Desperate For More Disney Magic

[pigninnie]

Oh, that shouldn't be bad at all! I was thinking you would be in the parks on New Years Day I'm sure your daughter will love being in the parks on her birthday! Do you have anything special planned for her? Like being in Disney isn't already special enough

i am trying to plan something out. her birthday is a monday and from what i can see they dont suggest to go to MK but we might anyways so she can have a meal at the castle

 

[JAMIESMITH]

i am trying to plan something out. her birthday is a monday and from what i can see they dont suggest to go to MK but we might anyways so she can have a meal at the castle

I'm sure she would love that! I would probably go against the crowd calendar so she could do that

Any other meal plans?

 

[TillyMarigold]

Finally realized you have a PTR going! Hi!

AKV was our 3rd choice (after BWV and OKW) because of the distance. I've stayed at AKL and it can mean a long time on the bus (especially if you have to stand on the way to/from the Magic Kingdom) and so with a toddler, I kind of steamrolled everyone into staying more centrally. MK and AK are my favorite parks, but at least we'll be able to walk to two of the parks from our room.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Finally realized you have a PTR going! Hi!

AKV was our 3rd choice (after BWV and OKW) because of the distance. I've stayed at AKL and it can mean a long time on the bus (especially if you have to stand on the way to/from the Magic Kingdom) and so with a toddler, I kind of steamrolled everyone into staying more centrally. MK and AK are my favorite parks, but at least we'll be able to walk to two of the parks from our room.

Even with tell long bus rides I do want to stay at AKV someday...

OKW will be perfect if we ever have another kiddo (two queen beds in a studio) so I'm saving it until then.

I'm glad we're trying BWV. I just need to get my dining plans more centered around that area.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I got some Mickey mail (well actually Incredibles mail) over the weekend. The little booklet had this cute magnet in the back that is now decorating my fridge




As you can see, I have until July 29th to make up my mind about dining reservations. I've run the math and I actually do think the dining plan will work out well for us. I hope to book our flights before the 180 day mark so I know when we will be arriving and departing...


Here's what I have in mind now that we're staying at The Boardwalk:

Sunday January 25th
QS Lunch at Boardwalk Bakery
TS Dinner at Ohana (hoping that the construction at the Poly won't interfere)
VERY happy with this day

Monday January 26th
OOP Lunch at Le Cellier (earliest possible)
TS Dinner at Coral Reef (repeat)
I hope we will be hungry by the time our Coral Reef reservation rolls around

Tuesday January 27th
TS Breakfast at Tusker House (before park opens)
QS Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ (repeat)
TS Dinner at Big River Grille (open to alternatives...)
I'm concerned this might be too much food...

Wednesday January 28th
Snack Credit at Gaston's Tavern
QS Lunch at Be Our Guest (FP+ I hope!)
TS Dinner at Grand Floridian Café (repeat)
I'm also really happy with this plan

Thursday January 29th
Fantasmic Package Lunch or Dinner at Mama Melrose TS
QS Lunch or Dinner (suggestions?)

Friday January 30th
QS Lunch at Earl of Sandwich
OOP Dinner at Garden Grove (leave Maddy in child care)

Saturday January 31st
QS Lunch in Epcot (Le Halles, Sommerfest, Liberty Inn???)
Use up some snack credits


Any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

We have some more major plan changes:

First my cousin and her husband will not be joining us. His family has planned a trip to the Smoky Mountains for this fall and they just don't have enough vacation time for both trips. The college Marie works for may be sending her to a conference in Orlando sometime next May so hopefully she will be able to get her Disney fix then Hopefully we will be able to go to Disney together on a future trip.

Second are more dining plan changes. Ohana and Le Cellier have had some very recent menu changes that make them much less appealing to my family. We are looking at substituting Tony's for Ohana and still have to decide where to go instead of Le Cellier. Flying Fish and Yachtsman are possibilities...

I do still think that the dining plan will be best for us, but I do want to run the numbers again when we finalize our plans.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I'm thinking that we might try dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table on our arrival night instead of Ohana or Tony's Town Square. It is really expensive and I think it's a little redundant since we're having breakfast at Akershus on our last day, but my daughter really wants to eat inside the castle. The dinner menu does look much more appealing than breakfast and we're already looking forward to cinnamon rolls from Gaston's Tavern (assuming they are like the ones they used to have at Main Street Bakery).

I'm also pretty sure I want to forget about going to Le Cellier and try Chefs de France in its place.

I'd love some opinions on these places.

 

[MarbleBob]

If you can work work Cinderella's Royal Table into your budget, then I'm sure you won't be disappointed. We've had dinner there once and breakfast twice. It's truly a magical experience, some of our best memories!!! We've done the princess breakfast at Akershus twice through the years as well. The breakfast's at Akershus and Cindy's are basically the same, so doing dinner at Cindy's makes it less redundant of an experience. Plus, while Akershus is cool, there is no comparison to eating inside the castle

We've also eaten at Le Cellier twice and Les Chefs de France once. If I had to pick between the two, I'd probably pick Les Chefs de France. It seemed like a more unique dining experience and the food was terrific

 

[JAMIESMITH]

If you can work work Cinderella's Royal Table into your budget, then I'm sure you won't be disappointed. We've had dinner there once and breakfast twice. It's truly a magical experience, some of our best memories!!! We've done the princess breakfast at Akershus twice through the years as well. The breakfast's at Akershus and Cindy's are basically the same, so doing dinner at Cindy's makes it less redundant of an experience. Plus, while Akershus is cool, there is no comparison to eating inside the castle

We've also eaten at Le Cellier twice and Les Chefs de France once. If I had to pick between the two, I'd probably pick Les Chefs de France. It seemed like a more unique dining experience and the food was terrific

Wow! All of that makes me feel better about switching our plans around. Thank you

 

[rcklein5269]

I got some Mickey mail (well actually Incredibles mail) over the weekend. The little booklet had this cute magnet in the back that is now decorating my fridge http://www.flickr.com/photos/64342771@N06/13722255705/ As you can see, I have until July 29th to make up my mind about dining reservations. I've run the math and I actually do think the dining plan will work out well for us. I hope to book our flights before the 180 day mark so I know when we will be arriving and departing... Here's what I have in mind now that we're staying at The Boardwalk: Sunday January 25th QS Lunch at Boardwalk Bakery TS Dinner at Ohana (hoping that the construction at the Poly won't interfere) VERY happy with this day Monday January 26th OOP Lunch at Le Cellier (earliest possible) TS Dinner at Coral Reef (repeat) I hope we will be hungry by the time our Coral Reef reservation rolls around Tuesday January 27th TS Breakfast at Tusker House (before park opens) QS Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ (repeat) TS Dinner at Big River Grille (open to alternatives...) I'm concerned this might be too much food... Wednesday January 28th Snack Credit at Gaston's Tavern QS Lunch at Be Our Guest (FP+ I hope!) TS Dinner at Grand Floridian Café (repeat) I'm also really happy with this plan Thursday January 29th Fantasmic Package Lunch or Dinner at Mama Melrose TS QS Lunch or Dinner (suggestions?) Friday January 30th QS Lunch at Earl of Sandwich OOP Dinner at Garden Grove (leave Maddy in child care) Saturday January 31st QS Lunch in Epcot (Le Halles, Sommerfest, Liberty Inn???) Use up some snack credits Any suggestions you have would be very much appreciated!

Just wanted to share with you that I have read several reports where it says the best time to by flights is at the 54 day mark..... That said I'm not leaving til aug and found a great rate on southwest and probably just gonna grab it

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Just wanted to share with you that I have read several reports where it says the best time to by flights is at the 54 day mark..... That said I'm not leaving til aug and found a great rate on southwest and probably just gonna grab it

That's good to know

We're booking with points so we can always cancel and rebook if a lower fare comes out. I'll start looking when rates come out and book when they offer a price I'm comfortable with.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Sunday January 25th
Lunch at Be Our Guest (QS1)
Dinner at Tony's Town Square (TS1)

Monday January 26th
Lunch at Coral Reef (TS2)
Dinner at Les Halles (QS2)

Tuesday January 27th
Breakfast at Tusker House (TS3)
Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ (QS3)
Leave Maddy With Childcare at Beach/Yacht Club
Ice Cream from Beaches N Cream (snack)

Wednesday January 28th
Cinnamon Rolls from Gaston's Tavern (snack)
Lunch at Cinderella's Table (OOP)
Dinner at Grand Floridian Café (TS4)

Thursday January 29th
Starring Rolls (snack)
Fantasmic Dining Package Lunch at Mama Melrose (TS5)

Friday January 30th
Lunch at Earl of Sandwich (QS4)
Seafood Buffet Dinner at Garden Grove (OOP)

Saturday January 31st
Breakfast at Captain's Grille (TS6)
Lunch at Boardwalk Bakery (QS5)

We will have three character meals all of which are new to us: The Fab Five at Tusker House, Princesses at CRT, and Chip & Dale at Garden Grove.

I'm still debating if we want to purchase the dining plan or just put some money on gift cards to pay for our meals with.

 

[TinkLovinMomma]

Hello!! I'm here joining in. I cannot believe how much you have gotten accomplished already! I am sorry to hear that your cousin won't be joining you any longer, but it seems like it will be a nice little vacation with your adorable family!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Hi, still reading along! So glad to hear your trip plans are coming together! Hope your family is doing well.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Hello!! I'm here joining in. I cannot believe how much you have gotten accomplished already! I am sorry to hear that your cousin won't be joining you any longer, but it seems like it will be a nice little vacation with your adorable family!

The funny thing is that if I hadn't been planning around my cousin's work schedule we would probably be there the same week as your family! I really wish she and her husband were still going, but I am still happy to be going when the crowds will be lower. I think our next trip will have to be during the holiday season!

Hi, still reading along! So glad to hear your trip plans are coming together! Hope your family is doing well.

We are doing really well! How is your family? Ohhh! You have a new ticker!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Last week I decided to use my Disney rewards points from my Chase Visa card to buy a few things to put up for Christmas. If I start early, it doesn't hurt so much! I got matching shirts for my family to wear one day while we're in the parks. I'll probably use those for stocking stuffers. I also ordered a stuffed Pluto, a really cute Ariel nightgown, and the Cinderella's Castle Play Set. That castle is really big in person and looks super fun!

I also ordered my daughter's school uniforms. Last year she went to pre-k at a private school with no uniforms, but she's going to start kindergarten at the public school this year....on my birthday!

I'm also planning my daughter's birthday party. We live about two miles from a castle. My cousin Marie, who joined us on our September 2012 trip to Disney World, manages their bookings. We are having my daughter's birthday party in the ballroom of Pierce Castle!!!

Here is a picture from the 4th of July:

https://flic.kr/p/okGdjW

Of course she wants a Frozen themed party. I think every little girl we know is having a Frozen themed party this year. I bought the Complete Story Set for the top of her cake at Walmart a few weeks ago. Other than that, I'm thinking that I'll set up a princess tea party in the ballroom.

I will be able to book our flight to Disney World for our January trip on Monday. Our 180 day mark is the following Tuesday. So look for more updates over the next couple of weeks!

 

[jennyjinx3]

That castle is gorgeous! And what a big milestone to start big girl school. I am the same as you, picking up things here and there for our trip. We are heading out soon for the Poly Aug 1-9, it's going to be very different, it seems like a lifetime ago we were trying to meet up there.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

That castle is gorgeous! And what a big milestone to start big girl school. I am the same as you, picking up things here and there for our trip. We are heading out soon for the Poly Aug 1-9, it's going to be very different, it seems like a lifetime ago we were trying to meet up there.

You'll be at The Poly for Maddy's, Marie's, and my birthday! I hope the construction won't interfere with your trip. When you come home, I'd love to kno what you think of all the changes around the resort!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

So the flights didn't open up yesterday. Southwest pushed the release date back to August 4th which is also meet the teacher day at Maddy's new school. I will be able to make dining reservations a week from today

I'm excited to say that my best friend, Ashley, my cousin, Marie, and I are going to be participating in our first Color Run in Mobile, AL this October. We are not runners, but Marie and I have been training with the Couch 2 5K app since June. We will finish up week three of the program today. We've been repeating days until we felt comfortable moving on to the next one. All of us need to lose a little weight so this is our way of trying to make it fun!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I started making dining reservations at 6:15 this morning. I got everything I wanted at pretty much the times I was looking for

Sun Jan 25th: Tony's Town Square 8:45pm (We'll watch the MSEP at 8:00)
Mon Jan 26th: Coral Reef 11:30am (We'll sleep late and go straight to lunch)
Tues Jan 27th: Tusker House 8:05am (AK opens at 9:00)
Wed Jan 28th: Grand Floridian Café 5:30pm (We'll watch Wishes at 8:00)
Thurs Jan 29th: Mama Melrose 12:00pm (Fantasmic Package)
Fri Jan 30th: Garden Grove Seafood Buffet (Off park/ DTD day)
Sat Jan 31st Akershus 8:05am (I'll book the latest flight home possible)