Major Planner + Unexpected Trip = HELP!!!

[njdisneyfreak]

For those of you who joined me on my last pre and post-trip reports, welcome back! I know, I know. . .weren't we just at WDW? Yup! But, this past Sunday, my darling DH surprised me by calling WDW and booked a trip for this summer!!!

CAST OF CHARACTERS: My DH and me, and we're both in our mid-thirties. We absolutely love WDW and are really looking forward to returning so soon.

This is us, at Sci-Fi, this past December:

TRIP DATES:
July 12-20, 2008

BACKGROUND FOR OUR STORY:
Let me catch you up, for those of you who are just meeting me. By the way, nice to meet you all! We went on an amazing two week vacation to WDW this past December to celebrate our 8th anniversary, Christmas and New Year's and had an absolute blast! We left wanting to return within the year, but not sure if it would be possible.

Fast forward to this past Sunday. . .
My DH says to me, "Guess what? I'm booking a trip for us at POR for July!" We originally wanted to go to AKL, but with the heat, we thought it would better to do AKL during a cooler month, and when we planned our last trip, POR was one of our top places to try.

Now, if you read either of my last two reports, you know that organizer/planner is my middle name. Yes, learning to spell that in kindergarten was rough! When we planned our last trip, we had 18 months to get everything organized, down to the smallest detail. It's how we are, and our planning paid off.

Well, now we have just over 4 months till we leave and no dining ressies yet?! I would have booked those before now, except that I've been sick with the flu, which has basically taken my voice. So, I haven't been able to call. My DH hates being on the phone for long periods, so he has waiting for me to get better, though he says that maybe he'll call tomorrow, at least for the places we absolutely want to eat.

So, any suggestions? We haven't planned a blessed thing. Any restaurant musts? We've never been to POR, either. So, we'll take any tips on what we shouldn't miss, while staying there. Since I'm sick at the moment, you have my undivided attention!

Let the planning begin. . .

 

[DWGal210]

Yeah I'm the first


I read your other TR and LOVED it. You and your husband are my kind of people

When are you going this summer? I'll be there in June.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Yeah I'm the first


I read your other TR and LOVED it. You and your husband are my kind of people

When are you going this summer? I'll be there in June.

Can't wait to read more!

So nice to see you again! We'll be there from July 12-20. I can't wait. I'm glad you're looking forward to reading more. With such little time before the trip, this should be a fun and crazy ride!!!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Based on past trips, there were three restaurants we really wanted for this trip. We were worried we wouldn't get them, because of the timing. But, my amazing DH called Disney Dining today and got not one, but all three of them!

For our first night, we'll be having dinner at Chef Mickey's. We've done breakfast there on each of our past trips, but when we tried for a dinner ressie on our last trip, there were absolutely no openings. Then, our first full day, we got breakfast at the castle!!! We had this booked for our last trip, cancelled it (don't ask me why. . .a moment of insanity), and then when we had second thoughts, there were no openings. Finally, on our last trip, we discovered one of our new favorite restaurants: LeCellier. We got a dinner reservation for later in the trip. I feel so much better having those taken care of.

Hopefully, this weekend, we'll get the rest booked. I'm still dealing with the flu, so we'll just have to wait and see.

I love planning WDW trips!!!

 

[DWGal210]

Sounds like great choices...and you get to eat at the Castle, you lucky girl How nice of your DH to help you with that!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Sounds like great choices...and you get to eat at the Castle, you lucky girl How nice of your DH to help you with that!

Thanks! Yes, I am blessed to have some an awesome DH. I can't wait to experience the castle again. I know that many are fortunate to go once in their lifetime, and I think it's awesome that this will be my third time.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Well, I've come up with a tentative dining itinerary. I'm still home sick, so I've had the time on my hands. Let me know what you think.

Sat. July 12th
- Riverside Mill (lunch)
- Chef Mickey's (dinner): already booked

Sun. July 13th
- Cinderella's Royal Banquet Hall (breakfast): already booked
- Liberty Tree Tavern (lunch)
- Boatwright's Dining Hall (dinner)

Mon. July 14th
- 1900 Park Fare (breakfast)
- not sure (lunch) - - ANY SUGGESTIONS???
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (dinner)

Tues. July 15th
- Boatwright's Dining Hall (breakfast)
- Garden Grill (lunch)
- LeCellier (dinner): already booked

Wed. July 16th
- Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House (breakfast)
- Mara (lunch)
- Mama Melrose (dinner)

Thurs. July 17th- Boatwright's Dining Hall (breakfast)
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre (lunch)
- 1900 Park Fare (dinner)

Fri. July 18th
- Chef Mickey's (breakfast)
- Kona Cafe (lunch)
- Boma's (dinner)

Sat. July 19th
- Princess Storybook Dining - Restaurant Akershus (breakfast)
- Coral Reef
- Boatwright's Dining Hall

Most of these places, we've been to, before. However, we've never gone to:
- Boatwright's Dining Hall
- Kona Cafe
- Boma's
- Donald's Safari at Tusker House
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
- Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch (we've only done dinner)

What do you all think???

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm on board too!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I'm on board too!

Welcome!!! I love Donald, too. I got what has now become my favorite sweatshirt, with Donald on it, when we went in December. I got quite frustrated on how hard it is to find Donald merchandise.

Thanks for hopping on board. I hope you enjoy the ride!

 

[BrittBritt]

Hello! I had to subscribe after seeing you'll be in Disney right before I will. You are definitely lucky to be able to eat at so many nice places. Evidently, my DH is too picky for Le Cellier. Who ever heard of that nonsense?

I liked Hoop-De-Doo. The food was good, the show was corny but fun. I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions to add to your ADRs...you've done such a great job already!

I love how 4 months is a SHORT time to plan a Disney trip! Most vacations, that would be all the time in the world.

 

[Angelrose]

Oh definitely do the Kona Cafe for dinner. It's our favorite place. Service is always good and the food is YUMMMMMM.

 

[klj27]

You made some great choices! We love POR. You may want to eat in the food court more than once. They have great selections. We love the pasta station. In two week I will be eating pasta with shrimp, pesto, and pine nuts. Yummm!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Hello! I had to subscribe after seeing you'll be in Disney right before I will. You are definitely lucky to be able to eat at so many nice places. Evidently, my DH is too picky for Le Cellier. Who ever heard of that nonsense?

I liked Hoop-De-Doo. The food was good, the show was corny but fun. I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions to add to your ADRs...you've done such a great job already!

I love how 4 months is a SHORT time to plan a Disney trip! Most vacations, that would be all the time in the world.

Too picky for LeCellier? Does he not enjoy steak? If he'll eat a burger, you guys could always go for lunch.

I haven't gotten my DH's thoughts on the food choices yet, except for the ones we already booked. I'll see what he thinks about Hoop-Dee-Doo.

Yeah, I know 4 months is fairly normal for most people to plan, but I came from a planning household growing up and my DH and I are major planners, so I'm so used to taking at least a year to plan for trips. Crazy? Maybe. But, the planning process is so much fun!!! I'm finding that 4 months is not so bad. I know that once we book the rest of our meals, I will feel more relieved.

Oh definitely do the Kona Cafe for dinner. It's our favorite place. Service is always good and the food is YUMMMMMM.

Good to hear! We thought about it for our last trip, but decided against it. What do you suggest we try from their menu?

You made some great choices! We love POR. You may want to eat in the food court more than once. They have great selections. We love the pasta station. In two week I will be eating pasta with shrimp, pesto, and pine nuts. Yummm!

What do you love most about POR? I thought about that, concerning the food court. I figured that when my DH and I discuss our choices, we may put the food court into our itinerary more often. What is the pasta station like? We had a pasta station on a cruise once, and it quickly became our favorite. We loved getting to mix and match what we wanted. What are the choices?

 

[klj27]

The pasta is fabulous. First you choose the pasta type: ziti, fettucine or spaghetti. (I think.)

Next you choose shrimp or chicken.

alfredo, marinari or pesto.

pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, olives, spinach, and more toppings that I can't remember.

It is a HUGE portion. I usually shared it with one of my kids and I always felt full.

I also like the taco salad at POFQ. You may want to walk/boat over there for lunch one day.

Boatrights has some fabulous breakfast items! I think we loved the banana stuffed french toast.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

The pasta is fabulous. First you choose the pasta type: ziti, fettucine or spaghetti. (I think.)

Next you choose shrimp or chicken.

alfredo, marinari or pesto.

pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, olives, spinach, and more toppings that I can't remember.

It is a HUGE portion. I usually shared it with one of my kids and I always felt full.

I also like the taco salad at POFQ. You may want to walk/boat over there for lunch one day.

Boatrights has some fabulous breakfast items! I think we loved the banana stuffed french toast.

Thanks! You're making me hungry!!!

 

[Angelrose]

I had the coconut almond chicken and DH had the pan Asian noodles vegetarian. Both were exceptional and huge portions. DH asked for and got some broccoli with his. Everything was sooo good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

 

[njdisneyfreak]

I had the coconut almond chicken and DH had the pan Asian noodles vegetarian. Both were exceptional and huge portions. DH asked for and got some broccoli with his. Everything was sooo good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Sounds good. I can tell you really enjoyed it.

 

[BrittBritt]

Too picky for LeCellier? Does he not enjoy steak? If he'll eat a burger, you guys could always go for lunch.

I haven't gotten my DH's thoughts on the food choices yet, except for the ones we already booked. I'll see what he thinks about Hoop-Dee-Doo.

Yeah, I know 4 months is fairly normal for most people to plan, but I came from a planning household growing up and my DH and I are major planners, so I'm so used to taking at least a year to plan for trips. Crazy? Maybe. But, the planning process is so much fun!!! I'm finding that 4 months is not so bad. I know that once we book the rest of our meals, I will feel more relieved.

Yes, evidently DH has been harboring some strange dislike for steak. I say strange because not once in 8 years have I ever heard of this dislike, and I could swear I've actually seen him eat steak before, and I'm pretty sure I've even cooked steak for him...

Needless to say, it was quite the argument.

I secretly think the planning process might even be more fun than the actual trip. (Maybe by just a smidge? )

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Yes, evidently DH has been harboring some strange dislike for steak. I say strange because not once in 8 years have I ever heard of this dislike, and I could swear I've actually seen him eat steak before, and I'm pretty sure I've even cooked steak for him...

Needless to say, it was quite the argument.

I secretly think the planning process might even be more fun than the actual trip. (Maybe by just a smidge? )

How weird. Will he eat a burger, since they have those at lunch? They also have some salad, chicken and seafood dishes if that helps you to sell the idea to him. If he doesn't care for a particular side, I got mine substituted when I went. I'm married to a man from Texas, so to hear of a guy who doesn't eat steak (and I know they exist), always seems odd to me.

The planning is a lot of fun, actually, but I'd have a hard time deciding which is more fun: the planning or the trip itself. We tend to be like big kids when we go to WDW, which is great fun! But, the planning is definitely a blast. Oh, I can't choose!

 

[njdisneyfreak]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I got a great bag to bring on this trip. I used to use fanny packs through the 2002 trip. Since then, I have refused. This past trip, when needed, I brought a Disney tote bag along. This time, I'll be ready. I got a great Vera Bradley blue purse that reminds me of denim, so it will go with my shorts and capris which are primarily denim. I can adjust the strap to just wear over one shoulder or across my chest, so I'm happy to have gotten it.

Also, we finally became convinced to each buy a pair of Crocs for this trip. When we went in 2006, we saw them all over the place, and wondered what the deal was. Within a short period of time, we saw that they had become a world-wide craze. Then, when we went this past December, we tried a pair while at WDW and loved the feel of them. So, we are going to each get a pair this spring, in preparation for the trip. I'm not sure yet what color and style to get, yet. Right now, we each want a pair of the flip-flop looking pairs and I think I might go with a Mary Jane style, while my DH may go more with the traditional.

Any thoughts from anyone who has Crocs??? There are so many styles. It's hard to decide.