Newlyweds 2nd Trip PTR: Christmas Time in the World!

[DisneyCrafter]

​

Rachael & Greg's PTR: We're going to Disney...AGAIN!​

I did it! I convinced the DH that a trip to WDW at Christmas time is the way to go for our second trip together (our first being our honeymoon in May/June).

I secretly wanted to go at this time of year ever since we began discussing another trip, I was just too "afraid" to ask him, for fear of him saying "Sure!" but not really meaning it, and just going along "for the ride". (Such a good guy!)

I think that when I priced it with the big discount on the rooms they were offering, he was all for it. ("Wait, going to Disney is less than the cruise we already booked? Let's cancel the cruise!") I promise it did go something like that...

EITHER WAY, IT'S OFFICIAL! From December 13-18 we WILL be in Disney World! Yippee Skippee!!

Let's begin by introducing the "cast"":

Rachael: The self-proclaimed lover of Disney!

Greg: The Loving DH!

BACKGROUND INFO: We are a newly-married (May 30, 2009), twenty-something, movie loving (I should take a photo of our current collection and post it) couple living in the south suburbs of Chicago with our new kitten Fredi (and we both said we weren't cat people). I classify myself as having a personality that best suits the profession of...wait for it...A HOUSEWIFE. I love cooking, baking, cleaning, organzing, scrapbooking, making homemade cards, eating out and planning vacations. I also love caring for children but we have no children, yet. I hate being constrained by a "9 to 5" work schedule (who doesn't) and I just can't see myself being happy doing that the rest of my life, so I am working on changing that. I currently nanny for a local family and I love it! Sometime in the near future I want to pursue a travel agent's license in IL and make my biggest hobby a career! I have been in love with Disney ever since my first trip in 2004 with my H.S. band. This will be my 4th trip to the World and it just keeps getting better every time. My DH is not quite as enthusiastic as I am, but even he mentioned that we will probably be traveling to Disney World every year at this time! (See, I knew I married him for a reason!) My DH is unsure of the exact number of times he has gone but it is about 4 or 5. My DH is currently pursuing his MBA at a local university and works full-time as a Data Analyst at an insurance software company not far from our recently purchased townhome. Did I mention my DH also has a part-time job playing the Wii? Well, it's not really a part-time job, considering he doesn't get paid to play but it should be, with him spending as much of his free time as possible swatting at the TV. Some may consider us "boring" for our age, but we wouldn't have it any other way!

Wow, how's that for an off-topic rant?!

NEXT UP: Resort Choice and Potential Dining List!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Resort Choice and Potential Dining List


RESORT:

We opted to stay at a value resort, so we will be staying at the All Star Sports Resort. I stayed here back in December of 2006 when my Dad, stepmom, 3 brothers, and aunt went to the World. I knew that it wasn't anything to write home about but for $56.00 a night, I think it will do just fine, especially since we don't plan on spending much time at the resort. (We spent our honeymoon at the POFQ and loved the grounds but I thought the room was very comparable, well, actually, worse than the room we stayed in at AS-Sports. (I HATED the shower at POFQ!) I am sure that we are going to be as far away from the main building as possible but were back in 2006 and it was "just okay". I will not say that I didn't mind walking almost 10 minutes to our room or to the bus stop each morning and evening b/c we ALL know how much walking is done at the parks!

NOTE: UNLESS YOU LIKE READING BACKGROUND INFO. SKIP DOWN TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH. Ha ha. I suppose I should give a little background info as to why we chose a Value Resort. We are currently on a pretty strict budget. I recently took nearly a 50% income cut when I decided to leave my position teaching preschool and began my new career as a nanny for a local family. (I am SO much happier now, the stress of being a teacher was just too much for me-I those DIS teachers out there!) My husband and I consider ourselves to be "vacation-aholics". We also love to vacation and look to take as many vacations a year as we can. Hence the budget.

DINING​

I cannot get ANY ADR's for times that are most convienent and work out best for the rough park schedule that I have created. (UPDATE: I really shouldn't say that, looking at the list of ADR's I have made, it looks pretty good for booking a trip less than 2 months before we leave. I just really wanted Le Cellier (I'd take lunch or dinner), Mama Melrose's for dinner (I currently have a lunch ADR), and either Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare. I just keep telling myself that we WILL go to WDW again, and I can get these ADR's for the next trip that WILL be planned further in advance!)

I have spent countless hours this week attempting to re-work the park schedule but I still cannot make the adr's that I have made fit well into the schedule without making me slightly upset that we may lose ample time in the parks. Now, we are definitely the type of people that love TS restaurants (especially me) but b/c we are only spending 4 full days in the parks, I just do not feel that I can make it work. So, I have begun compiling a list of CS and a couple TS restaurants that we will be able to go to. I would LOVE more suggestions. However, I will NOT give up hope that I can at least find a few great adr's before we leave! I WANT LE CELLIER but if not, it's okay, we will just hit it on the next trip that I am sure I will begin planning before we leave for this trip.

THE LIST​

DTD:
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
House of Blues
T-Rex*I am pretty sure that they take reservations but I'm hoping we can get in without waiting very long if we go at an off-time.*
Planet Hollywood
Ghiradelli

Magic Kingdom:
Main Street Bakery
Pecos Bills
Cosmic Rays
Aloha Isle
Caseys Corner
Scuttles Landing

Hollywood Studios:
Starring Rolls Café
Pizza Planet

Animal Kingdom:
Pizzafari
Yak & Yeti CS

Resorts:
POFQ
PORS
Contempo Café
Captain Cooks Snack Company
Big River Grille & Brewing Works

Epcot:
Sunshine Seasons
Boulangerie Patisserie
Crepes des Chefs de France
Cantina de San Angel
Kringia Bakeri og Cafe

NEXT UP: COST SCENARIOS​

 

[mommyof3princess27]

cant wait to see!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

QUICK UPDATE:​

I have been meaning to post our "OFFICIAL PARK SCHEDULE" for our trip but I have been consumed with ADR's. I do not know why I am stressing myself out trying to get ADR's when I told myself when I booked the trip that we would just take it "day by day". This afternoon, while the girls I nanny for nap (hopefully), I plan on calculating the different total cost scenarios for the trip based on the ADRs I have now. I want to play around with it a little bit to see what the cost would be if I only did a few ADRs or just got rid of TS altogether! I know that I will be planning our next WDW trip for next December very soon and for this one I will be making my ADR's 180 + 10 ahead of time! Don't worry (because I know you are ) I will post my cost scenarios/dining schedule. (I am also comparing it to the cost of the DDP and DxDP). Phew! I have a LOT of work ahead of me! But...I LOVE IT!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

COST SCENARIOS​

*Important Note*
These prices include all taxes and tips (every TS meal is given a 20% tip increase (BEFORE taxes).

ADR's Include:
Jiko
Mama Melrose's
Boma
Grand Floridian Cafe
Kona
Les Chefs de France

Non-ADR's Include:

Big River Grille & Brewing Works
WGPE
Earl of Sandwich
Pizza Planet
End Zone FC
Main Street Bakery
...and various stops for snacks throughout the day...

Scenario 1: Keeping ADR's already made and paying OOP or DxDP?

OOP Cost : $895.58
DxDP Cost: $897.59 --> Including a trip to Ghirardelli and Goofy's Candy Company (Without these trips the cost would be $869.49)
Difference: $2.01 CHEAPER to do OOP! (I thought DxDP was supposed to SAVE you money?!) (However, taking the non DxDP "eatings" out: the difference would be $26.09, making it cheaper to do the DxDP.)

*Side Note*

**If I kept my current ADR's and Dining List, I would have 1 QS and 1 TS credit left. Also, I accounted for 4 snacks per day, and we would still have 10 snack credits left!

**Each TS has 2 appetizers and 2 desserts included in the price, just as the DxDP includes.

Reasons NOT to go this "route":
1. TOO much money (this is going WAY over our proposed budget for this trip)
2. TOO much food (we love to eat and my DH can EAT a lot at every sitting and I love to snack all day but even when we did the DxDP for our Disneymoon it was WAY too much food)

Scenario 2: Keeping ADR's already made but Decreasing Food Purchases?

*Side Note*
For this scenario I took away many of the appetizers and desserts as well as took away the cost of one of our lunches on many days (as we could share). (In some cases it may have been that we would share a dessert and an appetizer.)

Scenario One Total Cost (Choosing OOP instead of DxDP): 897.59
Scenario Two Total Cost (Decreasing Food Consumption): 708.12
Difference: $189.47

Reasons NOT to go this "route":
1. Some of the ADR's are at times that are not the most convienent and do not work best with the park schedule that I have made.
2. Although there is almost a $200 price difference, it still is a little more expensive than I would like it to be. After all, Christmas is coming and my DH and I both have large immediate and extended families to purchase gifts for!

Scenario 3: Removing some ADR's and replacing them with CS/QS?

*Imporant Note* The Dining List for this scenario has changed to:

Pizza Planet
End Zone Food Court
Planet Hollywood
Lunching Pad
Sunshine Seasons
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
Boulangerie Patisserie
Wolfgang Puck Express
Jiko
Main Street Bakery
Pecos Bills/Cosmic Rays
Contempo/Kona/Grand Floridian Cafe
Boma
Les Chefs de France (This will most likely change.)

Scenario 2 Total Cost: $708.12
Scenario 3 Total Cost: $698.76
Difference: $9.36

Reasons TO go on this "route":
1. FLEXIBILITY-Many of the meals allow us to change our plans at the last minute without having to call and cancel and ADR or worry about scheduling our days around having to make it to an ADR (and potentially losing ample park time). I did make a list of attractions/rides we MUST do and there is many more that I would like to do, and with this "route" we can probably fit some of these in.
2. TABLE SERVICE-Although many of our meals are counter service, we still have plenty of table service meals to relax during our meal in a nicer setting than a picnic table (well, you know what I mean).

NEXT UP: TOURING PLAN​

 

[DisneyCrafter]

cant wait to see!

I see in your signature it says first time to WDW AND ON A PLANE! Is this your first time on a plane? Mine was when I was 19 with my family and I was sooo scared! I since have only been on a plane for 1 other trip, my honeymoon that included a 45 minute plane ride from Miami to the Bahamas. My poor DH's pant leg was wrinkled and sweaty in one spot from my gripping for dear life and it was smooth flying! I wish I would have gone on plane rides when I was younger so I would be accustomed to it like my DH is! But Oh Well! Guess I just need to plan more trips that require a plane ride!

 

[eliz991]

Your trip sounds great! I really need to calculate food expense, we're not currently on the DDP but I'm wondering now what would be cheaper.

And just so you know, my first flight was when I was 8 or so and I still need a valium to fly if we are going over water and an alcoholic beverage if we are not - somewhere in my late 20s I developed a fear of flying!

 

[simonmunro]

disneycrafter if you would pm me an email I want to ask you about something.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Your trip sounds great! I really need to calculate food expense, we're not currently on the DDP but I'm wondering now what would be cheaper.

And just so you know, my first flight was when I was 8 or so and I still need a valium to fly if we are going over water and an alcoholic beverage if we are not - somewhere in my late 20s I developed a fear of flying!

I may have to get some of that Xanax or Valium if I plan on doing any long-distance over water (which we do). (I really wish I was kidding.) For now, my DH copies movies onto his iPod and we watch them on our portable DVD player, they are comedies (and ones that make us laugh-A LOT) and it definitely helps, especially on plane rides that do not last much longer than one movie.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Touring Plan​

Before I begin our "Daily Plans" (Which, of course, are subject to change and may (but not until we get there, unless I happen to snag a couple of fantastic ADR's.) I thought I would list each park and what attractions we plan on doing this trip. There isn't very many but these are our "must-do", if we have more time we will hit other things as well.

*Note: The attractions in BLUE are those that I have yet to experience at WDW!

Magic Kingdom:
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Snow White's Scary Adventures
WDW Railroad
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean

Disney's Hollywood Studios:
Tower of Terror
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Great Movie Ride
Toy Story Mania
Muppet Vision 3D
Disney Animation Studio

Animal Kingdom:
Dinosaur (I think I rode this in 2004, but I could have sworn this ride was at UO, until I read a WDW guidebook and realized that I was wrong. Super excited for this one!)
Expedition Everest

EPCOT:
(Future World)
Soarin'
Test Track
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
(World Showcase)
American Adventure
Impressions

DAY ONE

Arrival to MCO. ME. and Check-in.
DHS: Spectacle of Lights. EMH

DAY TWO

AK
DTD
MK: EMH. SpectroMagic. and Wishes.

DAY THREE:

EPCOT: Future World
Boardwalk
EPCOT: World Showcase. Candlelight Processional. and Illuminations

DAY FOUR:

DHS: Fantasmic
POFQ: Honeymoon Memories
DTD

DAY FIVE:

MK MVMCP
Monorail Resorts: Christmas Decor.

DAY SIX

AKL
Depart on ME for MCO


I have not included our Dining Picks, intentionally I may add as they will be my next installment of my PTR and I will also begin my DR.

Does anyone have any attraction suggestions that, "I just can't miss!"? I would love any ideas!

Does anyone know that when we see Fantasmic at 630 P.M. if we can make it to Jiko for our 745 P.M. ADR? (I also made an 8:50 J.I.C)

Can I get to DTD from DHS directly or do I need to transfer to the nearest resort? (AKL, I'm assuming.)

Now, it's off to check for some more ADR's online!

Next Up: Dining Picks​

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Dining Picks​

I have had such a hard time getting myself to write this part of my PTR, not because I didn't want to but because I just cannot seem to make myself happy with my choices. I make too many ADR's and I am worried we will be stressed out the entire trip but I make too few and I worry that we will be eating "crummy" food the entire trip. However, I am confident in my choices, but that's not to say they won't change again. So...here it goes!

Sunday:

Dinner @ 8:00 P.M. @ Hollywood & Vine in DHS

(I know, I know, this place has not gotten the best reviews but we have a 50's PTC res. later in the week and I cannot get a Mama Melrose's res. I would LOVE to see some DISer's pictures of their food from H&V, would anyone be willing to share or steer me in the direction on the boards where I can find some?)

Monday:

No ADR's this day.

Breakfast @ AS-Sports (We hope to make ROPE DROP! for Animal Kingdom (EMH this morning) to ride Expedition and Dinosaur before heading to DTD for some shopping and...
Lunch @ EOS or WGPE (We will either go back to the room for a little rest or go right to MK depending on how much time we spend in DTD for EMH and to see SpectroMagic.) I would love to get a res. for LTT but if not it will be...
Dinner @ CS

Tuesday:

Breakfast @ AS-Sports or Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT
Lunch @ 12:50 P.M. @ Tutto Italia

(I really wanted Le Cellier but I LOVE italian food so I am VERY excited for this and will not be switching it!)
Dinner @ CS (This is completely "up in the air". I think I may be doing a little food traveling in the WS for dinner. There are so many places that I want to try a little something at and this would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

Wednesday:

Breakfast @ AS-Sports (We ARE going to make ROPE DROP! for DHS as we want to ride TSM right when the park opens.)
Lunch in DTD @ WGPE or EOS (The plan is to ride the attractions quickly (there are only 3/4 of them then catch the bus to POFQ for some Beignets and a trip down memory lane from our honeymoon and catch a boat over to DTD for some lunch before heading back to DHS.)
Dinner @ 3:45 P.M. @ 50's PTC

Thursday

Breakfast @ 8:00 A.M. @ 1900 Park Fare

(I was SO excited when this ADR popped up suddenly last week!) I then would like to visit the Poly and CR as well to check out the Christmas Decor before heading to MK for...
Lunch @ 2:05 P.M. @ The Plaza

Dinner @ CS (We have tickets for MVMCP this night so making an ADR for dinner somewhere outside of MK did not make sense.)

Friday

Breakfast @ 9:05 A.M. @ Boma

SNACK LIST:

Dole Whip/Float (MK)
Cinnamon Roll (MK)
Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich (MK)
Cupcake (DHS)
Ghirardelli Ice Cream Sundae (DTD)
Chocolate Covered Marshmallow (DTD)
Beignets (POFQ)
Sweet Treats from the Boulangerie Patisserie in WS (EPCOT)

There are other snacks that I know I have seen that I wanted from reading other DISer's reviews and looking at the "Disney Food Porn" but I cannot think of them right now, and let's be realistic A. We do not have an endless supply of money or B. Multiple Stomachs, even people who love to eat (like we do) get full every so often!

I will be beginning my Dining Review shortly and I am very excited as this will be my first review!

My next update to this PTR will most likely be a few days before we leave, unless nothing changes, then I will finish my TR when we return! Now, on to finding pictures for my dining review rating system!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

2 weeks from today we will be in the Happiest Place on Earth! I am SO excited and it doesn't help that the DH and I have been watching Disney movies all day in preparation for our trip.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

These are my choices and I'm sticking to it! ​

I’m ashamed to say it…BUT I changed my dining picks AGAIN.
Not like anyone actually reads my PTR anyway, but it doesn’t change the fact that I feel bad for changing my choices, again. I swear this has been about the 5th time since I booked our trip…last month.
However, we are now 10 days away from arriving in WDW and after looking at my DH and I’s finances, I have come to a decision. AND THAT IS FINAL!

We have 3 ADRs:
Chef Mickey’s Dinner
1900 Park Fare Breakfast
Boma Breakfast

QS Choices Include:
End Zone Food Court
Wolfgang Puck Express
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Sunshine Seasons
Boardwalk Bakery
Earl of Sandwich
Main Street Bakery
Boulangerie Patisserie
Casey’s Corner
Aloha Isle
Ghirardelli
Cosmic Ray’s
Starring Rolls Café

I am extremely happy with my choices, as I have spent countless hours on DIS looking at “food porn” pictures, well more like drooling. It also allows for more flexibility in this trip than we had with our Honeymoon on the DxDP. If we want to sleep in one morning, NBD, we do just that and catch brunch/lunch somewhere at the parks.

Now, I have to begin packing and seeing what I need to purchase before our trip. I also have a lot of shopping and baking to do as well, as we are hosting Christmas for the first time this year and I do not want to “be stuck” at the overcrowded stores and in front of the oven when I should be enjoying the holidays!

I get to do online check-in today and that is SO exciting because that means we are SOOOO close to our vacation!

Also, I have included a link to my Dining Review that I have just started in my signature, check it out and I hope you join in!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Touring Plan​

Well, after making a decision on our dining plans, (I’m sure you all know how hard it is NOT to check for open reservations for a TS I would like to eat at.) I went over the TP I made for us in a realistic way (because I know I would not be happy waking up at 6 or 7 am every, I am just not an early riser). I thought that I would share my TP. Here it goes.

Day 1
We arrive in the late afternoon so once we check in…
Dinner @ EZFC
DHS
ToT
RNRC
Spectacle of Lights
Starring Rolls Café
Great Movie Ride

Day 2
AK Rope Drop
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur
DTD for Lunch
Break: Nap/Swimming
MK
Aloha Isle
Big Thunder Mountain RR
Splash Mountain
Pirates
SpectroMagic Parade/Wishes
Dinner @ Chef Mickey’s

Day 3 (Our “sleep in” day)
EPCOT
Soarin’
Test Track
Boardwalk Bakery: Lunch
World Showcase
Candlelight Processional
Sunshine Seasons: Dinner
Illuminations

Day 4
DHS Rope Drop
Toy Story Mania
Disney Animation
POFQ: Lunch
DHS
Muppet Vision 3D
Fantasmic!
Dinner @ WGPE/Shopping in DTD

Day 5
1900 Park Fare
MK
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
WDW Railroad
Break: Lunch/Nap/Swimming
MK
Main Street Bakery: Lunch
Peter Pan’s Flight
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Mickey’s PhillarMagic
Hall of Presidents
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Cosmic Rays/Ride Favorites

Day 6
Boma

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I'm here!!!! Everything sounds great so far. I'm glad you choose Boma because the AKL restaurants are great! We eat at Boma every single time.

You said you would be going back every single year at Christmastime...which is DIVINE! But have you thought of scenerio #4? You could purchase an annual pass and make sure your next trip is within that year and use your tickets then as well? You would also then be able to get the Tables in Wonderland card for $75 instead of $100 and it saves you 20% but does add the 18% tip onto the bill. Both of those would last you one year for a little more than you are paying now, but your savings next trip would be spectacular.

We did just that and our savings have been very good. We have booked all our trips within 1 year and our $400 per pass has been brought down to approx $15 per day park tickets.

Just more food for thought...hahahaha