[iluvwdw]

Hi everyone!!! My next Disney World adventure is in a little over two weeks. Here are the cast of characters:

ME Kim (32)
DH Eugene (33)
DS Nathaniel (4)
DD Genavieve (4 MONTHS)
DM Mom (55)
DSD (STEPDAD) Kevin - (51)
DB Keith (31)


I am going to WDW with my parents (mom and step father) who are FIRST TIMERS!!!! This trip has been so hard to plan since they go on vacation to have a nice, relaxing, VACATION. So when I brought up planning to them months ago, they both looked at me like I had 5 heads or something. They could NOT believe that we had to plan meals at WDW that far in advance! They are fly by the seat people, they like to go with the flow. I used to be like that...until I started to frequent WDW more often and realized that I had to wait 2 hours to eat in a good restaurant!

I was finally able to talk my mom into making a FEW plans. I advised her that we would be able to cancel ADRs if we wanted to, but it was always better to have something planned, than to have nothing at all.

We were originally going to go to MNSSHP the first night we arrive, which is Sunday 10/16, but we decided against that. We will be up at 4am that morning, since our flight leaves promptly at 7am. We need to be at the airport by 5:30am. So we really didn't think we could handle staying at MK and enjoying it our first day. So we decided to go to MNSSHP on Thursday 10/20.

Here are the plans, so far:

SUNDAY 10/16 - TRAVEL DAY...Land at 9:45am and go get rental cars (we got two). We will probably chill at the resort all day and my parents and brother will get acquainted with my timeshare property, since they have never been there. After we get our villa assignments, we will do our grocery shopping at Super Walmart (or we might try the new Super Target) to stock our villas with the essentials. We will probably go to DTD that night for dinner and drinks (maybe PI if mom will take the kids! My brother Keith is coming with us, who is single and he plans to party!)

MONDAY 10/17 (MY BIRTHDAY)...we might start out the day going to MK...nothing beats starting your visits to the parks with a visit to MK! Especially for my parents, who have never been there. I can't wait to see the castle all decked out! We might take a break in the afternoon, or we might go to Epcot at lunchtime. We will eat (and drink ) our way around the world and check out the International Food and Wine Festival! Then that night, we have an ADR for Le Cellier. We will top off the day with ILLUMINATIONS. This will be my parents first glimpse of Disney nighttime extravaganzas!!!!!

TUESDAY 10/18 - 10:20am Chef Mickey's Breakfast...we will be celebrating DS Nathaniel's 4th birthday here! Although his birthday is 10/13, this is really HIS birthday trip. We want to make him feel REALLY special, since all of the attention around here has gone to our new baby girl Genavieve these past 4 months. So this is HIS trip!! After Chef Mickey's, we will probably go to Animal Kingdom for the rest of the day (it closes at 5pm). NO plans for dinner yet.

WEDNESDAY 10/19 - 7:20pm OHANA dinner...I can't wait for this! I am also going to add to the ADR that this is NATHANIEL'S BIRTHDAY!! My mom is actually excited about it. She said the restaurant sounds AMAZING!!! Keep in mind, my step father is a pure MEAT EATER, so this place will be perfect for all of us! (my mom will eat turkey, pork and maybe shrimp) I don't know where we are going to start our day. We MIGHT use this as our Universal day, I am not sure yet! If not, we might go to MGM.

THURSDAY 10/20 - MNSSHP night and 4pm CRYSTAL PALACE DINNER...again, another celebration for the birthday boy - We will probably spend the morning and afternoon relaxing at the resort. Then we have our dinner and Halloween party that night! I can't wait for this! Everyone is excited! Nathaniel will be BUZZ and Genavieve will be POOH dressed up as a honey bee!

FRIDAY 10/21 - No plans yet...My brother leaves at 7pm

SATURDAY 10/22 - No plans yet

SUNDAY 10/23 - No plans yet...We check out of our villas and check into the Sheraton Safari for the night

MONDAY 10/24 - Leave in the afternoon to come home...maybe go out for breakfast at the resort before we get ready to leave for the airport

I am sure I will make other plans, but these are the ones I have as of now. Keep in mind that my parents wanted to spend time at the resort to relax and enjoy the pools and do lots of fun activities with Nathaniel, since he LOVES the water so much!!! I think this leaves PLENTY of relaxing time as of now, don't you think??? I will definitely add at least one more Disney Park day (maybe 2?) to this itinerary, but that might have to be done while we are there.

I plan to add other ADR's for dinner. I have decided I want to have at least one ADR for every day we are there. Then, if we want to, we can always cancel if we decide to go somewhere else. My question is this...which places would you recommend?? I am looking for decent sit down places,with prices that aren't SO bad. My step-father won't go to any Italian restaurants, unless they serve Steak or Seafood. Which places would you recommend? I am looking to make ADR's at the RESORTS, since we don't know what parks we will be in each day.

What do you think?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP EVERYONE!!!!!

[Dana]

The plans look good. Plenty of relaxing time for mom and DSF. I love how you are letting your DS have a special trip for his birthday. It's hard to be the big brother when you are used to be the only one. I remember all to well when my DS and DB came along... I told my mom to take my sister back after an hour or so..lolol That's a great way to give him some extra love.

[lovemysons]

It looks like you have done a marvelous job planning so far!
As far as resort dinners or lunches, you could try Whispering Canyon Cafe,(lots of meat) or Kona Cafe at the Poly, since you already have Ohana's on your list. Nathan will love the Crystal Palace. My DS who will turn five on our trip requested dinner with Pooh and breakfast at Chef Mickeys! Sounds like we think alike.

[mickaholic4077]

Kim,you're going to have a wonderful time!!!

[iluvwdw]

Thanks, guys!!!

So does ANYONE else have any meal recommendations at resort restaurants? I am really considering Whispering Canyon!!! Anything else??

[DisneyTeacher]

Your plans look great. Kim.

For a nice relaxing sit down meal in the MK we like the Plaza Restaurant. It's a nice change from big, heavy meals and fast food.

We tried Hollywood and Vine for the first time this past summer and it was really pretty good. There was something for everyting, even my picky DMIL.

We also tried Liberty Tree Tavern for the first time this past summer and I fell in love with it. The food was good and the characters were really great with Nathan.

[alicefan]

Kim -

1900 Park Fare at the GF has a nice character buffet, Animal Kingdom Lodge has a few restaraunts - Boma is one that I heard was good, also we are doing a character breakfast at Cape May Cafe' at the Boardwalk - it's Goofy and friends. When we stayed at WL we ate at Whispering Canyon a lot and it was good food and really a lot of fun!! Enjoy!!!

[iluvwdw]

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!! I will discuss these places with DH and my mom to see where they want to go!

If anyone else has any places to add, that would be great!!!!!!

[BDavis932]

Hey Kim, what time does your flight go out on Monday the 24th? Are you flying out of MCO?

[JM0318]

Hi Kim, I just thought I would throw in some information... the time you are going to be at Disney.... is also Biketoberfest, they have it in Orlando and all the way over to Daytona.... so don't be surprised if you see some Bikers there... We will be in Daytona for the biketoberfest... we ride a red harley... just a little information...

[lovemysons]

Oh definitely try Boma's. Also, I have read that Boatwrights at POR is also a very good place to eat, and I know Spoodles (don't remember which resort) comes highly recommended. And as for Boma, it is stupendous, and if you go, plan extra time to walk around the resort. It is breathtaking. Oh, and sorry, I just realized your son is Nathaniel, not Nathan, as I referred to him in my earlier post. Sorry!

[hiner]

Whispering Canyon (WL) was loads of fun for all. Also Cape May Cafe (BC) Clam Bake was really good too, they also have a character breakfast. 1900 Park Fare (GF) has a wonderful breakfast with characters. ESPN Club (on the BW) is a lot of fun too. We absolutely love House of Blues at DTD, awesome food.

[tiggerlover1971]

Kimmy your plans sound wonderful I agree WCC is a good place I also love Boatwrights if your not sure about getting them in parks What about Cape may I dont remember if you liked it when we were all there in December or not . I cant wait to hear your moms and brothers view since its their first time going to Disney oh and kimmy you need a new avatare with Genevive in it lol

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by tiggerlover1971

oh and kimmy you need a new avatare with Genevive in it lol

HAHAHA, I KNOW!!! I don't have a new family portrait that includes her!!! I am a bad mommy, I know...

[iluvwdw]

By the way, THANK YOU for all of your suggestions!!!! I am going to be making ADRs tomorrow for a bunch of places. I think I am going to stick to Whispering Canyon, maybe the Cape May Clam Bake, and I am on the fence about Bomas...I have to check out a menu on allears. What kind of food do they have? Is it too eclectic??