Update 9-11 MCS!...Can we keep it a surprise???? Our June trip to WDW w/ pics

[dddisrunner]

I definitely think you will find stuff to do at AKL to make it worth the trip! I have heard great things about the counter service their and I know their is animal watching and CM's to answer questions! I will def. do some research anout it while we are there!

 

[j_lehr]

Joining in! Your girls are so cute!! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am hoping to get pregnant after we come home from Disney too! I actually think lately I think more about that than Disney!

You're itinerary looks great. I also wish we had more down time...this trip we are definitely taking long afternoon breaks because of the crowds! Plus, there is so much to do at Disney outside the parks. I love the campfire idea and going to AKL. If your girls like animals, AKL could be a really good choice for you to see them, especially since you arn't going to AK. I also heard that there is a hidden mickey scavenger hunt over there, although I have never tried it...but we might this trip.

How about visiting the Poly? I am not sure how hard it will be to get ADRs 90 days out but you never know? We loved O'hana's (only had breakfast there) and we loved watching the fireworks from the beach. From what I have read, you can't use the pool unless you're a guest but you are allowed to go on the beach.

We also really liked Disney Quest...the last time we went was in 2000 because it was part of our package and my DD was 7 then. I didn't think she would like it but we ended up going back there a few times that trip. She loved the animation studio.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Looking forward to more...
Jes

 

[Charleston Princess]

I know Hannah will tame the slide easily... she loved the WL slide. I do think that Emily will brave the POFQ one... watch out for that wild child. Plus we will for sure go down to POR for a pool day too, so we will have that slide to have fun on too!

We are planning on heading over to Riverside for a couple of afternoons, too, to swim in their pool. I love the idea of there being two themed pools to slide in! Plus, the boat ride if we want!

I definitely think you will find stuff to do at AKL to make it worth the trip! I have heard great things about the counter service their and I know their is animal watching and CM's to answer questions! I will def. do some research anout it while we are there!

AKL would get my vote, too, for a resort to try. In fact, we are planning on doing just that one of our days. If you eat there, the Zebra Domes are to die for! The Mara sells them -- yummy, yummy! The gift shop is fantastic, too!

 

[IluvXU]

I love your PTR so far. I'll be staying at POFQ in Oct., so I'll be anxious to read your review. I'm also secretly jealous of the rest days you have planned. I always say I'm going to take a day off from a park when I'm at Disney, but I always seem to break my own rules!
I agree with what everyone else said for ideas: pool time, resort hopping, DTD, FW campfire, etc.
Maybe even renting a boat at POR would be fun?
Good luck keeping a surprise. I'm taking my younger sis as a surprise in Dec., and I have no idea how I'll manage to protect this secret until then!
Can't wait to hear more!

Rest days are the only way dh will agree. We went two days of parks, rest day, two days of parks, rest day, park day this past trip and it worked for us!
Boat rental is a great idea!
An so far still not telling anyone about our WDW trip here at home... no grandparents, friends, etc.... that way we can keep it from the girls.

I definitely think you will find stuff to do at AKL to make it worth the trip! I have heard great things about the counter service their and I know their is animal watching and CM's to answer questions! I will def. do some research anout it while we are there!

Thanks for being a researcher for me! I am thinking AKL for an afternoon/evening- see what is happening!

Joining in! Your girls are so cute!! Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am hoping to get pregnant after we come home from Disney too! I actually think lately I think more about that than Disney!

You're itinerary looks great. I also wish we had more down time...this trip we are definitely taking long afternoon breaks because of the crowds! Plus, there is so much to do at Disney outside the parks. I love the campfire idea and going to AKL. If your girls like animals, AKL could be a really good choice for you to see them, especially since you arn't going to AK. I also heard that there is a hidden mickey scavenger hunt over there, although I have never tried it...but we might this trip.

How about visiting the Poly? I am not sure how hard it will be to get ADRs 90 days out but you never know? We loved O'hana's (only had breakfast there) and we loved watching the fireworks from the beach. From what I have read, you can't use the pool unless you're a guest but you are allowed to go on the beach.

We also really liked Disney Quest...the last time we went was in 2000 because it was part of our package and my DD was 7 then. I didn't think she would like it but we ended up going back there a few times that trip. She loved the animation studio.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

Looking forward to more...
Jes

Thanks for joining! Poly is on our dining list - we skipped O'Hana's last time, so for sure we are headed there this trip!

We are planning on heading over to Riverside for a couple of afternoons, too, to swim in their pool. I love the idea of there being two themed pools to slide in! Plus, the boat ride if we want!

AKL would get my vote, too, for a resort to try. In fact, we are planning on doing just that one of our days. If you eat there, the Zebra Domes are to die for! The Mara sells them -- yummy, yummy! The gift shop is fantastic, too!

Zebra domes- sound yummy have to do some research!

 

[IluvXU]

Dining!

Now this area made me nervous as we planned this 90 day out trip during the busy summer touring season! I am one who knows my 180 plus ten days mark and calls that day (and of course I make changes) but I have the plan and get for the most part what I want (LeCellier last August, Chef Mickeys, Norway). So what is a girl to do when you only have half that many days and you know all the DISers and planners have their resies already?

So once I had the lady book my POFQ room I said now let's make some dining plans.

Here is what I made that day (notice I say that day:

Saturday Princess Dinner at Norway
Sunday Dinner at OHANAs
Tuesday Park Fare Dinner at Grand Floridian

Not too many... we ate some great meals last August, but really I don't need or want to plan a sitdown everyday this trip. RELAX is our key word for the trip... not run to ADRS. Especially on Park Days.

Why these meals were chosen you might ask:
We have to eat with princesses, especially Snow White. She is most often at the Norway meals at EPCOT. We have had breakfast the past two trips, so I am ready to try dinner-the menu has some possible food that we would enjoy.

OHANAs was a cancel last trip.. we just stayed at WL and ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe.... however as a family style meal Em can eat for free and Hannah can get some Hannah food. DH really liked this place when we went there our first time in 2003, so we are headed back.

Park Fare- a buffet, so Em is free and we like well the Princess Characters. I thought the stepsisters would be a hoot too.

I wish I could find a non-park meal with Mickey and the Gang, other than Chef Mickey's. I have grown a little tired of that place for dinner.

We are also not big breakfast eaters... so the breakfast buffets are not our thing.

This also allows us to dine at DTD- counter service Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express a time or two if we want.

Perhaps if we try to see the move at Ft. Wilderness we will try their buffet one night-

Or Mara's at AKL?

However changing ADRs is where I tend to go crazy... so this will and has already changed a little. I am always up for some suggestions!


What I did learn is... gasp... you can make ADRs at restaurants you like at the 90 day mark....

 

[Charleston Princess]

Dining!

Now this area made me nervous as we planned this 90 day out trip during the busy summer touring season! I am one who knows my 180 plus ten days mark and calls that day (and of course I make changes) but I have the plan and get for the most part what I want (LeCellier last August, Chef Mickeys, Norway). So what is a girl to do when you only have half that many days and you know all the DISers and planners have their resies already?

So once I had the lady book my POFQ room I said now let's make some dining plans.

Here is what I made that day (notice I say that day:

Saturday Princess Dinner at Norway
Sunday Dinner at OHANAs
Tuesday Park Fare Dinner at Grand Floridian

Not too many... we ate some great meals last August, but really I don't need or want to plan a sitdown everyday this trip. RELAX is our key word for the trip... not run to ADRS. Especially on Park Days.

Why these meals were chosen you might ask:
We have to eat with princesses, especially Snow White. She is most often at the Norway meals at EPCOT. We have had breakfast the past two trips, so I am ready to try dinner-the menu has some possible food that we would enjoy.

OHANAs was a cancel last trip.. we just stayed at WL and ate at Whispering Canyon Cafe.... however as a family style meal Em can eat for free and Hannah can get some Hannah food. DH really liked this place when we went there our first time in 2003, so we are headed back.

Park Fare- a buffet, so Em is free and we like well the Princess Characters. I thought the stepsisters would be a hoot too.

I wish I could find a non-park meal with Mickey and the Gang, other than Chef Mickey's. I have grown a little tired of that place for dinner.

We are also not big breakfast eaters... so the breakfast buffets are not our thing.

This also allows us to dine at DTD- counter service Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express a time or two if we want.

Perhaps if we try to see the move at Ft. Wilderness we will try their buffet one night-

Or Mara's at AKL?

However changing ADRs is where I tend to go crazy... so this will and has already changed a little. I am always up for some suggestions!


What I did learn is... gasp... you can make ADRs at restaurants you like at the 90 day mark....

Yummy! Are you planning on doing the Dining Plan or just paying OOP?

 

[IluvXU]

Yummy! Are you planning on doing the Dining Plan or just paying OOP?

Out of pocket... the dining plan was a lot of food for us and a lot of sit down meals, not an easy thing at times with a two year old.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Out of pocket... the dining plan was a lot of food for us and a lot of sit down meals, not an easy thing at times with a two year old.

That's true -- I remember those days!

Thank goodness they are eventually able to sit down through an entire meal .

 

[DisDancerina]

That's true -- I remember those days!

Thank goodness they are eventually able to sit down through an entire meal .

How old is yours? 21?


That's when my brother could

 

[Charleston Princess]

How old is yours? 21?


That's when my brother could

That's too funny!

Nope, they are only 10 and 8 -- there are still moments -- luckily, Disney's restaurants are so entertaining, they tend to behave better .

 

[klj27]

I just caught your new addition when you posted on another trip report. When I looked more closely I saw you were planning another trip. How exciting for both events!

I think POFQ is the perfect choice. You will love it there. We are going next week for a shorter trip than we are used to. We decided to skip DH and AK this trip also. I am not even disappointed.

Back to the XU game.....

 

[IluvXU]

I just caught your new addition when you posted on another trip report. When I looked more closely I saw you were planning another trip. How exciting for both events!

I think POFQ is the perfect choice. You will love it there. We are going next week for a shorter trip than we are used to. We decided to skip DH and AK this trip also. I am not even disappointed.

Back to the XU game.....

Thanks for joining in! It is an exciting time... we move in a week too! Let me know if it hard to skip the two parks... I kinda am sad, but know that we will have fun no matter what!

A little sad about the Musketeers.... at least we know they will play next weekend!

 

[dddisrunner]

Congrats on your ADR's but changes are always inevidable aren't they

 

[askelton]

Congratulations on the baby! What a cute family you have. You'll have a blast on your trip!
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[IluvXU]

Congratulations on the baby! What a cute family you have. You'll have a blast on your trip!
​

Thanks for joining in. We are excited!

 

[IluvXU]

Dining Take 2​

Once again...I made change pretty quick. I did some research... which normally is done at the plus 180 date. I realized that our Norway dinner would be quite costly... holiday rates apply the month of June! Yikes! If I am paying that much maybe I should see if we can get Cinderella's Royal Table- at less than 90 days. When I called I could get a breakfast time at 9:10 on the Wednesday we had planned MK. But that means giving up precious early morning park time.... but greedy me, I booked and paid for it. (You can cancel and get $$$ back, but if I called back it would be gone)
I also made reservations for Norway at EPCOT for lunch on the Saturday, a little cheaper meal than dinner.

But looking at that menu- lunch was missing the dinners I wanted.... so I called again a day later.

And this time more changes.

I canceled the 9:10 breakfast on Wednesday in the Castle because I got the lunch on Saturday, our first park day at the Castle. While we had planned to be at EPCOT, it would be no biggie to change which park what day... so we did. I canceled the Norway lunch too.

But I also now am taking the family to MK on a Saturday, which supposedly is the park of choice for Gay Days. (Probably why I can eat in the Castle)... so I am thinking this one over and still know that I could switch back to an EPCOT day and have dinner with the Princesses at EPCOT that night.

I also made a Norway dinner resie for our EPCOT day... in case we do not see Snow White and need more princess time that day.

So here is our latest plan:

Friday arrive

Saturday June 7- MK and lunch at the Castle

Sunday OHana's

Monday- EPCOT (Norway dinner???)

Tuesday (Park Fare Dinner-we are cancelling this probably...if we keep castle lunch)

Wednesday- MK

Thursday Head home!

I am positive that I need to make some decisions, so input advice is appreciated.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think it looks good. If you end up canceling 1900 Park Faire, are you planning on making a different dining reservation? Do you want it to be a character meal?

 

[IluvXU]

I think it looks good. If you end up canceling 1900 Park Faire, are you planning on making a different dining reservation? Do you want it to be a character meal?

I think I will make another dining reservation. I want to see the main gang, or at least part of them.... but not Chef Mickey's. That is what makes it hard, I am not sure where to make the reservation at.

 

[IluvXU]

Moving Week! We close on our new house today and are starting to make the big move this week. Hopefully by the time the Movers come on Thursday the new house will be ready. Once this move is over... I will need to focus on WDW- we won't have too long to go.

As a side story.... we were at my parents house and Hannah was looking at a WDW album from an earlier trip with my parents. There were pictures of POFQ (we stayed at Riverside and swam there one afternoon). DH looked at me.... isn't that where we are staying.... right in front of Hannah! I was horrifed...and said maybe our next trip! Later that night I reminded him that he will be the one to blow the surprise!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think I will make another dining reservation. I want to see the main gang, or at least part of them.... but not Chef Mickey's. That is what makes it hard, I am not sure where to make the reservation at.

What about the Cape May Cafe breakfast? They have the main gang. But that's breakfast...

There is also the Garden Grill, but that's at Epcot.

Hmmm...I am not being very helpful .