We're headed back! And this time...I'm NOT pregnant!-We leave TOMORROW!!

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Yes folks! We're headin' back home! And as the title states, this time I won't be pregnant and I won't be missing out!
My DH, Johnny (commonly referred to as "J") and I went in August of 2009 and had a wonderful time! It was his first trip, kind of a make or break thing. Cause if he didn't like it, there was no way he would want to go back for a LLLLLOOOONNNNNGGGG time. Like until our kids were 10 (keep in mind I was pregnant with our first and only)! Ah geez! The pressure to make this an awesome trip! Good news.... it was! J actually told me by the 2nd evening he wanted to come back!
As of yesterday, we figured out our finances would allow us one more trip until our little Emma was old enough to enjoy the fun (BTW, I'm already thinking/planning a trip for her 5th birthday). Besides, I didn't get to experience half of the fun "grown-up" stuff Disney had to offer. So now we're headed back!!
The cast:
Me - Amanda, SAHM to the best little girl in the world! Our little Emma!

She just turned one this month! It's amazing how fast time flies...
Anyway, I also teach at a local community college one night a week. Hopefully I'll get a few more classes this summer for a little extra $$$$ for Disney.
J - Johnny, my wonderful DH who is pretty excited about this trip (not nearly as much as me, but he's still new). Last trip was his first time and I hope to make him fall in love with it even more.
Here's a happy shot of the family at Emma's 1st birthday party!

When:
Our schedules are pretty specific since we're both teachers and J is currently working on his PhD. He plans to be done by the time he's 80.
So we're headin' down August 7-11. Not as long as I'd like, but I'll take it. Seriously, I could probably spend a month at Disney and never be bored.
Where:
Last time we got to experience the beautiful grounds of the Boardwalk Villas!

Our room was incredible and it was awesome to be so close to Epcot and DHS! Although we would have been happy staying there again, we thought we'd try something new. So this year we're staying at....

The Villas at the Wilderness Lodge!!!!
We are sooooooooo excited about this! J would love to live in the mountains, or at least visit more. I figure this is the next best thing.

As you probably figured out, Little Emma will not be joining us. I know, I know, we should start her early! But J and I came to the conclusion that this will probably be the last trip to Disney for just the two of us for a lllllooooonnnnnggggg time. I mean seriously, how guilty would I feel going to Disney if we have a couple of kiddos at home???
One last hoo-ray for us! And we're hoping to do it up right! Hitting all the big kid rides (at least the ones I missed last time since I was 16 weeks pregnant) and maybe having one of those Lemoncello things at Epcot!

We don't have much else planned right now. Although Johnny's one restaurant request was the Garden Grill!

(shot from our last trip)

J LOVED the food! And the atmosphere was pretty cool, too!
So one dining place down, hundreds more to pick from....

Hope you all will stay along for the journey as we head back to the best place on earth!!

Up next:
Narrowing down our favorite thing to do... EAT!!



Links:
A small change...
Flights Booked!!
I get to make ARDs when?!?!
ARD update
Plans for Day 1
Day 2 in the works
On to Day 3!
Planning Day 4.....Really!!!
A Change Here, A Change There...
Just keep planning, just keep planning!
2 Weeks From Today!!
6 DAYS!!

 

[pinkxray]

I am joining in.

Emma is so cute!

It seems like every trip report lately has mentioned Garden Grill. I really want to try it but DD doesn't want to go. The food doesn't look all that tasty in the pictures I see, maybe it is better than it looks?

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Just wanted to share a pic from our last trip as to why I'm so excited about going again. Since I was pregnant, doc said to stay off the big rides. Granted I rode a few that were labeled no-nos for pregos (Mission Space: Green, Safari, etc). I was fine the first couple of days, but after J came off Expedition Everest all smiles and laughing at how incredible it was, it finally hit me that I was going to miss out on a lot with him!
Here's a staged shot

Please don't get me wrong! I was soooo excited to be there!! It just stunk I had to miss out on so much with J!

So we're still narrowing down to some places to eat. What are your opinions on Kona breakfast? I know people love the Tonga Toast, but I heard you can get that at MK??? But the Big Kahuna looks yummy!!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I am joining in.

Emma is so cute!

It seems like every trip report lately has mentioned Garden Grill. I really want to try it but DD doesn't want to go. The food doesn't look all that tasty in the pictures I see, maybe it is better than it looks?

and
Thanks! She is so fun to be around!!
I know GG may not sound/look appealing, but it really was good!
Here's a picture of all the entrees on my plate (they serve you family style, as much as you want)

The turkey with dressing and cranberry, the beef with potatoes, the fish with vegetables (and I'm not a huge fish fan, love things like tilapia), the salad, the dessert!! Everything was pretty tasty! But if your DD doesn't want to do it this time, guess you'll have to try it next time!

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in.

 

[teachermommy78]

Joining in for the fun! Emma is super cute!!! We stayed at WL for our honeymoon. It was gorgeous We are going in June. Feel free to check out my PTR as well!!!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Count me in.

Joining in for the fun! Emma is super cute!!! We stayed at WL for our honeymoon. It was gorgeous We are going in June. Feel free to check out my PTR as well!!!

Welcome aboard!! Thanks so much for joining the fun!!
I am super excited about the VWL!!! I've heard so many people say how beautiful the resort is (just hope I make time to enjoy it )

 

[hollisterluva92]

I'm in! Your daughter is a cutie pie! I've always wanted to try the tonga toast, that is a must do for my next trip! Can't wait for more updates!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I'm in! Your daughter is a cutie pie! I've always wanted to try the tonga toast, that is a must do for my next trip! Can't wait for more updates!

and thanks!!
I know about the Tonga Toast! So many people post pictures of it, now curiosity has got the best of me. But I swear I heard you could buy it in MK for a CS, just not sure where...
I'm trying to narrow down a few more restaurants for us to dine. I'll post them and see what people think!

 

[pinkxray]

I don't think there is anywhere in MK to get Tonga Toast. They do have it at the cs place in the Poly. Captain Cooks, I think. It doesn't look any different but you don't get the sauces that come with it at Kona. I haven't tried it but am really looking foward to trying Kona for breakfast in May.

 

[teachermommy78]

I want to try tonga toast so bad! I've been googling and I find people talk about taking a stop when going TO the MK, getting the toast at the Polynesian CS and then heading back to the MK. The MK is listed in all the posts because they do this on a MK day with a little detour. I haven't found anything in the MK, though.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I don't think there is anywhere in MK to get Tonga Toast. They do have it at the cs place in the Poly. Captain Cooks, I think. It doesn't look any different but you don't get the sauces that come with it at Kona. I haven't tried it but am really looking foward to trying Kona for breakfast in May.

I want to try tonga toast so bad! I've been googling and I find people talk about taking a stop when going TO the MK, getting the toast at the Polynesian CS and then heading back to the MK. The MK is listed in all the posts because they do this on a MK day with a little detour. I haven't found anything in the MK, though.

Darn it! I could've sworn I saw someone post it, but I was probably hallucinating
I'm feeling pretty good about putting Kona breakfast on our list of places to eat. Now I'm just torn between getting Tonga Toast or the Big Kahuna for me and J to split. Agh... So much food to eat, so little time..
Another place we really enjoyed last time was the CS at Morocco (Tangerine Cafe). We ordered a sliders combo and everything was delicious!

The only down side of our meal was that it started to rain!

And then our table was crowded with people just starring at us as we're trying to finish our meal (pretty annoying). So we quickly finished, put on our ponchos and left.
I heard good things about it and we usually love Mediterranean style food. It was delicious! Makes me question if we should try to eat there or go to the TS place, Restaurant Marrakesh? Not sure what people think of it, whether it's worth it or not...

Anyone have some of their favorite places to eat in World Showcase?!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

So I've been checking all the travel sites for airfare and the prices keep going up! Ugh, I swear before I booked our hotel the rates were sooooo much lower! Now it looks like it might cost us more than our hotel!
Anyway, I started playing with the dates of travel a bit and discovered it's usually a little cheaper to fly on Saturday than Sunday. So........

​

We're now leaving August 6th instead of the 7th and we'll be there for 6 days!!!



AND!!!! Since the rates are a little pricier on Saturday nights, we decided to find a different hotel with better weekend rates. For that one night we're staying at...

Animal Kingdom Lodge!! ​

I figure we'll get there sometime Saturday afternoon. So we can rest, relax by the pool, eat (maybe at Boma? Saan? Any suggestions?????). Then be ready to hit the parks first thing Sunday morning!

I am really excited about this trip (if you can't tell)! ​

Now if I could just figure out airfare...

 

[teachermommy78]

Yay for an extra day!!! One of the families we are traveling with LOVED the belly dancer meal a morocco (is that the marakesh?). They said it was really good. Are you DVC members? Or are you renting at VWL?

 

[pinkxray]

Yay for an extra day! I ended up going an extra day b/c of high airfare too. I am so glad the fares were crazy for the dates I wanted to fly b/c now I get to plan an extra day and it will give a bit more time to relax.

I haven't tried any restaurants at AKL other than Boma for breakfast. They all look very good though. I was thinking of trying one but since I couldn't choose I decided not to do any of them.(Strange solution, I know)

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Yay for an extra day!!! One of the families we are traveling with LOVED the belly dancer meal a morocco (is that the marakesh?). They said it was really good. Are you DVC members? Or are you renting at VWL?

I know!! Now I can work out our schedule with maybe a "light" day.
We're renting points from a DVC member. Did it for our last trip and really enjoyed it! Let me know if you have any questions!

Yay for an extra day! I ended up going an extra day b/c of high airfare too. I am so glad the fares were crazy for the dates I wanted to fly b/c now I get to plan an extra day and it will give a bit more time to relax.

I haven't tried any restaurants at AKL other than Boma for breakfast. They all look very good though. I was thinking of trying one but since I couldn't choose I decided not to do any of them.(Strange solution, I know)

Of course I keep checking airfare and they're still high. I think I'll wait it out just a little bit...
I may pop over to the restaurant board and see what people suggest. It looked like a lot of folks were digging Sanaa. Guess I gotta check out allears.net!

Thanks for reading, y'all!!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

As our Disney trip was getting closer (ok, still 6 months+ out, but getting closer!), I was growing more and more frustrated as my search for airfare was continuing to disappoint. Then I remembered that J's mom works for American Airlines and thought just maybe she could get us a discount! Of course when I called her all she's able to offer is standby, which is suicide (who knows when, if ever, you could get on a flight). Bummed, I was about to say ok, thanks anyway, then J's mom said they might have a few airline miles left. Really?!?!? But she would have to check...
So his parents checked their miles, made sure this is what we wanted to use our last possible trip from them for (they also sent us on our wedding/honeymoon to Puerto Rico). And naturally we said "Yes!" So our flights are officially booked for the morning of August 6 and then returning the evening of August 11!!!!! Thank you to my in-laws!!! Now let's just pray the flights aren't messed with by the airlines or anything!
OK!! Now back to the fun of planning our days at the parks, meals, etc!

Up next!
Possible Daily Itinerary!!

 

[melser13]

I just fell across your PTR today and I can totally relate. Did Disney 2 times Preggo and both times the trip was booked BEFORE I was preggo. The first time it really got to me because we had booked Club level and I couldn't enjoy all the perks!
My hubby and I are taking our first trip without kids this year for our 10 year anniversary. To overcome the guilt we are taking them in July for 10 days! Our trip was a surprise to me from him (with the help of my dad's DVC!

Enjoy your planning! I'm interested to see how you plan a trip with no kids. Been too long since I've been there without any!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I just fell across your PTR today and I can totally relate. Did Disney 2 times Preggo and both times the trip was booked BEFORE I was preggo. The first time it really got to me because we had booked Club level and I couldn't enjoy all the perks!
My hubby and I are taking our first trip without kids this year for our 10 year anniversary. To overcome the guilt we are taking them in July for 10 days! Our trip was a surprise to me from him (with the help of my dad's DVC!

Enjoy your planning! I'm interested to see how you plan a trip with no kids. Been too long since I've been there without any!

Hi there! and
I can't believe you went preggers TWICE! It really wasn't that bad, I was just a little bored at times. I actually met another woman who was about 5 or 6 months pregnant and she said she had done Disney during all her pregnancies (she was currently pregnant with # 4!!!). And compared to other theme parks, Disney had a lot more to offer expectants that say a place like Universal. That's probably why I made it a point to try rides like Peter Pan (which was cute!). This time though, I plan to hit as many BIG kid rides as possible!!
How cool you guys get to go adult-only and then again with the kids! It's like the best of both worlds!! We're planning on taking little Emma for her 5th birthday (well, I'm planning). So that'll probably be the next time we get to go for a while.
On a side note, I hope to pregnant soon after we get back. I told J it would be fine if I just happen to get pregnant while at WDW or any time after. Just not before!!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Believe it or not, but the Dallas/Ft. Worth area had some snow/ice storms and we have been home-bound the last 3 days (that's quite a bit for us!)! We may get one snow day, maybe two a year. But never three in a row!! I personally don't mind being cooped up with J and little E (and our pups). But tons of my friends are talking cabin fever!!
Anyway, I have spent a little more time on the Boards since DH was home and discovered something. Ever since we made our hotel ressies I planned on booking our ARDs at the 90-day mark like we did last time. Well, silly me, I just happen to come across the fact that I can now book ARDs 180 days in advance. That would mean I need to call February 7, as in, this coming Monday!!!! WHAT?! I haven't talked with J about the restaurants I had picked or even narrowed down where we'll be what days! Sooooooooooo, on to the crazed planner mode I go!
I have a few places (along with a tentative itinerary) planned. PLEASE let me know what you guys think of the plans/restaurants!
Day 1 (Saturday) - arrive, go to DTD, maybe hit up Wolfgang Puck Express (this place was sooooo good last time!); dinner at Boma since we're staying at AKL this night
Day 2 - get up early and head to MK (hopefully have our luggage sent to VWL with no problems). Get snacks/lunch at MK then go to VWL to check-in/relax. I really want to try Whispering Canyon Cafe! Any thoughts? Maybe go back to MK since they have EMHE and are open til 1am!)
Day 3 - get up early and go to Animal Kingdom for EMHM, lunch somewhere like Restaurantosauras or Flame Tree BBQ; maybe dinner at Garden Grill or Rose and Crown
Day 4 - up early again (notice a trend? I'll sleep when I get home, ha!) and go to DHS, lunch at Backlot Express or Toy Story Pizza? Back up dinner for GG or R & C?
Day 5 - Kona for breakfast (can't wait to try this place!), then hit Epcot ALL day (or at least until we need a break, then head back for more!)!
Day 6 - back up for Kona, then MK, maybe DTD again until we have to leave
So that's it! Whew!! Let me know if you have any suggestions!!