[DawnDenise]

Where Would We Fly Out Of, Our Dining Choices, and Some Other Plans

OK…so the trip with my mom in February came and went, as well as trip to DL in April. When we got home from CA, I made it a priority to work on getting airfare for this trip. Flights out of Louisville were either non-stop at all the wrong times; flights are a decent time but having a layover in Atlanta or Detroit (huh?), $350-$450 a piece RT, or combo of the three. It was just not cool. So after talking to Chuck, we decided that we were going to check flights out of Indy. Yes, it would require a 2 hour drive and most likely a hotel stay the night before, but I truthfully thought we were going to come out ahead. I logged onto Airtran, put in my dates, and just smiled. It took a matter of minutes to decide. We got RT non-stop airfare for both of us for $370. Even with the hotel the night before and gas, we are going to come out ahead by at least $200. Happy with the decision, oh yes I am.

At this point, MVMCP dates were announced at the beginning of May. Prior to May, during one of many chats via IM, Tiff (tigger22) told me that she and her DH were headed to WDW as well during the same time frame. We don’t plan it this way. We just consider it two great minds thinking alike. So I talked with her to find out when they were going to MVMCP so we can go to the same party. We were trying to decide between the 16th and the 20th. We eventually decided on the 20th. I called and ordered my tickets within the two weeks of May and made an ADR for LTT.

Next, it was time for the rest of the ADRs; however, the WDW site did not post the hours for November at the beginning of May. I didn’t have to call until the 18th, so I just started playing around with the historical hours getting a basic game plan. The 18th came and still no hours, so I just went with my plan and got everything I wanted except Yak and Yeti as I had to call exactly 180 days out for that one. That day came and got that ADR without issue. Now, it was within the first week of June that the November hours were finally posted. After reviewing them and comparing them to my plans, I only had to call and change two ressies and had no problems.

I will give a brief rundown of my food choices. I know it isn’t the most interesting info but since we are going on the Deluxe Dining Plan, I wanted to show how we are using our meal credits.

Saturday: Teppan Edo (L); Cali Grill (D) (7 hours between meals)
Sunday: Crystal Palace (B); Citricos (D)
Monday: Yak and Yeti (L); Artist Point (D) (6.5 hours between meals)
Tuesday: 1900 Park Fare (B); Spirit of Aloha Luau—8:00pm show
Wednesday: Akerhaus (B); Narcossees (D)
Thursday: Chefs De France (L); LTT (D) (5.5 hours between meals)
Friday: Kona Café (B); Le Cellier (D)
Saturday: Ohanas (B); Biergarten (L)

There are a lot of new restaurants for the both of us which we are both excited about trying. We plan to use the snack credits to satisfy any hunger urges we might have between the meals. I’m going to make every effort to take pictures of our food and do mini-reviews throughout the TR, not just the "I ate here and this is what we had."

Airfare-check, ADRs-check, MVMCP tickets-check. Now I wanted to do something to surprise Chuck for his birthday. He had already gotten his birthday present early due to his iPod nano being in his car that was in the repair shop and he had two business trips (one to Mexico) and he had to have music. Spoiled, yeah…we both are. Luckily, I had already bought him a new iPod classic that I planned to give him the night before we left for WDW. Anywho, I decided to try and snag an Illuminations Cruise. After seeing all the pictures from other PassPorters cruises, I knew this is what I wanted. 90 days out was on a Saturday morning. Guess who forgot to call? Yep, that would be me. I remembered first thing Monday morning and called immediately. The planning gods must have been watching over me because I snagged the last boat available for the night I wanted it.

After I snagged the cruise, I told Tiff so her and her DH could plan to join us. I had been chatting with Peggy (POOH) and let her know that I was going to try and get a cruise. I PM’d her to let her know I got one, and she let me know it would be her and her sister. I then put a post out on the PP boards to see if I could fill up the last 4 slots. I got a PM from Lisa (poohbearu.k.), and she asked if her family could be the four. Sent a PM back and said that her family was more than welcome, so Lisa, her DH, and her two sons will be joining us on the 21st.

Coming Up: Craft Time and Some Final Thoughts