Ahhh lazy rivers, cocktails (love the tropical theming of the booze bottles in the villa - nice job Jeff!), AND truffles fries! Sounds like an awesome combo. It strikes me as such a counterpoint to WDW TRs that are go, go, go that this trip of yours appears favor a nap in a lounger and cocktails on the lanai. So perfect!!
Such a counterpoint is right! We were complete, utter and total bums for those first 2 days. Although really to be fair, we were fairly bum like on our summer trip that had only the one park day. It will be fun to be a bit go go go for a bit on this next one, I'm out of practice!
My gosh, how hard it must be to plan for so many people. Great job! Your options reminded me that we booked the CP package for Chefs de France this morning but then I didn't favor the early dinner/CP time so I rebooked a dinner later in our December trip for the 8:15 show. Now to see who are the narrators.
Oh CP, that is one of the big stickers right now. My Mom REALLY REALLY wants to go to CP and know she has a seat. That and the tea are her big things. However they aren't going to do the red eye and so logistically while not impossible for them to make it in time if I were to be able to obtain a 6pm CP package reservation, it does have a lot of pieces that would have to work for them to make it. They would have to be on the direct flight (4:25 landing) and then either do a cab, towncar or maybe even Jeff pick them up and basically head straight to dinner. Super duper tight. Unless we give up the "pre" NYE fireworks at the poly on the 30th, the 29th is our only option for CP. I really don't want to give up the Poly on the 30th, everyone will be there by then and it will be a great family dinner location.
She has a friend that supposedly has a bunch of pull at Disney. Friends that they are visiting after the rest of us head back home on this trip. Not sure if they work there now, retired, what but seems to think he can get her all kinds of stuff including CP seats without doing a dining package. We will see how that really plays out but I have a hard time believing that is possible. In the interim I am tempted to try to move the package I do have to 6pm somewhere and up the count.
Congratulations to your sister on the new job!! It sounds like a very challenging job, I am always full of respect for people who choose to work in that field!
Me too. I couldn't do it. It will be challenging in different ways than what she's been doing, which has been in self contained programs with non verbal kids, K-8. For that she's had restraint training, etc and this will be very different with up to 50 kids either visiting her or she going to their rooms and managing very different levels of needs. I'm exhausted thinking about it.
Your plans sounds great - you ought to get a huge Christmas gift from your family for planning all this for them! I hope they appreciate all your efforts!
They do. I have to admit it was a pretty happy group that got together last night to celebrate her job...and kept chatting about the trip. My folks and sister/BIL actually did put a room on hold yesterday though they are still debating resorts they've made a lot of progress and I think everyone is planning to get tickets shortly.
If my sisters BF and his girls go, it will change the dynamic. Not that it's a bad thing but it would in a lot of ways be easier if maybe they don't go. I adore him, and his girls but I know my sister will then be worried about making sure they have a good time as it'd be a first for them...and the youngest has zero desire to go and...it just won't be the same. Not to mention both all of probably having to ride the boy cousins not to leave the girls out and...you get the idea. I'm staying out of all of that. She hasn't even discussed it with him and seems to be leaning towards really keeping it separate which is probably easier all around.
I am sorry that I am so behind on commenting on your Aulani adventures. I absolutely adore the look of Monkeypods! I understand that is a local bar there? I really, really need to plan a trip to Hawaii (oh - and I really liked your suggestion of breaking the journey up with a stop in Seattle, that's a great idea!).
It's a bar and restaurant that is across the street from Aulani. We liked it so much we went there 3 times (HH, Dinner and Lunch) so it will come up again!
Yes, you really really need to go there, and stop here first! Or on the way back
I've been keeping up on my phone, following along but not posting as it is sproblematic from the phone. You know the #$//& that has been going on feom my PTR so I'm going to join in and be brief.
yes, you need some germ killer to recover from all of that! I swear posting from the phone drives me nuts and only seems to actually work maybe 1/2 of the time.
Yay for your sister's job!
So happy for her!!!!!!!!!!!
I @still can't believe the level of ADRs you've gone to. I can't follow which sister is which and which BIL is coming in and who is marriwd to who, but that's what I get for having one sister. Hey if we come ip to visit them perhaps we can meet. They live in Everett. We don't have lots in common but feel that sometime we shoild visit in summer since the kids don't know us at all. They don't travel because my BIL is afraid to fly. They moved about 10 years ago to WA and we habe rarely seen thwm since.
Yeah, I'll prbably need to start using names as it is confusing! I have a hard time with the fake name thing, too hard to maintain. Everett is not far at all, in fact that is where Jeff works! So if you come up definitely let me know.
Be careful with all of those CC holds. That's so something I'd get burned on. But I'm not nearly as organized as you.
No kidding, they give me heartburn!
How do the kids all do on red eyes? Is it non stop?
We've done 3 red eyes with the kids so far. 1st one was a bit of a nightmare but they were only 4&5 at the time. On the last 2, one was direct (a bit rough for the E's but they lived, they were 9&10) and the other we had one stop, just this last summer. In some ways the one stop was a bit better as it broke it up. K sleeps like a rock no matter what, the E's were pretty restless the first leg but I think crashed a bit the 2nd. Eric has the hardest time. But on both of those trips they were all GREAT once we got there until about 10-11pm and then hit the wall hard. It really works beautifully for us to make the time change and as they age, easier to manage. In 2010 it was a bit tough as they hit the wall while we were at dinner trying desperately to catch a cab back to the resort but this year was super easy as we were back at our villa watching the Olympics lol. If their cousins are there they will be so high on energy it won't be an issue at all.
None of us are nappers. Except for K and my Dad.
I'm at 11:15 wanting to pass out already.
Will you all nap before you begin after flying red eye? Via Napoli looks awesome nut I'm guessing you'll need another meal later as that's early for dinner. How long is the CP? Could you eat after? Can you watch CP without a dinner package?
Nope, no napping. It not only defeats the purpose of the red eye, we all suck at napping. No real point.
This day is really in flux right now.
My Mom REALLY REALLY wants to go to CP and know she has a seat. That and the tea are her big things. However they aren't going to do the red eye and so logistically while not impossible for them to make it in time if I were to be able to obtain a 6pm CP package reservation, it does have a lot of pieces that would have to work for them to make it. They would have to be on the direct flight (4:25 landing) and then either do a cab, towncar or maybe even Jeff pick them up and basically head straight to dinner. Super duper tight. Unless we give up the "pre" NYE fireworks at the poly on the 30th, the 29th is our only option for CP. I really don't want to give up the Poly on the 30th, everyone will be there by then and it will be a great family dinner location. So...UGH. No good solution here.
Yes, you can see it without getting a package but it's standby line, you may or may not get in and people line up an hour or more ahead of time. Assuming my folks want to see it on the 29th, with or without a package, the 8:15 show is our only option. You have to eat before, at certain times, to get the package. I think the show is an hour? Hosts vary by night. 3 shows per night.
Honestly I really think the best option is my folks get there the 28th! But we will see.
Oh the tea will be awesome! Have you done it before?
MK until 2 am?
I have done the tea, loved it. Did it with Kendall and Jeff's mom.
NYE at Epcot! That's so cool. What a way to ring in 2014!
R&C looks great. It's on my must try list.
I'm excited for R&C so hope that works out to keep.
I like this mellow day after NYE. They're lucky to have you.
Seriously, your plans look great.
Yes, I figure it's a "whatever" day until dinner but I won't want to cook that is for sure!
Big River Grille. We would like to eat there, I don't like the no reservation policy. Chances of having beers there though, possibly more than once are probably pretty high with this group of guys.
Adult only dinner at Flying Fish- perfect. I'd make it for 9 to be safe. Does it require a CC?
It does require a CC and a special number to call to make it for more than 8. We are definitely 7 adults, that was confirmed last night. The other 2 are wildcards. But I will probably call and try to up it to be safe. I don't think, if I make it for 9, and we end up as 7, that I'd get charged the $20 for the 2 who aren't there, it's a cancel or no show fee, not a less people fee. But you never know I guess. I'll know far enough in advance though to drop folks I think.
Move to THV.
Awesome! Can't wait to hear about your WCC dinner. It's on our list if we decide to add the two
DVC nights post cruise.
I think it's a good fit for the group.
What's the Castle show? I love Raglan Road. I know I'm in the minority but BoG holds no real interest for me. I have no idea why.
It's the whole "kiss goodnight" lights. We often seem to miss it and never really plan for it.
No parks today? Olivia's is fantasia! It's it underrated gem for sure.
Oh gosh, who knows. After the 31st I really didn't plan out any parks for any specific days, we will wing it based on hours, moods and wants and who is still there. I expect we will be at a park, probably more than one. Only thing probably "for sure" is Harry Potter/Islands of adventure on the 2nd. But looking at crowd calendars I may move that to the 4th now that I have dates from some people. I actually think we will do a lot of park time the 4-7th as the crowds should be going down, esp 5-7.
Congratulations to your sister! That's great news, and I'm so glad everyone will be able to join you on the trip. I hope it's a special time.
Yes! My number of wildcards is down to 4.
I won't even pretend to understand all the permutations of the ADR's. I'll just hope you do.
Sometimes.
Congratulations to your sister on getting a job! It looks like things might be slowly falling into place now!
I am so thrilled for her and very amused that apparently my entire family's reaction (meaning my folks, said sister and the other sister) was to think that the trip was on before anything else. It was a happy chatty group last night to be sure.
That is a lot of serious planning. I mean really, I'm in awe of the fact that you can even come close to keeping all of that straight.
I'd have said screw it, everybody's on their own by now.
Nah, we really do want to be together. Doesn't mean folks won't split off but everyone is super excited about it. There will still need to be tweaks, hopefully sooner rather than later though.
