Double the Anniversaries, Double the Fun! Jan 2013 PTR | TR HAS STARTED! 2/13

[UGAFan0829]

Even though I totally read your last TR and loved it, I'm not brave enough to try and guess the ADR's! I don't think I'd even come close.

But I do have to say that OMG...I loved Supermarket Sweep as well. And I had totally forgotten that it even existed until you mentioned it. Too funny!!

 

[danimaroo]

I plan on doing more detailed responses to your guesses, but I just had to pop in and say that I am impressed with some of the thinking that went into these guesses! Maybe I'm a huge dork but I am having WAY too much fun with this guessing game!

Anyway, keep up the guesses! Reading responses tonight has been making my stressful week waaaay better!

 

[kayely]

Okay, I think I only have a few figured out.

1: 2 are breakfast, one has to be Crystal Palace (which would also be your character meal)

2: only 1 is a character meal, Crystal Palace

3: Blue Steel, Chefs De France!

4: 3 are at resorts, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Cape May Buffet and Ohana (wild guess with that one)

5: 5 are in parks, Crystal Palace, Via Napoli, Chefs De France, Columbia Harbour House, and Tusker House (again wild guess with that one)

With the other clues I have to think a little harder, lol.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Okay, Supermarket Sweep was one of my favorite shows. Really I could just show up at the end, because that's what I cared about. Diapers, large hams, huge cheese wheels. And the sweaters...oh, those sweaters!

I am sitting here with my list written out in orange crayon. I didn't want to attempt this until I had some time. I'll try to type out my reasoning, but I have a splinter in my thumb so it's not working so well.

1. Le Chef's de France--BLUE STEEL. (Parks 1)
2. Via Napoli-- You said they could pretty much do no wrong. (Parks 2)
3. Cape May- The umbrella. (Resort 1) I'm thinking this is not a breakfast ADR because...
4. Crystal Palace breakfast-- (Character 1, Park 3, Breakfast 1)
5. Kona Cafe breakfast-- Is that a picture of Tonga Toast? (Resort 2, Breakfast 2)
6. Raglan Road-- You loved their food and especially the bread pudding. (does not fit any of the listed categories, so it works with my numbers.)
7. Le Cellier--My guess for the sharp knife, steak. (Parks 4)
8. Whispering Canyon-- You had fun and embarrassment here last year and enjoyed the food and antics (for the most part). (Resort 3)
9. San Angel Inn-- This is my take-a-leap guess. You were surprised that you liked it so much last time, plus it's in World Showcase, plus I had one more park guess to fill. (Parks 5)

Boom.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Here goes my attempt....

Chefs de France
Cape May Cafe
Crystal Palace
Via Napoli
Kona Cafe
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Le Cellier
San Angel Inn
Raglan Road

 

[DanniDeer]

oh. my. lanta.

Supermarket Sweep was my JAM. My mom had a list of really expensive spices she told me to memorize in case we ever got to be on the 'Sweep. I'm pretty sure that was the start of my obsession with game shows. Game shows are serious business in my life.

The SMS announcer was pretty wonderful. As was the guy that says, "It's time to playyy....FAMILY FEUD!"

AND OH MY GOD: GET THE PICTURE. That is right up there with Nick Arcade for me.

I'll be back to attempt your ADR puzzle, or "ADRiddle", if you will. MARK MY WORDS! Actually, don't mark them. I have a lot of school-type things to do today...

 

[danimaroo]

Hey guys! I'm bumping this, since guesses are indeeeeed due by tomorrow! I can't wait to go through everyone's guesses (I've seen a few, but not all yet!), and hopefully we'll have a winner!

Been very very busy here lately, with work still being nuts plus busy outside of work, as well. ARGH, I look forward to when things aren't so darn busy for us, which is hopefully ummm, after July? July is going to be one HECK of a month, but at least we have a little weekend getaway planned in there!

Anyway, I'll be updating tomorrow evening, looking at everyone's guesses, and will announce a winner... So if you haven't already made your guesses, you better get them in soon! I'm saying the deadline is tomorrow (July 1st) by no later thaaan 6pm PST (or 9pm EST).

GOOD LUCK MY FRIENDS!

 

[marDgreen88]

I'M READY.

 

[danimaroo]

Okay, I'm here! I promise! Just going through all of the answers, so I can give you guys an update on how people did.

I will say this... Someone guessed EVERY SINGLE ONE RIGHT.

Stay tuned, I will be revealing our choices, and announcing the winner and their prize!

 

[danimaroo]

Okay, before I start... I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who decided to participate in such a fun game! I had way too much fun reading through your guesses, and was impressed with how WELL so many of you guys did! I'm going to go through and reveal where we're eating, and who guessed that restaurant correctly!

Let's start with one that I think almost every person guessed...

#1

Surprise surprise! Yes, we will be returning to CRYSTAL PALACE for breakfast! This is our only character meal, and is obviously a Park meal... We really loved getting into MK so early and seeing the castle with no one around. Plus, we just love CP's breakfast so much! That puffed french toast makes me a happy gal.. Plus, we just LOVE Pooh and the gang so much!

Yeah, EVERYONE who guessed got this one correct! So we're starting off:

smile4stamps: 1
Twoboysnmygirl: 1
marDgreen88: 1
kayely: 1
Fantasyland Mom: 1
Stringbean&Wingnut (omg I almost just typed your name as Stringbean&Walnut and just died laughing over here, hahaha): 1

#2

Aaaaand another easy one.. Via Napoli! This is a can't-miss for us, so yes, we will be back again! Not sure if it'll be for lunch or dinner, but yeah, I can't say no to the amazing food and awesome decor.

Everyone, again, got this one right! Haha, I know, we are so darn predictable with some of these choices!

smile4stamps: 2
Twoboysnmygirl: 2
marDgreen88: 2
kayely: 2
Fantasyland Mom: 2
Stringbean&Wingnut: 2

#3

Two words... BREAD PUDDING! Again, another of our favorites, this is a MUST-DO for us! We love Raglan Road so much! I got tricky with this clue, as I told you guys that 5 meals were in parks, 3 were at resorts... So that only counted for 8 meals. So if you thought about it and realized we HAD to be eating at DTD, and remembered my affection for the bread pudding at Raglan Road, ya did well!

Marissa, I just re-read your comment on this and I did NOT fool you! And aw, you guys remembered my love for the bread pudding!

smile4stamps: 3
Twoboysnmygirl: 3
marDgreen88: 3
kayely: 2
Fantasyland Mom: 3
Stringbean&Wingnut: 3

#4

If you guessed Whispering Canyon Cafe, you were correct! Again, this is another favorite for us, ESPECIALLY Matt's dinner he had last trip. Oh my heavens, I hope they still have it when we go back because I am going to get that for sure! But like Marissa and Jennifer said, we will NOT be putting that it's our anniversary on this ADR!

smile4stamps: 4
Twoboysnmygirl: 4
marDgreen88: 4
kayely: 3
Fantasyland Mom: 4
Stringbean&Wingnut: 4

#5

Notice that I've started with the easier ones?! Of course we're going back to Chefs de France! And yes, BLUE STEEL was indeed the clue for that one. Ohhh Armand, I just loved him... but not as much as little Remy! Plus, the food was great! I think we'll be back here for lunch for sure, it was not too busy and we enjoyed their choices. And yes, everyone got this one correct! Holy cow, you guys are kickin' booty on this.

smile4stamps: 5
Twoboysnmygirl: 5
marDgreen88: 5
kayely: 4
Fantasyland Mom: 5
Stringbean&Wingnut: 5

#6

Back to Cape May! That photo of the umbrella was from a picture I took of our little buzzer while we waited to be seated. We ate here 3 times last trip! One of our experiences wasn't so pleasant, but 2/3 was wonderful! This is a place I wouldn't be surprised if we end up canceling one of our ADRs while we're in Disney World and end up here for breakfast. I really enjoyed that and will be slightly sad about missing out on that, but at the same time, I can't wait to enjoy those Oreo Bon Bons again! Again, everyone got this right.. You guys are too good.

smile4stamps: 6
Twoboysnmygirl: 6
marDgreen88: 6
kayely: 5
Fantasyland Mom: 6
Stringbean&Wingnut: 6

#7
I don't HAVE an image for this one... Why? Because it's a new one!! The clue was the mysterious photo of a certain food that I have been DYING to try... If you guessed Kona, you were SO right! And yes, that is a part of a photo of.. TONGA TOAST! I can't wait to eat here!

I was torn between here or Ohana for breakfast, but Tonga Toast won (and I've heard Kona has a better breakfast).. Okay, so, 5 out of 6 of you got this! Darn good job, considering this is a new one!

smile4stamps: 7
Twoboysnmygirl: 7
marDgreen88: 7
kayely: 5
Fantasyland Mom: 7
Stringbean&Wingnut: 7

#8
Now this one was tricky, and is another new one for us... Matt helped me with the clue, and it was "A sharp knife is a necessity for this one!" Combine this clue with the fact that during our last trip, we HAD a reservation for this place but canceled at the last second, and you would have guessed... TEPPEN EDO! I know, Le Cellier seemed to be the best guess for this one, but really, if you don't have a sharp knife for Teppen Edo, well, it's just going to be a disaster!

Only one of you got this one right, and that was Karen, aka Twoboysnmygirl! BRAVO! Was it because we had this planned last trip? I am seriously impressed you got this one!

smile4stamps: 7
Twoboysnmygirl: 8
marDgreen88: 7
kayely: 5
Fantasyland Mom: 7
Stringbean&Wingnut: 7

#9
I saved this one for last because this was my favorite clue I gave. I'm not gonna lie, I was PROUD of this one! Remember the clue "Being that Bruce and Amy are with us this trip, our ADRs are for 4 guests."? Well, if you read between the lines, you'd realize this was a secret message and I was trying to tell you exactly where we were headed!

BEing that Bruce and Amy are with us this trip, OUR adrs are for 4 GUEST.

BE OUR GUEST, of course! Hahaha, I just loved this clue and was VERY curious if anyone would figure it out. And yes, Karen, you were the only one who got it! Seriously, I am IMPRESSED!

smile4stamps: 7
Twoboysnmygirl: 9
marDgreen88: 7
kayely: 5
Fantasyland Mom: 7
Stringbean&Wingnut: 7

So that does it, and we have a winner. KAREN! aka Twoboysnmygirl, you have guessed EVERY single one right! And I am seriously amazed... as is Matt! Awesome job, and your prize is a Vinylmation!

Now, of course I needed to make sure it was a park-related one, so you have a choice between... The Norway Troll OR Sonny Eclipse (from Cosmic Ray's!)

Just let me know which one you'd like, and PM me your address and I'll send it off!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated! I seriously had soooo much fun doing this! Hopefully I can think of another fun contest/game for us to do; it makes the time til our trip go WAY faster!

I should have another update here soon with some VERY exciting news... And I can't WAIT to share it with you guys!

Thanks again for participating, and congrats again to our winner!

 

[marDgreen88]

DANGIT!!! I was so going to guess Be Our Guest but then for some reason I didn't!!! And yeah, did not even notice that clue. You do the UPPERCASE letters at random times (ahem, I do the same thing) so I thought that was one of those times and I was like, "Um, this is a weird clue. Is there a restaurant that doesn't allow four people?" Hahah I was clearly not thinking too hard on that one.

And sharp knife? I thought that applied to Whispering Canyon! Darn. I didn't even know yall were supposed to go to Teppan Edo last trip! Or I guess I just forgot!

Anyways... congrats to Karen!!!

And hey, at least I got 7 right. By the way, I really like how you revealed the winner. Very nice! I STILL haven't done that on mine, if you haven't noticed, because I've had so many freaking TIES. Hahahah oh dear. Okay. I'm gonna stop talking now... can't wait to hear the exciting news!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Whooohooo!!!! Me!

Yep! I picked Tepan Edo because you canceled it mid-trip last time and I was hoping all hopes that I was reading between the lines on the GUESTS comment! OMG, I'm so proud of myself! Rey was laughing at me b/c I had a scrap paper out and was scribbling away, working out which ADRs you had...

I think I'll go with the troll!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Congrats, Karen!

I almost put Teppan Edo, but I have to admit that Be Our Guest never even crossed my mind--I guess it won't be on my radar until it's actually open. It won't be open in September, so it might as well not exist to me!

I WANT TO HEAR NEWS!!

 

[mouseketeer70]

This game not only made me hungry but made me want to schedule ADRs for our upcoming trip. My husband is standing firm that we won't be eating any table service since it will be Food and Wine Festival. I guess he has a point but that Tonga Toast looks sooo good!
Can't wait to hear your review and see pics of Be Our Guest!
News?!?!

 

[nic100308]

You are too funny! I love that you made a game out of your ADR's!!! You picked a number of places we would have picked, but as I told you our plans have changed so no dinning plan for us. BOO!! We're super foodies so I was a bit upset, but this will force us to explore some more counter service. I always feel like Epcot is our safe place, but do you have any suggestions for any QS places?

Anyway, I can't wait to hear more plans!

 

[PrincessShea]

Checking in Hahaha, I just read through your 2012 TR and LOVED IT!!!! I was so sad when I finished reading it! So sad in fact that I followed it up by reading the PTR to kind of relive it! Hahaha, sad but true

Anyway, I am looking forward to following this PTR LIVE! DH and I stayed at Beach Club for our wedding and we usually stay at Swan/Dolphin. I LOVE that whole area as well!

 

[danimaroo]

Hi everyone!

Sorry, yet again, for the absence. Holy frijole did life get busy or WHAT!

So, around July 4th, all of Matt's cousins from Minnesota and LA came into town for a little "cousin reunion". It was kind of a lot to take on, as we had some of his family staying with us, plus it's always just a lot when you've got a large amount of family in town and not everyone has a ton in common.

But we made it work as best as we could, and even got the chance to go to the zoo!

FYI, if you're ever in Seattle and want to do something fun (and trust me, it's a GREAT choice with or without kids), go to the Woodland Park Zoo!

Funny enough, every time I go here it makes me think of Animal Kingdom. In fact, Disney brought in people who designed the Woodland Park Zoo to help with the design of Animal Kingdom... and it really shows!

The exhibits are unbelievable and very open, making it feel like you are right there with the animals... You don't see a lot of chain link fences; it feels very natural.

Anyway, we were very busy with that, and then RIGHT after they left we had to go to an off-site Sales Summit for work.

For those of you who don't know, Matt and I actually now work together... on the same team. In fact, he sits 2 cubicles away from me! I don't think I made a big deal out of mentioning this when I got my new job, just because I wanted to give it some time to see how things went.

So for those who are curious, it's actually really awesome working together. Fortunately, our jobs are very different, but sometimes I will definitely go to him with questions, etc. (and he's actually my superior, but it's not that bad, haha, but no, he's not my direct manager)...

This actually made the interview process 10 times harder for me to get through, because I'm pretty sure the company was a little nervous about us working together...

But it's been over 3 months now and it hasn't been an issue whatsoever. We have some rules we set up, so we try our best to keep work vs. personal life pretty separate, and it's working out pretty well. Plus, Matt is my best friend, so working with him is really awesome.

ANYWAY, back to the Sales thing... Every year there is a big summit, where the entire sales team is brought together, including our NY office, and all of the remote sales people.

We have a bunch of meetings and presentations, but then also get time to do some bonding. It was at this beautiful resort here in Washington, and we had PERFECT weather:

View from our room:

View from breakfast:

If you haven't figured it out yet, Matt's a total introvert, and I'm more of an extravert, though I have a bit of introvert in me as well (and it can be very exhausting feeling like I have to constantly be "on" for people).

That being said, I think I enjoyed the summit more than Matt did (we had to do a geo-caching scavenger hunt which was way fun for me, not so much for him), but we survived. It's a LOT of people at once, a LOT of extraverts, and it was absolutely EXHAUSTING.

We just got back from all of that mid-week, then had to do a ton of catch up at work, which leads us to our weekend. WHEW!

Yesterday Matt had a game day with Bruce and Bruce's brother AJ, while I went out with Amy (and yes, don't forget Bruce and Amy are also going on our Disney World trip!) and we did some shopping.

OF COURSE, that involved a little stop to the Disney Store. I picked up 2 new Mickey t-shirts and a Vinylmation blind box, and then did some other shopping. It was nice to have some girl time, and I definitely want to start doing that more often!

Today we are doing absolutely NOTHING and it's amazing. Matt made me breakfast in bed, which was lovely, and otherwise we're lounging around in PJs and watching Moneyball on blu-ray... and I'm finally getting some free time to myself to actually sit and update you guys on my life.

OKAY, SO! Remember how I mentioned I had some news for you guys and then proceeded to leave you hanging for a few weeks?! Well...

We are officially taking a trip to DISNEYLAND November 29th-December 2nd!!! ​

I am SO excited, as I've never been to Disneyland, and it'll be a birthday trip for me! My birthday is November 28th, and we discussed pricing of everything, took a look at our financial stuff, and decided that we could totally swing a mini-trip down to Disneyland!

I am BEYOND thrilled about this, for many reasons, two of which include that we will get to see Christmas decorations in a Disney park! AND.. We will get to see the Haunted Mansion taken over by Nightmare Before Christmas!!

This is very exciting, especially for Matt because NBC is one of his favorite movies (he loved it when it first came out, even when no one else did), and he's always wanted to see the Haunted Mansion taken over by it.

We also heard that it's a perfect time to visit Disneyland because it's after Thanksgiving is over, but before the holiday crowds start to show up!

I am so darn excited, and so that being said, this PTR will also involve planning for our Disneyland trip, too...

AND yes, I will be doing a TR for our Disneyland trip, so I hope you decide to follow along with it!!

That being said, for those of you who have been to Disneyland, WE NEED ADVICE! We are total Disneyland newbies, so we would love to hear what you have to say about any and everything Disneyland.

So, that's about it for now around here! I'm hoping I'll have a little more free time in the future; we finally hired someone at work so we have a 3rd person to help take a bit of workload off my plate.

Usually for my position, I have about 6-8 clients I'm dealing with at a time... Since the end of May, I've had around 15! It's been very stressful but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm really happy to finally have someone on board.

 

[mouseketeer70]

What a beautiful place your Summit was! I hear you on how hard it can be with tons of people. I tend to be very shy and introverted, until I get to know someone really well. The family reunion thing would have stressed me out too.
Yippee!,Disneyland! Can't wait to hear all about it! What an awesome birthday present

 

[smile4stamps]

Wo-Hoo on the DL trip!! I wish I was planning one! Can you pic me up on your way!?!?

Looking at your dates the first few days you are there should be pretty low crowds. Friday crowds will start to get heavier and then the weekend will probably be a madhouse... I have 3 DL TR's in my signature (the first 2 are in one report... unfortunately I wasn't very good at updating my TOC.. ) The second half of the 1st TR details my holiday trip!

If you have DL questions feel free to ask. I am not an expert but went 4 times Oct 2010-Oct 2011.

 

[marDgreen88]

Hooray for Disneyland! I'm gonna come too, hope you don't mind.