June 27th:
Breakfast: Askershus with the Princesses (DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS IS CHANGING TO 2 CREDITS??, if so we will be skipping this one)
Dinner: Hoop De Doo (still uncertain, should we try California Grill instead??)
Hi,
Christmas pics look great.
as for the adr's.
I would not do buffet's on the DXDDP. Just not worth it. We paid OOP for the 2 buffets we did.
I would recommend Flying Fish or Citricos. You have the credits might as well use them. I have not reached these in my tr yet but here is a sneak preview (lol) they were fantastic.
Especially Flying Fish.
Biergarten was good. Tutto italia is good.
Chefs de France???
ok I am done.![]()
Wanted to add that I'd second Citricos - a very good meal there. I didn't think to suggest that one, though it was great. FF was also good a few years ago when we went. And I haven't been to Tutto Italia, but I also thought of suggesting that place. Great mind think alike, I guess!![]()
ahem, it was me.oh, someone mentioned fllying fish. that's one place i want to try next trip. when erica and i were there in september, we were walking by there and commenting on how good it smelled and the manager invited us in to look around. he was so nice! we just went in and he encouraged us to walk around and look at everything. it was a really pretty restaurant and the food smelled AMAZING!!!!! i've never smelled seafood that smelled that good. it's a very nice place where i wouldn't suggest bringing rowdy kids but your kids would be fine i'm sure. they don't seem to be of the rowdy persuasion when mom and dad tell them to cool it!![]()
Yes, I'm trying to change the buffets around now, will post about that soon. Yes, we did have a good Christmas, hope you did too. I love those shirts so much we may be creating more : )
Lesley
Thanks, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you as well, I'm so excited about all 2009 will bring us.
Lesley
Well, that sounds awesome, the stinky thing is the only time we would ever go at Christmas would be after Christmas, we couldn't bare to be away from our families for christmas, maybe when the kids are a little older though, it sounds AWESOME!!! You had me tempted about the Boardwalk, I kept talking to Tim about it, but then I started crunching points and for Tim and I to be able to do concierge for those 2 nights in November we need to stay Standard View at AKL this time. Since we've NEVER stayed at AKL though I just need to start getting excited about that, it is our home resort after all. We can do Boardwalk next year : ) Makes me so excited just thinking about all the incredible resorts we can go to year after year, GOTTA LOVE DVC!!!! Happy New Year to you guys too, can't believe I'm up this early but the dog wouldn't stop barking, lucky me!
Lesley
Thanks, glad you enjoyed them, Happy New Year!
Thanks, I'm glad I pulled them out and shared them, it inspired me to finally order the prints online yesterday, can't wait for them to arrive so I can frame them in all the frames I got for Christmas and put them in our disney living room.
Lesley
Yes, the Norad webiste had a phone number listed last year and this year, they are so cool when you call, I love watching the kids faces while they are on the phone with them, they get so serious, it's GREAT!
Lesley
Thanks so much, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AS WELL!!!!
Luke does look a bit like my brother, I agree. I know, Mickey is growing so stinkin' fast,he's such a good dog. Thanks, I can't wait for all the planning and more importantly the trips to begin!!! What I do (I think I've shared pictures of these before in previous TR's but I will do it this time as well) is I put my information for each day on a notecard and I laminate the notecards and put them in a baggie with the cash tips for that day so each day I just grab a baggie, stick it in my purse and go. It worked out awesome last year. On each notecard I have the reservation numbers for that day, dining points I am using for each meal listed out, tips amounts set aside (remember, money is in the baggie so that is all set and pre determined, I figure about 15-18% on the tips, 10% for buffets) and then on the back of the notecard I have some touring ideas for that day. I have been a TGM subscriber for over 5 years now so I have his plans pretty much memorized but it gives me a reminder of what part of the park I will be tackling that day so we get everything in over the course of the trip. Hope this idea helps you. You are getting so close!!!
Lesley
Thanks for your input, considering California Grill for a date night for Tim and I after reading all the comments. Sounds AWESOME! We'll definitely have to fit it in somehow. Thanks!Hello! My suggestion would be to definitly try the California Grill. We make it a priority for every trip at WDW! The food is amazing, the view is amazing and very family friendly. I was able to bring my daughter's stroller in b/c she was sleeping the last time we were there.
Also, I would also recommend, The Flying Fish and JIKO. I've never been on the dining plan, but I do know both of these places serve excellent food and have wonderful service. ENJOY!!![]()
You know, you're right, we left out WCC, maybe on a MK night, Spoodles is something we discussed too, I'll put it on the maybe list, Thanks!The planning![]()
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I feel your pain. I was up at 8:00 this morning to let our new puppy out. Then I got on the DIS too.
The restaurants sound amazing. Did I miss it, or are you not doing Whispering Canyon?
Spoodles is a place I've heard good things about, but have never tried.
Happy Planning, smart of you to make sure you get the bang for your buck on the Deluxe Dining.![]()
Thanks, We will do Hoop Dee Doo, can't wait to see the video on your TR. Tim and I talked about it and we decided we will definitely give it a go this trip. Thanks Dawn.i see lots of good stuff on your list so i don't really have any suggestions. although i do have to chime in and say you should try hoop dee doo. it's really fun! i will have video relatively soon on my september TR so stay tuned for that. we're on saturday right now and we went to hoop dee doo on sunday.
Well, that's funny, we probably will be there on the same night. What time are you gonna go for??? Yachtsman sounds good but I'm leaning more towards Cali grill for a 2 credit place. Yes, We will DEFINITELY need to do a pool/drink night to meet up, the kids would love to swim with your boys. We'll compare notes closer to the trip and see what nights off we have planned, I know we had a few during that time, sounds good!Hi Lesley! I personally think you should go to the Hoop Dee Doo on the 28th because that is when we are going!What about trying Yachtsman Steakhouse? Our friends ate there and said it was AWESOME! I hear you about being away from family on Christmas. In 2010 which is when we are thinking of going the boys will be 10 & 9 so I think it will be OK we would fly home on the 26th I think! We shall see, PLENTY of time to think about it
When I read your dates again I realized we will be at SSR together for 3 nights, we will have to try and meet up by the pool at night for a drink and the kids could swim!
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Thanks, I agree, hoop De Doo it is, maybe cali grill for a date night for Tim and I??I think you would love the Hoop De Doo! It would be fun for the whole family. Can you do both California Grill and Hoop De Doo because you have extra credits?
Well, thanks so much for your input. I think we will do HDDR as a family and possibly Cali Grill for a date night for Tim and I. After all the Spoodles suggestions I think we'll go there for a dinner, I love trying new places.Lesley,
When we went in August with our kids (7 and 5) we were originally planning to do Cali Grill, but I realized they were probably the perfect age for HDDR--we were so glad we went there. It was an absolute blast. I can't say the food was as good as CG would probably be, but it was so much fun watching their faces during the show.
Have you considered eating over at Spoodles on the Boardwalk? They have AWESOME breakfasts. I would highly recommend that to use some extra credits.
We have 50's and Sci Fi booked already, thanks for chiming in!!! : )Looks like you have a ton of great restaurants, it is hard to think of anything else...![]()
What about on Hollywood Studios night, you go to 50s Prime Time or SciFi![]()
I think we'll do spoodles. How do you suggest getting there from SSR? Should we go to MGM and take the boat to the boardwalk or since SSR is so close to DTD should we take the bus there and get a bus to boardwalk from DTD?? Decisions decision.Happy holidays!!
What about spoodles or cape may cafe for your HS night? than you can take the boat to HS!
I recommend HDD AND California Grill, so here's my thought. You could do HDD on the 27th, and then CG on the 28th since you're still using deluxe credits. Since you might not have enough credits to do both, you could move Crystal Palace to another morning (or evening) in the second part of your trip since you have those 4 credits to use anyways. That way, you still get to do breakfast (or dinner) there, plus you also get to try HDD and California Grill on credits.
LAST NIGHT IN THE PARK:
For your last night in the park, here are some thoughts:
* For MK, you could do CP for dinner instead of breakfast. We prefer dinner there, but thankfully both meals are great. Heck, you could do dinner there in addition to a breakfast. Or you could do The Plaza - always hear good things about that place.
* At DHS, you could do 50s Prime Time - always a good time, and many chances to get pictures of Tim and Luke acting crazy.![]()
* At Epcot, there are a bunch of great choices, but you could do Tokyo Dining. I'm not sure if you guys like sushi or not, but we are adding a TS meal at Tokyo Dining for our May trip. They don't have just sushi, but that's what we're going for, and the prices seem really reasonable. When you go to the Japan pavilion, it's in the same building as Teppan Edo - just in the opposite direction. If you get an 8 PM or so ADR, you can request a window seat (as long as you arrive early enough) and have a view of IllumiNations. They turn down the lights and pipe in the music, so it's a way to view IllumiNations without the crowds. The dining section of wdwinfo.com has an extensive menu (AllEars' menu doesn't show the sushi items) with some pictures included. The prices seem reasonable, so we're going to treat it as sort of a later snack and a way to see IllumiNations without wasting time trying to get a spot to view the show.
* At AK, not sure what you'd do since it's nighttime unless it's an EMH.
OTHER THOUGHTS:
* On July 2nd, you could go to Spoodles. Have you ever been there? It's a 1 TS credit meal. Some people find the restaurant to be pretty loud, but I find it no louder than character buffet meals. It's on the Boardwalk, so it'd be within easy walking distance or a boat ride to DHS.
USING THOSE EXTRA 4 TS CREDITS:
* As far as other places to fit in, if you did move Crystal Palace to the second half of your trip like I mentioned above so that you could go to CG and HDD on credits, you'd only need 3 more meals.
We personally find Epcot has the most restaurants, so you could try Marrakesh one day for lunch. It's unique and entertaining (I imagine Lauren might enjoy the belly dancer), and it's not often busy. It gets almost an 8/10 on AllEars' rate and review section. We liked it, and it was a chance to try something new that we hadn't had at Disney before. Since you are having a food extravaganza this trip, it seems like it might be a good time to branch out and try some places off the beaten path.
You could also do a character breakfast at Cape May one morning. I hear it's good, and they have Donald. Not a lot of places do, and he's my favorite! I hear the buffet at night is good to, but I'm more excited about the breakfast.
You could spend 2 TS by going to Yachtsman Steakhouse (very, very good meal). If, say, on July 5th you move Biergarten to lunch, that would give you the opening for a dinner, and since YSH is only open for dinners, that'd be a good time to fit it in of course! Plus it would use up 2 credits, and they have GREAT steaks!
People seem to like The Wave in the Contemporary for breakfast and lunch on AllEars' rate and reivew, so that's an idea to spend another credit somewhere as well. Plus it allows you to plug in a restaurant and use up those credits without having to take something out (since you're trying to use up credits anyways).
I hope all that made sense. Arranging ADRs is always a puzzle, and I like that part of trip planning a lot.
I don't know if I'm ready to try Chefs De France, I don't know why their menu scares me, but my parents are trying it in February so maybe I'll change my mind. We will be doing Biergarten this trip, it will be a first and Tutto Italia as well, should be fun. Flying Fish sounds awesome but I don't know if I could convince Tim. Thanks for the input!Hi,
Christmas pics look great.
as for the adr's.
I would not do buffet's on the DXDDP. Just not worth it. We paid OOP for the 2 buffets we did.
I would recommend Flying Fish or Citricos. You have the credits might as well use them. I have not reached these in my tr yet but here is a sneak preview (lol) they were fantastic.
Especially Flying Fish.
Biergarten was good. Tutto italia is good.
Chefs de France???
ok I am done.![]()
Thanks for the suggestions!Wanted to add that I'd second Citricos - a very good meal there. I didn't think to suggest that one, though it was great. FF was also good a few years ago when we went. And I haven't been to Tutto Italia, but I also thought of suggesting that place. Great mind think alike, I guess!![]()
Flying Fish huh, I think I'll save that for another trip, maybe our adults onlyoh, someone mentioned fllying fish. that's one place i want to try next trip. when erica and i were there in september, we were walking by there and commenting on how good it smelled and the manager invited us in to look around. he was so nice! we just went in and he encouraged us to walk around and look at everything. it was a really pretty restaurant and the food smelled AMAZING!!!!! i've never smelled seafood that smelled that good. it's a very nice place where i wouldn't suggest bringing rowdy kids but your kids would be fine i'm sure. they don't seem to be of the rowdy persuasion when mom and dad tell them to cool it!![]()
You are welcome, those cards are a lifesaver for us, hope you can use the tip.Thanks! That's great adevice - I love the idea of having the little note cards to refer to with the TGM plans and tips handy.
O.K., well I think we can do both. I'll have to work with the numbers.I agree with keeping Hoop de doo but also doing Cali Grill. The kids will like the first and you will all enjoy CG, especially if you time it to watch the fireworks from there Since you are going to be at AK, I would try to do Jiko's while there, as well as Boma. Why not take advantage of being there?!
On our DTD night I was thinking of making a ressie for Wolfgang Puck since we can make a physical reservation there but I'm leaning more towards ESPN club (we haven't been since our honeymoon 10 years ago) or Beaches and Cream (dying to try that place). We'll see how it pans out. Yes, it is VERY interesting trying to arrange meals and figure out credits for this super long trip, will be VERY interesting indeed, but FUN!!!Cali Grill for sure. You're kids are old enough to appreciate the view and atmosphere.
I agree that Cape May Cafe has a great breakfast... I think it's a buffet, tho.
You guys have already done PTC, but I just love that place. I also agree that it provides for many fun photo opportunities!!
The atmosphere at the Boardwalk is great. We've never tried Spoodles, but it sounds like you're getting some good recommendations. Have you guys eaten at ESPN Zone?
I am TERRIBLE at arranging meals, and if I had a trip as LONG as yours with Dining Plans involved, I might pass out from overload. So good luck with all your planning!
I think we will, stay tuned, thanks!!!!I would try to fit in both Hoop Dee Doo and California grill. Also have you thought about Jiko?? Since you will staying at AKLV and it's a signature restaurant. The rest of your ADR's look great!
Hello! One of my New Year's resolutions is to come out of lurkdom here on the DIS. I have been here for a LONG time and never posted on your trip reports. I'm just a keep to myself kind of person most of the time, but I love all of your reports and it's time I came out of hiding!So anyway, I know all about you guys already and hopefully you'll learn a little about me and my family along the way. Your trip reports have been my favorite out of all the ones that I have read. I can't wait to read more!
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We took our first trip to Disney just before Thanksgiving and we had the most amazing vacation imaginable. I learned a lot from reading your trip reports (and others) and it really helped us have the trip of a lifetime. Since I am now completely hooked on Disney and chomping at the bit for another trip, I have decided that I might as well join in the fun here and hang around a while. So anyway, I'll post a picture from our recent trip to introduce us and I hope that you guys will be around posting trip reports for a long time! So here is my family of three:
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Now that the introductions are over............ I would recommend that you try something totally new with your extra credits. We had free dining in Nov. and we ate at some great places, but there were so many more that I would love to try. As much as we loved the ones we went to, I am going to try some new places next time, especially in WS at Epcot. I would love to eat at all the countries! I know you guys didn't like San Angel and I know you have tried a few others there, but there must be something else in WS that interests you. If I had extra credits, I would absolutely eat around the world! Ahhhhhh..........choices, choices,........what a delimma!
Flying Fish huh, I think I'll save that for another trip, maybe our adults only![]()
Lesley