A Disney-addicted mom: Disney cruise, Family trip, Running trips! *Update 2/18*

[DrMomof3]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

Although you're upset about cancelling chefs table @FF it was probably a good call on saving $$$ that would've been a good chunk of change.
As you can see from my signature we have stayed off property quite a bit- thanks to my parents' timeshare but we have never really eaten off property so I can't really help you with that. Our good friends who ALWAYS stay on property ALWAYS eat off. Isn't that funny???
I wouldn't worry to much about EMH- even when we stay on property we tend to avoid them-to crowded. And as you already know going in late August you don't really need to worry about the crowds so no need for EMH.

I was surprised that Tom wanted to cancel the Date Night but wants to keep the Princess dinner (which I consider a bad value - fixed price meal and the kids tend to eat poorly at character meals). I'm just happy that we're going at all so I'm not complaining!
I think we'll probably eat at Benihana one night. The kids love Hibachi but Tom and I both dislike Teppan Edo. The Benihana menu looks reasonably priced and better than Teppan Edo. I've also heard a good review of a chain restaurant (Bonefish or something? We don't have it here.) We might try eating there one night.
We usually take advantage of morning EMH so we just need to switch around our park days to avoid the morning EMH days. I don't really mind doing that but we've gotten into a pattern with park days (Sunday DHS, Monday AK, Tuesday Epcot, Thursday MK, etc.) based on attending EMH. We don't really use PM EMH because we're early to bed, early to rise people. I might take this opportunity to see some of the evening fireworks shows (I've never seen Fantasmic! or Illuminations.

Amanda

[ddluvsdisney]

Originally Posted by DrMomof3

I was surprised that Tom wanted to cancel the Date Night but wants to keep the Princess dinner (which I consider a bad value - fixed price meal and the kids tend to eat poorly at character meals). I'm just happy that we're going at all so I'm not complaining!
I think we'll probably eat at Benihana one night. The kids love Hibachi but Tom and I both dislike Teppan Edo. The Benihana menu looks reasonably priced and better than Teppan Edo. I've also heard a good review of a chain restaurant (Bonefish or something? We don't have it here.) We might try eating there one night.
We usually take advantage of morning EMH so we just need to switch around our park days to avoid the morning EMH days. I don't really mind doing that but we've gotten into a pattern with park days (Sunday DHS, Monday AK, Tuesday Epcot, Thursday MK, etc.) based on attending EMH. We don't really use PM EMH because we're early to bed, early to rise people. I might take this opportunity to see some of the evening fireworks shows (I've never seen Fantasmic! or Illuminations.Amanda

Well if you can fit in another ADR- do R&C in England to watch Illuminations. It is FANTASTIC!!! It's the only way I like to watch Illuminations now. I know I'm not helping with the ADR situation lol but it is a good restaurant and pretty reasonable- fish and chips

[natebenma]

Originally Posted by DrMomof3

33 DAYS!

Tom is leaning towards keeping Akershus (which shocked me because Jessica was ok with giving it up - go figure!).

OK, which princess does Tom have a crush on???

[DrMomof3]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

Well if you can fit in another ADR- do R&C in England to watch Illuminations. It is FANTASTIC!!! It's the only way I like to watch Illuminations now. I know I'm not helping with the ADR situation lol but it is a good restaurant and pretty reasonable- fish and chips

That's a pretty good idea!

Originally Posted by natebenma

OK, which princess does Tom have a crush on???

I almost spit out my drink when I read that!
Zachary is completely IN LOVE with Ariel. When he lists all of his girlfriends (4 or 5 names), he ALWAYS includes Ariel. He sleeps with a plush Ariel doll at night. And he loves seeing Ariel. He always runs up to her and gives her a big hug and kiss and tells her that he loves her. Do you think he's going to grow up and marry a redhead???
Tom may also like Ariel (but preferably in her Mermaid form because she wears less clothing) but, truthfully, he likes smoked fish and pickled herring. He may be the only patron at Akhershus who actually goes there because he likes the food.

Amanda

[rentayenta]

I've read great things about WBC. You've got your work cut out for you with regard to ADRs. I must have missed it but what made you switch from the BC to WBC?

[DrMomof3]

Originally Posted by rentayenta

I've read great things about WBC. You've got your work cut out for you with regard to ADRs. I must have missed it but what made you switch from the BC to WBC?

$$$
We've taken several vacations this year and money is tight. With the changes in Health Care, Tom is taking home significantly less money this year. It's hard to say exactly but we're guessing 25% less than last year. Having a full kitchen will save us money on food. Having more space will decrease the fighting amongst the monsters. I mean children.
In some ways it's good that this is a more last minute decision because now I have lots of fun trip planning things to do!

Amanda

[DrMomof3]

Here's what I've done in the last few days:

Bought park tickets for Tom and the kids from Undercover Tourist. I saved $100 over Disney prices. Tom and Zachary have 4 day park hoppers and Nathaniel and Jessica have 6 day park hoppers. I'm thinking we'll avoid the parks on the 2 Saturdays (arrival and departure day).
I ordered Disney gift cards. Tom and I are each getting $100 gift card (we can use it towards food and souvenirs) and the kids each get $25. The Disney store was also having a PJ sale (and 25% off everything!) so I ordered some for the fall/winter for the kids.
I made a reservation at Benihana at the Hilton for 6:30pm on arrival night. Since we're not going to the parks that day, I think it'll be a nice treat. I'm hoping for nice weather that afternoon so we can spend some time at the pool. I think the kids will be excited to eat at Benihana. There's one near my parents that my children LOVE!
I think we'll eat at Bonefish Grill one night. It's affordable and gets good reviews. It looks to be a 20-30 min drive from WBC. Maybe Sunday night. It's too early to make a reservation. Normal restaurants don't book 180 days out!
More updating later! I've been busy!!!

Amanda

[natebenma]

Originally Posted by DrMomof3

I almost spit out my drink when I read that!
Zachary is completely IN LOVE with Ariel. When he lists all of his girlfriends (4 or 5 names), he ALWAYS includes Ariel. He sleeps with a plush Ariel doll at night. And he loves seeing Ariel. He always runs up to her and gives her a big hug and kiss and tells her that he loves her. Do you think he's going to grow up and marry a redhead???
Tom may also like Ariel (but preferably in her Mermaid form because she wears less clothing) but, truthfully, he likes smoked fish and pickled herring. He may be the only patron at Akhershus who actually goes there because he likes the food.

Amanda

My best friend's son has a similar crush on Jasmine.

[Native NYer]

You got a lot done!
I have to remind myself that the only place on the planet that takes reservations 180 days out is WDW.

[DrMomof3]

Originally Posted by natebenma

My best friend's son has a similar crush on Jasmine.

I wish I had Jasmine's abs.... Although after 3 kids, there's no hope!

Originally Posted by Native NYer

You got a lot done!
I have to remind myself that the only place on the planet that takes reservations 180 days out is WDW.

Thanks! I'm trying to make it all happen.
It's Disney that's weird. Not the rest of the World. I mean who knows what that want to eat 6 months for today???? But it's a part of our Disney mindset.

Amanda

[rentayenta]

Originally Posted by DrMomof3

$$$
We've taken several vacations this year and money is tight. With the changes in Health Care, Tom is taking home significantly less money this year. It's hard to say exactly but we're guessing 25% less than last year. Having a full kitchen will save us money on food. Having more space will decrease the fighting amongst the monsters. I mean children.
In some ways it's good that this is a more last minute decision because now I have lots of fun trip planning things to do!

Amanda

That is a decent sized cut. Makes total sense. And I agree, having a full kitchen rocks! Not only does it save money but it saves calories....for me anyway.

[DrMomof3]

Originally Posted by rentayenta

That is a decent sized cut. Makes total sense. And I agree, having a full kitchen rocks! Not only does it save money but it saves calories....for me anyway.

The calorie issue definitely came up. Tom is trying really hard to lose weight and get into shape. He really struggles with portion control in restaurants. It's hard for him to leave food behind. I know we'll eat breakfast in the room every morning (and not having to make 8am EMH means we'll have time to make eggs and stuff). We'll pack snacks and maybe lunch to bring to the parks (another advantage of still having strollers!). We'll have plenty of bottled water and boxes of juice so we don't have to buy drinks. Most of our dinners will still be out (it is MY vacation too!) but we're trying to make good choices. For example we're keeping our Bluezoo reservation because they serve a lot of fish which is healthier than eating at Shula's or Yachtsman with the big steaks.

Amanda

[DrMomof3]

Day 1:

Pack snacks and lunch for the flight. Load up car and leave house around 8:30am. Drive to White Plains airport. Curbside check-in (probably around 8:45am). Go through security and wait to board flight. Enjoy DirecTV on board. Kids will probably want to order snack boxes on the plane.
Arrive in Orlando. Get suitcases. Go to Alamo counter and pick up minivan. Go to Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort. Check-in! Hope that room is ready (it'll probably be around 2:30-3pm at this point in time). Maybe one parent goes grocery shopping while other takes kids swimming? (I was thinking about stopping at Publix on the way to the resort but that might be an issue if our room isn't ready???). If no afternoon thunderstorm, take kids swimming. Otherwise unpack and maybe watch a movie in the room or explore the resort.
Change into dinner clothes. Drive to Hilton for 6:30pm dinner at Benihana. (I'm thinking that the Benihana dinner will be a surprise). Enjoy a fun Hibachi experience. Go back to hotel and get a good night's sleep!

Amanda

[Native NYer]

Great first day plans!
It's nice to just relax and not feel like you have to run to a park.

[ddluvsdisney]

Originally Posted by DrMomof3

Day 1:

Pack snacks and lunch for the flight. Load up car and leave house around 8:30am. Drive to White Plains airport. Curbside check-in (probably around 8:45am). Go through security and wait to board flight. Enjoy DirecTV on board. Kids will probably want to order snack boxes on the plane.
Arrive in Orlando. Get suitcases. Go to Alamo counter and pick up minivan. Go to Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort. Check-in! Hope that room is ready (it'll probably be around 2:30-3pm at this point in time). Maybe one parent goes grocery shopping while other takes kids swimming? (I was thinking about stopping at Publix on the way to the resort but that might be an issue if our room isn't ready???). If no afternoon thunderstorm, take kids swimming. Otherwise unpack and maybe watch a movie in the room or explore the resort.
Change into dinner clothes. Drive to Hilton for 6:30pm dinner at Benihana. (I'm thinking that the Benihana dinner will be a surprise). Enjoy a fun Hibachi experience. Go back to hotel and get a good night's sleep!



Amanda

Sounds like great first day plans. It sounds like you almost have enough dinner ideas, right? Do you need any more off site ideas?? I've heard of a couple good ones not as far as Bonefish.