A Gloriously Gluttonous Grand Gathering -- October 2015 *Complete

[KathyM2]

Ha yes, do leave me your leftovers lol. I am going with just my DD (age 9) but I suspect I may need a beverage or two after she goes to bed on some nights lol. Calm is good...it's nice to have somewhere quiet to go after all the stimulation of the parks. A FB group to help with the planning is a great idea. I will have to remember that if we ever go with more people. It's good that the newbies are sticking with you as well...because otherwise, they might have a hard time understanding the need for all this planning. I'm sure they will after the trip if they don't already. Also, LOVE your F&W choices...I wonder what will be new this year. I definitely want to try that rib eye taco, and the drunken' dole whip as well ) among other things lol

 

[Marnm02]

DAY 7
FP+ Wishlist: Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur

We will start with our wakeup call at the typical 6 AM time frame, followed by a powwow and light breakfast/snacks at the food court

Then we'll catch the bus to get to Animal Kingdom for 8 AM Extra Magic Hours.

This will be our main AK day, as the only other time we'll have been here is for a couple hours before dinner on Day 3. There will be a LOT to fit in:

• At least a couple EE rides
• All the shows, except for Nemo, which I tend to only fit in if we have extra time
• Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ. We had this last time and everyone loved the ribs, and would all like to go back
• Rum Dole Whip...mmm
• FP+ reservations shortly after lunch: Dinosaur, Everest, and Safari
• As many other attractions as we can squeeze in up until 4-5 PM

Pascal approved of the coconut rum Dole Whip last year

There's some potential for Maddie meltdowns at AK, as the only two rides she's scared of are here.

The first one is...

She didn't like this ride at all the first time she went on it last year. Here's the proof:

She has, however, told my mom that she'd like to try it again, on the condition that she gets to sit by my mom and that they make funny faces at and tease the dinosaurs. We will see how that goes...

She's also nervous about...

This should be the first year she's tall enough, so we checked out some YouTube videos. After seeing them she decided that it looks pretty scary. She goes back and forth between saying she'll try it and saying she doesn't want to. I hope she will give it a try (she does just fine on Tower of Terror after all) but we probably won't know until we're actually there.

Around 3 my aunts and uncles will be headed over to MK for their 4:10 dinner ADR at BOG.

The rest of us will have a little extra time before our 6:25 PM ADR at...

We'll either hang around at AK longer if there's still more to do, or we'll head over to the Wilderness Lodge early to check out the resort. I've never been in it before.

My aunts and uncles weren't too keen on this ADR, because some of them have been here before and weren't fans of the antics. I'm not sure how I'll feel about them either, as I hate ketchup. I think Maddie will enjoy the whole experience though, and the skillet looks super yummy, so I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Once we're done with dinner we'll take the boat over to MK and meet up with my aunts and uncles. We'll try to squeeze in an attraction or two, but mostly we'll be there to see MSEP and Wishes.

Then we'll hurry on back to POFQ and rest up after a long day!

 

[KathyM2]

I like your AK strategy...ie: making your FP+ times a bit later...have to think about that...

 

[Marnm02]

I like your AK strategy...ie: making your FP+ times a bit later...have to think about that...

Thanks
When we went last Fall we noticed that early mornings at all parks were really slow, even with EMH. I had made all our FPs for early, thinking we'd get more from the kiosks. We ended up feeling like we wasted our first three, since the rides were walk-on anyway. Then by the time we got done using them and found a kiosk there was nothing good anymore. This year I'm planning on doing all my FPs for later on.

 

[Marnm02]

Little Side Update:

The Eat to the Beat schedule has come out for the Food and Wine Festival. I've been to WDW during lots of F&W festivals, and still have yet to take part in this. I thought maybe this would be the year. But...these are the acts I have to pick from:

Christopher Cross: When I first read this name I honestly thought it must be one of the guys from Kris Kross who is now grown up and going by a more mature name. I thought, "sign me up for that, maybe he'll turn 'Jump' into a ballad!" Then my aunt informed me that it's not the same "Chris Cross" but that she really likes him! So, maybe she and my uncle will be fitting in some time to see him. Count me out though!

Starship: I don't know what this is either, but apparently my uncle has their greatest hits on vinyl. So maybe he'll be scheduling this one...although he definitely doesn't want to use dining plan credits for the package. Is it likely to be very crowded and crazy if he just shows up?

Smash Mouth: I thought this might be fun just for the memories of 9th/10th grade shennanigans, but I don't think it's worth going through a lot of effort for. Like, maybe if I'm just hanging out in Epcot and I see that Smash Mouth is about to start and it's not very crowded, I'd wander in for a listen, but I'm not going to work any plans around it. No one else is interested.

I love how our group spans all the generations

And I hate that we aren't there during Boyz II Men!

 

[KathyM2]

Ha...Starship was big in the 80's lol...so might be kinda fun to see. I'm not sure any of the bands are worth re-arranging your schedule for. That said...Rick Springfield is there on the day I had planned for Epcot lol...so that will be amusing I'm sure. I was worried about the crowds...but the general concensus around here is that the bands don't really affect crowds much...so there you go.

 

[Marnm02]

Ha...Starship was big in the 80's lol...so might be kinda fun to see. I'm not sure any of the bands are worth re-arranging your schedule for. That said...Rick Springfield is there on the day I had planned for Epcot lol...so that will be amusing I'm sure. I was worried about the crowds...but the general concensus around here is that the bands don't really affect crowds much...so there you go.

I looked up Starship, and I do recognize some of the songs, but I definitely wasn't old enough during the time they were first active to be a fan. I do know Rick Springfield though, and I think that would be a really fun one to try to catch!

 

[Marnm02]

Planning Changes:

I'm glad I decided to do this PTR, because it made me look over my plans and realize that we just don't have enough Epcot days. So I combed through all my plans and have made the following changes. Spreadsheet official!

Day 5: We are still going to do MK in the morning and EP in the afternoon, but instead of doing EP Fastpasses as originally planned, we're going to do the 2nd batch of MK ones (which we had originally planned on doing Day 8): Splash Mountain, Tink Meet and Greet, and Big Thunder Mountain.

Day 6: DHS is officially scratched, and we're going to do the whole day at Epcot. Future World in the morning, Via Napoli Lunch, a short detour to the Swan/Dolphin for dessert, then straight back to Epcot for WS and F&W all afternoon/evening. FPs will be what we originally had planned for Day 5: Soarin, Turtle Talk, and Character Spot. We'll probably end up doing them earlyish in the morning, since our lunch ADR is 11:30.

I also made some changes to what I had originally planned for Day 8, but that will be coming in the next regular update.

 

[Marnm02]

DAY 8

First I have just one teeny tiny planning update. I was able to play around a bit more with the Via Napoli lunch reservations for our hot mess of a Day 6. We now have 8 of us eating at 11:30 and 6 eating at 12 (and if we do end up with all 15 attending we'll just play the "who makes an ADR for a baby?" card.) So, it's shaping up to be a much more sane day: Epcot EMH, Via Napoli lunch from 11:30-1ish, visit to the Swan and Dolphin, more Epcot time with WS and F&W while aunts and uncles go to Fantasmic. Not bad at all!

Anyway, on to Day 8: Our last full day!!

FP+ Wishlist: Rockin Rollercoaster, Star Tours, Tower of Terror


This is the day I'm hoping to score Be Our Guest breakfast! Still waiting for the ADRs to open up. If we can get it, I'd like to try for pre-park so Mom can get some cool empty park shots. MK doesn't open until 9, so if we are able to get breakfast it will be our usually 6 AM wakeup, then head straight to the park. If breakfast is a no-go, we'll sleep in a bit!

If we are lucky enough to have BOG breakfast, I'll definitely be getting the Open-Faced Bacon and Egg Sandwich. I love me some baguette!

I plan on having a list of things we still need to see, or would like to do again, so we'll get going right away on those.

I'd like to head back to POFQ around 11, and either grab some snacks on the way out of MK for lunch, or get something at the POFQ food court.

We'll have a little resort break/packing time until 1, when we'll catch the bus to DHS. I'd like to schedule two of our FP+ reservations between 2 and 4, and we'll fill in any other time as needed with any attractions we'd still like to do.

At 4:45, we have dinner ADRs for the Fantasmic package at...

I know this restaurant doesn't always get great reviews, but we really enjoy it. The food is not OMG It's the BEST EVER food. It's more Olive Garden quality in my opinion, but I like me some Olive Garden every once in a while, and I really enjoy getting the free appetizer and preferred seating at Fantasmic. I think the atmosphere at MM is one of my favorites. It's homey and comforting. Plus they have pitchers of ice cold lemon water out in the waiting area, which is really nice when you have hot and tired kids with you. I wish all the restaurants did this!

My favorite dish at MM is the Pasta Alla Vodka, which is probably what I'll get again.

And this dessert:

I plan on scheduling our final FP+ reservation for after dinner (probably TOT due to its close proximity to Fantasmic) and we'll try to squeeze in any other attractions we can.

Then it's time for...

Should be a perfect end to a perfect trip!

We'll take the bus back to POFQ and wind down the night packing and visiting.

 

[KathyM2]

Well why didn't you tell me it was like Olive Garden lol...Now I want to go!! I love Olive Garden lol....great plans though....and with your revisions sound a bit more doable and maybe less exhausting!!

 

[Marnm02]

I enjoy Olive Garden at home. On vacation, I typically prefer something new, but that doesn't mean that type of food is bad. I probably wouldn't do MM by itself, but as part of the Fantasmic Package it's a nice meal that's a really great value!

 

[Marnm02]

DAY 9

Today is the day we go home

I purposely planned for it to be on a Friday so it'd be a little easier to deal with, knowing that we have the weekend ahead of us to veg out and play with our Memory Maker photos. Last year we returned on a Sunday and it was just SO DEPRESSING knowing that we had to be back at school and work the next day. I'll never make that mistake again!

Anyway we'll start this day off with our normal morning routine: up at 6ish, get ready, visiting and possibly some breakfast in the food court. Then it will be time to catch the Magical Express at 8:15. We'll cruise on over to the airport, linger around until our 11:15 flight, then take off. It'll be our same Team Southwest group returning together again: Me, DH, DD, MIL, FIL, Rachelle, and Baby Amelia.

Our arrival time is scheduled for 1:10 PM in Milwaukee. Once we arrive we'll part ways with the rest of our travel companions and start the drive home. We should be pulling in the driveway by 4 PM.

...and it'll be another Disney trip in the books!

 

[Marnm02]

PET PROVISIONS

We've recently had a few big planning items checked off the list!

The first one is...Furbaby care has been secured!

We have three very special furry children in our lives...

Here is my main man, Punky:

Punky is 12 and he's a big mushy, gushy lover boy. He cuddles with everyone, especially me, but he also likes to be the welcoming committee and cuddle up to anyone who walks in the door. Sometimes he gets a little too excited, if you know what I mean, which is odd because he is "altered" but he's just kind of a weird boy. When I got him from the humane society, they told me he'd been picked up as a stray and they thought he might be inbred...so...yeah... But he really is the sweetest thing ever, and I love my inbred, overly-affectionate little guy. He also has IBD, which is to cats as Chron's disease is to humans. He has to take steroid and antibiotic pills regularly to keep his flare-ups under control. My vet says it's normally a death sentence for cats, because of how hard it is to get them to take pills. But Punky is not a normal cat, and he takes his pills without any objection as long as he's being cuddled. He's been on his meds for almost two years and they are keeping him as healthy as a 12-year-old cat can be.

And my goofy girl, Angelica:

Angelica is 13, and she was born on a farm, so she's really tough and playful. She's Maddie's playmate of choice, and she really seems to enjoy being dressed up as a doll, carried around, pushed in a stroller, etc. She isn't as obviously friendly as Punky is, but if you know her you know that she also has a cuddly side, and that she LOVES being around her people. She used to play fetch when she was a kitten, but I think she forgot how in her old age. She also really likes to wrap herself around my neck like she's a scarf, and then have me walk around with her like that. Cats are so crazy!

Last but not least...

This is Buster the Hamster. Don't ask me why he's sitting on the remote controls with a jelly jar next to him. I have no idea. He's Maddie's furbaby, but I really love him too. He is missing the skittish/nippy hamster instinct, and instead he just cuddles and plays. If you open his cage he'll walk right into your hand and will sit there and let you pet him. Maddie has a big doll house and spends lots of time letting him hang out in all the rooms. I've never seen such a sweet, chill hamster before... It makes me sad to know that they only live for two years.


With Punky's special medical needs (and all of our local family booked to come with us on the trip) finding pet care was a big stressor hanging over my head. But then one day I received an email from Maddie's Girl Scout troop leader, and noticed on her signature line that she runs a pet care business. I checked out the website and found out that she's a former vet tech. Awesome! So I asked her what the damage would be for our motley crew of furballs, and she gave me a great deal due to our house being right on the way to her daughters' school. YAY!

 

[KathyM2]

Phew...what a relief that must be to have pet care taken care of...and at a good deal!! Pet care can be ridiculously expensive...it always adds a lot to the cost of our trips.

 

[Marnm02]

Phew...what a relief that must be to have pet care taken care of...and at a good deal!! Pet care can be ridiculously expensive...it always adds a lot to the cost of our trips.

Yes, pet care is tough! I was expecting a much bigger ordeal!

 

[Marnm02]

SPREADSHEET

Lookie what I made...

Isn't it beautiful?

I'm open to suggestions and feedback!

 

[KathyM2]

Love your spreadsheet!! My only commend is something I've been pondering too regarding Epcot....I didn't book any ADR's for our Epcot day because I thought we would want to eat both lunch AND dinner at the Food and Wine booths...but....you are making me second guess that...I'm wondering if I should book something for lunch or dinner that day...but then not sure what...I'm very jealous of your Perfectly Princess Tea...would love to do that!

 

[Marnm02]

Love your spreadsheet!! My only commend is something I've been pondering too regarding Epcot....I didn't book any ADR's for our Epcot day because I thought we would want to eat both lunch AND dinner at the Food and Wine booths...but....you are making me second guess that...I'm wondering if I should book something for lunch or dinner that day...but then not sure what...I'm very jealous of your Perfectly Princess Tea...would love to do that!

Oh, I completely understand the Epcot dining conundrum! I know I very well could eat both lunch and dinner at F&W! But, at the same time, there are some really yummy sounding restaurants at Epcot that I've never tried before (Hello, Via Napoli!). My solution is to pay OOP for just a wee little lunch at Via Napoli (I really just want a slice or two), and then I'll hit up F&W for dinner. I'm sure my attempt to pace myself will fail and I'll be completely stuffed that day, but c'est la vie! If there's something you want to try at Epcot, I'd book it. I wouldn't book something just to have an ADR if you think you could fill up for the day at F&W though.

 

[kadrachb]

Just read over your plans so far, and everything looks amazing! But to be honest, I was pulled in by the spreadsheet... I'm a sucker for spreadsheets (and, anything excel related, I tend to use it all the time during my classes... and when people say they don't use it I just HAVE to teach them).
And your spreadsheet looks great!

 

[KathyM2]

Yeah I have to say I'm tempted by VN too...maybe I will see if there's anything open for lunch...