Whew! Finished getting my ADRs this morning. We are staying off site, so I was quite nervous...had to call 180 days before each reservation rather than being able to book ressies for my entire trip. (And I must say, I will definitely keep this in mind when we book our *next* WDW vacation!)
I must say a huge
THANK YOU to everyone here for your helpful tips and advice. If it weren't for all of you, we would have nothing!! When I first started planning, I had no idea how far in advance I would need to do these things...with the expertise of all of you, we have some really special experiences planned and I can hardly wait to leave on our vacation -- just 173 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds away!!
Here's what I've got scheduled...let me know what you think.
(A couple FYIs about our family...Our trip is May 3-11 and we are staying off-site at Magical Memories villas. We are all night owls and HATE mornings...even the kids. We have a DD4 and a DS who will celebrate his first birthday during our trip -- May 10. We will be meeting with DH's family who lives in several states between South Carolina and Florida -- they will join us for DS's birthday party.) Saturday, May 3 - we get in late, so we'll just get to our villa and get the kids settled
Sunday, May 4 - go to Magic Kingdom, no real schedule -- ride water rides on this day since DD is going to BBB on Monday and won't want to ruin her 'do
Monday, May 5 -
Princess Day for DD4 - BBB appointment @ 12:20; CRT @ 2:20
Tuesday, May 6 - go to AK, then hop to Epcot for Illuminations if kids are up to it -- no ressies, just eat CS when hungry
Wednesday, May 7 - go to DHS(MGM) --
Fantasmic Dinner Package @ Brown Derby @ 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 8 - go to Epcot -- late lunch at Garden Grill @ 2 p.m.
Friday, May 9 - "anything" day -- go back to parks we really liked, go to the beach, whatever strikes our fancy. I am also *really* crossing my fingers that they'll schedule a PPP for that night!!! (I know, I know, it's unlikely, but a girl can dream!)
Saturday, May 10 - DS's 1st birthday!
Family Magic Tour @ 10 a.m. (DS will stay with Gma during this.) Birthday party @ Crystal Palace at 3:50
=====> We do have a glitch during the birthday party and I would appreciate input -- we have 10 people total coming to celebrate DS's birthday (the 4 of us included), but they couldn't get me a table for 10. They said they'd try to put us all together at side by side tables but couldn't guarantee it. My reservation is for a table of 6 and a table of 4. What do you think -- will they be able to put these tables close by? Should I try to schedule something else? I hate to think of these people spending the price of admission and the cost of their meal, then not being near the birthday boy!! DS already loves Winnie the Pooh, so we really wanted Crystal Palace. Do you think if I call closer to the day (maybe 45 days out) that there will be some cancellations and we can get a 10 person table? Or do they not do these?
I also considered Chef Mickey's, especially since it was off-site and DH's family wouldn't have to pay park admission if they didn't want to. But Pooh keeps calling me!
I also thought about going to the Garden Grove at the Swan -- I love the pictures of the decor there with the big tree in the middle -- DS is completely enchanted by trees! (Haven't read the greatest reviews on the food, though, but it is significantly cheaper.) But they just have Goofy and Pluto, I think, as the characters there and for his birthday, I'd prefer Pooh & Friends or Mickey Mouse. But we are keeping this one as an option if DS is scared by the characters...we'll cancel CP and go there instead and not do much interaction with the characters.
Would love your input!
Also, check out the graphic itinerary I put together. I saw a similar one on another board and was inspired! My DD4 is already completely enthralled with it and loves that she can see what we are planning to do....she has a Disney jar where she is saving her pennies for spending at the park and I think it's content doubled after she saw the itinerary...she went penny diving in all the chairs in the house!
Thanks again to all of you! Our vacation will be extra special because of you!!!!
~K