Looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere a PTR

[All7OfUs]

That is some really beautiful country over there. I imagine that area is to East Coasters as The Cascades is to us Northwesterners. Timberline Lodge is the majestic old place up on Mt. Hood with gigantic fireplaces and all that.

So glad you got to just hang around and just relax; you are right, a WDW vacation is ANYTHING but relaxing.

 

[princess&her4princes]

WOW...loving all the NH pics!!!! I was really hoping to take the boys there this year, but doesn't look like we're going to make it. Now that Fall is sneaking up on us!! Maybe next year!! It's just beatiful and like you, I have fond memories of vacationing there as a child..there is nothing like that fresh, clean air and the views are to die for!!!

Thanks for sharing!! I hope you're well!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

That is some really beautiful country over there. I imagine that area is to East Coasters as The Cascades is to us Northwesterners. Timberline Lodge is the majestic old place up on Mt. Hood with gigantic fireplaces and all that.

So glad you got to just hang around and just relax; you are right, a WDW vacation is ANYTHING but relaxing.

One of these days I need to get further away from home than Florida. It seems to be as far as I get. I have family near West Palm Beach, so if I'm not going to Orlando I'm flying there. I need to get some family on the west coast to give me a good excuse.

I'm just amazed how a few hour drive brings me from this:

The beach near my house. I love that it's just a few hours drive up to the mountains, or an hour or so train ride to NYC from where I live. It's why I really love where I live. I love being close enough to everything.

WOW...loving all the NH pics!!!! I was really hoping to take the boys there this year, but doesn't look like we're going to make it. Now that Fall is sneaking up on us!! Maybe next year!! It's just beatiful and like you, I have fond memories of vacationing there as a child..there is nothing like that fresh, clean air and the views are to die for!!!

Thanks for sharing!! I hope you're well!!

I just love the fact that it hasn't really gotten overly commercial or out of control up there. Although I will admit that it was a bit freaky to find myself often enough with no cell phone service. Normally around here I'll end up in roaming occasionally near the beach, but up there I'd hit spots where I had no service at all.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Disney has finally released hours for December, and for the most part they are just about what I was expecting. AK is open an hour later then last year, MK is closing an hour earlier on our first night than a year ago (and having one less Spectro show, but other than that it's pretty much the same.

Except...

Fantasmic.

Can I say now for the record how much I dislike the new highly abbreviated Fantasmic schedule? During the 7 nights I will be in Disney it is running exactly twice, and of course to make my life a bit more difficult it's running on our two non-park days, Tuesday and Thursday. Of course the week before and after mine it's running three times, and on days that would have been better for me. Figures right that out of 7 days, they have it on the two I can't make.

Technically I could change our free days, but there were reasons for them being planned for those days. Mainly being, I don't want to spend my free days as ASSports. I want them to be at the Boardwalk. I don't want to have my two free days in a row. I didn't want my last full day to be a free day.

So it comes down to what is more important to me. My free days the way I want them, or Fantasmic. It ended up being an easy decision. Free days. As soon as I saw the schedule, I knew I wanted my free days more. Don't get me wrong, I'll miss Fantasmic alot. It's my favorite night time show, but I'm not going to stress myself over trying to make it fit in the schedule when it just won't fit. Besides my BFF and I will be going again next year, and we'll just make sure to fit it in then.

So with ADR days fast approaching here is what I'll be trying to get - the finalized list. Keep your fingers crossed for me. No specific lunch plans, other than the Flame Tree at AK. We are thinking of heading to different resorts to have lunch so we can check out the decorations at the various places. Unless noted breakfast will be at the food court our first few days, and in the concierge lounge the last four.

The ADR's I have to call on Sunday to make.-

12/5 - Magic Kingdom - The Plaza 5pm ish
Spectro is at 7pm , and wishes at 8pm. This way we'll be able to come right out and catch the parade. Still no back up plan. I'm thinking we will just do CS at the Columbia Harbor house if we don't get an ADR. I'm also thinking possibly of The Wave.

12/6 - Animal Kingdom - Boma 6pm.
So far my past two trips 6pm ADRs at Boma have worked out pretty good for me. It has us leaving the park before closing, so we don't get caught up in the crowds at the bus stops. Back up plan is Raglan Road.

12/7 - Epcot/MGM - Akerhaus 8:00 am
No back up for this one either. If I can't get it, I'll go without. I know there is always the castle, but it just seems way too pricey for me for breakfast.

12/7 - Epcot/MGM - Brown Derby 6pm
I'm still a bit torn on the Brown Derby/Sci Fi decison, but am 99% positive I'm going with the Derby. As much as I want to check out the Sci-Fi, I'm going with the better food.

And ADRs and other ressies being made on Wed. 9/7 by the Boardwalk IPO office.

12/8 - Poly - Kona Cafe 8:15 am
If I don't get this one, I'm planning on heading to Captain Cook's for some Tonga Toast.

12/8 - Grand Floridian - Citrus Massage 10:00 am
I've never had a massage before. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it! My friend will be on a tour this day. Not sure which one yet.

12/8 - Grand Floridian - Garden Tea 2:00 pm
Just me. I'm still not sure about this, but I'm having them make the ADR for me. I can always cancel later if I change my mind. I'm thinking though that it will be a nice way to wrap up my time at the GF after my day at the spa.

12/8 - Fort Wilderness - Hoop Dee Do Review 7:15 pm
Per my friend's request, but I love the show so I was all for it. I haven't seen it in ages so I'm really looking forward to it.

12/9 - Epcot - Le Cellier 7:00 pm
So far I'm still with this one, but if I deciede to book the candlelight processional I'll probably go with the San Angel because of the price difference. My friend is a steak eater, so I'm pretty sure she'll be happy with Le Cellier.

12/10 - Poly - Ohana 5:30 pm
This is one of our free days, but we are planning on going to MVMCP at night. Back-up plan is for the Crystal Palace or Liberty Tavern.

12/11 - Grand Floridian - Citricos 8:45 pm
I let my friend chose between the Cali Grill and Citricos, and she went with Citricos. This may be the only place where I know exactly what I want already - quatro fromaggi potatoes - whatever they serve them with . I'm hoping they live up to Tink's build up.

12/12 - Contemporary - Chef Mickey's 9:30 am
Our last day. It should make a nice wrap up to our trip. The back up is for the Cape May buffet at the Beach Club.

I am so happy that I don't have to worry about making the ADRs on Wed., and that the Boardwalk IPO will be taking care of it. I'm usually out the door at 6:30 am to catch my train, so I was going to have to take some time off if I had to make them myself.

I'm not letting myself stress too much over what I get and what I don't. Plenty of good places to eat at Disney, and neither of us is particulary fussy. What we get, we get, and what we don't we find someplace better to eat. No stress!

 

[Donald is #1]

I loved reading about your White Mountains trip. I just love heading up there!


I guess that since the December hours are out, it is time for me to do a final check on my plan for December also since my ADR window opens up on Sunday.

 

[All7OfUs]

I am simply in love with your list of choices. But, even more than that, I love your laissez faire attitude. Really, with all the great places to eat, you shouldn't have any reason to stress over what you get and what you don't.

Having said that, I think you have a great chance of getting everything you want. And that you will have your dining be a really nice aspect of your time there. Citricos has always looked so nice to me. Someday, I'd really like to try it out.

Looking forward to what you get on Sunday!

 

[Flossbolna]

This is a great list of ADRs. I love the sound of your free day at the GF Spa and I think you definitely should end it with tea at the GF.

Have you ever seen the CP? All I have read about, it seems really difficult to get into. So if you want to see it, getting the dinner package might be a very good idea.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I loved reading about your White Mountains trip. I just love heading up there!


I guess that since the December hours are out, it is time for me to do a final check on my plan for December also since my ADR window opens up on Sunday.

I know, I don't know how ADR time snuck up on me like that. I'd been waiting for ages, then got distracted, and it was time. I'm suddenly feeling fairly ambivalent about them. I'm liking feeling this way about them too. Maybe it's because I'm not on the DDP this trip, and I'm not worried about "getting my moneys worth" out of my ADRs.

I am simply in love with your list of choices. But, even more than that, I love your laissez faire attitude. Really, with all the great places to eat, you shouldn't have any reason to stress over what you get and what you don't.

Having said that, I think you have a great chance of getting everything you want. And that you will have your dining be a really nice aspect of your time there. Citricos has always looked so nice to me. Someday, I'd really like to try it out.

Looking forward to what you get on Sunday!

There are a few I'm thinking I might not get Ohana, Chef Mickey's and Le Cellier in particular. Being only two people might actually help at Ohana though, since they do have multiple tables for 3 around the activities floor. I've never had any problems getting Brown Derby, and I don't think Citricos should be a problem. My last few trips I was so stressed about getting ADRs and this trip I feel nothing. I love it!

This is a great list of ADRs. I love the sound of your free day at the GF Spa and I think you definitely should end it with tea at the GF.

Have you ever seen the CP? All I have read about, it seems really difficult to get into. So if you want to see it, getting the dinner package might be a very good idea.

I've never even been inside the GF, so I'm really looking forward to checking it out. I've loved the hotel it was based on, the Hotel Del Coronado out in CA ever since I saw the movie "Some Like it Hot" as a kid.

I've never seen the CP. This is my first trip to Disney in December. I think my friend would really love it, so I'm contemplating booking the dinner package. My brother and SIL have been down to Disney a few times when it's going on, and have never booked the package. They said it was still really enjoyable just listening from outside the theater. I'll have to see. I just am not sure I want to commit to a full dinner.

 

[TarzansKat]

I love Fantasmic, but if the free days are more important, keep 'em. It's your vacation and you want time to relax and enjoy!

And just so you know, the quattro formaggi potatoes come with an amazing filet. I don't eat a lot of red meat, and I order that dish. NOM.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love Fantasmic, but if the free days are more important, keep 'em. It's your vacation and you want time to relax and enjoy!

And just so you know, the quattro formaggi potatoes come with an amazing filet. I don't eat a lot of red meat, and I order that dish. NOM.

My focus this trip is definitely going to be on the free days. I'll miss the show, but I have so many good things planned for this trip I'm okay with it.

The filet sounds good. I seldom eat red meat, but I do enjoy a bit every once in awhile. I pay make my meal at Citricos my red meat night.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Okay, it's 6 am on a Sunday morning and I'm awake. There is just something really wrong with that on so many levels. My body was not happy at all this morning when that alarm went off. This is what Disney ADR day makes you do though I guess. And while I know I've said that I'll get what I get and be happy with it, sometimes you have to give fate a little push in the right direction.

Overall ADR day went very, very well. I certainly won't be complaining about anything. The online system even let me make ADRs for my entire split stay, and didn't limit me to just the first 4 days I'll be at my first resort. As soon as I plugged in my reservation number, it let me book the full +10 days.

Here is what I ended up with:

12/5 5pm The Plaza
Exactly what I wanted.

12/6 6pm - Boma
Again, exactly what I wanted.

12/7 8am - Akerhaus
Woo Hoo! Now I'm now on a roll! 3 out of 3 ADRS at exactly the times I requested. About this time I was starting to feel a bit cocky that I'd get everything I wanted...

That's just about the time that reality reaches out and slaps you back down to put you in your place.

12/7 - Wanted a Brown Derby ADR
In probably the most surprising turn of events, the 6pm Brown Derby ADR that I wanted for this day was unavailable. Not even just an ADR at 6pm - nothing was available for the Brown Derby. I tried a variety of times, and zilch. I'll admit that I was a bit shocked by this one. I've never had any problem before with getting a Brown Derby ADR. I'm thinking that people may have booked it before the December hours where released, and that now that there is no Fantasmic that day ADRs may become available. I'll be checking back occasionally.

Actually a decent ADR for MGM was tough to get period. The only table service restaurant that was showing availability around 6pm was Hollywood & Vine, and I ate there on my last trip and am in no rush to go back. It wasn't horrible, but just not overall appealing to me. If I was booking it for the Fantasmic package it would have been okay, but the food wasn't special enough for me to book it without that extra.

So I booked -
12/7 4:15pm - Sci Fi Drive-In.
This was my back up plan, so I'm content with getting this. My only concern is with the time. Overall I'm not thrilled with such an early dinner time. 4:15 just seems a bit too early, like I'm moving into senior citizen early-bird special territory. Then again maybe we'll be just about ready to eat at that time since we have the buffet breakfast scheduled that day. I may be looking into changing this one to something at Epcot, or at one of the resorts.

12/8 7:55am - Kona Cafe
I was hoping for something at 8:15, but I was given the option for 7:55 or 8:30. My spa appointment is being made for 10:00 am so I went with the earlier time. I want to have a little more time to digest my tonga toast before the massage. Plus this way my BFF may be able to join me before her backstage magic tour.

I didn't make the ADRs for the tea or the Hoop Dee Do for later that day. Tea can't be made online, and I didn't even check the Hoop Dee Doo. I'm just going to let the IPO office deal with these.

12/9 - Nothing Yet
This was my other little snag. I was hoping for Le Cellier at about 7pm. The only time that was available was at 8:20, a bit later than I was hoping for. Particularly because we want to be able to catch Illuminations this night, and an 8:20 ADR would make it impossible. I'm not considering Le Cellier a "must do" so I didn't book the 8:20. I figure that I'll let the Boardwalk IPO give it a try on Wednesday, and if they can't get me a better time I'll try to come up with plan B.

So I'll ask my charming readers what they would chose. I'm willing to consider any other Epcot restaurant, as well as anything in the nearby Boardwalk/Beach Club resort area, and possibly something at MGM. If I was able to snag a Brown Derby ADR at about 6, it would also solve my missing Brown Derby problem, and truthfully I'd rather eat at the Brown Derby than Le Cellier.

12/10 5:20 pm - Ohana
I wanted 5:30, I got 5:20. Sweet!

12/11 8:45pm - Citricos
Another ADR I got exactly what I requested.

12/12 9am - Chef Mickeys
Requested 9:30am got 9am. No biggie, and the earlier time is probably better anyways.

So overall pretty good. I got 7 out of 9 ADRs at times I was happy with, and 1 ADR at a time I'm not thrilled with, but can live with. That just leaves one problem ADR. I'll wait and see if the IPO office can do any better with that one, and see if they come through with my other two ADRs and I'm set to go. I will keep looking though to see if I can get a Brown Derby ADR that day. I'm still a bit shocked about that one. I never thought that with places like Le Cellier, Ohana, Boma and Chef Mickey's on my list that the Brown Derby would become my problem.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Congrats on the ADRs!!

I am SHOCKED you couldn't get a Brown Derby ADR. Hmmm. Very interesting but maybe your theory about people making ADRs before the schedule came out in case Fantasmic was that night is right. Let's hope so! I'll cry if I can't get Brown Derby in January.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Congrats on your ADRs!!! ADR Day is the only day where it is acceptable to be up at the crack of dawn (on a weekend)!

I, too, am shocked that there was nothing for Brown Derby! I would call Disney Dining if I were you -- maybe there is some glitch on the website.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I'm so glad it's not just me who thinks that the Brown Derby thing is a bit weird. I think it was even offering me CRT as a replacement.

Definitely something weird going on there!

Overall I'm thrilled with what I got. I was afraid with free dining going on, but the places I really wanted (Boma, Citricos, Ohana) I got.

 

[TarzansKat]

I'm also surprised about the lack of Brown Derby ADRs, especially given the seventh is a Monday. I would definitely keep trying, maybe even later today. I found that on my first day of booking availability, some things were booked up or not at times that I wanted, but as a few days passed, I was able to tweak it to my liking. I really attribute this to the online system allowing you to stack reservations of close proximity in your cart. Which is fine, I mean, we all make decisions, but it can make the process harder as well.

I think your ADRs look great. Now, I can't remember, are you on a dining plan? When I suggest a restaurant for you in lieu of Le Cellier, I want to keep in mind whether it needs to be 1 or 2TS or if it doesn't matter.

 

[skier_pete]

Remember, with 90+10, they don't open up the entire restaurant reservation system. If you really want Brown Derby, try back exactly 90 days before that date (the 8th?), and there will be a whole bunch more Table opened....same with Le Cellier.

SkierPete

 

[If U Had Wings]

Remember, with 90+10, they don't open up the entire restaurant reservation system. If you really want Brown Derby, try back exactly 90 days before that date (the 8th?), and there will be a whole bunch more Table opened....same with Le Cellier.

SkierPete

I never even thought of that. I'm in no rush so I'll just try back again on Tuesday. Maybe something will turn up.

 

[skier_pete]

I never even thought of that. I'm in no rush so I'll just try back again on Tuesday. Maybe something will turn up.

I did this last trip with CRT...called on the 90+10 date-no dice, but called back again at 90 days...got the exact time I wanted.

A couple of ? for you...

Did you do all of your reservations using the on-line system? Your write up makes it sound like you did. I was wondering how it works, specifically, how it lets you do the 90+10 stuff. Once you type in your party once, do you have to do it again for each reservation? Or does the system save it, and then you can make additional times for the other reservations?

Thanks!
SkierPete

 

[If U Had Wings]

I did this last trip with CRT...called on the 90+10 date-no dice, but called back again at 90 days...got the exact time I wanted.

A couple of ? for you...

Did you do all of your reservations using the on-line system? Your write up makes it sound like you did. I was wondering how it works, specifically, how it lets you do the 90+10 stuff. Once you type in your party once, do you have to do it again for each reservation? Or does the system save it, and then you can make additional times for the other reservations?

Thanks!
SkierPete

You sign in once, with your reservation number, then you kind of go "shopping" for ADRs. It places all your ADRs in a shopping cart until you check out. Once you put in your ressie date it remembers it for all your ADRs. Very easy. I'd recomend playing around with it at least once before hand just for the feel of it.

 

[Flossbolna]

Congratulations on the ADRs!!

Ifg you need somthing to replace Le Cellier, I would vote for either Teppan Edo or Flying Fish, FF especially if you are missing out on Brown Derby. Oh and even though I have never eaten there, I think the food at Biergarten looks pretty good, too.