Building Castles in the Sky - an Oct 2012 PTR *Update 9/20- Day 3 Plans!*

[PixieMama]

Here's my two cents:

My favorite ride is ToT. I could ride it over, and over, an over again. I could never go to WDW and not ride ToT. So DHS is a must do, for me. So if I had to choose between DHS and AK, AK would lose.

We had the same dilemma when we were planning our anniversary trip. Only so many days and too many parks to choose from. Park hopping really helped us with that. We spent a lot of time in Epcot (sampling the food and drink venders) and then one evening we went to MK for MNSSHP. And another day we went to DHS in the morning and then Epcot at night. So that way we got to go to the three parks we wanted. It was one of the hardest trips we've planned because there were things we would have liked to do but we just didn't have the time. Oh what a problem to have!

ToT is one of my favorites, too! But so is EE. Which is why I have this dilemma, LOL! And Shane won't ride ToT... he doesn't mind roller coasters; he can go upside-down, sideways, backwards, whatever... but he cannot handle going on rides that spin or drop. So no ToT or any free-falling rides for him!

I voted for DHS! While there are some things I like at AK (EE, FOTLK, Nemo show)- It is actually my least favorite park.

On the other hand-at DHS--ToT, RnRC, Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic!, TSM---Starring Rolls (which you mentioned! )---I'd have to choose DHS over AK any day!

I feel the same way about AK. And I think we're going to go with DHS (so far, DHS has 100% of the poll votes!). Shane and I were talking about it last night, and when I mentioned to him my pros for choosing DHS, he said, "Oh, yeah, I forgot about TSM!"

 

[smile4stamps]

Joining in! Also planning an October trip!

Having to choose between the two I would go DHS. My hubby and I LOVED TSM so that would be the clincher right there! I would have a really hard time going to WDW and not going to MK though...

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!!

 

[PixieMama]

Joining in! Also planning an October trip!

Having to choose between the two I would go DHS. My hubby and I LOVED TSM so that would be the clincher right there! I would have a really hard time going to WDW and not going to MK though...

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!!

Hey, Paula! Thanks for joining!

I'm 99% sure we've decided to go to DHS. And I just may have a way for us to visit MK after all...

 

[PixieMama]

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[smile4stamps]

Hey, Paula! Thanks for joining!

I'm 99% sure we've decided to go to DHS. And I just may have a way for us to visit MK after all...

I was wondering if MNSSHP might play a role!! That would be awesome if you can get your hubby to agree to go!!

 

[teekathepony]

I'm joining in too!

If I had to choose between AK and DHS (assuming no park hopper and I could only pick one) I'd pick DHS. Mostly for the longer hours and more options, also I love RnR! I like AK more as a park, but if I was short on park time I think I'd skip it with the logic, "It's basically a zoo."

 

[PixieMama]

I'm joining in too!

If I had to choose between AK and DHS (assuming no park hopper and I could only pick one) I'd pick DHS. Mostly for the longer hours and more options, also I love RnR! I like AK more as a park, but if I was short on park time I think I'd skip it with the logic, "It's basically a zoo."

, Wendy!

We had Park Hoppers on our first family trip, but didn't get them on our second. I can see the advantage of having them, but Shane doesn't think we need them. So it'll just be one park each day for us. I'm with you on your logic about AK!

 

[micandminforever]

I vote AK because I love the animals and the shows. Then you could spend the evening on the carriage ride and listening to"Ye Haa" Bob at PORS.

 

[PixieMama]

I vote AK because I love the animals and the shows. Then you could spend the evening on the carriage ride and listening to"Ye Haa" Bob at PORS.

Thanks for your input, micandmin! I hadn't thought about that, but you're right... since AK closes early, that would free up an evening to do something else. Hmmmm...

 

[cinderella crazy]

Mike and I had a great time at MNSSHP on our anniversary trip! I can't wait to here your food choices!

 

[PixieMama]

Time to discuss one of my favorite topics about WDW… the FOOD!

As I mentioned, we've added the Dining Plan to our package so I have 5 Table Service meals to plan. One would think that making just 5 ADRs for 2 people would be an easy task.

However, one would be wrong.

So far I'm thinking all but one of our ADRs will be for dinner. I would like to try some new places, though it's hard to not want to return to our favorites. And though the majority of WDW restaurants are kid-friendly, I'm thinking of going with more "adult" ones since we won't have the kids with us on this trip. With that in mind, here are the restaurants in consideration (so far):

• Le Cellier - This would be the one lunch ADR. Neither of us have ever dined here and I've wanted to try it but not sure if the kids would like it. So this seems like the perfect time to go!
  
  
• Raglan Road - This is another place neither one of us has been to. And since we're only doing 2 day park tickets, we need a few restaurants that are outside the parks.
  
  
• Boma - This is one of our favorites!
  
  
• 'Ohana - I loved dinner at 'Ohana on my trip last year, and I know Shane would enjoy the food, too.
  
  
• Cape May Clam Bake - Another place I went to on my trip last year, but Shane has never been. I really enjoyed dinner here, even though I'm not a fan of seafood! There was plenty of non-seafood items on the buffet, and I even liked the fried calamari and white fish I tried. Shane does like seafood, so I know he would enjoy Cape May.
  
  
• Les Chefs de France - I had lunch here on my trip last year, and I still dream about that delicious-manna-from-heaven Baked Macaroni & Cheese.

We're considering doing a Signature Dining or Dinner Show for our last night, as a way to cap off our fabulous vacation! If we go this route, I'm thinking either Yachtsman Steakhouse or Artist Point… or The Sprit of Aloha Luau. If we do the luau, we'd probably skip 'Ohana.

I'm also trying to think of where to have dinner on the day we go to DHS. We've been to 50sPTC and Sci-Fi before, but neither one of those nor any of the other restaurants inside the park are appealing to us. We don't have any issues with leaving the park to grab dinner at a resort… but where do we go? Boma? Cape May? Any suggestions?

I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the ADRs in consideration!

 

[eaj1228]

I'll be in Disney World in October as well. Since you are going to DHS check out Animation Academy. I finally got around to doing it during my last trip and it was one of my favorite attractions. I have no artistic talent at all and I was truly amazed at how awesome my drawing came out.

 

[teekathepony]

In DHS I like Holllywood & Vine, unless you're looking specifically for adult focused restaurants. I like the buffet!
Love the early ADR choices. I love Le Cellier and Raglan Road!

 

[PixieMama]

I'll be in Disney World in October as well. Since you are going to DHS check out Animation Academy. I finally got around to doing it during my last trip and it was one of my favorite attractions. I have no artistic talent at all and I was truly amazed at how awesome my drawing came out.

Yay, another October DISer!

Yes, we will definitely go to the Animation Academy. I went for the first time on my girls trip last summer... so much fun! I don't know why we skipped it on my family trips... both DDs love to draw, so they'd get a kick out of the AA for sure. It's a must for our next family trip!

In DHS I like Holllywood & Vine, unless you're looking specifically for adult focused restaurants. I like the buffet!
Love the early ADR choices. I love Le Cellier and Raglan Road!

We're not opposed to buffets... but I was looking for more "adult" places. Glad to hear you like Le Cellier and Raglan Road! I hear nothing but great things about both places!

 

[MHTeacher]

I hear you about the lack of places to eat in DHS!

As far as some more "adult" places--How about Contemporary Grill? We also love Kona Cafe over at the Polynesian.

 

[PixieMama]

I'm toying with the idea of adding a breakfast ADR to our plans. It would be for Tuesday morning and depending on if we go to MNSSHP that night. Most likely, we'll sleep in and grab a late-ish breakfast somewhere and then hang out at our resort pool until it's time to get ready for MNSSHP. I think party attendees are still allowed to get in the park as early as 4 p.m. but we probably wouldn't get there that early. And not sure if we'd grab an early quick service dinner at POR before we go, or wait and grab something for dinner once we get to MK.

But… back to my breakfast quandary. IF we decide to go this route, where should we have breakfast? Again, it would have to be at a resort since we won't be able to use a park ticket that day. The only breakfasts we've done is at Crystal Palace, and I've had breakfast at Boma (which was good, but if we're going to go to Boma I would rather it be for dinner). Any suggestions for breakfast? We're not opposed to buffets, but the only ones I know of are character meals ('Ohana, 1900 PF, Cape May) and not sure how Shane feels about dining with characters when it'll be just the two of us, LOL!

Where do you like to have breakfast at WDW?

 

[PixieMama]

I hear you about the lack of places to eat in DHS!

As far as some more "adult" places--How about Contemporary Grill? We also love Kona Cafe over at the Polynesian.

I've heard good things about California Grill. I may have to add that one to the list of potentials.

Have you done breakfast at Kona before? That may be an option for the dilemma I just posted above...

 

[cinderella crazy]

We have been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast almost every trip (I think we may have missed out on one or two trips). We've never eaten breakfast at any other TS restaurant. But we love it! Don't know if you'd want to do a character breakfast...

By the way, everytime I see your PTR, even when I'm scrolling through the titles, whenever I see yours I start singing that song! The other night Mike asked me "Why do you keep singing that song?!" Once I explained your PTR title he just shook his head. I'm even singing it throughout the day. It's my new go to song.

 

[jenneth79]

Phew, back from the weekend with ghosts and catching up!

Park: Personally I would choose AK, but if you're looking for the most time for your buck, go with DHS.... it just stays open longer so you feel you're getting the most out of your ticket. If you do go there, check out One Man's Dream... it's really amazing all you learn about Walt!

Dinner: If you do a Signature, have you considered Jiko? Or Bistro de Paris (now on Dining plan!) when you could potentially watch fireworks?

Lunch (DHS): I would highly recommend Hollywood Brown Derby... yum!

Breakfast: I keep hearing great things about Kouzzinas at Boardwalk.... we might give it a try ourselves this October.

Oh, and you're going to love POR, it's my favorite Mod.

 

[PixieMama]

We have been to Chef Mickey's for breakfast almost every trip (I think we may have missed out on one or two trips). We've never eaten breakfast at any other TS restaurant. But we love it! Don't know if you'd want to do a character breakfast...

By the way, everytime I see your PTR, even when I'm scrolling through the titles, whenever I see yours I start singing that song! The other night Mike asked me "Why do you keep singing that song?!" Once I explained your PTR title he just shook his head. I'm even singing it throughout the day. It's my new go to song.

We're not entirely opposed to character breakfasts. I'm not much of a breakfast-eater (but Shane is) so buffets are nice, as that way there's a variety I can pick from. I think most of the breakfast buffets are character meals, right?

And I'm glad I'm not the only one constantly singing that song!

Phew, back from the weekend with ghosts and catching up!

Park: Personally I would choose AK, but if you're looking for the most time for your buck, go with DHS.... it just stays open longer so you feel you're getting the most out of your ticket. If you do go there, check out One Man's Dream... it's really amazing all you learn about Walt!

Dinner: If you do a Signature, have you considered Jiko? Or Bistro de Paris (now on Dining plan!) when you could potentially watch fireworks?

Lunch (DHS): I would highly recommend Hollywood Brown Derby... yum!

Breakfast: I keep hearing great things about Kouzzinas at Boardwalk.... we might give it a try ourselves this October.

Oh, and you're going to love POR, it's my favorite Mod.

Have yet to visit One Man's Dream... if we go with DHS (which it looks like we will), I will make sure we do this!

I think Shane really wants to try the luau, so not sure we'd do two 2-credit meals on this trip. Unless we pay OOP or upgrade to the DxDP...

I hadn't thought of Kouzzina's for breakfast. I just looked at the menu and the French Toast Baklava sounds amazing!