A Stringbean, a Wingnut, and a plan! (A January '12 PTR) TRIP REPORT STARTED!! 1/16!!

[3prettyprincesses]

Hey Sara

Wow, so it's quiet on the Stringbean/Wingnut front?!?! Amazing! No looming ADR waffling? Surprising! Just kidding!

You know, we've stayed at the Polynesian three times and all three times we were put in Tokelau without having requested it. But maybe it had something to do with us being a party of five? I'm pretty sure those rooms are a tad larger than the other ones. But don't quote me on that! We really did enjoy that location...the GCH was easy to get to, the quiet pool was literally right outside our door, the TTC was an easy 5-7 minute walk if that. Given your love of Epcot and the likelihood that you'll spend at least 75% of your trip there , I'd probably request Tokelau. Have you read that Tikiman website? It has lots of good descriptive info. on the Poly.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/

My favorite Epcot snack?? Hmm, I would have to go with either the ever popular Mickey Bar or the cinnamon roasted almonds. Though the Kaki Gori is really good too. I've not tried a napolean before but I do see that they seem to overun your TR's...

My favorite resort is probably the GF. We've stayed there twice now and it's soooo heavenly. The other resorts I've stayed in before are the Poly, All Star Sports and Fort Wilderness. I'm definitely a deluxe girl now! That's DH's influence.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Pretty much the same here! I've been sick all weekend and I think I spent most of it looking at pictures of the Poly. I swear, if its even half as pretty...

Curious what response you get to this...still not sure what we're going to do, but I'm thinking about asking for something close to the GCH and in between there and the TTC.

As for my favorite resort...I, too, feel ill-equipped to answer this question. We loved our two stays at Coronado...and then we went to the Beach Club and fell in love! I can only imagine how amazing the Poly will be, especially being on the monorail with a four year old.

Favorite snack..hmm...caramel corn at Karamel Kuche or jalapeno pretzels at AK and those napoleons are pretty darn good, too!

I hope you're feeling better soon! I know, I love looking at the pics - it looks so wonderful and tropical!

I'm sure that the monorail is going to be great for you guys! I'm definitely excited to be so close to so many of our dinners!

I really want to try the caramel corn, it looks so good!

Hey Sara

Wow, so it's quiet on the Stringbean/Wingnut front?!?! Amazing! No looming ADR waffling? Surprising! Just kidding!

You know, we've stayed at the Polynesian three times and all three times we were put in Tokelau without having requested it. But maybe it had something to do with us being a party of five? I'm pretty sure those rooms are a tad larger than the other ones. But don't quote me on that! We really did enjoy that location...the GCH was easy to get to, the quiet pool was literally right outside our door, the TTC was an easy 5-7 minute walk if that. Given your love of Epcot and the likelihood that you'll spend at least 75% of your trip there , I'd probably request Tokelau. Have you read that Tikiman website? It has lots of good descriptive info. on the Poly.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/

My favorite Epcot snack?? Hmm, I would have to go with either the ever popular Mickey Bar or the cinnamon roasted almonds. Though the Kaki Gori is really good too. I've not tried a napolean before but I do see that they seem to overun your TR's...

My favorite resort is probably the GF. We've stayed there twice now and it's soooo heavenly. The other resorts I've stayed in before are the Poly, All Star Sports and Fort Wilderness. I'm definitely a deluxe girl now! That's DH's influence.

Hahahaha I know, I know, I'm a bit surprised too! (I mean...of course we're keeping our plans like logical people )

I have been reading the Tikiman website, it's really helpful! I think that Tokelau would be the longhouse I would request if we decided to - I think the location looks perfect!

OH MAN those cinnamon almonds always smell amazing. I've had to skip them for so many trips that I forgot about them! (Now adding another spice-encrusted treat to my list...)

 

[Merida]

I hope you get a good longhouse, but I'm more on the 'let Disney choose' because I don't know very much about the Poly!

Hm, my favorite resort would probably be the Contemporary. I love that place so much and I like that it's not overly Disney themed (the most common complaint about it, I think). But I really like their linens, most other hotels on Disney have really ugly bed linens.

I don't have a favorite snack because I've never had any (we, as a family, pretty much never bought food outside of meals. Or souvenirs.). However, I'm definitely taking notes for when we're on the dining plan! I really want to try the bear paw brownies in Animal Kingdom just because they're so obnoxiously sugary!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I hope you get a good longhouse, but I'm more on the 'let Disney choose' because I don't know very much about the Poly!

Hm, my favorite resort would probably be the Contemporary. I love that place so much and I like that it's not overly Disney themed (the most common complaint about it, I think). But I really like their linens, most other hotels on Disney have really ugly bed linens.

I don't have a favorite snack because I've never had any (we, as a family, pretty much never bought food outside of meals. Or souvenirs.). However, I'm definitely taking notes for when we're on the dining plan! I really want to try the bear paw brownies in Animal Kingdom just because they're so obnoxiously sugary!

That's kind of what we're thinking too - we don't really know too much (I mean, beyond the incessant Interneting I've been doing!) about really staying there, so may as well leave it up to them!

Those brownies do look super-sugary!

 

[sophie832]

I know it's really late in the game, but I am getting all caught up on your PTR! Soooo excited that you two are going back to WDW in January! I couldn't bear to read the DIS for the past few months since DH and I didn't have any WDW trips in the works, but now we're contemplating a couple of 2012 trips, so I'm back in the game again!

So, you're staying at the Poly? It seems like people either love or hate it. I hope you two really love it We stayed at WL on our last trip, and we loved being close to all of our ADRs around Bay Lake. Being on the monorail route will definitely be a big perk.

We're huge Muppet fans, too! Well, actually, I'm a huge fan, and DH is starting to become a big fan. I love the original Muppet movie triology. We had the opportunity to go to a preview screening of the new movie a couple of months ago. It was funny, and overall we enjoyed it, but I still love the original three more. I think any Muppet fan should go see it, though, since (IMHO) it's the best Muppet movie since the originals.

Can't wait to read your dining report after your vacation!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I know it's really late in the game, but I am getting all caught up on your PTR! Soooo excited that you two are going back to WDW in January! I couldn't bear to read the DIS for the past few months since DH and I didn't have any WDW trips in the works, but now we're contemplating a couple of 2012 trips, so I'm back in the game again!

So, you're staying at the Poly? It seems like people either love or hate it. I hope you two really love it We stayed at WL on our last trip, and we loved being close to all of our ADRs around Bay Lake. Being on the monorail route will definitely be a big perk.

We're huge Muppet fans, too! Well, actually, I'm a huge fan, and DH is starting to become a big fan. I love the original Muppet movie triology. We had the opportunity to go to a preview screening of the new movie a couple of months ago. It was funny, and overall we enjoyed it, but I still love the original three more. I think any Muppet fan should go see it, though, since (IMHO) it's the best Muppet movie since the originals.

Can't wait to read your dining report after your vacation!

Hey!!! Good to see you around again!!!

You're not late at all! We still don't leave for a little over 2 months! Oh, I know, I practically HAVE to have a trip booked to read the Dis - it'll drive you nuts with wanting to go if you don't! How fun that you are back in the planning mode again!

I really hope we love it too! That was one of the big plusses to us, being so close to so many of our ADR's! Less trekking through Epcot to get back to the resort at night! (Who am I kidding, we'll be trekking through Epcot all the time anyways! )

HOW COOL THAT YOU GOT TO SEE A PREVIEW SCREENING!!!! I know what you mean about the original movies though. I am going into this one not expecting it to be better than "Muppets Take Manhattan", ("peoples is peoples, okay?") but better than the latest ones of the past few years. I'm glad you felt that way about it!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

As we all know, it's October.

October.

And yet, a big ol' snowstorm is barreling its way towards the ever-optimistic ("maybe, possibly, hopefully, it won't snow?") Stringbean and Wingnut.

LAME.

Let's see what we're up against this time.



(Yes, I did insert a picture of myself annoyed, which happened to be at AK.)



AKA "Time Sara Will Not Be Able To Be On The Disboards".

What better way to attempt to ignore the weather than think about Disney snacks?

Since my cinnamon and peanut and other allergies have vanished, a whole new world of snack options has opened up for me (a dazzling place I never knew...)

(Did we all know that Wingnut's favorite Disney movie is Aladdin? We do now! )

I definitely want to try new snacks this time around (yes, of course we will be stopping for a Napoleon!), such as one of the legendary cupcakes from Starring Rolls (I believe the Red Velvet has been singing its siren song to me), the dark chocolate salted caramel from the new Werthers shop, and an avocado margarita from Mexico.

What? Margaritas are a snack, despite what the DDP says!

Also this time around, I really want to try the one, the only, Dole Whip. Usually whenever we pass this stand it's first thing in the morning and it's all shuttered closed. But I'm determined to try one! What is a good combo to have? I see floats and non-floats and vanilla and pineapple and am a bit confused!

And I've already started contemplating my new creation at Goofy's Candy Company. Last time it was rice krispy treat, milk chocolate, mini M&M's, white chocolate drizzle.

I know that Wingnut really wants to try one of the Mickey Premium Bars (I know, it's like we've never been to Disney with all of the classic snacks we've skipped!) and a turkey leg, which to me looks like they came straight of out Bedrock and hold pretty much no appeal, but hey, how can I hold the man back?

What are some of your favorite snacks? (Using the incredibly broad definition of snack I already have ) We need suggestions!!

 

[Megablocks]

Oh, yeah, we're getting snow, too! I think just 3-6", but still. It's way too early for this craziness!

Oooh, Disney snacks. I'm also contemplating my next Goofy's Candy Co. treat I LOVE the spicy cheese pretzel at AK. I'd go there just for that. I've decided that my first purchase at the caramel shop is going to be the dark chocolate salted caramel. AND I'm dying to try the avocado margarita at Epcot. So many choices...

 

[Nermel9]

Ugh, this snow is so annoying, I hope it melts! I like the snow and the winter, but when it's actually winter! This is ruining Fall!

Dole Whips are so good, I've never had a float, but I get the ice cream (I know it's not ice cream, but I don't know what else to call it...I suppose it's technically Dole whip, but it just seems weird!) in a cup. I've tried the pineapple and it's good, but my favorite is the orange and vanilla swirl! Sooo good! I'd like to try a float someday, but I never know what combination to get either!

 

[tinacaplan]

We have snow here, too...rapidly melting, messy snow...,but nevertheless. Still totally crazy. We had never had a Mickeybar before this trip and I wasn't convinced of their deliciousness. Wrong. They are so good. And so are Dolewhips! I went the float route with pineapple juice and pineapple whip..you know there's a machine at Captain Cook's, right?

 

[sophie832]

Wingnut's favorite movie is Aladdin? Same with my DH!

I was very surprised to hear about the freak October snowstorm back east, but I have to say this is another one of those moments where I love being a CA girl! The only downside is being so far from WDW, but at least we're close to DL.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Oh, yeah, we're getting snow, too! I think just 3-6", but still. It's way too early for this craziness!

Oooh, Disney snacks. I'm also contemplating my next Goofy's Candy Co. treat I LOVE the spicy cheese pretzel at AK. I'd go there just for that. I've decided that my first purchase at the caramel shop is going to be the dark chocolate salted caramel. AND I'm dying to try the avocado margarita at Epcot. So many choices...

I agree!! Winter isn't supposed to be here for another 2 months!!

Oooh the spicy cheese pretzel! I forgot about that one! I really want to try that - and I think Wingnut would love it too!

There are too many choices!

Ugh, this snow is so annoying, I hope it melts! I like the snow and the winter, but when it's actually winter! This is ruining Fall!

Dole Whips are so good, I've never had a float, but I get the ice cream (I know it's not ice cream, but I don't know what else to call it...I suppose it's technically Dole whip, but it just seems weird!) in a cup. I've tried the pineapple and it's good, but my favorite is the orange and vanilla swirl! Sooo good! I'd like to try a float someday, but I never know what combination to get either!

It is! Fall is my favorite, I get all mad when winter gets here early!

There are so many Dole Whip combinations it seems! Maybe I'll start with just the "ice cream" too!

We have snow here, too...rapidly melting, messy snow...,but nevertheless. Still totally crazy. We had never had a Mickeybar before this trip and I wasn't convinced of their deliciousness. Wrong. They are so good. And so are Dolewhips! I went the float route with pineapple juice and pineapple whip..you know there's a machine at Captain Cook's, right?

Wingnut has wanted to try one of the ice cream bars for awhile, he just totally forgot about them on our last trip!

YES I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT. I have no excuse not to try a Dole Whip now!

Wingnut's favorite movie is Aladdin? Same with my DH!

I was very surprised to hear about the freak October snowstorm back east, but I have to say this is another one of those moments where I love being a CA girl! The only downside is being so far from WDW, but at least we're close to DL.

Hahaha yeah, California seems like a pretty good weather bet nowadays! Thankfully the snow wasn't as bad as they had predicted!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

It isn't Halloween without watching at least some of this movie!

(Also, just to update about the weather, the snow totals weren't as high as originally predicted, but it was very wet and heavy snow, which caused a TON of tree branches to fall all over the area. Lots of power outages (not affecting us, thankfully!)

Our parking lot:



And a few moments later:



Needless to say, my car had been parked under a different tree, and Wingnut and I pretty hastily moved it from there! (That one stayed up though!)

Have a fabulous and safe and sweet Halloween everyone!!

 

[MEK]

I am so happy you were not affected by the power outages. It never occured to me that still having so many leaves on the trees would cause so many problems. Makes sense. Just never thought about it.

Yes - I think a margarita definitely qualifies as a snack. My last student gave me a Disney gift card (appropriate gift) and that one is for ritas! Woo Hoo!

 

[Merida]

I love all the snow (even though ours came quite a bit earlier. We're supposed to be getting more out here this week though! Good thing all of our trees already came down. )

Hm.. one snack I want to try are the smoothies at Auntie Gravity's (?) in Magic Kingdom. I'm pretty addicted to my daily smoothie though.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Happy Halloween a day late!

I really can't believe we had a snow storm like that in October, it it many different levels of WRONG. We lost power for over a day and it makes me so cranky. I hate not having power.

Favorite snacks....hmmmm. Peanut Butter cups from the Boardwalk Bakery, also can get them at various park and resort bakeries. Pina Colava, yum! They even have a non-alcoholic version that is fabulous, I just can't remember what it is called. And lastly the cream cheese pretzel and slushie coke from the Launching Pad under Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland.

 

[MeMom]

You guys are moving right on into winter, aren't you? I am sure glad I live a lot further south! We have four distinct seasons here, but we don't have extremes of any highs or lows very often. We have enough heat to swim in the summer and enough snow to make a decent snowman, and that's about it. Spring and fall are pretty much perfect, with the exception of an occasional tornado.

The snow pictures are pretty, though, with the exception of the falling branches.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I am so happy you were not affected by the power outages. It never occured to me that still having so many leaves on the trees would cause so many problems. Makes sense. Just never thought about it.

Yes - I think a margarita definitely qualifies as a snack. My last student gave me a Disney gift card (appropriate gift) and that one is for ritas! Woo Hoo!

I know so many people up here who haven't had power or water since Saturday, and the number of trees down around here is unbelievable. This storm wasn't messing around! We are definitely very lucky!

Hahaha I agree!! Your student had a great gift idea for you!

I love all the snow (even though ours came quite a bit earlier. We're supposed to be getting more out here this week though! Good thing all of our trees already came down. )

Hm.. one snack I want to try are the smoothies at Auntie Gravity's (?) in Magic Kingdom. I'm pretty addicted to my daily smoothie though.

Oh I am SO not a fan of winter or snow or other cold-related weather. I'd definitely imagine that you guys would get much more snow out there - it's good that you like it!

I've never tried those smoothies, but they always look very pretty in the pictures I've seen!

Happy Halloween a day late!

I really can't believe we had a snow storm like that in October, it it many different levels of WRONG. We lost power for over a day and it makes me so cranky. I hate not having power.

Favorite snacks....hmmmm. Peanut Butter cups from the Boardwalk Bakery, also can get them at various park and resort bakeries. Pina Colava, yum! They even have a non-alcoholic version that is fabulous, I just can't remember what it is called. And lastly the cream cheese pretzel and slushie coke from the Launching Pad under Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland.

Ugh losing power stinks. All you want to do then is stuff involving power ("maybe I'll just go online...") . I'm glad that yours is back now though!

I haven't tried any of those, but they all sound great! It's a good thing both Wingnut and I love trying new treats, I think we'll need both of us to get through all of the things we want to try!

You guys are moving right on into winter, aren't you? I am sure glad I live a lot further south! We have four distinct seasons here, but we don't have extremes of any highs or lows very often. We have enough heat to swim in the summer and enough snow to make a decent snowman, and that's about it. Spring and fall are pretty much perfect, with the exception of an occasional tornado.

The snow pictures are pretty, though, with the exception of the falling branches.

Apparently we are! I'm not sure who gave the OK for that! It's supposed to be fall for another 2 months!!

No extreme highs or lows does sound lovely. Our last few winters have been much colder and snowier than they're supposed to be...but this one is supposedly not supposed to be as bad! My fingers are crossed for mild weather!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

WE ARE STILL STAYING AT THE POLYNESIAN.

Okay. Just had to get that out there!

Admittedly, this is a less-dramatic change than the one that was previously announced , but still. It does still demonstrate that ability of ours (mine) to leave things alone.



We had originally scheduled a dinner at Via Napoli for our last night at Disney, but the other day, the wheels started turning. We live in an area that pretty fantastic pizza is easily accessibly obtained (yes, I know, the people from Chicago are going to be up in arms about this sentence, but since VN's pizza is decidedly not deep-dish, I feel like I am comparing similar styles here!). To me, it just seems kind of boring to go to World Showcase and eat food that we pretty much can have any day here. Also, I had noticed a few mixed reviews of VN of late, adding to my wheel-turning.

I mentioned these thoughts to Wingnut, and he quickly agreed. Back to the menu perusing!

We fairly quickly narrowed our choices down to La Hacienda de San Angel, where we had gone last time, and 50's Prime-Time Cafe.

(Similar choices, huh? )

We had really enjoyed La Hacienda last time (the chicken, in particular!), and thought it would be fun to go back. As far as 50's Prime-Time, admittedly, it really isn't one of my top choices, but Wingnut LOVES that sort of throwback decor and kitsch, and I had already told him if that's somewhere he wanted to go, that's fine by me.

I left the decision up to Wingnut, and he chose:



La Hacienda!


yay

 

[Lady Lallie]

You are so like me. You think you have the perfect plans and then BAM! Changes. I think that is what I love about planning though.