AKL Bound...See you next Saturday!!!

[alan_renfroe]

Hey! Congratulations on learning how to post your link in your signature! I saw your post on the May 09 thread and followed the link over to your Pre-Trip Report. I'm subscribing!

Our family went on our very first trip to WDW this past May and had the best time of our lives! Our children are older (DS11 & DD8) but Disney works for all ages.

If I may, as a fellow planner, I would like to offer you some advice that was totally helpful to us in planning our first trip this past spring:

- Check the DISboards OFTEN! The best information you can possibly gain can be found on these boards. Caution - they are addictive! I can read trip reports and restaurant reviews for hours!
- Buy the books. The Unofficial Guide is a great resource. There is also a book called "Disney with Children" that I would highly recommend. (I have forgotten who wrote that one. We found it at our local Books-A-Million.)
- Congratulations on getting your reservations for Chef Mickey's and Cinderella's Royal Table. Those are great ADRs to have! Your daughter is going to LOVE meeting Cinderella and eating inside the castle!
- Staying at the Poly, you can get to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot by monorail...which is great! It is hassle-free. You'll be able to get to Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios by bus.
- GET TO THE PARKS EARLY!! If I could give you only one piece of advice, it would be to get there when they open. You'll be able to do most of the things that interest you within the first 2 or 3 hours. By lunchtime, you can get the kids back to the room for an afternoon nap, then go back later.
- On the park hopper question, I don't think it would be worth the money for your family.

Sorry for so much information, but I just love to help newbies like others helped us! Check out our trip report from this past May (our first trip) and our Pre-Trip Report for May, '09. (The links are in my signature.)

Hope this helps!

Alan

 

[englishrose47]

Alan you said it well as usual !! The Pixie Dust is definately found on these boards !! When I was a newbie not so long ago I would have been clueless without the Dis !! I agree they are addictive and yet it is like having an extended family who don't think you are Nute for loving Disney !! These boards are so often my release from home and work tensions and stress !! You Alan are an awesome Disser !!

 

[Melknor]

I just stumbled across your PTR and notice you are from Iowa as well. Now that the weather it getting colder, I can wait for warm Florida weather (hopefully rain-free).

We are headed there at the end of April for our first family trip as well. Me, DH, DS3, DS8. I never knew there was so much planning until I discovered the DIS. I'm now addicted and read it every day. I especially love reading the trip reports and looking at pics.

I can't wait for our trip as well. Enjoy the planning!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Alan you said it well as usual !! The Pixie Dust is definately found on these boards !! When I was a newbie not so long ago I would have been clueless without the Dis !! I agree they are addictive and yet it is like having an extended family who don't think you are Nute for loving Disney !! These boards are so often my release from home and work tensions and stress !! You Alan are an awesome Disser !!

Awww....thanks Rosie! I know what you mean about the DISboards being a stress reliever from life's tensions! If I am in a bad mood or stressed out, I can start reading these boards and thinking about my next WDW trip, and all of the sudden I am in a good mood!

 

[bertegirl]

Thanks. We did buy the books. Disney Dining, The Unofficial Guide, Disney with kids and Disney for kids. I love to read so its been neat getting to see all that goes on and find out information about Disney World. We can't wait for our trip! We are just now trying to decide if we want to order our kids a basket for when we arrive with mickey ears and an autograph book, etc. I have seen a couple different sites that cater to those. I know I want to hit the parks early. Hopefully the calendar comes out sometime soon! Thanks again...I am sure with the cold weather and wet white stuff on the ground my addiction to the Dis will only grow stronger.

 

[englishrose47]

Just popping into say Hi!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Thanks. We did buy the books. Disney Dining, The Unofficial Guide, Disney with kids and Disney for kids. I love to read so its been neat getting to see all that goes on and find out information about Disney World. We can't wait for our trip! We are just now trying to decide if we want to order our kids a basket for when we arrive with mickey ears and an autograph book, etc. I have seen a couple different sites that cater to those. I know I want to hit the parks early. Hopefully the calendar comes out sometime soon! Thanks again...I am sure with the cold weather and wet white stuff on the ground my addiction to the Dis will only grow stronger.

Sounds like you are definitely on the right track with planning!

You have mentioned some of the restaurants you would like to try. I would highly recommend breakfast at 'Ohana and dinner at Kona. We did both on our last trip and enjoyed them very much. You also mentioned Boma and Yak & Yeti. We had breakfast at Boma and loved it. I'll admit that I"m not much of a buffet fan, so we have not tried if for dinner...but many people on these boards seem to really like it. We really enjoyed Yak & Yeti. (We had lunch there.) You had also mentioned Le Cellier earlier. We LOVED Le Cellier!!

Anyway, if you are interested, here are links to our reviews of some of these restaurants:

Kona dinner - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25755015&postcount=597

'Ohana breakfast - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25630788&postcount=419

Yak & Yeti lunch - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25606019&postcount=369

Le Cellier lunch - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25494214&postcount=181

Hope this helps!

Alan

 

[bertegirl]

Where are those May hours? I so wish we could see them and make reservations and actually get our trip finalized. Oh well! Guess this is some ones way of telling me to get my sick body to bed and rest before the big Turkey day. Got to love Iowa winters.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Where are those May hours? I so wish we could see them and make reservations and actually get our trip finalized. Oh well! Guess this is some ones way of telling me to get my sick body to bed and rest before the big Turkey day. Got to love Iowa winters.

Sorry the hear that you are not feeling well! Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Alan

 

[jmskinner]

Not fun being sick on holidays. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Melissa

 

[bertegirl]

So since I didn't feel good over the holidays. I sat and read about Disney Dining. Did a little change to our planning:

ARRIVE WED. MAY 6TH
5:15 PM
D CAPT COOK

THURSDAY MAY 7TH
MAGIC KINGDOM
B CAPT COOK
L CASEYS CORNER
D KONA (5:00)

FRIDAY MAY 8TH
EPCOT
B Ohanas Character Breakfast (8:00)
L La Cantina De San Angel
D LE CELLIER (5:00)

SATURDAY MAY 9TH
DISNEY MGM
B CHEF MICKEY'S 9:10
L SUNSET RANCH MARKET
D 1900 Park Fare (6:00)

SUNDAY MAY 10TH
AKL
B KONA (7:30)
L FLAME TREE BBQUE
D Ohana (5:00)

MONDAY MAY 11TH
MAGIC KINGDOM
B CRT CHARACTER 8:30
L PECOS BILL CAFES
D CAPT COOK

We also really want to get our sons haircut at MGK, since he will be turning 1 during our trip.

I have found some great plans for toddlers. I think we may just see how the days go. Knowing we really want to do a few things, like ride dumbo. We want to take the hassle and stress out of our trip and just let our little ones lead the way!

Maybe when the calendar comes out we can see what shows we can't miss

5 months and counting!

 

[alan_renfroe]

So since I didn't feel good over the holidays. I sat and read about Disney Dining. Did a little change to our planning:

ARRIVE WED. MAY 6TH
5:15 PM
D CAPT COOK

THURSDAY MAY 7TH
MAGIC KINGDOM
B CAPT COOK
L CASEYS CORNER
D KONA (5:00)

FRIDAY MAY 8TH
EPCOT
B Ohanas Character Breakfast (8:00)
L La Cantina De San Angel
D LE CELLIER (5:00)

SATURDAY MAY 9TH
DISNEY MGM
B CHEF MICKEY'S 9:10
L SUNSET RANCH MARKET
D 1900 Park Fare (6:00)

SUNDAY MAY 10TH
AKL
B KONA (7:30)
L FLAME TREE BBQUE
D Ohana (5:00)

MONDAY MAY 11TH
MAGIC KINGDOM
B CRT CHARACTER 8:30
L PECOS BILL CAFES
D CAPT COOK

We also really want to get our sons haircut at MGK, since he will be turning 1 during our trip.

I have found some great plans for toddlers. I think we may just see how the days go. Knowing we really want to do a few things, like ride dumbo. We want to take the hassle and stress out of our trip and just let our little ones lead the way!

Maybe when the calendar comes out we can see what shows we can't miss

5 months and counting!

Looks like you've got a solid plan going! I think you will LOVE Kona & Le Cellier. We also loved 'Ohana character breakfast.....we tried to get an 'Ohana dinner ressie, but were unable to do so on our last trip. We definitely plan to try and eat a dinner at 'Ohana on our May trip.

Can we get those May hours PLEASE?!!?

 

[englishrose47]

Hi there bertegirl!! Good plans !! I am still waiting for the May calendar and the ressie window to open!!
I want to try Kona this time and O'Hanas!! both will be firsts !!
Did my envie arrive yet??

 

[jmskinner]

Sounds like a good plan. I think you are being very smart in not planning too much and letting the little ones take the lead.

 

[ajinkyan]

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...

 

[bertegirl]

Wow Disney is really not on top of their game this year. No May hours still and no idea when they may come out. Also they are pushing the ADR's into Jan. sometime. Crazy!

Well I picked up some ponchos, a mist fan, swim pants for our soon to be 1 year old and some other odds and ends.

I think I am also going to use Garden Grocery to have some things delivered to our room.

I went ahead and ordered a stroller though Orlando Stroller Rental. A little expensive, but they have great strollers. Easy to use which will be a must with our 2 little ones.

My 4 DD is so ready for May. Must be the inch of pure ice covering everything as far as one can see. Is winter over yet?

 

[englishrose47]

You did know about the P&PP in May didn't you ! I'm pretty sure Lessa and I are going May 20th ! I had fun in Feb at one so want to go again!!

 

[bertegirl]

So I totally realized I forgot to introduce us. I am a 32 year California Native living in the middle of a huge cornfield and pig farm called Northern Iowa. Ugh! Luckily the ground is frozen right now, so the only thing I can smell is exhaust from warming my suv. Burr! It was a warm 6 degrees today. I do accounting for a car dealership in our town. My DH is 31 and thinks I have an obsession with WDW. He is right. He describes me as Kate from Jon and Kate Plus 8. I'll take that as a complement. I am as organized as a person can be... He is a welder by day, a construction worker by weekend and a farmer by life. My DD 4 is everything Princess. She lets me know every time she sees anything with Disney on it, that we are going there. We have been planning this trip since she turned 2. My mistake=) My DS is about to turn 8 months. Wow! He has no idea what he has in store. At least someday he will be able to look back at all the photos we have taken. He has been hearing about WDW since he was well a test tube baby as my family calls him. I had IVF. So my babies are my miracles!

We are changing our minds over and over as we read more disboards and other trip reports. Plus all the great advice and responses I have been getting. Wow we made the 5 month marker! There are so many great dining choices and things to do and see. Would love to hear from anyone with a 1 and 4 year old what their favorites were? We have confirmed our CRT breakfast and Chef Mickeys breakfast.

So thanks again for reading. We look forward to learning more and hope you all enjoy reading more about our pretrip! Poly here we come!

 

[Poohs#1fan]

I just stumbled upon your report and we are going to be at the Poly May 1-10. My DD will be 22 months when we are there. It will be my first trip as well. I have been reading and planning since January, so I am very ready to make ADRs and get there. The only thing I've learned in my reading that I haven't seen in your notes is the Princess meal at Akershus in Epcot. I'm pretty sure that you have a shot at seeing Belle there. My DD is just getting into the princesses, but I am hoping to book this one. We are doing CRT for dinner because she is fascinated with the fairy godmother. Hopefully the May hours will be out soon and maybe we can make ADRs on the 22nd

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Just had to share I am going in Feb too!!! DGDS placed in their last Cheerleading Competition and are going to Disney to compete !! The wholefamily has decided to go as well as in Sept !! So I will be doing Disney 3 times this year I am sooooooo excited . We have 2 short months to plan!! It's going to be a short trip and an econonical one no DDP unless we go with the Qik plan ! Anyone have a definate price on that I think $25-30 a day !! Maybe if budget allows we'll throw in a couple of TS meals !!