Magic Happens, and Then You EAT: Our Gluttonous *Year of the Dragon* COMPLETE!!

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Yes, we are! We have done so on our last several trips, since JetBlue started flying direct to MCO from Westchester. We also love that airport! It is extremely pleasant, and also the closest to where we live, so it works out all around. It is always our first choice departure airport, but unfortunately, service is relatively limited. On the other hand, we like its small size, and adding more service would mean increasing the size of the airport, and I don't think we'd like that!

DDW, are you from the New York area?!

Yep, I'm from Westchester as well (but am currently attending university in Philadelphia). And Westchester Airport makes traveling much more enjoyable - the airport's easier to navigate, has shorter lines, etc. On the other hand, ever since JetBlue opened T5 in JFK, I've been tempted to fly out of there just so we could see the new terminal - but Westchester is just too convenient!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Yep, I'm from Westchester as well (but am currently attending university in Philadelphia). And Westchester Airport makes traveling much more enjoyable - the airport's easier to navigate, has shorter lines, etc. On the other hand, ever since JetBlue opened T5 in JFK, I've been tempted to fly out of there just so we could see the new terminal - but Westchester is just too convenient!

So we are neighbors!! How exciting! When are you going in August?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

So we are neighbors!! How exciting! When are you going in August?

We're probably going on the 14th or 15th, so we'll miss you by a few days, but I'll get to see some of your reviews before leaving.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We're probably going on the 14th or 15th, so we'll miss you by a few days, but I'll get to see some of your reviews before leaving.

Bummer we'll just miss you. I know! I'll talk Aladdin into extending the trip a few days ! Well, now I really feel the pressure to get my reviews done quickly!

*Fingers crossed* that you actually get to go ahead and book that trip!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Bummer we'll just miss you. I know! I'll talk Aladdin into extending the trip a few days ! Well, now I really feel the pressure to get my reviews done quickly!

*Fingers crossed* that you actually get to go ahead and book that trip!

I hope so too! And I would definitely say to extend the trip, but my financial advice isn't the best.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I hope to do a live report using my phone starting next week. This is a practice post.

Tonight to celebrate 7 days until Disney, we went out to our favorite local burger joint:

We shared a salad with bleu cheese dressing. This photo depicts only my portion after it was mixed in a big bowl:

Then I had a Squire's Burger with American cheese and sweet potato fries:

I.wanted to take more photos for you, especially of Aladdin's Smother Burger and onion rings, but my family was getting a little embarrassed by me taking food photos in a local restaurant. It's perfectly acceptable in Disney but not so much at home.

These photos were taken with my phone and uploaded to photobucket and then included in this post. I did ok, right?! I'm planning to do a live trip report in this manner...not necessarily including dining details, but we'll see how that goes.

If you live in Westchester county, ahem...DDW...you must try Squire's for the world's BEST burger!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I've never been to Squire's, but I could always go for a good burger and that looks great.

And I have to agree with you - for some reason, I feel just fine taking food pictures in Disney with my camera. But in a Manhattan, local, or Philadelphia restaurant, I don't want to attract extra attention, so I stick with my iPhone for the occasional food pic. Ah, the magic of Disney

 

[MainStreetFireman]

I.wanted to take more photos for you, especially of Aladdin's Smother Burger and onion rings, but my family was getting a little embarrassed by me taking food photos in a local restaurant. It's perfectly acceptable in Disney but not so much at home.

...how the other 3 of us were saying "Mommmmm, what are you doing? People KNOW us here!!!"

The things that are acceptable, even commonplace in WDW, that we just don't do at home...

 

[emmysmommy]

You guys are TOOO funny with the food photo cracks! I completely understand the concept that if I'm on vacation and in WDW where so many people do this that it is acceptable (even dare I say "normal") to take photos of your food. But at home... I just feel odd!

And may I congratulate you on unraveling another mysterious part of Mr. DDW - living in Westchester/Philly! Stupid question from me... Is White Plains airport the same as Westchester? Years ago I flew in/out of there when I had business travel for clients in that area. I remember it being a small airport with family pets accompanying travelers in the terminal building.

Congrats on getting your Mickey mail and your upcoming nite at Contemporary. I love, love, love, that place (well, that and BLT where we typically stay.) and you are soo right, the castle lights never go out.

BTW: I loved the backstory for Chef Mickey's as the first dinner in WDW! I absolutely agree - it is not the food that necessarily makes it a wonderful experience. One day we'll have to try it....

You have less that a week to go - how EXCITING!!

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Is White Plains airport the same as Westchester? Years ago I flew in/out of there when I had business travel for clients in that area. I remember it being a small airport with family pets accompanying travelers in the terminal building.

Officially known as Westchester County Airport (in county), its call letters are HPN, which stands for White Plains, which it is usually still called by many.

When I first flew out of HPN, it was a quonset hut, literally, that held 2 dozen people at most. This building was where you checked in and claimed baggage, often simultaneously; so you know what kind of chaos that was like.

Now it is an efficient airport that also, did I mention, has pretty affordable DIRECT flights to Orlando. Perfect.

 

[emmysmommy]

Officially known as Westchester County Airport (in county), its call letters are HPN, which stands for White Plains, which it is usually still called by many.

When I first flew out of HPN, it was a quonset hut, literally, that held 2 dozen people at most. This building was where you checked in and claimed baggage, often simultaneously; so you know what kind of chaos that was like.

Now it is an efficient airport that also, did I mention, has pretty affordable DIRECT flights to Orlando. Perfect.

Aha! Then I've been there many times - years ago! I have a funny story of the first time I flew there and how naive I can be. Back in the day when they had phones against a wall (no booths) and I was calling my DH letting him know I had made it safe to NY. Apparently I didn't communicate my travel plans well because he asked "Who did you travel with this time?" I replied for all to hear, "Oh, I traveled alone this time, I'm here all by myself." He could have killed me. He said look around you and see how many people just picked out their next vicitim!!! Happy to say that I didn't get mugged or otherwise accosted.

 

[Sappermont]

I'm in! Have a great trip!

 

[sushi candy]

I'm in! I love your rating system and I can't wait to read your reviews. A night at CR with a Magic Kingdom view sounds like heaven.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

And may I congratulate you on unraveling another mysterious part of Mr. DDW - living in Westchester/Philly! Stupid question from me... Is White Plains airport the same as Westchester? Years ago I flew in/out of there when I had business travel for clients in that area. I remember it being a small airport with family pets accompanying travelers in the terminal building.

Slowly but surely, my entire life story is unfolding on this site. Westchester Airport is great. It doesn't offer flights to many places (that's why we have JFK ), but for a direct flight to Orlando on JetBlue, nothing beats it.

 

[jennyf2]

Photos look great! August is JUST about here. Can't wait to follow your live trip report

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Only a few more days! Hope you have a fantastic trip! Looking forward to reading all about it. All the pics in the practice post look great.

 

[iloveeeyore]

And may I congratulate you on unraveling another mysterious part of Mr. DDW - living in Westchester/Philly! Congrats on getting your Mickey mail and your upcoming nite at Contemporary. I love, love, love, that place (well, that and BLT where we typically stay.) and you are soo right, the castle lights never go out.

BTW: I loved the backstory for Chef Mickey's as the first dinner in WDW! I absolutely agree - it is not the food that necessarily makes it a wonderful experience. One day we'll have to try it....

You have less that a week to go - how EXCITING!!

Thanks about the congrats re: Mr. DDW. Together we are peeling the onion!

We are sooooo looking forward to our night at the CR. I had stayed there many times in childhood, and I'm excited to finally share the magic that is the CR with my family. We had some extra great fortune this year that made the one-night splurge possible. I never get it when people say it's "cold" and "not well themed"? To each his/her own, more availability for others!

If you decide to try CM's, I recommend it as a first night dinner or full-day breakfast. There's something fantastic about kicking off the trip with it. I'm skeptical about whether it would hold the same charm, even for those of us who love it, anytime later in the trip, if that makes sense.

Our time for preparation is coming to a close and my nerves are getting a little jittery...in a good way!

Officially known as Westchester County Airport (in county), its call letters are HPN, which stands for White Plains, which it is usually still called by many.

When I first flew out of HPN, it was a quonset hut, literally, that held 2 dozen people at most. This building was where you checked in and claimed baggage, often simultaneously; so you know what kind of chaos that was like.

Now it is an efficient airport that also, did I mention, has pretty affordable DIRECT flights to Orlando. Perfect.

Wahoo! LOVE this airport!

Aha! Then I've been there many times - years ago! I have a funny story of the first time I flew there and how naive I can be. Back in the day when they had phones against a wall (no booths) and I was calling my DH letting him know I had made it safe to NY. Apparently I didn't communicate my travel plans well because he asked "Who did you travel with this time?" I replied for all to hear, "Oh, I traveled alone this time, I'm here all by myself." He could have killed me. He said look around you and see how many people just picked out their next vicitim!!! Happy to say that I didn't get mugged or otherwise accosted.

So funny, the reputation New York has outside of the metropolitan area. We travel upstate quite a bit, and people we meet are always in awe that we chose to raise our kids so close to that crime infested pit, NYC. I guess it earned its bad name years ago, but now it is a very safe city...well, comparatively. Bad things can happen anywhere (Colorado, for example), and airports are especially dangerous. It's hard to imagine anyone getting mugged or accosted at HPN, of all places. I'm sure it has happened, but I'd bet it happens more at Raleigh or Houston!

Our DD will be moving into a dorm in the heart of Manhattan in a few weeks, and I keep reminding her that she shouldn't walk from the library to her room at 2am alone (I would do that even if she were going to the University of Delaware, or Michigan, or Stanford)...Otherwise, I hope she is bold enough to take advantage of all the wonderful culture the city has to offer.

I'm in! Have a great trip!

Welcome! Thanks for joining! Nice to see you on the dining boards again!

I'm in! I love your rating system and I can't wait to read your reviews. A night at CR with a Magic Kingdom view sounds like heaven.

Helloooo!! Thanks for joining in from Canada! I can't believe that in less than 3 days we will be in heaven on earth!

Slowly but surely, my entire life story is unfolding on this site. Westchester Airport is great. It doesn't offer flights to many places (that's why we have JFK ), but for a direct flight to Orlando on JetBlue, nothing beats it.

unfolding...like an onion...

I haven't been out to JFK in a long time (though Belle was there in June for a flight to New Orleans). If we need to fly somewhere not served by HPN, we usually opt for either LaGuardia or Newark. Isn't this the best place on earth in which to live? "Hmmmm, let's see...which of these 4 airports should we choose this trip?" How spoiled are we!?

Photos look great! August is JUST about here. Can't wait to follow your live trip report

Thanks! One of my goals on my live trip report is for it to include an entry about meeting jennyf2 at the Poly! Safe travels to your family!

Only a few more days! Hope you have a fantastic trip! Looking forward to reading all about it. All the pics in the practice post look great.

Thanks about the pics! I'm so glad you're here, and I hope you enjoy my report as much as I enjoyed yours!

 

[PirateRachel]

How exciting, I can't wait to read your reviews, have a great trip!

 

[deenbrad]

So funny, the reputation New York has outside of the metropolitan area. We travel upstate quite a bit, and people we meet are always in awe that we chose to raise our kids so close to that crime infested pit, NYC. I guess it earned its bad name years ago, but now it is a very safe city...well, comparatively. Bad things can happen anywhere (Colorado, for example), and airports are especially dangerous. It's hard to imagine anyone getting mugged or accosted at HPN, of all places. I'm sure it has happened, but I'd bet it happens more at Raleigh or Houston!

I think it's also funny that when you say you're from NY everyone thinks of Manhattan! I grew up on LI so I am as much a tourist in the city as the guy who just flew in from Kansas! I just sound a lot more like the locals!

 

[MainStreetFireman]

I think it's also funny that when you say you're from NY everyone thinks of Manhattan! I grew up on LI so I am as much a tourist in the city as the guy who just flew in from Kansas! I just sound a lot more like the locals!

That, and the people who call Westchester County "upstate New York". I always ask: "You do know that it is directly adjacent to the Bronx, which is part of NYC, right?" Drives friends from the Adirondack's (REAL upstate) crazy...