Week After Turkey Day Shenanigans

[CCxmas]

I need some opinions on Akershus!! We skipped it last year but kept our CRT. DD was excited to eat at the castle. Well excited for a tomboy 2 year old. She's a little more into princesses these days but not over the top. We have another CRT this year but wondering about how necessary both would be. Or even do Akershus as something new and skip CRT... So many decisions!!

 

[heath92681]

I need some opinions on Akershus!! We skipped it last year but kept our CRT. DD was excited to eat at the castle. Well excited for a tomboy 2 year old. She's a little more into princesses these days but not over the top. We have another CRT this year but wondering about how necessary both would be. Or even do Akershus as something new and skip CRT... So many decisions!!

We enjoyed Akershus, but felt the princess interaction was a bit more rushed than CRT. The food was good at both.

 

[MonaMN]

I need some opinions on Akershus!! We skipped it last year but kept our CRT. DD was excited to eat at the castle. Well excited for a tomboy 2 year old. She's a little more into princesses these days but not over the top. We have another CRT this year but wondering about how necessary both would be. Or even do Akershus as something new and skip CRT... So many decisions!!

We did them both on one trip, and it was a bit much for us. Between the two meals - we did Akershus on first day and CRT on the last day - we also did the princess meet and greets, so by the end at CRT, DD was kind of underwhelmed by everyone except Jasmine (we hadn't met her yet). DD was 4 at the time.

So I would probably just pick one. I liked them both, but since you have been to CRT, I would maybe do Akershus.

 

[CCxmas]

For all the Dis experts out there!

We are flying into MCO, taking magic express to BC and staying for 6 nights. On the second to last day in the park my aunt is driving up from Tampa to spend the day with us at MK. She will buy a Florida resident ticket (I'm assuming she will). Could she meet us at BC, park there and then all ride the bus to MK together or will she have to park at MK and go to TTC? She hasn't been to Disney in years and I'm trying to make this as easy as possible. lol

 

[Jgeauxmo]

Does anyone know how to book the Pirate League or BBB appointment to your MDE? It won't let me add to dining reservations. I would really like it in there if possible.

You can add notes to your mde app. I did this with the time and confirmation number for my baby's first haircut last February. It worked fine.

 

[plumsiren]

Starting to get antsy - hoping for some new RO discounts soon! Not betting they'll include POFQ but hey, a girl can dream!

 

[heath92681]

Starting to get antsy - hoping for some new RO discounts soon! Not betting they'll include POFQ but hey, a girl can dream!

I'm surprised they haven't been released yet. Maybe when the free dining offer expires?

 

[plumsiren]

I'm surprised they haven't been released yet. Maybe when the free dining offer expires?

Yeah everyone's anticipating mid-July I think.

 

[jlundeen]

Yeah everyone's anticipating mid-July I think.

Here are the discounts released last July: Columns are STAY DATES, DISCOUNT DESC, AVAILABLILITY DATES - I don't think any of them included POFQ, darn it!

10/4/15-12/23/15 10%-25% off room-only rates for general public(blacked out 11/25/15-11/27/15) 7/20/15, exp 9/18/15
10/4/15-12/23/15 discounted package (“Magical Family”) for general public with up to 25% off rooms 7/20/15, exp 9/18/15
10/4/15-12/23/15 discounted package (“Kid-Sized”) for general public with up to 25% off rooms 7/20/15, exp 9/18/15
10/4/15-12/23/15 20%-30% off room-only rates for Annual Passholders (also bookable as AP package) 8/5/15, exp 12/22/15

 

[Jgeauxmo]

I have a 6:05 dinner ADR at bog on 12/1 which is a party night that I'm going to drop soon if anyone wants to coordinate picking it up.

 

[pfeifer14]

Just re-booked my SW airline tickets for the date and time I wanted for cheaper points. So if you are looking to fly to MCO on 11/27, there are several good fare opens up today.

 

[KateSpade79]

Can I join this thread? We were planning to go in the spring but the free dining and Christmas sucked me in. We are booked at OKW 11/26-12/1 then WBC 12/1-12/3. So I missed the 180 window for dining so I'm desperately searching for reservations. I went with our 3 kids last year(Sept.2015) with my in-laws and husbands family. It was the kids first trip and my husband wasn't able to join us. So this will be our first trip as a family. My dh isn't really excited about it so I'm trying to plan a trip he will enjoy and want to come back

 

[heath92681]

Can I join this thread? We were planning to go in the spring but the free dining and Christmas sucked me in. We are booked at OKW 11/26-12/1 then WBC 12/1-12/3. So I missed the 180 window for dining so I'm desperately searching for reservations. I went with our 3 kids last year(Sept.2015) with my in-laws and husbands family. It was the kids first trip and my husband wasn't able to join us. So this will be our first trip as a family. My dh isn't really excited about it so I'm trying to plan a trip he will enjoy and want to come back

Welcome! I've been working on our itinerary, and surprisingly there are quite a few open dining reservations available. I haven't seen BOG or Ohana, but many others like Akershus and Garden Grill have recently come available. Make sure you check out the November cancellation thread too!

 

[KateSpade79]

Welcome! I've been working on our itinerary, and surprisingly there are quite a few open dining reservations available. I haven't seen BOG or Ohana, but many others like Akershus and Garden Grill have recently come available. Make sure you check out the November cancellation thread too!

Yes, I've been stalking that thread I'm trying my best planning our schedules but also wondering about a few things- will AK be open late hours? We really want to see the Star Wars fireworks and Fantasmic (missed it last trip) will we be able to do this on 1 night or will need to plan for 2?

 

[heath92681]

Yes, I've been stalking that thread I'm trying my best planning our schedules but also wondering about a few things- will AK be open late hours? We really want to see the Star Wars fireworks and Fantasmic (missed it last trip) will we be able to do this on 1 night or will need to plan for 2?

I have the same questions I think we're all patiently waiting for those answers!

 

[Iowamomof4]

Yes, I've been stalking that thread I'm trying my best planning our schedules but also wondering about a few things- will AK be open late hours? We really want to see the Star Wars fireworks and Fantasmic (missed it last trip) will we be able to do this on 1 night or will need to plan for 2?

They are currently scheduling the SW fireworks 30 minutes after the start of Fantasmic, which does NOT give a person enough time to try to find a good viewing location for the fireworks. AK should be open later than currently scheduled, but probably not as late as it is during the summer.

 

[KateSpade79]

Our first trip last year we had FD and basically booked character meals. While I'm glad we did that for that trip my kids are older DD 13, DS 10, & DS6 and it isn't really a big deal to them. We are the weirdos that might prefer no characters and want good food. So last year we ate at-
CRT breakfast, Crystal Palace dinner, 'Ohana dinner, Akershus lunch, BOG breakfast and dinner, Sci-Fi, California Grill, 1900 Park Fare breakfast

Now I'm tempted to book new things but I keep coming back to a few of these. I'm trying to get my $$ worth and picking what we like. If you have any new suggestions please share we like all kinds of food! This is what I have so far-

Sat-arrive lunch at DS Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang puck express/possibly dinner at Olivia's at OKW
Sun- MK day and California Grill at 7:15pm (would like a BOG lunch or 1900 Park Fare breakfast)
Mon- probably DHS but possibly Epcot right now Via Napoli (haven't been there would be OOP) Sci-Fi 5:15pm (it was ok last year but struggling with options in DHS
Tues- Epcot and 'Ohana 8:35pm (reason I can't switch DHS because of fireworks)
Wed- ending at MK no reservations yet (would like BOG dinner or lunch)
Thursday- CP package never done this before got Akershus at 2:20 and NPH 8:15
Friday- no free dining but day to do anything we've missed

 

[kellyjeanie]

Our first trip last year we had FD and basically booked character meals. While I'm glad we did that for that trip my kids are older DD 13, DS 10, & DS6 and it isn't really a big deal to them. We are the weirdos that might prefer no characters and want good food. So last year we ate at-
CRT breakfast, Crystal Palace dinner, 'Ohana dinner, Akershus lunch, BOG breakfast and dinner, Sci-Fi, California Grill, 1900 Park Fare breakfast

Now I'm tempted to book new things but I keep coming back to a few of these. I'm trying to get my $$ worth and picking what we like. If you have any new suggestions please share we like all kinds of food! This is what I have so far-

Sat-arrive lunch at DS Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang puck express/possibly dinner at Olivia's at OKW
Sun- MK day and California Grill at 7:15pm (would like a BOG lunch or 1900 Park Fare breakfast)
Mon- probably DHS but possibly Epcot right now Via Napoli (haven't been there would be OOP) Sci-Fi 5:15pm (it was ok last year but struggling with options in DHS
Tues- Epcot and 'Ohana 8:35pm (reason I can't switch DHS because of fireworks)
Wed- ending at MK no reservations yet (would like BOG dinner or lunch)
Thursday- CP package never done this before got Akershus at 2:20 and NPH 8:15
Friday- no free dining but day to do anything we've missed

Have you tried the Reservation Finder at Touring Plans? Even though I booked right at 180 I have been changing things since then - it found me an 8 am Akershus and a 1900PF dinner. It might be worth checking out if you are looking for something specific (BOG) or if you want to change your times.

I feel you on the DHS options. We're doing H&V w/Minnie this time but I have little kids. We love trying new things but with the kids we're torn between characters and something more interesting! We're trying Sanaa and Marrakesh this time for our more adventurous meals. For Epcot, if you did Akershus last time have you considered maybe doing a different restaurant for the CP? We loved Biergarten.

 

[KateSpade79]

Have you tried the Reservation Finder at Touring Plans? Even though I booked right at 180 I have been changing things since then - it found me an 8 am Akershus and a 1900PF dinner. It might be worth checking out if you are looking for something specific (BOG) or if you want to change your times.

I feel you on the DHS options. We're doing H&V w/Minnie this time but I have little kids. We love trying new things but with the kids we're torn between characters and something more interesting! We're trying Sanaa and Marrakesh this time for our more adventurous meals. For Epcot, if you did Akershus last time have you considered maybe doing a different restaurant for the CP? We loved Biergarten.

Thanks for the suggestion on dinner. Now I have a Biergarten booked too on 11/30 and a 6:45 show so do you think we could make the parade and wishes at MK?? We didn't see either one our last trip except from California Grill and all the party nights are killing me!

 

[kellyjeanie]

Thanks for the suggestion on dinner. Now I have a Biergarten booked too on 11/30 and a 6:45 show so do you think we could make the parade and wishes at MK?? We didn't see either one our last trip except from California Grill and all the party nights are killing me!

I know what you mean, the party nights make it difficult to see Wishes!! As far as making it over to MK after CP, sounds pretty tight but doable if the CP gets done around 7:30 - possibly parade at 9 and Wishes at 10? You'll be hustling but it should work out. We're hoping to hop from Epcot to MK on 11/30 as well for Wishes, not sure of timing for us yet.