If I say it out loud, will my wish come true.. PTR May 2011(Link to TR pg41)

[pinkxray]

Dining Plans- DONE!!!! (finally)

As we all know, I have dining issues. I have changed my adrs 100 times. Do I do the dining plan, quick service plan with oop meals, dxdp? Do I pick plans we haven’t tried before or places we loved last time. How can I possibly fit in all the places I want to try without being too scheduled.

After completely stressing out over the last few days, I have finalized my dining plans. I decided not to add the dining plan to the beginning of the week. Since I am known to change my mind I hurried over to the Disney store website and quickly purchased Disney gift cards for the amount the ddp would cost me for our first 6 nights.

I have also been trying to fit in the Plaza and after hearing some bad reviews of Via Napoli considered canceling that. In the end I decided we will keep Via Napoli and form our own opinion.

I also just cancelled our Crystal Palace adr. Caitlin has no interest and I really want to see the rope drop show. Now, that gives me room to try the Plaza.

Here is our final adr lineup:
Sat- Via Napoli
Sun- RFC breakfast, Ohana (not looking forward to paying for this one OOP, but I’m hoping handing over the gift card will make the $18 chicken nugget meal DD eats easier)
Mon- Liberty Tree Tavern lunch, Plaza dinner
Tues- kona breakfast
Wed- T-rex dinner
Thurs- Boma breakfast, dinner at DTD (HOB, EOS?)

Here is where our DXDP weekend begins
Fri- Sci Fi lunch, Mama Melrose
Sat- Akershus breakfast, Tutto dinner
Sun- Cape May breakfast, Sci Fi lunch or dinner (can’t decide which one)

I am very happy that I squeezed in everything I really wanted to try and feel good about the OOP- gift card. That way I won’t feel bad if we cancel anything. I know it would annoy me every time I would cancel a ts meal on the ddp.


6 weeks from now I will be on the plane to Orlando! Via Napoli here I come!

 

[crostorfer]

Congratulations on the weight loss Diane! I'm so happy for you!

I think buying Disney gift card in the amount of the dining plan is a FANTASTIC idea! In fact, I'm going to the Disney Store this afternoon to pick up our Tangled dvd we pre-ordered and I am going to do the exact same thing. Its brilliant! LOL.

I hope to catch you at Ohana on Sunday night!!! Are you going to do EMH at the MK after your dinner? We are planning on going over and doing at least a couple things. I love to ride Big Thunder Mountain at night, it's a totally different experience than riding during the day.

On a work related note, I am kind of miserable working full time, lol. Working in an ortho clinic has a lot of advantages. All my patients are walky talky, which is a bonus, and the whole Monday-Friday, weekends and holidays off thing is great, but I don't get to really be an x-ray tech. I have to work the front desk and do a bunch of nurse stuff too, and it reeeeeeeeeally stinks.

We are under 45 days!!! No turning back now! I am so excited I just about can't contain myself. I kind of want to pack right now, lol.

 

[tinacaplan]

Via Napoli looks so good. I have read some bad reviews though.People saying the crust wasn't cooked all the way, things like that. I can deal with it being ordinary but not gross. I know you can always send food back but then you have to spend more time in a restaurant. I am hoping it will turn out okay.


I would watch the 1st four movies if you could. They always have marathons on ABC family where they show them all.

Don't worry, when you get back from your trip I'll still have like another 3 years to wait until my trip. At least you get to go back every year.
My trip isn't here yet and I am already bummed that it is almost over.

Yeah, the crust was pretty soggy, as far as what I'm used to do for thin-crust pizza. But, again, I have to admit that a big part of why I think we weren't thrilled was that it was the last night of our trip and we were DONE with restaurant food at that point, especially after a whole week of the Deluxe Dining Plan!

And its so hard with the planning of trips. I wish I knew for sure we could swing a trip a year, at least...ideally, I think, I'd go every February vacation and then in July, as well, but unless we win the lottery or something sometime soon, that's not happening! If only plane fare weren't such a consideration, that would make things much cheaper and easier.

I understand not being on the boards much when you aren't planning a trip. We aren't going back after this trip for awhile. Mostly likely 3 years, so I'll probably have a tough time getting though my trip report.

I just felt awful for Caitlin. Usually when she is sick she'll bounce back in a day or two. I couldn't believe she was out for almost 4 days. She seems back to normal now.


I can't wait!! It seems like March flew by so I am hoping April will be the same way.

Happy to hear that Caitlin is feeling better. Its so hard to take care of sick kids.


Glad that March flew by for someone! It felt like the month that would never end! We had the state tests to get through at school, were waiting to resolve another matter on the personal front, and had Max's surgery the very last day of the month. Plus, in the middle of it all, my uncle was diagnosed with cancer that's in three different places on his body: brain, kidney, and lung. Needless to say, I'm THRILLED its April finally! And, hey, maybe spring will finally come one of these days!

It's April!!!! That means I can finally say-

We're going to WDW next month


It's about time!

YAY! That's always an important milestone to hit!

Dining Plans- DONE!!!! (finally)

As we all know, I have dining issues. I have changed my adrs 100 times. Do I do the dining plan, quick service plan with oop meals, dxdp? Do I pick plans we haven’t tried before or places we loved last time. How can I possibly fit in all the places I want to try without being too scheduled.

After completely stressing out over the last few days, I have finalized my dining plans. I decided not to add the dining plan to the beginning of the week. Since I am known to change my mind I hurried over to the Disney store website and quickly purchased Disney gift cards for the amount the ddp would cost me for our first 6 nights.

I have also been trying to fit in the Plaza and after hearing some bad reviews of Via Napoli considered canceling that. In the end I decided we will keep Via Napoli and form our own opinion.

I also just cancelled our Crystal Palace adr. Caitlin has no interest and I really want to see the rope drop show. Now, that gives me room to try the Plaza.

Here is our final adr lineup:
Sat- Via Napoli
Sun- RFC breakfast, Ohana (not looking forward to paying for this one OOP, but I’m hoping handing over the gift card will make the $18 chicken nugget meal DD eats easier)
Mon- Liberty Tree Tavern lunch, Plaza dinner
Tues- kona breakfast
Wed- T-rex dinner
Thurs- Boma breakfast, dinner at DTD (HOB, EOS?)

Here is where our DXDP weekend begins
Fri- Sci Fi lunch, Mama Melrose
Sat- Akershus breakfast, Tutto dinner
Sun- Cape May breakfast, Sci Fi lunch or dinner (can’t decide which one)

I am very happy that I squeezed in everything I really wanted to try and feel good about the OOP- gift card. That way I won’t feel bad if we cancel anything. I know it would annoy me every time I would cancel a ts meal on the ddp.


6 weeks from now I will be on the plane to Orlando! Via Napoli here I come!

Your dining plans look good. We loved Tutto when we tried it. We're actually not doing any dining plan this time out. We left more than a few credits behind on the last trip and you can end up in a situation where you feel like your entire trip is being run by ADRs. I also wasn't aware that there were so many excellent CS options out there. Not to mention all the snacks and treats... It would be hard to go hungry at Disney no matter what, I think!

Congratulations on the weight loss. One of these days I might have time to re-focus myself on that. Hasn't happened yet. I just work too much and its hard when Max is so small. I have a two hour window between when I get hom and he goes to bed, which would be my prime time to get to a gym or anything. Maybe now that the weather's improving, we can start walking together again.

 

[Queila]

Congratulations on losing the weight. Isn't it amazing to be in your normal weight bracket? I did not even remember what it felt like to be this thin in a long time. Way to go!!!!!

The plans for the DHS sound good. I guess in a crowded day like that the key is to go with the flow and try not to stress about the long lines. The BEauty and the Beast show is one of our favorites. e got to the theater half an hour before the beginning of the show las time and were abe to secure very good sits.

Have a great weekend..

Q

 

[pinkxray]

Congratulations on the weight loss Diane! I'm so happy for you!


Thank you!

I think buying Disney gift card in the amount of the dining plan is a FANTASTIC idea! In fact, I'm going to the Disney Store this afternoon to pick up our Tangled dvd we pre-ordered and I am going to do the exact same thing. Its brilliant! LOL.

I hope it works out. I have a little extra cash saved and figure we'll end up somewhere between ddp and dxdp. We'll see.


I hope to catch you at Ohana on Sunday night!!! Are you going to do EMH at the MK after your dinner? We are planning on going over and doing at least a couple things. I love to ride Big Thunder Mountain at night, it's a totally different experience than riding during the day.


I am hoping to get to EMH. We have never been to any and now that we don't have to make it to CP at 8:10 we can get an extra hour of sleep Mon. I just need to convince DH.


On a work related note, I am kind of miserable working full time, lol. Working in an ortho clinic has a lot of advantages. All my patients are walky talky, which is a bonus, and the whole Monday-Friday, weekends and holidays off thing is great, but I don't get to really be an x-ray tech. I have to work the front desk and do a bunch of nurse stuff too, and it reeeeeeeeeally stinks.

I keep saying that if I don't get a certain amount of hours I'll start looking elsewhere for a job. I have just been enjoying my time off way too much. I think I'll give my job the summer and see how that goes.


We are under 45 days!!! No turning back now! I am so excited I just about can't contain myself. I kind of want to pack right now, lol.

I can't wait to get the suitcases in the car and head to the airport. I'm ready!

 

[ksl5f123]

Congrats on the walking/jogging and the weight loss. I am just 5 lbs away from the "normal" range, but by golly those are a stubborn 5 lbs.

I think your ADRs look great. It seems to be a nice mix of your favorite placees and some new things to try.

 

[pinkxray]

Yeah, the crust was pretty soggy, as far as what I'm used to do for thin-crust pizza. But, again, I have to admit that a big part of why I think we weren't thrilled was that it was the last night of our trip and we were DONE with restaurant food at that point, especially after a whole week of the Deluxe Dining Plan!


I have seen multiple reports of soggy, raw crust which is making me a bit nervous. I have also seen reviews where people love it. I think we'll keep the adr for now and see how we feel when we get there. We might end up walking over to Beaches and Cream or the Fountain at Dolphin.

And its so hard with the planning of trips. I wish I knew for sure we could swing a trip a year, at least...ideally, I think, I'd go every February vacation and then in July, as well, but unless we win the lottery or something sometime soon, that's not happening! If only plane fare weren't such a consideration, that would make things much cheaper and easier.

I would love to know that we could go back every other year. One year Disney, next year somewhere else. DH just doesn't get Disney He took one trip as a kid and thinks that is all a kid needs. How I have managed to get him there 4 times is impressive to me.


Happy to hear that Caitlin is feeling better. Its so hard to take care of sick kids.

Oh yeah, she's back to her normal, bossy self. At least when she is sick she is just the sweetest, quiestest little girl. And she always wants Mommy. I can tell as soon as she gets better b/c then she goes right back to wanting Daddy for everything.

Glad that March flew by for someone! It felt like the month that would never end! We had the state tests to get through at school, were waiting to resolve another matter on the personal front, and had Max's surgery the very last day of the month. Plus, in the middle of it all, my uncle was diagnosed with cancer that's in three different places on his body: brain, kidney, and lung. Needless to say, I'm THRILLED its April finally! And, hey, maybe spring will finally come one of these days!


Sorry to hear about your awful month. I hope April is better for you. It has started off right, since you have a nice new ticker

YAY! That's always an important milestone to hit!




Your dining plans look good. We loved Tutto when we tried it. We're actually not doing any dining plan this time out. We left more than a few credits behind on the last trip and you can end up in a situation where you feel like your entire trip is being run by ADRs. I also wasn't aware that there were so many excellent CS options out there. Not to mention all the snacks and treats... It would be hard to go hungry at Disney no matter what, I think!

Tutto looks so good. I would be happy snacking thru Disney. I am happy we aren't doing a dining plan for the majority of the trip. That way we can cancel what we want, when we want and just grab snacks or cs if needed.


Congratulations on the weight loss. One of these days I might have time to re-focus myself on that. Hasn't happened yet. I just work too much and its hard when Max is so small. I have a two hour window between when I get hom and he goes to bed, which would be my prime time to get to a gym or anything. Maybe now that the weather's improving, we can start walking together again.

If I was working full time there is no way I could do this. The thing that makes it easy right now is that I have nothing but time. Work is slow right now and I figure before it picks up in the summer, I should use the time to myself the best way I can.

I was so busy the first few years of Caitlin's life that I pretty much ate potato chips or fast food for every meal. Can't imagine why I'm overweight.

 

[pinkxray]

Congratulations on losing the weight. Isn't it amazing to be in your normal weight bracket? I did not even remember what it felt like to be this thin in a long time. Way to go!!!!!

The plans for the DHS sound good. I guess in a crowded day like that the key is to go with the flow and try not to stress about the long lines. The BEauty and the Beast show is one of our favorites. e got to the theater half an hour before the beginning of the show las time and were abe to secure very good sits.

Have a great weekend..

Q

After over 6 years of on/off dieting it feels great!

I don't know how I have never seen that show. B & B is my favorite Disney movie, but no one would go see the show with me last year. It is the one thing I have to do in DHS no matter what.

Congrats on the walking/jogging and the weight loss. I am just 5 lbs away from the "normal" range, but by golly those are a stubborn 5 lbs.

I think your ADRs look great. It seems to be a nice mix of your favorite placees and some new things to try.

Thank you. Over the last few years I have come very close. I have been within 3 lbs. Then, when I would be 3 lbs away, I would feel pretty good and then just quit.

I would like to lose about 10-15 more and I can tell it is going to be a battle. Also knowing that I want to have more kids, sometimes I just feel like what is the point?

 

[tinacaplan]

Thanks and April does certainly look much better already! A new ticker certainly helps tremendously!!! Plus being off for a week is definitely going to help, too. Now, if we could just get it to warm up around here and feel like SPRING!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Congrats on the weight loss and the exercising!! That's so wonderful!

And your dining plans sound wonderful! Lots of fun, yummy places to try! If you're doing the Cape May breakfast (and plan on getting full at a buffet like we usually do ) I would probably plan your next meal for an early dinner. That's how we usually eat out of town, two BIG meals a day!

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks and April does certainly look much better already! A new ticker certainly helps tremendously!!! Plus being off for a week is definitely going to help, too. Now, if we could just get it to warm up around here and feel like SPRING!

It is beautiful outside today. It is a bit chilly but I walked down to the beach today and the sun was shining on the water and the sky is nice and blue. Flowers are starting to pop up around here. I hope it warms up a bit for April vacation so I can get Caitlin outside a bit more.

Congrats on the weight loss and the exercising!! That's so wonderful!

And your dining plans sound wonderful! Lots of fun, yummy places to try! If you're doing the Cape May breakfast (and plan on getting full at a buffet like we usually do ) I would probably plan your next meal for an early dinner. That's how we usually eat out of town, two BIG meals a day!

Thanks!
That is a good idea to do the buffet and then dinner. The only thing that bothers me about that is that it will be our last night. I'm not sure I want to spend our last night in DHS, although we could pop over to EMH at MK after Fantasmic.

 

[Vwdiva93]

Hi there! joining in on your PTR kind of late, I have a lot of catching up to do now. Your trip is so soon, how exciting. Your DD is adorable too, I love her Jasmine outfit on your intro page!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I'm not sure I want to spend our last night in DHS, although we could pop over to EMH at MK after Fantasmic.

OOOHHHH...EMH at MK on your last night sounds like a FABULOUS way to end your vacation!! *jealous!*

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Congrats on the weight loss AND on finalizing dining plans! I really could use a little of that motivation you've got! I was doing great with running on my treadmill until I hurt my knee. Now I've been scared to start again. I really should be doing something--that roll around the middle never budges for me!

 

[pinkxray]

Hi there! joining in on your PTR kind of late, I have a lot of catching up to do now. Your trip is so soon, how exciting. Your DD is adorable too, I love her Jasmine outfit on your intro page!

I can't wait for our trip to finally be here. April seems to be dragging on.

Thank you. I think she can be pretty adorable sometimes, lately she has been driving me crazy though.

OOOHHHH...EMH at MK on your last night sounds like a FABULOUS way to end your vacation!! *jealous!*

I hadn't even looked up the times until yesterday. MK until 2am. I am not sure I convince DH to go but I am definitely going to try to make it over there. MK EMH evenings our on my list of things I really want to do. I wonder if I get DD to sleep in the afternoon, if she can make it until 2am with me. Maybe if I load her up with sugar?

Congrats on the weight loss AND on finalizing dining plans! I really could use a little of that motivation you've got! I was doing great with running on my treadmill until I hurt my knee. Now I've been scared to start again. I really should be doing something--that roll around the middle never budges for me!

The first two weeks were so easy. My motivation is starting to slip a bit I haven't been going over my alotted points or anything just not making the healthiest choices. Use calories for chocolate or brown rice? Chocolate seems to be winning over.

We had pizza for dinner the other night, so I decided to walk/jog 6 miles yesterday (in the rain). Today when I tried to jog my knee really hurt. I ended up walking the 3 miles I did with no jogging. I think I'll take a break for a day or two so I don't hurt anything. I don't want any injuries before Disney.

 

[TinksThree]

Congrats on the weight loss! I was doing very good exercising and eating right and then bam! life it me hard and my time includes rush here do that. I am almost tired of pizza, buckets of chicken and hamburgers!! Good luck on future weight loss!!

I loved the picture of Caitlin and DH at the dance...so sweet!!

And, finally, your ADRs look really good!! It made me hungry reading the list!!

Oh, and I have to agree on DHS' layout....not very good planning!

 

[KatMark]

Just checking in to say hi. We are still in Florida for Mark's business trip and hanging with Nicki, but the smoke alarms in the hotel went off at 4:30 and then again at 5 a.m., so I'm just peeking in on everyone's reports.

 

[pinkxray]

Congrats on the weight loss! I was doing very good exercising and eating right and then bam! life it me hard and my time includes rush here do that. I am almost tired of pizza, buckets of chicken and hamburgers!! Good luck on future weight loss!!

I loved the picture of Caitlin and DH at the dance...so sweet!!

And, finally, your ADRs look really good!! It made me hungry reading the list!!

Oh, and I have to agree on DHS' layout....not very good planning!

Ugh, the last few days have been awful. I have been so stressed eating good went right out the window. Back on board tomorrow though. Only 5 weeks left.

ADRs..... Caitlin has informed me of a change she wants to make which of course screws up all of my plans somehow.

Just checking in to say hi. We are still in Florida for Mark's business trip and hanging with Nicki, but the smoke alarms in the hotel went off at 4:30 and then again at 5 a.m., so I'm just peeking in on everyone's reports.

I just saw the picture on your thread. It looks like you guys are having so much fun.

I would not be happy if any alarm went off that early on my vacation. At least you get some time on the Dis though.

Enjoy the rest of your time in FL

 

[pinkxray]

Last night Caitlin and I were on the computer looking at some Disney stuff and I came across a picture of the kid's Mickey sundae at the Plaza. I showed her and she got all excited about getting it and then asked "What characters are there?" Seriously?!?!?!

Since I have been under the assumption she wants no character meals I only had 2 left in my plans- Akershus and Cape May. So I ask her which character she wants to eat with.

"All the characters." Her #1 choice - 'Ohana with Lilo and Stitch which has not been on the list at all in my planning.

I shuffled around a few things and we are having a 7:40 breakfast with Lilo and Stitch.




I also broke down and purchased the touring plans subscribtion. Of course none of my parks match the best parks on the best days. I am not too worried since the crowd predictions for the parks I have aren't too bad.

But I got to thinking... we are staying on site. Who knows if we will stay on site next time. DH and DD liked the 2 bedroom offsite villa we had last year and I'm sure on day we will end up at a Universal resort for at least part of our stay. Shouldn't I try to squeeze in some morning EMH. We have never done them and I think being in AK at 8am sounds pretty cool. Head right to the Safari?


Anyway, I guess my question to everyone is....how do you feel about morning EMH. Plan them in or avoid them? We will have park hoppers so we would most likely do the EMH in whatever park and once it gets busy, head somewhere else.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Oh my gosh! In my opinion, EMHM are awesome!! Especially if you have Park Hoppers! That is really one of the main reasons we stay on-site (that and I absolutely LOVE it!!). Our normal plans for our summer vaca is to get to the parks early then take a mid-day break at the resort pool (and possibly a nap) and then head back to the parks for the evening (EMHE if they're not too busy, but hey! If they are you can always "hop" to another park!).