The we don't have a life, so we are writing this PTR. Updated with a poll!

[DisneyRunner2009]

As I mentioned not much is going on this summer, so my daughter and I have been reading other PTRs and TRs. My daughter thought it would be fun to write a PTR and then a TR. I have never done this before. So, I will be learning how to post pictures and add chapters. Another quirk I have is karma and superstition. I have not done a PTR or TR for past Disney vacations. Therefore, I hope a change in the status quo does not impact this planned vacation.
Here is the cast of characters.

DH, he earns the money that I spend.

Me, a SAHM that spends the morning working out.

DD#1, a college student.

DD#2, a high school student, who will be aiding in this PTR.
Poor Mulan, she was sweating so badly, but her makeup wasn't running.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

My family will be staying at Pop, with QS free dining, for nine nights. I did make ADRs at 180 days, with the thought I may change my reservation to a moderate resort. That doesn't look likely, so I will be cancelling most of those reservations. As a family, we are looking forward to eating at our favorite CS locations.


For us, the problem with ADRs is the lack of spontaneity. ADRs stop the touring plan dead in its tracks.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

As we near the 45 day mark, I still need some help with planning. The day after arrival, we would like to hit a park running. It is a toss up between DHS and MK. The family hasn't been to DHS since TSM was added. I rode it in 2009 at the after party for the Princess Half-Marathon. TOT and RnRC are not for everyone in the group. So, there is not a lot for us to do there. However, I would like to try the cupcakes at Starring Rolls. MK has a lot of improvements since last year. Some examples would be the HM and Pooh queues, Mickey's meet and greet location and a view of the Fantasyland expansion. So help me out, and let me know what you think.

 

[cbcrockett]

I love MK and DHS. However, for me, MK is just "Disney". All the parks do, but the warm fuzzies that happen when you enter MK are just, well, they are the best! It gets me even more pumped up for the rest of the trip when I see the castle for the first time. I love attractions at both, but given the choice, I would pick MK for the first park experience!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Thanks for the reply cbcrockett. I should clarify a few of the details. These are important deciding factors, which I forgot about. I guess it comes with having children. We are only going to two parks and one water park. Epcot is a given, so that leaves the choice between DHS or MK. I also forgot, that SWSA is following in the foot steps of MTWR in MK. I have never been on SWSA, as I was warned it was to for small children. But you say my children are older, I'm why I haven't ridden it yet.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Day One
DD#1 will be taking a 5:30 am flight to MCO, arriving at 11:30am. She will be on her way, departing from a different airport. Meanwhile, we are just arriving at the airport for our 7:30am flight to MCO arriving at 11:00am. I will hit the Disney stores and maybe Ron Jon Surf Shop at MCO, while we wait for DD#1. After we arrive at POP via ME, it will be time for lunch and DTD. Maybe some EOS or WPE.

 

[spartankid34]

Hi there!!

I'm joining in on your PTR!! Like you, I started my own this summer to keep busy before my trip with my mom!! I see that you're going to be at POP in August, us too! What are your dates? Can't wait to read more!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Hi there!!

I'm joining in on your PTR!! Like you, I started my own this summer to keep busy before my trip with my mom!! I see that you're going to be at POP in August, us too! What are your dates? Can't wait to read more!

The dates are during the start of free dining. I see by your ticker we are a week behind you. Thanks for joining in.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

We've decided to mix up it up a bit and change the color of the font.

Day Two
Here is where we would like to hit a park running. And I need some HELP . Should we go to DHS or MK? I've mentioned previously that we are only doing two parks. EPCOT is a given and need input on MK or DHS. There have been so many changes at MK since last year, it would be nice to see all of those. Again, as mentioned my family has not been on TSM at DHS. But will TSM, TOT, RnRC and the new Star Tours be enough to spend the day?

Day Three and Day Four
This will be a day where we do a lot of nothing. These days will be filled with touring other resorts, shopping, pool time and ride every mode of Disney transportation available. My DH likes to do this.

DayFive
This is EPCOT day. Again, I can use some assistance. Should we go to Biergarten for lunch or dinner? We will be paying OOP for this meal. Is it worth the extra $40 or so dollars for a few extra items at dinner. Has anyone tried the blueberry crumble cake? If so, how is it? I'm a dessert person and I like that there are more dessert options at lunch. Here is the menu.

LUNCH BUFFET
$21.99
We feature Oktoberfest-style seating, where
multiple families are seated together at
a large banquet table.
STARTERS
Tomato Salad, Beet Salad, Cabbage Salad,
Macaroni Salad, Potato Salad,
Wurst Salad, and seasonal Soup
ENTRÉES AND SIDES
Meat Platter, Rotisserie Chicken, Chicken
Schnitzel, Meatballs, Sauerkraut, German Sausages,
Red Cabbage, Roasted Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese,
seasonal Vegetables, and Spätzel
DESSERTS
Vanilla Pudding, Blueberry Crumble Cake,
fresh Fruit, Chocolate Mousse Cake,
Apple Strudel, and Bavarian Cheesecake


DINNER BUFFET
$32.99
We feature Oktoberfest-style seating, where
multiple families are seated together at
a large banquet table.
STARTERS
Potato Salad, Cabbage Salad, Beet Salad,
Tomato Salad, Wurst Salad, Herring Salad,
Macaroni Salad, and seasonal Soup
ENTRÉES AND SIDES
Meat Platter, Roasted Pork, Beef Rouladen,
Rotisserie Chicken, Bratwurst, Sauerbraten,
Chicken Schnitzel, Baked Salmon, Sauerkraut,
Macaroni & Cheese, Potato Dumplings, Roasted
Potatoes, seasonal Vegetables, and Spätzel
DESSERTS
Apple Strudel, Vanilla Pudding, fresh Fruit,
and Bavarian Cheesecake


Continued in next post.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

Personally I would spend the second day at MK, especially if TOT and RNRC arn't for everyone in your group. Just my two cents can't wait to hear more about your plans

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I'm not digging that green color, so we will give this blue a try. Lets rejoin the itinerary, already in progress.

Day Six
After the late evening EMH at EPCOT, this will be another relaxation day. We have a lot of those. Maybe we could add mini-golf to the mix.

Day Seven
A few years ago we went to BB, so we will give TL a try. The usual MO is to arrive at opening, leave, return and stay until closing.

Day Eight
Whichever way the wind blows, is how things will go.

Day Nine
Departure day. Any last minute plans can be done here, until we board the ME bus in the afternoon. Maybe some morning pool time. I'm all about the tan.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

for joining in *tinker*bell*

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Thanks to everyone who has taken the poll. I made plans for ADRs at 180 days, just in case we would change our free dining resort choice to a moderate. I don't think we will use these so, I will cancel them. Here is how the plan went down.
Day 1-Sanaa for dinner. We like this place as, it is quiet and the food and service were .
Day 2-Sci-Fi for lunch and 50's Primetime for dinner. I've always wanted to try these restaurants. Again, as a family I don't know if we have decided on DHS. It doesn't really matter anyway, as we have QSDP.
Day 3-California Grill for dinner, with the hopes of seeing Wishes while dining.
Day 4-A duplicate of the DHS line up. I guess I didn't know which day we would choose to go to DHS.
Day 5-Is definately EPCOT day. We will be using the Biergarten reservation, but for lunch or dinner? This is the only day we are paying OOP for any TS meal.
Day 6-Kona Cafe for lunch. It would be something new for us.
Day 7-Boma for dinner. We haven't been there for a few years and we like it.
Day 8-Cape May is scheduled for breakfast. We would get to see the characters in their beachwear. Whispering Canyon is the dinner reservation. We ate there last year. My husband and I had the skillet. We were not overly impressed, so I want to try the meatloaf. DD#2 chose that last year and enjoyed it.
I don't have many food pictures. I felt strange snapping photos at TS locations. This year I will take more pictues, because we are eating at CS places.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

While looking at menus for EPCOT, I also looked at POP's menu. It was updated and showed meatloaf on Friday for Mom's TV dinner. So, I will be having that along with DH and DD#2. They both love meatloaf.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Here is a list of favorite snacks that deserve another try.
Zebra domes @ AKL
Beignets @ POFQ
Biscuits and Gravy @ ASMu
These snacks are ones I'd like to try.
Doh Bar @ Cooke's of Dublin
Slush @ Goofy's Candy DD#1 has tried the banana flavor. And raves about being able to sample the flavors.
Fudge/toffee @ Candy Cauldron

Park snacks? Cupcakes (they are all the range, you know)?

 

[*tinker*bell*]

that looks like a good plan for dining, kinda sucks that you will be canceling most of them, but CS may end up being easier!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

We got Mickey mail today.

 

[*tinker*bell*]

We got Mickey mail today.

How exciting!!!

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

And we're back. There was some family business that needed to be attend to, but upon return more Mickey mail arrived. Now, let's talk about those cupcakes. I've compiled a list, from the cupcake thread, of the ones I would be interested in sampling. If anyone has tried them, please give me your feedback. Thanks. Here is the list so far.
Red velvet or butterfinger @ Starring Rolls
Carmel drizzled ones in Germany @ EPCOT
Red velvet @ Beach Club Marketplace
Oreo, peanut butter or dreamcicle @ Boardwalk Bakery
Strawberry @ Contemporary
Smores and possibly carrot (aren't all carrot cake recipes similar, so maybe) @ Wilderness Lodge
I apologize for not having pictures, but I don't want to break any copyright laws.