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

[englishrose47]

Great plans for Tuesday !! I also will be at MK on Tuesday but in the a.m. !! I have adrs at the Wave that night !! I love CP for supper !! They have shrimp and mussels so I am happy!!

 

[tinawv]

Looking forward to reading about your trip. Your son is so adorable. I see a lot of girls calling him in the future.

 

[PrincessBrideJo]

Great plans for Tuesday !! I also will be at MK on Tuesday but in the a.m. !! I have adrs at the Wave that night !! I love CP for supper !! They have shrimp and mussels so I am happy!!

I think all you think about is seafood....haha!!!!


Looks like a great day! Jealous of all the character meals you are going to!

 

[colinsdad]

Great plans for Tuesday !! I also will be at MK on Tuesday but in the a.m. !! I have adrs at the Wave that night !! I love CP for supper !! They have shrimp and mussels so I am happy!!

I think we'll be doing the Wave for sure in August. I look forward to hearing what you thought about it.

It will be Colin's 5th BD trip, and there is a Grand Gathering event that leaves from the Contemporary that is now available for parties less than 8 that I wan't to take him on. It sounds very cool.....

It begins with cookies, snacks and beverages before you "set sail" on your magical voyage where you'll have prime viewing of the Magic Kingdom's "Wishes" and "Electrical Water Pageant."

Before you board, none other than Captain Hook and his hapless first-mate Mr. Smee arrive for some mayhem and photos. Your host for the night is "Patch" a pirate of dubious distinction. As you sail along the Seven Seas Lagoon, Patch will have you singing along and challenge you to some Disney Trivia.

Your "ship will set anchor" at the perfect spot overlooking the Magic Kingdom to view "Wishes". From there you return to the pier while Patch regales you with the story of Peter Pan. When you arrive, you'll see that none other than Peter himself is there to greet you.

As with all Grand Gatherings experiences, birthdays and special occasions will be noted.

Pretty cool huh? Peter Pan is one of his all time favorites (he was Peter Pan for Halloween at MNSSHP when he was 3). This year he went over to the other side and was Captain Jack Sparrow.

Looking forward to reading about your trip. Your son is so adorable. I see a lot of girls calling him in the future.

Thanks. I'm definately going to do a post-trip report too! I'm in a photopass share so I'll have lots of pictures from the WDW photographers, and I'm looking for a new camera for my trip so I can take pics of all the restaurants, food, parades and resort.

It seems Colin is already starting with the ladies . He certainly isn't shy as you can see below.

Looks like a great day! Jealous of all the character meals you are going to!

This trip was definately planned around what I thought Colin would enjoy and he loves the character meals (o.k. I admit it. I do too! ). I actually am considering adding the Play 'N Dine again during a DHS morning since he loves the Little Einsteins (but we've done it our last 2 trips). I get a kick out of Colin at the BF, since he is certainly not shy about getting up and dancing.

 

[englishrose47]

Moring Jason !!
Yes I do like seafood
We did the Lil'Einteins in 2007 and loved it !!
I am pretty sure Alan tried the Wave anyway I know it was a Disser that convinced me to try it !!
Off to work in a few will chat tonite!!

 

[colinsdad]

Chapter 10: Potluck Disney

Day 5 - May 20

What we're going to do today is so unlike me. It's what I like to call Pot Luck Disney.

Our morning will start by heading over to the Poly for the Ohana Best Friends BF with Lilo & Stitch. I've always wanted to try this BF, but since it's not located in one of the parks and I haven't stayed at the Poly since it was one of only two hotels at Walt Disney World (stayed there in '74), we've never done it.

We are in no rush today, so I'm hoping we have a nice leisurely breakfast enjoying the Poly and of course Stitch. After bf we'll head out to the bus stop in front of the Poly, my eyes fixated on on each bus marquis as they turn in, and thus is the "potluck disney" part of our day. The first bus going to a Water Park will be the one we get on. My DS4 loves the waterparks and since he can't do Summit Plummet or Crush 'n Gusher, it really doesn't matter where we end up. He loves both the same.

So we'll head over to BB or TL for the late morning to early afternoon. My DS4 will do any slide they let him on. He is fearless. But I'll drag him on the lazy river for a loop or two with Dad, and lunch will be at either Avalunch or Leaning Palms depending on where we are.

I'll have to drag Colin out of there at some point for our late afternoon break back at the Wilderness Lodge. Tonight, we'll head out to Epcot and we have an ADR at Tutto Italia. For kids on the DDP, this is the best TS credit use I've found because TI doesn't have the traditional kids menu. In September, he had mozzarella stix ($6 and were a real app size), a pasta with cream sauce ($9.50), Sundae ($5) and drink (about $3). So at $23.50 this rivals the CRT cost for a child but is 1TS not 2. I will also be making full use of the DDP "value" at Tutto, as I will be having the "Tagliata" (steak covered with a pesto sauce $36) which I had last trip, thoroughly enjoyed, and have been looking forward to since I made my ADR here. I'll use my drink on a Cappacino ($5), pay OOP for an adult beveridge of some kind, and I will enjoy some Tirimisu ($9) for dessert. So again an adult meal at $50 is more than CRT for only 1TS.

After dinner, our evening will consist of leisurely walking the World Showcase and enjoying some live entertainment in the various countries. Tonight we'll stay till the close to check out Illuminations.

Up Next - Chapter 11: A Family Magical Fantasmical Day!

 

[englishrose47]

Jason I am doing Tutto the 18th I have never trid it but have walked by and seen the huge portions served in the outside seating ara and it all looked delish!!I will too be eating the or should I say devoring the Tiramasu !!

 

[MaryAz]

Great plans, just so you don't get confused, you have May 19th twice in a row.....Sorry my OCD is coming out

 

[colinsdad]

Jason I am doing Tutto the 18th I have never trid it but have walked by and seen the huge portions served in the outside seating ara and it all looked delish!!I will too be eating the or should I say devoring the Tiramasu !!

You are going to enjoy Tutto. I've never had a bad meal here whether it was under previous managment as Alfredo's or now its current Tutto form. I think its excellent (and I worked in an Italian Restaurant in Boston's North End for a number of years). The Tirimisu is yummmmmmmy.

Great plans, just so you don't get confused, you have May 19th twice in a row.....Sorry my OCD is coming out

Thanks. My Potluck Disney day is actually the 20th (not 19th), so I fixed the post.

I think I've looked at my spreadsheet so much that the "BB/TL" notation is beginning to play tricks on my brain. I've never "planned" a day at Disney that I'm not exactly sure where I'll be. I guess that's not too radical since its just the water parks. Maybe next time I'll get crazy and just go wherever the first bus is going! On second thought, nah!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!​

 

[racefanof88]

Joining in on your planning. I found your PTR from the Mammoth Meet report.

Your son is adorable. Looks like you have a great trip planned for you two .

 

[colinsdad]

Joining in on your planning. I found your PTR from the Mammoth Meet report.

Your son is adorable. Looks like you have a great trip planned for you two .

Thanks for checking my PTR out!

I'm very excited about this trip with my DS, and our next day which will be covered in Chapter 11 has two really special items planned.

I hope to get motivated and write it up in the next day or two...Stay tuned....

 

[englishrose47]

I'm Tuned !!!

 

[colinsdad]

Chapter 11: A Family Magical Fantasmical Day!

Day 6 - May 21

So far, we've had some very special day's planned and done some pretty cool things. Today we get to do two more.

Today we will enjoy the am EMH at MK. For Breakfast, I plan on using a snack credit on one of those amazing Cinnamon Buns at the Main Street Bakery. Colin likes the Mickey Muffins (but who doesn't).

After a quick bf snack, its off to whatever rides Colin wants to do. We may even get haircuts!! Colin has done this twice, as has my DB, but I never have. We have a couple of hours to fill in before heading over to the Tour Gardens on Main Street.

At 10:00 am, we have scheduled the Family Magic Tour.

From the Disney Website:
Disney's Family Magic Tour invites Guests to join their family and friends on a 2-hour guided interactive quest to save Magic Kingdom theme park from the dastardly plans of a Disney Villain.

Your tour guide needs your help—and your knowledge of Disney trivia—as your tour group searches high and low for clues in this adventure through Magic Kingdom theme park. Unlike most tours, your party will play an active role in the experience as you put on your detective hat, follow tricky clues, solve diabolical puzzles and engage in a lively scavenger hunt.

If you manage to foil the plans of the forces of mayhem and save Magic Kingdom theme park, you will be treated to a very special surprise.

It sounded pretty cool, so I booked it using my Disney Visa (and saved 20% ) Not to be a billboard for the DVisa, but if you go to Disney often, it's worth signing up for. With all the rewards I've earned, and the fact that I have been able to save 20% on Backstage Magic, DiveQuest (which is AWESOME!) and now Family Magic, its been a good card. We've also got a free 5X7 at Epcot at least 4 times at Innoventions for the Meet & Greet for cardholders.

O.k. commercial over.

After the Family Magic Tour we'll have a light lunch at the MK (maybe Pinnochio's or CHH) before heading back to the WL for our afternoon break.

Late afternoon and evening we will be at DHS as we have booked the Fantasmic! package at Mama Melrose's. As noted in my ADR post, this was the first one I made because I heard they only show F! a few times a week now, heard the crowds are massive, and wanted to avoid having to camp out at sunrise to see the show. I've also heard that the separate entry is gone for the dinner package which is a bummer, so I hope I heard wrong. But one of the nice things about the F! dinner package is that you get an appetizer with it (even though the basic DDP doesn't include it) and MM is only 1TS. F! is one of my favorite shows at WDW, so I'm really looking forward to this evening.

Before our early ADR, we hope to make it over to DHS for the Block Party Bash @ 3PM. As with most F! ADR's, it is pretty early (4:10PM). So after dinner we'll have a few hours to fill up prior to the show. Since I'm assuming most of the FP's will be gone for the day, and the park will be crowded because it is a Fantasmic evening, we'll probably focus on the shows like LMA!, IJESS, and MV3D. What ever the most convenient are schedule wise.

After the shows, we'll head over to Sunset Blvd and end our evening with F!

Up Next: Chapter 12 - Colin....I am your Father

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Jason!! I plan on being at DHS in the pm on the 21st but I have planned to do Fantasmic on Wednesday as that is my rest day! I'm eating at RR in DTD that night and plan to headover by 6:30p So maybe I'll see you ther that day/evening too !! By then we will have met at least twice planned !! I usually put my plans on little index cards and take them with me along with the ADR conf. # I have al my plans laid out in my binder but the week before will put it all on the cards !

 

[colinsdad]

Hi Jason!! I plan on being at DHS in the pm on the 21st but I have planned to do Fantasmic on Wednesday as that is my rest day! I'm eating at RR in DTD that night and plan to headover by 6:30p So maybe I'll see you ther that day/evening too !! By then we will have met at least twice planned !! I usually put my plans on little index cards and take them with me along with the ADR conf. # I have al my plans laid out in my binder but the week before will put it all on the cards !

The index cards sound like a good idea.

I have 1 printout with all my ADR's, and I make 1 separate list of each park's snack options that I get from the "Confirmed Snack List" posted by jjohnson.

My English teacher used to always say, "Proper planning prevents poor performance". I think he was talking about Disney.

 

[racefanof88]

Chapter 11: A Family Magical Fantasmical Day!

Day 6 - May 21

So far, we've had some very special day's planned and done some pretty cool things. Today we get to do two more.

Today we will enjoy the am EMH at MK. For Breakfast, I plan on using a snack credit on one of those amazing Cinnamon Buns at the Main Street Bakery. Colin likes the Mickey Muffins (but who doesn't).

After a quick bf snack, its off to whatever rides Colin wants to do. We may even get haircuts!! Colin has done this twice, as has my DB, but I never have. We have a couple of hours to fill in before heading over to the Tour Gardens on Main Street.

At 10:00 am, we have scheduled the Family Magic Tour.

From the Disney Website:
Disney's Family Magic Tour invites Guests to join their family and friends on a 2-hour guided interactive quest to save Magic Kingdom theme park from the dastardly plans of a Disney Villain.

Your tour guide needs your help—and your knowledge of Disney trivia—as your tour group searches high and low for clues in this adventure through Magic Kingdom theme park. Unlike most tours, your party will play an active role in the experience as you put on your detective hat, follow tricky clues, solve diabolical puzzles and engage in a lively scavenger hunt.

If you manage to foil the plans of the forces of mayhem and save Magic Kingdom theme park, you will be treated to a very special surprise.

It sounded pretty cool, so I booked it using my Disney Visa (and saved 20% ) Not to be a billboard for the DVisa, but if you go to Disney often, it's worth signing up for. With all the rewards I've earned, and the fact that I have been able to save 20% on Backstage Magic, DiveQuest (which is AWESOME!) and now Family Magic, its been a good card. We've also got a free 5X7 at Epcot at least 4 times at Innoventions for the Meet & Greet for cardholders.

O.k. commercial over.

After the Family Magic Tour we'll have a light lunch at the MK (maybe Pinnochio's or CHH) before heading back to the WL for our afternoon break.

Late afternoon and evening we will be at DHS as we have booked the Fantasmic! package at Mama Melrose's. As noted in my ADR post, this was the first one I made because I heard they only show F! a few times a week now, heard the crowds are massive, and wanted to avoid having to camp out at sunrise to see the show. I've also heard that the separate entry is gone for the dinner package which is a bummer, so I hope I heard wrong. But one of the nice things about the F! dinner package is that you get an appetizer with it (even though the basic DDP doesn't include it) and MM is only 1TS. F! is one of my favorite shows at WDW, so I'm really looking forward to this evening.

Before our early ADR, we hope to make it over to DHS for the Block Party Bash @ 3PM. As with most F! ADR's, it is pretty early (4:10PM). So after dinner we'll have a few hours to fill up prior to the show. Since I'm assuming most of the FP's will be gone for the day, and the park will be crowded because it is a Fantasmic evening, we'll probably focus on the shows like LMA!, IJESS, and MV3D. What ever the most convenient are schedule wise.

After the shows, we'll head over to Sunset Blvd and end our evening with F!

Up Next: Chapter 12 - Colin....I am your Father

Sticking around .

Oh wow, that sounds like so much fun!! I love ph tickets, I like the option to make a last minute change. Not that I can't stick to plans, I just like to know there is an option. Now that I have made myself seem totally noncommittal and flighty, I am looking forward to meeting you at the MMM.
Remember you promised to have my back .........lol

 

[colinsdad]

Sticking around .

Oh wow, that sounds like so much fun!! I love ph tickets, I like the option to make a last minute change. Not that I can't stick to plans, I just like to know there is an option. Now that I have made myself seem totally noncommittal and flighty, I am looking forward to meeting you at the MMM.
Remember you promised to have my back .........lol

I just got my 8 Day PH in the mail yesterday from Undercover Tourist. I used the Mousesavers link and saved $34 for my DS and I.

I can't do without the PH option because I like the AM EMH's so much. I like being able to leave, then go back somewhere else at night. The PH is really good with the DDP because it opens up so many more options with dinner too (especially being able to just do Epcot WS for a few hours).

Looking forward to the MMM too! I haven't forgot about getting your back

 

[englishrose47]

Good Morning !!

 

[APB513]

Hi Jason -

I'm enjoying reading your PTR! Looks like you and Colin are going to have a great time!

Colin really does have a lot of energy if he can keep up with that schedule. My oldest DS (20) who have pooped out after the second day

Looking forward to meeting you both at the Spectro/Dole Whip meet and the MMM!

 

[colinsdad]

Good Morning !!

Hi Jason -

I'm enjoying reading your PTR! Looks like you and Colin are going to have a great time!

Colin really does have a lot of energy if he can keep up with that schedule. My oldest DS (20) who have pooped out after the second day

Looking forward to meeting you both at the Spectro/Dole Whip meet and the MMM!

Thanks!

I think I'm going to be the tired one. I will have him in a stroller (for my piece of mind to keep him close) so that helps a lot to keep him fresh because he's not doing a ton of walking. Unfortunately, what's good for him means I'll be doing a lot of pushing.

We too are looking forward to meeting everyone. Under 4 weeks.