You Want to Stay Where?! A July PTR* TR LINK 8/8!

[shan23877]

Hahaha I'm going to have to get better at guessing your ADR's in the next round!

Cute Disney Store purchases!

I've never toured in TOMS - my personal favorite park-walking brand is Sketchers (with Converse being a close second).

I think you did great, but there are going to be lots more chances to score points!

Thanks for your feedback! I have several pair of Converse myself. My worry about normal athletic type shoes is that it will be so hot. I hate it when my feet get sweaty (an overshare, right?)! Tough choices!

I love the Toms!

Me too! I just think they're so cute!

Love the shopping!!!

I've never had toms but if you are looking for sneaker type shoes sketchers makes the twinkle toes sneakers that DD5 loves!!! Her foot is very narrow so it doesn't work well with the Velcro ones but just fine with the lace ones.

Maddie had Twinkle Toes as her school shoes last year! This year she couldn't live without the Bella Ballerinas. My worry with her is that she'll insist on beauty over comfort.

For you, if you want really light-weight sandals I found the most amazing ones at sports authority of all places! They are hi-tec brand and they make many different styles. I bought a pair for my trip last year and they are like walking on pillows!!! And they're not expensive. I used a 20% off coupon and they were so cheap for how incredibly comfortable they are!! I looked on their website and they don't have as much of a selection as they did in the store.

Can't wait to see what you sew!!

Thank you! I'll look those up! Walking on pillows sounds fantastic!

I hope to have a sewing update soon! I've been hard at work all night.

Love the shopping! So much cute stuff for little girls!!!

Looks like another amazing trip is shaping up!

Don't they make the cutest stuff for little girls? I'm going to be so sad when I don't get to pick out her clothes any more. (to be fair though, I rarely choose anything without her input anyway. She's such a fashionista!)

Sports Authority actually has a 20% coupon right now. Ends today - in store or online if anyone is interested.

Darn it! I missed it!

Love all of your shopping items...but that Aurora dress is just too cute. Maddie will look adorable in it.

You are going to LOVE Yachtsman...it was one of our best meals of our trip in December. We've done Fulton's a number of times...we've only had one bad meal there (and it wasn't so much that the food was bad, but the price of what I ordered...but I won't make that mistake again). We did Liberty Tree a few years ago and I made an ADR there for August.

Thanks Kathy! She's going to be so excited to get that dress!

I am so glad to hear some good feedback about those restaurants! We're pretty excited about all of the new places we're trying!

I'm jealous of those PJ's. They don't make them for older girls, though I wish they did!

They should! You never outgrow princesses right?

 

[shan23877]

I am very excited! My DH is currently fighting a brain tumor and this trip is the light at the end of the tunnel for us. We stayed at POR for our honeymoon back when it was Dixie Landings and LOVED it. I think we were in Oak Manor. We thought it would be great for us to all stay at the same resort on our first visit to the world (this is DD's first trip).

Oh my gosh. You and your family will certainly have earned that trip, and what great memories it will bring back. How special to take your DD for her first trip to the place where you spent your honeymoon!

My thoughts and prayers will be with you if that's ok.

Joining in for the planning. Don't think I'll be playing the games since I have a hard enough time keeping up. Love all the shopping you did. I'm a bit bummed that I didn't take advantage of the sale this past weekend, but they didn't have the stuff DD was looking for. Her current favorite princess is Ariel so she would have wanted her ball gown, which I couldn't find.

I have only ever found the Ariel ball gown at BBB. I'm glad that Maddie chose it then, because otherwise we'd never have gotten it.

There will be more sales-I'll keep you posted if I see any!

Ooh, first trip sans stroller. Good luck! We have decided to bring the umbrella stroller on this trip. We haven't used it since our last Disney trip, but we aren't positive that she would make it through the whole day at Disney yet.

I'm a little nervous about it, but we know that we can always rent one if we have to. She's been doing really well on day trips to the zoo, etc. I hope that it works out!

Too bad we don't live near each other so we could shop for the girls together. I have a feeling we would buy many similar items. I am already stressed that I feel like I don't have enough time to pull together cute touring outfits for her.

Ohhhh, we would have so much fun shopping together. I know we love the same stores (my DH loves your line about Target having a cover charge BTW). Our husbands would hate us!

Love the Aurora dress!! I picked up a Belle dress on clearance (the old longer style) for Sophie to wear to Akershus. I'm working on Easter basket shopping but seriously hampered by the fact that I give up online shopping for lent.

AGGHHHH! Only shopping not browsing or favoriting right? You are a stronger woman than I.

I love the 'older' style Belle dress. I think it's prettier than the new one! Maddie is set on choosing Belle (or Cindy or Rapunzel or Tiana ) at BBB, so that's the only reason I didn't get that one.

I wear TOMS in the parks all the time. I find them comfy as all get out.

Yay! That makes me happy!

I hate wearing sneakers because my feet get so hot, and the last 2 trips I've gotten blisters from my lip flop straps. I think these are a good option!

Oh Yay!! Thank you!! I remembered reading in your last TR that Tortuga Tavern was Maddie's favorite and that your hubby wanted to try Earl of Sandwich. And then I took a wild guess with Be Our Guest. Even though I picked it for a dinner ADR, it sounds like the QS lunch is a must-do too!

You did awesome! And, you have a great memory!

WOW, I love the Aurora dress and the Jasmine swimsuit! It's taking all the will power that I have right now NOT to head over the Disney Store site for some "browsing" haha.

I could not resist that Jasmine swimsuit! Browsing isn't what hurts me-it's when I convince myself that I need everything I favorited!

I can't believe you are not going to Via Napoli! Other than that, your choices look great!!

The Aurora dress is so pretty! Also, I want that Jasmine nightgown for myself (well, I'd take it as a t-shirt and pants combo).

Skipping Via Napoli was a tough choice. In the end we wanted to try some new places, but you can bet we'll be back next trip.

Isn't it cute! I never see Jasmine stuff, so I couldn't resist.

Glad I made some good choices! The clothes for Maddie are so cute. I can't wait to be able to shop for all that someday with a Disney trip to look forward too. I'm thinking this inside baby might be 3 for his/her first trip. Not sure I can hold out to 4!

You did great!

I think 3 would be a great age! We took Maddie to Sesame Place when she was 3, and that's when we realized that she would have been ready for WDW!

The shopping is so much fun.

I LOVE the Aurora dress! Maddie is going to be such a stunning little Sleeping Beauty. And the Jasmine nightgown is too cute. What good finds!

Thank you! She's going to be so excited to get that dress! I loved that nightgown. Jasmine stuff can be hard to find.

I am actually really excited that you chose different restaurants this trip. You did such a great job reviewing the ones you visited last time, so I am excited to read what you think of the newbies.

Thank you so much for saying that! I really appreciate it! This trip I plan to do better taking photos and including menus and prices. It's fun to do!

Just caught up!! I missed getting my ADR guesses in, but your choices look terrific!!

Also love all of the things you got on the 25% off sale!! All of Maddie's things are adorable, and I love your tees! I may have to check those out too!!

Can't wait to read more...and see the sewing!!

Thank you for joining in! I know you're busy getting ready for your awesome trip!

I'd never bought myself anything but PJs from Disney, so I thought it was time. If you buy yourself some t's-I think they run a little large.

I think I'll have a sewing update ready as early as tomorrow!

Okay, I have not even read through yet, but I had to jump in after reading the first few lines....we are HUGE Illini fans!!!!! ILL-INI! My DH is in veterinary school there, and we are really enjoying the basketball season! Nice to meet another fan!

WELCOME ILLIINI FAN!!! I lived within 40 minutes of U of I my until we moved here last year. I'm always gonna be a fan.

The basketball team is such fun to watch! You should have been there in '05-it was electric!

Tied for second place? YAY! I'm very happy with this.

Love all your shopping! Awesome! I think it's adorable that yall will have matching Mickey shirts.

You did awesome Marissa!

We're not normally matching shirt people, but I couldn't resist. Now we just have to get Maddie out of a princess dress long enough to wear them.

 

[shan23877]

You certainly found some great sales! I love everything! Can't wait to see Maddie in all her finery and that great family shot in front the castle with the matching Mickey vintage tees!

So.... looks like there's more to this ADR game... gotta figure that one out!

Thanks for sharing all the pictures of your shopping treasures! Karen

I can't resist a sale! I think she'll adore that Aurora dress.

It'll be easy-I'll lay out better directions next time.

Didn't do too bad in the game yay!! lol! Love all the ADR choices!

Love, love all the Disney store items! I bought like 12 of the small plushes when they were BOGO (plus my Disney visa 10%), to give as favors for the kids attending our wedding, and a couple extra for my DD Ava of course

Zulily has Toms right now, awesome prices, I saw they added stock yesterday but the sale ends in 8 hrs, so if you see this before then, might be with a look

You did great!

That's an awesome idea for kids' wedding favors!

Thanks! I checked there and Amazon. It looks like the Toms site might have the best prices right now though. I may hold out a bit and see if there are any sales!

I had the same thought on the Aurora dress, but I didn't end up grabbing it because the girls chose other ones .

What's the Never Girls??? I've never heard of it! Looks like something we might enjoy!

I should have done the guessing game, darn it! I would have rocked it!

I wouldn't have done it, but she's wanted that darn dress for 2 years. She changes her mind about who she'll be if she gets invited to the BBB every day!

The Never Girls is a new series about a group of friends that travel to Neverland and have adventures with the fairies. $5 on Disney's website. Maddie loves chapter books for bedtime, so I had to get them.

You would have done great! You can always join in round 2!

I love the Aurora dress...Maddie will be adorable in it! I really like the nightgowns and bathing suits, too...I think the Jasmine suit is my favorite. You guys are going to look so cute in your matching T-shirts!

That Jasmine suit was irresistible to me! I just loved it!

I just have to convince Maddie to wear the shirt instead of a princess dress and we're golden.

 

[shan23877]

I don't have Toms myself, nor does dd, but I remember noticing last May in WDW that there were a ton of Toms. Not as many as Crocs, but enough to stand out as a popular shoe among all of the other standards (teva, keen, etc).


I would recommend probably bringing more than 1 style of shoe for her to wear. Like a pair of toms & a pair of crocs (I personally feel the crocs are my old standby, but toms ARE much cuter and I have been thinking of trying them out - though the 5 year old in me says that I should probably forgo neutral in favor of getting myself a sparkly pair).

I think we will take a couple different types of shoes. We can always pop some Crocs into the backpack.

I want to try them out too! I think I'm going to get myself one neutral pair, and one fun pair. I think that you should do the same.

Also, I am totally patting myself on the back for getting 32 points in your ADR game! Not the highest score, but still higher than I expected! Congrats to me! lol

You did great! Congratulations are certainly in order!


I love Maddie's new stuff..have you bought princess dresses from the Disney store before? How do they measure up against what you can buy in the BBB? I have been having an internal debate (mostly because everyone I know is tired of listening) about whether to do the whole castle package at bbb or to buy a dress and just get the hair & makeup at BBB. We did the Castle package last year and it was fantastic, of course, but it would free up some spending money if I came prepared already with a dress...

We have bought princess dresses from Disney Store before. Maddie's Halloween costume was really a dress (vs. costume) and last year we got her the Rapunzel wedding dress. I couldn't be happier with the quality. They are just as high quality as the BBB one. Both the BBB dress and the Rap. wedding dress have survived several days each in the parks and are still in perfect condition.

I don't think you'd be disappointed if you took your own dress. Have you seen the BBB t-shirts and skirts? I think we'll have to get a t-shirt this year too. I know she'd wear it more than any other WDW shirt we could get her as a souvenir.

Your ADRs look awesome! I'm not a great guesser I suppose Can't wait to hear about all the meals though!

You did great! And, there is plenty of time to rack up more points!

LOVE all the Disney store purchases. The sale logic is definitely my logic. There's a sale, ok I'll buy more. Not that long ago, they had a sale where it was additional percent off of sale merchandise and I added $75 worth of stuffed animals to my cart and tried to convince DBF to buy them for me because you had to spend $75 to get free shipping It almost worked but he made me eliminate some stuffed animals and add the Disney Parks DVD collection.

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one! Those sales get me every time. I do the exact same thing with free shipping! I always buy more so that I don't have to pay for shipping!

Do you love the Disney Parks DVDs? I think that's something we may need.

Is that the new design for the Aurora dress? It's adorable. All of the stuff you got is!!! I'm in love. Maddie's gonna love love love love love it.

I think that it is. I was so relieved to see one without long sleeves that I just got it-didn't even look to see if I could get the older style for less.

I have those pink sparkly Toms. I adore them. I didn't bring them to WDW with me so I can't speak for touring in them but they're so lightweight that I find them perfect for hot weather. I hate wearing sneakers in heat so I find Toms the perfect in-between solution.

I am so glad to hear that! I am the exact same way. I hate it when my feet get hot. I always feel really uncomfortable when I try to wear my running shoes. I think the Toms will be the perfect shoes for summer for us!

YUM! Those are some amazing Restaurant choices!

What are the other games we can play?!

Thanks! We're excited!

There will be the match the restaurant to the day game, and we'll have the official tournament of food too! I'm hoping to get that posted/started tomorrow!

Excellent shopping! As you know, I got the Aurora dress too.

Great minds....

You know, we should really plan our trips to overlap. We could take our little twins to meet all of the characters together!

I could make Reid some awesome pirate gear too--what do you say Amanda???

While I'm glad that Disney emailed you back, they could have at least said, "I'm sorry for your troubles."

I love, love, love all of your purchases!

I am really interested to hear how touring without a stroller works out for y'all. I'm already thinking of whether or not I should bring one for Reid next year.

I did better on the ADR game than I would have thought! Color me shocked!

I though that I'd get an apology too. That was disappointing.

Thanks! Have you had any luck with the Cap. America PJs? I'll probably make a visit to the Disney store before Easter so let me know.

I'm interested to see how it goes too! We figure that we can always rent a stroller if we have to. I hope it doesn't come to that though.

You did great! I think you know us pretty well.

 

[Jackiemarie21]

I am normally more of a lurker, I have read all of your trip reports, but I just have to comment this time!

My birthday is during your stay too! We will be there right after you guys July25-Aug1! We went through the exact same resort changes as you did! At first we were going to stay at AOA little mermaid room and I was super excited about it, but our last value experience was not as "magical" as our previous moderate experiences so we decided to change to POR also (but not a Royal Room). I am confident we made the right choice as Riverside looks so beautiful!
I am looking forward to reading more about your planning as we seem to have a similar thought process! Many of ADRs are the same including Ohanna twice!

 

[Holly324]

WELCOME ILLIINI FAN!!! I lived within 40 minutes of U of I my until we moved here last year. I'm always gonna be a fan.

The basketball team is such fun to watch! You should have been there in '05-it was electric!

We went to the women's basketball game the other night, and my kids got to meet Tracey Abrams and DJ Richardson...they were a little starstruck, that is for sure. My oldest kept saying how nervous he was! It was too cute!

Okay, I am all caught up on your PTR. Love your ADR choices! We have never eaten at more than 2 TS places per visit to try to save money, but we are seriously considering the DDP for our next trip so that we can enjoy more! Your list really makes me think that!

I love the vintage mickey t's! That will make a GREAT picture!!

Can't wait to see the sewing stuff!

 

[afwdwfan]

Well, I guess I could have done better on the ADR picks. I'm looking forward to this bracket thing though. Just in time for March Madness!!!

It looks like you really took advantage of the Disney sale.

Good luck with the shoe issue for Maddie. I have absolutely no valuable input to contribute, but good luck.

 

[CAStevens218]

I've been lurking but I had to jump in about the Toms! They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn! You just need to break them in first to stretch them out. I wore mine for two weeks of nonstop walking while touring India this winter and they never bothered me once!

Enjoy the Royal Room! We stayed in one over the summer and it was gorgeous! I'm sure Maddie will LOVE it!

 

[RopeDrop]

New here, but I really enjoy reading the trip reports. Thank you for sharing yours.

 

[RGirl]

Great minds....

You know, we should really plan our trips to overlap. We could take our little twins to meet all of the characters together!

I could make Reid some awesome pirate gear too--what do you say Amanda???

Wouldn't that be so fun???? It is seriously ridiculous that we three don't overlap for at least a couple of days!!!!!

 

[shan23877]

Hey guys! Bryan has been working very hard getting the master bracket ready for the 2013 Tournament of Food!

He's arranged the restaurants into the following regions

Signature and Celebrity Chef

Character and Dinner Shows

Counter Service

Table Service

​

For this week we'll vote on one match-up in each region (except signature since Cali Grill got the First Round Bye). Your vote should be based on overall experience-food, service, location, everything counts. All that matters is which one you liked better over all.

I hope that this will be fun, and give us all some new ideas of restaurants we'd like to try on upcoming trips!

Without further ado, this week's opening round match-ups are...


In the Character/Dinner Show Region

Chef Mickey vs. Spirit of Aloha


In the Counter Service Region

Flame Tree BBQ vs. ABC Commissary


In the Table Service Region

'Ohana vs. Tony's Town Square

So go ahead and vote on your favorites! We'll keep track of the votes, and the winners will move on in the Tournament of Food!!!



You'll also have until next Thursday to make your pick for Round Two of the Guess My ADR Game!

The clue for Day One is that we only have one ADR-for dinner-and that we'll be spending our first day at the Magic Kingdom! Here are the places you can choose from:

1900 Park Fare

Akershus

Be Our Guest

Cinderella's Royal Table

Chef Mickey

Chefs De France

Coral Reef

Fultons

Hollywood & Vine

Liberty Tree Tavern

Mama Melrose

Narcoossees

'Ohana

'Ohana

Tusker House

Yachtsman


Thanks for playing guys!

 

[shan23877]

I have a sewing update for you all as well! When I was planning our ADR, I mentioned to a Dis friend that I was thinking about making this dress for our 'Ohana breakfast. She convinced me that it's not "too much", so I said if she likes it I'll make one for her little girl too! Let me know Roni! (and Jenn, if you need two of them-PM me )

You know Maddie can't not do a photo shoot right?

Hula Dancing of course

 

[RGirl]

I have a sewing update for you all as well! When I was planning our ADR, I mentioned to a Dis friend that I was thinking about making this dress for our 'Ohana breakfast. She convinced me that it's not "too much", so I said if she likes it I'll make one for her little girl too! Let me know Roni! (and Jenn, if you need two of them-PM me )

You know Maddie can't not do a photo shoot right?



Hula Dancing of course

It is fantastic!!!!!!!!! If you still have time, there is no way I would say no to this!! It will be perfect for breakfast with our Hawaiian friends at 'Ohana. LOVE IT!!!!!

 

[shan23877]

It is fantastic!!!!!!!!! If you still have time, there is no way I would say no to this!! It will be perfect for breakfast with our Hawaiian friends at 'Ohana. LOVE IT!!!!!

I'm glad you like it because I'm half way done with Willow's!

The girls will look adorable in them!

 

[RGirl]

I'm glad you like it because I'm half way done with Willow's!

The girls will look adorable in them!

OMG - you are so funny!!!! You had to know I would love it!!!! I can't decide whether to tell Willow about it or have it be a surprise.

 

[smidgy]

well, I haven't been playing the ADR game, but I just have to say: I can't believe anyone would choose ABC Commissary over our beloved Flame Tree! I would eat at flame tree even if the food wasn't scrumptious. all those cool tables to sit at further down in, by the lagoon with a view of everest!

 

[merbobear]

I don't think you'd be disappointed if you took your own dress. Have you seen the BBB t-shirts and skirts? I think we'll have to get a t-shirt this year too. I know she'd wear it more than any other WDW shirt we could get her as a souvenir.

Yes, actually Adison has the BBB tee shirt, it's very cute. Last year we were doing BBB as a "once in a lifetime" kind of thing (haha...yeah, that plan always backfires!) and she had the Castle package, we bought the sparkly shoes, the purse & gloves set, and the pink glittered tee to commemorate it all.

Actually, that tee shirt sparked a debate in her pre-k class! lol It bought up the topic of princesses, and apparently (according to a bossy girl in her class) only one girl may declare each princess to be her favorite. Adison's favorite is Aurora, Bossy Girl's favorite is Aurora too. Adison was very upset that evening when she told me that SB can't be her favorite anymore because Bossy Girl likes her. I may have been wrong in doing so (probably should have explained the virtues of sharing favorites), but I told her that she could prove that she was the number one SB fan by bringing in a photo of them together...that'll show Bossy Girl!

Anyway, and yes I have seen the tutu once....on a picture of Honey Boo Boo! It is cute but I want to milk the princess loving years for all they are worth. I love the tutu for kids a little older though that are "too cool" to dress as a princess, but still want the magic of the BBB.

 

[merbobear]

OH MY! That dress is too adorable on Maddie! It definitely is not "too much" and it's perfect (is there a such thing as "too much" at Disney??). Do you sew from patterns or make up as you go along? And if from patterns, do you buy the paper patterns at the store or get ideas online? I can sew...not as well as you, but I have the basics down, and I really should do it more often. I am embarrassed at the pile of unused fabric that I have accumulated, because I always have tons of ideas and then they never come to fruition! Was this style of dress fairly simple to accomplish?

I have to think a bit to make my guess for your ADR and to vote, but I was wondering:

If we have not dined at either of the restaurant choices, should we not vote? That isn't an issue for me this round, but I could see it might happen...or should we vote just based on what we think we might like best?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I've actually never been to any of your first round matchups! Well, ABC Commissary YEARS ago, but I'll vote for Flame Tree over that - I've heard very good things about it!

Maddie's new dress is adorable!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Chef Mickey

Flame Tree

I haven't been to either Ohana or Tony's so I'll pass on that one.

My ADR guess is Be Our Guest. Just because you were probably too excited about trying that one to wait.

Maddie looks like she loves her Hawaiian dress!