[interfx]

Hi everyone!

This is going to be trip #2 for us at WDW, with our 3 kids, ages 7, 5 and 3. We went for our 10 yr anniversary last year - and we decided we'd go again this year for 11 yr anniversary!

We are staying at Grand Floridian, Sugarloaf concierge - where we stayed last year. I want to repeat some things, and try some new things. Last year was great - but I don't want to be boring and do all the same things again - but it was a lot of fun.

We will do dinner with Cindy at 1900 Park Fare on Sat. night - our first day there. We don't arrive until 3:30pm - that way we can do the pool, then character dinner, and not use a park pass.

One night, last year included getting a babysitter - and we had dinner for 2 at the California Grill atop the contemporary, then spent the evening at MK. That's about our speed. I'd like to go there again - the view was great. I want to know that I'm at Disney. We are not the partying type - so dinner out and cruising MK or MGM is fine with us.

We are thinking 2 dates this year - but we are only there for four days five nights. So I feel bad if we are only out with the kids 2 of those 5 nights - or am I nuts? We could do dinner with the kids - then go back out after that. Our kids are usually in bed by 8, even in the summer.

We didn't do any of the foriegn countries in Epcot last year - thought about taking them to the Japanese restaurant.

We did Crystal Palace - dinner with pooh and friends - it was great. Plan to do that our last night and then watch fireworks in MK.

What about the Lion King show? That sounds fun. Any thoughts?

Since we are doing dinner w/Cindy at 1900 Park fare - should we bother with breakfast at the castle? We didn't do Chef Mickey's last year, and I'd like to do that this year.

Any other ideas would be great! Thank you! You all know so many of the ins and outs - its great!

[Dana]

You can skip CRT and opt for Chef Mickey's since you are having dinner with Cindy at 1900 Park Fare. Chef Mickey's is great fun. The kids are going to love it. Why should you feel guilty about having two nights out? It is your trip too. You are spending all the hours of the days with the kids. Two little nights out aren't going to tramatize them. It's your Anniversary...you guys derserve some alone time. I don't know if you two are steak and potatoes kind of people like me, but LeCellier in Epcot's Canada was awesome. The restaurant is small and intimate and the food is excellent! Not totally romatic like Victoria and Albert's, but very nice. Make time for the Epcot countries. The kids will enjoy it. I just took my 10yr old there this past February and she had a ball with the kidcot stops. Each country is like it's own park with little hidden treasures to find...great fun. Five days is plenty ot see and do tons of things. Grab yourself a guide book and let the kids take turns picking out their favorites and playing tour guide for a day. An excellent guide book is the Passporter. It has colored maps and a list of attractions in each park that the kids can check out. You are going to have a blast. Congrats on your upcoming trip and happy planning to you...it's half the fun. Please let me know if you need any more help with the character meals...i think me and my DD have done mostly all but a few. OH! You must do O'hanna's one night for dinner at the pollnesian resort. It's a great family meal. They have cocnut races and hula contests for the kids. The service and food is top notch!

[interfx]

Thanks, Dana!
That's one place I was going to ask about was Ohana's! So - it would be good to take the kids there? I have a 7 yr old boy and 2 girls (ages 5 and 3). They would love the coconut thing and the hula - that would be great. I wasn't sure if that was a couples place or a family's place. With the name meaning family - you would think it's family oriented. Is this the same place that used to have the hawaiian luau? (not sure how to spell that)

Thanks for your advice (and encouragement for dates! ha! you are right - we should take the time while we have the chance!).

As much as I'd love the fancy of Victoria and Albert's, I just loved the view from the California Grill - it was the best of both worlds - great food and overlooking all the magic!

Thanks again!
-Carla

[marysdaddy]

Ohana's might be fun for dinner, but skip the breakfast there.

I would recommend the ride in Norway for the kids. We took our 1 1/2 year old on it and she loved it. The Mexican restaurant at Epcot is also worth doing. I expected some lame Florida version of Mexican food, but it was quite delicious and traditional.

Have some yummy gelato in Ital as well.

Holy moly. I just figured out why I'm always trying to lose about 10 pounds. :lol:

[Dana]

Originally Posted by interfx

Thanks, Dana!
That's one place I was going to ask about was Ohana's! So - it would be good to take the kids there? I have a 7 yr old boy and 2 girls (ages 5 and 3). They would love the coconut thing and the hula - that would be great. I wasn't sure if that was a couples place or a family's place. With the name meaning family - you would think it's family oriented. Is this the same place that used to have the hawaiian luau? (not sure how to spell that)

Thanks for your advice (and encouragement for dates! ha! you are right - we should take the time while we have the chance!).

As much as I'd love the fancy of Victoria and Albert's, I just loved the view from the California Grill - it was the best of both worlds - great food and overlooking all the magic!

Thanks again!
-Carla

You are so welcme. I am glad I could help. O'hanna's is definately for families. It's a great spot. I was surprised to find my DD wanted to do both the cocnut races and the hula contests..lol she NEVER would have done that at home. That's the magic of WDW for you. O'hanna's is not in the same location as the luau. It's right above the lobby and near some great shops. V&A would be a bit to fancy for me too..lol I think the California Grill is perfect for your celebration dinner. Definately take a bit of time for you and your DH. You have three kids who would be in the kid club together. I don't think they would mind some play time away from you guys. The kid clubs are fun. My DD insists on going to one at least once during every trip and I don't even go out..lol I just let her go in there while I pack. It's nice for htem to take a break from touring and just play with some other kids.

[karliebug]

Why not try the ice cream social at the garden grill in epcot? it is about $6.99/person and you get premade sundaes. Mickey, minnie, chip and dale and sometimes goofy are there for lots of interaction and much less money than a character meal. Plus, it is a nice break in the afternoon to get out of the hot sun. When you make your PS, ask about the rehitchin ceremony for you and your husband- what a cute way to celebrate an anniversary! The waitress does it right at your table and it is cute and fun. My DH and I are devinitely doing it this August when we go-it's our 15th anniversary!Also, don't miss the fantasmic show at MGM. The dinner package at hollywood and vine is the way to go there- you won't have to wait in the enormously long line for the show and the dinner is a buffet with plenty for all to eat and great kid-friendly items.