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

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I bet your pin (which I can't see right now) is adorable! And I bet your baking is Amazing.

Hope the mickey mail comes real soon!

Aww thank you!! I hope the cookies and treats turn out well!

I hope so too!

joining in

Welcome!!!

sorry to tease you w/y Mickey mail the other day...i wasn't even waiting for it...

to answer the next two questions:

fav activity outside of the parks...I'd have to agree w/ DTD but we don't do that every trip, so hmmmm there must be something else

I really do like exploring the resort we stay in or other resorts our home resort has so much to offer, like watching Wishes, seeing the EWP and movies in the lawn...now that is fun!

favorite souvie...now this is a tough one. The best souvie purchase that was purchased has to be from our very first trip to WDW w/ the kids back in 2005, when Matt's Parents bought the then 3 kids these light up Mickey head wands, which now come w/ to EVERY trip w/ the kids and make an appearance at a nightime parade or fireworks show. Other Guests, always ask where did we get those

for me one of my favorite souvies are my WDW frame collection. I try to buy one each trip now and put in a significant or favorite picture of the trip. I also love my pink WDW sweatshirt

happy baking too

Hahaha that's okay! You just made me more impatient is all!

Exploring the resorts definitely is fun! I love seeing all of the different themes/layouts.

I love your frame collection idea!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

...and there I was, still tapping my feet, waiting for that Mickey Mail to arrive. Waiting. Getting more antsy by the day. Seeing people get their mail who are leaving later than we are.

I said to Wingnut that I would wait until the weekend to call Disney and see what was up, but last night (well under 30 days left to go!) I decided to call. I figured that it was still a bit early, but I couldn't help it. I needed to get this resolved and get those ME luggage tags in my hand. I needed to hear that Disney hold music again.

(Oh wait, did I just type that out loud? )

Is this a new feature on the Disney phone line, that when you specify the reason for your call ("DOCUMENTS!") they give you an automated spiel about said Magical Express documents before letting you speak to a representative? Slightly time-consuming, but it did confirm my suspicion that I should have seen the ME stuff at around 40 days out.

I explained the situation, and it turns out that the documents/luggage tags/etc HAD been mailed out well over 2 weeks ago. And then they never got here. (Maybe they were wearing a cape.) A replacement set is on their way, supposedly getting here in 7-10 business days.

(Cue Stringbean frantically checking the calendar and counting out 7-10 business days from now. Well. 6 to 9, now. )

(Please please let everything get here correctly this time!)

Anyhoo, that's been my big tale of the past few days. Oh, and I started dropping subtle hints about wanting a chocolate slipper to Wingnut.



(I know, I'm so subtle )

(Also, please note that I did say thank you in advance!)

Wingnut: You're only getting one of these, you know.
Me: I know, I was just giving you options!

How about some more questions, while we're all here?

Day 27: Your Favorite WDW Breakfast

This is actually probably the hardest question for me so far! I love Disney breakfasts...actually possibly more than any other meal (except for dinner at Jiko!). But I just have so many favorites...Boma is fantastic, Grand Floridian Cafe is wonderful, Kouzzina is awesome, Kona is great too...how can I choose?

Me: Hey. What's your favorite Disney World breakfast?
Wingnut: You know that.
Me: Grand Floridian Cafe, steak and eggs?
Wingnut: Yup.

Well, I guess this is an easier question for some people!

I'm going to have to go with a 3 way tie for Boma



GFC



and Kouzzina.



They're all just so fantastic. I can't wait to go back to them!

Day 28: Your Favorite Fireworks Show

Much easier. Illuminations.



Although, I am VERY determined to see Wishes this time around (yes, for anyone new to here, I have never seen Wishes in-person). So this is, admittedly, probably not the most fair playing field here, but I still am very firmly in love with Illuminations.

How about you guys? Is breakfast your most important meal of the Disney day? Do I have any other Illuminations fans out there? Has anyone ever not gotten their Magical Express info??? eek

 

[Nermel9]

Glad you got your ME situation figured out, that would freak me out! And I love having a reason to call Disney and listen to the Disney hold music!

LOL, love the subtle hints for the chocolate slipper! I came out and told Brandon before this past trip that I wished he would surprise me with something from the Disney Florist. That didn't go over so well...I'll have to keep hinting for next year, I guess!

Hmmm...my favorite breakfast is probably Boma. It's amazing, and I love visiting AKL!

And my favorite fireworks are Wishes, but Illuminations is such a close second. In fact, they might be a tie. I love them both so much, Wishes is so Disney, but Illuminations is so Epcot-y, and I love my Epcot!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

It's a good thing you called about your Mickey mail! I can only imagine that you went from this to this and once you're holding it in your hands, you'll be this

I think you're handling the slipper dessert situation very well. At least he's not finding neon-colored sticky notes everywhere. Or is he????

Favorite breakfast: Kona...Tonga Toast gets all the press, but I'm a macadamia nut pancake girl.

Favorite fireworks: Wishes...but just barely. Illuminations is amazing, too!

 

[tinacaplan]

You made such cute pins! I love them.

As for my favorite breakfast, I'll go with Kouzzina...for now. We haven't tried Kona yet and who knows? Maybe that will change my opinion.

And I'm completely, 100% with you on Illuminations. I can hear the countdown in my head...the way the booming announcer's voice counts down to "Illuminations...Reflections of Earth."

 

[mousescrapper]

glad you called Disney and got some new tags/booklet sent out. I have never not gotten my stuff on time, but in oct. I needed 1 more luggage tag 9as they only send 1 per person nowadays...and I called w/ under 30 days to go and it arrived lickity split

love the chocolate slipper drop


favorite breakfast at Disney has to be more the characters than the food but I really enjoy O'Hana since i don't have to get up and get food...but Chef Mickey's buffet is awesome, ooh I love bacon, mickey waffles and oatmeal w/ dried fruit YUM-O...I'm easy to please

favorite fireworks has to be Wishes w/out a doubt...but know that I have seen Hallo-Wishes...oh boy that show alone is making matt and I conteplate taking the kids OUT of school for a week in 2013

 

[Jennifer48]

Whew! Good thing you called! Hopefully you receive your replacement docs! *fingers crossed*

I love your subtle hints to Wingnut about the chocolate slipper. I hope you get one of those too!

Day 27: Your Favorite WDW Breakfast- We are not breakfast people so we rarely make reservations. DH absolutely loves the stuffed french toast puffs at CRT! He always asks to go back just for those! Myself, I have to go with O'hana. I could drink gallons of that Lilikoi juice!

Day 28: Your Favorite Fireworks Show- Wishes! I cry every, single, time!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I can see we are equally subtle people! Love it!
So glad you called. Even I was getting nervous!

Favorite Breakfast?
That would have to be Crystal Palace. Really it's the only breakfast we go to (we're not actually big breakfast people), but it's top notch. I can't really see anything else taking its place as favorite...unless I get those steak and eggs at GFC...then my mind could change.

Favorite fireworks?
Illuminations! I love Wishes, too, of course. Not a huge fan of Fantasmic!, but that's more than likely due to the crowds.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Glad you got your ME situation figured out, that would freak me out! And I love having a reason to call Disney and listen to the Disney hold music!

LOL, love the subtle hints for the chocolate slipper! I came out and told Brandon before this past trip that I wished he would surprise me with something from the Disney Florist. That didn't go over so well...I'll have to keep hinting for next year, I guess!

Hmmm...my favorite breakfast is probably Boma. It's amazing, and I love visiting AKL!

And my favorite fireworks are Wishes, but Illuminations is such a close second. In fact, they might be a tie. I love them both so much, Wishes is so Disney, but Illuminations is so Epcot-y, and I love my Epcot!

So am I!!! I was definitely starting to get antsy, I'm glad I called when I did! Hahaha it's too bad more companies don't play Soarin' as part of their hold music.

Yeah, my "subtle" hints can't be too subtle. I'm more of a blatant hint kind of person! I hope you get your Disney Florist surprise eventually!

It's funny, I don't think we'd ever stay there, but we go to AKL at least 3x each trip to eat! We're doing that this time around too! (Dinner at Sanaa, dinner at Jiko, breakfast at Boma)

It's a good thing you called about your Mickey mail! I can only imagine that you went from this to this and once you're holding it in your hands, you'll be this

I think you're handling the slipper dessert situation very well. At least he's not finding neon-colored sticky notes everywhere. Or is he????

Favorite breakfast: Kona...Tonga Toast gets all the press, but I'm a macadamia nut pancake girl.

Favorite fireworks: Wishes...but just barely. Illuminations is amazing, too!

I definitely cannot wait to just have everything here in my hands. I'm still nervous that it won't come at all, but I'm sure it'll all be okay! (I hope!)

Well, that note WAS written on sticky note paper...and just so happened to have landed on a book he happened to be reading at the time...

(Sticky notes...is there any better hinting mechanism out there? I think not!)

I had those macadamia nut pancakes last trip, I couldn't believe how filling they are! Seriously, I was stuffed after a pancake and a half, and Wingnut and I always joke about how I could easily eat massive amounts of pancakes!

You made such cute pins! I love them.

As for my favorite breakfast, I'll go with Kouzzina...for now. We haven't tried Kona yet and who knows? Maybe that will change my opinion.

And I'm completely, 100% with you on Illuminations. I can hear the countdown in my head...the way the booming announcer's voice counts down to "Illuminations...Reflections of Earth."

Thank you!! I had fun making them!

I love Kouzzina for breakfast! Wingnut and I both LOVE the Stacked Kouzzina Breakfast, but now on their menu is this awesome-sounding French Toast with anise and fig and other unique add-ins. I doubt we'll both be able to pass that up...

Yay for Illuminations!!! Ahhhh and how they blow out the torches at the beginning!! I LOVE IT. I love everything about Illuminations!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

glad you called Disney and got some new tags/booklet sent out. I have never not gotten my stuff on time, but in oct. I needed 1 more luggage tag 9as they only send 1 per person nowadays...and I called w/ under 30 days to go and it arrived lickity split

love the chocolate slipper drop


favorite breakfast at Disney has to be more the characters than the food but I really enjoy O'Hana since i don't have to get up and get food...but Chef Mickey's buffet is awesome, ooh I love bacon, mickey waffles and oatmeal w/ dried fruit YUM-O...I'm easy to please

favorite fireworks has to be Wishes w/out a doubt...but know that I have seen Hallo-Wishes...oh boy that show alone is making matt and I conteplate taking the kids OUT of school for a week in 2013

So am I!! I'm hoping the replacement tags arrive soon! I just want to have them now!

Hahaha thank you! I'm so subtle, right?

Ohana seems like it would be a fun breakfast! But I think I'm a bit biased, I do love Stitch!

Whew! Good thing you called! Hopefully you receive your replacement docs! *fingers crossed*

I love your subtle hints to Wingnut about the chocolate slipper. I hope you get one of those too!

Day 27: Your Favorite WDW Breakfast- We are not breakfast people so we rarely make reservations. DH absolutely loves the stuffed french toast puffs at CRT! He always asks to go back just for those! Myself, I have to go with O'hana. I could drink gallons of that Lilikoi juice!

Day 28: Your Favorite Fireworks Show- Wishes! I cry every, single, time!

I hope so!!! I don't even know what we're supposed to do if we don't!!

Hahaha thank you! I do too!

Wingnut loves that juice too. He had the version from Boma and fell in love with it! I know I'm in the minority, but it's far too sweet for me first thing in the morning!

I can see we are equally subtle people! Love it!
So glad you called. Even I was getting nervous!

Favorite Breakfast?
That would have to be Crystal Palace. Really it's the only breakfast we go to (we're not actually big breakfast people), but it's top notch. I can't really see anything else taking its place as favorite...unless I get those steak and eggs at GFC...then my mind could change.

Favorite fireworks?
Illuminations! I love Wishes, too, of course. Not a huge fan of Fantasmic!, but that's more than likely due to the crowds.

Hahahaha where's the fun in subtlety?

I'm glad I called too! I really really hope that they just come soon!

I'm excited for us to be going to Crystal Palace - it'll be our first time there! (And not just to try puffed french toast...that's only a good amount of the reason! ) Oooh you SO have to try the Steak and Eggs, they're SO good!

Yay another for Team Illuminations!! Yeah, I'm not so much a fan of Fantasmic either. It just seems a bit disjointed and strange to me. And I get sick of sitting on a hard bleacher VERY quickly!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

I'm so glad your Mickey Mail is now on its way! Thank goodness you called!

Favorite breakfast:
I remember having a pretty good breakfast at Starring Rolls the last time I was there. I believe this answer will change after my trip, however, considering the great lineup of breakfast ADR's we have planned!

Favorite fireworks:
Illuminations! It's a great show. (This may be influenced by the fact that I, too, have never watched Wishes. My family always takes advantage of the short MK ride lines during the fireworks. I do plan to see it (likely more than once!) in February.)

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm so glad your Mickey Mail is now on its way! Thank goodness you called!

Favorite breakfast:
I remember having a pretty good breakfast at Starring Rolls the last time I was there. I believe this answer will change after my trip, however, considering the great lineup of breakfast ADR's we have planned!

Favorite fireworks:
Illuminations! It's a great show. (This may be influenced by the fact that I, too, have never watched Wishes. My family always takes advantage of the short MK ride lines during the fireworks. I do plan to see it (likely more than once!) in February.)

I am too!! I just hope it comes soon now!

I really want to try Starring Rolls on this upcoming trip, for one of those super ginormous cupcakes! (I believe the red velvet one is calling my name...)

Our excuse for never seeing Wishes is always going to the MK in the morning/early afternoon, so we've always park-hopped or are at dinner by the time Wishes rolls around! I am very much hoping to change that on this trip though!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Did everyone see the latest restaurants to join the DDP?????

????

Check out what I found on the Disney Food Blog last night!

I read this, and gasped. Loudly.

Wingnut: What?? What?? What's the matter?

Me: Bistro de Paris is now on the dining plan!!!!!!!!

Wingnut: [sigh] I thought something was actually wrong. Don't do that!

Me: I'm excited though. We still want to go there, right?

Wingnut: Yep, let's fit that one in.



Bistro de Paris has always been one of our "when we can fit this in" restaurants that we've always REALLY wanted to try, and well, now, it's right at our fingertips!

To be totally honest, I'm seriously shocked that it's now on the DDP (along with Fultons and Wolfgang Puck Upstairs for 2 credits each). I always thought those would never be on the plan. It'll be interesting to see if the restaurants undergo big changes once being added to the plan (that's especially why I wanted to get our reservation at Bistro in on this trip, early on in it's addition to the plan). I hope things don't change too much. We'll see though.

So anyways, we will be going to Bistro de Paris on our last night at Disney!! (Swapped out was a repeat of La Hacienda, it seemed the most trade-able out of our lineup )

I feel that this is worthy of another dance:

 

[tankgirl427]

can you believe we're so close now!?! We should compare dates, ADRs, and parks once our final FINAL list is done. I'm still tweaking and hoping to tweak some more once the January hours are finalized which I'm going crazy waiting for!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Vive la France! I've never been there...can't wait for your review. And I think you're right about getting it in now before they have a chance to make a lot of significant changes.

 

[tankgirl427]

Guess what got revised! January hours! Its updated on the TA site. Nothing really shocking, but a comple minor tweaks I may make with Osborne Lights being up until the 7th and BTMRR and Dumbo being taken down the 9th.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm soooooooooo jealous you are going to Bistro De Paris! I am dying to try there and haven't yet because it seems so expensive without the dining plan.

So what are you ordering? I am sure you have it all picked out. This pregnant lady wants to know.

 

[tinacaplan]

Oooo...intriguing...wonder why those places finally caved? I hope Bistro de Paris is wonderful.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

can you believe we're so close now!?! We should compare dates, ADRs, and parks once our final FINAL list is done. I'm still tweaking and hoping to tweak some more once the January hours are finalized which I'm going crazy waiting for!

I seriously can't believe it!!! Time is FLYING!!

We definitely should! I'm doing my best to leave things alone as much as possible!

Guess what got revised! January hours! Its updated on the TA site. Nothing really shocking, but a comple minor tweaks I may make with Osborne Lights being up until the 7th and BTMRR and Dumbo being taken down the 9th.

I just took a look at them, and I actually don't notice any differences! Am I missing something really obvious and important?

Vive la France! I've never been there...can't wait for your review. And I think you're right about getting it in now before they have a chance to make a lot of significant changes.

! Yeah, I'm thinking going in January is as close as we'd be able to get to going before the restaurant is changed (if it does change significantly!). We're really excited to try it!

I'm soooooooooo jealous you are going to Bistro De Paris! I am dying to try there and haven't yet because it seems so expensive without the dining plan.

So what are you ordering? I am sure you have it all picked out. This pregnant lady wants to know.

We've SO wanted to try Bistro for awhile, and this is just the perfect chance for us!

Hahaha, okay, I'll pull up the menu now for you! Were I dining there tonight, I would have the savory cake with bacon, Gruyere and olives, mixed greens, onions, and tomato chutney for an appetizer; the chicken breast - stuffed with tapenade, roasted bell peppers, artichoke confit for an entree (I know, I usually go for the beef entree, but I'm not a huge mushroom fan and the accompaniments on this dish sound pretty interesting); and the warm lemon soufflé with raspberry middle, raspberry sorbet for dessert (although the warm chocolate and almond cake with feuilletine, vanilla ice cream, and praline sauce sounds excellent too!)

Oooo...intriguing...wonder why those places finally caved? I hope Bistro de Paris is wonderful.

I know, I'm curious too! Now I believe the only restaurants in WDW not on the plan are the ones in the Swan and Dolphin and Victoria & Alberts.

I hope it is too! I'm excited to go there!

 

[Nermel9]

I think it's so strange that all of those restaurants are on the DDP now! I'm not complaining though, I think that's great! Bistro sounds awesome, I'm sure you guys are going to love it!