SURPRISE! (I Hope He Didn't Want to go to Chattanooga)-Dec. 2012 PTR-MEGA UPDATEx3

[CDolacki2003]

Day 2: Let the Memories Begin!


So we left off with our arrival to the magic and our evening at DTD! We will waste no time diving right into our vacation. We'll get up and head to MK to catch the monorail to Poly for this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78773468@N02/7951248028/

Breakfast at Ohana!
(Okay, so I couldn't find any good photos on the internet with characters in them that didn't have random children in them, and I wouldn't want my kid to end up in some random trip report, so you get a picture of Eli and Stitch!) As this trip is a surprise, he won't know about anything, so we'll keep the characters of this breakfast a surprise until he sees them. He's become obsessed with Lilo and Stitch this past year. We went to the Disney Store on Tuesday and he chose a bit Stitch as his present.....

Anywho, we'll dine and character-ize there and pop over on the monorail to a fun day at Magic Kingdom. Now, apparently there will be parade taping that day, so I hope our arrival shortly after rope drop avoids the chaos of that. If I remember right, once you get past the madness of that, the rest of the park is pretty quiet, and we care nothing about being on TV, so....

I have to digress for a second. I'm sure you've all heard me talk about how un-planned our 2009 trip with my in-laws was. It was still great, but very ...disorganized. We arrived at 11:30am to MK on parade taping day...with the Jonas Brothers performing....talk about CHAOS. I don't know if it was fate or the grace of god, but we were able to get a walk up lunch reservation at Tony's and my MIL being herself, asked for a window seat, and we got it. We watched a bunch of the taping from there. It was crazy! We did depart MK and went to EPCOT after that, however

I will probably cry the first time I see the castle again. I always do. It's just so magical!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78773468@N02/7951260722/

Anyway, back to present day....We will be hitting up our favorites, and some newbies at MK this day. I really want to try to do the MK rides I haven't done this trip... COP, Astro Orbiter, Hall of President's, Tom Sawyer's Island, New Fantasyland, Tiki Room.. WOW, there's a lot we HAVEN'T done! I'm sure there will be old favorites like Pirates, Splash, BTMRR, Haunted Mansion, PPF, Tea Cups, Monsters Inc, etc.

If we are hungry after our big breakfast, I have Pecos Bills down as our preferred CS lunch spot. Has anyone eaten there before? Thoughts? Other recommendations? We really loved Casey's and CHH last time, so I'm sure there are no shortage of options.

We will return to POR late afternoon for some down time, swimming, Stacey-watching, all that fun Disney stuff. We will then head back to MK for the ride over to Poly (AGAIN--I KNOW!) for dinner at 'Ohana. I know what you're thinking? Twice? In one day???? We're crazy... but in our defense, breakfast and dinner are totally different.. and eating here was a must for DH. (We will have our final dinner here, too...don't judge). I really love the meal here.. it's a meat-fest. And who can resist that ooey-gooey bread pudding...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78773468@N02/7951248302/

Our original plans were to have CRT this morning, but I couldn't justify the $137 cost for breakfast for three people who aren't princess obsessed.

So, after our filling dinner, we'll roll out of there and depending on how full we are... we'll head to EPCOT for EMH. Eli is obsessed with Spaceship Earth, so I'm sure I'll watch that man paint the ceiling and thank the Phoenicians multiple times that night...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/78773468@N02/7951248406/

That should conclude Day 2!

As always, thoughts and opinions are always welcome!

We did Peco's Bills our last trip and thought it was good. The burger topping bar was my hubbies favorite part since he could load up on his own.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[sunnysideup3]

MINI UPDATE: PAID IN FULL!!!


Those have to be the best three words in the Disney language (at least in pre-planning). I hit the button yesterday and there's no turning back. We're in for the ride now. It feels so good to go back to that Disney page and see a zero balance. To know our flights and trip are paid in full! RELIEF!!


59 days!!!!


Coming Soon: Day 3​

 

[Caretames1]

Nothing better than paid off!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[marDgreen88]

Congrats!!!

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

I just found your PTR! Excellent fun!

 

[sunnysideup3]

Nothing better than paid off!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thanks! It's a great feeling!!!!

Congrats!!!

Thanks!

I just found your PTR! Excellent fun!

Thank you!

 

[sunnysideup3]

Day 3: Around the World, Around the World..​

Off we go on our Day 3 adventures. So far, we've visited the Magic Kingdom. Day 3 will take us to EPCOT. We love this park (we love all of them, let's be real! ). One of Eli's favorite rides is the "Space Ride". No, it's not Mission: SPACE like you're imagining, but Spaceship Earth.

(Sidebar about Mission: SPACE. On our 2009 trip we were wandering around Future World trying to find something to do when we stumbled up this ride with no line...awesome score, right?? We went Orange side (whatever the more intense one is) and I don't think I felt right for 2 days.... just nauseous and off balance. So, I might have unfairly written this ride off forever. Only time will tell....)

We will grab breakfast at the POR Food Court (the Mickey Waffles are big hit with this family ) and head out to EPCOT.

I'm sure we'll do the standard go for Soarin FP and ride right away, even though Nate swears he'll only do it once this trip since he didn't like the sensation of flying. We'll do things on that side of the park, definitely Nemo. I enjoy that whole area. The aquariums are well done and there's a lot to explore in The Seas section. This is one of my favorite pictures from 2009.



He looks so tiny here!!!

I do want to check out Figment (our first time!!) and the EPCOT Character Spot, too.

Regardless, we'll make our way around Future World into World Showcase for lunch. . .

Where is our 1:00pm ADR????


Picture borrowed from disneyworld.com





YUM. Le Cellier. YUM.

Now, I've known what I want to eat here for the past 2 years. The Wild Mushroom Filet Mignon. But now, after seeing several Yummy Dining Reviews, I'm debating switching out the Risotto for the Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes. As much as I love Risotto, I am a potatoes girl. (These are such First World problems, huh? ) Anyone have feedback on this?

We will hang around for a little bit after lunch, definitely walk off the lunch and then head back to POR to relax/swim/etc.

Later that night, we'll take the boats to DTD and do something we'd wanted to do in 2011, but just didn't have the time or energy:

Picture borrowed from yelp.com:



T-Rex! We'll be joined by our friends the J's for this reservation! We all think the boys will love the Dino-environment and I've heard great things about the T-Rexadillas (from Princess_Jess508's TR). It will be a great night for all of us to recap our trip so far. I'm really looking forward to having another family around but not HAVING to spend time with them like we would if we were on the trip together.

MK is open until 10pm, so if we really feel like hauling butt all the way over there, we'll take a Contemporary bus and walk or monorail it over. I'm guessing we'll go back and relax for our next full day. I'd contemplated doing the Wishes! Dessert Party this night (only because I'm having a hard time fitting it in anywhere else. The date I wanted is blacked out for some reason). Nate and I both agreed that would be way too much food, though. So, hopefully it ends up working out!

Thanks for reading, we've reached the end of Day 3! ​

 

[marDgreen88]

Sounds like such a great day! I would definitely suggest getting the potatoes at Le Cellier if you're a potatoes girl! I'm one myself, and I really enjoyed those.

T-Rex is SO MUCH FUN! Yall will have a blast there!

Ugh, see that's what I'm worried about if I ever do Mission: Space. I really want to, because it's a Disney attraction... but I get SO motion sick. Although not on roller coasters? Who knows really. Whatever. Anyways, I don't blame you for not doing that one again!

 

[mnmrmustard]

Congrats on getting everything paid in full

Funny about your experience with Mission: Space. I rode it twice in a row with the kids – I was okay after the first “trip” but after getting off the second time I couldn’t even walk straight. Don’t know if I’ll ride it again or not. I think we’re taking similar routes through Futureworld. Nice job catching the lunch reses at Le Cellier! And following that with T-Rex for dinner? Very cool

The trip is coming up FAST!!!!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Hi! Joining in late. I will be going Dec 1st-8th leaving from Minnepolis. I started following you on Twitter. I plan to do a lot of tweeting on this trip. If you want to follow me I am JameJame81.

 

[sunnysideup3]

Sounds like such a great day! I would definitely suggest getting the potatoes at Le Cellier if you're a potatoes girl! I'm one myself, and I really enjoyed those.

T-Rex is SO MUCH FUN! Yall will have a blast there!

Ugh, see that's what I'm worried about if I ever do Mission: Space. I really want to, because it's a Disney attraction... but I get SO motion sick. Although not on roller coasters? Who knows really. Whatever. Anyways, I don't blame you for not doing that one again!

Okay, I think I'm in with the potatoes. Nate has a mushroom allergy, so he'll probably avoid this dish altogether, I'm guessing he'll go NY Strip anyway.

I usually never get motion sick, but since I had Eli, it's been crazy. He wanted to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl at the fair 2x in a row and I about checked in to the hospital, I couldn't walk/eat/etc for a day. I love my kid, but he's messed with my super-rider ability and my hair texture.

Can't wait for T-Rex!​

Congrats on getting everything paid in full

Funny about your experience with Mission: Space. I rode it twice in a row with the kids – I was okay after the first “trip” but after getting off the second time I couldn’t even walk straight. Don’t know if I’ll ride it again or not. I think we’re taking similar routes through Futureworld. Nice job catching the lunch reses at Le Cellier! And following that with T-Rex for dinner? Very cool

The trip is coming up FAST!!!!

I was so happy to see you over on the December 2012 thread! I don't get to hang out there as much as I'd like, but it's a great one-stop resource. They've done a great job building a community there and have bled into Facebook as well...

I love Future World. As much as it isn't a marquee ride, I could do Spaceship Earth over and over again, if just to hear "Remember how easy it was to learn your ABC's? Thank a Phoenician!" ​

Hi! Joining in late. I will be going Dec 1st-8th leaving from Minnepolis. I started following you on Twitter. I plan to do a lot of tweeting on this trip. If you want to follow me I am JameJame81.

Thanks for coming over. Glad to see a fellow Midwesterner on here Thanks for the Twitter follow. I get myself pumped up for Disney over there and try out my dry...dry..wit I followed back, so we will have to Tweet our vacation while we're there at the same time! ​

 

[sunnysideup3]

DAMN YOU, DISNEY!!!


They just sent me a really nice PIN for next year, I could book with a discount through September. I think a short late-August trip next year could a ton of fun!! It's convincing DH that it's a good idea to spend $$ again on Disney so soon.... I want one more trip as a family of 3!

I have until 2/16/13 to decide....or sway....​

 

[marDgreen88]

I say...


GO FOR IT!!!!


Edited to say: Family of three... did I miss something? Are you soon to potentially become a family of four?

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

DAMN YOU, DISNEY!!!


They just sent me a really nice PIN for next year, I could book with a discount through September. I think a short late-August trip next year could a ton of fun!! It's convincing DH that it's a good idea to spend $$ again on Disney so soon.... I want one more trip as a family of 3!

I have until 2/16/13 to decide....or sway....​

Lucky! I never get a pin, I am not sure how they decide on who to send those too. I suppose you could pick a week or a long weekend and just book it. You would only have to put down a depost and could cancel if DH decides it's a no go.

 

[sunnysideup3]

I say...


GO FOR IT!!!!


Edited to say: Family of three... did I miss something? Are you soon to potentially become a family of four?

Nate and I talked about it more when I came home...he's warming to the idea....he said we have time to think about it...so there's hope!

We're going to start trying after Disney this year, because if we keep putting off having #2 to go to Disney (which is what keeps happening), we will never have another and I'm not getting any younger. So, that's the "plan"...

 

[mnmrmustard]

I was so happy to see you over on the December 2012 thread! I don't get to hang out there as much as I'd like, but it's a great one-stop resource. They've done a great job building a community there and have bled into Facebook as well...

I love Future World. As much as it isn't a marquee ride, I could do Spaceship Earth over and over again, if just to hear "Remember how easy it was to learn your ABC's? Thank a Phoenician!"
​

Happy to join the fun on the December 2012 thread, I'm heading there after yours! I'll have to check out the Facebook side of it, hadn't made it there yet.

I love both Future World and World Showcase, there is just so many things to do and see there. DW and I rode Spaceship Earth for the first time last year, what a cool trip through history

Interesting that you and Nate are being pulled between Disney and having another wee one. I think you're going the right way to go for #2 - Disney will be waiting for you all when you're ready to go back!

 

[sunnysideup3]

Happy to join the fun on the December 2012 thread, I'm heading there after yours! I'll have to check out the Facebook side of it, hadn't made it there yet.

I love both Future World and World Showcase, there is just so many things to do and see there. DW and I rode Spaceship Earth for the first time last year, what a cool trip through history

Interesting that you and Nate are being pulled between Disney and having another wee one. I think you're going the right way to go for #2 - Disney will be waiting for you all when you're ready to go back!

I think I worded my baby/Disney reply poorly. When we went on 2009 we were on a break from thinking about having another one, and 2011 we'd pretty much decided Eli would be our only. Then this year we started to change our mind, but I said, "Let's wait until after Disney so I feel okay and can do everything with you guy" (I got really sick when pregnant with Eli). So now that it will be after Disney we kinda chuckled if Disney was going to be an excuse again (it wasn't...) If we would go 2x in a calendar year, I would be totally okay with being pregnant. That's a big IF. I don't know if I want to take on the financial burden of a Disney trip less than a year out. I need to win the lotto...

 

[sunnysideup3]

Day 4: Making it Magic-al Again!

If you couldn't tell by my bad title (It's 11pm here and I'm trying to do this while watching Homeland), on Day 4 (December 2nd) we will be heading back to Magic Kindgom!




It's our favorite park and with the Fantasyland Expansion, there will be plenty to see and do. I'm not worried about being bored. . . We're at DISNEY!

We will start the morning off right... by getting into MK before it opens! I loved doing this last year. The empty main street was awesome to see and take a couple pictures in front of.



Where will we be heading???

Crystal Palace!!! ​

One of our favorites from the last trip. We had great service (one of the best birthday experiences for Eli and my Dad, complete with cupcakes and signed cards from Pooh and Friends and our server) wonderful character interaction, and great food. I loved the potatoes and Pooh's Puffed French Toast. This is one of the places we're most looking forward to going back to.

After filling our bellies, we will head out. The park will have opened while we were eating, but we did the same last year and walked into an empty Adventureland (and subsequently, Frontierland). It was great! We'll make a stop here for sure:




I also have to add that we're the weird ones that go left instead of right. I think for our MK day later in the week we'll be lemmings and either go straight to Fantastyland or go Tomorrowland.... OOOHHH, daredevils!!

We'll keep doing what we love in MK... our favorites, the new stuff. I really want to go on Little Mermaid (I saw the video and kinda spoilered myself!) and check out Gaston's and Village Gifts. We'll do Dumbo for the first time, and I'll take a solo spin on It's a Small World with Eli (Nate refuses.....now.)

If and when we're hungry, we'll check out a CS place or snack around. Casey's Corner was a hit with us last year. We'll see. CP really fills you up.

We will head back for swim/laundry and rest time and then.....a big question mark.

So, as of now, we have a "free night". Nate would really like to see Fantasmic! and DHS has EMH until 11pm. I had a reservation at Brown Derby, but it was 5:45 and Fantasmic is scheduled for 6:30pm, so that wasn't going to work and I didn't want to use 2 credits or pay OOP for BD. So we cancelled. That leaves an open night for dinner, maybe Pizza Planet?? We'll probably go to DHS to see Fantasmic! and see the Osbourne Lights...



I think that will wrap-up Day 4. A full day from start to finish, as always!!


​

 

[Caretames1]

Sounds like good planning! I seen a schedule floating around with soft opening dates and certain special event private previews for certain groups.

I'm hoping to catch a soft opening on 11/6 or 11/9 as those days show a possible public preview.

 

[mnmrmustard]

I think I worded my baby/Disney reply poorly. When we went on 2009 we were on a break from thinking about having another one, and 2011 we'd pretty much decided Eli would be our only. Then this year we started to change our mind, but I said, "Let's wait until after Disney so I feel okay and can do everything with you guy" (I got really sick when pregnant with Eli). So now that it will be after Disney we kinda chuckled if Disney was going to be an excuse again (it wasn't...) If we would go 2x in a calendar year, I would be totally okay with being pregnant. That's a big IF. I don't know if I want to take on the financial burden of a Disney trip less than a year out. I need to win the lotto...

Ohhhh, gotcha! Well I understand (as much as a husband can) about the tough pregnancies go. DW lost 30lbs during both pregnancies with the DDs. The only thing she could hold down was saltines Lets hear it for winning the lotto and going to Disney every year!!!

Day 4 looks cool, We're starting our MK day with CP too - gotta love characters and early MK entry