Brother & Sister, WL, AKL, and Parents on a Disney Cruise! We're off!!! 5/8!!

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Upgrades from DCL are always great. The first time and only time I have ever gotten one was from a Cat 9 to a Cat 6. It was three days before I was going to be leaving on the Trans Atlantic cruise. I actually founded out by getting a call on my cell phone from someone from DCL telling me the good news.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Doesn't Kidani look great??? I have been drooling for the last couple of days over the photos! I want to try Sanaa, but not sure if we are that adventurous either. Waiting to read some reviews before I decide.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

woohooo upgrade

 

[5littleindians]

So the resort stays are a bit interesting to say the least!! We had been waiting with baited breathe for the AP rates, and than finally they arrived!! After a LOT of resort swapping, we have [tentative] final plans!! Here are mom & dads:

May 9th-10th - Universal's Royal Pacific Resort
May 10th-14th - DCL Wonder Inside Cabin
May 14th-17th - Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard View

They are SUPER excited about AKL and I am so excited that the rate was so low I was able to book it for them!! I'm hoping for some anniversary pixie dust for them, but I know they are excited just to stay there nevermind having a view of the animals!

Now for David & Mine!

May 9th-10th - Universal's Royal Pacific Resort
May 10th-15th - Wilderness Lodge Standard View
May 15th-17th - Animal Kingdom Lodge Standard View

Both of us are so excited to be staying here!!

David and I are super excited to be staying here!!

Now for those of you coming from our last TR, you know how much I disliked switching resorts so let me explain. This is why it is tentative! As of right now, Disney is showing no availability for anything but courtyard view bunk beds on the weekend with the AP discount! The rooms can be booked at rack rate, but because they aren't available at the discount this effects being able to stay at the WL from the 10th-17th. I'm really hoping as the weeks go on, a regular room will pop up at the WL for our entire stay, and I plan on switching. But switching to the AKL? Getting to spend the last 2 nights of disney at the same resort as our parents? Spending time as a family while we swim or go look at animals? It's not a bad "worse case scenario" is it??

Because of work and such, we are only able to spend 1 night in Universal which David and I are a bit upset about, but we'll have to just get on what we can. When you stay at a universal hotel (like the royal pacific) your room key acts as an "express pass" so we should definitely be able to walk on practically everything, that should help!! Mom & Dad don't have universal annual passes like David & I do so they might take the car that day and go to Disney or something, we're not sure yet.

What do you guys think of the plans?

We will be with you guys at the WL - staying the 11th through 17th - so look us up!

 

[Mcbruns]

So on our 90th day out a few weeks ago I was up bright and early with disney dining and I was able to get every restaurant we wanted!! The only exception is the proper time for yak & yeti but i think that because even on EMH, the restaurant closes at 5. I'm really excited to try this new place! Both us and our parents are going to be on the basic dining plan!

May 9th - Mama Della's - this is the best italian restuarant in Orlando! Even ask wdwinfo.com!! I ate here a few years ago while vacationing with my cousins to Disney/Universal its in the Portofino Bay Hotel (a georgeous universal hotel) and if you ever find yourself venturing off disney property or going to Universal for a day or 2, you have to find the time to get over here!

Just found your trip report. Tell me more about Mama Della's ......

 

[Nicole786]

Upgrades from DCL are always great. The first time and only time I have ever gotten one was from a Cat 9 to a Cat 6. It was three days before I was going to be leaving on the Trans Atlantic cruise. I actually founded out by getting a call on my cell phone from someone from DCL telling me the good news.

Wow category 9-6?? Thats awesome!! I hope we get some more pixie dust for them! I want them to have a window

Doesn't Kidani look great??? I have been drooling for the last couple of days over the photos! I want to try Sanaa, but not sure if we are that adventurous either. Waiting to read some reviews before I decide.

Kidani looks so awesome but i think i may cancel the Sanaa review. After talking with David, I don't think he's that adventurous. Plus I think the only reason I wanted it was for the window view of the animals, but if we wait a few days we'll be staying at the AKL where we will have the public savannas! No biggie!

woohooo upgrade

Yaaa!

We will be with you guys at the WL - staying the 11th through 17th - so look us up!

Oh, awesome! We will definitely look out for you, you look out for us!!

Just found your trip report. Tell me more about Mama Della's ......

Mama Dellas is the most delicious italian food in the Orlando area. Here is the review from WDWinfo:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/universal/mamadellas-restaurant-review.html

You really get treated in a "we're so glad you're here!" fashion which is a nice relief from the tone the disney restaurants sometimes set which is almost like they're letting us eat there The food is outrageous, and thats saying a lot considering i'm from ny where you can't compete with italian food! This picture doesn't really do it justice, but here's my chicken parm from last year:

Also, heres an example of service. We looked at the menus on allears.net and david knew he wanted the chicken marsala but when we got there they didn't have it but the server offered to see if they could make it! They could! He was excited but ended up not liking it (he can be a picky eater) no problem, we shared my chicken parm. The server came by and noticed that he didn't eat it and he just said he didn't like it, she said she could get something else for us but we had to leave to catch a movie. We got dessert to share and ordered a flavor of sorbetti (i forget which flavor) but they didn't have it. Instead she brought out 2 sorbettis in the other flavors on the house!! We weren't charged for the chicken marsala either! Great great service. Great ambience, and just a great time.

Heres a pic of the portofino hotel where the restaurant is:

and the sorbetti:

 

[Grybo]

If I remember correctly, I believe it was orange that we tried to get.

 

[pooksma]

Congrats to Mom and Dad on the upgrade!

 

[troobabiee7]

Sanaa looks SO good! I was thinking of adding it onto our trip but decided against it when I had trouble fitting it in. You'll have to let me know how it is if you keep the ADR!

 

[Nicole786]

If I remember correctly, I believe it was orange that we tried to get.

I think you might be right

Congrats to Mom and Dad on the upgrade!

Thanks they are very excited!

Sanaa looks SO good! I was thinking of adding it onto our trip but decided against it when I had trouble fitting it in. You'll have to let me know how it is if you keep the ADR!

We're leaning towards cancelling it just waiting for some reviews to come out on Friday and than we'll make a decision. I will definitely be posting reviews in the TR though!

 

[Nicole786]

Countdown is down to 12 days, time to get a move on!! My iPhone cards are done I can't wait to share those with you guys but I may hold off and use them in the trip report when we come back. I've also made mousekeeping envelopes, although I've heard an ugly rumor about mousekeeping tips and how they really don't keep them they go into an overall mousekeeping pool?? What is everyones thoughts on this?

Packing lists are being written as we speak, so lets see where we will be in 2 weeks here is the plan for day 4:

This is our scheduled day off and we are going to try something we both have never tried and that is blizzard beach. We had a great time at typhoon lagoon last year and we can't wait to try a new park. Taking the advice of many disney websites, we won't get there until about 1 or 2 (they always say a late start at the water parks is better on the crowds) it's also a tuesday which I hope will alleviate some crowds. Will we conquer this?

I definitely want to ride the chair lift thats for sure! Has anyone ever been to BB? Can you offer some advice?

Keeping with the theme of our day off we aren't going to schedule any park hopping this day (we did the same thing in august but ended up at epcot emh so i guess we'll see what happens) we have dinner reservations back at the WL @ whispering canyon! We had a great brief dis-meet there in august with Pooksma and Declansdad, plus I love this restaurant and the feeling of just heading over there from the comfort of your room, no buses, no fuss, is awesome! We loved just going down to Boma last year for our ADR, hassle-free!!

David loves the antics at this restaurant as well, check out his drink and straw!

not to mention I just love the food here for some reason! these nachos were awesome maybe we'll get them again this year!

After dinner we'll head out to one of my favorite places to be I'm getting butterflies just think about Downtown Disney!!

We always make the best of gift shops, they are great photo opportunities!

 

[MeMom]

Countdown is down to 12 days, time to get a move on!! I've also made mousekeeping envelopes, although I've heard an ugly rumor about mousekeeping tips and how they really don't keep them they go into an overall mousekeeping pool?? What is everyones thoughts on this?


After dinner we'll head out to one of my favorite places to be I'm getting butterflies just think about Downtown Disney!!

I read once that someone asked a Mousekeeping supervisor about the tips, and they told him/ her (not sure) that they were all pooled. I can't say for sure if it is so, but that is what that person was told.

That DTD archway is understandably exciting. It leads to tons o' fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Those nachos do look very yummy!!!

I can't believe how close you are!

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

I never heard this rumor about the mousekeepers pooling the envelopes.

I will still tip either way but, it is very interesting.

Our rooms have always been taken care of, I have always been very pleased with the service.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Taking the advice of many disney websites, we won't get there until about 1 or 2 (they always say a late start at the water parks is better on the crowds) it's also a tuesday which I hope will alleviate some crowds.

I definitely want to ride the chair lift thats for sure! Has anyone ever been to BB? Can you offer some advice?

first off that nacho plate at WC is awesome we loved it also.

some tips on BB and well both water parks for you.

we have always loved them and go every trip to them.

i have to speak against the websites, the best play that we have always found true is show up a at opening of the water parks, you can knock out the hotest and most popular rides very quickly, we have been where we have done every single ride in just about an hour of opening, then when it starts to get busy about 11:30-12, we eat lunch while people are still showing up. then after lunch we take it easy and do the stuff that never has lines, like the lazy river and wave pools...and then go back and wait in lines for the things we really liked

the mat rides at BB are awesome you will love them, the lines are never long so save that for after you go on the summit plummit plummit usually has the longest line so go there first, and take the time to look out over all of Disney it is the best view.

then i would go on the family slide it is so much fun and usually has a longer line if you wait to go on it.

and dont forget about the tube slides ont he back of the mountain which are alot of fun as well.

but i would try and get there early, since it is nice to get things done on a lower crowd and then relax since it will wear you out and you can then leave earlier to go to other things.

 

[Nicole786]

I read once that someone asked a Mousekeeping supervisor about the tips, and they told him/ her (not sure) that they were all pooled. I can't say for sure if it is so, but that is what that person was told.

That DTD archway is understandably exciting. It leads to tons o' fun!

We're still going to tip it just bothers me that it gets pooled like that, that's not fair. The arch is definitely tons of fun, I can't wait!!!

Those nachos do look very yummy!!!

I can't believe how close you are!

Love me some nachos and cheese!! So close yet so far, this is taking forever!!

I never heard this rumor about the mousekeepers pooling the envelopes.

I will still tip either way but, it is very interesting.

Our rooms have always been taken care of, I have always been very pleased with the service.

Yes we will tip either way, It just bothers me that they can't keep what they've earned I enjoy making the mousekeeping envelopes (post coming up!) and I would hope they like to recieve them.

first off that nacho plate at WC is awesome we loved it also.

some tips on BB and well both water parks for you.

we have always loved them and go every trip to them.

i have to speak against the websites, the best play that we have always found true is show up a at opening of the water parks, you can knock out the hotest and most popular rides very quickly, we have been where we have done every single ride in just about an hour of opening, then when it starts to get busy about 11:30-12, we eat lunch while people are still showing up. then after lunch we take it easy and do the stuff that never has lines, like the lazy river and wave pools...and then go back and wait in lines for the things we really liked

the mat rides at BB are awesome you will love them, the lines are never long so save that for after you go on the summit plummit plummit usually has the longest line so go there first, and take the time to look out over all of Disney it is the best view.

then i would go on the family slide it is so much fun and usually has a longer line if you wait to go on it.

and dont forget about the tube slides ont he back of the mountain which are alot of fun as well.

but i would try and get there early, since it is nice to get things done on a lower crowd and then relax since it will wear you out and you can then leave earlier to go to other things.

Ya know Fauntleroy I think you've convinced us!! I'm still hearing conflicting reports about that you should arrive late, but TBH, this could be geared for summer goers where the park is open until 7. BB is only open until 5 and I would hate to spend the money on the tix to only go for 3 hours and barely get on anything because its too crowded! I think we will get there at park opening because at least if its crowded we will have time to wait in lines.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

ya know Fauntleroy I think you've convinced us!! I'm still hearing conflicting reports about that you should arrive late, but TBH, this could be geared for summer goers where the park is open until 7. BB is only open until 5 and I would hate to spend the money on the tix to only go for 3 hours and barely get on anything because its too crowded! I think we will get there at park opening because at least if its crowded we will have time to wait in lines.

glad you are taking my advice, i think you will find it is pretty good.


also another tip, when you get there the first thing i would go on is summit plummit because you are going to want to ride the lift up to the top those stairs are a hurter....and the exit to summit plummit is very close to the ski lift, if you chose to go on the family raft ride first, the exit is half way across the park, so it is a much longer walk back to the ski lift.

in the middle of the day the line for the ski lift can get pretty long even in the down season....so i would suggest that if you dont mind, go to the single rider line and they pair you up with people from the regular line, it will get you to the top faster, and you will meet back up with your bro in no time at all.

the down hill double dipper i would say for some reason is the 3rd most popular in the line time, there always seems to be line for that later in the day...so if you want to ride it go there early (well after summit plummit and the family ride.)

the tabagoon racers are awesome you guys will have so much riding those and watch out for the water coming out of the rocks in the tunnel of the lazy river, it is ice cold ice ice cold.

fauntleroy tips of the day

 

[troobabiee7]

10 days!!!

Your Day 4 plans look great!

 

[Nicole786]

glad you are taking my advice, i think you will find it is pretty good.


also another tip, when you get there the first thing i would go on is summit plummit because you are going to want to ride the lift up to the top those stairs are a hurter....and the exit to summit plummit is very close to the ski lift, if you chose to go on the family raft ride first, the exit is half way across the park, so it is a much longer walk back to the ski lift.

in the middle of the day the line for the ski lift can get pretty long even in the down season....so i would suggest that if you dont mind, go to the single rider line and they pair you up with people from the regular line, it will get you to the top faster, and you will meet back up with your bro in no time at all.

the down hill double dipper i would say for some reason is the 3rd most popular in the line time, there always seems to be line for that later in the day...so if you want to ride it go there early (well after summit plummit and the family ride.)

the tabagoon racers are awesome you guys will have so much riding those and watch out for the water coming out of the rocks in the tunnel of the lazy river, it is ice cold ice ice cold.

fauntleroy tips of the day

Thanks so much for the tips, i added them to my iphone!! David 100% agrees with you and now we are going to get there at opening. He threatened that he would with or without me, he really wants to go to blizzard beach!

10 days!!!

Your Day 4 plans look great!

YAAAAAAAY!!!! THanks! Single digits tomorrow!

 

[MeMom]

I'm just checking in for a single digit dance this morning!

This is the only dance I know:


One dance for each member of the family.

Nine days to fun in the sun!!!