Here we go AGAIN!

[samefay]

It's that time of year when my planning is in high gear. I just love planning these vacations. We had 15 in our group this January and it will be 14 of us this January. My DH dad decided not to go.
Cast of Characters - Myself (34), DH (35), & DD (6)

Then we have my husbands aunt and husband and their children/spouses and grandchildren.

We really had a blast last year. So as mentioned before, here we go again.

Guess before I get started I better post our dates:

January 17th, 2008-January 23rd, 2008

Our group of 3 went with the deluxe dining plan this year and the others went with the basic dining plan. This will take some of our time away from the group which I'm disappointed about but we really wanted to try some of the nicer restaurants and we are not big fans of counter service. We're FOODIES! I can understand why the rest of them went with the basic plan, 5 of the kids would be considered adults and they would not get their $$$'s worth.

Here's my plans so far, please let me know what you think.

Day 1 - arrival (NO PARKS)
WPC for lunch (my husband and I ate here in 2000 - wasn't memorable then, hoping for better food this time around)

Forgot to mention, don't worry about our little one - she loves food as much as we do - her favorites are snails, goat, duck, salmon, caviar ETC

Narcoossee's for dinner - we've never been here before and are looking forward to it - if anyone is still reading and has been here before please give me your honest opinion - will tennis shoes be out of place here?

Also, planning on doing the portrait session while at the Grand Floridian before dinner. Hoping to use some of the snack credits at Goofy's Candy Co. in DTD.

I'll post some more in a few minutes.

 

[samefay]

Day 2

Epcot - Princess Breakfast in Norway - we've had dinner here before and enjoyed it. Figured we'd try and do a lot of character meals for the little one. (Guess it doesn't hurt if we enjoy them too!)

We had Coral Reef planned for lunch but cancelled due to an EARLY supper. We will use this credit later.

We were trying to get all 14 of us to have dinner somewhere at 6 pm but couldn't find availability. We're going to the Chip and Dale Harvest feast at the Garden Grill. Our ADR is for 4:40. (So if you're here and you see a party of 14 you know we all made it!) We haven't been here before but the rest of the group had went a couple of years ago. The menu looks YUMMY!

Guess we'll fill in the gaps with a few snacks. The sweets in NORWAY look really awesome.

Our daughter loves doing the Junior Chef program with the cookies at The Land so I guess we'll do that again this time. Also, I would like for her to pick a pearl in Japan. Have any of you done it? Do you remember the cost or what size pearl you received?

Coming up DAY 3

 

[samefay]

We're going to try the 1900 Park Fair for Breakfast. We've never been here before and are looking forward to this meal. Do the CM's take photos at breakfast like they do at O'hana's?

Brief note as mentioned before - it'll just be the three of our group unless otherwise posted for dining.

After breakfast, we're going to meet up with the rest of the family at Universal Studios. This will be my first time going as DD & I skipped out last year. (I took her to BBB in DTD)
This year we purchased the 1 day 2 park tickets for IOA and US. I'm hoping we enjoy it - I'm such a Disney nut!

For dinner I had reservations at 7 pm for the Yachtsman Steakhouse but didn't think I would be able to keep them so I changed them to the Artist Point. That way when we get back we can run upstairs and freshen up before dinner. The rest of the gang will be at WCC. Don't know what we'll do after dinner.

 

[samefay]

Magic Kingdom and Extra Magic Hours

We have breakfast ADR's at Crystal Palace. We've been here for lunch and loved it. I was thinking about Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch - haven't been there either. Please give me your thoughts. Is it good? (Although, I've never tried Tony's Town Square either, I read that it would be closed during that time.)

Our dinner reservations are for the 14 of us at O'hana at 7 pm. This was a keeper from last year. It was the 1st for the others and they really ejoyed it. It's always a Dining "Must" for us. We've never had a bad meal there. We loved the old menu and the new. I do miss the shrimp on skewers and the shrimp wontons. However, I love the potatos over the rice (which I'm usually a rice girl) and while I love pineapple and caramel sauce you can't beat the other bread pudding!

Don't know how long we'll hold out tonight because we have a BIG day planned for Day 5.

Somethings I would like to do today:

Harmony Barber shop - pixie dust for DD
Would love to see the Flag Retreat - would like hubby to participate but with breakfast ressies so early don't think we could get to Town Hall first to put in the request. (He's active duty Air Force) (Working his way to retirement - 3 to go!)
Attractions to try that we haven't in the past - Laugh Floor and Stitch.
I've never rode Thunder Rail Road. I'm a chicken when it comes to rides like that - I didn't enjoy Goofy's rollercoaster at all but the little one did. So do you think I would like Thunder Mountain Rail Road?
Splash Mountain - never rode that either, closed last time while we were there and it looks like it'll be down this time too.

 

[mnmrmustard]

Hello hello!

Looks like you have it all wired in! You'll be yet another person I'll be grilling for info

I am planning for a family group that is at 10+ at this point - unfortunately we'll be leaving just as you arrive

I have the ADRs together and am putting together my itenerary now (I know what parks on what days ...just trying to figure out what we're doing in the parks - lol).

I look forward to sharing the excitement as our trips get closer!

 

[samefay]

mnmrmustard - thanks for replying. Feel free to grill away! I'll do my best to help if you have any questions.

This WAS our NO park day until PPP dates were released. I was keeping my fingers crossed.

First of all some of the guys are going fishing early AM. They leave right before 7 am and should be back by 9. This will be my husbands first time fishing at Disney. It'll be 3 of them going. We were told we could have a party of 5.

When they return, DH, DD, and I are going to O'hana for breakfast. We haven't been since Lilo and Stitch were introduced here.

Afternoon DD has a the Wonderland Tea Party reserved.

5:30 We're trying the California Grill for the first time followed by . . . . . .

The Pirate and Princess Party! I can't wait - hope the DD will enjoy this. I know I'm excited!

The rest of the group may go to Animal Kingdom and they have ressies for Chef Mickey's at 8 pm. (Only seating available)

If you do have a large party - Please make your ADR's way in advance to get the times and places you really want.

 

[samefay]

Our last full day

We're heading to MGM.

Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine

Thinking Mama Melrose for lunch - hoping it's good - reviews haven't been so kind lately

Concourse Steakhouse for dinner group of 14 at 6pm

Would you choose Mama Melrose or run to Epcot for lunch - as you see we don't have much time at MGM

It's the EMH night here so the park would close at 10 but running all the way to the Contemporary for dinner - I just don't think we'll have any time to make it back.

 

[mnmrmustard]

Looks like some very full days - and some good ADRs. What is PPP? Oh, never mind - it's Pirate n Princess Party, isn't it?

Good luck with Mama's, I too have heard some bad reviews of it. And yes, I have all my ADRs set and have just posted my itinerary ...which I'm sure I'll tweak a multitude of times before we leave

 

[jordanyosh]

Hello.

I would stay at MGM. I've eaten at Mama Melrose's a few years ago. It was good, but not memorable.

Brown Derby? Prime Time? Those would be my choices if you were going to stay in MGM.