First Non Christmas trip

[feyrerm]

Hello!! I'm Mike and this is my first pre trip report here on the DIS.

Some background:

My family and I have been to Disney over the Christmas break through New Years 4 out of the last 5 years. We have stayed in POFQ, PORS, CS, and DAS Music. All were very enjoyable.

We drive down each time from PA. It’s just too expensive to fly for more than 2 people.

This will be our first non Christmas trip, and we are very excited! Our dates are August 28 through September 5. Our decision was made based on the free dining plan promotion. Our only concern is will it will be too hot and humid to enjoy the parks for us. We shall see.

This time we will be traveling with:

That is me, looking jolly and tubby in the front, and my beautiful DW Monica behind me. I guess she likes um tubby.

DS Mikey and his girlfriend Courtney. Mikey is a full time student, and a bunch of fun when he wants to be. This will be Courtney's first Disney experience!!

DD In her natural habitat, the pool, kicking butt. She is a teenager, so she hates parents, until she need cash.....

This will be the crew this time out.

The resort looks to be PORS. We are trying to put together Diner and park strategies next. On such late notice I hope we don't have trouble getting reservations.

I must say I am very excited to see the parks with non Christmas decorations. Should be a fun change of pace to see the parks at a non peak season as well.

I will update this as our plans are more finalized. Hope you stay tuned.

Mike

 

[feyrerm]

Vacation booked!!!

We will be staying at Port Orleans Riverside from 8-28 through 9-5

We will be leaving home to drive down on 8-27 very very early in the morning and then we stay over somewhere within an hour or so of the resort that night and get into Disney the next morning early. Our strategy is usually to try to be in the hotel the drive day by 10 PM, but that rarely ever happens.

Our must do restaurants are:

Coral Reef
50's dine in
Gran Floridian Cafe

We are admittedly not very adventurous with out restaurant selections, but we would like to try some new stuff this time around. I would love suggestions on this.

We are sooooo Very excited for this trip!

 

[Chernadan]

If you haven't done Le Cellier or California Grill you should try for one or both. Sometimes reservations are hard to come by so good luck!

 

[feyrerm]

If you haven't done Le Cellier or California Grill you should try for one or both. Sometimes reservations are hard to come by so good luck!

Thanks!

Yea have discussed Le Cellier in the past and I would love to eat there, but Monica is very claustrophobic and seriously concerned that she will have a panic attack if we are in a corner or something in there. Is it very cellar like?

 

[hannahmakesfour]

Joining in on your report, we will be there just after you guys (SO Cool)!! going 9/7/-9/15 I decided we are trying some new restaurants this time around that we didn't get to during our first visit in '09.

Coral Reef
Ohana
Sci-Fi drive
Crystal Palace
and the Cape May Cafe

are booked and we are also returning to some old favorites like:
Chef Mickeys
1900 Park Fare and
Akershus.

We have young children so hitting the character meals is a must. I can begrudgingly admit that our last visit to Chef Mickey's for breakfast was fairly lacking, so I have my fingers crossed that dinner there is a wee bit better this time around.

Can't wait to see how your trip evolves!

 

[Chernadan]

Thanks!

Yea have discussed Le Cellier in the past and I would love to eat there, but Monica is very closterfobic and seriously concerned that she will have a panic attack if we are in a corner or something in there. Is it very cellar like?

Actually no. Its got huge open spaces and very few dark corners. Think of the biggest wine cellar ever with wood and stone construction. Now put lots of lamps everywhere so its well lit, take out all the wine barrels so you have room for tables and Voila!

No need to worry about claustrophobia here!

 

[feyrerm]

Joining in on your report, we will be there just after you guys (SO Cool)!! going 9/7/-9/15 I decided we are trying some new restaurants this time around that we didn't get to during our first visit in '09.

Coral Reef
Ohana
Sci-Fi drive
Crystal Palace
and the Cape May Cafe

are booked and we are also returning to some old favorites like:
Chef Mickeys
1900 Park Fare and
Akershus.

We have young children so hitting the character meals is a must. I can begrudgingly admit that our last visit to Chef Mickey's for breakfast was fairly lacking, so I have my fingers crossed that dinner there is a wee bit better this time around.

Can't wait to see how your trip evolves!

We love the Coral Reef, the views and the food are great. The Sci Fi we have eaten at every time we go and we enjoy it, but I think we are going to skip it this time around. Kids will LOVE it there though, and its a neat experience.

Ohana, and Cape May Cafe are on out "possible" list. I'm wondering what type of non sea food is offered at the Cape May Cafe?

We have never actually done a character dining experience because my kids were older when we started going. I'm not sure how they would react to one. Maybe we should find out on this trip. I hope you visit to Chef Mickey's is better this time around!!

Actually no. Its got huge open spaces and very few dark corners. Think of the biggest wine cellar ever with wood and stone construction. Now put lots of lamps everywhere so its well lit, take out all the wine barrels so you have room for tables and Voila!

No need to worry about claustrophobia here!

This is great news!! I really want to try it! Hopefully we can get in!

Thanks for the info!

 

[feyrerm]

Had dinner out on Tuesday with everyone going to discuss dinner plans and thoughts.

The kids Must do's were:
50's Prime time cafe
Gran Floridian Cafe
The Coral Reef
Liberty tree tavern

With a strong mention for ESPN zone.

Monica and I were thankful that the Sci Fi was not mentioned. Its not that we don't enjoy it there, we always have a great time there. Its just that its too dark to even see your food. The food is generally just ok, and usually at least one person gets a stomach ache after eating there. This would be the first time we have ever not eaten there.

They seemed very excited to try The Cape May Cafe so that looks to be in.

Raglan Road, and Biergarten, and Via Napoli got discussed as possible places as well.

Now its a matter of checking on EMH and seeing when we will schedule park days. We are so excited for this trip!

Fun little update from our trip to Atlantic City last weekend.

Here is Mina and her friend on the beach (Mina is the shorter one with the black hair). The weather was AMAZING!!!

The girls after their ice cream at Ceasers Palace

Yummy Queso Dip at the Rainforest Cafe! The food here was pretty awesome. Totally didn't expect it to be any good at all.

Monica at the Rainforest Cafe.

Monica after ice cream at Ceasers Palace.

We has just an amazing day at the beach. I cant wait to go back again!

 

[nilla]

Just saw you're writing a PTR! Definitely following

 

[feyrerm]

Just saw you're writing a PTR! Definitely following

Thanks dude! Somebody has to.

After reading your TR we just couldn't wait until December this year.

We are so excited already!

 

[KatMark]

Well, after what nilla (Jon) said on his TR, I had to come over and see what it was all about. Now back to read.

Mike, a couple of dining suggestions.

Do you like breakfast? Crystal Palace is a must do for us with Pooh and friends, or Boma has a really good buffet at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We did Biergarten last September and it was always a favorite. However, this last trip was a disappointment. The food was not nearly as good as the previous visits (the desserts were heavenly though).

We were supposed to do Via Napoli this coming September, but spaghetti and pizza haven't been agreeing with me lately so I think we are canceling it. We may try Chefs de France instead.

 

[feyrerm]

Well, after what nilla (Jon) said on his TR, I had to come over and see what it was all about. Now back to read.

Mike, a couple of dining suggestions.

Do you like breakfast? Crystal Palace is a must do for us with Pooh and friends, or Boma has a really good buffet at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We did Biergarten last September and it was always a favorite. However, this last trip was a disappointment. The food was not nearly as good as the previous visits (the desserts were heavenly though).

We were supposed to do Via Napoli this coming September, but spaghetti and pizza haven't been agreeing with me lately so I think we are canceling it. We may try Chefs de France instead.

KatMark

Thanks for checking in!! Nilla is truly too kind.

I LOVE breakfast, but judging by our last trip it was rare we were awake by 10AM. I know!! Crazy right. Around Christmas they have very late EMH at one park every night that we took advantage of because we are night owls. Without all those late hours we will have to adjust a bit this time around, but usually we do granola bars or muffins in the room before we go. I would love to get them up to do breakfast!! Alas that is a losing battle.

You are not the first person to mention that Biergarten may be slipping a bit. That is a shame, but since we have not ever been there I think we may go for the experience of it......and the beer.

We loved Via Napoli last year, may hit it again.

We usually do a looser touring style because most people don't like to eat as late as we do, because we get up so late. With EMH this was never an issue before. We may find it more challenging this time out. I hope not though.

 

[nilla]

You are not the first person to mention that Biergarten may be slipping a bit. That is a shame, but since we have not ever been there I think we may go for the experience of it......and the beer.

Biergarten is a must-do for me every year. Then again, I love German food. And polka. And beer.

Other favorites - Kona Cafe at the Polynesian and Le Cellier (though it now costs 2 Dining Plan credits ).

 

[MEK]

Well, I also came over here thanks to all Nilla's plugs. I'm surprised he didn't have a big flashing neon arrow pointing to your name!

As a parents of teenagers, I can totally relate to the cash thing.

I hope you got your ADRs. I love Via Napoli and Raglan Rd. Tried both of those for the first time in May.

If you are having trouble with ADRs, may I suggest the Wave at the Contemporary. It's usually easy to get an ADR and the food is really good. I have eaten there three times and its consistent. I like if too if you are planning on driving a car because you can leave your car there - no problem - and head into the MK. Love that path.

Looking forward to more!

Oh - I love POR. I actually stayed there for a couple nights in May and posted some pix in my most recent TR.

 

[feyrerm]

Well, I also came over here thanks to all Nilla's plugs. I'm surprised he didn't have a big flashing neon arrow pointing to your name!

He stopped just shy of that! Thanks for Checking us out!!

I hope you got your ADRs. I love Via Napoli and Raglan Rd. Tried both of those for the first time in May.

We have gotten a few I will put an update here today some time. I have a question. Have you seen or eaten the Sheppards Pie at Raglan Rd? Does it have Mushrooms. Monica wants sheppards pie so baddly, but every time we find a place that has it they seem to fill it with mushrooms!! She is not a fan. The Menu tells you nothing. :-(

If you are having trouble with ADRs, may I suggest the Wave at the Contemporary. It's usually easy to get an ADR and the food is really good. I have eaten there three times and its consistent. I like if too if you are planning on driving a car because you can leave your car there - no problem - and head into the MK. Love that path.

We ate at the place that was where the Wave is now WAAAY back, and we loved it. In fact I will have "HEATH BAR" yelled at me at least 3 or 4 times during this trip because I kept saying the desert there was butterfinger something or other, and was corrected about a million times. The final time was by an excited waitress and the kids and Monica just laughed and laughed. They are relentless at reminding me about it when they have a chance. We will have to check it out.

We generally drive wherever we go. Mainly because of a horrible busing experience one time on new years eve. It cuts travel time by so much after we started driving that we just never stopped.

Oh - I love POR. I actually stayed there for a couple nights in May and posted some pix in my most recent TR.

This will be our third stay at POR We love it!! I have been enjoying your TR very much!!

 

[feyrerm]

So we have some ADR's to report hot off the presses so to speak. Just a few that we really wanted to get.

Our first night in Disney 8/28 IS EMH late at Magic Kingdom!! Couldn't have worked it out better. I think your first Disney park experience should be the Magic Kingdom, And this will be Courtney's first Park day ever. 9:10 PM at Liberty Tree Tavern. We ate here last time and LOVED it. Simple family style meal, good food. We are excited to eat here again.

8/29 late EMH at Hollywood Studios 9:15 at 50's Prime Time. We have been to Disney many times and could never imagine not experiencing this place with the kids. We have fun with it.

9/2 EMH late at Epcot. We booked Biergarten at 8:05. Early for us. This one may end up getting changed. The kids love ESPN Zone, and also want to try Cape May Cafe so we will see on this one.

9/4 Coral Reef at 8:20. We love this restaurant!! This was basically the only ADR I could get here and it is our last night. We will have to leave early the next day so we will close out our Disney stay here.

We have a few more nights to book ADR's for, and we want to do The Grand Floridian Cafe, and Via Napoli on two of them. The rest.... Well Raglan Rd is in the running, and Lunch at Le Cellier if a reservation comes available. I'm not holding my breath on that one though. We have done Planet Hollywood and it was good so its always possible, also Captain Jacks was one we loved the first few years we went but have not revisited.

Ill update when I have more ADR's booked.

 

[MEK]

I have a question. Have you seen or eaten the Sheppards Pie at Raglan Rd? Does it have Mushrooms. Monica wants sheppards pie so baddly, but every time we find a place that has it they seem to fill it with mushrooms!! She is not a fan. The Menu tells you nothing. :-(


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I don't know about the mushrooms, but I've heard its very good. I wonder if they can make it without?

anway - great ADRs so far. Prime Time is a hoot!

 

[feyrerm]

I don't know about the mushrooms, but I've heard its very good. I wonder if they can make it without?

anway - great ADRs so far. Prime Time is a hoot!

We may have to try to get it without! I think I am going to book it.

It is getting so close now!! We are so excited!

 

[feyrerm]

Has anyone reading this ever done the storytime experience in Epcot? I think its in the Norway area. Just wondering what it is and if its something older kids would enjoy.

 

[yellowtink]

Hope you guys are having fun in the good old world of WDW. Can't wait to hear about it.