~ A PTR for a CAMPING Trip That Might Never Be ~ *TR Started (link inside)*

[irene_dsc]

We are going to try Whispering Canyon in April/May. I can't wait - it looks like it's great food and a lot of fun!

I'm thinking about trying The Donald & Friends breakfast at Tusker House - but I'm not sure - do you know if they have regular breakfast food? It looked sort of exotic - as far as breakfast food go...

We are also doing Chef Mickeys, LeCellier (which I'm nervous about with the kids so we may do it an early lunch when it isn't packed yet), 50's PTC, Crystal Palace (maybe - probably won't do both CP & Tusker House), Mama Melrose for FDP & and we need one more... we may do Shutters at CBR on an early to bed night since we are staying there?? Garden Grill is another possibility... I need to pick kid friendly places to keep the kids interest in TS dining all week. I'll probably try to sprinkle the characters through the week.

Ohana looks too exotic for me - I'm WAYYYYY too picky. I should be on the kids dining plan. But I've only heard good things about it.

We stayed at CBR, so I looked at Shutters - and passed. It seemed like your basic hotel restaurant menu - completely nothing special. We peeked in when we were there - the decor is also basic hotel restaurant. Otoh, we did Garden Grill, and the kids loved it - I'd definitely recommend that one.

 

[irene_dsc]

Yay - Irene's here! Chuck is use to having the sushi they prepare here at the commissary on base - nothing fancy. Now that I think of it, I wonder if he had some at Sunshine Seasons before. I'll have to ask him.

I had the crepe au chocolat too and wasn't impressed. I had asked for the one with chocolate AND raspberry, but I guess she didn't hear me.

I'm not changing my title! I WILL start a new TR when the time comes instead of continuing here. I'll have a new title for that.

It took me hours (on and off) to get through the many pages you've added since you resurrected this! Wow, you've been busy! This is so exciting, that you got the great deal and everything already planned! So funny that Chuck slipped up so the kids know - but at least now you can consult with them and not have to worry about keeping the secret.

I do think it is funny you are going from Windsor Hills to a moderate, and if we end up going, we'll probably end up at Windsor Hills after doing a moderate. Especially since your TR is a lot of what made me curious about WH in the first place!

And, yeah, I guess I've gotten to be a bit of a sushi snob. I don't get it very often, but have gotten spoiled by going to a few really good places. Dh and I went for a good sushi lunch for our anniversary this year, actually.

 

[Goofster57]

You're confusing me!! Do they really taste bad? Are they like a chocolate cake cookie? Soft? Hard? I need to know these things before I buy! Connor would just like the whipped cream served with it.

They are a harder cookie with one side covered in chocolate, they don't always come with the Whipped Cream Wave.

As for the taste you will just have to find out for yourself

 

[DisMomAmy]

We stayed at CBR, so I looked at Shutters - and passed. It seemed like your basic hotel restaurant menu - completely nothing special. We peeked in when we were there - the decor is also basic hotel restaurant. Otoh, we did Garden Grill, and the kids loved it - I'd definitely recommend that one.

Thanks!! Sounds like we should go with GG over Shutters. I suppose if we want to eat at CBR we can just do CS.

 

[carissanboys]

I do think it is funny you are going from Windsor Hills to a moderate, and if we end up going, we'll probably end up at Windsor Hills after doing a moderate. Especially since your TR is a lot of what made me curious about WH in the first place!

You know I loved WH! And we'd be staying there again this time if my parents were going along. But, I can't pass up the chance to stay on property at least once!

I'm surprised Chuck isn't more of a sushi snob since he lived in Japan for a few years.

As for the taste you will just have to find out for yourself

 

[carissanboys]

Earlier in this PTR I mentioned that Sully and I would be flying to Alaska last July for a wedding. Well, we did indeed go and I promised to show pictures - so here you go.

We flew into Ketchikan and stayed there a couple of days before taking the ferry over to Prince of Wales Island.

Sully's excited to eat his fish 'n chips (and they were AWESOME!).

That's halibut.

I thought this shirt was cute.

A little bit of snow on the mountains in July.

Sully exploring a cave on the island.

Just a few of the many pictures I took.

Up Next - Must Dos

 

[dddisrunner]

Gorgeous! So funny to know it was July and you are in sweatshirts! Was that a cruise ship behind you in that one picture?

 

[carissanboys]

Gorgeous! So funny to know it was July and you are in sweatshirts! Was that a cruise ship behind you in that one picture?

It did get warm at times, but never hot. And it rains so much there.

Yes, Ketchikan is a huge stopover for cruise ships. There are usually 5 or so lined up and blocks your view.

 

[winkers]

Gorgeous pictures!
I love the Micky Mouse!
I've always wanted to go to Alaska. I have an uncle that lives on a little island in the brush and runs the airplane that goes from there to fairbanks.

 

[Charleston Princess]

What beautiful photos of Alaska!!!

Love the Mickey Moose t-shirt -- I would have had to get one!

 

[carissanboys]

Gorgeous pictures!
I love the Micky Mouse!
I've always wanted to go to Alaska. I have an uncle that lives on a little island in the brush and runs the airplane that goes from there to fairbanks.

Southeast Alaska (where we were) is a lot different from the rest of Alaska. They don't get a lot of snow there - mainly rain. It is so beautiful. On this trip we got to see a small black bear and NUMEROUS bald eagles. You get to the point where you're like - Oh - another bald eagle. How nice.

What beautiful photos of Alaska!!!

Love the Mickey Moose t-shirt -- I would have had to get one!

That store was located on Creek Street - a set of shops all up on "stilts" above the water. They were all closed on that day because it was Sunday evening I believe and they close really early. Here's a picture of Creek Street:

 

[Charleston Princess]

So neat! I bet you had so much fun there!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Those pics are gorgeous! Truly, Alaska is a place I've never had a desire to visit, but it's absolutely beautiful! What a blessing that you were able to spend that "mom and her boy" time with Sully. Thanks for posting the pictures!

 

[carissanboys]

So neat! I bet you had so much fun there!

I did. We had a hard time adjusting to the time change and jet lag, but it was beautiful.

Those pics are gorgeous! Truly, Alaska is a place I've never had a desire to visit, but it's absolutely beautiful! What a blessing that you were able to spend that "mom and her boy" time with Sully. Thanks for posting the pictures!

I think you're the first person to ever tell me they have no interest in going to Alaska - but, then again - maybe it's because you don't like fish!

It was great to spend that time with Sully. It's a trip I'm sure he'll remember forever. He can't wait to go back again (not sure that we will).

 

[irene_dsc]

Great pictures!!! Not sure if I'll ever get there, but it sounds like you had a great time!

Btw, I forgot to say how cool it is that Sully (right?) is playing viola - that's my instrument!

 

[carissanboys]

Great pictures!!! Not sure if I'll ever get there, but it sounds like you had a great time!

Btw, I forgot to say how cool it is that Sully (right?) is playing viola - that's my instrument!

Yes, Sully is the one playing the viola. He seems to be doing well with it, although they're still really only plucking and not using the bow. He just started this year. I hope he sticks with it.


It's a crazy day for me. All three boys had dentist appointments this morning so I had to go get Sully and Owen from school, drive to the appointment, pick up lunch afterwards, eat in the van, drop them back at school, bring Connor to preschool, and get some groceries. Phew!

 

[Goofster57]

It's a crazy day for me. All three boys had dentist appointments this morning so I had to go get Sully and Owen from school, drive to the appointment, pick up lunch afterwards, eat in the van, drop them back at school, bring Connor to preschool, and get some groceries. Phew!

Carissa,
Sounds like you need a Calgon moment

 

[carissanboys]

Carissa,
Sounds like you need a Calgon moment

Sounds good, but will you come clean my tub for me first?? Oh - and before you drop by, it'd be great if you could pick me up one of those Shamu cookies. Whether or not I'll swallow it or spit it back out is another question I guess.

 

[carissanboys]

Now that the room is booked and the ADRs are made, I can start focusing on a basic plan for our days. There are two things that I need to do soon and I'm going to put them here as a reminder to myself.

***Call the kennel for Oreo.

***Reserve a room for on the way down and the way back.

These are some things that I need to think about and reseach.

***Stroller - will we bother with one this year and if so, how much are they up to now? Will we get one for each day and prepay like last time (which made things a lot easier) or play it by ear?

***Someone mentioned bringing a toaster on their trip. I'm wondering if the resorts technically allow this? It would be nice to be able to do bagels in our room in the morning.

I asked everyone to give me two things they really wanted to do on this trip. Here were their responses:

Sully - Rockin' Rollercoaster and Sci Fi (first one probably - no to the second)

Owen - Toy Story Mania, Jedi Training Academy, and 'Ohana (yeah - I know that's three - a yes to all three)

Connor - Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin and Star Tours (he's the only one of the boys that wants to go on ST again! a yes to both)

Chuck - Kali River Rapids and 'Ohana (poor Chuck has never been on KRR - he's always stayed behind with Connor)

***I realized the height requirement for KRR is 40 inches so we can all ride this year!

Carissa - RnRC and Toy Story Mania

Here's a list of the things that will be at the top of our list for each park:

MK - Space Mountain (maybe ), TTA (never done this), Haunted Mansion (never done this), maybe catch the parade (never seen it), and Wishes

Unfortunately, Spectromagic is not happening the night of my birthday.

AK - Kilimanjaro Safaris (didn't go on last time), Finding Nemo (haven't seen), Kali River Rapids (a favorite of ours), and maybe take the boys to It's Tough To Be A Bug - my dad, Chuck, and I all went to it last time to check it out and I think they'd be okay with it, Flights of Wonder (we've never seen this)

DS - Lights, Motor, Action! (didn't see this last time), RnRC (never been on), Toy Story Mania (never been on)

EP - Test Track, Soarin', get Chuck to drink Beverly , World Showcase, and of course check out the Flower and Garden Festival

We're also doing Sea World and I have a book on that so I need to do a bit of research. On one of our off days I'd also like to take the carriage ride at POR and rent a pontoon boat. Does anyone know the places you can do that and how much it costs? You guys did that Liz, right?

I'm sure I'll have more ideas to add later, but this is a start.

***Every time I post an update I'm going to try to remember to post a picture from a previous trip. I like to take strolls down memory lane.

Remember Owen standing and staring at the Pink Power Ranger for like 30 seconds straight??

Up Next - Pin Trading

 

[carissanboys]

* Question *

How much do people normally tip for mousekeeping? (does anyone not tip?)

What other people should I be prepared to tip?