Summer and Serendipity ~ July PTR ~ LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!

[Luvmepluto]

I am sorry to hear about your uncle, but he is in a better place with no more suffering. I pray that your father has a quick recovery.


I have cut down on my meals at Disney this year. We will do more quick services than table services......I have never eaten at Tuskerhouse (Am I the only one... I am going to have to try it.

 

[pinkxray]

Tuskerhouse was my favorite on this trip. It happened to fall on one of the days we were paying OOP and it really felt worth the cost to me. The bread pudding was awesome! I think CP and Tuskerhouse will be our two breakfast ADRs that I will try to fit in each year.

We missed FOTlk. We went to see Nemo and DH hated it. He refused to go to anymore shows. Why watch a show, when you could just watch a movie. We were watching the Lion King the other day and he said he was surprised Disney didn't have more Lion King stuff. They have a whole show you didn't want to see! I guess he doesn't like Nemo to begin with so I should have picked the Lion King.

I didn't realize you are doing the Wishes dessert party. I wish I had kept that. Oh well, hopefully it will be around next trip.

 

[annmarieda]

I think Tusker is a good way to start the day at AK. I have it planned for oop on our next trip. I must admit though, I was kinda relieved when dh said he didn't want to go so to make the ADR for without him. Course... I want him to have the experience. (the juice is pretty yummy) But if it were just to be myself and dd.. would be a lot less oop.

 

[tinacaplan]

Tina, I'm sorry the news wasn't better for your Dad, but glad he is doing okay. You've certainly had a long day.

Your Day 2 plans sound great! We've never done the dessert party so I'll be anxious to hear what you think of it.

Max may surprise you with the "child swap". He'd be with one parent at all times (it's worth a try).

Thanks, Kathy. It was a very long day...exhausting. And I teach for nine hours every day!

I think the dessert party will be worth every penny if it means I get Max to love fireworks! That's the plan! Hope it works. And if the desserts also happen to be good, and I'm sure that at least some of them will be, we'll be coming out ahead.

I might just have to try the child swap. There were a lot of rides we didn't get to do last time because of Max. Which is totally fine, but both Mark and I would love to do Soarin' and Startours.

What a great Day 2!

I agree, those character meals are pricey though!

Thanks!

I am sorry to hear about your uncle, but he is in a better place with no more suffering. I pray that your father has a quick recovery.


I have cut down on my meals at Disney this year. We will do more quick services than table services......I have never eaten at Tuskerhouse (Am I the only one... I am going to have to try it.

Thank you. I appreciate it. And Tuskerhouse is great!

Tuskerhouse was my favorite on this trip. It happened to fall on one of the days we were paying OOP and it really felt worth the cost to me. The bread pudding was awesome! I think CP and Tuskerhouse will be our two breakfast ADRs that I will try to fit in each year.

We missed FOTlk. We went to see Nemo and DH hated it. He refused to go to anymore shows. Why watch a show, when you could just watch a movie. We were watching the Lion King the other day and he said he was surprised Disney didn't have more Lion King stuff. They have a whole show you didn't want to see! I guess he doesn't like Nemo to begin with so I should have picked the Lion King.

I didn't realize you are doing the Wishes dessert party. I wish I had kept that. Oh well, hopefully it will be around next trip.

I swear, I can't stop thinking about TH's bread pudding. Its a little weird. We love the Lion King so much, I can't imagine missing FOLK. All three of us are constantly singing Lion King songs. I'm hoping we get to catch Nemo later in the week. We love that, too!

I'm super excited about the dessert party. I'm hoping that this will get Max to love fireworks, because he doesn't yet!

I think Tusker is a good way to start the day at AK. I have it planned for oop on our next trip. I must admit though, I was kinda relieved when dh said he didn't want to go so to make the ADR for without him. Course... I want him to have the experience. (the juice is pretty yummy) But if it were just to be myself and dd.. would be a lot less oop.

I think you might be right, Ann! And it is pricey, but... If it makes you feel any better, my husband only had Fruit Loops there. Why...I'm not sure. And, yes, that juice is delicious!

 

[glennbo123]

I'm sorry for your uncle's passing Tina, and I hope they can find other ways to help your father.

 

[tinacaplan]

First of all...again, thank you all so much for your kind thoughts over the last couple of days. It means a great deal to me. Tomorrow I’m actually taking a bereavement day, as its the same day of the wake, which will be quite long. The funeral is on Saturday. I’m glad I’m going to have a chance to rest and relax a bit before all of that.

So...onward with more Disney planning...

Sunday July 17

OK, so I don’t love love love my plans for this day, except for the beginning. We’re planning on getting to MK for rope drop and doing the Fantasyland thing: Dumbo, Pooh, IASW, the Carousel. Maybe Philharmagic, if there’s time. Max has an eye problem that isn’t anything serious, but he has to **** his head in a certain way in order to see. Mark is convinced that because of this, Max looks at movies over the top of 3D glasses, which is why Max doesn’t love 3D. I’m not sure. Could be.

I’m hoping we can grab an early lunch at Cosmic Ray’s. Max has already requested that we ride the People Mover again and Carousel of Progress. Both of these rides would work well around midday, especially with crowds and heat. After that, its back to the resort for some SAB/nap time.

So, here’s the part of the day I’m finding a bit problematic. Currently, we have a 7:00 ADR at Yak and Yeti, which I suspect Max will love, as he adores P.F. Changs and the menus look strikingly similar. I am hoping that we will get ourselves together early enough to see the 4:45 showing of Nemo, but I’m doubtful of this. In fact, I’m a bit concerned that we’ll only be going out to AK to go to Yak and Yeti and I’m wondering whether or not its worth it. I would LOVE anyone’s opinions on this: Is it worth it to travel all the way out to AK if we’re just going to have dinner at Yak and Yeti?

If we go there and we feel up to it, perhaps we’ll head to DTD afterwards. We didn’t make it there last year. We could always just head out there for dinner, as well. We’ve yet to try WPE, or Ghiradelli’s for dessert. Could be fun, too.

But...this will only the beginning of my evening, as I’m headed to MK for SOLO evening EMHs. Once Max is in bed, I’ll set out on my own, which I’ve never really done before. Yes, I did walk around MK for an hour or so last year before meeting up with Karin and Tom (Dizneeat), but I didn’t do much besides the Carousel of Progress and the People Mover beforehand. Being on my own completely will be a very different experience. I hope I like it! Of course, I”ll be at Disneyworld! What’s not to like?

 

[tinacaplan]

I'm sorry for your uncle's passing Tina, and I hope they can find other ways to help your father.

Thanks, Glenn. I hope they do, too. It would be great for Max if my dad had more mobility, as Max just adores him.

 

[PirateKate]

I think Yak and Yeti is kind of a tricky one. It doesn't really seem worth it to go all the way to AK, just for dinner, but on the other hand, the park might be kind of empty and cool.

I think some alone time at Magic Kingdom sounds great. I'm sure you'll have a fun time. I hope the crowds are low for you.

 

[dizneeat]

First, let me tell you sad I was to hear the news about your uncle.

Not really good news about your dad either, but I hope they come up with some kind of precedure to help him.

Now on to your plans!


Guess what, we have never been to Tusker House - so NO comment at all!

Be warned ....... AK gets HOT in February - it gets boiling hot in the summer, so if July is anywhere near August - it is VERY hot!
And please prepare MY () little Max that he might get pretty soaked and that the water might swap over his head on KRR. Seen more than one crying kid leaving that ride.

Same goes for MK - it will be hot and PACKED! If you hit it towards the afternoon be aware that the park will be full and lines will be long.
LOVE the idea of CHH for dinner - yum yum tuna sandwich as you said before.

The desserts at the Wishes Dessert Party are pretty good and there is plenty of variety.
BUT ........ you will need to get up and get to the uncovered area to see the fireworks, you can NOT see them from your seat.
You might see them if you are seated at the front, but people standing in front of you will block your view of the castle and lower fireworks. If you are seated towards the back your view is blocked by the ceiling.
If you go to my home page there should be lots of photos in my summer 2009 report.

MK in the morning is a neat idea. Cooler in the morning and less people - love the opening ceremony!

Another warning ....... SAB is PACKED during the midday hours. When we stayed at the YC we would sneak into the pool right when they opened and rather later in the evening. I did not like the midday house as we didn't have much space in the pool.
Maybe you can hit a quiet pool in the midday hours and return to SAB in the later hours of the day.

We LOVE Y&Y, but if I had to ride the bus just for dinner there I am not sure I would go.
It takes quite a while to get there, long hot walk through the park ....... what about eating at B&C at the resort or going to DTD (again crowded!)

EMH at the MK will be crowded in the beginning but like in February people thin out over the 3 hour period and you are going to have loads of fun!

 

[eandesmom]

well......

you may recall our Tusker evening. Similar situation and we made it on one ride before and some made it on one after. And that was with EMH.

I'd have to agree that if you stay and do lunch at Cosmic Ray's, by the time you get back to the BC, pool/nap I can't see a 4:45 nemo being remotely feasible with travel time.

I'd probably leave MK earlier if you want to hit AK in the afternoon and do lunch at the pool from Hurricane Hannah's. If you do make rope drop, in the July heat I'm thinking you might not make it to midday.

I am very sorry for your loss

 

[tinacaplan]

I think Yak and Yeti is kind of a tricky one. It doesn't really seem worth it to go all the way to AK, just for dinner, but on the other hand, the park might be kind of empty and cool.

I think some alone time at Magic Kingdom sounds great. I'm sure you'll have a fun time. I hope the crowds are low for you.

First, let me tell you sad I was to hear the news about your uncle.

Not really good news about your dad either, but I hope they come up with some kind of precedure to help him.

Now on to your plans!


Guess what, we have never been to Tusker House - so NO comment at all!

Be warned ....... AK gets HOT in February - it gets boiling hot in the summer, so if July is anywhere near August - it is VERY hot!
And please prepare MY () little Max that he might get pretty soaked and that the water might swap over his head on KRR. Seen more than one crying kid leaving that ride.

Same goes for MK - it will be hot and PACKED! If you hit it towards the afternoon be aware that the park will be full and lines will be long.
LOVE the idea of CHH for dinner - yum yum tuna sandwich as you said before.

The desserts at the Wishes Dessert Party are pretty good and there is plenty of variety.
BUT ........ you will need to get up and get to the uncovered area to see the fireworks, you can NOT see them from your seat.
You might see them if you are seated at the front, but people standing in front of you will block your view of the castle and lower fireworks. If you are seated towards the back your view is blocked by the ceiling.
If you go to my home page there should be lots of photos in my summer 2009 report.

MK in the morning is a neat idea. Cooler in the morning and less people - love the opening ceremony!

Another warning ....... SAB is PACKED during the midday hours. When we stayed at the YC we would sneak into the pool right when they opened and rather later in the evening. I did not like the midday house as we didn't have much space in the pool.
Maybe you can hit a quiet pool in the midday hours and return to SAB in the later hours of the day.

We LOVE Y&Y, but if I had to ride the bus just for dinner there I am not sure I would go.
It takes quite a while to get there, long hot walk through the park ....... what about eating at B&C at the resort or going to DTD (again crowded!)

EMH at the MK will be crowded in the beginning but like in February people thin out over the 3 hour period and you are going to have loads of fun!

well......

you may recall our Tusker evening. Similar situation and we made it on one ride before and some made it on one after. And that was with EMH.

I'd have to agree that if you stay and do lunch at Cosmic Ray's, by the time you get back to the BC, pool/nap I can't see a 4:45 nemo being remotely feasible with travel time.

I'd probably leave MK earlier if you want to hit AK in the afternoon and do lunch at the pool from Hurricane Hannah's. If you do make rope drop, in the July heat I'm thinking you might not make it to midday.

I am very sorry for your loss

THANK YOU for all the positivity, as well as all the input on my plans. I think you've all convinced me that I don't want to even try to trek all the way out to AK for dinner! And you're so right, Cynthia, making it to the 4:45 Nemo show just isn't going to happen.

That Yak and Yeti ADR was actually planned when we were staying AKL, so going to AK would have been much more feasible.
I think I'll just leave this night open and see what we feel like doing, in the moment! From where we're staying, we have a ton of good options!

 

[tinacaplan]

The morning after EMH’s at MK... I had written into my plans that we will make rope drop at EPCOT this morning. Maybe we will... maybe won’t. We’ll probably arrive around rope drop-ish. We would love to try the child swap for Soarin’, so we might do that, or at least see about getting FPs for it when we first arrive. I definitely want to do Living with the Land, another one that got away from us on the last trip. That’s because we were probably too busy riding Nemo fifty-two times.

Depending on what we’ve done in the evening, we’ll see what we’ll do next. Perhaps Spaceship Earth? I also want to check out Test Track (maybe the single rider line for me, depending on how busy it is), as I think Max will like the cars at the end. He just loves cars, even when they have nothing at all to do with the movie.

Eventually we’ll head to World Showcase. We never did Maelstrom or the boat ride at Mexico and I would love to do both this time. I’m also planning an early CS lunch at one of the many delicious options in WS. I’d love to try Tangerine Cafe, but we’ll see...the CS in Japan could work really well, too.

Can you guess what we have planned for the afternoon? Yes? I thought so... more pool time and nap time, more relaxing at the resort time. As a family, I have to say we’re all pretty good at hanging out.

I have played with the plans for this evening a lot, but I think I’m pretty happy with what I’ve come up with. Its an EMH night at DHS, so that’s where we’re heading. I finally decided to make a 7:10 ADR at 50’s PTC, based on Nicki’s recent positive review. Again, I also think Max will enjoy it. I recall Mark and I talking about how much Max would enjoy it way back when we ate there in February 2010.

Both before and after we’ll see what we’ll see. We missed VOLM, B and B, and the Great Movie Ride last year, so I’d love to do any of those. I’d also love to hit the single rider line at the Rock and Roller Coaster. And I cannot say enough how much Max loved the HISTK playground. And perhaps a tour of outerspace will be in order?

This will be one of those nights when we won’t have a real agenda. I think we’ll just enjoy being at DHS in the evening and seeing what we can see. I do love the architecture here and I think they should build an art deco resort to go along with DHS. I would love to stay there.

Wonder if we’ll even do half of this stuff? Guess we’ll have to wait and see...

 

[annmarieda]

plans sound good!

 

[dizneeat]

That sounds like a great day, Tina! It will be wonderful to enter through the International Gateway and walk through the empty countries!

Does July have the same summer rain showers as August/September? They make for great nap time excuses!

 

[tinacaplan]

plans sound good!

Thanks!

That sounds like a great day, Tina! It will be wonderful to enter through the International Gateway and walk through the empty countries!

Does July have the same summer rain showers as August/September? They make for great nap time excuses!

Some of the nicest pictures I've taken at WS have been right when they first let you walk through. Its beautiful without people. I'm pretty sure that July has similar rain problems. Those quick downpours are usually the result of built up humidity. I am so unprepared for the heat. But I think we'll be fine, once we adjust. Luckily, I think we finally figured out how to work the sun shade on Max's stroller.

 

[tinacaplan]

I know we are supposed to keep these to a minimum, so I will be brief. My uncle's funeral was today and it was a beautiful service. My uncle was in the navy and did two tours during Vietnam, so we had the military send off, which was so moving. A very close friend of the family has a son currently serving in the Marines and he presented the flag to my aunt, which was incredibly moving. Just made me prouder of my uncle and of our country. In many respects it was a truly amazing, exhausting day that was deeply sad, but we were all together and I know he finally at peace with God.

Again, thank you all for you support, prayers, and kind thoughts.

 

[All7OfUs]

Well, if I'd had more time lately to DIS, and Cynthia hadn't beatem me to it, I'd have said the exact same thing. Park Hopping in general takes boatload of time out of the schedule already, but tossing in an afternoon at the pool ... NO way you'd see Nemo at 4:45.

The next day looks good, so many fun and good things to do at EPCOT. Why doesn't it surprise me that you'd be back at the pool again?? LOL!!!

 

[PirateKate]

Epcot in the morning and DHS at night will be so convenient, being right at the Beach Club. 50's Prime Time sounds like a good choice.

 

[KatMark]

I know we are supposed to keep these to a minimum, so I will be brief. My uncle's funeral was today and it was a beautiful service. My uncle was in the navy and did two tours during Vietnam, so we had the military send off, which was so moving. A very close friend of the family has a son currently serving in the Marines and he presented the flag to my aunt, which was incredibly moving. Just made me prouder of my uncle and of our country. In many respects it was a truly amazing, exhausting day that was deeply sad, but we were all together and I know he finally at peace with God.

Again, thank you all for you support, prayers, and kind thoughts.

Tina, glad it was a beautiful service. How is your dad doing?

 

[tinacaplan]

Well, if I'd had more time lately to DIS, and Cynthia hadn't beatem me to it, I'd have said the exact same thing. Park Hopping in general takes boatload of time out of the schedule already, but tossing in an afternoon at the pool ... NO way you'd see Nemo at 4:45.

The next day looks good, so many fun and good things to do at EPCOT. Why doesn't it surprise me that you'd be back at the pool again?? LOL!!!

See...this is why PTRs are so helpful... people who are much more knowledgeable about Disney than I am can point out the mistakes in plans before I try to make them.

Epcot in the morning and DHS at night will be so convenient, being right at the Beach Club. 50's Prime Time sounds like a good choice.

Oh, it does sound convenient, doesn't it? I am so excited!

Tina, glad it was a beautiful service. How is your dad doing?

Thanks, Kathy. My dad didn't make the wake or funeral, as his incision was too painful for him to be up and walking around much. Sadly, he spends much of his time sleeping. He's pretty disappointed that his procedure didn't go better. I wish they would just figure out what's wrong, or at least be honest with us about his prognosis. I think part of the problem is that he's seeing a number of different doctors that aren't necessarily speaking to eachother.