Here We Go Again! A PTR Chapter 19- Some PreTrip Ramblings Updated 7/30/09

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I find that the ADR's are the hardest decision I have to make for a trip. Looks like you made some great choices.

The T-Rex was VERY loud so make sure to bring those earplugs for Jimmy. It is a very neat looking restaurant though, the Build-A-Dino is very cute, if you want to save your wallet don't let Jimmy see it.

 

[cmp1111]

We really all love Boma - I hope you do, too. I'm glad you got what you wanted, and yay for good CM Kim!

 

[KathyRN137]

Hooray for the Hoop-Dee-Doo!!!

I love that show! You will have so much fun...Jimmy is at just the right age and will think the corny jokes are hysterical!!

Good DIS-Strategy to call back and get a more knowlegable CM! (You must've been dying, though!!)


Kathy

 

[jcc0621]

One of the things I forgot to mention in the last chapter was the fact that we are celebrating Jimmy’s 6th Birthday while we are at WDW. His Birthday isn’t while we are on our trip, but we always try to do something special while we are the since his birthday usually falls on the first day Jim is due back at school.

Usually we just pick one day as his birthday celebration day and he gets to where his birthday pin. Once he had a balloon and a card from mickey in the room when we returned one evening.

This year, with “What Will You Celebrate?” as the theme we decided to do a few little extras. Especially since trip while his 6th birthday celebration is also his “I’m going to 1st grade” celebration. He is very excited about 1st grade!

Because of this I check out several of the extra options Disney is offering this year as part of this new theme.

Priced out the Mickey and Pals Birthday Wish In Room Celebration:

Imagine stepping into your resort room and discovering that Mickey Mouse and the gang have left you a personalized Birthday Surprise! All around the room, large, colorful packages have your name on them; themed to Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Pluto, these presents create a festive environment! On the wall hangs a bright Birthday Banner and there's also a colorful mylar balloon bouquet awaiting the birthday recipient. (Please note: Guests of Disney's Animal Kingdom will receive a canvas Disney tote in place of the balloon bouquet, for the protection of the animals.) There’s even an Autograph Book on the table, signed to you by Mickey Mouse himself. And if you take a peek around, you’ll find Tinker Bell's shadow; she’s come by to sprinkle Pixie Dust on you! All of this is not only there for you to enjoy – every piece is meant for you to take home!
Mickey Mouse's Birthday Present
• This 15” box sits on the bed with a large, Mickey Mouse plush beside it. Around his neck is a Light-Up Lanyard for the Birthday person to wear. It says, “It's My Birthday!”
• Mickey Mouse Ears embroidered with the Birthday person’s name.
• Mickey Mouse and the Gang Picture Frame which includes a personalized message from Mickey Mouse.
Minnie Mouse's Birthday Present
• Minnie Mouse's pretty package sits on the table waiting for you.
• Open the lid and find a smaller golden box nestled inside – inside that is a decorative, chocolate, Candy “Cake” that Minnie Mouse has made just for you!
Donald Duck's Birthday Present
• This box sits on the other bed and is full of Donald Duck's gifts just for you.
• Donald's choices are "quacky" and lots of fun!
• And, to top it off, you'll know Donald was there by the white feathers he left behind!
Goofy's Birthday Present
• Inside Goofy's box is the resort room phone; if you call the number on the card attached, you’ll hear Goofy sing his Birthday wish to you!
• The gifts in his box include sweet keepsakes of "Goofy" memories!
Pluto's Birthday Present
• Pluto's a puppy who’s taken care of this party’s hunger!
• Inside his box are delightful treats specially chosen by Pluto himself including dog-bone-shaped Krispy bars for "people" placed in an adorable dog bowl, and set on a Pluto placemat!
• Pluto is big on dog collars, so he thought a nice surprise would also be a "human collar" (a Disney lanyard that includes a starter pin set!)

Mickey and Pals Big Birthday Wish – $395

A smaller package just from Mickey Mouse is available too! It includes:
• A festive Balloon Decoration and Birthday Banner to set the stage for celebration.
• An Autograph Book with a personalized Mickey Mouse signature.
• Mickey Mouse's Birthday Present (details above)
• A Candy "Cake" that Minnie Mouse has made just for you
• And don’t forget Tinker Bell … look for her shadow … she’s come to sprinkle your Birthday with Pixie Dust!

Mickey's Birthday Wish – $210

More Magical Offerings
Perhaps you'd like to add something special to your Magical Birthday celebration. How about one of these?
• A Pirate's Life – A Pirate hat filled with candy and treasure, sure to please any Mate.
• Princess Proclamation – Proclaim your loved one a Princess with a royal moment to remember.
• Wishing Rose and Bracelet – A Pixie Dusted Rose brings special wishes along with a Tiffany inspired Wish Bracelet.

After Jim and I and then I came up with these offerings:

At our Boma Dinner Jimmy is going to receive a:

CELEBRATE TODAY! Party Favor Bag: Add a little magic and transform your dining into an instant party with any or all of the following festive options, a goodie bag that contains a Mickey party hat, fun game, coloring book and crayons, or a deluxe goodie bag that has all the goodie bag components, PLUS a magnet activity set and Mickey shaped straw all in a special celebration tote. No notice is necessary; available at Character Dining and buffet locations.

And at our last TS meal ‘Ohana he is going to receive:

My Mini Surprise Pirate Cake: Our new personal-size party cakes come in a special Disney Princess Jewelry Box or Pirates Treasure Chest container, with a special surprise toy! They make the perfect treat to a Disney dining celebration. Available at Character dining and buffet locations.

Up Next: Why does Jim's Life Insurance Need to be increased?

 

[jcc0621]

The T-Rex was VERY loud so make sure to bring those earplugs for Jimmy. It is a very neat looking restaurant though, the Build-A-Dino is very cute, if you want to save your wallet don't let Jimmy see it.

I have heard the Build a Dino is expensive. DOn't know if it can top the $50 Cat In the hat we have

We really all love Boma - I hope you do, too. I'm glad you got what you wanted, and yay for good CM Kim!

I really hope we lke it too. This is the one that Jim really wants to go too!

I love that show! You will have so much fun...Jimmy is at just the right age and will think the corny jokes are hysterical!!
Kathy

How was Billy with the noise? Did you use ear plugs for this show for him?

 

[jordanyosh]

J,

I'm glad you got your ADRs! Congrats.

I've only been to Prime Time on your list of ADRs. I think I'm looking to try some different restaurants and we'll be traveling with a ton of kids...can you give me some reviews on the ones on your list that you've been to before...

Thanks.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Congrats on scoring all of your ADR's. I remember those nervous clicking moments! My first call didn't go well either. I said I wanted to make an ADR and the got "Uh...........I'm not familiar with that. Do you you mean dining reservation?"

I had to LOL on the cheer competitions & Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's house!

I too had a bit of a fright at the prices for those birthday gifts. Holy Freaking Cow Ethel!

OH, and kudos on the flight. That's nifty savings right there!

 

[jcc0621]

I've only been to Prime Time on your list of ADRs. I think I'm looking to try some different restaurants and we'll be traveling with a ton of kids...can you give me some reviews on the ones on your list that you've been to before...
Thanks.

The character meals we have done:

Crystal Palace for Breakfast (Pooh and Friends) - LOVE this one. Especially if you can get an 8:00am ADR and get in the park before opening. Food is good and the character interaction is great. It is a buffet. Others have been for lunch and dinner but I have never been.

'Ohana for Breakfast (Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, Pluto) - This one is okay, depending on where you sit and your server. Food is good. Character interaction is great! Served family style. They bring out woks filled with eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, and mickey waffles. They keep filling it as much as you want. THey have parade for the kids which is really cute too.

Tusker House Breakfast (Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy and Minnie). This one was ok. I found it to be a bit chaotic and loud), but again the food is good (buffet) and its great if you can get an 8:00am ADR and get in before the park opens!

Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios (Playhouse Disney JoJo, GOliath, The little EInsteins) Buffet. Good Food. Great character interaction adn CM's comout and sing Playhouse Disney Songs and get the kids interacting and dancing.

1900 Park Faire and the GF Dinner (Cinderella, PC, and the Step-Family) Buffet. The Step Family is worth the price IMHO, but the food was good too.

Liberty Tree DOesn't have characters anymore

Congrats on scoring all of your ADR's. I remember those nervous clicking moments! My first call didn't go well either. I said I wanted to make an ADR and the got "Uh...........I'm not familiar with that. Do you you mean dining reservation?"

It's bad when we know more than the CM's do

I too had a bit of a fright at the prices for those birthday gifts. Holy Freaking Cow Ethel!

I'd have to remortgage the house for one of those

Thanks for reading!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Your ADR's sound great!

HEY! Don't ! I'm ordering the Mickey Birthday surprise for Evan! Well, the cheaper one, naturally. Of course Andy doesn't know how much it costs. Wait until he gets that bill!

Sounds like you've got food and celebrations covered!

 

[KathyRN137]

How was Billy with the noise? Did you use ear plugs for this show for him?

No ear plugs were necessary at HDDR... and we had a table near the stage, too! He really enjoyed the music and singing... it wasn't too loud for him at all.

Only issue we had was that he was so wrapped up in watching the show, he hardly ate any food!

Kathy

 

[PrincessV]

In the meantime I did what any self respecting planner would do, I went to the Unofficial Guide website and started planning what days I would be at what parks. I followed their best park days the last couple of years and they haven’t let me down.

We don’t really hop. We usually go to one park in the am stay until we don’t feel like it anymore and go back to the room and maybe swim for the evening. We have been enough times that we don’t feel the need to ride everything and if we miss something we will get to it next time.

We've kind of gotten to that point, too. The only reason we hop anymore is for dinner at EP.

Jimmy had 3 requests…he wants to eat with Chip and Dale (Garden Grill...

Ummm... we should talk. Or just stay tuned to the next installment in my PTR.

We also wanted to try T-Rex at DTD, which is not on the DDP. Jimmy loves Dinosaurs, I’m just leary about the noise level. I think if we bring his ear plugs we should be ok.

Totally worth the earplugs - Leo LOVED it!

Up Next: Why does Jim's Life Insurance Need to be increased?

WHAT?!?!

Love the Celebrate gifts, BTW!

 

[KatGarcia]

Holy package prices Batman! yeesh. But the ones you picked are really cute!!!!

The ADRs sound great, I'm excited to go back to 50's again, we loved it on our honeymoon but haven't been back since!

 

[DisneyJo]

Woohooo on getting all the ADR's and so pleased I could help with the T-Rex number!

All Ellie's friends loved the party bags from Disney, Jimmy will adore it all oh and I saw the cake IRL and they're so cute!

I'm so pleased I got my in-room celebration package free as they are rather pricey aren't they

 

[jcc0621]

HEY! Don't ! I'm ordering the Mickey Birthday surprise for Evan! Well, the cheaper one, naturally. Of course Andy doesn't know how much it costs. Wait until he gets that bill!

I won't tell

No ear plugs were necessary at HDDR... and we had a table near the stage, too! He really enjoyed the music and singing... it wasn't too loud for him at all.

Only issue we had was that he was so wrapped up in watching the show, he hardly ate any food!

Kathy

Thanks! I think Jimmy is really going to like it!

Ummm... we should talk. Or just stay tuned to the next installment in my PTR.

Uh oh...I don't like the sound of this!

The ADRs sound great, I'm excited to go back to 50's again, we loved it on our honeymoon but haven't been back since!

We are really looking forward to this one!

Woohooo on getting all the ADR's and so pleased I could help with the T-Rex number!

All Ellie's friends loved the party bags from Disney, Jimmy will adore it all oh and I saw the cake IRL and they're so cute!

I'm so pleased I got my in-room celebration package free as they are rather pricey aren't they

Just a bit

 

[debraW76]

Hi Janet. Your ADRs look great! We had to cancel the Trex because of booking Tau's birthday party (it was $350). But I think the kids will have a great time at the party and we can always eat at Trex next time.

We are doing 50's this time too and loved Tusker house last time

 

[jordanyosh]

Thanks for the Character Breakfast reviews. It'll come in handy with perhaps 7 kids traveling with us.

 

[jcc0621]

Why would I need to up Jim's life insurance. Well, wonderful wife that I am, I got Jim the RIchard Petty Ride ALong Experience for Christmas. Yes, I am voluntarily allowing him to go really really fast around a Nascar track...but here is the kicker, someone else is driving

I had considered this for him before but always found a reason not too. Not enough time, too much money, etc. But then by good Dis Friend Homeschool_Mama (Dawn) purchased the same package for her DH. I thought, why not I think Jim will really like it.

Here is the description form the Richard Petty site:

Ride-Along Experiences
Experience real life racing thrills by riding shotgun in a 2-seat NASCAR-style stock car driven by one of our professional instructors

3-lap qualifying run at speeds at speeds up to 165 MPH

The Ride-Along program is operated at over 20 locations
The normal price is $109.00 per person. At Christmas time there was a special, so it only cost $59.00 Jim is really looking forward to this.

Jimmy will be ticked that he can't go too, but he will like seeing all the cars.

Now, Dawn's DH K did this during their last trip, and she said he liked it but was almost not able to go because he was wearing rubber soled shoes (is that right Dawn?). I need to call down there and see what kind of shoes he needs, becasue I think all the shoes Jim owns are rubber soled

I also need to find out what time they start during the day, because you just show up..don't make ressies and I would like to do this first thing in the morning.

Now, how much should I up that life insurance too

Next: I have no idea. When I think of it I will let you know

 

[DisneyJo]

I'm sure he's going to love it and weird about the shoes

 

[KathyRN137]

Great present at a great discount!! Jim is sure to love it!!


Kathy

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Awesome idea! I'm sure DH will have a great time!