Cruising, Wining, and Disney Dining - Two 2012 PTRs in One! **TR LINK UP**

[Imagineer5]

Phew! All caught up on your PTR! I'm impressed with how long yours is!!

So excited for you to be staying at AKV! I absolutely loved it there and we only spent 1 night. Renting points is definitely the way to go!! We spent 1 night at AKV and 9 nights at BCV during our last trip, and I think it averaged out to about $135/night - same as a moderate! Last time was a bit scary as we went through someone we met on the DIS in the rent/trade board but now we have someone we can trust to make reservations for us which is nice.

I wanted to comment on your Hunger Games movie mention! I can't wait for that too, and need to re-read the books. Though, I am also a huge Twilight fan and HP fan as well. Excited to hear that HP will be expanded, just want some details on that!! We *might* pass up a day at IOA on our next trip though, with a little one in tow it seems silly to go.

Also you mentioned not being thrilled with the Avatar stuff at AK. I enjoyed the movie, but it definitely didn't feel like a HUGE deal like HP or anything, so I was really surprised to hear of the announcement of an Avatar-themed land. However, I think it could be really cool, if only because they could base some rides/ maybe a new show on Avatar and I think the themeing could last for quite some time even without a big fan base. Plus I think AK definitely needed a few more attractions, despite it being a favorite park of mine!

 

[jenny105]

Phew! All caught up on your PTR! I'm impressed with how long yours is!!

So excited for you to be staying at AKV! I absolutely loved it there and we only spent 1 night. Renting points is definitely the way to go!! We spent 1 night at AKV and 9 nights at BCV during our last trip, and I think it averaged out to about $135/night - same as a moderate! Last time was a bit scary as we went through someone we met on the DIS in the rent/trade board but now we have someone we can trust to make reservations for us which is nice.

I wanted to comment on your Hunger Games movie mention! I can't wait for that too, and need to re-read the books. Though, I am also a huge Twilight fan and HP fan as well. Excited to hear that HP will be expanded, just want some details on that!! We *might* pass up a day at IOA on our next trip though, with a little one in tow it seems silly to go.

Also you mentioned not being thrilled with the Avatar stuff at AK. I enjoyed the movie, but it definitely didn't feel like a HUGE deal like HP or anything, so I was really surprised to hear of the announcement of an Avatar-themed land. However, I think it could be really cool, if only because they could base some rides/ maybe a new show on Avatar and I think the themeing could last for quite some time even without a big fan base. Plus I think AK definitely needed a few more attractions, despite it being a favorite park of mine!

Hi!

My PTR is so long because I started it months ago. Way before the one year mark. I couldn't wait.

I can't wait to stay at AKV. I'm a notorious resort hopper though and playing around with the idea of staying at BWV to be closer to Epcot. But for now I'm staying put.

I've seen all the Twilight movies and read the books but I'm not a huge fan. The whole thing is a little silly to me, especially the last book. I'm convinced no one dislikes Twilight more than Robert Pattinson. His interviews about it are painful. Love Harry Potter and sad that's over but really looking forward to Hunger Games. I'm hoping the movies do the books justice. From the trailer, it looks like HG will be awesome. What did you think of Mockingjay and how the whole series ended?

I think Avatarland will look amazing but if they were trying to get something that rivaled Harry Potter's fan base, I don't think Disney chose correctly. Actually I read that JK Rowling was partnered with Disney first but they didn't want to give her as much input as she wanted, so they walked and Universal went after her. I think a better route from Disney would've been to go with LOTR or even Star Wars. It'll be interesting to see what they do with it though and I'll definitely be in line for the new ride. It seems so far away!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

Hi! Your plans look really awesome so far I hope you guys stay put at AKV, since that place is fantastic. I haven't stayed there, but I'd love to at some point. Your saving plan is also fantastic and I wish I could save as quickly as you are Looking forward to more!

 

[jenny105]

Hi! Your plans look really awesome so far I hope you guys stay put at AKV, since that place is fantastic. I haven't stayed there, but I'd love to at some point. Your saving plan is also fantastic and I wish I could save as quickly as you are Looking forward to more!

Hi! I think we are going to stay at AKV. I was toying with the idea of switching to BW but I don't want to be a pain to my DVC member plus the pool is quite frightening. I like the idea that AKV is more secluded too.

Saving is slow right now. After the holidays I'm going to save as much as I can! My goal is $2000 and that seems impossible right now!

 

[jenny105]

Hi there!

I hope everyone had a good weekend. My weekend was spent decorating our house for Christmas. Kris and I don't have a lot of decorations so we had to go out and buy some things, mostly ornaments. We also bought a real tree, which I haven't had in years. My mom has one of those fake fiberoptic trees and I think the last time my family got a real tree, I was 13. So yeah, it's been awhile. Making it stand up straight in the tree stand was quite a task. Here is the finished product, our first Christmas tree:

We also picked up a sign to hang on our door

My sister had bought a couple things for us and she knew we were decorating so she dropped them off. Of course, they're Disney decorations!

We put the Mickey head in our living room window. We need to pick up another one because our bedroom window also faces the front of the house and that's blank. It looks uneven!

Our cat Mitzu has never been around a Christmas tree before and we're wondering how he's going to react to it. So far he's been sniffing around, curious and he's taken up the habit of napping on the tree skirt. As long as I don't come home one day to find the tree on the floor and ornaments smashed, we're good.

My favorite ornament

Tonight I'm going to see New Year's Eve with a couple of my friends. I hope it's good, there's so many people in it!

Can you believe Christmas is less than two weeks away?

185 days til we set sail & 292 days until we're in WDW!

ETA: Forgot to mention that I cashed in some MySurvey points for a $15 Paypal deposit that I put in my Disney fund. New grand total is $414.57. $1,585.43 to go!

 

[Dream426]

OMG where did you get those Mickey Head lights? There is a house by me that has them and I told DH we have to get those.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm gonna do a test run with my tree. We're JUST gonna put the tree up and see what the new kitten does. If I don't come home to find it fallen over then we'll put the decorations on. I have three kids and they want it up already but I'm in no hurry! lol It's just too annoying having to pick the tree back up!

I guess we'll try tonight!

 

[jenny105]

OMG where did you get those Mickey Head lights? There is a house by me that has them and I told DH we have to get those.

I think my sister said she got it at Walgreens. I saw one in the store a couple weeks ago. I think they're around $7 or $8.

I'm gonna do a test run with my tree. We're JUST gonna put the tree up and see what the new kitten does. If I don't come home to find it fallen over then we'll put the decorations on. I have three kids and they want it up already but I'm in no hurry! lol It's just too annoying having to pick the tree back up!

I guess we'll try tonight!

Good luck! I think I would be most upset to have to vacuum all the pine needles if he knocked the tree over.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Good luck! I think I would be most upset to have to vacuum all the pine needles if he knocked the tree over.

Well we have one of those fun fake trees! lol So no needles. Just the annoyance of picking it backup and putting the decorations back on! I'm renovating my basement but as of next year the tree will be in the basement where NO cats are allowed....so that will be alot better!

 

[Imagineer5]

Cute tree!

Because our cats are crazy...we have to anchor our tree to the wall in 2 spots, and we only place non-breakable ornaments on the bottom third of the tree, because almost daily there are a few ornaments on the ground, alond with a TON of needles LOL. But we deal with it and have fun with it!! My biggest complaint is actually putting presents under the tree (now that I'm past the worry of tree falling over & ornaments breaking...). They both really love the paper, bows, ribbon, etc so they are sort of fair game to them LOL. We can only put presents to each other under there, since we won't really care if the corners are chewed off or there are bows missing...

 

[Imagineer5]

Hi!

My PTR is so long because I started it months ago. Way before the one year mark. I couldn't wait.

I can't wait to stay at AKV. I'm a notorious resort hopper though and playing around with the idea of staying at BWV to be closer to Epcot. But for now I'm staying put.

I've seen all the Twilight movies and read the books but I'm not a huge fan. The whole thing is a little silly to me, especially the last book. I'm convinced no one dislikes Twilight more than Robert Pattinson. His interviews about it are painful. Love Harry Potter and sad that's over but really looking forward to Hunger Games. I'm hoping the movies do the books justice. From the trailer, it looks like HG will be awesome. What did you think of Mockingjay and how the whole series ended?

I think Avatarland will look amazing but if they were trying to get something that rivaled Harry Potter's fan base, I don't think Disney chose correctly. Actually I read that JK Rowling was partnered with Disney first but they didn't want to give her as much input as she wanted, so they walked and Universal went after her. I think a better route from Disney would've been to go with LOTR or even Star Wars. It'll be interesting to see what they do with it though and I'll definitely be in line for the new ride. It seems so far away!

Yeah from what I've seen, HG movie should be awesome. Honestly, the 3rd book was my least favorite, but I still thought it was good. I need to re-read the series though as it has been a while.

I thought that HP had also come to Disney first to do the movies, but they declined. If that is true, man they really made a crappy decision there! At least it was finally an excuse to get over to IoA which I had wanted to check out but never cared enough to go. WWoHP was awesome though, and I can't wait to hear more details on the expansion. The Gringotts scene in the movie would make such an amazing ride though...IMO!

 

[jenny105]

Yeah from what I've seen, HG movie should be awesome. Honestly, the 3rd book was my least favorite, but I still thought it was good. I need to re-read the series though as it has been a while.

I thought that HP had also come to Disney first to do the movies, but they declined. If that is true, man they really made a crappy decision there! At least it was finally an excuse to get over to IoA which I had wanted to check out but never cared enough to go. WWoHP was awesome though, and I can't wait to hear more details on the expansion. The Gringotts scene in the movie would make such an amazing ride though...IMO!

I didn't like the way the whole HG series wrapped up. I was like 'WTH?' after the last book. But it's still an awesome trilogy overall.

That would definitely make a crazy & awesome ride! That could be a different play on the mine coaster DW is planning to do at MK.

Cute tree!

Because our cats are crazy...we have to anchor our tree to the wall in 2 spots, and we only place non-breakable ornaments on the bottom third of the tree, because almost daily there are a few ornaments on the ground, alond with a TON of needles LOL. But we deal with it and have fun with it!! My biggest complaint is actually putting presents under the tree (now that I'm past the worry of tree falling over & ornaments breaking...). They both really love the paper, bows, ribbon, etc so they are sort of fair game to them LOL. We can only put presents to each other under there, since we won't really care if the corners are chewed off or there are bows missing...

Thanks!

That's the other thing I'm worried about. Kris wants to put our gifts under the tree right away but I told him to wait until Christmas Eve. Our cat knocks over our garbage can near the computer to get at paper tossed in there so I can only imagine what he'll do to wrapping paper. I don't want to have to keep re-wrapping.

 

[Enchanted88]

I love your tree, your mickey decorations, and your Joey ornament! hahaha Very Festive!

I really need to get more Disney Christmas decorations, there are so many cute ones!

Your cat looks very content under that Christmas tree! haha very cute!

I can't believe it's already less than two weeks from Christmas either! Time is flying right now, hopefully it stays at this speed so I don't go insane before Oct! haha

I hope you have a great week!

 

[jenny105]

I love your tree, your mickey decorations, and your Joey ornament! hahaha Very Festive!

I really need to get more Disney Christmas decorations, there are so many cute ones!

Your cat looks very content under that Christmas tree! haha very cute!

I can't believe it's already less than two weeks from Christmas either! Time is flying right now, hopefully it stays at this speed so I don't go insane before Oct! haha

I hope you have a great week!

Thank you! Kris was off yesterday and ended up buying more decorations. He got Christmas pot holders & towels for the kitchen, a Mickey & Minnie Merry Christmas sign, Christmas napkins, candy dishes, ornaments. He couldn't wait to show me everything when I got home from work, it was so cute

The cat won't go under the tree unless it's lit up. I think he finds it cozy or something.

You too!

 

[smile4stamps]

Wo-hoo!! Just read through your entire PTR!! I love that you are able to do the surveys for $$. I've signed up for a few before but I always start doing the surveys and then I'm told I'm not qualified so after wasting all the time an no rewards I gave up! I will be putting money into a savings account monthly once our house sells and we move! Hoping that is soon as there will be no Disney trip if that doesn't happen!

 

[HeatherLassell]

Wo-hoo!! Just read through your entire PTR!! I love that you are able to do the surveys for $$. I've signed up for a few before but I always start doing the surveys and then I'm told I'm not qualified so after wasting all the time an no rewards I gave up! I will be putting money into a savings account monthly once our house sells and we move! Hoping that is soon as there will be no Disney trip if that doesn't happen!

Good luck on the house sale!!!

 

[jenny105]

Wo-hoo!! Just read through your entire PTR!! I love that you are able to do the surveys for $$. I've signed up for a few before but I always start doing the surveys and then I'm told I'm not qualified so after wasting all the time an no rewards I gave up! I will be putting money into a savings account monthly once our house sells and we move! Hoping that is soon as there will be no Disney trip if that doesn't happen!

Hi! I've done enough surveys to learn to trick them. I know if it gives you a list of occupations and asks if you work as one of them, to say no! If you say yes, it'll kick you out.
Good luck selling the house!

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi! I've done enough surveys to learn to trick them. I know if it gives you a list of occupations and asks if you work as one of them, to say no! If you say yes, it'll kick you out.
Good luck selling the house!

Ahhh!! Maybe I'll have to give it another try! No idea when though as I never seem to have much free time.

 

[jenny105]

Ahhh!! Maybe I'll have to give it another try! No idea when though as I never seem to have much free time.

I usually spend about an hour before I go to sleep doing as many as I can. It adds up! I've been a member of Sunshine Rewards since late October and cashed out yesterday for a $50 Disney gc. I still have about $15 leftover that I'm going to transfer to my Paypal soon.

 

[jenny105]

That is the question.

What I like about Cali Grill is:
the view - top of CR with a balcony that overlooks MK? Sweet.
sushi? Yum-o! That being said, I can have sushi anywhere.

What I don't like? This restaurant seems very popular and I have a feeling it's going to be jam-packed and crazy. I think I want a place that's a little more laid back and quiet.

Which brings me to Narcoosee's.

What I like:
it's right on the Seven Seas Lagoon - very romantic Plus I never really spend any time at the Grand Floridian other than riding through it on the monorail.
Lobster. LOBSTER! I love lobster and I never, ever get to have it. Kris is not a seafood person (other than calamari, go figure) so we never go to seafood places. He'll probably end up getting a steak if we go here.

I was leaning toward Cali Grill but I think now I'm leaning more toward Narcoosee's. I only have 110 days to decide!

Has anyone ever been to either of these restaurants before? Any feedback? I want to have an extra special birthday dinner and I've never gone to any of the 2 TS places before. (Unless you count Le Cellier but that was when it was only 1 TS). Other suggestions are welcome too