Our first pre-trippie... and we've been 7 times!!

[jasmine91]

We leave for our 8th trip to the World Saturday morning and we just can't wait! We have never done a trip report before, but I told my DH that this time, I am really going to do it!
So, here is the cast!

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We'll start with me. My name is Jessica and I am 26 years old. (I will turn 27 on June 10th at the world!) I am a 6th grade teacher and actually just finished my last day today! I absolutely love my job, so much so, that I do not really consider a job! I am very lucky for that! I have been to Disneyworld 9 times, 7 of which have been with my husband of 5 years.

Next is my DH, A.J., yes he is the one with me in the picture He is 30, I know.... he looks younger than me (so jealous!). He is an analyst for a healthcare company and has a side job as a drummer in a cover band. He has been to WDW 9 times also and is just as big of a fan as I am! There is something about planning a WDW trip that is just so much fun!

We love to travel, we have been all over! But, of all the places we have been and even the places we will visit in the future, Disneyworld will most likely be our favorite! This was the first trip we took together as a couple and for that reason, each time we visit, we fall in love all over again

Our trip is June 4th - 11th and we are staying at AKL. We opted out of free dining because we booked our room through renting DVC points which ended up being a much better deal than the free dining. We usually stay at the moderates; we especially love Coronado Springs! But, this time we get to experience a deluxe room with a Savannah view!

This trip is a little more special than the others because we are celebrating my birthday, our 5th anniversary, and hopefully our last trip without kiddos! Who knows, though! You never can plan that kind of thing! However, we are treating this trip like it is our last as a couple without kids and are planning on making the most of it!

 

[jasmine91]

Get this!!! We will be staying for 7 nights and 8 days and DH wants to pack using only 2 carry-ons! I just don't think we can do it! I already have most of my clothes laid out, and with toilletries, etc.... there is just NO WAY! Since I am out of school now, I guess I will use to the day to keep arranging and re-arranging to try to make it work!

So, since we are not on the dining plan, we have a few less ADR's than we are used to. Here they are!

Sunday - Boma Breakfast
Monday - Ohana Dinner
Tuesday - HOB
Friday - Crystal Palace Breakfast

We always do Ohana once each trip because it is DH's favorite, and we have done HOB once before a very long time ago, but the others are new for breakfast! Since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and my b-day is on Friday, I conviced DH to book two

Does anyone have any reviews on these restaurants, including HOB? We don't remember it being too great, but since we aren't on the dining plan we needed to find a less expensive place in DTD and that one seemed to fit the bill!

 

[Disney DieHard]

Hello Jessica! First, let me wish you a very happy birthday and congratulations on being married for 5 years (You two make a cute couple) ... here's to MANY MANY more happy years together!!!

Now, if your hubby's favorite restaurant is Ohana then I KNOW you found a man with EXCELLENT taste ... because it's my favorite too ... and I'm sure he knows all about it so I will skip my long rant about what you get how great it is! (Unless you really want it )

Crystal Palace is in my Top 3 Disney breakfasts. The buffet is large and has the bonus of a chef in the center making custom pancakes and omelets! And of course, as you dine, you have Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore walking around.

We have done Boma for breakfast and it was okay but we really didn't care for it. But, there are people who RAVE about it ... it all comes down to personal preference but there wasn't something specific I can point to and say that's where they screwed up ... just a general feeling, you know?

I'm sorry ... we have not visited the H.O.B. so I have no opinion to offer on that. However, I'm not sure if you've been to either one before but, I recommend RainForest Cafe and T-Rex which I'm sure you all ready know is right inside the Disney Market Place. I'm not exactly sure what your definition of expensive is but it's more expensive than if you were to go to a place like Perkins but not as expensive as a visit to Ohana!

I hope I helped in some small way! If you have any other questions that I may be able to help you with PLEASE feel free to ask!

Take Care & Be Safe!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[dngrmys]

Frank,

This is A.J. here. Thanks for all the restaurant reviews. I don't think it was mentioned, but we have one of the $25 Restaurant.com gift certificates for HOB, so I think that's why we're referring to it as less expensive. T-Rex was on our short list, but we ultimately decided on HOB and I hope we don't regret it.

 

[Disney DieHard]

Hey A.J.! No problem on the reviews ... always happy to help out when I can. Listen, I'm sure you'll enjoy the H.O.B. and even if you don't look at it in the aspect that you didn't pay full boat for it and you can cross it off your list for the next vacation.

Take Care & Be Safe!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[dngrmys]

Oh, and I forgot to ask...

You mentioned that Crystal Palace was in your top three breakfast spots; we have to know the other two.

 

[Disney DieHard]

Hey again A.J. & Jess!

The other two restaurants that make up my Top 3 Breakfast choices are Akershus in Norway in Epcot and Cape May Cafe at The Beach Club at the Yacht & Beach Club.

Both are character breakfasts.

Cape May Cafe has Minnie, Goofy, & Donald walking around and is a buffet style breakfast very similar to Crystal Palace with the exception that they do not have a center section with a chef making custom pancakes and omelets. BUT, the real attraction for me is the low key, MUCH quieter dining experience! If either of you have eaten at Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey you know that the volume is turned way up but at Cape May it is much more relaxed and laid back and it is noticeably quieter which is nice considering it is early in the morning.

Akershus stars the Disney Princesses and is a home-style buffet meaning that they will slam down a nice big pan full of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and breakfast potatoes ... there is also a cold buffet that you can go up to and get fresh fruit, bagels, pastries, etc. When you first enter the restaurant you are led to a room where a Princess is waiting for you, usually Belle, and they take your picture. The cost of the picture is INCLUDED in the price of the meal.

Hope that helps a little bit with your planning! If you guys have ANY questions on anything feel free to contact me!

Take Care & Be Safe!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[jasmine91]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have always wanted to try Akershus, mainly for the Princesses, but we haven't heard much about it. Now that you mention it being one of your favorites we may have to try it on one of our next trips!

 

[jasmine91]

I can't wait until tomorrow! My plans are to wake up early, clean the house, go shopping for last minute items, finish up packing and then disboard all afternoon! So much fun!

So, this time around I have a few new things on the list that I want to make sure we do.

1. Find a cool place to take a picture - and then each visit take another picture at that same spot. We read about someone doing this and thought it was so cool! I can't believe we did not think of it before!

2. I really want to try the new Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant. This place is never open when we go, and now that menu has changed and they have a lobster roll... I must get one!

3. I also want to try the greygoose slushie from France. I am not a big drinker, simply because I do not like the taste of alcohol, but I have heard they are delicious!

4. The past few times we have been to Disney we have done short 4-5 day trips and had to leave out some attractions that often get overlooked when you are short on time such as, Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents. I am looking foward to doing these again.

5. AND.... I must get a picture with some Disney Princesses! I can never seem to find them! We have had our picture taken with so many characters, but the only Princess we have found was Jasmine.... and while I love her, I would love a picture with the others too! Is there a certain place they hang out? We found Jasmine and Aladdin by accident near the Dole Whip stand one year.

6. My husband's must-do this trip is to be at DHS at night. We usually do this park early to get fast passes to all of the cool rides. But, he loves how it is lit up at night, so we are planning for it this trip.

There is so much more we plan on doing, but those are some things that are out of the norm that we are looking foward to!

 

[jasmine91]

Alrighty..... the time is almost here! We will be waking up in about 6 hours at 4:30 a.m. to catch a 6:50 flight from DFW to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!

We have had this trip booked since December and it is finally here! It seems like it has taken forever, yet the anticipation is so much fun! I can't wait to write our trip report and dining reviews when we return!!!

We're off to bed (yeah right - who can sleep with this excitement)... and then, off to see Mickey