Looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere a PTR

[MRYPPNS]

Just a couple comments....

If our favorite entertainer is working the night of your 'Ohana's ressie, when you check-in ask to be sitted behind the fire pit....I think you will enjoy your dinner more.

I second the suggestion for the GF Cafe for lunch. It's very pretty in there and quite. I've got it as a back up plan for my trip.

 

[TarzansKat]

Day 2 (Sunday)- Animal Kingdom.
Lunch - Flame Tree BBQ - a must. It's the only CS meal that I actually plan on. I love the fruit plate they offer. I don't understand why the rest of the CS places in the parks don't offer one as well. Yum!

They have a fruit plate? Really? I had no idea, and that's so exciting to me! There's nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a fruit plate.

Day 3 - Epcot/MGM (Monday)
Breakfast - Akerhaus - I'm a little unsure about this ADR. I originally was going to try for later in the week, but now that we're staying CL and get a continental breakfast in the lounge, I moved it. Now I'm not so sure I'm going to try at all. It's a lot of money to be spending just on breakfast. Still it does sometimes feature Belle in her gold dress, even though I figure we'll be looking like a couple of goofs with no kids at a princess breakfast.

Seriously, go for it. Even if you're staying club level, plan to have your lunch or your dinner there instead of breakfast. You know what I mean? Plan to go back and just enjoy club level. I know they put out some great snacks and sometimes even wine for dinner, so make the most of it, and go to your princess breakfast!

Day 4 - Free Day! (Tuesday)
I want to go to the Grand Floridan spa on one of my free days, and right now I'm leaning towards moving day. Originally I had planned it for my second free day (Day #6), but now that I'm not staying at a MK area resort it wasn't as important to plan it for a day I was staying in the area. My BFF has no interest in spas, so while I'm getting pampered, she is planning on doing either the Keys to the Kingdom tour or the Backstage Magic tour.

I think doing the spa on a moving day is a good idea. If your room isn't ready at the resort you're switching to, you can be spending your time not worrying about it at the spa.

Lunch - or more accurately Tea, at the Grand Floridian
Maybe. I'm still not 100% on this. The sandwich offerings really don't thrill me as I can't stomach mayo and most of the offerings seem to include it, but I do love tea. Maybe just for some of the dessert items.

Okay, let me put your mind at rest here.

I don't like mayo. Blech. The mayo in these sandwiches is not like mayo. I don't know how to explain it, but it doesn't bother me at all. Plus, there are so many other wonderful offerings and a la carte options. I'm a huge fan of tea, I think everyone should try at least once. You may, however, feel free to ignore me.

Dinner - Le Cellier
Le Cellier wasn't on my schedule originally, but I added it for the benefit of my BFF. I want it primarily for the pretzel sticks and the cheese soup, as I'm not really a huge beef eater, but my friend loves steak. I actually won't be crushed if we don't get this one. I'd just as soon eat at the back up plan, the San Angel Inn in Mexico. Steak really doesn't do anything for me. I know. I'm weird. I'm probably the only one, who's almost hoping she's not able to get a Le Cellier reservation. I might just waffle, and change this one before I go ahead with it. I'm also not sure if I'm going to try for the Candlelight Processional package or not. I'm wishing Disney would release a bit more information about that as well.

I know it's primarily a steak house, but they are considerate of people who do not eat red meat with other menu choices.

Dinner - California Grill????
This is my toughest pick by far. We definitely want to do a signature meal on our last day. I pretty much narrowed it down to the California Grill or Citricos, although the Brown Derby is still a contender if I go with a different choice earlier in the week.

Right now I'm leaning towards the California Grill. I've been there before and like it. I also saw on allearsnet that the flatbreads are back on the menu, and I loved those my last trip. The menu though at Citrcos looks pretty good too, so I'm torn. Anyone who's eaten at them have any preferences?

You know, I almost positive, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, that the flatbreads are not on the menu. I think Allears is incorrect, but I could be wrong. In May, when I was there, they were most definitely not available.

I don't think that should stop you however.

I love the California Grill and I love Citrico's. Honestly, I would say that since you've been to the Cali Grill before you really owe it to yourself to try Citrico's. It's a fantastic meal with excellent service.

Wow, I'm usually not so opinionated.

 

[jenjolt]

What great plans you have!!!!! I too am definitely hitting up Kona Cafe so I can enjoy me some Tonga Toast!! Ever since I saw the picture of it I have wanted to eat it!!

I'm sure you will find something to enjoy at Le Cellier...its a very nice restaurant!!!!

California Grill is another restaurant I'm really really looking forward to trying, I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices though!

I really like your plans can't wait to see how your ADRs go!!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I think your plans sound great. I would go for Le Cellier, there seems to be other yummy stuff on the menu you could eat! Heck, order two appetizers for your meal!

 

[Donald is #1]

On the GF tea, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I really enjoyed it last year. If you choose one of the meals with the sandwiches, you can also ask for substitutions. I don't like egg salad. So when I gave my order, I asked for that one to be replaced with another one.

 

[Donald is #1]

I'm trying to remember your dates, but from your count down I think that you're trip starts the same day as mine. If that is the case, the last couple of days of your trip overlap with DAP. Are you going to do any of the DAP events on Thursday or Friday?

 

[MRYPPNS]

I *think* the deal with the flatbreads at CG going on and off the menu is the pizza/brick oven goes on the fitz....often it seems. I no longer have much faith in the accurancy of the menu of allears....I only use them as a general guide now.

 

[All7OfUs]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your plans! Everything looks perfect!

I especially like that:

--You have backup plans for a lot.

--You are going to pamper yourself at the spa.

--You are willing to give a couple of places a second try.

--You are going to do a character meal!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Just a couple comments....

If our favorite entertainer is working the night of your 'Ohana's ressie, when you check-in ask to be sitted behind the fire pit....I think you will enjoy your dinner more.

I second the suggestion for the GF Cafe for lunch. It's very pretty in there and quite. I've got it as a back up plan for my trip.

I almost forgot about the sachrinely sweet lady with her wooden heels. I am definitely asking for a table away from the activities area this time. Even if she's not there, it just gets really annoying after awhile to have people's rear ends in your face as your eating because they are trying to take pictures of their kids.

They have a fruit plate? Really? I had no idea, and that's so exciting to me! There's nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a fruit plate.

Yes! It's really a big plate of fruit too. Last year I had more than enough to share with both of my nieces who were scavaging off my plate. You get large portions of pineapple, cantelope, honeydew, grapes and strawberries and they serve the whole thing with some honey yogurt for dipping. It's my favorite CS meal in all the world. I just wish the other CS places would offer something similar.

Seriously, go for it. Even if you're staying club level, plan to have your lunch or your dinner there instead of breakfast. You know what I mean? Plan to go back and just enjoy club level. I know they put out some great snacks and sometimes even wine for dinner, so make the most of it, and go to your princess breakfast!

I had originally planned for the princess meal later in the week, but changed it once I booked club level. That way we will be able to enjoy the club offerings for breakfast. Plus I've been reading the boards about the values during Pop Warner, and the one thing people seem to agree on is how bad it is in the food court in the morning. I'd much rather go off and have a peaceful meal somewhere else.

I think doing the spa on a moving day is a good idea. If your room isn't ready at the resort you're switching to, you can be spending your time not worrying about it at the spa. ]

That's what I'm hoping. Now I just have to deciede what kind of treatment I want to have!

Okay, let me put your mind at rest here.

I don't like mayo. Blech. The mayo in these sandwiches is not like mayo. I don't know how to explain it, but it doesn't bother me at all. Plus, there are so many other wonderful offerings and a la carte options. I'm a huge fan of tea, I think everyone should try at least once. You may, however, feel free to ignore me.

Thanks for this! That's exactly how I feel about mayo. I think normally the only time I ever eat it is with tuna, and even then I use only the smallest amount to mix in, and I still have to pile things like tomatos on my sandwich to kill any remaining taste.

I'm thinking I'm going to make the ADR and give it a try. I don't think my BFF would be up for it, so it will make a nice afternoon to myself.

You know, I almost positive, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, that the flatbreads are not on the menu. I think Allears is incorrect, but I could be wrong. In May, when I was there, they were most definitely not available.

I don't think that should stop you however.

I love the California Grill and I love Citrico's. Honestly, I would say that since you've been to the Cali Grill before you really owe it to yourself to try Citrico's. It's a fantastic meal with excellent service.

They had been off the menu, but when I was on allears the other day they were back on and the menu update was from 07/09. They seemed to be different from the ones they had last year when I went too.

I'm trying to get my BFF to put in some input for our ADRs. (Since I'm so torn on this decision, let her pick it!) I still haven't heard anything from her. While normally I love the fact that she is completely laid back and a non-planner because it makes my life easy, times like this it starts to drive me a bit nuts. I'm going to make her chose since I can't make up my mind on this one!

Wow, I'm usually not so opinionated.

But we love your opinions! They are so helpful.

What great plans you have!!!!! I too am definitely hitting up Kona Cafe so I can enjoy me some Tonga Toast!! Ever since I saw the picture of it I have wanted to eat it!!

I blame Tink for my new obsession with Tonga Toast.

I'm sure you will find something to enjoy at Le Cellier...its a very nice restaurant!!!!

I've eaten there before and enjoyed the chicken dish. I'm sure I'll be fine with that again. Maybe I can try a veggie dish too.

I think your plans sound great. I would go for Le Cellier, there seems to be other yummy stuff on the menu you could eat! Heck, order two appetizers for your meal!

That sounds like a great idea. Cheese soup and the tomato stack. Yum!!!

I'm trying to remember your dates, but from your count down I think that you're trip starts the same day as mine. If that is the case, the last couple of days of your trip overlap with DAP. Are you going to do any of the DAP events on Thursday or Friday?

I'll be at ASSp from 12/5 - 12/8, and the Boardwalk Inn from 12/8 to 12/12. I didn't know they were doing anything on the Thursday and Friday. I thought the even was on 12/12?

I *think* the deal with the flatbreads at CG going on and off the menu is the pizza/brick oven goes on the fitz....often it seems. I no longer have much faith in the accurancy of the menu of allears....I only use them as a general guide now.

I defintitely won't be counting on them for certain then. Thanks for the heads up!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your plans! Everything looks perfect!

I especially like that:

--You have backup plans for a lot.

--You are going to pamper yourself at the spa.

--You are willing to give a couple of places a second try.

--You are going to do a character meal!

I always have to have a back up plan. I blame the compulsive planner in me on that. I even have a back up plan for the back up plan. I just didn't want everyone to think I was completely nuts.

I've never had any kind of spa treatment, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's just choosing that's going to be really tough. I was originally going to have the works done, but now that I'm possibly taking another trip in March I'm only going to have one thing done.

The character meal is going to be something new for me too, and I'm up for giving a place one more shot. My last meal at the Poly wasn't completely horrible, it was really a service problem. Hopefully this trip it will be better.

 

[Donald is #1]

I'll be at ASSp from 12/5 - 12/8, and the Boardwalk Inn from 12/8 to 12/12. I didn't know they were doing anything on the Thursday and Friday. I thought the even was on 12/12?

Thursday they are doing Osborne lights and YeeHaw Bob.
On Friday, there is some event that is yet to be announced, plus Drinking Around The World in the evening.

 

[TarzansKat]

Yes! It's really a big plate of fruit too. Last year I had more than enough to share with both of my nieces who were scavaging off my plate. You get large portions of pineapple, cantelope, honeydew, grapes and strawberries and they serve the whole thing with some honey yogurt for dipping. It's my favorite CS meal in all the world. I just wish the other CS places would offer something similar.

Wow, thank you for the great description! This is going on my must do list, for sure. My son loves fruit and this meal would be right up his alley! I'm always looking for CS that is healthier or has something he'd be interested in, instead of the carp they normally serve the kids. So even if I get this as an adult CS, there will be plenty for us to share! Perfect!

I had originally planned for the princess meal later in the week, but changed it once I booked club level. That way we will be able to enjoy the club offerings for breakfast. Plus I've been reading the boards about the values during Pop Warner, and the one thing people seem to agree on is how bad it is in the food court in the morning. I'd much rather go off and have a peaceful meal somewhere else.

I've heard the same thing. Although you may not feel the resort is crowded, the food court will definitely be. I wonder how it compares to free dining? Anyway, I"m so glad you're doing this. It's one of the ressies I was unable to get for my September trip, so I'm definitely living vicariously through you on this one.

Thanks for this! That's exactly how I feel about mayo. I think normally the only time I ever eat it is with tuna, and even then I use only the smallest amount to mix in, and I still have to pile things like tomatos on my sandwich to kill any remaining taste.

I'm thinking I'm going to make the ADR and give it a try. I don't think my BFF would be up for it, so it will make a nice afternoon to myself.

I say go for it!

They had been off the menu, but when I was on allears the other day they were back on and the menu update was from 07/09. They seemed to be different from the ones they had last year when I went too.

I'm trying to get my BFF to put in some input for our ADRs. (Since I'm so torn on this decision, let her pick it!) I still haven't heard anything from her. While normally I love the fact that she is completely laid back and a non-planner because it makes my life easy, times like this it starts to drive me a bit nuts. I'm going to make her chose since I can't make up my mind on this one!

What a bummer about the flip flopping menus. I'm with Heidi though, I use Allears mostly as a guide. When I looked at the menu (I mean, studied it thoroughly, no joke) before Tink and I went in May, I knew exactly what I wanted. When I got there, the menu had changed, and what I wanted wasn't on it anymore.

But we love your opinions! They are so helpful.

Well, thank you! I am happy to help.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Wow, thank you for the great description! This is going on my must do list, for sure. My son loves fruit and this meal would be right up his alley! I'm always looking for CS that is healthier or has something he'd be interested in, instead of the carp they normally serve the kids. So even if I get this as an adult CS, there will be plenty for us to share! Perfect!

My nieces are the world's worst eaters. Seriously, the only stuff they will eat is that carp on the kids menus at WDW, and even that will take them hours to eat. (Watching them eat is a painful experience.) They adored the fruit though, and ate all of it quickly. They give you plenty to share with your DS.

I've heard the same thing. Although you may not feel the resort is crowded, the food court will definitely be. I wonder how it compares to free dining? Anyway, I"m so glad you're doing this. It's one of the ressies I was unable to get for my September trip, so I'm definitely living vicariously through you on this one.

Scary thing is that it will be Pop Warner and free dining at the same time. I shudder a bit about how it will be. Hopefully we'll be up early so it won't be much of an issue. I'm hoping to get up and go for some morning runs while I'm down there, so I'll be up anyways.

 

[TarzansKat]

My nieces are the world's worst eaters. Seriously, the only stuff they will eat is that carp on the kids menus at WDW, and even that will take them hours to eat. (Watching them eat is a painful experience.) They adored the fruit though, and ate all of it quickly. They give you plenty to share with your DS.

I'm very lucky in that DS does love some healthy foods, but watching him eat can also be painful. He's got such a vivid imagination, I have to remind him we eat our food...we don't play with it.

Scary thing is that it will be Pop Warner and free dining at the same time. I shudder a bit about how it will be. Hopefully we'll be up early so it won't be much of an issue. I'm hoping to get up and go for some morning runs while I'm down there, so I'll be up anyways.

Wow, I didn't realize. Because of the new dining promo? Wow.

 

[All7OfUs]

We got a fruit plate there last year too, and it was WONDERFUL! Everything was fresh. We ordered 3 BBQ pork sandwiches and some onion rings as well, and it was WAY more than enough for feeding me AND my 5 kids! I LOVE the Flame Tree!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I'm very lucky in that DS does love some healthy foods, but watching him eat can also be painful. He's got such a vivid imagination, I have to remind him we eat our food...we don't play with it.

The nieces don't play with their food, they just don't eat. The older one especially is horrible. I think her preferred food list consists of cheese pizza, and Boston Market mac and cheese. Although it always seems like they want to eat whatever I'm eating.

Wow, I didn't realize. Because of the new dining promo? Wow.

Yes. It's going to be just a wee bit crazy in there.

We got a fruit plate there last year too, and it was WONDERFUL! Everything was fresh. We ordered 3 BBQ pork sandwiches and some onion rings as well, and it was WAY more than enough for feeding me AND my 5 kids! I LOVE the Flame Tree!

I got dragged there grudgingly by my BFF on our last trip together. BBQ doesn't thrill me, so I was very happy when I found the fruit plate.

 

[Flossbolna]

Those rest days sound wonderful, but I would never be able to do them when the parks are that close! If you travel around the Poly and the GF remember that you can also take the little boat, it goes Poly -> MK -> GF -> Poly and I think a round trip would be 20 min. When we stayed at the Poly we always used that boat and never waited more than 10 min, there always were 2 or 3 in operation.

I think I read on the restaurant boards (I think it was on ehagerty's CG picture thread) that the flatbreads are back for good. They were only gone for a time when the oven was refurbished.

I have never been at Citricos, it is the only signature restaurant that I am not interested in, mainly because it offers food I can get here in Germany as well. I rather eat American when I am in America, not Mediterranean. I think CG is wonderful and offers interesting dishes, but my suggestion would be to try the Flying Fish since you are already staying at the Boardwalk. We had a fantastic meal there in January and for your steak loving friend: the steak was incredible!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I've been a bit lax in getting up another update. I've had a number of weddings and kid's parties to attend the past few weeks and I think combined they managed to leave me in a bit of a depressed funk. I feel terrible, because I really am happy for my friends, but on the other hand it gets really tough to put on the happy single gal face and pretend that everything is wonderful after awhile. Luckily I'm pretty good at hiding it. It just got a bit overwhelming last week and seriously I was feeling like I was about to start sobbing at any given moment. Sometimes loneliness is tough, no matter how many other good things are in your life. I saw my nieces on Saturday, and they really helped me snap out of it a bit. The simplicity of just playing make-believe games with them is so soothing to me.

I have been making myself do a bit of trip planning. I e-mailed the Boardwalk Inn concierge staff last week, and received a form to fill out with information and requests for my trip. This meant finalizing my ADRs (for now at any rate), and trying to make a guess on times when there are no park hours available. (Really, really annoying!). The one last ADR I had to choose on was our signature dining on our last night. I still couldn't make up my mind, so I emailed a copy of the menus for Citricos and the California Grill to my BFF and told her she had to chose. She's even more indecisive than me, but I was holding my ground and making her pick this one.

The winner?

Citrcos. I'm pretty excited that she picked this one. I've never eaten there before, so I'm anxious to try it out. I've read nothing but good reviews about it too. I think a great dinner amist the luxury of the Grand Floridian will be a wonderful end to our trip.

I've also done a bit of bag shopping. Yes, I've succumbed to bagitis. (Have you ever noticed how many catchy "diseases" get passed around these boards?) I had no intention of buying any kind of new bags for my trip. None. I just bought my lime green baggalini last year, and it worked pretty well for me. Even if I decided not to carry that, I had a quilted Vera-ish knapsack that I had bought for the trip two years ago that also worked well for me. I really had no need or desire for a new bag at all.

Famous last words, right? I started seeing everyone else's new bags popping up on their trip and ptrs and a need for a new bag started to grow in my belly. First there was Tink's cute Coach wristlet on her trip report with TK. Small and adorable. I began thinking that a small bag would be a really nice option to the Baggalini for those days that I won't need to cart around a poncho or sweater. Suddenly I had wristlets on the brain. I saw a few Coach wristlets that I liked, but I couldn't justify the cost right now, so I went searching around on Etsy, and nearly immediately found this bag.

If ever there was a bag that screamed "Take me Home" this was it. I just had to have it! The colors are so me - aqua and lime is my favorite color combination, and the touches of yellow are really pretty. I just received it yesterday and I just love it. It's small, but there is plenty of room for my camera, room key, sunglasses and any other small things I need to carry with me.

I also had been noticing all the Vera bags on everyone's reports. Now I'll be completely honest here and say that I never really had any desire for a Vera bag before. I'm not a huge fan of quilting on clothing or accessories, and some of the patterns were a bit too loud for me. But I started seeing some things that I liked. In particular I really liked the Blue Rhapsody and Raspberry Fizz patterns, and I found myself eyeing the wristlet bags and the mini-hipsters. They were small enough to show off a bit of the patterns and not appear too "quilted" for my tastes. I started watching the auctions on ebay to see if I could find one cheaper. Obviously everyone and their mother likes the same patterns I do, because I couldn't find a good deal on either of those patterns. Then I end up bidding on and winning this bag:

A mini-hipster in the Riviera Blue pattern. I'm okay with the pattern. It's a fairly low-key paisley which I like. It wouldn't have been my first or second choice of a pattern, but it's okay. Why did I buy it then? Because I got it for the fantastic price of $9 plus shipping, and it was brand new with tags! It will give me a good chance to see how I like carrying this style of bag, without having to shell out a lot of money. I'm not sure that I'm going to bring it to Disney though. I need a new bag to bring to Yankee games, and I tend to like to carry smalll sling bags so I don't have to put it on the ground. I think for now I'm going to use it for that, but you never know. It may still come along for the trip.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Sorry you got hit with Bagitis, but it seems that you found a cure!

Edited to add: You should sell sweaters like the one you made Danica on Esty if you have the time to knit this winter ....you'd make a bundle!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Sorry you got hit with Bagitis, but it seems that you found a cure!

Edited to add: You should sell sweaters like the one you made Danica on Esty if you have the time to knit this winter ....you'd make a bundle!

I'm pretty convinced that bagitis is inevitable here on the Disboards.

I love to knit, but I'd never be able to make any money off of it. I knit so slowly. I'd never finish anything.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Awww, I'm sooo sorry to hear you were feeling depressed lately about being single...they say, good things come to those who wait. It will happen....give it time...my prayers are with you.

Oooo...love the new aqua/green wristlet!!! It's adorable!!! And it matches your bagallini, too!!! How fun!

And the Vera Bag is nice, too. I have the bigger version of the pattern you got for my "diaper bag"....it's more of a tote and it's conservative, but nice. And you're right, it's a good way to test it out for the future before putting too much money into Vera. Funny, I never was into Vera either (they are SUPER popular here) until DIS either!!!