How Many People Are Going on This Trip? A Feb 2014 PTR - TR Link Posted 2/21!!

[Pluto0809]

Before I start on our arrival day, here’s the dates that everyone will be there.

Me and Mom: February 8th – 15th
John & Jocelyn: February 8th – 12th, then they will be heading to Universal from the 13th – 15th.
Bob & Pat: February 8th – 11th
Jim: February 9th – 11th
Morgan & her family: February 8th – 14th
Everyone else: I have no clue

As you can see by the dates, Bob & Pat will only be there for four days and one of those will be taken up by the wedding. It was my job to make us a schedule that would get as much park time as possible for them without exhausting everyone. Not an easy task at Disney! To make things worse, Disney did not release park hours for February until well after our ADR date. I had to pick all of our park days and schedule our ADRs blind.

We scheduled our flights for fairly early in the morning but everyone is arriving from different states and therefore different times.

I do not know when Jordan, Abby and Sadie or Sydney and Kevin arrive. The first flight I am aware of lands at 9:45 am. On that flight will be Mom, John, Jocelyn, Esther, Jim, Morgan and her family. Next, I land at 10:20 am. Bob and Pat are last to arrive and they land at 11:20 am.

I’m going to try to send John & Jocelyn ahead so they can get an extra hour in the parks but I don’t know if they will go. If anything, Mom and I will for sure wait at the airport for Bob & Pat to arrive.

We will then head to the DME to catch a bus to our resort.



Where are we staying, you ask? If you haven’t figured it out by my ticker, we are at All Star Sports. Mom and I wanted to do a moderate but most of the group wanted to go as cheap as possible. I don’t mind, I’ve never stayed at All Star Sports (how do you abbreviate that without swearing?) so this will be another one to check off my list.

Once we arrive at the resort we will check in and then if the rooms are ready, drop off our bags. I think by this time we will be hungry so it will be time to check out the newly renovated food court. They added three “make your own” stations, pasta, salad and burgers plus they also have gelato now. I wasn’t thrilled about our first meal being at the resort food court but now that they’ve added some stuff I’m kind of excited.

After lunch, me, Mom, Bob and Pat (and John & Jocelyn if they didn’t go ahead) will head out to the bus stops to catch a ride to our first park, Hollywood Studios. As far as I know Morgan and her gang are not going to a park on this day. They have the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner that night so there’s really no time for them to head to a park. I have a feeling they will probably relax at the resort and maybe do some swimming if it’s warm enough.



I am expecting HS to be very crowded on this day because it’s Saturday and there are morning EMH. Of course I didn’t know about the morning EMH when I made our plans since the hours were so late in posting.

Our first stop is probably going to be here:



We have a FP+ for 2:10 – 3:10 pm. Yeah, we probably don’t really need the FP+ for the GMR but with the new tiering system, there’s not much else to choose from. Plus with the tight schedule, every minute we can save will be worth it.

After we ride GMR, I’m not sure what we will do next. I plan on listing out the different shows for Bob & Pat, maybe on the bus ride to the park. If they are interested in any of those we might try to catch one or two.

Sometime close to 4:30 pm, we will need to head down Sunset Blvd to our second FP+. Mom and I spent a long time discussing whether we would hit RnRC or TSM with my aunt and uncle since they are both 1st tier rides now and you can only choose one of them. Mom decided that RnRC would be better because they like coasters. Our FP+ is from 3:50 pm – 4:50 pm and I want to hit it as close to the end of the time as possible. You’ll see why in a minute.



I’m hoping that I won’t feel yucky again riding the coaster like I did on the October trip. Its Mom’s favorite though so I’ll tough it out for her!

Our final FP+ for the day is this baby:



The time is 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm so that’s why we need to hit RnRC near the end of the FP+. That way we won’t have to go back down Sunset Blvd for TOT.

We’ll see what else we can catch after TOT but we need to exit the park by 6 pm so there may not be time for much.

We will be catching a boat and heading to the Beach Club for dinner here:





John & Jocelyn picked all of the restaurants for the time they are with us at WDW. Mom and I go more often so we let them have their choices this time. Mom and I ate at Cape May in 2012 and I guess we raved so much about it that they wanted to try it too. Our ADR is for 7 pm and hopefully everyone will enjoy the seafood buffet.

After dinner, we will walk through Epcot to catch a bus back to our resort. Mom is hoping we may have time for a drink in WS but I don’t think it will be possible with Epcot closing at 9 pm. If anything, we may catch Illuminations if anyone is interested because we won’t be able to see it on our Epcot day.

Up Next: Sunday, Feb 9th, 2014 AK & Epcot

 

[Chicago Mo]

Nothing like hitting the ground RUNNING!
Wow i cannot wait for the trip report on this! PLEASE take a ton of pictures with that awesome camera you have!!!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

HS first!! Looks like you have some good rides picked out. CAPE MAY!! That was one of the places that WAS going to be an ADR for us for last year. I will try it someday!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Not trying to throw a monkey wrench on the FP+ plan that arrival day BUT I'm confused I thought since RNRC and TOT are both considered Tier 1 rides that you have to either or pick ? Isn't it only 3 FP+ per day in one park and only one choice can be Tier 1 ?


and FYI All Star Sports = AS (space) Sports the others are ASMO and ASMU

 

[Disney9.9.10]

It is so hard to plan a trip for a big group when everyone has different arrival/departure days and times. I had to do some of this for our wedding trip, and it was exhausting! I hope that everything works out well for you though.

You have a great first day planned for everyone

We've stayed at All Star Sports before. It isn't my favourite resort, but it was always clean, it has a great Disney atmosphere, and well, it is much better than being at home! I'm interested to read some reports about the changes to the dining area too, from what I've seen so far, it looks pretty nice.

 

[Sparkly]

Following! We're off in Feb 2014 too

That's a LOT of people going, sounds fun but also a bit chaotic!

 

[PrincessInOz]

That's a lot of organisation! Hope all your FP+ selections work out. I'm with Ruthie....are you able to book both ToT and RnRC on the same day?

 

[DMGeurts]

Not trying to throw a monkey wrench on the FP+ plan that arrival day BUT I'm confused I thought since RNRC and TOT are both considered Tier 1 rides that you have to either or pick ? Isn't it only 3 FP+ per day in one park and only one choice can be Tier 1 ?


and FYI All Star Sports = AS (space) Sports the others are ASMO and ASMU

That's a lot of organisation! Hope all your FP+ selections work out. I'm with Ruthie....are you able to book both ToT and RnRC on the same day?

From what I have read (and you may want to research yourselves, because I cannot remember where I read it...) - I thought that TSM and RnR are Tier 1, and ToT and a few others are Tier 2? But, like I said, I could be very wrong. If it were me, and I was deciding the tiering - I would say that TSM, RnR and ToT would all be Tier 1. But I remember thinking specifically to myself that it was strange ToT was in a different tiering bracket than the others, as it's a very popular ride. It works to the Guest's benefit if this truly is the case though.

D~

 

[disneychic2]

Hope you don't mind if I join in. I'll be there the same time you will. I'll keep my eye out for a large, crazy, fun-loving group!

Your plans sound great so far. I don't think I could ever go to HS and NOT do TSM, but that's just me. I wouldn't want to skip RnRC or TOT either, come to think of it. I hope you have a wonderful time, despite the headaches of planning and keeping things straight. I would love to attend a wedding at Disney, just because I think it would be such a romantic setting. I have one more child who isn't married yet and he lives in Florida, so maybe one day...

Can't wait to see your other plans. Keep em coming, and thanks for letting me tag along.

 

[KatMark]

I don't know how you keep track of that many people's plans.

I always abbreviate All Star Sports as ASSports...figured I was safe that way. We stayed there for two nights in 2000; we moved two days later to the Coronado and that's how we fell in love with CSR (after two nights at AASports, I had to get out of there before I strangled someone; in all fairness, we were there with a huge group of baseball and softball players...but it drove me batty).

Love that you are going to a park on arrival day and riding my favorite ride too. Love me some TOT.

Nice way to end your day with dinner at Cape May.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Something else to consider in planning In case anyone in your group wants to see Indiana Jones show that is closed the day you arrive Cheerleader/Dance competition going on that week .and they use that area .God I feel like the bearer of bad news....sorry ...but OTOH knowledge is power right

 

[missangelalexis]

Sounds like a good plan for the first day! I think you made good choices for your FP+ selections. It really does stink that it's tiered though. Kudos to you for planning for so many people, I'm sure it's not an easy task!

 

[Pluto0809]

Nothing like hitting the ground RUNNING!
Wow i cannot wait for the trip report on this! PLEASE take a ton of pictures with that awesome camera you have!!!

Oh, don't worry, I plan on embarrassing the heck out of my family with my photo taking. Especially the food porn!

HS first!! Looks like you have some good rides picked out. CAPE MAY!! That was one of the places that WAS going to be an ADR for us for last year. I will try it someday!

We actually had Epcot on tap for the first day but switched because Morgan's group is heading to Epcot on Sunday. I'm hoping we have a little bit of time with her family. Cape May is awesome. Funny thing is my favorite dish was the beef short ribs and dumplings. I really hope that is on the buffet this time.

Not trying to throw a monkey wrench on the FP+ plan that arrival day BUT I'm confused I thought since RNRC and TOT are both considered Tier 1 rides that you have to either or pick ? Isn't it only 3 FP+ per day in one park and only one choice can be Tier 1 ?


and FYI All Star Sports = AS (space) Sports the others are ASMO and ASMU

If you can believe it, TOT is 2nd tier! 1st tier at HS is TSM, RnRC, B&TB and Fantasmic. I don't quite get the B&TB and Fantasmic in the 1st tier but I'm not complaining because we get to ride both RnRC and TOT.

It is so hard to plan a trip for a big group when everyone has different arrival/departure days and times. I had to do some of this for our wedding trip, and it was exhausting! I hope that everything works out well for you though.

It has been exhausting and a bit stressful planning for this trip. Of course that's mainly because I want everyone to have the best time possible!

You have a great first day planned for everyone

We've stayed at All Star Sports before. It isn't my favourite resort, but it was always clean, it has a great Disney atmosphere, and well, it is much better than being at home! I'm interested to read some reports about the changes to the dining area too, from what I've seen so far, it looks pretty nice.

I stayed at All Star Music last March and it was fine. I definitely prefer POP as my go to value although I haven't stayed at AOA yet.

Following! We're off in Feb 2014 too

That's a LOT of people going, sounds fun but also a bit chaotic!

So what are your dates? Do they overlap with mine? If you see me, feel free to stop and say hi.

 

[Pluto0809]

That's a lot of organisation! Hope all your FP+ selections work out. I'm with Ruthie....are you able to book both ToT and RnRC on the same day?

It has been a lot of work! Yep, you can book both because TOT is actually a 2nd tier ride.

From what I have read (and you may want to research yourselves, because I cannot remember where I read it...) - I thought that TSM and RnR are Tier 1, and ToT and a few others are Tier 2? But, like I said, I could be very wrong. If it were me, and I was deciding the tiering - I would say that TSM, RnR and ToT would all be Tier 1. But I remember thinking specifically to myself that it was strange ToT was in a different tiering bracket than the others, as it's a very popular ride. It works to the Guest's benefit if this truly is the case though.

D~

You are correct, TOT is tier 2. The 1st tier rides/shows at DHS are TSM, RnRC, B&TB and Fantasmic. I guess putting all three of the major attractions in tier 1 might have caused some serious complaining!

Hope you don't mind if I join in. I'll be there the same time you will. I'll keep my eye out for a large, crazy, fun-loving group!

I don't mind at all! And if you see me, please stop and say hi! I think it would be awesome to be recognized, my family will think I'm a celebrity or something.

Your plans sound great so far. I don't think I could ever go to HS and NOT do TSM, but that's just me. I wouldn't want to skip RnRC or TOT either, come to think of it. I hope you have a wonderful time, despite the headaches of planning and keeping things straight. I would love to attend a wedding at Disney, just because I think it would be such a romantic setting. I have one more child who isn't married yet and he lives in Florida, so maybe one day...

Oh, we are going back to HS later in the week and we will be riding TSM that day. It's one of my favorite rides at WDW and I wouldn't miss it! I can't wait to see how the wedding turns out!

Can't wait to see your other plans. Keep em coming, and thanks for letting me tag along.

Glad you joined in, a new update is coming up next.

I don't know how you keep track of that many people's plans.

It's been quite the task! You should see my spreadsheet. I e-mailed it to the people in my group and didn't get one comment back from them. I think I might have scared them a bit.

I always abbreviate All Star Sports as ASSports...figured I was safe that way. We stayed there for two nights in 2000; we moved two days later to the Coronado and that's how we fell in love with CSR (after two nights at AASports, I had to get out of there before I strangled someone; in all fairness, we were there with a huge group of baseball and softball players...but it drove me batty).

I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about the resort. I didn't mind ASMu last March but it wasn't noisy probably because it was so cold and no one wanted to be outside!

Love that you are going to a park on arrival day and riding my favorite ride too. Love me some TOT.

I actually did not like TOT because it made me sick. But once I started to take the motion sickness pills, I now love it!

Nice way to end your day with dinner at Cape May.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to all the meals on this trip!

Something else to consider in planning In case anyone in your group wants to see Indiana Jones show that is closed the day you arrive Cheerleader/Dance competition going on that week .and they use that area .God I feel like the bearer of bad news....sorry ...but OTOH knowledge is power right

Thank you for this information! I don't really care one way or another about that show and it will be one less for the others to choose from. Might make the decision easier for them!

Question though, is it just closed that day or for the whole week? We are going back to DHS on Tues Feb 11th. I think Morgan's gang is headed there on Thurs Feb 13th. I'm wondering too if that is why Sci Fi is closing at 5:30 pm that Tuesday? We had a reservation at 6:00 pm but I got an e-mail from Disney asking me to move it to earlier.

Sounds like a good plan for the first day! I think you made good choices for your FP+ selections. It really does stink that it's tiered though. Kudos to you for planning for so many people, I'm sure it's not an easy task!

I know I don't like the tiering thing at DHS or Epcot! There were no tiers when I went in October and I loved the FP+ system. Not sure how much I like it now with the tiering. Guess I'll find out in a few weeks!

 

[Pluto0809]

Bob & Pat have never been to Animal Kingdom because it wasn’t open the last time they were at WDW. When we first started planning the trip, they said they were not interested in going to a zoo. Mom and I talked them into at least hitting the park for a few hours because AK is so much more than a zoo. We wanted them to at least see the park and experience the main rides.

So we will be headed to AK for the morning on Sunday. Morgan and her gang are at Epcot for the entire day so we might see them some in the afternoon.



I’m going to try to push everyone to get to the park at rope drop but it’s going to be hard because John and Jocelyn are not morning people. We’ll probably grab breakfast at the food court before we catch the bus.

Everyone by now should know what I will most likely have.



Yep, a banana and a bagel. That’s my go to breakfast at Disney because I have some minor stomach issues and can’t eat a lot of grease in the mornings. I may have to break down at least one morning and have some Mickey Waffles though. As for everyone else, well who knows?

Once we are through the gates at AK we will head straight to EE to brave the Yeti.



Then it will be time to see some wildlife on the Safari.



Once the safari is finished, I’m hoping we will still have some time to venture into Dinoland for a ride on Dinosaur.



I had also planned to take them to a FOLK show but it will be closed while we are there. I want to be headed out of the park and onto a bus to Epcot by 11 am at the latest.

Our first order of business at Epcot will be some lunch. Mom really wants to eat at Yorkshire Fish again but I think we will end up at Sunshine Seasons instead because it has more variety and it is closer to the front of the park.



Our first FP+ for the day is Spaceship Earth from 1 pm – 2 pm.



I’m hoping to hit it as close to 1 pm as possible then we will head over to Test Track.



I choose to get a FP+ for Soarin’ so we don’t have one for TT. If the line is over 20 minutes which is almost a certainty, we will use the single rider line.

Next we will go to the Seas building.



I don’t know if we will actually go on the Nemo ride but we will at least spend some time in the building because John & Jocelyn love looking at the sea life. I’m not sure if Bob and Pat will enjoy it since they didn’t want to go to a “zoo” but they will just have to live. If they are really bored I can always send them over to Figment. I want to take John & Jocelyn to a Turtle Talk show so hopefully there will be time.

Our next FP+ is 2:15 – 3:15 for Living With the Land. Another one that you really don’t need a FP for but I have seen the line get up to 40 minutes before.



Once again I want to use the FP+ as close to the end as possible so we can go straight to Soarin’ after to use our 3:15 – 4:15 FP+.



Soarin’ is the last thing I have planned in Future World. I may see what time it is and maybe suggest Figment or Mission Space. I know Mom doesn’t want to ride either of those but I’m not sure about anyone else. We rode Ellen's ride in 2010 and none of us were impressed so I seriously doubt we will waste the time for that ride this trip. Then we will head back into World Showcase starting on the Mexico side.



If we hit WS at around 4 pm like I want to, we will have about 3 ½ hours to spend in the countries. We will explore the shops and maybe catch a ride or show if we have time.



I might have to have a glass of my favorite wine in Italy.



Or maybe one of these in France:



Whatever we do, we will need to end up in Canada by 7:30 so we can check in for 7:45 pm dinner at Le Cellier. My Aunt Esther and Uncle Jim will be joining us for dinner this evening so we will be a party of 8.



John has wanted to eat here since 2010. I tried to get us a reservation for that trip but I did not know about the 180 day rule and could not get us a reservation. It amazes me how I managed to plan that trip with as little as I knew about Disney at that time.

Mom and I did eat at Le Cellier in 2012 and loved it. We are both very much looking forward to going back. I can’t wait to eat as many of these as I can get my hands on.



I will definitely be getting the Mushroom Fillet again although I’ll probably sub some kind of potato for the risotto.



And for dessert this is definitely on my radar:



Epcot will probably be closed by the time we are done with our meal so we will head out and back to our resort.

Up Next: Monday, February 10th, 2014 Wedding Day!

 

[Chicago Mo]

The plan looks AMAZING!!! i would love to tour this with you!! Looks awesome!

one day we will go to Le Cellier!!! i vow to...

 

[KatMark]

I'm so glad you are taking them to Animal Kingdom which is NOT a zoo. It really bothers me when that's all people think it is and don't give it a chance.

I think your plans for the AK morning sound great. Epcot sounds good too. Who doesn't love a ride on Soarin' and Living with the Land?

I'll take the soup and the bread from LeCellier, please.

 

[Chicago Mo]

I'm so glad you are taking them to Animal Kingdom which is NOT a zoo. It really bothers me when that's all people think it is and don't give it a chance.

I think your plans for the AK morning sound great. Epcot sounds good too. Who doesn't love a ride on Soarin' and Living with the Land?

I'll take the soup and the bread from LeCellier, please.

I agree with Kathy!!!

 

[missangelalexis]

This sounds like a good plan! I'm glad you convinced Bob & Pat to check out AK for a little. Sounds like you'll also get to do a lot in Epcot. Dinner at Le Cellier, YUM!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like great plans for a park hopping day. Here's hoping that AK is more than "just a zoo".