Celebrating my 30th Birthday Disney Style! A Dec 2008 PTR w/ pics!

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Hi everyone! I've spent my day reading through PTR and even TR and thought it'd be fun to try this out. My trip isn't for another 8 months, but at least I can get my thoughts in order here.

2007 was a sucky year. Yes, we had some good times, but the bad far outweighed the good. (Isn't that sad to think? )

Jan - Found out DH had cheated on me and wanted a divorce
Feb - We decided to reconcile and work on our marriage
Mar - Take a trip to FL and Disney with the kids
Apr - Find out DH has to go to Kosovo for a year with the National Guard
May - DH traveling a lot with the National Guard
June - DH walks out on me and the kids to go back to the 21 year old girlfriend
July - My mom, who had cancer for 25 years, starts getting very sick
Aug - My mom gets a little better, but still not her same old self
Sep - Trip to Disney with my dad and the kiddos. My mom is still not right.
Oct - My mom passed away
Nov - I FINALLy filed the divorce papers
Dec - Court date after court date with the divorce and nothing is still resolved.

With all of that going on and then knowing my 30th birthday was right around the corner I wanted to do something BIG for it! And I didn't want a party (that my family just LOVES to throw). And knowing that my best friends birthday is 5 days after mine what better way to celebrate than in Disney! And if y'all think my life has drama in it my best friend's is way worse. Between her boyfriend, job and family I think her list would look just like mine. LOL (Hey...at least we can laugh about it!)


So, now let me start off with the who and the introductions of our cast and characters...

I'm Lori (29, duh!). I'm a single SAHM to two beautiful kiddos! I work very, very, VERY part time with my dad in his accounting firm. Mostly just 2 days a week to support my clothes shopping habbit for my kiddos and to save some spending money for Disney. I'm living and loving life for my kiddos and taking it one day at a time! I'm the planner of this trip and lover of Dinsey.

Lindsey (5)...My little princess. Her b-day is 12/31 and we'll throw her birthday celebration into our trip as well. She goes to preschool 3 days a week and will be starting Kindy come this fall. I can not BELIEVE my baby is starting Kindergarten!!!!! Lindsey LOVES the Disney Princesses of course with Belle being her favorite.

DR (3)...A true mama's boy! He loves to play dress up and tea party but will be out playing in the dirt with Hot Wheels the next. LOL He'll be in preschool come time for our trip 3 days a week. I sooo can't BELIEVE he'll be in preschool! I swear time just flies!!! His favorites are Stitch and Pluto.

And last but not least, my best friend since the 6th grade...

Wendy (29). Her b-day is 12/25 and likes to tease me about how much younger she is than me (Yeah...by 5 days! LOL). Anyways she works as a nanny/housecleaner and is kept really busy at her job! This break is soooooo something she needs (even though it's 8 months away!). I don't know how she even does it all?!?! My kids and I call her Aunt Wendy because she's truly like a sister to me and an aunt to my kids. (Heck, her mother is my second mom and adopted grandmother to my kids since my mom has passed away).
(This is totally a bad pic of her and she would kill me for posting this one LOL, but it's all I found in my Photobucket. And it's from like 2 years ago!)

So...onto our when and where we'll be staying...

We'll be going from December 7-13 and staying at Port Orleans-French Quarter. I didn't want to go the weekend after Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas so I picked right in the middle. Linds will be missing some school, but oh well, put me in the Running for Mother of the Year award!

I chose POFQ mostly because I didn't want to do a Value and couldn't afford a Deluxe. LOL It seems like it's smaller than most Moderates plus looks soooooo pretty! I've always wanted to go to the real New Orleans French Quarter, but this will do. I reserved a water view preferred room. My kids have seen the pics online and like the pool and slide area and my DD even likes the lobby area. LOL


That'll be it for now. Both my kids are standing here wanting to get on the computer to play and I need to get some laundry done and the dinner dishes in the dishwasher.

Up next some pics from our trip this past September and maybe our itenerary. I have a rough draft in my head but have put nothing in black and white yet...

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

My kids are finally in bed and I have some time to myself to think, think, THINK!

So, we are going from 12/7-13 and staying at POFQ. We'll have 7-day base tickets (I may get park hoppers but am unsure) and are on the dining plan. I am the offical planner of it all since Wendy could care less and well the kids don't really care either. As long as we all have fun and come back with great experiences we're happy!

I joined TGM last year for our September trip and decided to join again for this trip. I thought he worked out pretty well the last time and with it being Christmas I wanted to see what he had to offer.

His best days for December aren't up yet, so I'm just kind of going by what I did the last time and just gut feeling for now. I've given some thought to ADR's but am having a hard time. My kids aren't picky eats and as long as mac-n-cheese, spaghetti, or chicken is on the menu they will eat it. Wendy OTOH...oh boy! She's a vegetarian and picky. I honestly think she would do better eating off the kids menu than the adult. So, I'm kind of thinking doing a lot of buffets. You can ALWAYS find something you like at a buffet!

But, so far I was planning...

I have already booked my flights. I just went to check out times and prices and wow I am so glad I already did book them! I paid $700 for the 3 of us and if I were to get the same flight now it's up to $2200.

Dec 7
~Arrive, check-in, explore hotel, maybe DTD or MK
~CS Lunch (hotel); TS dinner (Rainforest Cafe or Chef Mickey's)

Dec 8
~EP morning, break at hotel, EP evening
~CS Lunch (Sunshine Seasons); TS dinner (??? - Maybe Askerhus or Tutto Italia)

Dec 9
~MK morning, break at hotel, MK evening for MVMCP
~TS breakfast (Crystal Palace); CS dinner (Hotel or Cosmic Ray's)

Dec 10
~Beach morning, break at hotel, MK evening for Spectro
~Off site lunch; TS dinner (1900 Park Fare)

Dec 11
~AK morning/afternoon, break at hotel, Kids with a sitter, Wendy and I out to DTD for the night
~CS lunch (FTBBQ or Pizzafari); CS dinner (hotel)

Dec 12
~Off morning, HS afternoon/evening
~CS lunch (hotel); TS dinner (Fantasmic package)

Dec 13
~Check out , maybe MK or EP
~TS breakfast ('Ohana)


So, that's our tentaive plans for now.I'm sure they will change a million times between now and then especially when I start reviewing menus with Wendy and the kids.

 

[joelp]

Greetings from NJ!!

You'll love POFQ - we stayed there last May - good luck getting the kids out of the pool!!

You may want to request a 1st floor room: there are elevators, but after a long day at the parks, it's nice not having to go "up" ...

Here are the list of "best parks" and "parks to avoid" - if you get a copy of the 2008 there's a secret code that let's you look ahead ... [I was actually going to try and do my early planning without ... but I just couldn't do it!!


Dec 7: Best - AK; Avoid - MK (MVMCP), DS
Dec 8: Best - EP, DS; Avoid - MK, AK
Dec 9: Best - MK (MVMCP), AK; Avoid - EP, DS
Dec 10: Best - MK, DS; Avoid - AK
Dec 11: Best - EP, AK; Avoid - MK (MVMCP)
Dec 12: Best - AK; Avoid - MK (MVMCP), EP, DS
Dec 13: Best - MK, EP; Avoid - DS, AK

So - unless changes his mind ... there you go ... Time to start some "serious" planning ... ... for your trip to WDW in the "Year That Doesn't Suck!!"

 

[Ageout96]

My family is going that same week (Dec 6-14) - staying at Pop. I look forward to seeing what you all have planned

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Greetings from NJ!!

You'll love POFQ - we stayed there last May - good luck getting the kids out of the pool!!

You may want to request a 1st floor room: there are elevators, but after a long day at the parks, it's nice not having to go "up" ...

Here are the list of "best parks" and "parks to avoid" - if you get a copy of the 2008 there's a secret code that let's you look ahead ... [I was actually going to try and do my early planning without ... but I just couldn't do it!!


Dec 7: Best - AK; Avoid - MK (MVMCP), DS
Dec 8: Best - EP, DS; Avoid - MK, AK
Dec 9: Best - MK (MVMCP), AK; Avoid - EP, DS
Dec 10: Best - MK, DS; Avoid - AK
Dec 11: Best - EP, AK; Avoid - MK (MVMCP)
Dec 12: Best - AK; Avoid - MK (MVMCP), EP, DS
Dec 13: Best - MK, EP; Avoid - DS, AK

So - unless changes his mind ... there you go ... Time to start some "serious" planning ... ... for your trip to WDW in the "Year That Doesn't Suck!!"

Thanks so much! I have TGM but still like to compare and see what they both have to say. I need to sign up for UOG. I have the book but haven't had a chance to look on the site yet.

My family is going that same week (Dec 6-14) - staying at Pop. I look forward to seeing what you all have planned

Thanks and thanks for reading along!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Ok so going back to the first day and wanting to plan things out a bit and kind of go over my choices.

I already have mine and the kids flights booked. We leave Pittsburgh around 9:30 and land at MCO around 11:30. I have no idea what Wendy will be doing. She was saying her mom may buy her tickets since she has some FF miles stored up or she'll get her tickets later on. I'm just hoping it'll be around the same time as our flight or just a little bit later.

Anyways, my plan is to take the ME from the airport to the resort, but again Wendy might rent a car because she wants to go to the beach one day. To me that's a PITA. She'll be paying for a car that will probably sit there most of the time and I would either have to rent or bring our car seats. I'm soooooooo hoping to talk her out of this! But to her she *HAS* to go to the beach at least once while in FL. But it's not like she wasn't just there in March for some kind of race and went to the beach.

Anyways,I'll move on...

The kids and I will get in around 11:30 and my plan is for us to take the ME to the resort.

DR and I last year waiting for the bus to go...

Can you tell they were excited?!?!


We'll check in and explore the resort a bit. I'm thinking lunch will be at the hotel. Depending on what time Wendy get's in, I think we might head over to the MK. I think they are having MVMCP that night so it'll close by 7. I would want to be there no later than 4 so we can at least spend a few hours there before being kicked out. LOL

I loved these decorations for Halloween!


I'm thinking dinner that night will be at Chef Mickey's. What better way to go with a veggie only eater and 2 sort of pickey kids than a buffet. I'm sure there will be enough to chose from for everyone. And character interaction is always a good thing! I'm thinking of making ADR's around 6:30-7.

After dinner head back to the hotel, get ready for bed and be out like lights for our first *BIG* day in The World!



************************************

Or here's my other plan...

Taking ME to resort, checking in, CS lunch, and explore hotel. Head to DTD for a relaxing evening, do a TS dinner at the Rainforest Cafe (Is this on the DDP? That's where I get confused), and then head back to the hotel for bed.

***************************************************

Either plan would be good for me. I tried doing the Fantasmic package last year on our arrival night and that was a HUGE mistake. We never got to it and just decided to head to DTD for the night.

Our flight times were pretty much the same last year, but our room wasn't ready when we got there, we ate a late lunch, and it rained. So, it really was a lot better for us to go to DTD than having to rush around like I had planned.

I think maybe with the first day I'll just wing it. I'll definately do a Chef Mickey's ADR and if we don't make it the MK that's fine because we'll have plenty more time to get to it.

So until next time...have a good one!

 

[joelp]

Speaking as someone who will be in the MK on Dec 7 - I'd recommend you go with your "Plan B"!!

Not only is the MVMCP that night - but supposedly they'll also be filming the TV Christmas Parade that weekend ...

So - if you don't get to the park until the mid-afternoon - you'll probably have a "battle" on your hands and it won't be worth the effort ...

Now you ask - why am I not taking my OWN advice and avoiding the MK like the plague on Dec 7??

One word: "Tradition!!"

The DW and I decided that our WDW visit has to "officially" start with the Welcoming Ceremony at the MK ...

Plus - we're arranging a surprise lunch for some folks at Cindy's Castle ...


But my plan is to get out of the MK right after the afternoon parade (if it's running ...) So - maybe we'll see you there on our way out ...

... or not ...

P.S. I may not live to regret Dec7 at the MK ...

 

[Ageout96]

I'm in the market for a new double stroller for our December trip, and the one you have in your pictures is EXACTLY like what I had in mind!!! What kind is it?

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Speaking as someone who will be in the MK on Dec 7 - I'd recommend you go with your "Plan B"!!

Not only is the MVMCP that night - but supposedly they'll also be filming the TV Christmas Parade that weekend ...

So - if you don't get to the park until the mid-afternoon - you'll probably have a "battle" on your hands and it won't be worth the effort

You make a *VERY* good point here and I will most definately go with Plan B. Now I just gotta find out more info on the Rainforest Cafe. Or maybe I will just go ahead and stick with Chef Mickey's???

And I can so understand your reasoning. I can see being there at rope drop and until mid-afternoon. Yeah, you'll have crowds but probably nothing like the mobs that will be there in the afternoon as the taping ends.

Thanks so much for pointing that out!!!

I'm in the market for a new double stroller for our December trip, and the one you have in your pictures is EXACTLY like what I had in mind!!! What kind is it?

It's a Jeep. I think I got it at Toys 'R Us for like $80. There are no baskets at the bottom but I just hung our back pakc's from the back and we were fine. It did come with a cup holder for adults though, which was a plus, and the sun shades. It folded up pretty nicely as well and was easy to get on and off the buses with. I'm shopping for a single one this time around though.

 

[LISAMWDW]

So sorry to hear about your bad year! I've had a bad year like that before, however, my grandparents were very ill there were no deaths. Thank the lord.

Disney is the best place to heal! Which is exactly what I did too! That trip will alway hold very special memories for me. I hope you make some memories like that too!

 

[joelp]

You make a *VERY* good point here and I will most definately go with Plan B. Now I just gotta find out more info on the Rainforest Cafe. Or maybe I will just go ahead and stick with Chef Mickey's???

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe last May on our arrival day - pretty good food and great atmosphere for the kids ... (about $80 for the 3 of us - but no appetizers or desserts as I recall ...)

We're doing Chef Mickey's this year ... (never been there ...)

So if you want Characters - go to Chef Mickey's ... if you want critters and a volcano and shopping (at DTD) - it's the Rainforest Cafe (which - btw - is not on the DDP ...)

OK - now, I REALLY need to do the ...

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

So sorry to hear about your bad year! I've had a bad year like that before, however, my grandparents were very ill there were no deaths. Thank the lord.

Disney is the best place to heal! Which is exactly what I did too! That trip will alway hold very special memories for me. I hope you make some memories like that too!

Thanks so much and thanks for reading! 2008 is turning out to definatley be a better year but still has it's ups and downs.

We ate at the Rainforest Cafe last May on our arrival day - pretty good food and great atmosphere for the kids ... (about $80 for the 3 of us - but no appetizers or desserts as I recall ...)

We're doing Chef Mickey's this year ... (never been there ...)

So if you want Characters - go to Chef Mickey's ... if you want critters and a volcano and shopping (at DTD) - it's the Rainforest Cafe (which - btw - is not on the DDP ...)

OK - now, I REALLY need to do the ...

Thanks so much for the reply! I didn't think RC was on the DDP but wasn't 100% sure. We've been to the RC before there in Disney with the kids (we weren't on the DDP) and we've been to ones in TX and CA as well. I like them and the food is just like anywhere but yeah being in Disney I want the whole Disney feeling.

So, I'm going back to day one and think I'll go with Chef Mickey's. It'll get us in the Disney mood and we can just kind of relax at the hotel and explore while we wait for our ADR time. I know the kids will be exhusted from having to get up early and traveling (well more me than them LOL) so I'll stick with that for now.

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

I've been thinking on day 2 since I *think* I have day 1 planned out. LOL

Day 1
~Check in and hope room to be ready!
~CS lunch at hotel
~Explore hotel, maybe head over to Contemporary early to ride the monorail and explore those resorts. I'd love to go to WL to see their decorations.
~TS dinner at Chef Mickey's
~Back to hotel for bed

************************************************

We'll most likely do EPCOT this day. Start our day off with Soarin' and move onto Test Track. I'm soooooooooo hoping DR will be the 40" he needs to be to ride the big kid rides. He was 38" at his 3 year WBV in March so I definately think he will hit the 40" by December, if not DR will definately be taking after soon to be ex in the shortie department.

DR's eating the breakfast of champions here...a chocolate covered Mickey head! We were waiting for Pappy and Linds to get off Soarin'.


We had a really great time in Epcot last year but didn't get to spend enough time here. I so wish we could stay all day in this park but know it is so not possible with 2 kids. Mine both don't take naps but DR does get cranky by mid-afternoon, so a break really would be the best thing for us.

I'm thinking lunch will be a CS and dinner will be a TS. We ate at Sunshine Seasons last year and while it was good I'm thinking might try the Electric Umbrella. I know with Sunshine Seasons you get a lot more choices though. I guess maybe we'll decided when we get there?

Does anyone else know of a good place that will serve things veggie style? My BFF is so weird and picky with her food. She'll order a Philly Cheese Steak but hold the meat. I swear we get so many weird looks on that one when we go out to eat. Or she'll order a cheeseburger with everything but hold the meat. I usually laugh but you really do get some suprised waitresses on that one.

Anyways...dinner. We'll be back in Epcot and I'm having such a hard time on this. I was thinking of doing Akershus because of the Princesses...

Just some of the princesses we met last year.


But, we did it last year and will be doing Chef Mickey's the night before with charaters. I don't want to do character overload! I'm hoping to do 1900 Park Fare with Cindrella so I think that will be good for Lindsey's princess fix. Plus, it's not like we can't see them in the parks.

And the menu for Akershus just doesn't look like it has many options for BFF. So I was thinking of either doing Tutto Italio or Chefs de France. Menus look good at both places, so I need to ask BFF opinion and see what she says. She's studied French in school and has been to Paris, so I think that might be fun for her.

OK that's enough for now. My kids are wanting lunch and I have some laundry to get to. YUCK!

But, I'll leave some more pics from last year...

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Oh and I wanted to add some pics from Mother's Day! Hope all mommies had a wonderful & relaxing day!

This was at a friend's bridal shower the first weeknd of May. I think they are just too cute not to share! LOL (I of course am partial!)

The shirt says it alll...

Linds by the flowers she helped Pappy plant for me for Mother's Day

Lindsey had Mother's Day Tea at preschool on Monday and this is what she made for me and they had a field trip to the local flower shop and she picked the plant out for me as well.

 

[joelp]

Looks like we'll be at Epcot on the same day ... race you to Soarin!!

I plan to be on the first flight of the day - with the DD her first time flyin' over California!! (and then jump on again - or grab a Fastpass!!)

You can check out my PTR to see what we have planned (at least for now ...)

We're gonna try The Coral Reef for lunch - never been there, so that will be something new and different ... Dinner is still at a CS TBD ...

Check out the ears-to-ears web sites for menus and other help with the "veggie-titis" ...

OK - it's that time ... again!!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

OK...so I'm bringing this PTR back to life. I got to make my ADR's today and can kind of feel like I have a plan.

I got up a little before 7AM to make my call and was on hold for 40 minutes and then had to hang up because my kids were both cranky and needed food in them ASAP or I wouldn't be having such a 'Magical Day!'

I got the kids ready and dropped my DD off at VBS and came home to make the call. I was on hold for less than 10 minutes and got all my ADR's and at times that I wanted. The only thing I didn't get was Mama Melrose's for Fantasmic. I went with H&V instead and I'm sure that'll be fine as well.

So here they are...

12/7 - Chef Mickey's (5:35 PM)
12/8 - San Angel Inn (6 PM)
12/9 - Crystal Palace breakfast (8:10 AM)
12/10 - 1900 Park Fare dinner (5:40 PM)
12/12 - Hollywood and Vine (4:35 PM)
12/13 - 'Ohana B-fast (8:30 AM)

So now after typing this out I feel pretty good about it but can actually see a change coming on with that 'Ohana breakfast, maybe making it a little later.

Oh well...so that's it for now and I hope to be back more often to update. It seems like it's going to take forever to get here but I'm sure once the summer is over and school starts the time will fly by!!!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

So, I have my ADR's and feel like I have a definate plan so I'm bring this thread back to life. So far I have Day 1 and 2 planned so let's move onto Day 3.

A little recap...

Day 1
~Check in and hope room to be ready!
~CS lunch at hotel
~Explore hotel, maybe head over to Contemporary early to ride the monorail and explore those resorts. I'd love to go to WL to see their decorations.
~TS dinner at Chef Mickey's
~Back to hotel for bed

***This is a most definate plan. I have the ADR for Chef Mickey's at 5:35 PM***


Day 2-EPCOT
~RD Future World-Head to Soarin' and pray that DS is tall enough to ride this year!
~CS lunch-Sunshine Seasons or Electric Umbrealla
~Break back to hotel by 1-1:30
~Back to EPCOT to explore WS
~TS dinner San Angel Inn (6PM)
~Explore some more and stay for Illuminations
~Back to hotel for bed

***Another definate since I have the ADR's LOL***

**********************************************

Day 3

We'll be up early for a CP breakfast and RD at the MK. We didn't get to eat here last year and I can't wait!

I'm hoping to get a few rides in and then head back to the resort around noon for some rest before we head back to MK for MVMCP. We did MNSSHP when we went in September and it was GREAT! Hopefully I can say the same about the Christmas one. We stayed until midnight last time and I'm sure my kids can pull it off again this year! :::crossing fingers:::

So with that I'll leave you with some pics from last year at the Magic Kindgom...

One of my kids' FAVORITES!

MY favorite!

My Baby girl rode this last year and really took me by suprise with it! She loved it and can't wait to do it again this year. Hopefully we can talk little man into it this year.

Another favorite!

One day she'll find her prince...

 

[joelp]

OK...so I'm bringing this PTR back to life. I got to make my ADR's today and can kind of feel like I have a plan.

I got up a little before 7AM to make my call and was on hold for 40 minutes and then had to hang up because my kids were both cranky and needed food in them ASAP or I wouldn't be having such a 'Magical Day!'

I got the kids ready and dropped my DD off at VBS and came home to make the call. I was on hold for less than 10 minutes and got all my ADR's and at times that I wanted. The only thing I didn't get was Mama Melrose's for Fantasmic. I went with H&V instead and I'm sure that'll be fine as well.

So here they are...

12/7 - Chef Mickey's (5:35 PM)
12/8 - San Angel Inn (6 PM)
12/9 - Crystal Palace breakfast (8:10 AM)
12/10 - 1900 Park Fare dinner (5:40 PM)
12/12 - Hollywood and Vine (4:35 PM)
12/13 - 'Ohana B-fast (8:30 AM)

So now after typing this out I feel pretty good about it but can actually see a change coming on with that 'Ohana breakfast, maybe making it a little later.

Oh well...so that's it for now and I hope to be back more often to update. It seems like it's going to take forever to get here but I'm sure once the summer is over and school starts the time will fly by!!!

Welcome back!!

Looks good!!

We'll be at Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare the day before you ...

We did CP and H&V our last trip - gooood eatin'!!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Welcome back!!

Looks good!!

We'll be at Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare the day before you ...

We did CP and H&V our last trip - gooood eatin'!!

Thanks!

We did Chef Mickey's last year and the kids liked it. Plus H&V, but did it as a lunch with the Playhouse characters. I thought the food was great there!

Never did 1900 PF and CP but and looking foward to it. My DD's birthday is 12/31 and we'll be celebrating her b-day dinner at 1900 PF so that'll make her feel special.

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

And I've already made a change in plans. LOL Didn't take long for me!

After reviewing San Angel Inn menu I didn't see anything that I really liked and that my BFF could change into a veggie plate so I changed our ADR's to Chefs de France (or whatever it's called). Something different to try and BFF did fo to Paris her senior year of HS so I thought that'd be fun for her.

I'm going to miss drinking a margarita in Mexico but I know I can get one from a vendor, right?? Gotta go drinking around the world afterall!! (Maybe I should have planned our trip at Food & Wine festival time LOL)