*~* FREE DINING and in search of Mickey shaped food! PTR *~*

[DLB]

Hey All,


DIS has helped me plan so many trips for not only myself, but my friends and family as well. Within my "circle" I am considered the resident disney information source!! Nothing makes me happier than planning a trip to disney!! If I could talk disney all day (without people thinking I have a screw loose) I would be a happy girl.

I have decided to start my very first PTR since we have 198 days until our trip I figure this will help with my disney obsession! I have always wanted to do a TR but never got around too it. I hope you all enjoy hearing "our story"

Currently we are planning a trip to the world from Sept 29th - October 8th. We will be staying at POFQ for 10 days!! This is our longest trip so far so we are all very excited!!! This will be my 6th trip to disney, my husband and Emmas 5th trip and Zacharys 4th trip! We are very fortunate to have been able to go this often and hopefully the trail of pixie dust continues for us!! Two of our previous trips were offsite at our timeshare and we were able to bring a lot of family members with us. This trip will be just the four of us!!

~Our cast of characters~

Me - Danielle, I am 35 years old and I own a salon in the town I work in while I also work part time as a Real Estate Agent. I met my husband 12 years ago while working at an insurance company while I was taking a few years off from Hairdressing. Once we had our first child I left the corporate world to go back to my true passion, HAIR! I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, camping and of course planning disney trips!!

My husband - Jay, He is 34 years old and works in the Technology department for an Insurance Company. He is very sports orientated and loves to watch and play all sports!! Jay is an avid Red sox and Patriot fan. He more than appreciates and encourages my obsessive disney planning.

MY DD - Emma is 9 years old and is our drama filled, princess. She loves dance, music, books and writing. She is often found twirling through the house and rarely has her feet on the floor. We believe her future career will have something to do with the arts. Emma was a born performer!! Her first trip to disney was when she was almost two and she still has memories of the trip!

My DS - Zachary is 6 years old. He has been full of energy since the day he was born. He is oozing with happiness and is usually never found in a bad mood. He loves acro and is always flipping and flopping, as we call it. Zach loves sports as well and has a loving happy personality. He is our family comedian. Zach has two possible futures - He could go on to perform in someway or he has strong potential in politics!!

As a family we enjoy going to the beach, theme parks, sporting events, we go camping frequently and of course DISNEY!
I hope I have given you all a clear picture of our family. Now... onto how the trip became a reality!!!

​

LINKS TO CHAPTERS: (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

• A little background and telling the kids
• ADR First Draft opinions welcome
• Dining plan revised
• Best news ever
• MICKEY MAIL
• Getting creative
• MICKEY Tye dye shirts
• 10 days
• 3, yes only 3 sleeps to go
• final preparations!
  

 

[portocall]

I look forward to reading your trip planning as we plan our November trip to POR. I love the DIS as it reminds me I am not the only Disney nut out there.

You have a beautiful family.

 

[DLB]

I look forward to reading your trip planning as we plan our November trip to POR. I love the DIS as it reminds me I am not the only Disney nut out there.

You have a beautiful family.

Glad you are joining. I am going to add how we told the kids next... Dis is great for comfort when you feel like you are the only Disney fanatic!!!

 

[DLB]

*FLASHBACK to 2011*
We surprized the kids last year for Christmas and booked it in November snagging Free Dining for the first week of Februauy. It would be the first time staying on property for us since we have always used our timshare. About a week before Xmas I hurt my knee and was in a thigh to ankle knee brace and on crutches. SO? I had to rent an ECV for the trip. Thats ok - I was in the happiest place on earth and it didn't stop me!!!

The other hurdle we had to over come was the snowstorm of the year was heading our way threatening to stop us from flying out the day we were supposed to leave, SO a day on the phone with Disney and the airline --- and off we went a DAY EARLY!!! We were the last plane to take off and then they shut down the airport!! PHEW!!!

......I can't complain because we were lucky enough to be able to go to Disney, BUT I felt as though I didn't get the full enjoyment of the parks while being on the ECV. I was very thankful for how easy it was to get around on that scooter. I mastered getting on the buses and it was actually easier than I thought.

I believe strongly that I deserve a redo vacation since I was out of commission for most of the trip!!

*END FLASHBACK*

One day as I was browsing and scouring the DIS boards - I saw the most amazing posts! Free Dining was rumored to happen starting March 1st, but only for Disney VISA holders, however I do not have this magic credit card..

so... What is a girl to do you ask?

1. Appy for credit card - CHECK
2. Beg DH and hope he says yes - CHECK
3. Call Disney and book - CHECK

By noon on Mar 1st we were booked for POFQ for 10 days with the Deluxe Dining plan!!

Now I just have to keep a secret from the kids until I come up with a fun idea to tell them. In the past we have done a scavenger hunt and gave a trip for Christmas, so I couldn't just tell them. I had to do something special.

If you ask my kids where they would like to go out to eat their answer 90% off the time will be..... CHEF MICKEY that was something I could go with... So I hopped over to the DISign Boards and found a letter from Mickey announcing the trip. Once I personalized the letter the plan began to unfold. We decided to give them breakfast in bed with Mickey shaped pancakes. Then I thought about syrup and their beds..... .... that wasn't going to fly. I was talking to my sister and she suggested I turn our kitchen into CHEF MICKEY!! GREAT IDEA!!

DH started making the pancakes while I started setting the table and blowing up the Disney themed balloons I foung at Walmart!
They walked in the room and were greeted with our version of CHEF MICKEY

Plush Mickey presented them with this letter telling them all about their upcoming trip!

The kids were so excited! Zach fell on the floor in excitement and Emma read the letter with such joy and amazement!! = priceless!!!

​

.......Next up the ADR planning begins!!! 10 days of Deluxe Dining? Are there enough TS places to eat at? New ones? our usual places? It is going to be a fun six months of planning!!!! ​

 

[DLB]

We are still in the planning stages here - but time is ticking and our ADR date is April 2nd!! I will let you all know the pre-plan and then show you what I actually end up with.
I am thinking I will write that post tomorrow since it is already late enough.

 

[earthfaries]

I am so excited for you and your family and your future WDW trip . I remember the days of counting down for the trip and all the planning ~ it was so fun!

I love the way you surprised the kids, that was awesome and I can just imagine how happy they were!

I am looking forward to reading along as you plan and wait for your next trip. I don't get to do that anymore (because we live here now) but I can experience it once again through your pre trip report.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[DLB]

Welcome!!! I am so envious that you live near Disney!! We have been wanting to do that for a few years, but it just hasn't worked out for us. Maybe some day!!

 

[katiekoester]

Joining in! We are headed to POFQ in Dec so your trip will be a great forecast of things to come for us Can't wait to see your plans

 

[DLB]

Joining in! We are headed to POFQ in Dec so your trip will be a great forecast of things to come for us Can't wait to see your plans

Thank you for joining!!! We love POFQ and can't wait to stay there again.

 

[DLB]

Here is my plan as of now. It has changed frequently already and I need some holes filled - Plus I am sure I will still make adjustments as my ADR date of April 2nd approaches. My DD 9 has taken an interest in helping me plan and it is very exciting to have her input this time. I appreciate any input and/or suggestions anyone has.

We tend to do some later Breakfasts (we are not morning people) and skip lunch or just grab something quick. Someday I would like to make it for Rope Drop but if that happens it will be a fluke and never planned. We also like to do a lot of character dining so we don't have to hunt them down in the parks. . . . . .

Arrival Day - We fly in at about 10:20, so we are hoping for an early check in... The (*) indicates a new choice for us.​

09/29/2012 EPCOT​

L - CS either at POFQ or EPCOT (prob resort until our room is ready)
D - Le Cellier (we loved it here and can't wait to go back!)

09/30/2012 MK
B - Chef Mickey (DH and I aren't fond of the food but as you can see my kids are)
L - CS??
D - *1900 Park Fare (MNSSHP which we are not going too this night and no wishes)

10/01/2012 - DHS
B - *Cape May (take boat to DHS)
L - Skip?
D -* Brown Derby F! Package

10/02/2012 - AK
B - Tusker House
L - Skip and just have snacks
D - *California Grill - (Hopefully see wishes)

10/03/2012 - EPCOT
B - Ohana (monorail to EPCOT)
L - *San Angel Inn or *Teppan Edo?
D - *Garden Grille

10/04/2012 - DHS
B - Hollywood and Vine (for the kids not the food )
L - 50's PT - (we have been here for dinner never lunch)
D - Sci-Fi Diner - (kids really enjoy the cars)

10/05/2012 - MK
B - 1900 Park Fare (our favorite buffet and a must do for DH)
L - OPEN - Maybe LTT?
D - HOPING and praying for Be our guest!!!

10/06/2012 - OFF no parks (roam around)
B -
L -
D - Ohana or Luau? (Depending on how many credits we have to spare)

10/07/2012 - OFF no parks -
B -
L - T-Rex?
D -

10/08/2012 - AK - FLY HOME
B - CS at resort
L - Yak and Yeti or back to Tusker House??

Leave to go back home at about 3 to catch ME back to the airport.​

--- So as you can see I need some sugestions for our OFF days. I don't really know what we will be "in the mood for". We are going park commando for the first week because the weekends are saying an 8 and 10 park level. I just don't know if I want to have two off days 1. in a row and 2. so close to the end of vaca.

Opinions please!!!​

 

[creativeamanda]

Thanks first for joining my PTR for dining, and I'm joining in for your tr. First of all, your dh and mine would get along fine--Dan loves the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots more than anything!

I'm making notes in your dining plans in red.

Arrival Day - We fly in at about 10:20, so we are hoping for an early check in... The (*) indicates a new choice for us.​

09/29/2012 EPCOT​

L - CS either at POFQ or EPCOT (prob resort until our room is ready)
D - Le Cellier (we loved it here and can't wait to go back!) This is a great meal. We've done it a couple of times and enjoyed it both times.

09/30/2012 MK
B - Chef Mickey (DH and I aren't fond of the food but as you can see my kids are) This is a kids' meal definitely. I have only done dinner here.
L - CS??
D - *1900 Park Fare (MNSSHP which we are not going too this night and no wishes) 1900 Park Fare is okay, but I felt rushed through the meal and I think because my kids were older, they weren't given the same attention from the characters. It's an I've done it, no need to go back thing.

10/01/2012 - DHS
B - *Cape May (take boat to DHS) I've done this one for dinner and love it. Last summer when we went down at around breakfast time, it smelled delicious!
L - Skip?
D -* Brown Derby F! Package I think the only time I'd soak up 2 TS credits is for the F! package.

10/02/2012 - AK
B - Tusker House I've read good things about this one.
L - Skip and just have snacks
D - *California Grill - (Hopefully see wishes) Great choice--I have never done this one, but I think it is a must try.

10/03/2012 - EPCOT
B - Ohana (monorail to EPCOT) I love this breakfast--so much fun!
L - *San Angel Inn or *Teppan Edo? I think on this day instead of doing three meals, I'd do a meal at one of the Epcot resorts. My favorite 2 TS meal there is Flying Fish. Very low key, very calming.
D - *Garden Grille

10/04/2012 - DHS
B - Hollywood and Vine (for the kids not the food ) Definitely not for the food. Blech.
L - 50's PT - (we have been here for dinner never lunch)
D - Sci-Fi Diner - (kids really enjoy the cars) Again, I would do a signature here and skip on the lunch.

10/05/2012 - MK
B - 1900 Park Fare (our favorite buffet and a must do for DH) Great choice. Haven't done it for breakfast, but we are rope droppers, and it never fits in with touring plans.
L - OPEN - Maybe LTT?
D - HOPING and praying for Be our guest!!! Hoping you get that one.

10/06/2012 - OFF no parks (roam around)
B -
L -
D - Ohana or Luau? (Depending on how many credits we have to spare) I think I'd do Ohana and possibly add in a late breakfast here. Boma is a great choice for breakfast and the kids would probably love the resort.

10/07/2012 - OFF no parks -
B -
L - T-Rex?
D - DH did not like T-Rex. I might would do something like Boatwrights for dinner since you are in the Port Orleans area. The place gets very few reviews. Or I would spend the evening at the Ft. Wilderness area and do Trails End.

10/08/2012 - AK - FLY HOME
B - CS at resort
L - Yak and Yeti or back to Tusker House?? We had this same discussion and decided on Yak and Yeti.

Leave to go back home at about 3 to catch ME back to the airport.​

--- So as you can see I need some sugestions for our OFF days. I don't really know what we will be "in the mood for". We are going park commando for the first week because the weekends are saying an 8 and 10 park level. I just don't know if I want to have two off days 1. in a row and 2. so close to the end of vaca.

Opinions please!!!​

 

[PixieMama]

Hi, Danielle! Joining in!

My DH and I are going in October and I'm also thinking about where to make our ADRs!

We've never been to Le Cellier, and I'm thinking of having lunch here.

We also like to have a late breakfast and then skip lunch! But one of these days, I'm going to make an early ADR so we can get into a park before it opens to the public...it's on my "Disney Bucket List"!

 

[DLB]

creativeamanda - thank you so much for all your suggestions. I do think I should add more signatures rather than lunches, but DH thinks otherwise. He is afraid we will be hungry I say NOT A CHANCE!!!

For 50's and Sci-Fi that one is a compromise. He wasn't a fan of 50's and I loved it. Sci-FI was just ok for me, and he enjoyed it ----- So we thought we could do one for lunch and the other for dinner?

I will check out the menu for flying fish. Is it kid friendly?


Pixiemama - WELCOME!!! Rope drop is on my to do list too, I just can't plan it. I think it would have to be one of those's "were up early and cant wait - lets go!" OR I could plan it and just HAVE to do it kinda thing. Trouble is we are usually at the parks until close?? Hmmm
-I would def try Le Cellier if you get the chance. DH and I loved the food there. The waitstaff was so knowledgeable about Canada and shared a ton of information about their country. It was a great experience.

 

[creativeamanda]

Flying Fish is really kid friendly. It has a whimsical interior, an open kitchen area, and some great ideas for kids' food.

Here are some pictures from my meal there in 2009.

Signage:

I was seated at the chef's counter:

Decor:

It's all so "Small World-ish". The kids that were there that night were well cared for by the servers. There is one server there, who I think is still there. His name is Bob and he is absolutely wonderful. He was very friendly to the children at a table behind me.

I think it would be worth a try.

Oh, and my meal there:

App--Jonah Crab Cake--best one I have ever had:

Entre--Scallops with Risotto:

Dessert--Trio of Sorbets--light and refreshing:

 

[bookgirl]

We really enjoyed the Luau, I know there are a lot of reviews about the corny storyline but we really thought it was corney in a fun way. Plus we're from the midwest where there is tons of bbq and western themed shows so HDDR and Mickeys BBque were something we didn't want to do, however pacific asia fire dancer hulu type shows are totally new and different for us so we were entertained.

We did not have any kids in our party but there were tons of kids there and they seemed to enjoy it. There were kids dancing and interacting with the players.

The food was really good. I'm not fond of sweet breads or fried rice so I only had a bite, but my parents ate it and said it was good. The veggies and meat were great and the salad with dressing was absolutly scrumptious.

Probably the only disapointing things about this dinner was the wait in the sun to get in (but it's reserved seating so next time I will arrive a little later and not early) and the dessert was kind of a firm pudding thing with raspberry sauce. Mediocre and I'm not fond of really sweet or fruit sauce so I might be biased.

 

[andapanda]

Following along We're staying at POFQ in July with the Deluxe Dining Plan.

 

[DLB]

Following along We're staying at POFQ in July with the Deluxe Dining Plan.

Oh, I am going to check out your PTR!

creativeamanda - Thank you so much for the suggestion! I am going to show DH the menu and see what he thinks! We do love seafood, so it might be a good place for us.

bookgirl - we are really considering the Luau. I think it would be so much fun on our day OFF from the parks. Just not sure if we should do Ohana AND the luau, or pick one???

 

[DLB]

I have been playing with my ADR plan - Anyone else rely on Touring plans? It keeps changing!!! What do you do about the ADR and if you choose places in the parks?

Accept it? Change it? I am making myself nuts and I still have 6 long months of planning!!! :eek:

 

[PixieMama]

I haven't looked at Touring Plans, but EasyWDW has their October crowd calendar up... and it has me second guessing which park to visit on which days. And of course, this determines which ADRs to make! Sometimes I have to wonder why this has to be so difficult

 

[DLB]

I haven't looked at Touring Plans, but EasyWDW has their October crowd calendar up... and it has me second guessing which park to visit on which days. And of course, this determines which ADRs to make! Sometimes I have to wonder why this has to be so difficult

Hmm? Ok I am going to compare the two sites and see where I end up.
My current park plan is as follows:

09/29 arrival - EPCOT
09/30 - MK
10/01 - AK
10/02 - DHS
10/03 - OFF DAY
10/04 - EPCOT
10/05 - DHS
10/06 - AK
10/07 - MK
10/08 - OFF day - Fly home