Rockin' around Cinderella's Castle: Two Holiday PTRs in One!

[wdwgirl03]

I can see the link too but it is a little cut off. Still works though!

 

[shordiebecka]

Yup, I see the link and it works!

I can see the link too but it is a little cut off. Still works though!

Thanks guys! I changed my signature..it needed updating anyways, now I have a ticker for both trips woohoo!

 

[shordiebecka]

Here is some more Info about the November trip..

As soon as I figured out our potential dates, I made some reservations..gotta love the online reservation system, and not making a resort ressie but food ressies!

Friday: Arrival day--
*thoughts on this day: we will arrive around 11:00 Am, I expect to be at Coronado by 1:00 PM. Drop stuff off, relax and I choose DHS for this day- mainly because it's the easiest park for us to do in half a day, plus J and T aren't big rollercoaster riders, so that leaves the two biggies out- we will focus on the beauty and the beast show, Great Movie Ride and hopefully TSM.
*ADR: Prime Time Cafe

Saturday: First full day!
*thoughts on this day: this was the only day that the MK had wishes and spectro that we could go to. T and J will enjoy these- we hope to score a bench so we can sit, and then get to the hub for the fireworks. In November, we're hoping this isn't a problem. We want to do tommorowland- buzz, people mover, CoP, fantasyland rides and the ferry boat- also HM, PoC and the Hall of Presidents. J is a huge shopper- she will want to goin the stores at some point.

*Lunch Ideas: Colombia Harbor House or the counter service place that over looks IASWAA

*ADR: Liberty Tree Tavern

Sunday: Second Full Day
*Thoughts on this day: This is our Animal Kingdom day! Woo hoo! It's a lot of walking, so we are going to keep walking to a minimum and do things counter clockwise- KS and Dino are a must do- we will also do all the animal trails. If T needs to sit, this is a good park to sit and relax in. I am a bit worried about T getting too tired at this park- so much walking!

*CS Lunch ideas- Flame Tree BBQ or Yak and Yeti- any CS reviews on these?

*ADR: Currently, Boma. But that may change. I'm thinking about making an ADR at a MK resort, then taking the monorail around to explore the resorts and look at the xmas decorations (if any are up). I'm thinking either California Grill or WHispering Canyon Cafe. I've done Ohana's, maybe we would do it again. Any ideas? Perhaps we'll go to the Boardwalk and eat somewhere there- has to be on the dining plan though!

Monday: Third and Last Full day:
*Thoughts on this day: this is our only Epcot day. We hope to spend most of our time at the World Showcase, and the right side of Futureworld- Soarin', living with the land, nemo..must do's for us this time are malestrom and the American Adventure. J will love this shopping experience!

*CS Lunch Ideas: Garden Grill.. I've never eaten CS at anywhere in Epcot..ideas? Anywhere but the one in the middle of future world

*ADR: Rose and Crown, 7:30--Illuminations View-- If you know me and read my last TR, you know why I want this one so bad!

Tuesday: Last Half Day
*Thoughts on this day: No park tickets for today- downtown Disney is where we'll be! We plan on shopping around, and eating CS at Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express. Only concern is where we will be putting all of our souviners- ME won't pick us up till around 2, so we will not have access to our luggage at all.

And that's a quick play by play of what I've done for Trip #1 so far! Thoughts & ideas appreciated!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Hi - Count me in!!! I think everything looks great for Trip #1! Forgive me as my Disney memories are blurry... but the CS in Living with the Land/Soarin/Nemo-ish area was a good one. Four Season Food Court maybe...

Quick "first timer" (I've been, but never had the chance to be the planner) question - is there a special category to book IllumiNations seating and can this be done online? TIA!

 

[shordiebecka]

Hi - Count me in!!! I think everything looks great for Trip #1! Forgive me as my Disney memories are blurry... but the CS in Living with the Land/Soarin/Nemo-ish area was a good one. Four Season Food Court maybe...

Quick "first timer" (I've been, but never had the chance to be the planner) question - is there a special category to book IllumiNations seating and can this be done online? TIA!

Thanks for stopping by! At some point today, I will stop in and read your plans. The illuminations seating isn't a special package (unless you do the candlelight processional, which starts Nov 29). All you need to do is get seating at Rose and Crown for after 7-7:30 (depending on how long it will take you to eat), and when Illuminations starts at 9, they will take you out to their private deck and you can watch from there. The only way you can watch from there is if you get reservations at rose and crown, and are still eating/dragging on the meal during illuminations. I always opt for around 8- that way you can guarantee you get to see fireworks! Hope that helps!

 

[shordiebecka]

quick update-- We bought our plane tickets for trip #2 last night They were an arm and a leg because it's so close to christmas but now everything is set in stone! wooooohooo!!!

As a side note, along with my 2 disney trips, I am also planning my parent's Disney trip for them, and also a trip to gettysburg the first weekend in October with Jon and my parents. Also probably a trip to NYC the first weekend in December with Jon & some of his family, so be prepared for some mini TRs throughout the PTR planning. Hope you all will stick around for it all!

Also, fyi- I have a lot of opinions on things. I respect your opinions, and expect the same in return. One of these opinions..in a previous post on another person's TR, I wrote the word b o o b when referring to breast feeding. They probably blocked out breast too. But seriously..is it necessary for **** to be starred out? I'm sure if any kids are lurking on the dis, they've heard them called much worse and heard worse things when out in public. Just a little rant & thing I noticed

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Thanks for stopping by! At some point today, I will stop in and read your plans. The illuminations seating isn't a special package (unless you do the candlelight processional, which starts Nov 29). All you need to do is get seating at Rose and Crown for after 7-7:30 (depending on how long it will take you to eat), and when Illuminations starts at 9, they will take you out to their private deck and you can watch from there. The only way you can watch from there is if you get reservations at rose and crown, and are still eating/dragging on the meal during illuminations. I always opt for around 8- that way you can guarantee you get to see fireworks! Hope that helps!

Is Rose & Crown the only option?

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I LOVE Columbia Harbor House CS!!! So yummy! I hated WCC. My mom refers to it as "that gross restaurant" because our food was gross and our server was SLOW and reeked of cigarette smoke!

Best CS in EPCOT is Sunshine Seasons in The Land. I LOVE it there. They have a lot of options, a ton of seating, and really good desserts!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You could always eat and drink around the world instead of one specific CS??? That way you get a sampling of everything! Congrats on the R & C this time! Yay for plane tickets! So much to celebrate with you today! Can't wait for more and for all the mini TR's!!!

 

[shordiebecka]

Is Rose & Crown the only option?

Yep. They're the only restaurant that offers it.

I LOVE Columbia Harbor House CS!!! So yummy! I hated WCC. My mom refers to it as "that gross restaurant" because our food was gross and our server was SLOW and reeked of cigarette smoke!

Best CS in EPCOT is Sunshine Seasons in The Land. I LOVE it there. They have a lot of options, a ton of seating, and really good desserts!!

Thanks for your thoughts on WCC. I went by sunshine seasons a lot on my past trip, I think we may eat there!

You could always eat and drink around the world instead of one specific CS??? That way you get a sampling of everything! Congrats on the R & C this time! Yay for plane tickets! So much to celebrate with you today! Can't wait for more and for all the mini TR's!!!

That's a good idea. I'm just afraid I'll fill up at the first place and not get much further, lol. Thanks for celebrating with me today!!! There is a lot to celebrate..but not the fact that school starts again today for me

 

[that's nice]

Some how I lost my sub to your last PTR. (I'm getting good at this!) Can't wait to hear about all your plans.

Now I need to go and read your last TR and see how everything went!

 

[Chelley00]

Thanks for posting in my pretrip report!


The only CS we ever end up doing at Epcot is Sunshine Seasons. All those restaurants and we never make it back there for CS

 

[shordiebecka]

Hey everyone! Sorry I fell off the face of the earth for awhile.. here are some updates!

First of all, i started school again. I am now working full time, doing a full time internship and school full time...this lady is overwhelmed and stressed to the max!! thus- why no updates. As soon as i get a handle on things, I will update more frequently!

Trip #1 updates:
-Hotwire changed our flight, landing half an hour later now...but through ohio instead of new jersey. Kind of angry, but it's not too bad.
-We got ADR's for Whispering Canyon Cafe for Sunday night. This is our AK day- I figure we can check out the decorations at the WL and all the resorts on the MK loop.
-I'm still lost on what exactly I should request at Coronado springs. Any suggestions?

Trip #2 Updates:

ADR DATE IS TOMMOROW...AND I HAVE NOT PLANNED AT ALL! NOT EVEN A TINY BIT! These are my thoughts so far.

-CP Processional Package at Canada
-Dinner or Lunch at Sanaa/Jiko
-Liberty Tree Tavern at the MK
-Lunch/Dinner at Japan
-Dinner at 50's primetime..or possibly one of the epcot resorts..any suggestions?

I'm so overwhlemed! I will be consulting TGM and the park hours tonight during the Patriots game for major planning!

That's all the time I have right now..but I will be back later with more! Thanks for sticking around, I hope some of you are still there!
-

 

[shellywalker]

Hey everyone! Sorry I fell off the face of the earth for awhile.. here are some updates!

First of all, i started school again. I am now working full time, doing a full time internship and school full time...this lady is overwhelmed and stressed to the max!! thus- why no updates. As soon as i get a handle on things, I will update more frequently!

Trip #1 updates:
-Hotwire changed our flight, landing half an hour later now...but through ohio instead of new jersey. Kind of angry, but it's not too bad.
-We got ADR's for Whispering Canyon Cafe for Sunday night. This is our AK day- I figure we can check out the decorations at the WL and all the resorts on the MK loop.
-I'm still lost on what exactly I should request at Coronado springs. Any suggestions?

Trip #2 Updates:

ADR DATE IS TOMMOROW...AND I HAVE NOT PLANNED AT ALL! NOT EVEN A TINY BIT! These are my thoughts so far.

-CP Processional Package at Canada
-Dinner or Lunch at Sanaa/Jiko
-Liberty Tree Tavern at the MK
-Lunch/Dinner at Japan
-Dinner at 50's primetime..or possibly one of the epcot resorts..any suggestions?

I'm so overwhlemed! I will be consulting TGM and the park hours tonight during the Patriots game for major planning!

That's all the time I have right now..but I will be back later with more! Thanks for sticking around, I hope some of you are still there!
-

You better get busy lady! It doesn't look like we'll be fighting for any ADR's though...so that's good!!! What about a place on the Boardwalk??? Flying Fish?

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Still here!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck with your ADR's!!!!!!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

GO PATS!!!

Best of luck with those ADR's!!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm still here too! Hope school's going well. Good luck with the ADRs!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Me too! Hey...good luck with your ADR's. I know how frustrating it can be! I booked a lunch at Sanna b/c I thought the menu looked really good and it is right on the savannah. Let us know what you get!

 

[shordiebecka]

alright ladies and gentlemen..hang on to your hats...this is quite the ADR update! I hope you can follow along with the craziness!

I originally was going to wake up at 6:50 to call at 7:00 for the CP Package- hoping for Le Cellier or Teppan Edo- on the 14th. I figured Le Cellier was a slim chance..but Teppan Edo-- i got ADR's there same day during my July Vacation. Well, after the stressfull patriots game last night (that's how it's done pats!), i decided I would wake up at 7:20, my usual time, because sleep is super important to me.. I know.. GASP!

**Note..a lot of the time I write CP but I say Candelight Processional..so each time i write CP, I actually said Candelight processional, not CP**

So i called at 7:20, got right through to a very nice CM. I told her what I wanted to do. She asked for the reservation number, etc etc. I said I wanted the CP package for December 14th with Le Cellier.

"Okay, you want the cinderella package for the 14th.."
"No, the candlelight processional package.."
"Oh, Okay I'll get right on that...are you looking for lunch or dinner at Le Cellier?"
"With the candelight package? I'm pretty sure it's all after lunch"
"Oh, oh Right...let me see. I am showing no availability for Le Cellier for the CP Package on the 14th."

Okay. Fine, no biggie.

"Okay, what about Teppan Edo?"
"Nope. I'm only showing Nine Dragons, Chefs de France, San Angel Inn and Beirgartehn"
"Okay, how about for Thursday, the 17?"
"I'm only showing the same 4 restaurants"
"How about the day before, Wednesday?"
"Sweetie, I could have done this all at once" (she sounded frustrated)"and there is the same 4 again"

At this point, I'm thinking..seriously...its the same 4 all week..nothing else? okay, whatever.

So I went with San Angel Inn for Monday CP (this was the preferred day for us). Case closed, whatever. I was going to use the online ADR system for the rest of my reservations.

Fast forward an hour...

Trying to use the online ADR system, and i just kept getting the stupid error message. I don't know if it was just my luck, or if it was because i booked a bounceback offer, meaning my reservation number was only 8 digits..whatever..no big deal

So I call, at 8:30 to make the rest of my ADR's, and got a wonderful CM whose name I am not going to say, you will see why later.

The first thing I booked was Sanaa for Tuesday, the 15th. Got it at 12:00 exactly. Yipee! Next was Liberty Tree Tavern for 12:00 on Wednesday, the 16. Got it right at noon! I was on a ROLL and my CM was cheering me on!

Next was the biggie..Le Cellier at any point on Thursday. We love Le Cellier..

"Oh my gosh, I don't believe it. I am showing 2 openings for Le Cellier. I've been turning people away all week from Le Cellier..you are the first that has had success! Lets see, well this one is a Candelight Processional Package, the one I have for just lunch is 11:50."

wait...a CP Package for Le Cellier? On Thursday?

"I want the CP Package! I called earlier and they said there were none!"
"Well, it's your lucky day. This one is for 4:00 at Le Cellier."
"I'll take it!"

Then, I booked Cape May Cafe breakfast..got 8:05 am for Friday, December 18th.

I was thinking this whole time about how I wanted to cancel my Monday original San Angel Inn CP package...she said to book the dinner I want, then she would log out and cancel it for me.

"Can you check for Teppan Edo on Monday, the 14th for dinner?"
"Let me see. You are having such good luck...i hope it continues! Hm.. All i'm seeing is a CP package for Teppan Edo that day..let me search another time..."

Wait...a CP Package for Teppan Edo..on Monday? My preferred day? Which I was just told that there were none?

"Wait...they told me there was nothing at all available for Monday for the CP Package at Teppan Edo. I want that one! That was my preferred day for it!"
"Well then, it's yours. Let me put a hold on it for you. I'm going to hold the dinner reservation time also so we can make sure we can try to get you Le Cellier for Thursday without the CP Package, since you told me how much you wanted to eat there"

At this point, this is me...

"Let's see..I have a 2:00 at Le Cellier! My gosh you are so lucky today! Someone sprinkled Pixie Dust on you today, I haven't seen this type of luck in so long!"-- whether or not she was just humoring me, she was wonderful!

"Great! I'll take it!"

Let's review my cart:
-Monday CP Dinner, Teppan Edo
-Tuesday, Sanaa
-Wednesday, LTT
-Thursday, Le Cellier
-Friday, Cape May Cafe

"Okay, I will just need your CC number to hold the CP Package"
"No problem"

I gave her my CC# and expiration date. And nothing on the other end. I look at my phone... AND I LOST THE DARN CALL!

My PERFECT dining reservations. Everything I wanted, that I had worked so hard for. I started to cry, no lie...

I called back Disney Dining...got someone named phyllis...she was okay...told her the situation... at this point, it's around 9:30. I'm tired.

All of a sudden....a call beeps in...from a number I don't know..

IT WAS THE CM FROM BEFORE! She told me she knew how good it was and how great things were going..and that she went ahead and put everything through for me, and wrote down all the conformation numbers and got my phone number to call me...it was after her shift, I guess normally they aren't allowed to do things like this, so she called me on her own time, out of the goodness of her heart because she knew how bad I Wanted these ADR's. She gave me all the confirmation numbers. I called back to double check that she really did put them through, and she sure did!

So, that is my long confusing ADR story. I got some pixie dust today that's for sure!

 

[tink1957]

Wow, the was working for you on your ADRs. What a wonderful CM, I'm so glad you got what you wanted even if it nearly gave you a heart attack when you thought you had lost them. It's too bad you can't tell Disney how good she was without getting her in trouble.