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

[Sandy321]

continued prayers for Jeff and your FIL - stress is so not fun.. and its hard to get into the mind of someone, let alone make them see reason!! good luck!

LOVE the bag!!

I just read someone's dining review for Flying Fish - it looked so amazing, I really think I need to reconsider!! I also think that being so close to Epcot you do have to take advantage of the places around there!!

I would nix Beaches and Cream - high price to pay for burgers and sundaes! Instead steer over to the market place and get hooked on GELLATO!! and dont forget the pool - you can get burgers (same as beaches and cream serve) at the poolside place Hurricane Hannahs I believe is the name! (mainly due to the high price 1TS and no reservations and so its a long wait.... for just ok food) Just my opinion tho -

I think you are going to have to make binder pages for Kendal - and then include the trivia and Hidden Mickey's - as well as some blank journal pages (mouseforless.com has some downloadable pages that can be a good start for both trivia as well as journal pages)

2010 DDP snack - I read that the gacki gori (whaterver!! lol the SnowCones) at Japan is no longer a snack credit, and that in MK the funnel cake is - funnel cake at Epcot is NOT a snack credit - and you cant have any toppings!! Gelato IS a snack credit - a large one even! and they change flavors often!! Dont even get me started on how disappointed we are that DTD Goofy is no longer allowing the pretzels as a snack credit!!

I will get to dh's laptop soon to post the links for some of the trivia and hidden mickeys I have saved!!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I'm finally all caught up again! Still praying for FIL! I love the notebook pages you did. You may have already answered this and I missed it as I was skimming through the replies, but if I may ask, what program are you using for your page designs? They totally ROCK!

 

[eandesmom]

I love the idea of putting trivia or hidden mickey clues in the blank pages! Could you space out the pages and make a page or 2 of trivia etc for the park you'll be in each day?


"I take good care of myself. It's just that I'm overweight and I smoke."

UGH! We have some similar issues with my mom on the weight side and my dad is at the same point, he just won't say anything, feels like he's tried for years and has just given up. She'll try, quit, try, quit, feels very beaten down, it's a horrid cycle.

I really hope he makes a decision soon and am glad Jeff let him have it too.

I only have ONE blank page total! So no way to add in pages for each park plus since we will be hopping quite a bit, it could be a lot of flipping back and forth so I think having it at the back will make more sense. Or I'll make a trivia book for the boys that is totally separate from the binder. So thinking of maybe hidden mickeys on the back page and then having a new set that goes on pages 2-3 (to replace the flight day page as) that has the ADR's and other key info I will need all week. And then the trivia, "read in line" book is for the boys and is separate from the binder.

Maybe the boys can help make that one, or it's a surprise for the plane, or who knows! I need to be very careful here though. I am not looking to load up my bag with lots of things to carry on top of the binder....I like to travel LIGHT!

I'm actually glad I am limited to 24 pages, more than that and it's too much info that won't get used as it should I think.

I would nix Beaches and Cream - high price to pay for burgers and sundaes! Instead steer over to the market place and get hooked on GELLATO!! and dont forget the pool - you can get burgers (same as beaches and cream serve) at the poolside place Hurricane Hannahs I believe is the name! (mainly due to the high price 1TS and no reservations and so its a long wait.... for just ok food) Just my opinion tho -

I think you are going to have to make binder pages for Kendal - and then include the trivia and Hidden Mickey's - as well as some blank journal pages (mouseforless.com has some downloadable pages that can be a good start for both trivia as well as journal pages)

Well B&C would NOT be for all 9 of us. It would be for an OOP night for Sandie to take the kids to while Jeff and I are on our date night. No way I'd waste a TS Credit on it!. It is redundant since we will eat at Hurricane Hannahs and go there for ice cream. While I love gelato, the kids will want to go there, sit down and probably get a kitchen sink. However, they are kids and if that's where Sandie wants to take them, while it might be overpriced burgers, it's a relatively inexpensive (compared to say, Captain's Grille) and CLOSE sit down option for her. Heck they could eat at HH or Ale and Compass or whatever/wherever they want!

They may prefer in room pizza or CS, and if they don't want to make plans for that night, I don't care either way lol! Knowing Sandie, she'd rather have a plan. I may end up thinking of a better option for her, no idea. They could go to DTD, do WPE, or whatever they want, really.

Once it is 2010 I'll update the snack credits with what we know to have changed, this is just based on current info and as you know it changes all the time esp so really you need to ask at several places as you might get a different answer! I know we got a small pixie sticks (where they fill it up with the colored sugar) and everyone said it was NOT covered but it went through (surprised the CM). So, you never know.

I really don't see Kendall as a binder or journal girl. She never has been. It would be a lot of work to not be appreciated, or used, to be honest. That probably sounds mean and it isn't meant to be but the boys, Eric in particular, would be the ones who would love to fill out journal pages, not Kendall. We will see. I may make some 5x7 soft cover books that they each can use if I feel inspired but truly I'd be shocked if she wrote in it. My mom is always making the kids neat scrapbooks and things....and they don't use them. Beautiful school days stuff...sitting empty.

She is funny. She loves WDW and will go where she is told and enjoy it but generally is not one to dictate where she wants to go, do any kind of research on it etc. That's true of everything, not just WDW. Maybe it is b/c she is so used to her mom dictating her every move, I'm not sure, but it's hard to get a real opinion out of her and it isn't just being 13, she's always been like this.

I did provide all the kids with a lot of info before the last trip, K&T didn't look at it, at all. They had a great time and will gladly tell anyone how great it was but...just not there thing. The E's inherited the voracious research and planning bug for sure...esp Eric!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm finally all caught up again! Still praying for FIL! I love the notebook pages you did. You may have already answered this and I missed it as I was skimming through the replies, but if I may ask, what program are you using for your page designs? They totally ROCK!

Thanks! I'm doing them all in Adobe Illustrator, making them up as I go

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Cynthia,

I hope that FIL gets on board with the whole testing thing...I know it must be scary for him......but he also has the whole family to think of...and it is so much better to know...and then be able to move forward...Good luck with all of that...

Your pages are gorgeous...I'm all over anything with paper...I can spend an hour in Paper Source so this is just too much excitement for me... If Kendall doesn't want her binder-I'll take it... I can live your vaca vicariously...

As for meals...

Animal Kingdom area: Choose 1.

My vote. Sanna. My prediction? No idea. I really want Sanaa but know I’ll enjoy any of them.
Sanna 8.29-top choice...
Tusker House 8.23
Yak and Yeti 7.75-Fun-cool decor...

Epcot/DHS/BC/YC and Boardwalk area. Choose 3-4 total.
One will be for our date night so just Sandie, Paul , Doug and the kids. We've been to BRG&B before, it's on the list for Doug, hopefully it doesn't get picked at the cost of something else but it is a valid date night option.

B&C feels a bit redundant as I plan to do lunch at Hurricane Hannah's and do Ice Cream OOP there but cost wise it is a great OOP option for our date night. Offset where we are going.

My vote. Girls at Les Chef’s/Boys at Teppan Edo, Kouzzina, Mama Melrose, B&C (on our date night). My prediction? Kouzinna won't make the cut but other than that, not a clue! This is a huge wild card.

Epcot:
Coral Reef 7.46
Le Cellier 9.02A ressie here means you are no longer in the Le Cellier we couldn't get ressied club of shame...
Les Chefs 7.73
Rose and Crown 7.88this has been sounding fun recently
Teppan Edo 8.83These two in Japan always seem to please...
Tokyo Dining 8.79

BC/YC/Boardwalk area:

Big River Grille & Brewing Co. 6.65
Beaches and Cream 8.05yummy but like said OOP
Cape May 8.09
Captains Grille 7.55
Kouzzina 5.61


DHS:
Yes, only giving them one choice in DHS. And that is pending a Fantasmic package. Backups will come from the Epcot/resort list above. We’ve already done PTC and Sci-Fi and I don’t want to use up 2TS at Brown Derby. Whether you can book a Fantasmic package at 180 days will be VERY interesting to see!

I actually think everyone will want to eat here though.
Mama Melrose Fantasmic 7.34

MK and MK Resorts: Choose 2-3 (3 if the kids only date night place is on this list).

I really need 2 places for these nights and am personally set on The Wave and Ohana but may need another option in here. We’ve done Kona and the HDDR already and nothing else grabs me. I really have no desire to eat at CP but felt I should at least offer it so there was one MK option (however given that it is “dry” it might get vetoed on the spot by the other adults. I also have no desire to eat at WCC but I know the kids would like the menu a lot. I may set aside B&C and WCC as only up for consideration on the date night. If we really run into issues with Wave and Ohana we will likely need to pull from the big Epcot area list above. I'm more worried about the Wave than Ohana but I do think the idea of eating at the Contemporary will sway some of the group.

Crystal Palace 7.79this looks so pretty-I've never been
Ohana 8.67had breakfast here...like Kona...never did O for dinner...
Wave 8.18Food is good here...atmosphere ok
WCC 8.4fun if in the mood for it...

Right now my plan is that we will do the Tony’s Grand Gathering Breakfast. I’m going to give up on the idea of Tonga Toast for this trip I think, if we go out for another breakfast I think it will be either Cape May or Captain’s Grille which has a rather yummy sounding menu…and it’s at our resort! Either would be OOP and I’m leaning towards Captain’s Grille since Tony’s is a buffet, we can order off the menu at CG for a lot less.

Date night.

I was going to dictate Cali Grille but….am going to let Jeff choose between. Jiko wasn’t on the list originally but he loved Boma so much I figured I ought to at least show it to him! CG is still my vote. I probably should put AP on the list as well but…it is SO much like a place we go for special occasions here that I would really rather branch out. Yachtsman is only on because it is at our resort. If it wasn’t a 2TS meal I’d go there with the group but oh well. I don't think he'll pick it anyway but he might pick AP. I know, that's terrible of me but...I am letting him pick...mostly.

Cali Grille 8.37 I'd put Cali at the top too-as long as you don't mind there being kids there too...I think of all the 2 TS-Cali gets the most kids...doesn't bother me but some people want their date night to be childless...
Citrico’s 8.44
Flying Fish 7.89Also think this is lovely...
Jiko 8.87Yummy food...hmmm...for some reason I don't see this as romantic but I'm not sure why...
Narcoosee’s 8.77
Yachtman’s 8.18


lots and lots of luck...

 

[Native NYer]

That bag is adorable!!!

Your organizational skills amaze me. I love your planning and itinerary pages. They're so fun.

And I'm glad someone else is planning in advance, like me. Just a little over 10 months to go

 

[eandesmom]

Hey Cynthia,

I hope that FIL gets on board with the whole testing thing...I know it must be scary for him......but he also has the whole family to think of...and it is so much better to know...and then be able to move forward...Good luck with all of that...

Your pages are gorgeous...I'm all over anything with paper...I can spend an hour in Paper Source so this is just too much excitement for me... If Kendall doesn't want her binder-I'll take it... I can live your vaca vicariously...

Sanna 8.29-top choice...
Tusker House 8.23
Yak and Yeti 7.75-Fun-cool decor...

Epcot:
Coral Reef 7.46
Le Cellier 9.02A ressie here means you are no longer in the Le Cellier we couldn't get ressied club of shame...
Les Chefs 7.73
Rose and Crown 7.88this has been sounding fun recently
Teppan Edo 8.83These two in Japan always seem to please...
Tokyo Dining 8.79

Big River Grille & Brewing Co. 6.65
Beaches and Cream 8.05yummy but like said OOP
Cape May 8.09
Captains Grille 7.55
Kouzzina 5.61

Crystal Palace 7.79this looks so pretty-I've never been
Ohana 8.67had breakfast here...like Kona...never did O for dinner...
Wave 8.18Food is good here...atmosphere ok
WCC 8.4fun if in the mood for it...


Cali Grille 8.37 I'd put Cali at the top too-as long as you don't mind there being kids there too...I think of all the 2 TS-Cali gets the most kids...doesn't bother me but some people want their date night to be childless...
Citrico’s 8.44
Flying Fish 7.89Also think this is lovely...
Jiko 8.87Yummy food...hmmm...for some reason I don't see this as romantic but I'm not sure why...
Narcoosee’s 8.77
Yachtman’s 8.18
[/I]

lots and lots of luck...

True, a ressie at Le Cellier will lose me my shirt! It is very likely the crowd will go for it. R&C looks lovely and fun, I just can't get excited about the menu but I'd live

I don't mind kids for the date night but very interesting about Jiko...maybe it's better as a group place? The wave interior does nothing for me but it gets great reviews and I need another MK spot. The group may well love the CP menu, it would not surprise me. Dry though...I dunno!

Pathetic huh!

I think you need an Alice paper background for your binder though...

That bag is adorable!!!

Your organizational skills amaze me. I love your planning and itinerary pages. They're so fun.

And I'm glad someone else is planning in advance, like me. Just a little over 10 months to go

Aww, thanks! It keeps me out of trouble. Or in trouble depending on who talk to!

Only 9+ months to go.....

 

[MEK]

Since the next phase of testing is going to be quite invasive and recovery longer he is "just weighing" all his options. Jeff and I can't see what other option he has, it needs to come out!

The other thing is he just doesn't feel well. He has been coughing a lot and his body is getting weaker. He thinks if he goes into surgery not feeling well he could be in for more trouble. The tumor is located in a difficult area to get to and that will make the procedure more difficult. He keeps going back to his mom's lung problem and he really believes his situation is the same has his mom's. That's fine, maybe he does have a bad infection, but they won't know until they do the surgery.

:

I didn't DIS much in the last 24 hours, so now that I am caught up on my TR I came right over to see how FIL is. I posted a couple links, but I can't make them link. I am so bad with computers. anyway - these science daily articles are pretty good. Then I just attached some info from Cedars- Sinai. If you goggle minimally invasive thoracotomy, videoassisted thoracoscopy, or robotically assisted lung surgery you will find what you need.

If your FIL does have an infection, the sooner he gets the surgery the better. Untreated infection in the lung and pleural space causes progressive damage to the lung tissue. It causes extensive scarring and adhesions. A infection in the lung is often referred to as an empyema. This can occur independently of a tumor. I know your FIL thinks this is what he has. I hope he realizes that each individual's experience with lung surgery is going to be different.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070629193359.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060206000329.htm

The cough and wt loss can be symptoms of both cancer or infection. Unfortunately, he is not going to get better until he has the surgery. If its infection, it just won't get better without getting the infection out!!!!!!!!! We took care of a fairly young man (40's) who we thought for sure had lung CA. In actuality he had a terrible, terrible empyema/pneumonia that had really destroyed his lung. He got better, but it took awhile. the bottom line - he would have died without the surgery. This infection would NEVER have cleared up on its own. He is healthy and doing really well now. And he quit smoking!

The best thing you dad can do to get ready for surgery is optimize his nutrition. Have him take a general multivitamin or multivit with Iron. Have him drink ensure, boost, or another nutritional supplement several times a day. That will promote wound healing and decrease the chance of a post op infection. Have him eat foods that are high in protien. Nutritional supplements are the way for him to prepare, because if he had his prealbumin checked ( a marker for nutrition) is would likely be low. He needs to optimize that.

OK - I will check back in tomorrow. I would hate to see your FIL get so sick that he has to be admitted to the hospital. That could ultimately happen if he delays. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for positive news!


Minimally Invasive Surgery for Lung Cancer
Our surgeons have pioneered the use of minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer. Dr. McKenna was one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform the surgery and has the most extensive experience in the world with the procedure. This minimally invasive technique appears to reduce the hospital stay and allows a patient to return to full activities without compromising the adequacy of the cancer operation.


Thoracotomy
A thoracotomy (the standard incision for lung surgery) entails a six- to eight-inch incision around the side under the arm. Chest wall muscles are cut, and the ribs are spread. These incisions usually cause significant pain.


Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
VATS is a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions and eliminates the need to spread the ribs. During VATS, the surgery is performed through a one-inch incision and is aided by a miniature camera inserted through one of the three 1/4 to 1/2" incisions. The VATS approach is certainly not painless, but it does hurt less than a large thoracotomy. The average hospitalization after the operation is four days, and patients usually do not require a stay in the intensive care unit.

Our thoracic surgeons have performed more than 1400 lung cancer operations with this approach since 1992. We recently published the case follow-up, which demonstrated that the procedure is as effective as the more invasive approach.


When surgeons at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center developed the VATS lobectomy procedure in 1992, the hope was that minimally invasive surgery, when compared to invasive traditional surgery, offered patients a shorter hospital stay, less risk, and quicker recovery, without compromising the completeness of the cancer operation. Dr. McKenna recently published his results to prove that.

Between 1992 and 2004, 1100 patients underwent either VATS lobectomy or pneumonectomy (removal of all pulmonary lobes from a lung in one operation) for bronchogenic carcinoma. This included 595 (54.1%) women and 505 men (45.9%), with mean age of 71.2 years (range 39-85 years).

The VATS operations were the standard cancer operations that are usually performed by thoracotomy (a large, invasive incision). This was not a compromise operation for patients with poor performance status. The procedure was performed through a <2 inch incision without spreading the ribs and 2 or 3 other small incisions.

 

[eandesmom]

I didn't DIS much in the last 24 hours, so now that I am caught up on my TR I came right over to see how FIL is. I posted a couple links, but I can't make them link. I am so bad with computers. anyway - these science daily articles are pretty good. Then I just attached some info from Cedars- Sinai. If you goggle minimally invasive thoracotomy, videoassisted thoracoscopy, or robotically assisted lung surgery you will find what you need.

If your FIL does have an infection, the sooner he gets the surgery the better. Untreated infection in the lung and pleural space causes progressive damage to the lung tissue. It causes extensive scarring and adhesions. A infection in the lung is often referred to as an empyema. This can occur independently of a tumor. I know your FIL thinks this is what he has. I hope he realizes that each individual's experience with lung surgery is going to be different.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070629193359.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/060206000329.htm

The cough and wt loss can be symptoms of both cancer or infection. Unfortunately, he is not going to get better until he has the surgery. If its infection, it just won't get better without getting the infection out!!!!!!!!! We took care of a fairly young man (40's) who we thought for sure had lung CA. In actuality he had a terrible, terrible empyema/pneumonia that had really destroyed his lung. He got better, but it took awhile. the bottom line - he would have died without the surgery. This infection would NEVER have cleared up on its own. He is healthy and doing really well now. And he quit smoking!

The best thing you dad can do to get ready for surgery is optimize his nutrition. Have him take a general multivitamin or multivit with Iron. Have him drink ensure, boost, or another nutritional supplement several times a day. That will promote wound healing and decrease the chance of a post op infection. Have him eat foods that are high in protien. Nutritional supplements are the way for him to prepare, because if he had his prealbumin checked ( a marker for nutrition) is would likely be low. He needs to optimize that.

OK - I will check back in tomorrow. I would hate to see your FIL get so sick that he has to be admitted to the hospital. That could ultimately happen if he delays. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for positive news!

Thank you SO much! You are the BOMB!



Apparently his "symptoms", i.e., cough, sore throat, congestion have really improved over the last 24 hours. He is planning on playing golf tomorrow. It is amazing how much better his general health has gotten. What we don't know is, are these flu like symptoms related to the tumor? or are they totally separate?? They seem to think they are separate, which, while they may be is dangerous thinking and I worry that him feeling better may make him dig in his heels even more!



Apparently my stepmom's BILwent through a lot of these same tests when he was so sick with his lung disease. So her sister called him to try to talk to him about it as she knows how important it is to get to the bottom of the problem. He feels he needs to weigh all the scenarios, I think we just have a hard time understanding that there really is an option.

Hopefully he will be speaking to the doctor next week but nothing is scheduled. It did not sound like it would take them long to get him in though.

 

[eandesmom]

OMG….Taylor turned SEVENTEEN this week!

How did that happen?

I feel old. And I didn’t even give birth to him!

But look at him.

Then.

And now.

The first one is from Feb, the second one from August and I swear he looks older now....could be the scary goatee thing he's trying or the fact that he is on a fedora kick.

I'll try to get a couple of new pics.

Yikes.

Why is it that 17 sounds so much older than 16?

We are celebrating with him tonight.

On a totally unrelated note, I am so excited. We are going to take the TRAIN to Vancouver for our getaway, no being stuck at the border in our car! No getting lost trying to get out of Vancouver. For some reason we have no problem getting in, it’s getting out! Really looking forward to it, it will put a very different spin on the trip and make it seem much more like a vacation I think.

Ok.

No budging on the stubborn FIL yet…He is convinced he has it under control. He totally ignored Jeff’s email and despite their friends trying to reason with him he is not budging. Jeff is going to fly down there sometime in the next month, we are just trying to decide if now is best or if once he actually schedules surgery. Assuming (praying) he does. He is still "weighing his options" but apparently is feeling well enough to golf today. Which is both good and bad. Good that he is feeling better, bad that I think it is giving both my FIL and my SMIL a false sense of wellness and security as they think those symptoms are totally unrelated which is dangerous thinking.

Jeff may need to fly down just to get him to schedule the procedure. Thankfully there are some really great airfares right now so he will be able to book quickly.

Mary Ellen sent over some GREAT info which we have passed on, I think it's going to help, especially the story she shared about a patient. We are so grateful to her!!! We are not sure if he is a candidate for the kind of surgery due to the location of the tumor but are pushing them to ask the questions and find out. She has truly been a blessing to us during this, so incredibly helpful!

Back to Disney. Where is a good spot, site(s), etc to find hidden Mickey info? I think I want to start compiling some tidbits. Granted, we will be putting one on Evan’s head at MSB like this….

and Eric assures Evan and I he is up for the challenge next time but requests “blue please”. He had a rather traumatic colored hairspray experience in 1st grade and so would NOT go there. We w

While I am not “planning” our CS meals….did you guys know about this? I am thinking this could be a really fun thing as an alternative to the CS options at AK.

As of April 7, 2009, Disney's Animal Kingdom began offering a new meal program called Picnic in the Park.

As part of this program, you are able to purchase a meal for the family packaged in an "Every Tree Has Character" reusable bag, which can then be taken to one of a number of picnic spots throughout the park. Plates and utensils are provided. Meals include a choice of entrees, side dishes, desserts, and water. There are two tiers available:

Tier 1 features a chicken wrap, ham grinder, tuna pita, turkey focaccia sandwich, or portobello mushroom and vegetable wrap (vegetarian option), with pricing starting at $17.99 plus tax for a meal for two.

Meal for Two - $17.99 + tax
2 Sandwiches, 1 Side, 2 Desserts, 2 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Three – $24.99 + tax
3 Sandwiches, 1 Large Gourmet Side, 3 Desserts or Fruit, 3 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Four – $32.99 + tax
4 Sandwiches, 2 Large Gourmet Sides, 4 Desserts or Fruit, 4 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Five – $40.99 + tax
5 Sandwiches, 3 Large Gourmet Sides, 5 Desserts or Fruit, 5 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Six – $48.99 + tax
6 Sandwiches, 4 Large Gourmet Sides, 6 Desserts or Fruit, 6 bottles of Dasani water​

Tier 2 offers a choice of rotisserie chicken or ham, with pricing starting at $20.99 plus tax for a meal for two.

Meal for Two - $20.99 + tax
4 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 3/4 lb. of Ham, 1 Side, 2 Desserts, 2 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Three – $29.99 + tax
6 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 lb. of Ham, 2 Large Gourmet Sides, 3 Desserts or Fruit, 3 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Four – $38.99 + tax
8 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 1/4 lb. of Ham, 3 Large Gourmet Sides, 4 Desserts or Fruit, 4 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Five – $47.99 + tax
10 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 1/2 lb. of Ham, 4 Large Gourmet Sides, 5 Desserts or Fruit, 5 bottles of Dasani water

Meal for Six – $56.99 + tax
12 Pieces of Rotisserie Chicken or 1 3/4 lb. of Ham, 5 Large Gourmet Sides, 6 Desserts or Fruit, 6 bottles of Dasani water
​

Gourmet Sides (16 oz.)
-- Chips
-- Macaroni & Cheese
-- Seasonal Fruit Salad
-- Coleslaw
-- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
-- Tomato and Cucumber
-- Corn Medley
-- Orzo Pasta Salad
-- Green Beans
-- Tandoori Spiced Tofu and Zucchini Squash
-- Oven-Roasted Potato Wedges
Desserts
-- Apple
-- Brownie
-- Cookie
-- Cornbread
-- Crisped Rice Treat
-- Orange

NOTE: No modifications or substitutions are allowed.

Guests with food allergies should alert the Cast Member when placing their order, who will then contact a chef.

Place your order at the Picnic in the Park podium located at the Island Mercantile shop on Discovery Island, between 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. daily.

Pick-up time needs to be at least two hours from the time the order is placed, and you'll need to bring the copy of the order form as confirmation. The pick-up location is at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery.

Payment is due at time of the order. If you're on the Disney Dining Plan, Picnic in the Park may be used as a Quick Service Meal (requires one adult entitlement per meal amount). For example, a meal for three will require three adult entitlements.

Has anyone done this? Or heard anything about it one way or another?

Up next...yes...MORE bags and....are we getting grander?

 

[Lady Lallie]

You know...my mom & I were contemplating doing the picnic in the park in May and we didn't. I totally forgot about it for this trip. Hmmmm. Must think on that. It sounds like it would be a really good idea. I think AK food choices are less than stellar so it's a nice option I think.

 

[threedisprincesses]

First-YOU GUYS ROCK! I feel like I have "found my kind" as they say. No one understands my DW planning obsession... I have taken this year off on a child-rearing leave. We just had our 3rd girl in June, and I had not taken very much time off with the other two so I thought this would be a nice change. So in all of this “time” I have taken to obsessing over the planning of our Feb. 4th trip.

I have been subscribed to the thread for a while, wanted to jump in several times, but wanted to wait til I had something to "give".

I feel your pain about your FIL. Why is it that parents are so stubborn? AUGH!
Prayers are with you and your family for wise decisions & good health.

The AK picnic has had WONDERFUL reviews. The first review I read was on All Ears. It was such a great review I began reading all I could about this. The only negative (if you can even count this as a negative) is that there is a TON of food. Many people recommended splitting the meals. I would really like to do this but DH did not seem very interested…He may end up enjoying a picnic anyway!

I have decided to try & plan out our CS meals this trip. It seems like every time we are down there & are about to get a CS meal we stare at each other & our minds go blank…Even DH (who thinks all this planning is insane) agrees that this happens…So inevitably we end up eating something close to where we are at the time & no one really enjoys it. For this trip we are trying to eat at place we have not eaten on the past three trips.

Current CS choices include:
Flame Tree BBQ
Columbia Harbour House
Catalina Eddie's
Huricane Hannas (BC) or Mexican at EPCOT
Pizzafari or Tamu Tamu
Yak & Yeti (CS & SNACK)
Hurricane Hanna's
Counter Service Kids Choice
Captain Cook's Snack Company-Polynesian
Casey's Corner
PLEASE comment! I really do value the opinions of others on these choices…

 

[eandesmom]

You know...my mom & I were contemplating doing the picnic in the park in May and we didn't. I totally forgot about it for this trip. Hmmmm. Must think on that. It sounds like it would be a really good idea. I think AK food choices are less than stellar so it's a nice option I think.

Some day I do want to try Flame Tree but BBQ in august in the middle of the day? Bleh. And we just went to Y&YLF last trip. Loved it but I like the idea of something different. I don't do Pizza from CS. Double Bleh!

I'm liking this idea a lot! Need to scope out the picnic locations...wonder if there is one near Dawa

First-YOU GUYS ROCK! I feel like I have "found my kind" as they say. No one understands my DW planning obsession... I have taken this year off on a child-rearing leave. We just had our 3rd girl in June, and I had not taken very much time off with the other two so I thought this would be a nice change. So in all of this “time” I have taken to obsessing over the planning of our Feb. 4th trip.

I have been subscribed to the thread for a while, wanted to jump in several times, but wanted to wait til I had something to "give".

I feel your pain about your FIL. Why is it that parents are so stubborn? AUGH!
Prayers are with you and your family for wise decisions & good health.

The AK picnic has had WONDERFUL reviews. The first review I read was on All Ears. It was such a great review I began reading all I could about this. The only negative (if you can even count this as a negative) is that there is a TON of food. Many people recommended splitting the meals. I would really like to do this but DH did not seem very interested…He may end up enjoying a picnic anyway!

I have decided to try & plan out our CS meals this trip. It seems like every time we are down there & are about to get a CS meal we stare at each other & our minds go blank…Even DH (who thinks all this planning is insane) agrees that this happens…So inevitably we end up eating something close to where we are at the time & no one really enjoys it. For this trip we are trying to eat at place we have not eaten on the past three trips.

PLEASE comment! I really do value the opinions of others on these choices…

Thanks for delurking! Just being here adds value to me

Good to know about the reviews, I found out about it from All Ears but hadn't looked at reviews yet. We could order a picnic for 6 and see how far that gets the 9 of us....good input on the ton of food.

I know that blank stare when it comes to CS. Even with my lists, we could end up with whatever is nearby as people balk and don't want to hike to wherever the "better" choice is.

My thoughts below...

Flame Tree BBQ - haven't been but want to, Feb will be a good time weather wise to do it

Columbia Harbour House - haven't been but it's on my list for this trip!

Catalina Eddie's - haven't been

Huricane Hannas (BC) or Mexican at EPCOT - I haven't eaten at either but half our crew had the Mexican and thought it was just ok. We are doing HH this trip for sure, possibly more than once. However, if this is for an Epcot day it will be a walk so just prepare your day accordingly. A nice walk, but a walk and the WS is big as it is!

Pizzafari or Tamu Tamu - I don't do Pizza CS but Pizzafari LOOKS cool and it is AC if you are hot. Ok that's not much help is it! I'm not sure what Tamu Tamu really has, for some reason I thought it was mostly snacky stuff.

Yak & Yeti (CS & SNACK)- We loved Y&YLF, espeically the Egg Rolls and their African Amber!

Hurricane Hanna's - see above

Counter Service Kids Choice - Our kids liked: Starring Rolls, Cosmic Ray's, Roaring Forks.

Captain Cook's Snack Company-Polynesian - no input. Are you staying at the Poly?

Casey's Corner - no input from me but I think Liesa could eat there every day! I did hear they changed both the dogs and the buns though....

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Don't you hate how the kids growing up makes you feel even older!!

My nephew will turn 17 in Feb and it makes me feel ancient! UGH!!

I hope Taylor has a great birthday!

Taking the train to Vancouver sounds like a lot of fun!!! We actually took the train to WDW the first time we went with the kids and FIL and MIL! We drove to VA and took the amtrak autotrain! It was an interesting experience, especially sleeping on the train over night, and it was a lot of fun.

I hope your FIL finds the good sense god gave him soon! I think sometimes theres some serious issues with denial! Just like my mom!

The picnic in the park thing sounds like really cool! I think it's a great option in a park that doesn't have all that many options!

Oh, BTW, there is an actual Hidden Mickey book! Also, try googling "list of hidden mickeys" you'll comeup with some great sites!

 

[MEK]

No budging on the stubborn FIL yet…He is convinced he has it under control. He totally ignored Jeff’s email and despite their friends trying to reason with him he is not budging. Jeff is going to fly down there sometime in the next month, we are just trying to decide if now is best or if once he actually schedules surgery. Assuming (praying) he does. He is still "weighing his options" but apparently is feeling well enough to golf today. Which is both good and bad. Good that he is feeling better, bad that I think it is giving both my FIL and my SMIL a false sense of wellness and security as they think those symptoms are totally unrelated which is dangerous thinking.

It is possible that he has a viral infection which is exacerbating the tumor symptoms. But, basically, he has no other options. The ONLY option is to get the tumor out and biopsied. You can not live your life with a tumor in your bronchus. End of story. Maybe Jeff could try the......"since you are feeling better maybe now is a good time to have surgery"....... Ahhhhh, denial is a funny defense mechanism.

I hope all continues to go well. I hope he comes to his senses, but I've met plenty of people who refuse to do what's in the best interest of their health. It's frustating.


On a lighter note.....Happy Birthday Taylor!

 

[eandesmom]

Don't you hate how the kids growing up makes you feel even older!!

My nephew will turn 17 in Feb and it makes me feel ancient! UGH!!

I hope Taylor has a great birthday!

Taking the train to Vancouver sounds like a lot of fun!!! We actually took the train to WDW the first time we went with the kids and FIL and MIL! We drove to VA and took the amtrak autotrain! It was an interesting experience, especially sleeping on the train over night, and it was a lot of fun.

I hope your FIL finds the good sense god gave him soon! I think sometimes theres some serious issues with denial! Just like my mom!

The picnic in the park thing sounds like really cool! I think it's a great option in a park that doesn't have all that many options!

Oh, BTW, there is an actual Hidden Mickey book! Also, try googling "list of hidden mickeys" you'll comeup with some great sites!

I am SO getting that book for Christmas for the boys! I'll let them come up with the list of ones to look for! They will love that. I remember that Happydog did the autotrain you are speaking of, and showed some pics on one of her TR's. It looks like so much fun! I'd love it if there was one from here to DL....that would be wonderful!

It's funny though, just when one kid makes you feel old, another makes you feel young. Eric is going to be an inventor for Halloween. We ordered him a real lab coat, with his name on it and everything (yes, cue cloudy with meatballs) and I made him a tshirt to wear under it that says Science Rocks with at atom and an exploding beaker. He will NOT take the lab coat off.

He is nine.

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've met plenty of people who refuse to do what's in the best interest of their health. It's frustating.

Me too and yes, SO very frustrating. I get it, I really do but UGH! I admit I don't have a lot of tolerance for it having gone through it with my ex. It probably makes me less supportive than I should be, my victim mentality tolerance is just shot. Not that he is being a victim but he is being an ostrich! Which always feels similar to me.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I think he seems older since he is doing Running Start more than anything but it really does feel (some of the time) like there is a young adult in the house!

 

[threedisprincesses]

We are staying at Beach Club Villas for 7 & All Star Music (I think) for the first two (total of 9 nights/10 days). It was cheaper for us to fly down on Thursday than wait til our Sat check in day at BCV. We will do the first two days on the QS plan then the second resie will be for DDP. This is why I have so many CS meals listed.

BCV is why I had HH in there twice as it may be nice to just chill for a few meals...I tend to feel the same way ya'll seem to about B & C, don't want to waste the SD meal, time in line, or cash...Maybe we'll do ice cream one night if it's not too crowded.

 

[threedisprincesses]

Captain Cook's Snack Company-Polynesian - no input. Are you staying at the Poly?

I have NEVER had Tonga Toast... I know...I know...

A friend just returned from DW & said they had TT at CCSC early one morning. I thought this sounded like a good spot...
1 I LOVE the Poly, any excuse.
2 As our kids are 6, 4, & (will be) 8mo we will spend a lot of time at MK.
3 I enjoy breakfast & the choices are so limited esp. at BC.

 

[eandesmom]

We are staying at Beach Club Villas for 7 & All Star Music (I think) for the first two (total of 9 nights/10 days). It was cheaper for us to fly down on Thursday than wait til our Sat check in day at BCV. We will do the first two days on the QS plan then the second resie will be for DDP. This is why I have so many CS meals listed.

BCV is why I had HH in there twice as it may be nice to just chill for a few meals...I tend to feel the same way ya'll seem to about B & C, don't want to waste the SD meal, time in line, or cash...Maybe we'll do ice cream one night if it's not too crowded.

Captain Cook's Snack Company-Polynesian - no input. Are you staying at the Poly?

I have NEVER had Tonga Toast... I know...I know...

A friend just returned from DW & said they had TT at CCSC early one morning. I thought this sounded like a good spot...
1 I LOVE the Poly, any excuse.
2 As our kids are 6, 4, & (will be) 8mo we will spend a lot of time at MK.
3 I enjoy breakfast & the choices are so limited esp. at BC.

I've never had Tonga Toast either!

That completely makes sense on HH. I love the location of the Cantina and the Dos Equis but no one was overwhelmed by the food, which didn't surprise me in the least. I take it you've eaten at the rest of the WS CS options? There is the BC marketplace for lunch, limited menu though.

For BF you've got both BC marketplace for breakfast and then also Ale and Compass does a QS breakfast. We may have to hit Captains Grille for TS bfast OOP, the menu looks yummy. I've heard that the Tonga from CCooks is not quite as good as the one from Kona but I don't know. It just seems a production to go there for CS bfast.... But if you are on the QS plan and using it on those days from ASMusic, that makes sense.

 

[creativeamanda]

I have never tried the Picnic in the Park, but it seems rather alont the lines of the heat of Flame Tree. . .which is another one I would never do in the heat again.

My favorite CS locations:

Magic Kingdom: Cosmic Ray's
Hollywood Studios: Backlot Express
Epcot: Sunshine Seasons
Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree BBQ
Downtown Disney: Wolfgang Puck Express
Resorts: Everything POP! (Pop Century)