I could get used to a view like this. Guys, I want a castle.–Oct TR ( I'm BACK!!!)

[photographymom517]

Ok Jen! I double checked the info for you about changing resorts!

I talked to a really nice lady who works with me. She's done this before & that's exactly what I was looking for! I pretty much knew how the process worked, but you never know when things are going to change.

Tell Guest Services (Front Desk or Concierge) that you are checking out of the resort & checking into another resort. They will take care of everything for you. You can do the luggage one of two ways -- you can either have them deliver it straight to your room OR you can have them deliver it to Bell Services at the second resort. Then once you arrive to your second resort, you call from your room & have Bell Services deliver it.

If you want to go to the parks for the day, call down to Bell Services & make sure they pick up your luggage before you leave for the day. (They usually give you a ticket with a claim number on it -- the Bell Services CM will also write on it how many pieces of luggage he is taking) Since you've already talked to the Front Desk to let them know you are checking out of that resort & into another resort (specify which one & I'd also let them know you're staying Club Level at the second resort), you will get a text message telling you when your new room is ready. Simply call your new resort & tell them to please have Bell Services deliver your luggage to your room. That way, you don't have to mess with it once you return from the park (especially important if you're staying at the park extra late or for evening EMH's!)

Bell Services works all night, so someone will always be available to deliver it for you. If you'd prefer to be in the room when its delivered, just wait until you arrive at your second resort & call down to Bell Services. Either way should work out!

When I inquired about Club Level, I was told that you can just tell Concierge & they will call Bell Services for you. Me, personally, I'm a control freak so of course I'd just go ahead & do it myself! LOL! But when you're on vacation, you might prefer to have someone else do it for you to save you the time!

I hope that information helps you!!!

 

[jenneth79]

HI!
I agree with you being torn on Yak & Yeti...we have not eaten there....and I have not heard many good reviews...so maybe if park hours do not work that day you can loose this ADR...?????
BUT, you might have a good experience....Its a toss up on some restaurants I think...

Forgot to mention in my last post....I am soooo happy you got compensated for the 'toilet' incident! That's great customer service on Disney's part (however late)

Yeah, I think Y&Y is going to be one of those "toss a coin" kind of meals, though we've had good luck with places like that so far.....

And I agree, they took really good care of us after the exploding-toilet-from-hades. Just the fact that someone called me and really wanted to know about the problem (we spoke for almost an hour) makes me feel better than any refund or comp they might have offered us. I mean, I am super happy they did what they did, but I'm more pleased they're making an effort to ensure it never happens again!

I'm here & subscribed!

Ok, first of all, about the ADR's -- they all sound amazing!! I really want to try Kona next trip. I had it scheduled for last September and switched some things around & cancelled it.

About Yak & Yeti -- YES! Do it!!!

I believe my last post on my TR was about Yak & Yeti if you'd like to see pics of it or hear my review! My DH is a very picky eater -- he's pretty much a fries & hamburgers type of guy! My DS on the other hand will try ANYTHING (which I totally accredit to me allowing him to eat things as a baby that even I hated!) and I'm somewhere in between. I will try new things, but I'm also not that adventurous of an eater!

That being said, we LOVED Yak & Yeti! (I'll try to shorten the story & if you want more info, check out my TR post!) We were at AK trying to decide where to eat dinner & happened to walk by Y&Y. I never in a thousand years thought we'd get a walk-in, but the wait was barely 10 minutes. I got fish (I think Mahi Mahi), my DH got duck, and DS got something off the kids menu. I also got the fried wontons for dessert and they are a MUST!!! Seriously, get the wontons!!!

I think its GREEEEEAT that you're staying at three different Deluxe resorts!!! And CLUB level!!! Woohoo!!!!

I can't wait to read about your plans for the trip!!!

I know I had more comments to make, but I have one child crying to go outside (its an incredible 62 degrees here today!) and one crying for a bottle. So I'll post again later!

(Here's the link to my TR post on Yak & Yeti Yak & Yeti Post)

First off, welcome over to this PTR!

I just finished reading your review, the decor alone might make checking it out worth it! The won tons look amazing... anything fried though is amazing to me! Thanks for sharing!

The mahi-mahi looks pretty good as well... blackened?

RE: multiple check-ins/-outs

Kat said they used bell services to move their luggage from resort to resort. They checked out, gave the luggage to bell services, and went on to the parks. Then when they went to their new resort and checked in, their luggage was already there waiting! She did say they had to get new key cards for each resort... so yes, you'd have to be sure your dining credits are correct.

Thank you!!! I think this process might be less painful than I feared!

Yay, my favorite topic... FOOD!

Even though I've been to WDW during F&W twice, can you believe I have never tried any of the food vendors?

I've had lunch at Y&Y and LTT and thought both were really good.

On every trip since '07, I've had breakfast or lunch at CP... it's now become a sort of tradition. If Shane and I go for our anniversary, I figure we should stick to the more "adult" places... but then again, it's tradition! There's nothing wrong with 2 grown adults eating with Pooh & Friends, right?

And are you talking about the Lapu Lapu drink? In the pineapple? Those things are HUGE! I bet they're yummy... saw them during our dinner at 'Ohana. Debated on getting one, but no one would share with me and I figured that amount of alcohol would knock me flat, LOL! Ah, well.

I can't say anything about two adults eating with Pooh and Friends because.... well.........

*furiously hides her February TR*

Nope, nothing to see here.......



Yes, Lapu Lapu! I was thinking it would be fun after lunch to split one and maybe walk along the Poly beach or something.... decide if we ever want to try the resort. I've just never really had a desire to stay there for some reason.

From what I have heard, they are not for the faint of heart, so we're totally (fingers crossed) sharing!

Ok Jen! I double checked the info for you about changing resorts!

I talked to a really nice lady who works with me. She's done this before & that's exactly what I was looking for! I pretty much knew how the process worked, but you never know when things are going to change.

Tell Guest Services (Front Desk or Concierge) that you are checking out of the resort & checking into another resort. They will take care of everything for you. You can do the luggage one of two ways -- you can either have them deliver it straight to your room OR you can have them deliver it to Bell Services at the second resort. Then once you arrive to your second resort, you call from your room & have Bell Services deliver it.

If you want to go to the parks for the day, call down to Bell Services & make sure they pick up your luggage before you leave for the day. (They usually give you a ticket with a claim number on it -- the Bell Services CM will also write on it how many pieces of luggage he is taking) Since you've already talked to the Front Desk to let them know you are checking out of that resort & into another resort (specify which one & I'd also let them know you're staying Club Level at the second resort), you will get a text message telling you when your new room is ready. Simply call your new resort & tell them to please have Bell Services deliver your luggage to your room. That way, you don't have to mess with it once you return from the park (especially important if you're staying at the park extra late or for evening EMH's!)

Bell Services works all night, so someone will always be available to deliver it for you. If you'd prefer to be in the room when its delivered, just wait until you arrive at your second resort & call down to Bell Services. Either way should work out!

When I inquired about Club Level, I was told that you can just tell Concierge & they will call Bell Services for you. Me, personally, I'm a control freak so of course I'd just go ahead & do it myself! LOL! But when you're on vacation, you might prefer to have someone else do it for you to save you the time!

I hope that information helps you!!!

It's AWESOME, thanks so much for all this great info! I am going to feel totally spoiled on this trip, I just know it!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Jen - great restaurant choices! I've made a start on our rough plans for October too, never too soon to start

From the ones I've been to...

San Angel - not been here for a few years but always had great meals there - if they have the Pollo de Las Rajas (chicken and chorizo with tortilla wraps) we really like that, it's in the latest Disney cookery book so we make it at home now!

Fairfax Fare - we've not tried the gourmet hot dogs yet, but did notice they also serve them at Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom, if you wanted them there instead one day.

Brown Derby - I love that restaurant! It's probably the one I've been to the most at WDW.. I adore the Cobb salad, seared tuna & grapefruit cake.. last time we went though DH wasn't well so he has bad memories.. it wasn't the food, he had sunstroke, but I don't think we'll go back there for a while

Kona - ate there for dinner in December 2010 and had a great meal, DH had the best steak he's ever eaten! They have a fun cocktail menu there too

Yak & Yeti - we ate there in 2008, which was the first year I think it was open.. and really enjoyed it; delicious food and a fun server. We sat upstairs by a window and had a lovely view of the park. When we first arrived there, we had to wait about 5 minutes near the bar - and the bartenders were pleading with us to sit up at the bar with them! we did order a Yak Attack cocktail and a Tsingao beer from them before going to our table hehe.

We're also leaving a few afternoons/evenings clear for Food & Wine Festival! Last time we visited in October I think we really underestimated just how much food there was going to be to try and we missed so many booths.. won't make that mistake again ... last time we really enjoyed the soup & salmon at Canada, sushi in Japan, and items from the South American booths



Hope you have a lovely weekend!


Emma x

 

[Nermel9]

Your ADR's sound great! I've always wanted to go to CRT, but I'm a little nervous to eat with princesses! LTT is great, I think you will like it! I'd love to try Tokyo Dining one day, I know Brandon would like it because he's obsessed with sushi!

 

[smile4stamps]

Joining in!!

Also planning for October!!

Jealous of your resorts! I think it would be so awesome to stay at three Deluxe resorts and all CL!! I've been contemplating the DxDP plan but I think it works out cheaper for us to upgrade me to an AP and get the TiW card! Planning a lot of the same restaurants though!

Can't wait to hear more about your planning!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Hopping on board! I've been skimming your other reports, and your writing is very creative. I have to admit, your rose petal sad face made me laugh.

We're also planning for Oct, but 3-10. So while we hit F&W, we leave before the crowds hit. Hopefully. And that's when my Fall Break is, so we sort of HAVE to go then.

 

[khertz]

I started skimming the PTR board today for other October planners & found your PTR, so I'm joining in!

First things first, totally jealous of you staying in not one, but THREE beautiful deluxe resorts in one trip!! How great that you were able to use those BWI nights on a F&W weekend too.

I have never tried most of the restaurants you are booking, but just gotta +1 the puffed French toast love! Probably my favorite part of the CP breakfast aside from DS interacting with the characters!

I look forward to keeping up with your plans! So ready for October!!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Joining in! We are booked at CR Oct 17-20 for a quickie MNSSHP & F&W trip, then we are booked Dec 18-27 at BW (CL). I have heard the BW CL staff is amazing!

Cant wait to hear more

 

[Shannon84]

just joining in now glad I found your PTR!

 

[jenneth79]

Hi Jen - great restaurant choices! I've made a start on our rough plans for October too, never too soon to start

From the ones I've been to...

San Angel - not been here for a few years but always had great meals there - if they have the Pollo de Las Rajas (chicken and chorizo with tortilla wraps) we really like that, it's in the latest Disney cookery book so we make it at home now!

Fairfax Fare - we've not tried the gourmet hot dogs yet, but did notice they also serve them at Casey's Corner in the Magic Kingdom, if you wanted them there instead one day.

Brown Derby - I love that restaurant! It's probably the one I've been to the most at WDW.. I adore the Cobb salad, seared tuna & grapefruit cake.. last time we went though DH wasn't well so he has bad memories.. it wasn't the food, he had sunstroke, but I don't think we'll go back there for a while

Kona - ate there for dinner in December 2010 and had a great meal, DH had the best steak he's ever eaten! They have a fun cocktail menu there too

Yak & Yeti - we ate there in 2008, which was the first year I think it was open.. and really enjoyed it; delicious food and a fun server. We sat upstairs by a window and had a lovely view of the park. When we first arrived there, we had to wait about 5 minutes near the bar - and the bartenders were pleading with us to sit up at the bar with them! we did order a Yak Attack cocktail and a Tsingao beer from them before going to our table hehe.

We're also leaving a few afternoons/evenings clear for Food & Wine Festival! Last time we visited in October I think we really underestimated just how much food there was going to be to try and we missed so many booths.. won't make that mistake again ... last time we really enjoyed the soup & salmon at Canada, sushi in Japan, and items from the South American booths



Hope you have a lovely weekend!


Emma x

Hi Emma!

It's been a good weekend so far, cold but sunny, which I'll take over rain any day!

Thanks so much for your thoughts. You bring up something I have been meaning to ask the boards in general, regarding the cookbooks. Are they fairly accurate / good recipes? I've almost bought one a few times but feel that in the past I've had rotten luck with recipes from resorts / restaurants.

I don't remember seeing the grapefruit cake at Brown Derby, but it sounds fantastic. I'll have to keep an eye out for it on our next trip.

I have been worrying a bit regarding enough F&W time. I have a full day planned with "sampling", and an afternoon here or there where it will be our lunch... I hope it's enough. If not, I can always plan another trip in 2013.

Ok, maybe I can't, but probably 2014-15.

 

[jenneth79]

Your ADR's sound great! I've always wanted to go to CRT, but I'm a little nervous to eat with princesses! LTT is great, I think you will like it! I'd love to try Tokyo Dining one day, I know Brandon would like it because he's obsessed with sushi!

Oh, you must try TD. We have some fantastic sushi places here at home and I have to say in some ways, TD outshines them. It's probably the level of service, which is just fantastic!

Joining in!!

Also planning for October!!

Jealous of your resorts! I think it would be so awesome to stay at three Deluxe resorts and all CL!! I've been contemplating the DxDP plan but I think it works out cheaper for us to upgrade me to an AP and get the TiW card! Planning a lot of the same restaurants though!

Can't wait to hear more about your planning!

Yay, more October!!!

I'm starting to consider removing the Dining Plan altogether for this trip, but we did the math and with all the signature restaurants, it works out to a wash, almost putting us in the positive. So... we'll see.

I wish the math worked for us on an AP... I might have to revisit that....but we would only be going for perhaps a weekend or two next year, so I doubt we'd get the most out of it then...

Hopping on board! I've been skimming your other reports, and your writing is very creative. I have to admit, your rose petal sad face made me laugh.

We're also planning for Oct, but 3-10. So while we hit F&W, we leave before the crowds hit. Hopefully. And that's when my Fall Break is, so we sort of HAVE to go then.

I'm so glad you liked the "sad face".... my DH and I got a kick out of it....shame Mousekeeping didn't get the joke!

Welcome on board, though you're scaring me with the "crowds" reference. I thought October was generally a quiet month???

I started skimming the PTR board today for other October planners & found your PTR, so I'm joining in!

First things first, totally jealous of you staying in not one, but THREE beautiful deluxe resorts in one trip!! How great that you were able to use those BWI nights on a F&W weekend too.

I have never tried most of the restaurants you are booking, but just gotta +1 the puffed French toast love! Probably my favorite part of the CP breakfast aside from DS interacting with the characters!

I look forward to keeping up with your plans! So ready for October!!

Welcome!!!

I'm super excited to try the GF CL, and to see what the BWI is all about.

I do wish they had the puffed french toast on the "adult" buffet... I always feel a bit wrong for snagging it off the kids bar....when I don't have kids!

Joining in! We are booked at CR Oct 17-20 for a quickie MNSSHP & F&W trip, then we are booked Dec 18-27 at BW (CL). I have heard the BW CL staff is amazing!

Cant wait to hear more

Welcome, welcome! What kind of room do you have at CR? We were just there in Feb and had a bay lake view in the main building. Gorgeous views!!

We're starting to seriously talk about an early December trip next year to see all the holiday decorations, I'm so jealous of your plans now!

just joining in now glad I found your PTR!

Hey girl, I'm so glad you made it over here!!!!

How's the planning going on your end?

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Welcome on board, though you're scaring me with the "crowds" reference. I thought October was generally a quiet month???

Well I don't exactly know. We've never been in October. And it sort of depends on who you ask, because the unofficial guide says all of October is chill, while the official lists Labor Day until the start of F&W as "least crowded," and F&W as "most crowded." I tend to trust the unofficial guide more. We used to go in September because I was on a year-round school schedule, and it was generally empty, minus the always present tour groups. Emptiest I ever saw it was the week after 9/11.

 

[disneybarbie]

..... I have been meaning to ask the boards in general, regarding the cookbooks. Are they fairly accurate / good recipes? I've almost bought one a few times but feel that in the past I've had rotten luck with recipes from resorts / restaurants.

I don't remember seeing the grapefruit cake at Brown Derby, but it sounds fantastic. I'll have to keep an eye out for it on our next trip.

I have been worrying a bit regarding enough F&W time. I have a full day planned with "sampling", and an afternoon here or there where it will be our lunch... I hope it's enough. If not, I can always plan another trip in 2013.

Ok, maybe I can't, but probably 2014-15.

Hi!

With the recipe books.. I've found the things we've tried from the 'Mickey and the Disney chefs' book have been pretty good - very similar to what we've eaten in the parks/resorts restaurants. We've made the Brown Derby cobb salad, Pollo de las rajas from San Angel, Mom's meatloaf from 50's Prime Time.. and the chocolate souffle from Palo on the Disney Cruise ships .. I also found the recipe for the bread & butter pudding from 'Ohana (I think from All Ears website) and that was delicious! I even managed to flambe the caramel fosters sauce

Hope you get to try the grapefruit cake at Brown Derby! It's quite a classic dish from the original restaurant.. apparently the Hollwood actresses wanted to eat grapefruits because of a new diet craze, so the BD chef create the cake



Emma x

 

[natebenma]

Subbing for now. Coming back later to read and comment.

 

[jenneth79]

So.... we have our ideas for Breakfast and Lunch, but what about Dinner?

Here's what I'm thinking, and why:

Jiko: We loved this place on our trip last September, and I am really looking forward to heading back and trying some new wines!

Rose and Crown: We wanted a relaxing place to eat that could give us a good view of Illuminations...this is what we chose. I want that sticky toffee bread pudding, hope they aren't out of it again!

Artist Point: This is a new one for us to try. I wanted Mike to see the WL, and I have been hearing good things about the food here. I also am hoping to catch a haunted hayride after dinner for something a little special!

Yachtsman Steakhouse: Though I had the impression that I didn't care for our meal here, while working on my dining reviews, I realized it was just one thing I didn't care for. We're going to give the Yachtsman a second chance!

Citricos: We keep on trying to eat here, and keep on not making it for one reason on another. I'm determined this time, since we'll be staying in the same hotel. No excuses!

California Grill: Probably our favorite Disney eating experience. Of course we have to go back. Hoping it's not closed for refurb!


Bistro de Paris: I'm hoping and praying we end up with a FW viewing table here, if not, I'm sure the food will make up for it!

V&A Chef's Table: The only V&A experience we haven't tried. If we can't get the reservation, we'll probably just do F&W instead.

So, am I missing anything I absolutely have to try? You'll notice no Le Cellier. That's because we decided this time we'd just make sure to get the soup during F&W, we weren't as impressed last trip with our meal as we were in September....but man, that soup is still amazing!

 

[smile4stamps]

So.... we have our ideas for Breakfast and Lunch, but what about Dinner?

Here's what I'm thinking, and why:

Jiko: We loved this place on our trip last September, and I am really looking forward to heading back and trying some new wines!

Rose and Crown: We wanted a relaxing place to eat that could give us a good view of Illuminations...this is what we chose. I want that sticky toffee bread pudding, hope they aren't out of it again!

Artist Point: This is a new one for us to try. I wanted Mike to see the WL, and I have been hearing good things about the food here. I also am hoping to catch a haunted hayride after dinner for something a little special!

Yachtsman Steakhouse: Though I had the impression that I didn't care for our meal here, while working on my dining reviews, I realized it was just one thing I didn't care for. We're going to give the Yachtsman a second chance!

Citricos: We keep on trying to eat here, and keep on not making it for one reason on another. I'm determined this time, since we'll be staying in the same hotel. No excuses!

California Grill: Probably our favorite Disney eating experience. Of course we have to go back. Hoping it's not closed for refurb!


Bistro de Paris: I'm hoping and praying we end up with a FW viewing table here, if not, I'm sure the food will make up for it!

V&A Chef's Table: The only V&A experience we haven't tried. If we can't get the reservation, we'll probably just do F&W instead.

So, am I missing anything I absolutely have to try? You'll notice no Le Cellier. That's because we decided this time we'd just make sure to get the soup during F&W, we weren't as impressed last trip with our meal as we were in September....but man, that soup is still amazing!

Most of your choices look AWESOME to me. We will also be dining at a lot of those places! In fact only 2 are not on our horizon at all! Those are Rose & Crown and Jiko. R&C is simply because we have so many dinner plans there just isn't another night. Jiko we had a BAD experience when we went in 2009. The reviews I've read lately are good but with the transportation issues of getting there and back and hubby saying absolutely no way have eliminated that one. The only other difference is V&A. I am undecided which experience I am going for. I think for the first time I am going to do the regular dining room so I have something to entice my hubby to come back for!

Citrico's we dined at TWICE on our trip in 2009. It was awesome! Sadly I will only be booking it once during this trip!

Artist Point is at Wilderness Lodge and the Haunted Carriage ride is at Fort Wilderness so make sure you plan a little extra time to get from one to the other! I'm also hoping to do the Haunted Carriage ride but am thinking I will do it before or after the Hoop de doo Musical Review (if its not in refurb!)

 

[Nermel9]

Wow, your dinner choice look awesome! I'd really like to try Bistro de Paris now that it's on the dining plan!

I think you will like Artist Point, Brandon and I loved it! And we did it the night of our Haunted Carriage Ride too, it's nice being so close to FW!

 

[PixieMama]

I think all of your dinner ADRs sound great! I've only been to R&C, so I don't have any recommendations on the others. I keep hearing/reading good things about California Grill. May have to add that one to the "someday" list!

 

[PixieMama]

P.S. notice anything new in my signature?

 

[natebenma]

This should be a fun ride! I'm glad there are others who are able to give you advice on changing resorts. Sounds like it won't be too painful.

I have not been a single one of the restaurants you are considering for dinner! We haven't eaten at any signatures.

For your other meals, we have only tried Kona (for breakfast and for dinner)- love it! We went to Yak & Yeti in 2008. Our meal was fine, but we have not stayed or been to AK at night, and we actually have enjoyed Boma when we are in the area so we haven't been back.

I'm really going to enjoy all of these places through your eyes! Can't wait to hear about the club offerings at Boardwalk. Greek food is my favorite cuisine, and I think some of the items in the lounge may come from Kouzzina.