"I've Waited A Long Time for a Mother/Daughter Extravaganza" 9/8 Update!

Even without Cali Grill, your ADRs look very yummy -- we always love Boma! Haven't had a bad meal there ever! Have a zebra dome for me!

I most certainly will! I enjoyed Boma the one time I ate there. I loved the variety!
 
So final payment has been made! Can I get a WOOO HOOOO?
party:party:party:

That always is nice to know you are officially officially official!

And yesterday I booked our Discovery Cove tickets. Let me tell you about that!
They had been offering a promo of $50 off per person if you booked 30 days or more out. Our dates were in the promo, pretty much all dates were, my guess is they must be hurting in this economy as most other places. So I go online yesterday to book and lo and behold now all the dates are in blue meaning no promo rate! I was in disbelief as the day before they had all been orange meaning promo rate available.

So I called and got a sweet girl who was perplexed and told me that the promo was in fact available and so she booked over the phone for me. And with my Disney math we got out cheap!

The promo rate for two of us with the Dolphin Encounter came to just over $500.

This includes the day at DC, breakfast and lunch there plus all snacks and drinks all day. That is a nice deal! *PLUS* it includes tickets for the two of us to hit a day at Sea World. Already I am seeing the value in my $500 but wait, it gets better.

Our health insurance (yes this is related to the story, just wait!) has a feature called "It Fits" where you can submit receipts for all sorts of healthy activities you do and get reimbursed up to $400 per calendar year. So I had recently sent in some of our horse back riding lesson receipts and Karate for Goofy receipts and just got our $400 back. Soooo, putting that towards this really means it is costing me $108 for Belle and I to go to Discovery Cove AND Sea World. So really, it is like $25 a park per person, right? I thought it was a bargain when I looked at it that way! :woohoo:

I am rather excited about DC as it is something new to both of us. And I haven't been to Sea World in 12 years, Belle has never. As much as I love Disney I am looking forward to throwing a few new things in the mix as well.

So what is left to do? Well figure out CS meals. Tweak our itinerary. Think if we want to make any shirts. Pack. Book ride to the airport (Grumpy will pick us up on the return but heading out he isn't into driving to Boston so early and I don't blame him). Figure out how we are getting to DC and SW. I already joined a Photopass Share so that is done. I will post to be a Fairy Godmailer again soon. Hmmm, what am I missing?

I already ordered some new pins for Belle and they arrived. Belle needs some shoes for the trip. She has sandals she likes but I know from experience last year that August requires multiple pairs of shoes. If it rains/tropical storms you don't want to be stuck with the same pair of shoes as they will rub when wet and you can become miserable. 12 year old, miserable, wet blistery feet? No thank you! We will shoe shop soon.

Okay so it is time to get a little organized.:thumbsup2

Next up, counter service? We will be hitting each park and need a CS at each and one at DTD. Suggestions? Your favorites? Your "no don't go there!"s?


Allyson:surfweb:
 
: party: Horray for being officially official!!


Love the ADRs... and everything else too so far. I'm excited to see how you like DC. I've heard wonderful things :goodvibes and have seen amazing pics too.

Great way to get a deal on that too BTW....


Paula
 

Yay for being paid in FULL!! WOOHOO!!:cool1: That's always a good feeling and it makes it feel that much more real!! Yay!!!

My two cents for CS meals......
MK: Pinocchio haus was pretty good and I like that you can watch IASW while eating there.
Ep: Sunshine
DHS: Backlot Express was pretty good, we ate at Pizza Planet and weren't overly impressed
DTD: Wolfgang Puck Express..YUM!!!!!popcorn:: Heard great things about Earl of Sandwich, too, just haven't been there...yet!;)
 
:woohoo: for final payment!! :woohoo:

I am so excited for your trip. I just think it's such a lovely tradition to have with your kids! :goodvibes

I am especially looking forward to a report on Discovery Cove. It sounds AMAZING! :thumbsup2

Counter service... hmmm.

I love Pecos Bills and the fixings bar in MK.

I like the Cantina in Mexico and the fish 'n chips stand in England in Epcot. Have heard great things about Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe.

LOVE Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. Best BLT EVER. Line can be alarming but it moves quickly!

Like Pizzafari in AK.

Don't think I've done counter service at HS. :confused3 Have heard horror stories about the ABC commissary.

Looking forward to more planning! popcorn::
 
I just finished reading your PTR. I am loving the idea of a Mom/Daughter trip! I also love the idea of taking each kiddo on a trip with Mom, what a wonderful thing! :goodvibes

All of your plans sound great! Too bad about Cali Grill but I am sure Boma will be a great Birthday dinner. :thumbsup2
 
Wow! Just figured out that you had a PTR for this year, somehow I missed the link as "current" when I read your signature! Anyhow, enjoyed your planning so far! I think your ADRs look great. You asked about QS, I would highly recommend breakfast at the Contemporary -- if you like breakfast burritos... and/or Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD.. incredible what you get for QS there... We were struggling to use our QS credits towards the end of our trip, we stumbled upon the Contempo Cafe for breakfast, and the burritos were delish! :thumbsup2
 
Woo hoo for the final payment!!! party:

What a great deal on Discovery Cove after the Disney math was enlisted! :thumbsup2
Disney math always makes everything work in your favor doesn't it? :goodvibes

: party: Horray for being officially official!!


Love the ADRs... and everything else too so far. I'm excited to see how you like DC. I've heard wonderful things :goodvibes and have seen amazing pics too.

Great way to get a deal on that too BTW....


Paula
Me too! I haven't read one negative thing about DC yet!

Yay for being paid in FULL!! WOOHOO!!:cool1: That's always a good feeling and it makes it feel that much more real!! Yay!!!

My two cents for CS meals......
MK: Pinocchio haus was pretty good and I like that you can watch IASW while eating there.
Ep: Sunshine
DHS: Backlot Express was pretty good, we ate at Pizza Planet and weren't overly impressed
DTD: Wolfgang Puck Express..YUM!!!!!popcorn:: Heard great things about Earl of Sandwich, too, just haven't been there...yet!;)
Wolfgang Puck Express is something I am definately interested in and it would be something new for us! I will have to recheck out their menu!

:woohoo: for final payment!! :woohoo:

I am so excited for your trip. I just think it's such a lovely tradition to have with your kids! :goodvibes

I am especially looking forward to a report on Discovery Cove. It sounds AMAZING! :thumbsup2

Counter service... hmmm.

I love Pecos Bills and the fixings bar in MK.

I like the Cantina in Mexico and the fish 'n chips stand in England in Epcot. Have heard great things about Sunshine Seasons and Tangerine Cafe.

LOVE Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. Best BLT EVER. Line can be alarming but it moves quickly!

Like Pizzafari in AK.

Don't think I've done counter service at HS. :confused3 Have heard horror stories about the ABC commissary.

Looking forward to more planning! popcorn::
Belle loves BLTs, hmmmm maybe Earl of Sandwich is in order. Pizzafari I do enjoy. And I agree DHS is not known for very good CS food in my opinion either.

I just finished reading your PTR. I am loving the idea of a Mom/Daughter trip! I also love the idea of taking each kiddo on a trip with Mom, what a wonderful thing! :goodvibes

All of your plans sound great! Too bad about Cali Grill but I am sure Boma will be a great Birthday dinner. :thumbsup2
Thanks for coming! I think it will be a special week!

Wow! Just figured out that you had a PTR for this year, somehow I missed the link as "current" when I read your signature! Anyhow, enjoyed your planning so far! I think your ADRs look great. You asked about QS, I would highly recommend breakfast at the Contemporary -- if you like breakfast burritos... and/or Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD.. incredible what you get for QS there... We were struggling to use our QS credits towards the end of our trip, we stumbled upon the Contempo Cafe for breakfast, and the burritos were delish! :thumbsup2
Another fan of WPE! That is two of you talking about it, that might have to be a place we try this time!
Joining in!!!!

Welcome! So glad to see you back DISing!


Allyson:surfweb:
 
So here we are now only 38 days away! I can't believe it is that close! No ME documents yet but I am thinking they could arrive at any day right? That always makes me happy, finding Disney Mail in the mailbox.

On a side note but somewhat related this week Belle and Bashful are at sleepaway camp. They left Monday and will return Saturday morning. It is their first time. The camp is a great campy camp, think Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan kind of camp. They did day camp last year and this year decided to try the sleepaway week. Well we had our share of drama on Monday but they both made it there. Tonight we went to the Talent Show and got to see them. They seem to be doing well and didn't latch onto our legs and beg to come home so I took that as a good sign.

My point in this story? There is one....I have had a week with just Goofy. And it has been fantastic. It just solidifies my reasoning in taking each child on a trip one at a time. One on one time is so great when you have multiple children. I have enjoyed Goofy in a way I never do when he is one of three, fighting for his voice to be heard and for attention. We have had so much fun this week. He has stated several times that he really likes being an only child.

So it has made me look forward even more to my week alone with Belle. She is the one I have the most tumultuous relationship with and so I feel like this is something that will be good for us. I hope we can make special memories just for us, come back with some fun and funny moments we can go back to and just enjoy each other's company. I have also horrified her and told her that we can have lots of conversations over dinner about boys and sex and growing up.:scared1: We have had the first round of birds and the bees talk already but I think we could definately use some follow up conversation. Needless to say she looked at me like I had three heads when I told her this. LOL!

So, where are we at with the trip? Well what about counter service and what is our itinerary you ask? Well I'll tell you....

Sunday we fly down and land around 12:30. We are MEing it and I hope we are checked into Pop by 2. We'll probably be hungry so I am thinking we'll freshen up and then hit the food court for lunch. I do plan on sharing things with Belle as the portions are often so big and why waste all that food. We often like the same things anyways. So lunch at Pop and then we are hitting Epcot. Why you ask? Or even if you didn't, I'll tell you. Epcot is Belle's least favorite of the four so we decided to go there on this half day we have. I could spend a few days there but this trip isn't about me so a half day it is. I imagine we'll try to hit Soarin' and TT but who knows with arriving that late how the lines and FP will be. Our plan is to hit World Showcase and each find whatever we want to eat for dinner. I am thinking I might like to try Morocco or Japan. I am not sure about Belle yet. We plan to stay at Epcot through Illuminations if we can make it, travel days always wear us out.

Monday we are off to Discovery Cove. They provide breakfast and lunch as well as all drinks and snacks all day! We plan to hit DTD at night and leaning toward Wolfgang Puck Express I think though Belle loves BLTs and someone mentioned EoS having a great BLT. More menu reading needed but that is our plan right now.

Tuesday we are off to Animal Kingdom by day. Lunch will be CS. I have eaten at Pizzafari, Flametree and Yak and Yeti CS. I like them all! Belle won't care for Yak and Yeti so I think we'll end up at one of the other two.

Wednesday we are at MK and we have a breakfast and dinner ressie so I am thinking light lunch. We'll probably share something for sure. There are so many place in MK I like for CS that I am not worried. I think we'll just eat wherever we land when we are hungry. I like Pecos Bills, Cosmic Rays, Pinocchio's, Columbia House, all of them. And there are things we both like at all of those that we can nosh on together.

Thursday is Sea World! I have not put an iota of planning into SW. I have not been there in 12 years. I am not sure why, I spent a ton of time planning our families first Disney trip but for SW I have no idea what is there or what we want to do. I suppose I should visit their website and have some semblance of a plan. I have no idea what food is there either. Or what is good. Or what is not. Bad, bad planner.

Friday we have an ADR for lunch at Sci Fi and for dinner at Tony's. So no CS for us that day. And we leave on Saturday. The plan Saturday I think is to just hang at Pop and use the pool and have lunch before we head home. Our flight is at 3pm so I am planning on a noon ME pickup.

So in looking this over it looks like we'll have to get some breakfasts with our CS to use them up. Having a DC and SW day where we really don't need the credits added to us sharing some CS is going to leave us with some extras I think. So we'll probably use some for breakfasts at Pop. I know Belle loves the chocolate chip pancakes and I've been known to enjoy a Mickey waffle or two. :thumbsup2

So there is our CS plan so far.

Another little thing I've been thinking about is the Wishes Dessert Party. It looks like it would be nice, the desserts look great and it might be fun. I know some TGMers (yes I am TGMer too!) are going 8/28 and we'll be in MK that night soooooo, it might be fun. It is $18 per person, not bad. I can't decide. What would you do?


Coming up, what are our must do's at each park and I will finally throw in the mini trip report of our January Half Marathon trip for those interested!

Allyson:surfweb:
 
So here we are now only 38 days away! I can't believe it is that close! No ME documents yet but I am thinking they could arrive at any day right? That always makes me happy, finding Disney Mail in the mailbox.

I would definitely think that any day now, those ME tags will arrive!

On a side note but somewhat related this week Belle and Bashful are at sleepaway camp. They left Monday and will return Saturday morning. It is their first time. The camp is a great campy camp, think Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan kind of camp. They did day camp last year and this year decided to try the sleepaway week. Well we had our share of drama on Monday but they both made it there. Tonight we went to the Talent Show and got to see them. They seem to be doing well and didn't latch onto our legs and beg to come home so I took that as a good sign.

How fun! I bet they are having a blast!

He has stated several times that he really likes being an only child.

:lmao:

We have had the first round of birds and the bees talk already but I think we could definately use some follow up conversation. Needless to say she looked at me like I had three heads when I told her this. LOL!

I know I have seen this look on Chelsea's face before! :rotfl:

Another little thing I've been thinking about is the Wishes Dessert Party. It looks like it would be nice, the desserts look great and it might be fun. I know some TGMers (yes I am TGMer too!) are going 8/28 and we'll be in MK that night soooooo, it might be fun. It is $18 per person, not bad. I can't decide. What would you do?

I think the Wishes party sounds like a blast! I would be very tempted to do it!

I will finally throw in the mini trip report of our January Half Marathon trip for those interested!

Yes, please!
 
Hey, Great update, I think your plans are totally shaping up! A mom daughter trip is a great idea -- she is really lucky, DC and Sea World included! FUN! Your dining plans and daily itinerary looks great. I love TGM too! Will sign up again for Christmas... Totally would love to hear about the DisneyWorld 1/2 -- I am seriously kicking around the Princess 1/2 as a solo trip... I am on my treadmill as I type :rotfl2: So I am curious how the "non-runner" made it happen!!!! :goodvibes
 
Your plans look great and like they are really coming together!!:thumbsup2 You're on countdown! 38 days! WOW!!!:cool1: It comes up soon!!!

Would LOVE to hear about the 1/2 marathon! I'm a new runner so I'd love to hear/see pics/etal about it!!!:cutie:
 
Your plans are shaping up nicely! If I was going to Disney with the dessert party was being offered, I would totally be doing it. I think it would be fun. Desserts and Wishes = :cloud9:
 
Your plans look great!

Although I have to confess to a moment of panic on Belle's behalf at the thought of having to have birds/bees/boys/sex talk at WDW! :scared: Seriously, though, the talk needs to be had and it sounds like some special 1:1 time that would be perfect for that subject matter.

You guys are going to have such a great time!! :goodvibes

Love all your plans and can't wait to hear all about it. Can't believe you are so close!! 36 days!! :yay:
 
I forgot to include in my previous post that when I was 13, my Mom took the time to take me to that movie they had the Wonders of Life Pavilion in Epcot. Was it the Making of Me? Ugh. I vividly remember it and how embarrassing that at Disney of all places I had to think about that icky stuff. :laughing: My dad and brother went off to do something manly while we chatted over smoothies. :rotfl2:
 
Back later today with replies and updates but had to share.....35 days away and this arrived Friday!
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