"This Isn't Disneyworld. . .It's Rainworld!!" our trip to WDW May 16-23, 2009

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

What a great way to end the trip and I bet DH appreciated the break from the princess stuff.

 

[ladybugmom]

What a great way to end the trip and I bet DH appreciated the break from the princess stuff.

Yes, Brent definitely appreciated getting to see all of the Star Wars stuff!!

 

[disney<333]

Yes, SWW was REALLY cool!! The girls even liked it even though it wasn't princesses!! With the Fantasmic package do you still have to get there that early? We ate at Play N' Dine last time and it wasn't one of our favorites. I'll have to read about Sci Fi. Decisions, decisions. . . We ate at Chef Mickey's last time, too--Brent didn't want to do it again this trip. You're the second person that's suggested the O'hana breakfast--I need to look into that!! I'll be thinking of you on our ADR day!!

With the fantasmic dinner package you still have to arrive about 45 minutes early. Just bring glow sticks and get popcorn or something and the girls should be fine. O'hana is great! Breakfast and dinner both are amazing. Plus it will only be a few feet from you.
I'll be thinking of you too from Epcot and DHS and I'll be sending you some pixie dust.

 

[Clemson Fan]

Wow, these are some long threads.

 

[ladybugmom]

With the fantasmic dinner package you still have to arrive about 45 minutes early. Just bring glow sticks and get popcorn or something and the girls should be fine. O'hana is great! Breakfast and dinner both are amazing. Plus it will only be a few feet from you.
I'll be thinking of you too from Epcot and DHS and I'll be sending you some pixie dust.

Thanks!! That's what I was wondering!! Yes, we ate at O'hana for dinner last time and it was my favorite meal of the trip!! Soooo yummy!! We plan on eating there again for dinner and now I need to consider breakfast!!

 

[disney<333]

Thanks!! That's what I was wondering!! Yes, we ate at O'hana for dinner last time and it was my favorite meal of the trip!! Soooo yummy!! We plan on eating there again for dinner and now I need to consider breakfast!!

Any time! Yes, you need to consider and do O'hana for bfast. Can't beat breakfast with cousins and friends pluto and mickey.

 

[ladybugmom]

Any time! Yes, you need to consider and do O'hana for bfast. Can't beat breakfast with cousins and friends pluto and mickey.

Thanks to you and several others, we are considering the O'hana breakfast!!

 

[BippityBoo]

Hey Becky!!

I just read some of the threads before this one. We had booked a Fantasmic Package at Brown Derby. I heard the food was great here. However, when it came down to it, they make you eat SO early (4:30 I think). We were just not that hungry and were still touring, so we canceled it. We had no trouble seeing from our seats that night during Fantasmic (but keep in mind we were there at a VERY slow time). We basically walked right in about 5 minutes before the show and were about half way up.

If I was going during a really busy time, I would have been more serious about getting the dinner package.

Also, I had asked Angela about Ohana Breakfast. I like the fact that they bring all the food to your table (like the dinner) and it is a small restaurant, so character interaction would be easy. We decided on LTT instead when they came out w/characters for the month of January 2010. BUT Ohana was close second for me.

One last thing (and the reason I came to write on your report--hah!) Have you ever been to Dollywood? Do you think my kids would like it? We are considering a trip with the family next Christmas time. My husband vacationed in Gatlinburg (spell?) lots when he was younger...so they want to go show the kids! The website looks neat. Thanks girl!!

 

[ladybugmom]

Hey Becky!!

I just read some of the threads before this one. We had booked a Fantasmic Package at Brown Derby. I heard the food was great here. However, when it came down to it, they make you eat SO early (4:30 I think). We were just not that hungry and were still touring, so we canceled it. We had no trouble seeing from our seats that night during Fantasmic (but keep in mind we were there at a VERY slow time). We basically walked right in about 5 minutes before the show and were about half way up.

If I was going during a really busy time, I would have been more serious about getting the dinner package.

Also, I had asked Angela about Ohana Breakfast. I like the fact that they bring all the food to your table (like the dinner) and it is a small restaurant, so character interaction would be easy. We decided on LTT instead when they came out w/characters for the month of January 2010. BUT Ohana was close second for me.

One last thing (and the reason I came to write on your report--hah!) Have you ever been to Dollywood? Do you think my kids would like it? We are considering a trip with the family next Christmas time. My husband vacationed in Gatlinburg (spell?) lots when he was younger...so they want to go show the kids! The website looks neat. Thanks girl!!

Hi Katie!! I was just about to PM you--I've missed seeing you around here the past few days--and on FB, too!! Thanks for the input!! I'll have to ask Angela more about the specifics of the Fantasmic package. She is the one who recommended it to me. I think now we're leaning more towards the O'hana breakfast--everyone who has commented says how great it is!!

YES!! I've been to Dollywood!!! We took Ally at Christmas in 2006 and we LOVED it!! I think your entire family would love it!! Here is the link to my pics from that trip (majority being from Dollywood--and excuse my horrible haircut--uggh!!): http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/ladybugmom_/Gatlinburg%20Dec%2006/. They had an entire kiddie ride sections that was neat along with all sorts of special Christmas things--Santa, a talking tree that knows the kids names (very interactive), a show (Babes in Toyland), and a Christmas light parade!! We would love to go back and take the girls again!! I've been to Gatlinburg many times and it is soooo pretty that time of year!! They also have some great Tanger Outlets. And you HAVE to eat at the Apple Barn--it is sooooo good!!! Let me know if you have anymore questions!!

 

[BippityBoo]

How sweet of you to notice that I have been MIA!! Well, I taught my first class last week (FRESHMAN English---LAST hour of the day---yikes!!). I wanted to make a great first impression....so I have been a little busy I got evaluated on Friday, went to the local high school football game, went to a professional writers conference and to see Christmas Carol (wasn't it SOOOO good! Chris and I are going to see it again for a date) AND LSU (boo!) and Saints played so...busy busy!

Thank you SO much for the pictures! First of all, I think your hair looked great! Don't know what you were talking about

Second---Ally was just the CUTEST little girl!! It is so sweet to see how much she has grown into such a big girl now!

Dollywood looks awesome. I do not think the drive would be bad for us (10 hours Mapquest says). We would probably stay in Birmingham overnight on our way b/c we love it there!! It looks like a sweet country version of WDW!

Chris has lots of good memories of vacations there, so it would be great to show the kids. Where did you guys stay and do you reccomend it? I am so appreciative of all the info!!

 

[mom2mek]

Oh my goodness, Becky! I am heading to Dollywood over Thanksgiving! It'll be me, my Mom, my sister, and the 6 kids (my 3 and her 3)!

How funny that Katie just asked you about that! I have to go look at your pics now! We are very excited. Probably going to DW the day after T-giving (since it's closed T-giving day) and doing Dixie Stampede on the Saturday after. We don't have a lot of time there (arriving Wednesday mid-day), leaving Sunday morning, but would love any advice you might have!

Sara

 

[ladybugmom]

How sweet of you to notice that I have been MIA!! Well, I taught my first class last week (FRESHMAN English---LAST hour of the day---yikes!!). I wanted to make a great first impression....so I have been a little busy I got evaluated on Friday, went to the local high school football game, went to a professional writers conference and to see Christmas Carol (wasn't it SOOOO good! Chris and I are going to see it again for a date) AND LSU (boo!) and Saints played so...busy busy!

Thank you SO much for the pictures! First of all, I think your hair looked great! Don't know what you were talking about

Second---Ally was just the CUTEST little girl!! It is so sweet to see how much she has grown into such a big girl now!

Dollywood looks awesome. I do not think the drive would be bad for us (10 hours Mapquest says). We would probably stay in Birmingham overnight on our way b/c we love it there!! It looks like a sweet country version of WDW!

Chris has lots of good memories of vacations there, so it would be great to show the kids. Where did you guys stay and do you reccomend it? I am so appreciative of all the info!!

I feel ya!! When I taught I did everything extra--conferences, workshops, even went to some student's birthday parties!! Christmas Carol was AWESOME!! We all loved it!! I wasn't going to say anything about the LSU/BAMA game!!

Glad you liked the pics!! It made me all teary-eyed looking at those pics again! Ally is Claire's age in those pics (2)!! Yes, Dollywood is awesome!! I'd love to go back again for Christmas. LOVE Birmingham! We go there all the time when we visit Brent's parents--they live in a SMALL town and there's NOTHING to do there!! Yes, Dollywood is a much countrier version of WDW!! We stayed at a place where Brent's parent's own a timeshare--it was very nice!! I have a friend whose parent's own cabins out there--not sure what they're like--I know she has a website. I can get it for you if you like! Let me know!

Oh my goodness, Becky! I am heading to Dollywood over Thanksgiving! It'll be me, my Mom, my sister, and the 6 kids (my 3 and her 3)!

How funny that Katie just asked you about that! I have to go look at your pics now! We are very excited. Probably going to DW the day after T-giving (since it's closed T-giving day) and doing Dixie Stampede on the Saturday after. We don't have a lot of time there (arriving Wednesday mid-day), leaving Sunday morning, but would love any advice you might have!

Sara

How fun!! Have you ever been before, Sara?! You will LOVE it!! Such a pretty time of year in the mountains!! Oooh--the Dixie Stampede!! LOVE that dinner show!! The food is YUMMY and the show is a lot of fun!! We got there before the show and got to see the horses in their stables. Oh--and you do know that there are no utensils, right?! I might hide some plastic ones in your purse!! You MUST eat at the Apple Barn, too!! It is sooo yummy!! The Tanger Outlets is a nice outlet mall. And of course there's lots to see in Gatlinburg!!

 

[mom2mek]

How fun!! Have you ever been before, Sara?! You will LOVE it!! Such a pretty time of year in the mountains!! Oooh--the Dixie Stampede!! LOVE that dinner show!! The food is YUMMY and the show is a lot of fun!! We got there before the show and got to see the horses in their stables. Oh--and you do know that there are no utensils, right?! I might hide some plastic ones in your purse!! You MUST eat at the Apple Barn, too!! It is sooo yummy!! The Tanger Outlets is a nice outlet mall. And of course there's lots to see in Gatlinburg!!

No, we have never been there before! I'm excited, but I really have NO clue what to do/where to go, etc, etc....We just know we have Dollywood tix and Dixie Stampede tix! (I heard about the no utensils thing....the plastic utensils is a good idea...thanks!)

I feel very unprepared considering how long I take to plan out trips to Disney!! What about the lights in Gatlinburg? I heard the displays were really nice - do you walk through them, or do you just drive down in Gatlinburg and look at it all from your car? Were alot of rides open at Dollywood that time of year? I see from your pics that the kiddie section was open, but what about some of the bigger things? We will be there with 6 kids ages 5 through 14. Where is the Apple Barn? Thanks for any info!

Sara

 

[ladybugmom]

No, we have never been there before! I'm excited, but I really have NO clue what to do/where to go, etc, etc....We just know we have Dollywood tix and Dixie Stampede tix! (I heard about the no utensils thing....the plastic utensils is a good idea...thanks!)

I feel very unprepared considering how long I take to plan out trips to Disney!! What about the lights in Gatlinburg? I heard the displays were really nice - do you walk through them, or do you just drive down in Gatlinburg and look at it all from your car? Were alot of rides open at Dollywood that time of year? I see from your pics that the kiddie section was open, but what about some of the bigger things? We will be there with 6 kids ages 5 through 14. Where is the Apple Barn? Thanks for any info!

Sara

Oh you will have such a great time!! Either way--you can get out and walk that main street in Gatlinburg or you can dirve-thru (depending on if you want to see the shops, etc.). I honestly can't remember about the rides since we pretty much stuck with the kiddie section. I don't see why they wouldn't be up and running--except for the log ride I'm sure. Apple Barn is actually in Sevierville near the outlets. It is right off of the main road--here is their website: http://www.applebarncidermill.com/.

 

[mom2mek]

Thanks so much Becky!

Sara

 

[ladybugmom]

Thanks so much Becky!

Sara

No problem!!

 

[racefanof88]

I'm here Becky . I know I have a lot to catch up on, so I am gonna start at the end and go forward so I don't get behind on whats happening now .

 

[ladybugmom]

I'm here Becky . I know I have a lot to catch up on, so I am gonna start at the end and go forward so I don't get behind on whats happening now .

Welcome Dana!! Glad you're joining in!! Oh--and ROLL TIDE!!!

 

[disney<333]

I loved the Dollywood pictures! Ally is so cute she looks so much like Claire looks like now.
I've heard so many great things about Dollywood and I really want to go there some day around christmas time. But alas being floridians we are wimps to the cold. The farthest north I have gone in years in the winter is Disney. You should see some of the jackets I'm packing for my trip next week.
Have a good day!
Barbara

 

[ladybugmom]

I loved the Dollywood pictures! Ally is so cute she looks so much like Claire looks like now.
I've heard so many great things about Dollywood and I really want to go there some day around christmas time. But alas being floridians we are wimps to the cold. The farthest north I have gone in years in the winter is Disney. You should see some of the jackets I'm packing for my trip next week.
Have a good day!
Barbara

Thanks Barbara!! I know--I look at pics of the girls and wonder, is this Ally or Claire?! It's crazy!! Girl--Tennessee is nothing compared to northern states in the winter!! Most of my relatives live in New Jersey and it is COLD there!! You are too funny!!