A Fly By The Seat Of Our Pants Last Minute Trip - PTR

[archdandy]

Hello and welcome to my very first PTR! I always wanted to do a PTR and dining report but it never happened so this time I am determined to make it happen I guess I should introduce me and the hubby!

In case you didn't realize, that's a picture of us! It was taken on our disneymoon in June 2011. I'll tell you a little bit more about us!

Me: I'm 22 and currently in school for my Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Anthropology. This will be my fourth disney trip (I can't even believe that!) and I found my way to the DIS boards at the beginning of this year while researching my disneymoon. I've been hooked ever since

DH: He's 25 working full time as a manager for a cash converters store (not a hawk or pawn shop but a cash loan store that also buys and sells used items) and also in school part time for Animal Control Worker. This will be his third trip to disney. Even though he fell in love with it the first time he went I still worry one day he will get sick of my constant talking about disney and my over obsessive planning of our trips We have no children but we do have three cats who are our fur babies! We love them to death.

This trip has taken a lot of organizing and re-arranging in order for us to be able to go. At first I really wanted to go in December because we've never been when they had the Christmas decorations up and also because we both get a Christmas holiday from school. But as fate would have it (or my rotten luck!) it couldn't be done in December because of my exam schedule. So then we decided for early January but they didn't have the free dining available right at the beginning of January, it started Jan. 8 which is the day before my new classes start. I said to heck with it because I just wanted to go to Disney over my holidays, I'd just take an extra week of holidays So now I'm missing my first week of my new classes but it's worth it, its disney!

Alright enough of that predicament. We are staying at Port of Orleans Riverside from January 8-15th with a garden view. This is our first time at POR and I wasn't exactly thrilled with it at first (see post #2) but I've read more about the resort and now I'm excited about it. We will have the DDXP plan because we upgraded from the free dining. I'm gonna be doing a dining report once we get back as well. So I hope you enjoy my PTR and reading this super long intro ! I'll update soon with ADR's and a tentative itinerary.

 

[archdandy]

Okay so I really wanted to stay at Coronado Springs resort again this trip because that's where we stayed on our disneymoon in June and we fell in love with it I guess it's what you could consider our home resort now. We waited too long to book as I've just discovered while scoping out prices for our trip. The only rooms they have available in CSR are king beds which would be around $300 more than we had budgeted for. So sadly my beloved CSR will have to wait until our next trip for us to return.

After finding out that we would not be going to our desired resort I knew I had to start researching other moderates ASAP. I got right on it and phoned disney to find out what rooms they DID have available at other resorts because the website wasn't showing much of anything. They only had regular rooms available at CBR and garden views available at POR and only king beds at POFQ. Great. I really did not want to stay at CBR and wasn't excited about that option at all. I disliked the idea so much so that I started thinking about maybe trying for a value resort instead and save ourselves another $500 or so. My hubby quickly vetoed that idea! Its not that he has anything against values and neither do I but they are a lot busier and have more kids running around than either of us like. Moderates are just geared more towards adults which we enjoy.

So in the end the decision came down to POR or CBR. The final decision was the result of the food courts I decided that POR had a better looking food court and me and DH both love food and its one of the big reason why we love CSR so much (their food court is amazing!). Now we've finally booked a garden view at POR and after researching the resort more I am getting more and more excited. Did you know they have movies under the stars night?! How romantic and fun! Who knows? Maybe I'll get back from POR and it will be our new "home" resort. I doubt it but ya never know. I'm finicky that way!

 

[archdandy]

I'm just going to point out before laying out our day to day plans that I do not consider ourselves "commandos" when it comes to touring the parks but I wouldn't say that we are laid back about it either. I think we come somewhere in the middle of them. I like to semi-plan out our days and if it doesn't happen then it doesn't happen, we're still at disney so I don't mind because it's still going to be fun whatever we do! We do like to make rope drops though because you can get so much done before the parks start filling up and the lines start to get longer.

Now let's take a look at our ADR's shall we? I actually made these before I booked our trip because I knew we wouldn't be booking any where close to the 180 day mark and I was worried we wouldn't get anything. I think I did okay though! I managed to get everything I wanted except Tusker House breakfast which wasn't a huge deal. So here's the list:

Sunday January 8th

Lunch: Beaches 'N Cream - you can't make ADR's here which suits us well anyways because I'm not sure what time we will be getting to the resort (we're totally looking forward to the No Way Jose as we are BIG fans of peanut butter and chocolate!)

Dinner: Yachstmans Steak House 6:55pm - DH complained on our last trip that he didn't get a steak the whole time we were I knew we were going to have an extra dining credit and we've never done a signature before so I booked this and we're both very excited about it!

I'm not sure what we're going to do all day. We might go DTD or we might just hang out at the resort. Depending on which movie they are playing we might also watch a movie under stars at the resort.

Monday January 9th - Epcot Day

Breakfast: Chef Mickeys 7:05am - I booked this so early because I wanted to make rope drop for Epcot. I think we will taking a cab from POR to the Contemporary and then the bus from the Chef Mickeys to Epcot. This will be our first time at this restaurant.

Lunch: Coral Reef 1:15pm - We've been here once before and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant. We are not going for the food or for the service. This was DH's pick because I got to pick dinner for Epcot day so he got to pick lunch!

Dinner: La Hacienda 7:30pm - I've wanted to try this restaurant ever since it opened, I love Mexican food!

I'm hoping we can stil find a good spot to view Illuminations as we've never seen it before. Any suggestions on where to find a good spot quickly close to La Hacienda?

Tuesday January 10th - Hollywood Studios Day

Breakfast: Riverside Mill - Hopefully we can make it for rope drop after a quick breakfast

Lunch: Sci-Fi 12:45pm - We've never been here before but we know the foods not great. Again we are just going for the atmosphere as we both love the drive in!

Dinner: Captain Jacks 7:00pm - Hollywood Studios closes early this day and we never usually stay at this park for the whole day so we decided we would go to DTD during the evening. We've never done this restaurant before but I love seafood!

We'll spend the day at the parks and hopefully the evening at DTD. Maybe we'll catch a movie or just enjoy the sites.

Wednesday January 11th - Animal Kingdom Day

Breakfast: Riverside Mill

Lunch: Yak & Yeti 1:00pm - We tried this restaurant in June for the first time and I loved it! DH wasn't as thrilled with it but I couldn't miss the oppurtonity to go back!

Dinner: Cape May Cafe 7:00pm - Again we're going back for me I love crab legs and no way was I missing those suckers this trip!

Thursday January 12th - Break Day

Breakfast: Riverside Mill

Lunch: Planet Hollywood 12:00pm - We chose this restaurant for DH because he loved the movie props that were there last time we went. I could take it or leave it but I left the choice up to him.

Dinner: Woflgang Puck Cafe 7:00pm - We really enjoyed this restaurant last time we came here and we loved the snickers cheesecake they had so hopefully its still there

As you can see we planned a day away from the parks this day and instead we decided to hang out at DTD and relax at the resort some.

Friday January 13th - Magic Kingdom Day

Breakfast: 1900 Park Fare 8:10am - I'm hoping this will be enough time to eat and get to the park for rope drop. We've never been and I wanted I see the Mad Hatter and Alice!

Lunch: We aren't sure what we are doing for lunch this day. We might go to Peco Bills or maybe to Columbia Harbor House.

Dinner: Tonys Town Square 7:30pm - We enjoyed this place on our last trip and the options in MK are really limited for table service. Hopefully it will be decent.

Saturday January 14th - Unsure

Breakfast: Grand Floridian Cafe 7:55pm - I've seen great reviews of this place for breakfast and I am excited to try it!

Lunch: We're unsure about this as we haven't decided what we are doing this day

Dinner: Raglan Road 7:00pm - We've never been here but always wanted to try it. We're hoping to catch the entertainment while there.

We aren't sure what we are doing this day. We might go back to a park, we might go to a water park depending on how hot it is or we might just call it a break day and do nothing!

 

[archdandy]

Woohoo! About a week and a half ago was our official 3 month countdown date. We decided to celebrate by buying the Lion King that had just come out on bluray. We got the one that has bluray and regular discs in it. The Lion King is one of my favorite Disney movies. Now we're at about 2 months and 3 weeks and we're trying to figure out what movie we will watch for our 2 month countdown celebration. I can't believe it's getting so close already. It feels like just yesterday we decided we were going. I guess school is keeping me pre-occupied. I dont know if that's a good thing or a bad thing I'm sure my husband would say its a good thing so that he doesnt have to listen to me talk about it all the time, har har.

I'm curious what other people do to celebrate their countdowns??

 

[prisjoyce]

Woohoo! About a week and a half ago was our official 3 month countdown date. We decided to celebrate by buying the Lion King that had just come out on bluray. We got the one that has bluray and regular discs in it. The Lion King is one of my favorite Disney movies. Now we're at about 2 months and 3 weeks and we're trying to figure out what movie we will watch for our 2 month countdown celebration. I can't believe it's getting so close already. It feels like just yesterday we decided we were going. I guess school is keeping me pre-occupied. I dont know if that's a good thing or a bad thing I'm sure my husband would say its a good thing so that he doesnt have to listen to me talk about it all the time, har har.

I'm curious what other people do to celebrate their countdowns??

I love the movie idea! My kids and I have a little Woo-Hoo Dance Party every morning as we countdown. This morning it was, "Woo-Hoo! 30 Days!" and a lot of ridiculous dancing! That might scare your cats, though!

Happy Planning!

 

[archdandy]

I love the movie idea! My kids and I have a little Woo-Hoo Dance Party every morning as we countdown. This morning it was, "Woo-Hoo! 30 Days!" and a lot of ridiculous dancing! That might scare your cats, though!

Happy Planning!

Yes my cats would most definitely be scared if I jumped around and started dancing Congrats on passing the 30 day mark! I can't wait until that day rolls around for me. I've just started reading your PTR so I need to catch up before I post but I will!

 

[archdandy]

Okay not really, but it IS out for reading week. And I am super thrilled to have a week of not going to class. I needed this.

I also thought I would kind of explain the title of this PTR since I haven't done that yet. "A Fly by the Seat of Our Pants" PTR has to do with the fact that me and DH both started school for the first time in September and he works full time going to school part time and I go to school full time. We're not really used to being this busy and it's taking a very big toll on us right now. We have all kinds of added stress such as increased gas use, our car needs some expensive repairs, we're moving in December and just all around life stress. We decided that we could really use a Disney vacation soon!

So with less than 4 months to go we started planning our trip. As many of you know it is very stressfull to try and plan a Disney trip 4 months out and requires a lot of patience and sacrificing as I had to do with my beloved Coranado Springs Resort But I'm so excited to be able to have a week off in Disney with my husband in a few months, like beyond excited So there you have it. The reasoning behind the PTR title.

 

[OziJo]

Hi archdandy. Just caught up on your PTR and subbing. Sounds like a great itinerary.. Notice you are doing La Hacienda on the 9th Jan. We are there on the 10th which is our scheduled Epcot Day. We have a 6.30pm ressie so will probably be out before illuminations but I figure we will have enough time to find a good spot to watch.

Hope you enjoy your trip. Sometimes you just have to grab your chance and go for if even if it does mean flying by the seat of your pants.

 

[archdandy]

Hi archdandy. Just caught up on your PTR and subbing. Sounds like a great itinerary.. Notice you are doing La Hacienda on the 9th Jan. We are there on the 10th which is our scheduled Epcot Day. We have a 6.30pm ressie so will probably be out before illuminations but I figure we will have enough time to find a good spot to watch.

Hope you enjoy your trip. Sometimes you just have to grab your chance and go for if even if it does mean flying by the seat of your pants.

As you can see we have a 7pm ressie for La Hacienda. I'm hoping we can get out in time to find a decent spot for illuminations, especially since we found out fantasmic's not showing in January. It wont be a huge deal if we don't make it but it would be nice as we have never seen the show before.

Thank you! And yes sometimes thats what you have to do in order to stay sane from all the things life throws at you

 

[archdandy]

I saw this on somebody's PTR and thought it would be fun to help pass the span of a month. It also gives me something to write about as I have nothing really right now. Hopefully soon I'll pay off the disney bill and book our flight. I just found out today that the discounted price we had looked at for our flights is no longer available. It's not too big of a deal because we are still only paying $388 with taxes for both of our tickets round trip. Anyways on to the 30 days of Disney!

Day 01: Favorite Disney Classic (1937-1988)

I debated between Peter Pan, Aristocats and Robin Hood but I'm going to have to say Robin Hood. I just remember that movie being so much fun to watch! I loved how the characters were all different animals and the love story between Maid Marian and Robin Hood was so cute! I watched this movie over and over when I was young.

 

[prisjoyce]

I saw this on somebody's PTR and thought it would be fun to help pass the span of a month. It also gives me something to write about as I have nothing really right now. Hopefully soon I'll pay off the disney bill and book our flight. I just found out today that the discounted price we had looked at for our flights is no longer available. It's not too big of a deal because we are still only paying $388 with taxes for both of our tickets round trip. Anyways on to the 30 days of Disney!

Day 01: Favorite Disney Classic (1937-1988)

I debated between Peter Pan, Aristocats and Robin Hood but I'm going to have to say Robin Hood. I just remember that movie being so much fun to watch! I loved how the characters were all different animals and the love story between Maid Marian and Robin Hood was so cute! I watched this movie over and over when I was young.

This is a fun idea! I'm not sure I could pick, but I sure love Lady and The Tramp! DH even got me a cocker spaniel many years ago!

We really enjoyed Wolfgang Puck, too. And I hope you like POR. We've never stayed there, but it's good to mix things up, right?

 

[OziJo]

My favourite Disney classic is Bambi. One of my earliest memories is seeing Bambi and crying my eyes out when Bambi's mum died. Ever since then I love a good cry at the movies.

 

[archdandy]

This is a fun idea! I'm not sure I could pick, but I sure love Lady and The Tramp! DH even got me a cocker spaniel many years ago!

We really enjoyed Wolfgang Puck, too. And I hope you like POR. We've never stayed there, but it's good to mix things up, right?

It is good to mix things up and hopefully we enjoy it as much as Coronardo Springs! I've never watched Lady and the Tramp the whole way through I know, right? Blasphemy! Maybe we will have to get it for our two month countdown movie night.

My favourite Disney classic is Bambi. One of my earliest memories is seeing Bambi and crying my eyes out when Bambi's mum died. Ever since then I love a good cry at the movies.

I remember watching Bambi when I was little and every time the scene where Bambi's mother died came on I was terrified for Bambi I hated that scene! It's always fun whwn movies make you emotional.

Day 02: Favorite Disney Classic (1989-Present)

This is a tough one! I really love Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast and often my favorite will switch between these one's. But for now I'm going to say Beauty and the Beast. I always related to Belle and I just love all the songs in the movie!

 

[stitches of laughter]

your epcot day sounds FABULOUS!
I love, love, love CR! and I am also eating at the same restaurants you are during my epcot day! great minds...er...stomachs...think alike!

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[OziJo]

Day 02: Favorite Disney Classic (1989-Present)

I would have to say Beauty and the Beast. I love the music and the characters in the castle. And DD2 played Belle in the B&B segment of her school production "Salute to the Musical" when she was in Grade 3.

 

[Merida]

Subbing! We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside in December, for easy access to beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter.

My favorite 'new' classic is definitely Emperor's New Groove but I'm not sure about 'old' classic. Maybe Robin Hood? Fantasia? 101 Dalmations? Pretty much all of the ones with animals, I guess

 

[prisjoyce]

It is good to mix things up and hopefully we enjoy it as much as Coronardo Springs! I've never watched Lady and the Tramp the whole way through I know, right? Blasphemy! Maybe we will have to get it for our two month countdown movie night.

WHAT??!! Oh, my. Watch the movie, THEN go eat at Tony's!

My DD loves Beauty and the Beast, but I'd have to say among the recent Princess movies, I liked The Little Mermaid the best.

 

[archdandy]

your epcot day sounds FABULOUS!
I love, love, love CR! and I am also eating at the same restaurants you are during my epcot day! great minds...er...stomachs...think alike!

I hope you have a great trip!

Epcot is actually our least favorite park. The only reason I like it is because of all the great restaurants. But yes great stomachs do think alike! I'm going to wander over to your PTR and catch up!

I would have to say Beauty and the Beast. I love the music and the characters in the castle. And DD2 played Belle in the B&B segment of her school production "Salute to the Musical" when she was in Grade 3.

It's such a great movie! I love watching the musical at Disney and I can't wait until the new restaurant opens. Hopefully it will be open for our trip next fall.

Subbing! We're staying at Port Orleans Riverside in December, for easy access to beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter.

My favorite 'new' classic is definitely Emperor's New Groove but I'm not sure about 'old' classic. Maybe Robin Hood? Fantasia? 101 Dalmations? Pretty much all of the ones with animals, I guess

I've heard a lot about these beignets. Are they just doughnuts? Have you ever had them?

It is good to mix things up and hopefully we enjoy it as much as Coronardo Springs! I've never watched Lady and the Tramp the whole way through I know, right? Blasphemy! Maybe we will have to get it for our two month countdown movie night.

WHAT??!! Oh, my. Watch the movie, THEN go eat at Tony's!

My DD loves Beauty and the Beast, but I'd have to say among the recent Princess movies, I liked The Little Mermaid the best.

I've seen clips of the movie. And we have eaten at Tony's and I loved the decor and theme of the restaurant. We are eating there again this trip! I'd have to say the Little Mermaid is my second favorite of the new Disney movies.

 

[archdandy]

Day 02: Favorite Pixar Film
I'm going to have to say Monsters, Inc. I watched this movie over and over when it came out. The little girl in it is adorable! I know a lot of people enjoy the Toy Story movies a lot and I do as well but my hubby really really loves them so I think he loves them enough for the both of us

I've heard they are making a Monsters, Inc. II. Has anybody else heard this?

 

[KatMark]

I just saw this and hope you don't mind me joining in. I'll come back to catch up on it later today.