My first PTR..May 2011 anyone out there??

[loganpaulsmom]

I got sprinkled with PIXIE DUST.. I can't even control myself.. I got the pin code yesterday for the 40%. It doesn't work until the mid-part of our trip and although I had to do a split day (which I think you end up paying a little more because of how you have to pay for the park tix) it was within our budget.. I am just OVER THE MOON ..

I have wanted to stay back at the POLY for over 20 years.. I can barely contain my excitement.. Now.. on to re-do some of my ressies.. Ironically, I have a couple of ressies at the beginning of the week at the POLY.. Going to see if I can change my nights and add and delete some ressies..

This is already shaping up to be the BEST trip ever..

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

 

[loganpaulsmom]

OK so I think that I finally have my trip in place and hopefully there are no more changes..
So.. here is the breakdown right now:
May 4th arrive at CSR and we are staying here 4 nights..
Check out day.. MOTHER's DAY.. How much more perfect can it be to be checking into the POLY on Mother's Day?? I don't know how I will contain my excitement.. The Poly and Le Cellier all in 1 day.. HAHA..
4 nights at the Poly.. Not too shabby...

Now for the ADRS.. I added some.. and changed my days around because orginally I had some ressies at the Poly for the begining of our trip.. Doesn't make too much sense to keep those at the beginning.. and now I have to delete.. I have way more TS then I need.. So I guess I need do another breakdown of all of my ressies..
Please let me know what you think.. Next post.. the reorg of my ressies..

 

[loganpaulsmom]

May 4th.. MK.. Liberty Tavern.. 6:30 pm.. kept the same..
May 5th.. HS.. Lunch 50's Prime time.. Dessert..Sci-Fi ... Kept the same
May 6th.. Orginally had Ohana's.. Switched ressies to IL Mulino at the Swan.
May 7th. Ak.. Orginally had Yak and Yeti.. Switched to Jiko.. 6:20pm

May 8th (Mother's Day).. Switching resorts today.. and have lunch at Le Cellier 2:30pm ressie.. Talked it over with hubby and I think what we will do this morning is check out early and head over early to the Poly.. if room is not ready we will leave luggage.. head to Epcot and then after lunch come back and check in.. I am loving feeling now like we can get to and from so easy with being right on the Monorail.. YAYAYA..

May 9th..Orginally was eating at Il Mulino.. However, I made a ressie at Beirgarten.. But, I think I am going to change this one yet again, to either San Angel or La Hacienda.. Also, reason we are going back to Epcot this day is because with my new split stay I now have an extra day ticket..

May 10th.. Another MK day.. (and our last day at the parks) ressie at Crystal Palace.. (haven't decided if I am going to keep this yet) because I added Ohana for dinner here.. but could only get an 8:35 Pm ressie.. Asked hubby if he would rather leave MK early and have an earlier dinner and then go back to the park later.. he said no keep it the same..

May 11th.. 1900 Park Fare Breakfast.. Again.. so undecided on this.. wanted to eat somewhere at GF and chose this.. but really think I am going to cancel as I added a 7:30 pm ressie to Kona.. However, should I change both of them for a breakfast ressie at Kona???

May 12th.. Last day.. kept the ressie the same.. Chef Mickey's.. this is always a must do for us.. I know that so many people have strong opinions on this place, but I go for the characters not for the food.. and boo.. this means our trip is over..
So what do you guys think????

 

[Moira222]

Oh yeah I wasnt' sure if commenting was cool on a PTR....and i have a hard time keeping my comments to myself.

first of all I have tears in my eyes for your clean cancer free check up. I personally know how this horrible disease can affect you and your family so WHOOPPEEEEE

and then I will say how very nice and how much you will love the CSR. Ask for building 9A if you can - perfect distance to the big pool, lobby, beach with a hammock. we stayed there our first time and really loved it. we would hit the big pool & hot tub at night after the parks all day. great to be in a pool at 10 pm in January when you are from the Northeast! (I am from PA)

Our trips will overlap - we are going 5/13 - 5/22. thinkinking of doing a pTR of my own, so excited!!!!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

Oh yeah I wasnt' sure if commenting was cool on a PTR....and i have a hard time keeping my comments to myself.

first of all I have tears in my eyes for your clean cancer free check up. I personally know how this horrible disease can affect you and your family so WHOOPPEEEEE

and then I will say how very nice and how much you will love the CSR. Ask for building 9A if you can - perfect distance to the big pool, lobby, beach with a hammock. we stayed there our first time and really loved it. we would hit the big pool & hot tub at night after the parks all day. great to be in a pool at 10 pm in January when you are from the Northeast! (I am from PA)

Our trips will overlap - we are going 5/13 - 5/22. thinkinking of doing a pTR of my own, so excited!!!!

Thanks so much for reading my crazieness..
I am a very lucky girl.. wasn't until I had a surgery that I was diagnosed.. 2 surgeries later and Im cancer free.. went through a lot of trauma in 3 months.. But.. it made me stronger and gave me a completely different perspective on life.. Thus, this trip..
I can't wait to stay at the CSR I am really excited about it.. Although, I have to admit, even more excited to stay at my beloved Poly.. thanks for joining.. and defintely do a PTR.. its fun to see how your planning evolves..

 

[Moira222]

So as I am reading over what I have last written I realize.. NO WONDER WHY NO ONE IS READING THIS.. It's a cluster of words and no sense or reason to it.. and I think I havent been going in chronalogical order..

I am reading this late of course but am laughing because this is how I would (and probably will) end up doing a PTR.

plust we JUST changed our plans from October till May and reading your PTR has me nervouse that I have some serious planning to do!!

If you haven't used all your dining credits, you can still use the ones you have left on your departure day?

use up your dinners --they are the most $. on the last day you can buy bags of pretzels & stuff to take on the plane with any left over snacks. if you have left over counter meals, well you can always pay it forward by buying for the people in line next toyou.

]NEXT UP.. Will I finally start my tour planning?????

tour planning -- you mean laying out where you will go in each park each day? is that really a must in May? We have gone in January before and so other than having a list of rides that we really wanted to do at each park each day, we had no "plan".

will a better plan help? is it that much more busy in may?

 

[zhazhazsu]

Hmmm.. is that a festival by any chance??? If so, then YES, we live in your hometown.. You may live in my husbands former hometown if you are off of 93.. too funny..

I planned my Mother's Day to eat at my favorite restaurant.. So psyched to be able to eat at Le Cellier.. we have lunch there though.. kind of a lazy day ..

That is too funny! Mmm I love Le Cellier. The only reason we left it off this time is tor try new places. The Mac and Cheese is my favorite there.

 

[zhazhazsu]

I got sprinkled with PIXIE DUST.. I can't even control myself.. I got the pin code yesterday for the 40%. It doesn't work until the mid-part of our trip and although I had to do a split day (which I think you end up paying a little more because of how you have to pay for the park tix) it was within our budget.. I am just OVER THE MOON ..

I have wanted to stay back at the POLY for over 20 years.. I can barely contain my excitement.. Now.. on to re-do some of my ressies.. Ironically, I have a couple of ressies at the beginning of the week at the POLY.. Going to see if I can change my nights and add and delete some ressies..

This is already shaping up to be the BEST trip ever..

OMG CONGRATS on your dream resort and dream ADR IN ONE DAY!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

OK.. Well.. Someone is at it again.. Changing the dining ressies.... hahaha.. I seriously have to just CUT IT OUT..
With my new split stay(can I tell you how completely excited I am about this??) I wanted to make sure that I mapped out my days, my ressies and my oop expenses.. I did a spreadsheet to see.. I think that I am doing pretty well..
So for the first part of our stay.. My OOP expenses will be for Il Mulino (it's not on the ddp) and Sci-fi theatre ( because we are thinking that we will end up just eating dessert here and taking Logan just for the experience)..

I made sure that I broke up my week. As I have been told that because I have the 2 seperate ressies for my split stay the 8th all my dining from the first part of my trip will expire.. So.. I think that I am pretty good with the first part..
The second part.. I have adding and deleting and changing.. I guess because I am so excited about staying at the Poly I now am pretty much eating there the whole time.. Of course, we are going to still venture out.. But, its funny how I have most of my ADR's now at the Poly.. I must be sending myself a subliminal message

So here is how my end of the week is shaping up.. Again, please add your 2 cents.. I am trying to make this the best trip ever.. Although, many of the restaurants I would go to on my own, most are specifically for my son and I have changed my mind of a couple because of that reason..
May 9th.. NO ressies.. I know.. CRAZY.. SO I think I need to add one here.. But, where? Any suggestions? Epcot?? DTD?? I mean.. a whole day without anywhere to go.. I don't think I can handle that

May 10th. Crystal Palace Breakfast and Ohana for a late dinner..
May 11th.. cancelled 1900 Park Fare and added Chef Mickeys.. Also added Kona for dinner..
May 12th.. Cancelled Chef Mickey's and changed it to Ohana for character breakfast.. I figured since its our last day, lets spend as much time at the Poly as we can.. A nice big breakfast and then pack and hang out at the pool for the rest of the day.. We don't have to leave for the airport until around 4:00pm.. So we will take our carryons with a change of clothes and just hang out for the day..
The last part of the trip I have 1 TS that I have to pay OOP.. I am thinking that Kona will be the way to go??
What do you guys think?? What is my next step in this PTR?? I have never done one before and I am not sure what else I need to add.. I mean I could continue to go on and on and talk and talk.. But, I think I may have already lost some follower..

 

[KatMark]

OK.. Well.. Someone is at it again.. Changing the dining ressies.... hahaha.. I seriously have to just CUT IT OUT..
With my new split stay(can I tell you how completely excited I am about this??) I wanted to make sure that I mapped out my days, my ressies and my oop expenses.. I did a spreadsheet to see.. I think that I am doing pretty well..
So for the first part of our stay.. My OOP expenses will be for Il Mulino (it's not on the ddp) and Sci-fi theatre ( because we are thinking that we will end up just eating dessert here and taking Logan just for the experience)..

I made sure that I broke up my week. As I have been told that because I have the 2 seperate ressies for my split stay the 8th all my dining from the first part of my trip will expire.. So.. I think that I am pretty good with the first part..
The second part.. I have adding and deleting and changing.. I guess because I am so excited about staying at the Poly I now am pretty much eating there the whole time.. Of course, we are going to still venture out.. But, its funny how I have most of my ADR's now at the Poly.. I must be sending myself a subliminal message

So here is how my end of the week is shaping up.. Again, please add your 2 cents.. I am trying to make this the best trip ever.. Although, many of the restaurants I would go to on my own, most are specifically for my son and I have changed my mind of a couple because of that reason..
May 9th.. NO ressies.. I know.. CRAZY.. SO I think I need to add one here.. But, where? Any suggestions? Epcot?? DTD?? I mean.. a whole day without anywhere to go.. I don't think I can handle that

May 10th. Crystal Palace Breakfast and Ohana for a late dinner..
May 11th.. cancelled 1900 Park Fare and added Chef Mickeys.. Also added Kona for dinner..
May 12th.. Cancelled Chef Mickey's and changed it to Ohana for character breakfast.. I figured since its our last day, lets spend as much time at the Poly as we can.. A nice big breakfast and then pack and hang out at the pool for the rest of the day.. We don't have to leave for the airport until around 4:00pm.. So we will take our carryons with a change of clothes and just hang out for the day..
The last part of the trip I have 1 TS that I have to pay OOP.. I am thinking that Kona will be the way to go??
What do you guys think?? What is my next step in this PTR?? I have never done one before and I am not sure what else I need to add.. I mean I could continue to go on and on and talk and talk.. But, I think I may have already lost some follower..

I like these plans better. Although we've never done Ohana for breakfast (we aren't Stitch fans), I love your idea of spending your last hours at the Poly before you head home.

Next on the PTR list???? You could do a day by day park and what you plan to ride, what you don't want to miss, ask for everyone's favorites, etc. This is some of what I did on mine.

 

[loganpaulsmom]

I like these plans better. Although we've never done Ohana for breakfast (we aren't Stitch fans), I love your idea of spending your last hours at the Poly before you head home.

Next on the PTR list???? You could do a day by day park and what you plan to ride, what you don't want to miss, ask for everyone's favorites, etc. This is some of what I did on mine.

U are a wealth of knowledge.. Thanks for following my crazy PTR and giving me some ideas.. I am definitely going to that..

 

[loganpaulsmom]

thanks for katmark for giving me the suggestion to write my individual day/the parks/the must do's/the rides etc.. GREAT IDEA..

I forgot to mention the greatest thing happened to me the other day.. I have a friend.. (we actually have never met in person, but we met on a moms board that we both belong too).. She is a Disney Freak too and also just bought DVC.. and she is helping me plan my trip.. The other day I went to my mailbox and she had sent me the Unofficial 2011 Guide.. I mean, seriously how nice is that??? So, I am only on page 60, but I am loving every minute of reading it and am getting so many cool tips.. So, I guess because I still have 4 months to go until our trip, that I will start my daily itineraries out.. but I am sure, they won't stay the same by the time we get there

So here goes nothing:::
May 4th, arrival.. 7:00am flight.. I am assuming we will be at CSR but noon if all goes well.. Check in.. If our room is available great.. If not, no big deal.. We have plans to go to MK today..
First up.. walk down Main street and hoping to get some nice Photopass pictures..
We definitely need to go to BUZZ.... Dumbo.. (tea cups, although both DH and I don't like them, but DS does)... IASW.. then start heading over to Frontierland.. We are eating at Liberty Tavern at 6:30pm.. I would love to be able to go over to Tom Sawyers Island, because in all the times I have been, I have never been there.. I am sure by the time we get to the park all of the FP's for SM, BTM, will be gone for the day, but I would love to be able to go on those with DS.. last time we went he was only 2.. Now he is 5 and is 45inches tall, so he will be able to go on almost everything (I am totally excited and completely about it too.. I have so many more things that I want us to do.. But, I don't how tired DS will be by this time.. We will be up at 4:00am this day.. So, after dinner I think we may just head back to the CSR and try and get to sleep early.. Because DHS is next day and I definitely want to try and get to Rope Drop.. have never been to DHS since they have TSM.. a must do.. and although this may be more for DH than DS.. JEDI Training.. I wonder if I will able to do it.. get FP for TSM and in line for Jedi Training?? We have an early lunch ADR at 50's Prime Time.. So, I was thinking that the day before head to MSB and get some muffins or cinnamon rolls or something for breakfast before we get to the park.. ... I will write more later.. Logan's Birthday is thurs. and I am totally procrastinating..

 

[KatMark]

My pleasure. (And you can always take a peak at my TR if you want ideas for yours; since you've done a PTR you now MUST do a TR!)

The plans sound great. We NEVER made it to Tom Sawyer Island when our kids were little (and no point in DH and I just doing it). I do know they stop the boats at sundown.

Great that Logan is going to be tall enough for most of the rides this time!


***And after reading your post, I wanted to tell you that I met my BFF here on the DIS. We talked for two years before we met and then we hooked up with her on Marco Island and my DH and I fell in love with her. Now we can't go to Disney without going to Marco to spend a week with her (she is one of the Food Porn Queens here on the DIS).

 

[loganpaulsmom]

My pleasure. (And you can always take a peak at my TR if you want ideas for yours; since you've done a PTR you now MUST do a TR!)

The plans sound great. We NEVER made it to Tom Sawyer Island when our kids were little (and no point in DH and I just doing it). I do know they stop the boats at sundown.

Great that Logan is going to be tall enough for most of the rides this time!


***And after reading your post, I wanted to tell you that I met my BFF here on the DIS. We talked for two years before we met and then we hooked up with her on Marco Island and my DH and I fell in love with her. Now we can't go to Disney without going to Marco to spend a week with her (she is one of the Food Porn Queens here on the DIS).

kat thats awesome.. When my son was a baby I signed up for one of those websites where the parents can re-sell their childrens clothes.. and I have been on the sites for almost 5 years, but it wasn't until I got a Fb account about 2 years ago and I became FB Friends with some of them, that we started to have real friendships.. I haven't any in person yet.. but honestly, there are a couple of them who I can't picture not being in my life.. they are unselfish and so generous..

 

[sunnysideup3]

I'm on a mom's website too, I joined when I was pregnant and stayed through now. There are 4 other women that I converse with via email (and sometimes on the phone, too) DAILY. I don't know what I'd do without them! I've met one in person and we all want to get together next summer....I love them!

 

[zhazhazsu]

So excited you got to book your split stay @ The Poly!! That will be an awesome memory for your DS that he will have for life.

Also saw that you had switched to Il Mulino, do they have restaurant.com coupons for that restaurant? I know they have coupons for most places in the Swalphin, and it could save you some pocket cash? Maybe you could check it out?

 

[loganpaulsmom]

So excited you got to book your split stay @ The Poly!! That will be an awesome memory for your DS that he will have for life.

Also saw that you had switched to Il Mulino, do they have restaurant.com coupons for that restaurant? I know they have coupons for most places in the Swalphin, and it could save you some pocket cash? Maybe you could check it out?

great minds think alike..i just told my husband because YES.. they do have $25 gift certificates.. getting one of those.. in 2008 I had read so much about Il Mulino and wanted to go there but we couldn't justify paying oop because we one the DXDP.. This time, we aren't missing it... YEAH!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Don't count out fastpasses for Splash or Big Thunder on your arrival day. When we went in July a few years ago we went to MK on our arrival day, didn't get to the park until early evening and we were able to get fast passes. That was 4th of July week so it will be much slower in the parks in May.

 

[Moira222]

have never been to DHS since they have TSM.. a must do.. and although this may be more for DH than DS.. JEDI Training.. I wonder if I will able to do it.. get FP for TSM and in line for Jedi Training?? We have an early lunch ADR at 50's Prime Time.. So, I was thinking that the day before head to MSB and get some muffins or cinnamon rolls or something for breakfast before we get to the park.. ... I will write more later.. Logan's Birthday is thurs. and I am totally procrastinating..

oh I am so confused on all the acronyms!!! What is Jedi training - kid sonly? the weekend we go (right after you leave) starts SWW and DH is a BIG fan. the Disney site still has last year's info online. grrr

what is dhs? tsm?

i don't get a lot of time to comment everywhere but love reading your plans, and we are a week after you. can't wait!!!