Skipping the turkey and dressing for Disney! Thanksgiving 2012

[Allboysandme]

This is my first trip report, but I've lurked on here for years. Well, since 2009 to be exact. That's when I caught the Disney bug and just HAD to take my kids to Disney World. We did it up that year. We stayed on site at Caribbean Beach, got the dining plan that included three character meals, and all five of us flew to Orlando. The entire time I was taking mental notes of what I would do differently next time. Five people in a hotel room was insane! We decided we really needed a kitchen, too. I think the biggest regret was not having a car. Dh and I used to live in Orlando, right on International Drive, and we wanted to stop by all of the restaurants and shops we loved when we lived there. I know, I know, it's a Disers fantasy to live in Orlando. We were young and childless back then and more interested in hanging out in downtown Orlando instead of Disney. We're making up for our grave lapse in judgment now.



The Cast:

Me (Jen)-I'm a cough, cough 35yo sahm to three boys and just graduated from nursing school. I love having the summer off so much I decided to put off looking for a job. Nursing school really takes a toll on the entire family so we need to get ourselves back on track before I commit to anything. That means getting our vacation on, too.

Dh (Jase)-He's 37, works in the oil and gas field, and a bit of a Disneyphile. He may love the restaurants and the possibility of a round of golf more than anything.

Here's a pic of us from a recent trip to NYC.

The wee pirates:

D (9)-He's my adrenaline junkie. He loves roller coasters and is never happier than when he's racing from one ride to the next. He'll be in fourth grade this fall. I can't believe he's so big! I'm hoping he'll hug a character or something when we're at Disney. Right now his interests are in sports and shooting zombies on Xbox. He's still sweet and will let me hug and kiss him even if he does have that look like he wants to bolt.

R (6)-He has always been my quiet, shy and well-behaved little guy until this year. I'm not sure what's gotten into him, but he is so mischievous lately. He breaks the rules with a grin and a dimple that says,"You caught me and I don't care." It's a good thing he's cute! He loves playing with army soldiers and can't wait to see the Toy Story army guy at HS.

A (4)-My little guy! I love his imagination and can't wait to see his reaction to the characters. Last time he was at DW he hugged the characters and wouldn't let go. He thought they were big stuffed animals and would have brought them home on the plane if he could. He loves all the characters, but especially Mickey Mouse. When he sees their picture together from our last trip he says,"He likes me?!" It's as if he can't believe Mickey knows and likes him. It just melts me into a puddle.

Details: More to Come!

When: November 18-24
Where: Homewood Suites Hilton Lake Buena Vista





Links:


Why We Chose Off-Site

ADRs

 

[mdsouth]

My family's last trip to WDW was in 2009 too! We stayed at CSR and had previously stayed at CBR in 2005. I am just dreaming of going back now!

I think going at Thanksgiving would be a great time to go.

Both times, we were there during the heat of summer, once the end of May and the other the end of June beginning of July. I am a teacher so, the summer is when I can go. But I am always dreaming of taking a trip during the cooler months and with less crowds.

So, I am here for the ride. The condo sounds like a good option for your family. You just so much more room, kitchen, etc for the money. Have you picked your condo yet?

My DD is 9 and my son is 15. My DD will be going into 4th grade this fall too.

Have you started thinking about meals yet? Will most your meals be at the condo?

 

[Allboysandme]

My family's last trip to WDW was in 2009 too! We stayed at CSR and had previously stayed at CBR in 2005. I am just dreaming of going back now!

I think going at Thanksgiving would be a great time to go.

Both times, we were there during the heat of summer, once the end of May and the other the end of June beginning of July. I am a teacher so, the summer is when I can go. But I am always dreaming of taking a trip during the cooler months and with less crowds.

So, I am here for the ride. The condo sounds like a good option for your family. You just so much more room, kitchen, etc for the money. Have you picked your condo yet?

My DD is 9 and my son is 15. My DD will be going into 4th grade this fall too.

Have you started thinking about meals yet? Will most your meals be at the condo?

We were there in June when we went in 2009. It was just way too hot for us and we're from Texas. I had to look back at my notes because I couldn't remember which place I ended up booking a couple of weeks ago. I looked at too many condos/suites and reviews on trip advisor. I updated it in the OP. I was a day off on my dates, too. Did I mention it was late when I started this trip report? That's got to be the reason for me forgetting the details!

We already made our ADRs before we booked the hotel and decided to keep them. We really enjoyed the dining last time so we'll be revisiting some old places and trying some new ones. I doubt we'll do much in the way of meals at the condo, but we need the kitchen for drinks and snacks. It will be nice not to have to wash a sippy cup out in a bathroom sink this time!

 

[Allboysandme]

Last time we went in 2009 we decided on Caribbean Beach. It was summer, it had an awesome pirate pool and slide, and enough tropical flair that I could squint and imagine I was in the Caribbean. I have no complaints about the property at all! It's everything you see in the pictures. But, a family of five (yds was only 1) in one room for a week got way too crowded. By day four, I was ready to vote one of the kids off the island that was our room. I was washing sippy cups out in the bathroom sink and we couldn't fit much in the fridge. My husband and my younger boys needed a nap in the afternoons. Can you say lightweights? It was hard to nap when D and I wanted to watch tv. It just didn't work. When we got into the room we couldn't even figure out how to get everything in the door. We had a pack n' play, double stroller, four backpacks, multiple suitcases. We somehow managed. Here's a pic of when we got there back in 2009. We shoved everything we could in the corner you can't see and used the pack and play for storage when A wasn't sleeping in it. My husband would kill me if he saw this picture!

I had considered a cabin at The Wilderness Lodge, but it was pricey. We also knew we were going to spend some time off-site at our old stomping grounds on I-Drive. I was floored when I found 2 bedroom condos for a little over $100 a night. And they're nice! My frugal little heart soared.

We decided to go with Hilton Homewood Suites because it's newer and updated. It also got great reviews on trip advisor. Thank you to the people who leave feedback! It's only one bedroom (with two queens), a living room with a pull out couch, and a kitchen. For the same price we could have gotten two bedrooms at another resort, but we really don't need a second bedroom. We did want something new and pretty though. The pool is just okay, but we're going in November. If it had been warmer we may chosen another place. It's very close to Disney and I-Drive. The best part is they have a full hot breakfast included in the price with Mickey Waffles!

I did notice when researching resorts off-site that you have to be careful of hidden costs like maid service, self-parking charges, resort fee charges, and extra for wi-fi. Thankfully, HHS doesn't have any of those fees. It's something to keep in mind if you decide to stay off-site.

 

[Allboysandme]

We weren't sure where we were staying or how we were going to get there, but we definitely knew we were going during one of the busiest times of the year, Thanksgiving. We went ahead and booked ADRs as if we were staying on-site with the dining plan to get the reservations we wanted. We still missed out on Liberty Tree Tavern on Thanksgiving. That's okay. We're going to go the night before and just have our turkey early. We'll miss the MK crowds on Thanksgiving Day, too. There was some talk of canceling a few reservations since we're off-site now, but we really enjoyed our dining plan last time we were there so we're keeping all of them.

Sat-17th-Travel Day
Sun 18th-Arrival Day, Just QS
Mon 19th-Lunch at San Angel Inn
Tue 20th-Lunch at Sci-Fi
Wed 21st-Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, Liberty Tree Dinner
Thu 22nd-Breakfast at Tusker House
Fri 23rd- Whispering Canyon Dinner
Sat 24th-Travel Day
Sun 25th-Travel Day


We loved San Angel Inn when we lived in Florida. Being from Texas we're always up for good Mexican food. Unfortunately, it was closed when we went in 2009. That was my husband's #1 dining request this trip.

Sci-Fi is new for us. I think the kids will love it!

We love Chef Mickey's for breakfast. We got great pictures with the characters and can't wait to go back. Here's a few from our 2009 trip.

We've been to LTT many years ago and enjoyed it. I think it's a must on Thanksgiving, er Thanksgiving week in my case.

Tusker House is new for us, but my kids love breakfast food and characters so I'm sure it will be a hit. Our reservation is only 20 minutes before lunch is served so we might get some Thanksgiving fare that day, too.

Besides Chef Mickey's, WCC was my kids' favorite! They loved everything from the Lincoln Logs to the entertainment. I wanted an excuse to see the Wilderness Lodge's Christmas decorations.

 

[Allboysandme]

I haven't updated in a while because not much has gone on with our Disney trip until yesterday. I'm so excited to announce that we are now flying instead of driving!

My husband's boss (the owner of the company) decided to give us an early Christmas present and send all five of us there so we don't have to drive 16 hours each way. Isn't that amazing?! Who does that?! Obviously someone who is wants to keep his employees forever.

Since my last update we've been pretty busy. My husband and I went to Maui for our anniversary in August, the kids started school, I started an interior design blog, and I just started a part-time job as an RN a couple of weeks ago. It's amazing how things can change in just a few months.

I'm now ready to fully concentrate on getting ready for Disney so get ready for some updates!