The best laid plans... the good, the bad and the REALLY ugly * 7 nights in May 09

[Cory's Gal]

Hi Lorrie! Just started reading your TR! I am excited to hear how it goes, we will be taking our next trip at the end of April 2010 and my son will be 5 and my daughter will be just barely 2! Did you use a car seat on the airplane? I did when we took my son at 2 but I am debating whether or not to haul it with this time for just the plane ride as we will be using ME too...Your kids are adorable and thanks for your Boma review too! Thanks for sharing your trip, I can't wait to read more!
Beth

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Wow, who are those two hot babes????

I have to disagree with you on Boma though. We LOVED it!!! I had 4 bowls of soup, about 3 trips to the buffet, and I won't tell you how many trips for dessert!!!! We declared it the best buffet in Disney, bar none!!! But we are all adventurous eaters, so we like trying new crazy foods. I'm not a fan of curry so I stayed away from that, but otherwise, loved most everything I had.

See I LOVE exotic food - maybe that was my issue - it seemed bland. Then again, I'm not a huge meat fan so that was probably a huge part of it.

Then again, the other buffets weren't that much to write home about either. We didn't do CP this trip, but I sware the dinner Nicolas and I had there last year was very simple, but very good.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Hi Lorrie! Just started reading your TR! I am excited to hear how it goes, we will be taking our next trip at the end of April 2010 and my son will be 5 and my daughter will be just barely 2! Did you use a car seat on the airplane? I did when we took my son at 2 but I am debating whether or not to haul it with this time for just the plane ride as we will be using ME too...Your kids are adorable and thanks for your Boma review too! Thanks for sharing your trip, I can't wait to read more!
Beth

Hey there Beth and Welcome!

As for the car seat, Mia is really small. She is 2nd percentile in weight - 21 lbs clothed and all. We didn't take one. All was really fine and I really couldn't have imagined hauling one around.

I held her on the flight back, but she had her own seat which she sat in on the way there. We just adjusted the lap band and she was fine. My personal recommendation is not to take it. we took ours when our son was 2 1/2 to visit my DSIL, but it was because we needed it for the car. If you use ME and then the disney buses, you seriously won't use it there. For the ME there is no where to clip it into.

They did well. It is always the same - the first night is really hard for them to sleep. After that they settle in!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So for those of you who don't know, here is what ADRs we had planned. Most of the DH refused to go to. He was too tired, it was too hot, he didn't want that type of food at that moment, the moon was in the wrong orbit...

Here were the ADRs and a sneak peak into if we made it or not...

Arrival
Dinner - Boma - made it

Day 2
Breakfast - Tusker - made it
Lunch - Pool at CSR - actually had no ADR
Dinner - 1900 Park Fair - made it

Day 3 (DS's 5th birthday)
Breakfast - Ohana - made it
Lunch - Mama Melrose - missed it. did Pepper Market at CSR instead
Dinner - Chef Mickeys - missed it. did Maya Grill at CSR instead

Day 4
Breakfast - Maya Grill - made it. (can you tell where Carlos liked to eat )
Lunch - Crystal Palace - missed it - Pepper Market instead
at this point I say "IF I EAT THERE ONE MORE TIME"
Dinner - San Angels - made it! YUMMY!

Day 5
Breakfast - Maya Grill
Lunch - Le Cellier -missed it. Pepper Market instead
Dinner - Tuttos - missed it. Maya Grill instead

Day 6
Breakfast - Norway Princess Storybook Breakfast - made it only because he knew he'd have to pay if we didn't!
Lunch - Coral Reef - made it!
Dinner - Ohana - missed it actually gave it up for Mia to have CM's

Day 7
Breakfast - Maya Grill - changed to Bakery on Main Street @ MK
Lunch - Liberty Tree Tavern - made it!
Dinner - Maya Grill - made it but had to leave once the appy hit the table. Baby Girl was sick.

Day 8
Breakfast - Maya Grill

 

[Cory's Gal]

Hey there Beth and Welcome!

As for the car seat, Mia is really small. She is 2nd percentile in weight - 21 lbs clothed and all. We didn't take one. All was really fine and I really couldn't have imagined hauling one around.

I held her on the flight back, but she had her own seat which she sat in on the way there. We just adjusted the lap band and she was fine. My personal recommendation is not to take it. we took ours when our son was 2 1/2 to visit my DSIL, but it was because we needed it for the car. If you use ME and then the disney buses, you seriously won't use it there. For the ME there is no where to clip it into.

They did well. It is always the same - the first night is really hard for them to sleep. After that they settle in!

Thanks for your input, I was leaning towards ditching the seat this time around, I have no desire to lug it around MCO and then have it take up space in the room! That's what happened when we took my son and it was so annoying, on ME we just stored it under the bus anyways, so it ended up a waste. I am glad it went well for your DD without it, thanks for helping me make my decision!!

Looks like your DH REALLY like eating at the places at CSR...that's too bad! I liked a lot of your choices too!!

 

[meanmom121]

I couldn't get husband to even let me make adrs @ Boma's. - He's not very adventerous.He made me change that ressie to RainForest. but geez girl you pretty much ate at the same 2 places the whole trip. Much as he's like to my husband is not getting away with that. I took the time to make all the plans; so he will just have to cpmply. He usually let's me get my way.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Thanks for your input, I was leaning towards ditching the seat this time around, I have no desire to lug it around MCO and then have it take up space in the room! That's what happened when we took my son and it was so annoying, on ME we just stored it under the bus anyways, so it ended up a waste. I am glad it went well for your DD without it, thanks for helping me make my decision!!

Looks like your DH REALLY like eating at the places at CSR...that's too bad! I liked a lot of your choices too!!

Glad I could help! I think you seriously won't need the car seat. She was probably more happy about that - a special treat - which kept her more pleased.

Let's see, I thought of many, many things about our eating at CSR so much. Most were under my breath and weren't quite as nice as "too bad"

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

I couldn't get husband to even let me make adrs @ Boma's. - He's not very adventerous.He made me change that ressie to RainForest. but geez girl you pretty much ate at the same 2 places the whole trip. Much as he's like to my husband is not getting away with that. I took the time to make all the plans; so he will just have to cpmply. He usually let's me get my way.

I did learn a great lesson - stack the deck on the front end. We made most of the ADRs earlier on, it was just the later that he dropped off from - and honestly 99% was heat driven. He seemed to want to just eat something and go chill out in the room.

He is pretty good about letting me have my way most of the time - ie Boma. He just ate his piece of prime rib and gave me the face. And I just gave him this one.

 

[maxie]

My kids are ages 2 and 5 as well! My 5 year old took a bunch of Scooby Doo DVDs down on our trip. LOL Sure passes the time on the plane! We felt the same way about Boma's. Can't wait to read more.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

And because of said heat and DH not wanting to venture out of the room in the pm - who has been to Disney 3 times now and NEVER seen ANY fireworks and only the 3 pm parade once?

 

[karajeboo]

And because of said heat and DH not wanting to venture out of the room in the pm - who has been to Disney 3 times now and NEVER seen ANY fireworks and only the 3 pm parade once?

DO OVER!!!!!

 

[maxie]

So for those of you who don't know, here is what ADRs we had planned. Most of the DH refused to go to. He was too tired, it was too hot, he didn't want that type of food at that moment, the moon was in the wrong orbit...

Here were the ADRs and a sneak peak into if we made it or not...

Arrival
Dinner - Boma - made it

Day 2
Breakfast - Tusker - made it
Lunch - Pool at CSR - actually had no ADR
Dinner - 1900 Park Fair - made it

Day 3 (DS's 5th birthday)
Breakfast - Ohana - made it
Lunch - Mama Melrose - missed it. did Pepper Market at CSR instead
Dinner - Chef Mickeys - missed it. did Maya Grill at CSR instead

Day 4
Breakfast - Maya Grill - made it. (can you tell where Carlos liked to eat )
Lunch - Crystal Palace - missed it - Pepper Market instead
at this point I say "IF I EAT THERE ONE MORE TIME"
Dinner - San Angels - made it! YUMMY!

Day 5
Breakfast - Maya Grill
Lunch - Le Cellier -missed it. Pepper Market instead
Dinner - Tuttos - missed it. Maya Grill instead

Day 6
Breakfast - Norway Princess Storybook Breakfast - made it only because he knew he'd have to pay if we didn't!
Lunch - Coral Reef - made it!
Dinner - Ohana - missed it actually gave it up for Mia to have CM's

Day 7
Breakfast - Maya Grill - changed to Bakery on Main Street @ MK
Lunch - Liberty Tree Tavern - made it!
Dinner - Maya Grill - made it but had to leave once the appy hit the table. Baby Girl was sick.

Day 8
Breakfast - Maya Grill

That can be a big mistake of rookies. Planning way too many sit down meals especially with young kids along.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

That can be a big mistake of rookies. Planning way too many sit down meals especially with young kids along.

Well, I told him, DSIL told him - my DIS friends told me to tell him - and after MANY discussions, he was bent that he wanted that DxDP.

Two days in, he says - I wish I would have known. I promptly reminded him he DID know, he just didn't want to hear it. My vote had been to take that extra $$ and upgrade the resort.

DO OVER!!!!!

November is the weekend of Lorrie - that is just all I have to say about that.


I'm tempted to say ... Let me go hang out with Cammie and Kara and I will let him off the hook in Nov.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Just to get everyone on the same page - we were offered a bounce back. I've booked BW for the two of us for two nights in Nov to celebrate my birthday.

I've gathered I should do Le Cellier for dinner one night, but I'll need a good place on the BW area outside EPCOT. Nothing in DHS excites me - suggestions that works on the BASE dining plan. I didn't even consult him about it this time.

Every year for his birthday he has what he calls the "week of Carlos". Well, I'm having the weekend of Lorrie for once. I'm not consulting him about anything, down to his underwear. It is all about me and that is that.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Sorry for not updating more yesterday. I was having computer issues and sick kiddos, and now at nap time I thought I would do some updates.

So we got up at 7 am. Our kids are early risers, btw. We get ready and head to AK for our first official day of our 7 night stay.

We have a 8:30 ADR for Tusker, and I was super excited to see how Mia would react to the characters and have the yummy breakfast that I remembered from last trip.

I just so love going into the park before others. It rocks. We stopped and everyone rolled their eyes as I made them take pictures. We did the baby Simba one, and a couple of family ones and headed off to Tusker House. We were so enthusiastic that I forgot the map Carlos couldn't resist rubbing this in a bazillion times that day since he didn't get a watch with a compass the day before we left because I stopped the mail a day before we left becuase I'm just anal like that.

Yet I digress... sorry. So we get there, take the photo...

We were seated inside after a short wait. We had time to hit the buffet before the characters visit the tables. The meal was okay, but not spectacular like I remember. It seems MUCH more crowded though. I would have taken pictures but I got threatened not to do so.

So we eat and the characters come around. We're bracing ourselves for Mia to hate them, but SHE LOVES them. Particularly MOUSE!

It was a bit of a shock since she could take or leave the Mickey Mouse shows on TV, but the character - she LOVES .

 

[tinkerbells mum]

yeah another trip report, thanks for sharing, the photos are lovely, sorry you didn't get to do all the ADR's you had planned but sounds like you still enjoyed your trip, eagerly awaiting the next update xx

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So I make Carlos get up partial through breakfast and run and get us FPs for KS. So he does - and he did a really good job. We finish up with the characters and Nicolas asking them to sign his "CONTRACT"

We go outside, soak in some Africa, decide the boys want to ride KRR - so we have 5 min until our KS FP window opens.

Last trip, Nicolas wanted a Stitch Face painting. Well - mommy sorta messed up.

See how excited he was to be getting it.

Funny thing, if Mommy doesn't pay attention, she can actually tell them the Magic one insteady - and he can end up as a Genie when he wanted Stitch. Results? Ticked off four year old.

I acutally took these photos, and we washed it off then and there.

So it was VERY important to me to make it up to him this trip.
His favorite animal? Zebra. The face painters in Africa had Zebras on their list. PERFECT!
Very happy almost 5 year old in the pictures.

Now this lady noticed Mia's interest and insisted she needed a little heart too. She insisted it would be free -and she did the heart and a lot more and still refused our tip but took our endless thank yous. This was one of the REALLY GOOD things. She totally made Mia's day, and therefor Carlos and mine as well. She was so sweet. This was probably the second most magical thing that we had happen to us during our trip. She called it "just a little something" but it was a super big something to us.

So from there we board KS.

This was Sooooooooooooooooo much better than last time. We saw so many more animals. And they were pretty close too. See these photos. I DID NOT use zoom. You can see parts of the vehicle in them. It was super cool!

 

[CRdisMom]

lorrie he has grown so much in the last year. The pics didn't show up

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So at this point we decide to split up. The boys want to ride KRR, and it is about 10ish and Mia is really wanting to ride some more things. We head for TS, and she and I ride that 4 times while the boys ride KRR twice. They were going to ride EE but the line was too long.

All I can say is thank goodness for small favors! My little one is a big ole chicken. If you don't believe me... here he is on the NEMO RIDE this year.

I'll reference you back to this photo when we get to a BAD part later...

So no EE for the boys, we rode TS a couple times together. Nicolas wanted to ride PW, but was about 1 inch too short, so he missed it. The boys wanted to ride Dinosoar, but another DISer had warned me so I vetoed that and threatened my husband's life if he took him on that ride. We left there and headed back to CSR for lunch a nap, and a bit of pool time for the princess who was meeting Cinderella that evening.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

yeah another trip report, thanks for sharing, the photos are lovely, sorry you didn't get to do all the ADR's you had planned but sounds like you still enjoyed your trip, eagerly awaiting the next update xx

It was all good. I would have traded them all for a break in the weather, but it was at least Disney! Glad to have you around!

lorrie he has grown so much in the last year. The pics didn't show up

I am having photobucket issues today. I think I got them worked in. Sorry you didn't get any texts - for some reason your cell isn't in my cell - reminds me I need to fix that. I also was thinking the photos really show how much he has grown. It is sad...