Too early for a PTR not for me!

[Meg1884]

I've decided to start my PTR for our May 2011 trip since I've got some extra time on my hands and I just feel like putting the details of the trip out there. I've been a lurker here for a while and have finally decided to come out of hiding and start posting. I recently got married and after the excitement of the wedding died down I decided I wanted to out all my energy into planning something else. My DH and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon and since we love it so much I wanted to plan another trip. I decided to plan a surprise trip for his 30th birthday. Once I mentioned the idea to my parents they said they were thinking of taking a family trip so we've decided to turn the trip into a family/30th birthday trip. DH still has no idea about it and won't till the morning we are leaving. Then we are going to surprise him with my family coming along.

We've pretty much decided on a 7night/8day or 8day/9night trip in May 2011 staying at the Caribbean Beach. We'll be on the Disney Dining Plan and are hoping to get over to Universal Studios for a day to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter since we are all excited for that.

Alright next up I'm going to introduce the cast of characters for the trip.

 

[Meg1884]

Now onto the cast of characters for this trip.

First up....me!

My name is Meghan and I am in love with all things Disney. If I could afford to I would make a trip to Disney World every year. I've been there 5 times and my most recent trip was for my honeymoon in October 2009. My favorite time to go down is October since I love the Halloween party and the Food and Wine Festival. My favorite character is Eeyore and my favorite princess is Belle.

Next up is my hubby, Chuck

Chuck likes Disney but doesn't love it the way I do. I think he's starting to love it though since our honeymoon. He's mentioned a couple of times that he can't wait to go back so I'm hoping he loves this surprise trip. He's been to Disney World 4 times before with his most recent trip being our honeymoon. His favorite character is Pluto.

He's also in a band.

Let's post two more just for fun. Since Chuck isn't a huge Disney fan he had never heard of the Beverly at Club Cool. Being the loving wife I am I felt the need to let him try this delicious drink.

Before

After

Next up is my dad, Bob.

My dad has been to Disney World 4 times before but his most recent trip was 1998 so he's a little rusty on it. It was actually his idea for the family trip. His favorite Disney character is Goofy.

Now onto my mom, Sharon.

My mom has been to Disney 4 times as well but he last trip was in 2008 with me for my sister's cheerleading competition. She was a good sport on that trip since I was making her run around like a mad woman since I hadn't been there since 1998 and we only had 3 days. Something tells me she is looking for a little bit slower pace this time around. Her favorite character is Donald which she has never met. I'm hoping to change that this trip since I've found he was always around on our honeymoon.

Mom and I at one of Chuck's band's shows

Now onto my brother, Bobby. Bobby has been to Disney World 3 times before but like my dad he hasn't been there since 1998. I feel like my dad and Bobby won't even recognize some of Disney World when they get there. His favorite Disney character is the Mad Hatter.

Bobby and I at our cousin's wedding and at Chuck's band's show.

Last but not least is my sister, Christine (although we all call her Teenie). Teenie's been to Disney World 4 times and her last trip was in 2008 for her cheerleading competition. Unfortunately she had the flu on that trip so she didn't do much. Her favorite character is Stitch and her favorite princess is Ariel.

Teenie and I at my bachelorette party.

Up next some more pictures of the cast of characters

 

[Meg1884]

Last post of the day....more pictures of the cast of characters so you can get to know us better.

Chuck and I in the photobooth at our wedding.

On our wedding day

The day after the wedding/the day before our honeymoon.

Breakfast at the Crystal Palace

Meeting Disney's Mr. and Mrs.

Bobby, Teenie and I in the photobooth

Mom, Teenie and I at my bachelorette party

Christmas 2009 with mom's big gift.

Christmas 2009 with dad's big gift.

We'll I hope everyone enjoyed the report so far. It's still really early in the planning process so I probably won't have much to add till this summer when the 2011 packages come out and we can book the trip. Until then happy planning everyone!

 

[emmysmommy]

Nice to meet you Meghan! You have a nice looking family and how fun is it that you get to plan a trip together! Believe me, if I had known I was going to WDW earlier I would have started my PTR sooner.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your plans.

Take care,

 

[Meg1884]

Thanks Brenda! I don't know what it is but I just really enjoy planning trips (especially to Disney World). Plus I'm the only one that is on the boards so everyone else is a little lost in the planning.

 

[Brave teacher]

I'll hop on to read. Ya'll look like a very lovely family.

 

[Meg1884]

I'll hop on to read. Ya'll look like a very lovely family.

Thanks Megan! BTW I love your name!

 

[jenniferkeala808]

thanks for checking out my PTR! i'm joining in on yours!! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Brave teacher]

Thanks Megan! BTW I love your name!

Yours is quite nice as well.

 

[Arielssister]

Excited to read. Glad I'm not the only early planner. We are not going back until December of 2011 so I'm using these boards to feed the longing. I have a PTR but I think people laugh when they see December 2011. You have a lovely family and I'm looking forward to your PTR. I bet it will be a wonderful suprise.

 

[Meg1884]

Thanks for following everyone!

Well there is a slight update....our Disney Vacation Planning dvd came in the mail! Although I remember the old ones from the 90s and they were so much better than the ones they have now. Something is better than nothing and I'll be secretly watching mine when DH is working tomorrow. I also had one sent to my parents' house and they watched their's right away. I almost got caught though since my sister texted me that the dvd came and DH was looking over my shoulder reading my text. He asked what dvd and I told him I had the Disney one sent to them since my sister has been bugging them for a trip. I'm hoping that did the job of throwing him off the scent.

 

[shelbys mommy]

Joining in! This sounds like fun! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Meg1884]

Sorry I haven't updated this lately but there hasn't been much to say. DH is getting a little suspicious about this trip. As I started thinking about how I was going to surprise him I realized I'll have to plan some sort of trip with him so that he can take off from work. Since we are both Harry Potter fans I suggested we take a short trip to Universal next May to see the new Harry Potter land. He thinks I mist be up to something since he doubts I'll be able to be in Florida without stopping at Disney. LOL He knows me too well.

Another update is that I may be changing where we are staying. While I'd love to stay at a moderate I don't know if I'll be able to pull it off saving on my own. I've stayed at Pop Century before and while it wasn't my favorite I liked it. I tend to use my room at Disney to just sleep in since I don't like to miss any park time. My task is to know convince the rest of my family that Pop won't be too bad since they wanted to do Caribbean Beach. Has anyone stayed at Pop during the month of May? I'm a little concerned about school groups staying there.

As one more thing to add to the update I've decided to add our list of ADR's for this trip. Now I know this list is too long and we won't get to eat at all of them on this trip but I just wanted to put it out there. Any opinions on them? Please add ones I've missed or let me know what you like and don't like from the list. Hope all is well with everyone's plans! I can't believe I'm almost at the year mark for this trip. I hope it flies by!

ADR Wish List

Breakfast:

Kona Cafe
Boma
Tusker House (since my mom loves Donald and Daisy)
Crystal Palace
Chef Mickey's
1900 Park Fare

Lunch:

Sci-Fi Dine-In
Le Chefs De France
Flame Tree BBQ
Pecos Bills
Earl of Sandwich

Dinner:

Le Cellier
Boma
Jiko
Cinderella's Royal Table
'Ohana
California Grill
Teppan Edo
Flying Fish
50s Prime Time Cafe
Brown Derby
Rose and Crown
Whispering Canyon
1900 Park Fare
Citricos
Kona Cafe
Raglan Road

I'd also like to do the tea at the Grand Floridian and the Hoop De Doo Review since DH did it years ago and has wanted to go back.

 

[Meg1884]

We've past the 365 day mark!!!!

I didn't even realize it till this morning but I've got a new surge of excitement now that we've past the year mark. Now I'm on countdown till I can actually book the vacation package. I'm still not sure if I want to stay at a moderate or value (my family is leaning more towards a moderate and I'm leaning more towards a value).

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi Meghan,

I like your start on early planning! I am actually planning 2 trips, one for me and DH this September, and one for my sister's 30th birthday in April 2011 which is going to be a family trip, like yours! Looking forward to seeing what you plan!

Our Sept. trip is coming along nicely but I have not done ANY planning for the April trip. It's hard when I have so many family members who want to go! My plan is rather than book everyone's package for them, which can get pretty insane, is to just let everyone know what I am planning to book, and everyone has the option to book the same package or do their own thing. So far, I think we're going to stay moderate, maybe POFQ or CBR.

We also definitely want to go to Universal for WWOHP!! My sister and I love HP so we definitely want to check it out. I am thinking 5 days at disney, and 2 days at Universal next April.

That is sweet you are planning this as a surprise for your DH. You both look really cute together!

As for ADRs, I have a lot of the same ADR choices that you have. Most of them I have not actually been to yet! I did go to Brown Derby for the Fantasmic package. The food was really good. Chefs de France was cute and very Parisienne. We also did Cinderella's Royal Table a few years ago and enjoyed it, although we are not too big on character dining anymore. I really loved tea at the GF too!

Su-Lynn

 

[Meg1884]

Is it May 2011 yet? LOL I really need this vacation to speed up and come soon.

Well we have a new add on to our cast of characters for this trip. My MIL has decided to come too. I can't believe I have to book and plan a trip for 7 people and can't even mention it to my husband. I'm hoping I don't go too crazy. Here is a picture of my mom and my MIL from this past Thanksgiving. MIL hasn't been to Disney World in 15 years so this will be a big trip for her.

There really isn't much to plan right now. Everyone seems agreed on staying at Pop Century (I hope we like it as much as my mom and I did back in 2008). Now I just need the 2011 packages to be released and then I can book those. I'm also trying to get everyone's suggestions for places they want to eat at. I know I can't make the ADR's till November but I'll be in school then so if I work it out by the end of the summer I can just use my list when the times come.

 

[Meg1884]

Well I've finally booked our trip! Now that I've put down a deposit and have a confirmation number it feels real. We'll be staying at the Pop Century in 2 preferred rooms May 12, 2011-May 19, 2011 with a 6 day park hopper and DDP package. I can't wait! Now I need to start organizing everyone's dining lists and try and put something together for everyone.

 

[Meg1884]

Not sure if anyone is still following this since I haven't posted an update in a while but I've booked the trip, our flights, our ADR's, and an Illuminations firworks cruise. I can't believe I got all the ADR's we wanted (other than Flying Fish. We have 9 people going to that dinner so I need to book directly with the restaurant. I called and left a message yesterday so I'm now waiting to hear back).

Our ADR's:

Day 1 (travel day)
Dinner at Boma

Day 2
Breakfast at Kona Cafe
Dinner at 'Ohana's

Day 3
Lunch at Teppan Edo
Dinner hopefully at Flying Fish for DH's birthday dinner. After dinner we are going on the Illuminations cruise

Day 4
Dinner at 50s Prime Time Cafe

Day 5
Spending the day at Universal Studios

Day 6
Breakfast at Tusker House with Donald
Dinner at Le Cellier

Day 7
Dinner at Jiko

Day 8 (going back home)
Breakfast at Kona Cafe

The only things left to do are to book the Magical Express, book at car service to take us to and from the airport back home and book rental cars for our trip over to Universal.

 

[Meg1884]

Still not sure if anyone is still reading this but since Disney has offered the 20-40% off promotion for the time period we will be down there I've decided to upgrade us to a moderate resort. I can't decide between the CBR or CSR but I think I'm leaning more towards the CBR.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

It looks like you are going to have a great trip Looks like you have chosen good places for your ADR's, good luck with all the people you have to organize. We are only two and it is difficult to decide what to do
The discount codes were wonderful, we are going in September, originally we were going to stay at ASM but with the discounts I have upgraded us to POR. We are also staying 3 nights at AKV-Kidani. I am so excited. Feel free to follow along with my PTR, link in signature.

Look forward to more updates.