cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 5,397
First a little background
Things have been really tough for a while now and without going into details, I needed to get away. Thanksgiving is a big deal for me and I am usually the preparer of the feast. I could not bring myself to do it this year so I decided to go out for dinner. Where to go? Where else but to Disney World!
Who is going you may ask?
Me-AKA Dad. Until a few weeks ago I could legitimately say that I was a 40 something. People do say I do not look 50. More like 49 and 3/4. DVC member since 1996 and a Disney Veteran.
DD-AKA Princess, AKA Pooh. Thirteen and has the drama queen persona down pat. Smart and an all around good kid with a soft heart for animals. Also a Disney veteran and is a coaster junky like her dad.
More Background
Having made the decision two weeks ago to eat out at WDW for Thanksgiving, the little voices in my head were telling me getting a room let alone at an affordable price was a Don Quixote magnitude quest. First I called DVC member services where of course nothing was available. They gladly put me on the wait list for a Studio but have little hope of it coming through.
Undeterred, I called the main reservation number and by the luck of the draw I was connected to Barrett, my own Disney elf (think the male equivalent of a pixie). Jokingly I told him that I was only interested in an AP or Florida resident rates. Instead of laughing at me he said, Let me see what I can do. Well, we have the Presidents Suite at the Beach Club for about $1,300 a night. Yea right. After working his magic he was able to get 3 nights at Animal Kingdom for a pretty good rate. Standard view but he put in a request for a Savanna upgrade.
With the Visa was properly charged, he asked me if I would like to make any dining ADRs. Thanksgiving! We need a place to eat on Thanksgiving. But where? Having little hope of getting a room, I gave no thought about where to eat. First choice was at either restaurant at the Wilderness Lodge but that wasnt going to happen. The only other thing I could think of was Yachtsman Steak House. Opening at 9:00? Ill take it. You the man Barrett!
Yesterday, I finally went into planning mode. Princess and I looked at the park operating hours and made a general plan. I asked DD where she wanted to eat and she suggested a breakfast with Cindy. I am not even going to ask just to hear the CM spit coffee all over their computer. California Grill? OK, I will ask but dont get your hopes up (I actually could get an ADR there but only after Wishes).
In addition to Thanksgiving at Yachtsmans we ended up with Tonys Friday night, Brown Derby for a late Saturday lunch and breakfast at the Kona Café on Sunday. Surprisingly, it was relatively easy to get some decent places to eat.
The Plan
Normally we do not do commando because we have the good fortune to live in South Florida and are DVC members so we have the luxury of not feeling the need to race from ride to ride. DD wanted to have Thanksgiving at home but after a little cajoling, I talked her into joining this odyssey. As a condition of humoring me she did put her foot down and in no uncertain terms declared that we are spending every possible minute in the parks. Cool. Sure I am 50 but I can handle it. Yes I realize the crowds a will be insane but what the heck.
Wednesday, Nov. 21-After school we head to the Vero Beach Resort where we have an Ocean View Inn room. The plan is to drive up, eat, chill and hope the sand fleas are hibernating for the winter.
Thanksgiving-Rise and shine early and drive to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Probably visit EPCOT in the morning. Animal Kingdom is open until 8:00 that night and since we always time our visits to get everything done before 2:00 it would be an interesting change (if anyone has toured AK later in the day, your insights would be welcome). After closing, we head to T-Day dinner at Yachtsmans.
Friday, Nov. 23-Not sure about the morning but since we have 8:00 pm reservations at Tonys we will be closing the Magic Kingdom. Hopefully we time it right and are able to catch a glimpse of the parade from the comfort of the restaurant and then walk out onto a packed Main Street to watch Wishes.
Saturday, Nov. 24-MGM for early entry and a 2:00 lunch at the Brown Derby. Either we head to Pleasure Island and the Comedy Warehouse or to EPCOT for Illuminations.
Sunday-Departure day. 7:40 am breakfast at Kona Café and a last stop at the Magic Kingdom until we drive home.
I have read with pleasure many trip reports here and have attempted to do my own, even completing one once. One of my favorite authors is our UK friend Mr. Stringer. At his site he has his previous reports and it was interesting to watch his daughters grow up through their trips. I kick myself for not taking the time to do the same thing. What a great family album and hopefully I will be able to start mine with this trip.
Wish us luck and if you read these ramblings, thanks.
CJ
Things have been really tough for a while now and without going into details, I needed to get away. Thanksgiving is a big deal for me and I am usually the preparer of the feast. I could not bring myself to do it this year so I decided to go out for dinner. Where to go? Where else but to Disney World!
Who is going you may ask?
Me-AKA Dad. Until a few weeks ago I could legitimately say that I was a 40 something. People do say I do not look 50. More like 49 and 3/4. DVC member since 1996 and a Disney Veteran.
DD-AKA Princess, AKA Pooh. Thirteen and has the drama queen persona down pat. Smart and an all around good kid with a soft heart for animals. Also a Disney veteran and is a coaster junky like her dad.
More Background
Having made the decision two weeks ago to eat out at WDW for Thanksgiving, the little voices in my head were telling me getting a room let alone at an affordable price was a Don Quixote magnitude quest. First I called DVC member services where of course nothing was available. They gladly put me on the wait list for a Studio but have little hope of it coming through.
Undeterred, I called the main reservation number and by the luck of the draw I was connected to Barrett, my own Disney elf (think the male equivalent of a pixie). Jokingly I told him that I was only interested in an AP or Florida resident rates. Instead of laughing at me he said, Let me see what I can do. Well, we have the Presidents Suite at the Beach Club for about $1,300 a night. Yea right. After working his magic he was able to get 3 nights at Animal Kingdom for a pretty good rate. Standard view but he put in a request for a Savanna upgrade.
With the Visa was properly charged, he asked me if I would like to make any dining ADRs. Thanksgiving! We need a place to eat on Thanksgiving. But where? Having little hope of getting a room, I gave no thought about where to eat. First choice was at either restaurant at the Wilderness Lodge but that wasnt going to happen. The only other thing I could think of was Yachtsman Steak House. Opening at 9:00? Ill take it. You the man Barrett!
Yesterday, I finally went into planning mode. Princess and I looked at the park operating hours and made a general plan. I asked DD where she wanted to eat and she suggested a breakfast with Cindy. I am not even going to ask just to hear the CM spit coffee all over their computer. California Grill? OK, I will ask but dont get your hopes up (I actually could get an ADR there but only after Wishes).
In addition to Thanksgiving at Yachtsmans we ended up with Tonys Friday night, Brown Derby for a late Saturday lunch and breakfast at the Kona Café on Sunday. Surprisingly, it was relatively easy to get some decent places to eat.
The Plan
Normally we do not do commando because we have the good fortune to live in South Florida and are DVC members so we have the luxury of not feeling the need to race from ride to ride. DD wanted to have Thanksgiving at home but after a little cajoling, I talked her into joining this odyssey. As a condition of humoring me she did put her foot down and in no uncertain terms declared that we are spending every possible minute in the parks. Cool. Sure I am 50 but I can handle it. Yes I realize the crowds a will be insane but what the heck.
Wednesday, Nov. 21-After school we head to the Vero Beach Resort where we have an Ocean View Inn room. The plan is to drive up, eat, chill and hope the sand fleas are hibernating for the winter.
Thanksgiving-Rise and shine early and drive to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Probably visit EPCOT in the morning. Animal Kingdom is open until 8:00 that night and since we always time our visits to get everything done before 2:00 it would be an interesting change (if anyone has toured AK later in the day, your insights would be welcome). After closing, we head to T-Day dinner at Yachtsmans.
Friday, Nov. 23-Not sure about the morning but since we have 8:00 pm reservations at Tonys we will be closing the Magic Kingdom. Hopefully we time it right and are able to catch a glimpse of the parade from the comfort of the restaurant and then walk out onto a packed Main Street to watch Wishes.
Saturday, Nov. 24-MGM for early entry and a 2:00 lunch at the Brown Derby. Either we head to Pleasure Island and the Comedy Warehouse or to EPCOT for Illuminations.
Sunday-Departure day. 7:40 am breakfast at Kona Café and a last stop at the Magic Kingdom until we drive home.
I have read with pleasure many trip reports here and have attempted to do my own, even completing one once. One of my favorite authors is our UK friend Mr. Stringer. At his site he has his previous reports and it was interesting to watch his daughters grow up through their trips. I kick myself for not taking the time to do the same thing. What a great family album and hopefully I will be able to start mine with this trip.
Wish us luck and if you read these ramblings, thanks.
CJ
we are arriving Monday and staying at BCV.
