A Summer Wedding and a Disney Trip CANCELLED, HELP DECIDE WHEN WE'LL GO IN 2011

[mickeystoontown]

You have definitely got some great ADRs made Pam. This past trip, we ate at Garden Grill, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's and Coral Reef. All but Chef Mickey's were fantastic. But, like I have said before, maybe Chef Mickey's was having a bad day. I have pictures of GG, CM and CR in my Stop Making Me Laugh trip report. I haven't posted the CP ones yet and don't even remember if I took pics of the food.

We have an ADR for dinner at Sci-Fi for our May trip and I'll be sure to take pictures so you can see them. This will be our third (maybe fourth) time to eat there. The atmosphere is great!

 

[klacey1]

YAY for free dining!!!!!! Cograts-- so awesome!! We LOVED FD last year-- it's the absolute best deal for us.
Also-- love the pictures!! That otter one is crazy- he has his head flipped back so intensely! Whoa!! I love Sam's giraffe print dress, too-- that would be a perfect outfit to wear to AK!
Great plans-- I definitely reccomend Cosmic Rays and especially Wolfgang Puck Express! The value for WPE is amazing-- to get such great service ftasor a CS credit is amazing. The pizzas are so yummy! So are the pastas.
I hope el pirata y el perico is actually open when you guys go! I remember how much you enjoyed it last year, but it is seasonal. I was so upset that it wasn't open when we went in late August.

 

[Charlefours]

Congratulations on FREE DINING!! Everything is going to taste oh so good--especially since it is FREE!! Thinking bounceback already too. TFS the great zoo pictures! We LOVE going to the zoo!!

Poor Makenzie! Great choice in color for your cast! The last picture--what a great dress for AK for Sam!

Plans: If you are not driving to AKL, don't forget to plan for about an hour transportation between POR and AKL. Your plans look great! Enough balance between park time and relaxing time!!

We really enjoyed Coral Reef our visit. I know it is one that gets mixed reviews but it was a definite on our list per DH! We are going to Akershus to visit the princesses too but for breakfast.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

You have definitely got some great ADRs made Pam. This past trip, we ate at Garden Grill, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's and Coral Reef. All but Chef Mickey's were fantastic. But, like I have said before, maybe Chef Mickey's was having a bad day. I have pictures of GG, CM and CR in my Stop Making Me Laugh trip report. I haven't posted the CP ones yet and don't even remember if I took pics of the food.

We have an ADR for dinner at Sci-Fi for our May trip and I'll be sure to take pictures so you can see them. This will be our third (maybe fourth) time to eat there. The atmosphere is great!

I did read your TR, but i'm gonna go back through it again for your restaurants now. And I look forward to your pics from Sci Fi. That is one that I am most looking forward too.

YAY for free dining!!!!!! Cograts-- so awesome!! We LOVED FD last year-- it's the absolute best deal for us.
Also-- love the pictures!! That otter one is crazy- he has his head flipped back so intensely! Whoa!! I love Sam's giraffe print dress, too-- that would be a perfect outfit to wear to AK!
Great plans-- I definitely reccomend Cosmic Rays and especially Wolfgang Puck Express! The value for WPE is amazing-- to get such great service ftasor a CS credit is amazing. The pizzas are so yummy! So are the pastas.
I hope el pirata y el perico is actually open when you guys go! I remember how much you enjoyed it last year, but it is seasonal. I was so upset that it wasn't open when we went in late August.

Yeah, that otter just kept going up on the rock and back flipping into the water, so cute!!!!!!
Cosmic Rays is good, we did eat there last year, so it makes the list again. WPE will be a new one, I just keep hearing great reviews.
I am upset that my taco joint is seasonal. Ok, well, I did want to try Pecos Bills, so we'll go with that.

Congratulations on FREE DINING!! Everything is going to taste oh so good--especially since it is FREE!! Thinking bounceback already too. TFS the great zoo pictures! We LOVE going to the zoo!!

Poor Makenzie! Great choice in color for your cast! The last picture--what a great dress for AK for Sam!

Plans: If you are not driving to AKL, don't forget to plan for about an hour transportation between POR and AKL. Your plans look great! Enough balance between park time and relaxing time!!

We really enjoyed Coral Reef our visit. I know it is one that gets mixed reviews but it was a definite on our list per DH! We are going to Akershus to visit the princesses too but for breakfast.

Thanks, we love the zoo too!!!
Yes, Makenzie picked a good color. Jordyn was calling her pink leg the other day.
Yeah, i'll allow myself plenty of time to get to AKL, i'd like to be there early anyway to check out the resort first.
I think that Coral Reef just looks so great. Me and the girls are not seafood eaters, Manny likes it though. We are going to get the non seafood items on the menu, i'm really just going for the theming. The girls and me and Manny are going to LOVE it!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

UPDATE: There are only 62 days left until the wedding!
UPDATE: There are only 137 days left until we leave for Disney World!

Ok, I have a question, I did post this somewhere else but i'll ask here too.

I have a 6:05 ADR for Garden Grille at Epcot on our first night. I also have the horse drawn carriage ride booked for 8:30pm. We need to be at the Marina at POR by 8:15pm. Now, this is the first time we're doing a TS rest. at Disney And i'm not sure how long things take. I'm figuring if we are eating by 6:30, we'll be out by 7:30? (Is that a good guess?) And if that's the case we will have 45 min to get back to POR. Does this sound ok, or should I call back and switch the carriage ride to 9, so we won't have to be there until 8:45pm?
I don't want to make the Garden Grill ADR an earlier in case we don't get in, in time.
Or, I could just book it for another night. Maybe the night we don't have a park planned. We would be at DTD before that. It would probably be easier to get back to POR. I'd rather do it as a surprise on our first night, before they keep seeing the horse and asking to ride it. But, I also want to make sure we don't miss it. I'd be charged for it and we wouldn't be doing it at all.


ANOTHER THING!!! Can anyone give me great viewing spot ideas for wishes and hallowishes. Would they be the same?

On all 3 of our MK nights there will be EMH, so we won't need to be close to the entrance to leave, so it doesn't matter where we are, we just want a great spot for our first time seeing wishes. It was rained out both of our MK days last year And our 3rd MK day was only the morning that we were leaving.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

UPDATE: There are only 62 days left until the wedding!
UPDATE: There are only 137 days left until we leave for Disney World!



Ok, I have a question, I did post this somewhere else but i'll ask here too.

I have a 6:05 ADR for Garden Grille at Epcot on our first night. I also have the horse drawn carriage ride booked for 8:30pm. We need to be at the Marina at POR by 8:15pm. Now, this is the first time we're doing a TS rest. at Disney And i'm not sure how long things take. I'm figuring if we are eating by 6:30, we'll be out by 7:30? (Is that a good guess?) And if that's the case we will have 45 min to get back to POR. Does this sound ok, or should I call back and switch the carriage ride to 9, so we won't have to be there until 8:45pm?
I don't want to make the Garden Grill ADR an earlier in case we don't get in, in time.
Or, I could just book it for another night. Maybe the night we don't have a park planned. We would be at DTD before that. It would probably be easier to get back to POR. I'd rather do it as a surprise on our first night, before they keep seeing the horse and asking to ride it. But, I also want to make sure we don't miss it. I'd be charged for it and we wouldn't be doing it at all.

Hmmm, I think it is cutting it a bit close. I'd do it by my DH drives like a nut. I think that it will all depend on if the take you at GG on time. It's happened to me many times where we are seated 10-15 min after our ADR and then service is slow so we're running like fools to get to where we need to be. I think you may want to think about rescheduling GG to another night and maybe eating closer to POR. By the way, the carriage ride is awesome. We did that in 2005 and loved it!!


ANOTHER THING!!! Can anyone give me great viewing spot ideas for wishes and hallowishes. Would they be the same?

On all 3 of our MK nights there will be EMH, so we won't need to be close to the entrance to leave, so it doesn't matter where we are, we just want a great spot for our first time seeing wishes. It was rained out both of our MK days last year And our 3rd MK day was only the morning that we were leaving.

Our favorite spot to get great pictures is near the seating area of the Tomorrowland Noodle Station. They also do the Wishes Dessert Parties there and the view is nothing short of awesome. If you can get a spot there, it's perfect.

Our choice when we are not taking pictures is usually near Dumbo. It's spectacular to see the fireworks right above our heads. I tried to take pictures but it's way too hard from there.

Those are our favorites.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Thanks! I've been thinking about it all day and I know I have to move the restaurant or the carriage ride. I really don't want to move Garden Grill because all of my other ADRs are finally set. And we're going to want to use one that first night anyway. So I think i'll stick with the 6:05pm ADR and book the carriage ride for the day we are planning DTD! I'll just have to tell the girls and what their surprise is before they get it. Because of course they'll be seeing it all week.

I really wish I knew for sure what time we were getting in on saturday. I think if we drive we'll be there early enough for whatever we need to do. But if we end up having the money to fly and book that over the summer, I have no idea what time we'll be flying in. I guess i'll reschedule the carriage ride for now and stop worrying about it cause I'm not going to know for sure until July if we're flying or driving!!!!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

I hate uncertainty!
I would move the carriage ride so you can enjoy your meal without being in a hurry!

Amanda

 

[klacey1]

I would change the carriage too-- I wouldn't be too concerned about the girls seeing the carriage and wanting to ride it. We honestly didn't see it once, except when we rode it!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I hate uncertainty!
I would move the carriage ride so you can enjoy your meal without being in a hurry!

Amanda

Yup, definitely going to change things around. I don't want any days to be rushed and I don't want to have to watch the time. That's the nice thing about the quick service dp, we only had to see what time it was if we were waiting for our FP return. Other than that, time didn't matter! Now, that's magical!

I would change the carriage too-- I wouldn't be too concerned about the girls seeing the carriage and wanting to ride it. We honestly didn't see it once, except when we rode it!

Oh, that's good to know!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

So, Manny and I were talking about our transportation to Disney last night and it sounds like he wants to drive. I think he wants to save the $$. Which is fine, I do too, but I told him that if he WANTS to drive then there will be a promise which includes no speeding at any point ever. I know him like a book and when we're done with a trip, he just wants to get home. Well, the ride home isn't going to be quick. His response was just a smile, because nothing he thinks can even get by me, i've known him for too long. But after that he did say that he would not speed. He drives a mustang and he likes to go a little faster than what's expected. But I drive a Ford Explorer, AND THERE WILL BE NO SPEEDING IN IT. Not only is it an SUV, it will be packed to the hills (I'm not a good packer! And if we drive, I GET TO REALLY OVERPACK!!!! ) I'm thinking if we drive we may stop half way on the way home. It will get us home tuesday night instead of tuesday morning, but it may be a sanity saver. I just would have liked to be home early so we could unpack and relax all day tuesday before school and work on wednesday! But, i'm not opposed to calling Manny's work and telling them that we are still on the road and letting the kids miss one more day. What's one more day And me, I don't have to be to work until 4pm, so i'd still have all day wednesday. Unless I just use another vacation day for that day too. I know last year we came home on a tuesday night and I had wed. off, I remember saying if I had to work I probably would have cried, after being together all week, I didn't want to leave Manny and the kids for like a few weeks!
The next promise is that he will remain cheerful and happy even while sitting in traffic! (I mean as happy as one can be anyway) He's not the most patient person when it comes to traffic.
He agreed to it all, so we'll double check on that in a month or two!

Also, if we drive: I need 4 new tires. Which, would actually make me do it. My front two are balding and my back two each have a plug in them from a nail and one of them has a slow leak. My tires are not cheap though, so right after the wedding i'd have to work on that. Manny's sister's boyfriend is a mechanic, so we'll ask him to go through our truck over the summer and see if there's anything that looks as if it needs replaced before we leave.
And at first I started to add up what that would cost compared to airfare, but then it didn't make sense, because this is all stuff I have to do for the truck anyways. I'm just a "take it as it comes person" so it will be the push I need to get it done the right way.
My brother's girlfriend's father owns a garage and towing company too, so we're going to see if he can get us a deal on tires! That would be great!

So, that's that, we may be driving!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

That's a good idea on driving! We aren't driving to Disney but driving out of town to see the in-laws and instead of flying we are also getting new tires for the car! We see it as it will help us now and in the long run too, so instead of paying tickets for a one use trip. We get new tires and a little tune up, that will last us a few more trips!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I actually like driving to Disney. It's a 14 to 16 hour (depending on potty breaks and traffic) drive for us but we don't find it bad at all. We leave when I get off work (and I get home and change clothes) and drive until about midnight. The next day, we drive the rest of the way which puts us at Disney around mid-afternoon. Now, on the drive home, it's a total different story. We drive all the way through with only bathroom and eating breaks.

Your kids seem to get along quite well so I don't think you'll have any problems. Plus, there are now portable games and DVD players to keep them occupied.

As far as Manny's promises, it sounds like he means them. If he breaks them, then you can drive and make him sit in the passenger seat.

My husband and I were talking this weekend about how we needed to get the car checked out, the oil changed, etc. We do this every year before we go on vacation and it's a good reminder that we need to keep the car checked out.

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Boy, aren't men all alike, huh?

I can't wait until you finally have definitely flying/driving plans. I'm sure being "up in the air" about the plans is driving you CRAZY!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

I would enjoy driving to Disney but I doubt I could ever convince my DH!

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

It sounds like lots of things are getting decided- or nearly decided! I think putting off the carriage ride is a good idea. There are certain things I had to give up or move to a less ideal time because I didn't want to be rushed. I just figure in the long run not seeing something or not having something happen as a surprise won't matter but being frustrated (which usually makes me get snippy w/ everyone) will matter so I had to make a choice. I'd rather be relaxed and happy than stressed and rushed.

Driving won't be so bad. We normally drive everywhere and afterward I always have great feelings about how well everyone got along, etc. Dh didn't want to drive the 17 hours to Disney and since he can't miss more than a week of work stopping overnight wasn't really an option. Normally though flying isn't a must for us and I think you'll have fun- especially since you've made your expectations clear up front!

 

[klacey1]

We've never driven-- mainly because I think the drive back would be too depressing-- but I think it could be fun for your family! It seems like it'll give you the push to get what you need for your truck, plus the kids can do trip journals on the way back. Themouseforless.com has great pages you can print out and put in a binder. Those'll keep them occupied for awhile-- maybe where you stop on the way back can be a state you've never been to and you can make a little adventure out of it! Lots of coloring books, movies, etc. and I think you guys'll be good! I've always wanted to take a road trip-- I'm trying to convince DBF and two of our friends to drive to New Orleans this summer. It would be about 20 hours for us-- how long will it take you guys to get to Disney?

 

[Charlefours]

I am probably crazy but I am looking forward to the drive! I am glad to be able to have space to pack and organize things too. Plus, with golf clubs--our price to fly would be outrageous!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

That's a good idea on driving! We aren't driving to Disney but driving out of town to see the in-laws and instead of flying we are also getting new tires for the car! We see it as it will help us now and in the long run too, so instead of paying tickets for a one use trip. We get new tires and a little tune up, that will last us a few more trips!

Yeah, if we don't drive to Disney i'll put new tires on the truck as they blow out

I actually like driving to Disney. It's a 14 to 16 hour (depending on potty breaks and traffic) drive for us but we don't find it bad at all. We leave when I get off work (and I get home and change clothes) and drive until about midnight. The next day, we drive the rest of the way which puts us at Disney around mid-afternoon. Now, on the drive home, it's a total different story. We drive all the way through with only bathroom and eating breaks.

Your kids seem to get along quite well so I don't think you'll have any problems. Plus, there are now portable games and DVD players to keep them occupied.

As far as Manny's promises, it sounds like he means them. If he breaks them, then you can drive and make him sit in the passenger seat.

My husband and I were talking this weekend about how we needed to get the car checked out, the oil changed, etc. We do this every year before we go on vacation and it's a good reminder that we need to keep the car checked out.

Yes, I think Manny will be just fine! My kids get along? Well, I don't know about in the truck together for a day? We shall see. We will have dvd players and they all have their own nintendo dss.
I really think we will enjoy this, i'm just not sure about the ride home.

Boy, aren't men all alike, huh?

I can't wait until you finally have definitely flying/driving plans. I'm sure being "up in the air" about the plans is driving you CRAZY!!!

Ha, up in the air, you are just too funny But, yes, really, I can't wait until we're positive about what we're doing too.

I would enjoy driving to Disney but I doubt I could ever convince my DH!

Amanda

I think we would enjoy it too.

It sounds like lots of things are getting decided- or nearly decided! I think putting off the carriage ride is a good idea. There are certain things I had to give up or move to a less ideal time because I didn't want to be rushed. I just figure in the long run not seeing something or not having something happen as a surprise won't matter but being frustrated (which usually makes me get snippy w/ everyone) will matter so I had to make a choice. I'd rather be relaxed and happy than stressed and rushed.

Driving won't be so bad. We normally drive everywhere and afterward I always have great feelings about how well everyone got along, etc. Dh didn't want to drive the 17 hours to Disney and since he can't miss more than a week of work stopping overnight wasn't really an option. Normally though flying isn't a must for us and I think you'll have fun- especially since you've made your expectations clear up front!

Yeah, if you just have a week, flying is definitely the way to go, or you wouldn't have much time in Disney at all.

We've never driven-- mainly because I think the drive back would be too depressing-- but I think it could be fun for your family! It seems like it'll give you the push to get what you need for your truck, plus the kids can do trip journals on the way back. Themouseforless.com has great pages you can print out and put in a binder. Those'll keep them occupied for awhile-- maybe where you stop on the way back can be a state you've never been to and you can make a little adventure out of it! Lots of coloring books, movies, etc. and I think you guys'll be good! I've always wanted to take a road trip-- I'm trying to convince DBF and two of our friends to drive to New Orleans this summer. It would be about 20 hours for us-- how long will it take you guys to get to Disney?

Yeah, i'm going to get as many things for the kids that I can think of for the drive home.
Mapquest says 19 hours. 2 of my friends have done the straight thru drive from here and made it (with kids, grandmas, dogs and stops) in exactly 24 hours. So, i'm happy with that.

I am probably crazy but I am looking forward to the drive! I am glad to be able to have space to pack and organize things too. Plus, with golf clubs--our price to fly would be outrageous!

I am looking forward to the drive the more I think about it too.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Well, it's almost 1:30 in the morning and I should be sleeping but I had to finish an assignment I have for a class at work tomorrow, so I figured while I was at it, i'd come to the dis

So many classes at work lately. I am starting to teach some too. I so need a vacation. Never have I had to use so much brain power It's exhausting