Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog! LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!

[pinkxray]

I can't help you with the dinner ideas since we haven't tried them but I just wanted to say for an extra day at Disney!


I also love your reasons for going in Feb. I am trying to get DH to agree to going in Feb. this year. I have adr's booked and have been watching airfare. 2 days ago the flight I would pick jumped up $25. I told DH he just cost me $75 since he won't give me the final okay. I really hope they go back down

 

[tinacaplan]

I can't help you with the dinner ideas since we haven't tried them but I just wanted to say for an extra day at Disney!


I also love your reasons for going in Feb. I am trying to get DH to agree to going in Feb. this year. I have adr's booked and have been watching airfare. 2 days ago the flight I would pick jumped up $25. I told DH he just cost me $75 since he won't give me the final okay. I really hope they go back down

I hear you on the plane fare. It is ridiculous how quickly it goes up! Southwest's super cheap fares seem to sell out pretty fast. I assume that if you then wait it out, you can get lucky at the end, but I didn't want to risk it.

 

[tinacaplan]

OK, despite feeling like I'm talking to myself right now...I feel inspired to update my PTR with all of my most recent changes. As my husband rolls his eyes everytime I ask him something about our trip because he always says, you'll change it a million times before then, anyway! And just this minute we're all watching Monsters, Inc. for the first time and Max is loving it and screaming and laughing his head off!

We will now be departing on February 19 and staying for a full seven days. I can't believe how much an extra day (well, day and a half really, as we were set to fly in early evening on Sunday) threw my plans out of whack. Oh, yes, that and the changes at Chef Mickey's. Why, Disney, why?

Herewith, my ADRs (as of right now, you never know...)

Saturday, Arrival Day:
Dinner at Garden Grill

I was happy to change this as my husband and I both love EPCOT, its our favorite park. It makes me happy to think it will be the first park Max sees, as well as the first park of our trip.

Sunday:
Against my better judgement, I decided to go for it and head to the MK! I know that the crowds will be crazy, but..

Breakfast at Crystal Palace at 8:10

Looking forward to this, as I love Pooh and french toast. Oh, yeah, and I think we'll also love getting into MK ahead of most of the crowds. This will (hopefully) mean we can get some serious rides in.

Lunch will be snacks or shared counter service at MK or possibly back at CSR, depending on how insane it gets.

Dinner at Boma

We love AKL and I seriously considered staying there this trip. I think the full impact of the place will be lost on my son, as he isn't that into animals yet. Which is why having dinner there is perfect! I am hoping to take in more of the resort this time, including some of the overlooks.

Monday:
Back to EPCOT

Lunch at Via Napoli

Loved Tutto last year. The reviews and pictures I've seen for this place have me quite excited to give it a try.

Dinner at Ohana

Tuesday:
Animal Kingdom

Breakfast at Tusker House

We have the earliest ADR here.

Dinner at Beirgarten

Wednesday:
Hollywood Studios

Lunch at Sci-Fi

Dinner at California Grill

Thursday:
EPCOT

Lunch at Le Cellier

This one's new. I thought we'd give it a try and cheddar cheese soup and maple creme brulee sound too good to pass up. Plus, its location intrigued me on the last trip. The Canadian Pavillion is kind of neat.

Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Friday:
Magic Kingdom

Lunch at the Plaza

Dinner at Teppan Edo

This is also new. I wanted to end my trip (as we did last year) in EPCOT and its evening EMHs there, too. I think Max will be entertained by it and Mark and I love Japanese food and sushi, so we're excited about this.

 

[annmarieda]

OK, despite feeling like I'm talking to myself right now...I feel inspired to update my PTR with all of my most recent changes. As my husband rolls his eyes everytime I ask him something about our trip because he always says, you'll change it a million times before then, anyway! And just this minute we're all watching Monsters, Inc. for the first time and Max is loving it and screaming and laughing his head off!

We will now be departing on February 19 and staying for a full seven days. I can't believe how much an extra day (well, day and a half really, as we were set to fly in early evening on Sunday) threw my plans out of whack. Oh, yes, that and the changes at Chef Mickey's. Why, Disney, why?

Herewith, my ADRs (as of right now, you never know...)

Saturday, Arrival Day:
Dinner at Garden Grill

I was happy to change this as my husband and I both love EPCOT, its our favorite park. It makes me happy to think it will be the first park Max sees, as well as the first park of our trip.

Sunday:
Against my better judgement, I decided to go for it and head to the MK! I know that the crowds will be crazy, but..

Breakfast at Crystal Palace at 8:10

Looking forward to this, as I love Pooh and french toast. Oh, yeah, and I think we'll also love getting into MK ahead of most of the crowds. This will (hopefully) mean we can get some serious rides in.

Lunch will be snacks or shared counter service at MK or possibly back at CSR, depending on how insane it gets.

Dinner at Boma

We love AKL and I seriously considered staying there this trip. I think the full impact of the place will be lost on my son, as he isn't that into animals yet. Which is why having dinner there is perfect! I am hoping to take in more of the resort this time, including some of the overlooks.

Monday:
Back to EPCOT

Lunch at Via Napoli

Loved Tutto last year. The reviews and pictures I've seen for this place have me quite excited to give it a try.

Dinner at Ohana

Tuesday:
Animal Kingdom

Breakfast at Tusker House

We have the earliest ADR here.

Dinner at Beirgarten

Wednesday:
Hollywood Studios

Lunch at Sci-Fi

Dinner at California Grill

Thursday:
EPCOT

Lunch at Le Cellier

This one's new. I thought we'd give it a try and cheddar cheese soup and maple creme brulee sound too good to pass up. Plus, its location intrigued me on the last trip. The Canadian Pavillion is kind of neat.

Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Friday:
Magic Kingdom

Lunch at the Plaza

Dinner at Teppan Edo

This is also new. I wanted to end my trip (as we did last year) in EPCOT and its evening EMHs there, too. I think Max will be entertained by it and Mark and I love Japanese food and sushi, so we're excited about this.

Please don't feel like you are talking to yourself! I know I wonder that myself sometimes...but even if people are not posting...look at the views and you can see that people are reading.

Congrats on the recent change!! An extra day, thus full week...AWESOME!

I think you are going to like both Le Cellier and Teppan Edo. Both are in my favorites.

 

[tinacaplan]

Please don't feel like you are talking to yourself! I know I wonder that myself sometimes...but even if people are not posting...look at the views and you can see that people are reading.

Congrats on the recent change!! An extra day, thus full week...AWESOME!

I think you are going to like both Le Cellier and Teppan Edo. Both are in my favorites.

Thanks...I know. Yeah, I can't believe we're going for a whole week! This whole thing started out at five days. Oh, how these things can grow...

We're really looking forward to both restaurants.

 

[tinacaplan]

I don't know if you would technically call the customer service reps at the Disney Travel Company CMs or not, but I just called to officially modify my reservation (called Southwest first and I was just a tiny bit nervous I was going to be told I was out of luck at CSR!) and I swear I got Snow White on the phone! She was that chipper, practically singing her hello. She was quite helpful, added my building request (hello, Cabanas 8A with a waterview), asking if I wanted to add a celebration for myself...what, my son's first visit and Mark's fortieth aren't enough to celebrate?

Just a truly magical way to start my Sunday!

 

[eandesmom]

We will now arrive at MCO at 11:40 in the morning, which is the way I like it. This way, by the time we get to CSR, it is quite likely our room will be ready (or will be shortly) and we can rest and relax in the afternoon and I can unpack. I like to unpack everything and really get settled, especially if I'm going to be someplace for a whole week!

I made a 5:00 ADR for dinner at Chef Mickey's, after which we will make our way to the Magic Kingdom. Hopefully, we'll make to see Wishes, perhaps ride a ride or two and then head back to CSR.

Next day, we'll do EPCOT, as it will be the Sunday of Presiden'ts Weekend and I don't think trying to battle the crowds at MK will be worth it. I snagged a lunch ADR at Le Cellier...

And now I am stumped. I'm not sure what to do about one additiona dinner. I have the following thoughts:

1. Kouzinna
2. Flying Fish -- the red snapper was delicious and I LOVE the Boardwalk area
For a signature, it also seemed pretty laidback and casual.
3. Whispering Canyon Cafe -- sounds like it could be fun for Max, plus we can check out Wilderness Lodge, which I've never done. I have heard mixed reviews about the food, though.
4. Grand Floridian Cafe or Park Fare dinner -- just because I wouldn't mind paying GF a visit.

I am also going to add Boma in for dinner, so that takes care of going to Ak.

Thoughts? Please let me know your honest opinions! Thank you![/COLOR]

I love the flight trip night add on syndrome! I've experienced it myself.

So did you decide on the extra restaurant? confused on that part, the rest of the line up looks good.

We were there President's week in 09. Get to the parks EARLY and leverage EMH and it is doable. If memory serves the Sat and Mon/Tues were the worst, not Sun for some reason but I'd have to look at my notes.

 

[annmarieda]

I don't know if you would technically call the customer service reps at the Disney Travel Company CMs or not, but I just called to officially modify my reservation (called Southwest first and I was just a tiny bit nervous I was going to be told I was out of luck at CSR!) and I swear I got Snow White on the phone! She was that chipper, practically singing her hello. She was quite helpful, added my building request (hello, Cabanas 8A with a waterview), asking if I wanted to add a celebration for myself...what, my son's first visit and Mark's fortieth aren't enough to celebrate?

Just a truly magical way to start my Sunday!

 

[tinacaplan]

I love the flight trip night add on syndrome! I've experienced it myself.

So did you decide on the extra restaurant? confused on that part, the rest of the line up looks good.

We were there President's week in 09. Get to the parks EARLY and leverage EMH and it is doable. If memory serves the Sat and Mon/Tues were the worst, not Sun for some reason but I'd have to look at my notes.

I think its all part of some conspiracy on the part of the travel industry to get us to spend as much money as possible!

After that first post where I asked about the "extra" meals I decided to go with the extra day and started looking at my original Excel spreadsheet and realized that we didn't have any extra nights... although one question remains: do I cancel Chef Mickey's in favor of something else? I am very worried that with the new changes, I might be dissapointed. I don't think Max will be, as he has zero expectations for this trip, but I sure do!

Did you eat dinner at Whispering Canyon while you were at WL? I was thinking about that instead, as I'd like someplace near MK so we can head over there after dinner.

We were there for our anniversary trip over President's Week last year and I was expecting not to be able to move that week! It wasn't bad at all, actually. The key, definitely, is going to be making rope drop in the morning, which works with the typical schedule of a three year-old perfectly!

 

[MommaMouse411]

tina...sounds like a great "planned" trip!!

I am dying to eat at Bomas..pls take pics of the food for TR...

 

[tinacaplan]

tina...sounds like a great "planned" trip!!

I am dying to eat at Bomas..pls take pics of the food for TR...

We had breakfast at Boma on our last trip and it was great. Hope dinner is just as good! I will definitely take pictures!

 

[TexasBelle]

Just hoping over to say hello Planning on taking time tomorrow at work to read your Pre-Trip report.



Little Max is so cute. Can't wait to read about him and the plans for his 1st trip to DisneyWorld. Oh what fun that's going to be.

Have a great week.

TexasBelle

 

[eandesmom]

I think its all part of some conspiracy on the part of the travel industry to get us to spend as much money as possible!

After that first post where I asked about the "extra" meals I decided to go with the extra day and started looking at my original Excel spreadsheet and realized that we didn't have any extra nights... although one question remains: do I cancel Chef Mickey's in favor of something else? I am very worried that with the new changes, I might be dissapointed. I don't think Max will be, as he has zero expectations for this trip, but I sure do!

Did you eat dinner at Whispering Canyon while you were at WL? I was thinking about that instead, as I'd like someplace near MK so we can head over there after dinner.

We were there for our anniversary trip over President's Week last year and I was expecting not to be able to move that week! It wasn't bad at all, actually. The key, definitely, is going to be making rope drop in the morning, which works with the typical schedule of a three year-old perfectly!

I'm not up on what the changes are as CM has never made the cut for us so I am of zero help there! We did not eat dinner at WCC, just breakfast. Which was good but I will say if you just want a great character experience, Cape May for breakfast is

Yes, if we'd have made rope drop it would have been quite different to be sure.

 

[Mindy5767]

I'm not up on what the changes are as CM has never made the cut for us so I am of zero help there! We did not eat dinner at WCC, just breakfast. Which was good but I will say if you just want a great character experience, Cape May for breakfast is

Yes, if we'd have made rope drop it would have been quite different to be sure.

We're visiting Chef Mickey for the first time for our Thanksgiving dinner. My friend recently dined at Whispering Canyon. She said the food was HORRIBLE. She said the service was excellent, but the food just didn't cut it. We ate there for our Thanksgiving dinner 3 years ago and it was great, but that was a special Thanksgiving menu not the regular daily food. I will agree that Cape May is probably the best character breakfast we ever had in terms of food. We ate last July at Sanaa and it was fantastic and the service was great. I recommend it for your Animal Kingdom meal.

 

[TexasBelle]

Well...talked to my mother tonight and it is looking like our trip in February will be just Mark, Max, and I. While I'm sad that my parents won't be able to go, it will make planning a lot easier.

It also means that I have to re-think some things. For one, since it will be the three of us, I think we'll stay at CSR! My husband and I really loved it when we were there last February. Not only are the rooms wonderful and beautiful, but the transportation can't be beat. Doing my homework this time around has been interesting. Lots of people talk about how great being at a monorail resort is...how great is it if it takes twenty to twenty-five minutes to get to EPCOT on it? I really don't think it took us longer than fifteen minutes to get to any park, ever, from CSR.

And there is such a HUGE price difference between CSR and the Contemporary. I can't justify that at all, especially since CSR is so beautiful.

I am also considering doing the DxDDP, as well, because it gives us such a huge amount of flexibility and well...we don't like counter service much and I think Max will LOVE a lot of the character meals.

Onward with the planning....

I'm so excited to read this. Each day when I read more about CSR, I get really excited to know that it's going to such a fabulous place to stay!!!! Thanks for all the great information.
TexasBelle

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm so excited to read this. Each day when I read more about CSR, I get really excited to know that it's going to such a fabulous place to stay!!!! Thanks for all the great information.
TexasBelle

CSR really is wonderful. Let me know if you have any other questions and I hope you've checked out the CSR thread; its loaded with a ton of info!

 

[tinacaplan]

We're visiting Chef Mickey for the first time for our Thanksgiving dinner. My friend recently dined at Whispering Canyon. She said the food was HORRIBLE. She said the service was excellent, but the food just didn't cut it. We ate there for our Thanksgiving dinner 3 years ago and it was great, but that was a special Thanksgiving menu not the regular daily food. I will agree that Cape May is probably the best character breakfast we ever had in terms of food. We ate last July at Sanaa and it was fantastic and the service was great. I recommend it for your Animal Kingdom meal.

Well, then, you can let me know how Chef Mickey's is. I don't expect much in the way of food. And, wow, I didn't realize you were headed down for Thanksgiving. That would be wonderful.

 

[Mindy5767]

Well, then, you can let me know how Chef Mickey's is. I don't expect much in the way of food. And, wow, I didn't realize you were headed down for Thanksgiving. That would be wonderful.

Yeah, with three Disney visits this year, that makes 2010 The Year of Living Disney!! The most we ever visited in a single calendar year. We have previously done 3 visits in 12 months, but that wasn't a "calendar" year. We did Nov 2007, April 2008 and Oct 2008 (all with an AP). That 12 month cycle our average park day cost was $18.00 per/person. The reason for our 3 visits this year is more serendipity than insanity or a money tree! Several years ago, I told my son Max and his twin friends Eric and Kevin that if they all made Eagle scout together, then we'd go to Disney together to celebrate and stay at Saratoga. I told them the offer only applied if all three of them made it. They did. So, we had to go during spring break because they were all seniors and after graduation, they'd be scattering and busy with summer jobs and other things. So we went spring break which was the end of March/first two days of April. THEN...... AFTER that... my son ended up selecting Florida Institute of Technology as his college choice. He had been waiting to hear from VA Tech. He chose Florida Tech. So then in August, we took Max to college, did the parent orientation sessions, spent 2 days there, visited the beach (not a good beach day) paid too much to stay at the Hilton Oceanfront. Then afterward we took Heidi (DD8) to Disney (Pop Century) for 8 nights. We had just renewed our AP's with the DVC-renewal rate and still got the 3 month bonus (so our AP's are good for 15 months this time).

NEXT....Our school system announced that they had to furlough teachers for 2 days this year, and the teachers union had selected the first two days of Thanksgiving week as their choice. So now, we have the whole week off. So, instead of flying Max home for just a few days, we (me, DH, DD8, S, BIL, N14) are driving down to Florida instead and staying at SSR for 5 nights and Pop for 1 night. Max will meet us there. FIT is about an hour from Disney. So that's how we got The Year of Living Disney. This Nov trip is the "bonus" because we're mostly staying on points, our AP's are already paid for. We just need to pay for our food and our gas. The caveat is that my van needs new tires (NOW)! So... that will have to be paid for before we drive 900 miles in it. Our other vehicles are a Silverado extended cab/off road package (15 mpg) and DH's Honda Civic (stick-I can't drive).

We're now trying to figure out what we'll do for our 25th anniversary which is next June. I reminded DH that if we were going to stay at the Poly, which we had talked about, we'd be booking ADR's in just 3 months!! That probably won't work because our anniversary is June 29th, and we'll have just been to Florida to pick up Max from school. So, we'll likely pick someplace else. ??? Cruise maybe. I wish Disney cruises left from somewhere more local.

there is a rumor that they're going to position one ship to leave out of the port of New York!

 

[KatMark]

Love your dining places; hooray on the great CM and getting CSR for the extra night. As for WL, we hated it and won't go back (bad food, worse service). I hope you guys are all doing great (I'm trying to keep up on threads while here at Marco).

 

[tinacaplan]

Yeah, with three Disney visits this year, that makes 2010 The Year of Living Disney!! The most we ever visited in a single calendar year. We have previously done 3 visits in 12 months, but that wasn't a "calendar" year. We did Nov 2007, April 2008 and Oct 2008 (all with an AP). That 12 month cycle our average park day cost was $18.00 per/person. The reason for our 3 visits this year is more serendipity than insanity or a money tree! Several years ago, I told my son Max and his twin friends Eric and Kevin that if they all made Eagle scout together, then we'd go to Disney together to celebrate and stay at Saratoga. I told them the offer only applied if all three of them made it. They did. So, we had to go during spring break because they were all seniors and after graduation, they'd be scattering and busy with summer jobs and other things. So we went spring break which was the end of March/first two days of April. THEN...... AFTER that... my son ended up selecting Florida Institute of Technology as his college choice. He had been waiting to hear from VA Tech. He chose Florida Tech. So then in August, we took Max to college, did the parent orientation sessions, spent 2 days there, visited the beach (not a good beach day) paid too much to stay at the Hilton Oceanfront. Then afterward we took Heidi (DD8) to Disney (Pop Century) for 8 nights. We had just renewed our AP's with the DVC-renewal rate and still got the 3 month bonus (so our AP's are good for 15 months this time).

NEXT....Our school system announced that they had to furlough teachers for 2 days this year, and the teachers union had selected the first two days of Thanksgiving week as their choice. So now, we have the whole week off. So, instead of flying Max home for just a few days, we (me, DH, DD8, S, BIL, N14) are driving down to Florida instead and staying at SSR for 5 nights and Pop for 1 night. Max will meet us there. FIT is about an hour from Disney. So that's how we got The Year of Living Disney. This Nov trip is the "bonus" because we're mostly staying on points, our AP's are already paid for. We just need to pay for our food and our gas. The caveat is that my van needs new tires (NOW)! So... that will have to be paid for before we drive 900 miles in it. Our other vehicles are a Silverado extended cab/off road package (15 mpg) and DH's Honda Civic (stick-I can't drive).

We're now trying to figure out what we'll do for our 25th anniversary which is next June. I reminded DH that if we were going to stay at the Poly, which we had talked about, we'd be booking ADR's in just 3 months!! That probably won't work because our anniversary is June 29th, and we'll have just been to Florida to pick up Max from school. So, we'll likely pick someplace else. ??? Cruise maybe. I wish Disney cruises left from somewhere more local.

there is a rumor that they're going to position one ship to leave out of the port of New York!

WOW! Good for you. I can only dream of someday making it to Disney three times in one year. I'm just hoping we make it once a year at this point and I'll be quite satisfied.

And if they did have a ship out of NYC, I'd be on it in a hearbeat! That would be amazing.