Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[trixiequilts]

Okay, not that I'm ANXIOUS or anything... but I checked Disney this morning and while the hours aren't posted yet, you CAN at least click into the January 2009 calendar! Sure it's blank, but you can GET THERE. That's progress!

I checked at midnight to see if they were there and about six times already today!!! I want those hours so I can put them in my new BINDER that I'm going to make this weekend. We'll be at our cabin from Wednesday night until Monday afternoon with no TV, no shower, and worse yet...no internet!! I have to get something productive done! If you see the hours before me, pm me. I won't be DISing much tomorrow (need to pack). I keep thinking, "In six months I'll be packing for Disney!" I'm not anxious or anything, either.

 

[Sarilas]

Well still no hours (I'll PM you if they suddenly appear!).

I hope you enjoy putting your binder together, with or without hours!

 

[Sarilas]

So... ahem...

You know how I'm just a WEE bit riled up about the January EMH, right? Well I decided to try looking on the Disney World Moms Panel site to see if anyone else was trying to find out when they'd be released. Apparently I was the only basket case worrying about it, because nobody else had asked! So I KIND OF wrote and asked the Moms if anyone had an inkling...

And Kimberly chose to answer my question. (Thank you, Kimberlyyyyyyyyyy!)

My hyperventilation over January's EMH is now immortalized for all to read! But WHERE'VE the hours gone?

And yeah. She told me to do exactly what Jackie said. Jackie, you should be on the Moms Panel!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Sigh. I tried. I applied to be on the Mom's Panel, but Disney didn't want me. Sniff. Sniff.

I really think they will probably post them by the beginning of next week!

 

[Sarilas]

I'm trying to get back in the swing of things after the 4th of July weekend and mini-drama with family. Oy. (Suffice it to say my older brother has some bitter feelings toward the maternal side of our family, who I'm extremely close to. They're Russian, and old school Eastern European means they're very set in their ways. D-R-A-M-A)

ANYWAY... Tomorrow DH receives a small bonus check, and you bet your sweet bippy I'm going to utilize that check when I attempt to make our ADR's a couple of days early as suggested by the Disney Dining reservatinist I spoke to a while back! I want to get Cindy's Table for the girls, if at all possible but it's my understanding that they charge the meal to your card if you don't have the dining package yet. And I won't be able to add the dining package till sometime mid-August when the rates come out! We're thinking of just leaving the meal paid for rather than using 2 TS credits each- it just seems to make sense to have extra TS credits at our disposal if we can afford to pay it off in advance (which we will be able to, thanks to DH's check!)...

So today I'm checking out food porn on the DIS, trying to help get me set for making ADR's! Not having been to WDW before, I feel like I'm kind of at a loss, only because I don't already have any favorites, or likes and dislikes.

My goal today though is to have an ACTUAL list of ADR's I'd like to make for this weekend... and perhaps call on Friday to see if I get a happy go-lucky reservationist like I did last time!

 

[Lady Lallie]

My suggestion would be to make a list of restaurants you'd really, really like to try. Try to go with your gut first. Then you can put them in order, maybe run them by hubby or kids if you're feeling generous.

I think making a list, as LL would say, will help!

Listing has never steered me wrong!

In honor of the blissfully wedded LL, I will do the unheard of and make a... <gasp> ...LIST.

Good! Where is it?

She would be SO proud.

I am proud. My listing ways are spreading!

She's rubbing off on us, LL is!

I think we all rub off on each other.

My goal today though is to have an ACTUAL list of ADR's I'd like to make for this weekend... and perhaps call on Friday to see if I get a happy go-lucky reservationist like I did last time!

Where's the list? I need to see it. I have a craving for your ADR list. List. List. List. List.

I swear I am not crazy.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I can think of worse ways to spend the day then looking at food porn and listing possible ADRs!

 

[willwriteforears]

Yes, we would love to see a list of the ADRs! Since I won't be back to the World till Lapu Lapu Fabby Fest '09, I must have my vicarious foodage.

 

[Sarilas]

Alright, I have a SORT OF list, but I'm having trouble organizing said list because I've never made ADR's before and I really don't know how it works!

I know I'll call and blurt out that I want Cindy's, followed by Le Cellier and Chef Mickeys... but then I have to figure out how to plug the rest of our choices in without ending up running from one park to another three times a day!

Oh, and we're talking about doing the Deluxe Dining Plan, once again. I know, it's a lot of food BUT we can use some of those TS credits as CS, and frankly the idea of having everything pre-paid is the biggest draw for me. I hate the thought of having to balance out our dining budget and souvenir budget while we're on the actual vacation!

That being said, I have our top dining choices (thus far):

1. Cinderella's Table (hopefully lunch, otherwise breakfast)
2. Le Cellier (dinner)
3. Chef Mickey's (dinner)
4. Boma (dinner)
5. Kona (dinner)
6. Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner? probably lunch.)
7. Sci Fi Dine in (dinner)
8. O'Hana (Dinner)
9. Crystal Palace (lunch)
10. Jiko (dinner)
11.Akershus (breakfast)


This is SO not enough places yet. We have 8 days of meals to make ADR's for!

The list we're iffy about:
California Grill
Tusker House
Yak & Yeti
Coral Reef
Marrakesh

I think I'm WAY over-thinking things and just need to trust that it doesn't have to be (gulp)... PERFECT.

 

[Sarilas]

I forgot to mention that I'm thinking of making Liberty Tree Tavern from dinner to lunch because as of January 5th dinner will NO LONGER BE A CHARACTER DINING EXPERIENCE.

Fart monkeys.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Alright, I have a SORT OF list, but I'm having trouble organizing said list because I've never made ADR's before and I really don't know how it works!

I know I'll call and blurt out that I want Cindy's, followed by Le Cellier and Chef Mickeys... but then I have to figure out how to plug the rest of our choices in without ending up running from one park to another three times a day!

Oh, and we're talking about doing the Deluxe Dining Plan, once again. I know, it's a lot of food BUT we can use some of those TS credits as CS, and frankly the idea of having everything pre-paid is the biggest draw for me. I hate the thought of having to balance out our dining budget and souvenir budget while we're on the actual vacation!

That being said, I have our top dining choices (thus far):

1. Cinderella's Table (hopefully lunch, otherwise breakfast)
2. Le Cellier (dinner)
3. Chef Mickey's (dinner)
4. Boma (dinner)
5. Kona (dinner)
6. Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner? probably lunch.)
7. Sci Fi Dine in (dinner)
8. O'Hana (Dinner)
9. Crystal Palace (lunch)
10. Jiko (dinner)
11.Akershus (breakfast)


This is SO not enough places yet. We have 8 days of meals to make ADR's for!

The list we're iffy about:
California Grill
Tusker House
Yak & Yeti
Coral Reef
Marrakesh

I think I'm WAY over-thinking things and just need to trust that it doesn't have to be (gulp)... PERFECT.

Speaking from someone who made the bulk of her ADR's before she found the DIS and before she had a daily itinerary...I think it would be helpful if you made a tentative plan for your days. You don't want to be stressed about making your ADR's and park hopping all over the place.
If you did coral reef you could try to get them to personalize a menu for you and the diver with the sign...I bet your kids would really like that.

I forgot to mention that I'm thinking of making Liberty Tree Tavern from dinner to lunch because as of January 5th dinner will NO LONGER BE A CHARACTER DINING EXPERIENCE.

Fart monkeys.

Fart Monkeys! That saddens me because I really wanted to eat there....I wonder if I can try to fit it in. For some reason Minnie Mouse in Colonial finery makes me smile. It must be the History buff in me.

Have you read dining reviews from people with kids? It might give you some insight. You also could do a early breakfast at a park, that way you can get in the almost empty park for pictures.

 

[trixiequilts]

Fart monkeys.


My sentiments exactly (about lots more than just LTT characters)!

 

[willwriteforears]

You also could do a early breakfast at a park, that way you can get in the almost empty park for pictures.

This is one thing I would love, love, love to do! I was very envious when my friends and I were outside of whatever park, waiting for the opening, and we were watching families head in for an early breakfast. Just think of all the pix I could've taken without decapitated heads at the bottom!

 

[Lady Lallie]

This is one thing I would love, love, love to do! I was very envious when my friends and I were outside of whatever park, waiting for the opening, and we were watching families head in for an early breakfast. Just think of all the pix I could've taken without decapitated heads at the bottom!

I can't wait! We are doing Crystal Palace breakfast at MK for that very reason.

 

[Sarilas]

I should warn you; I have an obscure vocabulary that will rear it's ugly head as I become more comfortable with the DIS.

A schedule... funny you should mention that! Have I mentioned that Disney hasn't released the hours for next January yet even though it's past the 6 month date?! Because it's putting a hitch in my giddy-up!

I did do as suggested and compile a guesstimate of what EMH will be available when so I know when I want to be at a park or not at a park, accordingly. So only if Disney does exactly as history dictates they might will my plans be secure! From what I'm reading though I'll probably take advantage of early hours and avoid the later hours, at least most of the time.

Here's the gist:

Saturday, Jan. 10th:
Our arrival day. We're guesstimating we'll arrive late that afternoon, in time for an early dinner and shopping spree at DTD. Where we'll eat? Maybe Raglan Road or Earl of Sandwich...

Sunday the 11th:
Early opening: ?
Late closing: Magic Kingdom


Monday the 12th:
Early opening: Animal Kingdom
Late closing: (DHS?)

Tuesday the 13th:
Early opening: Epcot
Late closing: (DHS?)

Wednesday the 14th:
Early opening: ?
Late closing: Animal Kingdom

Thursday the 15th:
Early opening: Magic Kingdom
Late closing: ?

Friday the 16th:
Early opening: ?
Late closing: Epcot

Saturday the 17th:
Early opening: DHS
Late closing: ?

Sunday the 18th:
Grab a bite at Intermissions in ASMusic and head home.

So based on that and the fact that we will do some park hopping, our park attendance schedule would look something like:

Sunday: Magic Kingdom (doesn't matter if they're open late or not - HAVE to do it the first day.)

Monday: Animal Kingdom, perhaps MK again that evening (we're all about MK!)

Tuesday: Epcot

Wednesday: DHS?

Thursday: Magic Kingdom, maybe some hopping in the evening.

Friday: Epcot in the morning... who knows in the evening.

Saturday: MK and Epcot again?

Oy.

Take into consideration that we'll probably go back to the hotel for naps and such, as needed. Probably after our lunches. If we DO go with the Deluxe Dining Plan, that's 8 days x's 3 TS per day for a total of 24 TS credits each and 2 snack credits per day x's 8 days to equal 16 snack credits each. We won't have to shell out a penny for food the whole trip, for sure!

I hadn't thought about breakfasts in the park! I figured we'd just grab something at ASMusic BUT I love the idea of getting there early and eating. We're all early risers anyway, and we could us some of our lunch TS credits as CS meals in the park...

Decisions, decisions...

 

[Lady Lallie]

You are off to a good start. I think it would be helpful for you to just start plugging in ADR's to your tentative schedule. I don't think the hours will change so much that you will have to completely revamp your schedule.

Advice for calling for ADR's.
I would write down your first choice date and time for each ADR. Especially for Cindy' Royal Table and Le Cellier...make sure you have a few other days/times that you are willing to do it. I say this because I have a certain day/time in mind and then when they don't have it, I have to call back because I am flustered.

I would also make earlier lunch ADR and later dinner ADR's that way you have time for the break/naps/pool time. You can always use your snack credits inbetween if you are feeling hungry.

 

[TarzansKat]

Wow, somebody has been a busy little bee! I'm so tired from work today, I can't even process it all!

Seriously, LL's suggestion about plugging in times is good. At least give yourself an idea of which you want at which time, and try to see if some of your same park ADRs are interchangeable, which could help you get what you want, kwim?

 

[Sarilas]

Alright, well having returned to the computer from the confines of my freshly bathed babies (ah, lavender!) I made a faux calendar for the week we'll be there and did some plugging in. (Jackie and LL, if I become an organized person it is ALL YOUR FAULT.)

What I realized is I am A) not a breakfast person, and B) even if I get into the parks early to eat, we'll end up being in the restaurant when the rope drops (with the 6 of us eating at that early hour, and 4 of us being children we're looking at a long ordeal) which will defeat the purpose. SO. After a brief email flirtation - er, discussion with my husband, we decided to eat breakfast at ASMusic in the mornings OR, because we'll have the kitchenette, to have some things on hand in our room so we can leave the room for the EMH each morning, bright eyed, bushy tailed and fully bellied. This will allow us to have early lunches (FANTASTIC), use a credit for a meal wherever we are mid-day (rather than using it for a breakfast) then have a late-ish dinner right before returning to the hotel.

I think this just might do the trick, even if THEY HAVEN'T RELEASED JANUARY'S HOURS YET. (I don't know if you'd heard that or not...)

 

[Lady Lallie]

Alright, well having returned to the computer from the confines of my freshly bathed babies (ah, lavender!) I made a faux calendar for the week we'll be there and did some plugging in. (Jackie and LL, if I become an organized person it is ALL YOUR FAULT.)

What I realized is I am A) not a breakfast person, and B) even if I get into the parks early to eat, we'll end up being in the restaurant when the rope drops (with the 6 of us eating at that early hour, and 4 of us being children we're looking at a long ordeal) which will defeat the purpose. SO. After a brief email flirtation - er, discussion with my husband, we decided to eat breakfast at ASMusic in the mornings OR, because we'll have the kitchenette, to have some things on hand in our room so we can leave the room for the EMH each morning, bright eyed, bushy tailed and fully bellied. This will allow us to have early lunches (FANTASTIC), use a credit for a meal wherever we are mid-day (rather than using it for a breakfast) then have a late-ish dinner right before returning to the hotel.

I think this just might do the trick, even if THEY HAVEN'T RELEASED JANUARY'S HOURS YET. (I don't know if you'd heard that or not...)

That sounds perfect for your family!
By the way...I am blaming you for my impulsive call to disney dining today!

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, Lara, that sounds like a great plan! I totally forgot about you having the kitchenette! Plus, you'll really be able to maximize your time by getting the kiddos fed before you head off. Full bellies are a good thing!