Dec PTR, The More the MERRIER! 12/5 Upd... It's a BABY! reveal!

I am in too. We will be there when you are. Our dates are Dec. 11th-18th and we are staying at Port Orleans Riverside. I followed you from Lisa's trip report. Your daughter is beautiful. I started a pre-trip report today. The link is in my signature. We might see each other there. I did a pre-trip report for our last two trips and ended out meeting a few people from Disboards, it was fun.

I am SOOO jealous of you staying at POR!!! That is the Mod that I really want to stay at... I live in the deep south, so it just makes me smile whenever I look at those resorts. I'll def come and check out your report!! :)

Thanks for the info about the photo sessions vs the photopass. That clears that up a little, but we might still look into it.

:welcome: to my PTR everyone!! I hope that I can keep this interesting for you!!
 
:wave2:Okay, forget it. If I wrote it once, I can write it again- right? :rotfl:

So, Like I said, before, I was VERY interested and excited about have table service meals at DW:woohoo:! Shelley had told me about some of her meals and such, and I knew the existed, but again we had never done those before. I knew I wanted to do some Character meals with Cortlyn:mickeyjum. Shelley gave me all the websites to look at and we discussed all the options. I KNEW I wanted to have a meal with the princesses. I mean, I could NOT go to Disney with my little Princess and NOT let her have that experience princess:! So, that was at the top of my list.

While we were discussing our plans about where to eat, I threw a major curveball:duck: at Shelley. Since this was Corey and Cortlyn’s FIRST trip to Disney, I was VERY adament that I wanted their first park to be the MK. I wanted them to have that moment of walking in and seeing the Castle and Main St. I think that those two things set the tone for the other parks and it was just really important to me. Shelley seemed to understand, but I could tell that she was going to have to rework her plans for the days! :rolleyes1

I also talked to Nita & Michael to see what they were thinking about the meals. Of course they wanted to do the character meals with us, so that Cortlyn and Alyssa could be there together. Shelley and Brian had some different things that they wanted to do, and I know that they didn’t want to do all the character meals that we were planning. Traveling in a group means you MUST be flexible. It didn’t hurt my feelings at all that Shelley and Brian wanted to do other meals. I get it!!:thumbsup2 I’ll let Shelley talk about her plans for the trip though.

So we created TWO plans. And they all hinged on ONE ADR. Anyone wanna guess what that was? That would Cinderella’s Royal Table. I knew that that place would be hard to get, so I told Shelley, I didn’t care what time- we’d HAVE to eat there! Of course, I also had a backup plan to go to the place in Epcot for the Princess Breakfast there, but of course, I wanted CRT!

Plan A
• Friday- Arrive, No park just Resort maybe DTD
• Saturday- MK- CRT
• Sun- Epcot- Chef De France go back to MK for MVMCP
• Mon- GF for 1900 Park Fare Breakfast the to DHS and see Osbourne lights
• Tues- AK- Tusker House/Donald’s Safari Breakfast
• Wed- Head home

Plan B
• Fri- Arrive
• Sat- Chef Mickey’s- MK
• Sun- 1900 Park Fare- AK – MVMCP
• Mon- DHS- Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine
• Tue- Epcot- Akershus breakfast & Moroccan for dinner

We had gotten the Dining Plan (and remember this was before our 180 mark) and were really excited about these plans:yay:. There was something about both of them that we really enjoyed, so we were all ready to make our ADR’s. Now, these plans were from MY families view. Shelley and Nita have slightly different dining plans, but we’ll get to that later.

Then, I started reading about how people were making early ressies. I was getting scared. Because I WANTED CRT and I was afraid people were going to get my table! Nita’s family and my family were the ones going to CRT (Shelley and Brian skipping this one), and I wanted us to be able to sit together so the girls could enjoy the princesses! No matter what I did, I couldn’t make that early ressie thing work for me.:badpc: So, I was just afraid to even TRY the online one.

Our day to make our ADR’s was on a Sunday. A little background on Shelley and myself. We like to SLEEP! Granted we are adults now with full time jobs, but really- we don’t LIKE waking up early for the fun of it! Anyway, so we set our alarms and got on facebook to chat :surfweb:as we waited for the phone lines to open for me. She started booking other ADR’s online (with success) while I waited. As soon as the CM answered the phone, I said “I want ANYTHING for Dec 11 at Cinderella’s Royal Table!” Low and behold- I got a ressie for breakfast at 10:15!:cheer2: I was beyond thrilled. Shelley canceled the ressie for Chef Mickey’s and I called Nita to tell her we got CRT! It was the first smile from the Disney Angels on us for this trip!

So, we had our ADR’s set. Of course, then we are discussing if the DP will really be cheaper for us to have and why it would be nice to have it all paid for before we go… all of that is running through our minds. We knew that FD was going on for the fall, but didn’t have much faith that they would extend it… :sad1:

Then, I got a private message from a Babycenter mom that knew my dates for my trip that said “Check out the Disboards- they have extended FD til Dec!” I almost YELLED sitting at my desk at work.:jumping3: WHAT?!?!?!?! So, I think I called Shelley and she couldn’t believe it and we found the link!

So, then… the thought came to me… HMMM… Maybe we could use that money to upgrade to a Moderate. :idea: I LOVE the look of Port Orleans Riverside and I wanted to upgrade. However. Shelley said that she wanted to stay at Pop, but I could do what I wanted. :guilty: Okay, so I called Nita and told her about the FR and the possibility of upgrading- paying about the same amount right now, but staying at POR.:sad1: She wanted to keep the money. Grr… So I called my husband. I gave him both scenarios and he said that if Shelley and Nita wanted to stay at Pop, that we should just stay there too, since we were traveling with a group. I was disappointed, but it really did make the most sense. We were saving over $200, so that would money in our pockets. So, I called and changed from the Room Discounts to the Free Dining. :upsidedow

Shelley did make me feel better when a few days later she saw that POR was sold out of the FR promo rooms. Corey and I decided that we would make a Moderate Resort stay on our next trip. Of course… Shelley and I are hoping the next trip we’ll all be together again… :hyper2:
 
I'm glad you got free dining! I was so excited when I saw FD was extended! I was also super surprised because usually it doesn't happen that early.

We are definitely doing the photopass CD and hopefully doing the private photo session as well. Unfortunatly our schedule is so jam packed there is only one time that will work for our photo session, so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

We are doing a CRT meal as well, but we are doing dinner before our MVMCP. I like the character meals too, more now that I have DS. It's a quick and tasty way to get some autographs without waiting in line in the parks!

Can't wait to hear more!
 

I loved dining with a group. The biggest we've done was with 9. That was at Tony's in MK. Part were on the dining plan, the other part was not, and it worked out really good. The waiters were awesome...and got everything right!!!! So....eat with your group, and ENJOY!! The food at DW is AWESOME!!!
 
Looky at me! I figured out the multiquote! There is a link next to the "quote" button that you click. I'm figuring this place out! :cool1:

subscribing!:thumbsup2 I'll have to do a little catch up reading tomorrow, but so far looks good!

Thanks for joining in!! :flower3: Hope we keep you entertained!

I loved dining with a group. The biggest we've done was with 9. That was at Tony's in MK. Part were on the dining plan, the other part was not, and it worked out really good. The waiters were awesome...and got everything right!!!! So....eat with your group, and ENJOY!! The food at DW is AWESOME!!!
I'm hoping we have a GREAT experience at all the places that we will be going:yay:! I'd like to go to Tony's on my next trip. We love Lady and The Tramp (my daughter just calls it 'Lady M'mam!').
 
/
Looky at me! I figured out the multiquote! There is a link next to the "quote" button that you click. I'm figuring this place out! :cool1:

Thanks for the heads up. I never noticed that. It still took me a few moments to figure out that you click the button for all of the entries you want to quote, then hit the post reply button, and poof, Fancy Shmancy multi quoted reply.:cool1::woohoo::yay:
 
Thanks for the heads up. I never noticed that. It still took me a few moments to figure out that you click the button for all of the entries you want to quote, then hit the post reply button, and poof, Fancy Shmancy multi quoted reply.:cool1::woohoo::yay:

I know what you mean! I might should have pointed that out! :confused3 Please forgive me! :laughing:
 
I know what you mean! I might should have pointed that out! :confused3 Please forgive me! :laughing:

All is forgiven. I've been on these boards for a long time now, and never knew how people quoted multiple people and showed the name. But now I know. You learn something new everyday. Does this mean I can go back to bed now?:lmao:
 
All is forgiven. I've been on these boards for a long time now, and never knew how people quoted multiple people and showed the name. But now I know. You learn something new everyday. Does this mean I can go back to bed now?:lmao:

Yes... I will fax a letter to your boss right now! :rotfl:
 
Hello everyone! I'm back. Christen has been busy with you all over the weekend. I was a bad Diser and didn't even get on since Friday. And my job prevents me from doing much while I'm here. What are they thinking...making me do work while they pay me!?!? :sad2: But yesterday my DH and I saw The Sorcerer's Apprentice. popcorn:: Has anyone else seen that yet? I thought it was pretty cute. I won't give too much away but they do include a scene reminicent of the Fantasia scene, which I loved!

Anyways, on to an update from MY end! As Christen said, she did throw a wrench in my plans when she insisted going to MK first :mad: But I totally understood why she wanted it that way. I knew I would be the same way if in her shoes. So I reworked my planning magic and helped devise the two schedules she mentioned before. Luckily we didn't need the second one since she got CRT! The reason we're not going with them to this ADR is mainly because my DH and I went to dinner there on our honeymoon so we've had the experience. While it was fun, I don't think we'll be paying those prices again until I have a little princess of my own! While hopefully won't be too far in my future princess:

I can't remember exactly how Christen laid out the schedule to everyone so here's my version.

Friday: Arrive - Lunch at Teppan Edo (just us)
Saturday: Dinner at California Grill (just us; Christen's group has breakfast at CRT)
Sunday: Lunch at Le Chefs de France (everyone)
Monday: Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare (everyone)
Tuesday: Candlelight Processional Package (just us)
Wednesday: Go home. I actually made a breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe but may cancel. Still unsure.

So we're only doing two meals with the group. Here are my thoughts on some of these:
Lunch at Teppan Edo: My DH and I are scheduled to arrive around 12:30pm. My DH was pretty disappointed we weren't eating at Teppan Edo. So I booked us lunch here this day in hopes that we can make it. Our ADR isn't until 2:50 so if we're running on time, we'll be fine. But if we happen to be running late, he'll never know we missed it. :rolleyes1 (BTW, don't want to do this for Candlelight Package, although it could be a last resort-type option)

Dinner at California Grill: This was our absolute favorite meal on our last trip. I had the porkloin with polenta and I just cannot tell you how much I loved it. The view was spectacular as well! This was the only restaurant from our trip in May that we knew we HAD to return to for this trip.

Candlelight Processional Package: I am SOOOO frustrated with this! This is pretty much the only thing left to plan and they haven't released the openings yet. I keep checking a thread on the Dining Reservations board every morning in hopes that it is out. Supposedly CM are saying mid-August. But they were saying "end of July" right up to the 31st! I have three options for this. Any opinions are definitely welcome!
1. Le Cellier - we've done this two times and we are big fans. I know most people either love it or hate it around here but we've always had a good meal. The Mushroom filet with risotto...wow, just wow!
2. Via Napoli - I don't even know if this will be an option but I would take it if it were. Their menu looks so good to me. Especially the pasta choices and the zeppole. I've watched Giada make them way too many times on Everyday Italian (Food Network). I'm dying to try some!
3. Tutto Italia - Never been here but would be willing to give it a try. We HATED Tony's in May but I've heard okay things about this place. It's pretty much the only other restaurant in WS that I find appealing (besides Chefs, but we're already going there).

I just really hope we get either choice #1 or #2. I *might* could go for Coral Reef if all above places were full. I just hear lots of mixed things about it. We went in March 08 and we thought it was good. But that would be almost 3 years between visits and I know things can change.

Okay, I have 2 minutes left on my lunch clock so I'd better leave it at this. Thanks to everyone who has commented so far! I love reading the responses!!! :love:
 
Wednesday: Go home. I actually made a breakfast ADR at Kona Cafe but may cancel. Still unsure.

Haha... learn something new everyday!! I didn't know you had that booked! :)

Nita has scheduled a dinner at Boma the same night that we are going to AK. She has offered to take my daughter with her and we will take her daughter another night, so we can have some *adult* time. I'm not sure what we will do that evening, but it will probably involve packing and loading the car... doesn't that sound fun? The next day we will be leaving Orlando to go to GA to visit family and go to a wedding I'm in. I have to leave the happiest place on earth and then go visit my MIL????? :eek:
 
Hi again. I just wanted to be sure you saw my post with links for photopass on the previous page. I think we posted close to the same time, so you might've missed it.
Also if we do go in that smae time frame and you're interested in a share let me know. I already prepaid for the CD. But it's still up in the air if we are going at this point and time.
 
Hi again. I just wanted to be sure you saw my post with links for photopass on the previous page. I think we posted close to the same time, so you might've missed it.
Also if we do go in that smae time frame and you're interested in a share let me know. I already prepaid for the CD. But it's still up in the air if we are going at this point and time.

Thanks! I'll let you know!! I did see the link, so I'm talking about everything with my husband and the rest of the group!
 
So, another Update to the planning…:cool1:

While we were discussing all the options and the free dining plan, several NEW :idea: ideas came to our minds. The first being Shelley and Brian deciding that they would be, in fact, flying to MCO. While, I am jealous :snooty: that they get to do this, it did open up a new plan for the Parks…

See, Corey and I were always going to drive,:car: since from Disney we are driving to GA to see family for Christmas and also participate in a wedding of a close friend. So, we had to have a car there (and I’m not borrowing or renting! I’m too cheap!). So, we decided that the 10 hour trip from Southern Mississippi would be hard on our 2 year old, so we booked a hotel room in Tallahassee, Fl and figured we’d leave right after I got off work on Thursday, stop there and sleep and then drive the rest of the way on Friday. Shelley and Brian had said (originally) that they’d be driving all day Friday and so they’d be checking in later that evening. Nita and Michael wanted to fly, but have had trouble finding affordable flights- but they are determined to make it work! Anyway, so that meant Friday would be a free-for all.

Except now, Shelley and Brian were flying in early on Friday:thumbsup2. And if Nita and Michael were going to drive, then they’d probably do like us and get a room at the same hotel. Hmm… well. Then, we could ALL be in Orlando by lunch time, and since we already had 4 day tickets, it was only going to cost a few dollars more to get a 5th ticket… WOOHOO:yay:! We’re going to the park on Friday. But wait. Friday is also a MVMCP night. Yeah… why didn’t we realize this option BEFORE we booked our ADR’s??!!?! But, all of that is set in stone and I don’t want to risk the CRT… See… this is adding a new level to the planning! :headache:

Of course, I’m worried about if MVMCP is going to be worth the money to go to since Cortlyn is so little. She usually is in bed by 7:30/8 CST, which would be 8:30/9 Disneytime. Hopefully she will have taken a nap on the drive into Orlando that morning, but she’s a kid that once she’s done- she is DONE. I don’t want to start the trip pushing the bedtime, because I want her to have a good time. Its hard to know what a kid will do until they are there in moment. I have found that she usually does MUCH better than I would have expected her to. Any tips from parents with toddlers??? She’s usually a bed sleeper, so what are the chances of her sleeping in a stroller? It’s hit or miss in a car sometimes…
 
A toddlers sleep schedule is so up in the air when on vacation, at least I found that to be the case with Devon when he was younger... One thing I can say is that boy had no problem hopping in the stroller and passing out in the blink of an eye! :goodvibes
 
So, while reading other PTR's (Mickey Mom) I saw her mention that Handy Manny was going to be at Hollywood & Vine now... is there a link to this information?????

Cortlyn LOVES Handy Manny :love:. For all the girlie girl, she LOVES playing with tools and she knows ALL the tools names and counts in Spanish. I would like to squeeze in a lunch at H&V now! :eek:

So... my thoughts on the change of plans would be...
  • Add a ressie for H & V on Monday. We have 1900 that morning for an early breakfast, so a late lunch there MIGHT work
  • Use our 5th park pass to go to DHS on friday when we arrive (instead of MK- which goes against my MK on the first day plan!)
  • Buy a 6th park pass and squeeze in a breakfast on Wednesday before we leave for Atlanta.

Of course, these plans depend on IF I could GET a ressie that would work for me. Then, we have to decide if we pay out of pocket for this meal or another. We've been toying with the idea of paying OOP for CRT, since it counts as 2 table services, yet that's not really a good use of that. That would give us two extra TS to play with. But then what OTHER meal would I get? Okay, I have to stop. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!! :eek::eek::eek:
 
So, while reading other PTR's (Mickey Mom) I saw her mention that Handy Manny was going to be at Hollywood & Vine now... is there a link to this information?????

Cortlyn LOVES Handy Manny :love:. For all the girlie girl, she LOVES playing with tools and she knows ALL the tools names and counts in Spanish. I would like to squeeze in a lunch at H&V now! :eek:

So... my thoughts on the change of plans would be...
  • Add a ressie for H & V on Monday. We have 1900 that morning for an early breakfast, so a late lunch there MIGHT work
  • Use our 5th park pass to go to DHS on friday when we arrive (instead of MK- which goes against my MK on the first day plan!)
  • Buy a 6th park pass and squeeze in a breakfast on Wednesday before we leave for Atlanta.

Of course, these plans depend on IF I could GET a ressie that would work for me. Then, we have to decide if we pay out of pocket for this meal or another. We've been toying with the idea of paying OOP for CRT, since it counts as 2 table services, yet that's not really a good use of that. That would give us two extra TS to play with. But then what OTHER meal would I get? Okay, I have to stop. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Ok, so I have never eaten at H & V, but I too heard that Handy Manny is now there too! I would just call disney dining and verify this. I do know quite a few people who have ate there and they didn't say anything bad about.

As far as paying for a meal out of pocket, I would take a look at all the places that you are eating at and pay OOP for the least expensive meal. You can find the menues and pricing on the Dis.
 
So, while reading other PTR's (Mickey Mom) I saw her mention that Handy Manny was going to be at Hollywood & Vine now... is there a link to this information?????

Cortlyn LOVES Handy Manny :love:. For all the girlie girl, she LOVES playing with tools and she knows ALL the tools names and counts in Spanish. I would like to squeeze in a lunch at H&V now! :eek:

So... my thoughts on the change of plans would be...
  • Add a ressie for H & V on Monday. We have 1900 that morning for an early breakfast, so a late lunch there MIGHT work
  • Use our 5th park pass to go to DHS on friday when we arrive (instead of MK- which goes against my MK on the first day plan!)
  • Buy a 6th park pass and squeeze in a breakfast on Wednesday before we leave for Atlanta.

Of course, these plans depend on IF I could GET a ressie that would work for me. Then, we have to decide if we pay out of pocket for this meal or another. We've been toying with the idea of paying OOP for CRT, since it counts as 2 table services, yet that's not really a good use of that. That would give us two extra TS to play with. But then what OTHER meal would I get? Okay, I have to stop. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Joining in!

We made Reservations at H & V when we heard that Manny was there. DS3 is a HUGE fan. When I called to make the reservation the CM told me that Manny is indeed there for breakfast and lunch.
 














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