PTR for the planning obsessed....Updated 11/5 We're home now.

[DisMomAmy]

By 8:02 am this morning I scored my new Tusker House breakfast ADR for 8am
on Halloween! I'll now have to review my touring plan for the day....oh I'll just hate to do that From what I have read we will be let thru the turnstile at 7:45 am, does anyone know if that is correct?

Can't wait to hear your review about that! What time does the park open that day?

 

[MRYPPNS]

I'm glad to read these reviews too - we'd considered H & V for the ankle biters but I'm content to know we passed!

Doesn't it feel nice when your ideas are confirmed!

Congrats on the Tusker House ADR!! I kinda miss making ADR changes.

Thanks...and it was a nice CM to boot

Can't wait to hear your review about that! What time does the park open that day?

Park opens at 9am so we should be one of the first on the Sarfari

 

[Native NYer]

By 8:02 am this morning I scored my new Tusker House breakfast ADR for 8am
on Halloween! I'll now have to review my touring plan for the day....oh I'll just hate to do that From what I have read we will be let thru the turnstile at 7:45 am, does anyone know if that is correct?

Congrats!!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

I got DIS Disney mail yesterday!!!!! Scrappie-Do was kind enough to collect park maps and times guides for me during her recent trip. I'm planning a craft project with them....and yes I will post pictures of it when it's done. Included with the park maps that Scrappie-Do sent was a copy of the brochure for kids under 5 which I had never seen before. I'm going to go thru it and make sure I haven't missed any toddler friendly attractions for DS. Thanks again Scrappie!

Your very welcome!!

Oh, I can't wait to see what you are going to do with the park maps!

me too!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was starting to worry about the food quality and selection at Chef Mickeys. I think I'll keep everything the way it is for now. There is still a chance that we will do both of them during the week.


Ok I know you made your decisions and not to fool w/ your megga planning brain....I imagine it's like that cartoon Pinky Dinky Do I think...when she get's an idea her head swells up because of her mighty imaginative brain....(Ok sorry minor tangent).

Anyhow we have dinned w/ kids and w/out at CM and have enjoyed it immensely. Keep in mind it can be a bit of wait, but I'm sure you are picking non-prime times and it's very loud...which could be a damper w/ a 18 mo in tow if he's tired, etc.

We just dinned at 1900 PF the one time which you read on my PTR...and I would consider dinning there agian but for brfast just to see MP herself up, close and personal...she's one of my classic fav's too. It may be more low key for the little guy and you can see the BIG CHEESE everywhere! too.
Ok that's my 2-cents on that.


The other ADR that I'm starting to question is Hollywood & Vine Play and Dine for Lunch at the studio. I'm now having a hard time justifing $70 for salad and sandwiches. It's not like Liam can't see those characters at a meet and greet. And if we skip the buffet it gives us more time to tour. The plan right now is for us to decide between H&V or Starring Rolls that morning. That's the nice thing about back-up plans, I still have a plan but I can be flexible too! DH and I don't make on the fly decisions together very well...we waste a lot of time doing it so it's better if the selections are narrowed down for us ahead of time.

I think you should skip Hollywood & Vine if you are paying OOP. The Little Einsteins are my DD's favorite characters so we planned our DHS visit around this ADR. The food was nothing special and definitely not worth $70.

I recommend the meet and greet plus the Playhouse Disney show. We had better character interaction at the meet and greet. The lines were short (less than 5 minutes) for the four characters that were meeting that day - Leo and Annie, JoJo and Goliath. The Playhouse Disney show was fantastic for a two year old.

So if you go to see that show and then meet the characters outside, you could skip H&V and save some money and time.

Great idea! The kids loved H&V, but it definitely wasn't the best food. I wouldn't go back unless the kids beg to see Leo & June again. Hopefully by April they will have forgotten about them.

Heidi, I have to weigh in here. Although the character interaction and entertainment at H & V is awesome, the food is sooooo not. We had lunch there on our last trip, and if I had been paying out of pocket, I probably would have cried. This is going to sound sooooo snobby, but I'm just going to be honest. :::deep breath::: I'm not going to Walt Disney World to sit at a buffet where one of it's main items is lunch meat. :: phew :: Yup, I said it.

I think you'll be happier elsewhere, and it is totally possible, and quite easy to do meet n greets with the Little Einsteins characters or JoJo characters. Now, DS had a great time, and I debated going back this trip, but just couldn't stomach the idea. Luckily for us last year, we were on free dining. Paying oop, I would say your money is better spent elsewhere.

By 8:02 am this morning I scored my new Tusker House breakfast ADR for 8am
on Halloween! I'll now have to review my touring plan for the day....oh I'll just hate to do that From what I have read we will be let thru the turnstile at 7:45 am, does anyone know if that is correct?

Ok it seems as if I be in the minor here....we just dinned at H & V w/ the characters right at the 1st lunch seating, now I have yet to reveal this in my TR yet (it's coming) and I'm pretty sure you already cancelled it for Tusker, which I'm looking forward to hearing about anyways.

But there was PLENTY more food there than just sandwhich fixings....I really think it was one of our favorite TS meals of the week.

Also either way, Margaret really liked these characters too.

Scrappie-Do (J-)

 

[MRYPPNS]

and I'm pretty sure you already cancelled it for Tusker,

I didn't actually cancel H&V....it just moved from Plan A to Plan B.

 

[stagemomx3]

Congrats on Tusker House.

I'm pretty sure they have Nescafe at TH. There is real coffee out front before you enter the gates at AK. The juice at Tusker House is awesome!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Next trip I'll just have you make my ADR's since I seem to be copying you.

What can I say? We had good places! Don't do Marrakesh though.

By 8:02 am this morning I scored my new Tusker House breakfast ADR for 8am
on Halloween! I'll now have to review my touring plan for the day....oh I'll just hate to do that From what I have read we will be let thru the turnstile at 7:45 am, does anyone know if that is correct?

Yep, 7:45 is when they will let you in -- not before that as we found out.

Park opens at 9am so we should be one of the first on the Sarfari

We were in the second jeep -- it was awesome! I so can't wait to do it again!

 

[willwriteforears]

By 8:02 am this morning I scored my new Tusker House breakfast ADR for 8am
on Halloween! I'll now have to review my touring plan for the day....oh I'll just hate to do that From what I have read we will be let thru the turnstile at 7:45 am, does anyone know if that is correct?

Congrats on the Tusker House ressie! Looking forward to hearing about it; not that I've been to either one but I think I'd prefer it to H & V.

 

[TarzansKat]

Your review is exactly what I feared....paying $70 OOP for sandwiches. And I don't think your being snobby....who in their normal life would knowing pay that much money for deli meat?

There are so many other good options for you in the way of character dining, I would hate for you to be disappointed!

By 8:02 am this morning I scored my new Tusker House breakfast ADR for 8am
on Halloween! I'll now have to review my touring plan for the day....oh I'll just hate to do that From what I have read we will be let thru the turnstile at 7:45 am, does anyone know if that is correct?

Very cool! I'm so excited that you got this, that's great!

 

[mousescrapper]

I didn't actually cancel H&V....it just moved from Plan A to Plan B.

how do you keep in all straight???

I get confused w/ just plan A JK

 

[MRYPPNS]

how do you keep in all straight???

I get confused w/ just plan A JK

Well after I changed a Kona Café breakfast ADR to a Whispering Canyon Café breakfast this past Saturday morning....I made myself an excel spreadsheet of my 'Master Dinning Plan'. It's day by day with Plan A, B & C. Not all days have Plans B & C.

There are 3 days with Plan A only
4 days with Plans A & B
and 3 days with Plans A, B & C

If you can believe it....there are two lunches that are marked TBD ! How's that for living by the seat of our pants

 

[TarzansKat]

Well after I changed a Kona Café breakfast ADR to a Whispering Canyon Café breakfast this past Saturday morning....I made myself an excel spreadsheet of my 'Master Dinning Plan'. It's day by day with Plan A, B & C. Not all days have Plans B & C.

There are 3 days with Plan A only
4 days with Plans A & B
and 3 days with Plans A, B & C

If you can believe it....there are two lunches that are marked TBD ! How's that for living by the seat of our pants

I feel like my head is spinning just reading that!

Hey, I'm impressed you have two that are TBD!!!!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I feel like my head is spinning just reading that!

Hey, I'm impressed you have two that are TBD!!!!

I thought you might!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow! I hope the next few months go by quickly so you don't end up with plans D, E & F.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Instead of having a list of Must-Do's, I have a list of Daily Goals. I limited the list by using 1 goal for evey hour that we are at a park....so if we are at the Magic Kingdom for 7 hours, than I can have a max of 7 goals. In a lot of cases I didn't max out of goals. The goals are not in any special order other then by day.

I present to you My Daily Goals* for our Disney Vacation October 26 to November 4, 2008

*Goals are subject to change without warning or notice.......

Sunday –
Arrival
1. Groceries
2. Check in to resort

Boardwalk
1. Dinner at Beaches & Cream
2. Boardwalk entertainment and carnival games
3. Check out Boardwalk Bakery

Monday –Typhoon Lagoon
1. Liam play in kiddies area
2. Family enjoy the lazy river
3. Buy TL beach towel
4. Evening: Disney Outlet Store

Tuesday –
Magic Kingdom
1. Dumbo
2. Dole Whip Float
3. See Dream Along with Mickey or Story Time w/Belle
4. Barber shop for Liam’s 1st haircut

Disney’s Hollywood Studio
1. Fantasmic
2. Toy Story Midway Mania

Wednesday-
Disney’s Hollywood Studio
1. See Beauty & the Beast show
2. See Playhouse Disney
3. Ride Toy Story Midway Mania
4. Liam pose for pictures/autographs w/characters he knows
5. See Block Party Bash
6. See the Little Mermaid show

Magic Kingdom
1. Wishes!
2. 1 or 2 Tomorrowland rides

Thursday- Downtown Disney
1. Dinner at ‘Ohana’s
2. Lunch at Earl of Sandwich
3. Everyone get some rest/quiet time/alone time
4. Shop at WOD, Once Upon a Toy, Basin .et al
5. Explore the Polynesia Resort

Friday-
Animal Kingdom
1. Festival of the Lion King
2. Kilimanjaro Safari
3. Carnival Games
4. Expedition Everest
5. Flights of Wonder show
6. Pangani Forest & Maharaja Jungle Trek Trails

Downtown Disney
1. Trick or Treating
2. Ice Cream at Ghirardelli

Saturday – Magic Kingdom
1. Monsters Inc. Comedy Floor
2. Wishes
3. Explore Main Street
4. Get Mickey ears
5. Ride the train
6. Haunted Mansion
7. Explore Toon Town Park & Donald’s Boat
8. Meet the Fairies of Pixie Hollow

Sunday “Free Day”
1. Do whatever makes us happy

Monday – Epcot
1. See Turtle Talk with Crush
2. Ride SSE
3. Picture/autograph with Figment
4. Food & Wine Festival center
5. Chinese acrobats
6. New exhibits at Innoventions
7. Japan shopping
8. See the Candy Lady
9. See the 25th Anniversary Gallery

Tuesday – Travel
1. Get home stress free w/all our luggage
2. Vote!

 

[willwriteforears]

Instead of having a list of Must-Do's, I have a list of Daily Goals. I limited the list by using 1 goal for evey hour that we are at a park....so if we are at the Magic Kingdom for 7 hours, than I can have a max of 7 goals. In a lot of cases I didn't max out of goals. The goals are not in any special order other then by day.

I present to you My Daily Goals* for our Disney Vacation October 26 to November 4, 2008

*Goals are subject to change without warning or notice.......

Sunday –
Arrival
1. Groceries
2. Check in to resort

Boardwalk
1. Dinner at Beaches & Cream
2. Boardwalk entertainment and carnival games
3. Check out Boardwalk Bakery

Monday –Typhoon Lagoon
1. Liam play in kiddies area
2. Family enjoy the lazy river
3. Buy TL beach towel
4. Evening: Disney Outlet Store

Tuesday –
Magic Kingdom
1. Dumbo
2. Dole Whip Float
3. See Dream Along with Mickey or Story Time w/Belle
4. Barber shop for Liam’s 1st haircut

Disney’s Hollywood Studio
1. Fantasmic
2. Toy Story Midway Mania

Wednesday-
Disney’s Hollywood Studio
1. See Beauty & the Beast show
2. See Playhouse Disney
3. Ride Toy Story Midway Mania
4. Liam pose for pictures/autographs w/characters he knows
5. See Block Party Bash
6. See the Little Mermaid show

Magic Kingdom
1. Wishes!
2. 1 or 2 Tomorrowland rides

Thursday- Downtown Disney
1. Dinner at ‘Ohana’s
2. Lunch at Earl of Sandwich
3. Everyone get some rest/quiet time/alone time
4. Shop at WOD, Once Upon a Toy, Basin .et al
5. Explore the Polynesia Resort

Friday-
Animal Kingdom
1. Festival of the Lion King
2. Kilimanjaro Safari
3. Carnival Games
4. Expedition Everest
5. Flights of Wonder show
6. Pangani Forest & Maharaja Jungle Trek Trails

Downtown Disney
1. Trick or Treating
2. Ice Cream at Ghirardelli

Saturday – Magic Kingdom
1. Monsters Inc. Comedy Floor
2. Wishes
3. Explore Main Street
4. Get Mickey ears
5. Ride the train
6. Haunted Mansion
7. Explore Toon Town Park & Donald’s Boat
8. Meet the Fairies of Pixie Hollow

Sunday “Free Day”
1. Do whatever makes us happy

Monday – Epcot
1. See Turtle Talk with Crush
2. Ride SSE
3. Picture/autograph with Figment
4. Food & Wine Festival center
5. Chinese acrobats
6. New exhibits at Innoventions
7. Japan shopping
8. See the Candy Lady
9. See the 25th Anniversary Gallery

Tuesday – Travel
1. Get home stress free w/all our luggage
2. Vote!

I think goals are a good way to do it, particularly with a young child! I think your lists seem very doable, and it looks like you'll have quite a bit of time for just strolling or being spontaneous or whatever.

 

[tinkerdusted]

MVMCP starts on 11/10 and you would have at least 4 nights of that, during your visit, with MK closing at 7pm to day guest, the same thing for MNSSHP though, if you want a time and you don't think you would want to go to either of those (but where else will you see snow in Florida) then 11/1 to the 10th would be your best bet, hitting the Christmas party just one time. Are you going to WDW this year?

 

[Lady Lallie]

I love the idea of daily goals, shocking? I thought not.

I think those are awesome, especially with Liam being so small you won't feel overwhelmed with everything that you want to get done.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I think goals are a good way to do it, particularly with a young child! I think your lists seem very doable, and it looks like you'll have quite a bit of time for just strolling or being spontaneous or whatever.

Oops! I guess I wasn't clear about the goals.....I actually have detailed touring plans for everyday that have us going from attraction to attraction to shows. The goals keep me from stressing out that we aren't doing/seeing enough in a day.

MVMCP starts on 11/10 and you would have at least 4 nights of that, during your visit, with MK closing at 7pm to day guest, the same thing for MNSSHP though, if you want a time and you don't think you would want to go to either of those (but where else will you see snow in Florida) then 11/1 to the 10th would be your best bet, hitting the Christmas party just one time. Are you going to WDW this year?

I think you posted this to the wrong thread.....

 

[Charleston Princess]

I like the goals -- that would make me a lot less stressed than trying to do detailed touring plans that my family refuses to follow anyway!