heading that way this time either! lol
We went on the train to Rafiki's Island (or whatever it's called) and we won't bother with that again. Primeval Whirl isn't something I care to do again either, but that'll be up to dd, I will go if she really wants to.

Your ADRs look great, a lot of the same places that we're going to. We went with Le Cellier for lunch instead of Via Napoli, and we did Akershus on our last trip, so we're trying more new places this time.

Cantina de San Angel was on the dining plan in '09 as I think that was the place in Mexico we ate last time, but maybe it's been taken off I don't know. It was really good though, we liked it. We would like to try Tortuga Tavern this time around if it's open when we're there, and Peco Bill's is also on our list. We are going to try Flame Tree Barbecue this time, it's one of the counter services I'm really looking forward to. We did Pizza Planet back in '09and the kids really liked it so we may do that again as there's not too much in HS that appeals to us.

By the sounds of things we have the same taste in restaurants

Thanks for all the advice on AK! I'm not sure how much I'll like expedition everest but DS can't wait to see the Yeti!! I might stick back with my two year old

I think we do have a lot of the same tastes in restaurants....I'm a picky eater (Been a vegetarian since I was 5, except for white meat chicken) but I've learned over the years to find something to eat pretty much anywhere. DH is looking forward to trying a bunch of new things on this trip though. He and the kids are not picky at all, so I will enjoy seeing them try lots of new things!

 

[cgerdon02]

That's FUNNY! We'll see!!!!!!

Only time will tell

 

[cgerdon02]

Thanks for checking out my PTR!
You have a lovely family!!!
We love Epcot. There is so mch to do there! We usually plan 2 days there and 2 days at MK. We don't love AK (maybe because we're 15-20 minutes from the Bronx Zoo?). We don't usually plan to keep the kids out late as they are used to a pretty early bedtime. I find the still wake up early, even if we keep them up late. Then they're super cranky the next day!
We really like H&V for lunch. The buffet is quite edible and the Disney Junior characters are fun. I think the meal for the F! Dinner package is different (no characters, different food).

Amanda

Hey Amanda! We are really looking forward to Epcot now! We have two days planned there, and two at MK plus MNSSHP!! Can't wait!

My kiddos sleep pretty good on the go, but I'm not going to have my heart set on closing out the parks...when you travel with young kids you have to be flexible....

We don't have a very good zoo where we live, but I think the shows and EE for DS is what I'm most excited about!

 

[Kari-B]

Have you thought about doing the Kimmunicators at Epcot in World Showcase with your kids? Passports?

 

[cgerdon02]

Have you thought about doing the Kimmunicators at Epcot in World Showcase with your kids? Passports?

I've seen a few posts here and there about passports, but not sure how they work? I think my ds would have fun with it, if it's what I think it is.

Also, with Kimmunicators, is that something you think a 7 year old and 4 year old would like? I'm really not sure how that works either....

 

[Kari-B]

The passports involve stopping at each country in World Showcase. A CM from that country will stamp the book and also write something in their language. There are some really cute designs on the Creative Disign Board. That's what I used for mine. I think my kids will love it and think it is a great way to get them involved. I'm sure your 7 & 4 year old would enjoy it, too.

The Kim Possible Missions using the Kimmunicators (like a little cell phone type device) is like a scavenger hunt type thing. You have to solve the clues to complete each mission. I believe most of the countries in World Showcase have a mission. I know my kids will really enjoy this, but at these ages I think it would really depend on the kids. Search the board for Kim Possible Missions for a better explanation on them. I don't feel like I explained it well enough.

Hope that helps a little bit.

 

[MARsMama]

I'm hoping to do both the Kim Possible and the passports this time around.

I've seen some of the great designs here on the DISign board and am hoping to do a homemade passport book for the three kids. I think they will love it. I want to read up a bit more about it as I thought I was going to do it last time and ended up not knowing enough about it.

I still don't quite understand the Kim Possible adventure either, but will read up on that as well. I'm sure there's lots of great info on both of them here on the boards!

 

[cgerdon02]

Definitely going to do research on both the passports and Kim Possible thing Thanks for all the advice!

 

[cgerdon02]

Well I did it! I got up at 5:45 yesterday (Easter morning) and made my ADRs! My strategy was to start out with the most popular. Many disers had warned me that F! would probably be sold out so I started with it. Many people had been claiming that it wasn't working online but I still had to try. They were right. I tried every tip I had found to no avail. So after wasting all my precious time on this, I moved on and got all of my ressies I wanted and called to see about F! I got a super nice CM that insisted on celebrating DS b-day at every meal that week and noted each ADR to do so. And I got F! At Mama Melrose's! It's at 3:45 which isn't ideal, but I'm just excited I got it!

So here's the official line up:
Day 1 MK then off to Chef Mickey's
Day 2 AK then off to 1900 Park Fare
Day 3 HS Mama Melrose's
Day 4 EP Via Napoli OR Le Cellier I got both and not sure what to use.
Day 5 EP Dinner at Akershus
Day 6 MK Lunch at Crystal Palace
Day 7 MK Breakfast at Ohana before

I am so relieved to have everything I wanted! Next on my to do list is buy plane tickets before prices go up!

 

[DrMomof3]

Great ADRs!!!!
We're eating at Le Cellier for the 1st time this August so I can't comment on that. We have eaten at Via Napoli twice and really enjoy it.
My kids LOVE the Kim Possible missions (my older two, at least). One warning is that my kids tend to fight over who gets to hold the Kimmunicator. We might consider doing 2 different missions (simultaneously) to minimize the fighting...
We've never done the passports.

Amanda

 

[2princesses2princes]

Joining your ptr, and I am hooked. Your plans sound fantastic, and i cannot believe you've never been to Epcot. I love it there, never thought I would, but I do, it's just so different than all the rest. My kids loved it there too, I do recommend doing the Kim Possible mission with them, it is fun. For cs restaurants our favorite in Future World is Sunshine Seasons, great selections. And in World Showcase, there are so many it's hard to pick one.

We loved Akershus Storybook dinner, even my kids had a ball. Chef Mickey's is also a ton of fun and is our first night tradition each time we go.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Congrats on getting everything you wanted!!!

 

[cgerdon02]

Joining your ptr, and I am hooked. Your plans sound fantastic, and i cannot believe you've never been to Epcot. I love it there, never thought I would, but I do, it's just so different than all the rest. My kids loved it there too, I do recommend doing the Kim Possible mission with them, it is fun. For cs restaurants our favorite in Future World is Sunshine Seasons, great selections. And in World Showcase, there are so many it's hard to pick one.

We loved Akershus Storybook dinner, even my kids had a ball. Chef Mickey's is also a ton of fun and is our first night tradition each time we go.

You know I think I will love Epcot, I just didn't think my kiddo would, but I'm being convinced otherwise I can't wait until Akershus! My girls are going to freak when they see all the princesses! And I think Chef Mickeys on Day 1 will end up being our tradition as well!

 

[cgerdon02]

Okay guys, we have had thunderstorms and tornados for over a week now, and it's supposed to last for four more days! Thankfully I don't live by water because it's flooding everywhere! On a positive note, it's only Monday and this week I have already made my ADRs and booked my plane tickets!

We are flying out on a Friday morning at 7:50 and three hours later we will be in sunny Florida Our return flight (that I don't even want to think about) will be at 4:50pm so it gives us the morning to do one last park.

This just makes the Vacay so real for me because it's the first non refundable thing I've done. No turning back now

Bonus: I booked my flight with my Disney Visa so I'm racking up the Disney Dollars! (I just have to make sure I pay it off this month)

 

[MARsMama]

Congrats on getting your ADRs!! It's exciting isn't it?! Looks like we're eating at some of the same places We're trying Le Cellier for the first time and have not eaten at Via Napoli so I have no input for you

We have also finally got our flights booked....makes it more real!

 

[cgerdon02]

Congrats on getting your ADRs!! It's exciting isn't it?! Looks like we're eating at some of the same places We're trying Le Cellier for the first time and have not eaten at Via Napoli so I have no input for you

We have also finally got our flights booked....makes it more real!

I feel so much better now that I got our flights booked. There aren't too many non stop flights or flights where you don't have to switch planes so I'm just relieved we have a two to three hour flight instead of five to six! I also think with gas prices going up, the cost for flying will too.

 

[Kari-B]

Glad you got the ADRs you wanted! I am also planning on going to Chef Mickeys on arrival day. Think it will be a super fun way to start our vacation.

 

[DrMomof3]

The trip always feels more real to me when I've booked airfare!

Amanda

 

[MARsMama]

I feel so much better now that I got our flights booked. There aren't too many non stop flights or flights where you don't have to switch planes so I'm just relieved we have a two to three hour flight instead of five to six! I also think with gas prices going up, the cost for flying will too.

It is great to have the flights booked, although we didn't get direct from here. Our flights will be 5-6hrs, but still much better than the 3-4day drive!