DIS Dad and his 40" Shadow's May '09 Wilderness PTR

[colinsdad]

Just realized no pics in my last two posts. I hope I didn't put anyone to sleep with the minute details.

So anyway, this is probably my ALL TIME favorite picture of my DS at WDW. He's been 5 times already so I have a lot of them! You can see the small version of this pic as my avitar.

This picture was taken in October of '07 during another "Boys Only" trip. We had just come from seeing Choo Choo Soul as Disney had a promotion called "Toddler Time". They had live acts at MGM (it wasn't DHS quite yet) during the weekends (Imagination Movers, Wiggles, Ralph's World who we saw too, etc) and opened up Fantasyland one hour early for toddlers and their parents to ride Dumbo with Stitch, the Carrosel with Goofy, and even play "Mickey Says" with Mouse himself! I wish they still had that promotion.

Because it was taken a couple of years ago you can see Bear in the background.

I call this one "I Wanna Rock!". The CM at the stairs got a kick out of my DS(3 at the time) too.

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[englishrose47]

Hi Jason I agree with your DDP rules !! In september I wil break one of them as DSIL want the wholelobster at Narcosses , but in tru Dis addiction fashion I have figured this out already ! Here's my plan :- 1 whole lobster 2 ts
3 Surf & turf 6ts
1 kids mac & cheese oop
This will only use 8 ts and as DD will prolly not be eating very much al wek we will save the 2 ts on shared meals ! I also love lobster but prefer the tails so I wll get 3 tails and they will each get a staek, the kids meal is $6 and 3 or 4 for dessert so that's a no brainer !!!

 

[MaryAz]

That sounds like quite the spreadsheet you have. I appreciate the dining plan tips but alas will have to break one. Gotta use 2T at CRT since the price per adult is $34.99 and the castle is a must for my princesses! Luckily with day 1 being a late arrival time we will use CS in MK before the Dole Whip meet which I will use a SC for.
Cute pics of Colin-are you going to post the rest of your ADR's???

 

[colinsdad]

Hi Jason I agree with your DDP rules !! In september I wil break one of them as DSIL want the wholelobster at Narcosses , but in tru Dis addiction fashion I have figured this out already ! Here's my plan :- 1 whole lobster 2 ts
3 Surf & turf 6ts
1 kids mac & cheese oop
This will only use 8 ts and as DD will prolly not be eating very much al wek we will save the 2 ts on shared meals ! I also love lobster but prefer the tails so I wll get 3 tails and they will each get a staek, the kids meal is $6 and 3 or 4 for dessert so that's a no brainer !!!

My "rules" totally have exceptions. And if I were to break one, lobster sounds like a good way to do it. YUMMY! Narcoosees is a great spot too.

That sounds like quite the spreadsheet you have. I appreciate the dining plan tips but alas will have to break one. Gotta use 2T at CRT since the price per adult is $34.99 and the castle is a must for my princesses! Luckily with day 1 being a late arrival time we will use CS in MK before the Dole Whip meet which I will use a SC for.
Cute pics of Colin-are you going to post the rest of your ADR's???

Like I said to Rosie, rules have exceptions and CRT for your Princesses fits that category for sure.

I'm going to get into all my ADRs in my next post. I think I did really well.

 

[Nicole786]

Hopping on board! We will be there in may also at the WL!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I somehow missed your last two updates, probably got lost in the big Disboards upgrade. Very wise advise about the dining plan.

 

[englishrose47]

Yes Jasn I totaly agree witthe 2 ts rule but the lobster won this time most of the2 ts are totally not worth 2 ts unless its like the castle for a princess !! Luckily my princesses are older and can handle 1900 for a princess meal howeve the do want to sleep in the castle!! For exampleLe Cellier steak is over $30 now that is god dp value ! I aalso try to eat at PM for cs a least once they have steak and it was excellentlast year!!

 

[Brocoloco]

The boys-only trip is a great idea that had never crossed my mind. I would have loved a trip like that with my Dad. I have two kids -DD8 and DS6. It seems like we always plan things together -- but I can only imagine what fantastic memories it would make to give each child a "one on one" trip. I'll bet your son will never forget it.

 

[colinsdad]

I somehow missed your last two updates, probably got lost in the big Disboards upgrade. Very wise advise about the dining plan.

Thanks, I had just posted it then went in to check something and the board was down. Admittedly, it was a nice little break though.

Hopping on board! We will be there in may also at the WL!

Thanks for checking in. I just got back from checking your PTR, and all I can say is "I'm not worthy"!

Very cool how your first post lists the chapters and link right to the posts. I have to learn how to do that! I just learned how to "multiquote" and put in my PTR link in my signature within the words. I have a lot to learn.

But I digress. If you are going to be anywhere near the MK on the 16th, I'm organizing the Spectromagic Dole Whip Meet at 8pm at Aloha Isle. Information is in my signature. A bunch of those checking in on my PTR are coming. In the first post on that link, I also threw in a link to our friend Alan's "Mammoth May Meet" at Epcot on the 17th. Rosie (englishrose47) has also been instramental in informing the masses and raising the turnout on that as well.

Yes Jasn I totaly agree witthe 2 ts rule but the lobster won this time most of the2 ts are totally not worth 2 ts unless its like the castle for a princess !! Luckily my princesses are older and can handle 1900 for a princess meal howeve the do want to sleep in the castle!! For exampleLe Cellier steak is over $30 now that is god dp value ! I aalso try to eat at PM for cs a least once they have steak and it was excellentlast year!!

I don't want to give too much away because I'm going to post my ADR's soon (hopefully tommorrow), but we'll definately be seeing Lady Tremaine .

I ate at LC last trip and had the Filet with cream cheese mashed (it came with mushroom risotto but I made the switch). It was one of the best meals (and use of a TS) I've had at WDW.

And I too would like to sleep in the Castle!!

The boys-only trip is a great idea that had never crossed my mind. I would have loved a trip like that with my Dad. I have two kids -DD8 and DS6. It seems like we always plan things together -- but I can only imagine what fantastic memories it would make to give each child a "one on one" trip. I'll bet your son will never forget it.

I've done this a few times and as he gets older it definately is becoming more special. There will be a lot of firsts on this trip. 1st Soarin', 1st Test Track, 1st Splash and Big Thunder Mountains....so there are sure to be some special memories made on this trip.

 

[englishrose47]

The only person I know who slept in the castle Jo!!!

 

[colinsdad]

Chapter 5: The ADR Day has Arrived!

When the May 2009 park schedule was released in early February, I had about 2 weeks to fit the ADR's that I wanted around the schedule that was released. It sounds like a lot of time, but it really isn't.

Extra Magic Hours in the morning. Extra Magic Hours in the evening. Spectromagic only on certain nights. Wishes. Fantasmic only on certain nights. Whew! It's a lot to digest and a lot to schedule around. Other things I had to consider is that we like to Park Hop, usually take a mid-afternoon break, and then had back out for dinner and an evening park. Since I'm traveling with my 40 inch shadow, I also wanted to have dinners pretty much right at 6pm to keep to our normal dinner time. The final item I considered was that I wanted to have flexibility to change my mind as to what park we'd hit in the evening a few times.

Using my supercalifragilistic excel spreadsheet, I think I was able to accomplish all of that. The only thing I needed to do was to plan out my ADR call, and determine the order in which I would request my ADR's. With that finally settled I made the call on February 15th at 7:00am EST.

Now if you read my DDP rules you can probably figure that all of my ADR's will be for dinner, but I did throw a couple of breakfasts that I will pay OOP for and use a TS for Colin and a Tour too. And yes, even I broke Rule #1.

I got right through at 7:00am to a CM and made the following ADR's:

5/16 - Tony's Town Square 6:05pm (Spectromagic Dole Whip Meet Night! )
5/17 - 1900 Park Fare 5:55pm (Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner)
5/18 - Whispering Canyon Cafe 6:15pm (I've always wanted to eat here and since we're staying at WL, why not?)
5/19 - Crystal Palace 6:25pm
5/20 - Ohana BF (per my DDP "rules" ), Tutto Italia 6:30pm
5/21 - Family Magic Tour @ 10:00am at MK, Fantasmic Dinner Package @ Mama Melroses 4:10PM
5/22 - Sci-Fi Dine-In 12:50pm (yes I broke a rule here, but its SWW and the CS isn't the best at DHS)
5/23 - 1900 Park Fare 8:05am (Supercalifragilistic Breakfast)

I am very happy as I got all my ADR's and each were within 30 minutes of the time I wanted them!

My Fantasmic! Dinner Package Tip:
Usually I make my ADR's in the order of my stay. I would have started on the 16th and worked my way to the 23rd. However, this time I used a different strategy due to the limited F! shows that I think helped me get the dinner package at MM. I looked at which days F! was showing, and planned on making an ADR for the last possible one I could see during my stay. This strategy is based on the +10 rule. I surmised that statisticly based on date of arrival, less people would be eligible to book the farthest day out during my stay. Because F! is the 6th night of my stay, I'd only be competing with people arriving 4 days before me (and staying a full 10 days which is unlikely) while the shows earlier in the week I would be competing with people arriving up to 8 days before I arrived (or the full duration of most trips - one week). I also booked this package first. The strategy worked and I recommend that anyone thinking of booking a F! dinner package try it too.

Next Up - Chapter 6: Day 1 - A Spectromagical Day!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I'm glad that you got all the ADR's you wanted, it can be so stressful worrying about them sometimes.

 

[englishrose47]

Jason I am thinking of changing a couple of my ressies and will be trying for Cp on the16th but am also comtemplating Tony's basd on Alan's love for the place as the "Boys "nightI will try tomorrow if I am home at a decent time from work!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Hi Jason! The Renfroe boys (that would be me and my DS12) challenge you to a dual for the most points in the Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin on May 19th sometime shortly after dinner....say around 7:45ish? Let us know if you are up to the challenge. You are going down, bro!

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Jason! The Renfroe boys (that would be me and my DS12) challenge you to a dual for the most points in the Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin on May 19th sometime shortly after dinner....say around 7:45ish? Let us know if you are up to the challenge. You are going down, bro!

That's my MK day too Mabe I'll head back to Buzz after the Wave and be the REF!!

 

[ANTSS2001]

DIS-claimer: I may not be following Rule #5 exactly on my next trip as 1 SC will surely be used for a DOLE WHIP on May 16th and 1 SC will be used for a Napoleon in France on May 17th. Those days will be covered later.

finally!!! read everything and now waiting for the next chapter

and a 2 GREAT reason to break a rule

 

[colinsdad]

I'm glad that you got all the ADR's you wanted, it can be so stressful worrying about them sometimes.

Thanks. I think the ADR's worked out great. My goal was to have ADR's that focused on my DS, but that I would enjoy too.

Jason I am thinking of changing a couple of my ressies and will be trying for Cp on the16th but am also comtemplating Tony's basd on Alan's love for the place as the "Boys "nightI will try tomorrow if I am home at a decent time from work!!

Let me know how that goes.

Hi Jason! The Renfroe boys (that would be me and my DS12) challenge you to a dual for the most points in the Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin on May 19th sometime shortly after dinner....say around 7:45ish? Let us know if you are up to the challenge. You are going down, bro!

Challange accepted.

That's my MK day too Mabe I'll head back to Buzz after the Wave and be the REF!!

I don't think we'll need a ref, but you may want to bring a couple of tissue for the Renfroe Boys There going to need one after they get off BLSS and see our score.

finally!!! read everything and now waiting for the next chapter

and a 2 GREAT reason to break a rule

Thanks for hopping on board. And to all, ANTSS2001 is a friend that I met last year at the Meet Me at the Kitchen Sink DIS Meet. Isn't this board great!

 

[englishrose47]

I tried Disney dining but the wait was toooo long I will try again a little later !!As for the tissues I will make sure I have a LARGE Box !!!

 

[colinsdad]

Chapter 6: Day 1 - A Spectromagical Day

Our day will start with an early morning flight for my DS4 and I out of Boston's Logan Airport (non-stop ) and arriving at MCO by 10:20am.

To me, the vacation really starts when you land, and get to ride the "monorail" at the airport. I think it is because the voice on the airport "monorail" is the same voice as the one at Disney. You know, the one that says, "Please stand clear of the doors. Por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas." It is that same guy, isn't it?

After landing, of course its off the Magical Express and I'm hoping that we will arrive at the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge by noon. I've never stayed here and am quite excited about it.

I'm not quite sure if I'm going to try the "online check-in" (is it even ready yet?), but I probably will pass on it. I actually like checking in and talking to a live person at a desk. I'm not expecting my room to be ready at noon, but I think talking to a CM on arrival might better my chances. I have 2 plans based on whether the room is available or not. If its ready, we'll go drop off our carry-on's, change and hit Roarin' Fork for some lunch. After, maybe hit the pool or relax before heading over to the MK. If not, I think we'll drop off the carry-on's with bell services and head straight over to the MK till our room is ready, then coming back to freshen up before our Spectromagical evening.

Our dinner plans this evening are for a 6:05PM ADR at Tony's Town Square.

I was kind of on the fence about making an ADR here, because as far as Italian food goes, I've read a lot of "mezza mezza" reviews about Tony's. But after 30+ trips, I've never been here and its in the Magic Kingdom. So I guess I'll find out myself on this one.

After dinner at Tony's, we'll be working our way toward Aloha Isle for the 8pm Spectromagic Dole Whip Meet that I'm organizing.

This will be another first for me. I've NEVER had a Dole Whip So as I'm writing, I'm thinking this chapter could have been called "A Day of Firsts: The Wilderness Lodge, Tony's and Dole Whips".

After the Dole Whips, its off to stake out a good spot to see Spectromagic with all my new DIS friends.

Well that's all for Day 1. It's full of "first's" but there is one more I'll get to do that night. I'll get to take a boat home to my resort. How cool is that.

Up next. Chapter 7: A MAMMOTH MEET Sandwich

 

[MaryAz]

Sounds like a great first day! We are excited to meet you guys!