May 2014 Trip Back On!

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Throughout 2013, the plan was to return in May 2014 for our 7 year Anniversary. However, we ended up moving and after reevaluating the cost, we decided to push the trip to 2015.
Well a few days ago on a midnight drive home together, my lovely fiance looked at me and said "I think we should just go because I don't think I can wait until 2015. But I think we should go in 2015 too."

And BAM! Just like that I was an ADR, Resort picking, Extra Magic Hours planning fool! Well passed our 180 day mark, I wasn't sure we would get the ADRs I wanted but it was worth a shot!

So here are my plans:

Day 1:
Check Into Coronado Springs
Quick Service Lunch
Head to Downtown Disney
Bowling at Splitsville or Disney Quest
Dinner at Cookes of Dublin
Dessert at Ghirardelli
Day 2:
Uni/IOA Day
Not sure where to eat...
Day 3:
Epcot for morning EMH
Lunch at Coral Reef
Dinner at Via Napoli
Day 4:
Typhoon Lagoon
Quick Service Lunch
Head to Downtown Disney
Dinner at Fulton's Crab House
Day 5:
Magic Kingdom for morning EMH
Lunch at Columbia Harbor House
Dinner at Be Our Guest
Day 6:
Sleep In
Lunch at Beaches & Cream
Mini Golf
Relax at Coronado
Anniversary Dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse
Day 7:
Hollywood Studios for morning EMH
Lunch at 50's Prime Time
Quick Service Dinner
Day 8:
Morning flight home

Tell me what you think!
Should we bother with Disney Quest or Splitsville?
Should we spend more than one day at Epcot since we will be visiting during the Flower and Garden Fest.?
We've never been to 50's PT, B&C, Fulton's, so any opinions on those would be helpful.
Also, with all of these table service meals, should we look into the dining plan?

 

[disneygirl1]

When in May are you going? We'll be there too! I think if you never done DQ before its worth checking it out. All it really is is a glorified Disney arcade Haven't been to Splitville but definitely looks cool! Epcot is so pretty especially during F & G festival. 50's prime time is a lot of fun. Its always on our must do list. The fried chicken and pot roast are my favorites. Be sure to ask what the shake of the day is. When we were there in June it was Red Velet and OMG it was delish! I highly recommend looking into the DDP with all these sit down meals. It stinks forking over all the $$$ up front but having your meals paid for in advance is great. You will definitely get your $$$ worth on the DDP.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

When in May are you going? We'll be there too! I think if you never done DQ before its worth checking it out. All it really is is a glorified Disney arcade Haven't been to Splitville but definitely looks cool! Epcot is so pretty especially during F & G festival. 50's prime time is a lot of fun. Its always on our must do list. The fried chicken and pot roast are my favorites. Be sure to ask what the shake of the day is. When we were there in June it was Red Velet and OMG it was delish! I highly recommend looking into the DDP with all these sit down meals. It stinks forking over all the $$$ up front but having your meals paid for in advance is great. You will definitely get your $$$ worth on the DDP.

Red Velet Shake yummo!
We will be there May 4th to May 11th.
Thanks for your input btw, I appreciate it

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Just one question on Day 6: Why are you planning on going back to Coronado after Beaches and Cream when you are having dinner at Yachtsman? To me, it would make more sense to stay over in that area and walk around Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, and Yacht/Beach. You can't go in the pool, of course, but you can sit on the beach. You can also rent speed boats, bikes, and Surri bikes in the Epcot Resort area. Unless that was a typo.

Prime Time is excellent. I've eaten there for both lunch and dinner. It has yet to fail. Try the fried chicken

So glad you got BOG!!!

No Animal Kingdom???

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Just one question on Day 6: Why are you planning on going back to Coronado after Beaches and Cream when you are having dinner at Yachtsman? To me, it would make more sense to stay over in that area and walk around Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, and Yacht/Beach. You can't go in the pool, of course, but you can sit on the beach. You can also rent speed boats, bikes, and Surri bikes in the Epcot Resort area. Unless that was a typo.

Prime Time is excellent. I've eaten there for both lunch and dinner. It has yet to fail. Try the fried chicken

So glad you got BOG!!!

No Animal Kingdom???

Well, we plan on having lunch and mini golfing early in the day , then heading back to change into something nicer. The taxi from Coronado to The Yacht Club is less than 8 dollars so I don't mind the back and forth.
Is there an advantage to lunch or dinner at 50's? I picked lunch assuming dinner would be more crowded or chaotic
And unfortunately my fiancé isn't a AK fan, so we are skipping it this trip. I was temped to book AKL just so I could at least see some animals but it was too costly. Luckily I'll be in Orlando again in Oct 2014 so I will hopefully get my Animal Kingdom Fix then!
Surprisingly there was plenty of BOG ressies available for the whole week! I was shocked.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Well, we plan on having lunch and mini golfing early in the day , then heading back to change into something nicer. The taxi from Coronado to The Yacht Club is less than 8 dollars so I don't mind the back and forth.
Is there an advantage to lunch or dinner at 50's? I picked lunch assuming dinner would be more crowded or chaotic
And unfortunately my fiancé isn't a AK fan, so we are skipping it this trip. I was temped to book AKL just so I could at least see some animals but it was too costly. Luckily I'll be in Orlando again in Oct 2014 so I will hopefully get my Animal Kingdom Fix then!
Surprisingly there was plenty of BOG ressies available for the whole week! I was shocked.

For Yachtsman it doesn't have to be super dressed up. Business casual. I've actually overdressed there and felt weird

I don't like paying for cabs and will sooner bus (which reminds me, you can bus to the Studios and catch the boat from there to Yacht/Beach if you're in no hurry. It's pretty quick) if I can, which is why I asked. Just keep in mind that if it's $8 each way and you do it 4 times, that's $32 total. The reason I also asked is because sleeping in to me is 10 am getting up and 11 or noon getting out, but I know for some people it's more like 8:30 or 9 getting up and 10 getting out (my normal start time; I'm not a morning person ) So for timing purposes; I wanted to make sure you weren't rushed

It will be equally crowded for lunch or dinner. It will be loud and chaotic. Personally, I would pick dinner if you are going to do one quick service as the quick service food in DHS is kind of "meh" to me for dinner whereas Prime Time serves up good dinner food. Comfort food type stuff. I'd personally rather have a burger for lunch and then meat loaf or fried chicken for dinner, but again, that's personal. If you plan on doing Fantasmic that night, double check the times to ensure that you have enough time to get from dinner to the show. I also recommend doing the later show if there's one available.

 

[Gabe1]

Yay! for 2014. Happy Dance! Love your meal choices.

Me, I'd do another day in the Parks. After freezing my toshie off all winter, I'd rather spend another day looking at pretty flowers and Spring in Epcot over bowling and DQ. Just me though.

 

[RMichael21]

Whoop! Whoop! Have fun on your trip to the world. I hope you can do a trip report.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Yay! for 2014. Happy Dance! Love your meal choices.

Me, I'd do another day in the Parks. After freezing my toshie off all winter, I'd rather spend another day looking at pretty flowers and Spring in Epcot over bowling and DQ. Just me though.

I really wanted to squeeze in some Magic Kingdom time since that is evening emh but I didn't wanna be too tired for my next day at Uni/Ioa... Maybe I should just go for it.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

It will be equally crowded for lunch or dinner. It will be loud and chaotic. Personally, I would pick dinner if you are going to do one quick service as the quick service food in DHS is kind of "meh" to me for dinner whereas Prime Time serves up good dinner food. Comfort food type stuff. I'd personally rather have a burger for lunch and then meat loaf or fried chicken for dinner, but again, that's personal. If you plan on doing Fantasmic that night, double check the times to ensure that you have enough time to get from dinner to the show. I also recommend doing the later show if there's one available.

Then maybe Ill switch to dinner. I've actually never seen Fantasmic I know... I know.. And I call myself a Disney fan.

 

[Gabe1]

I really wanted to squeeze in some Magic Kingdom time since that is evening emh but I didn't wanna be too tired for my next day at Uni/Ioa... Maybe I should just go for it.

Adrenaline. Go for it. Sleep when you get home. : )

 

[disneygirl1]

Red Velet Shake yummo!
We will be there May 4th to May 11th.
Thanks for your input btw, I appreciate it

It was amazingly GOOD!!! We'll be there the 8th to the 18th!

 

[Minnie_girl]

I really wanted to squeeze in some Magic Kingdom time since that is evening emh but I didn't wanna be too tired for my next day at Uni/Ioa... Maybe I should just go for it.

I would go for it.

 

[rt06]

I take it those are the vouchers you are using? If that's the case, it doesn't hurt to try Disney Quest.

50s is my favorite restaurant. Love the parfait.

Since you're heading to UNI for a day, the DDP may not be economical, though you would be able to put that unused table service credit towards Yachtsmen. I found myself with a bunch of snack credits towards the end of my stay. Hoarding 12" pixie stix just to get your money's worth isn't really a money saver.

The way I worked it out for 2014 is no DDP. The price differential averages out to $60 pp/per day. It really depends on your eating habits. A place like Via Napoli, my party of 3 would have been perfectly happy with the fried calamari and a large pie, which you can't do on the DDP. Even with 3 drinks, dessert, and tips, I'm well under the $180 daily average. I could have Via Napoli lunch and dinner and still come out on top!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

It was amazingly GOOD!!! We'll be there the 8th to the 18th!

Im totally jealous that your staying at the Beach Club & Animal Kingdom Lodge BTW! I'm determined to stay at both of those resorts.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

I take it those are the vouchers you are using? If that's the case, it doesn't hurt to try Disney Quest.

50s is my favorite restaurant. Love the parfait.

Since you're heading to UNI for a day, the DDP may not be economical, though you would be able to put that unused table service credit towards Yachtsmen. I found myself with a bunch of snack credits towards the end of my stay. Hoarding 12" pixie stix just to get your money's worth isn't really a money saver.

The way I worked it out for 2014 is no DDP. The price differential averages out to $60 pp/per day. It really depends on your eating habits. A place like Via Napoli, my party of 3 would have been perfectly happy with the fried calamari and a large pie, which you can't do on the DDP. Even with 3 drinks, dessert, and tips, I'm well under the $180 daily average. I could have Via Napoli lunch and dinner and still come out on top!

Yep! Vouchers as long as they are still included in the package for 2014.
I may need to find a spreadsheet or something to really work out the cost. Do you know how many snacks you can get for left over Quick service credits?

 

[rt06]

Yep! Vouchers as long as they are still included in the package for 2014.
I may need to find a spreadsheet or something to really work out the cost. Do you know how many snacks you can get for left over Quick service credits?

I don't know, but if you're already anticipating that, you might be better off without.

 

[rt06]

Without quoting everyone's wonderful suggestions:

How about lunch at Mama Melrose's to reserve a Fantasmic VIP spot, then dinner at 50s. Just another reason for me to forgo DDP, because lunch for me would be calamari and a caesar salad.

If you do choose to skip the DDP, then you don't need MYW, at which point you should look into resorts and tickets through a third party. For instance, Expedia offers AKL and Beach Club at 11% less than Disney with free cancellation.

I stayed at AKL in the summer. It is fantastic to explore. Go see your animals. I would recommend B&C, bus to Blizzard Beach for mini golf (the one next to it), bus to AKL, bus back to Coronado. Really, mini golf is a half hour at most (it's hot out there), and you can easily kill a couple of hours at AKL. I would even recommend doing your relaxing there. The Jambo House pool is one of the best in Disney. There are showers and lockers, and you can bus back to Yachtsman.

 

[jimbo mack]

I'm going in May too, first time I've ever been in May but I've been informed by many it's a good month to go.

 

[disneygirl1]

Im totally jealous that your staying at the Beach Club & Animal Kingdom Lodge BTW! I'm determined to stay at both of those resorts.

We love AKL! It's are favorite resort! Trying BC for the first time. Excited to try some place new. We are staying at BWV for the 1st time next week too. I'm on a mission to stay are evey disney resort. Have stayed at all the values and moderates. Just need to make my way thru the deluxe resorts now! LOL