Winging it with No Dinning Plan! A Feb. Trip Report

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Love this Tinkerbell gift idea. Although I have a boy so it would have to be something else. Plus, he's almost 21 so I'm not sure how that would go over. LOL!!

I was going to say, that I have heard of people leaving things from Mickey Mouse or Peter Pan, but 21 is probably too old regardless. Ha!

I'm still debating on whether or not to do the dining plan on my solo trip.

I don't know what I would do if I was by myself... I personally think I would prefer to do more counter service. But I think sit down dinning solo is totally a personal preference.

Here's hoping Morgan just needed some sleep and to be off the plane (soft hugs).

Thanks. I do think it was a mild quick moving bug. Thankfully. But I was really sweating it.

I'm a little late but here. Can't wait to read more. It looks like we just missed each other. We were there Feb 9th-15th. I really hope Morgan was feeling better when she woke up.

I have yet to have a dis meet in the parks but one day I will!!!

Of course! The exact opposite of your request! I always think when this happens that I should just ask if anything else is available, but I never do.

It wasn't that big of a deal, I knew that the resort was small, so I wasn't going to bother. Plus, since we weren't doing the dinning plan we didn't have mugs to fill up. I feel like that is the biggest pain, to walk a far way to refill those things. They need machine in each building.

Poor Morgan! So tough to be sick on vacation.

It really is. I was so worried that she would get worse since she couldn't really rest that day.

I love the Tinkerbell gifts and that your girls still get excited about them

I do to. But it's like the Elf on the Shelf, sometimes I kind of wish they knew. It's bitter sweet thing. So, I just keep trying to enjoy it while they still believe.

I usually bring a new bedtime story for Jimmy each night that he thinks is from Mickey Mouse....however, he has moved on from picture books, so now I'll need a new gimmick!!!

The books are cute! But that can get pricey and heavy!

Eating dinner in my jammies while watching hotel TV was a really awesome way to spend several of our December/January cold nights after long park days!!

Isn't it always! Especially after a long day. You had some COLD nights too!

We are in the middle of planning our November trip and we're thinking of doing a few favorite Signature meals and then a lot of quick service so I can't wait to see how you feel about having fewer ADRs! I love the idea of "planning light" and trying new hidden gems - there are some really good quick service spots!

Not to spoil the trip report, but I think we might go more this way next time. My September trip report we ended up with soooooo many snack credits AND counter service credits left it was silly. But I think doing a few signatures is a good way to spread out all of the credits.

Sorry you couldn't get to DS but you made the right call staying at the hotel! I'm sorry Morgan was feeling so crappy The new pjs for the girls were cute!

I knew we couldn't drag her down there. And I knew it might be a long shot to being with. And I def wanted her to feel better in the morning! I am not sure what we would have done if she still didn't feel well in the morning.

I need to go play catch up, but I'm here!

YEAH!!!! Glad you found me!

oining in. Your poor daughter…I hope she was just tired and not getting sick

Thanks for following along! I think she def had a mild bug but it seemed to be fast moving. It was for Gwen over the weekend. We really lucked out. But I was stressing about it!

Following along!!

Thanks for following along! I love sharing our trips. It helps pass the time between trips!

Following. Enjoyed your report last time and excited to read another.

Thanks for coming over to this one! And glad you liked my last one! This was def a different trip than September but I liked that they were each a bit different.

I'm interested in your report because I have just declared that we will be skipping the dining plan on our next trip...I'm not sure I can stick with that, but I am hoping for more flexibility.

Thanks for following along! It was hard to stick to my plan of no dinning plan. I almost caved! And I think I might have added it, if I could have gotten a few restaurants that I wanted. But as we all know, that doesn't always happen with Disney World. I do think it is nice to change things up a bit, if you have come a couple times. I saw stick with it!

With all the different stations it always seemed to take long to get our food, and by the time the last person had their meal the first person to be done had cold food. I wasn't really a fan!

Yeah, I wasn't really a fan of the food court. It's actually the only time we ate there. I grabbed breakfast the last morning and that was it. I guess it's nice to have more choices but still kind of a pain.

I’m really hoping to read that Morgan was all better the next day!

Thanks! She def gave me a few gray hairs! But thankfully we lucked out.

Joining in, we stayed at POFQ in November and really enjoyed, so much we are staying again in April!

Thanks for following along! We def will stay here again. I don't know if we LOVED it but we liked it. If that makes sense. And honestly I think that just has to do with the fact that we have stayed at Deluxes, and a Deluxe SHOULD be nicer, you are paying more. But POFQ is def our preferred moderate!

One good thing is kids usually get better pretty fast.

Don't they!

Getting a better look at the windows would certainly be a draw for me, too!

Def add it to your bucket list! I love that there is always something to have on our lists!

It's such a shame that an uber has to take you to the TTC. That would be the reason I wouldn't use one for MK. But taking one to the Contemporary would have worked great! I've heard of people doing that! Either way it sounds like it was definitely a better solution to standing in that lousy bus line!

I will say on another day, we waited a REALLY long time in the bus security line, and if the line was as long that morning, our route was probably about the same and much more enjoyable than standing in the security line.

This is soo cool! I want to do this someday, but we never end up being in the right place at the right time. We're always racing somewhere at rope drop. I loved your views from the top level!

It really is a little bit of timing for those vehicles that they drive around in the morning.

Love Gwen's movie star pose a

Ha! Thanks. She is going to be trouble as a teen, I just know it.

Awesome that Morgan felt better in the A.M.!!

Thanks. I know she would have to feel pretty crappy to not want to go to the park but I also wanted to make sure she was well. And she seemed pretty perky that morning. She is a tough cookie.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Gwen seriously has the best poses!

 

[missangelalexis]

Glad Morgan was feeling better! And what a great start to the day! I still need to ride a Main Street vehicle!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Really cool ride! I’ve actually never seen that bus before!

When we spent a few days offsite in 2016, we took a taxi to The Contemporary. It was fantastic!

 

[DreamingofCastles]

I was at POFQ at the same time! (Although we were towards the end of our trip when you arrived!) I'm enjoying your report!

 

[Tracy161]

Omnibus Family Selfie
Our family Selfie on the bu

I'm so glad you convinced your family to do this! Space Mountain can wait It's so rare to get to do something totally new and different! I've never done this, and will now try to do so

Omnibus_Gwen
Gwen said she felt like a movie star riding on the bus. This was her Movie star pose....

Yup, she's perfected the pose

So glad that Morgan is feeling better at this point... hopefully it stays that way!

 

[UrsulaTime]

Gwen said she felt like a movie star riding on the bus. This was her Movie star pose....

This is a classic pic! And I didn't even know about the omnibus - gonna keep an eye out for it! Hurrah for deciding to go with the whimsical flow of Main Street!

 

[jrmint427]

I've never even heard of the omnibus - how cool!! Is it scheduled at certain times?

 

[buzzrelly]

So glad Morgan was feeling better this morning!

I am blown away…I did not know you could ride that bus! That looks so cool

I feel like when I get there in the morning, I am focused on that castle, or getting where we need to go I need to pay attention more

 

[MissMaryQC]

she said she thought she felt better

YAY!!!

So, she "stole" it from me

Wait until she's "stealing" your clothing, lol!

I put our fast passes on them this time around and what park we were going to that day

Genius! Great way to keep the girls in the loop, now that they're a bit older.

We take them and make them our phone lock screen,

Note to self: MUST do this!

When we go tot he bus stop we found this:

The monorail wasn't running yet, so they were directing everyone to the Ferry

Why doesn't the monorail run, like ever?

It was a much nicer ride over to Magic Kingdom than the bus.

Very true. The ferry was a favorite of mine, as an older kid. Glad you guys enjoyed it!

we should have taken an uber to the Contemporary and just walked over from there

It's a decent walk, but probably less complicated than how y'all did it this morning. I'm sorta surprised they won't just take you to MK...

I said it would be fun! And you can only do it in the morning. So they agreed.

Mom knows what she's talking about!

Omnibus Family Selfie
Our family Selfie on the bus.

Cute shot!

Barber Quartet + one
We spotted this cute little boy dressed like the dapper dans. How cute!

OMG! How adorable!!

We were able to see all of the windows on the second floor really well from the bus.

Love the windows. I wish I knew more details about them. I learned some of them while I was a CM, but they've added some since way back then.

Omnibus_Gwen
Gwen said she felt like a movie star riding on the bus. This was her Movie star pose...

She is too much! The sass is strong with this one.

End of the line
We got a picture in front of the bus before moving on. It was a really fun thing to do. And something new for us!

Cute picture!

Glad you guys are taking it slow!

 

[Raeven]

BUT I spotted THIS as I was taking the photo above. And said that we should try and ride it!
Omnibus!

Awesome, I would ride this too!

Omnibus_Gwen
Gwen said she felt like a movie star riding on the bus. This was her Movie star pose....

So cute, she does look like a little movie star with her sunglasses on!

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

I'm in! Great report so far...your girls are super adorable. We are headed to Disney at the end of January, first of February next year, so I'm super interested to know how the crowd levels were during your trip.

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Hello Everyone!

I have to interrupt this trip report with some VERY unexpected turn of events!

Andy works in advertising and was moved onto a team that has been working on some commercials. And has had to travel ALOT since September. He found out that he was going to have to go to LA AGAIN for yet another commercial shoot. And over the girls spring break. Which makes my life pretty difficult.

Sooooo, to make lemonade out of lemons.

We are ALL going to to out to LA before he needs to be there for work AND we are going to go to Disneyland!!!! I am so excited! We talked about it but I always kept it in my head that it probably wouldn't happen. But Andy wants get off of this team, so it might be our last chance.

I am so excited! We will be in Disneyland for 3 full days. I know we could use more but it is what we can swing. So excited! And so nervous about the time change for the girls. But Disneyland is worth it! We are going to keep it a secret from the girls since it's so close. We will be there over Easter Weekend which isn't ideal but I am again it's what we can do.

Have I mentioned that I am so excited?!? Eek!!!!

 

[MeghanEmily]

Yay!! I feel you with the difficulties of having a partner who's away for work. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be with kids. But how amazing that it's turning into a DLR trip!! You (and the girls!!) will have a blast! I can't wait to hear about it

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Yay!! I feel you with the difficulties of having a partner who's away for work. I can only imagine how much more difficult it would be with kids. But how amazing that it's turning into a DLR trip!! You (and the girls!!) will have a blast! I can't wait to hear about it

It's not as bad now that the girls are older. We have a good routine, but them not being in school really causes a problem. I think my mom is going to come up and hang out with the girls the rest of the week. I am sure they will be dead to the world for a day or two between the park days and the red eye flight we are taking back!

 

[mekay1012]

Following along!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

Day One: Riding into the Space, Under the Sea, and a little Snack!

I left off that we had finished our ride on the Omnibus and were heading into Tomorrowland. And we did just that! We were headed directly to Space Mountain.

As we were walking over, Morgan noticed the Palm Trees. She said she never noticed them before.

I guess that is what happens when you come 2 times in a row! We had a whole conversation about why the future has no real trees. We all agreed that the future should be lush with greens not all metal but I guess if you are in space, there might not be oxygen?!?

Soon we were in line for Space Mountain and our first ride of the trip!!! I think the wait was posted at 25 minutes already, and we waited just about that.


They had the screens up and showing the SUPER old picture of the family riding space mountain. It looks like it is from when the ride first opened. And then they had this logo. I think it would make a cool shirt.

Mountain
I made everyone smile for our first ride of the trip! We had made it to the front of the line. We got the left side, orange side. Which I personally like better. We discussed which side we liked better while we were waiting. I assume the sides are slightly different, but I don't really know. Anyone know for sure?


Andy snapped a picture of us all loaded in. The CM waited for Andy to put his phone away before launching us into space! Which was nice but I felt a little weird about it too. Like we were messing up there load system.

Our ride was fun as always! Gwen's scream on rollercoasters is well... amazing! It makes the ride more fun somehow. I hope she always screams on them!


Andy's ride Photo


And me and the girls. Clearly we haven't figured out where exactly they take our picture on this ride.

By now it was 10:00, we were going to do Buzz Lightyear next but the line was already kind of long. So, we headed towards Fantasyland. I think we checked out the wait for Tomorrowland Speedway on the way as well and it looked like a good 30 minutes, so we passed on that as well. We decided to ride Journey into the Little Mermaid next, as there was no wait.

Morgan and Gwen rode together and Me and Andy got the second clam shell.



Every time we ride this ride, Morgan and Gwen are talking up a storm. I always wonder what in the world they are talking about. I told Andy about how the Paris Disney had Ursala's head fell off. now that is all I can see when we go in that room!


We love this ride, but it has lost some of it's luster as we have ridden it SO many times. It's still great, and I love that it usually doesn't have a line.

By now, we were all getting a little hangry, so, I suggested a snack. Morgan and Gwen wanted to go to Gaston's for a cinnamon roll. So, we headed that way. And found a line out the door! So, we passed on that, and I said we should try Sleepy Hallow instead. Morgan didn't want to agree but she also didn't want to wait in line. Can we say Hangry?

On our way over to Sleepy Hallow, Gwen asked to try and pull the sword out of the stone. She said she was determined to do it this trip! Would she ever get it out?


She had good method, use her foot/leg for leverage.


Pulll!!!!!


Grrrrrr...

Not this time.... but I did get some awesome shots of her trying!

Morgan of course wanted a try as well. Would Morgan be able to show off and do what Gwen couldn't?


Big deep breathe... Here I go...


Maybe if I stick my tongue out, that will help?



Nope. We said we would try again another day and moved on.

We didn't get very far, though. Gwen asked to stop at the Cinderella's fountain. She loves this thing!


On our very first trip, Gwen wasn't tall enough to ride BTM, so I took her on the carousel and we checked out the fountain. And I think she has loved it ever since. I also told her how the crown is placed on her head if you look at it just right!

We FINALLY made it to Sleepy Hallow for some late breakfast. We usually don't get anything here, since they don't take the dinning plan here. So, it was on our must to list.


I ordered a Nutella and Fruit Waffle and a Funnel Cake with Strawberries (no whip cream) And a water.

The wait for the food wasn't too bad, although the people making the funnel cake seemed to keep forgetting to not put whipped cream on some of the orders. This was the girls first funnel cake. And they loved it!

Both were prepared well, warm and crisp on the outside. The food really hit the spot for all of us. We all needed a little pick me up. I also had Morgan take another Kids Zicam while we were eating. While we were eating a couple birds were hovering around everyone, eating all the crumbs that fell on the ground. And they were getting a little aggressive. And the girls started to get a little freak'd out. So, we took that as time to move on!

But where were we headed next? We had no set plans?

 

[kastoney]

I had requested something close to transportation.... Well, we got the room practically the farthest from transportation! We were in Building 7, Room 7302. Building 7 was def the farthest building and the room was located on the opposite side. When the CM was showing me on the map, I was thinking to myself that, of course we were as far away as possible. I could have asked if there was anything closer but I didn't. And really for the most part it was fine. It def would have been nicer to be a little closer.

I'm not sure why they allow us to request things if they aren't going to even remotely listen to it. I think we've only ever gotten a request one time. It's almost laughable at this point. We are doing Beach Club in August and my only request will be for the full size balcony. So of course that means we in no way will get that

Tinkerbell Gift #1
PJ's on the first night/day has become a tradition for the girls. They end up wearing the new Pj's the whole trip and then can wear them at home as well. So, a win win.

You are definitely on the Mom game. I'm gonna have to see if I can up my game for our next trip!

Both were good. They fried the fish & shrimp to order, so that was nice. It did seem to take awhile, but I am sure part of that was with Morgan being miserable. I personally found the roll they used to be a bit too big. It was hard to eat regular sized bites. I think I ended up half way through just eating the shrimp. I preferred the shrimp and Andy preferred the Catfish, so that all worked out. I munched on the chips and fries over the course of the evening. Both were good but neither were to die for.

We stayed at POFQ a few trips back and while I didn't get the confusing ordering system those Po-Boys were pretty dang good. I think it was one of the better quick services we've had in a resort.

So, in my last trip report I broke down the meals to see if we broke even on the dining plan. This time I tried to keep track of all of our reciepts to see if we "saved" money by not doing the dinning plan this time around.

Great idea! Can't wait to see how it works out for you.

I asked Morgan how she was feeling and she said she thought she felt better. I asked her if she thought she wanted to go to a park today and she said responded with a big YES! Ok, then! I gave her another dose of the kids Ziacam and we started getting moving.

Woohooo!!! All she needed was a little Disney to perk her up !

Day One_Plan
This was our plan for the day. Andy has made these for each trip we have gone on. This time, he kind of just threw them together. Since we didn't have fully planned out plans. We take them and make them our phone lock screen, so we don't have to open up the disney app every time I forget if our fast pass is 11:20 or 11:25 or what.

I know I've said it before, but these are such a great idea. Tell Andy I'll send him our August itinerary and he can make some for me

The line at the bus stop.
The line was backed up past the second bus depot spot. So, Andy asked if we want to uber it instead. I said sure, figuring there was at least 2 buses worth of people waiting. So, we stepped to the side and Andy got us an uber. our driver arrived and took us over to the transportation center. (Which Andy didn't realize would happen)

Great idea! That is way too many people for that early in the am

We did have to wait a little bit before it headed out. And when the guy was starting the bus, he couldn't get it to turn over, so he had to try a couple times. And I was holding my breath that he would get it to start. But he did! And we were off!

O

How fun! I don't think I've ever seen this running on main street. Of course we rarely roll in very early so that is probably why.

The Plaza Sign
I really loved being able to see the windows, and I highly recommend doing this for any of us uber fans! I almost feel like we need to do it again and sit on the other side, to see the windows on the other side.

What great pictures. Definitely gives you a different perspective on everything.

We are ALL going to to out to LA before he needs to be there for work AND we are going to go to Disneyland!!!! I am so excited! We talked about it but I always kept it in my head that it probably wouldn't happen. But Andy wants get off of this team, so it might be our last chance.

So happy for you all!!!! You're gonna love it!

Ride Photo_Girls
And me and the girls. Clearly we haven't figured out where exactly they take our picture on this ride.

You all are so the same as us. Casey and I are always clueless to where it is and Jason, like Andy, is all over it.

Sword in the Stone_Morgan2

Nope. We said we would try again another day and moved on.

One of these days these girls have just gotta get it!

Nutella Waffle, Funnel Cake
I ordered a Nutella and Fruit Waffle and a Funnel Cake with Strawberries (no whip cream) And a water.

Breakfast of champions. Love, love, love sleepy hollow!

 

[StarWarsMomofGirls!]

I'm not sure why they allow us to request things if they aren't going to even remotely listen to it. I think we've only ever gotten a request one time. It's almost laughable at this point. We are doing Beach Club in August and my only request will be for the full size balcony. So of course that means we in no way will get that

I always wonder if it is better to check in, inperson or the online straight to your room thing. Fingers crossed for you for August! Beach Club is on my bucket list!

You are definitely on the Mom game. I'm gonna have to see if I can up my game for our next trip!

Be Careful! It's a slippery slope. Casey will expect it every trip! I am not sure what I am going to do about Disneyland.. Does Tinkerbell come to Disneyland? I mean yes, she should but this trip is sooooo last minute.

I know I've said it before, but these are such a great idea. Tell Andy I'll send him our August itinerary and he can make some for me

Seriously, he would! It is basically a template now. So, it's easy to update. I bet Casey would love to be "in charge" of the schedule too!

Great idea! That is way too many people for that early in the am

Right!?! I think as the week went on, it was because it must have been the first buses pulling in for the day.

Breakfast of champions. Love, love, love sleepy hollow!

Isn't it so good! I am hungry just looking at those pictures again.

 

[MissMaryQC]

I’m so excited for you guys to go to DisneyLand!!! How much fun! You’ll be early for PixarFest, which is too bad cause that looks cool, but it’s still gonna be a blast. Are you planning to stay on site? I feel like Walt is more present in DL, but I’ve never been to confirm that theory. I’m jealous!!

This relaxing MK morning is the stuff of my DH’s dreams! Walking past long lines, meandering through the lands, avoiding the crowds; he’d be in heaven!

And I’m. Loving the little things you guys are getting to enjoy. The conversation about the trees in tomorrowland, the sword in the stone, the fountain. Just love it all!!

And Sleepy Hollow! It’s on my list for breakfast stops for our trip! I’m not a huge Nutella fan, but that waffle looked gooooood! Maybe I’ll ask for whipped cream instead of Nutella, considering you said they were being a bit overly generous with it, lol!

Can’t wait to see what y’all end up doing from here!