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

[eandesmom]

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

But I'm worth it

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.

I like cheese. Especially cheese fondue!

Which oddly enough happens to be one of Eric's favorite things to say, out of the blue for no apparent reason

"I like cheese"

 

[jordanyosh]

Triple E,

The only one on your list that I am not really familiar with is Big River Grille. I ate there maybe 10 years ago, but don't really remember much about it. Maybe I was drunk (that wouldn't be that hard to imagine). All the other ones are

cheese is gud.

 

[creativeamanda]

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!

Next. Now that the votes are in, what the heck does it do to my binder pages and what DID the kids think when they heard we were going again!

Those are some great choices, Cynthia! I love them! Especially Tutto Italia and Ohana!

 

[All7OfUs]

But I'm worth it



I like cheese. Especially cheese fondue!

Which oddly enough happens to be one of Eric's favorite things to say, out of the blue for no apparent reason

"I like cheese"

Well, then if Eric needs another Auntie, send him on over! We could show him the ropes AND some really great homemade dried salty cheese balls.

Triple E,

The only one on your list that I am not really familiar with is Big River Grille. I ate there maybe 10 years ago, but don't really remember much about it. Maybe I was drunk (that wouldn't be that hard to imagine). All the other ones are

cheese is gud.

Really?! Shocking!

 

[glennbo123]

I like cheese. Especially cheese fondue!

Which oddly enough happens to be one of Eric's favorite things to say, out of the blue for no apparent reason

"I like cheese"

Word for the day: turophile - a connoisseur of cheese; a cheese fancier.


I think saying "I like cheese" is from a show or movie or something. I asked my kids and they thought so too, but couldn't remember from where.

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh, now that's one to store away for future use! THanks, Glenn! Bet that saves my life someday or something.

 

[eandesmom]

Triple E,

The only one on your list that I am not really familiar with is Big River Grille. I ate there maybe 10 years ago, but don't really remember much about it. Maybe I was drunk (that wouldn't be that hard to imagine). All the other ones are

cheese is gud.

I have a feeling that's my brothers recollection of the place as well. All my sister could recall is how long we waited.

Yep, that will happen when you are a walk in party of 12 or 14 whatever we were, during F&W! Of course it might have had something to do with the fact that the wait was so long we hit the little grocery store at the resort itself and had at least one beer before we even made it to dinner. Though I do recall it being awfully fun to just walk around the Boardwalk with said beer and we did some souvenir damage at that little store, my still-favorite coffee mug!

I have a vague impression, we will see how accurate it really is/was.

Those are some great choices, Cynthia! I love them! Especially Tutto Italia and Ohana!

Thanks Amanda! I'm pleasantly surprised.

Well, then if Eric needs another Auntie, send him on over! We could show him the ropes AND some really great homemade dried salty cheese balls.

Really?! Shocking!

Dried salty cheese balls....hmmn. I think he'd take you up on the Auntie but not so much on the dried salty cheese balls.

Word for the day: turophile - a connoisseur of cheese; a cheese fancier.


I think saying "I like cheese" is from a show or movie or something. I asked my kids and they thought so too, but couldn't remember from where.

Ok that was almost a coffee spewing moment. I read the word of the day and at first glance read..

turdophile



I think it's from a movie too but no idea which one. It does crack me up though.

Oh, now that's one to store away for future use! THanks, Glenn! Bet that saves my life someday or something.

Absolutely! It well could be a trick question before you cross a (almost ready to break) bridge over the cliffs of insanity or something and it TOTALLY saves your life.

And then John Cleese bursts into song.

 

[glennbo123]

Oh, now that's one to store away for future use! THanks, Glenn! Bet that saves my life someday or something.

Hey, I filed away not to buy pants on a train that tie around the waist. You can file that away for your next Jeopardy appearance.

Ok that was almost a coffee spewing moment. I read the word of the day and at first glance read..

turdophile

Why does everything on these boards always wind up in the same place?

I think it's from a movie too but no idea which one. It does crack me up though.

I know. It's just so random.

Absolutely! It well could be a trick question before you cross a (almost ready to break) bridge over the cliffs of insanity or something and it TOTALLY saves your life.

And then John Cleese bursts into song.

Exactly!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

My favorite cheese line was from Star Trek Voyager when B'Elanna Torres yells "Get the cheese to Sickbay!"

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh I can't wait to hear what the kids said about the trip!!

Your list looks great!! Your going to be eating some yummy meals on your trip!!

 

[eandesmom]

Hey, I filed away not to buy pants on a train that tie around the waist. You can file that away for your next Jeopardy appearance.


Why does everything on these boards always wind up in the same place?


I know. It's just so random.

Exactly!

Yeah, I filed the no-pants-that-tie around the waist info too. And really not just while on a train I'm thinking.

It's so true, here I WAS trying to run a clean thread and then I muddy it up.

My favorite cheese line was from Star Trek Voyager when B'Elanna Torres yells "Get the cheese to Sickbay!"

Jeff was rather pleased that Santa brought him a Star Trek calendar this year. The original mind you.

Oh I can't wait to hear what the kids said about the trip!!

Your list looks great!! Your going to be eating some yummy meals on your trip!!

They are a bit shell shocked to tell you the truth, it's kind of funny. I think it seems a little surreal since they seen so many of the resorts but have never laid eyes on BC/YC so have NO clue what it's about. We're looking through pictures today.

As shell shocked as they seem around Jeff and I, they couldn't wait to tell my sister about it, multiple times, while she and I were working on her paper yesterday so they are definitely very into it. Of course they've been making their own touring plans all fall!

And then Eric was talking about something, webkinz maybe? And Evan looked at him and said Jeesh Eric, we're doing to Disneyworld!

As in who cares about Webkinz.



Evan and Kendall were a little bummed that HDDR wasn't on the table this time.

 

[Happydog]

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.

HEY there! Well yes Kouzzina did make the cut, and yes we enjoyed it! The menu is definitely unique. We ended up getting an appetizer and salad, and one entre to share. Was plenty of food. Dessert was good too. I don't know if we would go again, but we are glad that we tried it!

We try to keep our restaurants close to the park we are visiting that day, but then I realized that we often go back to the resort anyway, and not necessarily back to the parks or same park so I stopped worrying about that when it came to picking restaurants... SO I say you are fine with the two AK locations... regarding Fantasmic, that is a harder dilemma. We have not stayed for Fantasmic the past two trips because the kids didn't seem interested enough. You can see fireworks from outside the park in a few places, if you timed dinner right, on the Boardwalk, you can see illuminations, and the MK fireworks from outside MK... maybe that will help you fit it all in?

Oh, and I love cheese... Wine and cheese

 

[eandesmom]

HEY there! Well yes Kouzzina did make the cut, and yes we enjoyed it! The menu is definitely unique. We ended up getting an appetizer and salad, and one entre to share. Was plenty of food. Dessert was good too. I don't know if we would go again, but we are glad that we tried it!

We try to keep our restaurants close to the park we are visiting that day, but then I realized that we often go back to the resort anyway, and not necessarily back to the parks or same park so I stopped worrying about that when it came to picking restaurants... SO I say you are fine with the two AK locations... regarding Fantasmic, that is a harder dilemma. We have not stayed for Fantasmic the past two trips because the kids didn't seem interested enough. You can see fireworks from outside the park in a few places, if you timed dinner right, on the Boardwalk, you can see illuminations, and the MK fireworks from outside MK... maybe that will help you fit it all in?

Oh, and I love cheese... Wine and cheese

Wine and Cheese



In the past we have NOT gone back to the resort at all so dinner near the park has worked really well for us. With teens not ready to leave early, it's been a necessity as well as the morning is rather wasted in my opinion, it really did save our trip.

This trip the plan is that the boys and I, and whomever else is UP will take off and not sit around again. Since the last trip was K&T's first time it made sense, but not this one. Plus we picked a resort it'd be easier for them to hook up with us from, if they need their beauty sleep, for at least 2 of the parks anyway.

Assuming the heat will be bad I am planning for midday pool breaks but it will be very interesting to see if that really plays out as planned or if we fall into our normal arrive at 11, do a couple of things, eat, and the power tour till dinner, EMH after dinner and close the park down. That part I don't see changing but I could see Sandie and Paul petering out earlier than park closings.

Historically we eat late but I'll be trying to adjust that as well, we will see how that works out!

AK just always seems so far away and closes so early on non EMH night. I think that's the part that is throwing me.

One entree for the 3 of you?

Wow.

 

[Happydog]

Wine and Cheese



In the past we have NOT gone back to the resort at all so dinner near the park has worked really well for us. With teens not ready to leave early, it's been a necessity as well as the morning is rather wasted in my opinion, it really did save our trip.

This trip the plan is that the boys and I, and whomever else is UP will take off and not sit around again. Since the last trip was K&T's first time it made sense, but not this one. Plus we picked a resort it'd be easier for them to hook up with us from, if they need their beauty sleep, for at least 2 of the parks anyway.

Assuming the heat will be bad I am planning for midday pool breaks but it will be very interesting to see if that really plays out as planned or if we fall into our normal arrive at 11, do a couple of things, eat, and the power tour till dinner, EMH after dinner and close the park down. That part I don't see changing but I could see Sandie and Paul petering out earlier than park closings.

Historically we eat late but I'll be trying to adjust that as well, we will see how that works out!

AK just always seems so far away and closes so early on non EMH night. I think that's the part that is throwing me.

One entree for the 3 of you?

Wow.

Oh no the kids had their own dinners, my DH and I split APs Salad and an Entree. the whole fish -- very good. I have a photo... RE the mid day breaks, we have to take the break, the little ones need it, shoot we all needed it, and I have to say we struggled to leave the pool in time for dinner! Just because we were having so much fun just relaxing... and at BC/YC that will be a huge pull for you all... we are going back this summer too, because we loved it so much! SO I get what you are saying it is a matter of what works best for everyone... your kids can close the park down, ours still too young, but we definitely made it back after dinner each night, just for the evening entertainment (going back to resort by 10pm after fireworks...) We did dinner after AK, because the timing worked out. Last summer we didn't head to AK in the am first thing, though on ONE day, did a 1/2 day, and stayed until 7 and then had dinner, and went back to resort to swim, etc. bed, etc. after. We still could ride everything (Kali, Everest, etc.) That 1/2 day works well.. Then we did a 1/2 day in the am another day, to get our FPs, etc. But we did have our APs which have the park hopper options, so I wasn't sure if you were getting park hoppers.... Still I agree it is hard to get the AK days just right.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

AK just always seems so far away and closes so early on non EMH night. I think that's the part that is throwing me.

We never made it to AK EMH for that very reason.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh no the kids had their own dinners, my DH and I split APs Salad and an Entree. the whole fish -- very good. I have a photo... RE the mid day breaks, we have to take the break, the little ones need it, shoot we all needed it, and I have to say we struggled to leave the pool in time for dinner! Just because we were having so much fun just relaxing... and at BC/YC that will be a huge pull for you all... we are going back this summer too, because we loved it so much! SO I get what you are saying it is a matter of what works best for everyone... your kids can close the park down, ours still too young, but we definitely made it back after dinner each night, just for the evening entertainment (going back to resort by 10pm after fireworks...) We did dinner after AK, because the timing worked out. Last summer we didn't head to AK in the am first thing, though on ONE day, did a 1/2 day, and stayed until 7 and then had dinner, and went back to resort to swim, etc. bed, etc. after. We still could ride everything (Kali, Everest, etc.) That 1/2 day works well.. Then we did a 1/2 day in the am another day, to get our FPs, etc. But we did have our APs which have the park hopper options, so I wasn't sure if you were getting park hoppers.... Still I agree it is hard to get the AK days just right.

We are definitely doing park hoppers though I am trying to avoid the "water and more"

We never made it to AK EMH for that very reason.

I loved AK EMH and it worked out perfectly for an 8:30 ADR at Boma. I really hope Tusker serves late on EMH nights as there is no way my crew will eat at 5pm which looks to be their last ressie on a non EMH night.

 

[eandesmom]

First up, a little Christmas recap and some pics.

First of all, yes, the E’s DID get to visit Santa.

AND Jeff let them set up the Lionel (mostly) by themselves!

Apparently Evan asked Santa for 2 things that he said would prove to him that Santa was real. Fablehaven (which I’d bought MONTHS ago and didn’t even know he still wanted) and a baseball trivia calendar (also bought months ago) that he spied in the mall on the 23rd.

WHEW! Dodged the bullet again.

We had a wonderful day, for whatever reason one of the most relaxed Christmases I can recall. Though we had the same number of places to go it just…flowed. There always seemed to be plenty of down time. Some years it’s nuts, we don’t have dessert before church because we are running late. This year, both Christmas eve and the entire day was just..

Mellow…

Xmas eve church was a little different this year. Evan wanted to leave early to “help” Grandpa set up the sound board. Upon our arrival Evan insisted we all sit up in the choir loft with them. So we did. And while it was a bit odd being up there, and being the only adults, and missing a little bit of the energy of being with the crowd, it was magical to watch the boys with my dad.

Evan was up too early, so Eric got a head start on him to see what Santa had brought

Melvin liked what Santa brought him too!

Other than one E being up FAR too early it was a relatively lazy morning, the E’s even got to break in both of their Santa Wii gifts (TSM and Mario) before we headed to my sisters for brunch, which is unheard of. After a lovely brunch my sister, exSIL and all the little boy cousins went for a short stroll/hike in the woods by her house, a great park and one, sadly, I’ve never really been back into though my kids have a ton. It was SO pretty, and crowded!

Board games, wild gift exchanges full of lots of stealing (mostly by Kendall) dinner and then back home to open everything at our house. A long, but lovely lovely day!

We then perhaps had the LAZIEST weekend I can recall in um, never. We watched 4 movies in 2 days.

• A Christmas Story
• Princess Bride
• GI Joe
• Santa Buddies

We went to the park and beach for a long lazy walk.
I loved seeing the boats decorated for the holidays

Kids playing

Evan being shy

Kendall taking our “self” portrait. She took a LOT of tries!

Ah, mocha's for Jeff, hot cider for me and...ice cream for the kids?

The end to a lovely winter day in the northwest

We played Apples to Apples for I think almost 4 hours!

And of course, telling the kids about the trip and voting on our dining choices!

Roaring fires, lazy dinners, living in sweats.

I haven’t turned on the TV since Sunday, and don’t plan to until New Years eve when we watch UP! It’s really been a lovely winter break.

All of the Disney goodies were a hit with the kids, especially the new pins, Evan immediately put his on his new favorite hoodie and it’s not come off!

I’ve been busy the past few days re-looking at our trip plans, both WDW and DCA, trying to make sure we are getting the best deal. I briefly toyed with the treehouse again for the 1st 3 nights that we will be at HRH since we have the fabulous PIN but it is only a savings of about $300 which Jeff and I decided wasn’t worth the hassle of driving ourselves anywhere (we are on vacation, we don’t want to drive, deal with directions, parking etc lol) and the coolness factor of HRH plus the fastpass aspect of staying there all combined to make it not “enough” of a savings to justify the change. Nice to know what it would be though if things start feeling tight!

I’ve also been revisiting my DCA trip to make sure it’s the best deal as there are a LOT out there right now. Unless AAA comes through with a magical rate I am still better off with the Alaska package so will book that. A small bummer as AAA, Costco and the Disney Visa packages all come with neat little perks like pins and backpacks, some with gift cards and one with a Character meal but the cost is SO much higher you are definitely paying for those perks! And then some.

Now that the votes are (mostly) in, I must turn back to my binder pages. I only have 6 weeks now to figure out ADR’s that are over 7 months away.
Sandie may or may not weigh in, we will see. She may or may not be visiting us in Feb, we will see. Either way she is fine with whatever we pick but I’d love her to have input though on the other hand I’m completely fine with the list as it is.

However it does mess up my days and I need input from you touring pro’s. I may be a planner but I really, historically, have NOT planned our park days beyond this park this day and eat dinner here.

On our last 2 trips we really didn’t adjust to the time zone, got to parks late and stayed late. We did not take breaks mid day to swim or rest. Given that it is August (or July if we move the trip up) it will be HOT and I am thinking a new plan is required. My thoughts had been to pick EMH am parks for the first part of the day and any early risers, plan a pool break every day and then hit EMH parks in the late afternoon/evening and try to eat near those parks.

The list messes with this in 2 ways.

Animal Kingdom.
I love this park, I do. I had however only planned one full day there, the EMH day. With 2 dinners in the area do I still do a full day or do 2 afternoons or turn it into a 1.5 day total event and if so, do we attempt am EMH? I’m thinking not on the AM EMH but am struggling with an afternoon/evening there simply b/c it closes so early. Also, does anyone know if Tusker House has later ressies available on EMH days? This is the park I see as being hardest to head back to the resort from for a pool break, but it will also be the hottest!

F! and DHS EMH night
I’d planned to do F! with a Mama Melrose package. Right now, using last years info, F! will be on Sun/Tues/Thurs. Tues and Thurs are EMH nights at Epcot which would work out perfect for our 2 dinners there. Sun is arrival day and I’d really like to do MK first, dinner at Ohana.
So…do I give up on F! or do I give up EMH at Epcot one night and where should we eat on the DHS EMH evening?

I know I’m over thinking this. It is a lot easier when it’s one park per day instead of 3 different “events”, an AM park, midday break, and PM park!

HELP!

Recap…the dining choices are

1. Ohana
2. Sanaa
3. Tusker House
4. Teppan Edo
5. Tutto Italia
6. Big River Grille and Brewing Co.
7. Kouzzina

What are you up to for New Years?

Next, new pages and surprise!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a great Christmas recap!!! I didn't realize you were so close to the beach -- great pictures of you all there!

We are huge fans of Apples to Apples at our house, too. We have played a lot of that this vacation.

You do have a couple of dilemmas with park touring. I would say it depends on how much you plan on doing at Animal Kingdom. Remember it is truly the hottest park of all of them, and in the middle of summer, it may be absolutely miserable there. Even though it is probably my favorite park in regards to theming and atmosphere, I am limiting our time there in July.

As far as DHS and Epcot, how important is Fantasmic! to you? We love the dining options at Epcot, so always seem to spend the most time there.

 

[jordanyosh]

My favorite cheese line was from Star Trek Voyager when B'Elanna Torres yells "Get the cheese to Sickbay!"

Does the backside of the shirt say "I like farting too"

 

[jordanyosh]

As a fellow West Coaster with jet lag issues, here's my take.

Know your audience. If there's a balance of "get there at opening" days and "get there whenever" days, then an AM EMH may work. I'm still learning 19 years later what works and doesn't. Here's how the first few days are scheduled for our upcoming trip:

Day 1: Epcot at 10am
Day 2: Free morning. Epcot at 2pm
Day 3: AK at opening.

This hopefully will allow everyone to get used to the time change.