A skeptical family of First-Timers take on WDW Nov 15-22** NOV 28 update

[swwake]

Day 6 sounds awesome. You will be glad you kept a full day for World Showcase. It's nice to take your time there.

We never have really encountered huge crowds at evening EMH. No larger than during the day.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I'm all caught up!

Your plans sound great! I wish we would've spent more time at Epcot this last trip. Two days seems perfect! There is so much to see in WS, so be sure to take your time and enjoy it!

I really hope the decorations are up at the Grand Floridian! The pictures I've seen of it are gorgeous! I really hope to plan a trip for us around the holidays! If not this year, maybe next...

Can't wait to read more!

 

[momabaarjo]

I soooo love the lobster eggs benedict...went to the GF cafe just for them. Here is my picture...they were so yummy!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Sound like great days. Especially with the kids being a bit older. My brother could spend two days just in WS!

 

[Tink2Day]

Caught up on your report! Your kids will have a great time I'm sure. Even the most 'meh' teen loves Disney usually.

A note on the MVMCP, I'd suggest you try to be there for the lighting ceremony and that you catch the shows like the one in Tomorrowland and go to the second parade. Much less crowded and we got a great spot for it after the Holiday Fireworks.
It was our second trip to MK of the week so we repeated our favorite rides.

I was trying to find the MVMCP brochure but I recall the train and Jungle Cruise stopped running at dusk. Not sure if that is always the case but we asked a CM at the gate when we first came in and she guided us.
Also there were limited CS open as well and we DID get our wristbands checked at Pecos Bill's.
Have a GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!

 

[spreadingpixiedust]

We had dinner at rose and crown with the intent to see illuminations...however we did not have a table outside at the rail and we could not see anything!
You must ask for a table where you can see and be prepared to defend it! People WILL stand right in front of you. Good food but strangely enough, I could not understand the waiter's accent! that's Texas for you!

 

[FosterA]

Day 6 sounds awesome. You will be glad you kept a full day for World Showcase. It's nice to take your time there.

We never have really encountered huge crowds at evening EMH. No larger than during the day.

Good to hear about the evening EMH, hope that's the case. I wont "stress" if it's packed but of course the less people the better. My kids just really want to be able to say they were there until 2 a.m.!

I'm all caught up!

Your plans sound great! I wish we would've spent more time at Epcot this last trip. Two days seems perfect! There is so much to see in WS, so be sure to take your time and enjoy it!

I really hope the decorations are up at the Grand Floridian! The pictures I've seen of it are gorgeous! I really hope to plan a trip for us around the holidays! If not this year, maybe next...

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for continuing to follow along. Hope you can get up to see the gingerbread house in person one day too!

I soooo love the lobster eggs benedict...went to the GF cafe just for them. Here is my picture...they were so yummy!

Oh great, I just drooled on my keyboard. LOBSTER? oh wow, I think I'll have to order that kind! yum

Sound like great days. Especially with the kids being a bit older. My brother could spend two days just in WS!

Thanks! Glad to have you reading along

Caught up on your report! Your kids will have a great time I'm sure. Even the most 'meh' teen loves Disney usually.

A note on the MVMCP, I'd suggest you try to be there for the lighting ceremony and that you catch the shows like the one in Tomorrowland and go to the second parade. Much less crowded and we got a great spot for it after the Holiday Fireworks.
It was our second trip to MK of the week so we repeated our favorite rides.

I was trying to find the MVMCP brochure but I recall the train and Jungle Cruise stopped running at dusk. Not sure if that is always the case but we asked a CM at the gate when we first came in and she guided us.
Also there were limited CS open as well and we DID get our wristbands checked at Pecos Bill's.
Have a GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the tips! I was sort of thinking the second parade would be the one to shoot for. I can hardly wait

We had dinner at rose and crown with the intent to see illuminations...however we did not have a table outside at the rail and we could not see anything!
You must ask for a table where you can see and be prepared to defend it! People WILL stand right in front of you. Good food but strangely enough, I could not understand the waiter's accent! that's Texas for you!

haha! Why can't people talk normal like they do in TX?
I'm prepared to eat and run from Rose and Crown if we don't get a great view from our table. I mean, we'll eat and all that but if we need to, we'll just pay and head out and find a spot somewhere. I hear so much about Illuminations and I can't wait to see what it's all about!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

One thing I've heard about eating at Rose and Crown (and anyone please correct me if I'm wrong) before Illuminations is that if your seat isn't great, you can go out on the patio while the fireworks are on. Then after they've finished, go back to your table and have dessert!

 

[momabaarjo]

We had dinner at rose and crown with the intent to see illuminations...however we did not have a table outside at the rail and we could not see anything!
You must ask for a table where you can see and be prepared to defend it! People WILL stand right in front of you. Good food but strangely enough, I could not understand the waiter's accent! that's Texas for you!

Don't worry if you do not get a great table or even one outside for that matter. If the CM does not offer, ask if they can take you down to the Rose and Crown private viewing area...they have a great patio/walkway area below the outside tables for viewing!

 

[fraggle551]

Your day 6 sounds great! So great that I wish I could join! The Behind the Seeds tour sounds cool. If you end up doing it, take lots and lots of pics! I would love to see some of it.

 

[FosterA]

Great advice with how to deal with Illuminations and Rose and Crown guys

 

[joy13]

So I left off after the "WHO" segment with introductions and all. Now moving on to the "WHERE, WHAT, WHEN"

We are flying out of Austin on Nov 15, 2011 and will be staying at the Poly until Nov 22. So, 7 nights and pretty much 7 full days since our arrival day should get us there by noon
We will be taking the Magical Express and relying on monorail and buses and such for the entire trip. I'm actually looking forward to not having to deal with a rental car. They always make me nervous and I get all uptight about the stupid car until we turn the thing in. Worried about wrecking it, forgetting to put gas in it, leaving something important in it.....yada yada. Yep, looking forward to not renting a car!
I booked a package with hopper but we are not doing the waterparks and we are not doing the dining plan because my kids eat like birds yet are "adult" prices so just not really worth it to us.
When I went to WDW back in Feb with my friend for the marathon, I was able to apply a bounceback offer to my already booked package (how cool is that) I didn't even have a flyer or anything in the room but since this Dis board has educated me so well, I knew to call a particular number from room phone and just ask. I was honest and said I already had booked a package but I would un-book and re-book if I needed to but they just went ahead and applied. Yipee, 40% off of our room for 5 of the nights and 2 of the nights were not covered and will be rack rate.
We also are going to hit up the Christmas Party. I booked just a few ADR's which include Hoop, Luau, Sci Fi, Rose and Crown. Did not book any buffets since kids hate food and are not huge character groupies. Plus, David gets excited at buffets and eats very fast and then feels bloated and miserable all day and we don't want dad to slow us down!

So I think I've covered all the technical details such as who is going and when and where we're staying. My next segment will be all the deets on how I hatched this big plan and how I had to beg and plead with my husband to agree to go! Let's just say I had to do a lot of "Disney math" when going over the predicted cost of the trip and more or less convince him that our 11 and 14 year old kids are the only kids on Earth that haven't been to Disney and it was downright un-American to not take them on this rite of passage

I just discovered your report and have to join, because I will be at DW 11/16 - 11/21 It will be me, my Mom and 8yo daughter We have been quite a few times the last few years - so if you have any questions, maybe I can answer - though my daughter is younger than your kids.

 

[FosterA]

Ok, here's the plan for Day 7:

This will really be our last full day at Disney because the following day we will have to leave resort by 10 am in order to get our flight
I don't have anything particular set in stone for this day and will probably use the day to resort hop some and maybe go do whatever rides at whichever parks we want to do one more time.

There are a two things we need to fit in though and that will be a trip to Downtown Disney because we have not done that yet and also an ADR for Hoop De Do at 6:15 this night.

Other than that, we'll just go with the flow.

I imagine we will sleep in some since we would have probably done Extra Magic Hours at MK the night before. We're not really into shopping but I do want to at least check out DTD for a little bit and maybe get a sandwich for lunch at Earl of Sandwich?

After DTD, I think I would like to go look at the Port Orleans Resort. Maybe even take the boat there? David is part Cajun and from East TX and grew up on the bayou yee haw! My thinking is that he'll just feel so "at home" and in his element at Port Orleans that he'll be more pliable about coming back to WDW and maybe staying here one time!!! Yep, always got an ulterior motive up my sleeve!

After sleeping in and touring DTD and maybe Port Orleans, we'll get ready for the Hoop!! I'm very excited about this. When I first heard about this dinner show, I wasn't at all interested but since I've heard so many people raving about it and rarely someone that didn't like it, I just wanna give it a try!

So, that sort of wraps up my plans.
Now that ya'll are filled in on all my 7-day plans, what am I going to do on this Pre trip report now No worries, I'll come up with something!!

 

[shan23877]

Now that your plans are set, you'll use your PTR to get advice on how to chance them of course! On our last trip I changed one dinner ADR 4 time. My husband sure got sick of hearing about it! Sounds like a fantastic trip that you have planned for them. You'll have a great time!

 

[Chicago Mo]

If your touring the POR come say hello!!! ha ha!
and your NOT doing the free dining?!?

 

[FosterA]

Now that your plans are set, you'll use your PTR to get advice on how to chance them of course! On our last trip I changed one dinner ADR 4 time. My husband sure got sick of hearing about it! Sounds like a fantastic trip that you have planned for them. You'll have a great time!

I haven't thought about changing things yet. Sort of surprising actually because usually I can't make up my mind about anything but for some reason this trip plan with ADRs and such just sort of fell into place and so far has stayed put. Luckily, my plans line right up with Tour Guide Mike's best days also so that's nice.
Thanks for following along!

If your touring the POR come say hello!!! ha ha!
and your NOT doing the free dining?!?

No free dining for us. I got the bounceback of 40% off our deluxe room so that was a better deal. See my little "pre trip trip" back in FEb with my friend really paid off because there was a bounceback available for us there and I got to apply it to the upcoming "real" trip in Nov

 

[joy13]

So I read all your daily plans and am caught up, but I don't remember all the details so...

our itinerary at this point

11/16 - arrive. 8:25pm Chef Mickey's ADR - hope to catch Wishes and maybe tour MK a bit since we get in around 2:15 that afternoon

11/17 DHS - rope drop - dinner at Sci Fi 6:40

11/18 - MK -Rope Drop - CRT lunch (can't remember exact time - 1 something), MVMCP that night

11/19 - AK whenever we get there - right now I have an ADR at Tusker House - but I will cancel if we do make our Chef Mickey's ADR on 11/16. I have this in case our plane is delayed and I have to cancel that one.

11/20 Epcot as close to rope drop as we can get. Dinner ADR at Biergarten around 6:00. I'm not sure if we are going to stay for Illuminations or not.

11/21 - Go Home

So do we cross paths at all?? This is all of course subject to change at the trip planners discretion

 

[FosterA]

So I read all your daily plans and am caught up, but I don't remember all the details so...

our itinerary at this point

11/16 - arrive. 8:25pm Chef Mickey's ADR - hope to catch Wishes and maybe tour MK a bit since we get in around 2:15 that afternoon

11/17 DHS - rope drop - dinner at Sci Fi 6:40

11/18 - MK -Rope Drop - CRT lunch (can't remember exact time - 1 something), MVMCP that night

11/19 - AK whenever we get there - right now I have an ADR at Tusker House - but I will cancel if we do make our Chef Mickey's ADR on 11/16. I have this in case our plane is delayed and I have to cancel that one.

11/20 Epcot as close to rope drop as we can get. Dinner ADR at Biergarten around 6:00. I'm not sure if we are going to stay for Illuminations or not.

11/21 - Go Home

So do we cross paths at all?? This is all of course subject to change at the trip planners discretion

WEll, hello there
Looking over your plans, the only day that we may cross paths is the 20th. We plan on doing Epcot on that day too and will be eating at Rose and Crown that night at 7:00.
How cool is that!

 

[momabaarjo]

Ok, here's the plan for Day 7:

This will really be our last full day at Disney because the following day we will have to leave resort by 10 am in order to get our flight
I don't have anything particular set in stone for this day and will probably use the day to resort hop some and maybe go do whatever rides at whichever parks we want to do one more time.

There are a two things we need to fit in though and that will be a trip to Downtown Disney because we have not done that yet and also an ADR for Hoop De Do at 6:15 this night.

Other than that, we'll just go with the flow.

I imagine we will sleep in some since we would have probably done Extra Magic Hours at MK the night before. We're not really into shopping but I do want to at least check out DTD for a little bit and maybe get a sandwich for lunch at Earl of Sandwich?

After DTD, I think I would like to go look at the Port Orleans Resort. Maybe even take the boat there? David is part Cajun and from East TX and grew up on the bayou yee haw! My thinking is that he'll just feel so "at home" and in his element at Port Orleans that he'll be more pliable about coming back to WDW and maybe staying here one time!!! Yep, always got an ulterior motive up my sleeve!

Take the boat from DTD to POR...then take the bus to MK and the ferry back to POLY to get ready or to Wildress to Hoop...sounds like a great plan...I love your motives....

After sleeping in and touring DTD and maybe Port Orleans, we'll get ready for the Hoop!! I'm very excited about this. When I first heard about this dinner show, I wasn't at all interested but since I've heard so many people raving about it and rarely someone that didn't like it, I just wanna give it a try!

So, that sort of wraps up my plans.
Now that ya'll are filled in on all my 7-day plans, what am I going to do on this Pre trip report now No worries, I'll come up with something!!

I have been thinking about Hoop...it gets such good reviews, but I just can't figure out where to put it in my plans...

 

[blessedisneymomx3]

Your report caught my eye since you would be at Disney in November. But as I continued to read our trips became more and more similar. We are actually going from November 14th - 21st. But more importantly, we live in Pflugerville, TX!! I too have been frantic about the airfare, your deal is amazing!!! I was able to snag an $80. flight on SW for our trip to down, but am obsessing about the return flights, which are crazy expensive! We have three boys, 13, 10 & 6 and have been to Disney in November several times. Actually, it's the only time my husband will agree to go, he thinks we have enough heat here in TX, certainly doesn't want to experience it on vacation, lol. We are staying at Port Orleans, family of five have fewer choices of resorts, but since we usually stay at Value, this will be a nice change. So, we will be at the Christmas party on the 15th as well, so excited. And your fears of Thanksgiving crowds is right on. It's been our experience that crowds are manageable until about Tuesday, then they get CRAZY!! We are doing the dining plan, with three big boys, it more than pays off for us. You must be someplace close to Cedar Park (that is where we attend church), and I know they are out for the full week of Thanksgiving, again, AWESOME!! We only get Wed-Fri. So, we take our kids out of school as well, pay the price, but honestly it's not been a problem in the past. Plans all look fantastic, look forward to hearing more. You'll have to tell me where your salon is, always up for trying something new!!

November can't get here soon enough, happy planning!!

Robin