7 days to go... and GOING ALL OUT! Platinum Plan, VIP tours... family of 5 FIRST TRIP

[lovemy2boys]

Hope I got your attention!

This is my first attempt at a trip report. I am pretty new to the DIS boards and haven't ventured out past the Resorts board..... until today! I came across these fantastic trip reports! So let's see if I can do this right!

We have myself (Lesley), my husband Jorge, my wonderful stepson Sky (8), and two little guys Aidan (3) and Alex (18 mo). I don't have many pix online but here are my little guys.....

My sweet stepson.....

And my husband and me.....

At the end of April, we decided to take a trip to Disney. Jorge and I have been several times when we lived in Orlando but this was pre-kids. Our dates were pretty tight so I called Disney as soon as we decided. We were able to book the Grand Floridian GRAND SUITE for our trip. AHHHHHH!!!!!!! I was even told by a seasoned DISer that there was no way I actually got the Grand Suite with such short notice and that I must be mistaken but no.... we did in fact get it!

We are not celebrating anything special on this trip but we do want it to be a magical and unforgettable time for our family. You see, (and this is a very long story short) my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year. After a hospital stay and surgery, he has been on the mend but it has been a really rough 9 months for us. So we are really looking forward to forgetting our worries and having a BLAST for 8 days!!!

We decided on the Platinum Plan which includes the Deluxe Dining Plan. The Platinum Plan also includes Spa Treatments, Wishes Fireworks Cruise, tickets to Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba, and some other fun treats!

Regarding the DDP, I have looked over my ADRs and I see we are missing several meals! If anyone has suggestions, please let me know!

We have also decided (after reading Cass' fantastic, amazing TR with her VIP Tour Guide) to get Disney's VIP Tour Guide service for three days of our trip. It is very $$$$ but I know it will be well worth it traveling in the June heat/humidity with two little kids! Hopefully this will help us get the shortest waits possible for the big rides!

Here is what we have on the schedule so far......

Wednesday 6/11
arrive at Grand Floridian
we have a Cabana rented and plan to spend the afternoon by the pool
DINNER Chef Mickey's (Character Dinner @ Contemporary)

Thursday 6/12
Magic Kingdom Day!!!
We will be having the VIP tour guide today!
BREAKFAST Crystal Palace (Character Breakfast @ MK)
LUNCH no plans yet, any suggestions for the MK? Can be table service or counter service!
we plan to go back to the hotel at around 2-3pm
again, we have a Cabana rented and plan to spend the afternoon by the pool
DINNER Mickey's Backyard BBQ (@ Fort Wilderness)

Friday 6/13
Disney's Hollywood Studios Day!!!
We will be having the VIP tour guide again today!
BREAKFAST Play 'n Dine @ Hollywood and Vine (Character Breakfast @ DHS)
LUNCH 50's Prime Time Cafe
we plan to go back to the hotel at around 2-3pm
again, we have a Cabana rented and plan to spend the afternoon by the pool
DINNER Narcoossee's (@ GF)

Saturday 6/14
this will be our relax day, we have the cabana rental and will be using our Platinum Plan Spa treatment credits.
DINNER Hollywood Brown Derby (@ DHS)
Fantasmic

Sunday 6/15
Father's Day, will be spent with friends outside the parks

Monday 6/16
Animal Kingdom Day!!!!
We will be having the VIP tour guide again today!
LUNCH Tusker House Restaurant (@ AK)
again, plan to be back at the hotel by 2-3pm for cabana rental/pool time!
DINNER Jiko (@ AKL)

Tuesday 6/17
EPCOT Day!!!!
We are doing the obligatory trip to Epcot but none of us are overly excited about it. I don't know how much there will be to do for the little ones. We may just stay until after lunch and then head back to the hotel!
BREAKFAST Chef Mickey's (Character Breakfast @ Contemporary)
LUNCH Tutto Italia
again, plan to be back at the hotel by 2-3pm for cabana rental/pool time!
DINNER no plans yet, any suggestions????
after dinner, Platinum Plan Wishes Cruise -- I believe this is a cruise out of the GF Marina to watch the Wishes fireworks show from the MK!

Wednesday 6/18
we travel home
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So I guess that is it so far! Thoughts? Are we doing anything horribly wrong, planning-wise? As I said this is our first trip to Disney as a family, first time staying at a Disney resort, first time for everything!!!!!!

 

[DisDancerina]

Your kids are movie star perfect! Oh, I can't believe you're going platinum! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

I'm subscribin'!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Your kids are movie star perfect! Oh, I can't believe you're going platinum! Can't wait to hear how it goes!

I'm subscribin'!

Thank you!

There are so many aspects to the Platinum Plan and I know we are missing out on a lot. We don't even have La Nouba scheduled in, no Illuminations, no sports or water facilities.... yet there is a lot we ARE taking advantage of (babysitting services, spa treatments, Wishes cruise....) and we are going for 8 days! I think you need to stay 2 weeks to do everything!

 

[DisDancerina]

Thank you!

There are so many aspects to the Platinum Plan and I know we are missing out on a lot. We don't even have La Nouba scheduled in, no Illuminations, no sports or water facilities.... yet there is a lot we ARE taking advantage of (babysitting services, spa treatments, Wishes cruise....) and we are going for 8 days! I think you need to stay 2 weeks to do everything!

Do you get unlimited spa?

YOU HAVE TO SCHEDULE LA NOUBA!!!!! Is it still possible?

 

[lovemy2boys]

Do you get unlimited spa?

YOU HAVE TO SCHEDULE LA NOUBA!!!!! Is it still possible?

1 spa treatment per adult but my wonderful husband gave me his. I'm having a facial and massage! And I am pregnant so they agreed to let me have the "mom-to-be massage"!

I guess I should have spread out my trip report or something. I was looking at everyone elses and they all seem so elaborate. I know I started this late in the game with only 10 days to go. Is there any other information I can share?

 

[DisDancerina]

1 spa treatment per adult but my wonderful husband gave me his. I'm having a facial and massage! And I am pregnant so they agreed to let me have the "mom-to-be massage"!

I guess I should have spread out my trip report or something. I was looking at everyone elses and they all seem so elaborate. I know I started this late in the game with only 10 days to go. Is there any other information I can share?

Hmmmm... You could just say what you're up to Don't worry, I'm having the same problem. I was thinking about telling people what I had for breakfast!

 

[arbonnette]

Hey, Lesley! If you want to add to your trip report, you could add a picture of your stepson and one of you and DH!!! Your boys are so cute!
Are you using the babysitting services so you and DH can go out to dinner? If so, where are you are all going??? Give us the details!

 

[princessesrule4]

Sounds like a great trip!

Pixie dust to your family. My SIL was diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant with my nephew about 15 years ago! That first year was rough but she is great now!

Have you thought about doing California Grill ( its a nice TS like Narcoosees) your last night? It is one of our favorites! I was going to say that you could stay and watch WISHES from the rooftop but you have a cruise - even better!

We'll be checking in at around 9am to RPC so mabye we'll see you in the lounge!

And keep checking with the wonderful RPC CM's during your trip- people sometimes cancel for Le Cellier a day or 2 before and something might open up! Have you checked with Calvin lately to see if anything has opened up? He's awesome!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lesley, I hope everything goes well!! I am sorry to hear about your husband. Glad he's on the mend.

Great start to your report!!

Thanks for sharing & I cannot wait to see your pics of the Grand Suite!!!

Enjoy!

Channing

 

[mandymommy4]

Lesly~ Epcot does have some fun stuff. Check out the Living Seas and don't miss Turtle talk with Crush! Your boys will love running around the Seas pavilion exploring all the tank, and its indoors so no heat! Also the 8 year old would like soaring and Test track, might be a good activity for dad and son? While you let the little ones explore and check out the cool topiaries ect.... The whole family can ride Space Ship earth, who doesn't want to ride inside the big ball?

Have a great trip!

 

[mandymommy4]

I would totally do California Grill fro your last night! and then head off for your cruise! YOU can see so much from the CG it has amazing views!

 

[vbarry]

Lesley~ Hope you have a great trip! I would love to see photos of the Grand Suite.

Keep checking on LeCellier. I have always had good luck once you get to WDW and changing ressies or getting something I could not get before the trip. Someone usually cancels.

 

[vbarry]

EPCOT is our favorite park.

The first time we did not really appreciate it but now we LOVE it.

The tour through the countries is great and take the kids to the KIDCOT area to make their masks. Very fun! Also you can find tons of characters in the countries.

Mandy gave you a lot of good ideas also.

This is also a very large park which is so nice because it does not feel as crowded. Lots of room to walk around and just enjoy!

Hope you have a great time!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Okay, I added pix of me and my hubby!

Thanks for the suggestions of California Grill. I forgot about that place but have heard great reviews!

I know, I need to be fair about Epcot. I just know after going the Magic Kingdom, my kids will want to be there all the time!!!!!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Hey, Lesley! If you want to add to your trip report, you could add a picture of your stepson and one of you and DH!!! Your boys are so cute!
Are you using the babysitting services so you and DH can go out to dinner? If so, where are you are all going??? Give us the details!

I just added pix of all of us so you can see our mugs!

DH and I are going out ALONE to dinner twice...... once to Jiko and once to Narcoossee's!

 

[Marthonica]

Can't wait to hear about how it was using the VIP tours. Sounds like a good way to go.

Have you looked at the Pirate cruise that leaves from the GF I think? I hear young boys like that adventure a lot.

Can the VIP people help you secure last minute reservations? Coral Reef is good with kids. We're looking forward to a nice meal at Citrico's without DS.

 

[goofygal531]

Hope to bump into you on 6/13 at Play n Dine Breakfast. My son will be the boy who won't stop hugging June! He has the biggest crush on her!!

 

[mindyd]

Hi,

Your report caught my eye because we leave in 9 days. All your plans look greta and I am very jealous about the spa.

 

[arbonnette]

I just added pix of all of us so you can see our mugs!

DH and I are going out ALONE to dinner twice...... once to Jiko and once to Narcoossee's!

How nice! I am sure it will be wonderful!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Whoo hoo!!! ONE WEEK TO GO!!! We are all so excited, especially Aidan. I have yet to pack or even think about it. As much as I say I will do it ahead of time, I know I will spend the day before (Tuesday) frantically packing.

Our reservations were updated a little bit. I put the changes in magenta.

We were able to get into Mickey's Backyard BBQ instead of Hoop Dee Doo. We have wanted the BBQ but took HDD as a backup. I am so glad we will get our first choice!

Saturday night we will be doing dinner at the Brown Derby and then using our Platinum Plan for the Fantasmic Preferred Seating. I am really looking forward to that evening!

We will also be doing lunch in Italy at Epcot. The menu looks yummy!