Counting Our Nuts Like Chip & Dale, a Financially Aware PTR *Update 4/17 Pg 62 *

[MeMom]

Are you ready to know where our three for sure ADRs are going to be? Well, sure for right now at least.

I'm ready to tell you.

Our choices are...

Boma.

Kona Cafe.

Whispering Canyon Cafe.


I am very excited for the three places we have picked out so far. Boma we have been wanting to try for awhile and since we are staying at AKL, there is no reason not to try it this trip and I will FINALLY get to try a Zebra Dome!


Now for our other two credits....I'm just not sure. Marc has thrown out a bunch of ideas but I'm still not 100% on them yet. Some of the ideas are...

Yak N' Yeti - I've been there, Marc hasn't. I think it would be a good way to break up our Animal Kingdom day since we will have one day there and a lot we want to see and do.

Le Cellier - We'd go for lunch and we like the idea of being able to get the chef's selection that comes with appetizer, entree and dessert.

Bistro De Paris - This is not on the dining plan but I really want to go here. They have a lobster risotto that is calling my name and I thought it could be a nice dinner for the two of us. I just hate the idea of how much the meal would cost. Marc and I recently tried escargot as well and we both liked it so I'm eager to try it at a restaurant.

Crystal Palace - We are divided on this one, I want breakfast, he wants dinner. I want breakfast because I enjoyed our breakfast more here, Marc wants dinner because sometimes we don't eat a lot for breakfast as a rule it is easier for us to eat later in the day which is a valid point.

Narcossees - This is two credits and much of what I want here are appetizers and the cheesecake so we would pay OOP for this as well. And again, I just don't know if I want to pay OOP for too many meals since we are going with the dining plan.

Yachtsman - See above. I just don't feel like the signatures are worth 2 credits when you only get an entree and dessert.

Liberty Tree Tavern - We really enjoyed our meal here in 2008. I love the atmosphere and wouldn't mind eating here again but we already have two meals very close to Magic Kingdom so logistically I think another location would be a better choice but then again if we went to WCC or Kona on an Epcot day it wouldn't be that bad and it would get out us out of Epcot for awhile and give us a break if we were to stay all day for Illuminations.

So much good food - and more choices yet to be made!
We like all three of those places, probably Kona the best, although Trent would go for Whispering Canyon any day of the week.

I hope you will like your first zebra dome. Boma has so many good two-bite desserts at the end of that buffet.

 

[Kat in GA]

Joining in!

First - congrats on your weight loss! You look amazing. My mom had lap band - and then had to do gastric bypass - and she has lost over 100 pounds. I have been doing Atkins and have lost 62 (and didn't gain while we were at the world for 2 weeks!). Yay us

I am looking forward to hearing more about your plans - and keeping things on a budget!

 

[Lady Lallie]

We are friends on Facebook and I still missed your bat signal! Darn, and a contest too.... Going back to catch up!

Hehehe, that's okay. I knew you would fine me eventually. I'm trying to catch up on your new PTR but I have been so freaking busy lately!

your other dinning choices sound great too and I love you are going w/ alot of lunches...I think it makes for a perfect in park break and if you dine early you are back out touring when every one else is eating


looking forward to seeing your park days and hoping we overlap somewhere for a DISmeet

I really like the whole lunch thing at Disney. Especially in January when the park hours aren't super late, it's a great way to recharge so you can stay until closing or close to closing.

Yes, I would love to arrange a DISmeet!!

You will love Boma and especially the zebra domes. One of my favorites!

You have some great choices!

I really can't wait to try Boma, I've wanted to eat there for a long time.

OK, it took me a while but I am finally here and caught up!

I am soooooo jealous that you are staying at AKL cheaper than Pop! I have been debating renting points for a long time but I just don't know enough about it to take the plunge. I am a chicken when it comes to stuff like that. I'm worried that the person won't be legit or whatever. Please tell me a little about how it works if you don't mind?

I also can't believe that you have a hubby that WANTS to buy DVC!! I am certain that has many a DIS lady green with envy, including myself!

And I just want to say, good for you for getting your finances in order! We started that journey about 2 years ago (we did the Dave Ramsey plan) and I am so glad we did. We had to give up WDW in 2010, but I have to say that I wouldn't change a thing! We are now completely debt free except for our mortgage, and it feels awesome! I hope we never go back to where we were! You will be so glad that you are being mature and responsible in the long run, even if you have to give up a few things right now!

Basically on the point renting thing, I was able to find someone through one of my DIS friends who had rented with them before. I told them what I was looking for, they told me how much they were charging per points $10, the 5 nights at AKV were 45 points so it was $450. Once they emailed me the confirmation #, I went on the Disney website and added the reservation to my profile and it popped up just fine. I am going to have them add the dining plan as it gets closer for us. So basically they make the reservation under your name using their points. I have used other points before from DISers that I chat with on here so this is the first time I'm using someone I don't know. There are contracts you can sign with the DVC owner as well. I know a lot of people who have done it on here and it has worked out really well for them.

We aren't following Dave Ramsey exactly but we did read a lot of his stuff. We have one huge debt payment that goes to multiple debts and once that is paid off we are going to be in such a better financial place and yes we could skip Disney and get it paid off faster but we need a vacation for ourselves to keep us committed if that makes sense. It helps just save for vacation instead of buying things we don't need and putting as much $$ towards the debt as we can.

I was so close, so close! LOL Well, either way, those are great choices. I've heard great things about all three and I've had a meal at Sanaa and I'm pretty sure Boma and Jiko are fairly similar, so they must be really good. Also, I think Crystal Palace and Yak 'n Yeti are great picks for an ADR, they have awesome food there Can't wait to hear what you decide on for final ADRs!

A lot of you were VERY close!! I loved my meal at Yak N' Yeti when I went in 2010 and I especially loved their wonton dessert!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Those sound like great ADR's that you have come up with so far. We have been in the same dilemma with Crystal Palace as well...I wanted b'fast, but due to time issues, we are going with dinner on our arrival day. I certainly don't blame you about not wanting to use too many credits on signature dining, we always do CRT but that is the only signature restaurant we do. Seems crazy to spend all that money on the ddp and then use it for just two or three meals! Good luck with your planning!

We had dinner at Crystal Palace before and while it was good, I just thought breakfast was yummier. I really love the breakfast pizza, oh so YUMMY! I am just not sure what I want to do. I really need to figure out our park days so I can figure out our ADRs more seeing as that I have a week!!

Wow I'm shocked I actually got Kona Cafe right! MMMmmmm that cheesecake looks SO good. Now I'll have to try it when I eat at WCC!!! You've never tried zebra domes?! And here I thought you were experienced Kidding!!!!

Doesn't that cheesecake look so yummy??

I know, right? How could I have not had a zebra dome!!?? I meant to stop in Mara and buy some when we went to Jiko last September but I totally forgot by the time we finished our meal.

Those ADRs sound good! WCC was definitely good to me! I was there for lunch last year on the Backstage Magic tour and had a blast! I had lots of delicious cornbread and got a pail full of coke and 347342873 bottles of ketchup! I've been meaning to give Kona a second chance too, I'll be interested to see how you like it! I've never tried Boma (I'm not so adventurous) but I've heard nothing but good things!

As for your other choices, I haven't been to many.
I keep making ADRs for Le Cellier and then changing them for something else! But I'm sure it would be good! It's just....I can get a burger with black diamond cheese on it, on my own BBQ for much less than $18! And I've been to many Canadian Steakhouses with Canadian staff! I bet if steak is your thing you would be happy with your choice!

I would love to try Yak and Yeti but the only thing I like on their menu is dessert! Everything I've seen on the Dis of Bistro De Paris looks gorgeous! Narcoosees and Yachtsman both look nice too, but I'm with you on the 2-credit thing. I really enjoyed Liberty Tree Tavern back when it was a character meal still and have been wanting to try it again, but I bumped it for The Plaza this time around. I'm sure I'll get there again eventually!

And I understand the Crystal Palace dilema. When DBFF and I were planning out ADRs for September, she asked if we should try it for dinner and I thought about it. We do breakfast there on every trip like a tradition. I don't care so much for their dinner menu (granted, there aren't a lot of places where I don't eat from the children's menu) and I couldn't give up the puffed french toast! However, if you and Marc aren't big breakfast eaters, I would give dinner a shot! The other thing I like about breakfast there is if you get a super-early ADR than you usually have a chance to wander down Main Street before the hordes of people get in there for the day!

We had a great dinner at Kona in 2008 and I really want to go back for lunch, we had the most amazing server there.

I really don't blame you for not trying Le Cellier, it's good but it doesn't always WOW me like other places to eat. It is certainly good that is for sure.

I'm honestly not sure where I'm going to decide for the last 2 ADRs. Marc has given input but when it comes down to it he really doesn't care where we eat.

Great choices for the ADRs so far!

I think it's a good idea to do the Yak and Yeti ADR at AK since you'll have just one AK day. Our AK days always seem so long and it would be nice to have a sit-down break in the day.

I think so too, I like getting those breaks in during lunch. It helps recharge you for the rest of the day....as long as you don't eat an entire Kobe Beef Burger by yourself and have to cancel your Jiko dinner that night because you feel too sick.... Not that I would know anything about that.

Great ADR's so far, I love all 3 of those places! I've only done Boma for breakfast, but I'd love to try it for dinner someday!

I've been feeling the need to do a total ADR overhaul lately...I have 15 ADR's booked for my October trip! We only have 8 nights on the DDP, so something has to go! A few have to be OOP, like Artist Point, because like you said, I'm not wasting 2 credits on it, since we don't get appetizers, and I know we'll be getting drinks and stuff, but there are some that I can cancel! ADR's are so stressful!

15 ADRs! Wow! That is a lot. ADRs can be stressful but I'm trying not to focus on just eating on this trip. One ADR a day and that's it. It is VERY hard for me to narrow down all the yummy places I have been at and want to go to again or the ones I want to try.

 

[Lady Lallie]

So excited you're eating at Boma! I loved it there. Even my picky sister found things she was willing to eat.

I can't wait to see what else you decide. Yak N' Yeti is definitely on my list of places I want to try. So is Kona Cafe. We haven't eaten at Le Cellier in a long time (not for lack of trying, we had ADR's twice but each time something totally out of our control came up ) I definitely want to eat there again. You have great choices!

We do have great choices and most likely all of these places will still be there on our next trip so I know I will get to all of them eventually.

ADR's look yummy. All those good places to choose from!!

I know!! Sometimes it's too hard to choose!

Great ADR choices! Zebra domes. We have not tried Kona yet but would like to on our next trip. Out of your remaining options I vote for Le Cellier lunch and Yak and Yeti!

I highly recommend Kona, we had a great meal there and it is reasonably priced as far as the quality of the food for a Disney meal.

I can't believe that you've never been to Boma or Kona!!!!! I love both. Hope you do too

I've been to Kona, I haven't been to WCC or Boma. Buffets are just not worth the cost unless you factor them into the dining plan with the amount of food we eat, which is a big reason why we have decided to go with the dining plan so we can eat at Boma and not feel so guilty about the money spent.

YAYAY a frozen coke, def'n a fave!! I might have 1 or 2 or like 4 or 5 last trip LOL!!!

Your ADRs sound wonderful!!!! I'm sure whatever you choose will be absolutely delightful...or course I'm partial to fried wontons

I adore slushie cokes, I really can't wait to have a few or a dozen in January.

So much good food - and more choices yet to be made!
We like all three of those places, probably Kona the best, although Trent would go for Whispering Canyon any day of the week.

I hope you will like your first zebra dome. Boma has so many good two-bite desserts at the end of that buffet.

Mmmm...there is something EXTRA special about two-bite desserts in my opinion. Maybe because you can try more flavors??

Joining in!

First - congrats on your weight loss! You look amazing. My mom had lap band - and then had to do gastric bypass - and she has lost over 100 pounds. I have been doing Atkins and have lost 62 (and didn't gain while we were at the world for 2 weeks!). Yay us

I am looking forward to hearing more about your plans - and keeping things on a budget!

Thank you! Congrats to you and your mom, that is amazing weight loss!!!

 

[Roxychica7]

YAHOOO!! I am enjoying my slushie coke right now

Let's see, all great choices! Although we've eaten dinner at Kona and breakfast at Boma and loved both! As for the other choices, I'm trying to think of other 1 credit options.

Grand Floridian Cafe is great, although outside of the Magic Kingdom...I'd say Sci Fi in DHS, Tutto Italia in Epcot..thinking of doing any Downtown Disney ADR's?

 

[meeko_33785]

Wow, I'm glad I didn't guess. I would have been way off. None of those were on the long list that came to mind, although I feel like Bomma and Kona should have been. Never had lunch at Kona before but enjoyed their breakfast. Bomma is one of my favorites, so I'm excited that you'll finally get to try it.

 

[mrssmith06]

Hi, joining in here! Fun PTR so far, loving it.

That slushie coke is giving me the drools... I want one NOW
WHERE can you find those??! Please do tell!!!

My votes for you other 2 TS credits would be:
Crystal Palace and Yak & Yeti!

Boma sound so good, I have it on my list of ADR wishes for our March trip!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

Cheesecake is my kryptonite

That has got to be one of the funniest things you've ever said! I love it.

I know it's not on your list, and I know you've done it before, but if you like escargot, can I throw Chefs de France out there for your consideration? It's very, very good there.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I never win these contests.

Yeay for trying Boma on this trip! You know how I feel about it and those zebra domes are worth the visit.

I agree about the signature places on the dining plan. It is hard to part with two credits for just one meal.

Good luck deciding your other two choices. No matter which ones you decide, they are bound to be delicious!

 

[brookelizabeth]

How did I miss the bat signal?!?!

Must read!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm SO excited for you LL!!!!

And AKV! I remember your message about DVC points, I'm so glad it worked out with someone!!!! And what a deal. Seriously awesome.

Your ADRs look delicious. That pic of the pork tacos had me drool a bit, even though we just finished dinner. I don't think I have seen those before!

Also, have you considered the flexible Dining Plan - meaning you can pick & choose what day you want what plan - or even NO plan? This is a perk for DVC Members, and since you are renting, I believe you would qualify!! There is an element of hassle with sometimes having to change key cards, but it can be worth it with the savings.

 

[shannn]

Hi Leslie,

I've been on a DIS hiatus of my own, but I'm starting to return. After my mom's death i had a hard time focusing on the rest of the world.

You know you were an inspiration to me when I was getting ready for my surgery last summer. I had my duodenal switch a year ago and I've lost over 150 pounds. I'm planning on starting a trip report that will actually show the progression since I was at Disney in October & March.

I'm excited to join in here and follow along with your plans!

 

[Lady Lallie]

YAHOOO!! I am enjoying my slushie coke right now

Let's see, all great choices! Although we've eaten dinner at Kona and breakfast at Boma and loved both! As for the other choices, I'm trying to think of other 1 credit options.

Grand Floridian Cafe is great, although outside of the Magic Kingdom...I'd say Sci Fi in DHS, Tutto Italia in Epcot..thinking of doing any Downtown Disney ADR's?

We ate at Grand Floridian Cafe in September '10 and it was very good so it's in the back of my mind but I'm finding that I want to try new places. So we shall see. I forgot about Tutto Italia, I will make sure to check out the menu because that could be a great one.

Wow, I'm glad I didn't guess. I would have been way off. None of those were on the long list that came to mind, although I feel like Bomma and Kona should have been. Never had lunch at Kona before but enjoyed their breakfast. Bomma is one of my favorites, so I'm excited that you'll finally get to try it.

I'm really excited about Kona and Boma, I've been wanting to try lunch at Kona and Boma in general for a few trips now. Boma will be so easy to get to with us staying at AKL.

Hi, joining in here! Fun PTR so far, loving it.

That slushie coke is giving me the drools... I want one NOW
WHERE can you find those??! Please do tell!!!

My votes for you other 2 TS credits would be:
Crystal Palace and Yak & Yeti!

Boma sound so good, I have it on my list of ADR wishes for our March trip!!!

Thanks for joining in. I usually get my slushie cokes at the Auntie Gravity's in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. I know they also have them at the Toy Story food cart by Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios. A lot of places do have them but I can think of anymore off the top of my head.

I think Yak & Yeti is a definite right now. I'm still unsettled on the last remaining credit though.

That has got to be one of the funniest things you've ever said! I love it.

I know it's not on your list, and I know you've done it before, but if you like escargot, can I throw Chefs de France out there for your consideration? It's very, very good there.

You like that? I think I need a tshirt that says that.

I have to say that I have been seriously considering Chefs de France since you mentioned that. I really need to sit down and figure out our park days so I can better plan our ADRs.

I never win these contests.

Yeay for trying Boma on this trip! You know how I feel about it and those zebra domes are worth the visit.

I agree about the signature places on the dining plan. It is hard to part with two credits for just one meal.

Good luck deciding your other two choices. No matter which ones you decide, they are bound to be delicious!

Well, I hope to have more contests so hopefully you can win one of them. We have six more months of chances.

How did I miss the bat signal?!?!

Must read!

I don't know!! I am STILL trying to catch up on your TR. I might just join in, I have been keeping up on your blog so maybe I'm not that far behind.

I'm SO excited for you LL!!!!

And AKV! I remember your message about DVC points, I'm so glad it worked out with someone!!!! And what a deal. Seriously awesome.

Your ADRs look delicious. That pic of the pork tacos had me drool a bit, even though we just finished dinner. I don't think I have seen those before!

Also, have you considered the flexible Dining Plan - meaning you can pick & choose what day you want what plan - or even NO plan? This is a perk for DVC Members, and since you are renting, I believe you would qualify!! There is an element of hassle with sometimes having to change key cards, but it can be worth it with the savings.

I am so glad the DVC points worked out, we are both so excited for AKV.

I did NOT know about this flexible Dining Plan....hmmm. I don't know if I want to worry about it though or the options I could potentially have.

Hi Leslie,

I've been on a DIS hiatus of my own, but I'm starting to return. After my mom's death i had a hard time focusing on the rest of the world.

You know you were an inspiration to me when I was getting ready for my surgery last summer. I had my duodenal switch a year ago and I've lost over 150 pounds. I'm planning on starting a trip report that will actually show the progression since I was at Disney in October & March.

I'm excited to join in here and follow along with your plans!

I'm glad to see you back on the DIS.

Congrats on all the weight loss!! I really can't wait to see pictures, make sure you post your PTR link on here so I don't miss it.

 

[vikkii19]

Great dining choices, I loved Yak n' yeti on our Honeymoon. I've been wanting to try Kona, but I don't have any room for it this trip. Can't wait to hear what ADR's you do book.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Great dining choices, I loved Yak n' yeti on our Honeymoon. I've been wanting to try Kona, but I don't have any room for it this trip. Can't wait to hear what ADR's you do book.

I don't know why it's been hard for me to decide on the last two ADRs for this trip, maybe it's the fact that I have too many choices.

 

[MEK]

I can't believe you have not tried either boma or Kona! I am a Kona frequent flyer. Love it and I love the location. I haven't had a boma dinner since 2006, but it was fabulous. So many choices. Enjoy!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I can't believe you have not tried either boma or Kona! I am a Kona frequent flyer. Love it and I love the location. I haven't had a boma dinner since 2006, but it was fabulous. So many choices. Enjoy!

I have tried Kona, but not Boma. I was drooling over Boma dessert pictures today, maybe that explains why I want chocolate so badly.

 

[Lady Lallie]

I'm having a heck of a time figuring out our ADRs and park days. I have questions and need your answers and input. I also have a bazillion and one thoughts running around in my head about the trip so I am going to put them out there for you in list format.

*I have given Whispering Canyon Cafe the boot, I was basically going there for the cheesecake and I worry about it being too loud and I don't like games and shenangians with my food. Yes, I'm a party pooper.

*I really want park hoppers but it adds $117.14 to our budget and I just can't justify that extra cost right now. Maybe if our finances are better in January we can add them at the last minute.

*We are probably not going to add the extra night at Pop Century. I just rather spend the money on other things I think. A 5 night trip will be good for us I think.

*I found someone to take our photos, she is a friend of mine from my blog and she lives in Orlando and offered to take them for us. For a bargain price too so I'm super excited. She is in the middle of buying a house right now so I should have more details to follow in a few weeks.

*Has anyone eaten at Captain's Grill at the Yacht Club? The menu sounds decent and I'm looking for an ADR in Epcot or around Epcot to break up the day. Marc has never seen Illuminations so that is high on our list of things to do but I worry that we will get burned out majorly before then, I'm thinking a dinner at a nearby resort might help. Cape May Cafe is another option. Thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated!

*Here are the park days I have schedule right now...I'm not happy and can't seem to figure out a better way.

Sunday: Arrive/Magic Kingdom/Dinner @ Kona - MK EMHs until 2AM

Monday: Animal Kingdom/Lunch @ Yak N' Yeti

Tuesday: Hollywood Studios/Perhaps Pictures in afternoon?

Wednesday: Magic Kingdom/Boma dinner?

Thursday: Epcot/Lunch @ Le Cellier/Dinner somewhere?

Friday: Whatever Park we want/late flight home

Here is what I like:I like that we go to MK on arrival day
I like that on Tuesday or Wednesday I could do pictures in the afternoon and have Boma for dinner on the other day.

Here is what I don't like:
We only have one Epcot day and it's not until Thursday.
I don't know if I should plan for EMHs or avoid them. I'm confused on this.
I want park hoppers for more flexibility. I could go to DHS two mornings to get in our Toy Story Mania and still go to a different park (Epcot!) in the afternoon.
I am not sure if I want 2 sit down ADRs on one day.
Not a single place (except for Le Cellier which I won't eat because it comes with spicy stuff, ick) has polenta on the menu! Polenta is my Disney thing, that makes me sad.

I think I'm talking myself into park hoppers. I don't know why park planning is so hard for me this trip, maybe because it's only 5 nights. I don't know, usually I am not this indecisive!

Will someone or many of you please help make sense of the jumble of ideas and plans swimming in my head??

 

[jenb1023]

I vote yes for park hoppers. We used ours a lot on our January trip and I think on a short trip you will like having options. Plus, if you have them, that opens up your ADR options. You can do DHS early in the day and hop elsewhere and have dinner there. Also, AK tends to close early in the winter so you could hop to Epcot or somewhere else that night.

EMH's are usually good for us but they can be a mixed bag. Having Park Hoppers will help so you can hop if a park is too crowded.

ADR's - I think two sit downs in one day are a lot. We've done it but try to avoid it if we can. My DH loves the Cape May dinner buffet but since you are from MA you might not be as impressed. What other places have Polenta that might be a potential add?

Good luck!