An obsessive planner's 2nd annual Once-in-a-lifetime trip CANCELLED :( 3/22

[Twoboysnmygirl]

AND BOTH OF YOU HAVE THE CAN'T MISS EVENT OF MEETING YOUR DIS FRIEND ANN AND HER FAMILY!!!!

YEP! Our DISMEET will be a first for me too!!!

 

[ronnmel]

My MUST-DOs:

MK: Space Mountain (was closed last time), and Phillarmagic (we missed it last time because of miscalculating our time)

Epcot: Kim Possible missions (we LOVE those) and just spending more time in WS.

AK: Safari! Last time DH had no interest in it, but now he says he regrets not riding it.

DHS: Tower of Terror. It was the only ride that DD flat out refused to go on, but she won't be with us for our honeymoon.

DTD : I really want to visit Once Upon a Toy, and buy Mr. Potato head accessories.

 

[-Hope-]

My MUST-DOs:

MK: Space Mountain (was closed last time), and Phillarmagic (we missed it last time because of miscalculating our time)

We don't do the thrill rides but Philharmagic is my list as well- it's right up there with Soarin as one of my faves!

Epcot: Kim Possible missions (we LOVE those) and just spending more time in WS.

Yep, we love KP too. We saw about 1/2 of the countries in WS last time so hopefully we'll see the rest this time.

AK: Safari! Last time DH had no interest in it, but now he says he regrets not riding it.

I really enjoyed the safari. DS and I think it's a one time thrill for us though and aren't sure it would be as exciting a second time.

DHS: Tower of Terror. It was the only ride that DD flat out refused to go on, but she won't be with us for our honeymoon.

I'm with your DD on that one.

DTD : I really want to visit Once Upon a Toy, and buy Mr. Potato head accessories.

I Once Upon a Toy.

 

[-Hope-]

Well folks, I'm nothing if not inconsistent.

Just a few days ago I was ecstatic about getting that great pin code and booking at POP! and now....

I've decided to stay off site!

What on earth could have caused this change of heart you may ask? Well, as usual I'm going to blame Karen.

The pin was great because it was helping us get from a mediocre, cramped off-site hotel into an on site, although still cramped resort for the same price. That is a no brainer right? Well, another opportunity came along that also seemed to be a no brainer...

A few days ago Karen floated the idea to me that we could share a house since our dates lined up for our trips. We both talked to our families to see how they felt about it and surprisingly (at least to me) everyone seemed to be on board. I thought Jace might balk at the idea of Kya staying with a friend when he wasn't but he seemed fine with it. Then when I showed him pics of the house we'll probably stay in he was more than fine. Kya was of course excited from the beginning about the idea of staying with Savannah so the pics of the house were just icing on the cake for her.

So, moving back off-site, again for about the same cost. But this time we're moving from cramped on-site resort to a spacious off-site (although very close) home where we can make some of our own meals (being on the QSDP last year made me realize that we grow tired and sluggish on a steady Disney diet), swim in peace and quiet, have free wi-fi, free laundry facilities, and even a hot tub. I was going to make a pros/cons list to help me make the decision but the ONLY pro I could think of for staying at POP was that it was on-site. Like I said, another no-brainer.

 

[jodi90]

So, I'm thinking that I'd like to do at least one TS meal OOP if I can save up enough. I've been pouring over menus to see what meals will offer something to satisfy both of the kids and offer an experience they will both enjoy without breaking the bank.

I've got it narrowed down to a few choices:

Sci-fi Diner (lunch)
Rose and Crown (dinner/Illuminations)
Rainforest Café (lunch or Dinner)
T-Rex (lunch or dinner)
Planet Hollywood (lunch or dinner)
Cape May Clam Bake (dinner)

I've tried to stay away from character dining because of price and because there's really no character dining that Jace is really interested in.

So, what do you guys think? Any experiences at these restaurants you want to share? And, if you could pick only one TS meal from the above list which would you choose and why?

We ate at Planet Hollywood. The food was okay and the atmosphere was fun but it was extremely loud. We had to almost yell to hear each other. But there is a lot of stuff to see. Tons of movie memorablia.

 

[jodi90]

I'll be looking forward to hearing about staying off-site. It's crossed my mind a few times and I've looked at photos and some of the houses are really nice. I'm wondering how far they really are from WDW. They all say they are only 5 mins away.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Hey Erin!

Hi, Karen!

I don't think I mentioned the other day that we are very excited that Phinneas and Ferb are coming to DHS!! This is Jace's FAVORITE Disney show and he is so happy that they'll finally be in the parks.

So that's a little sneak peak of our musts and why- what are yours??

When I read that, I thought, “What?!? Phineas and Ferb are going to be at the parks?” I hadn’t read that! I’m so excited because my kids LOVE that show and so do I! Thank you so much for sharing that, Hope, because IDK how that slipped under my Disney radar!

My must do’s:

MK – a meal (preferably breakfast) at CRT
EP – dinner at Garden Grill
AK – Expedition Everest
HS – meeting Phineas and Ferb (thanks to your tip!)
DTD – Shopping!!!

Just a few days ago I was ecstatic about getting that great pin code and booking at POP! and now....

I've decided to stay off site!

What on earth could have caused this change of heart you may ask? Well, as usual I'm going to blame Karen.

Blaming good ol’ Karen? How could you? JK That is a wonderful idea to share a house! Those vacation homes in the WDW area are really nice! Especially the ones with pools and hot tubs! Woo hoo for you guys! If my kids and I ever get to take that trip with my sibs, we will definitely rent a vacation home. I was shocked to see that they were very reasonably priced! Even more so if you can split the expense of it with another adult! What a great plan!

 

[-Hope-]

We ate at Planet Hollywood. The food was okay and the atmosphere was fun but it was extremely loud. We had to almost yell to hear each other. But there is a lot of stuff to see. Tons of movie memorablia.

I thought about PH but ultimately decided I wanted something that was more specifically Disney. Thanks for the feedback though!

I'll be looking forward to hearing about staying off-site. It's crossed my mind a few times and I've looked at photos and some of the houses are really nice. I'm wondering how far they really are from WDW. They all say they are only 5 mins away.

I know right- they can't ALL be 5 minutes away! However it took an hour on average for us to get to the parks using Disney buses last year so I figure it can't be worse than that.

 

[-Hope-]

When I read that, I thought, “What?!? Phineas and Ferb are going to be at the parks?” I hadn’t read that! I’m so excited because my kids LOVE that show and so do I! Thank you so much for sharing that, Hope, because IDK how that slipped under my Disney radar!

Glad I could help!

My must do’s:

MK – a meal (preferably breakfast) at CRT
EP – dinner at Garden Grill
AK – Expedition Everest
HS – meeting Phineas and Ferb (thanks to your tip!)
DTD – Shopping!!!

These all sound fantastic! I highly recommend the chocolate slipper dessert at CRT. We had the white chocolate one at 1900 PF and it was DELICIOUS!! And at only about $15 it's a very affordable "indulgence". I can't remember the number to call to order it but it is in the cake chatter thread.


Blaming good ol’ Karen? How could you? JK That is a wonderful idea to share a house! Those vacation homes in the WDW area are really nice! Especially the ones with pools and hot tubs! Woo hoo for you guys! If my kids and I ever get to take that trip with my sibs, we will definitely rent a vacation home. I was shocked to see that they were very reasonably priced! Even more so if you can split the expense of it with another adult! What a great plan!

We almost always stay in homes on family vacations and it is generally just a much more relaxing way to go. I'm excited!

 

[DrMomof3]

I think Sci-Fi sounds like the right choice for you!

We're super excited about Phineas and Ferb, also!!!

It sounds like you're making a great choice with staying in a house. I've debated the same point but my DH prefers to NOT drive while at Disney. He drives around a lot for work and enjoys the break from driving. Plus we like to enjoy an adult beverage or two when on vacation. We're very careful about drinking and driving so that would limit his enjoyment of Disney. (We sound like lushes now but we're really not!) I know we're super spoiled that we can pay cash for a one bedroom on site (with a great room-only discount, of course) but I think I'd make the same choice. Especially as your kids get older, that extra space is SO valuable!

Our must-dos? Hmm...

MK: I don't know if we have one. Maybe Pirates? Maybe Astro Orbiters? Buzz? We've missed many of the other favorites on various trips for one reason or another.
Epcot: Soarin'. My favorite ride at Disney.
DHS: TSM (although it was closed last August). Playhouse Disney for my little Zachary.
AK: FoTLK and Safari. Everything else is take or leave.

Also: One Princess dinner (Jessica still hasn't forgiven me that we didn't get one last month!) and One Mickey Mouse meal. My kids would put Garden Grill on their must-do list, although we've only eaten there once!

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ah yes, they always say 5 minutes!

When we stayed offsite in 2009 it was SO FAST! I was shocked. I absolutely know, without a doubt, that is is faster than the buses, at least from the area we are staying in, which is off 92. We were so close to AK with the back road, I'm pretty sure I timed it and it took about 8 minutes to get there from the driveway of the house! I was shocked.

For me, the biggest downfall is that the teenagers may want to leave in the middle of the day, but I'm letting them know that they will have to get their licenses (after MUCH practice this spring/summer!) and will have to leave and then come back to get us when we call. Other than that issue, I think it will be SO much better.

Amanda, if you sound like I lush, I don't know WHAT that makes me sound like! The drink thing would be a facor for me as well, but Rey indulges me almost 100% of the time and if I've had a couple drinks, he won't so that he can drive my sorry-a** home. So, at Disney, it will be the same!

Honestly, I'm actually looking forward to purchasing some of my favorite wine and having it at the house (can we say save money???) and not having too many drinks in the parks. I really will probably only drink at Epcot (hello slushie, my love!) and I'll just make sure Rey drives...hey, or we could make the teenagers drive home! Is that legal?

Ooops, I just kind of realized that this wasn't my PTR, it was Hope's. Same difference!

 

[-Hope-]

I think Sci-Fi sounds like the right choice for you!

Yep, I'm excited for the kids to experience it. And for me seeing my kids get lost in the magic is what makes WDW so special.

We're super excited about Phineas and Ferb, also!!!

Woot!

It sounds like you're making a great choice with staying in a house. I've debated the same point but my DH prefers to NOT drive while at Disney. He drives around a lot for work and enjoys the break from driving. Plus we like to enjoy an adult beverage or two when on vacation. We're very careful about drinking and driving so that would limit his enjoyment of Disney. (We sound like lushes now but we're really not!) I know we're super spoiled that we can pay cash for a one bedroom on site (with a great room-only discount, of course) but I think I'd make the same choice. Especially as your kids get older, that extra space is SO valuable!

Yep, space is very valuable on vacation. As for driving, I'm usually the same way and before our first trip I kept insisting to Karen that we LOVE public transit on vacation. However, the bus situation at the values just isn't the greatest. We lost a lot of touring time and even worse spent a lot of the energy we could have used in the parks on the buses.

You don't sound like a lush at all! They have GREAT drinks at Disney that you just can't get everywhere. I'm also very careful about drinking and driving but since it's just me and the kids I probably won't drink much anyway- it's just not as much fun when you're drinking alone. I'll have to have a slushie at Epcot but I'll just have it with lunch instead of dinner.

Our must-dos? Hmm...

MK: I don't know if we have one. Maybe Pirates? Maybe Astro Orbiters? Buzz? We've missed many of the other favorites on various trips for one reason or another.
Epcot: Soarin'. My favorite ride at Disney.
DHS: TSM (although it was closed last August). Playhouse Disney for my little Zachary.
AK: FoTLK and Safari. Everything else is take or leave.

Soarin' is my favorit too!

Also: One Princess dinner (Jessica still hasn't forgiven me that we didn't get one last month!) and One Mickey Mouse meal. My kids would put Garden Grill on their must-do list, although we've only eaten there once!

Amanda

I think that a special meal is probably a must for us as well. Not necessarily a character meal but something special that feels like Disney.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

it's just not as much fun when you're drinking alone.

WHAT? Does not compute.

 

[-Hope-]

Ah yes, they always say 5 minutes!

When we stayed offsite in 2009 it was SO FAST! I was shocked. I absolutely know, without a doubt, that is is faster than the buses, at least from the area we are staying in, which is off 92. We were so close to AK with the back road, I'm pretty sure I timed it and it took about 8 minutes to get there from the driveway of the house! I was shocked.

Definately has to be better than the buses!! And I won't have to stand around waiting for a bus either. Walking around WDW didn't bother me but when we had to just stand my feet would hurt so bad sometimes I wanted to cry!

For me, the biggest downfall is that the teenagers may want to leave in the middle of the day, but I'm letting them know that they will have to get their licenses (after MUCH practice this spring/summer!) and will have to leave and then come back to get us when we call. Other than that issue, I think it will be SO much better.

Hopefully if they know in advance it won't be a problem at all.

Amanda, if you sound like I lush, I don't know WHAT that makes me sound like! The drink thing would be a facor for me as well, but Rey indulges me almost 100% of the time and if I've had a couple drinks, he won't so that he can drive my sorry-a** home. So, at Disney, it will be the same!

Oh, you are a lush, no doubt about it! JK!!

Honestly, I'm actually looking forward to purchasing some of my favorite wine and having it at the house (can we say save money???) and not having too many drinks in the parks.

This will be fabulous!

I really will probably only drink at Epcot (hello slushie, my love!) and I'll just make sure Rey drives...hey, or we could make the teenagers drive home! Is that legal?

Yep, gotta have a slushie, mmmm. I think we're going to Illuminations on the same night so Rey can drive you and one of the boys can drive me.

Ooops, I just kind of realized that this wasn't my PTR, it was Hope's. Same difference!

 

[DrMomof3]

It's not just the values! We've had some great bus experiences and some really, really bad ones and we've only stayed at deluxe or villas. I would still rent a car, even staying on-site, but can't justify the cost. Even staying on property we sometimes prefer to have a bottle of wine in the room after the kids go to sleep!

Amanda

 

[lledman]

My list of must dos (great idea by the way)

MK – Devin’s first rids on the big coasters
EPCOT – Tyra’s princess breakfast & Soarin (I ended up sitting off with the 2 little one who were sleeping in their strollers last time when Chris and Tyler rode).
DHS – I’d love to see the Lights, Motors, Action show for Tyler – we’ve never seen this or the Indiana Jones show – and of course TS3 is a favorite for Devin I personally want to see the Beauty and the Beast show (we watched this on our first trip but that means I haven’t seen it in 7 years).
AK – not sure if we’ll do this park in May but even if we don’t make it back until next February I can’t wait to see the Nemo show again.

I’m also looking forward to visiting the waterparks and Disney Quest, as well as our dinner at T-Rex

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

It's funny that you should mention the chocolate slipper dessert, because I was thinking of either doing that or the chocolate monorail dessert at CRT. The only thing is, it's a before-park-opening ADR and that is pretty early in the morning for dessert. Oh, who am I kidding? It's a Disney vacation and in Disney, there's nothing wrong with eating dessert for breakfast! Now I'm trying to think of the earliest time of day I let the kids (and myself) have a Mickey Head Ice Cream Bar, and I think it was pretty early in the morning

 

[-Hope-]

My list of must dos (great idea by the way)

MK – Devin’s first rids on the big coasters
EPCOT – Tyra’s princess breakfast & Soarin (I ended up sitting off with the 2 little one who were sleeping in their strollers last time when Chris and Tyler rode).
DHS – I’d love to see the Lights, Motors, Action show for Tyler – we’ve never seen this or the Indiana Jones show – and of course TS3 is a favorite for Devin I personally want to see the Beauty and the Beast show (we watched this on our first trip but that means I haven’t seen it in 7 years).
AK – not sure if we’ll do this park in May but even if we don’t make it back until next February I can’t wait to see the Nemo show again.

I’m also looking forward to visiting the waterparks and Disney Quest, as well as our dinner at T-Rex

All of those sound great- especially Soarin and TSM- two of my faves!!

We have a mini-trip to Kansas City planned for December and will try T-Rex while we're there. I think my kids will love it!

 

[-Hope-]

It's funny that you should mention the chocolate slipper dessert, because I was thinking of either doing that or the chocolate monorail dessert at CRT. The only thing is, it's a before-park-opening ADR and that is pretty early in the morning for dessert. Oh, who am I kidding? It's a Disney vacation and in Disney, there's nothing wrong with eating dessert for breakfast! Now I'm trying to think of the earliest time of day I let the kids (and myself) have a Mickey Head Ice Cream Bar, and I think it was pretty early in the morning

It's never too early for dessert at Disney!

Heck, when I'm on vacation all bets are off. When I'm in Germany I have WINE for breakfast so a slipper dessert doesn't seem so bad.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

It's never too early for dessert at Disney!

Heck, when I'm on vacation all bets are off. When I'm in Germany I have WINE for breakfast so a slipper dessert doesn't seem so bad.

Well, that seals it. If you can have wine for breakfast in Germany, I can have a Grey Goose Slushy for breakfast in EPCOT