Sept / Oct 2011

[marvel]

We will be at WDW around 14-21st can't decide where yet, and DL 23rd - 27th Sept, Yep doing both parks only because the grandparents will be with us for the first part of the trip and have never been to any park.

Hey wamum, that's a shame the dates don't match. would you believe we are backtracking as well ! we fly into LA from Europe and then fly back to NY drive to Orlando and fly back to LA to go home!! Never been to nascar but looks pretty cool, my son would love it.

I usually end up spending more in the gas station inside than I pay for the gas, there is always something on the counter to entice me!

 

[Jade+3]

Our WDW dates are 23 Sep - 6 Oct, staying at CBR.

I wish I was as organised as some of you guys with ADR's. My GP thinks I may have coeliac's, but I won't get my results before my ADR date, so am planning for a gluten free dining experience, just in case.

 

[hellosue]

Looks like you will be there when we are
Although, I have been considering moving to Port Orleans - because it looks so beautiful - this is what happens when you have to much time up your sleeve and your planning is done - you want to change things

I doubt this will happen though, as I really can't justify the added expense as we need two rooms. We could fit in one room with a trundle, or air mattress, which would be cheaper than two rooms at POP- but five of us in one room, one being a sixteen year old girl

I need to get a life!!

Yeah, I know what you mean I have a Sixteen yold Daughter to ... one reason taking her to WDW for Sweet Sixteen instead of party.... plus I have a fourteen yold Daughter as well

It does'nt matter where you stay but if cheaper then more to spend on Disney souvies

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

These are the places that I have booked ADR's for:

Kona Cafe - I want to try Tonga Toast
Cinderella's Royal Table - Not expecting much in terms of food, but looking forward to eating in the castle.
Via Napoli - Looks good, and I have been hearing good reviews.
Le Cellier - Hope it hasn't been built up too much in my mind. It is the place I am looking forward to the most.
Ohana - Looks yummy, with a good atmosphere.
Hoop-Dee-Doo - Not sure about the food, but like the look of the show.
Sci-Fi - I just really love the look of the theming here.
Marrakesh - We have a Syrian restaurant near us which we love , and are hoping to enjoy this as well, they might use similar flavours.
Coral Reef - Adam loves sea food and likes the look of the aquarium.
Jiko - The food here looks incredible, and it is nice to try a different taste than we are used to.
Crystal Palace - I want to hug tigger !
Boma - Same reason as Jiko, and if everyone is to be believed I will fall in love with Zebra domes.

If you read my PTR you will know that it was so much easier to book things than I thought it would be. It only took 30 mins to get everything I wanted. I love Disney's website for booking ADR's it is so easy. Which I was shocked at because I never have any luck with their website it always crashes on me.

ps. I cheated and took the list of ADR's off my PTR, I couldn't be bothered to write it up again. I am so ashamed I plagerised my own work (I am a bad person)

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Yeah, I know what you mean I have a Sixteen yold Daughter to ... one reason taking her to WDW for Sweet Sixteen instead of party.... plus I have a fourteen yold Daughter as well



Hellosue it is our sons Sweet 16th birthday when we are at DW as well we made sure our dates there were for his birthday he is so excited to be celebrating this at DW his only dissapointment is that he has to wait for 2 weeks after his birthday to get his learners permit

 

[battymum]

Glad to see there are more people taking their sixteen year olds. I planned this trip as a surprise to them for christmas (I have two 14 year old boys as well) I figured that it was going to be our last chance to have such a holiday, as HSC will be a priority after this. They grow up so quick, and 18months of planning (and saving) is a big chunk of their life.

As it is my DD will be missing her Year 10 Yearly exams - I have OK'd it with school, and they will work out how to make them up. (Every other year they dont do anything the last week of school!)

I was concerned that we had "missed the boat" and they would be too old for Disney, but they are "pumped" although adamant that we dont do character meals! I guess there is plenty we CAN do, that we couldnt if they were younger.

My son just told me it will make his life complete if we have dinner at Bubba Gumps! (they have been watching Forest Gump) Oh and he wants to see a real cowboy, with a big hat, at Dallas airport

 

[MouseFan Down Under]

Well in less than 20 minutes I booked all my ADR's (except Fantasmic Package & Wishes Dessert Party - as they were not available yet).

I got everything I wanted... including Le Cellier. Also, when I booked CP for early entry - I could have had CRT if I wanted it!

It is almost an anti-climax it was so easy!

 

[marvel]

do you need to have a room booking with a disney property to book ADR's?

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Well in less than 20 minutes I booked all my ADR's (except Fantasmic Package & Wishes Dessert Party - as they were not available yet).

I got everything I wanted... including Le Cellier. Also, when I booked CP for early entry - I could have had CRT if I wanted it!

It is almost an anti-climax it was so easy!

I found the same thing, I was all ready for a grand battle, Me against the system. And 30 mins later, done!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

do you need to have a room booking with a disney property to book ADR's?

No you don't, the only thing you can't do if you are staying off property is book 180+10 days. You won't be able to book the 10 days at once, you will just have to go on each day to make you ADR's. But I think that it will be really easy for you even then.

 

[Travel Mum]

When my time comes on April 2, do you think I should get my Dreams agent to do my ADR's or should I do it on the internet myself?

 

[battymum]

Yes thats what I was wondering too Travel Mum, I have already sent her my choices - but maybe I am better off staying up and doing it myself.

 

[MouseFan Down Under]

I found the same thing, I was all ready for a grand battle, Me against the system. And 30 mins later, done!

I was ready for the racing heartbeat, the cold sweat, the switching of days to make things work...but none of it...all so simple...it's almost too good to be true!!!

 

[kylieh]

I was ready for the racing heartbeat, the cold sweat, the switching of days to make things work...but none of it...all so simple...it's almost too good to be true!!!

I'm feeling like that too! I've lined up DH to log in on his lappy so we can get them all. I have a plan A, B, C.. X, Y, Z. OK, maybe not XYZ

We're trying to get an Illuminations Private Pontoon. They become avail at 180+10. Can only be done over the phone. Not that exe relative - up to 9 people, private, can of something to drink + "snack" was around US$350 + tip. But the lady said when I did the investigation call yesterday that there was only 4 pontoons in total.

Plan 2 - There are 9 of us staying on site (us 5 + DH's colleagues have 4) I'll set up a grand gathering and do the Illuminations Dinner.

Under two weeks to 180+10 Day!!!!

 

[Oz-kateer]

When my time comes on April 2, do you think I should get my Dreams agent to do my ADR's or should I do it on the internet myself?

The last two years I've had my DU agent do it, and I've been able to get every reservation I asked for, timing and all.

I just let her do it! No drama. No worries about not getting what I want, internet going down, you name it.

 

[shushh]

The last two years I've had my DU agent do it, and I've been able to get every reservation I asked for, timing and all.

I just let her do it! No drama. No worries about not getting what I want, internet going down, you name it.

We also let our SW agent do our bookings and we had 14 people, requests for special things left right and centre, as well as a complex plan A, B, C and D. She got all of what we wanted, except for Le Cellier's which we got at a later date.

It was easy and I didn't have to wake up/stay up. I got an email about 20 minutes after she made the reservations with all the confirmation numbers.

 

[marvel]

wow, you guys are so well organised. I am still deciding where to stay let along where to eat !! the illuminations cruise sounds great.

 

[hellosue]

Glad to see there are more people taking their sixteen year olds. I planned this trip as a surprise to them for christmas (I have two 14 year old boys as well) I figured that it was going to be our last chance to have such a holiday, as HSC will be a priority after this. They grow up so quick, and 18months of planning (and saving) is a big chunk of their life.

As it is my DD will be missing her Year 10 Yearly exams - I have OK'd it with school, and they will work out how to make them up. (Every other year they dont do anything the last week of school!)

I was concerned that we had "missed the boat" and they would be too old for Disney, but they are "pumped" although adamant that we dont do character meals! I guess there is plenty we CAN do, that we couldnt if they were younger.

My son just told me it will make his life complete if we have dinner at Bubba Gumps! (they have been watching Forest Gump) Oh and he wants to see a real cowboy, with a big hat, at Dallas airport

Hi Battymum,

We are going to eat at Bubba Gumps too - we saw Bubba Gumps in Santa Monica 2 years ago but Girls didn't want to eat there. But since they have now seen the Film they now want to eat there.... probably will do when staying near Universal ...

My Girls just love the Character Dining and have just finished chosing ADR's

 

[hellosue]

Hellosue it is our sons Sweet 16th birthday when we are at DW as well we made sure our dates there were for his birthday he is so excited to be celebrating this at DW his only dissapointment is that he has to wait for 2 weeks after his birthday to get his learners permit[/QUOTE]

Hi WAMUMOF4,

DD's actual Birthday is in August but had to make trip as to not miss too much school. She is keen to get Learners aswell I booked her in on her Birthday - now she wants to drive in America .... very keen

How wonderful to have your actual birthday at DW

 

[marvel]

Bubba Gumps is pretty cute, we have eaten there a few times, PRetty good fresh seafood and good service. And compared to eating in Australia, i find it cheap.

I say that having spent $9 on a foccacia in the city today