Tim and Lesley Year of Million Compromises/TONS pics- 8/5 help me pg. 164!!!

[timandlesley]

O.K. - we are in the 80's people!!!!!!!
89 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am just a LITTLE bit excited!
In honor of this I have made a few changes to the itinerary (hey it's crunch time- o.k. not really but it makes for a good excuse to look at things again and make some "tweaks"
I started looking at my schedule and realized I had 4 nights at MK, 2 nights at Epcot and only one night at MGM, that makes me nervous because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Fantasmic (here is a pic of Luke and I waiting for the show to start last summer):

and I will be heartbroken if I can't see Fantastmic due to weather, and having been in June before (if you read last years trip report you know what I mean about MGM and terrible weather ) I know that it can be a bit unpredictable and prevent me from seeing my favorite show. That being said, I decided to add another MGM night on the 21st so we could see Fantasmic if it is nice weather that night. The only thing that stinks about that is I have the Fantastmic dinner package scheduled for the 22nd, what is your oppinion guys, should I schedule the Fantasmic dinner package for the first MGM night or the second? Oppinions wanted!!! After I get the oppinions and make up my mind for sure I will show you the new itinerary and the changes I made.

I also swapped an Epcot morning because it made me nervous that the day after we were attempting to stay out for MK EMH was our first morning at Epcot, and I know being me I'd be stressed sleeping in and missing all of that prime Epcot time. So, I swapped a morning out so we will be in Epcot earlier in the trip to get all of that prime Epcot touring out of the way and I can RELAX (yeah right, Lesley relax on a Disney trip )on that morning after EMH and allow us to sleep in.
O.K. so what are your oppinions regarding MGM and Fantasmic. The way it stands on my revamped itinerary we will be at MGM two nights in a row, the 21st and 22nd I currently have the Fantasmic package booked for the 22nd, should I move it up to the 21st and then if the show gets cancelled on the 21st we could see it on the 22nd or if it goes as scheduled we could do rides at night at MGM which we've never done before on te 22nd. Your thoughts???
Lesley

 

[Disneyolic]

Dear dear Lesley....when will you ever stop changing your schedule?

I think I would reschedule the Fantasmic package to the 21st just in case, like you mentioned. Nothing would stink more if you missed it on the 22nd when you could have had it on the 21st.

Keep us updated on your schedule changes....especially for our DISers stalking DISers thread! I'm willing to make changes every day just for you.

 

[dddisrunner]

Lesley,

I agree with the previous poster, at least if you reschedule you will have 2 nights with a chance to see it. Plus if goes off the 1st night then you will also get to do the evening rides which I think would be so cool, especially TOT! Good Luck with the decision!

 

[pooksma]

I agree with the previous posters. We are looking at 2 possibilities for the Aug. Pirate and Princess Party just in case our first choice is booked up.

Happy planning. (or should I say 'finetuning' )

 

[jenr812]

Is Fantasmic scheduled for both 9 & 10:30 on either of those nights? We are planning on the later show like we did last time. We actually did the FDP last time, but when it was time, we were having too much fun riding rides, so we decided to go to the later show. It was still crowded, but we didn't have any trouble getting a good seat, though it *was* a bit towards the back, it was almost right in the center. Keep in mind, it was the week of July 4th, so it was busier than normal.

IIRC, FDP has to be cancelled 24 hours in advance, right? So if you don't want to go to the second show for whatever reason (early morning the next day, too tired, etc), you *could* schedule FDP for both nights. Then the night before your FIRST FDP ressie, if it rain is in the forecast, you can cancel and plan on the second night's ressie and vice versa. You could also stagger a second dinner ressie elsewhere so you have a back up in case of rain. I know that you can't have two ADRs for the same time, but I believe if they are about an hour apart, it isn't flagged. I could be wrong though- I have heard this second hand and haven't tried it myself.

Good luck

 

[twob4him]

When I first found the Dis, I think your last TR was one of the first ones I read. Glad to see your back! We're going in June too. I saw you over on the June thread by Disneyholic!

 

[natale1980]

Great Pre-Trip!!!
I don't know if we are going to go to Disney next year... but it's hard not to want to after reading your planning!
Our next Disney trip should be a 2009 cruise... you think it's too early to start a count down??

-nat

 

[timandlesley]

Dear dear Lesley....when will you ever stop changing your schedule?

I think I would reschedule the Fantasmic package to the 21st just in case, like you mentioned. Nothing would stink more if you missed it on the 22nd when you could have had it on the 21st.

Keep us updated on your schedule changes....especially for our DISers stalking DISers thread! I'm willing to make changes every day just for you.

Hahaha- NEVER Thanks for making the changes for me though. I love that thread you have created!!!

Lesley,

I agree with the previous poster, at least if you reschedule you will have 2 nights with a chance to see it. Plus if goes off the 1st night then you will also get to do the evening rides which I think would be so cool, especially TOT! Good Luck with the decision!

Thanks for the advice, Tim and I were just talking about how we wanted to do some of the rides at MGM at night.

I agree with the previous posters. We are looking at 2 possibilities for the Aug. Pirate and Princess Party just in case our first choice is booked up.

Happy planning. (or should I say 'finetuning' )

Well, I decided to try to do Fantasmic on the 21st and cancel the 22nd, the downfall was they only had a 4:10 available at Mama's on the 21st so I just booked regular dinner and will keep trying as the date approaches to see if a later time opens up, if not we'll just see Fantasmic without the package like last year. At least this way we aren't tied down on the 22nd to the package and if we are able to see it on the 21st we can ride rides on the 22nd. Thanks for the advice.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Is Fantasmic scheduled for both 9 & 10:30 on either of those nights? We are planning on the later show like we did last time. We actually did the FDP last time, but when it was time, we were having too much fun riding rides, so we decided to go to the later show. It was still crowded, but we didn't have any trouble getting a good seat, though it *was* a bit towards the back, it was almost right in the center. Keep in mind, it was the week of July 4th, so it was busier than normal.

IIRC, FDP has to be cancelled 24 hours in advance, right? So if you don't want to go to the second show for whatever reason (early morning the next day, too tired, etc), you *could* schedule FDP for both nights. Then the night before your FIRST FDP ressie, if it rain is in the forecast, you can cancel and plan on the second night's ressie and vice versa. You could also stagger a second dinner ressie elsewhere so you have a back up in case of rain. I know that you can't have two ADRs for the same time, but I believe if they are about an hour apart, it isn't flagged. I could be wrong though- I have heard this second hand and haven't tried it myself.

Good luck

Thanks! I didn't want to risk having the credit card down on both nights so as I posted above we decided to go without for now and as the dates approach if a later time opens up for the package on the 21st I'll book it. I don't think my kids could last that late for the 10:30 show but hey, you never know, I'll keep it in mind.

When I first found the Dis, I think your last TR was one of the first ones I read. Glad to see your back! We're going in June too. I saw you over on the June thread by Disneyholic!

Thanks so much! I'm glad you are back on board with us. I'll have to check your dates in June on the other thread.
Lesley

Great Pre-Trip!!!
I don't know if we are going to go to Disney next year... but it's hard not to want to after reading your planning!
Our next Disney trip should be a 2009 cruise... you think it's too early to start a count down??

-nat

Thanks, I know, I always have to be planning Disney, I constantly need that Disney fix- thank God for the Dis were I can share my obsession with all of you. 2009 cruise huh, sounds WONDERFUL, hey why not do a count down Thanks for reading.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

So. . . I opened up a whole can of worms when I changed the nights around to accommodate for another MGM night and now I['m messing with the mornings so that they match up with TGM and I am at a different park each night than where we are in the morning (weird I know). So, when I get a chance to finalize what I've created, I still have work to do on it, not sure I love it yet (will I ever ) I will post it here.
Lesley

 

[twob4him]

OK its now 11:39 p, here and I just caught up. Glad to hear that Tim is feeling better. Tell him to keep his regular day job and skip moving the furniture around. At first I thought he was having a kidney stone attack. My hubby gets them occasionally...ouch
So can't wait to see the update of the update of the update of the changed and revamped schedule. LOL

 

[timandlesley]

OK its now 11:39 p, here and I just caught up. Glad to hear that Tim is feeling better. Tell him to keep his regular day job and skip moving the furniture around. At first I thought he was having a kidney stone attack. My hubby gets them occasionally...ouch
So can't wait to see the update of the update of the update of the changed and revamped schedule. LOL

Well, glad you are caught up. Oh yes, Tim won't be moving any furniture for a while. I thought kidney stone attack at one point too, glad it didn't turnout to be one.
I'm working on the schedule right now
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

O.K. I have redone EVERYTHING pretty much. Sorry, as I went deeper and deeper into the days and changed things around it kind of spiraled and other things surfaced like I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT STAR WARS DAYS- Tim's favorite thing in the world. So now we are at MGM on Father's day for Star Wars Days. Here is the new itinerary:

Disney Vacation June 14th-23rd 2007​

​

June 14th- ARRIVAL DAY

Hit MGM on this day. Parade is at 3:00
Pay out of pocket for lunch
Dinner at 50’s Prime Time Café 5:00 p.m.Relax in the room or by the pool or Stay at MGM for Fantasmic

Budget: $35 for lunch $25 for snacks for this day= $60 total

June 15th- Magic Kingdom Morning
Use Counter Service credits at Magic Kingdom for lunch (4 c.s. credits)
Tim can take kids back to the room- I can stay at MK by myself for a bit and meet them back at the room by 5:00 p.m. for dinner
Epcot p.m. Coral Reef for dinner at 6:30 p.m (4 table service credits)
Illuminations after dinner.

Budget: $25.00 breakfast $25.00 snacks= 50.00 food

June 16th Epcot morning –
4 counterservice credits for lunch (4c.s. credits)
Magic Kingdom Evening- O’Hana’s for dinner 6:25 (4 sit down credits)
After dinner back to Magic Kingdom for SpectroMagic no WISHES tonight-wait until late night EMH night

Budget: $25.00 breakfast $25.00 snacks = $50.00 food

June 17th –FATHER’S DAY
MGM morning for Star Wars Days (Star Wars parade is at 11:15)
4 counterservice credits for lunch - take naps today!!!! – Tim can go out on his own and we can meet him at Concourse for his dinner for Father’s Day
MK p.m..(MK EXTRA MAGIC HOUR THIS NIGHT-let’s try it!!!) Lauren and I can leave when she poops out or maybe she’ll fall asleep in stroller
Concourse Steakhouse dinner6:50 p.m. (- 4 sit down credits)


Budget: $25 for breakfast $25.00 snacks = 50.00 for food




June 18th- Sleeping in morning WHENEVER we get up – can head to Epcot, MGM or MK whatever we feel like hitting for an hour or so and grabbing lunch
Lunch (lunch counter service 4 credits)
DownTown Disney p.m.
Bippety Boppety Botique for Lauren at :4:00 bring comb/brush

(4 sit down credits) for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Café 6:30 p.m.

Budget: $25.00 breakfast $25.00 snacks = 50.00 food $45 botique= 95 day


June 19th-
Animal Kingdom a.m. 8:00 Donald’s breakfastasaurus
4 counter service credits for lunch at AK
Magic Kingdom P.M. 1900 Park Fair for dinner 6:10 reservation Magic Kingdom P.M. for Spectromagic OR NIGHT OFF
Budget: $25.00 snacks = 25.00 food

June 20th – MGM morning
4 counter service credits for lunch
Epcot Evening LeCellier for dinner 6:40 p.m. _
(4 s.d. credits)
Or Spoodles 6:40 -- Any oppinions on this?????
Watch Illuminations after dinner

Budget: $25.00 breakfast $25.00 snacks = $50.00 food

June 21st - Epcot Morning
lunch out of pocket
MGM p.m.
Mama Melrose dinner 5:40 p.m. (4 Tableservice credits)- again I'm going to keep trying for the Fantasmic package but for now they only have a 4pm and that is just too early for us.


Budget:$25.00 for breakfast $25.00 for lunch $25 .00 snacks = 75.00 for food


June 22nd – Magic Kingdom morning
Lunch counterservice (4 counterservice credits)
MGM pm- Star Wars Weekends
Counterservice credits for dinner
Fantasmic or rides after dinner depending on if we saw it the first night.
Budget: 25.00 for breakfast $20.00 snacks =$45.00 total


June 23rd – FINAL DAY!
Magic Kingdom a.m.
CounterService for lunch (4 counterservice Credits)
Dream Come True Parade is at 3:00 watch it before we have to leave : (

$25 breakfast $40 dinner/snacks at airport and parks = $65 total


$900 total in budget for spending money

$565 for food/boutique in totals above

Stroller Rental= 150.00 (comes from different budget so doesn’t count)

Souvenier $- $50.00 Luke, $50.00 Lauren $75.00 Lesley $75.00 Tim=$250.00

$820 Total
Allows for $80.00 in extra money for drinks, tips, etc.

So there you have it, the new and improved itinerary, what do you think??
Lesley

 

[Nicole786]

That sounds great, Lesley, i can't wait to see your TR because your eating at all the places i plan to go! haha.

My only suggestion is to keep trying to get an earlier ADR at Coral Reef if you want to see Illuminations. We had a 4:20 ADR and didn't get out until around 6:15-6:30. Depending on the service (maybe we were just on an off day) you could get out by 8:30, but try to avoud the risk if you can

 

[Disneyolic]

I think the new schedule is great. Really, I wouldn't change a thing. Ya hear me?? Wouldn't change thing!

Back I go to change your schedule on my thread.

 

[MissDisney121]

After a MILLION and I'm not exaggerating calls to my AAA agent and surfing disboards, tourguidemike, and the internet in general we decided on a moderate resort we think we will love, Port Orleans French Quarter. Originally we booked Riverside this a.m. but after looking at the maps and reading about the bus service (being first on and off at FQ) we decided to switch (boy my AAA agent loves me ) O.K., now I have to switch gears and get pumped for POFQ, if any of you have heard good things please post, I need lots of positive reviews . I'm trying to get the kids pumped, the dragon slide is helping . Tim and I have been spoiled rotten by WL and the easy access to the monorail and MK by boat so we are adjusting dining timing in our heads and switching gears a bit, (o.k. doing a bit of mourning too ) but I know we will have a great time.

My family and I stayed there in August '06 and are staying there again this August. It is a very beautiful resort that is cozy and quaint. The bus system is very good, we never had to wait very long for a bus. I think your kids will love the pool. The slide looks very fun and there are character statues around that spray water. It is a very fun water. I'm sorry that you couldn't go to your home resort but I think you will like POFQ. Good Luck with the rest of your planning and your trip. (I've posted a couple pics i took while there in August, I hope you like them)

The Sasagoula river

The pool

View from our room

The lobby

 

[pooksma]

Lesley,

Sounds good and I too look forward to reading your trippie. We are also planning on Le Cellier and I want to know how it is with kids.

 

[timandlesley]

That sounds great, Lesley, i can't wait to see your TR because your eating at all the places i plan to go! haha.

My only suggestion is to keep trying to get an earlier ADR at Coral Reef if you want to see Illuminations. We had a 4:20 ADR and didn't get out until around 6:15-6:30. Depending on the service (maybe we were just on an off day) you could get out by 8:30, but try to avoud the risk if you can

Nicole, thanks for this heads up, I just called tonight and was able to get a 6:20, I know it's only 10 minutes, but I took what I could get. Before that it was 5:25 and that's too early for us taking those afternoon breaks. Thanks though! Can't wait to eat there for my b-day. I told Tim to read your TR hint hint hint - hopefully he won't disapoint

I think the new schedule is great. Really, I wouldn't change a thing. Ya hear me?? Wouldn't change thing!

Back I go to change your schedule on my thread.

Thank you so much, I just ran to your page and saw you already updated my plans, I promise NO MORE CHANGES, for your sake
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

My family and I stayed there in August '06 and are staying there again this August. It is a very beautiful resort that is cozy and quaint. The bus system is very good, we never had to wait very long for a bus. I think your kids will love the pool. The slide looks very fun and there are character statues around that spray water. It is a very fun water. I'm sorry that you couldn't go to your home resort but I think you will like POFQ. Good Luck with the rest of your planning and your trip. (I've posted a couple pics i took while there in August, I hope you like them)

The Sasagoula river

The pool

View from our room

The lobby

These pictures are BEAUTIFUL, thanks so much for your wonderful encouraging comments, you made my day. I am sad about WL but looking more and more forward to checking out POFQ. Who knows, maybe I'll fall head over heels for POFQ and we'll get to save money every year, now wouldn't that be nice.
Lesley

 

[timandlesley]

Lesley,

Sounds good and I too look forward to reading your trippie. We are also planning on Le Cellier and I want to know how it is with kids.

Thanks, that is my one worry, that is why I asked if people thought we should go through the international gateway and give the family friendly Spoodles a try (another one we haven't tried). Anyone have any oppinions on this??
Lesley