Dear Disney, Please make DBF fall in love w/you! - a PTR (MEMORY OF THE DAY 5/27!)

[kaos928]

Yay I’m doing my very own, very first PTR!! I hope you’ll all enjoy it and sorry if my abbreviations aren’t standard I’m still working on it We were supposed to go in January but had to postpone it due to financial reasons but some of you Snowbirds might remember me! Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth lol

I’m very excited because…
(a.) Well… it’s DISNEY!!
and (b.) I’m taking DBF for his very first trip! (It’s my 19th )
oh and (c.) FREE DINING!!

So we will me there Monday 8/17 thru Saturday 8/22. We had to squish it in after our week at his family cottage in Canada and before classes start for both of us on the 24th. Currently I am impatiently awaiting the release of the August hours so for now here is my “cast of characters!”

Me – 22
College student going for my BS in Biology and graduating in December

DBF – 23
Also a college student, graduating with his BA in History this month and going to Grad school for his teaching certificate and one day hopes to be a Principal! (if you knew him and his behavioral track record in school this would make you )

All of my other trips have been with my immediate family DMom (soon-to-be-45), DDad (48) DSis - Anna (21) and DSis – Becca (19), with the occasional tag along(s). Here is the impressive list compiled with the help of DM. I plan on adding lots of photos next time I am home and can scan some in so please stay tuned!!!

1994
February at the Ramada Main Gate
At the time I was 7 and in 2nd grade, Anna was 6 and Becca 3. It took me a while of working on my parents to get them to take us on this trip!! “But mooooOOOOooom EVERYONE at school gets to go EVERY year!!!” which at the time did not seem like a gross exaggeration since the majority of families in the district (not including ours lol) was substantially affluent! This would be the beginning of a lifetime obsession for both my Mom and I (sometimes I think DMom is even more obsessed then I am!!) I am surprised that at 7 I vividly remember pulling into the hotel, I think we must have flown this time and rented a car.

1995
February at Days Inn

1996
February at All-Star Music
Our first time staying on-property!! Aweeeesomeness. To me this was our “home” at Disney for many years
November at Days Inn

1997
February at Dixie Landings
OMG the only thing I REALLY remember is we ALL had a TERRIBLE flu that we got when we stopped to visit friends in NC on the drive down. That sure didn’t stop us from seeing the parks though!
November at Contemporary
By this time I was 11 and in 6th grade, Anna was 9 and Becca 7. We stayed in one of the out buildings, which was all right. The pool was sweeeet and we did “tape-art” where they let us make humongous pictures on the wall using painters’ tape. I’ll see if DMom still has the pictures.

1998
November at Coronado Springs

1999
February at All-Star Music
April at All-Star Movies & Music
November at All-Star Sports

2000
February at All-Star Sports
October at 2000 All-Star Music

2001
February at the Grosvenor in Downtown Disney, w/DCousin then 14
It was awesome to be able to walk to DTD!

2002
February at All Star Music

Oh no we missed a year in 2003!

2004
February at Port Orleans
December at Pop Century

No trips in 2005 either Both Anna and I (at 17) had moved out of our parents’ house.

2006
February at Pop Century
August at Pop Century w/DBiL and DNephew then 3
This was Anna’s Disneymoon <3 They stayed at Disney for a few days then we kept her new step-son at Disney with us while they headed down to the Keys to visit DMom’s cousin in Islamorada then on the Key West. It was awesome to see Disney through at child’s eyes again! I nearly cried when we went to see the Little Mermaid and he was popping the bubbles and I remember how I used to do that when I was little :’) *happy tears*

Most/all of the November trips were over Thanksgiving when we meet our neighbors for a turkey dinner at Port Orleans (?) great memories. Later they would get a time-share in Sarasota

We drove from upstate NY many, many times but were fortunate enough to fly when we could afford it.

Weren’t we just the luckiest kids!
I can’t believe it will have been almost 3 years by the time we go in August! How depressing.

OK that’s all for now I don’t want to overwhelm anyone! lol

To come...
Pictures from my past trips.
Will the August hours ever be released?
Can DBF ever understand? (hint: unlikely!)
Will anyone actually read this

Table of Contents:
Where to eat...
Pictures from 8/06
Tentative Itinerary
List of (hopeful) ADRs
ADRs are Made!
Spreadsheet
Black Lake Mini-TR
Crocs!!

 

[Beka]

I'm subbing, got a test here in a minute, but this'll remind me to come back & read!

 

[shordiebecka]

We are long lost sisters girlfriend, because I am on the same quest..how to make DBF love Disney so I can go back with him!!!! It's going to be his 2-3 time, but the first time was in high school, 2nd time was with an ex (booo hiss) and this is his third time...and he does not like Disney much! He is giving it a chance though..so I better make it amazing for him! I'm subbing. Can't wait to hear more..where are you guys staying? We can work together to find ideas about things to make our DBF LOVEEEE Disney!

 

[jewels1916]

I'm subbing!!

 

[kaos928]

I'm subbing, got a test here in a minute, but this'll remind me to come back & read!

Yay! Hope it went well

We are long lost sisters girlfriend, because I am on the same quest..how to make DBF love Disney so I can go back with him!!!! It's going to be his 2-3 time, but the first time was in high school, 2nd time was with an ex (booo hiss) and this is his third time...and he does not like Disney much! He is giving it a chance though..so I better make it amazing for him! I'm subbing. Can't wait to hear more..where are you guys staying? We can work together to find ideas about things to make our DBF LOVEEEE Disney!

Someone totally needs to start a thread for us! Since this is my DBF's first trip I have a lot of hope but I need to make sure to do the things that he'll like so it's gonna take a lot of planning (and a little scheming ) Oh and he already promised we could go again to celebrate when I get my first real job so I have at least two chances! And he agreed to eventually get DVC I talked him into because of all the places you CAN go with the points but what I DIDN'T tell him is that I'm always gonna want to go back to Disney!

I'm subbing!!

Thanks for joining!

 

[kaos928]

Still no park hours Don't they know we need to start planning!!! Ugh. Forgot to mention... we are staying at ASMu, I wanted to stay at POP (love the themeing and didn't want to have to share buses with Movies and Sports) but alas, The Resort you requested is unavailable Boo! When I looked day-by-day it looks like there's only a preferred room on Wednesday and NO rooms on Thursday But I think maybe ASMu will be better for DBF anyway, he's really concerned about being surrounded by screaming children all week So we will probably just stick to were we are!

I am still trying to decide on ADRs, I did go over the list with DBF but almost everywhere he wanted to eat was in EPCOT! I mean I looove EPCOT but we can't spend our whole vacation there!

I know we only have 5 TS but here is a list of places we are thinking of eating:

Trail's End at Fort Wilderness
We are her a LOT when I was a kid and I remember loving it but when I told DBF the kinds of things they serve he was like "We can eat that here, we're at Disney we should do something different!" Love the enthusiasm and I guess I can't argue with that

'Ohana
I don't really know anything about this place except I've heard that it has gone down hill recently? Any thoughts??

Coral Reef
This is a definite dinner for us! Seafood is my FAVE!!

Le Cellier

Nine Dragons
DBF looooves Chinese food... me not so much I might make him stick to CS in China but I haven't decided yet

Rose & Crown
Tutto Italia

Sci-fi Dine-In
We also went here a lot when I was a kid and I love the atmosphere!

Raglan Road
DBF wants this one also

I'm tempted to do any ADRs DBF wants in hopes that it will help him fall for Disney

So in summary... definitely Coral Reef and LeCellier, I guess Nine Dragons and Raglan Road so I have to pick one more. Maybe not Sci-fi since I've been there so many times and kind of want to try something new... we already have EPCOT meals so that just leaves 'Ohana! Unless we decide on Yak & Yeti or Tusker house... forgot about those I could definitely use some input here? What are your "must eat at" restaurants??

I'm actually thinking of making a list of things I want to use our snack credits on... is that going WAAAY overboard or what? I just don't want to miss anything! I'm not even going to try to do any extensive planning til I have the hours though. I may tentatively plan our CS meals but will probably throw them out the window when we get there Oh I'm also thinking of OOP at Rainforest Cafe

Coming up...
When will I post our previous vacation pictures? (hint: I'm going to attempt to use the scanner at school tomorrow)
Who are we leaving behind?
What are our "must sees"?
Will DBF check me into the loony bin?

Oooh 104 more days

<-- Back to Cast of Characters

Next ... Pictures from 2006 -->​

 

[kaos928]

Yay park hours!! All but AK for some reason...

 

[shordiebecka]

When deciding where to eat with DBF, I made a powerpoint presentation i told him to choose his top 10 places, and I choose some places where I wanted to eat, and we were able to get everywhere we wanted except one! a huge help in making the decision was the PP i made- i had pictures, etc etc so we could see all our options.

Ohana is on my list, I have never tried it and I am very excited to try it! Let me tell you that Raglan Road is a MUST DO for me. DELICIOUS FOOD! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

You could do a meal at the boardwalk...flying fish is 2 ts meals but I've heard great things about it. Another place that is a must for me is Germany..all you can eat German buffet! yummy! good luck with your choices!

 

[Beka]

Yay park hours!! All but AK for some reason...

They're up now! Is it just me, or does 9a-9p @ Epcot just not seem right? I mean, they list Illuminations as starting at 9p.

Yay! Hope it went well

I got a B in both classes! My teacher was astonished that I did a 100 question test in 20 minutes. Dude doesn't understand that I *hate* taking tests, & if I don't need to make a 100 to maintain my grade, then I'm not going to!

What are your "must eat at" restaurants??

I must eat at Boma for breakfast (that buffet looks like an insane carb fest, and I'm all over that. I plan on losing weight between now & then just so I can enjoy a mouthful of banana bread & bread pudding for breakfast. *yum*

I also want to eat at Jiko - can't decide if that will be my birthay dinner or if we'll find one at Epcot. I love Epcot!

I also want to try California Grill & the venison spring rolls at Artist Point. I can't decide between the two of these for our date night!

Since we're staying off-site, we'll be eating at the condo a lot, and some CS restaurants too. I wanna try the tuna sandwich at Columbia Harbor. I'm sure it's super fattening; I doubt it's made with light mayo.

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Hey I made it over (ok so I was going to eat but the interest got the better of me ) Ok so I'm so excited about August hrs for one thing. Second is I must say these similarities between us have got to stop! We're only doing one one TS when we go and guess what it is...LeCellier, one of your must do's!!!! Seriously have you been watching me my entire life!!! (J/K by the way) Ok so I've never eaten at Ohana's but from what I've read from people's TR they all pretty much love it so it probably would be a good choice. Guess what, I don't like Chinese food either (seriously stop!) but I did eat at Nine Dragons and it wasn't that bad, I actually ate enough to fill me and it was pretty good. We ate at Raglan Road once and hated it. The food was aweful, maybe it was a one time occurance but in my opinion we will never eat there again (unless my dbf wants to cause as you know we are both trying to get them to love disney!!!) The Yak & Yeti was ok, I'm not big on Asian food but it was ok, I liked the different atmosphere and obviously I found something to eat. I would go here if you want something a little different (at least it was different to me!) Ok I'm sorry that was so long but I hope it helps!!!!

 

[kaos928]

They're up now! Is it just me, or does 9a-9p @ Epcot just not seem right? I mean, they list Illuminations as starting at 9p.

How come I can't see the AK hours?!?!

I got a B in both classes! My teacher was astonished that I did a 100 question test in 20 minutes. Dude doesn't understand that I *hate* taking tests, & if I don't need to make a 100 to maintain my grade, then I'm not going to!

Wow that is speedy! My problem is the opposite even if I don't need 100 I still try like hell to get one. I'm a ridiculous overachiever/perfectionist and I hate it

I must eat at Boma for breakfast (that buffet looks like an insane carb fest, and I'm all over that. I plan on losing weight between now & then just so I can enjoy a mouthful of banana bread & bread pudding for breakfast. *yum*

I also want to eat at Jiko - can't decide if that will be my birthay dinner or if we'll find one at Epcot. I love Epcot!

I also want to try California Grill & the venison spring rolls at Artist Point. I can't decide between the two of these for our date night!

Since we're staying off-site, we'll be eating at the condo a lot, and some CS restaurants too. I wanna try the tuna sandwich at Columbia Harbor. I'm sure it's super fattening; I doubt it's made with light mayo.

Boma sounds great! I was going to try to eat breakfasts in the room since we only get 2 meals a day but we'll see. I'll have to look into Jiko too, I don't really know anything about it! No signature meals for us I just can't justify spending 2 TS credits on them! I think I'm going to take shordiebecka's idea from her PTR and make a slide show for DBF. Thanks for your input!

Hey I made it over (ok so I was going to eat but the interest got the better of me ) Ok so I'm so excited about August hrs for one thing. Second is I must say these similarities between us have got to stop! We're only doing one one TS when we go and guess what it is...LeCellier, one of your must do's!!!! Seriously have you been watching me my entire life!!! (J/K by the way) Ok so I've never eaten at Ohana's but from what I've read from people's TR they all pretty much love it so it probably would be a good choice. Guess what, I don't like Chinese food either (seriously stop!) but I did eat at Nine Dragons and it wasn't that bad, I actually ate enough to fill me and it was pretty good. We ate at Raglan Road once and hated it. The food was aweful, maybe it was a one time occurance but in my opinion we will never eat there again (unless my dbf wants to cause as you know we are both trying to get them to love disney!!!) The Yak & Yeti was ok, I'm not big on Asian food but it was ok, I liked the different atmosphere and obviously I found something to eat. I would go here if you want something a little different (at least it was different to me!) Ok I'm sorry that was so long but I hope it helps!!!!

I know isn't this getting ridiculous?! Hmm I'll have to look for some reviews on Raglan Road I guess thanks for the warning!! I'm gonna go work on my Dining power point now!

 

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

How come I can't see the AK hours?!?!


I know isn't this getting ridiculous?! Hmm I'll have to look for some reviews on Raglan Road I guess thanks for the warning!! I'm gonna go work on my Dining power point now!

I would def. check Raglan Road out, maybe see if other people have eaten there cause I don't want to tell you not to and then have it be a really great restaurant. Like I said it could have just been that they were off that day. so yeah I would def. check. Ok a power point, that's getting a little too OCPD...then again...hmmm could work. I can't see the Ak hours yet either but I found a post that said she got the hrs. from her TA so I'm using them for now until the hours come out. They seem right so they're probably accurate. Here they are for ya...

August 1-8: 9am-7pm
August 9-22: 9am-6pm
August 23-31: 9am-7pm

Extra Magic Hours: Morning: 1,5,8,12,15,19,22,24,31
Evening: 3,10,17,29

And if you're wondering about Fantasmic one of the people on that thread said they were a TA and that Fantasmic: Aug. 2,3,6,9,11,13,16,18,20 @ 9pm and Aug. 23,25,27,30 @ 8:30. Not completely sure about these ones but hey it gives us something.

If you would like to know about Spectro: Aug. 1-15,18,21-23,27,29,31 @9pm and Wishes: 10pm every night MK is open until 10, not sure about the days it closes at 9, they weren't really clear about that one. Hope this helps. I know it helped me!

 

[jewels1916]

I loved Coral Reef when we ate there. The atmosphere was great and the food was yummy too!

 

[Beka]

How come I can't see the AK hours?!?!

Try this: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/calendar/


Wow that is speedy! My problem is the opposite even if I don't need 100 I still try like hell to get one. I'm a ridiculous overachiever/perfectionist and I hate it

Well, there was *no* way I could have gotten an A, and I needed a 70 to maintain my B. I refuse to sress for finals; if I didnt learn it by that point, I never will.


Boma sounds great! I was going to try to eat breakfasts in the room since we only get 2 meals a day but we'll see. I'll have to look into Jiko too, I don't really know anything about it! No signature meals for us I just can't justify spending 2 TS credits on them! I think I'm going to take shordiebecka's idea from her PTR and make a slide show for DBF. Thanks for your input!

I'll let you know how it is. What dates are u going?

 

[Beka]

Oops. Looks like I got DHS & AK mixed up. My bad.

 

[kaos928]

August 1-8: 9am-7pm
August 9-22: 9am-6pm
August 23-31: 9am-7pm

Extra Magic Hours: Morning: 1,5,8,12,15,19,22,24,31
Evening: 3,10,17,29

And if you're wondering about Fantasmic one of the people on that thread said they were a TA and that Fantasmic: Aug. 2,3,6,9,11,13,16,18,20 @ 9pm and Aug. 23,25,27,30 @ 8:30. Not completely sure about these ones but hey it gives us something.

If you would like to know about Spectro: Aug. 1-15,18,21-23,27,29,31 @9pm and Wishes: 10pm every night MK is open until 10, not sure about the days it closes at 9, they weren't really clear about that one. Hope this helps. I know it helped me!

Thank you SOO much!! That's great Now I feel like I can really plan. I was going to get ready for bed, but on second thought...

I loved Coral Reef when we ate there. The atmosphere was great and the food was yummy too!

That's great! I've never gotten to eat there but my parents did for their anniversary trip and they said they loved it, too.

Well, there was *no* way I could have gotten an A, and I needed a 70 to maintain my B. I refuse to sress for finals; if I didnt learn it by that point, I never will.

That's very true. I try not to stress myself out but sometimes I do over-study its a compulsion lol

I'll let you know how it is. What dates are u going?

Our dates are Mon 8/17 to Sat 8/22

 

[shordiebecka]

def give raglan road a try, or look into it more. I had a great experience there and have heard great reviews! maybe it was just a one time thing...

 

[Beka]

Our dates are Mon 8/17 to Sat 8/22

I always miss where people post their dates. You and I will be there at the same time!

 

[kaos928]

I always miss where people post their dates. You and I will be there at the same time!

I was gonna put it in the title but I ran out of characters! Guess I should make it bigger and bolder I didn't even realize we were going to be there at the same time doh! We should meet up sometime! At least to say hi

 

[kaos928]

I am attempting to make my itinerary. So here is my conundrum:
When I am supposed to go to DHS?? (sidenote- we do have park hoppers)
I don't have the hours on hand so I'll have to go by memory here...

We arrive Monday at about 3pm, DHS closes at 7 by the time we get to ASMu via ME and get settled in it's going to be too late to bother, I think

Tuesday is a Fantasmic day and I've also heard its one of the busier days at DHS for some reason

Wednesday they have evening EMH we will be there for that but that is only 3 hours and not enough DHS time! I don't really want to be there during the day because of EMH crowds and its another busy DHS day, or so I hear

Thursday is another Fantasmic day

Friday they have morning EMH

We are leaving EARLY on Saturday

So when should we go to DHS?!?!? HELP!!