Gotta love bounceback! 10th ann. & family vaca PTR-9/201o-WE'RE BACK!

[OhioDisneyLover]

Yay, we’re going again! It is our 10 year wedding anniversary trip! We honeymooned at Disney so it is only fitting that we celebrate our 10 year anniversary there too!

Honeymoon picture:

I hope you will join me on this pre-trip report planning adventure. I am looking for ideas from all of the DISboard experts here!

When: September 2010

Where: Wilderness Lodge for some of us, CBR for some of us and our friends are staying at CSR.


DH and I have stayed at WL before and we really liked it there. My mom, sister and nephew are currently staying at CBR but may move to WL. CBR is our favorite moderate. Last year we stayed at CSR because it was the only moderate we had not tried before. Our friends really like it there but we didn’t care for it much. The pool however, is awesome!


ME or Rental: Rental for sure for us. We like to be able to go here and there and not have to wait for buses, etc. so we always rent cars. This year we will have two of them. Our friends are driving down so they will also have their own vehicle. We like to do some off property outlet mall shopping too. Last year we had a TON of rain when we were there in May and on and off rain in September so the rental came in handy…no waiting at a bus stop. DH is handicapped so he has a pass that we use when he is in a lot of pain. He says though that it doesn’t make sense to use it at the Magic Kingdom since the handicap spaces make you walk more than the regular spaces.

Meet the cast of characters:

Me, (47, will be 48 by the time we go) – Disney addicted and proud of it! I think Disney 24/7! Commando style touring is my specialty. This year though I am making my first attempt at a relaxing pace. Let’s say that I am giving it a try. I am totally obsessed with taking pictures (and scrapbooking) and make family nuts about it. I am trying to figure out the best way to lug a zillion pounds of camera equipment around…too bad my nephew is too tall now for a stroller. That would have helped! Ha ha! Favorite attraction: Beauty and the Beast. I missed it last year and am so bummed about that. I will definitely be making up for it this trip.

DH (38, will be 39 by the time we go) – Loves Disney and is happy to support my addiction. Like me, never did Disney as a child but loves it as an adult. Usually is the one to lug the camera equipment however last year he put his food down and won’t do it any longer. Hmm, wonder if I can convince him to carry it?......... Last year he started this new thing… in the middle of just about anywhere he would belt out, and I mean BELT OUT…. HEIGH HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I about died every time. We could be in line for food or in a queue, or in a store waiting to pay and out of nowhere you would hear him. AAAAhhhhhhhh, I was so embarrassed. Favorite ride is probably PotC.

Mom (will be mad if I put her age here) – Also loves Disney. Will go with the flow and do whatever however is insistent upon at least one visit to Kouzzina. Favorite attraction: Living with the Land (or at least I think it is).

DB (will be 34 when we travel) – Been to Disney once last year for Star Wars Weekend with DH and I. I think he was bitten by the bug and no, I don’t mean Flick! Yay, he wants to go back! Says though that he is happy that I am not doing Disney “commando style” like I did when we went last May. Favorite attraction: I am guessing TSMM. He is a video game freak so he likes to ride with DH and make TSMM a challenge. I think he about fainted when DH suggested that he ride Buzz with me last year…pretty funny.

DSister (will be 33 when we travel) – Been to Disney a few times. Loves Disney and humors me with my obsessive planning. Favorite place to eat is Fulton’s. Isn’t it interesting that this is where mom takes DH and I for OUR anniversary? I am hoping that when DH and DMom decide to take their breaks that I can get my sister to go commando style with me while they are “resting.” Favorite attraction: No clue actually.


Sister and Mom:

DNephew (will be 13 when we travel) – Been to Disney a lot for someone his age. I think this is his 6th trip. He is far from his days of zipping from one side of the part to the other all day long. I remember when he was little and he wanted to do PotC, then over to Buzz, oh, then back to Splash! Ahhh, it was a nightmare running from one side of the park to the other all dang day long. Favorite attraction: I think it’s TT, but he changes his mind.

This picture is from 2009. Boy, has he changed over the last year though.

We are also meeting fiends again this year. Inkedupmomma and her family are going to be there at the same time that we are again this year. We had a blast last year with her and her family. This year we are staying at different resorts but we still have a few things planned together which makes me happy!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I’ve made a few decisions so far but I’m sure that I will change my mind throughout this PTR. I already have my “first draft” of our itinerary mapped out. Obsessed, yes, I am. I’ve made the days interchangeable so that once the park hours and schedules come out I can finalize our plans.

We have not booked our airfare yet in the hopes that they add better flights and that we can make the most of our days. As of right now, they are craptastic! Last year lovely Continental shaved over 10 hours off of our trip with their flight changes. Yeah, that made me a not so happy camper. Let’s see what happens this year.

So here goes……

Day of Arrival
Check In
DTD for shopping and Earl for dinner

Day 2
Breakfast at Crystal Palace

Magic Kingdom

Lunch at Casey’s (family favorite – what is it with these hot dogs anyway?)

Dinner at O’Hana

Back to MK for the evening

Day 3
Breakfast at Resort

Epcot Future World

Lunch at Sunshine Seasons

Break for mom and DH

Dinner at Kouzzina

Evening – open for now

Day 4
Breakfast at BOMA

DAK

Lunch at Flame Tree (another family favorite)

Break (go to AKL for zebra domes – OMG, I love those things)

Dinner at Fulton’s (my sister’s favorite)

Day 5
Hopefully this will be a MNSSHP night. In the past, there has been a party during this week, on this day of the week.

Photopass Photo session at WL. We have two sessions in the past, both at Poly. We are trying WL this year and I am making it my mission to find matchy-matchy shirts for everyone. HA! I hope that they wear them!

Dinner at Tony’s (I think, but we may change it to Whispering Canyon…not sure)

Hopefully, MNSSHP is offered on this day

Day 6
Breakfast at the resort

DHS

Lunch at Sci-Fi – We have not been back here for a few years. Granted the food isn’t great but the cheesy movie clips are the bomb!

Hoping that they offer Fantasmic tonight. If so, dinner at Mama Melrose. Cross your fingers for me people!

Day 7
Breakfast at either Chef Mickey’s or maybe Whispering Canyon.

EPCOT World Showcase day for us. My brother really seemed to like Epcot as does the rest of the family. We never seem to spend enough time here.
Lunch at Kringla – mmmmm, school bread…yeah, that’s going to be my lunch!

Dinner at the Grand Floridian Café. We tried GFC last year and were so surprised as to how good it was. We’re kicking ourselves for waiting as long as we did to try it for the first time. We’re so looking forward to going back there!

Not sure where we are spending the evening. Possible DTD for more shopping! Woo Hoo!

Day 8
Breakfast at Kona for our 10th anniversary. It is a tradition that we have breakfast here on our wedding anniversary. I just LOVE me some Tonga Toast!!!

At the suggestion of DH, I am going to try something new today – a day of relaxation. Um, yeah, it is freaking me out to be at Disney and NOT in a park….just havin’ a lazy resort day. Don’t know if I can do it but I can at least try, right?? I think we may do a bit of off property outlet shopping too.
I am right now arranging a private dessert party at Epcot for all 10 of us for the night. Right now I am talking to a Disney event planner about the location, etc. Last year we did the Wishes Cruise for our anniversary and I had a cake done at the Grand Floridian Bakery. It was awesome. I had a hard time deciding on what to do this year. I really wanted to do a vow renewal but it just is not in the budget. Hopefully this will turn out well. I am also going to do another specialty cake but first need to find out where it would be coming from. I can’t wait to start planning the cake!

Day 9
Breakfast at the resort

DHS to finish what we missed and to finally try and beat my mom at TSMM. It’s inane people. Every freaking time we ride, she beats me! What’s up with that! I figured I’d win at least one considering last year I maxed out on Buzz…yep, 999,999….don’t ask me how because I am clueless!

Lunch at a counter service somewhere…dinner too. We decided that we didn’t want ADR’s for one day so that we could just go with the flow. By the way, this is very new for me to just “go with the flow.”

Day 10
Breakfast at Akershus – Belle is my favorite princess so I am looking forward to this ADR. The food here is quite good as well.

We will finish anything we missed at EPCOT and do our final shopping at Mouse Gear. I love that store almost as much as World of Disney at DTD. I think I like WoD better though because we have AP’s and get a discount. Woo Hoo for discounts!

Lunch will be in the UK for fish and chips. It’s something we say we will try every year and so far we have never been able to do so.

Dinner at Maya Grille at CSR. We went there last year for the first time and were pleasantly surprised. We didn’t like their CS place though – Pepper Market. It just didn’t do it for us really but we ended up there a lot for some reason….probably convenience.

Departure Day
Depending on what craptastic flight we get home, this day will be open. If we have time, we’d like to do one more breakfast at Kona. It would be an early, early one…first available and then possibly go to the Magic Kingdom for a bit before heading to the airport.

There are so many other places to eat on my wish list. I’m considering 1900 Park Fare for dinner, Cape May for dinner, The Wave, Artist Point, Chef’s de France for lunch (which I will most likely add for my brother), the Luau show (we’ve seen it twice but would like to go back) and several others. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

So, what do you think so far? Don’t be shy. Don’t be a lurker! Let’s hear what you think. Any suggestions? I would really love to hear what you think!

Thanks for reading.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I'm here and subbing! Gotta finish up my final thoughts on my last Tr then I will start my new PTR!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Glad that you are here with me.

We had such a blast last year. I can't wait to do it again this year.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So yesterday was eventful......

I talked with an awesome planner at Disney about a private dessert party at Epcot for our 10th wedding anniversary. There will be 10 of us all together.

Stephen gave me the available locations and described them each in detail. I had no idea that there were as many available locations or that some were "tighter" than others, meaning we could not bring in seating, etc.

I decided on Norway. The space rental cost is $275. It includes your own guide to come and get you if you are having dinner before the dessert party at a Disney restaurant. We are going to be at the Yachtsman so if we want, a guide will come to get us and escort us to our location. How cool is that?? We are thinking though of doing dinner a bit earlier that day so that we are hungry for the dessert party.

I wanted chairs and tables since there are only two park benches in the location. Chairs, tables, linens, plates, etc. are an additional $75.

Stephen sent me all of the various menus, but we're able to customize so last night I sent him my "wish" list of what I'd like to see on a menu and asked for the cost. As of now, the menu we selected (not mine) is $33 a person so there you have an additional $330.

We also want to add an "action station." They can do things like a hot fudge sundae station (that is what DH wants), a cherries jubilee station, bananas foster, etc. The cost is an additional $9 - $10 per person. It looks like we are definitely going with the hot fudge station.

There is 6.5% tax and a 21% service fee too on top of all of the charges I mentioned. I still think it is worth it.

I also asked about a specialty cake to go along with the party. I want a two tier, white cake, amaretto buttercream filling, and white fondant. I want it stamped in gold Mickey's. Stephen told me that while Epcot has its own bakery, cakes like that are produced at the Grand Floridian Bakery (I knew that though since I got one last year ). He said that he would call over there to see if they would do another for me since they did one last year. I should find out if they are willing to do that some time in the next few days.

If it rains, there will be an inside location. They said that they will then escort us outside around 5 minutes before Illuminations to our private viewing spot.

DH and I figure that the final cost will be some where close to $800-$1,000, but it sure beats what we planned to spend on a vow renewal. That was just not in the budget.

I will post the final menu and price once I have it set. They have held the date and the location and will be providing a contract soon.

I'm so glad I called because I didn't realize that we could do this so far ahead of time.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to include in the dessert party?

 

[inkedupmomma]

So yesterday was eventful......

I talked with an awesome planner at Disney about a private dessert party at Epcot for our 10th wedding anniversary. There will be 10 of us all together.

Stephen gave me the available locations and described them each in detail. I had no idea that there were as many available locations or that some were "tighter" than others, meaning we could not bring in seating, etc.

I decided on Norway. The space rental cost is $275. It includes your own guide to come and get you if you are having dinner before the dessert party at a Disney restaurant. We are going to be at the Yachtsman so if we want, a guide will come to get us and escort us to our location. How cool is that?? We are thinking though of doing dinner a bit earlier that day so that we are hungry for the dessert party.
I''m excited for Norway! I love Norway! John said he is NOT eating any dinner so he can fill up on desserts this year

I wanted chairs and tables since there are only two park benches in the location. Chairs, tables, linens, plates, etc. are an additional $75.
that is actually not a bad price! Much cheaper than what I would have expected from Disney!

Stephen sent me all of the various menus, but we're able to customize so last night I sent him my "wish" list of what I'd like to see on a menu and asked for the cost. As of now, the menu we selected (not mine) is $33 a person so there you have an additional $330.
I like what you told me about!!

We also want to add an "action station." They can do things like a hot fudge sundae station (that is what DH wants), a cherries jubilee station, bananas foster, etc. The cost is an additional $9 - $10 per person. It looks like we are definitely going with the hot fudge station.
I wonder if the action stations are cool? I'm excited to see hwo it al pans out!

There is 6.5% tax and a 21% service fee too on top of all of the charges I mentioned. I still think it is worth it.
I love charges on top of charges

I also asked about a specialty cake to go along with the party. I want a two tier, white cake, amaretto buttercream filling, and white fondant. I want it stamped in gold Mickey's. Stephen told me that while Epcot has its own bakery, cakes like that are produced at the Grand Floridian Bakery (I knew that though since I got one last year ). He said that he would call over there to see if they would do another for me since they did one last year. I should find out if they are willing to do that some time in the next few days.
mmmmmm.. lots of desssert

If it rains, there will be an inside location. They said that they will then escort us outside around 5 minutes before Illuminations to our private viewing spot.
I'm glad they don't just cancel the whole thing!

DH and I figure that the final cost will be some where close to $800-$1,000, but it sure beats what we planned to spend on a vow renewal. That was just not in the budget.
Def a fun weddingy type event without the 10k price tag!

I will post the final menu and price once I have it set. They have held the date and the location and will be providing a contract soon.
Excited to read the expected BEO!

I'm so glad I called because I didn't realize that we could do this so far ahead of time.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to include in the dessert party?

I suggested the Mickey rice kripies..but at that price per person they can keep them!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I nearly fainted when I read the price to add the krispy rice treats! I think it was $7 a PERSON. So, for as little as $70, you too, can have krispy rice treats that are NOT shaped like Mickey!

Come on over. I can make an entire tray for $3!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm here!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I'm here!!

Yay, glad that you are here. I thought it was just going to me Jenn and I.

Nice to have you.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I have spent the day so far putting together my Disney binder. Yes, I do one each and every year and it saves me aggravation every single time!

I can't believe how much I have to put in it already, considering we are still over 8 months out. Sheesh, watching that ticker takes forever, doesn't it?

I am still looking for dining suggestions? What's your favorite place to eat, what do you get, and why is it your favorite?

Come on lurkers, let me know what your dining favorites are!

Anyone have any suggestions on tours? We've done a few so far but I'd like to hear what everyone else has done.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

 

[inkedupmomma]

So what are your thoughts on the Luau? I think if we are going to do it, we need to deicde soon and commit to that. It's a long show so it def has to be in the plans!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey! I'm here! So, on my PTR you mentioned that our dates overlap - I couldn't find your dates here. When in Sept are you going? We are considering WL so we may run into you!

Man, you are really way ahead of me on the planning! We are still figuring out who all is going and what resort we want to stay at - and you're working on your binder already!

The dessert party sounds awesome! Where in Norway do they do it? Up against the rails by the lake?

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So what are your thoughts on the Luau? I think if we are going to do it, we need to deicde soon and commit to that. It's a long show so it def has to be in the plans!

Joe said he likes the Luau. We should try and work it in. It's a 2 TS meal so I gotta see what other to to do OOP if we go. We def want to do Yachtsman for our anniversary so we are gonna keep that 2 TS. Hmmm, I am gonna do the math and see if it is worth upgrading to dxdp. Last year it wasn't but I should check it out!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hey! I'm here! So, on my PTR you mentioned that our dates overlap - I couldn't find your dates here. When in Sept are you going? We are considering WL so we may run into you!

Man, you are really way ahead of me on the planning! We are still figuring out who all is going and what resort we want to stay at - and you're working on your binder already!

The dessert party sounds awesome! Where in Norway do they do it? Up against the rails by the lake?

Oh yay, another reader! Welcome!!!

We will be there Sept 10th - 20th. If you decide on WL, we should plan to meet and at least say hi!!!

Some of my family is currently staying at CBR, but they hope to change to WL. CBR is our favorite moderate so even if they move, we will be stopping over there to shop. I think that they have the best resort shop of all.

I am so commando about Disney that I even commando plan. Drives my family nuts but in the end, they appreciate the planning part. Commando through the parks, not so much.

They do the dessert party up against the rails but they section it off so that no one else can get in. Both benches are included in the spot that they section off, plus we are paying the additional for tables and chairs.

I am watching my email like mad to see what the price will be on my customized menu.

So glad that you are joining me in my PTR.

 

[inkedupmomma]

still no email on price yet??? I hope tomorrow! Also, dxdp may be better for you this year! You culd do more meals with us I mean it IS your 10 yr anniversary and all.. you deserve it.. LOL! Only prob is, will everyone else have to upgrade too?? They may not want to, and i don't blame them, esepcially if tehy aren't used to that kind of touring. I just knew you guys liked the Luau, I'm fine with doing just Yachtmans!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

still no email on price yet??? I hope tomorrow! Also, dxdp may be better for you this year! You culd do more meals with us I mean it IS your 10 yr anniversary and all.. you deserve it.. LOL! Only prob is, will everyone else have to upgrade too?? They may not want to, and i don't blame them, esepcially if tehy aren't used to that kind of touring. I just knew you guys liked the Luau, I'm fine with doing just Yachtmans!

Maybe tomorrow I will do the breakdown again. I think for the family it may come down to either an upgrade to WL or the dxdp. Joe still thinks it is too much food so my guess is that we will stick to the dining package that we have but I dunno.

Getting ready for my little scrapbook party and hope to finish scrapping the 2008 trip so I can start on the May and the September 2009 trips. Sheesh, I gotta get my butt moving.

I hope to hear by Monday on the price. If not, Joe and I think we know what we will end up going with which is $33 each person plus the extra $9 per person with the sundae bar. He is obsessed with the sundae thing! I just wonder....will it be as awesome as the Wishes Cruise was???

 

[inkedupmomma]

Maybe tomorrow I will do the breakdown again. I think for the family it may come down to either an upgrade to WL or the dxdp. Joe still thinks it is too much food so my guess is that we will stick to the dining package that we have but I dunno.

Getting ready for my little scrapbook party and hope to finish scrapping the 2008 trip so I can start on the May and the September 2009 trips. Sheesh, I gotta get my butt moving.

I hope to hear by Monday on the price. If not, Joe and I think we know what we will end up going with which is $33 each person plus the extra $9 per person with the sundae bar. He is obsessed with the sundae thing! I just wonder....will it be as awesome as the Wishes Cruise was???

i think it will be awesome in it's own different way. The cruise was breathe taking, but having VIP tretament with yummy food and awesome illuminations will be brilliant as well! Yo have NO clue how excited Kayla is to have private illuminations/desserts! She was like, uhm, alone, just us and sophias family?? so no one else, and people can't come in?? she asked about 10 times and thinks we are some sort of Disney royalty! So again, thank you for extending this opprotunity to us

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

i think it will be awesome in it's own different way. The cruise was breathe taking, but having VIP tretament with yummy food and awesome illuminations will be brilliant as well! Yo have NO clue how excited Kayla is to have private illuminations/desserts! She was like, uhm, alone, just us and sophias family?? so no one else, and people can't come in?? she asked about 10 times and thinks we are some sort of Disney royalty! So again, thank you for extending this opprotunity to us

I'm glad Kayla is excited. I was worried about the kids being bored actually. I think it will be great fun. We need to think about what we want to do as far as the time for dinner. They will send an escort if we do dinner immediately before the party. Hopefully if we do it that way we will have room for dessert!

 

[inkedupmomma]

I'm glad Kayla is excited. I was worried about the kids being bored actually. I think it will be great fun. We need to think about what we want to do as far as the time for dinner. They will send an escort if we do dinner immediately before the party. Hopefully if we do it that way we will have room for dessert!

John has proclaimed that we will either do dinner super early, or no dinner at all. He fully intends on getting your money's worth out of the dessert rotfl: He felt jipped last year and wants to make up for it this year Can we just walk around Epcot or somewhere and get an escort that way??

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

John has proclaimed that we will either do dinner super early, or no dinner at all. He fully intends on getting your money's worth out of the dessert rotfl: He felt jipped last year and wants to make up for it this year Can we just walk around Epcot or somewhere and get an escort that way??

But it's our 10th anniversary that day so I have to do dinner. I guess we can do dinner and you guys can meet us at Yachtsman when it is time for the escort.

I vote for super early. I can have them meet us at the front of the park at the entrance.