Oh, Great, Mom's on her Disney kick again - 1st time ptr

[2princesses2princes]

Welcome, to my first ever attempt at a PTR. I've been a lurker mostly on the dis for about a year now, and so excited yet so nervous to get to take my turn at a ptr.

First off the cast members.

Mackenzie- 11yrs old tween with a major attitude. I love this girl, but I am not loving the tween years and they have only begun. Thankfully she is a little girl at heart and loves all things Disney. She's been one time back in 07 on a not so great trip with the inlaws, a story for another day! Now free dining is what she's all about, this girl LOVES food.

Gavin- 8yrs old and a tough guy, at least on the outside. Apparantly he thinks mom doesn't do a good enough job with the younger 2, he's always hearding them when we are out and always worried I forgot about them, silly guy. This little personality querk should make a trip around tens of thousands of other people interesting. He's been to disney once, when he was 5, ended up sick most the trip and too stubborn to enjoy any of it, thankfully that trait seemed to have gotten lost.

Eion- 5yr old Gavin mini-me. Anything his big brother likes he likes, anything he does he tries to do. Drives mama crazy, but he's also a mama's boy so I guess I can't complain too much. Now he can't wait to go to Disney since he's "never" been. Although he has, whne he was 18mos, and we have pics to prove it but he still says he's never seen Mickey.

Allison- 2.5yr old Princess with an attitude and she knows it! This little girl's got her big brother wrapped around her little finger and she knows it and takes full advantage of it. Who would have thought at this age she'd know how to work it? Well we definitely cannot wait to introduce her to the magical world, she's never been, but loves almost all things Disney already.

Dan- 28yrs old, my hubby of 8 yrs. Also my highschool sweet heart. He loves Disney, both times we got home he was ready to book again. We got hooked on Disney when we took our first every trip there for our belated honeymoon in '04, then returned with his parents and our kids in tow in '07.

Me- Tavia- 3@#% yrs old. Ok I'll try again 3%&^, ugh, thirty yrs old. Sorry just had a b-day and am not proud of it. So anyway, I am the planner, I plan when there's nothing to plan. It's kinda sad really. I cannot wait to take experience the world with my family. Just the kids and hubby, no inlaws!!!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Joining along!

Your kids are absolutely adorable!

 

[2princesses2princes]

So to explain the title. Well I have a problem, I love disney, and have been wanting to go back so bad that I have this habbit of planning and telling kids an aweful lot and nothing comes of it. So we were going in Dec 08, Mar 09 and then again in Dec 09 and none of which ever happened. Everytime I get the urge I would start planning and involve the kiddos. Simple things like where do you wanna eat when we go, what rides do you HAVE to ride. This time is different, it's booked and almost paid for and thank you FREE DINING for making this a reality for us. Now can you blame them for not getting all excited?

Our first trip was back in 04 and it was our honeymoon. Just the 2 of us, staying at Pop Century right after it opened. It was FANTASTIC, the only bad thing was blisters on day 2 at Epcot, OUCH. OUr trip was perfect, walked on all the rides, hit every parade with perfect seating, bumped into characters constantly.

So our next trip was a reality check when we took our inlaws and 3 kids at the time. But again we still haven't experienced it all. My fil is in a wheelchair so we got on rides quite quickly. This trip is going to be all real for the kids, they will learn what true disney waiting is all about.

THE PLAN
So we have always flown, have only taken a few 3hr road trips with our kids. 2 of the 4 get carsick so it's not much fun usually. So this time it was obvious what we had to do. DRIVE!!!! Yup I am nuts, but with a family of 6 traveling all the way from Michigan, it's loads cheaper to drive, plus I am excited for the adventure and challenge.

Alright now what you've been waiting for. The tentative plan is to leave our house by 10am on February 10th and arrive at Port Orleans Riverside Resort by 2pm on the 11th, please tell me if I am nuts here. It's suppose to be 19hrs without stops about 1250 miles. So I figure on driving straight through, with a few breaks and long stops for meals.

We are staying with regular park tickets and Free dining until the 18th, but we are hoping to extend it for a day but can't at this moment. Then head home the 19th, stopping in NC to visit my baby brother and get home late Sunday night.

Next up ADRs and park plans

 

[2princesses2princes]

Thanks Lauren, so excited to have a follower

 

[2princesses2princes]

WOW my pics are HUGE, tried to resize them and it just didn't happen, sorry all.

 

[2princesses2princes]

Thought I'd share a kinda funny story about how this came to be. In the spring we had booked a vacation for December of this year, imagine that! Anyway, had to cancel it due to my health, I had to have back surgery in July, yes at 30 I had to have back surgery. Well it was a HUGE success and I am fantastic now. So we rebooked the trip for the Feb 11-18. We were super excited, doctor cleared me to be able to ride all rides and do all things, YAHOO!!!!

So fast forward to during my recovery while I am sitting in front of my laptop which is pretty much the only thing I could do. I did the usual check my email thing, and all of a sudden I notice an email that says Disney has released Free Dining for select dates in 2011. My heart started racing, I was shaking even, I logged onto Disney's website completely convinced it will not be for when we are there, select dates, sure. So as I read through the dates it is offered in January and then February, I noticed Feb 11-17!!! WHAT? NO WAY! I started crying, I know I am pathetic. I called my hubby, on his cell while he was at work planning on leaving him a message to call me at lunch, he called me immediatly. I was so, so, so soarin' high!!! He was not nearly as enthusiastic as me but he said, this sets the deal, were going to Disney for sure. Within 10 minutes I had called Disney and changed our ressie over to the free dining plan.

Funny thing too is that we made our plan ahead of time for our ADRs, right at the 180 day window. I was taking no chances, I had never imagined there would actually be free dining at that time, there never has, but I am so glad I went with that. So with free dining, and all our ADRs all set, life is GREAT!

OH and the kids, well have no idea really. They are so use to me going on my Disney rants, they think nothing of me talking about which restaurants we will eat at, and what parks we will go to on each day, and how we will drive down. They are totally oblivious. HeHeHe. This works in my favor! We surpised them with their first trip, they had no idea we just got them up in the middle of the night to head for the airport. They said they want to be surprised again, so here we go. We told them we are going early next year, to hopefully get them motivated to earn and save some cash. I can't wait til the day we hit the road!!! Imagine their shock when mom wasn't just talking and dreaming this time

 

[2princesses2princes]

So we are a family that LOVES food. Planning where to eat is most fun for us, but also challenging, when you have a family of 6, agreeing on it is a task. So often we result to compromise. When I first asked where they want to eat the first response from Dan and the older 2 was " WE HAVE TO EAT AT CHEF MICKEY'S WHEN WE GET THERE!!!!" Well ok then, guess that one was easy. (I have to admit I am a bit nervous with all the bad reviews as of lately) So anywho, we have made this a new tradition, it's a tease. We take the monorail from MK to Chef Mickey's so we get a taste of MK, then when we leave we take it to Epcot so a taste of Epcot too in one night. Gets us all pumped up for our week.

Night one covered, now where to eat for the next 7 days? 3 times a day. After reading each and every menu over and over again, checking and rechecking we had our list and the kids had already picked what they would order. It's time to make ADRs! WRONG. If only it was that easy, we still have to come up with our plan of attack, or an itinerary as some would say. Back to the comp for some more research. A few days later we came up with our plan! There are a few rules we have to follow so it wasn't easy. No MK first day, no back to back with the same park. Have to see Electrical parade, avoid EMH at all costs, Epcot and MK both need 2 days, last night needs to be MK (that's my newest rule, but it may get the boot) This is what we came up with.

Friday- Arrival day, swim, nap, check out POR.
Saturday- AK/Downtown
Sunday- Epcot
Monday- MK electrical parade and wishes
Tuesday- DHS, no fantasmic, it'll be hard but I think we'll survive
Wednesday- MK
Thursday- Epcot
Friday- MK hopefully we can get in the extra night, as of now we are booked to leave on this day, but we are hoping to stay one more night.
Saturday- leave

Dan and my first trip we had 2 days at Epcot and 2 days at MK it was AWESOME, the 2nd time with kids and inlaws in tow we only had 1 day at each park and I feel we missed out on sooooo much. So I hope this all works out great for us.

 

[Simba22]

Hi Tavia! I finally made it over! Your plans so far sound great! And how cool that it's another surprise trip for the kiddos! I love surprises! I remember this one lady tried to surprise her kids and video tape their reactions...she had told them they were spending vacation at an uncle's house and when she revealed they were going to Disney they were all super bummed about it...one even started crying. I tried so hard to find the video and I can't now. Figures....

 

[2princesses2princes]

Hi Tavia! I finally made it over! Your plans so far sound great! And how cool that it's another surprise trip for the kiddos! I love surprises! I remember this one lady tried to surprise her kids and video tape their reactions...she had told them they were spending vacation at an uncle's house and when she revealed they were going to Disney they were all super bummed about it...one even started crying. I tried so hard to find the video and I can't now. Figures....

I think I remember seeing that video. Yeah my son who is now 8 but was 5 at the time was so ticked when we got him up at 3am. He argued and argued with my hubby when he said we were heading to Disney. he kept saying, "I know were not going there, stop saying that!" I think about half way to the airport (3hr drive) he finally softened up a little and asked if we were really going. All the luggage, plus picking up my inlaws in the middle of the night, still didn't give him a clue

Thanks for subbing too by the way.

 

[2princesses2princes]

So last night my 5yr old found a dime, I told him to put it in the disney bank. My 8yr old asked how much I think is in there, and I guessed 50 bucks or so. He then asked how much was in the real disney bank account at the real bank. I told him there was nothing in it. He got really upset and asked where the money went. So I told him the truth, Disney has it. He was so confused, it was really kinda cute. So I was a nice mamma and explained to him that Dad and I have been paying on our vacation. So he looks at me with wide eyes and starts rambling off all these questions, like where are we staying, do they have a pool, he asked if we know where we are eating, and so on. I told him I can't tell him when we are going but I will tell him anything else he wants to know. His response "are we going next year?" To which of course I said yes, sometime next year. I don't think they will suspect the beginning of Feb.

 

[2princesses2princes]

So as you know our park plans had to meet some rigorous criteria, and food plans had to meet a similar one. There are things we aren't willing to give up on, and others we are. One thing was that I wanted, as peacemaker to make everyone happy. Can you see that being a recipe for failure? 2 strong willed adults and 4 children, 2 of which are foodies and the other are ever so picky. Mac n cheese and pb & J are their fav's but assume this and they wont tough it. So here's the plan, of course open for changes if anyone has any other suggestions.

Friday- arrival day, Chef Mickey's 5pm
Saturday- AK- Donald's Breakfast 8am
Sunday- Epcot- Akershus Royal Banquet 6:30pm 1st time
Monday- MK- Liberty Tree Tavern 5:10pm
Tuesday- DHS- 50's Prime Time Cafe' 5:50pm 1st time
Wednesday- MK- Crystal Palace 6:10pm 1st time
Thursday- Epcot- Teppan Edo 7:00pm 1st time
Friday- If we get to stay the extra night 1900 Park Fare 7:15pm 1st timeSo what do you all think?

 

[2princesses2princes]

For anyone that is reading this report could you help me out?

We have always wanted to try another breakfast location but never wanted to compromise park time. Where would you recommend for our last morning, the day we leave? I have always wanted to try Tonga toast, but we really love breakfast buffets. Any suggestions? Could you back up your response with some reasons why you recommend it? Thanks so much.

 

[2princesses2princes]

It doesn't seem I have any readers, but I am going to keep trucking along for now. Feeling all alone though. I do wonder how some get so many readers, and others get next to none. I was really hoping to get others to help out with my planning, especially those that have been in the magic many more times than we could even dream of.

 

[20thingamabobs]

I'm here! I hopped over from you post on my PTR! I have to go back and catch up a little but I'm in! Can't wait to read your plans!

 

[2princesses2princes]

BOMA? For breakfast on our last day? I have never been there, so I am not sure what to expect but the menu sounds good, price seems good. I was thinking of Aloha breakfast, but it's kind of pricey and not much options for food. Although i do like the family style meals with 4 kids, trying to take everyone to the buffet can be challenging. It usually ends up that Dan and I don't even see eachother during the meal. We eat in shifts We are use to it, but I would be so upset if I missed out on a character while getting food. We do love Donald's breakfast though. Gosh why is this so hard to make decisions?

 

[20thingamabobs]

Ok, all caught up! I totally get what you mean about some people getting all the readers and others barely having any. I didn't have any readers for like a week then I changed the title of my PTR and they started coming in Funny how things work like that. Anyway, I think your plans sound great so far! I think you'll really like Teppan Edo and Crystal Palace. I'm not a huge fan of 50s Prime Time but that's mainly because my family and I aren't big comfort food people. However, I know several people that love it and can't imagine not going there during a trip. For your last day, I suggest going to the Lilo & Stitch Best Friend Breakfast at 'Ohana at the Polynesian! I just did this for the first time in June and LOVED it! The food and likoloi juice were sooo good! Plus it's nice because you can see MK from the restaurant so it's a nice little piece of magic before you have to leave! When we went Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey were there.

 

[2princesses2princes]

So I went over breakfast options with my husband last night. He looked at each menu, the prices and locations and said Cape May all the way. I had to know how it was so easy for him, I struggled with it. You want to know his response? "They have smoke salmon!" Are you freakin serious? Our last meal in Disney World is going to be based on fish????? Thank goodness I have 4 months to convince him otherwise. I was really leaning towards Ohana or Boma. But I have done most of the planning and I should be thankful that he was so into making this decision.

 

[20thingamabobs]

So I went over breakfast options with my husband last night. He looked at each menu, the prices and locations and said Cape May all the way. I had to know how it was so easy for him, I struggled with it. You want to know his response? "They have smoke salmon!" Are you freakin serious? Our last meal in Disney World is going to be based on fish????? Thank goodness I have 4 months to convince him otherwise. I was really leaning towards Ohana or Boma. But I have done most of the planning and I should be thankful that he was so into making this decision.

HAHA this is so the type of reasoning my DBF would use to make a decision. Have you ate at Cape May for breakfast before (you may have already answered this, I'm not sure)? I'm excited to hear how you like it! This is one of the few we haven't done yet, I'm waiting to try it when/if we ever get to stay at the Boardwalk or Beach/Yacht Club.

 

[2princesses2princes]

HAHA this is so the type of reasoning my DBF would use to make a decision. Have you ate at Cape May for breakfast before (you may have already answered this, I'm not sure)? I'm excited to hear how you like it! This is one of the few we haven't done yet, I'm waiting to try it when/if we ever get to stay at the Boardwalk or Beach/Yacht Club.

No we have never eaten at Cape May. See that's the issue we are facing we have only eaten at Pop Century's food court type of deal, and at Animal Kingdom's Donald's breakfast which seems to change names everytime we go. Sorry I am no help for you.

 

[DIS_Indoctrination]

So I went over breakfast options with my husband last night. He looked at each menu, the prices and locations and said Cape May all the way. I had to know how it was so easy for him, I struggled with it. You want to know his response? "They have smoke salmon!" Are you freakin serious? Our last meal in Disney World is going to be based on fish????? Thank goodness I have 4 months to convince him otherwise. I was really leaning towards Ohana or Boma. But I have done most of the planning and I should be thankful that he was so into making this decision.

Cape May is also the cheapest, that is if you're paying this one out of pocket. We're trying to work in a Cape May breakfast for our early January trip because it's guaranteed to have Minnie Mouse. I've also read it's a good place to go if you want to walk over to Epcot.

BOMA & Ohana are good ideas too. Do you get the tonga toast at Ohana? I'm dying to try the tonga toast!