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

[smithpack]

Sorry for hi-jacking, but Brats have to be the grossest product ever invented. 99.9% pure fat.
Beer and Brats-Wisconsin=heart attack.

I Knew when I saw it I wasn't going to eat it. Thank goodness the desserts were really good. Of course, I live off of sweets anyways.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

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

Holy crap! I can't believe you missed all those ADRs. It really is a shame. I hope that other families were able to get your spots. Those are some really hard to get ressies - CM, Le Cell, etc. I would've just left my dh in the room and gone without him.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

The Steakhouse at the Yacht Club.
Cape May has Buffet style food.
You will love November, it is warm, but the humidity is gone.
Keep watching the Code Board, 30% off is great, but last year they extended Free Dining.
And, they may even have a 40% off again.

First off, Welcome!

Second! Thank you. I had no idea that they did that last year, so I will keep my eyes open. We're letting the reservation ride for a bit, but it may not come to pass. We will see.

Sorry for hi-jacking, but Brats have to be the grossest product ever invented. 99.9% pure fat.
Beer and Brats-Wisconsin=heart attack.

No problem at all. My BF is German and I really tell her there is NO WAY EVER I'd eat those -

I Knew when I saw it I wasn't going to eat it. Thank goodness the desserts were really good. Of course, I live off of sweets anyways.

I am right there with you!

Holy crap! I can't believe you missed all those ADRs. It really is a shame. I hope that other families were able to get your spots. Those are some really hard to get ressies - CM, Le Cell, etc. I would've just left my dh in the room and gone without him.

I KNOW!

The only thing that I considered a blessing was they were really sought after and perhaps someone lucked up that day. Most I knew 2 hours in advance, so when I called in to the Disney Dining they thought I was nuts to be giving them up, but I wanted another family to have the opportunity. I know I personally snagged someone's CM when we gave up Ohana - oh yes we did.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So Thursday we awoke to another nice balmy day. I seriously don't know what is up with me bringing weather extremes to FL, but seriously find out when I'm going and STAY AWAY! 97 degrees in early May - what is up with that?

We made our way to the bus stop area to be picked up for our royal dining.

So after our bus, I mean charriot arrived, we head to Norway for Mia to have her breakfast with the Princesses. We arrived before the park opened, but there were already many waiting. It was so nice to just slip into the "Character Dining" and be allowed in.

So we walk - everyone but me is in a crabby mood, so they all refuse the photopass photographer. But I ended up with over 100 photos anyway

We walk, and walk, and walk to Norway. It was nice just to stroll through with no crowds. I asked where we'd go to get Soarin' FP, and we went on to our breakfast. We got there 10 minutes before our ADR and still had to wait a good bit for our meal.

Then it was time. We had our picture made with Belle upon entering, and then were seated. Carlos quickly summed up that the princesses were being "BEAT" by the waitresses - and I do have to agree. Our waitress Sara was so much more princess like in appearance and manner. I wondered if she didn't just happen to be filling in today or something. Nicolas was especially smitten with her and even borrowed my camera to take her picture.

Anyway, we got to see Cinderella (which floored me), Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Belle. Ariel was the only one that really paid that much attention to Mia - and she really liked her from that point on.

So we finish up with breakfast - which was just so-so. Carlos loves hashbrown casserole, but wasn't nuts at all about this one. Me neither. Mia and Nicolas weren't eating much either, so we left there and by this time Future World had been open about 20 minutes. So we split up - the boys take of to Test Track, and I go with Mia to get FPs for Soarin (which is the ride I was waiting for) and then to go to get her to see Mickey.

I grabbed the FPs which were for 10:45-11:45. Not too bad, I'm thinking. So we hit the Character Spot line to see Mickey. After about 30 minutes it was our turn. This place was cool (air conditioned) and easy to wait in since you had TVs with cartoons to watch. It went by fast. We got through Mickey, Pluto, Minnie and Donald in the time it took the boys to ride Test Track twice. Mia LOVED the characters. She seriously stood there and hugged them for 5 minutes. She was squeezing the life out of them - and they seemed to love it as much as me.

I must say, it would have been easy to try to rush us, but they didn't. They let her have her turn - as long as she liked. The people behind us were super nice and loved how excited she was too, so perhaps that helped. We spent a while in there. It was just so cute. She spread her arms wide and would run and grab them in a big bear hug!

So by the time we got out of there, the boys were waiting by the stroller. Nicolas turned out to LOVE Test Track! He loved the fast part - hands up and everything. I was so happy he was riding something he liked.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

As we are waiting to get waters, Nicolas noticed the Mickey Light Sabers. He wanted one. He had about $12 left and wanted to buy one for himself and of course Mia. The kids have always been really close and I love that he looks out for her!

I expected it to be a major "Can I have this fest" while we were there, but it wasn't at all. That made me pretty darn happy!

We headed to Soarin to baby swap Mia. Carlos let me go first since he knew I was dying to ride it. We go up and as luck would have it, we were going to be the first row! I can be lucky sometimes.

So we strap in for the first row, first and second seat.

Now, ever since this ride has opened, I have REALLY wanted to experience it. I'm wondering how to explain.

Have you ever built something up in your mind to be so fantastic that reality has problems delivering? The scenes were choppy and it didn't last long it seemed. I don't know. I left thinking "that is it?" but it was fun, don't take me wrong. I let Carlos take Nicolas on it and they both seemed okay with it, but both had wished they'd rode Test Track again.

While the boys were riding, I took Mia to the KidCot station, and she LOVED it. We colored for a while until the guys finished up. I think this was her next favorite thing at EPCOT!

We wandered over to the Seas and explored there. We rode Nemo, after I MADE Nicolas ride it. Yeah, Stitch really got to him - and he was like this the whole ride.

Afterward he said it was really cool and he was glad he went on it, but he wasn't too pleased during it - that is for sure. Then we looked around and noticed it was almost time for our Living Seas ressie.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So I got us to our Living Seas ressie about 10 minutes early and we were told we'd probably be right on time at noon. So I figure our hopes of getting a table right next to the aquarium were not too good - wouldn't even ask.

So after about 15 minutes we were seated. We got a booth on the first level with a killer view! So the kids somewhat enjoyed it. Mia was hot and she fell asleep after 5 minutes so most of my dinner was holding her. We ordered appies, 2 NY Strips and dessert. All I can say is that is TOO MUCH FOOD - even when you pick at it. I felt so guilty sending as much back as I did. It was crazy. Anyway - the view was great. The food was OK. Nothing amazing - just okay.

So after 1 1/2 hours, we left here and Mia was still asleep. We stopped by Innovations and let the kids explore that a bit and then Carlos and Nicolas started in about the Water Slide & Pool - so we loaded back up for CSR. I must say I was ready because this was the first day my shoes were really bothering my feet and I was ready to rest them a bit.

Besides - I needed to rest up for dinner at Ohana's - or so I thought.

 

[jezaduck24]

Besides - I needed to rest up for dinner at Ohana's - or so I thought.

Oh no....not again!


We are taking Emmie and Ben to the Akerhaus Princess Dinner. I've read not to expect too much food-wise, but am glad to see you got such great Princesses! Do you think the interaction was so minimal because Mia is so young or was it the early hour?

I was just finishing up our preliminary trip plan last night and added a Pepper Market lunch and thought of you! It's for our 5th day, by which I think we will be dragging a bit.

 

[k_reile]

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?

i'm just at this part...but this is why we will go in Dec, Jan or Feb from now on. We went at the end of September thinking that the weather will be really nice since that is when it starts to cool here in Ohio....NOPE...SOOO HOT and HUMID!! My DH does not do well in heat and crowds...so we will now go in the cooler, less crowded months...which works for me since it is cheaper!

 

[MaryAz]

Found your report today. I also have a 5 yr old and a 2 year old. Mine are both girls though. We also cancelled a few ressies. My little one was terrified of Tigger (had to leave CP before either of us ate) so I cancelled CM. I was able to get her in a few character pics-with me holding her. SO great that your little one loved them so much! My older DD would have been all about the pool too except for the rain....

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Oh no....not again!


We are taking Emmie and Ben to the Akerhaus Princess Dinner. I've read not to expect too much food-wise, but am glad to see you got such great Princesses! Do you think the interaction was so minimal because Mia is so young or was it the early hour?

I was just finishing up our preliminary trip plan last night and added a Pepper Market lunch and thought of you! It's for our 5th day, by which I think we will be dragging a bit.

I think it was two parts - I think that Mia was not feeling fantastic, so her normally bubbly personality was more like, "Yeah, whatever" and the fact there there were so many little girls who were just over the moon that they were in the princess world! I think they spent an above average time with these kids - and I can't blame them, but I was a little bummed that it was "Hi" picture and off - KWIM? Now Ariel was the exception. She talked a bit and was there maybe 1 minute total, but she seemed to go out of her way to pay Mia a bit more attention - but then again, she seemed to linger extra long at other tables too - she was a good one.

PM is okay - Don't get me wrong. The food was good, but expect the meal to D R A G. Since the helpers get your drinks, and you each order from a station, and kids meals come from one, and then depending on what you want, etc - if you need one adult to sit at the table and another to Fetch, the Fetcher could be standing in 3 lines waiting on 3 meals to be prepared, and burn at least 20 good minutes before food hits the table. That is my only gripe about it. And the many times we ate there, the D R A G G I N G never changed. We had good servers too - so it wasn't their fault it is just the concept with a family with small kids isn't the most practical.

i'm just at this part...but this is why we will go in Dec, Jan or Feb from now on. We went at the end of September thinking that the weather will be really nice since that is when it starts to cool here in Ohio....NOPE...SOOO HOT and HUMID!! My DH does not do well in heat and crowds...so we will now go in the cooler, less crowded months...which works for me since it is cheaper!

I'm with you. I'm here in TN, and our weather I would think isn't that off from FL - but we were in the 70's and they were mid 90's. I just never thought it would be that drastic of a climate shift!

We are presently trying to decide if we want to "bounce back" to the trip in November, or just head down to the coast for a couple of days soon. Decisions, decisions.

I think the beach would be more restful - that is for sure. I seriously doubt I'll ever go back to WDW unless it is Nov - March though.

Found your report today. I also have a 5 yr old and a 2 year old. Mine are both girls though. We also cancelled a few ressies. My little one was terrified of Tigger (had to leave CP before either of us ate) so I cancelled CM. I was able to get her in a few character pics-with me holding her. SO great that your little one loved them so much! My older DD would have been all about the pool too except for the rain....

WELCOME! And I"m so sorry your little one was afraid. I actually so expected that of Mia - and I was FLOORED when she loved them so much. Who would have ever knew? I think it helped that I got the sing-a-long videos of Animal Kingdom and the Beach to let them see the relationship to the kids - but then again, I think Nicolas walking up and hugging them so openly was probably what made her okay with them.

The ressies are so hard in a way to keep with little ones, yet good in a way because it helps you to normalize their schedules a bit too. Best of times, and the worst of times thing.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So after the boys enjoyed the pool and I let Mia rest we started discussing dinner.

Carlos: "I don't care what we eat tonight, I just don't want to walk 5000 miles to get to it"
Me: "Do you seriously not understand?"
Carlos: " I wonder if we can use our dining plan for dinner at the pool bar?"
Me:

Okay, this dinner was specifically booked for Carlos. We had ate at Samba in Las Vegas, which sounds similar in concept. He had LOVED it! So I thought this would be a great trip down memory lane - and a good bridge for me to say - "Hey, while we're here, lets go over to MK and catch WISHES!

Now during this day, Mia hasn't felt well.

I'm a big believer at keeping sick kids away from spreading the wealth with others. She was warm, had a bit of an upset tummy, was fussy and chewing on everything - so I thought it must be her molars coming in - great timing. So... I chose to just keep on going, but making sure she stayed cool and hydrated too.

This whole day she had been a little trooper, but she was much more clingy than usual - but her only request all day was "I wanna eat with Mouse!" and I heard that 5000 times in five minutes.

1-407-wdw-dine

"Hello. Are there any ADRs for Chef Mickey's this evening".

It is your two year old - what are you going to to do?

You guessed it, I gave up Ohana for CM's. Do I regret it - NOPE. She loved eating with Mouse. So that one, I'm not cross about at all -

We took took the bus to MK, then the Monorail over to MK. They were having Spectro that night and people were flooding into MK. Part of me envied that though - I so wanted to see the parade, but I couldn't sell anyone else in the family on it.

So we get to CM's, check in for our 8:15 time, and wait - and are finally seated about 8:30. The buffet was okay - nothing spectacular but the atmosphere was fun and the kids had a good time. They celebrated and Nicolas got a cupcake and Goofy helped him blow it out.

 

[meanmom121]

Okay you get the most patient wife of the year award Because by this point in the trip I would have beaten my husband senseless. In fact just watching me super plan this whole event he has decided that he is just along for the ride and will keep his mouth shut.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Okay you get the most patient wife of the year award Because by this point in the trip I would have beaten my husband senseless. In fact just watching me super plan this whole event he has decided that he is just along for the ride and will keep his mouth shut.

Well, I was treading lightly. Carlos SWORE he'd never go to Disney, so I was trying to be patient and see if I could hook him in.

The frustrating part is that the DxDp was all him. I wanted to do the DDP and OOP a couple extra meals - but oh, NOoooooo. He wanted to pay and get it all inclusive. Well - he did. The joke was he was tired of being stuffed silly!

He watched me plan and plan, so to me the park switching daily was the slap in the face. I had done TGM and UG and had our days down to a science, yet it was like, "I want to ride KRR" so let's switch to AK today. By Thursday I was ready to not play nice anymore, but Mia was needy - so I just went along with it so I had one needy baby rather than three.

I'm back and forth right now. The Nov trip he gave into because I think he KNOWS how much he hyjacked my plans. That one he has ZERO input in and he knows it.

That is IF it happens. I have serious concerns that it would happen if we leave it hanging out there - so we're considering a beach getaway in its place. Again - if we go there, and if I want to sit my rear in a chair for hours then that is what the plan is (his plan is for us to snorkle all day long). I've earned it - or at least I have in my mind.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

So I think I've been a good sport until this point. I'm not sure the timing, but it was around this point that he says to me...

Carlos: "You'd think with the dining plan that we have you'd picked better places to eat."

Me: I think I was actually speechless with my jaw hanging for at least 45 seconds. Finally, I turn to him and say, "We had some really fantastic places planned - ones that people generally beg for, but you wanted to blow all those off and keep the lesser ones. That one is all on you babe!"

The nerve of him!

He started giggling. He was just trying to yank my chain. I tell you what, I am glad that he was goofing around because I think he'd been sent to the moon, I tell ya! TO THE MOON!

And for the record, Maya Grill isn't THAT bad at all, but once for the trip is probably pleanty - and if you are doing DxDP, the breakfast buffet is such a better choice over the PM, but it wasn't all that. Once was enough for dinner. KWIM?

 

[CRdisMom]

i'm really sorry all the ressies went out the window.

I got a laugh, and I really needed one, because you sat at the same table we did when we were at CM.

 

[meanmom121]

So do ya think you'll get him back to Disney

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

i'm really sorry all the ressies went out the window.

I got a laugh, and I really needed one, because you sat at the same table we did when we were at CM.

REALLY? How cool is that? It was nice to be right by the food. I had to fix everyone's plates of course, so it was nice not to have stairs to worry about. I'm not the most cordinated person in the world.

So do ya think you'll get him back to Disney

Well, he was in agreement for November, but if I opt to take the beach trip this weekend instead (which I probably will) I know our plans are to take Mia at 4 (just like I did Nicolas) for a mom & me 3 nighter. And I think he wants to take the kids back, but when they are older and can hang with the park a full day.

So to answer your question - he thinks he will go back once, and it will be many years down the road. He looks forward to seeing DHS, but said he didn't feel the need to do it NOW.

He told me he'd go in Nov for me, but he wasn't as into Disney as me. FIGURES.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay Lorrie, I just caught up! I read the first few days, but somehow I didn't get subscribed. I kept wondering why you weren't updating!

Your kids are so adorable! I love how Mia is so in love with "mouse"! My Londynn calls him Mickey, emphasis on the KEY. She used to call him KiKi! His is her fav, too. She'll ber 2 in July.

So cool that Nicholas got to do the Jedi training, and good of him to be so brave! He's still a little young. We couldn't get Myles on anything that moved last year, and he's still talking about the scarey rides now

I am so bummed that Carlos gave you so much trouble with the meals I wonder if it was the heat maybe? Although the Askerhaus day, you had 3 - count then - 3 TS meals in a day. That's ALOT of food
I'm sorry you didn't like alot of the food. I think some of the quality has gone down - I was a little "meh" about most of it, too.

Oh lord. Can you imagine if we got Mia and katie together. They would be unstoppable. Heavan bless the cm that would tell them no. LOL!!!

Well, the CM might just be okay if there were walls around that looked like they needed licking!

She actually told one "not nice" when they told her no the second time she tried to get on Barnstormer.

I have a feeling that this one is going to be more than a handful.

Londynn would fit right in! She's starting to be very determined about what she wants to do, and she's such a little dare devil she's also getting very bossy now that she uses 3 or 4 word sentences!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Okay Lorrie, I just caught up! I read the first few days, but somehow I didn't get subscribed. I kept wondering why you weren't updating!

Your kids are so adorable! I love how Mia is so in love with "mouse"! My Londynn calls him Mickey, emphasis on the KEY. She used to call him KiKi! His is her fav, too. She'll ber 2 in July.

So cool that Nicholas got to do the Jedi training, and good of him to be so brave! He's still a little young. We couldn't get Myles on anything that moved last year, and he's still talking about the scarey rides now

I am so bummed that Carlos gave you so much trouble with the meals I wonder if it was the heat maybe? Although the Askerhaus day, you had 3 - count then - 3 TS meals in a day. That's ALOT of food
I'm sorry you didn't like alot of the food. I think some of the quality has gone down - I was a little "meh" about most of it, too.







Londynn would fit right in! She's starting to be very determined about what she wants to do, and she's such a little dare devil she's also getting very bossy now that she uses 3 or 4 word sentences!

Tammie - hi there!

Isn't it funny how they latch on to part of a name or something. When Nicolas was 2 he got Mc Donalds and Target mixed up. So now to this day it is still Donalds and McTarget.

As for the food... honestly it WAS easier at sitdown TS meals than CS. Just trying to keep two kids at a table while the other ordered and brought it back was a little hectic becasue the kids always wanted that parent instead of the one they had. Food is food. KWIM? I just wanted to punch him bc all the GREAT ones were the ones he didn't want to go to.

Londynn sounds like such a cutie - and Nicolas to this day is like Myles. He tells EVERYONE about that scary STITCH ride. He hated PoTC, FoPP too. I still maintain I could care less for the the WtP ride. Seems like a nightmare to me -

 

[MAGICFOR2]

WtP?