Can't Think of a Better Way to Celebrate 5 Years!~A May 2015 PTR!-Update 5/16-New TR Link!

[Tracy161]

Ahhhhh, this is SO exciting, Jen!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly think WL is the perfect place to begin your trip... getting engaged there 5 years ago just makes it seem like THE place you should be on this trip! And yay for the added day!

 

[kgoodb00]

Love the resort choice! I am also a chronic resort changer. For our upcoming trip in June, I have already changed the resort 4 times...and now we are staying at WL too! (at least as of right now.... ) We stayed there last October and it was absolutely beautiful! They were doing construction on the pool area so that was a bummer, but the location definitely made up for it. I can't wait to go back and finally get to see everything! I am excited to hear all about your upcoming FP+ and restaurant choices!!

 

[amyrella]

Yay!! Another trip!! I'm here to read the PTR and hopefully a TR! Did you do a TR for your September trip?!

 

[KatMark]

I'm not surprised you are back at WL at all...I know it is your favorite.

I can tell you that I booked our May and October trip at the Boardwalk back in November and at that time, I had trouble getting the room I wanted on my dates. Hence why I ende dup with a one-bedroom villa with a boardwalk view for May (and a studio with a boardwalk view for October).

 

[marDgreen88]

So ya know, I totally knew your resorts already but YAY! I need to stay at Wilderness Lodge soon too! The rooms are freaking ADORABLE. Well, yeah, the bathrooms especially. I mean, MEEKO!!!

And POR happens to be my favorite moderate as well! It's just such a peaceful place and the atmosphere is just perfect. Love it. That combination of resorts is awesome. I think it'll be a wonderful anniversary trip.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

How fitting to be staying in the resort that your DH purposed in on your anniversary trip! And POR is such a wonderful resort I don't blame you for adding days on!

Its sounding like we are going to be at POR at the same time. How Fun!

As for my PTR if you feel like checking it out then its in my signature.

 

[Nermel9]

I've been a constant resort changer for this trip as well. We didn't decide to go to WDW until January (originally we were going to check out Disneyland) We are DVC owners so we were limited to wait was available. We have been booked at OKW, SSR, AKV Kidani and finally booked the Polynesian Villas. I canceled any wait lists we have and am trying to resist looking for availability elsewhere. So far I've been successful, now if I could only say the same for ADRs

Haha, I'm glad you understand my need to change resorts! Oooh the Poly Villas sound awesome, I would definitely NOT change those if I were you!

Yeah I'm having a problem with ADR's too...not changing them exactly, but cutting down on some, there are just SO many places I want to go!

Sounds like the WL is a really fitting place to stay on your anniversary trip! And I totally approve of your split stay of 4 and 4 - on our May trip, we are doing 4 nights, then a 4 night cruise, then another 4 nights at WDW. Seems like anything less makes you feel like you have to leave when you just got there. Like you, I have not seen the new(er) rooms at those resorts (2010 for last stay at both), but they look great from those pictures!

I know you popped into one of my reports, but I can't remember which right now. I have two TRs and one PTR going (slowly), as I have apparently lost my mind. All noted in my signature. Glad to have you back around the DIS!

Wow, that is going to be such a great trip! I wish I could do a cruise in between, that would be so much fun! I considered doing a cruise at the beginning of this trip, and then doing WDW for a few days, but it just seems like it would be too rushed! You're way sounds perfect!

I can't remember either! I know I started reading your Aulani TR, which I have to get caught up on, I was reading it in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep a few months ago , and I think I subbed to your PTR but I have to go back and actually read it? I don't know, this whole new DIS watching threads instead of subbing is so confusing for me still! I miss the old format!

Ahhhhh, this is SO exciting, Jen!!!!!!!!!!! I honestly think WL is the perfect place to begin your trip... getting engaged there 5 years ago just makes it seem like THE place you should be on this trip! And yay for the added day!

I think so too, it's just perfect to be returning to the resort where we got engaged! I'm so excited go to back there and actually stay there again, it's been so long!

Love the resort choice! I am also a chronic resort changer. For our upcoming trip in June, I have already changed the resort 4 times...and now we are staying at WL too! (at least as of right now.... ) We stayed there last October and it was absolutely beautiful! They were doing construction on the pool area so that was a bummer, but the location definitely made up for it. I can't wait to go back and finally get to see everything! I am excited to hear all about your upcoming FP+ and restaurant choices!!

Thank you! Yay another resort changer! I used to be SOOO bad with changing resorts, I've gotten a little better lately, but I think that's only because I'm embracing split stays so much more! WL is the best, there are more beautiful and more luxurious resorts, but there's just something about WL that is just SO Disney to me, and yet, feels home-y too! I can't wait to see the new pool area and the new rooms too!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay!! Another trip!! I'm here to read the PTR and hopefully a TR! Did you do a TR for your September trip?!

Yay glad you're here! No, I didn't do a TR for September, I did a little recap of that trip in my TR though, if you want to read about it there, it's just one post! I'm definitely doing one for this trip!

I'm not surprised you are back at WL at all...I know it is your favorite.

I can tell you that I booked our May and October trip at the Boardwalk back in November and at that time, I had trouble getting the room I wanted on my dates. Hence why I ende dup with a one-bedroom villa with a boardwalk view for May (and a studio with a boardwalk view for October).

I can't wait to be back at the WL!

It seems like if something is going on at Epcot (Flower and Garden or Food and Wine) the Boardwalk will be tough to get! I wish I tried earlier, but at the same time, I'm so happy to be staying at the WL!

A one bedroom villa sounds awesome actually!

So ya know, I totally knew your resorts already but YAY! I need to stay at Wilderness Lodge soon too! The rooms are freaking ADORABLE. Well, yeah, the bathrooms especially. I mean, MEEKO!!!

And POR happens to be my favorite moderate as well! It's just such a peaceful place and the atmosphere is just perfect. Love it. That combination of resorts is awesome. I think it'll be a wonderful anniversary trip.

The WL is so perfect, you really do need to stay there! I can't even tell you how excited I am to see those new bathrooms...I wish you could buy those tiles for your home!

I'm so excited for POR too! I feel like I haven't stayed there in a really long time either, and it's only been 3 years! I'm going to try to spend more time at the resorts on this trip, because they are both so awesome, and I feel like sometimes I neglect the resorts for the parks!

How fitting to be staying in the resort that your DH purposed in on your anniversary trip! And POR is such a wonderful resort I don't blame you for adding days on!

Its sounding like we are going to be at POR at the same time. How Fun!

As for my PTR if you feel like checking it out then its in my signature.

It is fitting, isn't it? I thought maybe the Beach Club would be more fitting since we stayed there on our Disneymoon, but the WL almost makes more sense! And I just love POR, I don't even need an excuse to stay there! That's awesome that we will be there at the same time!

I will definitely check out your PTR!!

 

[Mrs T 2009]

Chronic day adder here, too!! Both to beginning AND end!
Staying at POR first time too!

I know, dvc hookup in the future, right? LoL

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hello!
Yeah, a PTR! Happy Anniversary!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[Nermel9]

Chronic day adder here, too!! Both to beginning AND end!
Staying at POR first time too!

I know, dvc hookup in the future, right? LoL

Yay, I wish I could add a day to the beginning of my trip too, but that would be going a little overboard, this trip was originally only supposed to be 5 nights!

Haha, I hope!

Hello!
Yeah, a PTR! Happy Anniversary!
Can't wait to read more!

Yay! Thank you!!

 

[Nermel9]

The Most Important Update of All...Where We're Eating!

I guess it's not really the most important update, but I mean, it's up there right? A huge part of any Disney trip for Brandon and I is eating. Disney food is the best, and Disney doesn't really give you any choice but to obsess over it right? I mean, they make you make your initial ADR's 180 days out from your vacation, so what else can you do for 6 months but obsess over them, and change them, and add more restaurants, and juggle around your itinerary to fit things in. It's all part of the fun right?

I think so.
That being said, I only have 5 ADR's so far for this trip.

Why? I'm not really sure. I guess because there are just way too many places I want to eat on this trip and I don't know how to fit them all in, and it's stressing me out so I just haven't made any more yet. I know of at least 3 that will definitely be added, but there are SO MANY MORE that Brandon and I want to go to, so it's becoming a problem.

Anyway, here are the 5 that I have so far:

1. California Grill

Because I'm obsessed with the pork and the goat cheese polenta (which, sadly, is different from this picture, but I can't find my most recent photo of it, so this will have to do!)

And because Brandon is obsessed with the sushi. So we pretty much have to go. It's our "official" 5 year anniversary dinner. We went here for the first time on our 2nd anniversary trip and it's become a favorite of ours. The food is just so good, and it's such a pretty restaurant, and the view is amazing.

2. Jedi Mickey's Star Wars Dinner at Hollywood and Vine

I'm SO happy this is starting the week we will be there and not during Star Wars Weekends! I considered doing this trip during SWW, but I don't know, something told me not to. I just don't think I can deal with SWW, I think it's going to be way too annoying and the lines will be crazy, and I only really want to meet the Disney characters dressed up like SW characters anyway. So this dinner is perfect. Look how CUTE the Chippy Ewoks are!

3. Be Our Guest

Wow, was this ADR a pain to get! I wanted to go for lunch, and of course, they changed the lunch from a Fast Pass to an actual ADR and the morning the ADR's were released, it was crazy! I tried at 6 am to get one, there would be times available, but my confirmation wouldn't go trough, I'd try again, kept getting an error...then later in the day I noticed I did get an ADR, but it wasn't a time I wanted. Finally 4:00 in the afternoon I randomly checked on my phone and the time and day I wanted were available. I'm excited to be eating here again, because it's really good, and the atmosphere is just like being in the movie, but I hope it becomes a little easier to get an ADR here.

4. Yachtsman Steakhouse

Ok, so if you have read any of my previous PTR's or TR's, you know that I always make an ADR here. And then I always cancel it and replace it with Le Cellier. Well I'm HOPING that doesn't happen this trip, because I really want to finally try this place! Whenever we go to the Yacht Club, we both say we really want to try it, and we never do. The pull of Le Cellier and cheddar cheese soup is too strong to ignore! But I'm really going to try this time...wish me luck!

5. 'Ohana

Another place I can't resist. I just love 'Ohana. I love going to the Poly. I love the tropical atmosphere and looking out at the Magic Kingdom. The noodles. The BREAD PUDDING. This was another place, like Le Cellier, that I was going to leave off the list, but I couldn't. I have to go to a few of my favorites, right?

So that's what we have so far. As for the 3 I know I want to add, but I don't know where, they are:

Sanaa

We went in here in September for the first time, and OMG, it instantly became a new favorite. So I have to find a place to fit this in.

Raglan Road

Another place we went in September for the first time and it instantly became a new favorite. I think we'll wait until we switch over to POR to go here, so we can take the boat over to DTD and not worry about the nightmare parking situation they have going on over there. (Is that any better, btw? Is the garage open yet? In December it was insane, we waited for probably a good 45 minutes just sitting at green lights, not moving, only to have to park across the street and have to walk over, and there's no way I'm doing that again!)

Beaches and Cream

I just love this place, and it's nice that you can make an ADR now, so again, I need to find time to go here!

Of course, there are a few other places I'd love to go as well...mainly breakfast places like Crystal Palace, Boma, The Grand Floridian Cafe, Kona. I just don't see how it's possible to do everything. And then there are all of the counter service places you have to take into consideration too!

So that's it for ADR's, it seems like we have nothing so far, but I'm sure we'll be adding in more. Sanaa and Raglan Road are absolute must do's, and so is Beaches and Cream, it's just finding a spot for that one that might be tricky!

Any guesses as to how long I can hold off and not book a Le Cellier ADR? Think I can actually go on this trip and not eat there? We'll see!!!

Up next...Animal Kingdom must do's!

(All photos are either mine or borrowed from disneyworld.com or google images!)​

 

[KatMark]

Nice choices, Jen...and I hope you STICK with them. I really think you will like Yachtsman (as you know we prefer it by a lot over LeCellier for the steak; unfortunately, they don't have cheese soup). Unfortunately, we had an awful meal at Ohana and it won't go back on the list (much like Whispering Canyon Café will never reappear), but we do love Raglan Road and Beaches and Cream. I was trying to fit Saana in for October, but with Food & Wine it just won't work so guess that will wait until 2016.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

The meal choices look great!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I didn't know you started a PTR! I checked your signature and saw it, so I figured I would hop on board! I'm sad that we're missing each other by a little bit. But someday we'll be there at the same time.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your meal plans!!!
You should not change that Yachtsman ADR! You'll regret it! The food is delicious!

We are trying that SSW H&V meal, as well! You'll have to let me know how it is! I'm especially excited to surprise Ry with it, and see characters all dressed up!!

I know you, you'll find somewhere to squeeze Beaches and Cream! Maybe as a lunch?

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

I'm getting hungry now...LOL
It is so hard to fit in all the ADR's you want to...I never can
you have a good plan so far!

 

[Tracy161]

Ahhhh, so many great choices!!! There are so many on your list that I want to hit up as well! It's so easy to obsess over Disney food forever because it's just amazing... but narrowing down the list... not so easy The good part is: you can't go wrong!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Joining in, Jen!

Your resort choices sound great! I've yet to see the Wilderness Lodge (although I love its similar resort, the Animal Kingdom Lodge!), but it sounds like the perfect, nostalgic choice! Port Orleans Riverside is LOVELY - and that boat to Downtown Disney is so nice!

I LOVE your ADR choices! California Grill is one of my favorite restaurants! I also recommend that you give Yachtsman a try - the food is great and the onion rolls are to die for! I'm very excited to try all three of your "no ADR yet but must eat" restaurants on our upcoming trip! I hear great things about all three of them and your endorsement makes me even more excited to try them!

 

[amyrella]

Ooh good choices!! We also tried Raglan Road last September, and we loved it. It will mosT definitely be on our must do when we finally get to reTurn. And we love CP and Boma for bfast, so yummy!