7 nights, 3 boys, 1 wild trip - AKL in May 2016 *COMPLETE!*

[hokieinpa]

Mmmm, looks good. I might have to put The Plaza on my maybe list, depending on how my appetite holds up. (Of course, I'm hungry as I'm reading this, so of course everything looks yummy!)

I get sooo hungry planning our ADRs! And I've heard lots of good things about The Plaza!

Your daily parks sound good, and you have some GREAT ADRs planned!! Crystal Palace is so good, I can understand why you would want to repeat it! I've also heard a lot of good things about Tusker House so I think you will enjoy it! And I personally LOVED Ohana dinner when I went so I hope you love it too!

I'm excited to try so many new places! My mom was a little disappointed when we had to cancel Crystal Palace in November to I'm happy we get to do it this time! Ohana dinner is the meal that I'm the most excited about! I think it will be great food and a really fun night!

Mmmm, I'm hungry now from reading your options!! Just wanted to chime in with my opinion on The Plaza. I always wanted to eat there after seeing pics Ariana posted with her view of the castle. My Mom and I finally got to have lunch there in November and it was so quaint and perfect. We loved our food, the desserts were so great and we even ordered drinks of Pirate punch that came with a light up skull to take home for my son Great choice!

Planning ADRs makes me hungry too!

Yay, love hearing great things about The Plaza. I need to go back and read her TR again! And we'll make sure to ask for a table with a view of the castle if we can!

Looks like a great dining list. We're doing Tusker House for the first time on our trip in a few days, I have high hopes for it. We're also doing the Hollywood and Vine lunch, I have less high hopes for that one, but I am hoping the food is at least decent.

I've heard lots of good things about Tusker House! I think it will have a nice variety of familiar and new dishes to try. And I'm in the same boat with Hollywood & Vine. The food at Minnie's Holiday Dine was great but I'm not so hopeful for a regular lunch. But I know it's food the boys will eat and characters they like. I'm interested to hear your review!

We have the same parks planned for 3 of the same days. Maybe we'll run into each other.

You'll love Ohana. It's one of our favorites. Our kids love the coconut race and hula lessons

It would be great if we could meet up!

It's great to hear such a good review of Ohana - I think we'll all love the food and atmosphere!

 

[Elevationist]

How the crap did I not know you've had this happening over here for the last two months?!

I'll just assume that my personal PTR invite got lost in the mail!

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

You'll love AKL! We were there over Xmas and it's the only place my DH wants to stay now. Next trip (not until 2017, boo...) we'll have a recently weaned but still milk-drinking baby, so I want to rent DVC points too so we can have a kitchen.

On the dining, if you're staying at AKL, you have to try Sanaa! Maybe for lunch on your rest day? If you go during the day and get a window table you can watch the animals, it's really cool. And the food is great!

 

[hokieinpa]

How the crap did I not know you've had this happening over here for the last two months?!

I'll just assume that my personal PTR invite got lost in the mail!

Well this has been quite the happening PTR...all 2 of my updates and everything! I'm not sure how you could have missed this hot spot of activity!

You'll love AKL! We were there over Xmas and it's the only place my DH wants to stay now. Next trip (not until 2017, boo...) we'll have a recently weaned but still milk-drinking baby, so I want to rent DVC points too so we can have a kitchen.

I've heard so many good things about AKL! I know it's an amazing resort and we'll love every minute! The only negative I hear is that it is really far removed. We're used to Values so a 15-20 minute bus ride is all we know. And we're excited about the kitchen and washer/dryer! Boys get messy and it will be nice to not have to pack soooo many outfits for every disaster that could happen!

On the dining, if you're staying at AKL, you have to try Sanaa! Maybe for lunch on your rest day? If you go during the day and get a window table you can watch the animals, it's really cool. And the food is great!

Hmmm, I'm not sure I can talk my simple-food loving dad into Sanaa. But it is on my must eat list for my solo trip in October. I've heard the Naan service is amazing!

 

[MissMaryQC]

Oh my gosh, this is terrible, but I was so glad you fell behind, cause I am beyond behind!! This holidays got the better of me and I just haven't gotten on here!

Super glad to see your into the planning stages, and double digits are close!!

Loving the ADRs.

We loved Tusker House lunch, so I'm glad to see what you guys think of breakfast!

Can't wait to follow your cute family on another great Disney trip!!

 

[hokieinpa]

Oh my gosh, this is terrible, but I was so glad you fell behind, cause I am beyond behind!! This holidays got the better of me and I just haven't gotten on here!

Super glad to see your into the planning stages, and double digits are close!!

Loving the ADRs.

We loved Tusker House lunch, so I'm glad to see what you guys think of breakfast!

Can't wait to follow your cute family on another great Disney trip!!

I feel like I'm always about 5 steps behind. So we're in the same club!

Double digit dance is sooo close now!!

That's great to hear such good things about Tusker House! It's a new one for us and I hope the boys enjoy the food - but it seems like a good mix of standard Disney breakfast and some new things. And I love the safari outfits!

Thanks!

 

[NJlauren]

I'm here! Just checking in so you know I am here.

 

[hokieinpa]

I'm here! Just checking in so you know I am here.

Thanks for following along!

 

[purplelover88]

This trip sounds like it is going to be amazing! Renting DVC points is definetely the way to go, especially if you have a family. Those ADRs also sound pretty great. Can't wait to watch the rest of the plans unfold.

 

[hokieinpa]

This trip sounds like it is going to be amazing! Renting DVC points is definetely the way to go, especially if you have a family. Those ADRs also sound pretty great. Can't wait to watch the rest of the plans unfold.

I'm starting to get soooo excited! I've been in the lull between ADRs and FP+ but now it's getting close and feels real!

I think the 2-bedroom suite will be really nice for our group. And I'm so excited about our ADRs. Lots of new places to try!

 

[hokieinpa]

******************************
39 days until FP+ reservations
99 days until DISNEY!
******************************


It's Double Digit Dance Time!


So this morning I woke up and realized...

https://flic.kr/p/DfYfyP

we're in the double digits! And you know what that means...

[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/jwinfield3/media/GIFs/frongdance_zpsz4f86c0h.gif.html]






https://flic.kr/p/CW8r6f


I can't believe it's here already! Things seemed to drag after I made ADRs but the last 2 weeks have really flown by and I'll be making FP+ reservations in just over a month!


So I have a couple of updates to add on top of all that double digit dancing we just did.

First, I got this beauty in the mail this week.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Dej9Ut]https://flic.kr/p/Dej9Ut

Sigh.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/CgNrpS]

Sigh again.

Isn't it just perfection?

I'll go ahead and admit that I did a happy dance and squealed when I opened up the box! It may only be for one year, but I'm an Annual Passholder!

[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/jwinfield3/media/GIFs/giphy%20anna_zpswi4hdw5k.gif.html]


So in other news...I was thinking about our trip the other day. And doesn't it seem when you start thinking about a trip suddenly you start adding stuff on?

Well in this case, I decided to add on a whole extra night to our trip. But really, it's very cost effective. Let me explain.

1. Our original plan was to fly out of BWI on Sunday 5/1. Our flight was $124 per person.

2. We were planning on spending the night before our flight at a Homewood Suites near the airport since we live about 3 hours away. The hotel was $154 for the night.

3. Our original flight was scheduled to land at 11:40 am on Sunday 5/1. After getting off the plane with 3 kids, taking the ME to AKL, eating lunch at Mara, and taking the bus to Epcot the earliest I hoped to be there was 3. This really didn't leave us with much park time.


So then I had my Disney brainstorming session and came up with a simply brilliant idea. Why not fly in the night before and stay at a Value? We can hit Epcot early and take full advantage of a park day. Brilliant, see?

And financially responsible. Really!

1. Our new flight departs BWI on Saturday 4/30. It's $97 per person for a savings of $27 and $135 overall.

2. I booked a preferred room at Pop with my AP discount for $122 for the night. A savings of $32 compared with the night at the hotel near BWI.

3. We can be at Epcot for Rope Drop and we won't be exhausted from traveling. A much better value of our park ticket for the day.

So if you're still with my after all that Disney math...that brings the total savings of our switch to $167 and added sanity for a smoother travel day. Saving money by adding an extra day at Disney!

And what better to do with our savings than roll it over into another ADR! Am I right??



I booked a late breakfast at Garden Grill on Sunday 5/1.

https://flic.kr/p/DeLg61

I've been dying to try this since they began breakfast here. The Sticky Bun Bake alone looks worth it.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Dh4wxr]https://flic.kr/p/Dh4wxr

Yum!


The last news is somewhat sad. It seems as if Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be down for refurbishment during our entire trip. It appeared on the TA site last night.

[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/jwinfield3/media/GIFs/stitch_zpstvkrldbn.gif.html]

We've never actually ridden this. I was really looking forward to riding it with Nate and Colin this trip but it looks like it will have to wait until next year.


But overall, lots of happy news and updates. Thanks for reading![/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/CW8r6f][url=https://flic.kr/p/Dej9Ut][url=https://flic.kr/p/CgNrpS][url=https://flic.kr/p/DeLg61][url=https://flic.kr/p/Dh4wxr][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/CW8r6f][url=https://flic.kr/p/Dej9Ut][url=https://flic.kr/p/CgNrpS][url=https://flic.kr/p/DeLg61][url=https://flic.kr/p/Dh4wxr][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url]

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

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[TeeterTots]

Loving your PTR! Love love the MB-AP slider! I hope I get one like that when I renew! We own at AKV and you'll love it!! I just got back from my birthday, first girls weekend jan8-11 at AKL-CL and finishing up my first TR! I need a lot of work, but it was fun to do! Oh, you'll LOVE via Napoli! Tried it for the first time last trip and omg to die for! Can't wait to go back home April 17-24!!!

 

[NJlauren]

Double digit dance!!!



And anytime you can SAVE MONEY and add to Disney seems like the perfect idea!!!

 

[hokieinpa]

Yay for double digits! I'll dance harder for you, because I missed my own double digit day!

Thanks for dancing with me! I'll add a little extra dance for your belated Double Digit Dance!

Really, no explanation needed for Disney math! But your explanations are absolutely SOLiD!

Aren't they really great reasons? Saving money and maximizing park time! And saving money too. Win, win, win!

You are right on, girlie!

More Disney food is never a bad thing!

Loving your PTR! Love love the MB-AP slider! I hope I get one like that when I renew! We own at AKV and you'll love it!! I just got back from my birthday, first girls weekend jan8-11 at AKL-CL and finishing up my first TR! I need a lot of work, but it was fun to do! Oh, you'll LOVE via Napoli! Tried it for the first time last trip and omg to die for! Can't wait to go back home April 17-24!!!

Thanks for following along!

And I'm loving the slider! I do a little happy giggle whenever I pull out my band and see it!

It's good to hear such great things about AKL and Via Napoli. It's getting so close and I'm getting really excited!

Double digit dance!!!

Thanks for dancing with me!

And anytime you can SAVE MONEY and add to Disney seems like the perfect idea!!!

Right? Total win on all fronts!!

 

[MissMaryQC]

Double digits!!

And what better way to celebrate than finding a cash savings by getting to the Magic a day early! Well done my friend!!

 

[hokieinpa]

Double digits!!

And what better way to celebrate than finding a cash savings by getting to the Magic a day early! Well done my friend!!

Thanks for dancing with me!!

And yes - more Disney time for less money. Everyone wins!

 

[missangelalexis]

Yay double digit dance!!!!

Your AP magic band looks beautiful

I like the new plan- cost efficient and just better overall! Yay for more disney time AND a reservation at Garden Grill!

 

[missjackiemcg]

YAY FOR DOUBLE DIGIT DANCING!

DOUBLE YAY FOR AP MAGICBAND ARRIVAL!

WHY CAN'T I STOP TYPING IN CAPS, I'M SCREAMING IN EXCITEMENT?!!

Love when Disney Math equals extra park time. Woo hoo for a very happy update!!

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Love the Disney math. It is always fun to squeeze extra WDW time in.

I love the AP magic band. That would be so exciting to get. Your trip is going to be here before you know it.