Oh NO! I'm bringing Tweens to WDW! A.K.A: ATG has lost her mind!

[A-T-G]

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photo by A-T-G, on Flickr[/IMG]

That's me up there - ready to lose my dang mind.

Who else is going?

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Happy by A-T-G, on Flickr[/IMG]
Mr. ATG - my talented DH

And his Sis - My SIL
Her DH - my BIL
and their two girls DN1 (17) and DN2 (14)

When are we going? Feb. 8-15 (us), Feb. 9-13 (them).
Where are we staying? The Grand Floridian (I wanted the trip to be magical, didn't I?!)

So, here's where I need some advice. I wanted to put together a little gift pack for my DNs. They've NEVER been to WDW and I'd like to get them a 'welcome to the World' thing - stuff they could use during the trip. A backpack? Water bottles? Ideas? Thoughts?

Any ideas on the restaurants we should check out with them? I like a nice place to sit down where people bring me food. Other than that, I'm flexible. Any suggestions of the kind of place I could bring a potentially surly teen and her enthusiastic sibling?

Up next: ATG is going to attempt to plan a rocking dessert party 'a la Lurkyloo' to spring on the In-laws...

 

[TripTime]

Cool. I am the first one in.

 

[A-T-G]

Cool. I am the first one in.

Yeah ya are!

 

[charliesmom86]

Sounds interesting..I'm following.

 

[A-T-G]

I forgot that today is a Holiday - the offices are closed. Phooey. Left messages and will try again tomorrow.

My SIL just emailed and asked about where they're staying. I haven't told 'em yet. I'm wondering if I can make it a surprise...? EVIL, ATG!

 

[A-T-G]

So, I got my stage 1 callback - in that they confirmed we're staying on property & the number of folks in our party. They're forwarding me to the next person (stage 2) - where we talk specifics! Can't wait!

Up Next: ATG calls the WDW Florist to set up a welcome bag!

 

[A-T-G]

This was something I had very specific ideas on - and they couldn't really DO any of them! Well, not in the way that I wanted...

Here's what I wanted:
A backpack with their names embroidered on it
A pin-trading starter kit
Water bottle
autograph book
maps to the parks

They had a kind of 'welcome to the world' starter kit with a few of the things I wanted in it. Just not the water bottle. They don't have backpacks at all. Or park maps.

What I got:
Tote bags with their names embroidered on them
The castle water bottle from the marathon tote (I kinda want this bottle for ME!)
autograph book
Pen
rice crispy treat

They'll also tie them with a few balloons for color. The bags'll be delivered to their room once it's been assigned. My DH and I check in a day early, so I'm going to try to get the bag sent to their room before they get in! Or at least call to remind them that I want those bags in the room BEFORE the kids get there!

What do you think? Sound good? Should I have added a Mickey plush? Should I send something for their Mom? Maybe another water bottle for them? (or me?!)

 

[A-T-G]

I was thinking of buying a iPhone app for WDW - suggestions?

 

[A-T-G]

My luck has NOT been good! I finally contacted the catering dept about NO ONE returning my calls. Turns out, they had my number down wrong. I corrected it and gave them my cellphone # as I would be out all day today.

Got home to a message on the maching.

Sigh.

I'll be calling them tomorrow...again...

I also need to call Magical Express as we got our tickets but, DH didn't give them the info for his sis and nieces. They'll need that yellow do-hickey for their luggage, too!

After that, RESTAURANTS! - I've been waiting to find out what day would be the best for the dessert party. Until I know that I won't know which park we'll be in on which day. It never ends!

[/url] photo by A-T-G, on Flickr[/IMG]
This is the face I get when I start thinking about the trip. The planning ain't going easy folks!

 

[A-T-G]

I booked the FOOOOOD! FINALLY!

After much hand-wringing and emailing, my DS-I-L told me to go ahead and book whatever I wanted (then WHY did I have to wait three weeks for you to TELL me that?! UGH!). Today, I nailed down the dining!

Evening 1 will be at Sci-Fi in DHS. It's the only place the nieces mentioned by name so, DONE!
Day 2 EPCOT - Lunch at Coral Reef (I thought they might like the look of the place) and dinner at Saint Angel. That's the night of the awesome DESSERT party, too!
Day 3 Animal Kingdom - lunch at Yak & Yeti. I liked this place the first time I was there and thought I'd go again. I left dinner open, in case the kids wanted to venture back to DHS or DTD for dinner and fun.
Day 4 MK - Lunch at the Plaza Restaurant - they have milkshakes, nuff said. Dinner at Tony's. I did not like my meal there but, I thought the In-Laws would like it. So, I decided to bit the bullet and go for it.
Day 5 - Just DH and I and dinner at Victoria and Alberts. I've always wanted to eat there and they're booked solid for V-Day.
Day 6 Dinner at Citricos for DH and I. I had to pick SOMETHING it's V-DAY!! Our 10th together!

Howz that looking? Good? Terrible?! Whaddaye miss?

 

[A-T-G]

Oh! And I sent the contract in for the dessert party. Now, I just need to pick the yummy desserts!

Anybody got a favorite I should try?

 

[A-T-G]

Okay - Planning update continued!

Starting to work on the Dessert Party menus - AT LAST! We're trying to decide what kinds of treats to get. I KNOW the brownies are kinda leaden so, they're out. DH was hoping they could do some kind of apple turn-over (he likes fruit in his dessert). I was thinking of a cupcake. Probably some cookies. Anyone else got any suggestions?

Also, DH and I are planning on eating at Citricos for Valentine's day and I was pondering a cake order for him as a surprise. Thoughts? He's not HUGE into cake (but, I am!). It might be a bit much, since we're doing such a big dessert thing that same week. Hrrmm.

That's it for now, update wise. I cannot believe we get to go soon! Feb. 8th can't get here fast enough!

 

[A-T-G]

Here's the gift bag I got for the nieces: It's not EXACTLY the same! I got this bag - 1 for each with their names on it. A water bottle and autograph books; Pens and a snack (Mickey Rice krispie treat). They also will have balloons tied to them. Pretty nice, right?! Welcome Bag

Although, now I'm wondering if I should have done the Mickey Welcome, instead!

Also, I sorta selfishly want the Princess one for ME! I WANT a tiara, dang it!!

 

[A-T-G]

I went ahead and got the Mickey Welcome for the girls - kept the gift bags too. So bad!

 

[A-T-G]

I think I nailed the desserts down:

cupcakes
assorted pastries (included apple tarts - for my DH)
Mickey rice krispy treats
cookies
coffee/tea/hot chocolate
cold milk

I WAS thinking of doing flambe donuts but, DH wasn't excited about it, so I cancelled them. How's that menu sound? Good?

 

[A-T-G]

Almost time to go! WDW on Wednesday! WOO-HOO!

 

[A-T-G]

Day one will be coming up shortly! The TR is beginning!

 

[A-T-G]

I'm uploading pics to Flickr and photobucket - any other suggestions on a great photo-sharing site? I really want to make it easy to post my many, many pics!

 

[A-T-G]

Mister ATG and I headed out to WDW on a direct flight from Virgin America. DH hadn't flown them yet so, I knew he was in for a treat!

We opted to Magical Express it - mostly because we were sticking to one park a day and not hop around. No need for a car!

When we hopped out of the shuttle, a lovely young lady met us with a clipboard. "Mr. and Mrs. ATG?" She asked. "Uh, yes...?" we replied.
"Welcome to the Grand Floridian! I'll be showing you to your room!". Now, I'm confused. We hadn't paid for the club level and this kind of greeting is typically for the club level. But, we're game and we follow the very kind young lady. The bell service took our luggage for us (less to lug!).

As we toodle along making small talk, we fill our guide in on our plans and our excitement at staying at the GF for the first time (me) with our nieces (who've never been to WDW!). We get to the room (Big Pine Key).

Here's what they left for us:

Champagne and a red rose! Welcome, INDEED!

Our swanky room!

Chocolate: My favorite part!

She thanked us for coming, wished us a 'Grand' stay, checked on the location of our family's room (next to us! Huzzah!), left us maps and the schedule for all the Club Level goodies (confirming our sweet, sweet upgrade!) and left. What a great start!

We ate dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. I had some kind of creamy pasta, DH had pork. We grabbed dessert from the club level (thank you chocolate filled eclairs!) and crashed - need our rest for the family tomorrow!

 

[A-T-G]

The day dawns sunny and bright. I snapped a pic of our view. This one is the view from the right. Ah, construction! The sound-proofing, however, was frickin' stellar! DH and I didn't hear a PEEP of noise and they were using BIG machines! Well done, Disney.

From the left - BIG tree! So, not much of a view...

DH and I trudge over for our sweet upgraded club level breakfast. We opt for the main building club level instead of the Sugarloaf club. It was practically empty! I fell in love with the coffee pod machine and really wish they had it at the Grand Californian (I haven't been there in a year - so maybe they upgraded?!)

After a lingering breakfast and a stroll through the shops, we head back to wait for our family to check in. My B-I-L forgot to bring his walking shoes with him in his carry-on so, we had to wait FOREVER for him to get his sneakers. So much for our first park day!

Once he was be-shoed, we made the trek to DHS:

On the bus. Scoping out the sights.

I do like this entrance. Is it wrong that this, and the Muppet Square are my favorite parts to this park? Yes? Oops.

Our first stop HAD to be the Midway Mania. DH has TWO voice on this ride! Must show off for the nieces!

"All the way 'cross the country just to go back to work. Phooey!" says grumpy DH.

I'm pretty sure I can figure out who the high-scorer was!

We dragged them to "Star Tours" next. It's DH's favorite ride. Turns out the girls had NEVER seen any of the films before. Wha?! That's happens?! FOR REALZ???!! Once I picked DH off the floor, we told them they could enjoy it without knowing all the characters. My BiL fell in love with the ride and we ran back on it two more times! (You can't do that at DL!).

We had dinner rezzies for Sci-Fi-Dine and I started to herd the group toward it. DH suggested a detour to the Muppet-Vision 3D and I cannot deny the Muppets! Luckily the rest of the family enjoyed the film as well. Whew. We made our reservation and didn't have to wait long.

Great theme and awkward seats. Enjoy!

We left the park at closing with the hope of coming back on our third day (nope). When we got back to the rooms, the gang discovered the first of the many surprises this trip had for us. DH and I had ordered little gift bags for the girls. They had their names on them and included water bottles, autograph books and pens (the girls were mentioning wanting to collect the character autographs). It was a great way to welcome them to WDW and start our trip off with a BANG!

After that, I begged them to write a little blurb in my Smash(tm) book - my little scrapbook for the trip. Since we'd just given them a great present, everyone felt generous and complied with my request. Whew!

"We had fun. This would be the easiest day of the week. Enjoy drama-free meals while you can, ATG!"

Up Next: EPCOT! And trying to convince kids that the World Showcase is cool. Also: Eating challenges!! PLUS: SURPRISES GALORE!