Whats Better Than Champagne and OJ? A May '18 PTR COMPLETE 5/12

[iheartbelle87]

Finishing MK

Our countdown is at 66 days! I've been avoiding pictures of the Flower & Garden Festival like the plague because I want to be 'surprised' when I get there, is that weird?

Anyway our day will be starting off with... a ride in a Minnie Van.

What has everyones experiences been like using the Minnie Van? Mom and Dad wouldn't be okay with using 'regular' Uber or Lyft as they are convinced they are not safe...

To where?

To here!

We have an 8:05am PPO at Crystal Palace- a first for all of us!

After dining with Pooh & Co, the plan is to over to Fantasyland/New Fantasyland and hopefully get the chance to use a FP+ for 7DMT. Other attractions on our must do list (aka: everything we didn't get to do two days prior)

- Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid
-Mickey's Philarmagic
- Its A Small World
- Tomorrowland Speedway (Adam really wants to do this otherwise, we'd skip)
- Carousel of Progress
- Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
- Space Mountain (if Adam wants to. Otherwise Mom/Dad/I can skip... Mom and Dad are ride chickens
for this and I like it but its not a must do)

Lunch is at at Liberty Tree Tavern at 12:10pm (you might remember we were going to eat here on arrival day, but swapped it out for Beaches & Cream).


Then, back to the Beach Club for an afternoon of pool and margaritas!
Or, maybe a Cocojito?

(not my photo...or my hands).
​

 

[Raeven]

Our countdown is at 66 days!

We're around 56 days!

I've been avoiding pictures of the Flower & Garden Festival like the plague because I want to be 'surprised' when I get there, is that weird?

I've looked at them all. But I did go last year too.

Lunch is at at Liberty Tree Tavern at 12:10pm (you might remember we were going to eat here on arrival day, but swapped it out for Beaches & Cream).

I think we might be going there now too!

 

[kastoney]

Sorry to hear one o your nephew's isn't going, but it sounds like that is better for everyone anyway. And as a party of 3, I can attest getting reservations for a smaller number is most definitely easier!

Looks iike you all have some great plans and restaurants planned. Question though, aren't you going during Flower and Garden? I didn't see where you were actually doing any of the booths. May be worth skipping a TS to focus in on the booths

 

[iheartbelle87]

We're around 56 days!

YAY!

I've looked at them all. But I did go last year too.

haha It's kinda like when people can't decide if they want to know the gender of their baby...either its a 'surprise' when do you want to know the surprise? #ithinkijusttookittoofar

I think we might be going there now too!

Awesome! have you been before? I think its good, but when I'm on vacation I like to eat things I don't typically eat at home (within reason ) so it's not a must do for me, but I've never had a bad meal there!

Sorry to hear one o your nephew's isn't going, but it sounds like that is better for everyone anyway. And as a party of 3, I can attest getting reservations for a smaller number is most definitely easier!

Thanks! I agree, I think it's going to great for everyone!

Looks iike you all have some great plans and restaurants planned. Question though, aren't you going during Flower and Garden? I didn't see where you were actually doing any of the booths. May be worth skipping a TS to focus in on the booths

Excellent point!! I will definitely be having some snacks from the food booths but my parents are really set on 3 TS per day... I guess life is about compromise.... haha!

 

[iheartbelle87]

Hollywood Studios

As we all know, DHS is more of a half day park right now. After a morning of finishing up Magic Kingdom and an afternoon at the pool, we will be taking a Friendship Boat from BC to DHS. This is Dad's favorite park, and last time we were there together I was 16... so i'll be interested to see what exactly he loves about it Just to clarify, I'm not bashing DHS, I like it, but it's not my favorite.

Anyway, once we use our last FP at MK that morning I'll be trying to get some FPs for DHS. Unfortunately this means TSM FP may be 'sold out' by the time I get around to securing our DHS FP, but Mom and I talked and she had a good point- Adam doesn't know that TSM exists, so if we skip it won't be a big deal. Or if he insists that not riding TSM will ruin his day, I will gladly stand in line with him while Mom and Dad do something else as Dad would never wait 120+ min in line for something (can't blame him, tho). I think it'll be easier to 'skip' TSM since Adam has never ridden it.... I, however, will shed a tear as we walk by. BUT we could get lucky and score a FP.

Ok, enough Rambling.

.


We should plan to arrive at DHS by 4:20pm as we have a 4:45pm ADR at Hollywood and Vine. Ideally our ADR for H&V would be later, but 5pm is the last ADR you can get for the Fantasmic Dining Package...

That is all I'll say about that plan. God, I am so sassy this morning. Maybe it's because I lost an hour of sleep last night? #thanksdaylightsavings


We should make sure to catch the 6pm Indiana Jones Show as its the last show of the day

Hopefully we can get a FP for Star Tours for Mom, Adam and I. Mom showed Dad a Youtube Video of this attraction - he said he'd wait outside on a bench for us

Muppets 3D Vision & Voyage of the Little Mermaid will be up next

After some shopping, stopping for photos, etc we will make our way Fantasmic (is there a name for that area/theater?)

I'm not sure that Adam will want to ride Rock'n Roller Coaster or ToT... Mom and I agreed that if wants to ride Rock'n Roller Coaster I'll go with him, and if he wants ToT Mom will ride. I HATE elevators. I've gotten over my fear of them somewhat, but still hate them. So the idea of ToT is a nightmare for me (no pun intended )

I plan on getting a Frozen Golden Margarita at Anaheim Produce as well as some popcorn to enjoy while watching Fantasmic

We'll see if Mom, Dad and Adam want to stay for the entire show or want to leave 1-2 min early to avoid crazy crowds. The Star Wars Fireworks are at 9:30, so we will have to decide if we want to stay for these or not. Epcot is open until 11pm, and I'd like to make a beeline for the IG after Fantasmic to get a few more food booth snacks/drinks in, but its not all about me


Next Up... Animal Kingdom!
​

 

[iheartbelle87]

Animal Kingdom

Our last day. I'm sad already!

We have a 7:35am ADR at Boma

I'm so excited! I've eaten dinner at Boma multiple times, but never for breakfast!

Mom actually requested we eat here, which I loved! She wants to show AKL to Dad as she mentioned they want to take a trip to WDW together and stay here. Mom and I stayed at AKL September 2012 and enjoyed ourselves.

After stuffing our faces at breakfast, we will take a Disney Transportation bus to Animal Kingdom

FP goals:

Na'vi River Journey 9am-10am

Kilamanjaro Safari 10:30-11:30am

Kali River Rapids 1:15-2:15pm

We love AK, so the only attraction we don't plan on riding is Expedition Everest #ridechickens

We have a 12pm Yak & Yeti ADR ... another first for all of us! Originally Mom thought The Nephews would like the Rainforest Cafe better, and the only lunch ADRs for 5 people at Yak & Yeti were 11:30 (too close to breakfast, especially if we want to get a morning snack... which we do) or 1pm (too late).

After Yak & Yeti we're finally going to ride Kali River Rapids! Idk why, but I LOVE this attraction!! It was closed during my 1/2017 trip with Mom, and DH and I didn't make it to AK 5/2017 thanks to crazy crowds. Can't wait!

After lunch and KRR, we will need to reevaluate how we are feeling and if we want to go back to the hotel to relax at the pool

Our last ADR of the trip is at Cape May Cafe at 7:10pm!

Hopefully we'll make it back to AK for River of Lights but probably not

FP day is this WEDNESDAY! I'm usually getting dressed for work at that time so I'll need to make sure I'm by the laptop with my carefully written out plan of attack!

​

 

[Raeven]

Unfortunately this means TSM FP may be 'sold out' by the time I get around to securing our DHS FP,

Though there should've been TSMM FP's open during our week there wasn't any left for even 6 days out when my week opened. We aren't going to HS, but I looked in case I saw one and that changed my mind but there wasn’t any so I feel better about skipping Hs.

I'm so excited! I've eaten dinner at Boma multiple times, but never for breakfast!

Breakfast is awesome!

 

[iheartbelle87]

Though there should've been TSMM FP's open during our week there wasn't any left for even 6 days out when my week opened. We aren't going to HS, but I looked in case I saw one and that changed my mind but there wasn’t any so I feel better about skipping Hs.

Crazy!! I totally get skipping DHS this time around... but can't wait for Toystory Land!

Breakfast is awesome!

Yay!! Wish I was eating breakfast there today

 

[Raeven]

Crazy!! I totally get skipping DHS this time around... but can't wait for Toystory Land!

Me too! I’m so excited to see it in Sep.

Yay!! Wish I was eating breakfast there today

Same!

 

[PrincessAshlee]

I'm back to the Disboards and all caught up on your plans!! Which all look great!!!

I know what I'll want to do... get a dole whip! The first (and only) time I tried a dole whip was January 2017, and while it was very good, the weather cold so I feel like I'll enjoy it more when its hot outside!

Try the dole whip pineapple upside down cake. It's sooooo good!!

I love The Nanny!! It's possible that I may own the entire series on dvd.

On the bright side... getting ADRs for four people is MUCH easier than 5

Also, Nephew #2, who is still going, has no one to fight with

So true about avoiding the sibling fights! Plus like you said, you can focus all of your time on spoiling Nephew #2.

My parents offered DH to come with us, free of cost. DH seriously considered this for about 18 minutes... and then declined. The idea of sharing a hotel room with everyone really turned him off .. idk why?

Yeah, I don't blame him. I would never want to share a room with my in-laws.

Dinner: Minnies Seasonal Dine at Hollywood & Vine Dinner (Fantasmic package)
Please don't judge me on this ADR As I stated before, I ate here for the first time 1/17 and the food was blah.

Personally, I'd like to use a FP for Fantasmic instead of getting the Fantasmic package, but I've read that the seating for Fantasmic FP+ is not as good... thoughts? Also, Dad LOVES all things DHS so getting a 'good' seat for Fantasmic is important to him.

I have not been to Hollywood & Vine before, but we are considering it for our October and/or December trips. I have not heard very good thing about the food, but the characters look so cute in their holiday outfits! Maybe if I expect the food to be terrible, I will be surprised and it won't be that bad.

I was also looking to book the Fantasmic dining package and while we really like Mama Melrose, the cost for the package is a lot more than what we normally spend there. I would definitely stick with the dining package over getting a FP+. We got a FP+ on our last trip, but didn't end up using it. We left because the fastpass seating was all the way at the very edge of the theater and was already over half full even though we got there at the beginning of the fastpass window. It just wasn't worth it to us, we could have been seated in the exact same spot on the other side of the theater in the standby seating area. The majority of the seating (and all of the good center seating) is now reserved for dining packages.

After some shopping we'll take the Friendship boat over to the Moroccan Pavilion. Yes, I know its quicker to walk. BUT Dad's knee has been bothering him and I think a little rest for the feet after a morning in FW will be much needed.

I really enjoy the boat. We took it twice on our last trip. It's nice to be able to sit and relax; plus I don't get distracted by all of the extra shops and end up spending too much.

Our ADR for Teppan Edo is at 12:10pm

Yum!!! We really enjoy Teppan Edo and I thought that lunch was better than dinner. It wasn't as loud and the chef took more time with his show.

I'm hoping we can get a FP+ for Illuminations, but if not I'm sure we can find somewhere decent to watch... any suggestions?

Maybe it was just our bad luck, but like Fantasmic, I don't think the fastpass for Illuminations was worth it either. For this one we actually arrived prior to the fastpass window and there were already at least 150 people that they let into the viewing area. Being short, it was difficult to find an area where I could see and then a family came and stood in front of us and the dad put the little girl on his shoulders. I was like really!?! There was no one 2 feet over from me, but no they decided to stand in front of us. So Rude! Illuminations isn't my favorite show anyways and I think that DH could tell that I wasn't having a good time, because he suggested that we leave halfway through to beat some of the crowds to the buses. Maybe we'll try to find a better spot next time.

Our countdown is at 66 days! I've been avoiding pictures of the Flower & Garden Festival like the plague because I want to be 'surprised' when I get there, is that weird?

I was that way with Happily Ever After, but then one of my facebook friends was live streaming it and I gave in and watched it. I like watching it then, but it was so much better seeing it in person. Hopefully I didn't post too many F&GF spoilers.

haha It's kinda like when people can't decide if they want to know the gender of their baby...either its a 'surprise' when do you want to know the surprise? #ithinkijusttookittoofar

That's exactly what I say when discussing finding out the gender! My sister insists that she wouldn't want to ruin the surprise and find out ahead of time and I just don't get it, because it's still a surprise regardless of when you find out. I couldn't not know. As a general rule, I like to receive surprising news while my pants are still on.

As we all know, DHS is more of a half day park right now.

Don't try telling that to my DH. He could spend an entire day riding TOT and having drinks by the lake. Since you don't like TOT, you have to spend the whole day drinking, such a hardship right? You should try to find time for Baseline Taphouse. It was soooo good!!

Unfortunately this means TSM FP may be 'sold out' by the time I get around to securing our DHS FP

Originally I heard that they were only not offering TSM FPs from April 9th to May 7th, but then I heard a rumor that they weren't offering FPs at all until Toy Story Land opens. Not sure if it's true, but I have heard quite a few people saying they were not able to get FPs for dates after May 7th, when they should have been available.

I plan on getting a Frozen Golden Margarita at Anaheim Produce as well as some popcorn to enjoy while watching Fantasmic

Sounds perfect!!

Epcot is open until 11pm, and I'd like to make a beeline for the IG after Fantasmic to get a few more food booth snacks/drinks in, but its not all about me

Not sure if this is all the time or if we just went on an off night, but last year when we went for Epcot EMHs, all of the Flower and Garden Booths were closed. The regular booths were still open though.

I'm so excited! I've eaten dinner at Boma multiple times, but never for breakfast!

We are thinking about eating there in December. I can't wait to hear whether you prefer breakfast of dinner.

FP day is this WEDNESDAY! I'm usually getting dressed for work at that time so I'll need to make sure I'm by the laptop with my carefully written out plan of attack!

That's less that 12 hours away!! Hope you get everything that you want!!!

 

[iheartbelle87]

I have not been to Hollywood & Vine before, but we are considering it for our October and/or December trips. I have not heard very good thing about the food, but the characters look so cute in their holiday outfits! Maybe if I expect the food to be terrible, I will be surprised and it won't be that bad.

Hey girl! Can't wait to hear about all of your adventures, per your insta, you had a GREAT time lol

So H&V... I just remember feeling 'very blah' about it in January 2017... but I think part of that was that the last ADR you can get for Fantasmic FP is 5pm which is a little early for me at Disney... at home I eat dinner around that time but thats because I eat much lighter breakfasts at home. Anyway, I really liked the characters here, so that coupled with better Fantasmic seating/DH loving DHS/fantasmic (I think you said he loves Fantamsic? Or am I mixing him up with my dad? lol!) .. I'd say DO IT!

I would definitely stick with the dining package over getting a FP+.

Thank you! Definitely feeling better about our decision

plus I don't get distracted by all of the extra shops and end up spending too much.

Being short, it was difficult to find an area where I could see and then a family came and stood in front of us and the dad put the little girl on his shoulders. I was like really!?! There was no one 2 feet over from me, but no they decided to stand in front of us.

What is wrong with people?! As a fellow shorty (5'1.. and 1/2inch! haha!) I can TOTALLY relate! DH is 6'2 and I always make sure he doesn't block peoples views... ugh, makes my blood boil!

I was that way with Happily Ever After, but then one of my facebook friends was live streaming it and I gave in and watched it. I like watching it then, but it was so much better seeing it in person. Hopefully I didn't post too many F&GF spoilers.

hahah no worries about the spoilers! I haven't watched HEA on youtube/vlogs/fb lives either!! haha!!

That's exactly what I say when discussing finding out the gender! My sister insists that she wouldn't want to ruin the surprise and find out ahead of time and I just don't get it, because it's still a surprise regardless of when you find out. I couldn't not know.

I can see both sides! The only thing that makes me want to wait until birth is that I don't either of us families to have these perceptions about my kid before he/she even has time to form... lol... maybe DH and I will know and not tell anyone Also, this sounds really ungrateful but its not, I swear... I wouldn't want people to gift us 2031920194293 tutus or a million dump trucks. Ok, rant over.

As a general rule, I like to receive surprising news while my pants are still on.

Omg this is PERFECT

Since you don't like TOT, you have to spend the whole day drinking, such a hardship right?

Lol #goals

You should try to find time for Baseline Taphouse. It was soooo good!!

MMM! I definitely think there is somewhere Dad would enjoy... funny story, Dad and I took The Nephews to the local county fair this fall (well, local for them - I drove 4hrs, lol) and gave the kids money, and we sat in the beer tent and enjoyed ourselves

Not sure if this is all the time or if we just went on an off night, but last year when we went for Epcot EMHs, all of the Flower and Garden Booths were closed.

What. The. Heck. Oh well.. if this means we can ride Soarin' with shorter waits, I'm sure I can talk Mom into it... now if you tell me Soarin' isn't open during EMH, I'll cry.

 

[iheartbelle87]

Fastpass Day Is Here!

It's only 7:11am and my FP+ are reserved- I'm so happy with the times! Usually I'm getting ready for work at 7am... BUT I live in Massachusetts, and we received 18+ inches of snow yesterday.... so my work has a delayed opening (10am) so I was able to not feel rushed while booking the FPs. Plus, I had a typed out strategy I referred to before 7am l

5/13 (Arrival Day) Magic Kingdom

12pm-1pm Pirates of the Caribbean

1pm-2pm Big Thunder Mountain
Railroad
2:20pm-3:20pm Haunted Mansion

5/14 Epcot

9:05am-10:05am Living with the Land

10:10am-11:10am Spaceship Earth

Test Track 11:25-12:25pm

5/15 Magic Kingdom AM/DHS PM

9:40am-10:40am 7 Dwarfs Mine Train

It's A Small World 11:25am-12:25pm

Peter Pan's Flight 12:50pm-1:50pm

5/16 Animal Kingdom
Na'vi River Journey 9:05am-10:05am

Kilamanjaro Safari 10:30am-11:30am

Kali River Rapids 12:40pm-1:40pm

I'll be back another update soon... but my adult responsibilities are calling me...​

 

[kastoney]

nfortunately this means TSM FP may be 'sold out' by the time I get around to securing our DHS FP

We've had a lot of success getting TSM during the day. We typically do Epcot and then head over there and at 1-2 we have no problem getting a FP. You should be fine looking for something later in the day.

I'm so excited! I've eaten dinner at Boma multiple times, but never for breakfast!

Oh you are in for a real treat. We did Boma breakfast for the first time 2 trips ago and really like it. It's similar to Tusker House, but they have a lot more options.

We have a 12pm Yak & Yeti ADR ... another first for all of us!

Another one of my favorites. The ahi tuna nachos are a thing of beauty. Definitely get them!

 

[buzzrelly]

Our countdown is at 66 days! I've been avoiding pictures of the Flower & Garden Festival like the plague because I want to be 'surprised' when I get there, is that weird?

Not weird at all. I avoided anything about HEA and the new Soarin' until I had actually seen it.

Anyway our day will be starting off with... a ride in a Minnie Van.

What has everyones experiences been like using the Minnie Van? Mom and Dad wouldn't be okay with using 'regular' Uber or Lyft as they are convinced they are not safe...

I could see my mom being nervous about using Uber or Lyft too…must be a generational thing!

We have an 8:05am PPO at Crystal Palace- a first for all of us!

CP is a lot of fun, and yummy food!

It's only 7:11am and my FP+ are reserved- I'm so happy with the times! Usually I'm getting ready for work at 7am... BUT I live in Massachusetts, and we received 18+ inches of snow yesterday.... so my work has a delayed opening (10am)

Well, that worked in your favor, didn't it?! Even though it stinks all the snow we've been getting…silver linings!

 

[iheartbelle87]

We've had a lot of success getting TSM during the day. We typically do Epcot and then head over there and at 1-2 we have no problem getting a FP. You should be fine looking for something later in the day.

I'm so happy to hear this!

Oh you are in for a real treat. We did Boma breakfast for the first time 2 trips ago and really like it. It's similar to Tusker House, but they have a lot more options.

oh yum! I love Tusker House!

Another one of my favorites. The ahi tuna nachos are a thing of beauty. Definitely get them!

Those sound AHHmazing, definitely going to check them out!

I could see my mom being nervous about using Uber or Lyft too…must be a generational thing!

haha yes! Dh, my parents and my in laws took an Uber all together last summer and my dad almost had a heart attack lol!

CP is a lot of fun, and yummy food!

Yay, another good review!

 

[iheartbelle87]

To BOG or not?

I have a real first world problem... we were able to snag an 11:50am BOG ADR on our second MK day! We still have a LTT lunch ADR as an option too.

The problems?

-I'm not sure my parents will understand why appetizers wouldn't be included as part of our DxDP since its a QS

- When I ate here for breakfast last year, there as a long wait in the line inside, something I don't think my Dad would be too happy about...(but IS Disney, so I hope we can handle lines otherwise )

-Lastly, do we really want to be 'tied' to a lunch ADR? We will be arriving to MK early for an 8:05 PPO ADR at Crystal Palace, and are planning spending a half day at the park before heading back to the Beach Club for, well, some beach (pool) time

Right now I'm leaning towards cancelling our BOG ADR, but keeping our LTT ADR and reasses once we are actually on vacation and I'm getting a sense of how much of MK we were able to do our first day. If we don't get a lot done on our first MK day, we can keep our LTT ADR as we'll be in MK longer on our scond MK day. BUT if we get a lot done, or if we end up wanting to enjoy more pool time than I'm thinking we will, I can cancel LTT before the 24 hour mark.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Also, I had a thought... if we end up at MK for lunch on our second MK day, should we try The Plaza instead?!

Oh dear, the ever changing ADR debate.


​

 

[buzzrelly]

I vote for skipping it. I thought the actual BOG meal at lunch was mediocre, at best. I vote for The Plaza…always delicious and very relaxing.

 

[iheartbelle87]

I vote for skipping it. I thought the actual BOG meal at lunch was mediocre, at best. I vote for The Plaza…always delicious and very relaxing.

Perfect, thank you! I agree... after typing it all out, I think no BOG is the way to go...

 

[Raeven]

I have a real first world problem... we were able to snag an 11:50am BOG ADR on our second MK day! We still have a LTT lunch ADR as an option too.

We really didn't like BoG lunch the two times we've done it, and I would pick LTT or the Plaza over it. (Though I've never been to LTT, but we're planning on it for this trip so far).

 

[kastoney]

Another vote for ditching BoG, especially if you had to use a non-QS dining credit there. I do prefer lunch to dinner there, but would unquestionably to LTT any day of the week.