Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[eandesmom]

Again, I don't know how you did it
The only thing that really sticks out is all of the morning EMH. Will everyone in your group be able to get up that early? Or will you just meet anyone that wants to sleep in the park later?


I've been doing some YC research. Is there a reason people pick YC over BC?

forgot to say, don't know about everyone with the EMH to be honest. We've been discussing it as a group for a while and all are in agreement that it's the way to go BUT Jeff and I also are in agreement that if the big kids want to sleep, those who want to go to the parks early will, those who don't won't. It will actually eliminate a lot of stress as last year the poor E's were twiddling their thumbs while we tried to drag K&T out of bed and it was PAINFUL!

 

[eandesmom]

I hope you love it. It was really one of the highlights of my trip because it was so unexpected and the ranger's customer service was so over the top. It was a perfect example of Disney magic. I hope you end up getting a "private" tour. The ranger said that so many people miss the tour because they are so busy doing the park thing. He said he loves meeting people who are really "into" disney and really enjoy the trivia and the magic.

I think your plans look great. I think you are smart to drop the 1900 park fair ADR. It was a little too much. You are going to have an awesome trip!

Yeah, it sounded like a fun breakfast (and I LOVE breakfast lol) but just not worth it and it saves money by not doing it. I'd have used a TS for it and paid OOP for Raglan and now don't have to.

The tour sounds like a perfect thing on moving day as it's not a rush to a park kind of morning anyway! Jeff thinks it sounds cool too thank you SO much for turning us onto it, I wouldn't have built it into our plans ahead of time and then it would be hard to have fit in once we were there.

 

[eandesmom]

BINGO! Like it all based on what you what to do!!

they need some structure or it's pathetic.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Looking good!

FYI - I think Flame Tree BBQ is closed from August 9th - September 19th...

 

[eandesmom]

Looking good!

FYI - I think Flame Tree BBQ is closed from August 9th - September 19th...

I thought I read the 19th but I will double check! Thanks

 

[eandesmom]

As suspected Jeff is NOT into the idea of sit down lunches at all.

Which, I have to agree with. it's just not us. I get that it's fabulous for many and good in the heat but...it's just not us.

So I'm not going to try and fit a square peg in a round hole. I need to put a super close eye to plan C before I cancel things so any input on Plan C...which is the winner for Jeff, would be fabulous!

Besides, he loves the idea of Taylor getting picked on at 1900 for dinner.

 

[All7OfUs]

Cynthia, you have to do what is RIGHT for you! If you try to force something, the whole thing will seem out of sync, go with what you know works for you! Like PM EMHs and sit down dinners.

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia, you have to do what is RIGHT for you! If you try to force something, the whole thing will seem out of sync, go with what you know works for you! Like PM EMHs and sit down dinners.

thanks!

 

[Native NYer]

We're not big sit down lunch people either. You could always bring copies of your different options and see how it goes once you're in Disney. Or is that way too laid back? Even though it's difficult to plan for a group, I'm sure everything will work out for your trip. You'll have a great time no matter which option you choose.

My nephews are 2 and 6, so I don't even bother with an itinerary. ADRs and a trip to Pirate's League are planned, but that's it. I suspect things will be built around their naps and potty breaks (the 2 yr old is in the process of potty training).

I'm really looking forward to your YC review. I booked YC yesterday for a convention in November. The group rate is $199/night, which is a great deal. Plus, school will reimburse hotel, airfare, food, and airport transportation/parking expenses. I had a choice between CR, CSR, YC, and BC. CR was out because I've stayed there and will be at BLT next month. I picked YC because it's closer to the convention center and I can always book BCV with points. Plus, I really like that all rooms have balconies. I didn't even consider CSR. Not sure why

I know this may be premature, but are you considering a 2011 trip?

 

[eandesmom]

THANK you everyone for all your input, it really helped!

I think we are VERY close to a final plan. And then I have a bunch of cancellations to do. I am so happy I didn't cancel some of my old ones, it saved our bacon so to speak. I am quite sad about giving up Captain's Grille but...oh well.

However I have one major stumbling block. Stumbling might not the the right word but, it's giving me some pause.

It is our tea at the Grand Floridian. As I see it, I have 2 options that work best. There may be availability on the other days, I've not checked as these 2 seemed easiest to fit it in. But both options have pro's and cons.

Take a look and let me know what you think! And feel free to comment on any other fine tuning you'd suggest.

WL portion

Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Resort WL
Land @ 7:25. DME to resort
Breakfast at WCC@ 9:40 AM OOP for all except use 1 child TS (Eric)
MK 11-2 (or hang at resort if wiped out) Hit Main Street Barber, Snacks #1
Lunch at CHH or Caseys CS (if needed) CS#1
WL Pool and room Check in
AK 4-10 (EMH)
Dawa Bar or Tamu Tamu for drinks
Sanaa for dinner at 8:55 (TS#1 - 5 adult TS, OOP for Eric)
AK EMH till 10
Back to WL

Thursday, August 12, 2010 Resort WL
Roaring Forks light OOP Breakfast
Typhoon Lagoon 10-3
Typhoon Tilly’s or Lowtide Lou’s Lagoon CS for lunch CS#2
DTD/DQ 5-8:30
Goofys - Snacks #2
Raglan Road for dinner @ 7:00 PM (TS#2- 6TS)
Electric Boat Parade from WL Beach @9:25, Watch Nightastic from beach @10
Bed!

Friday, August 13, 2010 Resort WL
DHS@ 8-12(EMH) for Rope Drop and TSM dash. TSM goes down on the 16th so this is a priority! OMD as well.
OOP light Breakfast at Starring Rolls
WL Pool 1-4
Lunch at Roaring Forks CS#3
MK 5-?
1900 Park Fare for dinner @8:25 (TS#3-6TS)
MK for evening EMH 10-? (open till 2)
Back to WL

Saturday, August 14, 2010 move from WL to YC!
Pack up bags and give to bell services to move to YC
OOP Breakfast at Roaring Forks unless have extra snack credits left
WL Roof Tour with ranger 9am
WL Photo Session @ 10:40 am
C head to YC to check in, free choice for group
Hurricane Hannahs or wherever for lunch (CS# 4, OOP for Evan)
SAB 1-3
Paul and Sandie arrive at some point
Epcot 4-9:30
Tutto Italia for Dinner @ 7:10 PM (TS#4-5TS, 1 OOP Evan)
Illuminations @9? (could be 10, seems to be a debate)
Back to YC
​

YC Portion Option 1

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
Breakfast in Room
Animal Kingdom for rope drop @ 9-2
Picnic in the Park CS for lunch (CS# 5, should be enough to share, no OOP for Evan)
Back to Yacht Club, Pool Time 2-5
6pm Head to Polynesian Resort by bus via MK.
Tambu Tambu Lounge for Drinks
Ohana for Dinner @7:20 (TS#5-5TS, 1 OOP Evan)
Magic Kingdom for Wishes fireworks at 10 & evening EMH (open till 1)
Back To YC

Monday, August 16, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
Breakfast in room
DHS AM EMH @ 8-12 rope drop
Back to Yacht Club, Pool Time 1-3
Lunch at BCM or HH (CS# 6, OOP for Evan)
AK 4-9 for evening EMH
Drinks at Dawa Bar or Tamu Tamu
Dinner at Tusker House 7:20 (TS#6-5TS, 1 OOP Evan)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
Breakfast in Room
MK 8-12 for AM EMH and rope drop
Early lunch at Casey’s, CHH or ? (CS# 7, OOP for Evan)
Pool time 1-3
Kouzzina for dinner at 5:10 (assumes cruise is at 8) (TS#7-5TS, 1 OOP Evan)
Stroll the Boardwalk!
Illuminations cruise at 8 or 9
Back to Epcot for evening EMH till 12


Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
Ale & Compass or BCM for CS Breakfast (at resort) (CS# 8, OOP for Evan)
Wherever we want based on what we think we’ve missed.
Use up any leftover CS or snack credits (unlikely lol)
Back to Yacht Club for pool time 12-2
Girls Tea @ the GF 3:20 (boys do whatever they want lol!)
Epcot 4-9:30
Teppan Edo for dinner @ 8:15 PM (TS#8-5TS, 1 OOP Evan)

Thursday, August 19, 2010 move to Hard Rock Hotel
9:15 Breakfast at Cape May (OOP)
Finish checking out
12:00 Town car transfer to Hard Rock​

Con’s. NO evening at DHS, only 1 full day at DHS.
Pro’s. 2 free half days so could do DHS then. 2 full days at MK & Epcot, 1.5 at AK
 
YC Portion Option 2

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
No change

Monday, August 16, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
Breakfast in room
DHS AM EMH @ 8-11 rope drop
CS Breakfast at Starring Rolls
Back to Yacht Club, Pool Time 12-2
OOP lunch or snacks for boys
Girls Tea @ the GF 2:20
AK 4-9 for evening EMH, meet there
Drinks at Dawa Bar or Tamu Tamu
Dinner at Tusker House 7:20

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
No change


Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Resort Yacht Club
Ale & Compass or BCM for CS Breakfast (at resort)
Wherever we want based on what we think we’ve missed.
Use up any leftover CS or snack credits (unlikely lol)
Back to Yacht Club for pool time 12-2
DHS 4-7:30
Teppan Edo for dinner @ 8:15 PM
Back to DHS if time, EMH ends at 10 (unlikely)

Thursday, August 19, 2010 move to Hard Rock Hotel
No change​

Con’s. not in Epcot on a night we have an ADR there…. Which seems silly. DHS has
Pro’s. Adjusts plan to be 1.5 days at all parks and 2 at MK and gives us an evening at DHS, albeit a short one.

Up next, a return to the DCA TR! Blue Sky and a Scream?

 

[eandesmom]

We're not big sit down lunch people either. You could always bring copies of your different options and see how it goes once you're in Disney. Or is that way too laid back? Even though it's difficult to plan for a group, I'm sure everything will work out for your trip. You'll have a great time no matter which option you choose.

Not so much that it's too laid back but it really changes the days quite a bit and so we both think it's easier to have a pretty good plan of attack. We seriously lost a day trying to have a free choice day last year, it was a disaster. This way at least there is a plan. If we blow it off to do something else I'm totally cool with it but not having a plan for longer than about 4 hours ends up in decision paralysis and a game of "I don't know, what do you want to do" with 8 differing opinions. BLEH.

Differing opinions can just split off, I'm sure we will do that quite a bit as needed.

My nephews are 2 and 6, so I don't even bother with an itinerary. ADRs and a trip to Pirate's League are planned, but that's it. I suspect things will be built around their naps and potty breaks (the 2 yr old is in the process of potty training).

Yeah, at 4&5 we didn't bother either and it was just fine, they don't really get to have an opinion at those ages, ours however are all pretty darn opinionated, and vocal.


But...they are engaged so that's good!

I'm really looking forward to your YC review. I booked YC yesterday for a convention in November. The group rate is $199/night, which is a great deal. Plus, school will reimburse hotel, airfare, food, and airport transportation/parking expenses. I had a choice between CR, CSR, YC, and BC. CR was out because I've stayed there and will be at BLT next month. I picked YC because it's closer to the convention center and I can always book BCV with points. Plus, I really like that all rooms have balconies. I didn't even consider CSR. Not sure why

I know this may be premature, but are you considering a 2011 trip?

Yes and no. We are planning on peepfest and I don't know that the cards will allow for another Disney trip before then as Jeff and I need an adult trip away somewhere exotic first. I promised.

But it could happen! It may depend on how a DVC purchase plays out over the next year.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I like #1 because you can take the monorail to Epcot after tea....much nicer then the sweaty old bus after you've been dainty for an hour! And of course I like being in Epcot for Teppan Edo....but I bet you already guessed I'd say that

 

[eandesmom]

I like #1 because you can take the monorail to Epcot after tea....much nicer then the sweaty old bus after you've been dainty for an hour! And of course I like being in Epcot for Teppan Edo....but I bet you already guessed I'd say that

Heidi, you are

oooh, monorail versus sweaty old bus...that's a VERY good point that I didn't consider at ALL! I think I've been struggling with the fact that the tea, on either day, isn't connected to MK time.

It still leaves me short on scheduled DHS time...

 

[All7OfUs]

I wouldn't have seen that either! But Heidi's right, it's a no brainer- use the mono whenever you can! and later might be better anyway, it'll nicely serve as appies for later dinner.

 

[MEK]

I like option 1. I didn't even read option 2 because Option 1 seems like a winner. Anything beyond that would be over thinking it.

 

[eandesmom]

I wouldn't have seen that either! But Heidi's right, it's a no brainer- use the mono whenever you can! and later might be better anyway, it'll nicely serve as appies for later dinner.

it's brilliant! really does make the decision easy.

I like option 1. I didn't even read option 2 because Option 1 seems like a winner. Anything beyond that would be over thinking it.

I'm trying to avoid over-thinking but it's not really in my nature



Actually I had DHS in there on the cruise night but given the dinner and cruise time variables etc it just seemed like too much work and enjoying the boardwalk a better way to go. I'm going to keep both the 5:10 and them 7pm dinner ressies for now but am leaning heavily towards the 5:10 regardless of cruise time.

I may look back into a cake for the boat though.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

My responses in pink.

That is weird that they put you in with another family! I didn't see them making people share, I would not have been happy about that at all. What an uncomfortable situation. Was this before you had Dylan? that would have been even more wierd!

Yes, it was before we had Dylan and YES, it was uncomfortable. I guess they didn't want to put just 2 of us in the car. I think we all were a little traumatized by the end of the ride. We really do need to try it again.

I didn't think it was carsland but I didn't remember the bear head being quite that big, amazing how different it seemed to look from up in the air.

I have seen much of the Carsland yet but I'm pretty sure that is the bear. Very different perspective from up in the air!




Yep! The one in CA. Taylor's youth group does a huge houseboat trip there. Lucky kid! I've only driven by it but it looks so pretty. Jeff has done houseboat trips there too, something I think would be a fun family week someday.

I love Zumba. Really wish there were more classes at more times!

Wow! That is a far distance to go for a camp, but it is a beautiful lake & it is a great place to go for houseboating. This year we had so much rain that the whole lake was full to capacity, which is a huge blessing since we have been in a drought. If you ever do a family trip, let me know!!! I would only have to drive about 15 minutes to meet you!


.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Ok, I have just read through all of your scenarios. My computer has been down for a few days, so I was behind. I have to say...after reading your first itenerary, I was a little concerned. Mainly all of the stuff that everyone else was saying about spending so much time transporting from place to place. The most recent update looks the best! I agree that Option 1 makes the most sense.

I have to say that you are such a saint for trying to accommodate all of your group's wishes. You are basically planning for 4 different "generations" (kids, teens, parents, grandparents) and you are trying to be considerate of everyone's feelings. I think that all of the effort you have put in will pay off. And at the end of the day, if someone is unhappy then they should have been working their booty off on the schedule the way that you have.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Still catching up...

I love Zappos. I'm thinking, even though I still have 63 days, that I need to start assessing our shoe situation now. I had the girls try on some Keens at Cabelas a while back and they really liked them. I however, did not like the idea of paying $100 for two pair of kid shoes. But on the other hand, they are going to need something supportive for all that walking.

I love that! Is it hand made?

I am not planning on making shirts. Maybe it’s just me, my printer or the transfer paper I use (my printer will only “take” one kind without jamming) but they just don’t hold up past one wash without looking pretty beat up. I could do something through zazzle but just don’t want to spend the $$ not to mention they can't print anything licensed anyway. I just don't see my crew wearing matchy matchy, not our style so no sense spending the money so instead I'm putting it into the souvie budget.

I'm still on the fence about shirts. Thinking maybe I'll try to do the Mickey head shaped tie dye.

I did place my garden grocer order, and paid for it, nice to have that out of the way. We are having it delivered to the YC. During the WL portion we have 2 OOP meals scheduled so will have plenty of CS credits to use and I don’t see the need for the “extras” there.

Here is what we ended up with.

• 
  [*]Dole 100% Orange Peach Mango Juice 64oz CTN 1 $3.59
  [*]Newman's Own All Natural Salsa Chunky Medium 16oz. Jar 1 $2.99
  [*]Newman's Own All Natural Tequila Lime Salsa Chunky Mild 16oz. Jar 1 $2.99
  [*]Apples Pink Lady or Honey Crisp $1.19 EA 12 $14.28
  [*]Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn Tortilla Chips 9oz. Bag 1 $4.19
  [*]Tostitos Tortilla Chips Restaurant Style with Lime 13.5oz. Bag 1 $4.19
  [*]Land O Lakes Ultra-Pasturized Half and Half Fat Free 32oz. 1 $3.29
  [*]White House Premium 100% Fresh Pressed Apple Juice w/Calcium 64oz. BTL 1 $3.29
  [*]Florida's Natural Premium Orange Juice with Calcium Pulp Free 64oz. CTN 1 $4.29
  [*]Club Store Brand Purified Water 32PK of 16.9oz. BTLS 1 $6.99
  [*]Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt 4EA Strawberry Blueberry Raspberry 4oz EA 1 $6.59
  [*]Bananas Green Turning 10 LBS 1 $8.99
  

​

Subtotal $65.67, Delivery $12.00, Gratuity $5.00, Sales Tax $3.81, Balance Due $86.48​

Wow, you can specify that you want your bananas green, but turning?

On that note, does anyone know if Ice Tea is an option for refills? Or if they have lemonade at the soda bar?

Yes, and yes. I'm sure someone already answered that

Travel sized sunscreen.

I found some "single serve" packs here that I like

What a cool website!

Back to finish catching up...

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Phew! I just skimmed all four versions of the plan, and all the comments in between, and I have to say my head is spinning! Good thing you got plenty of helpful comments already because I don't think I can come up with anything!