January 2013

[Marshay]

Wow -- Kim that great about the June trip!!

Also, don't rule out January and the swimming pools. We went last month and it just happened to be beautiful, warm and hot weather.

We changed plans to have a pool day and it was our most relaxing day -- so fun!!

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

Only 338 days lol

 

[letthewookiewin]

Wow -- Kim that great about the June trip!!

Also, don't rule out January and the swimming pools. We went last month and it just happened to be beautiful, warm and hot weather.

We changed plans to have a pool day and it was our most relaxing day -- so fun!!

Yes, I am so excited!! I told DH that this is our chance to "try out" a couple of restaurants before the big double birthday trip. This way if we don't like them, we won't ruin one of our birthdays at a bad restaurant. For the June trip we are eating at Fulton's Crab House, Yak & Yeti, Beirgarten, Teppan Edo, Mama Merose's, Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Tavern, T-Rex, and the California Grill at 9:20 PM and Wishes starts at 10. I'm most excited about the California Grill ADR.

 

[readytogotodisney]

So the other night I went to get something out of my room & the door was locked. Once I got a spoon to unlock it I found my DH laying in bed /w a laptop on his tummy & ear buds in his ears........pricing WDW trips for this year. I couldn't believe he was doing that. I changed our November trip to June. Now we are going in June 2012 and January 2012, which is super awesome b/c we haven't been since October 2006!!! I already have all the ADRs booked for June. This will be our first time at a value, we're staying at the Pop Century.

That's great! Two trips instead of just one!

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

So the other night I went to get something out of my room & the door was locked. Once I got a spoon to unlock it I found my DH laying in bed /w a laptop on his tummy & ear buds in his ears........pricing WDW trips for this year. I couldn't believe he was doing that. I changed our November trip to June. Now we are going in June 2012 and January 2012, which is super awesome b/c we haven't been since October 2006!!! I already have all the ADRs booked for June. This will be our first time at a value, we're staying at the Pop Century.

You are one lucky lady!!! Very cool hope you guys have a blast. I so wish we could afford to go more often. Maybe we should move closer

 

[UndercoverMama]

I'm starting to think maybe we will make ADRs only at places we have never been before... which definitely leaves my options open since we haven't really been that many places... Only one I might not count is TRex since we could still do that OOP on the cheap.. But maybe I would use my credits at Y&Y and make it a vacation of all firsts food wise...

Question - Anyone here ever do HDDR? Is it worth two TS? How was the food? DH loves fried chicken and wants to try TE but I was considering this one too.

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

I'm starting to think maybe we will make ADRs only at places we have never been before... which definitely leaves my options open since we haven't really been that many places... Only one I might not count is TRex since we could still do that OOP on the cheap.. But maybe I would use my credits at Y&Y and make it a vacation of all firsts food wise...

Question - Anyone here ever do HDDR? Is it worth two TS? How was the food? DH loves fried chicken and wants to try TE but I was considering this one too.

I haven't personally done it but my friend and her family did on their last trip. They arrived 30 min prior as directed but actually waited for like an hour so she said the wait was less than desirable. The food and entertainment however were wonderful and lots of fun in her opinion. We are considering this as well. She felt it was worth the 2 TS credits.

 

[letthewookiewin]

You are one lucky lady!!! Very cool hope you guys have a blast. I so wish we could afford to go more often. Maybe we should move closer

Thank you!! The only reason we will be able to move the trip is tax return and money that I get back from school. The June trip could still not happen if money falls through.

I'm starting to think maybe we will make ADRs only at places we have never been before... which definitely leaves my options open since we haven't really been that many places... Only one I might not count is TRex since we could still do that OOP on the cheap.. But maybe I would use my credits at Y&Y and make it a vacation of all firsts food wise...

Question - Anyone here ever do HDDR? Is it worth two TS? How was the food? DH loves fried chicken and wants to try TE but I was considering this one too.

It's not hard for us to make ADRs at places we have never been. The only one that we have eaten at before is the Biergarten. I had thought about paying OOP for T-Rex, but the DH doesn't want to have to pay for any food. He wants as many costs and we can pay ahead of time to be paid. Now I just need to get my mil to get his 1099 done, so we can actually get our taxes done, so I know for sure if this trip is going to happen or not.

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

Thank you!! The only reason we will be able to move the trip is tax return and money that I get back from school. The June trip could still not happen if money falls through.


I totally understand love tax return time. We are using this years to make next years trip a reality as well.

 

[miss_nik_nik]

Yes, I am so excited!! I told DH that this is our chance to "try out" a couple of restaurants before the big double birthday trip. This way if we don't like them, we won't ruin one of our birthdays at a bad restaurant. For the June trip we are eating at Fulton's Crab House, Yak & Yeti, Beirgarten, Teppan Edo, Mama Merose's, Le Cellier, Liberty Tree Tavern, T-Rex, and the California Grill at 9:20 PM and Wishes starts at 10. I'm most excited about the California Grill ADR.

For our trip we were discussing about drinks and dessert at California Grill. Is that allowed? Or better question...is it appropriate or will we get dirty looks the whole time? We'd like to do about an hour or so before Wishes.

I got to see Wishes once from on top of the Contemporary b/c some of our family was staying in the BLT at the time of our trip shhhh ;-) It was definitely magical!

 

[Marshay]

For our trip we were discussing about drinks and dessert at California Grill. Is that allowed? Or better question...is it appropriate or will we get dirty looks the whole time? We'd like to do about an hour or so before Wishes.

I got to see Wishes once from on top of the Contemporary b/c some of our family was staying in the BLT at the time of our trip shhhh ;-) It was definitely magical!

If I remember correctly, CG has a bar section and a restaurant section. You could do your d&d (drinks and dessert) in the bar section and still see the fireworks, view, etc.

I think one hour prior to wishes, esp in January (which means it could be 7 or 8pm), the servers will be expecting you to eat dinner.

dH and I even ate a full meal in the bar section b/c we were lucky enough to get seats right next to the window and weren't giving up that spot!

Now what we've done at other restaurants, is order a few appetizers, a few drinks and a few desserts. Our bill was the same as ordering two entrees (or even more expensive) so no one complained.

 

[dmoore718]

Can't wait until I can make ADR's on July 31! so far away but lots of time to obsess!

 

[miss_nik_nik]

If I remember correctly, CG has a bar section and a restaurant section. You could do your d&d (drinks and dessert) in the bar section and still see the fireworks, view, etc.

I think one hour prior to wishes, esp in January (which means it could be 7 or 8pm), the servers will be expecting you to eat dinner.

dH and I even ate a full meal in the bar section b/c we were lucky enough to get seats right next to the window and weren't giving up that spot!

Now what we've done at other restaurants, is order a few appetizers, a few drinks and a few desserts. Our bill was the same as ordering two entrees (or even more expensive) so no one complained.

Yes there is a bar section that I'd be more than happy to sit at and then go out on the balcony, but I've read that when you check in at the second floor to take the elevator up, they will not allow you to go up unless you have a reservation. Is the bar only for Contemporary Resort guests?

 

[UndercoverMama]

Yeah ok so I know that there is A LOT of time until we go and all, but this is my list of ADRs I want as of today (subject to change.. daily ) if they have free dining

Akershus - breakfast
SciFi - dinner
Crystal Palace - breakfast
Ohana - dinner
Trail's End - dinner ( we want to check out the campfire sing a long)
Cape May - dinner
Chef Mickey - dinner

Now we have been to Chef Mickey's before but for breakfast, not dinner so I am not counting that as a repeat. Everything else would be completely new to us. We have never been to BClub or the Poly or Ft W so it would be nice to see the other resorts too.

Any on this list you would steer away from?

 

[Marshay]

Yeah ok so I know that there is A LOT of time until we go and all, but this is my list of ADRs I want as of today (subject to change.. daily ) if they have free dining

Akershus - breakfast
SciFi - dinner
Crystal Palace - breakfast
Ohana - dinner
Trail's End - dinner ( we want to check out the campfire sing a long)
Cape May - dinner
Chef Mickey - dinner

Now we have been to Chef Mickey's before but for breakfast, not dinner so I am not counting that as a repeat. Everything else would be completely new to us. We have never been to BClub or the Poly or Ft W so it would be nice to see the other resorts too.

Any on this list you would steer away from?

Since they are new to you, I say go for it and enjoy them!

The only one that is "eh" to me for the price-value comparison is Chef Mickeys for dinner. We did dinner one time and thought that there was nothing really special to differentiate this buffet from others and it was more expensive.

Love O'hanas, never did Sci-Fi, Trails' End is like a secret place, good basic food at a cheap Disney price.

I haven't done Akershus or CP for breakfast, but we did dinner and liked them.

Cape May is really good too, esp if you love crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp.

We also tried this past January Garden Grove on Friday night for their seafood buffet and character meal and it was really good! I used a restaurant.com gift certificate to make it even cheaper.

 

[UndercoverMama]

Since they are new to you, I say go for it and enjoy them!

The only one that is "eh" to me for the price-value comparison is Chef Mickeys for dinner. We did dinner one time and thought that there was nothing really special to differentiate this buffet from others and it was more expensive.

Love O'hanas, never did Sci-Fi, Trails' End is like a secret place, good basic food at a cheap Disney price.

I haven't done Akershus or CP for breakfast, but we did dinner and liked them.

Cape May is really good too, esp if you love crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp.

We also tried this past January Garden Grove on Friday night for their seafood buffet and character meal and it was really good! I used a restaurant.com gift certificate to make it even cheaper.

Thanks for the input! I was considering doing a different character meal for dinner instead but it seems like CM is the only place to get the fab five for dinner. Still have plenty of time to go back and forth I am sure LOL

We all love seafood which is why Cape May seems like a good bet. How would you say Garden Grove's seafood buffet compares?

The kids really want SciFi and we didn't go there last time and it is one place they all really want to try.

As far as Akershus and CP I am trying for breakfast because a - I want their clothes to still be clean for pics and b - want to get an early pre-park ADR. If I can't get those times they may end up becoming lunch or dinner reservations....

Happy Valentine's Day Jan Planners!

 

[readytogotodisney]

My sister okay taking her kids out of school and extra day so now we're headed down Saturday -Thursday! We go over MLK Jr day so going that one extra day during the week will really help with avoiding the crowds! Yippee!

Now on Sunday I get to make our first hotel reservation!
We're DVC members so first I reserve our home resort as a backup, and then when our 7 month window rolls around I will switch it to where we really want to stay!

 

[ImaDVCwannabe]

Has anyone done the Wishes Dessert Party? We had been thinking about doing the fireworks cruise but aren't sure if its a great idea given the age of our kids, we are worried our son might get fussy and we are also worried about the possible bathroom issues. Anyway instead we might do the dessert party but don't know much about it. Is it worth the money? Is it good for little ones?

 

[readytogotodisney]

Has anyone done the Wishes Dessert Party? We had been thinking about doing the fireworks cruise but aren't sure if its a great idea given the age of our kids, we are worried our son might get fussy and we are also worried about the possible bathroom issues. Anyway instead we might do the dessert party but don't know much about it. Is it worth the money? Is it good for little ones?

We did it for the first time last month and it was WONDERFUL! Everyone in my family said it was the best thing we did, the view was great, the food was great, and my Dad had said that it was worth the money just for the view and not be packed in with tons of other people during the fireworks. Even my DH who has a gluten allergy was well taken care of there.

The Buffet

Our view (without a zoom)

the fireworks

Below is the special plate that they brought out for him, filled with delicious GF goodies!

ETA: Word of warning this is not a great place to see the Electrical Parade. If this is something you want to see, make plans for another day to see it on the parade route.

 

[Marshay]

Thanks for the input! I was considering doing a different character meal for dinner instead but it seems like CM is the only place to get the fab five for dinner. Still have plenty of time to go back and forth I am sure LOL

We all love seafood which is why Cape May seems like a good bet. How would you say Garden Grove's seafood buffet compares?

The kids really want SciFi and we didn't go there last time and it is one place they all really want to try.

As far as Akershus and CP I am trying for breakfast because a - I want their clothes to still be clean for pics and b - want to get an early pre-park ADR. If I can't get those times they may end up becoming lunch or dinner reservations....

Happy Valentine's Day Jan Planners!

We liked both CMC and GGrove. Garden Grove Seafood buffet is only on Friday nights (other nights are different themed) and they do have characters (Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale). They have a moderate size buffet but also serve you lobster thermidor and a bucket of fried goodies (shrimp, clams and hush puppies). I'll have pictures on my TR when I start it this week!

Garden Grove generally does not get crowded so you have more personal time with characters. When we went this past January at 5:15pm, there were only 2 other diners!! The characters were coming around so much that we actually had to tell them to stop for a few minutes b/c my girls weren't eating but just playing with them!!

I definitely liked the desserts better at Garden Grove.

I felt like CMC had a larger selection of food and is in a more cheerful/bright environment but is always super busy and lots of hustle and bustle. Garden Grove is kind of dark but it has this big beautiful tree growing out of the center of the room and is all lit up so it's very pretty.

GG is at the Swan and does not accept Disney room charges.

I think both are good choices. We've been to CMC for the clambake 3 times now and enjoy it. But at the same time we were getting a bit tired of it and wanted to try something else.

I think Garden Grove is a good comparison restaurant and we will probably go there again, before returning to Cape May, just b/c it's a bit different and offers us a bit more variety (also the $25 gc for only $2 is a great deal!)

My sister okay taking her kids out of school and extra day so now we're headed down Saturday -Thursday! We go over MLK Jr day so going that one extra day during the week will really help with avoiding the crowds! Yippee!

Now on Sunday I get to make our first hotel reservation!
We're DVC members so first I reserve our home resort as a backup, and then when our 7 month window rolls around I will switch it to where we really want to stay!

Yeah!! So glad to get an extra day.

Has anyone done the Wishes Dessert Party? We had been thinking about doing the fireworks cruise but aren't sure if its a great idea given the age of our kids, we are worried our son might get fussy and we are also worried about the possible bathroom issues. Anyway instead we might do the dessert party but don't know much about it. Is it worth the money? Is it good for little ones?

It looks wonderful and seeing the photos below make it even more so. I would love to try it sometime but not with my small kids. Not worth it for us. (my kids are currently 2 and 6). I really don't want to see what my girls would be like with that much sugar, that late at night!

We did it for the first time last month and it was WONDERFUL! Everyone in my family said it was the best thing we did, the view was great, the food was great, and my Dad had said that it was worth the money just for the view and not be packed in with tons of other people during the fireworks. Even my DH who has a gluten allergy was well taken care of there.

The Buffet

Our view (without a zoom)

the fireworks

Below is the special plate that they brought out for him, filled with delicious GF goodies!

ETA: Word of warning this is not a great place to see the Electrical Parade. If this is something you want to see, make plans for another day to see it on the parade route.

Thanks for the photos!! This is definitely on my list for just DH and I or when my girls are older!