Just the 2 of us - A Mommy and Me trip 9/25 - 10/1 - Update 7/2

[Riles_and_Gabe]

I am as undecided as ever. I have been making list after list of potential dining options and running different scenarios. Who would have ever thought I would obsess so much over 5 days worth of dining I have started a couple of word documents going on my computer so as I read of great ideas (mostly food I want to try), I can keep a running list of it. Before this I would jot it down on a piece of paper and then lose the paper. I decided to be a little more organized so I wouldn't forget stuff.

I have decided (or least I am strongly leaning towards) getting the park hopper and adding on a 5th day to the passes. I still think on the last day we will go to Disney Quest and walk around Downtown Disney before we have to leave for the airport. However, on the day we arrive I think I would like to go to a park in the evening. When we arrive we would check out the resort and go swimming in the afternoon but then head to a park in the evening.

I am considering the park hopper because I like the flexibility it would give us. I would like to leave the parks in the afternoon after lunch and have down time at the resort for a nap and swimming. Then I would like to head back to a park in the evening. I was having a difficult time planning things like Animal Kingdom because they close fairly early. This would allow us to go back there more than once if we felt that we missed out on stuff.

I feel like I haven't posted any pictures lately, so I will leave you with a few:

(Doesn't that just make you feel like being in Disney!!)

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

This handsome guy is turning 15 on 4/16. I have no idea how the time went by so fast!!

I have been struggling for weeks on what to get him for his birthday. I hate buying video games. They are so expensive and he seems to beat them so fast. Plus, I would like him to start developing different interests.

When I turned 15, my Mom took me to NYC for my birthday for the weekend with some friends. It was such a wonderful birthday and I felt so special. I wanted to create something similar for Riley on this 15th birthday too!!

Finally inspiration struck today Riley's favorite performer is Bruno Mars. I googled him and he is going to have a concert in Boston on 6/26. I was able to get 2 tickets for us to see him. They are not great seats but I think since it will be Riley's first concert he won't even notice. I can't wait for his birthday to give him his present!!!

 

[tink519]

That's so much fun! He will love it .

 

[1000HappyWishes]

As a person who is turning fifteen later in the year, tickets are DEFINITELY a good way to go. Happy early birthday to your son!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

That's so much fun! He will love it .

As a person who is turning fifteen later in the year, tickets are DEFINITELY a good way to go. Happy early birthday to your son!

Thanks guys!! I am really excited for his birthday now. I am trying to think of creative ways of giving him the tickets. I was thinking of giving him a cork board with the tickets pinned to them. I would wrap the cork board and see how long it took him to realize the tickets were on it.

I would welcome any ideas for a more creative approach!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

What a great gift! I just took Savannah to Taylor Swift and we didn't have super close seats but it didn't matter at all! It was fantastic, I'm sure he will LOVE that!

As for your plans, HOP! HOP! HOP! Ok, I'm obsessed with hopping. I have no idea why, but it just makes me feel like I'm not locked into anything and have more freedom.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

Maybe you could a do a scavenger hunt sort of dealio? Make a bunch of clues so he has to find the tickets, and at each clue leave another small gift? I dunno. I'm a naturally curious person so that's what I'd like, but you know your son best.

 

[indimom]

Love the choice for the 15th birthday! He'll love it! When you love the group, there's no such thing as a "bad" seat!
I like the cork board idea!

 

[lsenquiz]

following along. You will love AoA. Part of our Party stays there for our September trip and they really love it. We went over and toured the resort last year and our DS8 thought it was awesome.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

What a great gift! I just took Savannah to Taylor Swift and we didn't have super close seats but it didn't matter at all! It was fantastic, I'm sure he will LOVE that!

As for your plans, HOP! HOP! HOP! Ok, I'm obsessed with hopping. I have no idea why, but it just makes me feel like I'm not locked into anything and have more freedom.

I really do think I will go with the park hopper and add on the 5th day to our passes. I don't want to add it yet because then all my hard work of paying off the package will seem depressing as the amount goes back up. Every week, whatever I have left from our weekly budget, I have been throwing it on the balance of the trip. This weekend I was able to get it under $1500...ok it was $1499 but it still counts!!

Maybe you could a do a scavenger hunt sort of dealio? Make a bunch of clues so he has to find the tickets, and at each clue leave another small gift? I dunno. I'm a naturally curious person so that's what I'd like, but you know your son best.

A scavenger hunt is a really great idea! I think it would be fun for me to make.

Love the choice for the 15th birthday! He'll love it! When you love the group, there's no such thing as a "bad" seat!
I like the cork board idea!

Agreed!! I know he is going to be so excited!!

following along. You will love AoA. Part of our Party stays there for our September trip and they really love it. We went over and toured the resort last year and our DS8 thought it was awesome.

I am so glad you are joining in. I am so excited for AoA but I am trying not to get too attached because I am willing to change plans if I can get a good savings somewhere else.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

I have recently become addicted to Soutwest. I had realized when I booked my tickets, that you are able to make changes on Southwest without incurring any charges. I am now checking fares several times a day. I alternate trying to save money and trying to find flights I like better.

My preference would be to fly out of Portland, ME instead of having to drive to RI. However, the flights at this point are quite a bit more and to fly the times I would prefer are super pricey!

I also would like to alter the dates a little. If I had my choice the trip would be Sunday - Friday. This helps a little in the cost of the hotel. And for some reason I just like the sound of those dates better.

That is all I have for now...I have to go back to checking Southwest

 

[gtpoohbear]

I have recently become addicted to Soutwest. I had realized when I booked my tickets, that you are able to make changes on Southwest without incurring any charges. I am now checking fares several times a day. I alternate trying to save money and trying to find flights I like better.

My preference would be to fly out of Portland, ME instead of having to drive to RI. However, the flights at this point are quite a bit more and to fly the times I would prefer are super pricey!

I also would like to alter the dates a little. If I had my choice the trip would be Sunday - Friday. This helps a little in the cost of the hotel. And for some reason I just like the sound of those dates better.

That is all I have for now...I have to go back to checking Southwest

Oh I know the feeling! Since we travel quite a bit, I almost always have at least one upcoming trip with Southwest booked, so I am on there several times a week, just in case! I was so excited a few days ago that a flight I had booked dropped by $8. Yeah.... $8. But hey, for several people it adds up, lol! I do hate flying anyone else now though, because I've gotten spoiled by the flexibility.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Ok...this is not a real update except we are down to 200 days!!!!!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Very exciting news!!! I have been messing around with Southwest all week long and today I had the bright idea to add on a day. We are now staying October 19th -October 25th. Our flight in comes in a little later in the day but we have the same flight time on the way home. The benefit of the later flight is that we can drive to the airport the day of instead of having to drive in the night before.

I called Disney Reservation Center today and was able to add the additional night and an extra day on the park passes. Now I have an extra 3 meals to obsess over planning. The only thing that stinks that is my balance is pretty much back to where it started. Now I have to work at chipping it away again.

I think with our extra day, we will use it to have a low key day. We will sleep in and have lots of pool time. I probably will use that day to go to the Food and Wine Festival for our lunch. We may also go to one of the miniature golf places. I was struggling when to fit our free passes in before so I am glad to have this extra time.

I wouldn't mind getting tickets to the La Nouba show. Speaking of which, has anyone seen the Living Social deal for tickets to there? I was so bummed out that they were only good until June. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they may offer them again.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Yay for an extra day!!!!!! Glad you got the flights all worked out. I keep peeking at prices, thinking they might go down (wishful thinking for next February) but they aren't.

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

Yay for an extra day!!!!!! Glad you got the flights all worked out. I keep peeking at prices, thinking they might go down (wishful thinking for next February) but they aren't.

I know how you feel. I keep looking at the prices for our trip to Portugal even though I am not in a position to buy them even if the prices became fantastic . I hope your tickets go down soon!!

 

[gtpoohbear]

We added an extra day after we booked ours too - that's always a fun call to make And I'll admit, I was probably the most excited that it gave me 3 more meals to plan - it's so hard to leave any place out!!!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

We added an extra day after we booked ours too - that's always a fun call to make And I'll admit, I was probably the most excited that it gave me 3 more meals to plan - it's so hard to leave any place out!!!

I am so glad I am not the only one that feels this way. I was so excited to think I would get 3 more meals and 4 more snacks between the 2 of us!! Your trip is coming up soon. You must be so excited!!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

I don't think I have ever made so many lists in my life. I am constantly writing out lists to plan out the meals. I think I am going to feel very lost after April 22nd when I make my reservations. What I am going to do all day long if I don't have lists to make ?

Here is my most recent list...don't worry in the next 10 minutes it will probably change.

Saturday: Arrival Day
Dinner: Art of Animation

Sunday: Epcot
Breakfast: Captain's Grille
Lunch: San Angel Inn
Dinner: Chefs de France

Monday: Hollywood Studios
Breakfast: Hollywood & Vine
Lunch: The Brown Derby
Dinner: Sci-Fi Drive In

Tuesday: MNSSHP
Breakfast: Snacks in the Room
Lunch: Food & Wine Festival
Dinner: Pecos Bill

Wednesday: Animal Kingdom
Breakfast: Tusker House
Lunch: Sanaa
Dinner: Boma

Thursday: Magic Kingdom
Breakfast: Cinderella's Round Table
Lunch: Liberty Tree Tavern
Dinner: 'Ohana

Friday: Disney Quest/Departure Day
Breakfast: Kona Café
Lunch: T-Rex Café
Dinner: Airport

What do you guys think? I am also considering:

Narcoossee's
Raglan Road
Fulton Crab House
Bongo's Café
Paradiso 37
Kona Café (for lunch)
Grand Floridian (for breakfast)
'Ohana (for breakfast)
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Jiko
Flying Fish
Kouzzinna
Le Cellier

So what do you guys think? Should I swap out any of the meals with any that I was considering? Even though I am going to be eating every other hour, there are so many places I want to try. Even with the places I am trying, there are several options I would love to get. I wish I was traveling with another adult so we could share stuff and I could sample. Somehow I think I am going to pass on the 4-year olds food.

I am getting excited because I am really close to our actual day's hours being released on Disney World's Website. I want to see the official hours.

As you can probably see, I have decided to add a MNSSHP day. I wasn't going to but after reading so many TR and PTR with people planning on going, I decided I didn't want to miss out. I think it will be fun to plan our costumes. I am thinking we could do some type of matching theme. Plus it will give us extra time at Magic Kingdom.

I am still sticking with just the base tickets. I will try to set aside the money so when we get to the park, if we want to add it on we will just do it there. I am hoping we will be happy with the base tickets instead.

I have also upgraded my photo bucket account. I am now paying $2.99/month for 20 GB. I hate to do it, but I haven't even gone on the trip and I am already almost up to my limit. So since I brought it up...I mind as well get my money's worth and make you guys look at some pictures

Our big snowstorm from March!

Mustache or no Mustache...coolest cup ever!

Easter Morning...great score!

Best Train set!

Kiddie Jail

Ok...that's all I have for now. I will let you know as soon as I make any decisions or more likely than not, I will be back to ramble!

 

[Tinker326]

Great resturant choices!!!

I always give 2 big for Ohana breakfast. But it's my favorite breakfast on property.

The ones you have are lots of the ones on my 'tentative' list..... which is ever changing as well. Need to nail it down in the next 30 days when it's ADR time!!!