Bendy & Her Friendies V2 ... This Bar Never Closes! New Thread Started!

[*KeepMovingForward*]

On a totally different subject ... my husband probably wants to kill me.

I told him tonight that I really wish we could add on October 13th to our stay for a total of 11 nights because I'd love love love to attend the signature dinner at Raglan Road. While it wouldn't be an issue to rearrange airfare ... yours truly went and rented and / or gave away the remainder of our DVC points for this year and next year since we knew we wouldn't be visiting WDW in 2010.

He is, with good reason, entirely opposed to a one-night cash outlay just so we can indulge in another gluttonous dinner.

Jay doesn't put his foot down often but when he does, it leaves a really big footprint.

Your much better than I am. I just book it and then slowly warm Fred to the idea (sometimes over a period of months) and if I'm lucky there are even instances where he thinks it was totally his idea.

The Spouse originally hails from the Cardinal Nation, though he lives in CA now. He got a birthday present, which just arrived today, and you can see our little man modeling it:

Note the game on and Warcraft- the Spouse assures me it's called multitasking.

This gift was sent by my SIL. The Little Man has a fine collection of sweaters and outfits. He doesn't mind, too much. We already refered to him during games as our Rally Monkey, so now he's dressed for the part at least.

Awwww...he's a cutie.

I have a big footprint on my back today too, Brenda! The dates of our trip were developed because of a bounceback offer we got last year before we checked out of the Poly. When our friend offered her DVC points to rent I jumped on the offer and she made the reservation for the same dates as our original BC stay.

Well, for some odd reason we are traveling to WDW on a Friday and returning on a Thursday. Odd, huh?? Wonder what calendar I was looking at? I would love to add on three more nights and change our airfare too. But myBob looked at me like I had grown another head.

We can get better flight times out of a closer airport if we extend our stay too. I am even willing to change resorts. But so far, he is not budging. Doesn't mean I won't be looking around some more today.

I can't tell you how many times I've sold Fred on the idea that its foolish not to add some days on to a trip, especially if we were planning on coming home right before the weekend or on a Saturday. Keep working on him Elin...maybe he'll see the light.

 

[PNO4TE]

I can't tell you how many times I've sold Fred on the idea that its foolish not to add some days on to a trip, especially if we were planning on coming home right before the weekend or on a Saturday. Keep working on him Elin...maybe he'll see the light.

I am working on it, as we speak, Allison! I had a thought to move to the Swolphin but their rates, even for teachers, was not acceptable to me. There is also the possibility of moving to a DTD hotel and doing all the stuff there we want to do that weekend. There are also moderates we love and they have a fairly low AP rate! I will let you all know.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Your much better than I am. I just book it and then slowly warm Fred to the idea (sometimes over a period of months) and if I'm lucky there are even instances where he thinks it was totally his idea.




I can't tell you how many times I've sold Fred on the idea that its foolish not to add some days on to a trip, especially if we were planning on coming home right before the weekend or on a Saturday. Keep working on him Elin...maybe he'll see the light.

So true! Elin & Brenda, just let them think they came up with the idea

 

[oybolshoi]

So true! Elin & Brenda, just let them think they came up with the idea

I would if I could but since I was dumb enough to just tell him out-right I think he'd be pretty peeved with me if I changed things up. Especially since he said "no" in his Jason-way. Granted ... he didn't utter the word, but he never does.

Still, I know enough to know when no means no, ya know?

I need more coffee.

 

[PNO4TE]

I would if I could but since I was dumb enough to just tell him out-right I think he'd be pretty peeved with me if I changed things up. Especially since he said "no" in his Jason-way. Granted ... he didn't utter the word, but he never does.

Still, I know enough to know when no means no, ya know?

I need more coffee.

If Bob gave me an outright "no" I would stop plotting... er... looking into it. But he just looked at me like I had grown another head. So, I continue to look!

 

[D&R love Disney]

Thought I'd share some pics from our trip to the Biltmore Winery yesterday.

Winery

Winery

Walking to the where the tours start

Fermentation Area

Steaming Vat

Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar

Rachel doing her Vanna White impression as we embark on the tasting room

Tasting Room

Premium Wine Tasting Bar

One thing I've learned in my years of doing wine tastings-never allow your children to man the camera while you partake. My first trip to Biltmore's tasting room had a very different outcome-one that left Fred with many blackmail worthy photographs. I now only have peachy little sanitized photos to share.

Wow! I'd love to go to the Biltmore some day. I do have a set of wine glasses that my step daughter sent me for my birthday.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Last night we (all 4 of us) went to dinner at Zink. American Kitchen in uptown Charlotte and then to see Mama Mia. It was excellent, all of it!

Here is a descprition of the restauants:

Zink American Kitchen’s creative menu and “speakeasy” décor offer Uptown Charlotte guests a unique and memorable experience. The menu, which is overseen by Executive Chef Tom Condron and Chef de Cuisine Jon Fortes, takes traditional American comfort foods and reinvents them into “cool” dishes that give this restaurant its distinct style. From Peeky Toe Crabcakes to sushi and Artisan cheeses, fresh seafood, fresh ground burgers and hand cut steaks, guests are presented with a variety of New American cuisine to consider. As “cool” as the food, is the restaurant’s deep crimson décor which offers a relaxing ambiance that’s both modern and fun. This chic, understated elegance is the perfect backdrop for the restaurant's impressive 30’ Zinc bar and bustling patio which overlooks the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Zink’s impressive menu together with its extensive wine list, beer selections and specialty drinks makes it a great place to dine anytime.

Because of timing, (work, traffic & show start time) we didn't have as much time for dinner as we would have liked. Sadly we had to skip appys & dessert, but the entrees were awesome.

Menu

DS12 (Jason) got the filet wrapped in back from the Chefs Menu, (without the 1st & 3rd course) and they very kindly put the sauces on the side so he could try them without being locked into it. Good thing, because he didn't care for the wine sauces and there was no way he'd try the bleu cheese topping. Filet was cooked as ordered, and the smokiness of the bacon was wonderful. The steak fries were huge spears and very good He did a good job eating most of his meal and really liked it.

DD15 (Megan) tried the meatloaf, which our waitress had said was unlike anything else ever called meatloaf. She was right, and DD loved it! It was beef short ribs, pork & bacon ground up and layered to form a meatloaf. Served with a twice baked mashed potato and a couple of onion rings on top of the meatloaf. There wasn't anything left on the plate except for one onion ring

DH (Jon) went with the scallops after our waitress described the creamed corn it came with. Huge Maine scallops, crisp on the outside but not overcooked! Corn was yummy! Not only did he clear his plate, he did help DD & DS, "trying" their meals

My meal isn't on the menu, it was the special of the night. Grilled skirt steak with balsamic & boursin cheese on top, served with heirloom tomatoes & mozzerella salad. I was very happy. The tomatoes were wonderful and the steak was cooked perfect.

I know you're all asking "where are the pics", but I didn't take any Where we were eating was a last minute decision and I didn't even think to grab the camera This was a neat restaurant, love the decor & vibe and the food

Oh, Mama Mia was awesome! Even Jason rocked along with it

Only complaint of the night is that stuffy bank city Charlotte closes down at night. Some of the bars were open after the show (an improvement) but there was no where to get coffee & dessert I just don't understand why the restaurants next to and across the street from the theater don't stay open later on a show night

 

[PNO4TE]

Chelle - your evening sounds wonderful!

The entrees sounds yummy enough for me to consider trying one or two of them here at home. Please notice that is the second mention of topping steak with boursin that we have had on here this week!

If I were to open a restaurant it would be called "Just Desserts" or "After the Show" and would be open from 8 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. We would serve only desserts (could include cheese plates here) and coffees, teas and wines. I have actually toyed with this idea a lot.

 

[PNO4TE]

I did try to look into AP rates for October 8-11 but the website is down and the chipper CM I just talked to said their system is down for "enhancements" and to please call back in a few hours. I wonder if that means ticket prices, and hence package prices, are going up.

 

[oybolshoi]

Elin, I tried checking last night while I was watching the baseball game and had the same problem.

Chelle ... that restaurant sounds terrific!

I did try to look into AP rates for October 8-11 but the website is down and the chipper CM I just talked to said their system is down for "enhancements" and to please call back in a few hours. I wonder if that means ticket prices, and hence package prices, are going up.

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin, I tried checking last night while I was watching the baseball game and had the same problem.

I bet they are changing ticket prices. It would have to be something fairly complicated for the site to be down that many hours and to have Central Reservations unable to help either.

 

[susan514]

I don't know about the pop rocks, though!

Sue - I can see why you had a terrific meal. It looks like a great place!

Okay, I am not too bright I meant to say that the chef had been on Top Chef, Masters.

Too many cooking shows, not enough brains to watch them all

 

[oybolshoi]

I bet they are changing ticket prices. It would have to be something fairly complicated for the site to be down that many hours and to have Central Reservations unable to help either.

We've been waiting for that shoe to drop ... it's one reason I told Guest X and Guest Y to buy their tickets early. Luckily they listened to me in this regard.

If that's really what's happening I admit that I'm gobsmacked ... how Disney can justify price increases on park admission in this kind of economy is beyond me. Whoever is in charge of their business plan right now strikes me as a special kind of stupid.

Offer up all these promotions to get people into the hotels and parks and then scratch your butt and wonder why revenues are still down. Ummm, maybe it's because folks wouldn't be able to visit at all without those promotions and when their tickets and meals are paid for in the package price and they're on a budget there's no room for impulse shopping at the parks.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Chelle - your evening sounds wonderful!

The entrees sounds yummy enough for me to consider trying one or two of them here at home. Please notice that is the second mention of topping steak with boursin that we have had on here this week!

If I were to open a restaurant it would be called "Just Desserts" or "After the Show" and would be open from 8 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. We would serve only desserts (could include cheese plates here) and coffees, teas and wines. I have actually toyed with this idea a lot.

I had to get the steak because of this thread

I would LOVE a restauant like that!!!!!! It frustrates Jon & I every time we've gone to a show. Things are starting to improve uptown, some of the bars are open late (not doing that with the 15 & 12 year olds) but the restaurants all closed at 10pm. I realize it was a Wednesday, but when you have a packed theater, why not stay open till 11pm that night??? Instead we came home and I made a pot of decaf for us to sip while we talked about the show for a bit.

I did try to look into AP rates for October 8-11 but the website is down and the chipper CM I just talked to said their system is down for "enhancements" and to please call back in a few hours. I wonder if that means ticket prices, and hence package prices, are going up.

We're expecting the 2010 prices to come out this weekend; they're usually released the 1st Sunday in August. That's when they usually up the ticket prices as well, so if anyone needs tickets, I suggest buying them now.

 

[PNO4TE]

Hmmm... if we are right, I really ought to think about buying our APs now. EGAD that's a lot of money I didn't want to spend right now!!

 

[D&R love Disney]

I have some sad news to share.

I spoke to my mom about an hour ago, and found out my dog, (who was really my grandma's dog,) passed away this morning.

Needless to say I am heartbroken about this. He was like the last piece of my grandma I had left, and I am just so sad he's gone.

I can't say this was unexpected however, since he was born in 1993, so he was obviously an old dog, with a full life. And he was doing poorly the last few weeks. My sister said a month ago she'd be suprised if he lasted another week, and my dad said he'd probably die by the end of the month.

He was just such a good dog. I remember always coming over to Grandma's house when I was little, and he would always be so excited to see me. He still was always excited to see me, even Friday, (the last time I saw him,) when I had gone over to my parents house, and he had been outside limping around. I had gone to put my stuff down inside, and he tried to hurry up to keep up with me, while I was trying to get him to not follow me so I could go back out and carry him in.

It's weird though, he was doing fine until my grandma died, and then it's like he knew that she was gone, and that's when I started noticing a steady decline in him. Like he held out just for Grandma, who always worried so much about that dog.

I am so sorry, I know how hard it is to lose an animal

 

[ChelleinNC]

Hmmm... if we are right, I really ought to think about buying our APs now. EGAD that's a lot of money I didn't want to spend right now!!

I understand, we just got our new AP's. 4 "adults"

 

[PNO4TE]

I understand, we just got our new AP's. 4 "adults"

AAAACK!

I wonder how much stupid Disney is planning to raise them. I just don't get it. Give away free food, discount rooms up to 40% and then raise the prices to get into the parks.

Wait! Maybe we are wrong and they are going to lower ticket prices.

 

[MA pigletfan]

Good morning!!
Fun news...i booked a Keys to the Kingdom Tour last night!!! SOO excited. We are planning on doing it the morning of our last full day at WDW...i have wanted to do this tour for a long time..has anyone here done it before? Did you like it? I know it will be a lot of things I already know about, but i still thought there is always more to learn about MK!!!


disneyfan4evr..i am sorry for your loss

 

[cckovach]

Good morning!!
Fun news...i booked a Keys to the Kingdom Tour last night!!! SOO excited. We are planning on doing it the morning of our last full day at WDW...i have wanted to do this tour for a long time..has anyone here done it before? Did you like it? I know it will be a lot of things I already know about, but i still thought there is always more to learn about MK!!!


disneyfan4evr..i am sorry for your loss

My husband and I did Keys to the Kingdom a few years ago and it was AWESOME! Yes, you will know a lot of information already but you will be surprised at what information you do not know. Also, the utilidor tour is worth the money by itself.

My husband still talks about that tour and has suggested we go again, but I'm hesitant to have an identical experience.