Even Miracles Take A Little Time; a PTR 5 years in the making. NEW! Nov. 2 - Single Digits!

[TheMaxRebo]

I am generally a fan of winter, but it feels like this one is just unending. We got about 3 inches of snow to celebrate the first day of spring

that's awesome that you are trying so many new restaurants.

I haven't been to all of them but some thoughts on a few from your list:

- Tusker House - we love the breakfast here and find it to have a good mix of standard breakfast fare and traditional African offerings, plus the juice is great!

- Rose & Crown is a favorite of ours, especially if you can get anywhere near Illuminations time as they have a private viewing area for it

- Raglan Road is another favorite. I especially like a number of the appetizers so an option might be to just split several apps and hopefully you will like at least a few things. Oh, and the bread pudding is tremendous. Also a good beer list (particularly the bottle list)

Good luck in booking your ADRs!

 

[eeyore04]

#1: Be Our Guest - This is a must for me next time, not sure what meal but it's a must.

#2: T-Rex - I think this will be a must for me as well for next time.

#3: Captain's Grille - Breakfast looks good

#4: Whispering Canyon - You didn't mention what meal you were having-I looked at the menus and they look pretty good.

#5: Tusker House - I ate here on both my trips, I believe it was breakfast in 2009 and lunch in 2012. It was our first restaurant on our first day and we weren't explained how the character dining worked, so we ate as quickly as possible and left. I think all we got to see was Goofy on that trip. Anyway; the food was good (typical WDW Breakfast food IMO) but I love the atmosphere. I don't know that I would pick it over Boma if all factors were equal; but when you have to take into consideration the extra travel to and from a resort for a meal, I would do what you're doing.

#6: Mama Melrose - Mom, David and I ate there when we were there. I REALLY liked it, though I believe the menu has changed since we've been there. I had some sort of pork dish (not the dish that's currently on the menu) which was out of this world (considering I'm not a huge pork fan, this changed me). The dessert was super yummy too!

#7: Nine Dragons - TOTAL shock for me that you guys have this on the super short list. Interesting to hear your opinions on it.

#8: Cape May Cafe - I think I told you this story, we were there in 2009; latest breakfast reservation available, restaurant almost empty, buffett completely full (starting to switch to lunch so we had a bit more to choose from) The characters spent extra time with us because there weren't many guests in the restaurant... BUT our server disappeared for most of our meal and she was lucky to get a $1 tip.

#9: San Angel Inn - For you picky eaters this one surprises me... but it sounds interesting.

#10: Rose & Crown - This was on our list when we all went, only for the fact that it was the one that mom wanted most of all; but after walking by it earlier on in the week and it smelled so much like fish around there (NOT my strong point) we ended up cancelling it.

#11: Raglan Road - I'd like to try it at some point. It would be on my next short list.

#12: Beaches & Cream -

#13: Kona - I LOVE my breakfast, and this looks to be one that I would really love! So need to add this to my "on my next trip" list.

The "maybe" list

Boma - I <3 Boma for Breakfast, want to try a lunch or dinner sometime.

1900 Park Fare - This was by far the best character interaction I've had. We had breakfast, I really enjoyed the Strawberry Soup, the rest of the breakfast was typical but yummy and hot.

Biergarten - this one scares me!

Via Napoli - A must for my next trip. We cancelled it only because it was going to interfere with Illuminations.

 

[teekathepony]

Ugh so much snow! I can relate, yesterday was the first day of spring, and it snowed. And then it snowed again this morning. I've never hated snow so much, I really need to move to a tropical climate!
The snow is really getting me down, I love where I live in the summer, but holy crow, I need to find someplace else to spend my winters!

Your ADR list sounds awesome! You're really going to do BoG for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? That's impressive! What would be even cooler, is doing all 3 in one day!
That would be my ultimate plan! No idea if it's possible, but it would be fun!

There are so many awesome places on your list that I love, Mama Melrose really jumped out at me, because I love it, and I haven't been there in forever, and now you're making me want to add it back for my May trip! And who knows where I'd put that, my ADR situation is a mess right now!
I'm glad to hear about Mama Melrose! I missed your new PTR, so I'm jumping there now.

Seriously, Wendy, I hear ya there and where I am there's very little snow left. It was spitting snow this morning, however, and I said aloud to no one but my cat "SERIOUSLY!?" I'm so over this winter! I think a few of our Disboard friends have the right idea by making Florida their permanent homes...
Absolutely, I wish I could do it. I'm starting to think I'll have snow until July...

Your ADR list looks great! So many restaurants I've yet to try!

I'm very excited for our meals this year! I just hope I don't chicken out and cancel some of the new ones...lol

 

[teekathepony]

I am generally a fan of winter, but it feels like this one is just unending. We got about 3 inches of snow to celebrate the first day of spring
It's depressing this year. I want to cover all my windows!

that's awesome that you are trying so many new restaurants.
We're really excited... and a little nervous! Haha

I haven't been to all of them but some thoughts on a few from your list:

- Tusker House - we love the breakfast here and find it to have a good mix of standard breakfast fare and traditional African offerings, plus the juice is great!

- Rose & Crown is a favorite of ours, especially if you can get anywhere near Illuminations time as they have a private viewing area for it

- Raglan Road is another favorite. I especially like a number of the appetizers so an option might be to just split several apps and hopefully you will like at least a few things. Oh, and the bread pudding is tremendous. Also a good beer list (particularly the bottle list)

Good luck in booking your ADRs!
Thank you for your input on some of our choices!

#1: Be Our Guest - This is a must for me next time, not sure what meal but it's a must. - DO IT. I love it.

#2: T-Rex - I think this will be a must for me as well for next time. - DO IT. I love it. Um. Again.

#3: Captain's Grille - Breakfast looks good - Doesn't it? Yum!

#4: Whispering Canyon - You didn't mention what meal you were having-I looked at the menus and they look pretty good. - We haven't decided, but probably dinner.

#5: Tusker House - I ate here on both my trips, I believe it was breakfast in 2009 and lunch in 2012. It was our first restaurant on our first day and we weren't explained how the character dining worked, so we ate as quickly as possible and left. I think all we got to see was Goofy on that trip. Anyway; the food was good (typical WDW Breakfast food IMO) but I love the atmosphere. I don't know that I would pick it over Boma if all factors were equal; but when you have to take into consideration the extra travel to and from a resort for a meal, I would do what you're doing. - We do hope for a later breakfast. It was hard to eliminate Boma though!

#6: Mama Melrose - Mom, David and I ate there when we were there. I REALLY liked it, though I believe the menu has changed since we've been there. I had some sort of pork dish (not the dish that's currently on the menu) which was out of this world (considering I'm not a huge pork fan, this changed me). The dessert was super yummy too! - I'm excited to FINALLY eat here, it's been on our list so many times.

#7: Nine Dragons - TOTAL shock for me that you guys have this on the super short list. Interesting to hear your opinions on it. - Johnny is a very new Chinese food lover. Go figure!

#8: Cape May Cafe - I think I told you this story, we were there in 2009; latest breakfast reservation available, restaurant almost empty, buffett completely full (starting to switch to lunch so we had a bit more to choose from) The characters spent extra time with us because there weren't many guests in the restaurant... BUT our server disappeared for most of our meal and she was lucky to get a $1 tip. - lol I remember this story. But the characters in their beach wear are so cute. A late breakfast sounds nice too.

#9: San Angel Inn - For you picky eaters this one surprises me... but it sounds interesting. -- Surprising yes, but we're gonna give it a try!

#10: Rose & Crown - This was on our list when we all went, only for the fact that it was the one that mom wanted most of all; but after walking by it earlier on in the week and it smelled so much like fish around there (NOT my strong point) we ended up cancelling it. - Same happened to us, but we're going for the fish & chips so we'll see.

#11: Raglan Road - I'd like to try it at some point. It would be on my next short list. - Love the atmosphere. Any Cape Bretoner would feel very at home in there!

#12: Beaches & Cream - ??? lol

#13: Kona - I LOVE my breakfast, and this looks to be one that I would really love! So need to add this to my "on my next trip" list. - You must! Get tonga toast!

The "maybe" list

Boma - I <3 Boma for Breakfast, want to try a lunch or dinner sometime. - Dinner is delish too. I'm sad that we might not get here, but there were so many we wanted!

1900 Park Fare - This was by far the best character interaction I've had. We had breakfast, I really enjoyed the Strawberry Soup, the rest of the breakfast was typical but yummy and hot. - I didn't love it when I went, so that's one reason it didn't make the good list. I can't shake the memories.

Biergarten - this one scares me! - Why? German food is really good!

Via Napoli - A must for my next trip. We cancelled it only because it was going to interfere with Illuminations. - Heartbreak. It's amazing.

 

[teekathepony]

I'm really sorry guys, I had planned to catch up with everyone and even do a new post, but my computer is being a jerk so I'm going to have to pass. Maybe I'll try my old laptop later!

 

[momabbate]

I finally caught up! Your 13 looks great. Only two have I been to before. My first Disney meal was at Whispering Canyon. Even with the excitment or because of the excitment was a great meal. Only thing I wish we did different was walk around the resort. But like I said it was our first night on our first trip.

 

[teekathepony]

I finally caught up! Your 13 looks great. Only two have I been to before. My first Disney meal was at Whispering Canyon. Even with the excitment or because of the excitment was a great meal. Only thing I wish we did different was walk around the resort. But like I said it was our first night on our first trip.

I'm really excited for Whispering Canyon, and I really hope I can schedule it to have time to wander around the resort!

 

[teekathepony]

I feel so full of happy today!

And so much of that is Disney related!

It's sunny and warm which is just nice. We do have another snowstorm forecast for tomorrow though, but rumours are that it could be rain instead. Given how warm it is today, I'd say that's a good possibility.

We are still buried under the snow here. Experts are predicting the end of May before we get rid of our snow. Here's a bank between my driveway and the mailboxes:

I want to get a picture of me standing on it. It's twice as tall as me.

At this point, all we can do is laugh!

But enough about the snow.

One day last week, during some really annoying snow we were having, an old collage friend of mine messaged me asking about Disney. We chatted for quite a while, I answered all her questions, and at the end of the day she let me know she had booked her family at Art of Animation for a week in August! I felt like I was spreading my adoration for the place, a contagion as we all know.

That same day, a friend of Johnny's from work told him that he and his family were booked for their second trip to Disney! Last year before they went, he was so sure he would hate it. He had that, "It's just for kids" attitude and didn't want to go. After going, he's now a certifiable Disney nut! He and Johnny, as well as a few other guys at the shop spend the day talking about Disney.

It's just nice to share the love.

In other news...

I work downtown, very close to the waterfront where the cruise ships come in. I also work at a camera store so we see a lot of cruisers coming in for batteries, chargers, bags, memory cards, and sometimes the craziest requests we get all year.

We just got official word that next year, May 2016, the Disney Magic is stopping in Sydney!!! At my port! Just down from where I work! I'll hear their horn blow through my town! I can't even tell you how excited I am, for my little unknown, tiny town to be on Disney's cruise itinerary!

Check this out!

Um, I should point out that we do not live in Northern Europe. But still! My town is on Disney's website! How cool is that??

So if you're taking that trans-Atlantic cruise on the Magic, stop by and say hi, won't you?

Now.

On to the main reason I'm so happy.

We have been checking for Yacht Club availability since we started this whole thing. Johnny finally found a garden view room available today! He called his mother/our TA and she got us switched!

Yacht Club Garden View!

Don't get me wrong, we were very excited to stay at the BCV, but there were some small reasons we thought we would rather YC. Mainly, BCV is under construction, and although I have every confidence in Disney's workers, and really believed that it wouldn't affect us, it's still nice to not have any worry about it.

Wow. Look at that place.

I really love the colour scheme of the rooms.

And even though we're going from a studio in the villa to a regular room, I doubt we'll miss the extra space or amenities.

I know one thing for sure -- you can bet I'll be taking my camera on this trip!

 

[deedee2177]

I'm assuming you will be taking plenty of pictures of the Disney Magic???

Yay! for the reservation at the Yacht Club! I'm hoping to be able to rent DVC points for our March/April 2016 trip and Beach Club Villas is on the top of my list. However, I would love to check out Old Key West, my big reason is because I grew up in the Florida Keys and I would love to see their interpretation of Key West...LOL. I promised myself I would not start planning my March/April trip since I want my focus to be on this November trip, but I couldn't help myself and started jotting down some notes and reminders of things I want to do on that trip, and if we can pull it off staying at a DVC is at that top of my list!!

We definitely need to meet up, once you get daily plans set let me know so we can compare schedules. Are you planning on going to MVMCP?

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow you sure do have a lot of snow there Wendy.

Ahhhh, is that the best feeling to create a Disney convert? It's especially rewarding for those who are in the "It's just for kids camp". Take that sucka!

I'm so excited to hear that the Magic will be stopping in Sydney next year. When Halifax was a stop a couple years ago I took the day off of work just to go see it on it's first day. Not Disney obsessed at all.

One day I will stay in an Epcot Resort. One day. Yeah a little jealous over here.

 

[Tracy161]

Wow, Wendy, I can't believe you guys still have that much snow! Ours here has nearly melted away completely and here I was getting impatient! Yes, you'll absolutely need to get a picture of yourself on it!

Yay for spreading the Disney cheer! I had done the same for my best friend years ago and it was great! Until she started taking more trips than me and making me green with envy!

That's SO excited that the Magic will be making a stop now at Sydney! How cool is that?!?!?!

Woohoo for the garden view room - that's wonderful news!!! That view is just simply gorgeous!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We just got official word that next year, May 2016, the Disney Magic is stopping in Sydney!!! At my port! Just down from where I work! I'll hear their horn blow through my town! I can't even tell you how excited I am, for my little unknown, tiny town to be on Disney's cruise itinerary!

That is very exciting. I would be down at the port checking it out, too.

We have been checking for Yacht Club availability since we started this whole thing. Johnny finally found a garden view room available today! He called his mother/our TA and she got us switched!

And even though we're going from a studio in the villa to a regular room, I doubt we'll miss the extra space or amenities.

I think the YC room is much nicer than a studio, anyway. We've stayed at the YC last September and I really liked the resort.

 

[KatMark]

I'm so glad you were able to move to the Yacht Club.

And how exciting about the cruise stopping at your port.

 

[eandesmom]

Because the YC is the BEST hotel on property that's why. HANDS DOWN!

So jealous, love it!

Very very cool about the TA Magic cruise, you'll have to get pics when it is in port!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay so happy you were able to get the Yacht Club, I'd love to stay there someday!

 

[MEK]

Woo Hoo on the YC. I am jelly because I know I will never get to stay there because of owning DVC and all that. Aside from the YC I can pretty much stay DVC anywhere else. *sniff sniff* Well, that is unless they build a YC DVC but I can't quite see that happening. So nice! Didn't you originally trade a timeshare for this stay?

I definitely think it is so cool that your home town is on the cruise itinerary. And you work downtown to boot! That is excellent. I am sure you will have your camera out overtime the Magic is in port!

Ugh to the snow not melting until May. That really stinks.

 

[teekathepony]

I'm assuming you will be taking plenty of pictures of the Disney Magic???
Absolutely!

Yay! for the reservation at the Yacht Club! I'm hoping to be able to rent DVC points for our March/April 2016 trip and Beach Club Villas is on the top of my list. However, I would love to check out Old Key West, my big reason is because I grew up in the Florida Keys and I would love to see their interpretation of Key West...LOL. I promised myself I would not start planning my March/April trip since I want my focus to be on this November trip, but I couldn't help myself and started jotting down some notes and reminders of things I want to do on that trip, and if we can pull it off staying at a DVC is at that top of my list!!
I would have been very happy at the BCV I know, and at any other Disney resort, for that matter! OKW would be fun to see.

We definitely need to meet up, once you get daily plans set let me know so we can compare schedules. Are you planning on going to MVMCP?
Yes, at this point I *think* we're going on the 17th, I can't wait until the park hours come out! But our party day will probably stay the same.

Wow you sure do have a lot of snow there Wendy.
I imagine you'd know something about that too!

Ahhhh, is that the best feeling to create a Disney convert? It's especially rewarding for those who are in the "It's just for kids camp". Take that sucka!
I know, I love it so much. It's a bit like a really good "Told you so" but even better, because the end result is a happy Disney lover.

I'm so excited to hear that the Magic will be stopping in Sydney next year. When Halifax was a stop a couple years ago I took the day off of work just to go see it on it's first day. Not Disney obsessed at all.
I can see me sneaking out of work and running down the street with the camera... the other guys will wonder where the passport camera went... hahaha

One day I will stay in an Epcot Resort. One day. Yeah a little jealous over here.
Some day it will be your turn there! I'll be honest, sometimes I question my own good luck and think it can't be true!

Wow, Wendy, I can't believe you guys still have that much snow! Ours here has nearly melted away completely and here I was getting impatient! Yes, you'll absolutely need to get a picture of yourself on it!
I forgot to get a picture, and now the snow bank is down quite a bit, we had a warm rainy day yesterday. I'm not complaining though!


Yay for spreading the Disney cheer! I had done the same for my best friend years ago and it was great! Until she started taking more trips than me and making me green with envy!
Hahaha yes I can see that being an issue! But it's so nice to spread the love, especially to people who used to be against us for our love of it!


That's SO excited that the Magic will be making a stop now at Sydney! How cool is that?!?!?!
I was really, really excited and jumped around a little. It was the first thing my boss said to me in the morning when it was announced!

Woohoo for the garden view room - that's wonderful news!!! That view is just simply gorgeous!

I'm excited for YC, and extra excited for the view!

 

[teekathepony]

That is very exciting. I would be down at the port checking it out, too.
I hope I get the chance to!


I think the YC room is much nicer than a studio, anyway. We've stayed at the YC last September and I really liked the resort.
Glad to hear it! I am so excited!

I'm so glad you were able to move to the Yacht Club.
Me too Kathy!

And how exciting about the cruise stopping at your port.
Very exciting, especially for my tiny little town!

Because the YC is the BEST hotel on property that's why. HANDS DOWN!

So jealous, love it!
I am so excited to hear these great opinions on it!

Very very cool about the TA Magic cruise, you'll have to get pics when it is in port!

I am really excited to see it, and hopefully get down close enough to get some pictures. I'll be able to see the top of it from my store windows.

 

[teekathepony]

Yay so happy you were able to get the Yacht Club, I'd love to stay there someday!

I'm really excited to get the chance to stay there!

Woo Hoo on the YC. I am jelly because I know I will never get to stay there because of owning DVC and all that. Aside from the YC I can pretty much stay DVC anywhere else. *sniff sniff* Well, that is unless they build a YC DVC but I can't quite see that happening. So nice! Didn't you originally trade a timeshare for this stay?
Well we almost had the opportunity to stay DVC through my parents' travel package, but that didn't work out. I'm pretty excited to try out YC!

I definitely think it is so cool that your home town is on the cruise itinerary. And you work downtown to boot! That is excellent. I am sure you will have your camera out overtime the Magic is in port!
I will, I can't wait! Although I have to wait a little more than a year... haha

Ugh to the snow not melting until May. That really stinks.

Yep... NOT looking forward to that. The last two years our winters have been extreme.

 

[natebenma]

We just got official word that next year, May 2016, the Disney Magic is stopping in Sydney!!! At my port! Just down from where I work! I'll hear their horn blow through my town! I can't even tell you how excited I am, for my little unknown, tiny town to be on Disney's cruise itinerary!

We have been checking for Yacht Club availability since we started this whole thing. Johnny finally found a garden view room available today! He called his mother/our TA and she got us switched!

Yacht Club Garden View!

I know one thing for sure -- you can bet I'll be taking my camera on this trip!

That is cool about the Disney Magic!




I am so excited for you about the Yacht Club ! How many places can I post dancing bananas???




Can't wait to hear your review and to see you pictures of the Yacht Club!!!

Speaking of pictures- is that yours above or someone elses? It is breathtaking!