January 2013

[mickeyplanner]

Originally Posted by eeyoreland

No binoculars in the room, but the times we stayed, I didn't feel like we needed them.

Did your DD enjoy having the binoculars? Maybe if I can pick up a cheap pair, the kids might get a kick out of having thme.

[loveshak22]

Originally Posted by KuyaJeff

Woot woot, it's so exciting to see other people booked for AKL like us in this thread lately!

We're 67 days out from out trip and every moment I think I'm done with the planning, something alway scauses it to change. So I thought I'd get some opinions on what we have down so far....please give some feedback!

I LOVE the spreadsheet!!

Here are some thoughts but obviously take them or leave them

On Friday I see that you have an ADR for Kona cafe. I'd suggest switching your Thursday Boma ADR with the Kona Cafe ADR. That way on Thursday you are at MK so you can hop on the monorail to Poly easy! Or if you could get Ohana for dinner at around 7:15 you could head there from MK and ask for a table to see Wishes. While it's not guaranteed they will try to accomodate. Then you could watch Wishes from Ohana and then walk down to the Beach afterwards and watch the water parade at 9:00.

On Friday you are going from AK to hotel to Poly to Epcot. While you can hop on the monorail to Epcot from Poly you could always move your hotel break up later on this day and do AK then hotel where you eat dinner at Boma and then to Epcot. I think it might make it a smoother day and you'll have had Kona on Monday (unless you switch to Ohana).

On Saturday if you get an earlier CM then you could save some time without having to take the bus from HS and then back. That'll probably be more than an hour. I don't think you'll make it back to HS that morning because the ADR is 10:45. You'll have to leave HS by 10:00ish then with a 10:45 ADR assuming an hour to eat that's 11:45 and then another 30 minutes back to HS. At that point you could probably just walk over to MK from the Contemporary and take the bus back to AKL for the afternoon break.

Have you looked at the menu at Sanaa? If it sounds appealing to you then you might want to switch it out for one of your breakfast Boma ADRs to a lunch or dinner Sanaa. It's supposed to be really good from the reviews and at Sanaa you have a view of the Savannah. While Boma also has great reviews it doesn't have a view of the Savannah and you've got it down 3 times so you might want something new.

Again, just ideas that may or may not fit into your plan!!!

[loveshak22]

Alright - so here are our plans if anyone has suggestions!! It'll just be me and my DH so you can probably tell it's adult oriented!

Saturday, January 26th we arrive at MCO then hang out with my brother who lives in FL until Tuesday morning. Then we head to WDW!

Tuesday, January 29th:
Arrive at AKL with 12:00 lunch at Sanaa
Explore the hotel and see about an early check-in
Sit on the balcony and enjoy the view
6:00 leave for Poly
6:55 dinner at Ohana (am trying to get this closer to 7:30 but no luck so far) with a request to have a table to see Wishes
9:00 watch the water parade from the beach

Wednesday, January 30:
8:35 a.m. ADR at CP
Day at MK with a QS if needed or snacks
7:35 p.m. ADR at WCC (although this is a placeholder until I can get BoG

Thursday, January 31:
Very light QS breakfast at hotel
Day at Epcot
12:00 p.m. at Rose and Crown
7:10 p.m. at Le Cellier
9:00 Illuminations!

Friday, February 1:
Very light QS breakfast at hotel
Day at HS
12:50 p.m. ADR at Sci-Fi
Fantasmic!
8:50 p.m. ADR at Artist Pointe (we may drive to HS this day?)

Saturday, February 2:
9:00 a.m. ADR at Boma
Day at AK
7:15 p.m. ADR at Jiko (am considering pushing this back since AK is open until 7:00 but I feel like 10:30 - 6:00 is plenty enough time at AK? Thoughts?)

Sunday, February 3:
QS breakfast at hotel
Drive to MCO and head home

We'll probably do a night at DTD but really plan most nights to have down time in the hotel. They have a spot where they have night vision goggles for guests to use so I'm excited to try that one night!

[Chocolab23]

Originally Posted by loveshak22

Alright - so here are our plans if anyone has suggestions!! It'll just be me and my DH so you can probably tell it's adult oriented!

Saturday, January 26th we arrive at MCO then hang out with my brother who lives in FL until Tuesday morning. Then we head to WDW!

Tuesday, January 29th:
Arrive at AKL with 12:00 lunch at Sanaa
Explore the hotel and see about an early check-in
Sit on the balcony and enjoy the view
6:00 leave for Poly
6:55 dinner at Ohana (am trying to get this closer to 7:30 but no luck so far) with a request to have a table to see Wishes
9:00 watch the water parade from the beach

Wednesday, January 30:
8:35 a.m. ADR at CP
Day at MK with a QS if needed or snacks
7:35 p.m. ADR at WCC (although this is a placeholder until I can get BoG

Thursday, January 31:
Very light QS breakfast at hotel
Day at Epcot
12:00 p.m. at Rose and Crown
7:10 p.m. at Le Cellier
9:00 Illuminations!

Friday, February 1:
Very light QS breakfast at hotel
Day at HS
12:50 p.m. ADR at Sci-Fi
Fantasmic!
8:50 p.m. ADR at Artist Pointe (we may drive to HS this day?)

Saturday, February 2:
9:00 a.m. ADR at Boma
Day at AK
7:15 p.m. ADR at Jiko (am considering pushing this back since AK is open until 7:00 but I feel like 10:30 - 6:00 is plenty enough time at AK? Thoughts?)

Sunday, February 3:
QS breakfast at hotel
Drive to MCO and head home

We'll probably do a night at DTD but really plan most nights to have down time in the hotel. They have a spot where they have night vision goggles for guests to use so I'm excited to try that one night!

Sounds like an awesome plan

[loveshak22]

Originally Posted by Chocolab23

Sounds like an awesome plan

Thanks

My DH couldn't care less about what I plan (he just tags along for the fun!) so it's good to get some feedback where I can!

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Looks great! A few thoughts as noted below. Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by loveshak22

Alright - so here are our plans if anyone has suggestions!! It'll just be me and my DH so you can probably tell it's adult oriented!

Tuesday, January 29th:
6:55 dinner at Ohana (am trying to get this closer to 7:30 but no luck so far) with a request to have a table to see Wishes
Wishes is at 8pm this day, right? I think your 6:55pm ADR will work out well for viewing Wishes during dinner. It took us a good hour to finish our meal and depending on how crowded it is, you may actually get seated a few minutes past your ADR time
9:00 watch the water parade from the beach

Wednesday, January 30:
8:35 a.m. ADR at CP
Day at MK with a QS if needed or snacks
7:35 p.m. ADR at WCC (although this is a placeholder until I can get BoG
Wasn't sure if this was your first trip to WDW or not. But if it is, I would highly recommend giving Wishes a try inside MK. As much as I enjoyed watching Wishes from Poly beach, it still doesn't have the same effect as watching it in front of the Castle.

Saturday, February 2:
9:00 a.m. ADR at Boma
Day at AK
7:15 p.m. ADR at Jiko (am considering pushing this back since AK is open until 7:00 but I feel like 10:30 - 6:00 is plenty enough time at AK? Thoughts?)
It depends on what's on your to-do list for AK. If you want to catch all three shows and the parade in addition to the headliner rides, it may not be enough time. If you're seeing two shows and the parade, you should be fine.

Sunday, February 3:
QS breakfast at hotel
Drive to MCO and head home

We'll probably do a night at DTD but really plan most nights to have down time in the hotel. They have a spot where they have night vision goggles for guests to use so I'm excited to try that one night!

[loveshak22]

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Wishes is at 8pm this day, right? I think your 6:55pm ADR will work out well for viewing Wishes during dinner. It took us a good hour to finish our meal and depending on how crowded it is, you may actually get seated a few minutes past your ADR time

This makes me feel better! Wishes is 8:00 and I guess I was worried if we got seated right at 6:55 that we'd get done quick...but you're right that we'll probably be seated later than our ADR so it should be perfect timing. And even though the service is quick and even if we get seated right at 6:55 (again, doubtful at 'Ohana) then we'll probably be finishing right when Wishes starts and it's not like they'll try to kick us out! Now I'll stop looking for any new ADRs for 'Ohana and keep what we have!

Wasn't sure if this was your first trip to WDW or not. But if it is, I would highly recommend giving Wishes a try inside MK. As much as I enjoyed watching Wishes from Poly beach, it still doesn't have the same effect as watching it in front of the Castle.

It's not my first trip but it's been a long time since I've watched the fireworks in the park. I typically try to head out before the crowds form. But it's only my DH's second trip and we didn't watch the fireworks from the park last time so maybe we'll do that this time! We won't be in any hurry so we'll have to try it this time!

It depends on what's on your to-do list for AK. If you want to catch all three shows and the parade in addition to the headliner rides, it may not be enough time. If you're seeing two shows and the parade, you should be fine.

Probably the parade and one show so it sounds like this is good!

Now I've just got to get that BoG ADR and we're set!!! If I can get an 8:30 ADR that'd be perfect...we can watch Wishes and head over for dinner!

Thanks again!

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Originally Posted by loveshak22

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

This makes me feel better! Wishes is 8:00 and I guess I was worried if we got seated right at 6:55 that we'd get done quick...but you're right that we'll probably be seated later than our ADR so it should be perfect timing. And even though the service is quick and even if we get seated right at 6:55 (again, doubtful at 'Ohana) then we'll probably be finishing right when Wishes starts and it's not like they'll try to kick us out! Now I'll stop looking for any new ADRs for 'Ohana and keep what we have!

Probably the parade and one show so it sounds like this is good!

Now I've just got to get that BoG ADR and we're set!!! If I can get an 8:30 ADR that'd be perfect...we can watch Wishes and head over for dinner!

Thanks again!

Ohana is one restaurant where you can really control the pace of your meal. And you're right, they won't rush you out.

Just one show at AK - you'll have plenty of time. Plus, the park starts emptying out after the parade so you can go on EE or KS with very little wait times between 5-6pm!

I've been trying to get BoG for the past 6 weeks and no luck yet. Will keep trying!

[loveshak22]

Originally Posted by DaveinFallsChurch

I've been trying to get BoG for the past 6 weeks and no luck yet. Will keep trying!

Good luck!!!! I'm hoping that at 45 days out when people who booked through Disney Vacation have to pay their trip in full that some people might cancel and free up some ADRs...wishful thinking I'm sure!!

I did just look at BoG and they are only open 4 - 8 so I guess no 8:30 ADR. I wonder if you can view Wishes from BoG. I'm sure there's a thread on here somewhere that says.

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Originally Posted by loveshak22

Good luck!!!! I'm hoping that at 45 days out when people who booked through Disney Vacation have to pay their trip in full that some people might cancel and free up some ADRs...wishful thinking I'm sure!!

I did just look at BoG and they are only open 4 - 8 so I guess no 8:30 ADR. I wonder if you can view Wishes from BoG. I'm sure there's a thread on here somewhere that says.

That's a good point about the 45 days out. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Judging from the pictures and videos I've seen, it doesn't look like the dining area at BoG has any real windows looking outside so I don't think Wishes will be visible from the inside. I've heard of people saying they watched Wishes from various parts of the New FL.

[buzznina]

Originally Posted by mickeyplanner

Did you bring binoculars or were they in the room for you to use? We willl be staying at AKV Kidani for part of of January stay. That might be a good christmas gift idea if we need them.

We brought them, DD used them to help her see all the animals that were on an animal list that we got when we checked in.

[buzznina]

Originally Posted by loveshak22

Great pics!! But I don't see any animails...did you see a lot from your balcony during your trip?

Sometimes, first thing in the morning our area would be pretty empty and then some mornings there were animals to watch. It seemed like the CM's would fill the animal feeding areas at different times of the day, I think to make sure the animals went into or by most of the areas. In the picture, the group of trees in the center had a feeding container for the giraffe's and a group of 4 or 5 would come along to eat. In the evening a little group of Elands that would lay in the brush in front of our balcony. Our DD was able to cross off a good dozen different type of animals from her list

[mickeyplanner]

Originally Posted by buzznina

Sometimes, first thing in the morning our area would be pretty empty and then some mornings there were animals to watch. It seemed like the CM's would fill the animal feeding areas at different times of the day, I think to make sure the animals went into or by most of the areas. In the picture, the group of trees in the center had a feeding container for the giraffe's and a group of 4 or 5 would come along to eat. In the evening a little group of Elands that would lay in the brush in front of our balcony. Our DD was able to cross off a good dozen different type of animals from her list

How much time did you spend at the resort itself to see the animals on the list? We orginally were going to spend at whole day there and skip the parks. But now we were rethinking our plans and wanting to get one day out of MK and the new fantasyland. What would you recommend?

[buzznina]

Originally Posted by mickeyplanner

How much time did you spend at the resort itself to see the animals on the list? We orginally were going to spend at whole day there and skip the parks. But now we were rethinking our plans and wanting to get one day out of MK and the new fantasyland. What would you recommend?

That trip we were there for 8 nights, so we had plenty of park time and then had 2 non-park days to relax and enjoy the resort. On our trip in January we will be doing 2 days at MK, so our DD's can enjoy the new Fantasyland. I really would not spend a whole day if all you want to do is see a lot of the animals. I do not know what your schedule is but, you could always do rope drop at MK and then head back to AKL around 2. If you get there when the park opens you can really accomplish a lot because it will be less crowded. Just an idea

[KuyaJeff]

Originally Posted by loveshak22

I LOVE the spreadsheet!!

Here are some thoughts but obviously take them or leave them

On Friday I see that you have an ADR for Kona cafe. I'd suggest switching your Thursday Boma ADR with the Kona Cafe ADR. That way on Thursday you are at MK so you can hop on the monorail to Poly easy! Or if you could get Ohana for dinner at around 7:15 you could head there from MK and ask for a table to see Wishes. While it's not guaranteed they will try to accomodate. Then you could watch Wishes from Ohana and then walk down to the Beach afterwards and watch the water parade at 9:00.

On Friday you are going from AK to hotel to Poly to Epcot. While you can hop on the monorail to Epcot from Poly you could always move your hotel break up later on this day and do AK then hotel where you eat dinner at Boma and then to Epcot. I think it might make it a smoother day and you'll have had Kona on Monday (unless you switch to Ohana).

On Saturday if you get an earlier CM then you could save some time without having to take the bus from HS and then back. That'll probably be more than an hour. I don't think you'll make it back to HS that morning because the ADR is 10:45. You'll have to leave HS by 10:00ish then with a 10:45 ADR assuming an hour to eat that's 11:45 and then another 30 minutes back to HS. At that point you could probably just walk over to MK from the Contemporary and take the bus back to AKL for the afternoon break.

Have you looked at the menu at Sanaa? If it sounds appealing to you then you might want to switch it out for one of your breakfast Boma ADRs to a lunch or dinner Sanaa. It's supposed to be really good from the reviews and at Sanaa you have a view of the Savannah. While Boma also has great reviews it doesn't have a view of the Savannah and you've got it down 3 times so you might want something new.

Again, just ideas that may or may not fit into your plan!!!

Oh no, how could I not have seen this? I'm barely reading it now. There is some valuable in your post!

I really do agree that Sanaa is definitely worth checking out, but have replaced our Kona Cafe ADR from Friday to fit that in. I can then move the Hotel break to a later time to either be before or afterthe Sanaa ADR. With everything close to each other...I think it's pretty doable.

I agree that Chef Mickey ADR is in a very awkward spot, I've realized that before and fully realize it now. It ended up being more of a "must do" from my traveling companion than a logical transition. You probably are right that we might not make it back to HS after. But we always have the option to just hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom or even Epcot which could then lead to an easy transition back to the hotel break. I might as well switch that now. The main goal for that day is to take advantage of the AM EMH for Hollywood Studios. So two hours(8:00AM-10:00AM)in HS for the morning seems decent to start off the day. ...at least I hope it is.

Here's the latest iteration fo the spreadsheet... I'm starting to think I should break down the hours to half hours.