Official May 2011 thread!

100 days for me too! Can't wait!

So jealous of everyone that's at 100 days or even lower! You inspired me to check online for when my trip will be 100 days away, and it's not until February. But I guess they say the anticipation should be savored too :)
 
I just realized that my ticker says 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days. :cool1: I guess it really is time to start saving, LOL.
 

just paid the deposit and let the countdown begin 111 to go .....May 12 -May 19....the first time at Carribean Beach Resort....dinner reservations made...anybody else down at cbr the same time?:cool1::cool1::banana::banana::banana:
 
I have all my Adr"s done and am starting to second guess them. I have never been ther before and I am getting mixed reviews on the restaurants, so I am hoping that you all will help me out on this one...
we are going may 29-June 4th staying at the CBR with 2 kids 14 and 11.

5/29 Crystal Palace, (DD hoping to see pooh there)
5/30 Sci fi
5/31 Tutto Italia Or Via Napoli (Had TI just changed it to VN, but now Im not sure?)
6/1 Kona Cafe
6/2 Hollywood and vine with fantamic
6/3 Ohana

I read a lot of bad reviews about Ohana, so if I change it what would be a good choice?
How formal is Tutto Italia?
What about sci-fi? We have a drive in movies here where we live so that isn't such a cool attration for us, was just thinking "fun" for the kids.

My park ADR's are all dinners and I planned them at the parks with the late magic hours. Let me know what you all think and what you would change if it were you?
THANKS<
Iggler

We enjoy Crystal Palace and your dd should definitely see Pooh and all his buds there. Ohana is one of our favorites. The food is very good and plenty of it. The atmosphere IS noisy but entertaining, imo. I think the noise bothers some people. I, however, am a pre-k teacher used to eating lunch in a lunchroom filled with about 200 kids so the noise is not a problem for me. We were not overly impressed with Sci-fi. It's okay. Average food and the concept is fun but we are a large family and disliked that we were so separated. Also we are used to eating around a table where we can converse during a meal and Sci-fi just isn't set up that way. The videos were cute but the loop was too short. I think we saw the same videos at least 3 times during one meal! Hollywood and Vine is an okay buffet. I wouldn't choose to eat there for any other reason than for the Fantasmic package.

Those are my opinions and ymmv. I hope you have a great time on your trip!
 
I have heard nothing but good things about Ohana. I have family members who make sure they go every year. We are trying it out on their recommendation. We are also eating at Hollywood and Vine and Sci-Fi. I've never eaten at either, but you can't go wrong with a Disney buffet. HAV will probably be great b/c all of the buffets I've been to (including Crystal Palace-got to meet Pooh and his friends)have been awesome. There's always something you will like. My Disney failsafe is the roasted chicken. It's on almost every menu, and if I'm not sure...well, chicken it is. No matter what, eating at HAV is gonna be worth it b/c of Fantasmic. In October when we were there people were lining up for 2 hours before it started. The line was all the way down the street. When we got in line it was standing room only, and they couldn't guarantee everyone was gonna get in. We chose to ride the rides instead and didn't get to see the show. We have a guaranteed seating this time. Totally worth it. What you have to remember with ratings is that usually the people sitting down to write them are PO'd about something. Most people are completely happy and never sit down and take the time to write about it. I'm guilty of that. But, if I'm mad...You bet I'll post it! I don't think about it when I'm happy. I've stopped reading the reviews b/c I was second guessing my resort choice b/c of them, and then decided to look at the reviews of where I stayed before. People trashed it in the reviews, and I was completely happy with my stay there. I realized that people are spoiled and complain about silly, petty things sometimes. Though, sometimes complaints are legitimate, most I find are petty. I actually read one about a parent who wrote on a spot on the sheets and when the sheets weren't changed after one day, was upset. I wondered if she changed her sheets every day at home?! I wouldn't expect them to change our sheets until we leave or until we've been there for a week. Anyway, hope that makes you feel better.

why so ....just curious....I'm new to this whole thing and I'm trying to plan...thanks!!!

Unless you are doing the DDP, I'd recommend breaking up the meals into Lunch and Breakfast, too. When we eat out only for dinner -- 1) it's more expensive and 2) it messes up your evening plans every night, even if it is EMH.

I found it better to add a late breakfast one day and make that your non-park day. Do a lunch in a theme park to help break up your touring of the park or to get a good meal earlier in the day so you can go swimming at night or to DTD or just so you can get on the rides when others are just entering the park for the evening or eating their TS. Anyway, just a thought.

Crystal Palace is probably one of the best places for breakfast. Lunch is next and dinner although good, isn't as good as their other offerings. But whichever meal you do, it'll be lots of good food.

**EDIT ** I see that you are also doing H&V ... as I mention below, CP is VERY similar to H&V. If you can skip seeing Pooh and just see him in the parks, instead, I'd suggest removing this ADR (esp if you want to add another one). We went in July to both H&V and CP and although we enjoyed them both, I found too much the same/similar and would have preferred we eat elsewhere (I like Liberty Tree Tavern for a good old fashioned Thanksgiving type meal).

Sci Fi -- I'm waiting until my youngest doesn't need a high chair anymore so we can all sit in the "car". Will your kids like watching old B&W science films? If they are expecting Toy Story clips and movies that they know, this is not for them.

Tutto vs Napoli -- I haven't tried either. Napoli is more casual. Both get good reviews.

Kona -- one of my favorite places. Very reasonably priced. I've done B-L and D and really enjoy getting a late breakfast. Stuffed french toast and the pulled pork platter for breakfast are my 2 favorites!

H&V -- We've done the lunch character buffet twice and really have enjoyed it tremendously. This meal is very similar to Crystal Palace since they have a lot of the exact same foods. I know you are doing the F! thing but if you have preschoolers, you REALLY want to do the lunch. The characters are always getting up and having everyone dance with them (June, Leo, Handy Manny and JoJo). We'll go here completely tired and then find ourselves up and dancing and clapping and just having a great old time doing the Hot Dog Dance, etc. If you don't have small kids, then this is not for you.

**EDIT** Ok, i just saw you don't have small kids but I'll keep what I wrote there in case others are interested. You should not do the lunch buffet with teens (unless they like that sort of thing)!

O'hanas -- we've been here twice for dinner and I LOVE, LOVE it!! The meats are wonderful and served to you from a huge stick/skewer and the sauces are great! They do some games (coconut races) and waiters are your "cousins". I can't wait to go back. It's also a easy little boat or monorail ride into MK. don't forget to watch the EWP, too!

Anyway, there are my thoughts.

Restaurants are all about personal taste, how tired you are, how cranky the kids are, whether you speak up if you get a fatty steak, etc.

Best wishes!!

do you know the diffrence between the lunch and dinner???? we are going with small kids in May and they LOVE the lil Eindsteins........
 
Will be at the World May 3-10

DH and I staying at the ASMu - Calypso

A lime green Mickey will be on my door - I wear a Mickey on my park bag

My ADR's are...

Rainforest - dinner (twice)
LeCellier - lunch
Liberty Tree Tavern - dinner
1900 Park Fare - dinner
Kona - breakfast

I'll be looking for all those lime green Mickeys around the World!

I requested to join the Facebook May 2011 group
 
why so ....just curious....I'm new to this whole thing and I'm trying to plan...thanks!!!


When you book the Fantasmic Dining package at H and V, Brown Derby, or Mama Melrose's, you get priority seating at Fantasmic. We will be brought in through a separate entrance, so the seating is guaranteed for us. I recommend it as my mom has wanted to go twice, and wasn't able to get in. She got the FDP at H and V also, so she will for sure see it!

Here's my ADR's:

Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood and Vine (Dinner)
Boma (Dinner)
Ohana at the Polynesian Resort (Dinner)
50's Prime Time (L)
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (D)
Cinderella's Royal Table (L)
Tusker House (L) (comes with passes to see Nemo)
Teppan Edo (D)
Crystal Palace (Bkfst)
 
When you book the Fantasmic Dining package at H and V, Brown Derby, or Mama Melrose's, you get priority seating at Fantasmic. We will be brought in through a separate entrance, so the seating is guaranteed for us. I recommend it as my mom has wanted to go twice, and wasn't able to get in. She got the FDP at H and V also, so she will for sure see it!

Here's my ADR's:

Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood and Vine (Dinner)
Le Cellier (Lunch)
'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort (Dinner)
50's Prime Time (L)
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (D)
Cinderella's Royal Table (L)
Tusker House (L) (comes with passes to see Nemo)
Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Dinner, so we can use the night-vision goggles)
Teppan Edo (D)
Crystal Palace (Bkfst)
Okay, this is the first I have heard about that! We were there in December, I never saw anything about night-vision goggles!
 
When you book the Fantasmic Dining package at H and V, Brown Derby, or Mama Melrose's, you get priority seating at Fantasmic. We will be brought in through a separate entrance, so the seating is guaranteed for us. I recommend it as my mom has wanted to go twice, and wasn't able to get in. She got the FDP at H and V also, so she will for sure see it!

Here's my ADR's:

Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood and Vine (Dinner)
Le Cellier (Lunch)
'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort (Dinner)
50's Prime Time (L)
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (D)
Cinderella's Royal Table (L)
Tusker House (L) (comes with passes to see Nemo)
Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Dinner, so we can use the night-vision goggles)
Teppan Edo (D)
Crystal Palace (Bkfst)

is it any dinner or are there specific times you have to book....did you do it online or did you have to call and ask specifically for the fantasmic package


ETA: thanks for the info!!!!! sorry forgot cause I'm sooo excited bout this trip and busy trying to plan...it's overwhelming...lol
 
Okay, this is the first I have heard about that! We were there in December, I never saw anything about night-vision goggles!

You can get them from a CM outside of AKL in the main savannah viewing area (off the back of the lobby). Very cool!

is it any dinner or are there specific times you have to book....did you do it online or did you have to call and ask specifically for the fantasmic package


ETA: thanks for the info!!!!! sorry forgot cause I'm sooo excited bout this trip and busy trying to plan...it's overwhelming...lol

You have to call dining to book it and yes you have to specifically ask for the fantasmic package. FYI: all the dinner times are super early (like 3 to 4:30 or so).
 
You can get them from a CM outside of AKL in the main savannah viewing area (off the back of the lobby). Very cool!



You have to call dining to book it and yes you have to specifically ask for the fantasmic package. FYI: all the dinner times are super early (like 3 to 4:30 or so).

this may sound stupid but I'm gonna ask it anyway LOL....if the park closes before dark why would you need night vision goggles.....and can anyone go up and ask for them or is it a part of a special package :confused3
 
this may sound stupid but I'm gonna ask it anyway LOL....if the park closes before dark why would you need night vision goggles.....and can anyone go up and ask for them or is it a part of a special package :confused3

I think they are talking about viewing the savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The resort not the park. :)
 
Ok, so I think I am finally set my ADR's........I changed my sci-fi dinner adr to a lunch time adr at at Yak & yeti, all the rest I am keeping as is. I am pretty satisfied with the rest of my choices, based on reviews.

Now I am just hoping that I will be just as happy with my resort choice of CBR. I am a little concerned about the bed size, my DH is 6 ft tall, I hope his feet don't hang over the edge :(

I have booked this vacation with the free dining plan, would it be possible to change my resort at this point? If I were to change it which one one would you recommend? Also if I were to ask for an upgrade, what should if I ask for even if I have to pay for it?
Thanks
Iggler
 
Calling Member Services on Monday to add my fiance's son to our reservation. I just tried to do it and forgot they close at 5:30. I'm getting more excited the closer the trip gets :banana:
 





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