Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[Lady Lallie]

You were totally right. I plugged 'Ohana in fo sho. I forgot about that one! Whispering Canyon is SOOOOOOOOOO not going to happen. I'm pushing the boundaries with Chef Mickey's! The fam is really not into dining participation... that's why there's no Primetime Cafe on there. My husband would freak OUT.

I think everyone would really like Cali Grill, but I'm hesitant about the little girls. I went ahead and plugged in a lunch ressie because I figure that if the girls are cranky or what not I can arrange for in-room babysitting for a couple of hours and take the big kids with us for a 'grown up' lunch. I think they'd love that. As I think about it though I may move that to a sunset dinner during which we might catch the fireworks...

Glad to be of help! I have to pay back the favor for getting to dine with the colonials at LTT!

I have heard good things about Cali Grill but we just couldn't fit it in this time.

I hear ya about the dining participation, DH refused Whispering Canyon as well.

 

[Sarilas]

Hi, hon!

You can take the boat launch from Epcot to the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, and the Swan & Dolphin resorts.

Lovin' the planning ADR sheet, it looks great!

Thank you! I was trying to find something that showed alternate methods of transportation but to no avail.

Glad to be of help! I have to pay back the favor for getting to dine with the colonials at LTT!

I have heard good things about Cali Grill but we just couldn't fit it in this time.

I hear ya about the dining participation, DH refused Whispering Canyon as well.

We saw Primetime on one of the Travel Channel shows, and thought it looked fantastic... until we started reading more about how much participation they like to have. DH was so not having it... and since he hasn't asked for much this vacation I couldn't see torturing him through lunch or dinner like that!

 

[Lady Lallie]

We saw Primetime on one of the Travel Channel shows, and thought it looked fantastic... until we started reading more about how much participation they like to have. DH was so not having it... and since he hasn't asked for much this vacation I couldn't see torturing him through lunch or dinner like that!

You are a stand up wife!

 

[willwriteforears]

That is an excellent chart!

Sorry I can't offer much help in the way of ADR planning. I haven't been to many of the Disney restaurants, TS or counter.

I will have to rectify during Lapu Lapu Fabby Fest '09.

 

[TarzansKat]

Thank you! I was trying to find something that showed alternate methods of transportation but to no avail.

I will have to rectify during Lapu Lapu Fabby Fest '09.

Hear, hear!

 

[Sarilas]

Guess... who... has... DINING RESERVATIONS!

I had to shuffle a few things around, and I'm still not pleased with a couple of things (namely Boma and Ohana for breakfast) but it's a great first draft!

AND I got Cinderella's Table.. AND Chef Mickey's.. AND Le Cellier... and I'm SOOOOOOO stoked!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Woo hoo!!!

I am surprised that the Boma and O'Hana's are such late times! That was the earliest they had?

 

[willwriteforears]

Guess... who... has... DINING RESERVATIONS!

I had to shuffle a few things around, and I'm still not pleased with a couple of things (namely Boma and Ohana for breakfast) but it's a great first draft!

AND I got Cinderella's Table.. AND Chef Mickey's.. AND Le Cellier... and I'm SOOOOOOO stoked!

You've got your biggies in, and that's the most important thing! It looks like the call with the CM went well. Did you use the "I know I'm not at 180 days yet, but..." line that the other CM (sorry, forgot her name) said you should use? Was this new CM nice?

 

[Sarilas]

Woo hoo!!!

I am surprised that the Boma and O'Hana's are such late times! That was the earliest they had?

I'll tell you what happened there; I didn't realize those places didn't have LUNCH MENUS! That threw me totally off course so we plugged in brunches. I'll probably keep the 'Ohana breakfast/brunch where it is so we can still have a late meal (we'll have been up pretty early, this will work well) and the kids can experience the Lilo and Stitch thing. But I think Boma and Crystal Palace are going to do some swapping... (I'm just working that out on paper now.)

You've got your biggies in, and that's the most important thing! It looks like the call with the CM went well. Did you use the "I know I'm not at 180 days yet, but..." line that the other CM (sorry, forgot her name) said you should use? Was this new CM nice?

TWO TRIES! First CM was not having it. She was nice enough in that Stepford Wife "yes dear" kind of way. I swear I don't think she listened to half of what I said. I hung up, gathered my composure and tried again. This time I lucked out (as I would need to have!) The CM I got was AWESOME and yes, brute force honesty saved the day!

 

[Sarilas]

Let me pose this question to you all... If you were going to choose ONE restaurant to have your FINAL dinner in at Disney World, where would you choose?

I'm having a heck of a time deciding this. I want to choose something memorable for everyone since it'll be our last full day (we'll be up early to drive home the next morning)...

 

[Lady Lallie]

I am so happy for you that you got your ADR's! What a relief!!

What about switching Boma and Crystal Palce. That way after a day at the parks, you could go to Boma for dinner....?? Then explore the AK Lodge afterwards....?? Just a suggestion!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Let me pose this question to you all... If you were going to choose ONE restaurant to have your FINAL dinner in at Disney World, where would you choose?

I'm having a heck of a time deciding this. I want to choose something memorable for everyone since it'll be our last full day (we'll be up early to drive home the next morning)...

That is a very good question and I am not sure I have an answer!

 

[willwriteforears]

Let me pose this question to you all... If you were going to choose ONE restaurant to have your FINAL dinner in at Disney World, where would you choose?

I'm having a heck of a time deciding this. I want to choose something memorable for everyone since it'll be our last full day (we'll be up early to drive home the next morning)...

: Boy, that's a toughie. When I think "memorable," I think ambiance as well as tasty food. Are you interested in some of the nighttime fireworks? If so, and you're willing to be out a bit late, you might choose a restaurant where you could watch one of the shows. Looks like you have MK scheduled for the last day in the evening. I'm honestly not sure what/if any of the restaurants there are good for the MK fireworks...

 

[Lady Lallie]

: Boy, that's a toughie. When I think "memorable," I think ambiance as well as tasty food. Are you interested in some of the nighttime fireworks? If so, and you're willing to be out a bit late, you might choose a restaurant where you could watch one of the shows. Looks like you have MK scheduled for the last day in the evening. I'm honestly not sure what/if any of the restaurants there are good for the MK fireworks...

I think that one is tough at MK. What about eating in the MK area (resorts included) and watch the electrical water pagent and catch wishes from the GF or Poly beach...??

 

[Sarilas]

...guess who's already made her first ADR changes?

After more flirtation... er, "discussion" with my DH, we're going to plan on 'Ohana for our last meal. Yeah, we've already got a breakfast scheduled there, but everyone wants to try dinner there as well (I think he just wants to have meat brought to him continuously till he bursts).

The little girls are pretty freaked out by fireworks still, so if we see any it'll be from a distance. But that's okay, nobody's heart broken by it (that'll change as they become familiar with everything!)

So...

Here's the NEW plan:

So we moved Akershus (which I will NEVER learn to spell correctly) to lunch from breakfast, moved Crystal Palace to lunch on Wednesday making room for Boma for dinner on Thursday and took out Whispering Canyon altogether for the 'Ohana 'goodbye' dinner on Saturday...

I'm probably still going to plug Raglan Road in for our first dinner at Downtown Disney, but I need to show DH and the kids the menu and see if they get the Irish menu... I'm sure they will. They love the idea of trying new things!

 

[Lady Lallie]

...guess who's already made her first ADR changes?

After more flirtation... er, "discussion" with my DH, we're going to plan on 'Ohana for our last meal. Yeah, we've already got a breakfast scheduled there, but everyone wants to try dinner there as well (I think he just wants to have meat brought to him continuously till he bursts).

The little girls are pretty freaked out by fireworks still, so if we see any it'll be from a distance. But that's okay, nobody's heart broken by it (that'll change as they become familiar with everything!)

So...

Here's the NEW plan:

So we moved Akershus (which I will NEVER learn to spell correctly) to lunch from breakfast, moved Crystal Palace to lunch on Wednesday making room for Boma for dinner on Thursday and took out Whispering Canyon altogether for the 'Ohana 'goodbye' dinner on Saturday...

I'm probably still going to plug Raglan Road in for our first dinner at Downtown Disney, but I need to show DH and the kids the menu and see if they get the Irish menu... I'm sure they will. They love the idea of trying new things!

I love it! I think O'hana is a great alternative and you can catch the Electrical Water Pageant from the Poly Beach if you so desire. I bet your kiddos would like that! You are trying some great places!

 

[willwriteforears]

Lovely plan! 'Ohana for the last dinner sounds like an excellent choice. I hope you will remember to take lots and lots of pictures for food porn!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Looks great! I get hungry just looking at it!!!

 

[Sarilas]

I'll tell ya, the Deluxe Dining Plan is kind of great for us- if it weren't for ADR's and knowing we have somewhere to be at a specific time we'd probably run the kids ragged. This way we're forced to stop, sit down, relax and refuel.

And there WILL BE food porn! I'm looking at a fantabulous new camera... If I can talk DH into it. I do believe I deserve a $500 camera for Christmas.

 

[TarzansKat]

Congratulations on your ADRs, hon! What a feeling of accomplishment, huh?