"UnOfficial" May 2013 planning thread. It's never to early to start planning!

[mickeystoontown]

We've switched resorts since I last posted. Instead of staying at our beloved Caribbean Beach, we are now booked at the Coronado Springs Resort. I'm a bit worried because of the amount of walking required (I know that the CBR is big but there's a bridge that connects one side of the resort to the other.) and the set up of the food court. My 79 year old mother will be staying at the resort some days while we are at the parks so I need to take that into consideration as well. Anybody have any reassurances that we did the right thing by switching.?

 

[Robin K]

Mom and I will be making our first ever May trip! We will be at POP 15-19. We usually go in Sept but wanted to check out the Flower and Garden shows.
I am beyond excited... but nervous too since we have never stayed at POP or gone in May.....
Anyone want to share some May tips?
Thanks...hope everyone has a great trip!

 

[jasperess]

Got up bright and early this morning to make my ADRs, and I'm happy to report we got everything we wanted and at the times I wanted, yay! I did need to call to get reservations for the Garden View Tea Room, as it didn't show any availability online (but this has been reported here on the Disboards).

Now to wait till the window opens up for the Mythos reservation on OpenTable!

 

[t_daniels]

Got up bright and early this morning to make my ADRs, and I'm happy to report we got everything we wanted and at the times I wanted, yay! I did need to call to get reservations for the Garden View Tea Room, as it didn't show any availability online (but this has been reported here on the Disboards).

Now to wait till the window opens up for the Mythos reservation on OpenTable!

Yup. We had to call last year.

 

[loganjared]

We changed our resort from POFQ to ASMu & our dates from June 2-12 to May 19-29th. It saved us over $900!!! Still hoping for a FD pin though. This will be our first trip in May. So excited!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MMS1125]

Lisa we love CSR it's our fave mod. I don't find it harder to get around than CBR so your mama should be fine.

Corinne can you take me off the list? Decided today to officially move our May trip to November. We're taking the 3 day cruise first then a few nights at AoA suite afterwards.

 

[AkShqipMom]

Well its official ( i booked airfare for 4 arriving in orlando morning of Mayy 23 and will be there until June 1). This is our first time to Disneyworld and the east coast, have been to Disneyland in California 7 years ago.

What is ADR?
Should I be calling and booking our hotel? I want to stay on property and was also hoping for Free Dining. Can this be added later ?

Where should I buy tickets at? Do they have something similar to the California CityPass in Orland that will get you into a few parks that can be bought?

Come one guys throw some suggestions at me! I dont know what's I should do next and hold off on.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Lisa we love CSR it's our fave mod. I don't find it harder to get around than CBR so your mama should be fine.

Corinne can you take me off the list? Decided today to officially move our May trip to November. We're taking the 3 day cruise first then a few nights at AoA suite afterwards.

Thanks for the reassurance. If it were just John, Hunter and I, then I wouldn't worry about our resort choice. We're fit enough to walk just about anywhere. Mama's the one I worry about. If you have any tips to share, please please do.

Well, I was going to say "awwww, you had to change your reservation" but it sounds like you still have a wonderful trip planned.

Well its official ( i booked airfare for 4 arriving in orlando morning of Mayy 23 and will be there until June 1). This is our first time to Disneyworld and the east coast, have been to Disneyland in California 7 years ago.

What is ADR?
Should I be calling and booking our hotel? I want to stay on property and was also hoping for Free Dining. Can this be added later ?

Where should I buy tickets at? Do they have something similar to the California CityPass in Orland that will get you into a few parks that can be bought?

Come one guys throw some suggestions at me! I dont know what's I should do next and hold off on.

An ADR is an Advance Dining Reservation. Those can be made at 180 days out (from your arrival date).

I have our resort booked already. If you are for sure going, I'd say go ahead and book your resort reservation. Also, if you want the dining plan, then you need to book a package. If you book a package, you will have your room, tickets and, if you want, the dining plan.

 

[merbobear]

Mom and I will be making our first ever May trip! We will be at POP 15-19. We usually go in Sept but wanted to check out the Flower and Garden shows.
I am beyond excited... but nervous too since we have never stayed at POP or gone in May.....
Anyone want to share some May tips?
Thanks...hope everyone has a great trip!

We are staying at POP from the 10th-19th! F&G is beautiful to take in. I have been twice in May and once in August (August was about 15 years ago, so really I pretty much only know May in WDW!). I would say to definitely prepare for warm temps..really warm! There is less rain in May than Sept from what I have read.

 

[merbobear]

Well its official ( i booked airfare for 4 arriving in orlando morning of Mayy 23 and will be there until June 1). This is our first time to Disneyworld and the east coast, have been to Disneyland in California 7 years ago.

What is ADR?
Should I be calling and booking our hotel? I want to stay on property and was also hoping for Free Dining. Can this be added later ?

Where should I buy tickets at? Do they have something similar to the California CityPass in Orland that will get you into a few parks that can be bought?

Come one guys throw some suggestions at me! I dont know what's I should do next and hold off on.

ADR = Advanced Dining Reservation. It secures you a spot to dine at a table service restaurant. This is a MUST if you want to have any character meals or eat at any of the more popular restaurants (For example, 'Ohana always books up fast). It's not that you can't eat without an ADR, it's just that your options are drastically reduced if you try to do a walk up.

I would go ahead and do your resort reservation now too, you only have to put down a $200 deposit and then you can pay off anytime before 45 days before your trip. You will also want to make your ADR's at 180 days before your vacation starts. My 180 days is tomorrow and I arrive 5/10, so your 180 day mark is in a couple weeks!

 

[3Rouselings]

I made our ADRs on Tuesday! Counting down to our trip May 5-11!! My family (me, dh, ds 11, dd 8 and dd4) are coming back for our second ever Disney trip and this time we have travelling companions! Bil, Sil and nephew 8and nephew 6. We are staying at AoA, we have a Nemo suite so excited

Here's what I have planned and I'd love to hear your feedback!

Sunday: travel day reservations at Rainforest Cafe in DTD for a late supper

Monday: AK DAY Reservations for Tusker House breakfast, supper ressie at Chef Mickeys

Tuesday: HS DAY Resevrations for Hollywood and Vine breakfast and Mama Melrose's Fantasmic Package for supper

Wednesday: EPCOT DAY Reservations for Cape May Cafe for breakfast, Teppan Edo for lunch and supper at Garden Grill ** this is the only reservation that I might change.

Thursday: MK DAY 1 Reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table for breakfast and Be our Guest for supper!!!

Friday: MK DAY 2 Reservations at 'Ohana's for breakfast and our traditional end of trip supper at Liberty Tree Tavern

Saturday: HEADING HOME breakfast at AoA food court

My mom has terminal cancer and this trip is giving me something to look forward to. I am so looking forward to our time away.

 

[RyMacJ]

I've made our ADR's, too! Can't remember if I checked in here with our final schedule, but I don't think I did. Here's ours:

Check in 5.4.13 at AOA. Go to MK (have to--I know it's a Saturday, but we just have to our first day!). We'll spend a few hours there and eat dinner at a QS probably at one of the monorail resorts or back at LoF.

Sun, 5.5.13, HS day. dinner ressie at 50's Prime Time Cafe at 6:30

Mon, 5.6.13, sleep in til around 8:30, head to Typhoon Lagoon for their opening, stay til around 1 or 2 depending on the kids. Dinner ressies at Cape May Cafe at 7, take in the sights on the Boardwalk at night

Tues, 5.7.13, MK day! BBB appt. with castle packages for my princesses at 5, then dinner at CRT at 7:15.

Weds, 5.8.13, Epcot day. Dinner ressies at San Angel Inn at 6:30

Thurs, 5.9.13, AK day. B'fast ressies at 8 AM at Tusker House, probably DTD and eat QS for dinner in the evening.

Fri, 5.10.13, another sleeping in/water park morning, this time at Blizzard Beach. Leave there about 1 and hopefully be in the MK by 5:30. We have a dinner ressie at 6:30 at Crystal Palace. Then we'll spend the next couple hours riding the girls' favorite rides, watching Wishes and saying good-bye to WDW.

Sat, 5.11.13. Leave WDW. I'm tempted to try and get a few hours in a park, but we'll probably head out early. We'll have an 8 hour drive ahead of us.

I'm so glad it's all set in stone. Now all I have to do is order our PhotoPass+, which I plan on doing tonight, and order the girls' t-shirts from the Disney Store. Oh, and buy them some crocs. Counting down the days!

@3Rouslings, so sorry to hear about your mother. Sending prayers and warm thoughts your way.

 

[Disneymaddness]

Made all our ADR's today. So excited!!

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

OK count me in for May 18th thru 26th at OKW first time owner resv. 2br with my 2 DD and DW .180 days is monday the 19th so I'll have to do it from the office Oldest DD turns 22 while there and we will be going for "A Drink Around the World" at EPCOT Hoping I can keep up ! First resv for DVC and I already have plans and dates ready thru 2018 See ya all in May

 

[merbobear]

I don't have time to post all of our ADR's right now, but I made them all as well, on Sunday! I might call back and have them add one more though - we are thinking of maybe doing the Wishes dessert party on our first day. It's only like 30 bucks to add another day of park tickets and our flight will be arriving at about 3:30pm that day. Our initial plan was either hit the pool or possibly DTD but now I am feeling like I will sad to be SOCLOSE to the parks but not actually go to one. Since it won't be a full day though, I thought we might do a quick service dinner somewhere, meander over to MK, take in the atmosphere, take a few spins on the carousel and then stuff ourselves silly with desserts Has anyone gone to the dessert party recently that wants to share their experience? We are 2 adults and a 5 year old

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't have time to post all of our ADR's right now, but I made them all as well, on Sunday! I might call back and have them add one more though - we are thinking of maybe doing the Wishes dessert party on our first day. It's only like 30 bucks to add another day of park tickets and our flight will be arriving at about 3:30pm that day. Our initial plan was either hit the pool or possibly DTD but now I am feeling like I will sad to be SOCLOSE to the parks but not actually go to one. Since it won't be a full day though, I thought we might do a quick service dinner somewhere, meander over to MK, take in the atmosphere, take a few spins on the carousel and then stuff ourselves silly with desserts Has anyone gone to the dessert party recently that wants to share their experience? We are 2 adults and a 5 year old

My Dis friend, Angie, posted her review of the dessert party yesterday. Here's the link to her review: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46714574&postcount=255

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

I don't have time to post all of our ADR's right now, but I made them all as well, on Sunday! I might call back and have them add one more though - we are thinking of maybe doing the Wishes dessert party on our first day. It's only like 30 bucks to add another day of park tickets and our flight will be arriving at about 3:30pm that day. Our initial plan was either hit the pool or possibly DTD but now I am feeling like I will sad to be SOCLOSE to the parks but not actually go to one. Since it won't be a full day though, I thought we might do a quick service dinner somewhere, meander over to MK, take in the atmosphere, take a few spins on the carousel and then stuff ourselves silly with desserts Has anyone gone to the dessert party recently that wants to share their experience? We are 2 adults and a 5 year old

Did the Dessert Party last trip and it was a lot of fun .Great desserts and nice view of both the parade and Wishes. I wouldn't do it every trip but certainly every other!

 

[merbobear]

My Dis friend, Angie, posted her review of the dessert party yesterday. Here's the link to her review: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46714574&postcount=255

Thanks for the link!

Did the Dessert Party last trip and it was a lot of fun .Great desserts and nice view of both the parade and Wishes. I wouldn't do it every trip but certainly every other!

I have been keeping the dessert party idea in my pocket but haven't had a time slot that it fit perfectly with until now, so I am pretty sure I'm going to book it!

 

[WILDERNESS FAN 55]

Got my ADR's this morning for May trip 18th -26th Tony's Town Square
Nine Dragons(group of 14 we'll see how that goes) SciFi Chef Mickeys (bfast) Kona Cafe (dinner) We'll wing the rest. Any reviews on the Big River Grille in BW ? Never been there might try . Thanks

 

[angelmom27]

Getting excited. Saturday will be my 180 mark. I keep going over the ADRs and still not sure if I am set. Trying to decide if I have too many. I don't want to be limited to what we can do by the ADRs. This is what I have we will see what happens when Saturday rolls around. This is a secret trip for our anniversary kid free. Its hard to keep the secret. So I have to talk to someone about it. We will be staying at CBR first time on property too. May 23rd-27th.

May 24th- Captains Grill, eat around the world, Coral Reef
May 25th- probably just eat at the food court so we can be there for rope drop at HS, Sci Fi, Mama Melroses.
May 26th- looking at Kona, The Plaza, Tokyo Dining
May 27th- Boma, Sanaa. Still not positive about these two.