We Want to Go to DISNEY, not the Beach! Updated ADRs 5/1

[creativeamanda]

A month ago, that was not what my children were telling me. We were booked for 11 days with free dining in June. And we were steadily paying down the bill. When I heard words that froze my heart:

"Mama, we don't want to go to Disney this year. We would rather go to the beach."

My heart broke. Slowly, though, I gathered myself up. If they weren't going, I was going.

I cancelled the trip.

I booked a solo trip.

I planned away.

Then, all of the sudden, the kids were talking about Disney again. Only problem was this: I had let go of free dining and picked up a room only discount and free dining was over as an option. And I didn't even know if I wanted them to change their minds again.

Until my oldest said this:

"Mama, I regret saying I wanted to go to the beach. I want to go to DISNEY, not the beach."

Aw, Sweetie, I've taught you well.

So I started talking to my husband. We agreed on going towards the middle of June, which is a blessing in disguise because tomorrow we'llhave our third snow day this school year and since we are both teachers, we would not be able to use the free dining offer anymore.

So these are our plans:

Resort: Beach Club Resort
10 Day MYW with PH
Disney Dining Plan
Celebration: Both DH and I are new National Board Teachers

Us:

Introductions:

Me--Amanda
Age: 36
Occupation: Special Education Teacher
Favorite Disney Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite Restaurant: Cape May Cafe

DH--Dan
Age: 40
Occupation: 8th Grade Math Teacher
Favorite Disney Park: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Soarin'
Favorite Restaurant: Liberty Tree Tavern

DD#1: Sweetie
Favorite Disney Park: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Expedition Everest
Favorite Restaurant: Cape May Cafe

DS: Stinky
Favorite Disney Park: Epcot
Favorite Ride: Test Track
Favorite Restaurant: Chef Mickey's

DD#2: Boo
Favorite Disney Park: Magic Kingdom
Favorite Ride: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Favorite Restaurant: Crystal Palace

So, join us in our planning! And share tips with us as we go along!

 

[creativeamanda]

Welcome and Introductions (above)

Why Not the Beach?

I'm Goin' Home

ADRs 1.0

ADRs Version 1.2 Already

The Beach CLUB, not the Beach

Visions of Disney Past. . .2007

Visions of Disney Past. . .2008

Double Digit Dance

Port Orleans or Beach Club, that is the question

Disney Past--2009 Part One

Disney Past--2009 Part Two

Dec 2009, AKA You're By Yourself?

OT: 5K?

Practice Car Packing 5.0?

PAID IN FULL!

June 2010, aka Maracas and Sombreros

June 2010, part 2

Shopping, My Favorite

Updated ADRs

 

[natebenma]

Sounds great so far! Can't wait to read more. Great intro and pictures of your family!

Dee

 

[creativeamanda]

Sounds great so far! Can't wait to read more. Great intro and pictures of your family!

Dee

Thanks! And

 

[creativeamanda]

Ah, the beach. My kids really do love the beach. We've spent many days there, and our last extended visit was Labor day weekend 2009. Which is why I was not surprised when they asked about going to the beach this summer. After all, the last trip was so very relaxing. . .

But this is the thing: we live 45 minutes from the beach. We can go to the beach for a day trip anytime and then sleep at home that night.

So for now, Disney will remain our destination.

 

[natebenma]

We love the beach, too! We live 15 minutes from the coast, so we are also able to go when we want in the summer. But a lot of our friends will still book a week's stay at one of the local beaches or Cape Cod.

We have never been to the Carolina beaches, but they look amazing. We are tropical folk- the Caribbean is the place for us!

So we can understand the conflict between Disney and the beach. They are two totally different vacations, with different attitudes and opposite amounts of relaxation.

 

[creativeamanda]

We love the beach, too! We live 15 minutes from the coast, so we are also able to go when we want in the summer. But a lot of our friends will still book a week's stay at one of the local beaches or Cape Cod.

We have never been to the Carolina beaches, but they look amazing. We are tropical folk- the Caribbean is the place for us!

So we can understand the conflict between Disney and the beach. They are two totally different vacations, with different attitudes and opposite amounts of relaxation.

I think the beach doesn't really hold mystic for us, but I know a great deal of people who live around us who spend a month at the beach every summer. They wonder how we can go to Disney so often. I wonder why they would pay so much to go somewhere less than an hour away.

 

[Reddy]

My mom wonder when I said we would go back to Disney
then she started looking at my scrap books

 

[creativeamanda]

My mom wonder when I said we would go back to Disney
then she started looking at my scrap books

My scrapbooks are the stpale in our home--I use them all the time and the kids love looking back at them. When my husband says no more, I mention looking at the books to the kids and they start asking their dad. He can't say no when he realizes how much they love it!

 

[creativeamanda]

Sometimes there are places that regardless of how long it's been since you were there last, you take one step there and you are home again. I grew up in a small town in South Carolina--Saluda--and when I get as far as the intersection between Highways 391 and 378, also known as the Traffic Circle, I feel like I'm home. I spent 17 years of my life there and although it's been 9 years since I've been there, all I have to do today is close my eyes and I'm there again. When I turn the corner of the 1/4 mile dirt driveway to my house, I get that feeling. And when I get here, I get that same feeling:

It doesn't matter which room I'm in, whether it be in Building 28 or Building 14 in Alligator Bayou, I have the same feeling when I get to Port Orleans-Riverside that many equate with going home. I look forward to the friendly faces, the "hellos" and "have a magical day's". I look forward to walking a winding path with the awkward concern that maybe I'm really not going the right way, after all. Most of all, I look forward to a week away, knowing it's just the five of us for some time. No outside world, no work problems, no students, no drama.

It's just us, at home.

The way it's supposed to be.

 

[TinksThree]

Hi! I'm subbing! I love your last post on POR...I know exactly what you mean!! I am craving getting back to PO (although it will be POFQ this time) almost as much as going to any of the parks! Those beach pictures are beautiful! Is that the Outer Banks? I have always wanted to go there.

 

[creativeamanda]

Hi! I'm subbing! I love your last post on POR...I know exactly what you mean!! I am craving getting back to PO (although it will be POFQ this time) almost as much as going to any of the parks! Those beach pictures are beautiful! Is that the Outer Banks? I have always wanted to go there.

I also love POFQ! I stayed there in 2009 for my solo trip and it was wonderful--everything was close!

The pictures are of Edisto, in the southern part of South Carolina. I've lived in NC for a while and have never been to the Outer Banks, either. It's something I'll have to remedy.

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

I am here YAY new PTR

 

[TinksThree]

I also love POFQ! I stayed there in 2009 for my solo trip and it was wonderful--everything was close!

The pictures are of Edisto, in the southern part of South Carolina. I've lived in NC for a while and have never been to the Outer Banks, either. It's something I'll have to remedy.

Is that close to Charleston? We have discussed a long weekend trip to Cahrleston and possibly going to the beach as well. We love North Carolina...one of our favorite places!!

 

[creativeamanda]

I am here YAY new PTR

YAY! Hallie's here!

Is that close to Charleston? We have discussed a long weekend trip to Cahrleston and possibly going to the beach as well. We love North Carolina...one of our favorite places!!

It is just south of Charleston--about 20-30 miles!

 

[creativeamanda]

Let's face it. . .I'm addicted to making online ADRs. As is the case for addictions, you have to want to change before the addiction can release its hold on you. And here, I'll give you a profound statement. . .




I don't want to change. I have no desire to make a change. I plan to live in my addiction as long as I can.

It doesn't hurt anyone.

Really, it doesn't. I promise.

And here's another little tidbit--I know I have more meals than meal credits. That's also Okay. It's cheaper still like this than addidng the Deluxe Dining Plan.

So without further adieu, here is my ADR list, the 1.0 release.

Because you know that it's going to change soon. . .

Tuesday, June 7:
Dinner: Cape May Cafe

Wednesday, June 8:
Breakfast: Kona Cafe (New--never done breakfst here)
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern

Thursday, June 9:
Lunch: Chefs de France
Dinner: Ohana (NEW)

Friday, June 10:
Lunch: 50s Prime Time Cafe (NEW)
Dinner: Grand Floridian Cafe

Saturday, June 11:
Dinner: Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose's

Sunday, June 12:
Lunch: Le Cellier

Monday, June 13:
Dinner: Teppan Edo (NEW)

Tuesday, June 14:
Breakfast: Crystal Palace

So, there you have it. Dan and I are thinking of adding in dinner for just the two of us on June 12. We need to first see the hours of the Neverland Club. We may send the kids to Neverland while we have dinner at Narcoossee's. But for now, this is the 1.0 version. And I'm too tired to make changes today.

 

[SadieDog]

I so enjoy your pics.

 

[creativeamanda]

I so enjoy your pics.

Aw, thank you. You are so sweet.

 

[natebenma]

Tuesday, June 7:
Dinner: Cape May Cafe

Wednesday, June 8:
Breakfast: Kona Cafe (New--never done breakfst here)
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern

Thursday, June 9:
Lunch: Chefs de France
Dinner: Ohana (NEW)

Friday, June 10:
Lunch: 50s Prime Time Cafe (NEW)
Dinner: Grand Floridian Cafe

Saturday, June 11:
Dinner: Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose's

Sunday, June 12:
Lunch: Le Cellier

Monday, June 13:
Dinner: Teppan Edo (NEW)

Tuesday, June 14:
Breakfast: Crystal Palace

OK, love your reservations! But I'm more than glad to hear about how your plans evolve.

The first step to addiction is knowing you have a problem. But since you don't really WANT to change (the addiction, not the reservations), then enjoy yourself! Now, what is your drug of choice: On-line or talking to the nice 407-939-DINE people (I didn't even have to look that up!)

I love Disney food! That is MY addiction. The restaurant theming, the ease of meeting characters without lines, the selection of food you can't readily get back home. I think I look forward to the meals, more than the rides and shows. Thankfully, the family likes all that other stuff, so I get to indulge!

In fact, the title of my next trip report is "More photos of my food than of my kids. Is that wrong?". And I don't even have a trip planned yet.

You have some of our favorites on the list: Cape May Cafe, Kona Cafe breakfast (the Macadamia Pineapple pancakes are my FAVORITE thing at the World), Le Cellier and we really liked Mama Melrose. I also really like Teppan Edo, but its been years since we've have been there- I want to go back but there are still so many other places. The food was delicious at 50's Prime Time.

We have never been to LTT, Chefs, Grand Floridian Cafe, or breakfast at Crystal Palace, but I have read lots of raves about the places.

The only one that was "meh" for us was Ohana this year, but it really wasn't the restaurant's fault. We planned it on the last night of our trip, it was a later reservation than we would have liked and we were all so exhausted following a week of punishing touring that we did not appreciate the meal.

Can't wait to see how and what you tweak!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Amanda, I'm really loving your list of ADRs right now! It is one great line up!