Looking forward to a crowd-free Disney Trip! **Update 9/4**

[lbuzz52]

I have absolutely NO problem at all with you posting questions on my PTR! That's what the DIS is for...helping out friends!

However, I will PM you & give you my email address. Then we can also communicate that way...although I do tend to get on DIS more frequently than checking my email. So if its an urgent question, post on my PTR that you sent me an email so I make sure to check it!

I'm hoping that Luke will like the dance parties! I have images in my head of him having a blast with the characters, but who knows! He tends to like things I think he will be scared of & he doesn't like things I think he will love! Funny how that works!

Glad you found the pirate cake on the thread. Yes, I do believe its found pretty much at all of the TS restaurants. You will definitely be able to get the Pirate cake for your DS at the same restaurants as the slipper for your DD!

About the crib, no I've never used one! I wish I could help you out there but unfortunately I can't. I can try to give you advice regarding one though. First of all, we took our son when he was 10 months old and 2 years old. Both times, we paid extra for a King bed room & he slept in between us. Even the Bell Services CM thought we were crazy & asked us about 10 times if he could run down to the main building & grab a pack & play for us. We said no it was fine, he sleeps in between us...but he still insisted on getting on just in case! We finally assured him it was ok & that we had done the same thing our past 2 trips. I thought it was very nice of him to suggest it even though it wasn't needed!

Now, I'm pretty sure that they will provide a pack & play for you free of charge, but they do charge extra per night for a crib. I don't know the cost. You might know more than me if you've ever used a crib at Disney before! Since you said your DS won't sleep in a pack & play, I would definitely get the crib. I don't think it will bother you (as far as space is concerned) being in the room all the time.

I'm assuming you are getting 2 queen beds. We had a King bed room & I can tell you that there was a very large empty space in between the bed & the door. We also had a corner room though & I've heard those are a little bigger (although I don't honestly think they're any different than a regular room other than they have 2 windows! lol) I'll try to find a picture from last trip to show you the amount of space.

To give you an idea, I "stored" the full size stroller, 3 large suitcases, my carry-on bag, and some laundry between the bed & door. The nightstand was also there & my son usually put one of the chairs over there as well. If you're getting a room with 2 queen beds, I still think a crib would fit comfortably in the room. I've never stayed in one though so I can't say for sure. I do know that in all of the rooms, there is a space in between the bench & vanity area. If the crib was in your way, you could always move it over there & then roll it back over by the bed at nighttime.

Sorry that was alot of blabbering! lol I hope it helps though! I'll find the pics of inside the room & post them here for you! And as I said, don't feel bad asking questions on here! You never know if someone else has the same question & you might help them by asking it here!

thanks for all the info! i had forgotten that cribs aren't standard in all rooms. we used one last trip but it was in a 2 deluxe. i have to call and get the rates on that. i did find a floorplan for the rooms so i see what you mean on the spacing.
i wish my ds would sleep in a pack and play or in the bed with his sister. i've tried to get him to take a nap on a bed or rest on a couch and he just refuses to if he is near anyone else, including me. sure would make vacation life easier! anyway, thanks again!

 

[photographymom517]

thanks for all the info! i had forgotten that cribs aren't standard in all rooms. we used one last trip but it was in a 2 deluxe. i have to call and get the rates on that. i did find a floorplan for the rooms so i see what you mean on the spacing.

i wish my ds would sleep in a pack and play or in the bed with his sister. i've tried to get him to take a nap on a bed or rest on a couch and he just refuses to if he is near anyone else, including me. sure would make vacation life easier! anyway, thanks again!

I think the crib costs around $10 per night, but I'd call Disney to double check. If by some chance you can convince him to sleep in a regular bed before your trip, they offer bed rails free of charge. I know because the Bell Services CM offered to get one for us & said there was no charge for it. That was at CBR too so I know they have them!

I am actually soooo incredibly jealous of you right now, you have no idea!!!

My son won't sleep anywhere unless its with me or right beside me (which usually means he practically sleeps half on top of me the entire night!) We actually had to move his bed into our room & put it right beside our bed. He usually goes back & forth throughout the night from his bed to beside me. It actually doesn't bother me at all on vacation because we get that fluffy King sized bed! (we only have a queen at home & it gets crowded with 3 puppies, a cat, and a toddler! lol)

Alot of people are against it, I know -- now I probably have a million moms on the boards cursing at me under their breath!

 

[Mindy5767]

Hahaha... my DD8 doesn't like to sleep alone in her room either... she promises that she will if we buy her a dog. She sometimes will sleep on our sofa. We have a master bedroom sitting room with a TV/entertainment center and sofa. She makes herself at home. Of course, her room is hugely ginormous and filled with all manner of Disney plushies.

I have some news that might effect when we visit Disney this summer.... my DS19 has applied for a summer job at Disney. His girlfriend did too. She has an interview today. Sending good hiring thoughts. She's applying to be a life guard. Max can't be a life guard because he didn't get that boy scout certification... but he has his life saving merit badge! And he's an Eagle Scout. He can work first aid, or just about anything really. He'd have to come home when school ends to take care of a few things (like taking the driving test so he can get his permanent license) and renewing his passport for our cruise.. but then we'd be returning him to Florida alot sooner. I have no idea how this will play out because he gets out of school May 6th and our public school doesn't end til June 16th...we can't actually TAKE a Disney vacation until After July 10th because Heidi has her ballet recital the 25th of June and she has a 4 night girlscout beginners overnight camp that is until July 9th. I hope this all works out. I will not fret about ADR's though, since I know there is always something. We'll probably stay at Pop Century though, and bank of DVC points for next use year.

 

[photographymom517]

Hahaha... my DD8 doesn't like to sleep alone in her room either... she promises that she will if we buy her a dog. She sometimes will sleep on our sofa. We have a master bedroom sitting room with a TV/entertainment center and sofa. She makes herself at home. Of course, her room is hugely ginormous and filled with all manner of Disney plushies.

I have some news that might effect when we visit Disney this summer.... my DS19 has applied for a summer job at Disney. His girlfriend did too. She has an interview today. Sending good hiring thoughts. She's applying to be a life guard. Max can't be a life guard because he didn't get that boy scout certification... but he has his life saving merit badge! And he's an Eagle Scout. He can work first aid, or just about anything really. He'd have to come home when school ends to take care of a few things (like taking the driving test so he can get his permanent license) and renewing his passport for our cruise.. but then we'd be returning him to Florida alot sooner. I have no idea how this will play out because he gets out of school May 6th and our public school doesn't end til June 16th...we can't actually TAKE a Disney vacation until After July 10th because Heidi has her ballet recital the 25th of June and she has a 4 night girlscout beginners overnight camp that is until July 9th. I hope this all works out. I will not fret about ADR's though, since I know there is always something. We'll probably stay at Pop Century though, and bank of DVC points for next use year.

Isn't it funny how we take the time to create these beautiful rooms for our kids & yet they sleep in our rooms instead???

I'm hoping that once Luke gets a little older, he will migrate into his own room & take a dog (or two) along with him! Its definitely crowded with him & the dogs & the cat (sometimes) with us. The cat usually goes outside at night & comes back in the early morning. Our youngest dog really loves children so I'm hoping that she will want to sleep with Luke when he gets older. It will help having 1 less dog on our bed plus I think it would be comforting to Luke. We shall see!

That is really great about your son & his girlfriend!!! I will definitely keep them both in my thoughts & prayers for the next few days hoping that the interviews go smoothly & they are both hired at Disney for the summer!!!

That would be an awesome job to have!!! So much fun being at Disney for the summer plus would look amazing on their resume for the future! Best wishes to both of them, please keep us updated!!!

Your school schedules have reminded me of the need to go to Disney whenever we want for the next 2-3 years! Once Luke starts 1st grade, I would like to enroll him in some school activities such as soccer, cub scouts, little league baseball, etc. I'm sure I will be super busy!!!

Yes, I agree -- don't worry over ADR's! It had me so stressed out for awhile there & I ended up making them a few days late & still getting everything I wanted. There's always a 2nd choice if you don't get your 1st. For our June trip, I made them 14 days ahead of time & got basically what we wanted! I've definitely learned to take a step back & relax when planning!

 

[photographymom517]

Since I don’t really have an update to my report, I decided to go through all the menus and get an idea of what I might order. I'm only trying to get ideas & see what looks good! Most likely, it will change! I just thought it would be neat to post it now & then compare after our trip to see what I actually ordered!

The majority of these pictures are NOT mine! Most of them are from Allears.net and the others I just searched for images for the Disney restaurants. Some actually came from the DISboards but I was searching under AOL images & just happened to find them! So, thank you to everyone who took these photographs!!! Excellent pics of yummy Disney food!!!

First up – Captain’s Grill (Beach Club Resort)

I think that the Market Fish (with ancient grains & sautéed vegetables) looks pretty good! I’ll most likely get the fish or the Grilled NY Strip steak! Yum! I like the NYstrip instead of the Rib-Eye because it has a red wine sauce & cheddar-bacon mashed potatoes!

For dessert, of course, I’ll get the “chocolate profiterole.” On the menu, it says this comes with chocolate mousse, crème anglaise, and shaved chocolate. I’m not sure what crème anglaise is but I’m sure its some type of topping on the mousee. Does anyone know or has anyone tried this before?

Epcot – Chefs de France (Lunch)

I’m super excited to eat at Chefs because one of Luke’s favorite Disney movies is Ratatoille and he is super excited to see Remy! He keeps asking me to make him a “Too-ee” tshirt for the trip!!!

I’m having a hard time choosing here! I like the looks of the Gratin de Macaroni (baked macaroni with cream & gruyere cheese) or the Filet de Saumon (broiled salmon on mixed cabbage with cubed apple & corn salad) or the Plat de Cote de boeuf (Beef Short ribs with pasta, onions & mushrooms). They all sound delish! Any suggestions?

After finding the picture of the Gratin, I will DEFINITELY be ordering it!!!

Of course, I’d love to try something chocolate for dessert but I think I’m going to try some new things on this trip! I really think the Biscuit sable Breton sounds wonderful! It’s a butter cookie with rhubarb compote with orange, strawberry & rhubarb sorbet! Yum!!! Or I might try the Crème Brulee! I love strawberry & rhubarb though so I think I’m pretty much sold on that!!!

Epcot – Garden Grill (Dinner)

I found this picture from Garden Grill

Honestly, the food looks great here, but I'm looking forward to seeing Chip & Dale!!! When I went on my very first Disney trips as a child, I was able to just walk right up & see Chip & Dale. But I haven't had a chance to see them in 2009 or 2010...so this trip, since we're eating at Garden Grill, I definitely will get to see them!!!

As far as the food -- I know that Luke will love the breads & the children's chicken & mac n cheese! My husband's favorite will probably be the turkey & beef.

Depending on what the fish of the day is, I will most likely enjoy that the most & of course the dessert!

Epcot – France bakery

See the chocolate mousse on the far right-hand side? Most of you know, that is my fav!!!! I've never even been INSIDE the France bakery because I just always send my husband in to get my mousse! This trip, I'm going inside to maybe choose something new!

Most likely, knowing me, I'll just get the chocolate mousse again! But if I decide to try something new, I think the cream puff, coconut pyramid, apple tart, and fruit bavarois sound wonderful!!!

Epcot – Tangerine Café (my QS choice!)

The chicken wrap & mediterrranean sliders combo both sound pretty good! I'm thinking that I'll definitely get a coffee here! The Kasbah Coffee, Casablanca Coffee, and (yum!) Mimosa all sound great! I'll probably stop in the mid-morning & grab a coffee & save the Mimosa for evening! Maybe while watching Illuminations!

Here's a picture of the Casablanca Coffee

Hollywood Studios – Sci-Fi Dine In (Lunch)

I think that out of all my ADR’s, I am most looking forward to seeing Luke’s face when he realizes that he can sit in the cars!!!

Not sure what Luke will choose to eat here, but I'm definitely ordering him a Buzz Lightyear punch!

The only thing on the menu that I like is the Italian Grilled Chicken Salad, so this is the one restaurant where I definitely already know what I'm ordering in September! LOL I'll probably get the fruit salad for dessert. I'm thinking that we're going to pay OOP for this meal. Yum...they have the Magical Star Cocktail here!!! Lunch may be a little too early for that though! We'll wait & see in September!

 

[photographymom517]

Magic Kingdom – Crystal Palace (Lunch)

Definitely looking forward to seeing Pooh & friends! Eeyore & Piglet are two of my very favorite characters!!! Its actually hard to choose favorites because I also love Tigger & Pooh! I hope this is worth all the anticipation because we've wanted to eat here for years! We were all super disappointed that we couldn't make our ADR last trip but there was no way after 8 days of touring we were getting up before 6:30am to make it to MK on time!

Magic Kingdom – Cosmic Ray’s (our favorite QS!)

(my photo)

We will definitely try the BBQ Pork sandwich again! (of course my pic with my child! lol)

Animal Kingdom – Tusker House (Breakfast)

I really want to try the biscuits w/gravy, bread pudding & juice!!! Yum!

Animal Kingdom – Possible lunch QS option (Flame Tree BBQ)

The ribs look delish here!!! And they come with baked beans & corn muffin!!!

Boardwalk – Kouzzina (Dinner)

I have no idea what I'll get here but the Kouzzina Trio sounds good because then I could try 3 different dishes! I also think the NY Strip Steak and Whole Fish sound good. I know I definitely won't be getting the Fisherman's Stew! Eww!! Tried something similar at Red Lobster once & my husband & I both thought it smelled like a fish aqarium! haha!

This is the Pastitsio (I have no idea what that means but it looks amazing!)

For dessert, the Loukoumades (Greek doughnuts with warm honey) sound amazing!!!!

Beach Club Resort – Cape May Café (Breakfast)

These look soooo yummy!!! But I can’t wait to see Goofy & Minnie at Cape May!

We really love Disney's breakfasts (the buffets, not the QS options!) but I'm most looking forward to the Mickey waffles, apple sauce, fresh fruit, and muffins!

Luke & my DH really enjoyed the eggs, bacon, & sausage along with pretty much everything else! Luke's favorites are always the boiled eggs and fruit.

Beach Club Resort – Hurricane Hanna’s

We ate here after our Photo Session last June so I’m looking forward to stopping by for a quick lunch or snack! Luke of course loved the hot dog. He's been picky about hot dogs recently so I'm not sure if he'll like them at Disney or not. I got the Vegetable Wrap & it was really, really good! It was so hot & humid in June that I didn't eat it all at once & took it back to the resort. I put it in the fridge & ate it later that evening & still didn't finish it. I tried eating it the next morning for a small breakfast but it was too mushy.

I think I want to try the Southern Sunrise or Mango Margarita! The prices are insane for drinks though so I'm sure I'll only have 1 throughout our entire trip!

Polynesian Resort – Kona Café (Lunch)

I already know my DH will get the Kahuna Burger...its the only thing on the menu that he likes! I don't even have to ask him his choice! LOL

I think the Polynesian Plate Lunch (with chicken) sounds pretty good! I'm torn between that & the Asian Noodles.

 

[photographymom517]

Epcot – Teppan Edo

I cannot wait to try this!!!

What do you get here with the dining plan? An entree and dessert just like the others? I thought it was more like a family-style meal but I guess its not.

I know I'm ordering the Miso Soup even if I have to pay OOP for it! Hopefully I'm hungry enough by dinner time to eat that along with an entree & dessert! I'll probably get the Ebi (large shrimp) or the Filet Mignon. I know my husband will get a steak. I just noticed they have combo entrees...so I could get the Asakusa and get both a Sirloin steak & shrimp! Luke will definitely order the Tori (chicken breast) and most likely, we will all get the ice cream for dessert.



Epcot – San Angel Inn

We don’t have ressies for this but I’m thinking about adding them. My husband asks to eat here EVERY single trip! I definitely think he would enjoy sitting in front of the 3 Caballeros! However, after looking over the menu, I see absolutely nothing here that he would eat. He doesn't like additives to his food...like sauces & scallions & avocados & things like that! So I'll have to show him the menu before deciding for sure.

I know that I would be happy with mostly any of the entrees here! It all sounds good to me!

These look very good!

Epcot – Kringla Bakery (Norway)

This is actually my own picture!!!

I really want to try School Bread! For those who followed my June TR, they ran out of School Bread right before we ordered!

Hollywood Studios – Prime Time Café (Lunch)

Chicken – I think that Luke & I might share this!

The chicken, pot pie, fish sandwich, and caesar salad all sound good here!!! I'll have a hard time deciding my entree or dessert here! The brownie sundae, boston cream cupcake, and s'mores all sound great!!! Maybe we will all get something different & share!

Boardwalk Bakery

I will probably visit for my snacks & breakfasts!!!!

I'm thinking that we'll have a Peanut Butter cake or Cheesecake for a late-night snack one evening!

And, no doubt I'll have a chocolate croissant...or two...or three...or four...they are my favorite Disney treat!

Beaches & Cream

I cannot wait to go here!!!!

Beach Club Marketplace

After finding pictures of the Beach Club Marketplace, I want to cancel a million ADR’s and just eat desserts & snacks here!

Yum...gelato!!! I found this picture on Allears.net and it looks soooo good!

Luke will probably get a piece of fruit for breakfast or snacks! He loves fruit especially apples & bananas! We used quite a few of our snack credits last trip for his fruit choices!

And of course we'll have to do some shopping at the BC Marketplace as well!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Thanks Hope, now I'm hungry!

 

[Megablocks]

Well, now I'm hungry, too!

My mom and I both ordered the mac and cheese from Chefs de France and looooooved it. It was really gooey and cheesy and just super good. We also shared the creme brulee for dessert and that was really yummy, too. I was secretly glad that my mom decided she couldn't finish it and I got to have it most of it.

The Kringla bakery...my parents loved the school bread. However, I am weird with coconut...I don't mind the taste, but something about the texture bothers me. I DID get an almond pretzel from there (thanks to another DIS'er) and I loved it. There was also something there that I told Charles about that he was dying to try, I want to say it was blood orange custard? It was something blood orange.

The s'mores dessert at PTC is goooooood!

The gelato also looks soooo good -- there is a Whole Foods in our city but a little farther away there is a huge Whole Foods and they have a counter where you can just go up and order a cup of gelato. Since it's on the way to the only nearby decent mall, Charles and I sometimes stop there for a treat.

The France bakery -- my mom and I went there on our '09 trip. I got some little raspberry pastry thing that had a weird name, I want to say a raspberry suss? Pronounced the same way as "Seuss" as in Dr. Seuss? I can't remember! I liked it but I liked my mom's way better (of course), it was like a tiny lemon meringue pie and it had sugar sprinkled on top. I also tried some coffee drink from there but I couldn't even finish it b/c it was STRONG. It tasted like straight espresso. I felt awful throwing it away b/c it was like five bucks but my mom tried it as well and agreed that it was impossible to drink.

Do you guys have any plans to go to Starring Rolls in DHS? I've seen a lot of really delicious looking treats from there. I'm dying to get a treat from there!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Subscribing!!! I need to go back and read......will be back later tonight.

Erika

 

[PopArtGal]

Yum, Tusker House breakfast. I think it's my fave breakfast.

 

[photographymom517]

Thanks Hope, now I'm hungry!

I know what you mean...after looking at all of that food, I was super hungry too!

Yum, Tusker House breakfast. I think it's my fave breakfast.

I can't wait to try it! And have my picture taken with Safari Donald! My parents got a great picture taken with him on their trip -- and they didn't pay the $30 or whatever it cost -- the CM took a picture on my mom's camera for her!

 

[photographymom517]

Well, now I'm hungry, too!

My mom and I both ordered the mac and cheese from Chefs de France and looooooved it. It was really gooey and cheesy and just super good. We also shared the creme brulee for dessert and that was really yummy, too. I was secretly glad that my mom decided she couldn't finish it and I got to have it most of it.

The Kringla bakery...my parents loved the school bread. However, I am weird with coconut...I don't mind the taste, but something about the texture bothers me. I DID get an almond pretzel from there (thanks to another DIS'er) and I loved it. There was also something there that I told Charles about that he was dying to try, I want to say it was blood orange custard? It was something blood orange.

The s'mores dessert at PTC is goooooood!

The gelato also looks soooo good -- there is a Whole Foods in our city but a little farther away there is a huge Whole Foods and they have a counter where you can just go up and order a cup of gelato. Since it's on the way to the only nearby decent mall, Charles and I sometimes stop there for a treat.

The France bakery -- my mom and I went there on our '09 trip. I got some little raspberry pastry thing that had a weird name, I want to say a raspberry suss? Pronounced the same way as "Seuss" as in Dr. Seuss? I can't remember! I liked it but I liked my mom's way better (of course), it was like a tiny lemon meringue pie and it had sugar sprinkled on top. I also tried some coffee drink from there but I couldn't even finish it b/c it was STRONG. It tasted like straight espresso. I felt awful throwing it away b/c it was like five bucks but my mom tried it as well and agreed that it was impossible to drink.

Do you guys have any plans to go to Starring Rolls in DHS? I've seen a lot of really delicious looking treats from there. I'm dying to get a treat from there!

Now that you mention about the macaroni at Chefs, I DO remember you ordering it! I knew that I read about it on someone's TR but I couldn't remember whose! Thanks for reminding me! Now I'll have to go back over to your TR & droll over the macaroni pictures! It just looks sooooo good! I know if I order it, Luke will definitely want to try it!

Its so hard to choose at the Kringla Bakery! I really enjoyed the almond pear tart that I got last year. I remember seeing something blood orange too but I'm not sure what it was! I'll look through my pictures & see if I can figure it out.

I have never been to Whole Foods but I've heard alot of good things about it! I wish we had one closer to us! I would love to shop there!!!

EVERYTHING at the France bakery is wonderful!!!

I know I already said it, but I just always get the chocolate mousse because I'm obsessed with chocolate mousse! I went to Seven Springs Resort here in PA one year for a yearbook conference because I was the Editor-in-Chief for 3 years at my high school. We got meal vouchers with our "resort package" and you had to use them all by the last day. Well, we were so busy between sessions that we didn't use our dessert vouchers...until the last night when we each got 5 orders of chocolate mousse! It wasn't so bad for the other girls, but I had to drive home...and my stomach hurt really, really bad! Honestly I didn't regret it though, that mousse was GOOD! Anyway, so after that experience, I tried the mousse at Epcot & loved it even more! This trip, I'm determined to walk over to Epcot a few different evenings & try something different at the bakery! I love anything raspberry or strawberry so I'm definitely going to look for that dessert that you got!!!

Starring Rolls -- YES! We're going there for breakfast on our DHS day. I will probably stop there more than once! They have so much to choose from! I didn't take any pictures while we were inside because I was just so overwhelmed with my choices! But they have a big counter towards the back that has shelves & is full of muffins, croissants, tarts, etc. And then they have 2 large display cases where the CM gets you whatever you want because its behind the glass case.

I'm curious to see the difference in options at Boardwalk Bakery, the Beach Club bakery and Starring Rolls. I wonder if they have similar choices

 

[photographymom517]

Subscribing!!! I need to go back and read......will be back later tonight.

Erika

Hi Erika!!!



I'm glad that you found my PTR from the link in my signature! Take your time catching up -- I haven't really done much other than changing my mind five thousand times regarding ADR's!

I'm hopefully going to post another update this week one day! I've been watching videos of the fireworks & parades for MNSSHP on YouTube so I'm getting very excited for our trip! Its less than 170 days away now!!!

 

[stephielela]

Epcot – Chefs de France (Lunch)

I’m super excited to eat at Chefs because one of Luke’s favorite Disney movies is Ratatoille and he is super excited to see Remy! He keeps asking me to make him a “Too-ee” tshirt for the trip!!!


I’m having a hard time choosing here! I like the looks of the Gratin de Macaroni (baked macaroni with cream & gruyere cheese) or the Filet de Saumon (broiled salmon on mixed cabbage with cubed apple & corn salad) or the Plat de Cote de boeuf (Beef Short ribs with pasta, onions & mushrooms). They all sound delish! Any suggestions?


After finding the picture of the Gratin, I will DEFINITELY be ordering it!!!

Of course, I’d love to try something chocolate for dessert but I think I’m going to try some new things on this trip! I really think the Biscuit sable Breton sounds wonderful! It’s a butter cookie with rhubarb compote with orange, strawberry & rhubarb sorbet! Yum!!! Or I might try the Crème Brulee! I love strawberry & rhubarb though so I think I’m pretty much sold on that!!!



Epcot – France bakery

See the chocolate mousse on the far right-hand side? Most of you know, that is my fav!!!! I've never even been INSIDE the France bakery because I just always send my husband in to get my mousse! This trip, I'm going inside to maybe choose something new!

Most likely, knowing me, I'll just get the chocolate mousse again! But if I decide to try something new, I think the cream puff, coconut pyramid, apple tart, and fruit bavarois sound wonderful!!!

I had the Macaroni and it was AMAZING. I really enjoyed it. I also considered the short ribs, so if you try it, you will have to let me know how it is.

The chocolate mousse is my favorite as well. I had planned on getting one in Dec and was shut out (the lines were crazy!) so I figured I would get it this trip... but with F&W going on there are so many other things I will want to try...

Magic Kingdom – Crystal Palace (Lunch)

Definitely looking forward to seeing Pooh & friends! Eeyore & Piglet are two of my very favorite characters!!! Its actually hard to choose favorites because I also love Tigger & Pooh! I hope this is worth all the anticipation because we've wanted to eat here for years! We were all super disappointed that we couldn't make our ADR last trip but there was no way after 8 days of touring we were getting up before 6:30am to make it to MK on time!



Animal Kingdom – Tusker House (Breakfast)

I really want to try the biscuits w/gravy, bread pudding & juice!!! Yum!



Boardwalk – Kouzzina (Dinner)

I have no idea what I'll get here but the Kouzzina Trio sounds good because then I could try 3 different dishes! I also think the NY Strip Steak and Whole Fish sound good. I know I definitely won't be getting the Fisherman's Stew! Eww!! Tried something similar at Red Lobster once & my husband & I both thought it smelled like a fish aqarium! haha!

For dessert, the Loukoumades (Greek doughnuts with warm honey) sound amazing!!!!


Polynesian Resort – Kona Café (Lunch)

I already know my DH will get the Kahuna Burger...its the only thing on the menu that he likes! I don't even have to ask him his choice! LOL

I think the Polynesian Plate Lunch (with chicken) sounds pretty good! I'm torn between that & the Asian Noodles.

Crystal Palace is yummy. We ate a lunch/dinner there one year and there was so much to choose from!! Plus the character interaction is great.

Tusker House Breakfast= DELICIOUSNESS
I ovbiously liked it enough to pay OOP for it on this next trip!!

We ate at Kouzzina right after they opened in 2009, and we enjoyed it. I had some steak medallion type thing I think, but my sister got the cinnamon stewed chicken and it was super tasty!!

Haven't been to Kona for lunch, but breakfast was great, so I am sure lunch will be good too.

[COLOR="SeaGreen
Epcot – San Angel Inn

We don’t have ressies for this but I’m thinking about adding them. My husband asks to eat here EVERY single trip! I definitely think he would enjoy sitting in front of the 3 Caballeros! However, after looking over the menu, I see absolutely nothing here that he would eat. He doesn't like additives to his food...like sauces & scallions & avocados & things like that! So I'll have to show him the menu before deciding for sure.

I know that I would be happy with mostly any of the entrees here! It all sounds good to me!


Epcot – Kringla Bakery (Norway)

I really want to try School Bread! For those who followed my June TR, they ran out of School Bread right before we ordered!


Hollywood Studios – Prime Time Café (Lunch)


Chicken – I think that Luke & I might share this!

The chicken, pot pie, fish sandwich, and caesar salad all sound good here!!! I'll have a hard time deciding my entree or dessert here! The brownie sundae, boston cream cupcake, and s'mores all sound great!!! Maybe we will all get something different & share!

I have eaten at San Angel Inn twice, the second time with my family, and I was the only one who enjoyed it. The atmosphere is awesome, but no one else in my family likes the food... Have you looked at the new Mexican TS place, Hacienda? At least there you could have a good view for Illuminations.

SCHOOL BREAD! Another thing I missed out on in December. I am making sure I get one in October!

Prime Time Cafe is yummy and fun. I like their pot roast, but in December I had to ask for more gravy. It was wierd, my mom's had plenty, mine was a bit light... My sister got the fried chicken which she enjoyed. I got the brownie sundae, but I think the smores are their specialty!

All this talk about food made me so hungry I had to go eat dinner before i could finish this post!

*i have done something to mess up the quoted part, but I am too tired/confused to figure it out. I am sure I just cut off some piece of code or something...*

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I am finally all caught up!

I am so jealous that you are staying at the Beach Club. Stormalong Bay looks like so much fun! We recently purchased DVC and I wanted to stay there or the Boardwalk for our summer trip but there was nothing available. I am hoping that when my 7 month window opens we can get one of the two for our Thanskgiving trip.

You mentioned you wanted to do mini golf. We did Winter Summerland this summer (I believe that is what it is called). It is the course by Blizzard Beach. It is a lot of fun and your son would love it. The course is themed so cute and if I remember correctly something animated happens on almost every hole. I know you subscribed to my pretrip. I plan on doing a trip report in it about last summers vacation and I will post several pictures of the course for you. It was later on in the trip so it may be a few weeks down the road but be looking for it. I took a picture of every hole!!

I know you decided against the water parks. When you do decide to go, Blizzard Beach appeared to be more kid-friendly for younger children. My son who was 8 at the time, could have stayed in the kid area all day. They have a lot of fun things for children. We love the water parks---Blizzard Beach is my families favorite!

I am so excited that you get to go to the Halloween party. You will love it! It is our absolute favorite thing to do at Disney! Two years ago, the party started the Friday before Labor Day and that was when we went. The weather was very hot. Jeremy dressed as Russell from UP. At the time, you could buy the shirt the boy wears as a tshirt from Disney.com. I bought him a Disney World yellow hat and the rest was pretty easy. If you look at my pretrip from last year, I think that I covered the party at the very end. There should be some pictures! You will have a blast.

So glad to see the party dates posted on your trip! I am trying to decide when we will leave in November so we can get in a MVMCP. We went to one years ago but it poured buckets of rain the entire time!

You ADRS look great!

Erika

 

[photographymom517]

I had the Macaroni and it was AMAZING. I really enjoyed it. I also considered the short ribs, so if you try it, you will have to let me know how it is.

The chocolate mousse is my favorite as well. I had planned on getting one in Dec and was shut out (the lines were crazy!) so I figured I would get it this trip... but with F&W going on there are so many other things I will want to try...

Crystal Palace is yummy. We ate a lunch/dinner there one year and there was so much to choose from!! Plus the character interaction is great.

Tusker House Breakfast= DELICIOUSNESS
I ovbiously liked it enough to pay OOP for it on this next trip!!

We ate at Kouzzina right after they opened in 2009, and we enjoyed it. I had some steak medallion type thing I think, but my sister got the cinnamon stewed chicken and it was super tasty!!

Haven't been to Kona for lunch, but breakfast was great, so I am sure lunch will be good too.

I have eaten at San Angel Inn twice, the second time with my family, and I was the only one who enjoyed it. The atmosphere is awesome, but no one else in my family likes the food... Have you looked at the new Mexican TS place, Hacienda? At least there you could have a good view for Illuminations.

SCHOOL BREAD! Another thing I missed out on in December. I am making sure I get one in October!

Prime Time Cafe is yummy and fun. I like their pot roast, but in December I had to ask for more gravy. It was wierd, my mom's had plenty, mine was a bit light... My sister got the fried chicken which she enjoyed. I got the brownie sundae, but I think the smores are their specialty!

All this talk about food made me so hungry I had to go eat dinner before i could finish this post!

*i have done something to mess up the quoted part, but I am too tired/confused to figure it out. I am sure I just cut off some piece of code or something...*

Thanks for all the info on the food choices Stephanie!

I have seen that macaroni gratin on soooo many TR's recently that I am hungry for it right now!!! That is definitely my choice for Chefs!

Isn't the chocolate mousse just the BEST?!? I love it!!! I am determined to try something new this trip, but I'll still get a chocolate mousse at some point during the trip!

You will have such a wonderful time at F&W...I cannot wait to hear about it!!!! Make sure to take lots & lots & lots of pictures of those yummy desserts so we can all see them!

I am REALLY looking forward to Crystal Palace & Tusker House!!! I'm not sure what I want to see more -- the characters or the food!

I really had my heart set on ordering the Tonga Toast at Kona, but lunch just works out better that day right before MNSSHP. Their lunch & dinner menus both looked delish as well so I'm looking forward to that one too!

I still haven't decided what to do about San Angel Inn vs. La Hacienda. The reason I was considering San Angel was because we really love the view of that pretty volcano scene & the atmosphere inside the Mexico pavilion. If we end up choosing the new restaurant over San Angel, we'll just grab QS there one day for lunch or an early dinner so we don't need ressies. I would love the view of Illuminations at the new restaurant but with all the other ADR's we have at Epcot for dinner, I'm thinking we'll just get QS there. I so wish I could make up my mind! Its not really "my mind" that I'm trying to make up though -- its my husband's. He claims that I can just make all the travel plans & do whatever I want -- but I KNOW we're going to get there & he'll ask "so why aren't we eating at Mexico?" If I make the ressie & we don't want it, I can always cancel it...but if we don't have one at all, we probably won't be able to eat there. Decisions are so much easier to make when they're your own!

I am definitely set on those smores at PTC!!!! YUM! I think that I will just split it with Luke, too much to eat alone!

I am starving now that we're talking about all of this food! Maybe my food update wasn't the best idea in the world!!! I'm making everyone hungry!

 

[photographymom517]

I am finally all caught up!

I am so jealous that you are staying at the Beach Club. Stormalong Bay looks like so much fun! We recently purchased DVC and I wanted to stay there or the Boardwalk for our summer trip but there was nothing available. I am hoping that when my 7 month window opens we can get one of the two for our Thanskgiving trip.

You mentioned you wanted to do mini golf. We did Winter Summerland this summer (I believe that is what it is called). It is the course by Blizzard Beach. It is a lot of fun and your son would love it. The course is themed so cute and if I remember correctly something animated happens on almost every hole. I know you subscribed to my pretrip. I plan on doing a trip report in it about last summers vacation and I will post several pictures of the course for you. It was later on in the trip so it may be a few weeks down the road but be looking for it. I took a picture of every hole!!

I know you decided against the water parks. When you do decide to go, Blizzard Beach appeared to be more kid-friendly for younger children. My son who was 8 at the time, could have stayed in the kid area all day. They have a lot of fun things for children. We love the water parks---Blizzard Beach is my families favorite!

I am so excited that you get to go to the Halloween party. You will love it! It is our absolute favorite thing to do at Disney! Two years ago, the party started the Friday before Labor Day and that was when we went. The weather was very hot. Jeremy dressed as Russell from UP. At the time, you could buy the shirt the boy wears as a tshirt from Disney.com. I bought him a Disney World yellow hat and the rest was pretty easy. If you look at my pretrip from last year, I think that I covered the party at the very end. There should be some pictures! You will have a blast.

So glad to see the party dates posted on your trip! I am trying to decide when we will leave in November so we can get in a MVMCP. We went to one years ago but it poured buckets of rain the entire time!

You ADRS look great!

Erika

Glad you're all caught up Erika!

I am REALLY looking forward to spending alot of time at Stormalong Bay & I know that Luke will love it! He loves playing in water and sand! I also keep showing him videos & pictures online of the Pirate area & the water slides! I think he might be a little more excited than I am!

I am soooooo jealous that you bought into DVC!!! That is my DREAM! I know I'll never be able to convince my husband because he thinks a regular condo or house would be a better investment. I don't understand his thinking!

Thanks for the info on the golf course by Blizzard Beach! That's the same one that Michelle recommended to me! I've seen a few pictures of Winter Summerland & it looks really neat! I'd love to see your pics too, I'll have to take a look at your TR. That's awesome that you took a pic of every hole! I love mini golf!!!

To be honest, I'm starting to reconsider our decision about the water park. Grrr...wish I could just decide! I don't really feel like we have enough time in our schedule for more than 1/2 day there. I would much rather just spend time at the resort since we're paying so much more for the BC...but I really think my husband & Luke want to go to Blizzard Beach regardless of what they tell me! There was a special on the Travel Channel yesterday & they were both sooo excited! It made me feel awful that we got rid of the water park option on our tickets. I'm just afraid it will end up being a waste of money because I don't think there's that much for Luke to do. I don't want one of us to be stuck in a little kiddie area all day while the other is out enjoying the slides! We like to do things together as a family & I don't think we can with Luke being as young as he is. I am so torn with this decision! If we do decide to go, I'm thinking we'll just buy a 1-day water park pass at the gate at Blizzard Beach...and it will be a last minute decision! I think I priced it out around $200 to add the water park option, but its only around $100 for a 1-day pass. I still don't think we would get $100 worth of time out of it...HELP!

I'm also very confused because everyone on the boards suggests Blizzard Beach but my mom said to go to Typhoon Lagoon because she doesn't think Luke will have anything to do at BB

I cannot wait for the MNSSHP!!!! I think it will be one of the highlights of our entire trip! My husband loves Halloween & Luke loves seeing people in costumes & fireworks! I probably won't decide on costumes until the last minute. I have to try on my Cruella costume this summer & see how it would work out in hot/humid weather. If I decide on that, I need to finish up my Dalmation print shawl! I also had an idea to buy a Goofy tshirt & the Goofy character hat since he's my favorite character! Luke & I are making a trip to our local Disney store mid-April so I'll look for the shirt then. If its a reasonable price, I'll probably buy it. I also have a pair of sparkle Minnie ears that I bought last June & a Minnie tank top that I never wore. Reese gave me the idea to possibly just wear that with a pair of shorts. I have a feeling once we're on vacation, I'll like the quicker option!

Its funny because I'm worrying about MY costume but not Luke's...and that's what I should be worried about! The main reason I'm not stressing over his costume is because he refuses to wear one! Most likely, I'll pick up a cute shirt at the Disney store (like the Buzz Lightyear or Woody tees) and he can just wear jean shorts with it. There's no way he'll wear anything on his head, face paint, or most costumes! He refused to dress up this past Halloween...so he ended up being a Pittsburgh Steeler (he wore his Polamalu jersey with black/yellow sweatpants that were mine when I was younger!) He didn't think he was "wearing a costume"...he just thought he was wearing regular clothes. He originally wanted the Mike (from Monsters Inc) costume that we saw on ebay, but when I tried to buy it for him, he got very upset. He said that he didn't want that. I showed him a few other costumes & he said he wouldn't wear them. So I'm trying to wait until the end of summer to see if he'll be a little more open to costumes. If not, we'll just buy the tshirt.

Sorry that was alot of info! I tend to talk ALOT!

 

[photographymom517]

Oooooh boy guys! I am so frustrated with airfare!!! I posted that Airfarewatchdog website for everyone & I have been getting offers but so far, none that fall into my travel dates. That's ok with me because I am planning to wait until around 90 days before & see if the prices drop. Normally they do but I'm afraid they might not this year with the gas prices rising...and you know they'll rise more over the summer months!

Anyway -- my frustration is that I want to leave on Wednesday & come back on Friday. I'd like a flight leaving mid-morning (and before noon) on Wednesday and a flight leaving MCO early evening on Friday. I know, I know...I can't choose my flight time...unless someone can lend me their personal jet?

We usually fly to MCO, hop onto the ME, arrive at the resort, grab a QS dinner, and watch tv all evening. I don't want to do this in September. I want to arrive fairly early, leave my carry-on bags with Bell Services, head over to Epcot or DHS for the afternoon & head back over to BC for our ressie at Captain's Grill by 6pm. Depending on our flight time, I might even cancel Captain's Grill for the first night & switch it with one of our Epcot ADR's. Then we could head over to Epcot for the afternoon & evening. I wouldn't even mind wandering around the resort & spending the afternoon at the pool if we want to keep Captain's Grill for the evening. I just don't want to arrive at BC after 3pm. I always feel like we're gone on vacation for 10 days, but we're really only gone for 8 days. The first & last days are always a complete waste of time.

On our last day, I would like to check our bags, leave our carry-on bags at Bell Services, and head to either DHS, Epcot, or the Boardwalk. Even if we're just resort hopping, thats fine with me. I just would like to spend our last day exploring some part of Disney property. We normally wake up, head to the resort QS for breakfast, walk around the resort for 10 minutes, and then leave for the ME bus stop. I'd rather leave later in the evening. Even if we get a 7:30pm flight, ME will be there to pick us up by 5:30pm. Well, the problem is that my husband & I are afraid to fly at night. Yes, I said it...grown adults afraid to fly in the dark. We aren't frequent flyers & we both still get sick on airplanes...not really sick, its just nerves. But if I get an extra half-day at Disney, I'll fly at night.

I have 2 options for each day. Departing home for MCO (Wednesday) -- 6:30am or 6:30pm and both are $159 at the cheapest price. Departing MCO for home (Friday) -- 9:30am or 7:30pm and again $159 at cheapest.

If I go to Tuesday or Thursday, they both have a flight for $129...but if I change to coming home Thursday or Saturday, those flights go up to $179. So I'm not really saving money. The only good thing about Saturday is that they have a mid-day flight. Only problem is that I need the mid-day flight for the day we leave home...not the day we leave MCO!

It's just frustrating me so I thought that I would share with all of you! Any airfare tips for me? I'm fine with travel plans until it comes to airfare. I don't travel often enough to be a 100% airfare guru...you know? Will prices drop 90 days before? 60 days before? 30 days before? Or is it just complete luck whether it will drop? Will they release more nonstop flights? Our airport usually has 3 flights per day (through 2 airlines) going to MCO -- but is September a slow travel season so they only have 2 instead of 3 or will another open up closer to the date?

My only offers so far are through Southwest or AirTran because I only signed up for non-stop flights. Most of the other airlines that leave our airport & go to MCO stop in Chicago or Atlanta which we don't want to do. My cheapest airfare so far was close to $800 which is slightly better than paying $1100 full price but I'm being cheap & would like closer to $500 (yes I'm being very cheap! I want more money for souvenirs! )

Any airline advice is very much appreciated! This is the part of the trip where I don't know what to do!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Glad you're all caught up Erika!

To be honest, I'm starting to reconsider our decision about the water park. Grrr...wish I could just decide! I don't really feel like we have enough time in our schedule for more than 1/2 day there. I would much rather just spend time at the resort since we're paying so much more for the BC...but I really think my husband & Luke want to go to Blizzard Beach regardless of what they tell me! There was a special on the Travel Channel yesterday & they were both sooo excited! It made me feel awful that we got rid of the water park option on our tickets. I'm just afraid it will end up being a waste of money because I don't think there's that much for Luke to do. I don't want one of us to be stuck in a little kiddie area all day while the other is out enjoying the slides! We like to do things together as a family & I don't think we can with Luke being as young as he is. I am so torn with this decision! If we do decide to go, I'm thinking we'll just buy a 1-day water park pass at the gate at Blizzard Beach...and it will be a last minute decision! I think I priced it out around $200 to add the water park option, but its only around $100 for a 1-day pass. I still don't think we would get $100 worth of time out of it...HELP!

I'm also very confused because everyone on the boards suggests Blizzard Beach but my mom said to go to Typhoon Lagoon because she doesn't think Luke will have anything to do at BB

We did both water parks last year. Blizzard Beach had a lot of activities for children. It was its own area and Jeremy would have stayed there all day if I let him. Granted he was older than most of the children there but it would be perfect for your son. I am not sure the height restrictions but the teamboat springs is a family raft ride. You could all ride together. The ski lift is fun and your son would like that. I also prefer the wave pool at BB. It is much calmer. Both parks have lazy rivers and there really wasnt' much difference in my opinion.

I did not care for a lot of the rides at TL. Some seemed very short in length. The wave pool was a nightmare. It was very easy to get knocked down. Jeremy hated it and actually ran away from it after a few minutes. I did like the shark reef (I think that is what it is called). It is where you swim and they are below you. Not sure how that would work with a little one. I know Jeremy is a good swimmer and he was able to snorkle over on his own just fine. I know they say that once you get in there you have to keep going.

As far as cost, we did the water park option last year. I think it was about $160 more which paid for itself as we were planning on going to both water parks. We went bright and early when the water park opened and left usually around lunch time. After 3-4 hours, we were worn out plus it was getting crowded. The first few hours was nice as it was a basic walk on for everything.

Hope this helps and Good luck!