Waiting patiently (NOT) for our Grand Gathering trip in 4 days!

[janloz]

Hi everyone,

Starting pre-trip reports about our plans for Nov. 29th-Dec 6th trip to only WDW for DS 11th birthday with a few surprises along the way. We have park hoppers with Deluxe Dining.

First our cast members:

Myself (40) Janet: Admitted disboards addict who enjoys planning all the family trips for years including a few other surprise trips. Trying to make sure everyone has great trip with a few magical moments.

DH (41)Dave : Just goes with the flow and enjoys the planning I do so he doesn't have to.

DS10 (Shark) now: Extremely excited to celebrate his 11th bday at WDW and has planned he whole day already.

DD7 (Bear): Just like mom, loves EVERYTHING disney.

Kids nicknames will be used to protect the innocent.

This was taken last summer during family vacation to Cape Cod. One of the few moments they get near eachother without fighting.

My love of Disney shows in their choice of Halloween costumes. DD worn this again for CRT breakfast during 2006 trip.

DM (67) GrannyJoyce : My mom, great helper and early riser, flying down with us.

DMIL: (67) Granny-Granny: Spoiler of grandchildren.

DFIL (69)Poppy: Early riser, spoiler of Grandchildren, too, recent retireree.

DSIL (40)Aunt Suzie: Teacher, will join the tale later.


The kids know that DM is joing us but not DMIL, DFIL & DSIL.

11/29: DH, DS, DD, DM and myself are using FF miles on USAir to fly to Orlando through Charlotte and should arrive about 12:30pm. Booked tickets prior to new 1 bag/person rule so we can each bring 2 for free. DMIL/FIL are using our United FF miles and flying through Chicago and arrive about 3pm. We are taking Magical Express to POP.

We are all staying at POP Century prefered rooms, this will be our 2nd stay there and we like the proximity to Main Hall and buses. We will have connecting room with DM so DS will stay in her room. We have arranged a POP fridge/coffeemaker swap since DH & DFIL must have morning coffee. I actually agreed to organize the swap so we could get the exact dates we needed. We still have dates open if interested, send me a PM. I plan to order 2 cases of water and 1 case of small bottles of Gatorade to be shipped to hotel to save some money. We have Staples Premium customer card so shipping is Free.

Hopefully, we will be able to get into rooms upon arrival since we should be at the hotel around 1:30-2pm. If so, plan to settle in while DH takes kids to resort arcade/store. If not, we will check luggage and jump on the first bus that arrives and go off to that park. I don't like to plan too much for the first day incase flights are delayed.

Since kids don't know DFIL/MIL are coming, we want to be out of POP before their arrival. For ADR, we are planning to book Cape May around 6pm. NOW the fun part. While we are waiting to be seated for dinner, we will call MIL/FIL to "let them know we arrived ok" and let them talk to the kids. And have them tell the kids they wish they could have joined us for the trip and when the kids say us too we will have MIL/FIL walk around the corner to the restuarant. We will definitely have the video and digital cameras ready for the moment.

After dinner, we will walk to Epcot and enjoy a little bit there.

More to come....

 

[janloz]

We are getting Deluxe Dining planned ADR are:

Breakfasts
Chef Mickey's
Lilo & Stich Breakfast
Crystal Palace
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (B)
Donald Safari Breakfast

Lunches
50's Prime Time
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
Coral Reef
Kona Cafe or Grand Floridian Cafe

Dinners
Cape May Cafe
California Grill
Whispering Canyon B-day dinner
Teppan Edo with Candlelight Processional



Also hope to visit:

Main Street Bakery
Boulangerie Patisserie (France)
Beaches & Cream


Since we have so many people going, we gave each person the opportunity to pick their favorite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We did this our last trip and no one complained they didn't get to pick somewhere to eat. Plus they don't get to complain about someone elses choice. "You got to pick ______, this time was ____'s turn to pick." It works great. We are trying to pick some restaurants in the hotels this time since we will be visiting while the christmas decorations are up and we can enjoy the different ones at each hotel plus see the gingerbread creations in each. I am still waiting for the selections for DH, DMIL/FIL, DSIL.

 

[janloz]

Update time:

Now that school is out and we are getting closer to our trip, I thought I should put more time into the PTR.

Here is what I got for ADRs

11/29 (arrival day): Cape May Cafe 7:05pm

11/30: Crystal Palace 8:20am
Tony's Town Tavern 12:30pm
50's Prime Time 7:05pmpm

12/1: Akerhaus 8:30am
Coral Reef 11:40am (Got Diver)
Teppan Edo 6:30 CP dinner

12/2: Boma 8:20am
Flame Tree (CS)
Le Cellier 7pm just DH and Me
1900's 6:05pm (my mom & DD)
Chef Mickeys' 6:20pm (DS, MIL, FIL)

12/3: Chef Mickey's 8:50am (DS 11th bday)
Sci Fi 12:10pm
Whispering Canyons 5:30pm then Wishes Celebration cruise

12/4: Breakfast at Pop
BBB @ 10am
Wolfgang Puck 12:30pm (5 of us) have to wait for 180days
Brown Derby 12pm (3 of us)
Kona cafe 5:20pm (after photopass session at Poly and before MVMCP)

12/5: Breakfast at Pop
Garden View Tea at GF 2:00pm
California Grill 5:30pm

12/6: Ohana Breakfast 10am (departure day)

I was jumping up and down, I got everything we wanted within 30min of the time we wanted despite with having to call twice. I got through at 6:59am and the CM wanted my conf. number for POP which I didn't have handy (didn't know I needed it). She REFUSED to take any ADR past 11/29. Found it and called back was on hold for 20 min and second CM never even asked for it. No problem, got everything I wanted, now I can relax for a few weeks until time to book stuff at 90 days.

I was able to get the Diver to bring a Birthday greeting to DS for his 11th bday and make personalized menus for DS, DD and another for Mom, MIL, FIL and DH. Debbi at CR is amazing and very helpful.

My DS was disappointed that TL will be closed while we are at WDW since he wanted to do the Surfing Lesson but we will find something else special to do. I am waiting to book the CP dining for Dec 1st, right now Patti LaBelle is the scheduled preformer. Neither thrilled or disappointed about that. We are also trying to get Wishes Celebration cruise for DS's bday night on 12/3 but can't book until 9/4.

 

[Mocharilla]

Yay! Another PTR to read!

It all sounds so good so far! The surprise of your ILs sounds like fun!


On a side note, our son's name is Jacques LeBel, and with my Irish heritage, my mom wanted to name him Patrick. So, Nic and I go "Patty LeBel?" and she's like "Oh, no. Good point"

 

[janloz]

Yay! Another PTR to read!

It all sounds so good so far! The surprise of your ILs sounds like fun!


On a side note, our son's name is Jacques LeBel, and with my Irish heritage, my mom wanted to name him Patrick. So, Nic and I go "Patty LeBel?" and she's like "Oh, no. Good point"

I should have know one of my swappers would be the first to post. Welcome.

Good point about the name. I was hoping for someone different but it also says "tentative" next to her name on the list, so you never know.

 

[janloz]

I have a dilemma regarding which Section of Pop to request. Maybe some of you can help?? We are booked into preferred area again. Since we have MIL/FIL and my mom with us, we wanted to be closer to buses, food court, etc. The last time we stayed in 60's section on the far left side (basically right under Moglee in attached thread) on 2nd flr. It was nice and quite, but a hike to buses, etc. This year, I was considering staying in 50's section bld 3 and requesting ground level room for ILs and 2nd flr for us. (you can read between the lines ) I think it would be a good spot since it is close to bowling pin pool and Daisy Pool plus Main Building. Has anyone stayed in this area??

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17643531&postcount=2

 

[Mocharilla]

I should have know one of my swappers would be the first to post. Welcome.

Good point about the name. I was hoping for someone different but it also says "tentative" next to her name on the list, so you never know.

Haha! Of course it would be!

Yeah. I agree. Doesn't sound like the most exciting. Hopefully it changes to someone better.

I have a dilemma regarding which Section of Pop to request. Maybe some of you can help?? We are booked into preferred area again. Since we have MIL/FIL and my mom with us, we wanted to be closer to buses, food court, etc. The last time we stayed in 60's section on the far left side (basically right under Moglee in attached thread) on 2nd flr. It was nice and quite, but a hike to buses, etc. This year, I was considering staying in 50's section bld 3 and requesting ground level room for ILs and 2nd flr for us. (you can read between the lines ) I think it would be a good spot since it is close to bowling pin pool and Daisy Pool plus Main Building. Has anyone stayed in this area??

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17643531&postcount=2

I have yet to stay, but we requested 50's for our August trip, so, assuming we get it, I can let you know then how it is.

 

[Couturier]

I subbed! I cant wait to read all about your fun planning!

Dana

 

[Couturier]

I have a dilemma regarding which Section of Pop to request. Maybe some of you can help?? We are booked into preferred area again. Since we have MIL/FIL and my mom with us, we wanted to be closer to buses, food court, etc. The last time we stayed in 60's section on the far left side (basically right under Moglee in attached thread) on 2nd flr. It was nice and quite, but a hike to buses, etc. This year, I was considering staying in 50's section bld 3 and requesting ground level room for ILs and 2nd flr for us. (you can read between the lines ) I think it would be a good spot since it is close to bowling pin pool and Daisy Pool plus Main Building. Has anyone stayed in this area??

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17643531&postcount=2

Okay, I am sure you read this on the "other" thread, lol. BUT... We stayed in the 70's BLDG on the top floor on the back side. It was VERY quite and we could just cut through the parking lot and grounds area to get to and from the bus fast. I think this time, I am going to get CRAZY and request bowling poolside!

I can not wait to hear what else you write!
Dana

 

[janloz]

I think we have decided to request the rooms on the pool side of the 50's building in the preferred area. I would like to try a different area of the resort and that area seems to be quite but still have the pool access. I am not sure how much we will use the pools during last week of Nov-first week of Dec but would still like the option. Of course the kids will be in the pool even if the temps aren't that warm.

 

[Couturier]

I think we have decided to request the rooms on the pool side of the 50's building in the preferred area. I would like to try a different area of the resort and that area seems to be quite but still have the pool access. I am not sure how much we will use the pools during last week of Nov-first week of Dec but would still like the option. Of course the kids will be in the pool even if the temps aren't that warm.

I cant wait to hear how it worked out for you! That will give me time to get my request in, lol. We leave Feb 20th!

Dana

 

[janloz]

Since we have so many people going, we gave each person the opportunity to pick their favorite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We did this our last trip and no one complained they didn't get to pick somewhere to eat. Plus they don't get to complain about someone elses choice. "You got to pick ______, this time was ____'s turn to pick." It works great. We are trying to pick some restaurants in the hotels this time since we will be visiting while the christmas decorations are up and we can enjoy the different ones at each hotel plus see the gingerbread creations in each.

I wanted to let everyone know who picked which restaurant and why:

Bear: She is my very FUSSY eater, breakfast is her favorite meal of the day and will pretty much eat all breakfast foods. She refuses to eat red meat (don't know where she got that from , everyone else in the family eats it). She would live on pasta with butter, peanut butter crackers, pizza and chicken nuggets if we let her. But not cooked chicken, she told us once "I don't like that, there is no nugget on it!"

Akerhaus Princess Breakfast: What 7 year old wouldn't want to have breakfast with the princesses? Or her mother either. This is girl's morning.
Coral Reef: We ate dinner here during our last trip and everyone loved the food and atmosphere. We are doing lunch this time and thanks to Debbi, we will have diver with sign and personalized menus. (Shh, that is a secret!)
Teppan Edo We have a similar restaurant in our town which we frequent. It is better know as "place where they make fire on the table." She typically only eats the japanese noodles so we will see what she will eat there.

My mom let Bear take her breakfast choice so after seeing photos in a TR she decided on:
Boma: In AKL. Her exact words after seeing the huge pot of warmed syrup and Mickey waffles was "Looks like heaven!" We will be eating there before our day in AK. We have never been to AKL so this will enable us to see the Christmas decorations there too.

Next up, Shark's choices.

 

[janloz]

Shark is celebrating his 11th birthday on Dec. 3rd and picked his ADR very carefully. During last trip, we celebrated DD's and DH's bday so this trip was planned around DS's. He is the fun and games guy and his choices reflect that, we ate at all of these restaurants during our trip in 2006 except Sci-Fi. He will eat pretty much anything or at least try it even sushi.

Chef Mickey's:] for breakfast on bday. We ate dinner here last time and wanted to try the breakfast instead. The perfect way to start a birthday.
50's Prime Time: originally was going to be lunch on bday but decided to change to dinner during EMH late at HS. This is one of the kids favorite places to eat and we wouldn't consider not eating here. They loved the fact that "Uncle Tim" gave us all nicknames, his was Sparky, mine was High Maintenance. And then when SIL got put in the corner for not keeping her elbows off the table, they lost it.
Whispering Canyons Cafe: We ate dinner here on the last night of our 2006 trip and it was great. We had Prarie Grass Skirt as our waitress and she was wonderful with our group especially the kids. They were really into yelling for ketchup, horse races (son won) and all the happenings. Again, I got called High maintenance here, do I see a pattern or just ask for too many things at dinner?

DH didn't pick lunch choice so Shark got to pick lunch on bday as well so his choice was:

Sci-Fi: we have never eaten here but it looks fun. We will have to see if we keep ADR since Shark MUST see the Lights, Action show and it is usually only at 1:20pm or 4pm in off season so we would have to see 1:20pm so we could get to WCC on time.

Next Granny Joyce's choices.....

 

[Couturier]

YUMMY!!!! I think they picked GREAT places.

Excited to hear what Granny will like!

Dana

 

[Mocharilla]

We're going a lot of the same places on our trip, so they must be good.


Excited for grandma's choices!

 

[cjhinch]

How exciting to have so many family members there together! Your kids will be so spoiled! LOL

When we stayed at POP, we were in Building 5 on the front right hand side. It was pool side, but still close to the busses!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[janloz]

Sorry for the delay, it has been a busy weekend.

Granny Joyce (name give by Shark when he started to talk and it stuck) is my mom and this is the second trip for her with us to WDW. We requested a connecting room with her at POP so Shark can be in her room. She watches the kids each Friday since they were born and can't wait to spend time at WDW again. On with PTR and Granny Joyce's picks.

Cape May Cafe: For our last trip, she wanted to eat here but after reading some bad reviews we decided not try it but since we are on the Deluxe dining plan this time we decided to try it. Many of the items on buffet are some family favorites since we spend a week on Cape Cod, MA each summer so we figured it was a safe bet for our first night but then again, it has a lot to live up to since we are from NE. At this dinner, my MIL/FIL will surprise the kids since they do not know that they will be joining us.

Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe" We have eaten at WGP restaurants in Las Vegas and we all really liked the food so she wanted to try it at DTD location. The menu had a lot of items to please all the members of our group. Mom will be doing the Yultide Tour prior to this lunch so will meet up with us in DTD since we will spend the morning there at BBB and shopping.

Mom gave her breakfast choice to Bear.

 

[janloz]

Granny-Granny & Poppy (also named by Shark) will be surprising the kids one the first day of our trip. Aunt Suzie will be joining us late Tuesday but probably won't see the kids until Wednesday during bday breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We have been trying hard to keep this a secret from the kids. A few minor slip up but we were quick to cover for them so hopefully, they won't find out until we get there. The kids spend most afternoons with MIL/FIL and will be with them for most of the summer when not in camp. Aunt Suzie is a school teacher and spends a lot of time with the kids. We are a close family both in distance and otherwise.

If you didn't guess, they didn't pick a lot of the ADRs. Many of the restaurants that Shark, Bear and myself picked were ones that they wanted so they only had a few they wanted, so here they are:

Brown Derby: MIL/FIL/SIL picked this one and will be eating here while others eat at WGP Grand Cafe. I checked the menus and the offerings really didn't apppeal to the kids and they really wanted it so this seemed to be the best compromise.

Up next, Dave's choices.

 

[janloz]

Dave and I met in High School and have been together ever since. 24 years this year (married 16 years in Oct). He is a great husband and father and is really looking forward to visiting WDW again. He goes with the flow and puts up with my complusive trip planning. He loves a good burger, steak, sushi, ok pretty much any good food.


Le Cellier: Dave picked this one for our "date night". Shark and Bear will be going with grandparents to dinner that night, more info to follow. Dave is a big fan of a good steak dinner and loves Epcot so this seemed like the logical choice. I think his exact words were "I don't care and since you did all the research, where should we eat that I can have a good steak meal?" I have read a lot of good reviews so we will be trying it.

Flame Tree BBQ: We ate here during our last trip and really liked the food plus the quickness of the service. Plus the ducks running around the tables were a big hit with the kids. We are both fans of the pulled pork sandwiches.

For his breakfast, he picked the food court at POP. This means that he can sleep in a little later then the other mornings that we have ADRs at buffets which is a key thing for him. He is also not a big breakfast eater so quick breakfast at POP before trip to DTD works.

Up next, my choices.

 

[Couturier]

I am so excited for you! Deluxe dining!!!! WE are going to see about doing it too, but I am just unsure. It sounds like your hubby and mine feel the same way about food, lol.

Excited to hear what you the "educated planner" will choose.

Dana