A Disney-addicted mom: 2nd annual August trip and Marathon Weekend *Update 10/7*

[DrMomof3]

Chef Mickey's to start out your trip is perfect! I ate at the Wave when we stayed at BLT. It was good. Nothing memorable, but I'd eat there again if I was staying at BLT. It isn't destination dining, but it is convenient. You should be able to get into Le Cellier. I bet the 2 credit thing scares lots of people away. I wonder how they will change the menu. I think you should go for the V&A splurge. I'm considering it for my 40th b-day trip, but my DH isn't a foodie so I don't know how much fun it would be. I guess we'll see. I think you should eat in the castle too. The food isn't any better than Norway, but the ambience is fun and you'll be so close!

Thanks for your thoughts! Would you choose the Wave over Kona/'Ohana???

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

Thanks for your thoughts! Would you choose the Wave over Kona/'Ohana???

Amanda

In a word: No.

 

[-Hope-]

How did you order the chocolate clipper, Hope? I would like to do that!

Amanda

Call the Cake Hot line (407 827-2253)

There are mixed reports of whether or not you can request milk or white chocolate. It seems that 1900 PF usually gets white chocolate and CRT usually gets milk chocolate. We had the white and loved it but both get rave reviews.

 

[DrMomof3]

In a word: No.

Got it!

Call the Cake Hot line (407 827-2253)

There are mixed reports of whether or not you can request milk or white chocolate. It seems that 1900 PF usually gets white chocolate and CRT usually gets milk chocolate. We had the white and loved it but both get rave reviews.

How far in advance do you have to call? Thanks!

Amanda

 

[klacey1]

Hi, Amanda! We're going around the same time you are-- August 24-31st! We waited too long to get decently priced flights out of Westchester. Looks like we're going to have to stuff all of our stuff into one bag and fly Delta out of JFK. Not our first choice!
Your plans sound great-- we went to Ohana in 2009 and really didn't like it, to be honest. The food was lackluster and the service terrible (although you guys would probably fare better since you're a family-- we got the distinction that they ignored couples/small parties). I'd go with Kona instead.
V+A sounds like an incredible experience!

 

[-Hope-]

Got it!



How far in advance do you have to call? Thanks!

Amanda

I ordered mine when I made my ADR and then confirmed a couple of days before. I think the official rule is at least 48 hours but I'm not sure. I'd do at least a week to be on the safe side.

 

[DrMomof3]

Hi, Amanda! We're going around the same time you are-- August 24-31st! We waited too long to get decently priced flights out of Westchester. Looks like we're going to have to stuff all of our stuff into one bag and fly Delta out of JFK. Not our first choice!
Your plans sound great-- we went to Ohana in 2009 and really didn't like it, to be honest. The food was lackluster and the service terrible (although you guys would probably fare better since you're a family-- we got the distinction that they ignored couples/small parties). I'd go with Kona instead.
V+A sounds like an incredible experience!

We got a great deal on Delta out of LaGuardia in January. Wouldn't that be closer than JFK? Too funny that we'll overlap!

I ordered mine when I made my ADR and then confirmed a couple of days before. I think the official rule is at least 48 hours but I'm not sure. I'd do at least a week to be on the safe side.

Perfect. Thanks!!!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

So I was telling my DH about my dining rationale - trying to minimize the fixed price places (like buffets) and ordering a la carte instead. I also mentioned avoiding early morning EMH. His response? "But I like early morning EMH, especially at MK!" So much for that idea. Better that I know now so I can adjust our plans accordingly. I need to check EMH for our trip and change our days so we can take advantage of some morning EMH at MK. And maybe at DHS, too.

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

How did I miss that you started a new PTR for three days?!?!?! And here I thought I was on top of these things.

 

[klacey1]

We got a great deal on Delta out of LaGuardia in January. Wouldn't that be closer than JFK? Too funny that we'll overlap!

LaGuardia is about the same as JFK, probably a bit closer. We'll see what we go with-- whoever has the better times. We're waiting to pay this month's Disney Visa and then booking the plane tickets as soon as our next statement opens up. I want those points-- plus, I don't want to risk the prices going up AGAIN! I'll keep my eyes open for you and your fam while we'll down there!

 

[DrMomof3]

How did I miss that you started a new PTR for three days?!?!?! And here I thought I was on top of these things.

Welcome!!!

LaGuardia is about the same as JFK, probably a bit closer. We'll see what we go with-- whoever has the better times. We're waiting to pay this month's Disney Visa and then booking the plane tickets as soon as our next statement opens up. I want those points-- plus, I don't want to risk the prices going up AGAIN! I'll keep my eyes open for you and your fam while we'll down there!

It would be totally cool to meet you! I usually keep lime green Mickey ears on our strollers and diaper bag with my user name. And you'll probably know ever minute of my plan by then.
I hate going to JFK because it takes SO much longer to get there. Then again, our security experience at LGA in January was awful.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

We were away for 2 nights at a "local" place - Rocking Horse Ranch. It was fun but the kids were fighting like cats and dogs and we didn't get a lot of sleep. Made me miss Disney a lot! I wish we had gone there and I could have run the Princess 1/2!!!
While we were away I submitted my ADR wish list to my TA:

Saturday night: Chef Mickey
Sunday night: Kona Cafe
Monday lunch: Via Napoli
Monday dinner: Teppan Edo
Tuesday dinner: Victoria & Albert's (hopefully Chef Table)
Wednesday: BBB at 3pm
Wednesday dinner: CRT
Thursday dinner: Le Cellier
Friday dinner: Garden Grill

We'll see what we get. I'm considering Pirate League for the boys while Jessica is getting boutiqued but I don't know if they'll like it.

I'm also switching some park days around so we can use am EMH at MK, as per DH's request.

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

The ADR plans look fabulous! I say go for the Pirate's League. If you remember from my June '10 trip report we had a fabulous time there! Here is a photo to jog your memory.

 

[DrMomof3]

The ADR plans look fabulous! I say go for the Pirate's League. If you remember from my June '10 trip report we had a fabulous time there! Here is a photo to jog your memory.

My only hesitation is that Nathaniel is very shy. And unpredictably shy. So we might sign him up and have him decide, on the spot, that he doesn't want to do it. I don't think it's something we need to book 180 days out so I'm going to wait and see what he thinks as we get closer to the trip.

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

My only hesitation is that Nathaniel is very shy. And unpredictably shy. So we might sign him up and have him decide, on the spot, that he doesn't want to do it. I don't think it's something we need to book 180 days out so I'm going to wait and see what he thinks as we get closer to the trip.

Amanda

It may have changed, but on the day we were there you would have had no problem doing a walk up. So you might even be able to wait for that day to decide.

 

[klacey1]

Great ADR list! I wanted to try Garden Grill, but we decided to go with LTT instead.
I hope you guys get the the Chef's Table-- it sounds like an amazing experience!
Haha, a good friend of mine lived in Highland in high school and was an entertainer at RHR! We used to tease him mercilessly about having to entertain screaming hordes of Girl Scouts!

 

[DrMomof3]

It may have changed, but on the day we were there you would have had no problem doing a walk up. So you might even be able to wait for that day to decide.

That's what I was thinking. I told him about it and showed him the pictures. I'll let him think about it and then decide. The other issue is that Tom may not be up for taking the 2 boys to MK by himself. They might do better chilling out at the resort.

Great ADR list! I wanted to try Garden Grill, but we decided to go with LTT instead.
I hope you guys get the the Chef's Table-- it sounds like an amazing experience!
Haha, a good friend of mine lived in Highland in high school and was an entertainer at RHR! We used to tease him mercilessly about having to entertain screaming hordes of Girl Scouts!

Too funny about your friend! I like RHR but I'm not sure that we'll go back next year.
My kids loved Garden Grill last year. I thought the character interaction was really outstanding.

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Your ADRs look great, a great mix of things for the kids and adults. I hope it all works out for you!

 

[DrMomof3]

Your ADRs look great, a great mix of things for the kids and adults. I hope it all works out for you!

Thanks Hope!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Monday was ADR day! I will say it was really nice to have a TA dealnwill the whole process. We basically got everything we wanted.

Saturday dinner: Chef Mickey's
Sunday dinner: Kona Cafe
Monday lunch: Via Napoli
Monday dinner: Teppan Edo
Tuesday dinner: Queen Victoria's Room at V&A
Wednesday 3pm: BBB
Wednesday night: CRT
Thursday dinner: Le Cellier
Friday dinner: Garden Grill

Needless to say I'm very pleased!

Amanda