What do I want for my birthday? How about a kid-free Disney trip? April/May 2016 PTR

[Chelley00]

Welcome welcome!

I'm starting this pre-trip report because I've never planned a Disney trip for adults! It's a lot harder than I thought!!


A little background so you can help me make all my decisions!


Me:
I'm a 40 something (crap) wife to 1, mom to 4. We have 2 in college and 2 left at home, so my duties as basketball/soccer/swimming/Scouts/gymnastics/art/karate taxi mom are slowly dwindling. I'm an non-profit account by day and evenings usually find me scrapbooking, reading or obsessively planning whatever trip we are taking next.

DH:
He's a 40 something (much, much older than me) warehouse guy. He's content to let me plan the trips and rule the world at home. He's my outdoors "rather be fishing, hiking or on the motorcycle" guy.

This is us on a little weekend getaway this summer

Every trip we find ourselves saying things like "well, if we take a trip without the kids, we could XYZ" or "I'd love to eat at blah blah blah but the kids would hate it". The more we talked about it, the more we really wanted to take a trip around my birthday in late April. Every trip we've taken has been during Food and Wine (other than when DD and I went for our girls only trip) and I've always wanted to go for Flower and Garden. Our only hurdle was our 2 youngest kids. Who would babysit? How would they get to school and activities?

Until ILs worked out a plan of how they could keep the kiddos and get them to school every day. I was given the green light to book it!


So, for right now we have POFQ booked April 29 - May 6 for our first ever adults only trip!



And I need a lot of help!! Anytime I ask DH, he says "it's your birthday - do what you want"

 

[Chelley00]

We've booked POFQ with dining plan and 4 day tickets, thinking maybe we would have 2-3 days left open for hanging around the resort, Disney Springs, maybe even trekking over to Seaworld (I have an annual pass) or Universal for a day.

Now, my first iffy decision is the resort. I've only stayed Poly and AKL. DH stayed at the Poly both trips when he was younger. We've visited POFQ for breakfast (gluten free beignets!) and walked around so I felt comfortable booking there.

However, we plan on spending a lot of time at Epcot, at least 2 full days and maybe another evening, so I'm really really toying with switching to one of the Epcot resorts. Plus, we've never been to the Boardwalk and I really want to spend an evening walking around there.

So, if anyone is reading, which deluxe would you chose?

 

[Chelley00]

My next issue is the dining plan. I like the dining plan for the convenience of having everything paid for and knowing the expectations. However, if I guess at numbers, I'm thinking canceling the dining plan and paying OOP would save us at least $100.

 

[kadrachb]

Joining in! I'm also going in May, a little bit later than you though. The 17th - 25th.

So, if anyone is reading, which deluxe would you chose?

For an Epcot resort I'd choose the Boardwalk. Yacht club will be under renovations (I think) and Beach Club maybe be too hectic if you wanted something relaxing. Plus, I prefer full balconies, and since there is chance of not getting that with Beach Club I'd do Boardwalk. If out of all the resorts you mentioned, it would end up being between AKL and Boardwalk. We stayed at AKL last year and loved it, plus with a discount you may be able to swing club level for the price you would have paid with a regular room at the Boardwalk.

My next issue is the dining plan. I like the dining plan for the convenience of having everything paid for and knowing the expectations. However, if I guess at numbers, I'm thinking canceling the dining plan and paying OOP would save us at least $100.

I keep going back and forth on the dining plan for us, too. But the more I think about it, the more I think I would make less ADRs and end up being disappointed that we didn't do some places. You can use a disney dining calculator! Also, remember now they have the new rules at QS places, with the sides/desserts. I think thats another thing that kept me with the DDP, because instead of getting two desserts between my boyfriend and I, we could get a side and a dessert to share.

 

[anniebean]

My next issue is the dining plan. I like the dining plan for the convenience of having everything paid for and knowing the expectations. However, if I guess at numbers, I'm thinking canceling the dining plan and paying OOP would save us at least $100.

Unless they offer it for free, I'd cancel. That's a lot of food.....and I can throw down some food. After a couple of days, I'm just not as hungry and it's almost like "we've got to eat again?" As embarrassing as this may be to my husband, we've been to places like Citricos, and I've been so full that I've only ordered mashed potatoes, and a glass of wine. Classy, I know.....

 

[Chelley00]

For an Epcot resort I'd choose the Boardwalk. Yacht club will be under renovations (I think) and Beach Club maybe be too hectic if you wanted something relaxing. Plus, I prefer full balconies, and since there is chance of not getting that with Beach Club I'd do Boardwalk. If out of all the resorts you mentioned, it would end up being between AKL and Boardwalk.

I'm really going between YC and BWI. I thought BC looked a little too busy and seemed more "kid heavy" than YC. Not that we don't love kids since we have quite a few but I'm really wanting to stay someplace where we lessen the chance of being surrounded! I'll have to keep an eye out for YC refurb dates. Thanks for the heads up.

Unless they offer it for free, I'd cancel. That's a lot of food.....and I can throw down some food. After a couple of days, I'm just not as hungry and it's almost like "we've got to eat again?" As embarrassing as this may be to my husband, we've been to places like Citricos, and I've been so full that I've only ordered mashed potatoes, and a glass of wine. Classy, I know.....

I've done the regular dining plan a couple of times. I've found we do okay meal wise doing CS for lunch and TS for dinner. However we almost always kept our CS desserts for late night snacking and spent our snack credits to bring stuff home for friends

 

[Chelley00]

Why oh why does Disney offer so many great options for everything? Resorts, restaurants, activities etc? It really makes it hard to chose sometimes!!

I think we've decided to upgrade our resort as long as a discount comes out for our time frame. I'm leaning BWI just so we can spend some time exploring the Boardwalk, but DH hates the pool He said we spend many evenings in the pool/hot tub and he doesn't want to see that clown in the dark because it's creepy enough during the day!

We are using a TA friend for the first time this trip, mainly because I was gone when it was time to make ADRs and I was really worried I would either forget to get up and do them or not have a chance to take the time to do them. Bless her for getting up early the day after Halloween and grabbing good reservations!

April 30 (my actual birthday) California Grill
May 1 Ohana
May 2 Le Cellier
May 3 BOG (may try to change to Skipper Canteen depending on what details come out)
May 4 Rose & Crown (TA booked Coral Reef as I had asked but I talked myself out of it and switched it)
May 5 Narcoossees

We've never been to California Grill, Rose and Crown or Narcoossees. DH has never been to Le Cellier except for F&WF booth.

The only one I'm not thrilled about is BOG only because we've been there before and it was nice, but not crazy wow. Just not many options in MK and this is the night we have planned to stay for Wishes so I don't want to really leave the park and come back. Just really not sure if I change it, and if I do, which MK restaurant? We've been to Liberty Tree, Crystal Palace and Cinderella's. We've never been to The Plaza or Tony's. Thoughts?

 

[LizardQueen8]

Joining in! My trip overlaps with yours a bit and I am also currently booked at POFQ. I'd also love to upgrade to a deluxe if a good discount comes out, but I'm flying solo this trip so it will all depend on what is available at what price. I can't help you much with restaurants as I am mostly a CS girl (I do have BOG dinner booked, because this will be my first trip since it opened and I really want to do the Beast M&G), but I have stayed at the Beach Club with a group of adult women and we loved it. I didn't feel surrounded by kids at all! The day I spent at the pool I just went closer to the YC side of Stormalong Bay and it was lovely and quiet. And no scary clown head (MAN that clown head is terrifying) .

 

[kadrachb]

April 30 (my actual birthday) California Grill

I love California Grill! So good. It's great because if you aren't eating around the time of Wishes, as long as you can show your receipt at the check in desk they'll let you back up to see the fireworks. Also - the sundae sampler is so good.

 

[Chelley00]

I have stayed at the Beach Club with a group of adult women and we loved it. I didn't feel surrounded by kids at all! The day I spent at the pool I just went closer to the YC side of Stormalong Bay and it was lovely and quiet. And no scary clown head (MAN that clown head is terrifying) .

See, I love the feel and the look of BWI but crap, the clown just doesn't make me want to stay there. At all.

I love California Grill! So good. It's great because if you aren't eating around the time of Wishes, as long as you can show your receipt at the check in desk they'll let you back up to see the fireworks. Also - the sundae sampler is so good.

Our reservations are late enough that we should be done with dinner or at least close to the end for Wishes. I'm excited. It's one of those places I've always wanted to try but not with the kiddos.

 

[Chelley00]

Decision made. If a discount comes out, we go deluxe. Now, we wait.



So, some daily plans, must dos:

April 28 - Thursday (possible departure day)

Right now the plan is to leave after DH gets off work and makes it home to shower, unless he takes 1/ day off so we can leave earlier. That puts us on the road around 4. We are toying with flying but, right now the flights aren't cheap. I'm watching the flights so we will see. If we fly, we won't leave until Friday.

Not to mention, I HATE to fly. HATE. I can do it. I have done it, but I find I end up spending my first day recovering from being tense for 3 hours and then the last couple of days I dread getting back on a plane to go home. We honestly don't mind the drive. So more than likely, we leave the 28th and drive until we are tired. I'm enjoying not having to make a hotel reservation. With the kids we usually make reservations so we have an end spot with a guaranteed room. Since it's just us, we can wing it.

 

[Chelley00]

April 29th Arrival Day

More than likely, we will arrive late afternoon/evening.

If we stick with POFQ, we will check in, eat CS for dinner and then walk to POR to watch Yeeha Bob. We've heard so many good things about him but never seen him.

If we upgrade to BC or BWI, we will check in, again do CS for dinner and then head to Jellyrolls, another first for us.

I'm excited to have two easy fun options for our arrival day.

 

[kadrachb]

Our reservations are late enough that we should be done with dinner or at least close to the end for Wishes. I'm excited. It's one of those places I've always wanted to try but not with the kiddos.

Last year we timed it just right that we ordered our desserts, and went out to the balcony for Wishes about 10 minutes before hand. Our waiter held out desserts until we got back.

Decision made. If a discount comes out, we go deluxe. Now, we wait.

I'm also playing the waiting game with discounts! While we can afford the GF without one... one would be nice, and going through sticker shock and wanting to switch resorts is now happening.

Not to mention, I HATE to fly. HATE.

I used to have an aunt who hated flying (she's now divorced from my uncle), and my uncle would have to carry her off the plane because of the sleeping pills she had to take.

 

[Chelley00]

I used to have an aunt who hated flying (she's now divorced from my uncle), and my uncle would have to carry her off the plane because of the sleeping pills she had to take.

My DH would gladly carry me off the plane but considering I weigh a million pounds more than I used to (4 kids will do that to you!) it may not be physically possible!!

 

[drdisneygirl]

I am so excited for you to have an adult only trip! My husband and I just returned from our first trip without kids.... we stayed at POFQ and loved it!!! The resort is so romantic and beautiful, especially at night! If you stay at POFQ, make sure you get a Hurricane..... it's one of the signature bar drinks there and is so good! We found that the trip was much more relaxing with just the two of us. While we missed the kids (ours are in college) we found that we enjoyed the freedom of being able to do whatever we wanted on this trip. You will have so much fun!!!

 

[Chelley00]

I am so excited for you to have an adult only trip! My husband and I just returned from our first trip without kids.... we stayed at POFQ and loved it!!! The resort is so romantic and beautiful, especially at night! If you stay at POFQ, make sure you get a Hurricane..... it's one of the signature bar drinks there and is so good! We found that the trip was much more relaxing with just the two of us. While we missed the kids (ours are in college) we found that we enjoyed the freedom of being able to do whatever we wanted on this trip. You will have so much fun!!!

Thanks for the vote on POFQ. I'm really worried about staying there so it's nice to have a positive review. I'm not sure I'm loving the fact that there isn't a quiet pool. Also, we spend quite a bit of time on the balcony on our off times, so I know I'm going to miss it. But if we upgrade to deluxe that takes away some of our "fun money"

 

[Chelley00]

April 30

Happy Birthday to me!!!


I know all the touring plans and crowd calendars and everything say to avoid MK on a Saturday, but it's my birthday and I want to see the castle!

I'm really planning on a laid back relaxed trip. We'll make our 3 must do fastpasses for the day and honestly, if we ride nothing else, I'm almost really okay with it. Our kids are movers and shakers and there isn't a lot of down time. We practically run from ride to ride I'm really looking forward to just wandering around, enjoying the small details we usually miss.

So, for today, once we hit that castle, we are going to turn left and hang out on that side of the park for the day.

Our 3 must dos for this day will include my favorite Disney ride:


This is a terrible picture during Hallowishes taken with my phone while walking because my good camera battery died in the middle of MNSSHP, but please appreciate the fact that the wait time says "13" minutes.

I love Haunted Mansion. I love Halloween, but not necessarily creepy, gory, bloody Halloween. I love the fun, lighthearted, costumes and candy Halloween. And I love MNSSHP. We go twice every one of our "every other year" trips. This October was an off year and we still came to Disney mainly to do MNSSHP. I adore Haunted Mansion for the non scary fun. The first year we took my mom to Disney with us (her first trip ever) she bought me a ceramic light up Haunted Mansion as a thank you.


We'll also need to see a few pirates

We didn't get too wet in October so I'm hoping our luck holds out. If we get drenched maybe we'll check the wait time for Splash afterwards and go double or nothing for soaking

And since Big Thunder Mountain will be in refurb (Boo - so glad we rode it twice in October) will replace that with a little slapstick humor on Jungle Cruise.

I know some people really hate this ride but I love it! It makes me laugh every time.




Also on our list for this day will be some of the things DH has never experienced:

Hall of Presidents (I know I have a picture of this from a previous trip but cannot find it anywhere!)

Maybe some Tom Sawyer

And the kids always want to skip the Liberty Belle *insert whiny "It takes too long" here*

We will need to leave MK around 4-5pm I think, to get back to the resort, clean up and then head to our dinner reservation, our first ever trip to California Grill!!

I'm super excited for CG. Usually our ADRs revolve around character dinners or "fun" restaurants so I can't wait to finally do a "big boy restaurant". Our TA snagged a great time, so hopefully we will either be there for Wishes, or can watch Wishes right after dinner.

 

[ashw100]

Joining in. Loving the plans so far. Its funny 3 of your dining reservations are the same as our just a day off. The discounts came out this week so I hope you were able to get what you wanted.

 

[Chelley00]

Happy dance! The discounts finally came out and our lovely travel agent was on it. A few days before it was announced, she asked about what we were willing to change to as far as resorts, tickets, rooms etc. I just gave her our room and board budget and told her to run with it. So now, we are staying at:

I squealed. I really did. We've NEVER been to the Boardwalk and I'm really excited to be able to wander around and watch the entertainment and walk to Epcot and DHS.


Still not a fan of the creepy clown pool, but thank goodness for quiet pools!

 

[Chelley00]

Here's my dilemma today. We have a 7:30pm ADR for California Grill, which would be perfect if Wishes is at 9. Looking at the park hours, Wishes is at 10. The only other time available right now is 9:10. Should we keep what we have or switch to the 9:10. Would we have a shot of being seated before Wishes with a 9:10 ADR or should we just eat at 7:30 and then hang out at the Contemporary until 10. Heck, with that, we could walk back over to MK and watch Wishes from there.