Don't worry kids, we'll tell Mickey you say hi- May 2016 PTR *Updated 4/28*

[ashw100]

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Hello and to my Pre-Trip Report. I am hoping this will become a place for me to include thoughts about two upcoming trip but one is influx right now, so I will focus on my May 2016 trip. First let me introduce myself.

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This is me, Ashley, maker of this PTR and a couple of other TRs in my signature, if you're interested. I have been a lover of all things Disney my whole life and grew up going to Disneyland , but my obsession with the parks didn't really start until I started planning my family's first trip to WDW in Feb 2014. I am 27 and a stay-at-home mom. I also work part time from home to earn my Disney money.

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Joining me this trip is my DH, Joe. He is also 27 and a retail store manager. He doesn't have the history with Disney that I do, but he loves just as much. He doesn't care about the planning and can't understand why I need to go on the DISboards, but he fell in love on his first trip and wants to continue to go back. It was actually his idea for just us to go, and after our slightly stressful May 2015 family trip, I finally agreed.

Trip Details:
We will be leaving our three boys ages 5, 3, and 1 behind with Joe's parents for the week. We are going from May 1-7 2016 and staying in a preferred room at POP. I know I will be looking for feedback on some of our plans and I look forward to engaging with other Disney fans so don't be shy.

See ya real soon!

 

[ashw100]

Chapter Links

How this trip came to be & ADRs

Must Dos

KTTK & HDDR
Double Digit Dance

Day 1 & 2 Plans

Day 3 & 4 Plans

Day 5, 6, & 7 Plans and other ramblings

Fastpass Night

Itinerary

Flower and Garden Outdoor Kitchens
New Countdown???

Outfits

Giving up on planning??

3 weeks from today, 5/1

3 weeks from today, 5/2

3 weeks from today, 5/3

3 weeks from today, 5/4

3 weeks from today, 5/5
3 weeks from today, 5/6

I'm going to Disney World!!

 

[Chelley00]

We are doing an adults only trip the same week. Can't wait to see your plans!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Joining in! So exciting that you get an adult only trip! It really is a completely different trip. you will enjoy it!

 

[cindianne320]

Joining in! DH and I have done 2 solo trips since having kids, most recently in 2014. We are also taking a Disney Cruise to Alaska without the kids this summer. I think it's much needed on your part!

 

[hokieinpa]

Following along! So excited that we'll be there at the same time (May 1-May 8). We're staying at AKL renting DVC points this time. But we stayed at POP in a preferred pool view room during our last trip.

I think a couples trip sounds amazing! It will be a whole new view of WDW and should be very relaxing! Excited to read more about your plans!

 

[rteetz]

Joining in to follow along!

 

[afwdwfan]

Having just read your most recent update on your TR, I can only imagine how excited you must be about getting a bit of a do-over without the boys!

 

[ashw100]

We are doing an adults only trip the same week. Can't wait to see your plans!

Awesome, thanks for joining in.

Joining in! So exciting that you get an adult only trip! It really is a completely different trip. you will enjoy it!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

Joining in! DH and I have done 2 solo trips since having kids, most recently in 2014. We are also taking a Disney Cruise to Alaska without the kids this summer. I think it's much needed on your part!

Wow that's awesome, I am super excited to be able to relax and have fun with DH and to do it in Disney is even better.

Following along! So excited that we'll be there at the same time (May 1-May 8). We're staying at AKL renting DVC points this time. But we stayed at POP in a preferred pool view room during our last trip.

I am so excited to stay there, which I know might be weird since its value, but it just looks so fun. I am hoping some of our plans overlap and we can have a DISmeet.

I think a couples trip sounds amazing! It will be a whole new view of WDW and should be very relaxing! Excited to read more about your plans!

I think it will be awesome besides the part where I will miss my kids like crazy.

Joining in to follow along!

Having just read your most recent update on your TR, I can only imagine how excited you must be about getting a bit of a do-over without the boys!

We sure do need some tantrum free Disney touring

 

[ursalita]

Joining in! I still have to catch up on your current TR but I noticed this and I think it's great that you are getting an adults only trip. Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[Dugette]

I'm here! So happy to hear that you get some couple time at WDW. And we love staying at Pop. Looking forward to hearing how things shape up for the trip!

 

[ashw100]

Joining in! I still have to catch up on your current TR but I noticed this and I think it's great that you are getting an adults only trip. Looking forward to hearing more.

Thanks for joining, I think this is the most I have been excited about a trip.

I'm here! So happy to hear that you get some couple time at WDW. And we love staying at Pop. Looking forward to hearing how things shape up for the trip!

Thanks, we are super excited. I can't wait to check out Pop.

 

[ashw100]

Trip Backstory

This might be slightly boring, but I feel it is necessary to see how we have gotten to this point. Plus I promise to include pictures and such to liven it up .

When we took our first family trip in 2014, Joe agreed that WDW was awesome and he loved it, but it was too expensive so we would try and make it an every other year sort of thing. So I started pre-planning a trip for Fall 2016 because we really wanted to do MNSSP and F&W. Well as you all know I swindled him into a 2015 trip, but the 2016 was always sitting there in the back of my mind. A couple of things lead this to be a couples trip though. While I have always wanted to do something just the two of us, I always ended up feeling too guilty. There was no way we could afford to do a couples trip and a family trip in one year, and I always figure we'll have plenty of time for us trips once the kids are gone, but you only have them with you for so long. First, I started working part time and now we could afford an us trip and a family trip . Second, the kids made our trip a little stressful last time around making me feel less guilty about leaving them behind this time.

Exhibit A ​

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Exhibit B​

Tantrum because he doesn't want his picture taken​

Exhibit C​

And don't let this face deceive you, while I don't have photographic evidence, this one was the most difficult​

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So, it was settled, we would go in the Fall to celebrate our anniversary and the family would go in May to do SWW again. Sadly, SWW was canceled . My family is pretty heartbroken about this fact. Well with this happening we flipped them because the boys would get to go to the Halloween party. Unfortunately for us, Joe's assistant manager is now pregnant and will be gone on maternity leave during the fall. So, our family trip has been postponed indefinitely and I am back to feeling guilty.

All that being said I am super excited for this trip . We had originally wanted to go to Disney on our honeymoon, unfortunately I knew little about planning a trip and how to make it affordable, took one look at the price and said nope. Looking back I could have made it work, but oh well we ended up having a fantastic honeymoon cruise

Key West 2008​

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Plus now, it can be like a second honeymoon .

Okay now we can move on to something everyone loves...Disney food

Planning my ADRs is one of the my favorite parts of planning. As I am sure some of you can relate, I make 99% of our meals and I love when I get to have someone else cook for me . My theme this time was to go to new to us places or places that we don't want to take the boys. A few places we have been got snuck in but for the most part I think I have stayed true to that. Here is what we have so far

May 1: California Grill (Arrival Day)
8:50 dinner at California Grill. This is has always been a bucket list thing for me. Joe and I eat very simply and do not have sophisticated palates, but I figured worst case we can always just get steak. I am most excited to see Wishes from a new vantage point though.

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May 2: Ohana Dinner
This is Joe's favorite restaurant on Disney property and a must do for him. He still stalks about out dinner here

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May 3: Chef's de France
We had a really hard time deciding here, it was between Biergarden, Via Napoli, Chef's de France, and Le Cellier. Ultimately, we chose this because it has a lot of stuff we want to try.

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May 4: 50's Prime Time Lunch Be Our Guest Dinner
I have heard so many great things about this place. I am really hoping Joe will split the sampler, so we can try a little of everything. I also want to make sure to get a PB&J shake that I have heard so much about.

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This is probably going to change. I really would like to do Skipper Canteen, but I am waiting to see if they will start taking ADRs. BOG would be a duplicate for us, so it would be nice to try something new.

OR

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May 5: Kona Breakfast Morimoto Dinner
I am not sure if we will keep this one either. We will have had a late night at MK the night before so I made a late reservation, but I am wondering if we would be happier just eating around the world at the outdoor kitchens. I do love the tonga toast though...decisions decisions.

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Again this might change, we are trying to keep this night somewhat open in case Rivers of Light has started by then. I am considering changing to Hoop Dee Doo, but this is not something I really think is up our alley. However, I have not heard one negative thing about it so we'll see. Any thoughts about HDDR are welcome. If not, Morimoto's sounds yummy plus it would give me an excuse to drag Joe to Disney Springs.

OR

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May 6: Hollywood Brown Derby or Beaches & Cream Dinner
This is another either or situation. Right now I really want to do Beaches & Cream. I gad to dump this in May in favor of the Rebel Hanger and I really want to do it. However, HBD is a F! dinner package and seeing this show is important to us. Honestly though, after looking at the menu the only thing that sounds appealing to me is the Cobb salad and the F! package is $63 so it is kind of a waste. Our Beaches & Cream ADR is for 6:50 as this was the earliest time I could find. Do you think we could eat and make it back to DHS for a 9 o'clock Fantasmic? After the first time a show being filled to capacity 20 minutes before show time and the monstrous line we saw in May, I am afraid if it takes an hour to eat and possible 30 minutes to get back to DHS getting there around 8:20 will make it hard to find seats. Any thoughts on this?

OR

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May 7: Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch (Departure Day)
I thought this would be a fun place to take Joe. He LOVES American history and I thought his would be something he would enjoy before we head home.

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[rteetz]

It's nice that you finally get to do a couples only trip.

I'm loving your ADRs.

I have never done California Grill but have heard great things about it.

I've only done Ohana for breakfast. I really want to do dinner but just haven't yet as my family is very picky.

I have Chefs de France for the first time in a week so I have no opinion there yet.

50s Prime Time is awesome! I recommend it to people all the time.

I haven't done Kona, Morimoto, or HDDR but have always wanted to do both Kona and HDDR. Morimoto isn't on the top of my list because again my picky family.

I've only done Beaches and Cream for the Kicthen Sink and let me tell you that is an experience! Both see, like good choices tho.

LTT seems like another good place to eat. I haven't eaten there myself but do want to try it.

 

[ursalita]

Hey! You have a lot of my wants for our upcoming trip on your list: Cali Grill, Ohana, Chefs de France, BOG dinner and Morimoto. Sounds fantastic!

I am considering changing to Hoop Dee Doo, but this is not something I really think is up our alley. However, I have not heard one negative thing about it so we'll see. Any thoughts about HDDR are welcome. If not, Morimoto's sounds yummy plus it would give me an excuse to drag Joe to Disney Springs.

I would say that if you don't think HDDR is up your alley than I'd skip it. I've never done HDDR because, like you, I don't think the entertainment is something we'd really enjoy. While the food might be good, unless you particularly like that kind of food you're paying for the entertainment. IMO, Morimoto will likely have better food for the price. Again, just my opinion. YMMV.

This is another either or situation. Right now I really want to do Beaches & Cream. I gad to dump this in May in favor of the Rebel Hanger and I really want to do it. However, HBD is a F! dinner package and seeing this show is important to us. Honestly though, after looking at the menu the only thing that sounds appealing to me is the Cobb salad and the F! package is $63 so it is kind of a waste. Our Beaches & Cream ADR is for 6:50 as this was the earliest time I could find. Do you think we could eat and make it back to DHS for a 9 o'clock Fantasmic? After the first time a show being filled to capacity 20 minutes before show time and the monstrous line we saw in May, I am afraid if it takes an hour to eat and possible 30 minutes to get back to DHS getting there around 8:20 will make it hard to find seats. Any thoughts on this?

We ate at Beaches and Cream in April and really enjoyed it. It was a quick meal but then you have to consider transportation times, etc. so it might be tight getting back to HS for Fantasmic! Can you move the ADR up? Also, have you considered doing a different restaurant with the dinner package? We did Mama Melrose with the package and we thought the food was good and if I remember it was less expensive than HBD.

 

[hokieinpa]

I LOVE planning ADRs...and anything else so I love this list.

California Grill seems like a great couple only meal. I read a dining report that said the steak was amazing! And the Wishes view will be awesome!

I enjoyed the food at Prime Time on our trip last year. I think I got the sampler? It was so good! But I remember the night being rough overall and the boys acting up at the table...so my memory is a little tarnished. And I keep hear rave reviews about the PB&J shake!

I would choose Skipper Canteen as well! And yum - Tonga Toast! Maybe keep Kona or even just pop over to Captain Cooks?

It might be cutting it close to get back for Fantasmic. It is the second showing but with it being a Friday night, it might be really crowded. Maybe keep searching for an earlier time at Beaches & Cream?

And we loved lunch at LTT! The Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake was just as good as everyone says it is!

 

[cindianne320]

We ate at California Grill in 2014 to celebrate our anniversary. It was delicious and we had a wonderful server. Unfortunately, it was raining during Wishes, but the view was still spectacular- I made DH go outside for a bit, anyway.

Your other choices sound good, too! I can't wait to start reading reviews on Skipper Canteen!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

This is probably going to change. I really would like to do Skipper Canteen, but I am waiting to see if they will start taking ADRs. BOG would be a duplicate for us, so it would be nice to try something new.

If the menu at Skipper Canteen is catching your eye I'd say go with that one. When I looked over the menu I noticed that the kids menu wasn't that great. It may be an easier restaurant to try when its just you and your DH.

I do love the tonga toast though...decisions decisions.

I believe I may have heard that you can get the Tonga toast at the quick service. If that is the case and Tonga toast is all you are after then why not cancel the ADR and hit up the qs if and when you get a chance?

I am considering changing to Hoop Dee Doo, but this is not something I really think is up our alley. However, I have not heard one negative thing about it so we'll see. Any thoughts about HDDR are welcome.

You must have skipped over my post about it then. The travel to get there is rather involved. While the show is fun we found the food to be more "Meh" then WOW. And while it may be something worth doing once, it really is a whole family thing and I think you would really regret doing it without your boys present. My vote would be to save this for a longer trip with the boys and do what we did that day (Rest day in the morning, see the show that evening. )

After the first time a show being filled to capacity 20 minutes before show time and the monstrous line we saw in May, I am afraid if it takes an hour to eat and possible 30 minutes to get back to DHS getting there around 8:20 will make it hard to find seats. Any thoughts on this?

Is there a second showing for F! that day? If so I'd shoot for that instead. There is also the option to go the picnic route and eat qs while sitting in the stands.

 

[Chelley00]

I'm with Gracefulskinny. We LOVE LOVE LOVE HDDR, but I say save it for your family trip. It's a great all ages kind of place, not not necessarily romantic. (although they sing a lovely song and let people dance if it's your anniversary or something) I toyed with going for our adults only trip but scratched it off the list because of the "family" factor.

 

[afwdwfan]

I like the idea for the trip! I think a little time without the kids becomes a necessity from time to time. I'm just sorry that things beyond your control have thrown a wrench in the family trip plans.

It looks like you're really taking advantage of being without the kids and trying to have some very good meals!