My family thinks I'm crazy..but I know you all won't! Back and my TR is started!

[ohboyx3]

I'm in! We are going in May also, but later in the month. We surprised our boys last trip. We took them on a scavenger hunt around the house. It was SO worth it! I will never forget their reactions. I have the video on my PTR if you're interested in seeing it. So much fun! As for my fave place to eat at Disney... hmmm.. it'd be a toss up between Prime Time 50's and Ohana's. We are pretty average people though and like the basics. Tried Boma once for dinner and wasn't impressed. LOL. Too fance for us I guess! Looking forward to planning right along with you! I love reading others trip reports in May!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Hi, Melissa! Your PTR caught my eye because I am in the same boat - the majority of my family and friends can't understand why I keep taking my kids on WDW vacations! I don't know why, though, considering my parents took me and my sibs there on a regular basis Oh well. I'll take my kids to Disney whenever I darn well please So anyway, we'll be in Disney exactly a month before you (starting April 2nd) and this trip is a surprise for my kids too, but I'm not telling them until the day we leave. Keeping the secret is tough, huh?

I think that is a great idea to tell them on Christmas! That will be a fantastic present. I also like your idea about the suitcases with goodies inside. The only other things I could think of including would be a planning DVD if you have one, travel games or a souvenir from a previous trip that would remind them of AKL or WDW.


I can't wait to read more of your plans!

Welcome to my PTR! I am so excited about all the people who are starting to join--I didn't think anyone would want to!

Thank you so much for the idea of including a souvenir from last trip--one of the AKL CM's left us a safari pooh and safari goofy in our room. We met him in the lobby and struck up a conversation with him and he was really sweet when he met our kids. Later we found them in our room with a note from him. My kids were sooooo excited--*SIGH* I love, love, love Disney magic! Who wouldn't want to come back over and over again?? I say my family is crazy for not wanting to go at all!

This pooh and goofy will be perfect to pack in the suitcases and the best part is I don't even have to spend any more money!

I always think it is so fun when parents surprise their kids. I can't wait to hear what their reactions are when you tell them.

Of course we are going to record it and I will post it here. I can't wait to see what their reactions are either!

I'm in! We are going in May also, but later in the month. We surprised our boys last trip. We took them on a scavenger hunt around the house. It was SO worth it! I will never forget their reactions. I have the video on my PTR if you're interested in seeing it. So much fun! As for my fave place to eat at Disney... hmmm.. it'd be a toss up between Prime Time 50's and Ohana's. We are pretty average people though and like the basics. Tried Boma once for dinner and wasn't impressed. LOL. Too fance for us I guess! Looking forward to planning right along with you! I love reading others trip reports in May!

Thanks for joining. When I finish up here I am headed over to you PTR I've never tried Ohana but I'm beginning to think I may need to change my ADR's to add it in. I have heard so many good things about it here recently on the PTR's and TR's that I've been reading...hhhhmmmm....

 

[AKL LOVER]

--me stressing out! So I am really feeling the pressure to get my ADR's and touring plans posted here because I think I want to change around a few things (not that any good DISer would EVER think of changing their plans ). Each trip I try to plan some new ADR's and visit any favorites as well. I have denoted restaurants that we will try for the first time this trip with a **. I am really excited about some of our *new* eats this time!


Monday 5/2: Arrival day
HELLO Disney
Arrive late afternoon--check in
Hang around resort no ADR's planned--we may take the kids swimming to wear them out for bed time
EARLY bed so we can hit the ground running tomorrow!

Tuesday 5/3: MK and HS day
8:00 for Breakfast @ Crystal Palace
Tour MK
Back to resort for nap/rest (if needed)
Off to HS
4:05 Fantasmic Dinner Package @ Mama Melrose
Rides
Fantasmic @ 9

Wednesday 5/4: HS and MK day
RD for HS
12:30 for lunch @ Sci-Fi**
Tour HS more??? Most likely: back to resort to nap!
5:15 for Spirit of Aloha dinner show**
Over to MK for parade/fireworks @ 9

Thursday 5/5: MK and Resort day
Early to MK (this is a morning EMH day!)--RD or shortly after!
Hit rides we didn't get to do on Tuesday
10:20 for breakfast @ CRT w/ Cindy (DD's request)
More rides til 1 or 2
Back to resort
POOL Time and/or Nap time!
7:30 for dinner @ Jiko
Back to room to relax; early bed will be in order I am sure of it!

Friday 5/6: AK and EP day
8:00 for Breakfast @ Tusker House
Tour AK
1:30 for Lunch @ Yak & Yeti**
Catch Festival of the Lion King if we don't get it in before lunch
Back to resort for rests/naps/pool time
7:10 for dinner @ Narcoossee's**
Head to EP for rides--we hope to hit short lines while most people are seeing Illuminations (evening EMH)
Back to resort whenever we are tired

Saturday 5/7: EP day
Up and off to EP as close to RD as we can get
Tour Future world; ride whatever we didn't hit previous night
11:30 for lunch @ Via Napoli**
Tour World showcase
NOTE TO SELF: Hit up Germany Caramel Shop** at some point
Head back to resort whenever we are tired
Rest/nap/swim
6:25 for dinner @ Sanaa
Back to room to relax and pack up

Sunday 5/8: MK day??
Up early/check luggage/check out
9:30 for breakfast @ Chef Mickey's
Over to MK (or whatever park we may feel like doing)
Back to resort by 1:45 to pick up ME to fly home
BYE BYE Disney





Uh, oh...

....--me still stressing out, because now I've planned too many meals for regular dining!! What's a girl to do??

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I think your ADR's are good, just pay OOP for some of the cheaper ones and who knows once you are down there you may end up skipping one or two for whatever reason.

 

[Dsnygrl1205]

I always book more ADRs than my DDP credits permit but just pay oop for the less expensive ones. Have fun!

 

[AKL LOVER]

So Christmas morning was our big reveal to the kids. I wasn't sure that I wanted to keep it a secret from them up until it was time to leave so I thought doing it on Christmas morning would be just as good. It would also still give them time to help plan...

Here are some pics of the suitcases full of stuff that I wrapped up for them to open:

Here is a pic of what I wrote on the calendar on our week in May:

Now I just had to wait until the next morning for the big surprise!

After waking up and opening Santa presents (the suspense was KILLING ME!!!), it was finally time to open the one gift from mommy and daddy.

We had them open them at the same time. Both were excited to find the suitcase/bookbag. Take a peek at our video...




As you can see, DD figured it out pretty quickly and was excited. Not jumping up and down, freaking out excited, but excited just the same. Notice how DS was more into his new bookbag than he was into our next Disney trip! Guess I could have just bought him the bag and he would have been just as happy!

They are both WAY more excited now than they were initially and talking of the trip constantly has commenced!! They are both requesting different things to do on the trip, which is what I wanted. DD said she wanted to eat at the castle and see the princesses. DS said he wanted to go to Disney and....(get this!!)....


....eat deer! SAY WHAT?? I had to ask him to repeat what he said, because I was sure that I had heard him wrong! But no, no, my hearing is not going, I had heard him loud and clear! Now, we have never eaten deer at Disney before (I'm not sure any of the restaurants even offer it!), but since it's still hunting season around here, he seems to have venison on the brain (my uncle is a huge hunter and DS likes to see the deer he gets). He did later amend his statement to say the thing he wants to do most is eat breakfast with Donald. Now that is a more reasonable request


Final thoughts on the surprise: I have to admit that I am a bit disappointed that they weren't in the category of jumping around, freaking out excited but at least they were happy.

I think if we attempt a surprise again, we might wait and try to surprise them the day of the trip--maybe they weren't so excited initially because the trip is still a ways off.

Of course now that they know, DS keeps asking everyday if this is the day we go to Disney (who am I kidding?? I knew that would happen!), so I have decided to do Disney movie nights every 2 weeks up until the time we go. I figure this will give DS (and DD) something to do for the next 4 months! Our first movie night will be this week and we are going to watch Aladdin . I'll let you know how it goes and post pictures once we have it.

 

[AKL LOVER]

P.S. Please let me know if you can't view my video, I think I posted it correctly from photobucket, but I'm not sure! It took FOREVER to upload , and it's only 3 minutes.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Poor you, more interested in the backpack. I'm sure that the kids will get even more excited the closer the trip gets.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Happy New Year! As much as I love the holidays, I do feel better once the hustle and bustle of the season is over. And that also means that now I will have more time to plan for Disney and update my PTR

So, our first Disney Family Night was a success! I decided to surprise DH, DD and DS with it. I wanted to make up some sort of an invitation, but then thought I would make up a scrapbook page with our theme, movie and menu. Then I can just add the pages to a scrapbook (as I hope to do many more before we head off to Disney) and I can add a picture page to go with each theme page I make.

So our first family night was:

For dinner:

Here's a shot of the whole page I made:

I had the hardest time decorating for this theme! Aladdin/Jasmine stuff is hard to come by, so I decided to go with just a general moroccan feel. I think I accomplished what I was going for:

Here's a shot of the table sans food (my aunt and uncle actually joined us, so that's why you see 6 place settings!):

The kids are excited (notice I still can't get DD out of her Christmas PJ's!! ):

Now the table with food:

I made a tandoori marinade for the beef and veggies--it was delicious!

Finally time to eat!

After finishing dinner, of course we watched Aladdin. This was DS's first time seeing it and he loved it! We took a break in the middle of the movie to have dessert--I am so upset that I forgot to take a pic of this! This monkey bread recipe was hands down, the. best. EVER!!

I also have to give credit where credit is due. I used a great thread here on the DIS to get my creative juices flowing! If you haven't come across this thread before and you are planning your own Disney nights, you should check it out here--it's a great resource! Thank you to all the ladies and gents on that board for their inspiration!!

I was going to have the kids do a magic carpet craft, but forgot to get some of the stuff for it when I was at the store , so that was a bust. Doesn't matter because it was a fun night anyway! Now the kids keep asking when the next one is.

So my plan is to do one every 2 weeks (or so) and we can each take turns picking the movie. In fact, everyone was already selecting what movie they wanted to pick, even my aunt and uncle--guess that means they will be joining us on our Disney nights!

I have high hopes that this means I have a chance at converting some of my Disney-phobic family members into Disney-loving! Perhaps this should be my New Year's resolution!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I love your Disney themed night! Your invitations and table settings were adorable!

 

[hurleysweety]

Just found your thread and subbing! I loved visiting AKL when we visit the World. The theming and peacefulness of the resort makes it feel like your just so far away - but I guess I'm preaching to the choir here ! Sounds like your trip planning is off to a wonderful start with your ADRs and Club Level room. How fun to surprise the kids too - your DS was too funny about his excitement over the backpack! Also loved the Aladdin themed night. Its just me and DH in our house, but I think it'd be fun to do something like that - so thanks for the link to the thread all about Disney nights!

Regarding ADRs...chances are you'll change your mind between now and your trip. I always have! Whether its changing the restaurant because you're changing what park you'll be in, or you simply just aren't that hungry at the time, its okay to have a few more planned, than not enough. And like others have said, paying OOP might work for the cheaper meals.

And Happy New Year!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Joining in! We are going on our first trip in May! (5/1-5/10)

I noticed we have ADR's for the same time at Crystal Palace!

I love your Disney Family Nights! I have our first one planned for this weekend. We are going to do Mulan.

Terri

 

[AKL LOVER]

Just found your thread and subbing! I loved visiting AKL when we visit the World. The theming and peacefulness of the resort makes it feel like your just so far away - but I guess I'm preaching to the choir here ! Sounds like your trip planning is off to a wonderful start with your ADRs and Club Level room. How fun to surprise the kids too - your DS was too funny about his excitement over the backpack! Also loved the Aladdin themed night. Its just me and DH in our house, but I think it'd be fun to do something like that - so thanks for the link to the thread all about Disney nights!

Regarding ADRs...chances are you'll change your mind between now and your trip. I always have! Whether its changing the restaurant because you're changing what park you'll be in, or you simply just aren't that hungry at the time, its okay to have a few more planned, than not enough. And like others have said, paying OOP might work for the cheaper meals.

And Happy New Year!

Thanks so much for joining! I actually found your thread one day last week and have been keeping tabs on it! Guess I'll have to come out of lurkedom on it now that you know

I feel like I am really stressing over my ADR's much more this time than I have on any of the past trips. I think it's mostly because we have booked CL and I've never done that in the past. So now I'm in the mind set, well we're paying extra for CL, so now I feel silly having lots of ADR's planned. But we really enjoy TS meals while at Disney.

Joining in! We are going on our first trip in May! (5/1-5/10)

I noticed we have ADR's for the same time at Crystal Palace!

I love your Disney Family Nights! I have our first one planned for this weekend. We are going to do Mulan.

Terri

Hi--I'm so glad you found my thread! I can't believe that we will be eating at CP at the exact same time! That sounds so weird to me. I guess since I've never written a PTR before (or taken a lot of time to read others) it never dawned on me that people here on the DIS realized when their ADR's or touring plans overlapped with other people's from the board!

I bet you guys are sssoooo excited about your first trip, right?? I know we were when we took ours! Good thing you've found the DISboards. I planned our first trip without even knowing this site exsisted! I know, the shame ...can you believe it??

Good luck with your first Disney Family Night--let me know how it goes!!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I love your Disney themed night! Your invitations and table settings were adorable!

Thank you so much! I was so stressing out over what to do for the decorations...I am so ridiculous At least I can laugh about it now...I just couldn't make my mind up on what I wanted to do or what an actual moroccan theme looked like! I had to keep telling myself that the fam was going to love it no matter what I used to decorate! I'm just hoping that the movie DS picks for next time is one that we have toys for somewhere around the house. Then maybe I won't stress out so much

 

[AKL LOVER]

Delta. Is. The. Worst. ....let me just pause to say, that the DIS gods must be smiling down on me, because I couldn't believe that there was a smile to convey all of my anger, but I do believe the one I just picked does it. I feel a *tiny* bit better.

But not so much better that I have forgotten my rant on our little setback because I am super ticked (I did mention that, right???)...so here goes...



Stupid Delta.



I booked our flight back in October when I booked the trip. I got a fantastic deal on plane tickets. It was so good, in fact, that I should have known it was too good to be freaking true Here was our flight info:

Leave DC at 7:30 pm, arrive in Orlando at 9:30 pm...avoiding rushhour traffic to DC...sweet! A nonstop flight...double sweet!!

Leave Orlando at 5 pm, arrive in DC at 7 pm...half a day at Disney on departure day and another nonstop flight home...triple sweet!

Now those of you flying with kids know what a blessing nonstop flights can be! Thank goodness for them But here was where I got my cake and ate it too...




....the tickets were only $660 for round trip !! (that's $165 each for those of you who don't want to do the math right now) Talk about some major pixie dust! I could not have been more stoked...unless maybe I had just been given a free trip to Disney...but boy was I pleased with myself!



So far, so good, right?


Well just you wait....Around the first of December I get an email from Disney saying that I had a change to my reservation. A change?? What change?? I didn't call and make a change. Did DH call and make one (not very likely! he leaves all the planning up to me...he likes to sit back and reap the benefits of all my hard work! ) One glance at my email tells me that they have changed my flight times. OK....


calm down....


stop freaking out...


you haven't even looked at the new times yet. (is there a hyperventilating smile around here somewhere??)


New flight times...Leave DC at 5 get to Orlando at 7...huh, not too bad. We get there a little earlier now. Of course now I'll have to take a half day off of work that Monday (instead of working the whole day), but gee, twist my arm...I mean I am going to DISNEY so I am more than happy to do so

Departure day: Leave Orlando at 4 arrive in DC at 6. Ok, so we have to leave an hour earlier. Still not too big a deal. I feel like I have avoided a bullet here!



Fastforward to December 27th and there is another email from Disney in my inbox. I'm not too worried this time because the flights were already changed pretty drastically the first time and I was OK with the changes. I mean, what are the chances there would be another big change, right??


Well think again, because now I see that my return flight to DC has been moved up from a 4 pm departure to a 1 pm departure!

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME??? Now they want me to leave Disney 3 hours earlier?? And on MOTHERS DAY no less. What do I look like, a saint?? Now my Chef Mickey ressies on that day are not going to work. The whole reason I booked with Delta was because I really liked the flight times (and I guess the price tag was pretty sweet too if I have to be honest) but really it was the flight times that won me over. Now that is all screwed up.

So I call Delta. Flight times with Delta now suck on departure day. So I have 2 choices for departure day to change my flight to:

We can fly out at 4:30 pm and arrive in DC at 7:30 pm. With this flight there is a brief layover in Atlanta.

Or

We can fly out at 7:55 and not get back to DC until 10 pm. The benefit to this flight is that it is nonstop.


The question I leave you with this evening is...

....what would you do??




And now I am off to write Delta hate mail for screwing with my Disney trip. OK, not really, but I am going to have to find something to do so I can get over this!! Any words of encouragement that this does not mean the end of the world would be appreciated...

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I also hate Delta, they did the same to me back in 07 and I vowed never to book with them again. Luckily I was able to switch flights around with no cost to me.

I would go with the later non-stop flight.

 

[AKL LOVER]

Does Delta do this often then? I'm interested to know. This is our first time flying with them. In the past we have used AirTran. We have been more than happy with those flights, but they had awful flight times for our trip dates, so that's why I went with Delta. Silly me!

Did they let you switch to a different Delta flight or did they offer to refund your $$ and you went with another airline? Just curious...

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Does Delta do this often then? I'm interested to know. This is our first time flying with them. In the past we have used AirTran. We have been more than happy with those flights, but they had awful flight times for our trip dates, so that's why I went with Delta. Silly me!

I think so. That is why I like JetBlue. It seems they run the same flights at the same time every day so no schedule changes!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I think so. That is why I like JetBlue. It seems they run the same flights at the same time every day so no schedule changes!

Get this--when I was looking at alternate Delta flights the other day I noticed that a new JetBlue flight is now being offered with flight times similar to the ones that I had originally booked with Delta. I'm considering that when I call them back inquiring about a refund so I can book those flights instead.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Get this--when I was looking at alternate Delta flights the other day I noticed that a new JetBlue flight is now being offered with flight times similar to the ones that I had originally booked with Delta. I'm considering that when I call them back inquiring about a refund so I can book those flights instead.

Hopefully they will give you a refund since they messed with your flights.