It's Gonna Be Different....

[metsno1]

This Time!

Gonna make reservations for Sept. 17-27th, of course with the DDP! This will be our second trip with Free Dining!! It looks like our family pattern will be a trip every two years, which is about 1/4th what I'd like, but hey-finances dictate, and I guess there are actually other places in the world to go on vacation....I guess......

So what's different this time? I swear, I'm not going to plan every second of this trip. That's what's different. I will NOT feel like this is the last Disney trip of my life. I will not force myself or anyone else to do absolutely everything the property has to offer. I will go with the flow. I will relax. I will NOT overeat and get uncomfortable because I have to use every single meal credit. I will not visit every single character buffet because when we're at a buffet, it's just too much temptation!

I have only a couple of "must dos." We've never been to O'Hana. We've not been to Le Cellier. We're on a huge Mexican food kick in my family, so even though the reviews aren't that great, we'll eat "in Mexico." The kids want to hit both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon this time around (we've never made Blizzard Beach!). My wife wants to go to the 50's Cafe (we missed our ressie the last time and never got back). And oh yeah, for whatever reason, we've come to absolutely LOVE The Plaza in the MK. My wife thinks I'm crazy ordering that burger loaded with everything under the sun, but hey......

I mean, sure, we'll hit all of our favorite attractions, like POTC, HM, Space and Splash, TT, Soarin', and the rest, but we will NOT allow ADR's to dictate everything this time around!

Four or five ADR's for a ten night stay, and play the rest by ear! Sound reasonable to you?????

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

Sounds good. We did free dining last Sept. and loved it. I made ADRs for everynight because we were a party of seven and one of my 5 (4 at the time) year olds is diabetic and we were on a tight time schedule with eating. I made the ADRs so we at least had a place to eat. I think I ended up only using 2 of the original ADRs I planned. Now, before I get flamed, I cancelled each day before I scheduled a new ressies for the same night. We had no problem getting new ressies (excpet LeCellier - which we already had but did not keep). I made new ADRs at Mexico, Big River Grill, & Rose & Crown all within 2 hours of our dining time. It was great. I am hoping this year will be the same, except this year we are a party of 9.

We also went at a much slower pace than we had in the past and we took away from our trip great memories. I thought our memories would last for longer, but with the free dining offer again this Sept. I have the itch to go back, so off we go. Have a fabulous trip.

 

[rentayenta]

Sounds awesome! Let me know how not planning every minute works out for you. I won't even fool myself into thinking I could do that!

 

[ktink]

We are also going back for our second free dining visit. Last time was in 2005. I'd like to go back every year but DH has to take it in doses of every other year. He enjoys the beach and I do to but I like WDW a tad better.

We are also planning on sleeping in and going w/ the flow. We have all of our ADRs and acknowledged which EMHs we want to take advantage of so we will have some organization but not much.

Enjoying your pre trip, can't wait to read more.

 

[metsno1]

Sleeping In.

We will definitely do that, at least a couple times over the ten nights.

And I think I'm done with the evening EMH's. I haven't read TGM or anything, but I'd be willing to bet that if your plan your trip around the evening EMH's, you're also planning your trip to be in the most crowded parks every day!

On those days when we choose not to sleep in, I think we'll hit some of the morning EMH's. I think there are probably fewer hearty souls who hit the road early than the night owls who would stay till dawn if they let us!

Off today to go buy a copy of the Unofficial Guide.....