Official September 2012 planning thread! List on page 30!

[anjalee6]

Before I go and ask the dining board, can anyone tell me about a few dining choices I'm looking at?

1900 Park Fare dinner
Kona Cafe for breakfast or dinner
'Ohana for breakfast or dinner

My original plan was 1900 PF dinner, Kona dinner, 'Ohana breakfast. I'm not sure if 1900 PF will be a good food choice for us as my middle guy is a picky eater. I was thinking of switching it to Kona dinner, 'Ohana dinner, 'Ohana breakfast or Kona breakfast, 'Ohana breakfast, Kona dinner.

TIA!

1900 park fare is fun for a character meal. We love the step mother and step sisters. They are very comical. Dinner is good for a buffet. We like the carved meats and the mash potatoes and I really like the strawberry soup. Our family likes dinner better than breakfast.

We love Kona's dinner. It is one of our favorite meals that not many people know about. Breakfast is great too. I love the macadamia pancakes. They are my favorite. A lot of people say you have to try the Tonga Toast. I did once and it is great as a snack but it is too sweet for me as a breakfast food. I know others will probably disagree, but can't do that much sweet and heavy for breakfast. Sharing it worked for our family.

We like both 'Ohana for dinner and breakfast but prefer it for dinner. We like the atmosphere. I love their bread pudding for dessert and the food is good. It hasn't been as good the last two times we were there. I love their pot stickers with sauce and their noodles. My husband really likes their shrimp and beef on the skewers.

 

[basketkat]

Before I go and ask the dining board, can anyone tell me about a few dining choices I'm looking at?

1900 Park Fare dinner
Kona Cafe for breakfast or dinner
'Ohana for breakfast or dinner

My original plan was 1900 PF dinner, Kona dinner, 'Ohana breakfast. I'm not sure if 1900 PF will be a good food choice for us as my middle guy is a picky eater. I was thinking of switching it to Kona dinner, 'Ohana dinner, 'Ohana breakfast or Kona breakfast, 'Ohana breakfast, Kona dinner.

TIA!

We have done 1900 PF for dinner twice. The character interaction is SO fun!!! My daughters were chosen to dance with Cinderella and Drizella. I am a picky eater, but I found plenty to keep me satisfied. I just ate more of the "kid" foods.

We have also had Ohana breakfast. It was really yummy. The juice is amazing! My girls ate their weight in Mickey waffles! Ha! My oldest (she is 7) helped Pluto lead the "parade" through the restaurtant. It was really fun. I wouldn't hesitate to repeat either of these meals.

 

[teffy]

I'm planning a trip with my friends and my sister for my 30th bday! My actual bday is this friday but the planning is the best present I could get myself! We're going to stay at All-Star Movies from 9/3-9/7 and get the DDP. That's us. Value resort and the fanciest food!

 

[jennyjinx3]

still coming Sept 12 - 21, but now staying at POLY
yipeee

 

[ARAITHEL]

Before I go and ask the dining board, can anyone tell me about a few dining choices I'm looking at?


'Ohana for breakfast or dinner


TIA!

Oh, My goodness! Yes, do book 'Ohana for DINNER! The best on site as far as I'm concerned. We go there every year. It's a must for us!

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

Thanks for the input in those 3 choices. I think I'm going to stick with 1900 PF for dinner, Kona for breakfast and 'Ohana for dinner. We like Lilo & Stitch, but we don't have to see them. Thanks so much for the help!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Just wanted to add our trip is also a 10th Anniverary Celebration too !!

 

[anjalee6]

I'm planning a trip with my friends and my sister for my 30th bday! My actual bday is this friday but the planning is the best present I could get myself! We're going to stay at All-Star Movies from 9/3-9/7 and get the DDP. That's us. Value resort and the fanciest food!

to the group. I added your information to the first post.

still coming Sept 12 - 21, but now staying at POLY
yipeee

Yay! That is where we are staying on our July trip! Can't wait!

Just wanted to add our trip is also a 10th Anniverary Celebration too !!

Another 10th year trip! Wonderful!

 

[DonnaBoo]

I'm planning a trip with my friends and my sister for my 30th bday! My actual bday is this friday but the planning is the best present I could get myself! We're going to stay at All-Star Movies from 9/3-9/7 and get the DDP. That's us. Value resort and the fanciest food!

We're doing the same thing for my 50th birthday, which is in February. We're putting off the celebration until Aug 26th to Sept 19th. The best birthday party I ever had.

 

[ShhhQ]

Well my friend backed out on me... she felt that a trip to WDW this year wouldn't be a good idea as she has a lot of student loan debt. So I told my Mom that I didn't think I would be going unless I went alone... (for those unaware, I usually go with my Mom but she had a bad health scare while there last Sept... we feel her traveling days are over). She picked up the phone and called her sister... and I now am going with my Aunt!!!

Haven't gotten the deposit money together yet... so no ressie made yet. I know we are going to go Sept 9th-14th and want to try to go to POR again. (I just can't picture my Aunt at Pop) But that will depend on availability.... not sure what my 2nd choice will be... only stayed at a Mod once before.

 

[chimilady]

Can I join in? We booked our FIRST EVER trip to WDW!!! I'm beyond excited, and basically spend all day trying to research this and that since I've never been. Can't book my flight yet, Southwest is only booking until August right now. Booked a room only so far, and hope for better deals later on. A friend of mine is a CM, so I asked her a bazillion questions and I think I am getting on her nerves.

anyway, we decided to stay at Pop, and are now researching cheap meals. This trip has to be on the cheap as I just started working after being out of work for a year. I probably shouldn't be going on vacation, but I need break for my own sanity. And the girls will be 4.5, so it's a great time to take them I think. They're really into Mickey & friends via the MM Club House.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

anyway, we decided to stay at Pop, and are now researching cheap meals. This trip has to be on the cheap as I just started working after being out of work for a year. I probably shouldn't be going on vacation, but I need break for my own sanity. And the girls will be 4.5, so it's a great time to take them I think. They're really into Mickey & friends via the MM Club House.

Hopefully free dining will come out so you can have really cheap meals!! Congrats on your first WDW trip. You will have a blast!!

 

[trekker93]

Can I join in? We booked our FIRST EVER trip to WDW!!! I'm beyond excited, and basically spend all day trying to research this and that since I've never been. Can't book my flight yet, Southwest is only booking until August right now. Booked a room only so far, and hope for better deals later on. A friend of mine is a CM, so I asked her a bazillion questions and I think I am getting on her nerves.

anyway, we decided to stay at Pop, and are now researching cheap meals. This trip has to be on the cheap as I just started working after being out of work for a year. I probably shouldn't be going on vacation, but I need break for my own sanity. And the girls will be 4.5, so it's a great time to take them I think. They're really into Mickey & friends via the MM Club House.

The best way to learn about WDW is to read the different threads here each day - the experts are usually on here trying to help out people. You've made a great choice in choosing POP, this will be our 7th straight year there. We love the atmosphere, food, people and bus system. By the way, by using the ME, you don't need to rent a car and can save about $300-400 per week. Also, the dining plan has open dates so I would call Reservations to see if there any open for your time frame. Also, if you can afford it, add a refrigerator to your room reservation at POP to save $$$ on eating out. We typically shop at Publix (get there via taxi , $15) and get our breakfast foods there. This saves about $7 per person per day. Also if you have the Dining plan, the refrig. can be used tostore left overs. Well have fun!!

 

[chimilady]

Thanks for the tips. I'm in a unique situation, since my best friend is a CM, I am not paying for tickets, which means I can't get the FD. But she's signing us in the parks, so that will save me a bundle. I was able to get in on a Fridge Swap for my dates, so I will have a fridge and I'll be doing a Walmart or Publix run to stock up on snacks. Disney started a new thing for CMs, this year, for the spring Value season, they are offering CMs who book their friends/family with 40% off (which is normal) but with a Discounted Standard dining plan at $30/adult, $15/child!!! This would be $90/day for us, and I'm estimating our current food budget at $100/day so this would be awesome. We weren't planning on doing any character meals this time around since it will be all magical anyway since it is our first time, but if we can get on that dining plan, we'll do character meals every day! Right now they can only get it if they book from now until the end of Feb, but she's guessing they'll do the same in August/September. Fingers crossed they do.

She told me to plan my ADRs as if I will be able to get the dining plan, and then if they don't offer it again later on, then I just cancel. So my question is, how the heck do you plan where you're going to eat 6 months from now?!?! When can I find out which days the parks are open early/late in September, and when the MNSSHP will be? Because those 2 factors will heavily weigh where I will make my ADRs. How do you all decide to plan ADRs? Please share your strategies?

 

[peachydreamyxx]

Thanks for the tips. I'm in a unique situation, since my best friend is a CM, I am not paying for tickets, which means I can't get the FD. But she's signing us in the parks, so that will save me a bundle. I was able to get in on a Fridge Swap for my dates, so I will have a fridge and I'll be doing a Walmart or Publix run to stock up on snacks. Disney started a new thing for CMs, this year, for the spring Value season, they are offering CMs who book their friends/family with 40% off (which is normal) but with a Discounted Standard dining plan at $30/adult, $15/child!!! This would be $90/day for us, and I'm estimating our current food budget at $100/day so this would be awesome. We weren't planning on doing any character meals this time around since it will be all magical anyway since it is our first time, but if we can get on that dining plan, we'll do character meals every day! Right now they can only get it if they book from now until the end of Feb, but she's guessing they'll do the same in August/September. Fingers crossed they do.

She told me to plan my ADRs as if I will be able to get the dining plan, and then if they don't offer it again later on, then I just cancel. So my question is, how the heck do you plan where you're going to eat 6 months from now?!?! When can I find out which days the parks are open early/late in September, and when the MNSSHP will be? Because those 2 factors will heavily weigh where I will make my ADRs. How do you all decide to plan ADRs? Please share your strategies?

I use past years calendars to help as a rough guide. Usually the nights that they were open late previous Septembers will hold true till the next year. MNSSHP are usually on tuesdays and fridays in September. Ive gone the past two Septembers and have made my ADR's this way and most of the time Ive been pretty accurate. Every once in awhile Disney changes things up, but part of the fun is constantly stalking the dining website

 

[anjalee6]

Well my friend backed out on me... she felt that a trip to WDW this year wouldn't be a good idea as she has a lot of student loan debt. So I told my Mom that I didn't think I would be going unless I went alone... (for those unaware, I usually go with my Mom but she had a bad health scare while there last Sept... we feel her traveling days are over). She picked up the phone and called her sister... and I now am going with my Aunt!!!

Haven't gotten the deposit money together yet... so no ressie made yet. I know we are going to go Sept 9th-14th and want to try to go to POR again. (I just can't picture my Aunt at Pop) But that will depend on availability.... not sure what my 2nd choice will be... only stayed at a Mod once before.

Yay! I am glad that it is working out for you. Let us know the details when you book and I will update your dates on the first page.

Can I join in? We booked our FIRST EVER trip to WDW!!! I'm beyond excited, and basically spend all day trying to research this and that since I've never been. Can't book my flight yet, Southwest is only booking until August right now. Booked a room only so far, and hope for better deals later on. A friend of mine is a CM, so I asked her a bazillion questions and I think I am getting on her nerves.

anyway, we decided to stay at Pop, and are now researching cheap meals. This trip has to be on the cheap as I just started working after being out of work for a year. I probably shouldn't be going on vacation, but I need break for my own sanity. And the girls will be 4.5, so it's a great time to take them I think. They're really into Mickey & friends via the MM Club House.

Absolutely! glad to have you along with us. Do you have specific dates yet? I am sure your 4.5 year olds will love Disney. My kids think it's the best place ever!

 

[chimilady]

I use past years calendars to help as a rough guide. Usually the nights that they were open late previous Septembers will hold true till the next year. MNSSHP are usually on tuesdays and fridays in September. Ive gone the past two Septembers and have made my ADR's this way and most of the time Ive been pretty accurate. Every once in awhile Disney changes things up, but part of the fun is constantly stalking the dining website

The more I look at it, the more confused I get. But thanks for the Tuesday/Friday tip. I think the Tuesday will be less crowded, so I'll aim for that.

Yay! I am glad that it is working out for you. Let us know the details when you book and I will update your dates on the first page.

Absolutely! glad to have you along with us. Do you have specific dates yet? I am sure your 4.5 year olds will love Disney. My kids think it's the best place ever!

I'm currently booked 9/15 - 9/23, though I can't book my flights yet, so I may have to add or subtract a day here or there. The girls love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Toy Story, Nemo and Monsters Inc, so they will have a blast I think. We're booked at Pop, so they'll have fun in the pool, and can get their pictures taken with statues of Goofy (one of my girl's favs) and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head!

 

[JewelsG]

So haven't had the opportunity to get on here in a while and then around Christmas we didn't think our trip was gonna happen after all - hubby had been promised a job but then they had to lay off people so he didn't get hired.

Well a couple days ago he got called for an interview at another business and then the next day heard from a company he worked for before to come work for them. Had his interview today and is on to the second round - have had some MAJOR pixie dust spread over us - our trip is SO back on - so excited - its one just for our little family and we are over the moon - DD is going to be 9 so she wants to do ALL the rides - such an awesome age... I'm just bouncing!

Now to just wait to start booking our ADRs - planning on upgrading our dining probably from quick service to one with table once a day - how many days before can you book them again?

 

[chimilady]

I was told 180 days, and for me that would be on March 20th. The guy on the phone told me to mark it on my calendar, because if I want to book a character meal, they can fill up in a few days.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

So haven't had the opportunity to get on here in a while and then around Christmas we didn't think our trip was gonna happen after all - hubby had been promised a job but then they had to lay off people so he didn't get hired.

Well a couple days ago he got called for an interview at another business and then the next day heard from a company he worked for before to come work for them. Had his interview today and is on to the second round - have had some MAJOR pixie dust spread over us - our trip is SO back on - so excited - its one just for our little family and we are over the moon - DD is going to be 9 so she wants to do ALL the rides - such an awesome age... I'm just bouncing!

Now to just wait to start booking our ADRs - planning on upgrading our dining probably from quick service to one with table once a day - how many days before can you book them again?

You can start calling for your ADRs at 180 days plus 10 days. That means on your 180th day out from your arrival date (mine is March 26th for September 22nd), you can book for the next 10 days of your vacation so you don't have to call every day.