Mariep26
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 12, 2011
- Messages
- 733
I am excited to write my first PTR. I dont know what makes a good PTR or TR but I guess I will figure it out as I go. Since I am new to Disboards I will start with some introductions.
My name is Marie. I am the obsessive Disney planner in the family. I had been to Disney when I was a child many times and then I went once in high school. Once I had kids, I was so excited to get us all to Disney. In 2010 I went to the IBM conference at the Swan and Dolphin and I knew we had to get the kids down to Disney nice and early so that we could properly foster the Disney obsession.
I work full time for a company that makes safety systems for industrial automation (chemical, gas, etc..) platforms and nuclear power plants. DH is a fine finish carpenter but he gave that up in 2009 to become a stay at home Dad to our son. Fourteen months and one day later we welcomed our daughter to the family. DH also has a son who turned 8 this year. We live in Massachusetts but I travel a decent amount for my job most of the time to California or to Europe. I am always on the lookout for conferences that are applicable to my job that are being held in Orlando.
My mom knew that I was excited to get the kids to Disney and she said that she wanted to come on a trip with us. She has to put in for time way in advance so we decided that we would do a weeklong trip in December 2012. I was left on my own to plan that trip. I started planning it at the very end of 2011 while I was off work for the Christmas holiday. As I started digging around in my various airline and hotel accounts, I realized that I had enough miles to buy 3 roundtrip tickets to Orlando. So of course the wheels started turning right then and there
I ended up booking 5days/4nights at All Star Movies in a Preferred Room (hoped for Toy Story and got it) for March 26-30. DH, DS, DD and myself went and had an awesome first trip. We ate at a few character breakfasts (Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and Hollywood and Vine) and other than that we did CS. We didnt really have a schedule and the weather was gorgeous so we were able to start early, tour all morning and then go back to the hotel around lunch to eat and hit the pool. It was a great trip and while we only saw a small portion of what was available, we were able to point out attractions/restaurants/rides that we wanted to do next time.
Upon returning home from our March trip, we finalized our December trip for December 8-15th and decided to stay at a family suite in AoA specifically we wanted a Cars suite because my kids love Tow Mater and Lighting McQueen. So the cast was me, DH, DS4, DD3 and my Mom. We booked the room with tickets (PH) and the Dining Plan Plus (1 CS, 1TS and 1 snack per day). I started my planning spreadsheet and was ready to book ADRs at the 180 day mark. I was actually in California on my 180 day mark so I got to get up extra early and call for Fantasmic and everything else I wanted/needed.
So July rolled around and we were ready to go ahhh.. I had planned and now I could sit back and count the days.
NOT SO FAST .
August rolls around and one of my good friends, who lives in Maine, and I start chatting over email making plans for us to head up and see them on Labor Day weekend. She mentions that they have Disney booked for early November so I said Bummer, we are booked in early December the rest is kind of history. They looked at our reservation and rebooked and then I became the official cruise director for this party of 9. Of course, upon realizing that we had four kids on the trip, we decided that my step son would probably much rather go in December than in February when we had originally planned to take him. So my party of 5 grew to a party of 10!!
I managed to rebook all my ADRs and added the BB Boutique for the girls.
Here is the rough schedule for our trip with ADRs and general idea of what parks we will hit on what days:
Saturday 6 of us arrive at 10am and the remaining 4 arrive at MCO at noon. Everyone will be taking ME to AoA. Party of 6 is in a Cars Suite and the party of 4 is in a Little Mermaid room. We will get settled and make sure we get our stroller and grocery delivery. Head over to Epcot for a 4:30 ADR at Teppan Edo to celebrate DHs 41st birthday!
Sunday 8:20a ADR at Hollywood and Vine and then hit some rides at DHS. The boys and girls will split up after lunch and the girls will be headed to BB Boutique at 3:20p (in MK) and then everyone will meet back up in Epcot for Akershus Dinner at Epcot at 5:05p. Possibly will try to see Illuminations that night but we have another back up night in case of weather or we are just too tired.
Monday - 8:15a ADR at Tusker House and then we will check out Animal Kingdom. Most likely will hit CS lunch at Flametree BBQ or Pizzafari. Dinner is open and the adults are hoping to leave most of the kiddos with my mom at the hotel and head off to ESPN at the Boardwalk to see the Monday night NFL game Patriots are playing!
Tuesday All morning and day is open and we will mostly likely head to MK but have a relaxing day as we have the MVMCP at 7 that evening! No ADRs today we will eat at the hotel or maybe head to DTD.
Wednesday I assumed that we will sleep in after the MVMCP and I didnt schedule anything for Wednesday morning and we dont have to be anywhere until 7pm for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Café.
Thursday Nothing in the morning until a 12:05 Mama Melrose ADR (Fantasmic Package) and Fantasmic at 6:30. Hoping to hit the Osbourne Family Lights after Fantasmic.
Friday Open day until we hit Epcot for Coral Reef ADR at 3:30p (CP package) and then to Candlelight Processional at 6:45. This will be the other night for us to possibly see Illuminations.
Saturday Post Disney Depression starts to set in as we prepare to check out. Party of 4 leaves around 3 and party of 6 leaves at 7pm. This day is clear for packing, last minute shopping and using all our snack credits!
I have offered to provide live updates on dining from our trip so hopefully folks will join in on this thread or the live thread to see how the trip progresses.
My name is Marie. I am the obsessive Disney planner in the family. I had been to Disney when I was a child many times and then I went once in high school. Once I had kids, I was so excited to get us all to Disney. In 2010 I went to the IBM conference at the Swan and Dolphin and I knew we had to get the kids down to Disney nice and early so that we could properly foster the Disney obsession.
I work full time for a company that makes safety systems for industrial automation (chemical, gas, etc..) platforms and nuclear power plants. DH is a fine finish carpenter but he gave that up in 2009 to become a stay at home Dad to our son. Fourteen months and one day later we welcomed our daughter to the family. DH also has a son who turned 8 this year. We live in Massachusetts but I travel a decent amount for my job most of the time to California or to Europe. I am always on the lookout for conferences that are applicable to my job that are being held in Orlando. My mom knew that I was excited to get the kids to Disney and she said that she wanted to come on a trip with us. She has to put in for time way in advance so we decided that we would do a weeklong trip in December 2012. I was left on my own to plan that trip. I started planning it at the very end of 2011 while I was off work for the Christmas holiday. As I started digging around in my various airline and hotel accounts, I realized that I had enough miles to buy 3 roundtrip tickets to Orlando. So of course the wheels started turning right then and there
I ended up booking 5days/4nights at All Star Movies in a Preferred Room (hoped for Toy Story and got it) for March 26-30. DH, DS, DD and myself went and had an awesome first trip. We ate at a few character breakfasts (Tusker House, Crystal Palace, and Hollywood and Vine) and other than that we did CS. We didnt really have a schedule and the weather was gorgeous so we were able to start early, tour all morning and then go back to the hotel around lunch to eat and hit the pool. It was a great trip and while we only saw a small portion of what was available, we were able to point out attractions/restaurants/rides that we wanted to do next time.
Upon returning home from our March trip, we finalized our December trip for December 8-15th and decided to stay at a family suite in AoA specifically we wanted a Cars suite because my kids love Tow Mater and Lighting McQueen. So the cast was me, DH, DS4, DD3 and my Mom. We booked the room with tickets (PH) and the Dining Plan Plus (1 CS, 1TS and 1 snack per day). I started my planning spreadsheet and was ready to book ADRs at the 180 day mark. I was actually in California on my 180 day mark so I got to get up extra early and call for Fantasmic and everything else I wanted/needed.
So July rolled around and we were ready to go ahhh.. I had planned and now I could sit back and count the days.
NOT SO FAST .
August rolls around and one of my good friends, who lives in Maine, and I start chatting over email making plans for us to head up and see them on Labor Day weekend. She mentions that they have Disney booked for early November so I said Bummer, we are booked in early December the rest is kind of history. They looked at our reservation and rebooked and then I became the official cruise director for this party of 9. Of course, upon realizing that we had four kids on the trip, we decided that my step son would probably much rather go in December than in February when we had originally planned to take him. So my party of 5 grew to a party of 10!!
I managed to rebook all my ADRs and added the BB Boutique for the girls.
Here is the rough schedule for our trip with ADRs and general idea of what parks we will hit on what days:
Saturday 6 of us arrive at 10am and the remaining 4 arrive at MCO at noon. Everyone will be taking ME to AoA. Party of 6 is in a Cars Suite and the party of 4 is in a Little Mermaid room. We will get settled and make sure we get our stroller and grocery delivery. Head over to Epcot for a 4:30 ADR at Teppan Edo to celebrate DHs 41st birthday!
Sunday 8:20a ADR at Hollywood and Vine and then hit some rides at DHS. The boys and girls will split up after lunch and the girls will be headed to BB Boutique at 3:20p (in MK) and then everyone will meet back up in Epcot for Akershus Dinner at Epcot at 5:05p. Possibly will try to see Illuminations that night but we have another back up night in case of weather or we are just too tired.
Monday - 8:15a ADR at Tusker House and then we will check out Animal Kingdom. Most likely will hit CS lunch at Flametree BBQ or Pizzafari. Dinner is open and the adults are hoping to leave most of the kiddos with my mom at the hotel and head off to ESPN at the Boardwalk to see the Monday night NFL game Patriots are playing!
Tuesday All morning and day is open and we will mostly likely head to MK but have a relaxing day as we have the MVMCP at 7 that evening! No ADRs today we will eat at the hotel or maybe head to DTD.
Wednesday I assumed that we will sleep in after the MVMCP and I didnt schedule anything for Wednesday morning and we dont have to be anywhere until 7pm for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Café.
Thursday Nothing in the morning until a 12:05 Mama Melrose ADR (Fantasmic Package) and Fantasmic at 6:30. Hoping to hit the Osbourne Family Lights after Fantasmic.
Friday Open day until we hit Epcot for Coral Reef ADR at 3:30p (CP package) and then to Candlelight Processional at 6:45. This will be the other night for us to possibly see Illuminations.
Saturday Post Disney Depression starts to set in as we prepare to check out. Party of 4 leaves around 3 and party of 6 leaves at 7pm. This day is clear for packing, last minute shopping and using all our snack credits!
I have offered to provide live updates on dining from our trip so hopefully folks will join in on this thread or the live thread to see how the trip progresses.
