Groovin' at Grumpy's Grotto! The Final Chapter-With Thanks to All

[Halloweenqueen]

We are back! My trip report begins on page 4.

Chapter One- What's next? A hurricane? Pre-trip summary. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19295861&postcount=51

Chapter Two- Hyperspace on I-95 on a Sizzlin Saturday. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19296804&postcount=57

Chapter Three- The Power of the Fastpass Compels You!! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19317119&postcount=63

Chapter Four-Trampled in the Soarin Stampede! http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19341140&postcount=67

Chapter Five- Yippee for the Yeti! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19369351&postcount=75

Chapter Six- Spectro-fantastic Day that ends with Wishes http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19401474&postcount=83

Chapter Seven- Cheesburgers in Paradise http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19512428&postcount=90

Chapter Eight- Time for the Human Sacrifice! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19529545&postcount=95

Chapter Nine- Tales of a Star Wars Dork. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19565445&postcount=101

Chapter Ten- Characters or Bust! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19634557&postcount=106


Chapter Eleven- The Final Chapter...Lessons Learned






-------------------------------------------------Pre-Trip Report----------------------------------------------------------------
This will be our FIRST trip to WDW!!! I announced our upcoming plan to visit Orlando in a wonderful forum I've belonged to for several years. I was immediately bombarded with questions like, "what ADRs do you have?", "are you doing Magic Your Way?", and "WDW in June??!! Are you nuts?!"

My lack of WDW knowledge was sending my friends into a panic! I soon found out I knew nothing about Disney and all the planning that is involved if your vacation is to be a success.

Luckily my friends sent me immediately here and told me to pick up some books from Amazon.

After about a hundred searches on this forum and reading tons of trip reports I now feel we could blend in with any experienced DISer!

OUR STATS:
THE CREW:

The A-Team

will now be called the Seven Dwarfs!!

The Seven Dwarfs= Dad, Mom, and 5 Kids!

DH-46- nuclear engineer, geek, nerd, all around good guy...let's call him DOC

ME-39 (for 24 more days)- chauffeur, Halloween freak, and organizer extraordinaire...I'm SLEEPY

DS-9- gifted, easily frustrated, hates everything until he tries it, tells the best jokes...definately GRUMPY

DD-8- the belle of the ball, with the passion for fashion, the next Diane Sawyer...let's call her Bashful, NOT!

DS-8- has overcome incredible obstacles, the kindest kid, would share his last french fry...HAPPY

DD-7- super speller, is feline obsessed, having a tough time with her allergies this Spring...sad to say is SNEEZY

DD-3- giggly, silly, sunshine gal, contrary to the slogan that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas... Dopey!

All heading out to Orlando the day after the last day of school, June 9th, for 9 nights of fantastic fun! (crossing fingers! )

We decided early to drive since it will take us about 9 hours. We drive that long in the opposite direction to go to Grandma's house, so we know we can do it!

Grandparents are coming for 2 nights...hooray!!! (June 10-12)


Lodging decisions..ugh! It was immediately apparent that finding something that would work for my family would be a challenge. Most websites wouldn't even allow you to type in 7 people for one trip! Entering our desired dates and desires on Disney.com gave us suggestions starting at over $9000!

The unofficial book suggested a DVC resort or local vacation home rental. I thought a house would be perfect for us! The grandparents could stay with us and we would have plenty of room to spread out. Also our own pool sounded fantastic! The thought of going to a crowded pool with 5 kids always sends me into a panic. I have to sit along the outside of the pool to keep a visual on everyone. This vacation I could actually get wet!

Now came the tough part! Finding an actual home! There has to be a zillion homes, on a zillion websites! I had to familiarize myself with developments so we wouldn't reserve a house too far away. The most frustrating thing had to be the contacting process. The first day I emailed 5 homeowners for rates and availability. After two days I had received one response! And it wasn't available for our dates! I knew I would have to be much more aggressive in my search. Next day I emailed 10. I heard back from a few and thought I found the perfect place. It was reasonably priced, close to WDW, and looked really nice. I made a reservation and put in our deposit. I never received confirmation of my deposit so I emailed the homeowner. No response. I finally called and left a message. Still nothing. I finally get a hold of the wife and she says everything is fine, she just has been busy with work. Two days later her husband calls and tells me that he is sorry, but the home is unavailable for our dates. I ask for our deposit back immediately. A couple of days later I get our money back, less the service charge the management company charged me for using my Visa. I spend another few days trying to get that money back, but have no luck.

Now I'm back to square one with the home rental. I go on another website and find a great house. This time I just call the homeowner directly. They have just relisted their rental home and are offering special rates if reserved during a specific time. I was happy to hear our dates were available. I tell them my story of woe with house number one. They are terrific folks and even offer us two free nights for booking a full week!

We now have a 5 bedroom, 4 bath, pool home, at one of the closest developments by WDW! For just over $1000 for 9 nights! Eat your heart out Disney!!!

Now on to the next big challenge! What parks, how many days, and where to eat!!!

 

[KathyRN137]

This will be our FIRST trip to WDW!!!....

Now on to the next big challenge! What parks, how many days, and where to eat!!!

I have one word for you....okay, really its THREE words....Tour Guide Mike!

His advice on which parks which days ALONE is worth the cost of registration, especially if you are going during a busy time!

You know from my TR what a planning nut I am; keep us up to date with all the juicy details!

Kathy

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Before I could get knee deep in planning I had to figure out the portion of our trip that included my parents.

They have always wanted to visit WDW and think going with their grandkids is a dream come true!

Which sounds all rainbows and unicorns, right? Ha, they have you fooled!

My parents are 58 and 62. Young, lots of energy, and are full of the spirit of adventure! Nope. They are the most phobic people on Earth.

1. They don't like to get wet. They don't swim. I've never seen my parents in a pool, let alone in bathing suits. Anything remotely water involved sends them into a frenzy.

2. They don't like heat.

3. They don't like to sweat.

4. They don't like to walk.

5. They don't like crowds.

6. They don't "do" rides. My mother, absolutely none. My Dad thinks he is out of control when he rides along with little Dopey on the merry-go-round.

7. They have just about every phobia invented: bridges, various animals, planes, the Dark...

So why in the heck do even consider this?? The grandkids!

They plan to pump themselves with enough Xanax to get them on a plane on Sunday morning. Then they are at my mercy until their flight on Tuesday evening. Their only request, MK on Monday.

These 48 hours or so have been the most stressful planning I've ever had to complete. I'll spare the intimate details, but thanks to all my legwork at this wonderful forum I think I did pretty well.

BTW-June 9th is our travel day, so we plan to get to the rental, shop, and veg by the pool.

June 10th-Sunday- folks arrive from Ohio feeling no pain thanks to plenty of inflight drinking. While Dad and the boys pick them up at the airport the girls and I are going to...

We will spend the day at Downtown Disney once we unite. Then it is off to 1900 Park Faire fordinner with Cinderella!


Then we have a Wishes Cruise from the GF.

My parents really want to see the fireworks, but were afraid of the crowds. Of course the cruise means WATER , but after a few sips of wine, I think we will all be fine.


June 11th-Monday in MK-

We plan to be there super early and take a break after lunch. We have ADR for the Crystal Palace to meet ...


June 12th- DMGM Studios-

Sci Fi Diner sounds like the perfect place for my folks, and we have an ADR for lunch. Then we say our goodbyes to the Grandparents (who will now make their way to the airport). After our break we have Fantasmic Dinner reservations at Mama Melroses, then Fantasmic that night!


Next Post--Now the "Real" fun begins!!!

 

[mcarthur205]

Wow! Your parents sound like interesting vacation companions! I'm sure you'll all have an exciting trip - can't wait to read more!

 

[meeskamouska]

Wow...your trip is going to be chalk full of interesting antics, now won't it!!!

 

[BrerMama]

Oh, I'm loving this! You'll be arriving as we're leaving, but I'm so jealous of your rental home. I swear that next trip, we will take the leap and stay in one. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Thanks everyone! This is fun! I'm going to print out our trip report as my scrapbook journal.

I need to do Tour Guide Mike. I have the unofficial book, but the more information the better.

I'm so thankful that we have another trip to look forward to. It takes the pressure out of our June trip. We aren't going to sweat it if we don't get to do everything we want.

Also Haunted Mansion is going to be shut down in June. I'm so bummed, but now I can see it post-renovation in October!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I thought my next step should be making some ADRs. I found out fast that many of the restaurants are filled up for reasonable times for my family. I've been asking internet friends and scouring my Disney books.

Plus I wanted to sit together. Time and again I heard we had to be split up. I wanted my family to eat at the same table, which also limited our choices.

This is what we have so far:

(after my folks leave on Tuesday, ADRs were a lot easier to get for 7 rather than 9!)

Wednesday- Beirgarden for lunch
Thursday- ?
Friday-?
Saturday-OHana for breakfast
Sunday-Boma for dinner
Monday-veg at the house and eat remaining food (I always buy too much)

I thought one ADR would be plenty for these days. Wednesday is an Epcot day for us. Thursday is AK. I'm leaving the remaining days to return to a favorite park or two, plus a day just to relax. I made our ADRs at the resorts for those days, so we don't have to be committed to a particular park.

I would like to go to Disney Studios on Saturday or Sunday for the Star War activities. I'm a HUGE fan! More like a freak! I may just go with an interested kid or two, leaving Dad with the rest.

Dad and my eldest want to go to DisneyQuest also. So we are looking at Friday morning as a possible time for DQ for them. I would stay with the rest by the pool.

My husband is amazed that I'm going into such detail about the trip! I've told him how difficult it has been to get us these ADRs so far. I guess he will see for himself and thank me once we are there!

I would love to go to Coral Reef, but it seems to have such negative reviews and my internet friends tell me not to bother. Anyone with a good experience there? I read Karen's experience and it sounds like her entire family enjoyed themselves.

That is all I have so far. I feel like I'm making some progress.

 

[DisneyJo]

Loving your TR already although I'll probably have to keep looking at your whos who at the beginning! I can see lots of fun with your parents BTW if you're going to join TGM there's a $3 off link at the top of the theme parks thread, but if you do join you may then want to change all your days to his best days so you'll have to redo your itinerary

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Loving your TR already although I'll probably have to keep looking at your whos who at the beginning! I can see lots of fun with your parents BTW if you're going to join TGM there's a $3 off link at the top of the theme parks thread, but if you do join you may then want to change all your days to his best days so you'll have to redo your itinerary

That's why I'm afraid to join! I took the "best days to visit" from the unoffical website. I also checked with the Disney schedule for early mornings and did not pick that park.

I feel like I should be making more ADRs.

I found the link to the customized maps at Disney. I can't wait to get them in the mail!

 

[lazidazi07]

Also Haunted Mansion is going to be shut down in June. I'm so bummed, but now I can see it post-renovation in October!

Awwhh. At least you get to see it in October...I dont.
Love your Pre-Trippie! Your children are ADORABLE!

 

[sunlver]

I am enjoying reading your pre trip report I am looking forward to reading more. We are going in Mid June again, I cant wait

 

[KathyRN137]

Glad that you're going to try 50's PTC! Will this be with the Grandparents? They would get a kick out of the decor...

Keep on plannin'!

Kathy

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I paid our balance for the house last Friday! We are staying in Grumpy's Grotto! Sounds perfect! Go to www.grumpysgrotto.com for a looksee!

Now I have to turn to what kind of tickets we need. It is amazing that the tickets are going to be almost twice the amount of our home rental! Ouch!

I don't think we will need park hoppers this go around. We will explore a park for a day, then decide which parks to return to the remaining days. (with plenty of rest in between)

My eldest son wants to go to DisneyQuest, so I think I'll send his Dad with him for a morning during the week. I doubt we will go to a water park. We just have too many kids to keep an eye on. Maybe when they are older.

I have such a commando personality I'm afraid of overplanning. And I have to keep in mind that there is NO way we could do or see everything this trip, even with 9 days.

It is hard to imagine that we are deep into April already! Where does the time go?

 

[roxannensteve]

Subscribing

 

[blue_river]

I loved the description and list you posted about your parents

Looking forward to reading more but I have to run now and drive DD to school. I should have more comments later.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I just realized this morning that I make a mistake with my ADRs. I was so impressed with KarenRN's account of 50s Primetime Cafe that I rushed to call to make an ADR for our trip. Looking over my schedule this morning I realized that we would be having lunch at 12 there and dinner at 4 for our Fantasmic Package the same day! Not good planning, so I had to call to change some things around.

I've always been impressed with the reservationist at the dining number. They have helped a newbie like me to sort through the sea of possibilities. Well today's CM beats them all, hands down!

This CM needs to get into radio, he had the sexiest voice! lol I swear he sounded just like Clive Owen! Halfway into my conversation I could tell I was starting to blush in response to that smooth voice! I tried to think of something to continue the conversation...."can you check my wishes cruise information"....oh.."can you check on Cinderella's breakfast for me"...ha!

Now that's some Disney magic!!!

 

[Goofyluver]

June 11th-Monday in MK-

We plan to be there super early and take a break after lunch. We have ADR for the Crystal Palace to meet ...

Okay...meeska and I are going to be there the 9th throught the 17th!!! And, Monday is our MK day...AND...we have ADRs for Crystal Palace!!! What time is your ressie?

I would love to go to Coral Reef, but it seems to have such negative reviews and my internet friends tell me not to bother. Anyone with a good experience there? I read Karen's experience and it sounds like her entire family enjoyed themselves.

We are doing a mid-afternoon ADR for coral reef...but just for dessert. This way, you don't have to worry about the little expensive menu, but you can still check it out!!

I just realized this morning that I make a mistake with my ADRs. I was so impressed with KarenRN's account of 50s Primetime Cafe that I rushed to call to make an ADR for our trip. Looking over my schedule this morning I realized that we would be having lunch at 12 there and dinner at 4 for our Fantasmic Package the same day! Not good planning, so I had to call to change some things around.

I've always been impressed with the reservationist at the dining number. They have helped a newbie like me to sort through the sea of possibilities. Well today's CM beats them all, hands down!

This CM needs to get into radio, he had the sexiest voice! lol I swear he sounded just like Clive Owen! Halfway into my conversation I could tell I was starting to blush in response to that smooth voice! I tried to think of something to continue the conversation...."can you check my wishes cruise information"....oh.."can you check on Cinderella's breakfast for me"...ha!

Now that's some Disney magic!!!

Ermmmm...did you get his name...because last time I called I got a woman with a thick Jamaican accent and she did nothin' for me!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Our ADR for Crystal Palace is 11:30. It will be a breeze for you to pick us out. We will be the loudest table in the restaurant!

Just having dessert is a great option for Coral Reef.

Problem is I want to see/do it all!

 

[Goofyluver]

Our ADR for Crystal Palace is 11:30. It will be a breeze for you to pick us out. We will be the loudest table in the restaurant!

Just having dessert is a great option for Coral Reef.

Problem is I want to see/do it all!

OMG!!!!!! I sense a DIS meet! Our ADR is at 11:20...we'll be the family celebrating the birthday all in goofy-lookin' matchy matchy shirts!!!!!