My 28th trip to WDW (4/17-4/23)...and my 1st trip report? Updated 4/30... TRIP REPORT

[Dizney73]

Wow... I sure hope that I can live up to all the trip reports out there that I am addicted to! I will need lots of TR help and advice and need to know all the secret's that all of you use to make your TR's easy to read... so please don't mind my questions as I go! In life I am a teacher...but am always in need of learning! I hope to give you lots of info, ideas, and pics while you help me become a more confident trip report writer!

The Characters...
There are four of us...

This is our most recent family photo... taken by David and Vicki Arndt Photography in the lobby of the Polynesian!

Myself... This is my 28th trip to the World! I have done it so many times and so many ways... and am always looking for more adventures and experiences! My first trip was when I was in 8th grade... and the magic struck me on our honeymoon 14 years ago! Throughtout the years I have experienced WDW as a couple, with my family, both on and off site, with my 2 best girl friends(using Premium Plan last year and Platinum Plan THIS summer), and as an advisor for our annual middle school YES trip! I do not go to Disney to relax... I go to Disney to EXPERIENCE the magic of living in a fairytale world for just a few days at a time!

DH...Also a lover of Disney... he too was hooked into the magic on our honeymoon! We visit WDW as a family once or twice each year and are owners of DVC! It is wonderful to experience the world with someone who loves th place as much as I do!

DD... age 5, currently a preschool student! Oh my... Shasha's first visit to WDW was when she was 18 months old and this will be her 9th trip to the World... not bad considering she is adopted from China and beacme part of Forever Family when she was nearly 9 months old! She has only ever had her haircut at the Harmony Barbershop on Mainstreet at the Magic Kingdom... well, with one exception... she had an $80 cut, style and make over while onboard the Disney Magic in 2008! Shasha LOVES Disney and could easily be a guide through the parks!

DS... age 2, and just the cutest little boy! This will be his 4th trip to WDW! Po was adopted from Taiwan in 2009 at age 8 months. He is a self proclaimed vegetarian and it is sometimes difficult to find him things to eat... besides junk food, although he has just started to eat a bite or two of chicken about every other time you offer it to him.

Our trip is over our Spring Break, April 17-April 23, 2011, and we are expecting very high crowd levels... but this doesn't bother us... we have been to WDW so many times that it doesn't matter if we don't get to do IT ALL! We are trying a few new activities, restaurants and doing some old favorites as well!

Trip info...
April 17- 23, 2011
DVC Value Studio at Jambo House
No dining plan... but will be using Tables In Wonderland

 

[Dizney73]

Trip info...
April 17- 23, 2011
DVC Value Studio at Jambo House
No dining plan... but will be using Tables In Wonderland


Book Hotel... CHECK!

ADR's Made... CHECK!

So We Went With...

DH's NEED for SPEED!

We AARRRRGH Ready to Try Something NEW!

LONG park Hours!!!

25% off Disney Dining Discount at QS restaurants!!!

I needed to make a few ADR changes so I could take advantage of the 25% off!!!

Shasha's Minnie Mouse and Pirate Outfits from Lil' Bug Clothing!

Itinerary Day 1... Getting there!

Itinerary Day 2... MK, Epcot and Rose and Crown

Day 3 Itinerary... AK and Pirates!!!!

Day 4 Itinerary... A Need for speed Day!

Day 5 Itinerary....The Toy Story Mania Dash, The Hoop and one final activity

Last Day itinerary and a BIG question


Come follow my trip report....
My Spring Break Trip Report... Pirates, A Need for Speed, the Hoop and More

 

[Dizney73]

DH and I have been going to WDW for 14 years now... every year! My goal has always been to stay at every Disney World resort... but gosh, they just keep adding more! In 2007, we had our ah-ha moment when we took our daughter, Shasha, to Disney for her first visit in the middle of July. We stayed at the All-Star Movies Resort (it has always been one of my favorites because of the Disney theming!) and it was a nightmare! There were so many groups at the hotel... it was impossible to walk on the walkways, find a table in the food court or even make your way to a bus without tripping over someone. That is when we bought our DVC at Animal Kingdom Villas and have NEVER looked back!

And so, we are staying at our favorite resort... AKV at Jambo House in a value studio. Our kids love this resort... they love the animals and all the activities that go on here...the fire ring, the instrument parade, the face painting, the pool parties! Last summer we were even lucky enough to be assigned a savannah view room. And though this isn't what we live for in a room... it sure was nice!

We always book our resort stay 11 months out since AKV is our Home Resort! Honestly, you can't beat the value of this room! And we can talk space... but our family spends very little time in the room so we would rather save our points to go to WDW again in August before our Dream cruise Oh yes, did I mention that I have 2 more Disney trips already booked and mostly planned for this summer?

We have stayed in a 2 bedroom and a studio at Kidani Village in the past as well and love it there with the pool... but with two small children we simply love the playground and foodcourt at Jambo House! I get excited just thinking about walking into that big beautiful lobby at Jambo on April 17th!
Next up... Our ADR's

 

[Dizney73]

We have done all three dining plans on past trips and really do love them! Last summer we did the Quick Service plan and really appreciated the convenience of popping in for a meal anytime we wanted to escape the hot summer sun or stray rain storms. But for this trip we are trying something different... Tables In Wonderland (TiW) for all (almost all) of our dining needs!

I have a different way of planning out these meals... normally I stalk the menus over on allears and figure out where I can get the most money sent to increase the value of my plan. With TiW, however, it is just the opposite... We eat at the restaurants that I want to eat at but know I can't get the best dining plan value on.

So here are our ADR's (which, of course, I booked at 180 days out):
Sunday, April 17...nothing, our flight doesn't even leave until 5:53 pm

Monday, April 18...
NEW Early lunch at Quick Service
NEW Dinner at 4:15 pm...Rose and Crown


Tuesday, April 19... Early Lunch at Pizzafari
6:15 pm... Dinner at The Plaza... I have always wanted to eat here!


Wednesday, April 20...
Early Quick Service
6:35 pm ...Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine In Theater... Shasha is so very excited about this place! And Po just wants to sit in the car!

Thursday, April 21...
NEW Early lunch at Beaches and Cream (no ADR needed)... this will be a first for both kids! Shasha is super excited to get a big ice cream!
6:20 pm Dinner at Via Napoli... I just really want to eat here because it is new... and I love pizza!!!!

Friday, April 22...
11:05 am Lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe'... We loved it here our 1st visit and hated it the next. Hoping we get a good waitperson that makes my kids eat all theur vegetables!
And dinner? Well it is our last night at the World so we want something nice. Something special. We thought about Ohana (never ate here) or Narcoossee's (one of my favorites). Maybe Kona... but just couldn't decide!

So we went with...

 

[Dizney73]

So we went with...

The Hoop Dee Doo Revue! We paid for Category 1 seats. No TiW since you can only get the 9:30 pm show... and with a 5 and 2 year old that was a no brainer!

My kids are very excited about the show! We watch lots of You Tube videos for the Hoop and they go crazy! I sure hope they love it as much as I do! It is a first for them... but I have seen it 3 times over the years!

 

[disneyyes]

Great pre-trip report so far! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Dizney73]

Great pre-trip report so far! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks for joining in! This trip is coming up VERY fast! And it is certainly tough to keep up while plans are being finalized for a trip in July AND August of this year! Hmmmm... maybe that calls for 2 more pre trip reports!

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in!! Enjoyed your trip report so far!!Cant wait for more..

 

[Dizney73]

Count me in!! Enjoyed your trip report so far!!Cant wait for more..

Oh goody, goody! I love Walt Disney World and always learn so much from everyone here on the Disboards... it is time to give back!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Have just come across your PTR, am subbing and looking forward to reading more!

I love your family photo...what a great memory and hope you don't mind me saying but on being able to adopt two lovely children!

AKL looks so good and your ADRs are great! Am looking forward to hearing about Beaches and Cream as we will also be eating mostly ice cream at this place on our trip.

I think booking Hoop Dee Doo Revue is a great idea and yay on being able to plan two more PTRs!!

 

[Dizney73]

Dh's birthday was in February... and it was a milestone! The BIG 4-0!!! I have been really in a slump about buying good gifts for him these past few years... the kids seem to be my big priority... and much more fun... to buy for at the holidays. So I put a lot of thought into this year's 40th birthday gift. He's not the biggest NASCAR race fan but he does follow along with Dale Jr. and he watches and attends a race occasionally. I just knew that he has the NEED for SPEED!

So one snowy day while DH was out shoveling the driveway I priced out the experiences at the Walt Disney Speedway! I checked all over these boards for the best discounts and found a few posts here and there. Not too much on pricing though. I pulled out my Mousesavers newsletter and checked over at Undercover Tourist. Sure enough even the discounts that I found I could use did NOT beat their price! I paid $350 for the Rookie Experience which includes driving the race car for 8 laps. The price on Richard Petty's website lists this experience for $449.00! At first I was a bit unsure about booking with UT even though I have bought Park tickets from them with no problems. May I just say that using UT to purchase this package was so easy! I simply went on their website and placed The Rookie Experience in my shopping cart. Clicked BUY NOW. I received an email shortly after telling me to call them at XXX # and they would take care of the booking. I was greeted with a kind hello and was asked when I wanted to book my experience with the Walt Disney Speedway. I gave them a date and time (and a back up). The next day I received an email back confirming my resrvation for my first choice and with all the necessary "you must sign your life away because there are big risks involved" paperwork. Super easy and I would highly recommend them!

My husband was thrilled with his surprise and can't wait to suit up and drive a race car on Wednesday, April 20 @12:30 pm! Vrrrroooooooooooom! This is a first for our whole family and we are all going to watch and take lots of photos! I specifically chose the 12:30 time slot because the parks really start filling up around that time during that week before Easter and we like to escape the parks and do other activities... like drive race cars at very high speeds around a track!

Ooooo.... and I did find out here on the boards that transportation via a van is available from the Ticket and Transportation Center. We may try that... or maybe just hop a quick cab ride over as we will be at the Magic Kingdom that Morning!

 

[Dizney73]

Thanks for joining in!

Have just come across your PTR, am subbing and looking forward to reading more!

I love your family photo...what a great memory and hope you don't mind me saying but on being able to adopt two lovely children!
Oh, I don't mind at all! One thing I can say is that I LOVE sharing our adoption stories! Sometimes I look at those two beautiful little faces and can't stop staring! I am soooooo in love with them! We are actually in process of a third adoption with China but the wait is soooooo long now. We have already been in line for 3 years! We are REALLY thinking of switching over to the Taiwan program again.

AKL looks so good and your ADRs are great! Am looking forward to hearing about Beaches and Cream as we will also be eating mostly ice cream at this place on our trip.

We LOVE AKV! I just told my daughter this morning that maybe we would stay at another hotel next year when we go down to Disney.... she looked at me with a blank face and said, "You mean a hotel without animals?" I was denied!
Oh... and if you have any Beaches and Cream questions ask away.... This may be a first experience for the rest of my family.... BUT NOT ME! We eat at B&C every year with our YES group... yup, that is 24 to 30 of us! And it always works out!

I think booking Hoop Dee Doo Revue is a great idea and yay on being able to plan two more PTRs!!

 

[Dizney73]

Have just come across your PTR, am subbing and looking forward to reading more!

I love your family photo...what a great memory and hope you don't mind me saying but on being able to adopt two lovely children!

AKL looks so good and your ADRs are great! Am looking forward to hearing about Beaches and Cream as we will also be eating mostly ice cream at this place on our trip.

I think booking Hoop Dee Doo Revue is a great idea and yay on being able to plan two more PTRs!!

anzUnited99,
Did you see the part in post 1 about me learning all the little tips as I go?
Here I go again... How do you update your thread title? I like how yours says (updated 3/22) how do i do that?
Anyone... feel free to help me out! I love to learn all these little quirks!

 

[TanzUnited99]

anzUnited99,
Did you see the part in post 1 about me learning all the little tips as I go?
Here I go again... How do you update your thread title? I like how yours says (updated 3/22) how do i do that?
Anyone... feel free to help me out! I love to learn all these little quirks!

Hi, good luck with the third adoption

Will def let you know if I have any questions about B&C...wow 24 to 30 people. I bet that's a great trip! Have you had the famous kitchen sink?

on DH turning 40 and booking the Rookie experience at a discount price!! Am sure that will be a great experience - look forward to hearing all about it!

No probs...have also learnt many tips through others on these boards To say when your PTR has been updated all I do is go to my first post on the report, click edit and then go advanced. I then just write it next to the original title. I just need to remember to change it when I update! Look forward to hearing more of your plans

 

[Dizney73]

Hi, good luck with the third adoption
Thanks... with the way things are going in the International Adoption world... we need all the luck we can get!

Will def let you know if I have any questions about B&C...wow 24 to 30 people. I bet that's a great trip! Have you had the famous kitchen sink?

YES... MANY TIMES!!!! The kids always love them and all the attention this HUGE ice cream brings to our group!We usually get 5 or 6 of them at a pop! I think over the past few years the Kitchen Sink has become more of a bathroom sink... you know... a little smaller! There is a lot of fluff in it. A whole can of whipped cream so it makes it look HUGE but really there are only 8 scoops of ice cream in it. Notice I said ONLY! I personaly am not a fan of mint anything so I always have to avoid the mint chocolate chip. It's not like I can tell the kids that they can't have this flavor! My friend DisneyYES has really taught me that the No Way Jose is the best ice cream sundae to get... yummo!

No probs...have also learnt many tips through others on these boards To say when your PTR has been updated all I do is go to my first post on the report, click edit and then go advanced. I then just write it next to the original title. I just need to remember to change it when I update! Look forward to hearing more of your plans

Thanks so much for the help... It was a success! I learned something new today!

 

[Mycuteboyz3]

Joining in. I usually read and never post but I just wanted to let you know that you have a beautiful family and I'm looking forward to all of your plans. Everything looks great so far.

 

[Dizney73]

Joining in. I usually read and never post but I just wanted to let you know that you have a beautiful family and I'm looking forward to all of your plans. Everything looks great so far.

Ahhhhh! Thanks! I think my children are absolutely beautiful, too! And genetically I can't take any credit for that.... But you know that Nature vs. Nurture thing... Nurture so takes over! My daughter is so much like me it isn't even funny! I talk a lot and I am loud (by the way did I mention that I am a librarian?) Shasha totally talks MORE and LOUDER than me!
And Po... we have been told that he looks just like my husband ever since the day he was placed in our arms in Taiwan!

Thanks for following along... it makes me feel better knowing that people are actually reading what I write

 

[TanzUnited99]

Thanks so much for the help... It was a success! I learned something new today!

No problem..am glad it was a success!

Also you are the second person to tell me that the No Way Jose is the best sundae to get so will def be trying it at B&C!

 

[Dizney73]

It seems as though there is always something new to experience at WDW and we are always open to new adventures! That is why we don't tire of visiting Disney World... we are always doing something a little bit new and different! Sure, we love the rides and the shows and we most certainly do them all! But adding a little something new adds MAGIC to our trips! We are big fans of the Wishes Dessert Party and have done it two times in the past year... so this trip we are trying the Pirates and Pals Wishes Fireworks Cruise! I have read mixed reviews about this adventure but we won't know for sure until we try it ourselves!

We booked this cruise for the evening of Tuesday, April 19 and we are super excited to try it out! Of course, we make an whole crazy pirate adventure all around this so that will certainly build the excitement! At 3:25 pm Shasha has her Pirate League makeover booked... she wants the Pretty Pirate Empress make up! And we also ordered a pretty pink pirate outfit through an Etsy Store that was recommended to me! Indeed, she will be one pretty pirate for our cruise!

Po isn't old enough for the Pirate League so I will just pack him a pirate hat and his trusty pirate shirt that glows in the dark!

We AAARRRRGH so excited to try out seeing Wishes from a whole new vantage point!

Later, Pirate Friends!

 

[TanzUnited99]

on booking the cruise!! I have also read mixed reviews but like you said you'll never know what it's like until you experience it for yourselves