A (MAY)be PTR Updated 5/1

[BMC423]

Joining in! We are also traveling in May!

Welcome! Thanks for joining

It sounds like it will be a perfect day at DHS!! Hope your lil giu cooperates and you don't have to head back to the hotel for nap time.

I hope so too! If not we might just go to the family centers because I don't think I want to do the whole middle of the day nap at the hotel thing again. But if he seems too cranky then to off to the hotel we go. I'd rather take the time than have a melt down!

You have an adorable son. I like your planning style with the laid back approach and the must-do list. Can't wait to read more

Aww thank you! Yes I always try to things a bit more laid back... it is a vacation after all

I like your plan to be flexible! I don't think the crowds will be too bad when you go, so not having a plan will be just fine. =) The good thing is that you know you will be back at some point, and this isn't your first time, so you won't feel the need to go commando.

Great plans so far!

Yes crowds seem to be low during that time. You are right about the not going commando cause it is not our first time; I always tell myself there is always a next time.

Your plans for DHS sound good so far!

We've never eaten at Mama Melrose either, but my sister and her family love it! I've been wondering how the fact that Fantasmic! is scheduled every night affects the crowds for it? When Disney was only showing it 3-4 nights a week, the crowd/lines were terrible.

Yes! Those lines were terrible and the worst is that they started the lines at the bottom of the hill so walking up there in a line didn't always work out too well. On the upside I always found that walk very exciting... I feel it builds up anticipation for the show. Glad to know your sister and her family love it, we were supposed to go last year but it didn't work well into our plans.

Looks like a great first day plan. We did H&V one morning when it was an EMH morning at DHS, they didn't do anything special for rope drop that we could see (but it was really crowded).

Star Tours is great, probably my favorite ride in all the parks since the refurb. It has a height restriction of 38 or 40", and my oldest was pretty freaked out on it, but she has recently really gotten into Star Wars so I'm hoping she'll try it out again with me this year.

Please tell me H&V breakfast is decent, I booked it mainly for the characters but I was a bit hesitant. We really didn't care for the lunch buffet. I'm hoping it won't be too crowded that morning since the EMH are at night.

Yeah I think we might have to do a parent swap for Star Tours if the have it if not we'll have to take turns. I don't think my son will be tall enough by then .

 

[KellyWasHere]

Please tell me H&V breakfast is decent, I booked it mainly for the characters but I was a bit hesitant. We really didn't care for the lunch buffet. I'm hoping it won't be too crowded that morning since the EMH are at night.

Yeah I think we might have to do a parent swap for Star Tours if the have it if not we'll have to take turns. I don't think my son will be tall enough by then .

It was your basic Disney breakfast buffet fare. It was fine, hot. It won't blow you away but if you like basic breakfast food it's good.

They do have parent swap. With that and FP my husband and I were able to ride multiple times in a row.

 

[BMC423]

They do have parent swap. With that and FP my husband and I were able to ride multiple times in a row.

 

[BMC423]

One aspect of Disney vacationing that I have learned to appreciate more after joining the DIS is the food! So for each park I decided to write a list of foods I/We want to try for this trip or for future trips.


Hollywood Studios

Hollywood & Vine (Breakfast)

- Breakfast Buffet

Starring Rolls

- So many options, I can't just pick one. We have never even been here, really looking forward to this!

Sci Fi (Lunch)

- Onion Rings
- Seared Marinated Tofu
- Smoked Turkey Sandwich

Mama Melrose (Dinner)

- Clams Oreganatta
- Calamari
- Piccata di Pesce
- Pork Osso Buco
- Chicken Flatbread
- Honey- Hazelnut Ricotta Cheesecake
- Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake

What do you guys think? Is there anything missing from the list? Any preferences? Anything we should stay away from? TIA

 

[oboedm]

My favorite cupcake at Starring Rolls is the Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake! I would recommend going for that one! I haven't been to Mama Melrose, but your Sci Fi choices look great!

 

[MHTeacher]

I love the chocolate chip croissant at Starring Rolls. Also any of their cupcakes are yummy!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

I can't believe I haven't posted on here yet! Your plans are looking great so far! We love Raglan Rd...so sorry that we missed it last month. They have delish steak and DH really enjoyed their Salmon as well.
Must say that I am jealous of your pirate room at CBR...that looks soooo cool!!! We stayed there in '09 and loved it, the pool is awesome! You guys are gonna have so much fun!!

 

[BMC423]

My favorite cupcake at Starring Rolls is the Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake! I would recommend going for that one! I haven't been to Mama Melrose, but your Sci Fi choices look great!

That sounds heavenly!!!

I love the chocolate chip croissant at Starring Rolls. Also any of their cupcakes are yummy!

Is it anything like the Chocolate Croissant at French Bakery in Epcot? I love that one so... yum!

I can't believe I haven't posted on here yet! Your plans are looking great so far! We love Raglan Rd...so sorry that we missed it last month. They have delish steak and DH really enjoyed their Salmon as well.
Must say that I am jealous of your pirate room at CBR...that looks soooo cool!!! We stayed there in '09 and loved it, the pool is awesome! You guys are gonna have so much fun!!

I'm so excited about the room and the pool! I know my son is going LOVE it! He doesn't even know we are going yet. It was your review of Raglan Rd that had me thinking I wanted to try it. I read another TR recently where the author raved about the bread pudding and that sealed it!

 

[BMC423]

On 5/8 we will be heading to Epcot. Epcot has become our own personal Everest. We love Epcot but for some reason something always comes up that changes our plans. The first time my Dh and I went to WDW we only went for 2 days so Epcot shared a day with DHS. Needless to say we didn't get to do much. Last year we were set on spending a whole day and 1/2 there. Well, we did the 1/2 and when we went for the full day my son was sick and got worst while we were there so we spent that day at the hotel.

This year we are hoping to have better luck. Epcot will open at 8:00 am for EMH and I hope we can make there at 8.

First stop will be Sunshine Seasons, we have never been there so will are looking to pick up something small for breakfast.

Then on to our morning List:

1. Spaceship Earth
2. Nemo
3. Soarin'
4. Living with Land
5. Innoventions
6. Stopping to enjoy all the Flowers!

 

[BMC423]

After spending the morning in Future World the afternoon and evening will be all for the world showcase.

Mexico

- Gran Fiesta Tour
- Snack @ Cantina de San Angel

Norway
- Maelstorm
- Kringla Bakeri

China
- Joy of tea

Germany
-Karamell Kuche
- Sommerfest

Italy
- Gelato Stand

America
- American Adventure
- Fife & Drum

Japan
-Kabuki Cafe

France
-Crepes
-Patisserie

U.K.
- Fish Shop

Canada
- Dinner ADR @ Le Cellier

Then find a spot for Illuminations.

For each spot there will be a stop at the gift shop even if its just to browse. I love those gift shops.

 

[MHTeacher]

Here's hoping you finally conquer Epcot!

 

[oboedm]

Your Epcot plans look great! I think you will conquer Epcot this time around. Looks like you have a good assortment of activities planned. =)

 

[BMC423]

So I have been MIA due to life really. This was my first and last semester taking three classes... there is a lot more work than I anticipated and I find myself getting very stressed out sometimes. The good news is that because of my genius idea of taking three classes this semester I will be able to graduate next Spring.

So I am definitely looking forward to this trip because classes end May 2nd and we leave May 6th. This is a much needed vacation. Then, I have about two weeks after we come back before Summer Session starts.

With everything slowly falling into place I realized I will be able to student teach this Fall . It makes me very excited but also very nervous, because I will have to quit my job at the bank.

Anyway, that is why I have been neglecting my PTR duties because I was trying figure my school situation. Now that I have figured this out on to the planning!

 

[BMC423]

As mentioned before this is just a plan of where we plan on eating this trip with list of things that we want to try if not on this trip on future trips. All new places for us will be marked with an *.

Future World

Sunshine Seasons* - Breakfast (Not a lot of options for Breakfast at Epcot)

- There is nothing we particularly want to try here just a small breakfast to start the day.


World Showcase

We are going to try to complete our eat/drink around the world challenge, and with a lot of sharing we might be successful! We do not have anything planned for lunch for this reason.

Mexico - La Cantina*

- Empanadas De Queso
- Nachos
- Passion Fruit Margarita
- Dos Equis

Norway - Kringla Bakeri*

-School Bread (this a definite)
- Waffles
- Carlsberg Beer (DH)
- Viking Coffe (me)

China - Joy of Tea*
- Chinese Pork Buns
- Pork and Vegetable Egg Rolls
- Strawberry Oolong Tea Slushy
- Tsing Tao Beer

Germany - Karamell- Kuche*
- So many Choices!

I previously had mentioned Sommerfest, but I think we will skip that this trip...

Italy - Gelato Stand

- Limonata
- Gelato

America - Fife & Drum*

- Cream Cheese Pretzel

Japan - Kabuki Cafe*
- Kakigori

Morocco - I have nothing planned for here, so that will be up to our moods that day.

France - Crepes*
- Strawberry Crees

France - Patisserie
- Chocolate Croissant (My Fav!)
- Apple Tart

U.K. - Fish Shop
- Fish and Chips

Canada - Le Cellier* (Dinner) Very excited about this!!!

- Cheese Plate
- Cheese Soup
- Seared Scallops
- Lobster Chopped Salad
- New York Strip
- Filet Mignon
- King Salmon
- Maple Creme Brulee
- Trio of Chochlate


Thats our Epcot food wish list, please give me some feedback especially those of you who have been to Le Cellier before.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Congrats on taking a chunk out of your schooling this semester. It's been hard but you will be glad for it when it's done for sure.

I like your Epcot plans....but one thing is missing...in the UK, you should try the Welsh Dragon at the bar...sooooo good!!!

Ingredients

3/4 ounce peach schnapps
3/4 ounce melon liqueur
1/2 ounce green crème de menthe
to taste orange juice
to taste pineapple juice

 

[BMC423]

I forgot about the Welsh Dragon!!! You are such a big fan that I was thinking about trying it. So yes added to my list

 

[BMC423]

So once I again... I've been MIA a lot has been happening in life. This semester is almost over last official day is 5/2... and we are leaving 5/6. This vacation is very much needed! I have been working on projects, presentations, and papers for the last couple of weeks. Everything else has been put on the back burner. I still have a few papers to wrap up (planning on doing that tomorrow) and then I can concentrate on finally finishing up my Disney plans. I know this is cutting it close, and I really don't like that but it is what it is. I also have to start studying for my certification exams I'm still missing 2 out of 3 before I can start my student teaching.

When I come back from Disney I'm taking those exams and then I have to start job hunting. I have exactly 3 months to find a job as a Assistant Teacher or else come the fall I will have to quit my job and do my student teaching as an unpaid internship.Which is not what I would like to happen but if it does it will be ok.

Anyway I plan on posting another update on Monday once I finish our Day 4 plans.

 

[BMC423]

We are very excited to have a full Animal Kingdom Day! Last we didn't plan on not spending the whole day but we did want to make to DTD the same day so AK became a half a day. There is still so much we haven't done or seen here.


To start the day we have Breakfast ADRs at

We have been to Rainforest Cafe at DTD and in Atlantic City but only for dinner so breakfast will be a new thing for us.

After breakfast we will head to our morning must do's"

Kilimanjaro Safari
Pagani trail
Rafiki's Planet Watch (The affection Section is supposed to be closed for refurbs which makes me a bit sad but there is so much to do there that we will be ok)
Jungle Trek
FOTLK
Camp Mickey & Minnie (Last year this was the first time my son met Mickey and it was such a sweet moment)

We will break for lunch at:

We have never been here but I keep reading how wonderful the decor is and how its such a fun place to dine, we've decided to give it a try.

Here are our afternoon plans:

Kali River Rapids
Finding Nemo
Tricera Top
The Boneyard
Oasis Exhibits

We don't have any plans for dinner this day and might head over to DTD, the Boardwalk or a hotel to eat. I like exploring hotels and this gives me the perfect opportunity to do so. Any recommendations?

 

[BMC423]

I'm finally done with all my assignments and really feels like I'm free! Now I can finish my planning.

Today I will finish cleaning my house just missing the bathroom and the kitchen. Tonight I will be packing and making a list of anything that we might be missing. We went shopping for some things over the weekend but something is always forgotten.

Tomorrow I have my last class of the semester, I won't be home till late so I don't plan on doing anything trip related tomorrow.

Thursday I plan on printing or downloading all necessary documents.

Friday is normally pizza and movie night at night at my house, this Friday we will be watching last years video.

Saturday will hopefully be a relaxing day. John will be going for a haricut, and I will be going for a mani/pedi. My parents will come over to say bon voyage and we will probably all go to church Saturday evening.

We have decided to tell Michael that we are going to Disney on Sunday morning when we wake him up. This was something we debated back and forth, last year he didn't really know where we were going since it was his first trip. This year he has been asking to go back and we were worried that if we told him he would not stop asking if today was Disney day. We talked about telling him Saturday night be decided against it cause he will probably be too excited to sleep. So Saturday we will not encourage him to nap and let him run around and play to his little hearts content, with hopes he will go to bed early.

Sunday we have to be up at 4:30 am since we are leaving at 5:00. I will probably be up at 4:00 if I get any sleep at all.

 

[MHTeacher]

Sweet picture!

Your AK plan sounds good!