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

[Sarilas]

You ready for more changes? 'Cause I got one for ya!

So DH and I were waiting to add the dining plan to our trip package, unsure of which direction we really wanted to go in. We can add things up until we leave, we just can't downgrade after the 45 day mark, yeah us! So last night after a long, long discussion (I have dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep, people) we both came to a serious conclusion.
















































WE DON'T WANT SO MANY TABLE SERVICE RESTAURANTS!








They're stressing me OUT! Trying to optimize our park touring to make sure we get to our ADR times is torture when I have to factor in nap times and the fact that we've never BEEN to these places before. The variable of the unknown is SUFFOCATING ME. We'd already discussed canceling a handful of ADR's with only the inkling that we're really just not that into them, but we had to do SOMETHING with our TS credits.

Or DO we?

We made a decision last night, and one that immediately lifted a weight off my shoulders.

We're going to try the new Quick Service Dining Plan!

All that stressing over ADR's and schedules and I'm scrapping most of it! GO FIGURE!

We're going to decide on a few TS places to keep and just pay OOP for them. (Probably Cindy's Table will be a keeper, but I'm not even sure of that. Only my 10 year old has even expressed any real interest in it and even at that we're going to meet Cinderella and the step sisters at 1900... choices.)

So yes, we're going with the QS plan: 2 QS meals a day, 2 snack credits a day and a refillable resort mug all included- that with a few TS thrown in for good measure is PERFECT, and I've got such a weight lifted off my shoulders!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think that is a good idea since you are going for the first time, and you do have a lot of variables. The very fact that you feel less stressed means it's a winner in my eyes -- no vacation should ever be stressful.

 

[Sarilas]

I feel hugely relieved- a definite sign that this was the right thing to do. Even my TA thought it was a good idea.

Now to decide which TS to keep!

 

[TarzansKat]

Hon, I think that's a great idea, and I'm really interested to see how it works out for you. I would definitely keep a couple of TS meals, because it really is nice to just sit down and relax a few times, you know?

But, yes, orchestrating the kiddos, and the unpredictability of it all...I mean it's hard enough for me, with one! Now that you have the flexibility of counter service...oh, think of all the different places you can eat in Epcot.

Yum. Yum.

 

[MRYPPNS]

We didn't do any dinning plan on this past trip (we did the prior 2 trips) and let me tell you how freeing it was to cancel and change plans as the week went on without worry that we were losing money. I think the QS plan is the way to go for your family this trip!

 

[Sarilas]

Hon, I think that's a great idea, and I'm really interested to see how it works out for you. I would definitely keep a couple of TS meals, because it really is nice to just sit down and relax a few times, you know?

But, yes, orchestrating the kiddos, and the unpredictability of it all...I mean it's hard enough for me, with one! Now that you have the flexibility of counter service...oh, think of all the different places you can eat in Epcot.

Yum. Yum.

We didn't do any dinning plan on this past trip (we did the prior 2 trips) and let me tell you how freeing it was to cancel and change plans as the week went on without worry that we were losing money. I think the QS plan is the way to go for your family this trip!

I'm glad you all agree! I was hesitant at first, and then suddenly very RELIEVED at the thought of not HAVING to be so many places every single day for ten days.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm so happy that you have a resolution that works for you. I know it's hard to get it just right since you want everything so perfect. You just get his feeling when everything clicks into place. You are working so hard to make this a great trip for your family and I know that your kids will always remember it.

 

[TarzansKat]

I'm glad you all agree! I was hesitant at first, and then suddenly very RELIEVED at the thought of not HAVING to be so many places every single day for ten days.

Honestly, like CP said, vacation shouldn't be stressful.

Not that I haven't been on stressful ones. But yours shouldn't be!!!

 

[winkers]

That's a good idea!

I'm sweating because the "final" ddp restraunt list isn't out yet, and as of now 2 of our must do's aren't included.

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's a good idea!

I'm sweating because the "final" ddp restraunt list isn't out yet, and as of now 2 of our must do's aren't included.

Which two? It seems like last year I was sweating a couple and, of course, they ended up on there.

 

[MegansMom]

I think that will be a great decision for you guys---remember you MUST relax and enjoy this trip too!!!

 

[winkers]

Which two? It seems like last year I was sweating a couple and, of course, they ended up on there.

Teppan Edo and Tuoto Italia

 

[Charleston Princess]

Teppan Edo and Tuoto Italia

Teppan was one of the ones I was sweating, too. Don't worry -- I bet it ends up on there. Heavens, I hope it ends up on there because I want it again for the June trip.

 

[Sarilas]

I'm so happy that you have a resolution that works for you. I know it's hard to get it just right since you want everything so perfect. You just get his feeling when everything clicks into place. You are working so hard to make this a great trip for your family and I know that your kids will always remember it.

We talked about it more (okay, obsessively!) this weekend and we're REALLY happy with this plan. If I hadn't found been directed to the Dis, I'd probably end up with all QS anyway since I wouldn't know half of what I know now! But we always do a lot of QS and running around at theme parks, so this is a fantastic game plan for our first trip.

Honestly, like CP said, vacation shouldn't be stressful.

Not that I haven't been on stressful ones. But yours shouldn't be!!!

Yeah, my last few vacations have been nothing if NOT stressful! A calm, collected vacation would be a novelty worth having!

That's a good idea!

I'm sweating because the "final" ddp restraunt list isn't out yet, and as of now 2 of our must do's aren't included.

I've heard this happens a lot, yes? When I was making ADR's the CM's told me I'd have to call and check on a couple after the first of the year because their contracts weren't finalized. I remember San Angel Inn was one of those!

I think that will be a great decision for you guys---remember you MUST relax and enjoy this trip too!!!

We are going to do our darndest to actual have a relaxing time and try not to get too overwhelmed!

 

[Sarilas]

So, you may have noticed I've fallen a WEE BIT BEHIND the last few days! That tends to happen to me on weekends when I've got DH and everyone at home and under foot, but never more so than the days before Christmas I suppose.

On the plane ticket front, DH and I are trying to decide if we want to stay the entire last day at WDW and take the latest flight possible home. What we would actually DO with our time we're unsure of but we thought about either adding a day of park tickets and hanging out at whichever park becomes our favorite or going to Disney Quest, but I don't know that DQ has anything for the littlest two to do...

But I digress! We have a countdown to attend to!

The ‘roots’ of the Swiss Family Robinson Tree are built 42 feet into the ground for structural support.

Dumbo was first released in the US released in 1941

Splash Mountain boasts one of the world's longest flume drops and promises guests a 40 mph descent -- faster than any other attraction in Magic Kingdom.

Mickey Mouse was originally drawn using circles -- for head, body, and ears. The Pointer, in 1939, was the first cartoon that featured a drastically new design for Mickey. His body became more pear shaped than round, and pupils were added to his eyes, making them more expressive.

 

[GeminiAngel]

I love the trivia!!!!! Where are you getting this stuff from?

 

[Sarilas]

I love the trivia!!!!! Where are you getting this stuff from?

EVERYWHERE, literally! I started looking it up months and months ago and it just became so much fun to do. I'm sure I'll keep looking as time goes on, to fill in the gaps of the less than stellar choices.

 

[winkers]

I like leaving on the latest flight. That way we don't have to get up super early the last morning, which means we can be out late the last night if we want. We usually hit a park for a few hours before lunch.

 

[Sarilas]

I'm slacking people, I'm slacking!

We are now at 34 DAYS TILL DISNEY!

I cannot believe how the time has flown by... it's amazing!

And because I've slacked so much in finding posting time, I have mondo ginormous countdowns to post. (Spot the days where I was having trouble finding interesting facts!)


38” is the height requirement to ride Kali River Rapids.

The ride technology for the Soarin' attraction was based on an erector set model created by Walt Disney Imagineer Mark Sumner. One million pounds of steel provides the ride structure and 37 tons are lifted during each ride cycle.

Winter Summerland is a 36-hole miniature golf course located near the entrance to Disney's Blizzard Beach water park.

There are 35 lifelike Audio-Animatronic figures used in a variety of historical scenes such as Plymouth Rock, Valley Forge and the Civil War in The American Adventure in World Showcase including flags from the Revolutionary War, Colonial period, as well as foreign flags that once had claim to the land.

The ride vehicles of Expedition Everest are known as "Steam Donkeys", are modeled after steam-engine tea trains, and carry up to 34 passengers per train

Merry post-Christmas everyone!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I really love your trivia, so much that I ordered a disney trivia calendar for myself. It's supposed to come on the 30th, I am so excited!