ChefMickey123
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- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 321
This is my first post on the DIS and it will be my first visit to WDW in 15 years, to the day when I first went with my mother and 2 sisters (Dad had to work.)
There was a brief spin around Downtown Disney about 13 years ago with the grandparents, but we did only window shopping and went to Seaworld instead.
This trip is part solo trip, but mostly family reunion.
I have many relatives & friends who have relocated to Florida in the past 15 years, so I decided, that instead of spending half the week in the car (Florida is huge) and half my money on gas, bad fast food, and sleeping on assorted family sofa-beds, that I would stay with Walt Disney World and relatives and friends could come and see me.
The Cast is as follows:
Me, Myself and I: 32 man, Single, no kids, Chef (ChefMickey123) of a boutique resort by trade-musician for fun-and a bunch of small hobbies on the side. Lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Mom: Age withheld, woman, divorced and remarried, 3 grown kids from first marriage of which I am the oldest. Relocated to Naples, FL from NC 8 years ago, originally PA Native. Excellent seamstress, and florist. Now works retail selling fancy upholstery fabric to interior designers for rich people.
Grandmother, Maternal a.k.a.-Mammy: Age withheld, woman, married for 50 plus years to my Grandfather-3 grown kids, 3 grown grandkids, 4 more grandchildren who act 20 years older than they are sometimes. Relocated from PA to Leesburg, FL 16 years ago. Retired Admin. Assistant.
Grandfather, Maternal a.k.a.-Pappy-Age doesnt matter to him, man, married 50 plus years to Mammy, same stats as her. Retired Professional Photographer for a big steel company.
Aunt Barb-Pappys sister, retired florist, relocated to Daytona area last year. Still very young at heart. Has year-long passes to Disney, former vacation club pro. Probably could write her own book about WDW. Has a Mickey Mouse-themed bathroom. 3 grown kids, 3 teenage grandkids. Writes childrens books in her spare time.
Uncle Ed-Aunt Barbs husband-Currently works as a truck dispatcher for a large food service company near Daytona. Nicest man youll ever meet with a great family. Puts up with, and secretly enjoys Aunt Barbs Disney obsession.
BJ & Jeff-Retired friends of the family, like a second set of parents, 2 grown kids, relocated to St. Augustine 2 years ago. I dont know if they are coming or not at this point.
The Big Plan Overview:
7-Day/6-Night SupercalifragilisticDisneyWorldVacation
Booked on Disneyworld.com & with CM Marshalls help when I wanted to extend my trip. (WDW Travel Co.)
April 19-25, 2008
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside, Standard Room
Park Tickets: 7-Day Park Hopper, no water parks or golf option
Transportation: Continental from *** to MCO, $255.00 (Wow, with early Sunday arrival and late Saturday Departure) & Disneys Magical Express-both ways.
Tours: Hoping for Seas Aqua Tour, will book this week.
Resort Guest Features: Magic Your Way with Deluxe Dining Package (3 Table service plus 2 snacks per night)
ADRsAll made today at 7-am EST (5am my time, that was early), exactly 90 days out, and I was the first call in the reservation center this morning, like a good DIS board reader. By the way, the cast member booking my ADRs was excellent, even early in the morning. I was on and off the phone in less than 30 minutes, including the survey. It helped that I had my act together (credit card #, reservation #, what restaurants, days meals, times, etc.-and most important-pen and paper, as each ADR has its own reservation number).
ADRs Follow:
Sunday, April 19, 6:25pm, Solo Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse, Y&B Club
Monday, April 20, Noon, Dining with Mom at Chefs de France, Epcot
Monday, April 20, 8pm, Solo Dining at Jiko, AK Lodge
Tuesday, April 21, 11am, Solo Dining at Yak & Yeti, Animal Kingdom
Tuesday, April 21, 5pm, Dining with Mammy & Pappy at Planet Hollywood,
Downtown Disney
Wednesday, April 22, 9am, Solo Breakfast at Grand Floridian Café, Grand Floridian
Wednesday, April 22, 7:50pm, Solo Dining, California Grille, Contemporary Resort
Thursday, April 23, 11:30am, Solo Dining, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Hollywood Studios
Thursday, April 23, 7:55pm, Solo Dining, Citricos, Grand Floridian
Friday, April 24, 11:30am, Dining with Aunt Barb and Uncle Ed, Le Cellier,
Epcot
Friday, April 24, 5:15pm (but be there 30 minutes early), Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show with Aunt Barb and Uncle Ed (Yeah, beer included with this one!), Category 2 seats (because of my dining plan). Luau Cove at Polynesian Resort.
Saturday, April 25, Time to go home. Blow the rest of snack dining plan credits (if any left) on stuff for the road.
I will probably have sit down breakfast at my hotel that morning, as even though I have a lot of 2 meal credit ADRs, I still have one credit left.
Last minute souvenirs, one last ride on whatever, one (or more-Im not driving until the next day-staying overnight at home airport hotel) for the road.
Other Plans:
I am happy to say that I think my trip will be a good balance of fun with family and alone relaxation time. I am not too concerned if my family does not want to do certain attractions-I can come back on my two solo days and take care of that 3rd or 4th trip down Splash Mountain-or sit through the Tiki Birds until I am insane. I also cannot see my family members jumping in the reef tank with the sharks and I at the Seas at Epcot. I am just looking forward to spending time with them-it has been 3 years since I have seen any of these people.
I am going to try the nighttime Extra Magic Hours on Sunday at the Magic Kingdom, they are open til 1am the next morning.
Only a couple of bummers on this trip:
Space Mountain will be closed for rehab. (I am thoroughly looking forward to Expedition Everest and Rock N Roller Coaster Though)
No more Pleasure Island Nightclubs. (I am sure there will be other ways to enjoy myself)
Must Do List:
At least one tour
MK: Get a Haircut on Main Street U.S.A., Character Photos with Family, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, The Steam Train, Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean,
the Emporium for Shopping, Get a trading pin lanyard and start trading..and of course, ride Its a Small World until I can no longer stand it.
Hollywood Studios: Fantasmic, Indiana Jones Show, Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Muppets 3D, Toy Story Mania, Great Movie Ride, American Idol (I am too old to sing, but I can watch), Star Tours, Honey I shrunk the Audience
Epcot: Sample Libations, Aqua Seas Tour, Eat a lot, look at the landscaping, Illuminations, Soarin, Mission Space, Try the different Cokes, See the energy universe thing, Test Track, Maelstrom, Rio de Tiempo (I understand this is not so boring anymore), go through the greenhouse tour, and shop in all the different countries of the World Showcase.
Animal Kingdom: Everything possible, but especially the Expedition Everest and the River Ride thing.
Resorts: Nose around the Grand Floridian, and ride the bus around checking out all the new places since I have been there last. Swim in the fancy pool at my hotel.
All of this said, even the best laid plans of Mice and Men dont go exactly as planned. Stay Tuned for Updates. This board is a great one, and I extracted much help from it to make my plans. As you can tell-I like to eat-I hope I can make all of my ADRs. Thank you for enduring my long-windedness.
http://www.**************/id/1240113574.jpg
There was a brief spin around Downtown Disney about 13 years ago with the grandparents, but we did only window shopping and went to Seaworld instead.
This trip is part solo trip, but mostly family reunion.
I have many relatives & friends who have relocated to Florida in the past 15 years, so I decided, that instead of spending half the week in the car (Florida is huge) and half my money on gas, bad fast food, and sleeping on assorted family sofa-beds, that I would stay with Walt Disney World and relatives and friends could come and see me.The Cast is as follows:
Me, Myself and I: 32 man, Single, no kids, Chef (ChefMickey123) of a boutique resort by trade-musician for fun-and a bunch of small hobbies on the side. Lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
Mom: Age withheld, woman, divorced and remarried, 3 grown kids from first marriage of which I am the oldest. Relocated to Naples, FL from NC 8 years ago, originally PA Native. Excellent seamstress, and florist. Now works retail selling fancy upholstery fabric to interior designers for rich people.
Grandmother, Maternal a.k.a.-Mammy: Age withheld, woman, married for 50 plus years to my Grandfather-3 grown kids, 3 grown grandkids, 4 more grandchildren who act 20 years older than they are sometimes. Relocated from PA to Leesburg, FL 16 years ago. Retired Admin. Assistant.
Grandfather, Maternal a.k.a.-Pappy-Age doesnt matter to him, man, married 50 plus years to Mammy, same stats as her. Retired Professional Photographer for a big steel company.
Aunt Barb-Pappys sister, retired florist, relocated to Daytona area last year. Still very young at heart. Has year-long passes to Disney, former vacation club pro. Probably could write her own book about WDW. Has a Mickey Mouse-themed bathroom. 3 grown kids, 3 teenage grandkids. Writes childrens books in her spare time.
Uncle Ed-Aunt Barbs husband-Currently works as a truck dispatcher for a large food service company near Daytona. Nicest man youll ever meet with a great family. Puts up with, and secretly enjoys Aunt Barbs Disney obsession.
BJ & Jeff-Retired friends of the family, like a second set of parents, 2 grown kids, relocated to St. Augustine 2 years ago. I dont know if they are coming or not at this point.
The Big Plan Overview:
7-Day/6-Night SupercalifragilisticDisneyWorldVacation
Booked on Disneyworld.com & with CM Marshalls help when I wanted to extend my trip. (WDW Travel Co.)
April 19-25, 2008
Resort: Port Orleans Riverside, Standard Room
Park Tickets: 7-Day Park Hopper, no water parks or golf option
Transportation: Continental from *** to MCO, $255.00 (Wow, with early Sunday arrival and late Saturday Departure) & Disneys Magical Express-both ways.
Tours: Hoping for Seas Aqua Tour, will book this week.
Resort Guest Features: Magic Your Way with Deluxe Dining Package (3 Table service plus 2 snacks per night)
ADRsAll made today at 7-am EST (5am my time, that was early), exactly 90 days out, and I was the first call in the reservation center this morning, like a good DIS board reader. By the way, the cast member booking my ADRs was excellent, even early in the morning. I was on and off the phone in less than 30 minutes, including the survey. It helped that I had my act together (credit card #, reservation #, what restaurants, days meals, times, etc.-and most important-pen and paper, as each ADR has its own reservation number).
ADRs Follow:
Sunday, April 19, 6:25pm, Solo Dining at Yachtsman Steakhouse, Y&B Club
Monday, April 20, Noon, Dining with Mom at Chefs de France, Epcot
Monday, April 20, 8pm, Solo Dining at Jiko, AK Lodge
Tuesday, April 21, 11am, Solo Dining at Yak & Yeti, Animal Kingdom
Tuesday, April 21, 5pm, Dining with Mammy & Pappy at Planet Hollywood,
Downtown Disney
Wednesday, April 22, 9am, Solo Breakfast at Grand Floridian Café, Grand Floridian
Wednesday, April 22, 7:50pm, Solo Dining, California Grille, Contemporary Resort
Thursday, April 23, 11:30am, Solo Dining, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Hollywood Studios
Thursday, April 23, 7:55pm, Solo Dining, Citricos, Grand Floridian
Friday, April 24, 11:30am, Dining with Aunt Barb and Uncle Ed, Le Cellier,
Epcot
Friday, April 24, 5:15pm (but be there 30 minutes early), Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show with Aunt Barb and Uncle Ed (Yeah, beer included with this one!), Category 2 seats (because of my dining plan). Luau Cove at Polynesian Resort.
Saturday, April 25, Time to go home. Blow the rest of snack dining plan credits (if any left) on stuff for the road.
I will probably have sit down breakfast at my hotel that morning, as even though I have a lot of 2 meal credit ADRs, I still have one credit left.
Last minute souvenirs, one last ride on whatever, one (or more-Im not driving until the next day-staying overnight at home airport hotel) for the road.
Other Plans:
I am happy to say that I think my trip will be a good balance of fun with family and alone relaxation time. I am not too concerned if my family does not want to do certain attractions-I can come back on my two solo days and take care of that 3rd or 4th trip down Splash Mountain-or sit through the Tiki Birds until I am insane. I also cannot see my family members jumping in the reef tank with the sharks and I at the Seas at Epcot. I am just looking forward to spending time with them-it has been 3 years since I have seen any of these people.
I am going to try the nighttime Extra Magic Hours on Sunday at the Magic Kingdom, they are open til 1am the next morning.
Only a couple of bummers on this trip:
Space Mountain will be closed for rehab. (I am thoroughly looking forward to Expedition Everest and Rock N Roller Coaster Though)
No more Pleasure Island Nightclubs. (I am sure there will be other ways to enjoy myself)
Must Do List:
At least one tour
MK: Get a Haircut on Main Street U.S.A., Character Photos with Family, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, The Steam Train, Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean,
the Emporium for Shopping, Get a trading pin lanyard and start trading..and of course, ride Its a Small World until I can no longer stand it.Hollywood Studios: Fantasmic, Indiana Jones Show, Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Muppets 3D, Toy Story Mania, Great Movie Ride, American Idol (I am too old to sing, but I can watch), Star Tours, Honey I shrunk the Audience
Epcot: Sample Libations, Aqua Seas Tour, Eat a lot, look at the landscaping, Illuminations, Soarin, Mission Space, Try the different Cokes, See the energy universe thing, Test Track, Maelstrom, Rio de Tiempo (I understand this is not so boring anymore), go through the greenhouse tour, and shop in all the different countries of the World Showcase.
Animal Kingdom: Everything possible, but especially the Expedition Everest and the River Ride thing.
Resorts: Nose around the Grand Floridian, and ride the bus around checking out all the new places since I have been there last. Swim in the fancy pool at my hotel.
All of this said, even the best laid plans of Mice and Men dont go exactly as planned. Stay Tuned for Updates. This board is a great one, and I extracted much help from it to make my plans. As you can tell-I like to eat-I hope I can make all of my ADRs. Thank you for enduring my long-windedness.
http://www.**************/id/1240113574.jpg
I just sent another huge check towards my vacation at WDW.
Oh, BTW-I think I figured out the signature and avatar thing:
-Closest smilies to the Phantom
and found that even with the two credit restaurants, I am saving about $170 for the week with the plan.
