Nov 2011 PTR: A Very Merry Wilderness Surprise! **UPDATED 5/12/11**

[Mommy2LittleVols]

TWO MONTHS!!

Two months from today at this time, we will be (hopefully) about halfway to Walt Disney World!



In honor of this momentous occasion, I thought I would post some of my favorite pictures and moments from our past trips.

2009

Kenai and Koda

We were so excited to meet these guys because it's where we got Dakoda's nickname (Koda)! Sarah Kate was asleep in the stroller when Darren and Dakoda had their picture taken. The bears saw her and motioned for me to bring her over. I said no, it's okay, and then Kenai walked over and took the stroller from me and pushed it over for a picture! I was cracking up!

Dakoda's First Mickey Bar!

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

Darren and his parents stayed with the kids while my nephews and I rode Dinosaur. When I got back, they were watching the parade and Dakoda was on Darren's shoulders. I just love this pic b/c you can just tell how much fun they are having!

Character Breakfasts

I was afraid Sarah Kate would be afraid of the characters (Dakoda was), but she LOVED them!

2010

Dakoda's Birthday Breakfast at Chef Mickey's

Dream Along with Mickey

After Dakoda's birthday dinner at The Crystal Palace, we exited and saw that "the Castle show" was starting. The kids love shows, so we decided to stay and watch it. Dakoda couldn't see, so Darren put him up on his shoulders. It was such a sweet moment, and this is my favorite picture from the entire trip.

Tiana's Garden Glen

We were so excited for Sarah Kate to meet Tiana and Prince Naveen since "The Princess and the Frog" was her first favorite movie. Darren was trying to get her to look at me so I could take a picture, so he pointed at me. Then she started pointing and wouldn't stop, so Tiana and Naveen pointed, too.

Of course, I have many more wonderful memories, but these are just a few of my favorites. What are some of your favorites?
​

 

[Lidian]

Don't stop!!

I'm totally loving your walk down memory lane. You have amazing pictures! I loved Tiana and Naveen pointing with your DD, and just seeing her face as she's interacting with the characters!

And then your DH hoisting your DS up on his shoulders so he could see. I loved seeing your DS cuddled up to Pluto, too sweet!! I'm just in awe of your pictures!

More, more!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Don't stop!!

I'm totally loving your walk down memory lane. You have amazing pictures! I loved Tiana and Naveen pointing with your DD, and just seeing her face as she's interacting with the characters!

And then your DH hoisting your DS up on his shoulders so he could see. I loved seeing your DS cuddled up to Pluto, too sweet!! I'm just in awe of your pictures!

More, more!

You are too sweet! I think sometimes I drive my family crazy because I always have the camera out, but I do love my pictures!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

So I've told you when we are going and where we are staying, but I know what you really want to know is......




​

WHERE WE ARE EATING!!!

So without further adieu, our ADR's

Monday, May 23 - Chef Mickey's @ 7:15 am

Tuesday, May 24 - Hollywood & Vine @ 8:05 am

Wednesday, May 25 - Tusker House @ 10:15 am

Thursday, May 26 - Akershus @ 8:20 am

We decided to go with all character breakfasts this year. My kids are in the best moods in the mornings, so we are less likely to have any meltdowns or tantrums. Plus, most character meals are buffets and I can't stand buffet food unless it's breakfast food. (I'm weird, I know )

We ate at Tusker House back in 2009, but missed it last year. We've eaten at Chef Mickey's both years. I guess it's sort of our tradition now.

Akershus will be our first Princess meal. I can't WAIT to see Sarah Kate's face when the Princesses start coming by!! She is going to be SO excited! You better believe I will have that camera ready and waiting.

I think Dakoda is really going to love Hollywood & Vine. He's not a big Handy Manny fan, but he likes Little Einsteins, and he LOVES Special Agent Oso! I asked him if he would like to eat with Oso and he got excited and said "YEAH!" So I'm hoping that it goes well and he doesn't get scared.

A couple of places that we've eaten at in the past that I'm really sad to miss this year are The Crystal Palace and Boma. We usually always do a pre-park opening breakfast at CP and get pictures on a semi-empty Main Street. I am really going to miss that, plus I just love the restaurant. It's so beautiful! But we ate there twice last year, so I'll just suck it up. LOL! And we usually eat breakfast at Boma, but Tusker House has a lot of similar foods, so we will be okay without that one. It's on the list for next year, though!

What are some of your favorite Disney restaurants?
​

 

[Lidian]

So I've told you when we are going and where we are staying, but I know what you really want to know is......

​

WHERE WE ARE EATING!!!

So without further adieu, our ADR's

Monday, May 23 - Chef Mickey's @ 7:15 am
[COLOR=DarkOrchid

[/COLOR] Tuesday, May 24 - Hollywood & Vine @ 8:05 am


Wednesday, May 25 - Tusker House @ 10:15 am


Thursday, May 26 - Akershus @ 8:20 am



We decided to go with all character breakfasts this year. My kids are in the best moods in the mornings, so we are less likely to have any meltdowns or tantrums. Plus, most character meals are buffets and I can't stand buffet food unless it's breakfast food. (I'm weird, I know )

We ate at Tusker House back in 2009, but missed it last year. We've eaten at Chef Mickey's both years. I guess it's sort of our tradition now.

Akershus will be our first Princess meal. I can't WAIT to see Sarah Kate's face when the Princesses start coming by!! She is going to be SO excited! You better believe I will have that camera ready and waiting.

I think Dakoda is really going to love Hollywood & Vine. He's not a big Handy Manny fan, but he likes Little Einsteins, and he LOVES Special Agent Oso! I asked him if he would like to eat with Oso and he got excited and said "YEAH!" So I'm hoping that it goes well and he doesn't get scared.

A couple of places that we've eaten at in the past that I'm really sad to miss this year are The Crystal Palace and Boma. We usually always do a pre-park opening breakfast at CP and get pictures on a semi-empty Main Street. I am really going to miss that, plus I just love the restaurant. It's so beautiful! But we ate there twice last year, so I'll just suck it up. LOL! And we usually eat breakfast at Boma, but Tusker House has a lot of similar foods, so we will be okay without that one. It's on the list for next year, though!

What are some of your favorite Disney restaurants?
​

Your ADRs look really awesome! We're not breakfast people, so we've never done a breakfast meal at WDW.

The princesses at Akershus were really great! We were lucky enough to see Cindy in 2009, but I know that its random with which princesses will appear each day and meal. I can't wait to see Sarah Kate's face!!

I'm sure Dakoda will be fine with H&V characters. Hopefully by then, he'll be used to seeing "larger" versions of his favorite characters, so it won't be a shock to see how big Oso really is.

I really love Wolfgang Pucks at DTD, but the one place I'd love to try (new) is 1900 Park Fare (dinner). I'd soo love to meet the Step-sisters and Lady Tremaine! But DH isn't a fan of character meals, and I have to make him happy so he'll take us. So I'll save it for a trip when DH isn't around or when I run out of new offerings to keep him happy.

 

[that's nice]

So without further adieu, our ADR's

Monday, May 23 - Chef Mickey's @ 7:15 am

Tuesday, May 24 - Hollywood & Vine @ 8:05 am

Wednesday, May 25 - Tusker House @ 10:15 am

Thursday, May 26 - Akershus @ 8:20 am

Love all your choices!!!!

We decided to go with all character breakfasts this year. My kids are in the best moods in the mornings, so we are less likely to have any meltdowns or tantrums. Plus, most character meals are buffets and I can't stand buffet food unless it's breakfast food. (I'm weird, I know )

Yes, you are weird! (j/k)

We ate at 'Ohana for breakfast and we really enjoyed ourselves. I will say that at all the character meals we ate at this time, the characters seemed VERY rushed. Probably because every restaurant was packed to the gills. Do you remember the experience we had at 1900PF?

I love this video, we can watch it over & over. Juliana was so tiny in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isW65dSeIis

We ate at Tusker House back in 2009, but missed it last year. We've eaten at Chef Mickey's both years. I guess it's sort of our tradition now.

We still haven't eaten here... someday it will fit in our schedule.

Akershus will be our first Princess meal. I can't WAIT to see Sarah Kate's face when the Princesses start coming by!! She is going to be SO excited! You better believe I will have that camera ready and waiting.

AWWWWW can't wait to see these pics!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Love the choices!! We are eating at Tusker House so look forward to hearing what you think about it this time round!

 

[mrssmith06]

Great choices! Our character meals are at breakfast too!

 

[Queila]

The ADR's look great.
I also have Akershus down for breakfast this time around and I have a feeling I am going to love it. It seems to be a little different from the other breakfasts out there.

I look forward to hearing about your experience at Hollywood & Vine. I almost did it but decided not to since I am not sure how Beatriz will react to the characters this time. She loves Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins but I just did not want to risk it.

That is very smart of you booking breakfasts for the whole week. It gives you the freedom to have super at your convenience at the end of a long day. Smart girl.

Have a great weekend!
Q

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Most of my favorite memories from my childhood Disney trips centered around character breakfasts. There is something so special about them! (Even more so than other character meals in my opinion) I guess thats why I still book tons of them on our trips! I think you are going to have so much fun at Akershus! That is an absolute favorite of ours. The food is amazing, the cm's there are always so friendly and the princess interaction is great!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Love all your choices!!!!


Yes, you are weird! (j/k)

We ate at 'Ohana for breakfast and we really enjoyed ourselves. I will say that at all the character meals we ate at this time, the characters seemed VERY rushed. Probably because every restaurant was packed to the gills.

I hate that!

Do you remember the experience we had at 1900PF?

I love this video, we can watch it over & over. Juliana was so tiny in it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isW65dSeIis

Yes! I remember that video from your TR. She really was tiny compared to what a big girl she is now...I can't believe I have "known" you guys that long.

Love the choices!! We are eating at Tusker House so look forward to hearing what you think about it this time round!

We think Tusker House is amazing. You must try the Jungle Juice!!

Great choices! Our character meals are at breakfast too!

You know what they say about great minds....

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

The ADR's look great.
I also have Akershus down for breakfast this time around and I have a feeling I am going to love it. It seems to be a little different from the other breakfasts out there.

I'm betting you are going to LOVE it! I have heard nothing but good things about it.

I look forward to hearing about your experience at Hollywood & Vine. I almost did it but decided not to since I am not sure how Beatriz will react to the characters this time. She loves Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins but I just did not want to risk it.

I'm actually kind of nervous about how Sarah Kate is going to feel about characters this time around. They haven't bothered her in the past, but recently she has become extremely shy and has been having some separation anxiety. So I'm worried that she is going to be scared of them. I'm really hoping not, though!

That is very smart of you booking breakfasts for the whole week. It gives you the freedom to have super at your convenience at the end of a long day. Smart girl.

Have a great weekend!
Q

And now you have figured out my whole strategy.

Most of my favorite memories from my childhood Disney trips centered around character breakfasts. There is something so special about them! (Even more so than other character meals in my opinion) I guess thats why I still book tons of them on our trips! I think you are going to have so much fun at Akershus! That is an absolute favorite of ours. The food is amazing, the cm's there are always so friendly and the princess interaction is great!

I agree about breakfasts 100%! I'm so glad those are some of your favorite memories. I hope my kids feel the same! We are really looking forward to Akershus. I've heard such great things about it! I can't wait!!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Another HUGE Change (and hopefully the last!)

The other day while having lunch together, Darren and I began discussing our May trip. He had some financial concerns, as well as some concerns about the heat, his vacation time at work, etc, and he wanted to know how I would feel about canceling our May WDW trip. At first I was devastated because I thought he was suggesting that we forego a 2011 trip altogether.

But then he told me that he had been thinking about it and would really like to just postpone the trip until November so that we could enjoy the lower crowds and milder temperatures, plus have more time to save up money for the trip. But the thing that was swaying him most, he said, was seeing the World all decked out for the holidays because, and I quote, "what better way to get in the Christmas spirit than at the most magical place on Earth?"!!! This from a man who professed 3 months ago to "hate" Disney! Welcome to the dark side, honey.

So I agreed to postpone, and we decided on dates of:



November 27 - December 3





At first I was really leaning towards going the week of our anniversary, but Darren said that he would prefer the week after Thanksgiving, so I agreed.

He also said that he would like to upgrade our resort to...

THE WILDERNESS LODGE!!!!



Of course, I agreed. (Do we see a pattern here? )




Now that I've had a few days to mourn the loss of our May trip, I'm getting super excited for our November trip!!! I'm especially looking forward to seeing this:

And this:

And these:

And most especially, THESE!!

Oh, and we will still get in a little Disney magic in May when we travel to the Tampa area to see our nephews. We will drive down on Friday, May 27 and stay until Tuesday, May 31. Dakoda's birthday is on Monday the 30th, so we are having a party for him at DSIL's house on Sunday, and then on Monday we are all driving over to Orlando to spend the day at Hollywood Studios!!

I can't wait!!!
​

 

[Lidian]

Grats on the upgrades and changes! I'm a bit jealous you'll get to see lights!! Now I'm looking foward to hearing your planning all over again!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on getting to go in November and experience all the Christmas festivities!!

Also congrats on the resort upgrade - look forward to hearing the new plans

 

[DearPrudence]

Newbie here popping in to say hi! Your kids are adorable.

Glad to see another November PTR. We were originally planning on going the same days you're currently scheduled, but switched to the first week of November because of airfare. I wish we lived close enough to drive, but we're in Michigan -- it's just WAY too long for me.

Looking forward to seeing your plans!

 

[lbuzz52]

Lower temps, wl upgrade, AND Christmas events- sounds great!!!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Grats on the upgrades and changes! I'm a bit jealous you'll get to see lights!! Now I'm looking foward to hearing your planning all over again!!!

Thanks! I'll post lots of pics of the lights for you. I can't believe I have to start the planning process all over again from the very beginning. Oh well, it will be fun, I guess! And it will give me something to write about on here for the next 8 months.

Yay on getting to go in November and experience all the Christmas festivities!!

Also congrats on the resort upgrade - look forward to hearing the new plans

Thanks! I have always said if/when I went at Christmas-time, I wanted to stay at WL, but Darren always complained about the cost. I was a bit shocked when he suggested it....but SO excited!!

Newbie here popping in to say hi! Your kids are adorable.

Glad to see another November PTR. We were originally planning on going the same days you're currently scheduled, but switched to the first week of November because of airfare. I wish we lived close enough to drive, but we're in Michigan -- it's just WAY too long for me.

Looking forward to seeing your plans!

I cannot imagine driving from Michigan! Good call on flying instead! That stinks that you had to change your dates though. We could've had a DISmeet!

Lower temps, wl upgrade, AND Christmas events- sounds great!!!

I think so, too!!!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

Yay for a holiday trip! I think the WL is the perfect place to stay during that time of year. There is just so much to see and do - you're going to have a wonderful time! I can't wait to hear about all of the plans!

 

[mrssmith06]

Oh I bet the holiday trip will be awesome!!!
I am considering that for 2012