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

[jenneth79]

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!)

Jiko for us works best when we can hop to a park afterwards that has EMH... we'll see if that happens this time, but I do have my fingers crossed!

I actually didn't know the haunted carriage ride was not at the lodge, thanks so much for letting me know! I will have to see how feasible it is to get transportation from WL to FW.....hmmm....

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!

Thanks! I can't believe your trip is so close now... I'm getting super jellies!

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!

Definitely add it, and before they close for the refurb too!

P.S. notice anything new in my signature?

OMG!! YAAAAY!!!

Does this mean margaritas?

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.

Welcome, Dee!

I just noticed Kouzzina does a breakfast... have you ever tried it? I'm wondering if it might be a good option one day when we're at BWI.... just to break up the club level breakfasts....hmm...

I also love Greek food, but we sadly lack good options around here. Lots of Persian, Afghani (sp?), and general Mediterranean, but no real GREEK. There was a place downtown (DC) but I really don't care for driving into the city. Perhaps we should look into an ADR....

....back off to plan!

 

[PixieMama]

OMG!! YAAAAY!!!

Does this mean margaritas?

Heck yeah, it does!

We're officially booked for the 14th through 18th. I'm sure I'll start a PTR one of these days...

 

[jenneth79]

I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I can’t believe it’s over 80 degrees here in Virginia today, the weather has been super crazy this winter. We’re going to be slow on the updates this weekend as we’re heading up to Gettysburg for an annual St. Patrick’s Day vacation with two other couples. It’s a lot of fun, we rent out an Inn (it’s gorgeous too: http://www.innatlincolnsquare.com/ ) and just wander about for the weekend, I love the history there.

My best friend is convinced there is a ghost that haunts the house, and wants to “contact” it. This should be interesting…..

As for Disney, I was able to talk to the YC/BC IPO (who also handles BWI) and they are going to handle all of our ADRs for our entire stay, which is great, and means we have a better shot of getting some of the more coveted reservations. Fingers crossed! We also got an email from the GF IPO who were very nice as well, and they sent over some information about a few extras that we are going to look into. (I have to surprise my husband with a few things, at least!!!) I really love how helpful the IPO groups are at Disney, that alone really makes staying Club Level worth it in my opinion.

Those of you who remember my PTR from last year knew that I had put on a lot of weight in 2010/2011. I didn’t manage to take it off last year and on our February trip, I weighed 163 pounds. I am determined to get back to my “happy” weight by this October, which is 130 pounds. It’s a long way to go, but I think if I can hit the “slow and steady” path I should be able to accomplish my goal. I did the math a few weeks ago, and I think it worked out to about one pound per week. That’s doable.

So far, I’ve managed to get down to 160 pounds by watching what I eat (using MyFitnessPal app to track calories and exercise) and last week I bought the Zumba 2 game for the Wii.

Holy merengue, batman, that stuff is for serious!

I know I look like a complete idiot bouncing around in my living room each day, but you work up a serious sweat doing it! I’m averaging about 45 minutes 4 days a week on it. I think I’m going to try to get it to 5 days a week alternating between 45 and 60 minute “classes”. Then when I start losing some actual weight, also work in 2-3 days per week of strength training. My goal is to be able to wear a bathing suit on our vacation that doesn’t hide my stomach. We’ll see….

So all in all, not much of an update today. I will leave you with a picture of my cat Bailey, yesterday. She decided that she wanted to do a little Disney research:

 

[Chelley00]

Jumping in. We'll be there the same time as you, but we're boring and will stay put our entire trip I've always wanted to try a split stay, but I'm too much of a worry wart and I think it would freak me out to have to pack and move all the time. I like living vicariously through people who are braver than I so I can't wait to read about your different stays!

 

[photographymom517]

I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I can’t believe it’s over 80 degrees here in Virginia today, the weather has been super crazy this winter. We’re going to be slow on the updates this weekend as we’re heading up to Gettysburg for an annual St. Patrick’s Day vacation with two other couples. It’s a lot of fun, we rent out an Inn (it’s gorgeous too: http://www.innatlincolnsquare.com/ ) and just wander about for the weekend, I love the history there.

So far, I’ve managed to get down to 160 pounds by watching what I eat (using MyFitnessPal app to track calories and exercise) and last week I bought the Zumba 2 game for the Wii.

Holy merengue, batman, that stuff is for serious!

I know I look like a complete idiot bouncing around in my living room each day, but you work up a serious sweat doing it! I’m averaging about 45 minutes 4 days a week on it. I think I’m going to try to get it to 5 days a week alternating between 45 and 60 minute “classes”. Then when I start losing some actual weight, also work in 2-3 days per week of strength training. My goal is to be able to wear a bathing suit on our vacation that doesn’t hide my stomach. We’ll see….

So all in all, not much of an update today. I will leave you with a picture of my cat Bailey, yesterday. She decided that she wanted to do a little Disney research:

Love the pic of your cat!!! How cute!!! And I love how she's DISing!

That Inn at Gettysburg looks really pretty! I'll have to share the link with my parents! We live about 4 1/2 hours away from there & they travel about once a year to see Gettysburg, Harrisburg, etc. Last year they stayed at The Hotel Hershey but they're looking for somewhere different this year! They LOVED it there but like to try new places!

I'm trying to lose at least 30 pounds before our trip this year! I LOVE MyFitnessPal! I use that and also Slim Down with Jillian Michaels. I refuse to pay for the full version of her app though so I can only see limited things. Luke and I have been doing Just Dance again on the Wii but I really, really want to get Zumba!! A friend of mine from high school attends the classes in town but my schedule never works out to go when she does. I like exercising with Luke anyway! Makes it extremely entertaining!

Have a wonderful trip & Happy St. Patrick's Day a little early!!!

 

[smile4stamps]

Ahhh! The weight loss before a trip goal! I have one of those! But I am starting with a lot more weight! Trying to be realistic on how much I can lose... I bought clothes that are about 1.5 sizes smaller (I'm currently REALLY tight on my current size!) So I am hoping by the trip that those new ones will fit! Being too big would be okay as well! (I bought them all on a clearance Blow-out at Kohl's so its okay if I blow right by that size!)

Good luck with your endeavor!!

 

[natebenma]

Welcome, Dee!

I just noticed Kouzzina does a breakfast... have you ever tried it? I'm wondering if it might be a good option one day when we're at BWI.... just to break up the club level breakfasts....hmm...

I also love Greek food, but we sadly lack good options around here. Lots of Persian, Afghani (sp?), and general Mediterranean, but no real GREEK. There was a place downtown (DC) but I really don't care for driving into the city. Perhaps we should look into an ADR....

....back off to plan!

No, I haven't had any meals at Kouzzina Teena said one of the breakfast items there was her favorite (orange pancakes, I think), but it has been taken off the menu.

I dated a Greek boy before I started going out with Mark. Man, did I hate breaking up with his family!!!

Not too much for Greek around here, but I will cook it on occasion. Grape Leaves on Christmas Eve and for parties, moussaka, pastitsio.

 

[natebenma]

So far, I’ve managed to get down to 160 pounds by watching what I eat (using MyFitnessPal app to track calories and exercise) and last week I bought the Zumba 2 game for the Wii.

Holy merengue, batman, that stuff is for serious!

I know I look like a complete idiot bouncing around in my living room each day, but you work up a serious sweat doing it! I’m averaging about 45 minutes 4 days a week on it. I think I’m going to try to get it to 5 days a week alternating between 45 and 60 minute “classes”. Then when I start losing some actual weight, also work in 2-3 days per week of strength training. My goal is to be able to wear a bathing suit on our vacation that doesn’t hide my stomach. We’ll see….

Love Love Love the picture of Bailey! I fear she may have ulterior motives in checking out the House of Mouse!

Congratuations on your commitment to fitness so far! I am very excited because I won sessions with a personal trainer at the PTA fair I worked at last weekend. Hoping that will get me jump started into some good fitness habits.

Have a great weekend! Sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[PixieMama]

Well, you know I'm in the process of losing weight... I'm down 25 lbs so far, and hope to lose at least 5 more while on this program (3 more weeks to go!) I really need to lose a good 50 lbs overall, so I hope to drop the remaining 20 lbs or so by October.

I've thought about getting Zumba for the Wii. I just bought the Biggest Loser Challenge Wii and have been doing that for the last week. I like it, so far. Though even the Wii version of Jillian Michaels is tough!


Have a fun weekend!

 

[smile4stamps]

Well, you know I'm in the process of losing weight... I'm down 25 lbs so far, and hope to lose at least 5 more while on this program (3 more weeks to go!) I really need to lose a good 50 lbs overall, so I hope to drop the remaining 20 lbs or so by October.

I've thought about getting Zumba for the Wii. I just bought the Biggest Loser Challenge Wii and have been doing that for the last week. I like it, so far. Though even the Wii version of Jillian Michaels is tough!


Have a fun weekend!

I the Biggest Loser Challenge for the Wii!! Of course I have to actually do it for it to work but I had lost over 25 lbs doing it! I've put that all back on unfortunately and I no longer have a TV or Wii so I need to come up with a different way to get my butt moving!

 

[oboedm]

Signing on! Love your plans so far!

 

[jenneth79]

Jumping in. We'll be there the same time as you, but we're boring and will stay put our entire trip I've always wanted to try a split stay, but I'm too much of a worry wart and I think it would freak me out to have to pack and move all the time. I like living vicariously through people who are braver than I so I can't wait to read about your different stays!

Isn't October just a perfect time for a Disney break?

I will admit I was pretty worried at first going the split stay route, but from everything I've been hearing, it sounds like it's not too much of a hassle. Perhaps if I can report good things once we return, you might be able to give it a try in the future!

Love the pic of your cat!!! How cute!!! And I love how she's DISing!

That Inn at Gettysburg looks really pretty! I'll have to share the link with my parents! We live about 4 1/2 hours away from there & they travel about once a year to see Gettysburg, Harrisburg, etc. Last year they stayed at The Hotel Hershey but they're looking for somewhere different this year! They LOVED it there but like to try new places!

I'm trying to lose at least 30 pounds before our trip this year! I LOVE MyFitnessPal! I use that and also Slim Down with Jillian Michaels. I refuse to pay for the full version of her app though so I can only see limited things. Luke and I have been doing Just Dance again on the Wii but I really, really want to get Zumba!! A friend of mine from high school attends the classes in town but my schedule never works out to go when she does. I like exercising with Luke anyway! Makes it extremely entertaining!

Have a wonderful trip & Happy St. Patrick's Day a little early!!!

Yeah, Bailey is my Evil Irish Creme Kitty. She was just trying to keep me off the DIS so she had lap time.

The Inn was wonderful as always.... I'll have to post some pictures tomorrow from our stay, it was great!!!

Ironically, I've never stayed at Hotel Hershey... but then again my aunt lives about 20 minutes away so we have a hard time justifying the expense. (And her house has SUCH a lovely view of 3 Mile Island from the backyard....)

I don't think I could do a Zumba class. No one needs to see me moving about the way as I "dance".

Ahhh! The weight loss before a trip goal! I have one of those! But I am starting with a lot more weight! Trying to be realistic on how much I can lose... I bought clothes that are about 1.5 sizes smaller (I'm currently REALLY tight on my current size!) So I am hoping by the trip that those new ones will fit! Being too big would be okay as well! (I bought them all on a clearance Blow-out at Kohl's so its okay if I blow right by that size!)

Good luck with your endeavor!!

Yay for sales!!!

Thanks, good luck for your goal as well! I figure I WANT to lose 30, I WILL lose 15, and I had BETTER lose more than 10.

Love Love Love the picture of Bailey! I fear she may have ulterior motives in checking out the House of Mouse!

Congratuations on your commitment to fitness so far! I am very excited because I won sessions with a personal trainer at the PTA fair I worked at last weekend. Hoping that will get me jump started into some good fitness habits.

Have a great weekend! Sounds like a lot of fun!

Oh, she had ulterior motives alright. I caught her and her sister trying to update my TR:

"Sowwy. Canz not haz vacashun right now. Need to spends times with kitteh."

That's AWESOME that you got time with a PT... I always wanted to get one, but with my attitude I just know I'll end up not getting along with them...

Well, you know I'm in the process of losing weight... I'm down 25 lbs so far, and hope to lose at least 5 more while on this program (3 more weeks to go!) I really need to lose a good 50 lbs overall, so I hope to drop the remaining 20 lbs or so by October.

I've thought about getting Zumba for the Wii. I just bought the Biggest Loser Challenge Wii and have been doing that for the last week. I like it, so far. Though even the Wii version of Jillian Michaels is tough!

Have a fun weekend!

Yes, and you're looking amazing, I might add!

Jillian Michaels scares me. You're a braver woman than I.

Signing on! Love your plans so far!

I have some new updates coming soon!!!

 

[PixieMama]

Yes, and you're looking amazing, I might add!

Jillian Michaels scares me. You're a braver woman than I.

Aw, thanks!

Well, I'm hoping to lose all this weight... and here I am thinking about upgrading to the DxDP!

On the BL game, I was using both Bob and Jillian as my trainers. I had to switch it to Bob only... I didn't like the Wii Jillian yelling at me, LOL! I'm pretty sure the real Jillian would reduce me to tears.

 

[jenneth79]

Hi Everyone, and happy "humpday"!

I hope your week has been going well. It's nasty and foggy out here in VA, so I'm working on finalizing my plans since the October park hours came out! We've had to make a few changes to our original plans, but I think it's going to work out just fine in the end.

I also made sure I pre-ordered my Photopass CD today, as the rumor is even the pre-order price goes up tomorrow! I can see spending 100 dollars on my photopass CD, but 170???!?!? No way.

I was inspired by Emma's PTR and made an itinerary of sorts for our trip....if any of you think you're crazy over planners, have no fear - I am probably worse.

Want proof?

Told ya.... Certifiable.

Celebrating my hubby's birthday tonight, probably making pizza and watching the Muppets!

Anyway, hope all is well, day to day plans coming soon!

TTFN

Jen

 

[PixieMama]

Happy Birthday to your hubby! Sounds like a nice way to celebrate!

I pre-ordered my PhotoPass CD, too! Even better, my BFF is going with her family the week before Shane and I are going... so we're splitting the PhotoPass.

For past trips, I've just made notes in a notebook. This trip? I'm going all out and making a planning binder! So I'll join you in the nuthouse!

 

[oboedm]

I preordered a CD yesterday too.... for our trip next year! I can stomach $100, but not more than that! I have always said, though, that I would be willing to pay an extra $50 for ride photos to be added automatically, like they are at Test Track. I hate paying for ride photos and we usually just do the redneck thing and take a picture of the monitor!

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Jen - great work on the spreadsheet! I find myself reworking mine all the time... for next summer's cruise I have about three versions of 'the plan'.. as we're yet to decide our itinerary!

I need to double check those October park hours - I think mine are still estimates from Touring Plans website



Emma x

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

It's ok, I have a spreadsheet like that that compares my class schedule to my boyfriend's. It was the only way we could figure out when (and if) we had time to hang out during the day.

 

[smile4stamps]

I have 3 spreadsheets! One with the official hours all over it. One with my plans and hopeful ADR's and one comparing whether the DDxP, OOP, or TIW are better deals! I tweek something everyday on my main one! Unfortunately I need to get my ADR's set and then hope the F&W events I want fit into it!!

Mine is not near as pretty as yours though!!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Happy Bleated Birthday to Hubby!
Hope you guys had a nice night last night!