May 2008 PTR..A Carousel of Progress.

[lazidazi07]

Pssst. Over here. Remember me anyone? Well, we're back. And better than ever. And hoping for another amazing trip to the world.

I have been putting off this PTR for too long, simply because this trip has been up in the air, and quite honestly still is. See, technically, we havent booked yet. Im crossing my fingers we'll be able to do it this weekend. Thats why this trip is still in progress.The worst possible scenario is that this pre-trip report will be granted an extra long life because our plan B is to go at the beginning of august which will definently happen if we cant make it in May. When you have a Disney Addiction to feed, you will feed it in anyway you can.





Whew. With that out of the way.. I'll let you in on our plans.

 

[lazidazi07]

Since we are fabulously poor college students, this trip will be low-budget, but I kind of like it this way. Instead of flying we are planning on driving. I am SO SO excited to do this since it means we will be making stops in places like New Orleans and Destin! It will be a long drive, no doubt but very worth it. We plan on only stopping in Destin on our way there and New Orleans on the way back. I fell in love with New Orleans when I visited it there a while ago, but havent been back post-Katrina. I fell in love with it all over again though when I watched Love Song for Bobby Long and cant wait to see it again.

Here's our Disney Plans:
May 18-23, 2008
5 nights, 6 days
@ Pop Century
with Park Hoppers and Basic Disney Dining

We are crossing our fingers Pop is not all booked up, but if it is our back up is ASMu. We loved this place more than CBR last time and wouldnt mind staying there at all, though we would prefer Pop because of the better busing system. If we do indeed get Pop, I will be asking tons of questions about which decade to pick!

We are sooo disappointed with the changes in the Dining Plan! But we still think its a good deal for us, since the old Dining Plan spoiled us into thinking TS restaurants could not be ignored!

I think thats all for now. We've got a list of ADR's we're thinking about, should I post?

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Looks like we will be at POP the exact same time. Looking forward to more of your PTR.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh! You and your BF are adorable! I hope everything works out and you guys get to go in May! Can't wait to find out!

 

[BrittBritt]

I'm so glad you are going on another trip. I read all of your last report---after it was over and never got a chance to post. I'll make up for it this time!

It's great news to hear you all didn't break up for good. You're just precious together. I was also an Eng. Ed. major and loved every moment of it.
Can't wait to hear the plans!

 

[lazidazi07]

Looks like we will be at POP the exact same time. Looking forward to more of your PTR.

Yay, you're my first poster! I hope we will both be at Pop, we're booking this Friday for sure, so we'll find out! Will you be wearing a LGMH?

Oh! You and your BF are adorable! I hope everything works out and you guys get to go in May! Can't wait to find out!

Thanks! We're booking on Friday, cross your fingers we get Pop!

I'm so glad you are going on another trip. I read all of your last report---after it was over and never got a chance to post. I'll make up for it this time!

It's great news to hear you all didn't break up for good. You're just precious together. I was also an Eng. Ed. major and loved every moment of it.
Can't wait to hear the plans!

Its okay, I hope this trip is bigger and better! And neato, Another English Ed. major!

 

[lazidazi07]

So, we've accumulated the deposit and are going to make our reservations on Friday! Everybody cross your fingers that we get Pop! Our second choice is ASMo, but we're really hoping for Pop, May 15-23!

After we make our reservation, I'm hopping on the Disney Dining Line and hoping to get these ADR's:

Sunday, May 15th
Liberty Tree Tavern around 5PM
Magic Kingdom has Evening EMH this night, so it was between Chef Mickeys and Liberty Tree Tavern. Any opinions? Chef Mickeys looked crowded and chaotic whereas Liberty Tree Tavern looked a bit more calm. Any suggestions?

Monday, May 19th
Whispering Canyon Cafe around 7PM
So excited for this! Love the Wilderness Lodge, and I'm excited for the atmosphere. I havent eaten here since I was about 8 years old.

Tuesday, May 20th
Ohana's around 7PM
What trip is complete without Ohanas?

Wednesday, May 21st
Le Cellier around 5PM
I'll be eating a steak for the first time since...well, last trip!

Thursday, May 22nd
Coral Reef at 1PM
I'm hoping to get the diver and special menu for this night. Has anybody done this before, tips, etc? I'm a little nervous about it.

So there they are! Im just itching to make them. Friday cant come soon enough!

 

[ThinkTink75]

So, we've accumulated the deposit and are going to make our reservations on Friday! Everybody cross your fingers that we get Pop! Our second choice is ASMo, but we're really hoping for Pop, May 15-23!

After we make our reservation, I'm hopping on the Disney Dining Line and hoping to get these ADR's:

Sunday, May 15th
Liberty Tree Tavern around 5PM
Magic Kingdom has Evening EMH this night, so it was between Chef Mickeys and Liberty Tree Tavern. Any opinions? Chef Mickeys looked crowded and chaotic whereas Liberty Tree Tavern looked a bit more calm. Any suggestions?

Monday, May 19th
Whispering Canyon Cafe around 7PM
So excited for this! Love the Wilderness Lodge, and I'm excited for the atmosphere. I havent eaten here since I was about 8 years old.

Tuesday, May 20th
Ohana's around 7PM
What trip is complete without Ohanas?

Wednesday, May 21st
Le Cellier around 5PM
I'll be eating a steak for the first time since...well, last trip!

Thursday, May 22nd
Coral Reef at 1PM
I'm hoping to get the diver and special menu for this night. Has anybody done this before, tips, etc? I'm a little nervous about it.

So there they are! Im just itching to make them. Friday cant come soon enough!

Hey! Glad to hear you are planning another trip! Yay you guys! Oh and don't worry about the up-in-the-air-ness, thats whats been going on over here with me and my boyfriend to so I know how you feel. Since I am a teacher (I teach high school Social Studies and trust me teaching is a performance 5x a day 5 days a week! You will fit right in! And sharing your passion is so much fun!) we are going around my school calendar and are looking at late summer or Thanksgiving this year! I am so excited!

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that you can call right now and book your ADRs, simply tell them that you haven't chosen a resort yet and don't have a ressie number. They will book it with your home phone number and then after you put down your deposit you can just get transferred over to add in your res number. And about the Coral Reef Diver--I did this last year for our summer trip. Feel free to email me-- I have a couple email addresses and phone numbers and can be a bit of a guide for you. My email is LaBellaVita83@gmail.com (not my primary email but I do try and check it everyday).

In any case, I can't get on the Dis often because its blocked at the school I work at so I use the Passporter forums for my daily disney fix on my lunch and prep instead. You should check out the passporter- its such a fun guidebook! (If you decide you want one sign up for the forums because you get a discount for signing up on the guide.)

Anyways, hope I can be a help! Good luck on all your plans!!
Melissa

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Yay, you're my first poster! I hope we will both be at Pop, we're booking this Friday for sure, so we'll find out! Will you be wearing a LGMH?

Thats exciting about booking on Friday! It always feels so real after you book.

I will have my LGMH on so make sure you say hi if you see me! Also I don't know if you would be interested but there are a couple dis meets. One is on the 21st for dinner at Ohana's and then the P&P party after. And the other is on the 22nd for a trip around the world at Epcot and dinner at Tuttio Italia. You could come just to say hi if you werent interested in the dinners. heres the link if your interested. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1617928

Also I wanted to add your ADR's look great. For your first day I would pick Chef Mickeys over LTT. Just for the fact that the food at Chef Mickeys is more Disney exclusive where as LTT you could have Mac and cheese and turkey anytime. Both are character dinners so you would have the character interaction at either one. Plus if you do chef Mickey's you will have plenty of time at the MK for EMH.

 

[babieemelly]

Hey Shanna! I loved your last report and was wondering what happened to you. I'm glad to hear that you've been doing good, and that you have a new trip coming up so soon! Were you able to book it and get your ADRs? Keep us updated!

 

[lazidazi07]

Sorry for delay, college life is getting crazy busy! Sorority life is picking up and I barely have any free time. Nonetheless, some great news comes with this update.

..we booked!..

and

got

a standard room

from May 18-23, with park hoppers and the basic dining plan

at...

POP CENTURY!


The AAA agent was as dumb as a box of rocks [harsh, i know..but seriously!] about booking the trip so I pretty much walked right in like I owned the place and walked the man through the process..and slam, bam our trip was booked.

I plan on making ADR's either tomorrow or saturday! Cross your fingers we get everything we want!

 

[lazidazi07]

Hey! Glad to hear you are planning another trip! Yay you guys! Oh and don't worry about the up-in-the-air-ness, thats whats been going on over here with me and my boyfriend to so I know how you feel. Since I am a teacher (I teach high school Social Studies and trust me teaching is a performance 5x a day 5 days a week! You will fit right in! And sharing your passion is so much fun!) we are going around my school calendar and are looking at late summer or Thanksgiving this year! I am so excited!

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that you can call right now and book your ADRs, simply tell them that you haven't chosen a resort yet and don't have a ressie number. They will book it with your home phone number and then after you put down your deposit you can just get transferred over to add in your res number. And about the Coral Reef Diver--I did this last year for our summer trip. Feel free to email me-- I have a couple email addresses and phone numbers and can be a bit of a guide for you. My email is LaBellaVita83@gmail.com (not my primary email but I do try and check it everyday).

In any case, I can't get on the Dis often because its blocked at the school I work at so I use the Passporter forums for my daily disney fix on my lunch and prep instead. You should check out the passporter- its such a fun guidebook! (If you decide you want one sign up for the forums because you get a discount for signing up on the guide.)

Anyways, hope I can be a help! Good luck on all your plans!!
Melissa

Yay! I was hoping you would find my PTR and be along for the ride again. Thank you so much for the Coral Reef help, I will definently be emailing you sometime soon.

Thats exciting about booking on Friday! It always feels so real after you book.

I will have my LGMH on so make sure you say hi if you see me! Also I don't know if you would be interested but there are a couple dis meets. One is on the 21st for dinner at Ohana's and then the P&P party after. And the other is on the 22nd for a trip around the world at Epcot and dinner at Tuttio Italia. You could come just to say hi if you werent interested in the dinners. heres the link if your interested. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1617928

Also I wanted to add your ADR's look great. For your first day I would pick Chef Mickeys over LTT. Just for the fact that the food at Chef Mickeys is more Disney exclusive where as LTT you could have Mac and cheese and turkey anytime. Both are character dinners so you would have the character interaction at either one. Plus if you do chef Mickey's you will have plenty of time at the MK for EMH.

Hmm...we have Ohana's scheduled for the 20th, but I'll see about moving it to the 21st..I've always wanted to meet "REAL" dissers! And I will also be sporting a LGMH.

Hey Shanna! I loved your last report and was wondering what happened to you. I'm glad to hear that you've been doing good, and that you have a new trip coming up so soon! Were you able to book it and get your ADRs? Keep us updated!

Thanks for coming around my new PTR! I've tried to pick up where I left off on your trip report for last summer, and I saw you've already got another started! I've got a lot of catching up to do!

 

[lazidazi07]

Sorry, no update, my cell phone went kaput this weekend and I wasnt able to call to make adrs. however, i am calling for some much needed help..


While I've been on many road trips with family and such, this will be my first BIG roadtrip across country alone, with DBF. We're trying to make up driving plans and such but dont even know where to start really. Any suggestions? We're kind of clueless with this sort of thing. Should we just open up a map and play finger pointing games or Mapquest? When I MapQuest stuff for here at home, I'm never happy with it [it takes the long way, etc].

Experience anyone?

 

[DisneyFairy66]

Sounds like a great PTR.

You and your boyfriend are soo cute together

I cant wait to see your TR when you get back.
Your going to have a blast.....
Take lots of pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[misscmac]

Sorry, no update, my cell phone went kaput this weekend and I wasnt able to call to make adrs. however, i am calling for some much needed help..


While I've been on many road trips with family and such, this will be my first BIG roadtrip across country alone, with DBF. We're trying to make up driving plans and such but dont even know where to start really. Any suggestions? We're kind of clueless with this sort of thing. Should we just open up a map and play finger pointing games or Mapquest? When I MapQuest stuff for here at home, I'm never happy with it [it takes the long way, etc].

Experience anyone?

I have had the same experiences with Mapquest, and so have alot of my friends . I would maybe compare Mapquest, Google Map, and a few online site to find the best route (and bring them all with you just in case!).

Or, if you can find a realllllly good deal, maybe a GPS for the car? They are great because they can help you find restaurants, gas stations, and other places of interest along the way.

Looking forward to the next update!

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Congrats on booking! That is the best feeling knowing that its "official"!

Don't worry about switching your ADR. We will also be at Epcot on the 22nd if you want to meet up in the afternoon to say hi!

 

[babieemelly]

Sorry, no update, my cell phone went kaput this weekend and I wasnt able to call to make adrs. however, i am calling for some much needed help..


While I've been on many road trips with family and such, this will be my first BIG roadtrip across country alone, with DBF. We're trying to make up driving plans and such but dont even know where to start really. Any suggestions? We're kind of clueless with this sort of thing. Should we just open up a map and play finger pointing games or Mapquest? When I MapQuest stuff for here at home, I'm never happy with it [it takes the long way, etc].

Experience anyone?

Mapquest is ALWAYS wrong, I hate it I don't know where you guys will be leaving from but we always take I95. We're in the northeast so we get on in Jersey and follow it straight down all the way to Daytona Beach, then I4 takes us across the state to Orlando and then 192 brings you right to Disney. I don't know how close you are to I95, though, or if there's a better route. Good luck, road trip's are the best!

 

[thecolorofthewind13]

hey shanna! I have been a lurker on these boards for about 4 months in anticipation for me and my bf's graduation trip! when i came across your first trip report i fell in love! you guys are so much like me and my bf even when it comes to style so i was very excited! we're going in july and reading about your trip made me even more excited to go! i'm so happy you're able to go again and i can't wait to read about it! you are def the first person i will go to if i have questions about the World!

 

[lazidazi07]

Sounds like a great PTR.

You and your boyfriend are soo cute together

I cant wait to see your TR when you get back.
Your going to have a blast.....
Take lots of pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will take WAY too many pictures, im sure. Thanks for reading!

I have had the same experiences with Mapquest, and so have alot of my friends . I would maybe compare Mapquest, Google Map, and a few online site to find the best route (and bring them all with you just in case!).

Or, if you can find a realllllly good deal, maybe a GPS for the car? They are great because they can help you find restaurants, gas stations, and other places of interest along the way.

Looking forward to the next update!

Hmm.. I'll see if a GPS can fit into the budget. Any suggestions on what kind?...Thanks for reading!

Congrats on booking! That is the best feeling knowing that its "official"!

Don't worry about switching your ADR. We will also be at Epcot on the 22nd if you want to meet up in the afternoon to say hi!

I will definently keep an eye out! It'd be a pleasure to be able to meet some of you!

Mapquest is ALWAYS wrong, I hate it I don't know where you guys will be leaving from but we always take I95. We're in the northeast so we get on in Jersey and follow it straight down all the way to Daytona Beach, then I4 takes us across the state to Orlando and then 192 brings you right to Disney. I don't know how close you are to I95, though, or if there's a better route. Good luck, road trip's are the best!

We'll be coming from the west so im afraid that wont work...but yes, the adventure of a road trip should be amazing!

hey shanna! I have been a lurker on these boards for about 4 months in anticipation for me and my bf's graduation trip! when i came across your first trip report i fell in love! you guys are so much like me and my bf even when it comes to style so i was very excited! we're going in july and reading about your trip made me even more excited to go! i'm so happy you're able to go again and i can't wait to read about it! you are def the first person i will go to if i have questions about the World!

Awwh, I'm glad you enjoyed my first PTR, I enjoyed writing it! And i LOVE answering questions about the World, so PM me or whatevs and ask away! Good luck with trip planning, you should write a PTR!

 

[lazidazi07]

Sorry, this PTR is so stagnant..I'm such a neglectful disser! My last PTR puts this one to shame..Things are just SO SO SO busy.

So, I wasnt able to be there..but John went and made the final payment on Friday! We are booked and ready to go. The only thing left to sort out is the road trip aspect of it, and would love to hear anyone's comments on getting there, how you Disney-fy the ride, etc!

Look what I got in my email the day John went to book:

I went ahead and made our ADR's and was disappointed and still may do some rearranging.

Sun, May 18th
Liberty Tree Tavern 4:55 PM
I'm still thinking about switching this to Chef Mickeys..?
Mon, May 19th
Whispering Canyon Cafe 7:20 PM
Tue, May 20th
Ohana's 7:00 PM
Wed, May 21st
Sci Fi Dine In Theatre 5PM
We werent able to get Le Cellier for this night or Coral Reef for the next day..I was SOO bummed!
Thur, May 22nd
Le Cellier 12:40 PM

I should have our itenerary up soon and would love to hear everyone's thoughts. Hope everyone had a great weekend!