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

[loganpaulsmom]

how/why do so many DIS'ers get photopass ahead of time? when I've gone, the first time we see a cast photographer we ask for one. I still have my card from last trip, should i bring it with us and use it for the next trip? Its less expensive to order it ahead of time. I think just $100.. You can also jump on a photpass share.. One number amongst a bunch of people.. (although i am not sure if that is legal.. I too plan to hit the craft (and dollar!) stores to make itinerary and autograph books for May. I have considered at least making custom t's for DH's bday. he doesn't know but I did find "matching" dresses for DD and I to wear when we go to dinner at POLY -- hers is aquamarine, mine is purple, but they are the same style. Actually Ds's birthday was last week and I know one of his aunties bought him a book.. he got so much stuff for christmas that he hasn't even played with, people asked and I said " Bring on the Disney stuff".
what is a grey goose slushie? sounds like a grown up yummmie. yes? You got that right.. ;0)
I keep going back to the Biergarten in my head, we had such fun there in 2007. we still call out TICKY TACKY TICKY TACKY OY OY OY just for the heck of it!

I have never been there.. but, we are doing So many buffets, that I cancelled my ressie.. I still have a couple of meals I want to add.. and I definitely want to add one at Epcot, but I just can't decide and Dh is NO HELP..

 

[loganpaulsmom]

SO the old girl is back at it again.. I seriously need to get off DIS for a month or so... (But, I can't, it calls me everyday, lol)..

I cancelled my Maya Grille ressie.. I thought it would be nice to get back to CSR and have a nice sit down and relax.. But, for some reason I went over the menu and wasn't excited about it..
So.. I talked to DH and because AK closes early (5:00pm because of EE run) I decided to do a early dinner at Whispering Canyon. We went in 2008 and didn't get the full experience.. DS was only 2, and the inlaws (especially MIL, didn't get the whole schtick).. So, this year I thought it would be really fun to go back.. and because DS doesn't know what they do, I am going to be mean and have him ask the server for some ketchup.. HAHAHA

Now my predicament.. So.. As much as I thought it would be nice to have like 3 or 4 days without parks.. I am freaking a bit.. What exactly are we going to do in the 85 degree heat if we aren't at the parks, and although hanging at the pool sounds fun, I don't want to waste our vacation on that.. So, Orginally, we just had a 5 day hopper.. But, then because we did the split stay the TA did the most economical.. a 5 day hopper with a single day.. She also told us that if we want to add any other days it ends up working out to be about $3.00 extra per person.. Why wouldn't we add on another day or 2.. I mean, even if we just went to one of the parks to eat, for that money it is well worth it..

So, I did a little Xcell spreadsheet to show all my ADR's.. the times, the Confirmation numbers.. and then I decided to look through ALLears and pull up all the menus.. pick out things for each meal that I think we would like and then add them up.. I know that there will be meals that we are going to pay OOP and I want to make sure that we are paying the ones OOP that are the cheapest.. It will be cool to see at the end (when I do a TR) if I made the right decisions..
Also.. I realize that I have 1 day without any ressies at all.. No plans.. although, I think that we will end up at a park that day.. since I don't know which one, I am unsure of where to eat..
Ok, isn't that what you guys are here for?? Please help me make a decision.. Or at least help me along my way.. I just can't fathom having 1 whole day with nowhere ressies and no plans.. its like money burning a hole in my pocket.. LOL

 

[KatMark]

I'm sorry I missed Logan's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOGAN!

We went out of town for my DH's birthday (which was the 15th) and went to bed very early on the 14th as we left at 5 a.m. to go see our youngest son coach his high school wrestling team.

We are trying Earl of Sandwich for the first time...FINALLY...this coming trip.

Have you thought of doing a waterpark? Or did you already decide that and I missed it?

 

[loganpaulsmom]

Ok because it wouldn't be a good week writing my PTR if I didn't decide to throw something in the ring to stir things up..

Am I crazy (actually i can already answer this question) because I think I may now want to upgrade my DDP to pary of our stay with the DDXP..

I definitely want to limit the amount of places we pay OOP.. I already have 1 ADR that I am NOT going to change at Il Mulino which is NOT on the dining plan.. We are eating here at the beginning of the trip..(Friday Night).. However, I have a lot of cheaper ADR's at the beginning of my trip but more of them, which will make me have to pay I think for 3 meals OOP..
The second part of our vaca (POLY,,) I have all of our character meals.. and a few ADR's at Kona and Ohana.. So.. Do you think it is worth it for me to upgrade to ddxp for part of ou r trip.. I am sure that I will not have a problem adding ADR's to my scedule, as it is we don't have any adrs at all on Monday.. and this would allow for us to try some signature.. It would be around $30 extra per day per person.. Thoughts???

 

[loganpaulsmom]

I'm sorry I missed Logan's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOGAN!

We went out of town for my DH's birthday (which was the 15th) and went to bed very early on the 14th as we left at 5 a.m. to go see our youngest son coach his high school wrestling team.

We are trying Earl of Sandwich for the first time...FINALLY...this coming trip.

Have you thought of doing a waterpark? Or did you already decide that and I missed it?

No problem about Logan's Birthday, you will see some pictures after Saturday when we have his party.. he he
I can't wait to try EOS.. So excited.. I hope you like it as much as everyone else seems to..
I think we are NOT going to do the waterparks.. i think instead we may add another day or 2 to our park pass.. its only about $3 extra per day.. totally worth it IMO..
But, now I am thinking about upgrading dining.. Seriously.. I should just through all my budget concerns out the window and book everything I want.. We have blown our budget out of the water already.. I just think.. you only live once right ;0)

 

[AKL LOVER]

If you book the DxDP for the second half of your stay you can really get your $$ worth out of it because you'll already be in Disney and can begin using it first thing the morning you check into the Poly! I think this is a great idea. And if you can add some signature restaurants or dinner shows with that plan, then I say go for it.

Have you guys thought about Hoop Dee Do? My kids really love this show (my DD is a year older than Logan--but she most recently saw it when she was 5 and laughed even harder than the first time!). And what I really like about this show is that tasty beverages are included (if you'd like to partake ) and so is the gratuity! So this ends up being more a deal sometimes than a 2 credit signature restaurant b/c you won't have to add a tip OOP (or pay extra for tasty beverages!). Just an idea!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

If you book the DxDP for the second half of your stay you can really get your $$ worth out of it because you'll already be in Disney and can begin using it first thing the morning you check into the Poly! I think this is a great idea. And if you can add some signature restaurants or dinner shows with that plan, then I say go for it.

Have you guys thought about Hoop Dee Do? My kids really love this show (my DD is a year older than Logan--but she most recently saw it when she was 5 and laughed even harder than the first time!). And what I really like about this show is that tasty beverages are included (if you'd like to partake ) and so is the gratuity! So this ends up being more a deal sometimes than a 2 credit signature restaurant b/c you won't have to add a tip OOP (or pay extra for tasty beverages!). Just an idea!

I have thought about Hoop De Doo, actually this was one of the productions that I used to love as a kid when I went with my parents.. I think it runs only on certain days though.. I think what I may do is just start adding some signatures or more ressies for the second part of my trip. I can decide right before my trip if I want to add the DDXP..I can always cancel ressies.. Surprise, off to check the reservation board.. HAHA

 

[loganpaulsmom]

So why is it that life always throws you curve balls? Today Dh went to start his car and it wouldn't start (it was -5 out) He waited for 3 hours for AAA to show up.. Finally they did and they couldn't start the car... We waited all afternoon for a tow truck.. They arrived and were able to start the car.. But, we have a feeling that Dh's car is NOT going to make it until summer.. So, we may have to start looking for something.. Which puts a wrench in my plans of upgrading to the DDXP.. Even though its an extra couple of hundred dollars when you are already at the top of your budget it puts a stress on things.. I can't believe we have less than 2 months to pay this trip off.. arghh. how am I going to do this..
I was thinking that I may just try and get some signatures for the second part of our trip.. because if by a miracle we hit the lottery maybe I can add the DDXP right before our trip??
I need something to do.. I mean.. its way too early to pack or even think about outfits.. although.. I do want to get some customs done for us..
What is going on with my readers?? Are you all still around??? Or have I bored you to death yet??
I am attaching a few pictures from Logan's party and a picture of his awesome cake.. He had a great time.. I of course was stressed out.. AHHA

 

[Moira222]

So, all this time I have been writing my PTR, and HELLO I never wrote down my days or all of my Adr's.. that is a BIG DUHHH (and here I was wondering why no one was joining in my journey) haha

SO.. here it is: for those of you who are still here
May 4th arrival day.. MK and LTT
May 5th (Cinco Da Mayo, staying away from Mexico) HS. lunch 50's Prime and "Dessert" Sci -Fi.
May 6th Day of Rest.. Dinner at Ohana's
May 7th.. AK day and dinner at Yak and Yeti
May 8th.. Mothers Day.. Lunch at Le Cellier
May 9th No park.. dinner at Il Mulino
May 10th.. Back to MK and Crystal Palace for Breakfast
May 11th. Water park? But breakfast at 1900 park Fare
May 12th (Departure Day ) Breafast at Chef Mickeys..

So I am curious what you are going to do on your days of rest. I am hoping to mix in some non park activities, though I do have park hopper passes for 8 days (not arrival and departure days). Our little family of 3 is going the week after you.

 

[Moira222]

I have never been there.. but, we are doing So many buffets, that I cancelled my ressie.. I still have a couple of meals I want to add.. and I definitely want to add one at Epcot, but I just can't decide and Dh is NO HELP..

oh I have a hard time picking ADR's at Epcot. there are so many and so many we haven't done. We are doing the Coral Reef this time, which is new to us. In the past we have done Le Cellier (awesome steak but this was only one TS when we went and I understand that its two now). We don't have the Biergarten on the schedule yet for this trip but I really want to work it in somehow. we already ahve dinner plans for almost every night, only the first weekend we have breakfast plans for TS (Akershus Banquet hall rocks) and I am debating if we can eat tha tmuch food in one day.

Have you looked over the menus online?

 

[Moira222]

SO the old girl is back at it again.. I seriously need to get off DIS for a month or so... (But, I can't, it calls me everyday, lol)..

HAHA I find myself daydreaming and popping over here to see what everyone else is doing!

So.. I talked to DH and because AK closes early (5:00pm because of EE run) I decided to do a early dinner at Whispering Canyon. We went in 2008 and didn't get the full experience.. DS was only 2, and the inlaws (especially MIL, didn't get the whole schtick).. So, this year I thought it would be really fun to go back.. and because DS doesn't know what they do, I am going to be mean and have him ask the server for some ketchup.. HAHAHA

Logan will love the lincoln log table in the waiting area -- we couldn't get Katie away from that last time. Also, if you get the timing right, you can stay and see the water parade from the beach at WLR--its very pretty and I'm guessing that in May it won't be freezing cold as it was the last time we were here.

Also.. I realize that I have 1 day without any ressies at all.. No plans.. although, I think that we will end up at a park that day.. since I don't know which one, I am unsure of where to eat..
Ok, isn't that what you guys are here for?? Please help me make a decision.. Or at least help me along my way.. I just can't fathom having 1 whole day with nowhere ressies and no plans.. its like money burning a hole in my pocket.. LOL

Did you factor downtown disney anywhere else in your schedule? I don't remember seeing it. I would bet that you could fill a day here, and I think with AAA you get a coupon/discount for the hard rock cafe there. There is also a T Rex restaurant that Logan may like. I personally HATED this place because of the noise (I think it was a combo of noise, exhaustion, PMS, and the changing lights in the room that we were in) I had to leave while the rest of the family lingered over their desserts and coffee...but that was also the night that, when we got back to our room, I layed across the bed fully dressed and apparently fell asleep mid sentence. ANYWAY everyone else liked it, the menu was like the Rainforest Cafe, it was just all dinosaur themed. before I lost my mind I did walk around with Katie to see some of the animatronics and they were very cool. so DD may be a great way to spend a day outside of the parks.

 

[loganpaulsmom]

So I am curious what you are going to do on your days of rest. I am hoping to mix in some non park activities, though I do have park hopper passes for 8 days (not arrival and departure days). Our little family of 3 is going the week after you.

There is definitely going to be a day in DTD.. i just haven't decided which one yet.. Also, we are looking into getting more days on our passes, as it only costs about $3 extra per day per person..

oh I have a hard time picking ADR's at Epcot. there are so many and so many we haven't done. We are doing the Coral Reef this time, which is new to us. In the past we have done Le Cellier (awesome steak but this was only one TS when we went and I understand that its two now). We don't have the Biergarten on the schedule yet for this trip but I really want to work it in somehow. we already ahve dinner plans for almost every night, only the first weekend we have breakfast plans for TS (Akershus Banquet hall rocks) and I am debating if we can eat tha tmuch food in one day.

Have you looked over the menus online?

this is my problem too. I have so many places that I want to eat at Epcot but I just can't decide. That is my problem.. I booked Le cellier.. but, for lunch because it is only 1 TS.. But, we are doing a late lunch, 2:30pm.. Which I think will work into our schedule just fine as this is Mother's Day and it is our day to check into the Poly..

HAHA I find myself daydreaming and popping over here to see what everyone else is doing! This is me.. Always checking to see what everyone else is doing and then wondering if what i chose is good enoughy..

Logan will love the lincoln log table in the waiting area -- we couldn't get Katie away from that last time. Also, if you get the timing right, you can stay and see the water parade from the beach at WLR--its very pretty and I'm guessing that in May it won't be freezing cold as it was the last time we were here.
Logan has already been here, but he was 2.. so, this time I think he will get alot out of it. I am going to make him ask for ketchup.. hahaha

Did you factor downtown disney anywhere else in your schedule? I don't remember seeing it. I would bet that you could fill a day here, and I think with AAA you get a coupon/discount for the hard rock cafe there. There is also a T Rex restaurant that Logan may like. I personally HATED this place because of the noise (I think it was a combo of noise, exhaustion, PMS, and the changing lights in the room that we were in) I had to leave while the rest of the family lingered over their desserts and coffee...but that was also the night that, when we got back to our room, I layed across the bed fully dressed and apparently fell asleep mid sentence. ANYWAY everyone else liked it, the menu was like the Rainforest Cafe, it was just all dinosaur themed. before I lost my mind I did walk around with Katie to see some of the animatronics and they were very cool. so DD may be a great way to spend a day outside of the parks.

I was thinking T-Rex, but I think that we will go to the Planet Hollywood, because we have 2 separate ressies, we get the 2 $15 vouchers. I think we will go there for drinks and apps and then try out earl of sandwhich.. I have been dying to try it..

 

[loganpaulsmom]

So i was just sitting here thinking about.... what else??? Disney.. and I thought there are so many new things that I want to try on my trip in May.. and the more I look through peoples threads the more I realize... I am going to have a lot of work to do to accomplish everything....

SO here starts my list..
Dole Whip (I know I can't believe I haven't had one either, or maybe I have but it has been so long that I don't remember)
Jalepeno Pretzel at AK
Sweet Bread (I forgot the name as I was typing, but you know the one with the cream and the coconut and its like a Donut, I think you get it in Norway)
Grey Goose Slushy (i know, another I haven't tried)
Chedder cheese soup dipped with pretzel bread (right up my alley)
Some sort of sanwich from Earl of sandwich..

Oh yeah.. definitely more than 1 treat from the Caramel Store..
Something from the Main Street Bakery..I can't believe it will be my 11th time here and I have NEVER gotten something from there..


I will add more as they come into my head.. HAHAH

 

[loganpaulsmom]

I need help people.. I haven't changed or added a thing to my ressies in over a week.. and I am starting to feel it.. I am waking up thinking about Disney in cold sweats.. (I wish I wasn't serious about this)..

So for sure, we have decided to add at least 1 more day to our park pass possibly 2 days.. which leads me to Mon. May. 9th.. I have NO plans.. No adr's nothing... I don't think that I could live with myself if I didn't have some plan..

So here is my question.. ??? If you could do anything or eat any where would it be?? I seriously need to add something on this day and I just don't know what, I am totally overwhelmed.. HELP ME PLEASE..

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Maybe just take it easy that day and go to a water park or hang by the pool and then have dinner at one of the resorts. Or just leave it open to go back to a park that you guys feel like you need more of.

 

[DONTMINDME]

1st Logan is adorable, 2nd congrats on cancerfree, and woohoo on the Poly. We honeymooned there and it was my first resort as well, will always have a soft spot for there. We will be in Disney May 10-18, celebrating my b-day and our 25th wedding anniversary. Your ressies sound fine there are a few ideas that might be good, Epcot is really too big to see in 1 day and since you are leaving in the middle of the day to check in you might want to do another half day there and do Teppan Edos and watch Illuminations. I can honestly say I can't miss Illuminations and school bread is that Norway treat,yum. Also DTDs WGPE has awesome Pizzas we never miss them. One other thing you won't want to miss is in AK the Lion King show is wonderful and so is Nemo, both worth the time and a nice cool place to sit as well. cant' beat it, rest and entertainment what could be better. And yes I an a Disney nut as well we have 3 trips planned between May2011 and April 2012. I'm obsessed!!!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

Maybe just take it easy that day and go to a water park or hang by the pool and then have dinner at one of the resorts. Or just leave it open to go back to a park that you guys feel like you need more of.

That is my problem as much as I want to just "wing it".. I can't stand not having a solid plan..

1st Logan is adorable, 2nd congrats on cancerfree, and woohoo on the Poly. We honeymooned there and it was my first resort as well, will always have a soft spot for there. We will be in Disney May 10-18, celebrating my b-day and our 25th wedding anniversary. Your ressies sound fine there are a few ideas that might be good, Epcot is really too big to see in 1 day and since you are leaving in the middle of the day to check in you might want to do another half day there and do Teppan Edos and watch Illuminations. I can honestly say I can't miss Illuminations and school bread is that Norway treat,yum. Also DTDs WGPE has awesome Pizzas we never miss them. One other thing you won't want to miss is in AK the Lion King show is wonderful and so is Nemo, both worth the time and a nice cool place to sit as well. cant' beat it, rest and entertainment what could be better. And yes I an a Disney nut as well we have 3 trips planned between May2011 and April 2012. I'm obsessed!!!

YAY another reader!!! I am so happy you found me and my crazy writings. Thanks about Logan.. He is a peach and absolutely the love of my life.. I am really LUCKY.. I have weathered a storm and have out the right end.. It was hard but I feel so lucky, thus.. this wonderful trip.. Everything about it spells.. MAGIC.. Being able to stay at the Poly.. Staying for 8 nights.. Making the ressies at all my favorite eating places.. So lucky.. I just can't wait!!

 

[loganpaulsmom]

Real life has come at us FULL FORCE.. Arghh.. It has been crazy.. We are literally buried in snow.. There is NO where to put it.. Today we are supposed to get another foot and tomorrow another 10 inches.. This is horrible..
The only bright thing.. I think that I am making a ressie at Narcossis or Citricos for Monday, May 9th.. Remember, that's the day that I have nothing planned.. I figure, I don't really need a plan.. Whether a park or just hanging at the Poly pool , it will be an easy walk to the Floridian..
What is going on with everyone else? Where has everyone been? Am I the only one reading my report again??? HAHAHHA

 

[loganpaulsmom]

they really don't do what it looks like justice.. this is just the beginning of the snow.. we already have over 50 inches on the ground from previous storms and we are expecting in the next 24 hours another 20.. we may see the ground by next fall..

 

[purplepixiedust]

I just found this today...and I am subscribing.. We are not going to Disney this year so I will live vicariously through you for your trip, LOL! Can't wait to read all the way through what I have missed so far.

Congrats to you on your cancer free status!