A Secret Worth Keeping- December PTR! (Updated 6/16)

[JAMIESMITH]

Six month mark

I'm glad you were able to get a reservation at Be Our Guest! I'm hoping we can fast pass it for lunch!

Coral Reef is the only place you're going to that we've tried, but I can't say enough good things about it.

Whispering Canyon Café and Ohana are both on our list of places to try someday so I'd love to hear about your experiences at these two in particular.

 

[Alysa]

You got Be Our Guest!!!!!!!!!

Okay, we need to calm down!

 

[BDL]

I've been staring at the crowd calculators for December until my eyes start to cross, trying to figure out which days to go where, and then trying to coordinate possible ADRs with the appropriate park days. It almost feels like a part time job! HAHA!

So here's what I am thinking so far:

December 12: Arrive in Walt Disney World. No parks today as we will likely get there right around check in time (3pm), then we will go out to dinner and either hit up DTD or the pool!

December 13: Animal Kingdom- hopefully for rope drop!

December 14: Epcot- again hoping for rope drop, but if we are already exhausted I am not going to push it

December 15: Hollywood Studios

December 16: This will be a rest day. We will either spend time by the pool, or take a ride over to Give Kids the World (where we stayed on AJ's wish trip) or maybe both!!

December 17: Magic Kingdom!! I know. I feel like it is so far into the trip, but this was the first "recommended" day that wasn't also a MVMCP day, plus why not save the best for last? I definetely want to get here for rope drop, and I am booking Bennett for the "My First Haircut" package at the barber for first thing in the morning! Ahh I am so excited for that. It is going to be so stinkin cute!

December 18: Driving down to Tampa to visit with my baby brother. (In actuality he will be 29 by then, but he is still a baby to me)

December 19: Magic Kingdom again. There is a MVMCP scheduled for this night, but since we will be driving home right after our park time, I figure it doesn't matter so much.

ADRs
We have 7 TS credits and 7 CS credits. I mentioned in my first post that I have a gluten allergy, so that has factored into the places that I have chosen for our meals. I do have to say though, I have NEVER experienced a place that is as accommodating to my allergies as Disney is, and it is so wonderful to be able to go on vacation and not have to worry about what I will or will not be able to eat!
Okay here is what I am thinking for Table Services:
Be Our Guest (Fingers Crossed!!!)
Cape May Cafe
The Wave
O'Hana breakfast (on our last day before we go to MK)
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Coral Reef
And then trying to decide between O'Hana dinner or Boma

For Counter Service I am planning on:
Flame Tree BBQ
La Cantina de San Angel or Sunshine Seasons
Toy Story Pizza Planet
Cap't Cooks
Be Our Guest (especially if I can't get an ADR for dinner)
Old Port Royale breakfast
And something else I have not decided on just yet

Comments? Suggestions?

I will say, I am not looking forward to waking up at 6am on my day off to solidify these ressies, but I know it will all be worth it!

Following along. We will be there around the same time. We'll be there 3 days earlier. And our rough drafts are very similar too. We'll be doing AK our 1st full day too. And I've already secured a pre-RD breakfast at Tusker House. In my opinion, the best buffet breakfast in WDW. Something you may want to look into.

Happy planning.

 

[saysib]

Had to follow along as not only a huge Dr Who fan, but we''l be in Orlando the week you are there too!! (Love the shirt btw, I may need to know where you found it, its perfect!) Love the Dr excitement posts! David is probably my favourite Dr too, although just as I was starting to really love Matt, he goes and leaves!! I'm interested to see what Peter will make of the role.

My kids will be 7 and 22 months when we travel, so looking forward to following along with your plans!

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

for Be Our Guest

I've never done whispering Canyon Café. It's on our someday list.

We are doing Cape May Buffet dinner next month for a late anniversary dinner (we will be in Orlando on business trip, so figured we'd do a meal at Disney ) Have you eaten there before? It will be our first time eating there, it's been on my husbands wish list for a few years.

My boys and I did Coral Reef a couple years ago and scored a table right next to the tank, and had fun guys making faces at us and doing flips in the water. It was fun.

I've currently got a Kona lunch booked for December, which will also be new for us.

Raglan Road and Ohana Breakfast we've done before too. We had a lot of fun at both places and I believe everyone really enjoyed the food too.

You've got some great ADR's

Can't wait to see what else you've got planned

It has been so long since I updated! Did you do your Cape May anniversary dinner yet? I am so interested to hear about it there because of all the fuss on the restaurant board about them pulling the crab legs!

I really hope we get a tank seat at Coral Reef, because my kids will flip out. They love fish and would get a huge kick out of watching people diving in there!

I'm glad to hear that you had good experiences at Raglan Road and Ohana breakfast. I chose Raglan Road mostly for myself. I am severely allergic to wheat, barley (and pistachios), so I never get to eat breaded items, but Raglan Road makes their own gluten free batter and has a designated fryer, so I can get onion rings there for the first time in 5 years, since I was diagnosed! I have only made them for myself from time to time but it's not the same.

I am glad that we have both decided to try Kona, I have been reading some great things about it there

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

I love a good Disney surprise trip We are surprising my seven year old daughter this year too... I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see from your ticker that your trip is coming up in less than 2 months!!! Is it still a secret? How are you planning on surprising her? Oh I just love the idea of surprise trips. I know my kids are going to be over the moon! I am sure your daughter will be too!!

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Six month mark

I'm glad you were able to get a reservation at Be Our Guest! I'm hoping we can fast pass it for lunch!

Coral Reef is the only place you're going to that we've tried, but I can't say enough good things about it.

Whispering Canyon Café and Ohana are both on our list of places to try someday so I'd love to hear about your experiences at these two in particular.

I have been so bad about updating that we are now actually under the five month mark! Holy moly! I can't believe it is sneaking up on me!

I would like to get a FP for BOG lunch too. I typically wouldn't go to the same place twice in one trip, but its BOG!!!

I am glad that you had good experiences at Coral Reef. It was getting a bad rep for a while, but I am super excited about it!!

I fully intend to write a trip report, so I will be sure to include commentary on Whispering Canyon and Ohana!!

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

You got Be Our Guest!!!!!!!!!

Okay, we need to calm down!

Oh my gosh! I love this. I seriously go back in forth over who I love more.. Rose or Donna. I love them both for different reasons, but they are hands down my two favorite companions. Did you watch the trailer for the new season by the way? I want to love the new face of the doctor, but I am honestly concerned. I do not think they will be keeping Clara around for long. I just don't see them as a good fit.

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Following along. We will be there around the same time. We'll be there 3 days earlier. And our rough drafts are very similar too. We'll be doing AK our 1st full day too. And I've already secured a pre-RD breakfast at Tusker House. In my opinion, the best buffet breakfast in WDW. Something you may want to look into.

Happy planning.

Welcome! I am sorry that I have been away from my post for so long and didn't get to welcome you until now! I did consider Tusker House, and may end up adding it last minute if anything is available. We have never been there before, but I have heard nothing but good things! Will our trips overlap at all?

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Had to follow along as not only a huge Dr Who fan, but we''l be in Orlando the week you are there too!! (Love the shirt btw, I may need to know where you found it, its perfect!) Love the Dr excitement posts! David is probably my favourite Dr too, although just as I was starting to really love Matt, he goes and leaves!! I'm interested to see what Peter will make of the role.

My kids will be 7 and 22 months when we travel, so looking forward to following along with your plans!

Welcome fellow whovian! So glad to have you aboard!! Ten is my absolute favorite. I can re-watch his episodes over and over. I have actually just started re-watching New Who from the "beginning" in preparation for the new season. I am so worried that I am going to hate Capaldi honestly. I don't want to, but (like you) it took me a long time to warm up to Matt, and now I don't know what to expect. I just feel like David played the role so perfectly and I always compare everyone to him. I need to cut that out.

Your kids are so close in age with my two youngest. Reid will be a month away from turning 8 and Bennett will be 16 months, so I wouldn't be surprised if we have similar experiences while down there! Do you have a lot of things planned already?

Oh and I ordered the shirt off of Zulily last year! I love that site because they always have things that I love, but the shipping takes foreverrrrr. I think I waited 3 weeks for that shirt to arrive!!

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Hey Everyone! I am sorry that I have been gone for so long! I just finished up my college summer semester classes. I don't know what possessed me to fill my summer with school work, but it's done now, and honestly I am glad that I sucked it up and got it over with! So now i have plenty of time for Disney planning (at least until the fall semester starts in September)

For all the Whovians following along, I want to know what you thought of the trailer that was released this week!! How do you feel about Peter Capaldi in the role of the Doctor? What are your thoughts on Clara's future?

Back to Disney stuff:

I booked Bennett his "First Haircut" for December 17, at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom! Oh my gosh guys, I am so excited about this. We never cut out kids' hair before they turn a year old, because it's a tradition in our Italian families. So I figured, whats a few more months right? I booked it for first thing in the morning so he will be happy and well rested. I think the whole concept is just so adorable! They give the child a haircut and then a set of personalized Mickey ears that say "My first haircut" on the back, and it is all only $19!!

For those who are wondering, here is a picture I found on the internet of the mouse ears:

I also booked us for a Candlelight Processional package for our Epcot day! they haven't announced the narrator for that day yet, but I have my fingers crossed for someone exciting. The only downfall is that I was only able to secure Biergarten for lunch (figured we could pay OOP, and not using any dining credits), which means if I want to got to Coral Reef still, that I am going to have to move the ADR for a later time. Right now I have it booked for 5:30pm, but the CP isn't going to let out until 5:40. I have to do some looking and see if they have any 6 or 6:30 ADRs available for that day. I am not too worried about it. I figure we can make a decision as we get closer.

I dislike this time period to be honest, because it feels like there is not much I can do for the trip. I guess I could start figuring out our outfits. Right now it all just still feels so far away!!

 

[annegirl]

Just found your report! We did the first haircut on our last trip (2010) and loved the experience!
Also- another Whovian on board here! In fact, I have that exact same Christmas shirt you are wearing in the first picture. That is what got my attention for your report!

 

[Chrystmasangel]

Just subscribed!

We are heading to the World Dec 13-17. I too hate this time between now and Fastpass + resies... seems like planning is at a stand still. I have been doing a bit of shopping for clothes for family, putting together a list of "necessities" (things like decorations for the resort window, glow sticks for the light parade, decorations for the magic bands... you know that stuff you can't live without! ) Anything I can do to pass the time. My family just laughs at me and knows I am obsessed.

Will be fun to read along and see how our planning compares!