6/22 - 6/29 We're Getting Closer....

[carone0318]

Did you ever plan a Disney trip and then when it starts to actually get closer and then the "real" planning starts (in this case, 90 days out) and you just sit back and go, why oh why, am I going with my entire family..... We go to Disney every yr, we have a great time. We love to go with DH's family and friends too, but my family, well I don't know how it's going to go

We will be heading down to Disney from NJ on June 22nd and will be coming home on June 29th.

I will first introduce you to my lovely immediate family and then I will bring on the supporting cast!

This trip includes me, dh, dd and ds. We are DVC owners and have been for 10 yrs, this trip will be based out of BWVs. We will be using the Dining Plan and also own APs, which we bought on our last trip back in August - so thankfully we don't have to do that for this trip!

I am the planner, some refer to me as "Tour Guide Jane." I do all of the planning. I make the DVC reservations, I do the car rental, I do the ADRs, I do the packing, I basically do everything - and I LOVE it! And for the record, I am a big Eeyore fan!

DH - Joe. He's along for the ride. He does do the airline tickets and that is about it. Oh, I don't pack for him. Well, yeah I do, but he must pick out his own clothes and give them to me for packing. You see, I split everyone's clothes up amongst our bags and everyone has a little in each bag (checked luggage) - in case one gets lost. We learned from experience. On our last trip, on our flight home, I packed like I just said and you would think everything would have been ok if the airline lost a bag. Crazy thing is, they lost all 3 of our checked luggage bags!!!! Who woulda thunk??? Oh and I would say that DH's favorite character is Donald.

DD - Kerry, she's 12. Her birthday's in September, so she is an older 12 for this trip. Kerry's our competitive gymnast. She goes about 20 hrs a week and she gets 2 weeks off a yr, a week in June and a week in August. We usually try to plan our Disney trips around her gym breaks, but this one did not work out that way because of "the family." Kerry is really a good kid, she is an honor roll student besides all that she does with her gymnastics. She's very petite, but the girl can pound her food and loves the fact that she is an adult on the dining plan! Her favorite character is Tinkerbell - because she has attitude!

DS - Dan, he's 8. Dan is that free-spirited, wild child that easily convinces you never to have anymore children. Dan plays travel soccer, wrestling and this yr tried basketball and loved it. His schedule doesn't interfere with anything and he is usually along for the ride, complaining of course! He loves Disney. In the past if you asked him, his favorite character would probably have been Chip and Dale. I think it still holds true though, although he really likes Chip & Dale he is actually more like Stitch!

This next picture is my favorite from our last trip to Disney, if only you could of seen the the photos before this one. Dan did not want to do this picture and the photopass guy kept egging him on - this one turned out great, but the ones before were too funny!

My next installment will be who else is coming with us and what I have done so far.... .

 

[carone0318]

Ok, so I'll go into a little more detail of how this trip came about.

During our last trip to Disney (Aug. 08), Kerry announces that she wants Grandmom (GM), Aunt Patsy (AP) - this is my Mom's sister, Uncle Pat (my brother) and his family to go to Disney with us next yr.

My brother's family consist of him, my SIL - Tracy and my 2 nephews: Matt (16) and Tyler (will be 13 on April 30th.)

The last time we were all in Disney together I was pg with Dan - Sept. 2000. It was a weird trip then. We were all in the same hotel, but we really didn't do anything together, except maybe eat dinner a couple of times. I doubt that Kerry really remembers any of it other than we did all go together.

So, when we came home from our August trip, I tell my Mom that Kerry wants us all to go to Disney. She likes the idea and my brother seems to be ok with it. The good thing is that my brother is also a DVC member, just not a hard-core Disney person like DH and I are.

I know that my mom would love to be at AKL so turns out my brother makes a ressie at AKL for my mom and Aunt. He ends up making a ressie for VWL. I try to get AKL but it's booked and end up at good ole trusty BWV, our favorite. I was going to try to switch our ressie to VWL, but then came to find out that a family we are friends with will be at BWVs the same exact week we will be, so I choose not to switch in hopes that we can meet up with them sometime during the trip. This family has a son on Dan's soccer team, so I thought for Dan it would be great for him to see one of his friends. Funny thing, I will probably see this family more than my own!

I should of known we'd be doomed because we are all at 3 different hotels. I could just feel that this was not going to be the let's all hang out kind of trip. I am personally am ok with this, but I really think that the kids are going to want to be together and that is why I feel sort of bummed - for them.

DH and I book our flights back in December. We are flying out of Philly, PHL on Airtan. Our flight leaves at 7am and arrives at MCO at 9:15. Coming home we are flying Southwest, our flight leaves at 1:30 something. I keep checking everyday to try to get the 5pm flight for $109 or less, if I can I will change. If I can't, I will just stick with the 1:30 flight. I did get our 1:30 flight for down to $99, so do have a credit.

DH also booked GM and AP's flight I think back in March. He sends me a copy of their itinerary and I'm looking and was like, isn't the flight down wrong. It says that they are leaving at 8pm, not 8am. YUP, DH booked the wrong flight. He did their's through Expedia and to change the flight time would cost $150 per ticket, something like that. I'm thinking, way to go slick! I tell him, well, we got to do something, they are not flying down at 8pm. They are not staying the whole time we will be in Disney, GM & AP are coming down Monday and going home Friday. Well, we have to bite the bullet, so instead of changing their flight we just bought them each a ticket one way down on Airtran and the total cost was $150 - out of my pocket - Thanks Joe!

I ask DB (dear brother) back when we were booking my mom's flights what are doing, are you flying or are you driving? They didn't know. It all depended on if the boys were bringing friends. Ok, great well our 90 day out mark is March 24th - I'm going to have to make ADRs for such a big group that we have - could you let me know before then how many....

 

[tinkgurl]

Just wanted to say that I'll be at WDW June 22-July 1st, so during the same time as you!

 

[shordiebecka]

very interesting so far!!! I understand your pain of having to plan for so many people. Being at 3 different resorts though might be a really fun idea to resort hop and eat at all of them!

 

[carone0318]

Isn't it exciting, our trips will be here before we know it! I just need to get through Dan's 1st Communion which is the 25th and then I will be full force Disney!

Just wanted to say that I'll be at WDW June 22-July 1st, so during the same time as you!

 

[carone0318]

Well, there's a hitch I haven't gotten to yet! My brother, my own flesh and blood is a PIA. I plan to go into that very soon....

Thanks for coming along, we do think a like!

very interesting so far!!! I understand your pain of having to plan for so many people. Being at 3 different resorts though might be a really fun idea to resort hop and eat at all of them!

 

[tinkgurl]

Isn't it exciting, our trips will be here before we know it! I just need to get through Dan's 1st Communion which is the 25th and then I will be full force Disney!

I think May will go by SO fast!

 

[carone0318]

We can only hope, but I think it will go pretty fast. Kids are still in school and they have their activities, so before I know it I will be packing to go to Disney!

I think May will go by SO fast!

 

[carone0318]

Where did I leave off - oh yeah, I remember:

So our 90 day mark was March 24th. On Saturday, March 21st we all got together to celebrate my birthday and SILs birthday. I decided to bring over menus so that everyone could look at and decide what they wanted.

I, too, had the bright idea that we could eat at WL, AKL and BWV, well I could give or take that one.

So, everyone is looking at the menus and my DB is like, I can't be this rigid, I don't know where I want to go and he can't believe that I would make ADRs for every day we are down there. He's Mr. Spontanious. He's basically copping a hissy fit. He did the same thing about the dining plan too. Now my mom and AP want to do the dining plan and want the ADRs, but DB is once again being a PIA. I told him he doesn't have to get the dining plan, it doesn't matter to me!

At end of conversation, he says that he would eat at the following places:

WCC
Mama Melrose's
Le Cellier
Teppan Edo

They have never eaten at Le Cellier. Last time they were there they didn't have an ADR, walk up and tried to get in - guess what, they didn't! Big SHOCKER!!! My nephews said they wanted to eat there.

GM, AP and my family decided where we would like to eat the other nights that we are there because the restaurants that DB was willing to go to I had to space out those ADRs....

So, by the time that we (my family) left, I'm in the car and say to dh that I don't think this trip is going to be that "big family get together" that the kids wanted. It would have been almost better if it was just the 4 of us....

He agreed!

Next installment - 90 days out, what ADRs we got and the excitment continues to build!

 

[carone0318]

When March 24th rolled around, I started calling Disney Dining at 7am. I was on hold for what seemed like forever - did I mention I was at work!

I couldn't stay on hold any holder, it had been about 40 minutes - so I decided that I would call back at 9am and just call DVC.

9am rolls around, I call DVC they tell me their computers are down to call back in 15 minutes. 9:20 - I gave them 20 minutes and I called again. This time the lady could help me !

For the past couple of yrs we have been doing the DDP. I have always made our dinner ADRs for roughly the same time that we would eat at home - around 6pm. What I really learned on our last trip was that this is way too early to eat in Disney. After eating a decent size CS lunch, we just really weren't ready to eat at 6. So this yr was I going for more around 7 or 7:30 times.

What I wanted and when I wanted it wasn't working out so them I just started trying any day and taking what I got. I knew I wanted to get Le Cellier, but they didn't have 1 single ADR for the time frame we were there for 10 people, but I was able to get it for 8 people (for after GM & AP left) - I swiped that one up!

Also was able to get Teppan Edo for party of 8 - again after GM & AP left. I wanted this one this way because I knew the tables only sat 8 people. See, I'm quick on my toes here!

I wanted to do a character meal and was planning to do that with just my immediate family. The kids chose the 1900 Park Fare dinner with Lady Tremaine and the Step Sisters - oh yeah there will be some prince and princess there too, but that is not why my kids are going!

I was pretty much able to get what I wanted, except Coral Reef - oh well Dan, he'll just have to deal with it (this is where he wanted to eat, we'll get it next time.)

Our ADR schedule for our trip:

Monday, 6/22 - WCC @ 6:55pm (w/ DB)
Tuesday, 6/23 - Boma @ 7:15pm (w/o DB)
Wednesday, 6/24 - Kona Cafe @ 6:20pm (w/o DB)
Thursday, 6/25 - Mama Melrose @ 7:35pm (w/ DB)
Friday, 6/26 - Le Cellier @ 8pm (w/ DB)
Saturday, 6/27 - 1900 Park Fare @ 7:10pm (w/o DB)
Sunday, 6/28 - Teppan Edo @ 7pm (w/ DB)

I don't think this looks to shabby! I thought I did good with spacing out DB's ADRs, so he can still be spontaneous...

Now we just have to sit and count down the calendar until our trip right? NO, wrong.... more to come. Things seem to change after Easter breakfast...

Stay tuned....

 

[tinkgurl]

Okay I wrote in pink where we'll be compared to yours!

Monday, 6/22 - WCC @ 6:55pm (w/ DB): Rainforest Cafe at AK
Tuesday, 6/23 - Boma @ 7:15pm (w/o DB): Planet Hollywood at DTD
Wednesday, 6/24 - Kona Cafe @ 6:20pm (w/o DB): Mama Melrose at 4 pm
Thursday, 6/25 - Mama Melrose @ 7:35pm (w/ DB): Chef Mickey's at 7:55 pm
Friday, 6/26 - Le Cellier @ 8pm (w/ DB): CRT at 7:10 pm
Saturday, 6/27 - 1900 Park Fare @ 7:10pm (w/o DB): Luau at the Poly at 8 pm
Sunday, 6/28 - Teppan Edo @ 7pm (w/ DB): 1900 PF at 6:25

 

[Nichellebelle]

You have a darling family! Enjoy your trip!

 

[carone0318]

You ADRs look good too. I wanted to go to Rainforest Cafe on our last trip, we had ADR too, but we ended up canceling and never made it. I never did the Luau either... Darn, we are off 1900 Park Fare by one day. I need to get over and read your PTR. That is my task for the day!

Okay I wrote in pink where we'll be compared to yours!

Monday, 6/22 - WCC @ 6:55pm (w/ DB): Rainforest Cafe at AK
Tuesday, 6/23 - Boma @ 7:15pm (w/o DB): Planet Hollywood at DTD
Wednesday, 6/24 - Kona Cafe @ 6:20pm (w/o DB): Mama Melrose at 4 pm
Thursday, 6/25 - Mama Melrose @ 7:35pm (w/ DB): Chef Mickey's at 7:55 pm
Friday, 6/26 - Le Cellier @ 8pm (w/ DB): CRT at 7:10 pm
Saturday, 6/27 - 1900 Park Fare @ 7:10pm (w/o DB): Luau at the Poly at 8 pm
Sunday, 6/28 - Teppan Edo @ 7pm (w/ DB): 1900 PF at 6:25

 

[carone0318]

Thanks!

My kids are my biggest accomplishment in this world!

You have a darling family! Enjoy your trip!

 

[carone0318]

So, we go to my mom's house for breakfast for Easter - very last minute as she had a change in plans.

I'm all excited, I have my spreadsheet with me. I was going to tell everyone what ADRs I got and stuff. So, as I am sitting there the subject of flying or driving comes up and it is still undecided what my DB is going to do. My SIL says well if the kids bring friends than we will drive! I thought I was going to go through the roof - I said the last time we talked you (SIL) said that the kids were not going to bring any friends. I have ADRs for 10 people, we can't just show up with 12. These people just don't get it, HELLO McFLY - get with the program. From that moment on I decided that none of the ADRs were going to include my DB and his family because they are driving me nuts....

So, Monday, 4/13 I went into work and decided to change the ADRs. Our first night was at WCC, but quite honestly, I didn't want to eat there. Since my Mom & AP are not getting into MCO until 5:15pm, I thought they would be on their own and so would my 4. I wanted to get CP for dinner, but that didn't work out. I did end up getting a 2pm lunch at CP though, which might be ok because I am not planning on getting to BWV until around 11/11:30am. Since our flight is at 7am, we should be at the airport no later than 5:30. The kids will probably be tired by the end of the day, so maybe we can call it an early one and try for rope drop on Tuesday.

We used to always do rope drop, but now the kids are like, no thanks - let's sleep in and stay late. I'm all for this approach too, but the way everyone is talking about crowds and such this yr, I thought let's try to do 1 day for rope drop - just MK. We'll make it early in the trip so our bodies are still somewhat geared for it.

Back to my ADRs. After talking to the CM, I found out that there is no problem reducing the number of people on an ADR, so I did that for the other meals - except Teppan Edo. I decided to can Teppan Edo and we booked Chefs de France. I didn't want to do Teppan Edo unless I could fill a whole table. I really don't feel like sitting with others trying to make small talk - I don't mean to be anti-social, but I can't be the only one who thinks like this!

So, the following is now my new revised ADR list:

Monday, 6/22 - Crystal Palace @ 2pm
Tuesday, 6/23 - Boma @ 7:15pm
Wednesday, 6/24 - Kona Cafe @ 6:20pm
Thursday, 6/25 - Mama Melrose @ 7:35pm
Friday, 6/26 - Le Cellier @ 8pm
Saturday, 6/27 - 1900 Park Fare @ 7:10pm
Sunday, 6/28 - Chefs de France @ 6pm

My newbie restaurants for this trip are: Kona, been there for breakfast, but never for dinner. 1900 Park Fare, again been there for breakfast, but never dinner. Lastly, Chefs, never been ever, regardless of time of day.

Oh and I have to mention that I bought a new Vera backpack for the trip. I already have my pink elephants backpack from last yr, but I bought the bigger backpack for this trip. It was a retired color, so I got it for a steal price of $36, plus shipping/tax - I think it came to like $45, can we say CHEAP! Yeah-haw baby....

 

[tinkgurl]

Darn, we are off 1900 Park Fare by one day.

I know! But, when you are at 1900 PF, I'll be at the Poly..so we'll be kinda close!

 

[carone0318]

Another thing I wanted to add was that I rented a car.

I always tend to use Alamo, they just end up being the cheapest for me.

Well, I booked a full-size back on 1/14 and got an awesome price of $232.32. This is including taxes and every other fee under the sun that they charge.

I check the Alamo site faithfully everyday and have not been able to touch that price since. I can't even get the price to be under that before all of the taxes and stuff.

My dates are 6/22, returning it 6/29. Pick-up & drop off at MCO.

We like to stop at Target off of Orange Blossom Trail - love the Chik-Fil-A too! I would have liked to eat lunch there again, but I have the CP ADR now, I might still try to get that changed to a dinner and then we could still go the Chik-Fil-A. Pathetic, I know!

 

[carone0318]

Any ideas what you are planning to do? What parks, which days? Do you every go to the water parks? I got some ideas. I know I have to go to MK the 1st day we are there or in my mind, we are not at Disney!

I know! But, when you are at 1900 PF, I'll be at the Poly..so we'll be kinda close!

 

[tinkgurl]

Any ideas what you are planning to do? What parks, which days? Do you every go to the water parks? I got some ideas. I know I have to go to MK the 1st day we are there or in my mind, we are not at Disney!

Yep, we have a game plan. I will be posting it on my PTR soon..I gotta keep people interested somehow. Plus, the sheet is at home and I'm at college. I do remember that we're going to do MK as soon as we get there and MK is always our last day too. I've never been to any of the water parks. We're just not into that kind of thing.

 

[carone0318]

We only started doing the water parks a couple of yrs ago and we didn't go the last trip because we also threw Disney 3 night cruise in, so I told the kids I wasn't pay extra for a water park when they will have Castaway Cay to go to.

I like to start my trip off at MK too. Since we usually stay at BWV, we walk through Epcot and take the monorail over th MK. So, the monorail is like our first ride.

We also have a family challenge that we do before we get to Disney. Each person has to guess who the first character is that we will see. Of course, I won last time because I guessed Chip & Dale and that was who we saw when we first entered Epcot! I had to make a big stink about it - VICTORY at last!

Yep, we have a game plan. I will be posting it on my PTR soon..I gotta keep people interested somehow. Plus, the sheet is at home and I'm at college. I do remember that we're going to do MK as soon as we get there and MK is always our last day too. I've never been to any of the water parks. We're just not into that kind of thing.