A Mother-Daughter Sea/Land August Trip - UPDATE! CHANGES??? (2/24)

[RGirl]

For mugs, anything they have on their fountains, and tea and coffee are included. If you're mostly just water drinkers, you may not find the mugs as nice as we do.

We do mostly drink water, but I am a coffee drinker. Do you recall whether they have unsweetened iced tea? I tend to drink a lot of that in the summer as well. And I'm guessing they have lemonade, which Willow would enjoy.

The heat factor is what prompted us to do it the first time. It was nice to know we had a seat in the air conditioning a few times per day.

Yeah, I really think this point makes a lot of sense for this particular trip.

I'm pretty sure that you can add DDP up to 30-45 days before the trip. You can definitely add it after you make ADRs. I made all of our ADR for the last trip and the next one before we even had our rooms booked.

Excellent - I think I will email my TA and make sure that we can add it anytime.

If you make your ADR, check the prices and think it'll be worth it, it should be really easy to add. Remember the snack credits too. You can use them for pretzels, popcorn, breakfast items at the resort, water, treats from the bakery, etc. We used them for benigets a lot at POFQ.

I am going to do this. I will feel better if I take the time and really figure out whether it is worth it.

I am thinking that I may order a case of water and some breakfast-y stuff to be delivered to the resort. That way, we will would have our snack credits to use on the things that we really want to get as snacks - Mickey bars, the new Dr. Doofen-whatever drink in Epcot (assuming it is a snack credit - maybe it's not ), etc. The regular dining plan doesn't seem so outrageously food-filled as I had thought - I mean, we would likely get one TS and one CS plus a snack every day anyway. We would NOT be getting dessert at every meal, so I am going to go through and calculate what we would actually be ordering if we didn't have the DDP and see which would be cheaper though.

With DDP you get one CS, and one TS and one snack per person per day. You'll still have flexibility for your CS meals, and you'll only be locked into your TS ressies.

Yep - that's very true. It's not THAT restrictive, I guess. And if we wanted to cancel a TS, we can always substitute another one later because I think, even during busy times, there are enough cancellations to pick up an ADR somewhere else if you are not super-picky about times or places.

We really like it obviously, but my MiL had never done any dining plans before she went with us, and she says she'll never do WDW without it again. I think she saved over $150 in the 3 days she was with us.

That is really interesting! I am definitely going to run the numbers!

 

[shan23877]

I am almost certain that they do have iced tea and lemonade as an

On our last August trip, we took water bottles with filters with us and filled them from fountains and at CS places through the day. It was easier than lugging around a bunch of bottles.

We're not really dessert eaters either normally. I guess to us the dessert makes it seem extra vacationy

I hope I've helped!

 

[RGirl]

Okay, I need to get moving here. Sunday is ADR day!!!!

First, let me note that I had almost totally sold myself on the DDP, and then this afternoon, I went back to thinking that it just won't work for us based on the way we prefer to eat. I guess I'll decide sometime before the trip! If I don't do it, I am going to look at what we ended up eating and spending this time to determine once and for all whether it is something I should do on the next trip.

And I think we are up to Day 4, which is our AK day. Now we never end up spending a whole day at AK, and I am guessing with the August heat, we are even less likely to manage to stay all day. However, there appears to be a very good chance that Willow will be tall enough for EE this year! If that's the case, I predict more and/or longer visits to AK than usual. So that is the long way of saying that I am not going to make any AK ADRs - there aren't that many TS options there anyway. What I am hoping to get for this evening is a CM dinner ADR! We haven't been there since we had breakfast there on our first trip, so we are super-excited to see the CR again and to spend some time at our friend Mickey's very own restaurant!

Hmm, I guess I don't need much help with Day 4, so let's move on, shall we????

Day 5 I am hoping to head back to the MK (may have to talk my TOT-loving DD into that). At the same time, I know that we will be getting tired by this point, so I think this will be our no-rush day. I am hoping to have breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at 'Ohana and just walk over to the MK afterward regardless of the fact that it may be late morning by then. And, of course, I have great dreams of somehow scoring a BOG ADR for this evening. Oh, I hope so!!!! Both of us REALLY want to dine at Beast's castle.

So what do you think of the Day 5 plan? Any horrible errors you see? Suggestions for CS at AK?
​

 

[shan23877]

Sounds perfect to me! We can't do a full day at AK either.

I've heard great things about Flame Tree, but we're not BBQ lovers so we've never tried it. I know Y&Y has a CS window, and if it's anything like Y&Y TS it's really good. Should be mostly GF too-I think most Asian food is as long as the sauce isn't thickened with flour.

You'll have such fun at CM! We love it.

And 'Ohana breakfast! Mickey and Pluto in their Hawaiian garb! Yay!

I think you'll get the BoG ressie. I was tinkering with our ADRs last night (I think we're 3 weeks past our 180 date now) and EVERYTHING had some availability including Ohana, LeCellier, CRT, and BoG. The times weren't great, but they had availability. You'll be fine.

 

[amandaw]

Finally checking in.....

Well, we've already discussed the DDP so I won't rehash that here.

I do think your ADR plans are coming along quite nicely! Yachtsman sounds like a great choice. I really want to eat there one day as well.

As for Teppan Edo....it's not bad. All I would say is that if you have a hibachi style restaurant, I wouldn't go to Tepan Edo. But, if you don't, then it may be worth checking out.

I would also recommend Via Napoli but I don't know how many gluten-free items they have on the menu. Maybe you could call & check with Disney dining?

I say go for breakfast at 'Ohana! We really enjoyed our meal there.

 

[RGirl]

Sounds perfect to me! We can't do a full day at AK either.

I've heard great things about Flame Tree, but we're not BBQ lovers so we've never tried it. I know Y&Y has a CS window, and if it's anything like Y&Y TS it's really good. Should be mostly GF too-I think most Asian food is as long as the sauce isn't thickened with flour.

You'll have such fun at CM! We love it.

And 'Ohana breakfast! Mickey and Pluto in their Hawaiian garb! Yay!

I think you'll get the BoG ressie. I was tinkering with our ADRs last night (I think we're 3 weeks past our 180 date now) and EVERYTHING had some availability including Ohana, LeCellier, CRT, and BoG. The times weren't great, but they had availability. You'll be fine.

Yeah, I always hear great thing about Flame Tree too, but the menu just doesn't appeal to me that much. I think Y&Y sounds good. We ALWAYS end up hungry right beside Restaurantasaurus and end up eating there.

We are super-excited for Chef Mickey's!!!!! I don't care that the food is not thrilling - it's such a fun place!

And thanks to your and Amanda's reviews, we are finally trying 'Ohana for breakfast. Yay!!!

I hope you're right about the BOG ADRs. I have just never traveled during such a busy time of year - makes me nervous!

Finally checking in.....

Well, we've already discussed the DDP so I won't rehash that here.

I do think your ADR plans are coming along quite nicely! Yachtsman sounds like a great choice. I really want to eat there one day as well.

As for Teppan Edo....it's not bad. All I would say is that if you have a hibachi style restaurant, I wouldn't go to Tepan Edo. But, if you don't, then it may be worth checking out.

I would also recommend Via Napoli but I don't know how many gluten-free items they have on the menu. Maybe you could call & check with Disney dining?

I say go for breakfast at 'Ohana! We really enjoyed our meal there.

Thanks! We are pretty excited to try YMS.

I think we will try Chefs for lunch. If Remy is still there, we will have a great time!

Definitely going to try 'Ohana breakfast this year. Never would have done it if you and Shannon hadn't raved about it so much. Plus, it gives us another Pluto opportunity - with a goal of ELEVEN, you know I have to take every opportunity!

 

[RGirl]

Okay, so thinking about ADRs all the time is starting to stress me out.

So onto other things. I realized that we will be celebrating our Family Day (the anniversary of the day we arrived home from Guatemala as a family) while we are on our cruise! That will be a very special way to celebrate and also gives me a very special reason to make sure that it is a surprise.

AND thanks to Amanda , I am suddenly a crazy, obsessed Crafty McCrafterson person and have decided to make a custom autograph book for Willow. This seemed like a great idea, and I think it is. HOWEVER, Willow has decided that she is on a character-meeting quest for this trip, including a vow to meet Pluto ELEVEN TIMES! So this will be the biggest autograph book of all time.

Anyway, I am going to be working on the book today (I have a 4-day weekend thanks to parent-teacher conferences ) and, well, for the next 6 months, so I thought I might post some pictures of what I'm making later today or tomorrow.

Happy Disney Planning!!! ​

 

[RGirl]

So this morning I was up at 5:45am in order to make my ADRs!!!

Over the last few days, I went over all of my tentative plans and made some decisions and some changes. First, I realized that Willow's mantra for this trip has become, "If we see a character, we have to stop!" Based on that, I knew that we were going to do a LOT of character meals. Running the numbers on the DDP prior to this has always resulted in no savings, but I ran the numbers one more time with my fairly finalized plans, and because of the character meals, I should save about $150 to $200 by purchasing the DDP - bizarre! So I guess I will be adding the DDP.

Anyway, I was thrilled - albeit sleepy - this morning when I managed to get every ADR I wanted at every time I wanted! So here is what we have (will they change? probably! ):

Saturday: 8:00am BBB appointment followed by lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table (we have done this combo on every trip )

Sunday: Lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby

Monday: Dinner at Akershus (a total surprise - Willow has no idea and will be thrilled since she did ask to go back here and I nixed it in favor of doing something new)

Tuesday: Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Wednesday: Breakfast at 'Ohana with Lilo and Stitch and dinner at Be Our Guest!

Thursday: Dinner at San Angel Inn - really want to experience the atmosphere of this place, and I think Willow will find things she likes on this menu

Friday: A surprise last-day early dinner at 1900 Park Fare - we have never met the Step Family before!

So we are super-character heavy and lacking on refined meals. But I realized that was the way to go to make the trip as fun as possible for Willow (who has vowed to meet and get an autograph from Pluto ELEVEN TIMES). I have the cruise right after and can enjoy the finer dining there, including possibly treating myself to an evening at Palo or Remy!

If anyone is still reading, what do you think?

​

 

[shan23877]

Your ADR sound great! I'm glad that DDP will work out for you. The character meals could be what always tip the savings in our favor.

Yay for BoG! I'm so glad that you got that one, and I think that you'll love the 'Ohana breakfast and the Park fare dinner (food is meh, but characters are AWESOME).

11 times huh? I think you can do it. We met Belle 9 times last trip, and that's without any sort of goals to do so.

Loving the progress on your autograph book. What's held me back from making one is not knowing how many times we'll meet each character. You're making me want to invest in a Cricut though!

 

[RGirl]

Your ADR sound great! I'm glad that DDP will work out for you. The character meals could be what always tip the savings in our favor.

Yay for BoG! I'm so glad that you got that one, and I think that you'll love the 'Ohana breakfast and the Park fare dinner (food is meh, but characters are AWESOME).

11 times huh? I think you can do it. We met Belle 9 times last trip, and that's without any sort of goals to do so.

Loving the progress on your autograph book. What's held me back from making one is not knowing how many times we'll meet each character. You're making me want to invest in a Cricut though!

Thanks! I'm pretty excited about being able to surprise Willow with some ADRs about which she knows nothing!

And I am beyond excited about BOG!

You know, that dang autograph book is going to be 485,636 pages by the time I'm done. Actually, I may never get done. But I'm going to keep working on it. I have about 5 Mickey pages and 4 Pluto pages done, I think. I need to step up my pace! I will post some better pictures on here - I am doing an autograph page with a facing page for the corresponding picture each time - the thing is going to be HUGE!

 

[shan23877]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited about being able to surprise Willow with some ADRs about which she knows nothing!

And I am beyond excited about BOG!

You know, that dang autograph book is going to be 485,636 pages by the time I'm done. Actually, I may never get done. But I'm going to keep working on it. I have about 5 Mickey pages and 4 Pluto pages done, I think. I need to step up my pace! I will post some better pictures on here - I am doing an autograph page with a facing page for the corresponding picture each time - the thing is going to be HUGE!

I love surprising Maddie with ADR too. This time she only knows about one.

BoG looks amazing, and from what I've read everyone's been loving it!

That is going be a huge autograph book I think we went through 4 standard Disney issued ones last trip though, so I think it's perfect!

Have you thought about PP yet? Bryan and I were just discussing PP+ and whether we should make the jump. I think it'll be Maddie's first rides on Space Mt. and EE, so just for that I'm inclined to do it. It's only $50 more than regular PP.

I'd love to see more pictures of the book! Don't stress, you've got time. I'm not even worrying about the 2 new dresses I want to make Maddie and the 10 she want for her AG doll.

 

[RGirl]

I love surprising Maddie with ADR too. This time she only knows about one.

BoG looks amazing, and from what I've read everyone's been loving it!

That is going be a huge autograph book I think we went through 4 standard Disney issued ones last trip though, so I think it's perfect!

Have you thought about PP yet? Bryan and I were just discussing PP+ and whether we should make the jump. I think it'll be Maddie's first rides on Space Mt. and EE, so just for that I'm inclined to do it. It's only $50 more than regular PP.

I'd love to see more pictures of the book! Don't stress, you've got time. I'm not even worrying about the 2 new dresses I want to make Maddie and the 10 she want for her AG doll.

Yep - I am almost certainly going to do PP+. With just the two of us, PP is a necessity if we are going to have any pictures of the two of us, so I want to get every picture I can. I always preorder the CD, and it looks like it is only $30 more when you preorder, but maybe I am misremembering. Either way, I will be doing it! Heck, I might even buy the eight million dollar cruise photo CD!

I have six months, but I don't know if that is enough time. Don't forget - I have the cruise too!!! I would need 6 years to make one dress, so I can't even think about your plans!

 

[shan23877]

Yep - I am almost certainly going to do PP+. With just the two of us, PP is a necessity if we are going to have any pictures of the two of us, so I want to get every picture I can. I always preorder the CD, and it looks like it is only $30 more when you preorder, but maybe I am misremembering. Either way, I will be doing it! Heck, I might even buy the eight million dollar cruise photo CD!

I have six months, but I don't know if that is enough time. Don't forget - I have the cruise too!!! I would need 6 years to make one dress, so I can't even think about your plans!

I think we'll probably go with it too. It's the only way I'm in any pictures. I'm going to update the PTR with our resort plans today, so once you see that you'll understand why I have some leeway with Bryan.

I'm going to preorder as well. I think I saw that it's $150 to preorder +. I'm not excited about having to remember to bring the voucher with me, and have it activated, but we'll be at MK first thing, so I guess that's not too bad.

If I were you I'd probably buy the cruise CD too. Do they take pics in the kids clubs too?

And, it would take me 6 years to make your autograph book. The dresses are the easy part for me. I'm thinking about making her the Alice dress and the Lilo dress since you can't buy those easily (or at all). What do you think? Too much?

 

[RGirl]

I think we'll probably go with it too. It's the only way I'm in any pictures. I'm going to update the PTR with our resort plans today, so once you see that you'll understand why I have some leeway with Bryan.

I'm going to preorder as well. I think I saw that it's $150 to preorder +. I'm not excited about having to remember to bring the voucher with me, and have it activated, but we'll be at MK first thing, so I guess that's not too bad.

If I were you I'd probably buy the cruise CD too. Do they take pics in the kids clubs too?

And, it would take me 6 years to make your autograph book. The dresses are the easy part for me. I'm thinking about making her the Alice dress and the Lilo dress since you can't buy those easily (or at all). What do you think? Too much?

Have you started a PTR???? I am so behind! I just realized that you wrapped up your TR and am reading your final entry right now!

It is really hard to justify the cruise CD since it is hundreds of dollars. However, if we manage to get professional-quality family pics taken like Heather did, I will order it for sure. We have never had family pics taken, and it would cost as much to do so and there would be no character pics! I don't think they do Kids Club photos, but I'm not sure.

I think Alice and Lilo dresses would be FANTASTIC! But you are talking to someone who basically commissioned a custom-made Jolly Holiday dress, so........

 

[shan23877]

Have you started a PTR???? I am so behind! I just realized that you wrapped up your TR and am reading your final entry right now!

It is really hard to justify the cruise CD since it is hundreds of dollars. However, if we manage to get professional-quality family pics taken like Heather did, I will order it for sure. We have never had family pics taken, and it would cost as much to do so and there would be no character pics! I don't think they do Kids Club photos, but I'm not sure.

I think Alice and Lilo dresses would be FANTASTIC! But you are talking to someone who basically commissioned a custom-made Jolly Holiday dress, so........

Heather's pictures were awesome, and you're right-if they take the place of traditional family photos, then it's totally worth it.

PTR is started, and link is on TR and in signature

I knew you'd understand! I think the Lilo one would be really fun if we met Stitch, and it would be really easy to make... Have to decide. Slave driver kid is forcing me to make AG princess dresses first.

 

[CandleontheWater]

You're back, yay!

I think your ADRs look awesome, especially the BOG! I'm dying to try it out on our next trip, can't wait to hear your review!

I also think that it is awesome that you are making your own autograph book for Willow, you guys are all so crafty! Maybe its good that I don't have girls, there is no way I could sew princess dresses or scrapbook autograph books or any of the awesome things that you guys all manage. I'm lucky boys don't seem to care as much about things like that.

Its good to have you back around, and good luck selling the house! We ran into a similar problem with our house in Florida, but we're currently renting it out. The neighborhood isn't what it was when we lived there, but luckily its still rentable! Its a tough situation to be in, and I'm happy you were able to get out, and hope everything works out for you!

 

[RGirl]

Heather's pictures were awesome, and you're right-if they take the place of traditional family photos, then it's totally worth it.

PTR is started, and link is on TR and in signature

I knew you'd understand! I think the Lilo one would be really fun if we met Stitch, and it would be really easy to make... Have to decide. Slave driver kid is forcing me to make AG princess dresses first.

I will hit up your PTR today! I'm excited that we will have TRs going at the same time again. That is so fun!

I think a Lilo dress would be awesome. Now I am thinking I should learn to sew so that I can make one for our 'Ohana breakfast.

Willow finally decided to do the BBB again because, "I want to see what dresses they have," so I'm seeing a Merida dress in our future.

You're back, yay!

I think your ADRs look awesome, especially the BOG! I'm dying to try it out on our next trip, can't wait to hear your review!

I also think that it is awesome that you are making your own autograph book for Willow, you guys are all so crafty! Maybe its good that I don't have girls, there is no way I could sew princess dresses or scrapbook autograph books or any of the awesome things that you guys all manage. I'm lucky boys don't seem to care as much about things like that.

Its good to have you back around, and good luck selling the house! We ran into a similar problem with our house in Florida, but we're currently renting it out. The neighborhood isn't what it was when we lived there, but luckily its still rentable! Its a tough situation to be in, and I'm happy you were able to get out, and hope everything works out for you!

Hey there!!!! OMG - I totally missed the birth of your son! Where have I been? And how has it been that long????? You JUST got pregnant! Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

I am SO excited for BOG!

I am not really very craft at all. I don't know what happened to me. Willow had a Hello Kitty birthday party this month, and I found myself hand-making the invitations and the decorations and, well, I guess I just lost my mind. Before I knew it, Amanda had talked me into buying a Cricut, and now I'm a fiendish, obsessed Crafty McCrafterson.

Thanks about the house. It is a crazy situation, but I know it was the right decision. I actually got an offer on the house yesterday, which shocked me. I had to counter though, so I'm not confident that it will get sold anytime soon. But lots of good luck this way would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[shan23877]

I will hit up your PTR today! I'm excited that we will have TRs going at the same time again. That is so fun!

I think a Lilo dress would be awesome. Now I am thinking I should learn to sew so that I can make one for our 'Ohana breakfast.

Willow finally decided to do the BBB again because, "I want to see what dresses they have," so I'm seeing a Merida dress in our future.

I made the Merida dress last fall because I knew Maddie wouldn't choose a long sleeved dress at BBB. I think I'm going to get her the sleeveless Aurora for Easter for the same reason.

She's planning Rapunzel, Cindy, or Belle for BBB (not that she knows she's going-she just assumes. )

If I can pull off the Lilo dress, I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to whip up a second and ship it your way.

 

[RGirl]

I made the Merida dress last fall because I knew Maddie wouldn't choose a long sleeved dress at BBB. I think I'm going to get her the sleeveless Aurora for Easter for the same reason.

She's planning Rapunzel, Cindy, or Belle for BBB (not that she knows she's going-she just assumes. )

If I can pull off the Lilo dress, I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to whip up a second and ship it your way.

Yeah, Willow doesn't dig the long-sleeve dresses either. I didn't know there was a short-sleeved Aurora dress!!! I must find it!!!

I wanted to get that Rapunzel wedding dress that Maddie had, but the online Disney store doesn't have it anymore.

Seriously????? I would totally be willing to pay for materials, time and shipping for a Lilo dress! How cool would that be?????

 

[shan23877]

Yeah, Willow doesn't dig the long-sleeve dresses either. I didn't know there was a short-sleeved Aurora dress!!! I must find it!!!

I wanted to get that Rapunzel wedding dress that Maddie had, but the online Disney store doesn't have it anymore.

Seriously????? I would totally be willing to pay for materials, time and shipping for a Lilo dress! How cool would that be?????

They have the sleeveless Aurora on the Disneystore site now, I hope they still have it closer to Easter. That's too bad about the Rapunzel wedding dress! I wouldn't want to know what it's going for on Ebay.

I would totally do it. Let me make Maddie's to make sure that it'll turn out ok, but I'd be happy to! I bet Maddie and Willow are probably the exact same size, so it would be really easy for me to fit it too! I think it would be awesome for the 'Ohana breakfast, and maybe for the cruise too! I was thinking a gathered top, maybe a little ruffle at the bottom to make it a little more special than the one in the movie, but I might nix the ruffle.

(Maddie is a 5-6, 7s are too big still, is Willow the same?)