Bring us a Shrubbery!! May 25-June 1, 2007!!

[oybolshoi]

I have converted another one! My evil plan is falling into place!! DH drinks Grahams and Taylor Fladgate. I showed him the updated menu and he was bummed we will not be dining there in May. He said, and I quote " Well I guess we will have to eat there in October."

If your hubby likes Port you really need to get him a bottle of Don PX - looks like motor oil in a bottle and kinda smells like coffee.

Fabulous poured over ice cream.

The sommalier (sp?) at Tchoup Chop turned us on to that last year as a special treat because Jay and I are just the kind of people who inspire that kind of alcoholic generosity in others. Of course, it probably didn't hurt that we were already dropping about $300 on dinner...

Oh, and I went ahead and bought the dress tonight. Here's hoping that it looks as good on me as it does on the model.

 

[zweihund]

Oh, and I went ahead and bought the dress tonight. Here's hoping that it looks as good on me as it does on the model.

It will look fabulous on you!

 

[oybolshoi]

It will look fabulous on you!

Thanks Erica.

I guess I've got some extra incentive to keep working out now!

 

[BriarRosie]

Well, thanks to DisneyDuet's fabulous, mouthwatering review of Artist Point and the exciting alcoholic opportunities I discovered on their February 2007 menu, I have changed our ADRs....just a wee bit.

Instead of having dinner at Rose and Crown on Friday night, we're going to have dinner at AP instead. A 7:30PM ressie - just ask for a window seat when you check in!

As much as we love R&C, we've eaten there many times and we just thought it would be nice to try another new place (with new booze) instead.

When I first emailed Jason today about this switch here's how he responded:

"Whatever you want, boozy."



I'm going to leave work soon and go home and eat cottage cheese and pears for dinner before spending 60 minutes on the exercise bike. After I revive myself I'm going to update my October trip report.

Egad, if you make dinner plans on Friday night....you might have a conflict
with the LeCellier food and wine pairing, if this event is held on Fridays
like it has been for the last few years. The food and wine
pairings take place around 3pm, give or take a half hour. (Each pairing
event has a staggered time. Some start at 2:30, others at 3 and still
others at 3:30. I think Le Cellier's was at 3pm.)

I'm not sure how hungry you'll be at 7:30pm!

That's what bugs me about not having the Festival booking info as far
in advance as the 180 day dining reservation availability.

 

[oybolshoi]

Egad, if you make dinner plans on Friday night....you might have a conflict
with the LeCellier food and wine pairing, if this event is held on Fridays
like it has been for the last few years. The food and wine
pairings take place around 3pm, give or take a half hour. (Each pairing
event has a staggered time. Some start at 2:30, others at 3 and still
others at 3:30. I think Le Cellier's was at 3pm.)

I'm not sure how hungry you'll be at 7:30pm!

That's what bugs me about not having the Festival booking info as far
in advance as the 180 day dining reservation availability.

Lori, thanks for the advice but I've been sloppy in my writing and need to update accordingly.

We're going to AP on our last Friday night in May. My October ADR planner is blank for the Friday we're going to be there, except for an entry I have for Le Cellier's F&W pairing.

But thank you for looking out for us - I appreciate it!

And I totally agree about the 180-day mark and trying to coordinate with F&W. I'm trying to leave dates open for certain events we want to try, but I also want to make sure we have ADRs for those "must-do" restaurants on our list.

 

[DISNEYDUET]

Brenda, When are yall going to be down in October? I know you told me but I am having a moment and can't remember!

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda, When are yall going to be down in October? I know you told me but I am having a moment and can't remember!

Arrival date = October 15th...Beach Club Villas

Departure date = October 25th...Hello Stinktown


Party for the Senses on October 20th...don't miss it!

 

[oybolshoi]

There has been so much chatter about May and October that for all us I thought I'd better take another look at my ADRs for May and make sure that I didn't botch something up.

So without further ado...


Friday, May 25th - Arrival at MCO at 10:30AM. Florida Tours is picking us up at the airport and we've requested a grocery store stop this time. The last thing Disney needs is two starving, hung-over "adults" scrounging for food at SSR. I guess I need a grocery list - that's a first for vacation. I hope the store takes credit cards!

We're going to try to grab some quick lunch at Earl of Sandwich after an early check-in (optimistic, aren't I?) - Jay says he really has a hankering for a Hot Roast Beef Smoothie (please see October 2006 dining and trip reports for explanation). After a light lunch we're going to laze at the pool. We have dinner reservations for 7:30 at Raglan Road. Our goal is to try all four beer flights during our encampment here.

Saturday, May 26th - Today is early EMH at MGM, so I think we would be wise to visit EPCOT, whenever we roll out of bed and make ourselves presentable to the world at large. We're not on any kind of schedule so we'll stay until we're ready to leave. Dinner reservations tonight are for 7:00 at Jiko. We're really looking forward to exploring the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think once we are finished with dinner we are going to the Adventurers Club - wonder how busy they'll be on Saturday night?

Sunday, May 27th - We have the early slot for Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues: 10:30AM. The other time slot was for 1PM and to my mind that's late for brunch. Hell, that's late for lunch. Today might be another laze at the pool day since our dinner reservations are for 7:00 at Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room. The Magic Kingdom has EMH tonight - their normal closing time is listed at 11PM, so that means they're going to be open until 2AM. Let's go frolic around the MK until we're stupid with sleepiness!

Monday, May 28th - Breakfast is scheduled for 10:00 at Kona Cafe so that Jay can get his Tonga Toast and I can get some coffee. Today might be a good day for MGM...and then again it might not. We're going to let the crowd size determine how much time we spend in the park(s) today. And...dinner tonight is slated for 7:00 at Bluezoo. Afterwards we are going to catch the late EMH at MGM where we hope to finally see a showing of Fantasmic.

Tuesday, May 29th - Happy 8th Anniversary to us! We will be having a romantic light breakfast in the villa...mimosas, coffee, fruit and croissants. We have a couples treatment scheduled for 10:30 at the Mandara Spa located at the Swolphin. By the time we are finished here we should have just enough time to take a dip in the pool before cleaning up for our highly anticipated dinner at Victoria & Albert's where we scored the Chef's Table! Four hours of gastronomic and alcoholic bliss with the man I love...does life get any better?

Wednesday, May 30th - We have nothing planned today until dinner at 7:00 at California Grill. Today we will go where the wind takes us. If there is no breeze then I guess we just won't go anywhere.

Thursday, May 31st - Another open day. We really are trying to relax (and digest) as much as possible on this trip. Jay and I did decide just yesterday to unload our dinner reservation at Rose and Crown, which we love by the way, in favor of Artist Point over at the Wilderness Lodge. We are trying to hit some new restaurants on this trip and AP seemed like a good romantic way to finish off the trip.

Friday, June 1st - Time to go home... I know that we usually have a return flight to STL that gets us back in the early afternoon, so I imagine we'll be out of the villa no later than 10AM today. Thank goodness there's a new Harry Potter book to look forward to in July!!

So, there you have it, a slightly more detailed and tweaked plan for our visit next month.

Feel free to drop pearls of wisdom in my virtual lap.

 

[BriarRosie]

Ooh, sigh....what a lovely trip, and you haven't even taken it, yet!

Yes, the Adventurers Club should be hopping on a Saturday night, but you
still should be able to see and do what you want there, especially if you
park yourself near the Library doors. (Look at the plaque next to the right
hand closet door. It lists the showtimes. Try to position yourselves there
about 5-10 minutes prior to get seats.

I go there just about every night of my trips, and the only wrench in the plans
is when the AC rents the club out for private events and such, but the club
usually opens at 9pm when that happens. What's my backup plan, you ask?
Comedy Warehouse. I'll go there until the AC opens its doors.

I think you made an excellent choice by changing your Rose and Crown
to Artist Point. I really the buffalo steak there. But if you want
the cedar plank salmon, that's also good. (But IMHO not as good as the
buffalo!) If they have the portabello mushroom soup on the menu, that's
also a "must" for me.

 

[DisneyJo]

Wow that all sounds amazing the only thing I saw which I would not be able to do was MK till 2am then up for brekkie at 10am but then I do like my sleep

 

[oybolshoi]

Yes, the Adventurers Club should be hopping on a Saturday night, but you still should be able to see and do what you want there, especially if you park yourself near the Library doors. (Look at the plaque next to the right hand closet door. It lists the showtimes. Try to position yourselves there about 5-10 minutes prior to get seats.

I go there just about every night of my trips, and the only wrench in the plans
is when the AC rents the club out for private events and such, but the club
usually opens at 9pm when that happens. What's my backup plan, you ask?
Comedy Warehouse. I'll go there until the AC opens its doors.

Thanks for advice on AC, Lori. We are so looking forward to going back there again. We've never been to Comedy Warehouse - you like it? We were able to buy the DVC Pleasure Island unlimited pass that's good through the end of June, so that's certainly an option if we can't get into AC.

I think you made an excellent choice by changing your Rose and Crown to Artist Point. I really the buffalo steak there. But if you want the cedar plank salmon, that's also good. (But IMHO not as good as the buffalo!) If they have the portabello mushroom soup on the menu, that's also a "must" for me.

I have a feeling Jay will be all over the buffalo steak, as for me I'm not sure what I'll do. Not crazy about salmon and I don't like mushrooms at all. I'm sure I'll figure something out - so many people have raved about this place that I'm really glad we changed our plans.

Wow that all sounds amazing the only thing I saw which I would not be able to do was MK till 2am then up for brekkie at 10am but then I do like my sleep

I'm not sure we'll make it until 2AM - we're both pretty fond of our sleep, too. If I had to guess, I'd say we might be able to hang on until midnight but that would probably be it. We're not as young as we used to be!!

 

[disgrits]

Your ADRs look great. I have been to exactly none of those restaurants! All I can say is don't forget to take a lot of pics!

Have a great time Brenda!

 

[oybolshoi]

Your ADRs look great. I have been to exactly none of those restaurants! All I can say is don't forget to take a lot of pics!

Have a great time Brenda!

Paige, I promise to come home with tons of food porn and I will share it with all of you.

I think you and the hubby need a long weekend at the world, just the two of you, to sample a couple of yummy, romantic dining options.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I'm ooooohing and ahhhhhing over here! Your trip sounds so romantical! I'm so jealous!

What I wouldn't do for an adults-only trip with DH to gorge ourselves on the feastings of Disney! Blah! Traveling with children is SOOOOOO overrated!

 

[oybolshoi]

I should explain...I have a chronic problem that I call: "Gotta-do-more-it's-never-enough."

I don't shop early for birthdays and holidays any longer because this condition just means that I end up shopping longer and buying more than I would have if I had just waited until the last minute.

I look at this two ways: on the one hand it denotes generosity, because I really do love to give gifts and surprise friends and family; on the other hand, I think I may be addicted to planning / shopping / spending.

And that leads me to my point, which is this:

I would dearly love to have something romantic and sweet and just-so-Disney waiting in our room when we arrive on May 25th. I can contact WDW Florist and arrange to have Champagne and Mickey flutes and maybe even one of those specialty Mickey Mouse / tuxedo strawberry platters they do over at the BC/BW/YC complex. Wouldn't that be fun?

And then I started thinking that a nighttime carriage ride might be nice. I've always wanted to have a carriage ride.

We were on too tight a budget on our honeymoon in Williamsburg and we didn't take one...and eight years later I'm still waiting for a chance to take a ride with the man of my dreams behind a flatulent horse.

Now that is a recipe for romance!

 

[Nynaeve]

Your title jumped out at me on the main forums page, and I wander in to see what it's about. And I happily find you are planning another trip! I loved your last trip report thread, it was so funny, well written, and full of food porn! I'm happily waiting for your newest report!

And, your reports are full of Plankton, Simpson's references, and now Monty Python ones too. It's like a little hidden jem when you read.

 

[Texas lady]

Hiya Brenda,

Just wanted to let you know I have been enjoying your reports!! And reading your pre-trip report for this May, We too, are going to be at WDW May 25-May 31!!
I was looking at your days planned, and saw that May 26 you have MGM as the EMH? According to the WDW web site its..Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park that has the EMH (morning), and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park has the EMH ( evening).. I know this may seem like I am nic picking, but my hubby who is more than a Disney Freak than I am has it all planned out!!!
anyways also when I read your report on the "RNR" when you said that you had to take your glasses off, I used to do that, but can't stand not wearing my glasses, so hubby brought what we call.. a corded strap, its not as long as a regular eyeglasses holder, and you can tighten it up and wear it all day. You can find this anywhere, I got mine at Wally World ( Walmart), and saw some last year at the Magic Kingdom, and had to have them... here is a link to give you an idea on what they look like http://www.allproducts.com/gift/soaraway/08_eyeglasses_cord.html

 

[DISNEYDUET]

We were on too tight a budget on our honeymoon in Williamsburg

You mean to tell me that you were a mere hour away from me and I didn't even know it! Really, next time have some manners and call before you invade my state! LYMI
The new plan looks great and yummy. You will love Artist Point! If not you can blame it on my DH. MMMMMMM, Tonga Toast!!!

 

[oybolshoi]

I'm ooooohing and ahhhhhing over here! Your trip sounds so romantical! I'm so jealous!

What I wouldn't do for an adults-only trip with DH to gorge ourselves on the feastings of Disney! Blah! Traveling with children is SOOOOOO overrated!

Sometimes traveling with adults is overrated, too!

Do you and the DH at least get to sneak out for one night of feasting and romance at WDW?

Your title jumped out at me on the main forums page, and I wander in to see what it's about. And I happily find you are planning another trip! I loved your last trip report thread, it was so funny, well written, and full of food porn! I'm happily waiting for your newest report!

And, your reports are full of Plankton, Simpson's references, and now Monty Python ones too. It's like a little hidden jem when you read.

Hi Nynaeve! I remember you from the restaurant boards!
Thanks for reading and thanks for the kind words. There will be plenty of food porn on this trip and probably a healthy dose of Plankton, too. Glad to have you aboard!

Hiya Brenda,

Just wanted to let you know I have been enjoying your reports!! And reading your pre-trip report for this May, We too, are going to be at WDW May 25-May 31!!
I was looking at your days planned, and saw that May 26 you have MGM as the EMH? According to the WDW web site its..Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park that has the EMH (morning), and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park has the EMH ( evening).. I know this may seem like I am nic picking, but my hubby who is more than a Disney Freak than I am has it all planned out!!!

Well, to quote Ned Flanders...."Diddley-ding-dong-crap!!!!"

I read the EMH wrong for May 28th, which is when I thought MGM was going to have their evening EMH...bah! It's the morning. Oh well, guess we'll just have to miss Fantasmic again. Maybe we'll just wait until October.

anyways also when I read your report on the "RNR" when you said that you had to take your glasses off, I used to do that, but can't stand not wearing my glasses, so hubby brought what we call.. a corded strap, its not as long as a regular eyeglasses holder, and you can tighten it up and wear it all day. You can find this anywhere, I got mine at Wally World ( Walmart), and saw some last year at the Magic Kingdom, and had to have them... here is a link to give you an idea on what they look like http://www.allproducts.com/gift/soaraway/08_eyeglasses_cord.html

Thanks for the link - I may have to invest in something like this. It's no fun flying blind!

Thanks for reading and thanks for the heads up on the schedule. Hope you have a great trip next month!

You mean to tell me that you were a mere hour away from me and I didn't even know it! Really, next time have some manners and call before you invade my state!

The new plan looks great and yummy. You will love Artist Point! If not you can blame it on my DH. MMMMMMM, Tonga Toast!!!

I'm very pleased with the way the ADRs have shaken out for next month. Now if I could just figure out what to do with October...

 

[oybolshoi]

Our Disney Dining Experience card showed up in the mail yesterday!!!!

We don't usually buy WDW annual passes but when we added up the cost of tickets for May and October it was actually cheaper to use the DVC discount and get the passes. And then the DDE card gives you 20% off food and booze at most table service locations...

45 days and counting!