Our First Disney Vacation! A journal on the journey to September 7, 2011!

[Queila]

Congratulations on securing the time you wanted. And at Cellier out of all places. Good job!

Usually our days at Disney start so early and we usually have a small breakfast so by 11h30 we are soooo ready for lunch.

Q

 

[lovethattink]

Joining in late, hope it's ok! I need to go back to read and catch up.

 

[L-Harper]

Joining in late, hope it's ok! I need to go back to read and catch up.

Absolutely you are more than welcome to join! I still have 2 and a half months with lots still to come in the planning!

 

[lovethattink]

Absolutely you are more than welcome to join! I still have 2 and a half months with lots still to come in the planning!

Thanks for the welcome!!

How exciting to be planning your first trip!! Pop is a great place to stay! We stayed there in May! Had fun catching the hustle at 6pm in the food court, but missed the big wheel races and hoola hoops. The location of Pop is great too, since it's pretty well centrally located.

 

[janabananas]

I just stumbled on your PTR. It looks like so much fun. I just decided to change stuff around and cancel ADR at Raglan Road and go to Cape May instead. Hope you and your family has an amazing time.

 

[L-Harper]

I just stumbled on your PTR. It looks like so much fun. I just decided to change stuff around and cancel ADR at Raglan Road and go to Cape May instead. Hope you and your family has an amazing time.

I'm so glad you found my PTR! I am excited for both Raglan Road and Cape May... I am a HUGE seafood fan!!! The It's Not Bleedin' Chowder from Raglan Road is seriously just calling my name. MMMMMM!!!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

I haven't gotten through all the reading, so maybe my comments will be obsolete on some things.

It's so exciting that you are going on your family's first Disney trip!! Your family pic is beautiful, the boys are adorable! Most first timers certainly aren't as informed or nearly as prepared as you.

It's has been super hot and humid here in Central Florida and it's only June. We have been searching for airconditioning and swimming pools to cool off. With that in mind, I was reading your restaurant choices and just wanted to make sure that you knew that Flame Tree BBQ, Yak and Yeti Express, and Starring rolls do not have air conditioned seating. Tangierine Cafe has airconditioning, but they keep all their big, huge doors opened (we either seem to freeze or roast at Tangierine depending where we sit, but those lamb pitas are certainly worth it!!)

We are trying Le Cellier for lunch for the first time in August. I look forward to it.

Just a word about Everything Pop. There were times when the food court lines were really huge. And times when they were totally empty. We never seemed to hit it at medium level. If the lines were too huge, we went to our destination and grabbed a bite there instead. Most of our stay the lines were empty.

The pizza and the fish sandwich can take a really long time to get at Everything Pop. They make the fish sandwich to order and it takes 15 minutes to prepare. The pizzas about 10 to 15 minutes if there are none already pre-cooked.

I think it's a fabulous idea to get in room sitting while you attend NOJ!!

Congratulations on getting a pin code for the AKL part of your trip!! How exciting to get the Arusha view cheaper than Savanah!!

I love your Disney Countdown Dream Board!

Great choice to make MK your first park, especially on the day of arrival!

 

[L-Harper]

I am freaking out at how close Mickey is getting to the end of the ticker!!!!!!!! Can I make it to September without exploding?!?! I also realized something absolutely fantastic today... DH is going to have 16 full days off of work to spend with us! September 5th is Labor Day, then he's taking off the 6th, then we leave for Disney on the 7th for 10 days. I am bursting at the seams! He has been so busy with working full time, going to school full time, plus coaching that we haven't gotten a whole lot of time with him lately. September is going to be amazing!

 

[annmarieda]

I am freaking out at how close Mickey is getting to the end of the ticker!!!!!!!! Can I make it to September without exploding?!?! I also realized something absolutely fantastic today... DH is going to have 16 full days off of work to spend with us! September 5th is Labor Day, then he's taking off the 6th, then we leave for Disney on the 7th for 10 days. I am bursting at the seams! He has been so busy with working full time, going to school full time, plus coaching that we haven't gotten a whole lot of time with him lately. September is going to be amazing!

Last year this time, I booked our September trip. It was so hard to wait. It was unfortunate, but it made me want our summer over. And... it was over before I knew it. I remember NOTHING from last summer. I was so excited about the trip. So, point to my rambling... I so get being excited. September will be AWESOME!!! but... enjoy the summer too.

 

[dizneeat]

I am freaking out at how close Mickey is getting to the end of the ticker!!!!!!!! Can I make it to September without exploding?!?! I also realized something absolutely fantastic today... DH is going to have 16 full days off of work to spend with us! September 5th is Labor Day, then he's taking off the 6th, then we leave for Disney on the 7th for 10 days. I am bursting at the seams! He has been so busy with working full time, going to school full time, plus coaching that we haven't gotten a whole lot of time with him lately. September is going to be amazing!

Don't wish your summer away ........ enjoy it!
September will be here before you know it and you are going to enjoy it so much. Disney is wonderful and so is the news about you DH having 16 days off. It's going to be great for you and the boys.

 

[L-Harper]

Last year this time, I booked our September trip. It was so hard to wait. It was unfortunate, but it made me want our summer over. And... it was over before I knew it. I remember NOTHING from last summer. I was so excited about the trip. So, point to my rambling... I so get being excited. September will be AWESOME!!! but... enjoy the summer too.

Don't wish your summer away ........ enjoy it!
September will be here before you know it and you are going to enjoy it so much. Disney is wonderful and so is the news about you DH having 16 days off. It's going to be great for you and the boys.

I definitely understand what you ladies mean about not wishing my summer away and I am certainly not doing that. As much as I want September to get here we have a jam packed summer. It's really the first summer that both boys have been old enough to really do a lot and go lots of places. DH and I have a night away weekend after next for our anniversary. Then all of us have a beach camping trip mid-July. In the beginning of August is both of the boys' birthdays so we're planning a pirate party bash for them. Plus there is a lot of stuff in between. haha It's going to be an awesome summer!

 

[L-Harper]

I haven't gotten through all the reading, so maybe my comments will be obsolete on some things.

I hope you enjoyed your read. We have changed around our plans a lot since I started this PTR. Now I feel pretty set in our plans, so that is a bit of a relief... especially since we only have less than 2 and a half months to go.

It's so exciting that you are going on your family's first Disney trip!! Your family pic is beautiful, the boys are adorable! Most first timers certainly aren't as informed or nearly as prepared as you.

Aww, thank you! I have been researching Disney since December of 2009 just waiting for when our youngest would be old enough to walk around and enjoy it. He will have just turned 2 before we go. It's still young, but at least he doesn't eat baby food anymore, he doesn't have to be carried around like a baby the whole time, and he really is starting to love some of the Disney characters. I can't imagine going to Disney with a child any younger than him.

It's has been super hot and humid here in Central Florida and it's only June. We have been searching for airconditioning and swimming pools to cool off. With that in mind, I was reading your restaurant choices and just wanted to make sure that you knew that Flame Tree BBQ, Yak and Yeti Express, and Starring rolls do not have air conditioned seating. Tangierine Cafe has airconditioning, but they keep all their big, huge doors opened (we either seem to freeze or roast at Tangierine depending where we sit, but those lamb pitas are certainly worth it!!)

Thanks for these tips! I never thought about the CS places not having air conditioning. I may have to rethink some of my CS choices. I can't pass up going to Starring Rolls for a Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake! What are some of your favorite CS places in each park that have air conditioning?

We are trying Le Cellier for lunch for the first time in August. I look forward to it.

Oooh! Have fun! I hope you love it as much as I'm hoping I love it. Are you like me and already know what you want to order? My mouth has been watering for the Mushroom Risotto Filet for over a year.

Just a word about Everything Pop. There were times when the food court lines were really huge. And times when they were totally empty. We never seemed to hit it at medium level. If the lines were too huge, we went to our destination and grabbed a bite there instead. Most of our stay the lines were empty.

That is also very good to know! I guess I would have never thought about that either. We will be {hopefully} making rope drop most mornings so I'm really hoping the lines aren't too long. The boys are big breakfast eaters, so we wouldn't be able to head to the parks before they get full. I'll just have to allow us more time in the morning to make sure that happens.

The pizza and the fish sandwich can take a really long time to get at Everything Pop. They make the fish sandwich to order and it takes 15 minutes to prepare. The pizzas about 10 to 15 minutes if there are none already pre-cooked.

Interesting. At least you know they're fresh and haven't been sitting around for hours in a warmer.

I think it's a fabulous idea to get in room sitting while you attend NOJ!!

We've decided that we aren't completely comfortable with a stranger watching our boys so we will not be going to NOJ this time. We may on another trip though because we would LOVE to go to NOJ.

Congratulations on getting a pin code for the AKL part of your trip!! How exciting to get the Arusha view cheaper than Savanah!!

We had AKL booked for a few months before we just decided that for 2 nights in AKL wasn't worth an additional $700. I was super bummed when I had to cancel it, but I know that right now it was the right choice. I will for sure be staying at AKL for at least 2 nights on our next trip (in 2013) though!

I love your Disney Countdown Dream Board!

Thank you! The boys absolutely love changing the number everyday.

Great choice to make MK your first park, especially on the day of arrival!

There could be no other park to go to, right?! I am beyond over the moon with anticipation to see the Castle in person! I was talking to DH last night about how I know I will be bawling my eyes out when I see it for the first time.

 

[lovethattink]

I hope you enjoyed your read. We have changed around our plans a lot since I started this PTR. Now I feel pretty set in our plans, so that is a bit of a relief... especially since we only have less than 2 and a half months to go.

I am enjoying your PTR! Glad your plans are set, I'm sure that's a great relief!

I have 3 stays in the works right now, AUG at CSR, Sept at POFQ, and Dec at POP. Our August one is easy to plan since most of our time will be spent right at the resort. We are staying at Coronado Springs at the end of August. I made 4 ADRs, but all other plans include the Dig Site (main theme pool and playground area)!! If we hit any parks it will be either early AM or evening when it's cooler. So my planning for Aug is done. I don't have any ADRs, yet, for Sept or Dec.

Aww, thank you! I have been researching Disney since December of 2009 just waiting for when our youngest would be old enough to walk around and enjoy it. He will have just turned 2 before we go. It's still young, but at least he doesn't eat baby food anymore, he doesn't have to be carried around like a baby the whole time, and he really is starting to love some of the Disney characters. I can't imagine going to Disney with a child any younger than him.

Our oldest's first trip he was just under 2. Our youngest's first trip, he was 6 weeks old, and it was to Star Wars Weekend to take his big brother. I think there is something for everyone at WDW, no matter what age! In the last year it's actually become a bit more difficult for us, because our youngest has developed special needs. But Disney is so wonderful at accomodating guests with special needs!! It's our place to escape reality for a few hours!

Thanks for these tips! I never thought about the CS places not having air conditioning. I may have to rethink some of my CS choices. I can't pass up going to Starring Rolls for a Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake! What are some of your favorite CS places in each park that have air conditioning?

At MK:

Cosmic Rays: love their green beans!! There are hoola hoop contests too. Sonny Eclipse can be a hit or a miss with the kids. He is the animatronic entertainment on the lower level. I have seen many families pick up and find different seating because he didn't entertain the kiddos. My 7 year old loves him. There is a fixing bar with sauteed onions and mushrooms, cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and all other condiments.

Pecos Bills: Same things on fixing bar as Cosmic Rays. My son is a bit freaked out by the heads on the walls.

Pinochio Haus: there are window seats where you can view It's a Small World attraction while eating. This window seating is limited but it's lots of fun!

Columbia Harbour House: decent bowl of New England Clam chowder. I like to get the kids chilled chicken salad. It's strips of cold grilled chicken over mixed greens. DH gets the fried fish and chicken. DS gets chicken nuggets. If I am really hungry, I'll get the BLT salad. They have good sweet tea here, but the ice cubes here taste nasty, so I ask for little ice. I love the broccoli slaw, but the rest of the family thinks it's gross. Their tuna salad sandwhich is very good, but I do not like the multigrain bread. You need teeth of steele to chew through the crust most of the time. The tuna salad sandwhich at the Plaza restaurant is a better choice, their croissants are always fresh that it's served on!!!

I think all other CS in MK don't have airconditioned seating. I'd need to check out a map to be sure.

Running out of time. I will be back to post my fav CS at other parks.

Oooh! Have fun! I hope you love it as much as I'm hoping I love it. Are you like me and already know what you want to order? My mouth has been watering for the Mushroom Risotto Filet for over a year.

I know I want the cheese soup. I have had it every year at the F&W festival and I love it!! Haven't thought about an entree yet. DS17 will get the maple salmon.

That is also very good to know! I guess I would have never thought about that either. We will be {hopefully} making rope drop most mornings so I'm really hoping the lines aren't too long. The boys are big breakfast eaters, so we wouldn't be able to head to the parks before they get full. I'll just have to allow us more time in the morning to make sure that happens.

If you have a rental car, an excellent breakfast buffet is held at the Yaht Club at the Captain's Galley. The menu doesn't do it justice. I have pics of it in my TR not sure what page. They have eggs, bacon, sausage, several different casseroles, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, pastries, hot and cold cereal, bagels, toast, smoked salmon, biscuit and gravy, eggs benedict, and much more. Juice, coffee, tea and milk are all included in the price.

This breakfast has become a check-in day tradition!

We've decided that we aren't completely comfortable with a stranger watching our boys so we will not be going to NOJ this time. We may on another trip though because we would LOVE to go to NOJ.

Certainly understandable! There have been a few times where we used Disney's kid's clubs. I ate at Narcoosee's with friends and we all put our children at the club at the Grand Floridian. They had a great time! The other tmes were years ago when my teenager was little. He loved the kid's club at the Beach Club and we let him go for a few hours while we relaxed.

 

[L-Harper]

Our trip is PAID IN FULL!!!!! We are also 50 days out!!!!!!

 

[annmarieda]

Our trip is PAID IN FULL!!!!! We are also 50 days out!!!!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Our trip is PAID IN FULL!!!!! We are also 50 days out!!!!!!

Congratulations, on a trip paid in full!

 

[L-Harper]

30 days to go!!!!

 

[sheri18]

hi, just found your PTR...it has been great reading.....
we are going the same dates as you...and cant wait....only booked about 6 weeks ago....

Our cast for the trip is....Me (51)...DH (56)....DS#1 (31)...DIL#1(30).....
DS#2 (30), DIL#2 (31), DS#3(29) & GF ...and the whole reason DH agreed to go...he is NOT a Disney lover or liker for that matter (gasp)......

Our beautiful Grandkids.....DS#1 daughter Kaila (2 1/2) her 3rd trip

and DS#2 son Jackson (1 1/2) first trip

I am so excited....but planning so last minute getting ADR's is very hard ..especially for 10 people....

DH and I at BC....the kid and grandkids at CSR...

cannot wait.......so much planning to do and NOT enough time.........

 

[L-Harper]

hi, just found your PTR...it has been great reading.....
we are going the same dates as you...and cant wait....only booked about 6 weeks ago....

Our cast for the trip is....Me (51)...DH (56)....DS#1 (31)...DIL#1(30).....
DS#2 (30), DIL#2 (31), DS#3(29) & GF ...and the whole reason DH agreed to go...he is NOT a Disney lover or liker for that matter (gasp)......

Our beautiful Grandkids.....DS#1 daughter Kaila (2 1/2) her 3rd trip

and DS#2 son Jackson (1 1/2) first trip

I am so excited....but planning so last minute getting ADR's is very hard ..especially for 10 people....

DH and I at BC....the kid and grandkids at CSR...

cannot wait.......so much planning to do and NOT enough time.........

sheri18! I'm so glad that you've stopped by. I have been planning this trip for a LONG time so I have had many changes. I hope you have a fantastic trip with your whole family. That sounds like a blast!

 

[mreid1974]

Just fell upon your trip report. I loved reading your PTR. Wish i came upon it earlier. Only 30 days. You must be so excited!! Your kids are gonna absolutly love it. Sorry you werent able to stay at AKL for those 2 days but at least you get to stay at pop for them. Looking forward to reading your trip report if you write one.