Our Rockin' Trip to the World~February TR! UPDATE 5/15 ~ LINK TO PTR!!!!!!

[All7OfUs]

I think (we'll all be full of opinions now) that you learned some super helpful things for future trips. But they may morph and change as your family does. Good job at gauging your dynamics and the reactions that were going on. THat's the most valuable one, I think. That way you can adjust as you go.

I have to TA with Cynthia, one TS meal per day is just enough. More than that is just too much for me.



Great wrap up, Tina! Again, thanks for all your hard work on this!! Loved it!

 

[KatMark]

I have NO idea how I missed all these updates. Sorry you gave up California Grill for Biergarten. We've never done Cali Grill, but were extremely disappointed with Biergarten the last time and don't think we'll be going back any time soon.

Glad you enjoyed the soup at LeCellier. LeCellier remains one of our favorite restaurants (I always get the filet and have never found it too salty (perhaps an off night?).

I think your list of what to do/not to next trip is a great one. And you did just fine on this TR (and your PTR) and they were not too long (I've seen some a whole lot longer than yours).

 

[Moira222]

You have been on a writing bender! sheesh ... I didn't realize you had so manu updates these last few days!

The HISTK play area was a blast and not too many people were there when we were, either, so that was a plus. I think Max prefers things that he has control of, honestly.

Well...I may or may not have already made a decision...but I'm going to hold off on saying anything until I start my PTR.

FWIW I love the play areas scattered around Disney World and I do think that HIST is the most fun. We will see what Katie thinks this year -- she is more of a daredevil so i can see her spending a long time "up high" climbing around.

You will simply have to close your eyes, imagine Mark in a few more Charlie Sheen shirts and a few more slightly blurry pics of Max’s back...and, well....you get the idea.

lol you will see pics of Joe in Charlie Sheen shirts and Tom Selleck as Magnum

We got very lucky at the Biergarten and were seated rather quickly. I cannot say that I am in love with the food here; it was OK. I have a basic problem with buffets in that I seem to always end up eating a whole bunch of mixed up foods that don’t necessarily go together. That said, I love their herring...I know that makes me weird, but what can I say?
The other bonus of buffets is that they are pretty great when you have a small child with you. The food is immediate and he can pick whatever he wants and Disney is good about providing decent choices for the kiddos, including plenty of fruit.

I honestly cannot remember what we had (other than the aforementioned herring), but I do remember that we had a wonderful time. At one point, we all got up and danced and it was just great. You cannot beat the Biergarten for atmosphere, I’ll tell ya!

After dinner, I was desperate to make it for Illuminations, but Max did not share my feelings and neither Mark nor my mom were willing to push it with him. Really, I probably should have sent Mark and Max back to the hotel and stayed with my mom, but she was tired, too. I had to console myself with yet another trip to the German candy store, or as I like to call it: the best thing to happen to EPCOT in a long time! Truly, the place is incredible. We got some caramel corn and I got a rice krispie treat that had been dipped in chocolate and caramel. Heavenly.

And so my mom's birthday celebration did not turn out exactly the way I had envisioned, but we had a good time and I feel pretty confident that I made the right call in cancelling Cali Grill. We'll get back there someday, I'm sure.

Treats in hand, we made our way back to the buses and onward to our home away from home.[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

I am so looking forward to the Biergarten again. We just have such great memories ...the food is good but hands down the atmosphere wins. Its so great to be able to share you meal with new Disney Friends, and the music is great! ticky tacky ticky tacky oy oy oy!

Due to a lack of both photos and notes, I think I’m going to have start wrapping this TR up. At least now I know what to do to write a much better TR next time. I also think we’re going to take our laptop on our next trip and while I highly doubt I’ll pay for wireless and do live updates, it will mean that I will take much better notes! So, there’s that to look forward to.[/blue]

taking notes on the computer is a good idea, thanks for the heads up!!

We were among the first parties seated and the staff sang a rousing round of O Canada for us before we were seated. The atmosphere here is indeed lovely, even enchanted, what with the almost secret location down the primrose path.

I was disappointed that dinner is now 2 TS. having those great surprise meals in the DP was like finding hidden mickeys. oh well! [/QUOTE]

WRAP UP

I have been anxiously waiting to get to the final thoughts section of this TR, because I feel that I’ve learned quite a bit about travelling with a little kid.

Herewith, my list, in no particular order:

1. Don’t be disappointed if your child isn’t as excited about things as you would have thought they would be. I think Max really was overwhelmed for a fair amount of the trip and was just taking things in.

2. As a corollary to point one: while taking your child’s needs into consideration is wise, asking questions and giving them too many options is not. I really wish we hadn’t done that so much and instead explained that we were going to do really fun ______________________( fill in the blank with an appropriate attraction). As parents, we know our children and recognize the signs that they’re really tired or hungry.

3. My second corollary to the two points above: don’t constantly point things out to your child. We did this with Max a lot, in an effort for him not to miss anything, when we probably should have let him take it all in at his own pace.

4. Don’t book three early morning character meals in a row (ESPECIALLY when one of you has gone to evening EMHs at MK till 3 a.m.). It is a recipe for exhaustion! This also might have made the breakfasts feel a bit less special for Max, too.

5. Be prepared with small snacks...duh. And yet I failed to do this. Why, I am not sure. I know that Max enjoys munching on small things throughout the day, yet I somehow thought we’d magically stop for snacks along the way whenever we wanted. Thanks to Mickeynicki and Tom and Karin’s generous gift bags, Max had a few snacks!

6. We will not be doing the dining plan again any time soon. I can completely see how it makes sense if you want to try every signature on property (and are travelling with adults) or if you have teenagers with big appetites. For us, it just really did not work this trip. We cancelled so many ADRs and did not use our meal credits very wisely. I also did not enjoy feeling like I was locked into a set schedule. I made ADRs for early in the evening, only to get to Disney and find out that Max wanted to spend his afternoons poolside and only napped after four p.m., when he napped at all. I’m looking forward to having complete flexibility with my schedule and dining options. I’m also looking forward to trying out counter service places that I had not considered, as we were on the deluxe dining plan.

7. Finally, while at Disney, its always wise to take a moment and stop and take it all in! It really is a feast for all of your senses in a way that no place else in the world is. Which is what will keep me going back again and again again...

Thank you all so much for accompanying me on this journey. Many of you followed my way too long PTR, too, and I appreciate it so much. And so....I’m starting a new one! Link to follow.

I have really enjoyed your TR Tina and especially these last few tips. 2 years make a big difference in attitude and interest when the kiddos are young so I am looking forward to seeing how Katie takes in WDW this time. Pacing myself and letting her see and figure things out is a challenge for me that I am working on, so thanks for the reminder. I may have to put a rubber band on my wrist to remind me!! Also snacking - I think I'll throw her fruit bars (sorta like fruit roll ups) in the suitcase along with some of her piles of easter candy. DH and I are not big into snacking but I need to remember that all that walking takes a lot out of a kid!

Be sure to post here, or put it in your signature, when you start your new PTR!! Thanks for taking us on your trip with you

 

[that's nice]

Tina--- Great report!!!! I didn't comment on your last couple posts but I have read them.

I usually plan one sit down meal a day, it is nice to be able to just relax for an hour and recharge... I guess I have done 2 a few times too.. like a breakfast and dinner. What kind of tickets are you planning on getting? If 1 of you gets an AP you can buy the Tables in Wonderland card for $75 and get 20% off most table service restaurants and even some QS too.

On our first trip we made 0, none, ziltch, ADRs. We didn't know you had to make them ahead of time. We were able to get into Chef Mickey's and a couple other places. I know how hard it is to plan your days around ADRs months in advance, but we all understand.

I'm looking forward to your PTR for your next trip!

Keep in mind, you can't see everything in Disney in 1 trip... or 2 or 3 for that matter. Sometimes it is nice to sit down and just take it all in. I have to remind myself to do this every trip.

I think your list of what to do/not to next trip is a great one. And you did just fine on this TR (and your PTR) and they were not too long (I've seen some a whole lot longer than yours).

So.... who are you talking about?

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and looking at your pictures. I need to keep your final thoughts in mind when we go in September.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Great trip report!! It sounds like you guys learned a ton for your next vacation (which I'm rooting for BC if you haven't already picked ).

Thanks for listing all the final thoughts! I'm definitely going to take those into consideration when we take Emma in a few years! DH and I will have to readjust our Disney mindset when we take her (not so much commando, eh?).

Can't wait to read your new PTR!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Nice list of learnings Tina. Thanks for writing this TR, I enjoyed following your adventures!

Thank you!

I agree with you thoughts on the dining plan working for adults and not so much with little kids.

I think you made great use of your time at WDW, you got in a lot of fun times in the parks and did accomplish a great list of attractions/rides plus got in some good meals and you got in a lot of fun time in the pool and time around the resort. Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us, I had a fun time reading along and I'm so jealous you get to go back again so soon.

Can't wait to read your next PTR.

Thank you! I can't wait to start it...maybe tonight!

I think (we'll all be full of opinions now) that you learned some super helpful things for future trips. But they may morph and change as your family does. Good job at gauging your dynamics and the reactions that were going on. THat's the most valuable one, I think. That way you can adjust as you go.

I have to TA with Cynthia, one TS meal per day is just enough. More than that is just too much for me.



Great wrap up, Tina! Again, thanks for all your hard work on this!! Loved it!

Thank you, Liesa. It was a magical trip! And, yup, I'm not officially in the one TS meal per day camp.

I have NO idea how I missed all these updates. Sorry you gave up California Grill for Biergarten. We've never done Cali Grill, but were extremely disappointed with Biergarten the last time and don't think we'll be going back any time soon.

Glad you enjoyed the soup at LeCellier. LeCellier remains one of our favorite restaurants (I always get the filet and have never found it too salty (perhaps an off night?).

I think your list of what to do/not to next trip is a great one. And you did just fine on this TR (and your PTR) and they were not too long (I've seen some a whole lot longer than yours).

It was a wonderful trip...not to mention one of the most truly wonderful things: meeting Nicki and Todd and Karin and Tom. So incredible!

You have been on a writing bender! sheesh ... I didn't realize you had so manu updates these last few days!



FWIW I love the play areas scattered around Disney World and I do think that HIST is the most fun. We will see what Katie thinks this year -- she is more of a daredevil so i can see her spending a long time "up high" climbing around.

lol you will see pics of Joe in Charlie Sheen shirts and Tom Selleck as Magnum



I am so looking forward to the Biergarten again. We just have such great memories ...the food is good but hands down the atmosphere wins. Its so great to be able to share you meal with new Disney Friends, and the music is great! ticky tacky ticky tacky oy oy oy!

taking notes on the computer is a good idea, thanks for the heads up!!

I was disappointed that dinner is now 2 TS. having those great surprise meals in the DP was like finding hidden mickeys. oh well! [/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

Thank you! It was fun writing it...it will be even more fun to write one if I have pictures for the whole things and at least a few notes!

I have really enjoyed your TR Tina and especially these last few tips. 2 years make a big difference in attitude and interest when the kiddos are young so I am looking forward to seeing how Katie takes in WDW this time. Pacing myself and letting her see and figure things out is a challenge for me that I am working on, so thanks for the reminder. I may have to put a rubber band on my wrist to remind me!! Also snacking - I think I'll throw her fruit bars (sorta like fruit roll ups) in the suitcase along with some of her piles of easter candy. DH and I are not big into snacking but I need to remember that all that walking takes a lot out of a kid!

Be sure to post here, or put it in your signature, when you start your new PTR!! Thanks for taking us on your trip with you[/QUOTE]

Thank you!

Tina--- Great report!!!! I didn't comment on your last couple posts but I have read them.

I usually plan one sit down meal a day, it is nice to be able to just relax for an hour and recharge... I guess I have done 2 a few times too.. like a breakfast and dinner. What kind of tickets are you planning on getting? If 1 of you gets an AP you can buy the Tables in Wonderland card for $75 and get 20% off most table service restaurants and even some QS too.

On our first trip we made 0, none, ziltch, ADRs. We didn't know you had to make them ahead of time. We were able to get into Chef Mickey's and a couple other places. I know how hard it is to plan your days around ADRs months in advance, but we all understand.

I'm looking forward to your PTR for your next trip!

Keep in mind, you can't see everything in Disney in 1 trip... or 2 or 3 for that matter. Sometimes it is nice to sit down and just take it all in. I have to remind myself to do this every trip.












So.... who are you talking about?

Thank you, Tim. It was fun to write it. I keep trying to figure if buying an AP makes sense...of course I'm kicking myself now because it totally would have if I knew I was coming back again in July! I'd love to think we'll go back in February 2012, but with gas prices and Disney offering fewer and fewer discounts...who knows?

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and looking at your pictures. I need to keep your final thoughts in mind when we go in September.

Thank you!

Great trip report!! It sounds like you guys learned a ton for your next vacation (which I'm rooting for BC if you haven't already picked ).

Thanks for listing all the final thoughts! I'm definitely going to take those into consideration when we take Emma in a few years! DH and I will have to readjust our Disney mindset when we take her (not so much commando, eh?).

Can't wait to read your new PTR!!!

We didn't choose the commando route, but then Mark and I didn't do that on our anniversary trip, when we were alone. I really enjoy the resort almost as much as the parks and enjoy heading back in the afternoons.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

So sad it's over.

Can't wait to hear about your next trip though.

 

[pinkxray]

I really enjoyed following you guys on your trip.

I am determined not to point everything out to Caitlin this time. It is so hard not to though. This time I am going to go at her pace and let her see whatever it is that she wants to see.

I can't wait to hear where you are going to stay next time. I think it will be BC just b/c you really seemed to enjoy all the time you spent at the CSR pool.

I will most likely have to catch up with your pre trip report when I get back, but I have a good excuse

 

[dizneeat]

It's already over???????????

Thanks for doing such a wonderful report! It felt like I was there with you








...........





hm, oh, I WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for your PTR to start!

 

[tinacaplan]

So sad it's over.

Can't wait to hear about your next trip though.

Aww...thanks! I keep saying I'll start my PTR today and then it becomes tomorrow...

I really enjoyed following you guys on your trip.

I am determined not to point everything out to Caitlin this time. It is so hard not to though. This time I am going to go at her pace and let her see whatever it is that she wants to see.

I can't wait to hear where you are going to stay next time. I think it will be BC just b/c you really seemed to enjoy all the time you spent at the CSR pool.

I will most likely have to catch up with your pre trip report when I get back, but I have a good excuse

As I write this.. sendin you some that your trip is off to a magical start!

It's already over???????????

Thanks for doing such a wonderful report! It felt like I was there with you








...........





hm, oh, I WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for your PTR to start!

Oh, that's right! Our next trip just won't be the same without you! Or any really big Dismeets, as far I'm aware. I have a small hope alive, somewhere in my heart, for February 2012...we'll see.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Aww...thanks! I keep saying I'll start my PTR today and then it becomes tomorrow...

HAHA don't worry. I DEFINITELY know what you mean. That's why I've basically decided that I'm not going to be able to do one for my trips this summer. I'm just too busy this time of year!

 

[tinacaplan]

Its here...I did it...the link for my all-singing, all dancing July PTR:

Summer and Serendipity: A July PTR

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Yayy! You started it! Jumping on over there right now!