Thread killers unite!

[dreamin in pa]

Pop is so much fun. We stayed there last year and are staying there this year too. There's lots to see...we spent our first day just strolling around to check everything out and get pics. It's actually really close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, maybe a 10 minute ride. The bus ride to Animal Kingdom wasn't too bad either. The bus ride to Magic Kingdom is longer but you also get dropped off at the park entrance instead of the Ticket & Transportation Center. Seems like it would even out. Downtown Disney was longest in my opinion. Even just waiting for the bus there seemed longer than anywhere else.

Haven't used the package delivery yet but it's such a great idea. We usually don't do the real shopping until out last day. But if I saw something in the park that I just have to have, I wouldn't want to leave it unattended in the stroller. Even though it is Disney, there are, unfortunately, dishonest people everywhere.

Your Adr's sound great. We ate a Coral Reef last year for lunch and I thought it was very good. The kids loved watching the fish but just a warning, it is very loud in there. Everything echos. Haven't done any of the other places on your list yet. We try to get a couple of new places everytime we go. Oh, and we are going to try to get an Adr at CRT this year but for breakfast. With 2 little girls, breakfast with the princesses in the castle is the ultimate.

Have fun "deciding" if these are the right Adrs....planning is all part of the fun.

 

[DL55]

Magikitty the ADRs sound good. But how can Le Cellier be too fancy? Everyone will be in shorts. I have already told DH I want to eat at Mythos. My dining plan is a mystery as we don't have a single ADR. I hope to get in a few TS once there. Luckily we aren't gourmet diners so CS is fine with us.
dreamin in pa I make a lousy spy! Can't remember names or faces.

 

[MagiKitty]

dreamin..I've seen on other threads that Coral Reef is loud. can I ask why? I mean, there are children all over WDW, so that can't be it. Its really confused me. I actually never really looked into dining before. I just heard about Tea at the Grand Floridian, and am trying to figure out a way to fit that in too!

I'm glad you said that Pop wasn't too too far. I did a search from Pop to AKL for breakfast, and they recommended an hour commute! That's like driving to MCO and back!

DL5...you're right about le Cellier...it just seems such a die-hard foodie place. BF and I just shared three appetizers at Mythos, saved enough room for dessert! It was more than enough for us---and we're big eaters!

 

[dreamin in pa]

I don't know why it's so loud. We went for a late lunch and it wasn't very crowded but it was still loud. It reminded me of being in the auditorium at school. You know, even if someone was talking in a normal voice, it still seemed to carry. In fact, Coral Reef is kinda set up like an auditorium....the tables are on 3 or 4 different levels and the aquarium is the stage.

I tried using one of those time calculators to see how long it would take to get place to place. Maybe they are listing worst-case scenerio...like if you just miss the bus to Animal Kingdom and have to wait for the next one, etc. Whe we had to take a bus to a different hotel, it always seemed to take less than they said. I would plan on the hour time that they give you. If it works out that the bus gets there right as you do and you are early for you Adr at Boma, you can explore AKL a little. From looking at those pics, I just bet it's beautiful there.

 

[lighttech]

I only had time to catch up... not really to post, but wanted to say HI. So excited for all planning trips. I'll try to comment later. SIL just got free dining this mornng. I had turned her on to checking here on DIS and explained a little to her. She called around 8:30 this morning to say Thanks. I'm really excited for her (and VERY jealous too.) It'll be quite a few years b4 we can go again.

Anyway, Tuesday is a day off this week and we ran WAY behind on grocery shopping. I gotta still try and fit in a bath and haircut for DS, so I should run.

But, I'll be back later or tomorrow.

Happy days all.

 

[dreamin in pa]

Hi lighttech!!!! Congrats to your SIL on free dining too.

 

[pepperw23]

MagiKitty-I saw the posting for free dining this morning. Was it for the dates you needed?

Oh to have a Disney Visa!!! I guess I should get me one, but we have really really good rates on our cards now because we have been with them for so long and DH is being a poo poo head about it. "You can't change companies just for free food." and I said "Yes I can." Needless to say I lost.

Oh yes, dear friends, thanks to D&D, I can now proudly wave a new banner!

I got into Free Dining! I decided to call snarky AAA lady back to clarify things. She said no! The quote was for 1200! (She must have switched the numbers). Ok, much better. I asked about free dining, changed my dates, and asked for a new quote. She called me back with a 7 and an 8 day stay. Turns out, for 1210, I got an extra day AND free dining! Not bad for 10 dollars more.

Working with her, I realized its just her manner of talking. She means business. She's really rushed and abrupt, and tends to cut me off before I get my full sentence out. But she does seem knowledgeable. The other two travel agencies haven't gotten back to me yet, but I'll see who has the best offer.

I also called for ADR and got everything I wanted, with a little tweaking. Not a big deal at all. It all has gone so fast, I keep thinking I'm acting too rash and I should slow down and really think about it. BF is no help, he's already talking about Pal Mickey.

Sorry to feel so blessed, esp with dreamin and the politics of family. Its so sad, especially in a time to remember and celebrate the life of someone else. I would think the effort to put aside differences for the occassion would have been thought of.

D&D...hope the little guy figures out what he wants on his cake! I bet he doesn't realize how great your cakes are in comparison to a store bought one! (not that I would refuse a cake of any origin...)

Ok, now I really really have to get something done!

AHHHHHH I am so excited for you!!!!!!!!(This is me screaming excitedly)

We have done the full package deal before and I will never go again without it. You are going to LOVE it. You feel almost like a rich person (cause we would never be able to afford most of those places ha ha...PBJ in the parking lot maybe). Maybe they will offer it for us "general" folks ha ha. Of course that is the first month of DS's Sr. Year....humph stinks to be her.


DL55...Have a great trip!!!! I bet you are super excited!!!!

I solved my first Manager crisis today and was quite proud of myself. I solved a long standing problem with the Receiving Department by suggesting some assistance from Purchasing (too lazy to type out my plan here ha ha). It was received (no pun intended) with open arms....Oh please let my plan work ha ha ha ha

Hi to all.

 

[dreamin in pa]

pepper- on solving your first manager crisis today.

We did the dining plan the last 2 years but are not doing it this year. We liked it but found we spent too much time worrying about our ADR's since they were already paid for. With 4 kids, it always seemed one of them was really interested in something when it was time for an ADR. Maybe in a few years, it will be a better match for us. It's still a great idea and I loved eating places I never would have otherwise.

 

[M&N]

WOW! Packed suitcases. I have Disney envy.
I haven't done the places you need ADR's. I stay with friends and do not have to eat at DW very much. Since they know their way around, I just follow them.
I'm not sure how to say how handicapped friendly Hershey Park is. My friend's brother has Downs and gets his hand stamped at guest services. He can use the handicapped entrances. I'm just not sure about the roller coasters since Jimmy does not like these and I haven't done any in several years. I found this on their web site-
GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES: HERSHEYPARK is equipped with services to help our guests with disabilities enjoy their visit. Guests should go to any Guest Services location or the Tram Circle Wheelchair rental to receive a Guide for Guests with Disabilities as well as a verification handstamp. Guests are welcome to enter with their own wheelchairs but must have a Guide for Guests with Disabilities as well as a verification handstamp in order to receive exit clearance at our attractions. They had a Guests With Disabilities PDF file you can download. Go to http://www.hersheypark.com/general/index.php

Chocolate World has a ride you get to see how the factory works but cannot go into the factory. There's a cute 3D show and of course goodies to buy.

At WW this week, she said if hunger is not the problem, eating is not the answer. If only it were that easy...

 

[DL55]

Hi everyone!
MagicKitty I think the Coral Reef is noisy because of the hard surfaces (fish tank). I'll remember to order appetizers so I can have dessert at Mythos.
pepperw23 on your manager crisis.

I printed my boarding passes for Southwest today. A29 and A30 not bad. Had trouble sleeping last night tonight will be even worse.

 

[MagiKitty]

Hey there everyone!

DL55..tomorrow's the big day! Glad to hear you're flying SW, not American, there seems to be huge problems with them. I thought of your trip when I heard it on the news this am. Happy trip!

M&N...thanks for the info...I'll look into it. It sounds like something we may be able to do. Mmm...chocolate world. How lovely.

Pepperw23! Congrats on getting over that first crisis. Hope it will be your last for a while! Nice to see you again!

I realized last night that I am obsessed with this food thing and it has to stop. I'm going to Disney World! There's so many other things to look forward to. Saw Fastasmic for the first time last year and can't wait to go back to that. And of course my beloved Its A Small World! BF's fave is Carousel of Progress. We're both old school.

Has anyone been to MNSSHP? We kinda nixed it right now coz we'll have 7 days and we dont have kids and we don't need more candy in our lives. Would you recommend it for adults only?

Its warming up! I'm so excited...good day everyone!

 

[D&DDisney]

magikitty - I'd actually recommend doing MNSSHP and canceling one of your 7 park days. MNSSHP is FANTASTIC - the parade and fireworks alone are great. You can get into the party by 4pm and stay til midnight. You don't have to Trick or Treat. You can use it as an "off" day from the parks and then still get into MK for some fun in the evening. Most of the rides are open and there are very few lines. We walked on almost everything that night. Looking at all the costumes is fun too. Plus, all the characters are out (not sure if you're into seeing characters or not)
The price for just the party I think was around $35 ??? maybe less - can't remember off hand.

 

[MagiKitty]

Oh bootie. Last night, we had thought with an entire week at the park, maybe saving the $80 was the way to go. But now I keep thinking if we decide we like our "usual" time to visit Disney between Thanksgiving and Christmas better than September, we may not have another chance to see MNSSHP!

But then again, if we did go, and could enter MK @ 4p like MVMCP, we would practically have a wasted day on our 7 day base. There are 3 MNSSHP dates while we're there, but we had wanted to go to the Tuesday one, the day after we arrive. We'd have to use our extra day when we arrive, but we get in around four.

I don't know what to do. People seem to enjoy MNSSHP even more than MVMCP...is that even possible? Good thing I have five months to think about it!

Wow, TKers really been MIA lately. I hope our thread isn't dying a slow death. I miss my friends!

 

[TBDave]

I feel the same way sometimes. I'll post in a popular thread, then it'll come to a thudding halt, sliding off the front page and enduring a painful death. Sometimes I think, "Do I really want to post and end up killing this thread?"

Of course, now that I've posted here, this 215-page thread will surely die.

 

[dreamin in pa]

DL55-Even though you are probably busy with last minute prep for your trip, I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing time in Disney. I hope you have a safe and uneventful flight. Can't wait to here all about your trip when you get back.

MagiKitty-We went to MNSSHP 2 years ago and it was fantastic. The fireworks are incredible and not to mention the parade. I even have the party music on cd and listen to it at least once a week. Even though we had little ones with us, we didn't trick or treat much. There were just so many other things going on that we wanted to see. Lots of characters that are only out for the party. I don't know what you could do because you would have the extra day. When we went, we hit MK in the morning only till around 11 or so. Just enough to get in some of the major rides and then we left for the afternoon. We just relaxed for the rest of the day until it was time to go back.

TBDave- Can't kill this thread so pull up a chair and stay a while. Any questions, we'll try to answer them. Have you been to Disney before?

 

[TBDave]

TBDave- Can't kill this thread so pull up a chair and stay a while. Any questions, we'll try to answer them. Have you been to Disney before?

We've been to DL about 5-6 dozen times in the 70's - 90's. In the early 90's I actually lived right down the street on Katella. We've gone to WDW about 7-8 times in the 80's - 2K's. Our most recent trip was a family reunion in January 2008, and we're heading back in October.

 

[dreamin in pa]

We've been to DL about 5-6 dozen times in the 70's - 90's. In the early 90's I actually lived right down the street on Katella. We've gone to WDW about 7-8 times in the 80's - 2K's. Our most recent trip was a family reunion in January 2008, and we're heading back in October.

WOW!!! You've got me beat on the trips. Sounds like you could teach me a thing or two about the parks. Never been to DL but I hate flying so I just shudder at the thought of being on a plane that long. I went to WDW a few times in the 70's and once again in 82. Never made it back until the late 90's. We've gone the last 2 years and are planning a big family vacation in November of this year. 15 of us are going and I'm hoping it all works out ok. We're staying at Pop and going to MVMCP for the first time.

 

[MagiKitty]

Hi there TBDave! So glad you found us. Its been the best therapy from my "scared to post in case I kill it" days! Looking forward to getting to know you more!

 

[TBDave]

We've gone the last 2 years and are planning a big family vacation in November of this year. 15 of us are going and I'm hoping it all works out ok.

That's a big group. Our family trip only had 7 people. But here's my best advice for a big family trip.

First, sit everybody down a few weeks early and discuss what's going to happen on the trip. Make an afternoon out of it. Fill them in on everything like hotels, rides, shows and restaurants. Let them know what they can expect, and what's expected of them. This really made a big difference in our trip.

Second, make a relatively loose schedule. We would pick a certain park (based on the low crowd estimates at TGM and TP), and say everyone's going to visit this park on this day. Then our only other requirement would be everyone meeting for dinner at a certain restaurant. Basically, everyone had the entire day to themselves. Often we'd run into each other, and we might have lunch together, or go on a ride together. But until dinner time, they could do what they wanted. We'd all eat dinner, then do a post-dinner attraction together. We would schedule character meals to get some good keepsake pictures. In the end, everyone had a wonderful trip, and didn't feel burdened by having to do too many group activities.

Good luck. Big family trips can take a lot of work.

 

[M&N]

Wow, TKers really been MIA lately. I hope our thread isn't dying a slow death. I miss my friends!

See---Just when you think we're going down...another DISer finds us. Welcome TBDave. Don't know how much of our4 thread you've read but we are a very caring group. We try and read threads where there's not much response so they don't feel like we felt in the past. I didn't make it to DW until friends moved there in 2001. Do you live near now?
MaggiKitty: People were trying to tell me not to bother with MVMCP but I went and liked it. It was just a different feeling. My friends who had been before, probably won't go back because it was more crowded than when they had been before. If you think this may be your only chance for MNSSHP, I say go for it. Besides there are MNSSHP things you can buy that you cannot buy without being there.