Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[eandesmom]

You have a great top 10!

Thanks! I'm quite pleased

That's a great list....looks like democracy works!

Surprisingly....very different results than I was expecting I must say.

shhh, don't say that too loud...my kids might hear.

I like your system for voting on the ADR's. Looks like you got two of your top choices - Ohana and Sanna. That's great!

it was really fun. Actually one of the funniest parts was Eric's comments in the margins...

Of course he also kept trying to give ratings like 1061...



I really wanted Kouzzina too and am pretty excited about Tutto. Definitely the least excited about Big River and then Teppan. Except the kids LOVE Teppan so much, it will be fabulous and I fully expected that to make it in. It's kind of how you felt about AP. Not the best meal but the best overall experience.

If I recall, didn't you just have a good lunch at Tusker and really enjoy it?

I am thankful for Jackie's recent Tutto review as it wasn't on my original list and the menu clearly blew Mama Melrose out of the water!

It's funny, I was really worried about one Boardwalk one making it in as I wanted to make it over there, it's walking distance from the YC and it's just so fun and BOTH made it. Wierd!

Nothing really "wrong" with Big River, it's just a very typical kind of place we'd eat normally but, that's ok. Doug will love it so that's good.

It will be interesting to see if Sandie and Paul's choices change anything.

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry I've been MIA - - I really missed a lot! (that's what I'm sad about!)



I too enjoy reading everyone's traditions - Cynthia, that is funny about Jim and Christmas Carol!

Christmas Eve has always been the "mom's day" (Grandma Sweeney, than my mom, and now me - we as kids always knew where we'd be on Christmas Eve - and now my kids do the same! Even tho DS#1 is married, he's made it a tradition to go to DW party, but be back here in time to gather, and then sleep to wake up here on Christmas day!! This year her 17 year old sister got kicked out - and now lives with them - Santa came here. We overwhelmed the poor girl - her mom only gives them a $15 gift card - Santa brought her 1 box of Reeses Cereal, 3 different kinds of cookies, PJ's, 1 CD, and 1 pair of Target "ugg" style boots. Doesnt that break your heart? It does mine!)

Christmas Eve - snacks - Shrimp, veggies, cheese... and the Elves enjoy champagne while they wrap. till 2 am (why always that late? )

Christmas Day - PRESENTS. DH stays up on Eve to bake homemade cinnamon rolls - this year DS #2 and DH had a bake off!! LOL

I always make sure santa brings a "toy" this year the boys got a "Hog" with a lazer pointer that the car sticks to the ceiling and walls and varoom varoom! This was a HUGE Hit! Santa couldnt find szhu zshu pets but found "bugs" at Toys R Us - a micro chip - that moves thru vibration it was hysterical

Yikes... too much info...

we also make Martha Stewarts Prime Rib, roasted potatoes, and Yorkshire PUdding! YUM!!

Not too much info at all!

We usually have nog while we wrap...or Bailey's but were WAY too tired. In bed by 1 but Evan was up at 6 so we were some tired puppies the next day..and of course up until 1 again!

I'm glad santa came for your DIL's sister, that is very sad.

 

[All7OfUs]

New Year's traditions? Hmmm... not really. Some years it's to a friend's house til 1:00 or so, then to bed. Other years it to bed by 10:00.

Most years, at least when we're "over here" we get some awesome, and I do mean AWESOME fireworks since we live very close to the original source of fireworks. We literally live right behind the Central Square where they get lit off, so we can sit on our couch, open up the curtains and see a Disney quality show right out the window. It's VERY cool!! Maybe I should put on WIshes this year. Oh wait, I don't have that one. Remind me to pick that up on my trip.

Cynthia, I LOVE how the dining all came down. YOu're right, there are some big surprises there! Big River grille??!! Huh? Sanaa #2??!! That's very surprising, but a slick deal for you!! NIce! I was also happy to see Kouzzina way up there for you too, since that was rather non-negot.

I think you're set up for some great eats!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your top ten choices all look yummy! Teppan Edo, Tutto Italia, and Tusker House are all favorites of ours!

 

[eandesmom]

New Year's traditions? Hmmm... not really. Some years it's to a friend's house til 1:00 or so, then to bed. Other years it to bed by 10:00.

Most years, at least when we're "over here" we get some awesome, and I do mean AWESOME fireworks since we live very close to the original source of fireworks. We literally live right behind the Central Square where they get lit off, so we can sit on our couch, open up the curtains and see a Disney quality show right out the window. It's VERY cool!! Maybe I should put on WIshes this year. Oh wait, I don't have that one. Remind me to pick that up on my trip.

Cynthia, I LOVE how the dining all came down. YOu're right, there are some big surprises there! Big River grille??!! Huh? Sanaa #2??!! That's very surprising, but a slick deal for you!! NIce! I was also happy to see Kouzzina way up there for you too, since that was rather non-negot.

I think you're set up for some great eats!!

You should get Wishes to play. Or just play the William Tell overture really loud or soemthing!

New Years Eve is always a bit of a crap shoot for us. We've ended up with spontaneous gatherings at our house the last few years but I suspect this one will be just us and that's ok. We'll watch UP, eat something yummy (maybe veal chops and scalloped potatoes?) and watch the ball drop on TV with a nice roaring fire.

I have to admit if you just look at the Big River Grille menu, I can see why it rated so highly with my clan. It doesn't get very good reviews but it will be fine. It's just a decent brewpub and it IS on the boardwalk so I am good. If I'm really honest what I remember from eating there in 04 is that the beer was ok (not stellar but fine and the best we'd found on the trip which wasn't saying much lol) and the food was fine, just seemed pricey and a bit fancy for a brewpub. Of course the fact that we didn't have an ADR and waited an hour for a table (or more I think but Jeff says an hour) might have added to my perception of overpriced.

We did few meals not at our rental house on the last trip and had been snacking all week and Epcot F&W carts so at the time it seemed REALLY expensive by comparison. Looking at it now it doesn't seem so but when we first got together the cost of feeding all 6 of us out was a huge sticker shock for both of us. This could be an OOP meal but they do have lots of sandwiches which is what most of the kids would choose anyway so it's probably a good thing to have in the mix. Not a great use of DDP if that's what they order but good if OOP.

I did go back and look and while I could adjust my vote and change the end results, all that would do is knock Tusker out with either CP or Coral Reef and I'm inclined to keep it in with those as the options. Besides I don't want to eat at Epcot 3 times! With the exception of Kouzzina, all in the top 7 got a vote of 4 or higher by the kids. Tay gave Kouzzina a 3, which surprises me, I'd have expected that out of Kendall! Actually I'd have expected lower than that lol.

Personally I'd swap Big River for Captains Grille. Sadly with as high up as it is, it will only move if Sandie and Paul's votes really tweak the order quite a bit. But then again...I'm thinking Big River could be perfect for everyone else on our date night assuming we do one.

Overall I did great. I got my must haves without having to play the mom overrule card and I'm fine with everything else.

Your top ten choices all look yummy! Teppan Edo, Tutto Italia, and Tusker House are all favorites of ours!

We love Teppan and I'm excited to try Tusker and Tutto. Having Tusker and Sanaa both in creates a bit of an itinerary quandary for me but I'll work through it.

 

[All7OfUs]

We love Teppan and I'm excited to try Tusker and Tutto. Having Tusker and Sanaa both in creates a bit of an itinerary quandary for me but I'll work through it.

I'd be surprised if you didn't have one!! HA! No worries- we love those, and love to "work with them".

 

[glennbo123]

shhh, don't say that too loud...my kids might hear.

That's kind of what I was thinking too -- I like my fascist style of planning. It's good to be the king!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Noon takes us to my sisters for brunch, made to order scrambles made by my other sister and this year my brother is insisting on adding biscuits and gravy to the mix, a healthy version with soy sausage...he says it's the bomb so I will report!

That sort of dish could get a fellow incarcerated in Texas! I’m pretty sure the words Soy and Sausage have never been seen together in the grocery stores down this way!

and they might surprise you! Some of them surprised me quite a bit though in general, in a good way.

We told the kids about the trip this morning and then passed menu's around the table. Everyone got to vote based on a 5 point scale, 5 being the highest rating. So, based on a 30 point scale...here are the results!

1. Ohana 29
2. Sanaa 28.5
3. Big River Grille 28
4. Teppan Edo 28
5. Tutto Italia 27.7
6. Kouzzina 26.5
7. Tusker House 26.2
8. Coral Reef 26.1
9. Crystal Palace 26
10. Captains Grille 25.5
11. Mama Melrose 25.3
12. Cape May 24.5
13. Le Cellier 24
14. Beaches and Cream 23.5
15. Wave 23
16. Tokyo Dining 22
17. Rose and Crown 20.8
18. Les Chefs 19
19. Yak and Yeti 17

I'm sending Sandie the top 10, we will see if their votes alters anything. As it stands that would have us eating at

Epcot WS - 2
AK - 1
Boardwalk - 2
AKL - 1
Poly - 1

Which makes 4 of them in walking distance from our resort so I do like that part. Although it may not be the top 7 I'd have chosen (though several of my top picks made the cut) it is a nice variety of foods so that is good too!

Awesome picks! Looks like y'all are going to be smacking down some good eats.

 

[Happydog]

Wow I have really got to catch up, but I wanted to wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I am enjoying reading about your plans, I like the restaurants that you have selected -- especially Sanaa! I want to try Tutto's too! CP had a great meal there this past fall, and I have heard some great reviews! I think you picked out some winners!

Loved reading about your holiday plans!

 

[eandesmom]

I'd be surprised if you didn't have one!! HA! No worries- we love those, and love to "work with them".

Ok I have 2 "complications". The 2 dinners in the AK area complicates things as I was just planning on one full day at AK on the evening EMH day. So now do I do 1.5 days there or 2 afternoons, one being on the evening EMH? That could cut into potential firework viewing if I'm not super careful.

I don't know if Tusker House has later ressies avail on the EMH day, that would be very good to know.

I also have to figure out what the heck to do about Fantasmic. We'll see what happens when park hours come out but right now F! is on Sun, Tues and Thurs (based on last years same day/month schedule which is a good baseline). Sun is arrival, I want to do MK that night and based on the voting, Ohana. Tues and Thurs are EMH at Epcot which works perfectly for the 2 WS choices. It does not work well for F!

Hmmn.

That's kind of what I was thinking too -- I like my fascist style of planning. It's good to be the king!

in your own mind if nowhere else.

In my house, it's Empress.

Which was actually a question on a "table conversation" card game/thing my MIL got us. You read a card at dinner to start conversation with the kids. We broke it in the day after Christmas. This was "what would you like your nickname to be?"

That sort of dish could get a fellow incarcerated in Texas! I’m pretty sure the words Soy and Sausage have never been seen together in the grocery stores down this way!


Awesome picks! Looks like y'all are going to be smacking down some good eats.

He ended up using chicken sausage and there was nothing remotely healthy about it. Darn good though could have used a little more pepper.

I'm quite pleased with how it all turned out. I was really expecting some different results.

Wow I have really got to catch up, but I wanted to wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I am enjoying reading about your plans, I like the restaurants that you have selected -- especially Sanaa! I want to try Tutto's too! CP had a great meal there this past fall, and I have heard some great reviews! I think you picked out some winners!

Loved reading about your holiday plans!

Welcome back, I'm SO looking forward to your new TR! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CP's review is what got Tutto on the list and I know how you feel about Sanaa! I cannot wait to go there! Did Kouzzina end up making it for this trip? I can't recall. Just wondering if I'll have to wait until Jordan eats there to hear about it...which could be after my trip.

 

[glennbo123]

In my house, it's Empress.

Which was actually a question on a "table conversation" card game/thing my MIL got us. You read a card at dinner to start conversation with the kids. We broke it in the day after Christmas. This was "what would you like your nickname to be?"

Was Empress your response or what others thought it should be?
Let's try it out: "It's good to be the Empress." Yep, still works!

CP's review is what got Tutto on the list and I know how you feel about Sanaa! I cannot wait to go there! Did Kouzzina end up making it for this trip? I can't recall. Just wondering if I'll have to wait until Jordan eats there to hear about it...which could be after my trip.

My DW is still holding a grudge against Sanaa for the long wait we had to get seated, so she doesn't want to eat there when we go in June. (Fortunately, she can't stay mad at me for very long, even when she wants to.) But I really liked it once we got into the place.

 

[eandesmom]

Was Empress your response or what others thought it should be?
Let's try it out: "It's good to be the Empress." Yep, still works


My DW is still holding a grudge against Sanaa for the long wait we had to get seated, so she doesn't want to eat there when we go in June. (Fortunately, she can't stay mad at me for very long, even when she wants to.) But I really liked it once we got into the place.

Oh I remember that, it was ridiculous how long you had to wait! That would not go over well with Jeff at all, hopefully that will not happen but if I recall you had truly great service which makes up for almost anything in my book.

Empress was my response. If my middle sister is the Queen, my baby sister Princess, I figure that makes me the Empress.

It hasn't stuck yet.

 

[winkers]

Empress was my response. If my middle sister is the Queen, my baby sister Princess, I figure that makes me the Empress.

It hasn't stuck yet.

from this day forth, I shall refer to you as empress...

 

[eandesmom]

from this day forth, I shall refer to you as empress...

 

[All7OfUs]

Finally able to make my morning rounds. Dr. 7, Calling, Dr. 7. Code Red, you've missed posts!

Anyway, don't have long this AM, I have a medicinal pineapple upside-down cake in the cooker for our office party at 1:00. Should be fun!

By the way, Dr. 7 charges extra for Empresses.

 

[englishrose47]

Good Choices for meals !!! I think you need to change your Dis Name though ! To Eand EsEmpress! or just EEE!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Finally able to make my morning rounds. Dr. 7, Calling, Dr. 7. Code Red, you've missed posts!

Anyway, don't have long this AM, I have a medicinal pineapple upside-down cake in the cooker for our office party at 1:00. Should be fun!

By the way, Dr. 7 charges extra for Empresses.

I have? really? Where? I double checked! I missed Sandy but caught it, albeit late....

I was working ALL DAY on my sisters wedding paper(s).

Can you say Bridezilla?

Ok not really but wow, it was a little higher maintenance than I'd expected.

Good Choices for meals !!! I think you need to change your Dis Name though ! To Eand EsEmpress! or just EEE!!!!

That's awesome Rosie!

 

[All7OfUs]

No , I meant ME!! I always wake up and wonder what kind of great stuff I missed overnight. Don't panic, I was poking fun at my OCD self.

 

[eandesmom]

No , I meant ME!! I always wake up and wonder what kind of great stuff I missed overnight. Don't panic, I was poking fun at my OCD self.

Whew. Ok the fact that I panicked is kind of funny.

 

[All7OfUs]

Whew. Ok the fact that I panicked is kind of funny.

It is. and proves that we are basically 2 peas in a pod. Can we be smothered in cheese sauce?? I really like cheese sauce.