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

[dizneeat]

Oh, don't worry about your review spoiling our plans. We still plan on going to Raglan Road. I just like to see how everyone's experiences have been. I'm sad that your bread pudding wasn't better. Everyone raves about it. I'm going to be getting that for my dessert. For my entree I already know what I want too, It's Not Bleedin' Chowder. It looks amazing and I'm a huge seafood fan. Maybe you'll once again give Raglan Road a try.

I ordered the bread pudding BECAUSE everyone raved about it and I LOVE breadpudding. The one I got was disgusting, but since we had already paid the bill we didn't bother with it and just let it go.

And we actually HAD a reservation last year but I changed it last minute while we were there. Maybe I SHOULD put it back on my list in September!

 

[L-Harper]

I ordered the bread pudding BECAUSE everyone raved about it and I LOVE breadpudding. The one I got was disgusting, but since we had already paid the bill we didn't bother with it and just let it go.

And we actually HAD a reservation last year but I changed it last minute while we were there. Maybe I SHOULD put it back on my list in September!

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!!!!

 

[TheDisneyGirl]

HelloOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I try to get on chat whenever there is free time at my house to catch up with everyone and learn more about what I need for a perfect trip.
My girls will be 4 and 6 when we plan to go. Now my DH tells me last night that this trip will solely be the parks and next time we'll dot eh cruise. He changes his mind a lot.

I am sure we will catch one another on there soon.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Welcome to my pre-trip report! Thank you for stopping by! That is the same reason we get to stay at AKL for those 2 nights is because of a 40% off PIN. I seriously cannot explain how excited I was when I talked my husband into adding 2 nights to our trip and that we were actually going to get to stay at AKL!!!!!!! I had been dreaming about staying at AKL since I even started looking at Disney. I just figured that it was way too expensive for us and couldn't justify the cost for our family. The 40% off and only staying 2 nights really helped. We are staying at Pop because we just couldn't beat the price.

I've been reading your PTR, too! Only 2 more days for you!!!

Well I can asure you that you will absolutely love it there!!! I can not wait to be able to stay there again soon...

Honestly, I had quite a few reseravation about spending all the money to stay at AKL. We are park people. We are barely at the resort other to shower and sleep. But going in Dec I knew we would be at the resort more b/c the parks aren't open as late. I am so glad we spluged and stayed there!

Be sure to get the list of activites for the week you are there. They have SO much for the kids to do at the resort. And you just HAVE to try the night vison goggles at night on the lookout at Arusha. So amazing!

Enjoy!

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

Coming over from the September thread also!

 

[Smile4Me]

First of all, you really are going to love your time at AKL! 3 years ago we stayed there with a savannah room and we want to go back soooo badly but also want to try a bunch of different resorts - otherwise we'd be back there in a heartbeat!
I really like your plans so far. And your dining ressies look good too. I dunno if I could do two table services in one day, because it really is alot of time spent in restaurants. Plus they do not skimp when it comes to food down there! So it's going to be a lot of food! But it is also a great way to get out of the heat and have a little quiet for your cute boys as well as a way to keep them on their "normal" schedule as far as meals go.
We have been to Raglan Road three times. We really enjoyed it the first two times, and the third was just a step off , which very well may be our own fault as our nephew was with us and not feeling well that night and I think we had just pushed a little too much and were a little too tired to keep going (I had wanted to shop after the meal!) so we finished up and went back to the resort. Its a lovely restaurant but we are opting to try some new things this trip! Keep planning and writing about it and I'll keep reading! I hope to start my own Pre-Trip Report sometime soon,,,just gotta figure out how to put pictures up first!

 

[L-Harper]

Coming over from the September thread also!

Hello! Thank you for coming over and reading my ever changing pre-trip report!

First of all, you really are going to love your time at AKL! 3 years ago we stayed there with a savannah room and we want to go back soooo badly but also want to try a bunch of different resorts - otherwise we'd be back there in a heartbeat!
I really like your plans so far. And your dining ressies look good too. I dunno if I could do two table services in one day, because it really is alot of time spent in restaurants. Plus they do not skimp when it comes to food down there! So it's going to be a lot of food! But it is also a great way to get out of the heat and have a little quiet for your cute boys as well as a way to keep them on their "normal" schedule as far as meals go.
We have been to Raglan Road three times. We really enjoyed it the first two times, and the third was just a step off , which very well may be our own fault as our nephew was with us and not feeling well that night and I think we had just pushed a little too much and were a little too tired to keep going (I had wanted to shop after the meal!) so we finished up and went back to the resort. Its a lovely restaurant but we are opting to try some new things this trip! Keep planning and writing about it and I'll keep reading! I hope to start my own Pre-Trip Report sometime soon,,,just gotta figure out how to put pictures up first!

Hello! Thank you so much for your comments! I have heard mostly great things about Raglan Road with a few not so spectacular reviews. Either way, I'm going into it very excited and hoping for the best. I seriously just cannot pass up the chowder. It looks absolutely amazing. I already know what my husband will more than likely order... the shepherd's pie.

Personally, I'm most excited about our stay at AKL. It is seriously perfect for our family with the animals, the feel of the lodge, and the view! I still can't believe that we're going to get to stay there! I am so insanely excited!!!!!!!!!!

As for our plans, of course they've changed again. I am thankful that I've had help this time with my days. I'm going to post it in the next thread and would love for advice/opinions from everyone.

 

[L-Harper]

Ha. I deleted the plans that I had written here because that will not be our plans.

 

[L-Harper]

I have some stinky news. We are taking off the last 2 days of our trip, so we'll just be at Pop from the 7-14. We had a couple things come up and we had to take money out of our Disney budget. I'm annoyed and mad, but there isn't anything I can do about it. I know that we'll be at WDW again, so we'll be able to stay at AKL another time. So, now I'm back to re-planning.

 

[TheDisneyGirl]

I have some stinky news. We are taking off the last 2 days of our trip, so we'll just be at Pop from the 7-14. We had a couple things come up and we had to take money out of our Disney budget. I'm annoyed and mad, but there isn't anything I can do about it. I know that we'll be at WDW again, so we'll be able to stay at AKL another time. So, now I'm back to re-planning.

Awww..

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

I have some stinky news. We are taking off the last 2 days of our trip, so we'll just be at Pop from the 7-14. We had a couple things come up and we had to take money out of our Disney budget. I'm annoyed and mad, but there isn't anything I can do about it. I know that we'll be at WDW again, so we'll be able to stay at AKL another time. So, now I'm back to re-planning.

Boo!!! I'm so sorry to hear that, but totally know where you are coming from... Doesn't life always seem to throw curveballs when you don't need them!

 

[MissLiz]

That just stinks! But I'm sure you will still have a fantastic time!!!!

 

[L-Harper]

Looking on the bright side: we'll be spending about $700 less, it will be easier to plan only 8 days instead of 10 (right? ), and it will give us something to look forward to on our next trip (right? ). I know that we are still going to have an AMAZING time! How couldn't we?! We'll be in WDW for our very first time!!!!!!!!

 

[L-Harper]

So, I think I have adjusted our itinerary. Please offer your advice, comments, and/or tips!

Day 1 - (W Sept. 7) - Arrival Day / Magic Kingdom in the evening with dinner at Chef Mickey's. We'll be seeing Wishes on our first night, too.

Day 2 - (Th 8) - Animal Kingdom with lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue. We'll be spending the evening checking out the Animal Kingdom Lodge with dinner at Boma.

Day 3 - (F 9) - Magic Kingdom with lunch at Pecos Bill. We'll have dinner at Cape May Cafe with spending a little time on The Boardwalk.

Day 4 - (Sa 10) - Magic Kingdom with lunch at Cosmic Rays. We'll be spending the evening in Epcot with dinner at Les Chefs de France and seeing IllumiNations.

Day 5 - (Su 11) - Rest Day with lunch at Everything Pop. We'll be spending the evening in Downtown Disney with dinner at Raglan Road.

Day 6 - (M 12) - Epcot with lunch {hopefully!} at Le Cellier. We'll be spending the evening in Magic Kingdom with dinner at Main Street Bakery. We'll be sing the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes this night.

Day 7 - (Tu 13) - Hollywood Studios with lunch at Starring Rolls. We'll be spending our last evening in Magic Kingdom {I think} with dinner at Ohana.

Day 8 - (W 14) - Departure Day I have no idea what time our plane leaves. If its later then we'll be skipping MK the night before and doing MK this morning. If our plane is too early then we'll be doing MK the night before.

 

[AKL LOVER]

So, I think I have adjusted our itinerary. Please offer your advice, comments, and/or tips!

Day 1 - (W Sept. 7) - Arrival Day / Magic Kingdom in the evening with dinner at Chef Mickey's. We'll be seeing Wishes on our first night, too.

Day 2 - (Th 8) - Animal Kingdom with lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue. We'll be spending the evening checking out the Animal Kingdom Lodge with dinner at Boma.

Day 3 - (F 9) - Magic Kingdom with lunch at Pecos Bill. We'll have dinner at Cape May Cafe with spending a little time on The Boardwalk.

Day 4 - (Sa 10) - Magic Kingdom with lunch at Cosmic Rays. We'll be spending the evening in Epcot with dinner at Les Chefs de France and seeing IllumiNations.

Day 5 - (Su 11) - Rest Day with lunch at Everything Pop. We'll be spending the evening in Downtown Disney with dinner at Raglan Road.

Day 6 - (M 12) - Epcot with lunch {hopefully!} at Le Cellier. We'll be spending the evening in Magic Kingdom with dinner at Main Street Bakery. We'll be sing the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes this night.

Day 7 - (Tu 13) - Hollywood Studios with lunch at Starring Rolls. We'll be spending our last evening in Magic Kingdom {I think} with dinner at Ohana.

Day 8 - (W 14) - Departure Day I have no idea what time our plane leaves. If its later then we'll be skipping MK the night before and doing MK this morning. If our plane is too early then we'll be doing MK the night before.

Your plans are looking good If you get a chance, check out the night vision goggles for viewing the animals (if it's dark) once your done at Boma. Also, they light the fire pit each night out back, you could relax for a while around that (before you head back to Pop) to unwind.

One suggestion I would make: You may want to think about adding another half a day at Epcot (it looks like you have 2 half days planned already). The park is huge and there really is a ton to do there! The first year we went I didn't think that we'd want to spend as much time there as we did because our kids were both young--1 and almost 4. We really ended up enjoying it a lot more than I thought we would!

 

[Smile4Me]

Looking on the bright side: we'll be spending about $700 less, it will be easier to plan only 8 days instead of 10 (right? ), and it will give us something to look forward to on our next trip (right? ). I know that we are still going to have an AMAZING time! How couldn't we?! We'll be in WDW for our very first time!!!!!!!!

Definitely! $700 goes a long way at home! You're going to have a blast! And it definitely gives you things to plan your next trip around!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Plans look great!!! Le Cellier is so GOOD! Fingers crossed you are able to get a reservation there!

While I haven't had dinner at Boma, the breakfast there was delish! So I am sure dinner will be just at tasty!

 

[L-Harper]

I got bored today while my husband was gone and my boys were sleeping. Now that I got a lot of advice on my itinerary and that DH gave me his opinions, I feel very confident in our plans.

I'll fill in our flight and ADR times once I know them. I plan on printing the park times and crowd calendar for the week on the back so we can take it with us to the parks each day. I'm also going to put a copy up on our dream board.

I got the idea from this awesome trip report!

 

[annmarieda]

Awww..

I second that!

Your plans are looking good If you get a chance, check out the night vision goggles for viewing the animals (if it's dark) once your done at Boma. Also, they light the fire pit each night out back, you could relax for a while around that (before you head back to Pop) to unwind.

One suggestion I would make: You may want to think about adding another half a day at Epcot (it looks like you have 2 half days planned already). The park is huge and there really is a ton to do there! The first year we went I didn't think that we'd want to spend as much time there as we did because our kids were both young--1 and almost 4. We really ended up enjoying it a lot more than I thought we would!

I second this as well. Epcot is one of our favorite parks. Lots to see in WS.. lots to eat. Yumm...

 

[photographymom517]

So, I think I have adjusted our itinerary. Please offer your advice, comments, and/or tips!

Day 1 - (W Sept. 7) - Arrival Day / Magic Kingdom in the evening with dinner at Chef Mickey's. We'll be seeing Wishes on our first night, too.

Day 2 - (Th 8) - Animal Kingdom with lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue. We'll be spending the evening checking out the Animal Kingdom Lodge with dinner at Boma.

Day 3 - (F 9) - Magic Kingdom with lunch at Pecos Bill. We'll have dinner at Cape May Cafe with spending a little time on The Boardwalk.

Day 4 - (Sa 10) - Magic Kingdom with lunch at Cosmic Rays. We'll be spending the evening in Epcot with dinner at Les Chefs de France and seeing IllumiNations.

Day 5 - (Su 11) - Rest Day with lunch at Everything Pop. We'll be spending the evening in Downtown Disney with dinner at Raglan Road.

Day 6 - (M 12) - Epcot with lunch {hopefully!} at Le Cellier. We'll be spending the evening in Magic Kingdom with dinner at Main Street Bakery. We'll be sing the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes this night.

Day 7 - (Tu 13) - Hollywood Studios with lunch at Starring Rolls. We'll be spending our last evening in Magic Kingdom {I think} with dinner at Ohana.

Day 8 - (W 14) - Departure Day I have no idea what time our plane leaves. If its later then we'll be skipping MK the night before and doing MK this morning. If our plane is too early then we'll be doing MK the night before.

Hi!!! Just found your PTR & subscribed!!! I have to go back to the beginning & read but your plans look great so far!!!

You are very lucky to have found the DIS before your 1st Disney trip!!! I wish that I would have! I've been to Disney 5 times and to Florida about 10 times...but I never even knew you could stay on Disney property or use their transportation until 2009 !!! I have learned soooo much from the wonderful people here on the boards!

Most of the restaurants on your list are first-timers for me this trip as well, so I can't really give you advice other than to say, they are highly recommended by other DIS-ers!!!

I will say that Starring Rolls Cafe at DHS is delish!!! Love it! They have the most amazing things there! Last trip I got the Chocolate Croissant but I think I'm going to listen to everyone's advice & get a giant cupcake this trip! Many people have recommended the Butterfinger cupcake to me & it is HUGE!

The Main Street Electrical Parade & Wishes are wonderful!!! We stood in front of Expo Hall for the parade & had a great view. We saw the parade as it first came down Main Street & turned the first corner...the only bad part was once the parade was over, everyone was trying to go the same way & it got crowded. Looking back, I probably would've tried to stand closer to the castle.

If you're going to be at the Poly at Ohana for dinner, you might want to talk a walk around the resort & then watch the Electrical Water Pageant. It circles the Seven Seas Lagoon and goes past the Poly around 9pm. I believe it is nightly, weather permitting (that's what I have in my notes anyway...lol). Here's the schedule I have written down: Poly 9pm, GF 9:15pm, WL 9:35pm, FW 9:45pm, Contemp 10:05 and I've heard there are great views of the pageant from the resort beaches!

I also wanted to tell you that I love your Planning Calendar!!! I hope you don't mind but I'm going to borrow the idea!