***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[Mintycake]

Option 1: Ohana breakfast on Tuesday disney springs/resort, Crystal Palace breakfast Thursday resort day before MVMCP and come back to resort for swim and relaxation then Ohana dinner then xmas party, BoG Lunch at 11am on Friday, our last day and only day time MK day, day after the party

Option 2a: Ohana breakfast on Tuesday disney springs/resort, Boma breakfast Thursday resort day before MVMCP and come back to resort for swim and relaxation then Ohana dinner, CP 9:30 breakfast on Friday, our last day and only day time MK day, day after the party

Option 2b: Boma breakfast on Tuesday disney springs/resort, Ohana breakfast Thursday resort day before MVMCP and come back to resort for swim and relaxation then Ohana dinner, CP 9:30 breakfast on Friday, our last day and only day time MK day, day after the party

Pros of option 1: get to do BoG for lunch. will not do BoG at all on our trip if not lunch that day, may be tired after MVMCP and leaves us ton of flexibility in the morning after (though honestly 9:30 is not a super late breakfast, we'd just have to be up by 8 and unlikely to sleep beyond that)

Pros of 2a: do Ohana (the more expensive of the breakfasts in question) during DxDDP - not staying at Poly that day but will get in the car and drive to breakfast somewhere then drive to disney springs then back to resort, character meal on the last day (CP is kind of our traditional last day meal - at least back to one trip lol), don't have two ohana meals in the same day

Pros of 2b: convenience of doing Ohana while at the Poly, character meal on the last day (CP is kind of our traditional last day meal - at least back to one trip lol), but will have two ohana meals in the same day

These are kind of my 3 options.

I think it depends on a few things.
1) Do you care if you have 2 Ohana meals in one day? I think the food itself is so different at breakfast and lunch.
2) Do you mind driving over to Ohana vs while you're at the Poly? Of course it's easier to do it while you're there but you mentioned before you're going to be driving anyway.
3) How important is BoG lunch? is that something you really want to do?
4) How important is keeping your CP traditional last day meal?

 

[Mintycake]

Ok revised plans-

11/24-Fly in late Thanksgiving night. Stay at the Airport, Hilton maybe?

11/25- Drop bags at the Swan- head to Epcot. This is our VIP Premium Tour Day- and I'm seriously second guessing it at this point. Do I go for a once in a lifetime experience? Or do I trust myself to manage the crowds and save several $$$$? Candlelight Processional. Illuminations. Maybe stop at Boardwalk on way back to hotel.

11/26 Check out. Breakfast on Boardwalk. Drive to Port Canaveral. Drop off rental- shuttle to ship.

11/26-12/3 Fantasy
(Maybe the last day I will reveal the surprise post trip?, not sure of logistics yet)

12/3 (shuttle or another 1 way rental- undecided) Check in to CR. Spend day doing water sports (boat rental, no swimming) if weather allows. Head to Poly for a Dole Whip. Rest in room. Marshmallows at CR beach. Late dinner at WC. Fireworks from room. Bedtime.

12/4 Rope Drop at MK. BOG lunch at 1:20. Chef Mickey dinner at 7:40. EWP then Holiday Wishes from room.
--Will we be able to see the EWP from the balcony, or do we need to go to the beach?

12/5 HS (Rope drop for Jedi Training if we don't do the tour). Maybe hop to Epcot. Minnie's Holiday Dine 4:50pm. Hopefully will be able to switch to F! Package.

12/6. Breakfast in room. Pirate Adventure Cruise from GF. Rest. MVMCP.

12/7. Check out. Ohana breakfast 10:30am. Disney Springs after. Lunch T Rex. Fly home.

Thoughts please? Tour or no Tour? I can "spend" it without having to cut something else out that would impact our trip (besides the in room experience and parking at port), but NOT to the point where it's a drop in the bucket.
I mean seriously when I think logically- that 7 hours is the price equivalent of 4 nights TPV at CR- with hoppers, and dining plan, and flights, and a rental car.. or almost another cruise. It seems kind of crazy.lol. To anyone who has been during Thanksgiving week- will we be able to do "everything" without the guide?

Re the tour. I think it's super highly personal. You've said you can spend it but how do you feel about that spend? Do you feel that it would be money well spent to avoid crowds and get everything done you want to with minimal hassle? Would you regret NOT doing it? I think if you do it without the tour you MUST have a solid touring plan in place in order to get what you want done, done.

Also re the money for the tour, if you can spend it without having to cut something else out, and you really want it, I would say go for it. You know it's a once in a lifetime thing, and you can make some lifestyle adjustments maybe to save up for it.

The other option is, I think the VIP tours are the same price for up to a certain # of people. Maybe see on the boards if anyone else is willing to jump on with you to lower the cost?

 

[Candycane83]

I think it depends on a few things.
1) Do you care if you have 2 Ohana meals in one day? I think the food itself is so different at breakfast and lunch.
2) Do you mind driving over to Ohana vs while you're at the Poly? Of course it's easier to do it while you're there but you mentioned before you're going to be driving anyway.
3) How important is BoG lunch? is that something you really want to do?
4) How important is keeping your CP traditional last day meal?

@Lisa F you have not gotten BoG reservations yet right? How about wait and see if you get BOG first?

 

[21stamps]

I love your plan @21stamps I think that there is a lot going on already even without the VIP experience. So my question to you is... How often do you go back? I think that for people who go pretty often, they don't mind not experiencing everything. But if it is once in a lifetime or even once in 5 years or so, I would just go for it. It is a busy time and I'm sure a guide would be great to have!

By the way, do you know what time CR has their marshmallow at the beach?

Re the tour. I think it's super highly personal. You've said you can spend it but how do you feel about that spend? Do you feel that it would be money well spent to avoid crowds and get everything done you want to with minimal hassle? Would you regret NOT doing it? I think if you do it without the tour you MUST have a solid touring plan in place in order to get what you want done, done.

Also re the money for the tour, if you can spend it without having to cut something else out, and you really want it, I would say go for it. You know it's a once in a lifetime thing, and you can make some lifestyle adjustments maybe to save up for it.

The other option is, I think the VIP tours are the same price for up to a certain # of people. Maybe see on the boards if anyone else is willing to jump on with you to lower the cost?

I'm just going to answer these both at once.

@Candycane83 The marshmallows were at 7 last year, I'm not sure if they are the same time in the winter, but my TA thinks so.

On spending that amount of money:

Quick synopsis- I'm the sole parent to my child. So that, combined with my career which entails 50+ hour work weeks, my pinterest obsession, the multiple sports my son participates in, school, summer camp, and our weekly outings translates into- constant running around and not much down time I am now in a Bento Box recovery group though Because of those things listed, I value convenience and will pay more for it on vacations, to a point- example- I can't justify concierge on a cruise, even though it sounds wonderful.

Last year I went tent camping for the first time in my life. Bought all of the gear, fishing equipment, listened to all of my friends chastise and doubt me, but was determined to make it a success. It was!!! Relatively, anyway. The only thing that we caught with our fishing poles was my hand, but it was the first time in our lives that we had absolutely no kind of schedule. We were't running to catch an animal encounter at the zoo, we weren't hurrying to make it to a ride while the app showed a low wait time at our local amusement park, we weren't trying to run to catch the 'bat flight' at the museum. We just rode around in a golf cart, swam in a lake, threw a football, roasted marshmallows and turkey dogs, made pancakes on a griddle, played games and relaxed. At the end of the 4 nights my son looked at me and said "Mommy, this was the best trip ever!!!" It was shocking to me because a month prior we had just spent a week in SoFla, and during that trip we did so many "fun" things, but yet he didn't make that same kind of exclamation then. Our other vacations are nothing like that camping trip, I don't think one of them could be labeled as 'relaxing' lol.

So anyway, this past September was the first time that I felt confident enough to take him to WDW by myself. We did 9 nights at Disney (followed by 1 night in Boca Raton, 6 nights in the Keys, and 1 more back in Orlando..the entire thing was just a little too long with too much planned-actually scratched Legoland off the itinerary the day of bc I don't either of us could have handled one more day at a theme park),
I tried to cram my 30+ years of WDW experiences in to his first time, and it did not unfold well to say the least. He had a meltdown, I had my own meltdown in the restroom privately afterwards. After that we slowed things up a bit and the trip got better. I am trying soooooo hard to not repeat those mistakes on this trip!!! I am trying to hold on to and learn from that moment when something as simple as a camping trip was his idea of 'best time ever'. Obviously, this is WDW so a different type of trip, but I want to apply some of that 'ease' to that week. The tour would help with that. As for actually spending the money though, I just don't know. We have 15 nights land/sea in northern europe next summer, and then I semi impulsively booked an October 2017 Disney cruise because the rates were relatively reasonable on opening day. So chances are good that we won't be going back to WDW next year. I actually created a thread on the budget board here after booking that cruise, I received some great advice, but some of it I've already tried and failed. Swagbucks? I did one survey and now my email is a hot mess so I'm not doing that again. I have so far successfully cut my daily to twice daily venti xshot lattes down to 1 per week. Hopefully I can stick with that! I never want one of our 'big vacations' to have an impact on our savings account, his daily lifestyle, or the several other small trips we take per year... 'finding money' will help with justification of extending our travel budget.

So to summarize this long story (I apologize for the length btw), the tour would take stress off of me and stress off of my son. But is that stress relief justified with that kind of price tag? I don't know yet, I agree it's personal, and that no one can actually answer it for me. I was just hoping to not have to answer it for myself!lol

As far as sharing the tour- I thought of that at first- but it's so individually tailored that I don't know how it would mesh with another family, and their own wants and needs for the tour, so that's probably not an option for me to consider.

 

[Lisa F]

Ok, I have battery against I can type longer... @Lisa F how does your son feel about BoG lunch though? I think that if he doesn't want to go back there then maybe you could just go with option 2a. I think option one is the best option in terms of convenience though and there is a variety/ change from morning buffets.

he was ok with going when i told him he could order the adult turkey sandwich and didn't have to eat the meatloaf again (he didn't like it and he doesn't like multigrain bread) but I won't lie, it won't be a highlight for him. it is more of a highlight for me.
now I have to go and review my options because i don't remember what they are lol

 

[Mintycake]

I'm just going to answer these both at once.

@Candycane83 The marshmallows were at 7 last year, I'm not sure if they are the same time in the winter, but my TA thinks so.

On spending that amount of money:

Quick synopsis- I'm the sole parent to my child. So that, combined with my career which entails 50+ hour work weeks, my pinterest obsession, the multiple sports my son participates in, school, summer camp, and our weekly outings translates into- constant running around and not much down time I am now in a Bento Box recovery group though Because of those things listed, I value convenience and will pay more for it on vacations, to a point- example- I can't justify concierge on a cruise, even though it sounds wonderful.

Last year I went tent camping for the first time in my life. Bought all of the gear, fishing equipment, listened to all of my friends chastise and doubt me, but was determined to make it a success. It was!!! Relatively, anyway. The only thing that we caught with our fishing poles was my hand, but it was the first time in our lives that we had absolutely no kind of schedule. We were't running to catch an animal encounter at the zoo, we weren't hurrying to make it to a ride while the app showed a low wait time at our local amusement park, we weren't trying to run to catch the 'bat flight' at the museum. We just rode around in a golf cart, swam in a lake, threw a football, roasted marshmallows and turkey dogs, made pancakes on a griddle, played games and relaxed. At the end of the 4 nights my son looked at me and said "Mommy, this was the best trip ever!!!" It was shocking to me because a month prior we had just spent a week in SoFla, and during that trip we did so many "fun" things, but yet he didn't make that same kind of exclamation then. Our other vacations are nothing like that camping trip, I don't think one of them could be labeled as 'relaxing' lol.

So anyway, this past September was the first time that I felt confident enough to take him to WDW by myself. We did 9 nights at Disney (followed by 1 night in Boca Raton, 6 nights in the Keys, and 1 more back in Orlando..the entire thing was just a little too long with too much planned-actually scratched Legoland off the itinerary the day of bc I don't either of us could have handled one more day at a theme park),
I tried to cram my 30+ years of WDW experiences in to his first time, and it did not unfold well to say the least. He had a meltdown, I had my own meltdown in the restroom privately afterwards. After that we slowed things up a bit and the trip got better. I am trying soooooo hard to not repeat those mistakes on this trip!!! I am trying to hold on to and learn from that moment when something as simple as a camping trip was his idea of 'best time ever'. Obviously, this is WDW so a different type of trip, but I want to apply some of that 'ease' to that week. The tour would help with that. As for actually spending the money though, I just don't know. We have 15 nights land/sea in northern europe next summer, and then I semi impulsively booked an October 2017 Disney cruise because the rates were relatively reasonable on opening day. So chances are good that we won't be going back to WDW next year. I actually created a thread on the budget board here after booking that cruise, I received some great advice, but some of it I've already tried and failed. Swagbucks? I did one survey and now my email is a hot mess so I'm not doing that again. I have so far successfully cut my daily to twice daily venti xshot lattes down to 1 per week. Hopefully I can stick with that! I never want one of our 'big vacations' to have an impact on our savings account, his daily lifestyle, or the several other small trips we take per year... 'finding money' will help with justification of extending our travel budget.

So to summarize this long story (I apologize for the length btw), the tour would take stress off of me and stress off of my son. But is that stress relief justified with that kind of price tag? I don't know yet, I agree it's personal, and that no one can actually answer it for me. I was just hoping to not have to answer it for myself!lol

As far as sharing the tour- I thought of that at first- but it's so individually tailored that I don't know how it would mesh with another family, and their own wants and needs for the tour, so that's probably not an option for me to consider.

It sounds like you know the answer. You are paying for ease, organization, and being able to do things without minimal wait. If that's important to you (and it sounds like it is), then go for it.

 

[Candycane83]

I'm just going to answer these both at once.

@Candycane83 The marshmallows were at 7 last year, I'm not sure if they are the same time in the winter, but my TA thinks so.

On spending that amount of money:

Quick synopsis- I'm the sole parent to my child. So that, combined with my career which entails 50+ hour work weeks, my pinterest obsession, the multiple sports my son participates in, school, summer camp, and our weekly outings translates into- constant running around and not much down time. I am now in a Bento Box recovery group though
Last year I went tent camping for the first time in my life. Bought all of the gear, fishing equipment, listened to all of my friends chastise me, but was determined to make it a success. It was!!! Relatively, anyway. The only thing that we caught with our fishing poles was my hand, but it was the first time in our lives that we had absolutely no kind of schedule. We were't running to catch an animal encounter at the zoo, we weren't hurrying to make it to a ride while the app showed a low wait time at our local amusement park, we weren't trying to run to catch the 'bat flight' at the museum. We just rode around in a golf cart, swam in a lake, threw a football, roasted marshmallows and turkey dogs, made pancakes on a griddle, played games and relaxed. At the end of the 4 nights my son looked at me and said "Mommy, this was the best trip ever!!!" It was shocking to me because a month prior we had just spent a week in SoFla, and during that trip we did so many "fun" things, but yet he didn't make that same kind of exclamation then. Our other vacations are nothing like that camping trip, I don't think one of them could be labeled as 'relaxing' lol.

So anyway, this past September was the first time that I felt confident enough to take him to WDW by myself. We did 9 nights at Disney (followed by 1 night in Boca Raton, 6 nights in the Keys, and 1 more back in Orlando..the entire thing was just a little too long with too much planned), I tried to cram my 30+ years of WDW experiences in to his first time, and it did not unfold well to say the least. He had a meltdown, I had my own meltdown in the restroom privately afterwards. After that we slowed things up a bit and the trip got better. I am trying soooooo hard to not repeat those mistakes on this trip!!! I am trying to hold on to and learn from that moment when something as simple as a camping trip was his idea of 'best time ever'. Obviously, this is WDW so a different type of trip, but I want to apply some of that 'ease' to that week. The tour would help with that. As for actually spending the money though, I just don't know. We have 15 nights land/sea in northern europe next summer, and then I semi impulsively booked an October 2017 Disney cruise because the rates were relatively reasonable on opening day. So chances are good that we won't be going back to WDW next year. I actually created a thread on the budget board here after booking that cruise, I received some great advice, but some of it I've already tried and failed. Swagbucks? I did one survey and now my email is a hot mess so I'm not doing that again. I have so far successfully cut my daily to twice daily venti xshot lattes down to 1 per week. Hopefully I can stick with that! I never want one of our 'big vacations' to have an impact on our savings account, his daily lifestyle, or the several other small trips we take per year... 'finding money' will help with justification.

So to summarize this long story (I apologize for the length btw), the tour would take stress off of me and stress off of my son. But is that stress relief justified with that kind of price tag? I don't know yet, I agree it's personal, and that no one can actually answer it for me. I was just hoping to not have to answer it for myself!lol

As far as sharing the tour- I thought of that at first- but it's so individually tailored that I don't know how it would mesh with another family, and their own wants and needs for the tour, so that's probably not an option for me to consider.

Wow, that's amazing! (In terms of being busy) but I guess with a child, it's understandably a busy schedule. Mine has not started yet since he's 2. Lol

From what you are saying, your son appreciates having a more relaxed schedule. And from your plans, I see even though it is relaxed, I see a lot of special things planned already. I feel that you can let go of the VIP tour (just my opinion of course) and just book fast passes and stick with that? Even if it's busy, if you can just relax and just go with the flow that day it might be more relaxing for you and your son?

 

[Candycane83]

he was ok with going when i told him he could order the adult turkey sandwich and didn't have to eat the meatloaf again (he didn't like it and he doesn't like multigrain bread) but I won't lie, it won't be a highlight for him. it is more of a highlight for me.
now I have to go and review my options because i don't remember what they are lol

Oh I see. Hmm just an idea for BOG,if you want to experience the restaurant, maybe you could book it late one night (and maybe see the beast) and have dessert?

 

[21stamps]

Wow, that's amazing! (In terms of being busy) but I guess with a child, it's understandably a busy schedule. Mine has not started yet since he's 2. Lol

From what you are saying, your son appreciates having a more relaxed schedule. And from your plans, I see even though it is relaxed, I see a lot of special things planned already. I feel that you can let go of the VIP tour (just my opinion of course) and just book fast passes and stick with that? Even if it's busy, if you can just relax and just go with the flow that day it might be more relaxing for you and your son?

I only have one child though, I'm sure there are plenty of mothers who have a much more hectic schedule than even mine is!
I've been a 'go-go-go/experience it all/everything must be perfect' person my entire life, for the most part we thrive in our busy schedules. Sometimes I just have to remember that over-stimulation can create the opposite of the wonderful experience I was trying to provide for him. I'll keep the reservation for now and decide closer to, before FP time.

 

[Lisa F]

Oh I see. Hmm just an idea for BOG,if you want to experience the restaurant, maybe you could book it late one night (and maybe see the beast) and have dessert?

I think the desserts are mediocre there and I am not really a dessert person. I think I am leaning toward 2b because it is the most relaxing. It sounds like of weird a bit to eat at Ohana twice in one day but it also allows for maximum slug time. On Tuesday I have to drive somewhere anyway but on Thursday I don't necessarily have to. I think chances are good we'd be able to be out of the room by 9am, maybe I should make breakfast at 10am the day after the xmas party to give us a little more time.

 

[Lisa F]

I think it depends on a few things.
1) Do you care if you have 2 Ohana meals in one day? I think the food itself is so different at breakfast and lunch.
2) Do you mind driving over to Ohana vs while you're at the Poly? Of course it's easier to do it while you're there but you mentioned before you're going to be driving anyway.
3) How important is BoG lunch? is that something you really want to do?
4) How important is keeping your CP traditional last day meal?

1) it sounds weird but I guess I don't really care, lol
2) I don't mind driving to Ohana or to Boma, we'll drive somewhere for breakfast
3) I feel like I should do it and I would love to see the restaurant but the food is not all that appealing to me. dessert especially not, i doubt i'd do dessert there even if i ate there (might split the grey stuff cupcake)
4) not really important I guess. More looking at overall flow.

 

[Candycane83]

I think the desserts are mediocre there and I am not really a dessert person. I think I am leaning toward 2b because it is the most relaxing. It sounds like of weird a bit to eat at Ohana twice in one day but it also allows for maximum slug time. On Tuesday I have to drive somewhere anyway but on Thursday I don't necessarily have to. I think chances are good we'd be able to be out of the room by 9am, maybe I should make breakfast at 10am the day after the xmas party to give us a little more time.

That sounds good. If you don't mind eating at Ohana twice in a day then I don't think it's an issue and timing works best for it.

Yes desserts are mediocre but cheaper too or the other option is maybe you could get a drink instead? And kiddo a snack? Lol! But seems like you've made up your mind already anyway, which is good when you can finalize everything. Is your 180 for the next part of your stay tomorrow? I have to wait one more day!! The wait is killing me!

 

[Candycane83]

I only have one child though, I'm sure there are plenty of mothers who have a much more hectic schedule than even mine is!
I've been a 'go-go-go/experience it all/everything must be perfect' person my entire life, for the most part we thrive in our busy schedules. Sometimes I just have to remember that over-stimulation can create the opposite of the wonderful experience I was trying to provide for him. I'll keep the reservation for now and decide closer to, before FP time.

That's a great solution! as long as you can get money back still, you have time to make your final decision!

 

[Lisa F]

That sounds good. If you don't mind eating at Ohana twice in a day then I don't think it's an issue and timing works best for it.

Yes desserts are mediocre but cheaper too or the other option is maybe you could get a drink instead? And kiddo a snack? Lol! But seems like you've made up your mind already anyway, which is good when you can finalize everything. Is your 180 for the next part of your stay tomorrow? I have to wait one more day!! The wait is killing me!

I am doing my switchover on the 7th... when does that make my 180? I thought it said the 10th when I did the calculator so not til friday GAH. Only have to book CP and HDDR. maybe i will grab a BoG "lunch" on that day and we can share a grey stuff and a couple of drinks. feels like cheating a bit but what the hell, it's vacation!

 

[dreaminginplaid]

We were planning on driving to Orlando but my husband just spotted a deal on a flight and so now we are flying down!

The excitement for this trip just keeps going! First it was booking it. Then counting down to 180 days. Now we have a flight! Still waiting on Fantasmic packages and Candlelight packages...and then Fastpass reservations...

 

[Candycane83]

I am doing my switchover on the 7th... when does that make my 180? I thought it said the 10th when I did the calculator so not til friday GAH. Only have to book CP and HDDR. maybe i will grab a BoG "lunch" on that day and we can share a grey stuff and a couple of drinks. feels like cheating a bit but what the hell, it's vacation!

Sorry you're right, it's the 10th. For some weird reason I thought your 180 was tomorrow. I can't keep track now either. Mine is on Thursday and I thought I saw someone had one for tomorrow... Oh well. Yes if we both get BOG ADRs! Lol! Although I'm still hoping for either the 8th or the 10th for BoG and Ohana (interchangeable)... If not I have WCC or Skippers as back ups...

 

[Lisa F]

Sorry you're right, it's the 10th. For some weird reason I thought your 180 was tomorrow. I can't keep track now either. Mine is on Thursday and I thought I saw someone had one for tomorrow... Oh well. Yes if we both get BOG ADRs! Lol! Although I'm still hoping for either the 8th or the 10th for BoG and Ohana (interchangeable)... If not I have WCC or Skippers as back ups...

last i checked both BoG and Ohana still had lots available on the 8th. I got my 3:30 for then and am holding BoG for 4:55 but just can't get excited about the dinner menu so will probably stick with Ohana. I was thinking maybe I could do both and do Ohana our first night but it is too iffy with a flight landing at 5:10pm. then I thought maybe on saturday night while at AK but I dunno. ugh. I think I just do not love the menu at BoG enough to fight for it!

 

[Candycane83]

last i checked both BoG and Ohana still had lots available on the 8th. I got my 3:30 for then and am holding BoG for 4:55 but just can't get excited about the dinner menu so will probably stick with Ohana. I was thinking maybe I could do both and do Ohana our first night but it is too iffy with a flight landing at 5:10pm. then I thought maybe on saturday night while at AK but I dunno. ugh. I think I just do not love the menu at BoG enough to fight for it!

That's good to know! Happy to hear about the availability. I feel like I will stress until I get that availability on Thursday. I'm holding a Ohana reservation for Dec4 for 5:20 to use if I don't find any Ohana openings for Dec10. But it kind of derails my plans so I'm really hoping to find something on Dec 10 or Dec 8.

Then don't worry about BOG, or make your decision later since you have a reservation held anyway. I'm just excited for my son to meet the beast. The food back in 2012 was just ok. We went during the soft opening (DH's first trip). If we didn't want to meet the Beast, we would go to Skippers I think. I actually was considering Tony's for lunch for a minute when I saw the reserved spots for MSEP but the reviews are just horrendous! So that's out of the question...

 

[Lisa F]

That's good to know! Happy to hear about the availability. I feel like I will stress until I get that availability on Thursday. I'm holding a Ohana reservation for Dec4 for 5:20 to use if I don't find any Ohana openings for Dec10. But it kind of derails my plans so I'm really hoping to find something on Dec 10 or Dec 8.

Then don't worry about BOG, or make your decision later since you have a reservation held anyway. I'm just excited for my son to meet the beast. The food back in 2012 was just ok. We went during the soft opening (DH's first trip). If we didn't want to meet the Beast, we would go to Skippers I think. I actually was considering Tony's for lunch for a minute when I saw the reserved spots for MSEP but the reviews are just horrendous! So that's out of the question...

I was thinking it too, lol. How bad could it be? generic italian food. maybe have a salad, lol.

 

[Lisa F]

I only have one child though, I'm sure there are plenty of mothers who have a much more hectic schedule than even mine is!
I've been a 'go-go-go/experience it all/everything must be perfect' person my entire life, for the most part we thrive in our busy schedules. Sometimes I just have to remember that over-stimulation can create the opposite of the wonderful experience I was trying to provide for him. I'll keep the reservation for now and decide closer to, before FP time.

I'm also a single mom, although my son's dad is involved, he is long distance most of the time so it's mostly just me. I don't think my job is as good paying as yours is plus I live in a super high cost of living area, but I feel fortunate to be able to take him on nice vacations even if not as often as I'd like.

I think unless you are taking that money from somewhere else it needs to be, I'd keep it. The crowds will be bulldookie crowded that day and how amazing to go at your own pace and not worry about lines at anything. If you are feeling squeezed anywhere else then maybe not. Are you? is it at the expense of something else you want to do? It is extravagant for sure but your time is valuable and you are trying to make the best of it. JMHO of course.