That was fun, let's do it again! - TR Link added - 12/11

[amandaw]

Thanks for the heads up. I don't think well be making an ADR now though. Wed have to go on the 7th, and if we do that, we aren't going to have hardly any EPCOT time this trip. If only they had opened it 2 says sooner.

Just saw another post.....first available dinner date will be November 19th!!! Hope this helps you. I really want you to eat there so I can live vicariously through you & your family.

 

[PirateKate]

It's a funny thing about those Mickey ears- my boys will wear them around the house all day, but in the parks, not for a second.

Anyway, trip plans sound great! It's always kind of hard to be travelling with other family and try to guess what they might like to do. Usually, though, I've found that most people who aren't Disney crazies really don't care that much what we do or where we eat.

We're arriving at Disney on Dec 8th. Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[afwdwfan]

Just saw another post.....first available dinner date will be November 19th!!! Hope this helps you. I really want you to eat there so I can live vicariously through you & your family.

I think it would be great if they do soft openings and we could get in there. It would be perfect if that would work out for the 4th, but I wonder if they'd even do ADR's for a soft opening at all? We have an ADR for that evening as kind of a place holder if we couldn't get into Be Our Guest, and if I'm not going to use it, I want to cancel it rather than just abandon it if we can happen to get a walk up. I don't want to be one of those DIS people, after all.

It's a funny thing about those Mickey ears- my boys will wear them around the house all day, but in the parks, not for a second.

I'm sure he'll be the same way once we actually get there. He'll wear a baseball cap and sunglasses around the house too, but once he's actually out in the sun, forget about it.

Anyway, trip plans sound great! It's always kind of hard to be travelling with other family and try to guess what they might like to do. Usually, though, I've found that most people who aren't Disney crazies really don't care that much what we do or where we eat.

Thanks. It is hard to guess. Most of my family is Disney crazy, but they just weren't giving me any feedback. I'm just trying to get them to go to some places I enjoy that they haven't tried. BiL is the only one that has never been there, so I do want to make sure we have good meals and time to catch all the biggest headliners. He doesn't seem to be sold on the idea of going yet.

We're arriving at Disney on Dec 8th. Maybe we'll see you there!

Cool! I'm jealous of your tickers... Halloween and Christmas all in the same year. I hope your enjoying your closer proximity to Disney World!

 

[afwdwfan]

Hmmmm... just read on the Disney Food Blog that they will be taking ADR's for dates starting Nov 19... I guess that might answer one of my questions. I guess there is still a possibility.

 

[amandaw]

Hmmmm... just read on the Disney Food Blog that they will be taking ADR's for dates starting Nov 19... I guess that might answer one of my questions. I guess there is still a possibility.

I would definitely go for it & try to get an ADR for whatever date would work best for the schedule you already have. Oh - and I read that on Monday you'll have to call the Dining # to get the BoG ADRs, you can't do them online Monday. Also, they'll start taking the ADR calls Monday at noon.

 

[afwdwfan]

Double Digits
Well, the past few weeks have been absolutely crazy around here. DW is in middle of her volleyball coaching season, so there haven't been many evenings spent at home. We had a lightning strike at my office about 2 weeks ago and have been battling computer/phone network issues and replacing office equipment and computer components that were damaged. It has been eating into my downtime on the DIS significantly and we are still working out some of the bugs.

Just to let everybody know I haven't completely abandoned this thing, I figured I should post some kind of an update. So we'll start with DD, who unlike her brother, is an eating machine. She's now 4 months old, getting bigger and last week rolled over for the first time. I was taunting her trying to convince her to crawl, but she just isn't quite ready for that yet.

On Saturday I had tickets to go to the Purdue football game. Some friends and I share a group season tickets together and basically whoever can go on a given week, goes. Last week there were some extra tickets, because everyone was scared of a little rain and didn't want to brave the elements. I decided that since there were extra tickets that have already been paid for, the game should (hopefully) be a blowout and over by halftime, and the crowd should be small maybe I should take DS to his first football game. So Saturday, DS and I headed out and went to a football game together. It rained on us on the drive, but once we got there, not a drop fell. It was actually a nice day for a football game and I sent some texts to let a few friends know they were missing out. DS actually did very well. He was a little antsy at times (typical for a 2 year old), but he liked watching them kick the ball, and ever since the game he has been telling everybody how the guy got hit and knocked down. I think he's starting to figure it out. With the help of some fruit snacks and a $4 box of popcorn at halftime, we were able to stay until 6 min to go in the game. It was a successful day beyond my expectations.

Now, on to trip info. BiL has now booked his flight and won't be arriving at MCO until 10:30 pm on Sunday night. Needless to say he's going to miss evening EMH at DHS, but we should be back at the resort by the time he gets there.

After a lot of discussion, we decided not to book an ADR at Be Our Guest. Basically it came down to the fact that when ADR booking opened up, I just didn't have time to call in and be put on hold. I texted my Mom and told her if she wanted to eat there to try to call, but she didn't do it either. We talked about trying to check for ADR times online, but she told me just to stick with what we have. We were going to be replacing LTT with BoG if we did anything, but my family actually really loves LTT. Dad doesn't have too many things that he really personally gets excited about at WDW, but this was one of them. So we decided to skip the ADR for dinner there and we'll just try it out for lunch.


I think that is all I have to say for now, but I just looked at the calendar this morning and realized we're less than 3 months away, 87 days to be exact!!!

 

[KatMark]

Double Digits
Well, the past few weeks have been absolutely crazy around here. DW is in middle of her volleyball coaching season, so there haven't been many evenings spent at home. We had a lightning strike at my office about 2 weeks ago and have been battling computer/phone network issues and replacing office equipment and computer components that were damaged. It has been eating into my downtime on the DIS significantly and we are still working out some of the bugs.

Just to let everybody know I haven't completely abandoned this thing, I figured I should post some kind of an update. So we'll start with DD, who unlike her brother, is an eating machine. She's now 4 months old, getting bigger and last week rolled over for the first time. I was taunting her trying to convince her to crawl, but she just isn't quite ready for that yet.

On Saturday I had tickets to go to the Purdue football game. Some friends and I share a group season tickets together and basically whoever can go on a given week, goes. Last week there were some extra tickets, because everyone was scared of a little rain and didn't want to brave the elements. I decided that since there were extra tickets that have already been paid for, the game should (hopefully) be a blowout and over by halftime, and the crowd should be small maybe I should take DS to his first football game. So Saturday, DS and I headed out and went to a football game together. It rained on us on the drive, but once we got there, not a drop fell. It was actually a nice day for a football game and I sent some texts to let a few friends know they were missing out. DS actually did very well. He was a little antsy at times (typical for a 2 year old), but he liked watching them kick the ball, and ever since the game he has been telling everybody how the guy got hit and knocked down. I think he's starting to figure it out. With the help of some fruit snacks and a $4 box of popcorn at halftime, we were able to stay until 6 min to go in the game. It was a successful day beyond my expectations.

Now, on to trip info. BiL has now booked his flight and won't be arriving at MCO until 10:30 pm on Sunday night. Needless to say he's going to miss evening EMH at DHS, but we should be back at the resort by the time he gets there.

After a lot of discussion, we decided not to book an ADR at Be Our Guest. Basically it came down to the fact that when ADR booking opened up, I just didn't have time to call in and be put on hold. I texted my Mom and told her if she wanted to eat there to try to call, but she didn't do it either. We talked about trying to check for ADR times online, but she told me just to stick with what we have. We were going to be replacing LTT with BoG if we did anything, but my family actually really loves LTT. Dad doesn't have too many things that he really personally gets excited about at WDW, but this was one of them. So we decided to skip the ADR for dinner there and we'll just try it out for lunch.


I think that is all I have to say for now, but I just looked at the calendar this morning and realized we're less than 3 months away, 87 days to be exact!!!

She is absolutely precious; she will crawl in her own time. Love that you and DS got an outing to the football game...although a different and better team might have been wise Seriously, glad you had a good father/son outing.

Well, since we did get our BOG ADR, I will let you know how it is.

I can't believe I leave in 11 days for the first trip, but that the December trip is that close too.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We had a lightning strike at my office about 2 weeks ago and have been battling computer/phone network issues and replacing office equipment and computer components that were damaged. It has been eating into my downtime on the DIS significantly and we are still working out some of the bugs.

That's really annoying. What do they expect you to do, work?

She's now 4 months old, getting bigger and last week rolled over for the first time. I was taunting her trying to convince her to crawl, but she just isn't quite ready for that yet.

She's a cutie!

I think he's starting to figure it out. With the help of some fruit snacks and a $4 box of popcorn at halftime, we were able to stay until 6 min to go in the game. It was a successful day beyond my expectations.

Sounds like you're doing your job as a great American father.

After a lot of discussion, we decided not to book an ADR at Be Our Guest.

Makes sense. LTT is really good, too. And trying BoG as a counter-service place sounds like a good compromise.

 

[afwdwfan]

Love that you and DS got an outing to the football game...although a different and better team might have been wise

Well, since we did get our BOG ADR, I will let you know how it is.

Enjoy!!!

I can't believe I leave in 11 days for the first trip, but that the December trip is that close too.

I know... it is coming up fast. I guess that is a good thing.

That's really annoying. What do they expect you to do, work?

Apparently so. Something about a paycheck and getting another one next week...

On top of everything else "busy" season is getting ready to go full force. Well, at least as full force as about a 1/3 normal busy season can be.

Sounds like you're doing your job as a great American father.

Thanks... I try.

Makes sense. LTT is really good, too. And trying BoG as a counter-service place sounds like a good compromise.

We like it. Especially with a 2 year old eating off our plates. Can't beat family style and buffets when you're doing that.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Your daughter is such a cutie! Congrats on the rolling over milestone, it is all down hill from here!

Awesome that DS was able to go to a football game, and even more awesome that he nearly made it all the way through! I don't think Everett could manage that, even though he does seem to enjoy watching football.

Sorry about the BOG ADRs, but that just means you'll have to plan another trip!

Congrats on double digits!

 

[khertz]

Congrats on the double digits! It's always so exciting when you feel like your trip is actually getting closer!

DD...what a little cutie! I remember how anxious I was for Paxton to start crawling and then once he did and got into everything, I wondered why I ever wanted that kid to be mobile?! She will be crawling around soon enough. But seriously, what a cutie!

Very cool that DS sat through a football game. I bet that made you happy as a dad. I know DH is looking forward to being able to do things like that with Paxton when he gets older.

Too bad on the BOG reservation, but it is probably not worth the hassle anyway. It will be there next time you take a WDW trip!

 

[amandaw]

Awww.....your little princess is such a cutie!!!

And how fun that DS got to go to his 1st football game! We really want to take Reid to one this year.

As far as the BoG ADR goes.....I say, as long as everyone is happy keeping LTT, then just go with that. I think trying BoG for lunch is a really good idea. See if it's worth all the ADR-getting hassle.

 

[afwdwfan]

Your daughter is such a cutie! Congrats on the rolling over milestone, it is all down hill from here!

Thanks! We're starting to get excited about it.

Awesome that DS was able to go to a football game, and even more awesome that he nearly made it all the way through! I don't think Everett could manage that, even though he does seem to enjoy watching football.

He really did better than I expected. We normally can't get him to sit still for anything, but having snacks to distract him with was a huge help.

Sorry about the BOG ADRs, but that just means you'll have to plan another trip!

We will, but unfortunately, I think it will be a few years before we head back. I'd like to try another late Nov/ early Dec trip in 2014. DS will be 4 1/2 and DD will be 2 1/2. That way we can take her for "free" one more time and go during that time of year one last time before worrying about school schedules... but we really haven't even discussed plans that far out yet.

Congrats on the double digits! It's always so exciting when you feel like your trip is actually getting closer!

It is exciting. I think it has helped that I've been so busy the last month or so. It seems like it was just July.

DD...what a little cutie! I remember how anxious I was for Paxton to start crawling and then once he did and got into everything, I wondered why I ever wanted that kid to be mobile?! She will be crawling around soon enough. But seriously, what a cutie!

Thanks. I've considered the negatives of mobility as well. Speaking of which, last night DS climbed up on the countertop to get to the band aids and proceeded to put one on every finger. Mobility is so much fun.

Very cool that DS sat through a football game. I bet that made you happy as a dad. I know DH is looking forward to being able to do things like that with Paxton when he gets older.

It is fun. I probably push the issue a little bit though. I was taking him to Reds games with me when he was about 8 months old. Not always easy to do, but I at least get to go see some games and we get to hang out together.

Too bad on the BOG reservation, but it is probably not worth the hassle anyway. It will be there next time you take a WDW trip!

It really is too bad, but at the same time we weren't all that excited about the menu, and the QS lunch offering looks like it will be a good value for us on the QSDP.

Awww.....your little princess is such a cutie!!!

Thanks!

And how fun that DS got to go to his 1st football game! We really want to take Reid to one this year.

We had a good time. I was nervous about taking him, but I saw a lot of kids his age or younger. I guess everybody uses that first "not really a game" game to introduce the little ones to the gameday festivities.

As far as the BoG ADR goes.....I say, as long as everyone is happy keeping LTT, then just go with that. I think trying BoG for lunch is a really good idea. See if it's worth all the ADR-getting hassle.

We'll definitely enjoy LTT and we'll still check out BoG. It would have been nice to at least try dinner there, but we'll still get to see the place and have lunch.

 

[afwdwfan]

Well, it looks like it is back to the drawing board once again.

I just saw that Disney changed park hours on us, so the one night that we were going to be able to see MSEP and regular Wishes, MK will be closing at 7pm for a media event and preparations for the Fantasyland opening.

There will be no MSEP that night and Wishes will be at 6pm, which is really convenient since we currently have a WCC ADR at 5pm that evening.

Time to see about changing some ADR's and juggling park days around now.

And while it may seem like a good idea at first glance, this is why I do not think Fastpass+ will be a good thing...

 

[that's nice]

Well, it looks like it is back to the drawing board once again.

I just saw that Disney changed park hours on us, so the one night that we were going to be able to see MSEP and regular Wishes, MK will be closing at 7pm for a media event and preparations for the Fantasyland opening.

There will be no MSEP that night and Wishes will be at 6pm, which is really convenient since we currently have a WCC ADR at 5pm that evening.

Time to see about changing some ADR's and juggling park days around now.

And while it may seem like a good idea at first glance, this is why I do not think Fastpass+ will be a good thing...

Gotta love that. I didn't love the skillet at WCC so dropping that ADR would be no big deal to me. What about trying an 'Ohana or Kona dinner at 630? Or possibly 'Ohana at 520. You can watch Wishes from the restaurant and they pipe the music right in.

You could also try a 430 dinner then boogie over to MK or if dinner was running late, watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

 

[amandaw]

You know I feel your frustration about changing park hours!!

I hope you can find an ADR that will work out well for y'all!

 

[KatMark]

Tying to catch up on all my threads before I start my TR; doesn't look like I missed much over here.

Seriously, our December trips aren't that far away and I'm still hoping we can meet.

 

[afwdwfan]

Gotta love that. I didn't love the skillet at WCC so dropping that ADR would be no big deal to me. What about trying an 'Ohana or Kona dinner at 630? Or possibly 'Ohana at 520. You can watch Wishes from the restaurant and they pipe the music right in.

You could also try a 430 dinner then boogie over to MK or if dinner was running late, watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

Well... We have changed the ADR time to 8:00 pm that evening for WCC. For a family that really likes that kind of food, it is one ADR that we will not be abandoning. I think right now we're looking at doing AK that morning then take a long afternoon break. Maybe hit MK for an hour or 2 right before closing then head over to WL. The only problem with that is that I'd have to eat lunch at Flame Tree and then follow it up with dinner at WCC. I'm not sure if ribs twice in one day is really a problem though.

You know I feel your frustration about changing park hours!!

I hope you can find an ADR that will work out well for y'all!

I think we've got a workable plan. At least until they come out with the next changes.

Tying to catch up on all my threads before I start my TR; doesn't look like I missed much over here.

Seriously, our December trips aren't that far away and I'm still hoping we can meet.

Yeah... well, things have been a little nuts around here lately. DIS time has been greatly reduced and aside from random park hour changes, there just ain't a lot going on with trip plans right now.

 

[afwdwfan]

Well, it seems like everytime I see some new information regarding Disney World in early December it just makes me want to beat my head against a wall.

I just got this in an e-mail from my mom.

Pop Warner at WDW (copied from WDWMagic Blog):



A three (3) night minimum stay is required and includes a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Resorts,
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort or Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. All participants/coaches must
book a package through Disney Sports Travel and stay at these select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels*

Saturday, December 1st through Saturday, December 9th

 

[glennbo123]

Well, it seems like everytime I see some new information regarding Disney World in early December it just makes me want to beat my head against a wall.

I just got this in an e-mail from my mom.