The Return of the Disney Box--Trip Report Started--PTR Complete =)

[LegoMom3]

Allow me to do a double-digit dance in honor of your 99 days!




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[creativeamanda]

Allow me to do a double-digit dance in honor of your 99 days!




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With 2 babnanas, lol!

 

[creativeamanda]

I'm planning for the June trip tonight. Even though I have a list if dining hopefuls on my PTR, I'm still not sure. I want to eat at some new places, but when I look at my list of 8 restaurants, I have 5 return visits! What's wrong with me? I am glad that I gave up on the Deluxe Plan, though--all of those ADRs were going to drive me nutty!

This is what I have now, I call next week, but I just don't know. . .

Crystal Palace (dinner)--the staple first dinner for us. . .it's becoming a tradition

Mama Melrose's (for Fantasmic Package)--we went here in October and liked the atmosphere a lot.

Le Cellier or Chefs de France or Teppan Edo--Heck I don't know where to go in Epcot with unadventurous children!--we've been to Le Cellier. The only problem I have is Le Cellier serves bananas on their children's sundaes, and although they are very helpful about food allergies, Courtney has a banana allergy. If there is a sundae on any menu, she wants it. Even though they assure me it was not near the banana, I still won't believe it unless I see it. So Chefs de France may be our choice, but I don't know if I like their menu. . .

Coral Reef--our second favorite meal in October--great atmosphere. Only problem is tiny portions. . .

Grand Floridian Cafe--a no-brainer. . .our fav in October for all of us. Courtney does not like their desserts, so I promised her we could go to Goofy's Candy Company.

Kona Cafe--this was originally going to be Chef Mickey's for dinner. But I was feeling like I had too many character meals. So I moved Chef Mickey's to breakfast and ditched Ohana. I like how their adult menu is slightly adventurous, while the kids' meals are more down to earth

1900 Park Fare--Per Caroline's request for her birthday

Chef Mickey's--breakfast--I hear that there are still a lot of desserts here. . .I just don't know.

So that's where I am. Do I ditch Chef Mickey's and keep Ohana or do I just skip that last breakfast and plan for a dinner on arrival day (I think not).

Heavens, I don't know. This is driving me crazy and I call next week! But don't tell anyone at work I'm taking the morning off not to do paperwork, but to call Disney Dining.

 

[LegoMom3]

.....Heavens, I don't know. This is driving me crazy and I call next week! But don't tell anyone at work I'm taking the morning off not to do paperwork, but to call Disney Dining.

.....ah, the lifestyle of the Disney-addict!!!


Wish I could help with Epcot. We've only eaten at Biergarten in Germany (my kids are super-picky so they pretty much just ate the mac-n-cheese there; maybe a hotdog or two). LeCellier sounds the most "normal" to me in terms of what we Americans (and their kids!) are used to eating. Not as "cultural" as say Japan or Germany or France. Dunno, tough call!

Oh, and Chef Mickey's has the uber-cool dessert bar set out for dinner. Breakfast is really good, but at least when we went a couple of years ago, the dessert bar wasn't open at breakfast.

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[creativeamanda]

.....ah, the lifestyle of the Disney-addict!!!


Wish I could help with Epcot. We've only eaten at Biergarten in Germany (my kids are super-picky so they pretty much just ate the mac-n-cheese there; maybe a hotdog or two). LeCellier sounds the most "normal" to me in terms of what we Americans (and their kids!) are used to eating. Not as "cultural" as say Japan or Germany or France. Dunno, tough call!

Oh, and Chef Mickey's has the uber-cool dessert bar set out for dinner. Breakfast is really good, but at least when we went a couple of years ago, the dessert bar wasn't open at breakfast.

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I still don't know what I'll do. I think I'll end up surprising myself next Wednesday morning, LOL.

 

[creativeamanda]

So, I spend an hour on the phone with Gillian last night discussing the dining hopefuls. I still was not happy with the choices I gave earlier last night because I wasn't relly trying anything new! There's so much at Disney in the lines of Dining Choices, why was I limiting myself?

So, we thought and I rethought, and this is what I am going to call for exactly one week from today. . .

Tuesday, June 23:
Nada. Arrival day and who knows when we will get in? Although GIllian wants to help drive, I don't know I'm going to let her. Not that I don't trust her driving or anything, but I'm funny about people driving my car. I know, I'm OCD. That's Okay. We should always embrace who we are. Quirks and all.


Wednesday, June 24:
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast in the room
Lunch: Cosmic Ray's
Dinner: Crystal Palace

Thursday, June 25:
Hollywood Studios
Breakfast in the room
Lunch: Earl of Sandwich in DTD
Dinner: Hollywood Brown Derby

Friday, June 26:
1/2 day at Epcot (sleep in)
oop Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks at POFQ (Yes, I'm braving the CLOWNS)
lunch: Tangierine Cafe
dinner: Tutto Italia

Saturday, June 27:
Epcot full day
breakfast at Riverside Mill OOP
Lunch at Sunshine Seasons
Dinner: Coral Reef


Sunday, June 28:
Animal Kingdom
breakfast in room
lunch at Flame Tree BBQ
Dinner: Chef Mickey's

Monday, June 29:
Magic Kingdom
breakfast oop at Grand Floridian Cafe
Lunch at Pinnochio's Village Haus
Dinner Kona Cafe

Tuesday, June 30 (Boo's Birthday)
Typhoon Lagoon am; Epcot after dinner for EMH
Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks
Lunch at Riverside Mill
Dinner: 1900 Park Fare

Wednesday, July 1
Departure day
Late OOP Breakfast at Ohana then drive home after riding the monorail one more time.

So, that's what it looks like. Of the meals, these are new for us:

Hollywood Brown Derby
Tutto Italia
Kona
Chef Mickey's
1900 Park Fare
Ohana

This also gives us 2 oop TS meals, but I think $150 oop for the 2 meals is better than adding the DxDP for $700+ and then having the tips for those meals on top of that. I'm also thinking that I'm going to let Gillian do her own thing at either Magic Kingdom or Downtown Disney that morning while I take the kids to GFC for breakfast. GFC holds a special place in our hearts, and she needs to have a little time to herself as well.

So, how does that look?

 

[LegoMom3]

I promise you the clown-braving will be worth it when you bite into a little piece of heaven known as the Beignet!!!!!!


Just don't look up at the ceiling and you should be fine...

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[creativeamanda]

I promise you the clown-braving will be worth it when you bite into a little piece of heaven known as the Beignet!!!!!!


Just don't look up at the ceiling and you should be fine...

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Don't look up. Got it. My family thinks I'm crazy. Perhaps I need professional help for this particular fear. I don't know. Maybe I do. . .

 

[creativeamanda]

. . .So, with three days left until I start calling for ADRs, I have one slight fear: my baby, my new Blackberry has a difficult time picking up a signal in my house. Once I get a signal, I’m fine, but it takes a bit of prodding.

Never fear, my fine DIS friends, though. I have a plan. At 6:30 am, I am going to walk to the end of my driveway, where I have determined I will get my best reception and make my phone call. This I will do with my ADR sheet and itinerary in hand. And I have a back up plan. Sweetie’s phone picks up just fine in the house. So, at 6:57 am, I will begin my dialing procedure and I will continue with my procedure until every. Last. ADR. Is. Made. Count on it. I have a mission and I rarely fail my missions.

And just FYI: here is my prospective ADR chart:

What were my final decisions, you ask me?
June 24: Crystal Palace—hoping for 5:00pm
June 25: Mama Melrose’s for Fantasmic! Package—hoping for 5:00 pm
June 26: 2 ADRS:
1. 1900 Park Fare—hoping for a late breakfast (brunch)
2. Grand Floridian Café—hoping for 7:00pm
June 27: Chef Mickey’s—hoping for 7:00pm
June 28: Kona Café—hoping for 7:00pm
June 29: Liberty Tree Tavern—hoping for 5:00pm
June 30: Princess Storybook Dinner at Akershus—Boo’s Birthday Dinner—hoping for 5:00pm
July 1: Ohana Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch—hoping for 10:00am

NEW PLACES INCLUDE: 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey’s, Kona Café, Akershus for dinner (had breakfast before), and Ohana. We may also go to ESPN on our arrival day, since it does not take reservations, and I’m sure after a long drive, a walk on the Boardwalk would be welcome.

I have also looked at how much I need to budget for additional food, and I did this little (okay, not so little) chart:

In keeping with the notebook theme, I’ve added more to the notebook. Right now, this is what my itinerary looks like. I have, of course, blotted out information I obtained from the Unofficial Guide’s site, but once that chart is made public, I will update it and post it.

I’ve also played around with Ride Max. The dates I’ve used are actually April, not June, but I was able to cut and paste into Word to play around for my own itinerary. I’ll be able to update my itinerary later and even reprint the personalized maps as soon as I have made ADRs.

And just so you can see, I have even printed out the dining brochure so I can make sure I’m picking restaurants on the plan.

Finally, for great reliable directions, I recommend going to AAA’s website and printing out TripTik directions. You do not have to be a AAA member to print these from your computer. You can even save them as PDF files and email them. I like them because I can add several stops along the way. If you notice, my trip has me stopping at Publix before getting to POR, lol. Again, excuse the blotted out portions. I’d rather keep my exact address a mystery, KWIM?

Also, I’ve done a little more shopping. I got outfits for the kids for Boo’s birthday dinner, some sunglasses, flip flops for the pools and Water Park, and the mister fans. This was a pretty fun shopping trip.

Last, but certainly not least, I went ahead and put together the 45 day countdown chart. I originally intended it to be 100 days, but I got tired of punching out Mickey heads with my Mickey punch, lol. It is so much tougher when you punch them out after you have laminated the paper.

So, that’s where we are in a nutshell. I’m excited about the ADRs on Wednesday, and have actually taken the day off of work to make my ADRS. I promise to post them on Wednesday after they are made. Until then, good evening friends, and have a great week!

 

[ladybugmom]

Hi Amanda!! I'm loving your PTR!!! We're going to WDW in May (see siggy). Dh and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and it will be my girls 1st trip!! Oh--and we're staying at the Poly--can't wait!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh--and good luck getting all of the ADRs you want!! Your trip binder looks GREAT!!! LOVE your organization!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

Amanda... I LOVE your spreadsheets.... OMG... someone else who plans as crazy as me.... and the bathing suit is fabulous... congrats on the wait loss. I am with you... working hard at it. I have lost 54 lbs. since December 5th... still a ways to go but I am comfortable now... would like to lose another 35.... I will try and find some before and after photos also and put them in my PTR....

Love all your dining plans...

I can relate to the DH not going to WDW... mine can only handle one trip a year while the rest of us like to go 2 or three times.... he had his one trip in January...

Keep the posts coming... love your report so far!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

sorry double post....

 

[creativeamanda]

Hi Amanda!! I'm loving your PTR!!! We're going to WDW in May (see siggy). Dh and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and it will be my girls 1st trip!! Oh--and we're staying at the Poly--can't wait!!

Wow! The Poly?!? The girls are going to love waking up every morning and being where they can be real close to the castle! I'm heading over to your PTR right now. . .

Oh--and good luck getting all of the ADRs you want!! Your trip binder looks GREAT!!! LOVE your organization!!!

Thanks! I'm a little OCD, but I think a lot of people here are. . .

Amanda... I LOVE your spreadsheets.... OMG... someone else who plans as crazy as me.... and the bathing suit is fabulous... congrats on the wait loss. I am with you... working hard at it. I have lost 54 lbs. since December 5th... still a ways to go but I am comfortable now... would like to lose another 35.... I will try and find some before and after photos also and put them in my PTR....

Love all your dining plans...

I can relate to the DH not going to WDW... mine can only handle one trip a year while the rest of us like to go 2 or three times.... he had his one trip in January...

Keep the posts coming... love your report so far!!!

Thanks a bunch, my Northern neighbor! Congrats on your weight loss! I'm going out in a few minutes to search for the ever-elusive Wii Fit. . . I may just be ordering one from Amazon, but it does give me an excellent excuse to go shopping.

As for the dh, I think he could handle a trip once ever 18 months. Next year we are going to Nashville, TN (the horror--a vacation that is not Disney), but I think for our 15th anniversary he'll be willing to go back and maybe stay at the Wilderness Lodge or Polynesian.

Dining reservations are coming up later tonight! I'm going shopping first!

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

Hey I got to your PRT I still have much to read and can't wait to read more.

 

[tinkgurl]

Okay, you made me giggle. I want a picture of you at the end of your driveway on the phone making ADR's!

That ADR chart is so cute and fancy! I wish I had the time to get that creative. Maybe I will make stuff like that once I'm done with the semester at the end of May.

I LOVE the new stuff you bought! That pink Minnie shirt and those shorts are adorable!

 

[creativeamanda]

Hey I got to your PRT I still have much to read and can't wait to read more.

Welcome! Glad to have you here!

Okay, you made me giggle. I want a picture of you at the end of your driveway on the phone making ADR's!

That ADR chart is so cute and fancy! I wish I had the time to get that creative. Maybe I will make stuff like that once I'm done with the semester at the end of May.

I LOVE the new stuff you bought! That pink Minnie shirt and those shorts are adorable!

Thanks for the compliments. I have only been working with Excel for a year and it's fun playing around with it. I love that pink Minnie shirt, too.

I did not have to sit at the end of the driveway. Happily my phone was cooperating with me. . . More to come.

 

[creativeamanda]

44 Minutes, 49 Seconds. Total Call time. What a great call time, considering there have been people on hold for 3 hours!

So. . .7 am Wednesday morning. The number for Disney Dining? On speed dial. Yep. On speed dial. I call in and get to listen to the theme for Splash Mountain followed by Haunted Mansion, before a wonderful CM answers the phone. I don't remember his name, but he was just awesome!

So, I asked first for the Fantasmic! dinner package. No availability. That's okay, though. I got everything else I wanted at close to the same time.


So, what did I get?

June 23--No adr, but I think we're gonna possibly get ice cream at Ghiradelli's or Beaches and Cream.

June 24--Crystal Palace: 5:00pm

June 25--Captain's Grille: 5:45pm

June 26--1900 Park Fare: 10:20am

June 26--Grand Floridian Cafe: 7:00pm

June 27--Chef Mickey's: 7:05pm

June 28--Kona Cafe: 6:55pm

June 29--Liberty Tree Tavern: 4:35pm

June 30--Princess Storybook: 6:55pm

July 1--Ohana: 9:55am

This is my working ADR planning page (with my new Blackberry--took the poc right after I made the ADRs)

The completed worksheet, even though I found a mistake on it today--the 28th of June is mentioned twice. . .

And the updated itinerary overview. . .

I also, started an autograph book making project. The kids each have one, I have one, and Gillian has one for her goody bag. I think they turned out great!

The materials:

The finished products:

And finally, the current state of the Disney box:

What a great day! Much was completed yesterday, and I am so excited!

Coming up: itinerary planning. . .

 

[summermac]

Love your PTR so far.


Disney box....need to start that.

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

I can't wait to read more. Love the spreadsheet. And must say I may take the idea for the near future trip.