The "Disney Freak" & her "Freak in Training!" A Nov. 2012 1st ever Pre-Trip

[ginerjenny]

So what did we choose from our dining list? What did we book? I was so excited on my 180 day... not that many of my ADR's even needed to be booked that far out, I was just excited to be booking on the 180 day. I'd never done that before with all of our last minute trips. I see everyone on the Dis excitedly awaiting their 180 day and I wanted to join the ranks! Tee hee!

So my 180 day was fast approaching and I realized it was going to fall on May 15. May 15? Oh no! That was the first night of DD's play. She is in a homeschool theater group and this was her first year. She auditioned for and got the part of Shenzi from The Lion King. I knew this was going to be a long day made even longer since I wanted to get up at 6 AM and book all my stuff online! Oh well... I'll do anything for Disney! Here is Jessica in her Shenzi mask... (The kids helped to make all of their masks, and show sets.)

Funny thing is the theater group didn't even consult me when choosing that year's production and it still wound up being a Disney show! SWEET! Here's the cast after one of their shows.

OK enough DD gushing let's get back to those ADR's! So what did we reserve? Well.... here is the reserved, for now, tentative list....

Arrival day Sunday November 11... Ohana 5:00 PM
We've been here twice before and we all think it is so YUMMY! But it is pricey...

Monday, November 12... Rose & Crown 7:45 PM
We've eaten here once before. I loved it! Thought a later ADR and requesting an outdoor table may result in an Illuminations view. I know there is no way to guarantee this so I'm asking myself now if I'm going for that reason only and is it worth it?

Tuesday November 13... Whispering Canyon 5:05 PM
I'm the only one in my family who has eaten here. Thought DD might enjoy the antics and we all love the ambiance of the WL. Not sure the food is worthy of a visit. This is the one ADR I am most on the fence about.

Wednesday November 14... Cape May 5:30 PM
DD and I love seafood, DH hates it! I've always wanted to try Cape May. There seemd to be enough landlubber grub for DH but I've noticed people here talking lately of some changes to the menu. This one is still high on the list to keep.

Thursday November 15... Garden Grill 5:30 PM
Another place we've all really wanted to try. We are mostly out of the character stage with DD but she LOVES Pluto and I love Chip & Dale. I'm concerned again about the food. Not sure DH will have much to eat since he doesn't eat fish and really could take or leave turkey. DD concerns me the most though. Wondering if even though I have to pay the adult price for her if we can still get the kid's platter here as well.

Friday November 16... Via Napoli 5:45 PM
YUMMM! This is a must try for us all! I've heard great things and we all love this kind of pizza!

Saturday November 17... Boma 8:30 AM
Always wanted to go to Boma. I would prefer dinner but I think DH & DD will do better with breakfast. Want DH to see the Lodge. DD & I already have.

I say "tentative" and "for now" on all of these ADR's because I'm still stressing a bit over a few things...
1) Will picky DD eat from the adult menu at all of these places?
2) Will I have saved enough money to do all of this?
3) Do I really want a TS meal every day?

Hmmmm........ I just don't know..... Up next is my day to day plans so maybe as I type it out I'll decide if I want to make these all fit, or not... Ohana, Whispering Canyon and Rose & Crown are repeat choices. The others are new. I think the only must do's for us right now are Via Napoli and probably Cape May. I'm not convinced I'll be heartbroken if I miss any of the others...Opinions on my choices so far??

I think these are great choices. Ohana's is a must do for us!! we love it. We are doing whispering canyon this time too. I'm on the fence about that one too but I'd love to see WL again We are doing Boma for dinner at my husbands request. We've never been there before.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Do you have the Dining plan? I was thinking that unless it's a buffet where you pay the adult price for kids 10+, if you are not on the dining plan, couldn't even an older child can order from the kids menu?

 

[JessiMommy]

I think these are great choices. Ohana's is a must do for us!! we love it. We are doing whispering canyon this time too. I'm on the fence about that one too but I'd love to see WL again We are doing Boma for dinner at my husbands request. We've never been there before.

We love Ohana too! I will get to experience Boma for dinner in January and I'm very much looking forward to it. Have to wait for my Dad to be with me...DH is just not food adventurous!

Do you have the Dining plan? I was thinking that unless it's a buffet where you pay the adult price for kids 10+, if you are not on the dining plan, couldn't even an older child can order from the kids menu?

We are not on the dining plan. I tossed around adding it if we end up paying rack rate for the room but I don't think we would get our money's worth. I'm hoping we won't have any trouble if DD wants to order from kid's menu. You would think they wouldn't care as long as I'm paying the adult price. We shall see....

 

[JessiMommy]

Day 3 plan - Hollywood Studios

It's Tuesday... day 3! Hollywood Studios as close to rope drop as possible for us today... Breakfast again will most likely be in the room, just a quick bite. I say most likely because there is always the possibility someone will want to go to the food court. We'll see what time it is... We will drive this morning. After entering the park we will of course head right to TSM for fastpasses and/or a quick ride.

Next up is TOT and RnR!! DD and I will ride TOT as many times as we can before DH gets tired of the gift shop and says, "OK ENOUGH!" LOL He will ride once, maybe twice with us then according to him, "his stomach needs a break". Ha ha! BABY! Depending on wait times we will probably grab a fastpass for later to one of these if we are able.

For the rest of the day we plan a casual pace of just dong what we want. Must see's today are: Star Tours, (we haven't seen the new version yet) it's very likely DH will want to do this multiple times. Then after the ride we will get to hear all about all of his Star Wars toys from when he was a kid! Yes, we know you loved your Millennium Falcon! LOL Another must do at DD's request is the Beauty & the Beast show. We haven't seen this in years, not since Four For a Dollar was let go as the opening act. Gosh I miss them!!

Lunch will probably be Fairfax Fare at least for DD since she has decided she must try the Macaroni & Cheese and Truffle Oil (and Bacon) Hot Dog. I'm really not sure what to make of this.... my stomach is hurting just writing about it. After we have had our fill of the studios we may head back to POR for a rest if there is time.

Our plan tonight is to head back into Magic Kingdom just for MSEP and Wishes! DH will do it just for me but would much rather go ride something. I will cry like a baby when they light the Castle Dream Lights, when I hear Jiminy Cricket's voice, when I hear the MSEP music, when I see Elliot the dragon's float (my fave as a kid!), when Wishes starts, when Tinkerbell flies, when Wishes ends...LOL can you tell what kind of SAP I am??

Ok call me crazy but one of my favorite things about any parade at MK is the guy I've always called the "fishing line guy" he or she is the one who follows the end of the parade in Liberty Square and Frontierland wearing a strange contraption on his chest and he reels in the rope that was set up for the parade route. Why has this always fascinated me? I have no idea!! LOL... Anyway a few trips ago I encountered the nicest CM named Jack at the entrance to MK. We got to talking and somehow I ended up telling him about my love of the "fishing line guy!" He started laughing and motioning other CM friends over. Turns out this is his parade duty job! They are officially called "fishers" So I wasn't that far off! He told me to come find him before the parade for a lesson in "fishing." Well I did and it was a hoot! Here are some highlights... Gotta love those special pixie dust moments!

I even got a certificate stating I was an "Official Fisher"

MK will close at 8 following Wishes so we tossed around maybe going over to DTD after this, depending on how tired we are. Tomorrow is a rest day so we can stay up late!

Update: MK will now be open to 1 AM tonight. We may not do MESP or Wishes tonight if we get to see them Sunday night, Regardless we still plan to be here tonight and may even stay close to 1 AM. Have no where to be tomorrow morning and can sleep in!

 

[PoppyGirl]

We love Ohana too! I will get to experience Boma for dinner in January and I'm very much looking forward to it. Have to wait for my Dad to be with me...DH is just not food adventurous!




We are not on the dining plan. I tossed around adding it if we end up paying rack rate for the room but I don't think we would get our money's worth. I'm hoping we won't have any trouble if DD wants to order from kid's menu. You would think they wouldn't care as long as I'm paying the adult price. We shall see....

If you are not on the dining plan I don't think it matters unless you are at a buffet. My DD frequently ordered just an appetizer or a cup of soup or just the kids' meal at both TS and QS locations. No one ever asked her age unless it was at the buffet where you pay a different price for 10 and older. And on the buffet there are always kids choices--anyone can have items from anywhere on the buffet. You should be fine!

 

[JessiMommy]

If you are not on the dining plan I don't think it matters unless you are at a buffet. My DD frequently ordered just an appetizer or a cup of soup or just the kids' meal at both TS and QS locations. No one ever asked her age unless it was at the buffet where you pay a different price for 10 and older. And on the buffet there are always kids choices--anyone can have items from anywhere on the buffet. You should be fine!

Thank you, that makes me feel better!

 

[JessiMommy]

Day 4 plan - Rest Day

The official plan today is to take it easy and see where the wind takes us. We will probably sleep in, which for us is about 8-8:30 AM. We will most likely have breakfast at Riverside Mill this morning. If the weather allows we would like to swim, explore a little more of the resort and then probably take a boat to DTD for a while. Pretty lazy day! However...with us anything is possible! We do like to resort hop and if we don't get to it on our arrival day we may visit the MK area resorts for a while. Especially if they are starting to decorate for Christmas. A few years ago we caught this...

They are making it snow with powdered sugar! OMG it smelled so good!

We may decide we don't want to relax, and if that happens we will hit the Studios for a while. I am so wishy washy today!

Later tonight we have an ADR at Cape May Cafe' so we will also check out The Yacht & Beach Resorts while we are there. Perhaps we will stroll over to EPCOT. YES! This is going to be a very "Fly by the seat of our pants" kind of day! No real plan today, no real rush!

 

[ewalshslp]

Hi! I stumbled on your Pre-trip report and have enjoyed reading My DH, DD, DS and I will be at the Wilderness Lodge Nov 10-18, and we have a 5:05 ADR at Ohana on Nov. 11!!! See you there

 

[PoppyGirl]

Thank you, that makes me feel better!

Yay! My day is complete now.

The waiters/waitresses have always been very helpful to us and never made us feel uncomfortable about anything DD wanted to order at all. They are very accommodating. It's going to be great!

 

[JessiMommy]

Hi! I stumbled on your Pre-trip report and have enjoyed reading My DH, DD, DS and I will be at the Wilderness Lodge Nov 10-18, and we have a 5:05 ADR at Ohana on Nov. 11!!! See you there

Love the Wilderness Lodge! Too funny about Ohana!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Hi! I stumbled on your Pre-trip report and have enjoyed reading My DH, DD, DS and I will be at the Wilderness Lodge Nov 10-18, and we have a 5:05 ADR at Ohana on Nov. 11!!! See you there

Two years ago when we were at Disney during the Christmas holiday season, I had connected with some people on the disboards while we were planning our trips. I discovered that another girl, Katie, and I had ADRs at Boma on the same night at nearly the same time. We shared photos and made plans to try and meet up over dinner. So I was sitting at dinner with my family and I said to my husband, "Do you see Katie anywhere? They are supposed to be here about now." He looked at me in complete confusion, "Katie?!?! Katie who?" Whoops! I forgot to tell him about the little dismeet I had planned. Anyway, a few minutes later Katie and I spotted each other across the room--she yelled out "LENORA!" and I yelled out 'KATIE!" and we sort of ran and hugged each other (never met before!). It was the most fun moment! We still keep in touch on FB and on the disboards.

 

[ewalshslp]

Two years ago when we were at Disney during the Christmas holiday season, I had connected with some people on the disboards while we were planning our trips. I discovered that another girl, Katie, and I had ADRs at Boma on the same night at nearly the same time. We shared photos and made plans to try and meet up over dinner. So I was sitting at dinner with my family and I said to my husband, "Do you see Katie anywhere? They are supposed to be here about now." He looked at me in complete confusion, "Katie?!?! Katie who?" Whoops! I forgot to tell him about the little dismeet I had planned. Anyway, a few minutes later Katie and I spotted each other across the room--she yelled out "LENORA!" and I yelled out 'KATIE!" and we sort of ran and hugged each other (never met before!). It was the most fun moment! We still keep in touch on FB and on the disboards.

LOVE IT!!!!! I am always hoping to run into someone from the DIS

 

[JessiMommy]

Anyway, a few minutes later Katie and I spotted each other across the room--she yelled out "LENORA!" and I yelled out 'KATIE!" and we sort of ran and hugged each other (never met before!). It was the most fun moment! We still keep in touch on FB and on the disboards.

This is too funny!

 

[JessiMommy]

Day 5 plan - EPCOT

Before I begin I have to do a little HAPPY DANCE!
I was playing around on the Disney site last night trying to find an annual pass discount.... I put in a two week stay instead of our one week stay and the discount came up!!! I booked that sucker and then called this morning to remove the week I didn't need! I just saved us $400 bucks! I'm thrilled!!!! OK, on to day 5!

Today is strictly an EPCOT day for us. DD could spend a week here so we won't be bored. Breakfast again will be lite and in our room. We'll do rope drop here to maximize our time. We are hoping for some crazy miracle that Test Track may re-open early but I'm doubtful. If it does we will probably send DH to Soarin' for a fastpass while DD and I head to Test Track. Since we know that is doubtful we will all head to Soarin' for a fastpass and a ride. Love, love, Soarin'!! We will do Living with the Land while we are here. We may like to do the Behind The Seeds tour today... still thinking that over. Has anyone done it? After we leave the Land we'll head to the Living Seas for a little Turtle Talk with Crush and to say hi to the manatees. Next up will be Journey Into Imagination. Boy I wish they'd restore this to it's original glory. It was silly but we loved it! Maybe we'll run into these guys! Could they be any cuter??

Depending on time we may head to Mexico for our favorite Quick Service lunch at La Cantina de San Angel. If we are not ready for lunch we will head over to Mission Space first then do lunch.

We are hoping it's not too crowded here today! Last time we were here the crowds were just atrocious... see....

HA HA! Yea! OK! Just kidding... we are hoping our crowds look just like that! November is an awesome time to visit!

This is where we will begin our leisurely stroll through World Showcase. We'll start with Mexico and work our way around. I plan to do every movie we usually skip over this time around. DD just wrapped up a semester of World Cultures so I'd like her to experience more than what we usually do at each country. DD wished you could still make the masks. Even at her age she loved doing this and chatting with all the CM's she encountered. She does not care for the Duffy Bear thing they are doing now.

Have you ever called or received a call from the UK phone booths? DD and I have the number and we love to call and chat with who ever answers the phone. We thought this time we should try calling someone from a bench nearby and watch their reaction! Tee hee!

This evening we have a reservation at The Garden Grill at 5:30 which means we will probably have to backtrack over to Future World and then come back to World Showcase after we eat. I'm hoping to time it so we are around the Morocco vicinity so we can take the little boat across the lagoon. Our feet may need a break by then. After dinner we can resume our stroll through World Showcase. Maybe we should stop by the Character Spot for a kiss from Goofy! Last time we saw him there he was very determined to get one!! LOL!!
Update: Moved the Garden Grill to Monday and have no ADR tonight. Also decided to head to HS tonight for the Osborne Lights. We already have 2 other nights at EPCOT.

Forgot to mention we will drive here today so after park close we will not be fighting bus crowds. We will head back to POR and hopefully catch some of Yee Haw Bob's show in the lounge for a bit. Really hoping we are not too tired because we really want to see him and last night (Wednesday) or tonight are our only options.
Update: Still plan to catch Yee Haw Bob tonight after HS.

 

[vleeth]

Wow I missed so much! (Silly hurricane) Your plans look great. Awesome that you got that discount!

 

[JessiMommy]

Wow I missed so much! (Silly hurricane) Your plans look great. Awesome that you got that discount!

So glad to hear from you! Hoping you are all OK after nasty Isaac!

 

[JessiMommy]

DD asked me last week if we could make a countdown chain. We used to do these when she was younger anytime she wanted to count down to something. I thought it was cute that she was still interested. I'm having a hard time lately with the growing up thing! I just want her to stay 3 forever! sigh..... Anyway, I made her one last night and borrowed an idea I googled. Instead of just making a plain ole' chain I added something to do to each link. For example... Name your favorite Disney Snack, What Disney job would you most like to do? There are even links for closer to the trip that say pack your backpack with things you need for the trip, and make sure all your clothes are laid out. I thought it would be fun to have a little Disney pow wow every night. Last night our link told us each to make a list of 5 must do's in each of the 4 parks. It was fun!

Felt like we were getting really close to this trip until I saw the chain completed... That's still a lot of links!

Update: Our chain only has 7 links left now!!! Amazing how fast time flies!

 

[JessiMommy]

So back in post one I mentioned that we were able to book a second trip for January 2013 with my parents! We have been craving a Disney trip for two years and then 5 months into planning for one, we got to book another! How awesome!!! How did this happen?? Well, the more we talked about our November trip the more and more envious my Dad seemed to get. I think deep down he would have liked to go with us on this November trip. My Mom talked him out of it knowing how much we needed this trip to be just for the three of us. His schedule wouldn't allow him to go in November anyway. Soooo... my Mom started plotting! Her and my dad usually go together in December for a couple days because my Dad loves the Candlelight Processional and all the holiday decorations. My Mom got him to agree to drop that trip and schedule one with DD and me for late January! Since I'm having fun with this trip report I think I'll start another for my January trip! Here's the link in case you'd like to follow along.

We're Going Again? Gandaddy, Mimi, and the Disney FREAKS! A January 2013 PTR

 

[JessiMommy]

Before I start Day 6's plan I have to say I'm super excited because I paid off our room today!!!! This takes a large amount of pressure off. DH was able to work a day on the X Factor shoot here in Miami when they needed extra cameras so thanks Simon Cowell! LOL!!

Ok on to day 6...

Day 6 plan - Magic Kingdom

Today is another Magic Kingdom day. I'm sure we will do rope drop again. The plan here is to do whatever we missed on day 2 and whatever else we'd like to repeat. We are hoping for lower crowds here today since MK will close at 7 for MVMCP. I hope to take time for The Celebrate a Dream Come True parade on one of our Magic Kingdom days. Haven't seen that ever... I don't think. We may have to fit in a ride on the Astro Orbiter. We've probably done it twice in all our trips. It always has such a long line and is such a slow loader. But the view is pretty nice.

Of course we are crossing fingers for any soft openings or passholder previews in Fantasyland this week. One can hope! In our endeavor to take our time we may even find ourselves strolling Main Street which we never seem to make time for. Here is DD with the Mayor after a trip to the BBB.

I guess my "take it easy plan" is kind of boring to read but I'm so excited to just take things as they come this trip. We know what parks we are doing on what days but that's about it.... We will definitely make time for hugs!

Thankfully even though DD is 12 now she is still OK with the characters. She's not too cool for that yet! Hopefully that will never change.

This evening we plan to head to EPCOT for as much of EMH as we feel like staying for. We do have an ADR at Via Napoli and I'm looking very much forward to it! We plan to split a pizza and hopefully save room for dessert. We are going to have to try the Tiramisu as well as the Zeppole di Ricotta because who can decide between them? LOL!

This guy is DD's favorite so we will have to seek him out at some point! He's just so cute!

Tonight may be the night we catch The Voices of Liberty if we don't get to them on day 5. This will depend on what time we get to EPCOT. I know they don't perform very late. DD and I LOVE to listen to them!

There is just something about World Showcase at night and we usually spend at least one full night here. This trip will be no exception!

I imagine we will be pretty tired by the end of tonight... tomorrow is our last day and we drive home! Oh no! Now I'm feeling sad!! Oh wait! We haven't even left to go yet! Phew!

 

[vleeth]

I have NEVER been on Astro Orbiters.

One of these days I'm going to have to take an easy park day.