Our 2nd Shot at the Dream Team -TONS OF PICS. 10/28 New PTR LINK

[dddisrunner]

Welcome to our report of our trip to the world! The Pre-Trip report is the first 29 pages! If you want to skip right to the TR it starts on page #30!

Here are the pgs. and post #'s to follow along

Departure day pg. 30 posts 442 & 444

Day 1 part 1 posts 460 &461
Day 1 part 2 pg. 32 post 474

Day 2 part 1 pg. 34 post 500
Day 2 part 2 pg. 34 post 507
Day 2 part 3 pg. 35 post 520

Day 3 part 1 pg. 36 post 535
Day 3 part 2 pg. 37 post 551

Day 4 part 1 pg. 38 post 569 & 570
Photopass pics. pg. 39 post 584
Day 4 Boma and DTD pg. 40 post 586

Day 5 AK Breakfast pg. 41 post 606
Day 5 Yak & Yeti pg. 42 post 621

Day 6 Crystal Palace breakfast pg. 43 post 642
Day 6 Magical Magic Kingdom pg. 44 post 646
Day 6 finish up MK, AKL, DHS pg.44post 658

Day 7 Chef Mickey's & Downtown Disney pg. 45 post 675
Day 7 Dinner alone LeCellier boys at Simba's pg. 47 post 693

Day 8 Redemption at DHS pg. 48 post 712
Memorial Day fun pg. 50 post 741
Day 8 Epcot/Coral Reef pg. 50 post 747

Day 9 You just won't believe it!!!pg. 51 post 761 & 764
Day 9 MK afternoon pg. 54 posts 798 & 799
Day 9 Ohana & AKL night pg. 55 post 817 & 819

Departure day & final thoughts pg. 56 post 839 & 840






Hello Everyone!

OK so this is it our second shot at The Year of A Million Dreams Team!

As I stated in the title it is also our 10th Anniversary this year! (just kidding) Here is our family.......

There is me, Diane 37 years old I am a stay at home mom currently and have just recently started substitute teaching because DS just started Kindergarten in September I am a certified teacher in Elementary Education. I am also certified as a Disney FREAK!

My DH is Bryan he is 41 years old and has learned to love Disney too because.................

well he really doesn't have a choice Actually, he loves Disney too! Especially the food planning!

Then we have 2 beautiful children (just my bias of course!)

DS Matthew almost 8yrs. old lover of all things scientific, Disney, the NY Yankees and NY Giants. Enjoys school and relaxing with his daddy watching the travel channel and loves to read! I'm telling you this kid knows things you would never even think of and never ceases to amaze us!

DS Eric just turned 6 Kindergartner! Eric is small for his age at just about 40lbs. but what he lacks in size he makes up for in attitude! We imagine he will be a comedian or a lawyer. He is very respectful when need be but at the same time is not afraid to say EXACTLY what is on his mind whether it be good ,bad or ugly! Eric is a huge Star Wars fanatic and much to his brothers dismay he LOVES the NY Mets! We have a subway series every spring right here in our own house!

and that's our family!!



Although Bryan and I have been to Disney World numerous times our first stay on property was last April at Pop Century and we absolutely LOVED IT!

We stayed for a week and got the dining plan and free upgraded park hopper passes and we were on cloud nine the entire week The boys participated in things we had never experienced before such as the Pirate cruise.......

Fantasmic, the Jr. Chef program at Epcot and many many more. At the end of the trip this is how we felt about leaving

As we boarded the Magical Express bus we promised ourselves that we would return one day VERY SOON and a dream was born..............

STAY TUNED!

 

[dddisrunner]

As we returned from our trip the days and weeks ahead were spent by me daydreaming of how I could find a way to get back to the MAGIC! I can't imagine ever going to Disney World and not staying on property again! Our trip in April was magical in part too because I discovered the wonderful DIS boards about 2 months before our trip. The wealth of information and wonderful trip reports I read inspired me to write one and now I am hooked! I also really loved sharing our journey with others because I wanted to give back to someone else all I had learned!

When discussion first came up about our 10th Anniversary (darn that time went fast) Bryan and I discussed the possibility of an adults only trip to the World for 3-4 days Then reality set in and we realized that it would absolutely CRUSH the boys to know we were going to Disney and not including them In the end we decided to bring them along because they LOVE all the magic every bit as much as Bryan and I.

Now the real planning was on! Drum Roll please........................
We will be arriving at the World on April 20 and staying for 10 nights/10 days at POFQ! POFQ was decided after much debate and financial scrutiny! I was DYING to stay at the Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Lodge but Bryan suggested that we could probably stay an extra day if we stayed at a mod and I was soooooooooo on board with that! Hey, value last year,mod this year, next year oh I don't know DVC Maybe? Yeah right that conversation would have to take place after a night at Pleasure Island or something

MAJOR CHANGE!

Our Dates are still 4/20-4/30 BUT at.........THE ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, so join us and help us plan the vacation of our dreams ...........

In the next few installments

ADR's
Park day planning
and praying that the DANG airfare goes down!

 

[Trentmom]

Subsribing.....

Great so far!! Your boys are too cute....

That cracks me up about your 6yr old speaking his mind.

DS said something really funny at Walmrt and thank goodness the cashier was young and laughed, but I wanted to crawl in a hole.... I would tell ya, but then I probably get points

We stayed at Pop in May last year and Loved it, minus the loud toilets...loudest thing I ever heard

i have never stayed at French Quarter side, just Riverside(actually it was called Dixie Landings then, on our honeymoon) and we loved that resort!!!

You have go to go to Riverside at least one evening and to to Cotton Gin, kids are allowed in, and see Bob Jackson

He is a piano man and so hilarious

Can't wait to read what is next


BTW...This is our 10yr anniversary this year, too, just not until November

 

[NMAmy]

Woo hoo! I'm so glad you've started a pre-TR, Diane! NINE DAYS??? You lucky, lucky duck!

I can't wait to hear all about PO. From other reports I've read, I'm sure you'll all love it! Next year--deluxe.

Have you made your ADR's? Can't wait to hear all your plans!

 

[tiggerbell]

I'm SOOOO in!!! (Thanks for the PM!)

I loved your last report, think your boys are adorable, and really wish we'd run into each other last year!

 

[dddisrunner]

Subsribing.....

Great so far!! Your boys are too cute....

That cracks me up about your 6yr old speaking his mind.

DS said something really funny at Walmrt and thank goodness the cashier was young and laughed, but I wanted to crawl in a hole.... I would tell ya, but then I probably get points

We stayed at Pop in May last year and Loved it, minus the loud toilets...loudest thing I ever heard

i have never stayed at French Quarter side, just Riverside(actually it was called Dixie Landings then, on our honeymoon) and we loved that resort!!!

You have go to go to Riverside at least one evening and to to Cotton Gin, kids are allowed in, and see Bob Jackson

He is a piano man and so hilarious

Can't wait to read what is next


BTW...This is our 10yr anniversary this year, too, just not until November

Congrats on your 10th too! We will definitely take a stroll over to Riverside! That's the beauty of being there for 10days we don't have to rush around to try and fit everything in! Thanks for the sweet comments about the boys! Glad you joined us!
Diane

Woo hoo! I'm so glad you've started a pre-TR, Diane! NINE DAYS??? You lucky, lucky duck!

I can't wait to hear all about PO. From other reports I've read, I'm sure you'll all love it! Next year--deluxe.

Have you made your ADR's? Can't wait to hear all your plans!

I know 10 days 9 nights I am so excited! I just wish the airfare would come down! I can't wait to see POFQ in person, all the photos I have seen are just gorgeous. Yes, we made our ADR's and I will post them in the next installment! Thanks for joining us! I hope you start a Pre TR soon too!
Diane

 

[dddisrunner]

I'm SOOOO in!!! (Thanks for the PM!)

I loved your last report, think your boys are adorable, and really wish we'd run into each other last year!

Welcome! Thanks for joining us! I always love reading your reports too! You have the knack if you know what I mean! Thanks for the sweet comments about the boys! Bummer that we didn't run into each other last year
Diane

 

[dddisrunner]

Ok so the title of the report is "Our 2nd Shot at the Dream Team" because well we had many and I do mean many near misses last year For those of you that read my TR from last year you may recall that TWICE not ONCE, TWICE dreams were given to the people right in front of us. Then on one other occasion at the Animal Kingdom I swore I saw the Dream Team go into Dinosaur so we rushed in behind them only to discover that it was just 2 women who disturbingly were dressed EXACTLY like the Dream Team but were just regular old people! The funniest part about the whole thing is that I really hadn't thought much about the Dreams much until we got there and were dealt the cruel hand of near misses We were in Disney though, a dream in itself right! Oh and we did get a magical moment on Dinosaur we were the family of the hour and got to ride in our own car!

Now on to the Anniversary part. I have read on a few other reports about the different babysitting clubs at the different resorts and decided to let the boys go to the Neverland Club at the Polynesian and Bryan and I will eat dinner together at Le Cellier and watch Illuminations together ALONE to celebrate while were at the world! If anyone has any experience with the Neverland Club please let me know!


Thanks! Diane

 

[Trentmom]

Congrats on your 10th too! We will definitely take a stroll over to Riverside! That's the beauty of being there for 10days we don't have to rush around to try and fit everything in! Thanks for the sweet comments about the boys! Glad you joined us!
Diane




I know 10 days 9 nights I am so excited! I just wish the airfare would come down! I can't wait to see POFQ in person, all the photos I have seen are just gorgeous. Yes, we made our ADR's and I will post them in the next installment! Thanks for joining us! I hope you start a Pre TR soon too!
Diane

Thanks

Thanks for Pm. I love trip reports...and would love to stay at the FQ side in the future, so can';t wait to hear all about it...

Your welcome

Oh man, all those near misses would have drove me nuts...Very cool you were picked to be family of the day on Dinosaur

Here is some pixie dust that you will get a dream this time

So, I see you are hoping flights come down? Did you check southwest? That is what we have flown the last 2 years our of Philly airport and got great deals

 

[dddisrunner]

Thanks

So, I see you are hoping flights come down? Did you check southwest? That is what we have flown the last 2 years our of Philly airport and got great deals

Yes, we did check Southwest and right now they are around $200 per person before taxes!

Diane

 

[dddisrunner]

Ok first on the airfare front We have been so spoiled the last 2 years. In 2006 we got a great DING fare from Southwest out of Philadelphia and paid $427 total for the 4 of us! Then last year we were able to get $630 for all 4 of us out of Philly on US Air. I was upset at that because I was so spoiled the year before. Anyway each year we had to pay for parking and spent the night before at a Hotel because of the 6:30am flights and while it was great because we used Marriott points to pay for the hotel, the parking is OUTRAGEOUS! We paid $140 plus tax for 7 days Way too much in my opinion. We chose Philadelphia because it is way easier to navigate then Newark Liberty So this years dilemma is this, we would like to fly Spirit out of Atlantic City because it is close and way easy to navigate and ridiculously cheap to park BUT the airfare right now for our dates is almost $290 per person round trip Even Southwest and AirTran out of Philly are over $200 per person. Does anyone think I have a shot of these fares coming down? We are 98 days out! Please HELP! What has your experience been?

OK on to something more fun cause somehow, someway I getting to Disney Here are our choices for Dining let me know what you think

Arrival Day Dinner at Marrakesh

Day 2 Dinner at Kona Cafe

Day 3 Dinner Tutto Italia (so excited to try this)

Day 4 Dinner Boma (this was our favorite last trip,such a great experience)

Day 5 Breakfast Tusker House Buffet w/characters
Dinner O'hana

Day 6 Breakfast Crystal Palace

Day 7 Anniversary Dinner Le Cellier (so looking forward to this!)

Day 8 Dinner Coral Reef

Day 9 Fantasmic Dinner at Mama Melrose's

So there you have it our Dining Plan. Please critique as you see fit!

 

[Trentmom]

I feel your pain with the airfare.

We too were spoiled with airfare in 2006..

We paid under 400 for 3 of us.


Then in 2007, we paid about 600...

Now, looking at this year we are at about 750..

Stinks....

I looked at your ressies and have only ever eaten at Crystal Palace for breakfast and I loved it...So prettty in there and good food.

Le Cellier is supposed to be awesome and my sil loves Ohana for dinner.....

 

[NMAmy]

Arrival Day Dinner at Marrakesh

Day 2 Dinner at Kona Cafe

Day 3 Dinner Tutto Italia (so excited to try this)

Day 4 Dinner Boma (this was our favorite last trip,such a great experience)

Day 5 Breakfast Tusker House Buffet w/characters
Dinner O'hana

Day 6 Breakfast Crystal Palace

Day 7 Anniversary Dinner Le Cellier (so looking forward to this!)

Day 8 Dinner San Angel (may change to Chefs De France, haven't heard great things about SA)

Day 9 Fantasmic Dinner at Mama Melrose's

So there you have it our Dining Plan. Please critique as you see fit!

I hope you like Restaurant Marakesh as much as DH and I did! I'm trying to find a way to squeeze it in for our trip--probably one night without the girls. I know dd would like it but I'm not so sure about her friend.

I've always really enjoyed San Angel although I know a lot of people dislike it. It isn't a Tex-Mex kind of food (which I dislike) and I know some have said the service is too slow. However, it's SO cool to eat lunch under an evening sky by a volcano. And we really liked the food, too. And, well, everything is better with a margarita!

I feel your pain on the airfare. I spent forever trying to get ours together and still spent a fortune just because I wanted it over and done with--and I was trying to coordinate arrival from two locations.

 

[dddisrunner]

I feel your pain with the airfare.

We too were spoiled with airfare in 2006..

We paid under 400 for 3 of us.


Then in 2007, we paid about 600...

Now, looking at this year we are at about 750..

Stinks....

I looked at your ressies and have only ever eaten at Crystal Palace for breakfast and I loved it...So prettty in there and good food.

Le Cellier is supposed to be awesome and my sil loves Ohana for dinner.....

I am so excited to go to Crystal Palace for breakfast. Saw beautiful pics. on others TR's of empty Main St. I sooo want to take advantage of that!
Diane

I hope you like Restaurant Marakesh as much as DH and I did! I'm trying to find a way to squeeze it in for our trip--probably one night without the girls. I know dd would like it but I'm not so sure about her friend.

I've always really enjoyed San Angel although I know a lot of people dislike it. It isn't a Tex-Mex kind of food (which I dislike) and I know some have said the service is too slow. However, it's SO cool to eat lunch under an evening sky by a volcano. And we really liked the food, too. And, well, everything is better with a margarita!

I feel your pain on the airfare. I spent forever trying to get ours together and still spent a fortune just because I wanted it over and done with--and I was trying to coordinate arrival from two locations.

Amy, is Cait's friend from the last trip joining you again? Must be a nightmare coordinating 2 airfares! We ate at Marrakesh last year and loved it! Don't know if you remember but you were the one that told me about the awesome feta in the salad! When was the last time you ate at San Angel? I thought the atmosphere would be great but not if the food isn't Thanks for waying in!
Diane

 

[dddisrunner]

OK all you lurkers please come out of lurkdom, I promise I won't bite!

 

[NMAmy]

Amy, is Cait's friend from the last trip joining you again? Must be a nightmare coordinating 2 airfares! We ate at Marrakesh last year and loved it! Don't know if you remember but you were the one that told me about the awesome feta in the salad! When was the last time you ate at San Angel? I thought the atmosphere would be great but not if the food isn't Thanks for waying in!
Diane

Yep, Cait's friend is coming along again. She is a great girl--she came and stayed with us for two weeks over the summer, as well. She is SO easygoing and she's a pleasure to have along. It really IS a nightmare trying to get it all coordinated airfare wise though. DH and I are going the night before and leaving about 9 hours after them to minimize any panicking if flights are late.

We ate at the San Angel a couple of years ago. I'm thinking I might add a dinner or lunch there for DH and I on one day this trip. If so, I'll let you know what we think.

 

[dddisrunner]

Yep, Cait's friend is coming along again. She is a great girl--she came and stayed with us for two weeks over the summer, as well. She is SO easygoing and she's a pleasure to have along. It really IS a nightmare trying to get it all coordinated airfare wise though. DH and I are going the night before and leaving about 9 hours after them to minimize any panicking if flights are late.

We ate at the San Angel a couple of years ago. I'm thinking I might add a dinner or lunch there for DH and I on one day this trip. If so, I'll let you know what we think.

Thanks Amy! Can't wait to hear what you think! Did you plan all your ADR's yet?
Diane

 

[dddisrunner]

97 DAYS PEOPLE!

I went to AAA today to book the trip and put the deposit down. I love my agent she is soooo knowledgable and knows all about the disboards. I was so excited to have her help me!

Anyway she was telling me a little bit about the Neverland Club where the boys will be when Bryan and I have dinner. She told me that they do not prorate the time when you pick up. So another words if we drop the boys off at 6:00pm and come back at 9:30 we are charged for a full hour instaed of just a half I know it really shouldn't be a big deal BUT it is $22 an hour for 2 kids and you have to guarantee 2 hours so there's $44 right off the bat! I chose Neverland because of the good reviews I read but now I'm thinking about skipping it! We would spend a minimum of $88 probably more like $110 See the main problem is this... they only serve dinner at 6 or 8pm for the boys and our ADR at Le Cellier is for 7:40pm. So the boys have to go at 6:00.Initially we were going to drop them off at 7pm, I guess I need to just get over the sticker shock! What do you guys think? By the way I did call Disney to confirm this policy and I was told that I did in fact receive the correct information!

 

[carissanboys]

Your boys are adorable

Do you keep seeing my title and think it's yours?? Because every time I see your title, I go to click on it and realize it's not mine. Just wondering if I was the only one having that problem

 

[dddisrunner]

Your boys are adorable

Do you keep seeing my title and think it's yours?? Because every time I see your title, I go to click on it and realize it's not mine. Just wondering if I was the only one having that problem

YES! I looked at your report before and was going to post but the phone rang and I never got back over there! I will now though! I saw your ticker....4 days I am soooo jealous!