The Happyfingers Family are on Holiday

[PrincessInOz]

ok well my wife has kindly made things more expanded

now she wants to rent a car from la then drive to las vegas for a few days, then drive over to the grand canyon for a night, then down to san diego to visit some zoo (of all things) before catching a flight over to miami/ft lauderdale to board the ship

so there is a lot more organisation to do so we know whats going on

we will book the accom before we leave la for vegas as there are plenty of cheap rooms in vegas (no intention of gambling) just going for a look

so whether we do nasa before the ship or after will have to be decided on the run

If you haven't already checked it out, there is a SoCal City Pass ticket which gives you 3 days Park Hopper into DLR; 1 day UA, 1 day SeaWorld and 1 day at either the SD Zoo or the SD Wildlife park. The savings on the City Pass is significant cf buying the tix individually per park. 14 day expiry from the time you visit the first park.

That's a lot of driving across and back the desert from LA to Vegas to catch a flight....

San Diego to Anaheim is about a 1.5 - 2 hour drive; depending on traffic. You could then head off to Vegas from SD; followed by the Grand Canyon (stopping at Hoover Dam on the way). I would recommend that you and the wife consider going to Sedona and spending a couple of nights there before heading towards Phoenix. You can catch a flight from Phoenix to Miami without having to head back to LA/SD again....just need to see if you can drop off the car without incurring drop-off fees.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ok Ladies our 180 days is fast approching and i would love some advice from the pros

we will need to finalise our dining preferences soon
like real soon so we can get it all sorted

what is confusing me at the moment is that how can i make a dining reservation based on that park having extra magic hours when i dont know when that park even has extra magic hours

Just make the reservation for the character dining you want to go to at the park you want to visit that day. You will be able to get into the park with your name/confirmation number and have breakfast. If you go extra early and finish before the park is opened, then you'll have the time to take some pictures without anyone else there and be first at rope drop.

im looking on the website and cant seem to find what parks have extra magic hours past February 2011
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/

EMH days can change. So, looking at a previous calendar for same time last year doesn't always guarantee that Disney will be exactly the same next year.

I can even find when the parks open early so we can take advantage of that

and how do you eat all the food
from reading what i have been reading a "hot ? dog" is considered a snack
so how do you have a buffet breakfast followed shortly after by a "hot dog" or whatever, followed by lunch, followed by another snack followed by dinner ??????????????????????????

its a wonder these people can even walk

ive been to buffets for breakfast before and havnt been able to even chew gum until about 10hrs later

how do they all do it ?

Even at a buffet, I eat until I am full and then stop. I find that if I stuff myself, then I feel uncomfortable for hours afterwards and it's just not worth it.

I check out all the menus and work out what is considered a snack and what isn't. I then work out what I want to eat; rather than being totally focussed on maximising value. Don't get me wrong - I do look at the value of snack as well....


Excuse my old fogies memory but I can't remember which DP you are going on. And I'm too lazy to trawl through this thread!

Are you on the standard Dining plan? If so, I think the DDP is 1 TS, 1 CS and 1 snack for the day.

If you spend it wisely, it pretty much covers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Remember - you get dessert with the TS and CS. It is a lot of food. I also normally ask for bottle water AND iced water so that I get to save the bottle water for later. On the days that you have a buffet breakfast, you might not feel like eating lunch and then may have the extra snack to enjoy later.

If you are on the QS plan, then you get 2 CS and 2 snacks. This one gives you the extra snack to spend during the day. But then you're paying OOP for the buffets and TS meals. If you're doing this, then you'll have more than enough food....and then some!

If I was planning on having a hot dog, I consider than lunch; rather than a mid-morning snack.

If you're on the Deluxe dining plan (3 meals and 2 snacks), make sure you starve for a month of Sunday's before you go.

 

[HappyFingers]

Its the Deluxe

Maybe i got ahead of myself

 

[DVCAustralia]

The best source for hours is wdwinfo.com, they have up to August 2011 so far, and the hours should be out by the time the 180 days for dining arrives (or just after) given the number of people on dining plans.
The deluxe DDP is a special product, whilst it is great value if you are not careful it can become overwhelming, so here are few tips.
1. Keep in mind that the credits start as soon as you check-in and do not expire until midnight the day you check-out, so you do not have to use them each night but can mix and match depending on preference and convenience.
2. It is best to try to avoid too many days with three TS meals if any of them are buffets, try two TS with snacks in between.
3. When you have three TS meals on a day spread them out, for example 8am, 1pm and 8pm.
5. Snacks are where they most problems tend to take place. Do not stress about snacks, whilst it is good to get value sometimes value means using the credit for something convenient.
Snacks are extremely varied and not always consistant across outlets so make sure you check the verified list on the restaurants forum.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2640292
My favourite snack is the Pineapple Float at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom.
Use snacks for special drinks like smoothies as they are great value and you are likely to want more drinks than food between TS meals.
Spare snacks can be used for transportable items to extend the Disney experience.

Here are some sample day schedules: -
Animal Kingdom
TS - Tusker House (character breakfast buffet) 8:05am, an hour before opening
TS - Yak & Yeti (late lunch)
TS - late dinner where convenient
Snacks
Magic Kingdom
TS - Crystal Palace (character breakfast buffet) 8:05am, an hour before opening
Snacks - (Aloha Isle pineapple float, Auntie Gravity's)
TS - 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridian (character dinner buffet)
Magic Kingdom
TS - Kona Cafe, Polynesian Resort (early breakfast)
TS - Crystal Palace (character lunch buffet)
TS - The Wave, Contemporary Resort (late dinner)
Epcot (on their early entry day)
TS - early lunch, Coral Reef or World Showcase (11am - 12noon)
TS - Rose & Crown (dinner for Illuminations)
Hollywood Studios
TS - Cape May Cafe, Beach Club (character breakfast buffet)
TS - Mama Melrose (lunch)
TS - Kouzzina, Boardwalk (late dinner)

 

[HappyFingers]

ok thanks for the advice

can we use snack credits be it 3, 4 or 5 to purchase/organise one of those chocolate cinderella slippers ?

i just dont think we will use our snack credits
i know what my kids are like, they dont eat much

or

can i put them all to bed then go to the pub with everyones snack credits and purchase beer, etc. ?

 

[HappyFingers]

ok ADR update

Sunday
Dinner at ESPN
Monday at Magic Kingdom
Breakfast at Cinderellas Castle
Lunch at Tonys Town Square
Dinner at Beach's and Cream
Tuesday at Epcot
Breakfast at Cape May
Lunch at Biergart
Dinner at San Angel
Wednesday at Blizzard Beach
Breakfast at Maya Grill
Lunch at pepper Market
Dinner at Planet Holywood
Thursday at Animal Kingdom
Breakfast at Donalds Safari
Lunch at Tusker House
Dinner at ESPN
Friday at Holywood Studios
Breakfast at Chef Mickeys
Lunch at Sci Fi Threatre
Dinner at Mama Melrobe
Saturday at Typhoon Lagoon
Breakfast at Boma
Lunch at Planet Hollywood
Dinner at Big River Grill
Sunday free to go anywhere
Breakfast at Wispering Canyon
Lunch leftover snack credits
Dinner left over snack credits

so i think we are pretty happy with that

 

[Travel Mum]

On Animal Kingdom day, are you purposely having breakfast and lunch at the same restaurant?

 

[HappyFingers]

On Animal Kingdom day, are you purposely having breakfast and lunch at the same restaurant?

didnt know

but now that we do and we have explored the other options we are gonna stick with that

thanks for the heads up

can i use snack credits to buy beer ?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Happy Fingers - your ADRs look good...just a couple of things that caught my eye.

Are you hiring a car to get around WDW? You have a number of places booked that are a distance away from your planned park. Not a biggie if you have a car.

If you don't, then I hope you realise that on your Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon days, that you're heading back to Hollywood Studios for lunch and/or Boardwalk on those days. If you're park hopping, and only plan to spend the morning at the water parks, and have a car, then its fine and completely ignore my comments.

I also noticed that you are planning on eating at Beaches and Cream a couple of times. I personally thought that their food wasn't that good. We had both the meat pattie hamburger and the vegie burger; and DS had the hot dog when we were there in May 2010. The menu was an all-day menu; so the same things were available lunch and dinner.
Personally, I wouldn't be rushing back there for food. Their sundaes and icecreams....a completely different matter. If you wanted to stick to the boardwalk, have a look at Flying Fish. Everyone who has been there seems to rave about it. I also ate at Kouzzina's, and that was nice. Your alternative is to look at somewhere in Epcot.

You might want to try B&C out the first time and then decide whether it is worth a visit the second time round or not.

Enjoy your meals!

 

[kylieh]

I've discovered the Sept hours have been posted to the travel agents at least http://www.disneytravelagents.com/S...pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_Sept.pdf

I picked up this link from the theme park strategys sub forum. Might help you out.

 

[HappyFingers]

Than ks for that Princess

yeh i was thinking taxis on those days as we couldnt find anything we wanted that was closer

the problem with the flying fish is that we were reading the menu and my wife was saying yum and i was gagging

ive never eaten a fish in my life or in fact anything that swims

the kids dont really eat fish either

i read a few of the beaches and cream reviews and everyone seemed to like it

i picked that as myself and my kids wont struggle to find something to eat

any other recommendations that dont centre around fish/seafood ?

 

[DVCAustralia]

In that area there is Kouzzina on the Boardwalk which is also 1TS credit, but since you are in the MK area that day I would recommend 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridian for both the food and characters or The Wave, Contemporary.
Also I would recommend 1900 Park Fare breakfast for the characters, particularly Alice and the Mad Hatter, maybe instead of Chef Mickeys or Maya Grill.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Not that I'm trying to point you to my TR ; but I do have some food porn from Beaches and Cream and Kouzzina somewhere in the May one (link below).

Because you are on the Deluxe, you need to work out whether you want to maximise your bang for buck or not.

Am I right to assume that you are staying in a deluxe at the Epcot area? If so, then you might want to consider some of the Epcot restaurants like Chef de France, Coral Reef, Marrakesh, Rose and Crown. I've never eaten at Le Cellier - but that is double TS points now.

If you're not worried about getting to a full service restaurant and are staying in the Epcot area, then I would recommend taking a look at the following counter service places:
Sunshine Seasons food court
Tangierine Cafe
Yakitori House
Boulangerie at France
Electric Umbrella - which may provide you with Hamburger options to B&C


You might also want to consider dining at DTD. There are a heap of restaurants and options there that may suit your family.

FYI - Taxis can get pricey at WDW. If this is how you were planning on getting around, I'd be re-thinking your lunch options on the Water park days. To and fro the water park just for lunch can add up pretty quickly.

 

[battymum]

Just my opinion.

Why did you upgrade to Deluxe Dining?

Regular dining seems to be plenty of food for our family, without being tied to 3ADRs each day.

 

[HappyFingers]

Just my opinion.

Why did you upgrade to Deluxe Dining?

Regular dining seems to be plenty of food for our family, without being tied to 3ADRs each day.

Exactly

Why did I do that ?
I don't know the answer

Can I go back ? (refund back to basic)

We have come to our senses and will just get counter service at the water parks. To save all the hassle

So next question
How do I organize a suprize chocolate slipper dessert for my kids ?

Thanks so much for everyones help

 

[PrincessInOz]

I believe that the chocolate slipper dessert can only be ordered at any of the Grand Floridian restaurants (1900 Park Fare, Citricos, Narcossee’s, and Victoria & Albert’s) or at Cinderella's Royal Table at MK.

Last time I looked into it, you needed to pre-order from Disney Cakes at least 48 hours in advanced. It won't be covered by the dining plan.

I don't know if you can order it as a take-away.

If you want to change your dining package, the best thing to do would be to call Disney or your TA and work it out.


Good luck!

 

[HappyFingers]

ok ADR update (this is the final cut)

Sunday
Dinner at ESPN
Monday at Magic Kingdom
Breakfast at Cinderellas Castle
Lunch at Tonys Town Square
Dinner at Beach's and Cream
Tuesday at Epcot
Breakfast at Cape May
Lunch at Biergart
Dinner at San Angel
Wednesday at Blizzard Beach
Breakfast at Maya Grill
Lunch at pepper Market (short walk to pepper market)
Dinner at Planet Holywood
Thursday at Animal Kingdom
Breakfast at Donalds Safari
Lunch at Sanaa (Indian type stuff which our kids are used to)
Dinner at ESPN
Friday at Holywood Studios
Breakfast at Chef Mickeys
Lunch at Sci Fi Threatre
Dinner at Mama Melrobe
Saturday at Typhoon Lagoon
Breakfast at 1900 park fare (buses and taxis as required)
Lunch at Planet Hollywood (short walk to downtown)
Dinner at Big River Grill
Sunday free to go anywhere
Breakfast at Grand Floridian


wow im happy with that
my heads gonna pop
ive been looking at maps and menus for days now

about 20 days to go now before i can reserve it all online

Thanks for all your help and advice ladies

 

[HappyFingers]

Introducing the Cast

we will start with my Main man Luke
he umpires inline roller hockey each week and then goes on to play 3 full games after that
he is 10 (kicked out of under 11's team for being to good) he plays under 14's then under 17's and then plays against me in the seniors game where he proceeds to wipe the floor with me
he's the only 10yr old playing seniors inline hockey which is a very fast game, some games i even get to hit the ball

he does well at school and has plenty of buddies
he can snow ski and water ski

Basically in my eyes he is a legend and im very proud of him

more pics of the rest of the cast to follow
as soon as i finish photoshopping mine

 

[HappyFingers]

one more week until we book our ADR's

i tried to log in and do it today but the computer is to smart

 

[Travel Mum]

one more week until we book our ADR's

i tried to log in and do it today but the computer is to smart

No harm in practising!