PTR: Our First Family Trip to Meet the MOUSE!! *Finished Mini TR 8/26*

[kschafer]

Your family is just beautiful. I'm anxious to hear who all will be joining you in the end.

My nephew was 7 months when we went (we had postponed the trip a year so the younger ones would be 3, then SIL got pregnant again! ). It actually not too bad of an age because for the most part, he was content being pushed around in the stroller or carried in the sling. My SIL did spend a lot of time at the childcare centers as she was nursing still.

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Your family is just beautiful. I'm anxious to hear who all will be joining you in the end.

My nephew was 7 months when we went (we had postponed the trip a year so the younger ones would be 3, then SIL got pregnant again! ). It actually not too bad of an age because for the most part, he was content being pushed around in the stroller or carried in the sling. My SIL did spend a lot of time at the childcare centers as she was nursing still.

Thank you! I figure I will be spending quite a bit of time in the BC stations, too, as I will probably still be nursing when we go. I'm just glad I won't have to nurse in a bathroom stall!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I'm just glad I won't have to nurse in a bathroom stall!

no kidding!! haha

I've got Mickey's BBQ set for a Saturday, so I can do MNSSHP on Tuesday. This will probably all change, and I won't do either! I can't make decisions!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday trying to come up with a rough plan of action, and here is what it is looking like so far. (I'll do separate posts later with expanded info on each day.)

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel Day (we're driving from TN to FL)

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
DHS

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
Animal Kingdom
MNSSHP

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Free Day (Visit whichever park we want to experience again)
Downtown Disney in the PM

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (for one last glimpse of the Castle )
Depart for home

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

no kidding!! haha

I've got Mickey's BBQ set for a Saturday, so I can do MNSSHP on Tuesday. This will probably all change, and I won't do either! I can't make decisions!

I am right there with you. I am the worst decision maker ever! I think I have already changed my rough draft itinerary about 6 times (including when I was typing it up to post on here).

 

[kschafer]

Thank you! I figure I will be spending quite a bit of time in the BC stations, too, as I will probably still be nursing when we go. I'm just glad I won't have to nurse in a bathroom stall!

I always wondered why she took the time to go to the centers. When I was nursing, I was never shy, I would whip it out anywhere I don't like missing out on the fun!! (OK, I DID try to be discreet most of the time. I wouldn't do it sitting on a curb on mainstreet or anything!)

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I always wondered why she took the time to go to the centers. When I was nursing, I was never shy, I would whip it out anywhere I don't like missing out on the fun!! (OK, I DID try to be discreet most of the time. I wouldn't do it sitting on a curb on mainstreet or anything!)

You sound like me. I've been to known to nurse whenever and wherever - in a restaurant, at a college football game, on a bench at the mall.... I do use a nursing cover-up, but hey, the kid's gotta eat, right?

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday trying to come up with a rough plan of action, and here is what it is looking like so far. (I'll do separate posts later with expanded info on each day.)

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel Day (we're driving from TN to FL)

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
DHS

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
Animal Kingdom
MNSSHP

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Free Day (Visit whichever park we want to experience again)
Downtown Disney in the PM

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (for one last glimpse of the Castle )
Depart for home

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Looks good! I think the 29th is when we're planning MNSSHP too! I'm not sure about which parks though, as I'm waiting on WDW to release hours! Are you planning mid-day breaks too?

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Looks good! I think the 29th is when we're planning MNSSHP too! I'm not sure about which parks though, as I'm waiting on WDW to release hours! Are you planning mid-day breaks too?

I know, I am not-so-patiently waiting on those hours, too. I may have to change some of my days around after they finally release them. I am most definitely planning mid-day breaks! DS gets super-cranky without a nap, so those are must for us!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Here is the rough plan for Day One.

Day 1 - Sept. 25, 2009

Travel Day
Leave our house between 4 and 5 am (no later than 5:30)
Drive the 10-12 hours to Orlando (with frequent stops for the LO's, I'm sure)
Arrive at POP between 5 and 6 pm (hopefully earlier)
Check-in and unpack the van
Explore the resort a bit
Dinner @ Everything Pop
Hit the sack early to be ready for....

Day 2 at the MAGIC KINGDOM!!!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I know, I am not-so-patiently waiting on those hours, too. I may have to change some of my days around after they finally release them. I am most definitely planning mid-day breaks! DS gets super-cranky without a nap, so those are must for us!

I agree! We took mid-day breaks every day last Sept. and it was nice! Not only for DD, but for us too! We went ahead and added the park hopper so that we could go to another park if we wanted. DH and I want to eat at too many places in Epcot not to have it. Our whole trip would be in Epcot if we didn't!

 

[shordiebecka]

I think your plans look great so far. Any idea where you'll be eating yet? I'm interested to know how MNSSHP is...I won't be able to make it there this year, but perhaps next year?

 

[princess_momma]

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday trying to come up with a rough plan of action, and here is what it is looking like so far. (I'll do separate posts later with expanded info on each day.)

Day 1 - Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Travel Day (we're driving from TN to FL)

Day 2 - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
Magic Kingdom

Day 3 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009
Epcot

Day 4 - Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
DHS

Day 5 - Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
Animal Kingdom
MNSSHP

Day 6 - Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Free Day (Visit whichever park we want to experience again)
Downtown Disney in the PM

Day 7 - Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
Breakfast at Crystal Palace (for one last glimpse of the Castle )
Depart for home

Any thoughts or suggestions?

If we were going on the same dates, we would have the EXACT same plan with resorts and parks!! I think we're Dis Twins! From plans to resort we're staying to fav princess to country lovers to bringing infants to the world and our kids having some of the same stuff! lol

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I agree! We took mid-day breaks every day last Sept. and it was nice! Not only for DD, but for us too! We went ahead and added the park hopper so that we could go to another park if we wanted. DH and I want to eat at too many places in Epcot not to have it. Our whole trip would be in Epcot if we didn't!

I've been considering adding the PH to our tickets for that same reason. There are a couple parks that I'm not sure we'll eat TS in, and I know we could plan a meal at a resort that day, but...I don't know. We'll see.

I think your plans look great so far. Any idea where you'll be eating yet? I'm interested to know how MNSSHP is...I won't be able to make it there this year, but perhaps next year?

I was just about to type up an ADR post.

If we were going on the same dates, we would have the EXACT same plan with resorts and parks!! I think we're Dis Twins! From plans to resort we're staying to fav princess to country lovers to bringing infants to the world and our kids having some of the same stuff! lol

That is too funny! It's crazy how much we have in common! You know what they say about great minds...

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Obviously I'm nowhere near my 90 day window yet (only 2 months and 4 days to go!), but here are the places we're considering so far.

Breakfast
Good Morning Character Breakfast @ Tony's Town Square (if we have enough people for a Grand Gathering)
Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
Chef Mickey's (if we don't have enough for a GG)
Crystal Palace

Lunch (mostly CS)
MK - Casey's Corner or Cosmic Ray's
AK - Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
EP - We'll either snack around at the F&W booths, or Le Cellier if I can't get a dinner ADR there
DHS - Pizza Planet

Dinner
Le Cellier
Chef Mickey's (if we don't go there for breakfast)
Fulton's Crab House
Ohana (maybe - we're not very adventurous eaters )

I'm not sure about any others. Thoughts and/or suggestions are very much appreciated!!

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I wish I could do Tony's GG for breakfast! It looks so cute for only 1TS! We loved CP for breakfast last year! It was pretty decent food, good character interaction, and great to get into the park before opening. We were done eating before the park opened so we were over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as the rope dropped in Adventrureland and we made it to Frontierland. We had lunch at Chef Mickey's last year (they added lunch because of Free Dining). The food was ok but the characters were great! That's all I've got... We've got a lot of the same ADR (hopefuls that is)!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

I wish I could do Tony's GG for breakfast! It looks so cute for only 1TS! We loved CP for breakfast last year! It was pretty decent food, good character interaction, and great to get into the park before opening. We were done eating before the park opened so we were over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as the rope dropped in Adventrureland and we made it to Frontierland. We had lunch at Chef Mickey's last year (they added lunch because of Free Dining). The food was ok but the characters were great! That's all I've got... We've got a lot of the same ADR (hopefuls that is)!

I've kind of been going back and forth on Crystal Palace, only because DS isn't crazy about Pooh and Friends. He likes them, but not as much as Mickey. If it came down to a choice between CP and Chef Mickey's - which would you recommend?

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

We talked to MIL and SIL last night and found out that MIL and FIL (will be referred to as "Mam" and "Pap"), and Kristy and Cynthia are definitely going. We're going to book their rooms either this weekend or first thing Monday morning. Gina, Paul and Riley are NOT going, and we don't know for sure yet about Zach and Landon. We're going to put them on the reservation for now, and then remove them if Gina decides not to let them go.

So the headcount now comes to 6 adults and 4 children, ages 15, 13, 2, and 7 months. Should make for a great time!

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Yes, I've already started changing my mind about ADR's. After finally getting DH to listen to some of the choices last night, he told me a couple that he thinks that he and some of his family members would really enjoy, so we're adding those to the list. I'm also considering adding a night to the trip and skipping MNSSHP, but I haven't discussed that with DH yet, so we'll see.

Here's the new ADR list:

Breakfast
Good Morning Character Breakfast @ Tony's Town Square
Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House
Chef Mickey's OR Crystal Palace

Lunch (mostly CS)
MK - Liberty Tree Tavern (gotta have one of those 3 Chocolate Brownies )
AK - Flame Tree BBQ or Pizzafari
EP - See below
DHS - Pizza Planet

Dinner
Fulton's Crab House (OOP)
Beaches and Cream

Snacks
Goofy's Candy Co.
Main Street Bakery
Boulangerie Patisserie
Starring Rolls
Cookes of Dublin (maybe)

We also want to do Le Cellier, Biergarten, and Teppan Edo, but we're not sure which meal of the day would be best for those three. Any suggestions?

 

[Cinderelly5507]

I've kind of been going back and forth on Crystal Palace, only because DS isn't crazy about Pooh and Friends. He likes them, but not as much as Mickey. If it came down to a choice between CP and Chef Mickey's - which would you recommend?

Hmmmm I'd say Chef Mickey's since that is what your little guy is into. CP is nice to get if you can get a reservation before park opening and get pictures on an empty main street. We were even finished eating before rope drop and was lined up at the "Advertureland" rope drop to head over to Splash and BTMRR as soon as it officially opened. I think in your case I'd go to Chef Mickeys for your DS. He'll be guaranteed to see the "Big 5" then. My DD loved Biergarten last year! There is a German band that plays and kids can go down and dance. She loved dancing around!