Piper's Practically Perfect PTR..Wish Trip! 3/2-8...Upd Pg 126- TR Link!! Hooray!

[pipersmom]

Congrats on getting your dates!! And when you wanted them-even better!!

Thank you, Mary...I was extremely psyched when she told me the dates..I swear poor Katie probably thinks I'm either crazy or higher than a kite whenever we talk because I'm so excited!

These are the best places to eat CS in MK, so your on the right track with CS's. Are you doing any other parks?

Evening, Camille.. Right now the plan is full day at MK, full day at Epcot, and split a day between AK & DHS or do a full day at AK and skip DHS. I'm more inclined to do the split day, just because this could be a one shot deal for us, but then you get into the whole debate of whether the quality time is better at one park rather than trying to rush through two! Bleh.


AK, my fav. place to eat is now a TS, so I guess the B.B.Q place is what we'll try next. EPCOT, hands down fav. place for the family is Sunshine Seasons's food court, good choices and best desserts there. I'm a more adventurous eater than my family so my actual favorite, favorite place is Tangierine Cafe in Morocco.
Since we didn't eat CS in Disney Hollywood Studios I can't help you here, sorry.

Sunshine Seasons has appealed to me since I started reading TRs, but I think we're going to end up doing a TS the day we're at Epcot, whether it be Askershus or somewhere else. I know she'd also like Teppan Edo a lot. The day we do AK I think we're going to do Rainforest..again, depending on whether we split that day, but there's nothing like it anywhere near us.

My most favorite places to eat for a sit down, were 1900 Park Fare-Breakfast and dinner (you could do a late breafast in place of lunch here too), and Boma's-dinner. I like having lots of choices, so incase it ends up being something I don't care for, I'm not stuck with a meal I don't like, I can get up and go get something else.

I'm so confuzzled right now with the dining thing it isn't even funny, but I'll get it figured out. Did you get the pm we sent for you and MacKenzie?

 

[yinyanggirls]

That's part of the reason I was trying to look more at lunches than dinners. I know I won't regret the planning when we get there, but I'm way boggled right now by the number of choices!

Lunches are also cheaper than dinner.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Im with you about being so overwhelmed with the dining. There's just so much. I think Im picking 1 ADR and the rest I have a list of the cheaper CS places at each park. Of course I still have to research those places but Im off to a good start. Im sure what ever you decide it's going to be wonderful. Like you said Piper sill eat almost anything.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hey Amanda. Sorry I haven't posted a lot lately- just not getting my quality time with my puter.

eandesmom was talking about Prime Time Cafe in DHS (PTC). Although I've not been there, it's supposed to be a lot of fun!!

One piece of advice:

Don't pick your places by food reviews. That is so subjective, and places can have good and bad days. Go by what theming or experience you are looking for and what you think you'll enjoy. Try things out for yourself, I guess I"m trying to say. Hoop de Doo was getting terrible food reviews, but we went and really were very pleasantly surprised by it, and the show was totally wonderful! If you want a fun time, try WCC, PTC or Teppan. If you want characters go with Chef Mickey's 1900 PF, Akershus, or Crystal Pal.

Don't let is confuzzle you! Whatever you end up picking is going to be great!

 

[pipersmom]

Lunches are also cheaper than dinner.

I may have noticed that too.. :

Hey Amanda. Sorry I haven't posted a lot lately- just not getting my quality time with my puter.

eandesmom was talking about Prime Time Cafe in DHS (PTC). Although I've not been there, it's supposed to be a lot of fun!!

One piece of advice:

Don't pick your places by food reviews. That is so subjective, and places can have good and bad days. Go by what theming or experience you are looking for and what you think you'll enjoy. Try things out for yourself, I guess I"m trying to say. Hoop de Doo was getting terrible food reviews, but we went and really were very pleasantly surprised by it, and the show was totally wonderful! If you want a fun time, try WCC, PTC or Teppan. If you want characters go with Chef Mickey's 1900 PF, Akershus, or Crystal Pal.

Don't let is confuzzle you! Whatever you end up picking is going to be great!

It's okay Liesa, you have a lot going on..what time is your son's gf and Mom getting in? I'm trying to not really consider the reviews too much. And there it is again..what is PTC?? I'll get over the confuzzlement sooner or later, I'm just one of those people that doesn't particularly enjoy having to choose things like restaurants, and I think that doesn't help!

 

[All7OfUs]

The Prime time Cafe is in DHS. The theming is all 50's and they have the waitstaff play "family members" who give you a "hard time" about hand washing, phones at the table, etc.... Lots of people think it's super fun, and love to play along. Lots of kidding around and all that.

Does that help?

 

[dawnbu40]

I'm not a fan of the Prime Time Cafe for children. They are too young to "get" the nostalgia and when we've been there they don't seem to be having as much fun as the grown-ups. When we were there last year our waiter tried to spoon feed my mom her greens, which Caitlin and I found hysterical, but the girls at the next table looked horrified!

 

[pipersmom]

The Prime time Cafe is in DHS. The theming is all 50's and they have the waitstaff play "family members" who give you a "hard time" about hand washing, phones at the table, etc.... Lots of people think it's super fun, and love to play along. Lots of kidding around and all that.

Does that help?

Sheesh, yes it does..I've seen it typed out a thousand times, for some reason the initials eluded me though!

I'm not a fan of the Prime Time Cafe for children. They are too young to "get" the nostalgia and when we've been there they don't seem to be having as much fun as the grown-ups. When we were there last year our waiter tried to spoon feed my mom her greens, which Caitlin and I found hysterical, but the girls at the next table looked horrified!

Right now DHS is a half-day with AK, and we will more than likely (90%) chance, grab lunch at Rainforest at AK before we leave. Piper prob wouldn't totally get the nostalgia, but she would love seeing a waitress giving me or Gram a hard time. She's more comfortable with adult interactions than ones with other kids simply due to circumstances (so much hospital time, not having siblings, etc.) so something like that would crack her up! Her homebound teacher (who is the school guidance counselor) was telling me last night how wonderfully communicative, socially mature Piper is, and when I said yes, and I hate it that she doesn't relate better to kids her age, the response was "It's not so much that she doesn't relate to them, it's more that they don't relate to the level she's on because of her life experiences." Which was one of those / moments..I would much rather she didn't have the life experiences she's had, but I know how much they've added to her personality, values, etc. Then the counselor started crying (she'd been asking about Piper's cough) which of course got me started..thank goodness Piper was in another room..LOL! I love it when someone is concerned enough to want to know more about Piper's health and health status overall (ie..how bad is her CF, what is the life expectancy) but I hate having to think about it!

 

[Millie12591]

I'm so confuzzled right now with the dining thing it isn't even funny, but I'll get it figured out. Did you get the pm we sent for you and MacKenzie?

Yes, yes we did! Thank you.
Mackenzie loved that Piper returned the hello.
I'm sorry your confused about the dining, is there anything we can do to help you sort it out. I know you do a lot of research....Do you think asking others will help you more? Let the good people on the boards help you if they can.

 

[pipersmom]

Unless Piper says something radically different when I ask her after Christmas..(only 7 days to go!!!) I'm going to offer her the choice of the following..

1. Akershus (sp..I know, I know.. ) Lunch with the Princesses
2. Teppan Edo
3. 1900 Park Fare
4. Chef Mickey's

What do you (and everyone else reading along) think?


I'm also definitely going to schedule lunch at Rainforest at AKL. Later on tonight I'm going to ask for help in my next update on something else I'm on..lol.

 

[MaryAz]

Unless Piper says something radically different when I ask her after Christmas..(only 7 days to go!!!) I'm going to offer her the choice of the following..

1. Akershus (sp..I know, I know.. ) Lunch with the Princesses
2. Teppan Edo
3. 1900 Park Fare
4. Chef Mickey's

What do you (and everyone else reading along) think?


I'm also definitely going to schedule lunch at Rainforest at AKL. Later on tonight I'm going to ask for help in my next update on something else I'm on..lol.

I would say to go ahead and schedule more than you think you may need. Since you have said you are not sure how Piper will feel on any given day I think having backups wpuld be a good idea. After reading about how Piper relates well to adults I would suggest 1900 PF. I have heard the Steps are hilarious and the buffet is yummy.

 

[jordanyosh]

I agree with Mary to overschedule rather than under schedule. You can always cancel.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I agree with Mary to overschedule rather than under schedule. You can always cancel.

I concur with Jordan's concurring.

 

[eandesmom]

Evening I've looked at Teppan Edo too..I think Piper would really like it, she's never been anywhere like that before. I wish Epcot didn't have so many good places to eat..or that we could do more than 1 day there. I know HDDR is Hoop Dee Doo, but what is PTC please? The other thing I'm trying to keep in mind is that there's a different party at GKTW each night..I know she won't want to miss the Christmas party, not sure about the others yet. That's part of the reason I was trying to look more at lunches than dinners. I know I won't regret the planning when we get there, but I'm way boggled right now by the number of choices!

I'm not a fan of the Prime Time Cafe for children. They are too young to "get" the nostalgia and when we've been there they don't seem to be having as much fun as the grown-ups. When we were there last year our waiter tried to spoon feed my mom her greens, which Caitlin and I found hysterical, but the girls at the next table looked horrified!

I think it depends on your childs age and personality, it's fabulous for some, mortifying for others. Ours picked on DSD12, and DS9 which was just a riot but it worked for us, and them.

Unless Piper says something radically different when I ask her after Christmas..(only 7 days to go!!!) I'm going to offer her the choice of the following..

1. Akershus (sp..I know, I know.. ) Lunch with the Princesses
2. Teppan Edo
3. 1900 Park Fare
4. Chef Mickey's

What do you (and everyone else reading along) think?


I'm also definitely going to schedule lunch at Rainforest at AKL. Later on tonight I'm going to ask for help in my next update on something else I'm on..lol.

I concur with Jordan's concurring.

Great choices and I quadruple concur with the overbooking

 

[pipersmom]

I would say to go ahead and schedule more than you think you may need. Since you have said you are not sure how Piper will feel on any given day I think having backups wpuld be a good idea. After reading about how Piper relates well to adults I would suggest 1900 PF. I have heard the Steps are hilarious and the buffet is yummy.

I agree with Mary to overschedule rather than under schedule. You can always cancel.

I concur with Jordan's concurring.

I think it depends on your childs age and personality, it's fabulous for some, mortifying for others. Ours picked on DSD12, and DS9 which was just a riot but it worked for us, and them.

Great choices and I quadruple concur with the overbooking

Thank you all for the advice, I did bear it in mind, as you'll see in the update I'm about to post!

 

[pipersmom]

ADRs are made! Yes, after reading over everyone’s advice (thank you, btw) and researching some, I have our ADRs all made and ready! Best of all, I was able to get the times I wanted within 15 minutes.

So here is how we stand right now:

On MK day- 1900 Park Fare @ 5:00pm
Chef Mickey;s @ 5:10pm

One of those will get cancelled, possibly both, that day, though right now I’m tempted to keep Park Fare even if she chooses another meal at Epcot..all I’ve heard about it are positives, and it really does sound like fun. Now..help please..Spectro starts at 7:00pm… does a 5:00 ADR leave time to get from CM or 1900 back to MK by 7 without being in a huge rush? If not, I’ll change the ressie to 4 or whenever you guys think would be better!

On Epcot day- Akershus @ 12:10
Teppan Edo @ 1:30

Akershus requires a credit card guarantee, so if she doesn't want to do that one, I will cancel it sooner rather than later so I don't forget about it and lose the $30.



On AK/DHS day (?)- Rainforest @ 1:15.


Now, here is the new dilemma…Bearing in mind this will probably be Piper’s only trip (as a child, anyway):

If you had a 3 day hopper, and knew you wanted a day each at MK & Epcot…

Would you split a day between AK & DHS?
Spend a whole day at AK?
Spend a whole day at DHS?

My conflict is the whole “quality time” vs. rushing situation. Is it better to rush to see part of both parks, or spend a whole day exploring one? I also don’t know if Piper will go for splitting them as there are things she wants to see at each, that being said, I could prob persuade her pretty easily to just do one or the other. My personal thought would be to do AK, simply because it is so different from the other parks in theming, and she’s never seen most of the animals since we don’t have a major zoo in the area. On the other hand, we’re also going on our cancelled DC trip at some point in the spring, and will go to the National Zoo. Though it wouldn’t be the same as the safari experience..she would see the same animals there, for the most part. Of course that doesn't take the shows into consideration.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Whew! Now I'm here! I love the planning part! I was going to suggest CS meals except for a special one - looks like that's what you're thinking, too. There are alot of healthy choices, and the prices are so much better.

If she chooses Askerhaus with the Princesses, you'll be at WS. Genie hangs out near Morocco by the water - I think there is a way to find out when he is scheduled. I have only seen Aladdin at MK. anyone? I think you'll find that MAW probably has connections to make special things happen!

My fav CS places:

MK - Cosmic Rays - variety of food, and fun entertainment if the "band" plays.
You can get the chicken/rib combo plate and it's enough food for 2 to share easily.
DHS - we always end up at ABC Commissary, but usually because we are a little disoriented there. I like the food, but most people don't. Jordan probably has better ideas here.
AK - I would definately do RFC! It is so fun, and the prices are pretty good, too. I haven't eaten CS there except at Yak and Yehti - horrible CS, but great TS!
Epcot - as someone else said, we love Sunshine Seasons!
2nd choice - Yakitori House in Japan!
We hated tangerine cafe - but most like it. I think I'm not a fan of Mid-eastern seasonings, and I can't do mushy texture meat.

Pick your park days by doing the day after EMH because everyone is there the night before. If you can be at RD, you can do all the "biggies" before anyone else gets there. You can get a GA pass, I'm sure, so Piper doesn't have to stand in long lines, and won't be exposed to as many people. We were there in March - still hot in the daytime - might need a light sweater at night.

So after you have your park days, choose your meals and then kind of plan where you'll be so you'll be close to your restaurant at lunch time. Saves steps. We are thinking about doing more CS next time because I hate planning every day around our ADRs.

Do you have a Passporter? Send me a PM! Can you tell I'm excited for you?

 

[pipersmom]

Whew! Now I'm here! I love the planning part! I was going to suggest CS meals except for a special one - looks like that's what you're thinking, too. There are alot of healthy choices, and the prices are so much better.

As much as I wish we had an unlimited budget and unlimited time, we don't. There's just too much to see for us to do a lot of TS meals, much less the $ involved.

If she chooses Askerhaus with the Princesses, you'll be at WS. Genie hangs out near Morocco by the water - I think there is a way to find out when he is scheduled. I have only seen Aladdin at MK. anyone? I think you'll find that MAW probably has connections to make special things happen!

My plan is to go to guest services as soon as we get into MK and ask if some sort of meeting could be arranged for her. My understanding is that most people who have tried calling ahead really didn't get anywhere, but once in the park, could make things happen.

My fav CS places:

MK - Cosmic Rays - variety of food, and fun entertainment if the "band" plays.
You can get the chicken/rib combo plate and it's enough food for 2 to share easily.
DHS - we always end up at ABC Commissary, but usually because we are a little disoriented there. I like the food, but most people don't. Jordan probably has better ideas here.
AK - I would definately do RFC! It is so fun, and the prices are pretty good, too. I haven't eaten CS there except at Yak and Yehti - horrible CS, but great TS!
Epcot - as someone else said, we love Sunshine Seasons!
2nd choice - Yakitori House in Japan!
We hated tangerine cafe - but most like it. I think I'm not a fan of Mid-eastern seasonings, and I can't do mushy texture meat.

Pick your park days by doing the day after EMH because everyone is there the night before. If you can be at RD, you can do all the "biggies" before anyone else gets there. You can get a GA pass, I'm sure, so Piper doesn't have to stand in long lines, and won't be exposed to as many people. We were there in March - still hot in the daytime - might need a light sweater at night.

So after you have your park days, choose your meals and then kind of plan where you'll be so you'll be close to your restaurant at lunch time. Saves steps. We are thinking about doing more CS next time because I hate planning every day around our ADRs.

Do you have a Passporter? Send me a PM! Can you tell I'm excited for you?

I've planned so we're never in a park on an EMH day, but not much further than that. We also have to keep the parties in mind, but right now the only one that interferes is on Epcot day..I'll post more about that in a later update. Thank you for sharing my excitement..and Piper's once she knows the dates..

 

[brookelizabeth]

I came over from Jordan's report, and finally got caught up! Your daughter is just beautiful and I'm loving your PTR!

Your ADRs look really good - I like the idea of making two and letting Piper choose between them, very smart!

As far as the park dilemma...I think splitting a day between DHS/AK is very doable, but you would miss things in both. I would be more apt to say a child will enjoy AK more than DHS, UNLESS she is really into Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast since DHS has those shows. AK has Nemo and Lion King plus tons of very cool animals.

Although, she said she was eager to ride Space Mountain, so perhaps she would enjoy the thrill ride collection at DHS - Rockin' Roller Coaster, ToT, and Star Tours.

AK has EE and Primeval Hurl...Whirl....

Ugh, I'm no help!

Sorry.

 

[jordanyosh]

I came over from Jordan's report, and finally got caught up! Your daughter is just beautiful and I'm loving your PTR!

Your ADRs look really good - I like the idea of making two and letting Piper choose between them, very smart!

As far as the park dilemma...I think splitting a day between DHS/AK is very doable, but you would miss things in both. I would be more apt to say a child will enjoy AK more than DHS, UNLESS she is really into Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast since DHS has those shows. AK has Nemo and Lion King plus tons of very cool animals.

Although, she said she was eager to ride Space Mountain, so perhaps she would enjoy the thrill ride collection at DHS - Rockin' Roller Coaster, ToT, and Star Tours.

AK has EE and Primeval Hurl...Whirl....

Ugh, I'm no help!

Sorry.

I'm right there with you brook.

It would be hard for me to say just do one and not the other. Splitting parks would have you missing stuff in each....Hmmm.....I say to split time.