Introducing WDW to my Fiancee's family - A January 2013 Pre-Trip Report

[redoschi]

Originally Posted by Disney Commando

I'm a little confused CS credit is , I know QS is Quick Serve and TS is Table Service

As for Le Cellier, I love the place don't get me wrong, I would never use 2 credits to go there, we are doing lunch next trip while it's still 1 credit, but once it goes to 2 most likely will never go again, the strip steak is 12ozs,at $40 something & the rib eye is 16ozs also at $40 something, If you are paying Out of pocket I would look at Shula's you can get a 32oz prime rib for like $46 that would be enough for 2, even though sides are ala cart they are big portions at about $10 each so if you got 2 sides with a prime rib your looking at roughly $65, add say a wedge salad (enough for 2) at $10, now your looking at $75, with sodas and without dessert, you would be at the same price as LeCellar if you got 2 steaks only with a lot more food, if your paying out of pocket it's something to consider

CS is counter service, same as Quick service.

Thanks for the suggestion of Shula's! I've only been inside the Swan/Dolphin once when we went to rent a car there a couple of trips back. Might be a nice idea for either one of our Epcot or Hollywood Studios nights.

[redoschi]

Ok, now that the resort reservations are complete and we have our QSDP for 11 nights I had to make some small adjustments to our meal plan. (Changes)

• January 20th

  • D - Miami International Airport

• January 21st

  • B - off-site
  • L - Orlando Premium Outlets
  • D - Outlets or off-site

• January 22nd

  • B - off-site
  • L - Voyager's Smokehouse @ SW
  • D - Sea World or off-site

• January 23rd

  • B - Citywalk
  • L - Thunder Falls Terrace @ IoA
  • D - Pastamore, Bubba Gump or another @ Citywalk

• January 24th

  • B - Citywalk
  • L - Some Universal CS
  • D - Amway Center

• January 25th

  • B - Mara @ AKL (CS1)
  • L - Gatorland
  • D - DTD CS, maybe Cookes of Dublin (CS2)

• January 26th

  • B - Ohana @ Polynesian
  • L - Sharks Underwater Grill @ SW
  • D - Wolfgang Puck Express @ DTD (CS3)

• January 27th

  • B - Landscape of Flavors @ AoA (CS4)
  • L - Busch Gardens
  • D - DTD CS, Pop or off-site (depends on the time we return from Tampa)

• January 28th

  • B - Boardwalk Bakery @ Boardwalk (CS5)
  • L - Sci-Fi Dine In @ HS
  • D - Pizza Planet, Toluca Legs or other CS @ HS (CS6)

• January 29th

  • B - Everything Pop @ Pop Century (CS7)
  • L - Mythos @ IoA
  • D - Cheesecake Factory @ Mall at Millenia

• January 30th

  • B - Landscape of Flavors @ AoA (CS8)
  • L - Sunshine Seasons @ Epcot (CS9)
  • D - Sommerfest @ Epcot (CS10)

• January 31st

  • B - Main Street Bakery @ MK (CS11)
  • L - Be Our Guest @ MK (CS12)
  • D - Casey's Corner @ MK (CS13)

• February 1st

  • B - Everything Pop @ Pop Century (CS14)
  • L - Flame Tree Barbecue @ AK (CS15)
  • D - T-Rex @ DTD

• February 2nd

  • B - Starring Rolls @ HS (CS16)
  • L - Beaches & Cream @ Beach Club
  • D - Katsura Grill or Tangierine Cafe @ Epcot (CS17)

• February 3rd

  • B - Contempo Cafe @ Contemporary (CS18)
  • L - Columbia Harbor House or Pecos Bill @ MK (CS19)
  • D - Be Our Guest @ MK

• February 4th

  • B - Pizzafari @ AK (CS20)
  • L - Anandapur Local Cafes @ AK (CS21)
  • D - Backlot Express @ HS (CS22)

• February 5th

  • B - Everything Pop @ Pop Century (CS23)
  • L - Le Cellier @ Epcot
  • D - Orlando International Airport

I've listed 1 above our quota of 22 CS/QS credits because I'm pretty sure than on many breakfasts we'll share platters that will save us some credits to use for that and on some unmarked meals like the dinner on January 26th after we return from Busch Gardens. That one will probably be either Everything Pop or Wolfgang Puck Express again back in DTD and would make use of some CS credits.

I'll manage our credits throughout the trip and if it seems that we'll have some leftovers I'm thinking of one or more of the following:
- dropping Be Our Guest dinner (we should have had lunch there already, so this is the least important ADR) for CS dinner at Pecos Bill or Columbia Harbour House (depending on which of those we have done for lunch).
- getting some items at places like the Boulangerie @ France pavillion in Epcot. Do you know if they still have the option of using 1 CS/QS for 3 Snack items (and where else can we get such an option! )?

I've thought between Shula's and Le Cellier, but Shula's is only open for dinner (I was thinking of ending our trip with a special meal!) and Le Cellier has a nice Le Cellier Experience with appetizer, entree and dessert for lunch. Those entrees might not be enough for me or DBIL but would surely fit well for DFi and DMIL and then they can share their appetizers (Cheddar Cheese Soup most likely) and desserts (Maple Creme Brulee! ) with us!
Has anyone tried that Experience?

Another change was between Ohana and Mara for 2 reasons:
- Now we're changing hotels on January 25th and would probably drop the bags at Pop before going to breakfast, so keeping a 7:30 ADR for Ohana could be too time restraining.
- I'm thinking of getting the Photopass+, mainly for the ride photos, but also for our only character meal, Ohana. And I can only activate it on certain places (parks, DTD and some hotels). We wouldn't have had the chance to activate it before the 25th as we wouldn't have stopped at any of those places.
With our first visit to DTD of this trip being on the night of the 25th, I'll have the chance to activate the Photopass+ just in time for Ohana!

[redoschi]

I've been also thinking about Snacks. I've copied the giant list from this thread and now I'm wondering how to use our combined 44 SCs so I've made a list of must dos and other ideas for snacks.

Must Dos that I've tried before
Dole Whips (4 SCs as I think everyone will want one to themselves! )
Plaza Ice Cream Sundae (2 SCs as 1 sundae is surely enough for 2 people!)
Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (2-4 SCs depending if we'll take it once or twice, also 1 is enough for 2 people)
simple Churros (4 SCs, probably in 2 separate occasions as 2 can share 1 for a quick snack)
Funnel Cakes (2 SCs)
French Crepes (4 SCs)

Must Dos that I haven't tried before
Churros con Cajeta (2 SCs)
Strawberry Shortcake Sundae (2 SCs)
Norwegian School Bread (2 SCs)
Napoleon or other Starring Rolls delicacies (4 SCs)
Sea Salt Caramel Hot Chocolate from Ghirardelli (2-4 SCs)
Paw Print Brownies and Zebra Domes @ Mara (4 SCs, 2 each probably)

Other snack ideas
Kaki Gori
Items from Karamel Kuche and Boulangerie
Kringla Sweet Pretzel
Mickey Pretzels
Goofy's Candy Co items
AK Bugs Sundae

Just those must dos are 34-38 SCs already (might have to drop some of those because we might want to distribute them throughout the days and therefore the parks and there might be too many from a single park like MK or Epcot).

Some we might also get as desserts or using CS credits like I mentioned on the previous post.

Any other must do snacks that you can suggest?

[Jonesloonybin]

Great plans! We will be there during the same time!

We are doing Universal 1/26-1/28
and then WDW 1/29-2/7

This is the first time we are going during January. We have only ever been in May.

We stayed at Pop both times and really loved it! I think you all will like it.

This time we are staying at POFQ. (took advantage of the s/p/d discount)

This trip is a surprise for our kids, so no ticker or ptr. Unless I can think of a way to do it that they won't notice.

Terri

[Jonesloonybin]

Also, last time we went we did Busch Gardens. You mentioned that you all like the tigers? Dh and our oldest dd did the tiger and Orangutan Keeper Experience. It is $199.95 but that cost is for all of you. Don't know if that is something that may interest you. They had a blast.

http://seaworldparks.com/buschgarden...per-Experience

[redoschi]

Originally Posted by Jonesloonybin

Also, last time we went we did Busch Gardens. You mentioned that you all like the tigers? Dh and our oldest dd did the tiger and Orangutan Keeper Experience. It is $199.95 but that cost is for all of you. Don't know if that is something that may interest you. They had a blast.

http://seaworldparks.com/buschgarden...per-Experience

Interesting idea! I've checked those experiences out, but when I saw the price I instantly dismissed them. Didn't notice it was a group price instead of per person. Therefore being 199 for all 4 of us it might be something to consider!

Do you know if Annual Pass holders have discounts on those? Because I'm getting an Annual Pass for myself and regular tickets for them as it will save on parking, food and merchandise. If it also gives a discount on this experience, then its even better!

[Jonesloonybin]

Originally Posted by redoschi

Interesting idea! I've checked those experiences out, but when I saw the price I instantly dismissed them. Didn't notice it was a group price instead of per person. Therefore being 199 for all 4 of us it might be something to consider!

Do you know if Annual Pass holders have discounts on those? Because I'm getting an Annual Pass for myself and regular tickets for them as it will save on parking, food and merchandise. If it also gives a discount on this experience, then its even better!

I don't know for sure but I imagine they would get a discount. We got our park tickets for free when we went to Discovery Cove.

DD9 and I did the safari tour (the one that you get to feed the giraffes) and we really enjoyed it. It was much less expensive than the tiger one. We could not do that with dd17 and dh because you have to be 10.

For the tiger one, they got to feed the tigers and stuff too.

[Jonesloonybin]

I have some photos from the tiger experience that I will post as soon as photobucket starts working again..it is giving me fits right now.

[Jonesloonybin]

Ok here are some pictures from the tiger thing.

Here is one of the Orangutans.


Here is them working on training with a tiger


Here DD is feeding one of the tigers


And this is some artwork done by one of the tigers, that they gave to dd to keep. (she has it hanging up in her room)


And this was just some of the behind the scenes things. Since it was up to DH to take the pictures, they didn't take as many as I would have. lol

[redoschi]

That looks great! I'll look more into this and show everyone here!


Thanks!

[redoschi]

It's been some time since I've completed detailing our daily schedules and there has been some changes since then, specially due to the resort changes.

We won't be checking in at Pop on Tuesday Jan 22nd so I'm thinking of taking all of us for more shopping at the Florida Mall after Sea World.

As I mentioned on a previous dining post I've changed Ohana to Jan 26th and brought our plans for Mara to Jan 25th as we won't activate our Photopass+ until our first DTD night on the 25th so wouldn't be able to use it for Ohana's pictures.

On the 26th we'll most likely go again to SeaWorld, but if the day is a bit hotter we might consider Typhoon Lagoon still.

From talking to people on the transportation boards I've changed quite a bit of our planning on the 28th. As I can't leave the car parked at the Boardwalk throughout the day and people have convinced me out of Boardwalk Bakery breakfast, I thought we could try the CS-credit buffet breakfast at Coronado Springs Pepper Market before going to Hollywood Studios for rope drop. After the HS closes at 9pm (EMH) we take our car to Boardwalk to walk a bit there and try Jellyrolls.
I'm still thinking on what to do with DBIL while the rest of us enjoy Jellyrolls!

As we have gotten our QSDP, some ADRs were cancelled like Teppan Edo, Be Our Guest (we'll still try it for lunch though) and Chef Mickey's that we weren't sure about.

The ones we'll surely hit are Ohana, Sci-Fi lunch and T-Rex dinner, with a Tusker House breakfast that I'm still holding in case they really enjoy Ohana and would like to try another character breakfast hosted by our favorite from the Fab 5: Donald!

A new ADR was Le Cellier for our last lunch. When I found out about the Le Cellier Experience which included Appetizer (Cheddar Cheese Soup!), Entree and Dessert for a nice price for lunch I thought we should do this after all on our last day at WDW to finish with a bang!

After reading some reviews (please reply with suggestions, specially if you think I should do differently or to agree with our choices!) I think we'll change from trying Contempo Cafe on Jan 3rd to eating at Captain Cook's as it is said that Contempo's choices won't be that much different from what we will get at Pop and AoA and the Tonga Toast is surely something to try @ Poly!

Updated schedule! (New stuff)

January
Sunday 20th - Flight from Brazil and Late arrival in Orlando.
Monday 21st - Orlando Premium Outlets (hopefully a sale!)
Tuesday 22nd - Sea World and Florida Mall
Wednesday 23rd - Islands of Adventure and Blue Man Group
Thursday 24th - Universal Studios and Orlando Magic game
Friday 25th - Check-in at Pop Century, Mara breakfast @ AKL, Gatorland, Bridal shops and Downtown Disney evening
Saturday 26th - Ohana breakfast, mix between Sea World, Typhoon Lagoon and/or bridal shops and Downtown Disney evening
Sunday 27th - Trip to Tampa, Busch Gardens, Trip back to Orlando
Monday 28th - Pepper Market breakfast @ CSR, Hollywood Studios with Sci-Fi lunch with EMH evening and later Boardwalk with Jellyrolls!
Tuesday 29th - Islands of Adventure / Universal Studios, Mall at Millenia, drop off the car at Disney Car Care
Wednesday 30th - Epcot
Thursday 31st - EMH Morning at Magic Kingdom with maybe Downtown Disney evening

February
Friday 1st - Animal Kingdom with maybe Tusker House breakfast, Downtown Disney evening with T-Rex Dinner
Saturday 2nd - EMH Morning at Hollywood Studios, Lunch at Beaches & Cream, Epcot for the rest of the day!
Sunday 3rd - Captain Cooks breakfast @ Poly, MK day with EMH evening
Monday 4th - EMH morning at Animal Kingdom and EMH evening at Hollywood Studios
Tuesday 5th - EMH morning at Epcot, lunch at Le Cellier, return to Pop, Magical Express and flight back to Brazil leaving MCO at 7pm

[redoschi]

A lot of work this past week, but as always I can never go a day or two without a disney fix from the disboards.

I'm excited about Disney having bought Lucasfilm! Maybe now they'll be able to add more SW and Indy stuff to DHS even making the rumored Star Wars Land with Mos Eisley Cantina!

There is one thing I'm not so excited though. Sea World has increased their prices on regular tickets and even more on the annual passes. Now the 2-park annual pass (SW-BG) that I was planning to get has gone up from $169 to $199! I'm remaking some calculations to see if it will still be best to get us an annual pass for parking and dining discounts or if just 4 regular 2 park passes would work best. I believe that now it will depend on how much we eat and buy at the parks while before just the free parking was incentive enough!

Another note, a lot better one this time, I've purchased our Blue Man Group tickets for Wed Jan 23rd! And they are great tickets! We'll seat on the second row of the regular, non poncho area (not really in the mood to get splashed with paint! )

I've also ordered the Photopass+ as it has dropped in price to $149 (link). Can't wait to be able to get all those ride pictures (main reason for getting PP+) and the package from Ohana. I guess I'll have to convince everyone to take lots of Photopass pictures, specially some Magic Shots!

[redoschi]

Just finished making the last payment on our Disney package!

Next month it will be time to buy Universal, Sea World and Gatorland tickets!

[shalom]

Been busy lately and just following the threads I'm subscribed to, but apparently I haven't been getting the updates on this thread.

Your daily schedules read like mine, but did I see you say you haven't done TSMM? I'm with you on the "I'd sure like to do breakfast at the Main Street Bakery/Starring Rolls at HS, if only it didn't cut into that prime touring time!" thing. Josh at easywdw suggests you tour hard the first couple of hours and then take a break around eleven or eleven thirty -- early enough to avoid the lunch crowds but late enough it won't cut into prime touring time. Although I would guess that's also when the "front of the park bakeries" get mobbed (his examples are always further back), so I dunno.

Well, I do know with HS -- stop then at Writer's Stop for a carrot cake cookie. But at the MK I'd just get lunch then, which isn't quite the same as a bakery breakfast. *sigh*

Originally Posted by redoschi

I'm still thinking on what to do with DBIL while the rest of us enjoy Jellyrolls!

Depending on how late and how long you're going to stay, he may be happy just hanging around and watching the entertainers or the people going by. You said you guys weren't drinkers, but some of the lounges also serve food and might be a nice place to hang out -- Belle Vue lounge at the Boardwalk is on the second floor and is supposed to be quiet and cozy, although I'm sure in the evening that means Disney quiet.

I was thinking the Belle Vue was one of the lounges that serves food but I suppose I was remembering the breakfast; went looking and doesn't look like there's food at night. They play radio shows and music from the 1940s there, though. The Crew's Cup Lounge in the Yacht Club does serve food -- it's by the Yachtsman Steakhouse and they share a kitchen. So that's another possibility.

Are you staying onsite that night? I've lost track. But if you are, you could just send him home to bed.

[redoschi]

Originally Posted by shalom

Your daily schedules read like mine, but did I see you say you haven't done TSMM? I'm with you on the "I'd sure like to do breakfast at the Main Street Bakery/Starring Rolls at HS, if only it didn't cut into that prime touring time!" thing. Josh at easywdw suggests you tour hard the first couple of hours and then take a break around eleven or eleven thirty -- early enough to avoid the lunch crowds but late enough it won't cut into prime touring time. Although I would guess that's also when the "front of the park bakeries" get mobbed (his examples are always further back), so I dunno.

Well, I do know with HS -- stop then at Writer's Stop for a carrot cake cookie. But at the MK I'd just get lunch then, which isn't quite the same as a bakery breakfast. *sigh*

I haven't done TSMM yet Last time we were at Disney (December 2007) it was a few months before it opened, but I'll surely do it this time, multiple times!

I'm surely thinking on doing a stop like that at Writer's Stop. Can you believe I didn't know about this place until a couple weeks ago?

Originally Posted by shalom

Are you staying onsite that night? I've lost track. But if you are, you could just send him home to bed.

Yes, it will be on our 4th night at Pop (we check into Pop on Jan 25th and stay until Feb 5th), but as a teen I believe he will prefer either to hang around the Boardwalk seeing the entertainers or in ESPN than to just go back to Pop to sleep!